Phylogeny and classification of the Xeromelissinae (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Colletidae) with special emphasis on the genus Chilicola

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis and classification are provided for the bee subfamily Xeromelissinae based on 248 morphological characters, many of which are novel and illustrated. A total of 47 ingroup species was included in the analysis, representing at least two divergent members from each described genus or subgenus and seven taxa which did not readily fall within previously described subgenera. Three most parsimonious trees were found (length, 1508; consistency index, 40; retention index, 70). The result shows that Xeromelissa renders Chilimelissa paraphyletic, and the 20 known Chilimelissa species are reassigned to Xeromelissa, giving the following new combinations: X. luisa (Toro & Moldenke) (this is the type species of Chilimelissa), X. mucar (Toro & Moldenke), X. xanthorhina (Toro), X. brevimalaris (Toro), X. rosie (Toro and Packer), X. laureli (Toro and Packer), X. chusmiza (Toro), X. longipalpa (Toro), X. pedroi (Toro & Moldenke), X. australis (Toro & Moldenke), X. chillan (Toro & Moldenke), X. farellones (Toro & Moldenke), X. machi (Toro), X. minuta (Toro & Moldenke), X. nortina (Toro & Moldenke), X. sielfeldi (Toro & Moldenke), X. obscura (Toro & Moldenke), X. irwini (Toro & Moldenke), X. nolanai (Toro & Moldenke) and X. rozeni (Toro & Moldenke). Group support was estimated using symmetric resampling and group supported/contradicted (GC) ratios, which compare the frequency of each most parsimoniously resolved clade with the alternative arrangement that was most commonly found in resampling. Relationships among subgenera for Chilicola are weakly supported. By contrast, when three previously synonymized subgenera (Stenoediscelis, Heteroediscelis and Oediscelisca) are resurrected, there is good support for all subgenera (GC ≥ 99), except two: a paraphyletic Oediscelis and a polyphyletic Anoediscelis. Both of these subgenera became monophyletic following successive approximations character weighting. Four distinctive new subgenera are described: Unicarinicola Packer subgen.n. , Obesicola Packer subgen.n. , Capitatiscopa Packer subgen.n. and Toroediscelis Packer subgen.n. , and a revised key to the subgenera of Chilicola is provided.     

Phylogeny of the Saprininae reveals interesting ecological shifts in the history of the subfamily (Coleoptera: Histeridae)

A morphological data set for the histerid beetle subfamily Saprininae comprising 95 adult morphological characters scored (multistate coding) from 72 terminal taxa and four outgroups was developed in order to analyse and determine the relationships amongst the genera and subgenera of the Saprininae subfamily. Cladograms were rooted with exemplars of Dendrophilinae (genus Dendrophilus), Bacaniini (genus Bacanius), Abraeinae (genus Chaetabraeus), and Anapleini (genus Anapleus). Parsimony‐based phylogenetic analyses were performed based on the type species of each genus and subgenus of the Saprininae occurring around the world, with the exception of three taxa: Paramyrmetes foveipennis (type species of the genus Paramyrmetes), Satrapister nitens (type species of the genus Satrapister) and Xerosaprinus (Auchmosaprinus) laciniatus (type species of the subgenus Auchmosaprinus) that were not available. In addition, in order to test the monophyly of several questionable genera, multiple exemplars were added in a few cases. The analysis also included an exemplar of an apparently undescribed genus. The results of the analysis confirm the monophyly of the subfamily supported by two unique synapomorphies: (1) presence of sensory structures of the antenna; and (2) presence of the antennal cavity, as well as several other weaker synapomorphies. However, the phylogeny inferred here shows mostly low support for the deeper branches and consequently no major changes in the Saprininae classification are proposed. The presented cladogram is discussed together with its implications for the evolution of the subfamily. The most informative characters and their respective states are outlined. Multiple shifts in lifestyles have evolved during the evolutionary history of the group. Taxa found near the root of the cladogram are mostly nidicolous or myrmecophilous, and inquiliny is presumed to be the plesiomorphic lifestyle of the subfamily. The nidicolous lifestyle has undergone several transformations to other lifestyles and myrmecophily has evolved three times independently during the evolution of the subfamily. Termitoxeny has evolved two times independently in the group whereas ecological adaptation for life in caves has likewise evolved two times independently. The analyses yielded a large clade of predominantly psammophilous taxa; psammophily is thought to have evolved once and has been subsequently lost several times. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Molecular phylogenetics and generic assessment in the tribe Morindeae (Rubiaceae–Rubioideae): How to circumscribe Morinda L. to be monophyletic?

