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Taxonomic Identification (taxonomic + identification)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	55%
Earth and Environmental Science	44%

Selected Abstracts

Taxonomic identification of Amazonian tree crowns from aerial photography

APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010
Carlos E. González-Orozco
Abstract Question: To what extent can aerial photography be used for taxonomic identification of Amazonian tree crowns? Objective: To investigate whether a combination of dichotomous keys and a web-based interface is a suitable approach to identify tree crowns. Location: The fieldwork was conducted at Tiputini Biodiversity Station located in the Amazon, eastern Ecuador. Methods: High-resolution imagery was taken from an airplane flying at a low altitude (600 m) above the ground. Imagery of the observable upper layer of the tree crowns was used for the analysis. Dichotomous identification keys for different types of crowns were produced and tested. The identification keys were designed to be web-based interactive, using Google Earth as the main online platform. The taxa analysed were Iriartea, Astrocaryum, Inga, Parkia, Cecropia, Pourouma, Guarea, Otoba, Lauraceae and Pouteria. Results: This paper demonstrates that a combination of photo-imagery, dichotomous keys and a web-based interface can be useful for the taxonomic identification of Amazonian trees based on their crown characteristics. The keys tested with an overall identification accuracy of over 50% for five of the ten taxa with three of them showing accuracy greater than 70% (Iriartea, Astrocaryum and Cecropia). Conclusions: The application of dichotomous keys and a web-based interface provides a new methodological approach for taxonomic identification of various Amazonian tree crowns. Overall, the study showed that crowns with a medium-rough texture are less reliably identified than crowns with smoother or well-defined surfaces. [source]

The Florida amphioxus (Cephalochordata) hosts larvae of the tapeworm Acanthobothrium brevissime: natural history, anatomy and taxonomic identification of the parasite

ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009
Nicholas D. Holland
Abstract Plerocercoid larvae of a tapeworm are frequently found in the hindgut lumen of the Florida amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) in central west Florida. About three-quarters of the adult amphioxus are parasitized. On average, each adult amphioxus hosts about five tapeworm larvae. The residence time of the parasites in the amphioxus gut appears to be in the order of several months, which is considerably shorter than the potential lifetime of the host. The living larvae range in length (when fully extended) from 300 to 850 µm and are approximately cone-shaped, tapering to a point posteriorly and bearing a single large sucker anteriorly. Toward the anterior end of the body are four hookless bothridia, each indented by three loculi plus an inconspicuous accessory sucker. The larvae initiate the early stages of hook formation when they are cultured for a few days in urea-saline (mimicking the gut fluid of the definitive host, which is an elasmobranch). The tapeworm larvae are identifiable to genus and species on the basis of correspondences between their nuclear ribosomal DNA genes and those of adult specimens of Acanthobothrium brevissime recovered from the spiral valve of a stingray from the same environment. [source]

Brine shrimp bioassay: Importance of correct taxonomic identification of Artemia (Anostraca) species

ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
David R. Ruebhart
Abstract Despite the common use of the brine shrimp bioassay in toxicology, there is confusion in the literature regarding citation of the correct taxonomic identity of the Artemia species used. The genus Artemia, once thought to be represented by a single species Artemia salina, is now known to be composed of several bisexual species as well as parthenogenetic populations. Artemia franciscana is the best studied of the Artemia species and is considered to represent the vast majority of studies in which Artemia is used as an experimental test organism. We found that in studies referring to the use of A. salina, the zoogeography of the cyst harvest site indicated that the species used was actually A. franciscana. Those performing bioassays with Artemia need to exercise diligence in assigning correct species identification, as the identity of the test organism is an important parameter in assuring the validity of the results of the assay. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008. [source]

Bursaphelenchus species in conifers in Europe: distribution and morphological relationships

EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 2 2001
H. Braasch
The morphological relationship between European Bursaphelenchus species living in conifers was studied in order to provide key characters for their taxonomic identification. Several species have been newly described or recorded in Europe during the past few years and were morphologically investigated. Among the 28 conifer-inhabiting European species, four groups can be distinguished from each other by the number of lateral incisures, number and position of anal papillae of males and presence and size of a vulval flap of females. Two groups, each containing just one species show two and six lateral lines, respectively, whereas most Bursaphelenchus species belong to two groups, possessing either three or four incisures. Each of the last two groups can be divided into three subgroups, which can be differentiated by spicule shape, number and position of caudal papillae, presence and size of a vulval flap and some other features. A fifth group includes species with unclear group affiliation due to insufficient knowledge of their morphology. The B. xylophilus group (B. xylophilus, B. mucronatus, B. fraudulentus) with four lateral lines, unique spicule shape and characteristic position of the caudal papillae can clearly be differentiated from all other groups by morphology, also using only light microscopy. Within this group, B. xylophilus can clearly be differentiated morphologically from the other species, provided that adult specimens of both sexes are found and also provided that the round-tailed form of the species remains the only form present, as in Europe. Figures showing the important identification features of spicule shape and female tail shape are given for 28 species. A table shows the complete range of the most important morphometric measurements of these species. Data on the occurrence, host range and, as far as known, the vectors of these species were collected throughout Europe and references are given for each record. [source]

Association of the sponge Tethya orphei (Porifera, Demospongiae) with filamentous cyanobacteria

INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006
Elda Gaino
Abstract. Specimens of the sponge Tethya orphei, collected in February 2005 on the underside of coral stones on Arì Athol (Maldives), have been processed for histological and ultrastructural investigations. The cortical layer of the sponge was found to be permeated by filamentous cyanobacteria, the trichomes of which measured 45,63 ,m on average and were composed of 10,14 cells. The fine organization of the filaments was consistent with their taxonomic identification as Oscillatoria spongeliae. These filaments filled the cortical region of the sponge and penetrated inward into the upper choanosomal region, where they sometimes overlapped the siliceous spicule bundles. A budding specimen of T. orphei showed that the filaments were also present in the single bud protruding from the sponge surface, demonstrating that asexual reproduction can vertically transmit these symbionts from sponge to sponge. The occurrence of filaments in all the specimens studied is consistent with the assumption that filamentous cyanobacteria are not mere intruders but mutualistic symbionts with members of T. orphei. [source]

Identification and differentiation of Heterotardigrada and Eutardigrada species by riboprinting

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007
R. O. Schill
Abstract In the last decades, the number of known tardigrade species has considerably increased to more than 960 species with new ones being discovered every year. However, the study of tardigrade species presents a general problem which is frequently encountered during the work with invertebrates: small size and remarkable degrees of phenotypic plasticity may sometimes not permit a definite identification of the species. In this investigation we have used riboprinting, a tool to study rDNA sequence variation, in order to distinguish tardigrade species from each other. The method combines a restriction site variation approach of ribotyping with amplified DNAs. In eight investigated species of heterotardigrades and eutardigrades we have amplified the genes for the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU; 18S) and subsequently sequenced the genes. Virtual riboprints were used for identification of restriction sites from ten already published 18S rDNA sequences and seven new 18S rDNA sequences. On the basis of the obtained sequences, diagnostic restriction fragment patterns can be predicted with only 11 restriction enzymes. The virtual digestion confirmed the obtained restriction fragment patterns and restriction sites of all amplified and digested tardigrade DNAs. We show that the variation in positions and number of restriction sites obtained by standard restriction fragment analysis on agarose gels can be used successfully for taxonomic identification at different taxonomic levels. The simple restriction fragment analysis provides a fast and convenient method of molecular barcoding for species identification in tardigrades. Zusammenfassung Im Laufe der letzten Jahrzehnte wurden viele neue Tardigradenarten beschrieben. Zur Zeit sind mehr als 960 Arten bekannt und jedes Jahr kommen neue Arten hinzu. Die Arbeit mit Tardigraden stellt jedoch oftmals ein Problem dar, das generell auch bei anderen Organismen von großer Bedeutung ist: die geringe Größe und die außergewöhnliche phenotypische Plastizität machen in vielen Fällen eine genaue Artidentifikation schwierig. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung verwenden wir das Riboprinting, eine Technik, rDNA Sequenzunterschiede zu erfassen, um damit verschiedene Tardigradenarten voneinander zu differenzieren. Diese Methode vereint den Ansatz der Restriktionsschnittstellenanalyse des Riboprinting mit amplifizierten DNAs. Von acht untersuchten Heterotardigraden und Eutardigraden wurden die Gene für die kleine ribosomale RNA Untereinheit (SSU; 18S) amplifiziert und sequenziert. Virtuelle Riboprints wurden zur Identifikation von zehn bereits publizierten 18S rDNA Sequenzen und sieben neuen 18S DNA Sequenzen erstellt. Auf der Basis der vorliegenden Sequenzen können die diagnostischen Restriktionsfragmentmuster mit insgesamt elf Restriktionsenzyme vorhergesagt werden. Der virtuelle Verdau bestätigt die Restriktionsfragmentmuster und Restriktionsschnittstellen aller amplifizierten und verdauten Tardigraden DNAs. Wir zeigen, dass die unterschiedlichen Variationen in den Positionen und Anzahl der Restriktionsschnittstellen erfolgreich zur taxonomischen Identifikation auf verschiedenen taxonomischen Ebenen verwendet werden können. Die einfache Restriktionsfragmentanalyse stellt eine schnelle und geeignete Methode für das molekulare Barcoding zur Artidentifikation bei Tardigraden dar. [source]

