Transoceanic Distribution Research Articles

Evolution of fruit characters and dispersal modes in the tropical family Rubiaceae

We investigated the evolution of fruit characters, animals versus abiotic dispersal modes, life forms and geographical distribution, in the large, mostly tropical, family Rubiaceae. As a basis for our analysis we used a phylogenetic tree derived from chloroplast DNA variation. Fleshy fruits have evolved independently at least 12 times in the family. Most of these originations appear to have occurred during Eocene to Oligocene, i.e. the radiation period for some animal taxa (bird families, mammal orders) comprising most extant dispersers of Rubiaceae fruits. Changes of dispersal modes may be of more recent origin in a few cases, e.g. evolution of drupes in some lineages, and shifts from drupes to nuts. The distribution of fruit characters suggested that in several lineages animal-dispersed fruits, such as berries and drupes have remained largely unaltered since the time of origination. This is in contrast to the occurrence of winged seeds in capsules, and pterophylls, i.e. enlarged calyx lobes promoting wind dispersal of fruits, which apparently have shifted more frequently during evolution, indicating a difference in ‘phylogenetic plasticity’ between modes of animal and wind dispersal. Animal dispersal was over-represented among genera dominated by shrubs, whereas abiotic dispersal was most prevalent among herbaceous genera. Drupes were over-represented in groups with transoceanic distributions, and on islands, indicating dispersal over long distances, probably by birds. In contrast, no evidence was found to support the view that animal dispersal in general enhances long distance dispersal. We also analysed geographical patterns on the tribal level but these were too complex to yield any resolved area cladograms due to the occurrence of many widespread taxa and area redundancy.

A panbiogeographic perspective for pre-cretaceous angiosperm–Lepidoptera coevolution

The coevolutionary history of Lepidoptera and angiosperms is evaluated in relation to Croizat's panbiogeographic synthesis of angiosperm evolution. The panbiogeographic method of ocean basin classification is used to identify major patterns of trans-oceanic distribution for lepidopteran families and genera (principally non-ditrysian). The Pacific basin is identified as a major evolutionary centre for several 'primitive non-ditrysian Lepidoptera, including Zeugloptera, Aglossata, Heterobathmiina, Neopsuestina, Palaephatidae, Prodoxidae, and possibly the Dacnonypha. The ditrysian Ithomiidae are similarly classified with the Pacific while the related Daniidae are identified as Indian Ocean. An Indian Ocean baseline is proposed for the Callidulidae, Tinissimae and Perissomasticini (Tineidae). A 'coevolutionary' history is supported in terms of Lepidoptera and angiosperms sharing common biogeographic (spatiotemporal) characters associated with the pre-Cretaceous tectonic history of major ocean and sea basins. The lack of congruent higher level Lepidoptera-angiosperm phylogenies emerging from systematic studies may be due to a lack of cospeciation events, but this does not exclude a close ecological and evolutionary relationship through the history of both groups.

Role of PKC on cytokine-induced resistance to TNF cytolytic effect

Several species of kinorhynchs, including representatives of Pycnophyes schornikovi Adrianov, 1999 in Adrianov et Malakhov, 1999 and Condyloderes shirleyi Neuhaus et Higgins, 2019 in Neuhaus et al.2019, previously known from other localities in the Pacific Ocean, were found in detritus washed off the material of bacterial mats collected at the cold methane seeping area on the Chukchi bathyal slope in the Bering Sea. These specimens were studied and illustrated using light (DIC) and electron (SEM) microscopy to analyze morphological variations within representatives of these species collected from rather distant localities in the Pacific Ocean. Redescription of P. schornikovi is provided with careful mapping of all sensory spots, setae and glandular cell outlets, not sufficiently illustrated in the original description. Current taxonomic contributions have clearly showed the taxonomic significance of these structures, becoming a standard element in taxonomic descriptions of kinorhynchs. P. schornikovi appears to be the first eurybathic species of the Pycnophyidae in the Pacific, being distributed from shallow water to bathyal depth. C. shirleyi, characterized by a marked variation of some diagnostic morphological features even in the type locality in the North-East Pacific, appears only the second representative of the genus Condyloderes with the transoceanic (amphipacific) distribution. Both these species, P. schornikovi and C. shirleyi, constitute the first representatives of these genera in the Bering Sea. In the Pacific Ocean, kinorhynchs still have never been reported from the extreme environments of cold seeps. P. schornikovi and C. shirleyi appear to be the first representative of the genus found in the methane seepage area. Deep-sea communities of this cold seepage area are described and illustrated with ROV facilities. Biogeography discussion for both species and probable explanation of the transoceanic (amphipacific) distribution of Condyloderes shirleyi are suggested and illustrated.

A New Chonecolea from India

A new species of Chonecolea Grolle, C. schusteri sp. nov. is de- scribed from Southern India. This constitutes a new record of the genus from Old World, which extends its range from the Neotropics to the Palaeotropics-a bi- centric trans-oceanic disjunct distribution. The species approaches C. doellingeri (Nees) Grolle and C. andina Grolle et Vdnia, the only two other species of the genus, in some features but does not fully resemble either. Previously Chonecolea was considered restricted to the Neotropics. Its two species were C. doellingeri (Nees) Grolle, an epiphyte on Sabal palmetto from Brazil and Florida (Schuster 1958), and C. andina Grolle et Vaiiia, a terricole from Peru (Vaiiia 1980). During a survey of southern Indian epiphytic liverworts, we encountered plants closely related to these but differing in features that merit its status as a new taxon. The discovery of this plant from the Indian peninsular region (Bandishola, Nilgiri Hills, 11024'N, 76047'E) extends the distribution of the genus from the Neotropics to the Palaeotropics, constituting a bicentric trans-oceanic disjunct distribution.