scholarly journals Bayesian Inference of Divergence Times and Feeding Evolution in Grey Mullets (Mugilidae)

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Santini ◽  
Michael R. May ◽  
Giorgio Carnevale ◽  
Brian R. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Feeding Preference ◽  
Trophic Index ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Near Shore ◽  
Grey Mullets

Grey mullets (Mugilidae, Ovalentariae) are coastal fishes found in near-shore environments of tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions within marine, brackish, and freshwater habitats throughout the world. This group is noteworthy both for the highly conserved morphology of its members---which complicates species identification and delimitation---and also for the uncommon herbivorous or detritivorous diet of most mullets. In this study, we first attempt to identify the number of mullet species, and then---for the resulting species---estimate a densely sampled time-calibrated phylogeny using three mitochondrial gene regions and three fossil calibrations. Our results identify two major subgroups of mullets that diverged in the Paleocene/Early Eocene, followed by an Eocene/Oligocene radiation across both tropical and subtropical habitats. We use this phylogeny to explore the evolution of feeding preference in mullets, which indicates multiple independent origins of both herbivorous and detritivorous diets within this group. We also explore correlations between feeding preference and other variables, including body size, habitat (marine, brackish, or freshwater), and geographic distribution (tropical, subtropical, or temperate). Our analyses reveal: (1) a positive correlation between trophic index and habitat (with herbivorous and/or detritivorous species predominantly occurring in marine habitats); (2) a negative correlation between trophic index and geographic distribution (with herbivorous species occurring predominantly in subtropical and temperate regions), and; (3) a negative correlation between body size and geographic distribution (with larger species occurring predominantly in subtropical and temperate regions).

scholarly journals Habitat Protection Indexes - new monitoring measures for the conservation of coastal and marine habitats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy A Kumagai ◽  
Fabio Favoretto ◽  
Sara Pruckner ◽  
Alex David Rogers ◽  
Lauren V Weatherdon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Habitat Protection ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Do So

A worldwide call to implement habitat protection aims to halt biodiversity loss. To monitor the extent of coastal and marine habitats within protected areas (PAs) in a standardized, open source, and reproducible way, we constructed the Local and the Global Habitat Protection Indexes (LHPI and GHPI, respectively). The LHPI pinpoints the jurisdictions with the greatest opportunity to expand their own PAs, while the GHPI showcases which jurisdictions contribute the most in area to the protection of these habitats globally. Jurisdictions were evaluated to understand which have the highest opportunity to contribute globally to the protection of habitats by meeting a target of 30% coverage of PAs with Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) having the greatest opportunity to do so. While we focus on marine and coastal habitats, our workflow can be extended to terrestrial and freshwater habitats. These indexes are useful to monitor aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the emerging post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, to understand the current status of international cooperation on coastal and marine habitats conservation.

Range extension of the Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) for the Trans-Himalayan Region with an altitude record for monitor lizards

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-340
Author(s):  
ASHUTOSH SINGH ◽  
BHUPINDER SINGH RANA ◽  
MUKESH THAKUR ◽  
BASUDEV TRIPATHY ◽  
LALIT KUMAR SHARMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Distinct Pattern ◽  
Wildlife Protection ◽  
Western Asia ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Desert Areas ◽  
Monitor Lizards

The Bengal monitor lizard or Common Indian monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis Daudin, 1802) is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN and listed under the Schedule-I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Further, the trade of the species is prohibited as the species is listed in Appendix I of CITES. It is widely distributed over Western Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia (Koch et al. 2013). It is reported to occupy both terrestrial as well as freshwater habitats from desert areas to floodplains, scrubland to forests, in different types of terrains at elevations below 1500m (Auffenberg 1994; Papenfuss et al. 2010). Body size of individuals varies from 61 to 175 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail (Auffenberg 1994; Losos and Greene, 1998). Adults are generally grey or greenish-grey in color, with a ventral pattern of grey to black crossbars from the chin to the tail. Adult individuals are less contrasting and have a less distinct pattern than younger individuals. The species shows a sexual dimorphism, with males being heavier (around 7.18 to 10 kg) than females which are about 40% smaller in size (Papenfuss et al. 2010). 

