scholarly journals Lophyra flexuosa (Fabricius, 1787) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in desert countries: morphological variability in geographic aspect as potential beginning of speciation?

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Jaskuła ◽  
Axel Schwerk ◽  
Mateusz Płóciennik
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Altitudinal Distribution ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Total Body

Lophyra flexuosa is one of only several eurytopic tiger beetles species known from Palearctic realm. Its geographical distribution shows several populations that are spread from the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, across some regions of south-western Europe and northern Africa to Israel and Syria. The species is characterized by long phenological activity, wide altitudinal distribution, and occurs in the highest number of habitats among all Cicindelidae known from Maghreb region. In the present study the geographical variation in morphology and sexual dimorphism in north African populations of L. flexuosa was studied. In total 52 samples with over 700 specimens were collected including 20 samples in Morocco and 32 in Tunisia. To test the variation in morphometric traits measurements of eight body parameters were taken from all males (383) and females (352) including right mandible length, length of head, width of head, length of pronotum, maximum pronotum width, length of elytra, maximum elytra width, and total body length. We discovered significant sexual dimorphism expressed by larger body size of females and longer mandibles in males, what can be explained by different roles of particular sexes in courtship. Moreover, we recorded significant differences in body sizes between western and eastern Maghreb populations which can suggest genetic isolation between these populations. As the species is related to habitats placed close to water reservoirs, which in the desert countries are under significant human pressure (including climate change), we expect an reduction of habitats occupied by this taxon. Therefore, the geographic morphological variability that we observe today in the tiger beetle Lophyra flexuosa may lead to speciation and creation of separate species in the future.

scholarly journals Variation in body size of Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Larainae) in Atlantic Rainforest streams in response to hydraulic disturbance

2013 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
MO. Segura ◽  
T. Siqueira ◽  
AA. Fonseca-Gessner
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Atlantic Rainforest ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Head Width ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Larval Size ◽  
Morphometric Variation ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Rain Events

In this study, patterns of body size of Phanocerus clavicornis Sharp, 1882 (Coleoptera: Elmidae: Larainae) were investigated along a gradient of change in speed of flow conditions in streams of low order in the Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil. Specifically, the hypothesis that the distribution of P. clavicornis larvae vary in size in response to variations in the speed of flow in streams was tested. A Surber sampler was used to collect larvae from the streambed during two sampling periods, defined by the rain regime: August in the dry season and February in the rainy season. Possible differences in mean measured body size were tested by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA result indicated for all measurements on the larvae collected in first-order streams (head width, prothoracic width and total body length), there were significant differences indicating a morphometric variation due to changing hydraulic conditions, the smallest larvae being associated with the period of greater rainfall. However, the larger streams (3rd order), where the rain events had less impact on the larval size, varied widely. The results of this study suggest that the interstitial space is important for the protection of the larvae from water flow, and that populations of P. clavicornis have high plasticity, a key feature for the occupation of unstable environments for this species. These results are important for an understanding of the life history and behavioural characteristics of the species, which allow them to persist in streams along a gradient of flow disturbance.

Spirocerca vulpissp. nov. (Spiruridae: Spirocercidae): description of a new nematode species of the red fox,Vulpes vulpes(Carnivora: Canidae)

Parasitology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 145 (14) ◽  
pp. 1917-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Rojas ◽  
Gloria Sanchis-Monsonís ◽  
Amer Alić ◽  
Adnan Hodžić ◽  
Domenico Otranto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Buccal Capsule ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Muscular Oesophagus ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Spirocerca Lupi ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Total Body

AbstractPrevious studies have reported nematodes of the Spirocercidae family in the stomach nodules of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) described asSpirocercasp. orSpirocerca lupi(Rudolphi, 1819). We characterized spirurid worms collected from red foxes and compared them toS. lupifrom domestic dogs by morphometric and phylogenetic analyses. Nematodes from red foxes differed fromS. lupiby the presence of six triangular teeth-like buccal capsule structures, which are absent in the latter. Additionally, in female worms from red foxes, the distance of the vulva opening to the anterior end and the ratio of the glandular-to-muscular oesophagus lengths were larger than those ofS. lupi(P< 0.006). In males, the lengths of the whole oesophagus and glandular part, the ratio of the glandular-to-muscular oesophagus and the comparison of the oesophagus to the total body length were smaller inS. lupi(allP< 0.044). Phylogenetic analyses revealed thatS. lupiand the red foxes spirurid represent monophyletic sister groups with pairwise nucleotide distances of 9.2 and 0.2% in the cytochrome oxidase 1 and 18S genes, respectively. Based on these comparisons, the nematodes from red foxes were considered to belong to a separate species, for which the nameSpirocerca vulpissp. nov. is proposed.

