Discrete Character Research Articles

Nueva especie de Lonchorhina (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) de Chiribiquete, Guayana colombiana

Sword-nose bats genus Lonchorhina are characterized by the most developed telic structures among representatives of the Neotropical family Phyllostomidae, including the longest noseleaf, ear pinna, and tragi in respect to their body sizes. Species in the genus Lonchorhina are usually rare in mist-netting inventories, and most of the currently recognized species are represented in museum collections by few specimens from a limited number of localities, preventing a better appreciation of its diversity. The last comprehensive study on the taxonomy of the genus was conducted almost four decades ago based upon a limited number of specimens that did not include all currently recognized species. In this work we evaluate the phenetic a nities and taxonomic placement of divergent Lonchorhina specimens recovered from the Colombian Guayana, through the analysis of both discrete and morphometric skull characters. Our analyses included 105 Lonchorhina specimens, representing the ve currently recognized species, from a substantial portion of the distribution of the genus. As a result of our evaluation, we introduce a new species of sword-nose bat, representing the phyllostomid species with the largest known noseleaf and tragus (noseleaf >41.5 mm, tragus >22.3 mm). The newly introduce taxon is part of the large skull Lonchorhina (Greatest Skull Length, GSL >21.5 mm) and it is closely related in its morphology to L. ma- rinkellei and L. inusitata from which it is easy to tell apart by its unique morphology, overall larger size (GSL media=27.31; StDev=0.5) and more massive dentition. The holotype of Lonchorhina sp. nov. was collected at an inselberg formation, adjacent to Rio Mesay, Puerto Abeja in the Southwestern portion of the National Natural Park Chiribiquete, in the Colombian department of Caqueta, at 340 masl. The National Park Chiribiquete, corresponds to one of the most unexplored areas in the country, enclosing the oldest and largest series of Amazon pictograms (20.000 years bc) registered on the outcrops of the numerous tepuis, in which images of bats are of particular cultural importance, the new species is a tribute to the Karijona people who inhabited the area of Chiribiquete.

Integrating multiple evidences in taxonomy: species diversity and phylogeny of mustached bats (Mormoopidae: Pteronotus)

A phylogenetic systematic perspective is instrumental in recovering new species and their evolutionary relationships. The advent of new technologies for molecular and morphological data acquisition and analysis, allied to the integration of knowledge from different areas, such as ecology and population genetics, allows for the emergence of more rigorous, accurate and complete scientific hypothesis on species diversity. Mustached bats (genus Pteronotus) are a good model for the application of this integrative approach. They are a widely distributed and a morphologically homogeneous group, but comprising species with remarkable differences in their echolocation strategy and feeding behavior. The latest systematic review suggested six species with 17 subspecies in Pteronotus. Subsequent studies using discrete morphological characters supported the same arrangement. However, recent papers reported high levels of genetic divergence among conspecific taxa followed by bioacoustic and geographic agreement, suggesting an underestimated diversity in the genus. To date, no study merging genetic evidences and morphometric variation along the entire geographic range of this group has been attempted. Based on a comprehensive sampling including representatives of all current taxonomic units, we attempt to delimit species in Pteronotus through the application of multiple methodologies and hierarchically distinct datasets. The molecular approach includes six molecular markers from three genetic transmission systems; morphological investigations used 41 euclidean distances estimated through three-dimensional landmarks collected from 1628 skulls. The phylogenetic analysis reveals a greater diversity than previously reported, with a high correspondence among the genetic lineages and the currently recognized subspecies in the genus. Discriminant analysis of variables describing size and shape of cranial bones support the rising of the genetic groups to the specific status. Based on multiples evidences, we present an updated taxonomic arrangement composed by 16 extant species and a new and more robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the species included in the genus Pteronotus. Studies developed under such integrative taxonomic approach are timely for a deeper and wider comprehension of Neotropical diversity, representing the first step for answering broader questions on evolutionary and ecological aspects of Neotropical life history.

