Life cycle polyphenism as a factor affecting ecological divergence within <Emphasis Type="Italic">Notophthalmus viridescens</Emphasis>

Polyphenism, which allows a single genotype to express multiple discrete phenotypes in response to environmental cues, is an adaptive trait in heterogeneous environments. Pond hydroperiod is an important ecological parameter affecting amphibian life history, and variation in local pond hydrology has been hypothesized to play a role in species divergence via changes in polyphenism. The eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) expresses life cycle polyphenism. Larvae develop along three possible pathways: metamorphosis to aquatic lunged adult via a terrestrial juvenile (eft) stage, metamorphosis directly to an aquatic lunged adult, or maturation directly to an aquatic gilled adult without metamorphosis (i.e., paedomorphosis). Subspecies of N. viridescens vary in their polyphenic patterns, suggesting possible adaptation to different environments. However, no studies have experimentally tested how genetic and environmental components contribute to the observed differences among subspecies and whether such differences may facilitate divergence. We tested whether adaptation to local pond hydrology via polyphenic changes existed among subspecies by rearing larvae of three subspecies (N. v. dorsalis, N. v. louisianensis, and N. v. viridescens) along three hydroperiod regimes (short, long, and constant) in outdoor artificial ponds. We found that larval N. v. viridescens obligately metamorphosed to efts under all hydroperiods, whereas N. v. dorsalis and N. v. louisianensis exhibited plasticity: larvae metamorphosed to efts under drying conditions but metamorphosed directly to aquatic adults or became paedomorphic in constant water. Also, N. v. viridescens metamorphosed to efts faster and at a smaller body size than the other two subspecies. These data suggest that subspecies of N. viridescens are adapted to different pond hydroperiods, supporting the potential for polyphenism to facilitate divergence. Canalizing selection for certain alternative phenotypes within a single species in which other populations remain plastic may play an important role in the initiation of ecological divergence.     

Size,shape and sex differences in three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa show sexual size dimorphism and size differences between the subspecies. The shape varies slightly between the subspecies, but not between the sexes.

Aims: To investigate whether and how the three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits, and the sexes of these subspecies, differ in size and shape.

Methods: We collected body dimensions (lengths of the bill, total head, tarsus, tarsus-toe and wing) of adult Black-tailed Godwits from three locations (Iceland, the Netherlands and northwest Australia) corresponding to the breeding or wintering grounds of three known subspecies (islandica, limosa and melanuroides, respectively). Determining sex by molecular assays, we computed degrees of sexual size dimorphism. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we compared differences in size and shape among the different subspecies.

Results: The limosa subspecies was the largest and also showed the most significant sexual size dimorphism. Sexual size dimorphism was smallest for wing length and largest for bill length. The first two axes of the PCA that included all subspecies of both sexes explained 94% of the total variation. Most body dimensions were highly correlated with each other, but wing length varied independently of the other dimensions. Males and females differed only in size (the first axis). However, one of the two small subspecies, islandica, also differed in shape (the second axis) from limosa and melanuroides.

Conclusions: In all three subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits, females are larger than males. The fact that subspecies differed in the degree of size dimorphism and slightly in shape hints at sex-related differences in the ecological selection pressures between the different flyways.     

Morphological differentiation of Icelandic Redpolls,Acanthis flammea islandica

Capsule The analyses support the grouping of the three Acanthis species, although a large split is observed between the A. hornemanni subspecies.

Aims To investigate the morphological variation in A. f. islandica among different periods of the year and its morphological differentiation from the other subspecies A. f. flammea and A. f. rostrata, and also from the redpoll species, A. cabaret and the two subspecies of A. hornemanni, exilipes and hornemanni.

Methods The subspecies status of the Icelandic population was evaluated with Amadon's rule, by comparing its variation of traits to the distribution of the traits in different species/subspecies of the group.

