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Morphological Diversity (morphological + diversity)
Selected AbstractsPHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AND MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN DARWIN'S FINCHES AND THEIR RELATIVESEVOLUTION, Issue 6 2002Kevin J. Burns Abstract Despite the importance of Darwin's finches to the development of evolutionary theory, the origin of the group has only recently been examined using a rigorous, phylogenetic methodology that includes many potential outgroups. Knowing the evolutionary relationships of Darwin's finches to other birds is important for understanding the context from which this adaptive radiation arose. Here we show that analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data from the cytochrome b gene confirm that Darwin's finches are monophyletic. In addition, many taxa previously proposed as the sister taxon to Darwin's finches can be excluded as their closest living relative. Darwin's finches are part of a well-supported monophyletic group of species, all of which build a domed nest. All but two of the non-Darwin's finches included in this clade occur on Caribbean islands and most are Caribbean endemics. These close relatives of Darwin's finches show a diversity of bill types and feeding behaviors similar to that observed among Darwin's finches themselves. Recent studies have shown that adaptive evolution in Darwin's finches occurred relatively quickly. Our data show that among the relatives of Darwin's finches, the evolution of bill diversity was also rapid and extensive. [source] Cover Picture: J. Basic Microbiol.JOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 20092/200 Morphological diversity among Anabaena isolates from major agro-ecologies of India, depicting the heterogeneity in shape, size and colour of cells and trichomes. Shown are Anabaena type strain, coiled filaments (A. circinalis), pointed end cell (A. spiroides), double heterocysts (A. iyengarii), heterocysts (A. aphanizomenoides), large, oval and boat shaped akinetes (A. flos-aquae, A. anomala, A. naviculoides), in-situ germination of akinetes (A. sphaerica) and a series of akinetes (A. variabilis var. ellipsospora). Scale bar = 40 ,m (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Sponge morphological diversity: a qualitative predictor of species diversity?AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2001James J. Bell Abstract 1.,To the non-specialist, problems are often associated with the quantification of sponge species diversity, as colour, shape and size can be highly variable within a single species. These variables can lead to an under-estimation of the contribution of sponges to the biodiversity of the benthos especially during biological surveys. 2.,Sponge species diversity (Shannon H, values), richness (mean number of species) and morphological diversity (Shannon H, values) were sampled at six sites (6 m depth intervals) on vertical (90°) and inclined surfaces (45°) experiencing different flow regimes at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve (Ireland). Morphological diversity was sampled independently of species diversity. The time taken for the collection of both species and morphological diversity was recorded. 3.,Morphological diversity was positively correlated with both sponge species diversity (r2=0.87, p<0.05) and sponge species richness (r2=0.70, p<0.05). Linear regression was found to be significant for both the relationships (p<0.05 for each F -value). A sigmoidal relationship (r2=0.97, p<0.05) was found between morphological and species richness which proved to be significant (F -value 40.67, p<0.05). Separate Bray,Curtis dendrograms and correspondence analysis of morphological and species community compositions at the six sites showed very similar clustering and four major clusters were identified. 4.,The results of the present study indicate that sampling of sponge morphological diversity, rather than sponge species diversity and richness may be used as a qualitative estimate of sponge species diversity. Sampling of morphological diversity is much less time consuming, both in the field and laboratory, than collecting species diversity data and no specialist knowledge is required. Consideration is given to the use of such relationships in biological surveys and bio-monitoring. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The spermatozoon of the Old Endemic Australo-Papuan and Philippine rodents , its morphological diversity and evolutionACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 3 2010William G. Breed Abstract Breed, W.G. and Leigh, C.M. 2010. The spermatozoon of the Old Endemic Australo-Papuan and Philippine rodents , its morphological diversity and evolution.,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 279,294 The spermatozoon of most murine rodents contains a head in which there is a characteristic apical hook, whereas most old endemic Australian murines, which are part of a broader group of species that also occur in New Guinea and the Philippines, have a far more complex sperm form with two additional ventral processes. Here we ask the question: what is the sperm morphology of the New Guinea and Philippines species and what are the trends in evolutionary changes of sperm form within this group? The results show that, within New Guinea, most species have a highly complex sperm morphology like the Australian rodents, but within the Pogonomys Division some species have a simpler sperm morphology with no ventral processes. Amongst the Philippines species, many have a sperm head with a single apical hook, but in three Apomys species the sperm head contains two additional small ventral processes, with two others having cockle-shaped sperm heads. When these findings are plotted on a molecular phylogeny, the results suggest that independent and convergent evolution of highly complex sperm heads containing two ventral processes has evolved in several separate lineages. These accessory structures may support the sperm head apical hook during egg coat penetration. [source] Autopodial skeleton evolution in side-necked turtles (Pleurodira)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 3 2007Marcelo R. Sánchez-Villagra Abstract Carpal and tarsal anatomy was documented based on the observation of dry skeletons of adult specimens representing 25 species in 15 genera and on data taken from the literature. In addition, histological sections and cleared and double-stained autopodia of recently hatched and juvenile specimens representing seven chelid and pelomedusoid species were studied. There is much more morphological diversity in the manus than in the pes. Variation in autopodial skeletons