Showing papers by "Museum of Texas Tech University published in 2007"
TL;DR: Analysis of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of 44 species of deer mice used to develop a molecular phylogeny for Peromyscus depicted strong support for a clade placing Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, OsgoodomYS, and Podomys within Peromycus.
Abstract: One hundred DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene of 44 species of deer mice (Peromyscus (sensu stricto), 1 of Habromys, 1 of Isthmomys, 2 of Megadontomys, and the monotypic genera Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys were used to develop a molecular phylogeny for Peromyscus. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference) were conducted to evaluate alternative hypotheses concerning taxonomic arrangements (sensu stricto versus sensu lato) of the genus. In all analyses, monophyletic clades were obtained that corresponded to species groups proposed by previous authors; however, relationships among species groups generally were poorly resolved. The concept of the genus Peromyscus based on molecular data differed significantly from the most current taxonomic arrangement. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian trees depicted strong support for a clade placing Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys within Peromyscus. If Habromys, Megadontomys, Neotomodon, Osgoodomys, and Podomys are regarded as genera, then several species groups within Peromyscus (sensu stricto) should be elevated to generic rank. Isthmomys was associated with the genus Reithrodontomys; in turn this clade was sister to Baiomys, indicating a distant relationship of Isthmomys to Peromyscus. A formal taxonomic revision awaits synthesis of additional sequence data from nuclear markers together with inclusion of available allozymic and karyotypic data.
115 citations
TL;DR: This reconstruction shows that the wings of Microraptor could have resembled a staggered biplane configuration during flight, where the forewing formed the dorsal wing and the metatarsal wing formed the ventral one.
Abstract: Microraptor gui, a four-winged dromaeosaur from the Early Cretaceous of China, provides strong evidence for an arboreal-gliding origin of avian flight. It possessed asymmetric flight feathers not only on the manus but also on the pes. A previously published reconstruction shows that the hindwing of Microraptor supported by a laterally extended leg would have formed a second pair of wings in tetrapteryx fashion. However, this wing design conflicts with known theropod limb joints that entail a parasagittal posture of the hindlimb. Here, we offer an alternative planform of the hindwing of Microraptor that is concordant with its feather orientation for producing lift and normal theropod hindlimb posture. In this reconstruction, the wings of Microraptor could have resembled a staggered biplane configuration during flight, where the forewing formed the dorsal wing and the metatarsal wing formed the ventral one. The contour feathers on the tibia were positioned posteriorly, oriented in a vertical plane for streamlining that would reduce the drag considerably. Leg feathers are present in many fossil dromaeosaurs, early birds, and living raptors, and they play an important role in flight during catching and carrying prey. A computer simulation of the flight performance of Microraptor suggests that its biplane wings were adapted for undulatory “phugoid” gliding between trees, where the horizontal feathered tail offered additional lift and stability and controlled pitch. Like the Wright 1903 Flyer, Microraptor, a gliding relative of early birds, took to the air with two sets of wings.
79 citations
TL;DR: The results of this preliminary analysis indicate that Lamplughsaura is either a basal Sauropoda or, less likely, based on Templeton's test, a stem sauropodomorph.
Abstract: The Upper Dharmaram Formation (Lower Jurassic, Sinemurian) of India has yielded three sauropodomorph dinosaurs, two new taxa and an indeterminate one. Lamplughsaura dharmaramensis n. gen. and sp., represented by several partial skeletons, is a heavily built quadrupedal form (body length ∼10 m). Autapomorphies include teeth with strongly emarginated distal edge; caudal cervical neural spines bearing a vertically oriented ligamentous furrow on cranial and caudal surfaces and a transversely expanded spine table; caudal neural spines bearing a craniodorsally directed spur (proximal caudal vertebrae) or a large process (midcaudal vertebrae); caudal neural spines shorter than transverse processes so former lost first in passing along tail; and a plesiomorphy that is the nontrenchant form of manual ungual I. The Indian dinosaurs were coded for two recent datamatrices for basal sauropodomorphs. The results of this preliminary analysis indicate that Lamplughsaura is either a basal Sauropoda or, less likel...
55 citations
TL;DR: The flight performance of the gigantic volant bird Argentavis magnificens from the upper Miocene of Argentina is calculated using a computer simulation model, finding that it was an excellent glider, with a gliding angle close to 3° and a cruising speed of 67 kph.
Abstract: We calculate the flight performance of the gigantic volant bird Argentavis magnificens from the upper Miocene (≈6 million years ago) of Argentina using a computer simulation model. Argentavis was probably too large (mass ≈70 kg) to be capable of continuous flapping flight or standing takeoff under its own muscle power. Like extant condors and vultures, Argentavis would have extracted energy from the atmosphere for flight, relying on thermals present on the Argentinean pampas to provide power for soaring, and it probably used slope soaring over the windward slopes of the Andes. It was an excellent glider, with a gliding angle close to 3° and a cruising speed of 67 kph. Argentavis could take off by running downhill, or by launching from a perch to pick up flight speed. Other means of takeoff remain problematic.
