Systematics of naviculoid diatoms (Bacillariophyta): A preliminary analysis of protoplast and frustule characters for family and order level classification

The relationships between 49 naviculoid diatoms, currently arranged in 14 families and four orders were investigated using cladistic analysis in order to test the types of characters used in diatom systematics and to assess how well the current classification reflects possible phylogenetic relationships in this group. Some of the families and orders comprise taxa with different protoplast characters, or taxa with similar protoplast arrangements are placed in separate families or orders. Therefore as both cell wall and protoplast characters were used, three analyses were undertaken; total data, protoplast data and frustule data. The analyses support the recognition of the Mastogloiales (unequivocally) and the Cymbellales (largely) but indicate that some of the familial groupings are more ambiguous. The members of the Berkeleyaceae, Berkeleya, Parlibellus and Climaconeis, were never grouped together and Achnanthes brevipes never grouped with the other monoraphid diatoms, but usually with members of the Mastogloiales (total and protoplast data). Similarly, Round et al.’s familial groupings within the Cymbellales do not emerge from our analyses. Our results support the hypothesis that monoraphid genera have arisen independently from different naviculoid diatoms, and that Achnanthes sensu stricto should be transferred to the Mastogloiales. Some of the problems associated with incomplete information and inaccurate terminology are discussed briefly.     

Middle-late devonian placoderms (Pisces: Antiarchi) from Central and northern Asia

Antiarch placoderms (Pisces, Placodermi, Antiarchi) from the Middle-Upper Devonian of Central and northern Asia (Asian part of the former Soviet Union) are described. Available antiarch specimens belong to 28 species (eight of which are described in open nomenclature), of 9 genera, 5 subfamilies, 6 families, 2 orders. The main localities of Middle-Late Devonian antiarchs are listed and provided with the data on stratigraphic distribution. The morphological structure of antiarchs and history of their study in Central and northern Asia are briefly considered. The principles of systematics and phylogeny of antiarchs, feature of their historical development in the Middle and Late Devonian of this area, and their paleozoogeographic relationships are discussed.     

Neurogenesis suggests independent evolution of opercula in serpulid polychaetes

Background  

The internal phylogenetic relationships of Annelida, one of the key lophotrochozoan lineages, are still heavily debated. Recent molecular analyses suggest that morphologically distinct groups, such as the polychaetes, are paraphyletic assemblages, thus questioning the homology of a number of polychaete morphological characters. Serpulid polychaetes are typically recognized by having fused anterior ends bearing a tentacular crown and an operculum. The latter is commonly viewed as a modified tentacle (= radiole) and is often used as an important diagnostic character in serpulid systematics.     

The system of flowering plants: synthesis of classical and molecular approaches

The proposed system of flowering plants (Angiospermae) is based on synthesis of cladistic researches from different authors, morphological data and "traditional" systematics as well. Classis Angiospermae is divided for 4 subclassis: Magloliidae, Liliidae, Rosidae and Asteridae. Thus, monocots belong to subclassis Liliidae, and so-called "dicots" to three other subclasses. Altogether there are 35 orders and 328 families of flowering plants in this system.     

我国蝌蚪的科级分类研究

2017年末,我国的两栖动物已记录3目14科466种,其中,无尾目Anura 10科386种。蝌蚪是无尾两栖类物种的幼体,具有一系列适应水生生活的形态特征和一个特别的变态过程,是无尾目的主要标志之一。我国蝌蚪的形态特征散见于各个物种的形态描述,而对蝌蚪科级分类的系统研究却阙如。本文基于蝌蚪的8个形态学分类性状,概述了我国除亚洲角蛙科Ceratobatrachidae外9个科(铃蟾科Bombinatoridae、角蟾科Megophryidae、蟾蜍科Bufonidae、雨蛙科Hylidae、蛙科Ranidae、叉舌蛙科Dicroglossidae、浮蛙科Occidozygidae、树蛙科Rhacophoridae、姬蛙科Microhylidae)的蝌蚪分类特征,系统阐述了蝌蚪科级分类特征的分类和适应意义。     

Congruence analysis and combining of molecular genetic and morphological data in zoological systematics

A new algorithmic approach is proposed for congruence analysis of different types of data in zoological systematics. The algorithm is tested on actual data. A high degree of congruence is shown for morphometric and genetic distances in the tested set of species. Two directions of variation in both trait spaces have clearly appeared. The first direction discriminates families; the second discriminates orders. The traits responsible for these differences have been revealed. After uniting both distance matrixes, the morphological one and the molecular genetic one, into a single matrix, and displaying the summarized distances between species on a plane, the configuration of species remained principally unchanged. The principal directions of variations were preserved and marked the differences between orders, families, and genera.     