scholarly journals Sexual Dimorphism in Anthonomus santacruzi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): a Biological Control Agent of Solanum mauritianum Scopoli (Solanaceae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 840-850
Author(s):  
Archbold Sasa ◽  
Rafał Gosik ◽  
Ed T. F. Witkowski ◽  
Marcus J. Byrne ◽  
Miłosz A. Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Abdominal Tergite ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Structure ◽  
Solanum Mauritianum ◽  
Total Body

AbstractThere is evident variation in body size amongst Anthonomus santacruzi Hustache, 1924, weevils. The aims of this study were to assess if the variation in body size in A. santacruzi weevils is a result of sexual dimorphism and what features can be used to distinguish males from females. The weevils were collected from field sites in Mpumalanga, South Africa, where they were introduced as biocontrol agents of Solanum mauritianum Scopoli. Body structures and the presence/absence of the tergal notch was examined under an optical stereomicroscope and SEM to assess differences between sexes. The morphometric analysis of the body structures included rostrum length (base–apex and antennal insertion–apex), elytral length and width, pronotum length and width, first tarsus length, first tibia length, funiculus length and total body length. Rostrum length, elytra length and width and total body length were significantly larger in females than in males. A tergal notch in the 8th abdominal tergite was present in males and absent in females. The body structure; of rostrum length, elytra length and width and total body length overlapped between sexes in some specimens. The abdominal tergal notch was found to be the most useful body structure to distinguish males from females in A. santacruzi.

scholarly journals Body size in tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) in the south-eastern European biodiversity hotspot: sexual dimorphism and patterns of co-occurrence

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Jaskuła ◽  
Mateusz Płóciennik ◽  
Axel Schwerk
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Tiger Beetles ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Reproduction Process ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
Sea Coast

In south-eastern Europe, especially in lowland areas located close to the sea coast, the diversity of Cicindelidae is one of the highest in the entire Palaearctic realm. This is both because of geological history of the region and the presence of large mosaic of habitats attractive for these beetles. As a result in the region about 25% of all Palaearctic species of tiger beetles can be found, including endemics. Many of them can be characterized by narrow or very narrow habitat preferences occurring only in one or two types of macrohabitats. In the present study sexual dimorphism of six species of tiger beetles (Calomera littoralis, C. fischeri, Cephalota circumdata, C. chiloleuca, Cylindera trisignata trisignata, Myriochila melancholica) collected along the sea coast of the Black and Mediterranean Seas was studied based on eight body parameters (right mandible length, length of head, width of head, length of pronotum, maximum pronotum width, length of elytra, maximum elytra width, and total body length.). Moreover, patterns of species co-occurrence on the basis of body size were investigated. As results we found significant sexual dimorphism indicated by larger body size of females and longer mandibles in males of the studied Cicindelidae species, what can be explained by different roles of the particular sexes in courtship (females invest much more energy in the reproduction process than males, e.g. to produce eggs or to find a good place to deposit them, as a result bigger size is much more beneficial for this sex). Moreover, we discovered that in the studied area tiger beetle species characterized by similar body size avoid each other and do not occur in the same areas.

Sexual dimorphism and allometry in the giant water strider Gigantometra gigas

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 923-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Tseng ◽  
Locke Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Water Strider ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
Allometric Analysis ◽  
Total Leg ◽  
Total Body

