Teratological Specimens Research Articles

Morphometrics of teratological specimens from two species of Plaxiphora (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from the South Pacific Ocean

Morphometrics of teratological specimens from two species of Plaxiphora (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from the South Pacific Ocean

History and highlights of the teratological collection in the Narrenturm, Vienna (Austria).

The collection of the Narrenturm in Vienna houses and maintains more than 50,000 objects including approximately 1200 teratological specimens; making it one of the biggest collections of specimens from human origin in Europe. The existence of this magnificent collection-representing an important resource for dysmorphology research, mostly awaiting contemporary diagnoses-is not widely known in the scientific community. Here, we show that the Narrenturm harbors a wealth of specimens with (exceptionally) rare congenital anomalies. These museums can be seen as physical repositories of human malformation, covering hundreds of years of dedicated collecting and preserving, thereby creating unique settings that can be used to expand our knowledge of developmental conditions that have to be preserved for future generations of scientists.

Trilobite tridents demonstrate sexual combat at 400 Mya

The Devonian trilobite Walliserops carries a remarkable anterior cephalic trident posing a challenge to functional interpretation. A unique teratological specimen of Walliseropstrifurcatus showing four, rather than three tines, is inconsistent with possible hypotheses connecting the trident to feeding techniques and suggests a sexually selected function. Malformations in a variety of living organisms support this conclusion. Morphometric comparisons to similar structures used for intraspecific combat in dynastine beetles show that the trident occupies a comparable shape space consistent with the hypothesis that it was a sexual combat weapon, the oldest reported example of its kind. This lends further credibility to the idea that some trilobites may have been strongly sexually dimorphic.

A preliminary investigation of umbellate inflorescences in Vallisneria americana populations of Central Florida

Vallisneria americana typically produces solitary pistillate inflorescences; however, unusual umbellate flowers have been observed in sub-tropical populations and are reported as rare. There are multiple hypotheses regarding the origin or cause of umbellate inflorescences—they may be relics of ancestral stocks surviving through asexual reproduction, heritable traits worthy of taxonomic recognition, or teratological specimens resulting from injury during flower formation. Through surveys of Vallisneria populations in four lakes in Central Florida, USA, we show these umbellate flowers are broadly distributed and we document their physical and reproductive traits, contrasted with solitary capsules (capsule number, capsule length and width, seed number, germination). Umbellate inflorescences were found frequently across space and time—capsules were found in three of four lakes, 40–80 % of the times flowering was observed. Umbellate inflorescences produced fewer seeds than solitary capsules, despite having 2–33 capsules per inflorescence. Seeds from umbellate capsules were viable, but germination occurred more slowly and at a lower percentage than seeds from solitary capsules. Nematodes were not detected within sampled inflorescences. Chironomid larvae were detected at a high rate (75–80 %) in umbellate capsules from two of three lakes but were not found on solitary capsules, suggesting they may be a possible cause for teratological growth. We conclude umbellate inflorescences are broadly distributed in Central Florida lakes and, while not sterile, they may have reproductive costs. Further study is needed to fully evaluate the cause of umbellate formation, population-level effects, and their range within Vallisneria americana.

Anatomical Things at the Juncture of Commerce and Science in the Late Ottoman Empire

The Mekteb-i Tıbbiye-i Şahane (the Imperial School of Medicine) has long held a privileged place in the literature on late Ottoman medicine due to its being a landmark institution embodying the nineteenth-century Ottoman state’s commitment to modernizing medical education and public health services. Despite the extensive scholarly attention devoted to the school, its academic stuff, and its facilities, however, there are still many gaps in our knowledge about this important institution. The current article seeks to fill one such gap by focusing on the Mekteb-i Tıbbiye anatomy museum (fenn-i teşrih numunehanesi) and, as a necessary extension, on the dissecting room, with the aim of casting light on the anatomical teaching aids purchased for or donated to the school, ranging from cadavers and teratological specimens to the detachable anatomical models of Auzoux and the anatomical preparations by Hyrtl. Inspired by and aiming to contribute to studies on the material culture of medicine, I investigate the ways in which these anatomical artifacts, specimens, and cadavers traveled and were traded as gifts and commodities across and within the borders of the Ottoman Empire. Such an investigation will reveal a variety of actors with different stakes involved in the procurement, collection, and acquisition processes. It will also demonstrate how economic incentives and personal connections beyond, or in parallel to, scientific missions spurred the transfer of anatomical objects and specimens from their site of origin to institutional and private collections.

