Ecology of lacertid lizards in a desert area of eastern Morocco

Some basic aspects of the ecology of five lacertid lizards inhabiting the desert area of Tafilalet, in south-eastern Morocco, are considered: Mesalina guttulata , occupying almost exclusively the hammada habitat; Mesalina olivieri, Acanthodactylus boskianus and Acanthodactylus scutellatus found on sand and bare-ground reg ; and Acanthodactylus longipes , inhabiting the sand-dune habitat, the erg.
Acanthodactylus scutellatus, A. boskianus, A. longipes and M. olivieri had a bimodal diel activity pattern; in M. guttulata daily activity was centred on the morning hours. All species exhibit fairly precise thermoregulation with a strong relation between body and substratum temperature, particularly for species occupying softer substrata. Mesalina guttulata had a diverse diet during both seasons observed, while in the remaining species termites and ants formed the bulk of the food.
The foraging behaviour, diet and ecological characteristics of Lacertidae from the Tafilalet, especially the genus Acanthodactylus , seem to be optimal for the challenging environmental conditions of this desert area. The implications of the foraging strategy of Tafilalet's Acanthodactylus for other species of the genus are discussed.     

Not so rare snakes: a revision of the Geophis sieboldi group (Colubridae: Dipsadinae) in lower Central America and Colombia

The Geophis sieboldi species group is composed of 16 currently recognized species distributed from Mexico to Colombia. Within this group, snakes of populations referred to the Geophis brachycephalus complex of lower Central America and Colombia display a remarkable polychromatism and the systematic status of these and other populations is problematic. The present study provides an analysis, including multivariate techniques, of variation in scalation, coloration, relative tail length and hemipenes to clarify the specific allocation of the populations belonging to this clade. Our results confirm the validity of three previously described taxa, namely G. brachycephalus , G. nigroalbus and G. talamancae , with reassignments of several populations previously referred to G. brachycephalus . In addition we recognize as a new species a suite of western Panama Geophis previously of uncertain status. We further provide a review of all other members of the G. sieboldi group in lower Central America and Colombia based on material obtained since the last revision of the group. Basic synonymies, diagnostics and known distributions are included for the treated taxa. Dietary guild, possible venomous coral snake mimicry and distributional anomalies for the group are discussed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 561–599.     

Genome organization in diploid hybrid species of Argyranthemum (Asteraceae) in the Canary Islands

Two diploid species of hybrid origin, Argyranthemum lemsii and A. sundingii , have been described from different valleys in the Anaga peninsula, north-east Tenerife. They have previously been shown to originate from hybridization between the same parental species, the montane A. broussonetii and the coastal A. frutescens , A. broussonetii being the chloroplast donor in one valley and A. frutescens in the other. The specific status of the two hybrid species has been questioned. In this study we used karyotype analysis, FISH, and GISH to address the question of multiple diploid hybrid speciation. GISH did not discriminate clearly between the parental genomes, but differential labelling was observed in separate hybrid populations, indicating different chromosomal rearrangements in different valleys. Small karyotype differences and local loss of rDNA were also observed. Thus separate origins of the same hybrid combination in different valleys in Tenerife have been verified. Our results add some support to the recognition of two species of hybrid origin, but the case serves to illustrate some of the many problems connected with the species concept in plants.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 491–501.     

A new phylogenetic classification for the gymnophthalmid genera Cercosaura , Pantodactylus and Prionodactylus (Reptilia: Squamata)

Because of the poor state of knowledge of many of the gymnophthalmid genera, systematic revision is necessary to render the classification consistent with evolutionary history. To that end, I conducted a review of the species of three genera of the Cercosaurinae which appear to form a monophyletic group: Cercosaura , Pantodactylus , and Prionodactylus . Phylogenetic analysis of 61 morphological characters was conducted after specimens of all species were examined to evaluate the composition of each taxon. The phylogenetic reconstruction suggested that the genus Prionodactylus was paraphyletic. A new phylogenetic classification is proposed that synonymizes Pantodactylus and Prionodactylus with Cercosaura. Cercosaura is redefined to include 11 species and seven subspecies. A key is provided to distinguish among species.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 137 , 101−115.     

Paeonia (Paeoniaceae) in the Caucasus

The taxonomy of the genus Paeonia in the Caucasus has been controversial, with recognized species varying in number from one to 13. The taxonomic history of Paeonia in this area is reviewed (including an analysis of the characters used by previous authors) based on extensive field observations, population sampling and critical examination of a large number of herbarium specimens. The results show that Paeonia may be divided into three groups. The P. intermedia group is known from only a single population. In the P. tenuifolia group, all the characters used for distinguishing the three previously recognized species were found to be polymorphic. In the P. daurica group, petal colour, shape and size of leaflets, and indumentum of leaflets and carpels were used to distinguish nine species, but these characters were found to be polymorphic or continuous in variation, and thus can only be used for infraspecific classification. Thus, three species are recognized: P. intermedia , P. tenuifolia and P. daurica . The last species is further divided into five subspecies: sspp. coriifolia , wittmanniana , mlokosewitschii , macrophylla and tomentosa stat. nov .  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 143 , 135–150.     

