Short Lobes Research Articles

Two new varieties of Agapetes (Ericaceae) from Xizang, China

Two new varieties from Xizang, China, i.e. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora and A. forrestii var. parvifolia, are described and illustrated. Agapetes interdicta var. flaviflora differs from the nominate variety in having yellow and smaller corollas with shorter lobes and anthers with shorter appendages at the base. Agapetes forrestii var. parvifolia is distinguished from the nominate variety in the smaller leaves with an acute apex, nearly transverse secondary veins and puberulent peduncle. Taxonomic notes on these taxa are also provided.

In situ forest with lycopsid trees bearing lobed rhizomorphs from the Upper Devonian of Lincheng, China.

The earliest forests in the Devonian were reported from only four localities worldwide. The tree lycopsids, sometimes as the primary elements of Devonian forests, had evolved several types of rooting systems. In recent years, we found and excavated a Late Devonian (Famennian, 374-359 Ma) lycopsid forest from Zhejiang Province, China. The fossil forest occurs at seven locations of Lincheng Town of Changxing County and mainly consists of in situ small tree lycopsid (Heliodendron longshanense gen. et sp. nov.) stems usually connected to lobed cormose rhizomorphs. The four short lobes of each rhizomorph often branch once and bear roots arranged radially. Allometry is observed between the trunk diameter of Heliodendron and the length of its rhizomorphic lobes, indicating that the trunk develops later than the rhizomorph in tree lycopsid plants. The Devonian witnessed the transformation from clastic nonlycopsid dominated forests to Carboniferous swampy forests dominated by giant lycopsid trees. These trees form a multigenerational community, as shown by the in situ preserved stems at various levels within the same area due to frequent sedimentation events.

Morphology of the wings and attachment apparatus in the evolution of the family Hippoboscidae (Diptera).

Using a complex analysis of the molecular genetics, morphological, and ecological characteristics of Hippoboscidae flies, the phylogenetic structure and trends in the evolution of morphological characters that contribute to the ectoparasitic lifestyle of hippoboscid flies of the north of Eurasia were studied for the first time. The research was carried out on 26 Palearctic species from 10 genera. The analysis of molecular phylogeny revealed the levels of clustering of the family with the species predominantly parasitizing mammals or birds, the time of cluster formation, and the divergence of species in the Palearctic conditions. An independent adaptation to birds occurred in the genera Icosta, Pseudolynchia, Ornithoica, and others. Bird parasites are characterized by bifid tarsal claws, long hooks on pulvilli, and long empodium setae (except genus Ornithoica). Mammalian parasites are characterized by simple tarsal claws, short lobes of hooks on pulvilli, and zones on empodium with short setae. Specialization in empodium and pulvillus morphotypes and wing reduction are higher diverged in mammalian parasites than in bird parasites. The decrease of flight ability and wing reduction independently arose in different subfamilies of Hippoboscidae flies. Our results assume that the tribe Ornithomyini is a paraphyletic group, since, according to the complex of morphological features, the genus Ornithoica can be considered a separate lineage of evolution.

Cardamine karol-marholdii (Cardamineae; Brassicaceae), a remarkable new species from Mexico

Cardamine karol-marholdii, a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico, is unique and readily distinguishable from all members of the tribe Cardamineae by having strongly flexuous raceme rachis and short-node stems that become woody in subsequent seasons and roughened by the persistent, thickened petiolar bases. It also has pinnatisect leaves with linear, adaxially slightly grooved, short lobes usually overlapping along most of their length.

Species authentication of Tor spp. (family Cyprinidae) in Indonesia based on osteocranium structure and biometric data

Currently, the existence of Tor species is threatened with extinction and is listed on the IUCN red list due to overfishing, forest destruction, water pollution, fluctuations in water volume, and land conversion. This study aims to fully describe the differences in the osteocranium structure of four Tor species (T. tambroides, T. douronensis, T. tambra, and T. soro) in Indonesia. Visually, the genus Tor is identified by the presence of a lobe on the ventral side of the lower lip. T. tambroides has long and thick lobes, T. tambra has short lobes, T. douronensis has long and thin lobes, while T. soro has very short lobes. The results of the osteocranium structure analysis of four Tor species showed differences, including the occipital, lateral ethmoid, frontal, infraorbital, nasal, preethmoid, prootic, pterotic, vomer, lateral ethmoid processus, pterotic processus, and lateral processus bones, where the differences in the osteocranium structure include the size, number, and development of the bone. The results of the univariate analysis (analysis of variance) of 33 characters of biometric data showed that 20 characters were significantly different (P < 0.05) and the other 13 characters were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the results of multivariate analysis (principal component analysis) of 33 biometric data characters succeeded in discriminating four Tor species into four separate groups; however, T. tambroides and T. douronensis tended to be more closely related than the other two species. In conclusion, this study shows that osteocranium structure and biometric analysis have successfully authenticated four Tor species into four separate groups validly.

