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The last common ancestor of all living arthropods had biramous postantennal appendages, with an endopodite and exopodite branching off the limb base. Morphological evidence for homology of these rami between crustaceans and chelicerates has, however, been challenged by data from clonal composition and from knockout of leg patterning genes. Cambrian arthropod fossils have been cited as providing support for competing hypotheses about biramy but have shed little light on additional lateral outgrowths, known as exites. Here we draw on microtomographic imaging of the Cambrian great-appendage arthropod Leanchoilia to reveal a previously undetected exite at the base of most appendages, composed of overlapping lamellae. A morphologically similar, and we infer homologous, exite is documented in the same position in members of the trilobite-allied Artiopoda. This early Cambrian exite morphology supplements an emerging picture from gene expression that exites may have a deeper origin in arthropod phylogeny than has been appreciated., The common ancestor of all living arthropods had biramous postantennal appendages, with an endopodite and exopodite branching off the limb base. This study uses microtomographic imaging of the Cambrian arthropod Leanchoilia to reveal a previously undetected exite at the base of most appendages, suggesting a deeper origin for exites in arthropod phylogeny.

A language’s grammar can be stratified, due to borrowing processes. While being a well-established term in the linguistic literature, the term ‘borrowing’ is sometimes used in a non-uniform way, particularly when it applies to bound morphological formatives. A Stratal Effect is hypothesized, which, applying to varying extent, gives rise to at least three distinct, psycholinguistically motivated types of morphological transfer. A typology of morphological spread is proposed, which consists of three main types: strictly compartmentalized co-morphologies, partially compartmentalized co-morphologies, and morphological borrowing. The widespread view that affix borrowing can be either direct or indirect is questioned and it is argued that most likely, morphological borrowing is always an intermediate process, involving the extraction of formatives and their diffusion within the lexicon.

Lonchaea es el género con mayor número de especies y distribución dentro de la familia Lonchaeidae. Normalmente los individuos de esta familia son confundidos con los de la familia de Tephritidae cuando se encuentran afectando frutos. Los pocos estudios taxonómicos que existen sobre el género hacen que la identificación de especies sea realmente difícil, especialmente con base en las hembras ya que todas las claves existentes Lonchaea es el género con mayor número de especies y distribución dentro de la familia Lonchaeidae. Los individuos de esta familia son confundidos con los de la familia Tephritidae y ambos se encuentran afectando frutos. Los pocos estudios taxonómicos sobre el género hacen que la identificación de las especies sea difícil, especialmente con base en las hembras, colectadas más frecuentemente, ya que todas las claves existentes están basadas en la morfología de los machos. Se asignaron las secuencias código de barras de ADN para especímenes del género previamente identificados por morfología y verificados por especialistas, logrando mediante la agrupación en M-OTUs (Unidades Taxonómicas Operativas Moleculares) la asociación de genotipos machos-hembras, proporcionando información molecular valiosa como apoyo para identificar individuos de ambos sexos, e incluso inmaduros colectados en campo o especímenes presentes en colecciones entomológicas.

Integration of morphological and molecular approaches is nowadays given importance to identify a particular species. So in our study, we considered both approaches to identify the controversial ant species, Odontoponera denticulata. For morphological analysis, we considered morphological characters and morphometric measurements. In the molecular approach, we considered DNA barcoding from the COI gene. A nucleotide sequence of 641 base pairs was obtained which showed 86.08% similarity with Odontoponera transversa. No COI gene sequence of O. denticulata is found to exist in Genbank. But morphological characters supported the identity of the species as O. denticulata. Therefore, the sequence obtained was submitted to NCBI Genbank (accession number MN380424). From the study, it can be inferred that the combination of both the morphological and molecular approaches is helpful to identify a species, here in this case the Ponerine ant, O. denticulata. As there is no report on antennal sensilla of O. denticulata, therefore we also investigated the morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of O. denticulata. Nine different types of antennal sensilla are recorded including Bohm Bristles (BB1, BB2), Sensilla Trichodea (ST1, ST2), Sensilla Chaetica (SCh), Sensilla Basiconica (SB1, SB2), Sensilla Coeloconica (SCo) and Sensilla Campaniformia (SCa). ST1 is the most abundant antennal sensilla found in O. denticulata.

During taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of fungi on pteridophytes in Thailand, Monilochaetes pteridophytophila sp. nov. was collected from the frond stalks of a tree fern (Alsophila costularis, Cyatheaceae). The new species is introduced, based on evidence from morphology and phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated dataset of LSU, ITS, SSU and RPB2 sequences. Monilochaetes pteridophytophila differs from extant species of Monilochaetes in having darker conidiophores with fewer septae (1–4-septate). Monilochaetes pteridophytophila forms a distinct clade, basal from other species of Monilochaetes in Australiascaceae. A detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided. We also provided a synopsis of accepted species of Monilochaetes.

