Morphology, molecules, and character congruence in the phylogeny of South American geophagine cichlids (Perciformes, Labroidei)

Phylogenetic relationships among the Neotropical cichlid subfamily Geophaginae were examined using 136 morphological characters and a molecular dataset consisting of six mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Topologies produced by morphological and combined data under parsimony were contrasted, congruence among different partitions was analysed, and potential effects of character incongruence and patterns of geophagine evolution on phylogenetic resolution are discussed. Interaction of morphological and molecular characters in combined analysis produced better resolved and supported topologies than when either was analysed separately. Combined analyses recovered a strongly supported Geophaginae that was closely related to Cichlasomatinae. Within Geophaginae, two sister clades included all geophagine genera. Acarichthyini (Acarichthys+Guianacara) was sister to the ‘B clade’, which contained the ‘Geophagus clade’ (‘Geophagus’steindachneri+Geophagus sensu stricto, and both sister to Gymnogeophagus) as sister to the ‘Mikrogeophagus clade’ (Mikrogeophagus+‘Geophagus’brasiliensis), and in turn, the Geophagus and Mikrogeophagus clades were sister to the crenicarine clade (Crenicara+Dicrossus) and Biotodoma. The second geophagine clade included the ‘Satanoperca clade’ (Satanoperca+Apistogramma and Taeniacara) as sister to the ‘Crenicichla clade’ (Crenicichla+Biotoecus). Several lineages were supported by unique morphological synapomorphies: the Geophaginae + Cichlasomatinae (5 synapomorphies), Geophaginae (1), Crenicichla clade (3), crenicarine clade (1), the sister relationship of Apistogramma and Taeniacara (4) and of Geophagus sensu stricto and‘Geophagus’steindachneri (1), and the cichlasomine tribe Heroini (1). Incorporation of Crenicichla in Geophaginae reconciles formerly contradictory hypotheses based on morphological and molecular data, and makes the subfamily the most diverse and ecologically versatile clade of cichlids outside the African great lakes. Results of this study support the hypothesis that morphological differentiation of geophagine lineages occurred rapidly as part of an adaptive radiation.     

Phylogeny of Mesoamerican freshwater mussels and a revised tribe‐level classification of the Ambleminae

Evolutionary and ecological hypotheses of the freshwater mussel subfamily Ambleminae are intensely geographically biased—a consequence of the complete exclusion of Mesoamerican taxa in phylogenetic reconstructions of the clade. We set out to integrate a portion of the Mesoamerican freshwater mussel assemblage into existing hypotheses of amblemine classification and evolution by generating a molecular phylogeny that includes four previously unsampled Mesoamerican genera and nine species endemic to that region. Given the traditionally hypothesized affinity to Nearctic mussels and the understanding that classification should reflect common ancestry, we predicted that (a) Mesoamerican genera would be recovered as members of the recognized tribes of the Ambleminae, and (b) genera would be supported as monophyletic. The mutilocus phylogeny (COI + 28S + 16S) reported herein does not fully support either of those hypotheses. Neither Cyrtonaias nor Psorula were supported as monophyletic and we predict several other Mesoamerica genera are also non‐monophyletic. The reconstructed phylogeny recovered four independent lineages of Mesoamerican freshwater mussels and these clades are distributed across the phylogeny of the Ambleminae, including the tribe Quadrulini (Megalonaias), Lampsilini (two lineages: Cyrtonaias explicata/Sphenonaias microdon, and Pachynaias), and a previously unrecognized, exclusively Mesoamerican and Rio Grande clade consisting of the genera Psoronaias, Psorula and Popenaias. The latter clade possesses several morphological characteristics that distinguish it from its sister taxon, tribe Lampsilini, and we recognize this newly identified Mesoamerican clade as a fifth tribe of the Ambleminae attributable to the Popenaiadini Heard & Guckert, 1970. This revised classification more completely recognizes the suprageneric diversity of the Ambleminae.     

