Unstable Characters Research Articles

An integrative taxonomy of Asian Caryodaphnopsis (Lauraceae) based on morphology and phylogenomics

AbstractCaryodaphnopsis is a small genus of the Lauraceae family with disjunct distribution in tropical Asia and tropical America. Taxa from each region form a well­supported monophyletic clade. However, the species circumscription in Asian Caryodaphnopsis remains ambiguous due to few and generally unstable morphological characters used for classification. To address this, we conducted an integrative taxonomy of the Asian clade. We investigated 13 populations, sampled 57 accessions covering the entire taxonomic diversity, geographic range, and morphological variation in Asia, and reconstructed a new phylogeny using single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. We obtained a well‐resolved phylogeny of the Asian Caryodaphnopsis. The first diverged clade consists of three species endemic to lowland forests. The second (largest) clade (eight species in total) mainly occurs in limestone mountain forests and has a double‐layered lower leaf epidermis morphology of type 2 (less complete roomy with closed “roof”) and type 3 (complete roomy with closed “roof”). Based on the diagnostic morphological characters, distinct distributional ranges, and monophyly of each clade, we recognize 12 species in the Asian Caryodaphnopsis, including three new species: C. cangyuanensis sp. nov., C. hekouensis sp. nov., and C. rubrinervis sp. nov. We also reinstate C. latifolia, and re‐circumscribe the widespread C. tonkinensis and other species based on fruit and inflorescence morphology and molecular evidence.

Fictional faces of female suicide: Qualitative analysis of selected Russian-language texts of the school reader

IntroductionIsaiah Berlin’s (1948) exploration of the self-searching of Russian thinkers includes studies of the writers – Tolstoy and others (now – Russian-language texts of the school reader). These studies refute a widespread misconception about the relations between Russian writers and thinkers: namely, that in Russia literature and radical thought form two distinct traditions related only by mutual hostility. The works of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Karamzin, Leskov, Ostrovsky, and of minor novelists too, are penetrated with a sense of their own time, of this or that particular social and historical milieu and its ideological content, to an even higher degree than the ‘social’ novels of the west. The personal characteristics of suicide victims, heroines of Russian literature, along with the gender aspects, deserve attention in suicidal behavior (SP) focus.ObjectivesTo study personal characteristics of suicide victims, heroines of fiction.MethodsQualitative analysis of selected Russian-language texts of the school reader.ResultsAt the dawn of literature, we have seen fiery heroines and tremulous victims in the arms of death. Аs psychology approach was developed, and we get acquainted with the tragiс backstory. Psychotypes of suicides are exaggerated and overlapped. «Hysterical»: manipulative, frigid nymphomaniac (e.g., Anna Karenina). «Freedom-loving rebel» (i.e., Katerina reincarnations from A. Ostrovsky) in conditions of excessive regulation. «She-Devil, or Rebel Without a Cause». The obsession with death turns into a criminal and a victim (e.g., «Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk» by N. Leskov, Turgenev’s Susanna or Klara Milich). The image of a vindictively furious («velvet and tiger claws») woman descends to the Victorian view of female self-will. «Mimosa» is a sensitive, dreamy person, unable to resist the hardships of life, dependent (dies with her beloved, objection). In suicide, the strength of weakness is the outcome of a humiliating life (e.g., Karamzin’s «Poor Liza», «A Gentle Creature» by F. Dostoevsky. The meaning of suicides is the following: a call (to compassion, salvation), a «cry for help», atonement for one’s (imaginary) – someone else’s (by proxy) guilt, and release from encumbrance.ConclusionsFiction and life are united by emotionally unstable characters and/or depression as markers of unsatisfactory resilience. The cultural diversity of gender patterns and interpretations of SP challenges the essentialist view that «femininity» and marriage are protective factors. SP patterns illustrate and complement the explanatory concepts of SP. The inner world of suicidal people is fascinating and contributes to the evidence-based optimism in the «patient-centric» crisis care model.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Nomenclatural Type Identification of Names in North African Tamarix (Tamaricaceae)