For DNA metabarcoding to attain its potential as a community assessment tool, we need to better understand its performance versus traditional morphological identification and work to address any remaining performance gaps in incorporating DNA metabarcoding into community assessments. Using fragments of the 18S nuclear and 16S mitochondrial rRNA genes and two fragments of the mitochondrial COI marker, we examined the use of DNA metabarcoding and traditional morphological identification for understanding the diversity and composition of crustacean zooplankton at 42 sites across western Lake Superior. We identified 51 zooplankton taxa (genus or species, depending on the finest resolution of the taxon across all identification methods), of which 17 were identified using only morphological traits, 13 using only DNA and 21 using both methods. The taxa found using only DNA metabarcoding included four species and one genus-level identification not previously known to occur in Lake Superior, the presence of which still needs to be confirmed. A substantial portion of taxa that were identified to genus or species by morphological identification, but not identified using DNA metabarcoding, had zero (“no record”) or < 2 (“underrepresented records”) reference barcodes in the BOLD or NCBI databases (63% for COI, 80% for 16S, 74% for 18S). The two COI marker fragments identified the most genus- and species-level taxa, whereas 18S was the only marker whose family-level percent sequence abundance patterns showed high correlation to composition patterns from morphological identification, based on a NMDS analysis of Bray-Curtis similarities. Multiple replicates were collected at a subset of sites and an occupancy analysis was performed, which indicated that rare taxa were more likely to be detected using DNA metabarcoding than traditional morphology. Our results support that DNA metabarcoding can augment morphological identification for estimating zooplankton diversity and composition of zooplankton over space and time, but may require use of multiple markers. Further addition of taxa to reference DNA databases will improve our ability to use DNA metabarcoding to identify zooplankton and other invertebrates in aquatic surveys.

This article discusses the system of green microalgae of the clade Parachlorella, based on morphological, ecological, and molecular genetic data. The diagnostic characteristics of the selected genera and species and the systematic position of some taxa are discussed. Phylogenetic analysis of the Parachlorella-clade has shown that, despite the relative simplicity of morphology, it is characterized by high cryptic diversity. The polyphyletic nature of the genus Dictyosphaerium and some species (D. libertatis, D. ehrenbergianum, Compactochlorella kochii, Mucidosphaerium pulchellum, M. palustre, and Closteriopsis acicularis) was shown. Theuse of the intron as a universal criterion for closely related species was effective for representatives of groups II, IV, VII, and VIII, as well as for strains of the species Compactochlorella kochii and D. libertatis. The application of the classical CBC approach, based on the search for CBC in conservative ITS2 regions, was successful only for the representatives of group II. The results of analysis of genetic distances and the GMYC, PTP, and ABGD species delimitation algorithms are not universal tools for determining species boundaries and need to be confirmed by other characteristics (cell shape, ability to form colonies, the way the cells attach to hyaline interconnecting strands, the type of chloroplast, the number of pyrenoids, the presence of mucilage, the presence/absence of introns, the level of genetic differences, the presence of CBC in ITS1 and ITS2, the habitat). Due to the combined use of morphological, ecological and genetic features, it was possible to characterize 11 groups and 2 phylogenetic lines within the clade Parachlorella and to make assumptions about the division of genera and species within the selected groups.

Two new species of the genus Camptoscaphiella Caporiacco, 1934 are described from Yunnan, China, i.e., C. changxu Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀) and C. linyejiei Tong & Li, sp. nov. (♂♀). Camptoscaphiella changxu Tong & Li, sp. nov. is characterized by the long, strongly-curved setae between male paturons, which is unknown in other oonopids and in any other spiders. Camptoscaphiella linyejiei Tong & Li, sp. nov. is the third blind species of this genus in the world. Morphological descriptions and photographic illustrations of the two new species are given.

Taxonomic identification of fishes is essential in conservation study and to understand their role in an aquatic ecosystem. The study of scale morphology provides new and useful information in the field of the taxonomy of fish and paleontological analysis. The purpose of this study was to determine the scale morphology and the surface ultra-structural details like circuli, radii and focus. Other structures like tubercles, denticles, canals, chromatophores, ctenii were also noted with specifications, arrangement and numbers, on the scales. The teleost species Notopterus kapirat and Etroplus suratensis were selected in this study from the Godavari river basin in Maharashtra. Other than morphological characters using phase-contrast microscopy and SEM the microphotographs of selected characters of the scales were noted. From the result, it was concluded that fish scales have numerous hidden detail in their structures and they are a new advanced tool in fish systematics even after not getting the whole fish sample but the availability of scales only is enough.

