Contrasting Phylogeographic Patterns Among Northern and Southern Hemisphere Fin Whale Populations With New Data From the Southern Pacific

Four fin whale sub-species are currently considered valid: Balaenoptera physalus physalus in the North Atlantic, B. p. velifera in the North Pacific, B. p. quoyi and B. p. patachonica in the Southern Hemisphere. The last, not genetically validated, was described as a pygmy-type sub-species, found in low to mid latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Genetic analyses across hemispheres show strong phylogeographic structure, yet low geographic coverage in middle latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere impeded an assessment within the area, as well as evaluating the validity of B. p. patachonica. New mtDNA sequences from the Southeastern Pacific allowed an improved coverage of the species’ distribution. Our phylogenetic analyses showed three main lineages and contrasting phylogeographic patterns between Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Absence of recurrent female mediated gene flow between hemispheres was found; however, rare dispersal events revealing old migrations were noted. The absence of genetic structure suggests the existence of one single taxa within the Southern Hemisphere. Thus, until further evidence supporting this subspecies can be produced, such as genetic, ecological, behavioral, or morphological data, we propose that all fin whales from the Southern Hemisphere, including those from middle latitudes of the Southeastern Pacific belong to B. p. quoyi subspecies. This information is important for the current assessment of fin whales, contributing to the evaluation of the taxonomic classification and the conservation of the species.

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Revision of fin whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758) subspecies using genetics

Journal of Mammalogy ◽

10.1093/jmammal/gyz121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 100 (5) ◽

pp. 1653-1670 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frederick I Archer ◽

Robert L Brownell ◽

Brittany L Hancock-Hanser ◽

Phillip A Morin ◽

Kelly M Robertson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North Atlantic ◽

North Pacific ◽

Recent Analysis ◽

Snp Analysis ◽

Balaenoptera Physalus ◽

Data Set ◽

Fin Whale ◽

The North ◽

Fin Whales ◽

The North Pacific

Abstract Three subspecies of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) are currently recognized, including the northern fin whale (B. p. physalus), the southern fin whale (B. p. quoyi), and the pygmy fin whale (B. p. patachonica). The Northern Hemisphere subspecies encompasses fin whales in both the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. A recent analysis of 154 mitogenome sequences of fin whales from these two ocean basins and the Southern Hemisphere suggested that the North Pacific and North Atlantic populations should be treated as different subspecies. Using these mitogenome sequences, in this study, we conduct analyses on a larger mtDNA control region data set, and on 23 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 144 of the 154 samples in the mitogenome data set. Our results reveal that North Pacific and North Atlantic fin whales can be correctly assigned to their ocean basin with 99% accuracy. Results of the SNP analysis indicate a correct classification rate of 95%, very low rates of gene flow among ocean basins, and that distinct mitogenome matrilines in the North Pacific are interbreeding. These results indicate that North Pacific fin whales should be recognized as a separate subspecies, with the name B. p. velifera Cope in Scammon 1869 as the oldest available name.

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Early orthoceratoid cephalopods from the Argentine Precordillera (Lower-Middle Ordovician)

Journal of Paleontology ◽

10.1666/06-013.1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 81 (6) ◽

pp. 1266-1283 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Björn Kröger ◽

Matilde S. Beresi ◽

Ed Landing

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

North China ◽

North China Block ◽

Middle Ordovician ◽

Strong Affinity ◽

Middle Latitudes ◽

The North ◽

Lower Ordovician ◽

Argentine Precordillera

The Early and Middle Ordovician Orthocerida and Lituitida of Precordilleran Argentina are described, and their systematics and paleogeographic significance are revised. These cephalopods show a strong affinity to coeval faunas of North China, suggesting a location of the Precordillera at middle latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere east of the North China block and relatively close to the Gondwanan margin during the early Middle Ordovician. The descriptive terminology of characters of the septal necks, the position and shape of the siphuncule, and the shape of the connecting ring is improved. The distribution of these characters support an emendation of the Baltoceratidae, Sactorthoceratidae, and Proteoceratidae. Braulioceras n. gen. (Sactorthoceratidae) and Palorthoceras n. gen. (Orthoceratidae) are erected. The new species Braulioceras sanjuanense, Eosomichelinoceras baldisii, Gangshanoceras villicumense, and Rhynchorthoceras minor are proposed. Palorthoceras n. gen. from the Lower Ordovician Oepikodus evae Zone represents the earliest known orthocerid.

