Basic Morphological Data Research Articles

Analysis of morphological differences in five large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) populations

To explore the morphological and phenotypic characteristics and differences among different populations of Larimichthys crocea, traditional morphological measurements were carried out on three wild populations from Zhoushan, Xiamen and Zhanjiang and two farmed populations from Ningde and Wenzhou. Seven morphological parameters of five L. crocea populations were compared and analyzed. The results of one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in trunk and caudal stalk among the five populations. The contribution rates of the first five principal components to the total difference among different populations were 29.984%, 18.462%, 17.234%, 12.167%, and 9.904%, respectively, and the cumulative contribution rates were 87.751%. Trunk can be used to distinguish different geographic populations best. The cluster analysis results showed that the distance between wild populations was the closest, while the distance between farmed populations was far. The step discriminant method established the classification discriminant function of 5 populations. The discriminant accuracy P1 was 78.3%-92.7%, the discriminant accuracy P2 was 76.4%-96.5%, and the comprehensive recognition rate was 99.3%. The discriminant accuracy of this method was high, and it could provide a reference for the differentiation of different populations of L. crocea. This study provided basic morphological data for identifying a large yellow croaker population, protecting germplasm resources, and breeding improved varieties.

Study of terrestrial diatoms in corticolous assemblages from deciduous trees in Central Europe with descriptions of two new Luticola D.G.Mann taxa.

Although many studies have examined the algae associated with various habitats in tree trunks, the diatoms in these environments are still poorly studied. Studies of corticolous algae mainly focus on green algae and cyanobacteria, which are usually immediately visible, while diatoms are mostly overlooked or not reported. During the research, 143 species of diatoms were identified, including two new representatives of the genus Luticola: L.bryophilasp. nov. with relatively large central area and short distal raphe endings and L.confusasp. nov. characterized by the presence of small depressions on central raphe endings. Both are described herein based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations and compared to similar taxa based on literature data. Basic morphological data for almost all the diatom taxa are noted, and their habitat requirements, and photographic documentation are also presented. The present research showed that the occurrence of diatom assemblages on tree trunks is influenced by various factors like host tree species, the area where the host tree grows, and the availability of suitable microhabitats within the trunk. However, the species composition of this assemblages depends mainly on the tree species.

Description of four new terrestrial diatom species from Luticola and Microcostatus genera from South Africa.

The knowledge about terrestrial diatom assemblages in southern Africa is rather limited, despite a long history of diatom research in this area. Terrestrial habitats are places of characteristic diatom floras, dominated by species resistant to desiccation which are able to thrive in conditions of limited water availability. The presented work expands the knowledge about these unique habitats. During the study on terrestrial moss-inhabiting diatoms from Western Cape Province (South Africa), four taxa with a unique set of valve features have been found and described herein as new species, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. These new species are: Luticolamicrocephala M. Rybak, Peszek & Kochman-Kędziora, sp. nov., Luticolaasymmetrica M. Rybak, Kochman-Kędziora & Peszek, sp. nov., Luticolaterrestris Kochman-Kędziora, M. Rybak & Peszek, sp. nov. and Microcostatusmeridionalis Peszek, M. Rybak & Kochman-Kędziora, sp. nov. Algal community composition had low species richness (9–15 taxa per sample) and samples were dominated by: Humidophilacontenta, Nitzschiabrevissima and Eunotiaaff.pseudominor. The three new Luticola species formed numerous populations, exceeding 10% of the share, whereas Microcostatusmeridionalis reached 5.4%. Basic morphological data of associated diatom flora together with detailed micrographs are also provided.

