Taxonomic Indicators Research Articles

Short-term effects of artificial reef construction on the taxonomic diversity and eco-exergy of the macrobenthic faunal community in the Pearl River Estuary, China

Artificial reefs (ARs) are widely used to restore coastal habitats and associated biological resources. Although research on the effects of ARs on benthos has been increasing, our understanding of the responses of taxonomic and thermodynamic macrobenthic indicators to AR construction is limited. In the current study, differences in the taxonomic diversity and ecological exergy (eco-exergy) of the macrobenthic faunal community before and after AR construction were explored in AR habitat and nearby non-reef control habitat in the Pearl River Estuary, China. The results indicated that macrobenthic faunal diversity, species richness, abundance, biomass, and eco-exergy tended to increase after AR construction regardless of habitat; the increases, however, were not statistically significant in the AR habitat and were only occasionally significant in the non-reef control habitat. After AR construction, macrobenthic faunal evenness and specific eco-exergy changed irregularly. AR construction did not change the composition of the dominant species of macrobenthic fauna in the study area but did change their dominance values. Eco-exergy was positively related with macrobenthic biomass and abundance, confirming that the eco-exergy of the macrobenthic fauna assemblage was mainly derived from biomass information. The results of this short-term study indicate that AR construction could increase macrobenthic faunal taxonomic diversity and thermodynamic health in both AR and nearby non-reef habitats. However, a long-term assessment of ecological indicators is still needed to determine the effects of AR construction on marine biological resources.

Strategic development of cargo transit services: a case study analysis

Abstract Purpose. Recently, foreign economic activity in Ukraine has gradually shifted towards the European Union (EU). The EU’s special interest in the potential of Ukraine’s transit transport lies in the geographical position of the country, which is located on the main routes of international freight traffic. The article aims to study the status and development opportunities in the field of transit freight transport of the Ukrainian railway joint-stock company (JSC Ukrzaliznytsya) within the framework of European integration. Methodology. The article presents the analysis of the activity of the JSC Ukrzaliznytsya in the field of transit freight transport for the period of 2005-2017 and outlines the strategic prospects for its development as a significant transit route considering the conditions of European integration. The methodology included theoretical and practical research using statistical methods; methods of comparative analysis; ABC analysis method; and taxonomic method. Results. The JSC Ukrzaliznytsya was analysed to determine the status of its activity in the field of transit freight transportation for 2005-2017. A structural-dynamic analysis was made to estimate cargo volumes transported by railway enterprises and related revenues. 18 types of cargo were identified using the ABC analysis method based on two indicators, namely, “volumes of transportation” and “revenues from cargo transit”. Also, taxonomic indicators of the level of system development were considered and revenues from cargo transit for the analysed period were estimated. Finally, recommendations were proposed regarding the development of a joint-stock company as a strategic cargo transporter under the conditions of European integration with Ukraine. Practical implications (if applicable). The results of the conducted research and performed calculations confirmed the need to refocus the management activity of the JSC Ukrzaliznytsya in the field of cargo transit towards strategically important cargoes, which have the largest share in the structure of financial results. This will enable the company to achieve its leading role as a strategic transit carrier of the European Union in the near future.

Different responses of taxonomic and functional bird diversity to forest fragmentation across an elevational gradient.

Many studies have investigated how habitat fragmentation affects the taxonomic and functional diversity of species assemblages. However, the joint effects of habitat fragmentation and environmental conditions on taxonomic and functional diversity, for instance across elevational gradients, have largely been neglected so far. In this study, we compare whether taxonomic and functional indicators show similar or distinct responses to forest fragmentation across an elevational gradient. We based our analysis on a comprehensive data set of species-rich bird assemblages from tropical montane forest in the Southern Andes of Ecuador. We monitored birds over 2years in two habitat types (continuous and fragmented forest) at three elevations (i.e., 1000, 2000, and 3000m a.s.l) and measured nine morphological traits for each bird species on museum specimens. Bird species richness and abundance were significantly higher in fragmented compared to continuous forests and decreased towards high elevations. In contrast, functional diversity was significantly reduced in fragmented compared to continuous forests at low elevations, but fragmentation effects on functional diversity tended to be reversed at high elevations. Our results demonstrate that taxonomic and functional indicators can show decoupled responses to forest fragmentation and that these effects are highly variable across elevations. Our findings reveal that functional homogenization in bird communities in response to fragmentation can be masked by apparent increases in taxonomic diversity, particularly in diverse communities at low elevations.