Most of the species of the family Rubiaceae with flowers arranged in head inflorescences are currently classified in three distantly related tribes, Naucleeae (subfamily Cinchonoideae) and Morindeae and Schradereae (subfamily Rubioideae). Within Morindeae the type genus Morinda is traditionally and currently circumscribed based on its head inflorescences and syncarpous fruits (syncarps). These characters are also present in some members of its allied genera, raising doubts about the monophyly of Morinda. We perform Bayesian phylogenetic analyses using combined nrETS/nrITS/trnT-F data for 67 Morindeae taxa and five outgroups from the closely related tribes Mitchelleae and Gaertnereae to rigorously test the monophyly of Morinda as currently delimited and assess the phylogenetic value of head inflorescences and syncarps in Morinda and Morindeae and to evaluate generic relationships and limits in Morindeae. Our analyses demonstrate that head inflorescences and syncarps in Morinda and Morindeae are evolutionarily labile. Morinda is highly paraphyletic, unless the genera Coelospermum, Gynochthodes, Pogonolobus, and Sarcopygme are also included. Morindeae comprises four well-supported and morphologically distinct major lineages: Appunia clade, Morinda clade (including Sarcopygme and the lectotype M. royoc), Coelospermum clade (containing Pogonolobus and Morinda reticulata), and Gynochthodes–Morinda clade. Four possible alternatives for revising generic boundaries are presented to establish monophyletic units. We favor the recognition of the four major lineages of Morindeae as separate genera, because this classification reflects the occurrence of a considerable morphological diversity in the tribe and the phylogenetic and taxonomic distinctness of its newly delimited genera.     

Morphology, molecules, and character congruence in the phylogeny of South American geophagine cichlids (Perciformes, Labroidei)

Phylogenetic relationships among the Neotropical cichlid subfamily Geophaginae were examined using 136 morphological characters and a molecular dataset consisting of six mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Topologies produced by morphological and combined data under parsimony were contrasted, congruence among different partitions was analysed, and potential effects of character incongruence and patterns of geophagine evolution on phylogenetic resolution are discussed. Interaction of morphological and molecular characters in combined analysis produced better resolved and supported topologies than when either was analysed separately. Combined analyses recovered a strongly supported Geophaginae that was closely related to Cichlasomatinae. Within Geophaginae, two sister clades included all geophagine genera. Acarichthyini (Acarichthys+Guianacara) was sister to the ‘B clade’, which contained the ‘Geophagus clade’ (‘Geophagus’steindachneri+Geophagus sensu stricto, and both sister to Gymnogeophagus) as sister to the ‘Mikrogeophagus clade’ (Mikrogeophagus+‘Geophagus’brasiliensis), and in turn, the Geophagus and Mikrogeophagus clades were sister to the crenicarine clade (Crenicara+Dicrossus) and Biotodoma. The second geophagine clade included the ‘Satanoperca clade’ (Satanoperca+Apistogramma and Taeniacara) as sister to the ‘Crenicichla clade’ (Crenicichla+Biotoecus). Several lineages were supported by unique morphological synapomorphies: the Geophaginae + Cichlasomatinae (5 synapomorphies), Geophaginae (1), Crenicichla clade (3), crenicarine clade (1), the sister relationship of Apistogramma and Taeniacara (4) and of Geophagus sensu stricto and‘Geophagus’steindachneri (1), and the cichlasomine tribe Heroini (1). Incorporation of Crenicichla in Geophaginae reconciles formerly contradictory hypotheses based on morphological and molecular data, and makes the subfamily the most diverse and ecologically versatile clade of cichlids outside the African great lakes. Results of this study support the hypothesis that morphological differentiation of geophagine lineages occurred rapidly as part of an adaptive radiation.     

