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Inorganic fluoride is a geogenic and anthropogenic contaminant widely distributed in the environment and commonly identified in contaminated groundwater. There is limited information on the effect of fluoride exposure on pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible placental alterations of fluoride exposure in a rat model simulating preconception and pregnancy exposure conditions in endemic areas. Fluoride exposure was administered orally to foetuses of dams exposed to 2.5 and 5 mg fluoride/kg/d. Foetal weight, height, foetal/placental weight ratio, placental zone thickness, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and vascular density in placental tissue were evaluated. The results showed a nonlinear relationship between these outcomes and the dose of fluoride exposure. In addition, a significant increase in the fluoride concentration in placental tissue was observed. The group that was exposed to 2.5 mg fluoride/kg/d had a greater increase in both MDA levels and VEGF-A levels than the higher dose group. A significant increase in the thickness of the placental zones and a decrease in the vascular density of the labyrinth zone area were also observed in the fluoride-exposed groups. In conclusion, the data obtained demonstrate that fluoride exposure results in morpho-structural alterations in the placenta and that non-monotonic changes in MDA, VEGF-A levels and placental foetal weight ratio were at environmentally relevant concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlebotomus argentipes is the predominant sandfly vector of leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent. India and Sri Lanka primarily report visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani. We compared Ph. argentipes from two locations, focusing on its morphological, molecular, and salivary protein characteristics. Sandflies were captured using CDC light traps and cattle-baited net traps. Species identification and morphological comparisons were carried out using standard taxonomic keys. DNA extracted from 12 Sri Lankan sandfly samples was PCR-amplified and sequenced for the variable region of Cytochrome oxidase subunit I. Existing DNA sequences of India from GenBank were utilized for a phylogenetic analysis between Sri Lanka and India. Salivary protein profiles were studied using SDS-PAGE, Western blot, and electrospray ionization/LC/MS/MS. The morphological similarities observed between female Ph. argentipes from India and Sri Lanka suggest the presence of Ph. argentipes var. glaucus. A phylogenetic analysis showed genetic divergence between Ph. argentipes populations, but both shared a similar salivary protein profile. A common, strong 30 kDa immunogenic band comprised PagSP05, PagSP06, and PagSP17 proteins of Ph. argentipes. The similarity between the immunogenic salivary proteins suggests their potential use as common markers for vector exposure or immune response stimulants across regions. The use of multiple samples for each category of serum would improve the comprehensiveness of the immunogenic profiles obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Investigations into the mechanisms of injury and repair in fibroproliferative disease require consideration of the spatial heterogeneity inherent in the disease. Most scoring of fibrotic remodeling in preclinical animal models relies on the modified Ashcroft score, which is an ordinal rubric of macroscopic resolution. The obvious limitations of manual histopathologic scoring have generated an unmet need for unbiased, repeatable scoring of fibroproliferative burden in tissue. Using computer vision approaches on immunofluorescence imaging of the extracellular matrix component laminin, we generated a robust and repeatable quantitative remodeling scorer. In the bleomycin lung injury model, the quantitative remodeling scorer shows significant agreement with the modified Ashcroft scale. This antibody-based approach is easily integrated into larger multiplex immunofluorescence experiments, which we demonstrate by testing the spatial apposition of tertiary lymphoid structures to fibroproliferative tissue, a poorly characterized phenomenon observed in both human interstitial lung diseases and preclinical models of lung fibrosis. The tool reported in this article is available as a stand-alone application that is usable without programming knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolutionary success of the Alpheus snapping shrimps is linked to their snapping claws, which were considered the key innovation in the evolution of these shrimps. However, many aspects of the evolution of snapping claws remain unknown. We evaluate the degree of intra‐ and interspecific variation in the shape of the snapping claw in different snapping shrimp Alpheus species. For this, we used a geometric morphometric tool. We investigated the variation in snapping claw shape from two perspectives — interspecific variation and sexual shape dimorphism — in three species: Alpheus angulosus, A. carlae, and A. estuariensis, from three locations along the southern coast of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. Our results revealed interspecific variation in the shape of the snapping claw among A. angulosus, A. carlae, and A. estuariensis. In addition, sexual shape dimorphism was confirmed in A. angulosus and A. carlae. However, in A. estuariensis, our results reveal sexual monomorphism in the snapping claw. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both ecological context and phylogenetic relationships when analysing the morphology of the snapping claw in Alpheus snapping shrimps. We suggest further investigations to better understand the interspecific variation and sexual dimorphism in snapping claws and their implications for the evolutionary history of these shrimps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have inferred the ecological significance regarding the morphometrics of Aristotle's lantern and the mechanical properties of magnesium in echinoid teeth. This study attempts to combine these aspects, connecting them to the trophic habits of three native and an invasive echinoid in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Spatiotemporal data from the central and southern Aegean Sea were obtained, regarding the relative size of lanterns and demi‐pyramids of Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus, Sphaerechinus granularis, and the invasive echinoid Diadema setosum and the Mg/Ca ratios of four zones on the tooth cross‐section. Since environmental factors affect the examined factors, data for temperature, salinity, and concentration of chlorophyll‐a were included in a principal component analysis. A. lixula and P. lividus presented intraspecific differences in the relative size of the lantern and demi‐pyramid, while S. granularis and D. setosum exhibited variation in the elongation index. Differences in the Mg/Ca ratios were observed for all species although in different zones. Temperature appears to be related to all Mg/Ca zones except for the stone part, while the elongation index showed an inverse trend to all other morphometric parameters. The results of the PCA for the four species on the spatiotemporal level exhibited a distinction of individuals with season but not species, except for A. lixula, an omnivore with a carnivorous tendency, which was clearly separated from the herbivorous species. Using hierarchical clustering on the principal components it was evident that the three native species occupy different clusters, but when D. setosum was added, it shared the same cluster with S. granularis. This might infer similar feeding preferences, specifically for coralline algae, which might lead to a swift in the ecological equilibrium in regions, where D. setosum is found, either by affecting habitat type, or by restricting the distribution of S. granularis as was previously observed with Diadema africanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corpus callosum (CC) is a large white matter fiber bundle in the brain and is involved in various cognitive, sensory, and motor processes. While implicated in various developmental and psychiatric disorders, much is yet to be uncovered about the normal development of this structure, especially in young children. Additionally, while sexual dimorphism has been reported in prior literature, observations have not necessarily been consistent. In this study, we use morphometric measures including surface tensor‐based morphometry (TBM) to investigate local changes in the shape of the CC in children between the ages of 12 and 60 months, in intervals of 12 months. We also analyze sex differences in each of these age groups. We observed larger significant clusters in the earlier ages between 12 v 24 m and between 48 v 60 m and localized differences in the anterior region of the body of the CC. Sex differences were most pronounced in the 12 m group. This study