Life Sciences Commons^™

Homophileurus Neptunus Dechambre, A New Junior Synonym Of H. Waldenfelsi Endrödi (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini), Brett Ratcliffe, Jochen-P. Saltin

Insecta Mundi

Homophileurus neptunus Dechambre was found to be conspecific with H. waldenfelsi Endrödi after examination of types, descriptions, and illustrations. Accordingly, H. neptunus is placed in junior synonymy with H. waldenfelsi, new synonymy. Homophileurus waldenfelsi is an uncommon species and occurs in Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Brazil and Peru are new country records.

A low-res version of the PDF file (approx 1 Mb) is attached (below) as a "Related file."

Evolutionary History And Taxonomy Of The Cuscuta Umbellata Complex (Convolvulaceae): Evidence Of Extensive Hybridization From Discordant Nuclear And Plastid Phylogenies, Mihai Costea, Saša Stefanović

Biology Faculty Publications

The Cuscuta umbellata complex is one of the 15 major clades recently circumscribed in C. subg. Grammica. Most of its members occur in North AMerican and the Caribbean (C. desmouliniana, C. lacerata, C. lacerata, C. leptantha, C. liliputana, C. odontolepsis, C. polyanthemos, C. tuberculata, C. umbellata), but three species (C. acuta, C. membranacea, C. umbellata) grow in South America, and one (C. hyalina) is found as a native species in India, Pakistan and Eastern to South Africa. Basic morphology, scanning electron microscopy and …

Foraging Strategies Are Related To Skull Morphology And Life History Traits Of Melanerpes Woodpeckers, David L. Leonard Jr., Julie A. Heath

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Links between morphology and foraging strategies have been well established for many vertebrate groups. Foraging strategies of Melanerpes woodpeckers are especially variable, with at least six species being proficient flycatchers; the remainder of the better known species do not flycatch. Our objective was to examine variation in foraging tactics as it relates to skull morphology and other life history traits among these species to better understand the biology of these diverse woodpeckers. We measured eight skull characters from 241 individuals representing 19 species, but focused on eight species for which we had the most data. We used the log-geometric mean …

New Species Of The Genus Cotycicuiara Galileo And Martins, 2008 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Desmiphorini), Ubirajara R. Martins, Maria Helena M. Galileo

Insecta Mundi

Five new species of the genus Cotycicuiara Galileo and Martins are described and illustrated: C. oicepe sp. nov., from Trinidad and Tobago; and from Brazil C. multicava sp. nov., (Minas Gerais); C. pertusa sp. nov., (Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina); C. nivaria sp. nov., (Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo); C. chionea sp. nov., (Rio de Janeiro). A revised key to species is provided.

Novas espécies do gênero Cotycicuiara Galileo e Martins, 2008 (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Desmiphorini). Espécies novas descritas e ilustradas: de Trinidad and Tobago, Cotycicuiara oicepe sp. nov.; do Brasil, C. multicava sp. nov., (Minas Gerais); C. pertusa sp. nov., (Rio …

A Taxonomy-Based Model For Expertise Extrapolation, Delroy H. Cameron, Boanerges Aleman-Meza, Ismailcem Budak Arpinar, Sheron L. Decker, Amit P. Sheth

Kno.e.sis Publications

While many ExpertFinder applications succeed in finding experts, their techniques are not always designed to capture the various levels at which expertise can be expressed. Indeed, expertise can be inferred from relationships between topics and subtopics in a taxonomy. The conventional wisdom is that expertise in subtopics is also indicative of expertise in higher level topics as well. The enrichment of Expertise Profiles for finding experts can therefore be facilitated by taking domain hierarchies into account. We present a novel semantics-based model for finding experts, expertise levels and collaboration levels in a peer review context, such as composing a Program …

Checklist Of The Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) Of Costa Rica, Ian P. Swift, Larry G. Bezark, Eugenio H. Nearns, Ángel Solís, Frank T. Hovore

Insecta Mundi

An updated checklist of the Cerambycidae of Costa Rica is presented. This new version includes 1,071 species and subspecies in 429 genera, 69 tribes, and six subfamilies. Of these, 181 are new country records and 136 species are known only from Costa Rica. In addition, provincial distribution data are provided for each species. The checklist supports a wealth of scientific literature in many other groups of flora and fauna indicating Costa Rica has high species richness of cerambycid beetles.

