scholarly journals Emended description and new localities of Oxygyne shinzatoi (Burmanniaceae/Thismiaceae), with discussion of phylogenetic relationships of Oxygyne from Japan and Africa

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 423 (4) ◽  
pp. 238-246
Author(s):  
KENJI SUETSUGU ◽  
TAKAOMI SUGIMOTO ◽  
HIROKAZU TSUKAYA
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Okinawa Island ◽  
Colour Variation ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Emended Description ◽  
New Localities

During a recent survey, Oxygyne specimens were discovered in three lowland evergreen forests on Okinawa Island, Japan. After morphological investigation, we identified the specimens as O. shinzatoi. Intriguingly, the colour of the specimens from one of the localities was significantly different from that of specimens collected from both the type and two of the new localities. Furthermore, morphological analysis also revealed clear differences between specimens collected from the type locality, including the type specimen, and previous descriptions of O. shinzatoi. Therefore, an amended description of O. shinzatoi is provided, based on the type and newly collected specimens. Phylogenetic relationships of Oxygyne from Japan and western Central Africa are also discussed, with consideration of the characteristics of newly discovered colour variation.

Systematics of Hymenophyllum subgenus Mecodium (Hymenophyllaceae) in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 753-767
Author(s):  
Tian-Chuan Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fang Huang ◽  
Yi-Shan Chao
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Independent Species

Abstract—Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium, composed of the taxonomically notorious H. polyanthos and approximately 15 other closely related taxa, is a common element of filmy fern communities in the tropical and subtropical moist forests. In Taiwan, although only H. polyanthos and one or two closely related taxa were recognized in recent studies, considerable morphological variation has been observed among populations throughout the island. Thus, we conducted an extensive morphological investigation, as well as a molecular phylogenetic analysis, to clarify the specific diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan. Field and herbaria surveys helped in recognizing five morphs in Taiwan, mainly differentiated by the combination of certain traits, viz., the presence or absence of stipe wings, general frond size and shape, degree of laminar crispation, sori position, and involucre shape. The different morphs had diverse ecological preferences. The phylogenetic tree, inferred from the sequences of the plastid loci rbcL and rps4-trnS, demonstrated that Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium materials in Taiwan comprise several well-supported lineages, mostly corresponding to the classification based on morphology. Comparing with the protologues and type specimens of 34 related scientific names, the five morphs are herein recognized as five independent species. A new species, Hymenophyllum exquisitum, is described here. Also, the status of H. paniculiflorum is reconfirmed and that of H. fujisanense, H. parallelocarpum, and H. punctisorum reinstated. Only H. exquisitum and H. parallelocarpum are endemic to Taiwan among all the species studied. In addition, the names Hymenophyllum blumeanum, H. integrum, H. microsorum, H. polyanthos, H. tenellum, and H. wrightii are now excluded from the regional flora, and several related taxa from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines are treated as synonyms. This study unravels the deep phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan and Eastern Asia.

Alpha-taxonomy and phylogeny of African Junoniini butterflies based on morphological data, with an emphasis on genitalia, and COI barcode (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4991 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-433
Author(s):  
TOMASZ W. PYRCZ ◽  
KLAUDIA FLORCZYK ◽  
STEVE COLLINS ◽  
SZABOLCS SÁFIÁN ◽  
OSCAR MAHECHA-J. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
East African ◽  
East African Coast ◽  
Afrotropical Region ◽  
Close Relationship

The tribe Junoniini is a predominantly Paleotropical group of the cosmopolitan butterfly subfamily Nymphalinae (Nymphalidae), with highest diversity in the Afrotropical region. Its systematics and relationships are not entirely resolved. Question marks remain concerning the validity of some genera; and the apparently close relationship between the Indo-Australian genus Yoma and the Afrotropical Protogoniomorpha, as evidenced by molecular phylogenies, remains a puzzle. Here, we present a cladistic analysis, based on 42 characters of the male and female genitalia of 41 species of Junoniini belonging to six genera, nearly all of them continental Afrotropical, and 3 species of two Indo-Australian genera Yoma and Rhinopalpa. A ML COI-based tree is produced for 36 species of Afrotropical Junoniini and Yoma. The molecular data are consistent with previous studies. However, morphological analysis does not confirm a close relationship between Protogoniomorpha and Yoma. Despite the evolution of a number of modifications, the male genitalia within all genera and species of the Junoniini share a cohesive build plan, in particular a transformed sacculus, from which Yoma is highly divergent. The position of the genus Kamilla, previously synonymized with Junonia, is discussed. Three East African coast taxa, Junonia elgiva stat. reinst., Protogoniomorpha nebulosa stat. reinst. and Salamis amaniensis stat. reinst., and one from central Africa, Precis silvicola stat. reinst. are raised to species level, based on comparative analysis of their male genitalia.  

