Shifts in hexapod diversification and what Haldane could have said

Data on species richness and taxon age are assembled for the extant hexapod orders (insects and their six-legged relatives). Coupled with estimates of phylogenetic relatedness, and simple statistical null models, these data are used to locate where, on the hexapod tree, significant changes in the rate of cladogenesis (speciation-minus-extinction rate) have occurred. Significant differences are found between many successive pairs of sister taxa near the base of the hexapod tree, all of which are attributable to a shift in diversification rate after the origin of the Neoptera (insects with wing flexion) and before the origin of the Holometabola (insects with complete metamorphosis). No other shifts are identifiable amongst supraordinal taxa. Whilst the Coleoptera have probably diversified faster than either of their putative sister lineages, they do not stand out relative to other closely related clades. These results suggest that any Creator had a fondness for a much more inclusive clade than the Coleoptera, definitely as large as the Eumetabola (Holometabola plus bugs and their relatives), and possibly as large as the entire Neoptera. Simultaneous, hence probable causative events are discussed, of which the origin of wing flexion has been the focus of much attention

Incongruent phylogenetic hypotheses and character conflicts in morphology : the root and early branches of the hexapodan tree

Before the turn of the millenium the investigation of phylogenetic relationships was revolutionized by two major inputs, the use of molecular sequence data for phylogenetic reconstruction, paralleled by the sophistication of computer aided reconstruction methods. The ever growing number of data however did not only result in clarifications of open questions, but brought forth a number of new conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses. Sometimes they are wrongly referred to as conflicts between morphological and molecular approaches, which sporadically even culminated in the rejection of the usefulness of one of the two approaches (e.g. Scotland et al 2003). These scientists overlook the great advantage of having two a priori largely independent data sets (Wägele 2001) which in a synthetic way enable the greatest progress in phylogenetic research. However, solely putting data together will not suffice to choose among conflicting hypotheses. The increasing number of conflicts necessitates approaches that go beyond mere data congruence, but searching for the possible reasons of conflicts. In the present paper, problems in the reconstruction of the phylogenetic origin of Hexapoda, as well as of the early branchings within the Hexapoda, will exemplify approaches of critical re-evaluation and testing of data used in morphological data matrices for phylogenetic analyses. The early cladogenetic events of hexapods are especially suited for such a discussion for several reasons. The hexapods, as the most species-rich group of organisms, look back at a long and multi-faceted history of taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, culminating in a number of conflicting hypotheses. Triggered by incongruences with morphological analyses the reconstruction of the hexapodan roots likewise became a hot-spot of molecular research activities during^the last two decades. Furthermore the phylogenetic positions of the oldest lineages branching off within the hexapodan clade, the Diplura, Protura and Collembola, are in particular very difficult to reconstruct. While at least the latter two are well defined by morphological autapomorphies their phylogenetic position could not be reconstructed unambiguously, since their morphology seems highly derived with respect to the hexapodan ground pattern.Angestoßen durch molekulare Untersuchungen sind die Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse der Großgruppen der Arthropoden in der letzten Dekade ein Hotspot der phylogenetischen Diskussion geworden. Ein heiß diskutiertes Thema ist die Frage nach der Monophylie der Insekten. Die in diesem Zusammenhang besonders interessanten „Ur-Insekten“ bilden eine morphologisch sehr heterogene Gruppe von primär flügellosen Insekten. Während die Annahme verwandtschaftlicher Beziehungen der Archaeognatha und Zygentoma zu den Pterygota (Ectognatha) breite Unterstützung finden, gibt es widersprüchliche Hypothesen hinsichtlich der phylogenetischen Stellung der Collembola, Protura und Diplura. Zu heftigen Diskussionen haben die Analysen mitochondrialer Gene durch Nardi et al. (2003) geführt. In den rekonstruierten Bäumen sind die Ectognatha näher verwandt mit Crustaceen als mit Collembolen, wodurch die Hexapoden eine paraphyletische Gruppierung werden. Dieser Befund hat eine Flut von neuen molekularen Untersuchungen ausgelöst und nahezu alle denkbaren Kombinationen der Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen zwischen Collembola, Protura, Diplura und Ectognatha haben Unterstützung gefunden. Kann die Morphologie zur Klärung dieser phylogenetischen Konflikte entscheidend beitragen? Sind die Hexapoden wirklich ein Monophylum oder ist die Hexapodie mehrfach unabhängig voneinander entstanden? Nach Diskussion ausgewählter Konflikte zur phylogenetischen Stellung der verschiedenen „Ur-Insekten“ werden anhand eigener Untersuchungen exemplarisch einige Probleme morphologischer Datensätze in der modernen stammesgeschichtlichen Forschung aufgezeigt und entsprechende Lösungsmöglichkeiten diskutiert

