Morphometric Characters Research Articles

Morphometric Study of Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) Using Truss Network Analysis for Determination of Stock Structure in FMA 711

The crab of Portunus pelagicus is a fishery resource with a wide distribution area and quite diverse environmental conditions in Indonesia, giving rise to morphometric diversity. The study aims to analyze differences in morphometric diversity of crab populations (P. pelagicus) in the waters of Indonesian Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 711, landed in Bintan, Bangka, and Ketapang, which can describe the condition of the crab stock units. A total of 300 individuals were collected from all locations using random sampling. The crab morphometric characters were analyzed using Truss Network body shape method (TNA). The Kruskal Wallis results analysis showed distinguishing in some morphometric characters for both carapace and abdomen. Cluster analysis shows that there were two population groups: The Bintan group, and the Bangka-Ketapang groups. The discriminant analysis on the carapace characters resulting that the crabs from three locations have the potential for more than one stock unit, so different management is needed.

Production Systems and Phenotypic Variability of the Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) in Sub Sahara Africa

The diversity of natural biological resources is at the heart of concerns on food security and climate change. Originating in Africa, guinea fowl constitutes an alternative source of income and protein of animal origin that can be easily mobilized, mainly for rural populations. How-ever, relatively little information is available on its production system, while its genetic diversity remains an enigma in most Sub Sahara African countries. This study therefore aimed to review the production systems and phenotypic variability of the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Sub Sahara Africa. It revealed that this species is distributed almost all over the Africa; it is more frequent in many African countries where some studies showed that this species is extensively family farm with a variability of morphometric characters that is a function of sex and environment as well as the production system. This variability seems to indicate its adaptation to environmental conditions. The present review also revealed the need to extend studies to all the agro-ecological zones of Sub Sahara Africa in order to undertake global actions for a sustainable exploitation of the guinea fowl. This would necessarily include variability studies for its genetic improvement, preservation and conservation.

Sexual dimorphism, length-weight relationship, and condition factor of Hampala ampalong (Bleeker, 1852) from Kalong Floodplain, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency

Sumatra hampala or kebarau fish, Hampala ampalong (Bleeker, 1852) is one of the fish species found in Kalong Floodplain in the Ogan Komering Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, Indonesia. This study aimed to determine sexual dimorphism, length-weight relationship and condition factor of H. ampalong. The study method used was direct observation with purposive sampling technique. The total fish obtained consisted of 12 male and 12 female. The results showed that almost all morphometric characters of female were longer than male except for head length which determined that male longer than female. The head length of male was 2.28 ± 1.04 while the head length of female was 2.27 ± 0.85 it could be assumed that the sexual dimorphism seen from the difference in head length. While the meristic characteristics there was no difference between male and female; dorsal fin spine and rays (I. 7-8), ventral fin rays (6-8), pectoral fin rays (13), anal fin rays (6-9) and caudal fin rays (18). The length-weight relationship of male obtained a linear regression equation y = 0.0092x3.0418 with R2 = 89.45%, the value of b obtained was 3.0418 which means that the growth pattern of male was isometric (b=3), while the linear model regression equation of female fish y = 0.0238x2.6975 with R2 = 76.74%, the value of b obtained was 2.6975 which indicates that the growth pattern of female includes negative allometric (b<3). The value of the relative condition factor of male and female were K>1 which means the value of fish condition were in good.

HABITUS COMPARASION, GROWTH PATTERN AND CONDITION OF CONVICT CICHLID (Amatitlania nigrofasciata GUNTHER, 1986) IN THREE LAKES ECOSYSTEMS IN BALI

Convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) belonging to the Cichilidae family has inhabited in Tamblingan Lake, Buyan Lake and Beratan Lake. The existence of this fish species is suspected due to accidental introduction activities. The aims of this study ware to reveal differences in habitus, growth patterns and conditions of convict cichlid in the three lakes on the island of Bali. Samples of convict cichlid were taken by bubu traps, that placed in the littoral zone of the lake. 19 morphometric characters were measured using a digital caliper, then each fish sample was weighed. The growth pattern and condition of convict cichlid are known by using the equation of the length-weight relationship and the condition factor. There were 888 individuals of convict cichlid caught during this study, consisted of 385 fish from Tamblingan Lake, 371 fish from Buyan Lake, and 132 fish from Beratan Lake. Moreover, 108 fish consisting of 36 fish from each lake were further analyzed by measuring 17 additional morphometric characters. The results of measuring the morphometric characters of the observed convict cichlid had different variations for the characters of head length and predorsal length. There was diversity for several morphometric characters of the convict cichlid in Buyan Lake which are a collaboration of characters between the convict cichlid in Tamblingan Lake and in Beratan Lake, namely on the basic characteristics of the anal fin, dorsal fin base, body length, postorbital length, and tail height. The growth pattern of this species in the three lakes was negative allometric and the condition of this fish species was in good condition with the average value of condition factor ranging from 0.95–1.05.

Length-Based Morphometric Study of the Morphologically Resembling Butterfly Species Within the Genus Graphium (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

The genus Graphium within the family Papilionidae comprises several species that exhibit morphological resemblance. Due to this criterion, their identification and discrimination through morphology is notably challenging. Therefore, in this study, we employed a length-based morphometric approach to reveal the ability of the characters to discriminate the five Graphium species that demonstrates the morphological resemblance; Graphium sarpedon, Graphium bathycles, Graphium doson, Graphium eurypylus, and Graphium evemon. The morphometric measurement of the total of 50 specimens was carried out by using seven characters measured from the wing and body regions. Multivariate statistical analyses such as Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were utilized to assess the discriminatory ability of the morphometric data. While comparing between species, all morphometric characters were significantly different (p < 0.05). The results of DFA showed that two out of seven characters utilized have the lowest values of Partial’s Wilks Lambda; body length (1.165), and forewing length (1.183), therefore are suggested as the two most significant characters for the discrimination of the Graphium species. There are great overlapping patterns between the five species when plotting a scatter plot graph except for G. bathycles that formed nearly distinct group. In Cluster Analysis, G. sarpedon tends to be closer to G. evemon by having the lowest value of agglomeration (0.061). Our findings underscore the potential of length-based morphometric analysis as a supporting quantitative tool for resolving taxonomic ambiguities and enhancing species identification particularly within complex genera such as Graphium.

Length-Based Morphometric Study of the Morphologically Resembling Butterfly Species Within the Genus Graphium (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

The genus Graphium within the family Papilionidae comprises several species that exhibit morphological resemblance. Due to this criterion, their identification and discrimination through morphology is notably challenging. Therefore, in this study, we employed a length-based morphometric approach to reveal the ability of the characters to discriminate the five Graphium species that demonstrates the morphological resemblance; Graphium sarpedon, Graphium bathycles, Graphium doson, Graphium eurypylus, and Graphium evemon. The morphometric measurement of the total of 50 specimens was carried out by using seven characters measured from the wing and body regions. Multivariate statistical analyses such as Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) and Cluster Analysis (CA) were utilized to assess the discriminatory ability of the morphometric data. While comparing between species, all morphometric characters were significantly different (p < 0.05). The results of DFA showed that two out of seven characters utilized have the lowest values of Partial’s Wilks Lambda; body length (1.165), and forewing length (1.183), therefore are suggested as the two most significant characters for the discrimination of the Graphium species. There are great overlapping patterns between the five species when plotting a scatter plot graph except for G. bathycles that formed nearly distinct group. In Cluster Analysis, G. sarpedon tends to be closer to G. evemon by having the lowest value of agglomeration (0.061). Our findings underscore the potential of length-based morphometric analysis as a supporting quantitative tool for resolving taxonomic ambiguities and enhancing species identification particularly within complex genera such as Graphium.

Identification of the rare deep-dwelling goby Suruga fundicola Jordan & Snyder, 1901 (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Yellow Sea

During the 2022 R/V cruises in the Yellow Sea, four goby specimens (51.2‒63.5 mm) were captured by using an Agassiz trawl at a water depth of about 70 meters. These specimens were identified as Suruga fundicola, mainly by the morphometric characters. Their identification was further confirmed by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on 12S and COI mtDNA genes. Considering that the four specimens were in good condition and that the original description is brief, a detailed description of the specimens is given. Moreover, the present study presents a preliminary analysis of its phylogenetic position within the Acanthogobius-lineage (Gobiidae). The discovery of this goby in the Yellow Sea enriches our knowledge of the fish diversity and distribution of this region, and sheds some light on the ecological habitat of these gobies.

