Novae Gesneriaceae Neotropicarum XVI: Cremosperma anisophyllum, a new species of Gesneriaceae from the Chocó region of northern Ecuador and southern Colombia

A new species of Cremosperma (Gesneriaceae, tribe Beslerieae) is described from the Chocó floristic region of the western Andean slopes of northern Ecuador and southern Colombia. The dorsiventral shoots and strongly anisophyllous leaves differentiate Cremosperma anisophyllum from all other congeners.     

Narratives of Positionality in Primatology: Foreign/Range–Country Collaborator Perspectives from Africa and South America

International Journal of Primatology - Primate research and conservation may inadvertently reproduce neocolonial dynamics when primatologists from affluent, imperialist nations conduct studies in...     

Larger fungi from Kashmir—IV

The present paper describes six species of agarics occurring in Kashmir Valley—Lentinus lepideus, Lentinus strigosus, Pleurotus platypus, Clitocybe infudibulformis, Conchomyces bursaeformis andLeucopaxillus albissumus. Three species—L. lepideus, C. infundibuliformis andC. bursaeformis, are reported for the first time from India.     

Double invasion of Tertiary island South America by ancestral New World monkeys?

Comparative Determinant Analysis was used to characterize antigenic determinants from 69 functionally diverse serum proteins for the phylogenetic study of anthropoid cladogenesis, of which 32 homologues with 66 antigenic determinants were compared between Lagothrix lagotricha and Cebus albifrons. Nine epitopes (one each of complement factors Cls, C3, C6, C7, C9, factor B, retinol-binding protein, β₂-glycoprotein III, and histidine rich α₂-glycoprotein) defined a robust clade uniting Lagothrix lagotricha with the Old World primates Macaca, Papio and Homo to the exclusion of Cebus albifrons. This tree indicates platyrrhine paraphyly or demonstrates an accelerated antigen substitution rate of Cebus when compared with Lagothrix. Narrow phylogenetic sampling does not permit the final resolution of this problem but strongly different evolutionary rates are considered unlikely because ancestral serum protein determinants, which are plesiomorphic for Primates as an order, are equally conserved in both Cebus and Lagothrix. If platyrrhine paraphyly is correct, our molecular-immunological clock estimates a divergence date of Cebus of 52.5 × 10⁶ years before present, i.e. 6.5 × 10⁶ years before the ateline clade diverged (possibly at 46.0 × 10⁶ years BP) from catarrhine ancestors. A scenario of platyrrhine paraphyly implies the necessity for double invasion of the isolated Tertiary South American island continent by primates across open ocean, and suggests a considerably earlier phylogenetic emergence of platyrrhines than is proposed by the oldest simian fossils from the Neotropics.     

Convergent evolution of gigantism in damselflies of Africa and South America? Evidence from nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data

Extreme large body size is rare in modern Zygoptera (damselflies). Only the South and Central American damselfly family Pseudostigmatidae and one African species, Coryphagrion grandis, share the morphological trait of gigantism. By means of phylogenetic analyses using two mitochondrial markers (16S rDNA and ND1) and one nuclear marker (EF1) in combination with an existing morphological data set, we trace the evolution of gigantism in damselflies. Individual and combined data sets were analyzed using the maximum parsimony, minimum evolution and maximum likelihood algorithms. Regardless of the algorithm used and the data set analyzed all principal tree topologies support a monophyly of the damselfly taxa displaying giant body size. This supports the view that the evolution of gigantism in damselflies from Africa and South America is not the result of convergent evolution due to strikingly similar habitat preferences, but rather the result of close genealogical relationship. Because modern odonates evolved before the split of Africa from Gondwanaland, the proposed phylogeny suggests that C. grandis represents a Gondwana relict.     