Based on both morphological characters and phylogenetic relationships, one new genus Progoniogryllus gen. nov. and two new species, Progoniogryllus rotundus sp. nov. and Progoniogryllus directus sp. nov., are proposed. The new genus is compared with similar genera of Gryllodes Saussure, 1874, Parasongella Otte, 1987, Callogryllus Sjöstedt, 1910 and Goniogryllus Chopard. 1936 by morphological and phylogenetic methods. Based on the knowledge so far, the new genus is very close to Goniogryllus. All the new taxa are described and illustrated, and some information on mating behavior of the new was also provided.

A new species, Psolidium kharlamenkoi n. sp. (Echinodermata: Dendrochirotida: Psolidae) is described from the Kuril Islands. The new species is distinguished from all previously described species of the genus Psolidium by combination of the external features, ossicles morphology and coloration.

Aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits on South Africa's Cape south coast have the capacity to record and preserve events that transpired on them when they were composed of unconsolidated sand. Thirty-five Pleistocene elephant tracksites have been identified along this coastline. This abundance of sites along what was the margin of the vast Palaeo-Agulhas Plain allows for an appreciation of the forms that elephant tracks and traces can take in the context of the global proboscidean track record. They point to a significant regional elephant presence from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 (~400 ka) through MIS 5 (~130–80 ka) to MIS 3 (~35 ka) and also indicate repeated use of certain dune areas. They buttress Holocene and historical evidence that elephants made use of open areas in the region, and that the remaining “Knysna elephants” retreated into dense afrotemperate forest for protection in recent centuries. Analogies can be drawn between Pleistocene elephant tracks and Mesozoic dinosaur tracks, and some of the Cape south coast elephant tracks are among the largest Cenozoic (and hence, Quaternary) tracks ever to be described. A newly identified tracksite in this area may provide the first reported evidence of elephant trunk-drag impressions.

Introduction: Corpus callosum (CC) is the largest commissural white fibres interconnecting cerebral hemispheres. The corpus callosum is responsible for interhemispheric transfer of information which is essential for cognitive function. The foetal corpus callosum serves as sensitive indicator for normal brain development and maturation. As the corpus callosum is a part of the highest order latest maturing mental network of the brain, its measurements are important to assess normal brain development and to locate structural changes. A comprehensive evaluation of normal human foetal corpus callosal development is essential to detect and understand the congenital anomalies of the brain. Thus, the prenatal diagnosis of partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum is important for predicting the normal development of the foetus. Foetal neural anomalies that are suspected on prenatal ultrasonography (USG) can be detected in early stage using foetal MRI. This imaging technique is highly useful for detailed visualization of normal neural development. Certain conditions like colpocephaly and widening of interhemispheric fissure can be clearly visualized using foetal MRI when compared to prenatal ultrasonography. Aim and objective: Was to establish the normal reference values for the measurement of foetal corpus callosum. The length and thickness of the foetal CC was measured corresponding to gestational age (GA) between 18-36weeks. Materials and methods: A retrospective MRI study was carried out in Radiology department of Sri Ramachandra Hospital. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women with GA of 18-32 weeks and morphology of foetal corpus callosum was measured using MRI. The corpus callosum was visualized in a mid-sagittal plane as an anechoic structure, delimited by two echogenic lines superiorly by sulcus of the corpus callosum and inferiorly by the septum pellucidum. The length of corpus callosum was measured from the anterior most aspect of genu to the posterior most aspect of the splenium and the width of individual parts were measured and correlated with gestational age. The values obtained from the study were statistically calculated using regression coefficient method. Results: In the present study following parameters were observed such as length and width of diverse parts of Corpus callosum. The length of foetal CC ranged from 25.96 to 47.2 mm in 18 to 32 weeks of gestational age. The range of width of rostrum, genu, body and splenium were 1.2 to 2.2 mm, 1.2-2.8mm, 1.3-3.1mm and 1.36-3.2mm respectively. Conclusion: The periodic development of nervous system can be calculated more effectively with the morphometric measurement of foetal CC and its correlation with BPD. It is considered to be accurate than using BPD measurement of head circumference in USG. Hence, with the normative data of foetal CC measurements correlated with gestational age would give us accurate details of neuronal growth rather than measuring biparietal diameter (BPD) alone using USG. This knowledge will be highly helpful for the gynaecologists to predict the abnormal development of the foetus and it is advised to include foetal CC parameters as a one of the tools for early detection of CNS anomalies.

