Specific features of the seismosensory system and their use in the systematics of five families of the order pleuronectiformes

The structure of the seismosensory system (SSS) was studied in 23 species of 13 genera from the families Rhombosoleidae, Poecilopsettidae, and Samaridae, and a comparison and generalization of the obtained data with those published previously for the families Psettodidae and Pleuronectidae was performed. It was shown that the individual variability of SSS does not concern topography of canals, being manifested in the variation of the number of pores in particular canals. Interspecific differences also concern mainly the number of pores, and revealing these differences requires, as a rule, statistic methods. Considerable differences were found between genera, so that each of the 40 studied genera can be characterized by a unique combination of SSS characters whose polarization was established on the basis of a reduction trend of SSS transformations common for bony fish. The maximum number of plesiomorphies of SSS was found in the genus Psettodes (Psettodidae). In the framework of the family Pleuronectidae, the most generalized structure of SSS was found in representatives of the subfamily Hippoglossinae, and the most advanced, in Pleuronectinae. In the family Rhombosoleidae, the most generalized structure of SSS is in the genus Oncopterus, the remaining representatives of the family Rhombosoleidae are characterized by a different degree of its reduction. In rather closely related families Poecilopsettidae and Samaridae, SSS is considerably reduced, which may be connected with the miniatuarization of their representatives. A small number of considered characters and a high level of homoplasia hinders their use in cladistic study; however, considerable differences between the studied genera and a low interspecific variation permits for the considering of specific features of SSS as valuable diagnostic characters of genera, and the degree of reduction of this system can indicate the relative degree of advancement of a specific taxon of Pleuronectiformes.     

蝗总科染色体研究及科级综合比较（直翅目）

对国际范围内蝗总科染色体研究简史及细胞分类学研究概况进行了回顾,并对我国蝗总科细胞分类学研究进展作了简要介绍。在此基础上,本文根据染色体数目、形态、染色体分组型式、性染色体位置、Ｃ带结构特征及异染色质总含量值等多方面特征对蝗总科８个科细胞分类学相互关系进行了综合比较。结果表明：癞蝗科染色体特点明显,进化位置独特;锥头蝗科与瘤锥蝗科相互近缘;斑腿蝗科与斑翅蝗科较为相近,网翅蝗科与槌角蝗科在染色体多项     

A note on some Oriental Zosleropidce, and descriptions of new Subspecies

T he genus Zosterops is one which it is extremely difficult to place. It has external and superficial characters which would seem to ally it with many other families, but these are accompanied by so many other contradictory characters,—at least, in so far as our Oriental species are concerned,—that it appears advisable to place the genus in a family by itself.     

Redefinition and phylogenetic relationships of the family Pinguipedidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)

The phylogenetic relationships of the family Pinguipedidae plus the genus Cheimarrichthys von Haast, 1874, were studied to redefine the family. Based on a phylogenetic analysis using derived characters belonging to 21 transformation series, accepting the monophyly of Pinguipedidae plus Cheimarrichthys provisionally for the operational procedure of the analysis, it was hypothesized that Cheimarrichthys is not closely related to Parapercis Bleeker, 1863, although these genera had been considered as having a close affinity. Although the Pinguipedidae and Cheimarrichthys share nine derived characters, it was determined that these characters are also found in other trachinoid families. In addition, several families, such as the Leptoscopidae, Uranoscopidae, and Trichodontidae, have many more derived characters in common with Cheimarrichthys than the pinguipedids have with that genus. The conclusion drawn here is that it is not parsimonious to recognize the monophyly of the Pinguipedidae and Cheimarrichthys based on these nine derived characters, and that these characters are not compelling enough to link these groups. The redefined Pinguipedidae is proposed to include the following five genera: Parapercis, Prolatilus Gill, 1865, Pinguipes Cuvier, 1829, Pseudopercis de Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903, and Kochichthys Kamohara, 1960. Cheimarrichthys, excluded from the Pinguipedidae, is put into its own family, Cheimarrichthyidae.     

