PeerJ
type: channel
link: https://peerj.com/articles/
description: Articles published in PeerJ
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
publication name: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359
items: A new ophiacanthid brittle star (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from sublittoral crinoid and seagrass communities of late Maastrichtian age in the southeast Netherlands
items: Root architecture, rooting profiles and physiological responses of potential slope plants grown on acidic soil
items: Mining of prognosis-related genes in cervical squamous cell carcinoma immune microenvironment
items: Reliability and validity of the physical activity monitor for assessing energy expenditures in sedentary, regularly exercising, non-endurance athlete, and endurance athlete adults
items: Evaluation of wet and dry event’s trend and instability based on the meteorological drought index
items: Giant cell tumor stromal cells: osteoblast lineage-derived cells secrete IL-6 and IL-10 for M2 macrophages polarization
items: Additional records and stratigraphic distribution of the middle Eocene carettochelyid turtle Anosteira pulchra from the Uinta Formation of Utah, North America
items: Identifying mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys
items: Epibiont hydroids on beachcast Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean
items: Valanginian occurrence of Pelomedusoides turtles in northern South America: revision of this hypothesis based on a new fossil remain

A new ophiacanthid brittle star (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from sublittoral crinoid and seagrass communities of late Maastrichtian age in the southeast Netherlands
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: A new species of brittle star, Ophiomitrella floorae, is recorded from the lower two meters of the Gronsveld Member (Maastricht Formation), of late Maastrichtian age (c. 66.7 Ma). These relatively fine-grained biocalcarenites reflect shallow-water deposition in a sheltered setting with a relatively firm sea floor and clear waters, under middle sublittoral and subtropical conditions. Associated echinoderm taxa comprise more robust, sturdy-plated ophiomusaid and ophiodermatid brittle stars and numerous bourgueticrinine sea lilies. The new brittle star described herein belongs to a family whose present-day members are predominantly restricted to bathyal depths. Its small size and the exceptional preservation of a single articulated specimen partially wrapped around the stalk of a bourgueticrinine suggest that O. floorae n. sp. was probably epizoic and specifically associated with stalked crinoids.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Ben Thuy
creator: Lea Numberger-Thuy
creator: John W.M. Jagt
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9671
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Thuy et al.
abstract: A new species of brittle star, Ophiomitrella floorae, is recorded from the lower two meters of the Gronsveld Member (Maastricht Formation), of late Maastrichtian age (c. 66.7 Ma). These relatively fine-grained biocalcarenites reflect shallow-water deposition in a sheltered setting with a relatively firm sea floor and clear waters, under middle sublittoral and subtropical conditions. Associated echinoderm taxa comprise more robust, sturdy-plated ophiomusaid and ophiodermatid brittle stars and numerous bourgueticrinine sea lilies. The new brittle star described herein belongs to a family whose present-day members are predominantly restricted to bathyal depths. Its small size and the exceptional preservation of a single articulated specimen partially wrapped around the stalk of a bourgueticrinine suggest that O. floorae n. sp. was probably epizoic and specifically associated with stalked crinoids.
bibliographic citation: Thuy et al. (2020) A new ophiacanthid brittle star (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from sublittoral crinoid and seagrass communities of late Maastrichtian age in the southeast Netherlands. PeerJ 8:e9671 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9671
date submitted: 2020-04-02
date accepted: 2020-07-16
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Thuy
  given name: Ben
author list: Agent
  family name: Numberger-Thuy
  given name: Lea
author list: Agent
  family name: Jagt
  given name: John W.M.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9671
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Thuy et al.
attribution name: Thuy et al.

