The largest genus within the Phyllanthaceae family is a group called Phyllanthus L. Recent studies have shown, that Phyllanthus is paraphyletic with the genera Glochidion, Breynia and Synostemon... Show moreThe largest genus within the Phyllanthaceae family is a group called Phyllanthus L. Recent studies have shown, that Phyllanthus is paraphyletic with the genera Glochidion, Breynia and Synostemon nested within it. In this thesis, I study the evolution and systematics of Phyllanthus and how to solve the apparent paraphyly. First we explore past morphological subgroups to come to a subdivision, which was tested using molecular phylogenetics. Several species of Phyllanthus are also used in traditional medicine and by utilizing the living collections of the Hortus botanicus Leiden, we tested for antibacterial and antifungal bioactivity. The phylogeny resulting from this study is used to study the historical biogeography and diversification of the tribe and to propose a new classification where Phyllanthus is separated into several smaller genera. Show less
The thesis is about the study of shell evolution of the Hydrocenidae of the genus Georissa. This thesis started with a general overview on the evolutionary process of animals due to ecological... Show moreThe thesis is about the study of shell evolution of the Hydrocenidae of the genus Georissa. This thesis started with a general overview on the evolutionary process of animals due to ecological changes. This study has revealed that the Bornean Georissa are more diverse than previously anticipated. I did the taxonomic revision of the genus Georissa, and discussed the morphological features, phylogenetic relationships, and the biogeographic distribution of the genus in Malaysian Borneo. Also, I studied the shell character evolution of the Bornean Georissa in a phylogenetic framework. Based on the phylogeny, I found convergence in the formation of scales. Additionally, I discussed the differentiation of size and coloration of the Bornean Georissa in dependence on different habitats. Show less
“Temminck’s Order” is the scientific biography of Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778–1850), a Dutch naturalist and the first director of ’s Rijks Museum van Natuurlijke Historie in Leiden. It embeds... Show more“Temminck’s Order” is the scientific biography of Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778–1850), a Dutch naturalist and the first director of ’s Rijks Museum van Natuurlijke Historie in Leiden. It embeds Temminck’s career in the context of the development of nineteenth-century zoological classification, which has been explored only partially. Addressing this historiographic silence, this book examines, among other things, Temminck’s law on the geographical distribution of animals, his classification systems, his definitions of type and genus, and his debates with fellow naturalists. From this study, three main issues emerge as the most relevant at that time: the development of systematics as a discipline, the rise of a meritocracy in natural history and the status of systematics within natural history and natural philosophy. “Temminck’s Order” provides a more detailed view of the complex history of zoological classification, with the conclusion that systematics came of age between 1800 and 1850. Show less
In this thesis, I targeted the orchid genus Lepanthes, one of the six genera of angiosperms that surpasses 1,000 species in the Neotropics, as a study model to investigate the evolutionary... Show moreIn this thesis, I targeted the orchid genus Lepanthes, one of the six genera of angiosperms that surpasses 1,000 species in the Neotropics, as a study model to investigate the evolutionary processes that promoted species diversifications. To investigate this, we improved the taxonomy of the group integrating a solid phylogenetic framework with morphological evolution, assessing inter-specific relationships in species complexes with hundreds of DNA markers using anchored hybrid enrichment approach, and describing new species. In addition, we addressed the pollination of Trichosalpinx through the study of floral anatomy, pollinator behavior, and floral traits. Trichosalpinx flowers are pollinated exclusively by female biting midges that are attracted by the small quantities of proteins secreted on the flowers. Finally, we inferred the biogeographical history and diversification dynamics of the two largest Neotropical orchid groups (Cymbidieae and Pleurothallidinae), using densely sampled phylogenies coupled with geological datasets and discussed the impact of biogeographical events and orogeny on the species richness of Lepanthes. Species diversification is correlated with Andean orogeny, and multiple migrations and recolonizations across the Andes indicate that mountains do not constrain orchid dispersal over long timescales. This thesis provides new insights into the complex evolution of one of the most species-rich angiosperm. Show less
Improvements of weak gravitational lensing shape measurements are presented and some used for data analysis. Accurate estimates of masses are calculated for clusters of galaxies and member... Show moreImprovements of weak gravitational lensing shape measurements are presented and some used for data analysis. Accurate estimates of masses are calculated for clusters of galaxies and member galaxies. Show less
