Evolutionary Biology

Three grasses (Poaceae) of different C 4 subtypes, Paspalum dilatatum (NADP-malic enzyme [ME]), Cynodon dactylon (NAD-ME) and Zoysia japonica (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase), occur in natural habitats that differ in annual rainfall. Their leaf characteristics were studied to identify traits related to drought tolerance. Plants were grown in pots, and water defi cit was gradually induced by withholding water. Leaves of Z. japonica had the greatest and P. dilatatum the lowest relative dry matter content. Transverse sections of leaves that developed during the water defi cit showed little change compared to control leaves, consistent with low phenotypic plasticity. Anatomical features distinguished the three species, with xeromorphic characteristics most strongly represented in Z. japonica . The leaf relative water content (RWC) decreased with the soil water content similarly for the three grasses. However, at 80% RWC, the leaf water potential was − 3.1 MPa for Z. japonica and only − 1.3 MPa for P. dilatatum and C. dactylon . Soluble amino acids, especially proline, increased as RWC decreased in leaves of C. dactylon and Z. japonica . Phenylalanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine increased more in Z. japonica than in the other two species. The results provide evidence that C. dactylon and, especially, Z. japonica have evolved leaf traits better suited to arid habitats.

The endemic Hawaiian genus Brighamia (Campanulaceae) comprises two federally endangered, morphologically similar species, B. insignis from Kaua'i and Ni'ihau and B. rockii from Moloka'i. To assist the design of conservation management programs for these taxa, isozyme analyses were performed to assess the levels of genetic diversity at the population and species levels, including comparisons within and among seven natural populations and one ex situ collection each of B. insignis and B. rockii. Our sampling (N ϭ 80) represents ϳ41% of all known individuals in the wild. Isozyme analyses revealed levels of genetic variation comparable to those reported for other Hawaiian flowering plant taxa but low levels of genetic variation at the population and species levels when compared to flowering plants in general. Ex situ individuals (N ϭ 61) were genetically representative of natural populations and hence may appropriately serve as stock for population augmentations. The two morphologically similar Brighamia species were highly distinct genetically. The combination of morphological and ecological similarity with allozymic dissimilarity observed in Brighamia is unique among the Hawaiian taxa studied to date.

Three processes, production, usage, and response, can be used to describe vocal ontogeny. They may develop independently of each other for a given vocalization and a given species as a result of the different selective pressures associated with each process. We have investigated vocal ontogeny in the swift fox Vulpes velox, using recordings and observations of captive foxes from the time of natal den emergence (age 3-4 weeks) to the time of natal dispersal in the wild (age 4-5 months). We first classified adult vocalizations used during the mating and pup rearing seasons into vocal types (19 types in total) and found that swift foxes have a vocal repertoire comparable in size and diversity to other canids. The repertoire of juvenile foxes contained 16 of the 19 adult-type vocalizations and one juvenile vocalization by age 10 weeks, after which no new types appeared by the end of the study period. Two of the 3 adult vocalizations not observed in juveniles appear to be associated with mating and possibly territoriality and the third is a high intensity alarm vocalization. Apart from 3 vocal types (1 alarm and 2 non-agonistic), once vocalizations had appeared in the juvenile repertoire, they did not seem to change in context over time. Juvenile responses to 5 vocalizations emitted by adults (3 alarm, 1 agonistic, and 1 non-agonistic) appeared to change with increasing age to approach adult-type responses. The emergence of these adult-type responses to 2 of the 3 alarm vocalizations coincided with their first appearance in the juvenile repertoire. The results indicate that there is variation in the degree (in terms of the number of vocal types) of modification over time among the three processes.

