The venom apparatus and other morphological characters of the ant Martialis heureka (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Martialinae)

We describe and illustrate the venom apparatus and other morphological characters of the recently described Martialis heureka ant worker, a supposedly specialized subterranean predator which could be the sole surviving representative of a highly divergent lineage that arose near the dawn of ant diversification. M. heureka was described as the single species of a genus in the subfamily, Martialinae Rabeling and Verhaagh, known from a single worker. However because the authors had available a unique specimen, dissections and scanning electron microscopy from coated specimens were not possible. We base our study on two worker individuals collected in Manaus, AM, Brazil in 1998 and maintained in 70% alcohol since then; the ants were partially destroyed because of desiccation during transport to São Paulo and subsequent efforts to rescue them from the vial. We were able to recover two left mandibles, two pronota, one dismembered fore coxa, one meso-metapropodeal complex with the median and hind coxae and trochanters still attached, one postpetiole, two gastric tergites, the pygidium and the almost complete venom apparatus (lacking the gonostylus and anal plate). We illustrate and describe the pieces, and compare M. heureka worker morphology with other basal ant subfamilies, concluding it does merit subfamilial status.

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Taxonomic application of macro and micro morphological characters of seeds in Astragalus L. (Galegeae, Fabaceae) in India

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.502.2.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 502 (2) ◽

pp. 191-207

Author(s):

SHIVANI KASHYAP ◽

CHANDAN KUMAR SAHU ◽

ROHIT KUMAR VERMA ◽

LAL BABU CHAUDHARY

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Light Microscopy ◽

Seed Coat ◽

Morphological Plasticity ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Individual Species ◽

Large Size ◽

The Individual ◽

Scanning Electron

Due to large size and enormous morphological plasticity, the taxonomy of the genus Astragalus is very complex and challenging. The identification and grouping of species chiefly based on macromorphological characters become sometimes difficult in the genus. In the present study, the micromorphology of the seeds of 30 species belonging to 14 sections of Astragalus from India has been examined applying scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with light microscopy (LM) to evaluate their role in identification and classification. Attention was paid to colour, shape, size and surface of seeds. The overall size of the seeds ranges from 1.5–3.2 × 0.8–2.2 mm. The shape of the seeds is cordiform, deltoid, mitiform, orbicular, ovoid and reniform. The colour of seeds varies from brown to blackish-brown to black. Papillose, reticulate, ribbed, rugulate and stellate patterns were observed on the seed coat surface (spermoderm) among different species. The study reveals that the seed coat ornamentations have evolved differently among species and do not support the subgeneric and sectional divisions of the genus. However, they add an additional feature to the individual species, which may help in identification in combination with other macro-morphological features.

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ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF SOME ANTICANCER PLANTS POLLEN GRAINS

International Journal of Advanced Research ◽

10.21474/ijar01/13695 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 1386-1393

Author(s):

Jayshree Sandesh Thaware ◽

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Pollen Morphology ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Plant Parts ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Datura Metel ◽

Scanning Electron

Pollen is appropriately referred by some as Golden dust extremely valuable on account of their tremendous applications in science, industries and public health. No other plant part even though extremely tiny in size is packed with so much information and power. Similar to other plant parts, pollen characters are so varied that the classification system of plants can be built up entirely on the basis of pollen morphology.Palynology is the distinct branch of biology that deals with the dispersed microscopic tiny living and fossil entities including pollen grains, spores, algal and fungal fragments and others. An important aspect of Palynology is the Pollen morphology. The importance of Palynology in taxonomic and phylogenetic consideration of plants is well known. The changes occurring through hybridization and years of cultivation are reflected in pollen morphology. The scope and interest in the study of pollen morphology have widened with the advent of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and with regards to unipalynous taxa particularly the understanding of finer morphology is of fundamental importance. SEM gives a correct understanding of exine surface as the electron photographs of the surface replica of the exine provides the exact picture of the ornamentation pattern. The variation in the pollen morphological characters helps in the classification of plant taxa and their assessment of their phylogenetic relationship. In the present investigation, the pollen morphological studies were carried out of some ethnomedicinal plants like Catharanthus roseus, Allamanda cathartica, Datura metel, Brassica juncea, Raphanus sativus and Cleome viscosa pollen grains by Scanning electron microscopy. All that they possess anticancer characteristics in common.

