Taxonomic revision of the marbled skink (Cyclodina oliveri,Reptilia: Scincidae) species complex,with a description of a new species

Abstract

We have completed a taxonomic revision of the New Zealand marbled skink (Cyclodina oliveri) species complex. Morphological analyses and mitochondrial sequence data (ND2, ND4, Cytochrome b; Total 1933 bp) are used to describe a new taxon (commonly known as the “Mokohinau” skink) and redefine C. oliveri. The morphological and molecular data indicate that C. oliveri is distributed on the Poor Knights Islands, Mercury Islands and Aldermen Islands. The new species is restricted to the Mokohinau Islands, Hen and Chickens group, Little Barrier Island and Great Barrier Island. Our data demonstrate that there is no support for the separation of the Poor Knights Islands population of C. oliveri from those on the Mercury Islands and Aldermen Islands. The genetic data indicate that C. whitakeri is part of the C. oliveri species group. Divergence time estimates indicate that the C. oliveri species complex diverged during the late‐Miocene, with further divergences among island groups in C. oliveri including the origin of the new taxon during the late‐Pliocene and mid‐Pleistocene. We present a diagnostic key for Cyclodina.     

Genome size and polyploidy variation in the tropical hardwood genusTerminalia (Combretaceae)

Chromosome complements and 2C DNA amounts of six species ofTerminalia have been studied.Terminalia oliveri, T. myriocarpa andT. arjuna are diploid (2n = 24),T. chebula andT. bellirica are tetraploid (2n = 48),T. muelleri shows a triploid number (2n = 36). Two well demarcated groups of species are recognizable on the basis of chromosome length and 2C DNA values which range from 3.60 pg (T. oliveri) to 12.80 pg (T. bellirica) showing a 3.5-fold difference. Differences of DNA per basic genome or per chromosome are greatest (1.97-fold) betweenT. oliveri andT. arjuna. Two species groups (1)T. oliveri andT. chebula, and (2)T. myriocarpa, T. arjuna, T. muelleri, T. bellirica, therefore are well differentiated by DNA per basic genome, irrespective of polyploidy. The mean values of the two groups are 1.81 pg and 3.34 pg, respectively, showing a 1.84-fold difference. Within diploids and tetraploids there is 1.97-fold and 1.76-fold variation, respectively.     

Comparative phylogeography reveals pre‐decline population structure of New Zealand Cyclodina (Reptilia: Scincidae) species

We examined the comparative phylogeography of all species within the endemic New Zealand skink genus Cyclodina to gain insight into the influence of historical processes on the biogeography of the North Island fauna. Until 1–2 kya, six Cyclodina species occurred sympatrically across the North Island of New Zealand. However, most species have undergone dramatic distributional declines subsequent to the introduction of mammals and the arrival of humans. We compare the phylogeographic patterns evident in Cyclodina species in three biogeographic categories: widespread species (Cyclodina aenea, Cyclodina ornata), North Island disjunct relics (Cyclodina macgregori, Cyclodina whitakeri), and northeastern island relics (Cyclodina alani, Cyclodina oliveri, Cyclodina townsi). Mitochondrial DNA (ND2) sequence data was obtained from across the entire range of each Cyclodina species. We used Neighbour‐joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to examine the phylogeographic patterns present in each species. Phylogeographic patterns varied among species in different biogeographic categories. Substantial phylogeographic structure was evident in the two widespread species (C. aenea, C. ornata), with Pliocene and Pleistocene divergences between clades evident. Divergences among island groups in the three northeastern island relic species (C. alani, C. oliveri, C. townsi) occurred during the late Pliocene–Pleistocene. By contrast, relatively shallow structure, indicative of late Pleistocene divergences, was present in the two North Island disjunct species (C. macgregori, C. whitakeri). The results strongly suggest that the Poor Knights Islands population of C. ornata represents a new species. We suggest that the contrasting phylogeographic patterns exhibited by Cyclodina species in different biogeographic categories might be related to body size, ecology, and habitat preferences. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 95 , 388–408.     

