scholarly journals Monogenean anchor morphometry: systematic value, phylogenetic signal, and evolution

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung Fei Khang ◽  
Oi Yoon Michelle Soo ◽  
Wooi Boon Tan ◽  
Lee Hong Susan Lim
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
R Package ◽  
Copulatory Organ ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Shape Data ◽  
Shape And Size

Background.Anchors are one of the important attachment appendages for monogenean parasites. Common descent and evolutionary processes have left their mark on anchor morphometry, in the form of patterns of shape and size variation useful for systematic and evolutionary studies. When combined with morphological and molecular data, analysis of anchor morphometry can potentially answer a wide range of biological questions.Materials and Methods.We used data from anchor morphometry, body size and morphology of 13Ligophorus(Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) species infecting two marine mugilid (Teleostei: Mugilidae) fish hosts:Moolgarda buchanani(Bleeker) andLiza subviridis(Valenciennes) from Malaysia. Anchor shape and size data (n= 530) were generated using methods of geometric morphometrics. We used 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and ITS1 sequence data to infer a maximum likelihood phylogeny. We discriminated species using principal component and cluster analysis of shape data. Adams’sKmultwas used to detect phylogenetic signal in anchor shape. Phylogeny-correlated size and shape changes were investigated using continuous character mapping and directional statistics, respectively. We assessed morphological constraints in anchor morphometry using phylogenetic regression of anchor shape against body size and anchor size. Anchor morphological integration was studied using partial least squares method. The association between copulatory organ morphology and anchor shape and size in phylomorphospace was used to test the Rohde-Hobbs hypothesis. We created monogeneaGM, a new R package that integrates analyses of monogenean anchor geometric morphometric data with morphological and phylogenetic data.Results.We discriminated 12 of the 13Ligophorusspecies using anchor shape data. Significant phylogenetic signal was detected in anchor shape. Thus, we discovered new morphological characters based on anchor shaft shape, the length between the inner root point and the outer root point, and the length between the inner root point and the dent point. The species onM. buchananievolved larger, more robust anchors; those onL. subviridisevolved smaller, more delicate anchors. Anchor shape and size were significantly correlated, suggesting constraints in anchor evolution. Tight integration between the root and the point compartments within anchors confirms the anchor as a single, fully integrated module. The correlation between male copulatory organ morphology and size with anchor shape was consistent with predictions from the Rohde-Hobbs hypothesis.Conclusions.Monogenean anchors are tightly integrated structures, and their shape variation correlates strongly with phylogeny, thus underscoring their value for systematic and evolutionary biology studies. Our MonogeneaGM R package provides tools for researchers to mine biological insights from geometric morphometric data of speciose monogenean genera.

scholarly journals Monogenean anchor morphometry: systematic value, phylogenetic signal, and evolution

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung Fei Khang ◽  
Oi Yoon Michelle Soo ◽  
Wooi Boon Tan ◽  
Lee Hong Susan Lim
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Root Tip ◽  
P Value ◽  
Maximum Parsimony Tree ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Shape And Size

Anchors are important attachment appendages that prevent the physical dislodging of a monogenean parasite from fish host gills. Common descent and evolutionary processes have left their mark on anchor morphometry, in the form of patterns of shape and size variation useful for systematic and evolutionary studies. We used a geometric morphometric approach to explore anchor shape variation in 13 Ligophorus (Monogenea:Ancyrocephalidae) species infecting two marine mugilid (Teleostei: Mugilidae) fish hosts (Moolgarda buchanani and Liza subviridis) in the waters off West Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular sequence data from three nuclear markers: 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS1, were used to infer a maximum likelihood phylogeny to enable visualization of shape evolution in phylomorphospace. For inferring patterns of size evolution in the phylogeny, we used a size measure based on the first principal component of all pairwise Euclidean distances between landmarks. Cluster heat map and principal component analysis showed that anchor shape variation had sufficient systematic information for delimiting 12 of the 13 species. Adams' multivariate K test indicated significant correlation between anchor shape and phylogeny (p-value = 0.0001). We also discovered that characters based on anchor shaft shape, the length between inner and outer root tips and the length between inner root tip and the dent point were more phylogenetically informative than inner and outer lengths, as indicated by a maximum parsimony tree that was better resolved and had major clades congruent with those of the molecular phylogenetic tree. Continuous character mapping of size onto the inferred molecular phylogeny and Rayleigh’s test for departure from directional uniformity in each species’s landmark relative to the ancestor indicated that species infecting M. buchanani generally evolved larger and more robust anchors, while those infecting L. subviridis generally evolved smaller and more delicate anchors. Nevertheless, phylogenetic regression of anchor shape against body size and anchor size showed significant correlation (p-value = 0.02) between anchor shape and size, suggesting morphometric constraints in anchor evolution. Finally, morphological integration analysis revealed tight integration between the root and point compartments within anchors, confirming that the anchor functions as a single, fully integrated module. The present work is supported by the development of integrative analytical tools in the form of a new R package – monogeneaGM. By lowering barriers to data integration and analysis , we aim to encourage the scientific community to collect and contribute morphometric and genetic data from other Ligophorus species, which are essential for developing Ligophorus as a model system for understanding association between patterns of anchor shape size evolution and biodiversity in the Monogenea.

