ANATOMY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THE BONE-FEEDING LIMPETS, COCCULINELLA MINUTISSIMA (SMITH) AND OSTEOPELTA MIRABILIS MARSHALL (ARCHAEOGASTROPODA)

The anatomy of Cocculinella minutissima (Smith, 1904) and Osteopeltamirabilis Marshall, 1987 is described. Both species belong tothe Lepetelloidea and are closely related to Addisonia Dall,1882, the anatomy of which has been recently described by theauthor. Commonly derived (symapomorphic) characters of all threegenera are found especially in the genital system (hermaphrodites,tcstis and ovary separated, with separated ducts, open seminalgroove to the unmodified right cephalic tentacle), and in thealimentary tract (paired oesophageal glands). Distinct similaritiesin genital and excretory system (large right kidney isolated;hermaphrodites, separated gonads) with the Pseudococculinidae,Pyropeltidae and Lepetellidae justify a uniting superfamilyLepetelloidea, the anatomy of which is quite different fromthat of the Cocculinoidea (Cocculinidae and Bathy-sciadiidae) Osteopelta has retained certain primitive characters (rhipidoglossateradula, true stomach), but is specialized in having a snout-likehead, a concentrated cerebropedal ring, and secondary gill leaflets(vestigial gill in Cocculinella, distinct gill leaflets in Addisonia).Cocculinella and Addisonia share additional synapomorphic featuresof the posterior alimentary tract (reduction of stomach, intestineforms a large sac, midgut gland contains dark granules). Severalaut-apomorphies of each genus justify their status as distinctfamilies. Relationships to the (coiled) Choristellidae, whichfeed on empty egg-cases of sharks or skates (as do addisoniids)and have a cocculinellid-like radula type, are discussed ^*Present address: Insitut fr Zoologie der Universitat, Technikerstr.25; A-6020 Innsubruck, Auttria (Received 10 March 1987;     

On the Anatomy and Systematic Position of the Mathildidae (Mollusca, Allogastropoda)

The anatomy of two mathildid species, Opimilda maoria Powell, 1940 and Gegania valkyrie Powell, 1971 has been investigated using serial sections. The mathildid anatomy strongly resembles that of the Architectonicidae, and therefore both families are included in the superfamily Architectonicoidea. The buccal system of Gegania valkyrie is the most primitive of all Allogastropoda (Architectonicoidea and Pyramidelloidea) so far investigated. Reproductive features within with Architectonicoidea vary. Certain species ( Gegania valkyrie ) are hermaphrodites, whilst others ( Opimilda maoria ) appear to be gonochorists; in these species males also possess a (sperm-filled) receptaculum seminis. Similar genital and reproductive features are found in the prosobranch relict species Campanile symbolicum Iredale, 1917, the systematic position of which is discussed briefly.     

Taxonomic relationships of the western Asian taxa of Gentiana sect. Pneumonanthe

The taxonomic position of western Asian members of Gentiana sect. Pneumonanthe has long been a matter of conflict. In this paper, the six western Asian species currently recognized as belonging to sect. Pneumonanthe ( G. boissieri , G. calycina , G. freyniana , G. gelida , G. paradoxa , and G. septemfida ) are compared and their relationships established using a morphological phylogenetic analysis. Seed testa and flower and leaf morphological characters were studied and 11 characters were selected for a cladistic analysis. Euro-Siberian and Far Eastern taxa of sect. Pneumonanthe ( G. pneumonanthe and G. scabra ) were used as outgroups. Our results suggest the presence of two morphologically distinct clades within the western Asian gentians: a Septemfida and a Gelida clade. G. calycina and G. freyniana show close affinities to G. boissieri and G. gelida , and are distinct from G. septemfida s.l. Biogeographical aspects of the two groups are discussed.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 197–208.     

The ecological value of Eryngium horridum in maintaining biodiversity in subtropical grasslands

The role of facilitation in the structuring of plant communities has been often demonstrated in environments under high abiotic stress, especially in semi‐arid and arid ecosystems and high elevations. Few studies, however, analysed facilitation in systems that are highly productive and rich in species, which are thought to be theoretically unlikely to demonstrate strong effects of facilitation. Here, we investigate the importance of Eryngium horridum, a rosette species, on the maintenance of plant diversity in subtropical grasslands in southern Brazil. We evaluated facilitation in areas under two different types of management: abandonment and grazing. Plots were established in areas with and without individuals of E. horridum and all species were identified and had their cover estimated. The Relative Neighbour Effect index was calculated in order to verify the presence of competition or facilitation. Our results indicated facilitation in both abandoned and in grazed grasslands, but apparently through different mechanisms. In the first case, the plant's architecture opens the canopy and allows more light to reach small forbs in the grass matrix. In the second case, E. horridum appears to protect more palatable species from herbivores. Otherwise considered an obnoxious species, E. horridum plays an important ecological role in subtropical grasslands in southern Brazil by facilitating other species and consequently, increasing local richness. Areas with this rosette species are important sources of diaspores, which are able to colonize new open sites and thus, maintain biodiversity.     

