Sexual dimorphism of external morphological characters in some deepwater skates (Rajidae,Rajiformes, Chondrichthyes) of the North Atlantic

Our studies of the external morphology of five species of deepwater skates (Amblyraja jenseni, Bathyraja pallida, B. richardsoni, Rajella bigelowi, and R. kukujevi) showed that their males and females differ significantly in 9 characters in the first species, 14 characters in the second, 11 characters in the third and fourth, and 10 characters in the fifth. Sexual differences occur most frequently in the length of the first gill slit (in four species out of five), the length of the nasal curtain, the mouth width, and the length of the third gill slit (in three species out of five), the width and length of the disc, the length of the first and second dorsal fin bases, the tail height at the tip of the ventral fin, the length of the fifth gill slit, the distance between the first and fifth gill slits, the interspiracular distance, the preanal length, distance from the tip of the snout to the maximum disc width, and the interorbital distance (in two species out of five).     

Scale morphology of greater lizardfish Saurida tumbil (Bloch, 1795) (Pisces: Synodontidae)

A comparative study comprising scale morphology and squamation of Saurida tumbil was conducted to identify the most useful scale and squamation characters within the different body regions and length groups and to clarify their significance for future systematic studies. The presence of the caudal pores is documented for the first time in teleosts. In addition, the presence of crenae and spines formed by posterior orientation and projection of circuli is recorded for the first time in a member of the Synodontidae. Scales of S. tumbil show some characters that are either never seen or they are exceedingly rare in scales of other teleosts. These are: two types of scalar denticles, denticles in the inter-circular area, and twin or Siamese scales. Several other scale characters have shown a consistent variation in different body regions and in fishes from different length groups. These are: focus position; bilobate rostral field edge; presence of three radii; long, narrow and separated crenae; papillae-form, crowded scalar denticles with posterior directed spines; the number of scale rows between anterior end of the dorsal fin and the lateral line.     

Morphometrical analyses of Secale (Triticeae, Poaceae)

Some fifteen taxa ranked as species or subspecies have generally been recognized within Secale. However, most of these seem impossible to separate on morphology alone. Based on 14 morphological characters considered of diagnostic value and scored on 44 specimens representing most of the taxa a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was carried out. Limited correlation was found between the characters and consequently the first three principal axes account for only about 60% of the total variation. The PCA shows only a weak separation of annual and perennial taxa. Further analyses mainly of spikelet characters support merging of most of the previously accepted taxa within each of these two groups. A total of three species with five infraspecific taxa are here proposed within the genus and a key is provided to the taxa.     

Comparative floral morphometrics in day-flowering, night-flowering and self-pollinated Caryophylloideae (Agrostemma, Dianthus, Saponaria, Silene, and Vaccaria)

Morphological variation of flowers with different pollination modes was studied in 53 species representing five genera (Agrostemma, Dianthus, Saponaria, Silene s.l., Vaccaria) of the subfamily Caryophylloideae. All species were classified a priori as either diurnal, nocturnal, or selfing. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) of 13 floral characters revealed significant correlations between floral morphometry and pollination modes. A CDA of taxonomical groups represented with more than three species (Dianthus, and subgroups of Silene s.l.: Lychnis, Silene s.str., and Viscaria), revealed that the discrimination between these four taxa, based on the same floral characters, is also well supported. Main factors for the discrimination of the species with different pollination modes were characters that (a) define nectar accessibility (calyx length, calyx tooth length), (b) are related to the positioning of anthers and stigmatic areas in relation to pollinators and (c) are important for the visual attractiveness of flowers (plate width). The functional distance between the nectar source (anthophore base) and contact zone with pollinators (style tips), given as the sum of anthophore length, ovary length, and style length (hence called AOS-complex) is better correlated with the calyx length than the single characters. Further, the total AOS-complex length differs significantly between pollination modes suggesting that these characters form a functionally linked complex that is related to the pollen placement on, and stigma contact with, the pollinator's body. However, the contribution of anthophore and style length to the total AOS-complex differed significantly between Silene s.l. and other taxa indicating that the taxonomic groups follow different evolutionary ways for the construction of the functionally linked AOS-complex.     

