Generic Characters Research Articles

Comparative analysis of morphospace of Neotropical Sericini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): disparity in the light of species diversity and activity patterns

The striking diversity among herbivorous Scarabaeoidea is still poorly understood. Therefore, we compare in these work linear measurements of body features of Neotropical and Old World linages of Sericini chafers to uncover patterns possibly linked to foraging behavior (day or night activity) or to the success of their diversification in terms of diversity. If diversity in Sericini chafers would be linked to morphological disparity, we would expect in the much less diverse Neotropical lineage a very clear drop of morphological disparity. Comparing the two major sister clades, Old World and Neotropical Sericini, in terms of their disparity and diversity, the here elaborated distance data do not support the hypothesis that morphological disparity could be a driver for the diversity of Sericini in the Old World. The influence of the metacoxal length on morphological disparity appears to represent a possible key for a better understanding of the evolution of Sericini in the Neotropical region (including their lower diversity) and answers the question of why they are so much less diverse than their sister lineage in the Old World. The increasing length of the metacoxal plate appears to be a result of the presence of a secondary metacoxal joint in Old World Sericini, which has a crucial impact on hind leg mobility and digging behavior. General body shape and single morphological characters appear under similar general evolutionary pressure: high morphometric disparity between nocturnal and diurnal Neotropical species was also corroborated by disparity estimated from discrete morphological characters.

In silico identification, characterization expression profile of WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox (WOX) gene family in two species of kiwifruit.

The WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) gene family is a class of plant-specific transcriptional factors and plays a crucial role in forming the shoot apical meristem and embryonic development, stem cell maintenance, and various other developmental processes. However, systematic identification and characterization of the kiwifruit WOX gene family have not been studied. This study identified 17 and 10 WOX genes in A. chinensis (Ac) and A. eriantha (Ae) genomes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis classified kiwifruit WOX genes from two species into three clades. Analysis of phylogenetics, synteny patterns, and selection pressure inferred that WOX gene families in Ac and Ae had undergone different evolutionary patterns after whole-genome duplication (WGD) events, causing differences in WOX gene number and distribution. Ten conserved motifs were identified in the kiwifruit WOX genes, and motif architectures of WOXs belonging to different clades highly diverged. The cis-element analysis and expression profiles investigation indicated the functional differentiation of WOX genes and identified the potential WOXs in response to stresses. Our results provided insight into general characters, evolutionary patterns, and functional diversity of kiwifruit WOXs.

A NEW COMBINATION IN THE GENUS LYCIANTHES (SOLANACEAE: SOLANOIDEAE: CAPSICEAE)

During the verification of nomenclature in connection with the preparation for ‘Studies of Solanaceae in Eastern Ghats’ the authors came across a species Solanum uncinellum Lindl. that need to be updated in accordance with the changing generic characters for the genus Lycianthes. Accordingly the required new name and new combination is proposed here.

Integrated taxonomy supports the identification of some species of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Georgia

The present study reports results of a survey carried out mostly on Citrus sp. and Rubus sp. in Georgia. Morphological and molecular (12S rRNA, COI and CytB mtDNA markers) data were analysed in a framework of integrative taxonomy. Eleven species were identified and among them seven are new for the Georgian fauna. Euseius stipulatus and Phytoseius finitimus were the most abundant species during this survey. We assume that Amblyseius eharai, only reported from eastern Asia, was most probably introduced. Neoseiulus californicus, retrieved from uncultivated vegetation, was almost certainly originating from commercial strains. DNA sequences comparisons disclosed phylogenetic closeness between Amblyseius andersoni and Transeius wainsteini, despite these species (i) being morphologically well differentiated and (ii) classified in different genera, thereby questioning the reliability of the genus Transeius. General morphological characters, including measurements, are provided for species for which diagnoses were doubtful.

Vasopora ceramica n. gen., n. sp.a new abyssal cyclostome bryozoan from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, ClarionClipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean.

