scholarly journals Morphological variability of leaves of Sorbus domestica L. in Croatia

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Poljak ◽  
Davorin Kajba ◽  
Ivan Ljubić ◽  
Marilena Idžojtić
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Geographic Population ◽  
Hardwood Species ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Clinal Variability

The paper studies the morphological variability of the service tree populations in the continental and Mediterranean regions of Croatia. The inter- and intra-population variability, as well as eco-geographic population differentiation, was established on the basis of eight measured morphological characteristics of two types of leaflets (lateral and terminal) and two derived ratios, using descriptive and multivariate statistical methods. The conducted research established a high variability of morphological characteristics. In comparison with lateral leaflets, terminal leaflets showed a higher degree of variability for the majority of the studied variables. The differences between the trees within populations, as well as the differences between populations, were confirmed for all studied characteristics. The study also confirmed a trend of population variations according to the eco-geographic principle. Populations from climatically different and geographically distant habitats, in other words from the Mediterranean and the continental region, differed in the majority of studied characteristics. In addition to the established pattern of ecotypical variability between the continental and the Mediterranean regions, the clinal variability with regard to altitude and mean annual temperature was also confirmed. Small, although statistically significant clinal variability with regard to the longitude was recorded for two measured characteristics. The conducted study provided insights into the variability of the service tree populations in Croatia, which is a basis for further research that should be implemented in order to produce guidelines for the breeding and conservation of genetic resources of this rare and endangered noble hardwood species.

scholarly journals Patterns of intraspecific morphological variability in soil mites reflect their dispersal ability

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-255
Author(s):  
Julia Baumann
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Molecular Genetic Analysis ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Geographic Population ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
Population Structures ◽  
Subdivided Populations

AbstractThe ability to disperse is one of the most important factors influencing the biogeography of species and speciation processes. Highly mobile species have been shown to lack geographic population structures, whereas less mobile species show genetically strongly subdivided populations which are expected to also display at least subtle phenotypic differences. Geometric morphometric methods (GMM) were now used to analyze morphological differences between European populations of a presumed non-phoretic, little mobile mite species in comparison to a highly mobile, phoretic species. The non-phoretic species Scutacarus carinthiacus showed a phenotypic population structure, whereas the phoretic species S. acarorum displayed homogeneity. These different patterns most probably can be explained by different levels of gene flow due to different dispersal abilities of the two species. GMM proved to be a sensitive tool that is especially recommendable for the analysis of (old) museum material and/or specimens in microscopic slides, which are not suitable for molecular genetic analysis.

scholarly journals Cats in the forest: predicting habitat adaptations from humerus morphometry in extant and fossil Felidae (Carnivora)

Paleobiology ◽  
10.1666/12001 ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Meloro ◽  
Sarah Elton ◽  
Julien Louys ◽  
Laura C. Bishop ◽  
Peter Ditchfield
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Olduvai Gorge ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Linear Discriminant ◽  
Related Group ◽  
Discriminant Analyses ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Relationship

Mammalian carnivores are rarely incorporated in paleoenvironmental reconstructions, largely because of their rarity within the fossil record. However, multivariate statistical modeling can be successfully used to quantify specific anatomical features as environmental predictors. Here we explore morphological variability of the humerus in a closely related group of predators (Felidae) to investigate the relationship between morphometric descriptors and habitat categories. We analyze linear measurements of the humerus in three different morphometric combinations (log-transformed, size-free, and ratio), and explore four distinct ways of categorizing habitat adaptations. Open, Mixed, and Closed categories are defined according to criteria based on traditional descriptions of species, distributions, and biome occupancy. Extensive exploratory work is presented using linear discriminant analyses and several fossils are included to provide paleoecological reconstructions.We found no significant differences in the predictive power of distinct morphometric descriptors or habitat criteria, although sample splitting into small and large cat guilds greatly improves the stability of the models. Significant insights emerge for three long-canine cats:Smilodon populator,Paramachairodus orientalis, andDinofelissp. from Olduvai Gorge (East Africa).S. populatorandP. orientalisare both predicted to have been closed-habitat adapted taxa. The false “sabertooth”Dinofelissp. from Olduvai Gorge is predicted to be adapted to mixed habitat. The application of felid humerus ecomorphology to the carnivoran record of Olduvai Gorge shows that the older stratigraphic levels (Bed I, 1.99–1.79 Ma) included a broader range of environments than Beds II or V, where there is an abundance of cats adapted to open environments.