54 citations
TL;DR: The Great American Biotic Interchange played an important role for the migration of the proboscideans into South America.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, four localities (Fenske, Mud Lake, Schaefer, and Hebior) in southeastern Wisconsin have been put forth as probable sites associated with early peoples based on purported cultural marks on bones and lithic artifacts.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a multivariate analysis of point shapes from eight assemblages of the Lubbock Lake FA5-17 assemblage was performed to identify the primary difference in point shape between long points with narrow bases and short points with wide bases.
Abstract: Late Paleoindian typology on the southern High Plains has suffered from overlapping definitions and subjectivity in assigning individual projectile points to types. To address perceived projectile point variability in the region, assemblages from several localities on the southern High Plains are examined for statistical differences in shape. Digital photographs of projectile points are used to digitize point outlines. Landmark coordinate data then are used to delineate 10 interlandmark characters. Multivariate analysis of projectile points from eight assemblages reveals that the primary difference in point shape lies between long points with narrow bases and short points with wide bases. Analysis of characters by raw material type or source discerned no significant differences. Variation in point form represented by most of the assemblages, including the Plainview and Milnesand type assemblages, overlaps to a significant degree. The Lubbock Lake FA5-17 assemblage, consisting of long points with n...
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an experimental study has been developed to examine the fractured gravels observed at a prehistoric site on the Southern Plains (USA), and the experiment has sought to determine whether cultural or natural agencies were responsible for the production of the angularly fractured rocks.
25 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of genetic and morphological data used to investigate species diversity, distributional patterns, and taxonomy of Apodemus in Ukraine substantiate the marked genetic structure reported for A. sylvaticus and document the presence of northern and southern continental lineages of this species in Ukraine.
Abstract: ?In 2004, we collected 211 specimens of European field mice (genus Apodemus; subgenus Sylvaemus) from 16 localities in northern, western, central, and southern Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula. We used cytochrome-b mitochondrial DNA sequence data to investigate species diversity, distributional patterns, and taxonomy of Apodemus in Ukraine. Sequence data proved useful for species-level discrimination, because the 11 species examined were defined by low levels of intraspecific variation (mean range, 0.00‐3.35%) and by high levels of interspecific variation (mean range, 5.37‐18.9%). We identified the 211 specimens to 1 of 4 species: A. flavicollis (n ¼ 121), A. sylvaticus (n ¼ 34), A. uralensis (n ¼ 16), and A. witherbyi (n ¼ 40). Although all 4 species are known from Ukraine, this study provides new information about the ranges and population identity for these species in southeastern Europe. For example, our analyses substantiate the marked genetic structure reported for A. sylvaticus and document the presence of northern and southern continental lineages of this species in Ukraine that are hypothesized to have been isolated from each other in glacial refugia approximately 1.5 million years ago (.5% genetic divergence). Banks of the Dneiper River in northern Ukraine represent an area of secondary contact for the 2 lineages. Additionally, although application of A. witherbyi as a species-level name is debatable, examination of our genetic and morphological data supports its validity and priority over junior synonyms A. hermonensis and A. iconicus.
22 citations
TL;DR: High nucleotide-diversity values indicate a high number of closely related haplotypes, and suggest that this population of the southern plains woodrat may have undergone a recent expansion, however, Fu's FS statistic did not fully support this finding.
Abstract: Nucleotide sequences from the mitochondrial control region and genotypes from 5 nuclear microsatellite loci were used to examine genetic structure and infer recent (within approximately the last 3,000 years) evolutionary history of a population (549 individuals) of the southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus). Observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.61 to 0.89 across microsatellite loci and systematically were lower than expected heterozygosity values (0.66–0.95). Probability of unique identity using microsatellite data was high (1 individual in 66,005,424). Fifty-three mitochondrial haplotypes were obtained from 150 individuals. FST values estimated from sequence and microsatellite data were 0.061 and 0.011, respectively, and the RST for microsatellite data was 0.007. Within-group genetic variation ranged from 93.90% to 99.99% depending on whether sequence or microsatellite data were examined. Analyses of microsatellite data suggested that all sampled individuals belonged to a single population, albeit genetically diverse. However, combined data analyses suggested the presence of low levels of substructure attributable to maternal lineages within the population. Low nucleotide-diversity values (0.007–0.010) in addition to high haplotype-diversity values (0.915–0.933) indicate a high number of closely related haplotypes, and suggest that this population may have undergone a recent expansion. However, Fu's FS statistic did not fully support this finding, because it did not reveal a significant excess of recent mutations. A phylogenetic approach using the haplotype sequence data and a combined set including both haplotype and genotype data was used to test for evolutionary patterns and history.