The utility of tooth enamel microstructure in identifying isolated dinosaur teeth

LETHAIA, Issue 3 2010
SUNNY H. HWANG
Hwang, S.H. 2010: The utility of tooth enamel microstructure in identifying isolated dinosaur teeth. Lethaia, Vol. 43, pp. 307,322. The identification of isolated dinosaur teeth is frequently an uncertain process because dinosaur teeth are simple in morphology compared to those of mammals. Teeth among genera and species within major dinosaur clades are often identical, and damage or abrasion of teeth further complicates their identification. To aid diagnosis of isolated teeth, systematic descriptions of dinosaur teeth have been compiled, and quantitative morphometric identification methods have also been developed. However, these aids work best with relatively intact teeth. Enamel microstructure, in contrast, can be used to identify the minutest of tooth fragments as long as the entire enamel thickness, often <100 ,m, is preserved. In addition, enamel microstructure can be used to differentiate isolated teeth that are similar in morphology but have different enamel, such as ankylosaur and posterior pachycephalosaurid or basal theropod and tyrannosaurid teeth. To evaluate the efficacy of enamel microstructure as an identification tool, nine isolated dinosaur teeth, specimens originally identified as ,Carnosauria' indet., Theropoda indet., Nanotyrannus sp., Tyrannosauridae indet., Troodontidae indet., Pachycephalosauridae indet., Hadrosaurinae indet. and cf. Thescelosaurus sp., were sectioned and their enamel examined using scanning electron microscopy. Upon inspection of their enamel microstructure, three of the specimens could be identified to genus, and the taxonomic identity of all the specimens were better understood. While enamel microstructure may not always constrain the identity of an indeterminate tooth to the generic or species level, it usually allows for a more accurate identification. ,Dinosaur teeth, enamel microstructure, taxonomic identification, microfossils. [source]

Integration of DNA barcoding into an ongoing inventory of complex tropical biodiversity

MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 2009
DANIEL H. JANZEN
Abstract Inventory of the caterpillars, their food plants and parasitoids began in 1978 for today's Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG), in northwestern Costa Rica. This complex mosaic of 120 000 ha of conserved and regenerating dry, cloud and rain forest over 0,2000 m elevation contains at least 10 000 species of non-leaf-mining caterpillars used by more than 5000 species of parasitoids. Several hundred thousand specimens of ACG-reared adult Lepidoptera and parasitoids have been intensively and extensively studied morphologically by many taxonomists, including most of the co-authors. DNA barcoding , the use of a standardized short mitochondrial DNA sequence to identify specimens and flush out undisclosed species , was added to the taxonomic identification process in 2003. Barcoding has been found to be extremely accurate during the identification of about 100 000 specimens of about 3500 morphologically defined species of adult moths, butterflies, tachinid flies, and parasitoid wasps. Less than 1% of the species have such similar barcodes that a molecularly based taxonomic identification is impossible. No specimen with a full barcode was misidentified when its barcode was compared with the barcode library. Also as expected from early trials, barcoding a series from all morphologically defined species, and correlating the morphological, ecological and barcode traits, has revealed many hundreds of overlooked presumptive species. Many but not all of these cryptic species can now be distinguished by subtle morphological and/or ecological traits previously ascribed to ,variation' or thought to be insignificant for species-level recognition. Adding DNA barcoding to the inventory has substantially improved the quality and depth of the inventory, and greatly multiplied the number of situations requiring further taxonomic work for resolution. [source]