Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the Neotropical cichlid fish tribe Cichlasomatini (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlasomatinae)

We have conducted the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the tribe Cichlasomatini including all valid genera as well as important species of questionable generic status. To recover the relationships among cichlasomatine genera and to test their monophyly we analyzed sequences from two mitochondrial (16S rRNA, cytochrome b) and one nuclear marker (first intron of S7 ribosomal gene) totalling 2236 bp. Our data suggest that all genera except Aequidens are monophyletic, but we found important disagreements between the traditional morphological relationships and the phylogeny based on our molecular data. Our analyses support the following conclusions: (a) Aequidens sensu stricto is paraphyletic, including also Cichlasoma (CA clade); (b) Krobia is not closely related to Bujurquina and includes also the Guyanan Aequidens species A. potaroensis and probably A. paloemeuensis (KA clade). (c) Bujurquina and Tahuantinsuyoa are sister groups, closely related to an undescribed genus formed by the 'Aequidens'pulcher-'Aequidens'rivulatus groups (BTA clade). (d) Nannacara (plus Ivanacara) and Cleithracara are found as sister groups (NIC clade). Acaronia is most probably the sister group of the BTA clade, and Laetacara may be the sister group of this clade. Estimation of divergence times suggests that the divergence of Cichlasomatini started around 44Mya with the vicariance between coastal rivers of the Guyanas (KA and NIC clades) and remaining cis-andean South America, followed by evolution of the Acaronia-Laetacara-BTA clade in Western Amazon, and the CA clade in the Eastern Amazon. Vicariant divergence has played importantly in evolution of cichlasomatine genera, with dispersal limited to later range extension of species within genera.     

Molecular phylogeny and evolution of mosquito parasitic Microsporidia (Microsporidia: Amblyosporidae)

Amblyospora species and other aquatic Microsporidia were isolated from mosquitoes, black flies, and copepods and the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced. Comparative phylogenetic analysis showed a correspondence between the mosquito host genera and their Amblyspora parasite species. There is a clade of Amblyospora species that infect the Culex host group and a clade of Amblyospora that infect the Aedes/Ochlerotatus group of mosquitoes. Parathelohania species, which infect Anopheles mosquitoes, may be the sister group to the Amblyospora in the same way that the Anopheles mosquitoes are thought to be the sister group to the Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. In addition, by sequence analysis of small subunit rDNA from spores, we identified the alternate copepod host for four species of Amblyospora. Amblyospora species are specific for their primary (mosquito) host and each of these mosquito species serves as host for only one Amblyospora species. On the other hand, a single species of copepod can serve as an intermediate host to several Amblyospora species and some Amblyospora species may be found in more than one copepod host. Intrapredatorus barri, a species within a monotypic genus with Amblyospora-like characteristics, falls well within the Amblyospora clade. The genera Edhazardia and Culicospora, which do not have functional meiospores and do not require an intermediate host, but which do have a lanceolate spore type which is ultrastructurally very similar to the Amblyospora spore type found in the copepod, cluster among the Amblyospora species. In the future, the genus Amblyospora may be redefined to include species without obligate intermediate hosts. Hazardia, Berwaldia, Larssonia, Trichotuzetia, and Gurleya are members of a sister group to the Amblyospora clades infecting mosquitoes, and may be representatives of a large group of aquatic parasites.     

Molecular phylogeny of new world primates (Platyrrhini) based on beta2-microglobulin DNA sequences

Neotropical primates, traditionally grouped in the infraorder Platyrrhini, comprise 16 extant genera. Cladistic analyses based on morphological characteristics and molecular data resulted in topologic arrangements depicting disparate phylogenetic relationships, indicating that the evolution of gross morphological characteristics and molecular traits is not necessarily congruent. Here we present a phylogenetic arrangement for all neotropical primate genera obtained from DNA sequence analyses of the beta2-microglobulin gene. Parsimony, distance, and maximum likelihood analyses favored two families, Atelidae and Cebidae, each containing 8 genera. Atelids were resolved into atelines and pitheciines. The well-supported ateline clade branched into alouattine (Alouatta) and ateline (Ateles, Lagothrix, Brachyteles) clades. In turn, within the Ateline clade, Lagothrix and Brachyteles were well-supported sister groups. The pitheciines branched into well-supported callicebine (Callicebus) and pitheciine (Pithecia, Cacajao, Chiropotes) clades. In turn, within the pitheciine clade, Cacajao and Chiropotes were well-supported sister groups. The cebids branched into callitrichine (Saguinus, Leontopithecus, Callimico, Callithrix-Cebuella), cebine (Cebus, Saimiri), and aotine (Aotus) clades. While the callitrichine clade and the groupings of species and genera within this clade were all well supported, the cebine clade received only modest support, and the position of Aotus could not be clearly established. Cladistic analyses favored the proposition of 15 rather than 16 extant genera by including Cebuella pygmaea in the genus Callithrix as the sister group of the Callithrix argentata species group. These analyses also favored the sister grouping of Callimico with Callithrix and then of Leontopithecus with the Callithrix-Callimico clade.     