Generic revision of Cypricercinae McKenzie, 1971 (Crustacea,Ostracoda), with the description of three new genera and one new species and a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily

The Cypricercinae are one of the most speciose subfamilies of non-marine ostracods, with more than 170 described species, mostly from the tropics. Although the identity of the subfamily as such is clear, because of the presence of unifying characters such as the Triebel’s loop in the attachment of the caudal ramus, the supra-specific taxonomy of this group has long been confused because of lack of good generic and tribal characters. Here, the generic characters of the Cypricercinae are revised. Eleven genera are retained in this subfamily, including three new genera: Bradleytriebella n. gen., Nealecypris n. gen. and Pseudostrandesia n. gen. Tanycypris siamensis n. sp. is described from Thailand. In addition, five species [Bradleystrandesia fuscata (Jurine, 1820), Bradleytriebella tuberculata (Hartmann, 1964), Nealecypris obtusa (Klie, 1933), Pseudostrandesia striatoreticulata (Klie, 1932), Spirocypris horrida (Sars, 1926)] are redescribed. A key to the genera is given. We propose three tribes: the nominal tribe Cypricercini McKenzie, 1971, as well as two new tribes, Bradleystrandesiini n. trib. and Nealecypridini n. trib. To evaluate the systematic relationships within this subfamily, phylogenetic analyses, based on morphological characters of valves and soft parts, were conducted. The Neighbour Joining (NJ) tree strongly supports the classification into three independent tribes, whereas the Maximum Parsimony (MP) tree shows that Bradleystrandesiini n. trib is actually a subgroup of the Cypricercini. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Handling editor: Luigi Naselli-Flores     

Comparative morphology of the venom apparatus in the braconid wasp subfamily Rogadinae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Braconidae) and related taxa

Zaldivar‐River ó n, A., Areekul, B., Shaw, M. R. & Quicke, D. L. J. (2004). Comparative morphology of the venom apparatus in the braconid wasp subfamily Rogadinae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Braconidae) and related taxa. —Zoologica Scripta, 33, 223–237. The morphology of the venom apparatus intima in representatives of 38 genera of the problematic braconid wasp subfamily Rogadinae and other cyclostome braconids was investigated and a preliminary phylogenetic analysis for the group was performed with the information obtained. Despite the limited number of characters, the data suggest several relationships at various taxonomic levels. The venom apparatus in the Clinocentrini and the Stiropiini is relatively unmodified and similar to that found in other genera previously placed within a broader concept of the Rogadinae (e.g. genera of Lysitermini, Pentatermini, Tetratermini, Hormiini) and also to that of the Betylobraconinae. The presence of a cone of filaments located inside the secondary venom duct near to its insertion on the venom reservoir/primary venom duct is proposed as a synapomorphy for the tribe Rogadini to the exclusion of Stiropiini, Clinocentrini and Yeliconini. Other features of the secondary venom duct and its insertion on the venom reservoir/primary venom duct support a number of relationships between the genera of the Rogadini and also within the large genus Aleiodes. A clade containing 15 Rogadini genera (Bathoteca, Bathotecoides, Bulborogas, Canalirogas, Colastomion, Conspinaria, Cystomastacoides, Macrostomion, Megarhogas, Myocron, Pholichora, Rectivena, Rogas, Spinaria and Triraphis) is supported by the presence of a thickened and short secondary venom duct, whereas the different members of Aleiodes (excluding members of the subgenus Heterogamus) and Cordylorhogas are distinguished by having a recessed secondary venom duct with well‐defined and numerous internal filaments. New World Rogas species exhibit a unique venom apparatus and may not be closely related to the Old World ones. Features of the venom apparatus of the enigmatic genus Telengaia and the exothecine genera Shawiana and Colastes suggest that the Telengainae and Exothecinae are both closely related to the Braconinae, Gnamptodontinae, and possibly to the Opiinae and Alysiinae. An unsculptured venom reservoir was found in one specimen of the type species of Avga, A. choaspes, which is consistent with it occupying either a very basal position within the cyclostome braconids or belonging to a recently recognized ‘Gondwanan’ clade that also includes the Aphidiinae.     

A new genus of mantidflies discovered in the Oriental region,with a higher‐level phylogeny of Mantispidae (Neuroptera) using DNA sequences and morphology