Stereological analysis and transcriptome profiling of testicular injury induced by di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in prepubertal rats

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most common phthalate that can affect the male reproductive system. DEHP exposure at the prepubertal stage could lead to the injury of immature testes, but the mechanism has not been fully clarified. In the present study, we elucidated the possible underlying mechanism of DEHP-induced prepubertal testicular injury through stereological analysis and transcriptome profiling. Compared with the control group, the DEHP-treated rats had lower body weight gain and decreased testicular weight and organ coefficient. Moreover, lower serum levels of testosterone and LH were observed in the DEHP group, in contrast to the increased FSH level. Additionally, the serum level of estradiol had no significant difference after DEHP exposure. Stereological analysis showed significant reduction in volumes of most testicular structures, especially in the seminiferous tubule and seminiferous epithelium, along with a vast decrease of spermatogenic cells and obvious structural damages with substantial pathological signs (germ cracks, cytoplasmic vacuolization, sloughing, multinucleated giant cell formation, chromatolysis desquamation and dissolution, pyknosis of nuclei) in the seminiferous tubule upon DEHP exposure at the prepubertal stage. Furthermore, transcriptome profiling identified 5548 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) upon DEHP exposure. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed several crucial signaling pathways related to retinol metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). In addition, seven DEGs selected from RNA-seq data were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the results showed the same trends as the RNA-seq results. In conclusion, the above findings provide basic morphological data and lay a foundation for systematic research on transcriptome profiling in prepubertal testicular injury induced by DEHP.

World Catalogue of Hypophlaeini Billberg, 1820 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Diaperinae)

This catalogue includes all valid genus and species-group names of Hypophlaeini (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), their available synonyms, and misspellings. Type depository, distribution, and basic morphological data are given for every treated species-group name. The introductory part of this publication contains a summary of the current knowledge on larval and adult morphology within the tribe. The following new synonymies are proposed: Cheilopoma castaneumMurray, 1867 =Cheilopoma kraatziGrouvelle, 1914syn. nov.; Corticeus maehleri (Kulzer, 1957) =Hypophloeus mayumiaeMasumoto, 1983syn. nov. The lectotypes of Hypophloeus rufipesFabricius, 1801 and Hypophloeus constrictusGebien, 1921 are designated. Corticeus africanus uhligiBremer, 1995 is recognized as an independent species: Corticeus uhligiBremer, 1995stat. nov. Subgeneric classification of Corticeus is adjusted. According to the results Hypophlaeini is composed of 261 species classified in the following six genera: CheilopomaMurray, 1867 (monotypic), CorticeusPiller & Mitterpacher, 1783 (255 species and subspecies), IschnarthronGebien, 1921 (monotypic), Myonophloeus Bremer & Lillig, 2017 (monotypic), PogonoxenusWasmann, 1899 (monotypic), and TyphlophloeusJeannel & Paulian, 1945 (two species).

Key features of the nephrogenic zone in the fetal human kidney-hardly known but relevant for the detection of first traces impairing nephrogenesis.

In healthy newborn babies, nephrogenesis proceeds unnoticed until birth. With start of the perinatal period, morphogenetic activity in the renal outer cortex consisting of an inner maturation zone and an outer nephrogenic zone is downregulated by unknown signals. One of the results is that the entire nephrogenic zone as well as the contained progenitor cells and niches disintegrate. In contrast, a too early inactivation of the nephrogenic zone takes place in the kidneys of preterm and low birth weight babies. Although they are born in a period of active nephrogenesis, pathological findings show that they evolve to a high incidence oligonephropathy. However, very few data exist about cell biological changes that are evoked by harming, further most of causing molecules, exact cell targets, and related molecular pathways are not identified. Although impairment of nephrogenesis was the subject of research in animal species, there is only limited information available pertaining to the pathological traces in the nephrogenic zone of the human fetal kidney. In this situation, the lack of basic morphological data is particularly aggravating. Surprisingly, there are not even ultrastructural investigations available. Since concrete information is lacking also in relevant textbooks, the current contribution likes to present key features of the nephrogenic zone in the fetal human kidney. Simultaneously, it is a call to explore systematically a hardly known area.

