Cytoevolutionary Studies in the Genus Bulbine Wolf (Liliaceae) .II. The Australian Annual Taxa (Bulbine semibarbata s.1.)

1986 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
EM Watson
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Chromosome Numbers ◽  
The Other ◽  
Root Tip ◽  
Polyploid Complex ◽  
Southwestern Australia ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Karyotypic Diversity ◽  
Interpopulation Variation

A cytological survey, using root tip mitotic cells and supplemented by some crosses and pollen fertility studies, was carried out on plants of 55 populations of the Australian annual Bulbine sernibarbata s.1. (Liliaceae). There are 4x, 8x and 12.x populations.The 4x forms are almost completely confined to eastern Australia and comprise populations of two kinds: (1) 28-chromosome types, corresponding in morphology to B. alata Baijnath, which to date has had limited taxonomic acceptance; (2) 26-chromosome types with the morphology of B. sernibarbata s. str. The alata form occurs in arid, the sernibarbata in more mesic, areas. The eastern 8x populations are mainly 2n = 54 and are intermediate between the other two taxa in both range and morphology. This suggests an allopolyploid origin based on hybridisation between the alata and sernibarbata types. The western 8x populations are nearly all 2n = 52, with much interpopulation variation in karyotype and a mesic distribution similar to that of the eastern 26-chromosome types. The karyotypic diversity parallels the species richness of other genera in southwestern Australia and indicates that the complex may be older than the corresponding polyploid complex within the perennial B. bulbosa s.1. The 12x (2n =78) populations are confined to arid and transitional rainfall areas of Western Australia. The identification of a distinctive 28-chromosome karyotype for the alata group gives support to the recognition of B. alata Baijnath, and, by providing a logical euploid bridge between the chromosome numbers of the African (2n = 14) and Australian species, strengthens the arguments for treating the two groups as congeneric.

Two new species of Okenia (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) from eastern Australia and Tanzania

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1657 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM B. RUDMAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Third ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Two New Species

Two new species of the nudibranch genus Okenia Menke, 1830 (Goniodorididae) are described, one from eastern Australian waters and one from the western Indian Ocean. Okenia atkinsonorum sp. nov. is the third Australian species reported to feed on the bryozoan Pleurotoichus clathratus (Harmer, 1902) and is very similar in external shape and colour to the other two species, O. hallucigenia Rudman, 2004 and O. stellata Rudman, 2004. Okenia rhinorma sp. nov. is reported from Tanzania and the Red Sea. Its body shape and anatomy suggest it is related to the ascidian-feeding group in the genus characterised by O. aspersa (Alder & Hancock, 1845).

scholarly journals First report of Austroporus doctus (Blackburn) from New Zealand and description of its larva (Coleoptera: Phalacridae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Gimmel ◽  
Richard A. B. Leschen
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
The Other ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Late Instar ◽  
First Time ◽  
Established Species

The Australian species Austroporus doctus (Blackburn) is reported from New Zealand for the first time. Adults are illustrated and diagnosed, and late-instar larvae are fully described and illustrated. In addition, a summary of prior larval descriptions of Phalacridae is provided. This represents the first description of the morphology and habitat of the larvae within the genus Austroporus Gimmel and the Olibroporus-group of genera. Austroporus doctus is native to eastern Australia, where adults are distinguished from similar species by characters of the male genitalia and by a suite of external morphological features. There are no native members of Phalacridae known from New Zealand, but A. doctus represents the second introduced and established species there. A key is given to differentiate adult and larval A. doctus from the other introduced New Zealand species, Phalacrus uniformis (Blackburn).

Anatomy and ultrastructure of haustoria in selected West Australian parasitic angiosperms

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 690-691
Author(s):  
John Kuo ◽  
John S. Pate
Keyword(s):  
Parasitic Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nutrient Transfer ◽  
Direct Solution ◽  
Tracheary Elements ◽  
Solute Transfer ◽  
Glycol Methacrylate ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Anatomy And Ultrastructure ◽  
Solution Transfer

Our understanding of nutrient transfer between host and flowering parasitic plants is usually based mainly on physiological concepts, with little information on haustorial structure related to function. The aim of this paper is to study the haustorial interface and possible pathways of water and solute transfer between a number of host and parasites.Haustorial tissues were fixed in glutaraldehyde and embedded in glycol methacrylate (LM), or fixed in glutaraldehyde then OsO4 and embedded in Spurr’s resin (TEM).Our study shows that lumen to lumen continuity occurs between tracheary elements of a host and four S.W. Australian species of aerial mistletoes (Fig. 1), and some root hemiparasites (Exocarpos spp. and Anthobolus foveolatus) (Fig. 2). On the other hand, haustorial interfaces of the root hemiparasites Olax phyllanthi and Santalum (2 species) are comprised mainly of parenchyma, as opposed to terminating tracheads or vessels, implying that direct solution transfer between partners via vessels or tracheary elements may be limited (Fig. 3).

