Assessing the taxonomic status of tropical frogs through bioacoustics: geographical variation in the advertisement calls in the Eleutherodactylus discoidalis species group (Anura)

The taxonomic status of a very poorly known group of Andean frogs (the Eleutherodactylus discoidalis group) is assessed through acoustic and statistical analyses of differences in temporal parameters of advertisement calls, such as the number of pulses and the call duration, and also in a spectral parameter, dominant frequency. As these species are usually misidentified or ignored because of their taxonomic complexity in both ecological and biodiversity studies, we provide a bioacoustical diagnosis for each species in order to facilitate identification in the field. Differences in acoustic parameters support the specific status of Eleutherodactylus cruralis , E. discoidalis , Eleutherodactylus ibischi , and Eleutherodactylus madidi . The name E. cruralis is probably applied to three different species: the nominal form from Amazonian forests of the Andean slopes and adjacent lowlands, and two cryptic species restricted to inter-Andean dry valleys and cloud forests from central Bolivia. Moreover, the distribution of energy through the call and the aggregation of pulses seem to be useful meristic characters for detecting interspecific differences. Populations from each macrohabitat can be recognized by distinctive advertisement calls, usually corresponding to a recognized species. For the whole group, pulse rate is significantly correlated to latitude, which could indicate a speciation process along the Andes in relation to habitat changes and isolation. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 353–365.     

Bridging the morphological and biological species concepts: studies on the Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) complex (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) in South-east Asia

Defining species accurately is a critical need in fundamental disciplines such as ecology and evolutionary biology and in applied arenas such as pest management. The validity of species designations depends on agreement of different methods of species diagnosis for unique biological species. The Bactrocera dorsalis complex of fruit flies provide an excellent opportunity for such a test of the congruence of different techniques (e.g. morphological, molecular, host-plant based, chemotaxonomy) used for species diagnosis. The complex contains a large number of closely-related species, is distributed over a wide geographical range in South-east Asia and considerable information has been compiled on some species. In the present study, the morphological and biological species boundaries were compared using new data from morphometric analyses of reproductive and body parts, together with a review of data on morphology, chemistry of male pheromones that are important in courtship and mating, molecular analyses, and endemic rainforest host plants. For the populations studied ( Bactrocera carambolae , Bactrocera dorsalis , Bactrocera occipitalis , Bactrocera papayae , Bactrocera philippinensis , Bactrocera kandiensis and Bactrocera invadens ) there appears to be significant congruence between the morphological and biological species boundaries.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 217–226.     

Dendrobium wangliangii (Orchidaceae), a new species belonging to section Dendrobium from Yunnan, China

Dendrobium wangliangii G. W. Hu, C. L. Long & X. H. Jin, a new species from the north of the Yunnan Province in China is described and illustrated. The morphological differences between the new species and the related species, Dendrobium flexicaule , and its endangered status are discussed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 217–221.     

Interspecific variation of acoustic signals in Mediterranean gobies (Perciformes, Gobiidae): comparative analysis and evolutionary outlook

Sound production of 11 Mediterranean goby species, belonging to five different genera, have been comparatively analysed on the basis of the quantitative properties of the acoustic signal emitted by the male in both the reproductive and aggressive context. The results obtained showed that three groups of species can be recognized on the basis of signal similarity: the larger sized species (genus Padogobius and Gobius paganellus ) producing tonal sounds, showing high values of pulse rate and low values of duration; the larger-sized species producing grunt sounds (genus Gobius and Zosterisessor ) with low pulse rate and low duration; and the small-sized species producing grunt sounds (genus Pomatoschistus and Knipowitschia ) with low pulse rate and high duration. The comparison between these results and those found in previous studies suggests congruence between the acoustic affinities among species and that obtained by means of morphological and genetic data. Furthermore, first hypotheses on the evolution of acoustic communication and the associated mechanisms in this fish group are suggested.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 763–778.     

