scholarly journals Molecular approaches uncover cryptic diversity in intertidalLigiaisopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Ligiidae) across the southern Africa coastline

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor M. Greenan ◽  
Charles L. Griffiths ◽  
Carlos A. Santamaria
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The World ◽  
Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers

Recent phylogeographic studies along the coastline of southern Africa have uncovered cryptic diversity in several coastal invertebrates, including direct developing crustaceans in the superorder Peracarida. These findings indicating the possible existence of additional cryptic diversity in other yet to be studied peracarids, particularly those known to harbor said cryptic diversity in other regions of the world. Isopods in the genusLigiaare one such taxon. They inhabit patchy rocky beaches, are direct developers, avoid the open water, and exhibit other biological traits that severely constrain their dispersal potential (e.g., poor desiccation resistance). These traits are thought to have led to long-term isolation of populations, and allopatric diversification inLigiaspecies around the world; however,Ligiaspecies in southern Africa, where three endemicLigiaspecies of uncertain validity are known to exist, remain unstudied to date. In this study, we used mitochondrial and nuclear markers to characterizeLigiacollected in 18 localities from Namibia to the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. We report the presence of cryptic lineages withinLigiaspecies in the region that suggest the need for taxonomic reevaluation of these isopod species.

scholarly journals Phylogeography and cryptic diversity of intertidal Ligia isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Ligiidae) across the southern Africa coastline

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor M Greenan ◽  
Charles L Griffiths ◽  
Carlos A Santamaria
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Biogeographic Provinces ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Biogeographic Regions

The extensive coastlines of South Africa and Namibia extends from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean and encompass several major biogeographic provinces, each characterized by unique faunal and floral assemblages. Recent biogeographic studies have led to competing biogeographic models of the southern African coastline. This has stimulated phylogeographic work to determine whether the distribution of genetic diversity within coastal invertebrate species match the proposed biogeographic regions. The lack of congruence between studies and the discovery of cryptic diversity indicating the possible existence of cryptic species in coastal isopods in the region underscore the need for additional phylogeographic research in southern Africa, particularly for organisms that have been shown to both harbor cryptic diversity and to retain signatures of past geological and oceanographic processes in their phylogeographic patterns. Isopods in the genus Ligia exhibit several biological traits that suggest they may be informative on phylogeographic patterns. They inhabit patchy rocky beaches, are direct developers, avoid the open water, and exhibit several biological traits that severely constrain their dispersal potential (e.g. poor desiccation resistance). These traits are thought to lead to long term isolation of populations, the retention of geological and oceanographic signatures in phylogeographic patterns of Ligia, and the presence of cryptic lineages. In this study, we used mitochondrial and nuclear markers to characterize Ligia collected in 18 localities across Namibia to the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. We report the presence of cryptic lineages within Ligia species in the region, as well as distributional patterns that differ from those reported from other coastal taxa, but that broadly matches a widely used biogeographic model for the region.

scholarly journals Phylogeography and cryptic diversity of intertidal Ligia isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Ligiidae) across the southern Africa coastline

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taylor M Greenan ◽  
Charles L Griffiths ◽  
Carlos A Santamaria
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Biogeographic Provinces ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Biogeographic Regions

The extensive coastlines of South Africa and Namibia extends from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean and encompass several major biogeographic provinces, each characterized by unique faunal and floral assemblages. Recent biogeographic studies have led to competing biogeographic models of the southern African coastline. This has stimulated phylogeographic work to determine whether the distribution of genetic diversity within coastal invertebrate species match the proposed biogeographic regions. The lack of congruence between studies and the discovery of cryptic diversity indicating the possible existence of cryptic species in coastal isopods in the region underscore the need for additional phylogeographic research in southern Africa, particularly for organisms that have been shown to both harbor cryptic diversity and to retain signatures of past geological and oceanographic processes in their phylogeographic patterns. Isopods in the genus Ligia exhibit several biological traits that suggest they may be informative on phylogeographic patterns. They inhabit patchy rocky beaches, are direct developers, avoid the open water, and exhibit several biological traits that severely constrain their dispersal potential (e.g. poor desiccation resistance). These traits are thought to lead to long term isolation of populations, the retention of geological and oceanographic signatures in phylogeographic patterns of Ligia, and the presence of cryptic lineages. In this study, we used mitochondrial and nuclear markers to characterize Ligia collected in 18 localities across Namibia to the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. We report the presence of cryptic lineages within Ligia species in the region, as well as distributional patterns that differ from those reported from other coastal taxa, but that broadly matches a widely used biogeographic model for the region.