Exciton absorption in narrow armchair graphene nanoribbons

We develop an analytical approach to the exciton optical absorption for narrow gap armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNR). We focus on the regime of dominant size quantization in combination with the attractive electron–hole interaction. An adiabatic separation of slow and fast motions leads via the two-body Dirac equation to the isolated and coupled subband approximations. Discrete and continuous exciton states are in general coupled and form quasi-Rydberg series of purely discrete and resonance type character. The corresponding oscillator strengths and widths are derived. We show that the exciton peaks are blue-shifted, become broader and increase in magnitude upon narrowing the ribbon. At the edge of a subband the singularity related to the 1D density of states is transformed into finite absorption via the presence of the exciton. Our analytical results are in good agreement with those obtained by other methods including numerical approaches. Estimates of the expected experimental values are provided for realistic AGNR.

Sibling species in theChrysis ignitacomplex: molecular, morphological and trophic differentiation ofBaltic species, with a description of two new cryptic species (Hymenoptera:Chrysididae)

AbstractCryptic species complexes cause major challenges for taxonomists and alter understanding of species diversity. InNorthernEurope, theChrysis ignitaspecies group is one such complex with numerous sympatric sibling species. The objective of this paper is to assess the taxonomy of 15 species from this group using three different approaches: molecular, morphological and trophic differentiation. The analysed set of molecular markers included a 7400‐bp‐long sequence of the mitochondrial genome covering complete sequences ofCO1,CO2,ATP8,ATP6,CO3,ND3,16Sand12SrRNA, ninetRNAsand a partial sequence ofCytB, as well as a 3880‐bp‐long sequence of the nuclearDNAcovering a part of18SrRNA, theITS1,5.8SrRNA,ITS2and a part of28SrRNA. Discrete diagnostic characters of each species sequence were retrieved using theCharacteristicAttributeOrganisationSystem algorithm and a molecular identification key was compiled. The study revealed a higher evolutionary rate of the genesATP8,ATP6,CO3,ND3andCytBcompared to that ofCO1,CO2and16S; the studied nuclear markers demonstrated a lower evolutionary rate than the mitochondrial markers. A consensus tree compiled based on the combinedmtDNAand nuclear markers with a strongly supported topology resolved the position of theC. schencki – C.parietissp.n.clade as sister to theC. ignita – C. impressaclade and supported the monophyly of theC. angustula – C. longulaclade. We compiled a morphometric species identification key applying linear discriminant equations. The trophic differentiation was assessed using data on host preferences of tenChrysisspecies reared from trap‐nests; the analysis demonstrated that most of them are specialists exploiting a single or a few taxonomically related host species. In most cases, all three approaches supported the distinct status of the included species. Moreover, two previously undescribed species were consistently supported by the molecular methods. Therefore, we describe these as new, namelyC. horridulasp.n.andC. parietissp.n.OnlyC. mediataandC. solidawere not clearly distinguished using the molecular phylogeny reconstruction methods. However, based on distinctive niche divergence, the presence of molecular characters and morphometric differences, we consider them as phylogenetically young but distinct species. In view of the weak morphological and molecular differentiation, the widely overlapping distribution areas and often similar habitat preferences and the trophic specialization, theC. ignitacomplex presents a possible model for studies of sympatric cryptic speciation.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1EBAF0E1‐5FB7‐4CF4‐A595‐C11982448360.

Phenetic and genetic diversity in Indian Luffa (Cucurbitaceae) inferred from morphometric, ISSR and DAMD markers

Genetic variations and relationships among cultivated and wild genotypes of five taxa of Indian Luffa were examined using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR), directed amplification of minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers and morphological characterization. Morphometric evaluation of 21 discrete characters in 51 representative accessions segregated the five taxa of Luffa in three main clusters: the two wild species (L. echinata, L. graveolens) in the first, and the cultivated L. aegyptiaca (smooth gourd) and L. acutangula (ridged gourd)/L. hermaphrodita (Hermaphrodite luffa) in the second and third clusters, respectively. Cumulative data analysis of 15 ISSR and seven DAMD markers revealed high percentage polymorphism (97.67 %), moderate genetic distance (0.06–0.72, avg. 0.51), and low heterozygosity and Shannon index values (H = 0.15; I = 0.22) across all the 76 genotypes assayed. A UPGMA dendrogram, based on the combined marker data, resolved the five taxa in two main clusters with high bootstrap support. The morphological and molecular trees showed incongruence in the number of main clusters resolved and in the disposition of the wild and cultivated taxa in different sub-clusters. The cluster analyses and PCoA plots revealed a nested grouping of the hermaphrodite luffa within the ridge gourd group. The Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis identified three genetic clusters for the five assumed taxa. Outcrossing test revealed a mixed mating system in Indian Luffa. This is the first ever report on the mating system in Luffa using molecular markers. The study also demonstrates the utility of using more than one DNA marker in the assessment of molecular diversity in a widely cultivated crop genus like Luffa with a narrow genetic base.