Results A. f. islandica is characterized by intermediate wing, bill and tail lengths. Based on the 75% rule, wing length and bill depth can be used to discriminate A. f. islandica from both extreme morphs of redpolls (currently classified as different species); A. hornemanni and A. cabaret, and tail and wing length can distinguish A. f. islandica from its conspecifics A. f. flammea. The overall morphological divergence within the redpoll complex is not supported by association to the studied nuclear markers.

Conclusion The taxonomic status of the three redpoll species is supported by Amadon's rule, however the subspecies status of the Icelandic Redpoll remains unclear.     

Olemehlia krali,a new genus and species of Ripidiinae from Baltic amber (Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae)

A new genus and species, Olemehlia krali n. g. & n. sp. (Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae: Ripidiinae), is described from Baltic amber. The newly described genus is compared with all known fossil and extant closely related genera of the subfamily Ripidiinae. It is characterised by the following combination of characters: antennae consisting of 10 antennomeres, with scape, pedicel, and antennomere 3 simple and antennomeres 4–10 uniflabellate, mouthparts reduced to a small single unpaired tubercle, postocular ommatidia absent, pronotum trapezoid without grooves or impressions, elytra without white apical spots, tarsal formula 5–5–4, hind tarsomere I shorter than three remaining combined. Diversity of Ripiphoridae in Baltic amber is discussed; key to Ripidiinae genera from Baltic amber is provided.     

The taxa of Scottish bracken in a European perspective

Summary

In contrast to the traditional view that Scottish Bracken (Pteridium Scop., Hypolepidaceae sensu Page, 1976) is a single, uniform taxon, evidence is presented that two species, each represented by multiple subspecies, are present in Scotland. These belong to two different species complexes within Pteridium, the P. aquilinum complex and the P. latiusculum complex. The P. aquilinum complex is represented by P. aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, with at least three subspecies: subsp. aquilinum, subsp. atlanticum C.N. Page and subsp. fulvum C.N. Page. The P. latiusculum complex is represented by P. pinetorum C.N. Page & R.R. Mill with at least two subspecies, subsp. pinetorum and subsp. osmundaceum (Christ) C.N. Page. Only P. aquilinum subsp. aquilinum is an aggressive weed which is a widespread problem to man; the others are rare. The paper establishes the nomenclatural priorities, typification, taxonomy, morphology, known distribution and ecology of all bracken taxa so far known from Scotland. The typification of P. aquilinum is discussed. There is no conflict between the two lectotypifications of Try on (1941) and Sheffield et al. (1989); both relate to the common bracken of the mid- and southern-latitudes of Europe, for which the existing epithet aquilinum must therefore be retained. It is pointed out that some of the other European taxa of bracken might well also yet be found within the British Isles, as well as, perhaps, other (especially possible diploid) taxa as yet undescribed.     

Allolarinus,a new genus and species of Lixini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae) from Congo

A new weevil genus, Allolarinus n. gen., with type species, Allolarinus demeyeri n. sp., is described from Congo in the tribe Lixini. The illustrations and diagnostic characteristics of this genus have been presented in a table and figure plates. This new genus is related to Larinus Dejean in terms of the type of elytra and general shape of the prothorax but clearly differs from Larinus with respect to its tooth-bearing femora and granulose pronotum. The trapezoidal short-neck prothorax and general shape of the elytra of this new genus are similar to those of Larinus; the granulose pronotum to that of Lixomorphus Faust; the dentate femora to that of Holcolixus Voss, Erilixus Voss, and Sublarinus Petri; while the existing cubito-anal vein on metathoracic wings to those of Allolixus Voss.     

Stimulus selection (light) in four subspecies of deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Abstract

Four subspecies of deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) were selected from habitats along a gradient from mesic hardwood forests (gracilis), tall grass prairie (bairdi), short grass prairie (nebrascensis), to desert grassland (labecula) in effort to relate the light preferences of the mice to the habitat of their origin. Six individuals of each subspecies were maintained in dark chambers for 25 days, during which they could turn on a dim light for 30 seconds on ten of these days. Mice from the mesic habitats turned the lights on more frequently (light reinforcement) than mice from xeric habitats. The same subspecies that exhibited light reinforcement when raised in laboratory light conditions failed to show light reinforcement when raised in total darkness. The circadian periodicities also differed significantly among the subspecies. Conclusions drawn from the results were: (1) selection for light is genetically influenced as indicated by subspecific differences, (2) some genotypes are readily modified by environmental light conditions than others, and (3) natural selection in each environment appears to contribute to the degree of genetic fixation or genetic plasticity.     

