Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of ricefishes (Teleostei: Adrianichthyidae: Oryzias) in Sri Lanka

Ricefishes of the genus Oryzias occur commonly in the fresh and brackish waters in coastal lowlands ranging from India across Southeast Asia and on to Japan. Among the three species of Oryzias recorded from peninsular India, two widespread species, O. carnaticus and O. dancena, have previously been reported from Sri Lanka based on museum specimens derived from a few scattered localities. However, members of the genus are widespread in the coastal lowlands of Sri Lanka, a continental island separated from India by the shallow Palk Strait. Although recent molecular phylogenies of Adrianichthyidae represent near‐complete taxon representation, they lack samples from Sri Lanka. Here, based on sampling at 13 locations representative of the entire geographic and climatic regions of the island''s coastal lowlands, we investigate for the first time the molecular phylogenetic relationships and phylogeography of Sri Lankan Oryzias based on one nuclear and two mitochondrial markers. Sri Lankan Oryzias comprise two distinct non‐sister lineages within the javanicus species group. One of these is represented by samples exclusively from the northern parts of the island; it is recognized as O. dancena. This lineage is recovered as the sister group to the remaining species in the javanicus group. The second lineage represents a species that is widespread across the island''s coastal lowlands. It is recovered as the sister group of O. javanicus and is identified as O. cf. carnaticus. Ancestral‐range estimates suggest two independent colonizations of Indian subcontinent and Sri Lanka by widespread ancestral species of Oryzias during two discrete temporal windows: late Miocene and Plio‐Pleistocene. No phylogeographic structure is apparent in Sri Lankan Oryzias, suggesting that there are no strong barriers to gene flow and dispersal along the coastal floodplains, as is the case also for other generalist freshwater fishes in the island.     

Description of Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai new species (Hemiptera,Coccoidea, Ortheziidae) from India

This paper describes a new Ortheziolamameti species from the Oriental region (India), namely Ortheziolamameti tranfagliai Konczné Benedicty, sp. n. The examined material was extracted from forest litter from India, using Berlese funnels. With this new species the genus Ortheziolamameti now includes six species. An identification key and distribution map are provided.     

Une espèce nouvelle du Kimméridgien du Portugal (Estremadura): Aulacomyella abadiensis nov. sp. (Bivalvia,Posidoniidae)

The Kimmeridgian Series situated at the North ofLisbon is included in the Portuguese Lusitanian basin. Its sandy clays pelagic facies with planctonic foraminifera contains a new species of bivalvia: Aulacomyella abadiensis related to A. neogeaeImlay from the Middle Kimmeridgian of Mexico and from the Kimmeridgian of Crimea. This species confirms the Middle Kimmeridgian.     

A Pelican Tarsometatarsus (Aves: Pelecanidae) from the Latest Pliocene Siwaliks of India

We report a new fossil specimen of a pelican from the Tatrot Formation of the Siwalik Hills, India. It likely represents Pelecanus sivalensis Davies, 1880, the smaller of the two previously published species from the Siwalik Group stratigraphic sequence. This complete tarsometatarsus is the first fossil bone of a pelican collected in India for over 100 years. It is from the latest Pliocene (∼2.6 Ma), and is the youngest pelican fossil from the region. The new specimen exhibits a derived distoplantar ‘slant’ to the plantar margin of the medial crest of the hypotarsus, and a combination of features related to the morphology of the hypotarsus, the distal foramen, trochleae, and overall size that allow further differentiation from known tarsometatarsi of fossil and extant pelicans, including the three species of extant pelicans that occur in India (Pelecanus crispus, P. onocrotalus, and P. philippensis). It is of appropriate size for Pelecanus sivalensis, which to date has been known only by fragments of other skeletal elements of the wing, leg, and shoulder girdle. Thus, the observation that this tarsometatarsus is morphologically distinct from those of known pelicans provides further support for the distinctiveness of at least one extinct species of pelican from the Siwalik Group sediments. While the morphology of the tarsometatarsus allows for separation from other taxa known from tarsometatarsi, we found no clear shared derived states to place this taxon with any confidence in a phylogenetic context relative to any other pelican species, or even determine if it is part of the crown group of Pelecanidae. However, published molecular data are consistent with an origin of the crown clade prior to the Pleistocene, suggesting (along with one morphological character) the possibility that this species belongs to the Old World clade of pelican species.     

