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Head Structures (head + structure)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	78%
Earth and Environmental Science	14%

Selected Abstracts

HEAD STRUCTURE IN UPPER STEM-GROUP EUARTHROPODS

PALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2008
GRAHAM E. BUDD
Abstract:, Continuing debate over the evolution and morphology of the arthropod head has led to considerable interest in the relevance of the evidence from the fossil record. However, dispute over homology and even presence of appendages and sclerites in Cambrian arthropods has resulted in widely differing views of their significance. The head structures of several important taxa, Fuxianhuia, Canadaspis, Odaraia, Chengjiangocaris and Branchiocaris are redescribed, revealing the essential similarity between them. In particular, all possessed an anterior sclerite, probably followed by a large posterior, ventral sclerite that is likely to be homologous to the hypostome of trilobites. The presence of a similar feature in Sanctacaris is also possible, but less well-supported. An anterior sclerite, usually bearing eyes, as in Fuxianhuia, appears to be a widespread feature of basal arthropods. Whether or not this sclerite represents an original articulating protocerebral segment on its own is, however, open to debate. [source]

Head structures of males of Strepsiptera (Hexapoda) with emphasis on basal splitting events within the order

JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
Rolf Georg Beutel
Abstract Internal and external head structures of males of Strepsiptera were examined and the head of a species of Mengenilla is described in detail. The results suggest a reinterpretation of some structures. The head of basal extant strepsipterans is subprognathous, whereas it is strictly orthognathous in the groundplan of Strepsiptera s.l. The labrum and hypopharynx are not part of the mouthfield sclerite. The labial palps are absent in all strepsipterans. A very slightly modified mandibular articulation is preserved in Eoxenos, whereas it is distinctly reduced in other extant groups. A salivary duct, salivary glands, and a cephalic aorta are absent. The cladistic analysis of 44 characters of the head results in the following branching pattern: (Protoxenos + (Mengea + (Eoxenos + (Mengenilla [Austr.] + Mengenilla) + (Elenchus + Dundoxenos + Xenos + Stylops)))). Most apomorphies of males are associated with the necessity of finding females within a short time span and with a reduced necessity to consume food: large "raspberry" eyes, flabellate antennae with numerous dome-shaped chemoreceptors, Hofeneder's organ, an ovoid sensillum of the maxillary palp, and the simplified condition of the maxilla and the labium. Strepsiptera excl. Protoxenos are supported by the dorsomedian frontal impression, the dorsally shifted antennal insertions, a reduced number of antennal segments, absence of the galea, and probably by the presence of the mouthfield sclerite, which is a unique apomorphic feature. The balloon-gut combined with an unusual air-uptake apparatus is another possible autapomorphy of this clade. It is likely that the last common ancestor of Strepsiptera excl. Protoxenos did not process food. Strepsiptera s.str. are characterized by the strongly reduced condition of the labrum and the absence of the epistomal suture. Eoxenos is the sister group of the remaining Strepsiptera s.str. Synapomorphies of Mengenilla + Stylopidia are the advanced reduction of the mandibular articulation and the secondary absence of the ovoid sensillum. The monophyly of Mengenilla is confirmed, even though a small free labrum is present in Australian species. Derived features of Stylopidia are the absence of the coronal suture and the reduced condition of the frontal suture. Apomorphies that have evolved within Stylopidia are the membranization of parts of the head, the fusion of antennal segments, the increase or decrease of the number of flabellate flagellomeres, reductions and modifications of the mandibles, and modifications of the mouthfield sclerite. The monophyly of Stylopiformia is not unambiguously supported. A position of the mandibles posterior to the mouthfield sclerite (when adducted) is a possible synapomorphy shared by Xenos, Stylops, and other "higher Stylopidia." The blade-like distal part of the mandibles suggests a closer relationship of Elenchus with these taxa. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Head structures of Karoophasma sp. (Hexapoda, Mantophasmatodea) with phylogenetic implications