includes: the astragalus and calcaneum are either separated or fused; fusion of distal carpals 3,4,5 or just 4,5; number of centralia in the carpus; and presence/absence of a pisiform and of an accessory radial element. The widespread and probably basal phalangeal formula for Pleurodira is 2.3.3.3.3. Deviations are Pelomedusa subrufa, exhibiting a reduction to 2.2.2.2.2, Pelusios spp. with one phalanx less in digit I and for one species in digit V as well, and Acanthochelys pallidipectoris with an additional phalanx in the fourth finger. Six discrete characters itemizing some of the morphological variation observed were plotted on a composite pleurodire phylogeny, revealing not only homoplastic patterns but also the utility of some characters in supporting the monophyly of several clades. The pisiform is the last carpal element to ossify in Chelus fimbriatus. We hypothesize that the so-called fifth hooked metatarsal represents the fusion of distal tarsal 5 with metatarsal V. The accessory radial element that was occasionally present in the turtles examined may represent an atavism of the otherwise lost radiale of turtles. [source] Evolution and development of the primate limb skeletonEVOLUTIONARY ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Chi-Hua Chiu Abstract The order Primates is composed of many closely related lineages, each having a relatively well established phylogeny supported by both the fossil record and molecular data.1 Primate evolution is characterized by a series of adaptive radiations beginning early in the Cenozoic era. Studies of these radiations have uncovered two major trends. One is that substantial amounts of morphological diversity have been produced over short periods of evolutionary time.2 The other is that consistent and repeated patterns (variational tendencies3) are detected. Taxa within clades, such as the strepsirrhines of Madagascar and the platyrrhines of the Neotropics, have diversified in body size, substrate preference, and diet.2, 4,6 The diversification of adaptive strategies within such clades is accompanied by repeated patterns of change in cheiridial proportions7, 8 (Fig. 1) and tooth-cusp morphology.9 There are obvious adaptive, natural-selection based explanations for these patterns. The hands and feet are in direct contact with a substrate, so their form would be expected to reflect substrate preference, whereas tooth shape is related directly to the functional demands of masticating foods having different mechanical properties. What remains unclear, however, is the role of developmental and genetic processes that underlie the evolutionary diversity of the primate body plan. Are variational tendencies a signature of constraints in developmental pathways? What is the genetic basis for similar morphological transformations among closely related species? These are a sampling of the types of questions we believe can be addressed by future research integrating evidence from paleontology, comparative morphology, and developmental genetics. [source] Morphology and environment: geographic distribution, ecological disjunction, and morphological variation in Actinocephalus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae)FEDDES REPERTORIUM, Issue 7-8 2008M. Trovó Most Brazilian Eriocaulaceae have highly restricted geographic distributions. Actinocephalus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano is one of the few widely distributed species; furthermore this distribution includes an interesting ecological disjunction. Actinocephalus polyanthus occurs in montane areas from northern Minas Gerais to Paraná, as well as coastal sand dune habitats in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. In attempt to investigate whether there is any correlation between the ecological disjunction and the patterns of morphology exhibited by this species, eight populations were sampled covering the geographic distribution and the ecological disjunction. We used multivariate statistical methods (UPGMA, PCA and DF) to describe the morphology, and to verify its correlation with its distribution and habitat. We conclude that sand dune populations are morphologically different from the montane populations. The main difference in these plants is the robustness. The sand dune plants are significantly smaller than the plants from montane areas. We also verified that these populations have a morphological identity. The occurrence of this species in such diverse environments may reflect the morphological diversity of the various populations of the species, and may be the primary cause of the difference in these populations. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Morphologie und Umgebung: geographische Verbreitung, ökologische Disjunktion und morphologische Variabilität bei Actinocephalus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano (Eriocaulaceae) Die meisten brasilianischen Eriocaulaceae haben nur eine eng begrenzte geographische Verbreitung. Actinocephalus polyanthus (Bong.) Sano ist eine der wenigen weit verbreiteten Arten. Diese Verbreitung zeigt eine interessante ökologische Disjunktion: Actinocephalus polyanthus tritt auf in den Gebirgsregionen vom nördlichen Minas Gerais bis Paraná und in den Küsten-Sanddünen in Santa Catarina und Rio Grande do Sul. Im Versuch, ob sich irgendeine Korrelation zwischen der ökologischen Disjunktion und der morphologischen Ausprägung bei dieser Art finden lässt, sammelten wir acht Populationen aus dem geographischen Verbreitungsgebiet und der ökologischen Disjunktion. Es wurden multivariate statistische Methoden (UPGMA, PCA und DF) eingesetzt um die Morphologie zu beschreiben und diese Korrelation zwischen Verbreitung und Habitat zu vergleichen. Wir konnten daraus schließen, dass die Populationen der Sanddünen sich von den montanen Populationen unterscheiden. Der Hauptunterschied liegt in der Robustheit der Pflanzen: die der Sanddünen sind deutlich kleiner als die aus den Bergregionen. Wir beobachteten auch, dass diese Populationen morphologisch identisch sind. Das Vorkommen dieser Art in so unterschiedlicher Umgebung widerspiegelt die morphologischen Unterschiede der verschiedenen Populationen der Art, und stellt vermutlich die Hauptursache für die Unterschiede zwischen den Populationen dar. [source] Co-evolution of male and female reproductive traits across the Bruchidae (Coleoptera)FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2008P. F. Rugman-Jones Summary 1Despite the obvious importance of spermatozoa to individual reproductive success a general explanation of variation in spermatozoan form and function is still lacking. In species with internal fertilization, sperm not only have to interact with the physical and biochemical environment of the female reproductive tract, but frequently face competition from the sperm of rival males. Both sperm competition theory and adaptation to the selective environment of the female reproductive tract have been implicated in the evolution of spermatozoan morphological diversity. 