scholarly journals Biosemiotics and The Identification of Species-Specific Morphological Characters in The Spider Dysdera Erythrina (Araneae: Dysderidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schult ◽  
Onno A. Preik ◽  
Stefan Kirschner ◽  
Frank Friedrich
Keyword(s):  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Peculiar Form ◽  
Identification Of Species ◽  
Intraspecific Communication ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract A biosemiotic approach of interpreting morphological data is apt to reveal morphological traits whose key role in intraspecific communication processes, such as specific mate recognition, has been overlooked so far. Certain genital structures of the haplogyne spider Dysdera erythrina (Walckenaer, 1802) serve as an example. In Dysdera erythrina the semi-circular sclerite at the tip of the male’s bulb fits exactly into the anterior diverticulum of the female’s endogyne. From the viewpoint of biosemiotics, which studies the production and interpretation of signs and codes in living systems, these structures are considered the morphological zones of an intraspecific communication process which forms one of the necessary prerequisites for sperm transfer and achievement of fertilisation. Thus, a biosemiotics-based species delimitation approach with its peculiar form of evaluation of morphological structures yields new insights for the multidisciplinary undertaking of modern integrative taxonomy.

Uncovering Neotropical treefrog diversity: integrative taxonomy reveal paraphyly in Boana atlantica (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-521
Author(s):  
Luana Rodrigues Lima ◽  
Marcos Jorge Matias Dubeux ◽  
Filipe Augusto Cavalcanti do Nascimento ◽  
Daniel Pacheco Bruschi ◽  
Tamí Mott
Keyword(s):  
Strong Support ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer Regions ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Species Being

Abstract Boana atlantica was described based on morphological characters to acommodate populations from Bahia state, Brazil, previously referred to as B. punctata. However, its taxonomic validity is questionable due to inconsistencies in bioacoustic data. Here, we integrate molecular, cytogenetic and morphological data to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of B. atlantica. Molecular analyses provided strong support for the hypothesis that B. atlantica is a valid species, being, however, nominal populations from Bahia state paraphyletic with respect to individuals of B. atlantica collected in Alagoas and Pernambuco states. These populations shown high genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial fragment, and we consider populations from Alagoas and Pernambuco as a putative new candidate species of Boana punctata group. The external and internal morphology of the tadpoles of these lineages were similar, but Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NOR) was sited in different chromosomes. Our results indicate that B. atlantica is paraphyletic and may be a complex of species. Morphological of adult and/or bioacoustical data should be further assessed to find diagnostic characters to tease these lineages apart and name them properly.

scholarly journals A new record of odd-scaled snake (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) from Vietnam: expanded description of Parafimbrios vietnamensis based on integrative taxonomy

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1048 ◽  
pp. 79-89
Author(s):  
Nikolai L. Orlov ◽  
Oleg A. Ermakov ◽  
Tao Thien Nguyen ◽  
Natalia B. Ananjeva
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Divergence ◽  
New Record ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Snake Species ◽  
Male Individual

Based on the combination of molecular and morphological data, we herein report the second known finding of the xenodermid snake species Parafimbrios vietnamensis Ziegler, Ngo, Pham, Nguyen, Le & Nguyen, 2018. The male individual was found in the Yen Bai Province of northwestern Vietnam, more than 200 km from the type locality in Lai Chau Province. Genetic divergence between the newly-collected male and the holotype was low (1.7%), and is in agreement with morphological data that supports that they are conspecific. We give a detailed description of the morphological characters and coloration of the new record and provide an expanded diagnosis of P. vietnamensis. Parafimbrios is a poorly-understood genus, and our recent discovery brings the total number of known specimens of the genus to nine, 1/3 of them having been found in Vietnam (one specimen of P. lao and now two specimens of P. vietnamensis).