20 citations
TL;DR: The type species of Buettneria Case, 1922, is B. perfecta, the holotype of which is a skull (UMMP 7475) reposited in the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology, and the specific name is corrected for gender forming the binomen Koskinonodon perfectus (Case, 1922) comb.
Abstract: Case (1922:13) erected the genus Buettneria for a metoposaurid temnospondyl amphibian from the Late Triassic (Carnian) Tecovas Formation of Texas. This generic name has subsequently been widely used in metoposaurid taxonomy. The type species of Buettneria Case, 1922, is B. perfecta, the holotype of which is a skull (UMMP 7475) reposited in the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology. However, the name Buettneria is preoccupied by a bush-cricket (Orthoptera) from the Republic of the Congo, Africa. This was described by Karsch (1889: 424) as the new genus Büttneria; the binomen Büttneria maculiceps appeared later in the same paper (Karsch, 1889:444). The generic name was later emended to Buettneria by Ragge (1962). The oldest available generic synonym for Buettneria that is based on diagnostic material is Koskinonodon Branson and Mehl, 1929, with the type species Koskinonodon princeps Branson and Mehl, 1929. Koskinonodon is proposed as the replacement name according to Article 60.2 and Article 23.3.5 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (1999). The holotype of Koskinonodon princeps is a skull (University of Missouri UM VP 537) from the Late Triassic Popo Agie Formation, Fremont County, Wyoming (Branson and Mehl, 1929). The genus Borborophagus Branson and Mehl, 1929, type species Borborophagus wyomingensis Branson and Mehl, 1929, is also available (ICZN, 1990:Art. 24.2.2), but not chosen because of poorer preservation of the holotype and page priority. The specific name for Buettneria perfecta is corrected for gender forming the binomen Koskinonodon perfectus (Case, 1922) comb. nov., to replace Buettneria perfecta Case, 1922. Hunt (1993) regarded K. princeps as a junior synonym of K. perfectus. The type specimen of K. princeps, the type species of Koskinonodon, is a skull, University of Missouri UM VP 537, while the type specimen of K. perfectus is a skull, University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology UMMP 7475. Acknowledgments—I thank Sankar Chatterjee and Axel Hungerbühler for their advice and suggestions, and Andrew Milner, Mark Wilson, and Ross Damiani for their reviews and suggestions.
01 Mar 2007
TL;DR: In this article, the theory of historic buildings as collections and the practical application of historic building collections as museum exhibitions are explored. And the purpose of this paper is to situate historic buildings, as in situ collections, in a city ready for exhibition use.
Abstract: Historic buildings have long been a focal subject in the field of architecture, planning, and tourism. This paper examines historic buildings through museological and heritage management perspectives. In addition, the theory of historic buildings as collections and the practical application of historic building collections as museum exhibitions are explored. The traditional museum collection functions of preservation, research, communication, and administration can be applied to historic building collections in a town, city, county, region, state, or nation. Some differences have been noted between the traditional, climate-controlled museum collections, open-air museum collections, and historic building collections in situ, such as the adaptive re-use of historic buildings. However, adaptive re-use is not a hindering factor when considering historic buildings in political jurisdictional boundaries as collections. The purpose of this paper is to situate historic buildings, as in situ collections, in a city ready for exhibition use.
TL;DR: Five microsatellite loci were used to develop multilocus genotypes for Neotoma macrotis and N. fuscipes to estimate genetic structure, levels of genetic variability, and degree of relatedness within groups of these 2 species.
Abstract: Five microsatellite loci were used to develop multilocus genotypes for Neotoma macrotis (n = 128) and N. fuscipes (n = 29). Several statistical analyses were used to estimate genetic structure, levels of genetic variability, and degree of relatedness within groups of these 2 species. Samples of N. macrotis represented 2 groups and 4 population clusters throughout southern California. Samples of N. fuscipes represented 2 regions in northern and southern California. Genetic structure was detected among samples of N. macrotis and N. fuscipes at a regional level. Both species displayed moderate to high genetic diversity in terms of mean expected heterozygosity (0.939 and 0.804 for N. macrotis and N. fuscipes, respectively) and mean polymorphic information content (0.930 and 0.761 for N. macrotis and N. fuscipes, respectively). Mean relatedness values within regions and populations of N. macrotis indicated 4th-order levels of relatedness within groups (e.g., distant-cousin relationships). Mean relatedness values within regions of N. fuscipes indicated 2nd-order (e.g., half-sibling) relationships within the northern region and 3rd-order (e.g., cousin) relationships in the southern region. One locus in particular (Nma04) was determined to be diagnostic in distinguishing between these 2 species.