Evolution,pollination, and systematics of the tribeNeottieae (Orchidaceae)

The various classifications of the orchid tribeNeottieae are reviewed and a new classification is proposed that divides the tribe into three subtribes,Neottiinae, Limodorinae, andCephalantherinae, based primarily on characters of the column (gynostemium). A cladistic analysis illustrates that these three subtribes are more closely related to one another than either is to any other group in subfam.Neottioideae, although there are very few apomorphic characters for the tribe. Pollination biology is also discussed showing links between breeding systems and distribution. There is also a possible role between column and labellum morphology and the emergence of a deceptive pollination syndrome from one of reward.     

On the Knowledge of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis (Reitter, 1894) (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

Entomological Review - The type and other extensive material of Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) pennifer (Motschulsky, 1845) and some of its synonyms was examined. Coprophilus (Zonyptilus) marginalis...     

The Metabolites of the Herbicide L-Phosphinothricin (Glufosinate) (Identification,Stability, and Mobility in Transgenic,Herbicide-Resistant,and Untransformed Plants)

The metabolism of the herbicide L-phosphinothricin (L-Pt) was analyzed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), and carrot (Daucus carota). In transgenic, Pt-resistant plants expressing the Pt-N-acetyltransferase gene (pat), L-Pt was acetylated, resulting in two forms of N-acetyl-Pt (ac-Pt). In transgenic plants expressing only low pat-encoded acetylating activity as well as in genetically unmodified plants, three metabolic compounds 4-methylphosphinico-2-oxo-butanoic acid, 3-methylphosphinico-propanoic acid (MPP), and 4-methylphosphinico-2-hydroxy-butanoic acid (MHB) were identified. Hence, the transgene-encoded acetylation of L-Pt competes with a plant-specific degradation. The compounds MPP, MHB, and ac-Pt were found to be the final, stable products of the plant's metabolic pathways. The mobility of these stable compounds in the plant was investigated: L-Pt as well as the derived metabolites were found to be preferentially transported to the upper regions of the plant.     

Descriptions of the mature spermatozoa of the lizards Crotaphytus bicinctores, Gambelia wislizenii (Crotaphytidae), and Anolis carolinensis (Polychrotidae) (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguania)

The spermatozoa of Crotaphytus bicinctores and Gambelia wislizenii (Crotaphytidae), and Anolis carolinensis (Polychrotidae) exhibit the squamate autapomorphies of a single perforatorium extending anteriorly from the apical tip of the paracrystalline subacrosomal cone, the presence of an epinuclear electron-lucent region, and extension of the fibrous sheath into the midpiece. Crotaphytid sperm differ from those of polychrotids in several respects, including: the structure of the perforatorium, the size of the epinuclear electron-lucent region, aspects of the acrosome complex, the arrangement and structure of intermitochondrial dense bodies, and in the distance the fibrous sheath extends into the midpiece. The sperm of C. bicinctores, G. wislizenii, and A. carolinensis are most similar to those of the agamids and phrynosomatids examined to date. No spermatozoal autapomorphies for Crotaphytidae or Polychrotidae were found. The condition of having the intermitochondrial dense bodies arranged in regular incomplete rings is tentatively defined as a synapomorphy of Iguania (although modified in Chamaeleonidae). Spermatozoal ultrastructure offers no characters that justify the separation of Iguanidae (sensu lato) into several separate families.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Conochilidae (Rotifera, Monogononta, Flosculariacea)

To resolve several taxonomic problems within the family Conochilidae (Rotifera, Monogononta, Flosculariacea), we initiated a comparative study of the morphology in this and related taxa using samples collected from widely separated geographical regions. As part of this study, we paid special attention to trophal morphology using scanning electron microscopy. We also constructed and analysed a data matrix comprising 19 morphological characters of 11 taxa using cladistic methods to uncover all most-parsimonious trees. The results indicate that Conochilidae share a body form with Flosculariidae, but they possess a trophal structure which clearly differentiates them from all other Flosculariacea; thus, the diagnosis of the family Conochilidae is amended to incorporate morphological characters of the trophi. The analysis of our data matrix yielded a single, most-parsimonious tree. From the topology of that tree and our scanning electron microscopy observations, we propose the following: (1) the status of Conochilidae as a separate suborder of Flosculariacea is rejected; (2) taxonomic separation of Conochilus and Conochiloides as subgenera of Conochilus is confirmed; and (3) Lacinularia causeyae Vidrine, Mclaughlin & Willis, 1985 is reallocated to a new genus within the family Conochilide, Conochilopsis gen. nov., as Conochilopsis causeyae (Vidrine et al .) comb. nov.     

