AN OVERVIEW OF HYMENOPTERAN COCOONS AS A TOOL TO INTERPRET ICHNOSPECIES OF FICTOVICHNUS (PALLICHNIDAE) AND OTHER FOSSIL COCOONS OF WASPS

Palaios ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 562-574
Author(s):  
LAURA C. SARZETTI ◽  
JORGE F. GENISE ◽  
PABLO DINGHI ◽  
M. ALEJANDRA MOLINA
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Character State ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Texture Surface ◽  
Equatorial Diameter ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Preservation Potential ◽  
Surface Morphologies

ABSTRACT Hymenopteran cocoons are complex structures constructed from silk by larvae and exhibit a wide range of morphologies, compositions, and textures. The recognition of the most relevant characters of modern cocoons is important for the accurate identification of trace fossils attributed to wasps, which are included in the ichnogenus Fictovichnus. Characters assessed in this study are length, equatorial diameter, diameters near the extremes, shape, color, texture, surface morphology, and occurrence (isolated or clustered). We mapped these characters onto a hymenopteran phylogeny, revealing that the distribution of most of them has no evident phylogenetic signal. In many cases, there is more than one character state in a single family, whereas others appear distributed among several groups. Ellipsoidal and ovoid cocoons, showing membranous texture are the most basal and common characters. Bilobated, subconical and fusiform shapes, clustering, nipple and pores seem to be autapomorphies for certain groups. Crabronidae, Pompilidae, Scolioidea and Thynnoidea construct hard coriaceous cocoons, which may show distinctive surface morphologies and would have the highest preservation potential in paleosols. Data presented herein show that both Fictovichnus sciuttoi and Fictovichnus aragon were correctly attributed to Crabronidae or Pompilidae, although Scolioidea and Thynnoidea cannot be ruled out because of the shape and coriaceous texture of their cocoons. According to the low phylogenetic signal of Hymenoptera cocoons found herein, it would be impossible to refine the affinities of these ichnospecies to particular taxa. The simple morphology of Fictovichnus gobiensis precludes a definitive attribution, either to wasps or to coleopterans, even after the new data presented herein.

Experimental Study of Static Friction in a Spherical Elastic-Plastic Contact

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey Ovcharenko ◽  
Gregory Halperin ◽  
Izhak Etsion
Keyword(s):  
Friction Force ◽  
Normal Load ◽  
Static Friction ◽  
Tangential Displacement ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Elastic Plastic ◽  
Static Friction Coefficient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Material Good ◽  
Contact Diameter

The elastic-plastic contact between a deformable sphere and a rigid flat during pre-sliding is studied experimentally. Measurements of friction force and contact area are done in real time along with an accurate identification of the instant of sliding inception. The static friction force and relative tangential displacement are investigated over a wide range of normal preloads for several sphere materials and diameters. It is found that at low normal loads the static friction coefficient depends on the normal load in breach of the classical laws of friction. The pre-sliding displacement is found to be less than 5 percent of the contact diameter, and the interface mean shear stress at sliding inception is found to be slightly below the shear strength of the sphere material. Good correlation is found between the present experimental results and a recent theoretical model in the elastic-plastic regime of deformation.

scholarly journals Comparative Cladistics: Fossils, Morphological Data Partitions and Lost Branches in the Fossil Tree of Life

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Mounce
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cladistic Analyses

In this thesis I attempt to gather together a wide range of cladistic analyses of fossil and extant taxa representing a diverse array of phylogenetic groups. I use this data to quantitatively compare the effect of fossil taxa relative to extant taxa in terms of support for relationships, number of most parsimonious trees (MPTs) and leaf stability. In line with previous studies I find that the effects of fossil taxa are seldom different to extant taxa – although I highlight some interesting exceptions. I also use this data to compare the phylogenetic signal within vertebrate morphological data sets, by choosing to compare cranial data to postcranial data. Comparisons between molecular data and morphological data have been previously well explored, as have signals between different molecular loci. But comparative signal within morphological data sets is much less commonly characterized and certainly not across a wide array of clades. With this analysis I show that there are many studies in which the evidence provided by cranial data appears to be be significantly incongruent with the postcranial data – more than one would expect to see just by the effect of chance and noise alone. I devise and implement a modification to a rarely used measure of homoplasy that will hopefully encourage its wider usage. Previously it had some undesirable bias associated with the distribution of missing data in a dataset, but my modification controls for this. I also take an in-depth and extensive review of the ILD test, noting it is often misused or reported poorly, even in recent studies. Finally, in attempting to collect data and metadata on a large scale, I uncovered inefficiencies in the research publication system that obstruct re-use of data and scientific progress. I highlight the importance of replication and reproducibility – even simple reanalysis of high profile papers can turn up some very different results. Data is highly valuable and thus it must be retained and made available for further re-use to maximize the overall return on research investment.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic investigation of skin sloughing rates in frogs: relationships with skin characteristics and disease-driven declines

