Late Miocene lagomorphs from the Republic of Moldova

The aim of this paper is to enlarge knowledge about still poorly documented and understood record of Lagomorpha (Mammalia) from the Late Miocene of Moldova. The lagomorph material from two new Late Miocene localities, Razeni (MN11/12), Gradishte (MN12), and re-sampling locality Chimislyia (MN12), of Southern Moldova, is described in detail here. The localities yielded small vertebrate fauna including five lagomorph taxa: Prolagus cf. oeningensis, “Proochotona” cf. eximia, Alilepus laskarewi, “Proochotona” sp., and Alilepus sp. P. cf. oeningensis is described for the first time in the studied area. A short review of the lagomorph record from the Republic of Moldova is provided. This contribution outlines the importance of the lagomorphs for biostratigraphic purposes, and highlighs the gaps in our knowledge related to the faunal succession in this area.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anchitherium aurelianense</Emphasis> (Equidae,Mammalia): a brachydont “dirty browser” in the community of herbivorous large mammals from Sandelzhausen (Miocene,Germany)

The Anchitheriinae are an extinct subfamily of Equidae that first appeared in North America near the base of the Miocene. Anchitheriinae are found in subtropical to warm temperate habitats and were long considered to be adapted to eating browse. In Europe the genus Anchitherium first occurred in the MN3 mammal zone and became extinct in MN9. The assemblage from Sandelzhausen (Early/Middle Miocene, boundary MN5) is one of the best dental samples known of Old World Anchitherium. The mesowear method was applied to reconstruct the dietary regime of A. aurelianense from Sandelzhausen. Hierarchical cluster statistics and principal component analysis was performed on mesowear variables. Thirty-five upper cheek teeth of A. aurelianense were analysed, and mesowear signatures compared with those of five ruminant species from Sandelzhausen. The extant analogue species indicate that A. aurelianense at Sandelzhausen had a diet similar in abrasiveness to that of extant mixed feeders and that the Sandelzhausen ruminants all occupied a browsing niche with little or no abrasives in their diet. Knowing now that brachydont anchitheres were able to cope with rather abrasive diets, it is assumed that hypsodont North American equids of the Cormohipparion clade, arriving in Europe successively with the extinction of anchitheres shortly after the “hipparion datum” in the MN9, introduced a new component of competition in their dietary niche. The extinction of the Anchitheriidae can now be better understood as response to this competition.      

The diet of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Metaschizotherium bavaricum</Emphasis> (Chalicotheriidae,Mammalia) from the MN 5 of Sandelzhausen (Germany) implied by the mesowear method

The genus Metaschizotherium is a Miocene member of the Schizotheriinae (Chalicotheriidae, Perissodactyla) and appears in the MN 5 of Southern Germany with the species M. bavaricum. The Chalicotheriidae have mostly been reconstructed as browsers. In this study, the mesowear method is applied to 11 upper premolars and molars of M. bavaricum from the Upper Freshwater Molasse locality of Sandelzhausen (MN 5). With this method the amount of abrasive and attritive dental wear is investigated and thus it provides a time-averaged signature of food abrasiveness of ungulates. Principal components analysis is performed on mesowear variables of M. bavaricum. This species is found to classify closest to extant mixed feeding ruminants. This indicates that the diet of M. bavaricum essentially included nonabrasive browse but also a certain amount of abrasive plant material. The composition of the diet of extant reference species indicates that this abrasiveness was most likely imposed by bark and whole branches. In the palaeoecological context of Sandelzhausen M. bavaricum occupied the dietary niche of a mixed feeder or an abrasion-dominated browser. A high degree of similarity is recognised between the mesowear patterns of M. bavaricum from Sandelzhausen and M. fraasi from the MN 6 of the Franconian Alb. This is interpreted as reflecting a similar dietary niche of the two species.      

“Australopithecus afarensis”: A composite species

In response to a critique byFerguson (1989),Leonard (1991) reiterates most of his original arguments for supporting “Australopithecus afarensis”Johanson, White, andCoppens, 1978 as a single species. He disregards the principle of morphological equivalence by comparing the dental metrics and morphology of a hominid with those of species of the Pongidae, which do not correspond with the degree of variation in hominids, instead of with those of species of the Hominidae. He fails to refute clear evidence that the range of variation of dental metrics and morphology in “A. afarensis” exceeds that seen in species of the Hominidae. On the basis of extreme variation, “A. afarensis” is, therefore, interpreted as representing a composite species.     