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007
E. Baum
Abstract External and internal head structures of adults of Karoophasma sp. were examined and described. The results are compared with conditions found in other representatives of Mantophasmatodea and members of other lower neopteran groups. The X-shaped apodeme of the frons, the unpigmented oval area enclosed by apical branches of the anterior tentorial arms, the oval sclerotisation at the base of the labrum, the sclerotized rounded apical part of the galea, and the loss of M. labroepipharyngalis are probably autapomorphic for Mantophasmatodea. Plesiomorphic features (groundplan of Neoptera) are the orthognathous condition, the absence of parietal ridges, the absence of a gula, the absence of a ,perforation of the corpotentorium', the multisegmented antennae inserted between the compound eyes, the general arrangement of the mouthparts, the shape and composition of the maxillae and labium, and the nearly complete set of muscles. The presence of a transverse muscle connecting the antennal ampullae is a potential synapomorphy of Orthoptera, Phasmatodea and Dictyoptera. Character states suggesting affinities with Grylloblattodea are the absence of ocelli, the elongation of the corpotentorium, and the very similar mandibles with widely separated bases and completely reduced molae. Whether predacious habits are a synapomorphic feature of Mantophasmatodea and Grylloblattodea is uncertain. The retained orthognathous condition in Mantophasmatodea and Mantodea is likely related with different specialized preying techniques in both groups, i.e. rapid forward pushes of the head,prothorax complex, and the use of raptorial legs, respectively. Zusammenfassung Äußere und innere Kopfstrukturen von Imagines von Karoophasma sp. wurden untersucht und beschrieben. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit Befunden bei anderen Vetretern der Mantophasmatodea und bei potentiell nah verwandten Gruppen verglichen. Das x-förmige Frontalapodem, die unpigmentierten, von apikalen Ausläufern der vorderen Tentorialarme abgegrenzten ovalen Felder, die ovale Sklerotisation an der Basis des Labrum, der sklerotisierte, abgerundete Apikalteil der Galea und der Verlust von M. labroepipharyngalis sind wahrscheinlich Autapomorphien der Mantophasmatodea. Plesiomorphe Merkmale (Grundplan der Neoptera) sind die Orthognathie, das Fehlen von Parietalleisten, einer Gula und einer ,Perforation des Corpotentorium', die zwischen den Komplexaugen inserierenden vielgliedrigen Antennen, die Anordnung der Mundwerkzeuge, die Form und Zusammensetzung der Maxillen und des Labiums, und der nahezu vollständige Satz von Kopfmuskeln. Das Vorhandensein eines transversalen Muskels, der die Antennenampullen verbindet, ist eine potentielle Synapomorphie der Orthoptera, Phasmatodea und Dictyoptera. Er fehlt bei den Mantophasmatodea. Apomorphe Merkmale, die ein Schwestergruppenverhältnis mit den Grylloblattodea nahelegen, sind das Fehlen von Ocellen, die Verlängerung des Corpotentorium und die sehr ähnlichen, an der Basis weit voneinander getrennten Mandibeln ohne Mola. Ob die räuberische Lebensweise der Mantophasmatodea und Grylloblattodea eine Synapomorphie darstellt, ist unklar. Die bei den Mantophasmatodea und Mantodea beibehaltene Orthognathie ist wahrscheinlich bei beiden Gruppen mit unterschiedlichen, spezialisierten Jagdtechniken korreliert, mit schnellen Vorstößen des Kopf,Prothorax,Komplexes einerseits, und mit dem Einsatz von spezialisierten Fangbeinen andererseits. [source]

