Browsing by Autor "Eduardo A. Morales"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 37

ALGAL STUDIES IN BOLIVIA: A COMPILATION AND PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF EXISTING PHYCOLOGICAL LITERATURE
(2008) Eduardo A. Morales; Erika Fernández; Carla E. Fernández; Dennis Lizarro; Pamela Alcoreza
A compilation of phycological literature published on Bolivian algae is presented together with an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, and needs in this field of investigation. An analysis of the nationality of authors, type, content, and geographic focus of the references shows that literature is largely produced by foreign scientist, concentrated on just a few areas of the country, or are biased toward particular algal groups, leaving ample room for more exploration. The Altiplano (high mountain plateau) and Amazon concentrate most of the publications, the phytoplankton and algae found in sediment cores, being the communities that have received more attention from scientists. Taxonomic references focus more on phytoplankton and tychoplankton communities and are largely restricted to the mere presentation of taxa lists, but using old and geographically unsuitable floras as the source for taxa names. The present work does not incorporate an account of the number and identity of taxa at the genus, species or infraspecific levels. That work will be presented later after appropriate taxonomic review. The purpose of this compilation is to provide an overview for what is known about Bolivian algae up to this point and to provide the bases for further investigations in this field, including a catalog of Bolivian algae.
Analysis of the type of Fragilaria construens var. subsalina (Bacillariophyceae) and description of two morphologically related taxa from Europe and the United States
(Taylor & Francis, 2011) Cristina Cejudo‐Figueiras; Eduardo A. Morales; Carlos E. Wetzel; Saúl Blanco; Lucien Hoffmann; Luc Éctor
Cejudo-Figueiras C., Morales E.A., Wetzel C.E., Blanco S., Hoffmann L. and Ector L. 2011. Analysis of the type of Fragilaria construens var. subsalina (Bacillariophyceae) and description of two morphologically related taxa from Europe and the United States. Phycologia 50: 67–77. DOI: 10.2216/09-40.1Fragilaria construens var. subsalina is a common diatom found in a wide variety of aquatic systems worldwide. It was described by Hustedt (1925) Hustedt F. 1925. Bacillariales aus den Salzgewässern bei Oldesloe in Holstein. Mitteilungen der Geographischen Gesellschaft und des Naturhistorischen Museums in Lübeck, 2. Reihe, Heft 30: 84–121. [Google Scholar] from brackish waters in Oldesloe, Germany; a lectotype specimen was established by Simonsen (1987) Simonsen R. 1987. Atlas and catalogue of the diatom types of Friederich Hustedt. J. Cramer, Berlin - Stuttgart. Vol. 1 (catalogue). 525 pp. Vol. 2, 597 pp., pls 1–395; Vol. 3, 619 pp., pls 396–772. [Google Scholar]. We analysed the ultrastructure of specimens from the lectotype material by means of light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and show that this taxon should be placed at the species level within the genus Pseudostaurosira (as Pseudostaurosira subsalina). A similar but distinct taxon from the United States, found in waters with low electrolyte content, is proposed as a new species of Pseudostaurosira, namely Pseudostaurosira americana sp. nov. We also describe a second new species from Spain (Pseudostaurosira alvareziae sp. nov.), found in waters with moderate conductivity, which was misidentified as P. subsalina in the past. A morphometric analysis of the valve shape supports the morphological separation between the three species. The present study clarifies the taxonomy, ecology and systematic position of these three taxa and provides a comparison with other, similar taxa.