Phylogeny of the tribe Antirrhineae (Scrophulariaceae) based on morphological andndhF sequence data

Phylogenetic relationships within the tribe Antirrhineae (Scrophulariaceae) are analysed and discussed on the basis of parsimony analyses of morphological andndhF gene sequence data. The results indicate that the tribe Antirrhineae consists of four major groups of genera, theAnarrhinum clade, theGambelia clade, theMaurandya clade, and theAntirrhinum clade. TheAnarrhinum clade, consisting of the Old World bee-pollinated generaAnarrhinum andKickxia, is sister to the rest of the tribe. TheGambelia clade consists of the New World generaGambelia andGalvezia, which are very closely related and pollinated by hummingbirds. TheMaurandya clade consists of one subclade includingMaurandya and a number of related bee- or hummingbird-pollinated New World genera and another subclade with the Old World bee-pollinated generaAsarina andCymbalaria. TheAntirrhinum clade consists mainly of bee-pollinated Old World genera, such asAntirrhinum, Linaria, Chaenorhinum, and their segregates, but also includes the New World generaMohavea andHowelliella, of which the latter is known to be partly pollinated by hummingbirds. It is concluded that hummingbirdpollination has evolved independently within Antirrhineae at least three times from bee-pollinated ancestors.     

Generic relationships among the baccate-fruited Amaryllidaceae (tribe Haemantheae) inferred from plastid and nuclear non-coding DNA sequences

Using sequences from the plastid trnL-F region and nrDNA ITS, we investigated the phylogeny of the fleshy-fruited African tribe Haemantheae of the Amaryllidaceae across 19 species representing all genera of the tribe. ITS and a combined matrix produce the most resolute and well-supported tree with parsimony analysis. Two main clades are resolved, one comprising the monophyletic rhizomatous genera Clivia and Cryptostephanus, and a larger clade that unites Haemanthus and Scadoxus as sister genera to an Apodolirion/Gethyllis subclade. One of four included Gethyllis species, G. lanuginosa, resolves as sister to Apodolirion with ITS. Relationships among the Clivia species are not in agreement with a previous published phylogeny. Biogeographic analysis using the divergence/vicariance method roots the tribe in Eastern South Africa, with several subsequent dispersals to the winter rainfall Western Cape region. Chromosomal change from an ancestral 2n=22 (characteristic of Clivia) is associated with each main clade. Reduction in number has occurred in all but Cryptostephanus, which has 2n=24 chromosomes. Increasing the sampling across all of the species in the tribe will allow a more detailed understanding of the biogeographic patterns inherent in the parsimony topology, which undoubtedly reflect Quaternary climatic changes in Southern Africa.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Trechitae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) based on larval morphology, with a description of first-instar Phrypeus and a key to genera

Abstract. Sixty-nine characters of larval structure of twenty-eight genera of the supertribe Trechitae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed phylogenetically. The monophyly of Trechitae is strongly supported with five unique synapomorphies. The monophyly of Zolini + Bembidiini + Pogonini is supported with two synapomorphies. We propose that the tribe Trechini is a sister group to them and its monophyly is supported with two unique synapomorphies. The inferred branching pattern of Trechini genera is (Perileptus + Thalassophilus) + (Amblystogenium + (Trechimorphus + (Trechus + Epaphius + Aepopsis + Trechisibus))); Perileptus is a member of Trechodina rather than Trechina. The monophyly of Zolini is not supported. The monophyly of Pogonini is supported with two unique synapomorphies; its sister group relationships remain obscure; the branching pattern of pogonine genera is (((Pogonus + Pogonistes) + Cardiaderus) + Thalassotrechus). No evidence for monophyly of the tribe Bembidiini (s. lato; including subtribes Bembidiina, Tachyina, Xystosomina, and Anillina) was found. The relationships of Phrypeus are obscure; no evidence could be found linking it with Bembidiina. Without Phrypeus, Bembidiina might be a monophylum with a single synapomorphy. Sinechostictus branches basal of (Bembidion + Asaphidion) and therefore should be treated as a separate genus. Tachyina and Xystosomina form a monophylum based on two unique synapomorphies; a close relationship with a monophyletic Anillina is suggested. Reduction of the number of claws from two to one in Trechitae has taken place twice: within Trechina (Trechus, Epaphius, Aepopsis and Trechisibus) and in (Zolini + Bembidiini + Pogonini). The previously unknown larvae of the isolated genus Phrypeus are described and illustrated. A key to all twenty-eight analysed Trechitae genera based on characters of larvae and a list of larval autapomorphies for each genus are provided.     