Phytogeographical Implication of Bridelia Will. (Phyllanthaceae) Fossil Leaf from the Late Oligocene of India

Background

The family Phyllanthaceae has a predominantly pantropical distribution. Of its several genera, Bridelia Willd. is of a special interest because it has disjunct equally distributed species in Africa and tropical Asia i.e. 18–20 species in Africa-Madagascar (all endemic) and 18 species in tropical Asia (some shared with Australia). On the basis of molecular phylogenetic study on Bridelia, it has been suggested that the genus evolved in Southeast Asia around 33±5 Ma, while speciation and migration to other parts of the world occurred at 10±2 Ma. Fossil records of Bridelia are equally important to support the molecular phylogenetic studies and plate tectonic models.

Results

We describe a new fossil leaf of Bridelia from the late Oligocene (Chattian, 28.4–23 Ma) sediments of Assam, India. The detailed venation pattern of the fossil suggests its affinities with the extant B. ovata, B. retusa and B. stipularis. Based on the present fossil evidence and the known fossil records of Bridelia from the Tertiary sediments of Nepal and India, we infer that the genus evolved in India during the late Oligocene (Chattian, 28.4–23 Ma) and speciation occurred during the Miocene. The stem lineage of the genus migrated to Africa via “Iranian route” and again speciosed in Africa-Madagascar during the late Neogene resulting in the emergence of African endemic clades. Similarly, the genus also migrated to Southeast Asia via Myanmar after the complete suturing of Indian and Eurasian plates. The emergence and speciation of the genus in Asia and Africa is the result of climate change during the Cenozoic.

Conclusions

On the basis of present and known fossil records of Bridelia, we have concluded that the genus evolved during the late Oligocene in northeast India. During the Neogene, the genus diversified and migrated to Southeast Asia via Myanmar and Africa via “Iranian Route”.     

Les faunes de mammifères Miocènes du Haut-Armagnac (Gers,France): Les Gliridés (Mammalia,Rodentia)

Gliridae's populations found i twelve quarry in theGers (from «Zone d'Estrepouy to «zone de Sansan) are described and figured in this paper. Their phyletic relations are precised and a paleoecological approach is suggested. One new taxa of provable lineage (Paraglis infralactorensis nov. sp.) is created.     

Five new species of the genus Sphaeromias Curtis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India

Five new Indian species, Sphaeromias lineus, S.ornatipes, S.prominens, S. similineus and S.verbosus are described. There are 7 recorded in India before this investigation. With these, the number of world species of the genus is raised from 27 to 32 including 12 from India.     

Genetic differentiation and diversity analysis of medicinal tree Syzygium cumini (Myrtaceae) from ecologically different regions of India

This study represents the agro-ecological zone wise surveys of molecular variation of important medicinal tree Syzygium cumini Linn. (Jamun) which is native to India. It is used world wide in treatment of diabetes. Despite of its diverse medicinal properties no molecular data is available about the pattern of variation in its natural range. Populations of S. cumini in India are located in different habitats which differ from each other with regard to ecological factors. In this study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to detect inter and intra levels of genetic variations of sixteen S. cumini genotypes collected from three major agro-ecological zones of India. A total of 220 amplification products were scored of which 87.50 % were polymorphic. The level of polymorphism ranged from 47.69 % to 74.87 % polymorphic bands per population and was correlated with population size. Different measures of diversity: Shannon’s index of phenotypic diversity (I) = 0.451 ± 0.230; Nei’s genetic diversity (h) = 0.300 ± 0.172; effective number of alleles per locus (Ne) = 1.51 ± 0.347; total species diversity (Hsp) = 0.315 ± 0.031 and within population diversity (Hpop) = 0.158 ± 0.104 showed high genetic diversity at species level. Coefficient of genetic differentiation (Gst =0.498; Nm = 0.503) revealed significant genetic differentiation among the populations. Most of the genetic variations are contained among the populations. The results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) give only little evidence for an ecotypic differentiation of S. cumini populations. Present genetic structure of population suggests ex situ conservation in seed banks in which seeds from at least five populations need to collected and conserved. Secondly, our study provides practical information to herbal drugs manufactures who use Jamun as a raw material.     

