Pollen and stigma morphology of some Phaseoleae species (Leguminosae) with different pollinators

Pollen transport to a receptive stigma can be facilitated through different pollinators, which submits the pollen to different selection pressures. This study aimed to associate pollen and stigma morphology with zoophily in species of the tribe Phaseoleae. Species of the genera Erythrina, Macroptilium and Mucuna with different pollinators were chosen. Pollen grains and stigmas were examined under light microscopy (anatomy), scanning electronic microscopy (surface analyses) and transmission electronic microscopy (ultrastructure). The three genera differ in terms of pollen wall ornamentation, pollen size, pollen aperture, thickness of the pollen wall, amount of pollenkitt, pollen hydration status and dominant reserves within the pollen grain, while species within each genus are very similar in most studied characteristics. Most of these features lack relationships to pollinator type, especially in Erythrina and Mucuna. Pollen reserves are discussed on a broad scale, according to the occurrence of protein in the pollen of invertebrate- or vertebrate-pollinated species. Some pollen characteristics are more associated to semi-dry stigma requirements. This apical, compact, cuticularised and secretory stigma occurs in all species investigated. We conclude that data on pollen and stigma structure should be included together with those on floral morphology and pollinator behaviour for the establishment of functional pollination classes.

Male Reproductive Apparatus and Spermatophore Morphology of the Hermit Crabs Pagurus brevidactylus and P. criniticornis (Anomura, Paguridae)

Spermatozoa of most crustacean species are nonmotile and are packed into spermatophores. In Decapoda, spermatophores are highly variable in morphology and can be useful in the solving of taxonomic and systematic questions, especially among the Anomura. In this study, the morphology and morphometry of the spermatophores of the western Atlantic hermit crabs Pagurus brevidactylus and P criniticornis are described. The abdomen of fresh male specimens was dissected to expose the reproductive system and to extract the spermatophores, which were analyzed by stereoscopic, light, and scanning electron microscopy. The vas deferens can be divided macroscopically in three regions, all of them containing spermatophores. Tripartite spermatophores are composed of an elongated cylindrical main ampulla, a triangular accessory ampulla, a narrow cylindrical peduncle, and a round pedestal. Dimensions of the spermatophore components are positively correlated to the size of the crab. Morphological patterns observed in this study resemble those of other pagurid hermit crabs investigated to date. The morphological character distribution confirms classifications based on adult morphology and molecular analysis. J. Morphol. 272:1271-1280, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Floral developmental morphology of three Indigofera species (Leguminosae) and its systematic significance within Papilionoideae

Inflorescence and floral development of three species of Indigofera (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae), I. lespedezioides, I. spicata, and I. suffruticosa, were investigated and compared with that of other papilionoid groups, especially with members of the recently circumscribed Millettioid clade, which was merged as sister to Indigofereae in a recent cladistic analysis. Although Indigofera is a genus of special interest, because of its great richness in species and its economic importance, few studies have been made of floral development in the genus or in Indigofereae as a whole. Flower buds and inflorescences were analysed at several stages of development in the three species. Our results confirmed that Indigofera species bear a usual inflorescence type among legumes, the raceme, which comprises flowers initiated in acropetal succession, each with a subtending bract and no bracteoles initiated. The inception of the floral organs is as follows: sepals (5), petals (5), carpel (1), outer stamens (5), and, finally, inner stamens (5). Organ initiation in the sepal, petal, and both stamen whorls is unidirectional, from the abaxial side; the carpel cleft is adaxial. The vexillum is larger than other petals at maturity, covering the keels, which are fused edge-to-edge. Nine filaments are fused to form an adaxially open sheath, and the adaxial stamen of the inner whorl remains free (diadelphous androecium) in the mid-stage of development. Most of the infra-generic differences occurred in the later stages of development. Data on floral development in Indigofera obtained here were also compared with those from other members of Papilionoideae. This comparison showed that the early expression of zygomorphy is shared with other members of the Millettioid clade but is rarely found in other papilionoids, corresponding to a hypothetically morphological synapomorphy in the pair Indigoferae plus millettioids.

