Comparative gross encephalon morphology in Callichthyidae (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Siluriformes)

Callichthyidae comprises the subfamilies Callichthyinae and Corydoradinae, both of which are morphologically distinct and monophyletic. Although there is consensus regarding the monophyly of the family, the relationships of about 80% of its species, currently included in the genus Corydoras, remain poorly known. Despite the vast amount of osteological information for Teleostei, knowledge regarding the phylogenetic implications of encephalon anatomy is sparse and represents a poorly explored source of potential characters. The present study aims to describe the encephalon morphology in members of the Callichthyidae in order to propose new characters that may help address phylogenetic questions regarding this group. In addition to representatives of Callichthyidae, specimens belonging to the Nematogenyidae, Trichomycteridae, Scoloplacidae, Astroblepidae and Loricariidae were dissected for comparative purposes. Head dissection revealed information on the structure of the medulla spinalis, rhombencephalon, mesencephalon, diencephalon and telencephalon. The conditions observed on the encephalons examined suggest that representatives of Callichthyidae have great taste perception and processing, while Corydoradinae stand out for visual acuity and Callichthyinae for mechanoreception processing subunits. Our results also indicate that the encephalon has important features for systematic studies of the family bringing greater resolution to current phylogenetic hypotheses.(AU)

Callichthyidae é composto por Callichthyinae e Corydoradinae, ambos morfologicamente distintos e monofiléticos. Apesar do consenso em relação ao mofiletismo da família, as relações de cerca de 80% de suas espécies, atualmente incluídas no gênero Corydoras, permanecem pouco conhecidas. Apesar da grande quantidade de informação osteológica sobre Teleostei, o conhecimento sobre as implicações filogenéticas da anatomia do encéfalo é escasso e, por isso, considerado uma fonte inexplorada de caracteres. O objetivo do presente estudo é a descrição morfológica dos encéfalos de Callichthyidae, fornecendo novos caracteres que podem elucidar questões filogenéticas para o grupo. Além dos representantes de Callichthyidae, espécimes pertencentes a Nematogenyidae, Trichomycteridae, Scoloplacidae, Astroblepidae e Loricariidae foram dissecados para fins comparativos. A dissecção do crânio revelou informações sobre a estrutura da medulla spinalis, rhombencephalon, mesencephalon, diencephalon e telencephalon. As condições observadas nos encéfalos sugerem que representantes de Callichthyidae possuem grande capacidade de percepção e processamento químico, enquanto os Corydoradinae se destacam pela acuidade visual e os Callichthyinae pelas unidades de processamento mecanoreceptoras. Nossos resultados indicam que os encéfalos detêm características importantes para contribuir com estudos sobre a sistemática da família, trazendo maior resolução para as hipóteses atuais de reconstrução filogenética.(AU)

The brain of Brycon orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1850) (Teleostei: Characiformes: Bryconidae): gross morphology and phylogenetic considerations

The brain of Brycon orbignyanus is described as a model for future studies of the gross morphology of the central nervous system in Characiformes. The study of brain gross morphology of 48 distinct taxa of Characiformes, one of Cypriniformes, two of Siluriformes and two of Gymnotiformes, allowed us to propose, for the first time, six putative brain synapomorphies for the Characiformes and also two possibly unique gross brain morphology characters for the Siluriformes. A detailed protocol for the extraction of the brain in Characiformes is also provided.(AU)

O encéfalo de Brycon orbignyanus é descrito como um modelo para futuros estudos da anatomia externa do Sistema Nervoso Central de Characiformes. O estudo da morfologia externa de 48 táxons distintos de Characiformes, um de Cypriniformes, dois de Siluriformes e dois de Gymnotiformes, permitiu-nos propor, pela primeira vez, seis prováveis sinapomorfias encefálicas e também duas possíveis características encefálicas para Siluriformes. Um protocolo detalhado para a dissecção e extração do encéfalo de Characiformes é também apresentado.(AU)

Gross morphology of the brain of Pseudopimelodus bufonius (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae)

The gross morphology of the brain of the pseudopimelodid Pseudopimelodus bufonius is described and compared with congeners. Observations were made on removed brains after elimination of bones from the top of the skull and severing of the cranial nerves and the spinal cord. Nine morphometric characters associated with the major subdivisions of the brain were identified, seven of which revealed significant differences among the species examined. The corpus cerebelli in all examined species of the genus is the largest structure of the brain. The behavior of the species of Pseudopimelodus is still unknown, but in other teleosts that condition is typically correlated with a higher degree of motor coordination. Relative size proportions of the tectum opticum, eminentia granularis, lobus facialis and lobus vagi, might be related to carnivory and an enhanced capacity for food selection.

A morfologia externa do encéfalo de Pseudopimelodus bufonius é descrita e comparada com seus congêneres. As análises foram feitas no cérebro removido após a eliminação dos ossos do topo da cabeça e secção dos nervos cranianos e cordão espinhal. Nove caracteres morfométricos foram obtidos das principais subdivisões do encéfalo, dos quais em sete ocorreram diferenças significativas entre as espécies. Em todas as espécies examinadas do gênero o corpus cerebelli é a maior estrutura do encéfalo. O comportamento das espécies de Pseudopimelodus ainda é desconhecido, mas em outros teleósteos esta característica é normalmente correlacionada com uma boa coordenação motora. Além disso, as proporções relativas do tectum opticum, eminentia granularis, lobus facialis e lobus vagi podem ser relacionadas a hábitos carnívoros e boa capacidade de selecionar alimentos.

The application of combined teaching method of case-based learning and W2H2 thinking-type learning in the comparative morphology experiment teaching / 基础医学与临床

The combined teaching method of case-based learning and W2 H2 thinking-type learning was used in the comparative morphology experiment teaching.The teaching method can further strengthen the reform of the compar-ative morphology experiment teaching, and improve the quality of practice teaching.

Possibilities of Evolutionary Functional Morphology Based on the Collection of the Dead Bodies of Mammals / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

Dead body science has tried to clarify the functional-morphological evolution of the mammals including the human. It fundamentally consists of the unrestricted collection of the dead bodies of the vertebrates, for example, from the zoos, aquaria, and from hunters. We show the results of the three-dimensional analysis about the manipulation mechanism in the giant panda, the enlarged eye and orbit in the Baikal seal, and the mastication system in the giant anteater. The findings actually contribute to the comparative functional-morphology of various mammals, and in the future the stored specimens after the dissection in natural history museum will continue to serve as an evidence of the evolutionary history of form and function in mammals.

Prof. Hugo de Souza Lopes and the modern system of Sarcophagidae (Diptera)

Prof. Dr. Hugo de Souza Lopes is one of the authors of the phylogenetic classification of Sarcophagidae, especially Sarcophaginae. In this paper I present the taxonomic key of the tribes of Sarcophaginae according to his opinion; a list of the 48 genera and subgenera and the 356 species described by Prof. Lopes; and a review of subtribal construction of tribe Sarcophagini with a key of the subtribes. One new subtribe Boettcheriiscina Verves, subtr. nov. and two new monotypic genera (Mufindia Verves, gen. nov., and Sabiella Verves, gen. nov.) are described. The role of Prof. Lopes in the knowledge of taxonomy and ecology of American, Oriental, Australian and Oceanic Sarcophagidae is illumined.