Se presenta una lista actualizada de los Cerambycidae de Costa Rica. Esta nueva versión incluye 1.071 especies y subespecies en 429 …

Infrageneric Relationships Within Collomia (Polemoniaceae), Eric Stewart Green

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional evolutionary models depict evolution as a bifurcating pattern with a single ancestor diverging to form two lineages. However, reticulate species resulting from hybridization and recombination have unique histories shared with two independent lineages, not one. Accounting for the genetic histories of reticulate species increases the power and ability to recover biologically meaningful relationships. The genus Collomia (Polemoniaceae) is used to explore issues of reticulation and the importance of accounting for gene histories in a phylogenetic analysis. The issue of reticulation within species trees is discussed with a multilabeled, network approach being explored to better represent the genus's evolutionary history. …

Vittatidera Zeaphila (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), A New Genus And Species Of Cyst Nematode Parasitic On Corn (Zea Mays), Ernest C. Bernard, Zafar A. Handoo, Thomas O. Powers, Patricia A. Donald, Robert D. Heinz

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

A new genus and species of cyst nematode, Vittatidera zeaphila, is described from Tennessee. The new genus is superficially similar to Cactodera but is distinguished from other cyst-forming taxa in having a persistent lateral field in females and cysts, persistent vulval lips covering a circumfenestrate vulva, and subventral gland nuclei of the female contained in a separate small lobe. Infective juveniles (J2) are distinguished from all previously described Cactodera spp. by the short stylet in the second-stage juvenile (14-17 mm); J2 of Cactodera spp. have stylets at least 18 mm long. The new species also is unusual in that …

Nomenclatural Changes For Some Grasses In California And The Muhlenbergia Clade (Poaceae), J. Travis Columbus, James P. Smith Jr.

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

New combinations and names are here validated for ten grass (Poaceae) taxa in California for the forthcoming revision of The Jepson Manual. In addition, guided by recent molecular phylogenetic studies, ten non-California grass species are here transferred to Muhlenbergia (Chloridoideae: Cynodonteae) to achieve monophyly of the genus. Lolium, long known to be phylogenetically nested within Festuca, is here subsumed into Festuca, and the circumscription of Stipa is expanded to include all Stipeae (native and non-native) in California. In Stipeae, most currently recognized genera are not monophyletic. Attaining monophyly while bearing in mind identification for persons not expert …

Two New Combinations In Western North American Asteraceae, David J. Keil

Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany

Two new combinations that will be used in the second edition of The Jepson Manual are proposed for western North American Asteraceae: Helianthus petiolaris subsp. canescens and Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis.

Taxonomy And Applied Biogeography Of Mongolian Stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera), Sarah Walker Judson

Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 1900s, efforts have been made to catalogue the stoneflies of Mongolia. Taxonomic work from 1960 to 1980 greatly expanded basic lists of stoneflies in Mongolia, but no comprehensive survey or synthesis of this dispersed literature has been completed. In conjunction with a modern survey of the aquatic insects of Mongolia, we collected Plecoptera on a series of expeditions to the Selenge (north) and Altai (west) regions of Mongolia. A total of 48 species distributed in 24 genera and 8 families were documented, including 3 of the 5 Mongolian endemics, 2 new species records for Mongolia, and 1 …

Revision Of The Genus Ambracius Stål, 1860 (Heteroptera: Miridae: Deraeocorinae: Clivinematini), With Descriptions Of Three New Species, Paulo Sérgio F Ferreia, Thomas J. Henry

USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory

The clivinematine genus Ambracius Stál is revised and the three new species Ambracius alineae from Venezuela, A. liviae from the United States (Texas), and A. rudybuenoi from Panama are described and illustrated. The previously known species Ambracius capucinus (Reuter), A. dufouri Stál, A. mexicanus Carvalho, A. pallescens (Distant), A. rubricosus (Distant), and A. vittatus Carvalho are redescribed. A key to species is provided to aid in identification.