The article compares the literature on the biology, ecology, some morphological features, epizootiological status of sheep moniesiosis pathogens, important diagnostic features that distinguish them from individual studies, data were analyzed.

Morphometry of 53 stingless bees of the genus Lisotrigona collected from seven places in India by using 36 morphological parameters was studied. The data set also included morphometry data of primary types of L. cacciae, L. chandrai and L. revanai for comparison and was subjected to Factor and Canonical Discriminant analysis. All the bees collected from five places formed two distinct clusters in the Factor analysis and five clusters in Canonical Discriminant analysis. In both the methods of analysis primary types of L. cacciae, L. chandrai and L. revanai were placed well separated from each other as well as from other bees. The bees from seven places also differed from the three known species in morphometry and ratios of length and width of parts of the body. Based on these results it is concluded that Indian stingless bees of the genus Lisotrigona consists of more than one species besides L. cacciae. The action of synonymizing L. mohandasi, L. chandrai and L. revanai with L. cacciae appears arbitrary; these three species should be considered valid until supported by male genital morphology or molecular characters.

Understanding inter-population variation and sexual differences in morphology is a fundamental part of taxonomic and biological research. External morphology of swamp barb (Puntius brevis) was compared between sexes and among three populations in the Mekong Delta, including O Mon-Can Tho (n=86), U Minh Thuong-Kien Giang (n=49) and U Minh Ha-Ca Mau (n=77). The results illustrate that color and countable parameters are similar in all populations. Nonetheless, 9 out of 20 morphometric indices are significantly different among three populations (P

We analyzed the bathymetric data obtained during the cruises on the German research vessel “Sonne” using multibeam echosounders within the framework of the Russian-German projects KALMAR (cruise SO201-2, 2009) and BERING (cruise SO249-2, 2016) in the Komandorsky Basin of the Bering Sea. Detailed bathymetric maps of the Piip submarine volcano were constructed. New morphological features of its summit edifices and their age relations are described, hydrothermal activity confined to the edifices is localized, and all side cones and lava flows are mapped. Based on the flank cones and fissure lava flows alignments we determined the tectonic paleostress that existed at the time of their formation, presumably after the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene. It differs from the recent tectonic stress caused by right-lateral displacements along the Bering fault zone.

SynopsisSpines are ubiquitous in both plants and animals, and while most spines were likely originally used for defense, over time many have been modified in a variety of ways. Here we take an integrative approach to review the form, function, and evolution of spines as a defensive strategy in order to make new connections between physical mechanisms and functional behavior. While this review focuses on spines in mammals, we reference and draw ideas from the literature on spines in other taxa, including plants. We begin by exploring the biomechanics of defensive spines, their varied functions, and nondefensive modifications. We pay particular attention to the mechanics involved in passive puncture and the ways organisms have overcome limitations associated with the low energy input. We then focus on the ecological, physiological, and behavioral factors that promote the evolution of spiny defenses, including predator- and habitat-mediated hypotheses. While there is considerable evidence to support both, studies have generally found that (1) defensive spines are usually effective against one class of attacker (e.g., larger predators) but ineffective against or even facilitate predation by others and (2) species that are more visible or exposed to predators are under much stronger selection to evolve defensive spines or some other robust defense. What type of defensive morphology that evolves, however, is less predictable and probably strongly dependent on both the dominant source of predation and the habitat structure of the organism (e.g., arboreal, terrestrial, and fossorial). We then explore traits that often are correlated with defensive spines and armor, potentially forming armor syndromes, suites of traits that evolve together with body armor in a correlated fashion. In mammals, these include aposematic warning coloration, locomotion style, diet, metabolic rate, and relative brain size. Finally, we encourage integration of mechanistic, behavioral, and evolutionary studies of defensive spines and suggest future avenues of research in the biomechanics, evolution, and behavior of spines and spiny organisms.

Identification of species involved in cadaveric decomposition, such as scavenger Diptera, is a fundamental step for the use of entomological evidence in court. Identification based on morphology is widely used in forensic cases; however, taxonomic knowledge of scavenger fauna is poor for many groups and for many countries, particularly Neotropical ones. A number of studies have documented the utility of a DNA barcoding strategy to assist in the identification of poorly known and diverse groups, particularly in cases involving immature states or fragmented organisms. To provide baseline knowledge of the diversity of scavenger Diptera in the Valley of Mexico, we generated a DNA barcode collection comprised of sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene for all families sampled at a nature reserve located in this region. We collected and identified specimens on the basis of morphology and a species delimitation analysis. Our analyses of 339 individuals delineated 42 species distributed across nine families of Diptera. The richest families were Calliphoridae (9 species), Sarcophagidae (7 species), and Phoridae (6 species). We found many of the species previously recorded for the Valley of Mexico, plus 18 new records for the region. Our study highlights the utility of DNA barcoding as a first-step strategy to assess species richness of poorly studied scavenger fly taxa.

