New data on the taxonomy and morphology of weevils of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plinthus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

The taxonomic composition of the genus Plinthus Germar, 1817 is considered. The procedure of dissection of the weevil genitalia, variations in the endophallus armature, proventriculus, and crop in Plinthus species are described, and the terminology for these structures is explained. The taxonomic significance of the morphological characters of the endophallus, proventriculus, and crop, as well as the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Plinthus and its subgenera are discussed. New data on the taxonomy, morphology, and distribution of species from the subgenera Plinthomeleus Reitter, 1913 and Plinthus s. str. are presented. Keys to the subgenera of Plinthus and to species groups of the subgenus Plinthomeleus are given. Plinthus squalidus is recorded from the Caucasus and Russia for the first time.     

Phenetic and cladistic studies help clarify species assemblages in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora</Emphasis> section <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dysosmia</Emphasis> (Passifloraceae)

One of the most enigmatic and unusual groups in the passionflower genus, Passiflora section Dysosmia (Passifloraceae), stands out as a group that is notoriously taxonomically complicated. Phenetic and cladistic analyses of Dysosmia were carried out with representatives from all 21 species currently recognized in the section, in order to delineate morphological groups above the species level. The study was based mainly on vegetative morphological characters and included principal coordinates, non-metric multidimensional scaling, cluster, and cladistic analyses. Results from each analysis reveals that three major species assemblages exist within Dysosmia, corresponding largely to vegetative pubescence and fruit color. The results presented here set the stage for future systematic and phylogenetic studies in Passiflora sect. Dysosmia.     

The revision of the validity of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Huso</Emphasis> (Acipenseridae) based on recent morphological and genetic data with particular reference to the Kaluga <Emphasis Type="Italic">H. dauricus</Emphasis>

The comparative morphological study in different Acipenseriform species demonstrates that there are only two morphological features combining the kaluga and the great sturgeon and separating them from other sturgeons, namely the shape of a mouth and the manner attaching of gill membranes to isthmus in adult specimens; whereas many morphological characters are different in these species. The relations of morphological similarity/distinction among different sturgeon species and polyphyletic origin of genus Huso revealed by both molecular and cytogenetic studies presume the restoration of initial taxonomic states for the great sturgeon and kaluga as members of the same genus Acipenser, namely A. huso and A. dauricus.     

Phylogeny of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophozia</Emphasis> (Dumort.) Dumort. s. str. inferred from nuclear and chloroplast sequences ITS1-2 and TRNL-F

Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed for 21 taxa of Lophozia s. str. and the related genera, Schistochilopsis (5 species), Protolophozia elongata, and Obtusifolium obtusum based on combined nuclear ITS1-2 and chloroplast trnL-F DNA sequences. The trees were characterized by similar topology. It was demonstrated that the genus Lophozia s. str. was monophyletic, excluding L. sudetica, which deserved isolation into a distinct cryptic genus. The species distribution among the clades disagreed with the sections distinguished based on anatomical and morphological data. The relationships within the genus Schistochilopsis were consistent with the sectioning of the genus, based on morphological characters. Analysis of molecular data provided more precise definition of the systematic position of a number of taxa. A low level of genetic divergence of geographically distant forms was demonstrated.     

Differentiation of two hemp nettle species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Galeopsis bifida</Emphasis> Boenn. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. tetrahit</Emphasis> L.) inferred from morphological characters and DNA markers

Two species of the genus Galeopsis L., G. tetrahit L. and G. bifida Boenn. (family Lamiaceae), are problematic to distinguish often wrongly recognized, and treated by some taxonomists as a single species. Morphological diagnostical characters of these species are variable and partly overlap. Species independence of G. tetrahit and G. bifida was evaluated and their diagnostic characters verified using ISSR and RAPD markers. A total of 57 ISSR and 28 RAPD fragments were obtained providing distinct subdivision of the accessions examined into two groups. Analysis of molecular data using the neighbor-joining method showed that the accessions studied fell into two clades in the same way as demonstrated by the analysis of 20 morphological characters using single linkage method. These results suggest that G. tetrahit and G. bifida are distinct species. The morphological characters were found to be more variable compared to the molecular markers, although the combined of these characters provided differentiation of the species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Orientosirenites</Emphasis>, a New Ammonoid Genus (Sirenitidae; Ammonoidea) from the Upper Carnian of the Boreal Realm

The ammonoid family Sirenitidae from the Upper Carnian yakutensis Zone of northern Middle Siberia and Northeastern Asia is revised. A new genus Orientosirenites gen. nov. with the type species O. bytschkovi sp. nov. is established based on the study of the main morphological characters of the shell. The new genus and the species O. bytschkovi are described and the species O. yakutensis (Kiparisova) is redescribed. The new data allow the taxonomic composition and the distribution of the Carnian ammonoids of the Boreal Realm to be updated.     