Haematobia irritans clone Hi-18S-ab-fr 18S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence

GenBank: EU013947.1 Haematobia irritans clone Hi-18S-ab-fr 18S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequenceFil: Sonvico, A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Filiberti, Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Quesada Allue, Luis Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Plant litter decomposition in mitigated and reference wetlands

Decomposition of plant litter in wetlands influences many processes and is driven by a complex web of interacting forces. This makes litter decomposition a useful measure of wetland function and a possible means of judging wetland functional replacement in compensatory mitigation projects. However, the web of interacting forces that intricately connect decomposition to wetland function also make it difficult to identify the importance of individual variables. In order for decomposition to be used as a metric to judge wetland function, its driving forces must be better understood.;This study examined some of the variables that drive decomposition. Specifically, decomposition rates were studied in-depth at 3 mitigated and 3 reference wetlands, and more broadly at 8 created and 8 reference wetlands, located in the Allegheny Mountain ecoregion of West Virginia. Decomposition rates were measured using the litter bag technique and incorporated five different litter types. Four types of single species bags were created from common wetland litter species and included broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia L.), common rush (Juncus effusus L.), brookside alder (Alnus serrulata (Ait.) Willd.), and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). The fifth litter type was created from a mix of common rush, brookside alder, and reed canary grass. Environmental measurements were taken throughout the study to determine their effect on decomposition and invertebrates were collected from litter bags to study the importance of biotic communities. Fungal biomass was estimated by measuring the amount of ergosterol extracted from leaf litter.;Decomposition rate constants were similar between mitigated and natural wetlands. Reed canary grass had the fastest decomposition rate constant and broadleaf cattail had the slowest. Of the environmental parameters tested, models that included air (AT) and soil temperature (ST), water pH (WPH), hydroperiod (HP, proportion of days flooded), and the number of transitions between flooded and exposed conditions (FET) were best able to predict decomposition rate constants. Overall, AT, ST, and WPH were directly related to decomposition rate constant, while HP was inversely related. The FET was directly or inversely related to the decomposition rate constant depending on the litter type.;For biological variables, invertebrate taxonomic groups had the strongest associations with decomposition trends compared to functional feeding groups or invertebrate metrics (abundance, richness, diversity). Shredders, collector/gatherers, and omnivores were more strongly associated with early phases of decomposition, while oligochaetes and omnivores were most strongly associated with trends in decomposition during the later phase. Ergosterol levels indicated that fungi colonized bags quickly, peaked at 35 days, and then decreased and leveled off by 300 days, but were not useful predictors of decomposition rate.;This study helps demonstrate the importance of both environmental and biological variables in naturally functioning systems and ultimately helps to improve wetland mitigation by expanding our understanding of wetland function