New and little-known marine species of Pinaciophora, Rabdiaster and Thomseniophora gen. nov. (Rotosphaerida: Pompholyxophryidae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 1211-1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth H. Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Ocean ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Haida Gwaii ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Queen Charlotte Islands ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Near Shore ◽  
One New Species

Near-shore benthic sediment samples collected at low tide from the western Atlantic Ocean (Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada) and the eastern Pacific Ocean (Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), British Columbia, Canada) were searched for little-known species of the rhizarian (Cercozoa) genera Pinaciophora, Rabdiaster and other related rotosphaerids. Several representatives with complete investitures of silica-scales (the structure of which is taxonomically diagnostic) were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The validity of the genus Pinaciophora (sensu Penard, 1904) as defined by a single type of plate-scale only, was strengthened by the discovery of Pinaciophora rubicunda and of another previously undescribed entity, both of which lacked spine-scales. Several earlier reports of loose scales from marine habitats, and erroneously identified as the freshwater P. fluviatilis, might be assigned to P. marina sp. nov. The new genus Thomseniophora was erected to include all ‘Pinaciophora' previously known to produce spine-scales and seven new taxa were described. Six other little-known species of Thomseniophora, Pinaciophora and Rabdiaster were described from the Canadian west coast (Pacific Ocean) including one new species of Pinaciophora. The addition of Thomseniophora brings the number of genera assigned to the Rotosphaerida to six: Pinaciophora, Thomseniophora, Rabdiaster, Rabdiophrys and Pompholyxophrys. The presence of several apparently closely related taxa in the same collection (same location and sampling date) strengthens the conclusion that relatively small differences in the morphology of their siliceous scales were more likely caused by genetic differences than by environmental influences.

Titanosaurs and the origin of “wide-gauge” trackways: a biomechanical and systematic perspective on sauropod locomotion

Paleobiology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 252-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Wilson ◽  
Matthew T. Carrano
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Locomotor Behavior ◽  
Skeletal Morphology ◽  
Bipedal Stance ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Integrate Data

AbstractTwo major ichnotypes of sauropod trackways have been described: “narrow-gauge,” in which both manus and pes prints approach or intersect the trackway midline, and “wide-gauge,” in which these prints are well apart from the midline. This gauge disparity could be the result of differences in behavior, body size, or morphology between the respective trackmakers. However, the biomechanics of locomotion in large terrestrial vertebrates suggest that sauropods were probably restricted in locomotor behavior, and the lack of systematic size differences between footprint gauges argues against body-size-related influences. We argue that skeletal morphology is responsible for gauge differences and integrate data from locomotor biomechanics and systematics with the track record to predict the hindlimb morphology of wide-gauge trackmakers. Broader foot stances in large, graviportal animals entail predictable mechanical consequences and hindlimb modifications. These could include outwardly angled femora, offset knee condyles, and a more eccentric femoral midshaft cross-section. A survey of sauropod hindlimb morphology reveals that these features are synapomorphies of titanosaurs, suggesting that they were the makers of wide-gauge trackways. The temporal and geographic distribution of titanosaurs is consistent with this hypothesis because wide-gauge trackways predominate during the Cretaceous and are found worldwide. Additional appendicular synapomorphies of titanosaurs are interpreted in light of identifying these animals as wide-gauge trackmakers. We suggest that titanosaurs may have used a bipedal stance more frequently than did other sauropods. These correlations between ichnology, biomechanics, and systematics imply that titanosaurs were unique among sauropods in having a more varied repertoire of locomotor habits.

A new species of the Pristimantis orestes group (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the high Andes of Ecuador, Reserva Mazar

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3616 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUAN M. GUAYASAMIN ◽  
ALEJANDRO F. ARTEAGA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Molecular Phylogeny ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Dominant Frequency ◽  
Small Body Size ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
A New Species

We describe a new Pristimantis from La Libertad and Rumiloma, Reserva Mazar, Andes of Southeastern Ecuador, at elevations between 2895–3415 m. This species is assigned to the P. orestes group, from whose members it differs by its small body size (adult males ≤ 18.1 mm; adult females ≤ 23.7 mm), usually reticulated ventral pattern, and visible tympanum. The vocalization of the new species consists of a series of calls; each call is composed by a pulsed, non-modulated note in frequency, and with a dominant frequency of 3122–3171 Hz. A molecular phylogeny based on a fragment of the mitochondrial gene 12S shows that the new species is sister to Pristimantis simonbolivari.

scholarly journals Large male proboscis monkeys have larger noses but smaller canines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikki Matsuda ◽  
Danica J. Stark ◽  
Diana A. Ramirez Saldivar ◽  
Augustine Tuuga ◽  
Senthilvel K. S. S. Nathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Large Male ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Male Trait ◽  
Ecological Cost ◽  
Canine Size ◽  
Proboscis Monkeys

