|
Collaborations
between Research Training
Program participants and
their NMNH mentors have
resulted in over 142
authored or co-authored
publications, 60
presentations at scientific
meetings, and over 5
manuscripts in preparation.
|
PUBLICATIONS
with ABSTRACTS
Research
Training Program participant designated
by bold type.
Publications
|
Presentations
|
Acknowledgements
|
List
of Papers
Almany,
G.R. and C.C. Baldwin.
1996. A new Atlantic species of
Acanthemblemaria (Teleostei:
Blennioidei: Chaenopsidae): morphology
and relationships. Proceedings of
the Biological Society of Washington
109(3): 419-429.
ABSTRACT:
Acanthemblemaria johnsoni
is described from six specimens
collected from shallow coral reefs
at the north end of the Caribbean
island of Tobago. The new species
differs from all other Atlantic
species of Acanthemblemaria
by the combined spinous and soft
dorsal-fin ray count of XXIV, 12-13.
Evolutionary relationships of the
new species are discussed in relation
to the phylogeny of the genus proposed
by Hastings (1990).
Anderson,
R.P. and C.O. Handley,
Jr. 2001. A new species of three-toed
sloth (Mammalia: Xenarthra) from
Panama, with a review of the genus
Bradypus. Proceedings of
the Biological Society of Washington
114(1): 1-33.
ABSTRACT:
Morphological and morphometric analyses
of three-toed sloths (Bradypus)
from the islands of Bocas del Toro
reveal rapid differentiation of
several populations during the Holocene.
These islands, lying off the Caribbean
coast of western Panama, were separated
from the adjacent mainland by rising
sea levels during the past 10,000
years. The sequence of island formation
and the approximate ages of the
islands are known. In at least four
independent events, sloths of five
of the islands evolved smaller size
following insularization. Sloths
on the younger islands remain conspecific
with mainland populations of Bradypus
variegatus. On Isla Escudo de
Veraguas--the oldest and most remote
island of the archipelago--however,
the three-toed sloth has differentiated
to the species level, and we here
describe it as Bradypus pygmaeus.
We provide updated diagnoses
and distributions for the species
of Bradypus, include a key
to the genus.
Anderson,
R.P. and C.O. Handley,
Jr. 2002. Dwarfism in insular sloths:
Biogeography, selection, and evolutionary
rate. Evolution 56(5): 1045-1058.
ABSTRACT:
The islands of Bocas del Toro, Panama,
were sequentially separated from
the adjacent mainland by rising
sea levels during the past 10,000
years. Three-toed sloths (Bradypus)
from five islands are smaller than
their mainland counterparts, and
the insular populations themselves
vary in mean body size. We first
examine relationships between body
size and physical characteristics
of the islands, testing hypotheses
regarding optimal body size, evolutionary
equilibria, and the presence of
dispersal in this system. To do
so, we conduct linear regressions
of body size onto evolutionary rate
of change in body size (haldanes
and darwins) and the standardized
linear selection differential, or
selection intensity (i).
We also test the observed morphological
changes against models of evolution
by genetic drift. The results indicate
that mean body size decreases linearly
with island age, explaining up to
97% of the variation among population
means. Neither island area nor distance
from the mainland is significant
in multiple regressions that include
island age. Thus, we find no evidence
for differential optimal body size
among islands, or for dispersal
in the system. In contrast, the
dependence of body size on island
age suggests uniform directional
selection for small body size in
the insular populations. Although
genetic drift cannot be discounted
as the cause for this evolution
in body size, the probability is
small given the consistent direction
of evolution (repeated dwarfism).
The insular sloths show a sustained
rate of evolution similar to those
measured in haldanes over tens of
generations, appearing to unite
micro- and macroevolutionary time
scales. Furthermore, the magnitude
and rate of this example of rapid
differentiation fall within predictions
of theoretical models from population
genetics. However, the linearity
of the relationship between body
size and island age is not predicted,
suggesting that either more factors
are involved than those considered
here, or that theoretical advances
are necessary to explain constant
evolutionary rates over long time
spans in new selective environments.
Anderson,
R.P. and P.
Jarrin-V., Jr.
2002. A New Species of Spiny Pocket
Mouse (Heteromyidae: Heteromys)
Endemic to Western Ecuador. A. M.
Novitates: 3382, 26pp., 5 figures,
2 tables.
ABSTRACT:
Whereas previous treatments have
considered Heteromys australis
the only spiny pocket mouse present
in Ecuador, morphological and morphometric
analyses of specimens from Ecuador
and southwestern Colombia reveal
the presence of two species of genus.
Heteromys australis is distributed
in evergreen forests from eastern
Panama and western Venezuela through
Colombia to extreme northwestern
Ecuador, where it inhabits wet,
unseasonal areas of the Choco and
adjacent western slopes of the Andes.