Phenetic analysis of populations of Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)

The cosmopolitan species, Porcellionides pruinosus (Brandt, 1833), exhibited a geographical variation of its morphological features and its reproduction pattern. In fact, some Tunisian populations had a seasonal reproductive period and other ones showed a reproductive activity. A phenetic analysis has been performed to compare populations belonging to P. pruinosus from different geographical localities. For this, nineteen quantitative characters in 800 specimens of P. pruinosus issued from nine populations located in the North, the Centre, and the South of Tunisia, and one population from Athens (Greece) were studied. These populations were characterized by different reproductive behaviours. The populations of Tabarka, Korba, and Tamerza showed reproductive activity, whereas those of Garat Naam, Raccada, Sahline, Gafsa, Rdayef, Gabès, and Athens exhibited a seasonal reproductive period. The variability of the first three axes of the principal components analysis (PCA) and their significance showed an intraspecific variability structure. The graphical representation of the population's dispersion generated by the two first axes (63.55% of the total variability) revealed a great heterogeneity among females of the different populations of P. pruinosus. The Garat Naam population was set apart from the other ones by its cephalic width and length and also by its apophysis length. Furthermore, cephalic and uropod length separated the Garat Naam and Tabarka populations. The dendrogram, based on Euclidean coordinates, confirms an isolation of the populations of Tabarka and Garat Naam, exhibiting respectively reproductive activity and seasonal reproduction. However, the other populations do not show any relationship with the reproduction behaviour. They were clustered in two groups. The first one is represented by the populations of the Southeast and the West of Tunisia. The second pooled the populations of the Northeast and the Centre of Tunisia with the population of Athens (Greece). Phenetic analysis of Tunisian populations exhibits an important heterogeneity, which is worth noting. Thus, we need to complete and deepen this study by genetic analysis and crossbreeding tests in order to define the taxonomic status of these populations.     

Spermatozoal ultrastructure in the spiny lobster Jasus novaehollandiae Holthuis, 1963 (Palinuridae,Palinura, Decapoda)

The spermatozoal ultrastructure of the spiny lobster Jasus novaehollandiae is most similar to that in other investigated palinurans and, in particular, to the spermatozoa of Panulirus species. Shared characters include the globular nucleus penetrated by the bases of three or more microtubular arms; an anteriorly situated cytoplasmic zone with mitochondria and conspicuous lamellar bodies; a complex, four-zoned acrosomal vesicle (however, lacking the crystalline region present in Panulirus) with a homogeneous region; a scroll region; a flocculent region; and a region of periacrosomal material that forms finger-like involutions into the flocculent region. The related scyllarid slipper lobsters (Scyllarus and Thenus) possess spermatozoa with acrosome morphology similar to that of Jasus, but the sperm is generally more flattened, numerous radiating acrosome fins are present, and the microtubular arms (in Scyllarus) are cytoplasmic in origin and not nuclear. Sperm morphology provides preliminary evidence in support of the hypothesis of two independent lines of evolution in the Palinuridae but investigation into additional taxa within this group is required. J. Morphol. 236:117-126, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Resurrection of Dryotomicus Wood and description of two new species from the Amazon River Basin (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Phloeotribini)

A cladistic analysis based on 20 morphological characters was conducted for 11 species representing two valid and two synonymized Phloeotribini genera. One hundred-eighty most-parsimonious trees were recovered and the Dryotomicus Wood species were monophyletic in a mostly unresolved strict-consensus tree. The unusual antennal morphology, with the length of the first two funicular segments equal to the last three segments and a scape which is twice the length of the funicle, distinguish Dryotomicus from the other Phloeotribini genera. Hence this genus is resurrected because of monophyly and diagnostic characters. Dryotomicus oenophilissp. n. and Dryotomicus woodrexsp. n. are described from Guyana and Peru, respectively. In the male specimen of Dryotomicus oenophilis, the frons has one median and two large lateral carinae and in the male specimen of Dryotomicus woodrex, the frons has three smaller median tubercles arranged transversely. Phloeotribus puberulus Chapuis and Phloeotribus tuberculatus (Eggers) were monophyletic with the new Dryotomicus species and thus are transferred to this genus. Keys to the Phloeotribini genera and Dryotomicus species are given.     

