Article
Paleontology
Clara Heinrich, Voltaire D. Paes Neto, Marcel B. Lacerda, Agustin G. Martinelli, Maico S. Fiedler, Cesar L. Schultz
Summary: Understanding the ontogeny of a taxon is essential for its taxonomy and evolution. The use of neurocentral suture closure sequence as a method for determining maturity in extinct reptiles is debated, especially for species not closely related to crocodilians. Delayed neurocentral closure in Hyperodapedontinae may be a paedomorphic heterochronic process, while open neurocentral sutures do not always indicate immaturity in extinct reptiles. The ancestral state of Archosauria likely follows the crocodilian closure pattern, but delayed closure may have originated independently in several archosauromorph lineages.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michelangelo Bisconti, Giorgio Carnevale
Summary: This study reviews the morphological patterns of baleen whale cetaceans and explores the fundamental morphological transformations in the transition to the Mysticeti clade. The analysis focuses on skull and postcranial characters and supports the step-wise process of the origin and evolution of mysticetes.
Review
Geology
Carolin Haug, Ricardo Perez-De La Fuente, Viktor Baranov, Gideon T. Haug, Christine Kiesmueller, Ana Zippel, Marie K. Hoernig, Joachim T. Haug
Summary: During ontogenetic development, insects undergo drastic changes, particularly in the pupa stage. However, there are limited depictions of pupae in the literature. This study presents the first discovery of a fossil pupa in the lacewing group Mantispidae, observed in Eocene-aged Ukrainian Rovno amber. The study compares the morphology of pupae and adults of Mantispidae, revealing greater diversity in adult morphology and suggesting an indirect development of forelegs throughout ontogenetic stages.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2023)
Review
Zoology
Evelyn Hueppi, Ingmar Werneburg, Marcelo R. Sanchez-Villagra
Summary: The chondrocrania morphology of birds is generally uniform in major features, with some variation in specific regions. Unique chondrocranial anatomy in certain bird species reflects their distinct adult skull shape. Differences in chondrification sequence can distinguish between different bird clades, with conservation seen in certain areas of the chondrocranium.
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jason G. Randall, John Gatesy, Mark S. Springer
Summary: The loss of teeth and evolution of baleen racks in Mysticeti allowed baleen whales to diversify and feed on zooplankton. Genomic studies suggest that the genetic toolkit for enamel production was inactivated in the common ancestor of baleen whales. However, molecular studies have not provided direct evidence for the complete loss of teeth on the mysticete branch. To address these questions, protein-coding sequences of tooth-related genes were analyzed. The results suggest a two-step model for tooth loss in baleen whales, with enamel loss occurring early and dentin loss occurring later.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Georgy S. Levit, Uwe Hossfeld, Benjamin Naumann, Paul Lukas, Lennart Olsson
Summary: This article discusses Ernst Haeckel's biogenetic law and its development, as well as his discovery of an unknown organism in Norway and the evolution of the Gastraea theory. It also explores further studies and reformulations of the theory by other scientists.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Adam J. Munn, Edward P. Snelling, David A. Taggart, Roger S. Seymour
Summary: The study on the entire gastrointestinal tract of the western grey kangaroo found varying patterns of hyperallometric, hypoallometric, and isometric scaling at different life-history stages, possibly related to major life events. The forestomach mass showed changes before and after increased vegetation intake, potentially reflecting adaptations for processing fibrous vegetation.