Two new species of Terebrasabella (Annelida: Sabellidae: Sabellinae) from Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1434 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNA MURRAY ◽  
GREG W. ROUSE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Lizard Island ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Coral Rock

Two new species of Terebrasabella Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999 are described from eastern Australia. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., was found from preserved coral rock debris collected in 1977 on the outer Barrier Reef near Lizard Island, Queensland. Terebrasabella fitzhughi sp. nov., was found alive in burrows in and among spirorbin serpulid tubes on intertidal rocks in Tasmania in 1996. Both species were found in mucoid tubes, and brood their young in a manner similar to the only other described species of Terebrasabella, T. heterouncinata Fitzhugh & Rouse, 1999. Terebrasabella hutchingsae sp. nov., is exceptional as it possesses a type of thoracic neurochaetal uncinus different from the other two species, and which is similar to the notochaetal acicular “palmate hook” seen in Caobangia. Descriptions of both species are given, and the diagnosis for Terebrasabella is emended. Larval and chaetal morphology and relationships among of the three known Terebrasabella spp. are discussed.

Large-scale patterns in species richness and composition of temperate riverine fish communities, south-eastern Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Gehrke ◽  
John H. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
South Coast ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Large Spatial Scale ◽  
River Types ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Riverine Fish

Riverine fish in New South Wales were studied to examine longitudinal trends in species richness and to identify fish communities on a large spatial scale. Five replicate rivers of four types (montane, slopes, regulated lowland and unregulated lowland) were selected from North Coast, South Coast, Murray and Darling regions. Fishwere sampled during summer and winter in two consecutive years with standardized gear that maximized the range of species caught. The composition of fish communities varied among regions and river types, with little temporal variation. Distinct regional communities converged in montane reaches and diverged downstream. The fish fauna can be classified into North Coast, South Coast, Murray and Darling communities, with a distinct montane community at high elevations irrespective of the drainage division. Species richness increased downstream in both North Coast and South Coast regions by both replacement and the addition of new species. In contrast, species richness in the Darling and Murray regions reached a maximum in the slopes reaches and then declined, reflecting a loss of species in lowland reaches. The small number of species is typical of the freshwater fish faunas of similar climatic regions world-wide. Fish communities identified in this study form logical entities for fisheries management consistent with the ecosystem-focused, catchment-based approach to river management and water reform being adopted in Australia.

scholarly journals Salinity and freshwater discharge determine rotifer distribution at the Mossoró River Estuary (Semiarid Region of Brazil)

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMA. Medeiros ◽  
JEL. Barbosa ◽  
PR. Medeiros ◽  
RM. Rocha ◽  
LF. Silva
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Salinity Gradient ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Freshwater Discharge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Inverse Estuary ◽  
Species Richness And Abundance

The present study aimed at evaluating differences in rotifer distribution in three estuarine zones in an inverse estuary located in the Semiarid Region of Brazil. Zones were chosen based on their proximity to the ocean and river border as a means of reflecting a horizontal salinity gradient. High freshwater discharge during the rainy season was the major determinant of rotifer composition. On the other hand, due to higher salinity values during the dry season, very low values of species richness and abundance were observed in all zones. Therefore, the study highlights the constraints of salinity and the positive influence of seasonality and river proximity on rotifer species in a semiarid estuarine environment.

scholarly journals Morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Gnaphalieae: Asteraceae)

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Flann ◽  
Pauline Y. Ladiges ◽  
Neville G. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Alpine Plants ◽  
The Other ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Low Altitude

A study of morphological variation in Leptorhynchos squamatus (Labill.) Less. across its range in south-eastern Australia was undertaken to test the hypothesis that L. squamatus includes two taxa. Phenetic pattern analyses of both field-collected and herbarium specimens on the basis of morphology confirmed two major groups. Bract, cypsela, pappus bristle and leaf characters were particularly important in separating the two groups. The taxa are separated by altitude differences with one being a low-altitude plant found in many habitats and the other being a high-altitude taxon that is a major component of alpine meadows. Lowland plants have dark bract tips, fewer and wider pappus bristles than alpine plants, papillae on the cypselas and more linear leaves. A somewhat intermediate population from the Major Mitchell Plateau in the Grampians shows some alpine and some lowland characters but is included in the lowland taxon. Seeds from five populations (two alpine, two lowland and Major Mitchell) were germinated and plants grown for 18 weeks under four controlled sets of environmental conditions. The experiment showed that leaf size and some other characters are affected by environmental conditions, but that there are underlying genetic differences between the lowland and alpine forms. Leptorhynchos squamatus subsp. alpinus Flann is described here to accommodate the highland taxon.