Coexistence of congeneric spiny lobsters on coral reefs: differences in conspecific aggregation patterns and their potential antipredator benefits

Den sharing by conspecific spiny lobsters (aggregation) is modulated by chemical attraction but may confer several, not necessarily mutually exclusive, antipredator byproduct benefits: a “guide effect”, which only benefits the individual attracted to a sheltered conspecific; a “dilution effect”, which reduces per-capita risk of predation simply through aggregation; or active “group defense”. Each potential benefit has a different set of predictors (relationships between aggregation and conspecific or predator densities), but conflicting results could suggest the simultaneous operation of more than one benefit. These predictions were tested for coexisting Panulirus guttatus (a reef-obligate) and Panulirus argus (a temporary reef-dweller) using data collected during 11 surveys on fixed sites over a coral reef in Mexico. P. guttatus greatly outnumbered P. argus, but P. argus showed a greater tendency to aggregate. All three benefits of den sharing operated for the more social P. argus, with “group defense” being of the most benefit for larger individuals, and the “guide” and “dilution” effects for smaller individuals recently immigrating into the reef habitat and sharing dens with larger conspecifics. P. guttatus did not display “group defense” and its aggregations appeared to be modulated by the interplay between attraction and aggressive behaviors. This species relied more on solitary crypticity, especially at larger sizes, but appeared to benefit from a “guide effect” at high conspecific densities. In experimental tanks, each species tended to aggregate when tested separately, but when tested jointly, aggregation among P. guttatus was significantly reduced. The experimental results reflect the differential patterns of aggregation between the fore-reef, where P. guttatus dominated, and the back-reef, where coexistence of both species was greater.     

Restudy and reassignment ofDentalium antiquum Goldfuss, 1841 (Middle Devonian)

Dentalium antiquum is one of two moderately well-known Devonian “scaphopods” in the German literature. Examination of the type material and a few specimens in other institutions indicates more individual variability than is to be expected in species of the molluscan class Scaphopoda. The species is transferred with question toColeolus Hall, a fossil presumed to be a calcareous “worm” tube.      

Systematics and genetic variation in commercial shape Kappaphycus and shape Eucheuma (Solieriaceae, Rhodophyta)

The systematics and taxonomy of Kappaphycus and Eucheuma (Solieriaceae) is confused and difficult due to morphological plasticity, lack of adequate characters to identify species and commercial names of convenience. These taxa are geographically widely dispersed through cultivation. Commercial, wild and herbarium sources were analysed; molecular markers provided insights into taxonomy and genetic variation, and where sources of genetic variation may be located. The mitochondrial cox2-3 and plastidal RuBisCo spacers were sequenced. There is a clear genetic distinction between K. alvarezii (“cottonii”) and K. striatum (“sacol”) samples. Kappaphycus alvarezii from Hawaii and some samples from Africa are also genetically distinct. Our data also show that all currently cultivated K. alvarezii from all over the world have a similar mitochondrial haplotype. Within Eucheuma denticulatum (“spinosum”) most African samples are again genetically distinct. Our data also suggest that currently cultivated E. denticulatum may have been “domesticated” several times, whereas this is not evident for the cultivated K. alvarezii. The present markers used do not distinguish all the morpho-types known in cultivation (e.g. var. tambalang, “giant” type) but do suggest that these markers may be useful to assess introductions and species identification in samples.     

“Meganthropus” cranial fossils from Java

There are now twelve significant hominid cranial fossils from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene of Java, all but two being from the Sangiran site. Most of this material is well-known in the literature, but three skulls, possibly representing “Meganthropus” are here described in detail for the first time. Most scholars have assigned them all toHomo erectus, while others have suggested that they represent as many as four different hominoid taxa. The author argues that they represent two possible species of hominids. “Meganthropus” I, II, and III are more massive than any of the knownH. erectus specimens. They are also relatively higher vaulted, apparently smaller brained, and have unusually thick lower occipital planes. “Meganthropus” may represent a species that separated fromH. erectus upon its arrival to Java.     

