Teratological Forms Research Articles

First report of teratological anomalies in Amblyomma and Dermacentor ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) from Taiwan and the Philippines

Teratological anomalies are congenital abnormalities manifested in the body structure of an organism because of developmental aberrations. These congenital abnormalities, also known as teratological forms, are rare in ticks (Ixodida) and include cases of asymmetries, atrophies, gynandromorphs, and schizomelies. Such teratological anomalies are underreported in Asia, as evidenced by the relatively few published works on this subject. Here, we describe five cases of teratological anomalies in the ixodid ticks Amblyomma cordiferum Neumann, Amblyomma helvolum Koch, and Dermacentor taiwanensis Sugimoto from Taiwan and the Philippines. These are the first records of teratologies in D. taiwanensis and A. cordiferum and only the second report for A. helvolum. Additionally, these are the first published accounts of teratological anomalies in ixodid species from Taiwan and the Philippines.

Taxonomy of epilithic diatoms and teratological forms under the presence of metals in surface sediment

Epilithic diatom species in eight sampling sites of the Cascavel River, Southern Brazil, were taxonomically analyzed. The studied streams are located in a predominantly urban micro-watershed, with distroferric red latosol (rich in Fe and Al), being characterized by distinct metals, predominantly acidic pH, and high conductivity. Overall, 221 diatom species were identified at infrageneric level. Pinnularia was the most representative genus in number of species (28 spp.), followed by Eunotia (25 spp.), Gomphonema (17 spp.), Nitzschia (14 spp.), and Navicula (11 spp.). This is the first record of Fragilaria spectra, Fragilaria tenera var. nanana and Humidophila arcuatoides for the state of Paraná, and the first record of Pinnularia laucensis in Brazil. We found teratological valves in 34 taxa, containing modified outline, changes in the striae pattern, and doubled central area. The genus Eunotia showed the highest number of altered taxa (8 spp.). Mixed teratologies (deformed valve outline + unusual striae pattern) were found only in Ulnaria ulna, Encyonema neomesianum, and Gomphonema graciledictum. The metals and environmental variables in the Cascavel River micro-watershed likely contributed to the diatom teratologies. Our work contributes to the taxonomic knowledge of epilithic diatoms in the region, as well as extending the record of teratological taxa in the literature.

Exploring the Effect of Salinity as a Primary Cause of Teratology in Freshwater Diatoms

<p>Increased water conductivity levels have been proposed as a key factor to explain the occurrence of teratological forms in freshwater diatom assemblages. The current study aimed to carry out an experiment on a laboratory scale to assess the response of periphytic diatoms to artificially increased salinity levels. The obtained results show that: a) the proportion of aberrant cells increased in high conductivity treatments, b) developed teratologies were preserved in diatom populations even after being translocated to normal conditions, and c) the degree of valve outline deformation in the dominant species was proportional to the induced water conductivity. All these data support previous field observations that linked high electrolyte content and the abundance of aberrant cells among microalgal communities in continental aquatic ecosystems.</p>

Assessing radiation dosimetry for microorganisms in naturally radioactive mineral springs using GATE and Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo simulations.

Mineral springs in Massif Central, France can be characterized by higher levels of natural radioactivity in comparison to the background. The biota in these waters is constantly under radiation exposure mainly from the α-emitters of the natural decay chains, with 226Ra in sediments ranging from 21 Bq/g to 43 Bq/g and 222Rn activity concentrations in water up to 4600 Bq/L. This study couples for the first time micro- and nanodosimetric approaches to radioecology by combining GATE and Geant4-DNA to assess the dose rates and DNA damages to microorganisms living in these naturally radioactive ecosystems. It focuses on unicellular eukaryotic microalgae (diatoms) which display an exceptional abundance of teratological forms in the most radioactive mineral springs in Auvergne. Using spherical geometries for the microorganisms and based on γ-spectrometric analyses, we evaluate the impact of the external exposure to 1000 Bq/L 222Rn dissolved in the water and 30 Bq/g 226Ra in the sediments. Our results show that the external dose rates for diatoms are significant (9.7 μGy/h) and comparable to the threshold (10 μGy/h) for the protection of the ecosystems suggested by the literature. In a first attempt of simulating the radiation induced DNA damage on this species, the rate of DNA Double Strand Breaks per day is estimated to 1.11E-04. Our study confirms the significant mutational pressure from natural radioactivity to which microbial biodiversity has been exposed since Earth origin in hydrothermal springs.

