Unique Color Pattern Research Articles

Facial Recognition in a Discus Fish (Cichlidae): Experimental Approach Using Digital Models.

A number of mammals and birds are known to be capable of visually discriminating between familiar and unfamiliar individuals, depending on facial patterns in some species. Many fish also visually recognize other conspecifics individually, and previous studies report that facial color patterns can be an initial signal for individual recognition. For example, a cichlid fish and a damselfish will use individual-specific color patterns that develop only in the facial area. However, it remains to be determined whether the facial area is an especially favorable site for visual signals in fish, and if so why? The monogamous discus fish, Symphysopdon aequifasciatus (Cichlidae), is capable of visually distinguishing its pair-partner from other conspecifics. Discus fish have individual-specific coloration patterns on entire body including the facial area, frontal head, trunk and vertical fins. If the facial area is an inherently important site for the visual cues, this species will use facial patterns for individual recognition, but otherwise they will use patterns on other body parts as well. We used modified digital models to examine whether discus fish use only facial coloration for individual recognition. Digital models of four different combinations of familiar and unfamiliar fish faces and bodies were displayed in frontal and lateral views. Focal fish frequently performed partner-specific displays towards partner-face models, and did aggressive displays towards models of non-partner’s faces. We conclude that to identify individuals this fish does not depend on frontal color patterns but does on lateral facial color patterns, although they have unique color patterns on the other parts of body. We discuss the significance of facial coloration for individual recognition in fish compared with birds and mammals.

Channa pardalis, a new species of snakehead (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, northeastern India

Channa pardalis, a new species of snakehead, is described from Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, northeastern India. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by a unique colour pattern consisting of numerous large black spots on the post-orbital region of the head, opercle and body; a broad white and black margin to the dorsal, anal and caudal fins; 36–37 dorsal fin rays; 24–25 anal fin rays; 44–45 pored scales on the body and two scales on the caudal fin base; 4½ scales above lateral line and 6½ scales below lateral line; 45 vertebrae and the palatine with two rows of teeth: outer row with numerous minute teeth and inner row with short, stout inward curved teeth.

A new large species of Bitis Gray, 1842 (Serpentes: Viperidae) from the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia.

A new species of viperine viperid snake is described, Bitis harenna sp. nov. The new species is a member of the subgenus Macrocerastes based on it having three scales separating the nasal and rostral shields, and on the combination of 'divisions' of dorsal scale rows on the upper flanks and 'fusions' of rows on the lower flanks. Bitis harenna sp. nov. is distinguished from other members of the subgenus by its unique colour pattern, posterior parietal flange on the lateral wall of the braincase, and possibly by differences in scalation and head proportions. Only a single museum specimen is known, a female collected from 'Dodola' in Ethiopia probably in the late 1960s and previously identified as a possibly unusually coloured and patterned B. parviocula. A live, presumably male, specimen very closely resembling the holotype of Bitis harenna sp. nov. was photographed on the Harenna escarpment of the Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia in 2013, providing secure occurrence data and evidence that the holotype is not a uniquely aberrant specimen. A revised key to the species of Bitis in Ethiopia is presented. Aspects of body scalation are compared among species of the subgenus Macrocerastes and between species of Macrocerastes and Bitis, and several systematic characters are highlighted and clarified.

Laimosemion leticia (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), a new species from the upper Rio Amazonas, Southern Colombia

Laimosemion leticia is described from the Rio Tacana drainage, upper Rio Amazonas basin, Southern Colombia. The new species was found in a shallow swamp within a tropical rainforest in the vicinity of Leticia, capital of the department of Amazonas and southernmost municipality of Colombia. This miniature species is considered to be a member of the Owiyeye subgenus, which is diagnosed by a unique frontal squamation. Laimosemion leticia can be distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique colour pattern on the unpaired fins. The new species appears related to L. jauaperi, L. uatuman and L. ubim due to the similar flank colour pattern in males, but is easy distinguished by coloration of the unpaired fins and morphological characters.

Two new species of spotted Hypancistrus from the Rio Negro drainage (Loricariidae, Hypostominae).

Two new species, Hypancistrus phantasma and Hypancistrus margaritatus, are described based on material from the Rio Negro drainage. Both species are distinguished from congeners by unique color patterns. Hypancistrus phantasma is described from the Rio Uaupes and differs from congeners by having a tan body with small dark spots (vs. dark with light spots or with saddles or stripes). Hypancistrus margaritatus is described from the Takutu River and differs from congeners by having densely-packed light spots on a dark brown background, with spots about the size of the nasal aperture (vs. sparse light spots either smaller or larger than the nasal aperture, or brown to black spots, saddles, or stripes).

A novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor regulates light-mediated floral and vegetative anthocyanin pigmentation patterns in Lilium regale

Color patterns in angiosperm flowers are produced by spatially and temporally restricted deposition of pigments. Many Lilium species show anthocyanin pigmentation of the whole tepal, which is regulated by the MYB12/basic helix-loop-helix 2 (bHLH2) transcription factor complex. However, in Lilium regale pigment deposition is restricted to light-exposed surfaces of the flower buds, leaves, and bracts. Investigation of how the unique color patterns of L. regale are regulated led to the identification and isolation of a novel R2R3-MYB gene, LrMYB15. In stable and transient transformation assays in tobacco, LrMYB15 stimulated transcription of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, indicating that it is involved in the positive regulation of anthocyanins. In L. regale, anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and LrMYB15 were expressed in the outer tepals, leaves, and bracts that accumulated anthocyanin pigments. In contrast, LrbHLH2, another regulatory gene for anthocyanin biosynthesis, was transcribed in all organs irrespective of anthocyanin accumulation. These results indicate that LrMYB15 principally determines the unique anthocyanin color patterns of L. regale. In addition, LrMYB15 transcription ceased completely when plants were kept in shaded conditions and the colors of the flower buds faded, indicating that transcription of this gene is under the control of light. R2R3-MYB genes that regulate light-induced anthocyanin accumulation on exposed petal surfaces have been isolated in eudicots. The results here indicate that R2R3-MYB genes exhibiting similar (but not identical) functions are conserved between monocots and eudicots and that transcriptional regulation is a major mechanism for generating restricted pigment deposition in the flowers of a wide range of angiosperm species.

Wild Vervet Monkeys Trade Tolerance and Specific Coalitionary Support for Grooming in Experimentally Induced Conflicts

Grooming is a key social behavior in many primate species. Research has focused on three important aspects: the short- and long-term trading patterns of grooming for itself and/or for other commodities like tolerance or coalitionary support, the issue of whether exchanges are a convincing example for reciprocity, and what decision rules underlie trading. These issues remain largely unresolved due to the correlative nature of observational studies and the rarity of experimental studies. Here, we present a new experimental paradigm to address these questions in wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). Adult females were first trained to approach a personal box, identifiable by unique color patterns, to access high-quality food. During the experiments, two boxes were placed next to each other to induce conflict through forced proximity. We found that while dominants were generally more tolerant toward bonded individuals, recent grooming increased tolerance independently of relationship quality. The latter result shows that vervet monkeys traded grooming for short-term tolerance, where dominants used a direct-reciprocity decision rule. In contrast, females invariably supported the higher-ranking opponent in a conflict, independently of who was the recent grooming partner. Nevertheless, recent grooming increased the probability that a female supported the partner during conflicts with a low-ranking third party. Thus, females' decisions about coalitionary support seem to integrate information about the current social hierarchy with recent grooming events. In conclusion, decision rules underlying trading of grooming for other commodities involve a variety of timescales and factors.

Two new species of Homidia (Collembola, Entomobryidae) and a key to species in the genus from Zhejiang Province, China.

Two new species of Homidia are described from Yandang Mountain, China: H. yandangensis sp. nov. and H. quadrimaculata sp. nov. The new species are diagnosed by their unique colour patterns, the number of macrochaetae on areas A8-10 of abdominal segment IV, the relative position of specialised microchaetae/specialised ordinary chaetae on abdominal segment I and specialised ordinary chaetae/macrochaeta m3 on abdominal segment V. Specimens from two localities of H. yandangensis sp. nov. differ in the macrochaeta a5 on area A9 of abdominal segment IV. Descriptions of the subadult dorsal thoracic and abdominal chaetotaxy of H. yandangensis sp. nov. and a key to species of Homidia from Zhejiang Province are provided here.

Ischnura foylei sp. nov. (Odonata, Coenagrionidae) from the highlands of Sumatra.

Ischnura foylei sp. nov. is described from Indonesia, Sumatra, Jambi Province, Danau Gunung Tujuh (or Danau Sakti), a lake situated in an extinct volcanic crater, 1°41'15"S, 101°25'28"S, 1995 m a.s.l. Structurally it is close to I. senegalensis but larger and with differently shaped cerci in males and a more trilobate posterior lobe of the prothorax; males and androchromatic females have a unique colour pattern.