Population genetic structure of the endemic rosewoods Dalbergia cochinchinensis and D. oliveri at a regional scale reflects the Indochinese landscape and life‐history traits

Indochina is a biodiversity hot spot and harbors a high number of endemic species, most of which are poorly studied. This study explores the genetic structure and reproductive system of the threatened endemic timber species Dalbergia cochinchinensis and Dalbergia oliveri using microsatellite data from populations across Indochina and relates it to landscape characteristics and life‐history traits. We found that the major water bodies in the region, Mekong and Tonle Sap, represented barriers to gene flow and that higher levels of genetic diversity were found in populations in the center of the distribution area, particularly in Cambodia. We suggest that this pattern is ancient, reflecting the demographic history of the species and possible location of refugia during earlier time periods with limited forest cover, which was supported by signs of old genetic bottlenecks. The D. oliveri populations had generally high levels of genetic diversity (mean H_e = 0.73), but also strong genetic differentiation among populations (global G_ST = 0.13), while D. cochinchinensis had a moderate level of genetic diversity (mean H_e = 0.55), and an even stronger level of differentiation (global G_ST = 0.25). These differences in genetic structure can be accounted for by a higher level of gene flow in D. oliveri due to a higher dispersal capacity, but also by the broader distribution area for D. oliveri, and the pioneer characteristics of D. cochinchinensis. This study represents the first detailed analysis of landscape genetics for tree species in Indochina, and the found patterns might be common for other species with similar ecology.     

Chromosome counts and genome size of Leontopodium species (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) from south‐western China

Chromosome counts and genome sizes are reported from six species of Leontopodium: five from the centre of diversity in south‐western China, and L. japonicum from cultivation. Previously published chromosome counts for the genus are also compiled. Genome size (1C) in diploids ranges from 0.93 pg (L. dedeckensii) to 1.14 pg (L. cf. stracheyi) and 1.93 pg for tetraploid L. sinense. Leontopodium artemisiifolium had one pair of heteromorphic chromosomes. Leontopodium japonicum accessions showed variation in ploidy levels. Polyploidy, including autopolyploidy, is frequent in the genus. Variation is seen in basic chromosome number, including between species in the centre of diversity of the genus, where x = 12 or 13, but also within species among previously published counts. This variation does not correspond to currently inferred infrageneric groupings, and indicates both the importance of large‐scale chromosome evolution and the need for more in‐depth taxonomic work in a genus that shows little DNA sequence variation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Morphological and molecular evidence for interspecific hybridisation in the introduced African genus Crassocephalum (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) in Asia

Abstract

The genus Crassocephalum in Asia, introduced there from Africa, was examined by extensive field work, herbarium studies, analyses of pollen and seed fertility, chromosome counts and ITS and trnL‐F sequencing. We found that Crassocephalum in Asia comprises two species and their interspecific hybrid. The two species are C. crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore and C. rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore, of which the latter is a new record for Asia (north Thailand). The hybrid between these two species in north Thailand originated from a cross between C. crepidioides (2n = 40) as female and C. rubens (2n = 40) as male parent.     

Notes on New Zealand mammals 10. Effect of observer position on group size and level of aggression of mating brown hares

Abstract

The sex pheromones of two endemic New Zealand tortricid species were investigated. Females of the first species, Cnephasia jactatana, a pest of kiwifruit, were found to produce (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc) in their sex pheromone gland. When tested in the field, this compound on its own elicited significant catches of male C. jactatana. However, the addition of even very small amounts (0.3%) of the geometric isomer, (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (E11-14:OAc), to Z 11-14:OAc virtually suppressed trap catches. The sex pheromone of the second species, Merophyas leucaniana, was found to consist of a mixture of Z11-14:OAc, E11-14:OAc, tetradecyl acetate, and (Z)-11-tetradecenol. This species is morphologically very similar to the congeneric species, M. divulsana, the Australian lucerne leafroller. The sex pheromone of M. leucaniana is also very similar to that of the so-called “Z-type” of M. divulsana, which is now found in New Zealand. The pheromone components of C. jactatana and M. leucaniana are discussed in relation to those found in other tortricids.     

基于荧光原位杂交技术的紫薇属植物核型分析

以紫薇(Lagerstroemia indica)、尾叶紫薇(L.caudata)、屋久岛紫薇(L.fauriei)和福建紫薇(L.limii)4种紫薇属植物为材料,利用染色体荧光原位杂交技术(FISH)获得了4种紫薇属植物的有丝分裂中期染色体FISH图及核型参数,分析了45SrDNA在紫薇属植物染色体上的数量和分布特点。结果表明,4种紫薇属植物染色体上均具有1对45SrDNA杂交位点,位于较长染色体短臂的近端部,紫薇、尾叶紫薇、屋久岛紫薇和福建紫薇的核型公式分别为2n=48=2M+24m+22sm、2n=48=30m+18sm、2n=48=2M+20m+26sm和2n=48=2M+32m+14sm,均为2A型。该研究首次获得了紫薇属植物45SrDNA荧光原位杂交核型,为紫薇属植物亲缘关系研究和细胞生物学研究提供了分子细胞学依据。     

