Taxonomic revision of the genus Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii,Cyprinidae)

Representatives of the fish genus Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) from the Middle East and North Africa were previously placed in 14 different genus-group taxa (Barbellion, Barbus, Barynotus, Capoeta, Carasobarbus, Cyclocheilichthys, Kosswigobarbus, Labeobarbus, Luciobarbus, Pseudotor, Puntius, Systomus, Tor and Varicorhinus). The generic assignment of several species changed frequently, necessitating a re-evaluation of their taxonomic status. In this study, the genus Carasobarbus is revised based on comparative morphological examinations of about 1300 preserved specimens from collections of several museums and freshly collected material. The species Carasobarbus apoensis, Carasobarbus canis, Carasobarbus chantrei, Carasobarbus exulatus, Carasobarbus fritschii, Carasobarbus harterti, Carasobarbus kosswigi, Carasobarbus luteus and Carasobarbus sublimus form a monophyletic group that shares the following combination of characters: medium-sized barbels with a smooth last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, nine or 10 branched dorsal-fin rays and six branched anal fin-rays; scales large, shield-shaped, with many parallel radii; the lateral line containing 25 to 39 scales; the pharyngeal teeth hooked, 2.3.5-5.3.2 or 2.3.4-4.3.2; one or two pairs of barbels. The species are described in detail, their taxonomic status is re-evaluated and an identification key is provided. A lectotype of Systomus luteus Heckel, 1843 is designated. Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971, Kosswigobarbus Karaman, 1971, and Pseudotor Karaman, 1971 are subjective synonyms, and acting as First Reviser we gave precedence to the name Carasobarbus.     

Phylogeny of the Madagascar-centred tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) as a precursor to taxonomic revision: insights into its generic and species limits,affinities and distribution

Background and aimsThe tribe Danaideae (Rubiaceae) is almost exclusively endemic to the Western Indian Ocean Region (WIOR), and encompasses the genera Danais, Payera and Schismatoclada that occur in humid, sub-humid and mountain and mountain bio climate zones. Much of the species diversity is endemic to restricted, remote and/or mountainous areas of Madagascar and recent field work on the island indicates substantial unknown diversity of the Danaideae. Furthermore, the monophyly of the Malagasy genera Payera and Schismatoclada has been questioned in previous work, species delimitations and phylogenetic relationships within the genera are poorly understood, and the distribution and evolution of gross morphological features have not been assessed.MethodsWe conducted morphological investigations, and produced robust phylogenies of Danaideae based on nuclear and plastid sequence data from 193 terminals. Ample plant material has been newly collected in the WIOR for the purpose of the present study, including potentially new species unknown to science. We performed Bayesian non-clock and relaxed-clock analyses employing three alternative clock models of a dataset with a dense sample of taxa from the entire geographical ranges of Danaideae. Based on the results, we discuss species diversity and distribution, relationships, and morphology in Danaideae.Key resultsOur results demonstrate the monophyly of Danaideae, its three genera and 42 species. Nine species are resolved as non-monophyletic. Many geographically distinct but morphologically heterogeneous lineages were identified, and morphological features traditionally considered diagnostic of subgroups of the genera, used for example in species identification keys, are not clade-specific.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that Madagascar contains ample previously undocumented morphological and species diversity of Danaideae. Our novel approach to molecular phylogenetic analyses as a precursor to taxonomic revisions provides numerous benefits for the latter. There are tentative indications of parallel northward diversification in Payera and Schismatoclada on Madagascar, and of geographical phylogenetic clustering despite the anemochorous condition of Danaideae.     

Pollen morphology of the tribes Naucleeae and Hymenodictyeae (Rubiaceae – Cinchonoideae) and its phylogenetic significance

The tribe Naucleeae has recently been recircumscribed on the basis of both morphological and molecular [ rbcL , trnT-F , internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] evidence, and has been found to be the sister group of the tribe Hymenodictyeae Razafim. & B. Bremer. In order to find pollen morphological support for this new classification, the pollen and orbicules of 65 species, representing 23 Naucleeae and the two Hymenodictyeae genera, were investigated by scanning electron and light microscopy. Naucleeae pollen is very small (< 20 µm) to small (20–30 µm) and its shape in equatorial view is suboblate to spheroidal or, more rarely, subprolate. Three compound apertures are present, each comprising a long and narrow ectocolpus, a circular to slightly lolongate mesoporus, and an often H-shaped endoaperture. The sexine ornamentation is perforate, rugulate, or (micro)reticulate, and supratectal elements are always absent. Apart from the variation in sexine ornamentation, the tribe is rather stenopalynous. The pollen of Hymenodictyeae is very similar to that of Naucleeae. The H-shaped endoapertures often observed probably form a synapomorphy for the clade comprising Naucleeae and Hymenodictyeae. Our pollen morphological observations are not in conflict with the widened delimitation of Naucleeae. Unambiguous pollen support for the recent subtribal or generic concepts of Naucleeae could not be found because of a lack of variation of pollen characters within the tribe. Orbicules are invariably present in the ten Naucleeae taxa investigated. They are spheroidal and smooth or irregularly folded.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 329–341.     

Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae,Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States

This systematic study documents the taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the tarantula spider genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 within the United States. By employing phylogenomic, morphological, and geospatial data, we evaluated all 55 nominal species in the United States to examine the evolutionary history of Aphonopelma and the group’s taxonomy by implementing an integrative approach to species delimitation. Based on our analyses, we now recognize only 29 distinct species in the United States. We propose 33 new synonymies (Aphonopelma apacheum, Aphonopelma minchi, Aphonopelma rothi, Aphonopelma schmidti, Aphonopelma stahnkei = Aphonopelma chalcodes; Aphonopelma arnoldi = Aphonopelma armada; Aphonopelma behlei, Aphonopelma vogelae = Aphonopelma marxi; Aphonopelma breenei = Aphonopelma anax; Aphonopelma chambersi, Aphonopelma clarum, Aphonopelma cryptethum, Aphonopelma sandersoni, Aphonopelma sullivani = Aphonopelma eutylenum; Aphonopelma clarki, Aphonopelma coloradanum, Aphonopelma echinum, Aphonopelma gurleyi, Aphonopelma harlingenum, Aphonopelma odelli, Aphonopelma waconum, Aphonopelma wichitanum = Aphonopelma hentzi; Aphonopelma heterops = Aphonopelma moderatum; Aphonopelma jungi, Aphonopelma punzoi = Aphonopelma vorhiesi; Aphonopelma brunnius, Aphonopelma chamberlini, Aphonopelma iviei, Aphonopelma lithodomum, Aphonopelma smithi, Aphonopelma zionis = Aphonopelma iodius; Aphonopelma phanum, Aphonopelma reversum = Aphonopelma steindachneri), 14 new species (Aphonopelma atomicum sp. n., Aphonopelma catalina sp. n., Aphonopelma chiricahua sp. n., Aphonopelma icenoglei sp. n., Aphonopelma johnnycashi sp. n., Aphonopelma madera sp. n., Aphonopelma mareki sp. n., Aphonopelma moellendorfi sp. n., Aphonopelma parvum sp. n., Aphonopelma peloncillo sp. n., Aphonopelma prenticei sp. n., Aphonopelma saguaro sp. n., Aphonopelma superstitionense sp. n., and Aphonopelma xwalxwal sp. n.), and seven nomina dubia (Aphonopelma baergi, Aphonopelma cratium, Aphonopelma hollyi, Aphonopelma mordax, Aphonopelma radinum, Aphonopelma rusticum, Aphonopelma texense). Our proposed species tree based on Anchored Enrichment data delimits five major lineages: a monotypic group confined to California, a western group, an eastern group, a group primarily distributed in high-elevation areas, and a group that comprises several miniaturized species. Multiple species are distributed throughout two biodiversity hotspots in the United States (i.e., California Floristic Province and Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands). Keys are provided for identification of both males and females. By conducting the most comprehensive sampling of a single theraphosid genus to date, this research significantly broadens the scope of prior molecular and morphological investigations, finally bringing a modern understanding of species delimitation in this dynamic and charismatic group of spiders.     

Systematic wood anatomy of the tribe Guettardeae (Rubiaceae)

Systematic wood anatomy of the tribe Guettardeae (Rubiaceae). The wood anatomy of nearly all genera of the Guettardeae (Rubiaceae, Guettardoideae) has been examined, and in this respect the tribe is heterogeneous. Suggestions are made for a delimitation of the tribe. Guettarda, Bobea, Antirhea, Malanea and Chomelia Jacq. are sufficiently similar in their wood anatomical characters to warrant retention in the same tribe. Machaonia, Timonius and Dichilanthe are anomalous. Suggestions are given for taxonomic revisions of some genera based on their wood anatomy.     

