scholarly journals Infra-specific morphological diversity in Phlomis olivieri (Labiatae)

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Mehdi Talebi

Context: Compare the effect of different ecological conditions on phenotypical traits of Phlomis olivieri.Objective: To observe morphological variation between and within different populations of Phlomis olivieri Benth.Materials and Methods: Morphological characters of eleven populations of Phlomis olivieri were investigated in the both levels: between and within populations. Samples were collected from different parts of Iran and from each population, 3 to 4 samples were elected randomly and sixteen quantitative and qualitative morphological traits from the both vegetative and reproductive organs were examined.Results: Analysis of variance test as well as one-sample test confirmed significant variations for quantitative morphological traits. Morphological features varied between populations, consequently populations were separated from each other in the UPGMA tree and also PCO and PCA plots, among these, populations K, A, D and B placed far from others. Some degrees of polymorphism in morphological traits occurred within populations and individuals of each stand separated from others.Conclusion: This study showed that ecological factors had strong effect on morphological features of different populations of same plant species. This phenomenon was called phenotypic plasticity which created infraspecific variations at both levels interpopulation and intrapopulation or morphological polymorphism among populations.J. bio-sci. 22: 59-67, 2014

Symmetry ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 473
Author(s):  
Maxim Nuraliev ◽  
Dmitry Sokoloff ◽  
Polina Karpunina ◽  
Alexei Oskolski

Floral symmetry is widely known as one of the most important structural traits of reproductive organs in angiosperms. It is tightly related to the shape and arrangement of floral parts, and at the same time, it plays a key role in general appearance (visual gestalt) of a flower, which is especially important for the interactions of zoophilous flowers with their pollinators. The traditional classification of floral symmetry divides nearly all the diversity of angiosperm flowers into actinomorphic and zygomorphic ones. Within this system, which is useful for ecological studies, many variations of symmetry appear to be disregarded. At the same time, the diversity of floral symmetry is underpinned not only by ecological factors, but also by morphogenetic mechanisms and constraints. Sometimes it is not an easy task to uncover the adaptive or developmental significance of a change of the floral symmetry in a particular lineage. Using the asterid order Apiales as a model group, we demonstrate that such changes can correlate with the merism of the entire flower or of its particular whorl, with the relative orientation of gynoecium to the rest of the flower, with the presence of sterile floral elements and other morphological characters. Besides, in some taxa, the shape and symmetry of the flower change in the course of its development, which should be taken in consideration in morphological comparisons and evaluations of synapomorphies in a particular clade. Finally, we show that different results can be obtained due to employment of different approaches: for instance, many flowers that are traditionally described as actinomorphic turn out to be disymmetric, monosymmetric, or asymmetric from a more detailed look. The traditional method of division into actinomorphy and zygomorphy deals with the general appearance of a flower, and mainly considers the shape of the corolla, while the geometrical approach handles the entire three-dimensional structure of the flower, and provides an exact number of its symmetry planes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Alves-Ferreira ◽  
Ingrid Beatriz Ferreira da Paixão ◽  
Fausto Nomura

Abstract: Tadpoles are abundant in the environments in which they occur and remain in aquatic habitats for longer periods than adults, being relatively easier to collect. Despite the increase in tadpole research in the past decade, our understanding of its morphological diversity remains limited. Here, we provide morphological characterizations for larvae of 15 anuran species that occur at Emas National Park (ENP) and its surroundings, in Goiás, and compare them with descriptions available in the literature for other locations. We also present an update of the list of anuran species known to the ENP, based on tadpole sampling. We found tadpoles from 15 anuran species, of which five represent new records for the park. Many species showed variations in morphological characters when compared with descriptions available in the literature for other locations, reinforcing the importance of describing larvae from different populations. Through the exploration of morphological characters, it is possible to make inferences about the functional diversity of the larvae and questions related to the homology of characters, in addition to assisting in the identification and taxonomic distinction of species. Studies with tadpole communities can generate key information about the factors that drive the anurans' richness and distribution and can provide support for establishing more consistent conservation strategies and management plans.