Bird Functional Traits Respond to Forest Structure in Riparian Areas Undergoing Active Restoration

Monitoring wildlife responses is essential to assess restoration projects. Birds are widely used as bioindicators of ecosystem restoration, but most studies use only taxonomic descriptors to compare categories of reference and restoring sites. Here, we used forest structure as a continuous predictor variable to evaluate avifaunal taxonomic and functional indicators in riparian forest reference and restoration sites on southeastern Brazil. Reference sites were riparian forest remnants, and restoration sites were pasture before seedling reintroduction. Forest structure variables (mean tree height, canopy depth, mean diameter at breast height, basal area, tree layering, tree density, and grass cover) were reduced into two axes using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Forest Axis 1 (tree biomass vs. grass cover) and Forest Axis 2 (canopy depth vs. tree density). Bird species were classified in relation to five functional categories (i.e., diet, foraging stratum, nest height, cavity dependence for nesting, and forest dependence). Forest Axis 1 influenced the functional diversity of bird assemblages and the relative abundance within levels of each functional category (except for nest height). The relative abundance of all functional categories combined was also affected by Forest Axis 2. Therefore, forest structure affected the predominant functional traits of bird species in riparian sites under restoration. Sites with higher tree biomass were the richest, with canopy birds that were insectivores and frugivores of high forest dependence, whereas more open sites were associated with birds of low forest dependence and ground-foraging insectivores. Forest structures of similar-aged sites were strongly variable, due to natural and anthropic disturbances, so restoration age was a poor indicator of forest development. These unpredictable disturbances can change the development of sites under restoration, so that forest structure can be a better descriptor of the trajectory of these ecosystems.

Developing Cognitive Assessment Objectives in Language Syllabus Design

As research begins to push syllabus developers more firmly towards a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) based approach to second language acquisition, content-focused courses and their development are a growing trend in Japanese tertiary education contexts. Actions by the Ministry of Education (MEXT) have reinforced this focus, and have created a need for syllabus designers to adapt their practices to incorporate content learning as a vehicle for driving second language acquisition. In turn, cognitive development, seen in CLIL theory as having a synergistic effect on linguistic and content mastery, is an area of interest for syllabus designers in Japan, especially as widely publicized context-specific teaching materials are still in earlier stages of dissemination. This study looks in detail at the relationship between cognitive domain taxonomic indicators and how they interact with linguistic development, in a specific Japanese tertiary syllabus. This study aims to improve the efficacy of this syllabus and its assessment in the following ways: 1. By distinguishing students’ perceptions of difficulty in answering quiz questions based on Bloom’s and Anderson and Krathwohl’s taxonomies of the cognitive domain (1956, 2001), using a 12 item questionnaire; 2. By comparing these perceptions of difficulty to the difficulty levels implied by the hierarchical nature of the taxonomies; 3. To offer conclusions and suggestions made from the implications of one and two, in order to better develop course teaching and assessment for both language acquisition and content mastery.

Effect of land use and soil organic matter quality on the structure and function of microbial communities in pastoral soils: Implications for disease suppression.

Cropping soils vary in extent of natural suppression of soil-borne plant diseases. However, it is unknown whether similar variation occurs across pastoral agricultural systems. We examined soil microbial community properties known to be associated with disease suppression across 50 pastoral fields varying in management intensity. The composition and abundance of the disease-suppressive community were assessed from both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Pseudomonas bacteria were selected as a general taxonomic indicator of disease suppressive potential, while genes associated with the biosynthesis of a suite of secondary metabolites provided functional markers (GeoChip 5.0 microarray analysis). The composition of both the Pseudomonas communities and disease suppressive functional genes were responsive to land use. Underlying soil properties explained 37% of the variation in Pseudomonas community structure and up to 61% of the variation in the abundance of disease suppressive functional genes. Notably, measures of soil organic matter quality, C:P ratio, and aromaticity of the dissolved organic matter content (carbon recalcitrance), influenced both the taxonomic and functional disease suppressive potential of the pasture soils. Our results suggest that key components of the soil microbial community may be managed on-farm to enhance disease suppression and plant productivity.

