scholarly journals Halszkaraptor escuilliei and the evolution of the paravian bauplan

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chase D. Brownstein
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
Early Evolution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Environmental Setting ◽  
Evolution Of Birds

Abstract The evolution of birds from dinosaurs is a subject that has received great attention among vertebrate paleontologists. Nevertheless, the early evolution of the paravians, the group that contains birds and their closest non-avian dinosaur relatives, remains very poorly known. Even the most basal members of one paravian lineage, the Dromaeosauridae, already show a body plan that differs substantially from their closest non-paravian relatives. Recently, the dromaeosaurid Halszkaraptor escuilliei was described from the Cretaceous of Mongolia. Halszkaraptor possesses numerous unserrated premaxillary teeth, a platyrostral rostrum with a developed neurovascular system, an elongate neck, bizarrely-proportioned forearms, and a foreword-shifted center of mass, differing markedly from other paravians. A reevaluation of the anatomy, taphonomy, environmental setting, and phylogenetic position of H. escuilliei based on additional comparisons with other maniraptorans suggests that, rather than indicating it was a semiaquatic piscivore, the body plan of this dinosaur bears features widely distributed among maniraptorans and in some cases intermediate between the conditions in dromaeosaurids and related clades. I find no evidence for a semiaquatic lifestyle in Halszkaraptor. A phylogenetic reevaluation of Halszkaraptorinae places it as the sister clade to Unenlagiinae, indicating the bizarre features of unenlagiines previously interpreted as evidence of piscivory may also represent a mosaic of plesiomorphic, derived, and intermediate features. The anatomy of Halszkaraptor reveals that dromaeosaurids still possessed many features found in more basal maniraptoran and coelurosaur clades, including some that may have been tied to herbivory. Rather than being a semiaquatic piscavore, Halszkaraptor was a basal dromaeosaurid showing transitional features.

scholarly journals Naked chancelloriids from the lower Cambrian of China show evidence for sponge-type growth

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1881) ◽  
pp. 20180296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Yun Cong ◽  
Thomas H. P. Harvey ◽  
Mark Williams ◽  
David J. Siveter ◽  
Derek J. Siveter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cambrian ◽  
Body Cavity ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Axis Formation ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Body Plan Evolution ◽  
Extinct Group

Chancelloriids are an extinct group of spiny Cambrian animals of uncertain phylogenetic position. Despite their sponge-like body plan, their spines are unlike modern sponge spicules, but share several features with the sclerites of certain Cambrian bilaterians, notably halkieriids. However, a proposed homology of these ‘coelosclerites' implies complex transitions in body plan evolution. A new species of chancelloriid, Allonnia nuda , from the lower Cambrian (Stage 3) Chengjiang Lagerstätte is distinguished by its large size and sparse spination, with modified apical sclerites surrounding an opening into the body cavity. The sclerite arrangement in A. nuda and certain other chancelloriids indicates that growth involved sclerite addition in a subapical region, thus maintaining distinct zones of body sclerites and apical sclerites. This pattern is not seen in halkieriids, but occurs in some modern calcarean sponges. With scleritome assembly consistent with a sponge affinity, and in the absence of cnidarian- or bilaterian-grade features, it is possible to interpret chancelloriids as sponges with an unusually robust outer epithelium, strict developmental control of body axis formation, distinctive spicule-like structures and, by implication, minute ostia too small to be resolved in fossils. In this light, chancelloriids may contribute to the emerging picture of high disparity among early sponges.

scholarly journals Hex Hox: De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Embryonic Hox Gene Expression in the Burrowing Mayfly Hexagenia Limbata (Ephemeridae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J Gonzalez ◽  
Tobias R Hildebrandt ◽  
Brigid C O'Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Hox Genes ◽  
Transcriptome Assembly ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Developmental Genetics ◽  
Early Instar ◽  
Hexagenia Limbata

