scholarly journals Fossil record of Celastraceae: evaluation and potential use in molecular calibrations

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lilia Hernández-Damián ◽  
Sandra Luz Gómez-Acevedo ◽  
Sergio Rafael Silvestre Cevallos-Ferriz
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Clocks ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Geological Age ◽  
The Family ◽  
Critical Interpretation ◽  
Recent Classification ◽  
Fossil Records

Background: Celastraceae is a morphologically heterogeneous family. For this reason, the inclusion of some taxa within this group is controversial. Recently this problem has become significant since its fossil record is recognized as an important source of information for evolutionary studies, especially those using molecular clocks which require a robust, reliable fossil record. Questions: What are the most reliable fossil records of Celastraceae? What morphological characters are used to assign fossils in the family? Study site and dates: Compilation of records contained in paleontological databases, and paleobotanical literature, covering publications from 1869 to 2018. Methods: Published information on the Celastraceae fossil record was compiled and analyzed using the most recent classification system and specialized literature on the family. Results: A total of 168 fossil records were examined, of which nine are proposed for use as molecular clock calibration points. Each specimen has a description based on a character set used for its identification, a photograph and/or illustration, their geological age is well supported, their geographic origin is known, and the specimens are in accredited home institutions with publicly accessible collections. Conclusions: The identification and establishment of relationships between fossil and extant taxa have important limitations that depend on the critical interpretation of morphology in a phylogenetic context. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate only those morphological studies in Celastraceae that help clarify its fossil record.

scholarly journals Molecular clocks and the early evolution of metazoan nervous systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 370 (1684) ◽  
pp. 20150046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Wray
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Divergence Times ◽  
Molecular Clocks ◽  
Sense Organs ◽  
Animal Evolution ◽  
Nervous Systems ◽  
Nervous System Evolution ◽  
Fossil Records

The timing of early animal evolution remains poorly resolved, yet remains critical for understanding nervous system evolution. Methods for estimating divergence times from sequence data have improved considerably, providing a more refined understanding of key divergences. The best molecular estimates point to the origin of metazoans and bilaterians tens to hundreds of millions of years earlier than their first appearances in the fossil record. Both the molecular and fossil records are compatible, however, with the possibility of tiny, unskeletonized, low energy budget animals during the Proterozoic that had planktonic, benthic, or meiofaunal lifestyles. Such animals would likely have had relatively simple nervous systems equipped primarily to detect food, avoid inhospitable environments and locate mates. The appearance of the first macropredators during the Cambrian would have changed the selective landscape dramatically, likely driving the evolution of complex sense organs, sophisticated sensory processing systems, and diverse effector systems involved in capturing prey and avoiding predation.

A Global Phylogenomic Study of the Thelypteridaceae

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 891-915
Author(s):  
Susan Fawcett ◽  
Alan R. Smith ◽  
Michael Sundue ◽  
J. Gordon Burleigh ◽  
Emily B. Sessa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Likelihood Analysis ◽  
Single Genus ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Recent Classification ◽  
Phylogenomic Study

Abstract— The generic classification of the Thelypteridaceae has been the subject of much controversy. Proposed taxonomic systems have varied from recognizing the approximately 1200 species in the family within the single genus Thelypteris, to systems favoring upwards of 30 genera. Insights on intrafamilial relationships, especially for neotropical taxa, have been gained from recent phylogenetic studies; however, in the most recent classification, 10 of 30 recognized genera are either non-monophyletic or untested. We sequenced 407 nuclear loci for 621 samples, representing all recognized genera and approximately half the known species diversity. These were analyzed using both maximum likelihood analysis of a concatenated matrix and multi-species coalescent methods. Our phylogenomic results, informed by recently published morphological evidence, provide the foundation for a generic classification which recircumscribed 14 genera and recognized seven new genera. The 37 monophyletic genera sampled demonstrate greater geographic coherence than previous taxonomic concepts suggested. Additionally, our results demonstrate that certain morphological characters, such as frond division, are evolutionarily labile and are thus inadequate for defining genera.

scholarly journals Notes on rhopalosomatid wasps of Dominican and Mexican amber (Hymenoptera: Rhopalosomatidae) with a description of the first fossil species of <i>Rhopalosoma</i> Cresson, 1865

Fossil Record ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Lohrmann ◽  
Michael Ohl ◽  
Peter Michalik ◽  
James P. Pitts ◽  
Laurent Jeanneau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Dominican Amber ◽  
Extant Genus ◽  
The Family ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Fossil Records