Hemitriakis complicofasciata, a new whitefin topeshark (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from Japan

Hemitriakis complicofasciata sp. nov. is described from 18 specimens from the waters of the Ryukyu Islands, southern Japan. This new species is distinguishable from other congeners by the following characters: higher vertebral counts (46–52 monospondylous vertebrae and 124–131 precaudal total vertebrae), presence of a developed posterior nasal flap, first dorsal fin origin anterior to free rear tips of pectoral fin, shorter snout length (snout tip to oral length less than 1.8 times internarial width), absence of an accessory cartilage at symphysial part of upper jaw, and dark complicated lines and rings on embryos and juveniles.     

Periophthalmus spilotus, a new species of mudskipper from Sumatra (Gobiidae: Oxudercinae)

A new species of mudskipper,Periophthalmus spilotus, is described on the basis of 16 specimens from Sumatra, Indonesia. It differs from other species ofPeriophthalmus by the following combination of characters: pelvic fins totally united into rounded disk; first dorsal fin high, greyish, no spots on fin nor elongate spines; second dorsal fin typically with 14 total elements; anal fin typically with either 14 or 15 total elements; length of anal-fin base 21.8–29.0% SL; and length of second dorsal-fin base 22.5–26.7% SL. This species is most similar to, and probably most closely related to,P. chrysospilos.     

FIELD MEASUREMENTS OF NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION IN THE FUNGUS BEETLE,BOLITOTHERUS CORNUTUS

Selection on three phenotypic traits was estimated in a natural population of a fungus beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus. Lifetime fitness of a group of males in this population was estimated, and partitioned into five components: lifespan, attendance at the mating area, number of females courted, number of copulations attempted, and number of females inseminated. Three phenotypic characters were measured—elytral length, horn length, and weight; there were strong positive correlations among the three characters. Selection was estimated by regressing each component of fitness on the phenotypic traits. Of the three traits, only horn length was under significant direct selection. This selection was for longer horns and was due mainly to differences in lifespan and access to females. The positive selection on horn length combined with the positive correlations between horn length and the other two characters resulted in positive total selection on all three characters.     

A new species of hagfish (Myxinidae: Eptatretus) from Papua New Guinea

A new species of seven‐gilled hagfish Eptatretus astrolabium (Myxinidae) is described from a 400 mm total length female trapped 1 km east from Planet Rock, Astrolabe Bay, Papua New Guinea, at c. 500 m depth. This is the first hagfish species reported from the waters around New Guinea. It can be distinguished from other hagfishes by a combination of characters including seven pairs of gill apertures, three‐cusp multicusps on the anterior and posterior rows of cusps, 10 posterior unicusps, 52 total cusps, 18–19 prebranchial pores, five branchial pores, 48–49 trunk pores, 83–84 total pores and no nasal‐sinus papillae.     

澜沧江短吻鱼属鱼类

短吻鱼属Ｓｉｋｕｋｉａ隶属于鲤科亚科（Ｃｙｐｒｉｎｉｄａｅ：Ｂａｒｂｉｎａｅ）,ｗｖ ｄｍ     

Taxonomy ofHordeum caespitosum,H. jubatum,andH. lechleri (Poaceae: Triticeae)

Hordeum caespitosum Scribner,H. jubatum L., andH. lechleri (Steudel)Schenck are very similar in appearance and therefore until recently were mostly not recognized as separate entities. The first two are tetraploid and natives to North America, but the second occurs naturally in eastern Siberia and has been introduced in Europe and South America and may become a cosmopolitan weed. The third is hexaploid and South American. This study analyses their morphological diversity by means of selected multivariate techniques in order to determine if there is justification to recognize them as three separate morphological species. Logistic discrimination, although based on a reduced set of characters, yielded the highest percent of correct assignments. A linear discriminant function is provided and validated by 100 bootstrap repeats. Canonical discriminant analysis indicated three groups. It is subsequently concluded that the three are separate morphological species. Although a linear discriminant function is given, a traditional identification key is provided based on the palea length and triad (the group of three spikelets at each rachis node) length.     