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1896) ◽  
pp. 20182378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel E. B. Ohmer ◽  
Rebecca L. Cramp ◽  
Craig R. White ◽  
Peter S. Harlow ◽  
Michael S. McFadden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Amphibian Skin ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Skin Morphology ◽  
And Function

Amphibian skin is highly variable in structure and function across anurans, and plays an important role in physiological homeostasis and immune defence. For example, skin sloughing has been shown to reduce pathogen loads on the skin, such as the lethal fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ), but interspecific variation in sloughing frequency is largely unknown. Using phylogenetic linear mixed models, we assessed the relationship between skin turnover rate, skin morphology, ecological traits and overall evidence of Bd -driven declines. We examined skin sloughing rates in 21 frog species from three continents, as well as structural skin characteristics measured from preserved specimens. We found that sloughing rate varies significantly with phylogenetic group, but was not associated with evidence of Bd -driven declines, or other skin characteristics examined. This is the first comparison of sloughing rate across a wide range of amphibian species, and creates the first database of amphibian sloughing behaviour. Given the strong phylogenetic signal observed in sloughing rate, approximate sloughing rates of related species may be predicted based on phylogenetic position. While not related to available evidence of declines, understanding variation in sloughing rate may help explain differences in the severity of infection in genera with relatively slow skin turnover rates (e.g. Atelopus ).

scholarly journals Immunocytochemical identification of meningeal leukemia and lymphoma: poly-L-lysine-coated slides permit multimarker analysis even with minute cerebrospinal fluid cell specimens

Blood ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1942-1950 ◽  
Author(s):  
BR Kranz ◽  
E Thiel ◽  
S Thierfelder
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Malignant Lymphoid Cell ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Electrostatic Binding ◽  
Single Marker ◽  
Optimized Conditions

Abstract Use of immunocytology for accurate identification of malignant cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has so far been hampered by high cell requirements of the immunologic methods hitherto used. In an attempt to minimize cell loss in cytopreparation, electrostatic binding of cells to poly-L-lysine (PLL)-coated multispot slides, followed by immunocytochemistry, was investigated. Using optimized conditions of cell attachment and fixation and performing all washing procedures on the slide made multimarker analysis possible even in paucicellular specimens, while preserving excellent cell morphology and yielding high sensitivity in the detection of antigens. In a study of 26 CSF specimens with inconclusive cytomorphology, comprising 335 single marker determinations, we were able to discriminate reliably between resting or activated benign cells and a wide range of types of malignant lymphoid cell. A definitive diagnosis was reached in all cases by one tap only. Malignant meningitis was ruled out in ten specimens and proved in 16, including five in which the type of malignancy could only be determined by immunophenotyping. We conclude that immunocytochemistry on PLL-coated slides constitutes the method of choice for immunologic cell differentiation in CSF, which allows equivocal morphologic findings to be clarified.

scholarly journals Genome-scale data resolve ancestral rock-inhabiting lifestyle in Dothideomycetes (Ascomycota)

IMA Fungus ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio G. Ametrano ◽  
Felix Grewe ◽  
Pedro W. Crous ◽  
Stephen B. Goodwin ◽  
Chen Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Character State ◽  
Ancestral Character State ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Tree Inference ◽  
Ancestral Character State Reconstruction ◽  
Inference Methods ◽  
Genome Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rock Inhabiting Fungi ◽  
Scale Data

Abstract Dothideomycetes is the most diverse fungal class in Ascomycota and includes species with a wide range of lifestyles. Previous multilocus studies have investigated the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of these taxa but often failed to resolve early diverging nodes and frequently generated inconsistent placements of some clades. Here, we use a phylogenomic approach to resolve relationships in Dothideomycetes, focusing on two genera of melanized, extremotolerant rock-inhabiting fungi, Lichenothelia and Saxomyces, that have been suggested to be early diverging lineages. We assembled phylogenomic datasets from newly sequenced (4) and previously available genomes (238) of 242 taxa. We explored the influence of tree inference methods, supermatrix vs. coalescent-based species tree, and the impact of varying amounts of genomic data. Overall, our phylogenetic reconstructions provide consistent and well-supported topologies for Dothideomycetes, recovering Lichenothelia and Saxomyces among the earliest diverging lineages in the class. In addition, many of the major lineages within Dothideomycetes are recovered as monophyletic, and the phylogenomic approach implemented strongly supports their relationships. Ancestral character state reconstruction suggest that the rock-inhabiting lifestyle is ancestral within the class.

scholarly journals A method for identification of non-linear multi-degree-of-freedom systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 212 (4) ◽  
pp. 287-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Dimitriadis ◽  
J E Cooper
Keyword(s):  
System Identification ◽  
Degree Of Freedom ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Linear System Identification ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Non Linear System ◽  
Identification Techniques ◽  
Flutter Testing

System identification methods for non-linear aeroelastic systems could find uses in many aeroelastic applications such as validating finite element models and tracking the stability of aircraft during flight flutter testing. The effectiveness of existing non-linear system identification techniques is limited by various factors such as the complexity of the system under investigation and the type of non-linearities present. In this work, a new approach is introduced which can identify multi-degree-of-freedom systems featuring any type of non-linear function, including discontinuous functions. The method is shown to yield accurate identification of three mathematical models of aeroelastic systems containing a wide range of structural non-linearities.

