Comparative anatomy of the rostrosoma of Solifugae, Pseudoscorpiones and Acari

We compare the microscopic anatomy of the mouthparts of representative species of Solifugae, Pseudoscorpiones and Parasitiformes (Acari). Specifically, we focus on the epistome, the labrum, the lateral lips (= endites of the pedipalpal coxae) and the musculature of the pharyngeal suction pump. We provide evidence that the labrum is reduced in Solifugae, but present and functional in Pseudoscorpiones and Acari. The epistome constitutes the entire dorsal face of the rostrosoma in Solifugae, but is internalized into the prosoma in Pseudoscorpiones. In Acari, the epistome shows an ancestral morphology, probably close to the ground pattern of chelicerates. The lateral lips of Solifugae contribute to the ventral face of the rostrosoma and the two lips of the mouth opening. In Solifugae, the ventral rostrosoma also includes a sclerite that might derive from a tritosternum. In Pseudoscorpiones, the lateral lips remain independent of the rostrosoma, they interlock ventral to the rostrosoma forming a perioral space. Here, the rostrosoma has an unpaired ventral lip of unresolved morphological origin, which is, however, clearly distinct from the lateral lips of Solifugae. The pharyngeal suction pump differs in all three clades in attachment, number of muscles and origin of muscles. We interpret the data as evidence for independent, parallel evolution of elements of the ground pattern of the (eu)chelicerate mouth parts. Based on the morphological elements of a common euchelicerate ground plan, the rostrosoma evolved independently in the three clades. We reject earlier hypotheses that consider the rostrosoma a character to support a phylogenetic relationship of the three clades.

Morphological characters in light of new molecular phylogenies: the caudal-fin skeleton of Ovalentaria

The Ovalentaria is a taxon of teleosts that has been proposed based on molecular analyses only. Previously widely separated families are assembled in this taxon. For the first time, the Ovalentaria are analysed using a comparative morphological approach. The caudal-fin skeleton of 355 species covering all 48 ovalentarian families are examined in cleared and stained specimens, µCT datasets and X-ray images as well as from the literature. A total of 38 morphological characters are evaluated and used for ancestral character state reconstructions and phylogenetic analyses. Results provide hypotheses for a scenario of the evolution of the caudal-fin skeleton and its ground plan in Ovalentaria. An evolutionary trend towards the reduction of skeletal elements in the caudal fin is observed. Connections between the evolution of the caudal-fin skeleton and modes of locomotion found in ovalentarian taxa are discussed. Phylogenetic analyses based on the caudal-fin morphology provide topologies for intra-ovalentarian relationships that largely agree with molecular hypotheses.

Monophyletic blowflies revealed by phylogenomics

Background Blowflies are ubiquitous insects, often shiny and metallic, and the larvae of many species provide important ecosystem services (e.g., recycling carrion) and are used in forensics and debridement therapy. Yet, the taxon has repeatedly been recovered to be para- or polyphyletic, and the lack of a well-corroborated phylogeny has prevented a robust classification. Results We here resolve the relationships between the different blowfly subclades by including all recognized subfamilies in a phylogenomic analysis using 2221 single-copy nuclear protein-coding genes of Diptera. Maximum likelihood (ML), maximum parsimony (MP), and coalescent-based phylogeny reconstructions all support the same relationships for the full data set. Based on this backbone phylogeny, blowflies are redefined as the most inclusive monophylum within the superfamily Oestroidea not containing Mesembrinellidae, Mystacinobiidae, Oestridae, Polleniidae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae, and Ulurumyiidae. The constituent subfamilies are re-classified as Ameniinae (including the Helicoboscinae, syn. nov.), Bengaliinae, Calliphorinae (including Aphyssurinae, syn. nov., Melanomyinae, syn. nov., and Toxotarsinae, syn. nov.), Chrysomyinae, Luciliinae, Phumosiinae, Rhiniinae stat. rev., and Rhinophorinae stat. rev. Metallic coloration in the adult is shown to be widespread but does not emerge as the most likely ground plan feature. Conclusions Our study provides the first phylogeny of oestroid calyptrates including all blowfly subfamilies. This allows settling a long-lasting controversy in Diptera by redefining blowflies as a well-supported monophylum, and blowfly classification is adjusted accordingly. The archetypical blowfly trait of carrion-feeding maggots most likely evolved twice, and the metallic color may not belong to the blowfly ground plan.

To the construction of the new concept of art (art as a form of life)

This article formulates the task of constructing a new concept of art that corresponds with the challenges of time and the transformed artistic practice. The author aims to solve the problem relevant to his time, which is similar to the problem solved by Aristotle in the context of creating the “Poetics”. The theoretical provisions of the new concept are preceded by reconstruction of the work of the prominent Israeli writer Meir Shalev and the creators of the American TV series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”. These examples demonstrate that although these works describe the events of everyday life, the latter are taken not as the facts typical for cognition, but are being transformed for the construction of artistic reality. Analysis is conducted on the techniques and expressive means used in creating the artistic reality. The hypothesis is advances that the comprehension of the nuances of artistic reality requires the analysis of artistic communication, as well as conceptualizations of art. Within the framework of artistic communication, the author examines the position, motives and activity of the writer and the audience. It is assumed that on the one hand, they live through their problems in the artistic form and create their works (writer, artist), or they enter the artistic reality and live through its events (reader, viewer). All these statements are supported by the results of the research of the genesis of art conducted by the author. In conclusion, the author lists the ground plan of the new concept of art, namely the introduction.