Responses of diatom composition and teratological forms to environmental pollution in a post-mining lake (SW Poland)

Various types of environmental stressors, such as heavy metals, lignite residues, or extremely low water pH, cause the formation of teratological forms of diatoms during the reproductive cycle. The damage mainly includes an abnormal diatom valve outline, changes in the striation pattern, anomalies in the raphe line/sternum, reduction in the cell size, metabolism alterations, or combined deformities. Diatom remains with such morphological deformities occur in the sediments of post-mining lake ŁK-46 (SW Poland). This lake was formed by excavation after the end of lignite exploitation in the mid-1960s. The percentage of teratological valves in the studied lake ranged from 12 to 33% of the relative abundance. The majority of abnormal diatoms have been observed in species of Eunotia. The reconstruction of the diatom-inferred pH (DI-pH), together with the concentration of heavy metals in the sediments and contemporary measurements of the water pH, indicates that the lake was contaminated to varying degrees and was acidic from the beginning of lake creation until today. The lake is located in an area of acid mine drainage (AMD), and in its vicinity, there are overburden heaps containing lignite residues, which are eroded and supplied to the lake, constantly acidifying the water. In the youngest sediments, the concentration of heavy metals increased, while the percentage of abnormal diatoms decreased. Determining which factor, i.e., extremely low water pH and the presence of lignite or heavy metals, was responsible for the formation or reduction of teratogenic forms of diatoms is very difficult.

Effect of salinity on valves morphology in freshwater diatoms.

Increased salt concentration is one of the most widespread problems affecting freshwater worldwide. Aquatic communities, and in particular periphytic diatoms, react to this alteration in water quality by modifying their structural parameters and physiology at the individual level, which is commonly manifested by the appearance of teratological forms. The present work presents the results of an experimental laboratory study in which a biofilm grown on artificial substrates was subjected to a gradient of water conductivities for 4weeks. The results show an increase in the number of deformed valves over time proportionally to the increase in conductivity for each experimental treatment. These effects are also verified by analyzing the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the experimental biofilms, which demonstrate a metabolic response to the induced osmotic stress. No changes were recorded; however, in species richness or diversity of taxa present in the treatments. Our results, therefore, confirm at the experimental level numerous previous field observations about the harmful effect of salinity on periphytic diatoms, and also their ability to reintegrate with the new stress conditions.

Cocconeis fetscheriana sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from streams in California (USA) with reference to the cingulum variability within the placentuloid species complex

A novel diatom species, Cocconeis fetscheriana, is described from streams in California (USA). Detailed light and scanning electron microscopy of its frustules reveal a unique combination of characters. These are a highly variable and often irregular valve outline, rapheless sternum valves with characteristic dumbbell-shaped areolae, forming 7–14 longitudinal rows per hemi-valve, a lanceolate, slightly diagonal sternum separated from the valve apices by up to four areolae, robust closed smooth valvocopula attached to sternum valve mantle by an undulate rim, and raphe valve with distinct submarginal areolae, which always circumradiate the raphe apices. Teratological forms are commonly observed in this novel species and are discussed. Environmental data and morphological comparisons with similar Cocconeis taxa with open valvocopulae are provided. The importance of detailed characterization of the cingulum structure with a particular focus on the rapheless sternum valve valvocopula as diagnostic features in Cocconeis is discussed. Examples of cingulum ultrastructure variability are included from additional undescribed Cocconeis species from another stream in California.