The Middle Awash paleontological study area, located in the Afar Rift of Ethiopia, has yielded fossils spanning the last six million years. The geology and geochronology of the Mio-Pliocene sites of the study area have been refined and a reliable chronostratigraphy has been established by 40 Ar/ 39 Ar radiometric dating. The latest Miocene Adu-Asa Formation is divided into four members distinguished from each other by silicic and basaltic tuff marker horizons, most of which are dated basaltic tuffs. Radiometric dating has constrained the age of the Adu-Asa Formation to between 5.2-5.8 Ma. These dates are also supported by paleomagnetic results and biochronology. More than 2,000 fossil specimens were collected from the Adu-Asa Formation between 1992 and 2000. These fossils document 64 mammalian species belonging to 32 genera, 23 families, and 8 orders. This assemblage includes a number of new taxa. Included in the assemblage are First and Last Appearance Datums (FADs and LADs) of some groups, including the earliest record of the hominid genus Ardipithecus. Most of the taxa indicate a predominance of mesic and wooded habitat during the deposition of the Adu-Asa Formation. In these deposits, colobines, viverrids, mustelids, bovines, boselaphines, and tragelaphines are abundant, whereas alcelaphines are absent. Quantitative analyses of biogeographic relationships of the Middle Awash Late Miocene (MALM) mammalian fauna indicate stronger relationships with other African sites than with faunas from Eurasian sites. The MALM deposits have generated a critical dataset for analytic work on past environments, biogeographic relationships, and African vertebrate evolution. Moreover, the geographic position of the Middle Awash, coupled with its precise calibration and chronological span, make it a key section for interpreting latest Miocene faunal interchanges between Africa and Eurasia.

Kurzfassung: Triassische Ichthyosaurier sind weit verbreitet und sehr vielgestaltig, aber die meisten Formen sind schlecht bekannt. Neue Funde, wie sie hier beschrieben werden, unterstreichen die erste Feststellung, lassen die zweite aber nur langsam ungtiltig werden. Das erste assoziierte Skelett des ungew6hnlichen durophagen Ichthyosauriers Omphalosaurus, O. wolfi aus der Mitteltrias (unterstes Ladin) der Salzburger Alpen, wird beschrieben und diskutiert. Die Wirbel haben die ftir Ichthyosaurier typische Morphologie und belegen damit eindeutig die Zugeh6rigkeit dieses Taxons zu den Ichthyosauriern. Ein runder Knochen aus dem fr~inkischen Muschelkalk wird als linker Humerus von Omphalosaurus sp. identifiziert. Diese beiden Funde weiten das Verbreitungsgebiet und das zeitliche Auftreten von Ornphalosaurus bedeutend aus, da die Gattung bis jetzt nur vom Westrand des nordamerikanischen Kratons und von Spitzbergen bekannt war. Die neuen Funde erlauben aul3erdem eine Differentialdiagnose der Gattung und eine Revision ihrer Arten, von denen Omphalosaurus nettarhynchus, O. nevadanus und O. wolfi als gtiltig erachtet werden, nicht aber O. nisseri. Im Zusammenhang mit diesen neuen Einsichten zur Verbreitung triassischer Ichthyosaurier ist es n6tig, die Gtiltigkeit schlecht bekannter Gattungen, z.B. des mitteltriassischen Pessosaurus, zu tiberprtifen. Pessosaurus ist kein valides Taxon, weil ihm diagnostische Merkmale fehlen.

Ediacaran fronds are iconic members of the soft-bodied Ediacara biota, characterized by disparate morphologies and wide stratigraphic and environmental ranges. As is the case with nearly all Ediacaran forms, views of their phylogenetic position and ecology are equally diverse, with most frond species considered as sharing a similar ecological guild rather than life history. Experimental biomechanics can potentially constrain these interpretations and suggest new approaches to understanding frond life habits.

The Moenave Formation was deposited during latest Triassic to earliest Jurassic time in a mosaic of fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian subenvironments. Ephemeral streams that flowed north-northwest (relative to modern geographic position) deposited singleand multi-storeyed trough cross-bedded sands on an open floodplain. Sheet flow deposited mainly silt across broad interchannel flats. Perennial lakes, in which mud, silt and carbonate were deposited, formed on the terminal floodplain; these deposits experienced episodic desiccation. Winds that blew dominantly east to south-southeast formed migrating dunes and sand sheets that were covered by low-amplitude ripples.

