Search Results (55)

In the review, the collection of population genetics papers from 1973 to 2025 comprises 400 publications, 81 of which were significant and consulted with representatives from water and sewage companies. Reviewed Proteobacteria (mean H_S = 0.42), Firmicutes (mean H_S = 0.43), Actinobacteria (mean H_S = 0.33), and Spirochaetes (mean H_S = 0.54) represent the 60 species under investigation through the lens of “h” coefficients related to gene diversity and expected heterozygosity. The research also included ESKAPE, emerging pathogens, bacterial indicators of wastewater treatment efficiency, environmental sanitary surveillance and public health. The restoration of the expected heterozygosity for haploids “h” was proposed in wastewater-based epidemiology as an innovative tool for public health. The unique “h” coefficient allows for the comparison of genetic variability in various organisms, regardless of their ploidy, using multiple markers and traits. The parameter represents a noble character for both the variability of phenotypes (proteins) and genotypes (nucleic acids). Leveraging the genetic diversity highlighted by the “h” coefficient can support wastewater-based epidemiology, offering the ability to predict the stages and trajectories of disease outbreaks. Full article

Until now investigations on the ultrastructural characteristics of Pseudanthus pollen using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were limited. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to present the first comprehensive TEM-based analysis of Pseudanthus pollen; (2) to provide a holistic morphological and ultrastructural description of Pseudanthus pollen; (3) to compare Pseudanthus pollen to that from other Picrodendraceae and closely related families; (4) to clarify intraspecific, interspecific, intrafamilial, and interfamilial character traits of Pseudanthus pollen in relation to that from related genera/families; and (5) to conclude if Pseudanthus pollen could potentially be identified in the palynological record. Pseudanthus pollen samples were collected from anthetic flowers and prepared according to standard methods for investigation with TEM. Interpretations of pollen ultrastructure in other Picrodendraceae and closely related families were based on previously published TEM micrographs. The pollen ultrastructure from six out of nine Pseudanthus species is described here for the first time. By integrating LM, SEM, and TEM techniques, this study offers a holistic perspective on the genus’s pollen morphology and ultrastructural range. It also illuminates the intraspecific and interspecific pollen morphological and ultrastructural diversity within Pseudanthus and how it differentiates from other Picrodendraceae as well as the Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae. The combined morphological and ultrastructural traits of Pseudanthus pollen render it unique among Picrodendraceae and differentiate it from the pollen of closely related families. This opens the door for future paleopalynological investigations, but until now Pseudanthus pollen has not been reported from the fossil record. Full article

Freshwater mussels in the genera Fusconaia, Pleurobema, and Pleuronaia are similar in their external shell morphology, which has made the identification and classification of species within these genera difficult and led to many taxonomic revisions. Large samples (N = 464) of select mussel species in these genera were collected from 2012 through 2014, primarily in the upper Tennessee River basin of Tennessee and Virginia, USA. Mitochondrial ND1 and nuclear ITS1 DNA sequences were analyzed to assess phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Ten species were verified as phylogenetically distinct at ND1, two of which were cryptic and previously unrecognized species. Described herein as Pleurobema parmaleei and Pleuronaia estabrookianus, each species clade was diverged at this gene region by ~3.0% from the respective closest congener. The nuclear ITS1 gene region’s nucleotide-site insertion/deletion (indel) patterns were analyzed as single mutational events rather than as fifth character states or missing data. Most species, including these two, were phylogenetically distinct at the ITS1 region when incorporating indels into analyses, but some estimated interspecific pairwise distances were lower than corresponding intraspecific estimates. Among morphological traits assessed for each species, differences in foot color and gravidity characteristics illustrated differences between phylogenetically recognized species and their closest congeners. Due to the limited known geographical distributions of these two cryptic species, each may require protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. While this study collected large sample sizes for each species, many streams in the basin remain unsampled and could potentially contain populations of these species or additional cryptic species. Full article

Hymenaea martiana is a species native to Brazil. It has ecological value, contributes to forest restoration, and is economically important because of the use of its wood and fruits. However, it is frequently exploited. Therefore, understanding genetic diversity becomes essential for guiding conservation strategies as well as ecological restoration actions in the face of climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the intraspecific diversity of 160 H. martiana mother plants on the basis of morphological descriptors of fruits and seeds and physiological indicators of seed quality, identifying the most discriminating characters. Eighteen traits were analyzed and subjected to analysis of variance and the Scott–Knott test (p < 0.05), with estimates of heritability and the ratio between genetic and environmental coefficients of variation. Phenotypic divergence was obtained via the Mahalanobis distance (D²) and grouped via UPGMA, whereas the relative contribution of the traits was estimated via the Singh method. The results revealed that seed length and weight, emergence speed index, and shoot dry mass were the most effective descriptors for discriminating parent plants. Multivariate analysis revealed the formation of eleven phenotypically distinct groups, demonstrating high variability. These findings support the selection of superior genotypes and representative seed collection, as well as practical initiatives such as the formation of germplasm banks, the selection of breeding stock for forest nurseries, and reintroduction programs. Thus, the data obtained offer technical and scientific support for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem recovery in the semiarid region of Brazil. Full article