Anemone pindariensis (Ranunculaceae), most recently described from the western Himalaya in India, is a teratological form of A. rivularis

Based on literature survey and observations on herbarium specimens and living plants in the wild, we demonstrate that Anemone pindariensis (Ranunculaceae), most recently described from the western Himalaya in India, is a teratological form of A. rivularis. We therefore place the former in synonymy with the latter herein.

New molecular and phenotypic data on Mayamaea Arida (Bock) Lange-Bertalot (Bacillariophyta)

Mayamaea arida (Bock) Lange-Bertalot is a rare species, previously recorded from four locations in Europe only. The aim of this study is to report additional molecular, phenotypic and geographic data on M. arida. The strain of this species was isolated from the soil sample collected on 04.08.2018 in Iturup Island (Sakhalin Region, Russia) in Haplic Cambisol. The strain was identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the M. arida was a member of the strongly supported Mayamaea generic clade and resolved as a basal lineage in the subclade comprised by M. atomus and M. terrestris. New data on partial rbcL plastid gene, chloroplasts morphology and nucleus, lower limit of the cell length, higher number of striae in 10 urn, shape index (length/width), teratological forms and distribution of species are presented.

<p><strong>Three new needle-shaped <em>Fragilaria</em> species from Central America and the Tibetan Plateau</strong></p>

Three new needle-shaped Fragilaria species from freshwater lake Apastepeque in El Salvador (Fragilaria salvadoriana sp. nov., F. maarensis sp. nov.) and subsaline lake Nam Co on the Tibetan Plateau (F. huebeneri sp. nov.) are described and compared based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations and morphometric analyses. Fragilaria salvadoriana sp. nov. is characterized by narrowly linear-lanceolate, sometimes centrally constricted valves, subcapitate to rarely capitate apices, and a distinct, dented appearing central area. Striae are composed of 2−5 occluded areolae. It can be differentiated from similar needle-shaped species by the valve outline, relatively low striae density, and shark fin-shaped spines. Characteristic of F. maarensis sp. nov. are a very narrowly lanceolate valve outline and subcapitate apices. The apical pore field is composed of 2–3 rows of poroids and acute, irregularly oriented spines are present at the junction between valve face and mantle. This taxon is clearly different from other Fragilaria species, displaying a high length-to-width ratio and a low number of areolae per stria. The Tibetan species, F. huebeneri sp. nov., forms long ribbon-like colonies linked together by spatula-shaped spines. Valves have subcapitate apices, a spindle- to needle-shaped outline and an indistinct central area. Striae are alternate and composed of 3–5 areolae per stria. Teratological forms of F. huebeneri sp. nov. were commonly observed in the sediment trap samples. Fragilaria salvadoriana sp. nov. and F. maarensis sp. nov. were found in a warm, tropical crater lake characterized by low conductivity and dissolved oxygen content, medium alkaline pH, and magnesium-calcium-bicarbonate-rich waters. Fragilaria huebeneri sp. nov. was frequent in a large, high elevation lake with increased specific conductivity, alkaline pH and sodium-bicarbonate-rich waters. The new species are compared to morphologically similar species from the genus Fragilaria Lyngbye and ecological preferences are discussed.

Fossilized reproductive modes reveal a protistan affinity of Chitinozoa

Abstract Reproduction is a key aspect of evolution, but the process is rarely preserved in the fossil record. Organisms fortuitously preserved undergoing reproduction provide an exceptional window illuminating the biology of extinct taxa, especially those with unknown phylogenetic position. Here we report exceptional specimens of chitinozoans (enigmatic Paleozoic organic-walled microfossils) preserved as “test-in-test” morphology, which have previously been interpreted as teratological forms. Application of advanced imaging techniques on newly recovered and reexamined Ordovician materials enabled documentation of critical morphological details of the test’s inner ultrastructure for the first time. The results show that the newly observed spongy material and dendritic structure on or inside the chitinozoan test as well as the test wall itself are all made of clustered rounded spherical particles. Morphological details suggest that those specimens represent key stages of new asexual reproductive strategies, hitherto undescribed, which produce either one or several offspring at a time. This observation challenges the prevailing hypothesis that chitinozoans are eggs of cryptic extinct marine metazoans. Instead, it is more plausible that they represent a new isolated group of protists.

