North American Taxa Research Articles

A modern plant‐climate research dataset for modelling eastern North American plant taxa

Continental‐scale modern pollen‐climate data repositories are a primary data source for palaeoclimate reconstructions. However, these repositories can contain artefacts, such as records from different depositional environments and replicate records, that can influence the observed pollen‐climate relationships as well as the palaeoclimate reconstructions derived from these relationships. Because the depositional environment determines the relative strength of the local and regional pollen signals, combining data from different depositional environments results in pollen abundances that can be influenced by the local pollen signal. Replicate records in pollen‐climate datasets can skew pollen‐climate relationships by causing an overweighting of pollen abundances in a climate space. In this paper, we address the issues related to these artefacts as we define the methods used to create a research dataset from the North American Modern Pollen Database (NAMPD) (Whitmore et al., 2005). The research dataset we present consists of 2 613 records in eastern North America, of which 70.9% are lacustrine sites. The research dataset encompasses the majority of the temperature and Summer precipitation ranges of the NAMPD's climatic range, and 40% of its Winter precipitation range. We present our analyses of the research dataset and demonstrate that it improves upon regional pollen‐climate relationship modelling of eastern North American taxa.

Devonian (Emsian to Frasnian) crinoids of the Dra Valley, western Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Abstract Emsian to Frasnian crinoids are described from pelagic facies of the eastern part of the Dra Valley (Tata area), western Anti-Atlas Mountains, southern Morocco. The crinoids show only minor relationship with previously described crinoids from the Tafilalt and Ma'der areas of the eastern Anti-Atlas. The differences are judged to reflect the different environments of these areas. The Dra Valley hexacrinids show greater affinity with European faunas, whereas the amabilicrinids show greater affinity with North American taxa. New taxa described are Hexacrinites chenae sp. nov., Dracrinus crenulatus gen. and sp. nov., Coquinacrinus revimentus gen. and sp. nov, and Embolocrinus quadruus gen. and sp. nov.

Nutritional value and diet preference of arboreal lichens and hypogeous fungi for small mammals in the Rocky Mountains

Many small mammals consume lichen and fungi, but southern red-backed voles ( Clethrionomys gapperi (Vigors, 1830)) and northern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys sabrinus (Shaw, 1801)) exhibit strong mycophagy compared with other North American taxa. We analyzed nutrient content of lichen and fungi and observed feeding preferences of voles and flying squirrels to understand the foraging behavior of these mammals and their strategy for surviving on relatively low-quality diets dominated by lichen and fungi. We analyzed nutrient characteristics of 10 hypogeous (fruiting belowground) fungi and four arboreal lichens eaten by red-backed voles and northern flying squirrels in the Rocky Mountains. Hypogeous fungi contained higher nitrogen, lipid, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, potassium, and phosphorous concentrations than arboreal lichens, but lichens were higher in calcium. To assess diet preferences, 10 pairwise feeding trials using four hypogeous fungi and two arboreal lichens were conducted with voles and seven trials using three hypogeous fungi and two lichens were conducted with squirrels. In general, squirrels and voles preferred hypogeous fungi over arboreal lichens. We then calculated dry matter and nitrogen digestibilities for flying squirrels and red-backed voles fed diets of arboreal lichen and hypogeous fungi. Overall mean dry matter digestibilities were ≥70% for all diets. For hypogeous fungi, nitrogen digestibility was 12.3% and 24.9% for squirrels and voles, respectively, suggesting that most nitrogen was indigestible. Animals maintained positive nitrogen balance when fed fungi but were unable to maintain positive nitrogen balance when fed lichens. Maintenance nitrogen requirements for flying squirrels were lower than predicted. Low requirements may allow for increased consumption of lichen in winter, but lichen diets must be supplemented with a source of nitrogen because animals were unable to maintain nitrogen balance when fed lichen alone. Consumption of numerous fungi and lichen taxa is necessary to sustain these animals year-round.