Ectoparasites Of Bats In Mongolia (Ischnopsyllidae, Nycteribiidae, Cimicidae And Spinturnicidae), Ingo Sceffler, Dietrich Dolch, Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold, Nyamsuren Batsajchan, Andreas Abraham, Klaus Thiele

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

For large parts of the world, the knowledge of bat ectoparasites is still scanty. Regarding Mongolia, only few studies exist to date. This paper analyzes results from extensive captures between 2005-2008, carried out in different sites of Mongolia. Discussed ectoparasites include bat fleas, (Ischnopsyllidae), bat flies (Nycteribiidae), and bat bugs (Cimicidae) and spinturnicid mites (Spinturnicidae). A number of species found in this study were new records for Mongolia, and for many species additional sites were reported. For some bat species, the spectrum and frequency of larger ectoparasites could be determined for the first time.

Zercon Kallimcii Sp. N., A New Species Of Zerconid Mite (Acari, Zerconidae) From Turkey, Raşi̇t Urhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species of zerconid mite, Zercon kallimcii sp. n., is described and illustrated from Turkey on the basis of adult females.

Ten Additions To The Rotifer Fauna Of Turkey, Murat Kaya, Ahmet Altindağ

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Ten monogonont rotifer species new for the Turkish fauna discovered in 2007 are discussed: Cephalodella delicata Wulfert, C. cf. forceps Donner, C. misgurnus Wulfert, Dipleuchlanis propatula (Gosse), Encentrum limicola Otto, E. mustela (Milne), Lecane aculeate (Jakubski), L. paradoxa (Steinecke), Notommata glyphura Wulfert, and Proales similis de Beauchamp. Eight are widely distributed, but C. cf. forceps Donner and L. paradoxa (Steinecke) have been recorded only from the Palearctic. Important parts of the trophi structure of some species are shown using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, and water temperature were also measured.

A Taxonomic Revision Of Salvia Euphratica Sensu Lato And Its Closely Related Species (Sect. Hymenosphace, Lamiaceae) Using Multivariate Analysis, Ahmet Kahraman, Ferhat Celep, Musa Doğan, Safi Bagherpour

Turkish Journal of Botany

As an initial part of a revisional study based on the genus Salvia L. (Lamiaceae), extensive field studies, herbarium and literature surveys, and multivariate analysis have been conducted on the basis of the Salvia euphratica sensu lato (S. cerino-pruinosa, S. euphratica, S. leiocalycina, and S. pseudeuphratica) and its closely related species (S. kronenburgii and S. sericeo-tomentosa) in order to understand their taxonomic status. For the multivariate analysis, 35 OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) representing 24 populations of the species were investigated and scored on the basis of 25 character states by means of MVSP software. Principle coordinate analysis (PCO) utilizing the …

Morphological Character Analysis In Turkish Micromeria Benth. (Lamiaceae) Species With A Numerical Taxonomic Study, Turan Arabaci, Tuncay Di̇rmenci̇, Ferhat Celep

Turkish Journal of Botany

As an initial part of a revisional study based on the genus Micromeria Benth. (Lamiaceae), extensive field studies, herbarium and literature surveys, and multivariate analysis have been conducted. Recently, many morphological and molecular studies have been conducted on the genus Micromeria and related genera. Consequently, the generic boundaries of Micromeria have dramatically changed. Therefore, a morphometric analysis was carried out on Turkish Micromeria s.l. species, belonging to sect. Micromeria, sect. Cymularia Boiss., and sect. Pseudomelissa Benth., 2 Clinopodium L. species, and 2 Mentha L. species in order to understand their taxonomic relationship. For morphometric analysis, 27 morphological characters and their …

A New Species Of Echinops (Asteraceae) From Turkey, Cem Vural, Mustafa Kemal Bi̇ter, Mehmet Yaşar Dadandi

Turkish Journal of Botany

Echinops dumanii C.Vural is described and illustrated from Adana province, South Anatolia, Turkey. It is considered to be endemic to Turkey. The morphological differences from the closely related species Echinops phaeocephalus Hand.-Mazz. are discussed. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) threat category and observations on the ecology of the populations are noted. The geographical distribution of the new species is mapped.