Octocorallia (primarily soft corals and gorgonians) occur in cold-water environments as well as in tropical seas and can form a major component of reef communities. Because of their... Show more Octocorallia (primarily soft corals and gorgonians) occur in cold-water environments as well as in tropical seas and can form a major component of reef communities. Because of their abundance and three-dimensional structure octocorals are an important habitat for symbiotic species such as crustaceans, worms, fishes and molluscs. Among the latter group are snails of the family Ovulidae, obligate associates of octocorals. Ovulid snails have adapted their morphological appearance to avoid predation. They can either be perfectly camouflaged or ambiguously coloured to advertise their toxic properties. It was therefore expected that these morphological adaptations would have an evolutionary background, which would corresponds with that of their octocoral hosts. In this thesis the evolutionary history of the Ovulidae and Octocorallia are examined within and between both taxa by using a multifaceted approach, consisting of (calibrated) phylogenetic and co-evolutionary analyses, taxonomic revisions and coral bioactivity research. The results show that snails and octocorals did not coevolve, but that the evolutionary history between both groups is best described as sequential evolution in which the host affects the symbiont but not vice versa. Show less
This thesis reviews the available coral studies in the Persian Gulf at a large scale, discusses the environmental challenges for corals in the context of climate change, and expands our... Show more This thesis reviews the available coral studies in the Persian Gulf at a large scale, discusses the environmental challenges for corals in the context of climate change, and expands our knowledge of coral biodiversity and biogeography of the region, highlights the remaining gaps in our knowledge and goes on to provide recommendations for further research. This is of special importance given recent international interest in the region as a harbinger of coral adaptation to climate change as the impacts to the global environment, human society and the economy unfold. Show less
Gall crabs (Crustacea : Cryptochiridae) are small, coral-dwelling crabs that live in obligate association with their host corals (Scleractinia), on which they rely for food and shelter. They have... Show moreGall crabs (Crustacea : Cryptochiridae) are small, coral-dwelling crabs that live in obligate association with their host corals (Scleractinia), on which they rely for food and shelter. They have been recorded from shallow and deeper waters (over 500 m), but the majority of the species live in reef corals in the photic zone. The highest number of species is recorded from the Indo-West Pacific, where coral diversity is highest. This PhD thesis deals with various aspects of their evolution and diversification; four species are described as new to science, and the host specificity, biogeography, distribution and reproductive morphology of gall crabs are studied. In addition, the close association between gall crabs and corals allowed for studies on (cryptic) speciation and possible coevolution. Results show that the observed coevolutionary events should most probably be ascribed to sequential evolution, which indicates that the phylogeny of the gall crabs has been directed by the evolution of the corals. Show less
This thesis presented eight studies in the field of systematic botany, with a focus on the molecular phylogenetics, taxonomy, and pollen morphology of the tribe Miliuseae (formerly known as the... Show moreThis thesis presented eight studies in the field of systematic botany, with a focus on the molecular phylogenetics, taxonomy, and pollen morphology of the tribe Miliuseae (formerly known as the miliusoid clade) of the pantropical flowering plant family Annonaceae. The general aims were: (1) to investigate intertribal relationships of the tribe Miliuseae, (2) to clarify generic delimitations by investigating the intergeneric relationships within the tribe Miliuseae, and (3) to understand patterns of character evolution within the tribe Miliuseae. To achieve these aims, a molecular phylogeny of a subclade of the subfamily Malmeoideae consisting of the tribes Maasieae, Malmeeae, Fenerivieae, Dendroking- stonieae (sampled for the first time), Monocarpieae, and Miliuseae was reconstructed using a much expanded taxon and chloroplast DNA marker sampling in comparison to previous studies. In addition, detailed taxonomic and/or palynological studies of the monogeneric tribes Dendrokingstonieae and Monocarpieae, and several genera in Miliuseae have been presented. The evolution of selected macromorphological and palynological characters was investigated using ancestral character-state reconstructions. Generic delimitations within Miliuseae, in light of the results of the molecular phylogenetic studies, were discussed, and two new genera, Hubera and Winitia, have been characterized based on macromorphology and pollen morphology. Show less
Derris Lour. (family Fabaceae/tribe Millettieae) is a quite well-known legume genus as many species are a source of Rotenone toxin, a commercial organic insecticide and fish poison used in many... Show moreDerris Lour. (family Fabaceae/tribe Millettieae) is a quite well-known legume genus as many species are a source of Rotenone toxin, a commercial organic insecticide and fish poison used in many countries. The genus is characterized mainly by its indehiscent, flat, thin but leathery pods with usually wing(s) along the suture(s). In the tribe Millettieae, however, there are several plants in the tropical areas of the old and new world which have similar pods and other morphological characters comparable to Derris. They all are called Derris-like taxa (or Derris-like plants) in this thesis. In the course of time, different generic circumscriptions of these plants were proposed by various taxonomists. The main objectives of this thesis are to clarify the relationships between species and genera within this complex group of Derris-like taxa [mainly focused on the old-world Asian genera: Aganope, Brachypterum and Derris (+Paraderris)] and to provide a new classification which reflects the evolutionary and biogeographic relationships of these plants. Show less