Abstract Background: Hox genes are key regulators of appendage development in the insect body plan. The body plan of Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) nymphs differs due to the presence of evolutionarily significant abdominal appendages called gills. Despite mayflies’ basal phylogenetic position and novel morphology amongst insects, little is known of their developmental genetics. Here we present an annotated transcriptome for the mayfly Hexagenia limbata, with annotated sequences for putative Hox peptides and embryonic expression profiles for the Hox genes Antp and Ubx/abd-A. Results: Transcriptomic sequencing of early instar H. limbata nymphs yielded a high-quality assembly of 83,795 contigs, of which 22,975 were annotated against Folsomia candida, Nilaparvata lugens, Zootermopsis nevadensis and UniRef90 protein databases. Peptide annotations included eight of the ten canonical Hox genes (lab, pb, Dfd, Scr, Antp, Ubx, abd-A and Abd-B), most of which contained all functional domains and motifs conserved in insects. Expression patterns of Antp and Ubx/abd-A in H. limbata were visualized from early to late embryogenesis, and are also highly conserved with patterns reported for other non-holometabolous insects.Conclusions: We present evidence that both H. limbata Hox peptide sequences and embryonic expression patterns for Antp and Ubx/abd-A are extensively conserved with other insects. These findings suggest mayfly Antp and Ubx/abd-A play similar appendage promoting and repressing roles in the thorax and abdomen, respectively. The identified expression of Ubx and abd-A in early instar nymphs further suggests that mayfly gill development is not subject to Ubx or abd-A repression. Previous studies have shown that insect Ubx and abd-A repress appendages by inhibiting their distal structures, which can permit the development of proximal appendage types. In line with past morphology-based work, we propose that mayfly gills are proximal appendage structures, possibly homologous to the proximal appendage structures of crustaceans.

Morphological, molecular characterisation and phylogenetic position of Longidorus mindanaoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae) from a Philippine Avicennia mangrove habitat

Nematology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
August Coomans ◽  
Irma Tandingan De Ley ◽  
Lea Angsinco Jimenez ◽  
Paul De Ley
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Basal Layer ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
The Body ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Body Region ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Basal Bulb

Longidorus mindanaoensis n. sp. is described from samples associated with riverine mangroves in the Philippines and is the first Longidorus species collected from such a habitat. Its relationship within the genus is inferred from molecular and morphological data. Phylogenetic inferences were performed for D2-D3 and SSU rDNA using appropriate phylogenetic algorithms. The new species is characterised by a thickened basal layer of the body cuticle with prominent spiral fibres, a dome-shaped continuous lip region, an oval to elliptical fovea with pore-like opening, the guiding ring at 2.2-2.5 lip region diam. from the anterior end, very weakly developed odontophore, all three pharyngeal gland nuclei at about the mid-point of the basal bulb, vulva at 30-39%, tail convex-conoid to hemispherical, shorter than anal body diam., males with 19-24 ventromedian supplements, and four juvenile stages, all with the replacement odontostyle at a short distance from the functional one. On the basis of amphid shape and structure, shape of anterior body region and general body shape, L. mindanaoensis n. sp. comes close to L. caespiticola, L. eridanicus, L. helveticus, L. macrosoma, L. poessneckensis, L. orongorongensis, L. waikouaitii and L. belondiroides. D2-D3 analysis placed the new species as sister to L. pisi and the two combined are sister clade to a monophyletic group that includes (L. poessneckensis (L. caespiticola (L. helveticus, L. macrosoma))). However, on the basis of SSU phylogeny, L. mindanaoensis n. sp. is positioned within a clade that includes (Longidorus sp. (L. mindanaoensis n. sp. (L. poessneckensis (L. helveticus, L. macrosoma)))). The ‘close’ relationship of the new species with L. pisi in the D2-D3 tree is incongruent with the widely different morphology of the two species. The other species that are close to the new species in the cladogram are in agreement with the morphology.

scholarly journals A Silurian short-great-appendage arthropod

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1778) ◽  
pp. 20132986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek J. Siveter ◽  
Derek E. G. Briggs ◽  
David J. Siveter ◽  
Mark D. Sutton ◽  
David Legg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Evolution ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Crown Group ◽  
Hunsrück Slate ◽  
Stem Group ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
The Uk ◽  
First Time

A new arthropod, Enalikter aphson gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Silurian (Wenlock Series) Herefordshire Lagerstätte of the UK. It belongs to the Megacheira (=short-great-appendage group), which is recognized here, for the first time, in strata younger than mid-Cambrian age. Discovery of this new Silurian taxon allows us to identify a Devonian megacheiran representative, Bundenbachiellus giganteus from the Hunsrück Slate of Germany. The phylogenetic position of megacheirans is controversial: they have been interpreted as stem chelicerates, or stem euarthropods, but when Enalikter and Bundenbachiellus are added to the most comprehensive morphological database available, a stem euarthropod position is supported. Enalikter represents the only fully three-dimensionally preserved stem-group euarthropod, it falls in the sister clade to the crown-group euarthropods, and it provides new insights surrounding the origin and early evolution of the euarthropods. Recognition of Enalikter and Bundenbachiellus as megacheirans indicates that this major arthropod group survived for nearly 100 Myr beyond the mid-Cambrian.