A New Species ofLiolaemusof theLiolaemus alticolor-bibroniiGroup (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Mendoza, Argentina

Abstract. We describe a new species of Liolaemus of the L. alticolor-bibronii group of the subgenus Liolaemus sensu stricto. Liolaemus bibronii has a large geographic distribution; however, preliminary studies suggest that it comprises a species complex. The new species is phenetically similar to L. bibronii and was confused with this taxon for many years. Nevertheless, the new species presents a combination of character states that clearly differentiate it. Also, the new taxon is distributed far from L. bibronii type locality (ca. 1,600 km). It differs from other species of Liolaemus in presenting a unique color pattern and a combination of morphological character states from lepidosis and morphometry. The new species inhabits pre-Andean localities in Uspallata, Las Heras department, northwest Mendoza Province, and is an insectivorous and oviparous species. With the description of this new taxon, the number of species of the L. alticolor-bibronii group rises to 30, but many populations still remain undes...

Genome-wide SNP data show little differentiation between the Appaloosa and other American stock horse breeds.

The Appaloosa, American Quarter Horse (QH) and American Paint Horse (Paint) breeds are commonly referred to as stock horses, as each is used, to some extent, when managing livestock. QHs and Paint horses are genetically similar, which is predicted based on phenotype, ancestry and admixture allowed between the registries and with the Thoroughbred. In the Appaloosa, admixture is also allowed with the Thoroughbred, QH and Arabian. The Appaloosa is similar in conformation to the other stock breeds but has a unique leopard-spotting coat color pattern as well as mottled skin, white sclera of the eye and striped hooves. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship of the Appaloosa to the other stock breeds and determine whether genomic regions unique to the breed could be identified. This work will inform future clinical and genetic work of inherited phenotypes. The horses studied were sampled for other purposes and, as much as possible, represented a random sample of each breed. Second-order relationships (shared grandsire/dam) within each breed were excluded based on pedigree. The Appaloosas (n = 24) included 20 in the regular registry (had Appaloosa characteristics), two non-characteristic and two non-characteristic but with a completed certified pedigree option. Six Appaloosas had a QH parent, whereas 11 others had a QH or Thoroughbred grandsire/dam. Twenty-five QHs and 18 Paint horses were included. Diversity and F-statistics were calculated from 12 013 autosomal SNPs genotyped on the Illumina SNP50 or SNP70 BeadArray; these SNPs were selected after eliminating loci with minor allele frequency 0.2) in PLINK. The Appaloosas studied had higher diversity (expected heterozygosity) than did the QH and Paint as anticipated by pedigree. This greater degree of diversity was also noted in the number of fixed loci (of 40 281 total) within each breed (QH = 728, Paint = 1347, Appaloosa = 567). FIS did not indicate inbreeding (Table S1). Across breeds, cluster analysis (STRUCTURE) was unable to support clustering beyond K = 1 (Fig. S1). Principal component (PC) analysis in SNPRELATE revealed that PCs 1 and 2 accounted for 4.15% of the total variation. PCs 1 and 3 failed to separate the breeds, whereas PC 2 showed a trend of clustering the Appaloosas apart from the intermingled Paint and QHs (Fig. 1). Pairwise FST values were low [0.001 (Paint-QH) to 0.005 (QH-Appaloosa)] (Table S1) but significantly different from zero as determined by 15 000 permutations in ARLEQUIN; however, an exact test of population differentiation, assuming the null hypothesis that all alleles are drawn from the same pool/population, was not significant. The highest single-locus FST across populations was on ECA1 at 108.9 Mb, which also was the highest pairwise value between the Appaloosa and Paint and ranked second when comparing Appaloosa to the QH (Table S1); this SNP is 574.5 kb from the 5’ end of TRPM1, the gene implicated in Appaloosa coat color. Another SNP on ECA1, 62.5 kb from TRPM1, also had a high FST in pairwise comparisons including the Appaloosa. Therefore, although the divergence between breeds is low, these results are evidence that genomic signatures of selection for major, breed-defining phenotypes in the Appaloosa can be detected.

A new species of highland loach, Schistura sirindhornae, from the upper Chao Phraya River basin, Thailand (Pisces: Ostariophysi: Nemacheilidae).