We here describe a new species Heteromys
teleus, found only in evergreen
forests of central-western Ecuador,
in areas less mesic and more seasonal
than those characteristic of H.
australis. Both species possess
dark gray dorsal pelage, but H.
teleus differs by larger (nonoverlapping)
measurements of the hind foot and
distinctive cranial proportions.
Most notably, the rostrum of the
new species is strikingly wide and
massive, and the interparietal is
narrow and rounded (in contrast
to the wide, diamond-shaped interparietal
of H. australis). The ranges
of the two species together conform
to the previously recognized Chocoan
evergreen-forest fauna of western
Colombia and northwestern Ecuador.
However, the restriction of H.
teleus to evergreen but seasonal
forests of the southern Choco (transitional
between the relatively unseasonal
evergreen forests of the central
Choco (transitional between the
relatively unseasonal evergreen
forests of the central Choco to
the north and highly seasonal xeric
regions to the south) is unique
within currently recognized species
of mammals. Biogeographic overviews
hint at similar patterns in other
groups, but more alpha-taxonomic
research is necessary to evaluate
mammalian distributional patterns
in the region properly. Most suitable
habitat for H.teleus has
been converted to agricultural uses,
and its current distribution is
likely restricted to a handful of
small-to-medium-sized forest patches.
Anderson,
W.D., and B.B. Collette.
1991. Revision of the freshwater
viviparous halfbeaks of the genus
Hemirhamphodon (Teleostei:
Hemiramphidae). Ichthyol. Explor.
Freshwaters 2(2):151-176.
ABSTRACT:
Hemirhamphodon differs from
all other halfbeaks in having anteriorly
directed teeth along the entire
length of the lower jaw and in having
the first pleural rib on the second
instead of the third vertebra. It
shares low vertebral counts, a reduced
nasal fossa with an elongated nasal
barbel, and modifications of the
anal fin in males associated with
internal fertilization with three
other genera: Zenarchopterus,
Dermogenys, and Nomorhamphus.
Six species of Hemirhamphodon
are recognized herein. The six species
form two species groups based on
the absence or presence of an enlarged
fourth anal fin ray and posteriorly
directed projection on this fin
ray in males.
Armgardt,
E.
and E.E. Strong. 2007. Ontogenetic
changes in shell microstructure
of freshwater gastropods from Lake
Tanganyika (Cerithioidea, Paludomidae).
SICB Annual Meeting, January 3-7,
2007, Phoenix, AZ.
ABSTRACT:
Aschliman,
N.C.
I.R. Tibbetts, and B. B. Collette.
2005. Relationships of sauries and
needlefishes (Teleostei: Scomberesocoidea)
to the internally fertilizing halfbeaks
(Zenarchopteridae) based on the
pharyngeal jaw apparatus.Proceedings
of the Biological Society of Washington.
118(2):416-427.
ABSTRACT:
The
40 life history, myological, and
osteological characters that Tibbetts
(1992) used in his study of the
hemiramphids are evaluated for both
saury genera (Cololabis and
Scomberesox) to determine
if the Scomberesocidae are more
closely related to the Zenarchopteridae,
to the needlefishes (Belonidae),
or to the halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae)
and flyingfishes (Exocoetidae).
Data were analyzed using PAUP*,
and eight equally parsimonious trees
were found (70 steps, CI 0.814,
RI 0.938). This analysis indicates
that sauries are most closely related
to needlefishes, supporting the
historical concept of the superfamily
Scomberesocoidea as a monophyletic
assemblage. A caudal displacement
of the origin of the retractor dorsalis
muscle is a tentative additional
synapomorphy for all four saury
species. Zenarchopteridae is strongly
supported as a valid family sister
to the Scomberesocoidea (decay index
= 19, bootstrap = 100). Resolution
of the internal structure of the
Belonidae and the Hemiramphidae
requires the identification of additional
characters and examination of a
greater number of taxa.
Baker,
E.A. and B.B. Collette.
1998. Mackerel from the northern
Indian Ocean and the Red Sea are
Scomber australasicus, not
Scomber japonicus. Ichthyol.
Res. 45(1): 29-33.
ABSTRACT:
The population of Scomber
from the Red Sea and northern Indian
Ocean (gulfs of Aden and Oman) is
identified as S. australasicus
rather than S. japonicus
based on having 30-33 vs. 26-29
interneural bones under the first
and second dorsal fins and the combination
of interneural bone counts of 16-20
under the first dorsal fin (vs.
13-16) and first dorsal fin spine
counts of 10-13 (vs. 9-10). These
are the best morphological characters
to distinguish these two species.
This change in identification constitutes
a major range extension for S.
australasicus which was thought
to be restricted to the Pacific
Ocean and the southeastern Indian
Ocean around Western Australia.
Baker,
R. and W.A. DiMichele.
1997. Biomass allocation in Late
Pennsylvania coal-swamp plants.