The northwest corner of South America harbours a region of spectacular and mysterious landscapes called Pantepui. Due to its ancient age and fragmented topography Pantepui has been assumed to be an... Show moreThe northwest corner of South America harbours a region of spectacular and mysterious landscapes called Pantepui. Due to its ancient age and fragmented topography Pantepui has been assumed to be an ideal nursery of speciation, and tepuis (table mountains) have been seen as potential inland counterparts to oceanic islands. Tepuis are often called __islands in the sky__ and their summits seem indeed ideal candidates to harbour relict species, isolated from the rest of the world for millions of years. However our knowledge about the origin and diversification of the Pantepui biota is at least as fragmentary as the tepui physiography itself. This led some authors to consider the origin of local biodiversity and endemism a still-unresolved evolutionary enigma. This work aims to (1) better understand the species diversity, the evolutionary history, the dynamics of biotic interchanges between tepui summits, and the patterns of endemism of the fauna in the Pantepui region, using morphological analyses and molecular phylogenies of six amphibian and reptile taxa; (2) provide new insights in the timing of the geomorphological evolution of the tepuis in the light of amphibian and reptile species diversification inferred from molecular phylogeny reconstructions and estimates of divergence time. Show less
Caecilians, or Gymnophiona, constitute one of the three extant orders of the Recent Amphibia and are the least known, major living tetrapod clade. Compared to frogs and salamanders, caecilians have... Show moreCaecilians, or Gymnophiona, constitute one of the three extant orders of the Recent Amphibia and are the least known, major living tetrapod clade. Compared to frogs and salamanders, caecilians have an unusual skull morphology. Earlier reports of an unusually high number of individual skull ossifications in Hypogeophis rostratus are addressed and found to be erroneous. Changes in skull morphology and myology at metamorphoses are investigated in representatives of all taxa possessing free-living larvae. It is argued that caecilians are derived from gymno- or zygokrotaphic ancestors and that stegokrotaphy evolved within Recent caecilians. The influence of different life-histories on postembryonic skull development was studied in two direct-developing species. The direct-developing Boulengerula taitanus is characterized by very immature hatchlings, which is correlated with an extended period of post-hatching parental care in this species, during which juveniles feed on the modified skin of their mothers. Direct development in caecilians is characterized by ontogenetic repatterning and heterochronic shifts in certain developmental events. The ontogeny of Scolecomorphus kirkii was studied as a representative of a viviparous form. The emerging picture of available published information, together with observations presented here, suggest a previously unsuspected degree of developmental diversity among caecilians. It is further argued that caecilians are lissamphibians with temnospondyl affinities rather than closely related to lepospondyl microsaurs. Show less
Africa has a large and almost uninterrupted land surface that is isolated from surrounding continents. In the last 20 million years Africa had a variable and increasingly dry climate. As a result... Show moreAfrica has a large and almost uninterrupted land surface that is isolated from surrounding continents. In the last 20 million years Africa had a variable and increasingly dry climate. As a result the Afrotropics have only half as many odonate species as tropical America or Asia. __Relict__ families are scarce and concentrated in five isolated, climatically stable areas: (1) the Cameroon highlands, (2) locally in East Africa, (3) the Cape region, (4) the granitic Seychelles, and especially (5) Madagascar. Most African odonate species, about two-fifths, are restricted to the Central and West African forests. The remainder is found, in three fairly equal parts, in (1) the highlands from Arabia to the Cape, (2) Madagascar and surrounding archipelagos, and (3) open habitats throughout the region. Most mainland species appear related to the relatively diverse fauna of tropical Asia, but have few relatives on Madagascar, suggesting that the modern continental fauna mostly diversified after the arrival of Asian ancestors. Being best adapted to change, Coenagrionidae and Libellulidae are the largest odonate families on Earth. Only in temperate regions, impacted strongly by the ice ages, is their dominance comparable to that in changeable Africa. The climatic influence is further seen in forest species __stranded__ in highlands by forest reduction, savanna species __trapped__ by forest expansion, and overseas colonisation of East Africa by island species. Traditional theory is that speciation took place in habitat fragments created by climatic change, especially in forest refuges, but such refuges seem to conserve old species rather than generate new ones. Abrupt habitat gradients in heterogeneous landscapes may be more important in speciation, especially close to areas where potential ancestors are conserved. The habitat mosaic on the Congo-Zambezi watershed is the best modern example of such an area. Phylogenetic research of various African plants and animals indicate that environmental and dispersal barriers are easily straddled, with savanna species radiating from a forest ancestors and vice versa. Species were eliminated with climatic change, but new ecological space was also constantly created. Such processes must also have lead to the __demise__ of most of Africa__s old odonate diversity and the __rise__ of a rich new fauna. Show less