Phylogenetics, zoogeography, and the role of dispersal and vicariance in the evolution of the Rana catesbeiana (Anura: Ranidae) species group

The Rana catesbeiana species group consists of seven species, each variously distributed across eastern North America. We estimated the evolutionary relationships among 31 exemplars and used the phylogenetic hypothesis to examine the potential modes of speciation and relative role of dispersal in the evolution and zoogeography of this species group. Phylogenetic relationships based on 1554 combined base pairs of the cytochrome b and ND2 mitochondrial genes suggest that the species are closely related, having undergone rapid radiation from a common ancestor during the late Miocene or Pliocene. A Pleistocene origin for the rare R. okaloosae is suggested by its pattern of paraphyly with R. clamitans and by its geographically restricted distribution, although hybridization as the explanation for paraphyly cannot be ruled out. Dispersal–vicariance analysis suggested a Coastal Plain biogeographical region origin of the species group, supporting the notion that the region was an important centre of anuran diversification, with post-speciation dispersal playing a major role in explaining the distribution of the widespread species, R. catesbeiana , R. clamitans, and R. septentrionalis . High sea levels during the late Tertiary, greatly reducing and insularizing parts of the southern Coastal Plain region may have played a major role in the diversification of this group.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 80 , 601–624.     

Avoiding injury and surviving injury: two coexisting evolutionary strategies in lizards

Congenital morphological differences between injured and intact individuals in a population may reflect adaptations to avoid injury, to survive injury, or both. We explore the possible occurrence of such adaptations, analysing the relationship between tail state (original, O; regenerated, R) and morphology (20 scale characters) in 23 taxa of Lacertidae. In some taxa, such as Acanthodactylus opheodurus , morphologies of O and R lizards differed significantly. In these, usually O individuals were morphologically typical (modal), while R individuals were extreme; in others, the contrary occurred. Indices of pattern similarity detected fewer differences between O and R lizards than those based on absolute values. We developed unbiased estimates of classification rates of discriminant analysis. The order of inclusion of characters in the discriminant functions of males and females of the same species differed more than the order for the same sex in other species. Some morphological differences between O and R lizards seem adaptive or linked by pleiotropy to adaptive traits. Congenital morphological differences between O and R lizards are probably more frequent than detected because we show that age and geographical heterogeneity of our samples are confounding factors to O–R differences. R-morphologies might reflect microevolution in favour of paedotypic forms, possibly possessing greater regenerating capacities than relatively more peratypic forms.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 78 , 307–324.     

On the manual morphology of Compsognathus longipes and its bearing on the diagnosis of Compsognathidae

Compsognathus longipes sits at an important point in theropod evolution at the base of Coelurosauria . Despite its relative completeness and oft-cited morphology, however, the manual morphology has been unclear. This work provides the first detailed study of the morphology of the manus of Compsognathus longipes . It shows that Compsognathus longipes had two fully formed functional digits as well as a reduced, perhaps even non-functional, third digit. That conclusion runs counter to the usual interpretation that Compsognathus longipes had only two phalanges, rather than the expected complement of three, in digit II. This work also identifies a unique suite of metacarpal I morphologies that are used to diagnose a subclade among species often referred to as 'Compsognathidae'. These features are used to construct an apomorphy-based definition of a new clade name: Compsognathidae.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 149 , 569–581.     

Morphology of Pinus uliginosa (Pinaceae) needles from populations exposed to and isolated from the direct influence of Pinus sylvestris

Eleven needle traits of two contrasting populations of Pinus uliginosa ( P. mugo complex), one located in a Pinus sylvestris forest, the other isolated from the influence of this species, were compared to quantify the degree of hybridization. Statistically significant differences between the studied populations were found, but both of them differed by a similar degree from P. sylvestris . Surprisingly, the P. uliginosa population surrounded by the P. sylvestris forest, which was expected to consist of individuals with intermediate traits, appeared to be more closely related to P. mugo than those isolated from the direct influence of P. sylvestris . Large differences in the distances between the analysed pair of populations of P. uliginosa and P. sylvestris have not influenced the morphological traits of the species. Gene flow from P. sylvestris to P. uliginosa is possible, but is likely to be small and does not differ compared with populations of P. uliginosa . The decline observed during the last three decades in both populations of the species has not influenced their needle morphological traits.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London , Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142, 83–91.     