Colonization and divergence: phylogeography and population genetics of the Atlantic coast beach mice

Barrier island taxa provide an opportunity to investigate recent evolutionary processes, such as colonization and isolation of recently diverged taxa, and provide important insights into understanding contemporary diversity and the assessment of conservation units. Using rapidly evolving genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites), we studied the Atlantic coast beach mouse subspecies (Peromyscus polionotus decoloratus, P. p. niveiventris, and P. p. phasma). Our data indicate that each of the extant coastal subspecies (P. p. niveiventris and P. p. phasma) is comprised of unique haplotypes indicative of their isolation, while the extinct subspecies, P. p. decoloratus, contain a single haplotype, which was shared with P. p. phasma. Moreover, all the coastal haplotypes originate from a single mainland haplotype found in central Florida, USA. The microsatellite data indicated high levels of genetic structure among our sampled populations. Additionally, these data group the populations into three distinct genetic clusters, with each of the extant coastal subspecies belonging to their own cluster and the mainland individuals forming a separate cluster. The extant Atlantic coast beach mice are on separate evolutionary trajectories, thus representative of separate taxonomic units. Therefore, the data support that two extant subspecies on the Florida Atlantic coast fit the Distinct Population Segment designation and should be managed and conserved as two separate independent units.     

Revision of the genus Adorodocia Brenske 1893 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Rutelinae: Adoretini) endemic to Madagascar

Summary. The Adoretini of the Malagasy endemic genus Adorodocia Brenske 1893 is revised. Fourteen new species and one new subspecies are described and compared with their most closely related species: A. constricta n. sp., A. cuccodoroi n. sp., A. flava n. sp., A. liliae n. sp., A. marginata n. sp., A. peyrierasi n. sp., A. pseudoconstricta n. sp., A. pseudoflava n. sp., A. pseudostrigata n. sp., A. recta n. sp., A. robusta n. sp., A. sogai n. sp., A. vadoni n. sp., A. viettei n. sp. and A. vittaticollis flavipes n. ssp. The synonymy between Adoretus strigatus Waterhouse 1878, and Pseudadorodocia aenigma Arrow 1901, is confirmed. Thus, based on the results of this study, the genus Adorodocia includes 16 species, and one of them is represented by two subspecies. Diagnostic characters to separate the species in the genus deal mostly with the shape of parameres, color of body and legs, shape of pronotum and female eighth tergite, setation of pronotum and elytra. Key to species, diagnoses and distribution for each species are provided. Endophallus and female genitalia are illustrated for the first time for this genus.     

EQUIPMENT REVIEW

ABSTRACT

The Northern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum cottoni is a subspecies of the White Rhino that is almost extinct in the wild. We studied the last reproducing herd kept in Zoo Dvur Kralove to describe its vocal repertoire. The calls produced by eight individuals were recorded and analysed as concerned both sound properties and behavioural contexts in which they were emitted. We distinguished 11 calls belonging to four categories: (1) tonal harmonic sounds, (2) puffing sounds, (3) growling sounds, and (4) repetitive sounds. We found an apparent similarity between acoustic parameters of homologous calls recorded in both white rhino subspecies. We further confirmed that the repertoire of white rhino calls is much larger than that reported in other rhino species. We tentatively interpret this finding as an adaptation to increased sociality. Four calls reach the infrasound range; nevertheless, they are probably not used for communication over distance. This is obvious in the case of the grouch call, which contains the highest infrasound component. There are, however, other candidates for such a communication function: the repetitive pant sound, which is not known in other rhino species. We hypothesise that the repetitions may enhance their audibility in the typical open habitats of white rhinos.     

