Comparative ultrastructural investigations of the pineal organ of the blind cave fish,Anoptichthys jordani,and its ancestor,the eyed river fish,Astyanax mexicanus

A comparative ultrastructural study has been made of the pineal organ in specimens of two closely related populations of the characid fish, Astyanaz mexicanus. The specimens of one population are living in the river, under natural light conditions. The specimens of the other population, originally described as Anoptichthys jordani, are living in a completely dark cave. In specimens of both populations the pineal organ consists of a spindle shaped end-vesicle, connected to the diencephalic roof by a slender stalk. The pineal tissue is compact and consists predominantly of glia-like supporting cells and sensory cells resembling the photoreceptor cells of the lateral vertebrate eye. Phagocytotic microglia-like cells can be found in close contact with the outer segments of the sensory cells. Nerve cells are located in the neighbourhood of neuropil formations, in which synaptic contacts are established between sensory cells and nerve cells. From these nerve cells fibers are emerging, forming the pineal tract that runs down the pineal stalk towards the diencephalon. On the basis of the ultrastructure described by other authors it is concluded that the pineal organ in specimens of the river population of Astyanax mexicanus resembles the pineal organ of other fish species. In specimens of the river population, reared under normal light-dark conditions for 3, 9 or 18 months, conspicuous morphological changes have not been detected in the presumably light-sensitive outer segments of the sensory cells or in other parts of the pineal tissue. In specimens of the cave populations, reared under identical conditions, an age-dependent, gradual regression of the regular outer segment organization of the pineal sensory cells takes place. In other parts of the pineal tissue, only small morphological changes can be observed. In specimens of the cave population, reared in constant darkness, the regression of the pineal outer segment organization begins earlier and is obvious. It is postulated that the gradual age-dependent regression of the regular organization of the outer segments in the pineal organ of cave specimens of Astyanax mexicanus is genetically determined and indicates a regressive evolution of the pineal light sensitivity. The expression of the regressive traits is dependent on the environmental light conditions.     

Museum collections, species distributions, and rarefaction

Biological specimens in museums and herbaria are sometimes used to compare the geographical distribution of different species. In doing so, it is necessary to account for differences in the numbers of specimens. We show how rarefaction can be used for this purpose. Rarefaction is a simple mathematical method originally designed to compare species richness in communities that differed in the number of sampled individuals. We present an example involving two Phragmipedium orchid species. In this case, rarefaction suggests that the apparent difference in range can be explained by the difference in the numbers of specimens.     

ON ALLOPTOX (LAGOMORPHA, OCHOTONIDAE)FROM THE MIDDLE MIOCENE OF TONGXIN, NINGXIA HUI AUTONOMOUS REGION, CHINA

<正> Rather abundant sample of Alloptox, including skulls, maxillae, mandibles and isolated teeth, was collected from the middle Miocene of Tongxin County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region during the two field seasons in 1985 and 1986, when reconnaissance and geological mapping of the middle Miocene in this region were conducted by a joint party of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Academia Sinica (IVPP) and the Bureau of Geology, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The specimens came from 18 localities pertaining to 9 levels in a sequence of middle Miocene fluviatile sediments with a thickness of ca. 200m. Except for the specimens assigned to Alloptox sp. from locality Taoziliang, all are recognized as Alloptox gobiensis. The present paper deals with only their dental morphology which is probably phylogenetically significant. Altogether 327 specimens of Alloptox gobiensis and 27 specimens of Alloptox sp. have been described. The text figures are drawn by the authors and Mrs. Yang Mingwan. All teeth are presented as left ones, the abbreviatd word "inv" is used under the figures of right teeth. All specimens are stored in IVPP under the inventory number V8822-V8839. The authors are much obliged to Prof. Qiu Zhanxiang for reading and correcting the English version of this paper.     

New hominids from East Turkana,Kenya

Thirty-five new fossil hominid specimens are described. They were recovered from the Plio-Pleistocene sediments to the east of Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolf). They include cranial and mandibular parts, teeth, and postcranial bones of upper and lower limbs. Parts of a single skeleton are also described. All of the specimens are described in anatomical detail and selected measurements are given. Some of the specimens are illustrated. It is proposed that they should be attributed to the family Hominidae, with genus and species undetermined until detailed comparative studies have been undertaken.     