A Beginner\u27s Guide to Arthropod ID

Classification \u3e Morphological Identification \u3e Images Spiders and Scorpions; Sow Bugs; Millipedes, Centipedes & Pauropods; Proturans, Springtails & Diplurans; Bristletails & Silverfish; Mayflies; Dragonflies & Damselflies; Grasshoppers, Crickets & Katydids; Walkingsticks; Rock Crawlers; Gladiators; Earwigs; Stoneflies; Web-Spinners; Zorapterans; Mantids; Cockroaches; Termites; Bugs, Aphids, Scale Insects, Hoppers, Cicadas, Psyllids & Whiteflies; Thrips; Barklice & Booklice; Lice; Beetles; Alderflies, Dobsonflies, Antlions, Lacewings, Mantidflies & Fishflies; Ants, Bees, Wasps & Sawflies; Caddisflies; Butterflies, Skippers & Moths; Fleas; Scorpionflies & Hangingflies; Twisted-Winged Parasites; Flies & Mosquitoes; Reference

New basal Odonatoptera (Insecta) from the lower Carboniferous (Serpukhovian) of Argentina

Nuevos Odonatoptera basales del Serpukhoviano superior (325-324 Ma) son descriptos de la localidad Guandacol 1, Quebrada de las Libélulas, Formación Guandacol, provincia de La Rioja, centro oeste de la Argentina. Otras dos especies conocidas del Serpukhoviano, Eugeropteron lunatum Riek, 1983 y Geropteron arcuatum Riek, 1983, de Cuestita de La Herradura, Formación Malanzán, provincia de La Rioja, son discutidas. Varios taxones de orden superior nuevos son nominados para incluir estas especies, resultando en una nueva clasificación: 1 Superorden Odonatoptera, 1.1 Eugeroptera ord. nov., 1.1.1 Eugeropteridae, 1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron, 1.1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron lunatum, 1.1.1.1.2 Tupacsala niunamenos gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2 Palaeodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.1 Kukaloptera ord. nov., 1.2.1.1 Kirchneralidae fam. nov., 1.2.1.1.1 Kirchnerala treintamil gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2 Plesiodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.1 Argentinoptera ord. nov., 1.2.2.1.1 Argentinalidae fam. nov., 1.2.2.1.1.1 Argentinala cristinae gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2.2 Apodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.2.1 Orden Geroptera, 1.2.2.2.1.1 Geropteridae fam. nov., 1.2.2.2.1.1.1 Geropteron, 1.2.2.2.1.1.1.1 Geropteron arcuatum, 1.2.2.2.2 Neodonatoptera.Three new basal species of Odonatoptera from the upper Serpukhovian (325-324 Ma) of Guandacol 1 locality, Quebrada de las Libélulas, Guandacol Formation, La Rioja province, central West Argentina, are described. Two known species also from the Serpukhovian, Eugeropteron lunatum Riek, 1983 and Geropteron arcuatum Riek, 1983, from Cuestita de La Herradura, Malanzán Formation, La Rioja province, are discussed. Several higher taxa are nominated to include these species, resulting in a new classification: 1 Superorder Odonatoptera, 1.1 Eugeroptera ord. nov., 1.1.1 Eugeropteridae, 1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron, 1.1.1.1.1 Eugeropteron lunatum, 1.1.1.1.2 Tupacsala niunamenos gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2 Palaeodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.1 Kukaloptera ord. nov., 1.2.1.1 Kirchneralidae fam. nov., 1.2.1.1.1 Kirchnerala treintamil gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2 Plesiodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.1 Argentinoptera ord. nov., 1.2.2.1.1 Argentinalidae fam. nov., 1.2.2.1.1.1 Argentinala cristinae gen. nov. et sp. nov., 1.2.2.2 Apodonatoptera taxon nov., 1.2.2.2.1 Order Geroptera, 1.2.2.2.1.1 Geropteridae fam. nov., 1.2.2.2.1.1.1 Geropteron, 1.2.2.2.1.1.1.1 Geropteron arcuatum, 1.2.2.2.2 Neodonatoptera.Fil: Petrulevicius, Julian Fernando. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gutierrez, Pedro Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin

BASILOXYLON K. Schumann and PTERYGOTA ENDL. (Stercul.)

