Some early works on heliconiine butterflies and their biology (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

In the course of a survey of the history of the study of Heliconiinae, particularly their biology, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it is shown that Heliconius nigromarginatus (Goeze) and H. pallescens (Goeze) are nomina oblita , and that H. cinereofuscus (Goeze) is not, as always supposed, a species in its own right. A new name is proposed for H. melpomene cybele (Cramer). The origin and application of some of Linnaeus' names is discussed.
Illustrations of Heliconius by Seba, Clerck, Petiver and Cramer show that three species, melpomene, erato and doris have been polymorphic at least since the middle of the eighteenth century.
The Indo-Australian genus Cethosia should probably be included in the Heliconiinae.     

Revised status of Chloridea Duncan and (Westwood), 1841, for the Heliothis virescens species group (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Heliothinae) based on morphology and three genes

The Heliothinae comprise some of the world's most injurious agricultural pests. This study reanalyses a subsample of the Heliothis group to determine the monophyly of Chloridea (Heliothis virescens and H. subflexa). Two nuclear gene regions, elongation factor‐1α (EF‐1α; 1240 bp) and dopa decarboylase (DDC; 687 bp), and the barcoding region of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI; 708 bp) were used in this analysis for a total of 2635 bp and a morphological dataset of 20 characters and 62 character states. Sixteen species representing five genera plus two outgroup species were used in the analysis. Analyses used were Maximum Parsimony (MP), Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI). The revised status for the monophyletic genus Chloridea Duncan and (Westwood) was supported by a very strong bootstrap support (BP = 98–100). Larval host‐plant usage is discussed within the Heliothis clade. Polyphagy is most likely the ancestral condition with a host shift to monophagy and oligophagy. Based on known larval hosts, Heliocheilus is oligophagous on Poaceae. Traits of host plant use in Helicoverpa and Chloridea where both polyphagy and oligophagy occur in closely related species are discussed.     

Jaw musculature of the Meiglyptini (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae)

The Meiglyptini comprise eight species of woodpeckers grouped into three genera, two of which contain three species ( Meiglyptes and Mulleripicus), while one genus includes two species ( Hemicircus). The purpose of this study is to describe the mandibular apparatus found in six species of Meiglyptini and to compare them with each other and with other woodpecker species. The results reveal a number of structures that are worth mentioning: (i) the components of the external mandibular adductor system of Hemicircus concretus, particularly the M. adductor mandibulae externus caudalis medialis, are underdeveloped compared with the other investigated species; (ii) the muscles of the internal mandibular system are structurally different among Meiglyptes species and are less developed, both in size and in structure, in H. concretus; (iii) the M . protractor quadrati is vestigial in Meiglyptes species; (iv) the muscles of the protractor system of the quadrate are relatively undeveloped in H. concretus; (v) most of the muscles of the pterygoideus system are structurally differentiated in Meiglyptes species. It appears that the complexity of the mandibular apparatus is associated with the type of food consumed, as the apparatus of the frugivorous species H. concretus is markedly different from that of the insectivorous species.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Mexican minnows of the genus Notropis (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)

We conducted phylogenetic analyses based on complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences among southern and central Mexican cyprinid species, included in the genera Notropis and Hybopsis. In addition 15 northern species of the genera Notropis and Hybopsis were included in the analyses in order to place the Mexican species into a larger phylogenetic framework. The phylogenetic relationships supported the existence of five major clades: (1) including species of the subgenus Alburnops of the genus Notropis plus N. shumardi; (2) species of the subgenus Notropis; (3) species of the genus Hybopsis; (4) species of the N. texanus + N. volucellus species group of the genus Notropis; (5) Mexican endemic species of the genus Notropis plus the genus Yuriria. Previous phylogenetic inferences based on morphological characters resolved the Mexican minnows analysed as N. sallaei, N. calientis, N. boucardi and Y. alta, non‐monophyletic. According to our cytochrome b evidence all Mexican minnows of the genera Notropis and Yuriria formed a monophyletic group with respect to the northern species of the genera Notropis and Hybopsis. Within the Mexican clade, three well‐supported clades were identified: the first included the closely related species N. moralesi and N. boucardi, which occur in three independent drainages of south Mexico; the second consisted of two different lineages, N. imeldae and an undescribed species of Notropis, inhabiting two independent drainages of south Mexico; the third comprised two central Mexican Notropis species (N. calientis and N. sallaei) and the Y. alta populations. Based on this study and pending a more extensive taxonomic revision of the genus Notropis, we adopt the conservative criterion of considering all Notropis species from southern and central Mexico examined, including Y. alta, as belonging to the genus Notropis. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 80 , 323–337.     