The Miocene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Keramidomys</Emphasis> (Rodentia,Eomyidae) from the Sandelzhausen locality (Germany)

In this note the taxonomic position of the tiny eomyid genus Keramidomys (Hartenberger, 1967) from the Early/Middle Miocene boundary locality of Sandelzhausen in the Bavarian Upper Freshwater Molasse is reexamined. As the chronological dating of the Sandelzhausen fossil site has been modified in the past from formerly the Neogene mammal unit MN6 to now MN5 and thanks to new abundant material this rodent is compared with other European forms. It is shown that the Sandelzhausen eomyid must be called K. thaleri Hugueney & Mein, 1968 on the basis of several morphological dental differences from K. carpathicus Schaub & Zapfe, 1953. This rodent seems to be an immigrant from East Asia into Europe. Even if K. thaleri is known in many European localities, all correlated to MN5, it is always a rare element of European rodent faunas. Differentiation from K. carpathicus is not easy and requires a sufficiently large sample.      

Two new“Meganthropus” mandibles from Java

There are now eleven known mandibular pieces from the Lower and Middle Pleistocene of Java, all but one being from the Sangiran site. All of these have been assigned toHomo erectus by most authorities, while others have suggested as many as four different hominoid taxa. Two of the mandibles, Sangiran 33 (Mandible H) and“Meganthropus”D (no Sangiran number yet assigned), are described here for the first time. The two new mandibles come from the Upper Pucangan Formation and date approximately 1.2–1.4 Myr. They are morphologically compatible with other“Meganthropus” mandibles described from Java. Despite attempts by numerous authorities to place all the Sangiran hominid mandibles in the species,H. erectus, the range of variation in metric and nonmetric features of the“Meganthropus” hominids is clearly beyond the know variation found inH. erectus. “Meganthropus” could represent a speciation from the well-knownH. erectus.     

Upper limits of temperature for growth inChlorella (Chlorophyceae)

The upper limit of temperature for growth is a species-specific character in the genusChlorella. The limits of 14Chlorella species range from 26–30°C (C. saccharophila) to 38–42°C (C. sorokiniana), withC. fusca var.vacuolata (34°C) andC. kessleri (34–36°C) assuming an intermediate position. Thus, there is no wide gap in the temperature limits between the normal (“low-temperature”) species ofChlorella and the “high-temperature” species,C. sorokiniana.     

New species of Pogonophryne (Pisces, Artedidraconidae) from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica

A new species of notothenioid fish, Pogonophryne bellingshausenensis n. sp., is described from the Bellingshausen Sea, Antarctica. The new species belongs to the dorsally-spotted “mentella” group of the genus and is characterized by having a short (about 13% SL) mental barbel with a short (about 16% of barbel length), narrow (barely wider than the stalk), and relatively inconspicuous terminal expansion composed of short, irregular, fingerlike processes. Compared to most other dorsally-spotted species of Pogonophryne (“barsukovi”, “marmorata”, and “mentella” groups), P. bellingshausenensis has a relatively wide (about 7% SL) interorbital region. An unspotted patch on the median dorsal surface of the head, posterior to the posttemporal ridges and anterior to the first dorsal fin, has not been observed previously in any dorsally-spotted species. The holotype was collected at 1,947 m, one of the deepest records for any species of Pogonophryne. A revised key to the ten species of the “mentella” group of Pogonophryne is also provided.     

Rongeurs et lagomorphes du Miocène inférieur de Béon 2 (MN4, Montréal-du-Gers,SW France)

About 200 micromammal isolated teeth (rodents, lagomorphs) originating from the middle Orleanian locality of Béon 2 (Montréal-du-Gers, SW France) are described. The rodent fauna is dominated by myomorphs (7 species), including the cricetid Democricetodon aff. hispanicus Fahlbusch, the melissiodontid Melissiodon sp., the glirids Peridyromys murinus (Pomel), Pseudodryomys aff. ibericus, Pseudodryomys aff. simplicidens, and Glirudinus modestus (Dehm), and the eomyid Ligerimys aff. florancei. Sciuromorphs are represented only by Heteroxerus rubricati Crusafont, Villalta and Truyols. Within lagomorphs, 2 dental morphs referred to the ochotonid Prolagus Pomel are identified in Béon 2. They correspond to Prolagus oeningensis (König) and P. aff. vasconiensis. On a biostratigraphical point of view, this study confirms the location of Béon 2 at the early part of the MN4; this locality is older than other regional sites such as Pellecahus, Béon 1, La Romieu, and Bézian (MN4b), and it is coeval to Artenay, in the Loire basin. In particular, glirids and lagomorphs from Béon 2 testify to close relationships with micromammal localities referred to the MN3 biozone.     

