520 results on '"Neoteny"'
Search Results
2. Paedomorphosis in the Ezo salamander (Hynobius retardatus) rediscovered after almost 90 years
- Author
-
Hisanori Okamiya, Ryohei Sugime, Chiharu Furusawa, Yoshihiro Inoue, and Osamu Kishida
- Subjects
Caudata ,Hynobiidae ,Facultative paedomorphosis ,Neoteny ,Morphology ,Sexual maturity ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Abstract Although paedomorphosis is widespread across salamander families, only two species have ever been documented to exhibit paedomorphosis in Hynobiidae. One of these two exceptional species is Hynobius retardatus in which paedomorphosis was first reported in 1924, in specimens from Lake Kuttara in Hokkaido. This population became extinct after the last observation in 1932; since then, no paedomorphs of this species have been reported anywhere. Here, we report the rediscovery of paedomorphs of this species. Three paedomorph-like male salamanders were collected from a pond in the south Hokkaido in December 2020 and April 2021; in size, these specimens were similar to metamorphosed adults but they still displayed larval features such as external gills and a well-developed caudal fin. An artificial fertilization experiment demonstrated that they were sexually compatible with metamorphosed females, thus, confirming them to be paedomorphs. Future efforts to find additional paedomorphs in this and other populations are required to assess the prevalence of paedomorphosis in H. retardatus and to improve understanding of the ecology and evolution of paedomorphisis in Urodela.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Would the Cephalic Development in the Purebred Arabian Horse and Its Crosses Indicate a Paedomorphic Process?
- Author
-
Arcesio Salamanca-Carreño, Pere M. Parés-Casanova, Néstor Ismael Monroy-Ochoa, and Mauricio Vélez-Terranova
- Subjects
alloidism ,celloid ,nasofacial profile ,gerontomorphy ,neoteny ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
This study examined paedomorphosis in PAH and F1 crossbreds. A sample of 99 horses was selected from 40 different breeders and consisted of three groups: stallions (n = 16), mares (n = 53), and geldings (n = 30), ranging from 10 months to 27 years in age. All horses presented a concave celloid lateral left head profile in the acquired photographic images. The hypothesis proposed in this study suggested the lateral profile of the head in juveniles was representational in the adult form due to the neonate’s facial bones (part of the splanchnocranium) developing at a different rate to those of the skull. The methodology utilized geometric morphometrics to identify 23 landmarks so as to identify profile curvature indicative between the three groups (stallions, mares, and geldings). Principal component analysis reduced the number of variables to 14 examinable landmarks. Using a two-NPMANOVA and multivariate regression test, it was demonstrated that an isometric relationship between the concave celloid profile in the juvenile and its adult counterpart existed. This result supported the hypothesis that PAH and F1 crossbreds expressed a paedomorphic trait due to the adult form retaining the concave celloid profile identified in the juvenile.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. A new suspected paedomorphic genus of net-winged beetles from the Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera, Elateroidea, Lycidae)
- Author
-
Vinicius S. Ferreira and Luiz Felipe Lima Silveira
- Subjects
Leptolycini ,Neotropical Region ,Neoteny ,Elateroidea ,Rio de Janeiro ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
Abstract Lycidae are among the better studied groups in the superfamily Elateroidea, however despite the progress in the taxonomic understanding of the Neotropical fauna, much still remains unknown and undescribed in the region. The description of the new genus Xenolycus gen. nov., from Serra dos Órgãos, a subrange of the Serra do Mar mountain range, in the Atlantic Rainforest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, contributes to the knowledge of the Neotropical Lycidae fauna. The new genus can be distinguished from all other known Calopterini and Neotropical Lycidae by the combination of a pronotum with a wide, deep and strongly visible longitudinal cell in the disc area, the filiform antennae, the dehiscent elytra with reticulation strongly reduced and bearing only two weakly developed elytral costae and the mouthparts partially reduced, with rudimentary, barely visible mandibles. The type species, Xenolycus costae sp. nov., is illustrated and diagnostic characters and a discussion on the tribal placement of the new genus are provided.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. First true brackish-water nudibranch mollusc provides new insights for phylogeny and biogeography and reveals paedomorphosis-driven evolution.
- Author
-
Korshunova, Tatiana, Lundin, Kennet, Malmberg, Klas, Picton, Bernard, and Martynov, Alexander
- Subjects
- *
FJORD ecology , *NUDIBRANCHIA , *NEOTENY , *BIOLOGICAL evolution , *PHYLOGENY - Abstract
A unique example of brackish water fjord-related diversification of a new nudibranch genus and species Bohuslania matsmichaeli gen. n., sp. n. is presented. There are only few previously known brackish-water opisthobranchs and B. matsmichaeli gen. n., sp. n. is the first ever described brackish-water nudibranch with such an extremely limited known geographical range and apparently strict adherence to salinity levels lower than 20 per mille. Up to date the new taxon has been found only in a very restricted area in the Idefjord, bordering Sweden and Norway, but not in any other apparently suitable localities along the Swedish and Norwegian coasts. We also show in this study for the first time the molecular phylogenetic sister relationship between the newly discovered genus Bohuslania and the genus Cuthona. This supports the validity of the family Cuthonidae, which was re-established recently. Furthermore, it contributes to the understanding of the evolutionary patterns and classification of the whole group Nudibranchia. Molecular and morphological data indicate that brackish water speciation was triggered by paedomorphic evolution among aeolidacean nudibranchs at least two times independently. Thus, the present discovery of this new nudibranch genus contributes to several biological fields, including integration of molecular and morphological data as well as phylogenetic and biogeographical patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Resident Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in the Asian Part of Range. Revisiting the Freshwater Component in the Structure of the Species
- Author
-
M. A. Gruzdeva, P. I. Kirillov, D. S. Pavlov, E. A. Kirillova, A. M. Malyutina, and K. V. Kuzishchin
- Subjects
Fish migration ,Reaction norm ,biology ,Range (biology) ,Oncorhynchus ,Zoology ,Aquatic Science ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences ,biology.organism_classification ,Neoteny - Abstract
New data on the resident coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from the water bodies of Kamchatka and the Bering Island (the Commander Islands) are presented: a typical resident life form is described in Kuril’skoye and Bol’shoye Lisinskoye Lakes; biological patterns of dwarf (neotenic) males of coho salmon from the basin of the Kol’ River (Western Kamchatka) are presented. Composition and structure of freshwater groups of coho salmon were analyzed on the basis of our original materials and published data. New discoveries of resident coho salmon indicate its wider distribution in the Asian part of the range wider than it was previously thought. The freshwater component in coho salmon populations is heterogeneous and represented by three variants: 1) isolated lacustrine populations (typical resident form), 2) lacustrine-riverine individuals (typical resident form) of both sexes or males only, forming integrated reproductive complex with anadromous fish, 3) dwarf (neotenic) males which inhabit rivers without lakes in the basin. A hypothesis is considered that origin and distribution of resident forms of coho salmon in the Asian part of the range may be a consequence of large-scale climate changes in the North Pacific, which are occurring at the present time. The presence of polymorphic freshwater groups in coho salmon can be considered as a manifestation of a wide norm of reaction within the species, which provides complication of the structure of distinct populations, the appearance of additional elements in their composition and, consequently, an increase in their stability and adaptability to a dynamic environment.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Caribbochiton guadeloupensis n. gen et n. sp. (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from the Caribbean Sea
- Author
-
Boris I. Sirenko and Bruno Anseeuw
- Subjects
Polyplacophora ,Genus ,Genetics ,Zoology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Callistoplacidae ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Deep sea ,Neoteny ,Mollusca ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Bathyal zone - Abstract
A new genus and new species of the family Callistoplacidae from the bathyal zone near Guadeloupe Island in the Caribbean Sea are described. Caribbochiton guadeloupensis n. gen. et n. sp. is unlike ...
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Are paedomorphs actual larvae?