Polychaete phylogeny based on morphological data – a comparison of current attempts

Annelid phylogeny is one of the largest unresolved problems within the Metazoa. This is due to the enormous age of this taxon and also strongly influenced by the current discussion on the position of the Arthropoda, which traditionally is hypothesized to be the annelid sister taxon. Within the framework of recent discussions on the position of the Annelida, the ground pattern of this taxon is either a clitellate-like, parapodia-less dwelling organism or an organisms that resembles errant polychaetes in having parapodia and gills and probably being a predator. To solve this problem different attempts have been made in the past, cladistic analysis, scenario based plausibility considerations and a successive search for sister taxa base on isolated characters. These attempts are presented and critically discussed. There is at least strong support for the Annelida as wells as for several of its taxa above the level of traditional families; the monophyly of the Polychaeta, however, remains questionable. The term taxon is used here in the sense of group of things that share certain characteristics. Biological taxa are not necessarily monophyletic, although many of them turned out to be. In terms of phylogenetic systematics taxa should be monophyletic.     

Problems in polychaete systematics

Some of the intriguing issues in current polychaete systematics are reviewed. (1) The root of the `polychaete' tree. Currently there are two major hypotheses concerning the root position among polychaetes. One is based on rooting cladograms with outgroups such as Mollusca and result in simple-bodied taxa such as Opheliidae and Questidae forming a basal annelid grade along with Clitellata. Other hypotheses do not use outgroup rooting but involve scenarios on the evolution of the group and would place taxa in Aciculata as basal annelids, thus making Aciculata and Phyllodocida paraphyletic. Molecular sequence data has been of little help in resolving this issue thus far, largely due to limited taxon sampling. (2) Paraphyly. Owing, in part, to a tradition involving the emphasis on differences among taxa, and the application of Linnean ranks (e.g., family), paraphyly is undoubtedly a widespread phenomenon in polychaete systematics. An example of this has been proposed already for Spionidae. If the tree topology and rooting used by Blake & Arnofsky (1999) is correct, Spionidae is made paraphyletic by the recognition of the following four family-ranked taxa; Trochochaetidae, Poecilochaetidae, Longosomatidae and Uncispionidae. Another possible example is seen with Cirratulidae. A preliminary cladistic analysis shows that it is entirely possible that seven other taxa recognised as families may be nested within Cirratulidae. These include Acrocirridae, Ctenodrilidae, Fauveliopsidae, Flabelligeridae, Flotidae, Poeobiidae and Sternaspidae. (3) Problematic taxa. Apart from the problems exposed by the analysis of Cirratuliformia, the position of some of these groups, such as Aberranta, Alciopidae, Hesionides,Lopadorhynchidae, Microphthalmus,Nerillidae, Spinther,Tomopteridae and Sabellariidae, is discussed.     

当今的盘菌系统学:概述子囊菌亚门中一个单囊壁类群的某些悬而未决的问题

将盘菌纲系统学研究继续下去的两个优先考虑的问题是:必须将传统的α-分类方法与广泛的标本采集工作相结合,尤其是在世界上很少采集的地区;同时,研究盘菌和地衣化子囊菌之间的相互关系,并注意各个目与科之间的可能联系。新白水盘菌(Leucovibrissea)是从组的等级上升为属的,它与另外两个属共同组成了锤舌菌目的新科水盘菌科(Vibrisseaceae)。本文还讨论了某些类群的系统学研究现状,并提出了一些目前没有答案但看来是基础的生物学问题。     

A ribosomal DNA-based framework for the detection and quantification of stress-sensitive nematode families in terrestrial habitats