Comparative osteology of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathylutichthys balushkini</Emphasis> and relationship of the family Bathylutichthyidae (Cottoidei)

The structure of skeleton of Bathylutichthys balushkini was studied and comparative analysis of it with representatives of other families of the suborder Cottoidei was performed. It was found that Bathylutichthyidae are characterized by the presence of a great number of original characters supporting its family status. They include: absence of mesethmoideum; bony canals of seismosensory system on frontale, pteroticum, and parietale and their strong reduction on infraorbitale; and absence of pterosphenoideum, intercalare, pharyngobranchiale 2, and basihyale. At the same time, Bathylutichthyidae retain a considerable number of generalized specific features: location of parietalia laterally to supraoccipitale and absence of their joint between themselves, presence of mesoptergoideum and basibranchialia 2 and 3. Cladistic analysis based on osteological characters and characters of the seismosensory system of 11 families of Cottoidei demonstrates that Bathylutichthyidae are combined into one group with families Rhamphocottidae, Agonidae, Psychrolutidae, Cyclopteridae, and Liparidae occupying an intermediate position between Psychrolutidae and the two last families. The cladogram obtained does not support the point of view of existence in the suborder Cottoidei of an independent superfamily Cyclopteroidea, including families Liparidae and Cyclopteridae.     

中国茨藻科植物种皮微形态特征及其系统学意义

本文应用扫描电镜对国产茨藻科植物的外种皮和内种皮微形态特征进行了研究,结果表明茨藻科植物在种子表面细胞形态、表面纹饰和内种皮内层细胞形态及小瘤状突起的大小和密度等方面存在差异,可作为种级水平分类的依据,并首次发现外种皮微形态特征也与内种皮内层小瘤状突起一样具有重要的系统学意义。根据种皮微形态特征的研究结果,我们支持Miki(1937)和Shaffer-Fehre(1991b)等关于茨藻科与水鳖科近缘,而不应放在眼子菜目的观点。对弯果茨藻Najas ancistrocarpa A．Br．ex Magnus和草茨藻N.graminea Del.外种皮的研究结果表明其外种皮细胞表面具瘤状颗粒而非网状加厚。     

The Impact of Molecular Methods on the Systematics of Angiosperms

A comparison is made between the systematics of selected orders and families based on morphology and other “classical” characters on the one hand, and the results of molecular methods on the other hand. It can be shown that taxa defined by a broad array of characters from morphology, anatomy, embryology and phytochemistry usually are confirmed by molecular results. On the other hand a family like the Saxifragaceae s.l. delimited solely on the basis of floral morphology has been shown to be grossly polyphyletic. Some quite surprising results of the molecular analyses usually agree with some embryological or phytochemical characters, and sometimes even with characters of vegetative morphology and anatomy. As a special case “unequal ancient splits” are discussed, where one clade contains few genera and species usually retaining many primitive characters, and the other shows great diversity and contains the more advanced members.     

Embryology of Siparunaceae (Laurales): characteristics and character evolution

Embryological characters of Siparunaceae, which are poorly understood, were studied on the basis of two constituent genera, an African Glossocalyx and a South American Siparuna, to better understand their evolution within Laurales. These two genera have many embryological characteristics in common with the other lauralean families. Noticeably, they share the multi-celled ovule archesporium (uncertain in Glossocalyx) as a synapomorphy with all the other lauralean families except Lauraceae, the anthers dehisced by valves as a synspomorphy with all the other lauralean families except Calycanthaceae and Monimiaceae, and the bisporangiate anther as a synapomorphy with Gomortegaceae and Atherospermataceae. Siparunaceae are, however, distinct from all other laularean families in having unitegmic ovules that were derived from bitegmic ovules, probably due to an elimination of the outer integument. Likewise, the lack of the testa (i.e., developed outer integument), the "endotegmic" seed coat, and the perichalazal seed at maturity are also characteristics of Siparunaceae. Within the family, Siparuna differs from Glossocalyx in having plural tetrads of megaspores and plural, starchy-rich, one-nucleate, tubular embryo sacs (autapomorphies). On the other hand, Glossocalyx is characterized by having bilaterally flattened seeds (autapomorphy). Although functional aspects of those autapomorphies are uncertain, both Glossocalyx and Siparuna show evolution in different embryological characters.     

Stigma characteristics and angiosperm taxonomy

When a classification based upon certain morphological and physiological characters of the stigma was applied to ca. 1,000 species of some 900 genera of angiosperms, several taxonomic regularities emerged. Most families proved to be relatively homogeneous in stigma type, whilst others were strikingly diverse. Among the latter were certain supposedly primitive families such as the Liliaceae, a fact that may have some phylogenetical significance. Sometimes where a family proved to be homogeneous in respect to the more general characters of the stigma, fuller investigation revealed great variation in detail. An example is given by the Boraginaceae, a family in which stigma characters are of potential taxonomic importance. The stigma papillae in this family are often capitate, with heavily cutinised heads, and pollen has to be inserted forcibly between the papillae. There is a strong correlation between pollen size and stigma–papilla size, so that certain types of cross pollination are impossible. These specialisations can thus play a part as isolating mechanisms. The form of the stigma papillae is probably also important in genera of the Boraginaceae adapted to arid conditions, since the contiguous cutinised caps overarch the actual receptive surfaces and so. presumably, offer protection from desiccation.
In both monocotyledons and dicotyledons, clear relationships exist between stigma type and physiology, and notably with the type of self–incompatibility system. It is already apparent that stigma characters can have predictive value in the investigation of breeding systems.
The paper includes a comprehensive literature list, covering most ot the principal sources of structural, taxonomic and other data bearing upon angiosperm stigmas.     