Taxonomic revision of the tribe Zoraidini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Derbidae) from Korea

The Korean planthopper tribe Zoraidini is revised taxonomically. Five genera are recognized in the Korean fauna: Diostrombus Uhler, 1896, Losbanosia Muir, 1917, Pamendanga Distant, 1906, Shirakiana Metcalf, 1945, Zoraida Kirkaldy, 1900. Among them, the genus Shirakiana is recorded for the first time in Korea. Nine species, four of which are recognized new to Korea: S. infumata (Matsumura), Z. koannania Matsumura, Z. hubeiensis Chou et Huang, and Z. kuwayamae (Matsumura). Previous record of one species, Z. pterophoroides (Westwood, 1851), is removed from the list of Korean fauna because it was erroneously reported, based on a misidentification. All species are described and illustrated, and identification keys to genera and species are provided.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the Neotropical tribe Hamelieae (Rubiaceae,Cinchonoideae) and comments on its generic limits

Our molecular phylogenetic analyses shed some light on the evolutionary relationships within the Hamelieae tribe. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Internal Transcribed Spacer and trnL-F sequence data revealed the presence of three distinct evolutionary lineages. The first clade includes Hamelia and Syringantha, the second clade includes Deppea s.l. (including Bellizinca, Csapodya, and Edithea), and the third clade includes Pinarophyllon, Deppeopsis, Hoffmannia,Pseudomiltemia, Plocaniophyllon, Omiltemia, and Renistipula. The phylogenetic analysis re-evaluated some taxonomical combinations. The transfer of Deppeopsistaxa from Deppea s.l. is supported, but however, the monophyly of the genus is not. The transfer of Renistipula from Rondeletieae is also highly supported. BothCsapodya and Edithea species form a well-defined group among Deppea s.l. with high posterior probabilities, allowing to reconsider the exclusion or integration of these taxa to Deppea.     

An extraordinary new rheophyte in the genus Leptactina (Rubiaceae, Pavetteae) from Rio Muni (Equatorial Guinea)

A distinctive new species of Rubiaceae from Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea, is described and illustrated. Leptactina rheophytica is the only rheophyte known in the genus. Its diagnostic characters are elucidated, its taxonomic affinities are discussed, and notes on its conservation status are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 153 , 109–113.     

Taxonomic novelties and changes in Philippine Timonius (Rubiaceae,Guettardeae)

The Philippine species of the genus Timonius present numerous taxonomic problems resulting from poorly defined species boundaries, misinterpretation of the origin of type specimens, and historical collections that often bear residual reproductive structures. Based on field observations and examination of herbarium materials, the following taxonomic amendments are proposed: conspecificity of T. philippinensis with T. finlaysonianus, and T. panayensis with T. valetonii, and transfer of T. quadrasii to Ridsdalea. This study also describes six new species from the archipelago: T. alejandroanus, T. dumagat, T. pseudoarboreus, T. ridsdalei, T. spes-vitarum and T. stevendarwinii. Finally, T. nitidus is excluded from the Philippine flora.     

Phylogeny and classification of tribe Aedini (Diptera: Culicidae)