A new abyssal cyclostome bryozoan genus and species, Vasopora ceramica n. gen., n. sp., is described from the eastern Russian exploration area of the ClarionClipperton Fracture Zone based on newly collected material from Yuzhmorgeologiya GLD419 station 421 (13.23408 N, 134.22180 W, 4809 m depth). Generic characters include an erect pedunculate colony with a distinct boundary between column and flared capitulum, short autozooidal peristomes in a single whorl, numerous alveoli, a central unidirectional sac-like gonozooid covered by a surficial network of crossed ridges continuous with adjacent rims of alveoli, a laterally opening ooeciopore, and the entire capitulum surface being minutely densely granular to subspinulate. Whereas the skeletal microstructure of the capitulum surface comprises irregular imbricated crystallites, the column has a planar-spherulitic fabric of acicular crystallites in fan-like arrays, and there are no pseudopores. The sharp boundary between capitulum and column, with their different microstructure separates Vasopora n. gen. from the two existing genera of Alyonushkidae that are found in the same environment. Vasopora n. gen. has a stalk formed of calcified exterior wall, whereas it is interior-walled in Alyonushka and Calyssopora.

A new species of Metacirolana Kussakin, 1979 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the coral reefs of Viti Livu, Fiji, with a revised diagnosis to the genus

ABSTRACT Metacirolana nicosmiti sp. nov. is described from coral reefs at Viti Lifu, Fiji. The species is characterized by a unique ornamentation of prominent ridges on the head forming a ‘diamond’ shape, three longitudinal ridges on the pleotelson and a broad subtruncate pleotelson posterior margin (among other characters). A revised genus diagnosis is given to Metacirolana, together with discussion of the characters of the ‘Eurydicinae’, that is those cirolanid genera with a blade-like clypeus. We conclude that while the subfamilies of the Cirolanidae remain phylogenetically untested the characters that they present are relevant in assessing generic characters within the family and are useful in facilitating the identification of genera. http://zoobank.org:pub:9EAC6EF8-3882-480C-BE7B-48BFDB35B40A

Integral representations of rank two false theta functions and their modularity properties

False theta functions form a family of functions with intriguing modular properties and connections to mock modular forms. In this paper, we take the first step towards investigating modular transformations of higher rank false theta functions, following the example of higher depth mock modular forms. In particular, we prove that under quite general conditions, a rank two false theta function is determined in terms of iterated, holomorphic, Eichler-type integrals. This provides a new method for examining their modular properties and we apply it in a variety of situations where rank two false theta functions arise. We first consider generic parafermion characters of vertex algebras of type A_2 and B_2. This requires a fairly non-trivial analysis of Fourier coefficients of meromorphic Jacobi forms of negative index, which is of independent interest. Then we discuss modularity of rank two false theta functions coming from superconformal Schur indices. Lastly, we analyze {hat{Z}}-invariants of Gukov, Pei, Putrov, and Vafa for certain plumbing mathtt{H}-graphs. Along the way, our method clarifies previous results on depth two quantum modularity.

Generic simplicity of quantum Hamiltonian reductions

Let a reductive group G act on a smooth affine complex algebraic variety X. Let 𝔤 be the Lie algebra of G and μ:T * (X)→𝔤 * be the moment map. If the moment map is flat, and for a generic character χ:𝔤→ℂ, the action of G on μ -1 (χ) is free, then we show that for very generic characters χ the corresponding quantum Hamiltonian reduction of the ring of differential operators D(X) is simple.

Estimation of exogenous drivers to predict COVID-19 pandemic using a method from nonlinear control theory

The currently ongoing COVID-19 pandemic confronts governments and their health systems with great challenges for disease management. Epidemiological models play a crucial role, thereby assisting policymakers to predict the future course of infections and hospitalizations. One difficulty with current models is the existence of exogenous and unmeasurable variables and their significant effect on the infection dynamics. In this paper, we show how a method from nonlinear control theory can complement common compartmental epidemiological models. As a result, one can estimate and predict these exogenous variables requiring the reported infection cases as the only data source. The method allows to investigate how the estimates of exogenous variables are influenced by non-pharmaceutical interventions and how imminent epidemic waves could already be predicted at an early stage. In this way, the concept can serve as an “epidemometer” and guide the optimal timing of interventions. Analyses of the COVID-19 epidemic in various countries demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed approach. The generic character of the method allows for straightforward extension to different epidemiological models.