scholarly journals Origin and transport of Mediterranean moisture and air

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 5089-5105 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Schicker ◽  
S. Radanovics ◽  
P. Seibert
Keyword(s):  
Residence Time ◽  
Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Trade Wind ◽  
Trajectory Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
Diagnosis Method ◽  
Seasonal Basis ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Abstract. Considering the Mediterranean as a region of high evaporation and low precipitation, evaluations of sinks and sources of moisture and precipitation in the Mediterranean basin have been carried out within the frame of the CIRCE (Climate Change and Impact Research: the Mediterranean Environment) project. Besides these evaluations, residence time and stagnation/ventilation analyses have been carried out to investigate transport to and from the Mediterranean basin and in the basin itself. A Lagrangian moisture diagnosis method calculating budgets of evaporation minus precipitation was applied to a 5.5 year (October 1999–April 2005) trajectory data set and evaluated for eight representative Mediterranean Regions Of Interest (ROI). The Mediterranean basin has been identified as a major source of moisture and precipitation to the surrounding land area and to the basin itself. Main regions of stagnation, i.e. the Po basin, have been defined on a seasonal basis through residence time analysis. Evaluation of the transport to and from the basin shows that the Mediterranean is a crossroad of airstreams where air enters mainly from the northwest and continues in two separate streams, one going southwest over North Africa into the trade wind zone and the other one to the northeast through Central Asia.

scholarly journals Morphologic variability of the Acer campestre L. populations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 327-343
Author(s):  
Stjepan Kvesić ◽  
Mirzeta Memišević Hodžić ◽  
Matijaž Čater ◽  
Dalibor Ballian
Keyword(s):  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Geographical Distance ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Acer Campestre ◽  
Tight Connection ◽  
Banja Luka ◽  
Leaf Parameters ◽  
Ecological Distance

Morphologic variability from 25 populations of Acer campestre L. in Bosnia and Herzegovina was analyzed. Morphometric structure of variability and between-population variability was performed based on 10 fruit-parameter characteristics and 19 leaf-parameter characteristics using multivariate statistical analysis. Results confirmed the separation of three submediterranean populations as a group in relation to other tested populations, from which the Banja Luka population is different. Measured leaf parameters were confirmed as a predominant carrier of the morphologic separation between populations. In other Acer species populations within A. monspessulanum and A. intermedium species are separated mainly by fruit and much less by leaf parameters. The southernmost submediterranean populations from Trebinje, Ljubuški, and Mostar regions have smaller leaf areas, which consequently places them within the same morphologic group; their variability is in tight connection with eco-geo-graphical factors, where the ecological distance is a much better predictor of morphological variability compared to geographical distance. The air temperature had the biggest influence on morphological variability regarding the highest in-between correlation. Achieved results may serve for the continuation of the research in other areas of Acer campestre to determine the interactive effect of ecological, geographical, climatic, and migrational factors on their morphologic population plasticity.

scholarly journals Desertification Sensitivity Analysis Using MEDALUS Model and GIS: A Case Study of the Oases of Middle Draa Valley, Morocco

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atman Ait Lamqadem ◽  
Biswajeet Pradhan ◽  
Hafid Saber ◽  
Abdelmejid Rahimi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Index ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Quality Indices ◽  
Sensitive Areas ◽  
Management Quality ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Index Maps

Oases can play a significant role in the sustainable economic development of arid and Saharan regions. The aim of this study was to map the desertification-sensitive areas in the Middle Draa Valley (MDV), which is in the southeast of Morocco. A total of 13 indices that affect desertification processes were identified and analyzed using a geographic information system. The Mediterranean desertification and land use approach; which has been widely used in the Mediterranean regions due to its simplicity; flexibility and rapid implementation strategy; was applied. All the indices were grouped into four main quality indices; i.e., soil quality; climate quality; vegetation quality and management quality indices. Each quality index was constructed by the combination of several sub-indicators. In turn; the geometric mean of the four quality index maps was used to construct a map of desertification-sensitive areas; which were classified into four classes (i.e., low; moderate; high and very high sensitivity). Results indicated that only 16.63% of the sites in the study were classified as least sensitive to desertification; and 50.34% were classified as highly and very highly sensitive areas. Findings also showed that climate and human pressure factors are the most important indicators affecting desertification sensitivity in the MDV. The framework used in this research provides suitable results and can be easily implemented in similar oasis arid areas.

