Two new species of Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 from Timor-Leste (Stylommatophora,Camaenidae)

ABSTRACT

By employing comparative morphology and anatomy as well as mitochondrial phylogenetics, we have identified three species of Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 in Timor-Leste. One of these species is identified as L. cf winteriana (Pfeiffer, 1842), a species originally described from Java, but considered widespread throughout the Indonesian archipelago. The two other species are newly described as L. timorensis n. sp. and L. montana n. sp., respectively. Landouria timorensis n. sp. is similar to L. winteriana, but differs by a smaller shell and details of its penial morphology. Landouria montana n. sp. is only found at higher altitudes and is readily distinguishable by its distinctive shell. A mitochondrial phylogeny reveals L. omphalostoma from Yunnan as the sister lineage of all Sunda Islands species. Based on this observation, we maintain the systematic placement of the Sunda Islands species in Landouria despite some minor differences in their genital anatomy. Furthermore, our phylogeny demonstrates that the East Asian genus Aegista Albers, 1850 is the probable sister taxon of Landouria. However, we reject the proposal by Hirano et al. ([2014] Substantial incongruence among the morphology, taxonomy, and molecular phylogeny of the land snails Aegista, Landouria, Trishoplita, and Pseudobuliminus (Pulmonata: Bradybaenidae) occurring in East Asia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 70, 171–181) to synonymise both genera based on their markedly distinct reproductive anatomy.     

Phylogeny,evolutionary morphology,and hemipenis descriptions of the Middle American jumping pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae: Atropoides)

The jumping pitvipers, genus Atropoides, occur at low to middle elevations throughout Middle America. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have included all six species of Atropoides, but only two studies have found Atropoides to be monophyletic and questions persist about relationships within the A. nummifer complex. In this study, our phylogenetic analyses of morphological data provide strong support for the monophyly of Atropoides and recover relationships within the genus that are mostly congruent with those of recent molecular studies, further supporting the evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses proposed in those studies. Our analyses find support for a sister relationship between A. picadoi and the other Atropoides species and an A. occiduus–A. indomitus clade sister to an A. nummifer–A. mexicanus–A. olmec clade. Within the A. nummifer complex, we find A. mexicanus and A. olmec to be sister species to the exclusion of A. nummifer. We include morphological synapomorphies to support each clade within Atropoides and describe and illustrate the hemipenes of each species. In addition, we discuss the importance of morphological phylogenetics and the functionality and limitations of hemipenial data in systematics.     

Systematics of spiny‐backed treefrogs (Hylidae: Osteocephalus): an Amazonian puzzle

Spiny‐backed tree frogs of the genus Osteocephalus are conspicuous components of the tropical wet forests of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield. Here, we revise the phylogenetic relationships of Osteocephalus and its sister group Tepuihyla, using up to 6134 bp of DNA sequences of nine mitochondrial and one nuclear gene for 338 specimens from eight countries and 218 localities, representing 89% of the 28 currently recognized nominal species. Our phylogenetic analyses reveal (i) the paraphyly of Osteocephalus with respect to Tepuihyla, (ii) the placement of ‘Hyla’ warreni as sister to Tepuihyla, (iii) the non‐monophyly of several currently recognized species within Osteocephalus and (iv) the presence of low (<1%) and overlapping genetic distances among phenotypically well‐characterized nominal species (e.g. O. taurinus and O. oophagus) for the 16S gene fragment used in amphibian DNA barcoding. We propose a new taxonomy, securing the monophyly of Osteocephalus and Tepuihyla by rearranging and redefining the content of both genera and also erect a new genus for the sister group of Osteocephalus. The colouration of newly metamorphosed individuals is proposed as a morphological synapomorphy for Osteocephalus. We recognize and define five monophyletic species groups within Osteocephalus, synonymize three species of Osteocephalus (O. germani, O. phasmatus and O. vilmae) and three species of Tepuihyla (T. celsae, T. galani and T. talbergae) and reallocate three species (Hyla helenae to Osteocephalus, O. exophthalmus to Tepuihyla and O. pearsoni to Dryaderces gen. n.). Furthermore, we flag nine putative new species (an increase to 138% of the current diversity). We conclude that species numbers are largely underestimated, with most hidden diversity centred on widespread and polymorphic nominal species. The evolutionary origin of breeding strategies within Osteocephalus is discussed in the light of this new phylogenetic hypothesis, and a novel type of amplexus (gular amplexus) is described.     

