Cleaning up the grasses dustbin: systematics of the Arundinoideae subfamily (Poaceae)

Among the 12 subfamilies currently considered in the systematics of Poaceae, the Arundinoideae have long been considered as a dustbin group, with a diversity of forms putatively hiding incertae sedis. Because this subfamily has been poorly investigated using molecular markers for the last two decades, the present study provides the first complete phylogeny of the Arundinoideae based on five plastid DNA loci sequenced for 12 genera, and analysed with and without plastome data from previous studies. The refined Arundinoideae appear to be a robust evolutionary lineage of Poaceae, divided into three tribes with some biogeographical patterns: (1) tribe Arundineae, the most heterogeneous tribe, including Eurasian Arundo, Australian Amphipogon and Monachather, and South African Dregeochloa; (2) tribe Crinipedeae (described here), including Crinipes, Elytrophorus, Styppeiochloa and Pratochloa (described here), with a South and East African distribution; and (3) tribe Molinieae, including Hakonechloa, Molinia and Phragmites, with a Eurasian distribution. Despite reduction in size, this small subfamily conserves a high diversity of morphological forms, with several small but highly differentiated genera. Finally, the molecular dating approach provides an evolutionary framework to understand the diversification of Arundinoideae, refuting Gondwanan vicariance between genera and suggesting capability for long distance dispersal.     

First phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Oligaphorurini (Collembola: Onychiuridae) inferred from morphological data,with implications for generic classification

Oligaphorurini represent tribe of the subfamily Onychiurinae, which currently comprises 5 genera and 53 species. The present study evaluated the monophyly of Oligaphorurini genera. We investigated phylogenetic relationships among 39 species, representing all extant genera of Oligaphorurini. Both equal- and implied-weighting parsimony analyses were used in phylogenetic reconstruction. The cladistic analyses were based on comprehensive survey of adults’ morphological characters because specimens suitable for molecular studies were not available for the majority taxa. The phylogenetic analysis resulted in the recognition of a monophyletic Chribellphorura, and strongly supported non-monophyly of the previously recognized genera Archaphorura, Dimorphaphorura, Micraphorura, and Oligaphorura. The following new synonymy is recognized: Oligaphorura = Dimorphaphorura syn. nov., = Micraphorura syn. nov., = Archaphorura syn. nov. The general classification of Oligaphorurini is followed by the diagnoses of genera and key to the all known species.     

Molecular genetic analysis of the suprageneric system of casebearer moths,with a description of a new genus from the tribe Carpochenini Cǎpuşe, 1973 (Lepidoptera,Coleophoridae)

Based on a complex approach including morphological and molecular genetic methods, the taxonomic position of two casebearer moth species Coleophora tsherkesi Falkovitsh, 1970 and C. isabellina Falkovitsh, 1970 (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae) is discussed. On the phylogenetic tree based on the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI), two species form a common cluster with species of the genera Ionescumia, Carpochena, and Goniodoma. Data on the molecular phylogeny and morphology justify the placement of Coleophora tsherkesi and C. isabellina in a separate genus Falkmisa Anikin et Dyomin, gen. n. Thus, the tribe Carpochenini includes three genera: Ionescumia, Carpochena, and Falkmisa.     

Polyphyletic origin in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pimpinella</Emphasis> (Apiaceae): evidence in Western Europe

The genus Pimpinella L. comprises about 150 species, being one of the largest genera within the family Apiaceae (subfamily Apioideae). Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that Pimpinella is a taxonomically complex group. In this study, evolutionary relationships among representatives from Western Europe have been inferred from phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS 1 and ITS 2) and plastid sequences (trnL intron and the trnL-F spacer), with a representative sampling included (168 accessions in the ITS analysis, representing 158 species; and 42 accessions in the cpDNA analysis representing 35 taxa of Pimpinella and closely related species). All analyses resolved that Pimpinella is a non-monophyletic group, and Pimpinella’s taxa that grow in Western Europe are part of phylogenetically independent groups that correspond to three different tribes of the subfamily Apioideae: Pimpinelleae (core group), Pyramidoptereae and Smyrnieae.     

