The Homo sapiens ‘hemibun’: Its developmental pattern and the problem of homology

The occipital bun is widely considered a Neanderthal feature. Its homology to the ‘hemibun’ observed in some European Upper Palaeolithic anatomically modern humans is a current problem. This study quantitatively evaluates the degree of occipital plane convexity in African and Australian modern human crania to analyse a relationship between this feature and some neurocranial variables. Neanderthal and European Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens crania were included in the analysis as well. The results of this study indicated that there is a significant relationship between the degree of occipital plane convexity and the following two features in the examined crania of modern humans: the ratio of the maximum neurocranial height to the maximum width of the vault and the ratio of bregma–lambda chord to bregma–lambda arc. The results also revealed that some H. sapiens crania (modern and fossil) show the Neanderthal shape of the occipital plane and that the neurocranial height and shape of parietal midsagittal profile has an influence on occipital plane convexity in the hominins included in this study. This study suggests that the occurrence of the great convexity of the occipital plane in the Neanderthals and H. sapiens is a “by-product” of the relationship between the same neurocranial features and there is no convincing evidence that the Neanderthal occipital bun and the similar structure in H. sapiens develop during ontogeny in the same way.     

The timing of spheno‐occipital fusion in hominoids

The degree of spheno‐occipital fusion has been used to assign a relative age to dentally mature hominoid cranial specimens. However, a recent study of captive individuals (Poe: Am J Phys Anthropol 144 (2011) 162–165) concluded that fusion of the spheno‐occipital suture in great ape taxa is of little utility for aging dentally mature individuals. In this contribution, I use dentally mature samples of extant hominoid taxa (Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii, Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus and Hylobates lar) to investigate a) the temporal relationship between spheno‐occipital fusion and dental maturity, b) whether there is an association between the degree of spheno‐occipital fusion and relative age, c) whether there are differences in relative timing of spheno‐occipital fusion between taxa, and d) whether there are sex differences in the relative timing of spheno‐occipital fusion. Results suggest that a) a substantial proportion of dentally mature wild‐shot chimpanzee, gorilla and orang‐utans have unfused or partially fused spheno‐occipital synchondoses, b) there is an association between the degree of spheno‐occipital fusion and age, c) there are interspecific differences in the timing of spheno‐occipital fusion, and d) there are significant sex differences in spheno‐occipital fusion in chimpanzees, orang‐utans and gibbons. Thus, contrary to previous work, degree of spheno‐occipital fusion is a potentially useful indicator of relative maturity, especially in great ape taxa. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:135–140, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Unique occipital articulation with the first vertebra found in pristigasterids, chirocentrids, and clupeids (Teleostei: Clupeiformes: Clupeoidei)

This study recognized a W-shaped occipital articulation associated with the first vertebra in pristigasterids, chirocentrids, and clupeids as a unique character among teleosts, based on an evaluation of 43 species within 40 genera of these three families of the Clupeoidei. This occipital articulation is accompanied by an anterior extension of the neural arch bases, which are autogenous with the first vertebral centrum. In chirocentrids and many of the clupeid species examined, the anterior extension occurs on the second vertebra, and similar occipital articulation is found between the first and second vertebrae. The W-shaped occipital articulation is not found in any other teleosts, including Denticeps (suborder Denticipitoidei), which is thought to be a sister group to the suborder Clupeoidei. The W-shaped occipital articulation is absent in the other family of the Clupeoidei, Engraulidae, based on an evaluation of 11 species in 10 genera. Instead, the convex anterior surface of the first vertebral centrum forms a condyle that articulates with the basioccipital, and the neural arches fuse with the centrum behind this condyle. Therefore, it is unclear whether the anterior extension of the first vertebral neural arch bases, which causes the W-shaped occipital articulation, occurs in engraulids. Based on an evaluation of the osteological development of Konosirus punctatus and Engraulis japonicus, the cartilaginous neural arch bases of the first and second vertebrae extend anteriorly at an early developmental stage in the former, whereas no anterior extension of the first vertebral neural arch bases occurs at any developmental stage in the latter. Therefore, the anterior extension of the neural arch bases, which causes the W-shaped occipital articulation, seems to be a unique character of pristigasterids, chirocentrids, and clupeids among teleosts. Within the recent phylogenetic context, this character may be a synapomorphy of these three families.     