NOTES ON A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF MACROSIPHINAE (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE)FROM CHINA*

Abstract In this paper, a new genus, Chusiphuncula Zhang and new species, Chusiphuncula sorbarisucta Zhang, is recognized according to its unique morphological character combinations. The new genus is closely related to Rhopalosiphoninus Baker, but differs from the latter in: 1)head with lateral frontal tubercles smooth (rough in Rhopalosiphoninus); 2)siphunculus 0. 36× as long as body (0. 20–0. 33 in Rhopalosiphoninus); 3)cauda pentagonal (triangular in Rhopalosiphoninus) and 4)alate viviparous female with 7 secondary rhinaria on antennal segment (more than 10 in Rhopalosiphoninus). The type specimens are deposited in Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica.     

Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate paraphyly of the genus Hybomys (Rodentia: Muridae): Taxonomic implications

Widely distributed in Guineo‐Congolian forests, the genus Hybomys is represented by two species complexes (univittatus and trivirgatus), each restricted to one distinct forest block. In the last revision, these two species complexes were considered as distinct subgenera (Hybomys and Typomys). Previous morphological and karyological studies identified an important divergence between these two subgenera and raised the question of their taxonomic status (subgenus or genus). The number of species within this genus is also a matter of discussion: nine forms were described but only six (H. badius, H. basilii, H. lunaris, H. planifrons, H. trivirgatus, and H. univitttatus) are currently recognized as distinct species, the three others (H. pearcei, H. eisentrauti, and H. rufocanus) being considered as synonyms. The monophyly of the genus and its species have never been previously investigated with DNA sequence data. In this study, we combined mitochondrial and nuclear data (for a total of 3,264 nucleotide characters) to test the monophyly of Hybomys and to assess the specific status of H. eisentrauti and H. rufocanus. Our results highlight the paraphyly of the genus: members of the H. univittatus species complex appeared closely related to the genera Stochomys and Dephomys; representatives of H. trivirgatus are the sister clade of the node grouping Stochomys, Dephomys and member of the H. univittatus species complex. Combined with previous morphological findings, our results suggest that Typomys and Hybomys should be considered as two distinct genera. Based on tree topology and genetic distances, we propose to consider H. rufocanus as a valid species, distinct from H. univittaus, and to consider H. badius and H. eisentrauti as junior synonyms of H. rufocanus.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae)

Ainscough, B.J., Breinholt, J.W., Robison, H.W. & Crandall, K.A. (2013). Molecular phylogenetics of the burrowing crayfish genus Fallicambarus (Decapoda: Cambaridae). —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 306–316. The crayfish genus Fallicambarus contains 19 species of primary burrowing freshwater crayfish divided into two distinct subgenera. We test current hypotheses of the phylogenetic relationships among species within the genus as well as the monophyly of the genus. Our study samples all 19 species for five gene regions (both nuclear and mitochondrial) to estimate a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. We show that the genus is not a monophyletic group. The subgenus Creaserinus does fall out as a monophyletic group, but distinct from the subgenus Fallicambarus. The subgenus Fallicambarus appears to be monophyletic with the exception of the species Procambarus (Tenuicambarus) tenuis, which falls in the midst of this subgenus suggesting that it might be better classified as a Fallicambarus species. We also show that the species Fallicambarus fodiens is a species complex with distinct evolutionary lineages that are regionalized to different geographic areas.     

Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia

In this paper, we reassess the status of the two genera of scaled Entomobryinae with dental spines (Acanthocyrtus and Acanthurella) and we erect a new genus ( Sinhomidia ) on the basis of scale morphology and scale distribution. Scales are partially pointed in Acanthocyrtus and all rounded in Acanthurella. The new genus, Sinhomidia , has pointed scales, but lacks dental scales contrary to Acanthurella and Acanthocyrtus; in addition, it exhibits a unique dorsal macrochaetotaxy. Three new species of Acanthocyrtus are described ( Acanthocyrtus yolngui sp. nov. , Acanthocyrtus loftyensis sp. nov. , Acanthocyrtus barrowensis sp. nov. ) and two are redescribed [Acanthocyrtus spinosus (Schött, 1917), Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley, 1934]. One species (Acanthocyrtus bicolor Yosii, 1965 ) of the genus is redescribed and transferred to the new genus Sinhomidia . A key to the scaled Entomobryinae genera with dental spines and a key to the eight known Acanthocyrtus species are provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 495–514.     

The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Saturn-shaped Ascospore-forming Species of the Genus Williopsis Zender and Related Genera Based on the Partial Sequences of 18S and 26S Ribosomal RNAs (Saccharomycetaceae): The Proposal of Komagataea Gen. Nov.

The partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs of strains of Williopsis and Saturnospora species were analyzed. In the three regions partially sequenced, the higher base differences were observed in the strains examined of the three species, W. californica, W. mucosa, and W. pratensis, compared with those of W. saturnus var. saturnus (type species of genus Williopsis), W. beijerinckii, W. mrakii, W. saturnus var. subsufficiens, W. suaveolens, P. membranaefaciens (type species of genus Pichia), C. matritensis (type species of genus Citeromyces), and S’spora dispora (type species of genus Saturnospora): the percent similarities were 52–82 in positions 493–622, 130 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 28–6 in positions 1611–1835, 225 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 25–4 in positions 1451–1618, 168 bases, of 18S rRNA. In the 18S rRNA partial base sequencings, W. mucosa had an identical base sequence with P. anomala (≡ H. anomala, type species of genus Hansenula). Based on the sequence data obtained, the taxonomic positions of the three Williopsis species mentioned above are discussed. The genus Zygowilliopsis Kudriavzev was postulated to be retained and emended, and a new genus, Komagataea was proposed for W. pratensis with a new combination, Komagataea pratensis.     

A multilocus phylogeny of the fish genus Poeciliopsis: Solving taxonomic uncertainties and preliminary evidence of reticulation

The fish genus Poeciliopsis constitutes a valuable research system for evolutionary ecology, whose phylogenetic relationships have not been fully elucidated. We conducted a multilocus phylogenetic study of the genus based on seven nuclear and two mitochondrial loci with a thorough set of analytical approaches, that is, concatenated (also known as super‐matrix), species trees, and phylogenetic networks. Although several relationships remain unresolved, the overall results uncovered phylogenetic affinities among several members of this genus. A population previously considered of undetermined taxonomic status could be unequivocally assigned to P. scarlli; revealing a relatively recent dispersal event across the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) or Pacific Ocean, which constitute a strong barrier to north–south dispersal of many terrestrial and freshwater taxa. The closest relatives of P. balsas, a species distributed south of the TMVB, are distributed in the north; representing an additional north–south split in the genus. An undescribed species of Poeciliopsis, with a highly restricted distribution (i.e., a short stretch of the Rio Concepcion; just south of the US‐Mexico border), falls within the Leptorhaphis species complex. Our results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that this species originated by “breakdown” of an asexual hybrid lineage. On the other hand, network analyses suggest one or more possible cases of reticulation within the genus that require further evaluation with genome‐wide marker representation and additional analytical tools. The most strongly supported case of reticulation occurred within the subgenus Aulophallus (restricted to Central America), and implies a hybrid origin for P. retropinna (i.e., between P. paucimaculata and P. elongata). We consider that P. balsas and P. new species are of conservation concern.     