A chromosome study of Spanish Bembidiidae and other Caraboidea (Coleoptera,Adephaga)

The karyotypes were studied of fifty-three Spanish Caraboidea species belonging to the following families: Trechidae (3 species), Bembidiidae (48), Pogonidae (1) and Harpalidae (1). Differences in the shape of the largest pair of autosomes (A pair) and the Y-chromosome are frequent among closely related species. The chromosomes of these species have a peculiar centromeric region weakly constricted and surrounded by conspicuous heterochromatic blocks. Eight species have a heteromorphic A pair, probably due to differences in the length of the nucleolar organizer. Species of the first three families either have a male karyotype of 24 chromosomes, or one derived from it, while the only species of the fourth family has a male karyotype of 39 chromosomes derived from the basic karyotype of the Harpalidae, 2n=37.     

On the morphology,behaviour and systematic status of the assam macaque (Macaca assamensis McClelland, 1839)

Studies on a living and freshly dead male ofM. assamensis at Y.R.P.R.C. supplemented by notes on a living pair and their male offspring observed at the Z.S.L., enable us to supplement existing data on the somatology, craniology, dental anatomy and behavioural features of the species. Collectively the new data necessitate taxonomic revision of the status of the species, viz: its removal from immediate association withM. mulatta (subgenusMaimon) and alignment within the subgenusZati. Zoogeographical discontinuity in this subgenus is compared with that of the subgenusSilenus.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Centaurea grinensis Reuter and Centaurea apiculata Ledeb: Growing wild in Croatia and Bulgaria,respectively and PCA analysis of subgenus Lopholoma (Cass.) Dobrocz

In the present study, the chemical composition of the essential oils from aerial parts of Centaurea grinensis Reuter (K) collected at ?uta Lova, near Senj (Croatia), and aerial parts (L1) and flowers (L2) of C. apiculata Ledeb. collected near Rebro village, near Breznik town, Znepole Region (Bulgaria), both belonging to subgenus Lopholoma (Cass.) Dobrocz, was evaluated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of K were 4-vinyl guaiacol (21.5%), hexadecanoic acid (16.2%), acetophenone (12.5%). Caryophyllene oxide (15.8%) together with sphathulenol (14.5%) and humulene epoxide II (9.4%) were recognized as the main constituent of both the aerial part (L1) and flowers (L2) of C. apiculata. Furthermore, a complete review on the composition of the essential oils of all the Centaurea taxa belonging to subgenus Lopholoma studied so far has been inserted and cluster analysis (PCA) was carried out.     

A revision of the Chinese Catops Paykull 1798 of the Catops fuscus species group (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae)

Five species of the Catops fuscus species group are reported from China. Three species are newly described: C. hlisnikovskyi n. sp. from the Beijing municipality and Jiangsu province, C. schuelkei n. sp. from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and C. smetanai n. sp. from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. Female of C. sasajii Nishikawa 2007 is described and the species is reported from Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces for the first time. Catops nigricans (Spence 1813) is reported for the first time from China (Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region). Important morphological characters are illustrated and the distribution of all species in China is mapped. Preliminar phylogenetic analysis separates (C. hlisnikovskyi n. sp.+C. fuscus fuscus Panzer 1794) as a sister clade to C. nigricans+(C. sasajii+(C. schuelkei n. sp.+C. smetanai n. sp.)), with C. paramericanus Peck & Cook 2002 as outgroup.     

Morphology of male and female terminalia and taxonomic revision of the burrower bugs genus Canthophorus (Heteroptera: Cydnidae)

The Palaearctic burrower bug genus Canthophorus Mulsant & Rey, 1866 (Heteroptera: Cydnidae) is revised. New data on the morphology and distribution are given. Structures of the female internal ectodermal terminalia and the completely inflated aedeagi in all species of the genus are described and illustrated for the first time. An extended differential diagnosis as a comparison with representatives of all Palearctic genera of the tribe Sehirini is given for the genus. Based on characters of the external morphology and terminalia of both sexes, new taxa are described: C. dubius sanigarum n. ssp., C. melanopterus mariae n. ssp., C. impressus hajastanicus n. ssp., and C. wagneri hyrcanicus n. ssp.; C. hissaricus Asanova, 1964 is downgraded to a subspecies level and included in C. mixtus Asanova, 1964. C. melanopterus niger (Vidal, 1950) is placed in synonymy with C. melanopterus melanopterus (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1835). A wide variability of the terminalia, especially in females, was found in C. melanopterus melanopterus; in the latter, six forms are described differing in the shape and size of sclerites in posterior pouches of the gynatrial sac and distributed mainly in the Mediterranean region. A key allowing identification of the species not only by males, but also by females, was compiled for the first time. It is shown that C. aeneus (Walker, 1867) [= Sehirus fuscipennis Horváth, 1899] and C. maculipes (Mulsant & Rey, 1852) have very significant differences from other species of Canthophorus in the male and female terminalia, and at the same time share some characters with the genus Adomerus Mulsant & Rey, 1866, including unique characters shared with several species of this group; therefore, the mentioned two species are transferred to the genus Adomerus.     