New insights into the diversity, taxonomy and history of the fern genusTrichomanes(Hymenophyllaceae, Polypodiidae), with a focus on Africa and the western Indian Ocean

AbstractThe filmy fern genus Trichomanes mainly comprises Neotropical species and a few taxa in Africa and the western Indian Ocean. The aim of this study is to infer the phylogenetic placement of all five Afro-Malagasy taxa in the genus and to investigate their history via an expanded and dated phylogenetic analysis including 39 species representing over half the diversity of the genus. The results support the monophyly of Trichomanes including all the sampled species attributed to the genus, but also suggest the inclusion of the species Abrodictyum cellulosum, revealing a morphological diversity of the genus greater than what was traditionally recognized, and highlighting the importance of the campanulate sorus as a generic diagnostic character. To accommodate those new phylogenetic results and morphological investigations, we describe a new subgenus Afrotrichomanes grouping the Afro-Malagasy taxa (except T. crenatum). The dated history of the genus among the trichomanoids suggests at least two origins for the Palaeotropical species. A recent Cainozoic colonization from the Neotropics towards Africa gave rise to the West African taxon T. crenatum, and a possible Mesozoic vicariance event gave rise to subgenus Afrotrichomanes. The low species diversity of the genus in the Afro-Malagasy region is discussed.

Three new species of Urocleidoides (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) parasitizing characiforms (Actinopterygii: Characiformes) in Tocantins River, states of Tocantins and Maranhão, and new record for U. triangulus in Guandu River, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Three new species of Urocleidoides Mizelle & Price, 1964 are described from the gills of characiform fishes in the Tocantins River and its tributaries. Urocleidoides boulengerellae sp. nov. is described from Boulengerella cuvieri (Spix & Agassiz, 1829) and differs from all its congeners by the dorsal bar with a long posteromedial projection; male copulatory organ with 2–3 counterclockwise rings and a base with a flange; an accessory piece comprising a robust Y-shaped unit and a sheath-like unit; and a highly sclerotized vaginal canal. Urocleidoides paratriangulus sp. nov., described from Psectrogaster amazonica Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889, Cyphocharax gouldingi Vari, 1992, Caenotropus labyrinthicus (Kner, 1858) and Mylesinus paucisquamatus Jégu & Santos, 1988, is most similar to Urocleidoides triangulus (Suriano, 1981) Rossin & Timi, 2016 based on the shape of the anchors and bars but differs from U. triangulus in the morphology of the projection of the dorsal bar, the number of rings of male copulatory organ, and by the smaller size of members of hook pairs 1 and 5 compared with those of the remaining pairs. Urocleidoides tocantinensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from all other species of the genus by the morphology of the vagina, which present a vaginal vestibule with a membranous cap. Urocleidoides triangulus is reported from its type host in the Guandu River, state of Rio de Janeiro. The present study increases the number of Urocleidoides species to 37 recognized species that fit all the generic characters.

A Generic Model for Swarm Intelligence and Its Validations

The modeling of emergent swarm intelligence constitutes a major challenge and it has been tacked in a number of different ways. However, existing approaches fail to capture the nature of swarm intelligence and they are either too abstract for practical application or not generic enough to describe the various types of emergence phenomena. In this paper, a contradiction-centric model for swarm intelligence is proposed, in which individuals determine their behaviors based on their internal contradictions whilst they associate and in-teract to update their contradictions. The model hypothesizes that 1) the emergence of swarm intelligence is rooted in the development of individuals’ internal contradictions and the interactions taking place between in-dividuals and the environment, and 2) swarm intelligence is essentially a combinative reflection of the configu-rations of individuals’ internal contradictions and the distributions of these contradictions across individuals. The model is formally described and five swarm intelligence systems are studied to illustrate its broad applica-bility. The studies confirm the generic character of the model and its effectiveness for describing the emergence of various kinds of swarm intelligence; and they also demonstrate that the model is straightforward to apply, without the need for complicated computations.