2Using the comparative method, we examine variation in sperm length in relation to (i) sperm competition intensity (as measured by relative testis size) and (ii) female reproductive characters, across 15 species of beetle belonging to the family Bruchidae. 3Stepwise multiple regression within a phylogenetic framework revealed sperm length to be positively correlated with female spermathecal duct length and negatively related to spermathecal volume, but not testes size, indicating that the female reproductive environment rather than sperm competition per se exerts selection on sperm length in this taxonomic group. 4A positive association between testes volume and the volume of the female spermatheca was also evident suggesting correlated evolution of these traits. 5A number of models of sexual selection could lead to the correlated evolution of male and female reproductive characters, although the underlying mechanisms of cause and effect remain elusive. Divergence between species (and populations) in primary reproductive traits is likely to present a significant barrier to hetero-specific fertilization, and thus contribute to reproductive isolation. [source] Body size and the timing of egg production in parasitoid wasps: a comparative analysisFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003M. A. Jervis Summary 1.,The ovigeny index, previously identified as both a significant fitness variable in parasitoid wasps and an important factor in parasitoid,host population dynamics, is the proportion of the maximum potential lifetime complement of eggs that is mature when the female emerges into the environment following pupal development. We tested the hypothesis that ovigeny index varies with female body size in parasitoid wasps. Body size measurements were obtained for 40 species in 13 families, representing a broad taxonomic and morphological diversity of parasitoid wasps. There was an almost 18-fold difference in size between the smallest and the largest species. 2.,Ovigeny index is shown to be negatively correlated with body size across species , smaller wasps have a higher proportion of eggs mature at emergence than do larger wasps , a result supporting the hypothesis. This relationship has previously been observed within species. 3.,The previously reported cross-species negative correlation between life-span and ovigeny index is robust, as it still holds when variation in body size is controlled for. 4.,We discuss the likely selective factors in the evolution of a link between ovigeny index and body size across species. [source] A large collection of Presbyornis (Aves, Anseriformes, Presbyornithidae) from the late Paleocene and early Eocene of MongoliaGEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Evgeny N. Kurochkin Abstract We describe a large collection of fossil ,waterfowl' bones that are referable to the extinct clade Presbyornithidae (Anseriformes). All of these fossils were collected between 1971 and 1994 from Upper Paleocene and Lower Eocene sediments at the Tsagaan Khushuu site in the Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia. The collection includes specimens referred to a new small species within the genus Presbyornis Wetmore, 1926 as well as large numbers of bones that we place in the genus Presbyornis. On this basis of the Tsagaan Khushuu collection we suggest that several species of Presbyornis likely coexisted in this region; indeed, the presence of large numbers of middle-sized, morphologically consistent but probably ecologically disparate species at the Tsagaan Khushuu site is consistent with the range of variation seen, for example, in taxa of extant dabbling ducks (Anatini). Although the anatomy and phylogenetic position of Presbyornithidae (in particular Presbyornis) are well known, this material from Mongolia further demonstrates the prevalence of these birds in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats by the earliest Paleogene. Because presbyornithids are also well documented from the late Cretaceous, their palaeoecology and morphological diversity provides a clue to selective avian survivorship across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Peak morphological diversity in an ecotone unveiled in the chukar partridge by a novel Estimator in a Dependent Sample (EDS)JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Salit Kark Summary 1Areas of environmental transition (i.e. ecotones) have recently been shown to play an important role in the maintenance of genetic diversity, divergence and in speciation processes. We test the hypothesis that ecotone populations maintain high phenotypic diversity compared to other populations across the distribution range. 2Focusing on the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar Gray), we study trends in morphological diversity across a steep ecotone within the species native range in Israel and Sinai. Using 35 traits and 23 ratios between traits, we apply a novel weighted average statistic that we term ,Estimator in a Dependent Sample' (EDS). This estimator enables us to compare levels of diversity across populations using multiple-correlated traits and is especially useful when sample sizes are small. 3We provide a program for calculating the EDS and a bootstrapping procedure to describe its confidence interval and standard deviation. This estimator can be applied widely in a range of studies using multiple-correlated traits in evolutionary biology, ecology, morphology, behaviour, palaeontology, developmental biology and genetics. 