- Author
-
Alicia Tribondeau, Nicolas Buisine, Laurent M. Sachs, Physiologie moléculaire et adaptation (PhyMA), and Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,2019-20 coronavirus outbreak ,post embryonic transition ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ,Zoology ,Developmental Endocrinology ,Biology ,Amphibians ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,[SDV.BBM.GTP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Genomics [q-bio.GN] ,[SDV.BA.ZV]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Animal biology/Vertebrate Zoology ,Animals ,Sexual maturity ,Juvenile ,Metamorphosis ,Neoteny ,ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS ,media_common ,Life Cycle Stages ,Larva ,thyroid hormone signaling ,metamorphosis ,Urodeles ,fungi ,Metamorphosis, Biological ,[SDV.BBM.MN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Molecular Networks [q-bio.MN] ,[SDV.BDD.MOR]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Development Biology/Morphogenesis ,030104 developmental biology ,paedomorphosis ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Developmental Biology - Abstract
Amphibians display very diverse life cycles and development can be direct, where it occurs in ovo and a juvenile hatches directly, or biphasic, where an aquatic larva hatches and later undergoes metamorphosis followed by sexual maturation. In both cases, metamorphosis, corresponds to the Post Embryonic Transition (PETr). A third strategy, only found in Urodeles, is more complex as larvae reach sexual maturity before metamorphosis, which can become accessory. The resulting paedomorphs retain their larval characters and keep their aquatic habitat. Does it mean that paedomorphs do not undergo PETr ? Recent work using high throughput technologies coupled to system biology and developmental endocrinology revisited this question and provided novel datasets indicating that a paedomorph's 'larval' tissue undergoes a proper developmental transition. Together with historical data, we propose that this transition is a marker of the PETr, which would be distinct from metamorphosis. This implies that 1) complex life cycles would result from the uncoupling of PETr and metamorphosis, and 2), biphasic life cycles would be a special cases where they occur simultaneously. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation of the lower termite
- Author
-
Zhuanzhuan Song, Chen-Xu Ye, Xiao-Hong Su, Noor us Saba, Wenxiu Zhang, Taoyu Wu, and Lian-Xi Xing
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,adaptive evolution ,AcademicSubjects/SCI01320 ,Caste ,AcademicSubjects/SCI01130 ,caste differentiation ,Zoology ,Arthropod cuticle ,Articles ,Alate ,Biology ,Reticulitermes aculabialis ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,0302 clinical medicine ,Polyphenism ,transcriptomes ,gene expression ,Ultrastructure ,endocuticle ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Neoteny ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Caste differentiation in termites is one of the most conspicuous examples of facultative polyphenism in animals. It is clear that specific cuticular formation occurs in hard exocuticles during caste differentiation. However, the developmental pattern of the soft endocuticle in the differentiation pathways of castes is unknown. To reveal whether the endocuticle is involved in caste differentiation, we compared the exocuticle and endocuticle thickness of individuals in 2 pathways (nymph line and worker line) of caste differentiation in the termite Reticulitermes aculabialis. The endocuticle protein genes were identified by transcriptome analysis and the expression patterns of these genes were confirmed in caste differentiation. We found that the endocuticle structure showed dynamic changes in 2 pathways, and the first difference in endocuticle structure occurred after larvae differentiation bifurcated into workers and nymphs. The thinning of the endocuticle was a significant event from nymphs developing into alates with the thickest exocuticle and thinnest endocuticle. The thickest endocuticle layers were found in the heads of the workers and the ultrastructure of the endocuticle in the heads was more complex than that in the thorax–abdomens. Six endocuticle protein genes were identified and annotated as endocuticle structural glycoproteins SgAbd-2, SgAbd-9, and Abd-5. The expression levels of endocuticle protein genes changed dramatically during caste development and the expression levels in neotenic reproductives (secondary reproductives) were significantly higher than those in alates (primary reproductives). These results reveal the roles of endocuticles in caste differentiation and adaptation to the environment.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Comparing shape along growth trajectories in two marine snail ecotypes of Littorina saxatilis: a test of evolution by paedomorphosis
- Author
-
Emilio Rolán-Alvarez, N Varela, and J Gefaell
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Littorina saxatilis ,0303 health sciences ,biology ,Ecotype ,Zoology ,Snail ,Aquatic Science ,Test (biology) ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,biology.animal ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Neoteny ,030304 developmental biology - Abstract
Two sympatric ecotypes (‘crab’ and ‘wave’) of Littorina saxatilis are adapted to different microhabitats. It has been claimed, based on the comparison of proteomic differentiation across ontogeny, that the wave ecotype may have evolved by paedomorphosis from an ancestor more similar to the crab ecotype. Here, we test the paedomorphosis hypothesis at a morphological level by comparing crab and wave specimens from two localities using the pattern of shell shape differentiation across ontogeny. The results obtained show a pattern of shell shape differentiation similar to the one observed in previous proteomic studies, but such a pattern could be caused by different modes of evolution, and not necessarily by paedomorphosis. This study emphasizes that in addition to studying the pattern of differentiation, the direction of the evolutionary change across ontogeny has to be analysed before conclusions can be drawn on particular developmental modes of evolution.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Habitat deterioration promotes the evolution of direct development in metamorphosing species
- Author
-
André M. de Roos, Renske E. Onstein, Hanna ten Brink, and Theoretical and Computational Ecology (IBED, FNWI)
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,size structure ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Zoology ,Biology ,Extinction, Biological ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Models, Biological ,Amphibians ,03 medical and health sciences ,direct development ,evolution ,Genetics ,Animals ,Body Size ,life‐history evolution ,Adult stage ,Metamorphosis ,Selection, Genetic ,Adaptation ,education ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Ecosystem ,media_common ,Ovum ,education.field_of_study ,Larva ,metamorphosis ,Metamorphosis, Biological ,Marine invertebrates ,Original Articles ,Biological Evolution ,030104 developmental biology ,Habitat ,Original Article ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences - Abstract
Although metamorphosis is widespread in the animal kingdom, several species have evolved life‐cycle modifications to avoid complete metamorphosis. Some species, for example, many salamanders and newts, have deleted the adult stage via a process called paedomorphosis. Others, for example, some frog species and marine invertebrates, no longer have a distinct larval stage and reach maturation via direct development. Here we study which ecological conditions can lead to the loss of metamorphosis via the evolution of direct development. To do so, we use size‐structured consumer‐resource models in conjunction with the adaptive‐dynamics approach. In case the larval habitat deteriorates, individuals will produce larger offspring and in concert accelerate metamorphosis. Although this leads to the evolutionary transition from metamorphosis to direct development when the adult habitat is highly favorable, the population will go extinct in case the adult habitat does not provide sufficient food to escape metamorphosis. With a phylogenetic approach we furthermore show that among amphibians the transition of metamorphosis to direct development is indeed, in line with model predictions, conditional on and preceded by the evolution of larger egg sizes.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Rapid miniaturization of Salvelinus fish as an adaptation to the volcanic impact
- Author
-
G. N. Markevich, E. V. Esin, and F. N. Shkil
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,education.field_of_study ,biology ,Toxic environment ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Population ,Zoology ,Aquatic Science ,biology.organism_classification ,Fecundity ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Metabolic rate ,%22">Fish ,Adaptation ,education ,Neoteny ,Salvelinus - Abstract
Volcanoes serve as natural laboratories expanding our understanding of the recent and past ecological and evolutionary processes. Here, we present data elucidating the developmental and phenotypic transformations providing rapid adaptation for the salmonid fish, Salvelinus malma, to volcanic impact. After being isolated by the mudflow in 1996, the locked descendants of sea-run charr managed to survive in the highly turbid and toxic environment. Initially, the population underwent a phase of high developmental instability accompanied by a surge in morphological deviations. Further, selection targeted the fish prone to migrate into the most toxic mainstream favoring a sedentary lifestyle at the less toxic spawning tributaries. In five–seven generations, the sedentary population recovered developmental homeostasis but diverged into a small-sized short-cycled form with low phenotypic variability. In response to toxicosis, the fish displayed an accelerated metabolic rate and precocious maturations. The spawners possessed fry morphology with no spawning dress. Sedentary fish also exhibited a decreased fecundity and did not build spawning nests. Thus, under the volcanic impact, S. malma demonstrated a rapid paedomorphic miniaturization, an evolutionary mechanism enabling to complete the reproductive cycle under the conditions of high risks of reaching the adaptive capacity limits.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Life history traits and interactions of Stylops advarians (Strepsiptera) with its bee host, Andrena milwaukeensis
- Author
-
Arthur R. Davis and Zach S. Balzer
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Strepsiptera ,Andrena ,Larva ,biology ,05 social sciences ,Foraging ,Zoology ,Gaster ,Hymenoptera ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Infectious Diseases ,Stylops ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Neoteny - Abstract
Specimens of Stylops advarians were sampled by collecting foraging bees of Andrena milwaukeensis along the South Saskatchewan River within Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. As the foraging season progressed from early May till late June over three consecutive years (2016–2018), most stylopized bees possessed endoparasitic adult (neotenic) females of S. advarians protruding from the bee gaster's dorsum. In contrast, very few adult bees stylopized by male puparia, and no free-living males, were encountered. Over the sampling period, prevalence remained around 22% each year; mean intensity was 1.2 (range of 1–3 female parasites per bee); and parasite abundance was 0.27. Also newly reported for Stylops is the occurrence of one bee bearing four Stylops (two neotenic females and two males with puparia), plus another bee with a male puparium extruded from its gaster's sternites. Around 2 May each year, a high proportion of the earliest captured female bees were stylopized. However, non-stylopized female bees typically were not encountered until about 10 days later, suggesting the parasites manipulate female bee hosts to emerge earlier, in close synchrony to male bee emergence. First-instar larvae of S. advarians appeared from 22–25 May, indicating that adults of S. advarians matured and mated at similar times each season.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Hidden in the bushes: uncovering the diversity of the genus Neometrypus Desutter, 1988 n. status (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Paroecanthini: Tafaliscina) in Neotropical forests
- Author
-
Lucas Denadai De Campos and Pedro G. B. Souza-Dias
- Subjects
Insecta ,Arthropoda ,Orthoptera ,Zoology ,Identification key ,Neometrypus ,Forests ,Gryllidae ,Type (biology) ,Genus ,Animalia ,Animals ,Body Size ,Mating ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Taxonomy ,biology ,Amazon rainforest ,Animal Structures ,Biodiversity ,Organ Size ,biology.organism_classification ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Animal Distribution - Abstract
Neometrypus Desutter, 1988 n. status is elevated to the generic level. Ten new species of this genus are described (N. azevedoi n. sp., N. carvalhoi n. sp., N. catiae n. sp., N. couriae n. sp., N. lopesae n. sp., N. maiae n. sp., N. marcelae n. sp., N. mejdalanii n. sp., N. mendoncae n. sp., N. monnei n. sp.). All the species are from Brazil, nine from the Atlantic Forest, and one from Amazonia. We also provide a distribution map of all type localities of Neometrypus n. status, an identification key for all 13 known species of the genus, the first record of the mating behavior, and a short discussion about paedomorphic characters and communication between these crickets.