Molecular classification based on apomorphic amino acids (Arthropoda, Hexapoda): Integrative taxonomy in the era of phylogenomics.

With the great development of sequencing technologies and systematic methods, our understanding of evolutionary relationships at deeper levels within the tree of life has greatly improved over the last decade. However, the current taxonomic methodology is insufficient to describe the growing levels of diversity in both a standardised and general way due to the limitations of using only morphological traits to describe clades. Herein, we propose the idea of a molecular classification based on hierarchical and discrete amino acid characters. Clades are classified based on the results of phylogenetic analyses and described using amino acids with group specificity in phylograms. Practices based on the recently published phylogenomic datasets of insects together with 15 de novo sequenced transcriptomes in this study demonstrate that such a methodology can accommodate various higher ranks of taxonomy. Such an approach has the advantage of describing organisms in a standard and discrete way within a phylogenetic framework, thereby facilitating the recognition of clades from the view of the whole lineage, as indicated by PhyloCode. By combining identification keys and phylogenies, the molecular classification based on hierarchical and discrete characters may greatly boost the progress of integrative taxonomy.

Testing for Independence between Evolutionary Processes.

Evolutionary events co-occurring along phylogenetic trees usually point to complex adaptive phenomena, sometimes implicating epistasis. While a number of methods have been developed to account for co-occurrence of events on the same internal or external branch of an evolutionary tree, there is a need to account for the larger diversity of possible relative positions of events in a tree. Here we propose a method to quantify to what extent two or more evolutionary events are associated on a phylogenetic tree. The method is applicable to any discrete character, like substitutions within a coding sequence or gains/losses of a biological function. Our method uses a general approach to statistically test for significant associations between events along the tree, which encompasses both events inseparable on the same branch, and events genealogically ordered on different branches. It assumes that the phylogeny and themapping of branches is known without errors. We address this problem from the statistical viewpoint by a linear algebra representation of the localization of the evolutionary events on the tree.We compute the full probability distribution of the number of paired events occurring in the same branch or in different branches of the tree, under a null model of independence where each type of event occurs at a constant rate uniformly inthephylogenetic tree. The strengths andweaknesses of themethodare assessed via simulations;we then apply the method to explore the loss of cell motility in intracellular pathogens.

TNT version 1.5, including a full implementation of phylogenetic morphometrics.

Version 1.5 of the computer program TNT completely integrates landmark data into phylogenetic analysis. Landmark data consist of coordinates (in two or three dimensions) for the terminal taxa; TNT reconstructs shapes for the internal nodes such that the difference between ancestor and descendant shapes for all tree branches sums up to a minimum; this sum is used as tree score. Landmark data can be analysed alone or in combination with standard characters; all the applicable commands and options in TNT can be used transparently after reading a landmark data set. The program continues implementing all the types of analyses in former versions, including discrete and continuous characters (which can now be read at any scale, and automatically rescaled by TNT). Using algorithms described in this paper, searches for landmark data can be made tens to hundreds of times faster than it was possible before (from T to 3T times faster, where T is the number of taxa), thus making phylogenetic analysis of landmarks feasible even on standard personal computers.

Efficient Recycled Algorithms for Quantitative Trait Models on Phylogenies.

We present an efficient and flexible method for computing likelihoods for phenotypic traits on a phylogeny. The method does not resort to Monte Carlo computation but instead blends Felsenstein’s discrete character pruning algorithm with methods for numerical quadrature. It is not limited to Gaussian models and adapts readily to model uncertainty in the observed trait values. We demonstrate the framework by developing efficient algorithms for likelihood calculation and ancestral state reconstruction under Wright’s threshold model, applying our methods to a data set of trait data for extrafloral nectaries across a phylogeny of 839 Fabales species.