Cytomorphological studies in some members of tribe Paniceae (Poaceae) from district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh (Western Himalayas)

The present paper deals with cytological studies on the population basis of 21 species belonging to 9 genera of tribe Paniceae of family Poaceae from cytologically unexplored area of Western Himalayas i.e. district Kangra of Himachal Pradesh for the assessment of genetic diversity of grass flora. On world-wide basis, the chromosome counts have been made for the first time for three species such as Brachiaria remota (n = 16), Digitaria granularis (n = 36) and Isachne albens (n = 5). Similarly, on India basis, altogether new records are made for two species such as Echinochloa cruspavonis (n = 27) and Paspalum distichum (2n = 50). A comparison of the different euploid cytotypes studied at present for Digitaria adscendens, D. setigera and Oplismenus compositus revealed significant variations in their morphology, depicting increase in some of the characters of polyploid cytotypes. The course of meiosis has been observed to be normal in all the studied populations with high pollen fertility except for two species such as Paspalum dilatatum and P. distichum marked with abnormal meiosis and reduced pollen fertility.     

Distribution,substratum preference and burrowing behaviour of Lovenia elongata (Gray) (Echinoidea: Spatangoida) in the Gulf of Elat ('Aqaba), Red Sea

Lovenia elongata (Gray), the Indo-West Pacific spatangoid, was studied in the Gulf of Elat ('Aqaba) at the northern end of the Red Sea. The occurrence and local distribution of this macrobenthic burrowing species was determined and related to the particle size distribution of the substrata in which it was found. Its habitat preference is for clean, grassless, sandy bottoms in intertidal areas (beaches and sandbars), and on sublittoral level bottoms of protected bays and lagoons sheltered from heavy wave action. The preferred sediments were found to range from medium to fine sand. The population density, size frequency distribution, growth, reproduction, recruitment, and mortality of a sublittoral population of L. elongata (at Wadi Taba, Sinai) were studied.The mode of life of this burrowing heart urchin was observed in situ and in aquaria. Its burrowing and emergence behaviour are described. Experiments were carried out on the effect of particle size on burrowing behaviour. There are significant differences in the ability of L. elongata to manipulate substrata of varying grain size. The burrowing process was found to be most rapid in natural sand of medium-fine composition, corresponding to the normal sediment of the urchin's habitat. Such sediments were also found to be suitable for successful larval settlement; juveniles did not survive in coarser sand.Differences in population density and spatial distribution between various size groups are attributed to differences in their ability to manipulate the substratum. L. elongata is found to be morphologically suited to sand, particularly medium-fine sand; however, it is restricted by its morphology to shallow burrowing, since it lacks specialized mechanisms for deeper burrowing and funnel building.     

Un nouveau Tachyoryctes (Mammalia,Rodentia) du bassin pliocene de Hadar (Ethiopie)

A new species of Tachyoryctes (Mammalia, Rodentia): T. pliocaenicus from the Hadar Formation (Ethiopia) ispresented in this study. It is considered here as an ancestral from T. splendens. Since it also shares characteristics with fossil Rhizomyidae (Kanisamys) from Asia, this species may represent a direct descendant of the latter and would have immigrated to East Africa before the middle Pliocene. This interpretation would agree with the attribution of the genus Tachyoryctes to the family Rhizomyidae. Moreover, the Hadar Paleoenvironment is partially reconstitued from data pertaining to the ecology of T. splendens.     

DNA Barcoding of Bemisia tabaci Complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Reveals Southerly Expansion of the Dominant Whitefly Species on Cotton in Pakistan

Background

Although whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci complex) are an important pest of cotton in Pakistan, its taxonomic diversity is poorly understood. As DNA barcoding is an effective tool for resolving species complexes and analyzing species distributions, we used this approach to analyze genetic diversity in the B. tabaci complex and map the distribution of B. tabaci lineages in cotton growing areas of Pakistan.

Methods/Principal Findings

Sequence diversity in the DNA barcode region (mtCOI-5′) was examined in 593 whiteflies from Pakistan to determine the number of whitefly species and their distributions in the cotton-growing areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces. These new records were integrated with another 173 barcode sequences for B. tabaci, most from India, to better understand regional whitefly diversity. The Barcode Index Number (BIN) System assigned the 766 sequences to 15 BINs, including nine from Pakistan. Representative specimens of each Pakistan BIN were analyzed for mtCOI-3′ to allow their assignment to one of the putative species in the B. tabaci complex recognized on the basis of sequence variation in this gene region. This analysis revealed the presence of Asia II 1, Middle East-Asia Minor 1, Asia 1, Asia II 5, Asia II 7, and a new lineage “Pakistan”. The first two taxa were found in both Punjab and Sindh, but Asia 1 was only detected in Sindh, while Asia II 5, Asia II 7 and “Pakistan” were only present in Punjab. The haplotype networks showed that most haplotypes of Asia II 1, a species implicated in transmission of the cotton leaf curl virus, occurred in both India and Pakistan.