adds to the growing literature of work aiming to understand the developing brain and emphasizes the utility of surface TBM as a useful tool for analyzing regional differences in neuroanatomical morphometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue swimming crab is one of the fishery commodities that constitute the major component of Indonesia's third highest export products after shrimp and fish. The slightly expensive crabs in the market include Portunus pelagicus , which is commonly found in Indonesia alongside Portunus sanguinolentus. However, P. sanguinolentus is considered a secondary species due to the lower catch numbers in the country, specifically on Madura Island. The research about this particular crab is still very limited and the importance of information on secondary species stock units is to restore degraded ecosystems through appropriate programmes. Truss Network Analysis (TNA) was applied to measure the crab's morphometric characteristics. The Kruskal–Wallis test, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis were the statistical methods used to identify the stock units. The results showed different characteristics of swimming crabs in four locations on Madura Island, namely in the Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan, and Sumenep Regencies. These indicated that different characteristics exist in male crabs found in Bangkalan, Sumenep, and Sampang, which have the highest level of similarity. In contrast, the females formed two clusters consisting of the groups Sampang and Sumenep, as well as Bangkalan and Pamekasan. The group differences show the potential of all crabs in the four locations to have more than one stock unit, hence their management needs to be differentiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A long-term feeding trial (90 days) was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with lavender oil (LO) on the growth performance, innate immunity, antioxidant status, and histomorphometry of different organs of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Four groups in triplicate were fed increasing levels of LO (0, 1, 2, and 3 kg−1 diet, expressed as F0, F1, F2, and F3, respectively). Fish weighing 76.87 ± 0.14 g/fish were stocked in 1000-L tanks at an initial stocking density of 25 fish. The results revealed that growth performance and feed utilization indices were significantly improved in the LO-treated groups compared to the control, with the highest values in favor of the F2 group. According to the polynomial second-order regression, the optimal dietary level of LO averaged 2.15–2.24 g/kg diet. Whole body protein and digestive enzyme activities were increased with increasing LO supplementation levels up to 2 mL kg−1. Fish-fed F2 diet exhibited a significant decrease in serum liver function enzymes. A considerable increase in total protein, albumin, and total immunoglobulin was reported in LO-supplemented groups over the control. Dietary LO significantly modulated antioxidant status by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and decreasing malondialdehyde levels. Microscopic investigation of the gills, liver, and mid-intestine revealed that LO-treated fish had healthier histological features, with normal gill lamella and hepatocytes, and a positive effect of LO on intestinal villi length and goblet cell count. The LO could be used as a dietary supplement in the diet of seabass at the recommended level of 2 g kg−1 to improve growth, feed conversion, physiological status, and organ histomorphometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three species of pocket mice (Chaetodipus artus , C. goldmani , and C. pernix) characterize the Sinaloan subregion of the Sonoran regional desert. They occur primarily in Sinaloan thornscrub and monsoon (dry deciduous) forest biotic communities, both of which have suffered from agricultural conversion. Sinaloan thornscrub occurs along the coastal plains of southern Sonora and Sinaloa, México, and grades into monsoon forest in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. We describe the geographical and ecological distributions of the 3 species of Chaetodipus , evaluate evolutionary relationships within each species based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data, and compare these to previously described phenetic, allozymic, and chromosomal variation. We elevate the subspecies of C. pernix to full species, delineate evolutionary units within C. goldmani and C. artus that we formally recognize as subspecies, and evaluate the conservation status of all 3 species of Chaetodipus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monogeneric family Calomyscidae includes the brush-tailed mice, genus Calomyscus , which have a Palearctic distribution ranging from the Hindu Kush Mountains in western Pakistan to the eastern Mediterranean region. Zagros Mountains—stretching from northwest to south of Iran—was assumed for long as the range of a single species, Calomyscus bailwardi ; however, recent studies revealed considerable heterogeneities among the geographical populations presumably referring to the persistence of undescribed diversity. One such group from the western Zagros Mountains has recently been recognized as C. behzadi Akbarirad, Dezhman, Aliabadian, Siahsarvie, Shafaeipour, and Mirshamsi, 2021. Using molecular, morphometric, geometric morphometric, and karyotypic data, we examine the divergence of 2 additional groups from western Iran and name these as new species. The first of these species is distributed in the northern Zagros and western Alborz Mountains in northwestern Iran was recovered as the sister species to C. urartensis from the South Caucuses. The second species from a single locality in the central Zagros Mountains was clustered closely with C. grandis from the western Alborz Mountains. Morphologic analyses, karyological features, and genetic distances disentangled these 2 new species from their sister species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lamprey genus Geotria Gray, 1851 currently includes only two species: G. australis and G. macrostoma. However, taxonomic relationships within the genus have traditionally been ambiguous and difficult to establish due to the extreme changes in morphology, dentition, and coloration that lampreys undergo during their life cycles, particularly during upstream migration and sexual maturation. Consequently, several lamprey specimens held in museum collections have remained unidentified, especially those from Argentina. In this study, a series of morphometric characters were subjected to discriminant function analysis (DFA) to identify the lamprey species collected during 1867–2004 from the de la Plata River and Patagonia. These specimens are housed at the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" in Buenos Aires, the Museo de Historia Natural de Montevideo, and the Naturhistoriska riksmuseet in Stockholm. Based on the proportions of the length of the oral disc, prebranchial, and pre‐caudal body regions, and the depth of the trunk, DFA provided conclusive evidence that the specimens corresponded to the recently revalidated G. macrostoma (Burmeister, 1868), which was originally incorrectly named as Petromyzon macrostomus Burmeister, 1868, Exomegas macrostomus (Berg, 1899), Geotria chilensis (Berg, 1895), and Geotria macrostoma f. gallegensis Smitt, 1901, as well as other nontype museum individuals of uncertain taxonomic status. The identifications of these long‐preserved museum specimens provided key information on the historical geographic range of Argentinian lampreys and suggest that the disappearance of the species reported from northern localities (the Pampean Region) can be attributed to the degradation of their critical habitats, primarily caused by anthropogenic impact and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Skates of the genus Leucoraja Malm, 1877, are small to medium-sized skates that usually have a short, obtusely angled snout. Until now, 14 valid species of this genus have been identified mostly in the Atlantic, but also in the Indian Ocean. In the 1970s and 1980s, a total of eight specimens of an unusual skate species were collected by researchers working on the Madagascar Ridge, an elevated area of seabed in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Despite their long snouts, the specimens could unambiguously be assigned to the genus Leucoraja due to the typical features of their claspers. Comparisons with congeners clearly indicated that these remarkable specimens represent a species new to science. It can easily be distinguished from all 14 congeners by the long and acutely pointed snout. Furthermore, it appears to occur only on the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners, and shows several unique aspects in its clasper morphology. Due to the importance of the clasper features, 3D modeling is introduced as a new tool for the visualization of clasper characters. The newly described species is named Brown longnose skate. A remarkable new deep-water skate, Leucoraja longirostris n. sp., is described based on eight specimens caught during different expeditions to the southern Madagascar Ridge in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The new species differs from all congeners by its remarkably long and acutely angled snout (horizontal preorbital length 17.2–22.6% TL vs. 8.5–11.9% TL and 4.2–6.1 vs. 1.7–3.5 times orbit length, snout angle 65–85° vs. 90–150°). Furthermore, it is apparently endemic to the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners. In addition to L. fullonica and L. pristispina, L. longirostris n. sp. is also the only species with plain dorsal coloration. Furthermore, the new species is the only Leucoraja species with an external clasper component dike and, besides L. wallacei, the only one with four dorsal terminal (dt) cartilages. The shape of the accessory terminal 1 (at1) cartilage with four tips is also unique within the genus. A new approach for the visualization of the clasper characters is introduced based on 3D models of all skeletal and external features. This enables a much easier and much more precise interpretation of every single clasper component, of the entire structure, and, in particular, the relationship between external features and skeletal cartilages. A new English translation of the first diagnosis of Leucoraja is provided, along with a revised generic diagnosis and a key to the species of Leucoraja in the Indian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the effects of composites of selected tropical leaf meals and garlic on laying hens using performance, hormonal, reproductive tract morphometry, and folliculogenesis as response criteria. Fresh (bitter, moringa, scent, and neem) leaves were harvested, air-dried, and mixed with garlic powder in a ratio of 4:3:1:1:1, respectively to produce the garlic-composite leaf mix (G-CLM). A basal diet was prepared, divided into five equal portions and G-CLM was added at 0gkg-1, 5gkg-1, 10gkg-1, 15gkg-1, and 20gkg-1. Two hundred and seventy, 18 weeks old ISA Brown breed were randomly allotted to the five experimental diets and the trial lasted for 4 months. The results showed that hen-day production was highest at 5gkg-1 supplementation. All reproductive hormones measured were also significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments with the exception of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The result showed that significantly (p<0.05) larger Preovu one (2.79 cm) and previtellogenic count (23.33) were observed in birds fed 5 gkg-1. In addition, the heaviest tract weight (46.67 g) and ovary weight (33.00 g) were observed in birds fed 20 gkg-1. It was concluded that the usage of G-CLM at 5 gkg-1 could be encouraged in layer nutrition with the aim to improve the clutch size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2022, the accepted name for a marine gastropod species from Florida until then known as Conus anabathrum Crosse, 1865, was replaced by C. floridanus Gabb, 1869. The main argument was that the type of C. anabathrum , a specimen with no type locality in the description, actually represents the eastern Pacific species C. scalaris Valenciennes, 1832. This allocation of the type of C. anabathrum to an eastern Pacific taxon was based on several factors, with shell shape as the main determinant. We demonstrate via geometric morphometrics that the type of C. anabathrum actually falls outside the morphospace of C. scalaris , belonging instead to the morphospace of the Floridian taxon. We also discuss other arguments presented to assign the type of C. anabathrum to the eastern Pacific species. These discussions and our geometric morphometric analytical results demonstrate that the type of C. anabathrum actually represents the Floridian species, and that C. anabathrum should be the accepted name. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilocus phylogenies have shown that soft-part anatomy alone is insufficient for the systematics of valvatiform- and trochiform-shelled springsnails of the subfamily Islamiinae (family Hydrobiidae) due to morphological similarities between taxa that are not closely related. However, a solid knowledge of their systematics and species boundaries is crucial to conserve this highly imperilled group. Here, we inferred molecular phylogenies based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene fragments from representatives of three morphological species of the Iberian genus Iberhoratia and performed multispecies coalescent and shell variation analyses (geometric morphometrics) to reevaluate their taxonomic status. The resulting phylogenetic analyses, which included homologous sequences of 15 other valvatiform-shelled hydrobiid species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, depicted the topotypical specimens of I. aurorae and I. gatoa elisai distantly related to one another and the type species I. morenoi. Considering their high genetic divergence and morphological differences from other hydrobiid taxa, we have placed the former two species in the new genera Beatrix n. gen. and Actenidia n. gen. The multispecies coalescent delimitation method DELINEATE, a novel approach to the taxonomy of the Hydrobiidae, and shell morphometric data suggested two species within the 'I. gatoa elisai' clade. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, we recognized this clade as Actenidia , a new genus comprising the species A. elisai n. gen. n. comb. and A. baetica n. gen. n. sp. Our results underscore the importance of using multiple lines of evidence to delimitate species of Islamiinae and interpret their systematics. We also discuss the implications of our findings for conserving I. gatoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological importance of rhodolith beds stems from their role as structurally complex three-dimensional habitat formed by free-living red calcareous algae. Their structural singularity is due to the great variety of complex and branching morphologies exhibited by rhodoliths that create interstitial spaces and increase their surface area. This increases the ecological niches for cryptofauna and provide refuge for a high number of organisms, which is why rhodolith beds are considered biodiversity hotspots. In this work, we studied a rhodolith bed located in the Menorca Channel, formed by several species of red calcareous algae that exhibit a great variety of morphologies and form an extensive and heterogeneous habitat. This study explored the morphological diversity of the rhodolith bed, comparing the 'Core Habitat' (within the center of the bed with the highest densities of rhodoliths) with the boundaries or 'Adjacent Habitat' where rhodolith density was lower. Our results show that all rhodolith growth forms (branched, pralines and boxwork) in the Core Habitat had higher interstitial space and were larger than the ones from adjacent zones. Moreover, we explored the three-dimensional techniques to study the morphological characteristics that have historically been studied in two dimensions. This study contributes to the knowledge of morphological diversity in well-preserved rhodolith beds from continental shelves in the western Mediterranean Sea and reinforces the use of three-dimensional measurements, specifically the interstitial space of branched rhodoliths, to provide more accurate data on habitat complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three honey bee phenotypes - queens, workers, and drones differ in the size and shape of body parts. We used a large dataset to describe how the three phenotypes differed with regard to fore wings and applied the methodology of geometric morphometrics to measure the wings using the coordinates of nineteen landmarks. On average, queens had wings larger than workers, but the two castes had a broad overlap. Drones, on the other hand, had distinctly larger wings. Wing shape differed markedly among queens, workers and drones and can be used to reliably differentiate them from one other. Surprisingly, the fore wing shape of workers was more similar to that of drones than to that of queens. Small queens were not more similar to workers than large queens, and large workers were not more similar to queens than small workers. Because wing size, unlike body mass, does not change over the life of the queen, it can be used to evaluate the quality of a queen throughout its life and not only during a short period after emergence. We provide a large number of wing images of queens and drones, which can be used as a reference in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Estimation of body mass from skeletal metrics can reveal important insights into the paleobiology of archeological or fossil remains. The standard approach constructs predictive equations from postcrania, but studies have questioned the reliability of traditional measures. Here, we examine several skeletal