4Our results indicate that within-population diversity peaks in chukar populations located in the Mediterranean-desert ecotone in Israel. However, had we not included the ecotone region in our study, we would have drawn different conclusions regarding patterns of morphological diversity across the range. We suggest that ecotones should be given higher priority in future research and conservation planning, potentially serving as within-species diversity hotspots. [source] Sexually antagonistic coevolution in insects is associated with only limited morphological diversityJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006W. Eberhard Abstract Morphological traits involved in male,female sexual interactions, such as male genitalia, often show rapid divergent evolution. This widespread evolutionary pattern could result from sustained sexually antagonistic coevolution, or from other types of selection such as female choice or selection for species isolation. I reviewed the extensive but under-utilized taxonomic literature on a selected subset of insects, in which male,female conflict has apparently resulted in antagonistic coevolution in males and females. I checked the sexual morphology of groups comprising 500,1000 species in six orders for three evolutionary trends predicted by the sexually antagonistic coevolution hypothesis: males with species-specific differences and elaborate morphology in structures that grasp or perforate females in sexual contexts; corresponding female structures with apparently coevolved species-specific morphology; and potentially defensive designs of female morphology. The expectation was that the predictions were especially likely to be fulfilled in these groups. A largely qualitative overview revealed several surprising patterns: sexually antagonistic coevolution is associated with frequent, relatively weak species-specific differences in males, but male designs are usually relatively simple and conservative (in contrast to the diverse and elaborate designs common in male structures specialized to contact and hold females in other species, and also in weapons such as horns and pincers used in intra-specific battles); coevolutionary divergence of females is not common; and defensive female divergence is very uncommon. No cases were found of female defensive devices that can be facultatively deployed. Coevolutionary morphological races may have occurred between males and females of some bugs with traumatic insemination, but apparently as a result of female attempts to control fertilization, rather than to reduce the physical damage and infections resulting from insertion of the male's hypodermic genitalia. In sum, the sexually antagonistic coevolution that probably occurs in these groups has generally not resulted in rapid, sustained evolutionary divergence in male and female external sexual morphology. Several limitations of this study, and directions for further analyses are discussed. [source] Three-dimensional reconstruction of the odontophoral cartilages of Caenogastropoda (Mollusca: Gastropoda) using micro-CT: Morphology and phylogenetic significanceJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Rosemary E. Golding Abstract Odontophoral cartilages are located in the molluscan buccal mass and support the movement of the radula during feeding. The structural diversity of odontophoral cartilages is currently known only from limited taxa, but this information is important for interpreting phylogeny and for understanding the biomechanical operation of the buccal mass. Caenogastropods exhibit a wide variety of feeding strategies, but there is little comparative information on cartilage morphology within this group. The morphology of caenogastropod odontophoral cartilages is currently known only from dissection and histology, although preliminary results suggest that they may be structurally diverse. A comparative morphological survey of 18 caenogastropods and three noncaenogastropods has been conducted, sampling most major caenogastropod superfamilies. Three-dimensional models of the odontophoral cartilages were generated using X-ray microscopy (micro-CT) and reconstruction by image segmentation. Considerable morphological diversity of the odontophoral cartilages was found within Caenogastropoda, including the presence of thin cartilaginous appendages, asymmetrically overlapping cartilages, and reflexed cartilage margins. Many basal caenogastropod taxa possess previously unidentified cartilaginous support structures below the radula (subradular cartilages), which may be homologous to the dorsal cartilages of other gastropods. As subradular cartilages were absent in carnivorous caenogastropods, adaptation to trophic specialization is likely. However, incongruence with specific feeding strategies or body size suggests that the morphology of odontophoral cartilages is constrained by phylogeny, representing a new source of morphological characters to improve the phylogenetic resolution of this group. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The hyomandibulae of rhizodontids (Sarcopterygii, stem-tetrapoda)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Martin D. Brazeau Abstract Despite its important role in the study of the evolution of tetrapods, the hyomandibular bone (the homologue of the stapes in crown-group tetrapods) is known for only a few of the fish-like members of the tetrapod stem-group. The best-known example, that of the tristichopterid Eusthenopteron, has been used as an exemplar of fish-like stem-tetrapod hyomandibula morphology, but in truth the conditions at the base of the tetrapod radiation remain obscure. We report, here, four hyomandibulae, from three separate localities, which are referable to the Rhizodontida, the most basal clade of stem-tetrapods. These specimens share a number of characteristics, and are appreciably different from the small number of hyomandibulae reported for other fish-like stem-tetrapods. While it is unclear if these characteristics represent synapomorphies or symplesiomorphies, they highlight the morphological diversity of hyomandibulae within the early evolution of the tetrapod total-group. Well-preserved muscle scarring on some of these hyomandibulae permit more robust inferences of hyoid arch musculature in stem-tetrapods. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Wing morphology and flight behavior of pelecaniform seabirdsJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 10 2007Michael L. Brewer Abstract The selective pressures associated with flight are significant factors in shaping the morphology of volant forms. Tropical seabirds are of particular interest because of their long foraging bouts, which can last hundreds of kilometers in search of unpredictable (spatially and temporally) resources. Here, we contrast wing loading (WL), aspect ratio (AR), and planform shape among five pelecaniform seabirds and correlate morphological diversity with known differences in flight strategies. Overall, WL and AR scaled with body mass. The Great Frigratebird had lower WL than that predicted, whereas the Red-tailed Tropicbird had higher WL than that predicted. The tropicbird also exhibited a lower AR than that predicted. Visualization of planform shape was accomplished by using Thin-plate spline relative warp analysis (TPS/RWA), and three major regions of variations were discovered: wing base, mid-wing, and distal wing/wing tip. As expected, the three boobies were more similar than either the tropicbird or the frigatebird. The tropicbird had a broader distal wing and more rounded wing tip, associated with its greater use of flapping flight. The frigatebird showed the greatest deviation in the distal wing and wing tip associated with the high maneuverability required for aerial pursuit and kleptoparasitism. By using TPS/RWA, important differences were detected in planform shape that would have otherwise gone unnoticed when using only WL and AR. These differences correlated strongly with parameters such as maneuverability, flapping, and soaring flight. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Morphological evolution of the lizard skull: A geometric morphometrics surveyJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005C. Tristan Stayton Abstract Patterns of diversity among lizard skulls were studied from a morphological, phylogenetic, and functional perspective. A sample of 1,030 lizard skulls from 441 species in 17 families was used to create a lizard skull morphospace. This morphospace was combined with a phylogeny of lizard families to summarize general trends in the evolution of the lizard skull. A basal morphological split between the Iguania and Scleroglossa was observed. Iguanians are characterized by a short, high skull, with large areas of attachment for the external adductor musculature, relative to their sister group. The families of the Iguania appear to possess more intrafamilial morphological diversity than families of the Scleroglossa, but rarefaction of the data reveals this to be an artifact caused by the greater number of species represented in Iguanian families. Iguanian families also appear more dissimilar to one another than families of the Scleroglossa. Permutation tests indicate that this pattern is real and not due to the smaller number of families in the Iguanidae. Parallel and convergent evolution is observed among lizards with similar diets: ant and termite specialists, carnivores, and herbivores. However, these patterns are superimposed over the more general phylogenetic pattern of lizard skull diversity. This study has three central conclusions. Different clades of lizards show different patterns of disparity and divergence in patterns of morphospace occupation. Phylogeny imposes a primary signal upon which a secondary ecological signal is imprinted. Evolutionary patterns in skull metrics, taken with functional landmarks, allow testing of trends and the development of new hypotheses concerning both shape and biomechanics. J. Morphol. 263:47,59, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] 16S rRNA GENE HETEROGENEITY IN THE FILAMENTOUS MARINE CYANOBACTERIAL GENUS LYNGBYA,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Niclas Engene The SSU (16S) rRNA gene was used to investigate the phylogeny of the cyanobacterial genus Lyngbya as well as examined for its capacity to discriminate between different marine species of Lyngbya. We show that Lyngbya forms a polyphyletic genus composed of a marine lineage and a halophilic/brackish/freshwater lineage. In addition, we found morphological and genetic evidence that Lyngbya spp. often grow in association with other microorganisms, in particular smaller filamentous cyanobacteria such as Oscillatoria, and propose that these associated microorganisms have led to extensive phylogenetic confusion in identification of Lyngbya spp. At the species level, the phylogenetic diversity obtained from the comparison of 16S rRNA genes exceeded morphological diversity in Lyngbya. However, the expectation that this improved phylogeny would be useful to species and subspecies identification was eliminated by the fact that phylogenetic species did not correlate in any respect with the species obtained from current taxonomic systems. In addition, phylogenetic identification was adversely affected by the presence of multiple gene copies within individual Lyngbya colonies. Analysis of clonal Lyngbya cultures and multiple displacement amplified (MDA) single-cell genomes revealed that Lyngbya genomes contain two 16S rRNA gene copies, and that these typically are of variable sequence. Furthermore, intragenomic and interspecies 16S rRNA gene heterogeneity was approximately of the same magnitude. Hence, the intragenomic heterogeneity of the 16S rRNA gene overestimates the microdiversity of different strains and does not accurately reflect speciation within cyanobacteria, including the genus Lyngbya. [source] 1 Taxon sampling and inferences about diatom phylogenyJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2003A. J. Alverson Proper taxon sampling is one of the greatest challenges to understanding phylogenetic relationships, perhaps as important as choice of optimality criterion or data type. This has been demonstrated in diatoms where centric diatoms may either be strongly supported as monophyletic or paraphyletic when analyzing SSU rDNA sequences using the same optimality criterion. The effect of ingroup and outgroup taxon sampling on relationships of diatoms is explored for diatoms as a whole and for the order Thalassiosirales. In the latter case, SSU rDNA and rbcL sequence data result in phylogenetic relationships that appear to be strongly incongruent with morphology and broadly incongruent with the fossil record. For example, Cyclotella stelligera Cleve & Grunow behaves like a rogue taxon, jumping from place to place throughout the tree. Morphological data place C. stelligera near the base of the freshwater group as sister to the extinct genus Mesodictyon Theriot and Bradbury, suggesting that it is an old, long branch that might be expected to "misbehave" in poorly sampled trees. Cyclotella stelligera and C. bodanica Grunow delimit the diameter of morphological diversity in Cyclotella, so increased sampling of intermediate taxa will be critical to resolving this part of the tree. Morphology is sampled for a much greater number of taxa and many transitional states of putative synapomorphies seem to suggest a robust morphological hypothesis. The Thalassiosirales are unstable with regards to taxon sampling in the genetic data, suggesting that perhaps the morphological hypothesis is (for now) preferable. [source] CLO-PLA: the database of clonal and bud bank traits of Central European flora,JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Jitka Klime Abstract: Clonal growth of plants is mainly a result of the vegetative growth of organs hidden beneath the soil surface and producing potentially independent vegetative offspring. Clonal traits are difficult to measure due to inaccessibility of the space they inhabit and their morphological diversity. This causes great difficulties with descriptions, standardization of measurements across plant growth forms and, probably, a lack of appropriate questions that should be answered using them. The freely available CLO-PLA database (http://clopla.butbn.cas.cz/) can help to assess