New records of the genus Bryobia (Acari: Tetranychidae) from Syria with description of a new species

Three species of Tetranychidae belonging to the genus Bryobia were collected from Latakia governorate, Syria in 2019: Bryobia (Allobia) syriensis n. sp. collected from Salvia verbenaca L., is described; Bryobia (Allobia) nikitensis and Bryobia (Bryobia) gigas collected from S. verbenaca and from soil litter, respectively, are reported. New observations of Bryobia specimens previously reported from the same governorate during 2014-2016 revealed that specimens of Bryobia (Bryobia) watersi were misidentified as Bryobia (Bryobia) graminum and Bryobia (Bryobia) kissophila. Among them, we found two aberrant females bearing three propodosomal lobes. By analogy, we discussed the cases of the trilobed species, Bryobia bakeri and Bryobia aegyptiacus, and concluded that they could be teratological forms of quadrilobed Bryobia species rather than species with a particular pattern of propodosomal lobes.

Taxonomic review for the Asian taxa of plant bug tribe Hallodapini, with emphasis on stridulatory mechanism (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)

Abstract Asian genera and species of the plant bug tribe Hallodapini are reviewed. The present classification system is based particularly on detailed morphology and function of the stridulatory device and concealed habitat preference. Our recent efforts successfully demonstrated that the stridulatory devices of the forewing edge and dorsal metafemur are doubtlessly used for intraspecific communication (at least for courtship behavior). Based on the stridulatory structures and additional characters, Cleotomiris Schuh, 1995, Cleotomiroides Schuh, 1984, Hallodapus Fieber, 1858 and Wygomiris Schuh, 1984, are re-diagnosed and discussed; Alloeomimella Yasunaga & Duwal gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate Alloeomimus muiri Schuh, 1984 and a new combination, Alloeomimella muiri (Schuh) comb. nov., is accordingly established. Six new species are further described: Cleotomiroides ishikawachui Yasunaga & Duwal sp. nov. (Indonesia: Java); Hallodapus jingfui Yasunaga & Duwal sp. nov. (Taiwan); H. spinosus Yasunaga & Duwal sp. nov. (Thailand); H. susurratus Yasunaga & Duwal sp. nov. (Thailand); Wygomiris paveli sp. nov. (Taiwan); and W. phormictes sp. nov. (Taiwan). The male of Wygomiris nanae Yasunaga, 2012 is reported for the first time. A teratological form found on the antennae in two Wygomiris species is also documented.

Fitness of teratological morphotypes and heritability of deformities in the diatom Gomphonema gracile

• The growth, physiology and behavior of normal and deformed Gomphonema gracile were analyzed. • Teratological diatoms were able to survive and reproduce. • Teratology was faithfully passed on with cell division over 9 days. • Deformed individuals performed similarly to normal ones. Diatom teratologies have intrigued scientists since the XIXth century, with respect to their causes and origins. These deformities, mainly observed in long-term cultures or under high levels of pollution, were poorly considered, until they were recently found to be potential indicators of toxic impairment of freshwaters. However, very little is known about their ecology. In this study, the growth and fitness of morphologically distinct descendants of the same cell line of Gomphonema gracile (teratological vs. non teratological forms) were compared over a typical growth cycle. Contrary to expectations, teratological populations grew slightly faster, at a rate of 0.47 ± 0.03 divisions.day −1 , versus 0.41 ± 0.04 for the normal morphotype. They had similar physiological performances as non-teratological forms. They did not differ in their movement velocities, but the trajectory of teratological forms was more linear, likely as a consequence of their elongated outline. Under the same culture conditions, no competitive exclusion of one phenotype over the other was demonstrated on the time scale of an exponential growth cycle (9 days). Moreover, the deformities were faithfully reproduced over time, and no evidence of decreased viability in teratological forms was provided. These new insights call into question the common hypothesis that deformed diatoms are altered individuals produced by unfavorable conditions and thus highlight ecosystem dysfunction. They call for further investigations of their ecology.