Giemsa C-banding in two polyploid, South American Hordeum species, H. tetraploidum and H. lechleri, and their aneuploid hybrids with H. vulgare

The karyotype of H. tetraploidum (2n=4x=28) had eight metacentric, three submetacentric, and three SAT-chromosome pairs. The karyotype of H. lechleri studied in a polyhaploid (2n=3x=21) had thirteen metacentrics, three submetacentrics, and five SAT-chromosomes, one more SAT-chromosome than previously reported, The C-banding patterns of both species were rather similar, having small to larger bands with no preferential disposition. The two species are referred to sections Stenostachys and Critesion, respectively, but similarities among C-banded karyotypes of the two species and some North American taxa of the same sections suggest a rather close relationship and support that the biological basis for their classification with different sections is questionable. C-banding patterns identified the chromosomes of parental genomes in interspecific hybrids between the two species and H. vulgare. The hybrids were stably aneuploid. Both had lost and acquired H. vulgare chromosomes. Thus, somatic elimination of chromosomes was combined with multiplication of chromosomes. The observations of stably aneuploid hybrids have implications for the exploitation of alien germplasm. The activity of non-H. vulgare SAT-chromosomes was partly suppressed in the hybrids, indicating incomplete differential amphiplasty.

Molecular phylogeny of the Erebia tyndarus (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) species group combining CoxII and ND5 mitochondrial genes: A case study of a recent radiation

The genus Erebia is one of the more controversial groups among the Holarctic Lepidoptera. In this genus, composed of around 100 mountain species, the Erebia tyndarus complex has certainly been a major source of debate for more than a century. According to the literature, between 2 and 11 species, and at least 45 subspecies or semi-species have been recognized. For the first time, we provide a complete molecular study, based on the ND5 and CoxII mitochondrial gene sequences, including all the recognized species and 60% of the subspecies of the entire group, with European, Caucasian, Siberian and North-American taxa. Our analyses led us to recognize 11 species even though there was some poor discrimination between Western Europe species. A complete study of the events of speciation is presented in the light of glacial and interglacial cycles during the Pleistocene.

VOCALISATIONS OF A NORTH AMERICAN SUBTERRANEAN RODENT GEOMYS BREVICEPS

ABSTRACT Ecological restrictions of the subterranean environment have resulted in sensory adaptations in its inhabitants that limit communication below ground. Adaptations such as degenerate vision and reduced hearing capabilities influence the communicative methods employed by subterranean rodents. Due to the logistic difficulties of investigating life underground, little is known about subterranean rodent communication. Vocal repertoires have been examined in a limited number of subterranean species, but never in North American taxa. We examined vocal communication in Baird's Pocket Gopher Geomys breviceps, a species indigenous to south central North America. Our results show that this species has a repertoire of 4 audible signals, 2 of which are only emitted during close-contact encounters. Energy of signals was concentrated within the frequency range correlating with pocket gophers' greatest hearing sensitivity. Results are also consistent with the frequency requirements for efficient transmission in the subterranean environment. Corresponding behavioural contexts suggest that vocal communication is important for facilitating social interaction with G. breviceps. Because the Geomyidae extend the furthest into the fossil record and are exclusively solitary species, this group is of fundamental importance for considering evolution of communication in subterranean rodents.

A synopsis of the North American species ofAnaptychia(Physciaceae)

Descriptions and a key for identification are provided for the North American representatives of the foliose lichen genus Anaptychia (Physciaceae). Five species are accepted for the North American mycota, and a sixth species presently in the North American checklist, A. isidiata, is excluded, since its single report was based on a misidentification. Anaptychia crinalis is shown to be the correct name for the North American taxon presently referred to as A. setifera. Variolaric acid is reported from the genus for the first time.

