Genetic Affiliation Research Articles

On the occurrence of Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) damon ([Denis & Schiffermüller]) in Iran (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)

We investigated the accuracy of a century-old record of Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) damon ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) from Persia, and the genetic affiliation of a recently discovered population of this species in NW Iran with respect to other populations of this species across its range. We found that the old record was a misidentification of other related species, and the new Iranian population to be most closely related to those in Armenia and Turkey, attributable to subspecies Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) damon kotshubeji Sovinsky, 1915.

New volvovirus isolate from Thai domesticated house cricket, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Abstract This study investigated the genomic characteristics of Acheta domesticus volvovirus (AdVVV) in a commercial cricket farming operation. BLAST analysis of the Acheta domesticus genome assembly identified sequences with high similarity to the AdVVV-Japan genome, suggesting AdVVV presence. PCR confirmed AdVVV infection in the A. domesticus breeding population from Nakhon Ratchasima farm, Thailand. The complete 2,516 nucleotide AdVVV-Thailand genome was reconstructed through targeted primer amplification and sequencing. It contained four open reading frames encoding hypothetical proteins, with a characteristic hairpin structure at the termini, consistent with other AdVVV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed AdVVV-Thailand’s closer genetic affiliation with AdVVV-Japan compared to other isolates. Comparative analysis of coding sequences across five AdVVV isolates showed the highest variability in the hypothetical protein/putative capsid protein ORF1, with 64 variable sites out of 1086 bases, suggesting its significance in genetic diversity. In contrast, ORF2, ORF3, and ORF4 exhibited minimal variability. The majority of variations were singletons, with 85.33% confined to ORF1. This study confirmed AdVVV presence in a commercial cricket farm, reconstructed the AdVVV-Thailand genome, provided insights into its phylogeny and genetic diversity across isolates, highlighting the putative capsid protein’s role in driving variability. These findings enhance understanding of AdVVV genomics and evolutionary dynamics within cricket populations.

Interior Vowels in Complete [ATR] Systems of the Macro-Sudan Belt

The paper presents a typological overview of interior vowels in complete [ATR] systems of the Macro-Sudan Belt. Interior vowels are defined as vowel qualities within the interior regions of the vowel space and include front rounded vowels, all non-low central vowels and unrounded non-low back vowels. Complete [ATR] systems are defined as those systems where there is a cross-height contrast for the feature [ATR] (advanced tongue root) for non-low peripheral vowels and cross-height harmony both in static patterns (vowel co-occurence restrictions within morphemes) and dynamic patterns (restrictions within phonological domains comprising several morphemes). The study based on the sample of 35 languages of the Macro-Sudan Belt revealed three main types of interiority — allophonic, phonemic and epenthetic. These types are not sporadically distributed in terms of genetic affiliation and areal spreading of the languages. At least three clusters may be identified in the sample: (1) the Eastern Kru languages spoken in the Ivory Coast with numerous phonemic interior vowels specified for [ATR], (2) the Talodi languages of Sudan with one neutral interior vowel and (3) the North Guang languages with centralised allophones of front vowels appearing in inter-consonantal position. The territory of Ghana and Togo occupied by North Guang languages also includes a number of languages from the sample which belong to other families and exhibit different types of interiority. This region appears to be particularly rich both in languages showing the co-occurrence of complete [ATR] systems with interior vowels and in interiority types.

FEATURES OF THE FORMATION, INTAKE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE IRON-CONTAINING COMPONENT IN THE WATER SUSPENSION OF THE DNIEPER RIVER WITHIN ZAPORIZHZHIA CITY

The article presents the results of research devoted to one of the aspects of environmental issues, namely: the determination of the distribution features of the solid component of the river suspension containing iron oxide; investigation of the morphological characteristics of iron-containing particles; and the discovering of their genetic affiliation to various technological processes of metallurgical production. The results of many years of continuous comprehensive research on the distribution of iron in the suspended matter of the Dnieper water within Zaporizhzhia city are presented. Field observations were carried out by scientists of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (IGS) in cooperation with specialists from the State Institution “Scientific Hydrophysical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” (SHC). Analytical studies of the solid phase of the suspended matter were done in the Center for Collective Use of Scientific Equipment of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Educational and Scientific Institute “Institute of Geology” of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University. The publication considers the seasonal features of the distribution of the total iron content in suspension and the relationship of its monthly changes with the distribution of concentrations of such heavy metals as copper, chromium, nickel, zinc. Considerable attention is paid to the examination of iron-containing particles present in suspension, their chemical and trace element composition and the allocation of their individual categories in accordance with the technogenic processes during which they were formed. Comprehensive analysis of suspension samples made it possible to identify and classify a group of typical iron-bearing formations that are inherent in the territory of Zaporizhzhia city. Based on a set of characteristics, three main genetic categories have been identified: spherical mineral aggregates represented by iron oxide; clastic fragments of Fe2O3, and aluminosilicate spherules (formation, the main or essential component of which is aluminum oxide with an admixture of iron). The obtained data showed a significant influence of the metallurgical industry on the chemical composition of the Dnieper suspension within Zaporizhzhia. Comparison of iron-containing particles observed in the Dnieper suspended matter with the substance filtered out by gas purification systems of various parts of metallurgical production and slag deposits showed that the most active emission to the environment occurs during the preparation and smelting of iron ore.