Characterization of a new species in the genusDidymospheniaand ofCymbella janischii(Bacillariophyta) from Connecticut, USA
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Diba A. Khan-Bureau; Eduardo A. Morales; Luc Éctor; Michael S. Beauchene; Louise A. Lewis
Two non-native stalk-forming diatoms that were recently observed in the West Branch of the Farmington River, a tributary of the Connecticut River in Connecticut (USA), are characterized morphologically and barcode marker sequences were obtained for each of them. Cymbella janischii, the dominant stalk-forming species during the summer of 2012, previously had not been found in the northeastern USA. Samples of C. janischii were examined microscopically and used to obtain four sequences of the barcode marker, the V4 region of the 18S rDNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the four independent sequences of C. janischii were distinct from, but most closely related to, published sequences of C. janischii from Idaho and C. mexicana from Texas, USA. A second non-native stalk-producing diatom, resembling Didymosphenia geminata, was found in November 2012 – June 2013 and first reported as Didymosphenia sp. Over this period, the observed cells had a compressed morphology and were consistently small compared with D. geminata. Sequences of the V4 region, obtained from three independent direct polymerase chain reactions (PCR) of single cells isolated from the Connecticut samples, indicated a close relationship to three published sequences of D. geminata from Italy, New Zealand and the USA, and to D. siberica and D. dentata from Russia. Frustules of the cells used in the PCR reactions were recovered and examined using scanning electron microscopy, providing a direct link between the observed morphology and sequence data. The morphology of the novel Connecticut Didymosphenia taxon was compared with that of other Didymosphenia taxa, being most similar to D. pumila, D. laticollis, D. grunowii and smaller cells of D. geminata. Didymosphenia sp. had a triundulate morphology with a consistent length of 40–60 µm. Given the unique morphological features of this diatom, it is proposed as a new species, Didymosphenia hullii Khan-Bureau, sp. nov.
Current taxonomic studies on the diatom flora (Bacillariophyceae) of the Bolivian Altiplano, South America, with possible consequences for palaeoecological assessments
(Copernicus Publications, 2014) Eduardo A. Morales; Carlos E. Wetzel; Sinziana F. Rivera; Bart Van de Vijver; Luc Éctor
Abstract. The present investigation is based on detailed taxonomical analyses combining light microscopy (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and critical reviews of publications and type material. This method revealed a higher number of diatom taxa than that reported for the Altiplano, reports that are based on LM and SEM, but force-fitting the taxa into their European relatives. It also became evident that some taxa often reported from the Altiplano do not occur or are less common in this region and that misidentifications are the consequence not only of force-fitting, but also of misinterpretation of the original protologues and illustrations (taxonomic concept drift). These findings have important repercussions on past palaeoecological assessments for the Altiplano, which have been based on ecological information for taxa developing in ecosystems of highly contrasting conditions. Here we present the case of three araphid diatoms, which were reported as known taxa from Europe and elsewhere, but in fact correspond to taxa described as new for the Altiplano or unpublished taxa. It is recommended that: (1) a flora for this region is developed utilizing sound microscopical data and reviewing pertinent type material, (2) key common taxa used for past palaeoecological studies in the Altiplano are reviewed using a taxonomically thorough and critical method, and (3) future palaeoecological studies for the Andes are supported by prior detailed taxonomical analysis.
Description and ultrastructure of araphid diatom species (Bacillariophyceae) morphologically similar to Pseudostaurosira elliptica (Schumann) Edlund et al.
(Wiley, 2010) Eduardo A. Morales; Mark B. Edlund; Sarah A. Spaulding
SUMMARY Several populations identified and reported from North America and Mongolia under the names Fragilaria elliptica Schumann or Staurosira elliptica (Schumann) Williams et Round were analyzed in detail using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis yielded three variants that can not be ascribed to ‘ elliptica ’ of the type. Furthermore, two of the variants could not be related to published taxa and we describe them as new species, Staurosira ambigua sp. nov. and Staurosira dimorpha sp. nov. A third variant was identified as Pseudostaurosira trainorii Morales, a taxon originally reported from ponds and a river in the north‐eastern USA. The combined LM and SEM analysis used here allowed for a more thorough circumscription of taxonomic boundaries among morphologically similar taxa and for better delimitation of their geographic distributions. A discussion of the taxonomy and ecology of these taxa based on literature and recent ecological data is presented.
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from the Bolivian Altiplano: three new araphid species from the Desaguadero River draining Lake Titicaca.
