Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-07-07DOI: 10.1111/azo.12512
Lorenzo Alibardi
{"title":"Epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation in the beak of tadpoles of Rana dalmatina","authors":"Lorenzo Alibardi","doi":"10.1111/azo.12512","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12512","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation during formation of the beak in tadpoles of <i>Rana dalmatina</i>. Acta Zoologica (Stockolm). The beak utilized in tadpoles of <i>R. dalmatina</i> for crushing vegetables is formed of cornified cell layers. A row of large wedge-like cells forms a central pile that produces the sharp corneous lamina of the beak. The labial and oral surfaces of the beaks also accumulate corneous material during proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes from the epidermis to form a sheath around the central corneous cells. Corneocytes are shed during the growth of tadpoles. Electron microscopy reveals that keratin and mucus granules are main components of these keratinocytes. Electron-dense organelles of unknown composition and with inside lamellae are also present. Using immunohistochemistry after post-injection of 5BrdU, a marker of cell proliferation, the main timing of formation of the beak has been determined. After 2–5 h from injection, labelled nuclei of keratinocytes are seen in the basal layer, and sparse suprabasal labelled nuclei are detected after 5 h. Labelled keratinocytes are seen in suprabasal layers at 2 days post-injection. At 5 and 6 days labelled keratinocytes are present in central corneous cells and in the lateral shell of corneocytes forming the labial and oral beak sides. Shedding a complete stratum corneum likely takes more days, but this depends on feeding usage.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"205-214"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141574434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-07-02DOI: 10.1111/azo.12510
Ayesha Malik, Kiran Afshan, Mohammad K. Okla, Ibrahim A. Saleh, Abdul Razzaq, Munib Hussain, Sabika Firasat, Gulnora Mirzaeva, Bakhtiyor Kholmatov, Erinda Lika
{"title":"Insights into tick dynamics and anaplasmosis in ruminants: A microscopic and molecular perspective","authors":"Ayesha Malik, Kiran Afshan, Mohammad K. Okla, Ibrahim A. Saleh, Abdul Razzaq, Munib Hussain, Sabika Firasat, Gulnora Mirzaeva, Bakhtiyor Kholmatov, Erinda Lika","doi":"10.1111/azo.12510","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12510","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Ticks are blood-sucking parasite and transmit pathogens to humans, domestic and wild animals. Ticks are seriously damage the production of sheep and goats, resulting in heavy economic loss to farmers. The present study investigated microscopic and molecular identification of ticks and tick-borne anaplasmosis infesting sheep and goats in three agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. The collected ticks were identified at species level based on their morphological features through microscopy by using taxonomic keys. Four <i>Rhipicephalus (R.)</i> species namely: <i>R. guilhoni Rh. geigyi</i>, <i>R. annulatus</i>, <i>R. pulchellus</i>, two <i>Haemaphysalis (Hae)</i> spp. <i>Hae. sulcate</i>, <i>Hae. punctate</i>, one <i>Ixodes ricinus and Hyalomma anatolicum</i> were identified. The morphological variations in their body sizes, scutal pattern, female genital opening, spiracular plate length and male adanal plate were recorded. Furthermore, we assessed the effectiveness of utilizing the 16S rRNA gene sequence to differentiate <i>Anaplasma</i> samples at the species level. Microscopically suspected positive blood samples for <i>Anaplasma</i> were subjected to DNA extraction. <i>Anaplasma</i> was observed in the blood of 14 animals. The sequence similarity between <i>Anaplasma marginale</i> and the reference genome were 99.25%, while below this value indicating a distinct species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed close similarity with <i>A. marginale</i> isolates from Iran, Vietnam and Pakistan This study contributes to the epidemiology of ticks and TBPs in the KP province and highlights the importance of proactive TBP surveillance in livestock.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"183-194"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141550441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-06-26DOI: 10.1111/azo.12511
Whandenson M. Nascimento, Alexandre O. Almeida, Allysson P. Pinheiro