ADNA, ethnography, and facial approximations of the Teouma Lapita burials (c. 3000BP)

Although ancient DNA (aDNA) cannot predict the facial appearance of skeletal human remains, knowing which extant populations are most closely related to the deceased has proven to be invaluable in rectifying two early facial approximations (popularly known as facial reconstruction) undertaken 15 years ago. These concerned two of the crania excavated from the Lapita burial site at Teouma on the island of Efate, and are associated with the first human arrival in the Vanuatu archipelago approximately 3000 years ago. This experimental revision to incorporate aDNA into both the methods and results has found there are advantages of knowing the genetic affiliation for estimating facial appearance. Specifically, we have found that this knowledge (i) facilitates identifying which of the current statistically valid predictors of the facial features are the most appropriate, (ii) informs the depiction of sexually dimorphic patterns of facial aging, and (iii) guides the portrayal of the subtle facial morphologies that fall outside what is currently provided by statistically validated skull-soft tissue algorithms and inter-relationships.

Saint Patrick, what about legless lizards? Tracing the mitochondrial affiliation and possible origin of Anguis (Squamata: Anguidae) population in Ireland

Abstract Ireland is home to only one native lizards’ species, the viviparous lizard and one of the few areas of the world where there are no native snakes. However, since the end of the 19th century, there have been reports indicating the presence of legless lizards, Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 population whose origin is unknown. As this genus has been intensively studied genetically and taxonomically in the past decade, we have decided to investigate newly obtained mtDNA sequences (ND2 gene) to trace affiliation of the Anguis population in Ireland. We genetically examined 12 individuals from the Burren area (western Ireland) and compared them to available data. The Irish population was identified as belonging to A. fragilis, specifically to the most common haplotype of the Illyrian-Central European haplogroup. This genetic affiliation is shared by populations across a wide European region, including the western Balkans, Spain, France, western Hungary, Austria, Germany, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Sweden, Norway, and Great Britain. Our findings showed that the Irish population does not exhibit unique mitochondrial variability. This haplotype is present across the range of the species, including Great Britain, which is not in contrast with the earlier hypothesis that nearby populations from this area, along with human-mediated introductions, could be the source of Anguis populations in Ireland. This is thus potentially the first documented case of Anguis introduction out of the native range. However, further research, including broader sampling in Great Britain and genomics, is required to determine and trace its exact origin.

The genus Blanus (Reptilia: Blanidae) in Iraq: distribution, species identification and genetic affiliation.

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Neolithic and Early Iron Age Settlements of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Southern Slopes

Abstract Some received theories argue that the modern Chagga people of Mount Kilimanjaro are recent immigrants; however the findings assembled here suggest otherwise. Archaeological surveys and excavations conducted on the southern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro have revealed sites of the Early Iron Age (E.I.A.) and the Neolithic period. Thus archaeological analyses demonstrate that the Chagga, as Bantu speakers, are of cultural and genetic affiliation to E.I.A. and the Neolithic people, as has been found in many other parts of East Africa. The ceramic findings detailed here indicate that modern Chagga people living on these sites share a cultural continuity and genetic affinity with human settlements on Kilimanjaro established in prehistory.