Taxonomic implication of embryo micromorphology in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia</Emphasis> L. (Fabaceae)

In this work, embryos of selected Vicia species were examined to reveal the micromorphological characters that could have taxonomic significance. Experimental results show that morphological characters such as cotyledons shape and colour, radicle shape, colour and position, plumule colour and stipular parts attachments are variable and could be used for taxa identification in the genus Vicia. Numerical analysis based on 38 micromorphological characters was used to build a phenogram that indicated the relationships among the studied taxa. In addition, an identification key using embryo characters was prepared for Vicia species. The variability of embryo characters were discussed in the taxonomic context. Although the embryo characters have only limited phylogenetic signal for Vicia species, they might be used for their morphological delimitation.     

New data on larvae of weevils of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lixus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) from central Asia

Larvae are described for the first time for three species of the genus Lixus (L. bifasciatus, L. rubicundus, and L. subulatus). The larvae dwell in stalks of herbaceous plants. The larvae differ in the structure of the endocarina and prelabium and the chaetotaxy of the head and epipharynx. Analysis of larvae of the new and already described species of this genus has shown that the larva of L. bifasciatus shares some characters with the larvae of L. astrachanicus, and L. rubicundus, and the larva of L. subulatus, with that of L. bescrensis.     

Occurrence of two types of larvae of the Asian seaperch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lateolabrax</Emphasis>) in the estuaries of northern Vietnam

Lateolabrax sp. larvae were collected in the Tien Yen and Kalong estuaries of northern Vietnam, the southernmost locality for this genus distribution. Vietnamese Lateolabrax sp. larvae could be distinguished from those of L. japonicus by pigmentation patterns. Their morphological, meristic and pigmentation characters were closer to those of Chinese Lateolabrax than L. japonicus, so Vietnamese Lateolabrax is likely situated as a population of the Chinese one. Morphometric and pigmentation characters of larvae from the two estuaries differed, suggesting that Lateolabrax of northern Vietnam are diversified and consist of at least two different breeding stocks.     

Phylogeny and character evolution of the Neotropical fern genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stigmatopteris</Emphasis> (Dryopteridaceae)

We did a phylogenetic analysis on 21 of the 23 species of Stigmatopteris, a neotropical montane genus of wet forest floors. The analysis was based on four plastid markers: rbcL, rps4-trnS, trnG-trnR, and trnL-trnF. Two of the most closely related families to the Dryopteridaceae (Didymochlaenaceae and Hypodematiaceae) and 12 dryopteroid genera were used as outgroups. Eight morphological characters were mapped on the resulting tree. Stigmatopteris was recovered as monophyletic and sister to a clade formed by polystichoid ferns such as Arachniodes, Dryopteris, and Polystichum. Synapomorphies that distinguish Stigmatopteris are 1-pinnate-pinnatifid laminae, visible punctate glands in the mesophyll, the presence of hydathodes, uniseriate cilia on the scale margins, and loss of indusia. Within the genus are two main clades. The first consists of four species characterized by pinnae long-decurrent in at least the distal third of the lamina. The second consists of the remaining 17 species in the analysis and has no known morphological synapomorphies. Nested within this second clade is a subclade of six species endemic to southeastern Brazil. Anastomosing veins, a character often used in keys to distinguish the species, evolved three times within the genus.     

Foraminifers of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tournayellina</Emphasis> Lipina, 1955

The genus Tournayellina (family Chernyshinellidae), important for stratigraphy of the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary interval, is revised. Species and generic morphological characters are considered and the species composition of the genus is revised. The evolution of the family is discussed and its geographical and stratigraphic distribution is examined. The species Tournayellina quadrilobata Postojalko, 1999 is redescribed in accordance with new data on its morphology. The new species T. intermedia Stepanova, sp. nov. is established.     

Epaphroditidae <Emphasis Type="Italic">sensu novo</Emphasis>, an Endemic Caribbean Family of Morphologically Divergent Praying Mantises (Insecta,Mantodea)

Three endemic Caribbean praying mantis genera with a complex taxonomic history were recently discovered to be part of a lineage that colonized the Caribbean region during the Cretaceous period (Svenson & Rodrigues, Proc R Soc B Biol Sci 284, 2017). In all classification systems proposed up to now, the three genera, Callimantis, Epaphrodita, and Gonatista, were never considered as close relatives, a reflection of their divergent morphology. More recently, the genus Brancsikia was placed with Epaphrodita in a family based on the similarity of camouflage-related morphology. To address recent phylogenetic results that do not track current classification, we compared the morphology of the three Caribbean genera with each other and representative members of traditional or current family groups. Our morphological analysis of external and male genital characters provides strong support for the Caribbean lineage despite the divergent morphological evolution present in the three genera. We raise this Caribbean lineage to family status by employing a precedent family-group name, Epaphroditidae Brunner de Wattenwyl, 1893 sensu novo. We remove Brancsikia from our new concept of Epaphroditidae, rendering the genus incertae sedis.     