A putatively extinct higher taxon of Spirotrichea (Ciliophora) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil

Fossil microeukaryotes are key elements for understanding ancient ecosystems at microscopic level and improving the knowledge on the diversification of microbial life as a whole. We describe Palaeohypothrix bahiensis gen. et sp. nov., an exceptionally well-preserved Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian–Barremian; 145–125 Mya) amber-entrapped microeukaryote, identified as a spirotrich ciliate. The preservation of structures interpreted as the nuclear apparatus and remains of the ciliature revealed a novel ground plan, not found in modern Spirotrichea, thus representing a putatively extinct higher taxon lineage, viz. the Palaeohypotricha nov. tax. Based on cladistic analysis, the new taxon is hypothesized as phylogenetically related to the Protohypotrichia.

“Like an overly large fantasy”

Audiences at Iganz Schuppanzigh’s 1820s quartet concerts in Vienna would have expected a string quartet to be a weighty, four-movement work with an emphasis on a sonata form, thematische Arbeit (motivic working) between parts, and an overall tonal plan based on one or two primary key areas. Beethoven no doubt had such connoisseur listeners in mind with this work, but was pushing far beyond that traditional idea of the string quartet. Op. 131 is full of all sorts of different kinds of writing. The chapter explores the quartet in terms of fantasia, a word found frequently in connection with Op. 131, starting with a discussion of the free fantasia as a work exhibiting apparently chaotic musings over a highly logical ground plan. As Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach pointed out in his influential discussion of the subject, there is method in the seeming madness of the free fantasia, especially as regards harmonic links. The chapter considers the entire work as a fantasia, exploring the clever linkage of seemingly disparate ideas within and between movements. The fantasia form might seem the opposite of the formalized string quartet genre as it was starting to be understood by Beethoven’s time, but in one important respect it was not. The free fantasia was a work for the connoisseur: as Carl Friedrich Michaelis noted in his article on music and humor of 1807, the free fantasia, in particular, reveals to the connoisseur listener the soul (or inventive repository) of the composer.

Sacral architecture of Split parish churches built since 1990

Objective: The article aims to provide a typology of contemporary sacral architecture in Croatia by analyzing the churches built in the Split area after the post-World War II ban on building churches was abolished. Methods: Parish archives and the Archive of Split-Makarska Archdiocese provided documentation that allowed for an in-depth analysis of newly built churches. A short historical overview is provided to corroborate the need of respective parishes for a new church; this is followed by an analysis of the ground plan and other architectural features. The church architecture is considered in the light of post-Council instructions that affect the appearance of contemporary churches. Finally, we provide an analysis of the relationship between sacral buildings and their urban environment. Results: Twelve new parish churches were built in the city of Split City area since 1990. A data analysis revealed that the major problem during church construction projects was the visual integration of the churches into the Split neighborhoods. The shape and size of the buildings was partly dictated by the urban environment. Most churches are located in the immediate vicinity of the center of the neighborhood. The churches mainly differed by the shape of their bell towers, which were used by the architects to convey their devotion to or departure from tradition. The move toward central-plan buildings, which would be expected in the light of post-Council guidelines, did not emerge in Split. Conclusion: A comparison of contemporary sacral architecture in Split did not reveal a defined church design typology. The contemporary sacral architecture in Split has not completely turned to new trends and is still partly trying to keep the tradition, as reflected in the ground plan and bell tower design. Architects have abandoned the strong longitudinal axis and have been dimensioning the churches based on the real needs.

Paleohydrology of the Stefanina Cave (Greece)

The development of hypergene Stefanina Cave, the hydrological conditions, and the maximum discharge of the paleo-flow are studied, based on its pattern in ground-plan, the geometry of the passage, and the peak flow velocity from the dimensions of the scallops. The village of Stefanina is located East of Thessaloniki and the cave NE of the village. A study was conducted measuring the orientation of the discontinuities of the rocks inside and outside the cave, the scallops in various sites to estimate the flow velocities, and in addition, were taken photographs for the full analysis of its cross-section. The cave-in ground-plan has a pattern of branches, which is often associated with recharging through karstic depressions. The shape of the passages is both curvilinear and angular, depending on the foliage and the fractures. The symmetrical phreatic passage shape has been evolved to a vadose canyon, forming a keyhole passage in cross-section. This is indicative of a water table drop. The scallops are visible in a meandering channel, where the discharge of the paleo-flow is estimated. The estimated peak flow velocity ranges from 0.4 to 2.7 m / s, while the area-specific peak flow discharge is estimated to be 2.2 m3/s. On the one hand, the scallops represent the peak flow velocity, on the other hand, the karst springs have a limited maximum discharge, regardless of the size of the catchment, making it impossible to use the calculated paleo-discharge to estimate the respective catchment area.

Avgia Church (Batumi, Georgia)

The church discussed in the paper is situated in Avgia, on the outskirts of Batumi. It is an early Christian period hall-type church with northern and southern wings. The ground plan of the whole structure resembles the well-known layout of the croixlibre. The whole building is 23.85 m long and 19.0 m wide – including the arms. It has a projecting semi-circular apse whose radius is 6.05 m. The main space of the church is divided into three parts. It consists of a transverse hall, which may have operated as a narthex, a hall, and an altar apse. The floor of the structure was covered with pinkish lime mortar, a mixture of small pebbles and ceramic powder. The only central entrance to the church was located on the west side. The northern annex had an entrance in the north-western corner, and the southern one – in the south-eastern corner. The church seems to have been built of rubble stone. The construction style, layout, and archaeological evidence from the site narrow down its chronology to the 5th and 6th centuries AD.