ONTOGENY OF THE PALEOZOIC OVULE,CALLOSPERMARION PUSILLUM

The ontogeny of the upper Pennsylvanian age gymnospermous ovule, Callospermarion pusillum, is described from petrifaction specimens collected at the Berryville locality in Illinois. Ovules exhibit a wide range of dimensional and structural features that indicate an extensive developmental sequence. Specimens range from ovules with indistinct zonation of the thin-walled integument to those with thick-walled cells of the sclerotesta. The apex of the fleshy nucellus in some specimens is preserved as a cellular mound, while in others a well-formed cellular pollen chamber is present; still other ovules are characterized by a papery-thin nucellus and pollen chamber wall. The megagametophyte of most specimens is represented by a hollow megaspore membrane that may be restricted to the base of the nucellus, or occupy the entire seed cavity. In a few specimens cellular gametophytes are preserved, and in one ovule archegonia with supposed eggs are also present. Variability in each of the features is compared with ontogenetic changes in comparable structures of living gymnospermous ovules and is correlated with ovule size. A developmental sequence for the fossil ovules is proposed.     

Taxonomic study of the Burmoniscus ocellatus complex (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) in Japan shows genetic diversification in the southern Ryukyus, southwestern Japan

To clarify the taxonomic status of the Burmoniscus ocellatus complex in Japan, we carried out morphological observations and phylogenetic analyses of specimens collected from Yonagunijima, Iriomotejima, Ishigakijima, and Miyakojima Islands of the southern Ryukyus and from Okinawajima Island of the central Ryukyus in southwestern Japan. Observations of the holotypes of Aphiloscia iriomotensis ( Nunomura, 1986 ), Ap. ishigakiensis ( Nunomura, 1986 ), and Ap. yonakuniensis ( Nunomura, 1986 ), in addition to the specimens newly collected from the five islands, indicated that these specimens belong to the genus Burmoniscus. Analyses of five morphological characters of 268 specimens collected from the five islands showed that the body size of Okinawajima specimens is distinctly smaller than those of the specimens from the southern Ryukyus. The ranges of the five morphological characters tended to overlap among the specimens from Yonagunijima, Iriomotejima, Ishigakijima and Miyakojima Islands; these morphological characters were congruent with those of 6. ocellatus (Verhoeff, 1928). The phylogenetic analyses were based on three regions of mitochondrial DNA-COI, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA-and indicated that the specimens collected from the southern Ryukyus constitute a monophyletic group, which is clearly distinct from the clade composed of the Okinawajima specimens. These results strongly suggest that Ap. iriomotensis, Ap. ishigakiensis, and Ap. yonakuniensis are synonymous with B. ocellatus, a species widely distributed in the southern Ryukyus. On the other hand, the species from Okinawajima Island in the central Ryukyus is considered to be an undescribed Burmoniscus species, which is closely related to but clearly distinct from S. ocellatus.     

The species of Hymenoptera described by Linnaeus in the genera Sphex, Chrysis, Vespa, Apis and Mutilla

Data are presented on the type-material representing the species described by Linnaeus in his genera Sphex, Chrysis, Vespa, Apis and Mutilla , The names here considered total 158; six are currently applied in the Hymenoptera Parasitica. Of the balance of 147, three are emendations and five are unavailable homonyms or names proposed in the synonymy of other species. Fifteen Linnaean names are here placed as synonyms. One name is attributed to an author other than Linnaeus, and live names remain species incertae sedis. The remainder, 118, are applied as valid names in die Hymenoptera Aculeata. Holotype specimens in London, Uppsala or Stockholm represent 60 names; 55 names are based on lectotype specimens of which 49 are here designated, two by other authors. One name is represented by a neotype specimen in Lund, and one by a lectotype figure. One non-aculeate species is based on syntypes. Specimens appear to be lost with respect to 25 names; three specimens in Uppsala may be the holotypes of a further three species.
Eight new combinations are made, and twelve new synonyms established; three further new combinations and three further new synonymies are suggested. A systematically arranged summary of species treated and of nomenclatural changes made is given. Nomenclatural changes affecting non-Linnaean names are included where relevant; lectotypes are designated for two non-Linnaean species.     

