Morphometric variation in Aphanius iberus was analysed to demostrate the remarkable genetic divergence between Mediterranean and Atlantic population of Iberia. Four discrete morphotypes in males and three in females were distinguished. Morphometric data discriminated the Atlantic and Mediterranean populations, but revealed the Villena population as the morphologically most differentiated. Atlantic populations were described as a new species, Aphanius baeticus sp. nov., which differs from A. iberus in the overall shape, coloration pattern and number of branched rays on the dorsal and anal fins. The Villena population was retained in A. iberus because, despite of its morphological differentiation, show high genetic introgression at the nuclear genome with neighbouring populations. The range of A. baeticus sp. nov. is restricted to the eight localities of the Atlantic slope of the Iberian Peninsula. This new species should be considered Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories.
There are fifteen autochthonous species within the subfamily Leuciscinae (Cyprinidae) in Spain, all of them endemic except for two. The diversity, peculiarity and complex taxonomic position of most of these species make them an interesting group to study. In the present work, 456 specimens of 11 species were studied. Cleithra, opercular and pharyngeal bones were extracted from each specimen. These bones were compared and measured morphologically to obtain biometric indices. The biometric differences for each bone and for the three bones together were analysed using these indices by means of Principal Component Analyses. The results show a direct relationship between morphological and biometrical differences and similarities. Besides, this osteological comparison partially agrees with the present taxonomic position of these species, contributing to the difficult systematics and phylogeny of this group.
From May 1993 to April 1995, the seasonal occurrence of metacestodes of Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus (Wedl, 1855) (Cyclophyllidea: Dilepididae) in its second intermediate host, the blue bream Abramis ballerus (L.) was studied monthly in the Oder River on the borders of Germany and Poland. Based on the parasite specimens found, detailed data on their morphometries are presented. The metacestodes occurred in the blue bream intestine throughout the year (overall prevalence 27% and intensity 1-56 (mean 4.8) metacestodes per infected fish). Increased prevalences and mean intensities of infection were noted from March to June and November to December indicating that spring, late autumn and early winter are the main periods of new infections.
The effects of three factors operating during pre-emergence development period on some characteristics of drones were
studied. Weight of newly emerged drones, length of forewing, length of tibia, length of femur, length and width of basitarsus and
number of spermatozoa in drones from colonies in which the workers had access to drone brood (A), the size of brood cells differed
(B) or the colony had a queen or was queenless (C), were determined. For this purpose, 9 colonies were chosen at random from the test apiary and prepared so that each contained one empty Langstroth frame with six small sub-frames containing drone combs, three of which were used to test the effect of one level and the other three the other level of each factor. The results showed that, colony
status had a greater effect on the parameters measured than either the size of the brood cells or whether the workers had access to
sealed brood cells. Most of the parameters were significantly different in C, whereas only a few in B and non in A were significantly
different. The distance between discriminant scores in each experiment enhanced the previous results, as it was highest in C, followed by B and then A. Optimal drone characteristics may be recorded for colonies in which the queens were induced to lay unfertilized eggs in newly built drone combs, and then removed and the drone brood reared in a queen less colony.
Water deficit (WD) at the start of the flowering stage can negatively affect the productivity of plants. The aim was to investigate the morphophysiological strategies of two crambe lineages (FMS CR 1326 and 1307) submitted to WD during the flowering stage and their connection with the progeny's germination. Plants were submitted to WD at the start of flowering for 12 d and then were irrigated again (water resumption, WR). As a control, plants were cultivated with uninterrupted daily irrigation. Under WD, reductions were observed in the stomatal conductance, the number of xylem vessels, and the mass of grains. Positive K- and L-bands occurred, indicating lower stability and efficiency in the use of energy under WD. In the WR period, plants presented photochemical recovery. WD induced less vigorous seeds. FMS CR 1307 had the highest capacity to maintain its photochemical performance, due to alterations in water conductivity, resulting in greater seed production and vigor.
Let f : I → X be a delta-convex mapping, where I ⊂ R is an open interval and X a Banach space. Let Cf be the set of critical points of f. We prove that f(Cf ) has zero 1/2-dimensional Hausdorff measure.
Marine monsters - Antennariidae. Family of Antennariidae include 250 species of marine fishes in the tropics and subtropics. Their adaptation, camouflage, hunting technique (to the bait) are unique.
Endangered turtles. Among other causes for decline of turtles are hunting, gathering of eggs, dieback through deep-sea fishing, etc. Global warming and antropogenic activities must be taken into account.