A parapagus dicephalus tripus tribrachius conjoined twin with a unique morphological pattern: a case report

BackgroundConjoined twinning is a rare congenital malformation with an incidence of about 1.5 per 100,000 births. Because no consensus has been reached regarding the dysmorphology, thorough descriptions of conjoined twins as part of teratological collections can be useful to increase knowledge of this congenital malformation. In this case report, we describe a parapagus dicephalus twin from the collection of the Department of Anatomy of the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands. External anatomical characteristics were assessed through a detailed macroscopic examination and internal characteristics by means of whole-body computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (3 Tesla).Case presentationMacroscopic examination showed a Caucasian male parapagus dicephalus tripus tribrachius conjoined twin a type of conjoined twinning in which there are two heads side by side, one rump, and three upper and three lower limbs. In addition, anencephaly was observed in the left twin. Radiological imaging showed a normal central nervous system in the right twin and absence of the calvaria, cerebrum, diencephalon, and mesencephalon in the left twin. There was clear duplication of the vertebral column, rib cage, respiratory system, and gastrointestinal system at least up to and including the first part of the duodenum. The heart consisted of a monoatrium with two separate ventricles. There was a fused liver with a single gallbladder, a single spleen, three kidneys, two bladders, and duplication of the penis. The third upper and lower extremities were articulating with a fused glenoid and acetabulum, respectively. The third foot showed both polydactyly and syndactyly of the toes.ConclusionThis case report describes a unique case of a male dicephalus parapagus tripus tribrachus conjoined twin discordant for anencephaly. Radiological imaging proved to be an adequate noninvasive method to provide insights into the internal (dys)morphology of this specific specimen, improving its scientific and educational value. This approach could be generally applied to other teratological specimens, thereby strengthening arguments regarding pathogenetic hypotheses, which may lead to new or improved insights into both normal and abnormal embryonic development.

History and highlights of the teratological collection in the Museum Anatomicum of Leiden University, The Netherlands.

The anatomical collection of the Anatomical Museum of Leiden University Medical Center (historically referred to as Museum Anatomicum Academiae Lugduno‐Batavae) houses and maintains more than 13,000 unique anatomical, pathological and zoological specimens, and include the oldest teratological specimens of The Netherlands. Throughout four centuries hundreds of teratological specimens were acquired by more than a dozen collectors. Due to the rich history of this vast collection, teratological specimens can be investigated in a unique retrospective sight going back almost four centuries. The entire 19th century collection was described in full detail by Eduard Sandifort (1742–1814) and his son Gerard Sandifort (1779–1848). Efforts were made to re‐describe, re‐diagnose and re‐categorize all present human teratological specimens, and to match them with historical descriptions. In the extant collection a total of 642 human teratological specimens were identified, including exceptional conditions such as faciocranioschisis and conjoined twins discordant for cyclopia, and sirenomelia. Both father and son Sandifort differed in their opinion regarding the causative explanation of congenital anomalies. Whereas, their contemporaries Wouter Van Doeveren (1730–1783) and Andreas Bonn (1738–1817) both presented an interesting view on how congenital anomalies were perceived and explained during the 18th and 19th centuries; the golden age of descriptive teratology. Although this enormous collection is almost 400 years old, it still impresses scientists, (bio)medical students, and laymen visiting and exploring the collections of the Museum Anatomicum in Leiden, The Netherlands.

Detection of G1138A Mutation of the FGFR3 Gene in Tooth Material from a 180-Year-Old Museological Achondroplastic Skeleton.

Throughout the last four centuries, many anatomical museums across the world have collected teratological specimens that became precious objects. These can be regarded as spirits of the past which have captured the morphology of diseases through time. These valuable and irreplaceable specimens can be perfectly used in contemporary dysmorphological or genetic research. Unfortunately, due to the historical nature of these specimens and the regularly used aggressive preservation fluids, DNA degradation is often present. Furthermore, the use of material for DNA extraction is restricted to preserve the appearance of these valuable museological specimens. Thus, the most challenging part in this perspective is to harvest sufficient DNA of good quality for further testing without damaging the specimens. Besides fixated specimens, most teratological collections contain dried skeletal and teeth materials which are an excellent source to extract DNA. We here present a DNA-based method that enables genetic identification of the G1138A mutation of the FGFR3 gene in a 180-year-old achondroplastic skeleton, confirming the previously morphologically determined disease. Nuclear DNA was extracted from a premolar tooth and the mutation was found using Sanger sequencing of a small region of the FGFR3 gene.