Experimental Study of Adhesive Static Friction in a Spherical Elastic-Plastic Contact

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ovcharenko ◽  
G. Halperin ◽  
I. Etsion
Keyword(s):  
Friction Force ◽  
Normal Load ◽  
Static Friction ◽  
Tangential Displacement ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Elastic Plastic ◽  
Static Friction Coefficient ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Material Good ◽  
Contact Diameter

The elastic-plastic contact between a deformable sphere and a rigid flat during presliding is studied experimentally. Measurements of friction force and contact area are done in real time along with an accurate identification of the instant of sliding inception. The static friction force and relative tangential displacement are investigated over a wide range of normal preloads for several sphere materials and diameters. Different behavior of the static friction is observed in the elastic and in the elastic-plastic regimes of sphere deformation. It is found that at low normal loads, the static friction coefficient depends on the normal load in breach of the classical laws of friction. The presliding displacement is found to be less than 5% of the contact diameter, and the interface mean shear stress at sliding inception is found to be slightly below the shear strength of the sphere material. Good correlation is found between the present experimental results and a recent theoretical model in the elastic-plastic regime of deformation.

scholarly journals Sperm morphology and sperm velocity in passerine birds

2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1659) ◽  
pp. 1175-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Lüpold ◽  
Sara Calhim ◽  
Simone Immler ◽  
Tim R Birkhead
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Sperm Velocity ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Main Determinants

Sperm velocity is one of the main determinants of the outcome of sperm competition. Since sperm vary considerably in their morphology between and within species, it seems likely that sperm morphology is associated with sperm velocity. Theory predicts that sperm velocity may be increased by enlarged midpiece (energetic component) or flagellum length (kinetic component), or by particular ratios between sperm components, such as between flagellum length and head size. However, such associations have rarely been found in empirical studies. In a comparative framework in passerine birds, we tested these theoretical predictions both across a wide range of species and within a single family, the New World blackbirds (Icteridae). In both study groups, sperm velocity was influenced by sperm morphology in the predicted direction. Consistent with theoretical models, these results show that selection on sperm morphology and velocity are likely to be concomitant evolutionary forces.

scholarly journals Comparison of Cross-Field Pitting in Fresh, Dried and Charcoalified Softwoods

IAWA Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gerards ◽  
F. Damblon ◽  
B. Wauthoz ◽  
P. Gerrienne
Keyword(s):  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Archaeological Wood ◽  
Wide Range

Cross-field pitting is one of the most reliable characters for softwood identification. During charcoalification, a range of severe qualitative and quantitative modifications may occur in cross-field pitting. As most fossil or archaeological wood remains are preserved as charcoal (fusain), the question arises whether these modifications hamper the accurate identification of some taxa. This work is a systematic biometric study of a wide range of gymnosperm cross-field pitting after experimental charcoalification. We focused on the window-like, piceoid, taxodioid, cupressoid, araucarioid and podocarpoid cross-field pitting types. Our main results are the following: 1) Cross-field pits of wood specimens dried out before charcoalification are hidden by a thin closing wall; in this case, it is often impossible to discriminate between the various types of cross-field pitting. 2) Piceoid cross-field pitting becomes taxodioid-like after charcoalification. 3) Biometric study of charred softwood cross-field pitting dimensions shows that the ratios between height and width of pit aperture and border allow us to distinguish and characterise four types of pitting (window-like, piceoid, taxodioid, cupressoid +araucarioid +podocarpoid [= CAP]). The discrimination within the CAP type requires further investigation.

Laser Forming of Varying Thickness Plate—Part I: Process Analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 634-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Cheng ◽  
Yajun Fan ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Y. Lawrence Yao ◽  
David P. Mika ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Analysis ◽  
Scanning Speed ◽  
Spot Size ◽  
Laser Forming ◽  
Thickness Variation ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Forming Mechanism ◽  
Varying Thickness ◽  
Wide Range

High-intensity laser beams can be used to heat and bend metal plates, but the mechanisms of the laser forming (LF) process are not well understood or precisely controllable. The objective of the National Institute of Standards and Technology sponsored project “Laser Forming of Complex Structures” is to develop technologies for a controllable, repeatable laser forming process that shapes and reshapes a wide range of complex structures such as compressor airfoils that are complex 3D geometries with large thickness variation. In order to apply laser forming to complex 3D geometries, the process analysis and process synthesis (design process parameters such as scanning paths and heating conditions for a desired shape) of LF of varying thickness plate are conducted in this paper. In this study, experimental, numerical, and analytical methods are used to investigate the bending mechanism and parametric effects on the deformation characteristics of varying thickness plates. A transition of the laser forming mechanism was found to occur along the scanning path when the thickness varies. The effect of scanning speed, beam spot size, and multiple scanning on the degree of bending was investigated. The proposed analytical model can predict the bending angle and angle variations for laser forming of varying thickness plate.

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