Systematics of the Freshwater Crayfish Genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae) in Northern and Eastern Australia: Electrophoretic and Morphological Variation

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 259 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Austin
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Variable Species ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

A study of electrophoretic variation amongst 15 putative species of Cherax from northern and eastern Australia supported the recognition of only eight species. Analysis of morphological variation within these crayfish was largely consistent with the taxa identified electrophoretically, although variation in taxonomic characteristics was found to be far more extensive than was previously realised. Of the species identified electrophoretically, only C. dispar Riek and C. rhynchotus Riek are entirely consistent with the most recent taxonomic review of Cherax. The delineation of C. depressus Riek and C. wasselli Riek, although only partially consistent with the accepted geographic distributions of these species, is otherwise similar to the most recent taxonomic treatment. The major taxonomic changes supported by this study involve the delineation of C. cairnsensis Riek, C. cuspidatus Riek, C. destructor Clark and C. quadricarinatus (von Martens). Cherax cairnsensis, which could not be distinguished from the putative C. gladstonensis Riek and, in paa, C. wasselli and C. depressus, is an electrophoretically variable species with an extensive distribution along most of the east coast of Queensland from just north of Calms to just north of Brisbane. The species C. cuspidatus and C. neopunctatus Riek could not be clearly separated from one another and so support a more broadly defined C. cuspidatus. The four species that make up the 'C. destructor' complex (C. albidus Clark, C. davisi Clark, C. destructor Clark and C. esculus Riek) and C. rotundus Clark appear to be part of a single, morphologically variable, species, C. destructor. The redefinition of the northern Australian species C. quadricarinatus to include C. bicarinatus (Gray) from the north-west and C. albertisii (Nobili) from New Guinea is also supported on the basis of both electrophoretic and morphological data. Two species, C. punctatus and C. robustus Riek are more tentatively recognised solely on the basis of morphological evidence.

Fertiliser N and P applications on two Vertosols in north-eastern Australia. 1. Comparative grain yield responses for two different cultivation ages

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Lester ◽  
Colin J. Birch ◽  
Chris W. Dowling
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Average Yield ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Winter Cereals ◽  
Eastern Australia

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the 2 most limiting nutrients for grain production within the northern grains region of Australia. The response to fertiliser N and P inputs is influenced partly by the age of cultivation for cropping, following a land use change from native pasture. There are few studies that have assessed the effects of both N and P fertiliser inputs on grain yield and soil fertility in the long term on soils with contrasting ages of cultivation with fertility levels that are running down v. those already at the new equilibrium. Two long-term N × P experiments were established in the northern grains region: one in 1985 on an old (>40 years) cultivation soil on the Darling Downs, Qld; the second in 1996 on relatively new (10 years) cultivation on the north-west plains of NSW. Both experiments consisted of fertiliser N rates from nil to 120 kg N/ha.crop in factorial combination with fertiliser P from nil to 20 kg P/ha.crop. Opportunity cropping is practiced at both sites, with winter and summer cereals and legumes sown. On the old cultivation soil, fertiliser N responses were large and consistent for short-fallow crops, while long fallowing reduced the size and frequency of N response. Short-fallow sorghum in particular has responded up to the highest rate of fertiliser N (120 kg N/ha.crop). Average yield increase with fertiliser N compared with nil for 5 short-fallow sorghum crops was 1440, 2650, and 3010 kg/ha for the 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha, respectively. Average agronomic efficiency of N for these crops was 36, 33, and 25 kg grain/kg fertiliser N applied. This contrasts with relatively new cultivation soil, where fertiliser N response was generally limited to the first 30 kg N/ha applied during periods of high cropping intensity. Response to P input was consistent for crop species, VAM sensitivity, and starting soil test P level. At both the old and new cultivation sites, generally all winter cereals responded to a 10 kg P/ha application, and more than half of long-fallow sorghum crops from both sites had increased grain yield with P application. At the old cultivation site, average yield gain for 10 kg P/ha.crop treatment was 480 kg/ha for all winter cereal sowings, and 180 kg/ha for long-fallow sorghum. Short-fallow sorghum did not show yield response to P treatment.

scholarly journals Molecular and morphological evidence for short range endemism in the Kinnecaris solitaria complex (Copepoda: Parastenocarididae), with descriptions of seven new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3026 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
TOMISLAV KARANOVIC ◽  
STEVEN J.B. COOPER
Keyword(s):  
Short Range ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Α Diversity ◽  
Variable Species ◽  
High Bootstrap ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
Very High

