Molecular phylogeny of the nematode genus Longidorus (Nematoda: Longidoridae) with description of three new species

The phylum Nematoda includes the genus Longidorus, a remarkable group of invertebrates that are polyphagous root‐ectoparasites of many plants including various agricultural crops and trees. Damage is caused by direct feeding on root cells as well as by transmitting nepoviruses. Species discrimination in Longidorus is complicated by phenotypic plasticity (intraspecific variability and minor interspecific differences) leading to potential misidentification. We conducted nematode surveys in cultivated and natural environments in southern Spain that detected 11 species of Longidorus. We developed a comparative study amongst these related species by considering morphological and morphometric features together with molecular data from nuclear ribosomal RNA genes [D2‐D3 expansion segments of large ribosomal subunit (28S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and partial small ribosomal subunit (18S)]. The results of our molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the morphological hypotheses and allowed the delimitation and discrimination of three new species of the genus, described herein as Longidorus baeticus sp. nov. , Longidorus oleae sp. nov. , and Longidorus andalusicus sp. nov. , and eight known species (Longidorus alvegus, Longidorus crataegi, Longidorus fasciatus, Longidorus intermedius, Longidorus iuglandis, Longidorus magnus, Longidorus rubi, and Longidorus vineacola). Phylogenetic analyses of Longidorus spp. based on the three molecular markers resulted in a general consensus of these species grouping, as lineages were maintained for the majority of species (i.e. species with a conoid‐rounded lip region, amphidial fovea asymmetrically bilobed, female tail bluntly rounded), but not in some others (i.e. positions of L. crataegi, L. intermedius, and L. rubi were quite variable). To date, this is the most complete phylogenetic analysis for Longidorus and Paralongidorus species, with the highest number of species included. No correspondence between phylogenetic trees and morphological characters was found for ribosomal markers, with the exception of amphidial shape. Thus, polyphasic identification, based on integration of molecular analysis with morphology, is a tool beyond doubt in Longidorus identification. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

New insight into the identification and molecular phylogeny of dagger nematodes of the genus Xiphinema (Nematoda: Longidoridae) with description of two new species

The genus Xiphinema constitutes a large group of about 260 species of plant‐ectoparasitic nematodes. The group is polyphagous and distributed almost worldwide. Some of the species of this genus damage agricultural crops by direct feeding on root cells as well as by transmitting nepoviruses. Species discrimination in Xiphinema is complicated by phenotypic plasticity leading to potential misidentification. We conducted nematode surveys in cultivated and natural environments in Spain from 2009 to 2012, from which we identified 20 populations of Xiphinema species morphologically close to the virus‐vector nematode species Xiphinema diversicaudatum, three apomictic populations tentatively identified as species from the complex Xiphinema aceri‐pyrenaicum group, and one population morphologically different from all others that is characterized by a female tail elongate to conical and absence of uterine differentiation. We developed comparative multivariate analyses for these related species by using morphological and morphometrical features together with molecular data from nuclear ribosomal DNA genes [D2‐D3 expansion segments of large ribosomal subunit 28S, internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and partial small ribosomal subunit (18S)]. The results of multivariate, molecular, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological hypotheses and allowed the delimitation and discrimination of two new species in the genus described herein as Xiphinema baetica sp. nov. and Xiphinema turdetanensis sp. nov. , and ten known species: Xiphinema adenohystherum, Xiphinema belmontense, Xiphinema cohni, Xiphinema coxi europaeum, Xiphinema gersoni, Xiphinema hispidum, Xiphinema italiae, Xiphinema lupini, Xiphinema nuragicum, and Xiphinema turcicum. Multivariate analyses based on quantitative and qualitative characters and phylogenetic relationships of Xiphinema spp. based on the three molecular ribosomal markers resulted in a partial consensus of these species grouping as nematode populations were maintained for the majority of morphospecies groups (e.g. morphospecies groups 5 and 6), but not in some others (e.g. position of Xiphinema granatum), demonstrating the usefulness of these analyses for helping in the diagnosis and identification of Xiphinema spp. The clade topology of phylogenetic trees of D2‐D3 and partial 18S regions in this study were congruent in supporting the polyphyletic status of some characters, such as the female tail shape and the degree of development of the genital system in species with both genital branches equally developed. This is the most complete phylogenetic study for Xiphinema non‐americanum‐group species. Agreement between phylogenetic trees and some morphological characters (uterine spines, pseudo‐Z organ, and tail shape) was tested by reconstruction of their histories on rDNA‐based trees using parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Thus, integrative taxonomy, based on the combination of multivariate, molecular analyses with morphology, constitutes a new insight into the identification of Xiphinema species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Cryptic diversity and species delimitation in the Xiphinema americanum‐group complex (Nematoda: Longidoridae) as inferred from morphometrics and molecular markers