Re-evaluation of Hymenostylium xanthocarpum (Hook.) Brid., and Ardeuma R.H.Zander & Hedd., a new name for all other species of Hymenostylium (Pottiaceae,Bryophyta)

The Old World Hymenostylium xanthocarpum, the generitype of Hymenostylium, was found to be unrelated to the widespread H. recurvirostrum and other species currently placed in the genus. Major distinguishing traits of H. xanthocarpum are the presence of a stem central strand, leaves broadest about midleaf and constricted just above the base, distal laminal cells usually ventrally bulging and massively unipapillose, and basal cells differentiated only in the lower 1/5–1/7 of the leaf. A new genus name, Ardeuma, is proposed for the remaining species of Hymenostylium, and combinations are made for those that are commonly recognized. A key to Tuerckheimia species in the New World that may be confused with H. xanthocarpum is provided.     

CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIATION AND THE PHYLOGENY OF HORDEUM (POACEAE)

Restriction site variation in the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) was surveyed among 37 taxa or cytotypes (40 accessions) of the genus Hordeum. Seventeen restriction enzymes were employed, and a total of 491 restriction sites were assayed. Of these, 120 were variable among the taxa, including 70 synapomorphies. The level of sequence divergence (p) among species of Hordeum varied from 0.0 to 0.017, indicating that Hordeum possesses an about-average level of cpDNA diversity as compared to most other genera of flowering plants for which data are available. Wagner and polymorphism parsimony phytogenies were constructed from the restriction site data. These analyses divided the genus into several distinct groups; 1) American taxa; 2) diploid H. marinum; 3) Asian taxa; 4) H. vulgare-H. bulbosum; and 5) the H. murinum complex. Bootstrap-based confidence limits provided statistical support for the monophylesis of the latter three groups. The cpDNA data showed remarkably good congruence with previously published isoenzymatic, molecular, cytological, and crossing data.     

A revised molecular phylogeny of the globally distributed hawkmoth genus Hyles (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

The hawkmoth genus Hyles comprises some 29 species with a global distribution. In this study, we augment the previous taxon sampling with more species and add sequences from a nuclear gene to produce a refined phylogenetic hypothesis. A total evidence reconstruction based on Bayesian analysis of the combined mitochondrial (COI, t-RNA-Leu, COII; 2284 bp) and nuclear (EF1α; 773 bp) sequences is discussed and compared with the results from separate analyses of the two genes. The total evidence phylogeny corroborates many of the phylogenetic relationships previously postulated within the genus. In addition, the hitherto unsampled enigmatic species Hyles biguttata from Madagascar appears as sister group to Hyles livornicoides from Australia, although support for the relationship is relatively weak. The high level of differentiation of Hyles perkinsi from H. calida (both Hawaii), and the status of these two as sister species, is corroborated by both sources of sequence data. However, their phylogenetic position when mt DNA sequences alone are considered differs markedly from that under total evidence. The previously postulated relationships within the Hyles euphorbiae complex (HEC) s.s. are largely corroborated, but H. dahlii is now more closely related and the HEC s.l. is redefined to include H. zygophylli and H. stroehlei (two species that had not been studied previously using molecular data) and to exclude H. siehei and H. hippophaes. The nuclear sequences alone are insufficiently variable to fully resolve all lineages and the phylogeny suggests that nuclear gene swapping and incomplete lineage sorting have occurred implying recent divergence. The results from the total evidence analysis provide a phylogenetic hypothesis that both corroborates and complements the previous biogeographic scenario, and provides new insights into the origins of several of the included taxa.     