A multivariate morphometric delimitation of species boundaries in the South American genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nicoraepoa</Emphasis> (Poaceae: Pooideae: Poeae)

A multivariate morphometric study of the genus Nicoraepoa was carried out to examine patterns of morphological variation among the species and to identify additional characters to allow a clearer delimitation among species. Nicoraepoa is a taxonomically complex genus comprising seven species endemic to South America. Although most of the species are well delimited, two of them, N. andina and N. chonotica, are morphologically similar and very difficult to separate. The morphological variation among species, with overlapping morphological characters, pseudovivipary and possible hybridization make species boundaries unclear. In the present paper, sixty-seven characters were scored for a total of 216 specimens and analyzed using ordination, cluster and discriminant analyses. Based on multivariate results, we recognized species groups and morphological diagnostic characters that allow clearer species delimitation. As a result, N. chonotica has been transferred to N. andina as a subspecies that inhabit southern Patagonia. Other taxa could be recognized and delimited by diagnostic characters: N. erinacea, N. pugionifolia, N. stepparia, N. subenervis subsp. spegazziniana and N. subenervis subsp. subenervis. Moreover, we discuss the possibility that a new species from Bolivia, based on only one specimen, closely related to N. subenervis should be ascribed in Nicoraepoa.     

Congruence between comparative morphology and molecular phylogenies: the final stage of evolution of the skeletal characters of male genitalia in the subtribe polyommatina (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae). Part 1. Valvae (distal part), aedeagus,and juxta

The evolution of the aedeagus, juxta, and microstructures on the valvae in the subtribe Polyommatina (Lycaenidae) during the last 5 MY is considered, and the chronology of morphological changes in these structures is established. The morphological characters of 47 species of the subtribe were tested by molecular analysis. Numerous cases of parallel evolution were discovered in the taxa of various taxonomic levels within Polyommatina. The principal shapes of the aedeagus apex developed independently in different clades. Multiple independent cases of an increase in the number of marginal denticles on the dorsal valvar clasps were observed in the genera Polyommatus, Plebejus, and Kretania. Parallel cases of a decrease in the number of these denticles were observed less frequently, in Aricia, Plebejus (P. argus), and Agriades (A. glandon). The juxta evolved from V- to U-shaped almost in all the clades. The rates of evolution of microcuticular and skeletal structures were shown to be different. For example, the number of cuticular denticles may change in 1 MY, while changes in the functionally important cuticular structures took as long as 2–3.5 MY. However, some structural changes were relatively fast; for instance, the club-shaped apex of the aedeagus was modified into a more typical conical form in less than 1 MY in species of the genus Agriades. Skeletal changes occurred in different moments of the evolutionary time frames of monophyletic species groups.     

Resurrection and emendation of the Hypoxylaceae,recognised from a multigene phylogeny of the Xylariales

A multigene phylogeny was constructed, including a significant number of representative species of the main lineages in the Xylariaceae and four DNA loci the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the large subunit (LSU) of the nuclear rDNA, the second largest subunit of the RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and beta-tubulin (TUB2). Specimens were selected based on more than a decade of intensive morphological and chemotaxonomic work, and cautious taxon sampling was performed to cover the major lineages of the Xylariaceae; however, with emphasis on hypoxyloid species. The comprehensive phylogenetic analysis revealed a clear-cut segregation of the Xylariaceae into several major clades, which was well in accordance with previously established morphological and chemotaxonomic concepts. One of these clades contained Annulohypoxylon, Hypoxylon, Daldinia, and other related genera that have stromatal pigments and a nodulisporium-like anamorph. They are accommodated in the family Hypoxylaceae, which is resurrected and emended. Representatives of genera with a nodulisporium-like anamorph and bipartite stromata, lacking stromatal pigments (i.e. Biscogniauxia, Camillea, and Obolarina) appeared in a clade basal to the xylarioid taxa. As they clustered with Graphostroma platystomum, they are accommodated in the Graphostromataceae. The new genus Jackrogersella with J. multiformis as type species is segregated from Annulohypoxylon. The genus Pyrenopolyporus is resurrected for Hypoxylon polyporus and allied species. The genus Daldinia and its allies Entonaema, Rhopalostroma, Ruwenzoria, and Thamnomyces appeared in two separate subclades, which may warrant further splitting of Daldinia in the future, and even Hypoxylon was divided in several clades. However, more species of these genera need to be studied before a conclusive taxonomic rearrangement can be envisaged. Epitypes were designated for several important species in which living cultures and molecular data are available, in order to stabilise the taxonomy of the Xylariales.