Retention, Distribution, and Effects of Intraosseously Administered Ibandronate in the Infarcted Femoral Head,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007
James Aya-ay
Abstract The local distribution, retention, and effects of intraosseous administration of ibandronate in the infarcted femoral heads were studied. Intraosseous administration effectively delivered and distributed ibandronate in the infarcted femoral heads and decreased the femoral head deformity in a large animal model of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Introduction: Bisphosphonate therapy has gained significant attention for the treatment of ischemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (IOFH) because of its ability to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, which has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of femoral head deformity. Because IOFH is a localized condition, there is a need to explore the therapeutic potential of local, intraosseous administration of bisphosphonate to prevent the femoral head deformity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution, retention, and effects of intraosseous administration of ibandronate in the infarcted head. Materials and Methods: IOFH was surgically induced in the right femoral head of 27 piglets. One week later, a second operation was performed to inject 14C-labeled or unlabeled ibandronate directly into the infarcted head. 14C-ibandronate injected heads were assessed after 48 h, 3 weeks, or 7 weeks later to determine the distribution and retention of the drug using autoradiography and liquid scintillation analysis. Femoral heads injected with unlabeled ibandronate were assessed at 7 weeks to determine the degree of deformity using radiography and histomorphometry. Results: Autoradiography showed that 14C-Ibandronate was widely distributed in three of the four heads examined at 48 h after the injection. Liquid scintillation analysis showed that most of the drug was retained in the injected head, and almost negligible amount of radioactivity was present in the bone and organs elsewhere at 48 h. At 3 and 7 weeks, 50% and 30% of the 14C-drug were found to be retained in the infarcted heads, respectively. Radiographic and histomorphometric assessments showed significantly better preservation of the infarcted heads treated with intraosseous administration of ibandronate compared with saline (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides for the first time the evidence that local intraosseous administration is an effective route to deliver and distribute ibandronate in the infarcted femoral head to preserve the femoral head structure after ischemic osteonecrosis. In a localized ischemic condition such as IOFH, local administration of bisphosphonate may be preferable to oral or systemic administration because it minimizes the distribution of the drug to the rest of the skeleton and bypasses the need for having a restored blood flow to the infarcted head for the delivery of the drug. [source]

Pseudotracheal tubes, larval head, and mycophagy in Sepedophilus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae)

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, Issue 1-2 2001
Leschen
Newton (in: Wheeler, Q.; Blackwell, M. (eds), Fungus-Insect Relationships: Perspectives in Ecology and Evolution. New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 302–353, 1984) characterized five types of Sepedophilus larvae based on head structures and the external and internal features of the head of larvae of Sepedophilus type C are described in detail herein. A functional interpretation of structures involved with feeding is made on the basis of morphological and behavioural observations. Types C and D larvae possess tube-like epipharyngeal structures resembling dipteran labial pseudotrachea, which may play an important role in a specialized liquid-feeding process. Based on a preliminary analysis of head characters delimited by Newton (1984) it is shown that mycophagy has evolved once from a predatory ancestor, although some Sepedophilus groups may have mixed feeding strategies. The epipharyngeal tubes are demonstrated to be unique to mycophagous Sepedophilus in Coleoptera whereas the overall head structure is very similar to mycophagous larvae in the family Sphindidae. Pseudotracheen, Larvale Kopfstrukturen und Mycetophagie bei Sepedophilus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae) Newton (in: Wheeler, Q.; Blackwell, M. (eds), Fungus-Insect Relationships: Perspectives in Ecology and Evolution. New York: Columbia University Press, pp. 302–353, 1984) charakterisierte fünf Larventypen von Sepedophilus Gistel, 1856 basierend auf abweichenden Kopfstrukturen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden äußere und innere Merkmale des Kopfes von Larven des Typs C detailliert beschrieben. Eine funktionelle Interpretation der am Freßvorhang beteiligten Kopfstrukturen beruht auf morphologischen Befunden und Lebendbeobachtungen. Larven der Typen C und D besitzen röhrenförmige epipharyngeale Strukturen, die an labiale Pseudotracheen von Dipteren erinnern. Sie spielen wahrscheinlich eine wichtige Rolle bei der Ernährung von verflüssigtem Substrat. Eine vorläufige Analyse von Kopfmerkmalen, die von Newton (1984) definiert wurden, ergibt ein nur einmaliges Entstehen von Mycetophagie ausgehend wahrscheinlich von räuberischen Vorfahren. Dabei kann allerdings nicht ausgeschlossen werden, daßSepedophilus -Larven auch unterschiedliche Nahrungsresourcen nutzen können. Die epipharyngealen Röhren kommen außer bei mycetophagen Sepedophilus -Arten bei keiner anderen Coleopterengruppe vor. Die übrigen Kopfstrukturen erinnern dagegen stark an mycetophage Larven der Familie Sphindidae. [source]