Geographical variation and diversification in the flightless leaf beetles of the Chrysolina angusticollis species complex (Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera) in northern Japan

Geographical variation and differentiation of flightless leaf beetles of the Chrysolina angusticollis species complex were analysed. Nine morphological groups were recognized on the basis of metric characters relating to body size, shape of hind wing and shape of male genitalia, and binary characters relating to females' elytral surface and larval pubescence. The nine groups were essentially parapatric or allopatric to each other. Five groups occupied a continuous geographical range each, whereas another four groups were disjunctively distributed. Morphometric distance and geographical distance between populations were significantly correlated. Analyses based on 13 allozyme loci demonstrated that six out of the nine morphological groups were further divided into more than one genetically distinct group each. Genetic similarity between populations was significantly correlated with morphometric similarity and geographical closeness. Disjunctively distributed populations of a single morphological group more often resembled geographically adjacent populations of different morphological groups than geographically remote populations of the same group. In a morphological group that occupied a wide continuous range, remote populations substantially differed genetically from each other. The results suggest that there exist at least 19 morphologically and/or genetically differentiated units in the C. angusticollis complex in northern Japan. The C. angusticollis complex is likely a superspecies composed of a number of semispecies. We postulate that the diversification of this species complex might have resulted from the repeated range contraction and expansion during the ice ages. Movement of tension zones that separate two adjacent forms might contribute to enhance their geographical differentiation.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 557–578.     

Revision of Rogneda Uljanin, 1870 (Rhabditophora, Eukalyptorhynchia, Polycystididae) with the description of seven new species

A morphological and taxonomical account of the taxon Rogneda is given. A new interpretation of the stylet morphology is presented and a new terminology pertaining to these hard parts is proposed. All known species are discussed and additional information is provided when necessary. Seven new species are described. Five of these are from the Mediterranean: R. colpaerti sp. nov. , R. licyae sp. nov. , R. schaereri sp. nov. , R. valckei sp. nov. and R. vangronsveldi sp. nov . R. verveckeni sp. nov . is from the Atlantic coast of Spain (Galicia). The seventh, R. martensi sp. nov. , is from Indonesia and is the first species of Rogneda to be found outside the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean. All new species can be recognized based on the morphology of the stylets in the male system. A discussion on the similarities and differences of the 22 species is provided, resulting in the grouping of the species into seven morphological groups: the capulata -group, the falcata -group, the hibernica -group, the polyrhabdota -group, the steueri -group, the tripalmata -group and the westbladi -group. R. minuta cannot be placed into any of these groups and therefore stands alone within the taxon. An identification key is provided to facilitate further study of the taxon Rogneda .  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 1–28.     

Comparative morphology of seeds of four closely related species of Aristolochia subgenus Siphisia (Aristolochiaceae, Piperales)

The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether morphological divergence has occurred in seeds of species in a subclade of Aristolochia subgenus Siphisia . Thus, we compared seed mass, surface area, and wings (presence or absence), embryo shape and state, and embryo length to seed length (E:S) ratio in A. californica Torr., endemic to California, A. macrophylla Lamk. and A. tomentosa Sims of eastern USA, and A. manshuriensis Komarov of eastern Asia. We also compared capsule length and number of seeds per capsule in the three US species. All four species have linear, underdeveloped embryos, but for the other morphological features statistically significant differences occurred among the taxa. However, none of the seed morphological features differed between the eastern North American species A. macrophylla and its eastern Asian sister species A. manshuriensis.   © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 433–436.     

Phenetic patterns in Poa section Dioicopoa: a new species from the Puneña and Altoandina phytogeographical provinces of Argentina

Based on multivariate analyses, a new dioecious species of Poa from the Puneña and Altoandina phytogeographical provinces of Argentina is described. This species is most similar to Poa calchaquiensis of Poa section Dioicopoa . The ligule length, plant size, and glabrous pistillate anthoecia distinguish Poa nubensis . A key for identification and illustrations are also included.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 239–248.     

A new species of Silene (Caryophyllaceae) from east Anatolia, Turkey

Silene bitlisensis O.Tugay & Ertugrul from the Green Line Afforestation Zone (B9: Bitlis Province) is a new species described and illustrated here. It is closely related to S. caramanica Boiss. & Heldr. var. ilarslanii Aytaç & Dural, from which it mainly differs in its habit, leaf, and floral features.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 463–466.     