Systematics of Amaryllidaceae based on cladistic analysis of plastid sequence data

Cladistic analyses of plastid DNA sequences rbcL and trnL-F are presented separately and combined for 48 genera of Amaryllidaceae and 29 genera of related asparagalean families. The combined analysis is the most highly resolved of the three and provides good support for the monophyly of Amaryllidaceae and indicates Agapanthaceae as its sister family. Alliaceae are in turn sister to the Amaryllidaceae/Agapanthaceae clade. The origins of the family appear to be western Gondwanaland (Africa), and infrafamilial relationships are resolved along biogeographic lines. Tribe Amaryllideae, primarily South African, is sister to the rest of Amaryllidaceae; this tribe is supported by numerous morphological synapomorphies as well. The remaining two African tribes of the family, Haemantheae and Cyrtantheae, are well supported, but their position relative to the Australasian Calostemmateae and a large clade comprising the Eurasian and American genera, is not yet clear. The Eurasian and American elements of the family are each monophyletic sister clades. Internal resolution of the Eurasian clade only partially supports currently accepted tribal concepts, and few conclusions can be drawn on the relationships of the genera based on these data. A monophyletic Lycorideae (Central and East Asian) is weakly supported. Galanthus and Leucojum (Galantheae pro parte) are supported as sister genera by the bootstrap. The American clade shows a higher degree of internal resolution. Hippeastreae (minus Griffinia and Worsleya) are well supported, and Zephyranthinae are resolved as a distinct subtribe. An Andean clade marked by a chromosome number of 2n = 46 (and derivatives thereof) is resolved with weak support. The plastid DNA phylogenies are discussed in the context of biogeography and character evolution in the family.     

Monophyly of Euaesthetinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): phylogenetic evidence from adults and larvae,review of austral genera,and new larval descriptions

Abstract We develop a morphological dataset for the rove beetle subfamily Euaesthetinae comprising 167 morphological characters (135 adult and 32 larval) scored from 30 terminal taxa including 25 ingroup terminals (from subfamilies Euaesthetinae and Steninae) and five outgroups. Four maximum parsimony analyses using different sets of terminals and character sets were run to test the monophyly of (1) Euaesthetinae, (2) Steninae, (3) Euaesthetinae + Steninae, (4) euaesthetine tribes Austroesthetini, Alzadaesthetini, Euaesthetini, Fenderiini and Stenaesthetini, and (5) the ten currently known austral endemic genera together. Analyses of adult and larval character sets separately and in combination recovered the monophyly of Euaesthetinae, Steninae, and both subfamilies together, with strong support. Analysis of 13 ingroup terminals for which complete data were available suggests that monophyly of Euaesthetinae is supported by 19 synapomorphies (13 adult, six larval), of Steninae by 23 synapomorphies (14 adult, nine larval), and of both subfamilies together by 24 synapomorphies (21 adult, three larval). Within Euaesthetinae, only the tribe Stenaesthetini was recovered as monophyletic based on adult characters, and in no analyses were the ten austral endemic genera recovered as a monophyletic group. Phylogenetic relationships among euaesthetine genera were weakly supported, although analyses including adult characters supported monophyly of Octavius and Protopristus separately, and of Octavius + Protopristus, Austroesthetus + Chilioesthetus and Edaphus + Euaesthetus. Steninae may include a third genus comprising two undescribed species probably possessing a ‘stick–capture’ method of prey capture, similar to that in Stenus. These two species formed a strongly supported clade recovered as the sister group of Stenus based on adult characters. Diagnoses and a key to adults are provided for the 15 euaesthetine genera currently known from the austral region (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and southern South America). Euaesthetine larvae previously were known only for Euaesthetus, and we describe the larvae of nine more genera and provide the first larval identification key for genera of Euaesthetinae.     