Tribal assignment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Heldreichia</Emphasis> Boiss. (Brassicaceae): evidence from nuclear ITS and plastidic <Emphasis Type="Italic">ndh</Emphasis>F markers

Heldreichia Boiss. is a monospecific genus mainly distributed in Anatolia and the Lebanon. Although morphological variation and infrageneric phylogenetic relationships were recently studied in detail, Heldreichia remained as one of the few orphan genera that have not yet been assigned to any tribe. In the current study, we used sequence data from the nuclear ITS and chloroplast ndhF regions of Heldreichia and representatives of main Brassicaceae lineages and tribes to determine its tribal affiliation. Bayesian-based phylogenetic analyses clearly show with high support that Heldreichia is a member of the recently expanded tribe Biscutelleae. Furthermore, we characterize the tribe Biscutelleae morphologically and provide a determination key for all its genera.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Aurantioideae (Rutaceae) based on RAD-Seq

The economically and nutritionally important genus Citrus belongs to the subfamily Aurantioideae in the family Rutaceae. Here, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily Aurantioideae based on RAD-Seq. The RAD-Seq data produced phylogenetic trees with high support values, clear discriminations based on branch length, and elucidations of early branching events. Our genetic classification corresponded well with the classical morphological classification system and supported the subdivision of Citreae, one of two tribes of the Aurantioideae, into three subtribes—Triphasiinae, Citrinae, and Balsamocitrinae. Additionally, it was largely consistent with the subdivision of Clauseneae, the other tribe of the Aurantioideae, into three subtribes—Micromelinae, Clauseninae, and Merrillinae; the exception was Murraya paniculata. With the exception of members of primitive citrus fruit trees, namely, Severinia buxifolia and Hesperethusa crenulata, lower-level morphological groupings under subtribes based on genetic and morphological classifications corresponded well. The phylogenetic relationship between Asian “true citrus fruit trees” (genera Citrus, Poncirus, and Fortunella) and Australian/New Guinean citrus fruit trees (genera Microcitrus, Eremocitrus, and Clymenia) was inconsistent between present classification based mainly on the nuclear genome and the previous classification based on the chloroplast genome. This inconsistency may be explained by chloroplast capture. Our findings provide a valuable insight into the genetic relationships of the subfamily Aurantioideae in the family Rutaceae.     

A Review of the Fauna of the Planthopper Family Lophopidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea) from Vietnam with Descriptions of New Genera and Species and with Taxonomic Notes

Six new species are described from Vietnam, Apia simplexsp. n., Bisma angulatasp. n., Pitambara trypetoidessp. n., Sarmatoca cathemerinagen. et sp. n., Maracota soulieraegen. et sp. n., and Serida castaneasp. n., and Zeleja thoracalissp. n. from Malaysia. Two new genera, Maracotagen. n. (type species M. soulierae sp. n.) and Sarmatocagen. n. (type species S. cathemerina sp. n.), and a new subgenus Zelomachasubgen. n. (type species Zeleja thoracalis sp. n.) in the genus Zeleja are erected. The genus Binaluana Soulier-Perkins et Stroiński is downgraded to a subgenus of Zeleja Melichar. The genus Silvispina Wang et Soulier-Perkins with an uncertain systematic position is attributed to the subfamily Lophopinae and the tribe Lophopini. The placement of the genus Elasmoscelis Spinola (and, correspondingly, the tribe Elasmoscelini) in the subfamily Menoscinae, the genus Epiptyxis Gerstaecker in the tribe Menoscini, and the genus Jivatma Melichar in the tribe Lophopini is substantiated. New records of 11 species are given from Vietnam, some being first records for this country.     

Substantial,and significant,expansion of ant hosts range for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrmicinosporidium</Emphasis> Hölldobler, 1933 (Fungi)

Six new genera, three tribes and one subfamily are added to the list of known hosts for the enigmatic endoparasitic fungus Myrmicinosporidium Hölldobler. Aphaenogaster senilis, Cataglyphis hispanica, Crematogaster auberti, Goniomma hispanicum, Messor barbarus, Tapinoma nigerrimum and Tapinoma simrothi were collected from olive groves and detected as infected with spores of the fungus. Pheidole pallidula and Tetramorium semilaeve were also found to be infected. The finding of seven hosts (seven genera, three subfamilies) from a single olive grove is an evidence that the fungus has a phylogenetically wide host spectrum and is, therefore, a generalist microparasite. Portugal is also a new country for Myrmicinosporidium.     

