Morphometrics

We analyzed the morphometrics of seven taxa of short-tailed fruit bats Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia, (Carollia benkeithi, Carollia brevicauda, Carollia castanea, Carollia perspicillata azteca, Carollia perspicillata perspicillata, Carollia sowelli and Carollia subrufa) to assess within-taxon variation and to address the possibility that morphological distinctions facilitate sympatry within this genus of ecologically similar bats. Whereas morphological similarities were found among species in certain combinations of allopatric taxa, members of sympatric assemblages differ significantly, indicating that there is a consistent representation of morphotypes within various assemblages of Carollia despite changes in species composition across the range of the genus. Furthermore, the differences in the skull size and shape among taxa correspond to potential differences in food-handling abilities and point to dietary differentiation among species as a factor in the facilitation of coexistence.

The list of plant parasitic nematodes of the family Dolichodoridae, known from Iran, is updated. 81 species belonging to 13 genera and three subfamilies are included in the list. Data for 29 species are added, of which seven species viz. Neodolichorhynchus phaseoli, Pratylenchoides crenicauda, P. erzurumensis, P. utahensis, Scutylenchus paniculoides, Trophurus impar and Tylenchorhynchus variannus are new records for the Iranian nematofauna. The list of species, further information on their morphometrics, references, referring to full or partial descriptions, associated plants, geographical distribution and some taxonomic remarks are provided. More detailed studies on some doubtful populations are proposed. The information on the taxonomic position of species in different classification schemes, as well as, the tendency of the species to certain climatic condition or ecological niche are provided. Challenges on the reliable identification of this group of nematodes in Iran are discussed and finally, suggestions were proposed for future studies.

Different species of seahorses are harvested and exported on a large-scale in worldwide. Nearly 50 countries are involved in seahorse’s exploitation and trade.Morphometric characters were compared and analyzed with statistically like head length, trunk length, tail length etc. expressed in terms of their regression on the standard length and its organ itself e.g. the mean percentage of the trunk length 27.8 ± 5.4., the head length the lowest percentage of 19.4 ± 4.2 and the mean percentage of the tail length 52.7 ± 5.4 were recorded in standard length of seahorse, Hippocampus kelloggi. Meristic characters were observed as Tr. R. 11; Ta. L. R. 40-41; D. 18; P. 18-19; A.4: CS, 5, GR.4 (Tr. R – trunk ring, Ta. L. R – tail ring; D – dorsal fin; P – pectoral fin; A- anal fin; CS – crown spine; GR – gill rackers) and sexual dimorphism were revealed.

Pseudo-cryptic speciation occurs commonly in living oceanic plankton. In the coccolithophores, recent genetic studies have revealed that Braarudosphaera bigelowii has a number of unique genotypes that correlate well with pentalith size, indicating that this coccolithophore “species” actually contains multiple pseudo-cryptic taxa. In order to look for evidence of pseudo-cryptic speciation in the past, we measured the radii of 2800 B. bigelowii pentaliths from the Braarudosphaera-rich limestones that contain the GSSP for the Lower/Middle Paleocene (Danian/Selandian) boundary at Zumaia, Spain. Analysis of the radius measurements using the Expectation-Maximization algorithm yielded two size groups, herein termed form X (< 4.5 μm) and form Y (≥4.5 μm). This result suggests the possibility of at least two pseudo-cryptic species in the Early Paleocene taxon B. bigelowii. In addition, there is a sharp increase in overall B. bigelowii abundance near the Paleocene Magnetochron C27n/26r reversal in the Zumaia section, forming an acme zone that spans approximately four meters. Isotopic analyses of organic matter show that an abrupt negative excursion of 3.5‰ in δ13Corg coincided with the onset of the B. bigelowii acme. Biostratigraphic correlation between this section and the Danian/Selandian boundary section at Qreiya, Egypt confirmed that this isotopic shift correlates with a hyperthermal event (Latest Danian Event), and suggests that B. bigelowii abundance may have been affected by changing climatic conditions.