Root architecture, rooting profiles and physiological responses of potential slope plants grown on acidic soil
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Globally, there has been an increase in the frequency of landslides which is the result of slope failures. The combination of high intensity rainfall and high temperature resulted in the formation of acidic soil which is detrimental to the healthy growth of plants. Proper plant coverage on slopes is a prerequisite to mitigate and rehabilitate the soil. However, not all plant species are able to grow in marginal land. Thus, this study was undertaken to find a suitable slope plant species. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil pH on root profiles and growth of three different potential slope plant species namely, Melastoma malabathricum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Syzygium campanulatum. M. malabathricum showed the highest tolerance to acidic soil as it recorded the highest plant height and photosynthetic rate. The root systems of M. malabathricum, H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum were identified as M, VH- and R-types, respectively. The study proposed M. malabathricum which possessed dense and shallow roots to be planted at the toe or top of the slope while H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum to be planted in the middle of a slope. S. campanulatum consistently recorded high root length and root length density across all three types of soil pH while M. malabathricum showed progressive increase in length as the soil pH increased. The root average diameter and root volume of M. malabathricum outperformed the other two plant species irrespective of soil pH. In terms of biomass, M. malabathricum exhibited the highest root and shoot dry weights followed by S. campanulatum. Thus, we propose M. malabathricum to be planted on slopes as a form of soil rehabilitation. The plant species displayed denser rooting, hence a stronger root anchorage that can hold the soil particles together which will be beneficial for slope stabilization.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Deivaseeno Dorairaj
creator: Muhammad Fahmi Suradi
creator: Nursyamimi Syafiqah Mansor
creator: Normaniza Osman
subject: Bioengineering
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Environmental Contamination and Remediation
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9595
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Dorairaj et al.
abstract: Globally, there has been an increase in the frequency of landslides which is the result of slope failures. The combination of high intensity rainfall and high temperature resulted in the formation of acidic soil which is detrimental to the healthy growth of plants. Proper plant coverage on slopes is a prerequisite to mitigate and rehabilitate the soil. However, not all plant species are able to grow in marginal land. Thus, this study was undertaken to find a suitable slope plant species. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different soil pH on root profiles and growth of three different potential slope plant species namely, Melastoma malabathricum, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Syzygium campanulatum. M. malabathricum showed the highest tolerance to acidic soil as it recorded the highest plant height and photosynthetic rate. The root systems of M. malabathricum, H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum were identified as M, VH- and R-types, respectively. The study proposed M. malabathricum which possessed dense and shallow roots to be planted at the toe or top of the slope while H. rosa-sinensis and S. campanulatum to be planted in the middle of a slope. S. campanulatum consistently recorded high root length and root length density across all three types of soil pH while M. malabathricum showed progressive increase in length as the soil pH increased. The root average diameter and root volume of M. malabathricum outperformed the other two plant species irrespective of soil pH. In terms of biomass, M. malabathricum exhibited the highest root and shoot dry weights followed by S. campanulatum. Thus, we propose M. malabathricum to be planted on slopes as a form of soil rehabilitation. The plant species displayed denser rooting, hence a stronger root anchorage that can hold the soil particles together which will be beneficial for slope stabilization.
bibliographic citation: Dorairaj et al. (2020) Root architecture, rooting profiles and physiological responses of potential slope plants grown on acidic soil. PeerJ 8:e9595 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9595
date submitted: 2019-12-30
date accepted: 2020-07-01
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Dorairaj
  given name: Deivaseeno
author list: Agent
  family name: Suradi
  given name: Muhammad Fahmi
author list: Agent
  family name: Mansor
  given name: Nursyamimi Syafiqah
author list: Agent
  family name: Osman
  given name: Normaniza
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9595
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Dorairaj et al.
attribution name: Dorairaj et al.

Mining of prognosis-related genes in cervical squamous cell carcinoma immune microenvironment
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the effective immune scoring method and mine the novel and potential immune microenvironment-related diagnostic and prognostic markers for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSSC). Materials and Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was downloaded and multiple data analysis approaches were initially used to search for the immune-related scoring system on the basis of Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumour tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Afterwards, the representative genes in the gene modules correlated with immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm were further screened using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and network topology analysis. Gene functions were mined through enrichment analysis, followed by exploration of the correlation between these genes and immune checkpoint genes. Finally, survival analysis was applied to search for genes with significant association with overall survival and external database was employed for further validation. Results The immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm was closely associated with other categories of scores, the HPV infection status, prognosis and the mutation levels of multiple CSCC-related genes (HLA and TP53). Eighteen new representative immune microenvironment-related genes were finally screened closely associated with patient prognosis and were further validated by the independent dataset GSE44001. Conclusion Our present study suggested that the immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm can help to screen out novel immune-related diagnostic indicators, therapeutic targets and prognostic predictors in CSCC.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Jiong Ma
creator: Pu Cheng
creator: Xuejun Chen
creator: Chunxia Zhou
creator: Wei Zheng
subject: Bioinformatics
subject: Computational Biology
subject: Gynecology and Obstetrics
subject: Oncology
subject: Data Mining and Machine Learning
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9627
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Ma et al.