Occlusal pattern of cheek teeth in extant Spermophilus: A new approach to the identification of species.

Discrete characters of the occlusal surface (additional cusps) have been studied to elaborate a new approach to the identification of the Ground Squirrel species Spermophilus odessanus, S. suslicus, S. pygmaeus, S. citellus, and S. xanthoprymnus. Data on the presence/absence of the additional cusps have been represented as star plots and, in addition, have been studied using discriminant function analysis. The species-specific sets of the characters (patterns of bunodonty) have been revealed and are of high diagnostic value. The Citellus-set is defined by the presence of mesostyles and the rareness of the metastylids, paraconules and metaconules, hypostyles and protostyles. The Pygmaeus-set is characterized by the presence of additional cusps in the lower cheek teeth. The Odessanus-oriented set is found in the Spermophilus pygmaeus, S. odessanus, and S. suslicus. The relatively high frequency of additional cusps of the metaloph and the paraloph is characteristic for this set. The Plesiomorphic-set (characters shared by all the studied species and for this reason regarded herein as ancestral) is found in S. xanthoprymnus. The patterns of bunodonty serve as diagnostic criteria only as a whole: the shape of a star plot (relations among the character frequencies), rather than certain character values, is indicative. An optimal level of identification of species is possible based on the combination of the discrete characters mentioned and on the size parameters of the third upper molar. The occlusal sets are intended to remain stable during the time of species existence and seem to correspond to trends in specialization. The functional meaning of the sets can be explained by the dependence between the presence/absence of the discrete characters and the shape of the crown and its main lophs. Each pattern is likely to correspond to a trophic niche, and this niche corresponds to the species. J. Morphol. 277:814-825, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phylogeny and historical biogeography of leafhopper subfamily Iassinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with a revised tribal classification based on morphological and molecular data

AbstractPhylogenetic relationships among major lineages of the leafhopper subfamily Iassinae were explored by analysing a dataset of 91 discrete morphological characters and DNA sequence data from nuclear 28S rDNA and histone H3 genes and mitochondrial 12S rDNA. Bayesian, maximum‐likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses yielded similar tree topologies that were well resolved with strong branch support except at the base of the tree, resulting in equivocal support for inclusion of Bythoniini as a tribe of Iassinae but strong support for the monophyly of Iassinae (excluding Bythoniini) and most previously recognized iassine tribes. Divergence times for recovered nodes were estimated using a Bayesian relaxed clock method with two fossil calibration points. The results suggest that the deepest divergences coincided with Gondwanan vicariant events but that more recent divergences resulted from long‐range dispersal and colonization. Biogeographical analyses suggest that the group most likely has a Neotropical origin. The following changes to the taxonomic classification are proposed: establishment of three new tribes, Batracomorphini trib.n. (based on type genus Batracomorphus Lewis), Hoplojassini trib.n. (based on type genus Hoplojassus Dietrich and including one other South American genus), Lipokrisnini trib.n. (based on type genus Lipokrisna Freytag and including two other endemic Caribbean genera); Krisnini is redefined to include only the Old World genera Krisna and Gessius; Iassini is redefined to include only the type genus and four endemic Afrotropical genera; Bascarrhinus Fowler and Platyhynna Berg, recently treated as genera incertae sedis, are placed in Hyalojassini; Thalattoscopus Kirkaldy is added to the previously monobasic tribe Trocnadini. Iassinae now includes 12 tribes, all of which appear to be monophyletic. Revised morphological diagnoses of the subfamily and each of the included tribes are provided and a key to tribes is also given.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:41295B68‐2DAB‐4C4F‐B260‐F7C054922173.

