Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1962. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-34).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains x, 180 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 149-172).

Abstract of Thesis (doctoral)--Uppsala University, 1983. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 25-31).

No description available.

Superfamily Himerometroidea AH Clark, 1908 (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) (formerly Mariametroidea) is the second most speciose superfamily in order Comatulida. Although it includes some of the most common species on tropical western Pacific reefs, its phylogeny is poorly understood. Genus- to species-level taxa are currently distinguished by plastic morphological characters. We revised the superfamily from species- to family-levels using a combined morphological and molecular approach. A phylogeny using two nuclear and three mitochondrial markers recovered Colobometridae and Himerometridae as paraphyletic and Mariametridae and Zygometridae as polyphyletic. Within genus Himerometra (Himerometridae), sequence data and detailed morphological examinations of multiple specimens of H. magnipinna, H. martensi and H. robustipinna indicated that these three taxa are conspecific. A similar examination of specimens attributed on morphological grounds to the genera Dichrometra, Liparometra and Lamprometra (Mariametridae) revealed a lack of substantial enough sequence and morphological differences to maintain them as distinct genera. We have synonymized all three genera and redescribed four species under the senior name Dichrometra. Additional work is needed to more clearly establish characters that will diagnose clades across the superfamily. This study illustrates the importance of reevaluating classifications that incorporate ecophenotypically and ontogenetically variable characters.

Antedonidae (Crinoidea: Comatulida) is the largest of extant crinoid families; it currently includes ~155 accepted species in 50 genera and accounts for ~23% of extant crinoid species (~29% of feather stars) and 27% of genera. Molecular phylogenies have returned the family as polyphyletic, with several clades scattered among non-antedonid sister groups (Hemery 2011, Hemery et al. 2013, Rouse et al. in prep.). Traditional morphological characteristics are thus inadequate for reconstructing relationships among taxa. SEM imaging was used in an effort to discover new diagnostic features that will support the molecular data, focusing on skeletal ossicles within the calyx, specifically the radial ossicles, as they are least likely to be affected by their hydrodynamic environment. Geometric morphometric analysis and landmark software were used to systematically compare equivalent skeletal parts among antedonid and non-antedonid sister taxa to identify likely homologies and homoplasies. Principal Component Analysis (PCA/BGPCA) and Procrustes ANOVAs were used for visualizing and testing variances within and between taxonomic and molecular groups. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was used with leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) to identify any misclassifications based on morphological similarities. UPGMA Hierarchical clustering models using both Procrustes and Mahalanobis distances were produced for comparison, and inter-landmark measurements were compared between species in search for possible intra-radial character states. Results yielded significant variation of radial morphology within the family Antedonidae with significant effects by depth range, taxonomic classification, and phylogenetic forces. All species with a radial height to width (H:W) ratio <1.0 were restricted to the shallower depths (0-200m) and notable morphological similarities were seen within both molecular clades and taxonomic subfamilies (Antedoninae and Thysanometrinae excepted). Regional affects were seen within the subfamily Antedoninae, as the Atlantic antedonines differed significantly from the Pacific antedonines, both in overall radial appearance and in H:W ratio. These results, with limited variation within molecular clades, give at least rudimentary support to recent molecular phylogenetics and promote further morphological studies of this nature that will strengthen our understanding of extant crinoid phylogeny (Bull et al. 1993, Littlewood et al. 1997, Hemery 2011, Rouse et al. 2013, Roux et al. 2013).

The morphology of members of the isocrinid genus, Endoxocrinus, found by A.H. Clark, 1908, in the Bahamas was examined to see if current classification schemes are valid. Individuals included in this survey belonged to the current species Endoxocrinus prionodes, Endoxocrinus carolinae, and Endoxocrinus parrae. Additionally, individuals of two depth-related morphotypes of E. parrae were examined. Evidence is presented that suggests that E. carolinae should be included in E. parrae, while the validity of E. prionodes is maintained. No evidence was found to warrant the recognition of the two depth-related morphotypes as distinct. Rather, these forms, as well as traditional E. parrae and E. carolinae, encompassed a high degree of variability along a morphological continuum. The study concludes that a revision of the genus should be considered and that isocrinid species can be much more variable in morphology than was previously recognized.

No description available.

No description available.