Animal Sciences Commons^™

A New Vine Snake (Reptilia, Colubridae, Oxybelis) From Peru And Redescription Of O. Acuminatus, Robert C. Jadin, Michael J. Jowers, Sarah A. Orlofske, William E. Duellman, Christopher Blair, John C. Murphy

Publications and Research

The Brown Vine Snake, Oxybelis aeneus, was until recently considered a single species, distributed from southern Arizona through the Neotropics into southeastern Brazil. However, newly conducted research restructured the species with a substantial taxonomic revision, recognizing five additional taxa (i.e. O. koehleri, O. microphthalmus, O. potosiensis, O. rutherfordi, O. vittatus) in this species complex. This revision focused on populations in North America, Central America, and northern South America while neglecting the southern portion of its distribution. Here, we examine the taxonomic history of the complex and use it along with specimen data to resurrect O. acuminatus from southeastern Brazil. Finally, …

Contributions To The Systematics Of The Family Buprestidae (Coleoptera) By The Firstdescription Of Male External Genital Organ And Illustrations Of Six Species From Ankaraprovince, Ali̇ Kemal Kirçakci, Mahmut Kabalak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The main aim of this study is to contribute to the systematics relating to the family Buprestidae, by studying the male external genital organs (aedeagi) of six species belonging to the genera Acmaeodera, Acmaeoderella, Anthaxia, Capnodis, and Perotis, none of which had been illustrated previously. Samples of these species were collected from the province of Ankara, Turkey, and the aedeagus of each was described and illustrated in detail for the first time. The findings were then compared with the current literature.

The Morphology And Evolution Of The Primate Brachial Plexus, Brian M. Shearer

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Primate evolutionary history is inexorably linked to the evolution of a broad array of locomotor adaptations that have facilitated the clade’s invasion of new niches. Researchers studying the evolution of primates and of their individual locomotor adaptations have traditionally relied on bony morphology – a practical choice given the virtual non-existence of any other type of tissue in the fossil record. However, this focus downplays the potential importance of the many other structures involved in locomotion, such as muscle, cartilage, and neural tissue, which may each be influenced by separate selective forces because of their different roles in facilitating movement. …

Macrobiotus Noemiae Sp. Nov., A New Tardigrade Species(Macrobiotidae: Hufelandi Group) From Spain, Milena Roszkowska, Lukasz Kaczmarek

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A reexamination of the tardigrade collection from the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) in Madrid was carried out. Specimens from the genera Milnesium, Macrobiotus, and Paramacrobiotus were verified in order to provide their correct identification and 15 taxa were identified. Moreover, a list of corrected species identifications from MNCN is provided. Fourteen specimens and 16 eggs, identified previously as Macrobiotus recens, were attributed to a species new for science. Macrobiotus noemiae sp. nov. is most similar to Mac. naskreckii and Mac. recens but it differs from them by details of egg morphology, mainly by the presence of thin flexible …

Cryptic Diversity In The Mexican Highlands: Thousands Of Uce Loci Help Illuminate Phylogenetic Relationships, Species Limits And Divergence Times Of Montane Rattlesnakes (Viperidae: Crotalus ), Christopher Blair, Robert W. Bryson Jr, Charles W. Linkem, David Lazcano, John Klicka, John E. Mccormack

Publications and Research

With the continued adoption of genome‐scale data in evolutionary biology comes the challenge of adequately harnessing the information to make accurate phylogenetic inferences. Coalescent‐based methods of species tree inference have become common, and concatenation has been shown in simulation to perform well, particularly when levels of incomplete lineage sorting are low. However, simulation conditions are often overly simplistic, leaving empiricists with uncertainty regarding analytical tools. We use a large ultraconserved element data set (>3,000 loci) from rattlesnakes of the Crotalus triseriatus group to delimit lineages and estimate species trees using concatenation and several coalescent‐based methods. Unpartitioned and partitioned maximum …