Clarification of the identity of deep-sea crab Tymolus uncifer (Ortmann, 1892) and validation of Tymolus melanommus (Doflein, 1904) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Cyclodorippidae).

Examination of material from Japanese waters has disclosed that two species have been confounded under Tymolus uncifer (Ortmann, 1892) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Cyclodorippidae) in previous literature. The identity of Tymolus uncifer sensu stricto is clarified in reference to the lectotype, and the second taxon is herein attributed to T. melanommus (Doflein, 1904), which was originally recognised as a forma of T. uncifer with one specimen from off Kenya and one specimen from Japan. A lectotype is herein selected for T. melanommus in the interest of nomenclatural stability. Differentiating characters between the two species are assessed in detail, and those two species are compared also with T. glaucommus (Alcock, 1894), T. similis (Grant, 1905), T. brucei Tavares, 1991, T. daviei Tavares, 1997, T. hirtipes Tan & Huang, 2000 and T. globosus Spiridonov & Trkay, 2007, all of them are considered as valid. Sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic variation are seen in the relative length and stoutness of the pereopods 2 and 3 in T. uncifer and T. melanommus, but the morphometric characters derived from the two pereopods are useful as diagnostic at comparison between same sex in adults. Comparison of partial fragments of the mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences strongly supports that the two taxa are distinct. Previous records of T. uncifer, including fossil records, are reviewed based on the present findings. Tymolus uncifer and T. melanommus are restricted to Japanese waters at present.

Distinguishing Hybrids of Golden Thailand and Malaysian Strains of Climbing Perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792), Using Multivariate Analyses of Morpho-Meristic Traits

The climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792), is a commercially important freshwater fish in Southeast Asia. To meet demand, establishing stock development breeding programmes is essential. However, there is a lack of scientific literature on parent-hybrids differences. This study aims to use morphometric characteristics to identify important predictors and determine their heritability to address the knowledge gap. Two strains of A. testudineus and their corresponding hybrid groups, represented by T1–T4 (T1: golden Thai (♀) × golden Thai (♂), T2: golden Thai (♀) × Malaysian (♂), T3: Malaysian (♀) × Malaysian (♂) and T4: Malaysian (♀) × golden Thai (♂)) were used for the experiment. Thirty individuals of each strain were randomly selected from their respective tanks for morphometric characteristics assessment. Twenty-five morphometric measurements were taken, and adjustments were made for body size effects. These measurements were then subjected to multivariate analysis with a 5 % selection intensity for genetic advancement, focusing on body depth and base of anal fin length. The morphometric characters, including postorbital length, lowest body depth,the base of analfin length,total length, standard length, pre-pectoral fin length,the base of pectoralfin length, and base of pelvic fin length based on the canonical coefficient, were identified as distinguishing factors between hybrids and the parental population. The study showed that body length heritability was greater than 60 %, indicating a significant additive genetic effect that surpasses the impact of the environmental effect and thus could be used as a potential characteristic for selective breeding to improve the desired trait.

Prolonged ecological changes can affect morphometrics and gene expression profile? Focusing on Hsp-70 and NLHS-induced Hsp-70 of Artemia urmiana

