Heterocypris (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from the Isole Pelagie (Sicily, Italy): The coexistence of different morphotypes

Morphological diversity and discrimination tools of the non-marine ostracod Cypridopsis silvestrii across temporal and spatial scales from Patagonia

Geometric morphometric methods are powerful tools to discriminate between closely related ostracods taxa as well as to study the relationship between their morphological variations, taxonomy and paleoecology. In this study, valve outline analysis allows the discrimination between the non-marine ostracod C. silvestrii and R. whatleyi juveniles, pointing out differences in the posterior valve area and surface ornamentation. Modern female specimens of C. silvestrii from 23 sites located in a spatial transect (41 to 51 °S) exhibited extensive morphological variability, on the basis of which three morphotypes (acuminated, transitional, subtruncated) were determined. Multivariate analyses showed that acuminated and transitional shapes are not arranged in groups but the subtruncated morphotype, previously described as E. cecryphalium, seems to be associated with low water conductivity (372 µS cm-1), dominant cold (5 ºC) and windy (8.6 m s-1) climatic conditions. The fossil cluster which included nine cores spanning the last 15.6 kyr, only covered acuminated and transitional shapes, which may indicate that these lineages might be older than the subtruncated morphotype. In addition, morphological differences between reproduction modes suggested that parthenogenetic females exhibit de posterior margin more acuminate than sexual females. These results set the ground for more precise ecological and paleoenvironmental studies in Patagonia.

Seasonal niche partitioning and coexistence of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Crustacea: Ostracoda)

Sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages in species with mixed reproductive systems is rarely observed in nature. On Lampedusa Island (Pelagie Islands, Italy), amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Gauthier and Brehm, 1928) co-occur in a temporary pond. Their sympatric persistence calls for an ecological differentiation. We investigated the role of seasonal variation of temperature and photoperiod conditions by two different approaches: microcosms set up by inundation of dry sediments from the temporary pond and life-table experiments. Microcosms recreate conditions similar to the field and in their sediments random samples of resting eggs of both amphimictic and parthenogenetic females are stored. Life-table experiments supplied individual-based estimates of survivorship, adult life span, fecundity, and sex ratio in the progeny. We carried out the experiments at 24 °C and a photoperiod of 12 h light (L) : 12 h dark (D) (simulating fall conditions) and at 16 °C and a photoperiod of 10 h L : 14 h D (simulating winter conditions). Males and amphimictic females were the most numerous forms at 24 °C and 12 h L : 12 h D; parthenogenetic females were dominant at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Life-table experiments showed that amphimictic forms do not complete development at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Our results suggest that sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic females in the field depends on seasonal niche partitioning and the storage effect of resting eggs that allows survival through adverse-season conditions.

Morphotypes of Cytheridella Ilosvayi (Ostracoda) Detected by Soft and Hard Part Analyses

Quantitative approaches dealing with soft- and hard-part morphological variability of ostracods are very rare for most species. Here we present intraspecific limb and shell variability of the Neotropical freshwater ostracod species assumed as Cytheridella ilosvayi. For the first time such an analysis considered adult females and males, as well as juveniles. Variability of the appendages included the antennule, second antenna as well as the first and second thoracopod and was analysed in terms of ratios of podomeres, setae and limbs. Limb variability of adult and juvenile individuals (down to A-3) is generally low. The highest variation is shown in podomere proportions of the antennas, while thoracopods and setae provide minor and/or non-significant influence on the variability. Based on discrimination analyses shell parameters (i.e., shell length, position of the transversal sulcus) emerge to be more important for differentiation of groups than limb ratios. Adult females exhibit a large size range in which two clearly separated morphotypes exist. Although differences in limbs are small their existence can be proven also on the basis of proportions between podomeres of the antennas. Males and juveniles, however, do not display a separation into corresponding subgroups or morphotypes. The presence of two morphologically similar females and only one type of males indicates the coexistence of female morphotypes which may represent either two (cryptic) species or a mixed reproduction population in which parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction coexists.