Comparative genomics of prokaryotic GTP-binding proteins (the Era, Obg, EngA, ThdF (TrmE), YchF and YihA families) and their relationship to eukaryotic GTP-binding proteins (the DRG, ARF, RAB, RAN, RAS and RHO families)

Several GTP-binding proteins with poorly defined functions were previously identified in Escherichia coli (i.e. Era, ThdF (TrmE)), Bacillus subtilis (i.e. Obg) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (i.e. EngA). In these species, every individual protein is encoded by an essential gene. BLAST searches were used to detect orthologs in genomes of various organisms. Alignments of orthologous sequences allowed the construction of phylogenetic trees and the definition of protein families. The BLAST searches also resulted in the identification of two additional families, the YchF and YihA families, named after the ychF and yihA genes of E. coli. Most families are not present in archaeal genomes, but representatives of each family were also detected in eukaryotic genomes. Only representatives of the YchF family are present in every genome sequenced to date, suggesting that YchF-like proteins might be involved in a fundamental life process. The GTP1/DRG family consisting of eukaryotic and archaeal proteins is related to the YchF family of GTP-binding proteins. The relationship of the six prokaryotic families of GTP-binding proteins and the GTP1/DRG family to eukaryotic GTPase families was also investigated: With the exception of the ARF family, a clear separation of the six prokaryotic families and the GTP1/DRG family with respect to eukaryotic (RAB, RAN, RAS and RHO) GTPases was observed.     

Immunological study and hemolytic activity of the venom of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes (Linne, 1758) (Reptilia, Viperidae)

The immunological study of the venom of the Horned Viper, Cerastes cerastes (Linné, 1758) points out eight fractions from which the components have various hemolyticus actions.     

Morphology and ultrastructure of the nephridial system of Hypania invalida (Grube, 1860) (Annelida,Polychaeta, Ampharetidae)

The excretory organs of the freshwater polychaete Hypania invalida have been examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Three pairs of macroscopically and ultrastructurally different nephridia are present in the thorax. Intersegmental septa in the thorax are absent, with the exception of a single diaphragm between second and third chaetiger. The first pair of nephridia is anterior to this septum, the second pair crosses the septum, with the nephrostomes anterior and the ducts and the nephridiopori posterior to it, and the third pair of nephridia is entirely posterior to the diaphragm. The first two pairs of nephridia have ciliated nephrostomes of moderate size and long nephridial ducts that extend the length of the thorax. In contrast, the third pair is characterized by short ducts and very prominent nephrostomes. Macroscopically, seven different sections of nephridial duct cells can be distinguished along the length of the first two pairs of nephridia, whereas, on an ultrastructural basis, only six different regions can be identified. Only two regions of different duct cells can be recognized in the third pair of nephridia. Cells of the two anterior pairs of nephridia show typical characteristics of transport epithelia and most likely function as excretory organs. In contrast, the duct cells of the third pair are not that much differentiated and might primarily be responsible for the release of sexual products, as sperm was observed passing through these ducts. Podocyte‐like cells were observed to accompany nephridial ducts. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Morphology,molecules and the phylogeny of Characidae (Teleostei,Characiformes)

This is the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Characidae to date and the first large-scale hypothesis of the family, combining myriad morphological data with molecular information. A total of 520 morphological characters were analysed herein, of which 98 are newly defined. Among the analysed taxa, 259 species were coded by examining specimens, three fossil species were coded from the literature, one species was coded almost completely from published figures, 122 were partially coded from the literature, and 88 were analysed exclusively from molecular data. The total number of species in the analysed dataset is 473. Analyses were made by parsimony under equal and extended implied weighting with a broad range of parameters. The final hypothesis was selected using a stability criterion that chooses among the most parsimonious trees of all searches. It was found by weighting molecular characters with the average homoplasy of entire partitions (markers). The resulting hypothesis is congruent with previous molecular-based phylogenies of the family. The Characidae are monophyletic, with four main clades: the Spintherobolinae new subfamily; an expanded Stethaprioninae including the Grundulini, Gymnocharacini, Rhoadsiini and Stethaprionini; the Stevardiinae; and a clade composed of the Aphyocharacinae, Characinae, Cheirodontinae, Exodontinae and Tetragonopterinae. Also, a stem Characidae was found, as formed by the Eocene–Oligocene genera †Bryconetes and †Paleotetra as successive sister groups of extant members of the family. A subfamilial classification is proposed, but deep changes in the systematics that are beyond the scope of this study are still needed to classify the Characidae into monophyletic genera.     