scholarly journals Unique Short-Faced Miocene Seal Discovered in Grytsiv (Ukraine)

Zoodiversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-154
Author(s):  
I. A. Koretsky ◽  
S. J. Rahmat
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
First Record ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Sea Otter ◽  
Terrestrial Mammal ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Rostral Portion

Numerous Miocene terrestrial mammal fossils have been discovered at the Grytsiv locality of Ukraine, but this is the first record of a fossil marine mammal at this site. Morphological analysis of the rostral portion of this middle-late Miocene (12.3–11.8 Ma) partial skull suggests that it belongs to the subfamily Phocinae. The small size and cranial morphology of this partial skull is compared with recent and fossil representatives of the extant subfamily Phocinae and the extinct subfamily Devinophocinae. Extinct and modern representatives of the extant subfamilies Cystophorinae and Monachinae were not incorporated in this study due to their extremely large size in comparison to this new find. This newly described skull belonged to a small-sized seal (likely similar in size to the modern sea otter based on the width of the rostrum) with an extremely short rostrum and several other diagnostic characters that differ from all other fossil and extant phocines. Due to the lack of preservation and fragility of fossil seal skulls, less than 20 have been described so far. This new skull is yet another example of an ancestral seal, supporting the suggestion that modern seals have become larger over their evolutionary history. Overall, any cranial information on fossil true seals is extremely important since it allows resolving contentious phylogenetic relationships between extinct and extant representatives of this group.

scholarly journals New bobtail squid (Sepiolidae: Sepiolinae) from the Ryukyu islands revealed by molecular and morphological analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Sanchez ◽  
Jeffrey Jolly ◽  
Amanda Reid ◽  
Chikatoshi Sugimoto ◽  
Chika Azama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
East Timor ◽  
Ryukyu Islands ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Ryukyu Archipelago ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Ryukyu Islands ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Microbe Interactions ◽  
Host Microbe Interactions

AbstractBobtail squid are emerging models for host–microbe interactions, behavior, and development, yet their species diversity and distribution remain poorly characterized. Here, we combine mitochondrial and transcriptome sequences with morphological analysis to describe three species of bobtail squid (Sepiolidae: Sepiolinae) from the Ryukyu archipelago, and compare them with related taxa. One Ryukyuan type was previously unknown, and is described here as Euprymna brenneri sp. nov. Another Ryukyuan type is morphologically indistinguishable from Sepiola parva Sasaki, 1913. Molecular analyses, however, place this taxon within the genus Euprymna Steenstrup, 1887, and additional morphological investigation led to formal rediagnosis of Euprymna and reassignment of this species as Euprymna parva comb. nov. While no adults from the third Ryukyuan type were found, sequences from hatchlings suggest a close relationship with E. pardalota Reid, 2011, known from Australia and East Timor. The broadly sampled transcriptomes reported here provide a foundation for future phylogenetic and comparative studies.

Phylogenetic relationships of Mesoamerican species of the genus Sciurus (Rodentia: Sciuridae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1525 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
FEDERICO VILLALOBOS ◽  
FERNANDO CERVANTES-REZA
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Maximum Parsimony ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
The Other

The phylogenetic relationships of Sciurus species present in Mesoamerica are addressed using a morphological analysis under Maximum Parsimony. Our results recovered the existence of two clades: one comprising S. aureogaster, S. colliaei, S. variegatoides and Syntheosciurus brochus and the other clade composed by S. richmondi, S. granatensis, S. deppei, S. yucatanensis and Microsciurus alfari. The taxonomic status of the genera Microsciurus and Syntheosciurus is discussed as well the biogeographic implications of these findings.