scholarly journals O Efeito do Fogo sobre a Comunidade de Abelhas Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) em Floresta de Transição Cerrado-Amazônia (Mato Grosso, Brasil)

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nubia França da Silva Giehl ◽  
Marco Bruno Xavier Valadão ◽  
Leandro Schlemmer Brasil ◽  
Josias Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Sara Miranda Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Control Plot ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Transitional Area ◽  
Orchid Bee ◽  
Transitional Forest ◽  
Fire Area

Os efeitos de queimadas induzidas sobre a comunidade de abelhas Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foram avaliados em floresta de transição entre o Cerrado e a Floresta Amazônica, no leste do Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A riqueza, abundância e a composição de Euglossini foram determinadas em uma área controle não queimada (preservada), uma área queimada anualmente desde 2004 (degradação intermediária) e uma área queimada trienalmente desde 2004 (degradação elevada). Testamos a hipótese de que áreas com diferentes frequências de queimadas apresentam menor abundância de machos, menor riqueza e diferente composição de espécies de Euglossini em relação à área controle. As técnicas de coleta ativa e passiva de abelhas foram aplicadas usando seis substâncias puras para atração dos machos: β-ionona, benzoato de benzila, geraniol, fenil-etil-acetato, salicilato de metila e vanilina. Sete espécies foram catalogadas e não houve diferença nas abundâncias entre as três áreas amostradas (F (2, 12) = 0,150; p= 0,8). A riqueza estimada de espécies na área controle foi superior à área com fogo trienal (12 ± 3,8; 4 ± 2, respectivamente), enquanto a área com fogo anual apresentou riqueza intermediária (8 ± 4,35) e superior àquela da área com fogo trienal. A análise de UPGMA revelou diferença significativa quanto a composição de espécies da área de fogo trienal para as outras duas áreas. As queimadas anual e trienal reduziram a riqueza de espécies e alteraram a composição de espécies, com efeitos mais evidentes na área com fogo trienal, causando efeitos deletérios sobre a comunidade das abelhas das orquídeas. The effect of Fire on the Community of Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a Cerrado-Amazon Transitional Forest (Mato Grosso, Brazil) Abstract. We evaluated the effects of induced burned on Euglossini bee assemblages (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a transitional area between Cerrado and Amazonia, eastern Mato Grosso, Brazil. We determinate abundances, richness and composition of Euglossini in three plots: control plot (unburned), plot burned each year since 2004 (intermediate degradation), plot burned each three years since 2004 (high degradation). We tested the hypothesis that two burned plots present lower male abundances, less species richness and different species composition in comparison with the control plot. We collected male bees actively and passively by using six pure fragrances: β-ionona, benzoato de benzila, geraniol, fenil-etil-acetato, salicilato de metila e vanilina. We collected seven species with no differences in male abundances among three plots (F (2, 12)= 0.150; p= 0.8). Estimated richness species in control the plot was higher than the plot burned each three years (12 ± 3.8; 4± 2, respectively), while plot burned each year showed intermediate richness (8 ± 4.35) and higher than plot burned each three years. Cluster Analysis (UPGMA) revealed significant differences in species composition of the triennial fire area to the other two areas. Our results suggest that fire occurring with different frequencies in transitional forest promote decreases in richness of species and modifications in species composition. These modifications were clearer in plot more degraded (burned each three years) and induce deleterious effects on orchid bee assemblage.

scholarly journals Using Biogeography to Assess Key Adaptation Strength in Two Bird Families

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdel H. Halloway ◽  
Christopher J. Whelan ◽  
Çağan H. Şekercioğlu ◽  
Joel S. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
New World ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
The Other ◽  
Latitudinal Gradients ◽  
Old World ◽  
Extended Range

AbstractAdaptations can be thought of as evolutionary technologies which allow an organism to exploit environments. Among convergent taxa, adaptations may be largely equivalent with the taxa operating in a similar set of environmental conditions, divergent with the taxa operating in different sets of environmental conditions, or superior with one taxon operating within an extended range of environmental conditions than the other. With this framework in mind, we sought to characterize the adaptations of two convergent nectarivorous bird families, the New World hummingbirds (Trochilidae) and Old World sunbirds (Nectariniidae), by comparing their biogeography. Looking at their elevational and latitudinal gradients, hummingbirds not only extend into but also maintain species richness in more extreme environments. We suspect that hummingbirds have a superior key adaptation that sunbirds lack, namely a musculoskeletal architecture that allows for hovering. Through biogeographic comparisons, we have been able to assess and understand adaptations as evolutionary technologies among two convergent bird families, a process that should work for most taxa.

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