Phylogenetic relationships within parrots (Psittacidae) inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences

Blood and tissue samples of 40 individuals including 27 parrot species (15 genera; 3 subfamilies) were collected in Indonesia. Their phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 907 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene, using the maximum-parsimony method, the maximum-likelihood method and the neighbor-joining method with Kimura two-parameter distance. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that (1) cockatoos (subfamily Cacatuinae) form a monophyletic sister group to other parrot groups; (2) within the genus Cacatua, C. goffini and C. sanguinea form a sister group to a clade containing other congeners; (3) subfamily Psittacinae emerged as paraphyletic, consisting of three clades, with a clade of Psittaculirostris grouping with subfamily Loriinae rather than with other Psittacinae; (4) lories and lorikeets (subfamily Loriinae) emerged as monophyletic, with Charmosyna placentis a basal sister group to other Loriinae, which comprised the subclades Lorius; Trichoglossus+Eos; and Chalcopsitta+ Pseudeos.     

Phylogeny of Polygonia, Nymphalis and related butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae): a total-evidence analysis

We investigated the phylogeny of butterflies in the tribe Nymphalini sensu Harvey 1991, comprising the genera Vanessa, Cynthia, Bassaris, Aglais, Inachis, Nymphalis, Polygonia, Kaniska, Antanartia, Hypanartia, Symbrenthia, Mynes and Araschnia . Evidence from the mitochondrial gene ndl, the nuclear gene 'wingless' and from morphology/ ecology/behaviour were used separately and combined to analyse relationships. Phylogenies based on the different types of data agreed in many aspects of basic topology. We show that an analysis of only wing pattern characters (based on Nijhout's homology system) results in a topology broadly similar to the one resulting from analysis of the complete matrix. We found support for a monophyletic Nymphalini, where Hypanartia may be the sister clade to all other genera. Mynes, Symbrenthia and Araschnia together seem to form another basal clade. Evidence presented gives only moderate support for a monophyletic Vanessa in the wide sense, including also Cynthia and Bassaris , but strong support for the monophyly of the largely holarctic clade Aglais + Inachis + Nymphalis + Polygonia + Kaniska + Roddia . Within the latter group there is strong support for a clade consisting of Aglais + Inachis and for a second clade which includes Nymphalis, Polygonia (and its sister clade, the monotypic Kaniska) as well as Roddia l-album (= Nymphalis vaualbum ). As a consequence of this topology, Aglais is recognized as a taxon separate from Nymphalis . We present a hypothesis of species relationships within the focal group of genera. We also analyse and discuss the implications of excluding or including ecological data in phylogenetic tree construction, when the tree is to be used for studies in phylogenetic ecology.     

Molecular and biochemical properties of storage mites (except Blomia species)

In recent years, the allergological importance of different mite species not belonging to the family Pyroglyphidae has been demonstrated. These mites, commonly named storage mites, include Lepidoglyphus destructor, Glycyphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Acarus siro, Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Suidasia medanensis and Thyreophagus entomophagus. Several allergens from these species have been purified, sequenced and cloned. Many of these allergens have shown sequence homology and a biological function similar to those previously described in Blomia tropicalis and the Dermatophagoides spp. The main allergens described in storage mites include fatty acid binding proteins, tropomysin and paramyosin homologues, apoliphorine like proteins, alfa-tubulines and other, such as group 2, 5 and 7 allergens, which definitive biological function has not been described yet. Besides the purification and characterization of allergens, the allergenicity of other species such as Acarus farris, Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis, Blomia kulagini and B. tjibodas, Cheyletus eruditus, Chortoglyphus arcuatus, Gohieria fusca, Thyreophagus entomophagus and Tyrophagus longior has been investigated. Research has also been conducted to identify allergens in parasitic mites, such as Psoroptes ovis, Sarcoptes scabiei, Varroa jacobsoni, Diplaegidia columbae and Hemisarcoptes cooremani. The allergenicity of mites present in agricultural environments has been investigated. Crossreactivity studies have also been performed to elucidate to what extent all these mites share common, or species specific epitopes. Herein we present a comprehensive review of the allergenicity of mite species which have been implicated in human respiratory and/or dermatological diseases.     

根据叶绿体ndhF和核核糖体DNA序列推断梓属(紫葳科)的系统发育

Phylogenetics of Chilopsis and Catalpa (Bignoniaceae) was elucidated based on sequences of chloroplast ndhF and the nrDNA ITS region. In Bignoniaceae, Chilopsis and Catalpa are most closely related as sister genera. Our data supported section Macrocatalpa of the West Indies and section Catalpa of eastern Asian and North American continents. Within section Catalpa, Catalpa ovata of eastern Asia form a clade with North American species, C. speciosa and C. bignonioides, while the other eastern Asian species comprise a clade where C. duclouxii is sister to the clade of C. bungei and C. fargesii. The Caribbean species of Catalpa diverged early from the continental species. More studies are needed to test whether the phylogenetic pattern is common in eastern Asian-North American disjunct genera with species in the West Indies.     