Leaf anatomy of Quercus macranthera subsp. syspirensis (K.Koch) Menitsky

The genus Quercus L. (Fagaceae) is represented by 461 species worldwide. Its distribution ranges from the temperate northern hemisphere to Malaysia and Colombia. Quercus bark is rich in tannins and is used as an astringent. Q. macranthera subsp. syspirensis (K.Koch) Menitsky is endemic to Turkey and is known as "ispir meşesi". The plant is a small deciduous tree up to 7 m tall. Leaves obovate with 5-9 short lobes, stipules filiform, primary veins 6-10 and petiole 5-20 mm. The plant material was collected from Kastamonu-Araç (Turkey). A voucher specimen was deposited in the Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy Herbarium (AEF). The samples for anatomical studies were protected in 70% alcohol. The transverse and surface sections were cut by hand with razor blade into microscopic preparat form. The Sartur solution was used in microscopic examinations. Leica DM 4000B microscope was used for anatomical analysis and micro photographing. According to the results of the anatomical study, the leaf is bifacial. Numerous stellate hairs are found on the upper and lower epidermis. Stomata are located only on the lower epidermis. The leaf and petiole contain solitary crystals. The petiole is characterized by a numerous stellate hairs. The sclerenchymatous tissue surrounds the vascular bundles in the form of a ring.

A New Species of Snailfishes (Liparidae) of the Genus Careproctus from the Northern Slope of the Aleutin Basin (Bering Sea)

—A new species of snailfishes Careproctus schmidti sp. nov. from the northwestern part of the Bering Sea is described. The specimen was caught in the mesobenthal of the Aleutian Basin at a depth of 852–862 m (holotype ZIN no. 56 620—female TL 194 mm). It is distinguished from the majority of congeners of the North Pacific Ocean by a set of features: a large number of vertebrae (63) and rays in the fins (D 56, A 50, P 34, C 10), the presence of two pairs of pleural ribs, a relatively elongated (21% SL) pectoral fin with a notch and short lower lobe (12% SL), two suprabranchial pores, simple teeth, naked skin, and black peritoneum. In terms of meristic features, the new species is similar to three North Pacific species, but it differs from C. colletti in a short lower lobe of the pectoral fin, a flattened disc of triangular outlines, and a longer gill slit. It differs from C. roseofuscus by a lower body, a pectoral fin ventrally located and anus which opens immediately behind the disc. It differs from C. ambustus in purple-lilac color, fewer in number simple teeth with sharp apexes, in vertical and higher disposition of gill slit, shorter lower lobe of the pectoral fin, disc shape and position of the anus. The presence of an ovipositor may indicate existence of complicated reproductive behavior (such as carcinophilia or other types of reproductive commensalism). The northwestern slope of the Aleutian Basin, where a specimen of C. schmidti was caught, is located in the zone of influence of the Bering Slope Current and seasonal upwelling associated with the rise of deep waters. The composition of the ichthyocene in the area of ​​capture is given, including up to 20 species, dominated by Macrouridae.

Saussurea talungensis (Asteraceae), a new species from Humla, Nepal Himalayas.

A new species Saussurea talungensis S.K.Ghimire & H.K.Rana, sp. nov. (sect. Strictae), from Talung valley of Humla district, Nepal, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, this species resembles Saussurea roylei and Saussurea lanata in habit, though it can be distinguished in having longer leaf petioles, purplish leaf margin, 1 or 3 capitula, shorter phyllaries, shorter receptacle bristles and the same anthers, comparatively shorter corolla with shorter lobes. Phylogenomic analysis also supports S. talungensis as a distinct species of Saussurea. Here, we provide taxonomic note, distribution map and phylogenomic inference to distinguish the new species and its allied members.

