Comparative Morphological Study Research Articles

Methodological foundation of a numerical taxonomy of urban form

Cities are complex products of human culture, characterised by a startling diversity of visible traits. Their form is constantly evolving, reflecting changing human needs and local contingencies, manifested in space by many urban patterns. Urban morphology laid the foundation for understanding many such patterns, largely relying on qualitative research methods to extract distinct spatial identities of urban areas. However, the manual, labour-intensive and subjective nature of such approaches represents an impediment to the development of a scalable, replicable and data-driven urban form characterisation. Recently, advances in geographic data science and the availability of digital mapping products open the opportunity to overcome such limitations. And yet, our current capacity to systematically capture the heterogeneity of spatial patterns remains limited in terms of spatial parameters included in the analysis and hardly scalable due to the highly labour-intensive nature of the task. In this paper, we present a method for numerical taxonomy of urban form derived from biological systematics, which allows the rigorous detection and classification of urban types. Initially, we produce a rich numerical characterisation of urban space from minimal data input, minimising limitations due to inconsistent data quality and availability. These are street network, building footprint and morphological tessellation, a spatial unit derivative of Voronoi tessellation, obtained from building footprints. Hence, we derive homogeneous urban tissue types and, by determining overall morphological similarity between them, generate a hierarchical classification of urban form. After framing and presenting the method, we test it on two cities – Prague and Amsterdam – and discuss potential applications and further developments. The proposed classification method represents a step towards the development of an extensive, scalable numerical taxonomy of urban form and opens the way to more rigorous comparative morphological studies and explorations into the relationship between urban space and phenomena as diverse as environmental performance, health and place attractiveness.

Comparative Morphology and Taxonomic Study of Chlorophytum sabiense And Two Other Species in the Genus Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl

Chlorophytum sabiense Omok. (a newly identified species in the family Asparagaceae) is unique, having multiple styles emerging from fused ovaries. This specialized character may be overlooked in conjuring up archetype for the genus Chlorophytum, since the genus is characterized by single and simple style. Comparative morphology and taxonomic study of Chlorophytum sabiense and two other species in the genus (Chlorophytum macrophyllum and C. stenopetalum) was carried out to appraise level of relatedness of Chlorophytum. sabiense and these existing members. Distribution of the three species is sympatric in the North Central part of Nigeria. Chlorophytum sabiense may be confused with either of the two species because of the attributes they have in common. Samples collected were raised in a garden and closely observed for duration of three years. Data collected from morphological studies were analyzed statistically. The three species show similarity in most of the vegetative characters studied, however Chlorophytum sabiense is distinguished from the two others having; multiple styles, smaller fruit size and shorter length of pistil relative to the stamen. Exceptional characteristics exhibited by Chlorophytum sabiense makes it stand out among species in the genus, while its close resemblance with its allies accounts for reason why it had escaped recognition for a long time.

Effect of 2 MeV W+ ion irradiation on the surface morphology of Sc:In:C and Zr:In:C thin films

In this work, a comparative study of surface morphology and elemental distribution of thin films of the M:In:C (with M = Sc or Zr) ternary composites irradiated with 2 MeV W ions with fluences 10 cm and 10 cm was carried out. The films were prepared by ion beam sputtering of the M, In and C targets followed by thermal annealing in a high vacuum. The surface morphology was monitored by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and the elemental composition by Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) in the regime of elastic scattering (2000 keV He ions energy) and nuclear resonant scattering (3046 and 4280 keV He ions for O and C resonances, respectively). It has been shown that both deployed modifications (thermal annealing and ion beam irradiation) seriously affect the surface morphology and the elemental distribution of both composites. It turned out that the main reason for the changes is a decrease in the content of indium in the composites, which after irradiation with a high fluence of 10 cm decreased to almost zero. It also turned out that the morphological changes take place differently in the inspected composites - more significantly in Zr:In:C, less in Sc:In:C.