The colonizing history ofCapsella in Patagonia (South America)—Molecular and adaptive significance

Twenty-two provenances ofCapsella bursa-pastoris (Brassicaceae) from Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and 13 provenances from the middle part of South America have been investigated for phenotypic traits (flowering, growth form parameters, fruit characters), isozymes (AAT, GDH, LAP), and RAPDs.Capsella is native to Europe and was introduced into South America in the 16th century. In Patagonia, we detected 23 different multilocus associations, but only five occurred in a frequency of more than 5%. By comparison with the geographic distribution patterns of multilocus genotypes in Europe, we inferred the ancestral European gene pools and the possible introduction routes. A particular multilocus genotype (MMG) was most frequent in the investigated area, and is native to the Iberian Peninsula. This genotype was with all probability introduced by Spaniards into central and northern South America, and it could have reached Patagonia from the north step by step. Other genotypes probably used a direct route from Europe, most likely via British sheep farmers in the second half of the 19th century. Rare genotypes in Patagonia may have been introduced recently by chance, or might be due to multilocus rearrangements in connection with rare outcrossing events. RAPD markers helped to trace colonial gene pools outside Europe and ancestral European gene pools and support the isozyme studies. Correlations between the life history traits and allozyme markers give evidence of the role adaptation may play in the colonizing process.     

Climate Change and American Bullfrog Invasion: What Could We Expect in South America?

Background

Biological invasion and climate change pose challenges to biodiversity conservation in the 21^st century. Invasive species modify ecosystem structure and functioning and climatic changes are likely to produce invasive species'' range shifts pushing some populations into protected areas. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is one of the hundred worst invasive species in the world. Native from the southeast of USA, it has colonized more than 75% of South America where it has been reported as a highly effective predator, competitor and vector of amphibian diseases.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We modeled the potential distribution of the bullfrog in its native range based on different climate models and green-house gases emission scenarios, and projected the results onto South America for the years of 2050 and 2080. We also overlaid projected models onto the South American network of protected areas. Our results indicate a slight decrease in potential suitable area for bullfrog invasion, although protected areas will become more climatically suitable. Therefore, invasion of these sites is forecasted.

Conclusion/Significance

We provide new evidence supporting the vulnerability of the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot to bullfrog invasion and call attention to optimal future climatic conditions of the Andean-Patagonian forest, eastern Paraguay, and northwestern Bolivia, where invasive populations have not been found yet. We recommend several management and policy strategies to control bullfrog invasion and argue that these would be possible if based on appropriate articulation among government agencies, NGOs, research institutions and civil society.     

Two new moth‐flies (Diptera,Psychodidae) from South America

Tonnoiriella mirabilis sp. n. and Caenobrunettia echinoflagellata gen. n. et. sp. n. from the neotropical region are described.     

Exotic species introductions into South America: an underestimated threat?

Prior studies on the latitudinal extent and ecological impact of exotic plant species suggest that areas of high diversity, such as the Neotropics, may be relatively 'resistant' to invasions. To explore the generality of this assertion and assess the impact of alien species on continental tropical faunas, I compiled data for threatened Neotropical animals from the red data books of Bolivia, Brazil, Minas Gerais (a Brazilian state), Peru, and Venezuela. A total of 378 species (including both vertebrates and invertebrates) were considered. For each taxon, I recorded whether it is threatened by habitat conversion, overexploitation, and/or exotic species. As suggested by other researchers, exotic species introductions appear to be relatively unimportant in South America, threatening only 6% of animal taxa. However, many South American animals are themselves either recent invaders or survivors of the Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) which began during the Pliocene. Here, I hypothesize that the GABI may have acted as an 'extinction filter', leaving faunal groups of mostly South American origin relatively more threatened by the current wave of exotic invaders than those with prominent North American representation. The data support this prediction. For taxa whose current diversity patterns were not strongly influenced by the GABI, exotic species are indeed an important threat. For example, alien invaders threaten 29% of continental fishes and 30% of amphibians, figures comparable to those recorded in temperate areas. As more information on these less-studied taxa becomes available, the magnitude of the threat posed by exotic species introductions will probably reveal itself to be large. Of critical importance is to assess the impact of invasions on biological realms that have only been recently exposed to alien taxa, such as the aquatic faunas of the numerous drainages that occur along the eastern and western slopes of the South American Andes. The results of these investigations provide predictions for similar research focussed on other continental tropical regions of the world.     