abstract: Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the effective immune scoring method and mine the novel and potential immune microenvironment-related diagnostic and prognostic markers for cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSSC). Materials and Methods The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was downloaded and multiple data analysis approaches were initially used to search for the immune-related scoring system on the basis of Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumour tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Afterwards, the representative genes in the gene modules correlated with immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm were further screened using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and network topology analysis. Gene functions were mined through enrichment analysis, followed by exploration of the correlation between these genes and immune checkpoint genes. Finally, survival analysis was applied to search for genes with significant association with overall survival and external database was employed for further validation. Results The immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm was closely associated with other categories of scores, the HPV infection status, prognosis and the mutation levels of multiple CSCC-related genes (HLA and TP53). Eighteen new representative immune microenvironment-related genes were finally screened closely associated with patient prognosis and were further validated by the independent dataset GSE44001. Conclusion Our present study suggested that the immune-related scores based on ESTIMATE algorithm can help to screen out novel immune-related diagnostic indicators, therapeutic targets and prognostic predictors in CSCC.
bibliographic citation: Ma et al. (2020) Mining of prognosis-related genes in cervical squamous cell carcinoma immune microenvironment. PeerJ 8:e9627 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9627
date submitted: 2020-02-25
date accepted: 2020-07-08
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Ma
  given name: Jiong
author list: Agent
  family name: Cheng
  given name: Pu
author list: Agent
  family name: Chen
  given name: Xuejun
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhou
  given name: Chunxia
author list: Agent
  family name: Zheng
  given name: Wei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9627
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Ma et al.
attribution name: Ma et al.

Reliability and validity of the physical activity monitor for assessing energy expenditures in sedentary, regularly exercising, non-endurance athlete, and endurance athlete adults
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Inertial sensors, such as accelerometers, serve as convenient devices to predict the energy expenditures (EEs) during physical activities by a predictive equation. Although the accuracy of estimate EEs especially matter to athletes receive physical training, most EE predictive equations adopted in accelerometers are based on the general population, not athletes. This study included the heart rate reserve (HRR) as a compensatory parameter for physical intensity and derived new equations customized for sedentary, regularly exercising, non-endurance athlete, and endurance athlete adults. Methods With indirect calorimetry as the criterion measure (CM), the EEs of participants on a treadmill were measured, and vector magnitudes (VM), as well as HRR, were simultaneously recorded by a waist-worn accelerometer with a heart rate monitor. Participants comprised a sedentary group (SG), an exercise-habit group (EHG), a non-endurance group (NEG), and an endurance group (EG), with 30 adults in each group. Results EE predictive equations were revised using linear regression with cross-validation on VM, HRR, and body mass (BM). The modified model demonstrates valid and reliable predictions across four populations (Pearson correlation coefficient, r: 0.922 to 0.932; intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC: 0.919 to 0.930). Conclusion Using accelerometers with a heart rate monitorcan accurately predict EEs of athletes and non-athletes with an optimized predictive equation integrating the VM, HRR, and BM parameters.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Chun-Hao Chang
creator: Yi-Ju Hsu
creator: Fang Li
creator: Yu-Tsai Tu
creator: Wei-Lun Jhang
creator: Chih-Wen Hsu
creator: Chi-Chang Huang
creator: Chin-Shan Ho
subject: Kinesiology
subject: Nursing
subject: Metabolic Sciences
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9717
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Chang et al.
abstract: Background Inertial sensors, such as accelerometers, serve as convenient devices to predict the energy expenditures (EEs) during physical activities by a predictive equation. Although the accuracy of estimate EEs especially matter to athletes receive physical training, most EE predictive equations adopted in accelerometers are based on the general population, not athletes. This study included the heart rate reserve (HRR) as a compensatory parameter for physical intensity and derived new equations customized for sedentary, regularly exercising, non-endurance athlete, and endurance athlete adults. Methods With indirect calorimetry as the criterion measure (CM), the EEs of participants on a treadmill were measured, and vector magnitudes (VM), as well as HRR, were simultaneously recorded by a waist-worn accelerometer with a heart rate monitor. Participants comprised a sedentary group (SG), an exercise-habit group (EHG), a non-endurance group (NEG), and an endurance group (EG), with 30 adults in each group. Results EE predictive equations were revised using linear regression with cross-validation on VM, HRR, and body mass (BM). The modified model demonstrates valid and reliable predictions across four populations (Pearson correlation coefficient, r: 0.922 to 0.932; intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC: 0.919 to 0.930). Conclusion Using accelerometers with a heart rate monitorcan accurately predict EEs of athletes and non-athletes with an optimized predictive equation integrating the VM, HRR, and BM parameters.