Taxonomy Of Campanula Tomentosa Lam. And C. Vardariana Bocquet From Turkey, Emi̇ne Alçitepe, Kemal Yildiz

Turkish Journal of Botany

The taxonomical status of Campanula tomentosa Lam. and C. vardariana Bocquet, belonging to the section Quinqueloculares (Boiss.) Phitos, which have important taxonomical problems, was reviewed in this study. Furthermore, morphological, anatomical leaf surface, and palynological features of these 2 species were examined in detail. Habit, shape of leaves, calyx, corolla, stamen, pistil, and seed micromorphological features as morphological characters; and pollen diameter, pore diameter, spinule length, and number, ornamentation, etc. as palynological characters, were examined and discussed. An identification key for the species is presented according to the results obtained. Following this extensive study, the mentioned problems of C. tomentosa …

Determination Of The Relationship Between Some Centaurea Species Based On Sds-Page, Tuna Uysal, Emi̇ne Arslan, Osman Tugay, Kuddi̇si̇ Ertuğrul

Turkish Journal of Biology

The protein patterns of 47 Centaurea species from Turkey were obtained using SDS-PAGE methods. Relationships between Centaurea species and related genera were evaluated via use of a dendrogram. SDS-PAGE provided protein profiles for an important and applicable selection within Centaurea, particularly for the section Cheirolepis and its relatives. We determined that the technique could be used to resolve taxonomic and evolutionary problems in the genus Centaurea, as most of the Centaurea species studied exhibited special protein profiles and patterns.

Molecular Fingerprinting Of Some Clinically Significant Nocardia And Related Strains By Restriction Polymorphism Ribosomal Rna Analyses, Kami̇l Işik, Michael Goodfellow

Turkish Journal of Biology

Fifty-three Nocardia strains were the subject of a restriction polymorphic ribosomal RNA analysis (ribotyping) designed to distinguish between representatives of clinically significant species and related strains. The organisms were assigned to 19 groups using a combination of EcoRV gene restriction endonuclease patterns and a digoxigenin-labelled Streptomyces violaceoruber TK21 rDNA probe. Each ribotype group contained 4 to 13 restriction fragments that ranged in size from 20.7 to 0.9 kb. The N. brasiliensis, N. crassostreae, N. farcinica, N. otitidiscaviarum, and N. seriolea strains showed distinct ribotype patterns. Unique banding patterns were also seen for the type strains of N. brevicatena, N. carnea, …

A New Species Of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) From Turkey, Ergi̇n Hamzaoğlu, Ahmet Aksoy, Ümi̇t Budak

Turkish Journal of Botany

Silene bayburtensis Hamzaoğlu & Aksoy sp. nov. is described as a new species from Bayburt province (Turkey). The specimen was collected on a calcareous steppe, in 2 localities, at an altitude between 1700 and 1750 m. The new species is similar to Silene pharnaceifolia Fenzl. The differences between the species are discussed.

Teaching Species, Mark W. Ellis, Paul G. Wolf

Biology Faculty Publications

A clear understanding of the term "species" is fundamental to the subject of evolution. However, introductory textbooks often fail to address this topic until one of the later chapters, after having used the term species in all preceding chapters. Furthermore, definitions of terms critical to a clear understanding of this subject are often vague or absent in chapters on species concepts. We feel the popular notion of a "species problem" has been unnecessarily inflated by this less-than-effective educational approach. Clearly addressing this essential subject at the beginning of a course on evolution will prepare students to learn the details and …

The Occurrence Of The Subgenus Microlaccobius Gentili In Turkey (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae, Laccobius), With Taxonomic Notes, Mustafa Cemal Darilmaz, Suat Kiyak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Distributional data and the chorotype of all known taxa of Turkish species of the subgenus Microlaccobius Gentili, 1974 are summarized. The taxonomic position of Laccobius gracilis persicus Gentili, 1974 is discussed and L. persicus is elevated to the level of valid species and new record for the Turkish fauna. A short identification key of Turkish species of the subgenus is also given.