Słownik Katarzyny II (1787-1789) Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie materiału hiszpańskiego z nieznanego szerzej XIX-wiecznego słownika wydanego w Sankt Petersburgu przez P.S. Pallasa. Po krótkiej nocie biograficznej następuje przedstawienie materiału leksykograficznego, a następnie jego analiza pod kątem jego transliteracji, fonetyki, morfologii oraz cech leksykalnych. Jak zwykle okazuje się, że badanie nieznanego materiału odkrywa kolejne niespodzianki językowe i jest niezawodnym źródłem do poszerzenia znajomości, choćby w ograniczonymstopniu, historii danego języka.

In the present communication, a species of Lactarius (L. sinozonarius) belonging to L. sect. Zonarii has been described from Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was found under the Quercus sp. and is characterized by yellow fruiting bodies with zonate pileus and white latex. This taxon is presented here as a new record for the Indian mycota and described with detailed morphology, anatomy and nrITS based phylogeny.

The present paper describes the previously unknown larva of Sericostoma galeatum based on French material. Information on the morphology of the larva is given, and the most important morphological characters are illustrated. Sericostoma galeatum is very close to the S. personatum / S. flavicorne species pair and cannot be separated yet from those confusing congeners. With respect to the distribution, S. galeatum is confined to the French, Italian, and Swiss western Alps and the Apennines. In addition, ecological information is provided.

Occurrence of the European extinct cordylid genus ‘Bavaricordylus’ from the early middle Miocene of Switzerland was recently questioned. Reanalysis of the Swiss material supports its assignment to the lacertid genus Janosikia, the presence of which is, therefore, indicated for the first time outside from southern Germany. Based on dentary morphology, it seems that two Janosikia morphotypes were present in the Miocene, one with a smooth and a second with a rough lateral surface of the dentary. The lacertid genus Janosikia seems to be confined to Central Europe, thriving there through at least the first half of the Miocene (from ca. 22 Ma to ca. 15.7 Ma).

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T05:29:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 With the aim of recognizing and identifying both fertile and sterile specimens of Ocotea from the Brazilian state of Bahia, we analyzed the leaf venation pattern of 55 species, 21 of them being described and illustrated for the first time. A dichotomous identification key was built from a matrix of 12 venation characters and 36 states, which allowed to distinguish the taxa. Departamento de Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências Alumnus of Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Ciências Florestais Universidade de São Paulo Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Departamento de Biodiversidade Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências Alumnus of Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Instituto de Biociências

Stauroneis Ehrenberg is a species-rich genus that is common and widespread with some variation in frustule morphology. Recently, studies have explored the molecular diversity of the Stauroneis from...

The Oodini precinctive to New Caledonia are reviewed with nine species recognized, of which seven are newly described in two genera. Five species are described in the genus Coptocarpus Chaudoir: C. micropssp. nov., C. erwinisp. nov., C. amieuensissp. nov., C. magnussp. nov., and C. leschenisp. nov. In the genus Adelopomorpha Heller two species, A. tethyssp. nov. and A. tuberculatasp. nov., are described. In order to place cladistically the newly described species in a genus, a phylogenetic analysis of a matrix of 36 characters of adult morphology was conducted including exemplar species of three putative outgroup genera, six putative ingroup thryptocerine oodine genera, and all oodine species from New Caledonia. Results show support for Thryptocerina and monophyly of Adelopomorpha. Hoplolenus LaFerté-Sénectère is not monophyletic and Hoplolenus cyllodinus Fauvel is newly combined as Coptocarpus cyllodinuscomb. nov. New Caledonian species of Coptocarpus form a clade, but the Australian species of the genus included in the analysis are rendered paraphyletic by African and Malagasy genera. Implications of this preliminary study for the classification of Oodini and trends in the evolution of the female reproductive tract are discussed. A key to the New Caledonian species of Oodini is provided.

The hyperdiverse genus Trichoderma is one of most useful groups of microbes for a number of human activities, and their accurate identification is crucial. The structural simplicity and lack of distinctive phenotypic variation in this group enable the use of DNA-based species delimitation methods in combination with phylogenies (and morphology when feasible) to establish well-supported boundaries among species. Our study employed a multilocus phylogeny and four DNA-based methods (automated barcode gap discovery [ABGD], statistical parsimony [SPN], generalized mixed Yule coalescent [GMYC], and Bayesian phylogenetics and phylogeography [BPP]) for four molecular markers (acl1, act, rpb2, and tef1) to delimit species of two lineages of Trichoderma. Although incongruence among these methods was observed in our analyses, the genetic distance (ABGD) and coalescence (BPP) methods and the multilocus phylogeny strongly supported and confirmed recognition of 108 and 39 different species in the Harzianum and Longibrachiatum lineages, including three new species associated with cacao farms in northern Peru, namely, T.awajun, sp. nov., T. jaklitschii, sp. nov., and T. peruvianum, sp. nov. Morphological distinctions between the new species and their close relatives are primarily related to growth rates, colony appearance, and size of phialides and conidia. This study confirmed that an integrative approach (DNA-based methods, multilocus phylogeny, and phenotype) is more likely to reliably verify supported species boundaries in Trichoderma.

Ethmia candidella (Alphéraky, 1908) samples recorded for the first time from Erzurum (Turkey) were collected with aspirator through the cracks and slits in Populus alba bodies in Atatürk University Campus in September 2017-2018. A total of 21 female individual were obtained. Specimens were dissected and prepared female genitalia and wings slides in the laboratory. The external morphology and female genitalia of E. candidella were described in detail. In addition, eggs from fertilized females under the microscope were obtained.

Pinus sylvestris from the Iberian Peninsula was biometrically compared, using needle morphological and anatomical characteristics from 15, and cone morphological characteristics from nine natural populations. Samples of Scots pine represent subspecies nevadensis and varieties pyrenaica, catalaunica, and iberica. Analyses included 25 needle and 17 cone characteristics and numerical methods (principal component analysis, discrimination analysis, agglomeration on Euclidean/Mahalanobis¿ distances). A strong differences were detected between P. sylvestris subsp. nevadensis when compared to varieties pyrenaica and iberica, and a closer relationship to var. catalaunica in needle characteristics. In cone characteristics, the differences were at a similar level. Alien individuals were found within every taxon and population. Samples from the southern part of Sistema Central had the highest level of alien individuals. The geographic pattern of differentiation resembles patterns previously revealed using molecular and isoenzymatic markers. We could not detect characteristics specific to either P. sylvestris subsp. nevadensis or varieties of P. sylvestris subsp. sylvestris., This research was financially supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Contr. No. NN303 360535) and partly by the Institute of Dendrology PAS under statutory activity., Introduction Material and methods Material Measurement procedures Statitstical analyses Results Variation and correlation of characteristics Differences between taxa Discusion Conclusion Supplemental material Disclosure statement Additional information References

AimsUnderstanding variation and coordination of leaf traits at multiscales along elevational gradients can help predict the likely responses of dominant species to climate change. We seek to determine the extent to which variation in leaf stomatal, anatomical and morphological traits is associated with environmental factors, and whether ecological strategies of Cyclobalanopsis species shift with elevations.MethodsIn a tropical forest landscape in Jianfengling, South China, we determined leaf traits related to stomata, anatomy and morphology of six evergreen oak species (Cyclobalanopsis bambusaefolia, C. hui, C. patelliformis, C. fleuryi, C. tiaoloshanica and C. phanera) along a long elevational gradient (400–1400 m above sea level).Important FindingsWe found that stomatal density and stomatal pore index increased, whereas spongy mesophyll thickness to leaf thickness ratios decreased, significantly with elevation. The leaf area and leaf dry matter content increased and decreased, respectively, with elevation. Variations in stomatal, anatomical and morphological traits were mainly correlated to the mean annual temperature, mean annual sum precipitation and soil pH. At low and high elevations, the oak species exhibited strong stress tolerance combined with competition strategy, while they shifted toward more clearly the competitive strategy at intermediate elevations. And the changes in soil phosphorus concentration and soil pH along the elevation may drive the shift of ecological strategy. The results showed that the dominant oak species in tropical forests respond to environmental change by modulating traits at multiple levels, from that of the individual cell, through tissue and up to the whole leaf scale.

Growth anomalies (GAs) are a morphologically diverse and poorly understood group of lesions affecting corals. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and morphology of GAs affecting the faviid corals Diploria labyrinthiformis, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Psudodiploria clivosa, and Colpophyillia natans on St. Kitts. Three gross morphological variants of GAs (exophytic, nodular, and ruminate) were equally prevalent, together affecting 7.8% of corals surveyed across 5 reefs. Prevalence varied by reef and coral species, being highest in C. natans (35.7%). Median colony diameter was larger in corals with GAs relative to those without (Mann-Whitney U test, P < .001). Histopathological examination of exophytic GAs consistently showed corallite and polyp gigantism ( n = 7), characterized by polyp enlargement and retained microanatomical structures. In contrast, nodular GAs ( n = 9) were consistently hyperplasia of the basal body wall with skeletal dystrophy, composed of micronodular skeletal deposits with abundant hyaline lamellae, bordered by calicoblastic epithelial hyperplasia, interspersed with distorted gastrovascular canals and islands of mesoglea. Endolithic organisms, particularly fungi and algae, were common among GA and apparently healthy biopsies. While pathogenesis of these lesions remains uncertain, a neoplastic basis for GAs on Caribbean faviids could not be established using diagnostic criteria conventionally applied to tumors of vertebrate taxa, in line with other recent observations of coral GAs.