The species of Haplothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae) and related genera recorded from the Hawaiian Islands.

An illustrated identification key is provided to 17 species of Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripinae from Hawaii that are members of the Tribe Haplothripini, together with a further species that is similar in general appearance to members of that Tribe. Of these 18 species, 13 are considered introduced from other parts of the world, but five appear to be endemics. Known only from Hawaii, Haplothrips fissus syn. n. is considered to have been based on a teratological specimen and is placed as a synonym of the Hawaiian endemic Haplothrips davisi. Both this species and two further endemics, Haplothrips rosai and Priesneria doliicornis, are possibly mycophagous rather than phytophagous. The Indonesian species Haplothrips sesuvii syn. n. is recognised as a synonym of Haplothrips robustus from Australia, although both names have been used in Hawaii. Two further species that are presumed to be Hawaiian endemics, Apterygothrips remotus and Haplothrips williamsi, remain known only from the original specimens.

Frederik Ruysch (1638-1731): Historical perspective and contemporary analysis of his teratological legacy.

The Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) in Saint Petersburg is the oldest museum in Russia. It keeps the remains of the anatomical collection of the world‐famous 17th century Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch. This unique collection was bought and shipped in 1717 by Czar Peter the Great, and presently still comprises more than 900 specimens, a modest number of which concerns specimens with congenital anomalies. We searched for teratological clues in the existing collection and in all his descriptions and correspondence regarding specimens and cases he encountered during his career as doctor anatomiae and chief instructor of the surgeons and midwives in Amsterdam. A total of 63 teratological specimens and case descriptions were identified in this legacy, including some exceedingly rare anomalies. As it turns out, Ruysch was the first to describe several of the conditions we encountered, including intracranial teratoma, enchondromatosis, and Majewski syndrome. Although his comments pose an interesting view on how congenital anomalies were scientifically perceived in early 18th century Europe, Ruysch mostly refrained from explaining the causes of the conditions he encountered. Instead, he dedicated himself to careful descriptions of his specimens. Almost 300 years after his demise, Ruysch's legacy still impresses and inspires both scientists and lay men. © 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

New teratological cases in Platygastridae and Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera)

Very few cases of teratological specimens, i.e. specimens displaying morphological abnormalities, have been cited among Platygastridae and Pteromalidae. From the Platygastridae we present 5 cases of symphysocery [A8-A9 in Metaclisis sp.; A3-A5 and A7-A9 in Sceliomorpha sp.; A5-A6 in Scelio sp. 1; A9-A10 in Idris sp., and a completely modified antenna in Gryon monspeliense (Picard 1924)]; a helicomery in Opisthacantha sp.; a hypertrophied interantennal prominence and central keel in Triteleia peyerimhoffi (Kieffer 1906); a schistocery concerning A5 in Apegus sp.; and a gynandromorph specimen of Scelio sp. 2. In the Pteromalidae we found 2 cases of symphysocery in Systasis parvula (Thomson 1876) (A4-A5 and A5-A9) and 1 in Pteromalus sp. (A8-A10); 1 case of hypertrophy concerning the antennomeres in S. parvula (A5) and 1 in Norbanus africanus Subba Rao 1973 (A6-A8); 1 case of cyclopy and head asymmetry in N. africanus; and 1 petiole asymmetry in Sphegigaster sp.

Case 3518CornuBorn, 1778 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, helicidae): request for a ruling on the availability of the generic name

The purpose of this application, under Articles 78.2.3 and 80.2.1 of the Code, is to suggest a possible interpretation of Article 1.3.2 in relation to the availability of the generic name Cornu Born, 1778 for a genus of land snails (family helicidae). There has been longstanding confusion regarding the correct generic combination for the well-known, common and widely introduced land snail originally described as Helix aspersa Müller, 1774, that is, whether it should be placed in Cornu Born, 1778, Cantareus Risso, 1826 or Cryptomphalus Charpentier, 1837. The confusion has arisen primarily because of differing interpretations of Article 1.3.2 in relation to the original proposal of the genus-group name Cornu Born, 1778 for the species Cornu copiae Born, 1778, which was based on a teratological specimen of Helix aspersa Müller, 1774. It is proposed that the wording of Article 1.3.2 be interpreted to confirm the availability of Cornu Born, 1778.