Recent investigation of one of the larger calcretes in the uppermost reaches of the Carey palaeochannel in the Yilgarn region of Western Australia revealed an unprecedented diversity of copepod crustaceans. Twenty-two different species and subspecies, from six copepod families, represent 70% of the previously recorded copepod α-diversity in the whole region, although the area investigated is less than 3% of its surface. The aims of this study were to explore the diversity of the harpacticoid genus Kinnecaris Jakobi, 1972 using both molecular and morphological methods, establish precise species boundaries, find their accurate area of distribution, reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, and explore colonisation pathways. To achieve this we sampled very intensively in the area, as well as in two neighbouring palaeochannels, analysing more than 700 samples from 230 different localities, half of which contained copepods. Seven species are described here as new, five of them from the Yeelirrie palaeochannel (K. esbe sp. nov., K. lined sp. nov., K. linel sp. nov., K. linesae sp. nov., and K. uranusi sp. nov.) and one each from two neighbouring palaeochannels (K. barrambie sp. nov. and K. lakewayi sp. nov.). Parastenocaris jane Karanovic, 2006 from the Pilbara region, along with a newly described third Australian parastenocaridid genus from the Yilgarn, were used as outgroups in our molecular analysis. The COI fragment was successfully PCR-amplified from 12 parastenocaridid specimens using a nested combination of primers. All analyses supported the presence of at least seven genetically divergent lineages, most supported with very high bootstrap values. Three genera formed three separate clades, and the average pairwise distances between Kinnecaris morpho-taxa were found to be very high (8.2-16.8 %), while the highest divergences within morpho-taxa were 0.3%. Some conflict between molecular phylogenies and morphological data was observed when it came to recognizing different groups of species. While morphology indicates that K. esbe, K. linel, and K. uranusi represent a group of very closely related species, supported by a number of synapomorphies, molecular analyses suggest that K. linel and K. uranusi are only remotely related. We argue in favor of morphological data, until more markers can be studied to try to resolve these differences. In Yeelirrie, morphological evidence would suggest a downstream colonisation history in the genus Kinnecaris, where the most plesiomorphic form (K. linesae) lives in the uppermost reaches of the palaeochannel, and the trend in the caudal rami elongation and denser somite ornamentation is obvious downstream the palaeochannel (K. uranusi, K. linel, and then K. esbe), with the only exception being K. lined, which probably represents an independent colonisation event. Parastenocarids are copepods of freshwater origin, and we argure that they can probably disperse downstream during periods of increased rainfall, evolving into separate species in isolated calcrete pockets during periods of increased aridity. Although some of the questions remained unanswered in this study, detailed morphological and molecular observations indicate that we are not dealing with one widely distributed and variable species in the Yilgarn region, but rather with a complex of short range endemics. Areas of distribution for different species range from 30 km to less than 5 km in diameter. Very strong seasonal dynamics in this subterranean community was observed, and this is a novel concept for these ecosystems globally. A key to nine Australian species of Kinnecaris is also included.

Transfer of two South American ant species from Tapinoma Foerster 1850 to Forelius Emery 1888 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dolichoderinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4920 (3) ◽  
pp. 428-438
Author(s):  
ROBERTO J. GUERRER
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
South American ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

Some species of the ant genus Forelius can be misclassified as the genus Tapinoma due to the convergent reduction of the petiolar scale. I review the taxonomic status of Tapinoma antarcticum Forel 1904 and Tapinoma heyeri Forel 1902. Morphological evidence supports the transfer of these names to the ant genus Forelius. Proposed taxonomic changes are as follows: Forelius antarcticus (Forel) comb. nov. (=Forelius fazi (Santschi 1923) comb. nov., =Forelius eidmanni Goetsch 1933 comb. rev.); Forelius heyeri (Forel) comb. nov. (=Forelius heyeri risii (Forel 1912) comb. and syn. nov., =Forelius pusillus (Santschi 1922) syn. nov., =Forelius tucumanus (Kusnezov 1953) syn. nov.). Lectotypes for Forelius antarcticus and Forelius heyeri are designated. The worker of Forelius heyeri, as well as the worker and queen of Forelius antarcticus are diagnosed and redescribed. Multifocus images for lectotype workers are provided. Morphological variation within and between species of Forelius with rounded spiracles is discussed. 

The Liroria ewingi complex (Anura : Hylida) in south-eastern Australia II. Genetic incompatibility and delimitation of a narrow hybrid zone between L. ewingi and L. paraewingi

1972 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
GF Watson
Keyword(s):  
Backcross Progeny ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
The South ◽  
Genetic Incompatibility ◽  
Developmental Abnormalities ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Central ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Consequent Reduction