Solanum confertiflorum (Solanaceae), a New Species from Brazil for the Cyphomandra Clade

Abstract—Solanum confertiflorum (Solanaceae), a new species for the Cyphomandra clade, is described and illustrated. The species is endemic to Bahia state, in Brazil, restricted to few localities, inhabiting seasonal forests and outcrops in the Caatinga biome. It is morphologically related to S. luridifuscescens, sharing the papillose anthers without swollen connectives, but distinguished by the forked cymes with flowers congested at the apex, swollen calyx with shorter lobes, as well as shorter, sessile stamens. The morphology, geographic distribution, ecology, and conservation status are discussed and a key for the Brazilian species without swollen connectives belonging to the Cyphomandra clade is presented.

A Wind Tunnel Investigation into the Aerodynamics of Lobed Hailstones

The complex surface geometries of hailstones affect their fall behavior, fall speeds, and growth. Systematic experimental investigations on the influence of the number and length of lobes on the fall velocity and the drag coefficient of hailstones were performed in the Mainz vertical wind tunnel to provide relationships for use in numerical models. For this purpose, 3D prints of four artificial lobed hailstone models as well as spheres were used. The derived drag coefficients show no dependency in the Reynolds number in the range between 25,000 and 85,000. Further, the drag coefficients were found to increase with increasing length of lobes. All lobed hailstones show higher or similar drag coefficients than spheres. The terminal velocities of the the hailstones with short lobes are very close to each other and only reduced by about 6% from those of a sphere. The terminal velocities from the long lobed hailstones deviate up to 21% from a sphere. The results indicate that lobes on the surface of hailstones reduce their kinetic energy by a factor of up to 3 compared to a sphere. This has important consequences for the estimation of the destructive potential of hailstones.

Anatomy of the visceral cavity of Eugerres mexicanus (Teleostei: Gerreidae)

Introduction. The visceral cavity of teleostean fishes contains the kidneys, digestive tube and annexed glands, gas bladder, gonads, and spleen. Objective: To analyze and describe the anatomic relationships of the organs of the visceral cavity of the Mexican mojarra, Eugerres mexicanus. Methods: By means of dissections, we analyzed, described and illustrated the splanchnology of the visceral cavity of 10 adult specimens from the State of Chiapas, Mexico. Results: The visceral cavity is delimited by the precaudal vertebrae, the scapular and pelvic girdles, the pleural ribs, the first anal pterygiophore and several myotomes. Both kidneys, with extraperitoneal character are partially fused each other, and contact the neurocranium, the precaudal vertebrae, and the gas bladder. The digestive tube does not present a stomach nor pyloric caeca, and it is 1.3 the standard length of the fish. The liver has two short right lobes. Both ovaries and testes are wide and reach the liver. The spleen is ovoid and is located on the left side of the duodenum. The gas bladder has two anterior lobes, its posterior end is in direct contact with the floor of the visceral cavity, and contain the urinary bladder. Discussion: The organization of the organs in the visceral cavity is in the anatomical pattern of the teleostean fishes, however, the organ that shows the highest number of special characters is the gas bladder, which as in other species of Eugerres is large and shows two notable anterior lobes, reinforced by epipleural ribs. Compared with other species of Eugerres, the Mexican mojarra shows, as exclusive characters: a) the union of the posterior end of the gas bladder with the floor of the visceral cavity, and, b) the location of the urinary bladder within the gas bladder.

Taxonomic studies on Ophiorrhiza in Vietnam I: Ophiorrhiza hiepii and O. hainanensis, a new species and new record from northern Vietnam

Ophiorrhiza hiepii and O. hainanensis are reported as a new species and a new record for Vietnam respectively. O. hiepii is morphologically similar to O. subrubescens but differs by its smaller habit, usually unbranched stems, fewer secondary veins, umbelliform and sub-congested cymes, shorter corolla tubes and shorter stigma lobes in short-styled flowers. The mature flowers of O. hainanensis, which were unknown before, were measured in the wild for supplemental description of its floral characters. Additionally, the relationship between O. hainanensis and O. nutans, two easily confused species is clarified.