Recovery of complete genome sequences of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) directly from clinical samples: A comparative study between targeted enrichment and metagenomic approaches

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most prevalent human tick-borne viral disease, endemic to the Balkans, Africa, Middle East and Asia. There are currently no licensed vaccines or effective antivirals against CCHF. CCHF virus (CCHFV) has a negative sense segmented tripartite RNA genome consisting of the small (S), medium (M) and large (L) segments. Depending on the segment utilised for genetic affiliation, there are up to 7 circulating lineages of CCHFV. The current lack of geographical representation of CCHFV sequences in various repositories highlights a requirement for increased CCHFV sequencing capabilities in endemic regions. We have optimised and established a multiplex PCR tiling methodology for the targeted enrichment of complete genomes of Europe 1 CCHFV lineage directly from clinical samples and compared its performance to a non-targeted enrichment approach on both short-read and long-read sequencing platforms. We have found a statistically significant increase in mapped viral sequencing reads produced with our targeted enrichment approach. This has allowed us to recover near complete S segment sequences and above 90% of the M and L segment sequences for samples with Ct values as high as 31.3. This study demonstrates the superiority of a targeted enrichment approach for recovery of CCHFV genomic sequences from samples with low virus titre. CCHFV is an important vector-borne human pathogen with wide geographical distribution. The validated methodology reported here adds value to front-line public health laboratories employing genomic sequencing for CCHFV Europe 1 lineage surveillance, particularly in the Balkan and Middle Eastern territories currently monitoring the spread of the pathogen. Tracking the genomic evolution of the virus across regions improves risk assessment and directly informs the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

Nature of fluid and genetic affiliation of the Bakoshi-Kundila Au deposit, Nigeria: Evidence from trace elements in hydrothermal quartz

The Bakoshi-Kundila Au deposit is located in the Nigerian Shield in West Africa. In this deposit, Au-bearing pyrite contains inclusions of Au-rich hydrothermal quartz. Whether or not this co-precipitation relationship of quartz and pyrite is cogenetic and related to the gold fluid remains untested. The deposit's genetic affiliation is controversial. This study reports the results of textural and in situ chemical compositions of hydrothermal quartz, and sheds light on fluid composition, element substitutions into quartz structure, and inferred the deposit genetic type. We grouped the quartz into four generations: Qz1 and Qz2 (vein-type) and Qz3 and Qz4 (wallrock-type). The Qz2 is deformed, overprinted by late-stage fluid activity. The Qz1 is rich in Ga and Sr but poor in Al and Fe than Qz3 and Qz4: average Ga in ppm (Qz1 – 0.62, Qz3 – 0.08, Qz4 – 0.15), Sr (Qz1– 26.7, Qz3 – 4.59, Qz4 – 5.78), Al (Qz1– 16.7, Qz3 – 82.8, Qz4 – 136), Fe (Qz1– 131, Qz3 – 144, Qz4 – 133). However, the contents of low melting point chalcophile elements (LMCE) are higher and overlapped between Qz1 and Qz3 than those from Qz4: average Au in ppm (Qz1– 33.9, Qz3 – 38.2, Qz4 – 7.83), Cu (Qz1 – 13.1, Qz3 – 14.8, Qz4 – 5.95), Bi (Qz1 – 3.48, Qz3 – 0.25, Qz4 – 0.51). The LMCE in Qz1 displayed covariant relationships with Au (but poorly defined in Qz3 and Qz4), suggesting the likely presence of Au-Ag-(±Te)-bearing phases like petzite and argentum. Aluminum is the main trivalent element substituting Si4+ in Q3 and Qz4, whereas Fe3+ in Qz1. The charge-balanced cations are Li+, Na+, and K+ in Qz3 and Qz4, whereas Sr2+ in Qz1. The Al and Ti contents (in ppm) are higher and more variable in Qz3 (Al: 5.97–374, avg 82.8; Ti: 2.69–12.5, avg 6.60) and Qz4 (Al: 8.13–792, avg 136; Ti: 7.64–72.0, avg 20.2), which may imply fluctuation in fluid pH. These element concentrations are lower and less variable in Qz1 (Al: 5.25–47.8, avg 16.7; Ti: 3.41–18.0, avg 5.43), suggesting a less acidic and probably stable pH condition during its precipitation. The Qz1 has a lower average content (in ppm) of compatible elements (K – 15.7, Fe – 13.1, Ti – 5.43) than Qz3 (K – 25.9, Fe – 144, Ti – 6.60) and Qz4 (K – 63.0 Fe – 133, Ti – 20.2), implying that Qz3 and Qz4 precipitated at a higher temperature than Qz1. However, the contents of the incompatible elements (e.g., P, Ge, Rb, and Li) are not enriched in the supposed lately-formed Qz1 over Qz3 and Qz4, which is inconsistent. The inconsistency is also true between the wallrock type, with lower contents in low-temperature Qz3 than in high-temperature Qz4. Thus, temperature is considered not a major controlling factor during the formation of Bakoshi-Kundila quartz; instead, the pH condition and fluid-rock reaction are favored. The Bakoshi-Kundila quartz has Al-Ti contents akin to quartz from orogenic Au deposits.

