Comparative electrophoretic studies of muscle, eye lens and heart protein in fishes from the Arabian Gulf

Muscle myogen, eye lens and heart protein have been studied in 31 species of fishes from Kuwait, Arabian Gulf. The electrophoretic analysis revealed that muscle myogen can be considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate the families Ariidae, Belonidae and Lutjanidae from the other fish families studied. Within the Lutjanidae and Pomadasyidae the muscle myogens can be used to differentiate Lutjanus kasmira and Pomadasys argenteus, respectively. The muscle myogens can also be used to differentiate Sardinella perforata, Platycephalus inducus, Drepane longemana and Psethodes erumei. Eye lens protein can be considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate between the fish species studied and especially among the families Belonidae, Lutjanidae, Pomadsyidae, Sparidae and Scaenidae. Within the Lutjanidae and Sparidae, the eye lens protein can be used to differentiate Lutjanus kasmira and Acanthopagrus berda, respectively. Heart protein is not considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate the species of fishes studied, but can distinguish Lutjanus coccineus from the remaining species studied.     

Phenotypes of Phosphoglucose isomerase,phosphoglucose mutase and general protein in some freshwater molluscs from Basrah,Iraq

Electrophoretic variants of phosphoglucose isomerase (EC.5.3.1.9) and phosphoglucose mutase (EC.2.7.5.1) have been studied in eight species of freshwater molluscs. Two phenotypes of phosphoglucose isomerase were observed in Melanopsis nodosa and one phenotype was observed in the rest of the species. One phenotype of phosphoglucose mutase was observed in all the species of molluscs studied. Phosphoglucose isomerase is inferred to be a dimer encoded at a single polymorphic locus in Melanoides nodosa. There are two alleles at this locus. Phosphoglucose mutase is inferred to be a monomer encoded at a single monomorphic locus in all species. The electrophoretic analysis revealed that phosphoglucose isomerase enzyme cannot be considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate the different members of the six families studied but, on the other hand, it is considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate Melanopsis nodosa and Theodoxus jordani. Phosphoglucose mutase is considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate the family Melanidae from the remaining five families studied. General protein can be considered a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate the family Corbicullidae from Melanidae, Viviparidae and Neritidae but, on the other hand, it seems to be a less useful taxonomic criterion to differentiate between the Viviparidae and Neritidae.     

Phosphoglucomutase,superoxide dismutase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase in fish collected from Iraq and Kuwait—A comparative study

• 1.1. Tissue extracts of heart, kidney, gills and eye lens were electrophoretically examined for phosphoglucose mutase (PGM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity in 32 species of teleostean fish.
• 2.2. One locus of PGM, SOD and G6PDH was found in all groups of fish studied.
• 3.3. The electrophoretic patterns of PGM and SOD can be considered as a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate Acanthopagrus latus, Lethrinus kallopterus, Otolithus ruber, Plectorhynchus schotaf and Synaptura orientalis from the remaining fish species studied.
• 4.4. G6PDH and hexose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) can be considered to be of a less taxonomic importance in differentiating the species of fish under consideration.

     

Phosphoglucose isomerase and phosphoglucose mutase isozymes in some freshwater fishes from Basrah,Iraq

Two phosphoglucose isomerases and one phosphoglucose mutase with different specificities have been found in all groups of teleostean fishes studied. PGI and PGM proved to be good taxonomic criteria to differentiate members of the families Cyprinidae and Mugilidae from the other teleost families.     

A study on phosphoglucose isomerase enzyme in some elasmobranch fishes collected from Khor Al-Zubair, north west of the Arabian Gulf, Iraq

Tissue extracts of skeletal muscle, brain, gills, liver, kidney, heart, eye and spleen were electrophoretically examined for phosphoglucose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.9) activity in five species of elasmobranch fishes. Two phosphoglucose isomerases (PGI) with different specification have been found in all groups of elasmobranch fishes studied. PGI proved to be a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate members of the families Sphyrindae and Dasyatidae from the other remaining elasmobranch families. PGI appears to be controlled by duplicated genes as in other teleostean fishes.     

Reassessment of the taxonomic position of Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944 (Actinopterygii,Cyprinidae)

The Iranian cave barb (Iranocypris typhlops Bruun & Kaiser, 1944) is a rare and endemic species of the family Cyprinidae known from a single locality in the Zagros Mountains, western Iran. This species is “Vulnerable” according to the IUCN Red List and is one of the top four threatened freshwater fish species in Iran. Yet, the taxonomic position of I. typhlops is uncertain. We examined phylogenetic relationships of this species with other species of the family Cyprinidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our results show that I. typhlops is monophyletic and is sister taxon of a cluster formed by Garra rufa (Heckel, 1843) and Garra barreimiae (Fowler & Steinitz, 1956) within a clade that includes other species of the genus Garra. Based on previous molecular and morphological studies, as well as our new results, we recommend that I. typhlops should be transferred to the genus Garra Hamilton, 1822.     