Sperm morphology: A novel way to associate female-males of highly sexual dimorphic fig wasp species

Males of pollinating and some non-pollinating fig wasps are wingless and quite dissimilar to their co-specific females. Due to the accentuated sexual dimorphism, males and females of some fig wasp species were described in different genera. We used morphological sperm features obtained from male seminal vesicles and female spermathecas to associate sexes in three non-pollinating fig wasp species, genus Idarnes, that are associated with Ficus citrifolia in Brazil. Sperm obtained from each female morph species presented diagnostic features that led to the association with sperm obtained from males. This method can potentially be used to help enlighten taxonomic problems in other wasp species with sexual di- or polymorphism.

Reproductive system of the male hermit crab Clibanarius sclopetarius: gonopore, spermatophore, and spermatozoal morphologies

In the present study, the morphology and biometry of the spermatophores of the western Atlantic hermit crab Clibanarius sclopetarius (Herbst, 1796) are described, and the results are placed in the context of the Paguroidea, in particular the Diogenidae. Individuals of C. sclopetarius were sampled from a human-impacted mangrove area of southern Brazil. The male reproductive system was removed, measured and analyzed using stereoscopic, light, transmission-electron and scanning-electron microscopy. This system is composed of lobular testes connected to the vas deferens, and gonopores with membranous coverage. The mature spermatophore consists of a spherical pack that stores sperm. These cells consist of a spherical acrosomal vesicle, an amorphous cytoplasm and a distal nucleus. The results revealed that the gonopores, testis and vas deferens have the expected characteristics of the family Diogenidae, while the non-tripartite morphology of the spermatophores and the sperm follow the patterns found only in the genus Clibanarius, and the presence of the dense perforatorial ring is, to date, unique in the species of the genus, being a possible apomorphic characteristic.

Revision of the larval morphology (Zoea I) of the family Hippolytidae (Decapoda, Caridea), with a description of the first stage of the shrimp Hippolyte obliquimanus Dana, 1852

The aim of this study was to summarize the available data on larval morphology of the first zoea of the family Hippolytidae and describe the first zoeal stage of H. obliquimanus from two geographically distinct populations, Brazilian and Caribbean in order to discuss inter- and intraspecific variability. Ovigerous females of Hippolyte obliquimanus were collected at Cahuita (Limon, Costa Rica) and at Ubatuba (Sao Paulo, Brazil). We compiled the published descriptions of all available hippolytid Zoea I (66 spp., 21%), and all zoeae share several characteristics. However, such morphological features cannot be used to distinguish the first zoeae of Hippolytidae from other caridean larvae. Historically, the presence of an exopodal seta at the maxillule and the absence of the anal spine/papilla have been considered as characteristic for the Zoea I of the genus Hippolyte. The results of our revision, however, did not support these conclusions: although H. obliquimanus showed an exopodal seta at the maxillule, four congeners did not bear such structure; moreover, H. obliquimanus as well as one other congener have an anal spine/papilla. All morphological characters observed in the first zoeal stage of H. obliquimanus are shared with others species of the family Hippolytidae. Intraspecific variability in Hippolyte obliquimanus was detected in one morphological aspect: the first zoea had four denticles on the ventral margin of the carapace in the Brazilian population, while specimens from the Costa Rican population had three.

Spermatophore and Gonopore Morphology of the Southwestern-Atlantic Hermit Crab Pagurus exilis (Benedict, 1892) (Anomura, Paguridae)

Marcelo A. Scelzo, Marina Z. Fantucci, and Fernando L. Mantelatto (2010) Spermatophore and gonopore morphology of the southwestern-Atlantic hermit crab Pagurus exilis (Benedict, 1892) (Anomura, Paguridae). Zoological Studies 49(3): 421-433. The form and function of the spermatophore have been used as a complementary tool in studies of the reproductive biology and systematics of hermit crabs. In this context, we describe the spermatophore and gonopore morphology of Pagurus exilis. The spermatophores were extracted from the distal part of the vas deferens of specimens collected in Argentina and Brazil. The spermatophores were composed of 3 major regions: a main ampulla (with a sperm capsule inside and an accessory ampulla at the base), a stalk, and a pedestal. Each spermatophore had a distinct dorsolateral suture line around the ampulla, where the rupture occurs to release the sperm. The spermatophore total length was 1.5 times the main ampulla length. The main ampulla was oval and slightly flattened. A triangular accessory ampulla extended from the main ampulla base to the pedestal on 1 side, and contained no to several sperm. The stalk is short and flattened, and as wide as the main ampulla. One to 3 spermatophores were found attached to each pedestal, which was almost oblong in shape. The dimensions of the spermatophore and its component parts were directly influenced by the size of the hermit crab. Gonopores of males were covered by long pappose setae, while female gonopores bore a few short cuspidate setae. Specimens from Brazil and Argentina had the same spermatophore morphology, corroborating the previously observed absence of genetic differences between the both populations. The spermatophore morphology of this species has similarities with the broad general pattern of the Paguridae, being most similar to one of the (at least) 3 patterns of spermatophore morphology described for Pa gurus. http://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/49.3/421.pdf