A comprehensive morphological analysis of talpid moles (Mammalia) phylogenetic relationships

Cladistics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo R. Sanchez-Villagra ◽  
Ines Horovitz ◽  
Masaharu Motokawa
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Morphological Analysis

scholarly journals A Morphological Analysis of Akan Honorific and Title Names for God

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1371-1383
Author(s):  
Samuel Yeboah ◽  
Emmanuel Amo Ofori ◽  
Kofi Busia Abrefa
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Personal Names ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Morphological Processes ◽  
Complex Nominals

This study is motivated by our observation that earlier works have looked at Akan personal names either from sociolinguistics or non-linguistic perspectives; however, a critical morphological analysis of the structure of Akan honorific and title names for God has eluded researchers in linguistics. It is based on this background that we conduct a thorough morphological investigation into Akan honorific and title names for God, with the aim of addressing the morphological processes that account for their derivation. Drawing on data from both primary and secondary sources, the analysis reveals that Akan honorific and title names ascribed to God have complex nominals and this is manifested through affixation, compounding and reduplication. It further shows that some of the names are recursive in nature and are therefore derived through nominalization of sentences or clauses, especially those that undergo compounding.

scholarly journals Ground data confirm warming and drying are at a critical level for forest survival in western equatorial Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma R Bush ◽  
Kathryn Jeffery ◽  
Nils Bunnefeld ◽  
Caroline Tutin ◽  
Ruth Musgrave ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Total Annual Rainfall ◽  
Equatorial Africa

Background.The humid tropical forests of Central Africa influence weather worldwide and play a major role in the global carbon cycle. However they are also an ecological anomaly, with evergreen forests dominating the western equatorial region despite less than 2000mm total annual rainfall. Meteorological data for Central Africa are notoriously sparse and incomplete and there are substantial issues with satellite-derived data because of inability to ground-truth estimates and persistent cloudiness. Long-term climate observations are urgently needed to verify regional climate and vegetation models, shed light on the mechanisms that drive climatic variability and assess the viability of evergreen forests in equatorial Africa under future climate scenarios. Methods. We have the rare opportunity to analyse a 34-year dataset of rainfall and temperature (and shorter periods of absolute humidity, wind speed, solar radiation and aerosol optical depth) from Lopé National Park, a long-term ecological research site in western equatorial Africa. We used linear mixed models and spectral analyses to assess seasonal and inter-annual variation, long-term trends and oceanic influences on local weather patterns. Results. Lopé’s weather is characterised by a light-deficient, cool, long dry season. Long-term climatic means have changed significantly over the last three decades, with warming occurring at a rate of 0.23°C per decade (minimum daily temperature) and drying at a rate of 50mm per decade (total annual rainfall). Inter-annual variability is highly influenced by sea surface temperatures of the major oceans. In El Niño years Lopé experiences both higher temperatures and less rainfall with increased contrast between wet and dry seasons. Lopé rainfall observations lend support for the role of the Atlantic cold tongue in “dry” models of climate change in the region. Conclusions. Dry season cloud in western equatorial Africa plays a key role in reducing evaporative demand during seasonal drought and maintaining evergreen tropical forests despite relatively low annual rainfall. In the context of a rapidly warming and drying climate, urgent research is needed into the sensitivity of clouds to ocean temperatures and the viability of humid forests in this dry region should the clouds disappear.

scholarly journals A contribution to understanding the complex nature of peisleyite

2011 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2733-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Mills ◽  
C. Ma ◽  
W. D. Birch
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Electron Probe ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Epma Data ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Scanning Electron

AbstractThe type specimen of peisleyite has been reinvestigated by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. Morphological investigation showed that mats of peisleyite crystals, individually <3 μm across, are intergrown with wavellite veinlets to form the white cryptocrystalline material that is typical of ‘peisleyite’. New EPMA data (mean of 12 analyses) gave the empirical formula of peisleyite as (Na1.69Ca0.18)Σ1.87(Al9.04Fe0.03)Σ9.07[(P6.28S1.38Si0.25)O4]Σ7.91(OH)6.66·27.73H2O, or ideally Na2Al9[(P,S)O4]8(OH)6·28H2O. The associated wavellite was found to be F-rich. Synchrotron powder data were indexed and refined and gave the following unit cell: P1̄, a = 9.280(19), b = 11.976(19), c = 13.250(18) Å, α = 91.3(1), β = 75.6(1), γ = 67.67(1)°, V = 1308(5) Å3 and Z = 4. These data are significantly different to those reported in the original description of peisleyite.

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