Abstract. Rhopalosomatidae are a family of aculeate wasps that are ectoparasitoids of crickets as larvae and are predominantly distributed pantropically. The published fossil record of the family is scarce. Here, we report three new fossil rhopalosomatid wasp specimens from Dominican and Mexican amber. Rhopalosoma hispaniola Lohrmann sp. nov. is described and documented from Dominican amber by two separate inclusions – one of each sex. An additional fossil female Rhopalosoma is described and documented from Mexican amber but is not named due to the insufficient preservation of the fossil. The new fossils, which are morphologically intermediate between Townes' isopus and poeyi species groups, do not only represent the first fossil records of an extant genus of this peculiar family but also the first records of the family in Dominican and Mexican amber.

Does the fossil record of spiders track that of their principal prey, the insects?

2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Penney
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Geological Time ◽  
Rates Of Change ◽  
Exponential Increase ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Origin Of Angiosperms ◽  
Fossil Records ◽  
Insect Family ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTThe currently accepted cladogram of spider phylogeny and palaeontological data are used to evaluate spider family richness through geological time. A significantly more diverse spider fossil record is predicted than observed. The predicted rate of spider family diversification is considered more accurate because of its close similarity at 0 Ma to the number of extant families. Predicted spider family palaeodiversity is compared with insect family palaeodiversity to investigate whether spiders track insects through geological time. At the family level, the insects, and observed and predicted spider fossil records show an exponential increase over time, the pattern typical of a radiating group. No significant differences are observed in the rates of change in the slopes, and hence rate of diversification of spiders and insects over time. This suggests that spiders probably co-radiated alongside the insects, with the major radiations of both groups occurring at least 100 Ma before the origin of angiosperms.

Taxonomic notes on Cretarophalis patrickmuelleri Wichard, 2017 (Insecta: Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) from the mid-Cretaceous of Myanmar, and its phylogenetic significance

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4370 (5) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIUMEI LU ◽  
FANGYUAN XIA ◽  
BO WANG ◽  
ULRIKE ASPÖCK ◽  
XINGYUE LIU
Keyword(s):  
Present Finding ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Significant Finding ◽  
Larval Life ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
The Family ◽  
Phylogenetic Status ◽  
Fossil Records ◽  
Preliminary Description ◽  
Evolutionary Stasis

Nevrorthidae is a family of Neuroptera with low species diversity, disjunct geographic distributions, and a controversial phylogenetic status. Previous fossil records of the family are from the Eocene except for the recently described species Cretarophalis patrickmuelleri Wichard, 2017 from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, following earlier records of an undescribed species. However, such a significant finding of this family from Mesozoic was originally presented only with a preliminary description. Here we re-describe the species based on exquisitely preserved materials from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber that provides for a much more detailed description, in particular of the hindwing, female genitalia, and larval head. Furthermore, distinctive morphological characters of C. patrickmuelleri with significant phylogenetic relevance are discussed. The general morphology, particularly that of the larva, has changed little between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic, and it reflects an evolutionary stasis that might correspond to their aquatic larval life-style. The present finding also supports the relictual nature of the modern nevrorthids. 

A REVISION OF THE FAMILY ACARIDAE (TYROGLYPHIDAE), ORDER ACARI, BASED ON COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES: PART I. HISTORICAL, MORPHOLOGICAL, AND GENERAL TAXONOMIC STUDIES

1945 ◽  
Vol 23d (6) ◽  
pp. 139-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert H. J. Nesbitt
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Phylogenetic Significance ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Restricted Group ◽  
Taxonomic Studies

The purpose of this paper is to lay the basis for some serious work on comparative acarinology. For this purpose a restricted group, the family Acaridae, has been selected and a detailed morphological study based on approximately 40 species, representative of the various genera of the family, is presented. It is hoped that this will demonstrate more clearly than has hitherto been done the significance, from the standpoint of classification and phylogeny, of the principal morphological characters present in this group of animals. The classifications of previous workers, particularly that of Oudemans', are briefly reviewed and evaluated in the light of present findings; a discussion of the composition and inter-relationships of the various genera and higher groups is given; and finally a synopsis of the tribes and genera of the family Acaridae, based on characters believed to be of phylogenetic significance, is presented.

scholarly journals New Lower Cretaceous basal mantodean (Insecta) from the Crato Formation (NE Brazil)

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Wei Lee
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Cosmopolitan Distribution ◽  
The Family ◽  
Chapada Do Araripe