Palaios 12: 127-132.
ABSTRACT:
Carbon allocation to different tissues
and organs of Late Pennsylvanian-aged
coal-swamp plants was determined
for the first time through study
of coal balls from the Calhoun coal
of central Illinois. Coal balls
are concretions that preserve the
original peat fabric of the coal
seam; they occur within the coal
matrix and generally are permineralized
with calcium carbonate. Coalified
plant cell walls are preserved within
the mineral matrix of the coal ball,
entombed within the calcium carbonate.
Relative carbon allocation was determined
by separation of the mineral matrix
and organic carbon. Carbon content
was determined for replicates of
tissues or organs of Psaronius
tree ferns, Medullosa pteridosperms,
the lycopsid Sigillaria approximata,
the small fern Botryopteris
forensis, and "whole peat".
Unit volume results for tissues
and organs were normalized for trunk
sections 45 cm in diameter and 1
m long. Psaronius tree ferns
were significantly "cheaper"
than all other plants due to the
large mantle of aerenchymatous roots
that made up the bulk of the trunk.
Medullosans and small ferns were
most 'expensive", with the
arborescent lycopsid in between.
Relative expense of construction
closely parallels the inferred ecological
role of each plant within ancient
coal swamps, deduced from distributional
patterns and indicators of habitat
conditions. Tree ferns and lycopsids
are colonists, medullosans are site
occupying forms.
Baldwin,
C.C. and W.L.
Smith. 1998. Belonoperca
pylei, a new species of seabass
(Teleostei: Serranidae: Epinephelina:
Diploprionini) from the Cook Islands
with comments on relationships among
diploprionins. Ichthyological Research
45(4): 325-339.
ABSTRACT:
Belonoperca pylei is described
from five specimens collected at
depths of 68-122m from Rarotonga,
Cook Islands. It differs from
all other known diploprionin seranids
in having IX, 10 dorsal-fin rays,
III, 7 anal-fin rays, and color
pattern composed primarily of yellow
and orange pigments. Cladistic
analysis of epinepheline morphology
supports monophyly of the diploprionin
genera Belonoperca and
Diploprion and suggests
that Belonoperca is the
sister group of Diploprion
plus the monotypic Aulacocephalus.
Beard,
K.H.
and P.T. DePriest. 1996. Genetic
Variation within and among mats
of the reindeer lichen, Cladina
subtenuis (des Abb.) Hale &
W. Culb. Lichenologist 28: 171-182.
ABSTRACT:
Cladina subtenuis (des Abb.)
Hale & W. Culb. is the most
commonly found "reindeer lichen"
in the southeastern United States.
In the present study C. subtenuis
was examined for polymorphism in
the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal
DNA (rDNA) within and among small
clumps of podetia, here referred
to as mats, from five geographical
locations. Polymorphism in the SSU
rDNA was not detected among podetia
within mats, but polymorphism was
detected among mats from a single
location. Therefore, mats of C.
subtenuis may represent a single
genetic individual, although genetically
distinct mats may occur in close
proximity. Their proximity could
encourage sexual reproduction between
genetically distinct individuals
that would maintain variation in
these populations. The SSU rDNA
types represented three different
lengths and restriction-site patterns,
reflecting the presence of sequence
insertions of at least 200 nucleotides
in the SSU rDNA coding region. The
insertions, differing in position,
number and sequence, are group I
introns similar to those previously
reported in the Cladonia chlorophaea
complex. The intron variation among
the SSU rDNA types indicates that
molecular evolution has occurred
within this species, perhaps since
its divergence from related taxa
and dispersal across the southeastern
United States.
Boulay,
M.C. and C.B. Robbins.
1989. Epomophorus gambianus.
Mammalian Species 344: 1-5.
ABSTRACT:
Taxonomic description of the species
Epomorphorus gambianus. Order
Chiroptera, Suborder Megachiroptera,
Family Pteropodidae, Subfamily Pteropodinae,
Genus Epomophorus. The genus
Epomorphorus contains six
species.
Brandley,
M.C. and K. de Queiroz.
2004. Phylogeny, ecomorphological
evolution, and historical biogeography
of the Anolis cristatellus series.
Herpetological Monographs 18: 90-126.
ABSTRACT:
To determine the evolutionary relationships
within the Anolis cristatellus
series, we employed phylogenetic
analyses of previously published
karyotype and allozyme data as well
as newly collected morphological
data and mitochondrial DNA sequences
(fragments of the 12S RNA and cytochrome
b genes). The relationships inferred
from continuous maximum likelihood
reanalyses of allozyme data were
largely poorly supported. A similar
analysis of the morphological data
gave strong to moderate support
for sister relationships of the
two included distichoid species,
the two trunk-crown species, the
grass-bush species A. poncensis
and A. pulchellus, and a
clade of trunk-ground and grass-bush
species. The results of maximum
likelihood and Bayesian analyses
of the 12S, cyt b, and combined
mtDNA data sets were largely congruent,
but nonetheless exhibit some differences
both with one another and with those
based on the morphological data.