Phylogenetic study of the Characinae (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

The Characinae is a subunit of the Characidae of special significance in including Charax, the type genus of the family and the order Characiformes. Twelve genera and 79 species have been traditionally assigned to the Characinae, but the subfamily still lacks a phylogenetic diagnosis. Herein, a data matrix including 150 morphological characters and 64 taxa (35 species representing all genera of the Characinae and 29 included in other lineages within the Characiformes) was submitted to two cladistic analyses that differ in the inclusion/exclusion of Priocharax due to the difficulty of coding most of the character states in the miniature species of this genus. Both analyses resulted in a non‐monophyletic Characinae and this subfamily is herein restricted to only seven of the original 12 genera forming the clade (Phenacogaster((Charax Roeboides)(Acanthocharax(Cynopotamus(Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))), which is supported by ten non‐ambiguous synapomorphies and is more closely related to other genera of the Characidae than those traditionally placed in the subfamily. A second clade includes the members of the tribe Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys(Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) as the sister‐group of Gnathocharax, supported by seven non‐ambiguous synapomorphies. This clade is more closely related to a taxon formed by Roestes and Gilbertolus based on seven non‐ambiguous synapomorphies. Results do not corroborate a close relationship between Roestes–Gilbertolus and the Cynodontinae. Inclusion of the genus Priocharax suggests that it is related more closely to the Heterocharacini, but the profound modifications in its anatomy possibly related to ontogenetic truncations obscure a better understanding of its relationships. A new classification of the Characinae and the Heterocharacinae is proposed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165 , 809–915.     

Paraphyly of Homoptera and Auchenorrhyncha inferred from 18S rDNA nucleotide sequences

Evolutionary affiliations of eighteen families of Hemiptera (s.l.) are inferred using molecular phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide (nt) sequences of 18S rDNAs. Exemplar taxa include: Archaeorrhyncha (=Fulgoromorpha): flatid, issid, dictyopharid, cixiid and delphacid; Prosorrhyncha (=Heteropterodea): Peloridiomorpha (=Coleorhyncha) -peloridiid, Heteroptera gerrid, lygaeid and mirid; Clypeorrhyncha [=extant (monophyletic) cicadomorphs]: cicadid, cercopoids (cercopid, aphrophorid), membracid and cicadellids (deltocephaline and cicadelline); and Sternorrhyncha: psyllid, aleyrodid, diaspidid and aphid. Analysed sequences encompass a region beginning ?550 nucleotides (nts) from the 5'-end to ?200 nts upstream from the 3'-end of the gene [?1150 base pairs (bp) in euhemipteran to >1400 bp in sternorrhynchan taxa]. Maximum parsimony and bootstrap analyses (PAUP) identify four principal hemipteran clades, Stenorrhyncha, Clypeorrhyncha, Archaeorrhyncha and Prosorrhyncha. These lineages are identified by synapomorphies distributed throughout the gene. Sternorrhyncha is a sister group to all other Hemiptera (i.e. Euhemiptera sensu Zrzavy), rendering Homoptera paraphyletic. Within Euhemiptera, clades Clypeorrhyncha, Archaeorrhyncha, Prosorrhyncha and Heteroptera are supported by one, three, two and three synapomorphic sites, respectively. There is equitable parsimonious inference for Archaeorrhyncha as the sister group to Prosorrhyncha (Neoherriiptera sensu Sorensen et al.) or Clypeorrhyncha, in either case rendering Auchenorrhyncha paraphyletic. Neohemiptera is supported by one synapomorphy. Within Clypeorrhyncha, clade cicada + cercopoids is the sister group of the clade cicadellids + membracid (Membracoidea sensu Dietrich & Deitz). Among archaeorrhynchans, clade delphacid + cixiid is the sister group of the clade dictyopharid + flatid + issid. Within Prosorrhyncha, the peloridiid is sister to the Heteroptera. Within Heteroptera, gerrid is the sister group of the clade mirid + lygaeid (Panheteroptera sensu Schuh). Based on secondary structure of synonymous 18S rRNA, two synapomorphies each of Sternorrhyncha, Prosorrhyncha and Heteroptera are compensatory substitutions on stem substructures. All other synapomorphies identifying major lineages of Hemiptera are noncompensatory substitutions on either bulges or stems. Short basal internodal distances suggest radiation of hemipteran lineages at the suborder level occurred rapidly. Morphological, palaeoentomological and eco-evolutionary factors supporting the 18S rDNA-based phylogenetic tree are discussed.     