Most hybrid embryos resulting from artificial crosses between females of Litoria ewingi and males of L. paraewingi are characterized by specific developmental abnormalities-acephaly and anophthalmia. This criterion was used to map the area of interaction between these morphologically similar species in south central Victoria by crossing males from different localities to females of L. ewingi. Three categories of males were recognized on the basis of the proportion of anophthalmic embryos in their offspring: L. ewingi, L. paraewingi, and putative hybrids or backcross progeny. Frequencies of developmental abnormalities in field-collected egg masses were also determined and related to the laboratory crosses. The results of these analyses revealed that the species form a narrow zone of interaction, with males of both species being present throughout the zone, as well as presumed hybrids and backcross progeny. The zone of overlap has been plotted from near Narbethong in the south-east to north of Seymour in the north-west (c. 100 km). Its width varies from less than 5 km in the south-east, where it appears to be correlated with a forest-grassland ecotone, to about 11 km near its northwestern limit, where a sharp vegetational gradient is absent. The presumed antiquity of the contact, and the narrowness of the zone, suggest a stable situation. It is postulated that any selection towards reinforcement of premating isolating mechanisms within the zone, and consequent reduction of hybridization, is counteracted by a continual input of naive individuals from adjacent allopatry.

Molecular and morphological evidence for and against gene flow in sympatric apomicts of the North American Crepis agamic complex (Asteraceae)This paper is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Systematics Research.

Botany ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (8) ◽  
pp. 877-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannette Whitton ◽  
Katrina M. Dlugosch ◽  
Christopher J. Sears
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
North American ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
The North

The study of sympatric populations of closely related plant species often reveals evidence of hybridization. Mechanisms that reduce outcrossing (e.g., selfing, apomixis) may allow co-occurrence without gene flow. In this study, we describe patterns of genetic variation in two contact zones, each comprising three closely related morphological types, that key to three distinct species in the North American Crepis agamic (apomictic) complex. We used RAPD markers to characterize individuals from two sites: one in northern California (Sardine Lookout) and another in northwestern Oregon (Summit Road). At Sardine Lookout, we discerned a total of four multilocus genotypes, two in one species, and one each in the other two species. Our findings suggest that distinct morphological types are maintained by absolute barriers to gene flow at this site. At Summit Road, we found greater genotypic diversity, with a total of 24 genotypes across 30 individuals. One of the morphological types was clearly genetically differentiated from the other two, with no variable markers shared with other species at this site. The two remaining species showed evidence of gene flow, with no unique markers discerning them. Morphological data tend to support this conclusion, with univariate and multivariate analyses indicating a pattern of variation spanning the two species. Taken together, these patterns suggest that contact zones need not represent hybrid zones, and that apomixis can serve as an effective barrier to gene flow that may allow for stable coexistence of close relatives.

Phylogenetic placement of a new hoplonemertean species commensal on ascidians

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Junoy ◽  
Sónia C. S. Andrade ◽  
Gonzalo Giribet
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Mediterranean Species ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Sea Squirt

The hoplonemertean Vieitezia luzmurubeae, gen. et sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in a national park on the north-west Iberian Peninsula, the Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia. The species, previously mistaken as the Mediterranean species Tetrastemma vittigerum (Bürger, 1904), is frequently associated with two common species of sea squirt, Phallusia mamillata (Cuvier, 1815) and Ciona intestinalis (Linnaeus, 1767), inside which the nemertean completes its life cycle. Some of the specimens examined were protandrous hermaphrodites. Data on morphology and anatomy are provided with illustrations. Sequences of the nuclear ribosomal gene 18S rRNA and the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I were compared with those of other hoplonemertean species and all phylogenetic analyses suggested that Vieitezia is sister to the genus Gononemertes, which parasitises ascidians, within a clade also containing the genera Oerstedia and Nemertellina. In contrast, the morphologically similar genus Tetrastemma appears in a separate clade. This study stresses the need for combining molecular and morphological data when studying nemertean biodiversity.

Phytogeography of Acacia in Australia in Relation to Climate and Species-Richness

1988 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 361
Author(s):  
RJ Hnatiuk ◽  
BR Maslin
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Function Analysis ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Geographic Patterns ◽  
South West ◽  
Eastern Australia

This paper reports on the kinds of geographic patterns encountered in the distribution of Australian species of Acacia and on some climatic correlates of these patterns. The analyses were based on distribution data of 837 species mapped on a 1° x 1.5° grid. The area of highest density of species was the south-west corner of the continent, especially adjacent to the major boundary separating the Arid Zone from the more humid South West Botanical Province. The second major centre of richness occurred in eastern Australia south of the Tropic of Capricorn along the topographically heterogeneous Great Dividing Range. Secondary centres of species-richness occurred in northern and north-eastern Australia, a number of rocky tablelands of the Arid Zone and in western Victoria. The principal species-poor areas were located in sandy and some riverine areas of the Arid Zone, in temperate forests of Tasmania and in coastal areas of the north of the continent. The geographic patterns of each section of Acacia, when combined with those of species density, highlighted the tropical (section Juliflorae) v. temperate areas (sections Phyllodineae, Pulchellae, Botrycephalae and Alatae). The numerical classification of grids resulted in the recognition of eight major Acacia areas, arranged under four Acacia regions: (1) South-west; (2) Eastern, comprising a southern and a northern area; (3) Northern, comprising an eastern and a western area; (4) Central, comprising a south-east, a central and a north-west area. A discriminant function analysis indicated that precipitation was more important than temperature in distinguishing between areas. Discussion of the potential evolutionary significance of these findings and brief comparison with other biogeographic studies are given.