- Published
- 2021
15. Review of the tribe Lyropaeini (Coleoptera: Lycidae)
- Author
-
Milada BOCÁKOVÁ
- Subjects
taxonomy ,new species ,key ,neoteny ,oriental and australian region ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
A review of genera within the tribe Lyropaeini is given. Three new genera - Lyrolib gen. n., Horakiella gen. n., and Ambangia gen. n., and a subgenus Macroambangia subgen. n. within Ambangia gen. n. are described. The following twelve new species are proposed as new to science: Ambangia nigra sp. n. (Sulawesi), A. wallacei sp. n. (Sulawesi), Ambangia (Macroambangia) pallidicornis sp. n. (Sulawesi), A. (M.) celebensis sp. n. (Sulawesi), A. (M.) nigricornis sp. n. (Sulawesi), Alyculus wittmeri sp. n. (Sumatra), Horakiella hammondi sp. n. (Malaysia: Sarawak), H. pahangana sp. n. (Peninsular Malaysia), H. emasensis sp. n. (Malaysia: Sabah), Lyrolib minor sp. n. (Sulawesi), L. grandis sp. n. (Sulawesi), and Microlyropaeus dembickyi sp. n. (Sumatra). A key to genera of Lyropaeini is given, and comments on their relationships are provided.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Experience-expectant brain plasticity corresponds to caste-specific abiotic challenges in dampwood termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis and Z. nevadensis)
- Author
-
Sean O'Donnell, Meghan Barrett, and Susan J. Bulova
- Subjects
Nymph ,Natural selection ,Neuronal Plasticity ,genetic structures ,Reproduction ,Zoology ,Sensory system ,General Medicine ,Isoptera ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,eye diseases ,Lobe ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Zootermopsis angusticollis ,Nest ,medicine ,Animals ,Mating ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Hypotheses for adaptive brain investment predict associations between the relative sizes of functionally distinct brain regions and the sensory/cognitive demands animals confront. We measured developmental differences in the relative sizes of visual processing brain regions (optic lobes) among dampwood termite castes to test whether optic lobe investment matches caste differences in exposure to visually complex environments. The winged primary reproductives (Kings/Queens) on mating flights are the only caste to leave the dark nest cavities and as predicted, Kings/Queens showed greater relative investment in optic lobe tissue than nestbound (neotenic) reproductives and soldiers in two dampwood termite species (Zootermopsis angusticollis and Z. nevadensis). Relative optic lobe size spanned more than an order of magnitude among the castes we studied, suggesting the growth of the optic lobes incurs substantial tissue costs. Optic lobe growth was experience-expectant: the optic lobes of Z. angusticollis brachypterous nymphs, which typically develop into Kings/Queens, were relatively larger than the optic lobes of apterous nymphs, which precede neotenics and soldiers, and relative optic lobe size of nestbound brachypterous nymphs was statistically similar to that of Kings/Queens. Experience-expectant brain tissue growth is rarely documented in insects, likely because it entails high potential costs of tissue production and maintenance and relatively low immediate sensory/cognitive benefits. We develop hypotheses for the conditions under which experience-expectant growth in brain regions could be favored by natural selection.
- Published
- 2021
17. Homology and morphology in Poduromorpha (Hexapoda, Collembola)
- Author
-
Cyrille A. D'HAESE
- Subjects
chaetotaxy ,poduromorpha ,entomobryomorpha ,symphypleona ,neelipleona ,neoteny ,homology ,phylogeny ,postembryonic development ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
The detailed external morphology and general anatomy of the majority of families and subfamilies of Poduromorpha were investigated and compared. This examination was done in relation to the three remaining orders of Collembola: Entomobryomorpha, Symphypleona and Neelipleona. Within Poduromorpha, homologies among the different families and subfamilies are established for general chaetotaxy, and chaeotaxy of head, buccal cone, sensilla of fourth antennal segment, anal valves and tibiotarsus. A consistent and comprehensive nomenclature is proposed for these morphological features unifying those applied in scattered existing studies. Observations on first instars are reported. Comparison of first instars and adult chaetotaxy suggests a possible paedomorphic trend in the evolution of Poduromorpha.
- Published
- 2003
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. A subtle threat: behavioral and phenotypic consequences of invasive mosquitofish on a native paedomorphic newt
- Author
-
Anastasios Bounas, Mathieu Denoël, Konstantinos Sotiropoulos, Christos Chavas, and Elisavet A. Toli
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Amphibian ,Lissotriton ,Ecology ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Foraging ,Zoology ,Introduced species ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Gambusia ,biology.animal ,Metamorphosis ,Mosquitofish ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,media_common - Abstract
Aquatic invaders often cause severe declines of native amphibian populations, either through competition, predation and/or alterations of the habitat. Such situation has raised additional concerns for the persistence of endemic species exhibiting rare and alternative phenotypes. Here, we experimentally assessed the impact of the invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) on adult newts (Lissotriton graecus) exhibiting paedomorphosis, the retention of larval traits such as gills, making them fully aquatic. Mosquitofish had a negative impact on paedomorphic newts by inducing both behavioral and phenotypic changes. Paedomorphic newts exhibited avoidance behavior and higher metamorphosis rates in the presence of fish. Both female and male newts responded by decreasing mobility and foraging activity. Females stopped investing in egg-laying in presence of fish and males metamorphosed earlier than females. Hence, our results show that mosquitofish introductions, particularly in areas with populations exhibiting paedomorphosis, might have detrimental consequences on the preservation of alternative developmental pathways. Both behavioral and phenotypic effects should be assessed to understand the impacts of introduced species.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Neotenic Traits in Heterocephalus glaber and Homo sapiens
- Author
-
Nikita A Popov and Vladimir P. Skulachev
- Subjects
Aging ,Reactive oxygen species metabolism ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Longevity ,Biophysics ,Zoology ,Biochemistry ,Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous) ,03 medical and health sciences ,Mole ,Animals ,Humans ,Neoteny ,Naked mole-rat ,media_common ,Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ,0303 health sciences ,biology ,Genome, Human ,Mole Rats ,030302 biochemistry & molecular biology ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Mitochondria ,Sexual reproduction ,Homo sapiens ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,Gradual increase ,Reactive Oxygen Species - Abstract
The data on the neoteny (prolongation of youth and retardation of aging) in naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) and Homo sapiens are summarized. Fifty-eight neotenic traits have been described by now in the naked mole rat at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and metabolism levels. Among them, there are traits that increase the lifespan, including mild depolarization of mitochondria that prevents generation by these organelles of reactive oxygen species known to strongly promote aging. Mild mitochondrial depolarization disappears with age in short-lived mammals (mouse Mus musculus) much faster than in long-lived mammals (e.g., naked mole rats and bats). The development of neoteny in naked mole rats has been due to the social organization. These animals live in subterranean colonies, where sexual reproduction is monopolized by the queen and one or several males who are defended and provided with nutrition by numerous subordinates. Humans have achieved a gradual increase in the lifespan first due to neoteny, and then to the technical progress, which can be observed by comparing the lifespan curves of chimpanzees, hunter-gatherers of the Paraguayan Ache tribe, and residents of Sweden from the XVII century to the present day. Significantly different rates of neoteny and technical progress make it possible to discriminate between the contributions of these two longevity mechanisms.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. The impact of metamorphosis on the cranial osteology of giant salamanders of the genus Dicamptodon
- Author
-
Peter Pogoda, Alexander Kupfer, and Rainer R. Schoch
- Subjects
Larva ,Osteology ,Genus ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Cell Biology ,Metamorphosis ,Biology ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Caudata ,media_common - Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. The discovery of Burmolycus compactus gen. et sp. nov. from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar provides the evidence for early diversification of net-winged beetles (Coleoptera, Lycidae)
- Author
-
Yun Li, Ladislav Bocak, and Sieghard Ellenberger
- Subjects
Lycidae ,010506 paleontology ,biology ,Fauna ,Paleontology ,Zoology ,010502 geochemistry & geophysics ,Tribe (biology) ,biology.organism_classification ,Elateroidea ,01 natural sciences ,Cretaceous ,Phylogenetic diversity ,Extant taxon ,Neoteny ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
A new net-winged beetle, Burmolycus compactus gen. et sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Elateroidea, Lycidae), is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber and the new tribe Burmolycini trib. nov. is erected for this species in Dexorinae Bocak et Bocakova, 1989. B. compactus is the oldest amber inclusion of a net-winged beetle. The discovery suggests the start of Lycidae diversification at least in the Mid-Cretaceous. The fossil was discovered in the area of the highest phylogenetic diversity of extant net-winged beetles, in deposits with a rich beetles fauna. The species is a member of the putative early radiation of this family and shows relationships with Afrotropical Dexorinae from which it differs in the dilated apical palpomeres, serrate antennae, and fully metamorphosed females. Burmolycus compactus shares 10-segmented antennae with several genera with proved or hypothesized neotenic females. The general appearance of Cretaceous B. compactus is surprisingly similar to extant net-winged beetles and may represent the example of their long-term morphological stasis.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Widespread occurrence of asexual reproduction in higher termites of the Termes group (Termitidae: Termitinae)
- Author
-
Jan Křivánek, Klára Dolejšová, Simon Hellemans, Robert Hanus, Denis Fournier, and Yves Roisin
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Entomology ,Evolution ,Parthenogenesis ,Zoology ,Asexual reproduction ,Isoptera ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Termites ,03 medical and health sciences ,Reproduction, Asexual ,QH359-425 ,Animals ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Phylogeny ,Asexual queen succession ,Termes-group ,South America ,biology.organism_classification ,Sexual reproduction ,Termitidae ,030104 developmental biology ,Thelytoky ,Female ,Gamete duplication ,Rhinotermitidae ,Thelytokous parthenogenesis ,Sciences exactes et naturelles ,Microsatellite Repeats ,Research Article - Abstract