Taxonomic harmonization of Neogene and Quaternary candonid genera (Crustacea, Ostracoda) of the Paratethys

During the Cenozoic, the constant northward movement of the African plate led to the division of the Tethys Ocean into two: the Palaeomediterranean and the Paratethyan branches. The latter was represented by a huge epicontinental sea and brackish to freshwater lakes that extended across central Europe and western Asia. Neogene and Quaternary ostracods from the Paratethys originated through major adaptive radiations, which gave rise to endemic brackish taxa. Unfortunately, much confusion surrounds their taxonomy, due to the quality of descriptions and images in the original literature and the incompleteness of the type material, making necessary a taxonomic revision. In this paper, we propose a systematic revision of several Paratethyan endemic candonid genera based on the analysis of the type material, new material collected from the type localities, and new fossil material from the Ponto-Caspian area. The study focuses on the description of the valve morphology and particularly on the geometric morphometric analysis of the valve outline. Thirty-three genera were taken into account of which four (Advenocypris, Candoniella, Graviacypris, Telekia) were considered to be junior synonyms of Typhlocypris, Pseudocandona or Candona. Moesiella is considered a nomen nudum. In the case of Caspiollina, Dacicandona, Liventalina and Turkmenella the scarcity of material and/or the poor descriptions reported in the literature prevented us from performing a full revision. The monospecific genus Thaminocypris possibly includes a teratological form. The remaining 23 genera were merged into nine valid, endemic, genera (Bakunella, Camptocypria, Caspiocypris, Hastacandona, Lineocypris, Pontoniella, Propontoniella, Typhlocyprella and Zalanyiella). Emended diagnoses and descriptions are proposed for these genera and a new species, Bakunella anae sp. nov., is described. This study considerably reduces the taxonomic uncertainty within the Paratethyan candonids, providing new data for the evaluation of the palaeobiodiversity of the Paratethyan domain. Finally, the palaeobiogeography of Paratethyan candonids during the Neogene and Quaternary is also discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EB9EC2D4-AFD2-428E-9958-C97F36ED7FF2

Valve teratologies and Chl c in the freshwater diatom Tabellaria flocculosa as biomarkers for metal contamination

Freshwater benthic diatoms, routinely used for bioassessment, are potential metal indicators because of their known capacity to reflect changes in water chemistry. Nevertheless, the effect of metals on benthic freshwater diatoms is still poorly understood. Metals, such as Zn and Cu, are not only essential as micronutrients, but also one of the main anthropogenic pressures in aquatic ecosystems. However, metal stress cannot be detected with the current European standard methods using bioindicators for environmental assessment, so new tools need to be developed. We studied the effects of Zn and Cu on the freshwater diatom Tabellaria flocculosa. This diatom isolated from a Zn and Cu contaminated stream, was exposed to different concentrations of Zn and Cu, and the metal effects were assessed by measuring physiological ((growth, fluorescence, pigments’ content (Chl a, c, carotenoids)) and morphological parameters (teratological forms). We found that at environmental concentrations occurring in European streams, Zn and Cu showed toxic effects on T. flocculosa. Toxic effects induced by Zn were only observed at high concentrations (500 and 1000 µg/L), resulting in fluorescence changes, an increase of Chl c cellular content and an increase of teratological forms (with an increase of more heavily deformed valves with increasing metal concentrations). Increasing Cu exposure induced several changes, such as increasing the cellular content of Chl a and c, while carotenoids’ cellular content decreased. Cu also increased the number of T. flocculosa frustule deformations. Cu did not affect the cellular fluorescence. Our results thus show that the frequency of diatom teratologies could potentially be used to assess metal stress for the studied metals Zn and Cu. Additionally, the analysis of algal pigments could potentially separate the effects of different metals.