Conclusions

DNA barcodes successfully discriminated cryptic species in B. tabaci complex. The dominant haplotypes in the B. tabaci complex were shared by India and Pakistan. Asia II 1 was previously restricted to Punjab, but is now the dominant lineage in southern Sindh; its southward spread may have serious implications for cotton plantations in this region.     

The genus Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera,Platygastridae s. l., Scelioninae) from China

The genus Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae s. l., Scelioninae) from China is revised. Seventeen species are recognized based on 502 specimens, all of which are new records for China. Seven new species are described: Macroteleia carinigena sp. n. (China), Macroteleia flava sp. n. (China), Macroteleia gracilis sp. n. (China), Macroteleia salebrosa sp. n. (China), Macroteleia semicircula sp. n. (China), Macroteleia spinitibia sp. n. (China) and Macroteleia striatipleuron sp. n. (China). Ten species are redescribed: Macroteleia boriviliensis Saraswat (China, India, Thailand), Macroteleia crawfordi Kiefer, stat. n. (China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), Macroteleia dolichopa Sharma (China, India, Vietnam), Macroteleia emarginata Dodd (China, Malaysia), Macroteleia indica Saraswat & Sharma (China, India, Vietnam), Macroteleia lamba Saraswat & Sharma (China, India, Thailand, Vietnam), Macroteleia livingstoni Saraswat (China, India), Macroteleia peliades Kozlov & Lê (China, Vietnam), Macroteleia rufa Szelényi (China, Egypt, Georgia, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine) and Macroteleia striativentris Crawford (China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam). The following five new synonyms are proposed: Macroteleia crates Kozlov & Lê syn. n. and Macroteleia demades Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia crawfordi Kieffer; Macroteleia cebes Kozlov & Lê syn. n. and Macroteleia dones Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia indica Saraswat & Sharma; Macroteleia dores Kozlov & Lê syn. n. of Macroteleia lamba Saraswat & Sharma. A key to the Chinese species of the genus is provided.     

In vitro propagation of Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Gaertn.) K. Schum): a biotechnological approach for conservation

The species Elaeocarpus sphaericus (Rudraksha) is a religious, medicinally important threatened tree of India. An efficient micropropagation protocol has been developed from nodal explants of this plant species collected from north-east India for large scale production of planting material at favourable sites within the country. Best shoot initiation occurred in MS medium supplemented with 2.2μM BA+2.2μM Kn in combination. Addition of Casein Hydrolysate (CH) (100mg/L) increased the shoot number. Microshoots excised and subcultured in 2.0μM BA further enhanced growth and multiplication. The shoot cultures were maintained in this concentration for 2years with subculturing at 6weeks interval. MS medium containing 5.0μM NAA was most effective for rooting. Successfully acclimatized plants (80%) showed normal growth under suitable habitat conditions.     

Integrative Taxonomic Approach for Describing a New Cryptic Species of Bush Frog (Raorchestes: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Western Ghats,India

A new cryptic species of bush frog Raorchestes honnametti sp. nov. is described from the south-eastern part of the Western Ghats, India. This newly described species belongs to the Charius clade and is morphologically similar to other clade members—R. charius and R. griet. Therefore, an integrative taxonomic approach based on molecular and bioacoustic analysis along with morphology was used to delimit the new species. Raorchestes honnametti sp. nov., is currently known only from Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, a part of Biligiri Rangaswamy horst mountain range (a mountain formed due movement of two faults) formed during the Late Quaternary period (1.8–2.58 Ma). Discovery of cryptic species from a highly speciose and well-studied genus Raorchestes hints at the possible existence of several more cryptic species in this genus. We discuss the possible reasons for crypsis and emphasize the need for continued systematic surveys of amphibians across the Western Ghats.     