Investigations on the interplays between Schistosoma mansoni, praziquantel and the gut microbiome

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease burdening millions of people. One drug, praziquantel, is currently used for treatment and control. Clinically relevant drug resistance has not yet been described, but there is considerable heterogeneity in treatment outcomes, ranging from cure to only moderate egg reduction rates. The objectives of this study are to investigate potential worm-induced dysbacteriosis of the gut microbiota and to assess whether a specific microbiome profile could influence praziquantel response.MethodsUsing V3 and V4 regions of 16S rRNA genes, we screened the gut microbiota of 34 Schistosoma mansoni infected and uninfected children from Côte d’Ivoire. From each infected child one pre-treatment, one 24-hour and one 21-day follow-up sample after administering 60 mg/kg praziquantel or placebo, were collected.ResultsOverall taxonomic profiling and diversity indicators were found to be close to a “healthy” gut structure in all children. Slight overall compositional changes were observed between S. mansoni-infected and non-infected children. Praziquantel treatment was not linked to a major shift in the gut taxonomic profiles, thus reinforcing the good safety profile of the drug by ruling out off-targets effects on the gut microbes.16S rRNA gene of the Fusobacteriales order was significantly more abundant in cured individuals, both at baseline and 24 hours post-treatment. A real-time qPCR confirmed the over-abundance of Fusobacterium spp. in cured children. Fusobacterium spp. abundance could also be correlated with treatment induced S. mansoni egg-reduction.ConclusionsOur study suggests that neither a S. mansoni infection nor praziquantel administration triggers a significant effect on the microbial composition and that a higher abundance of Fusobacterium spp., before treatment, is associated with higher efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of S. mansoni infections.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN15280205.

The Role of Biomarker as a Taxonomic Material and Indicator of Characters Performance on Marine Biota

Taxonomy of marine biota is the process of analyzing the characters that exist in the individual, connecting the available characters and create similarities and inequalities between a large numbers of individuals. It is not easy to find and measure similarities or similarities in great diversity. However, in any biota with such great diversity, there is, of course, a certain similarity or trait even if small and small. This commonality or uniformity that taxonomists use as the basis for classification. The creation of clear taxon boundaries becomes especially important when faced with a high diversity of marine biota, not only in quantity and species but also in the ecosystem and climatic conditions, as well as in the tropics. Given the pattern of phenotypic and genotype variations, it would be difficult to define species boundaries based solely on morphological characters, but to be important in monitoring and evaluating character performance on the basis of this pattern. By recognizing and analyzing this pattern of order, it can serve as the identity of individual characters in the species population. The identity of standardized characters in the character performance index, it can be used to monitor, evaluate and investigate the status and condition of the character's performance at any time either to the genetic material, biota or ecology. This article aims to explain the basic concepts of biomarkers as well as their role as taxonomic materials and performance indicators of the character of a marine biota.

DETERMINATION OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTIONS OF RESTAURANT INDUSTRY INSTITUTIONS ON BENCHMARKING BASES

Introduction. The article deals with the issues of strategic development of restaurant industry institutions. Nowadays, the fractal structuring is one of the most efficient tools for the study of complex organizations. This structuring has allowed using a hierarchical system of indicators to carry out a strategic assessment and develop the direction of strategic development of enterprises. Purpose. The article aims is to determine the directions of strategic development of the restaurants of Kharkiv, which are the part of the networks, on the basis of benchmarking. For this purpose, the system of restaurant management is proposed to be structured according to a fractal hierarchy using evolutionary principles. Method. The method of taxonomic analysis and modern methods of benchmarking have been used to find and study the best-known methods of generating business and helping to improve service delivery processes relatively quickly and at the lowest cost. These methods aim at assessing and determining the directions of strategic development of restaurant facilities in the networks. Results. Based on the data as for the activity of restaurants in the network structure and the results of the assessment of their strategic development, the reduction of the distance from the leading enterprise by the level of the taxonomic indicator has been calculated by improving each factor. The factors can determine the level of strategic development in the enterprise under the analyses. The calculations have been executed according to the indicators, which reflect the fractal structure of the organization of the restaurant industry. The results of the analysis have allowed the identification of such strategic directions as menu optimization, improvement of the quality of service, net profit, turnover, establishment of rates and efficiency of using the network benefits (profitability).

THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC SECURITY ASSESSMENT

The essence of economic security of the country is analyzed. The theoretical bases of estimation of economic safety of the country are investigated. The methodical principles of assessing the country's economic security by means of a taxonomic indicator have been improved. The main threats and priorities of ensuring economic security of Ukraine are determined.

Ciliates as bioindicators of CO2 in soil

The effect of controlled sub-surface CO2 emissions on edaphic ciliate communities was examined in experimental mesocosms and then compared with the effect of natural CO2 emissions from natural vents on edaphic ciliate communities to analyse the potential of ciliates as bioindicators of soil CO2 increments. The relative abundance of each taxonomic family formed the basis for developing the metrics of the ciliate assemblages in order to obtain a quantitative soil quality bioassessment, the edaphic ciliate bioindex. Twenty-four mesocosms filled with soil and equipped with controlled CO2 injection were built for the experiment. To evaluate the potential of soil ciliates as bioindicators, the same CO2 fluxes were analyzed in both study conditions, from 0 to more than 150mlCO2d−1. Several diversity indices and other group ratios and percentages of community structure were calculated.Biodiversity of ciliates (Equitability, Margalef and Shannon indices) decreased with the increase in CO2 fluxes, and Colpodid/Polyhymenophorean ratio increased. This indicated adverse conditions for the ciliates in the soil. There was a positive significant relationship between the observed CO2 values measured in the test set and the values expected according to their inhabiting ciliate community. The weighted averaging of taxonomic group indicator method supported the experimental results attesting to the potential of edaphic ciliates as bioindicators of CO2 flux increments. The ecological profiles estimated within the training test, based on the taxonomic level of family, were reliable and provided a basis for the use of ciliates to monitor soil CO2 flux increments in a wide range of ecological conditions.

Tree species distribution and phylogenetic diversity across southern South America

The present-day southern South American flora comprises a group of lineages with southern temperate affinities, which have been suggested to have evolved during and after the breakup of Gondwana, as well as a group of Neotropical elements which are largely found in northern South America. Here, I aim to assess the floristic coherence of the main vegetation types that inhabit this region and determine the principal drivers of variation in the evolutionary diversity of these forest communities. I compiled a database of 3662 species of shrubs and trees at 781 sampling sites spread over six countries in South America. To understand the vegetation types that occur in the region I conducted clustering and ordination analyses. I then compared the defined vegetation types using taxonomic distinction, indicator species and phylogenetic diversity analyses. My results indicated a high diversity of vegetation types in terms of woody floristic composition, with a large number of indicator species, many of which are endemic. Contradicting the idea that temperate floras are recently derived and evolutionarily poor subsets of tropical floras, I demonstrated that the forests of the far south of South America are characterized by exceptional evolutionary diversity.

Eocene Loranthaceae pollen pushes back divergence ages for major splits in the family.

BackgroundWe revisit the palaeopalynological record of Loranthaceae, using pollen ornamentation to discriminate lineages and to test molecular dating estimates for the diversification of major lineages.MethodsFossil Loranthaceae pollen from the Eocene and Oligocene are analysed and documented using scanning-electron microscopy. These fossils were associated with molecular-defined clades and used as minimum age constraints for Bayesian node dating using different topological scenarios.ResultsThe fossil Loranthaceae pollen document the presence of at least one extant root-parasitic lineage (Nuytsieae) and two currently aerial parasitic lineages (Psittacanthinae and Loranthinae) by the end of the Eocene in the Northern Hemisphere. Phases of increased lineage diversification (late Eocene, middle Miocene) coincide with global warm phases.DiscussionWith the generation of molecular data becoming easier and less expensive every day, neontological research should re-focus on conserved morphologies that can be traced through the fossil record. The pollen, representing the male gametophytic generation of plants and often a taxonomic indicator, can be such a tracer. Analogously, palaeontological research should put more effort into diagnosing Cenozoic fossils with the aim of including them into modern systematic frameworks.