The record-setting North Atlantic hurricane season of 2020 had 30 named storms and reinforced the need for high-resolution, small-scale data collected in the nearshore zone during storm events to characterize storm impacts on coastal settings. To address these needs, hydrodynamic and morphologic data were collected during the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, capturing fair weather conditions and the passage of Tropical Storm Fay (July 2020) near Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia. A sector-scanning rotary sonar captured high-resolution imagery of bedform evolution and data were analyzed to relate the migration of bedforms to the concomitant hydrodynamic conditions during the storm event. During the peak of the storm on 10 July 2020, significant wave height and period in Chincoteague Inlet were 0.96 m at 9.6 s arriving from the SSW (201°). The ripple field evolved during the storm in a manner consistent with that found in Hay and Mudge (2005): irregular ripples (O 20 cm wavelength) dominated during fair weather conditions, which developed into a washed-out, flat bed state as the storm arrived. During the peak of the storm, lunate megaripples (O 1 m wavelength) formed and migrated shoreward. A substantial outflow of freshwater from Chincoteague Bay occurred for up to seven days post-storm, and sediment transported by this outflow could serve as a yet-unidentified sediment source for the rapid growth of southern Assateague Island. This outflow of freshwater dampened waves and hindered ripple field recovery for up to seven days post-storm. These extreme event datasets are critical to inform coastal flood models and management decisions, as this work recognizes an increased risk of flooding for the town of Chincoteague from even the offshore passage of tropical storms.

Life cycles, and morphological and molecular data were obtained for Echinostoma chankensis nom. nov., Echinostoma cinetorchis, Echinostoma miyagawai and Isthmiophora hortensis from East Asia. It was established that, based on both life cycle and morphology data, one of the trematodes is identical to the worms designated as Euparyphium amurensis. Genetic data showed that this trematode belongs to Echinostoma. The complex data on biological, morphological and genetic characterizations establish that the distribution of the morphologically similar species, I. hortensis and Isthmiophora melis, in the Old World are limited by the East Asian and European regions, respectively. Data on mature worms of East Asian E. miyagawai revealed morphological and genetic identity with E. miyagawai from Europe. However, E. miyagawai from Europe differs from E. miyagawai from the type locality (East Asia) in terms of reaching maturity and the morphology of cercariae. These data indicate that the European worm, designated E. miyagawai, does not belong to this species. An analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Echinostomatidae was conducted based on the 28S, ITS2 and nad1 markers. Analysis using the nad1 gene for the known representatives of Echinostomatidae is carried out for the first time, showing that nuclear markers are ineffective separate from mitochondrial ones.

Since the rearrangement of all leptotyphlopid species previously known as "Leptotyphlops" in Adalsteinsson et al. (2009)'s paper, several taxa have remained untested regarding their generic identity and have been assigned to different genera based on phenotypic data or, in some cases, without any clear justification. Most of the difficulties in assigning some leptotyphlopid taxa are due to their conserved external morphology, summed with a relatively small number of available specimens, which complicate the recognition of a unique combination of characters for their reasonable generic allocation. On the other hand, recent osteological studies-especially those on the skull-provide relevant data combinations for species assignment and even for the recognition of new genera. In this work, we have attempted to determine the generic allocation of Epictia unicolor and Trilepida guayaquilensis-both species currently known only by their holotype-based on a detailed description of cranial and post-cranial osteology. We confirm the assignment of E. unicolor to the genus Epictia despite the divergent configuration of cephalic shields. Based mainly on data from the skull, suspensorium, and cervical vertebrae but supported by external morphology as well as a redescription of the holotype, we propose the assignment of Trilepida guayaquilensis to the genus Epictia. This study provides not only detailed data on the osteology of Epictia, but also a first approach to the putative combination of osteological characters for the genus.