Comparative morphological study of skeletal muscle weight among the red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) and various fowl breeds (Gallus domesticus).

We examined the weight distribution of skeletal muscles of the red jungle fowl, then compared these values with those of domesticated populations to determine how muscle distribution has changed by selecting breeding. Sonia, Fayoumi, and Rhode Island Red were selected for comparison from livestock breeds, while Japanese Shamo and Thai fighting cocks were selected from cockfighting groups. Principal component analysis was applied using body size-free data. The mass distribution of muscles clearly differed between the wild, livestock, and cockfighting groups, demonstrating that muscle distribution has changed after selecting breeding, coupled with functional demands of each group. The red jungle fowl, which has the ability to fly, could be clearly distinguished from the flightless domesticated populations due to differences in flight pectoral muscle size. The cervical muscles in the wild population were smaller than in the domesticated groups; these do not contribute to flight. The gluteal muscles were larger in the fighting cock group, functionally coupled to their traditionally preferred upright posture. Wild bird populations typically exhibit reduced weight of their hind limbs, associated with flight, but as the red jungle fowl displays largely terrestrial behavior, these muscles are similar in arrangement and relative size to those of the livestock groups. We showed that the mass distribution pattern of skeletal muscles expresses selecting breeding strategy and clearly reflects the specific traits for each group.

The significance of female dimorphic characters of primary freshwater crabs for the systematics of Eubrachyura (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

AbstractMale pleopods, pleon, and gonopods 1 and 2 of primary brachyuran freshwater crabs have been used for well over 100 years as important taxonomic characters to distinguish between species, genera, and families. In contrast, while there have been a number of studies of female dimorphic brachyuran characters, including two families of primary freshwater crabs, their pleopods have been virtually ignored and presumed to be uninformative with respect to systematics. Consequently, we provide for the first-time descriptions and images of the female pleon, pleopods, egg attachment sites, and telson of representatives of five primary freshwater crab families: Potamidae, Potamonautidae, Gecarcinucidae, Pseudothelphusidae, and Trichodactylidae. For preliminary comparative purposes, similar details are also presented for species representing two Heterotremata families, e.g., Epialtidae and Portunidae, and four Thoracotremata families e.g., Gecarcinidae, Grapsidae, Sesarmidae, and Varunidae. This morphological comparative study of female characters provides a new dataset for family-level comparisons of freshwater crabs. As a result, two groups of primary freshwater crabs are recognized: a revised Potamoidea Ortmann, 1896 for Potamidae, Potamonautidae, Deckeniidae, Gecarcinucidae, Pseudothelphusidae, and Epiloboceridae, and Trichodactyloidea comprising Trichodactylidae. Although all of the non-trichodactylid freshwater crab families are morphological heterotremes with male coxal gonopores and female sternal gonopores, their current Heterotremata assignment is here being questioned. From new evidence presented here, this group of primary freshwater Brachyura may be more properly positioned outside of Heterotremata, as a sister group of Thoracotremata. This use of novel female diagnostic characters, however, supports the continued assignment of Trichodactylidae to Heterotremata.

Comparative morphological, physiological, biochemical and genomic studies reveal novel genes of Dunaliella bioculata and D. quartolecta in response to salt stress.