Two new species of the genus Probles Förster (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Tersilochinae) from South Korea and Russian Far East

Two species of the genus Probles Förster, P. interruptor sp . nov . and P. segaza sp . nov ., from South Korea and Russian Far East, are described. Probles interruptor differs from its congeners by occipital carina mediodorsally narrowly interrupted and polished occipital surface extending partly on the vertex. Probles segaza differs from other species of Euporizon by its robust ovipositor with a deep and narrow dorsal subapical notch.     

The Phosphoinositide Signal Transduction System Is Impaired in Bipolar Affective Disorder Brain

Abstract: The function of the phosphoinositide second messenger system was assessed in occipital, temporal, and frontal cortex obtained postmortem from subjects with bipolar affective disorder and matched controls by measuring the hydrolysis of [³H]phosphatidylinositol ([³H]PI) incubated with membrane preparations and several different stimulatory agents. Phospholipase C activity, measured in the presence of 0.1 mM Ca²⁺ to stimulate the enzyme, was not different in bipolar and control samples. G proteins coupled to phospholipase C were concentration-dependently activated by guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) and by NaF. GTPγS-stimulated [³H]PI hydrolysis was markedly lower (50%) at all tested concentrations (0.3–10 µM GTPγS) in occipital cortical membranes from bipolar compared with control subjects. Responses to GTPγS in temporal and frontal cortical membranes were similar in bipolars and controls, as were responses to NaF in all three regions. Brain lithium concentrations correlated directly with GTPγS-stimulated [³H]PI hydrolysis in bipolar occipital, but not temporal or frontal, cortex. Carbachol, histamine, trans-1-aminocyclopentyl-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, serotonin, and ATP each activated [³H]PI hydrolysis above that obtained with GTPγS alone, and these responses were similar in bipolars and controls except for deficits in the responses to carbachol and serotonin in the occipital cortex, which were equivalent to the deficit detected with GTPγS alone. Thus, among the three cortical regions examined there was a selective impairment in G protein-stimulated [³H]PI hydrolysis in occipital cortical membranes from bipolar compared with control subjects. These results directly demonstrate decreased activity of the phosphoinositide signal transduction system in specific brain regions in bipolar affective disorder.     

The occipital region in the basal bony fish Erpetoichthys calabaricus (Actinopterygii: Cladistia)

Erpetoichthys calabaricus has unusual cranio‐vertebral anatomy, with an occipital centrum forming a component part of the compound basiexoccipital bone, and a ‘free‐floating’ occipital neural arch that differs from accessory arches found in some teleosts. The occipital neural arch bears autapomorphic lateral projections that articulate with small rod‐like bones resembling the spatial relationship of parapophyses and ribs, a feature normally restricted to vertebral centra. Based on analyses of cleared and stained specimens, computed tomography and histology, it is hypothesized that the lateral projections and associated rod‐shaped bones are structures that share developmental homologies to the unique ‘dorsal ribs’ of Polypteridae.     

Survey of large branchiopods on Aruba and observations on taxonomic characters in Leptestheria (Spinicaudata)

A survey of more than 60 ephemeral pools during March 1989 resulted in finding three large branchiopods not previously known to occur on the Caribbean Island of Aruba. These were two Anostraca, Dendrocephalus spartaenovae Margalef, 1967 and Thamnocephalus venezuelensis Belk & Pereira, 1982, and one Spinicaudata, Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923. The notostracan previously reported from Aruba, Triops longicaudatus (LeConte, 1846), was also collected from several pools. All of these species occur also in Venezuela, which is separated from Aruba by an ocean gap of about 25 km. Comparison of Leptestheria venezuelica with Leptestheria compleximanus (Packard, 1877) demonstrated that cephalic morphology provides useful taxonomic features including length of rostrum, depth of occipital notch, shape of the occipital region, and protrusion of the eye capsule. These features may prove useful in studying other species of Leptestheria.     