A Teratological Specimen Of Calosoma sycophanta (L.) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) From Connecticut, U.S.A

Teratological specimens of Coleoptera are rarely observed. The anomalous morphology of such specimens presumably reduces their chances of survival, making them uncommon in the environment. A classification and suggested terminology for describing teratological specimens of Coleoptera were published by Balazuc (1948). Publications by Dallas in Argentina (1927) and Cappe de Baillon in Europe (1927) are also noteworthy. Prior to this publication, Ferreira (1966, 1967) reported on several anomalies when he was affiliated with the Zoological Museum, University of Coimbra (Portugal). The carabid reported here was identified as Calosoma sycophanta (L.) (Fig. 1). The right hind leg has a reduced tibia ending in a 45 degree angle with a thicker tibial spine, and a tarsus with only three reduced tarsomeres (Fig. 2). The tip of the last deformed tarsomere is rounded and without tarsal claws. The left hind leg is normal (Fig. 3). The teratological specimen was collected in Pawcatuck (New London County), Connecticut, in a lot close to the Elm Ridge golf course. Other individuals of Calosoma sycophanta (L.) were seen running in the area and climbing small trees. Balazuc (1948) describes anomalies such as the one reported here as meiomelies, involving either the loss (ectromelie) or reduction (atrophy) of an appendage or part of an appendage. The specimen reported here has both a loss of part of an appendage as well as a reduction in the existing parts of the appendage (tarsus). Such an anomaly is usually considered the result of a purely physical problem, which may be related to physiological or environmental influences during development (Balazuc, 1948). However the anomaly may also have a genetic basis as in similar anomalies reported by Arendsen Hein (1920, 1924). The report of an identical anomaly in the front leg of a Carabus intricatus L. by Mocquerys (1880) adds weight to the latter possibility.

Morphological abnormalities in Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene foraminifer tests (northern Patagonia, Argentina)

Morphological abnormalities are common in Late Cretaceous and early Paleocene foraminifer tests at two localities in northern Patagonia, Argentina. Protelphidium sp. in the Auca Mahuevo section (late Campanian–early Maastrichtian) exhibit abnormal size or shape of the later chambers, with the last chamber commonly larger than normal or inflated and variably extending onto one of the lateral sides of the test; modification of the coiling plane; protuberances near the proloculus or on one or more chambers; a double last chamber, and complex forms. Protelphidium hofkeri Haynes in the Cerro Azul section (Danian) exhibit abnormal size or shape of one or more chambers, producing peripheral irregularities. In addition, there are rare multiple tests in planktic species from the Cerro Azul section, probably teratological specimens. The sedimentology of the sections and the character of the accompanying faunas indicate that the abnormalities in the two benthic foraminiferal taxa were most probably caused by hypersalinity and/or fluctuations in salinity. The fossil occurrence of assemblages with abundant deformed specimens suggests that investigators should carefully look at many aspects of the environment before concluding that anthropogenic pollution is the only cause of deformations of living benthic foraminifera.

Stephen J. Gould, les mitrates et les monstres

Stephen J. Gould, mitrates and monsters. The interest of analyses based on teratological specimens to understand the mechanisms and rules of ontogenetic development is a central theme in Gould's literature. This paper deals with monsters through two topics focusing on a group of atypical Palaeozoic echinoderms: mitrate stylophorans. The first topic deals with the phyletic position of stylophorans within deuterostomes. Three rival scenarios have been proposed, based on different interpretations of the stylophoran appendage. One of these scenarios implies that mitrates are « hopeful monsters » (calcichordate theory). An analogy with various hypotheses formulated for the disappearance of dinosaurs shows that the calcichordate model is not a scientific hypothesis, unlike the two other interpretations, which can be tested. The second topic is dedicated to the description of an abnormal specimen of the mitrate Mitrocystites mitra, from the Middle Ordovician of Bohemia. The abnormal plating of its lower surface suggests that the insertion of centrals within the posterior region of the marginal thecal frame is an iterative phenomenon in Mitrocystitida. To cite this article : B. Lefebvre, C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).