A remarkable new genus and two new species of Mantispidae (Neuroptera) are described from the Oriental region. Allomantispa Liu, Wu, Winterton & Ohl gen.n. , currently including A. tibetana Liu, Wu & Winterton sp.n. and A. mirimaculata Liu & Ohl sp.n. The new genus is placed in the subfamily Drepanicinae based on a series of morphological characteristics and on the results of total evidence phylogenetic analyses. Bayesian and Parsimony analyses were undertaken using three gene loci (CAD, 16S rDNA and COI) combined with 74 morphological characters from living and fossil exemplars of Mantispidae (17 genera), Rhachiberothidae (two genera) and Berothidae (five genera), with outgroup taxa from Dilaridae and Osmylidae. The resultant phylogeny presented here recovered a monophyletic Mantispidae with ?Mesomantispinae sister to the rest of the family. Relationships among Mantispidae, Rhachiberothidae and Berothidae support Rhachiberothidae as a separate family sister to Mantispidae. Within Mantispidae, Drepanicinae are a monophyletic clade sister to Calomantispinae and Mantispinae. In a combined analysis, Allomantispa gen.n. was recovered in a clade comprising Ditaxis McLachlan from Australia, and two fossil genera from the Palaearctic, ?Promantispa Panfilov (Kazakhstan; late Jurassic) and ?Liassochrysa Ansorge & Schlüter (Germany; Jurassic), suggesting a highly disjunct and relictual distribution for the family. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:464B06E8‐47E6‐482E‐8136‐83FE3B2E9D6B .     

Molecular phylogeny and systematics of the Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea): higher classification and biogeography

The systematic relationships of the butterfly family Pieridae are poorly understood. Much of our current understanding is based primarily on detailed morphological observations made 50–70 years ago. However, the family and its putative four subfamilies and two tribes, have rarely been subjected to rigorous phylogenetic analysis. Here we present results based on an analysis of molecular characters used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Pieridae in order to infer higher‐level classification above the generic level and patterns of historical biogeography. Our sample contained 90 taxa representing 74 genera and six subgenera, or 89% of all genera recognized in the family. Three complementary approaches were employed: (1) a combined analysis of a 30 taxon subset for sequences from four gene regions, including elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF‐1α), wingless, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and 28S (3675 bp, 1031 parsimony‐informative characters), mainly to establish higher‐level relationships, (2) a single‐gene analysis of the 90 taxon data set for sequences from EF‐1α (1066 bp, 364 parsimony‐informative characters), mainly to establish lower‐level relationships, and (3) an all available data analysis of the entire data set for sequences from the four genes, to recover both deep and shallow nodes. Analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference provided similar results. All supported monophyly for the four subfamilies but not for the two tribes, with the Anthocharidini polyphyletic and the Pierini paraphyletic. The combined and all available data analyses support the following relationships among the subfamilies: ((Pseudopontiinae + Dismorphiinae) + (Coliadinae + Pierinae)), corroborating Ehrlich’s 1958 phenetic hypothesis. On the basis of these analyses, and additional morphological and life history evidence, we propose a reclassification of the subfamily Pierinae into two tribes (Anthocharidini s.s., Pierini s.s.) and two informal groups (Colotis group, Leptosia), with the tribe Pierini s.s. subdivided into three subtribes (Appiadina, Pierina, Aporiina) and three genera (Elodina, Dixeia, Belenois) of uncertain status (incertae sedis). The combined and all available data analyses support the following relationships among the Pierinae: (Colotis group + Anthocharidini s.s. + Leptosia + (Elodina + ((Dixeia + Belenois) + Appiadina + Pierina + Aporiina))). Application of a molecular clock calibrated using fossil evidence and semiparametric rate smoothing suggests that divergence between the Pierina and Aporiina occurred no later than the Palaeocene (> 60 Myr). The minimum estimate for the age of the crown‐group of the Pieridae was 112–82 Myr, with a mean of 95 Myr. A historical biogeographical hypothesis is proposed to explain the present‐day distribution of the clade Pseudopontiinae + Dismorphiinae, which argues for an origin of the two subfamilies in western Gondwana (Africa + South America) during the Late Cretaceous. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 147 , 239–275.     

Taxonomic subdivisions within the fossorial skink subfamily Acontinae (Squamata: Scincidae) reconsidered: a multilocus perspective