We therefore took advantage of the
additive properties of likelihoods
to compare alternative phylogenetic
trees and determined that the tree
inferred from the combined 12S and
cyt b data is also the best
estimate of the phylogeny for the
morphological and mtDNA data sets
considered together. We also performed
mixed-model Bayesian analyses of
combined morphology and mtDNA data;
the resultant tree was topologically
identical to the combined mtDNA
tree with generally high nodal support.
This phylogenetic hypothesis has
a basal dichotomy between the Hispanolan
distichoids and the bimaculatus
series, on the one hand , and the
cristatellus series inhabiting
the Puerto Rican Island Bank, its
satellite islands, the Bahamas,
and St. Croix, on the other. The
trunk-crown species form a clade,
while the trunk-ground and grass-bust
species do not as A. gundlachi,
a trunk-ground and grass-bust species
suggest that one of these ecomorphs
may have been ancestral to the other
and that one of both evolved convergently.
In the context of our preferred
phylogeny and divergences dates
estimated by NPRS analyses, we propose
several biogeographical hypotheses
that explain the current distribution
of the cristatellus series.
The presence of endemic species
on the island of the Bahamas, Desecheo,
Mona, Monita, and St. Croix are
likely due to over-water dispersal.
Vicariance resulting from Pliocene
or Pleistocene changes in sea levels
likely explains the occurrence of
A. cristatellus (including
A. ernestwilliamsi), A.
pulchellus, and A. Stratulus
on different islands of the Puerto
Rican Bank.
Brandley,
M.C. and
K. de Queiroz. 2002. The phylogenetic
history of the Anolis cristatellus
group: a morphological and molecular
analysis using frequency parsimony
and maximum likelihood methods.
2002 meeting of the Society of Systematic
Biologists and the Society for the
Study of Evolution, Champaign-Urbana,
IL.
ABSTRACT:
Brown,
J.W. and K.
Bash. 2000. The Lepidoptera
of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar:
Calculating Faunal Similarity among
Sampling Sites and Estimating Total
Species Richness. Journal of Research
on the Lepidoptera 36: 45-78.
ABSTRACT:
An intensive 3-year survey of
the Lepidoptera of Marine Corps
Air Station Miramar in southwestern
San Diego County, California, was
conducted from October 1995 through
September 1998. Sampling methodology
included blacklight trapping (364
nights), diurnal collecting (148
days), and pheromone "baiting."
About 646 species of Lepidoptera
were documented from the Station,
including 20 (or more) undescribed
moth species and one "sensitive"
butterfly speies - Hermes copper,
Lycaena hermes (Edwards).
Two species were newly recorded
for the United States - Dryadaula
terpsichorella (Busck) (Tineidae)
and Metapluera potosi Busck
(Gelechiidae). While the species
accumulation curve reached a convincing
asymptote, it is highly unlikely
that all species of Lepidoptera
present on the Station were sampled.
Four methods extrapolated or estimated
the fauna to be between 706 and
922 species. Based on the family
Geometridae, faunal similarity among
a subset of 10 permanent blacklight
sites ranged from 0.29 to 0.69.
We briefly discuss how Lepidoptera
inventories may provide insight
into identification of areas of
high conservation value.
Brown,
J. and A.
Cramer. 1999. Five new
species of Argyrotaenia (Tortricidae:
Archipini) from Mexico and the Southwestern
United States. Journal of the Lepidopterists'
Society 53(3): 114-125.
ABSTRACT:
Based on an examination of 187 specimens,
five new species of Argyrotaenia
are recognized from Mexico and
the southwestern United States.
A hypothesis of the phylogenetic
relationships among the species
is derived using Hennig86 to find
the most parsimonious solution to
the distribution of 14 morphological
characters (5 characters of the
forewing, 7 of the male genitalia,
and 2 of the female genitalia).
Argyrotaenia spinacallis
Brown & Cramer, new species,
from the State of Veracruz, A.
unda Brown & Cramer, new
species from the states of Mexico
and Morelos, and A. octavana
Brown & Cramer, from the
states of Puebla and Veracruz, appear
to form a monophyletic group with
A. ponera (Walsingham), from
Puebla. The last is redescribed
and illustrated. Although superficially
similar, A. coconinana Brown
& Cramer, new species, from
Arizona and New Mexico, and A.
bialbistriata Brown & Cramer,
from Arizona (Cochise Co.) and Durango,
Mexico, may not be members of the
"ponera group"
owing to their considerable divergence
in male and female genitalia.
Brown,
J. W. and T.
McPherson. 2001. Review
of Rebinea Razowski and Eliachna
Razowski (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae:
Euliini) - sister groups endemic
to Chile and Argentina. Journal
of the Lepidopterists' Society 55(4):
129-139.