Combinatorial perspectives on Dollo-k characters in phylogenetics

Recently, the perfect phylogeny model with persistent characters has attracted great attention in the literature. It is based on the assumption that complex traits or characters can only be gained once and lost once in the course of evolution. Here, we consider a generalization of this model, namely Dollo parsimony, that allows for multiple character losses. More precisely, we take a combinatorial perspective on the notion of Dollo-k characters, i.e. traits that are gained at most once and lost precisely k times throughout evolution. We first introduce an algorithm based on the notion of spanning subtrees for finding a Dollo-k labelling for a given character and a given tree in linear time. We then compare persistent characters (consisting of the union of Dollo-0 and Dollo-1 characters) and general Dollo-k characters. While it is known that there is a strong connection between Fitch parsimony and persistent characters, we show that Dollo parsimony and Fitch parsimony are in general very different. Moreover, while it is known that there is a direct relationship between the number of persistent characters and the Sackin index of a tree, a popular index of tree balance, we show that this relationship does not generalize to Dollo-k characters. In fact, determining the number of Dollo-k characters for a given tree is much more involved than counting persistent characters, and we end this manuscript by introducing a recursive approach for the former. This approach leads to a polynomial time algorithm for counting the number of Dollo-k characters, and both this algorithm as well as the algorithm for computing Dollo-k labellings are publicly available in the Babel package for BEAST 2.

Pseudoscirus gen. nov. of Coleoscirinae (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from the Amazon rainforest, Brazil, with a key to the genera of adult female Coleoscirinae

ABSTRACT The genus Coleoscirus Berlese, 1916, is revised and divided into two genera. Coleoscirus intermedius Corpuz-Raros, 1996 is designated the type species for Pseudoscirus Wurlitzer and Rocha gen. nov. This new genus is peculiar in having characteristics of both Coleoscirus Berlese, 1916 and Pseudobonzia Smiley, 1975. The general characters of Pseudoscirus Wurlitzer and Rocha gen. nov. within the subfamily Coleoscirinae Den Heyer, 1978 include the presence of a small dorsal shield that covers only the propodosoma, and having swollen apices of solenidia on tarsus I. The new genus resembles Coleoscirus species due to coxal plates I and II fused medially, forming the sternal shield, and idiosomal plates poorly developed. A new species from the Amazonic biome in Brazil, Pseudoscirus amazonae Wurlitzer and Rocha sp. nov., is also described and illustrated. The new species differs from the known species Pseudoscirus intermedius Corpuz-Raros, 1996 by basifemora II with 6 sts; propodosomal shield with a notch, and simple tactile setae c1, c2, d1, e1, f1, f2, h1 and h2 on minute sclerotised plates. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C45C0CF6-CEAB-4AF1-995F-FDCDB2062C3F

Systematic wood anatomical study in some species of Sapindaceae Juss. in South-Western Nigeria

Comparative wood anatomical studies was carried out on ten species in the family Sapindaceae. The species were relatively uniform in the features of their vessels, in which diffuse porous was observed with solitary vessels to pore multiples in transverse section and ray cells were predominantly heterogeneous in radial section. Fibres were long and extensive. The longest fibre was observed in Blighia sapida (1025±28.5 µm), while the shortest fibre was observed in Cardiospermum halicacabum (139±6.5 µm). The longest vessel was observed in Deinbolia pinnata (509±34.9 µm) and the shortest vessel was observed in Cardiospermum halicacabum (85.36±4.9 µm). The implication of these features in the taxonomy of the family was discussed. The Dendrogram based on the quantitative wood characters confirmed Allophylus africanus and Allophylus spicatus belong to the same genus as classified, likewise Blighia unijugata, Blighia sapida but Cardiospermum halicacabum is closely related to Paullinia pinnata while others exhibited distinct generic characters.

Role of Neopestalotiopsis rosae in causing root rot of strawberry in Beijing, China

Root rot is a major disease of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Duchesne) worldwide affecting production and leading to huge economic losses. In 2018 and 2019, strawberry plants displaying root rot symptoms accompanied by plant wilting were observed on commercial farms in Beijing, China. A fungus with the general morphological characters of Neopestalotiopsis was consistently isolated from necrotic lesions in symptomatic roots. Eight representative isolates were selected for further studies. Based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of the combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, partial sequences of the β-tubulin gene (tub2) and the transcription elongation factor 1-α (tef1), all isolates were identified as Neopestalotiopsis rosae. Pathogenicity test showed that N. rosae can produce wilt and root rot symptoms on strawberry plants. Therefore, N. rosae was recognized as the causal agent of root rot of strawberry. This is the first report that discusses the role of N. rosae in causing root rot disease on strawberries in China.