Generic delimitation and biogeography of Maianthemum and Smilacina (Ruscaceae sensu lato): preliminary results based on partial 3′ matK gene and trnK 3′ intron sequences of cpDNA

The controversy over generic delimitation between Maianthemum and Smilacina has been unresolved for almost two centuries. Distributions of the two genera in the Northern Hemisphere also provide an excellent opportunity to further understand the disjunct distribution patterns of the North Temperate Flora. To test the generic delimitation and to investigate biogeographic patterns, we sequenced the partial 3′ matK gene and trnK 3′ intron of chloroplast DNA for 38 accessions, representing three species of Maianthemum, seven species of Smilacina, and four outgroup taxa. Maximum parsimony and neighbor-joining trees showed reciprocal monophyly of the two genera with very weak bootstrap support for each genus. Within each genus, relationships among species were poorly resolved. Despite its low resolution, this study shows that eastern Asian species of Smilacina and Maianthemum are generally more closely related to eastern North American taxa than to western ones. More detailed sampling of Smilacina from different geographic regions, especially from the two centers of diversity (southeastern Asia and Mexico/Central America), and additional sequences from cpDNA, as well as from nuclear DNA, are needed to test the reciprocal monophyly of the two genera and also to understand current distributions of disjunct taxa.

Invasion of European pine stands by a North American forest pathogen and its hybridization with a native interfertile taxon

It was recently reported that North American (NA) individuals of the forest pathogen Heterobasidion annosum were found in a single pine stand near Rome, in association with the movement of US troops during World War II. Here, we report on some aspects of the invasion biology of this pathogen in Italian coastal pinewoods, and on its interaction with native (EU) Heterobasidion populations. Spores of Heterobasidion were sampled using woody traps in pine stands along 280 km of coast around Rome. DNA of single-spore colonies was characterized by two sets of nuclear and one set of mitochondrial taxon-specific polymerase chain reaction primers. NA spores were found not only in a single site, but in many locations over a wide geographic area. Invasion occurred at an estimated rate of 1.3 km/year through invasion corridors provided by single trees, and not necessarily by sizable patches of forests. Within the 100-km long range of expansion, the NA taxon was dominant in all pure pine stands. Because abundance of the EU taxon is low and identical among stands within and outside the area invaded by NA individuals, we infer that the exotic population has invaded habitats mostly unoccupied by the native species. Discrepancy between a mitochondrial and a nuclear marker occurred in 3.8% of spores from one site, a mixed oak-pine forest where both taxa were equally represented. Combined phylogenetic analyses on nuclear and mitochondrial loci confirmed these isolates were recombinant. The finding of hybrids indicates that genetic interaction between NA and EU Heterobasidion taxa is occurring as a result of their current sympatry.

A New European Marsupial Indicates a Late Cretaceous High-Latitude Transatlantic Dispersal Route

The first record of an undoubted opossum-like marsupial from the Mesozoic of Europe indicates an invasion from North America at the end of Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian). The new 66.1 million-year-old marsupial, Maastrichtidelphys meurismeti n. gen., n. sp., represented by a right upper molar, comes from the type Maastrichtian of The Netherlands. The Maastricht marsupial exhibits affinities with earlier (early Maastrichtian) North American herpetotheriids providing definitive evidence of a high-latitude North Atlantic dispersal route between North America and Europe during the latest Cretaceous. Previously, the first major interchange for marsupials was thought to have occurred nearly 10 million years later in the Eocene. The occurrence of this new marsupial in Europe implies that at some time during the latest Cretaceous, sea level and climatic conditions must have been sufficiently favorable to allow for such a high-latitude dispersal. The fragmentary remains of hadrosaurid and theropod dinosaurs, as well as boid snakes from northwestern Europe which have affinities with North American taxa help substantiate assumptions made by the occurrence of the herpetotheriid marsupial in Maastricht.

Studies on the Lichen Parmotrema rigidums. lat.from North and South America

In North America, the common and abundant coastal, corticolous species currently known as Parmotrema rigidum (Lynge) Hale, is shown to be morphologically distinct from the South American type and other South American representatives of the species based on both ascospore and conidial size. We describe the North American taxon as Parmotrema subrigidum Egan sp. nov., recognizing two chemical strains, one with atranorin and alectoronic acid and a second with atranorin, alectoronic, and norstictic acids.