BackgroundIn recent years, many aquatic ecosystems, including Urmia Lake, have undergone severe ecological tensions. This lake, the largest natural habitat of the brine shrimp Artemia urmiana, has progressively desiccated and its salinity has dramatically increased over the last three decades. In the face of the long period environmental stresses, understanding the adaptation and ecological plasticity mechanisms is the most interesting challenges in genetic and applied ecology. These mechanisms may probably be driven by inducing expression of some genes involved in adaptation such as Hsp-70 and also adjusting morphological parameters. But they are yet to be understood. Hence, the present work aimed to study the mechanisms, along with testing the hypothesis that non-lethal heat shocked nauplii originating from drought period can evoke Hsp-70 expression more than those from rainy period. MethodsThis study measured and analyzed morphometrical characters of adult male and female Artemia urmiana over three decades. Then, the influence of three-decade ecological crisis on Hsp-70 and non-lethal heat shock (NLHS)-induced Hsp-70 expression levels of nauplii of Artemia urmiana habiting Urmia Lake using Real-time PCR technique, based on cyst collections in 1994 (rainy period) to 2020 (drought period), was evaluated. ResultsThe morphometrics results showed that the morphological characters were significantly shrunk in 2020 compared to 1994 (CI 95%, p < 0.05). Furthermore, our results depicted that, Hsp-70 expression level was significantly upregulated in response to the prolonged ecological crisis, (CI 95%, P < 0.0001), and also interestingly, the nauplii exposed to longe-term ecological crisis (belong to 2020) were able to increase Hsp-70 expression more than other ones in response to environmental stressors including heat. ConclusionsThe present results showed the involvement of Hsp-70 in the adaptation of Artemia urmiana to long term ecological alteration at the cost of shrinking morphometric parameters.

Distribution and morphological variation of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae) along an elevation gradient.

Knowing how species and communities respond to environmental change is fundamental in the context of climate change. The search for patterns of abundance and phenotypic variation along altitudinal gradients can provide evidence on adaptive limits. We evaluated the species abundance and the variation in morphometric and stomatal characters in five tree ferns species (Cyathea fulva, C. divergens, C. myosuroides, Alsophila firma and Gymnosphaera salvinii) distributed along an elevation gradient in a well-preserved Mexican cloud forest. Variation at the community and species level was assessed using exploratory and multivariate data analysis methods. We wanted to explore if the species abundance is environmentally determined, to determine the degree of variation along the elevation gradient, to test for differences between zones and associations with elevation, humidity and soil nutrients, and to assess contribution of the intra- and interspecific variation to the community response to elevation and soil nutrients. The studied fern community showed strong species turnover along the elevation gradient, with some influence of soil nutrient concentration, supporting environmental determinism. All measured characters displayed variation along the gradient. Stomatal characters (size and density) had significantly less variation than morphometric characters (trunk diameter, stipe length and blade length), but stomatal density also shows interesting intraspecific patterns. In general, patterns within the fern community suggest a strong influence of species identity, especially of species inhabiting the lower edge of the cloud forest, which showed the clearest morphometric and stomatal patterns, associated to contrasting environments rather than to changes in elevation. The coincidence between morphometric and stomatal patterns in this area suggest hydraulic adjustments in response to contrasting environments. Our results provide evidence that tree ferns species respond to environmental changes through adjustments of morphometric plasticity and stomatal density, which is relevant to predict possible responses to variation in environmental conditions resulting from climate change.

Phenotypic variation of protandrous hermaphrodite fish Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804) from Thailand coastal waters

This study was conducted to investigate the intraspecific variation of Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw, 1804) using traditional morphometric measurements. In total, 136 samples were collected from four fishing areas across Thailand coastal waters. Raw data were standardized and then evaluated with univariate analysis of variance, canonical discriminant function analysis, and dendrogram of cluster analysis regarding to site, size, and sex. Result from ANOVA test exhibited that all morphological characters were significantly different among sites (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, forty-one morphometric characters were significantly different among size of male and female fish (P < 0.05) except for pre-orbital length, pupil diameter, eye diameter, and depth of maxilla for male fish. Forty-four morphometric characters were significantly different (P < 0.05) except of fork length among sex. From CDFA, E. tetradactylum showed phenotypic heterogeneity and two distinct stocks in the four selected fishing areas. Phenotypic variation on sites was determined by six morphological characters (MnFL, DFAF, DOM, HW, PeBFL and ED) for males, while eight characters for females (PrOL, AFSL, PeBFL, DOM, UJL, PD, AFRL and ED) in decreasing order. Differentiations between fish size classes, relied on PrDFL2, BD and UCFL in males and PrOL, PrePeFL and DFAF in females. Among sexes, PeFAF, PrDFL2, MxFL, MnFL, PrePeFL, HSDF and PrePFL were highly influential. Discriminate functions (DF1) clarified that 83.60% and 94.10% of the total variance were found among the sites of males and females, and 99.20% and 93.20% of the total variance were found among the sizes of males and females, respectively. and 73% of the total variance were found among the sexes. In the confusion matrix of CDFA, the overall assignments of individuals into their correctly classified original population were 98.68% and 100% for males and females based on site and size, and 75.74% of sex groups, respectively. Our study highlighted that the hermaphroditism of E. tetradactylum showed that three distinct stocks of males and two stocks of females inhabited Thai coastal waters.