Wang, Y., Shih, C., Szwedo, J. & Ren, D. iFirst article. New fossil palaeontinids (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha, Palaeontinidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, China. Alcheringa, 1–12. ISSN 0311-5518.A new genus and species assigned to the extinct family Palaeontinidae, Synapocossus sciacchitanoae Wang, Shih & Ren, is described from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou in Inner Mongolia, China. This new genus is established based on well-preserved fossil specimens with body and complete forewings and hind wings. It differs from other described genera by the following characters: small body size, RP and M1 coalescing for an interval on the forewings and M3 + 4 without bifurcation on the hind wings. The RP coalescence with M1 in Synapocossus Wang, Shih & Ren previously reported only in Turgaiella Becker-Migdisova & Wootton, seems to be associated with strengthening of the anterior wing margin. The intra-specific and individual variations of Synapocossus and numerous other insect fossils of northeastern China probably indicate long-lasting ecological stresses and a competitive environment in the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous ecosystems.Synapocossus sciacchitanoae Wang, Shih&Ren;Palaeontinidae:, RPM1, M3+4, Synapocossus Wang, Shih&RenRPM1Turgaiella Becher-Migdisova&Wootton, Synapocossus

The longitudinal growth in stature for 509 males and 311 females was characterized from early childhood to adulthood. A triphasic generalized logistic (BTT) model (Bock et al. [1994] Chicago: SSI) was used through the AUXAL software program. Growth parameters were derived from the estimated distance and velocity curves for each individual. A set of estimated growth parameters, including adult stature, was selected to develop equations, through the forward stepwise regression method, for the prediction of adult stature for Japanese boys and girls. Am.

This article is about the question whether or not human religiousness can be interpreted and explained by evolution. First four concepts of evolution are introduced and discussed (general, teleological, functional, Darwinian). It turns out that a purely functional understanding of evolution proves to be to narrow. It is argued that only a combination between an essentialist and functionalist understanding of religion is sustainable. From this perspective a taxonomy of religions is developed to classify them. The core of the argument is that religion can be understood as a continuing process of selftranscendence. Thus the aspects of rite, myth, mysticism can be understood as results of this process of selftranscendence. Finally the relation between human religiousness and Christian belief is being discussed.

A phylogeny based on nrITS1 and trnL-F sequences resolves the Lejeunea tumida species group polyphyletic with individuals belonging in two clades either side of the basal-most node within Lejeunea. It is impossible for the Lejeunea tumida species group to be more polyphyletic and still be attributed to the same genus under the existing generic classification. A simulation-based approach to testing the null hypothesis of group monophyly rejects this at the P < 0.01 level of significance. Bayesian tests find very strong support for polyphyly, given the data. The monophyly of L. tumida s.s. + L. colensoana is fully supported; however, although Lejeunea tumida s.s. is nested within L. colensoana, this position is not supported. Both L. oracola and L. rhigophila are resolved as monophyletic. Whereas there is moderate support for the monophyly of L. rhigophila, there is no support for the monophyly of L. oracola. Neither is the monophyly of L. oracola + L. rhigophila supported in Bayesian or parsimony analysis.