This study describes sexual dimorphism in size (total body length and lengths of leg components) and in the allometric relationships between leg-component lengths and total body length in the giant water strider Gigantometra gigas (Heteroptera: Gerridae). Gigantometra gigas is the largest known gerrid, and has been previously described as monomorphic for body size. We compare our results with analogous data collected on Gerris buenoi, a species of more moderate size, where females are larger than males. Based on 94 specimens of G. gigas, we conclude that males are larger than females in all measured traits. This dimorphism was most spectacular in the leg components, which are 10-50% longer in males than in females. Males are generally more variable in size than females, and this is especially so for leg components. Allometric analysis suggests that total leg lengths (particularly middle and rear) increase at a much greater rate with body size in males than in females, therefore there is sexual dimorphism in allometries on the scale of that in the traits themselves. The relationship between middle and hind leg lengths is strong in both sexes, and appears to differ very little between the sexes or between G. gigas, and Ge. buenoi. These data suggest a constraint on this relationship, perhaps because of the biomechanics of locomotion. We propose that sexual selection acting on middle leg lengths in males explains both the increase and variance in middle leg length, and that hind leg length follows by correlated response.

scholarly journals Morphological characteristics of Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet, 1908) (Rotifera: Brachionidae) in water bodies of the Middle Volga basin

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-34
Author(s):  
T. V. Zolotareva ◽  
G. V. Shurganova ◽  
I. A. Kudrin ◽  
D. E. Gavrilko ◽  
V. S. Zhikharev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Volga Basin ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Spine Length ◽  
Middle Volga Basin ◽  
Kellicottia Bostoniensis ◽  
Middle Volga ◽  
Total Body

The morphological characteristics of the North American invasive species Kellicottia bostoniensis Rousselet, 1908 were studied in 29 various types of water bodies and watercourses of the Middle Volga basin. The water bodies, which are the habitats of K. bostoniensis, are located on several territories that differ significantly in a set of characteristics, such as their geological structure, relief, climate, anthropogenic impact, hydrochemical and hydrophysical indicators, etc. The sizes of K. bostoniensis individuals in most of the studied water bodies and watercourses were measured and analyzed for the first time. A high positive correlation was found between the total body length and the posterior spine length (R2 = 0.79, p < 0.01), as well as the anterior spine length (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.01). A relationship was revealed between the lengths of the anterior and posterior spines (R2 = 0.58, p < 0.01). K. bostoniensis individuals in the studied water bodies and watercourses are characterized by large sizes, the median values of the total body length being 236–440 μm. These sizes are similar to those of individuals in the native habitats of North America and some biotopes of Europe and European Russia. Among the previously studied water bodies of Russia and other countries (Belarus, Sweden, Finland, Brazil, and Argentina), where researches of the morphological variability of K. bostoniensis were carried out, the largest body sizes were characteristic for the invader species of the Sura River. Larger K. bostoniensis specimens live in deep mesotrophic water bodies with high transparency, compared with representatives of this species in shallow eutrophic water bodies with less transparency in the Middle Volga basin. Our data on the morphological characteristics of the invading species of water bodies in the Middle Volga basin significantly expand the existing information on the morphological variability of K. bostoniensis individuals and their dependence on environmental factors.

scholarly journals Taming the Late Quaternary phylogeography of the Eurasiatic wild ass through ancient and modern DNA

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Andrew Bennett ◽  
Sophie Champlot ◽  
Joris Peters ◽  
Benjamin S. Arbuckle ◽  
Silvia Guimaraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Late Quaternary ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Wild Ass ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

AbstractTaxonomic over-splitting of extinct or endangered taxa, due to an incomplete knowledge of both skeletal morphological variability and the geographical ranges of past populations, continues to confuse the link between isolated extant populations and their ancestors. This is particularly problematic with the genus Equus. To more reliably determine the evolution and phylogeographic history of the endangered Asiatic wild ass, we studied the genetic diversity and inter-relationships of both extinct and extant populations over the last 100,000 years, including samples throughout its previous range from Western Europe to Southwest and East Asia. Using 229 bp of the mitochondrial hypervariable region, an approach which allowed the inclusion of information from extremely poorly preserved ancient samples, we classify all non-African wild asses into nine clades that show a clear phylogeographic structure revealing their phylogenetic history. This study places the extinct European wild ass, E. hydruntinus, the phylogeny of which has been debated since the end of the 19th century, into its phylogenetic context within the Asiatic wild asses and reveals recent gene flow events between populations currently regarded as separate species. The phylogeographic organization of clades resulting from these efforts can be used not only to improve future taxonomic determination of a poorly characterized group of equids, but also to identify historic ranges, interbreeding events between various populations, and the impact of ancient climatic changes. In addition, appropriately placing extant relict populations into a broader phylogeographic and genetic context can better inform ongoing conservation strategies for this highly endangered species.