Abstract Mantodea are very rare in the fossil record. 28 fossil species are reported since the earliest occurrence of mantodeans in the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian). Here, I describe Cretophotina santanensis n. sp. from the Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) Crato Formation of Chapada do Araripe (northeastern Brazil). This species is characterized by long antenna and primitive raptorial forelegs. Morphological characters shared with the living genus Chaeteessa would support its assignment to the family Chaeteessidae. The tropical occurrence of the Early Cretaceous genus Cretophotina in Gondwana, together with occurrences of the genus Chaetessa from subtropical and temperate zones of Laurasia, implies that members of the family Chaeteessidae achieved nearly cosmopolitan distribution during the Early Cretaceous.

scholarly journals A new lineage of Cretaceous jewel wasps (Chalcidoidea: Diversinitidae)

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Haas ◽  
Roger A. Burks ◽  
Lars Krogmann
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
New Family ◽  
Early Diversification ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Cladistic Analyses

Jewel wasps (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are extremely species-rich today, but have a sparse fossil record from the Cretaceous, the period of their early diversification. Three genera and three species,Diversinitus attenboroughigen. & sp. n., Burminata caputaeriagen. & sp. n. andGlabiala barbatagen. & sp. n. are described in the family Diversinitidae fam. n., from Lower Cretaceous Burmese amber. Placement in Chalcidoidea is supported by the presence of multiporous plate sensilla on the antennal flagellum and a laterally exposed prepectus. The new taxa can be excluded from all extant family level chalcidoid lineages by the presence of multiporous plate sensilla on the first flagellomere in both sexes and lack of any synapomorphies. Accordingly, a new family is proposed for the fossils and its probable phylogenetic position within Chalcidoidea is discussed. Morphological cladistic analyses of the new fossils within the Heraty et al. (2013) dataset did not resolve the phylogenetic placement of Diversinitidae, but indicated its monophyly. Phylogenetically relevant morphological characters of the new fossils are discussed with reference to Cretaceous and extant chalcidoid taxa. Along with mymarid fossils and a few species of uncertain phylogenetic placement, the newly described members of Diversinitidae are among the earliest known chalcidoids and advance our knowledge of their Cretaceous diversity.

A new ghost shrimp (Axiidea, Callianopsidae) from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Hadjoula, Lebanon

2020 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Giovanni Pasini ◽  
Gary C.B. Poore ◽  
Alessandro Garassino
Keyword(s):  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Ghost Shrimp ◽  
The Family ◽  
Fossil Records

Cretacalliax levantina n. gen., n. sp. (Callianopsidae Manning & Felder, 1991), a new ghost shrimp from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Hadjoula (Lebanon) is described. This species represents the oldest representative of the family notably enlarging its fossil record, and increasing the scarce knowledge about the presence and diversity of the axiidean ghost shrimps from the Konservat Lagerstätten of Lebanon. The fossil records of Callianopsidae are reviewed.

The micro- and megafossil record of Nothofagaceae from South America

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto R Pujana ◽  
Damián A Fernández ◽  
Carolina Panti ◽  
Nicolás Caviglia
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Early Eocene ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
The Family ◽  
Fossil Records ◽  
Cretaceous Fossils

Abstract We compiled the numerous fossil records (486) assigned to Nothofagaceae including pollen grains (from surface sediments and continental and oceanic borehole cores), leaves, woods and reproductive structures from South America. All the records are revised and the latest systematic treatments and ages of the bearing strata of each record are followed. When possible, we proposed a subgeneric affinity to each record based on updated bibliography. Fossils of three (Nothofagus, Fuscospora and Lophozonia) of the four subgenera are found in similar proportions through time since the Late Cretaceous. Fossils with reliable affinity with subgenus Brassospora were not found in South America. Most of the records are concentrated in the southern tip of South America (Patagonia Region) and nearby areas. After a significant presence of Nothofagaceae in the Cretaceous, the family declined in diversity and abundance in the Palaeocene and then increased from the Eocene to the Miocene. In the Miocene, the records reach their maximum diversity and abundance, and Nothofagaceae usually dominate the assemblages of pollen, leaves and woods from Patagonia. Pliocene Nothofagaceae records are virtually absent, probably because sedimentary rocks of that age are rare in Patagonia. The fossil record for Nothofagaceae varies according to environmental turnover; when tropical/subtropical floras were present in Patagonia in the Palaeocene–early Eocene, Nothofagaceae contracted southwards and when open steppes developed in the Miocene of east Patagonia, Nothofagaceae contracted westward.

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