features to assess their accuracy in predicting body mass. Materials and Methods: Antemortem mass measurements were compared with common skeletal dimensions from the same animals postmortem, using 115 rhesus macaques (male: n = 43; female: n = 72). Individuals were divided into training (n = 58) and test samples (n = 57) to build and assess Ordinary Least Squares or multivariate regressions by residual sum of squares (RSS) and AIC weights. A leave‐one‐out approach was implemented to formulate the best fit multivariate models, which were compared against a univariate and a previously published catarrhine body‐mass estimation model. Results: Femur circumference represented the best univariate model. The best model overall was composed of four variables (femur, tibia and fibula circumference and humerus length). By RSS and AICw, models built from rhesus macaque data (RSS = 26.91, AIC = −20.66) better predicted body mass than did the catarrhine model (RSS = 65.47, AIC = 20.24). Conclusion: Body mass in rhesus macaques is best predicted by a 4‐variable equation composed of humerus length and hind limb midshaft circumferences. Comparison of models built from the macaque versus the catarrhine data highlight the importance of taxonomic specificity in predicting body mass. This paper provides a valuable dataset of combined somatic and skeletal data in a primate, which can be used to build body mass equations for fragmentary fossil evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We perform a comparative assessment of shape variation of the proximal fibula in extant humans and great apes, intending to investigate the possible link between proximal fibular shape and locomotor patterns. Methods: Our sample includes 94 fibulae of 37 Homo sapiens, 15 Gorilla, 17 Pongo, and 25 Pan. Fibular morphology was investigated through three‐dimensional (semi)landmark‐based geometric morphometric methods. Results: We found unique features of the human fibular head compared to that of great apes (i.e., oblique articular surface, the presence of the styloid process, specific morphology of muscle attachment sites), supporting the functional role of this bone in relation to human obligate bipedalism. Great apes also showed distinctive traits in their proximal fibula morphology, in agreement with differences in locomotor behavior. Conclusion: The morphology of the proximal fibula in extant humans and great apes is indicative of locomotor behavior, offering the potential for the comparative analysis of fossil hominin remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial impact of short-term geomorphological events such as floods and flash floods varies depending on the size of the basin. The morphometry provides important clues about the susceptibility of a basin, particularly to dynamic processes such as rivers and slopes, by numerically expressing the dimensional aspects of the basin. This study aims, to a certain extent, to determine the morphometric distribution of basins in Turkey and evaluate the contribution of morphometry associated with events such as floods and flash floods to these occurrences in the literature. For this purpose, the morphometric analyses were conducted on a total of 26 basins, including the primary level sub-basins of Turkey's 14 main basins and closed basins, using SRTM 90m DEM. These analyses encompass linear morphometry, areal morphometry, and relief morphometry elements. The findings obtained in this study have been addressed at both the main basin and primary sub-basin levels. Unique features among the basins have been identified through morphometry, and the results obtained have been associated with topographic, geomorphological, and geological elements. Additionally, the relationship between morphometry and the number of flood and flash flood events occurring in Turkey basins has been investigated. The flood and flash flood inundation frequency at both main and sub-basin levels have been compared with morphometric values in terms of significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic revision and morphometrics are two crucial facets for the proper identification, updating of taxa, and strengthening phenetic relationships of angiosperms. This study focused on the systematics and morphometrics of the subfamily Byttnerioideae Burnett (Family Malvaceae) for the first time in Bangladesh, revealing eight taxa under seven genera, namely Abroma Jacq., Ayenia L., Guazuma Mill., Kleinhovia L., Melochia L., Theobroma L. and Waltheria L. These seven genera fall into three tribes: Byttnerieae, Theobromateae, and Hermannieae. Dichotomous bracketed keys to genera and species were generated. Detailed nomenclature, diagnostic characteristics, illustrations, representative specimens, notes on distribution and uses for each species were provided. Morphometrics study was conducted employing cluster and principal components analysis (PCA). Cluster analysis revealed close relationships between Theobromateae and Hermannieae tribes compared to Byttnerieae tribe in the form of UPGMA dendrogram. Similarity matrix revealed the highest affinity between Ayenia elegans Ridl. and Ayenia grandifolia (DC.) Christenh. & Byng. In the PCA analysis, the first two principal components explained approximately 82.26% cumulative variance. PCA-derived scatter and projection plots supported the topology and inter-relationships in the cluster analysis. These findings will enhance future conservation strategies, especially for the threatened and medicinally important taxa of Byttnerioideae in Bangladesh, and support molecular phylogenetic studies of the subfamily Byttnerioideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ice-gouging topography of bed of the southwestern Kara Sea is the result of the impact of icebergs and sea ice. During cruise 52 of the R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov using a multibeam echo sounder, we collected representative data on the key parameters of ice scours (location, orientation, depth, width) for the first time, which allows us to draw conclusions on a regional scale. We revealed regularities in the spatial and temporal distribution of ice scours and their density in different parts of the seabed. It was revealed that the maximum dimensions of the ice scours decrease with distance from the sources of iceberg calving from NW to SE. The orientation of the ice scours correlates with the main drift directions of icebergs. Most of the ice scours are located at depths up to 220 m and could have formed both at the modern and lower sea levels (in postglacial time). We identified a high degree of seabed transformation by ice-gouging processes in the southwestern Kara Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the biology, population parameters, and ecology of the sergestid shrimp (Acetes) in Barangay Damilisan, Miagao, Iloilo, the Philippines, by collecting samples for biological analyses and analyses using FiSAT II software. Based on morphometric evaluation, the sergestid shrimps present in the study site were identified as Acetes intermedius. Mature and near-spawning of the 180 specimens examined for ovarian maturity were > 50% in January, February, and April 2022. Size at sexual maturity was recorded at lengths ranging from 21.90-23.10 mm. The highest mean TL and CL were 20.49 ± 1.84 and 5.32 ± 0.56 mm, respectively, in January 2022. The length-frequency data showed that the highest frequency was 18.50-20.40 mm. The male-to-female sex ratio was 1:2; wherein females dominated the males. The highest frequency for females ranged from 20.50-22.40 mm (TL). Estimated population parameters of A. intermedius were L∞ = 30.98 mm, K = 1.900 yr-1, Ø' =3.26 yr-1, tmax= 1.6 yr-1, M = 3.93 yr-1, F = 4.07 yr-1, Z = 8.00 yr-1, E = 0.51, E0.1 = 0.517, E0.5 = 0.349, Emax = 0.691, L50%/Lc = 13.45 mm, and L75% = 14.57 mm with a unimodal type of recruitment pattern. The value obtained for the exploitation rate was above 0.5, hence suggesting that the Acetes stocks in Brgy. Damilisan faced overexploitation. These results provide information that can be used to properly conserve, utilize, and manage the Acetes fishery industry in Miagao, Iloilo, the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wave climate is shifting over the last decades along the Atlantic coasts of Europe ultimately driven by large-scale patterns of atmospheric variability forced by anthropogenic global warming. Changes in wave height and surf zone orbital currents are hypothesized to drive marked shifts in the shape of intertidal organisms such as the stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes, whose quality and market price are known to decrease non linearly with the peduncle length: width ratio S. This study evaluates wave trends in NW Iberian Peninsula, using the Spanish Port System 2006–2020 SIMAR wave hindcast. On the other hand, trends in stalked barnacle morphology and quality are estimated from 26 sites at the management regions of Baiona and A Guarda