the roles of vegetative means of regeneration and spread in plant communities under the effect of various biotic and abiotic filters. It can serve as a source of reference on persistence traits of European temperate flora and, eventually, as a guide for trait sampling in other regions of the world. [source] Geological barriers and restricted gene flow in the holarctic skipper Hesperia comma (Hesperiidae)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 11 2004M. L. FORISTER Abstract Patterns of genetic variation within a species may be a consequence of historical factors, such as past fragmentation, as well as current barriers to gene flow. Using sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II region (COII) and the nuclear gene wingless, we conducted a phylogeographical study of the holarctic skipper Hesperia comma to elucidate patterns of genetic diversity and to infer historical and contemporary processes maintaining genetic variation. One hundred and fifty-one individuals were sampled from throughout North America and Eurasia, focusing on California and adjacent regions in the western United States where morphological diversity is highest compared to the rest of the range. Analyses of sequence data obtained from both genes revealed a well-supported division between the Old and New World. Within western North America, wingless shows little geographical structure, while a hierarchical analysis of genetic diversity of COII sequences indicates three major clades: a western clade in Oregon and Northern California, an eastern clade including the Great Basin, Rocky Mountains and British Columbia, and a third clade in southern California. The Sierra Nevada and the Transverse Ranges appear to be the major barriers to gene flow for H. comma in the western United States. Relatively reduced haplotype diversity in Eurasia compared to North America suggests that populations on the two continents have been affected by different historical processes. [source] Molecular systematics in the genus Clintonia and related taxa based on rbcL and matK gene sequence dataPLANT SPECIES BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Kazuhiko Hayashi Abstract In an attempt to elucidate the affinity and phylogeny of the disjunct North American,eastern Asian genus Clintonia, two chloroplast genes, rbcL and matK, were sequenced for all five species (Clintonia andrewsiana, Clintonia borealis, Clintonia umbellulata, Clintonia uniflora and Clintonia udensis). Similar sequence data sets for both genes supported the idea that a monophyly of Clintonia consists of two clades, one in eastern Asia and one in North America. The North American lineage resolves into an eastern group and a western group. There are surprisingly few site substitutions within these two genes, notwithstanding the wide morphological diversity of the genus. To root the Clintonia trees, Cardiocrinum (=Lilium) cordatum, Medeola virginiana, Scoliopus bigelovii and Scoliopus hallii were used as outgroup taxa. Similar topologies for Clintonia resulted when both the rbcL and matK gene sequences were combined. However, when an amino acid tree was generated for the matK sequence, all differences between the North American species were reduced to similarities due to synonymous codon sequences. Differentiation patterns of some selected morphological, karyological and embryological characters in Clintonia were also reviewed in comparison to the resulting molecular topologies. The unique, Clintonia -type megasporogenesis that produced identical, maternally derived, diploid zygotes and endosperm coupled to polyploid buffering provides a considerable constraint on variability. A search of possible sister genera to Clintonia was also attempted based on the molecular analyses and outgroup analysis, and Medeola virginiana from eastern North America turned out to be the closest relative found. [source] Ontogeny and phyletic size change in living and fossil lemursAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Matthew J. Ravosa Abstract Lemurs are notable for encompassing the range of body-size variation for all primates past and present,close to four orders of magnitude. Benefiting from the phylogenetic proximity of subfossil lemurs to smaller-bodied living forms, we employ allometric data from the skull to probe the ontogenetic bases of size differentiation and morphological diversity across these clades. Building upon prior pairwise comparisons between sister taxa, we performed the first clade-wide analyses of craniomandibular growth allometries in 359 specimens from 10 lemuroids and 176 specimens from 8 indrioids. Ontogenetic trajectories for extant forms were used as a criterion of subtraction to evaluate morphological variation, and putative adaptations among sister taxa. In other words, do species-level differences in skull form result from the differential extension of common patterns of relative growth? In lemuroids, a pervasive pattern of ontogenetic scaling is observed for facial dimensions in all genera, with three genera also sharing relative growth trajectories for jaw proportions (Lemur, Eulemur, Varecia). Differences in masticatory growth and form characterizing Hapalemur and fossil Pachylemur likely reflect dietary factors. Pervasive ontogenetic scaling characterizes the facial skull in extant Indri, Avahi, and Propithecus, as well as their larger, extinct sister taxa Mesopropithecus and Babakotia. Significant interspecific differences are observed in the allometry of indrioid masticatory proportions, with variation in the mechanical advantage of the jaw adductors and stress-resisting elements correlated with diet. As the growth series and adult data are largely coincidental in each clade, interspecific variation in facial form may result from selection for body-size differentiation among sister taxa. Those cases where trajectories are discordant identify potential dietary adaptations linked to variation in masticatory forces during chewing and biting. Although such dissociations highlight selection to uncouple shared ancestral growth patterns, they occur largely via transpositions and retention of primitive size-shape covariation patterns or relative growth coefficients. Am. J. Primatol. 