scholarly journals Monogenean anchor morphometry: systematic value, phylogenetic signal, and evolution

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung Fei Khang ◽  
Oi Yoon Michelle Soo ◽  
Wooi Boon Tan ◽  
Lee Hong Susan Lim
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Root Tip ◽  
P Value ◽  
Maximum Parsimony Tree ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Shape And Size

Anchors are important attachment appendages that prevent the physical dislodging of a monogenean parasite from fish host gills. Common descent and evolutionary processes have left their mark on anchor morphometry, in the form of patterns of shape and size variation useful for systematic and evolutionary studies. We used a geometric morphometric approach to explore anchor shape variation in 13 Ligophorus (Monogenea:Ancyrocephalidae) species infecting two marine mugilid (Teleostei: Mugilidae) fish hosts (Moolgarda buchanani and Liza subviridis) in the waters off West Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular sequence data from three nuclear markers: 28S rRNA, 18S rRNA and ITS1, were used to infer a maximum likelihood phylogeny to enable visualization of shape evolution in phylomorphospace. For inferring patterns of size evolution in the phylogeny, we used a size measure based on the first principal component of all pairwise Euclidean distances between landmarks. Cluster heat map and principal component analysis showed that anchor shape variation had sufficient systematic information for delimiting 12 of the 13 species. Adams' multivariate K test indicated significant correlation between anchor shape and phylogeny (p-value = 0.0001). We also discovered that characters based on anchor shaft shape, the length between inner and outer root tips and the length between inner root tip and the dent point were more phylogenetically informative than inner and outer lengths, as indicated by a maximum parsimony tree that was better resolved and had major clades congruent with those of the molecular phylogenetic tree. Continuous character mapping of size onto the inferred molecular phylogeny and Rayleigh’s test for departure from directional uniformity in each species’s landmark relative to the ancestor indicated that species infecting M. buchanani generally evolved larger and more robust anchors, while those infecting L. subviridis generally evolved smaller and more delicate anchors. Nevertheless, phylogenetic regression of anchor shape against body size and anchor size showed significant correlation (p-value = 0.02) between anchor shape and size, suggesting morphometric constraints in anchor evolution. Finally, morphological integration analysis revealed tight integration between the root and point compartments within anchors, confirming that the anchor functions as a single, fully integrated module. The present work is supported by the development of integrative analytical tools in the form of a new R package – monogeneaGM. By lowering barriers to data integration and analysis , we aim to encourage the scientific community to collect and contribute morphometric and genetic data from other Ligophorus species, which are essential for developing Ligophorus as a model system for understanding association between patterns of anchor shape size evolution and biodiversity in the Monogenea.