between 2011 and 2020. Results show evidence of temporal changes in barnacle quality and, especially, morphometry caused by simultaneous shifts in winter wave induced orbital currents. Because of the non linear relationship between S and the high quality threshold, large increases in S are usually translated to small reductions in quality. However, we identified a tipping point around S = 2.4 that if surpassed can lead to great drops in barnacle quality. In addition, changes in wave forcing will have different effects at each extraction site, as trends in wave climate are decoupled from barnacle morphometry at steeper sites sheltered from the predominant wave direction. In conclusion, this knowledge could be applied to develop site specific barnacle harvesting strategies based on annual wave climate forecasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most studied and most common species of cetacean in captivity. In this study, the size results obtained were the ribs and scapula. The first measure is a difference from the proximal to the distal end between the literature and this study. the second and third sizes have long, short, and longer proximal to distal differences. The fourth, fifth and sixth sizes show that the bones of T.truncatus are smaller than those of the Numataphocoena yamashitai species and the seventh size shows that the differences between T.truncatus and the Numataphocoena yamashitai species are several short and long costae. For the scapula, the dimensions of the first and second bones are larger than the present study species T.truncatus and Numataphocoena yamashitai. The sizes of the three results from this study are almost the same as the species Numataphocoena yamashitai except for the species Prosqualodon marplesi, which is larger than this study and research in California. The fourth size, which is 49.0 mm from head to tuberculum, is larger than the species T.truncatus and Numataphocoena yamashitai studied. The fifth size, the diameter of the rib head of this research species is smaller than the species Numataphocoena yamashitai and Prosqualodon marplesi, both of which are smaller than T.truncatus, and some of these differences are caused by food, habitat and environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we report the relationship among MRI-based skull and cervical spine morphometric measures as well as symptom severity (disability—as measured by Oswestry Head and Neck Pain Scale and social isolation—as measured by the UCLA Loneliness scale) on biomarkers of allostatic load using estrogen, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and cortisol in a sample of 46 CMI patients. Correlational analyses showed that McRae line length was negatively associated with interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed joint effects of morphometric measures (McRae line length, anterior CSF space) and symptom severity (disability and loneliness) on estrogen and intereukin-6 levels. These results are consistent with allostatic load. That is, when the combination of CSF crowding and self-report symptom (disability and loneliness) severity exceed the capacity of biological resilience factors, then biomarkers such as neuroprotective estrogen levels drop, rather than rise, with increasing symptom severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Fleas are blood-sucking insects that are not only a nuisance but can also act as vectors for various diseases in animals and humans, including dangerous ailments such as the bubonic plague. Identifying and classifying these insects accurately is crucial for understanding how they spread and how to control them. Geometric morphometrics, a cutting-edge technique, is proving to be an invaluable tool in this regard, alongside traditional methods and molecular biology. In the present study conducted in Andalusia, Spain, this technique successfully differentiated between three populations of fleas, providing insights into their distribution, size, and characteristics. Image processing software was employed to obtain measurements, such as perimeters and areas, of the fleas under study. These findings underscore the importance of geometric morphometrics in studying and managing arthropod populations, particularly in cases where other methods fall short or are not available. Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ectoparasitic hematophagous insects responsible for causing bites and itchy skin conditions in both humans and animals. Furthermore, they can act as vectors of different pathogens of a wide variety of diseases worldwide, including bartonellosis, rickettsiosis, and bubonic plague. Accurate identification of fleas is necessary for the study of their epidemiology, prevention, and control. In addition to traditional morphological classification approaches and molecular biology techniques, geometric morphometrics is increasingly proving to be a useful complementary tool for discriminating between Siphonaptera taxa. With the objective of determining the capacity of this technique to identify and differentiate synanthropic fleas, a principal component analysis was carried out on populations of Ctenocephalides felis, Pulex irritans, and Archaeopsylla erinacei collected in distinct regions of Andalusia (Spain). The analysis carried out on 81 male and female specimens revealed factorial maps that allowed the differentiation of the populations under study, with only partial overlaps that did not prevent their correct identification. Global size differences were also detected, with a slightly larger size in P. irritans males and a bigger size in A. erinacei females. Therefore, the present study emphasizes the role of geometric morphometrics as a useful complementary technique in taxonomic studies of arthropods, especially in the case of flea specimens lacking representative morphological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because experimental studies to determine the developmental toxicity of exposure to various substances in children are impossible, many studies use immature male rats. This study aimed to provide normative data for longitudinal bone growth with age during the puberty in male rats. In order to evaluate long bone growth and mineralization we examined bone size and bone density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, analyzed histomorphometry of the growth plate, and serum hormone levels relevant to bone growth from postnatal day (PD)20 to PD60. The length and weight of long bones increased strongly by PD40, and no further increase was observed after PD50. On the other hand, tibial growth plate height decreased sharply after PD50 along with a reduction in the number of cells and columns, which was probably responsible for the absence of further lengthening of long bones. Parameters related to bone formation such as bone area ratio, and the thickness and number of trabeculae, also increased significantly between PD40 and PD50. Furthermore, serum levels of IGF-1 peaked at PD30 and testosterone increased rapidly on and after PD40, when IGF-1 levels were going down. These changes may participate in the parallel increase in mineral acquisition, as well as lengthening of long bones. Our findings provide comprehensive data for changes in bone density, histomorphometry of long bones, and hormone levels relevant to bone growth during the growth spurt. This will be useful for planning animal toxicological studies, particularly for deciding on the appropriate age of animals to use in given experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilateral symmetry is widespread across animals, yet, among bilaterians, many cases of conspicuous asymmetries evolved. This means that bilaterally homologous structures on the left and right sides display divergent phenotypes. The evolution of such divergent phenotypes between otherwise similarly shaped structures can be thought to be favored by modularity, but this has rarely been studied in the context of left-right differences. Here, we provide an empirical example, using geometric morphometrics to assess patterns of asymmetry and covariation between landmark partitions in a grasshopper with conspicuously asymmetric mandibles. Our morphometric data confirm the presence of strictly directional conspicuous asymmetry in the mandibles and surrounding structures. Covariance patterns and tests hint at a strong integration between mandibles despite their divergent morphologies, and variational modularity with the head capsule. While mandibles have been selected to achieve a key-and-lock morphology by having interlocking shapes, the developmental modularity required to achieve this seems to be overwritten by developmental and/or functional integration, allowing the precise matching required for feeding. The consequent conflicting covariation patterns are reminiscent of the palimpsest model. Finally, the degree of directional asymmetry appears to be under selection, although we find no relationship between bite