72:161,172, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Isolation and characterization of the "zooxanthellae" from soritid foraminifera and the giant clam Tridacna maximaTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005JOHN J. LEE Various methodological approaches are being used to characterize Symbiodinium spp isolated from Marginopora vertebralis and Amphisorus hemprichii and Amphisorus sp. from the Indo-pacific. While most of the cells in culture are non-motile vegetative cells, dinospores occur in batch cultures. We find consistant variance among the isolates in the duration and time of appearance of motile forms. Nitrate (0.146 mM) supports higher populations of the isolates than NH4 (0.146 mM). Higher concentrations of NH4 inhibit growth. Although Fensome et al. (1993) characterized the Order Suessiales (and Family Symbiodiniaceae) as gymnnodiniphycideans in which the amphiesmal vesicals are arranged in 7,10 longitudinal series we were unable to detect any plates on the surfaces of our isolates in the SEM. We were unsuccessful in revealing plates on non-motile forms by freeze fracture but they were present after treatment with various chemical agents (e.g. H2O2, HOCl,) and enzymes (cellulase, chitinase). They are not polygonal or arranged in the patterns anticipated for the Symbiodiniaceae. Polyclonal antibody studies of the Symbiodinium -like isolates are in agreement with molecular systematic studies in the sense that there is a common relation. The foram endosymbiotic dinoflagellates share some common surface antigens with each other and with the few invertebrate isolates we have tested. Studies of the foraminiferal symbionts' plastids revealed considerable morphological diversity. We isolated a diversity of endosymbionts from the mantle of Tridacna maxima from the Red Sea and the Marshall Islands. These included Symbiodinium, Amphidinium, Tetraselmis, and an unidentified chlorophyte. [source] Nested core collections maximizing genetic diversity in Arabidopsis thalianaTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 1 2004Heather I. McKhann Summary The successful exploitation of natural genetic diversity requires a basic knowledge of the extent of the variation present in a species. To study natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana, we defined nested core collections maximizing the diversity present among a worldwide set of 265 accessions. The core collections were generated based on DNA sequence data from a limited number of fragments evenly distributed in the genome and were shown to successfully capture the molecular diversity in other loci as well as the morphological diversity. The core collections are available to the scientific community and thus provide an important resource for the study of genetic variation and its functional consequences in Arabidopsis. Moreover, this strategy can be used in other species to provide a rational framework for undertaking diversity surveys, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery and phenotyping, allowing the utilization of genetic variation for the study of complex traits. [source] Population structure, genetic variation and morphological diversity in indigenous sheep of EthiopiaANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2007S. Gizaw Summary We investigated genetic and morphological diversity and population structure of 14 traditional sheep populations originating from four ecological zones in Ethiopia (sub-alpine, wet highland, sub-humid lowland and arid lowland). All animals (n = 672) were genotyped for 17 microsatellite markers and scored for 12 morphological characters. The sheep were initially classified as fat-tailed (11 populations), thin-tailed (one population) and fat-rumped sheep (two populations). These classifications are thought to correspond to three consecutive introduction events of sheep from the Near-East into East Africa. For the 14 populations, allelic richness ranged from 5.87 to 7.51 and expected heterozygosity (HE) from 0.66 to 0.75. Genetic differentiations (FST values) between all pairs of populations, except between sub-alpine populations, were significantly different from zero (P < 0.001). Cluster analysis of morphological characters and a dendrogram constructed from genetic distances were broadly consistent with the classification into fat-tailed, thin-tailed and fat-rumped sheep. Bayesian cluster analysis using microsatellite markers indicated that there has been further genetic differentiation after the initial introduction of sheep into Ethiopia. Investigation of factors associated with genetic variation showed that an isolation-by-distance model, independently of other factors, explained most of the observed genetic variation. We also obtained a strong indication of adaptive divergence in morphological characters, patterns of morphological variation being highly associated with ecology even when the effect of neutral genetic divergence (FST) was parcelled out in partial Mantel tests. Using a combination of FST values, Bayesian clustering analysis and morphological divergence, we propose a classification of Ethiopian sheep into six breed groups and nine breeds. [source] Viruses in soils: morphological diversity and abundance in the rhizosphereANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2009M.M. Swanson Abstract Soil viruses are potentially of great importance as they may influence the ecology and evolution of soil biological communities through both an ability to transfer genes from host to host and as a potential cause of microbial mortality. Despite this importance, the area of soil virology is understudied. Here, we report the isolation and preliminary characterisation of viruses from soils in the Dundee area of Scotland. Different virus morphotypes including tailed, polyhedral (spherical), rod shaped, filamentous and bacilliform particles were detected in the soil samples. An apparent predominance of small spherical and filamentous bacteriophages was observed, whereas tailed bacteriophages were significantly less abundant. In this report, we also present observations and characterisation of viruses from different soil functional domains surrounding wheat roots: rhizosheath, rhizosphere and bulk soil. In spite of the differences in abundance of bacterial communities in these domains, no significant variations in viral population structure in terms of morphology and abundance were found. Typically, there were approximately 1.1,1.2 × 109 virions g,1 dry weight, implicating remarkable differences in virus-to-bacteria ratios in domains close to roots, rhizosphere and rhizosheath (approximately 0.27) and in bulk soil (approximately 4.68). [source] Sponge morphological diversity: a qualitative predictor of species diversity?AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2001James J. Bell Abstract 1.,To the non-specialist, problems are often associated with the quantification of sponge species diversity, as colour, shape and size can be highly variable within a single species. These variables can lead to an under-estimation of the contribution of sponges to the biodiversity of the benthos especially during biological surveys. 