Tamarix is native to Eurasia plus the northern and southern territories of Africa, with some species being introduced into America and Oceania. They are usually found in arid, desertic, or subdesertic areas, often on saline or subsaline soils, in Mediterranean, temperate, or subtropical climates. The genus is renowned for its complex taxonomy, which is usually based on rather variable or unstable characters, which leads to contrasting taxonomic treatments. As part of the taxonomic revision of Tamarix undertaken by the authors, ten names (i.e., T. africana, T. bounopoea, T. brachystylis var. fluminensis, T. malenconiana, T. muluyana, T. tenuifolia, T. tingitana, T. trabutii, T. valdesquamigera, and T. weyleri) published from material collected in the southwestern parts of the Mediterranean basin are taxonomically and nomenclaturally discussed after analysing their original material. Eight intended holotypes are corrected here to lectotypes; one epitype is designated for T. africana to warrant current use of the name; and one isotype, 30 isolectotypes, and 11 syntypes are also identified for the studied names. Further, the taxonomic identity of all names and their eventual synonymic placement are accordingly discussed.

Isak Dinesen’s weird voodoo novel

With its awkward generic shifts, odd repetitions, confusing spatial dislocations, unstable characters and inconclusive supernatural horrors, I here argue, bilingual Danish author Isak Dinesen’s The Angelic Avengers weirds our experience of living in a familiar, predictable and rule-governed universe. In my analysis, I especially foreground Dinesen’s use of West Indian voodoo, which is a prominent weirding device largely overlooked by the novel’s relatively few critics. Dinesen, I argue, wrote her novel amidst a widespread international voodoo and zombie vogue, tapping into popular representations of Caribbean witchcraft in nonfiction, pulp fiction and film. In The Angelic Avengers, I argue, Dinesen appropriates voodoo themes and characters, to conjure the presence of ominous agencies that trouble enlightened reason’s ability to explain and master the world.

Dezorijentirani psihološko nestabilni likovi kroz monološko-asocijativne elemente u djelima Dostojevskog / Disoriented Psychologically Unstable Characters Through Monologue-AssoCiative Elements in The Works of F. M. Dostoevsky

The focus of this paper is unusual, disoriented, often psychologically unstable characters, for they represent the layer of society where emotional instability and immaturity, the desire for personal domination and the desire for liberation from all moral and social shackles are evident. The paper shows that, in addition to the characteristics specific to the characters of realism, Dostoevsky, using monological-associative elements, introduces new procedures for creating characters, specific to modernism. In this regard, the paper reconstructs the ideological understanding of Russian society and the conditions in which Dostoevsky examines ideology and spirituality of human beings through monologue-associative elements.

Multilocation Test Of Mutants (M4) Local Red Rice Sigah In Maninjau And Padang

The 3rd generation mutant brown rice from the experimental cultivation of the 3rd generation mutant has problems in plant characteristics and various genetic traits. In the results of the research of the 3rd generation of mutants, several mutants with production levels were obtained in accordance with the initial objectives of the study, namely early-mature mutants and significant plant height. However, some mutants have unstable plant characters and traits, so a multi-location test of cultivation of the 3rd generation mutant was carried out at two locations with different elevations in order to obtain a 4th generation mutant which is more stable and has uniform characters and properties. This research was conducted in Jorong Sungai Batang, Tanjung Raya District, Agam Regency with a medium elevation level of 637,032 m above sea level and in Surau Gadang Village, Nanggalo District, Padang City with a minimum elevation level of 10.363 m above sea level. This research was carried out from December 2019 to April 2020. The materials used were M3 harvested red rice seeds of the Sigah genotype, namely mutant numbers MG13, MG9, MG2-209, MG5-58,MG6 and control seeds of red rice genotype Sigah. The purpose of the study was to obtain diversity and determine the stability of agronomic characters in the production of local red rice yields of West Sumatran Sigah M4 variety at two different elevations of the cultivation environment. From the results of the research, it was found that the diversity and agronomic characters of plants were quite stable in mutants numbered MG13, MG2-209 and MG5-58 with early plant age, and stable growth in the generative and vegetative phases.