New Australopithecus boisei calvaria from East Lake Turkana,Kenya

The calvaria of an adult Australopithecus boisei from Area 104, Koobi Fora, Lake Turkana, is described. The specimen, KNM-ER 23000, comes from sediments dated to about 1.9 Ma. It consists of the frontal, both parietals, both temporals, most of the occipital as well as two small pieces of sphenoid, and a mandibular tooth root. The specimen is presumed to be an adult male, based on its size and the great development of features associated with the masticatory apparatus. KNM-ER 23000 is close in general size and shape to KNM-ER 406, KNM-ER 13750, and Olduvai Hominid 5 and it has a mixture of features seen in these three roughly contemporaneous crania. The frontal, especially the tori, resembles that of OH 5; the parietals are most like those of KNM-ER 13750; the occipital is like those of the two other Turkana specimens, and the temporals have a mixture of features from all of these, This specimen adds to our knowledge of variability in A. boisei. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sur un occipital néandertalien des Pradelles (Marillac-le-Franc, Charente) : étude morphométrique préliminaire

In 2001 and 2003, several occipital fragments of a single mature skull were unearthed on the site of les Pradelles (Marillac-le-Franc, Charente). The archaeological context of the deposit allowed us to provisionally assign the remains to the Neandertal taxon. A morphometric study of this piece was conducted in order to confirm its placement in this lineage. Some features observed on this specimen and commonly described among Neandertals (e.g. the presence of a suprainiac fossa) as well as dimensional data locate the les Pradelles occipital within the morphological variability of Neandertals.     

From lizard body form to serpentiform morphology: The atlas–axis complex in African cordyliformes and their relatives

The comparative vertebral morphology of the atlas–axis complex in cordyliforms, xantusiid and several skinks is studied here. These lizards are particularly interesting because of their different ecological adaptations and anti‐predation strategies, where conformation ranges from the lizard‐like body to a snake‐like body. This transition to serpentiform morphology shows several evolutionary patterns in the atlas–axis complex: 1) the zygapophyseal articulations are lost in the early stage of the transition. In contrast to mammals, the atlas is more or less locked to the axis in lepidosaurs, but the absence of zygapophyseal articulation releases this locking for rotation. However despite its serpentiform morphology, Chamaesaura is different, in possessing this articulation; 2) the first intercentrum of Chamaesaura and Tetradactylus africanus (serpentiform grass‐swimmers) is fully curved anteriorly, underlying the occipital condyle. While this limits ventral skull rotation beyond a certain angle, it locks the skull, which is a crucial adaptation for a sit‐and‐wait position in grassland habitats that needs to keep the head stabilized; and 3) in Acontias, most of the atlas articular surface with the occipital condyle is formed by the lateral aspect of the articulation area relative to the area located in the dorsal region of the slightly reduced intercentrum. A similar state occurs in amphisbaenians, most likely reflecting a fossorial lifestyle of the limbless lizards. Although Chamaesaura and Tetradactylus live sympatrically in grasslands, Chamaesaura differs in several ways in atlas–axis complex: for example, aforementioned presence of the atlas–axis zygapophyseal articulation, and long posterodorsal processes. Its occipital condyle protrudes further posteriorly, placing the atlas–axis complex further from the endocranium than in Tetradactylus. Hence, adaptation in the same niche, even among sister clades, can lead to different atlas–axis morphology due to different lifestyle strategies, for example, different foraging mode, while similar atlas–axis morphology can evolve in two lineages occupying different niches, as in Ablepharus and Scelotes. J. Morphol. 277:512–536, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development and evolution of the tetrapod skull–neck boundary

