A comparative analysis of testicular sperm morphology in fossorial and surface ‐living skinks in South Africa
We described for the first time the spermatozoan ultrastructure of the fully pentadactyl surface‐living skink Trachylepis punctatissima, and limbless fossorial skink Acontias meleagris. The spermatozoa of both species follow the general patterns observed within the Squamata. However, several important differences were detected between the two species in the head region (shape of the anterior acrosome, size of acrosome and nucleus) and especially in the midpiece (size of the midpiece, the presence of regular rows of dense bodies, size and number of mitochondria and beginning of the fibrous sheath). Both species shared mor...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Joaqu ín Verdú‐Ricoy, Tankiso Matla, Michael Gregory, Angelo Lambiris, Adriaan Jordaan, Zhongning Zhao, Neil Heideman Tags: REVIEW Source Type: research
Ovarian morphology and folliculogenesis and ovulation process in the flat ‐faced fruit‐eating bat Artibeus planirostris and the Argentine brown bat Eptesicus furinalis: A comparative analysis
Abstract
The Neotropical bat species Artibeus planirostris and Eptesicus furinalis present a different morphology of the female reproductive organs: the first presents a simplex uterus, while the second presents a bicornuate uterus, but there is no information about their ovaries. Our aim was to compare the general ovary morphology and the folliculogenesis process in these species to increase the knowledge about the reproductive diversity of tropical bats. We observed a morphological distinction between the ovaries of both species: A. planirostris presents the primordial follicles located in a cranial portion of the ovar...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Larissa Mayumi Bueno, Dianelli Lisboa Caun, Manuela Tosi Comelis, Mateus Rodrigues Beguelini, Sebasti ão Roberto Taboga, Eliana Morielle‐Versute Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Morphology and ultrastructure of the testes and spermatozoa of the South African leopard (Panthera pardus)
This study serves to provide information on the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa and testes of P. pardus that can be used to help in the development, testing and optimization of reproductive techniques. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa by means of fluorescence and electron microscopy respectively, and (ii) to examine the morphology and ultrastructure of the testicular tissue as well as of the stages of spermatogenesis using light and electron microscopy. In this study, it was noted that the morphology and ultrastructure of the spermatozoa ...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Jamie ‐Lee Das Neves, Ina Wagenaar Tags: REVIEW ARTICLE Source Type: research
Of elephant ‐, thunder‐, and terror birds: The allure of flightless giants
(Source: Acta Zoologica)
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Gerald Mayr Tags: BOOK REVIEW Source Type: research
Developmental staging table of the green iguana
Abstract
Embryonic staging tables provide information to standardize embryological investigations and to subsidize discussions about evolution. We have established a developmental staging table for Iguana iguana iguana. The sample was composed of 142 embryos, incubated at a constant temperature and collected at regular intervals. Morphological features as pharyngeal arches, craniofacial structures, eyes, limbs, claws, pigmentation, scales and egg tooth were evaluated to determine development stages. The normal staging table includes 17 stages from oviposition to hatching, based on chronology and morphological external feat...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Fabiano C. Lima, Tain ã R. Py‐Daniel, Marina R. Sartori, Augusto S. Abe, Odeony Paulo dos Santos, Letícia M. Freitas, Kleber F. Pereira, Antonio Sebben Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
An intriguing, new planarian species from Tasmania, with a discussion on protandry in triclad flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida)
Abstract
An account is given of an unusual new species of freshwater planarian from the Hartz Mountains in Tasmania, Australia, Romankenkius flaccidus Sluys, sp. nov. The species is characterized, among other features, by an asymmetrical penis papilla, an extremely large, elongated copulatory bursa, and by the absence of testes in animals with fully developed male and female copulatory apparatus. Instigated by the sexual cycle of this new species, the study opportunely reviews whether planarian flatworms generally are simultaneous or sequential—in particular protandrous—hermaphrodites. It is concluded that real protand...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Ronald Sluys, Miquel Vila ‐Farré, Jochen Rink, John E. J. Rasko Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Morphometrics reveal correlation between morphology and bioclimatic factors and population mixture in Tetrix japonica (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)