Taxonomy of the winged popcorn flower: Cryptantha pterocarya (Boraginaceae)

Cryptantha pterocarya (Boraginaceae), the winged nut popcorn flower, is distinguished in part by nutlets with marginal, typically lobed wings. Four varieties of this species have been accepted in recent treatments: vars. cycloptera, pterocarya, purpusii, and stenoloba. We tested the taxonomic discreteness, degree of variation, and geographic range of these varieties of C. pterocarya by examining material from numerous voucher specimens. We quantified differences among specimens by measuring or calculating twenty features of the corolla and fruit, the latter focusing on mature (fruiting) calyx and nutlet characteristics. Type specimens of all four varieties were examined and quantified, and all specimens were georeferenced and mapped. From our observations and measurements, we recognize two new morphological forms in the complex, termed the “pseudocycloptera” form and the “truncata” form. The “pseudocycloptera” form is similar to var. pterocarya but is homomorphic, with all four nutlets winged. The “truncata” form is similar to var. cycloptera, but is heteromorphic, with the odd nutlet having a reduced basal wing (somewhat truncate in shape) and having a slightly reduced gynobase stipe. We conclude that C. p. var. pterocarya, var. purpusii, and var. stenoloba should continue to be recognized as taxa at that rank. The “pseudocycloptera” form, although generally morphologically discrete in nutlet heteromophism, shows some intergradation, even within a specimen, of the typical form of C. p. var. pterocarya and exhibits no clear geographic discontinuity; it should thus be recognized as a homomorphic form of that taxon, which we formally name forma pseudocycloptera. Variety purpusii should continue to be recognized at that rank given its variation in nutlet wing morphology but with continuity in geographic range. Variety stenoloba should also continue to be recognized at this rank given its distinctive calyx and nutlet body size and shape, but having a quite limited geographic range. We conclude that what has been most commonly recognized as C. pterocarya var. cycloptera should be resurrected to the rank of species, as C. cycloptera, because of the distinctiveness of this taxon in three, discrete morphological characters, one of which (gynobase stipe) was previously undescribed. The “truncata” form, which shows some intergradation with C. cycloptera and lacks geographic discontinuity, should be recognized as a heteromorphic form of C. cycloptera, which we formally name forma truncata. A revised key is proposed to better accommodate the identity of these taxa and forms. We hope that future molecular studies will elucidate the phylogenetic relationships, character evolution, and geographic history of this interesting taxonomic complex.

MSSM-like from SU5 × D4 models

Using finite discrete group characters and symmetry breaking by hyperflux as well as constraints on top-quark family, we study minimal low energy effective theory following from SU5×D4 models embedded in F-theory with non-abelian flux. Matter curves spectrum of the models is obtained from SU5×S5 theory with monodromy S5 by performing two breakings: first from symmetric group S5 to S4 subsymmetry, and next to dihedral D4 subgroup. As a consequence, and depending on the ways of decomposing triplets of S4, we end with three types of D4-models. Explicit constructions of these theories are given and a MSSM-like spectrum is derived.

Protein markers of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Steiner & Buhrer, 1934 (Nickle, 1970) populations using quantitative proteomics and character compatibility.

The Pine Wood Nematode (PWN) Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is a severe forest pathogen in countries where it has been introduced and is considered a worldwide quarantine organism. In this study, protein markers for differentiating populations of this nematode were identified by studying differences among four selected Iberian and one American population. These populations were compared by quantitative proteomics (iTRAQ). From a total of 2860 proteins identified using the public database from the B. xylophilus genome project, 216 were unambiguous and significantly differentially regulated in the studied populations. Comparisons of their pairwise ratio were statistically treated and supported in order to convert them into discrete character states, suggesting that 141 proteins were not informative as population specific markers. Application of the Character Compatibility methodology on the remaining 75 proteins (belonging to families with different biological functions) excludes 27 which are incompatible among them. Considering only the compatible proteins, the method selects a subset of 30 specific unique protein markers which allowed the compared classification of the Iberian isolates. This approach makes it easier search for diagnostic tools and phylogenetic inference within species and populations of a pathogen exhibiting a high level of genetic diversity.