Uncovering cryptic diversity in Aspidomorphus (Serpentes: Elapidae): Evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear markers

2010 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve A. Metzger ◽  
Fred Kraus ◽  
Allen Allison ◽  
Christopher L. Parkinson
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers

SYSTEMATICS AND ENTOMOLOGY: SOME MAJOR THEMES

1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (S165) ◽  
pp. 257-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.V. Danks ◽  
George E. Ball
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Educational Facilities ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
Terrestrial Arthropods ◽  
The World ◽  
Ecological Roles

AbstractSystematics allows the extraordinary diversity of biological systems to be understood, and information about organisms to be organized and made accessible. Key patterns that help to interpret natural processes can be summarized, and biological traits predicted, by determining the relationships of natural taxa. Ecological roles are made visible and existing knowledge is made accessible only through specific names. Most organismic diversity is represented by terrestrial arthropods, but knowledge is very incomplete. Even for species found in Canada, half have not been described and the immature stages of most are unknown.Systematics supports entomology and underpins studies of biology in many different ways. From these roles, understanding is gained about diversity and evolution, distributions and biogeographically significant regions of the country, adaptations as related especially to species interactions and metamorphosis, and the application of systematics information. In addition, the values of basic systematic work, modern techniques, and long-term coordinated efforts in studying the fauna are emphasized.A coordinated study of diversity by systematists in conjunction with ecologists and others is required. Such a coordinated approach is timely given recent recognition that the world depends on self-sustaining but increasingly threatened biological systems. Diverse organisms maintain those systems but can be distinguished only through systematics. Adequate long-term support — for systematics positions, research collections, activities that include the preparation of basic works such as monographs, and educational facilities — is required to underpin the systematics component of such a coordinated study.

scholarly journals Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of Seychellois Ligia isopods

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A Santamaria ◽  
Joanna K Bluemel ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Melinda Curran
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Cryptic Biodiversity ◽  
Intertidal Habitats

Ligia isopods are conspicuous inhabitants of rocky intertidal habitats exhibiting several biological traits that severely limit their dispersal potential. Their presence in patchy habitats and low vagility may lead to long term isolation, allopatric isolation and possible cryptic speciation. Indeed, various species of Ligia have been suggested to represent instead cryptic species complexes. Past studies; however, have largely focused in Eastern Pacific and Atlantic species of Ligia, leaving in doubt whether cryptic diversity occurs in other highly biodiverse areas. The Seychelles consists of 115 islands of different ages and geological origins spread across the western Indian Ocean. They are well known for their rich biodiversity with recent reports of cryptic species in terrestrial Seychellois organisms. Despite these studies, it is unclear whether coastal invertebrates from the Seychelles harbor any cryptic diversity. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and isolation within Ligia isopods across the Seychelles archipelago by characterizing individuals from locations across both inner and outer islands of the Seychelles using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We report the presence of highly divergent lineages of independent origin. At Aldabra Atoll, we uncovered a lineage closely related to the Ligia vitiensis cryptic species complex. Within the inner islands of Cousine, Silhouette, and Mahé we detected the presence of two moderately divergent and geographically disjunct lineages most closely related to Ligia dentipes. Our findings suggest that the Seychelles may harbor at least three novel species of Ligia in need of description and that these species may have originated independently.

scholarly journals Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of Seychellois Ligia isopods

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3894 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Santamaria ◽  
Joanna K. Bluemel ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Melinda Curran
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Cryptic Biodiversity ◽  
Intertidal Habitats

Ligia isopods are conspicuous inhabitants of rocky intertidal habitats exhibiting several biological traits that severely limit their dispersal potential. Their presence in patchy habitats and low vagility may lead to long term isolation, allopatric isolation and possible cryptic speciation. Indeed, various species of Ligia have been suggested to represent instead cryptic species complexes. Past studies; however, have largely focused in Eastern Pacific and Atlantic species of Ligia, leaving in doubt whether cryptic diversity occurs in other highly biodiverse areas. The Seychelles consists of 115 islands of different ages and geological origins spread across the western Indian Ocean. They are well known for their rich biodiversity with recent reports of cryptic species in terrestrial Seychellois organisms. Despite these studies, it is unclear whether coastal invertebrates from the Seychelles harbor any cryptic diversity. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and isolation within Ligia isopods across the Seychelles archipelago by characterizing individuals from locations across both inner and outer islands of the Seychelles using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We report the presence of highly divergent lineages of independent origin. At Aldabra Atoll, we uncovered a lineage closely related to the Ligia vitiensis cryptic species complex. Within the inner islands of Cousine, Silhouette, and Mahé we detected the presence of two moderately divergent and geographically disjunct lineages most closely related to Ligia dentipes. Our findings suggest that the Seychelles may harbor at least three novel species of Ligia in need of description and that these species may have originated independently.

scholarly journals Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of Seychellois Ligia isopods