The Xiphinema americanum‐group constitutes a complex of about 55 species of polyphagous plant‐ectoparasitic nematodes with a worldwide distribution. This group of plant‐parasitic nematodes is one of the most difficult dagger nematode species complexes for diagnosis because the morphology is very conservative and morphometric characters often overlap. We conducted nematode surveys in cultivated and wild olives in southern Spain from 2012 to 2014, from which we identified 16 nematode populations of the X. americanum‐group, five of which were tentatively identified as belonging to three new species and are described herein as X iphinema plesiopachtaicum sp. nov., X iphinema vallense sp. nov. , and X iphinema astaregiense sp. nov. , and 11 populations belonging to nine known species: Xiphinema brevisicum, Xiphinema duriense, Xiphinema incertum, Xiphinema luci, Xiphinema madeirense, Xiphinema opisthohysterum, Xiphinema pachtaicum, Xiphinema parapachydermum, and Xiphinema rivesi. A phenetic study based on multivariate factor analyses was developed to compare some of these related species by using morphometric features. In the factor analysis the first four factors accounted for 73.1% of the total variance of the selected characters, identifying body length, body length/maximum body width (a), body length/pharyngeal length (b), body length/tail length (c), and tail length/body width at anus (c′) ratios, distance from anterior end to vulva as percentage of body length (V), stylet length, oral aperture‐guiding ring distance, and lip region width as key morphometric characters to differentiate a restricted set of species within the X. pachtaicum‐subgroup that includes X. plesiopachtaicum sp. nov. and X. vallense sp. nov. Multivariate analysis of variance using these specific characters allowed to differentiate species in the X. pachtaicum complex or groups of them using morphometric characters (body length, a, b, c, c′, V, stylet length, lip region width, oral aperture‐guiding ring distance, female tail length, and hyaline region length). Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal DNA genes [D2‐D3 expansion segments of large ribosomal subunit 28S, and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1)] and the protein‐coding mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (coxI) were congruent, showing two main clades separating most of the species of X. americanum‐subgroup ‘sensu stricto’ from the X. pachtaicum‐subgroup. Agreement between phylogenetic trees and some morphological characters (viz. total stylet length, vulva position, and a ratio) were tested by reconstruction of their histories on rRNA‐based trees using parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Thus, integrative taxonomy, based on a combination of multivariate morphological and molecular analyses constitutes a new insight into the identification of X. americanum‐group species. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

An integrative approach to characterize cryptic species in the Thoracostoma trachygaster Hope, 1967 complex (Nematoda: Leptosomatidae)

Nematode diversity may seriously be underestimated when taking into account cryptic speciation. Thoracostoma trachygaster is commonly found in kelp holdfasts along the California coastline and was recently shown to consist of at least two distinct molecular clades (I and II). Here, we provide detailed morphological analysis of both clades, based on measurements taken from video vouchers of respectively eight and 16 individuals from the previous study, as well as 80 newly collected specimens from four Californian beaches. The latter were vouchered, measured, and then subjected to molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene, and the ribosomal D2D3 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. This integrative approach shows that the three molecular clades are phylogenetically and morphologically distinct species, but a combination of morphological characters is needed to distinguish them. Two new species, Thoracostoma fatimae sp. nov. and Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. , are identified and described. The spicule length of T. fatimae sp. nov. is significantly shorter than that of T. trachygaster. Thoracostoma igniferum sp. nov. can be distinguished by the irregular posterior edge of the cephalic capsule and the two internal subdorsal tropis‐like projections in the wall of the cephalic capsule, which are lacking in T. fatimae sp. nov. and T. trachygaster. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 18–35.     

