scholarly journals Nutlet micromorphology and character evolution of Lappula species (Boraginaceae) and its systematic implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ebadi ◽  
Sedigheh Nikzat

Abstract Background The macro/micro-morphology of nutlets in 11 species (and 22 accessions) of the Boraginaceae family was investigated using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of the traits. To evaluate the phylogenetic significance of the character evolution, phylogenetic analysis was carried out by comparing available DNA sequence data from GenBank with selected original nutlet data. Results The Rochelieae nutlets' shape varied from ovoid (ovoid, ovoid-triangular, and ovoid-rectangular) to pyramid. Six major patterns were recognized based on the nutlet ultrastructure characters. Rocheliae is characterized by a transition from “without appendage” to “with tubercles and prickles” on the nutlet disk, and also via a shift from “lack of prickles” to “glossy prickles”. Conclusions The results show that the nutlet ultrastructure pattern of Rochelieae is systematically informative at the genus level, but not at the species level. Findings demonstrated that glochid is not an ancestral trait but is a synapomorphy and the transition to this trait occurred in the genus Lappula. The close boundary of nutlet microstructures between L. barbata and L. microcarpa has been discussed.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ebadi ◽  
Sedigheh Nikzat

Abstract Background: The macro/micro-morphology of nutlets in 11 species (and 22 accessions) of the Boraginaceae family was investigated by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of these traits. To evaluate the phylogenetic significance of the character evolution, available DNA sequence data from GenBank were combined with selected original nutlet data, and phylogenetic analysis was performed.Results: The Rochelieae nutlets' shape varied from ovoid (ovoid, ovoid-triangular, and ovoid-rectangular) to the pyramid. Six major patterns were recognized based on nutlet ultrastructure characters. Rocheliae is characterized by a transition from “without appendage” to “with tubercles and prickles” on the nutlet disk, and also by a shift from “lack of prickles” to “glossy prickles”.Conclusions: The results indicated that the nutlet ultrastructure pattern of Rochelieae is systematically informative at the genus level, but not at the species level. The results showed that glochid is not an ancestral trait but is a synapomorphy and the transition to this trait occurred in the genus Lappula. The Close boundary of nutlet microstructures between L. barbata and L. microcarpa was discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.M. Amin ◽  
M. Sharifdini ◽  
R.A. Heckmann ◽  
M. Zarean

We describe morphological features not previously reported for this old acanthocephalan Nephridiacanthus major (Bremser, 1811 in Westrumb, 1821) Golvan, 1962 first described over 200 years ago. Our specimens were collected from long-eared hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus (Gmelin, 1770) (Erinaceidae) in Iran. We compare the morphometrics of our material with others previously reported from the same host in Iran, Russia, central Asia and Europe. Our specimens had markedly smaller proboscides, proboscis hooks and lemnisci than those reported from Russia and central Asia, but comparable measurements of other structures with specimens previously described from other collections. We document our new observations with scanning electron microscopy features not previously demonstrable by other observers and provide a chemical analysis of proboscis hooks using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis for the first time. The molecular profile of this acanthocephalan, based on 18S rDNA and cox1 genes, was generated for the first time. The phylogenetic analysis showed that N. major is placed in a clade of the family Oligacanthorhynchidae, well separated from the families Moniliformidae and Gigantorhynchidae.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 11955
Author(s):  
Manoj Ramakant Borkar

Bastawade & Borkar in 2008 made a passing reference to the presence of a single uropygid species in Goa, though without much primary diagnostic data on the collected specimen of four females.  The present study puts in place a definitive record of the uropygid, Labochirus tauricornis Pocock, (1900) in the state of Goa, and addresses an important gap in our understanding of its occurrence, morphology, and ecology. Besides documenting the species of this cryptozoic, nocturnal arachnid predator commonly known as ‘Vinegaroon’ on account of their vinegary allomone spray; the present study also describes the gross morphology , morphometry and micro-morphology of non-ambulatory sub-raptorial pedipalps which are of taxonomic-diagnostic value, elucidated using scanning electron microscopy, in addition to routine stereomicroscopy. The paper also examines in detail, sexual dimorphism and morphometry of this uropygid species. 


Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weishan Zhao ◽  
Can Li ◽  
Dong Zhang ◽  
Runqiu Wang ◽  
Yingzhen Zheng ◽  
...  

Balantidium grimi n. sp. is described from the rectum of the frog Quasipaa spinosa (Amphibia, Dicroglossidae) from Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China. The new species is described by both light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a molecular phylogenetic analysis is also presented. This species has unique morphological features in that the body shape is somewhat flattened and the vestibulum is “V”-shaped, occupying nearly 3/8 to 4/7 of the body length. Only one contractile vacuole, situated at the posterior body, was observed. The phylogenetic analysis based on SSU-rDNA indicates that B. grimi groups together with B. duodeni and B. entozoon. In addition, the genus Balantidium is clearly polyphyletic.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-210
Author(s):  
Kevin T. Reynolds