Phylogenetics and evolution of Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), and the systematics of Corynidae

Nawrocki, A. M., Schuchert, P. & Cartwright, P. (2009). Phylogenetics and evolution of Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), and the systematics of Corynidae.—Zoologica Scripta, 39, 290–304. Generic‐ and family level classifications in Hydrozoa have been historically problematic due to limited morphological characters for phylogenetic analyses and thus taxonomy, as well as disagreement over the relative importance of polyp vs. medusa characters. Within the recently redefined suborder Capitata (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Hydroidolina), which includes 15 families and almost 200 valid species, family level relationships based on morphology alone have proven elusive, and there exist numerous conflicting proposals for the relationships of component species. Relationships within the speciose capitate family Corynidae also remain uncertain, for similar reasons. Here, we combine mitochondrial 16S, and nuclear 18S and 28S sequences from capitate hydrozoans representing 12 of the 15 valid capitate families, to examine family level relationships within Capitata. We further sample densely within Corynidae to investigate the validity of several generic‐level classification schemes that rely heavily on the presence/absence of a medusa, a character that has been questioned for its utility in generic‐level classification. We recover largely congruent tree topologies from all three markers, with 28S and the combined dataset providing the most resolution. Our study confirms the monophyly of the redefined Capitata, and provides resolution for family level relationships of most sampled families within the suborder. These analyses reveal Corynidae as paraphyletic and suggest that the limits of the family have been underestimated. Our results contradict all available generic‐level classification schemes for Corynidae. As classification schemes for this family have been largely based on reproductive characters such as the presence/absence of a medusa, our results suggest that these are not valid generic‐level characters for the clade. We suggest a new taxonomic structure for the lineage that includes all members of the newly redefined Corynidae, based on molecular and morphological synapomorphies for recovered clades within the group.     

The middle ear of the skull of birds: the Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes

The anatomy of the middle ear region of the skull is described for the families of the Avian orders Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes. Emphasis is placed on the foramina and paths of the nerves and blood vessels. The morphology of the basicranium and quadrate is also discussed. Comparative analyses of the characters are used to assess taxonomic conclusions.
Extant Pelecaniformes consist of six families, four of which are monogenic: Phaethontidae, Pelecanidae, Anhingidae and Fregatidae; one is composed of two genera: Sulidae; and the last has three genera: Phalacrocoracidae. Several years ago a relationship was suggested which would ally the Phaethontidae and the Fregatidae. While these families share several non middle ear characters the anatomy of the middle ear is not compatible with any particular relationship. Indeed, several obvious differences are described. The data presented here are consistent with the idea that the Phaethontidae and the Fregatidae each form a separate group of Pelecaniform birds, with the rest of the families forming a third group. Several differences in the middle ear region of the species of Anhingidae suggest that the family may be composed of two genera.
While sharing many Ciconiiform characters the Ciconiidae have been shown not to be as closely related to the Ardeidae as they are to other families of Ciconiiformes. In addition, evidence is presented to support the recent idea that the three species of ibis (I. ibis, I. cinereus and I. leucocephalus ) be united within the genus Mycteria. Also supported is the notion that Balaeniceps is Pelecaniform in character, and not Ciconiiform.     

On the classification, evolution and biogeography of terrestrial haemadipsoid leeches (Hirudinida: Arhynchobdellida: Hirudiniformes)

A scourge of tropical and subtropical jungles, bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches of Haemadipsidae have long confused systematists and defied sensible biogeographic interpretation. The family Haemadipsidae usually includes problematic taxa that neither fit the typical IndoPacific distribution of the group, nor properly match diagnostic characters used to define the family. Historically, four additional families-Xerobdellidae, Diestecostomatidae Mesobdellidae and Nesophilaemonidae-have occasionally been recognized for New World and European representatives, though agreement on the composition of those families has not been consistent. Here, we expand the phylogenetic sampling of non-IndoPacific (among other) genera to include Meso American Diestecostoma species and Nesophilaemon skottsbergii from the Juan Fernandez Archipelago in order to critically assess prior hypotheses in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of arhynchobdellid leeches. The result, based on nuclear 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA and mitochondrial COI indicates that there are two distantly related lineages of bloodfeeding terrestrial leeches. The otherwise monophyletic family Haemadipsidae is found to exclude species of Xerobdella, Mesobdella and Diestecostoma. Xerobdellidae is formally resurrected to accommodate species of those three genera. Morphological characteristics corroborate the distinction of Haemadipsidae and Xerobdellidae on the basis of sexual and nephridial characters. Idiobdella seychellensis belongs in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its lacking respiratory auricles. Nesophilaemon skottsbergii too is in Haemadipsidae notwithstanding its geographic proximity to the xerobdellid Mesobdella gemmata. The characters used to define haemadipsoid families are reevaluated. Feeding preferences and biogeographic patterns are also examined.     