Bats Of St. Vincent, Lesser Antilles, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Scott C. Pedersen, Hugh H. Genoways, Peter A. Larsen, Roxanne J. Larsen, Justin D. Hoffman, Fitzroy Springer, Carleton J. Phillips, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The chiropteran fauna of the island of Saint Vincent, represented by 12 species, is among the most complex in the Lesser Antilles, being represented by four families including Noctilionidae (1 species), Mormoopidae (1), Phyllostomidae (8), and Molossidae (2). This fauna includes four trophic guilds as represented by Noctilio leporinus (piscivore/insectivore); Glossophaga longirostris and Monophyllus plethodon (nectarivore/pollenivore); Artibeus lituratus, A. schwartzi, Brachyphylla cavernarum, Ardops nichollsi, and Sturnira paulsoni (frugivore); and Pteronotus fuscus, Micronycteris buriri, Molossus molossus, and Tadarida brasiliensis (insectivore). One species—Micronycteris buriri—and two subspecies—Sturnira paulsoni paulsoni and Ardops nichollsi vincentensis …

Zercon Ostovani Sp. Nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) From Iran, Sanaz Javan, Mehmet Karaca, Raşi̇t Urhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Zercon ostovani sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from Eram Botanical Garden in Fars Province, southwestern Iran. The similarities and differences between related species within the same genus are also discussed.

Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Victor Fet

The diagnostic characters originally established by Herbert L. Stahnke (1940a, 1940b, 1974) in his description of genus Serradigitus are studied in detail from several new perspectives. A new genus, Stahnkeus, gen. nov., is described based on the presence of inner accessory (IAD) denticles on the chelal fingers, unprecedented in family Vaejovidae. Five species of Serradigitus are transferred to Stahnkeus: Stahnkeus harbisoni (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus harbisoni); Stahnkeus deserticola (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus deserticola); Stahnkeus subtilimanus (Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus subtilimanus); Stahnkeus allredi (Sissom et Stockwell, 1991), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus allredi); and Stahnkeus polisi (Sissom et Stockwell, 1991), …

Contributions To Scorpion Systematics. Ii. Stahnkeini, A New Tribe In Scorpion Family Vaejovidae (Scorpiones: Chactoidea), Michael E. Soleglad, Victor Fet

Euscorpius

The diagnostic characters originally established by Herbert L. Stahnke (1940a, 1940b, 1974) in his description of genus Serradigitus are studied in detail from several new perspectives. A new genus, Stahnkeus, gen. nov., is described based on the presence of inner accessory (IAD) denticles on the chelal fingers, unprecedented in family Vaejovidae. Five species of Serradigitus are transferred to Stahnkeus: Stahnkeus harbisoni (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus harbisoni); Stahnkeus deserticola (Williams, 1970), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus deserticola); Stahnkeus subtilimanus (Soleglad, 1972), comb. nov. (=Serradigitus subtilimanus); Stahnkeus allredi (Sissom et Stockwell, 1991), …

Background Paper On Systematics, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) makes recommendations to the Federal government agencies that have an invasive species portfolio. This systematics recommendation strives to motivate action in the agencies that have been identified in the Situation Report as the agencies with systematics capabilities in the Federal government.

The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Smithsonian Institution are repositories of a large amount of the systematics collections and human capabilities for systematics essential work on invasive species. Conducting the Survey of their systematics capabilities and needs is urgent. The Survey will describe actions in research, specimen-based collections, a biodiversity informatics …

Two New Records Of The Genus Prozercon Sellnick, 1943 (Acari: Zerconidae) From Turkey, Mehmet Karaca, Raşi̇t Urhan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Morphological features of Prozercon bulbiferus Ujvari, 2011 and Prozercon graecus Ujvari, 2011, which are new records for the Turkish fauna, are given with drawings. Deutonymph members of P. Bulbiferus are described and illustrated for the first time. Information about habitat and distribution for each species is also provided. Additionally, a key to species of the genus Prozercon known from Turkey is given. Both species are found in the Thrace region of Turkey.