ABSTRACT.
Rebinea Razowski and Eliachna
Razowski, two formerly monotypic
genera known only from males, are
redescribed based on large series
of specimens (n=320), including
both sexes. As presently defined,
Rebinea is still considered
monotypic, with a single variable
species, R. erebina (Butler,
1883), and its synonym, Arotrophora
balsamodes Meyrick, 1931. It
is possible that two (or more) species
are concealed within the variation,
but we were unable to separate them
using traditional morphological
characters. Eliachna is represented
by three species: E. chileana
Razowski, 1999, E. digitana
Brown and McPherson, new species,
and E. hemicordata Brown
and McPherson, new species. Both
genera are restricted to south-central
Chile and southwestern Argentina,
ranging from coastal lowlands (5
m) to middle elevations (1200-1700
m) at the southern end of the Andes.
A phylogenetic analysis of the four
species (plus two out-group species)
provides support for the sister
relationship of Rebinea and
Eliachna based on the following
synapomorphies: (1) extremely elongate
labial palpi (length 3-4 times the
horizontal diameter of the compound
eye); (2) a pair of stout, digitate,
submedial processes from the dorsum
of the transtilla; (3) a deep, rounded
excavation near the mid-venter of
the valva; and (4) a pair of semicircular,
lateral flanges from the posterior
edge of the sterigma.
Carleton,
M.D., and C.
Martinez. 1991. Morphometric
differentiation among West African
populations of the rodent genus
Dasymys (Muroidea: Murinae),
and its taxonomic implications.
Proc. Bio. Soc. Wash. 104(3): 419-435.
ABSTRACT:
Craniodental variation among West
African samples of Dasymys
is reassessed based on the larger
museum series now available. Two
morphological kinds can be discerned
in this region and are referrable
to the locally available epithets
Dasymys rufulus Miller (1900),
described from Mount Coffee, Liberia,
and Dasymys foxi Thomas (1912),
named from Panyam, Nigeria. The
degree of craniodental differentiation
between these two phena matches
that documented for other congeneric
pairs of murid rodent species inhabiting
parts of West Africa. Dasymys
rufulus differs from D. foxi
by its overall smaller size, especially
as observed in its smaller, narrower
cranium and less robust molars.
In West Africa, samples of D.
rufulus are broadly distributed
from east of the Niger River, Nigeria,
west to northern Sierra Leone; whereas,
the known examples of D. foxi
are restricted to the Jos Plateau
in Nigeria. Dasymys rufulus
and D. foxi are provisionally
accorded specific status until taxonomic
studies of Dasymys populations
from other parts of Africa are undertaken
to determine their relationships
and distributional limits. It is
doubtful that either form, but especially
D. rufulus, is synonymous
with D. nudipes or D.
incomtus.
Carrel,
C. 1991. Tradescantia
Research Project. The Palmetto 11(4):
6.
ABSTRACT:
Despite the complications of Edgar
Anderson associated with studying
the tradescantias, the challenges
of deciphering its evolution and
its puzzling taxonomy have led to
a special study of the Tradescantia
native to Florida. These attractive,
brightly colored, three-petaled
flowers are commonly known as spiderwort,
or widow's tears, in reference to
the deliquescent nature of the blooms.
They were originally introduced
into English gardens by John Tradescant
in the 17th century.
Collette,
B.B. and G.B.
Gillis. 1992. Morphology
systematics, and biology of the
double-lined mackerels (Grammatorcynus,
Scombridae). Fishery Bulletin U.S.
90: 13-53.
ABSTRACT:
Osteological differences confirm
the validity of two species of Grammatorcynus,
G. bicarinatus (Quoy and Gaimard
1825) and the long-recognized G.
bilineatus (Rüppell 1836).
In addition to having fewer gill
rakers (12-14 vs. 18-24), a smaller
eye (3.1-4.6% vs 4.0 to 6.0% FL),
small black spots on the lower sides
of the body, and reaching a larger
size (110cm FL vs 60cm), G. bicarinatus
differs from G. bilineatus
in having a shorter neurocranium,
shorter parasphenoid flanges, lower
posterior edge of maxillary shank,
shorter quadrate process, narrower
first postcleithrum, wider ethmoid,
wider vomer, wider lachrymal, longer
teeth, wider palatine tooth patch,
wider opercle, and a thin posttemporal
shelf between the anterior processes.
All but one of the 16 osteological
differences previously found between
Grammatorcynus bilineatus and
Scomberomorus and Acanthocybium
are confirmed with the inclusion
of G. bicarinatus in the
genus. Grammatorcynus bilineatus
is widespread in tropical and subtropical
waters of the Indo-West Pacific
from the Red Sea to Tokelau Islands
in Oceania. The range of G. bicarinatus
is restricted to the western and
eastern coasts of Australia and
southern Papua New Guinea.