Analytical modeling in information system of restaurant business companies under uncertainty conditions

The necessity of using the methodology of factor-taxonomic analysis in the total of the restaurant business companies of Kharkov in the accounting management strategy under conditions of preserving the accuracy of its presentation is studied. The results of the analytical modeling of success are compared with the application of the proposed integrated-target approach, which calculates the taxonomic indicator of the level of economic development and the ratio of the levels of trade income and operating expenses by component parts of the turnover

Benthic habitat health assessment using macrofauna communities of a sub-tropical semi-enclosed bay under excess nutrients

This research was conducted to assess the ecosystem health of Daya Bay benthic habitat, investigate the effects of anthropogenic nutrients, and evaluate the application of ecological indicators for benthic health assessment. Environmental indicators and macrobenthic communities, were investigated during summer and winter 2015. Results indicated a strong seasonality in biotope of intertidal and subtidal zones. Lower macrobenthic diversity were calculated from subtidal inner bay, reflecting the effects of anthropogenic nutrients. However, intertidal sites in that part were indicated to be in a relatively healthier ecological status. Seasonal effects of excess nutrients on benthic habitat were reflected in ecological indicators. It is concluded that the excess nutrients at spatiotemporal scales, influences on the health of benthic habitat. Eventually, it is recommended by this research that, with considering the natural/anthropogenic circumstances, the taxonomic and phylogenetic ecological indicators would be helpful tools to evaluate the benthic health of a typical sub-tropical semi-enclosed bay.

Trait-based metrics as bioindicators: Responses of stream fish assemblages to a gradient of environmental degradation

The development of biomonitoring tools is increasingly appealing in light of the increasing degradation of aquatic ecosystems. In this context, we investigated the responses of stream fish communities to the gradient of environmental degradation in different basins using a variety of indices based on functional diversity, functional composition, and taxonomic diversity. We used datasets from three Brazilian ecoregions. In order to describe the gradient of environmental degradation we scored streams based on local and landscape variables. The functional structure of the assemblages was described in relation to seven functional traits related to habitat use, swimming capacity, and maneuverability. We described assemblages in each ecoregion separately in relation to 20 potential indicators, grouped in four families: indices of functional diversity based on presence/absence (FDp/a); indices of functional diversity weighted by abundance (FDabund); indices of functional composition (mT); and, indices based on taxonomic diversity (TDiv). The relationship between the indicators and the gradient of environmental degradation were evaluated using linear regression. We found a significant interaction effect (ANOVA, p=0.006) between group of indices and ecoregions for the performance of indicators, suggesting a context-dependent response. The indices, on an individual basis, had variable performance and consistency among ecoregions. Four mT indicators demonstrated the highest average performance and consistency. Taxonomic diversity indicators consistently had the lowest average performance, while FDp/a and FDabund indicators had low average performance and variable inter-regional consistency. The differential inter-regional performance of indicators was due to the differences in the lengths of the gradients of environmental degradation. Our results indicate that functional traits have greater predictive power compared to taxonomic indicators for fish responses to a gradient of environmental degradation. Although indicators of functional composition are the most promising, we emphasize that caution is needed when generalizing functional diversity indicators across ecoregions because most of them are context-dependent.

Higher taxa as surrogates for species richness in intertidal habitats of Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf

Due to the difficulties and limitations in detailed surveys with complete taxonomic identification, there has been great interest in rapid methods of biodiversity assessment such as physical and habitat surrogates, lower taxonomic resolution and indicator groups. This study aimed to examine if higher taxa would be acceptable as surrogates in studies of marine biodiversity in intertidal habitats of Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. Except for Annelids, which were removed from analysis due to difficulties in identification to lower than family level, 232 recorded species were represented by seven phyla (i.e., Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Echinodermata, Chordata), 13 classes, 118 families and 178 genera. Species richness was significantly correlated with the richness of genera, families, orders, classes and phyla and the matrix of between-site compositional similarity for species was significantly correlated with the matrices for genera, families, and classes for assemblages defined by presence/absence data. The results suggest that higher taxa are potential surrogates for species richness in biodiversity surveys in intertidal habitats.