New weevils (Curculionidae) in Baltic amber

The new subtribes Palaeorhamphina subtrib. nov. of the tribe Rhamphini and Eocenesibiniina subtrib. nov. of the tribe Tychiini, new genera Archaeoeugnomus gen. nov. (type species A. balticus sp. nov.), Palaeorhamphus gen. nov. (type species P. primitivus sp. nov.), and Eocenesibinia gen. nov. (type species E. prussica sp. nov.), new subgenus Palaeoleiosoma subgen. nov. (type species L. klebsi sp. nov.) of the genus Leiosoma Stephens, and new species Leiosoma klebsi sp. nov., Caulophilus rarus sp. nov., C. squamosus sp. nov., Ceutorhynchus alekseevi sp. nov., C. electrinus sp. nov., Dorytomus nudus sp. nov., Pachytychius eocenicus sp. nov., Archaeoeugnomus balticus sp. nov., Palaeorhamphus primitivus sp. nov., Orchestes tatjanae sp. nov., and Eocenesibinia prussica sp. nov. are described. Electrotribus Hustache, 1942 placem. nov. is transferred from the tribe Derelomini of the subfamily Curculioninae to the tribe Acicnemidini of the subfamily Molytinae. Succinostyphlus erectosquamata (Rheinheimer, 2007) placem. nov. et comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Electrotribus Hustache, 1942 to the genus Succinostyphlus Ku?ka, 1996. These are the first records of representatives of the tribes Plinthini, Acicnemidini, Eugnomini, and Rhamphini in the Baltic amber.     

Phylogeny of Salmonoid Fishes (Salmonoidei) Based on mtDNA <Emphasis Type="Italic">COI</Emphasis> Gene Sequences (Barcoding)

We have analyzed the partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene along with the amino acid sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, encoded by this gene region, in representatives of 11 genera of salmonoid fish. For amino acid sequences, two alternative networks are constructed with outgroups represented by either Esocoidei or Osmeroidei as the supposed ancestral groups. This way, Osmeroidei appear to be closer to the salmonoid fish than Esocoidei, and their presence in the network as an outgroup explains the available data on the morphology and karyology of salmonoids much better. A number of the results of this study are fundamentally new. In particular, the slowing down of the molecular evolution of the grayling (Thymallidae) is shown. We conclude that the charr (Salvelinus) is one of the modern genera of salmonoids closest to their ancestor. The hypothesis of the phylogenetic proximity of the genera Brachymystax, Hucho, and Salmo has been confirmed. We also discuss the possibility that it is namely the changes in the amino acid sequence of cytochrome oxidase subunit I that lead to postzygotic reproductive isolation between taxa.     

Differentiation of the endemic Greek genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenonema</Emphasis> and its relatives of subtribe Scolyminae (Compositae,Cichorieae) based on a multilocus species tree reconstruction

Hymenonema (Compositae, tribe Cichorieae) together with the genera Catananche, Gundelia, and Scolymus forms the subtribe Scolyminae. It is endemic to Greece and consists of two species, Hymenonema laconicum and Hymenonema graecum, which occur in the south Peloponnisos and central Aegean area, respectively. The present contribution aims at a phylogenetic reconstruction of evolutionary relationships among the 12 species of the subtribe, focusing on the temporal and spatial framework for its evolution. The phylogenetic relationships among the members of Scolyminae were inferred from molecular data based on the multi-copy region of the nrDNA internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, two intergenic spacers of the cpDNA (trnL-trnF, rpl32-trnL), and one single-copy nuclear region (D10). The gene trees were reconstructed using Bayesian phylogenetic methods. All gene trees support the monophyly of Hymenonema and the sister-group relationship with the genus Scolymus. The further sister-group relationship of this group (Hymenonema–Scolymus) with Catananche is also supported by nrDNA and cpDNA analyses. Finally, a species tree (inferred in a Bayesian coalescent framework) was reconstructed and dates the divergence time between the two Hymenonema species to the Pleistocene (around 1.3 Ma ago). Maximum likelihood-based biogeographical reconstructions suggest a Miocene (pre-Messinian) differentiation of the subtribe on the northern Tethyan platform, followed by Miocene/Pliocene dispersal events to the western Mediterranean and North-African platforms and final, small-scale vicariance events within the genera in the Pleistocene.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius majestaticus</Emphasis> comb. nov.: phylogenetic evidence for the transfer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Descolea majestatica</Emphasis> to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cortinarius</Emphasis>

Descolea majestatica is an agaric with features described as intermediate between the genera Descolea Singer and Rozites P. Karst. (≡ Cortinarius). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large ribosomal subunit (LSU) and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) sequences indicates that D. majestatica is nested within the genus Cortinarius, with its closest relative a sequestrate Cortinarius species from Argentina. Taxonomic recombination is made to restore the monophyly of Cortinarius and Descolea.     