Salinity is an essential abiotic stress in plants. Dunaliella is a genus of high-salt-tolerant microalgae. The present study aimed to compare the characterizations of D. bioculata and D. quartolecta at different levels and investigate novel genes response to salt stress. High chlorophyll contents were detected in D. bioculata on the 35th d of salt stress, while high lipid and carotenoid contents were detected in D. quartolecta via morphological and biochemical analyses. Physiological analysis showed that D. quartolecta cells had a smaller increase in osmotic potential, a smaller decrease in the Na+/K+ ratio and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and a lower relative conductivity than D. bioculata cells. The genomic lengths of D. quartolecta and D. bioculata were 396,013,629bp (scaffold N50 = 1954bp) and 427,667,563bp (scaffold N50 = 3093bp) via high-throughput sequencing and de novo assembly, respectively. Altogether, 25,751 and 26,620 genes were predicted in their genomes by annotation analysis with various biodatabases. The D. bioculata genome showed more segmental duplication events via collinearity analysis. More single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion-deletion variants were detected in the D. bioculata genome. Both algae, which showed a close phylogenetic relationship, may undergo positive selection via bioinformatics analysis. A total of 382 and 85 novel genes were screened in D. bioculata and D. quartolecta, with 138 and 51 enriched KEGG pathways, respectively. Unlike the novel genes adh1, hprA and serA, the relative expression of livF and phbB in D. bioculata was markedly downregulated as salinity increased, as determined by qPCR analysis. The relative expression of leuB, asd, pstC and proA in D. quartolecta was markedly upregulated with the same salinity increase. Dunaliella quartolecta is more halophilic than D. bioculata, with more effective responses to high salt stress based on the multiphase comparative data.

The identity of Phlomoides pararotata (Lamiaceae, Lamioideae)

This paper presents a re-evaluation of the taxonomic identity of Phlomoides pararotata. Based on a comparative study of morphology and type material as well as field investigations, P. pararotata is synonymized with P. burmanica. Leaf features as well as bract morphology of this species are described.

Comparative morphology and evolution of the cranial musculature in bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

Comparative morphological studies in bees are mostly restricted to the skeleton, and the musculature of bees has not been explored much from this perspective. Here we investigate the head extrinsic musculature under an evolutionary perspective. The musculature of 34 bee species belonging to six major lineages and 26 tribes plus two apoid wasps is described, illustrated, and compared. A standardized terminology for the extrinsic musculature is proposed and aligned with the Hymenoptera Anatomy Ontology (HAO). A total of 12 characters derived from the analysis were optimized onto a summary phylogenetic tree. The musculature was found to be conserved among the main bee lineages, and most variation was found in the proboscis; no modification was found in antennal muscles. Four characters are interpreted as synapomorphies for bees, one for the long-tongued bees, three for Halictinae, and one for Megachilinae. We also found that the Apinae clade of cleptoparasites is supported by some character state transformations and that stingless bees have a unique posterior fronto-pharyngeal muscle. Both sexes display similar morphology, except for having two fixed attachment points for the anterior cranio-mandibular muscle in the males of Andreninae. This study provides a foundation for future investigations on bee head musculature on various taxonomic levels.

The Structure of the Endophallus Is a New Promising Feature and a Key to Study of Taxonomy of the Subgenus Metallotimarcha of the Genus Timarcha (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in the Caucasus.

Simple SummaryKnowing the correct names of animal species is especially important nowadays; information is posted on the internet, and is available by using keywords. To establish the valid species and subspecies names, it is necessary to research a large amount of material and literature. Of particular importance is the study of type specimens—that is, those specimens for which the names were first established. In the subgenus Metallotimarcha, of the leaf-beetle genus Timarcha, the external structure of beetles and the shape of the male aedeagus do not allow precise identification of the species. The search for new characters has led to the need to study the internal structure of the male aedeagus. As a result, clear species boundaries of T. metallica, T. corinthia, and T. hummelii have been found. It was established that T. armeniaca and T. hummelii starcki are the synonyms of T. hummelii hummelii.A comparative morphological study of the members of the subgenus Metallotimarcha revealed that Caucasian Timarcha hummelii is a separate species, which differs from European members of the subgenus (T. metallica, T. corinthia, T. gibba) by the internal structure of male aedeagus, namely, manubrium of the endophallus. Morphology of manubrium is described for all species of the subgenus. External characters and the shape of male aedeagus do not permit separating the members of the subgenus distinctly. Examination of both external characters and endophallus structure in the specimens from the Caucasus revealed that T. armeniaca and T. hummelii starcki are the synonyms of T. hummelii hummelii, but not separate species or subspecies. Neotypes of T. hummelii and T. armeniaca are designated. Syntypes of T. hummelii starcki are examined. The key to the species for the subgenus Metallotimarcha is compiled.