Prozercon Banazensis Sp. Nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae),A New Species Of Zerconid Mite From Turkey, With A New Record, Raşi̇t Urhan, Mehmet Karaca, Eli̇f Hi̇lal Duran

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, Prozercon banazensis sp. Nov. İs described and illustrated from female and deutonymph specimens collected in Kütahya and Uşak provinces (Turkey). Morphological features of P. Morazae Ujvári, 2011, which is a new record for the Turkish fauna, are also given with drawings. Information on habitat and distribution for each species is also provided.

A New Species Of Chiasmocleis (Microhylidae, Gastrophryninae) From The Atlantic Forest Of Espírito Santo State, Brazil, João Filipe Tonini, Maruicio Forlani, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Among Neotropical microhylids, the genus Chiasmocleis is exceptionally diverse. Most species ofChiasmocleis were described in recent years based on external morphology, but recent studies using molecular data did not support the monophyly of the species groups clustered based on feet webbing. Furthermore, a phylogeographic study of C. lacrimae estimated high genetic divergence and low gene flow among populations across small geographic ranges. Increasing the molecular and geographic sampling, and incorporating morphological data, we identified new cryptic species. Herein, we used novel genetic and morphological data to describe a new species of Chiasmocleis.

Molecular Phylogeny Of Microhylid Frogs (Anura: Microhylidae) With Emphasis On Relationships Among New World Genera, Rafael O. De Sá, Jeffrey W. Streicher, Relebohile Sekonyela, Mauricio C. Forlani, Simon P. Loader, Eli Greenbaum, Stephen Richards, Célio F.B. Haddad

Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Over the last ten years we have seen great efforts focused on revising amphibian systematics. Phylogenetic reconstructions derived from DNA sequence data have played a central role in these revisionary studies but have typically under-sampled the diverse frog family Microhylidae. Here, we present a detailed phylogenetic study focused on expanding previous hypotheses of relationships within this cosmopolitan family. Specifically, we placed an emphasis on assessing relationships among New World genera and those taxa with uncertain phylogenetic affinities (i.e., incertae sedis).

Results: One mitochondrial and three nuclear genes (about 2.8 kb) were sequenced to assess phylogenetic relationships. We utilized an …

Bats Of Barbados, Hugh H. Genoways, Roxanne J. Larsen, Scott C. Pedersen, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Peter A. Larsen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The chiropteran fauna of Barbados includes representatives of four families — Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae — including 1 piscivore (Noctilio leporinus), 1 omnivore (Brachyphylla cavernarum), 1 pollenivore/nectarivore (Monophyllus plethodon), 1 frugivore (Artibeus jamaicensis), and 2 insectivorous species (Myotis nyctor and Molossus molossus). Despite an early report, we believe that preponderance of the evidence available at this time is that E. fuscus is not part of the fauna of Barbados. The Barbadian chiropteran fauna of 6 species is much smaller than those on the four neighboring Lesser Antillean islands to …

Systematics Of Leptopelis (Anura: Arthroleptidae) From The Itombwe Plateau, Eastern Democratic Republic Of The Congo, Francisco Portillo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Leptopelis, a genus of Central African treefrogs, includes 51 species that live in tropical forests and savannas. Currently, only two species of Leptopelis are known from the poorly explored Itombwe Plateau in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Itombwe is renowned among conservationists for its rich and endemic amphibian fauna, including: Xenopus itombwensis, Chrysobatrachus cupreonitens, Laurentophryne parkeri, Hyperolius leleupi and at least three species of Arthroleptis. Evolutionary relationships of Itombwe Leptopelis were examined by sequencing two mitochondrial genes (16S: 557 bp [base pairs], cyt b: 620 bp) and one nuclear gene (RAG1: 761 bp). Results recovered strong support for …

Redescription Of Mesobuthus Vesiculatus (Pocock, 1899) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) Based On Specimens From Iran, Ayşegül Karataş, Muhammed Mouradi Gharkheloo