An observational study of multiple cloud head structure in the FASTEX IOP 16 cyclone

ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 2-4 2002
N. M. Roberts
Abstract Radar, dropsonde, aircraft and satellite data obtained during a FASTEX intensive observing period are combined to give a unique description of multiple cloud heads in a rapidly developing mid-latitude cyclone. The cloud heads are shown to be associated with stacked slantwise frontal circulations with ascent rates of around 10 cm/s. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society. [source]

Network of gene function and its modification by environmental factors and epigenetic events in the formation of head structures

CONGENITAL ANOMALIES, Issue 4 2000
Hiroki Otani
ABSTRACT A few important aspects when considering the etiology and pathogenesis of congenital anomalies are reviewed and discussed using examples related to morphogenesis of the head and craniofacial structures. Namely, the network and cascade of gene functions, modification by environmental or exogenous factors, and morphogenetic characteristics (epigenetic events) of each body part as the result of a genetic program. [source]

Identification and characterization of Xenopus OMP25

DEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 5 2004
Masafumi Inui
This study describes the isolation of mitochondrial outer membrane protein 25 (OMP25) from Xenopus laevis and an analysis of its role in early development. X. laevis OMP25 (xOMP25) is a transmembrane protein of the mitochondrial outer membrane with a PDZ domain in the cytoplasmic tail, and an approximate molecular size of 25 kDa. We isolated xOMP25 from a cDNA library of X. laevis tailbud embryos. Amino acid sequence analysis of xOMP25 showed 57% identity to mouse OMP25, with 73% identity in the PDZ domains. XOMP25 mRNA is expressed maternally, and at a constant level throughout early development. The transcript is localized to eye, otic vesicle, branchial arch and neural tube. Mitochondrial targeting of an EGFP-fusion protein of xOMP25 was visualized using a mitochondria-specific fluorescent dye. Overexpression of xOMP25 in embryos caused curved axes, small eyes and disorganized head structures. Knockdown of xOMP25 protein using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides resulted in slightly shortened axes and decreased neural tissue. Although the mechanism remains unclear, our results implicate xOMP25 protein in the formation of the intact neural tube. [source]

Genetic disruption of CYP26B1 severely affects development of neural crest derived head structures, but does not compromise hindbrain patterning

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2009
Glenn Maclean
Abstract Cyp26b1 encodes a cytochrome-P450 enzyme that catabolizes retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A derived signaling molecule. We have examined Cyp26b1,/, mice and report that mutants exhibit numerous abnormalities in cranial neural crest cell derived tissues. At embryonic day (E) 18.5 Cyp26b1,/, animals exhibit a truncated mandible, abnormal tooth buds, reduced ossification of calvaria, and are missing structures of the maxilla and nasal process. Some of these abnormalities may be due to defects in formation of Meckel's cartilage, which is truncated with an unfused distal region at E14.5 in mutant animals. Despite the severe malformations, we did not detect any abnormalities in rhombomere segmentation, or in patterning and migration of anterior hindbrain derived neural crest cells. Abnormal migration of neural crest cells toward the posterior branchial arches was observed, which may underlie defects in larynx and hyoid development. These data suggest different periods of sensitivity of anterior and posterior hindbrain neural crest derivatives to elevated levels of RA in the absence of CYP26B1. Developmental Dynamics 238:732,745, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Head structures of males of Strepsiptera (Hexapoda) with emphasis on basal splitting events within the order

Pseudotracheal tubes, larval head, and mycophagy in Sepedophilus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Tachyporinae)

Neuroanatomy and Volumes of Brain Structures of a Live California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) From Magnetic Resonance Images