Zornia subsessilis (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Dalbergieae), a new species from Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Zornia subsessilis, a new species from Serra do Cabral, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is described and illustrated on the basis of field and herbarium studies. It belongs to Zornia section Zornia of subgenus Zornia and it appears to be restricted to “campo rupestre” (rocky fields) within the “cerrado” biome. This new species is characterized by its sessile to subsessile leaves, fruits with articles 4 to 5 mm long and with bristles up to 3.5 mm long.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudocercospora griseola</Emphasis> Causing Angular Leaf Spot on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> Produces 1,8-Dihydroxynaphthalene-Melanin

Pseudocercospora griseola is the causal agent of angular leaf spot of common bean (ALS). It has undergone parallel coevolution with its host and two major groups have been defined, “Andean” (P. griseola f. griseola) and “Mesoamerican” (P. griseola f. mesoamericana). The aim of this study was to analyze the nature and the level of the dark pigment synthesized by the representatives of each group. After 21 days of incubation on potato dextrose agar medium, P. griseola f. griseola isolate S3b developed colonies with diameters of 17.5 ± 1.3 mm and concentric rings of pigmentation. Isolate T4 of P. griseola f. mesoamericana presented smaller colonies (9.9 ± 0.3 mm) with a uniform dark-gray color. Both isolates, S3b and T4, produced the same pigment, a 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-melanin, although different in quantity and structural features as suggested by the IR spectrum. The P. griseola f. griseola isolate S3b had a higher growth rate and melanin content as well as smaller sensitivity to melanin synthesis inhibitors compared to the isolate T4 of P. griseola f. mesoamericana. These results suggest a possible link between melanin and growth in P. griseola.     

Observations on Flattened Species of Gracilaria (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) from Taiwan

Four flattened Gracilaria species have been reported from Taiwan: G. spinulosa, G. vieillardii, G. textorii and G. punctata, identified based on branching pattern, the presence or absence of spines, and characters that often vary seasonally. Gracilaria spinulosa was originally described from the type locality, Tainan. Species with toothed margins are usually referred to G. “vieillardii”; those with smooth margins to G. “textorii”, and those with smooth margins and dark spots scattered over the blade to G. “punctata”. Molecular analyses show that specimens with marginal teeth cluster in three different groups: a G. “vieillardii” clade, a G. spinulosa clade, and a clade sister to G. spinulosa. An undescribed species comprises the third clade, which is distinguished by its relatively large gonimoblast cells and weakly developed tubular nutritive cells. The three clades can be separated by the character of the tubular nutritive cells, the size of gonimoblast cells and certain vegetative features. Plants with entire margins form a single clade characterized by cystocarps with basal tubular nutritive cells and their absence in the cystocarp cavity. They are nested in the Hydropuntia complex and are referred to as Gracilaria “punctata” here. The records of G. textorii and G. punctata from Taiwan require reinvestigation in comparison with the Japanese species.     

A simple chromosomal marker can reliably distinguishes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poncirus</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis> species

Several chromosome types have been recognized in Citrus and related genera by chromomycin A₃ (CMA) banding patterns and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). They can be used to characterize cultivars and species or as markers in hybridization and backcrossing experiments. In the present work, characterization of six cultivars of P. trifoliata (“Barnes”, “Fawcett”, “Flying Dragon”, “Pomeroy”, “Rubidoux”, “USDA”) and one P. trifoliata × C. limonia hybrid was performed by sequential analyses of CMA banding and FISH using 5S and 45S rDNA as probes. All six cultivars showed a similar CMA⁺ banding pattern with the karyotype formula 4B + 8D + 6F. The capital letters indicate chromosomal types: B, a chromosome with one telomeric and one proximal band; D, with only one telomeric band; F, without bands. In situ hybridization labeling was also similar among cultivars. Three chromosome pairs displayed a closely linked set of 5S and 45S rDNA sites, two of them co-located with the proximal band of the B type chromosomes (B/5S-45S) and the third one co-located with the terminal band of a D pair (D/5S-45S). The B/5S-45S chromosome has never been found in any citrus accessions investigated so far. Therefore, this B chromosome can be used as a marker to recognize the intergeneric Poncirus × Citrus hybrids. The intergeneric hybrid analyzed here displayed the karyotype formula 4B + 8D + 6F, with two chromosome types B/5S-45S and two D/5S-45S. The karyotype formula and the presence of two B/5S-45S chromosomes clearly indicate that the plant investigated is a symmetric hybrid. It also demonstrates the suitability of karyotype analyses to differentiate zygotic embryos or somatic cell fusions involving trifoliate orange germplasm. During the submission of this paper, we analyzed 25 other citrus cultivars with the same methodology and we found that the chromosome marker reported here can indeed distinguish Poncirus trifoliata from grapefruits, pummelos, and one variegated access of Citrus, besides the previously reported access of limes, limons, citrons, and sweet-oranges. However, among 14 mandarin cultivars, two of them displayed a single B/5S-45S chromosome, whereas in Citrus hystrix D.C., a far related species belonging to the Papeda subgenus, this chromosome type was found in homozygosis. Since these two mandarin cultivars are probably of hybrid origin, we assume that for almost all commercial cultivars and species of the subgenus Citrus this B type chromosome is a useful genetic marker.     