Collins,
E.P. and G.H. Rodda.
1994. Bone layers associated with
ecdysis in laboratory-reared Boiga
irregularis (Colubridae). Journal
of Herpetology 28(3): 378-381.
ABSTRACT:
Little work has been done on the
periodicity of growth marks in tropical
reptiles. Age determination in snakes,
which lack long bones, is a special
challenge. We found the lingual
lamina (often called the prearticular),
which forms the inner wall of the
mandibular fossa, is the most suitable
bone for counting growth marks in
Boiga irregularis. Brown
tree snakes, Boiga irregularis,
accidentally introduced to the tropical
island of Guam, have been deemed
responsible for the expiration or
endangerment of most of the island's
native vertebrates. Management actions
designed to encourage and augment
natural sources of snake mortality
have been frustrated by the inability
to age snakes and estimate survivorship.
We raised brown tree snakes under
controlled conditions to test the
relationship between age and growth
marks. The results revealed growth
marks do not express a direct annual
cycle of growth and cannot be used
in age estimates of captive-reared
Boiga irregularis. The primary
correlate of growth marks appeared
to be ecdysis. The correlation between
growth marks and sheds suggest that,
under constant environmental condidtions,
the bones are recording shed-induced
changes in growth. We do not know
whether growth marks and edysis
are similarly correlated in wild
snakes. This phenomenon may make
it possible to study frequency of
ecdysis in free-ranging snakes.
DeFilipps,
R.A., S.L. Maina, and L.A.
Pray. 1988. The Palauan
and Yap Medicinal Plant Studies
of Masayoshi Okabe, 1941-1943. Atoll
Research Bulletin 317:1-25.
ABSTRACT:
Masayoshi Okabe visited the Palau
and Yap Islands to study the local
medicinal plants and diseases treated
through their use. He made reports
of his findings (1941a, 1943a) in
Japanese. In this paper the authors
present for the first time in the
English language a published record
of Okabe's findings.
Dikow,
T. and W.N. Mathis. 2002.
A Revision and Phylogenetic Study
of Actocetor Becker (Diptera:
Ephydridae). Proceedings of the
Entomological Society of Washington
104(2): 249-290.
ABSTRACT:
The genus Actocetor Becker
is revised, including a phylogenetic
analysis of the seven recognized
species. Two new species, Actocetor
afrus (Liberia and senegal)
and A. yaromi (Ethiopia),
are described. Actocetor hendeli
de Meijere, A. margaritatus
(Wiedemann), and A. panelii
Frey are new junior synonyms of
A. indicus (Wiedemann), and
A. beckeri de Meijere and
A. elegans Hendel are new
junior synonyms of A. nigrifinis
(Walker). Lectotypes, all females,
are designated for the following
species: Notiphilia indica
Wiedemann, Ephydra margaritata
Wiedmann, Opomyza nigrifinis
Walker, and Actocetor beckeri
de Meijere. The cladistic analysis
is based on 29 morphological characters
and resulted in 10 equally most
parsimonious trees (length of 60
steps and consistency and retention
indices of 0.83 and 0.83 respectively).
Three trees then resulted from application
of successive weighting, and from
these a strict consensus tree was
derived that is typologically identical
to one of the original 10 trees.
From the consensus cladogram, the
following hypotheses can be made:
(1) Actocetor is monophyletic
and (2) the subgenera Actocetor
Becker (4 species) and Poecilostenia
Bezzi (3 species) are each monophyletic.
althought we suggest an Afrotropical
origin for Actocetor, the
genus could have resulted from speciation
events in the Oriental Region. Keys
for the identification of all genera
of Discomyzini and the species
of Actocetor are provided.
The distribution of all species
of Actocetor and the biology
of A. indicus from a coastal
site in Israel are discussed.
Dove,
C. J. and A.
Agreda. 2007. Differences
in plumulaceous feather characters
of dabbling and diving ducks. Condor
109: 192-199.
ABSTRACT:
Erbacher,
J., C. Hemleben, B.T. Huber, and
M. Markey.
1999. Correlating environmental
changes during early Albanian oceanic
anoxic event 1b using benthic foraminiferal
paleoecology. Marine Micropaleontology
38: 7-28.
ABSTRACT:
The nature and consequences of mid-Cretaceous
oceanic anoxic events (OAEs) are
the subject of ongoing debate, and
recent studies have shown that different
scenarios are needed to explain
each of these events. Nevertheless,
similarities between the different
OAEs can be observed. Here, we have
reconstructed paleoenviornmental
changes during the early Albian
OAE 1b using benthic foraminiferal
distributions and lithologies in
three sections from different basins
and paleowater depths. Eutrophic
conditions, as indicated by the
presence of infaunal as well as
opportunistic genera such as Gyroidinoides,
Pseudoboliviana, Pleurostomella,
and bolivinitids, prevailed
before and during the OAE and led
to dysoxic to anoxic conditions.