The systematics of right whales (Mysticeti: Balaenidae)

Balaenidae (right whales) are large, critically endangered baleen whales represented by four living species. The evolutionary relationships of balaenids are poorly known, with the number of genera, relationships to fossil taxa, and position within Mysticeti in contention. This study employs a comprehensive set of morphological characters to address aspects of balaenid phylogeny. A sister‐group relationship between neobalaenids and balaenids is strongly supported, although this conflicts with molecular evidence, which may be an artifact of long‐branch attraction (LBA). Monophyly of Balaenidae is supported, and three major clades are recognized: (1) extinct genus Balaenula, (2) extant and extinct species of the genus Eubalaena, and (3) extant and extinct species of the genus Balaena plus the extinct taxon, Balaenella. The relationships of these clades to one another, as well as to the early Miocene stem balaenid, Morenocetus parvus, remain unresolved. Pliocene taxa, Balaenula astensis and Balaenula balaenopsis, form a clade that is the sister group to the Japanese Pliocene Balaenula sp. Eubalaena glacialis and Pliocene Eubalaena belgica, are in an unresolved polytomy with a clade including E. japonica and E. australis. Extant and fossil species of Balaena form a monophyletic group that is sister group to the Dutch Pliocene Balaenella, although phylogenetic relationships within Balaena remain unresolved.     

Morphology,phylogeny and taxonomy of South American bothropoid pitvipers (Serpentes,Viperidae)

Carrasco, P.A., Mattoni, C.I., Leynaud, G.C. & Scrocchi, G.J. (2012). Morphology, phylogeny and taxonomy of South American bothropoid pitvipers (Serpentes, Viperidae). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 109–124. South American bothropoids comprise a monophyletic and greatly diverse group of pitvipers that were initially included in the genus Bothrops and later assigned to five genera. Until recently, most phylogenetic analyses of bothropoids used exclusively mitochondrial DNA sequences, whereas few of them have included morphological traits. Moreover, the systematic affinities of some species remain unclear. In this study, we performed a parsimony analysis of morphological data obtained from the examination of 111 characters related to lepidosis, colour pattern, osteology, and hemipenial morphology of 35 of the 48 species that compose the bothropoid group. The morphological data analysed contain novel information about several species, including the incertae sedis. Morphology was analysed separately and combined with 2393 molecular characters obtained from published sequences of four mitochondrial genes. Five characters of the ecology were also included. A sensitivity analysis was performed using different weighting criteria for the characters. The congruence among different sources of evidence was evaluated through partitioned and total evidence analyses, the analyses of reduced datasets and the use of incongruence length difference test. With few exceptions, results showed groups of species similar to those obtained in previous studies; however, incongruences between morphological and molecular characters, and within the molecular partition, were revealed. This conflict affects the relationship between particular groups of species, leading to alternative phylogenetic hypotheses for bothropoids: hierarchical radiation or two major lineages within the group. The results also showed that Bothrops sensu stricto is paraphyletic. We discuss previous taxonomic approaches and, considering both phylogenetic hypotheses, we propose an arrangement that rectifies the paraphyly of Bothrops: maintaining Bothrocophias, assigning Bothrops andianus to this genus; and recognising the sister clade as Bothrops, synonymising Bothriopsis, Bothropoides and Rhinocerophis.     

First Molecular Data and the Phylogenetic Position of the Millipede-Like Centipede Edentistoma octosulcatum T?m?sváry, 1882 (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae)

Edentistoma octosulcatum Tömösváry, 1882, is a rare, superficially millipede-like centipede known only from Borneo and the Philippines. It is unique within the order Scolopendromorpha for its slow gait, robust tergites, and highly modified gizzard and mandible morphology. Not much is known about the biology of the species but it has been speculated to be arboreal with a possibly vegetarian diet. Until now its phylogenetic position within the subfamily Otostigminae has been based only on morphological characters, being variably ranked as a monotypic tribe (Arrhabdotini) or classified with the Southeast Asian genus Sterropristes Attems, 1934. The first molecular data for E. octosulcatum sourced from a newly collected specimen from Sarawak were analysed with and without morphology. Parsimony analysis of 122 morphological characters together with two nuclear and two mitochondrial loci resolves Edentistoma as sister group to three Indo-Australian species of Rhysida, this clade in turn grouping with Ethmostigmus, whereas maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses of the molecular data on their own ally Edentistoma with species of Otostigmus. A position of Edentistoma within Otostigmini (rather than being its sister group as predicted by the Arrhabdotini hypothesis) is consistently retrieved under different analytical conditions, but support values within the subfamily remain low for most nodes. The species exhibits strong pushing behaviour, suggestive of burrowing habits. Evidence against a suggested vegetarian diet is provided by observation of E. octosulcatum feeding on millipedes in the genus Trachelomegalus.     