Despite recent molecular systematic studies on the fossorial southern African skink subfamily Acontinae, evolutionary relationships among the three genera remain unresolved and disputed. Among these, the most recent study suggests that both Typhlosaurus and Acontias are paraphyletic, contrasting earlier results that suggest the presence of two divergent clades within Acontias. Here we further investigate the evolutionary relationships in the limbless fossorial southern African subfamily Acontinae with partial sequenced data derived from four mitochondrial loci (16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b), as well as two nuclear protein coding loci (c‐mos and RAG‐1), in an attempt to clarify evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic results derived from combined data analyses (comprising all six loci and totalling ～3.1 kb) using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inferences converged on the same topology. The resulting phylogeny showed Typhlosaurus as monophyletic, while the monotypic genus Acontophiops was nested intermediate to two reciprocally monophyletic Acontias clades. These two Acontias clades can be distinguished on the basis of a number of morphological, morphometric and biogeographical characters, underscoring the presence of two distinct groups. In the present study, we propose the following taxonomic changes based on the multilocus phylogeny. We retain the genus name Acontias for the medium‐ and large‐bodied skinks in clade 2 comprising all taxa in the Acontias meleagris complex as well as Acontias plumbeus, Acontias gracilicauda gracilicauda, Acontias breviceps, Acontias percivali percivali and Acontias percivali occidentalis. We designate a new genus Microacontias gen. nov. for the reciprocally monophyletic taxa in clade 1 comprised of all the small‐bodied taxa that include Microacontias litoralis, Microacontias lineatus lineatus, Microacontias lineatus grayi and Microacontias lineatus tristis. We examine the evolution of characters used in the taxonomy of the Acontinae and suggest that symplesiomorphic morphological characters among fossorial taxa have been an impediment to understanding the evolution of this subfamily. This study underscores the importance of the application of multiple molecular markers (both nuclear and mitochondrial) in determining the taxonomic diversity among fossorial skinks and emphasizes the application of phylogenetics in defining synapomorphic (shared derived) features.     

How many marmoset (Primates: Cebidae: Callitrichinae) genera are there? A phylogenetic analysis based on multiple morphological systems

The marmosets, tribe Callitrichini, are the most speciose clade in the subfamily Callitrichinae, containing 21 species. However, there is no consensus among molecular and morphological systematists as to how many genera should be recognized for the group. To test the morphological support for the alternative generic classifications, this study presents a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. It is the first such analysis to include all 21 species and employ continuous and discrete osteological, pelage and tegument, karyological and vocal characters. This dataset was combined with nucleotide sequences from two mitochondrial and four nuclear regions. Separate analyses showed that, among morphological datasets, osteological characters were best at solving relationships at more inclusive levels, whilst pelage characters were most informative at the interspecific level. This suggests the presence of different transformation rates for the two character sets. When a single most parsimonious tree was obtained using the 83‐character matrix, three main clades were identified, supporting the division of the marmosets into three genera: Callithrix, Cebuella and Mico. The total evidence analysis that included an additional 3481 molecular characters corroborated most of the morphology‐based clades and also supported a three‐genus classification of the marmosets. This is the first morphological study to support an Amazonian marmoset clade (Cebuella + Mico), which is also strongly supported in exclusively molecular phylogenies, and to synonimize Callibella under Mico.     

Relationships among major lineages of characid fishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes), based on molecular sequence data

The family Characidae is a group of freshwater bony fishes that exhibits high species-level diversity and whose members inhabit parts of Texas, Mexico, and Central and South America. Thus far, morphological data have been of limited use in discerning relationships among subfamilies and incertae sedis genera of the family Characidae. In this study, DNA sequence data from GenBank were combined with new sequences for analyses under Bayesian and parsimony schemes. Sequences fell into four gene partitions, with three genes in the mitochondrial subset (12S, 16S, COI genes) and one gene in the nuclear subset (RAG2 gene). Inferred Bayesian and parsimony-based phylogenies reject the monophyly of certain groups (e.g., Astyanax, Hyphessobrycon, and Bryconamericus), do not reject the monophyly of others (e.g., Cheirodontinae and “clade A” of previous authors), and present new sister-group hypotheses (e.g., Brittanichthys sister to Paracheirodon). Sister to clade A is a lineage referred to herein as “clade B” which includes Exodon and exemplars from Cheirodontinae (the most basal lineage within clade B), Aphyocharacinae, Tetragonopterinae, and Characinae (excluding Gnathocharax). “Clade C” is sister to A + B and contains representatives of large incertae sedis genera (e.g., Hyphessobrycon, Hemigrammus), as well as members of Stethaprioninae. Unless certain other subfamilial names are to be disregarded, the use of Tetragonopterinae should continue to be restricted to species of Tetragonopterus because other genera previously referred to this subfamily grouped in clades A or C, quite distant from Tetragonopterus.     