The musculoskeletal system of male genitalia in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Curetis bulis</Emphasis> Westwood, 1851 (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae: Curetinae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralaxita damajanti</Emphasis> (C. Felder et R. Felder, 1860) (Lepidoptera,Riodinidae: Nemeobiinae)

The muscles of the male genitalia were studied for the first time in two species endemic to the Oriental zoogeographical region, namely Curetis bulis from the subfamily Curetinae (Lycaenidae) and Paralaxita damajanti from the tribe Abisarini (Riodinidae). Both taxa possess a common plan of musculature reflected in the positions of muscles m1, m2(10), m5(7), m7(6), m21, and m28. Two new autapomorphies of Curetis bulis were discovered: the splitting of m4 into two muscles and a shift of the attachment site of one of these muscles onto the dorsal area of the anellus. Apomorphic differences in the position of the genital muscles were found between Paralaxita damajanti and the previously studied Polycaena tamerlana from the family Riodinidae. A new synapomorphy between the latter two species, namely splitting of the aedeagus protractors m6(5), was also found.     

Pheromone composition,the mtDNA <Emphasis Type="Italic">COI</Emphasis> locus variation,and phylogenetic relationships in leafrollers of the tribe Archipini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

The groups of leafroller species belonging to the tribe Archipini (Archips crataegana, A. rosana, A. xylosteana-Choristoneura diversiana, Ch. fumiferana-A. podana, Pandemis cerasa, Hedya nubiferana-Cydia pomonella) were divided based on the sequences of the mtDNA COI locus. Within these groups, the pheromone blend composition in the species studied reflected the patterns of using cis-, cis/trans-, or only trans-isomers of the pheromone components in the process of chemocommunication. It was demonstrated that polymorphism of the locus investigated in A. podana was associated with inbreeding, while in A. rosana it was associated with the geographic distribution of the species.     

Comparative Flower and Inflorescence Organogenesis among Genera of Betulaceae: Implications for Phylogenetic Relationships

Betulaceae have simple flowers but complex inflorescences. Recent phylogenetic analyses using molecular data have produced robust phylogenetic trees of Betulaceae. In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic value of comparative organogenetic data of reproductive organs in the context of molecular phylogenies. Flower and inflorescence developmental processes of 21 species from all six genera in Betulaceae were documented with scanning electron microscopy. In each pistillate cyme, there are one primary bract, two secondary bracts, and two or three flowers in the six genera; only in Alnus are there two tertiary bracts on the abaxial side. The pistillate flower of all genera but Alnus has tepal primordia. Two tepals stop developing early on, resulting in the lack of tepals in mature flowers of Betula; while the tepals are initiated from a common circular primordium at the base of pistil in Corylus, Ostryopsis, Carpinus, and Ostrya, and the developed tepals with irregular shape and unstable number of lobes are adnate to the top of the pistil. In staminate organogenesis, each cyme has one primary bract and three flowers in all genera; two secondary bracts are only present in Alnus, Betula, and Corylus. Staminate flowers have no tepals except in Alnus and Betula, and exhibit high variation in number of stamens among genera. The number of secondary and tertiary bracts in each pistillate and staminate cyme, as well as the presence of tepals in pistillate and staminate flowers was clarified in all genera. Micro-morphological characters were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships of genera and sections of Betulaceae. Our analyses support the division of two subfamilies: Betuloideae (Alnus and Betula) and Coryloideae (Corylus, Carpinus, Ostrya, and Ostryopsis), and three tribes: Betuleae (Alnus and Betula), Coryleae (Corylus), and Carpineae (Carpinus, Ostrya, and Ostryopsis). The results agree with those from molecular phylogenetic studies, and suggest that micro-morphological characters are phylogenetically informative in Betulaceae, and reproductive organs of Betulaceae have evolved in the direction of reduction in bracts and tepals.