An integrative approach to characterize Malagasy bats of the subfamily Vespertilioninae Gray, 1821, with the description of a new species of Hypsugo

Although important advances have been made in recent years in the taxonomy of different families and subfamilies of Malagasy bats, those belonging to the Vespertilioninae remain partially unresolved. Herein using a mitochondrial marker (cytochrome b) as the point of departure for 76 specimens of Malagasy vespers and appropriate African taxa, we diagnose the six taxa of this subfamily on the island by overlaying different morphological and bioacoustic characters on the clade structure of sequenced animals. The species include: endemic Neoromicia matroka, which is sister to African N. capensis; endemics N. malagasyensis and N. robertsi, which form sister species; a member of the genus Hypsugo, which is sister to African H. anchietae and described herein as new to science; Pipistrellus hesperidus for which Madagascar animals are genetically close but distinct from African populations of the same species; and endemic P. raceyi, which shows segregation of eastern (mesic) and western (dry) populations and its sister species relationships are unresolved. While the external and craniodental measurements, as well as bioacoustic variables, allow only partial differentiation of these six species of Vespertilioninae, molecular characters provide definitive separation of the taxa, as do male bacular morphology. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

The flightless marine midge Pontomyia (Diptera: Chironomidae): ecology,distribution, and molecular phylogeny

Pontomyia Edwards, 1926 (Diptera: Chironomidae) is a genus of exclusively marine flightless midges. There are four described species from the Indo‐Pacific, and one undescribed species known only from females, pupal skins, and larvae from the Atlantic/Caribbean. They are poorly known owing to their small size (～1.0 mm), extremely short adult life (< 3 h), and unusual habitat for an insect (coastal lagoons, bays, or rock pools). We reviewed scattered literature on their biology and systematics, presented photomicrographs of the male hypogium, and updated the geographic distribution of each species. We carried out the first molecular study to elucidate relationships among and within three of the species. Results from our four‐gene phylogenetic reconstruction using combined gene tree and species tree approaches showed that Pontomyia natans, Pontomyia oceana, and Pontomyia pacifica are each well‐supported clades, with P. natans as sister to P. oceana + P. pacifica. Genetic distances based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I are extraordinarily large within P. natans and P. pacifica, which suggests that they may be cryptic species complexes. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162 , 443–456.     

FLAVONOID SURVEY OF OENOTHERA (ONAGRACEAE): SECTS. GAUROPSIS,HARTMANNIA, KNEIFFIA,PARADOXUS, AND XYLOPLEURUM

An analysis of 60 populations of Oenothera sects. Gauropsis, Hartmannia, Kneiffia, Paradoxus, and Xylopleurum showed that 29 flavonols and 4 glycoflavones were present among 19 of the 20 species studied in these five sections. The four glycoflavones, representing the first report for this class of compounds for Oenothera, were present only in O. canescens, a highly specialized and isolated species within the genus. The most closely related species, O. dissecta, had a flavonoid profile more similar to species of sect. Hartmannia and sect. Kneiffia. The most striking feature of the analysis is that roughly 70% of the known flavonoids in the family were found in the group of sections studied. The large number of compounds in this one lineage of Oenothera contrasts sharply to the relatively low numbers found in most other genera of the family. Further, the occurrence of glucuronides and sulfates within Oenothera is restricted to these sections. Each species examined had a unique flavonoid profile, except O. deserticola and O. multicaulis (both sect. Hartmannia) which had identical profiles. This finding contrasts sharply with the uniform profiles of other sections of Oenothera and other genera in Onagraceae, such as Epilobium and Ludwigia. By contrast, O. havardii, a phyletically isolated species of the monotypic sect. Paradoxus, had only five flavonol glycosides, compared with 11–19 compounds in the other species. Based on morphological and seed anatomical data, O. havardii is only distantly related to sects. Gauropsis, Hartmannia, Kneiffia, and Xylopleurum, although along with sect. Lavauxia, it appears to represent the sister group to them. Overall, with the exception of O. havardii and O. canescens, the flavonoid profiles support the hypothesis recently suggested by seed anatomy that these four sections are more closely related to each other than any one of them is to another section of the genus.     