Morphology‐based phylogenetic analysis and classification of the family Rhinocryptidae (Aves: Passeriformes)

The family Rhinocryptidae comprises an assemblage of 12 genera and 55 species confined to the Neotropical region. Here we present the first morphology‐based phylogenetic study of the Rhinocryptidae, using 90 anatomical characters (62 osteological, 28 syringeal) scored for all genera of the family and representatives of all families of the infraorder Furnariides. Parsimony analysis of this dataset recovered 7428 equally most‐parsimonious trees. The strict consensus of those trees was completely resolved at the genus level, with the topology (Liosceles (Psilorhamphus ((Eleoscytalopus + Merulaxis) (Acropternis ((Teledromas + Rhinocrypta) ((Pteroptochos + Scelorchilus) (Eugralla (Myornis + Scytalopus)))))))). The monophyly of the Rhinocryptidae as presently understood was recovered with strong support [eight synapomorphies and Bremer support (BS) = 6). Strongly supported internal arrangements included the basal position of the Amazonian genus Liosceles relative to the rest of the family (four synapomorphies, BS = 4), a clade containing Acropternis through Scytalopus (six synapomorphies, BS = 4), and other less inclusive nodes. The main points of congruence between the present morphological phylogeny and previous molecular phylogenetic work on the family were clades supported by six or more synapomorphies and Bremer values of 6–7: Eleoscytalopus + Merulaxis (eight synapomorphies, BS = 6), Scelorchilus + Pteroptochos (seven synapomorphies, BS = 7), Rhinocrypta + Teledromas (seven synapomorphies, BS = 7), and Eugralla + Myornis + Scytalopus (six synapomorphies, BS = 6). A classification derived from the morphological phylogeny is proposed, with new suprageneric taxa being named and diagnosed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 377–432.     

Relationships, circumscription, and biogeography of Arcytophyllum (Rubiaceae) based on evidence from cpDNA

A cladistic analysis was performed using nucleotide sequence variation in therps16 intron and thetrmL-F region (plastid DNA).Arcytophyllum belongs in a subclade of the tribe Spermacoceae (s.l.) together with the American species presently classified in the generaHedyotis andHoustonia. This subclade is morphologically characterized by cymbiform seeds.Arcytophyllum is the sister group of all AmericanHedyotis andHoustonia and it is suggeste that these latter would be most conveniently treated as a single genus, the correct name of which would beHoustonia.Arcytophyllum should be circumscribed such that it excludesA. serpyllaceum, which is not a member of theArcytophyllum-Houstonia clade but more closely related toBouvardia. The phylogeny that was reconstructed suggests that the ancestral area of theArcytophyllum-Houstonia clade is the South American tectonic plate.     