培养法检测海滨浴场细菌多样性及耐药性研究

【目的】耐药基因细菌水平基因转移导致的耐药菌数量增加引发的公共安全问题日益引起人们关注,监测环境中耐药菌变得极为重要。【方法】采集湛江3处滨海浴场的水体、沙滩土样,通过平板稀释涂布和琼脂扩散法进行浴场微生物数量、多样性和抗生素耐药性分析。【结果】3处浴场水体无机氮含量偏高,浴场微生物数量随着客流量逐渐增加,沙滩中微生物数量显著高于水体。浴场细菌分布于3门12科18属,水体中变形菌门（Proteobacteria,49.64%）占优势,沙滩则是厚壁菌门（Firmicutes,54.74%）占优势。浴场细菌对β-内酰胺类耐药率较高,青霉素、万古霉素和头孢曲松耐药率分别达到23.25%、20.53%和17.42%,耐药菌株主要分布于芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）、弧菌属（Vibrio）、假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）和肠杆菌属（Enterobacter）,水体中多重耐药细菌数量显著高于沙滩,集中于人流量多的浴场。【结论】滨海浴场环境中细菌耐药菌种类多,需持续监测以评估对当前地区公共卫生的潜在影响。     

Exploration of meaningful subspecies definitions of the carnivorous Northern Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia purpurea), throughout its geographic distribution

The carnivorous wetland plant, Sarracenia purpurea (the northern pitcher plant) is native to eastern and Midwestern North America. This species is abundant within its habitat but suitable habitat is increasingly scarce, raising interest in S. purpurea restoration and conservation. Complicating conservation planning, two controversial subspecies of S. purpurea are historically defined primarily on morphologic traits: S. purpurea subsp. purpurea distributed north of Maryland and S. purpurea subsp. venosa distributed south of Maryland. S. purpurea is also found in three distinct habitat types defined by substrate: acidic Sphagnum peatlands, acidic sandy savannahs, and alkaline marl wetlands. In species level studies, S. purpurea leaves have exhibited morphological plasticity in response to environmental variability, bringing into question the validity of subspecies definitions based on morphology alone. This study examined morphologic and genetic variation throughout S. purpurea’s natural distribution, encompassing both the traditional subspecies and three unique habitat types testing the validity of traditional subspecies definitions. Genetic analysis indicated possible ecological significance of considering a new grouping of S. purpurea populations into Midwest, N. East Coast and S. East Coast populations (AMOVA % variation = 13.34, P = 0.0078) based on genetic differentiation. Morphological variation in leaf shape measurements supported this division as well as indicating plasticity associated with environmental variables. This study conservatively suggests that new, geographical area conservation units may be a more important conservation unit for preserving S. purpurea genetic variation and morphological plasticity than traditional subspecies definitions.     

Species‐dependent microarchitectural traits of iridescent scales in the triad taxa of Ornithoptera birdwing butterflies

Ornithoptera birdwing butterflies have blue, green, or orange iridescent scales in different species or subspecies. To understand the species‐ or subspecies‐dependent scale color differences, we performed comparative morphometric analyses of iridescent scales from three closely related taxa: O. priamus priamus (green), O. priamus urvillianus (blue), and O. croesus (orange). The three types of Ornithoptera wings exhibited reversible color changes to longer wavelengths with different kinetics upon immersion in methanol, suggesting that their color differences are at least partly based on differences in the size of air cavities made by nanostructures. Cover scales of all three color types were visually semi‐transparent glass scales that exhibited color when placed on a dark background. The dorsoventral differences in coloration were observed in single scales, suggesting the optical importance of scale surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy of cover scales in cross section revealed that all color types exhibited finely sculpted tapered ridges and thick, irregular basal multilayers containing tandemly clustered granular objects and air cavities. Scale thickness, ridge height, and multilayer thickness were significantly different among the three color types, and granular object size was significantly different between orange scales and blue and green scales. We conclude that each of the three taxa of Ornithoptera butterflies possesses unique quantitative size values on tapered ridges and irregular multilayers with granular objects and air cavities to express unique structural color. These species‐ or subspecies‐dependent structural colors might have evolved via quantitative shifts in these microarchitectural traits rather than via changes in the basic developmental or architectural plan for color expression.     

