scholarly journals A review of the fossil record of caecilians (Lissamphibia: Gymnophionomorpha) with comments on its use to calibrate molecular timetrees

2020 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-755
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Otávio Santos ◽  
Michel Laurin ◽  
Hussam Zaher
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Range ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Major Taxon ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Abstract Gymnophiona, popularly known as caecilians, the most poorly known major taxon of extant amphibians, are elongate and limbless tetrapods, with compact ossified skulls and reduced eyes, mainly adapted to fossorial life as adults. Caecilians are poorly represented in the fossil record, but despite the scarcity of fossil specimens described (only four named taxa, in addition to indeterminate fragmentary material), their fossils play a key role in our knowledge of the origin and evolution of Lissamphibia, as well as contribute directly to a better understanding of the phylogeny, taxonomy and biogeography of extant gymnophionan taxa. These records are scattered throughout geological time (from the Jurassic to the sub-Recent) and space (North and South America and Africa). Here, we revisit the caecilian fossil record, providing a brief description of all known extinct taxa described so far, along with general remarks about their impact on systematics, time range, and geographical distribution of the clade, as well as prospects for future research. Possible calibration constraints based on the caecilian fossil record are provided.

scholarly journals A Review of the Fossil record of Gymnophiona (Tetrapoda; Lissamphibia) with Comments on Its Use to Calibrate Molecular Timetrees

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Otávio Santos ◽  
Michel Laurin ◽  
Hussam Zaher
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Range ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Gymnophiona, the most poorly known group of extant amphibians, includes elongated limbless tetrapods, with compact ossified skulls and reduced eyes, mainly adapted to fossorial life (only the Typhlonectidae exhibits adaptations for an aquatic or semiaquatic behavior). Caecilians are poorly represented in the fossil record, and despite the low number of fossil specimens described until now (only four taxa, in addition to indeterminate fragmentary material), their fossils play a key role in the knowledge of Lissamphibia origin and evolution, as well as contribute directly to a better understanding of phylogeny, taxonomy and biogeography of extant gymnophionan taxa. These records are scattered throughout geological time (from the Jurassic to the Neogene) and space (they are represented only on North and South America and Africa). Here, we revisit the caecilian fossil record, providing a brief description of all known extinct taxa described so far, along with general remarks about their impact on systematics, time range and geographic distribution of the clade, as well as prospects for future research. Possible calibration constraints based on the caecilian fossil record are provided.

Puccinia leveillei. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sivanesan
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Abstract A description is provided for Puccinia leveillei. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Geranium spp. DISEASE: Rust of geranium. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa (Kenya, Malawi) Asia (India); Europe; North and South America.

Erynia neoaphidis. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Wilding
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Lygus Lineolaris ◽  
Erynia Neoaphidis ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Abstract A description is provided for Erynia neoaphidis. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae); records from Blissus spp., Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) and Chlorina furcifera (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Probably world wide; recorded from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australasia.

Stemphylium sarciniforme. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Booth
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Cicer Arietinum ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Lupinus Luteus ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South ◽  
Gram Blight

Abstract A description is provided for Stemphylium sarciniforme. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Predominantly on the leaves of Trifolium. DISEASE: Target or pepper spot of clover (Trifolium) where it may infect 80% of the leaves (52, 3740). Also recorded as causing gram blight of Cicer arietinum (54, 1076; 53, 751). Reports of its occurrence on Lupinus luteus (57, 568) may be confusing this species with Stemphylium globuliferum or S. botryosum. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread wherever clover is grown. Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America (see CMI Map 139, ed. 3, 1977). TRANSMISSION: By air currents and seed (24, 42; 44, 471).

scholarly journals Biogeography of Neotropical Meliaceae: geological connections, fossil and molecular evidence revisited

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl ◽  
Blanca M. Rojas-Andrés
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
South America ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Central American ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Geological Evidence ◽  
North Central ◽  
Modern Distribution ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

