Morphological Characters Research Articles

EVALUATION OF TRICHODERMA ASPERELLUM BIOFORTIFIED WITH VERMI COMPOST AGAINST FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM F.SP. LYCOPERSICI

Morphological features are not adequate to accurately categorizedifferent species of the genus Trichoderma. Molecular characters, incombination with morphological characters, are used to identify Trichodermaat the species or subspecies level. The present study was focused oncharacterising Trichoderma asperellum based on morphology and molecularanalysis using genes such as ITS. Light microscopy results showed that Trichodermaasperellum regularly branched and typically paired conidiophores withstraight phialides and globose to subglobose shaped conidia Sequence similarityanalysis with reference T. asperellum isolates available in the NCBIdatabase showed 100 percent nucleotide similarity for ITS4 and ITS5. A dualculture test clearly showed that Trichoderma asperllum inhibited thetested fungal plant pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici(87.38 percent). Population dynamics of Trichoderma asperellum incompost were found to be stable until 21 days after mixing.

Moving Vehicle Number Plate Detection

Abstract: The ability to detect and recognize vehicle license plates is a crucial task in various applications such as traffic management, law enforcement, and parking systems. In this project, we propose a system for moving vehicle license plate detection using image and video processing techniques. The system employs a combination of computer vision algorithms and machine learning models to accurately locate and recognize license plates from moving vehicles in real-time. The input images or video frames are preprocesses to enhance the regions containing license plates and reduce noise. This preprocessing step may include operations such as resizing, grayscale conversion, noise reduction, and contrast enhancement. Next, object detection algorithms such as Haar cascades or deep learning-based techniques like YOLO (You Only Look Once) are utilized to detect candidate regions in the image/frame that potentially contain license plates. After candidate regions are identified, a series of image processing techniques such as morphological operations, contour detection, and character segmentation are employed to isolate and extract the license plate characters. Machine learning models like Support Vector Machines (SVM), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are then applied to recognize the characters on the license plate.

A review of the varunid crab genus Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae), with descriptions of two new species

Abstract Species of Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 are distributed across tropical Indo-West Pacific to temperate downstream rivers and in estuaries. The genus previously included only one species, Parapyxidognathus deianira (De Man, 1888). We examined specimens from Parapyxidognathus and its closely related genus, Pyxidognathus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 from the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, focusing on their morphological characters. The results also support the reclassification of Pyxidognathus fluviatilis Alcock, 1900 into Parapyxidognathus, as well as the establishment of two new species from the western Pacific, Pa. tshiansuesp. nov. and Pa. ongiasp. nov. The identity of the species is supported by evidence from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes. There are now four species in Parapyxidognathus distinguishable by the characters of the anterolateral teeth of the carapace, the pleon, and the first gonopods of the male, and the female vulvae.

Review and phylogeny of Cyrtomenus Amyot & Serville (Hemiptera: Cydnidae: Cydninae) based on morphological characters

Cyrtomenus includes seven species arranged in two subgenera and belongs to the most diverse subfamily of burrower bugs, Cydninae. The species present polyphagous habits, and at least two species are considered crop pests. We conduct a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters and two weighting schemes to test its monophyly and the validation of the included subgenera, providing for the first time a phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. Based on the results, a taxonomic review is presented, including redescriptions of the species, identification key, and distribution maps. Monophyly of Cyrtomenus is supported under implied weighting methods (IW), in both analyses, a clade including species of Prolobodes Amyot & Serville is recognized. The species of these two genera share the posterior tibia strongly flattened, a unique feature among Neotropical Cydninae. The subgeneric classification within Cyrtomenus is not corroborated.

Hesperis sivasica (Brassicaceae), A new crucifer species from inner Anatolia

Hesperis sivasica, from the Kangal district of Sivas Province in inner Anatolia (Türkiye), is described as a new species based on morphological and molecular evidence. Although it is not morphologically closely related to the known species of Hesperis, it resembles H. kotschyi in trichome types but differs from it in pedicel, flowers, and fruit characteristics. In molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the Nuclear-encoded ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, H. sivasica belongs to the same clade as H. bottae and H. thyrsoidea, but it is easily distinguishable from both species based on life form, trichome types, flowers, and fruit characters. Diagnostic morphological characters, full description, SEM microphotographs, and detailed field photographs are provided. Remarks on the new species' habitat, ecology, phenology, distribution, and conservation status are also given.