Consequences and causes of geographic variation in the body size of a keystone predator,Notophthalmus viridescens

Two subspecies of the predatory aquatic salamanderNotophthalmus, N. viridescens viridescens andN. v. dorsalis, differ in adult body size and geographic distribution. We tested whether experimental populations of the two predator subspecies differed in their effects on prey populations ofB. americanus, and whether observed differences in predator body size were genetic and/or environmentally induced. We compared the effects of predation by bothNotophthalmus subspecies on larvalBufo americanus by experimentally manipulating the densities (0, 2, or 4 newts/m³) and subspecies ofNotophthalmus (N. v. viridescens orN. v. dorsalis) added to artificial ponds. BothNotophthalmus subspecies significantly reducedB. americanus survival, but differed significantly in this effect. FewerBufo survived with the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, than with the smallerNotophthalmus subspecies,N. v. dorsalis. TheNotophthalmus subspecies differed in their patterns of adult and larval growth. Adults of the smaller subspecies,N. v. dorsalis, had a significantly higher growth rate than the larger subspecies,N. v. viridescens, under common environmental conditions, suggesting that differences in predator size were partly genetic, rather than entirely environmentally induced. LarvalN. v. dorsalis metamorphosed significantly later in the season than larvae ofN. v. viridescens, suggesting that larvalN. v. dorsalis had a lower growth rate than larvalN. v. viridescens. Differences in adult and larval growth, together with differences in the minimum adult size observed in natural populations, suggest that differences in the rate or duration of pre-adult growth may contribute substantially to observed differences in size.     

A revision of the Nasa ranunculifolia group (Nasa ser. Grandiflorae pro parte,Loasaceae)

The monophyletic Nasa ranunculifolia group (Nasa ser. Grandiflorae pro parte) is revised on the basis of extensive field studies and a revision of copious herbarium material. All species of this group are from the high Andes of Peru and Ecuador (mostly 3000–4300 m). The overall degree of morphological divergence is much lower than in other groups of Nasa and many of the various local ‘races’ are best recognized as ecogeographically isolated subspecies. Thus, six species and 13 subspecies are recognized on the basis of differences in leaf and floral morphology, growth habit, life history and distribution. Nasa ranunculifolia, N. macrantha, N. cymbopetala and N. macrorrhiza are united as subspecies under N. ranunculifolia. An additional five subspecies of N. ranunculifolia are newly described (ssp. pamparomasii, ssp. guzmangoensis, ssp. bolivarensis, ssp. patazensis and ssp. huanucoensis). Nasa rugosa is subdivided into four subspecies, three of them new (ssp. llaqtacochaensis, ssp. gracilipes and ssp. pygmaea). Nasa tulipadiaboli sp. nov. and N. basilica sp. nov. are described as new species. Eight taxa (seven subspecies and one species) are endemic to the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone, and seven of them (six subspecies and one species) are new to science. Only a single species ranges into the Amotape–Huancabamba Zone from the south, underscoring the high levels of endemism (and taxonomic novelty) in this area. Illustrations, distribution maps, a key and diagnoses are given for all taxa recognized. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 167 , 47–93.     

Scottish bracken (Pteridium): New taxa and a new combination

Summary

In advance of two forthcoming works in which the names will be used, one new species of Pteridium (P. pinetorum C.N. Page & R.R. Mill) and one new subspecies (P. aquilinum (L.) Kuhn subsp. fulvum C.N. Page) are formally described, and one new combination made (P. pinetorum C.N. Page & R .R. Mill subsp. osmundaceum (Christ) C. N. Page, comb, et stat. nov.).     