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy of the new millipede genus Coxobolellus, gen. nov. (Diplopoda : Spirobolida : Pseudospirobolellidae), with descriptions of ten new species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyatida Pimvichai ◽  
Henrik Enghoff ◽  
Somsak Panha ◽  
Thierry Backeljau
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Morphological Differences

Pseudospirobolellidae is a poorly known family of spirobolidan millipedes with only two genera and five described species. Yet, the descriptive taxonomy and molecular systematics of this group have been largely neglected. Therefore, the present work presents an integrative taxonomic study of new pseudospirobolellid taxa in Thailand. To this end, two mitochondrial gene fragments (COI and 16S rRNA) combined with morphological characters were used to define the genus Coxobolellus, gen. nov. with 10 new species, viz. C. albiceps, sp. nov., C. compactogonus, sp. nov., C. fuscus, sp. nov., C. nodosus, sp. nov., C. serratus, sp. nov., C. simplex, sp. nov., C. tenebris, sp. nov., C. tigris, sp. nov., C. transversalis, sp. nov. and C. valvatus, sp. nov. The interspecific COI sequence divergences among the new species ranged from 6 to 15%. The intergeneric COI sequence divergence between species of Coxobolellus, gen. nov., Benoitolus birgitae and Pseudospirobolellus sp. ranged from 20 to 23%. Three major morphological differences separate Coxobolellus, gen. nov. from Benoitolus and Pseudospirobolellus, namely (1) the protruding process on the 3rd (and 4th) coxae on male legs, (2) the posterior gonopod telopodite divided into two parts, and (3) a conspicuous opening pore at the mesal margin at the end of the coxal part of the posterior gonopod. Thus, the new genus is well supported by both mtDNA and morphological evidence, while the delimitation of the 10 new species is supported by the congruence between mtDNA and morphological data. Yet, with respect to the relationships of Benoitolus birgitae, morphological data suggest a similarity with Coxobolellus, gen. nov. and Pseudospirobolellus, whereas mtDNA data place this species in the Pachybolidae. Further phylogenetic analyses are needed to explore this apparent incongruence and test the monophyly of Pseudospirobolellidae.

scholarly journals The Importance of Biosemiotics for Morphology

Biosemiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schult ◽  
Onno Preik ◽  
Stefan Kirschner
Keyword(s):  
Essential Role ◽  
Scientific Practice ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Nephila Clavipes ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Intraspecific Communication ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Female Genital

AbstractMorphology and its relevance for systematics is a promising field for the application of biosemiotic principles in scientific practice. Genital coupling in spiders involves very complex interactions between the male and female genital structures. As exemplified by two spider species, Nephila clavipes and Nephila pilipes ssp. fenestrata, from a biosemiotic point of view the microstructures of the male bulb’s embolus and the corresponding female epigynal and vulval parts form the morphological zone of an intraspecific communication and sign-interpreting process that is one of the prerequisites for sperm transfer. Hence these morphological elements are of high taxonomic value, as they play an essential role in mating and fertilization and consequently in establishing and preserving a reproductive community. Morphology clearly benefits from a biosemiotic approach, as biosemiotics helps to sort out species-specific morphological characters and to avoid problematic typological interpretations.

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy reveals that all the phenotype variations are not underpinned by genome in Conidae (Gastropoda, Mollusca)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laxmilatha Pappurajam ◽  
Shijin Ameri ◽  
K A Labeeb ◽  
A Kathirvelpandian ◽  
L Ranjith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Molecular Signatures ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Marine Gastropods ◽  
Conus Species ◽  
Phenotypic Variations ◽  
Species Specific

The cone snails are hyper diverse group of marine gastropods and the shell morphology is the base of primary species identification. Among the Conidae, homoplasy and plasticity of morphological characters are common. Since speciation is positively correlated with peptide complexity in Conidae family, the present study was carried out to ascertain the genetic status of drastically varying phenotypes observed among the targeted Conus species of different environments and to detect cryptic species using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Morphological parameters were recorded for the phenotypes of the species. Specific differences were observed for shell coloration. Three mitochondrial genes, COI (658bp), 16s rRNA (550bp), 12s rRNA (450bp) and Nuclear H3 gene (350bp) were amplified in five specimens each of varying phenotypes of targeted species. The analysis revealed that the phenotypic variations in C. inscriptus C.amadis and C.malacanus in different environments are not underpinned by the genome, The present study generated species-specific molecular signatures from varying phenotypes of conidae Since speciation is positively correlated with the complexity of conopeptides of the species, the findings provide confirmation of phenotypic variation and will be used for bioprospecting research on the species and also conservation and management of the species in Indian waters.