A new genus of athecate interstitial dinoflagellates, Togula gen. nov., previously encompassed within Amphidinium sensu lato: Inferred from light and electron microscopy and phylogenetic analyses of partial large subunit ribosomal DNA sequences

The recent emendation of Amphidinium (Dinophyc‐eae), which now only consists of species with minute left‐deflected epicone, has left more than 100 species without a clear generic affiliation. In the present study, a strain identified as one of the species with a divergent epicone type, Amphidinium britannicum (Herdman) Lebour, and six strains resembling A. britannicum but smaller in size were examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by sequence analyses of nuclear‐encoded partial large subunit ribosomal DNA to establish their phylog‐eny. Amphidinium britannicum was not closely related to other genera included in the molecular phylogenetic analyses, but formed a highly supported clade in Bayesian analysis together with the six small‐sized strains. The six strains also formed a highly supported clade, consisting of two closely related, albeit distinct, clades. Light and scanning electron microscopy did not reveal significant differences between the vegetative motile cells; however, cells about to undergo mitosis developed longitudinal grooves on the hypocone in one of the clades but not in the other. Both clades differed substantially from A. britannicum in partial large subunit ribosomal DNA as well as in size and shape. Based on morphological similarity and partial large subunit ribosomal DNA evidence, we erect the new genus, Togula gen. nov. with the emended type species Togula britannica (Herdman) comb. nov. Based on differences in division pattern and partial large subunit ribosomal DNA gene divergence we further describe the species Togula compacta (Herdman) comb. nov. and Togula jolla sp. nov.     

A new family of diminutive zooxanthellate zoanthids (Hexacorallia: Zoantharia)

A new family, genus, and species of zooxanthellate macrocnemic zoanthid is described from Okinawa, Japan. The diminutive zoanthid N anozoanthus harenaceus sp. nov. occurs in sandy ‘pools’ upon hard substrates in coral reefs. The results of molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I suggests that Nanozoanthidae fam. nov. is genetically close to family Microzoanthidae and Isozoanthus sulcatus at the intrafamily–suborder level. The Nanozoanthidae fam. nov. –Microzoanthidae clade is clearly highly divergent from all other known zoanthid families and from the order Actiniaria at the suborder level or higher. These results demonstrate that much high‐level (e.g. above genus) diversity remains to be described within the order Zoantharia, and until such work is complete it will be difficult to completely understand their biodiversity. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Revision and phylogeny of the European species of the Eurytoma morio species group (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae), parasitoids of bark and wood boring beetles

A revision of Eurytoma (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) species belonging to the morio group is proposed. Species discrimination is based on morphological and, partly, on molecular data, including the barcoding fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the D2 expansion region of the 28S ribosomal gene. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses largely support the morphological evidence. E urytoma cristata Delvare sp. nov. , E urytoma saliphila Delvare sp. nov. , and E urytoma sylviae Delvare sp. nov. are described from France, E urytoma ithma Delvare sp. nov. is described from France and Italy, and E urytoma gatesi Delvare sp. nov. is described from North America and France. Decatomidea polygraphi Ashmead, 1894 and Ipideurytoma spessivtsevi Bou?ek & Novicky, 1954 are synonymized with Eurytoma afra Boheman, 1836. Eurytoma auricoma Mayr, 1878 is removed from synonymy with Eurytoma arctica Thomson, 1875 and is synonymized with Eurytoma maura Boheman, 1836. Eurytoma eccoptogastri Ratzeburg, 1844, Eurytoma flavoscapularis Ratzeburg, 1844, Eurytoma flavovaria Ratzeburg, 1844, and Eurytoma masii var. flavonigra Russo, 1938 are synonymized with Eurytoma morio Boheman, 1836. Eurytoma masii Russo, 1925 and Eurytoma kemalpasensis Narendran, Tezcan & Civelek, 1995 are synonymized with Eurytoma striolata Ratzeburg, 1848. Eurytoma melanoneura Walker, 1871 and E. masii are removed from synonymy with E. morio. Lectotypes are designated for E. afra, E. auricoma, E. masii, Decatoma aloisifilippoi Russo, 1938, and E. masii var. flavonigra. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Gogorevia,a New Monoraphid Diatom Genus for Achnanthes exigua and Allied Taxa (Achnanthidiaceae) Described on the Basis of an Integrated Molecular and Morphological Approach

A new diatom genus, Gogorevia, is described on the basis of an integrated molecular and morphological investigation. Two species are described from Vietnam: the generitype, G. rinatii sp. nov., and G. ovalis sp. nov. These species share many morphological features with Achnanthes exigua and allied taxa that were previously transferred to the genera Achnanthidium or Lemnicola. Our current molecular investigation shows that Gogorevia is distinct and phylogenetically removed from the above-mentioned genera. Morphologically, Gogorevia differs from Achnanthidium and Lemnicola by the shape of the valves, possessing uniseriate striae, raphe morphology, and the presence of an evident sternum. The recently described species Lemnicola uniseriata is transferred to Gogorevia on the basis that it possesses the same morphological features and phylogenetic position as other members of the genus.     

Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the Asian Paraleucophenga Hendel (Diptera,Drosophilidae)

This paper reports on nine Asian species of the genus Paraleucophenga, of which four are new to science: Paraleucophenga brevipenis sp. nov. , Paraleucophenga hirtipenis sp. nov. , Paraleucophenga longiseta sp. nov. , and Paraleucophenga tanydactylia sp. nov. We also report on a new synonym, Paraleucophenga shanyinensis Chen & Toda, 1994 syn. nov. A key to all of the species examined, based on morphological data, is provided, together with a ‘molecular’ key to seven Paraleudophenga species based on DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene. The phylogenetic relationships among seven Paraleucophenga species are reconstructed based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 gene, using two Leucophenga species as outgroups. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 615–629.     

Cochlodinium fulvescens sp. nov. (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae), a new chain-forming unarmored dinoflagellate from Asian coasts

Cellular morphology and the phylogenetic position of a new unarmored photosynthetic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium fulvescens Iwataki, Kawami et Matsuoka sp. nov. were examined by light microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on partial large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) and small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences. The cells of C. fulvescens closely resemble C. polykrikoides, one of the most harmful red tide forming dinoflagellates, due to it possessing a cingulum encircling the cell approximately twice, a spherical nucleus positioned in the anterior part of the cell and an eyespot‐like orange pigmented body located in the dorsal side of the epicone, as well as formation of cell‐chains. However, this species is clearly distinguished from C. polykrikoides based on several morphological characteristics, namely, cell size, shape of chloroplasts and the position of narrow sulcus situated in the cell surface. The sulcus of C. fulvescens is located at the intermediate position of the cingulum in the dorsal side, whereas that of C. polykrikoides is situated immediately beneath the cingulum. LSU rDNA phylogenies indicated that C. fulvescens is clearly distinct from, but closely related to C. polykrikoides among dinoflagellates.     

Cryptic speciation in Brazilian Epiperipatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) reveals an underestimated diversity among the peripatid velvet worms

Background

Taxonomical studies of the neotropical Peripatidae (Onychophora, velvet worms) have proven difficult, due to intraspecific variation and uniformity of morphological characters across this onychophoran subgroup. We therefore used molecular approaches, in addition to morphological methods, to explore the diversity of Epiperipatus from the Minas Gerais State of Brazil.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Our analyses revealed three new species. While Epiperipatus diadenoproctus sp. nov. can be distinguished from E. adenocryptus sp. nov. and E. paurognostus sp. nov. based on morphology and specific nucleotide positions in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and small ribosomal subunit RNA gene sequences (12S rRNA), anatomical differences between the two latter species are not evident. However, our phylogenetic analyses of molecular data suggest that they are cryptic species, with high Bayesian posterior probabilities and bootstrap and Bremer support values for each species clade. The sister group relationship of E. adenocryptus sp. nov. and E. paurognostus sp. nov. in our analyses correlates with the remarkable morphological similarity of these two species. To assess the species status of the new species, we performed a statistical parsimony network analysis based on 582 base pairs of the COI gene in our specimens, with the connection probability set to 95%. Our findings revealed no connections between groups of haplotypes, which have been recognized as allopatric lineages in our phylogenetic analyses, thus supporting our suggestion that they are separate species.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings suggest high cryptic species diversity and endemism among the neotropical Peripatidae and demonstrate that the combination of morphological and molecular approaches is helpful for clarifying the taxonomy and species diversity of this apparently large and diverse onychophoran group.     