Abstract
The morphology of an organism is limited by genetic and environmental factors, and the precise mechanism is inconsistent between species. Tetrix japonica Bolivar, 1987, is a widely distributed pygmy grasshopper in East Asia. However, the population clustering and relationships between the morphology and bioclimatic factors have not been previously investigated. Here, 32 geographic populations were sampled from China, and morphometrics and multiple statistical analyses were applied to detect the population clustering and relationship between the morphology and bioclimatic factors. The results suggested that T. jap...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Zhi ‐Xiang Pan, Fang Hong, Guo‐Fang Jiang Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Comparative histology of the digestive tract in three new world marsupials
Abstract
We compare the main histological features of the digestive tract of three selected New World didelphid marsupials (Mammalia, Metatheria, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae): the White‐eared Opossum Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840, the Short‐tailed Opossum Monodelphis dimidiata Wagner, 1847, and the Patagonian Opossum Lestodelphys halli Thomas, 1921. The three species have a geographic distribution restricted to south‐eastern and southern South America, and have quite distinct body masses, adaptations and life histories. Our observations include the following: (i) submucosal glands are present throughout the oesop...
Source: Acta Zoologica - January 1, 2018 Category: Zoology Authors: Laura Beatr íz Andrini, Marcela Nilda García, Ana María Inda, Ana Lía Errecalde, Francisco J Goin, Alfredo Armando Carlini, Alejo Carlos Scarano, Gabriel Martin, Martín los Reyes Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
The stapes of Edops craigi and ear evolution in the lissamphibian stem group
Abstract
The Lower Permian temnospondyl Edops craigi exemplifies an early and plesiomorphic condition of the single ear ossicle or stapes among the temnospondyls, the probable stem group of lissamphibians. In Edops, the 11‐cm‐long bone is more massive than in other temnospondyls, has a distinct neck, a dorsal crest and incompletely subdivided footplate and ventral process. Despite a range of invariances, temnospondyl stapes were much more diverse than previously conceived. A survey of described stapes gives insight into character evolution of the ear ossicle in the lissamphibian stem group. These include alternative pa...
Source: Acta Zoologica - December 28, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Rainer R. Schoch Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
The stapes of Edops craigi and ear evolution in the lissamphibian stem group
Acta Zoologica, EarlyView. (Source: Acta Zoologica)
Source: Acta Zoologica - December 27, 2017 Category: Zoology Source Type: research
---
Acta Zoologica, Ahead of Print. (Source: Acta Zoologica)
Source: Acta Zoologica - December 27, 2017 Category: Zoology Source Type: research
Structure and sensilla of the antennae and mouthparts of Loxocephala perpunctata Jacobi (Hemiptera: Fulgomorpha: Eurybrachidae)
Abstract
The ultramorphology of the antennae and mouthparts of the adult Loxocephala perpunctata Jacobi was studied through a scanning electron microscope. Seven types of sensilla were found on antennomeres, including a Böhm bristle on the scape, sensillum trichoideum and plaque organ on the pedicel, two subtypes of sensilla chaetica and two subtypes of sensilla campaniformia on these two antennomeres; and Bourgoin's organ with sensory pegs and sensilla basiconicum on the basal bulb of the flagellum. The mouthparts of L. perpunctata are of the typical piercing‐sucking type, similar to mouthparts found in other hemipter...
Source: Acta Zoologica - December 22, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Yinfeng Meng, Daozheng Qin Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research
Structure and sensilla of the antennae and mouthparts of Loxocephala perpunctata Jacobi (Hemiptera: Fulgomorpha: Eurybrachidae)
Acta Zoologica, EarlyView. (Source: Acta Zoologica)
Source: Acta Zoologica - December 22, 2017 Category: Zoology Source Type: research