Schistura sirindhornae, a new species of nemacheilid, is described from the Nan River basin in northern Thailand. It is distinguished from all other species of Schistura in having overlapping scales on the entire body similar to scales of balitorids, transparent scales on the belly and thorax, a lateral-line canal that is similar to that of most cyprinids and balitorids in being present across the entire lateral-line surface of the scale instead of being represented only by a pore. It also has a unique color pattern of irregular brown bars on the back and side of the faint yellow-orange body, a bright triangular orange mark on the occiput, an orange crown-shaped mark between the eyes, an uninterrupted black mark along the base of the dorsal fin, a crescent-shaped bar on the base of the caudal fin, and bright iridescent orange areas on the upper and lower extremities of the caudal-fin base. Schistura sirindhornae is known only from the upper Nan River drainage, Nan Province, Thailand.

A new species of Hisonotus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) from rio São Francisco basin, Brazil.

A new species of Hisonotus is described from the rio São Francisco basin. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by having (1) a unique coloration pattern of caudal fin with one black spot extending from its origin to the ventral lobe and two dark spots at the end of the lobe’s rays; (2) odontodes forming longitudinally aligned rows on head and trunk; (3) a functional V-shaped spinelet; (4) a single rostral plate at the tip of the snout; (5) by lacking contrasting dark geometric spots on the anterodorsal region of the body; (6) a lower caudal-peduncle depth; and (7) lower counts of the lateral median plates and (8) higher premaxillary and dentary teeth. The new species is the second described species of the genus Hisonotus in the rio São Francisco basin. It was found inhabiting the marginal vegetation of the rio São Francisco and three of its tributary, rio das Velhas, rio Paraopeba and rio Formoso.

A New Species ofRhamphichthys(Gymnotiformes: Rhamphichthyidae) from the Amazon Basin

Rhamphichthys heleios, new species, is described from the Amazon Basin in Brazil, being known from lakes and channels associated with the floodplains of large rivers. The new species is readily distinguished from all other congeners by a unique color pattern, composed of a series of dark irregular rounded blotches along the lateral body surface over the lateral line, and by the absence of clearly formed saddles across the dorsum. Comments on the taxonomy and use of color pattern for the systematics of Rhamphichthys are made based on examination of extensive materials in museum collections, and a key to the species of the genus occurring in the Amazon Basin is provided. Rhamphichthys heleios, especie nova, e descrita para a Bacia Amazonica no Brasil, sendo encontrada em lagos e canais juntos a planicie de inundacao de grandes rios. A especie nova se diferencia das demais especies de Rhamphichthys pelo seu padrao de colorido unico que e composto por uma serie de manchas escuras arredondadas na lateral do co...

Trogolaphysa formosensis sp. nov. (Collembola: Paronellidae) from Atlantic Forest, Northeast Region of Brazil

Trogolaphysa formosensis sp. nov. (holotype male deposited in DBEZ from Brazil, state of Rio Grande do Norte State, municipality of Bani Formosa), a new springtail from the Atlantic Forest domain, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, is described and illustrated. This species is diagnosed by unique coloration pattern, presence of 8+8 eyes, reduced number of setae on metatrochanteral organ, unguiculi truncated and dorsal chaetotaxy. Trogolaphysa formosensis sp. nov. is the first species of the genus from Brazil with all eye lenses. All other Brazilian species present 0+0 or 2+2 eyes. It is also the first species of Trogolaphysa described from the Northeast Region of Brazil.

3D cross-correlative matrix temperature detection and non-invasive thermal mapping based on a molecular probe

Cryogenic temperature detection underlies the understanding of important physical phenomena and is crucial for material science and space exploration. Simple, facile, and accurate assessment of temperature, especially for surface or body thermal mapping, is one of the challenges that must be addressed when developing new materials or technologies for thermometers. Here, we introduce a temperature detection strategy based on a 3D cross-correlative matrix derived from fluorescence response patterns of an organic probe in three solvation envelopes. The intermolecular interactions, such as excimer or exciplex formation, intramolecular charge transfer and solvent relaxation processes, between the probe and molecule surroundings, are attributed to the unique temperature-dependent optical behaviors in different solutions. The precise temperature detection originated from apparent variations in fluorescence intensity and wavelength upon temperature change in these solvents. This enabled the construction of a comprehensive temperature sensor array, which gives a unique visible color pattern of signals as a read-output discernible by the naked eye. Furthermore, as a proof-of-concept, a new strategy for facile and non-destructive thermal mapping of a crystal surface is presented.