On the motion of bodies based on changes in the kinetic moment

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
Yury N. Razoumny ◽  
Sergei A. Kupreev
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Stellar Dynamics ◽  
Elementary Particles ◽  
The Body ◽  
Accelerated Motion ◽  
Indirect Confirmation ◽  
Physical Principles ◽  
Two Bodies ◽  
Central Gravitational Field ◽  
Kinetic Moment

The controlled motion of a body in a central gravitational field without mass flow is considered. The possibility of moving the body in the radial direction from the center of attraction due to changes in the kinetic moment relative to the center of mass of the body is shown. A scheme for moving the body using a system of flywheels located in the same plane in near-circular orbits with different heights is proposed. The use of the spin of elementary particles is considered as flywheels. It is proved that using the spin of elementary particles with a Compton wavelength exceeding the distance to the attracting center is energetically more profitable than using the momentum of these particles to move the body. The calculation of motion using hypothetical particles (gravitons) is presented. A hypothesis has been put forward about the radiation of bodies during accelerated motion, which finds indirect confirmation in stellar dynamics and in an experiment with the fall of two bodies in a vacuum. The results can be used in experiments to search for elementary particles with low energy, explain cosmic phenomena and to develop transport objects on new physical principles.

scholarly journals Expression patterns of signalling molecules and transcription factors in the early rabbit embryo and their significance for modelling amniote axis formation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Plöger ◽  
Christoph Viebahn
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
In Situ Hybridisation ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
The Body ◽  
Anchor Point ◽  
Axis Formation ◽  
Point Model ◽  
Signalling Molecules ◽  
Rabbit Embryo

AbstractThe anterior-posterior axis is a central element of the body plan and, during amniote gastrulation, forms through several transient domains with specific morphogenetic activities. In the chick, experimentally proven activity of signalling molecules and transcription factors lead to the concept of a ‘global positioning system’ for initial axis formation whereas in the (mammotypical) rabbit embryo, a series of morphological or molecular domains are part of a putative ‘three-anchor-point model’. Because circular expression patterns of genes involved in axis formation exist in both amniote groups prior to, and during, gastrulation and may thus be suited to reconcile these models, the expression patterns of selected genes known in the chick, namely the ones coding for the transcription factors eomes and tbx6, the signalling molecule wnt3 and the wnt inhibitor pkdcc, were analysed in the rabbit embryonic disc using in situ hybridisation and placing emphasis on their germ layer location. Peripheral wnt3 and eomes expression in all layers is found initially to be complementary to central pkdcc expression in the hypoblast during early axis formation. Pkdcc then appears — together with a posterior-anterior gradient in wnt3 and eomes domains — in the epiblast posteriorly before the emerging primitive streak is marked by pkdcc and tbx6 at its anterior and posterior extremities, respectively. Conserved circular expression patterns deduced from some of this data may point to shared mechanisms in amniote axis formation while the reshaping of localised gene expression patterns is discussed as part of the ‘three-anchor-point model’ for establishing the mammalian body plan.

scholarly journals Effect of foot–floor friction on the external moment about the body center of mass during shuffling gait: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Yamaguchi ◽  
Kei Shibata ◽  
Hiromi Wada ◽  
Hiroshi Kakehi ◽  
Kazuo Hokkirigawa
Keyword(s):  
Friction Surface ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Young Male ◽  
The Body ◽  
Low Friction ◽  
Surface Conditions ◽  
Normal Gait ◽  
External Moment ◽  
Body Center ◽  
Floor Condition