Siberian and Russian sturgeon natal origin in South America: Fish farm or established population?

Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii and A. gueldenstaedtii) specimens, native to the northern hemisphere, were reported in different environments of the La Plata Basin (South America). The objectives of this study were to provide the first insights into the natal origin and habitat use of these sturgeon species in the La Plata Basin through geochemical analysis (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) of fin spines and to review historical catch reports. Spine core-to-edge ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios were measured by LA-MC-ICPMS. A Quadratic Discriminant Analysis model based on water ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr baseline of the La Plata Basin was run to infer the natal origin. The isotopic profiles indicate a common origin, compatible with the location of the fish farms in the Uruguay Basin. The A. baerii isotopic time series suggested that the fish moved towards the Paraná Basin months before capture, while A. gueldenstaedtii would have survived a longer time (perhaps years). Seventeen reports of sturgeons were recorded and preserved in museum collections between 1998 and 2020. Sturgeons were collected from Río de la Plata Estuary, Paraná and Uruguay basins and Atlantic coastal lagoons. It is recommended to closely monitor sturgeon catches, paying special attention to the appearance of specimens of reproductive age, in order to generate management and management plans if necessary.     

First Amphilestid from South America: A Molariform from the Jurassic Ca?adón Asfalto Formation, Patagonia, Argentina

We report here the first amphilestid triconodont from the Jurassic of South America. The specimen, a single isolated molariform, was found at the Queso Rallado locality from where a growing mammalian fauna is known (including a triconodontid, two australosphenidans, and an as yet undescribed allotherian). The specimen, interpreted as a left lower tooth, presents five mesiodistally aligned, fairly symmetrical cusps, and is recognized as the type of a new taxon, Condorodon spanios. The phylogenetic analysis recovers Condorodon as a member of the clade Amphilestheria, closely related to Tendagurodon janenschi, an amphilestid triconodont from the Late Jurassic of Tanzania. Condorodon spanios is only distantly related to Argentoconodon fariasorum, the other triconodont known from Queso Rallado quarry. The phylogenetic position of Condorodon spanios points to the origin and diversification of amphilestherians during the Early Jurassic in a paleogeographical setting that allowed wide dispersion of these forms and argues, at least from the mammalian evidence, against a highly provincialized Pangaea. Some differences are however established between the filial western/eastern Gondwanan masses and their respective faunas.     

Starfish saponins—IV. Sapogenins from the starfish Astropecten aurantiacus and Marthasterias glacialis

• 1.1. The major aglycones produced by acid hydrolysis of the saponins from the starfish Astropecten aurantiacus are identified as 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-pregn-9(11)-en-20-one (1), (17 E)- and (17 Z)-3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11),17(20)-dien-23-one (9 and 10), (17 E)- and (17 Z)-3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11), 17(20),24-trien-23-one (11 and 12), (20 E)-3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11),20(22)-dien-23-one (4), and 17β-methyl-3β,6α-dihydroxy-18-nor-5α-cholesta-9(11),13-dien-23-one (13).
• 2.2. A re-examination of the sapogenins from the starfish Marthasterias galcialis, in addition to the previously isolated 1, 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11)-en-23-one (2, dihydromarthasterone), 3β,6αdihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11),24-dien-23-one (3, marthasterone) and 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-chol-9(11)-en-23-one (14), has shown the presence of minor amounts of 9, 10, 4 and 13.
• 3.3. A [¹³C]NMR study of the major sapogenins, 9 and 10, from A. aurantiacus, and 1, 2 and 14 from M. glacialis is also reported.

     

“More than meets the eye”: phylogeographic inferences and remarkable cryptic diversity and in endemic catfish Parotocinclus (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from neglected and impacted basins in South America

Conservation Genetics - The restricted range, taxonomic uncertainties and the apparent phylopatric behavior of Parotocinclus (dwarf plecos) make this fish group an excellent model to infer...