Pollen morphology and phylogenetic analysis of Eperua Aublet (Detarieae: Caesalpinioideae: Leguminosae)

The diverse pollen morphology of fourteen species of the genus Eperua is described and illustrated using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. Six pollen types are described and a key for their identification is provided. A cladistic analysis was carried out using macromorphological and palynological characters to form a hypothesis of relationships between taxa. The pollen morphology is discussed with regard to systematic relationships, function and phylogenetic significance of certain pollen morphological structures within the genus.     

Pollen morphology of Astragalus section Hymenostegis (Fabaceae) and evaluation of its systematic implications

Astragalus is with nearly 3000 described species the largest genus of flowering plants. So far analyses of pollen characters have only been conducted for a few species of the groups within the genus. Here we analyse pollen grains of 22 species representative for Astragalus section Hymenostegis using scanning electron microscopy. We found the basic shape of the pollen grains to be oblate-spheroidal and apertures to be tricolpate as for other eudicots. The sculpturing pattern of the exine is micro-reticulate. Pollen grains show low morphological variation among different species of this section, but differences occur between sections of the genus. We conclude that the vast morphological differentiation that occurred during the rapid radiation of section Hymenostegis was not accompanied by comparable differentiation in pollen morphology.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum rivalis</Emphasis> sp. nov. (Dinophyceae) and its phylogenetic affinities inferred from analysis of a mixed morphological and LSU rRNA data set

A new freshwater epiphytic Prorocentrum species, Prorocentrum rivalis, from the temperate region of the Haute-Vienne, France, is described. This species is the third freshwater species identified among approximately 60 marine Prorocentrum species. This new species is described using scanning electron microscope and phylogenetic analyses by a polyphasic approach (LSU rRNA sequences combined with 9 morphological characters). The phylogenetic analysis attests that P. rivalis is close to other planktonic freshwater species and the freshwater Prorocentrum clade is evolutionarily derived from an epiphytic freshwater prorocentroid ancestor. The unique marine species in the freshwater clade results from an ecophysiological reversion. P. rivalis differs from other epiphytic taxa by its rarity, its temperate distribution and its ecophysiological needs. The phylogeny confirms also that all planktonic Prorocentrum species are evolutionarily derived from epiphytic/benthic ancestors.     

Salvia lagochila sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) from Yunnan,China

A new species, Salvia lagochila T. Wang & L. Wang sp. nov. (Lamiaceae) is described from Shangri‐La County in northwestern Yunnan, China. The diagnostic morphological characteristics in relation to closely similar species are discussed. Nutlet micro‐morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy, and leaf anatomic structures were studied using light microscope. The new species is included in S. subgen. Salvia sect. Eurysphace subsect. Perennes on the basis of its perennial habit, entire upper floral lip and arcuate anther connectives.     

A SYSTEMATIC CIRCUMSCRIPTION OF CAREX MITCHELLIANA (CYPERACEAE) WITH REFERENCE TO TAXONOMIC STATUS

Carex mitchelliana M. A. Curtis, first described in 1843, is a cryptic member of the C. crinita Lam. species complex. Although recently attributed varietal status, historically it has been treated as both a species and a variety. In order to determine the taxonomic distinctness of this taxon, data were collected from a variety of sources including: morphology, scanning electron microscopy, chromosome counts, and biogeography. Results from scanning electron microscopy and statistical analyses of morphological data provide the strongest support for recognition of C. mitchelliana. Perigynia of C. mitchelliana are uniformly papillate; the length of the elongate papilla differs significantly among taxa (P < 0.001). Additionally, a variety of qualitative and quantitative morphological characters distinguish this taxon from the others in the complex; these include attributes of the pistillate scale, achene, perigynium, sheathing leaves, and habit. These data support and enhance those results previously reported from allozyme analyses of electrophoretic data. Although the geographical range of extant C. mitchelliana has been reduced, the historic range extends from Massachusetts to northern Florida and eastern Alabama. Chromosome counts, though not divergent from the other taxa in the complex, are presented for the first time for this species (n = 33).     

A new species of Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) from Mount Erciyes,central Anatolia,Turkey

Dianthus aytachii C.Vural from Mount Erciyes, central Anatolia (Turkey) is described and illustrated. It is considered to be endemic to Mount Erciyes. The morphological differences from the closely related species Dianthus zederbaueri Vierh. are discussed. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) threat category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted. The pollen and seed morphology of D. aytachii and D. zederbaueri were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 55–61.     