BackgroundA decade ago, the mixed reproductive strategy Asexual Queen Succession (AQS) was first described in termites. In AQS species, the workers, soldiers and dispersing reproductives are produced through sexual reproduction, while non-dispersing (neotenic) queens arise through automictic thelytokous parthenogenesis, replace the founding queen and mate with the founding king. As yet, AQS has been documented in six species from three lineages of lower (Rhinotermitidae) and higher (Termitinae: Termes group and Syntermitinae) termites. Independent evolution of the capacity of thelytoky as a preadaptation to AQS is supported by different mechanisms of automixis in each of the three clades. These pioneering discoveries prompt the question on the extent of thelytoky and AQS in the diversified family of higher termites.ResultsHere, we investigated the capacity of thelytoky and occurrence of AQS in three species from the phylogenetic proximity of the neotropical AQS species Cavitermes tuberosus (Termitinae: Termes group): Palmitermes impostor, Spinitermes trispinosus, and Inquilinitermes inquilinus. We show that queens of all three species are able to lay unfertilized eggs, which undergo thelytokous parthenogenesis (via gamete duplication as in C. tuberosus) and develop through the transitional stage of aspirants into replacement neotenic queens.ConclusionsThe breeding system in P. impostor is very reminiscent of that described in C. tuberosus and can be characterized as AQS. In the remaining two species, our limited data do not allow classifying the breeding system as AQS; yet, also in these species the thelytokous production of neotenic females appears to be a systematic element of reproductive strategies. It appears likely that the capacity of thelytokous parthenogenesis evolved once in the Termes group, and may ultimately be found more widely, well beyond these Neotropical species., info:eu-repo/semantics/published
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Understanding the Loss of Maternal Care in Avian Brood Parasites Using Preoptic Area Transcriptome Comparisons in Brood Parasitic and Non-parasitic Blackbirds
- Author
-
Lauren A. O’Connell, Eva K. Fischer, Matthew I. M. Louder, Kathleen S. Lynch, and Christopher N. Balakrishnan
- Subjects
neoteny ,Receptors, Prolactin ,Offspring ,Zoology ,Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor ,QH426-470 ,Investigations ,Transcriptome ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Genetics ,Animals ,Passeriformes ,Maternal Behavior ,Molecular Biology ,Neoteny ,brood parasitism ,Genetics (clinical) ,Early Growth Response Protein 1 ,030304 developmental biology ,Brood parasite ,0303 health sciences ,Behavior, Animal ,Obligate ,biology ,Gene Expression Profiling ,Neuropeptides ,biology.organism_classification ,Preoptic Area ,Brood ,Receptors, Bombesin ,Acetylcholinesterase ,Female ,Somatostatin ,Icterid ,transcriptome ,Paternal care ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Parental care is critical for offspring survival in many species. However, parental behaviors have been lost in roughly 1% of avian species known as the obligate brood parasites. To shed light on molecular and neurobiological mechanisms mediating brood parasitic behavior, we compared brain gene expression patterns between two brood parasitic species and one closely related non-parasitic Icterid (blackbird) species. Our analyses focused on gene expression changes specifically in the preoptic area (POA), a brain region known to play a critical role in parental behavior across vertebrates. Using comparative transcriptomic approaches, we identified gene expression patterns associated with brood parasitism. We evaluated three non-mutually exclusive alternatives for the evolution of brood parasitism: (1) retention of juvenile-like (neotenic) gene expression, (2) reduced expression of maternal care-related genes in the POA, and/or (3) increased expression of genes inhibiting maternal care. We find evidence for neotenic expression patterns in both species of parasitic cowbirds as compared to maternal, non-parasites. In addition, we observed differential expression in a number of genes with previously established roles in mediating maternal care. Together, these results provide the first insight into transcriptomic and genetic mechanisms underlying the loss of maternal behavior in avian brood parasites.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Paedomorphic Tendencies in the Evolution of Daphnia (Daphnia) longispina s. l. Species Group (Crustacea: Cladocera: Daphniidae)
- Author
-
Alexey A. Kotov and A. G. Kirdyasheva
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,fungi ,Rostrum ,Zoology ,Seta ,Anomopoda ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Aquatic Science ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Daphnia ,Cladocera ,040102 fisheries ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Daphniidae ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Daphnia galeata - Abstract
Paedomorpic tendencies in the evolution of pelagic daphniids with respect to the Daphnia longispina s. l. species group (Crustacea: Cladocera: Daphniidae) are discussed. They concern the reduction of the total length, body length and relative length of the rostrum, relative length of postabdominal processes and decrease in the number of postabdominal teeth, elongation of the caudal spine, swimming antennae, and postabdominal setae. Paedomorphic tendencies in the males of Daphnia cucullata Sars are manifested in their similarity to females, and, in males of Daphnia galeata Sars, they are mainly manifested in their similarity to juvenile males of Daphnia longispina (O. F. Muller). Paedomorphic evolution and adaptation to the pelagic mode of life may be strongly interrelated, and occuring in parallel and even independently from each other due to the mosaic pattern of evolution.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Pseudovermis paradoxus 2.0—3D microanatomy and ultrastructure of a vermiform, meiofaunal nudibranch (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia)
- Author
-
Katharina M. Jörger, Tatiana Korshunova, Christina K. Flammensbeck, Timea P. Neusser, Gerhard Haszprunar, and Alexander Martynov
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Vermiform ,Pseudovermidae ,biology ,Zoology ,Nudibranch ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Paradoxus ,Sea slug ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Gastropoda ,Heterobranchia ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Pseudovermidae is the only clade of nudibranchs entirely comprised of mesopsammic species probably resulting from paedomorphosis. These minute slugs show a worldwide distribution with most lineages described from European waters. The present study redescribes the type species of Pseudovermidae, Pseudovermis paradoxus Pereyaslavtzeva, 1891, from the Black Sea with modern methodology. We provide computer-based 3D reconstructions of all organ systems and ultrastructural data on the digestive and renopericardial systems. Several aspects of the external morphology and the highly concentrated central nervous system in P. paradoxus are paedomorphic. The presence of a vestigial pericardium without a heart is interpreted as co-adaptation to the minute, vermiform body with a relatively large surface. The (partially) triaulic hermaphroditic genital system shows a small penis, suggesting true copulation as mode of sperm transfer. We provide a molecular barcode and a neotype in line with our detailed 3D microanatomy and ultrastructural data to establish a baseline for revision of Pseudovermidae. The current taxonomy of Pseudovermidae in European waters is likely artificially inflated, impeding a better understanding of distribution and diversification within the clade. Our study highlights the need for a taxonomic revision of European pseudovermid species based on molecular data, as traditional taxonomic characters mostly present a higher intraspecific rather than interspecific variation or might present artifacts (i.e., “denticulated” jaws).
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Influences of facultative paedomorphosis on kin selection in a larval salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum
- Author
-
Haris Dzaferbegovic, Shelby R. Timm, Cy L. Mott, and Howard H. Whiteman
- Subjects
Facultative ,Larva ,Zoology ,Kin selection ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,Ambystoma talpoideum ,biology.animal ,otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,behavior and behavior mechanisms ,Salamander ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Neoteny ,health care economics and organizations - Abstract
Kin selection in larval amphibians is hypothesized to increase survival to metamorphosis. While kin selection may benefit amphibians with obligate metamorphosis, increased survival within sibships may exert fitness costs on facultatively paedomorphic species, such as increased competition among kin. Consequently, it is unclear whether such species should engage in kin selection. We investigated kin selection in a facultatively paedomorphic salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, using laboratory behavioural trials and microcosm experiments. Individuals were most aggressive towards familiar siblings, and full-sibship groups incurred more injuries than mixed-sibship groups; however, familiar siblings ultimately exhibited higher survival. Thus, while short-term responses appeared to reflect the hypothesized costs of kin recognition, long-term patterns of survival did not support this hypothesis. The inconsistencies between results suggest that short-term studies may not capture ontogenetic variation in kin selection, and that long-term studies are needed to better test the hypothesized effects of kin selection on survival and metamorphosis.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. The genus Selasia Laporte, 1838 (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Agrypninae) in Sri Lanka
- Author
-
Robin Kundrata and Gabriela Packova
- Subjects
Systematics ,aviation ,Insecta ,Arthropoda ,Fauna ,Zoology ,Elateroidea ,Genus ,Animalia ,Animals ,Lampyridae ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Taxonomy ,Sri Lanka ,biology ,Fireflies ,Biodiversity ,Ototretinae ,biology.organism_classification ,Incertae sedis ,Coleoptera ,aviation.aircraft_model ,Elateridae ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Animal Distribution - Abstract
The neotenic click-beetle genus Selasia Laporte, 1838 has a centre of diversity in the tropical Africa but also includes several species known from the Palearctic and Oriental regions. In this study, we review the Selasia fauna of Sri Lanka. We describe S. ivanae sp. nov., redescribe S. apicalis Pic, 1914, and discuss the systematic placement of S. isabellae Bourgeois, 1909, which is probably a firefly and is considered incertae sedis.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Cretophengodidae, a new Cretaceous beetle family, sheds light on the evolution of bioluminescence
- Author
-
Chenyang(蔡晨阳) Cai, Zhenhua Liu, Yan-da(李言达) Li, Diying (黄迪颖) Huang, Robin Kundrata, and Erik Tihelka
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Male ,Biogeography ,Zoology ,Myanmar ,Phengodidae ,Elateroidea ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Light organ ,Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution ,Bioluminescence ,Animals ,Neoteny ,Phylogeny ,030304 developmental biology ,General Environmental Science ,0303 health sciences ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,biology ,Fossils ,Fireflies ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Coleoptera ,Rhagophthalmidae ,Palaeobiology ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences - Abstract
Bioluminescent beetles of the superfamily Elateroidea (fireflies, fire beetles, glow-worms) are the most speciose group of terrestrial light-producing animals. The evolution of bioluminescence in elateroids is associated with unusual morphological modifications, such as soft-bodiedness and neoteny, but the fragmentary nature of the fossil record discloses little about the origin of these adaptations. We report the discovery of a new bioluminescent elateroid beetle family from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (ca99 Ma), Cretophengodidae fam. nov.Cretophengodes azarigen. et sp. nov. belongs to the bioluminescent lampyroid clade, and would appear to represent a transitional fossil linking the soft-bodied Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae clade and hard-bodied elateroids. The fossil male possesses a light organ on the abdomen which presumably served a defensive function, documenting a Cretaceous radiation of bioluminescent beetles coinciding with the diversification of major insectivore groups such as frogs and stem-group birds. The discovery adds a key branch to the elateroid tree of life and sheds light on the evolution of soft-bodiedness and the historical biogeography of elateroid beetles.