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The scorpion Mesobuthus vesiculatus (Pocock, 1899) was briefly described from northwestern Iran based on only one male with a picture indicating the dorsal habitus of the holotype; the author pointed out that it has a large and globular telson with a short aculeus. This species, with very distinct morphological features, is now redescribed based on new specimens (3 males, 3 females) collected from West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan (Iran). Detailed figures and measurements are presented and the trichobotrial pattern and paraxial organ are illustrated for the first time. The morphological differences of M. vesiculatus from similar species M. caucasicus, M. …

Multilocus And Parametric Analyses Of The Evolutionary History Of The Amazonian Peacock Cichlids, The Genus Cichla (Teleostei: Cichlidae), Stuart Willis

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Accurate knowledge of species boundaries and species phylogeny are fundamental to testing hypotheses of recent evolutionary processes, but the estimation of these partitions is challenging due both to inherent confusion about what is being estimated as well as the data available to estimate them. Using multilocus data from mtDNA, microsatellites, and nuclear locus sequences of over 1100 individuals, we delimited eight separately evolving species of Cichla rather than the 15 described. Among species we found evidence of rare but widespread introgressive hybridization, while within these species we observed evidence of long-term gene exchange and constrained evolutionary trajectories. In most cases …

Bats Of The Grenadine Islands, West Indies, And Placement Of Koopman's Line, Hugh H. Genoways, Gary G. Kwiecinski, Peter A. Larsen, Scott C. Pedersen, Roxanne J. Larsen, Justin D. Hoffman, Mark De Silva, Carleton J. Phillips, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Almost nothing is known concerning the chiropteran fauna on the Grenadine Islands, a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada located near the southern end of the Lesser Antilles. Previously, only a single species—Glossophaga longirostris—had been reported from the Grenadines. Our research, conducted on 4 occasions over the period of 1980 to 2006, provided museum vouchers and genetic specimens for the addition of 4 other species to the known fauna of these islands—Noctilio leporinus, Artibeus lituratus, Artibeus schwartzi, and Molossus molossus. The Grenadines, being situated between St. Vincent and Grenada, occupy an important zoogeographic position. …

Review Of The Family Damaeolidae Grandjean, 1965 (Acari, Oribatida) With Two New Records From Turkey, Şule Baran, Nusret Ayyildiz, Luis S. Subias

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A short review of the family Damaeolidae Grandjean, 1965 is provided with the first records of Damaeolus asperatus (Berlese, 1904) and Damaeolus ornatissimus Csiszár, 1962 from Turkey. Identification key to 11 known species of the family is given. Scanning electron microscopy photographs of the newly recorded species are also provided.

Revision Of The Ant Genus Procryptocerus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Cephalotini), Francisco Serna

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Ants of the genus Procryptocerus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are characterized by the protrusion of the clypeus forming a broad nasus and antennal scrobes over the eyes. The toruli are located directly posterior to the flanks of the nasus opposite to each other. The vertex is deflexed in most species. I present an in-group comparison of the external morphology focusing on the workers. I also present a general morphology for gynes and males. I analize previously mentioned characters as well as new ones, and clarify their character states in different species. For the metasoma I propose a new system of ant metasomal …

New Records Of The Oppioid Mites (Acari: Oribatida) For The Turkish Fauna From Artvin Province, Ayşe Toluk, Nusret Ayyildiz

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Four oppioid (Oribatida:Oppioidea) mite species, namely Berniniella (Berniniella) parasigma Iturrondobeitia, 1987, Autogneta (Rhaphigneta) numidiana (Grandjean, 1960), Conchogneta dalecarlica (Forsslund, 1947), and Lauroppia tenuipectinata Subías and Rodríguez, 1987, recorded from Artvin province are given with their original figures. Some of their morphological features and distributions in the world are also presented. All of them are new records for the Turkish fauna.