On the Occurrence of Two Species of <i>Hypochoeris</i> Linn. in Nilgiris, South India

A chromosomal count of Hypochoeris plants collected at Ootacamund indicated the identity of those plants as H. radicata L., thus pointing to its presence in the Nilgiris, in addition to H. glabra L. reported in earlier works. This is confirmed by a detailed morphological study of living plants and herbarium specimens. A gradation in morphological characters between the two species leading to a possibility of interspecific hybridization is suggested. This may also account for the earlier misidentification of H. radicata with H. glabra. A table showing distinctive characters of the two species is provided.

The Genus <I>Cynodon</I> Rich. ex Pers. in India

The paper deals with the taxonomy and economic aspects of the Indian species of the genus Cynodon Rich. ex Pers. The nomenclatural history of the genus and the value of different morphological characters in its taxonomy are discussed. The genus is represented in India by three indigenous species, viz. C. dactylon (L.) Pers., C. barberi Rang. et Tad. and C. arcuatus J. S. Presl ex C. B. Presl, and one form of the species C. barberi, viz. C. barberi Rang. et Tad. f. longifolius Jain. C. plectostachyus (K. Schum.) Pilger has been introduced into India for fodder.The botanical description, vernacular names, etymology, synonymy and references to selected published literature and illustrations are given; the distribution, ecology and economic aspects are also discussed. All specimens examined during this study are cited; an index of the numbered exsiccata is provided.A conspectus of synonymous names shows the present nomenclatural position of the numerous binomials published either under the genus Cynodon, or for the Indian species of this genus.

Bedazzled: a new, striking species of Corades from the outskirts of Quito questions our knowledge of Andean cloud forest butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae)

A new butterfly species in the genus Corades, C. yanacocha Pyrcz, Boyer & Petit sp. n., belonging to the diverse, predominantly Andean subtribe Pronophilina (Nymphalidae, Satyrinae), is described from the Yanacocha Reserve situated only a couple of kilometres west of Quito, Ecuador. This is an extremely surprising discovery in a region whose butterfly fauna was considered to be fairly well known, underlying the need to protect remnants of high elevation forests in such overpopulated regions of the Andes. Morphological characters, in particular male genitalia, indicate an affinity of C. yanacocha sp. n. with C. trimaculata from northern Peru. A preliminary molecular study using COI barcodes indicates, however, the widely distributed north Andean C. dymantis as the closest relative.

Cytotaxonomic Investigations in the <I>Panicum maximum</I> Jacq. Complex II. Studies on Epidermal Pattern

In an earlier publication, the authors (Jauhar and Joshi, 1966) morphologically described 20 collections of guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and grouped the material into five distinct types. The present paper records observations on foliar epidermal patterns in this material. The classification on the basis of dermotypic features studied in this paper conforms to the one based on morphological characters.

The promise and pitfalls of synteny in phylogenomics.

Reconstructing the tree of life remains a central goal in biology. Early methods, which relied on small numbers of morphological or genetic characters, often yielded conflicting evolutionary histories, undermining confidence in the results. Investigations based on phylogenomics, which use hundreds to thousands of loci for phylogenetic inquiry, have provided a clearer picture of life's history, but certain branches remain problematic. To resolve difficult nodes on the tree of life, 2 recent studies tested the utility of synteny, the conserved collinearity of orthologous genetic loci in 2 or more organisms, for phylogenetics. Synteny exhibits compelling phylogenomic potential while also raising new challenges. This Essay identifies and discusses specific opportunities and challenges that bear on the value of synteny data and other rare genomic changes for phylogenomic studies. Synteny-based analyses of highly contiguous genome assemblies mark a new chapter in the phylogenomic era and the quest to reconstruct the tree of life.

Role of Provenance Trials in the Study of Population Differentiation

Wide distribution of many Linnean species across climatic, edaphic and biotic barriers may be either due to a wide ecological amplitude of the species as such, or to the presence of a number of distinct local populations, well adapted to the respective ecoclimates. These populations may show continuous variation along an envirormental gradient (ecocline) or discontinuous variation (ecotypes). The morphological or physiological adaptive characters are genetically fixed. Although a number of genecological techniques have been developed in the recent past, to differentiate such ecologic populations, the provenance trial technique has gained much importance. In the present communication the technique as well as some important results obtained through its use, both within and outside India, have been briefly discussed.