Robust classification-based molecular modelling of diverse chemical entities as potential SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors: theoretical justification in light of experimental evidences

ABSTRACT COVID-19 is the most unanticipated incidence of 2020 affecting the human population worldwide. Currently, it is utmost important to produce novel small molecule anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs urgently that can save human lives globally. Based on the earlier SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection along with the general characters of coronaviral replication, a number of drug molecules have been proposed. However, one of the major limitations is the lack of experimental observations with different drug molecules. In this article, 70 diverse chemicals having experimental SARS-CoV-2 3CLproinhibitory activity were accounted for robust classification-based QSAR analysis statistically validated with 4 different methodologies to recognize the crucial structural features responsible for imparting the activity. Results obtained from all these methodologies supported and validated each other. Important observations obtained from these analyses were also justified with the ligand-bound crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro enzyme. Our results suggest that molecules should contain a 2-oxopyrrolidine scaffold as well as a methylene (hydroxy) sulphonic acid warhead in proper orientation to achieve higher inhibitory potency against SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. Outcomes of our study may be able to design and discover highly effective SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors as potential anticoronaviral therapy to crusade against COVID-19.

Comparative Ultrastructural Analysis of Six Subgenera of Cassida Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) Based on Spermatheca of the Type Species and Its Taxonomic Significance

Spermathecae of the type species of six subgenera in the genus CassidaLinnaeus, 1758 have been studied and figured. Spermathecal structures of these species on the base of 24 specified characters were evaluated in detail under both stereo microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It is demonstrated that the characteristics of the spermathecal structure obtained particularly with SEM studies can be used at almost all taxonomic level diagnostically. It is obvious that the characteristics, however, will have different values for different taxonomic categories. As a result of this study, in spermathecae, vasculum, ampulla, ductus glandula auxiliaris and ductus spermatheca are generally constant in shape within species, but distinctive and useful in comparison with other species. As an important output of the study, it is observed that the type species and therefore the subgenera can be divided chiefly into 3 diverse group based on spermathecal structures: C. seraphina in C. (Alledoya) and C. nebusa in C. (s. str.) as Group I; C. nobilis in C. (Cassidulella) as Group II; C. viridis in C. (Odontionycha), C. brevis in C. (Onychocassis) and C. murrea in C. (Pseudocassida) as Group III. The new grouping is discussed previous groupings based on host plants and stereo microscopic abservations due to lack of available SEM studies. Eventually, the spermathecal structure of the species examined in this study was found to be distinctive not only at the subgenus level but also at the species level. According to the ultrastructure of spermatheca, it was revealed that the genus CassidaLinnaeus, 1758 is a polyphyletic group, not monophyletic. In addition, the key to the diagnosis, which is formed according to the general characters and external and spermatecal morphological features of adults of the studied species, is given.

EmGraziacrophyma/em gen. nov., a new genus of South American Acanthosomatidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera).

The genus Acrophyma Bergroth currently contains two species, the Andean A. cumingii (Westwood) and the Neotropical A. bicallosa (Stål). The examination of types and new material revealed that among the Neotropical species the Brazilian population differs from the Colombian, and the first one belongs to a new species in this group. A morphological analysis of the genus indicated the Neotropical species are different from the Andean species. According to the current most used generic characters in acanthosomatids, Neotropical species should be placed in a new genus. This is also supported by biogeographical relationships. New distributional records for the species of this group are provided.

What Is a Videogame Movie?

Cinematic adaptations of videogames are an increasingly common feature of film culture, and the adaptive relationship between these mediums is an increasingly common subject of film and videogame studies. However, our ability to historicize and theorize that relationship is hampered by a failure to fully define the generic character of our object of study. This essay asks, what is a videogame movie? It argues that film scholars (1) have not considered the full range of ways videogames have been represented in film; (2) have not attended fully to the historical, technological, figurative, and social dimensions of videogames; and therefore (3) have limited the set of possible texts that comprise the genre “videogame cinema.” The essay recommends a tropological approach to the problem, defining six tropes that comprise the “videogame movie” as a genre, and applying them to two films, Her and 1917, neither of them a direct adaptation of a videogame, the latter not “about” or referencing videogames in any way, yet both exemplary of a broadened concept of “videogame cinema”.