Abstract At the species level, bryozoans (class Phylactolaemata) in the family Plumatellidae are difficult to organize taxonomically. Of principal concern is the absence of consistent distinguishing features due mainly to plasticity of the group, a common problem with soft-bodied invertebrates. Yet, within the last three decades, analysis of distinctive chitinous statoblasts—using scanning electron microscopy—has resolved certain taxonomic questions. I examined statoblasts from 30 similar collections, the majority from the midwestern United States, and identified four distinct subgroups. Also, nine new statoblast surface features were identified: fold, polar grooves, bead, cave, demarcation, parasutural zone, ridge, sutural band, and sutural knob. The surface features of floating statoblasts (floatoblasts) provide useful data for species identification. Most consistently useful in plumatellids is a suture which varies from one species to the next. Mound-like tubercles and net-like ridges are next in the extent of variability. Finally, folds and polar grooves are present but vary even within floatoblasts from the same colony. Analysis of the suture in Plumatella fungosa, over a 5-day germination period, reveals all features at the site remain intact regardless of the initial age of the floatoblast. Only the suture line itself splits lengthwise to permit emergence of the new animal.


PhytoKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Rewicz ◽  
Jolanta Marciniuk ◽  
Paweł Marciniuk

The genus Taraxacum is one of the largest and taxonomically most complicated apomictic genera. Currently, it is considered to consist of over 2800 species placed within 60 sections. Due to the large number of species, and their uniform morphological design and plasticity of leaves, the identification of plants at the species level is challenging even for specialists. This problem significantly hinders the study of their properties and the rational use of these valuable medicinal and nutritional plants. This paper presents the results of research on the morphology and micromorphology of achenes of 28 Taraxacum species of sect. Palustria and for comparison one species per section of: Erythrosperma, Naevosa, Piesis, and Taraxacum. The achenes were measured with a stereoscopic microscope and a biometric program, and micromorphological studies were performed by scanning electron microscopy. It has been shown that traits associated with achene morphology and micromorphology have a high diagnostic value, allowing us to distinguish sections as well as species within the sect. Palustria. Based on the examined achene features, a dichotomous key for determining the studied species was constructed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 210319
Author(s):  
Arjan Mann ◽  
Ami S. Calthorpe ◽  
Hillary C. Maddin

The Carboniferous Pennsylvanian-aged (309–307 Ma) Mazon Creek Lagerstätte produces some of the earliest fossils of major Palaeozoic tetrapod lineages. Recently, several new tetrapod specimens collected from Mazon Creek have come to light, including the earliest fossorially adapted recumbirostrans. Here, we describe a new long-bodied recumbirostran, Joermungandr bolti gen. et sp. nov., known from a single part and counterpart concretion bearing a virtually complete skeleton. Uniquely, Joermungandr preserves a full suite of dorsal, flank and ventral dermal scales, together with a series of thinned and reduced gastralia. Investigation of these scales using scanning electron microscopy reveals ultrastructural ridge and pit morphologies, revealing complexities comparable to the scale ultrastructure of extant snakes and fossorial reptiles, which have scales modified for body-based propulsion and shedding substrate. Our new taxon also represents an important early record of an elongate recumbirostran bauplan, wherein several features linked to fossoriality, including a characteristic recumbent snout, are present. We used parsimony phylogenetic methods to conduct phylogenetic analysis using the most recent recumbirostran-focused matrix. The analysis recovers Joermungandr within Recumbirostra with likely affinities to the sister clades Molgophidae and Brachystelechidae. Finally, we review integumentary patterns in Recumbirostra, noting reductions and losses of gastralia and osteoderms associated with body elongation and, thus, probably also associated with increased fossoriality.


2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darci M. Barros-Battesti ◽  
Diego G. Ramirez ◽  
Janio dos Santos Sampaio ◽  
Katia M. Famadas ◽  
João Luiz H. Faccini ◽  
...  

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5030 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-118
Author(s):  
GRAEME B. SMITH ◽  
ANDREW MITCHELL ◽  
RAFAEL MOLERO-BALTANÁS

Molecular studies using COI and 28S sequence data strongly identify a clade within the Heterolepismatinae distinct from the majority of species so far sequenced. The independence of the clade is supported by several morphological characters including a glabrous anterior margin to the frons, large trapezoidal thoracic sternites, tarsal trichobothria, long, conical parameres which in some species consist of two segments, and the presence of triangular or rounded subrectangular scales on the femora, tibia and clypeus. This clade is described as a new genus Visma n. gen. containing ten new species V. advenum n. sp., V. bingara n. sp., V. brayi n. sp., V. bundjalung n. sp., V. brigalowsum n. sp., V. capricornia n. sp., V. pallidum n. sp., V. powellheueri n. sp., V. tenebrosum n. sp. and V. xanthorrhoea n. sp.. Heterolepisma stilivarians Silvestri, 1908 is redescribed from the holotype and transferred to the new genus. The remaining H. stilivarians type series is found to be different to the holotype and removed from the type series. It is considered possible that H. annectens Silvestri, 1924 may also belong to this genus. Scanning electron microscopy of scale shape and rib-spacing is shown to be a useful tool to separate at least some species of the genus and considered to have greater potential if well preserved material is available.  


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