bibliographic citation: Chang et al. (2020) Reliability and validity of the physical activity monitor for assessing energy expenditures in sedentary, regularly exercising, non-endurance athlete, and endurance athlete adults. PeerJ 8:e9717 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9717
date submitted: 2020-02-18
date accepted: 2020-07-23
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Chang
  given name: Chun-Hao
author list: Agent
  family name: Hsu
  given name: Yi-Ju
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Fang
author list: Agent
  family name: Tu
  given name: Yu-Tsai
author list: Agent
  family name: Jhang
  given name: Wei-Lun
author list: Agent
  family name: Hsu
  given name: Chih-Wen
author list: Agent
  family name: Huang
  given name: Chi-Chang
author list: Agent
  family name: Ho
  given name: Chin-Shan
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9717
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Chang et al.
attribution name: Chang et al.

Evaluation of wet and dry event’s trend and instability based on the meteorological drought index
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: A temporal imbalance in the water availability, which is consistently below average or more than average rainfall, can lead to extremely dry or wet conditions. This impacts on agricultural yields, water resources and human activities. Weather instabilities and trends of wet/dry events have not yet been explored in Pakistan. In this study, we have two-fold objectives: (1) evaluate the weather instabilities, and (2) the trend of dry/wet events of selected stations of Pakistan. To observe weather instabilities, we used Mean Marginal Hilbert Spectrum (MMHS) and Continuous Wavelet Power Spectrum (CWPS) as meteorological series are mostly non-linear and non-stationary. We used Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) for the analysis of temporal characteristics of dry/wet events. We found that all stations are facing severe weather instabilities during the short period of 5 and 10 months using MMHS method and CWPS has shown the weather instabilities during 4 to 32 months of periodicity for all stations. Ultimately, the achieved short-term weather instabilities indicated by MMHS is consistent with CWPS. In summary, these findings might be useful for water resource management and policymakers.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Muhammad Haroon Shaukat
creator: Ahmad Al-Dousari
creator: Ijaz Hussain
creator: Muhammad Faisal
creator: Muhammad Ismail
creator: Alaa Mohamd Shoukry
creator: Elsayed Elsherbini Elashkar
creator: Showkat Gani
subject: Agricultural Science
subject: Soil Science
subject: Statistics
subject: Computational Science
subject: Environmental Impacts
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9729
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Shaukat et al.
abstract: A temporal imbalance in the water availability, which is consistently below average or more than average rainfall, can lead to extremely dry or wet conditions. This impacts on agricultural yields, water resources and human activities. Weather instabilities and trends of wet/dry events have not yet been explored in Pakistan. In this study, we have two-fold objectives: (1) evaluate the weather instabilities, and (2) the trend of dry/wet events of selected stations of Pakistan. To observe weather instabilities, we used Mean Marginal Hilbert Spectrum (MMHS) and Continuous Wavelet Power Spectrum (CWPS) as meteorological series are mostly non-linear and non-stationary. We used Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) for the analysis of temporal characteristics of dry/wet events. We found that all stations are facing severe weather instabilities during the short period of 5 and 10 months using MMHS method and CWPS has shown the weather instabilities during 4 to 32 months of periodicity for all stations. Ultimately, the achieved short-term weather instabilities indicated by MMHS is consistent with CWPS. In summary, these findings might be useful for water resource management and policymakers.
bibliographic citation: Shaukat et al. (2020) Evaluation of wet and dry event’s trend and instability based on the meteorological drought index. PeerJ 8:e9729 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9729
date submitted: 2020-04-27
date accepted: 2020-07-24
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Shaukat
  given name: Muhammad Haroon
author list: Agent
  family name: Al-Dousari
  given name: Ahmad
author list: Agent
  family name: Hussain
  given name: Ijaz
author list: Agent
  family name: Faisal
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Ismail
  given name: Muhammad
author list: Agent
  family name: Mohamd Shoukry
  given name: Alaa
author list: Agent
  family name: Elashkar
  given name: Elsayed Elsherbini
author list: Agent
  family name: Gani
  given name: Showkat
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9729
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Shaukat et al.
attribution name: Shaukat et al.