An updated diagnosis of the rare Amphisbaena slateri Boulenger, 1907, based on additional specimens (Squamata, Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae)

Amphisbaenaslateriis a rare species of worm lizard from Peru and Bolivia, known only from three specimens. We found two additional specimens of this taxon, housed at the herpetological collections of the Zoological Museum (Cenak), Universität Hamburg, and the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute, updating its known geographic distribution and morphological variation. We also discovered an unpublished manuscript by late Carl Gans reporting the finding of the Hamburg specimen, which we reproduce here with the permission of his family.Amphisbaenaslaterican be identified by a combination of characters including counts of annuli, segments, and pores, the shape of head scales and color pattern. Basic morphological data is given for all species of Amphisbaenia known for Bolivia and Peru to aid in the identification of specimens from those countries.

First record of the irregular sea urchin Lovenia cordiformis (Echinodermata: Spatangoida: Loveniidae) in Colombia

A first record of occurrence of the irregular sea urchin Lovenia cordiformis in the Colombian Pacific is herein reported. We collected one specimen of Lovenia cordiformis at Gorgona Island (Colombia) in a shallow sandy bottom next to a coral reef. Basic morphological data and images of the collected specimen are presented. The specimen now lies at the Echinoderm Collection of the Marine Biology Section at Universidad del Valle (Cali, Colombia; Tag Code UNIVALLE: CRBMeq-UV: 2014–001). This report fills a gap in and completes the distribution of the species along the entire coast of the Panamic Province in the Tropical Eastern Pacific, updating the echinoderm richness for Colombia to 384 species.

Species Richness of Montane Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India: A Historical Resume and a Descriptive Checklist

We examined the amphibian and squamate reptilian species richness of Southern Eastern Ghats based on a long term-field survey with nearly two years of field days. We surveyed high elevation slopes (>900 m a.s.l.) of four select hill ranges namely Jawadi, Shevaroys, Kolli, and Sirumalai hills which comprehensively represented full geographical and spatial coverage. We present a descriptive species-account with basic morphological data supported by voucher photographs. We summarize the history of herpetological explorations in this landscape and also comment on some of the major previous works in the region. Our study revealed the presence of 62 species in the montane zones, including 32 (51%) new records involving all the three target taxa (frogs, lizards and snakes) and all the four hill ranges that testify the poor knowledge on the region’s herpetofauna till date. Lastly, we remark on the unresolved taxonomic status of some species recorded in the present study. We recommend specimen-based revisionary works in the nearby Western Ghats, where such taxa are much more diverse, to enable taxonomic studies in this region.

Diversity and Abundance Patterns of Amphibians in Rehabilitated Quarries of Bamburi Near Mombasa (Kenya)

ABSTRACT Amphibians are sensitive to changes in the environment and are, therefore, excellent indicators of success in restoring degraded habitats. As such, a clear understanding on how amphibian populations respond to changes in the environment is required. In order for conservationists to establish if the declining trends are changing, biodiversity recovery studies are essential especially in reclaimed habitats. This study focused on the recovery of amphibians, particularly on frogs, in reclaimed quarries of the Bamburi Cement Plant near Mombasa whereby the diversity, species abundances and composition at different stages of quarry re-establishment were assessed. The study area was divided into three zones based on the 13-year interval since the beginning of the rehabilitation process. Transect surveys and time-constrained search and size method were used for sampling 20 randomly selected sites. Sampling was done during the rainy and the dry seasons, with searches conducted between 900 and 1,600 hours during the day and between 1,800 to 2,100 hours at night. Recording of basic morphological data of collected specimens was done in the field to aid in grouping specimens before voucher materials were preserved in 10% formalin and stored in 70% alcohol. Further identifications and confirmations matching specimens to species were carried out using specialized classification keys from the National Museum of Kenya. Twelve species were encountered across the three zones, with Ptychadena anchietae and Phrynobatrachus acridoides, respectively, the most abundant. It was also noted that amphibian diversity across the quarries was independent of the age of ecological reestablishment (r = -0.5). This is indicated by the higher amphibian diversity in the south and north quarries (N = 1050 and 506 respectively) despite their relatively younger age since reestablishment compared to the central quarry (N = 438). Lower diversity in the central quarry, although the oldest, may be largely attributed to human disturbance. Additionally, exotic plantations across the study area are poor in species since they are monocultures and, thus, not heterogeneous enough to support higher anuran diversity. Since amphibians act as one of the best measure of environmental health, rehabilitation process in the quarries need to embrace mechanisms that support maximum biodiversity recovery such as replanting of more indigenous tree species as opposed to only exotic monocultures.