Indigenous communities of soil‐resident nematodes have a high potential for soil health assessment as nematodes are diverse, abundant, trophically heterogeneous and easily extractable from soil. The conserved morphology of nematodes is the main operational reason for their under‐exploitation as soil health indicators, and a user‐friendly biosensor system should preferably be based on nonmorphological traits. More than 80% of the most environmental stress‐sensitive nematode families belong to the orders Mononchida and Dorylaimida. The phylogenetic resolution offered by full‐length small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences within these two orders is highly different. Notwithstanding several discrepancies between morphology and SSU rDNA‐based systematics, Mononchida families (indicated here as M1–M5) are relatively well‐supported and, consequently, family‐specific DNA sequences signatures could be defined. Apart from Nygolaimidae and Longidoridae, the resolution among Dorylaimida families was poor. Therefore, a part of the more variable large subunit rDNA (≈ 1000 bp from the 5′‐end) was sequenced for 72 Dorylaimida species. Sequence analysis revealed a subclade division among Dorylaimida (here defined as D1–D9, PP1–PP3) that shows only distant similarity with ‘classical’ Dorylaimid systematics. Most subclades were trophically homogeneous, and — in most cases — specific morphological characteristics could be pinpointed that support the proposed division. To illustrate the practicability of the proposed molecular framework, we designed primers for the detection of individual subclades within the order Mononchida in a complex DNA background (viz. in terrestrial or freshwater nematode communities) and tested them in quantitative assays (real‐time polymerase chain reaction). Our results constitute proof‐of‐principle for the concept of DNA sequence signatures‐based monitoring of stress sensitive nematode families in environmental samples.     

哺乳动物系统发育基因组学研究进展

哺乳动物是一类最进化并在地球上占主导地位的动物类群,重建其系统发育关系一直是分子系统学的研究热点。随着越来越多物种全基因组测序的完成,在基因组水平上探讨该类动物的系统发育关系与进化成为研究的热点。本文从全基因组序列,稀有基因组变异及染色体涂染等几个方面简要介绍了当前系统发育基因组学在现生哺乳动物分子系统学中的应用,综合已有的研究归纳整理了胎盘亚纲的总目及目间的系统发育关系,给出了胎盘动物19 个目的系统发育树。本文还分析了哺乳动物系统发育基因组学目前所面临的主要问题及未来的发展前景。     

利用植物DNA条形码构建亚热带森林群落系统发育关系——以鼎湖山样地为例

在群落水平上重建植物系统发育关系是当前植物系统学研究的一项重要内容;DNA条形码技术的出现为这一工作的开展提供了便利。本文选取国际通用的植物DNA条形码（rbcL,matK和psbA trnH）,对鼎湖山大样地的183个物种（隶属于24目51科110属）进行测序;分别利用两位点和三位点DNA条形码组合构建该样地植物群落的系统发育关系,并比较不同位点组合构建出的群落系统发育关系的拓扑结构和节点支持率;最后选出一个具有最好拓扑结构和最高节点支持率的鼎湖山大样地群落系统发育关系。在目、科和属这三个水平上,三位点条形码片段组合构建的群落系统发育关系与APG系统获得较好匹配;有些进化分支在相应的APG系统位置解决得不好,却在条形码序列构建的系统发育关系中得到了较好解决。表明综合使用不同进化速率的DNA条形码片段并采取三位点超级矩阵的组合策略,在未采用APG系统大框架的情况下,也能快速而又相对准确地构建出鼎湖山南亚热带森林植物群落的系统发育关系。     

利用植物DNA条形码构建亚热带森林群落系统发育关系——以鼎湖山样地为例

在群落水平上重建植物系统发育关系是当前植物系统学研究的一项重要内容;DNA条形码技术的出现为这一工作的开展提供了便利。本文选取国际通用的植物DNA条形码（rbcL,matK和psbA trnH）,对鼎湖山大样地的183个物种（隶属于24目51科110属）进行测序;分别利用两位点和三位点DNA条形码组合构建该样地植物群落的系统发育关系,并比较不同位点组合构建出的群落系统发育关系的拓扑结构和节点支持率;最后选出一个具有最好拓扑结构和最高节点支持率的鼎湖山大样地群落系统发育关系。在目、科和属这三个水平上,三位点条形码片段组合构建的群落系统发育关系与APG系统获得较好匹配;有些进化分支在相应的APG系统位置解决得不好,却在条形码序列构建的系统发育关系中得到了较好解决。表明综合使用不同进化速率的DNA条形码片段并采取三位点超级矩阵的组合策略,在未采用APG系统大框架的情况下,也能快速而又相对准确地构建出鼎湖山南亚热带森林植物群落的系统发育关系。     