Giant cell tumor stromal cells: osteoblast lineage-derived cells secrete IL-6 and IL-10 for M2 macrophages polarization
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background The giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign tumor which consists of three types cells: mononuclear histiocytic cells (MNHCs), multinuclear giant cells (MNGCs), and GCT stromal cells (GCTSCs). Numerous studies claim that GCTSCs have mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) characters and play an important role in osteoclastogenesis; however, there are no research studies concerning macrophage polarization among GCT, which can be regarded as an ingredient for tumor aggression. Method We tested the effect of GCTSCs from three GCT samples which were collected from patients on proliferation, apoptosis and polarization of macrophage. Result In this article, we verified that GCTSCs expressed MSCs markers and had higher proliferation and relative lower differentiation abilities compared with BMMSCs. What’s more, we found a higher proportion of M2 macrophages among neoplasm. Co-culturing GCTSCs with macrophages resulted in prominent macrophage M2 polarization and increased the release of IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IL-10 (Interleukin-10)from GCTSCs. In conclusion, GCTSCs, as originating from MSCs, can secret IL-6 and IL-10, which may play a significant role in macrophage M2 polarization.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Kuan Yang
creator: Lihui Bao
creator: Xiaoning He
creator: Wanmin Zhao
creator: Dongdong Fei
creator: Bei Li
creator: Yang Xue
creator: Zhiwei Dong
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Molecular Biology
subject: Immunology
subject: Oncology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9748
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Yang et al.
abstract: Background The giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign tumor which consists of three types cells: mononuclear histiocytic cells (MNHCs), multinuclear giant cells (MNGCs), and GCT stromal cells (GCTSCs). Numerous studies claim that GCTSCs have mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) characters and play an important role in osteoclastogenesis; however, there are no research studies concerning macrophage polarization among GCT, which can be regarded as an ingredient for tumor aggression. Method We tested the effect of GCTSCs from three GCT samples which were collected from patients on proliferation, apoptosis and polarization of macrophage. Result In this article, we verified that GCTSCs expressed MSCs markers and had higher proliferation and relative lower differentiation abilities compared with BMMSCs. What’s more, we found a higher proportion of M2 macrophages among neoplasm. Co-culturing GCTSCs with macrophages resulted in prominent macrophage M2 polarization and increased the release of IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IL-10 (Interleukin-10)from GCTSCs. In conclusion, GCTSCs, as originating from MSCs, can secret IL-6 and IL-10, which may play a significant role in macrophage M2 polarization.
bibliographic citation: Yang et al. (2020) Giant cell tumor stromal cells: osteoblast lineage-derived cells secrete IL-6 and IL-10 for M2 macrophages polarization. PeerJ 8:e9748 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9748
date submitted: 2020-04-02
date accepted: 2020-07-27
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Yang
  given name: Kuan
author list: Agent
  family name: Bao
  given name: Lihui
author list: Agent
  family name: He
  given name: Xiaoning
author list: Agent
  family name: Zhao
  given name: Wanmin
author list: Agent
  family name: Fei
  given name: Dongdong
author list: Agent
  family name: Li
  given name: Bei
author list: Agent
  family name: Xue
  given name: Yang
author list: Agent
  family name: Dong
  given name: Zhiwei
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9748
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Yang et al.
attribution name: Yang et al.

Additional records and stratigraphic distribution of the middle Eocene carettochelyid turtle Anosteira pulchra from the Uinta Formation of Utah, North America
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Background Anosteira pulchra is one of two species of the obligately-aquatic freshwater clade Carettochelyidae (pig-nosed turtles) from the Eocene of North America. Anosteira pulchra is typically rare in collections, and their distribution is poorly documented. The Uinta Formation [Fm.] contains a diverse assemblage of turtles from the Uintan North American Land Mammal Age. Whereas turtles are abundantly preserved in the Uinta Fm., A. pulchra has been reported only from a few specimens in the Uinta C Member. Methods We describe new records of Anosteira pulchra from the Uinta Basin and analyze the distribution of 95 specimens from multiple repositories in the previously published stratigraphic framework of the middle and upper Uinta Fm. Results Here we report the first records of the species from the Uinta B interval, document it from multiple levels within the stratigraphic section and examine its uncommon appearance in only approximately 5% of localities where turtles have been systematically collected. This study details and extends the range of A. pulchra in the Uinta Fm. and demonstrates the presence of the taxon in significantly lower stratigraphic layers. These newly described fossils include previously unknown elements and associated trace fossils, with new anatomical information presented. This study provides insight into the taxonomy of Anosteira spp. in the middle Eocene, and suggests the presence of a single species, though no synonymy is defined here due to limits in Bridger material.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Brent Adrian
creator: Patricia A. Holroyd
creator: J. Howard Hutchison
creator: KE Beth Townsend
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Zoology
subject: Freshwater Biology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9775
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Adrian et al.