Запозичення як спосіб номінації їжі та напоїв у центральноподільських говірках / Borrowing as a way of nominating food and drinks in the Central Podillya dialect

The article presents a description and systematization of lexical borrowings in the Central Podillia dialect in 10 settlements of Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi regions. The object of study is the Central Podillia dialect, because this area has a high heuristic potential for studing the mechanisms of interlanguage contact: Podillia is located on the border of different states, on the borders of the lands of different peoples, the borders of the Kyiv, Volyn and Halytsky principalities, the Tatar uluses, of the Principality of Lithuania, Poland, Moldova and Turkey, Russia and Austria came together here at different times. The subject of the analysis is the names of food and drinks. In the analyzed dialect materials, it was recorded 98 lexemes (17.8% of all nomens) for food and drinks, the etymons of which go back to Indo-European, Turkic, Caucasian, Finno-Hungarian, Sino-Tibetan languages. The largest number of borrowings in the thematic group of food and drink names of the Central Podillia dialect is attested from the languages of the Indo-European language family. The most frequently borrowed lexemes were recorded from the Romance group (41 nomens), in particular from the following languages: French (18 nomens), Latin (11 nomens), Italian (8 nomens), Romanian (3 nomens), Spanish (1 nomen). The least represented Greek language group, from which 6 nomens were borrowed. Many borrowings (24 nomens) are attested from Slavic languages, in particular from Russian (12 nomens), Polish (11 nomens) and Czech (1 nomen) languages. The Germanic group of languages, in particular German (12 nomens) and English (2 nomens), is also represented by various names for food and drinks in the dialects of Central Podillia. The following language families were less popular for borrowing the names of food and drinks in the dialects of Podillia: Turkic (6 nomens), Finno-Hungarian (3 nomens), Caucasian (3 nomens) and Sino-Tibetan (1 nomen). The established genetic affiliation of the identified lexical borrowings to a specific linguistic source is determined by historical, socio-economic, political and cultural factors of the development of Podillia. In the future, the analysis of isolex borrowings in the Podillia dialect may become a perspective for the study of foreign loanwords in the dialects of Podillia.

Direction of selection and breeding work on the formation of a new competitive factory type of yorkshire pigs using and genetic techniques and methods

For modern domestic breeding programs to be implemented, population genetic techniques and methods must be applied in order to create new types of lines with superior performance characteristics, the use of which will contribute to the efficient pedigree livestock farming. Genomic selection use in domestic breeding programs accelerates genetic progress in herds by determining the breeding value of animals at an early age, and thereby contributes to the development of local animal husbandry and to the reduction of dependence on imports of foreign pedigree material. The article contains the data of the studies that were aimed at forming breeding herds of a new competitive factory type of Yorkshire pigs with the use of genetic techniques and methods. The study included the analysis of productivity marker genes and DNA testing by microsatellite markers of the initial genotypes. It was found that in the populations, young animals with preferred genotypes outperformed their peers in productive traits by 1.95–42.3 % (p ≤ 0.05). The use of the DNA-MS analysis of the animals tested at basic breeding enterprises allowed determining their genetic affiliation with the Belarusian population of the Yorkshire breed on the basis of the genetic distance and allele frequency in the loci under study that were in the range 5.665–11.084.

Social Political Roots of Leadership Power In Ulu Malay Lampik Empat Merdike Duwe

Traditional leadership in modern societies still influences decisions made and social behavior. Emerging influences can be specific values, norms, beliefs, leadership, and knowledge. In the face of social change, even traditional identities are characterized as moral rituals. One is Lampik Empat Merdike Duwe, his four in the leadership tradition of Jagat Besemah. This practice is an ethical standard maintained and passed down in the Basemah community. Phenomenological and qualitative methods were used to interpretively analyze behavioral properties, values, norms, and knowledge data. Using theories of formative and constructive and cultural transformation, the forces and influences of civilization can be divided into three fundamental parts: social, cultural, and behavioral systems. The three methods are interrelated to form a dynamic space based on reference and action. The study found that Lampik empat merdike duwe leadership was socioculturally unable to function in the local leadership power space and only became a moral standard for the Besemah community. The Lampik Empat Merdike Duwe concept of power is more similar to the attribution and attainment status models. Attribution status is the social status given to a person by birth or genetic affiliation. A person cannot choose or achieve this status but is "given" by circumstances.

