Non-isometric growth and problems of species delimitation in the genus <i>Oliva</i>

The shape of the shell of some Oliva species undergoes abrupt changes dunng growth. If undetected, this often overlooked phenomenon can cause serious errors in the delimitation of morphospecies. Examples of non-isometnc growth are reported and discussed

The scale of sympatry in the genus <i>Oliva</i> (Gastropoda, Olividae)

Sharp rnorphological discontinuities have been evidenced between conspecific, close neighbouring Oliva populations in Hansa Bay (Papua New Guinea). Taxonornic irnplications are discussed. The broad notion of syrnpatry usually applied in the genus Oliva should be replaced by that of syntopy

Studies on Olividae. II. Further protoconch morphometrical data for <i>Oliva</i> taxonomy

Three novel protoconch measurements are defined. Their potential for Oliva taxonomy is evidenced

Soft Coral Sarcophyton (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Octocorallia) Species Diversity and Chemotypes

Research on the soft coral genus Sarcophyton extends over a wide range of fields, including marine natural products and the isolation of a number of cembranoid diterpenes. However, it is still unknown how soft corals produce this diverse array of metabolites, and the relationship between soft coral diversity and cembranoid diterpene production is not clear. In order to understand this relationship, we examined Sarcophyton specimens from Okinawa, Japan, by utilizing three methods: morphological examination of sclerites, chemotype identification, and phylogenetic examination of both Sarcophyton (utilizing mitochondrial protein-coding genes MutS homolog: msh1) and their endosymbiotic Symbiodinium spp. (utilizing nuclear internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA: ITS- rDNA). Chemotypes, molecular phylogenetic clades, and sclerites of Sarcophyton trocheliophorum specimens formed a clear and distinct group, but the relationships between chemotypes, molecular phylogenetic clade types and sclerites of the most common species, Sarcophyton glaucum, was not clear. S. glaucum was divided into four clades. A characteristic chemotype was observed within one phylogenetic clade of S. glaucum. Identities of symbiotic algae Symbiodinium spp. had no apparent relation to chemotypes of Sarcophyton spp. This study demonstrates that the complex results observed for S. glaucum are due to the incomplete and complex taxonomy of this species group. Our novel method of identification should help contribute to classification and taxonomic reassessment of this diverse soft coral genus

STUDIES ON OLIVIDAE .8. PROTOCONCH MEASUREMENTS AS SUPRASPECIFIC CHARACTERS IN THE FAMILY OLIVIDAE

Volume: 31Start Page: 244End Page: 25

Studies on Olividae: 5. Five additional protoconch characters for Oliva taxonomy

Volume: 2Start Page: 59End Page: 6