More Like this

1. The early actinopterygian genus Rhadinichthys redefined, the type species ornatissimus redescribed, and the species bearsdeni introduced

   https://doi.org/10.1017/S1755691024000136  

   MO, Yunyan; CARON, Abigail M; COATES, Michael I (October 2024, Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh)

   ABSTRACT Rhadinichthysis one of the most wide-ranging and speciose genera of Palaeozoic actinopterygians. A classic variety of ‘palaeoniscoid’,Rhadinichthysspecies are generally small (~10–15 cm) and known mostly from dermal skeletal remains that show features commonplace among early ray-finned fishes. For this reason, the genus has long been considered a poorly diagnosed wastebasket taxon in need of revision and rarely included in systematic analyses. In the present work, syntypes ofRhadinichthys ornatissimus, the type species, are re-examined and supplemented with better-preserved material from other localities in the Scottish Midland Valley. A neotype is nominated and a more precise diagnosis presented with a suite of genus-level apomorphies. Unexpectedly, these traits are also evident in the monotypic Lower Carboniferous actinopterygian genusWoodichthys, which the neotype ofR. ornatissimusclosely resembles. As a result, the genusWoodichthysis subsumed within the redefinedRhadinichthys, and the singleWoodichthysspecies is reassigned asR. bearsdeni, comb. nov., bringing with it a set of endoskeletal data. Some of these data are new, derived from μCT scans of the skull of theR. bearsdeniholotype, yielding renderings that update the original description of its skull table, parasphenoid, neurocranium, and otoliths. Further new data concerning the hyoid arch are obtained from a new specimen ofR. bearsdenifrom a site close by the original Bearsden locality. Redefined in this way,Rhadinichthyspresents a data-rich operational taxonomic unit better suited for systematic studies. However, in so doing, it also releases a cluster of fossil species no longer anchored to a genus and now in need of rediagnoses. 

   more » « less
2. The long and short of the S ‐locus in Turnera (Passifloraceae)

   https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15970  

   Shore, Joel S.; Hamam, Hasan J.; Chafe, Paul D. J.; Labonne, Jonathan D. J.; Henning, Paige M.; McCubbin, Andrew G. (July 2019, New Phytologist)

   Summary Distyly is an intriguing floral adaptation that increases pollen transfer precision and restricts inbreeding. It has been a model system in evolutionary biology since Darwin. Although theS‐locus determines the long‐ and short‐styled morphs, the genes were unknown inTurnera. We have now identified these genes.We used deletion mapping to identify, and then sequence,BACclones and genome scaffolds to constructS/shaplotypes. We investigated candidate gene expression, hemizygosity, and used mutants, to explore gene function.Thes‐haplotype possessed 21 genes collinear with a region of chromosome 7 of grape. TheS‐haplotype possessed three additional genes and two inversions.TsSPH1was expressed in filaments and anthers,TsYUC6in anthers andTsBAHDin pistils. Long‐homostyle mutants did not possessTsBAHDand a short‐homostyle mutant did not expressTsSPH1.Three hemizygous genes appear to determine S‐morph characteristics inT. subulata. Hemizygosity is common to all distylous species investigated, yet the genes differ. The pistil candidate gene,TsBAHD, differs from that ofPrimula, but both may inactivate brassinosteroids causing short styles.TsYUC6is involved in auxin synthesis and likely determines pollen characteristics.TsSPH1is likely involved in filament elongation. We propose an incompatibility mechanism involvingTsYUC6andTsBAHD. 

   more » « less
3. The s Process and Beyond

   https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-nucl-102422-080857  

   Lugaro, Maria; Pignatari, Marco; Reifarth, René; Wiescher, Michael (September 2023, Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science)

   Neutron captures produce the vast majority of abundances of elements heavier than iron in the Universe. Beyond the classical slow ( s) and rapid ( r) processes, there is observational evidence for neutron-capture processes that operate at neutron densities in between, at different distances from the valley of β stability. Here, we review the main properties of the s process within the general context of neutron-capture processes and the nuclear physics input required to investigate it. We describe massive stars and asymptotic giant branch stars as the s-process astrophysical sites and discuss the related physical uncertainties. We also present current observational evidence for the s process and beyond, which ranges from stellar spectroscopic observations to laboratory analysis of meteorites. 

   more » « less
4. The Gaia -ESO Survey: the origin and evolution of s -process elements

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201832841  

   Magrini, L.; Spina, L.; Randich, S.; Friel, E.; Kordopatis, G.; Worley, C.; Pancino, E.; Bragaglia, A.; Donati, P.; Tautvaišienė, G.; et al (September 2018, Astronomy & Astrophysics)
5. Evolution and future of urban ecological science: ecology in , of , and for the city

   https://doi.org/10.1002/ehs2.1229  

   Pickett, Steward T.; Cadenasso, Mary L.; Childers, Daniel L.; McDonnell, Mark J.; Zhou, Weiqi (July 2016, Ecosystem Health and Sustainability)