Pandanus grayorum Callm., Buerki & Gallaher (Pandanaceae) is newly described from the Wet Tropics of north-eastern Queensland in Australia. It is the second Australian species other than P. gemmifer H.St.John known to reproduce by axillary plantlets on aerial branches. It can be distinguished from P. gemmifer and P. solms-laubachii F.Muell. by the dimensions of its leaves, shape and dimensions of its syncarps, and by the morphology of its phalanges. The placement of P. grayorum in a molecular phylogeny confirmed morphological evidence and showed that the new species clusters with P. gemmifer and P. solms-laubachii in a clade closely related to the P. tectorius Parkinson complex. Pandanus grayorum is known from near the banks of the lower reaches of Mulgrave, Russell, Johnstone and Moresby rivers and associated subcoastal flood plains. Most collection records are from areas outside national parks and a preliminary conservation assessment of Vulnerable is suggested using the IUCN Red List. Finally, a key to north-eastern Queensland Pandanus species is also provided.

Competing morphology-based phylogenetic analyses are routinely compared and evaluated only by a posteriori phylogenetic topology and group support, with little or no analysis of a priori data sourc...

Physical performance traits are key components of fitness and direct targets of selection. Although maternal effects have important influences on integrated phenotypes, their contributions to variation in performance and to phenotypic traits associated with performance remain poorly understood. We used an animal model to quantify the contribution of maternal effects to performance trait variation, in addition to the genetic and maternal correlations between performance and the relevant underlying morphology in Microcebus murinus. We showed that bite force is heritable (h2 ≈ 0.23) and that maternal effects are an important source of variation, resulting in a medium inclusive heritability (IH2 ≈ 0.47). Bite force and head depth showed a significant genetic correlation (0.70), and other genetic correlations were generally high (0.63 for bite force and head width; 0.41 for pull strength and radius length, albeit not significant), as were the maternal correlations for bite force and head dimensions (0.44, 0.73 and 0.29). Finally, we found differences in evolvability for pull strength and bite force that were also consistent with a higher potential for evolutionary change in pull force. This demonstrates clear effects of the maternal environment on performance expression and on the relationships between morphology and performance. This illustrates the importance of accounting for maternal identity when considering the heritabilities of functional traits.

The urban expansion from the city center to the suburb and beyond is indicated by Shannon entropy, a robust and versatile measure of sprawl. However, the metropolitan regionwide entropy masks the morphology of land cover and land use consequential to urban expansion within the city-region. To surmount the limitation, we focus on the block-group, which is a US census defined socio-spatial unit that identifies the metropolitan region’s development pattern structurally, forming tracts that comprise neighborhoods. The concentration and dispersion of land use and land cover by block-group reveals a North American metropolitan region’s commonly known but rarely measured spatial structure of its urban and suburban sprawl. We use parcel data from county assessor of property (GIS) and land cover pixel data from the National Land Cover Data (NLCD) to compute block-group land-use and land-cover entropy. The change in block group entropy over a decade indicates whether the city- region’s land use and land cover transition to a concentrated or dispersed pattern. Furthermore, we test a hypothesis that blight correlates with sprawl. Blight and sprawl are among the key factors that plague the metropolitan region. We determine the correlations with household income as well as (block group) distance from the city center. It turns out, blight is among the universally held distance-decay phenomena. The share of the block group’s blighted properties decays (nonlinearly) with distance from the city center. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: • The metropolitan region’s outward growth is highlighted by mapping the changing morphology of the block group within the city-region. • The block group entropy is computed with land use (parcel) and land cover (pixel) data. • The block group entropy change indicates the pattern of the land use and land cover transition with concentration or dispersion. • We test the hypothesis that blight correlates with sprawl with statistical models. • The block group’s blighted properties decrease (nonlinearly) with distance from the city center.

Paraphlomis is a genus of Lamiaceae with about 30 species distributed mainly in subtropical China. In this study, we carried out the first molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the relationships within the genus based on two nuclear and four plastid DNA regions. Our results, which recovered a species of Matsumurella within Paraphlomis, indicate that the genus is not monophyletic. The two sections and most of the series previously described within the genus are also shown to be polyphyletic. Combining with morphological evidence, our study indicates that nutlet morphology rather than calyx morphology is of phylogenetic value for the infrageneric classification of Paraphlomis. Moreover, P. jiangyongensis, a new species from southern China, is here described, and P.coronata, formerly treated as a variety of P.javanica, is here resurrected as a distinct species within the genus., Highlights • We carried out the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of Paraphlomis based on two nuclear and four plastid DNA sequences. • Paraphlomis and the two sections and most of the series previously delimitated within the genus are not monophyletic. • Nutlet morphology rather than calyx morphology is of phylogenetic value for the infrageneric classification of Paraphlomis. • A new species, P. jiangyongensis, from southern China is described and the specific status of P. coronata is confirm. • The phylogenetic backbone of Paraphlomis recovered here will serve as a framework for future studies of the genus.