Sieve-Element Plastids,Nuclear Crystals and Phloem Proteins in the Zingiberales

The sieve-element characters of 40 species from all families making up the monocotyledon order Zingiberales have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. While phloem-proteins are a typical component of all eight families, the Zingiberaceae are characterized by nondispersive protein bodies derived from nuclear crystals. The sieve-element plastids are of the form-P2cs, i.e. contain cuneate protein crystals (as typical of all monocotyledons) and starch grains, those of the family Musaceae have protein filaments in addition (form-P2cfs). The exclusiveness of the form-P2c(f)s plastids contributed to the homogeneity of the order and its distinctness among other monocotyledon taxa. When diameters of the sieve-element plastids from leaf phloem are compared, in the “banana group” the family averages of the Strelitziaceae and the Lowiaceae have, respectively, maximum and minimum values and are clearly different from those in the Musaceae, the family in which they have been included previously. In the “ginger group”, the family averages of the Zingiberaceae, Costaceae, and Marantaceae are close to the order average, with only Cannaceae having minimum values. A comparison of species averages, however, reduces the size differences between families: the value for Ravenala (Strelitziaceae) is close to those of the five Musaceae tested, and that of Globba (Zingiberaceae) even slightly lower than the species average of Canna.     

Differences in conformational behavior of ATA and TAT sequences in single strand DNA trimer.

The conformational behavior of single strand (ss) TAT and ATA trimers of DNA have been studied by computational chemistry tools including CICADA software interfaced with AMBER molecular mechanics and dynamics. The Single-Coordinate-Driving (SCD) method has been used in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulated annealing. It has been revealed that the conformational flexibility of each sequence differs substantially from the other one. Four common conformational families have been found for both trimers. These are: helical, reverse-stacked (base 3), half-stacked (base 3), reverse-stacked (base 1). However, the energies of conformers representing the families are different for both the studied systems. An additional conformational family, bulged, has been found for ss(ATA), while ss(TAT) has been found also in half-stacked (base 1) conformation. In general, ss(TAT) exhibits a higher number of low energy conformations while ss(ATA) shows one interesting low energy conformational interconversion between reverse-stacked (A3) family and half-stacked (A3) family. The high conformational variability of the trimers has been confirmed by flexibility analysis and by molecular dynamics simulations, which have also shown the conformational stability of single conformational families. It has been concluded that the methodology used is able to provide a very detailed picture of the conformational space of these molecules.     

Phylogenetic relationships among families of the Scaphopoda (Mollusca)

Phylogenetic relationships among families in the molluscan class Scaphopoda were analysed using morphological characters and cladistic parsimony methods. A maximum parsimony analysis of 34 discrete characters, treated as unordered and equally weighted, from nine ingroup terminal taxa produced a single most parsimonious tree; supplementary analyses of tree length frequency distribution and Bremer support indices indicate a strong phylogenetic signal from the data and moderate to minimally supported clades. The traditional major division of the class, the orders Dentaliida and Gadilida, is supported as both taxa are confirmed as monophyletic clades. Within the Dentaliida, two clades are recognized, the first comprised of the families Dentaliidae and Fustiariidae, the second of the Rhabdidae and Calliodentaliidae; together, these groups comprise a third clade, which has the Gadilinidae as sister. Within the Gadilida, a nested series of relationships is found among [Entalinidae, [Pulsellidae, [Wemersoniellidae, Gadilidae]]]. These results lend cladistic support to earlier hypotheses of shared common ancestry for some families, but are at variance with other previous hypotheses of evolution in the Scaphopoda. Furthermore, analysis of constituent Gadilinidae representatives provide evidence for paraphyly of this family. The relationships supported here provide a working hypothesis that the development of new characters and greater breadth of taxonomic sampling can test, with a suggested primary goal of establishing monophyly at the family level.     