Background: The forests of the upper Amazon basin harbour some of the world's highest anuran species richness, but to date we have only the sparsest understanding of the distribution of genetic diversity within and among species in this region. To quantify region-wide genealogical patterns and to test for the presence of deep intraspecific divergences that have been documented in some other neotropical anurans, we developed a molecular phylogeny of the widespread terrestrial leaflitter frog Eleutherodactylus ockendeni (Leptodactylidae) from 13 localities throughout its range in Ecuador using data from two mitochondrial genes (16S and cyt b; 1246 base pairs). We examined the relation between divergence of mtDNA and the nuclear genome, as sampled by five speciesspecific microsatellite loci, to evaluate indirectly whether lineages are reproductively isolated where they co-occur. Our extensive phylogeographic survey thus assesses the spatial distribution of E. ockendeni genetic diversity across eastern Ecuador. Results: We identified three distinct and well-supported clades within the Ecuadorean range of E. ockendeni: an uplands clade spanning north to south, a northeastern and central lowlands clade, and a central and southeastern clade, which is basal. Clades are separated by 12% to 15% net corrected p-distance for cytochrome b, with comparatively low sequence divergence within clades. Clades marginally overlap in some geographic areas (e.g., Napo River basin) but are reproductively isolated, evidenced by diagnostic differences in microsatellite PCR amplification profiles or DNA repeat number and coalescent analyses (in MDIV) best modelled without migration. Using Bayesian (BEAST) and net phylogenetic estimates, the Southeastern Clade diverged from the Upland/ Lowland clades in the mid-Miocene or late Oligocene. Lowland and Upland clades speciated more recently, in the early or late Miocene. Conclusion: Our findings uncover previously unsuspected cryptic species diversity within the common leaflitter frog E. ockendeni, with at least three different species in Ecuador. While these clades are clearly geographically circumscribed, they do not coincide with any existing landscape barriers. Divergences are ancient, from the Miocene, before the most dramatic mountain building in the Ecuadorean Andes. Therefore, this diversity is not a product of Pleistocene refuges. Our research coupled with other studies suggests that species richness in the upper Amazon is drastically underestimated by current inventories based on morphospecies.

Inoculation of maize silage with Lactobacillus buchneri (5 x 10(5) c.f.u. g(-1) of maize silage) prior to ensiling results in the formation of aerobically stable silage. After 9 months, lactic acid bacterium counts are approximately 10(10) c.f.u. g(-1) in these treated silages. An important subpopulation (5.9 x 10(7) c.f.u. g(-1)) is able to degrade 1,2-propanediol, a fermentation product of L. buchneri, under anoxic conditions to 1-propanol and propionic acid. From this group of 1,2-propanediol-fermenting, facultatively anaerobic, heterofermentative lactobacilli, two rod-shaped isolates were purified and characterized. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the newly isolated bacteria have identical 16S rDNA sequences and belong phylogenetically to the L. buchneri group. DNA-DNA hybridizations, whole-cell protein fingerprinting and examination of phenotypic properties indicated that these two isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Lactobacillus diolivo...

On the basis of few and contentious morphological characters Gnathostomulids have been thought to be the sister-group of either the Platyhelminthes or the Syndermata (Rotifera ؉ Acanthocephala). We provide a full 18S rDNA sequence for a species of Gnathostomula and attempt to resolve its position among the Metazoa, on the basis of molecular evidence. Sixty sequences, representing 30 nominal phyla and including new entoproct and gastrotrich sequences, were used to reconstruct phylogenies using maximumparsimony, neighbor-joining, and minimum evolution models. We were unable to support either of the morphological hypotheses outright and, moreover, our data supported more strongly a third possible relationship with the gnathostomulids as a member of the Nematoda ؉ Chaetognatha clade. Superficially, as active benthic, vermiform creatures with sclerotized cuticular jaws, they fit a predicted ancestral form of the Nematoda ؉ Chaetognatha clade and, as such, would arguably be members of the Ecdysozoa. The molecular data at least call for a reevaluation of the morphological data and a denser sampling of the lesser phyla. Data from morphology and molecules act synergistically in estimating phylogeny; morphology alone provided limited phylogenetic signal and alternative phylogenetic hypotheses, whereas the molecular solution suggested an alternative topology which, when interpreted in the light of comparative anatomy, may suggest previously unconsidered possibilities. 1998