Tempo and mode in the evolution of morphological disparity in the Neotropical fern genusPleopeltis

Species diversity and morphological disparity are two measures to examine the diversity of life. Evidence based on the fossil record suggests a complex relation between these two parameters of biodiversity including frequent decoupling of their assembly through time. However, rather few studies explored the correlation of these two measurements by studying extant plant species. This study was designed to explore the accumulation of morphological disparity of the derived Neotropical fern genus Pleopeltis. To explore the relationship of species diversity and morphological disparity, we employed several approaches including divergence time estimates based on DNA sequence variation, reconstruction of character state changes based on a morphological matrix comprising 41 discrete characters, and exploration of the phylomorphospace. Accumulation of species diversity and morphological disparity was found to be concordant although the assumption of independence was not rejected for the accumulation of genetic and morphological variation. The phylomorphospace reconstruction provided further evidence for clade-specific morphospace expansion that imply developmental pathways and competition among clades as major factors shaping the assembly of morphological disparity over time.

Comparison between RST and PID controllers performance of a reduced order model and the original model of a hydraulic actuator dedicated to a semi-active suspension

Purpose In this paper, an effective method to calculate the reduced-order model (ROM) of high-order linear time-invariant system is elaborated; this is done by evaluating time moments of the original high-order model (HOM). Design/methodology/approach The developed method has been applied to a hydraulic actuator of antiroll bar mechanism dedicated to heavy vehicle semi-active suspension. And as the actuator is a large-scale system; and that in this case, the only control applied is a classical control and with trial and error procedure (like PID), the use of an order reduction method is necessary. Hence, the actuator that has an eighth-order transfer function with uncontrollable states has been approximated by fully controllable second-order model, which is suitable for feedback controllers (RST, LQR […]). The RST control is applied to control the roll angle of the actuator and simulations are carried out to show the effectiveness of the procedure. Findings It is clear that RST shows good tracking as compared to PID. For further work, the given RST controller has a discrete character and can be easily implemented on the real process and then as a further simulation, one can use another controller such as fractional adaptive controller. Originality/value In the recent years, the technological need of modeling order, thus the complexity of the systems, directed the researchers toward the reduction of order of these systems, not only to facilitate the analysis but also to find a suitable approximation of the high-order systems while keeping the same important characteristics as closely as possible. Several methods are available but they fail to give stable transfer functions or important characteristics of the original system.

How our view of animal phylogeny was reshaped by molecular approaches: lessons learned

In the late 1980s, researchers began applying molecular sequencing tools to questions of deep animal phylogeny. These advances in sequencing were accompanied with improvements in computation and phylogenetic methods, and served to significantly reshape our understanding of metazoan evolution. Prior to this time, researchers asserted phylogenetic hypotheses based on their experience with taxa and to some degree, their authority. Molecular phylogenetic tools provided discrete methods and objective characters for reconstructing phylogeny. Nonetheless, major changes to widely accepted views, such as animal phylogeny, take time to be accepted. Development and acceptance of our current understanding of animal evolution occurred in three main phases: initial hypotheses based on 18S data, confirmation with additional molecular markers, and continued refinement with phylogenomics. With the advent of ideas such as Lophotrochozoa and Ecdysozoa, flaws in the traditional view became apparent. We now understand that complex morphological and embryological features (e.g., segmentation, coelom formation, development of body cavities) are much more evolutionarily plastic than previously recognized. Here, I explore how the transition from the traditional to the modern phylogenetic understanding of animal phylogeny occurred and examine some implications of this change in understanding. As the field moves forward, the utility of morphological and embryological characters for reconstruction of deep animal phylogeny should be discouraged. Instead, these characters should be interpreted in the light of independent phylogeny.

The role of neurocranial shape in defining the boundaries of an expanded Homo erectus hypodigm