Dysoxia was most intense in the
bathyal sections but also occurred
in the outer shelf where more heterogeneous
patterns of foraminiferal distributions
are believed to reflect fluctuations
of the upper boundary of an oxygen-minimum
zone. A change from eutrophic to
mesotrophic conditions caused the
termination of OAE 1b and opportunistic
benthic foraminifera (e.g. Pseudobolivina,
Pleurostomella) were the first
to subsequently repopulate the bathyal
sea floor. Repopulation occurred
rapidly in the shallow settings
and gradually in the deeper sites,
where a normal, diverse pre-event
fauna was established a few tens
of thousands of years after OAE
1b.
Erbacher,
J., B.T. Huber, R.D. Norris, and
M. Markey.
2001. Increased thermohaline stratification
as a possible cause for an ocean
anoxic event in the Cretaceous period.
Nature 409: 325-327.
ABSTRACT:
Ocean anoxic events were periods
of high carbon burial that led to
drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide,
lowering of bottom-water oxygen
concentrations and, in many cases,
significant biological extinction.
Most ocean anoxic events are thought
to be caused by high productivity
and export of carbon from surface
waters which is then preserved in
organic-rich sediments, known as
black shales. But the factors that
triggered some of these events remain
uncertain. Here we present stable
isotope data from a mid-Cretaceous
ocean anoxic event that occurred
112 Myr ago, and that point to an
increased thermohaline stratification
as the probable cause. Ocean anoxic
event 1b is associated with an increase
in surface-water temperatures and
runoff that led to decreased bottom-water
formation and elevated carbon burial
in the restricted basins of the
western Tethys and North Atlantic.
This event is in many ways similar
to that which led to the more recent
Plio-Pleistocene Mediterranean sapropels,
but the greater geographical extent
and longer duration (~46kyr) of
ocean anoxic event 1b suggest that
processes leading to such ocean
anoxic events in the North Atlantic
and western Tethys were able to
act over a much larger region, and
sequester far more carbon, than
any of the Quaternary sapropels.
Faden,
R.B. and M.H.
Alford. 2001. A new species
of Commelina (Commelinaceae)
from Tanzania. Novon 11: 16-21.
ABSTRACT:
Commelina polhillii Faden
& Alford, a new annual species
of Commelina with buff-orange
flowers, is described from Tanzania.
It differs from the similar C.
subulata primarily in seed morphology.
However, staminode shape, the presence
of basal lobes on the medial anther
connective, and differences in spathe
pubescence also serve to varying
extent to distinguish the two taxa.
Leaf anatomy reveals one major difference
but primarily helps to unite the
two species with a group of approximately
seven other species. A preliminary
chromosome count, 2n = ca. 30, is
recorded.
Faden,
R.B. and K.E.
Inman. 1996. Leaf anatomy
of the African genera of Commelinaceae:
Anthericopsis and Murdannia.
The Biodiversity of African Plants
(Proc. XIVth AETFAT Cong.: 464-471.
ABSTRACT:
Leaf anatomy of Anthericopsis
sepalosa and nine species of
Murdannia was studied using
scanning electron microscopy, paraffin
embedded sections, whole leaf clearings,
and epidermal scrapes. Anthericopsis
was distinctive because of its attenuate
margin with basal tannin cells and
a broad, discontinuous, adaxial
hypodermis. Murdannia was
characterized by a thin epidermis,
patterned cuticle, usually continuous
hypodermis, and generally marginal
sclerenchyma. Both genera showed
several apparently synapomorphic
characters, such as lack of a thick
midrib, presence of a broad adaxial
hypodermis, and a tapered margin,
that separated them from other genera
of tribe Commelineae. The anatomical
support morphological data that
show a phylogenetic relationship
between the two genera.
Faden,
R.B. and D.M.
Cameron. 2005. Cyanotis
repens (Commelinaceae): A New
Species from Tropical Africa. NOVON
15: 110-116.
ABSTRACT:
Cyanotis
repens, a mat-forming perennial,
is described from Kenya in tropical
Africa. It differs from related
species by its prostrate habit,
indeterminate flowering shoots,
and fusiform swelling terminating
the style. Two subspecies are recognized,
diploid C. repens subsq.
repens from Kenya, Tanzania,
and Uganda, and polyploid C.
repens subsp. robusta
from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda,
Democratic Republic of Congo, and
Gabon. Cyanotis repens belongs
to the Cyanotis foecunda species
group, the species of which have
a basic chromosome number of x
= 13 and often distinctive karyotypes.
Falcon,
L.I., M. Vecchione, and
C.F.E. Roper. 2000. Paralarval gonatid
squids (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida)
from the mid-North Atlantic. Proc.