New data and new species of Microcoryphia and Zygentoma (Insecta) from Israel

The presented contribution concerns the study of several samples of Microcoryphia and of Zygentoma obtained in Israel; an up to date of the species of these insect Orders reported from Palestine is also presented. Genus Hyperlepisma (Lepismatidae: Ctenolepismatinae) is reported for the first time from the country and one new species H. palaestinensis n. sp., is described from the northern Negev. Another new species this one of the genus Lepidospora s. s. (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), L. (L.) ayyalonica n. sp., is described from the Ayyalon Cave in Western Central Israel, from where several other terrestrial and aquatic endemic arthropods were already known.     

Interactions in family pairs and parental care in captive steppe lemming (Lagurus lagurus)

Partner interactions and parental activities in pair-bonded male and female steppe lemmings (L. lagurus) were estimated under laboratory conditions. Interactions between adults in family pairs were found to be neutral or peaceful with rare agonistic contacts. Compared to other rodent species living in family groups, the frequency and duration of partner grooming in adults were found to be low, indicating relatively weak pair bonding in steppe lemmings. At the same time, males spend much more time with pups in the nest than females, but they are inferior to the latter in grooming (licking) and nest material delivery. Parental behavior of L. lagurus is discussed in comparison with that of other species of the subfamily Microtinae.     

Some monogenean parasites of the generaCalceostoma van Beneden, 1852 andDiplectanum Diesing, 1858 fromArgyrosomus hololepidotus (Lacepède, 1802) (Sciaenidae: Teleostei) in Western Australia

The taxonomy of three species of monogeneans from the gills ofArgyrosomus hololepidotus is detailed.Calceostoma glandulosum is redescribed and compared to previously unpublished morphometric data onC. calceostoma collected from Tunis and the Gulf of Gascogne. Two species of the genusDiplectanum,D. oliveri n. sp. andD. glandulosum n. sp. differ from other closely related diplectanids in a range of morphological characters but most importantly in the different size and morphology of the penis.     

Review of the neotropical endemics Burmeistera, Centropogon, and Siphocampylus (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), with description of 18 new species and a new section

Burmeistera, Centropogon, and Siphocampylus together comprise more than 500 species endemic to the Neotropics, Current knowledge of these genera is unsatisfactory, with much diversity yet to be described. Over the past seven years, one out of every 28 specimens received for identification has represented a new species, many characterized by unique or unusual character states. Siphocampylus smilax (Bolivia) is unique in the genus in its parallelodromous leaf venation and extra-floral nectaries. Centropogon dianae (Peru) cannot be accommodated in any recognized infrageneric taxon, and a new section, Centropogon sect. Niveopsis, is proposed for it. The flowers of C. steinii (Ecuador) are the smallest known in the genus, while C. connatilobatus (Venezuela) is the first species to combine arbusculiform pubescence and connate calyx lobes. Burmeistera venezuelensis is only the second species of the genus known to occur in Venezuela and the first to be endemic; similarly, Centropogon wilburii is only the third species of Centropogon known from Mexico and the first to be endemic to that country. Additional novelties are also described.     

Bispiculum inaequale n. gen. & sp. (Nematoda: Tetradonematidae) from New Zealand wood-boring beetles (Curculionidae: Platypodinae )

Abstract

A monotypic new genus, Bispiculum, is erected for B. inaequale n.sp. from the haemocoel of Platypus apicalis, P. caviceps, and P. gracilis, ambrosia beetles indigenous to New Zealand. B. inaequale is characterised by its possession of a pair of spicules and three rows of anal papillae in the male, and ‘escape-form’ juveniles. This is the first record of a tetradonematid in New Zealand, and the first of a tetradonematid from the Curculionidae. All stages are described, and the life history is discussed. The diagnosis of the Tetradonematidae is emended, the family is reviewed, and a key to species is provided.