Life Sciences Commons^™

Bryoecology In The American Southwest: Patterns Of Biodiversity And Responses To Global Change, John Carroll Brinda

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation combines investigation of the large-scale responses of bryophyte species diversity and distribution with small-scale physiological adaptations to global change. These two areas of inquiry are linked because one way to predict plant species responses to global change is to examine their distribution across current ecological gradients produced by factors such as latitude and elevation. By examining these biogeographic patterns one can identify those species that have a narrow tolerance and therefore are most sensitive to change. Selected bryophytes might then be used as indicator species in long-term monitoring programs. Where historical data exist, these can be used to …

Revision Of The New World Genus Crassomicrodus Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Agathidinae), With An Identification Key To Species, José Isaac Figueroa, Michael J. Sharkey, Jesus Romero Nápoles, José Antonio Sánchez García, Ana Mabel Martínez, Victor López-Martínez, Samuel Pineda

Entomology Faculty Publications

A key to species and descriptions are presented for 14 species of the New World genus Crassomicrodus Ashmead. Seven new species, Crassomicrodus azteca, Crassomicrodus clypealis, Crassomicrodus costaricensis, Crassomicrodus jalisciensis, Crassomicrodus mariae, Crassomicrodus oaxaquensis,and Crassomicrodus olgae are described. Crassomicrodus fenestratus (Viereck) is synonymized with Crassomicrodus nigriceps (Cresson). Crassomicrodus melanopleurus (Ashmead) is recognized as a valid species.

A New Genus Of Agathidinae With The Description Of A New Species Parasitic On Samea Multiplicalis (Guenée), Michael J. Sharkey, Katherine A. Parys, Stephanie Clutts

Entomology Faculty Publications

A new genus of Agathidinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Neothlipsis, is proposed to include 10 species. Nine of these species were formerly included in the polyphyletic genus Therophilus Wesmael 1837, formerly referred to as Bassus. A new species, Neothlipsis parysae, parasitic on Samea multiplicalis (Guenée), is described. The ten described species transferred to Neothlipsis are:, Neothlipsis agathoides, comb. n. for Bassus agathoides Newton and Sharkey 2000; Neothlipsis agilis, comb. n. for Bassus agilis Cresson 1868; Neothlipsis brevicauda, comb. n. for Bassus brevicaudus Muesebeck 1932; Neothlipsis californica, comb. n. for Bassus californicus Muesebeck 1927; Neothlipsis cincta, comb. n. for Microdus …

Description Of A New Species Of The Stag Beetle Genus Altitatiayus Weinreich (Coleoptera, Lucanidae, Lucaninae), P. C. Grossi, R. M. Koike

Insecta Mundi

The brachypterous Brazilian stag beetle genus Altitatiayus Weinreich (Coleoptera, Lucanidae, Lucaninae) was previously known only from states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Altitatiayus campoi, a new species from São Paulo, the southernmost in distribution, is described here and apparently represents a new species group with some exclusive characters. It is compared with other species of the genus and a key to species of Altitatiayus is provided.

O gênero braquíptero de lucanídeo brasileiro Altitatiayus Weinreich (Coleoptera, Lucanidae, Lucaninae) era conhecido somente dos estados de Minas Gerais e Rio de Janeiro. Altitatiayus campoi, uma nova espécie do estado de …

Host And Distribution Lists Of Chiggers (Trombiculidae And Leeuwenhoekiidae), Of North American Wild Vertebrates North Of Mexico, Brianne L. Walters, John O. Whitaker Jr., Nicholas S. Gikas, William J. Wrenn

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Information concerning chiggers found on wild vertebrates of North America north of Mexico is summarized. Included are lists a) of the chiggers organized taxonomically, b) hosts from which each species has been reported, and c) states and provinces with references for each separate record

Larval Taxonomy, Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of The Genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) In North America, Zachary Burington