SICILIAN-NORMAN TRAIL IN THE ORIGIN OF THE MOSCOW BOYARS OF THE VORONTSOV AND KHVOSTOV DYNASTIES

The article contains the results of a study of the family relationship of the famous Moscow boyars Vorontsovs and Khvostovs, who served in the Moscow principality as thousands and governors for a hundred years, starting from the second half of the 13th century, as well as the degree of their relationship with the Moscow princes. The work uses a comprehensive approach to the analysis of various archival sources in combination with the genetic data of the y-chromosome of modern descendants. The documentary base of the work was made up of European and Russian chronicle sources of the 12th-16th centuries, archival information from the regional archives of Russia, European genealogical tables on the history of European states and genealogies of Russian princes and nobles. The search showed that in the middle of the XII century the ancestors of the Vorontsovs and Bassovol-Khvostovs could be siblings from the family of the knight Count Loritello Robert I Bassavil, a South Italian Norman from the Rollonid family. Their distant relationship with the princes from the Rurikovich-Monomashich dynasty was established. At the same time, the legend of the appearance of the Resh princes Vorontsov from the marriage unions of the descendants of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Count Robert I Bassavil is substantiated. The genetic affiliation of the Vorontsov and Bassovol-Khvostov clans to the grand ducal family confirms the version of the murder of the Moscow thousandth boyar Alexei Khvost in 1357 as a possible contender for the throne and may be one of the main reasons for the cruel reprisal of Ivan the Terrible against members of this family close to the court long before the oprichnina and the expulsion of their relatives to Kazan immediately after its conquest.

The range-wide mitochondrial lineage of Natrix natrix scutata (Pallas, 1771) presented in the northern Zagros Mountains

Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) is a common species distributed from Central Europe to Central Asia. In this range, it forms four subspecies that include several mitochondrial evolutionary lineages. One of the lineages, the so-called mtDNA lineage 8, has a wide distribution from the Baltic area to Anatolia and Kazakhstan. In Anatolia, this lineage meets several others, however, their occurrence is unclear, especially in the south-eastern Türkiye where the species is uncommon. Obtaining one specimen from the poorly studied Hakkâri Province (Zagros part of Türkiye), we investigated its genetic affiliation (mitochondrial DNA) and basic morphology. The specimen represents a unique haplotype of the mtDNA lineage 8, closely related to populations from Georgia and northern and north-eastern Türkiye. It thus extends the occurrence of this mitochondrial lineage representing subspecies Natrix natrix scutata (Pallas, 1771) southward to the northern edge of the Zagros Mountains. Despite the phenotype polymorphism of this species, the morphological comparison also confirmed that selected characters are similar to other populations of the region.

The evolutionary relationship between bere barley and other types of cultivated barley

We used genotyping-by-sequencing to investigate the evolutionary history of bere, the oldest barley variety still cultivated in Britain and possibly in all of Europe. With a panel of 203 wild and 401 cultivated barley accessions, including 35 samples identified as bere, we obtained filtered datasets comprising up to 1,946,469 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The beres formed two genetically-distinct groups, the larger of which included beres from Orkney and the Scottish Western Isles, as well as varieties not identified as bere from the Faroe Islands. This group of beres was distinct from other British barleys, but had a close genetic affiliation with Scandinavian accessions. Although the data were partly compatible with the traditional view that bere was introduced to Scotland by the Vikings during the eighth century AD, the evidence as whole suggested that the bere and Scandinavian barleys are sister groups descended from a more distant common progenitor, possibly dating to the Bronze Age when hulled barleys first become common in northern Europe. More recently, there has been gene flow from these beres into Polish barleys, possibly following export of grain to the Baltic region during periods when Orkney was under Norwegian or Danish rule. A second, smaller group of beres, which included a traditional Welsh variety, was genetically distinct from the main group and probably represents a more recent introduction of barley from central Europe. Our results emphasize the uniqueness of bere barley and its importance as a heritage crop and a potential source of germplasm for breeding programmes.