Synthesis of naturally occurring diene and trienes by Te/Li exchange on (1Z,3Z)-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene

(1Z,3Z)-Butyltelluro-o-4-methoxy-1,3-butadiene 2 was obtained by the hydrotelluration of(Z)-1-methoxy-but-1-en-3-ynes 1. The butadienyllithium 3 obtained by the Te/Li exchange reaction in the (1Z,3Z)-1-butyltelluro-4-methoxy-1.3-butadiene 2 reacted with aldehydes to form the corresponding alcohols 4a-d with total retention of configuration. The alcohols formed undergo hydrolysis, resulting in the alpha,beta,gamma,delta-unsaturated aldehydes of (E,E) configuration, which are precursors of trienes obtained from natural sources. The products of this reaction were employed in the synthesis of methyl-(2E,4E)-decadienoate 7, which is a component of the flavor principles of ripe Bartlett pears. Performing the Wittig reaction of the methyl triphenylphosphorane with the deca-(2E,4E)-dienal 5a, we were able to synthesize the undeca-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6a. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown algae Fucus serratus, Dictyopteris plagiograma, and Dictyopteris australis. Performing the Wittig reaction of methyl triphenylphosphorane with the octa-(2E,4E)-dienal 5c, the nona-(1,3E,5E)-triene 6b was synthesized. The compound obtained is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Sargassum horneri. The octa-( 1,3E,5E)-triene 6c was easily obtained from hepta-(2E,4E)-dienal 5d by the Wittig reaction with methyl triphenylphophorane. This compound is a sex-pheromone component of the marine brown alga Fucus serratus. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intergeneric phylogenetic relationships in catfishes of the Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the description of Fonchiiloricaria nanodon: a new genus and species from Peru

Recent investigations in the upper Rio Huallaga in Peru revealed the presence of an intriguing species of the Loricariinae. To characterize and place this species within the evolutionary tree of the subfamily, a molecular phylogeny of this group was inferred based on the 12S and 16S mitochondrial genes and the nuclear gene F-reticulon4. The phylogeny indicated that this distinctive species was a member of the subtribe Loricariina. Given its phylogenetic placement, and its unusual morphology, this species is described as a new genus and new species of Loricariinae: Fonchiiloricaria nanodon. This new taxon is diagnosed by usually possessing one to three premaxillary teeth that are greatly reduced; lips with globular papillae on the surface; the distal margin of lower lip bearing short, triangular filaments; the premaxilla greatly reduced; the abdomen completely covered by plates, with the plates between lateral abdominal plates small and rhombic; a caudal fin with 14 rays; the orbital notch absent; five lateral series of plates; dorsal-fin spinelet absent; preanal plate present, large and solid, and of irregular, polygonal shape, the caudal peduncle becoming more compressed posteriorly for the last seven to 10 plates. (C) 2011 The Authors Journal of Fish Biology (C) 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Craniofacial morphology and otitis media with effusion in children

Otitis media with effusion (OME) affects 28-38% of pre-school children, and it occurs due to the dysfunction of the auditory tube. Anatomical development of the auditory tube depends on the craniofacial growth and development. Deviations of normal. craniofacial. morphology and growth using cephatometric studies, may predict the evolution of otitis. Our goal in this paper is to determine if there are differences in craniofacial morphology between children with adenoid enlargement, with and without otitis media with effusion. This is a prospective study in which the sample consisted of 67 children (mate and female) from 5 to 10 years old. All patients presented chronic upper airway obstruction due to tonsil. and adenoid enlargement (>80% degree of obstruction). Thirty-three patients presented otitis media with effusion, for more than 3 months and 34 did not. The tatter composed the control group. Standardized lateral head radiographs were obtained for all. subjects. Radiographs were taken with patient positioned by a cephalostat and stayed with mandibles in centric occlusion and Lips at rest. Radiographs were digitalized and specific Landmarks were identified using a computer program Radiocef 2003, 5th edition. Measurements, angles and tines were taken of the basicranium, maxilla and mandible according to the modified Ricketts analysis. In addition, facial height and facial axis were determined. Children with otitis media with effusion present differences in the morphology of the face, regarding these measures: N-S (anterior cranial base length), N-ANS (upper facial height), ANS-PNS (size of the hard palate), Po-Or.N-Pog (facial depth), Ba-N.Ptm-Gn (facial axis), Go-Me (mandibular Length) and Vaia--Vaip (inferior pharyngeal airway). (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of melatonin on the endometrial morphology and embryo implantation in rats

Objective: To determine the effects of melatonin on rat endometrium morphology and embryo implantation. Design: Experimental study. Setting: Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Animal(s): Forty female rats. Intervention(s): GI: control, GII: sham-operated, GIII: pinealectomized, and GIV: pinealectomized rats that received melatonin during 3 months. The GI, GII, and Gin groups received the vehicle of melatonin (NaCl + ethanol). At the end of the treatment, the animals were killed during the estrous phase; the uterus was removed for morphometric analysis. Urine was collected for 6-sulfatoxymelatonin. Blood was collected for estrogen (E) and progesterone (P) level determinations. In a second experiment, female rats were used to evaluate the endometrial embryo implantation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Endometrial morphology and embryo implantation. Result(s): Gin presented the highest values for endometrial area and thickness index, number of endometrial glands, and eosinophils. The number of vessels of groups I, II, and IV was fewer than that of Gin. The highest number of eosinophils was detected in Gin in comparison to other groups. The implantation rate in Gin was the lowest of all groups. This implantation rate was significantly increased and restored toward normal in GIV. Conclusion(s): Our data suggested that, in nonphotoperiodic animals such as rats, melatonin may positively affect the endometrial morphology and improve embryo implantation.

Particulate urban air pollution affects the functional morphology of mouse placenta

in humans, adverse pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, prematurity, and intrauterine growth retardation) are associated with exposure to urban air pollution. Experimental data have also shown that such exposure elicits adverse reproductive outcomes. We hypothesized that the effects of urban air pollution on pregnancy outcomes could be related to changes in functional morphology of the placenta. To test this, future dams were exposed during pregestational and gestational periods to filtered or nonfiltered air in exposure chambers. Placentas were collected from near-term pregnancies and prepared for microscopical examination. Fields of view on vertical uniform random tissue slices were analyzed using stereological methods. Volumes of placental compartments were estimated, and the labyrinth was analyzed further in terms of its maternal vascular spaces, fetal capillaries, trophoblast, and exchange surface areas. From these primary data, secondary quantities were derived: vessel calibers (expressed as diameters), trophoblast thickness (arithmetic mean), and total and mass-specific morphometric diffusive conductances for oxygen of the intervascular barrier. Two-way analysis of variance showed that both periods of exposure led to significantly smaller fetal weights. Pregestational exposure to nonfiltered air led to significant increases in fetal capillary surface area and in total and mass-specific conductances. However, the calibers of maternal blood spaces were reduced. Gestational exposure to nonfiltered air was associated with reduced volumes, calibers, and surface areas of maternal blood spaces and with greater fetal capillary surfaces and diffusive conductances. The findings indicate that urban air pollution affects placental functional morphology. Fetal weights are compromised despite attempts to improve diffusive transport across the placenta.

Morphology of the subgenual prefrontal cortex in pediatric bipolar disorder

Objectives The subgenual prefrontal cortex (SGPFC) is an important brain region involved in emotional regulation and reward mechanisms Volumetric abnormalities in this region have been identified in adults with bipolar disorder but thus far not in pediatric cases We examined the volume of this brain region in subjects with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) and compared them to healthy controls Methods Fifty one children and adolescents (mean age +/- SD 13 2 +/- 2 9 y) with DSM-IV PBD and 41 (mean age +/- SD 13 7 +/- 2 7 y) healthy comparison subjects (HC) underwent 1 5 T structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans We traced the SGPFC manually and compared SGPFC gray matter volumes using analysis of covariance with age gender and intracranial volume as covariates We also examined the relationship of family history of affective disorders and medication status to SGPFC volumes Results SGPFC volumes were not significantly different in PBD and HC subjects However exploratory analysis showed PBD subjects who had one or more first degree relatives with mood disorders (n = 33) had significantly smaller left hemisphere SGPFC compared to HC (p = 003 Sidak corrected) Current usage of a mood stabilizer was significantly associated with larger right SGPFC volume in PBD (F = 4 82 df = 1/41 p = 0 03) Conclusion Subjects with PBD and a close family history of mood disorders may have smaller left SGPFC volumes than HC Mood stabilizing medication may also impact SGPFC size and could have masked more subtle abnormalities overall (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved

Descriptive findings on the morphology of dendritic spines in the rat medial amygdala

The rat posterodorsal medial amygdala (MePD) is a brain area in which gonadal hormones induce notable plastic effects in the density of dendritic spines. Dendritic spines are post-synaptic specializations whose shape and spacing change neuronal excitability. Our aim was to obtain new data on the dendritic spines morphology and density from MePD neurons using the carbocyanine dye Dil under confocal microscopy. In adult male rats, the dendritic spine density of the medial branches of the left MePD (mean +/- SD) was 1.15 +/- 0.67 spines/dendritic mu m. From the total sampled, approximately 53% of the spines were classified as thin, 22.5% as ""mushroom-like"", and 21.5% as stubby/wide. Other spine shapes (3%) included those ramified, with a filopodium-like or a gemule appearance, and others with a protruding spinule. Additional experiment joining Dil and synaptophysin (a pre-synaptic protein) labeling suggested synaptic sites on dendritic shafts and spines. Dendritic spines showed synaptophysin puncta close to their head and neck, although some spines had no evident labeled puncta on them or, conversely, multiple puncta appeared upon one spine. These results advance previous light microscopy results by revealing features and complexities of the dendritic spines at the same time that give new insight on the possible synaptic organization of the adult rat MePD. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evolutionary transition to freshwater by ancestral marine palaemonids: evidence from osmoregulation in a tide pool shrimp

The transition from marine/brackish waters to freshwater habitats constitutes a severe osmotic and ionic challenge, and successful invasion has demanded the selection of morphological, physiological, biochemical and behavioral adaptations. We evaluated short-term (1 to 12 h exposure) and long-term (5 d acclimation), anisosmotic extracellular (osmolality, [Na(+), Cl(-)]) and long-term isosmotic intracellular osmoregulatory capability in Palaemon northropi, a neotropical intertidal shrimp. F northropi survives well and osmo- and ionoregulates strongly during short- and long-term exposure to 5-45 parts per thousand salinity, consistent with its rocky tide pool habitat subject to cyclic salinity fluctuations, Muscle total free amino acid (FAA) concentrations decreased by 63% in shrimp acclimated to 5%. salinity, revealing a role in hypoosmotic cell volume regulation; this decrease is mainly a consequence of diminished glycine, arginine and proline. Total FAA contributed 31% to muscle intracellular osmolality at 20 parts per thousand, an isosmotic salinity, and decreased to 13% after acclimation to 5 parts per thousand. Gill and nerve tissue FAA concentrations remained unaltered. These tissue-specific responses reflect efficient anisosmotic and anisoionic extracellular regulatory mechanisms, and reveal the dependence of muscle tissue on intracellular osmotic effectors. FAA concentration is higher in P. northropi than in diadromous and hololimnetic palaemonids, confirming muscle FAA concentration as a good parameter to evaluate the degree of adaptation to dilute media. The osmoregulatory capability of P. northropi may reflect the potential physiological capacity of ancestral marine palaemonids to penetrate into dilute media, and reveals the importance of evaluating osmoregulatory processes in endeavors to comprehend the invasion of dilute media by ancestral marine crustaceans.