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Phasmarhabditis huizhouensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a New Rhabditid Nematode from South China

The genus Phasmarhabditis is an economically important group of rhabditid nematodes, to which the well-known slug-parasite P. hermaphrodita belongs. Despite the commercial use of Phasmarhabditis species as an attractive and promising approach for pest control, the taxonomy and systematics of this group of rhabditids are poorly understood, largely because of the lack of diagnostic morphological features and DNA sequences for distinguishing species or inferring phylogenetic relationship. During a nematode sampling effort for identifying free-living relatives of Caenorhabditis elegans in Huizhou City, Guangdong, China, a novel species belonging to the genus Phasmarhabditis was isolated from rotting leaves. Detailed morphology of the gonochoristic P. huizhouensis sp. nov. was described and illustrated. The adult female has a robust body, a relatively short and wide buccal capsule conjoined by a rhabditiform pharynx. Females are characterized by a short cupola-shaped tail end bearing a slender pointed tip, with the junction flanked by a pair of ‘rod-like’ phasmids. Males have an open peloderan bursa that is supported by 9 pairs of genital papillae and 1 terminal pair of phasmids. P. huizhouensis sp. nov. is morphologically very similar to the type species Phasmarhabditis papillosa but is distinguishable by its male caudal traits. The new species is readily differentiated from other taxa in the genus by its female tail shape. Molecular phylogenetic inferences based on small subunit (SSU) and the D2-D3 domain of large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA genes reveal that P. huizhouensis sp. nov. forms a unique branch in both phylogenies which is genetically related to P. hermaphrodita and other parasites such as Angiostoma spp. The host associations of P. huizhouensis sp. nov. and its ability to parasitize slugs are unknown.     

Species Concepts in the Cylindrocladium floridanum and Cy. spathiphylli Complexes (Hypocreaceae) Based on Multi-allelic Sequence Data, Sexual Compatibility and Morphology

Much attention has recently been devoted to the delimitation of species units in Cylindrocladium(Cy.). In this regard the present study focuses on the taxa within the unresolved Cy. floridanum and Cy. spathiphylli species complexes. Maximum parsimony analyses of DNA sequences of ITS, β-tubulin and histone regions of rRNA genes, and mating experiments revealed a geographically isolated species of Cylindrocladium in the Cy. spathiphylli(teleomorph:Calonectria spathiphylli) species complex.Cy. pseudospathiphylli sp. nov. (teleomorph:Ca. pseudospathiphylli sp. nov.) is described as a new phylogenetic, biological and morphological species. It is distinguished from Cy. spathiphylli by being homothallic, having smaller macroconidia, and distinct DNA sequences of β-tubulin and histone genes. Similarly, parsimony analysis of a combined data set also indicated several phylogenetic species to exist within Cy. floridanum(teleomorph:Ca. kyotensis). Based on differences in vesicle morphology and conidium dimensions, the Canadian population of Cy. floridanum, formerly known as Cy. floridanum Group 2, is described as Cy. canadense sp. nov., while a further collection from Hawaii is described as Cy. pacificum sp. nov.     

Three new species of Pristionchus (Nematoda: Diplogastridae) show morphological divergence through evolutionary intermediates of a novel feeding‐structure polymorphism

Developmental plasticity is often correlated with diversity and has been proposed as a facilitator of phenotypic novelty. Yet how a dimorphism arises or how additional morphs are added is not understood, and few systems provide experimental insight into the evolution of polyphenisms. Because plasticity correlates with structural diversity in Pristionchus nematodes, studies in this group can test the role of plasticity in facilitating novelty. Here, we describe three new species, Pristionchus fukushimae sp. nov. , Pristionchus hoplostomus sp. nov. , and the hermaphroditic Pristionchus triformis sp. nov. , which are characterized by a novel polymorphism in their mouthparts. In addition to showing the canonical mouth dimorphism of diplogastrid nematodes, comprising a stenostomatous (‘narrow‐mouthed’) and a eurystomatous (‘wide‐mouthed’) form, the new species exhibit forms with six, 12, or intermediate numbers of cheilostomatal plates. Correlated with this polymorphism is another trait that varies among species: whereas divisions between plates are complete in P. triformis sp. nov. , which is biased towards a novel ‘megastomatous’ form comprising 12 complete plates, the homologous divisions in the other new species are partial and of variable length. In a reconstruction of character evolution, a phylogeny inferred from 26 ribosomal protein genes and a partial small subunit rRNA gene supported the megastomatous form of P. triformis sp. nov. as the derived end of a series of split‐plate forms. Although split‐plate forms were normally only observed in eurystomatous nematodes, a single 12‐plated stenostomatous individual of P. hoplostomus sp. nov. was also observed, suggesting independence of the two types of mouth plasticity. By introducing these new species to the Pristionchus model system, this study provides further insight into the evolution of polymorphisms and their evolutionary intermediates. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Cryptococcus adeliensis sp. nov., a xylanase producing basidiomycetous yeast from Antarctica