Biol. Soc. Wash. 113(2): 532-541.
ABSTRACT:
Ninety six gonatid cephalopod specimens
(Oegopsida: Gonatidae) from the
University of Amsterdam Mid-North
Atlantic Plankton Expeditions were
analyzed and two species were identified:
Gonatus steenstrupi (Kristensen
1981) and Gonatus fabricii
(Lichtenstein 1818). Gonatids were
collected only in spring and summer,
despite sampling in autumn and winter.
This paper describes aspects of
their development and reports their
geographical distribution in the
central North Atlantic Ocean. Chromatophore
patterns were the most consistently
useful characters for distinguishing
between the species. Among 34 measurements,
Tentacle Length (TtL) relative to
Dorsal Mantle Length (ML) and number
of suckers on Arms I-IV were useful
for distinguishing specimens >13
mm ML. Both species develop hooks
from suckers on the arms and tentacular
clubs at ML > 20 mm. Subtle differences
were noted in the morphology of
the funnel pads except in the smallest
specimens. Specimens of G. steenstrupi
>20 mm ML were collected at greater
depths (250 to 995 m) than the smaller
specimens (found at depths <200
m). Our data suggest that 20 mm
ML is the point of transition between
paralarvae and juveniles of G.
steenstrupi, because specimens
larger than 20 mm ML have well defined
hooks and a juvenile vertical distribution
is established.
Feinstein,
N. and S.D. Cairns. 1998.
Learning from the collector: a survey
of azooxanthellate corals affixed
by Xenophora (Gastropoda:
Xenophoridae), with an analysis
and discussion of attachment patterns.
The Nautilus 112(3): 73-83.
ABSTRACT:
All species of the gastropod family
Xenophoridae affix foreign objects
to the upper shell surface. Affixed
objects may include bivalve shells,
smaller gastropod shells, shell
fragments, and coral skeletons,
as well as a wide array of inorganic
material. In deep water, Xenophora
may serve as useful proxy collectors
of benthic organisms. Since 1842,
coral skeletons have been noted
among the attached objects, but
this association has never been
studied in detail. This paper
surveys 227 Xenophora
shells, comprising 8 species from
69 stations, for affixed azooxanthellate
corals. Five hundred and eighty-one
coralla were found, representing
74 coral species, 2 of which remain
undescribed. Twenty-four of the
affixed coralla were alive at
the time the Xenophora hosts
were collected; Xenophora not
only collect live corals, but
corals can remain alive long after
being affixed. Corals were found
at 6 sites where they had previously
been unknown, and the geographic
ranges of 29 species of coral
were expanded as a result of specimens
found on Xenophora.
Fernandez,
M.,
H. Hamilton, S. Reichle, D. Wilson,
R. Heyer, and R. McDiarmid. 2003.
Verificando un modelo predictivo
de distribucion para anfibios
en Bolivia. Décimo Encuentro
Latinoamericano de Usuarios de
Tecnologías de Información
Geográfica, Santa Cruz,
Bolivia, September 2003.
ABSTRACT:
Over the past hundred years, the
human population has increased
from one to six billion human
beings. As a result, the pressure
to squeeze this little planet
of ours for more food, water,
and fuel has increased. Therefore,
managing the limited natural resources
of the Earth has emerged as perhaps
the most crucial problem faced
by humanity. Fortunately, technologies
are now becoming widely available
that may allow us to feed and
power the growing population without
destroying the very environment
that sustains us in the process.
With this technology we have started
to measure virtually everything
on Earth and how these things
change over time. Analyzed with
special databases called Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), these
measurements help us to understand
what’s happening all around
us and even make predictions for
areas where there is a lack of
information. To provide politicians
and decision-makers in Bolivia
with useful and fast information
as to which places need protection
due to their high biodiversity,
it is necessary to understand
the patterns of distribution of
different taxa. This project focuses
on a predictive model developed
from a GIS database, using information
obtained about Bolivian amphibians
based on Bolivian collections.
This will assist in making a decision
on whether or not to protect a
specific area. However, testing
is required to know if the predictions
we developed about the environment
reflect reality. In order to test
this model, a group of frogs was
chosen as a focus group. Using
a source of information that was
not used to build the model (National
Museum of Natural History collection
and a revisionary study made by
Dr. Ron Heyer); the localities
for ten species were mapped and
overlaid on the model. The results
indicate that two levels of improvement
are needed to characterize biodiversity
distribution in Bolivia: 1) All
available museum data should be
used to develop predictive distributions
for each species; 2) The various
GIS layers now available for climate,
soils, and vegetation are inaccurate
and/or out of date and need to
be improved.
Ferrell,
C.S. and D.E. Wilson.
1991. Platyrrhinus helleri.
Mammalian Species 373: 1-5.
ABSTRACT:
Taxonomic description of the species
Platyrrhinus helleri. Order