The origin and evolution of the vertebrate skull have been topics of intense study for more than two centuries. Whereas early theories of skull origin, such as the influential vertebral theory, have been largely refuted with respect to the anterior (pre‐otic) region of the skull, the posterior (post‐otic) region is known to be derived from the anteriormost paraxial segments, i.e. the somites. Here we review the morphology and development of the occiput in both living and extinct tetrapods, taking into account revised knowledge of skull development by augmenting historical accounts with recent data. When occipital composition is evaluated relative to its position along the neural axis, and specifically to the hypoglossal nerve complex, much of the apparent interspecific variation in the location of the skull–neck boundary stabilizes in a phylogenetically informative way. Based on this criterion, three distinct conditions are identified in (i) frogs, (ii) salamanders and caecilians, and (iii) amniotes. The position of the posteriormost occipital segment relative to the hypoglossal nerve is key to understanding the evolution of the posterior limit of the skull. By using cranial foramina as osteological proxies of the hypoglossal nerve, a survey of fossil taxa reveals the amniote condition to be present at the base of Tetrapoda. This result challenges traditional theories of cranial evolution, which posit translocation of the occiput to a more posterior location in amniotes relative to lissamphibians (frogs, salamanders, caecilians), and instead supports the largely overlooked hypothesis that the reduced occiput in lissamphibians is secondarily derived. Recent advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of axial patterning and its regulation in amniotes support the hypothesis that the lissamphibian occipital form may have arisen as the product of a homeotic shift in segment fate from an amniote‐like condition.     

Spilomicrus magnus sp. nov., a new diapriid wasp (Hymenoptera: Diaprioidea: Diapriidae) from South Korea and two new records of the genus Spilomicrus from the Eastern Palaearctic region

A new species, Spilomicrus magnus sp. nov. from South Korea, is here described and illustrated. This species belongs to the Spilomicrus stigmaticalis group by a broad occipital flange and posteriorly broad and deep notauli. Spilomicrus lubomasneri Chemyreva and S. nottoni Chemyreva are newly recorded from China.     

The sixth skull cap of Pithecanthropus erectus

The sixth skull cap of Pithecanthropus erectus (or skull V, since the Modjokerto skull has not been given a number) was found in the upper layers of the Trinil beds of Sangiran (Central Java) in 1963, associated with fossils of the Sino-Malayan fauna. No stone tools were discovered in direct association with the find. The specimen consists of the occipital, both parietals, both temporals, sphenoid fragments, the frontal and the left zygomatic bone. We consider the skull to be a male in his early twenties. The occipital, parietal, frontal and temporal bones demonstrate definite pithecanthropine characteristics, and the cranial capacity is estimated to be 975 cm³. Of the superstructures, the supraorbital torus is extraodinarily thick, approaching the condition in Australopithecus boisei and Rhodesian man. And the sagittal torus is certainly higher than in skulls I and II, but lower than in skull IV. In addition, the angle between the occipital and nuchal planes is larger than in the previous finds. As revealed by various features, the gap between the robustness of skull IV on one hand, and skulls I, II and III on the other, is bridged by the present find. There is no reasonable taxonomic need to ascribe this specimen to a new species, because it seems to be merely an intrapopulational variant of the same species. Other skulls of P. erectus suggest that the bregmatic eminence, and hence the vertex, is invariably situated at bregma, but this new skull cap deviates from the pattern. Its pteric regions disclose the anthropoid X and I types. The middle meningeal groove pattern is similar to other Pithecanthropus skulls; however, it betrays a known anomaly in that the main stem is covered for a short distance by a bony plate. The mastoid process is fairly well developed, and is also well pneumatized as in P. pekinensis, with its air cells invading the pronounced supramastoid crest. The zygomatic bone, the first one recovered of P. erectus, does not show characters of particular importance. In fact, its thickness is in the range of modern man. We would like to stress that the absence of the cranial base does not necessarily indicate that the specimen must be a poor victim of cannibalism, since the morphology of the base renders it more susceptible to post-mortem natural traumata.     