Trypanorhynch cestode larvae parasitizing Hyporthodus niveatus (Valenciennes, 1828) (Actinopterygii) collected from fish markets in the municipality of Niterói, RJ, Brazil

This study is a continuation of the survey about helminths parasitizing the white grouper, Hyporthodus niveatus, a marine fish purchased from fish markets in the municipality of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Specifically, this study reports the results of an investigation concerning trypanorhynch cestodes parasitizing this host. A total of 20 fish specimens were caught by professional fishermen off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State. The fish were measured and necropsied, and their organs were investigated for trypanorhynch cestodes. A total of 13 H. niveatus were parasitized by 67 specimens of trypanorhynch cestode plerocerci that were found infecting the visceral serosa, stomach, intestine, and abdominal musculature. The taxonomic identification of these parasites was based on morphological and morphometric characters using bright-field and scanning electron microscopies. Five trypanorhynch species were identified: Pintneriella gymnorhynchoides, Grillotia (Christianella) carvajalregorum, Pterobothrium crassicolle, Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, and Callitetrarhynchus speciosus, and their parasitic indices were presented. This is the first report on the occurrence of P. gymnorhynchoides in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Apart from the repugnance, the presence of cestode plerocerci is worrisome because of the potential risk of allergic reactions, thereby reinforcing the hygienic-sanitary significance of monitoring these parasites.

Morphomeristic Characters and Length-Weight Relationship of Wild and Cultured Mola Carplet, &lt;i&gt;Amblypharyngodon mola&lt;/i&gt; (Hamilton, 1822)

The present study was conducted to check the disparity between wild and cultured stock of Amblypharyngodon mola using the bio-morphometric data and meristic characteristics such as length-weight relationship (LWR) and relative gut length (RGL). A total of 656 specimens were collected using drag net and cast net for a period of one year from Daya river and about 226 fish individuals were collected from hatchery bred stock of ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, India. No significant (P&gt; 0.05) differences were observed in five meristic and twenty-two morphometric characters of wild and cultured stocks of mola. The estimated regression line showed a better relationship between the total length (TL) to standard length, fork length, pre-dorsal and post-dorsal length, orbit diameter (r2 value). Further, a negative allometric growth was also noticed in both stocks with the b value of 2.988 and 2.844 with r2 value of 0.915 and 0.923 in the wild and hatchery bred stocks respectively. Analysed length and weight were highly significant (P&lt;0.01). The TL max of 9.1 cm was recorded in present study which is higher than that reported in Fish Base.

Effects of Different Ethanol Concentrations on the Morphometric Characteristics of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus

The effects of ethanol (90% and 95% concentration) preservation on the morphometric characteristics of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus were investigated. The morphometric characters observed were total length, standard length, head length, body depth, eye diameter, and total weight for the period of sixty-three (63) days. Samples were first euthanized before taking the morphometric characteristics after which the samples were individually preserved in separate bottles filled with respective concentrations (90% and 95%) for nine weeks (63 days). Morphometric characteristics of the samples were later measured at the end of the 63 days to determine any possible changes. The results indicated that varying degree of shrinkage was common in all the observed morphometric characters in both species even though they both reacted differently to different concentration of alcohol. The results also revealed that the percentage shrinkage in all measured morphometric characters was higher in C. gariepinus than in O. niloticus and higher in 95% concentration than in 90% concentration.