A right whale (Mysticeti, Balaenidae) from the Pleistocene of Taiwan

Current patterns of biological distribution result from the deep past. Of particular interest, some closely related species appear at high latitudes of both hemispheres, but not in between, a pattern known as antitropical distribution. However, the timing, pathway, and drivers of antitropical distributions remain mostly unknown. Here we describe a new fossil, a left tympanic bulla (part of the ear bones), from the Middle/Late Pleistocene (0.78–0.01 mya, but not excluding the possibility of Holocene in age, as the specimen was dredged from the sea bottom and the geological horizon remains uncertain) of Taiwan. The tympanic bulla is diagnostic in baleen whales, and this specimen shows morphological features that are identical to extant Eubalaena, including: relatively large size (the anteroposterior length is 117 mm); rectangular outline in medial view; short anterior lobe, judging from the remaining of the lateral furrow; squared anterior margin; prominent transverse crease on the involucrum; transversely compressed in anterior view; well-developed and rounded outer lip; and parallel involucral and main ridges. Although incomplete, the morphological characters and overall similarity to extant Eubalaena allow a reliable taxonomic assignment to Eubalaena sp. The occurrence of a Pleistocene Eubalaena on the southern margin of the western North Pacific is the first balaenid fossil evidence indicative of the biotic interchange between two hemispheres leading to the origin of antitropical distribution in the Pleistocene; alternatively, this specimen might merely represent an extra-limital record of the North Pacific Eubalaena. Furthermore, this find suggests that the Eubalaena interchange, being one of the largest species displaying antitropical distribution pairs in the history of life, likely took place along the western Pacific. Notably, this does not preclude the Eubalaena interchange from other routes, such as the eastern Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean, and future finds should test the scenario for the biotic interchange between Northern and Southern Hemispheres of Eubalaena.

Peltigera shennongjiana, a new cyanolichen from Central China

AbstractAs part of our ongoing research on Peltigera, we recognize a morphologically and phylogenetically distinct new species, Peltigera shennongjiana L. F. Han &amp; S. Y. Guo, from the Shennongjia region of Central China. It is distinguished from other members of the P. canina-group by the presence of abundant phyllidia and flat, branched lobules along the margin or laminal cracks, short lobes, and a pruinose, usually greyish upper surface. The various populations sampled share identical ITS nr DNA sequences, of which the ITS2 regions are characterized by a unique secondary structure. Furthermore, we provide a detailed comparison of the characteristics of P. shennongjiana with morphologically similar species and a key to Peltigera species reported from China.

A mid-Cretaceous tree fern of Thyrsopteridaceae (Cyatheales) preserved in Myanmar amber

An unusual tree fern trapped in mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber is described as Thyrsopteris cretacea sp. nov. (Thyrsopteridaceae). The fossil most resembles T. elegans, a present-day species endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands, based on the character combination of pinnate fertile lamina segments with short lobes bearing terminal sori, cyathiform indusia, clavate receptacles, and oblique annuli. Thyrsopteris cretacea is the first described mid-Cretaceous tree fern preserved in amber. It adds to the diversity previously ascribed to the Thyrsopteridaceae, which has been based on Eocene fossils, and it extends the fossil record of the family further back to the mid-Cretaceous. Most previous fossils of Thyrsopteridaceae have been from the Southern Hemisphere and are therefore considered Gondwanan. Thyrsopteris cretacea represents one of the few occurrences of the family in Laurasia.

Two new species of Elwendia (Apiaceae) from Uzbekistan

Two new species of Apiaceae are described as new to science, Elwendia bucharica from the Hissar Range (Pamir-Alay) and E. ugamica from the Ugom Range (Western Tian-Shan). Both species are related to E. capusii. Elwendia bucharica is distinguished by the short terminal lobes of leaves, number of bracts, shape of pedicels, and number of secretory ducts in petals. Elwendia ugamica is distinguished by the short terminal lobes of stem leaves, terminal umbels of lateral branches, shape of stylopods, and shape of styles.

A NEW SPECIES OF CEROPEGIA L. (APOCYNACEAE) FROM SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS OF INDIA

Ceropegia paulsamii Karuppusamy et Ravichandran sp. nov. (Apocynaceae) is described and illustrated from Megamalai wildlife sanctuary in southern Western Ghats of Tamilnadu state, India. It is similar to Ceropegia decaisneana Wight but differs in sub-succulent fasciculate roots, flowers with short corolla lobes with middle constriction, outer corona trilobed, whitish, and basally caudate each coronal segment.

