A new species of Homonota (Squamata: Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae) from Paraguay

The 12 recognized species of the genus Homonota are geographically restricted to central and southern South America in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay. The phylogenetic relationships within the genus are well known where three groups are identified, each of them containing four species: the whitii group (Homonota darwinii, H. williamsii, H. whitii, and H. andicola), the borellii group (H. borellii, H. taragui, H. rupicola, and H. uruguayensis) and the horrida group (H. horrida, H. underwoodi, H. septentrionalis, and H. marthae). During fieldwork in Paraguay, we found a specimen of Homonota with unique morphological and geographical traits. Thus, we performed a comparative morphological analysis against specimens housed in different Paraguayan collections. Additionally, we performed a DNA analysis of our specimen to assess its relationships within the genus. Results suggest that this specimen represents a new species of the Homonota horrida group based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is characterized by a robust body, 10 longitudinal rows of strongly keeled scales separated by one or two granular scales, square-shaped mental scales, small postmental scales, one or two rows of rectangular scales in the upper eye scales, rostral scale divided, edge of auditory meatus serrated posteriorly, and black and brown background coloration with one white vertebral line and seven white transverse bands. The new species is restricted to Paraguarí Department, characterized by herbaceous grasslands with rocky outcrops.

Comparative-morphological analysis of intermuscular nervous plexus book of edilbayevskaya sheep in postnatal ontogenesis

Purpose: To perform a comparative morphological analysis of the intermuscular nerve plexus of the book of the Edilbaev breed sheep in postnatal ontogenesis.Materials and methods. For the experiment, the control and experimental groups were selected in the amount of 35 heads, 5 animals were killed immediately after birth. The rest were divided into control and experimental groups of 5 lambs each. Control groups of lambs were fed naturally on ewes. Experimental groups of lambs, according to the instructions, were on artificial feeding with a sheep milk substitute (ZOM) "Kolvo-Start". The object of histological examination was the ganglia of the book of Edilbaev breed lambs of 4 technological periods: newborns, 15-day-old, 2.5-month-old, 4.5-month-old. We used classical neuromorphological, morphometric and histological methods, as well as processing statistical data.Results. Comparative analysis showed that in the group of medium-sized cells in the ganglia of lambs of 2.5 months of age, there is an intensive growth of the cytoplasm in relation to the nucleus, both in the control and in the experiment. The morphological indicators of the adaptive-compensatory restructuring of the nervous tissue were revealed.Conclusion. The obtained morphometric data from birth to 4.5 months of age testify to the advanced growth of ganglia in the experiment both in length and width, an increase in the linear dimensions of the ganglia of the book occurs. This is due to the pronounced adaptation and formation of the organ in connection with the nature of feeding.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NEMATODES OF THE SPECIES MARSHALLAGIA DENTISPICULARIS AND M. SOGDIANA (NEMATODA: TRICHOSTRONGYLIDAE)

The article presents the results of a comparative morphological analysis of nematodes of the species Marshallagia dentispicularis and M. sogdiana in order to determine the taxonomic position of the species in the system of the genus Marshallagia. The material was collected during dissection of abomasuses of sheep and goats in slaughterhouses in the Bukhara and Tashkent regions, as well as the city of Tashkent. A comparative analysis of the studied individuals of M.dentispicularis and M. sogdiana males found some differences in the shape and structure of the spicule and the dorsal rib. However, the length of the spicules and the dorsal rib, as well as the length and width of the body do not significantly change the range of size variations. Each species is characterized by a rather large genital bursa, there is a rudder, the shape of the lateral plate is conical in M. dentispicularis and bayonet in M. sogdiana. Taking into account some morphological similarities of certain species characteristics that are often found during dissection of animals, it can be assumed that these species are polymorphic forms of one species M. dentispicularis. The expressed doubt requires special molecular and genetic studies of the above species.