A new ‘tapir’ from Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada — Implications for northern high latitude palaeobiogeography and tapir palaeobiology

The oldest and northernmost record of the tapir lineage, Thuliadanta mayri gen. et sp. nov. from Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada (78°50′N) implies that tapiroid evolution was well underway by early Eocene (Wasatchian) time in northern high latitudes, and raises the possibility of a North American origin for the group. Phylogenetic analyses place the new Arctic tapir as the sister group to the later more advanced Desmatotherium, Colodon, and Irdinolophus. A phylogenetically-derived biogeographic reconstruction posed here suggests the tapir lineage may represent a rare instance of counterflow wherein an exotic North American taxon invaded Asia during the early Eocene. Moreover, Thuliadanta seems a plausible ancestor to Desmatotherium from both continents, suggesting that this branch of the tapir lineage may have originated at high latitudes and subsequently dispersed from there to mid-latitudes. Thuliadanta's occurrence on Ellesmere Island indicates that northern high latitudes should also be evaluated as a potential source area for some of the exotic taxa appearing in mid-latitudes during Eocene time. Using today's tapirs, and specifically the mountain tapir, as analogs, Thuliadanta seems a plausible year-round inhabitant in the mild temperate lowland forests of the Eocene High Arctic.

A new leptarctine (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from the early Miocene of the northern Tibetan Plateau: implications for the phylogeny and zoogeography of basal mustelids

A recently discovered basal mustelid carnivoran, Kinometaxia guangpui gen. et sp. nov., is described from the lower Miocene Tiejianggou Formation in the Danghe (Tabenbuluk) area of the northern Tibetan Plateau, northwestern Gansu Province, China. The new Chinese form has a double temporal crest and roughened surface on the temporal area, a small orbit, a deep zygomatic arch, an anterolaterally expanded ectotympanic that fuses with the postglenoid process, and a lateral opening of the postglenoid foramen. These cranial morphologies suggest membership in the leptarctines, a group of markedly hypocarnivorous taxa mostly confined to the Miocene of North America. The rather hypercarnivorous dentition of the new Chinese form, however, is in sharp contrast to that of the traditionally defined leptarctines that have complex and quadrate M1s and P4s. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a sister relationship of the new Chinese mustelid and Schultzogale, and together they form a basal sister clade to the advanced leptarctines such as Craterogale, Leptarctus, and Hypsoparia. The Chinese form further expands the concept of the leptarctine clade and adds additional complexity to the early evolution of the Mustelidae. It bridges a morphological gap between European and North American taxa, and supplies an important piece to the puzzle of the zoogeography of basal mustelids. Furthermore, the new leptarctine helps to constrain the age of the Danghe strata, which has important implications for the timing of tectonic activity in the northern Tibetan Plateau.

<i>Lupinus mariae-josephi</i> (Fabaceae), nueva y sorprendente especie descubierta en España

Lupinus mariae-josephi is described as new from Valencia (Spain). The new species differs from any other Mediterranean and North American taxon in banner position, flower colour and inflorescence structure.

Addressing the “hardest puzzle in American pomology:” Phylogeny of Prunus sect. Prunocerasus (Rosaceae) based on seven noncoding chloroplast DNA regions

Prunus subg. Prunus sect. Prunocerasus (Rosaceae) is a North American taxon with 17 commonly recognized taxa. To test the hypothesis of monophyly for the section we sequenced the trnG and rpL16 introns and the trnH-psbA and trnS-trnG intergenic spacers for at least two representatives of each of the five subgenera in Prunus. Additionally we sampled heavily among Prunus subg. Prunus sections Prunus and Armeniaca and Prunus subg. Amygdalus because these groups are putatively most closely related to Prunocerasus. Once monophyly of sect. Prunocerasus was shown we added the sequences of trnL and rpS16 introns and the trnL-trnF spacer in an attempt to increase resolution within the section. The species of sect. Prunocerasus showed an initial split with P. subcordata, the only species from western North America, sister to the rest of the group. The remaining species fell into three primary clades. Within each of the three primary clades there was little phylogenetic resolution. Lastly, we present evidence that P. texana, previously classified in subg. Amygdalus, may be a plum or at least contain a Prunocerasus chloroplast. This is the first phylogenetic hypothesis presented for sect. Prunocerasus, and the clades recovered contrast sharply with previously defined groups based on morphological characters.