Hybrid Zones, Genetic Isolation, And Systematics Of Pocket Gophers (Genus Geomys) In Nebraska., Hugh H. Genoways, Meredith J. Hamilton, Darin M. Bell, Ryan R. Chambers, Robert T. Bradley

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Pocket gophers of the genus Geomys are common inhabitants of many habitats throughout most of the state of Nebraska. Because the taxonomic history of Geomys has undergone numerous changes through the years, these pocket gophers have been the subjects of ongoing taxonomic and distributional studies and in more recent years genetic studies to understand relationships among populations. In order to gain deeper insight into the relationships among these taxa of Geomys, we intensively collected specimens from areas where chromosomal races were thought to form contact zones. Results from examination of genetic (chromosomes, mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences, and nuclear interphotoreceptor …

Genetic Resolution Of The Enigmatic Lesser Antillean Distribution Of The Frog Leptodactylus Validus (Anura, Leptodactylidae), Keneth Yanek, W. R. Heyer, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Leptodactylus validus has an unusual distribution, inhabiting Trinidad, Tobago, and the Lesser Antilles, but not the mainland of South America. This distribution is inconsistent with other distribution patterns observed for these islands. Although slight variation in adult morphology has been observed among the different island populations of L. validus, call data suggest the presence of a single species. Calls of L. pallidirostris from Venezuela and Brazil suggested that this taxon might be conspecific with L. validus. Sequence data from the 12S and 16S mt rDNA genes indicate that L. validus represents a single species throughout its distribution and is conspecific …

Two New Records Of Hydrophilid (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) Species Of The Turkish Fauna, Abdullah Mart, Ümi̇t İncekara, Rüstem Hayat

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Two newly recorded Hydrophilid species (Water Beetles) of the Turkish fauna, Hydrobius arcticus Kuwert, 1890 and Coelostoma (Lachnocoelostoma) transcaspicum Reitter, 1906 were compared with the specimens in our department's laboratory, and their distribution in Turkey and worldwide is given.

A New Hydrovolzia Species (Acari: Hydrachnellae: Hydrovolziidae) For The Turkish Fauna, Ferruh Aşçi, Muhli̇s Özkan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Characteristics of male and female Hydrovolzia placophora (Monti, 1905), which is a new species for the Turkish fauna, are given, along with its description and distribution throughout the world.

Studies On Turkish Hydrophilidae (Coleoptera) I. Genus Enochrus Thomson, 1859, Ümi̇t İncekara, Abdullah Mart, Orhan Erman

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Two newly recorded Enochrus Thomson, 1859 (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) species for the Turkish fauna, E. (E.) melanocephalus (Olivier, 1792) and E. (L.) fuscipennis (Thomson, 1884), are described, and their distribution in Turkey and worldwide is presented. A key to Turkish Enochrus species is provided and E. (L.) segmentinotatus treated under the "bicolor species complex".

A New Record For The Turkish Fauna: Lamellovertex Caelatus (Berlese, 1895) (Acari, Oribatida, Scutoverticidae), Nusret Ayyildiz, Sedat Per, Ayşe Toluk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The characters and distribution of Lamellovertex caelatus (Berlese, 1895), which is a new record for the Turkish fauna, are given.

New Species Of Genera Piona, Koch, 1842 And Arrenurus, Duges, 1833 (Hydrachnidia, Acari) For The Turkish Fauna, Yunus Ömer Boyaci, Muhli̇s Özkan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The morphological features, the measurements and drawings of various organs and the geographical distributions of Piona variabilis (Koch 1836) and Arrenurus batillifer Koenike, 1894, which are the first records for the Turkish fauna, are given.

The Florida Bonneted Bat, Eumops Floridanus (Chiroptera: Molossidae): Distribution, Morphometrics, Systematics, And Ecology, Robert M. Timm, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A review and reappraisal of bats of the genus Eumops (Chiroptera: Molossidae) reveals that considerable geographic variation is present in the bonneted bat, E. glaucinus; it is a complex consisting of >1 species. Bonneted bats in Florida are significantly larger than those in all other populations, and have proportionally shorter and deeper basisphenoid pits, the glenoid fossa is broadly triangular with rounded apices, and bacular shape differs from that in other populations. Additionally, bonneted bats in Florida have a broader palate than bats from populations in South America. Given these differences, the correct name for both Pleistocene and Recent …