Devario deruptotalea, a new species of cyprinid fish from Manipur, India (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Devario deruptotalea, a new cyprinid fish, is described from Dutah Stream, a tributary of the Yu River (Chindwin drainage) in Manipur, India. It is distinguished from all its congeners by a unique colour pattern consisting of the following combination of pigmented elements: 4‒6 dark brown irregularly shaped and arranged bars that are partly confluent with adjacent bars at different levels on the anterior one-third of the side of the body, followed by three distinct dark brown stripes posteriorly, a P stripe that is darker and about twice as broad as other stripes and extending to the tip of the median caudal-fin rays.

A New Species ofOtothyropsis(Siluriformes: Hypoptopomatinae) from Eastern Brazil

Otothyropsis alicula is described from the Rio Santo Antônio, Rio Grande basin, upper Rio Paraná drainage, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having a unique color pattern in the caudal fin, rectangular dorsal-fin spinelet, short pectoral-fin spine and first pelvic-fin ray, suture between contiguous bifid neural spines two-thirds the distance from the vertebral centrum to their distal tips, absence of an odontode crest on the posterior portion of the parieto-supraoccipital, and other morphometric and meristic features. An updated identification key to the species of Otothyropsis is provided.Otothyropsis alicula é uma nova espécie proveniente do Rio Santo Antônio, bacia do Rio Grande, alto Rio Paraná, Brasil. A nova espécie é diagnosticada dos demais congêneres por possuir padrão de colorido único na nadadeira caudal, spinelet da nadadeira dorsal retangular, espinho da nadadeira peitoral e primeiro raio da pélvica curtos, sutura entre os espinhos neurais bífidos com cerca de dois terços da distância entre o centro vertebral e a sua margem distal, ausência de uma crista de odontódeos na porção posterior do parieto-supraocipital, e outras características morfométricas e merísticas. Uma chave de identificação atualizada para as espécies de Otothyropsis é apresentada.

Connectivity across the Caribbean Sea: DNA barcoding and morphology unite an enigmatic fish larva from the Florida straits with a new species of sea bass from deep reefs off Curaçao.

Integrative taxonomy, in which multiple disciplines are combined to address questions related to biological species diversity, is a valuable tool for identifying pelagic marine fish larvae and recognizing the existence of new fish species. Here we combine data from DNA barcoding, comparative morphology, and analysis of color patterns to identify an unusual fish larva from the Florida Straits and demonstrate that it is the pelagic larval phase of a previously undescribed species of Liopropoma sea bass from deep reefs off Curaçao, southern Caribbean. The larva is unique among larvae of the teleost family Serranidae, Tribe Liopropomini, in having seven elongate dorsal-fin spines. Adults of the new species are similar to the golden bass, Liopropoma aberrans, with which they have been confused, but they are distinct genetically and morphologically. The new species differs from all other western Atlantic liopropomins in having IX, 11 dorsal-fin rays and in having a unique color pattern–most notably the predominance of yellow pigment on the dorsal portion of the trunk, a pale to white body ventrally, and yellow spots scattered across both the dorsal and ventral portions of the trunk. Exploration of deep reefs to 300 m using a manned submersible off Curaçao is resulting in the discovery of numerous new fish species, improving our genetic databases, and greatly enhancing our understanding of deep-reef fish diversity in the southern Caribbean. Oh the mother and child reunion is only a moment away. Paul Simon.

A smart trocar for automatic tool recognition in laparoscopic surgery.

Operating rooms have become increasingly complex environments and more prone to errors because of loss of situation awareness. Adding computer intelligence to the operating room may help overcome these limitations particularly if the system can automatically track which step of an operation a surgeon is performing. To develop such a platform, it is necessary to track which laparoscopic instruments are being used and in which port they are inserted. This article describes the development and validation of a "Smart Trocar" that can automatically perform this function. A Smart Trocar system prototype was developed that uses a wireless camera attached to a standard laparoscopic port and custom software algorithms. The system recognizes color wheels attached to the handle of a laparoscopic instrument and compares the unique color pattern to an instrument library for proper tool identification. The system was tested for reliability in a box trainer environment using a variety of tool positions and levels of room light illumination. Correct color classification was achieved in 96.7% of trials. There were no errors in detection of the color wheel in space. In addition, the distance of the color wheel from the camera did not influence results and correct classifications were evenly distributed among the 12 laparoscopic tool positions tested. This work describes a Smart Trocar system that identifies which laparoscopic tool is being used and in which port and proves its reliability. The system is an important element of a more comprehensive program being developed to automatically understand what step of an operation a surgeon is performing and use these data to improve situation awareness in the operating room.