Phylogeny of Hibiscus sect. Muenchhusia (Malvaceae) Based on Chloroplast rpL16 and ndhF, and Nuclear ITS and GBSSI Sequences

Abstract Hibiscus section Muenchhusia is a North American taxon with five species as recognized in the most recent taxonomic revision: H. coccineus, H. dasycalyx, H. grandiflorus, H. laevis, and H. moscheutos. To investigate the monophyly of Hibiscus section Muenchhusia, its relationship to other Hibiscus species, and the phylogenetic relationships among its species, DNA sequence data were obtained. To investigate the placement of section Muenchhusia within Hibiscus, chloroplast ndhF gene and rpL16 intron sequences were generated and added to a recently published dataset. To investigate relationships within section Muenchhusia three DNA sequence data sets were generated: a non-coding region of the chloroplast genome (rpL16 intron), nuclear ribosomal ITS, and a nuclear gene encoding granule-bound starch synthase (GBSSI). Analyses of ndhF + rpL16 data indicated that section Muenchhusia is indeed monophyletic and is embedded in a clade that includes representatives of Hibiscus section Trionum sensu lato plus...

A new traversodontid cynodont from the Santa Maria Formation (Ladinian-Carnian) of southern Brazil, with a phylogenetic analysis of Gondwanan traversodontids

The Traversodontidae is a Triassic family of nonmammalian cynodonts, recorded worldwide, characterized by its bucco-lingually expanded postcanines. A recently discovered fauna in the locality of Santa Cruz do Sul, corresponding to the Santa Maria Formation of the Brazilian Middle/Upper Triassic (Ladinian/Carnian), is made up exclusively of nonmammalian cynodonts with an abundance of traversodontids. A new taxon, Santacruzodon hopsoni gen. et sp. nov., the most commonly recorded traversodontid cynodont in the fauna, is described here. It is diagnosed by an autapomorphy, a very large posterolabial cusp in the upper postcanine, representing more than half of the labial crest, and a suite of traits present in other traversodontids. Among these features are the descendent flange of the jugal developed as a ball-shaped projection, also known in the Madagascan traversodontid Dadadon isaloi, and the presence of symmetrical incisors with numerous mesial and distal marginal cuspules, feature shared with the North American taxon Arctotraversodon plemmyridon. A phylogenetic analysis of traversodontids from Gondwana, based on a data matrix of 28 characters (mostly dental) and 15 terminals (13 traversodontids, including the new species, plus Diademodon and Trirachodon) was performed. The new traversodontid appears as the sister taxon of Dadadon. A monophyletic Carnian group composed of Exaeretodon, Menadon and Scalenodontoides, with the Carnian Gomphodontosuchus, and the Ladinian Massetognathus as successive outgroups is also supported. In line with a recent phylogenetic hypothesis, a nonmonophyletic relationship for Scalenodon‘species’ from the Anisian Manda beds also results from our analysis. Based on the cladogram obtained, morphological trends of change in the dentition of traversodontids throughout the Triassic are suggested. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 139, 529−545.

Towards a phylogenetic framework for the evolution of shakes, rattles, and rolls in Myiarchus tyrant-flycatchers (Aves: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

A phylogeny of 19 of the 22 currently recognized species of Myiarchus tyrant-flycatchers is presented. It is based on 842bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from the ATPase subunit 8 and ATPase subunit 6 genes. Except for the morphologically distinct M. semirufus, mtDNAs of the remaining 18 species fall into either of two clades. One comprises predominantly Caribbean and Central and North American taxa (Clade I), and the other is of predominantly South American taxa (Clade II). The phylogeny is only very broadly concordant with some vocal characters and also with the limited morphological diversity for which the group is well known. Paraphyly in several species (M. swainsoni, M. tuberculifer, M. ferox, M. phaeocephalus, M. sagrae, M. stolidus) suggests that morphological evolution, albeit resulting in limited morphological diversity, has been more rapid than that of mtDNA, or that current taxonomy is faulty, or both. A South American origin for Myiarchus is likely. Dispersal and vicariance both appear to have been involved in generating the present-day distribution of some species. Relatively recent dispersal events out of South America are inferred to have brought species of Clades I and II into broad sympatry. Jamaica has been colonized independently at least twice by members of Clades I and II. The phylogeny brings a historical perspective that in turn suggests that ecological study of closely related species from within each major clade where they are sympatric will be especially rewarding.