abstract: Background Anosteira pulchra is one of two species of the obligately-aquatic freshwater clade Carettochelyidae (pig-nosed turtles) from the Eocene of North America. Anosteira pulchra is typically rare in collections, and their distribution is poorly documented. The Uinta Formation [Fm.] contains a diverse assemblage of turtles from the Uintan North American Land Mammal Age. Whereas turtles are abundantly preserved in the Uinta Fm., A. pulchra has been reported only from a few specimens in the Uinta C Member. Methods We describe new records of Anosteira pulchra from the Uinta Basin and analyze the distribution of 95 specimens from multiple repositories in the previously published stratigraphic framework of the middle and upper Uinta Fm. Results Here we report the first records of the species from the Uinta B interval, document it from multiple levels within the stratigraphic section and examine its uncommon appearance in only approximately 5% of localities where turtles have been systematically collected. This study details and extends the range of A. pulchra in the Uinta Fm. and demonstrates the presence of the taxon in significantly lower stratigraphic layers. These newly described fossils include previously unknown elements and associated trace fossils, with new anatomical information presented. This study provides insight into the taxonomy of Anosteira spp. in the middle Eocene, and suggests the presence of a single species, though no synonymy is defined here due to limits in Bridger material.
bibliographic citation: Adrian et al. (2020) Additional records and stratigraphic distribution of the middle Eocene carettochelyid turtle Anosteira pulchra from the Uinta Formation of Utah, North America. PeerJ 8:e9775 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9775
date submitted: 2020-06-15
date accepted: 2020-07-30
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Adrian
  given name: Brent
author list: Agent
  family name: Holroyd
  given name: Patricia A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Hutchison
  given name: J. Howard
author list: Agent
  family name: Townsend
  given name: KE Beth
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9775
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Adrian et al.
attribution name: Adrian et al.

Identifying mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Coral reefs are degrading due to many synergistic stressors. Recently there have been a number of global reports of corals occupying mangrove habitats that provide a supportive environment or refugium for corals, sheltering them by reducing stressors such as oxidative light stress and low pH. This study used satellite imagery and manual ground-truthing surveys to search for mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and then collected basic environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pHNBS, turbidity) at identified sites using a multi-parameter water quality sonde. Two kinds of mangrove-coral habitats were found in both the Upper and Lower Florida Keys: (1) prop-root corals, where coral colonies were growing directly on (and around) mangrove prop roots, and (2) channel corals, where coral colonies were growing in mangrove channels under the shade of the mangrove canopy, at deeper depths and not in as close proximity to the mangroves. Coral species found growing on and directly adjacent to prop roots included Porites porites (multiple morphs, including P. divaricata and P. furcata), Siderastrea radians, and Favia fragum. Channel coral habitats predominantly hosted S. radians and a few S. siderea, although single colonies of Solenastrea bournoni and Stephanocoenia intersepta were observed. Although clear, low-turbidity water was a consistent feature of these mangrove-coral habitats, the specific combination of environmental factors that determine which mangrove habitats are favorable for coral recruitment remains to be defined. Circumstantial evidence suggests additional coral communities existed on mangrove shorelines of oceanside and backcountry islands until destroyed, likely by Hurricane Irma. These mangrove-coral habitats may be climate refugia for corals and could be included in ecosystem management plans and considered for their applications in coral restoration.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Christina A. Kellogg
creator: Ryan P. Moyer
creator: Mary Jacobsen
creator: Kimberly Yates
subject: Ecology
subject: Ecosystem Science
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Climate Change Biology
subject: Natural Resource Management
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9776
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020