Probing the Monophyly of the Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae) Using Data From Five Genes

Molecular phylogenetic analyses have had a major impact on the classification of the green algal class Chlorophyceae, corroborating some previous evolutionary hypotheses, but primarily promoting new interpretations of morphological evolution. One set of morphological traits that feature prominently in green algal systematics is the absolute orientation of the flagellar apparatus in motile cells, which correlates strongly with taxonomic classes and orders. The order Sphaeropleales includes diverse green algae sharing the directly opposite (DO) flagellar apparatus orientation of their biflagellate motile cells. However, algae across sphaeroplealean families differ in specific components of the DO flagellar apparatus, and molecular phylogenetic studies often have failed to provide strong support for the monophyly of the order. To test the monophyly of Sphaeropleales and of taxa with the DO flagellar apparatus, we conducted a molecular phylogenetic study of 16 accessions representing all known families and diverse affiliated lineages within the order, with data from four plastid genes (psaA, psaB, psbC, rbcL) and one nuclear ribosomal gene (18S). Although single‐gene analyses varied in topology and support values, analysis of combined data strongly supported a monophyletic Sphaeropleales. Our results also corroborated previous phylogenetic hypotheses that were based on chloroplast genome data from relatively few taxa. Specifically, our data resolved Volvocales, algae possessing predominantly biflagellate motile cells with clockwise (CW) flagellar orientation, as the monophyletic sister lineage to Sphaeropleales, and an alliance of Chaetopeltidales, Chaetophorales, and Oedogoniales, orders having multiflagellate motile cells with distinct flagellar orientations involving the DO and CW forms.     

中国近海多毛纲底栖类群目与科水平的分类

多毛纲为环节动物重要类群, 具有重要的生态与经济意义。多毛纲的分类体系一直处于变化中。本文根据前人支序分类等研究成果, 综合《中国动物志》等资料, 整理了我国近海多毛纲底栖类群目与科的分类检索。根据Rouse和Fauchald (1997)的分类系统, 中国近海多毛纲的底栖类群可分为头节虫目(Scolecida)、海稚虫目(Spionida)、蛰龙介目(Terebellida)、缨鳃虫目(Sabellida)、叶须虫目(Phyllodocida)和矶沙蚕目(Eunicida)。基于头部、躯干部等附属物形态特征, 整理建立了中国近海多毛纲底栖类群上述六目至科的分类检索表, 考证了该分类方法, 总结了近年来我国近海多毛纲的研究和分子生物学对多毛纲系统演化的贡献。     

Phylogeny and origin of 82 zygomycetes from all 54 genera of the Mucorales and Mortierellales based on combined analysis of actin and translation elongation factor EF-1α genes

True fungi (Eumycota) are heterotrophic eukaryotic microorganisms encompassing ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, chytridiomycetes and zygomycetes. The natural systematics of the latter group, Zygomycota, are very poorly understood due to the lack of distinguishing morphological characters. We have determined sequences for the nuclear-encoded genes actin (act) from 82 zygomycetes representing all 54 currently recognized genera from the two zygomycetous orders Mucorales and Mortierellales. We also determined sequences for translation elongation factor EF-1α (tef) from 16 zygomycetes (total of 96,837 bp). Phylogenetic analysis in the context of available sequence data (total 2,062 nucleotide positions per species) revealed that current classification schemes for the mucoralean fungi are highly unnatural at the family and, to a large extent, at the genus level. The data clearly indicate a deep, ancient and distinct dichotomy of the orders Mucorales and Mortierellales, which are recognized only in some zygomycete systems. Yet at the same time the data show that two genera – Umbelopsis and Micromucor – previously placed within the Mortierellales on the basis of their weakly developed columella (a morphological structure of the sporangiophore well-developed within all Mucorales) are in fact members of the Mucorales. Phylogenetic analyses of the encoded amino acid sequences in the context of homologues from eukaryotes and archaebacterial outgroups indicate that the Eumycota studied here are a natural group but provide little or no support for the monophyly of either zygomycetes, ascomycetes or basidiomycetes. The data clearly indicate that a complete revision of zygomycete natural systematics is necessary.     