scholarly journals Development of a morphological key for the southern salt marsh harvest mouse using genetically verified individuals

2021 ◽  
pp. 367-381
Author(s):  
Mark J. Statham ◽  
Laureen Barthman-Thompson ◽  
Susan Fresquez ◽  
Benjamin N. Sacks
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Decision Tree ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Hair Color ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Genetic Species ◽  
Harvest Mouse ◽  
Tail Hair

The salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) is a state and federally listed endangered species endemic to the coastal marshes of the San Francisco Estuary of California. Of two subspecies, the southern (R. r. raviventris) is most endangered and lacks reliable morphological field tools to distinguish from the sympatric western harvest mouse (WHM; R. megalotis). We trapped and collected genetic samples and morphological data from 204 harvest mice from 14 locations from across the range of the southern SMHM. Genetic species identification indicated these to be composed of 48 SMHM and 156 WHM, which we compared at ten morphological characters. Most continuous characters overlapped between species. Color characters were significantly differentiated and we identified a number of species-specific diagnostic pelage categories in both species. A random forest analysis indicated that ventral coloration of the abdomen and the ventral tail hair color were the most useful for differentiating between species. We used these two morphological characters to develop a decision tree which correctly classified 94% of harvest mice to species with 99% accuracy. These findings suggest that our decision tree can be used to reliably identify the species of most harvest mice in the range of the southern SMHM, with a small proportion (6% in our study) needing genetic confirmation. The decision tree should be tested on additional harvest mice that were not used in its development, particularly from novel locations across the range.

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy of the rock-dwelling gecko Cnemaspis siamensis complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae) reveals a new species from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 932 ◽  
pp. 129-159
Author(s):  
Natee Ampai ◽  
Perry L. Wood Jr ◽  
Bryan L. Stuart ◽  
Anchalee Aowphol
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 2 ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Taxonomic Approach ◽  
A New Species

The rock-dwelling gecko genus Cnemaspis is one of the most species-diverse genera of gekkonid in Thailand. Earlier studies relied on morphological data to identify species, but cryptic morphology often obscured species diversity in Cnemaspis. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological characters and sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene were used to clarify current taxonomy of the Cnemaspis siamensis complex and delimit a new species from Lan Saka District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand. Cnemaspis lineatubercularissp. nov. is distinguished from other congeneric species by the combination of morphological characters: (1) maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of 40.6 mm (mean 38.8 ± SD 1.4, N = 12) in adult males and maximum SVL of 41.8 mm (mean 39.5 ± SD 1.9, N = 7) in adult females; (2) 8–9 supralabial and infralabial scales; (3) gular, pectoral, abdominal, and subcaudal scales keeled; (4) rostral, interorbitals, supercilium, palmar scales, and ventral scales of brachia smooth; (5) 5–6 small, subconical spine-like tubercles present on flanks; (6) 19–21 paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged; (7) 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; (8) 4–7 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded arranged in chevron shape and separated only in males; (9) one postcloacal tubercles each side in males; (10) ventrolateral caudal tubercles present anteriorly; (11) caudal tubercles restricted to a single paravertebral row on each side; (12) single median row of subcaudal scales keeled and lacking enlarged median row; and (13) gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish only in males. Genetically, the uncorrected pairwise divergences between the new species and their congeners in the C. siamensis group were between 15.53–28.09%. The new species is currently known only from granitic rocky streams at Wang Mai Pak Waterfall in the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range. Its discovery suggests that additional unrecognized species of Cnemaspis may still occur in unexplored areas of southern Thailand.

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy reveals that all the phenotype variations are not underpinned by genome in Conidae (Gastropoda, Mollusca)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laxmilatha Pappurajam ◽  
Shijin Ameri ◽  
K A Labeeb ◽  
A Kathirvelpandian ◽  
L Ranjith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
12S Rrna ◽  
Molecular Signatures ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Marine Gastropods ◽  
Conus Species ◽  
Phenotypic Variations ◽  
Species Specific