AbstractThe uniquely enlarged noses of male proboscis monkeys are prominent adornments, and a sexually selected male trait. A recent study showed significant correlations among nose, body, and testis sizes and clear associations between nose size and the number of females in a male’s harem. However, to date, the analyses of other common male traits, i.e., canines, are lacking. Whereas male nose size had a positive correlation with body size, we unexpectedly found a negative correlation between body and canine sizes. We explain this by an interaction between sexual and natural selection. Larger noses in males may interfere with the use of canines, thereby reducing their effectiveness as weapons. Additionally, longer canines are opposed by natural selection because the larger gape it imposes upon its bearer reduces foraging efficiency, particularly in folivores. This unique case of decoupling of body and canine size reveals that large canines carry an ecological cost.

scholarly journals Checklists of Species of Ancylodiscoidid and Ancyrocephalid Monogeneans from Fishes of Iraq

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 45-62
Author(s):  
Furhan T. Mhaisen ◽  
Kefah N. Abdul-Ameer
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Fish Host ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
The Family ◽  
Freshwater Habitats

Surveying 59 references concerning the occurrence of the monogeneans of the families Ancylodiscoididae and Ancyrocephalidae parasitizing fishes of Iraq showed the occurrence of 11 taxa of the family Ancylodiscoididae (genera Ancylodiscoides, Bychowskyella, Chauhanellus, Hamatopeduncularia and Thaparocleidus) and 19 taxa of the family Ancyrocephalidae (genera Ancyrocephalus, Cichlidogyrus, Cleidodiscus, Haliotrema, Ligophorus and Mastacembelocleidus). These monogeneans were reported from 19 valid fish host species in Iraq. Apart from five parasite species which were recorded from marine habitats (Ancyrocephalus sp., Chauhanellus australis, Haliotrema mugilis, Hamatopeduncularia sp. and Ligophorus mugilinus), the remaining parasite species were recorded from freshwater habitats. Among the infected fishes with these parasites, the Tigris catfish Silurus triostegus was infected with the highest number of parasite species (11 species), the mugilid fishes (Planiliza abu and P. subviridis) were infected with eight and seven parasite species, respectively, while 11 fish species were infected with only one parasite species each. Among the parasite species, Thaparocleidus vistulensis was reported from nine fish host species, while 22 parasite species were reported from one host species each. So far, eight synonymous names were applied for seven valid names of parasites of these two families in Iraq.

scholarly journals Marine-freshwater prokaryotic transitions require extensive changes in the proteome

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro J. Cabello-Yeves ◽  
Francisco Rodriguez-Valera
Keyword(s):  
Core Genome ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Microbial Genomes ◽  
Bacterial Phyla ◽  
The Core ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Flexible Genome ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Protein Location ◽  
Marine Salt

AbstractThe comparison of microbial genomes found in either freshwater or marine habitats indicated that in some cases (SynechococcusandCa. Pelagibacter) there were notable differences in the global isoelectric point (pI) of proteins. We have analysed global metagenomic proteomes and have added more prokaryotes to extend the pI comparison. Without exception, in a set that included archaea and multiple bacterial phyla, the proteome pI distribution varied, with more acidic values in marine and neutral/basic in freshwater microbes. Four pairs of highly related prokaryotes of marine and freshwater origin revealed marked differences manifested mostly in the residues located at the protein surface. This study has also shown that the magnitude of the change depended on protein location (secreted > cytoplasmic > transmembrane) and affected proteins encoded at both core and flexible genome. Our results point to a very extensive variation taking place in microbes when they move from marine (salt-rich) to freshwater habitats. These adaptations would require long evolutionary times to produce changes involving many genes in the core genome. They also point to significant differences in the physiology, probably at the level of membrane functioning, bioenergetics, intracellular ion concentration and pH (or all of them).

Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 810 new records

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4588 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
RONALD FRICKE ◽  
GERALD R. ALLEN ◽  
DIETMAR AMON ◽  
SERGE ANDRÉFOUËT ◽  
WEI-JEN CHEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Records ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Western Pacific Ocean ◽  
Transitional Waters ◽  
Estuarine Fishes ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Wide Distribution Range

A checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of New Ireland Province is presented, with special emphasis on Kavieng District, combining both previous and new records. After the recent KAVIENG 2014 expedition, a total of 1325 species in 153 families were recorded from the region. The largest families are the Gobiidae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Serranidae, Apogonidae, Lutjanidae, Chaetodontidae, Blenniidae, Carangidae, Acanthuridae, Scaridae, Holocentridae, Syn-gnathidae, Lethrinidae and Scorpaenidae. A total of 810 fish species (61.1 % of the total marine and estuarine fish fauna) are recorded from New Ireland for the first time.The fish fauna of New Ireland includes 142 species in transitional waters and 1264 species in marine habitats, and 54 species species in freshwater habitats. Zoogeographically, 1179 species have a wide distribution range, most frequently a broad Indo-West Pacific distribution. Among the remaining species, just 12 are endemic to New Ireland. 

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