abstract: Coral reefs are degrading due to many synergistic stressors. Recently there have been a number of global reports of corals occupying mangrove habitats that provide a supportive environment or refugium for corals, sheltering them by reducing stressors such as oxidative light stress and low pH. This study used satellite imagery and manual ground-truthing surveys to search for mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and then collected basic environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pHNBS, turbidity) at identified sites using a multi-parameter water quality sonde. Two kinds of mangrove-coral habitats were found in both the Upper and Lower Florida Keys: (1) prop-root corals, where coral colonies were growing directly on (and around) mangrove prop roots, and (2) channel corals, where coral colonies were growing in mangrove channels under the shade of the mangrove canopy, at deeper depths and not in as close proximity to the mangroves. Coral species found growing on and directly adjacent to prop roots included Porites porites (multiple morphs, including P. divaricata and P. furcata), Siderastrea radians, and Favia fragum. Channel coral habitats predominantly hosted S. radians and a few S. siderea, although single colonies of Solenastrea bournoni and Stephanocoenia intersepta were observed. Although clear, low-turbidity water was a consistent feature of these mangrove-coral habitats, the specific combination of environmental factors that determine which mangrove habitats are favorable for coral recruitment remains to be defined. Circumstantial evidence suggests additional coral communities existed on mangrove shorelines of oceanside and backcountry islands until destroyed, likely by Hurricane Irma. These mangrove-coral habitats may be climate refugia for corals and could be included in ecosystem management plans and considered for their applications in coral restoration.
bibliographic citation: Kellogg et al. (2020) Identifying mangrove-coral habitats in the Florida Keys. PeerJ 8:e9776 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9776
date submitted: 2020-05-29
date accepted: 2020-07-30
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Kellogg
  given name: Christina A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Moyer
  given name: Ryan P.
author list: Agent
  family name: Jacobsen
  given name: Mary
author list: Agent
  family name: Yates
  given name: Kimberly
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9776
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24

Epibiont hydroids on beachcast Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Massive accumulations of pelagic species of Sargassum have generated recent social, economic and ecological problems along Caribbean shores. In the Mexican Caribbean, these events have prompted the study of diverse biological and ecological aspects of these macroalgae. However, studies on their associated biota, including Hydrozoa, remain scarce. This research provides important species observations in an area where data is lacking. The occurrence and percent cover of hydroids on Sargassum thalli collected on the beach at Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico from April 2018 to March 2019 was studied. Three pelagic species and morphotypes of Sargassum from this area were analyzed: Sargassum fluitans III, S. natans I and S. natans VIII, as well as a benthic species, S. polyceratium var. ovatum. A total of 14 taxa of hydroids, belonging to the superorders “Anthoathecata” and Leptothecata, were identified. In our study, more hydroid taxa were observed on axes of the different species of Sargassum than on leaves or aerocysts. In general, the greatest species richness of hydroids was observed from February to April. Results show that live hydrozoans attached to pelagic Sargassum are transported into the area. This should be considered in future management measures that address the recurring coastal abundance of Sargassum and its associated biota in the Caribbean region.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: María A. Mendoza-Becerril
creator: Elisa Serviere-Zaragoza
creator: Alejandra Mazariegos-Villarreal
creator: Crisalejandra Rivera-Perez
creator: Dale R. Calder
creator: Erika F. Vázquez-Delfín
creator: Yolanda Freile-Pelegrín
creator: José Agüero
creator: Daniel Robledo
subject: Marine Biology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9795
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Mendoza-Becerril et al.
abstract: Massive accumulations of pelagic species of Sargassum have generated recent social, economic and ecological problems along Caribbean shores. In the Mexican Caribbean, these events have prompted the study of diverse biological and ecological aspects of these macroalgae. However, studies on their associated biota, including Hydrozoa, remain scarce. This research provides important species observations in an area where data is lacking. The occurrence and percent cover of hydroids on Sargassum thalli collected on the beach at Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico from April 2018 to March 2019 was studied. Three pelagic species and morphotypes of Sargassum from this area were analyzed: Sargassum fluitans III, S. natans I and S. natans VIII, as well as a benthic species, S. polyceratium var. ovatum. A total of 14 taxa of hydroids, belonging to the superorders “Anthoathecata” and Leptothecata, were identified. In our study, more hydroid taxa were observed on axes of the different species of Sargassum than on leaves or aerocysts. In general, the greatest species richness of hydroids was observed from February to April. Results show that live hydrozoans attached to pelagic Sargassum are transported into the area. This should be considered in future management measures that address the recurring coastal abundance of Sargassum and its associated biota in the Caribbean region.