force and mandible shape or asymmetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A new species of Pristionchus was isolated from a soil-dwelling bee, Halictus (Seladonia) aerarius , collected from Sugadaira, Nagano, Japan. The nematode was successfully cultured on nematode growth medium agar previously inoculated with the Escherichia coli strain OP50; however, it did not propagate well. Typologically, the new species is similar to other Pristionchus belonging to the maupasi , pacificus and lheritieri groups in the stomatal structure of stenostomatous form. However, the species is characterised by the relatively short, conical tail of the female and the arrangement of male genital papillae in which the second- and third-paired papillae are almost at the same level and one of these two are directed laterally. Phylogenetically, the nematode belongs to the maupasi group, the 'American clade' within the genus, and is separable from the other species in the group. Biologically, the species has several interesting characters: it is seemingly native to Japan, regardless of its phylogenetic group; it is in tight and specific phoretic association with a eusocial bee; it lacks a eurystomatous form (or this form occurs rarely) under cultured conditions; and it shows characteristic clumping behaviour on culture media. The new species is taxonomically described herein as Pristionchus seladoniae n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing soil erosion (SE) and the associated problems for society, economy, and environment sparked a lot of interest in estimating and mapping SE at different basin scales. The estimation of SE exhibits that SE ranges from 10 to 50 t ha-1 yr-1, with a mean SE of 20 t ha-1 yr-1. The very steep slopes account for 54.21% of total soil loss. The SRB areas where soil loss rates are >10 t ha-1 yr-1 are considered the target areas which account for 27% of the study area and 96% of the soil loss). The high SY is concentrated only in the first-order basins located in a higher slope zone in the northern part of the river. Besides, basin morphometry (basin shape, relative relief) and anthropogenic activities (agricultural land) are retained in the PSLR model as significant factors contributing to SY in the entire river basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Central Ohio Archaeological Digitization Survey (COADS) documented large samples of prehistoric artifacts, notably points, held by private collectors in south-central Ohio, USA. COADS captured two-dimensional images of over 10,000 points and several hundred three-dimensional images. Many were processed for landmark-based geometric morphometric (LGM) analysis using two standard protocols, for entire points and for stems only. This case study tests for resharpening allometry—the possibility that preferential resharpening of blades caused change in shape with change in size of points—and related LGM concepts of modularity and integration. It justifies allometric tests as logical preconditions to typological and other studies of original design. To date, most LGM studies of this nature in North America involve Paleoindian fluted points. We test for allometry in COADS Kirk points, an Archaic type, using LGM and complementary reduction measures. MorphoJ and limited gmshiny analysis suggest a strong allometric signal with fairly high modularity; blade shape much more than stem shape varies with size, corroborated by independent measures. Separate analysis of stems alone indicates no allometry, as expected since stems vary little in resharpening. Allometry must be considered before attributing variation in whole-object shape to adaptation, drift, or other mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the first and third larval instars of Hydrocanthus levigatus (Brullé, 1837), including morphometric and chaetotaxic analyses of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment, and urogomphus. Larvae of this species have many dark dorsal maculae on the body, similar to those of H. socius Sahlberg, 1844 and H. debilis Sharp, 1882. First instar larvae of H. levigatus can be separated from those of H. socius and H. debilis by the following combination of characters: large size and seta TI5 somewhat longer than tibial length on mesothoracic and metathoracic legs. Conversely, the third instar of H. levigatus differs from those of H. socius and H. debilis in the greater number of secondary setae on the legs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lygodactylus is the most speciose gekkonid group in Africa, with several additional, candidate species already identified from previous studies. However, in mainland Africa, several groups remain only partially resolved, and there are several taxonomic inconsistencies. Lygodactylus gutturalis was described from Guinea-Bissau in the 1870s and since then, the species has been recorded from West to East Africa, and it is widely distributed through different biomes and ecoregions. However, this taxon has never been studied in detail. In this work, we use an integrative approach, including molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphometrics, skull osteology, and biogeography to provide the first systematic revision of the L. gutturalis species complex. The L. gutturalis complex is a subgroup within the L. picturatus group and includes nine well-differentiated species. We elevate Lygodactylus gutturalis dysmicus to full species status, recognize Lygodactylus depressus as the sister species to L. gutturalis , describe five new species (Lygodactylus kibera sp. nov. , Lygodactylus karamoja sp. nov. , Lygodactylus mirabundus sp. nov. , Lygodactylus leopardinus sp. nov. and Lygodactylus gamblei sp. nov.), and propose an additional candidate species that requires further research. Also, in order to shed light on some taxonomic inconsistencies between the L. gutturalis and Lygodactylus angularis groups, we revisit the L. angularis group, within which we elevate Lygodactylus angularis heeneni and Lygodactylus angularis paurospilus to full species status. The L. gutturalis subgroup diversified during the Late Miocene (between 5–15 Mya), probably as a consequence of multiple vicariant events driven by the expansion of the African savannahs and the establishment of climatic refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of high‐resolution silicone moulds for documenting bone surface modifications, such as cut marks, is common. However, it has not been evaluated whether moulding can affect the originals. In this work, the modification level derived from several moulding–demoulding processes on an experimental sample of cut marks has been characterised using geometric Morphometrics. It has been shown that moulds influence the morphology of cut marks, reducing their variability, and making the sample more homogeneous. These modifications do not affect the identification of cut marks, but if not considered, may have an effect on more specialised studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the discovery of metal objects is not common in Chalcolithic or Bronze Age sites, the study of bone surface microscopic grooves from animal butchering can yield evidence of the use of metal artefacts in these contexts. Additionally, the presence of slice marks made with metal objects in Chalcolithic and Bronze Age sites has highlighted the use of metal in common practices beyond their ornamental application, as usually expected at the early stages of metallurgy. Here, we present the study of the slice marks found at the Chalcolithic site of Zanjillas, using geometric morphometrics and machine learning algorithms, with the aim of identifying the nature of the tools used for carcass processing at the site. For this purpose, we replicate previous analyses considering slice marks produced with lint flakes and metal tools to generate a referential framework that serves as comparative to the Zanjillas sample. Our results suggest that most of the domestic activities related to carcass skinning, defleshing, or evisceration in Zanjillas were still performed with flint artefacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 44 species within the genus Dermacentor (Acari: Ixodidae) worldwide, nine are found in the Neotropics and four are endemic to this region. In Colombia, located in the northwestern corner of South America, there are two species of the genus: Dermacentor imitans restricted to the trans-Andean Pacific region, and Dermacentor nitens widely distributed in the country. Elsewhere, D. nitens is found in both the Nearctic and Neotropics, from southern USA to northern Argentina. In the Neotropics, D. nitens is widely distributed including records in Caribbean islands. Molecular analyses of D. nitens collected in the Amazon region of Colombia have shown genetic differences with specimens from other localities of the country, although morphological differences have not been explored. We performed morphological and molecular