The phylogeny and classification of tribe Aedini are delineated based on a cladistic analysis of 336 characters from eggs, fourth‐instar larvae, pupae, adult females and males, and immature stage habitat coded for 270 exemplar species, including an outgroup of four species from different non‐aedine genera. Analyses of the data set with all multistate characters treated as unordered under implied weights, implemented by TNT version 1.1, with values of the concavity constant K ranging from 7 to 12 each produced a single most parsimonious cladogram (MPC). The MPCs obtained with K values of 7–9 were identical, and that for K = 10 differed only in small changes in the relationships within one subclade. Because values of K < 7 and > 10 produced large changes in the relationships among the taxa, the stability of relationships exemplified by the MPC obtained from the K = 9 analysis is used to interpret the phylogeny and classification of Aedini. Clade support was assessed using parsimony jackknife and symmetric resampling. Overall, the results reinforce the patterns of relationships obtained previously despite differences in the taxa and characters included in the analyses. With two exceptions, all of the groups represented by two or more species were once again recovered as monophyletic taxa. Thus, the monophyly of the following genera and subgenera is corroborated: Aedes, Albuginosus, Armigeres (and its two subgenera), Ayurakitia, Bothaella, Bruceharrisonius, Christophersiomyia, Collessius (and its two subgenera), Dahliana, Danielsia, Dobrotworskyius, Downsiomyia, Edwardsaedes, Finlaya, Georgecraigius (and its two subgenera), Eretmapodites, Geoskusea, Gilesius, Haemagogus (and its two subgenera), Heizmannia (and subgenus Heizmannia), Hopkinsius (and its two subgenera), Howardina, Hulecoeteomyia, Jarnellius, Kenknightia, Lorrainea, Macleaya, Mucidus (and its two subgenera), Neomelaniconion, Ochlerotatus (subgenera Chrysoconops, Culicelsa, Gilesia, Pholeomyia, Protoculex, Rusticoidus and Pseudoskusea), Opifex, Paraedes, Patmarksia, Phagomyia, Pseudarmigeres, Rhinoskusea, Psorophora (and its three subgenera), Rampamyia, Scutomyia, Stegomyia, Tanakaius, Udaya, Vansomerenis, Verrallina (and subgenera Harbachius and Neomacleaya), Zavortinkius and Zeugnomyia. In addition, the monophyly of Tewarius, newly added to the data set, is confirmed. Heizmannia (Mattinglyia) and Verrallina (Verrallina) were found to be paraphyletic with respect to Heizmannia (Heizmannia) and Verrallina (Neomacleaya), respectively. The analyses were repeated with the 14 characters derived from length measurements treated as ordered. Although somewhat different patterns of relationships among the genera and subgenera were found, all were recovered as monophyletic taxa with the sole exception of Dendroskusea stat. nov. Fifteen additional genera, three of which are new, and 12 additional subgenera, 11 of which are new, are proposed for monophyletic clades, and a few lineages represented by a single species, based on tree topology, the principle of equivalent rank, branch support and the number and nature of the characters that support the branches. Acartomyia stat. nov. , Aedimorphus stat. nov. , Cancraedes stat. nov. , Cornetius stat. nov. , Geoskusea stat. nov. , Levua stat. nov. , Lewnielsenius stat. nov. , Rhinoskusea stat. nov. and Sallumia stat. nov., which were previously recognized as subgenera of various genera, are elevated to generic status. Catageiomyia stat. nov. and Polyleptiomyia stat. nov. are resurrected from synonymy with Aedimorphus, and Catatassomyia stat. nov. and Dendroskusea stat. nov. are resurrected from synonymy with Diceromyia. Bifidistylus gen. nov. (type species: Aedes lamborni Edwards) and Elpeytonius gen. nov. (type species: Ochlerotatus apicoannulatus Edwards) are described as new for species previously included in Aedes (Aedimorphus), and Petermattinglyius gen. nov. (type species: Aedes iyengari Edwards) and Pe. (Aglaonotus) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes whartoni Mattingly) are described as new for species previously included in Aedes (Diceromyia). Four additional subgenera are recognized for species of Ochlerotatus, including Oc. (Culicada) stat. nov. (type species: Culex canadensis Theobald), Oc. (Juppius) subgen. nov. (type species: Grabhamia caballa Theobald), Oc. (Lepidokeneon) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes spilotus Marks) and Oc. (Woodius) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes intrudens Dyar), and seven are proposed for species of Stegomyia: St. (Actinothrix) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia edwardsi Barraud), St. (Bohartius) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes pandani Stone), St. (Heteraspidion) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia annandalei Theobald), St. (Huangmyia) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia mediopunctata Theobald), St. (Mukwaya) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia simpsoni Theobald), St. (Xyele) subgen. nov. (type species: Stegomyia desmotes Giles) and St. (Zoromorphus) subgen. nov. (type species: Aedes futunae Belkin). Due to the unavailability of specimens for study, many species of Stegomyia are without subgeneric placement. As is usual with generic‐level groups of Aedini, the newly recognized genera and subgenera are polythetic taxa that are diagnosed by unique combinations of characters. The analysis corroborates the previous observation that ‘Oc. (Protomacleaya)’ is a polyphyletic assemblage of species.     

Taxonomic revision of the Mediterranean Plakina Schulze (Porifera, Demospongiae, Homoscleromorpha)

Only three species of the sponge genus Plakina Schulze have been described from the Mediterranean since 1880, in spite of a large amount of allegedly intraspecific variability in morphological characters. However, recent genetic studies based on electrophoretic techniques have revealed extensive cryptic speciation in north-western Mediterranean Plakina , demonstrating that most of this variation was interspecific rather than intraspecific. We describe in detail the morphology and anatomy of four new species of Plakina from the Mediterranean– P. crypta, P. weinbergi, P. endoumensis and P. jani –of which the latter two were discovered through allozyme electrophoresis. Plakina monolopha Schulze and P. trilopha Schulze are redescribed, and their morphological and geographical limits are discussed along with those of P. dilopha Schulze. Accurate analysis of the internal anatomy and of the shape and ramification pattern of lophose spicules in scanning electron microscopy provides new, powerful morphological criteria for species discrimination in Plakina. More widespread use of such new taxonomic characters should provide evidence against the alleged cosmopolitanism of some Plakina species, thus generating an increase in estimates of the biodiversity of plakinids.     