FUSULINIDS: PREDATION DAMAGE AND REPAIR OF TESTS FROM THE UPPER PENNSYLVANIAN OF KANSAS

T he abundant fusulinids of the Hughes Creek Shale Member of the Foraker Limestone in east-central Kansas are noted for their excellent preservation (Hageman and Kaesler, 1998). Not all these fossils are in pristine condition, however, as taphonomy has taken its toll. We deal in part with necrolysis during predation, but we examine more specifically instances in which predation failed and the fusulinid survived to repair damage to its test. Discussing teratology (the study of malformations) of the fusulinid Parafusulina , Bradley (1956, p. 304) wrote, “It is neither plausible to attempt specifically to collect teratological specimens, nor to re-examine all existing collections. However, notation by many observers over a period of years may divulge the significance of teratology in the study of paleoecology.” Teratology of fusulinids has been undertaken by several previous authors: Staff (1910), Dunbar and Skinner (1937), Dunbar and Henbest (1942), Kahler (1942), Bradley (1956), and Wilde (1965). In spite of the usefulness of fusulinids in biostratigraphy, little is known of how they interacted with other organisms. Predators appear to have used a number of tactics, most of which were focused apparently on an area of weakness of the test, the tunnel. Other fusulinids were attacked at the poles or had test material peeled back, much as modern-day crabs strip away the shells of snails and clams. Our examination of such specimens includes the use of serial sections. We categorize the damage to the fusulinid test as equatorial or polar and the repair as hasty or deliberate, termed, respectively, bioplastering and bioadjustment. #### Sampling The Hughes Creek Shale crops out about 1.5 km east of Paxico, Kansas, on Interstate 70. It was sampled because it contains abundant, well-preserved specimens of Triticites ventricosus (Meek and Hayden, 1858). These specimens have weathered free from …

A Cladistic Analysis and Revision of the Genus Apoclada (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambusodae)

Apoclada, a genus of woody bamboos endemic to the southern half of Brazil, includes three species, A. arenicola, A. cannavieira, and A. simplex. A fourth species, A. diversa, was found to be based on a teratological specimen of A. simplex and is, therefore, included within it. Cladistic analysis based primarily on morphological and anatomical characters was conducted within the genus. The presence of multiple primary branch buds in the midculm branch nodes constitutes an autapomorphy for the genus. Lack of fusoid cells may also be an autapomorphy for the genus. The two cerrado endemics, A. arenicola and A. cannavieira, are hypothesized to share a more recent common ancestor with each other than either shares with A. simplex. Synapomorphies supporting the clade of the two cerrado species include fire adaptation and unforked stomatal papillae. All three species each have at least one autapomorphy and are considered to be monophyletic. Mapped distributions, descriptions, and illustrations of each species are provided.

On an infection of a human eye with Parastrongylus (=Angiostrongylus) sp. in Sri Lanka

A metastrongyle worm extracted from the anterior chamber of the right eye of a patient in Sri Lanka belongs to the genus Parastrongylus and probably to a yet undescribed species, related to P. cantonensis well known to infect man. It is mostly a parasite of rodents, wandering in man and unadapted to this host. Evidence for this lack of adaptation are that the specimen is undergoing necrosis (teratological specimen) and is located in an organ with little immunological defences.

Teratological specimen of Agaricocrinus americanus (Roemer) (Lower Mississippian, Crinoidea)

The study of teratological fossil specimens may provide important information on the timing and sequence of morphogenesis. For example, Smith and Arbizu (1987) documented inverse larval development in a teratological specimen of a Devonian edrioasteroid.

Ziegler's Blisters in Pentameroides from a Lower Silurian fossil locality in the northeastern part of the Mascarene–Nerepis Belt, southern New Brunswick

The teratological condition known as Ziegler's Blisters is reported for the first time in the pentameroid brachiopod Pentameroides. This reinforces the conclusion that Pentameroides was descended from the genus Pentamerus, which also has the same condition, i.e., Ziegler's Blisters. This is also the first time that a paleoteratological condition has provided evidence to support a previously deduced evolutionary conclusion based on skeletal morphology alone. The relatively shallow, rough water conditions deduced from paleoecologic consideration of the entire fauna accompanying the teratological specimens is supported by sedimentologic data. The fossil locality is from near the base of the Silurian section in the northeastern part of the Mascarene–Nerepis Belt.