- Published
- 2021
29. On the Natural History of the Black Winged Firefly, Phosphaenopterus metzneri Schaufuss, 1870 with Comparative Notes on Phosphaenina (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
- Author
-
Luis Lopes, Viviane Campos da Silva Nunes, Gonçalo Figueira, and Paula M. Souto
- Subjects
aviation ,Palearctic ,Zoology ,Morphology (biology) ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Larviform female ,larviform female ,aviation.aircraft_model ,Taxon ,Sympatric speciation ,Genus ,Copula (jellyfish) ,diurnal fireflies ,wing polymorphism ,Lampyridae ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Iberian Peninsula - Abstract
The genus Phosphaenopterus Schaufuss, 1870 encompasses two species restricted to Europe, both underrepresented in the literature and entomological collections. Phosphaenopterus metzneri Schaufuss, 1870 is the most widely distributed within the genus, being recorded in France, Portugal, and Spain. Since its century-old original description based only on the male, the biology of this species was not further investigated. By collecting larvae of Phosphaenina where male of Phosphaenopterus metzneri occur, we reared them to adults, resulting in male and females of Phosphaenopterus metzneri – the latter hitherto unknown. The male-female association was possible due to copula recorded ex-situ. Here, we describe for the first time the neotenic female of Phosphaenopterus metzneri, a diurnal firefly, and redescribed the male. We provide illustration of diagnostic features of the adults, and an updated distribution map for Phosphenopterus metzneri. Considering the morphological resemblance between all the three species within Phosphaenina, we also redescribe the male of Phosphaenus hemipterus (Goeze, 1777), a species also presents in Portugal, providing important diagnostic features for both taxa. By comparing the morphology of males of Phosphaenus hemipterus and Phosphaenopterus metzneri, we could not find any difference other than proportions of elytra, and wings, which may be a result of the brachypterous condition of the former. This study stresses and discusses a putative case of wing polymorphism in Lampyridae, a rare condition in fireflies. This is also the first study to report both species in sympatric distribution info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2021
30. A new species of Moenkhausia (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Madeira basin, Brazil, with comments on the evolution and development of the trunk lateral line system in characids
- Author
-
Manoela Maria Ferreira Marinho, Willian Massaharu Ohara, and Fernando Cesar Paiva Dagosta
- Subjects
Variação Intraespecífica ,Evolution ,Lateral line ,Zoology ,Aquatic Science ,Characiformes ,Desenvolvimento Truncado ,Pedomorfose ,Escama ,Paedomorphy ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Moenkhausia ,Tube formation ,Near-threatened species ,Evolução ,biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Trunk ,Scale ,Characidae ,Intraspecific Variation ,QL1-991 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Developmental Truncation - Abstract
A new species of Moenkhausia is described from the rio Machado drainage, Amazon basin, Brazil. It is diagnosed from congeners by its color pattern, consisting of the concentration of chromatophores on the anterior portion of body scales, the horizontally elongate blotch on caudal peduncle, a bright golden coloration of the dorsal portion of eye when alive, and a dark line crossing the eye horizontally. The new species has variable morphology regarding trunk lateral-line canals. Most fully grown individuals do not have enclosed bony tube in many lateral line scales, resembling early developmental stages of tube formation of other species. This paedomorphic condition is interpreted as a result of developmental truncation. Such evolutionary process may have been responsible for the presence of distinct levels of trunk lateral line reductions in small characids. Variation in this feature is common, even between the sides of the same individual. We reassert that the degree of trunk lateral-line tube development must be used with care in taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, because reductions in the laterosensory system may constitute parallel loss in the Characidae. We suggest the new species to be categorized Near Threatened due to the restricted geographical distribution and continuing decline in habitat quality. Resumo Uma espécie nova de Moenkhausia é descrita da drenagem do rio Machado, bacia Amazônica, Brasil. É diagnosticada das congêneres pelo padrão de coloração, que consiste na concentração de cromatóforos na porção anterior das escamas do corpo, em uma mancha horizontalmente alongada no pedúnculo caudal, na coloração dourada brilhante da porção dorsal do olho quando vivo e na faixa escura que atravessa o olho horizontalmente. A nova espécie apresenta variação na morfologia do canal da linha lateral do corpo. A maioria dos indivíduos totalmente desenvolvidos não possuem tubo ósseo fechado em muitas escamas da linha lateral, assemelhando-se aos estágios iniciais do desenvolvimento da formação do tubo de outras espécies. Essa condição pedomórfica é interpretada como resultado do truncamento do desenvolvimento. Tal processo evolutivo pode ter sido responsável pelos diferentes níveis de redução do canal sensorial de pequenos caracídeos. A variação neste caráter é comum, até entre os lados do mesmo indivíduo. Por isso, reafirmamos que o grau de desenvolvimento do canal sensorial do corpo deve ser usado com cuidado em estudos taxonômicos e filogenéticos, porque reduções no sistema látero-sensorial podem significar perdas paralelas em Characidae. Sugerimos que a espécie nova seja categorizada como Quase Ameaçada devido à distribuição geográfica restrita e ao declínio contínuo da qualidade do habitat.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Queen Harems of Higher Termites are Regulated by Queen Pheromone
- Author
-
Blanka Kalinová, Jitka Štáfková, Klára Dolejšová, Pavlína Kyjaková, Jan Křivánek, Virginie Roy, Amit Roy, Jana Havlíčková, and Robert Hanus
- Subjects
education.field_of_study ,biology ,education ,Population ,Zoology ,Unfertilized Eggs ,biology.organism_classification ,Queen (playing card) ,Termitidae ,Harem ,behavior and behavior mechanisms ,Pheromone ,Neoteny ,Embiratermes neotenicus ,reproductive and urinary physiology - Abstract
Colonies of higher termites (Termitidae) are usually headed by one king and one queen. Striking exceptions have recently been described in several species, whose founding queens prematurely die and are replaced by harems of up to hundreds of neotenic queens, arising from unfertilized eggs. This complex breeding system calls for the presence of a mechanism which would control the onset of the harem and its size. Here we show in one of such species, Embiratermes neotenicus, that the sesquiterpenoid (3R,6E)-nerolidol, emitted by queens and eggs, delays the development of new neotenic queens. We prove its effect as an airborne signal and demonstrate its olfactory detection. We conclude that (3R,6E)-nerolidol acts as a queen pheromone which may ensure the correct timing of the founding queen’s replacement and optimize the harem size according to colony population and fitness of reigning queen(s), being thus the key regulatory element of the harem breeding system.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
32. First observation of partial neoteny in Salamandrina perspicillata (Savi, 1821)
- Author
-
Valeria Gargini, Piero Felici, Ernesto Filippi, and Maura Brancaleoni
- Subjects
Amphibian ,Larva ,biology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Trough (geology) ,Paleontology ,Zoology ,Geology ,Plant Science ,biology.organism_classification ,Leucism ,biology.animal ,Salamandrina perspicillata ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Reproduction ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Physiological Phenomenon ,media_common - Abstract
Different forms of neoteny were recorded in some Italian amphibian species: full (absolute or temporary) and partial. However, this physiological phenomenon was never observed in the Italian endemic Salamandrina perspicillata. The authors report the first record of partial neoteny in an individual of this species, a leucistic larva observed in a drinking trough in the Valle del Treja Regional Park (Latium - Central Italy).
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Two new miniature silverside fishes of the genus Membras Bonaparte (Atheriniformes, Atherinopsidae) from the Tropical North Atlantic Ocean
- Author
-
Emily Young, Sophie Scobell, Benjamin Silverstone, Elijah Henderson, Barry Chernoff, Aashni Parikh, Jennifer Escobedo, Nola Neri, Grace Kohn, Michael Freiburger, Antonio Machado-Allison, and Andrew Hennessy
- Subjects
East coast ,Atheriniformes ,Fishes ,Zoology ,Biology ,Tropical Atlantic ,biology.organism_classification ,Monophyly ,Shape space ,Habitat ,Genus ,Animals ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Atlantic Ocean ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Two new species of miniature silverside fishes are described from coastal habitats in the tropical Atlantic: Membras pygmaea sp. nov., from Brus Lagoon, Honduras, and M. procera sp. nov., from the Gulf of Urabá, Colombia. These new species belong to the martinica species-group within the genus Membras Bonaparte. The monophyletic martinica species-group (see below) contains four additional species, all coastal, marine that extend from the east coast of North America to São Paolo State, Brazil. Within the martinica species-group, all but M. martinica are miniature species, ranging from 41–60 mm SL. The smallest species, M. pygmaea sp. nov., is mature at 24 mm SL. A geometric morphometric analysis shows: (i) each species of the martinica species-group occupies its own portion of shape space; and (ii) none of the miniature species possess the shapes of small immature M. martinica. While some of the literature suggests that miniaturization may involve paedomorphosis, our results show that the miniatures accelerate to adult body forms.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Molecular identification of Stylops advarians (Strepsiptera: Stylopidae) in western Canada
- Author
-
Zachary S. Balzer, Jessica T. Thoroughgood, Neil B. Chilton, Arthur R. Davis, and Chulantha P. Diyes
- Subjects
Male ,Andrena ,Canada ,Zoology ,Biology ,Mitochondrial Proteins ,Stylops ,Animals ,Clade ,Neoteny ,Phylogeny ,Strepsiptera ,Larva ,Life Cycle Stages ,General Veterinary ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Hymenoptera ,Sexual dimorphism ,Infectious Diseases ,Insect Science ,Parasitology ,Female ,Holometabola ,Stylopidae - Abstract
Strepsiptera are an enigmatic order of insects with extreme sexual dimorphism which makes it difficult to “match-up” free-living adult males with parasitic conspecific females of the Stylopidia, and free-living females of the Mengenillidae using morphological characters. Species identification is further complicated for the Stylopidia because adult females are endoparasitic and neotenic. Therefore, we used DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) to confirm the species identity of adult strepsipterans that were morphologically identified as Stylops advarians. These specimens, collected from Saskatoon (Saskatchewan, Canada), included one adult male, and eight females, the latter of which had been collected from solitary bees (Andrena milwaukeensis). Also included in the analyses were three pools of first-instar larvae that had emerged from three of the females. The results of the molecular analyses revealed that all specimens had an identical cox1 sequence, and belonged to a clade, with total statistical support (bootstrap value of 100%), that contained specimens of S. advarians from New York and Maine (USA). Hence, the results were consistent with the morphological identification of S. advarians. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a molecular approach for the identification of endoparasitic adult female and larval strepsipterans, life cycle stages that lack significant morphological characters for species identification.