Amplified fragment length polymorphism inElymus elymoides,Elymus multisetus, and otherElymustaxa

The geographic and phylogenetic significance of amplified fragment length polymorphism within and among 22 Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey subsp. elymoides, 24 E. elymoides subsp. brevifolius (J.G. Sm.) Barkworth, and 13 Elymus multisetus (J.G. Sm.) Burtt-Davy squirreltail accessions was assessed relative to six other North American and three Eurasian Elymus taxa. Elymus elymoides and E. multisetus, comprising Elymus sect. Sitanion (Raf.) Á. Löve, were both monophyletic and closely related compared with other congeners. The monophyly of subsp. elymoides was also supported; subsp. brevifolius, however, was paraphyletic and separated into four genetically distinct groups. Estimates of nucleotide divergence among the five E. elymoides groups range from 0.0194 to 0.0288, with approximately 0.0329 differences per site between E. elymoides and E. multisetus. Corresponding estimates of nucleotide divergence range from 0.0243 to 0.0387 among North American taxa and from 0.0337 to 0.0455 between North American and Eurasian taxa. DNA polymorphism among E. elymoides accessions was correlated with geographic provenance and previously reported quantitative traits. Distinct genetic groups of E. elymoides generally correspond to different geographic regions, whereas divergent E. multisetus and E. elymoides accessions are sympatric. Thus, taxonomic ranks of E. multisetus and E. elymoides were supported and geographic groups within E. elymoides were distinguished.Key words: AFLP, Elymus, nucleotide diversity, squirreltail.

Systematic review of European Nimravinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Nimravidae) and the phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogene Nimravidae

Peigné, S. (2003). Systematic review of European Nimravinae (Mammalia, Carnivora, Nimravidae) and the phylogenetic relationships of Palaeogene Nimravidae. —Zoologica Scripta, 32, 199–229.The Nimravidae is a family of sabre‐tooth predators which are well represented in North America and Europe. Most of the previous studies have concentrated on the North American taxa which are the best known. However, the relationships between the European and North American genera have never been carefully investigated. This study presents the results of the first phylogenetic systematic review of Palaeogene Nimravidae. The first part of this work presents the systematic revision of several European taxa (Nimravus intermedius, Dinailurictis bonali and Quercylurus major) and also includes the description of new material from the Early Oligocene of western Europe. The second part deals with the phylogenetic relationships of the Palaeogene Nimravidae. Thirty‐three cranial, mandibular and dental characters were analysed, including a precise analysis of the sabre‐tooth adaptation. The resulting data matrix was analysed through a cladistic analysis which included 19 taxa, including a hypothetical ancestor (outgroup), a primitive skull assigned to cf. Eofelis, and the genera Nimravus (two species), Dinaelurus, Eofelis, Dinailurictis, Quercylurus, Dinictis, Pogonodon, Nanosmilus, Hoplophoneus (four species) and Eusmilus (four species). The analysis of the main core of the character matrix (only 15 taxa + hypothetical ancestor) using the program hennig86 resulted in three most parsimonious trees [length 75; consistency index (CI) = 0.82; retention index (RI) = 0.89]; the strict consensus tree (length 76; CI = 0.81; RI = 0.89) is presented. The main results of the analysis are the strong support for the monophyly of the Nimravine; the confirmation of the basal divergence between Nimravini (Nimravus and Dinaelurus) and all other genera; the sister group relationship of Dinictis to Pogonodon; the plesiomorphic morphology of the European genera Eofelis, Dinailurictis and Quercylurus; the strong support of the clade Nanosmilus/Hoplophoneus/Eusmilus; the unresolved relationships of Hoplophoneus species; and the unequivocal assignment of the species sicarius to Eusmilus. Palaeogeographical and evolutionary implications for the Nimravidae are discussed.