Taxonomy is of paramount importance for sound biostratigraphic interpretation. Biostratigraphy (and biochronology) still largely relies on the ranges of selected taxa. However, as the morphology of species varies through time, evolutionary grades should add detailed information for finer stratigraphic resolution. Recognizing and quantifying these microevolutionary trends and modalities, as well as ecological responses, offer an additional tool to refine uncertainties in biozonation, determine stratigraphic continuity, and the dating of unconformities. I present several Neogene and Paleogene examples of calcareous nannofossils from the Gulf of Mexico and additional global studies. These examples demonstrate the application of quantitatively detailing morphologic variations for the purpose of increasing stratigraphic resolution. A statistical evaluation to characterize shape and size trends will be presented to illustrate applications of intraspecific and pseudo-cryptic speciation patterns to aid in recognizing stratigraphic intervals, boundaries (i.e. stages and biozones), unconformities, and reworking. Additional examples will demonstrate iterative morphologic themes, along with utilizing variations in morphologic patterns, such as directional and stable speciation patterns in lineages, to show the great potential of morphology as a biostratigraphic tools.

Los cefalópodos son una clase de moluscos con un rol importante en la estructura de los ecosistemas marinos, puesto que actúan simultáneamente tanto como presas como depredadores. Están caracterizados por poseer un cuerpo musculoso que les convierte en recurso alimentario para muchos depredadores. Sin embargo, también están provistos de estructuras duras que permiten, entre otras cosas, su fosilización y su utilización como marcadores en estudios de historia natural, taxonomía y ecología. Entre las diferentes estructuras duras destaca el pico, una estructura muy estable y resistente formada por dos piezas, inferior y superior, que aporta mucha información desde un punto de vista ecológico y taxonómico. De hecho, es habitual que muchos picos se encuentren en contenidos estomacales de especies que los depredan, incluyendo especies de megafauna amenazada de elevado interés ecológico, como cetáceos, elasmobranquios o aves marinas, o también de especies de interés pesquero como los grandes peces pelágicos. Por lo tanto, dada su naturaleza y persistencia, el pico puede ser usado para determinar la especie a la cual pertenecen y por lo tanto muy útil para numerosos estudios de diferente índole. Tradicionalmente, los métodos más utilizados para la definición y diferenciación morfológica entre estructuras estaban basados en la toma de datos morfométricos más clásicos, como medidas lineales. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas estas técnicas han sido substituidas por metodologías más avanzadas, como la morfometría geométrica. Este método permite una definición mucho más detallada de la forma de las estructuras, gracias a la evaluación de sus características geométricas, y un análisis de la variación en la forma más conservativo, robusto y exhaustivo. Sin embargo, a pesar de su precisión a la hora de describir la forma de estructuras biológicas, esta técnica ha sido muy poco utilizada hasta ahora en la identificación y diferenciación de picos de cefalópodos a nivel especie. Este trabajo tiene como principal objetivo evaluar la utilidad de técnicas de morfometría geométrica basadas en puntos homólogos landmarks a la hora de diferenciar, a nivel de especie, la forma de los picos de 4 cefalópodos presentes en el Mediterráneo Occidental. Los resultados muestran diferencias evidentes entre la forma del pico de las diferentes especies de cefalópodos estudiadas, y que las diferencias son mayores entre especies más alejadas filogenéticamente. Estos resultados abren la posibilidad de poder utilizar esta metodología para identificar cefalópodos mediante el análisis de la forma de sus picos de una manera estandarizada.

A total of 20 domestic cattle (Bos taurus L.) and 15 water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis L.) skulls were analyzed in this study. All of the specimens belonged to female individuals. Using a total of 27 craniometric measurements from each of the skulls, 9 indices were
calculated. Although there were statistically significant differences between the linear measurements of the skulls of both species, while
calculating the indices with their ratios, the values of the measurements of the facial area were determinative in the craniology. Among these indices, the facial index 1 value was statistically significant (P < 0.01) in the comparison of these two species. On the other hand, while considering the orbit and foramen magnum measurements, in contrast with the transversal measurement, the height was more determinant for their index and form.