{"title":"Shape variation in the snapping claw of Alpheus Fabricius, 1898 (Decapoda: Alpheidae): A geometric morphometrics approach","authors":"Whandenson M. Nascimento, Alexandre O. Almeida, Allysson P. Pinheiro","doi":"10.1111/azo.12511","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12511","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The evolutionary success of the <i>Alpheus</i> snapping shrimps is linked to their snapping claws, which were considered the key innovation in the evolution of these shrimps. However, many aspects of the evolution of snapping claws remain unknown. We evaluate the degree of intra- and interspecific variation in the shape of the snapping claw in different snapping shrimp <i>Alpheus</i> species. For this, we used a geometric morphometric tool. We investigated the variation in snapping claw shape from two perspectives — interspecific variation and sexual shape dimorphism — in three species: <i>Alpheus angulosus</i>, <i>A. carlae,</i> and <i>A. estuariensis</i>, from three locations along the southern coast of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. Our results revealed interspecific variation in the shape of the snapping claw among <i>A. angulosus</i>, <i>A. carlae,</i> and <i>A. estuariensis</i>. In addition, sexual shape dimorphism was confirmed in <i>A. angulosus</i> and <i>A. carlae</i>. However, in <i>A. estuariensis</i>, our results reveal sexual monomorphism in the snapping claw. Our findings highlight the importance of considering both ecological context and phylogenetic relationships when analysing the morphology of the snapping claw in <i>Alpheus</i> snapping shrimps. We suggest further investigations to better understand the interspecific variation and sexual dimorphism in snapping claws and their implications for the evolutionary history of these shrimps.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"195-204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141528879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-06-10DOI: 10.1111/azo.12509
Juan Vitor Ruiz
{"title":"“Protecting the World's Crocodilians”—A review of Crocodiles of the World","authors":"Juan Vitor Ruiz","doi":"10.1111/azo.12509","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12509","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 1","pages":"1-3"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141365504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-05-27DOI: 10.1111/azo.12508
Josafá Reis-Júnior, Leonardo Cruz da Rosa, Kátia Meirelles Felizola Freire
{"title":"Population structure and reproductive aspects of Callinectes ornatus (Decapoda: Brachyura) present in the bycatch of shrimp fisheries in northeastern Brazil","authors":"Josafá Reis-Júnior, Leonardo Cruz da Rosa, Kátia Meirelles Felizola Freire","doi":"10.1111/azo.12508","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12508","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study aimed at analysing the population structure and reproductive aspects of <i>Callinectes ornatus</i> present in the bycatch of shrimp fisheries off Sergipe (northeastern Brazil), and at comparing the findings with other regions. Samples were obtained monthly from shrimp trawlers based in the Pirambu municipality (11°S–37°W) from May/2015 to May/2016. Each specimen of <i>C. ornatus</i> was separated, identified and weighed (TW, total weight, g). Carapace length (CL, mm) and width (CW, not including lateral spines, mm) were measured, and the sex and stage of morphological maturity were identified. A total of 403 females and 427 males of <i>C. ornatus</i> were found and analysed. The overall sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. Males were larger and heavier than females. Biometric relations (CL-CW and TW-CW) were different between sexes. The size at first morphological maturity (CW<sub>m</sub>) was 38.20 mm for females and 44.00 mm for males. The reproductive and recruitment periods were continuous, with some peaks throughout the year. Despite <i>C. ornatus</i> being a frequent species in shrimp bycatch, its exploitation status is still unknown.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"168-182"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141189895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-05-20DOI: 10.1111/azo.12502
Orlando Tobias Silveira, Jeferson Fonseca Pereira, Sherlem Patrícia de Seixas Felizardo, Ian Patrick Vilhena dos Santos, José Nazareno dos Santos Jr