Quantitative characterization, classification and reconstruction of oocyst shapes of Eimeria species from cattle

Parasitology ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. SOMMER
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Inverse Fourier Transform ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Eimeria Species ◽  
Equal Weight ◽  
Agglomerative Clustering ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Size And Shape

This study reports on morphological variability of Eimeria species, which may be given either by drawings or as quantitative data. The drawings may be used to facilitate identification by eye of ‘unknown’ Eimeria specimens, whereas quantitative data may serve as a reference set for identification by multivariate statistical techniques. The morphology of 810 Eimeria specimens was defined in binary (b/w) digital images by pixels of their oocyst outline. A Fourier transform of pixel positions yielded size and shape features. To classify coccidia, the quantitative data were employed in an agglomerative clustering by average linkage algorithm with equal weight assigned to size and shape. An inverse Fourier transform served to reconstruct oocyst outlines, i.e. outlines of average shape and size, from mean values of features in resulting clusters. Clusters were subsequently identified based on their average morphology by comparison with drawings of species in an earlier taxonomical work. Five hundred oocyst outlines were simulated for each cluster representing a species, and shape/size variability was presented in contour diagrams. Differences in species shapes, and correspondence in length and width, were seen after reconstruction by inverse Fourier transform and comparison with earlier studies.

The genus Cystoseira s.l. (Ochrophyta, Fucales, Sargassaceae) in the Black Sea: morphological variability and molecular taxonomy of Gongolaria barbata and endemic Ericaria crinita f. bosphorica comb. nov.

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 480 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
SOFIA S. SADOGURSKA ◽  
JOÃO NEIVA ◽  
ANNALISA FALACE ◽  
ESTER A. SERRÃO ◽  
ÁLVARO ISRAEL
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Molecular Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Additional Tool

Brown algae of the genus Cystoseira sensu lato form the most diverse and productive marine ecosystems throughout the Mediterranean Sea and have equal roles also in the Black Sea where they have been decreasing in the recent years. The taxonomy of Cystoseira s.l. taxa from the Black Sea is still not well understood, and questions arise when related taxa have to be delimited. In addition to morphological descriptions, this study provides for the first time molecular data of the Black Sea Cystoseira s.l. distinct morphologies as an additional tool to clarify their identities and phylogenetic affinities. The analysis of two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1—COI, and 23S-tRNAVal intergenic spacer—mt-spacer) showed that Cystoseira s.l. specimens from the Black Sea belong to two recently resurrected genera, namely Gongolaria and Ericaria. Molecular data confirm the morphological identification of G. barbata, which is characterized by high morphological plasticity in the Black Sea. The morphological data presented in this study support the transition of G. barbata to the genus Gongolaria, which was previously proposed based solely on genetic data. For the Black Sea endemic taxon C. bosphorica, sequence divergence suggests conspecificity with Mediterranean Sea species E. crinita and E. barbatula. However, considering original morphological characteristics of the taxon, its geographical isolation, and endemism, the new combination Ericaria crinita f. bosphorica comb. nov. is proposed.

Visigothic Currency in the Early Medieval Economy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Kurt
Keyword(s):  
Early Medieval ◽  
Mediterranean Regions ◽  
Southern Iberia ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Gold Coins

Chapter Seven addresses the use of coinage in the kingdom, considering the level of monetization in Visigothic society and the Mediterranean contexts of currency’s functioning. An argument for a largely monetized economy draws from both written references to gold coins and archeological studies. Copper-based currency is seen to have played the larger role in society across large areas especially in southern Iberia, where monetary circumstances and contacts with Mediterranean regions display greater commonality than has been widely supposed. Economic interactivity is linked to early medieval Spain’s shifting regionalism.

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