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Foliar trichomes of Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae: Crotonoideae) from China and its taxonomic implications

Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy ◽

10.3329/bjpt.v20i1.15468 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 85-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Huan-Fang Liu ◽

Yun-Fei Deng ◽

Jing-Ping Liao

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Species Identification ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Plant Taxon ◽

Taxonomic Implications ◽

Sectional Classification ◽

Trichome Types ◽

Trichome Morphology ◽

Scanning Electron

Foliar trichomes of 21 species of the genus Croton L. from China have been examined using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Five trichome types characterized by their morphology are identified, viz., stellate, lepidote, simple, dendritic and appressed-rosulate. Only stellate trichome is observed in most species, with only six species that are found to maintain two or three trichome types. Trichome types and density are useful for species identification and sectional classification for Chinese species. Based on the trichome types and other morphological characters, 21 Chinese species are proposed to be placed in five sections. Croton crassifolius belongs to sect. Andrichnia; C. cascarilloides belongs to sect. Monguia; C. mangelong, C. kongensis, C. laevigatus and C. laniflorus belong to sect. Argyrocroton; C. lauioides, C. howii and C. damayeshu belong to sect. Adenophylli. The remaining Chinese Croton species might be placed into sect. Croton. A key for Chinese Croton species based on trichome morphology is provided.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v20i1.15468Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 20(1): 85-94, 2013 (June)

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Mericarp morphology of the tribe Selineae (Apiaceae, Apioideae) and its taxonomic implications in Korea

Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy ◽

10.3329/bjpt.v25i2.39524 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 175-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Changyoung Lee ◽

Jinki Kim ◽

Ashwini M. Darshetkar ◽

Ritesh Kumar Choudhary ◽

Sang-Hong Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Surface Pattern ◽

Taxonomic Implications ◽

Scanning Electron

Mericarp morphology of 24 taxa belonging to nine genera of the tribe Selineae (Family: Apiaceae) in Korea was studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy. UPGMA and NMDS analyses were performed based on 12 morphological characters. The mericarp surface characters like mericarp shape, rib number and shape, surface pattern, surface appendages and mericarp symmetry proved useful in distinguishing the genera of the tribe Selineae.

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Revised taxonomy and redescription of two species of the Peripatidae (Onychophora) from Brazil: a step towards consistent terminology of morphological characters

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2493.1.2 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2493 (1) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

IVO DE SENA OLIVEIRA ◽

ALFREDO HANNEMANN WIELOCH ◽

GEORG MAYER

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Type Species ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Type Material ◽

Taxon Sampling ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Dermal Papillae ◽

Scanning Electron

Based on the supposed quadrangular shape of the basal pieces of dorsal primary papillae, several species of the “Caribbean group” of the neotropical Peripatidae, including Macroperipatus acacioi and M. machadoi, were assigned to Macroperipatus. So far, the quadrangular shape of dermal papillae was confirmed only for M. torquatus, the type species of the genus. Previous observations revealed that the putatively quadrangular shape reported from other species of the “Caribbean group” might be a fixation artefact. Hence, detailed reinvestigations of all putative Macroperipatus species are required to clarify their taxonomy. In the present study, two species of the “Caribbean group”, M. acacioi and M. machadoi, are analyzed and redescribed, based on type material and topotype specimens collected at the corresponding type localities. The original descriptions of both species are complemented with data obtained from scanning electron microscopy, in addition to conventional morphological methods. The quadrangular bases of primary papillae are shown to be absent from M. acacioi and M. machadoi, thus suggesting that these two species are not closely related to M. torquatus. The new data instead suggest that these two species are representatives of Epiperipatus: E. acacioi comb. nov. and E. machadoi comb. nov.. The present study highlights the use of scanning electron microscopy for clarifying the taxonomy and phylogeny of the neotropical Peripatidae. It also reveals gaps in taxon sampling and problems regarding the ambiguous terminology of morphological characters used for describing the anatomy of peripatids. An attempt is made towards a consistent terminology for species (re)descriptions and studies of onychophoran anatomy and phylogeny.