#LINK: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/232990708 - Nest‐building behaviour was studied in Xylocopa violacea, with particular attention to that exhibited in the construction of each cell, from the formation of the pollen paste to the construction of the diaphragm. Seven inside characteristics of 28 nests excavated in dried Arundo donax canes were determined. The cell length ranged from 14 to 20 mm. The diaphragms separating the cells were 2 mm thick in the middle, and 4–5 mm at the edge. In 37 additional nests, only data on some characteristics were taken: (a) colour of the pollen paste; (b) cane internode used for nesting. X. violacea is univoltine and solitary, and as in all the other Xylocopa species, female average fecundity is very low (7.43 eggs per nest), despite considerable maternal investment. Univoltine Xylocopa species are less fertile than multivoltine Xylocopa species because of the one to three sup plementary generations per year.
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Live (Rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera were investigated in surface sediment samples from the Okhotsk Sea to reveal the relationship between faunal characteristics and environmental parameters. Live benthic foraminifera were quantified in the size fraction N 125 µm in the upper 8 cm of replicate sediment cores, recovered with a multicorer at five stations along the Sakhalin margin, and at three stations on the southwestern Kamchatka slope. The stations are from water depths between 625 to 1752 m, located close or within the present Okhotsk Sea oxygen minimum zone, with oxygen levels between 0.3 and 1.5 ml l -1 . At the high-productivity and ice-free Kamchatka stations, live benthic foraminifera are characterized by maximal standing stocks (about 1700-3700 individuals per 50 cm 2 ), strong dominance of calcareous species (up to 87-91% of total live faunas), and maximal habitat depths (down to 5.2-6.7 cm depth). Vertical distributions of total faunal abundances exhibit a clear subsurface maximum in sediments. At the Sakhalin stations, which are seasonally ice-covered and less productive, live benthic foraminifera show lower standing stocks (about 200-1100 individuals per 50 cm 2 ), lower abundance of calcareous species (10-64% of total live faunas), and shallower habitat depths (down to 2.5-5.4 cm depth). Faunal vertical distributions are characterized by maximum in the uppermost surface sediments. It is suggested that 1) lower and strongly seasonal organic matter flux, caused by the seasonal sea ice cover and seasonal upwelling, 2) lower bottom water oxygenation (0.3-1.1 ml l -1 ), and 3) more pronounced influence of carbonate undersaturated bottom water along the Sakhalin margin are the main factors responsible for the observed faunal differences. According to species downcore distributions and average living depths, common calcareous species were identified as preferentially shallow, intermediate and deep infaunal. Foraminiferal microhabitat occupation correlates with the organic matter flux and the depth of the oxygenated layer in sediments.

was based on isolated teeth from the Maastrichtian phosphatic deposits of Morocco. The recent discovery of new material, including skull and mandibular remains, improves our knowledge of this species. M. beaugei shares the following synapomorphies with the genus Mosasaurus: large teeth bearing two prominent carinae and with asymmetrical labial and lingual surfaces, the labial one being flattened and strongly facetted and the lingual one being convex; premaxillae with a small pointed rostrum and dentary without rostrum; palatal elements closely united; coronoid with very large ventromedial process overlying the prearticular. M. beaugei is characterised by the following autapomorphies: 12-13 maxillary teeth; marginal teeth bearing 3-5 prisms on the labial surface and 8-9 on the lingual one; palatine with posterior border concave and perpendicular to the long axis of the skull; splenial visible laterally on half of the dentary ventral surface; coronoid with anterior wing well developed and bearing two notches. M. beaugei is only known to date in the Maastrichtian phosphates of Morocco.