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The first identified winter feeding ground of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in the Mediterranean Sea

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315406013853 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 86 (4) ◽

pp. 903-907 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Simonepietro Canese ◽

Andrea Cardinali ◽

Caterina Maria Fortuna ◽

Michela Giusti ◽

Giancarlo Lauriano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Feeding Activity ◽

Central Mediterranean ◽

Fin Whale ◽

Feeding Ground ◽

The North ◽

South Central ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Fin Whales ◽

Winter Feeding

The presence of fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea has been documented since ancient times. In spite of this, reliable information on their ecology and distribution is limited to the north-western part of the basin. Recent genetic studies have demonstrated that Mediterranean fin whales comprise a separate population with very limited gene flow with their North Atlantic co-specifics. Although both published and anecdotal information reports their presence in the south central Mediterranean during winter, there is no information on habitat use. In February 2004, a 14-day boat survey was carried out in the waters surrounding the island of Lampedusa, where fin whales occur at this time of the year. A total of 20 fin whale groups (average group size two animals) were encountered. In each encounter the animals were engaged in surface feeding activity. From plankton samples and underwater video, the prey species was identified as the Euphausiid, Nyctiphanes couchi. The information obtained suggests that this area may be an important winter feeding ground for fin whales. The results represent significant new information on fin whale ecology in the Mediterranean, with associated conservation and management implications.

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Sex hormone concentrations in blood serum from the North Atlantic fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1340405 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 134 (3) ◽

pp. 405-413 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. M. Kjeld ◽

J. Sigurjónsson ◽

A. Árnason

Keyword(s):

Blood Serum ◽

Pregnancy Rate ◽

Age Distribution ◽

Balaenoptera Physalus ◽

Serum Progesterone ◽

Fin Whale ◽

Pregnant Females ◽

The North ◽

Group I ◽

Fin Whales

ABSTRACT Blood serum concentrations of testosterone and progesterone were measured in postmortem samples taken at sea from 814 fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) caught during the summers (June–September) of 1981–1989. The ages of 781 of these animals were also assessed. The testosterone concentrations in samples from 352 males averaged 2 nmol/l; 41 samples had concentrations of 0·1 nmol/l or lower and 34 of these came from whales aged between 2 and 14 years and showed a Gaussian type of age distribution with a peak number at 7 to 8 years. The mean testosterone concentrations in the males increased by more than fourfold between June and August. Serum progesterone concentrations of the 462 females fell into three separate groups: (1) group I with values ≤ 0·1 nmol/l; (2) group II with intermediate values of > 0·1 nmol/l but <10 nmol/l; (3) group III with values of ≥ 10 nmol/l. These three groups of females seemed to consist respectively of young sexually immature females, mature non-pregnant females and pregnant females. The age distribution in the groups indicated that puberty in females is attained chiefly between the ages of 7 and 10. The yearly pregnancy rate (that percentage of all females caught and studied in a year which had progesterone values ≥10 nmol/l) was between 35% and 55%, except in 1987 when it was 67%. The yearly pregnancy rate would range from 56% to 93% if only mature females (i.e. those with serum progesterone >0·1 nmol/l) were considered. Serum oestradiol concentrations in male and female fin whales had no relation to age, sex or pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 134, 405–413

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VI. On the diurnal variation of the magnetic declination at St. Helena

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London ◽

10.1098/rstl.1847.0006 ◽

1847 ◽

Vol 137 ◽

pp. 51-57

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Diurnal Variation ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Northern Hemisphere ◽

The West ◽

Middle Latitudes ◽

The North ◽

St Helena ◽

Contrary Direction ◽

North End

It has long been known that in Europe the north end of a magnet suspended horizontally (meaning by the north end the end which is directed towards the north), moves to the East from the night until between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning, when an opposite movement commences, and the north end of the magnet moves to the West . Recent observations have shown that a similar movement takes place at the same hours of local time in North America, and that it is general in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere. It has also been known for some years past, and has been confirmed by recent observations, that in the middle latitudes of the southern hemisphere, the north end of the magnet moves in a contrary direction to that which has been described as taking place in the northern hemisphere, viz. that it moves to the west until 8 o’clock in the morning, or thereabouts, and then returns towards the east.