{"title":"Phylogenetic patterns of leg morphometric traits in vespid wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)","authors":"Orlando Tobias Silveira, Jeferson Fonseca Pereira, Sherlem Patrícia de Seixas Felizardo, Ian Patrick Vilhena dos Santos, José Nazareno dos Santos Jr","doi":"10.1111/azo.12502","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12502","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Vespid wasps use legs primarily for locomotion and in contexts such as grooming, handling of food and nest materials. Studies on leg form and function are relatively scarce. We analysed measurements of legs of 127 species of all genera of Polistinae, and of 18 species of other subfamilies, with the intent of investigating the occurrence and phylogenetic locations of morphometric patterns. Body-size variation across Polistinae was determinant as to the absolute dimensions of legs, but allometric effects are generally small when comparing proportional length differences between differently sized species. Quite differently, size-independent shape aspects are notably distinct as expressed by regression residuals and are clearly phylogenetically structured. Most distinctive are the very long mid and hind legs (and simultaneously exceedingly short forelegs) of <i>Mischocyttarus</i> species, and the comparatively shorter legs of some Epiponini. We found that forelegs have evolved with relative independence of the mid and hind legs, which is probably related to functions associated with the transport and manipulation of food and materials. Most examined solitary species showed mid and hindlegs shorter than most social polistines and vespines. Forefemur shape in some solitary species (euparagiines, masarines and some eumenines) may be functionally related to fossorial habits.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"132-158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141122645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-05-10DOI: 10.1111/azo.12503
Moisés Escalona, Mariana Gelambi, José M. Hoyos-Díaz, Alejandro J. Biganzoli-Rangel, Pedro Ivo Simões
{"title":"Ecogeographic rules in a common Neotropical treefrog: No clinal variation along a mountain range","authors":"Moisés Escalona, Mariana Gelambi, José M. Hoyos-Díaz, Alejandro J. Biganzoli-Rangel, Pedro Ivo Simões","doi":"10.1111/azo.12503","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12503","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Body and limb size are associated with many aspects of the biology of animals. Geographic variation in morphological traits has often been investigated through ecogeographical rules. Bergmann's rule posits an inverse relationship between body size and temperature in homeotherms, while Allen's rule posits that endothermic animals inhabiting colder climates have relatively shorter protruding parts (e.g., limbs) in comparison to populations from warmer climates. However, the applicability and validity of these rules in poikilotherms are currently contentious. In this study, we aimed to test predictions of Bergmann's and Allen's rules in populations of the Neotropical frog <i>Boana platanera</i>. We analysed 142 adult male museum specimens from 17 localities along a mountain range in western Venezuela. We obtained six external morphological measurements and assessed the correlation of body size and limb size with temperature data for each locality. Our results were contrary to the expectations but consistent with previous studies. All this together indicates that exceptions to the Bergmann's and Allen's rules are frequent and idiosyncratic in anurans. We discuss alternative hypotheses that could explain geographic variation of body and limb size in future studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 2","pages":"159-167"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140931050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-04-01DOI: 10.1111/azo.12501
O. G. Ovtshinnikova, T. Ivorra, V. S. Sorokina
{"title":"Exploring genital and pregenital musculature in Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae: Reinwardtiinae): Insights into evolutionary relationships with subfamily Azeliinae","authors":"O. G. Ovtshinnikova, T. Ivorra, V. S. Sorokina","doi":"10.1111/azo.12501","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12501","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The male genital, pregenital skeleton, musculature of male terminalia, and the ovipositor were studied in <i>Synthesiomyia nudiseta</i> (Wulp). A comparison was conducted between the terminal segments and muscles of <i>S. nudiseta</i> and previously studied species of the subfamily Azeliinae. Notable differences were found between previously studied species of the subfamily Azeliinae and <i>Synthesiomyia</i> + <i>Muscina</i>. These differences correspond to apomorphic character states in <i>Synthesiomyia</i> + <i>Muscina</i>, including the large size of the ejaculatory apodeme and the powerful constrictors of the ejaculatory apodeme M 23; the completely membranous sternite VI; the membrane connection of the muscle ISM 5 (<i>lower</i>); the small size of pregonites and postgonites; and the joints of the phallapodeme muscles М 2<sup>1</sup> at the base of the hypandrial arms. Based on these differences, <i>Synthesiomyia</i> + <i>Muscina</i> can be assigned to the subfamily Reinwardtiinae, as has been confirmed by recent molecular studies. However, similarities in the set of pregenital muscles and the set of phallapodeme muscles between <i>Synthesiomyia</i> + <i>Muscina</i> and the Azeliinae were also noted. These similarities may be considered as plesiomorphic character states, indicating their phylogenetic relationship. It can be argued that Reinwardtiinae + Azeliinae constitute sister groups and occupy the basal position within the family Muscidae.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 1","pages":"109-119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140561657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-03-26DOI: 10.1111/azo.12500