Larvae of Ceratocanthidae and Hybosoridae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea): study of morphology, phylogenetic analysis and evidence of paraphyly of Hybosoridae

Abstract. Larvae of the scarabaeoid genera Germarostes Paulian, Cyphopisthes Gestro, Paulianostes Ballerio, Ceratocanthus White, Pterorthochaetes Gestro, Madrasostes Paulian, Astaenomoechus Martínez & Pereira (Ceratocanthidae) and Hybosorus Macleay, Phaeochrous Castelnau, and Anaides Westwood (Hybosoridae) are described, keyed and illustrated with fifty‐seven drawings. A phylogenetic analysis of these two families based on larval morphology is presented. Fifty‐four larval morphological and three biological characters from twenty‐seven taxa revealed nineteen equally parsimonious cladograms. The monophyly of (Ceratocanthidae + Hybosoridae) is supported by four unambiguous unique synapomorphies: dorsal medial endocarina on cranium extended anteriorly into frontal sclerite; presence of large membranous spot on apical antennomere; labium dorsally with four pores in centre (secondarily reduced to two pores in some groups); and presence of stridulatory organ on fore‐ and middle legs (secondarily reduced in some groups). Our analysis suggests that the family Hybosoridae is paraphyletic with respect to Ceratocanthidae. The clade comprising the hybosorid genera Hybosorus and Phaeochrous is the sister group of the remaining Hybosoridae plus Ceratocanthidae. It is supported by two unambiguous synapomorphies: two apical antennomeres completely joined and the stridulatory organ represented by seven to nine large teeth anteriorly on the middle leg. The hybosorid genus Anaides is a sister group to the remaining Hybosoridae plus Ceratocanthidae (without Hybosorus and Phaeochrous) and the ceratocanthid genus Germarostes is a sister group to the remaining Hybosoridae plus Ceratocanthidae (without Hybosorus, Phaeochrous and Anaides). The ceratocanthid genera Cyphopisthes, Astaenomoechus, Paulianostes, Pterorthochaetes, and Madrasostes constitute a sister group to the hybosorid genus Cryptogenius and are supported by the presence of two reversions: two dorsal pores on labium and completely reduced stridulatory organs on fore‐ and middle legs.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Combretoideae (Combretaceae) inferred from plastid,nuclear gene and spacer sequences

Phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Combretoideae (Combretaceae) were studied based on DNA sequences of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the plastid rbcL gene and the intergenic spacer between the psaA and ycf3 genes (PY-IGS), including 16 species of eight genera within two traditional tribes of Combretoideae, and two species of the subfamily Strephonematoideae of Combretaceae as outgroups. Phylogenetic trees based on the three data sets (ITS, rbcL, and PY-IGS) were generated by using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. Partition-homogeneity tests indicated that the three data sets and the combined data set are homogeneous. In the combined phylogenetic trees, all ingroup taxa are divided into two main clades, which correspond to the two tribes Laguncularieae and Combreteae. In the Laguncularieae clade, two mangrove genera, Lumnitzera and Laguncularia, are shown to be sister taxa. In the tribe Combreteae, two major clades can be classified: one includes three genera Quisqualis, Combretum and Calycopteris, within which the monophyly of the tribe Combreteae sensu Engler and Diels including Quisqualis and Combretum is strongly supported, and this monophyly is then sister to the monotypic genus Calycopteris; another major clade includes three genera Anogeissus, Terminalia and Conocarpus. There is no support for the monophyly of Terminalia as it forms a polytomy with Anogeissus. This clade is sister to Conocarpus. Electronic Publication     

A multigenic perspective on phylogenetic relationships in the largest family of salamanders, the Plethodontidae