Phylogeny explains better than ecology or body size the variation of the first lower molar in didelphid marsupials

Mammalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luíza Z. Magnus ◽  
Nilton Cáceres
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationship ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Lower Molar ◽  
Better Than

AbstractTribosphenic molars are considered great innovations in mammals and are related to several structures and variables that can explain adaptation. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of body size and habitat relation, using a phylogenetic approach, in the first lower molar shape in didelphid marsupials. Geometric morphometric analyses of the lower molar’s shape were performed on 261 specimens, 130 females and 131 males, covering 14 genera and 37 species of the Didelphidae family. The molar conformation showed a larger talonid in relation to the trigonid in more arboreal genera, and narrower and longer molars in genera with a larger body size. Phylogeny was the variable with the highest explanation for both females and males (16.17% and 9.02%, respectively). The body size was significant in males, presenting an important influence on molar shape, while the body size in females was not significant when phylogenetic relationship was controlled for. In both sexes, habitat presents a strong effect of phylogeny, with no direct effect on molar shape. Didelphid molar shape is another result of its phylogenetic history and does not respond very much to environmental pressures. Male body size influences molar shape in didelphids, even in the presence of a strong phylogenetic signal.

scholarly journals Ceramic Morphological Organisation in the Southern Caddo Area: The Clarence H. Webb Collections

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Z. Selden
Keyword(s):  
Material Culture ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Ceramic Vessel ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
Rigorous Study ◽  
Body Shapes ◽  
Discrete Traits ◽  
Shape And Size

Analyses of ceramic vessel shape are neither new or novel; however, the relatively recent adoption of geometric morphometric (GM) methods by archaeologists provides a preview of the contribution of GM to the systematic and rigorous study of morphology as applied to material culture. This study is focused upon an analysis of Caddo bottle shapes for Belcher Engraved, Hickory Fine Engraved, Keno Trailed, Smithport Plain, and Taylor Engraved vessels from the Allen Plantation, Belcher Mound, Gahagan Mound, and Smithport Landing sites in the Clarence H. Webb collections from northwest Louisiana. Results indicate some significant relationships between bottle shape and size (allometry), bottle shape and type, and bottle shape and site. A test of morphological integration indicates that the bottles are significantly integrated, meaning that those discrete traits used to characterise their shape (rim, neck, body, and base) vary in a coordinated manner. It also highlights significant integration between the rim and base, and significant integration between the neck and body for this sample. The Smithport Plain and Hickory (Fine) Engraved bottles found at the Belcher Mound, Smithport Landing, and Gahagan Mound sites also provide evidence for two discrete (north-south) base and body shapes.

scholarly journals Arothron: An R package for geometric morphometric methods and virtual anthropology applications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Profico Antonio ◽  
Buzi Costantino ◽  
Castiglione Silvia ◽  
Melchionna Marina ◽  
Piras Paolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
R Package ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Morphometric Methods ◽  
Virtual Anthropology

Re-description of the Arctic tardigrade Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007 (Eutardigrada; Macrobiotidea), with the first molecular data for the genus

Zootaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4196 (4) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRZYSZTOF ZAWIERUCHA ◽  
MAŁGORZATA KOLICKA ◽  
ŁUKASZ KACZMAREK
Keyword(s):  
Original Description ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacers ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Svalbard Archipelago ◽  
5.8S Rdna

Tardigrada is phylum of micrometazoans widely distributed throughout the world, because of old descriptions and insufficient morphometric data, many species currently need revision and re-description. Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007) is tardigrade previously only recorded from the Svalbard archipelago. This species’ original description was based on two individuals with destroyed claws on the fourth pair of legs and a lack of complete morphometric data for buccal tube and claws. In this paper, we present a re-description of T. voronkovi, supplementing the original description using the original paratype and additional material from Svalbard: Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. This species is characterised by two macroplacoids and a microplacoid, claws of Tenuibiotus type, dentate lunules under claw IV, and faint granulation on legs I–III and strong granulation on the legs IV. We include a new morphological description with microphotographs, morphometric, and molecular data (including: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), internal transcribed spacers (ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2), and nuclear ribosome subunits 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA). These are the first published molecular data for the genus Tenuibiotus Pilato and Lisi, 2011, analysis of which indicated an affiliation of Tenuibiotus to the family Macrobiotidae. We found no differences in body size between individuals from different islands (Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya), but did observe variability in the eggs. After revision of the literature and the published figures, we concluded that Dastych’s (1985) report of T. willardi (Pilato, 1976) from Svalbard, was actually T. voronkovi, which has the greater distribution in Svalbard, and other Arctic locations, than previously believed. 