comparisons of individuals from two natural regions of Colombia: the Orinoquia, and the Amazon. The morphological and morphometric results show that females and males are grouped in two morphotypes: morphotype I from the Orinoquia region, and morphotype II from Leticia in the Amazon region. The molecular analyses supported the morphological results and showed the formation of two well-differentiated sister clades within D. nitens, with divergences between both morphotypes of 3–4% and 5–6% for the 16S rRNA and COI genes, respectively. Species delimitation analyzes and the Poisson Tree Processes model tentatively suggest the presence of two species within the sequences associated with D. nitens in Colombia. The first represented by the sequences from the Orinoquia region evaluated here, together with sequences from other regions of Colombia and other Neotropical countries such as Brazil, Panama, and French Guiana. The second is represented by the sequences of individuals from Leticia, in the Amazon region of Colombia. The results highlight that D. nitens might represent a species complex, but further sampling, experimental crosses, and studies at the level of complete genomes should be performed to obtain additional evidence for species recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biological traits are mainly determined by genotype and are also influenced by environmental factors, especially in the process of adapting to different environments, corresponding phenotypic variations may occur. Even for the same animal, there may be some morphological differences due to its long-term adaptation to different habitat environments. Molar teeth are the direct contact point between animals and the environment, which are of great significance in the study of animal adaptability to different environments. Methods: To explore the relationship between the morphology of the molars (upper molars and lower molars) of tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) and environmental variations in different regions, we applied geometric morphometric methods to measure the morphological characteristics of the molars of T. belangeri in 12 different regions of China (Hainan, Daxin, Leye, Xingyi, Xichang, Hekou, Kunming, Mengla, Dali, Tengchong, Pianma, Laboratory bred F1 generation). Result: The results showed that the morphological variations of the lower molars of T. belangeri in 12 different regions were larger, which was more suitable and reference valuable for studying the morphological differences among different geographical populations. The Principal component analysis showed that T. belangeri from 12 regions were clustered into 4 branches: Hainan was clustered into one branch, Daxin was clustered into one branch, Pianma and Tengchong were clustered into one branch and Leye, Xingyi, Hekou, Kunming, Xichang, Mengla, Dali and laboratory bred F1 generation were clustered into one branch. The thin plate spline analysis showed that deformations in the upper molars were mostly concentrated in the alveolar and dental margins. The deformations of the lower molars were mainly concentrated in the alveolar, marginal and occlusal surfaces. Multidimensional scaling showed that there were differences in molars morphology among the 12 locations, with significant variations in Hainan, Daxin, Pianma and Tengchong regions, reflecting the adaptive variation of T. belangeri to different ecological environments. The present results can provide a certain basis for the study of phenotypic adaptation in T. belangeri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted in the agricultural fields of mustard of Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India, where a heavy population of Zeldia was recovered. The morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic characterization confirmed the nematode as Zeldia punctata. The phylogenetic analysis based on 18 and 28S rDNA placed the studied population of Z. punctata close to other populations of the same species. The principal component analysis (PCA) data revealed the high intraspecific and interspecific variations between the populations of Zeldia punctata from different geographical regions. The result indicated a variation between the Indian populations of Z. punctata. Additionally, the selected ecological factors indicated an impact of EC, temperature, and phosphorus on Z. punctata during the flowering and podding time of mustard crops in India. However, the PCA revealed no effect of ecological factors on the nematode diversity indices. In conclusion, Z. punctata, with its high individual numbers on mustard, may affect crop production due to activating the bacterial community of the soil and less space for plant-parasitic nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub‐estrus buffaloes do not exhibit estrus signs despite being cyclic contributing to extended service periods and inter‐calving intervals causing significant economic loss. The present study described the effect of synthetic prostaglandin (PGF2α) on estrus behaviour, follicular and luteal morphometry, and serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) profile in sub‐estrus buffaloes during the non‐breeding season. The incidence of sub‐estrus was 38.4% during the non‐breeding season. The sub‐estrus buffaloes (n = 33) were divided into two groups, viz., Control (n = 16) and PGF2α treatment (Inj. Cloprostenol 500 μg, i.m., n = 17). Estrus induction response was significantly greater in the treatment (100 vs. 18.75%, p <.001), and a relatively greater proportion of animals conceived in the treatment group (29.41 vs. 6.25%, p =.08). The time elapsed to induction of estrus and insemination following treatment was significantly lower in the treatment group than control. A significant increment in the follicle diameter (9.72 ± 0.45 vs. 13.00 ± 0.45 mm, P <.0001) and serum estradiol (E2) concentration (66.01 ± 11.92 vs. 104.9 ± 13.21 pg/mL, p =.003) observed at the post‐treatment period in the PGF2α treatment group. At the same time, CL diameter was reduced significantly at a higher regression rate in the PGF2α treated buffaloes than those of control. Of the responded buffaloes, only 30% showed high‐intensity estrus attributed to the expulsion of cervico‐vaginal mucus (CVM), uterine tonicity, micturition, and mounting response by a teaser bull. From this study, it can be concluded that the administration of PGF2α could induce estrus in the sub‐estrus buffaloes during the non‐breeding season. Behavioural changes, along with sonographic observation of POF, regressing CL, and serum E2 and P4 concentration would be useful to determine the right time of insemination in sub‐estrus buffaloes during non‐breeding season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil remains of a pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Jurassic: Tithonian) of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, central England are identified as a partial left first wing finger phalanx. The elongation of the phalanx and distinctive morphology of the proximal articular region, in particular the square outline of the extensor tendon process, permit the specimen to be assigned to Ctenochasmatoidea. Although fragmentary, it is sufficiently well preserved to determine accurately its dimensions when complete. Morphometric analysis reveals the specimen to represent one of the largest known examples of a Jurassic pterosaur, with an estimated wingspan of at least 3 m, and is one of the first pterodactyloids to be reported from the Jurassic of the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the ecological discourse surrounding the polarising theropod Spinosaurus has centred on qualitative discussions. Using a quantitative multivariate data analytical approach on size-adjusted linear measurements of the skull, we examine patterns in skull shape across a range of sauropsid clades and three ecological realms (terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and aquatic). We utilise cluster analyses to identify emergent properties of the data which associate properties of skull shape with ecological realm occupancy. Results revealed terrestrial ecologies to be significantly distinct from both semi- and fully aquatic ecologies, the latter two were not significantly different. Spinosaurids (including Spinosaurus) plotted away from theropods in morphospace and close to both marine taxa and wading birds. The position of nares and the degree of rostral elongation had the greatest effect on categorisation. Comparisons of supervised (k-means) and unsupervised clustering demonstrated categorising taxa into three groups (ecological realms) was inappropriate and suggested instead that cluster division is based on morphological adaptations to feeding on aquatic versus terrestrial food items. The relative position of the nares in longirostrine taxa is associated with which skull bones are elongated. Rostral elongation is observed by either elongating the maxilla and the