Despite several recent studies, the phylogeny of plethodontid salamanders is not yet fully resolved and the phylogenetic positions of several key genera, especially Aneides, Hemidactylium, Hydromantes and Karsenia, are contentious. Here we present a combined dataset of complete mitochondrial genomes and three nuclear loci for 20 species (16 genera) of plethodontids, representing all major clades in the family. The combined dataset without mitochondrial third codon positions provides a fully resolved, statistically well-supported tree. In this topology two major clades are recovered. A northern clade includes Aneides, Desmognathus, Ensatina, Hydromantes, Karsenia, Phaeognathus and Plethodon, with Plethodon being the sister taxon to the rest of the clade. Hydromantes and Karsenia are sister taxa, and Aneides is recovered as the sister taxon to Ensatina. Desmognathus+Phaeognathus form the sister taxon to Aneides+Ensatina. An eastern/southern clade comprises two subclades. One subclade, the spelerpines (Eurycea, Gyrinophilus, Pseudotriton, Stereochilus, Urspelerpes) is the sister taxon to a subclade comprising Hemidactylium, Batrachoseps and the tropical plethodontids (represented by Bolitoglossa, Nototriton and Thorius). In this topology Hemidactylium is well-supported as the sister taxon to Batrachoseps. Only when mitochondrial third codon positions are included using maximum likelihood analysis is Hemidactylium recovered as the sister taxon to Batrachoseps+tropical genera. Hypothesis testing of alternative topologies supports these conclusions. On the basis of these results we propose a conservative taxonomy for Plethodontidae.     

Foonchewia guangdongensis gen. et sp. nov. (Rubioideae: Rubiaceae) and its systematic position inferred from chloroplast sequences and morphology

Abstract The new species, Foonchewia guangdongensis R. J. Wang & H. Z. Wen and the new monotypic genus Foonchewia R. J. Wang (Rubioideae, Rubiaceae), are described from eastern Guangdong, China. It is characterized by its subshrub habit, pentamerous and heterostylous flowers, 2‐1ocular ovary with many ovules, and apically dehiscent capsules with numerous angulated seeds. Phylogenetic analysis of four chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16, ndhF, and atpB‐rbcL) revealed that the new genus is nested in the Spermacoceae alliance and is sister to Dunnia. Morphological comparison between these two genera indicated that they had few synapomorphies; it was therefore inappropriate to classify the new genus in the existing tribe Dunnieae, and a new tribe, Foonchewieae R. J. Wang, is accordingly proposed.     

Relationships of the temperate Australasian labrid fish tribe Odacini (Perciformes; Teleostei)

The labrid tribe Odacini comprises four genera and 12 species of fishes that inhabit shallow kelp forest and seagrass areas in temperate waters of Australia and New Zealand. Odacines are morphologically disparate, but share synapomorphies in fin structure and fusion of teeth into a beak-like oral jaw. A phylogenetic analysis of odacines was conducted to investigate their relationships to other labrid fishes, the relationships of species within the tribe, and the evolution of herbivory within the group. Fragments from two mitochondrial genes, 12S rDNA and 16S rDNA, and two nuclear genes, Tmo4C4 and RAG2, were sequenced for seven odacine species (representing all four genera), eight species representing the other major labrid lineages, and three outgroup species. Maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses on the resulting 2338 bp of DNA sequence produced nearly identical topologies differing only in the placement of a clade containing the cheiline Cheilinus fasciatus and the scarine Cryptotomus roseus. The remaining clades received strong bootstrap support under maximum parsimony, and all clades in the maximum likelihood analysis received high bootstrap proportions and high posterior probabilities. The hypsigenyine labrid Choerodon anchorago formed the sister group to the odacines. Within the odacines, Odax cyanoallix+Odax pullus formed the sister to the remaining odacines, with Odax acroptilus, Odax cyanomelas, and Siphonognathus argyrophanes forming successively closer sister groups to the clade Haletta semifasciatus+Neoodax balteatus. Either herbivory evolved twice in the odacines, or herbivory evolved once with two reversions to carnivory. The latter hypothesis appears more likely in the light of odacine feeding biology.     

