Shifting functional roles and the evolution of conifer pollen-producing and seed-producing cones

Paleobiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew B. Leslie
Keyword(s):  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Geologic History ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Reproductive Evolution

Exploring patterns in the evolution of seed plant reproductive morphology within a functional context offers a framework in which to identify and evaluate factors that potentially drive reproductive evolution. Conifers are a particularly useful group for studies of this kind because they have a long geologic history and their reproductive organs are borne on separate structures with discrete functions. Multivariate analysis of morphological data collected from pollen-producing and seed-producing cones of Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and extant conifer species shows that seed cones underwent a significant expansion of morphological diversity that began during the Early-Middle Jurassic and has continued into the present day. In contrast, pollen cones show significantly lower levels of morphological diversity and exhibit similar basic morphologies throughout conifer evolutionary history. The increase in seed cone diversity through time is primarily the result of two novel structural and organizational features that evolved independently in different conifer families during the Mesozoic: robust, tightly packed cones in members of Araucariaceae, Cupressaceae sensu lato, and Pinaceae, and highly reduced, fleshy cones or solitary seeds in Podocarpaceae, Taxaceae, and some members of Cupressaceae sensu stricto. In extant conifers, these cone morphologies are associated with species that have strong interactions with vertebrate seed predators, seed dispersers, or a combination of both. This suggests that increases in the strength and complexity of biotic interactions in the Jurassic and Cretaceous were a primary driver of conifer reproductive evolution, and that patterns of character evolution relate to the increasing importance of cone tissue in seed protection and seed dispersal through time.

scholarly journals Reproductive Ontogeny and the Evolution of Morphological Diversity in Conifers and Other Plants

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
A B Leslie ◽  
J M Losada
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Developmental Rate ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Developmental Patterns ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
And Function

Abstract Biologists often study morphological evolution through form and function relationships. But biological structures can perform multiple functional roles, complicating efforts to understand the evolutionary significance of any one relationship. Plant reproductive organs perform multiple roles in a sequence, however, which provides a unique opportunity to understand how structures evolve to meet multiple functional demands. Using conifers as a study group, we discuss how a shared developmental trajectory links the performance of sequential functional roles. Variation in development among lineages can underlie morphological diversity; pollination-stage seed cones in Pinaceae conifers function similarly but show diverse forms reflecting differences in developmental rate. As cones develop further, the morphologies that they use to perform later functional roles are influenced by the specific developmental patterns used to meet earlier demands, which may ultimately limit morphological diversity. However, we also show how selective pressures relating to the final functional stage (seed dispersal) may influence cone anatomy and morphology over all previous stages, highlighting the complex linkages among form, function, and development. We end by discussing the potential relationships between functional ontogeny and morphological disparity in plant reproductive structures more broadly, suggesting that the complex functional roles associated with seed plant reproduction probably underlie the high disparity in this group.

scholarly journals Global urban signatures of phenotypic change in animal and plant populations

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (34) ◽  
pp. 8951-8956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Alberti ◽  
Cristian Correa ◽  
John M. Marzluff ◽  
Andrew P. Hendry ◽  
Eric P. Palkovacs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Biotic Interactions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Phenotypic Change ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Phenotypic Changes ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Multiple Regions ◽  
Anthropogenic Systems

Humans challenge the phenotypic, genetic, and cultural makeup of species by affecting the fitness landscapes on which they evolve. Recent studies show that cities might play a major role in contemporary evolution by accelerating phenotypic changes in wildlife, including animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms. Many studies of ecoevolutionary change have focused on anthropogenic drivers, but none of these studies has specifically examined the role that urbanization plays in ecoevolution or explicitly examined its mechanisms. This paper presents evidence on the mechanisms linking urban development patterns to rapid evolutionary changes for species that play important functional roles in communities and ecosystems. Through a metaanalysis of experimental and observational studies reporting more than 1,600 phenotypic changes in species across multiple regions, we ask whether we can discriminate an urban signature of phenotypic change beyond the established natural baselines and other anthropogenic signals. We then assess the relative impact of five types of urban disturbances including habitat modifications, biotic interactions, habitat heterogeneity, novel disturbances, and social interactions. Our study shows a clear urban signal; rates of phenotypic change are greater in urbanizing systems compared with natural and nonurban anthropogenic systems. By explicitly linking urban development to traits that affect ecosystem function, we can map potential ecoevolutionary implications of emerging patterns of urban agglomerations and uncover insights for maintaining key ecosystem functions upon which the sustainability of human well-being depends.