- Published
- 2020
35. Exposure to glucocorticoids alters life history strategies in a facultatively paedomorphic salamander
- Author
-
William J. Resetarits, Jason R. Bohenek, and Christopher J. Leary
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Physiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Urodela ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,Polyphenism ,biology.animal ,Genetics ,Animals ,Body Size ,Metamorphosis ,Molecular Biology ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,media_common ,Phenotypic plasticity ,Life Cycle Stages ,Obligate ,biology ,Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,Mole salamander ,biology.organism_classification ,030104 developmental biology ,Ambystoma talpoideum ,Salamander ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Female ,Corticosterone - Abstract
Polyphenisms, where two or more alternative, environmentally-cued phenotypes are produced from the same genotype, arise through variability in the developmental rate and timing of phenotypic traits. Many of these developmental processes are controlled or influenced by endogenous hormones, such as glucocorticoids, which are known to regulate a wide array of vertebrate ontogenetic transitions. Using the mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, as a model, we investigated the role of glucocorticoids in regulating facultative paedomorphosis, an ontogenetic polyphenism where individuals may delay metamorphosis into terrestrial adults. Instead, individuals reproduce as aquatic paedomorphic adults. Paedomorphosis often occurs when aquatic conditions remain favorable, while metamorphosis typically occurs in response to deteriorating or "stressful" aquatic conditions. Since glucocorticoids are central to the vertebrate stress response and are known to play a central role in regulating obligate metamorphosis in amphibians, we hypothesized that they are key regulators of paedomorphic life history strategies. To test this hypothesis, we compared development of larvae in outdoor mesocosms exposed to Low, Medium, and High exogenous doses of corticosterone (CORT). Results revealed that body size and the proportion of paedomorphs were both inversely proportional to exogenous CORT doses and whole-body CORT content. Consistent with known effects of CORT on obligate metamorphosis in amphibians, our results link glucocorticoids to ontogenetic transitions in facultatively paedomorphic salamanders. We discuss our results in the context of theoretical models and the suite of environmental cues known to influence facultative paedomorphosis.
- Published
- 2020
36. Evolutionary lability in floral ontogeny affects pollination biology in Trimezieae
- Author
-
Thais N. C. Vasconcelos, Suzana Alcantara, Antonio J. C. Aguiar, Renato de Mello-Silva, Maria das Graças Sajo, Gerhard Prenner, Paula J. Rudall, Juliana Lovo, Univ Fed Paraiba, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Univ Arkansas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Royal Bot Gardens, and Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,bee pollination ,Pollination ,Range (biology) ,Ontogeny ,Zoology ,Plant Science ,Flowers ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Iridaceae ,campo rupestre ,Pollinator ,floral traits ,heterochrony ,Genetics ,Nectar ,Animals ,LILIALES ,Neoteny ,Biology ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,biology ,nectar ,Bees ,biology.organism_classification ,Trimezia ,oil flower ,floral biology ,Pollen ,flower evolution ,paedomorphosis ,Heterochrony ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-26T07:27:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-05-21 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) FApdf Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Premise There is little direct evidence linking floral development and pollination biology in plants. We characterize both aspects in plain and ornamented flowers of Trimezieae (Iridaceae) to investigate how changes in floral ontogeny may affect their interactions with pollinators through time. Methods We examined floral ontogeny in 11 species and documented pollination biology in five species displaying a wide range of floral morphologies. We coded and reconstructed ancestral states of flower types over the tribal phylogeny to estimate the frequency of transition between different floral types. Results All Trimezieae flowers are similar in early floral development, but ornamented flowers have additional ontogenetic steps compared with plain flowers, indicating heterochrony. Ornamented flowers have a hinge pollination mechanism (newly described here) and attract more pollinator guilds, while plain flowers offer less variety of resources for a shorter time. Although the ornamented condition is plesiomorphic in this clade, shifts to plain flowers have occurred frequently and abruptly during the past 5 million years, with some subsequent reversals. Conclusions Heterochrony has resulted in labile morphological changes during flower evolution in Trimezieae. Counterintuitively, species with plain flowers, which are endemic to the campo rupestre, are derived within the tribe and show a higher specialization than the ornamented species, with the former being visited by pollen-collecting bees only. Univ Fed Paraiba, Dept Sistemat & Ecol, Caixa Postal 5065,Cidade Univ, BR-58051970 Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Bot, Rua Matao 277, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Bot, Campus Trindade, BR-88040900 Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Univ Arkansas, Dept Biol Sci, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA Univ Estadual Paulista, Ave 24A, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil Royal Bot Gardens, Richmond TW9 3DS, Surrey, England Univ Brasilia, Dept Zool, BR-70910900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Ave 24A, BR-13506900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil CNPq: 455558/2014-0 FAPESP: 2014/09131-3 FAPESP: 2012/18396-5 FAPESP: 2014/00803-9 FAPESP: 2018/02191-1 CNPq: 303786/2010-8 FApdf: 0193.000.893/2015
- Published
- 2020
37. Cooperative policing behaviour regulates reproductive division of labour in a termite
- Author
-
Kenneth F. Haynes, Austin Merchant, Qian Sun, Jordan D. Hampton, and Xuguo Zhou
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Hymenoptera ,Insect ,Isoptera ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Reticulitermes ,Blattodea ,Animals ,Behaviour ,Cooperative Behavior ,Neoteny ,030304 developmental biology ,General Environmental Science ,media_common ,0303 health sciences ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,biology ,Behavior, Animal ,Reproduction ,General Medicine ,biology.organism_classification ,Eusociality ,Eastern subterranean termite ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences ,Division of labour - Abstract
Reproductive conflicts are common in insect societies where helping castes retain reproductive potential. One of the mechanisms regulating these conflicts is policing, a coercive behaviour that reduces direct reproduction by other individuals. In eusocial Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps), workers or the queen act aggressively towards fertile workers, or destroy their eggs. In many termite species (order Blattodea), upon the death of the primary queen and king, workers and nymphs can differentiate into neotenic reproductives and inherit the breeding position. During this process, competition among neotenics is inevitable, but how this conflict is resolved remains unclear. Here, we report a policing behaviour that regulates reproductive division of labour in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes . Our results demonstrate that the policing behaviour is a cooperative effort performed sequentially by successful neotenics and workers. A neotenic reproductive initiates the attack of the fellow neotenic by biting and displays alarm behaviour. Workers are then recruited to cannibalize the injured neotenic. Furthermore, the initiation of policing is age-dependent, with older reproductives attacking younger ones, thereby inheriting the reproductive position. This study provides empirical evidence of policing behaviour in termites, which represents a convergent trait shared between eusocial Hymenoptera and Blattodea.
- Published
- 2020
38. Male neotenic reproductives accelerate additional differentiation of female reproductives by lowering JH titer in termites
- Author
-
Toru Miura, Yoshinobu Hayashi, Kohei Oguchi, Yasuhiro Sugime, and Hiroyuki Shimoji
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Male ,Sex Differentiation ,Evolution ,Science ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Isoptera ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Animal physiology ,Animals ,Neoteny ,Sex allocation ,media_common ,Social evolution ,Multidisciplinary ,Reproductive function ,Physiological condition ,Reproduction ,Cell Differentiation ,Eusociality ,Juvenile Hormones ,030104 developmental biology ,Juvenile hormone ,Medicine ,Female ,Sex ,Entomology ,Sex ratio - Abstract
Eusocial insects exhibit reproductive division of labor, in which only a fraction of colony members differentiate into reproductives. In termites, reproductives of both sexes are present in a colony and constantly engaged in reproduction. It has been suggested that the sex ratio of reproductives is maintained by social interactions. The presence of reproductives is known to inhibit the additional differentiation of same-sex reproductives, while it promotes the differentiation of opposite-sex reproductives. In this study, using the damp-wood termite Hodotermopsis sjostedti, physiological effects of male/female reproductives on the differentiation of supplementary reproductives (neotenics) were examined. The results showed that the only male-neotenic condition, i.e., the presence of male neotenics in the absence of female neotenics, accelerated the neotenic differentiation from female workers (i.e., pseudergates). Under this condition, the rise of juvenile hormone (JH) titer was repressed in females, and the application of a JH analog inhibited the female neotenic differentiation, indicating that the low JH titer leads to rapid differentiation. Thus, the only male-neotenic condition that actively promotes reproductive differentiation by manipulating physiological condition of females is suggested to be a mechanism underlying sexual asymmetry in reproductive function, which may lead the female-biased sex allocation of reproductives.