Chaetotaxy and surface structures of the miracidia of Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928) (Digenea,Strigeidae)

Silver nitrate staining was used to investigate the number and arrangement of argentophillic structures (epidermal plates, sensilla, excretory pores) of three species of strigeid miracidia, Ichthyocotylurus erraticus (Rudolphi, 1809), I. variegatus (Creplin, 1825) and Apatemon gracilis (Szidat, 1928). The epidermal plates of all three species of miracidia were arranged in four tiers according to the formula (6 + 9 + 4 + 3) = 22, while the number and distribution of sensilla were also found to be identical. Modifications to the nomenclature of Dimitrov et al. (1989) for miracidial chaetotaxy are proposed.Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also employed to examine the surface structures of deciliated miracidia of Ichthyocotylurus spp., confirming the position and revealing the form of body sensilla.     

Identification,accumulation, and biosynthesis of the cuticular hydrocarbons of the southern armyworm,Spodoptera eridania (cramer) (lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The accumulation and biosynthesis of cuticular and internal hydrocarbons in the Southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania, were examined at closely timed intervals during larval and pupal development. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, and dimethylalkanes ranging in chain length from 23 to 35 carbons. The amount of cuticular hydrocarbon stayed relatively constant during each stadium, while the amount of internal hydrocarbon increased dramatically during the first half of each larval stadium, presumably to replace the cuticular hydrocarbon lost on the shed cast skin with each molt. The accumulation of internal hydrocarbon was mirrored by large increases in the rate of incorporation of labeled acetate into the hydrocarbon fraction. Hydrocarbon production fell to very low rates during the latter part of the fourth and fifth larval stadia. Relatively high rates of hydrocarbon production were observed during the first and last one-third of the pupal stage and essentially all of the hydrocarbons produced during this stage remained internal. These data document large changes in the rates of hydrocarbon production during development in S. eridania and suggest that most of the hydrocarbon produced during each stage was stored internally and then transported to the cuticle of the next stage.     

Structural, IR, and EPR studies of the bis(methoxyacetato)diaquo-copper(II) complex

The structure, stability, and the IR, and EPR spectroscopic properties of bis(methoxyacetato)diaquo-copper(II) were studied both experimentally using FT-IR and theoretically using B3LYP/6-31G**, B3LYP/6-311G, BWP91/6-31G** methods. The same approaches were used to calculate the harmonic frequencies and to compare them to the experimental solid state values. The g-tensors are calculated using the NMR/GIAO computational method.     

Morphology and taxonomic status of the grass snake, Natrix natrix (L.) (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae) on the island of Gotland, Sweden

The isolated population of grass snakes, Natrix natrix (L.), on the island of Gotland in die Baltic Sea is described and illustrated. Comparisons are made with the surrounding mainland grass snake. On the basis of morphological and ecological divergence, the conclusion is drawn that the Gotland population represents a new subspecies.     

Two new species of Dunkleosteus Lehman, 1956, from the Ohio Shale Formation (USA,Famennian) and the Kettle Point Formation (Canada,Upper Devonian), and a cladistic analysis of the Eubrachythoraci (Placodermi,Arthrodira)

Two pachyosteomorph arthrodires are described from the Upper Devonian of North America, Dunkleosteus raveri sp. nov. and Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus sp. nov. (from the Appalachian and the Michigan basins, respectively). Dunkleosteus raveri sp. nov. is found stratigraphically below the only other species within the Ohio Shale Formation (Famennian), and is characterized by the retention of a primitive dermal ornamentation, and shares with Dunkleosteus terrelli ( Newberry, 1873 ) the possession of articular facets on the parasphenoid. Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus sp. nov. (Kettle Point Formation, Upper Devonian), known only from incomplete nuchal, paranuchal, and parasphenoid plates, also retains dermal tuberculation, and is characterized by tapering articular facets on the parasphenoid. The current study reviews three North American species of Dunkleosteus (Du. terrelli, Du. raveri sp. nov. , and Du. amblyodoratus sp. nov. ). Formerly, two subgroups were recognized within the Dinichthyidae, the terrelli and herzeri groups, which are shown here to be members of distinct clades. Dinichthys herzeri Newberry, 1868 (the namesake member of the herzeri group) is now the sole member of the family Dinichthyidae comb. nov. , and is assigned to the Aspinothoracidi sensu Miles & Dennis, 1979 . Heintzichthys Whitley, 1933 and Gorgonichthys Claypole, 1892 (additional members of the herzeri group) were previously placed among the aspinothoracid arthrodires. Likewise, Holdenius holdeni Dunkle & Bungart, 1942 (the final member of the herzeri group) and Hadrosteus rapax Gross, 1932 are now placed within the Aspinothoracidi. The remaining taxa, formerly assigned to the Dinichthyidae (i.e. Dunkleosteus Lehman, 1956 ; Eastmanosteus Obruchev, 1964 ; Golshanichthys Lelièvre, Janvier, & Goujet, 1981 ; and Westralichthys Long, 1987 ), are united within the Dunkleosteidae Stensiö, 1963 . © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 195–222.