Fauna of the Cladoceran and Copepods Crustaceans (Crustacea: Cladocera, Copepoda) of Dood Tsagaan Lake (Darhad Basin, Mongolia) in Modern Times

The paper presents the results of the study the qualitative and quantitative composition of the planktonic Crustacea of Dood Tsagaan Lake (northwestern Mongolia) (Cladocera, Diaptomidae, Cyclopidae) in modern times. Comparative analysis of the species composition of crustaceans according to new data and data obtained in the last century (1962–1963) showed that during our studies the composition of crustaceans was increased by five species of Cladocera and by three species of Copepoda, 2 species of them are from the order Cyclopoida and one from the order Calanoida. Ultrastructural studies of the main morphological parts of the copepods crustaceans Mixodiaptomus incrassatus (Sars, 1903), Acanthodiaptomus paulseni (Sars, 1903) and Cyclops glacialis Flossner, 2001 were carried out for the first time using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Detailed study of morphometric and morphological characters including the use of SEM showed that C. glacialis inhabiting Dood Tsagaan Lake is identical to the species described in lakes (Turgun Kharhiraa Uvs aimag and Nogoon nuur) in northwestern Mongolia. The biomass of M. incrassatus, an important food object for whitefish and other fish species, was found to reach 1100 mg/m3 in the modern period.

First detection of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, infecting potato in the central region of Colombia.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCNs; Globodera spp.) cause significant losses in worldwide cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops. In Colombia, PCN was first reported in 1970 (Baeza 1972), although this report lacked a comprehensive species description and diagnosis. After that, G. pallida has been the only PCN species reported affecting potatoes in the main producing regions of Colombia (Evans et al. 1975; Nieto et al. 1983; Vallejo et al. 2021). However, in the survey conducted by Vallejo et al. (2021), a single sample from Chocontá, Cundinamarca in the central region of the country (N 5,22396046668291, W -73,6571338400244) showed molecular characters similar to G. rostochiensis. As correct identification is essential for effective pest management, the location was re-sampled in September 2022. From the soil samples collected, PCN cysts and second-stage juveniles (J2s) were retrieved from soil using Fenwick and centrifugation methods, respectively. Morphometric characters of cysts (n = 53) were consistent with G. rostochiensis, with a length without neck (L) ranging from 451 to 614 μm (X̅ = 546.9 ± 20.3 μm), width (W) from 424 to 658 μm (X̅ = 546.9 ± 25.5 μm) and L/W ratio was 1.00 ± 0.02. Distance from anus to vulva varied from 41 to 109 μm (X̅ =75.67 ± 13.8 μm), Granek's ratio from 2.3 to 5.5 μm (X̅ = 3.89 ± 0.7 μm), and the number of cuticular ridges between the vulva and the anus were 14 to 20 (X̅ = 16.19 ± 1.7). The second-stage juvenile (n = 90) length ranged from 394 to 547 μm (X̅ = 495.62 ± 31.0 μm), the stylet length varied from 18 to 24 μm (X̅ = 21.21 ± 0.9 μm) with rounded knobs. The length of the hyaline tail ranged from 20 - 31 μm (X̅ = 24.09 ± 1.92) and the true tail from 31- 56 μm (X̅ = 48.30 ± 5.71 μm). Molecular analyses confirmed morphological identification. DNA was extracted from cysts and J2s. PCR was performed for the 28S rDNA D2-D3 segment using primers D2A and D3B (Subbotin et al. 2006), and for the mitochondrial COI gene region using primers JB3 and JB5 (Derycke et al. 2005). BLAST analyses of target 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequences (OP293373-OP293380) showed 100% identity of the 658 bp to other sequences on Genbank, including isolates from Turkey, United Kingdom, and Iran (MK311329.1, MG994942.1, KU297659.1, and KU297658.1). Similarly, the target COI region sequences (OP297993-OP298001) were 100% identical to the 407 bp of G. rostochiensis POT01 isolate from Germany, and 99.75% identical to voucher NRM67 from Indonesia, and isolate CD2200 from USA (MF773722.1, MT240262.1, and MN095979.1). Phylogenetic analysis of both gene regions strongly supported G. rostochiensis, with the Colombian sequences clustering with MH399815.1, and KU297654.1 isolates for the COI and 28S regions, respectively (Fig. 1S). In addition, a pathogenicity test was conducted in the greenhouse. For this, ten cysts were inoculated to potato plants of Criolla variety grown in 5 pots of 15 cm diameter with sterile soil and sand (1:1). Noninoculated plants served as controls (three replicates each). After three months, 54 ± 23 cysts/100 g of soil were isolated from inoculated plants (Fig. 2S), resulting in a reproduction factor (R=Pf/Pi) of 4.54 ± 0.86, while no yellow females or cysts were observed on the control plants. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. rostochiensis in Colombia. This is an important pest that causes serious yield losses of potatoes and is a quarantine nematode in many countries (EPPO 2017). Further studies are necessary to prevent the spread of this PCN species in the main producing potato regions of Colombia.