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First records and three new species of the family Symphytognathidae (Arachnida, Araneae) from Thailand, and the circumscription of the genus Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.1012.57047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1012 ◽

pp. 21-53

Author(s):

Francisco Andres Rivera-Quiroz ◽

Booppa Petcharad ◽

Jeremy A. Miller

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Coastal Region ◽

3D Models ◽

Morphological Data ◽

The North ◽

The Family ◽

Ct Analysis ◽

Three New Species

The family Symphytognathidae is reported from Thailand for the first time. Three new species: Anapistula choojaiaesp. nov., Crassignatha seeliamsp. nov., and Crassignatha seedamsp. nov. are described and illustrated. Distribution is expanded and additional morphological data are reported for Patu shiluensis Lin & Li, 2009. Specimens were collected in Thailand between July and August 2018. The newly described species were found in the north mountainous region of Chiang Mai, and Patu shiluensis was collected in the coastal region of Phuket. DNA sequences are provided for all the species here studied. The relations of these symphytognathid species were tested using previously published phylogenetic analyses on micro orb-weavers. Also, we used micro CT analysis to build 3D models of the male genitalia and somatic characters of two species of Crassignatha Wunderlich, 1995. The molecular phylogeny and 3D models were used to discuss the taxonomy and circumscription of the currently valid symphytognathid genera, with focus on Crassignatha and Patu Marples, 1951. Based on this, three new combinations are suggested: Crassignatha bicorniventris (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov., Crassignatha quadriventris (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov., and Crassignatha spinathoraxi (Lin & Li, 2009), comb. nov. A new record of Crassignatha danaugirangensisMiller et al. 2014 is reported from Brunei.

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Phylogeny and Biogeography of Acaena (Rosaceae) and its Relatives: Evidence of Multiple Long-Distance Dispersal Events Across the Globe

Systematic Botany ◽

10.1600/036364421x16370109698597 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 46 (4) ◽

pp. 998-1010

Author(s):

Javier Jauregui-Lazo ◽

Daniel Potter

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

New Zealand ◽

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Strong Support ◽

Disjunct Distribution ◽

Long Distance Dispersal ◽

Long Distance ◽

Biogeographic Patterns ◽

Dispersal Events

Abstract— Acaena (Rosaceae) is the most complex and ecologically variable genus in Sanguisorbinae. Although it has been the subject of several taxonomic treatments, the largest phylogenetic analysis to date only sampled a small fraction of the total global diversity (five to seven out of 45 to 50 species). This study included most of the species to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships of Acaena and biogeographic patterns in Sanguisorbinae. Phylogenetic analyses of non-coding nuclear (ITS region) and chloroplast (trnL-F) DNA sequence markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses suggested that Acaena is a paraphyletic group with species of Margyricarpus and Tetraglochin nested within it. We identified strong support for eight subclades that are geographically or taxonomically structured. Nevertheless, the species-level relationships within subclades are still uncertain, which may be due to rapid diversification and lack of informative characters in the markers used. Sanguisorbinae, a primarily Southern Hemisphere clade, exhibits a classic Gondwana disjunct distribution. This current distribution is explained primarily by eight long-distance dispersal events. Our results suggested that Sanguisorbinae split into Cliffortia and Acaena around 13.6 mya. While Cliffortia diversified in southern South Africa, Acaena experienced several migration events in the Southern Hemisphere. Our estimation of the ancestral range suggested that Acaena likely originated in South Africa, followed by migration and subsequent diversification into southern South America. From there, the genus migrated to New Zealand, throughout the Andes, and to tropical areas in Central America, reaching as far north as California. Chile and New Zealand are the main sources of propagules for dispersal as well as the greatest diversity for the genus. The evolutionary relationships of species in Acaena combine a history of rapid diversifications, long-distance dispersals, and genetic variation within some taxa. Further research should be undertaken to clarify the infraspecific classification of A. magellanica.