(Česká algologická společnost, 2012) Eduardo A. Morales; María Helena Novais; Gabriela Chávez; Lucien Hoffmann; Luc Éctor
Three new araphid diatom species, Pseudostaurosira decipiens E. Morales, G. Chávez et Ector, P. sajamaensis E. Morales et Ector and Staurosira kjotsunarum E. Morales, Novais et Ector are described from a single sample taken from the Desaguadero River in the Bolivian Altiplano. These species clearly belong in their respective genera as evidenced by their morphological features studied using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pseudostaurosira decipiens is unique in its genus because of the combination of lanceolate-shaped valves with central area, well-developed spines lacking ligulae, siliceous deposits on outer and inner areolar openings similar to flaps, and the inner rounded structure of the apical pore fields. Pseudostaurosira sajamaensis is different from other species of Pseudostaurosira due to its elliptic to lanceolate valves bearing a wide central sternum, spines with developed ligulae and bilobed flaps, robust volae and reduced or absent apical pore fields. Staurosira kjotsunarum is unique within Staurosira in having elevated costae on both external and internal views, narrowly spatulate spines that hold onto areolae of neighboring valves along a chain, and striae composed of round poroids underneath the apical pore fields on the valve mantle. The three species are compared with morphologically similar taxa and a brief analysis of the richness found in the studied sample in the context of previous publications on diatoms from the Andes and contiguous regions is presented.
En busca de alternativas de alimentación frente al cambio climático: estudio preliminar del impacto nutricional del Nostoc en estudiantes de primaria de la comunidad de Putucuni, Cordillera del Tunari, Quillacollo, Cochabamba-Bolivia
(2017) Eduardo A. Morales; Marcela Achá; Ma. Luisa Villarroel
Epilithic diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from cloud forest and alpine streams in Bolivia, South America 3: diatoms from Sehuencas, Carrasco National Park, Department of Cochabamba
(University of Zagreb, 2009) Eduardo A. Morales; Erika Fernández; Patrick Kociolek
Bolivia is the Yungas (cloud forest), a 90.500 km 2 strip located between the Andean Puna and the Amazonian lowlands. The Carrasco National Park is the park with the largest extension of Yungas within its boundaries. This park is located east from Cochabamba, the third largest city in Bolivia, and has an area of ca 6.226 km 2 , serving as a refuge to 5.000 recorded species of plants and more than 300 species of vertebrates. Very little is known about the aquatic biota in the zone and there are no studies on diatoms. One of the preferred tourist spots within the park is Sehuencas, located 17°31'42 S and 65°16'17 W and characterized by numerous lotic waterbodies. The present work was carried on 5 epilithic samples from which 118 species, varieties and forms were identified using light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Forty-two (36%) of these taxa were not found in the literature for South America or other regions of the world. This high percentage of unknown taxa suggests a high potential for the contribution of new organisms to science, many of which are possibly endemic to the region, thus justifying an additional effort to preserve the aquatic habitats in the park. Two new species are described herein (Fragilaria cochabambina Morales sp. nov. and Achnanthidium sehuencoensis Morales
Evaluación de la influencia de tres especies: tunal (Opuntia ficus-indica L.), chacatea (Dodonea viscosa Jacq.) y molle (Schinus molle L.) sobre las propiedades edáficas de un sistema agroforestal sucesional en Combuyo - Vinto
(2014) Andrea Bolaños Angulo; Mauricio Azero A.; Eduardo A. Morales
Floración algal nociva (FAN) producida por cianobacterias en la laguna Alalay, Cochabamba, Bolivia
(2017) Eduardo A. Morales; Sinziana F. Rivera; Luis H. Vildozo; Anelisse Pol
Floración de Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans (Dinoflagellata, Dinophyceae) en la represa de La Angostura, Cochabamba, Bolivia
(2016) Eduardo A. Morales
Se reporta por primera vez la floracion producida por el dinoflagelado Ceratium furcoides (Levander) Langhans en la represa de La Angostura, Cochabamba, Bolivia en julio, 2016. Si bien las floraciones de este dinoflagelado no son toxicas, la descomposicion de su biomasa produce anoxia severa con la consecuente muerte de zooplanctontes y peces. La importancia de este reporte radica en que las floraciones del mencionado dinoflagelado son cada vez mas frecuentes en Sudamerica y se precisan records para un mapeo y elaboracion de planes de accion para su control futuro. Se discuten las posibles causas de la floracion y su permanencia en el embalse en funcion a observaciones y revision bibliografica.