All Theses

Larvae of the genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera:Hydropsychidae) are a
abundant and probably significant ecological component of freshwater lotic ecosystems
worldwide, with many species inhabiting streams with elevated organic pollution. The
varying tolerance levels among these species necessitate species-level identification for
accurate water-quality assessment. However, past workers have had difficulty separating
the Nearctic species in the larval stage. This research presents progress on the goal
towards identification of larval Cheumatopsyche. Chaetotaxal and cuticular characters are delimited for 7 larval morphotypes, all of which have been putatively associated with
adults. The Nearctic phylogeny of Cheumatopsyche is revised, including 5 species
described after 1987. …

Determining The Composition Of The Dwelling Tubes Of Antarctic Pterobranchs, Lukasz J. Sewera

Honors Projects

Pterobranchs are a group of marine invertebrates within the Hemichordata, which share characteristics with both chordates and echinoderms. Pterobranchs live in colonies of secreted tubes, coenicia, which are composed of a gelatinous material of unknown composition. Visually, the tubes appear similar to the tunic of tunicates, a group of invertebrates within the Chordata. The nonproteinaceous tunic of tunicates is composed of cellulose, which is unusual. The goal of this study was to determine the composition of the pterobranch coenicium. Some aspects of pterobranch phylogeny are still unclear even after multiple molecular and morphological studies. Identification of any new shared characteristics …

Ponderosa Pine Revisited, J. Robert Haller, Nancy J. Vivrette

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

We here recognize a new variety, Pinus ponderosa var. pacifica, in the Pacific portion of the species' distribution and present a new combination for Washoe pine as a variety, Pinus ponderosa var. washoensis. In this treatment, we reject the neotype of Pinus ponderosa selected by Lauria and designate instead the branch collected by David Douglas with mistletoe (Arceuthobium campylopodum) as lectotype for Pinus ponderosa. Table 1 compares the distinguishing characters of the North Plateau (typical) variety, the Pacific variety, and the Washoe variety of Pinus ponderosa with a closely related species, Pinus jeffreyi. Figure …

Conservation Genetics Of The Endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod, Maccullochella Ikei, Catherine Jane Nock

Dr Catherine J Nock

Fragmentation over evolutionary time scales following vicariant and dispersal events has long been recognised as a dominant process in biological diversification and speciation; while anthropogenic habitat fragmentation in recent times is considered a threat to the long-term persistence of species and ecosystems. The eastern freshwater cod Maccullochella ikei is Australia’s largest endangered freshwater fish species. Abundant in the Clarence and Richmond River systems at the time of European settlement, populations crashed in the early 1900s causing local extinctions and range reduction. Recovery efforts, including a prohibition on fishing for M. ikei and hatchery breeding programs, were initiated in an attempt …

Phenotypic, Pathogenic, Molecular And Phylogenetic Comparisons Of Bacteria Causing Aloe Rot From Three Countries, Yogeshwar Kumar, Jatindra Nath Samanta, Kunal Mandal, Narendra A. Gajbhiye

Kunal Mandal

Bacterial soft rot disease of Aloe caused by heterogeneous genus Erwinia was reported from different parts of the world. In the recent past the genus underwent major taxonomic modifications. In the present study, four Aloe pathogenic bacterial strains isolated from India, The Netherlands and Yugoslavia have been compared. Different cultural, biochemical, physiological and pathological characters and protein/lipid profiles indicated that the strains belonged to two different genera, Pectobacterium and Dickeya. Species specific amplification of pel gene sequences also supported this. Phylogenetic analysis of rRNA gene (rDNA) sequence placed these Dickeya strains close to D. dieffenbachiae and D. zeae. On the …

Taxonomic Status Of Myotis Myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) And Myotis Blythii (Tomes, 1857) In Turkey(Mammalia: Chiroptera)*, Nursel Aşan, İrfan Albayrak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Morphometrical, biological, ecological, and karyological data of 156 Myotis myotis and 149 M. blythii specimens collected from various provinces of Turkey between 1974 and 2007 were evaluated. Specimens from Turkish Thrace were referred to as M. m. myotis and the Mediterranean part as M. m. macrocephalicus. Specimens from the rest of Anatolia were assigned to an intermediate form. Due to a steady increase in body and cranial size detected in Myotis blythii from western to eastern Anatolia, we did not assign a subspecific name for the M. blythii populations in Turkey. In addition, body and cranial measurements of this species …

Two New Species Of Zerconid Mites (Acari, Mesostigmata) From Honaz Mountain National Park (Turkey), Raşi̇t Urhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Two new species of zerconid mites, Zercon denizliensis sp.n. and Z. alattini sp.n., collected from Honaz Mountain National Park in Turkey are described and illustrated. Additionally, a key to the species of the genus Zercon known from Turkey is given.