Objective: In this work we aim to investigate the origins and genetic affinities of Bronze Age populations (2,400–1,100 BC) from the region of southern Poland and to trace maternal kinship patterns present in the burials of those populations by the use of complete mitochondrial genomes. Materials and methods: We performed ancient DNA analyses for Bronze Age individuals from present-day Poland associated with the Strzyżow culture, the Mierzanowice culture, and the Trzciniec Cultural circle. To obtain complete mitochondrial genomes, we sequenced genomic libraries using Illumina platform. Additionally, hybridization capture was used to enrich some of the samples for mitochondrial DNA. AMS 14C-dating was conducted for 51 individuals to verify chronological and cultural attribution of the analyzed samples. Results: Complete ancient mitochondrial genomes were generated for 80 of the Bronze Age individuals from present-day Poland. The results of the population genetic analyses indicate close maternal genetic affinity between Mierzanowice, Trzciniec, and Corded Ware culture-associated populations. This is in contrast to the genetically more distant Strzyżów people that displayed closer maternal genetic relation to steppe populations associated with the preceding Yamnaya culture and Catacomb culture, and with later Scythians. Potential maternal kinship relations were identified in burials of Mierzanowice and Trzciniec populations analyzed in this study. Discussion: Results revealed genetic continuity from the Late Neolithic Corded Ware groups to Bronze Age Mierzanowice and Trzciniec-associated populations, and possible additional genetic contribution from the steppe to the formation of the Strzyżów associated group at the end of 3rd millennium BC. Mitochondrial patterns indicated several pairs of potentially maternally related individuals mostly in Trzciniec-associated group.

"The expression “mental illness” arises historically in the course of conversations about our human relational living, in an attempt to visualize some regularities that occurred in it, thinking that if we could grasp them we would be able to solve some difficulties that we were encountering in our living together, thinking that we could do so through formalizing them with some adequate theory that we would invent. However, to do that, we have to abstract those regularities in our living together first; we must respect ourselves accepting that naming is not a trivial aspect of what we do in our living: names have arisen in our history of living together as operational elements of coordination of our doings, and reveal regularities in that living."

The central importance of evolution to all biological sciences is recognised by many authors. Despite this scientific consensus, the theory of evolution is commonly presented as one discrete topic among many in the biology curriculum. Possible reasons for this scenario include discomfort with the content, ideological opposition and teachers’ difficulties in concepts identified as essential for the understanding of evolution. In evolution education, there is a well-established literature on these aspects, but little has been discussed about the historical and philosophical issues concerning the challenges to the centrality of evolution in biology teaching. In this article, I argue that evolution at both basic and higher education levels is strongly based on the original evolutionary synthesis, with a focus on population genetics, and this is one of the reasons for the failure in establishing the centrality of evolution in biology teaching. Given the diversity and complexity of contemporary evolution theory, a more pluralistic perspective to evolutionary teaching is required. I propose that a causally pluralistic evolutionary worldview, which expands the range of causal factors contributing to evolutionary change, is essential when it comes to establishing the centrality of evolution in biology teaching.

Six cunaxid species of three known genera, including one new species are reported for the first time from Iran. The known species are Coleobonzia saaymani , Coleoscirus simplex ), Coleoscirus buartsus Den Heyer, 1980b, Coleoscirus breslauensis Den Heyer, 1980b and Coleoscirus tuberculatus Den Heyer, 1978. The new species, Neoscirula sepasgosariani, is described and illustrated. A key for the Iranian Coleoscirinae is given.

Intelligent behavior is a complex adaptive phenomenon that has evolved to enable organisms to deal with variable environmental circumstances. Maximizing fitness requires skill in foraging for necessary resources (food) in competitive circumstances and is probably the activity in which intelligent behavior is most easily seen. Biologists suggest that intelligence encompasses the characteristics of detailed sensory perception, information processing, learning, memory, choice, optimisation of resource sequestration with minimal outlay, self-recognition, and foresight by predictive modeling. All these properties are concerned with a capacity for problem solving in recurrent and novel situations. Here I review the evidence that individual plant species exhibit all of these intelligent behavioral capabilities but do so through phenotypic plasticity, not movement. Furthermore it is in the competitive foraging for resources that most of these intelligent attributes have been detected. Plants should therefore be regarded as prototypical intelligent organisms, a concept that has considerable consequences for investigations of whole plant communication, computation and signal transduction. A. Trewavas ( )