Adult host‐plant preference and larval performance in an oligophagous insect (Chnootriba elaterii)

AbstractThe present research investigates host preferences and larval development of the melon ladybird Chnootriba elaterii (Rossi) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), considering seven Cucurbitaceae plant species (Citrullus lanatus, Cucumis melo, Cucumis sativus, Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata, Lagenaria siceraria and Luffa aegyptiaca), to determine whether mother host preference is related with larval performance. The damaged area on plant leaves due to insect feeding in dual‐choice experiments was used to evaluate food preferences. Behavioural experiments in a Y‐tube olfactometer tested the role of olfaction in host‐plant selection. Parameters such as development duration and morphometric characters of emerged adults were evaluated to estimate larval performance. Adult females selected watermelon and melon as their favourite food while firmly refusing loofah and calabash. Insects preferred melon over watermelon, but the larval development on melon was slower; moreover, watermelon allowed larvae to develop faster than other tested plants, while loofah did not allow larval development. Larvae fed and developed on melon, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber and calabash, without strong differences. These results only partially supported the preference‐performance hypothesis suggesting that it could be context dependent. Contrary to expectation, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to the host, only partially could guide adult females in the olfactometer. This result suggests that long‐distance olfactory stimuli alone cannot provide sufficient information for host‐plant selection in melon ladybirds. Considering the economic relevance of C. elaterii, the results of the present paper answer some basic questions about host‐plant selection for this pest insect, potentially useful to improve control strategies in crops.

A Review on the Genus Paramacrobiotus (Tardigrada) with a New Diagnostic Key

Paramacrobiotus species have been described in almost every corner of the world. To date, 45 species have been reported from this genus. Among which, 13 belong to the areolatus group (without a microplacoid) and 32 belong to the richtersi group (with a microplacoid). The species’ presence in different climatic conditions and habitats provides evidence of their adaptation to various harsh environments. The species of the genus are both bisexual (diploid) and parthenogenetic (triploid). The bisexual species have external fertilization. And they are omnivorous whose diet consists of certain cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, rotifers, nematodes and juvenile tardigrades. The life history of species from this genus varies from species to species. Because the species has a strong predilection for cryptobiosis, numerous investigations involving anhydrobiosis have been conducted utilizing specimens from varied Paramacrobiotus species to date. In this review, we provide a concise summary of changes observed due to various cryptobiotic conditions in many species of this genus, the geographical distribution of all the species, feeding behaviour, life history, microbiome community, Wolbachia endosymbiont identification, reproduction, phylogeny and general taxonomy of the species from the genus Paramacrobiotus. Furthermore, we provide a new diagnostic key to the genus Paramacrobiotus based on the morphological and morphometric characters of adults and eggs.

Geometric morphometry of populations of Anolis tropidonotus (Peters 1863, Squamata: Dactyloidae) of contrasting hábitats

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Objective: To evaluate the variation in the shape and size of two populations of A. tropidonotus from two habitats with contrasting vegetation and environmental characteristics.&#x0D; Design/methodology/approach: 26 specimens of A. tropidonotus were collected and photographed and using the TPSdig 2 program, three type I landmarks, eight type II and nine semi landmarks were placed. The landmarks configuration patterns were evaluated with generalized procrust and principal component analysis to detect microvariations in the individuals of the two populations.&#x0D; Results: Our results show intra and inter population morphogeometric variation in A. tropidonotus.&#x0D; Limitations on study/implications: The morphomegeometric variation recorded in the populations of A. tropidonutus which may be due to factors such as biological barriers, clinal variations within the same habitat, competition for territory, different reproductive behaviors in a percentage of the population, and reproductive and physical barriers that generate differentiation between and within the populations of A. tropidonotus.&#x0D; Findings/conclusions: A. tropidonotus showed a wide diversity of shapes in its morphometric characters, which through the application of geometric morphometry, we distinguish different ecotypes in the evaluated populations.