ADVANCED VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS FOR PROVIDING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAYS OF UKRAINE ON THE WAY TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The subject of the research is to study the state of issue of advanced training of environmental professionals and specialists on six railways of Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC: Donetsk, Lviv, Odesa, Pivdenna (Southern), Pivdenno-Zakhidna (Southwestern) and Pridniprovska Railways. The purpose of the article is to study the issue of providing the necessary qualification level of postgraduate education (advanced training) of environmental professionals and specialists at six Ukrainian railways. The methodology of the research: In order to achieve the goal, the following methods are used in the article: 1) statistical methods and methods of comparative analysis; 2) questionnaires and expert surveys of environmental professionals and specialists; 3) taxonomic methods. The novelty of the research. The state of the issue of ensuring the necessary level of professional development of environmental professionals and specialists at six railways of Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC is investigated. Namely: 1. the state of the level of professional development of environmental professionals and specialists of 6 railways of Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC for the period from 2012 to 2016 is researched and evaluated; its structural and dynamic analysis is carried out; 2. calculations of taxonomic indicators of the level of development of career development system for environmental professionals and specialists as distribution of expenses for advanced training for 6 railways for 2012–2016 are made; 3. carried out a questionnaire of environmental professionals and specialists, whose list of functional responsibilities, in accordance with the job description (both staffed and part-time workers), includes issues of the use of natural resources and environmental protection – in order to clarify the availability of environmental education, the length of work in the railway, the length of work in positions associated with environmental activities, the level of satisfaction with the content of their work. Conclusions. To ensure the sustainable development of Ukrainian railways on the way to European integration, it is necessary to take into account the requirements and standards of the EU both in the reform of rail transport in general and in the management of its impact on the natural environment. The training of modern skilled personnel is an important part of the strategy of sustainable economic and ecological development of rail transport; therefore, a special attention should be paid to the training of environmental professionals and specialists working in positions related to the use of natural resources and environmental protection. The European direction of the railways of Ukraine requires new approaches to the education and professional development of such specialists. Summing up the results of the conducted researches, the authors of the article substantiated that both the structure of the number of environmental professionals and specialists who have increased the qualification, as well as the structure of costs for the advanced training of environmental professionals and specialists of six studied railways, which are parts of Ukrzaliznytsia PJSC, for the period from 2012 to 2016 are very volatile. Thus, they concluded that, during the period under review, such significant structural shifts do not comply with the principles and provisions of the sustainable development of railway transport enterprises.

Molar shape variability in platyrrhine primates

Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that platyrrhines constitute a monophyletic group represented by three families: Cebidae, Atelidae, and Pitheciidae. Morphological variability between and within these three families, however, is widely discussed and debated. The aim of this study was to assess molar shape variability in platyrrhines, to explore patterns of interspecific variation among extant species, and to evaluate how molar shape can be used as a taxonomic indicator. The analyses were conducted using standard multivariate analyses of geometric morphometric data from 802 platyrrhine lower molars. The results indicated that the interspecific variation exhibited a highly homoplastic pattern related to functional adaptation of some taxa. However, phylogeny was also an important factor in shaping molar morphological traits, given that some phenotypic similarities were consistent with current phylogenetic positions. Our results show that the phylogenetic and functional signals of lower molar shape vary depending on the taxa and the tooth considered. Based on molar shape, Aotus showed closer similarities to Callicebus, as well as to some Cebidae and Ateles-Lagothrix, due to convergent evolutionary trends caused by similar dietary habits, or due to fast-evolving branches in the Aotus lineage, somewhat similar to the shape of Callicebus and Cebidae.

Assessment of the Diversity of Leaf Epidermal Traits of Dipcadi Filamentosum Medik Among Different Co-Geographical Regions in Nigeria

This study was conducted to disentangle the influence of environmental variables on the spatial patterns in leaf epidermal traits (i.e. stomatal occurrence, stomatal traits and epidermal cells) in some morphologically different populations of Dipcadi filamentosum Medik in Nigeria. The stomatal occurrence and the stomatal length (SL), stomatal width (SW), stomatal size (SS), stomatal density (SD) and stomatal index (SI) of 13 ecotypes of D. filamentosum from 11 locations in Nigeria were studied. All the populations were amphistomatous with 100% tetracytic stomatal complex type. The epidermal cells were rectangular in shape with straight to curve anticlinal cell wall pattern. Contrarily, the species from the Northern eco-geographical location had larger SS, higher SD, longer SL, higher SI and wider SW and higher epidermal cell density than those from the Southern eco-geographical location where there is higher annual rainfall and lower temperature. Temperature and rainfall affected SD, SI and SL, SS and SW whereas the epidermal cells and anticlinal cell walls were not affected. Variations were observed within and between the populations from the 4 eco-geographical locations.The variables observed among the 4 eco-geographical populations of D. filamentosum showed that effects of environmental factors are partial on the leaf epidermal traits of the plant. The evidences from the studied characters are good taxonomic features or indicators hence they can be used to separate them to different species.