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2009
Eric W. Montie
Lateral view of MRI reconstruction of the brain surface of a California sea lion. The reconstruction placed in a parasagittal section through surrounding head structures. See Montie et al., on page 1523, in this issue. [source]

CT and Cross-sectional Anatomy of the Normal Head of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 2005
A. Arencibia
The objective of this study is to describe the CT anatomy of the normal loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) head using three loggerhead sea turtle heads. CT imaging was performed using the following parameters: K.v.: 120 mAs: 220, and a soft-tissue window (WW 1880, WL 465): Transverse and sagittal CT images were obtained. Detailed anatomy of the head was acquired with the sagittal and transverse series. The heads were frozen and then sectioned using an electric saw, to compare them with the CT images. In CT, the grey scale is directly related to the radiation attenuation of the head structures. The skull and hyoid bones, and the lower jaw were easily identifiable due to the high CT density image compared to adjacent or surrounding structures such as the respiratory system, oral cavity, oesophagus and cranial cavity that appeared as a low opacity. The nervous structures, salt gland, eyeball, ramphoteca structure and different muscles of the head had an intermediate CT density and appeared grey. CT images of the loggerhead sea turtle head provided excellent detail of clinically relevant anatomy and correlated well with corresponding gross specimens. CT of the head has considerable advantages over other techniques: CT provides excellent spatial resolution and good discrimination between bone and soft tissue, and the structures are viewed without superimposition. The planimetric or sectional anatomy of the head allows a correct morphologic and topographic evaluation of the anatomic structures, which is a useful tool for the identification of the CT images. With developing technology, CT imaging may soon become more readily available for exotic animals imaging. In the same way, we consider it quite useful to be able to establish some references on head, in order to scan only selected parts during a clinical or experimental approach. The information presented in this communication should serve as an initial reference to evaluate CT images of the loggerhead sea turtle head and to assist interpretation of lesions of this region. [source]

On the head morphology of Tetraphalerus, the phylogeny of Archostemata and the basal branching events in Coleoptera

CLADISTICS, Issue 3 2008
Rolf G. Beutel
Internal and external features of Tetraphalerus bruchi were studied using X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) and other techniques, and head structures were described in detail. µ-Ct is highly efficient for the assessment of anatomical data. A data matrix with 90 morphological characters of recent and fossil beetles was analyzed with different approaches (parsimony, Bayesian analysis). The results of the parsimony analysis resulted in the following branching pattern: (,Tshekardocoleidae + (,Permocupedidae, ,Rhombocoleidae + (,Triadocupedidae + ((Adephaga + (Myxophaga + Polyphaga))) + Archostemata s.str. [including Jurodidae]))). Sikhotealinia is placed as sister group of ,Jurodes (Jurodidae), and Jurodidae as sister group of the remaining Archostemata (Bayesian analysis) or of a clade comprising Micromalthidae, Crowsoniellidae, ,Ademosynidae, ,Schizophoridae and ,Catiniidae. The monophyly of Ommatidae and Cupedidae is well supported and Priacma is placed as the sister group of all other Cupedidae. Important events in the early evolution of Coleoptera are the shortening of the elytra and the transformation of the elytral venation (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae), the formation of a closed subelytral space (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae and ,Permocupedidae), the reduction of two apical antennomeres, and the loss of the broad prothoracic postcoxal bridge (Coleoptera excluding ,Tshekardocoleidae, ,Permocupedidae and ,Rhombocoleidae). Plesiomorphic features preserved in extant Archostemata are the tuberculate cuticle, the elytral pattern with parallel longitudinal ribs and window punctures, a mesoventrite with a transverse ridge, triangular mesocoxae with a distinct meron, and the exposed metatrochantin. The fossils included in the analyses do not only contribute to the reconstruction of character evolution but also influence the branching pattern. An understanding of the major evolutionary events in Coleoptera would not be possible without considering the rich fossil record of Permian and Mesozoic beetles. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007. [source]