Revision of Gangesia (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) in the Indomalayan Region: Morphology,Molecules and Surface Ultrastructure

Tapeworms of Gangesia Woodland, 1924 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea) parasitic in freshwater fishes in the Indomalayan Region were critically reviewed. Evaluation of type specimens and newly collected materials from Bangladesh, Cambodia and India, as well as critical examination of extensive literature have shown that only the following four species, instead of 48 nominal species of Gangesia and Silurotaenia Nybelin, 1942 reported from this region (36 new synonymies proposed), are valid: Gangesia bengalensis (Southwell, 1913), type-species of the genus and most common parasite of Wallago attu (Siluridae), G. macrones Woodland, 1924 typical of Sperata seenghala (Bagridae), both species characterized by the possession of two circles of hooks on the rostellum-like organ and several rows of hooklets on the anterior margins of suckers; G. agraensis Verma, 1928 from W. attu (typical host), which has the scolex with only one circle of hooks and 1–3 incomplete rows of tiny hooklets on the suckers; and G. vachai (Gupta and Parmar, 1988) n. comb. from several catfishes, which possesses 4–6 circles of hooks and 5–11 rows of hooklets on the anterior half of suckers. Scolex morphology, including surface ultrastructure (microtriches), of all but one species (G. vachai) is described for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. A phylogenetic analysis based on the partial sequences encoding the large nuclear ribosomal subunit RNA gene has shown that three Indomalayan species, namely G. bengalensis, G. macrones and G. vachai, form a monophyletic group within Gangesia, whereas G. agraensis tends to form a clade with the Palaearctic species of the genus. A table with differential characters of all species from the Indomalayan Region is also provided together with a key to identification of genera of the subfamily Gangesiinae. The present study demonstrates that species of Silurotaenia do not occur in the Indomalayan region.     

Microhyla laterite sp. nov., A New Species of Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from a Laterite Rock Formation in South West India

In recent times, several new species of amphibians have been described from India. Many of these discoveries are from biodiversity hotspots or from within protected areas. We undertook amphibian surveys in human dominated landscapes outside of protected areas in south western region of India between years 2013–2015. We encountered a new species of Microhyla which is described here as Microhyla laterite sp. nov. It was delimited using molecular, morphometric and bioacoustics comparisons. Microhyla laterite sp. nov. appears to be restricted to areas of the West coast of India dominated by laterite rock formations. The laterite rock formations date as far back as the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary and are considered to be wastelands in-spite of their intriguing geological history. We identify knowledge gaps in our understanding of the genus Microhyla from the Indian subcontinent and suggest ways to bridge them.     

Scena propylea (Druce) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) an Endemic Species of Mexico

A revision of the bibliography, as well as an analysis on the data from the specimen labels of Scena propylea (Druce) (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Euchromiina) deposited in different scientific collections, was carried out and included information from 1894 to 2010. Its geographical distribution is restricted to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt which determines this species as endemic. Data are provided on the biogeography, ecology and biology for this species. Its food plant is Thenardia floribunda (Apocynaceae) which is also endemic to Mexico. From this analysis, we propose the inclusion of both species in the document known as the Norma Oficial Mexicana 059 which encompasses the environmental protection of wild flora and fauna species native to Mexico and their risk categories, as well as the specifications for their inclusion, exclusion or change and a list of all species at risk.     

Margollus bokanicus n. sp. from Iran,the Fourth Species of a Rare Nematode Genus (Dorylaimida,Tylencholaimellidae)

Margollus bokanicus n. sp., collected from natural habitats in Khorasaneh district, Bokan, West Azarbaijan province, Iran, is described. Morphological and morphometric data are provided as well as drawings and light microscopy illustrations. The new species is characterized by a medium size body length (0.60 to 0.73 mm), labial and postlabial sclerotizations, lip region 7-μm wide, offset by constriction and long neck (167 to 207 μm), long pharyngeal basal bulb (27 to 36 μm) or 16% to 17% of total neck length, female genital system monodelphic–opisthodelphic, anterior branch reduced to a uterine sac (26–29 μm) or 1.1 to 1.3 times the body diameter, long posterior uterus (25–28 μm) or 1.1 to 1.3 times the body diameter, V = 40 to 47, cylindroid female tail (17 to 24 μm, c = 31 to 38, c’ = 1.1 to 1.4), and males unknown. This taxon is easily distinguishable from other Margollus species by its smaller general size and more posterior vulva. A compendium of Margollus species is also presented.