Life Sciences Commons^™

Seed Testa Morphology Of 18 Species Of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-Family Papilionoideae), G. R. Richardson, R. Cross

Scanning Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy was used to conduct a micromorphological study of testae of the seeds of 18 species of Rafnia Thunb. (Fam. Fabaceae, Sub-family Papilionoideae). The testa patterns revealed diagnostic taxonomic features which proved useful in the construction of a key for the identification of the various Rafnia species. Comparisons between air-dried freshly collected, and long-term stored herbarium specimens revealed that testa patterns remained consistent and valid for taxonomic purposes.

Scanning Electron Microscope Study Of Wohlfahrtia Magnifica (Schiner, 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) I. Structures With Parasitic And Possible Taxonomic Meaning, I. Ruíz-Martínez, M. D. Soler-Cruz, R. Benítez-Rodríguez, J. M. Pérez-Jiménez, C. Adalid-Fuentes, M. Díaz-López

Scanning Microscopy

The larval development of Wohlfahrtia magnifica (the most important dipteran causing sheep myiasis in the Palearctic region) has been studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of mouth-hooks, oral ridges, labial lobes, body spines and anterior and posterior peritremes is described for the first time. Their possible adaptations to a parasitic lifeway are also discussed. Thus, the use of new structures in the Sarcophagidae taxonomy is proposed from the point of view of their ultrastructure and adaptative morphology.

Enamel Of Yalkaparidon Coheni: Representative Of A Distinctive Order Of Tertiary Zalambdodont Marsupials, K. S. Lester, M. Archer, C. F. Gilkeson, T. Rich

Scanning Microscopy

The enamel of an incisor and a premolar of Yalkaparidon coheni was examined by scanning electron microscopy in fractured and in sectioned, polished surfaces. The enamel of both teeth demonstrated: complete, ovoid and horse-shoe shaped prisms in a Pattern 2 arrangement; a simple parallel prism course; and, enamel tubules in abundance in the premolar but restricted to the innermost enamel in the incisor. Overall, the enamel ultrastructure supports the marsupial affiliation proposed for Yalkaparidon coheni but does not unambiguously ally it with any other order of marsupials.

The observation of a significant ultrastructural difference between the anterior and posterior teeth …

Marsupial And Monotreme Enamel Structure, K. S. Lester, A. Boyde, C. Gilkeson, M. Archer

Scanning Microscopy

We present some recent developments in our understanding of two basic questions: the origin, extent, nature and course of marsupial enamel tubules; and the characterisation of monotreme enamel, more particularly, the prismatic nature of platypus enamel.

Methods used included SEM of methacrylate casts of marsupial enamel tubules, worn and cut surfaces of whole marsupial teeth, developing and erupted platypus teeth, and a well-developed molar of the newly discovered Miocene ornithorhynchid Obdurodon sp., and tandem scanning reflected light microscopy of intact marsupial teeth.

We conclude that there are significant species differences with respect to prism shape, row formation and tubule disposition …