Feasts of the Sanctorale

This chapter presents special cases of prosulas tied to Sanctoral feasts of special devotion in the Beneventan region. It places prosulas in connection with hagiographical literature and provides a combined textual and musical analysis of the pieces, occasionally displaying special rhythmic patterns. Subsections are dedicated to feasts of the Temporal, St. Bartholomew, St. Michael, SS. Agatha and Stephen, the Assumption, St. Nicholas, and others. It finally emphasizes that with few exceptions, the focus on universal saints of ancient lineage was meant to stress the links with the perceived cradles of Christianity, Africa and West Asia, and the center of papal power, Rome.

Chants, Hypertext, and Prosulas

The liturgical chant that was sung in the churches of southern Italy between the ninth and the thirteenth centuries reflects the multiculturalism of a territory in which Roman, Franks, Lombards, Byzantines, Normans, Jews, and Muslims were present at various times and with different political roles. This book examines a specific genre, the prosulas that were composed to embellish and expand preexisting liturgical chants of the liturgy of mass. Widespread in medieval Europe, prosulas were highly cultivated in southern Italy, especially by the nuns, monks, and clerics in the city of Benevento. They shed light on the creativity of local cantors to provide new meanings to the liturgy in accordance with contemporary waves of religious spirituality and to experiment with a novel musical style in which a syllabic setting is paired with the free-flowing melody of the parent chant. In their representing an epistemological “beyond” and because of their interconnectedness with the parent chant, they can be likened to modern hypertexts. The emphasis on universal saints of ancient lineage stressed the perceived links with the cradles of Christianity, Africa and West Asia, and the center of the papal power, Rome, while the high number of Christological prosulas in manuscripts used in nunneries might be tied to the devotion to Jesus as “spiritual spouse” that was typical of female religiosity. Full editions of texts, melodies, and manuscript facsimiles in the companion website enrich the study of the stylistic features and the cultural components of this fascinating genre.

Evolution of New Zealand's Marine Caddisflies: A Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Assessment of the Chathamiidae (Insecta: Trichoptera)

<p><b>The Chathamiidae are an interesting family of caddisflies, unusual as all of the five known species are believed to breed entirely within the marine intertidal, comprising one of very few known marine insect groups. Additionally the family approaches almost complete endemicity status in New Zealand, and may represent an ancient lineage representative of ancient vicariance from Gondwana. However one species, the common and widespread Philanisus plebeius is also known to have a disjunct population in New South Wales Australia, hypothesised to represent a recent anthropogenic dispersal. This thesis, using DNA information, examined the Chathamiidae at varying phylogenetic levels.</b></p> <p>Firstly the species Philanisus plebeius was incorporated into a thorough intraspecific phylogeography, including samples from both New Zealand and Australia. The population as a whole was genetically diverse, with the population divisible into two major haplogroups, each restricted to discrete geographic areas with no overlap being observed. One of these groups was restricted to just two localities in the central eastern North Island, whereas the remainder included most remaining samples from both Islands of New Zealand, and also Australia. All Australian samples were found to comprise a single haplotype, differing by a single base pair from the most common haplotype in New Zealand. It was decided that the Australian population therefore represents a recent dispersal event from New Zealand, although unless the Australian haplotype remains undiscovered in New Zealand the level of divergence found is not congruent with a human introduction. One sequence intermediate between the two major haplogroups was identified from a single haplotype from Tauranga. It seemed that much of the population of Philanisus plebeius has been affected by recent demographic expansion, likely due to the effects of the last glacial maximum (LGM).</p> <p>The five species of the Chathamiidae were then analysed in a phylogeny. It was found that the genus Chathamia was polyphyletic, with the species C. integripennis nested within the genus Philanisus. The remaining species, C. brevipennis from the Chatham Islands, was basal to all the remaining members of the family. A strict molecular clock found a recent Pleistocene age (roughly 0.5 Ma) for divergence of the Kermadec Island species Philanisus fasciatus, and a Pliocene-Pleistocene age (roughly 3 Ma) for the Chatham Island species Chathamia brevipennis. For a comparison with the species C. brevipennis, the other Chatham Island caddisfly taxa Oecetis chathamensis, and Hydrobiosis lindsayi were compared with New Zealand relatives; indicated to have late and early Pleistocene ages respectively. A short sequence of the gene COI was amplified for the species Philanisus mataua, however this was found to contain two sequences reflecting either heteroplasmy or sample contamination, inhibiting confident phylogenetic placement. Additionally a larval sample from Sydney was demonstrated to represent C. integripennis, recorded outside of Northern New Zealand for the first time. Finally the Chathamiidae was included in a higher level phylogeny with related families, and was show to comprise a monophyletic group, sister to the Australasian family of the Conoesucidae. A relaxed molecular clock estimated a Cretaceous (roughly 90 Ma) age for the Chathamiidae, congruent with a vicariant age in New Zealand.</p>