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMICAL SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yury V. Malovichko, Anton E. Shikov, Anton A. Nizhnikov, Kirill S. Antonets
Summary: This study summarized existing data on seed development alterations in dicot plants, including genetic mutations and phenotypic differences caused by environmental influences. Several trends of timing alterations and potential ecological plasticity were identified based on the data provided.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ralf F. Schneider, Helen M. Gunter, Inken Salewski, Joost M. Woltering, Axel Meyer
Summary: Evolutionary novelties can promote ecological specialization and adaptive radiations. Belonoid fishes, such as flying fishes, halfbeaks, and needlefishes, have highly diversified elongated jaw phenotypes. In this study, the development of elongated jaws in a halfbeak and a needlefish was investigated, revealing that these jaws consist of distinct base and extension portions. The growth dynamics of both bases and extensions were described, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the extension outgrowth were deduced.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark S. Hibbins, Lara C. Breithaupt, Matthew W. Hahn
Summary: Phylogenetic comparative methods are crucial in evolutionary biology, but they often fail to account for discordant gene trees that do not align with the species tree. We introduce two new methods that incorporate gene tree histories into comparative analysis and show that they provide more accurate estimates of trait evolution than traditional methods. Applying these methods to floral traits in the Solanum genus, we demonstrate the impact of gene tree discordance on trait variation. Our approaches have broad applications in phylogenetics, including ancestral state reconstruction and lineage-specific rate shifts.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Biology
Stella Kyomen, Andrea P. Murillo-Rincon, Marketa Kaucka
Summary: Mammals show great variation in craniofacial morphology, which is a result of their adaptation to different ecological niches and lifestyles. The development of craniofacial structures occurs during embryonic development and is tightly regulated at various levels. Changes in timing, position, and concentration of molecular drivers can influence the final shape of the skull. Recent research has linked changes in developmental timing, spatial organization, and gene expression levels to species-specific skull morphologies in mammals. This review explores the evolutionary mechanisms of heterochrony, heterotopy, and heterometry and their effects on craniofacial development.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Kory M. Evans, Thaddaeus J. Buser, Olivier Larouche, Matthew A. Kolmann
Summary: Patterns of integration and modularity among organismal traits are prevalent across the tree of life. Although researchers have studied these patterns at the developmental and evolutionary levels, there is a lack of consensus on the relationship between developmental and evolutionary integration.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paschalis Natsidis, Paschalia Kapli, Philipp H. Schiffer, Maximilian J. Telford
Summary: The availability of complete gene sets from different organisms allows for identification of unique or lost genes in specific clades. Through simulation, it has been shown that errors in predicting orthologs increase with higher rates of evolution. Empirical data findings are closely replicated by simulated data with errors, suggesting downstream analyses should consider the impact of orthology prediction errors on gene evolution patterns.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Angelica S. Mascarenhas, Vera L. Scatena, Aline Oriani
Summary: Leiothrix exhibits morphological variations in floral organs and vascular systems compared to other genera of Eriocaulaceae, which may be the result of selective pressures from different groups of pollinating insects.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Kaoru Ishikawa, Yuki Taguchi, Ryomei Kobayashi, Wataru Anzai, Toshinori Hayashi, Masayoshi Tokita
Summary: Skeletal development in salamanders is influenced by their complex life history, and skull development varies among different species. The Japanese giant salamander exhibits adaptive skull development, allowing it to feed using suction force generated by opening its mouth.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Karen E. Samonds, R. Ewan Fordyce
JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2019)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
R. Ewan Fordyce
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mariana Viglino, Maximiliano Gaetan, Monica R. Buono, R. Ewan Fordyce, Travis Park
Summary: The inner ear morphology of late Oligocene-early Miocene extinct marine platanistoids and their evolutionary patterns were described for the first time, revealing a disparate range of cochlear anatomies consistent with high-frequency hearing. Platanista exhibited the most derived cochlear morphology, indicating it is an outlier within the group.
Article
Ornithology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Gerald Mayr
Summary: This study reports the first fossil bird specimen from Taiwan, shedding new light on the evolution of avifauna on the island. The Pleistocene fossil belongs to a phasianid bird, estimated to have lived in Taiwan around 400,000-800,000 years ago. Although the specific species could not be identified, the fossil has the potential to provide valuable insights into the past avian ecology of Taiwan.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Alberto Collareta, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Giovanni Coletti, Mark Bosselaers
Summary: Thatchtelithichnus traces are commonly found on the outside surface of plastral bones of Eocene geoemydid turtles and freshwater turtles, but have also been discovered on a partial grey whale mandible from the Belgian Pliocene. These traces, possibly attachment scars of aquatic ectoparasites, penetrate into the cancellous bone with a maximum depth of about 2 mm. Recent studies suggest that similar structures may be produced by barnacles attaching to mammal bones exposed on the seafloor, contributing to a better understanding of trace formation processes.
NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR GEOLOGIE UND PALAONTOLOGIE-ABHANDLUNGEN
(2021)
Article
Geology
Yoshihiro Tanaka, Megan Ortega, R. Ewan Fordyce
Summary: In this paper, a new specimen of an archaic dolphin is described, suggesting the expansion of the cerebrum in early Miocene Odontoceti. The reduction and loss of the olfactory fossa in Odontoceti are related to the energy-saving and expansion of the cerebrum, possibly leading to the evolution of modern oceanic dolphins.
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Yi-Lu Liaw, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: Proper taxonomic identification is crucial for understanding biodiversity and evolution. This study reexamines a replica of a turtle specimen from the Pleistocene of Taiwan and provides evidence to identify it as Mauremys reevesii instead of Chinemys pani. The study also confirms the presence of polymorphic characters in Mauremys reevesii and offers insights into the origin of modern biodiversity in Taiwan.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Steffen Kiel, James L. Goedert, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: The study investigates the decline of nautiloids during the Cenozoic period and its correlation with the appearance of pinnipeds and cetaceans. The results show that nautiloids became extinct in areas where pinnipeds appeared, except for the agile nautiloid Aturia. The decline of nautiloids in the American Pacific coasts coincided with the development of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) in the region. It is hypothesized that the spread of pinnipeds played a major role in driving nautiloids into their present-day refuge in the central Indo-West Pacific Ocean.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Mariana Viglino, Monica Romina Buono, Yoshihiro Tanaka, Jose Ignacio Cuitino, Robert Ewan Fordyce
Summary: Notocetus vanbenedeni is a valid platanistoid taxon with intermediate morphological features. Peruvian specimens cannot be assigned to this species based on anatomical differences and phylogenetic analyses. Notocetus vanbenedeni is the only suction-feeder recorded in the early Miocene of Patagonia and one of the smallest odontocetes. The abundant records of Notocetus vanbenedeni in a freshwater-influenced inner shelf environment suggest an early preference for such protected habitats.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Zhijie Jack Tseng
Summary: Machairodontinae, including the famous Smilodon and Homotherium, had a significant impact on the structure of ice-age ecosystems. Recent studies suggest the presence of Homotherium in Taiwan, expanding its known distribution in Eurasia.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberto Rozzi, Mark Lomolino, Alexandra A. E. van der Geer, Daniele Silvestro, S. Kathleen Lyons, Pere Bover, Josep A. Alcover, Ana Benitez-Lopez, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Masaki Fujita, Mugino O. Kubo, Janine Ochoa, Matthew E. Scarborough, Samuel T. Turvey, Alexander Zizka, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: Islands have long been recognized as unique environments for evolutionary divergence, resulting in variations in body size, such as dwarfs and giants. Incorporating data from 1231 extant and 350 extinct species, our study spanning 23 million years reveals that island mammals with extreme body sizes are most vulnerable to extinction. Moreover, the arrival of modern humans has significantly accelerated extinction rates, leading to the near complete eradication of these iconic examples of island evolution.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: Recent research on Late Eocene and Oligocene mysticete fossils has provided new insights into the diversity and evolution of early baleen whales. This review focuses on the origin of crown mysticetes, which is crucial for understanding the evolution of baleen whales. The phylogenetic positions of Oligocene genera from New Zealand remain unresolved, but they show a close relationship with crown mysticetes.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
James L. Goedert, Steffen Kiel, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: The fossil record of the cephalopod genus Nautilus was incorrectly classified as other genera in the 20th Century by influential taxonomists. However, recent recognition and correction have revealed that these fossils actually belong to the Nautilus genus. Fossils from Taiwan and Indonesia represent the northernmost and southernmost Neogene records, respectively, for Nautilus in the Indo-Pacific region. It is important to gather more specimens to determine the variability within these Neogene taxa.
Article
Paleontology
Jose P. O'Gorman, Rodrigo A. Otero, Norton Hiller, Robin F. O'Keefe, R. Paul Scofield, Ewan Fordyce
Summary: The holotype specimen of Alexandronectes zealandiensis was analyzed using digital reconstruction based on CT scans, revealing unique features such as the shape of the ectopterygoid and high dorsal crest of the pterygoid. Additional details of the internal anatomy were described, including the presence of a stapes and the description of the inner ear labyrinth and floccular recess for the first time among elasmosaurids. These findings provide insights into the adaptive mechanisms of elasmosaurids, particularly related to their long necks and predatory behavior.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Alberto Collareta, Mark Bosselaers
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2020)