Disentangling taxonomy within the Rhabditis (Pellioditis) marina (Nematoda, Rhabditidae) species complex using molecular and morhological tools

Correct taxonomy is a prerequisite for biological research, but currently it is undergoing a serious crisis, resulting in the neglect of many highly diverse groups of organisms. In nematodes, species delimitation remains problematic due to their high morphological plasticity. Evolutionary approaches using DNA sequences can potentially overcome the problems caused by morphology, but they are also affected by theoretical flaws. A holistic approach with a combination of morphological and molecular methods can therefore produce a straightforward delimitation of species. The present study investigates the taxonomic status of some highly divergent mitochondrial haplotypes in the Rhabditis ( Pellioditis ) marina species complex by using a combination of molecular and morphological tools. We used three molecular markers (COI, ITS, D2D3) and performed phylogenetic analyses. Subsequently, morphometric data from nearly all lineages were analysed with multivariate techniques. We included R. ( P. ) mediterranea and R. (R.) nidrosiensis to infer species status of the observed lineages. The results showed that highly divergent genotypic clusters were accompanied by morphological differences, and we created a graphical polytomous key for future identifications. This study indisputably demonstrates that R. ( P. ) marina and R. ( P. ) mediterranea belong to a huge species complex and that biodiversity in free-living marine nematodes may be seriously underestimated.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 1–15.     

Evolutionary history of two allopatric Terricola species (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from molecular, morphological, and palaeontological data

To investigate the phylogenetic and phylogeographical relationships of arvicolines, we use several Western European ground voles. More particularly, our study is focused on Microtus ( Terricola ) savii and M. ( T. ) pyrenaicus . These two allopatric species are usually considered as having originated from the same ancestor, possibly M . ( T. ) mariaclaudiae . We propose molecular and morphological approaches: nucleotidic data from the mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes and global morphological analyses from the first lower molar. Four other Terricola species ( multiplex , lusitanicus , duodecimcostatus , subterraneus ) were added to the data set for both analyses, and two other vole species ( Clethrionomys glareolus and Chionomys nivalis ) as outgroup to the molecular analysis, and five fossil populations to the morphological one. Palaeontological data are also widely taken into account. Both molecular and morphological analyses indicate that intra- Terricola relationships reflect the present-day geographical distribution of our data set species. Our results show that M. ( T. ) savii and M. ( T. ) pyrenaicus are from separate speciation events leading to two different biogeographical groups, respectively the Alpine–Italian group and the French–Iberian group, the latter being much more homogeneous. These speciation events could be related to Quaternary climatic changes, which induced southward migration, leading first to M. ( T. ) savii and second to M. ( T. ) pyrenaicus . The classical hypothesis of a geographical speciation for these two taxa from M. ( T. ) mariaclaudiae is invalid. However, the morphological data suggest a potential phylogenetic relationship between M. ( T. ) mariaclaudiae (ancestor) and M. ( T. ) pyrenaicus (descendant).  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 309–323.     

Uncovering tropical diversity: six sympatric cryptic species of Blepharoneura (Diptera: Tephritidae) in flowers of Gurania spinulosa (Cucurbitaceae) in eastern Ecuador

Diversification of phytophagous insects is often associated with changes in the use of host taxa and host parts. We focus on a group of newly discovered Neotropical tephritids in the genus Blepharoneura , and report the discovery of an extraordinary number of sympatric, morphologically cryptic species, all feeding as larvae on calyces of flowers of a single functionally dioecious and highly sexually dimorphic host species ( Gurania spinulosa ) in eastern Ecuador. Molecular analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase-I gene from flies reared from flowers of G. spinulosa reveal six distinct haplotype groups that differ by 7.2–10.1% bp (uncorrected pairwise distances; N  = 624 bp). Haplotype groups correspond to six distinct and well-supported clades. Members of five clades specialize on the calyces of flowers of a particular sex: three clades comprise male flower specialists; two clades comprise female flower specialists; the sixth clade comprises generalists reared from male and female flowers. The six clades occupy significantly different morphological spaces defined by wing pigmentation patterns; however, diagnostic morphological characters were not discovered. Behavioural observations suggest specific courtship behaviours may play a role in maintaining reproductive isolation among sympatric species. Journal compilation  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 93 , 779–797. No claim to original US government works.     