2009 ◽  
Vol 277 (1685) ◽  
pp. 1227-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. B. Wilson ◽  
Marcelo R. Sánchez-Villagra

It has been hypothesized that most morphological evolution occurs by allometric differentiation. Because rodents encapsulate a phenomenal amount of taxonomic diversity and, among several clades, contrasting levels of morphological diversity, they represent an excellent subject to address the question: how variable are allometric patterns during evolution? We investigated the influence of phylogenetic relations and ecological factors on the results of the first quantification of allometric disparity among rodents by exploring allometric space, a multivariate morphospace here derived from, and encapsulating all, the ontogenetic trajectories of 34 rodent species from two parallel phylogenetic radiations. Disparity was quantified using angles between ontogenetic trajectories for different species and clades. We found an overlapping occupation of allometric space by muroid and hystricognath species, revealing both clades possess similar abilities to evolve in different directions of phenotypic space, and anatomical diversity does not act to constrain the labile nature of allometric patterning. Morphological features to enable efficient processing of food serve to group rodents in allometric space, reflecting the importance of convergent morphology, rather than shared evolutionary history, in the generation of allometric patterns. Our results indicate that the conserved level of morphological integration found among primates cannot simply be extended to all mammals.


Taxonomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-344
Author(s):  
Wilson J. E. M. Costa ◽  
Axel M. Katz

The Microcambevinae are a catfish subfamily endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, comprising rare species with interstitial habits. Microcambevines have been classified in two genera, Listrura and Microcambeva, but the relationships among included intrageneric lineages are still poorly understood. The objectives of this study are to conduct a phylogenetic analysis integrating morphological characters and a multigene dataset, and to propose a classification better reflecting morphological diversity and phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses combining 57 morphological characters and a 2563 bp molecular dataset generated similar phylogenetic trees with high support values for most clades, including the two genera and some intrageneric groups. Six morphologically distinctive infrageneric lineages, three in Listrura and three in Microcambeva, are classified as subgenera, as well as two new species are described. The morphological diversity here recorded integrated to available information about habitat indicate high level of divergent specialisation among lineages. The analyses indicate a series of convergent morphological traits between Listrura and other teleosts sharing a fossorial lifestyle, as well as specialised traits independently occurring within Listrura lineages. Similarly, a great diversity of morphological traits occurs convergently in Microcambeva lineages and other teleosts sharing psammophilic habits. This study shows that combining molecular and morphological data yields well-supported phylogenies, making possible to unambiguously diagnose clades and to establish evolutionary hypothesis on morphological evolution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Talebi ◽  
P. Yadegari ◽  
S. Behzadpour ◽  
A. V. Matsyura

Salvia limbata is an aromatic herb of Lamiaceae, which distributed in different parts of Iran. Studies have revealed that this species has several benefit compounds for human health. In this study, we investigated infra‒specific morphological difference in this species. In total, 21 inflorescence morphological features were evaluated in eight populations; ten individuals were evaluated per each population. Data were analysed using SPSS and MVSP softwares. Morphological traits highly differed among the studied populations and ANOVA test revealed significant differences among most of them. According to UPGMA tree, PCA and PCO plots of morphological characteristics, we reported four distinct phenotypes among the studied populations. CA. Joined plot revealed each of these group were characterized by special traits, which were useful in identification of them. Two phenotypes were monotypic, while the rest were composed of two to four populations. This species has a relative large geographical distribution, the distribution of its populations in diverse area will prevent the focus of natural selection in a given direct. Therefore different phenotypes were found in its different populations.