- Published
- 2020
39. Do holometabolous insects molt spontaneously after adulthood? An exceptional case report in fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), with discussion of its inferred endocrine regulation especially in relation to neoteny
- Author
-
Chih-Yuan Chang, Ming-Luen Jeng, Tsan-Rong Chen, and Yuichiro Suzuki
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,aviation ,animal structures ,Zoology ,Endocrine System ,Biology ,Molting ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,Stress, Physiological ,Animals ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Larva ,fungi ,Fireflies ,General Medicine ,Prothoracic gland ,Arthropod mouthparts ,Pupa ,aviation.aircraft_model ,030104 developmental biology ,Insect Science ,Ecdysis ,Female ,Lampyridae ,Moulting ,Developmental Biology - Abstract
It has been a traditionally held view that winged insects stop molting after they reach adulthood. We observed a fascinating phenomenon of a post-imago molt occurring in the neotenic females of a firefly species in Taiwan over the last two years. By rearing Lamprigera minor larvae to adults, four out of the five unmated females studied were found undergoing an extra molt 8–18 days after adult eclosion. They were reproductively mature when the post-imago molt occurred, as evidenced by the eggs inside their bodies. The four females died without oviposition whereas the only normal female laid eggs. A comparison of exuviae of different stages confirmed the existence of post-imago ecdysis. The adult skin differed from the pupal one mainly in the mouthparts and leg structures. No mix of pupal and adult traits was seen in the adult skin. The females retained the same morphology after the extra molt. A close examination of the post-imago molting females revealed that their oviduct openings were all blocked by larval or pupal skin and thus unable to lay eggs. The reproductive stress may invoke an endocrine disorder and lead to an extra molt. We propose that L. minor females retain their prothoracic glands even as adults, allowing them to molt as adults under certain environmental or physiological conditions. Thus, neoteny of L. minor is reflected in both the external morphology as well as the internal physiology. The possible developmental changes associated with the evolution of neoteny are discussed.
- Published
- 2020
40. Cooperative policing behavior regulates reproductive division of labor in a termite
- Author
-
Qian Sun, Xuguo Zhou, Kenneth F. Haynes, and Jordan D. Hampton
- Subjects
Reticulitermes ,Eastern subterranean termite ,Blattodea ,biology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Hymenoptera ,Insect ,biology.organism_classification ,Neoteny ,Eusociality ,Division of labour ,media_common - Abstract
Reproductive conflicts are common in insect societies where helping castes retain reproductive potential. One of the mechanisms regulating the conflicts is policing, a coercive behavior that reduces direct reproduction by other individuals. In eusocial Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps), workers or the queen act aggressively toward fertile workers, or destroy their eggs. In many termite species (order Blattodea), upon the death of primary queen and king, workers or nymphs can differentiate into neotenic reproductives and inherit the breeding position. During this process, competition among neotenics is inevitable, but how this conflict is resolved remains unclear. Here, we report a policing behavior that regulates reproductive division of labor in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. Our results demonstrate that the policing behavior is a cooperative effort performed sequentially by successful neotenics and workers. A neotenic reproductive initiates the attack of the fellow neotenic by biting and displays alarm behavior. Workers are then recruited to cannibalize the injured neotenic. Furthermore, the initiation of policing is age-dependent, with older reproductives attacking younger ones, thereby inheriting the reproductive position. This study provides empirical evidence of policing behavior in termites, which represents a convergent trait shared between eusocial Hymenoptera and Blattodea.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Hidden diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest: the discovery of Jurasaidae, a new beetle family (Coleoptera, Elateroidea) with neotenic females
- Author
-
Katja Kramp, Simone Policena Rosa, Cleide Costa, and Robin Kundrata
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Evolution ,Lineage (evolution) ,Endangered species ,Zoology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Rainforest ,Elateroidea ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,lcsh:Science ,Cerophytidae ,Neoteny ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Ecology ,lcsh:R ,biology.organism_classification ,Arthropod mouthparts ,030104 developmental biology ,Biological dispersal ,lcsh:Q - Abstract
Beetles are the most species-rich animal radiation and are among the historically most intensively studied insect groups. Consequently, the vast majority of their higher-level taxa had already been described about a century ago. In the 21st century, thus far, only three beetle families have been described de novo based on newly collected material. Here, we report the discovery of a completely new lineage of soft-bodied neotenic beetles from the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, which is one of the most diverse and also most endangered biomes on the planet. We identified three species in two genera, which differ in morphology of all life stages and exhibit different degrees of neoteny in females. We provide a formal description of this lineage for which we propose the new family Jurasaidae. Molecular phylogeny recovered Jurasaidae within the basal grade in Elateroidea, sister to the well-sclerotized rare click beetles, Cerophytidae. This placement is supported by several larval characters including the modified mouthparts. The discovery of a new beetle family, which is due to the limited dispersal capability and cryptic lifestyle of its wingless females bound to long-term stable habitats, highlights the importance of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest as a top priority area for nature conservation.
- Published
- 2020
42. Multiple paedomorphic lineages of soft-substrate burrowing invertebrates: parallels in the origin of Xenocratena and Xenoturbella
- Author
-
Kennet Lundin, Tatiana Korshunova, Bernard Picton, Klas Malmberg, Karin Fletcher, and Alexander Martynov
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Teeth ,Xenoturbella ,Physiology ,Gastropoda ,Animal Phylogenetics ,01 natural sciences ,Polymerase Chain Reaction ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Phylogeny ,Data Management ,Multidisciplinary ,Arctic Regions ,Eukaryota ,Phylogenetic Analysis ,Biological Evolution ,Markov Chains ,Phylogenetics ,Sister group ,Larva ,Molecular phylogenetics ,Medicine ,Anatomy ,Research Article ,Echinoderms ,Computer and Information Sciences ,Evolutionary Processes ,Oceans and Seas ,Science ,Context (language use) ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,DNA, Ribosomal ,03 medical and health sciences ,Animals ,Evolutionary Systematics ,Burrowing ,Neoteny ,Taxonomy ,Evolutionary Biology ,Biological Locomotion ,Organisms ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Bayes Theorem ,Marine invertebrates ,Molluscs ,biology.organism_classification ,Invertebrates ,030104 developmental biology ,Body plan ,Jaw ,Evolutionary biology ,Zoology ,Digestive System ,Head - Abstract
Paedomorphosis is an important evolutionary force. It has previously been suggested that a soft-substrate sediment-dwelling (infaunal) environment facilitates paedomorphic evolution in marine invertebrates. However, until recently this proposal was never rigorously tested with robust phylogeny and broad taxon selection. Here, for the first time, we present a molecular phylogeny for a majority of the 21 families of one of the largest nudibranch subgroups (Aeolidacea) and show that the externally highly simplified vermiform nudibranch family, Pseudovermidae, with clearly defined paedomorphic traits and inhabiting a soft-substrata environment, is a sister group to the complex nudibranch family, Cumanotidae. We also report the rediscovery of one of the most enigmatic nudibranchs-Xenocratena suecica-on the Swedish and Norwegian coasts 70 years after it was first found. Xenocratena was described from the same location and environment in the Swedish Gullmar fjord as one of the most enigmatic vermiform organisms, Xenoturbella bocki, which represents either an original simple bilaterian body plan or secondary simplification of a more complex organisation. Our results show that Xenocratena suecica reveals an onset of parallel paedomorphic evolution so we have proposed the new family, Xenocratenidae fam. n., to accommodate the molecular and morphological disparities we discovered. The paedomorphic origin of another aeolidacean family, Embletoniidae, is also demonstrated for the first time. Thus, by presenting three independent lineages from non-closely related aeolidacean families, Xenocratenidae fam. n., Cumanotidae and Embletoniidae, we confirm with phylogenetic data that a soft-substrata burrowing-related environment strongly favours paedomorphic evolution. We suggest criteria to distinguish ancestral and derived characters in the context of modifications of ontogenetic cycles. Applying an evolutionary model of the soft substrate-driven multiple paedomorphic origin of several families of nudibranch molluscs we propose that it is plausible to extend this model to other marine invertebrates and suggest that the ancestral organisation of the enigmatic metazoan, Xenoturbella, might correspond to the larval part of a complex ancestral bilaterian ontogenetic cycle with sedentary/semi-sedentary adult stages and planula-like larval stages.