中国喇叭螺属一新种(肺螺亚纲,柄眼目,虹蛹螺科)

记述采自贵州省陆生贝类1新种,修文贝喇叭螺Boysidia(Bensonella)xiuwenensis sp.nov.,文中对新种形态特征、栖息环境进行了描述,并对其相似种进行了分析和讨论。     

Systematics,biological knowledge and environmental conservation

Systematics and taxonomy are essential: they respectively elucidate life's history, and organize and verify biological knowledge. This knowledge is built of interrelated concepts which are ultimately accounted for by biological specimens. Such knowledge is essential to decide how much and what biodiversity survives human onslaughts. The preservation of specimens in natural history collections is the essential part of the process which builds and maintains biological knowledge. These collections and the human expertise essential to interpret specimens are the taxonomic resources which maintain accurate and verifiable concepts of biological entities. Present and future knowledge of the complexities and diversity of the biosphere depends on the integrity of taxonomic resources, vet widespread ignorance and disregard for their fundamental value has created a global crisis. Preservation of specimens in natural history collections is chronically neglected and support to study and manage collections is very insufficient. The knowledge held by experienced taxonomists is not being passed on to younger recruits. Neglect of collections has destroyed countless specimens and threatens millions more. These threats to taxonomic resources not only impinge on systematics but all biology: this tragedy jeopardizes the integrity of biological knowledge. The consequences for environmental conservation and therefore humanity are also of dire severity and the biodiversity crisis adds unprecedented weight to the barely recognized crisis in taxonomy and systematics.Where correspondence should     

Description and relationships of Chaetopterus pugaporcinus, an unusual pelagic polychaete (Annelida, Chaetopteridae)

An extraordinary new species, Chaetopterus pugaporcinus, is described from eight specimens collected from deep mesopelagic waters off Monterey Bay, California, by remotely operated vehicles. All specimens exhibit a consistent combination of both adult and larval characteristics, leaving in question the maturity of the specimens. All specimens lack ciliated larval bands and the stout, modified chaetae (cutting spines) typically found in segment A4 of chaetopterids. If the specimens described here are larvae, they are remarkable for their size, which ranged from 10 to 21 mm total length, nearly twice the length of the largest polychaete larvae previously reported and 5 to 10 times larger than known chaetopterid larvae. Then too, their lack of segment addition prior to settlement would be atypical. If adult, they are particularly unusual in their habitat choice and body form. Morphology of the uncini and comparison to larval morphology indicated a close relationship to either Chaetopterus or Mesochaetopterus. However, the lack of cutting spines and typical adult morphology made it impossible to determine to what genus this species should be allied. Thus, we carried out the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Chaetopteridae in order to appropriately place and name the new species. Three partial genes were sequenced for 21 annelid species. The sequencing also provides the first molecular evidence that Chaetopterus variopedatus sensu Hartman (1959) is not a single cosmopolitan species. The question of C. pugaporcinus being a delayed larva or a genuine holopelagic chaetopterid is discussed.     

陕西横山晚三叠世鱼类游泳遗迹化石新材料

在多次赴化石产地陕西横山县进行大规模化石发掘后,获得一批完整精美的遗迹标本,为其中鱼类游泳遗迹化石标本建立了新种Undichna prava,并重新修订U.britannica,U.tricosta两种的特征,通过遗迹形态恢复鱼体长度为50—96cm,普遍大于以往描述的国内外据遗迹标本恢复的鱼体长度。     

中国理小粪蝇属记述(双翅目,小粪蝇科,离小粪蝇亚科)(英文)

报道小粪蝇科1新纪录属和1新纪录种:理小粪蝇属Richardsia Papp,1973及该属蒙古理小粪蝇Richardsia mongolica(Papp,1973),之前仅在蒙古分布记录。文中补充了蒙古理小粪蝇雌性后腹部特征图。研究标本均保存在沈阳大学。     

The cranial anatomy,ontogeny, and relationships of Karpinskiosaurus secundus (Amalitzky) (Seymouriamorpha,Karpinskiosauridae) from the Upper Permian of European Russia

The Upper Permian seymouriamorph tetrapod Karpinskiosaurus from European Russia includes two species: Karpinskiosaurus secundus and Karpinskiosaurus ultimus. Karpinskiosaurus secundus is represented by two specimens with skull lengths of about 75 mm. All specimens of K. ultimus are smaller than those of K. secundus. Revision of the cranial anatomy of all previously known and several new specimens of Karpinskiosaurus shows that the specimens of K. secundus and most of the specimens of K. ultimus represent the ontogenetic series of one species: K. secundus. The holotype specimen of K. ultimus requires revision, with the aim to find out whether it represents a second species of Karpinskiosaurus or not. The available material permits new reconstructions of the largest, holotype skull, and one smaller skull with a length of about 36 mm. Karpinskiosaurus secundus is included in a cladistic analysis for the first time here. The analysis shows it to form a sister taxon to Discosauriscidae. The clade comprising Karpinskiosaurus secundus plus Discosauriscidae forms a sister group to Seymouriidae. Karpinskiosaurus secundus has a large postorbital and a short preorbital region, and the orbits are placed in the posterior portion of the anterior half of the skull length. Among all seymouriamorphs, such cranial proportions are exhibited only by the largest known specimens of Discosauriscus austriacus. None of the specimens of K. secundus described here exhibits the presence of sensory grooves; thus, all specimens composing the ontogenetic sequence of K. secundus are considered to be terrestrial. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010.     

