A Zooarchaeological Analysis of Vertebrate Remains From Chota-Tanasi, A Historic Cherokee Village in East Tennessee

This study involves the examination and analysis of a faunal sample from the historic Overhill Cherokee village of Chota-Tanasi (4MR2-40MR62), Monroe County, Tennessee. A total of 33,385 pieces of bone was examined in an effort to determine which animals were utilized by the Cherokee and the probably importance of each species in the Cherokee diet. Analyses of this material showed that deer, bear, and turkey were the most important animals contributing to the meat diet. Ethnographic and historic sources suggest that the introduction of trade guns may have led to increased exploitation of the bear. Available data indicate that bison and elk were rarely included in the Cherokee diet. Although larger mammals provided the bulk of the meat utilized, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds were important supplemental sources. The introduction of European domestic stock and how it may have altered or replaced the use of native species were also investigated. Domestic animal bones from the site include horse, pig, chicken, and probably cow. Since very few bones of these animals were found, domestic species may have only been infrequently used by the Cherokee. The Chota faunal sample thus failed to show extensive use of domestic animals in the middle and late eighteenth century; this is in contrast to historically documented evidence. Animals represented in the faunal sample also were evaluated in terms of their cultural role in the Cherokee belief system, which includes myths, sacred formulas, magic, remedies, and cures

A Comparison of Late Prehistoric Dallas and Overhill Cherokee Subsistence Strategies in the Little Tennessee River Valley

This study examines the late Mississippian Dallas Focus and historic Overhill Cherokee occupations at the archaeological site of Toqua (4OMR6), Monroe County, Tennessee. The faunal remains from the Dallas occupation were subdivided according to two mounds and four village areas to test propositions relevant to the patterning of faunal remains from a chiefdom level society. These propositions were generated from the archaeological correlates of chiefdoms proposed by Peebles and Kuss. The distribution of faunal remains were examined from the floors of two domestic and one special function structures, and it was possible to establish regular patterns of refuse accumulation. The distribution of deer and bear elements revealed a selection of the front leg and to a lesser extent the hind leg by the high status occupants. The bird, turtle and fish remains, especially those from structure floor fill, point toward a restricted access to certain species and high status food preferences. The historic Overhill Cherokee faunal sample is composed of a midden accumulation from the north side of Mound A (Zone B) and features in the East Village Area. This well preserved sample compares favorably with faunal samples of a similar time period reported from Chota (4OMR2) and Citico (4OMR7). The butchering pattern for the three Cherokee samples are comparable and the Overhill Cherokee pattern for partitioning animals corresponded to the Dallas pattern. The Cherokee and Dallas faunal utilization patterns correspond very closely in species utilized for food and those animals used in ceremonial or medicinal contexts. The use of freshwater mollusks continued into the historic period

Evolution of sex-dependent mtDNA transmission in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) describes a mode of mtDNA transmission widespread in gonochoric freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Palaeoheterodonta: Unionida). In this system, both female- and male-transmitted mtDNAs, named F and M respectively, coexist in the same species. In unionids, DUI is strictly correlated to gonochorism and to the presence of the atypical open reading frames (ORFans) F-orf and M-orf, respectively inside F and M mtDNAs, which are hypothesized to participate in sex determination. However, DUI is not found in all three Unionida superfamilies (confirmed in Hyrioidea and Unionoidea but not in Etherioidea), raising the question of its origin in these bivalves. To reconstruct the co-evolution of DUI and of ORFans, we sequenced the mtDNAs of four unionids (two gonochoric with DUI, one gonochoric and one hermaphroditic without DUI) and of the related gonochoric species Neotrigonia margaritacea (Palaeoheterodonta: Trigoniida). Our analyses suggest that rearranged mtDNAs appeared early during unionid radiation, and that a duplicated and diverged atp8 gene evolved into the M-orf associated with the paternal transmission route in Hyrioidea and Unionoidea, but not in Etherioidea. We propose that novel mtDNA-encoded genes can deeply influence bivalve sex determining systems and the evolution of the mitogenomes in which they occur

First recorded introduction of the milliped order Stemmiulida (Eugnatha: Nematophora): Potential establishment in Florida, USA, and new records from Mexico; northward range extension into southern Tamaulipas