Evolution of New Zealand's Marine Caddisflies: A Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Assessment of the Chathamiidae (Insecta: Trichoptera)

<p><b>The Chathamiidae are an interesting family of caddisflies, unusual as all of the five known species are believed to breed entirely within the marine intertidal, comprising one of very few known marine insect groups. Additionally the family approaches almost complete endemicity status in New Zealand, and may represent an ancient lineage representative of ancient vicariance from Gondwana. However one species, the common and widespread Philanisus plebeius is also known to have a disjunct population in New South Wales Australia, hypothesised to represent a recent anthropogenic dispersal. This thesis, using DNA information, examined the Chathamiidae at varying phylogenetic levels.</b></p> <p>Firstly the species Philanisus plebeius was incorporated into a thorough intraspecific phylogeography, including samples from both New Zealand and Australia. The population as a whole was genetically diverse, with the population divisible into two major haplogroups, each restricted to discrete geographic areas with no overlap being observed. One of these groups was restricted to just two localities in the central eastern North Island, whereas the remainder included most remaining samples from both Islands of New Zealand, and also Australia. All Australian samples were found to comprise a single haplotype, differing by a single base pair from the most common haplotype in New Zealand. It was decided that the Australian population therefore represents a recent dispersal event from New Zealand, although unless the Australian haplotype remains undiscovered in New Zealand the level of divergence found is not congruent with a human introduction. One sequence intermediate between the two major haplogroups was identified from a single haplotype from Tauranga. It seemed that much of the population of Philanisus plebeius has been affected by recent demographic expansion, likely due to the effects of the last glacial maximum (LGM).</p> <p>The five species of the Chathamiidae were then analysed in a phylogeny. It was found that the genus Chathamia was polyphyletic, with the species C. integripennis nested within the genus Philanisus. The remaining species, C. brevipennis from the Chatham Islands, was basal to all the remaining members of the family. A strict molecular clock found a recent Pleistocene age (roughly 0.5 Ma) for divergence of the Kermadec Island species Philanisus fasciatus, and a Pliocene-Pleistocene age (roughly 3 Ma) for the Chatham Island species Chathamia brevipennis. For a comparison with the species C. brevipennis, the other Chatham Island caddisfly taxa Oecetis chathamensis, and Hydrobiosis lindsayi were compared with New Zealand relatives; indicated to have late and early Pleistocene ages respectively. A short sequence of the gene COI was amplified for the species Philanisus mataua, however this was found to contain two sequences reflecting either heteroplasmy or sample contamination, inhibiting confident phylogenetic placement. Additionally a larval sample from Sydney was demonstrated to represent C. integripennis, recorded outside of Northern New Zealand for the first time. Finally the Chathamiidae was included in a higher level phylogeny with related families, and was show to comprise a monophyletic group, sister to the Australasian family of the Conoesucidae. A relaxed molecular clock estimated a Cretaceous (roughly 90 Ma) age for the Chathamiidae, congruent with a vicariant age in New Zealand.</p>

Creating Myth, Asserting Dynasty

The series of new nineteenth-century emperors analysed in this book begins in 1804 with two figures who exemplify two contrasting methods of projecting imperial power. One of them, Napoleon Bonaparte, concentrated his efforts on inventing a tradition and on creating a myth and a huge panoply of power to compensate for the fact that he was a parvenu. The other, Franz I of Austria, formerly Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor, quietly asserted his ancient lineage and reminded his people of his dynastic claim to imperial glory. This chapter analyses Napoleon I’s coronations as emperor of the French and as king of Italy and Franz I’s creation of Franzensburg, a dynastic monument open to the public.

Relict from the Jurassic: new family of brittle-stars from a New Caledonian seamount

The deep-seafloor in the tropical Indo-Pacific harbours a rich and diverse benthic fauna with numerous palaeoendemics. Here, we describe a new species, genus and family of brittle-star (Ophiuroidea) from a single eight-armed specimen collected from a depth between 360 and 560 m on Banc Durand, a seamount east of New Caledonia. Leveraging a robust, fossil-calibrated (265 kbp DNA) phylogeny for the Ophiuroidea, we estimate the new lineage diverged from other ophiacanthid families in the Late Triassic or Jurassic (median = 187–178 Myr, 95% CI = 215–143 Myr), a period of elevated diversification for this group. We further report very similar microfossil remains from Early Jurassic (180 Myr) sediments of Normandy, France. The discovery of a new ancient lineage in the relatively well-known Ophiuroidea indicates the importance of ongoing taxonomic research in the deep-sea, an environment increasingly threatened by human activities.