Laryssa Lemos Silva, Jamile Fernanda Silva Cossolin, Thiago Gechel Kloss, Jessica Roberta Lacerda Alvim, Aline Beatriz Reis, José Cola Zanuncio, Bárbara Monteiro de Castro e Castro, José Eduardo Serrão
{"title":"Anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of the parasitoid wasp Hymenoepimecis bicolor (Brullé, 1846) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)","authors":"Laryssa Lemos Silva, Jamile Fernanda Silva Cossolin, Thiago Gechel Kloss, Jessica Roberta Lacerda Alvim, Aline Beatriz Reis, José Cola Zanuncio, Bárbara Monteiro de Castro e Castro, José Eduardo Serrão","doi":"10.1111/azo.12500","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Hymenoepimecis</i> wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) are ectoparasitoids of spiders that modify the hosts’ behaviour by inducing changes in webs. Variations in the male reproductive tract contribute to enhancing our understanding of the reproductive behaviour of these insects. This study describes the morphology of the male reproductive tract of <i>Hymenoepimecis bicolor</i> (Brullé, 1846) using light microscope. The male reproductive tract of <i>H. bicolor</i> consists of a pair of testes, each containing a single follicle, two <i>vasa deferentia</i>, one ejaculatory duct and two accessory glands. The testis follicle has cysts at various stages of spermatogenesis, indicating ongoing sperm cell development and maturation. The <i>vasa deferentia</i> are elongated, with a coiled distal portion, whereas the proximal regions are laterally associated with a pair of accessory glands. The wall of the <i>vasa deferentia</i> has simple cuboidal epithelium. The accessory glands had a simple columnar epithelium with the lumen filled with heterogeneous content. The seminal vesicle is absent. The similarity in the anatomy and histology of the male reproductive tract of <i>H. bicolor</i> with other Hymenoptera suggests that the parasitoid behaviour does not result in significant alteration to their reproductive organs, indicating that the reproductive tract is conserved in Hymenoptera, regardless of their behaviours.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 1","pages":"100-108"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140313441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2024-03-18DOI: 10.1111/azo.12499
Alessio Alesci, Sebastian Marino, Dario Di Fresco, Anthea Miller, Laura Saccardi, Sergio Famulari, Marco Albano, Davide Di Paola, Nunziacarla Spanò, Eugenia Rita Lauriano
{"title":"Evolution of snake skin: Role of cutaneous tactile corpuscles in Hierophis viridiflavus (Lacépède, 1789)","authors":"Alessio Alesci, Sebastian Marino, Dario Di Fresco, Anthea Miller, Laura Saccardi, Sergio Famulari, Marco Albano, Davide Di Paola, Nunziacarla Spanò, Eugenia Rita Lauriano","doi":"10.1111/azo.12499","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12499","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The skin of snakes acts as the first interface between these reptiles and the environment they live in. It plays an important role in the ecology of these organisms, and specialised structures, such as tactile corpuscles, are crucial in the sensing of a wide variety of stimuli. This study, by examining the presence, localisation and colocalisation of serotonin, substance P, PGP 9.5 and tubulin, wants to demonstrate the sensory role that these structures play in the ecology of the Green whip snake <i>Hierophis viridiflavus</i> (Lacépède, 1789). This study presents the first evaluation of nerve and immune molecules (TLR2) in the tactile corpuscles of <i>H. viridiflavius</i> ventral skin, indicating a potential defence role of these structures. These findings provide valuable information on the ecology of snakes, their defence systems, and their evolutionary morphostructural adaptations. Additionally, the identification of these corpuscles could provide valuable support for taxonomic recognition. Furthermore, this study expands the knowledge about stimuli sensing in snakes.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"106 1","pages":"88-99"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140148261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}