Consequences of parallel miniaturisation in Microhylinae (Anura, Microhylidae), with the description of a new genus of diminutive South East Asian frogs

The genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 includes 52 species and is one of the most diverse genera of the family Microhylidae, being the most species-rich taxon of the Asian subfamily Microhylinae. The recent, rapid description of numerous new species of Microhyla with complex phylogenetic relationships has made the taxonomy of the group especially challenging. Several recent phylogenetic studies suggested paraphyly of Microhyla with respect to Glyphoglossus Günther, 1869, and revealed three major phylogenetic lineages of mid-Eocene origin within this assemblage. However, comprehensive works assessing morphological variation among and within these lineages are absent. In the present study we investigate the generic taxonomy of Microhyla–Glyphoglossus assemblage based on a new phylogeny including 57 species, comparative morphological analysis of skeletons from cleared-and-stained specimens for 23 species, and detailed descriptions of generalized osteology based on volume-rendered micro-CT scans for five species–altogether representing all major lineages within the group. The results confirm three highly divergent and well-supported clades that correspond with external and osteological morphological characteristics, as well as respective geographic distribution. Accordingly, acknowledging ancient divergence between these lineages and their significant morphological differentiation, we propose to consider these three lineages as distinct genera: Microhylasensu stricto, Glyphoglossus, and a newly described genus, Nanohylagen. nov.

The approach to the comparative morphological analysis of spores of the Pteridaceae E. D. M. Kirchn family representatives (Pteridophyta) based on phylogenetic relationship data

The work presents the result of using comparative morphological analysis of spore of threesubfamilies from the family Pteridaceae E. D. M. Kirchn. (Cryptogrammoideae S. Linds., Pteridoideae C. Chr.ex Crabbe, Jermy a. Mickel, Ceratopteridoideae (J. Sm.) R. M. Tryon) by evolutionary biology method by Mesquitesoftware. This approach allows comparing in detail the standardized qualitative features of the morphology of sporeswith the data on phylogenetic relationship of representatives, which as a result helps to identify intra- and intertaxonomicgroups of relationship, to search for evolutionary connections, to obtain new knowledge for solving problems in ferntaxonomy. Obtained data allow supplement natural classification of the Pteridaceae family.

The fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) of the Madeira archipelago with the description of a new Oedosphenella Frey

A checklist of the tephritid fauna (Diptera: Tephritidae) from Madeira archipelago is presented, including 17 known species and new distribution records for Porto Santo and Desertas Islands. An identification key to Madeira Tephritidae species with detailed illustrations is also provided. A new species of Oedosphenella Frey 1936, discovered in Madeira Island in 2004, is described as Oedosphenella bob sp. n. This genus is redefined and a key to the known species is provided. Comparative morphological analysis revealed that Bevismyia basuto Munro 1957 from Malawi should be included in the genus Oedosphenella. Therefore, we consider the genus name Oedosphenella Frey 1936 to be a senior synonym of Bevismyia Munro 1957 syn.n.

To the taxonomy of the family Liliaceae Juss. in Altai Mountain Country

The work presents a comparative morphological analysis of the distinctive characteristics of the LiliaceaeJuss. family representatives, growing in the Altai Mountain Country based on the materials of Herbaria ALTB and YALT,as well as digital collections NS (NSK), MW, FRU, E, CAS, B and G. Based on the analysis of literary sources, herbariumspecimens and studies of representatives in the environment the main morphological characteristics of species, genera andfamily as a whole have been identified. For representatives of the genus Streptopus Michaux. with the rhizome type ofunderground organs, flat basal leaves and always the presence of inflorescences are common, the fruit is a berry. For somespecies of the genus Gagea Salib. small bulbs are typical, except for one-two-headed (Lilium L., Fritillaria L., TulipaL., Erythronium L. and Lloydia Salisb. ex Rchb.). The color of the corolla is different: from white and yellow to red andpurple. Yellow color of the petals is most common, white forms are less common. The genus Lilium L. is characterized bythe attachment of anthers to the threads in the middle and the presence of specks and specks on the corolla, while in therepresentatives of the remaining genera the anthers are attached with a base. Indicative spots or a checkerboard patternare also noted in the genus Fritillaria L.