bibliographic citation: Mendoza-Becerril et al. (2020) Epibiont hydroids on beachcast Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean. PeerJ 8:e9795 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9795
date submitted: 2020-04-23
date accepted: 2020-08-01
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Mendoza-Becerril
  given name: María A.
author list: Agent
  family name: Serviere-Zaragoza
  given name: Elisa
author list: Agent
  family name: Mazariegos-Villarreal
  given name: Alejandra
author list: Agent
  family name: Rivera-Perez
  given name: Crisalejandra
author list: Agent
  family name: Calder
  given name: Dale R.
author list: Agent
  family name: Vázquez-Delfín
  given name: Erika F.
author list: Agent
  family name: Freile-Pelegrín
  given name: Yolanda
author list: Agent
  family name: Agüero
  given name: José
author list: Agent
  family name: Robledo
  given name: Daniel
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9795
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: © 2020 Mendoza-Becerril et al.
attribution name: Mendoza-Becerril et al.

Valanginian occurrence of Pelomedusoides turtles in northern South America: revision of this hypothesis based on a new fossil remain
type: item
type: AcademicArticle
description: Pelomedusoides constitutes the most diverse group of Mesozoic and Cenozoic side-necked turtles. However, when it originated is still being poorly known and controversial. Fossil remains from the Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) Rosa Blanca Formation of Colombia were described almost a decade ago as potentially belonging to Podocnemidoidea (a large subclade inside Pelomedusoides) and representing one of the earliest records of this group of turtles. Here, I revise this hypothesis based on a new fragmentary specimen from the Rosa Blanca Formation, represented by a right portion of the shell bridge, including the mesoplastron and most of peripherals 5 to 7. The equidimensional shape of the mesoplatron allows me to support its attribution as belonging to Pelomedusoides, a group to which the previously podocnemidoid material is also attributed here. Although the Valanginian pelomesudoid material from Colombia is still too fragmentary as to be considered the earliest indisputable record of the Pelomedusoides clade, their occurrence is at least in agreement with current molecular phylogenetic hypotheses that suggest they split from Chelidae during the Jurassic and should occur in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous fossil record.
format: application/pdf
format: text/html
creator: Edwin-Alberto Cadena
subject: Evolutionary Studies
subject: Paleontology
subject: Taxonomy
subject: Zoology
description: doi:10.7717/peerj.9810
publisher: PeerJ Inc.
rights: © 2020 Cadena
abstract: Pelomedusoides constitutes the most diverse group of Mesozoic and Cenozoic side-necked turtles. However, when it originated is still being poorly known and controversial. Fossil remains from the Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) Rosa Blanca Formation of Colombia were described almost a decade ago as potentially belonging to Podocnemidoidea (a large subclade inside Pelomedusoides) and representing one of the earliest records of this group of turtles. Here, I revise this hypothesis based on a new fragmentary specimen from the Rosa Blanca Formation, represented by a right portion of the shell bridge, including the mesoplastron and most of peripherals 5 to 7. The equidimensional shape of the mesoplatron allows me to support its attribution as belonging to Pelomedusoides, a group to which the previously podocnemidoid material is also attributed here. Although the Valanginian pelomesudoid material from Colombia is still too fragmentary as to be considered the earliest indisputable record of the Pelomedusoides clade, their occurrence is at least in agreement with current molecular phylogenetic hypotheses that suggest they split from Chelidae during the Jurassic and should occur in the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous fossil record.
bibliographic citation: Cadena (2020) Valanginian occurrence of Pelomedusoides turtles in northern South America: revision of this hypothesis based on a new fossil remain. PeerJ 8:e9810 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.9810
date submitted: 2020-06-18
date accepted: 2020-08-04
issued: 2020-08-24
is part of: PeerJ
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
author list: Agent
  family name: Cadena
  given name: Edwin-Alberto
doi: 10.7717/peerj.9810
volume: 8
issn: 2167-8359
publication name: PeerJ
publication date: 2020-08-24
copyright: ©2020 Cadena
attribution name: Cadena

PeerJ
type: Periodical
uri: PeerJ
issn: 2167-8359