The cephalic morphology of the troglobiontic cholevine species Troglocharinus ferreri (Coleoptera,Leiodidae)

Leiodidae are the second largest subterranean radiation of beetles at family rank. To explore morphological trends linked with troglobiontic habits and characters with potential phylogenetic significance, the head of the cave-dwelling species Troglocharinus ferreri (Cholevinae, Leptodirini) was examined in detail. Overall, the general pattern is similar to what is found in Catops ventricosus (Cholevini). Shared apomorphic features include a fully exposed anterolateral concavity containing the antennal socket, a distinct bead above this depression, a bilobed lip-like structure anterad the labrum, a flat elevated portion of the ventral mandibular surface, and a ventral process at the proximomesal edge of this mandibular area. The tentorial structures are well-developed as in C. ventricosus, with a large laminatentorium and somewhat shortened dorsal arms. The mouthparts are largely unmodified, with the exception of unusually well-developed extrinsic maxillary muscles. Features of T. ferreri obviously linked with subterranean habits are the complete lack of compound eyes, circumocular ridges, and optic lobes. A series of characters is similar to conditions found in other genera of Leptodirini: the head capsule completely lacks a protruding ocular region, a distinct neck is missing, the transverse occipital crest is indistinct, and the antennae are elongate and lack a distinct club. Two different trends of cephalic transformations occur in troglobiontic Leptodirini, with some genera like Troglocharinus and Leptodirus having elongated head capsules and antennae, and others having broadened, more transverse heads. In contrast, the modifications are more uniform in the closely related Ptomaphagini, with a pattern distinctly differing from Leptodirini: the head is transverse, with a distinctly protruding ocular region, a distinct transverse occipital crest, and a very narrow neck region.     

Morphological variation and sexual dimorphism of the cephalic scales in Lacerta bilineata

The Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) is a lacertid distributed throughout Mediterranean and Central Europe. Little is known about the morphological variability and sexual shape differences in this species. In this paper, the variation of the cephalic scales in L. bilineata is analysed by means of a geometric morphometric approach. A main structural pattern is characterized by negative allometry of the frontal and interparietal areas, and positive allometry of the parietal and frontoparietal scales. Sexual differences are described both in size and shape. In males, the scales are generally larger, with relative shortening of the frontal area, frontoparietal enlargement, occipital lengthening and bulging of the parietal scales, which compresses and narrows the interparietal and occipital areas midsagittally. This pattern is based on a shared allometric trajectory, with males displaying a peramorphic morphotype. However, males show some shape differences in the occipital area that are not size‐related, and cannot be interpreted in terms of general head enlargement. This structural trajectory can be related to the development of the skull, but the role of soft tissues (temporal, nuchal and masticatory muscles) must also be considered. The development of the jaw and nuchal muscles involved in intra‐ and intersexual behaviours could have played a pivotal role in the evolution of this pattern.     

A new species of the fish genusIdiastion (Pisces: Scorpaenidae) from the Kyushu-Palau Ridge,western Pacific

Idiastion pacificum is described as a new, and second, species of the genusIdiastion. This species is the first of the genus from the Indo-Pacific region. It is characterized by having 25 rather than 24 vertebrae, branched pectoral rays, humpbacked body outline, no occipital pit, a small slit behind the fourth gill arch, a swimbladder, teeth on the palatines and well developed spines on head. It is distinguished fromI. kyphos Eschmeyer recorded from Atlantic by having ctenoid scales on nape and maxilla, and cycloid scales on isthmus, breast, anterior part of belly and membranes of anal, lower part of pectoral and pelvic fins.     