A new species in the genus Dioon (Zamiaceae) from north-central Oaxaca, Mexico

Dioon argenteum sp. nov. (Zamiaceae) is described from northern Oaxaca, México. Flat leaves, and persistently tomentose, slightly imbricate leaflets with marginal prickles characterize this species. The specific epithet argenteum was chosen to describe the silver appearance of the persistent tomentum covering the new leaves. D. argenteum appears to have affinities with D. purpusii and D. califanoi.   © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 471–476.     

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeny and morphological diversity in the genus Mastus (Beck, 1837): a study in a recent (Holocene) island group (Koufonisi, south-east Crete)

Three endemic Cretan land snail species of the genus Mastus (Beck, 1837) from the island group of Koufonisi (south-east Crete) and the eastern part of Crete, were studied by multivariate analysis of shell morphology and analysis of mtDNA sequences. The phylogeny of the populations studied and the processes effecting the genetic and morphological diversity of the species were investigated. Extremely high mtDNA sequence divergence was observed both within and between populations. The Cretan populations could not be distinguished morphologically, while the populations of the islets were more distinct. We argue that the active geological past of the area (including sea level changes) and the long-term presence of humans has produced a mixing up of Mastus populations leading to the accumulation of high divergence of mtDNA sequences on a small spatial scale. The limited morphological diversity and the distinct shell 'identity' of the islets' populations can be attributed to the selective pressures of the island group.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 78, 383–399.     

Cytotypes of Andropogon gerardii Vitman (Poaceae): fertility and reproduction of aneuploids

In many North American prairies, populations of Andropogon gerardii Vitman (Poaceae) are composed of hexaploid and enneaploid cytotypes (2 n  = 60, 90), with intermediates occurring occasionally. Under controlled pollination, the two common cytotypes can be crossed, producing progeny with a range of chromosome numbers. In an investigation of fertility and compatibilities of intermediate cytotypes, individuals with chromosome numbers between 60 and 90 were crossed with each other, with the 2 n  = 60 and 90 cytotypes, and with South American Andropogon species having 60 chromosomes. Regardless of cytotype, all A. gerardii plants had some fertility and virtually all crosses produced seeds. Cytotype is only partially predictive of fertility. Inter-specific hybrids between A. gerardii and South American hexaploid species were vigorous but sterile. Gene flow in natural A. gerardii populations of mixed cytotype probably involves plants of all cytotypes.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 95–103.     

Status and relationships of the extinct giant Canary Island lizard Gallotia goliath (Reptilia: Lacertidae), assessed using ancient mtDNA from its mummified remains

Ancient mitochondrial DNA sequences (378 base pairs of cytochrome b and 368 of 12S rRNA) extracted from a mummified extinct giant lizard, Gallotia goliath , from eastern Tenerife, Canary Islands, were used to assess the species status and relationship of this form within the genus. G. goliath is clearly a member of the G. simonyi group of the western Canary islands (Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma) and is not closely related to the giant G. stehlini of Gran Canaria. Contrary to recent opinion, it is phylogenetically distinct, within the G. simonyi group, from the extant G. simonyi of El Hierro and also from the recently discovered live G. gomerana on La Gomera and from G. intermedia in north-western Tenerife. It may be the sister taxon of either all the other members of the G. simonyi group or of G. intermedia . The phylogenetic distinctness of G. goliath makes Tenerife unique among oceanic islands in having had one giant and two medium-sized lizard species that were probably substantially herbivorous, the others being G. intermedia and G. galloti . Gallotia shows great community differences on other islands in the Canaries, two having a single small species, one a single giant, and three a giant and a medium-sized form. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 80 , 659–670.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: genetics of multigenomic, clonal networks and its ecological consequences

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are thought to have remained asexual for 400 million years, although recent studies have suggested that considerable genetic and phenotypic variation could potentially exist in populations. A brief discussion of these multigenomic organisms is presented.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 79 , 59–60.     

Southern African pholcid spiders: revision and cladistic analysis of Quamtana gen. nov. and Spermophora Hentz (Araneae: Pholcidae), with notes on male−female covariation

The southern African pholcid spiders previously assigned to Pholcus and Spermophora are revised and their phylogenetic position within Pholcidae is analysed cladistically. Two distinct groups are recognized: the first is restricted to the Cape region and probably correctly placed in Spermophora ; it includes Spermophora peninsulae Lawrence and four new species. The second is more widely distributed in southern and eastern South Africa, and reaches as far north as Cameroon, Congo (Democratic Republic) and Uganda; it is assigned generic status ( Quamtana gen. nov .), and includes two species transferred from Pholcus [ Q. leptopholcica (Strand), Q. ciliata (Lawrence)] as well as 23 new species. A key to the pholcid spiders of South Africa is presented. A close correlation between a male character (distance between cheliceral apophyses) and a female character (distance between pockets on epigynum) is documented in Quamtana .  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 139 , 477−527.