Cryptococcus adeliensis sp. nov. (CBS 8351) is described based on phenotypic characteristics and molecular sequence analysis of the D1/D2 large subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal DNA. Molecular comparisons include species closely related to Cryptococcus albidus and several species isolated from the Antarctic. C. adeliensis, which has a cold-adapted xylanase, was isolated from Terre Adelie, Antarctica. ATCC 34633, which has a mesophilic xylanase, was identified as Cryptococcus albidosimilis.     

Integrative systematics of northern and Arctic nudibranchs of the genus Dendronotus (Mollusca,Gastropoda), with descriptions of three new species

The taxonomy of common northern nudibranch molluscs of the genus Dendronotus in the vast cold regions of Eurasia remains largely unknown. Abundant material collected in many localities from the Barents Sea, via the Arctic region, to the north‐west Pacific was analysed for the first time. An integrated approach combining morphological and ontogenetic data with molecular four‐gene (COI, 16S, H3, and 28S) analysis reveals seven species, including three previously undescribed. Dendronotus frondosus (Ascanius, 1774) and Dendronotus dalli Bergh, 1879 were commonly considered as amphiboreal species; however, according to this study they are restricted to the North Atlantic and the North Pacific, respectively. In the north‐west Pacific two new species were discovered, D endronotus kamchaticus sp. nov. and D endronotus kalikal sp. nov. , that are externally similar to D. frondosus, but that show significant distance according to molecular analysis and are considerably different in radular morphology. In the North Atlantic a new species D endronotus niveus sp. nov. , sibling to North Pacific D. dalli, is revealed. The separate status of North Atlantic Dendronotus lacteus (Thompson, 1840) is confirmed, including considerable range extension. The essential similarity of early ontogenetic stages of radular development common for species with disparate adult radular morphology (such as D. frondosus and D. dalli) is shown, and its importance for taxonomy is discussed. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Diversity in the section Compressa of the genus Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyceae), with description of two new species from Chinese warm waters

Monoclonal strains of Chaetoceros species were collected from Chinese warm waters. Vegetative cells and resting spores were examined using light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Combined morphological and DNA sequence data from the hypervariable D1–D3 region of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit showed the presence of two new species within the section Compressa, herein described as Chaetoceros bifurcatus sp. nov. and C. millipedarius sp. nov. Both species possessed features typical of the section Compressa, but C. bifurcatus was characterized by the heavy intercalary setae fusing and extending together for a distance before diverging. The heavy setae were not visually contorted, lacking poroids and spines, in contrast with how the section Compressa has been defined. Chaetoceros millipedarius was characterized by a horizontal stagger of ordinary intercalary setae when the chain was seen in broad girdle view, making the chain look like a millipede. The two new species were supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses with C. bifurcatus sister to C. contortus var. ornatus, while C. millipedarius was sister to C. contortus var. contortus. Based on the morphological features exhibited in C. bifurcatus, the diagnosis of the section Compressa was emended to exclude “contorted” heavy setae and compressed valve faces.     

Three new species of deep‐sea Gromia (Protista,Rhizaria) from the bathyal and abyssal Weddell Sea,Antarctica

We describe three new species of the genus Gromia from bathyal and abyssal depths in the Weddell Sea. The new species are characterized by a combination of morphological and molecular criteria. All three species possess a distinct oral capsule and a layer of ‘honeycomb membranes’, which form the inner part of the organic test wall. Both these features are typical of gromiids. Their identification as gromiids is confirmed by analyses of partial small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) gene sequences. Gromia marmorea sp. nov. is a rounded species with a prominent oral capsule and a characteristically mottled appearance. In Gromia melinus sp. nov. , the test surface exhibits a polygonal pattern of ridges, with a layer of clay particles coating the surface between the ridges. Gromia winnetoui sp. nov. represents an elongate morphotype in which the organic test is enclosed within an agglutinated case, a feature previously unknown in gromiids. Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum‐likelihood method revealed that all three species form distinct clades, reflecting the morphological differences among Weddell Sea species, as well as between deep‐water Southern Ocean Gromia and previously described gromiids. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 451–469.