Based on two “uni-ocellate” females, the world’s first introductions of the milliped order Stemmiulida are recorded from Florida, United States (US). One individual was collected in 1976 in Gainesville, Alachua County (Co.)., in northcentral peninsular Florida, and the other was taken in 1991 some 408 km (255 mi) to the south-southeast in Pompano Beach, Broward Co. The absence of further individuals and additional samples suggests that the introductions did not result in viable populations, and stemmiulidans are not presently established in the state; the Gainesville site was reinvestigated in 2012 without finding additional specimens. New records from Mexico include the first from Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Yucatan, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas states, with the northernmost ordinal locality now becoming Rancho del Cielo, northwest of Gómez Farias, in the last. A northward range expansion of about 460 km (288 mi) from the previous limit, Xalapa, Veracruz, the site lies a mere 40 km (25 mi) south of the Tropic of Cancer and only some 320 km (200 mi) south of the Rio Grande and the US border at McAllen, Hidalgo Co., Texas. Indigenous Stemmiulida are not expected in the forested Rio Grande Valley of southernmost Texas, but their occurrence in the adjoining Mexican state renders such a discovery more plausible than before

Revisiting the North American freshwater mussel genus Quadrula sensu lato (Bivalvia Unionidae): phylogeny, taxonomy and species delineation

© 2019 Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae) have suffered strong declines over the last century. High morphological plasticity of Unionidae causes disturbances in their systematics and taxonomy, hampering conservation efforts. Species that have historically been placed under the North American genus Quadrula have suffered from numerous taxonomic and species delineation problems since its inception. Four genera are presently recognized within Quadrula sensu lato, that is, Cyclonaias, Quadrula, Theliderma and Tritogonia, but their phylogenetic basis remains incompletely tested. In the present study, we reconstructed several two-marker (mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I—COI and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1—ND1) phylogenies with newly collected specimens and all previously available sequences covering most species within this group. We then delineated the species within the group using an integrative approach with the application of molecular statistical methods, morphometric (Fourier Shape) analyses and geographic distribution data. Four clades corresponding to these genera were consistently recovered in all phylogenies. To validate the generic status of these clades, molecular analyses were complemented with morphological, anatomical and ecological data compiled from the literature. Several revisions are here proposed to the current systematics and taxonomy of these genera, including the synonymization of Cyclonaias asperata under Cyclonaias kieneriana; the inclusion of Quadrula apiculata and Quadrula rumphiana under Quadrula quadrula; the placement of Quadrula nobilis under Tritogonia; and finally the separation of the Mobile River basin populations of Theliderma metanevra as a new species, that is, Theliderma johnsoni n. sp. The conservation implications of the proposed changes are then discussed

Mitochondrial phylogenomics of the Bivalvia (Mollusca): searching for the origin and mitogenomic correlates of doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) is an atypical system of animal mtDNA inheritance found only in some bivalves. Under DUI, maternally (F genome) and paternally (M genome) transmitted mtDNAs yield two distinct gender-associated mtDNA lineages. The oldest distinct M and F genomes are found in freshwater mussels (order Unionoida). Comparative analyses of unionoid mitochondrial genomes and a robust phylogenetic framework are necessary to elucidate the origin, function and molecular evolutionary consequences of DUI. Herein, F and M genomes from three unionoid species, <it>Venustaconcha ellipsiformis, Pyganodon grandis </it>and <it>Quadrula quadrula </it>have been sequenced. Comparative genomic analyses were carried out on these six genomes along with two F and one M unionoid genomes from GenBank (F and M genomes of <it>Inversidens japanensis </it>and F genome of <it>Lampsilis ornata</it>).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to their unionoid F counterparts, the M genomes contain some unique features including a novel localization of the <it>trnH </it>gene, an inversion of the <it>atp8-trnD </it>genes and a unique 3'coding extension of the cytochrome <it>c </it>oxidase subunit II gene. One or more of these unique M genome features could be causally associated with paternal transmission. Unionoid bivalves are characterized by extreme intraspecific sequence divergences between gender-associated mtDNAs with an average of 50% for <it>V. ellipsiformis</it>, 50% for <it>I. japanensis</it>, 51% for <it>P. grandis </it>and 52% for <it>Q. quadrula </it>(uncorrected amino acid p-distances). Phylogenetic analyses of 12 protein-coding genes from 29 bivalve and five outgroup mt genomes robustly indicate bivalve monophyly and the following branching order within the autolamellibranch bivalves: ((Pteriomorphia, Veneroida) Unionoida).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The basal nature of the Unionoida within the autolamellibranch bivalves and the previously hypothesized single origin of DUI suggest that (1) DUI arose in the ancestral autolamellibranch bivalve lineage and was subsequently lost in multiple descendant lineages and (2) the mitochondrial genome characteristics observed in unionoid bivalves could more closely resemble the DUI ancestral condition. Descriptions and comparisons presented in this paper are fundamental to a more complete understanding regarding the origins and consequences of DUI.</p