Histogenetic morphotypes of rats respiratory system at the stages of early and late fetogenesis

Aim. Morphological analysis of the deployment of histogenetic information of pulmonary parenchyma at the stages of late embryogenesis and fetogenesis in laboratory rats within the limits of the norm of reaction with verification according to morphometric criteria of individual morphotypes.Materials and methods. Comparative morphological study of histogenesis of endodermal derivatives of the lungs of rats at critical periods of intrauterine development – late embryogenesis (day 14 of gestation), and late fetogenesis (day 20 of gestation) was performed using morphometric identification of plane parameters and a complex of plane form factors of epithelial structures of the lung. Morphometric studies were carried out in the Morphometer program on semi-thin sections of the rat lung.Results. Two critical stages of histogenesis of entodermal beginnings of fetal lungs are described – pseudoglandular and canalicular. The options of discordance of individual development within the response norm are justified. The lungs of the fetus at the pseudoglandular stage and the canalicular stage show significant fluctuations in the plane values of the pulmonary parenchyma, the presence in different individuals of variants of the plane values of entodermal derivatives, which indicated individual morphotypes of the development of the rat lung. At the pseudoglandular stage, in fetus with type I, called “compact”, the total area of the tubular system and the total perimeter are significantly inferior (p<0.001) to the same indicators of the lung II morphotype, designated as “air”. The values of one tubule (the outer perimeter, its area, the dimensions of the X-projection and Y-projection, the length of the epithelial tubes) in type I, on the contrary, are significantly larger than in type II (p<0.01). Among form factors, reliable differences have elongation (FE), squareness (FQ) and equivalent radius (FR) (p<0.01), less significant compactness (FF) and roundness (FC) (p<0.05). The discordance of development is established by a number of reliable values at the stage of late fetogenesis: the area of the tubule (p<0.01), the area of the epithelium of the preacinar department (p<0.001), the value of the outer perimeter of the tubule, the length and, to a lesser extent, the width of the tubule (p<0.05) significantly exceed such type II indicators. In this regard, the dimensions of X- and Y-projections for type I are also increased (p<0.05).Conclusion. As a result of morphological studies, the development of entodermal derivatives of pulmonary parenchyma at the pseudoglandular stage (day 14 of gestation) and the canalicular stage (day 20 of gestation) in rat fetus was verified; morphometric criteria for assessing the histogenesis of entodermal parenchyma units at critical stages of development have been introduced; comparative analysis of morphometric indices of different individuals in gestation dynamics; individual variants of two morphotypes are objectified – “compact-I” and “air-II” in the process of histogenesis of the fetal lungs.

ВЛИЯНИЕ СПОСОБА ПОЛУЧЕНИЯ МЕТАЛЛИЧЕСКИХ ПОРОШКОВ НА МИКРОСТРУКТУРУ И ТЕКУЧЕСТЬ ГРАНУЛЯТА МАГНИТОТВЕРДОГО СПЛАВА

A comparison is made of the characteristics of metal powders of a hard magnetic alloy produced by centrifugal spraying and gas atomization. Comparative studies of particle morphology and particle size distribution of powders are presented in order to determine them.