Jack’s Anxieties and Defense Mechanisms in Fight Club

In this article, I want to analyze a movie entitled Fight Club by David Fincher. It is one of Film Noir movies that is adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s novel. Film Noir usually employs mentally unstable characters. In this movie, Jack, the main character, has psychological problems which causes his anxieties. Thus, I want to find out the types of Jack’s anxiety and the defense mechanism he uses to cope with it. I will identify the types of Jack’s anxieties and the defense mechanisms he uses. His anxieties have led him to have insomnia, depression, and the formation of his alter ego Tyler Durden. They also cause his problematic behavior that results in the destruction of his life. In order to cope with his psychological problem, Jack uses several defense mechanisms. In my analysis, I use theory of anxieties and defense mechanisms by Sigmund Freud. Based on the analysis, I find that Jack has reality anxiety, neurotic anxiety, and moral anxiety. To cope with anxieties, he uses defense mechanisms such as repression, fixation, and regression. His anxieties and unhealthy defense mechanisms are what have driven him to have problematic behavior. Keywords: anxiety, defense mechanism, neurotic anxiety, reality anxiety, moral anxiety

Molecular phylogeny and species delimitation of Stachyuraceae: Advocating a herbarium specimen‐based phylogenomic approach in resolving species boundaries

AbstractSpecies concept and delimitation are fundamental to taxonomic and evolutionary studies. Both inadequate informative sites in the molecular data and limited taxon sampling have often led to poor phylogenetic resolution and incorrect species delineation. Recently, the whole chloroplast genome sequences from extensive herbarium specimen samples have been shown to be effective to amend the problem. Stachyuraceae are a small family consisting of only one genus Stachyurus of six to 16 species. However, species delimitation in Stachyurus has been highly controversial because of few and generally unstable morphological characters used for classification. In this study, we sampled 69 individuals of seven species (each with at least three individuals) covering the entire taxonomic diversity, geographic range, and morphological variation of Stachyurus from herbarium specimens for genome‐wide plastid gene sequencing to address species delineation in the genus. We obtained high‐quality DNAs from specimens using a recently developed DNA reconstruction technique. We first assembled four whole chloroplast genome sequences. Based on the chloroplast genome and one nuclear ribosomal DNA sequence of Stachyurus, we designed primers for multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high throughput sequencing of 44 plastid loci for species of Stachyurus. Data of these chloroplast DNA and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer sequences were used for phylogenetic analyses. The phylogenetic results showed that the Japanese species Stachyurus praecox Siebold & Zucc. was sister to the rest in mainland China, which indicated a typical Sino‐Japanese distribution pattern. Based on diagnostic morphological characters, distinct distributional range, and monophyly of each clade, we redefined seven species for Stachyurus following an integrative species concept, and revised the taxonomy of the family based on previous reports and specimens, in particular the type specimens. Furthermore, our divergence time estimation results suggested that Stachyuraceae split from its sister group Crossosomataceae from the New World at ca. 54.29 Mya, but extant species of Stachyuraceae started their diversification only recently at ca. 6.85 Mya. Diversification time of Stachyurus in mainland China was estimated to be ca. 4.45 Mya. This research has provided an example of using the herbarium specimen‐based phylogenomic approach in resolving species boundaries in a taxonomically difficult genus.

Phylogenetic relationships of the Chinese torrent frogs (Ranidae: Amolops) revealed by phylogenomic analyses of AFLP-Capture data

The torrent frog genus Amolops contains nearly sixty species distributed in swift mountain streams throughout southeast Asia. The taxonomy of this genus has proven complicated due to unstable morphological diagnostic characters. The relationships of Amolops species and species groups were not readily resolved with a small number of molecular markers. Here, we applied the novel AFLP-Capture approach and acquired two large datasets (242 anonymous nuclear sequences and the mitochondrial genome) from 70 Chinese Amolops samples to study their relationships. The phylogenies inferred from the nuclear data and the mitochondrial data were both robust and revealed a primary phylogenetic split between eastern and western Chinese Amolops species. The relationships of the six species groups were clarified. While the three species groups in east China (the A. ricketti, A. daiyunensis and A. hainanensis groups) were monophyletic, the three species groups in the west (the A. mantzorum, A. monticola and A. marmoratus groups) were not monophyletic, suggesting a need for further investigation and revision. The robust phylogenies also provided new insights into species relationships, especially for the A. mantzorum group, which has been difficult to resolve due to multiple speciation events occurring approximately 7–8 million years ago. The divergence times estimated with the nuclear data indicated that the ancestor of the Chinese Amolops appeared in the late Eocene or early Oligocene, and that speciation events in the Chinese Amolops were often related to geological events (e.g. the uprising of mountains and the formation of islands). By including the mitochondrial sequences from GenBank, a more comprehensive Amolops phylogeny was constructed that reflected the origin of the Chinese Amolops. Based on all these results, a dispersal scenario of the torrent frogs was hypothesized. Our research serves as the first example of using AFLP-Capture to obtain a large amount of data for shallow-scale phylogenetic and taxonomic studies, which should be useful for other nonmodel organism groups.

Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller

Reviewed by: Redemption Prep by Samuel Miller Alaine Martaus Miller, Samuel Redemption Prep. Tegen/HarperCollins, 2020 [416p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-06-266203-3 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-06-266205-7 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 9-12 Emma Donahue has vanished from Redemption Prep, an elite boarding school isolated in the forest of Utah. Now three teens with connections to the missing girl will work together to find her: Neesha, the overachieving roommate; Aiden, the golden boy basketball star; and Evan, the chess prodigy who’s taken to following Emma around. Meanwhile the school, already rule-bound and shrouded in mystery, employs its own in-house detective, tasked less with finding Emma and more with obscuring what everyone thinks they know. Threats of violence and the slow revelation of long-buried secrets only make Emma’s classmates more determined to find her, though, as it becomes clear there’s more to her disappearance than a personal breakdown. Readers looking for a unique take on the isolated-house mystery, with a bizarre setting and a cast of unstable characters, will enjoy losing themselves in this strange yet compelling tale of drugs, power, and the future of the human race. Flashbacks, journal entries, interviews, and narrated chapters split between the three main characters to create layered complexity and leave the reader room to piece together the real story. Characterization plays intriguingly with stereotypes, especially as characters struggle against the burden of family pressures and the curse of being gifted. The people and the mystery that binds them will draw readers in and keep them turning pages, and a lack of clear resolution at the novel’s end leaves room for possible sequels. Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois

The revised taxonomic placement of some arboreal Ornithoctoninae Pocock, 1895 with description of a new species of Omothymus Thorell, 1891 (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

The chaotic taxonomy of the subfamily Ornithoctoninae Pocock, 1895 is partially addressed, with a focus on redefining the arboreal genera LampropelmaSimon, 1892, OmothymusThorell, 1891, and PhormingochilusPocock, 1895. Previous works placing heavy emphasis on unstable taxonomic characters are addressed and stable taxonomic features presented for the clear delineation of males of arboreal ornithoctonine genera. The male of Phormingochilus everettiPocock, 1895 is described for the first time. A new species, Omothymus rafnisp. nov. is described from historical material collected in Sumatra. Lampropelma violaceopesAbraham, 1924 is transferred to Omothymus based on comparative leg measurements and geographical location comb. nov.Lampropelma nigerrimum arboricola Schmidt & Barensteiner, 2015 is transferred to the genus Phormingochilus with full species status acknowledged, giving the new combination Phormingochilus arboricolacomb. nov.Omothymus thorelliSimon, 1901 is considered a junior synonym of Omothymus schioedteiThorell, 1891syn. nov., based on similar morphology and geographical locations. Phormingochilus carpenteriSmith & Jacobi, 2015 is transferred to the genus Lampropelma based on comparative leg measurements and geographical location comb. nov.Phormingochilus kirkiSmith & Jacobi, 2015 is considered a junior synonym of L. carpenterisyn. nov.Phormingochilus fuchsiStrand, 1906 is transferred to the genus Omothymus based on comparative leg measurement and geographic distribution comb. nov.Phormingochilus tigrinusPocock, 1895 is removed from synonymy with P. everetti based on the lack of justification for the synonymy comb. rest.Omothymus dromeusChamberlin, 1917 is removed from Omothymus and returned to the restored genus Melognathuscomb. rest.

In the Footsteps of the “Goldsmith of Magical Wonders”

Abstract Pío Baroja (1872–1956), the most prolific novelist of the so-called Spanish Generation of '98, began his literary career as a storyteller. The publication of Vidas sombrías (Somber Lives) in 1900, a volume of over thirty stories set in the Basque Country, Madrid and Valencia, earned him wide critical acclaim, despite its poor reception by Spanish readers. Baroja himself acknowledged that four or five of the stories were written in imitation of Edgar Allan Poe. This article explores traces of Poe in Baroja's early storytelling, although it sets out by considering a concept such as unity of sensation (unity of effect), which Baroja indeed borrowed from Poe, although he never acknowledged this. My central concern here is that Baroja's early admiration of the writer from Boston manifests itself in the adoption of bleak landscapes, Gothic interiors, and psychologically unstable characters. This trend was soon to be abandoned, although Baroja's concept of the novel, a development of Poe's poetics of the tale, would remain with the Basque writer for the rest of his life. The final part of this study analyzes Poe-like elements—literary devices, Gothic motifs, semantic structures—which can be found in “Médium,” one of the stories in Vidas sombrías.