Biologija ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Zolfaghari ◽  
Fahimeh Salimpour ◽  
Fariba Sharifnia ◽  
Maryam Peyvandi ◽  
Sayeh Jafari Marandi

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) is one of the most important crop plants widely cultivated in different parts of the world. Several wild or cultivated populations of it grow in various regions of Iran. In the current research, we evaluated morphological and molecular SSR methods in order to investigate infraspecific variations in this species and introduce possible phenotypes/genotypes among its populations. For this, 14 populations were selected from different parts of the country. We evaluated 27 qualitative and quantitative morphological traits of both reproductive and vegetative organs. The ANOVA test revealed significant variations for most of the quantitative variables; moreover, qualitative features differed among populations. Significant correlations were found between some morphological characteristics with ecological factors of habitats. According to the UPGMA tree, four morphotypes existed among these populations. CA-joined plot revealed that each group was identified by some morphological variables. In addition, parameters of genetic diversity varied among the studied populations, while the AMOVA test showed significant variations, most of which belonged to the variations within the population. According to the UPGMA tree, MDS and PCoA plots, the studied populations were divided into four distinct genotypes. In addition, the UPGMA tree based on Nei genetic diversity and Structure analyses confirmed these groups. Three groups were monotypic and the fourth was composed of eleven populations. Patterns of population clustering based on the morphological traits were not similar to those of SSR data. Therefore we concluded that environmental factors had strong effects on the population’s phenotype and genotypes were not recognized by their phenotypes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Hom Nath Pathak

 The study was carried out in Paiyunpata, Baglung-13, which lies in the southern part of Baglung Bazaar, Central Nepal. The main objective of the present study was to study the agro-morphological traits of rice varieties cultivated in the study area and make easy ways for germplasm conservation. Direct observation and measurements were carried out to collect primary data.Agro-morphological characters of 19 landraces of rice in the study sites were measured in terms of qualitative characters and made ways easy for germplasm conservation. Besides, the varied landraces may besuggested to breeding for crop improvement, but patents should be that of the community.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1627 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
NATAN M. MACIEL ◽  
REUBER A. BRANDÃO ◽  
LEANDRO A. CAMPOS ◽  
ANTONIO SEBBEN

A new toad, Rhinella cerradensis, is described, including its tadpole and the advertisement call. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in the Brazilian states of Piauí, Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal. The species is characterized by its large size; absence of tibial glands; well developed cranial crests; short hands; sexually dimorphic coloration; and by the absence of a spiracle tube of the tadpole. The new species is included in the Rhinella marina group by the presence of a jagged suture formed by the articulation between the pterygoid medial ramus and the parasphenoid alae, as well as other shared morphological features. Morphological characters and statistical analyses inferred by morphometric feature suggest the existence of two subgroups of species within R. marina group. However, taxonomic rearrangements are not made here and await phylogenetic analysis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
Sylwia Ciaglo-Androsiuk

AbstractRelation between morphological traits of the root system and yield related traits is an important issue concerning efforts aiming at improving of ideotype of cultivated plants species, including pea. In this paper, to analyse the dependency between traits describing the root system morphology and yield potential, Person’s andSpearman's_correlations as well as canonical correlations were used.Root system was analyzed in 14 and 21 day-old seedlings growing in blotting-paper cylinders. Yield potential of pea was analysed in a field experiment. Results of Person’s and Spearman's_correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density were correlated witch yield related traits. Correlation between root length and shoot length was observed only for 14 day-old seedlings. The result of canonical correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density had the largest effect on yield related traits. This work highlights, that in order to improve the yield of pea it might become necessary to understand genetic determination of morphological traits of the root system, especially number of lateral roots.


1963 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Berry

It has been suggested (Berry & Searle, 1963) that the discontinuous (‘quasi-continuous’) variants studied by Grüneberg et al. in the skeleton of rodents can be regarded as constituting epigenetic polymorphism in different populations. Comparisons have been made between the incidences of skeletal variants in house mouse populations collected from: corn ricks on a single farm in Hampshire; eleven separated localities in different parts of the British Isles; and nine other places throughout the world. These showed that the method could profitably be used for genetically characterizing and hence comparing populations. There was evidence suggestive of genetical drift between local populations and stabilizing selection over a larger area.


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