Benthic diatom community response to metal contamination from an abandoned Cu mine: Case study of the Gromolo Torrent (Italy)

Environmental contamination has become a global problem of increasing intensity due to the exponential growth of industrialization. One main debated issue is the metal contamination of rivers receiving Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from active/abandoned mines. In order to assess the quality of lotic systems, diatoms are commonly used, as their assemblage modifies on the basis of changes in environmental parameters. Benthic diatom changes were analyzed along the metal-impacted Gromolo Torrent (Liguria, NW Italy) with the aim of understanding the effects of input from the abandoned Libiola Cu mine. The results support the hypothesis that metals from AMD lead to massive changes in diatoms, resulting in low biological diversity and in a shift of dominance, passing from the genera Cymbella and Cocconeis to more tolerant and opportunistic species, such as Achnanthidium minutissimum and Fragilaria rumpens. The high concentrations of labile metals, measured through Diffusion Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) immediately downstream of the two AMD inputs in the torrent, corresponded to a sudden decrease in the presence of diatoms, indicating the possible reaching of acute toxic levels. In particular, A. minutissimum dominated the mining area and was positively correlated with Cu and Zn; whereas F. rumpens bloomed downstream of this area, where the metal content was diluted, and was positively correlated with As and Pb. Finally, an important abundance of Nitzschia palea and teratological forms of A. minutissimum and F. rumpens were observed downstream from the mine, indicating that metals may have an important impact on diatoms up to the torrent mouth.

Diatom responses to sewage inputs and hydrological alteration in Mediterranean streams

We analyzed the conjoint effects of sewage inputs and hydrological alteration on the occurrence of teratological forms and on the assemblage composition of stream benthic diatoms. The study was performed in 11 Mediterranean streams which received treated or untreated urban sewage (Impact sites, I), whose composition and morphological anomalies were compared to upstream unaffected (Control, C) sites. The impact sites had high concentrations of ammonium, phosphorus, and pharmaceutical compounds (antibiotics, analgesics, and anti-inflammatories), particularly in those receiving untreated sewage. Impact sites had a higher proportion of teratological forms as well as a prevalence of diatom taxa tolerant to pollution. The differences in the diatom assemblage composition between the paired C and I sites were the largest in the impacted sites that received untreated sewage inputs as well as in the systems with lower dilution capacity. In these sites, the diatom assemblage was composed by a few pollution-tolerant species. Mediterranean river systems facing hydrological stress are highly sensitive to chemical contamination, leading to the homogenization of their diatom assemblages.

Reprint of “Ranunculacean flower terata: Records, a classification, and some clues about floral developmental genetics and evolution”

Teratological organisms originate from developmental anomalies, and exhibit structures and a body organization that deviate from the species standard. In plants, teratological forms are often of horticultural interest. However, besides their aesthetic value, these monsters give essential clues about the formation of the wild-type groundplan. We focus on flower terata, which can be affected in their sterile and/or fertile organs, with special emphasis on the Ranunculaceae. The diversity of perianth shapes and organizations in flowers of this family is huge, and is even increased when anomalies occur during organo- and/or morphogenesis. In order to galvanise research on Ranunculacean flower terata, which has been overlooked since the middle of the 20th century, we provide the necessary material to inspire future studies in this field. We (I) recount the history of the science of flower teratology, (II) review records of flower terata in the buttercup family, (III) propose a system to classify the changes affecting canonical development, (IV) synthesize key studies on the developmental genetics of the flower terata with a focus on Ranunculaceae, and (V) address the issue of their evolutionary potential. We expect Ranunculaceae species to become model organisms in flower teratology studies, focusing on morpho-anatomy as well as on evo-devo or evolutionary ecology.

Teratological Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) From Wisconsin.

Abnormalities of physiological development (teratological forms) in ticks are rare. The occurrence of gigantism, dwarfism, gynandromorphs, missing legs, extra legs, and asymmetries is most often reported from lab-reared specimens, but has been observed in field-collected specimens. All morphologically anomalous ticks (besides gynandromorphy) described to date are from species other than Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae). Here we describe four teratological I. scapularis nymphs collected while dragging vegetation in Wisconsin in 2015, including two asymmetrical ticks, one with a missing leg, and one with an extra leg.