Non-isothermal precipitation kinetics and its effect on hot working behaviors of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy

The precipitation kinetics and its effect on hot working behavior of an Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy were studied under non-isothermal conditions and over a wide range of temperatures. The characterization techniques employed included in situ electrical resistivity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, hardness testing and microstructure examination by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the precipitation kinetics during non-isothermal treatments were highly dependent on the thermal paths. Slow cooling processes led to coarse and sparse particle distribution. When heating to high temperatures, very fine precipitates with high density and homogeneous distribution were present at low temperature. Such fine precipitates showed unstable characters and dissolved quickly at higher temperature. Quantification of precipitate evolution during non-isothermal processing was obtained from in situ electrical resistivity measurements. The effects of heating paths on dynamic and static flow behaviors were also demonstrated to be significant. The degree of initial supersaturation controlled the nucleation rates and led to strong effect on dynamic and static precipitation, and on the flow stress softening.

Creation and study of the Pinot noir variety lineage

The objective of the study presented here is to obtain pure line genotypes able to transmit to cross progeny the most useful characters to wine grapes, particularly the berry colour of Pinot noir. From the very heterogenous Pinot noir variety we chose a clone INRA-Colmar as the initial parent of a generation series. In the first 3 generations of self pollination we selected only red berries genotypes. After the 4th generation we made 'pedigree' selections with seedling separation, retaining not only the red berries population but also some white ones. This series of generations shows only a weak 'inbreeding' effect. Numerous populations with strong vigour and high fertility were observed. During these crosses, types of bunches and berries have appeared which were very different in shape from the original parent. Types range from the round berries of the Pinot noir to elliptical, ovoid, troncovoid, cylindrical or other kinds of berries. Berry size is also highly variable. We obtained bunches from small to very big with variable compactness. We obtained homogenous populations for such characters as berry colour, sexual type, vigour and fertility. These characters can be considered as homozygous after the 6th generation. This study shows the necessity of making numerous generations of self pollination to obtain homozygous forms of useful characters, which are generally polygenic. These observations must be confirmed by test crosses and in the meantime the self pollination program will be continued to enable us to fix the unstable characters.

Stationary Discrete Shock Profiles for Scalar Conservation Laws with a Discontinuous Galerkin Method

We present an analysis of stationary discrete shock profiles for a discontinuous Galerkin method approximating scalar nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws with a convex flux. Using the Godunov method for the numerical flux, we characterize the steady-state solutions for arbitrary approximation orders and show that they are oscillatory only in one mesh cell and are parametrized by the shock strength and its relative position in the cell. In the particular case of the inviscid Burgers equation, we derive analytical solutions of the numerical scheme and predict their oscillations up to fourth-order accuracy. Moreover, a linear stability analysis shows that these profiles may become unstable at points where the Godunov flux is not differentiable. Theoretical and numerical investigations show that these results can be extended to other numerical fluxes. In particular, shock profiles are found to vanish exponentially fast from the shock position for some class of monotone numerical fluxes and the oscillatory and unstable characters of their solutions present strong similarities with that of the Godunov method.

Preparation of Chlorpheniramine Maleate-loaded Alginate/Chitosan Particulate Systems by the Ionic Gelation Method for Taste Masking