Hipótesis: la agrupación Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz.-Nitzschia palea (Kütz.) W. Sm.-bacterias en la laguna Alalay, Cochabamba, Bolivia es de tipo simbiótico
(2015) Eduardo A. Morales; Sinziana F. Rivera; Carlos E. Wetzel; Paul B. Hamilton; Denise C. Bicudo; Ricardo Amils Pibernat; Luc Éctor
Aulacoseira kruegeriana (Diatomeae, Coscinodiscophyceae): a new centric diatom from high-elevation Andean rivers and streams of Bolivia
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Eduardo A. Morales; Sinziana F. Rivera; Sergio Rubin; Morgan L. Vis; Václav Houk
A new centric diatom, Aulacoseira kruegeriana sp. nov., collected from small streams in the Yungas (cloud forest) region of Bolivia, is described based on light and electron microscopy. The new species is morphologically similar to Aulacoseira principissa Van de Vijver, A. alpigena (Grunow) Krammer, A. ambigua (Grunow) Simonsen, A. gessneri (Hustedt) Simonsen, A. laevissima (Grunow in Van Heurck) Krammer, A. lirata (Ehrenberg) Ross, and A. nygaardii (Camburn) Camburn & D.F. Charles. However, it is distinguished by its finer frustule structure, presence and features of separation and linking spines, density of areolae, rotae as mostly three-point bars, a solid and thick ringleist and indistinctly sigmoid mantle striae. Aulacoseira kruegeriana is the first new species of Aulacoseira. Thwaites reported from Bolivia. However, the literature on centric diatoms in this country is currently scarce and, as more research is conducted on streams and lakes, it is likely that additional novel centric diatoms will be discovered.
Brevilinea pocosinensis Siver, Hamilton & Morales gen. et sp. nov., a new diatom (Bacillariophyceae) genus from North Carolina, USA
(Wiley, 2008) Peter A. Siver; Paul B. Hamilton; Eduardo A. Morales
SUMMARY A new diatom genus, Brevilinea gen. nov., is described from an acidic freshwater lake situated on the Atlantic Coastal Plain of North Carolina, USA. The type for the genus, Brevilinea pocosinensis sp. nov., differs from other diatoms by the presence of a unique and reduced raphe that is restricted to the central portion of the valve. The new taxon has large and distinctive areolae that also serve to separate it from existing genera. The taxonomic placement of the new organism relative to other diatoms possessing a reduced raphe is discussed. Although Brevilinea may eventually be placed into a new family, given the current dynamic state of diatom systematics, it is premature to do so at this time.
Fragilariforma javanicacomb. nov.: analysis of type material of a widely reported species with a tropical distribution
(Taylor & Francis, 2013) Carlos E. Wetzel; Eduardo A. Morales; Friedel Hinz; Denise C. Bicudo; Luc Éctor
The transfer of Fragilaria javanica Hustedt to the genus Fragilariforma D.M. Williams & Round is presented based on a detailed analysis of the type material from Java (Malay Archipelago) using light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxon is characterized by each areola covered externally with a rota, well-developed, simple apical pore fields composed of rounded poroids and located on both valve apices, denticulate spines with tips oriented towards the apices, and open girdle bands with valvocopulae bearing heavily silicified advalvar fimbriae. These features are all shared with species currently ascribed to Fragilariforma, although the spine shape and orientation, and girdle elements having two rows of areolae, along with valvocopulae with well-developed fimbriae are typical of F. javanica. Morphological, ecological and distribution data are presented and discussed based on available literature for this taxon.