Since Charles Darwin made the theory of evolution popular, the church has been faced with the problem of either denying the validity of evolution or finding a way to interpret the Bible that will harmonize with both an old-earth scenario and with the belief that humans evolved from lower forms of life. This article will not deny either of these scientific conclusions. Its purpose will be to discuss some of the proposed interpretations of the Bible's teachings that have been presented for the purpose of harmonizing the Bible and science, showing that some of these have serious problems. But first I will present an alterative view that has both mathematical and exegetical support to undergird it. Two benefits that are inherent in this view are its simplicity and its employment of the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. Also it does not contradict any New Testament teaching, which should be a requirement for any methodology employed to discover the Bible's teaching on human origins. I appreciate all those who have taken in hand to harmonize an inspired view of Scripture with the present views of the science community.

Book (in French) published in 2003 at the occasion of the first exhibition staging exclusively biomedia art works at the national art center Le Lieu Unique in Nantes/France. Hauser Jens (ed.): L'Art Biotech. Nantes/Trézélan, 2003.

The publication has not been available anymore since 2008; this PDF is made accessible with the agreement and the kind support of the Filigranes publishing house, until an augmented new edition will be be available. Great thanks to Filigranes and Patrick Le Bescont! https://www.filigranes.com

Essay detailing some of Titian's most famous works, looking at self-expression through painting,  memento mori, emotion, as well as topics of mortality and death. The focus of this paper is to shed light on aspects of symbolism found in some of the artist's later pieces in order to determine why his style changed so drastically over time.

Unto Others (UO) is an important book for all with a genuine interest in evolutionary biology, and right on target for everyone interested in human behavior. It is also of great relevance for those interested in the effects of the global human population increase, and the interaction of population and environment, aspects which will be emphasized in this review. UO is a truly interdisciplinary exploration of the paradox of explaining the existence of both the egoistic (i.e., selfish) and the altruistic (unselfish) behaviors and motives. UO draws upon data and arguments from biology, philosophy, psychology, and anthropology.

The interesting thing about things that evolve, is that they rarely recall what they evolved from.  Nativist or empiricist, innate grammars or reinforced learning, every time a child is born, that child must start over and reacquire a language its forebears have spoken for millennia.  This paper argues that humans seem innate with respect to language acquisition, because we have forgotten how far back it was learned.  Perhaps we, as humans with needs like commerce and the need to record transactions, discovered that our infinite diversity of subjective perceptions required a similar diversity of ways to express it, which we call language.  The bonobo Kanzi evinced that when learning is intrinsic to the species and motivated by group need and peer exchanges, animal language limits begin to vanish.  Humans are not special, only familiar with how we have conversed for millennia, yet somehow amnestic about how this came to be familiar.  The advent of machines capable of mimicking human verbal responses raises the age-old question of whether humans are simply machines.  Yet all that speech technology has taught us, is that knowledge acquisition is a conscious effort to comprehend and express; no machine can equal what a conscious urgency can surprise us with.  Building machines that can talk to one another has not resolved the nature-nurture debate, but taught us that it is in our nature to need nurture, and it is during nurture we need language to help us find it.  This paper will evince that innateness is the amnestic part of nurture, and nurture the amnestic part of nature; speech technology only reinforces the insight that we learn and grow through this struggle to remember—then we forget the struggle, preserving only the learning.  Each new life learns to recall what was lost, by reliving the struggle.