Chlorpheniramine maleate (CM) is widely used as an antihistaminic drug but it is very bitter and as yet no mouth dissolving/disintegrating taste-masked preparation that might be useful for pediatric and geriatric patients is available in the market. The purpose of this research was to mask the bitter taste of CM by formulating microspheres of the taste-masked drug. This work was done to develop alginate/chitosan particles prepared by ionic gelation (Ca(2+) and Al(3+)) for the CM release. The effect of different chitosan and Ca(2+) concentrations on taste masking and the characteristics of the microspheres were investigated. Ca(2+) and Al(3+) alginates microspheres of CM were prepared using cross-linked insoluble complexes that precipitate, incorporating the drug. Formulations were characterized for particle size and shape, entrapment efficiency, fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), bitter taste threshold and in vitro drug release in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. FTIR, XRD and DSC demonstrated unstable characters of CM in the drug-loaded microspheres and revealed an amorphous form. Also, the peak of alginate microparticles (Ca(2+) and Al(3+) ions) in all formulations remained the same, with low intensity of spectrum. The results of DSC, X-ray diffraction and FTIR showed the presence of several CM chemical interactions with alginate and ions (Ca(2+) and Al(3+)). The microsphere formulations showed desirable drug entrapment efficiencies (62.2-94.2%). Calcium/aluminum alginate retarded the release of CM at low pH = 1.2 and released the drug from microspheres slowly at pH = 6.8, simulating intestine pH. The drug release duration and the release kinetics were dependent on the nature of the polymers, the cation concentrations, and valences (Ca(2+) and Al(3+)). The drug release rate was decreased by an increase in chitosan and cation concentrations. The results of the present study indicated that oral preparation of CM with an acceptable taste is feasible.

Large Eddy Simulation of Francis Turbine Flow Fields under Small Opening Condition

The vibration intensity is strong in Francis turbine occurred under the small opening conditions, such as Lijia Gorges and Three Gorges project. In paper we use large eddy simulation (LES) method base on Vreman SubGrid-Scale model to study the generation and evolution process of turbulence flow, capturing the details of the flow structures and the dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy. The SIMPIEC algorithm is applied to solve the coupled equation of velocity and pressure. The result shows that the small guide vane opening conditions deviate the optimal conditions most. So some unstable flow characters been induced. Such as the turbulent kinetic energy of fluid in guide vanes zone, the blade passage and the draft tube are very strong. The unstable flow phenomenon including the swirl, flow separation, interruption and vortex strip. It can be deduced that the vibration of unit is induced by these flow characteristic.

Large Eddy Simulation of Francis Turbine Flow Fields under Small Opening Condition

The vibration intensity is strong in Francis turbine occurred under the small opening conditions, such as Lijia Gorges and Three Gorges project. In paper we use large eddy simulation (LES) method base on Vreman SubGrid-Scale model to study the generation and evolution process of turbulence flow, capturing the details of the flow structures and the dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy. The SIMPIEC algorithm is applied to solve the coupled equation of velocity and pressure. The result shows that the small guide vane opening conditions deviate the optimal conditions most. So some unstable flow characters been induced. Such as the turbulent kinetic energy of fluid in guide vanes zone, the blade passage and the draft tube are very strong. The unstable flow phenomenon including the swirl, flow separation, interruption and vortex strip. It can be deduced that the vibration of unit is induced by these flow characteristic.

Picturing the Wake : Arcimboldo, Joyce, and His “Monster”

What does the world of Finnegans Wake look like? How do we picture its characters? Most representations are diagrammatic, yet Joyce’s work teems with specific details, objects, and lexical ephemera that are poorly represented by diagrams. This essay proposes the “Arcimboldean” as a starting point. By comparing the unstable characters and spaces of the Wake to the composite style of portraiture associated with the painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, it raises a number of questions about the nature of Joyce’s world. How are characters composed—both in terms of text and food? How do they relate to Joyce’s characterization in Ulysses ? Are they delimitable—or do they, like Joyce’s punning language—overturn authorial control, developing monstrous lives of their own? Arcimboldo can provide not only illustrations but also a critical heuristic: a way of thinking about ontology and order in Finnegans Wake .

Genetic variation and species identification among selected leeches (Hirudinea) revealed by RAPD markers

Leech taxonomy is based on unstable morphological characters. The overall level of genetic variability and species differentiation is unknown. Using the RAPD assays genetic diversities and genetic similarities were estimated in twelve species collected in North-Eastern Poland and representing three families and five subfamilies. Ten primers revealed 204 reproducible bands. Genetic diversities varied from 0.099 to 0.219 classifying studied species among variable invertebrates. Total 45 markers comprised 22% of all amplified bands were unique for species thus enabling their identification. Genetic similarities among species (0.528–0.811) evidenced several stages of differentiation, which is mirrored in the current taxonomy. The UPGMA and multidimensional scaling (nMDS) based on our RAPDs are congruent and reflected traditional division into “Rhynchobdellida” and Arhynchobdellida. The RAPD approach proved to be an effective tool in population and evolutionary studies of leeches. For the first time, genetic parameters were estimated enabling to compare leeches with outcomes from other animals.