Description Of Scottnema Lindsayae Timm, 1971 (Rhabditida: Cephalobidae) From Taylor Valley, Antarctica And Its Phylogenetic Relationship, Sven Boström, Oleksandr Holovachov, Steven A. Nadler

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty and Staff Publications

The endemic Antarctic nematode Scottnema lindsayae is described from specimens collected in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land. The recently collected material is compared with the original description and other subsequent descriptions of the species. A more complete scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of the species is presented. The phylogenetic position of S. lindsayae is inferred using a secondary structure-based alignment of a partial sequence of nuclear Large Subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using base-paired substitution models implemented in PHASE 2 software and Bayesian inference, and show S. lindsayae as the sister group to Stegelletina taxa.

A Taxonomic Revision Of The New World Hypoponera Santschi, 1938 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Shawn Thomas Dash

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The New World taxa of the pantropic ant genus Hypoponera (Ponerinae: Ponerini) is revised for the first time. The 55 previously recognized taxa have been evaluated using morphological and, when possible, ecological and biogeographical data to resolve taxon validity and species limits. Currently I recognize 42 species of Hypoponera , a number of which are new. I propose the following taxonomic outline: Hypoponera agilis (Borgmeier), Hypoponera aliena (F. Smith), Hypoponera antoniensis (Forel) stat. nov., Hypoponera apateae sp. nov., Hypoponera capilosa sp. nov., Hypoponera clinei sp. nov., Hypoponera clavatula (Emery) [= fiebrigi (Forel) syn. nov., = neglecta (Santschi) syn. nov.], Hypoponera …

The Scientific Classification Of Wolves: Canis Lupus Soupus, L. David Mech

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Gray wolf, timber wolf, red wolf, eastern wolf, brush wolf, arctic wolf, Mexican wolf, maned wolf, Ethiopian wolf, etc., etc. How many kinds of wolves are there? And what are the differences? This is a really good question, and the answer is getting more complicated all the time. Let us start by going back a few years to the way science looked at wolves more traditionally— before the days of the new field of molecular genetics. Molecular genetics examines the actual DNA of animals and tries to classify them according to genetic similarities. ...

What does all this mean in …

Revision And Reclassification Of The Genera Of Phalacridae (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea), Matthew Gimmel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The family Phalacridae is monographed at the genus level using modern phylogenetic and classification methods. A morphological matrix of 106 characters and 2063 base pairs of aligned 18S rDNA sequence data were analyzed both separately and in a concatenated matrix, using maximum parsimony, Bayesian methods, and maximum likelihood. The phylogenetic hypotheses were used to construct a new subfamilial classification for the family. I recognize eight subfamilies, including two described as new: Biophytinae Guillebeau 1894, Eustilbinae Guillebeau 1892, Ochrolitinae Guillebeau 1894, Olibrinae Guillebeau 1892, Olibroporinae, subfam. nov., Olibrosominae, subfam. nov., Phaenocephalinae Matthews 1899, Phalacrinae Guillebeau 1892. Twenty-eight new generic synonymies are …

Contributions To The Turkish Oribatid Fauna (Acari: Oribatida) From Bolu Province, Ayşe Toluk, Nusret Ayyildiz

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Four oribatid mites new to the Turkish fauna, namely Licneremaeus licnophorus (Michael, 1882), Moritzoppia (Moritzoppia) tridentata (Forsslund, 1942), Lauroppia maritima acuminata (Strenzke, 1951), and Banksinoma lanceolata lanceolata (Michael, 1885), collected from Bolu province, Turkey, are given with their drawings and SEM photographs. On the basis of the collected samples, their morphological features and distributions in the world are also presented.