Spores offer the most accessible diagnostic characters for the early-divergent Lycopodiaceae. We quantified eight morphometric traits—equivalent diameter, polar length, equatorial width, projected area, perimeter, and aspect ratio—in a balanced sample of 50 spores from each of six Central European taxa (Diphasiastrum alpinum, D. tristachyum, D. complanatum, Lycopodium annotinum, L. clavatum, and Huperzia selago) collected in the Białowieża Primeval Forest. Integrated light-microscope and scanning-electron-microscope imaging revealed three discrete wall-ornamentation syndromes (reticulate, verrucate, and granulose) that parallel the quantitative gradients. Principal component analysis showed that a single, collinear size axis accounts for 79% of variance, situating H. selago at the large-diameter extreme (mean: $37\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$) and the three Diphasiastrum species at the small-diameter pole (mean: 32–$33\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$). One-way ANOVA ($p<{10}^{-31}$) and PERMANOVA ($R^2=0.52$) confirmed decisive interspecific separation that mirrors published molecular phylogenies, underscoring a strong phylogenetic signal in spore form. While trait baselines are taxonomically stable, moderate microhabitat-driven shifts indicate limited ecophenotypic plasticity. The resulting high-resolution benchmark refines palynological identification, enables rapid spore-based bioindication of demographic stress, and strengthens conservation monitoring in relic temperate forest ecosystems. Full article

Character toys are toys identifiable by name, personality, and visual traits. They represent specific characters derived from or associated with popular culture. This entry explores adult engagement with character toys, or toy play, through a multidisciplinary lens, emphasizing playability, materiality, affect, creativity, and sociocultural meaning. Drawing on earlier toy research on dolls, action figures, figurines, and soft toys—those with a face and assigned personality—it considers how adults collect, customize, create stories, and critique societal conditions through toys for personal enrichment, identity work, and community formation. The toy play of adults is framed as a legitimate and complex form of self-expression and cultural participation that intersects with object play, creative fandoms, and political resistance. Full article

Lampyrinae Lucidotini contains nearly a third of the world’s Lampyridae. The lack of revisions and the overlap of diagnostic features across taxonomic levels have hindered identification and, therefore, further studies of Lucidotini taxa. The use of terminalia and genital traits in Lucidotini phylogenies has been fundamental to inform and update the genus-level delimitations in this group. One important open question is whether the presence of increased-length abdominal segment VIII (in relation to segment VII) in the closely related genera Scissicauda and Haplocauda is synapomorphic or homoplastic. In recent collecting efforts combined with studies of specimens deposited in different scientific collections, we found specimens hypothesized as four new firefly species from the Amazon basin that share the unique characteristics of the male abdomen of Haplocauda species. To test the hypothesis that these new species are monophyletic and sisters to Haplocauda species, and that the augmented segment VIII is synapomorphic to Scissicauda + Haplocauda, we ran phylogenetic analyses building upon a pre-existing character matrix, including a wide sample of Lucidotini and neighboring branches. Our results support the placement of the four new species described here (H. lata sp. nov., H. amazonensis sp. nov., H. aculeata sp. nov. and H. antimary sp. nov.) in Haplocauda. Importantly, one species with regular-sized segment VIII sclerites was recovered as the earliest diverging lineages of Haplocauda, suggesting that segment VIII was augmented at least twice in the Lucidotini—the other one being within Scissicauda. We also report, for the first time, a sympatry between Haplocauda species. We revised the definition of Haplocauda and updated the distribution of H. mendesi and the existing key to species. Full article

Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica) is a neglected high-potential food and nutrition security tuber crop in Ethiopia. Phenotyping core germplasm collections using agro-morphological and physiological markers is essential for effective crop improvement and utilization. A total of 282 anchote germplasms were profiled using six qualitative and twenty-six quantitative agro-morphological and physiological traits. Augmented Block Design was used for the experiment at the Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center. The chi-square test and Shannon diversity index indicated the presence of substantial phenotypic variation and diversity among the accessions based on the predominant qualitative traits studied. The quantitative agro-morphological and physiological traits showed wider variability and ranges for the accessions. The broad-sense heritability and genetic advance as a percentage of the mean were notably high for quantitative traits such as root yield, vine length, and leaf area index. A significantly positive correlation was observed among agronomically important traits such as root yield and root diameter as well as root yield and leaf area. The principal component analysis for qualitative and quantitative traits found that ten components explained 72.2% of the variation for qualitative traits, whereas nine components accounted for 69.96% of the variation in quantitative traits. The primary contributors to the variations are traits such as root (shape, flesh color, and yield), leaf (color, length, diameter, area) and fruit (length, diameter, and weight). Further, the accessions were grouped into two and three clusters based on qualitative and quantitative traits, respectively, indicating that quantitative characters better differentiated among the accessions. Similarly, the tanglegram showed little similarity between the qualitative and quantitative agro-morphological and physiological traits in clustering the accessions. These findings indicate the presence of sizable trait variation among the accessions that can be exploited as a selection marker to design and facilitate conservation and breeding strategies of anchote. Full article

(1) The primary objective was to determine whether, within this taxonomically challenging group, the closely related European species and their subspecies exhibit distinct inflorescence characters that allow for unambiguous differentiation. This study focuses on two closely related species within the genus Hierochloë: Hierochloë hirta (Schrank) Borbás and Hierochloë odorata (L.) Beauv. (2) For four subspecies, data were collected from 15 inflorescences each, while for one subspecies, 10 inflorescences were examined. From each inflorescence, six spikelets were selected. The statistical analyses were non-parametric methods, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and principal component analysis. (3) Morphological traits showed consistent patterns within each subspecies, indicating their suitability for taxonomic differentiation. The most reliable diagnostic traits were the length of the outer glume of the first flower and the lengths of the awns. (4) The study concludes that while some subspecies can be clearly distinguished based on inflorescence morphology, no single trait is sufficient to completely separate all taxa. The authors recommend recognizing Hierochloë odorata subsp. praetermissa as a subspecies rather than a distinct species and affirm the validity of the species names Hierochloë hirta and Hierochloë odorata. Full article

The cosmopolitan nematode Spirinia parasitifera has long been considered a single, morphologically variable species; however, mounting molecular evidence suggests that it represents a complex of cryptic taxa. In this study, we describe Spirinia koreana sp. nov., a new species collected from intertidal sediments of the Republic of Korea. The new species exhibits a high degree of morphological resemblance to both S. antipodea and S. parasitifera, with overlapping ranges in most morphological traits. While certain measurements, such as relatively shorter body length, more slender form (higher a ratio), moderately long tail length, and shorter spicule length differ from those in some described populations, no single morphological character alone reliably separates S. koreana from all previously reported specimens of S. parasitifera or S. antipodea. Nevertheless, molecular evidence from multiple genetic markers clearly supports its distinction as a separate species. Molecular data from mitochondrial COI, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA genes confirm the genetic distinctness of the Korean specimens from S. parasitifera and S. antipodea. Notably, S. koreana sp. nov. differs from other Spirinia species by 2.1–3.4% in 18S and up to 34.4% in 28S sequences, surpassing thresholds previously used to delimit marine nematode species. Our results emphasize the value of integrative taxonomy combining fine-scale morphology and multi-marker molecular data to uncover hidden diversity in meiofaunal nematodes. Full article

Prunus serotina (black cherry) is native to America and has five subspecies: serotina, eximia, hirsuta, virens, and capuli. P. serotina subsp. capuli is found in Central and South America with superior fruits found in Ecuador. These have large, juicy, and tasty fruits used for human consumption. They are available in produce markets and have important nutraceutical properties. However, no commercial cultivars of capuli are currently available. The main goal of this research was to understand if different morphological characters can differentiate unique populations of P. serotina subsp. capuli present in Ecuador. Morphological traits (tree, leaf, and flower) of plants grown from the OP seeds of 44 capuli accessions collected from three provinces of Ecuador (Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, and Tungurahua) were characterized in 2019 and 2020. Tree measurements included the number of primary branches and growth habit. Leaf measurements included petiole length, leaf area, leaf height, leaf width, leaf apex angle, and leaf basal angle. Flower measurements included pedicel length, flower width, and flower length. Raceme length, number of racemes per branch, and number of flowers per raceme were also characterized. ANOVA were performed with significant differences observed among capuli accessions for all variables measured. No clear differences were observed across regions with PCA and cluster analysis that may support the presence of different populations. Full article