The cone snails are hyper diverse group of marine gastropods and the shell morphology is the base of primary species identification. Among the Conidae, homoplasy and plasticity of morphological characters are common. Since speciation is positively correlated with peptide complexity in Conidae family, the present study was carried out to ascertain the genetic status of drastically varying phenotypes observed among the targeted Conus species of different environments and to detect cryptic species using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Morphological parameters were recorded for the phenotypes of the species. Specific differences were observed for shell coloration. Three mitochondrial genes, COI (658bp), 16s rRNA (550bp), 12s rRNA (450bp) and Nuclear H3 gene (350bp) were amplified in five specimens each of varying phenotypes of targeted species. The analysis revealed that the phenotypic variations in C. inscriptus C.amadis and C.malacanus in different environments are not underpinned by the genome, The present study generated species-specific molecular signatures from varying phenotypes of conidae Since speciation is positively correlated with the complexity of conopeptides of the species, the findings provide confirmation of phenotypic variation and will be used for bioprospecting research on the species and also conservation and management of the species in Indian waters.

Species-isolating mechanisms in a mating system with male mate choice (garter snakes, Thamnophis spp.)

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 1091-1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Shine ◽  
Benjamin Phillips ◽  
Heather Waye ◽  
Michael Lemaster ◽  
Robert T Mason
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Mate Recognition ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Thamnophis Sirtalis ◽  
Garter Snakes ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Male Mate ◽  
Species Specific

Reproductive isolation between sympatric taxa can be maintained by specific mate-recognition behaviours or by ecological divergence that reduces interspecific contact during reproduction. Common garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis (L., 1758), and plains garter snakes, Thamnophis radix (Baird and Girard, 1853), are sympatric over large areas, but morphological data suggest that the prezygotic isolation between these two species partially breaks down in a severely cold part of their joint range in Manitoba. Courtship trials show that male T. radix court intensely over a narrower range of (higher) ambient temperatures than do male T. sirtalis. Males selectively court females of their own species, but male T. radix are less choosy than male T. sirtalis. Hexane extracts of female skin lipids also elicited species-specific courtship. Although this male preference for species-specific pheromones contributes to species isolation, it is not strong enough to completely separate the two taxa. The absence of hybridization over most of the sympatric range may depend on the timing of mating (early spring, near the hibernation den). Differences between the species in hibernation-site selection and the timing of spring emergence break down in central Manitoba because severely cold winter temperatures force both species together into the few available hibernation (and thus, mating) sites, and the short warm season reduces temporal separation in emergence (and thus, mating) seasons.

Cultivation of New Emerging Agro-Nutritional Crop of Quinoa at Madinat al-Hikmah Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Afzal Rizvi ◽  
Syed Abid Ali ◽  
Iqra Munir ◽  
Kousar Yasmeen ◽  
Rubina Abid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Sindh Province ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Elemental Accumulation ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Good Agreement

Aim: Quinoa is a popular source of protein, minerals and alternative to traditional grains. The objective of this study is to introduce the Quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh province of Pakistan. Method: A variety of NARC-9 from the agricultural Punjab province was cultivated and subjected to analyze the growth, morphological characters of the varieties obtained, saponin, protein and the elemental composition viz. Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Na, Pb, and Zn. Result: The result demonstrated the optimum growth and no disease were found in the experimental area. At least three major varieties of quinoa were obtained. Seed morphological data of these three quinoa cultivars were collected. The average saponin levels were quite reasonable. Overall proteins band pattern revealed very high polymorphism in quinoa cultivars and the results were also in good agreement with earlier studies. Conclusion: All quinoa cultivars of Madinat al-Hikmah showed high concentrations of albumin than globulin concentrations (i.e. 48-52% and 24-27%, respectively) as compared to control seeds from market that had similar concentrations of the two fractions i.e. 35.58% and 37.68%, respectively. Likewise, low concentrations of prolamin 14-16% and glutelin 11-12% compared to control seeds 13% rank our crop much better quality than the imported one in the market. The trend of elemental accumulation was followed as K >Na >Fe >Zn >Cu >Pb >Cd, while for comparison it was Na >K >Zn >Fe >Cu >Pb >Cd >Pb for wheat grown under similar conditions. Traditional grains together make a major contribution to the total nutritional element intake of the average Pakistani citizen through diet, not only because of large amounts consumed, but also in part by suitable levels of their proteins and elemental up take for good health. Thus the successful cultivation of quinoa in the semi-arid zone of Sindh will certainly prove beneficial.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document