AbstractHerein, we investigated the effect of friction between foot sole and floor on the external forward moment about the body center of mass (COM) in normal and shuffling gaits. Five young male adults walked with normal and shuffling gaits, under low- and high-friction surface conditions. The maximum external forward moment about the COM (MEFM-COM) in a normal gait appeared approximately at initial foot contact and was unaffected by floor condition. However, MEFM-COM in a shuffling gait under high-friction conditions exceeded that under low-friction conditions (p < 0.001). Therein, MEFM-COM increased with an increasing utilized coefficient of friction at initial foot contact; this effect was weaker during a normal gait. These findings indicate that increased friction between foot sole and floor might increase tripping risk during a shuffling gait, even in the absence of discrete physical obstacles.

scholarly journals Petiole-Lamina Transition Zone: A Functionally Crucial but Often Overlooked Leaf Trait

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Max Langer ◽  
Thomas Speck ◽  
Olga Speck
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
The Body ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
The Cross

Although both the petiole and lamina of foliage leaves have been thoroughly studied, the transition zone between them has often been overlooked. We aimed to identify objectively measurable morphological and anatomical criteria for a generally valid definition of the petiole–lamina transition zone by comparing foliage leaves with various body plans (monocotyledons vs. dicotyledons) and spatial arrangements of petiole and lamina (two-dimensional vs. three-dimensional configurations). Cross-sectional geometry and tissue arrangement of petioles and transition zones were investigated via serial thin-sections and µCT. The changes in the cross-sectional geometries from the petiole to the transition zone and the course of the vascular bundles in the transition zone apparently depend on the spatial arrangement, while the arrangement of the vascular bundles in the petioles depends on the body plan. We found an exponential acropetal increase in the cross-sectional area and axial and polar second moments of area to be the defining characteristic of all transition zones studied, regardless of body plan or spatial arrangement. In conclusion, a variety of terms is used in the literature for describing the region between petiole and lamina. We prefer the term “petiole–lamina transition zone” to underline its three-dimensional nature and the integration of multiple gradients of geometry, shape, and size.

scholarly journals Potential host ranges of three Asian larval parasitoids of Drosophila suzukii

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent M. Daane ◽  
Xingeng Wang ◽  
Brian N. Hogg ◽  
Antonio Biondi
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Classical Biological Control ◽  
Developmental Time ◽  
The Body ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Egg Load ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Larval Parasitoids ◽  
Female Body Size

AbstractAsobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Ganaspis brasiliensis and Leptopilina japonica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) are Asian larval parasitoids of spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae). This study evaluated these parasitoids’ capacity to attack and develop from 24 non-target drosophilid species. Results showed that all three parasitoids were able to parasitize host larvae of multiple non-target species in artificial diet; A. japonica developed from 19 tested host species, regardless of the phylogenetic position of the host species, L. japonica developed from 11 tested species; and G. brasiliensis developed from only four of the exposed species. Success rate of parasitism (i.e., the probability that an adult wasp successfully emerged from a parasitized host) by the two figitid parasitoids was low in hosts other than the three species in the melanogaster group (D. melanogaster, D. simulans, and D. suzukii). The failure of the figitids to develop in most of the tested host species appears to correspond with more frequent encapsulation of the parasitoids by the hosts. The results indicate that G. brasiliensis is the most host specific to D. suzukii, L. japonica attacks mainly species in the melanogaster group and A. japonica is a generalist, at least physiologically. Overall, the developmental time of the parasitoids increased with the host’s developmental time. The body size of female A. japonica (as a model species) was positively related to host size, and mature egg load of female wasps increased with female body size. We discuss the use of these parasitoids for classical biological control of D. suzukii.

The postcranial skeleton, phylogenetic position, and probable lifestyle of the Early Triassic reptile Procolophon trigoniceps

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael deBraga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Key Innovations

A morphological study of the postcranial skeleton of Procolophon trigoniceps from the Lower Triassic of South Africa and Antarctica is undertaken. Procolophon shares a sister-group relationship with the procolophonid Tichvinskia from the Lower Triassic of Russia and is a basal member of Procolophonidae. This clade also includes the enigmatic taxon Sclerosaurus, believed most recently to be a pareiasaur relative. Owenettids form a separate lineage from Procolophonidae and are predominantly restricted to the Permian of both South Africa and Madagascar. A phylogenetically based assessment is considered, in which specialized modern taxa (sand lizards) are compared to their nonfossorial sister clade, allowing for "key innovations" to be identified. A similar comparison between owenettids and procolophonids reveals a number of apparent "key innovations" within procolophonids that are suggestive of a burrowing lifestyle for Procolophon.

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