Distribution and Morphology of Diatoms in High Altitude Streams on Kauai (Hawaii)

Diatom samples collected from Kawaikoi Stream differ in species composition and relative abundance from those in Kokee Stream. Kuwaikoi collects drainage from the Alakai Swamp, which developed on a 1200–1500 m elevation ridge of Mt. Waialeale extending at a right angle to the NE winds. Kokee lies about 2000 m further west at about 1100 m elevation. Frustulia and Eunotia species characteristic of low conductivity waters predominate. Greater diversity of Achnanthes, Navicula, Pinnularia and Surirella taxa occurs in the somewhat more conductive waters of Kokee. The morphological species observed bear a close, but not exact, resemblance to mainland taxa described in the literature. Morphological variations are documented using light and scanning electron microscopy.     

External female genitalia of six species of the genus Meccus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Triatomine classification is based on morphological characteristics. Studies have been conducted to improve their identification by observing many characteristics. However, there are problems of differentiating among highly interrelated species and new criteria are required. The purpose of this study was to determine the morphological differences in the external female genitalia of M. pallidipennis, M. longipennis, M. picturatus, M. bassolsae, M. mazzottii, and M. phyllosomus in order to distinguish among species using scanning electron microscopy. Observations were made of the dorsal, posterior, lateral, and ventral views of the female external genitalia for each species. In the six species we studied, relevant differences were observed in the dorsal view of the X segment, as well as the IX, VIII, and VII tergites. In the posterior and lateral view, the most visible differences were registered in the gonocoxite size of the segments VIII, IX, and X. Finally, in the ventral view of the VII sternite, differences among species were observed in the size of the inflection in the top and upper corner. Our results show that it was possible to differentiate among the triatominae species for each of the four views by using a scanning electron microscope to analyze morphological characteristics of the VII, VIII, IX, and X abdomen segments.     

Antennal Sensory Hairs in Talitrid Amphipods (Crustacea)

Sensory hairs from antennulae and antennae of the two species Orchestia platensis Krøyer and Talorchestia deshayesii Audouin were studied by means of light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The complicated cuticular structures of the hair wall are described and figured. The central hair cavity opens in a rather wide terminal pore. Dendritic cilia from sensory neurons with perikarya inside the antennae run the whole length of the hair and terminate in the pore opening. The distal parts of the cilia contain osmiophilic material. It is concluded on morphological grounds that the hairs are chemosensory organs.     

Differences in morphological features of the sacculus of the inner ear of two hakes (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus,gadiformes) inhabits from different depth of sea

The morphology of the sensory epithelia of the sacculus in two species of hake, Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus, was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sensory epithelia have two morphological features that are very different from other gadiform species. These include the presence of two large areas which are only linked by a narrow neck, and the larger proportion of hair cells oriented in the rostrocaudal axis than in other species. The deeper-dwelling species, M. paradoxus, has a larger proportion of hair cell with short ciliary bundles than does the shallower-dwelling species, M. capensis. These morphological specializations could improve the acoustic diserimination and localization capabilities of these species, possibly related to an increase in sensitivity to higher frequency sounds in the deeper-dwelling species. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Periacineta mexicana n. sp. (Ciliophora,Suctoria, Discophryida), Epizoic on Mexican Backswimmers of the Genus Buenoa (Insecta,Hemiptera, Notonectidae)

ABSTRACT. A new species of suctorian in the genus Periacineta, epibiotic on aquatic bugs (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Nepomorpha), is described on the basis of morphological characteristics of the cell body, lorica, tentacular placement, and stalk, and its 18S rRNA partial sequence gene. Periacineta mexicana n. sp. is a loricate suctorian with elongate body and rounded apical region; tentacles are distributed randomly over apical region and not grouped into fascicles. Macronucleus in adult is elongate and located centrally. The suctorian usually forms closely aggregated pseudocolonies. We provide morphological data based on optical and scanning electron microscopy. A comparison with similar congeners, and emended diagnosis of the genus Periacineta also are provided. The ciliates were found attached to the first two pairs of legs of Mexican notonectids Buenoa pallens and Buenoa spp. (backswimmers).     

The male and female first instar larvae of Anaphes victus and A. listronoti (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae)

 Anaphes victus and A. listronoti are two closely related species, respectively solitary and gregarious parasitoids of eggs of the carrot weevil Listronotus oregonensis (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Both species are sympatric, and the regulation of super- and multiparasitism that occurs regularly in this host is done by larval fights between the mymariform first instar larvae. The morphology of both male and female first instar larvae of A. victus and A. listronoti is described using scanning electron microscopy. Both species have first instar larvae of the mymariform type and present sexual dimorphism. The main difference between the two species is that larvae of A. victus are clearly segmented while larvae of A. listronoti show no visible segmentation. Male larvae of both species have two types of perioral hooks, longer and less dense dorsal setae than females and developed undertail spines. Female larvae of both species have short abdominal setae. These morphological differences are discussed in the context of intra- and interspecific larval competition. Accepted: 25 May 1997