A review of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) described from Mesozoic deposits

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 001-014
Author(s):  
MATHIAS JASCHHOF
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
North America ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Gall Midges ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
New Tribe

Twenty-four fossil gall midges (Cecidomyiidae) described from 1917–2020 from Mesozoic deposits, mostly ambers, are reviewed. Information from the original publications is used as the basis for reinterpretation, when such is regarded as appropriate here. As a result, the fossil record of cecidomyiids from the Mesozoic comprises representatives of the following subfamilies and tribes, all mycophagous (numbers in parentheses refer to species described): Catotrichinae (1); Micromyinae: Catochini (2), Amediini (1), Campylomyzini (1), Micromyini (2) and Aprionini (1); Winnertziinae: Heteropezini (2), Diallactiini (4) and Winnertziini (1); Porricondylinae: Dicerurini (1). Other Winnertziinae (3) and Micromyinae (5) cannot be classified to tribe because information on critical morphological structures is unavailable; they are thus considered incertae sedis. Members of the Lestremiinae sensu stricto are unrecorded from the Mesozoic, as are any Cecidomyiinae (the only subfamily containing phytophages and predators). Commonly occurring reasons for misinterpretation of amber fossils are the non-recognition of artefacts and the unfamiliarity with group-specific literature regarding prevailing taxonomic concepts and the morphological diversity found in Cecidomyiidae. These causes as well as obvious differences between neontological and paleontological taxonomic practices are discussed. Amediini trib. nov. Jaschhof, 2021 is introduced as a new tribe of the Micromyinae, to absorb the genera Amedia Jaschhof, 1997 (extant, North America, type genus), Amediella Jaschhof, 2003 (extant, New Zealand) and Eltxo Arillo & Nel, 2000 (extinct, Alava amber). A diagnosis of the new tribe is given. Krassiloviolini Fedotova & Perkovsky, 2017 is a new junior synonym of Heteropezini Schiner, 1868. Amediini Plakidas, 2017 and Zarqacecidomyius singularis Kaddumi, 2007 are nomina nuda.

scholarly journals The hidden anatomy of paranasal sinuses reveals biogeographically distinct morphotypes in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Billet ◽  
Lionel Hautier ◽  
Benoit de Thoisy ◽  
Frédéric Delsuc
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Paranasal Sinuses ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Diagnostic Feature ◽  
Guiana Shield ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Continental Scale

BackgroundWith their Pan-American distribution, long-nosed armadillos (genusDasypus) constitute an understudied model for Neotropical biogeography. This genus currently comprises seven recognized species, the nine-banded armadillo (D. novemcinctus) having the widest distribution ranging from Northern Argentina to the South-Eastern US. With their broad diversity of habitats, nine-banded armadillos provide a useful model to explore the effects of climatic and biogeographic events on morphological diversity at a continental scale.MethodsBased on a sample of 136 skulls ofDasypusspp. belonging to six species, including 112 specimens identified asD. novemcinctus, we studied the diversity and pattern of variation of paranasal cavities, which were reconstructed virtually using µCT-scanning or observed through bone transparency.ResultsOur qualitative analyses of paranasal sinuses and recesses successfully retrieved a taxonomic differentiation between the traditional speciesD. kappleri,D. pilosusandD. novemcinctusbut failed to recover diagnostic features between the disputed and morphologically similarD. septemcinctusandD. hybridus. Most interestingly, the high variation detected in our large sample ofD. novemcinctusshowed a clear geographical patterning, with the recognition of three well-separated morphotypes: one ranging from North and Central America and parts of northern South America west of the Andes, one distributed across the Amazonian Basin and central South America, and one restricted to the Guiana Shield.DiscussionThe question as to whether these paranasal morphotypes may represent previously unrecognized species is to be evaluated through a thorough revision of theDasypusspecies complex integrating molecular and morphological data. Remarkably, our recognition of a distinct morphotype in the Guiana Shield area is congruent with the recent discovery of a divergent mitogenomic lineage in French Guiana. The inflation of the second medialmost pair of caudal frontal sinuses constitutes an unexpected morphological diagnostic feature for this potentially distinct species. Our results demonstrate the benefits of studying overlooked internal morphological structures in supposedly cryptic species revealed by molecular data. It also illustrates the under-exploited potential of the highly variable paranasal sinuses of armadillos for systematic studies.