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A Santamaria ◽  
Joanna K Bluemel ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Melinda Curran
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Cryptic Biodiversity ◽  
Intertidal Habitats

Ligia isopods are conspicuous inhabitants of rocky intertidal habitats exhibiting several biological traits that severely limit their dispersal potential. Their presence in patchy habitats and low vagility may lead to long term isolation, allopatric isolation and possible cryptic speciation. Indeed, various species of Ligia have been suggested to represent instead cryptic species complexes. Past studies; however, have largely focused in Eastern Pacific and Atlantic species of Ligia, leaving in doubt whether cryptic diversity occurs in other highly biodiverse areas. The Seychelles consists of 115 islands of different ages and geological origins spread across the western Indian Ocean. They are well known for their rich biodiversity with recent reports of cryptic species in terrestrial Seychellois organisms. Despite these studies, it is unclear whether coastal invertebrates from the Seychelles harbor any cryptic diversity. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and isolation within Ligia isopods across the Seychelles archipelago by characterizing individuals from locations across both inner and outer islands of the Seychelles using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We report the presence of highly divergent lineages of independent origin. At Aldabra Atoll, we uncovered a lineage closely related to the Ligia vitiensis cryptic species complex. Within the inner islands of Cousine, Silhouette, and Mahé we detected the presence of two moderately divergent and geographically disjunct lineages most closely related to Ligia dentipes. Our findings suggest that the Seychelles may harbor at least three novel species of Ligia in need of description and that these species may have originated independently.

scholarly journals SAURAN: A new resource for solar radiometric data in Southern Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Brooks ◽  
Sven Du Clou ◽  
Wikus L. Van Niekerk ◽  
Paul Gauché ◽  
Corli Leonard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Direct Normal Irradiance ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The University ◽  
Radiometric Data

A new resource for sun strength data in Southern Africa has been established with the commissioning of a regional network of solar monitoring stations. The Southern African Universities Radiometric Network (SAURAN) is an initiative of Stellenbosch University and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and consists of an initial set of ten ground stations equipped with secondary standard thermopile radiometers. SAURAN’s aim is to provide a long-term record of sun strength in a region that shows excellent potential for the deployment of solar energy technologies. Instruments measuring direct normal irradiance (DNI), diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) and global horizontal irradiance (GHI) feed time-averaged data over 1-minute, hourly and daily intervals to a central archive from where they are accessible to the public via a website interface. Meteorological data is also provided by most of the stations. This paper gives a brief background to the SAURAN project and describes the network’s operation, coverage and future expansion. Examples of solar energy irradiance plots are also provided to illustrate the information available from the SAURAN database.

Thoughts on the Long-Term Strategy, Science and Democracy

2006 ◽  
pp. 4-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Abalkin
Keyword(s):  
Strategy Development ◽  
Russian Science ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
The World ◽  
World Development ◽  
Crucial Condition

The article covers unified issues of the long-term strategy development, the role of science as well as democracy development in present-day Russia. The problems of budget proficit, the Stabilization Fund issues, implementation of the adopted national projects, an increasing role of regions in strengthening the integrity and prosperity of the country are analyzed. The author reveals that the protection of businessmen and citizens from the all-embracing power of bureaucrats is the crucial condition of democratization of the society. Global trends of the world development and expert functions of the Russian science are presented as well.

Coal's Persistence in the Capitalist World-Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul K. Gellert ◽  
Paul S. Ciccantell
Keyword(s):  
World Economy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Ecological Modernization ◽  
World Systems ◽  
Coal Consumption ◽  
The World ◽  
Capitalist World Economy ◽  
Capitalist World

Predominant analyses of energy offer insufficient theoretical and political-economic insight into the persistence of coal and other fossil fuels. The dominant narrative of coal powering the Industrial Revolution, and Great Britain's world dominance in the nineteenth century giving way to a U.S.- and oil-dominated twentieth century, is marred by teleological assumptions. The key assumption that a complete energy “transition” will occur leads some to conceive of a renewable-energy-dominated twenty-first century led by China. After critiquing the teleological assumptions of modernization, ecological modernization, energetics, and even world-systems analysis of energy “transition,” this paper offers a world-systems perspective on the “raw” materialism of coal. Examining the material characteristics of coal and the unequal structure of the world-economy, the paper uses long-term data from governmental and private sources to reveal the lack of transition as new sources of energy are added. The increases in coal consumption in China and India as they have ascended in the capitalist world-economy have more than offset the leveling-off and decline in some core nations. A true global peak and decline (let alone full substitution) in energy generally and coal specifically has never happened. The future need not repeat the past, but technical, policy, and movement approaches will not get far without addressing the structural imperatives of capitalist growth and the uneven power structures and processes of long-term change of the world-system.

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