A Synopsis Of The Genus Pulsatilla (Ranunculaceae) In Turkey, Ahmet Emre Yaprak, Selçuk Tuğrul Körüklü, Ali̇ Osman Ketenoğlu

Turkish Journal of Botany

In this study, Pulsatilla Mill., which was considered a subgenus of the genus Anemone L. in Flora of Turkey, is accepted as a separate genus. Pulsatilla albana (Steven) Bercht. & J.Presl subsp. albana and P. violacea Rupr. subsp. violacea are declared as new records for the flora of Turkey. Anemone albana Steven subsp. armena (Boiss.) N.Busch, which was already known from Turkey, is accepted as a synonym of Pulsatilla violacea subsp. armena (Boiss.) Luferov. Descriptions, distribution maps, and identification keys are provided for these taxa in order to aid in the distinguishing of the genera Anemone and Pulsatilla as well …

Cicer Uludereensis Dönmez: A New Species Of Cicer (Chickpea) (Fabaceae) From Around The Fertile Crescent, Se Turkey, Ali̇ Aslan Dönmez

Turkish Journal of Botany

The genus Cicer L. includes an important crop plant, chickpea, which has been used as a protein source since prehistoric times. Specimens of a native Cicer have been collected and described from south-east Turkey. This new species, Cicer uludereensis Dönmez sp. nova, is distinct from a closely allied species, Cicer isauricum P.H.Davis, by its fine and more numerous teeth per leaflet, larger stipules, and narrower fruit with almost smooth seed surface. An illustration and a distribution map of the new species are provided and observations on the population are discussed.

A New Species Of Minuartia (Caryophyllaceae) From Northwestern Anatolia, Turkey, Murat Koç, Ahmet Aksoy, Ergi̇n Hamzaoğlu

Turkish Journal of Botany

Minuartia turcica M.Koç (Caryophyllaceae) is described as a new species of sect. Minuartia. The specimens were collected from the village of Yukarıçiftlik in the district of Safranbolu (Karabük Province, Turkey). The new species is similar to Minuartia leucocephaloides, but the differences between the 2 species are discussed in this paper. Descriptions and illustrations are given, as is information on the distribution and conservation status of the new species.

Anolis Chrysolepis Duméril And Bibron, 1837 (Squamata: Iguanidae), Revisited: Molecular Phylogeny And Taxonomy Of The Anolis Chrysolepis Species Group, Annelise B. D'Angiolella, Tony Gamble, Teresa C. S. Avila-Pires, Guarino R. Colli, Brice P. Noonan, Laurie J. Vitt

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The Anolis chrysolepis species group is distributed across the entire Amazon basin and currently consists of A. bombiceps and five subspecies of A. chrysolepis. These lizards are characterized by moderate size, relatively narrow digital pads, and a small dewlap that does not reach the axilla. We used the mitochondrial gene ND2 to estimate phylogenetic relationships among putative subspecies of A. chrysolepis and taxa previously hypothesized to be their close relatives. We also assessed the congruence between molecular and morphological datasets to evaluate the taxonomic status of group members. On the basis of the two datasets, we present a new …

Caribbean Leucothoidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) Of Panama, Kristine N. White

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Leucothoid amphipods were collected from sponge, ascidian, and bivalve mollusk hosts around Bocas del Toro, Panama. New host and locality records are reported for 10 species. Morphological variation is noted in some species originally described from Belize and South Florida. Future molecular research will help to clarify the importance of this variation. A key to the Caribbean species of the Leucothoidae collected around Bocas del Toro, Panama is provided based on morphological characters.

A New Species Of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) From East Anatolia (Turkey): Silene Gevasica Hamzaoğlu Sp. Nova, Ergi̇n Hamzaoğlu, Murat Koç, Ümi̇t Budak

Turkish Journal of Botany

Silene gevasica Hamzaoğlu sp. nova is described as a new species from Gevaş district (Van province). The specimen was collected from calcareous rocks, at an altitude between 2100 and 2200 m from Artos mountain. The new species is similar to Silene araratica Schischk. The differences between these 2 taxa are discussed.

Pollen Morphology Of Six Achillea L. Sect. Achillea (Asteraceae) Species In Turkey, Hani̇fe Akyalçin, Turan Arabaci, Bayram Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Botany

The pollen morphology of 48 specimens of 6 species (9 taxa) of the genus Achillea L. sect. Achillea (Asteraceae), A. nobilis L. subsp. neilreichii (A.Kern.) Formánek, A. nobilis subsp. densissima (O.Schwarz ex Bässler) Hub.-Mor., A. nobilis subsp. sipylea (O.Schwarz) Bässler, A. nobilis subsp. kurdica Hub.-Mor., A. filipendulina Lam., A. clypeolata Sm., A. coarctata Poir., A. biebersteinii Afan., and A. cappadocica Hausskn. & Bornm. distributed in Turkey were investigated using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pollen grains were oblate-spheroidal, prolate-spheroidal, subprolate and generally tricolporate, though at times tetracolporate or even pentacolporate. The size of the grains varied, ranging …

Silene Hamzaoglui (Caryophyllaceae), A New Species From Çekerek (Yozgat, Turkey), Ümi̇t Budak, Murat Koç

Turkish Journal of Botany

Silene hamzaoglui Budak sp. nova is described as a new species from Çekerek (Yozgat, Turkey). The specimen was collected from calcareous rocky places, at an altitude between 1140 and 1180 m. The new species is similar to Silene duralii Y.Bağcı and Silene capillipes Boiss. & Heldr. The differences among these 3 species are discussed.

Macrofungi Of Kemaliye District (Erzincan), Hakan Alli

Turkish Journal of Botany

The material of this study comprises macrofungi specimens collected from different localities in Kemaliye district (Erzincan, Turkey) in 2006 and 2007. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 106 taxa under 35 families belonging to the classes Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes are described: 3 of them, namely Psathyrella panaeoloides (Maire) Arnolds, Galerina stylifera var. stylifera (G.F.Atk.) A.H.Sm. & Singer, and Inocybe amblyspora Kühner, are new records for Turkey.

A New Genus, Turanecio, Of The Asteraceae (Tribe Senecioneae), Ergi̇n Hamzaoğlu, Ümi̇t Budak, Ahmet Aksoy

Turkish Journal of Botany

Turanecio Hamzaoğlu, a new genus of the Asteraceae, is described. Ten species are included, previously referred to Senecio L., Cineraria L., or Iranecio B.Nord. This genus belongs to the "Quadridentate Group" of the subtribe Senecioninae, because of the 4-lobed disc florets. The new genus closely resembles Dolichorrhiza (Pojark.) Galushko, but differs by the thickish rhizome, the short-sagittate anther bases, the style branches with papillate lower surface, and in possessing a persistent pappus. Turanecio is centred in Turkey, with species in the Caucasus, Iran, and Iraq.

Seed Morphology And Anatomy Of The Mediterranean Pentamerous Species Of Erica (Ericaceae), Jaime Fagundez, Jesus Izco

Turkish Journal of Botany

The species of the "Pentapera group" are distinguished from the rest of the European and Mediterranean Erica L. species by having 5 corolla lobes and sepals instead of 4, and 10 stamens instead of 8. The genus Pentapera Klotzsch was proposed for these taxa but recent studies regards it as part of Erica. Two species are recognised: Erica sicula Guss. and E. bocquetii (Peşmen) P.F.Stevens, and 3 subspecies have been described within E. sicula. This taxonomic treatment is still under discussion and relationships with other species have been poorly discussed. Seed morphology of the 2 species and the 3 subspecies …

Fruit And Seed Morphology Of Six Species Previously Placed In Malcolmia (Brassicaceae) In Turkey And Their Taxonomic Value, Ayla Kaya, Murat Ünal, Fevzi̇ Özgökçe, Beki̇r Doğan, Esra Marti̇n

Turkish Journal of Botany

The fruit and seed morphologies of 6 species previously placed in the genus Malcolmia W.T.Aiton were examined with stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine the significance of fruit and seed features as taxonomic characters. This study presents macro- and micromorphological characters, including fruit and seed shape, size, colour, fruiting pedicel size, fruit hair and density, seed coat pattern, epidermal cell shape, and anticlinal and periclinal cell walls. The results showed that the morphological characteristics of the fruit and seed could be used as criteria to distinguish genera and tribes. The investigated features of specimens indicated that …