Phylogeny and evolutionary history of birch mice Sicista Griffith, 1827 (Sminthidae,Rodentia): Implications from a multigene study

Phylogeny of birch mice is estimated using sequences of ten nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene. Based on the results of tree reconstructions and molecular dating, five major lineages are recognized: “tianschanica,” “concolor,” “caudata,” “betulina,” and “caucasica.” It is established that the three latter lineages constitute a clade and that the long‐tailed birch mouse Sicista caudata is the sister group of the “caucasica” lineage. The “tianschanica” lineage is placed as the sister branch to all other species, however, with insufficient support. The cytochrome b tree is generally concordant with the nuclear topology. The molecular clock results suggest that the radiation among the main lineages occurred in the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene (6.0–4.7 Mya). The correspondence between molecular dating and the fossil record is discussed. Based on nuclear data, a high level of divergence between cryptic species in the “tianschanica” lineage is confirmed. Mitochondrial and nuclear data suggest the existence of a potential cryptic species within Sicista strandi.     

Latitudinal variation in suppression of flower bud formation at high temperature in four native dandelions (Taraxacum spp.) with different distributions and genetic structures in Japan

The control of the response of flowering to temperature plays a key role in successful range‐expansion of plants. A previous study showed that the suppression of flower‐bud formation at high temperature in Taraxacum officinale decreases genetically with latitude from north to south in Japan. The present study investigated whether similar trait variation occurs among populations of native Taraxacum species in Japan. Seedlings of T. albidum (a low‐ and mid‐latitude allopolyploid), T. japonicum (a mid‐latitude diploid) and T. venustum (a high‐latitude autopolyploid) were grown at three temperatures. Time to flower‐bud appearance increased with temperature in T. japonicum and T. venustum, but did not increase in T. albidum. Time to flower‐bud appearance did not differ significantly among the three species at 14°C, but it was shorter in T. albidum than in the other two species at 19°C and 24°C. The early appearance of buds of T. albidum was confirmed by another experiment in which plants of 18 populations from the three species and T. platycarpum (a mid‐latitude diploid) grown at 19°C were used. The results clearly indicate that high‐temperature suppression of flower‐bud formation was lower in low‐latitude species than in high‐latitude species. This interspecific variation is analogous to the intraspecific variation in T. officinale. Time to bud appearance of five populations in T. albidum was homogeneous within and between the populations. The results suggest that the five populations are monoclonal and lack the sensitivity of suppression of flower‐bud formation to high temperature.     

A reappraisal of the systematic affinities of Socotran,Arabian and East African scops owls (Otus,Strigidae) using a combination of molecular,biometric and acoustic data

We investigated phylogenetic relationships among Otus scops owls from Socotra Island, the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa using molecular, vocalization and biometric data. The Socotra Scops Owl Otus senegalensis socotranus, currently treated as a subspecies of the African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis, is more closely related to the Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia and to the endemic Seychelles Scops Owl Otus insularis. Considerable mitochondrial genetic distance and significant morphological differentiation from its two closest relatives, as well as its distinctive vocalizations compared with O. insularis, strongly support recognition of Socotra Scops Owl as a full species. Unexpectedly, two taxa from the Arabian Peninsula, Pallid Scops Owl Otus brucei and African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis pamelae, represent very distinct lineages; O. brucei is basal to a clade that includes taxa found in the Indo‐Malayan region and on Indian Ocean islands. In contrast, O. s. pamelae occupies a well‐supported basal position within a clade of continental Afro‐Palaearctic taxa. The uncorrected‐p genetic distance between O. s. pamelae and its closest relatives (other populations of senegalensis from mainland Africa) is c. 4%. As O. s. pamelae is also well differentiated phylogenetically, morphologically and vocally from O. s. senegalensis, we recommend its elevation to species status, as Otus pamelae. Among mainland African O. senegalensis subspecies, Ethiopian populations appear to represent the most divergent lineage, whereas other lineages from Somalia, Kenya and South Africa are poorly differentiated. The large genetic distance between the Ethiopian haplotype and other African haplotypes (3.2%) suggests that the Ethiopian Otus may represent a cryptic taxon, and we recommend that more individuals be sampled to assess the taxonomic status of this population.     

Phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Oligoryzomys (Rodentia,Cricetidae) from Central and South America

González‐Ittig, R. E., Salazar‐Bravo, J., Barquez, R. M. & Gardenal, C. N. (2010). Phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Oligoryzomys (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from Central and South America. —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 511–526. The genus Oligoryzomys includes several species very similar in external morphology, which has resulted in a confusing specific taxonomy. Accurate species identification is particularly important because several species of Oligoryzomys act as natural hosts of hantaviruses affecting humans. Here, we assign specific status to individuals from a wide geographical area of Argentina and Chile using sequences of the mtDNA control region. We also compare cytochrome b sequences of 14 species recognized from Central and South America to infer the phylogenetic relationships within the genus. In addition, the results were analysed using available data on chromosome numbers, and the host–parasite relationships reported for the genus Hantavirus. We confirm the geographical distribution of Oligoryzomys longicaudatus (Argentina, Chile), Oligoryzomys nigripes (Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil), Oligoryzomys chacoensis (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay), Oligoryzomys fornesi (Argentina, Paraguay), Oligoryzomys destructor (Argentina, Bolivia) and Oligoryzomys microtis (Bolivia, Brazil). Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is strongly related to the Oligoryzomys flavescens complex, which comprises four clades; O. nigripes is closely related to Oligoryzomys stramineus, and Oligoryzomys vegetus, to Oligoryzomys fulvescens from Central America. Oligoryzomys chacoensis, O. destructor, O. fornesi, O. longicaudatus, O. microtis, O. nigripes, O. stramineus, Oligoryzomys moojeni, Oligoryzomys rupestris, O. fulvescens and O. vegetus are confirmed as valid species, whereas O. flavescens, Oligoryzomys magellanicus, Oligoryzomys griseolus, Oligoryzomys victus, Oligoryzomys andinus and Oligoryzomys arenalis need exhaustive revision. The sister species to all the remaining entities of the genus was O. microtis, suggesting an Amazonian origin for the genus.     

A global phylogeny of apple snails: Gondwanan origin, generic relationships, and the influence of outgroup choice (Caenogastropoda: Ampullariidae)

Apple snails (Ampullariidae) are a diverse family of pantropical freshwater snails and an important evolutionary link to the common ancestor of the largest group of living gastropods, the Caenogastropoda. A clear understanding of relationships within the Ampullariidae, and identification of their sister taxon, is therefore important for interpreting gastropod evolution in general. Unfortunately, the overall pattern has been clouded by confused systematics within the family and equivocal results regarding the family's sister group relationships. To clarify the relationships among ampullariid genera and to evaluate the influence of including or excluding possible sister taxa, we used data from five genes, three nuclear and two mitochondrial, from representatives of all nine extant ampullariid genera, and species of Viviparidae, Cyclophoridae, and Campanilidae, to reconstruct the phylogeny of apple snails, and determine their affinities to these possible sister groups. The results obtained indicate that the Old and New World ampullariids are reciprocally monophyletic with probable Gondwanan origins. All four Old World genera, Afropomus, Saulea, Pila, and Lanistes, were recovered as monophyletic, but only Asolene, Felipponea, and Pomella were monophyletic among the five New World genera, with Marisa paraphyletic and Pomacea polyphyletic. Estimates of divergence times among New World taxa suggest that diversification began shortly after the separation of Africa and South America and has probably been influenced by hydrogeological events over the last 90 Myr. The sister group of the Ampullariidae remains unresolved, but analyses omitting certain outgroup taxa suggest the need for dense taxonomic sampling to increase phylogenetic accuracy within the ingroup. The results obtained also indicate that defining the sister group of the Ampullariidae and clarifying relationships among basal caenogastropods will require increased taxon sampling within these four families, and synthesis of both morphological and molecular data. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 98 , 61–76.     