Skull osteology of Vipera walser (Squamata,Viperidae): Description,variability, ontogeny,and diagnostic characters in comparison to other Italian vipers

Vipera walser is the most recently recognized European viper. This rare species is endemic to a small area in the Piedmont Alps of Italy, but its closest relatives are found among the Caucasian viper species. In order to provide a starting point for a phylogenetic and biogeographic investigation based on osteology, and including fossils remains, we analyzed four specimens of V. walser and compared them with specimens of the four other Italian viper species. Based on these specimens, we improved the diagnosis of V. walser and provided a first evaluation of intraspecific variability and ontogenetic variation. The skull of V. walser is subject to significant variation, most likely related to ontogeny in some cases (i.e., development of the parietal crest, development of the basioccipital process, shape of the posterior margin of the parabasisphenoid, shape of the quadrate). Based on the studied material, it is possible to distinguish V. walser from the other Italian vipers by the shape of the occipital crest of the supraoccipital, which is posteriorly directed, whereas it is laterally directed in the other species. The osteological diagnosibility provides further support for the validity of V. walser as a distinct species from Vipera berus.     

EEG Spectral Analysis on Muslim Prayers

This study investigated the proposition of relaxation offered by performing the Muslim prayers by measuring the alpha brain activity in the frontal (F3–F4), central (C3–C4), parietal (P3–P4), and occipital (O1–O2) electrode placements using the International 10–20 System. Nine Muslim subjects were asked to perform the four required cycles of movements of Dhuha prayer, and the EEG were subsequently recorded with open eyes under three conditions, namely, resting, performing four cycles of prayer while reciting the specific verses and supplications, and performing four cycles of acted salat condition (prayer movements without any recitations). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests revealed that there were no significant difference in the mean alpha relative power (RP_α) between the alpha amplitude in the Dhuha prayer and the acted conditions in all eight electrode positions. However, the mean RP_α showed higher alpha amplitude during the prostration position of the Dhuha prayer and acted condition at the parietal and occipital regions in comparison to the resting condition. Findings were similar to other studies documenting increased alpha amplitude in parietal and occipital regions during meditation and mental concentration. The incidence of increased alpha amplitude suggested parasympathetic activation, thus indicating a state of relaxation. Subsequent studies are needed to delineate the role of mental concentration, and eye focus, on alpha wave amplitude while performing worshipping acts.     

Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous novel variant in CEP290 gene causes Meckel syndrome

Meckel syndrome (MKS) is a pre‐ or perinatal multisystemic ciliopathic lethal disorder with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Meckel syndrome is usually manifested with meningo‐occipital encephalocele, polycystic kidney dysplasia, postaxial polydactyly and hepatobiliary ductal plate malformation. Germline variants in CEP290 cause MKS4. In this study, we investigated a 35‐years‐old Chinese female who was 17+1 weeks pregnant. She had a history of adverse pregnancy of having foetus with multiple malformations. We performed ultrasonography and identified the foetus with occipital meningoencephalocele and enlarged cystic dysplastic kidneys. So, she decided to terminate her pregnancy and further genetic molecular analysis was performed. We identified the aborted foetus without postaxial polydactyly. Histological examination of foetal kidney showed cysts in kidney and thinning of the renal cortex with glomerular atrophy. Whole exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous variant (c.2144T>G; p.L715^*) in exon 21 of the CEP290 in the foetus. Sanger sequencing confirmed that both the parents of the foetus were carrying this variant in a heterozygous state. This variant was not identified in two elder sisters of the foetus as well as in the 100 healthy individuals. Western blot analysis showed that this variant leads to the formation of truncated CEP290 protein with the molecular weight of 84 KD compared with the wild‐type CEP290 protein of 290 KD. Hence, it is a loss‐of‐function variant. We also found that the mutant cilium appears longer in length than the wild‐type cilium. Our present study reported the first variant of CEP290 associated with MKS4 in Chinese population.