In Martius, Fl. Brasil. 12 (3): 12. 1886 (in observ.) K. Schumann described a specimen (Peckolt 628) collected in Cantagallo (Rio de Janeiro), conserved in the Brussels Herbarium and marked by Martius Sterculia rex (after the local name Pao del Rey); he suggested to name it Basiloxylon rex, if it should prove to be new; the name is consequently not valid under the Rules, but it was validated by Schumann in the same year (in Berichte deutsche bot. Gesellsch. 4: 82, t. 3. 1886). The latter description was based partly on the specimen Glaziou 10310

NEW AND CRITICAL MALAYSIAN PLANTS-I

Ab omnibus speciebus generis legumine permagno,falcitto vel subfalcato et foliolis magnis differt.Tree up to 30 m high, with a clear bole 21 m high and 50 cm indiameter.Buttresses up to 2 m high, extending 1 m from bole, 5—10 cmthick. Bark grey-brown, rather smooth or cracked,occasionally scaling off in irregular pieces; dead bark 2—9 mm thick; living bark 5—9 mm,red. Sapwood 5—15cm, yellowish, with agreeable smell; heartwood redbrown.Branches cylindrical, red-brown or grey, lenticellate; branchlets at apex rusty puberulous.Leaves bipinnate, up to 35 cm long, glabrous,glandless; petioles 3—12 cm long, glabrous or microscopically pulverulently puberulous; rachillae 2 or 4, up to 25 cm long, lower ones shorter; leaflets opposite or the proximal ones subopposite, coriaceous or chartaceous, glabrous, 4—5-jugate (apical leaves 3-jugate), elliptic, (4—)6—12 cm long, (1.5—)3—8cm wide; proximal ones as a rule smaller than distal ones; top acuminate or caudate-acuminate with blunt tip; base rounded or subacute; both surfaces glossy (lower one brown when dried) ; upper surface reticulate or rather smooth; lower surface with prominent midrib and 4—6 pairs of inarching, prominent, lateral nerves; veins prominulous,laxly reticulate; petiolules 3—5 mm long, usually stout, deeply channelled above (sometimes not channelled in swollen petiolules). Inflorescence raceme-like, up to 10 cm long, with stout main rachis. Flowers in axils of more or less persistent, ovate, concave, glabrous, 1—2 mm long bracts.Calyx unknown. Corolla-tube unknown; lobes elliptic-lanceolate, concave,glabrous, 3—5 mm long. Anthers 1 mm long. Pod woody, up to 24 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, constricted between seeds, falcate or subfalcate, 2-seeded,dull, ferrugineous (when dried), furrowed, not dehiscent; dorsal suture conspicuous. Seeds brown, ellipsoid, 4 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, hardly com- pressed, top oblique; cotyledons flat-convex, hard

Anatomical Properties of Six Wood Species From Papua

Anatomical properties is necessary for wood species identification. This paper observes anatomical properties of six wood species originated from Papua. Wood species studied include: ketapang (Terminalia complanata K. Schum.); pala hutan (Gymnacranthera paniculata (A.DC.) Warb.); bipa (Pterygota horsfieldii (R.Br.) Kosterm).; kelumpang (Sterculia shillinglawii F. Muell.); manggis/kandis (Pentaphalangium parviflorum); and lancat/lebani (Mastixiodendron pachyclados (K. Schum) Melch.). Anatomical properties were observed according to IAWA (International Association of Wood Anatomists) checklist. The anatomical main properties observed in ketapang wood were vestured pits, prismatic crystals in non-chambered axial parenchyma cells, and druses. Pala hutan main anatomical properties were the presence of tannin tubes and oil cells which were associated with axial parenchyma. Prismatic crystals in axial parenchyma cells, and rays of two distinct sizes were two main anatomical characteristics of bipa and kelumpang wood. Prismatic crystals in chambered axial parenchyma cells was one of characteristics of manggis wood. Vestured pits and scanty paratracheal parenchyma were two main characteristics of lancat wood. For identification pur poses, bipa wood could be distinguished by banded parenchyma; polygonal alternate pits; and prismatic crystals in non- chambered axial parenchyma cells