New species of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudorchestes</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) from the central Palaearctic region

Three new species of the genus Pseudorchestes Bedel are described. Pseudorchestes olgae sp. n. known only from the Dzhanybek Research Station is similar to Ps. abdurakhmanovi Korotyaev, 1993 from Daghestan and Southwestern Kazakhstan but differs in the narrower frons, sparse white scales on the frons and on the underside of the head, longer and narrower antennal club, less strongly curved hind tibia, and larger size. Pseudorchestes tschernovi sp. n. from the Lower Volga River basin, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan differs from all the known congeners, except for Ps. convexus sp. n. from the Trans-Altai Gobi (Mongolia), in the strongly reduced wings which are only half as long as the elytra, and from the latter species, in the longer rostrum, paler antennae and legs, wide and apically excised scales on the elytra, and in the antennal club short and ovate in both sexes and lacking dense velvety pubescence in the male.     

Two ecologically distinct subspecies ofHypochaeris radicatal L.

Summary The present paper is part of a series of papers comparing two ecologically distinct subspecies ofHypochaeris radicata L.Hypochaeris radicata ssp.radicata grows in more fertile soils thanH. radicata ssp.ericetorum.The dry-weight yield of plants grown from seeds was measured after a 25 days culture period on varying levels of nitrate. Roots and shoots were analyzed for total organic nitrogen and free nitrate. Dry-weight yield showed an almost identical response over the whole range of nitrate concentrations used. The chemical analysis did not reveal differences between the subspecies that could explain the distribution in the field. In a second experiment the growth rate of the two subspecies was measured under optimal nitrate supply during a two month period. Both subspecies exhibited initially the same relative growth rate but one month after sowing the growth rate of both subspecies declined, with a sharper decline in ssp.ericetorum resulting in an 82 per cent difference in dry-weight between both subspecies two months after sowing. Some pronounced formative differences became evident. Shoot to root ratio of ssp.ericetorum showed little response to increasing nitrate concentrations whereas ssp.radicata was clearly responsive in this respect.The contribution of the tap root in total plant dry-weight was relatively higher in ssp.Ericetorum. The decline in growth rate and the formative differences can explain the absence of ssp.ericetorum from nutrient rich soils. when grown on ammonium ssp.radicata had a slightly but not significantly higher yield than ssp.ericetorum. The difference was even greater at low pH. It is concluded that both subspecies are adapted to ammonium nutrition at pH 4.5 as well as at pH 6 and that the absence of ssp.radicata from acidic soils cannot be explained by the low pH. The possibility that both subspecies have different abilities to reduce their growth when nitrate resources become limiting, and yet remain capable for further growth and reproduction is discussed.Grassland species research group, publ. no.16.     

Biosystematic studies on the mountain plant Gentiana lutea L. reveal variability in reproductive traits among subspecies

Background: Taxonomic analysis provides a basic understanding for taxon identification and contributes to preliminary information for several branches of applied biology, while studies on reproductive strategies and plant fitness are essential to interpret population status and dynamics.

Aims: We tested the reliability of diagnostic characters for identification and to characterise sexual resource allocation, the breeding system and seed predation among subspecies of Gentiana lutea.

Methods: We analysed morphological characters in 70 herbarium specimens. In five natural populations we counted pollen and ovule numbers, assessed reproductive output after pollination treatments and evaluated pre-dispersal predation.

Results: Taxonomic traits previously indicated as diagnostic were not sufficient to discriminate among subspecies. The pollen number and pollen:ovule (P:O) ratio varied strongly among subspecies; self-pollinated flowers produced a significantly lower number of seeds than open-pollinated flowers. Retention of empty fruits and high levels of pre-dispersal seed predation were observed in every case.

Conclusions: The variation of P:O ratios among subspecies suggests different efficiency in pollen transfer. The species is self-compatible, nevertheless all subspecies require pollen vectors to enhance cross pollination and viable seed production. Fruit retention may have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation, ensuring higher plant fitness.