On the identity of Festuca jubata Lowe (Poaceae) and the description of a new Festuca species in the Azores Islands

The majority of authors consider Festuca jubata Lowe as an endemic species common to Madeira and the Azores. Saint-Yves proposed that F. jubata was an Azorean endemic and described a geovicarious taxon in Madeira: F. filiformis C. Sm. ex Link in Buch ssp. mandonii St.-Yves. We undertook a complete bibliographical revision of the taxonomy, nomenclature, and chorology of F. jubata s.l. , and contrasted it with morphological and anatomical studies performed on samples from the Azores and Madeira. Azorean plants usually identified as F. jubata had a character combination distinct from that of those with a Madeiran provenance. Saint-Yves' proposal of two independent taxa was correct, but he erroneously considered F. jubata as an Azorean endemic because the name F. jubata was based on Madeiran plants. Consequently, F. jubata auct. pl. from the Azores belongs to a new species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 493–499.     

Systematic revision of Myristicaceae (Magnoliales) in Madagascar, with four new species of Mauloutchia

The systematics of Malagasy Myristicaceae is revised to take into account new collections made since the work by Capuron in the 1970s, as well as improved knowledge from fieldwork and two scanning electron microscopy studies by the author. Four new species are described: Mauloutchia annickiae Sauquet, M. capuronii Sauquet, M. echinocarpa Capuron ex Sauquet, and M. sambiranensis (Capuron) Sauquet. In addition, basic information is given for each remaining Malagasy species of the family (synonymy, type specimen, updated distribution and main distinctive features). According to this treatment, Malagasy Myristicaceae now consist of four endemic genera and 15 species: Brochoneura Warb. (three species), Doyleanthus Sauquet (one species), Haematodendron Capuron (one species) and Mauloutchia (Baill.) Warb. (ten species). Two identification keys to these species are provided: one based primarily on fruit characters and one based primarily on male flower and inflorescence characters. Putative phylogenetic relationships among these species are also indicated, based on a previous combined morphological and molecular study by the author.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 146 , 351–368.     

A species complex within the isopod genus Haploniscus (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida) from the Southern Ocean deep sea: a morphological and molecular approach

Seven new species of the genus Haploniscus from the deep Scotia and Weddell Seas are presented, combining morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA). Haploniscus cassilatus sp. nov. , H. cucullus sp. nov. , H. weddellensis sp. nov. , H. procerus sp. nov. and H. kyrbasia sp. nov. are characterized by a prominent rostral process, the size and shape of which vary among species. The rostrum of H. microkorys sp. nov. is distinctly smaller than that of the former species, while H. nudifrons sp. nov. does not possess a rostrum. The status of the latter as separate species is obvious, owing to the stronger morphological differences. DNA was sequenced from three of the other five species. Genetic distances together with the more subtle morphological variation justify the erection of separate species. Overall morphological variations between these species are small yet noticeable and include, among others, the rostrum, the shape of the pleotelson and setation of pereopods. Our molecular data sets reveal detailed phylogenetic insights within the Haploniscus cucullus complex, supporting the monophyly of all species. We found p -distances of at least 0.0732 (16S rDNA) and 0.0140 (complete 18S rDNA) between pairs of species and show that both genes can be used as a marker for DNA taxonomy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 655–706.     

Revision of Trigonostomum Schmidt, 1852 (Platyhelminthes, Typhloplanoida, Trigonostomidae) with the description of seven new species

A morphological and taxonomic account of the genus Trigonostomum is provided. All known species are discussed and briefly re-described where necessary. Seven new species are described: T. franki from Curaçao, Florida (USA), the East African Coast and New Caledonia, T. nataschae from the French sub-Antarctic island Kerguelen, T. spinigerum from New Caledonia and T. watsoni from the Australian East Coast and New Caledonia. T. tori and T. galapagoensis , both formerly enclosed in T. setigerum , are considered new species, while T. australis also belongs to the same species group. Proxenetes denhartogi is transferred to Trigonostomum . Based on a comparison of old and new material, T. marki is synonymized with T. penicillatum , while T. prytherchi and T. divae are regarded as junior synonyms of T. lilliei ; T. intermedium and T. quadrifolium are considered synonyms of T. coronatum . Three species are considered species inquirendae : T. brunchorsti , T. piriforme and Marinellia lingulifera . Similarities and differences of the 17 valid species are discussed and summarized in an identification key.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 271–296.     

A new species of Cryptolepis (Apocynaceae: Periplocoideae) from Kenya and Tanzania, Africa

A new species of Cryptolepis is described from Kenya and Tanzania. It is a tropical forest climber and its unique second corona whorl of deeply cleft lobes distinguishes it from all other Cryptolepis species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 343–346.