Description of the Third-Stage Larva and Puparium of Platycheirus (Carposcalis) chalconota (Philippi) (Diptera: Syrphidae) with New Information About the Trophic Interactions and Larval Habitats

In this study, the third-stage larva and puparium of the copper-backed fly, Platycheirus (Carposcalis) chalconota (Philippi, 1865) are fully described using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy from material collected in peach orchards of central-west Argentina. The immature stages of P. chalconota were compared with the third-stage larva and puparium of the best-studied species in the genus Platycheirus scutatus (Meigen, 1822); as well as with the only known Carposcalis immature stages description available for the Neotropical regionnamelyPlatycheirus stegnus (Say, 1829). New data on trophic interactions and larval habitats are given: P. chalconota larvae were found feeding on the aphid's speciesUroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus, 1767) (large sow thistle aphid) and Hyperomyzus lactucae (Linnaeus, 1758) (blackcurrant-sow thistle aphid) in low vegetation as Sonchus oleraceus (common sow thistle); the species was also found feeding on Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) (green peach aphid) in high vegetation as Prunus persicae (L.) Stokes (Peach trees). The third larval stage and puparium of P. chalconota are described and illustrated for the first time improving substantially the knowledge about the immature stages and natural history of Neotropical Platycheirus, constituting also a baseline for future comparative morphological studies. Despite the efficiency of P. chalconota in the biological control of pests has not been assessed, we think that relevant data presented here can be used in pest management of peach orchards and suggest P. chalconota as an excellent candidate for future studies on the life cycle, prey consumption, efficiency, artificial rearing, and its potential importance as pollinators of Peach crops.

Seasonal Metabolic Investigation in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Highlights the Role of Amino Acids in Genotype- and Organ-Specific Adaptive Responses to Freezing Stress.

Every winter, temperate woody plants have to cope with freezing stress. Winter hardiness is of crucial importance for pomegranate survival and productivity. A comparative morphological and metabolic study was conducted on the stems and buds of 15 field-grown mature pomegranate genotypes in seven time-points during two developmental cycles. Seasonal changes of frost hardiness, as determined by electrolyte leakage method, and metabolite analysis by HPLC and GC revealed the variability in frost hardiness and metabolic contents result from genetic background and organ, as well as seasonal condition. Morphological adaptations, as well as metabolic remodeling, are the distinct features of the hardy genotypes. Larger buds with a greater number of compressed scales and the higher number of protective leaves, together with the higher number and content of changed metabolites, especially amino acids, seem to provide a higher frost resistance for those trees. We recorded two-times the change in metabolites and several-times accumulation of amino acids in the stem compared with buds. A better potential of stem for metabolome adjustment during the hardening period and a higher level of tolerance to stress is therefore suggested. High levels of arginine, proline, glutamine, and asparagine, and particularly the accumulation of alanine, tryptophan, and histidine are responsible for excellent tolerance of the stem of tolerant genotypes. With regard to the protective roles of amino acids, a relation between stress tolerance and the level of amino acids is proposed. This points both to the importance of amino acids in the winter survival of pomegranate trees, and to the evaluation of frost tolerance in other plants, by these specific markers.

Cuticular Structures in Micropterous Crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Petaloptilini, Gryllomorphini).

Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the endogenous environment as well as in caves so that some species exhibit troglomorphic characteristics. This group has been extensively studied due to its economic and social importance; however, many basic morphological and biological questions remain to be solved. In this study, a comparative morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of different structures of eight species of micropteran crickets of the tribes Gryllomorphini and Petaloptilini, whose tegmina had lost their flight and song functionality was carried out. Special emphasis was placed on the tegmina and their possible relationship to reproductive functions. In addition, to assess troglomorphism in the genus Petaloptila, the biometric parameters of six other species have been considered. Actualization of the lifestyle of the studied species has also been carried out. The results show structures not previously described in this group (gland openings, setae, pores, or group of campaniform sensilla). Structures not previously described in this group have been detected, and tegmina (glandular openings and devoured tegmina) seem to confer a role in reproduction. Troglomorphisms are only observed in species of the subgenus Zapetaloptila. Statistically, significant differences have been found in characters such as cephalic elongation, ocular reduction, greater length of appendages, and depigmentation.

Silicon Compounds in Sponges

A comparative study of the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of spicules of Hexactinellids (Hexactinellida) with different structural features of the skeletons, as well as the freshwater Baikal sponge belonging to the class of common sponges (Demospongia), was carried out. The trace element composition of sponge spicules was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The spicules of siliceous sponges contain many elements, arranged in decreasing order of concentration: Si, Ca, Fe, Cl, K, Zn, and others. It was shown that the surface layer of sea sponges contains mainly carbon (C), oxygen (O), and to a lesser extent nitrogen (N), silicon (Si), and sodium (Na). The spicules of the studied siliceous sponges can be divided into two groups according to the phase composition, namely one containing crystalline calcium compounds and one without them. Analysis of infrared absorption spectra allows us to conclude that the sponges Euplectella aspergillum, E. suberia and Dactylocalyx sp. contain silica partially bound to the organic matrix, while the silica skeleton of the sponges of the other group (Schulzeviella gigas, Sericolophus sp., Asconema setubalense, Sarostegia oculata, Farrea sp. and Lubomirskia baicalensis sp.) practically does not differ from the precipitated SiO2. This comparative study of the chemical composition of the skeletons of marine Hexactinellids and common freshwater sponge allows us to conclude that there are no fundamental differences in the chemical composition of spicules, and all of them can be used as a starting material for creating new composite silicon–organic functional materials.

Combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers as a useful tool to identify Ctenophthalmus species and subspecies (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae)

Ctenophthalmus is considered the largest genus within the Order Siphonaptera. From a morphological point of view, only males of this genus can be identified at species and subspecies levels using morphological keys, whereas there are no morphological criteria in order to classify females at these taxonomical levels. Furthermore, the amount of available molecular and phylogenetic data for this genus is quite scarce so far. The main objective of this work was to assess the utility of the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers with respect to their ability to differentiate among different subspecies within the Ctenophthalmus genus. With this purpose, we carried out a comparative morphological and molecular study of three different subspecies (Ctenophthalmus baeticus arvernus, Ctenophthalmus nobilis dobyi, and Ctenophthalmus andorrensis catalaniensis) in order to clarify and discuss its taxonomic status. In addition, our study complemented the molecular data previously provided for Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani subspecies. We sequenced five different molecular markers: EF1-α, ITS1, ITS2, cox1, and cytb. Our results confirmed that morphological data by themselves are not able to discriminate among Ctenophthalmus female taxa; however, the combination of the nuclear marker EF1-α together with mtDNA markers cytb and cox1 constituted a useful taxonomical and phylogenetic tool to solve this issue. Based on these results, we consider that the use of this molecular approach should be gradually used within Ctenophthalmus genus in order to complement its classical taxonomy and clarifying the complex taxonomy of other congeneric species of fleas.

The Number of Syncytial Knots and VEGF Expression in Placental Villi in Parturient Woman with COVID-19 Depends on the Disease Severity

A comparative morphological study was carried out to analyze the number of syncytial knots and VEGF expression in placental villi in parturient women with COVID-19 categorized by the disease severity. The number of syncytial knots was assessed on specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin. VEGF expression was determined by immunohistochemical analysis in syncytiotrophoblast and villous endothelial cells. Morphological study of the placenta tissue of parturient women with COVID-19 showed increased numbers of syncytial knots in the villi, indicating the development of preplacental hypoxia. High VEGF expression in syncytiotrophoblast and vascular endotheliocytes reflects a stereotyped response to hypoxia and can underlie the development of a preeclampsia-like syndrome. The number of syncytial knots and VEGF expression in placental villi in parturient women with COVID-19 depended on the disease severity.