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An integrative approach to the systematics of the Berthella californica species complex (Heterobranchia: Pleurobranchidae)

Journal of Molluscan Studies ◽

10.1093/mollus/eyaa001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 186-200

Author(s):

Hessam Ghanimi ◽

Jeffrey H R Goddard ◽

Anton Chichvarkhin ◽

Terrence M Gosliner ◽

Dae-Wui Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

North Pacific Ocean ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Type Locality ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Small Range ◽

Widespread Species ◽

The North

Abstract Berthella californica (W. H. Dall, 1900) is a widespread species of heterobranch sea slug distributed across the North Pacific Ocean, from Korea and Japan to the Galapagos Islands. Two distinct morphotypes are observed in B. californica, which differ in external coloration, egg-mass morphology and geographic distribution (with the exception of a small range overlap in Southern California). Molecular and morphological data obtained in this study reveals that these two morphotypes constitute distinct species. The name B. californica (type locality: San Pedro, California) is retained for the southern morphotype, whereas the name Berthella chacei (J. Q. Burch, 1944) (type locality: Crescent City, California) is resurrected for the northern morphotype. Moreover, molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered B. californica as sister to Berthellina, in a well-supported clade separate from Berthella, suggesting that the classification of B. californica may need additional revision.

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Phylogenetic placement of a new hoplonemertean species commensal on ascidians

Invertebrate Systematics ◽

10.1071/is10036 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 616 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Juan Junoy ◽

Sónia C. S. Andrade ◽

Gonzalo Giribet

Keyword(s):

National Park ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Common Species ◽

Ribosomal Gene ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Mediterranean Species ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Sea Squirt

The hoplonemertean Vieitezia luzmurubeae, gen. et sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in a national park on the north-west Iberian Peninsula, the Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia. The species, previously mistaken as the Mediterranean species Tetrastemma vittigerum (Bürger, 1904), is frequently associated with two common species of sea squirt, Phallusia mamillata (Cuvier, 1815) and Ciona intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1767), inside which the nemertean completes its life cycle. Some of the specimens examined were protandrous hermaphrodites. Data on morphology and anatomy are provided with illustrations. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal gene 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I were compared with those of other hoplonemertean species and all phylogenetic analyses suggested that Vieitezia is sister to the genus Gononemertes, which parasitises ascidians, within a clade also containing the genera Oerstedia and Nemertellina. In contrast, the morphologically similar genus Tetrastemma appears in a separate clade. This study stresses the need for combining molecular and morphological data when studying nemertean biodiversity.

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Role of Tropical Variability in Driving Decadal Shifts in the Southern Hemisphere Summertime Eddy-Driven Jet

Journal of Climate ◽

10.1175/jcli-d-19-0604.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (13) ◽

pp. 5445-5463 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dongxia Yang ◽

Julie M. Arblaster ◽

Gerald A. Meehl ◽

Matthew H. England ◽

Eun-Pa Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Hemisphere ◽

Austral Summer ◽

Internal Variability ◽

Southern Annular Mode ◽

Tropical Pacific ◽

External Forcing ◽

Middle Latitudes ◽

Sst Variability ◽

Southeastern Pacific

AbstractThe Southern Hemisphere summertime eddy-driven jet and storm tracks have shifted poleward over the recent few decades. In previous studies, explanations have mainly stressed the influence of external forcing in driving this trend. Here we examine the role of internal tropical SST variability in controlling the austral summer jet’s poleward migration, with a focus on interdecadal time scales. The role of external forcing and internal variability are isolated by using a hierarchy of Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) simulations, including the pre-industrial control, large ensemble, and pacemaker runs. Model simulations suggest that in the early twenty-first century, both external forcing and internal tropical Pacific SST variability are important in driving a positive southern annular mode (SAM) phase and a poleward migration of the eddy-driven jet. Tropical Pacific SST variability, associated with the negative phase of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO), acts to shift the jet poleward over the southern Indian and southwestern Pacific Oceans and intensify the jet in the southeastern Pacific basin, while external forcing drives a significant poleward jet shift in the South Atlantic basin. In response to both external forcing and decadal Pacific SST variability, the transient eddy momentum flux convergence belt in the middle latitudes experiences a poleward migration due to the enhanced meridional temperature gradient, leading to a zonally symmetric southward migration of the eddy-driven jet. This mechanism distinguishes the influence of the IPO on the midlatitude circulation from the dynamical impact of ENSO, with the latter mainly promoting the subtropical wave-breaking critical latitude poleward and pushing the midlatitude jet to higher latitudes.

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