DNA barcoding has great potential as a species identification tool because it is practical and affordable to perform and, more often than not, shows species-level separations. Currently, efforts are on to barcode all major groups of animals including insects and millions of species have been barcoded. Other than as a species identification tool, DNA barcoding has been applied to solve many complex ecological phenomena. DNA barcoding is emerging as a simple and very reliable tool for studying host-parasitoid interactions and to establish the host range of phytophagous insects which has changed the perspective of many food webs. DNA barcoding has shown potential as incontestable identification tool for biosecurity purposes with global application. DNA barcoding is also being utilised to document the biodiversity of past and present with reasonable efficiency.

The discussion of the Theory of EVERYTHING has been continued with a concerted interest on physicality, and in particular, the concept of Dark Matter and consciousness embodiment, making a reference to the advent of Core Manifestation Body Template or concept of Morphogenetic Field. It is elucidated that contrary to the erroneous conjecture of the mainstream science, Dark Matter is not just something that is only simply responsible for gravity. Indeed, it is true that Dark Matter epitomizes what ‘holds’ everything together in physicality. Yet, Dark Matter is not just regular matter that is only indigenous to 3D physicality, nor is “dark” by any means, both in terms of its Light quotient and frequency of vibration. Dark Matter manifests itself as plasma waves that has a spectral density that begins from highly comparatively lower constitution, and thus, high Light quotient and frequency of particulate (as well anti-particulate) vibration, all the way making the fabric of the to the 81st space-time dimension, to that of our Harmonic Universes, as well as forming our consciousness embodiment. Indeed, it is better to altogether dispense with the terminology of “Dark” and replace it with “Stealth” matter. In fact, Dark Matter is the essence or the substance of what emerges from the eternal spirit of the God-SOURCE. And, Dark Matter epitomizes what constitutes and builds the layers of our Lightbody that, in turn, give rise to the formation of our material atomic body. Thus, the Dark Matter body may be viewed as the connection link that exists between the eternal spiritual Light SOURCE body of the Prime Creator and the finite level of our Light source body. The Core Manifestation Body is governed by the Dark Matter Template, the blueprint or the instruction sets that our Eternal Source Particle Atoms and Molecules are built in order to generate the layers of our Eternal Light Body determining our bioenergetics, in turn, giving rise to our morphogenetic field that forms the DNA and RNA structure of our genetics. And, all this entails is the conversion of energy into matter. Dark Matter Template holds a cell that has the instruction set for the Elemental Body that is specific to the matter substance that is connected to a specific Harmonic Universe (e.g., HU1, HU2, HU3, and even HU4), and thus, provides the very means for our very consciousness embodiment. Note that quantum field affects the organization of the
Space-time or ‘dimensions,’ which in turn, determines the structure of the timelines that forms the Nebadon Time Matrix that defines our 4 holographic Harmonic Universes. This is what is commonly referred to as the 12D Grid or Tree of Life, the blueprint matrices of the Time Matrix that make up the layers of the Morphogenetic Fields of the Earth, as a macrocosm, and in turn, us, as the microcosm that determine our Consciousness reality and evolution. This establishes a system of communication that connects and realigns Earth and its planetary Light body structure via certain portals and stargates to the rest of the Cosmos, something that may be described as ‘holographic geography,’ the geometric intelligence that connects all the star systems in our local universe to the surface grid of our planet. Note that any changes in the Dark Matter Template Body (the ‘Rasha Body’), signifies a shift occurring in our physical body and physicality. And, in turn, any change in our orientation in matter, signifies a change in the fabric of space-time dimension to which our consciousness is anchored. Accordingly, a review of our quantum consciousness embodiment structure within the Nebadon Universe that may be classified under the concepts of ‘Soul Aspects,’ ‘Soul Expression,’ ‘Oversoul,’ and ‘Avatar’ matrix that was initially depicted by the ‘Carousel-Wheel of Consciousness’ by the author, is re-articulated, herein. Finally, a brief discussion of the relevance of magnetic energies discharge to the Planetary Dark Matter Body Template and the nature of the subtle energies, as well as Gravity, Black-White Holes, and Wormholes has been presented.