Stress response of two coral species in the Kavaratti atoll of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, India

Frequent occurrences of coral bleaching and the ensuing damage to coral reefs have generated interest in documenting stress responses that precede bleaching. The objective of this study was to assess and compare physiological changes in healthy, semi-bleached and totally bleached colonies of two coral species, Porites lutea and Acropora formosa, during a natural bleaching event in the Lakshadweep Archipelago in the Arabian Sea to determine the traits that will be useful in the diagnosis of coral health. In April 2002, three “health conditions” were observed as “appearing healthy,” “semi-bleached” and “bleached” specimens for two dominant and co-occurring coral species in these islands. Changes in the pigment composition, zooxanthellae density (ZD), mitotic index (MI) of zooxanthellae, RNA/DNA ratios and protein profile in the two coral species showing different levels of bleaching in the field were compared to address the hypothesis of no difference in health condition between species and bleaching status. The loss in chlorophyll (chl) a, chl c and ZD in the transitional stage of semi-bleaching in the branched coral A. formosa was 80, 75 and 80%, respectively. The losses were much less in the massive coral P. lutea, being 20, 50 and 25%, respectively. The decrease in zooxanthellar density and chl a was accompanied by an increased MI of zooxanthellae and RNA/DNA ratios in both the species. There was an increase in accumulation of lipofuscin granules in partially bleached P. lutea tissue, which is an indication of cellular senescence. Multivariate statistical analyses showed that colonies of P. lutea ranked in different health conditions differed significantly in chl a, chl c, ZD, RNA/DNA ratios, and protein concentrations, whereas in A. formosa chl a, chl c, chl a/c, phaeopigments and MI contributed to the variance between health conditions.     

Development of “universal” gene-specific markers from Malus spp. cDNA sequences, their mapping and use in synteny studies within Rosaceae

The Rosaceae contains many economically valuable crop genera, including Malus (apple), Fragaria (strawberry), and Prunus (stone fruit). There has been increasing interest in the development of linkage maps for these species, with a view to marker-assisted selection to assist breeding programs and, recently, in the development of transferable markers to permit syntenic comparisons of maps of different rosaceous genera. In this investigation, a set of Malus cDNA sequences were downloaded from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory database. The sequences were aligned with homologous full-length Arabidopsis genomic DNA sequences to identify putative intron–exon junctions and conserved flanking exon sequences. Primer pairs were designed from the conserved exon sequences flanking predicted intron–exon junctions in the Malus cDNA sequences. These were used to amplify products by polymerase chain reaction from the parents of the Malus mapping progeny “Fiesta” × “Totem.” Eleven loci, representing ten genes (39%), were polymorphic in the “Fiesta” × “Totem” population and mapped to seven Malus linkage groups. Transferability to other rosaceous genera was high, with primer pairs representing 85% of genes, amplifying products from Fragaria and primer pairs representing 85% of genes, amplifying products from Prunus genomic DNA. These primers were screened in the Fragaria and Prunus mapping bin sets and 38% of the genes were successfully located on both maps. Analysis of the markers mapped in more than one rosaceous genus revealed patterns of synteny between genera, while a comparison with the physical positions of homologous genes on the Arabidopsis genome revealed high sequence conservation but only fragmentary patterns of macrosynteny.