Pollen Morphology in Bignoniaceae in Relation to Taxonomy

Palonological investigation of 49 species of the family Bignoniaceae distributed over 32 genera has been made. There is a great diversity in pollen morphological characters. The pollen grains may be united in tetrad as in Chilopsis saligna or free as in rest of the species.The pollen grains may be atreme 3,4,7 zonocolpate, 3 zonocolporoidate, 3,4, zonocolporate, parasyncolpate, monoporate, pantoporate, pantocolpate or anomotreme. Similarly the exine pattern varies from obscure to reticulate with occasional occurrence of retipilate, baculate types. Taking aperture as major and exine pattern as subsidiary characters as many as twelve distinct pollen types have been recognised.

Plant Taxonomy - Its Past Role and Future Lines of Action in India

The history of floristic and taxonomic research in India is briefly reviewed and the decline and revival of floristic studies in India is traced.Modern concepts in plant taxonomy are towards the synthesis of orthodox taxonomic practices and modern methodologies. There need not be any clash between the so called alpha and omega taxonomists. All data that can be readily scanned for the species is useful for the taxonomist. The only aspect that has to be considered is the utillty of classification for a specified purpose. A field, or forest botanist needs diagnostic keys based on superficial morphological characters for identification of plants in the field. Characters based on anatomy, embryology chromosome structure and number, palynology, plant alkaloids and protein serum analysis are useful tools for finding out the systematic position of plants of doubtful affinity; however,. these characters cannot be readily used in the field for identification of plants. The herbarium identification of plants is the simple method of retrieval of plant identity through standard specimens properly authenticated by an expert. It does not give legality for the concept of fixity of species as wrongly alluded to by some non-taxonomists, since Nomenclatural Type is a constituent element of a taxon and it is not necessarily the most representative element.Some of the lines where taxonomists could play a major role are the inventory listing of plants for the conservation of species, monitoring rate of decline and spread of species, establishment of botanical record centres, environmental education and collaboration with universities for reorientation of teaching methods.The necessity for floristic training is stressed and a syllabus drawn up.

Taxonomic characterization of five species of emperor fishes (Actinopterygii: Eupercaria: Lethrinidae) based on external morphology, morphometry, and geographic distribution in the northwestern Indian Ocean

Species of the genus Lethrinus, commonly referred to as emperor fishes, mainly distributed in the Indo–West Pacific, including the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are poorly known. It is difficult to characterize them morphologically, as there are no distinguishing meristic features for the majority of species. We studied the morphological features of 65 specimens representing the genus Lethrinus to define and identify the species involved. Among the morphological characters commonly considered in this type of study, we also included new, previously undescribed characters. The results of Tukey’s post hoc HSD test for metric and meristic variables, which showed significant differences between species in ANOVA, indicate that most metric traits and the number of scale rows above the lateral line differ significantly among the five morphotypes distinguished. Principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) effectively showed the morphometric variation between these morphotypes. The characteristics of body depth, head length, pectoral fin length, and caudal fin length are the most distinguishing diagnostic at the species level. We determined that the collected fish specimens represented: Lethrinus borbonicus Valenciennes, 1830, Lethrinus crocineus Smith, 1959, Lethrinus lentjan (Lacepède, 1802), Lethrinus microdon Valenciennes, 1830, and Lethrinus nebulosus (Forsskål, 1775). We also confirmed their validity as distinct species. Notably, L. crocineus, previously known only from the western Indian Ocean (Africa and Socotra), is now reported for the first time from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Lastly, a distribution map for the Lethrinus species is included.

Cytotaxonomic Investigations in the <i>Panicum maximum</i> Jacq. Complex I. Morphological Studies

On the basis of morphological characters, twenty indigenous and exotic collections of Panicum maximum Jacq. have been classified into five broad types. Morphology (including detailed floral morphology) of these types is described with illustrations. A considerable range of variation of taxonomic significance was met with in them in respect of several characters, both vegetative and floral. Some new characters of diagnostic value, which do not seem to have been reported upon for this species earlier, are described and a handy key to their identification given.The seed progenies of these morphologically-distinct types were matromorphic and hence exhibited remarkable uniformity within themselves, indicating that the species is highly apomictic.Some of these types exhibited characters which are considered to be relatively primitive; these characters are described and them phylogenetic significance indicated. Some evolutionary trends in this complex, heterogeneous taxon are discussed.

