CAROLE C. BALDWINBALAM J. BRITODAVID G. SMITHLEE A. WEIGT...
36页
查看更多>>摘要：Early life-history stages of 12 of 17 species of western Central Atlantic Apogon were identified using molecular data. A neighbor-joining tree was constructed from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-c subunit I (COI) sequences, and genetic lineages oI Apogon in the tree were identified to species based on adults in the lineages. Relevant portions of the tree subsequently were used to identify larvae of Apogon species from Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, and juveniles from Belize and other western Central Atlantic localities. Diagnostic morphological characters of larvae and juveniles were investigated by examining preserved vouchers from which the DNA was extracted and digital color photographs of those specimens taken before preservation. Orange and yellow chromatophore patterns are the easiest and sometimes only means of separating Apogon larvae. Patterns of melanophores and morphometric features are of limited diagnostic value. For juveniles, chromatophore patterns and the developing dark blotches characteristic of adults are the most useful diagnostic features. Larvae were identified for Apogon aurolineatus, A. binotatus, A. maculatus, A. mosavi, A. phenax, A. planifrons, and A townsendi. Juveniles were identified for those species (except^, planifrons)and for A pseudomaculalus, A. lachneri, A. pillionatus, A. robbyi, and A. quadrisquamatus. One larval specimen occurs in an unidentified genetic lineage, and five adults occur in another unidentified genetic lineage. Apogon species can be divided into at least four groups based on pigmentation patterns in early life stages. Further investigation is needed to determine if those groups are meaningful in the generic classification of Apogon species.
CARLOS ALBERTO GONcALVES CRUZRAFAEL OLIVEIRA DE ABREUMARIA LUCIA DEL-GRANDEMARCELO FELGUEIRAS NAPOLI...
13页
查看更多>>摘要：We describe a new species of Proceratophrys, allied to P. schirchi, from the northern sector of the Espinhaco mountain range, within a semiarid region in central State of Bahia known as Chapada Diamantina. The new species inhabits seasonal semi-deciduous forests (usually known as dry forests) that cover the mountainous relief of the Serra de Jacobina, a regional designation of the Espinhaco mountain range in northeastern Brazil. Proceratophrys minuta sp. nov. most resembles P. schirchi by combinationof small palpebral appendages, general external morphology, and by its restriction to Atlantic Forest remnants. It is diagnosed from all congeners by the combination of small body size (snout-vent length, males 20.4-25.2 mm, females 28.3-31.9 mm), absence of rostral appendage, short palpebral appendages with the central prominent, dorsum adorned with sinuous longitudinal ridges outlining a spear-shaped ornamentation like a hastate-shaped leaf (with flaring pointed lobes at eyes and spear point at urostile), and other six morphological characteristics. We also describe the tadpole of P. minuta sp. nov., and compare its color and external morphology with other tadpoles of Proceratophrys described in the literature.
CHRISTOPHER M. POMORYJERRY H. CARPENTERJOHN H. WINTER
19页
查看更多>>摘要：Amphicutis stygobita is a new genus and new species of ophiuroid found in Bernier Cave, an anchialine cave on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. The species is small (disk diameter 3-4 mm) with short arms (2-2.5X disk diameter). Dorsal disk features include imbricated scales, and oval radial shields separated by a column of scales. Ventral disk features include imbricated scales, genital scales flat and thin, no bursal sacs, second tentacle pore of oral frame outside mouth slit, oral shields small ovals similar in appearance to disk scales, two to three oral papillae per jaw side with the proximal papillae usually in the infradental position, and ventral tooth at the apex of each jaw broadly rounded. The arms are the most distinctive feature. Dorsal armplates are small diamond-oval shaped and separated from one another by a gap equal to the arm plate length. Ventral arm plates are small figure-8 shaped and separated from one another by a gap equal to the arm plate length. Lateral arm plates meet medially on dorsal and ventral sides and make up most of an arm segment. Each lateral arm plate bears two arm spines. Disk and arms are often formed by soft tissue outlining plates and scales, but lacking significant calcification. A raised skin persists aftercalcification, from which the genus name derives. The species is named for its aquatic cave-dwelling habit, apparently endemic to a single cave, and may be unique among ophiuroids in being restricted to a cave environment.
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