scholarly journals A Systematic Analysis of the Alpine Saxifrage Complex (Saxifragaceae) in the Canadian Arctic Islands Using Morphology and Chloroplast DNA Data

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Healy ◽  
Lynn J. Gillespie
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Canadian Arctic ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Site Analysis

The Saxifraga nivalis complex displays significant ecological, morphological and cytological variation. Most European studies suggest that the S. nivalis complex comprises two distinct species: Saxifraga nivalis sensu stricto and Saxifraga tenuis. However, the presence of intermediate morphotypes, inconsistencies in chromosomal counts and variability in morphological keys and descriptions have led to different taxonomic interpretations of the complex in North America. This study investigated the systematics of Canadian Arctic Island members of this complex from 157 specimens using 23 morphological characters. Principal component analysis of the morphological data revealed two adjacent clusters, corresponding to the two taxa and consistent with a close morphological similarity and the presence of hybrids. A preliminary restriction site analysis of five non-coding regions of the chloroplast genome, trnH-trnK, trnT-trnF, trnF-trnV, trnV-rbcL and rbcL-ORF106, was conducted using 21 restriction endonucleases. This analysis indicated a length difference between the trnT-trnF region of S. nivalis and that of S. tenuis, but no difference in restriction sites for any of the assayed regions. These results confirm that in the Canadian Arctic, the S. nivalis complex consists of two closely related, largely sympatric species, with notable morphological variability, and possible hybrids.

Morphological diversity and phylogenetic relationships within a South-American clade of iguanian lizards (Liolaemidae: Phymaturus)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3315 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
FERNANDO LOBO ◽  
CRISTIAN ABDALA ◽  
SOLEDAD VALDECANTOS
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Total Evidence ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The North ◽  
South Central ◽  
Evidence Analysis ◽  
La Rioja

With 36 species and at least nine potentially independent lineages (not formally described yet) occurring mostly in theAndes and adjacent Patagonia and Puna plateau areas, Phymaturus lizards represent one of the most endemic vertebrategroups of the arid southwestern region of South America. Phylogenetic relationships among species of Phymaturus areinferred using mainly a morphological data set of 206 characters. Also available sequences of mitochondrial DNA for sev-en terminals were added for a total evidence analysis. Most information is included in the discrete characters block; mostcharacters involve color pattern, osteology and squamation. Continuous characters were taken from body proportions,squamation and skeletons. Among morphological data, binary polymorphic characters were analyzed applying the scaledcoding criteria. Continuous characters were entered in the analysis using standardized ranges, a method that allows a sim-ple optimization to estimate distances/costs avoiding the arbitrary coding as discrete characters. For our parsimony anal-yses we chose the implied weights method, which underweights homoplastic characters. Several runs were madeanalyzing all the information combined and also separating morphological from molecular datasets. Binary polymor-phisms were also analyzed as missing data. All characters affected by sexual dimorphism were analyzed separating thesexes; female information was more congruent with the total evidence analysis. Characters involving continuous and poly-morphic information are relevant for searching and building phylogenetic hypotheses in Phymaturus. There exists signif-icant congruence between the molecular information analyzed in this study and previous published analyses. Within bothmain clades of Phymaturus, northern subgroups are those more recently originated during the genus diversification. Spe-cies belonging to the puna subclade of the palluma group are arranged in two natural groups, one distributed in the north(Catamarca and La Rioja provinces), and the other in the south, La Rioja and San Juan provinces. Within the patagonicusgroup, the majority of the species are arranged in a south-central Chubut clade, eastern-central Chubut clade, central Rio Negro clade and a Payunia clade.

scholarly journals Morphological diversity and identification key for landraces of the Amerindian yam in central Amazon

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Beyerlein ◽  
Henrique dos Santos Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Descriptors ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Central Amazon ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Optimal Set

Abstract: The objective of this work was to select an optimal set of morphological descriptors, in order to characterize the phenotipical diversity of Amerindian yam (Dioscorea trifida) landraces cultivated in the municipality of Caapiranga, in the central Amazon region of Brazil, and to develop a botanical identification key for them. A collection of 140 accessions and an experimental plot with a representative sample of 20 landraces were used to test 64 morphological descriptors for the aerial and subterranean plant parts. Forty-eight descriptors were selected, of which 13 were for tubers, 12 for stems, 14 for leaves, and 9 for inflorescences and seed. A cluster analysis based on the morphological data showed the formation of two landrace groups with greater similarity: white and purple pulp tubers. The results provide tools for in situ and ex situ conservation and for plant breeding programs, considering the importance of maintaining and recognizing the value of Ameridian yam as an important native genetic resource for food security in the region.

Phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical Pristimantis leptolophus species group (Anura: Craugastoridae): molecular approach and description of a new polymorphic species 

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4242 (2) ◽  
pp. 313
Author(s):  
MAURICIO RIVERA-CORREA ◽  
CARLOS JIMÉNEZ-RIVILLAS ◽  
JUAN M. DAZA
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Polymorphic Species ◽  
Species Groups

Pristimantis, distributed throughout the New World tropics, is the most speciose vertebrate genus. Pristimantis presents an enormous morphological diversity and is currently divided into several demonstrably non-monophyletic phenetic species groups. With the purpose of increasing our understanding of Pristimantis systematics, we present the first phylogenetic analysis using molecular evidence to test the monophyly and infer evolutionary relationships within the Pristimantis leptolophus group, an endemic group of frogs from the highlands of the Colombian Andes. Our phylogenetic reconstruction recovers the group as monophyletic with high support, indicating general concordance between molecular data and morphological data. In addition, we describe a new polymorphic species lacking conspicuous tubercles, a regular attribute among species of the P. leptolophus species group and endemic from the Páramo de Sonsón complex (Antioquia, Colombia). The phylogenetic position of the new species is inferred and other systematic implications in the light of our results are discussed. 

scholarly journals Morphometric analysis of the genus Monochoria (Pontederiaceae) in Sri Lanka

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Savithri Sarojani Udage ◽  
Deepthi Yakandawala
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Morphometric Analysis ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
The Family ◽  
Plant Taxon ◽  
Reproductive Characters ◽  
Informative Character

The genus Monochoria is represented in Sri Lanka by only two species, M. hastata and M. vaginalis. Of the two species M. vaginalis exhibits a high morphological diversity. A morphometric analysis was performed on the Sri Lankan members of the genus Monochoria to evaluate the morphological diversity exhibited by comparing 34 vegetative, anatomical and reproductive characters. Both cluster and principal coordinate analyses resulted in four clusters of which one corresponded to M. hastata, while M. vaginalis was divided into three phenetic groups indicating that the Sri Lankan M. vaginalis is a species complex involving more than one taxon. The length ratio of the lower spathe petiole to inflorescence stalk was identified as an informative character in delimiting the phenetic groups, a character that has not been considered before. Further, the occurrence of sub-palisade cavities that are filled with a red colored liquid in the leaves of two phenetic groups was a novel character for the genus as well as the family Pontederiaceae.Keywords: Monochoria vaginalis; Morphological data; Sub-palisade cavities; Principal coordinate anaysis.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 24(1): 13–22, 2017 (June)

scholarly journals The morphological diversity of Osedax worm borings (Annelida: Siboglinidae)

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 1429-1439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas D. Higgs ◽  
Adrian G. Glover ◽  
Thomas G. Dahlgren ◽  
Craig R. Smith ◽  
Yoshihiro Fujiwara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Niche Partitioning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Fossil Bones ◽  
Spatial Niche ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Root Tissues ◽  
Marine Worms

Marine worms in the genus Osedax, have specialized ‘root’ tissues used to bore into the bones of decomposing vertebrate skeletons and obtain nutrition. We investigated the borings of nine Osedax species, using micro computed tomography to quantitatively describe the morphology of the borings and provide three-dimensional reconstructions of the space occupied by Osedax root tissues inside the bone. Each Osedax species displayed a consistent boring morphology in any given bone, but these differed between bones. In bones where multiple species coexisted there was limited evidence for spatial niche partitioning by Osedax root tissues inside the bones investigated here. The new morphological data may be applied to Osedax traces in fossil bones, showing that borings can be used to indicate minimum species richness in these bones.

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