河北完县中、晚寒武世无铰纲腕足类

研究了河北完县清醒剖面中寒武统张夏组至上寒武统凤山组酸解法所获得的无铰纲腕足类化石5500多件,详细描述了乳孔贝科2新属、16新种、3未定种,圆货贝科1新属、2新种.自张夏组至凤山组建立了8个无铰纲腕足类化石组合.对乳孔贝亚科的幼壳形态进行了分类,并研究幼壳的演化趋向.     

西藏拉萨河谷地土壤中的暗色丝孢菌(英文)

从采自拉萨河谷地的17份土样中,分离获得38个暗色丝孢菌分离物,经鉴定分别属于15属中的25种,其中包括3个新种,即西藏粘鞭霉Gliomastix tibetensis,西藏单格孢Monodictys tibetensis和小孢瓶梗霉Phialomyces microsporus,1个中国新记录种嗜毛金色孢Chrysosporium keratinophilum。对新种和中国新记录种进行了描述和图示,对其他21个中国已报道种作了分离地点和生境的引证。主模式和等模式标本(干制培养物)分别保藏在山东农业大学植物病理学标本室(HSAUP)和中国科学院菌物标本馆(HMAS)。其余研究过的标本(干制培养物)与活菌种保存在HSAUP。     

A taxonomic revision of Paradoris sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia, Doridina)

Paradoris , traditionally a generic taxon of discodorid sea slugs, is revised for the first time. One hundred and thirty specimens were examined, including all types and most of the nontype specimens available. New records for Paradoris are provided: South Africa, Tanzania, Seychelles, Western Australia, Thailand, Philippines, shallow waters of New Caledonia, southern Japan, and Hawaii. The individual variation of all taxonomic characters is thoroughly evaluated. Prior to the present study, Paradoris included 15 nominal species: 12 valid names and three synonyms. Three additional names, Discodoris erythraeensis , D. lora , and D. cavernae , are re-allocated to Paradoris , based on phylogenetic analysis. A phylogenetic diagnosis is provided for Paradoris : in particular, two new synapomorphies are described. Eight species names are regarded as valid: P. araneosa , P. dubia , P. erythraeensis , P. indecora , P. liturata , P. lopezi , P. mulciber , and P. tsurugensis . However, most of these species are poorly known, i.e. from very few specimens, and their taxonomic status might change when more individuals are available. P. lora is regarded as a nomen dubium . Six new synonymies are proposed, and explained by the fact that: (1) species names were created for one or a few specimens, without considering individual variation; (2) authors have not worked within a phylogenetic framework and have created new species names without considering all the existing species names already available within Paradoris . Three new morphospecies are described, but not formally named because their taxonomic status is still uncertain for several reasons (e.g. lack of knowledge of individual variation for some critical features).  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 147 , 125–238.     

Avian skulls represent a diverse ornithuromorph fauna from the Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation,Gansu Province,China

We describe six specimens consisting of cranial remains and associated partial presacral axial series belonging to ornithuromorph birds from the Changma locality of the Lower Cretacous Xiagou Formation of northwestern Gansu Province, China. Comparison among specimens is limited by the paucity of overlapping elements, their differing exposed views, and, in some specimens, poor preservation. Despite this, three separate taxa are represented, evidenced by differences in their dentary dentitions: one specimen is edentulous, another has sharp, closely spaced, relatively high-crowned and peg-like teeth, and a third preserves blunt, relatively low-crowned teeth placed in a communal groove, a morphology previously reported among adult birds only in Hesperornithiformes. We propose that the high-crowned specimen may be referred to Gansus yumenensis based on shared similarities with the closely related Iteravis huchzermeyeri, including a very similar dentition and an edentulous premaxilla with elongate, unfused frontal processes and no palatal processes. The two other specimens are considered new taxa, for which we erect the names Meemannavis ductrix gen. et sp. nov. and Brevidentavis zhangi gen. et sp. nov. These new specimens confirm that the Changma locality is dominated by ornithuromorph birds and contribute to a better understanding of this important avifauna. The observed variation in dental morphology hints at trophic diversity like that observed in ornithuromorphs from the penecontemporaneous Jehol Group of northeastern China.