Patterns of taxonomic diversity among terrestrial isopods

The publication of the world catalog of terrestrial isopods some ten years ago by Schmalfuss has facilitated research on isopod diversity patterns at a global scale. Furthermore, even though we still lack a comprehensive and robust phylogeny of Oniscidea, we do have some useful approaches to phylogenetic relationships among major clades which can offer additional insights into isopod evolutionary dynamics. Taxonomic diversity is one of many approaches to biodiversity and, despite its sensitiveness to biases in taxonomic practice, has proved useful in exploring diversification dynamics of various taxa. In the present work, we attempt an analysis of taxonomic diversity patterns among Oniscidea based on an updated world list of species containing 3,710 species belonging to 527 genera and 37 families (data till April 2014). The analysis explores species diversity at the genus and family level, as well as the relationships between species per genera, species per families, and genera per families. In addition, we consider the structure of isopod taxonomic system under the fractal perspective that has been proposed as a measure of a taxon’s diversification. Finally, we check whether there is any phylogenetic signal behind taxonomic diversity patterns. The results can be useful in a more detailed elaboration of Oniscidea systematics.     

Phosphoglucose isomerase isozymes in teleostean fishes from the Arabian Gulf

Two phosphoglucose isomerases (PGI) with different electrophoretic mobilities have been found in all groups of teleostean fishes studied, with the exception of the Clupeomorpha. PGI proved to be a good taxonomic criterion to differentiate members of the Nemipteridae, Sciaenidae, Platycephalidae and Stromateidae from the other teleost families.     

Multivariate studies of Ipheion (Amaryllidaceae, Allioideae) and related genera

Ipheion, as recognized by Guaglianone (Darwiniana 17:159–242, 1972), is a small genus of the family Amaryllidaceae, subfamily Allioideae, tribe Gilliesieae endemic to South America. Since 1800, the species of Ipheion were treated under Beauverdia, Brodiaea, Milla, Nothoscordum, Tristagma or Triteleia. Nowadays, some species of Ipheion are treated as Tristagma and some other under Nothoscordum. In this paper, we analyzed the morphological variation among species of Ipheion and related genera using a numerical taxonomic approach based on overall similarity, to investigate the intergeneric and infrageneric variations to the circumscribed groups. Based on 141 operational taxonomic units and 51 morphological characters, multivariate analyses were performed. Results showed that Ipheion separated into two groups according to Guaglianone’s sectional treatment: Ipheion sect. Ipheion is morphologically more similar to the studied species of Tristagma, while I. sect. Hirtellum can be separated from Nothoscordum/Zoellnerallium and from Tristagma and allies. These a priori groupings were tested using discriminant and univariate analyses. Diagnostic characters were selected to differentiate groups. Previous taxonomic treatments are discussed and results are also evaluated using additional karyological and geographical data.     

Phytoserological systematic survey of the caprifoliaceae

Although several investigators have presented data suggesting that the Caprifoliaceae is polyphyletic in origin, the family has been retained as a taxon in recent classifications. Serological analyses of the taxa included within the family have been undertaken to provide additional taxonomic data. Precipitin techniques of double diffusion (Ouchterlony) and nephelometry (Boyden Procedure) were used to analyse serological similarities of seed proteins from representatives of the family. Three distinct groupings were detected for the taxa included in the Caprifoliaceae. AlthoughViburnum exhibited greatest serological similarity withSambucus, Viburnum was quite distinct from all members of the family investigated.Sambucus also was somewhat distinct from the other genera and exhibited about as much serological correspondence withCornus of the Cornaceae as with any tested member of the Caprifoliaceae. The remaining species examined formed a very close serological grouping. These data can be interpreted as supporting either a monophyletic or polyphyletic origin of the family as presently composed, because of the different arrangements of the families Caprifoliaceae and Cornaceae in the various systems of classification.     

Detection and Identification of Bursaphelenchus Species with DNA Fingerprinting and Polymerase Chain Reaction

We have evaluated the potential of DNA-based methods to identify and differentiate Bursaphelenchus spp. and isolates. The isolation of a DNA probe, designated X14, and development of a DNA fingerprinting method for the identification and differentiation of Bursaphelenchus species and strains is described. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA isolated from Bursaphelenchus species using two primers derived from the sequence of the cloned repetitive DNA fragment X14 resulted in multiple band profiles. A 4-kb fragment thus amplified from B. xylophilus DNA was not amplified from B. mucronatus or B. fraudulentus DNA. In addition to this fragment, several other fragments are amplified from the three species. The banding patterns obtained allowed species identification and may have value in determining taxonomic affinities.     