How Much Water is in the Tank? Model Calculations for Two Epiphytic Bromeliads

Water-impounding foliage (=tank) characterizes many bromeliadspecies but, to date, a quantitative evaluation of the effectivenessof these structures to bridge rainless periods is not available.We present a model that analyses the capacity of these phytotelmatato supply moisture to the bromeliad as a function of plant size,and parameterize it for two epiphyte species,Tillandsia fasciculataandGuzmaniamonostachya. All parameters related to the recharging of a tank(e.g. catchment area, or tank capacity) and those related towater loss from the tank (e.g. tank water surface, or waterabsorption from the tank by the plant) changed with plant size.For both species a similar qualitative size-related patternemerged: smaller individuals dried out much faster than largerconspecifics. Modelling the changes in tank water content foran entire year revealed that in the seasonal climate of BarroColorado Island, Panama, tanks of smaller plants (1 g d. wt)are expected to lack water for up to 110 d (inT. fasciculata).Regardless of plant size, individuals ofG. monostachyawere consistentlymore efficient thanT. fasciculatain maintaining moisture intheir tanks. Our results provide insight into the limitationsof water-impounding tanks as an adaptation to cope with an intermittentwater supply typical for epiphytic habitats. These limitationsare particularly pronounced for smaller individuals.Copyright1999 Annals of Botany Company. Epiphytes, water relations, Barro Colorado Island, bromeliads, water tanks, phytotelmata.     

Electric organ discharge variability of Mormyridae (Teleostei: Osteoglossomorpha) in the Upper Volta system

The electric organ discharges (EODs) of five mormyrid species ( Marcusenius senegalensis , Brevimyrus niger , Petrocephalus bovei , Pollimyrus isidori , Hippopotamyrus pictus ) from different sampling sites from the Upper Volta system in West Africa were investigated. EOD waveforms were recorded at high sampling rates in order to compare signal waveform parameters of the different species from different locations. Except for H. pictus , EODs within a species differed significantly from one another in some parameters and waveform variability at least between some sampling sites. In addition, each species showed a continuous spectrum of waveform variations, all or only parts of which were found at certain localities. Although there was variability and sometimes similarities between species, the EOD waveforms were species specific. Knowing their variation spectrum, they can be used for species determination and are probably used for species recognition by the mormyrids. Similarities or differences in EOD waveform expression within a species were not related to geographical distance. By contrast, we suggest that biotic environmental factors at a given location influence the expression of EOD waveforms. These factors affect absolute measurements such as EOD duration and fast Fourier transformation peak frequency as well as the amount of variation for certain waveform parameters across species in a similar manner for a given site. Although EOD waveform might be important for the establishment of reproductive barriers between species, our results suggest that differences in waveforms may not necessarily reflect different species or speciation processes in progress.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 61–80.     

THE LATE TRIASSIC BLACK SHALES OF THE GUANLING AREA, GUIZHOU PROVINCE, SOUTH-WEST CHINA: A UNIQUE MARINE REPTILE AND PELAGIC CRINOID FOSSIL LAGERSTÄTTE

Abstract:  Black shales of the lower member of the Carnian Xiaowa Formation (previously known as the Wayao Member of the Falang Formation or as the Wayao Formation) in the Guanling area, Guizhou Province, south-west China, are yielding a rich marine reptile fauna and exceptional remains of pelagic crinoids. The black shales represent deposition on the drowned southern margin of the Yangtze Platform during a Maximum Flooding Interval. The relatively reduced sedimentation rates led to the formation of the Lagerstätte through the accumulation of fossils in the anoxic bottom sediments over a prolonged period of time. Invertebrate fossils represent almost exclusively pelagic forms, such as a diverse ammonite fauna and halobiid bivalves. The spectacular finds of colonies of large (stem lengths > 11 m) crinoids of the genus Traumatocrinus attached to driftwood prove that this crinoid was the first to evolve a pseudoplanktonic life style. The other crinoid is the planktonic roveacrinid Osteocrinus . The marine reptile fauna, represented by probably hundreds of skeletons, is numerically dominated by three species of ichthyosaurs and four species of thalattosaurs. The thalattosaurs fill a palaeobiogeographic gap between the Alpine thalattosaur faunas and those from western North America. Two species of placodonts are rare finds. As for the thalattosaurs, the placodont occurrences greatly expand the geographic range of the group because placodonts have been known previously only from the Mediterranean region, the Alps and the Muschelkalk Basin. The unique abundance of thalattosaurs contrasts with a scarcity of fishes. Although we suggest that the fauna is authochthonous and inhabited surface waters, it must have represented an unusual ecosystem. However, the possibility remains that both the marine reptiles and the Traumatocrinus colonies were concentrated in the region by currents and do not reflect the biocoenosis.