The main goals of this study were to evaluate the distinctiveness of Homo erectus neurocranial shape relative to other closely related species, and assess the likelihood that particular fossils were correctly attributed to H. erectus given how shape variation related to geography, time and brain size. This was accomplished through analyses of several sets of landmarks designed to maximize the fossil sample, including 24 putative H. erectus fossils. The question of taxonomic differentiation was initially assessed for the type specimen (Trinil II) and morphologically similar Sangiran fossils and subsequently for increasingly inclusive definitions of H. erectus. Results indicated that H. erectus fossils from China, Indonesia, Georgia and East Africa shared a neurocranial shape that was distinct from that of other Plio-Pleistocene Homo taxa, a pattern only partially accounted for by brain size. Early Indonesian H. erectus formed a morphological “bridge” between earlier and later populations assigned to H. erectus from Africa and Asia, respectively. These results were combined with discrete characters to create a more complete species definition for H. erectus. There were two notable exceptions to the general pattern of H. erectus uniqueness. The 0.8–1.0 Ma (millions of years ago) Daka calvaria from Ethiopia consistently grouped with mid-Pleistocene Homo, including Bodo and Kabwe, rather than African or Asian H. erectus. In addition, Daka also exhibited several traits derived for mid-Pleistocene Homo, and its scaling pattern mirrored mid-Pleistocene Homo rather than H. erectus. Daka may have belonged to an “advanced” H. erectus population close to the root of Homo heidelbergensis sensu lato (s.l.), or to an early population of H. heidelbergensis s.l.. The 1.5 Ma KNM-ER 42700 specimen from Kenya exhibited a unique calvarial shape distinct from H. erectus despite the exclusion of problematic landmarks from the frontal bone. These unique aspects of shape were not present in two other subadult fossils, KNM-WT 15000 and D2700.

Eutherian morphological disparity across the end-Cretaceous mass extinction

© 2015 The Linnean Society of London. In the aftermaths of mass extinction events, during radiations of clades, and in several other evolutionary scenarios, there is often a decoupling of taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity. The placental mammal radiation after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction is one of the archetypal adaptive radiations, but the change in morphological disparity of the entire skeleton has never been quantified across this important boundary. We reconstruct ancestral morphologies of 680 discrete morphological characters onto dated phylogenies of 177 mostly Cretaceous and Palaeogene eutherians (placental mammals and their stem relatives). Using a new approach to incorporate morphologies representing ghost lineages, we assess three measures of morphological disparity (sum of ranges, sum of variances and mean pairwise dissimilarity) across stage-level time bins within the Cretaceous and Palaeogene. We find that the range-based metric suggests that eutherian disparity increased immediately after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, while both variance-based metrics declined from the Campanian to the Maastrichtian, but showed no change in disparity from the Maastrichtian to the Puercan - the first North American Land Mammal Age of the Paleocene. Increases in variance-based metrics lag behind the range-based metric and per-lineage accumulation rate, suggesting that the response of mammals to the Cretaceous-Palaeogene event was characterized by an early radiation that increased overall morphospace occupation, followed later by specialization that resulted in increased dissimilarity.

Why should we investigate the morphological disparity of plant clades?

Disparity refers to the morphological variation in a sample of taxa, and is distinct from diversity or taxonomic richness. Diversity and disparity are fundamentally decoupled; many groups attain high levels of disparity early in their evolution, while diversity is still comparatively low. Diversity may subsequently increase even in the face of static or declining disparity by increasingly fine sub-division of morphological 'design' space (morphospace). Many animal clades reached high levels of disparity early in their evolution, but there have been few comparable studies of plant clades, despite their profound ecological and evolutionary importance. This study offers a prospective and some preliminary macroevolutionary analyses. Classical morphometric methods are most suitable when there is reasonable conservation of form, but lose traction where morphological differences become greater (e.g. in comparisons across higher taxa). Discrete character matrices offer one means to compare a greater diversity of forms. This study explores morphospaces derived from eight discrete data sets for major plant clades, and discusses their macroevolutionary implications. Most of the plant clades in this study show initial, high levels of disparity that approach or attain the maximum levels reached subsequently. These plant clades are characterized by an initial phase of evolution during which most regions of their empirical morphospaces are colonized. Angiosperms, palms, pines and ferns show remarkably little variation in disparity through time. Conifers furnish the most marked exception, appearing at relatively low disparity in the latest Carboniferous, before expanding incrementally with the radiation of successive, tightly clustered constituent sub-clades. Many cladistic data sets can be repurposed for investigating the morphological disparity of plant clades through time, and offer insights that are complementary to more focused morphometric studies. The unique structural and ecological features of plants make them ideally suited to investigating intrinsic and extrinsic constraints on disparity.