Mayamaea cahabaensissp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a New Freshwater Diatom from Streams in the Southern United States
(Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 2009) Eduardo A. Morales; Kalina M. Manoylov
A new diatom species, Mayamaea cahabaensis, was observed during analysis of algal samples collected from Alabama (USA) by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). Subsequently, other populations of the same species were found in material collected for a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project also from Alabama streams. A review of NAWQA materials at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia (ANSP) revealed that the species was also found in Arkansas, Arizona and Texas. Light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) features reveal an affinity of the new taxon with Mayamaea Lange-Bertalot. Some of these features include elliptical valves with rounded ends and parallel to radiate striae composed of round areolae, which are occluded by a hymen positioned toward the external opening of each individual areola. The valves are slightly asymmetrical about the median transapical plane. The asymmetry of the valves and the clarity of the valve ornamentations under LM are features that are not seen in other members of the genus. The new species is eutraphentic and was found in warm waters with medium conductivity. So far, only freshwater stream populations have been found with no records from lakes.New taxa: Mayamaea cahabaensis Morales and Manoylov
PSEUDOSTAUROSIRA MEDLINIAEA NEW NAME FORPSEUDOSTAUROSIRA ELLIPTICA(GASSE) JUNG ET MEDLIN
(Taylor & Francis, 2010) David M. Williams; Eduardo A. Morales
(2010). PSEUDOSTAUROSIRA MEDLINIAE A NEW NAME FOR PSEUDOSTAUROSIRA ELLIPTICA (GASSE) JUNG ET MEDLIN. Diatom Research: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 225-226.
Macrófitas poco frecuentes o desconocidas de la laguna Alalay, Cochabamba, Bolivia
(2013) Eduardo A. Morales; Sinziana F. Rivera
Morphological observations and emended description ofAmphora micrometrafrom the Bolivian Altiplano, South America
(Taylor & Francis, 2011) Éva Ács; Luc Éctor; Keve T. Kiss; Csaba Cserháti; Eduardo A. Morales; Zlatko Levkov
Abstract A population of Amphora micrometra Giffen, collected in September 2002 from different habitats in Laguna Blanca in the Bolivian Altiplano, South America, has been examined using light transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The original description of this species is incomplete and insufficient to characterize the taxon in the light of the newly collected ultrastructural data. The holotype of A. micrometra was examined during the present study and compared to Bolivian specimens. An emended diagnosis of A. micrometra using all available information is provided. A taxonomic discussion based on available literature and the ecology of the taxon is also presented herein. Keywords: BacillariophyceaeAndesBoliviaLaguna Blanca Amphora micrometra taxonomy Acknowledgements The authors thank Johan van der Molen, Curator of CSIR diatom collection (KwaZulu-Natal, Regional office in Durban, South Africa), for M.N. Giffen type slide and raw material of the South African Diatom Collection, Katarina Caput (Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia) for TEM micrographs, Mike Amspoker and an unknown referee for the correction of the manuscript. The 2002 expedition to Bolivia was funded by the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) Directorate Discretionary Funds and supported by the ARC Space Science Division. The authors thank Nathalie A. Cabrol (Expedition Leader) for the possibility to participate on the expedition and the use of the chemical data presented herein.
Morphological studies on type material of widely cited araphid diatoms (Bacillariophyta)
(Taylor & Francis, 2015) Eduardo A. Morales; Carlos E. Wetzel; Bart Van de Vijver; Luc Éctor
:We analysed syntype material of Odontidium harrisonii W. Smith, Odontidium mutabile W. Smith, Odontidium tabellaria W. Smith, Odontidium tabellaria var. β W. Smith, Odontidium parasiticum W. Smith, Odontidium parasiticum var. β W. Smith and Fragilaria brevistriata Grunow in Van Heurck. A combination of light and scanning electron microscopy revealed that taxonomic drift led to currently misconstrued concepts of many of these taxa. Preservation of type materials allowed morphological study of each taxon in detail. The following new combinations, new names and new statuses are presented: Staurosirella harrisonii (W. Smith) E. Morales & C.E. Wetzel comb. nov., Staurosirella mutabilis (W. Smith) E. Morales & Van de Vijver comb. nov. and Pseudostaurosira smithii E. Morales & Ector nom. nov. stat. nov. Nomenclatural and ecological discussions, based on historical and current literature, are presented for each taxon. The study of type materials is a necessary task in order to improve current databases used for taxonomic and ecological purposes, and such a study should be an essential component of large-scale palaeo or neo-limnological research programs.