Taxonomic significance of alkaloids and iridoid glucosides in the tribe Psychotrieae (Rubiaceae)

Leaves of 15 Brazilian species of Psychotria, three of Rudgea and Palicourea rigida, were analyzed for their alkaloid and iridoid content. Alkaloids were found in three of Rudgea and 14 species of Psychotria, and iridoids were found in Psychotria leiocarpa, which produces asperuloside and deacetylasperuloside. Palicourea rigida yielded no alkaloids but loganin was isolated. The results illustrate the significance of the alkaloids in the chemotaxonomy of some taxa of Psychotrieae. The phytochemical data indicate that the American species of Psychotria with Palicourea could be joined to form the genus Heteropsychotria.     

Phylogenetic relationships in the tribe Oxyptilini (Lepidoptera,Pterophoridae, Pterophorinae) based on morphological data of adults

The monophyly of the tribe Oxyptilini and phylogenetic relationships of the genera embraced in this tribe were examined using 171 (75 binary and 96 multistate) characters of adult morphology. The study material included 98 species of 30 genera, representing all previously recognized genera of Oxyptilini, together with the genera Sphenarches, Antarches, Diacrotricha, and Cosmoclostis, four species of Oidaematophorini, three species of Platyptiliini, as well as three and two other species belonging to Pterophorini and Exelastini respectively. Two Agdistis species were used as outgroups. The cladistic analysis resulted in six equally parsimonious trees. A majority of the recovered synapomorphic characters have previously been used in the taxonomy of the subfamily. However, 25 novel characters were found. The monophyly of Oxyptilini was supported, although only with homoplastic characters and low amounts of tree confidence; the genera Capperia, Procapperia, Paracapperia, Oxyptilus, Megalorhipida, and Trichoptilus were found to be nonmonophyletic; Sphenarches and Antarches were recovered as members of Oxyptilini; the two genera Cosmoclostis and Diacrotricha were placed out of Oxyptilini, inside the tribe Pterophorini; and close affinity of the genus Dejongia to Stangeia, Stenodacma, Megalorhipida, Trichoptilus, and Buckleria species was revealed. Four new combinations, Cosmoclostis lanceata (Arenberger) comb. nov. , Nippoptilia regulus (Meyrick) comb. nov. , Capperia tadzhica (Zagulajev) comb. nov. , and Buckleria negotiosus (Meyrick) comb. nov. are proposed; Capperia insomnis Townsend was considered as a senior synonym of Procapperia hackeri Arenberger syn. nov. , Buckleria negotiosus (Meyrick) as a senior synonym of Buckleria vanderwolfi Gielis syn. nov. , and Oxyptilus variegatus Meyrick syn. nov. as a junior synonym of Oxyptilus secutor Meyrick. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 484–547.     

Taxonomic revision of the land snail genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907 (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae) from south-eastern Myanmar,with descriptions of three new species

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of Myanmar land snails is based on the late eighteenth to early twentieth century literature and many species need to be re-investigated, especially in the genera Macrochlamys Gray, 1847 and Sarika Godwin-Austen, 1907. In order to update this knowledge, this paper presents information on these two related genera based on new materials from south-eastern Myanmar. Fifteen species are recognised in the south-east of Myanmar. Of these, live material was available for eight Macrochlamys and Sarika species and these are described in full herein, based on data from the shell, external morphology and genitalia, including three species new to science (M. brachystia n. sp., S. concavata n. sp. and S. lopa n. sp.) and five species redescribed (M. aspides, M. kelantanensis, M. petasus, S. consepta and S. obesior). The remaining five species are known only from their shell morphology (M. cauisa, M. perpaula, M. poongee, M. salwinensis and S. birmana) and two species are known from genitalia (S. dugasti and S. resplendens). For these species the shells are figured and some taxonomic remarks are provided.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:58D2A9E7-50FD-49C2-B2F4-4D00457EA331