Genomic analysis and phylogenetic position of the complex IncC plasmid found in the Spanish monophasic clone of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

AbstractpUO-STmRV1 is an IncC plasmid discovered in the Spanish clone of the emergent monophasic variant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, which has probably contributed to its epidemiological success. The sequence of the entire plasmid determined herein revealed a largely degenerated backbone with accessory DNA incorporated at four different locations. The acquired DNA constitutes more than two-thirds of the pUO-STmRV1 genome and originates from plasmids of different incompatibility groups, including IncF (such as R100 and pSLT, the virulence plasmid specific of S. Typhimurium), IncN and IncI, from the integrative element GIsul2, or from yet unknown sources. In addition to pSLT virulence genes, the plasmid carries genes conferring resistance to widely-used antibiotics and heavy metals, together with a wealth of genetic elements involved in DNA mobility. The latter comprise class 1 integrons, transposons, pseudo-transposons, and insertion sequences, strikingly with 14 copies of IS26, which could have played a crucial role in the assembly of the complex plasmid. Typing of pUO-STmRV1 revealed backbone features characteristically associated with type 1 and type 2 IncC plasmids and could therefore be regarded as a hybrid plasmid. However, a rooted phylogenetic tree based on core genes indicates that it rather belongs to an ancient lineage which diverged at an early stage from the branch leading to most extant IncC plasmids detected so far. pUO-STmRV1 may have evolved at a time when uncontrolled use of antibiotics and biocides favored the accumulation of multiple resistance genes within an IncC backbone. The resulting plasmid thus allowed the Spanish clone to withstand a wide variety of adverse conditions, while simultaneously promoting its own propagation through vertical transmission.

Chromosome evolution and the genetic basis of agronomically important traits in greater yam

The nutrient-rich tubers of the greater yam Dioscorea alata L. provide food and income security for millions of people around the world. Despite its global importance, however, greater yam remains an "orphan crop." Here we address this resource gap by presenting a highly-contiguous chromosome-scale genome assembly of greater yam combined with a dense genetic map derived from African breeding populations. The genome sequence reveals an ancient lineage-specific genome duplication, followed by extensive genome-wide reorganization. Using our new genomic tools we find quantitative trait loci for susceptibility to anthracnose, a damaging fungal pathogen of yam, and several tuber quality traits. Genomic analysis of breeding lines reveals both extensive inbreeding as well as regions of extensive heterozygosity that may represent interspecific introgression during domestication. These tools and insights will enable yam breeders to unlock the potential of this staple crop and take full advantage of its adaptability to varied environments.

Southeast Asia as One of World’s Primary Sources of Biotic Recolonization Following Anthropocene Extinctions

The plight of Southeast Asia’s animals, plants and ecosystems in the face of unsustainable exploitation and habitat destruction has been illustrated in several recent studies, despite often falling outside the global discourse on global conservation priorities. Here, we collate biogeographic and phylogenetic information to argue that this beleaguered region is one of world’s primary macrorefugia, and possibly its best chance of regaining its natural biodiversity distribution patterns after the current Anthropocene upheaval. The region uniquely combines top diversity values in (a) ancient lineage diversity and (b) cosmopolitan lineage diversity, suggesting that it has acted in the past as a biodiversity museum and source of global colonization. This is at least partly due to the interplay between latitudinal diversity gradients and continental connectivity patterns. However, the peak values in South China/North Indochina for cosmopolitan tetrapods and their sister lineages suggest that a key feature is also the availability of diverse climatic conditions. In particular, the north-south orientation of the mountain ranges here has allowed for rapid recolonization within the region following past climatic changes, resulting in high survival values and overall exceptional relict lineage diversity. From this starting point, global colonization occurred on multiple occasions. It is hoped that, with urgent action, the region can once again fulfill this function.

Aristocracy, Family, and Property

Chapter 3 describes the senatorial aristocracy of Rome and divisions within its ranks. Even after the seat of western government left the city for safer territory, its aristocrats retained their pride of place. When Constantine founded Constantinople as his capital in the East, an entire senatorial aristocracy was created for it, although its members could not claim the ancient lineage and traditions of their Roman counterparts. The chapter details senatorial wealth, including that of Melania and Pinian. It explores the diverse meanings of “family” in ancient Rome and relevant inheritance law. It traces the family trees of Melania and Pinian and their extensive real estate—mansions, villas, and agricultural properties, spread across eight Roman provinces. It analyzes the fraught question of whether an excavated palace on Rome’s Caelian Hill was Melania and Pinian’s, and its probable fate.