Basic morphological data of native Czech Emys orbicularis revealed by subfossil finds

Holocene Czech Emys orbicularis are rare in museum collections because the species disappeared from this region centuries ago. Fifteen reconstructed shells of subfossil Czech specimens of E. orbicularis (ranging in age from 3800–3500 BC to 1300 AD) from archaeological sites were used to assess basic morphological data. Our results provide evidence that the extinct Czech turtles fall into the size range of extant Central European E. orbicularis populations from the Hungarian Lowland. Maximum male and female straight-line carapacial lengths of the Czech specimens reached at least 160 and 175 mm, respectively.

Hidrologia do Saco da Fazenda, Itajaí, SC

The Saco da Fazenda (SF) is a semi-enclosed coastal water body artificially made and inserted in the urban scenario of Itajai city. The SF was created from the enterprise of retification of the access channel to the Port of Itajai. The last curvature of the lower estuary was isolated from the main channel, and then creating the SF. Nowadays it is a depositional basin for the sediments from the Itajai-Acu River and from small streams which drains the Itajai City downtown. These small streams flow to the SF with no treatment at all, and, consequently, the water quality is low. Applying basic morphological data and hydrographic data from the SF and the lower Itajai-Acu estuary, it was estimated the flushing time of the SF and the exchange level between the SF and the lower estuary. The flushing time is basically function of the tidal prism exchange, and the half-live was estimated as of the order of ‘few days’, or specifically 0,8 to 2,6 days varying the tidal height of neap and spring tide, respectivelly. The salinity of the SF the same of the upper layer of the lower estuary, and varies inversely and non-linearly related to the Itajai-Acu river discharge, indicating higher level of eschange between them.

Reproductive morphology and status of female Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) fatally injured by adult male seals.

Female Hawaiian monk seals at Laysan Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands seasonally risk aggressive mating attempts by groups of adult male monk seals. These attacks, which also target immature female and male seals at a lower frequency, result in injuries that are often fatal and are termed mobbings. This study was undertaken to assess the reproductive status of nine female seals that died after mobbing attacks and to obtain basic morphological data of reproductive tracts from ten females. Reproductive morphology of the seals indicated that the lengths of the uterine body and both uterine horns were significantly shorter in nulliparous than in parous seals. Seven of the nine seals were periovulatory, on the basis of gross morphology of the ovaries at death. The ovaries of the other two seals possessed immature follicles. Histological studies of the vagina and uterus confirmed the reproductive status of the seals. When the reproductive status at the time of first injury was estimated, all seals were in the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. At least four of these seals were estimated to be in oestrus at the time of their first injury, and seven of the seals sustained at least one injury during the estimated period of oestrus (2-6 days). These results support the hypothesis that most adult female Hawaiian monk seals that die following an attack by male monk seals are periovulatory, and that the majority of the attacks occur during oestrus.

Basic morphological data of external genitals in 177 healthy Central European men.

AbstractFive basic measurements were made of the penis, the scrotum and the testicles of 177 healthy Bohemian (Czechoslovakian) men, 18–20 years of age. The average length of the penis was 72.18 mm. The average circumference of the penis was 95.65 mm. The length of the right testicle was 47.37 mm, the length of the left was 45.17 mm.In 16.2% of those examined slight deformations of the urethral opening and mild malformations of the prepuce and the frenum were found. These defects did not disturb function. The method of measurement used has been described.