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Free-living marine planktonic unarmoured dinoflagellates from the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific

Botanica Marina ◽

10.1515/bot-2014-0049 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sergio Escobar-Morales ◽

David U. Hernández-Becerril

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Species Composition ◽

New Records ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Phylogenetic Group ◽

Free Living ◽

Mexican Pacific ◽

Scanning Electron

AbstractThe so-called unarmoured dinoflagellates are not a “natural” (phylogenetic) group but they lack thecal plates, share fragility and possess relatively few morphological characters that can be positively identified. This study depicts the species composition of unarmoured dinoflagellates collected from sites along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific and includes their descriptions and illustrations. We identified a total of 25 species belonging to 13 genera and six families that were studied through various techniques using light and scanning electron microscopy. Seven new records for the Mexican Pacific are annotated here that include

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Use of different SEM techniques in the study of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) in Costa Rica

UNED Research Journal ◽

10.22458/urj.v5i2.273 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 201-208

Author(s):

Pamela Murillo ◽

Hugo Aguilar ◽

Ethel Sanchez

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Costa Rica ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Morphological Description ◽

Tyrophagus Putrescentiae ◽

Viable Option ◽

Efficient Procedure ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Scanning Electron

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been used as a tool to facilitate the morphological description of mites and to complement the information obtained from the light microscope. Unfortunately, several of SEM techniques used for soft-bodied mites such as Tyrophagus, have in many cases not shown the desired results. This investigation sought to develop an efficient procedure for preparing specimens of T. putrescentiae for SEM so that its major morphological characters could be observed and photographed. This species is the most important contaminant of tissue culture laboratories in Costa Rica. Seven methods were used to process the samples. The evaluated treatments showed differences in their ability to preserve the morphological structures of the specimens. The advantages and disadvantages of each treatment are discussed. Mites processed using ethanol were the most viable option with method 3 being the procedure that showed the best results; this technique also reduced the time and costs of processing the specimens.KEY WORDSAcari, Acaridae, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), SEM techniques

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Molecular and morphological studies identify a new genus within the Heterolepismatinae (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5030.1.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5030 (1) ◽

pp. 1-118

Author(s):

GRAEME B. SMITH ◽

ANDREW MITCHELL ◽

RAFAEL MOLERO-BALTANÁS

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Anterior Margin ◽

New Genus ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Type Series ◽

Morphological Studies ◽

Molecular Studies ◽

Scanning Electron

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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UTILIZAÇÃO DO MICROSCÓPIO ELETRÔNICO DE VARREDURA (MEV) PARA O RECONHECIMENTO DE REVESTIMENTOS ARGILOSOS

Boletim Paranaense de Geociências ◽

10.5380/geo.v53i0.4220 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

Author(s):