Panama, located in the heart of the Mesoamerican hotspot, harbors an extraordinary species diversity across the Tree of Life. The Collembola species of the genus Lepidocyrtus play an important role in soil biological processes such as decomposition, being used to monitor soil health and functional parameters. However, the limitation of morphological characters and molecular resources hampers the evaluation of local soil diversity. Here, using 30 Lepidocyrtus specimens collected in the Parque Natural Metropolitano (PNM), we unravel the diversity of this Panamanian protected area through molecular tools and new taxonomic traits. Our phylogenies, in combination with species delimitation analyses, indicate that the PNM harbors an extremely rich community of Lepidocyrtus species, two of them cited in Panama for the first time, and three of them potentially new to science. We highlight that the presence of the dental tubercle and pseudopores on the BP4 region are not monophyletic and, therefore, can be used as supplementary characters to morphologically resolve species complexes. Overall, this study sheds light on the Lepidocyrtus richness of the PNM, which acts as a shelter for Panamanian and the Mesoamerican hotspot species. Full article

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. It is associated with an increased risk of somatic and mental health problems. The prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) in women with PCOS is higher than in the healthy population. The co-occurrence of PCOS and BED increases the risk of negative health outcomes and may worsen patient compliance. For both groups of disorders, specific personality traits have been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess temperament and character in PCOS women with and without BED, in search of specific personality traits that may distinguish PCOS patients with a higher predisposition to BED. Methods: 128 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the modified Rotterdam criteria were included in the study. All completed the Temperament and Character Inventory by R.C. Cloninger (TCI). The collected data were statistically analyzed. Results: The PCOS–BED subgroup was characterized by specific personality traits in comparison with PCOS subgroup: statistically significantly higher scores of harm-avoidance dimensions (in anticipatory worry, shyness, and fatigability subscales) and statistically significantly lower scores of persistence and self-directedness dimensions (in purposeful, resourcefulness, self-acceptance, and enlightened second nature subscales). Conclusions: PCOS–BED women have certain personality traits. Screening PCOS patients for the presence of certain personality traits could identify those at risk. PCOS–BED women may be at higher risk of health problems and treatment failure and may require a different therapeutic approach to treatment, including psychotherapeutic interventions. Full article

Neotropical species of the genus Fannia remain poorly known despite their potential collection as biological evidence in criminal investigations. This is partly due to taxonomic difficulties and a lack of specialists. Identifying neotropical species of Fannia relies mainly on the classical morphological characters of adult males, as females show high similarity between species. Here, landmark-based geometric morphometrics of the wing could constitute an additional tool for associating adult females with conspecifics in this genus. In this study, we used a reference dataset of males belonging to ten putative species of Fannia from Colombia and molecular data to test this hypothesis. We found a strong wing shape sexual dimorphism, resulting in an almost perfect sex assignment based solely on this trait. However, the differences in wing shape between sexes were greater than those between species, making conspecific identification difficult. Our data show that wing shape could only feasibly be used for identifying adult males and females of F. lamosca, and males of F. dorsomaculata and F. pseudoconstricta. Low discrimination scores among remaining species may be partly explained by high intraspecific variation, slight wing shape differences among closely related species, or sampling bias. Although this study provides the first wing size and shape comparison among neotropical Fannia species, more samples and species are needed to validate these findings and identify the potential factors influencing this trait. Furthermore, the wing shape sexual dimorphism across Fannia species suggests different life-history strategies between sexes and possible genetic canalization mechanisms. Full article

When children enter adolescence, their personality traits easily give rise to psychological reactance (PR). PR involves a desire for autonomy and independence, as well as an aversion to parental and social rules and restrictions. Factors that influence PR include physiological, familial, and social aspects. However, most studies on adolescent noncompliance have primarily focused on rebellious behavior. Little research has examined motivational state reactance, although its interaction with environmental perception can significantly affect adolescents’ lives. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the perceived friendliness of the community environment and cognitive processing at different quality of life (QoL) levels in relation to PR among adolescents. Propensity score matching was performed on a sample of 3546 adolescents, collected in Sanya, China. The results show that child-friendly communities (CFCs) had a significantly negative impact on adolescents’ PR levels. Additionally, QoL had a moderating effect, meaning that the higher the QoL, the stronger the role of a CFC in alleviating PR. In contrast to claims that PR is determined by temperament or character profiles, this study reveals the importance of environmental shaping through triadic reciprocal determinism and a focus on the key role of the community environment. Full article