Molecular systematics of Scaphirhynchinae: an assessment of North American and Central Asian Freshwater Sturgeon Species

The sturgeon subfamily Scaphirhynchinae contains two genera of obligate freshwater sturgeon: Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus, from North America and Central Asia, respectively. Both genera contain morphologically variable species. A novel data set containing multiple individuals representing four diagnosable morphological variants for two species of Pseudoscaphirhynchus, P. hermanni and P. kaufmanni, was generated. These data were used to test taxonomic hypotheses of monophyly for the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae, monophyly of both Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus, monophyly of P. hermanni and P. kaufmanni, and monophyly of the recognized morphological variants. Monophyly of the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae is consistently rejected by all phylogenetic reconstruction methodologies with the molecular character set while monophyly of both river sturgeon genera is robustly supported. The molecular data set also rejects hypotheses of monophyly for sampled species of Pseudoscaphirhynchus as well as monophyly for the recognized intraspecific morphological variants. Interestingly both Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus demonstrate the same general pattern in reconstructed topologies; a lack of phylogenetic structure in the clade with respect to recognized diversity. Despite rejection of monophyly for the subfamily Scaphirhynchinae with molecular data, reconstructed hypotheses from morphological character sets consistently support monophyly for this subfamily. Disparities among the data sets, as well as reasons for rejection of monophyly for Scaphirhynchinae and species of Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus with molecular characters are examined and a decreased rate of molecular evolution is found to be most consistent with the data.     

Molecular phylogeny of the fishes traditionally referred to Cyprinini sensu stricto (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)

Yang, L., Mayden, R. L., Sado, T., He, S., Saitoh, K. & Miya, M. (2010). Molecular phylogeny of the fishes traditionally referred to Cyprinini sensu stricto (Teleostei: Cypriniformes). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 527–550. Carps (e.g. Koi) of the genus Cyprinus and Crucian carps (e.g. Goldfish) of the genus Carassius are among the most popular freshwater fishes around the world. However, their phylogenetic positions within the subfamily Cyprininae, relationships with their allies (e.g. Procypris, Carassioides), and the monophyly of the group formed by them and their allies, which is referred as the tribe Cyprinini sensu stricto, are far from clear. Historically, the Cyprinini was defined by different people according to whether a cyprinine fish possessed a spinous anal‐fin ray (or anal spine), the spine was serrated or not, and occasionally, the number of branched dorsal‐fin rays. Some definitions were established without providing any diagnostic characters. In this study, we investigated the monophyly of the tribe Cyprinini sensu stricto, based on four different historical definitions, and explored the phylogenetic relationships of these members in the subfamily Cyprininae. Using five mitochondrial genes as markers, both maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian trees were constructed using the optimal partitioning strategy. Both analyses successfully resolved a monophyletic Cyprininae and recovered seven major clades from this subfamily. The diagnosis limiting the tribe Cyprinini sensu stricto to four genera, Cyprinus, Carassius, Carassioides and Procypris, received most support. We propose that only those cyprinines that possess a serrated anal spine and have no <10 branched dorsal‐fin rays should be considered members of this tribe. Cyprinini is sister to the Sinocyclocheilus clade, a group traditionally considered a barbin, and together they form the ‘Cyprinini‐Sinocyclocheilus’ clade. Procypris forms the basal clade of the Cyprinini, whereas species of Carassius and Carassioides locate at the top.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Alpinioideae (Zingiberaceae), particularly Etlingera Giseke, based on nuclear and plastid DNA

Parsimony analyses based on DNA sequence data of the plastid group II intron rps16 and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were performed in order to examine the relationship of the pantropical subfamily Alpinioideae in Zingiberaceae (Zingiberales). Special emphasis was given to the large genus Etlingera placed in the tribe Alpinieae. A total of 50 taxa were included in the analysis. The strict consensus tree obtained by combining all data (280 parsimony informative characters of ITS, rps16, and coded indels) is well resolved with strongly supported clades. The subfamily Alpinioideae (excluding Pommereschea and Rhynchanthus) is strongly supported as monophyletic. The basal part of the tree is unresolved but a clade containing the derived genera of Alpinieae (Geocharis, Amomum, Hornstedtia, and Etlingera) is strongly supported. The establishment of Etlingera as the inclusive name for Achasma, Geanthus, and Nicolaia is also strongly supported: Etlingera is monophyletic with Hornstedtia as sister group.     