premaxilla or by elongating the maxilla only. This results in the nares positioned towards the orbits or towards the anterior end of the rostrum respectively, with implications on available feeding methods. Spinosaurids, especially Spinosaurus, show elongation in the maxilla-premaxilla complex, achieving similar functional outcomes to elongation of the premaxilla seen in birds, particularly large-bodied piscivorous taxa. Such a skull construction would bolster "stand-and-wait" predation of aquatic prey to a greater extent than serving other proposed feeding methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biology and morphometrics of Bradysia tritici (Coq.), a major pest of milky mushroom (Calocybe indica P&C), were studied. Adult longevity of male and female was 4.75±1.64 and 6.10±0.91 days, respectively. The female laid an average of 40.45±5.21 eggs in her life period. The eggs were singly laid in clusters of 2 to 3 and hatched in 2.50±0.51days and the viability of eggs were 83.26±5.88 per cent. The larval stage completed in 11.10±1.07 days. The pre-pupal, pupal stages and total life cycle of male and female lasted for 1.60, 2.70.47.0 and 20.15 and 21.50 days, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to verify the correlation of the airway‐facial phenotype and visualize the morphological variation in Crouzon syndrome patients. Additionally, to develop a non‐radiation methodology for airway assessments. Method: In this study, 22 patients diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome (Age: 7.80 ± 5.63 years; Gender distribution: 11 females and 11 males) were analysed. The soft tissue surface and airway were three‐dimensionally reconstructed, and the entire facial phenotype was topologized and converted into spatial coordinates. Geometric morphometrics was employed to verify the correlation and visualize dynamic phenotypic variation associated with airway volume. A total of 276 linear variables were automatically derived from 24 anatomical landmarks, and principal component analysis (PCA) identified the 20 most significant parameters for airway evaluation. Correlation analyses between parameters and airway volume were performed. Then, patients were classified into three groups based on airway volume, and the differences among the groups were compared for evaluating the differentiating effectiveness of parameters. Results: The facial phenotype was strongly correlated with the airway (coefficient: 0.758). Morphological variation was characterized by (i) mandibular protrusion and anticlockwise rotation; (ii) midface retrusion; (iii) supraorbital frontward and (iv) lengthening of the facial height. All the anthropometric parameters were strongly associated with the airway, and the differences among the groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study confirmed the strong correlation between facial phenotype and airway parameters in Crouzon syndrome patients. Despite the development of the airway, pathological midface retrusion was still aggravated, suggesting that surgical intervention was inevitable. Three‐dimensional facial anthropometry has potential as a non‐radiation examination for airway evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of their excellent preservation record, testate zooplankters provide valuable proxy ocean climate data through the Quaternary–Recent. Commonly, specimen abundances are sought, which are time-consuming to collect manually and require taxonomic expertise. While machine learning models obviate these problems, it is questioned whether the current use of specimens selected by experts to train the models impartially captures the variation within the source populations. To illustrate the potential value of the latter and their relevance to the selection of representative specimens, the 2D outline shape of the planktonic foraminifer Truncorotalia crassaformis from four globally distributed, late-Quaternary–modern collections is examined. Large intra-sample variation is attributed to changes in the size and shape of the last-formed chamber, which often departs radically from its predecessors. Similar outlines occur in each collection, and no single axial shape is dominant when the aggregated data, aligned on their centroids and adjusted for size and position, are projected onto their principal components. Several partitions based on distance from the centroid of the standardized data are considered as sources of representative specimens, with that at ±1.645σ (standard deviations, nominally 90%) suggested as suitable. This procedure obviates the need for expert-based consensus sampling; for greater environmental resolution, it can be applied to individual water mass samples. It assists, but does not fully resolve, the following basic diagnostic question: which characters separate Truncorotalia crassaformis from its relatives? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal notches, long regarded as reliable indicators of mean sea level, have been extensively studied along carbonate coasts in the central Mediterranean Sea. Previous studies revealed a correlation between the genesis of tidal notches and tidal range, lithology, cliff foot depth, and wave energy. In the 2020 Geoswim campaigns at Lampedusa, the southernmost island of the Pelagie archipelago (Italy), and in Gozo Island (Malta), 'anomalous' tidal notches were identified. Unlike normal notches observed elsewhere, those in Lampedusa's southern bays exhibited a particular behaviour—constantly deepening in the inner part of the bays, reaching a maximum depth of approximately 30 cm below sea level and narrowing inwards. Similar phenomena were previously observed near Marseille (France). As confirmed by the literature, all these areas are tectonically stable. Time-lapse images, alongside measurements of morphometric parameters, were collected during the survey. Our hypothesis indicates that a combination of marine factors influenced by local marine conditions driven by the local morphology of the small bays exposed to southern quadrants contribute to the formation of these unique landforms. The latter manifests higher lowering erosion rates slightly below the mean sea level in sheltered areas, challenging conventional notions about tidal notch formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to analyze milk production and morphometrics derived from digital images of Friesian and Holstein cows in smallholder farms located in Pondok Rangon, Lembang, and Cibungbulang Bogor in different lactation periods. The morphometric parameters measured in this study included body length, height, chest girth, and body weight. The findings indicated that Holstein cows exhibited greater body length, height, chest girth, and body weight compared to Friesian cows across all farms. Milk production in Friesian cows remained relatively stable from lactation periods one to three. Additionally, body length, height, chest girth, and body weight were found to influence the milk production of both Friesian and Holstein cows. Cows with longer body lengths, greater heights, higher body weights, and wider chest girths tended to produce more milk. Chest girth and weight emerged as the primary factors influencing milk production in Friesian and Holstein cows, while height, body length, and lactation period also played significant roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Osun River is a major river in the Ogun-Osun River Basin and contributes significantly to fish production and quality source of protein. It is therefore essential to investigate the condition and characteristics of the most abundant fish species in the river. This aim of this study was achieved by investigating the Morphometric parameters, sex ratio, and condition factor of Oreochromis niloticus and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in the lower section of the river, because these fish species were the most abundant and economically important. Monofilament gillnets were used for fish sampling for twelve months to cover both wet and dry seasons (November 2017 to October 2018). A total of 1597 individuals of both species were collected comprising 40.14% O. niloticus samples and 59.88% samples of C. nigrodigitatus. The correlation coefficient (r) for O. niloticus and C. nigrodigitatus were 0.78 and 0.89 which indicated a high and very high relationship respectively. O. niloticus showed a significant negative allometric growth pattern (b = 2.315) while C. nigrodigitatus showed a growth pattern that was significant and positively allometric (b = 3.102). The mean condition factor (K) was 2.8 for O. niloticus and 1.9 for C. nigrodigitatus. The sex ratio of male to female was 1.5:1 for O. niloticus and 1.2:1 for C. nigrodigitatus. Both fish species responded well due to the high K-factor and good growth rate, and it is therefore essential to maintain optimal environmental factors for the sustainability of these fish species in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]