Phylogeny of the Agathidiini Westwood (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) and implications for classification and contractile morphology

A cladistic analysis of the tribe Agathidiini Westwood is presented. Agathidiines are slime mould specialists and they are hypothesized to be a monophyletic group consisting of 12 genera (Afroagathidium Angelini & Peck, Agathidium Panzer, Anisotoma Panzer, Besuchetionella Angelini & Peck, Cyrtoplastus Reitter, Decuria Miller & Wheeler, Gelae Miller & Wheeler, Liodopria Reitter, Pseudoagathidium Angelini, Sphaeroliodes Portevin, and Stetholiodes Fall), based on three synapomorphies: epipleuron present to apical third, mesoventrite without longitudinal carina and longitudinal setal lines present on the tibiae. The dataset for phylogenetic analysis comprised 72 characters representing 198 character states derived from adult morphology. These data were analysed using equal weighting and implied weighting (k = 1–6) and supported the monophyly of the tribe based on three unique characters (epipleuron present to apical third, mesoventrite without longitudinal carina, longitudinal setal lines present on tibia) and two homoplastic characters [antennomeres 7–10 (or 6–9) asymmetrical, apical shape of terminal antennomere abruptly tapered]. The topology of IW trees with k = 4–6 was identical with one of three EW trees. Decuria was sister group to the remaining agathidiine genera whereas the following groups were resolved as monophyletic: Anisotoma, Gelae + Liodopria, and Pseudoagathidium (Afroagathidium + Besuchetionella). The clade [Sphaeroliodes rufescens (Agathidium bockshini, Agathidium subcostatum)] was supported in all analyses except for the IW (k = 1) cladogram. The monophyly of Agathidium was not supported at all and was rendered paraphyletic by the placements of Sphaeroliodes, Stetholiodes and the Pseudoagathidium (Afroagathidium + Besuchetionella) clade. Sphaeroliodes is synonymized with Agathidium ( syn.n. ) resulting in two new combinations [A. acuminatus (?vec) and A. rufescens (Portevin)]. Contractability is a complex character composed of several morphological features that have evolved independently within the agathidiine tree. Conglobation (the ability to roll the body into a ball) has arisen at least twice in Agathidiini.     

Independent origins of coastal colonization in the tribe Athetini (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae)

Less than 1% of Staphylinidae are known to be confined to coastal habitats. To explore the origins of coastal colonization within the tribe Athetini Casey, we present a revised molecular phylogeny. The dataset comprised partial mitochondrial COI, COII, 16S rDNA, NADH1, partial nuclear 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA. We chose a total of 95 species in 51 genera, including 14 coastal species in eight genera and 21 outgroup species from other aleocharine tribes. The concatenated dataset was analysed simultaneously by both parsimony‐ and model‐based (Bayesian and maximum likelihood) methods. The tribe Athetini was not supported as a monophyletic group, but together with the tribes Tachyusini, Ecitocharini and Hygronomini did form a monophylum. The ecological association of species with a coastal habitat was mapped onto a phylogeny to assess the evolution of habitat specialization in the Athetini lineage. The results reveal that five independent origins of coastal colonization have occurred throughout the tribe Athetini: (a) Osakatheta + Adota minuta + coastal Atheta (Badura) (clade A); (b) Adota (clade B); (c) Pontomalota + Tarphiota + Thinusa (clade C); (d) Iotarphia (clade D); and (e) Psammostiba (clade E). The low species number of the coastal Athetini compared with the entire Athetini lineage indicates that coastal habitats are harsh environments and so only a few species were able to colonize this habitat. The following changes in classification are proposed: (a) Ad. minuta Lee and Ahn is removed from the genus Adota and tentatively included in Atheta (Badura); (b) The genus Saphocallus Sharp is transferred from Athetini to Geostibini.