Sexual dimorphism, deformations, and epibionts of Phrynops tuberosus (Testudines, Chelidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 311-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Fabrício Mota Rodrigues ◽  
José Roberto Feitosa Silva
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Body Condition Index ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
One Year ◽  
Effective Conservation

Studies focusing on the natural history of species are essential for developing effective conservation measures and evaluating ecological hypotheses. To this end, we describe natural history data of the Cotinga River toadhead turtle, Phrynops tuberosus, in the Banabuiú River in Ceará, Brazil, and evaluated sexual dimorphism, epibionts, and mutilation effects. We hand-captured 134 individuals by snorkeling, over a period of one year, resulting in the capture of 94 males, 24 females, and 16 juveniles. Females had larger head width and body mass than males, while males had longer tail length. One quarter of the turtles captured had some sort of injury or deformation, most common injuries being missing claws, mutilations, and shell deformations. We found no difference in body condition index between mutilated and non-mutilated animals. Mollusks, insects, and leeches were found as epibionts on P. tuberosus and most of the captured turtles had extensive algal cover. Future studies should focus on understanding the effect of mutilations on animal fitness and reproductive success.

Reflecting materials in the eyes of three teleosts, Orthopristes chrysopterus, Dorosoma cepedianum and Anchoa mitchilli

1973 ◽  
Vol 184 (1074) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Body Length ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Gizzard Shad ◽  
Dorosoma Cepedianum ◽  
Anchoa Mitchilli ◽  
First Report ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Bay Anchovy

The tapeta lucida of three species of teleosts were examined to determine the composition of the reflecting material. The fishes were bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli (Engraulidae), gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum (Clupeidae) and pigfish Orthopristes chrysopterus (Haemulidae). The tapetum of each species was situated in the pigment epithelium of the eye. That of the pigfish contained triglycerides identified as chiefly glyceryl tridocosahexaenoate. A reduced pteridine, 7, 8-dihydroxanthopterin, occurred in the tapetum of the gizzard shad. Guanine occurred in the tapetum of the bay anchovy. The tapetum of the shad contained brightly reflecting particles about 0.5 μm in diameter There were 10.8 mg of dihydroxanthopterin in the tapetum of a shad (total body length 23 cm) and 0.46 mg of guanine in the tapetum of an anchovy (total body length 9 cm). This is the first report of a pteridine acting as a retinal reflector in vertebrates. Various aspects of retinal reflectors of teleosts are discussed and their variety and common characteristics commented upon.

Analisis Akustik Target Strength Penyu Hijau (Chelonia Mydas) Melalui Pengukuran Secara Terkontrol Pada Frekuensi 200 kHz

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-108
Author(s):  
Teddy Julyansyah ◽  
Deddy Bakhtiar ◽  
Ari Anggoro
Keyword(s):  
Green Turtle ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Chelonia Mydas ◽  
Total Body Length ◽  
Acoustic Method ◽  
Target Strength ◽  
Acoustic Backscattering ◽  
Total Length ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Total Body

ABSTRACT Turtles are reptiles that live in the sea and are able to migrate over long distances along the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia. Currently the number of turtle populations in nature has greatly decreased. This population decline is caused by natural factors and human activities that endanger the population directly or indirectly. At this time the tagging set technique (ID tag code) is a method that is often used to detect the presence of turtles by attaching tags to female turtles who are landing to lay eggs on the beach or while in captivity or the discovery of the mother turtle by fishermen. One other method that can be used to detect the presence of turtles is to use the acoustic method. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the acoustic backscattering energy of the green turtle (Chelonia mydes) and to analyze the relationship between target strength and total body length of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). This research was conducted in the Tapak Paderi waters pond, Bengkulu City, in August-October 2020. The average target strength (TS) value for green turtles was -48.07 dB. Based on the regression equation, the value of determination (R2) obtained is 0.78. Where this value shows that the total length of the green turtle has an effect of 78% on the average target strength (TS) value, while for 22% it is caused by other factors such as body shape, environmental factors and other factors. Based on the ANOVA test, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the total length and the value of the target strength (TS) on the green turtle or the value of the total length has an influence on the value of the target strength (TS) on the green turtle.  

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