Dysmorphometrics: the modelling of morphological abnormalities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study of typical morphological variations using quantitative, morphometric descriptors has always interested biologists in general. However, unusual examples of form, such as abnormalities are often encountered in biomedical sciences. Despite the long history of morphometrics, the means to identify and quantify such unusual form differences remains limited.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A theoretical concept, called dysmorphometrics, is introduced augmenting current geometric morphometrics with a focus on identifying and modelling form abnormalities. Dysmorphometrics applies the paradigm of detecting form differences as outliers compared to an appropriate norm. To achieve this, the likelihood formulation of landmark superimpositions is extended with outlier processes explicitly introducing a latent variable coding for abnormalities. A tractable solution to this augmented superimposition problem is obtained using Expectation-Maximization. The topography of detected abnormalities is encoded in a dysmorphogram.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrate the use of dysmorphometrics to measure abrupt changes in time, asymmetry and discordancy in a set of human faces presenting with facial abnormalities.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results clearly illustrate the unique power to reveal unusual form differences given only normative data with clear applications in both biomedical practice & research.</p

Intraguild predation of water scorpion Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae: Heteroptera)

Previous work on community structure of the invertebrate fauna of Japanese wetlands indicates the presence of intraguild predation between the heteropterans Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae) and Kirkaldyia deyrolli (Belostomatidae). We designed a series of experiments to understand the biotic interactions of several species of sympatric heteroptera and their shared prey. Adult Laccotrephes japonensis (Nepidae), first-instar nymph of Kirkaldyia (=Lethocerus) deyrolli (Belostomatidae), Hyla japonica tadpole, and fourth-instar nymph of Appasus japonicus (Belostomatidae) have been shown to be intraguild predator, intraguild prey, common prey, and prey of L. japonensis, respectively. To further understand the factors affecting prey preference by L. japonensis, we also examined the comparison of swimming speed in the three prey animals (K. deyrolli first-instar nymph, A. japonicus fourth-instar nymph, and H. japonica tadpole), and effects of prey animals on weight gain of L. japonensis adult. Despite there being no significant difference in weight gain or swimming speed of the three prey species, L. japonensis exhibited a strong preference for the 1st-instar nymph of K. deyrolli. We suggested that this may be evidence for one of elimination of a potential competitor, K. deyrolli, by L. japonensis through intraguild predation

Habitat requirements of Tetanocera elata (Diptera: Sciomyzidae): case study of a dry meadow in western Ireland

Terrestrial slugs are pervasive pests of agriculture throughout temperate regions and have the potential to disrupt the germination of seedlings, cause damage to fruiting bodies of crops, and vector plant pathogens. Tetanocera elata Fabricius (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), a widely distributed Palaearctic species, is an obligate mesoparasitoid and predator of pestiferous slugs including Deroceras reticulatum Müller (Stylommatophora: Agriolimacidae). It has the potential to be developed as a native natural enemy in a conservation biological control programme as an alternative to chemical molluscicides. To better understand the ecological requirements of this species, a detailed observational study was conducted at a site in the west of Ireland possessing naturally occurring T. elata populations. Comparison of local patches where T. elata were recovered revealed no association with plant community composition. Taller dead vegetation was associated with T. elata presence throughout the site. Within the area of greatest T. elata aggregation, there was a significantly greater percentage cover of dead vegetation where T. elata occurred. Abundance of T. elata was also significantly correlated to hedgerow proximity. Results of this study are directly applicable for the design of a conservation biological control programme, which effectively satisfies the principal habitat requirements of T. elata populations

Tetrigidae (Orthoptera) With Partly Exposed Wings

Long series of some species of Tetrigidae from south Asia show that the wings regularly project beyond the pronotal shield by some 15- 35 percent of their length, depending on the species. There is little intraspecific variation and alary polymorphism is not normally detectable. The role of such exposed wings is discussed and one new species is described. Most such species probably owe their evident relationship to evolution prior to the disintegration of the Gondwanaland super-continent

Bathycranium : synonymised with\u3ci\u3e Syntormon\u3c/i\u3e, distinction between \u3ci\u3eParasyntormon \u3c/i\u3eand \u3ci\u3eSyntormon \u3c/i\u3ediscussed and \u3ci\u3eS. bicolorellus\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eS. luteicornis\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera : Dolichopodidae) redescribed

It is demonstrated that there is no valid basis on which to sustain the monotypic genus Bathycranium Strobl and concluded that Bathycranium should be recognised as a junior synonym of Syntormon Loew (new status). The species Syntormon bicolorellus Zetterstedt (new combination) falls into a natural grouping of Syntormon species with downcurved facial hairs in females. This species and S. luteicornis Parent are redescribed. Distinctions between Syntormonand Parasyntormon are discussed

Tridactylids and Tetrigids (Orthoptera) from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Volume: 130Start Page: 1End Page: 1

The stability and assay of contact insecticides

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Eumastacidae (Orthoptera) from the Project Wallace Expedition to Sulawesi (Indonesia)

Volume: 132Start Page: 109End Page: 11