Phylogeny of European Anodontini (Bivalvia: Unionidae) with a redescription of Anodonta exulcerata

Freshwater bivalves are highly threatened and globally declining due to multiple anthropogenic impacts, making them important conservation targets. Because conservation policies and actions generally occur at the species level, accurate species identification and delimitation is critical. A recent phylogenetic study of Italian mussel populations revalidated an Anodonta species bringing the number of known European Anodontini from three to four species. The current study contributes to the clarification of the taxonomy and systematics of European Anodontini, using a combination of molecular, morphological and anatomical data, and constructs phylogenies based on complete mitogenomes. A redescription of A. exulcerata and a comparative analysis of morphological and anatomical characters with respect to the other two species of Anodonta present in the area are provided. No reliable diagnostic character has emerged from comparative analysis of the morphometric characters of 109 specimens from 16 sites across the Italian peninsula. In fact, the discriminant analysis resulted in a greater probability of correct assignment to the site of origin than to the species. This confirms the difficulties of an uncritical application of visual characters for the delimitation of species, especially for Anodontinae.This research was developed under ConBiomics: the missing approach for the conservation of freshwater bivalves project Nº NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-030286, cofinanced by COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF - European Regional Development Fund and by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, through national funds (UID/Multi/04423/2019). FCT also supported Manuel Lopes-Lima (SFRH/BD/115728/2016).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current and future effects of global change on a hotspot's freshwater diversity

Deforestation, climate change and invasive species constitute three global threats to biodiversity that act synergistically. However, drivers and rates of loss of freshwater biodiversity now and in the future are poorly understood. Here we focus on the potential impacts of global change on freshwater mussels (Order Unionida) in Sundaland (SE Asia), a vulnerable group facing global declines and recognized indicators of overall freshwater biodiversity. We used an ensemble of distribution models to identify habitats potentially suitable for freshwater mussels and their change under a range of climate, deforestation and invasion scenarios. Our data and models revealed that, at present, Sundaland features 47 and 32 Mha of habitat that can be considered environmentally suitable for native and invasive freshwater mussels, respectively. We anticipate that by 2050, the area suitable for palm oil cultivation may expand between 8 and 44 Mha, representing an annual increase of 2–11%. This is expected to result in a 20% decrease in suitable habitat for native mussels, a drop that reaches 30% by 2050 when considering concomitant climate change. In contrast, the habitat potentially suitable for invasive mussels may increase by 44–56% under 2050 future scenarios. Consequently, native mussels may compete for habitat, food resources and fish hosts with invasive mussels across approximately 60% of their suitable range. Our projections can be used to guide future expeditions to monitor the conservation status of freshwater biodiversity, and potentially reveal populations of endemic species on the brink of extinction. Future conservation measures—most importantly the designation of nature reserves—should take into account trends in freshwater biodiversity generally, and particularly species such as freshwater mussels, vital to safeguard fundamental ecosystem services.This study is funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (Project FRGS/1/2015/WAB13/UNIM//1). BG was supported by a research fellowship funded by the Spanish Program of R + D + I (JCI2012-11908)

Workbook and key to the freshwater bivalves of South Carolina

This book gives descriptions and pictures of freshwater bivalves of South Carolina

Complete mitochondrial genomes of the freshwater mussels Amblema plicata (Say, 1817), Pleurobema oviforme (Conrad, 1834), and Popenaias popeii (Lea, 1857) (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Ambleminae)

Freshwater mussels are a critically imperiled group of mollusks that play key ecological roles and provide important services to humans. The Ambleminae is the only subfamily of these mussels, endemic to North America. Complete mitogenomes have only been sequenced for two of five tribes of the subfamily. Pleurobema oviforme, Amblema plicata, and Popenaias popeii each belong to tribes Pleurobemini, Amblemini, and Popenaidini, respectively, and have not had published mitogenomes. Thus, this study aims to present the complete mitogenomes for these species, to provide a phylogeny of the Ambleminae and confirm the gene arrangements with representation from each of its tribes. The newly sequenced mitogenomes range from 15,852 to 15,993 nucleotides, are composed of 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs and all share the same (UF1) gene order.This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant number ConBioMics/BI-Lic/2019-037 (JTT), grant number SFRH/BD/137935/2018 (AGS)]; COMPETE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds [UID/Multi/04423/2019] under project ConBiomics: the missing approach for the Conservation of Bivalves Project, and [project number NORTE-01- 0145-FEDER-030286]. Fieldwork in Texas was funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) as a Joint Traditional Section 6 Project 407348.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio