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| Abstracts from the Poster Mixer on Monday June 3rd, 2002 |
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Adaptive Radiation of Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in the Insular Pacific: The Role of Host Shifts and Dispersal George Roderick, Environmental Science, Policy and Management, Division of Insect Biology, 201 Wellman Hall, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720-3112 The factors that lead to adaptive radiation are currently receiving much attention, particularly the role of habitat specialization and a reduction in dispersal ability (for reviews of adaptive radiation of arthropods, see Roderick & Gillespie 1998, Molec [top]Application of Reproductive and Developmental Data in Polychaete Systematics James A. Blake, ENSR Marine & Coastal Center, 89 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 Reproductive and developmental data have rarely been applied to studies of polychaete systematics. Recent application of egg and sperm morphology, spawning characteristics, brooding patterns, and larval morphology to spioniform systematic problems has de [top]Chemical Studies of the Association between Nudibranchs and Sponges Bronwin L. Stapleton, Department of Chemistry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 4072, Shireen J. Fahey, Sharna K. Graham Some nudibranch molluscs are known to consume sponges as their food source. Nudibranchs and the sponges they feed on were studied from the Great Barrier Reef, Western Australia and the Philippines. Many of the sponges examined contain toxic compounds, some of which are transferred to the nudibranch. A possible ecological role for these compounds is examined using ascidian larval assays. Studies show that many of the sponge metabolites induce settlement activity of ascidian larvae and/or inhibit metamorphosis and development of the larvae. [top]Chytrid Fungi of Estuarine Grasses Jonathan Hulvey, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 U.S.A, David Porter, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602 U.S.A Fungi of the class Chytridiomycetes have been documented from a wide range of habitats, from the arctic to the equator, and are ecologically important as decomposers, plant pathogens, and recently, have been implicated in the worldwide amphibian decline. Few chytrids have been found in the marine environment. Here we compare two marine chytrids that have been isolated from estuarine grasses of Southeastern North America in terms of their developmental and morphological features. [top]Classification of Aphelininae with an emphasis on the tribe Aphytini J.-W. Kim, J. Heraty The character analyses of Aphelinae were conducted based on the molecular and morphological data. Four gene regions (28S D2-rDNA, D3, ITS, COII) were investigated to reslove phylogenetic relationship of Aphelininae. Morphological characters supporting tribial relationship of Aphelininae were also studied. [top]Comparative morphology of the simple thalloid liverworts, jensenia lindb. And pallavicinia gray (pallaviciniaceae). Scott Schuette and Barbara Crandall-Stotler, Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale IL 62901-6509. Jensenia Lindb. is a dioicous, dendroid liverwort that superficially resembles some species of Pallavicinia. In fact, Jensenia is sometimes regarded as a subgenus of Pallavicinia Gray. However, several morphological features resolved with SEM clearly distinguish Jensenia from Pallavicinia. This study compares a suite of morphological characters, including thallus stance, perichaetial and perigonial organization, and spore size and morphology, between Jensenia erythropus and Pallavicinia lyellii. These characters, which are typically diagnostic of generic level differentiation, support the hypothesis that these two taxa are elements of distinct genera. [top]Comparing Monocentric Chytrid Fungi from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Holly Thornton and David Porter, Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia A variety of monocentric chytrid fungi were isolated from the streams of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These were isolated into axenic culture on mPmTG media and observed on agar and on pine pollen bait. We chose two isolates that appeared different in culture and documented the developmental stages of their life cycles with phase contrast and DIC microscopy. The two isolates had similar developmental features and appear to be in the large and ill-defined genus, Rhizophydium in the Chytridiales. [top]Coral crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura: Trapeziidae): Systematics, Phylogeny, and Behavioral Ecology Sandra E. Trautwein, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County/University of California, Los Angeles Trapeziid crabs are obligate coral symbionts that inhabit tropical reefs worldwide. This mutualistic relationship benefits both crab and coral. Trapeziid crabs ingest coral mucus as a food source and find shelter among their host coral’s branches. In return, the coral receives protection from coral predators, especially the crown-of-thorns seastar (Acanthaster plancii). By deterring corallivore attacks on their hosts, trapeziid crabs contribute to the factors that affect coral diversity and abundance and thereby play a critical role in coral reef ecology (Glynn 1987). This project examines the family Trapeziidae in three ways:1) monographic research on two of the twelve genera (Tetralia and Tetraloides)2) phylogenetic analysis of the family and its relationship to other xanthoid crabs3) behavioral ecological research on host specificity [top]CORONA: Coordinating Research on the North Atlantic Cliff Cunningham This network seeks to develop the great potential of the temperate North Atlantic Ocean as a system for studying historical ecology, which is the study of ecological communities from a phylogenetic perspective. The trans-Arctic exchange of marine organis [top]Distribution of aplacophorans around Iceland from BIOICE materialland from B Dmitry L. Ivanov, Zoological Museum, Bolshaya Nikitskaya str. 6, Moscow 103009, Russia, Amélie H. Scheltema, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA, Christoffer Schander, University of Göteborg, Department of Zoology, Box 463, SE-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden Collections made of the benthic invertebrates in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC) of Iceland from 1991 through 1994 under the rubric BIOICE (benthic invertebrates of Icelandic waters), recovered many thousands of Aplacophora present at nearly one-third o [top]The Diversity of Korean Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) Ha-Rim Cha, Daphne Fautin, Jun-Im Song The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional distribution of Korean actiniarians and to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of each species in Korea. Specimens were collected at 75 localities on the coast of the Korean peninsula and islands from 1962 to 2000. They were deposited in the Natural History Museum of Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. For this project, the 19 most abundant species, which comprised around half of the collected specimens, were studied. The distribution of actiniarians was analyzed relative to four regions defined by current patterns - East Sea, South Sea, Yellow Sea, and southern part of Cheju-do. Each of those areas has a characteristic actiniarian fauna. However, the most widespread species occur in all four regions; they are Anthopleura kurogane, A. midori, and Haliplanella luciae. [top]Environmental GIS Modeling of Distribution Patterns in *Actinodendron plumosum*, a Sea Anemone With a Large Geographic Range. Adorian Ardelean, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, adorian@ku.edu I use locality records to plot the distribution pattern of morphotypes as a way to test the hypothesis that several named species of the sea anemone genus *Actinodendron* actually comprise a single species, *A. plumosum*. GIS tools, prediction algorithms [top]Evolutionary Morphology of the Euglenophyte Plastid Patrick J. P. Brown, Mark A. Farmer Antony Van Leeuwenhoek glimpsed the first euglenophyte in 1674. Ever since that first observation, biologists have been fascinated by the classical 'neither plant nor animal'. The euglenophytes have held the attention of biochemists and evolutionary biologists for decades. Unfortunately relatively little is known about the vast majority of these enigmatic protists. The most obvious features of these protists and the one upon which the current taxonomy rests are their chloroplasts. The euglenophytes demonstrate a wide diversity of chloroplast morphotypes that have been used in the past to delineate taxonomic boundaries. The aim of the current study is twofold: 1) to determine what chloroplast features are useful in describing natural monophyletic clades and 2) to understand the morphogenesis and development of the organelle and its correlation with the cell-cycle. We have used light microscopy, multiphoton and laser-scanning confocal microscopy, as well as transmission electron microscopy to achieve these goals. The plastids of euglenophytes undergo developmental changes that coincide with the host cell's division cycle. The developmental steps are not however, identical between all plastid morphotypes. Plastids with inward-projecting pyrenoids loose their pyrenoids while the plastids grow and regain them prior to plastid division and segregation into host daughter cells. Members of the genus Euglena subgenus Discoglena as well as allied taxa from other (paraphyletic) genera possess plastids without a pyrenoid at all stages of the life cycle. These plastids develop and divide while maintaining a near constant morphology throughout the cell cycle. Taxa with stellate plastids (Euglena-Euglena) undergo striking changes throughout the cell cycle. During S-phase and G2-phase of the host cell cycle the plastids become amorphous and eventually 'bleb' off to form smaller bodies. By M-phase the cells possess numerous small plastids, which are then segregated into the daughter cells. Characterization of the ultrastructural and developmental characteristics of the euglenophyte plastid will help provide the morphological apomorphies necessary for a comprehensive taxonomy of the euglenophytes. [top]Extreme variation in the stigmatic setae of Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin), Hemiptera: Coccidae. Takumasa Kondo The stigmatic setae is known as a stable character in the family Coccidae. However, extreme variation of the stigmatic setae was observed in the tuliptree scale: Toumeyella liriodendri (Gmelin). Toumeyella turgida (Cockerell) is considered a junior synonym of T. liriodendri. [top]Filogenia y biogeografía del género Sphaeriodesmus Peters, 1864 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Sphaeriodesmidae). Bueno-Villegas, Sierwald, P., Espinosa, A. [top]The geography of symbiosis: ‘symbiotic individuals’ in the lichen Cladonia perforata Rebecca Yahr, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, Paula T. DePriest, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. 20560 Intimate symbionts such as lichen fungi and their photosyn-thetic partners are expected to share similar geographic structure. Do they? At what scale? This study was undertaken to examine the phylogeographic pattern of genetic variation in the lichen fungus Cladonia perforata and compare it with that of its photobionts (Trebouxia ). ITS sequences were analyzed for multiple samples from each of 9 populations from both partners. No variation was detected within populations for the fungi. Algal genotypes are usually invariable within populations, but even some distant populations shared identical genotypes. Low diversity and strong geographic structure are consistent with clonal reproduction and short dispersal of bulky clonal propagules containing both partners and with severe population bottlenecks, probably resulting from disturbance due to fires and hurricanes. [top]Life in the Ring of Fire: the evolution of deep-sea stylasterid corals Alberto Lindner, Biology Department, Duke University and Smithsonian Institution, e-mail: al18@duke.edu, Clifford W. Cunningham, Biology Department, Duke University, Stephen D. Cairns, Smithsonian Institution Embracing over 250 species, the family Stylasteridae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) is one of the two successful hydrozoan lineages (the other being the tropical Fire Corals—family Milleporidae) that evolved a calcified skeleton that protects feeding and reproducti [top]A molecular view of chytrid systematics J.G. Chambers The University of Alabama Department of Biological Sciences, P.M. Letcher, The University of Alabama Department of Biological Sciences, M.J. Powell, The University of Alabama Department of Biological Sciences The Phylum Chytridiomycota is composed of a diverse assemblage of taxa that exhibit a posterior uniflagellate zoospore as their unifying morphological character. Phylogenetic relationships have been deduced among these organisms based on a constellation [top]Molecular systematics of the Acoela (Acoelomorpha, Platyhelminthes) and its concordance with morphology Matthew Hooge, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473, U.S.A., Pilar Haye, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473, U.S.A., Seth Tyler, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04473, U.S.A. The phylogenetic relationships of the lower worm group Acoela were investigated using newly obtained nuclear 18S rDNA sequences from 16 acoels in combination with 16 acoel sequences available on GenBank from other laboratories. Parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of the molecular data supported the concept that the Acoela is monophyletic; however, the gene tree produced by these analyses conflicts with the current taxonomic system for the Acoela in several family-level groupings. Most notable is the apparent polyphyly of the largest family of acoels, the Convolutidae. DNA analysis grouped together species of small-bodied convolutids in one clade, while large-bodied convolutids grouped in a separate clade with other large-bodied acoels. Despite such conflicts, the branching pattern in the gene tree is well supported by morphological characters of sperm and body-wall musculature. [top]Monographic research on the Conchostraca S. L. Boyce, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and University of California, Los Angeles Conchostracans, more commonly known as clam shrimps, are bivalve branchiopod crustaceans that inhabit temporary freshwater ponds or vernal pools. They are distributed worldwide and are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. Recently [top]Morphology and reproduction of a new Polydorella species (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from the Philippines. Jason D. Williams, Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1140, U.S.A. E-mail: biojdw@hofstra.edu Within the family Spionidae all members of the genus Polydorella Augener, 1914 are associates of sponges, constructing mud tubes on the surface of hosts. Scanning electron and light microscopy were used to examine the morphology and reproduction of a new species of Polydorella from the Philippines. The species is characterized by acicular neurosetae in segments 2-7, a fifth segment containing a ventral row of acicular spines with digitiform bosses, and lack of branchiae. As in all members of the genus, the new species undergoes asexual reproduction via paratomy. During this process a growth zone is formed following segment 10, leading to the production of stolon individuals budding from the stock individual; 5 or more individuals can thus be formed in a single chain. Paratomic division typically occurs in chains containing 4-5 individuals and as a result colonies are dominated by chains of 2 individuals. Sexual reproduction is documented for only the second time in the genus; the new species produces eggs in segments 13-15. In spite of the many hundreds of specimens examined among the five presently known Polydorella spp., larvae have never been observed. While planktotrophic larvae are suspected to be produced in order for colonization of new sponges, observations of live worms showed they are able to efficiently move across the surface of sponges and may disperse to neighboring hosts as adults. Further studies are needed to document the complete life-cycle of these species and to determine the cues responsible for switching from reproduction via paratomy to sexual reproduction. [top]On the Path of Discovery -- Toward a Monograph of Rhinebothrium Linton, 1890 (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) and Its Relatives Claire J. Healy, University of Connecticut, 75 N Eagleville Rd, Unit-3043, Storrs, CT 06269-3043, USA Tapeworm species belonging to the genera Rhinebothrium, Caulobothrium, Rhabdotobothrium and Spongiobothrium are, as adults, exclusive parasites of rays, with most species parasitizing rays of the family Dasyatidae. Collectively, these tapeworm genera cur [top]On the Systematics of the Leptostraca (Crustacea: Malacostraca) Todd A. Haney, University of California Los Angeles The order Leptostraca currently comprises 10 genera and 34 species of marine crustaceans. Leptostracans inhabit a variety of marine environments, ranging from the intertidal to hadalpelagic zones. The cosmopolitan genus Nebalia Leach includes 18 nominal [top]Phanerobranchs: Clade or Grade? Yvonne Valles, Monica Medina, Terrence Gosliner The Doridina, one of the four clades of Nudibranchia, traditionally comprises three major groups: Gnathodoridoidea, Cryptobranchia and Phanerobranchia. The monophyly of the Doridina is well supported by multiple sources (Wollscheid and Wägele, 1999). The [top]A phylogenetic view of sociality in cobweb spiders (theridiidae) Ingi Agnarsson, Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, 2023 G Street NW, Washington DC, 20052 Spiders are a lineage of predominantly aggressive and distinctly territorial hermits. Tolerance is usually limited to conspecifics, briefly during mating, or as tiny juveniles emerging from the egg sac. Yet, a few species do share webs, and about 20 do so [top]Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Eucraniini Federico C. Ocampo. University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0546, Keith Philips. Western Kentucky University, Department of Biology, Bowling Green, KY, Chad Brock. School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE A phylogenetic analysis of the New World dung beetle tribe Eucraniini was conducted based on analyses of 78 morphological characters and on 1221 nucleotide base pairs from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. The tribe is monophyletic with the flying genus Ennearabdus sister to the three flightless genera, Anomiopsoides, Eucranium, and Glyphoderus. The relationship of the eucraniines to the other tribes of Scarabaeinae, dung preference and food relocation behavior, and biogeography of the tribe are also discussed [top]Phylogeny and biogeography of the basal chromodorids (Mollusca:Nudibranchia) Rebecca F. Johnson Department of Invertebrate Zoology, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California 94118 Department of Ecology and Evolutinary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Caifornia Chromodorid nudibranchs are usually brightly colored animals, mostly found on tropical coral reefs. In contrast, members of the most basal group in the family Chromodorididae, the genus Cadlina, are either white or drably colored and are primarily found [top]Phylogeny and evolution of the hydractiniidae (phylum cnidaria, class hydrozoa) Maria Pia Miglietta - Dep. of Biology- Duke University - Durham 27708 NC, USA, Clifford W. Cunningham - Dep. of Biology- Duke University - Durham 27708 NC, USA The Hydractiniidae is a family of hydrozoans whose mostly epizoic hydroids may or may not liberate free medusae. Worldwide in distribution, it comprises some 106 nominal species and 10 extant genera. The evolution and phylogenetic relationships within th [top]Phylogeny and historical ecology of some mushroom-associated mites of the genus Mariam Lekveishvili, Pavel Klimov, Barry OConnor Phylogenetic analyses of 28S nuclear rDNA gene sequences and morphological data have shown that several acarid mites associated with mushrooms and previously assigned to the genera Rhizoglyphus, Rhizoglyphoides and Mycetosancassania represent a monophyletic group within the genus Sancassania. Based on phylogenetic reconstruction of the clade (nidicola (grifolapholiotae (germanica (sp1 (rotundata+sp2))))), the lineage probably originated from relatively advanced Sancassania with short, setiform supracoxal setae. Sancassania grifolapholiotae n. comb. and S. sp. 1. inhabit several species of basidiomycete fruiting bodies; S. rotundata n. comb. is restricted to mushrooms in relatively wet acid bog habitats. Dispersal is via phoretic deutonymphs which have been found on millipedes and carabid beetles. [top]Phylogeny of the Euglenophytes Based on SSU and LSU rDNA Sequences Stacy Brosnan, Department of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA, Woongghi Shin, Department of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA, Richard E. Triemer, Department of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA Previous studies using the SSU rDNA indicated that the phototrophic genera of euglenophytes are not monophyletic. To further test these results, we have investigated evolutionary relationships among euglenalean groups by obtaining partial large-subunit (L [top]Phylogeny of the treehopper subfamily Centrotinae (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Matthew S. Wallace, Lewis L. Deitz A phylogenetic analysis of the largest and only cosmopolitan treehopper subfamily, the Centrotinae, is needed to provide a sound classification at the tribal level. Of nearly 200 centrotine genera, 179 have been examined for morphological variation. Well-supported clades include the predominantly African tribe Centrotini; the widespread tribes Coccosterphini, Gargarini, Madlini, and Tricentrini; and a large group containing the tribes Bulbaucheniini, Hypsaucheniini, Oxyrhachini, and various Australian genera. Basal relationships are supported largely by leg chaetotaxy while terminal clades are supported by hind wing venation, male genitalia, and abdominal features. [top]A Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis of the Treehopper Subfamily Nicomiinae (Homoptera: Membracidae) Jesse L. Albertson, Chris H. Dietrich The subfamily Nicomiinae (Homoptera: Membracidae) is a poorly known, plesiomorphic group of Neotropical treehoppers currently comprising two genera, Tolania Stal and Nicomia Stal. This group is of considerable interest phylogenetically because, unlike ty [top]Preliminary phylogeny of the genus Jorunna Bergh, 1876 (Nudibranchia:Kentrodorididae) Yolanda E. Camacho-Garcia The Gastropoda, a highly diverse group of mollusks that comprises about 100 000 species, is traditionally divided in three groups: Prosobranchia, Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia. The genus Jorunna is included in the Nudibranchia, one of the high-level taxa of the Opisthobranchia. The genus Jorunna is shell-less and has secondary gills like some other nudibranchs, but is well characterized by having a dorsum covered with caryophyllidia, a prostate with two portions, a penis occasionally with hooks, a copulatory spine, an accessory gland, and a labial cuticle smooth or armed with jaw elements. All these characters are also shared by the genus Kentrodoris that includes only one species, K. rubescens Bergh, 1876. [top]Reassessing Generic-level Relationships within the Order Chytridiales (Kingdom Fungi, Phylum Chytridiomycota) utilizing ribosomal gene sequences. Sharon E. Mozley, Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602, David Porter, Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602 Chytrid fungi play an important ecological role in the degradation of many recalcitrant substrates and have recently been identified as one the causes for the worldwide decline in amphibians. Updating the one available monograph published in 1960 [top]Reconstructing the Phylogeny of the Diatom Family Thalassiosiraceae and Why it Matters Andrew J. Alverson, Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78713, Edward C. Theriot, Section of Intgegrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, 78713 Species in the centric diatom family Thalassiosiraceae (Bacillariophyta) are ubiquitous in marine and freshwater ecosystems. The origin and subsequent diversification of freshwater Thalassiosiraceae is attributed to a single Miocene invasion by Thalassios [top]Resolving Therevid Radiations: Approaches Using Multiple Genes Hilary N. Hill, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA, Kevin C. Holston, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA, Martin Hauser, Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA A major goal of the Therevid PEET project is stable resolution of phylogenetic relationships for classification, biogeographic analysis, and evolutionary hypothesis testing. Despite significant progress, a number of difficult questions remain that we are [top]Southern Appalachian Geostiba (Insecta: Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): miniature beetles with tiny distribution ranges being displaced by parking lots and retransmission antennas Vladimir Gusarov, Snow Entomological Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 North American species of the athetine genus Geostiba Thomson, 1859 were revised and six previously unknown species were discovered. The genus Geostiba is distributed in Palaearctic (300 species) and Nearctic (15 native and one introduced species) Regions and includes small (1.5-2.5 mm) staphylinids dwelling in soil and leaf litter. Fifteen native Nearctic species form a monophyletic lineage within the subgenus Sibiota Casey, 1906. The highest diversity of Geostiba is in Appalachian mountains (12 species). Eleven species of Southern Appalachians belong to several monophyletic groups restricted to altitudes above 1500m in particular mountain massifs. The summits of many mountains are used by parking lots for tourists or by retransmission antennas. As a result the natural ecosystems are displaced and Geostiba populations on such mountains are endangered or even extinct. [top]The status of Corallimorpharia based on molecular and morphological data VA Cappola, University of Kansas, DG Fautin, University of Kansas [top]Studies in the Lasiosphaeriaceae (Fungi, Ascomycetes, Sordariales). Identification of the Lasiosphaeria/Sordariaceae monophyletic group: What does it say about morphology? Sabine M. Huhndorf, The Field Museum, Department of Botany, Chicago, IL 60605, Andrew N. Miller, The Field Museum, Department of Botany, Chicago, IL 60605 Many genera in the Lasiosphaeriaceae and Sordariaceae have been based solely on ascospore morphology and the phylogenetic potential of other morphological characters such as ascomatal wall structure have not previously been adequately investigated. Our wo [top]Systematics of Neotropical Erigonine Spiders (Araneae: Linyphiidae, Erigoninae): Are We Making Progress? Jeremy A. Miller, Department of Systematic Biology - Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, NHB-105, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington D.C., 20013-7012, U.S.A. and Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G St. NW, Washington D.C., 20052, U.S.A., Gustavo Hormiga, Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G St. NW, Washington D.C., 20052, U.S.A. and Department of Systematic Biology - Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, NHB-105, Smithsonian Institution, PO Box 37012, Washington D.C., 20013-7012, U.S.A. We present a new hypothesis of relationships among erigonine spiders based mainly on morphological characters. We have added taxa and characters to a previous analysis of erigonine relationships by Hormiga (2000). Hormiga encoded 43 taxa including 31 erig [top]Systematics of North American and Worldwide Species in the Genus Entomacis Foerster (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) Matthew J. Yoder, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, U.S.A. The taxonomy of North American species of Entomacis Foerster (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), untreated for nearly the last 100 years, is reviewed. New character complexes of systematic use are highlighted with the use of digital images. Results from a quantitative analysis of 51 morphological characters and 40 terminals are presented. Data from the analysis are stored in a relational database that will allow for additional worldwide taxa to be incorporated into future analysis. The database will provided the foundation for a monograph of the genus Entomacis and future phylogenetic analyses of diapriid taxa. [top]Systematics of Ufens (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea): Perplexing things in small packages Albert K. Owen, University of Riverside, CA Members of the family Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) are parasitic on the eggs of other insects, and are therefore among the true lilliputs of the insect world, ranging in size from 0.2 – 1.5 mm. Trichogrammatidae currently consists [top]The systematics of nephiline spiders (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) Matjaz Kuntner Under Simon's classification (1894), the argiopid subfamily Nephilinae consisted of the genera Singotypa Simon, Phonognatha Simon, Deliochus Simon, Nephila Leach (which included Nephilengys L. Koch), Clitaetra Simon, Herennia Thorell, and Perilla Thorell. [top]A Taxonomic Summary of the genus Chytriomyces (Chytridiomycota) Peter M. Letcher, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, Martha J. Powell, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL The genus Chytriomyces was established to accomodate two similar species, C. hyalinus and C. aureus. Subsequent to erection of the genus, the generic concept has evolved from its original definition to a concept incorporating the absence of many of the fundamental generic characters. For each of the 34 described species, taxonomic descriptions and ecological and distributional data are presented. The type of Chytriomyces is designated, and terminology pertinent to morphological features is discussed. A taxonomic key based on readily observable morphological character states, and figures derived from the original literature, are presented to assist in identification of current species. [top]Taxonomic and Monographic Studies in Neotropical Trichoptera Ralph W Holzenthal, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave., room 219, St. Paul, MN 55108, Roger J Blahnik, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Ave., room 219, St. Paul, MN 55108, Steven C Harris, Department of Biology, Clarion University, Clarion, PA 16214 Trichoptera, or caddisflies, constitute the largest order of exclusively aquatic insects. They are well known and studied because of the interesting net-spinning and case-making behavior of the larvae. Most species live in rivers and streams, where they [top]Taxonomy on the Half-Shell: a PEET project investigating marine bivalves Rüdiger Bieler, Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 USA, Paula M. Mikkelsen, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St., New York, NY 10024-5192 USA, Russ Minton [FMNH], Louise Crowley [AMNH], and Isabella Kappner [FMNH] This multi-institutional PEET project has been designed to enhance the field of marine bivalve systematics. Involving students at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels, we are using a wide range of approaches and techniques, from field coll [top]A Total Evidence Approach to Inferring the Phylogenetic Relationships Within Aulacoseira Stacy M. Edgar, Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713, Edward C. Theriot, Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78713 Aulacoseira is globally distributed and is often a large portion of phytoplankton biomass in lakes and large rivers. Consequently, it plays a significant ecological role as a primary producer in grazer-based aquatic food webs. Although species of Aulaco [top]Toward the a molecular based phylogeny of the Trichomycetes (Zygomycota) Matias J. Cafaro, Merlin M. White, Robert W. Lichtwardt The Trichomycetes, gut fungi, are unique endosymbionts associated with a wide range of arthropod hosts: Crustacea, Insecta and Diplopoda in various habitats (marine, freshwater and terrestrial) worldwide. The class has three fungal orders, Asellariales, E [top]Ventral Appendage Variation in the Metzgeriidae (Marchantiophyta) Abel J. Kinser, Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6509 The Metzgeriidae or simple thalloid liverworts have ventral "appendages" that are typically clustered near the thallus apex for protection of a single apical cell. As the thallus elongates, these appendages can persist and sometimes form rows. The form and arrangement of the appendage are sometimes used as taxonomic characters for classification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used on representatives of the major groups within the Metzgeriidae to examine the morphological variation within the subclass. The SEM images show a wide range of variation within the Metzgeriidae but suggest consistent patterns define orders, suborders and families. This preliminary study suggests that ventral appendages, if examined carefully, can be informative in modern classifications of the Metzgeriidae. [top]A Web-Based Digital Key To The Euglenoids Dana J. Uzwiak, Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, Richard E. Triemer, Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854 We are using Lucid Professional software to construct digital keys for the identification of Euglena species. The digital media and internet technology provides improved identification tools because it allows greater flexibility and increased availability to a broader audience than traditional paper keys. The Lucid key format can either run off the internet (at www.bio.rutgers.edu/euglena) or from a self-contained CD-ROM. The keys include diagrams and light micrographs, a summary of taxonomic debate where applicable, descriptions of genera and species complexes, and original species diagnoses. Our keys operate in three levels: the first allows identification to one of the 41 genera within the Euglenophyta; the second narrows to one of 20 major species clusters within the genus Euglena; the final step attempts to identify one of the more than 400 nominal taxa within the species Euglena.
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