3D printing in zoological systematics: Integrative taxonomy ofLabrys chinensisgen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda: Tylenchomorpha)

Abstract

Three-dimensional printing technology has shown its importance in many fields. In this study, the potential of this technique in zoological systematics was assessed.For the first time, 3D printed models were incorporated in the description of a new genus as a complement to pictures and drawings to illustrate complex 3D structures and to be used in education. Hereby, we also tested the performances of different printing materials and suggest resin as the most suitable option for the zoological field. As a case study, Labrys chinensis gen. nov., sp. nov. was described using an integrative approach: detailed morphology based on light-and electron microscopy, phylogenetic position as revealed from two ribosomal RNA genes, generic traits were tested for homoplasy, and the intra-and interpopulation variations of four sampled populations were analyzed. The new genus belongs to the subfamily Tylenchinae, family Tylenchidae in the infraorder Tylenchomorpha. It is characterized by a unique labial plate that has four narrow lobes with tips detached from the adjacent cuticle, laterally broad elongated amphidial apertures, a strong sclerotized excretory duct, a round spacious postvulval uterine sac, and a spicule with a sharp protrusion at the blade. K E Y W O R D S3D modeling, nematode, new genus, new species, Phylogeny, Tylenchidae

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Labrys filiformis n. sp. (Rhabditida: Tylenchidae) from Iran

“…Recently, the eighth unique pattern was recognized in Labrys (Qing and Bert, 2018). Based upon SEM images from the lip region of the genus provided for the type species (Qing and Bert, 2018;Konani et al, 2018), it is dorso-ventrally flattened forming four poorly prominent lobes, the labial plate is offset, narrowing toward both corners, and protuberant from the adjacent cuticle and appearing as a disc-like structure in lateral view with LM ( Fig. 4a-c in Qing and Bert (2018), Figure 5C in Konani et al (2018), and Fig.…”

“…The wide and sclerotized duct of the excretory pore is also an important conserved trait among the three aforementioned populations, although its position shows variation between the type species and the Iranian population of the type species (Konani et al, 2018). Qing and Bert (2018) designated a spacious PUS as a generic character in the genus Labrys. Thus, the smaller PUS observed in L. filiformis n. sp.…”

“…Some of the species are considered as weak parasites of plants (Siddiqi, 2000) and typically show low interspecific and high intraspecific morphological variability (Qing and Bert, 2018). Many species are poorly described because of an overreliance on morphological characters using light microscopy (LM) and a limited number of specimens which has led to taxonomic confusion (Qing and Bert, 2018). Recently, molecular data have been used to improve taxonomic studies of the family members (Palomares-Rius et al, 2009;Bert et al, 2010;Atighi et al, 2013;Panahandeh et al, 2014Panahandeh et al, , 2015aPanahandeh et al, , 2015bPanahandeh et al, , 2016Panahandeh et al, , 2018Soleymanzadeh et al, 2016;Qing et al, 2016Qing et al, , 2017Pedram et al, 2018;Bert, 2017, 2018).…”

“…Recently, two other monotypic genera were added, i.e., Discopersicus (Yaghoubi et al, 2016) from Iran, and Labrys (Qing and Bert, 2018) from China with L. chinensis (Qing and Bert, 2018) as its type species (Qing and Bert, 2018). The latter genus is mainly characterized by having a unique offset labial plate, tapering toward both tips and detached from the adjacent cuticle in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, protruding lips under LM, laterally elongate amphidial apertures, two incisures in lateral field, delicate stylet, its shaft two times longer than the cone, elongate fusiform weakly developed median bulb having a distinct weakly sclerotized valvular apparatus, wide excretory pore with heavily sclerotized duct, a round spacious postvulval uterine sac (PUS) and spicules with sharp protrusion (Qing and Bert, 2018). Immediately following the description of L. chinensis, it was reported from Iran and confirmed to be identical following morphological and morphometric analyses (Konani et al, 2018).…”

Evaluating seasonal patterns of female aggression: Case study in a cavity‐nesting bird with intense female–female competition

“…Because these decoys can be so easily made, researchers can cheaply create numerous mounts that are almost disposable, minimize pseudoreplication, and enhance reliability in ethological studies (Parker, Greig, Nakagawa, Parra, & Dalisio, 2018). 3D printing is revolutionizing many different disciplines within ecology and evolution (Behm, Waite, Hsieh, & Helmus, 2018;Domingue et al, 2015;Igic et al, 2015;Porter, Adriaens, Hatton, Meyers, & McKittrick, 2015;Qing & Bert, 2018), and in the future, advanced modifications, such as iridescent or UV-matched paint colours, instead of animal skins, could remove the need to use live animals in a range of behavioural tests.…”