Biflavanoids of the Cycadales

Biflavanoid patterns of leaves of 82 species of the order Cycadales comprising 3 families and 10 genera have been determined. The biflavanoids were identified by TLC, UV, NMR and MS studies. Pattern differences between species, when detected, involve the position or degree of methylation of the base compounds. On the other hand, differences in the biflavanoid patterns at the generic and family levels were sufficient to support taxonomic relationships. Thus, the absence of hinokiflavone and its derivatives clearly distinguish the Zamiaceae from the Cycadaceae and Stangeriaceae. The complete absence of biflavanoids in the latter family suggests an advanced evolutionary condition, but morphologically, this family has the most fern-like characters, and therefore has been considered by previous workers to be the most primitive of the cycads.     

Polygyrid relations: a phylogenetic analysis of 17 subfamilies of land snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora)

The family of polygyrid land snails in North America is significant for its sympatric shell convergences, diversity of mating systems and complex zoogeography; its monophyly and its relation to other families has long been questionable. Cladistic analysis has been performed on one representative each of 17 subfamilies, including all three polygyrid subfamilies and one or more subfamilies each from all ten of the families that have been proposed as the polygyrid sister groups. Eighteen anatomical synapomorphies are used, of which eight are newly discovered, four are differently assessed from previous studies, and six are traditional. The resulting strict consensus tree of alternative maximum-parsimony cladograms is: (Acavidae (Ammonitellidae Corillidae ((Discidae Oreohelicidae) (Helminthoglyptidae Bradybaenidae Polygyridae (Thysanophoridae (Camaenidae Sagdidae)))))).
According to this working hypothesis, the Polygyridae are monophyletic, and their sister group remains unresolved, although the Acavidae, Ammonitellidae, Corillidae, Discidae and Oreohelicidae can be ruled out. Of the five classifications of stylommatophoran families that have been proposed in the past 12 years, the consensus tree is closest to that of Nordsieck. For future morphological work, three regions are recommended as potentially rich in unused phylogenetic information: the fertilization pouch-seminal receptacle complex, the ureter at the pneumostome and the ventral-chain ganglia. Simultaneous dissection, wkh side-by-side comparisons, is recommended over other methods for detecting homologies in land snails. Molecular characters should be exploited, because of the scarcity and the frequent homoplasy of morphological characters.     

Differences in Conformational Behavior of ATA and TAT Sequences in Single Strand DNA Trimer

Abstract

The conformational behavior of single strand (ss) TAT and ATA trimers of DNA have been studied by computational chemistry tools including CICADA software interfaced with AMBER molecular mechanics and dynamics. The Single-Coordinate-Driving (SCD) method has been used in conjunction with molecular dynamics simulated annealing. It has been revealed that the conformational flexibility of each sequence differs substantially from the other one. Four common conformational families have been found for both trimers. These are: helical, reverse-stacked (base 3), half-stacked (base 3), reverse-stacked (base 1). However, the energies of conformers representing the families are different for both the studied systems. An additional conformational family, bulged, has been found for ss(ATA), while ss(TAT) has been found also in half-stacked (base 1) conformation. In general, ss(TAT) exhibits a higher number of low energy conformations while ss(ATA) shows one interesting low energy conformational interconversion between reverse-stacked (A3) family and half-stacked (A3) family. The high conformational variability of the trimers has been confirmed by flexibility analysis and by molecular dynamics simulations, which have also shown the conformational stability of single conformational families. It has been concluded that the methodology used is able to provide a very detailed picture of the conformational space of these molecules.     

Macrodasyida (Gastrotricha): a cladistic analysis of morphology

Abstract. A cladistic analysis based on 33 morphological characters was performed for the 31 genera currently assigned to the order Macrodasyida (Gastrotricha). Outgroup analysis indicated that the order is monophyletic and that it is defined by the structure of the pharynx and the complex distribution of duo-gland adhesive organs. Of the 6 currently recognized families in Macrodasyida, our analysis confirmed that 4 families are monophyletic: Dactylopodolidae, Macrodasyidae, Thaumastodermatidae and Turbanellidae. Dactylopodolidae was further confirmed as the most basal family within the order based on the retention of several plesiomorphies. The other three families have well-defined autapomorphies but will require further investigation to increase inter- and intrafamilial phylogenetic resolution. Planodasyidae appeared to be a paraphyletic taxon with no obvious autapomorphies; genera clustered among members of a polyphyletic family, Lepidodasyidae. We recommend that future research on macrodasyidan phylogeny focus on issues of comparative morphology and ultrastructure in lesser-known taxa such as the Dactylopodolidae, and on the taxa Lepidodasyidae and Planodasyidae.