Form and Function of Mediterranean Shrublands

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Growth Form ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Adaptive Traits ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Leaf Type ◽  
Evergreen Shrub ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
And Function

The archetypal shrub type that dominates most of the regions that experience mediterranean-type climate (MTC) is an evergreen shrub with thick and leathery leaves (sclerophyllous). The occurrence of large stands of such shrubs in all MTC regions led early biogeographers to hypothesize that the MTC selects for this growth form and leaf type and that this had led to convergent evolution (see Chapters 1 and 2). This hypothesis has received considerable research interest and continues to be examined. In this chapter we consider the structure and physiology of these archetypal MTC region shrub species and examine evidence for convergent evolution in their structure and function. We also assess the key adaptive traits that enable the shrub species that compose mediterranean-type vegetation (MTV) communities to thrive in MTC regions.

Reverse Engineering the Structure and Function of the Allegheny Mound Ant Neck (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formica, Exsectoides)

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vienny N. Nguyen ◽  
Blaine W. Lilly ◽  
Carlos E. Castro
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Load Path ◽  
Supporting Surface ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Formica Exsectoides ◽  
Sem Imaging ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mass Loads

Insects as mechanical systems have been optimized for form and function over millions of years. Ants, in particular, can lift and carry extremely heavy loads relative to their body mass. Loads are lifted with the mouthparts, transferred through the neck joint to the thorax, and distributed over six legs and feet that anchor to the supporting surface. While previous research efforts have explored attachment mechanisms of the feet, little is known about the mechanical design of the neck — the single joint that connects the load path from the thorax to the head. This work combines mechanical testing, computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, and computational modeling to better understand the mechanical structure-function relation of the ant neck joint.

scholarly journals The unique features of glycolytic pathways in Archaea

2003 ◽  
Vol 375 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corné H. VERHEES ◽  
Servé W. M. KENGEN ◽  
Judith E. TUININGA ◽  
Gerrit J. SCHUT ◽  
Michael W. W. ADAMS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Genomics ◽  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Glycolytic Enzymes ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Phylogenetic Lineages ◽  
And Function

An early divergence in evolution has resulted in two prokaryotic domains, the Bacteria and the Archaea. Whereas the central metabolic routes of bacteria and eukaryotes are generally well-conserved, variant pathways have developed in Archaea involving several novel enzymes with a distinct control. A spectacular example of convergent evolution concerns the glucose-degrading pathways of saccharolytic archaea. The identification, characterization and comparison of the glycolytic enzymes of a variety of phylogenetic lineages have revealed a mosaic of canonical and novel enzymes in the archaeal variants of the Embden–Meyerhof and the Entner–Doudoroff pathways. By means of integrating results from biochemical and genetic studies with recently obtained comparative and functional genomics data, the structure and function of the archaeal glycolytic routes, the participating enzymes and their regulation are re-evaluated.

Plant Canopies: Their Growth Form and Function.

1990 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 553
Author(s):  
H. G. Jones ◽  
G. Russel ◽  
B. Marshall ◽  
P. G. Jarvis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Form ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Plant Canopies ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals STRUKTUR DAN FUNGSI LAGU BANJAR KARYA H. ANANG ARDIANSYAH

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamariah Kamariah ◽  
Ngalimun Ngalimun
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Data ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Objective Method ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
The Times ◽  
And Function ◽  
Descriptive Method

The purpose of this research is to study the structure and function of the Banjar regionalsongs. Besides carrying out the mission of revitalizing Banjar culture which has begun tobecome extinct along with the times. This research uses descriptive method so the results of thisstudy are the results of research on Banjar by H. Anang Ardiansyah. For accurate andunderstandable analysis data, this study uses an objective method, which is based on the literarywork itself. This method is expected to reveal the form and function contained in the Banjarsong.The structure of the Banjar song by H. Anang Ardiansyah can be changed into two,namely the repetition of parts and repetition with changes. Bait full repeat loop. Repetition withthe changes requested in the repetition of feedback in the first few lines is the same, but inseveral lines after the change in feedback. This research also succeeded in formulating fourfunctions of the Banjar song, namely the function of educating or helping, entertaining,criticizing, and expressing feelings.

scholarly journals Convergent Evolution of Claw Shape in a Transcontinental Lizard Radiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Baeckens ◽  
Charlotte Goeyers ◽  
Raoul Van Damme
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Form Analysis ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Claw Morphology ◽  
And Function ◽  
Claw Shape ◽  
Structural Habitat

Abstract Species occupying similar selective environments often share similar phenotypes as the result of natural selection. Recent discoveries, however, have led to the understanding that phenotypes may also converge for other reasons than recurring selection. We argue that the vertebrate claw system constitutes a promising but understudied model system for testing the adaptive nature of phenotypic, functional, and genetic convergence. In this study, we combine basic morphometrics and advanced techniques in form analysis to examine claw shape divergence in a transcontinental lizard radiation (Lacertidae). We find substantial interspecific variation in claw morphology and phylogenetic comparative statistics reveal a strong correlation with structural habitat use: ground-dwelling species living in open areas are equipped with long, thick, weakly curved, slender-bodied claws, whereas climbing species carry high, short, strongly curved, full-bodied claws. Species occupying densely vegetated habitats tend to carry intermediately shaped claws. Evolutionary models suggest that claw shape evolves toward multiple adaptive peaks, with structural habitat use pulling species toward a specific selective optimum. Contrary to findings in several other vertebrate taxa, our analyses indicate that environmental pressures, not phylogenetic relatedness, drive convergent evolution of similarly shaped claws in lacertids. Overall, our study suggests that lacertids independently evolved similarly shaped claws as an adaptation to similar structural environments in order to cope with the specific locomotory challenges posed by the habitat. Future biomechanical studies that link form and function in combination with genomic and development research will prove valuable in better understanding the adaptive significance of claw shape divergence.

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