Arctic foxes, Vulpes lagopus living on Mednyi Island suffered a drastic decline in population size in the late 1970s due to an outbreak of mange epizootic. This dramatic fall in numbers rendered the subspecies endangered , and the concomitant loss of variability resulted in a population bottleneck. Here, we investigate whether differences in cranial morphology between Mednyi Island Arctic foxes and Bering Island Arctic foxes could be attributed to the severe population bottleneck suffered by the Mednyi population in the 1970s. We used morphometric traits as proxies for genetic data to provide estimates of F ST. Results show higher F ST estimates for the Mednyi population than for the Bering population, which we interpret as a bottleneck signature. F ST results also indicate a pattern of divergence between the two populations consistent with random genetic drift. Bottleneck detection is critical for the interpretation of the demographic history of the endangered Mednyi Island Arctic fox, with consequences for conservation management.

Swine eperythrozoonosis is a haemotrophic disease caused by Eperythrozoon suis, actually called Mycoplasma suis, an extracellular bacterial organism that apparently adheres to pig erythrocyte membrane, inducing its deformation and damage. Since little is known about the ultrastructural and morphometrical aspects of this microorganism, the present work aimed to deal with these issues. The ultrastructural study revealed the presence of structures corresponding to tubules disseminated throughout the soma of M. suis. A variable separation between the microorganism membrane and that of the erythrocyte was also observed. The structural and positional attitude of M. suis could allow speculation about its mechanism of action.

Thirteen species of Pratylenchidae: Pratylenchus coffeae, P. delattrei, P. loosi, P. neglectus, P. penetrans, P. pseudopratensis, P. thornei, P. vulnus, Pratylenchus sp., Pratylenchoides alkani, P. ritteri, Hirschmanniella sp. and Zygotylenchus guevarai were collected from different crops and plants throughout Iran. The specimens were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Morphometrics and morphology are given for Pratylenchus sp., P. delattrei, Pratylenchoides alkani and Hirschmanniella sp. The D2-D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced for all 13 species studied. Diagnostic PCR-ITS-RFLP profiles are given for Pratylenchus delattrei, P. penetrans, P. pseudopratensis, Pratylenchus sp., Pratylenchoides alkani and P. ritteri. Pratylenchus neglectus and P. thornei, collected from cereal fields, P. loosi from tea plantations, P. coffeae from banana, P. penetrans from ornamental plants, P. vulnus from pines and Z. guevarai from almonds show...

Mimesis is a relatively widespread phenomenon among reef fish, but the ontogenetic processes relevant for mimetic associations in fish are still poorly understood. In the present study, the allometric growth of two allopatric leaf-mimetic species of ephippid fishes, Chaetodipterus faber from the Atlantic and Platax orbicularis from the Indo-Pacific, was analyzed using ten morphological variables. The development of fins was considered owing to the importance of these structures for mimetic behaviors during early life stages. Despite the anatomical and behavioral similarities in both juvenile and adult stages, C. faber and P. orbicularis showed distinct patterns of growth. The overall shape of C. faber transforms from a rounded-shape in mimetic juveniles to a lengthened profile in adults, while in P. orbicularis, juveniles present an oblong profile including dorsal and anal fins, with relative fin size diminishing while the overall profile grows rounder in adults. Although the two sp...