Early Jurassic gastropods from England

Abstract: Twenty‐five gastropod taxa are reported from the Early Jurassic (Hettangian to Toarcian) of England. Of these, 14 are identified to species level, and the remaining 11 are treated in open nomenclature. One genus (Lensataphrus) and six species are introduced as new. The new species are Lensataphrus tatei, Lensataphrus tenuis, Tricarilda toddi, Cylindrobullina dorsetensis, Cylindrobullina ventricosa and Consobrinella greeni. The following new combinations are introduced: Cassianopsis hebertana (d’Orbigny, 1852) for Neritopsis hebertana; Cryptaulax abscisum (Terquem and Piette, 1868) for Cerithium abscisum; and Cylindrobullina avena (Terquem, 1855) for Striactaeonina avena. Most of the genera and some of the species are also known from Central Europe (Germany and France). Typical vetigastropod genera that are present in England and Central Europe are Colpomphalus, Costataphrus, Ooliticia, Eucycloscala and Eucycloidea. The caenogastropod genera Levipleura and Cryptaulax are present in both regions, as are the heterobranchs Tricarilda and Cylindrobullina. The heterobranch genus Consobrinella is reported from England for the first time. Gastropods seem to follow the diversity trends of other marine invertebrates during the Early Jurassic. They diversify until the Late Pliensbachian but decrease sharply in number around the Pliensbachian–Toarcian boundary. This may reflect both regional anoxia and a global mass extinction event in the Early Toarcian.     

Australian Iphimediidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

Australian species of the iphimediid amphipod genus Iphimedia are revised. Based on new material from inshore and continental shelf habitats six new species are described: Iphimedia beesleyae; I. filmersankeyi; I. kateae; I. lisae; I. neuweileri and I. oetkeri. Four established species are redescribed: I. ambigua Haswell, 1879; I. discreta Stebbing, 1910; I. edgari (Moore, 1981) and I. warraina (Thomas and Barnard, 1991). A key to Australian species of Iphimedia is provided. Full article published online at http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-09.htm     

The genus Saitobryum (Pottiaceae) revisited

The genus Saitobryum R.H.Zander comprises two species: S. lorentzii (Müll.Hal.) Ochyra distributed in Mexico and the Central Andes and Saitobryum pascoense M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez from the Central Andes of Peru, described here as new. The new species is distinguished from S. lorentzii by its upper and middle laminal cells papillose throughout, border of 2–3 rows of thick-walled and smooth cells, lamina usually with bistratose patches, and occasionally bistratose margins. The diagnostic characters of Saitobryum are re-evaluated and a key to the species of this genus is provided. Both species are described and illustrated. New localities for S. lorentzii and a map showing the complete distribution of this genus are given.     

Elongated hindguts in desert‐living dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) feeding on dry dung pellets or plant litter

Most adult dung beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) feed on fresh, wet dung of larger herbivorous or omnivorous mammals. As refractory plant fragments are selected out before ingestion, the food is presumed easily digestible. However, members of the desert‐living scarabaeine genus Pachysoma (probably evolved from an ancestor closely related to the wet‐dung feeding genus Scarabaeus) select dry dung pellets and/or plant litter. Thus, they ingest a much higher proportion of structural plant material, which nevertheless appears to be digested rather efficiently. This study investigates morphological modifications of the gut for this digestion in adults of eight Pachysoma species, both pellet and litter feeders. To ascertain hypothesized ancestral conditions, four fresh‐dung feeding Scarabaeus species were also examined. The latter have the usual dung beetle gut consisting of a long, simple midgut, followed by an equally simple, much shorter hindgut of the same width. Lengths of midguts (M) and hindguts (H) divided by body length (B) for comparison between species of different size are: 4.9–6.3 (M/B) and 0.7–0.8 (H/B), which is normal for dung feeders. In Pachysoma, lengths are 6.3–6.5 (M/B) and 1.0–1.4 (H/B) in pellet feeders, and 4.4–5.0 (M/B) and 2.0–2.5 (H/B) for litter feeders. Hindguts are still morphologically undifferentiated and of midgut width, but clearly longer, particularly in litter feeders. Presumably, plant fragments in the food are digested, at least partly, in the hindgut. If so, the morphological adaptation is unusual: simple elongation rather than the expansion of part of the hindgut, as found in several other plant‐ or detritus‐feeding scarabaeids. J. Morphol. 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.