Persistence of winter-active phalaris breeding populations, cultivars and other temperate grasses in diverse environments of south-eastern Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 136 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Culvenor ◽  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
K. F. M. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
North West ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
The North ◽  
Genotype Environment Interaction ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Three winter-active populations of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), selected over two generations for improved persistence under grazing, were evaluated with commercial cultivars of phalaris and other temperate perennial grasses from 1999–2003 in three environments of south-eastern Australia as part of a program to develop a cultivar for more sustainable pastures and to assess genotype × environment interaction. Grazed sites were located at Bulart in western Victoria, and Rye Park on the Southern Tablelands and Tamworth on the North West Slopes of New South Wales. At the conclusion of the experiment, the frequency of live plant base was highest at Rye Park despite soil acidity and drought. Significant variance among half-sib families in each population was also observed most frequently at this site. Frequency was intermediate at Bulart but lower than expected considering high soil fertility, probably because of high grazing pressure. Frequency was lowest at Tamworth where severe drought occurred from 2001 onwards. There was significant genotype × environment interaction for frequency among half-sib families. Significant common family variance for frequency across the Bulart and Rye Park sites was demonstrated, but not between Tamworth and either of the other sites in later years. The relationship between winter herbage mass potential and persistence differed with population and site, and was negative for one population at Bulart but positive for another population at Tamworth. Mean persistence of all families was 30% higher than winter-active controls at Rye Park and at least 40% higher at Bulart. Phalaris generally persisted better than cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) with some exceptions, particularly at Bulart. Development of a winter-active phalaris cultivar with improved persistence under grazing was considered possible for the Southern Tablelands and western Victorian environments with these populations but a separate program using additional germplasm will be needed for the North West Slopes environment.

2008 Exploration review

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Jenny Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Growth Trend ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
First Time ◽  
Conventional Oil ◽  
Made In

The year 2008 saw a global financial crisis and a collapse in the price of oil from its earlier highs in the latter part of the year. Not surprisingly, there was an overall decline in exploration activity for conventional oil and gas, although this consisted of a substantial fall in onshore activity partially offset by a modest increase in offshore activity. Activity in the coal seam gas (CSG) sector, on the other hand, continued the rapid growth trend that has been evident in the preceding 2 – 3 years. This sector can now be regarded as having ‘come of age’, and is reported for the first time in this review. Discoveries of conventional oil and gas were concentrated on the North West Shelf and in the Cooper/Eromanga basins, consistent with previous trends. Success rates were highest in the Browse, Bonaparte, Carnarvon and Cooper/ Eromanga basins. A total of 27 discoveries were recorded. In the CSG arena, reserve additions of almost 9,000 PJ were made in Eastern Australia during 2008, primarily in the Surat and Bowen basins. These reserve additions are expected to underpin the development of an LNG export industry in Queensland. Offshore licencing activity was down on 2007, with the Bonaparte and Browse basins having most new permits awarded. There was a resurgence of interest in onshore Queensland and NSW acreage for CSG exploration. Despite the drilling of a number of wildcat wells in frontier basins including the Murray, Darling, Sorrell, Canning and Pedirka, regrettably none was successful.

Another stripe on the tiger makes no difference? Unexpected diversity in the widespread tiger tarantula Davus pentaloris (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela T Candia-Ramírez ◽  
Oscar F Francke
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Variable Number ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Different Sources

Abstract Integrative taxonomy is relevant for the discovery and delimitation of cryptic species by incorporating different sources of evidence to construct rigorous species hypotheses. The genus Davus was recently revised and it was found that Davus pentaloris presents high morphological variation across its widespread distribution. However, tarantulas usually present low dispersal capabilities that occasionally result in local endemism. In order to evaluate species boundaries within this taxon, we examine the morphological variation and, additionally, employ four strategies based on mtDNA data (COI): two distance-based [automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and Neighbor-Joining (NJ)] and two tree-based methods [general mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) and Bayesian Poisson tree process (bPTP)]. Available morphological evidence recovers 13 putative morphospecies, but the different methods based on molecular data recover a variable number of candidate species (16–18). Based on the congruence across all analyses and the available morphological data, we recognize 13 clearly diagnosable species, 12 of them new to science. We conclude that the underestimation of the diversity in D. pentaloris was mainly caused by deficient practices in taxonomy, rather than by the presence of cryptic diversity. Although COI is a functional barcoding marker and it gives reliable results in our study, we recommend combining multiple sources of evidence and strategies to construct better species delimitation hypotheses.

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