A number of morphometric analyses of Neandertal tali since the turn of the century have failed to reach a consensus on the functional affinities of these fossil foot bones. To clarify the problem a univariate and multivariate analysis of the available Neandertal and Skhūl tali in relation to those of modern humans was performed using nine linear dimensions and four angles. Our analysis indicates that Neandertal tali are indistinguishable from modern human tali in the implied locomotor capabilities and similar in overall size and proportions. The primary differences between the fossil and modern tali involve the greater articular robustness of the fossils, probably to compensate for higher levels of biomechanical stress.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in Ghana is limited by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita, and yield losses over 70% have been experienced in farmer fields. Major management strategies of the root-knot nematode (RKN), such as rotation and nematicide application, and crop rotation are either little efficient and harmful to environments, with high control cost, respectively. Therefore, this study aims to examine morphometric variations of RKN populations in Ghana, using principal component analysis (PCA), of which the information can be utilized for the development of tomato cultivars resistant to RKN. Ninety (90) second-stage juveniles (J2) and 16 adult males of M. incognita were morphometrically characterized. Six and five morphometric variables were measured for adult males and second-stage juveniles (J2) respectively. Morphological measurements showed differences among the adult males and second-stage juveniles (J2). A plot of PC1 and PC2 for M. incognita male populations showed clustering into three main groups. Populations from Asuosu and Afrancho (Group I) were more closely related compared to populations from Tuobo-dom and Vea (Group II). There was however a single nematode from Afrancho (AF4) that fell into Group III. Biplots for male populations indicate, body length, DEGO, greatest body width, and gubernaculum length serving as variables distinguishing Group 1 and Group 2 populations. These same groupings from the PCA were reflected in the dendogram generated using Ag-glomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC). This study provides the first report on morphometric characteri-sation of M. incognita male and juvenile populations in Ghana showing significant morphological variation.

The minute snails of the troglobitic genus Zospeum are known from the southeastern Alps through the Dinarides and from the Pyrenees to the Cantabrian Mountains. The majority of Zospeum has been described from the northernmost region of Southeast Europe, the geographical focus of our study. The taxonomic value of the few available morphological shell characters has been debated for nearly as long as the genus is known. Recent results of genetic studies questioned the established taxonomic system based on morphological characters in the 1970s, with one species (Z. isselianum) appearing to be polyphyletic. Here, we present a comprehensive revision of Zospeum from the Alpine and Dinaride regions, using an integrative approach including genetic methods, morphometry, X-ray micro computer tomography (micro-CT), and SEM. We reveal 25 species and describe 5 new to science. Genetic analysis separated the genus into five clades, strongly challenging the previously valid taxonomic system and revealing several species polyphyletic. The various methods used for morphological characterization often proved useful in separating species showing high incidence of cryptic speciation in the genus. Radular investigation, using SEM, uncovered new insights about the taxonomic value of the configuration of the radular ribbon within Zospeum as well as Zospeum’s dentitional affinity within the Ellobioidea.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, commonly known as “brown dog tick” or “kennel tick”, is a three-host tick that parasitizes mainly dogs and occasionally humans. This arthropod is worldwide distributed and is a vector of some zoonosis, as Rickettsia conorii (pathogen of Mediterranean spotted fever).
In Portugal, R. turanicus present high morphological resemblances to R. sanguineus, and as both populations are sympatric and very genetically similar, are easily misidentified. However, through a careful morphological analysis, it is possible to distinguish them, especially by the use of electronic microscopy.
Although some prior molecular and morphological studies have already been performed on these Portuguese populations, the results differ, which means there is still much speculation and disagreement around this taxonomic classification. 
In this context, this study was conducted using morphological (stereoscopic microscopy), ultramorfological (scanning electron microscopy - SEM) and molecular analysis (COI was the molecular marker of choice) in order to clarify the taxonomic status of these populations. For that purpose, three R. sanguineus s.l. populations collected from the districts of Óbidos, Santarém and Caldas da Rainha were used.
The species identification was performed based on morphology characteristics, using standard taxonomic keys (Dias, 1994; Papadopoulos et al., 1992; Walker et al., 2003). Ticks that could not be morphological identified as R. sanguineus or R. turanicus were defined as intermediate species. Some R. pusillus specimens were included in the analysis as an out-group.
The results obtained with the mentioned methods (except for the molecular analysis), allowed to conclude that there is a great morphological diversity within R. sanguineus s.l. Portuguese populations, and that the presence of R. turanicus in Portugal is grounded. Thus, it is suggested a new taxonomic classification based in observed variability within the group. It also suggested the future use of the statistical methodology employed as a technique for morphological variability evaluation within a representative population.