Genetic structure and evolution of diploidCochleariain Iceland

AbstractIn northern European Cochlearia (Brassicaceae), considerable chromosome variation has taken place without corresponding morphological differentiation, resulting in an intricate species complex including two base chromosome numbers and several ploidies. Here, we investigate the situation in Iceland. The distribution, genetic structure, taxonomy and origin of the two Cochlearia cytotypes (2n = 12 and 2n = 14) present in Iceland are discussed. Chromosome counts indicate that both cytotypes occur along the coast, but 2n = 12 populations dominate (eight 2n = 12 vs. two 2n = 14 among the investigated populations), whereas 2n = 14 was reported for the two inland alpine populations investigated here. RADseq data support geographically structured genetic variation along the Icelandic coast and environmentally structured genetic differentiation between coastal and alpine populations. The alpine populations show genetic and morphological affiliation with C. groenlandica (2n = 14), which is widely distributed in the Arctic, but more comprehensive sampling is needed to draw conclusions concerning the taxonomic status of the Icelandic coastal plants. To uncover the origin of and phylogenomic relationships between the two chromosome variants, comparative whole-genome sequencing should be performed.

СПЕЦИФИКА ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ АНТРОПОФОРМАНТОВ В ПРОИЗВЕДЕНИИ «БАБУР-НАМЕ» КАК ОТРАЖЕНИЕ МЕЖКУЛЬТУРНЫХ КОНЦЕПТОВ

This article is devoted to the identification of anthropoformants in the text "Babur- name", one of the oldest monuments of Turkish culture, as a reflection of intercultural concepts. The relevance of the topic of the work is determined by the fact that the eastern mentality has been studied rather superficially in comparison with the European one. The main purpose of the work is a comprehensive study of anthroponyms using the example of the text of Zakhiriddin Muhammad Babur "Babur-name". The tasks of the work include the description of the anthropogenic space in the text "Babur-name" and the definition of the specifics of the national perception of reality and the peculiarities of its reflection in linguistic means. The main research methods of the article are the descriptive method, which includes such techniques as the study of factual material, generalization and interpretation of some anthroponyms in Babur-name, and the comparative-historical method - in determining the genetic affiliation of anthropogenic vocabulary in the text of the work, in identifying changes in the structure and the composition of anthroponyms occurring over different periods of time. Anthropoformants in the text "Babur-name" were considered in the synthesis of cultural, linguistic, and social factors from the standpoint of cultural linguistics. This fact is associated with various periods of social and cultural life, characterized by stereotypical ideas about the function of the name in society, various events in the political and social life of the time in which Babur lived.

Intonation and Prosody in Creole Languages: An Evolving Ecology

Research on the prosody and intonation of creole languages has largely remained an untapped resource, yet it is important for enriching our understanding of how or if their phonological systems changed or developed under contact. Further, their hybrid histories and current linguistic ecologies present descriptive and analytical treasure troves. This has the potential to inform many areas of linguistic inquiry including contact effects on the typological classification of prosodic systems, socioprosodic variation (individual and community level), and the scope of diversity in prosodic systems among creole languages and across a variety of languages similarly influenced by language contact. Thus, this review highlights the importance of pushing beyond questions of creole language typology and genetic affiliation. I review the existing research on creole language prosody and intonation, provide some details on a few studies, and highlight some key challenges and opportunities for the subfield and for linguistics in general.

The Phonological System of TumɁi

As part of a linguistic research team I recorded a Khoisan language currently spoken by three people in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. Since the variety of language spoken in this location is close to varieties of both the Khoekhoe and Tuu language families, the question of genetic affiliation and classification within the Khoisan language cluster becomes significant. Although reported to have significant lexical similarities due to intensive language contact (Güldemann 2006), extensive research provides evidence of numerous linguistic differences which distinguish between the varieties within the Khoisan families mentioned above (Beach 1938, Bleek 1930, Ladefoged & Traill 1994, Miller, Brugman, Sands, Namaseb, Exter & Collins 2007). Overall, this project attempts to answer the question: How unique is this undocumented language TumɁi in comparison to varieties of geographically neighbouring Khoisan language clusters? This comparative analysis is comprised of a detailed description of the vowel and consonant systems, as well as evidence of phonetic and phonological contrasts. The clear focus on the analysis of sound contrasts is a consequence of limited data due to speaker competence. As a result of intense incomplete acquisition and linguistic attrition, the consultants produce utterances using Khoisan content words within an Afrikaans framework (Killian 2009). Specific research questions include: What is the sound inventory of this language? Are there phonation or glottalization contrasts in vowels? Are there laryngeal contrasts in consonants? What kinds of clicks make up the inventory? This project is a direct effort toward the revitalization and documentation of indigenous languages. Determining the genetic affiliations of this language which is positioned relatively equidistant to the surrounding languages, would also contribute to gaps within the linguistic isoglosses in South Africa.