Wing morphometry as a tool for correct identification of primary and secondary New World screwworm fly

2009 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Lyra ◽  
L.M. Hatadani ◽  
A.M.L. de Azeredo-Espin ◽  
L.B. Klaczko
Keyword(s):  
Population Variation ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Morphological Marker ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Cochliomyia Macellaria ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Cattle Breeders ◽  
Shape Data

AbstractCochliomyia hominivoraxandCochliomyia macellariaare endemic Neotropical Calliphoridae species. The former causes severe myiasis in hosts while the latter is Sarcosaprophagous, but commonly found as a second invader in wounds. Due to the morphological similarity between them and the potential losses thatC. hominivoraxrepresents for cattle breeders, the rapid and correct identification of these two species is very important. In addition to a correct identification of these species, a good knowledge ofC. hominivoraxbiology can be helpful for designing control programs. We applied geometric morphometric methods to assess wing differences betweenC. hominivoraxandC. macellariaand conduct a preliminary analysis of wing morphological variation inC. hominivoraxpopulations. Canonical variate analysis, using wing shape data, correctly classified 100% of the individuals analyzed according to sex and species. This result demonstrates that wing morphometry is a simple and reliable method for identifyingC. hominivoraxandC. macellariasamples and can be used to monitorC. hominivorax. Both species show sexual dimorphism, but inC. hominivoraxit is magnified. We suggest that this may reflect different histories of selection pressures operating on males and females. Significant differences in wing size and shape were obtained amongC. hominivoraxpopulations, with little correlation with latitude. This result suggests that wing variation is also a good morphological marker for studying population variation inC. hominivorax.

scholarly journals Phylogeny versus body size as determinants of food web structure

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1741) ◽  
pp. 3291-3297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell E. Naisbit ◽  
Rudolf P. Rohr ◽  
Axel G. Rossberg ◽  
Patrik Kehrli ◽  
Louis-Félix Bersier
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Food Web Structure ◽  
Web Architecture ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Using Data

Food webs are the complex networks of trophic interactions that stoke the metabolic fires of life. To understand what structures these interactions in natural communities, ecologists have developed simple models to capture their main architectural features. However, apparently realistic food webs can be generated by models invoking either predator–prey body-size hierarchies or evolutionary constraints as structuring mechanisms. As a result, this approach has not conclusively revealed which factors are the most important. Here we cut to the heart of this debate by directly comparing the influence of phylogeny and body size on food web architecture. Using data from 13 food webs compiled by direct observation, we confirm the importance of both factors. Nevertheless, phylogeny dominates in most networks. Moreover, path analysis reveals that the size-independent direct effect of phylogeny on trophic structure typically outweighs the indirect effect that could be captured by considering body size alone. Furthermore, the phylogenetic signal is asymmetric: closely related species overlap in their set of consumers far more than in their set of resources. This is at odds with several food web models, which take only the view-point of consumers when assigning interactions. The echo of evolutionary history clearly resonates through current food webs, with implications for our theoretical models and conservation priorities.

On the morphospace of eurypterine sea scorpions

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Russell D. C. BICKNELL ◽  
Lisa AMATI
Keyword(s):  
New Taxa ◽  
Compound Eye ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Apex Predators ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Eye Morphology ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Ontogenetic Trajectories ◽  
Landmark Analyses ◽  
Shape Data

ABSTRACT Eurypterids (sea scorpions) are a group of extinct, marine euchelicerates that have an extensive Palaeozoic record. Despite lacking a biomineralised exoskeleton, eurypterids are abundantly preserved within select deposits. These collections make statistical analyses comparing the morphology of different genera possible. However, eurypterid shape has not yet been documented with modern geometric morphometric tools. Here, we summarise the previous statistical assessments of eurypterid morphology and expand this research by presenting landmark and semi-landmark analyses of 115 eurypterid specimens within the suborder Eurypterina. We illustrate that lateral compound eye morphology and position drives specimen placement in morphospace and separates proposed apex predators from more generalist forms. Additionally, evidence for size clusters in Eurypterus that may reflect ontogeny is uncovered. We highlight the use of geometric morphometric analyses in supporting the naming of new taxa and demonstrate that these shape data represent a novel means of understanding inter-generic ontogenetic trajectories and uncovering developmental changes within the diverse euarthropod group.

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