AbstractWe here provide, first, a general introduction into the woody angiosperm family Meliaceae, including updated numbers of the genera and species found in different parts of the globe, paying attention to geographic centres of diversity and patterns of endemism. Second, and more specifically, we review the latest literature concerning land connections (i) between Eurasia and North America, (ii) between North America and South America, as well as (iii) dispersal paths between Africa and South America that have existed since the proposed evolutionary origin of modern Meliaceae, i.e. from the Upper Cretaceous onwards (ca. 100 Million years ago). Comparing geological evidence with the fossil record as well as biogeographic studies, there is indication that the nowadays pantropically distributed family has made use of all these three routes. Five out of the eight modern Neotropical genera have a fossil record, namely Carapa Aubl., Cedrela P. Browne, Guarea F. Allam., Swietenia Jacq., and Trichilia P. Browne. Carapa and Trichilia have a modern transatlantic disjunction (distribution in Africa, Central and South America), and a fossil record in Africa and North/Central America (Trichilia), or Africa and Eurasia (Carapoxylon). Cedrela has a rich fossil record in Eurasia and the Americas. The global decrease in temperatures and a lack of Cedrela fossils in North America from the Late Miocene onwards suggest the genus had gone extinct there by that time, leading to its modern distribution in Central and South America. Oligocene to Pliocene fossils of Guarea, Swietenia and Trichilia in Central American key regions support biotic interchange between North and South America at various times.

The Genus Tachardina (Lacciferidae, Coccidae) in Southern Africa

1935 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Hall
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Far East ◽  
Zonal Distribution ◽  
The Far East ◽  
The Family ◽  
Generic Groups ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South

Such knowledge as we have of the family Lacciferidae is very largely embodied in an excellent monograph published in 1923 and 1925 by J. C. Chamberlin (Bull. Ent. Res. 14, pp. 147–212 and 16, pp. 31–41). The comparatively speaking limited geographical distribution of the various generic groups is well brought out in this monograph. Thus, for instance, the genera Tachardiella and Austrotachardiella are apparently confined to North and South America, Metatachardia to Ceylon, Austrotachardia to Australia, Tachardia to India and the Far East. Chamberlin further states (p. 149) “ in general it may be said that the species of this group are tropical or sub-tropical, apparently reaching their greatest abundance in regions of limited rainfall.” How far this comparatively limited and well-defined zonal distribution of the various genera will hold good as further material is collected will prove of the greatest interest.

Leptosphaeria coniothyrium. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].

1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Punithalingam
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
West Indies ◽  
New Records ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Leptosphaeria Coniothyrium ◽  
North And South America ◽  
North And South ◽  
Cane Blight

Abstract A description is provided for Leptosphaeria coniothyrium. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Rosa and Rubus spp. and a wide range of hosts which it attacks as a wound parasite or saprophyte. DISEASES: Cane blight of raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry (43, 798; 56, 753; 56, 5722); graft canker of roses (49, 3349). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa, Asia, Australasia & Oceania, Europe, North and South America, Central America and West Indies (CMI Map 185, ed. 3, 1978). New records not mapped are: Africa (Egypt, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Zambia); Asia (Bangladesh, Burma, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Turkey); South America (Venezuela). TRANSMISSION: By air, soil and waterborne-conidia (28, 340). Infection through wounds caused by mechanical injury, pruning or hailstones (39, 426; 52, 1753g; 56, 5721; 57, 4554).

IV.—The Geological Development, Descent and Distribution of the Mammalia

1893 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 401-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl A. von Zittel
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
The Past ◽  
Limited Experience ◽  
The World ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
North And South America ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
North And South ◽  
Animal World

In a spirited treatise on the ‘Origin of our Animal World’ Prof. L. Rütimeyer, in the year 1867, described the geological development and distribution of the mammalia, and the relationship of the different faunas of the past with each other and with that now existing. Although, since the appearance of that masterly sketch the palæontological material has been, at least, doubled through new discoveries in Europe and more especially in North and South America, this unexpected increase has in most instances only served as a confirmation of the views which Rutimeyer advanced on more limited experience. At present, Africa forms the only great gap in our knowledge of the fossil mammalia; all the remaining parts of the world can show materials more or less abundantly, from which the course followed by the mammalia in their geological development can be traced with approximate certainty.

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