Systematics And Biogeography Of The Didymopanax Group Of Schefflera (Araliaceae), Pedro Fiaschi

Theses and Dissertations

Schefflera is the largest genus in the angiosperm family Araliaceae, with about 900 species, of which c. 300 belong to five subgeneric groups in the Neotropical region. Previous phylogenetic studies of Schefflera have been limited to a small number of species from this region, and very little is know about phylogenetic relationships in the Brazilian-centered Didymopanax group of this genus. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of the diversity and evolution of the Didymopanax group of Schefflera, I investigated the systematics of these plants in the broader context of the entire Neotropical clade. The main goals were (1) to investigate …

Leucothoidae, Kristine N. White, James Darwin Thomas

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Four genera and 17 species of leucothoids, the majority of these belonging to the genus Leucothoe, are herein reported from the Great Barrier Reef. Fifteen species are new to science and only Anamixis bazimut has been previously reported from the Great Barrier Reef.

Taxonomic Overview Of The Greater Fritillary Genus Speyeria Scudder And The Atlantis - Hesperis Species Complexes, With Species Accounts, Type Images, And Relevant Literature (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), James C. Dunford

Insecta Mundi

A taxonomic overview for the fritillary genus Speyeria Scudder (= Argynnis Fabricius) and its placement within the Heliconiinae (Nymphalidae) is presented. Taxonomic accounts, type images, and relevant literature for the 25 subspecies within the Speyeria atlantis (Edwards) and Speyeria hesperis (Edwards) complexes and the 16 nominate Speyeria species are included. Errors in nomenclature are identified, taxonomic, life history, and distributional information are updated, and type locality information is discussed. Images of primary type specimens for all 16 Speyeria species and the 25 subspecies in the atlantis - hesperis complexes appear together in color here for the first time. One new …

Molecular Phylogenetic, Morphometric, And Life History Analyses Of The Special Concern Freshwater Mussels: Obovaria Jacksoniana (Frierson, 1912) And Villosa Arkansasensis (Lea, 1862), Kentaro Inoue

Student Theses and Dissertations

The special concern Obovaria jacksoniana occurs from the Mississippi Interior Basin to Mobile River drainage. Villosa arkansasensis is often difficult to distinguish from O. jacksoniana based on conchological characters. Since both species have been ranked with conservation status, determining taxonomy and classification are important for conservation. The overall goal of my thesis was to better understand the taxonomic relationship between two species. Molecular phylogenetics, morphometrics, and life history analysis were three approaches used to provide a clearer picture of the genetic and taxonomical status of two species. Based on the findings of individual chapters, my overall conclusion is that O. …

Parallel Shifts In Ecology And Natural Selection In An Island Lizard, Ryan Calsbeek, Wolfgang Buermann, Thomas B. Smith

Dartmouth Scholarship

Natural selection is a potent evolutionary force that shapes phenotypic variation to match ecological conditions. However, we know little about the year-to-year consistency of selection, or how inter-annual variation in ecology shapes adaptive landscapes and ultimately adaptive radiations. Here we combine remote sensing data, field experiments, and a four-year study of natural selection to show that changes in vegetation structure associated with a severe drought altered both habitat use and natural selection in the brown anole, Anolis sagrei.

Results: In natural populations, lizards increased their use of vegetation in wet years and this was correlated with selection on limb length …

A Primitive Aphidiine Wasp In Albian Amber From Spain And A Northern Hemisphere Origin For The Subfamily (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), Jaime Ortega-Blanco, Daniel J. Bennett, Xavier Delclòs, Michael S. Engel

Faculty Publications

A description of a new genus and species of braconid, Archephedrus stolamissus, from Early Cretaceous (Albian) amber from Moraza-Peñacerrada I (Spain) is here provided. This is the first fossil Aphidiinae described in Cretaceous amber. The fossil has some typical characters of the subfamily but possesses a unique assemblage of characters among aphidiines, such as a fairly robust abdomen, with a more pronounced articulation between the first and second, instead of the second and third, metasomal segments, as well as several wing venational traits. The distribution of this and other aphidiine fossils, as well as their putative phylogenetic placement as …