Morphological variation and taxonomy of thePoa macrocalyx complex (Poaceae) in Hokkaido

Morphological features of 41 local populations of thePoa macrocalyx complex from the seasides of Hokkaido were analyzed with special reference to the following seven characters: spikelet length, number of florets per spikelet, relative length of side nerves to the entire length of the first glume, that of the second glume, length ratio of the second glume to a spikelet, ratio of length of the closed part vs. entire length of leaf sheaths, and scabrousness of panicle branches and pedicels. All of these characters varied continuously, and considerable degrees of variability within a population were observed. However, separation of populations into three groups became evident when the data were subjected to principal component analysis and also to a method of examination which was devised for identification of a population (not an individual) of this complex. The three groups that resulted from morphological studies were exactly in parallel with the grouping of populations supported by differences of chromosome numbers and geographical distribution. Evolutionary differentiation of this complex was discussed in connection with polyploidy and gametophytic apomixis. As a result of taxonomic considerations, the plants were arranged in three emended varieties of one species:Poa macrocalyx var.fallax, P. m. var.tatewakiana, P.m. var.scabriflora.     

Molecular phylogeny and ecogeography of Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. (Fabaceae) based on nrDNA ITS sequences and genomic ISSR fingerprinting

In this study 40 specimens from 8 representative Iranian populations of Onobrychis viciifolia SCOP. were collected from their natural habitats. The specimens were biometrically assessed using 43 quantitative and 15 qualitative morphological characters. At each sample site we recorded ecogeographical variables. In order to evaluate the difference between the variation due to phenotypic responses and genetic adaptation, we generated nucleotide sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear rDNA genes (ITS) and carried out genomic fingerprints using inter‐simple sequence repeat PCR (ISSR). Cluster analysis of morphological characters divided the eight populations into three major groups. Leaf length, leaflet length and width, calyx length, plant height, and stem length were introduced as diagnostic characters for three different morphological groups. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of ecogeographical data showed correlations between morphological variations and ecogeographical factors. Clay%, saturation percentage (SP), total neutralizing value (TNV%), texture, minimum temperature, and geographic separation were the main environmental variables associated with morphological groups of O. viciifolia. ISSR analysis revealed three main groups which are in correspondence with morphological groups, indicating that the three morphological groups have been shaped by genetic and phenotypic responses to environmental conditions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Ontogenetic changes in the morphology and morphometry of Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus)

Detailed examination of early development and growth of Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) was conducted using morphologic and morphometric characters. Larvae were reared at a constant water temperature (28 ± 1°C) from hatching to 18 days after hatching (DAH). Observation of the disappearance, reduction, or appearance of external structures, pigment characteristics, and behavior, identified three developmental stages (attached 0-3 DAH; transitional 4-10 DAH; and free-swimming 11-18 DAH). For the 18 day trial, the average growth rate was 1.30 mm/d and the specific growth rate averaged 10.2%/d. The slowest growth rates (0.02 mm/d and 2.8%/d, 7-11 DAH) coincided with the exhaustion of yolk reserves and the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. In addition to the slowest growth rates, the most dramatic morphological changes in A. tristoechus were observed during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. Five total length (TL) groupings were established using 25 morphologic and morphometic characters. The characters snout length, pelvic fin length, snout width at nares, head length, and head width best identified length groupings. As the larvae developed, the snout and head lengthened and narrowed. Proportionally, the snout was narrower and the head longer in Cuban gar larvae than in other lepisosteid larvae.