Phylogeny of Australian Acerentomidae species (Protura: Acerentomidae), with a key to identification

The materials of three Acerentomidae species from Australia and Tasmania were studied. Additional morphological characters, such as chaetotaxy of head and notal segments, shape of body setae and porotaxy, are provided based on new materials of Australentulus westraliensis from Australia and Tasmanentulus tasmanicus from Tasmania. A new species, Amphientulus markstivensi, is described from Tasmania. The steps of reduction of morphological characters along the presumed phylogenetic line Acerentulus – Australentulus – Tasmanentulus – Amphientulus are discussed. The apical tuft of setae on the labial palps is reduced in Australentulus, Tasmanentulus and Amphientulus. In Tasmanentulus and Amphientulus there is also a reduction of setal number to two setae on abdominal legs. Phylogenetic relationships within Australian Acerentomidae genera are discussed. An identification key to Australian Acerentomidae species is provided.

Genus <i>Hedychium</i> in Eastern India

This paper re-evaluates the various morphological characters of taxonomic interest in the genus Hedychium, suggests recognition of only 17 species in Eastern India within the limits of 19 species studied, proposes a key for their easy recognition and presents an enumeration of the species together with field data on the habit and habitat of each species. It seems that the edges of the tropical and subtropical evergreen forests provide "natural home" for the genus Hedychium, although H. aurantiacum and H. densiflorum ascend higher to temperate altitudes. H. aureum, H. gratum, H. greenii, H. hookeri and H. marginatum and a few varieties of H. coronarium turn up as endemics to Eastern India.H. luteum Herb. Calcut. as a biotype of H. coronarium and H. griffithianum Wall. as synonymous to H. venustum Wight and finally, H. coronarium var. elwesii (Baker) Naik comb nov. and H. coronarium var. subditum (Turrill) Naik comb. nov. as two new combinations are proposed.

First Report of Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) Infesting Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in India through Morphological and Molecular Insight

Background: Red spider mite, Tetranychus truncatus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) infests many agriculture and horticulture crops in India, but to date it had not been found damaging cultivated groundnut. During 2022-23, the incidence of this species was high in many groundnut growing regions of Tamil Nadu. Identification of the species is highly essential for effective management of the particular pest. Hence, the aim of this research was to identify the mite species infesting groundnut crop and describe the damage caused. Methods: Survey was carried out all over Tamil Nadu and samples of mite infested groundnut leaves were collected from field based on damage symptoms, observed and examined under Stereo zoom microscope, microslides were prepared using Hoyer’s medium and taxonomic characters were studied under phase contrast microscope. Molecular analysis was done by genomic DNA isolation, PCR amplification, sequencing and BLAST performed to check the identity with GenBank Sequences. ITS2 primer was used. Result: Red spider mite species, T. truncatus was identified first time in groundnut through both morphological characters and molecular tools. Female: Idiosomal setae longer than the interval between their longitudinal bases and gradually tapers distally. Diamond- shaped pattern of striae between e1 and f1 setal bases. Tarsus I with 4 tactile setae proximal to proximal duplex setae. Male: Aedeagus with tiny terminal knob, apparently truncate with a slight indentation on the dorsal margin.

Devonian Harpetidae from the central and eastern Anti–Atlas, Morocco

Devonian Harpetidae from the central and eastern Anti–Atlas, Morocco

Distribution and genetic diversity of cobitid species in Iran (Teleostei: Cobitidae)

Several species of Cobitis have been reported within Iran, but only four are recognized as valid. The geographical distribution and genetic diversity of these species are not well-known. Two new populations of C. saniae and C. avicennae were reported herein based on their morphological and phylogenetic characters from the Mahabad River, a tributary of the Urmia Lake basin, and the Razavar River, a tributary of the Karkheh drainage, respectively. The genetic diversity and genetic structure of populations of C. saniae, C. avicennae, and C. faridpaki were analysed using the DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene. COI sequences from various watersheds in Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia were used. A moderate to high level haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were found in most of the populations of all three species. The AMOVA test and pairwise FST comparison revealed significant genetic structure and genetic distance between the Urmia Lake basin and other C. saniae populations. The results highlight the importance of conserving these species and their habitats, particularly in the Urmia Lake basin, where significant genetic differentiation was observed.