Directional evolution is one of the most compelling evolutionary patterns observed in macroevolution. Yet, despite its importance, detecting such trends in multivariate data remains a challenge. In this study, we evaluate multivariate evolution of shell shape in 93 bivalved scallop species, combining geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods. Phylomorphospace visualization de...

In this study, to determine the trophic level of Küçükçekmece Lagoon Lake, water and sediment samplings were performed at five selected stations seasonally during a year between 2014-2015. The samples analyzed some environmental variables (water temperature, pH, conductivity, DO (dissolved oxygen), TDS (total dissolved solids), salinity. NO3-N, NO2-N, SO4-2, PO4-3, SiO2, chlorophyll-a, TP phosp...

Morphologically-defined mammalian and molluscan genera (herein "morphogenera") are significantly more likely to be monophyletic relative to molecular phylogenies than random, under 3 different models of expected monophyly rates: approximately 63% of 425 surveyed morphogenera are monophyletic and 19% are polyphyletic, although certain groups appear to be problematic (e.g., nonmarine, unionoid bi...

Mytilid bivalves employ a set of threads (the byssus) to attach themselves to both hard and soft substrates. In this study, we measured the mechanical properties of byssal threads from two semi-infaunal mytilids (Geukensia demissa Dillwyn and Modiolus modiolus Linnaeus) and two epifaunal mytilids (Mytilus californianus Conrad and Mytilus edulis Linnaeus). We compared material properties with an...

We report here the draft genome sequence of Aeromonas molluscorum 848T, the type strain of this Aeromonas species, which was isolated from wedge shells (Donax trunculus) obtained from a retail market in Barcelona, Spain, in 1997.

Monitoring sediment quality and total mercury concentrations over the period 1993-2001 at 26 stations in San Francisco Estuary has shown the seasonal cycling of mercury sediment concentrations, as well as a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in those concentrations at eight stations across the estuary. This decrease in sediment mercury concentrations is attributed to the transport of relatively cl...