Leonardo José Cordeiro Santos ◽

Janine Berrier ◽

Michel Grimaldi ◽

Selma Simões De Castro

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Additional Information ◽

Argillic Horizon ◽

Superior Portion ◽

Cretaceous Period ◽

Scanning Electron

Diversos autores têm ressaltado, nos seus trabalhos de pesquisa, uma certa dificuldade na identificação de revestimentos argilosos em observações de campo e de laboratório. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar a importância da utilização do Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura (MEV) na identificação e na caracterização destas feições pedológicas encontradas em Argissolos nas proximidades de Bauru-SP. A área de estudo situa-se no oeste do estado de São Paulo, onde o quadro geológico regional é dominado por rochas sedimentares da Formação Marília, Grupo Bauru (Cretáceo da Bacia do Paraná), associadas aos Latossolos e aos Argissolos. Os estudos foram desenvolvidos no laboratório de Ciência do Solo do INRA/ Rennes (França). Um MEV possibilitou a observação e a caracterização química pontual das amostras. Foram utilizadas lâminas delgadas de solo de pequenas dimensões (4,5 X 7 cm) e pequenos torrões de solo (1 cm 3 ) com estrutura preservada. O MEV mostrou-se uma ferramenta eficaz nos estudos de gênese dos solos. Os resultados revelaram ainda que os revestimentos argilosos encontrados no topo no horizonte Bt dos Argissolos apresentam limite nítido com o fundo matricial, forte birrefringência, microlaminação, além da orientação das argilas paralela à parede dos poros, essas características indicam um processo de iluviação mecânica das argilas. As microanálises efetuadas nos revestimentos argilosos forneceram infor-mações adicionais àquelas obtidas com o estudo micromorfológico, principalmente por mostrar a existência de forte variação dos elementos ao longo das microestratificações. THE USE SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM) TO RECOGNITION OF CLAY COATINGS Abstract Many authors have been pointing out the difficulties of identification of clay coatings in field and laboratory observations. This work aims at estimating the importance of the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) at the characterization and identification of these pedologicals features found in Alfisols in Bauru (SP) region. The studied region is located in the western part of São Paulo State, where the regional geology is dominated by sedimentary rocks from Marília Formation of Bauru Group (Cretaceous period), associated with soils of Alfisol and Oxisol type (figure 1). The studies were developed at the INRA/Rennes Soil Science laboratory. A Phillips XL20 scanning electron microscopy connected to an EDS spectrometer make the observation and punctual chemistry characterization of the samples possible. Soil thin blades of small dimensions (4,5 X 7,0 cm) and small soil lumps (1,0 cm³) with preserved structure were used. The SEM showed to be an effective tool in soils genesis studies. The results showed that the clay coatings found in the chambers porosity from the superior portion of argillic horizon in Alfisols present a clear boundary with the immediately underlying soil materials, strong birrefringence, micro lamination, besides the orientation of the clays parallel to the pores wall, indicating a mechanic illuviation process of the clay (figures 2 to 6). The microanalyses done in clay coatings found in the argillic horizon, gave additional information to those acquired from the micromorphological studies, especially for showing the existence of a strong variation of the oxides elements through the micro laminations (figure 9 and table 1).

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Pollen morphology of Rubiaceae Juss. species occurring in an area of caatinga (dryland) vegetation in Bahia State, Brazil

Acta Botanica Brasilica ◽

10.1590/s0102-33062012000200020 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 444-455 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cristiano Eduardo Amaral Silveira Júnior ◽

Marileide Dias Saba ◽

Jomar Gomes Jardim

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Pollen Morphology ◽

Pollen Grains ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Palynological Data ◽

Palicourea Rigida ◽

Scanning Electron

The palynology of the following 16 species of Rubiaceae, from Brejinho das Amestistas, was investigated: Coccocypselum hirsutum Bartl. ex DC., Cordiera rigida Kuntze, Coutarea hexandra K.Schum., Declieuxia fruticosa Kuntze, Diodella apiculata (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Delprete, D. radula (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Delprete, D. teres Small., Emmeorhiza umbellata K.Schum., Leptoscela ruellioides Hook. f., Mitracarpus baturitensis Sucre., Mitracarpus villosus Cham. & Schltdl., Palicourea rigida Kunth, Psyllocarpus asparagoides Mart., Richardia grandiflora Steud., Staelia aurea K. Schum., and Staelia galioides DC. The pollen grains were acetolysed to and their morphological characters were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. They varied in size from small to large; were suboblate to subprolate; inaperturate (P. rigida), colpate and colporate in the remaining species, with an aperture number that varied from three to several. The exines were microreticulate in most species, reticulate (C. hirsutum, C. rigida and P. rigida), bireticulate (D. fruticosa), microechinate-perforated (C. hexandra), echinate-granulate (R. grandiflora), echinate-granulate-perforate (D. apiculata and D. teres), and psilate (P. asparagoides). Based on the results, palynological data can be used to distinguish these species.

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