Two new species of the rare Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).

Two new species in the rare, endemic Neotropical caddisfly genus Amphoropsyche Holzenthal, 1985 are described from Ecuador (A. carchi sp. n.) and Peru (A. matsigenka sp. n.) bringing to 17 the number of species known in the genus. Almost all species are known from only a few individuals and from even fewer localities. The new species belong to a group of 10 other species that have tergum X in the male genitalia divided into a mesal process and a pair of lateral processes. Amphoropsyche carchi can be separated from those species by the rounded mesal concavity, the short mesobasal lobe, and the short 2nd article of the inferior appendage, while A. matsigenka can be diagnosed by the very slender and straight inferior appendage, which bears a pair of spine-like mesoventral projections. We also present a new record for Amphoropsyche tandayapa Holzenthal & Rázuri-Gonzales, 2011, from Ecuador, previously known only from the male holotype.

Bourreria scabra (Boraginaceae), a new species from southern Madagascar

THULIN, M. & S.G. RAZAFIMANDIMBISON (2017). Bourreria scabra (Boraginaceae), a new species from southern Madagascar. Candollea 72: 345–350. In English, English and French abstracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2017v722a12Bourreria scabra Thulin & Razafim. (Boraginaceae), a new species from southern Madagascar, is described and illustrated. The plant was previously sometimes treated as conspecific with Bourreria lyciacea Thulin [≡ Hilsenbergia lyciacea (Thulin) J.S. Mill.] in Somalia and Kenya. However, Bourreria scabra differs markedly from Bourreria lyciacea by its smaller corolla, finely pubescent outside and with shorter lobes, by its practically unbranched style, by its smaller fruits more or less enclosed by the calyx, and by its smaller pyrenes with several low ridges forming an irregular reticulation on the outside. Bourreria scabra differs from all other species of Bourreria P. Browne in Madagascar by the very rough upper surface of the leaves. The species is widespread in spiny dry forests in southern Madagascar, with occurrences in the Andohahela and Tsimanampetsotsa National Parks and the Beza Mahafaly Reserve. The new species is assigned the category of “Near Threatened” using the IUCN Red List Criteria.

Functional meaning of asymmetrical commissures in Coniacian (Upper Cretaceous) rhynchonellide brachiopods from Northern Spain

The functional meaning of asymmetry in brachiopods has been a matter of discussion for over a century. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain why these morphologies appear, the predominant idea in the literature being that it might be a non-adaptive characteristic. Here we present an in-depth study of the asymmetry present in the commissure of the rhynchonellide brachiopod Cyclothyris aff. globata from three Upper Cretaceous sections of northern Spain, with the aim to establish whether it is correlated to some kind of palaeoenvironmental factor. A new hypothesis interpreting this asymmetry as a functional feature is proposed after the results obtained from the palaeoecological and taphonomical study of the specimens. A noteworthy aspect of the asymmetry displayed by this species is that juvenile forms are fully symmetric while adult specimens are asymmetrical, but internal structures remain symmetric throughout ontogeny. In adult forms, asymmetry is expressed as the division of the shell into two vertically displaced lobes, one of which is invariably shorter than the other. Characteristically, the beak is twisted towards the shorter lobe, and in some individuals the larger lobe is seen to be completely flattened due to burial and compaction. When the occurrence of these asymmetrical forms was analyzed, it became evident that they appeared wherever the lithology was mainly marly, thus seeming to be related to the predominance of fine detrital components in the sediments (soft bottom). These features enable us to suggest that C. aff. globata lived partially buried, with one side of the shell placed inside the soft sediment. Asymmetry developed gradually as the shell grew, being evident once it attained a certain size. This hypothesis fits well with the morphological and structural features displayed by this species and, particularly with its relationship with the consistency of the substrate in which these asymmetric brachiopods lived, corresponding to an adaptation of the growing to soft and unstable bottom conditions.Although this paper does not aim to conduct a systematic review of the species, the geometric morphometric analysis performed in order to describe the asymmetry provided results that give a basis for the discussion of the taxonomic relationships between certain Upper Cretaceous asymmetric Cyclothyris species.