Comparative Approach to Class Changing Derivational Affixes in English and Kurdish

This paper is an analytical comparative morphological study of class changing of some of derivational affixes in Standard English and Central Kurdish from the standpoints of Generative Morphology. For the analysis, this work relies heavily on the identification of various class changing affixes between the two languages under study. The main goal is to identify the points of similarity and difference of class changing affixes that change the grammatical categories and the lexical meaning of the existing lexemes. The findings show that English and Kurdish are similar in the formation of nominal and adjectival affixes where certain lexemes can change the lexical categories and the meaning of the newly derived words. In English, in the formation of verbal affixes, a ‘noun’ and an ‘adjective’ can be converted into a ‘verb’ by adding certain prefixes and suffixes. While in Kurdish, no new lexemes can be formed from the root of the verb since the internal structure of the verbs in Kurdish works differently compared to English. In Kurdish, the suffix -a is attached to some cardinal numerals to derive a new noun, whereas in English, no newly derived nouns can be formed by numerals. English and Kurdish are different in the formation of new adverbial affixes. In English, certain adjectives and nouns can derive certain types of adverbs while in Kurdish these lexical categories are unable to derive adverbs by attaching certain derivational affixes.

A comparative morphological study of the sixth and seventh spinous processes of the cervical vertebrae in extinct and extant species of Equus.

The lateral profile of the 6th and 7th cervical spinous processes (CSPs) were examined in four extantspecies of Equus (n=33); E. caballus (n=26), E. przewalskii (n=3), E. quagga boehmi (n=1), E. asinus (n=3)and compared to pre-domesticated Equus specimens (n=66) representing three known species: E. occidentalis(n=56), E. mosbachensis (n=2), E. curvedins/insulatis (n=1) and unknown Equus species (n=7) from five museums.Six common morphological profiles were revealed: cuneate, curvate, falcate, rudimentary, scalenate,and truncate. For the 6th CSP, the distribution of these morphologies amongst extant Equus is: cuneate, onlyE. asinus; curvate, E. caballus and E. przewalskii always in combination with ligamentum lamina nuchae (lig.lamina nuchae) attachments from the 2nd through to 7th CSP inclusive; falcate, E. caballus and E. przewalskiialways in combination with lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd through to 7th CSP inclusive;rudimentary, E. caballus always associated with lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd through to 5thCSP inclusive; scalenate, E. caballus in association with lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd throughto 5th (n=11) or 7th (n=4) CSP inclusive; truncate, not present. The 6th CSP in museum specimens of Equusexhibits one of four profiles: cuneate (n=10), curvate (n=14), scalenate (n=11) and truncate (n=4). For the 7thCSP, the distribution of these morphologies amongst extant Equus is: curvate, E. caballus mostly associatedwith lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd through to 5th CSP inclusive, falcate, E. caballus mostly associatedwith lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd through to 7th CSP inclusive, scalenate, E. caballusassociated with lig. lamina nuchae attachments from the 2nd through to 5th CSP inclusive. Only Rancho LaBrea and Tar Pits Museum provided samples suitable for examination of the 7th CSP. These exhibited fourprofiles: curvate (n=7), falcate (n=11), scalenate (n=2), and truncate (n=7). These findings suggest that thelateral profile of the 6th CSP is of potential use in identification of species; attachments of the lig. lamina nuchaealter the morphology of the 6th and 7th CSP; and that attachments of the lig. lamina nuchae on the 2ndto 7th CSP were likely present in species of Equus prior to domestication.

Landmark-based geometric morphometric analysis of wing size and wing shape among Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) populations in Turkey.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1894) has a widespread distribution that includes both temperate and tropical climates. It is a potential vector of several important worldwide arboviruses, including chikungunya, zika, and dengue, and its geographical distribution expands rapidly. Despite its vectorial importance, the bioecological features of this species in newly established environments are still not very well known. Thus, this study investigated phenotypic variations among Ae. albopictus populations from different regions in Turkey. This is the first comparative morphological study of Ae. albopictus populations in Turkey. The procrustes distances phenogram derived from wing data indicates that the shape differences among some populations and the population from the Aegean coast differ from the Black Sea populations. Size differences were also detected between some populations.