- Published
- 2020
43. Sex Pheromones of Mealybugs: Implications for Evolution and Application
- Author
-
Jun Tabata
- Subjects
Scale insect ,Sexual dimorphism ,Integrated pest management ,biology ,Odor ,Sex pheromone ,Zoology ,Mealybug ,biology.organism_classification ,Neoteny ,Plant sap - Abstract
Mealybugs, named after the abundant powdery wax covering their body surface, are soft-bodied scale insects that feed on plant sap, and most closely related to aphids and whiteflies. Mealybugs, as well as other scale insects, are characterized by their unusual shapes, which may be difficult to be recognized as insects. They exhibit marked sexual dimorphism; females are neotenic and almost immotile with no wings and retrogressed legs, whereas males are winged, but extremely tiny and short-lived. Volatile pheromones released by females are therefore essential for males to find conspecific mates efficiently. Consequently, mealybug pheromones have structurally radiated with a high species specificity, and thus offer a unique model to illustrate the diversity of odor-based sexual communication systems. Moreover, these aphrodisiac fragrances may be promising for pest management programs against notorious mealybugs that damage crops and fruits. This chapter compiles several studies on mealybugs and their pheromones, and discusses possible evolutionary scenarios as well as potential applications of pheromones.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Carpus in Mesozoic anurans: The Early Cretaceous anuran Genibatrachus from northeastern China
- Author
-
Zbyněk Roček, Yuan Wang, Liping Dong, Yu-Fen Rong, and Marissa Fabrezi
- Subjects
Paleozoic ,Period (geology) ,Paleontology ,Zoology ,Mesozoic ,Biology ,Neoteny ,Cretaceous ,Life stage - Abstract
The carpus (wrist) of fossil frogs is rarely preserved, because it consists of tiny skeletal elements that ossify only during the postmetamorphic life stage. The structure of the carpus is comparatively well-known in the temnospondyl ancestors of the Anura, but its changes during the transition to their anuran descendents are unknown due to the absence of transitional, presumably paedomorphic forms. The Early Cretaceous Genibatrachus from northeastern China is among the best-documented Mesozoic anurans, both regarding the number of preserved individuals and the representation of developmental stages. The latter aspect is especially important, because in its early developmental history, the anuran carpus is represented by cartilaginous nodules which may be the subject of various, often multiple fusions. Only later do the nodules or the fused elements ossify, enabling them to be preserved in fossils. This is why the carpus of adult fossil frogs is simpler than the foregoing larval period of cartilaginous carpus, not recordable in fossils. Nevertheless, the early development of the carpus may be reconstructed from the morphological details of its ultimate constituents. In this way, Genibatrachus may fill the gap in the evolutionary sequence of the carpus between Paleozoic temnospondyl amphibians and modern frogs.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Effects of Growth Rate and Temperature on Metamorphosis inEurycea wilderae(Caudata, Plethodontidae, Hemidactyliinae, Spelerpini; Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander)
- Author
-
Christopher K. Beachy
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Amphibian ,Larva ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Fauna ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Eurycea wilderae ,biology.animal ,Salamander ,Metamorphosis ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,media_common ,Caudata - Abstract
The southeastern US has an incredibly diverse salamander fauna that contains ∼17% of the world's species. Furthermore, there is more variation in salamander life-cycle there than elsewhere—the diversity includes metamorphosing, paedomorphic, and directdeveloping species. The most diverse family in the world and in the southeastern US are the salamanders in the family Plethodontidae. I tested the hypothesis that variation in larvalgrowth history causes variation in metamorphic timing in Eurycea wilderae (Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander), a member of 1 of the 3 lineages of plethodontid salamanders that metamorphose. Larval Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamanders were grown at 2 food levels and at 2 temperatures. Larvae that were fed more food grew faster, but effects on earlier metamorphic timing were minimal (3.84%, 13 d, P = 0.071). In contrast, larvae grown at a high temperature metamorphosed an average of 32.98% (55 d) earlier that those grown at a low temperature. In many amphibian species, the timing of metamorphosis is strongly affected by temperature and by variation in food availability. The weak response in timing of metamorphosis to variation in food is consistent with findings for other plethodontids and may be unique among amphibians.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Drilus Olivier, 1790 (Elateridae: Agrypninae: Drilini) in Cyprus
- Author
-
Katja Kramp, Eliska Sormova, and Robin Kundrata
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Larva ,Mitochondrial DNA ,Phylogenetic tree ,Zoology ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Intraspecific competition ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Genus ,Key (lock) ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Clade ,Neoteny - Abstract
The neotenic elaterid genus Drilus Olivier, 1790 (Elateridae: Agrypninae: Drilini) contains more than 40 species distributed primarily in the Mediterranean region. The precise number of species remains ambiguous due to the insufficient taxonomic investigation in several areas. Herein, we study Drilus diversity in Cyprus and we recognize the following species: D. humeralis Pic, 1931, D. rectus Schaufuss, 1867, and D. rufipes ( Baudi di Selve, 1871 ). Drilus testaceipes Pic, 1933 syn. nov. is synonymized under D. rectus, and D. truquii ( Baudi di Selve, 1871 ) syn. nov. is synonymized under D. rufipes. As consequence of these taxonomic changes, Drilus humeralis remains the only species endemic to Cyprus. Females of D. rectus and D. rufipes are described and figured for the first time, as well as the larvae of D. rufipes. A key to the males of Drilus species in Cyprus is given. Drilus rectus is recorded in Syria for the first time and D. rufipes is recorded in Rhodes. To examine the phylogenetic relationships of Drilus in Cyprus, we produced the cox1-3ʹ, cox1-5′ and rrnL mtDNA sequences for available specimens of D. rectus and D. rufipes and merged them with data from GenBank. Results of the maximum likelihood analysis and Bayesian inference suggest a close relationship between D. rectus and Drilus cf. mertliki from Turkey, and a sister position of D. rufipes to a clade formed by the species from the Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, and Crete. Using the multigene barcoding approach including the above mentioned mitochondrial markers and the nuclear arginine kinase, we have been able to associate the different larval stages from Cyprus with the adult males of D. rufipes, and confirm the intraspecific variability in male body size and antennal coloration. Moreover, the low genetic difference in the cox1-3′ fragments indicates the close relationship between D. rectus populations from Cyprus and southern Turkey.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Light Trap Capture of LiveElenchus koebelei(Strepsiptera: Elenchidae)
- Author
-
Donald R. Strong and Marisano J. James
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Strepsiptera ,biology ,Host (biology) ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Insect ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,010602 entomology ,Insect Science ,Ultraviolet light ,Elenchus koebelei ,Mating ,Elenchidae ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,media_common - Abstract
Strepsiptera are a small order of obligately endoparasitic insects. Adult females are neotenic and never leave their host, instead bearing motile young that seek out their own insect hosts to infect. Males eclose without killing their hosts. In their 4-h adult lifespan, they fly off to search for mating opportunities, assisted by unconventional eyes with few, but large, ommatidia. Such distinctive features make Strepsiptera interesting in their own right, but also offer an opportunity to better understand evolutionary innovation. Unfortunately, Strepsiptera also are minute, reclusive, and difficult to obtain, severely reducing the study thereof, especially species not infecting solitary bees or social wasps. Here we describe methods for the successful capture of a strepsipteran species. We placed an ultraviolet light trap among Spartina alterniflora Loisel (Poaceae) shoots to attract adult male Elenchus koebelei Pierce (Strepsiptera: Elenchidae) in salt marshes in the southeastern United States. In 72 d of sampling, 488 adult males were captured between 30 min before and 15 min after sunrise. None arrived more than 63 min before or 36 min after sunrise. The majority of E. koebelei were caught at wind speeds ranging from 0 to 10 km/h; however, a light breeze of about 1.5 km/h appears to be preferred. The highest daily catches occurred when the temperature was between 23 and 26 °C. No Strepsiptera were caught at temperatures below 17 °C. With 521 adult male E. koebelei caught in a single light trap, our results show this little-known parasite may be reliably obtained, enhancing opportunities for further study.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Revisiting the Diversity of Euanoma Reitter, 1889 (Coleoptera: Omalisidae), with Descriptions of Four New Species from Turkey
- Author
-
Robin Kundrata, Eliska Sormova, and George Kakiopoulos
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Omalisidae ,biology ,Species distribution ,010607 zoology ,Identification key ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,Elateroidea ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Type (biology) ,Genus ,Type locality ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Euanoma Reitter, 1889 is the most species-rich genus within the small elateroid family Omalisidae. Here, we redescribe the genus and describe and figure Euanoma plonskii sp. nov., E. trabzonensis sp. nov., E. vavrai sp. nov., and E. wittmeri sp. nov. from Turkey. Euanoma obscura (Pic, 1901) is reported for the first time from Greece (Lesbos, Samos). Euanoma graeca (Pic, 1901b) is transferred to Cimbrion Kazantsev, 2010 as C. graecum (Pic, 1901b) and compared with C. nigricorne (Reitter, 1881). Sixteen described species of Euanoma are known from the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese, the Aegean Islands, Asia Minor, and the Caucasus. For each species we provide synonyms, information on type material, type locality, diagnosis, distribution, and bibliography. The species distribution map as well as an identification key for the males of all Euanoma species is provided.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. A Review of the Neotenic Genus Atelius Waterhouse, 1878 from China (Coleoptera: Lycidae)
- Author
-
Yun Li, Ladislav Bocak, and Hong Pang
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Lycidae ,Current distribution ,biology ,Male genitalia ,Zoology ,Rainforest ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Taxonomy (biology) ,China ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
The neotenic genus Atelius Waterhouse, 1878 from China is reviewed and two new species are described: A. brevicornis sp. nov. and A. kadoorieorum sp. nov., both from the tropical rainforests of Yunnan. The general appearance of all Chinese species and the morphology of male genitalia are illustrated and a key to all Atelius species is provided. The distribution of Atelius and other widespread neotenic net-winged beetles in the northern part of the Oriental region indicates their survival in disjunctive regions, which were not affected by aridization and cooling of the climate. The current distribution is hypothesized as a relict of the earlier continuous range of neotenic beetles in the Oriental region.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Are direct density cues, not resource competition, driving life history trajectories in a polyphenic salamander?
- Author
-
William J. Resetarits and Jason R. Bohenek
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Facultative ,Phenotypic plasticity ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Zoology ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Polyphenism ,Animal ecology ,Agonistic behaviour ,Juvenile ,Metamorphosis ,Neoteny ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,media_common - Abstract
Polyphenisms, where multiple, discrete, environmentally-cued phenotypes can arise from a single genotype, are extreme forms of phenotypic plasticity. Cue acquisition and interpretation are vital for matching phenotypes to varying environments, but can be difficult if cues are unreliable indicators or if multiple cues are present simultaneously. Facultative paedomorphosis, where juvenile traits are retained at sexual maturity, is a density-dependent polyphenism exhibited by many salamanders. Favorable conditions such as low larval densities and stable hydroperiod delay metamorphosis and promote a paedomorphic strategy. We investigated proximate cues affecting facultative paedomorphosis in order to understand how larval newts (Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis) assess conspecific density. To isolate the effects of density cues from the effects of resources and agonistic behavior, we caged larval newts in mesocosms in a 2 × 2 factorial design that manipulated both background larval newt densities (high or low) and food levels (ambient or supplemented). We found strong effects of both food and density on caged individuals. Under high densities, caged larvae were more likely to become efts, a long-lasting juvenile terrestrial stage, across both food levels, while paedomorphs were more common under low densities. Though food levels increased growth rates, density had strong independent effects on metamorphic timing and phenotype. Competition for food and space are classical density-dependent processes, but density cues themselves may be a mediator of density-dependent effects on polyphenisms and life history responses.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.