Papers by Prashant Sharma
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2009
Little is known about the familial and generic level phylogeny of Laniatores, the most diverse su... more Little is known about the familial and generic level phylogeny of Laniatores, the most diverse suborder of Opiliones. We investigated the internal phylogeny of the family Sandokanidae (formerly Oncopodidae), the putative sister group of the other families of the highly diverse infraorder Grassatores (Opiliones: Laniatores), on the basis of sequence data from eight molecular loci: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), histones H3, H4, and U2 snRNA. Exemplars of all recognized sandokanid genera, as well as a putative new genus from Thailand, were included. Data analyses were based on a direct optimization approach using parsimony, as well as maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches on static alignments. The results obtained include the monophyly of Sandokanidae and its stability under a variety of parameter sets and methods. The internal phylogeny is relatively robust to parameter choice and demonstrates the monophyly of nearly all described genera, corroborating previous morphological observations. However, conflict among data sets exists with respect to the monophyly of the largest genus Gnomulus. Morphological character evolution, particularly of characters used to define genera, such as tarsal count and male genitalia, is reexamined and the performance of the eight molecular markers in phylogenetic estimation is evaluated. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Journal of Arachnology, 2006
A new species of Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones) belonging to the Sri Lankan genus Pettalus is describe... more A new species of Cyphophthalmi (Opiliones) belonging to the Sri Lankan genus Pettalus is described and illustrated. Characterization of male and female genitalia and SEM illustrations are included, representing the first such analysis for the genus. This constitutes the first species of Pettalus to be described since 1897, although information on other morphospecies recently collected in Sri Lanka indicates that the number of species on the island is much higher than previously thought. The presence of eyes in pettalids is illustrated for the first time and the implications of the presence of eyes outside of Styloceilidae are discussed.
Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine, 2010
Mechanics of Materials is a fundamental topic in the field of mechanical and civil/structural eng... more Mechanics of Materials is a fundamental topic in the field of mechanical and civil/structural engineering. The primary goal of Mechanics of Materials is to understand how external loads applied to a structure cause the structure deform and develop internal stresses. This knowledge and understanding can be used to determine the safe allowable loading for an existing structure or to determine the dimensions and material properties required for a new structure to safely resist the expected loading. A solid understanding of Mechanics of Materials topics is considered a prerequisite for further study in the areas of structural engineering and mechanical engineering design. This article provides a foundational treatment of topics typically found in a college/university level course in Mechanics of Materials.
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Papers by Prashant Sharma