Molecular phylogeny of Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea,Monocotylidae) challenges the validity of some of its species

Fehlauer‐Ale, K. H. & Littlewood, D. T. J. (2011). Molecular phylogeny of Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) challenges the validity of some of its species. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 638–658. The marine‐derived stingrays Potamotrygonidae are the only chondrichthyans landlocked to freshwaters of Central and South America. The family includes approximately 22 described species organized in four genera widely distributed across the main Atlantic and Caribbean continental drainages. Investigations into the parasite fauna of potamotrygonids have mainly focused on cestodes, with a few studies addressing the biodiversity of monogeneans. Potamotrygonocotyle (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) is composed of 12 species, exclusively found in the gills of species of Potamotrygonidae. This study presents molecular phylogenetic analyses of this group of monogeneans distributed throughout La Plata and Amazonas basins, with the purpose of readdressing the phylogeny of Monocotylidae based on 28S rDNA sequences and of unravelling the phylogeny of its species using data from mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and nuclear gene internal transcribed spacer 1. The phylogenetic status of the five tested monocotylid subfamilies and most of their internal relationships are concordant with the results of a previous study, and the monophyletic status of Potamotrygonocotyle based on molecular data is corroborated for the first time. However, the placement of the genus within Monocotylidae is not resolved, as its sister‐group relationship with Neoheterocotyle and Troglocephalus is uncertain. Investigations into the relationships within Potamotrygonocotyle support the monophyletic status of nine nominal species and suggest the existence of cryptic lineages for the remaining three. Molecular analyses reveal distinct sister‐groups relationships in comparison with a previously published phylogeny for the genus based on morphological data. Finally, the surveys of this study expand the known distribution range of some members of Potamotrygonocotyle.     

Taxonomy of the long‐tailed mouse Oligoryzomys destructor (Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini) with the designation of neotypes for Hesperomys destructor Tschudi, 1844 and Hesperomys melanostoma Tschudi, 1844

The genus Oligoryzomys, distributed from southern South America to southern North America, is the most diverse of the tribe Oryzomyini of sigmodontine rodents. Even when 22 species are currently recognized, species boundaries are unclear for several forms. The species Oligoryzomys destructor is one of the least studied species of the genus and is the one with the largest distribution along the Andes (from southern Colombia to northern Bolivia). The species was described without the selection of a holotype and indication of its type locality. In addition, several taxa are regarded as synonyms of O. destructor. These facts are relevant because previous analysis of DNA sequences has shown that O. destructor represents a species complex. Herein, in addition to test the phylogenetic position of O. destructor within the genus Oligoryzomys, we assess patterns of morphological and molecular variation of O. destructor and its associated nominal forms aimed to assess the boundaries of the species. As part of the study, we selected neotypes for Hesperomys destructor and H. melanostoma. At the light of our results, we recognized O. destructor as a species with two subspecies, O. d. destructor and O. d. spodiurus. Also, we discuss the role of Andean rivers, and their different permeability, as allopatric barriers molding the structure of O. destructor.     

Molecular and morphological patterns across Acanthocyclops vernalis‐robustus species complex (Copepoda,Cyclopoida)

Bláha, M., Hulák, M., Slouková, J. & Tě?itel, J. (2010). Molecular and morphological patterns across Acanthocyclops vernalis‐robustus species complex (Copepoda, Cyclopoida).—Zoologica Scripta, 39, 259–268. Morphological traits within Acanthocyclops (Kiefer, 1927) are highly variable, and morphology is too constrained to give complete information of phylogenetic relationships. This study combined morphological and molecular techniques to investigate the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of three species of Acanthocyclops (Acanthocyclops trajani, Acanthocyclops einslei and Acanthocyclops vernalis) inhabiting continental Europe. Morphological indices subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) separated sample populations into three distinct clusters corresponding with the taxonomic status of the species analysed. In addition, the taxonomy status of A. trajani and A. einslei was in agreement with molecular data; however, the intraspecific variation in sequences of 12S rRNA was lower in contrast to specimens morphologically determined as A. vernalis, which were divided into two deeply divergent clades, based on mtDNA sequence divergences. Moreover, high sequence divergence (26%) between these clades indicated the existence of another species that may not be a sister taxon of A. vernalis s.s. Results point to the need for further taxonomic work on Acanthocyclops.