We examined a purported lemur (Eulemur fulvus rufus E. albocollaris) hybrid zone at Andringitra, Madagascar, using sequences from five genes (one mitochondrial gene (d-loop) and four nuclear introns (hemopexin, malic enzyme, ceruloplasmin, and microsatellite 26 flanking region)), from 60 individuals (E. albocollaris (n = 16), E.f. rufus (n = 14), E. collaris (n = 9), and purported hybrids from ...

A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of 2 mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) confirmed that Ochotona alpina (Pallas, 1773) and O. turuchanensis Naumov, 1934, are sister taxa to all other Palearctic species of the subgenus Pika. O. hyperborea (Pallas, 1811) contains sufficient genetic heterogeneity to define 2 or 3 races within this species. Exami...

two species of the family colubridae were compared based on cranial osteology. the specimens were from kermanshah province (2010–2012). we compared the skulls of the two species and distinguished their differences. according to our study, eight elements of the skull are clearly different between the two species. these differences are speculated to relate to different diets, prey size or conclud...

The plant kingdom is by far the most efficient producer of chemical compounds, synthesising many products that are used in defence against herbivores. Extracts made from some plants, particularly extracts from plants within the Meliaceae (mahogany) family, have been shown to have insecticidal properties. We investigated the potential of these extracts and the possibility of integrating botanica...

Traditional concepts of the Bering Land Bridge as a zone of predominantly eastward expansion from Eurasia and a staging area for subsequent colonization of lower latitudes in North America led to early inferences regarding biogeographic histories of North American faunas, many of which remain untested. Here we apply a host-parasite comparative phylogeographical (HPCP) approach to evaluate one s...

Frequency, duration, and intensity of hot-weather events are all predicted to increase with climate warming. Despite this, mechanisms by which temperature increases affect individual fitness and drive population-level changes are poorly understood. We investigated the link between daily maximum air temperature (tmax) and breeding success of Kalahari common fiscals (Lanius collaris) in terms of ...

Scaevola, the only genus of Goodeniaceae that has extensively radiated outside of Australia, has dispersed throughout the Pacific Basin, with a few species reaching the tropical coastal areas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Five Australian and most of the non-Australian species are placed in Scaevola section Scaevola based on their fleshy fruits, indeterminate inflorescences, and more arbore...

Thirteen relatively frequently collected species of baridine weevils from mainland China were mapped to improve our understanding of biogeographic patterns and distributional ranges of Baridinae in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. This simple case study showed that taxonomists tend to underestimate the spatial scope required in regional investigations and descriptive works often resulting ...