2.,Sponge species diversity (Shannon H, values), richness (mean number of species) and morphological diversity (Shannon H, values) were sampled at six sites (6 m depth intervals) on vertical (90°) and inclined surfaces (45°) experiencing different flow regimes at Lough Hyne Marine Nature Reserve (Ireland). Morphological diversity was sampled independently of species diversity. The time taken for the collection of both species and morphological diversity was recorded. 3.,Morphological diversity was positively correlated with both sponge species diversity (r2=0.87, p<0.05) and sponge species richness (r2=0.70, p<0.05). Linear regression was found to be significant for both the relationships (p<0.05 for each F -value). A sigmoidal relationship (r2=0.97, p<0.05) was found between morphological and species richness which proved to be significant (F -value 40.67, p<0.05). Separate Bray,Curtis dendrograms and correspondence analysis of morphological and species community compositions at the six sites showed very similar clustering and four major clusters were identified. 4.,The results of the present study indicate that sampling of sponge morphological diversity, rather than sponge species diversity and richness may be used as a qualitative estimate of sponge species diversity. Sampling of morphological diversity is much less time consuming, both in the field and laboratory, than collecting species diversity data and no specialist knowledge is required. Consideration is given to the use of such relationships in biological surveys and bio-monitoring. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Functional evolution of Hox proteins in arthropodsBIOESSAYS, Issue 9 2002Michel Vervoort It is presumed that the evolution of morphological diversity in animals and plants is driven by changes in the developmental processes that govern morphology, hence basically by changes in the function and/or expression of a defined set of genes that control these processes. A large body of evidence has suggested that changes in developmental gene regulation are the predominant mechanisms that sustain morphological evolution, being much more important than the evolution of the primary sequences and functions of proteins. Recent reports1, 2 challenge this idea by highlighting functional evolution of Hox proteins during the evolutionary history of arthropods. BioEssays 24:775,779, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The ecological morphology of darter fishes (Percidae: Etheostomatinae)BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2010ROSE L. CARLSON Darters are a species-rich radiation of small benthic and benthic-associated stream fishes that comprise approximately 20% of the diversity of the North American freshwater fish fauna. Here, we gather data from 165, or 87%, of described species and use this information to characterize the morphological diversity of the darter radiation. We focus on characters of the oral jaws known to function in prey capture and consumption in other perciform taxa in order to explicitly link morphological diversity to ecological diversity. In addition to a quantitative description of the morphospace occupied by darters, we identify several instances of significant morphological convergence. We also describe three groups of darter species that exhibit unusual jaw morphologies that are used in previously undescribed prey capture behaviours. Despite these new ecomorphs, we find that darters exhibit relatively low variation in trophic morphology when compared with two other radiations of teleost fishes, and that the observed variation is related more to differences in microhabitat use than to differences in prey type. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100, 30,45. [source] The tail end of hummingbird evolution: parallel flight system development in living and ancient birdsBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 3 2009ROBERT BLEIWEISS Evolutionary innovations are central to debates about biological uniformitarianism because their very novelty implies a distinct evolutionary dynamic. Traditional scenarios for innovations in the development of avian powered flight exemplify the kinds of distinctions considered to occur at different times during the history of innovations. Thus, the progressive change of the wing stroke mechanism early in its evolution is considered to have imposed strong functional and historical constraints on tail shape diversity, whereas attainment of the modern flight stroke mechanism is considered to have liberated the tail to radiate into a wide variety of other functions and forms. Detailed analyses of living hummingbirds revealed that these highly aerial birds actually expressed many parallel functional constraints and historically progressive patterns observed earlier in avian history: (1) more basal lineages had relatively weak wing muscles (patagial muscles and tendons, TPB), convex to square tails, and more linear flight employed in nonterritorial foraging; (2) more derived lineages had a stronger TPB, forked tails, accentuated growth of tail fork, and more manoeuvrable and agile flight employed in territorial foraging; and (3) the most derived lineage had the strongest TPB, greatly reduced tails, and mainly bee-like flight. These associations make functional sense because convex tails increase stability and efficiency in linear flight, concave tails augment lift for turning flight in territorial defence, and tails become aerodynamically disadvantageous if the wings provide sufficient lift. Derived hummingbird lineages also demonstrated the same expansion of tail shape and taxonomic diversity associated with perfection of the modern wing stroke mechanism earlier in avian history. Thus, living hummingbirds are a microcosm of overall avian flight evolution. Other living avian (,aerial courser') and extinct reptilian (Pterosaur) clades with extraordinary flight abilities provide evidence for similar patterns, suggesting a broadly defined uniformitarianism (early constraint followed by later radiation) at the limits of the flight performance envelope throughout vertebrate history. Correlated evolution of TPB and tail form suggests that natural selection on an integrated flight system was the principal mechanism fostering the avian patterns, although strengthening of wing muscles in derived lineages may have facilitated expansion of caudal morphological diversity through a balance between natural and sexual selection on males. These findings suggest that wing muscles, locomotor integration, and phylogenetic patterns are essential for understanding function and adaptation of tails in living as well as ancient birds. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 467,493. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||