An assessment of the status of Polycirridae genera (Annelida: Terebelliformia) and evolutionary transformation series of characters within the family

A phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine the monophyly of non‐monotypic genera of the terebelliform family Polycirridae, i.e. Polycirrus, Amaeana, Lysilla, and Hauchiella, and the evolution of characters among members of this clade. The monotypic genera, Enoplobranchus and Biremis, were also included, together with members of both known species in Hauchiella. Representative species were included for remaining genera: 14 species of Polycirrus, six species of Amaeana, and six species of Lysilla. Out‐groups consisted of representatives of Spionidae, Cirratulidae, and Sabellariidae, as well as several species of Telothelepodidae. A total of 40 in‐ and out‐group species were coded for 50 subjects (‘characters’) and 117 subject–predicate relationships (‘states’). Although results are consistent with recent phylogenetic studies within Terebelliformia that suggest Polycirridae monophyly, only Hauchiella was found to be monophyletic, albeit part of the more inclusive clade comprising remaining polycirrid genera. Evolutionary transformation series are discussed for selected characters in relation to the non‐monophyly of Polycirrus, Lysilla, and Amaeana. Implications for the use of supraspecific taxa as ‘taxonomic surrogates’ are highlighted. The definition of Polycirridae is emended. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Cladistic review of generic taxonomic characters in Xyleborina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Abstract A cladistic analysis of morphological characters of the subtribe Xyleborina (Curculionidae, Scolytinae) is presented. An examination of individual characters revealed little phylogenetic information in many characters currently used for delimiting genera. Phylogenetically stable characters were used for the evaluation of the contemporary generic concept. The following genera have been recovered as monophyletic: Cnestus, Dryocoetoides, Eccoptopterus, Xylosandrus, Schedlia, Sampsonius and Taurodemus. The following genera have been found to be polyphyletic: Amasa, Ambrosiodmus, Arixyleborus, Coptoborus, Coptodryas, Cryptoxyleborus, Cyclorhipidion, Euwallacea, Leptoxyleborus, Taphrodasus, Theoborus, Webbia, Xyleborinus and Xyleborus. The analysis permitted the resurrection of four genera: Anisandrus, Microperus, Pseudowebbia and Streptocranus. A number of new combinations at specific level are given: Anisandrus cornutus (Schaufuss, 1891), A. dispar (Fabricius, 1792), A. eggersi (Beeson, 1930), A. improbus (Sampson, 1913), A. longidens (Eggers, 1930), A. maiche Stark, 1936, A. obesus (LeConte, 1868), A. sayi Hopkins, 1915, A. apicalis (Blandford, 1894), A. hirtus (Hagedorn, 1904), Microperus myristicae (Schedl, 1939), M. eucalypticus (Schedl, 1938), M. huangi (Browne, 1983), M. intermedius (Eggers, 1923), M. kadoyamaensis (Murayama, 1934), Pseudowebbia armifer (Schedl, 1942), P. seriata Browne, 1963, P. squamatilis (Schedl, 1955), P. trepanicauda (Eggers, 1923), P. curvatus (Browne, 1986), Streptocranus bicolor Browne, 1949, S. bicuspis (Eggers, 1940), S. capucinulus (Schedl, 1942), S. forficatus (Schedl, 1957), S. fragilis Browne, 1949, S. longicauda Browne, 1960, S. longispinis Browne, 1986, S. mirabilis Schedl, 1939, S. usagaricus (Eggers, 1922), S. sexdentatus (Eggers, 1940). The characters most useful for generic‐level taxonomy of Xyleborina were identified and their states refined and illustrated. An accompanying illustrated multiple‐entry electronic key for the updated xyleborine classification has been published on‐line at www.scolytid.msu.edu .     

Position of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycenchelys</Emphasis> Gill and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycodapus</Emphasis> Gilbert in the family zoarcidae (Perciformes: Zoarcoidei) inferred from molecular genetic analysis

Sequence variation of the mitochondrial COI, cytochrome b, and 16S RNA genes, as well as nuclear RNF213 gene was examined in the genera Lycenchelys and Lycodapus with the purpose of determination of their positions in the system of the family Zoarcidae. It was demonstrated that the genus Lycodapus was considerably closer to the generic group of Lycogramminae (Lycogrammoides, Bothrocara, Allolepis, Bothrocarhichthys) than the genus Lycenchelys. However, on the phylogenetic trees both of these genera were located in the clade of the subfamily Lycodinae. Genetic heterogeneity of the genus Lycenchelys, represented by two species groups differing in distribution patterns (northeastern Pacific and Antarctic) and showing more profound differences than the genera of subfamily Lycodinae, was demonstrated.