Ultrastructure of the Secondary Egg Envelope of Cyprinodontidae of the Genus Epiplatys Gill, 1862 (Pisces,Teleostei)

Abstract The structure of the secondary egg envelope of seven species of Cyprinodontidae belonging to the genus Epiplatys was observed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The transverse structure of the secondary envelope examined by transmission electron microscopy is a constant feature in all the species studied and represents a good criterion for identification. In contrast, the surface structure of the secondary envelope when observed by scanning electron microscopy exhibits a great diversity of form. It is possible to distinguish each of the seven different species by the pattern of ornamentation, the width of the polygons and the size of the granules comprising them on the secondary egg envelope.     

Leaf anatomy as an additional taxonomy tool for 16 species of Malpighiaceae found in the Cerrado area (Brazil)

This work describes the leaf anatomy of 16 species belonging to three genera of the Malpighiaceae family found in the Cerrado (Minas Gerais State, Brazil). The scope of this study was to support the generic delimitation by contributing to the identification of the species and constructing a dichotomous identification key that includes anatomical characters. The taxonomic characters that were considered to be the most important and used in the identification key for the studied Malpighiaceae species were as follows: the presence and location of glands; presence of phloem in the medullary region of the midrib; mesophyll type; presence and type of trichomes; and presence, quantity, and disposition of accessory bundles in the petiole. It was also possible to indicate promising characters for future taxonomic and phylogenetic studies in the Malpighiaceae family, especially for the Banisteriopsis, Byrsonima, and Heteropterys genera.     

Genetic divergence among species of the section Strombocarpa,genusProsopis (Leguminosae)

We studied degree of variability and relationships among populations belonging to five species of the section Strombocarpa of the family Leguminosae, namelyProsopis ferox, P. torquata, P. pubescens, P. strombulifera andP. reptans, by isozyme electrophoresis. The genetic similarity betweenP. reptans andP. strombulifera is high enough for the two to be considered subspecies or geographic races ofP. strombulifera instead of good taxonomic species. As expected these species cluster withP. pubescens, all belonging to series Strombocarpae. This group is different isoenzymatically from the remaining species,P. torquata andP. ferox. Comparison of our results with those obtained earlier for species of the section Algarobia showed that genetic variability in the section Strombocarpa is lower than in the section Algarobia, while the species divergence is much higher. These results suggest different adaptive strategies between these sections.     

Morphological and molecular analysis of centropagids from the high Andean plateau (Copepoda: Calanoidea)

In small metazoan invertebrates classical taxonomic analyses can be ambiguous due to the limited number of morphological characters available. This difficulty can yield incorrect estimates of species richness or taxa distribution. The Boeckella genus has been described as the dominant taxon of zooplankton assemblages in the Andean biogeographical region. In this genus, taxonomic classification and delimitation of boundaries between species has long been problematic and controversial. Among South American centropagids Boeckella gracilipes has been regarded as one of the most broadly distributed species, its presence having been reported from Ecuador to Tierra del Fuego. However, in the high Andean plateau some centropagid populations identified as Boeckella gracilipes have also been considered as B. gracilipes titicacae or even identified as a different species, namely Boeckella titicacae. In an attempt to resolve the taxonomic status of the Centropagidae family from the high Andean plateau, we combined traditional and multivariate morphological analyses (integral approach) with the molecular phylogenetic approach. The results obtained allow us to conclude that centropagids collected from the high Andean plateau actually represent a different species, B. titicacae, not B. gracilipes. The phylogenetic reconstruction of the South American Centropagidae family indicated that B. gracilipes represents a sister taxon to B. titicacae. The present study stresses the usefulness of integrating alfa-taxonomy with morphometric and molecular approaches in order to resolve species boundaries, to determine geographical distributions and to investigate evolutionary processes.     

Simultaneous tests of the preference-performance and phylogenetic conservatism hypotheses: is either theory useful?

The preference-performance and phylogenetic conservatism hypotheses have been postulated to explain the mechanisms driving host-use patterns of phytophagous insects. The preference-performance hypothesis predicts that insects will use plants that provide higher offspring fitness, while the phylogenetic conservatism hypothesis predicts that insects will use phylogenetically closely related plants over more distantly related plants. Although some studies have supported these two hypotheses, others have not. Simultaneous tests of the two hypotheses on more than one species are lacking, and this limits comparative interpretation of previous studies. We undertook a comparative investigation to determine whether preference-performance and/or the phylogenetic conservatism hypothesis can explain host-use patterns of two phytophagous insects, the fruit flies Bactrocera cucumis and B. tryoni. Within a nested, plant phylogenetic framework, oviposition preference and offspring performance of the two fruit fly species were tested on fruits of plant species from across different plant families, from within a family and across cultivars within a species. The results show that both the preference-performance and the phylogenetic conservatism hypotheses can, depending on the host plant taxonomic level, explain host usage patterns in B. cucumis, while neither theory explained the host patterns seen in B. tryoni. In the light of increasing recognition of the complexity of host plant–herbivore relationships, and of ongoing studies which as often as not fail to find support for these theories as those that do, we discuss the limited value of either theory as a basis for future research.