DNA phylogeny of the marsupial wolf resolved.

The phylogenetic position of the recently extinct marsupial ''wolf'', or thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus), has been a source of contention in mammalian systematics for nearly a century. Thylacines were endemic to Australasia, but possessed striking anatomical similarities to Oligo-Miocene borhyaenid marsupials of South America. At issue has been whether these features are indicative of common ancestry or convergent adaptation to carnivory. Recent morphological studies have supported both conclusions. Although current marsupial classifications group thylacines with Australian dasyuromorphians, this putative clade is characterized by mostly primitive morphological features. Attempts to determine thylacine affinities with ancient protein and DNA analyses have supported, but not resolved, a dasyuromorphian placement. We report 1546 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequence (from cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes) and 841 bp of nuclear protamine gene sequence from the thylacine and representatives of all or most other marsupial orders. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences shows unambiguously that thylacines are members of Dasyuromorphia, and suggests a late Oligocene or very early Miocene divergence of familial lineages.     

Traditional morphometrics in plant systematics and its role in palm systematics

A review is given of the role of traditional morphometrics in plant systematics. The three most commonly used techniques of data analysis – Cluster Analysis, Principal Component Analysis and Discriminant Analysis – are discussed. The kinds of data that can be taken from palm specimens and the problems of using specimens as data sources are outlined. Published systematic studies of palms using traditional morphometrics are reviewed. More recent studies indicate that: hybrid zones between species may be common; infraspecific diversity is greater than previously suspected; there may be more than double the currently accepted number of species; and our current knowledge of morphological variation in palms is superficial. A procedure for scientific systematics is given, which incorporates traditional morphometric methods.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 103–111.     

菌物分子系统学研究进展

分子生物学技术的发展以及计算机的广泛使用给菌物系统学在分子水平上带来了革命性变化,本文简要回顾了菌物分子系统学研究现状与分析方法,并就目前菌物分子系统学中存在的问题以及该研究的发展方向提出了一些看法。     

Polyphyly and Convergent Morphological Evolution in Commelinales and Commelinidae: Evidence from rbcL Sequence Data

Phylogenetic relationships of the five families of the order Commelinales remain an area of deep uncertainty in higher-level monocot systematics, despite intensive morphological and anatomical study. To test the monophyly of the Commelinales and the subclass Commelinidae, evaluate their relationships, and analyze evolutionary trends in their morphology, ecology, and biogeography, we conducted parsimony analyses on 95 rbcL sequences representing 17 taxa of Commelinales, 16 taxa of other Commelinidae, and 63 taxa from Arecidae, Liliidae, and Zingiberidae. Commelinales is polyphyletic and Commelinidae paraphyletic, with Eriocaulaceae and Xyridaceae sister to Poaceae and its relatives, Rapateaceae sister to Bromeliaceae and Mayacaceae, and Commelinaceae sister to Philydrales and allies. Thurnia is sister to Prionium at the base of Cyperaceae-Juncaceae; only 1 of Cronquist's multifamily commelinoid orders is diagnosed as monophyletic. We propose a revised Commelinidae, incorporating 4 revised superorders (Bromelianae, Commelinanae, Dasypogonanae, Arecanae) and 10 orders ((Poales, Eriocaulales, Cyperales, Typhales, Bromeliales), (Commelinales, Philydrales, Zingiberales), (Dasypogonales), (Arecales)). Morphological and anatomical characters used to define the original Commelinales and Commelinidae appear to be plesiomorphic or to reflect convergence or recurrent mutation; several characters supporting our revised classification are anatomical traits that seem relatively insulated from environmental selection pressures. The Commelinidae distal to the Arecales arose in South America, with amphiatlantic Bromeliaceae-Mayacaceae-Rapateaceae originating in the Guayana Shield. Ecological diversification involved the repeated invasion of shady, infertile, or arid microsites. The numbers of species in families of the revised Commelinidae are related partly to the extent of adaptive radiation in those families, but seem more strongly related to nonadaptive features promoting speciation, such as restricted seed dispersal (especially in forest interior groups with fleshy fruits), polyploidy, aneuploidy, and apomixis. Species diversity is unrelated to the rate/amount of rbcL sequence evolution.