Phylogenetic relationships of subtribe Ecliptinae (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction site data

Phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA restriction site data for 76 of the 302 genera of Heliantheae sensu lato using 16 restriction endonucleases reveals that subtribe Ecliptinae is polyphyletic and that its genera are distributed in four different lineages. The ecliptinous genera Squamopappus, Podachaenium, Verbesina, and Tetrachyron (of the Neurolaeninae), along with other members of subtribe Neurolaeninae are the basalmost clades of the paleaceous Heliantheae. The mostly temperate species of subtribe Ecliptinae (exemplified by Balsamorhiza, Borrichia, Chrysogonum, Engelmannia, Silphium, Vigethia, and Wyethia) are strongly nested in a clade with the Mesoamerican monotypic genus Rojasianthe as basal. The genera characterized by marcescent ray corollas traditionally classified in subtribe Zinniinae constitute a strongly supported group sister to Acmella, Spilanthes, and Salmea. The largest clade of ecliptinous genera is the most recently derived group within Heliantheae sampled. This large group of mostly Neotropical lowland genera (variously characterized by their winged cypselae, foliaceous phyllaries, and opposite phyllotaxy and exemplified by Perymenium, Wedelia, and Zexmenia) has been and continues to be the most challenging group from a taxonomic standpoint. The study provides new insights as to their relationships that will have a positive impact in future monographic studies of the group. The genera of the Espeletiinae form a monophyletic clade and are sister to members of the Milleriinae and Melampodiinae. This result is consistent with their traditional taxonomic placement with genera such as Smallanthus with which they share a tendency for functionally staminate disc flowers. The phylogenetically enigmatic genus Montanoa is sister to Melampodium. Members of subtribe Galinsoginae are clustered in two main lineages that correspond to the traditional division of the subtribe based on pappus characteristics. There is no support for the monophyly of subtribe Galinsoginae, and the same results indicate some of its genera are paraphyletic.     

Phylogeny and higher classification of Hoplandriini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Abstract The monophyly of the aleocharine beetle tribe Hoplandriini is established and the phylogenetic relationships of sixteen genus-group taxa are resolved. Three primary lineages are recognized: the Ligulata + (( Platandria + Tetrallus ) + ( Paroplandria + ( Ditropandria + ( Omoplandria + ( Nosora + Tinotoma ))))) clade forms a sister group to the (( Hoplandria + undescribed species 5, 4, 6) + undescribed species 1, 2, 3) clade, and together form the sister group to Pseudoplandria . On the basis of phylogenetic inference, three subtribes are proposed within Hoplandriini. Hoplandriina is composed of Hoplandria s.l and two as yet undescribed genera from the New World. Platandriina, subtr.n., is composed of Ditropandria , Paroplandria , Platandria , Tetrallus , Omoplandria , Nosora and Tinotoma from the Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental and Palearctic Regions. Pseudoplandriina, subtr.n., is composed of genus Pseudoplandria , primarily from the Oriental Region with one species from the Palearctic Region.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Australian frog genera Crinia, Geocrinia, and allied taxa (Anura: Myobatrachidae).

We present a mitochondrial gene tree for representative species of all the genera in the subfamily Myobatrachinae, with special emphasis on Crinia and Geocrinia. This group has been the subject of a number of long-standing taxonomic and phylogenetic debates. Our phylogeny is based on data from approximately 780 bp of 12S rRNA and 676 bp of ND2, and resolves a number of these problems. We confirm that the morphologically highly derived monotypic genera Metacrinia, Myobatrachus, and Arenophryne are closely related, and that Pseudophryne forms the sister group to these genera. Uperoleia and the recently described genus Spicospina are also part of this clade. Our data show that Assa and Geocrinia are reciprocally monophyletic and together they form a well-supported clade. Geocrinia is monophyletic and the phylogenetic relationships with the genus are fully resolved with two major species groups identified: G. leai, G. victoriana, and G. laevis; and G. rosea, G. alba, and G. vitellina (we were unable to sample G. lutea). We confirm that Taudactylus forms the sister group to the other myobatrachine genera, but our data are equivocal on the phylogenetic position of Paracrinia. The phylogenetic relationships among Crinia species are well resolved with strong support for a number of distinct monophyletic clades, but more data are required to resolve relationships among these major Crinia clades. Crinia tasmaniensis and Bryobatrachus nimbus form the sister clade to the rest of Crinia. Due to the lack of generic level synapomorphies for a Bryobatrachus that includes C. tasmaniensis, we synonymize Bryobatrachus with Crinia. Crinia georgiana does not form a clade distinct from other Crinia species and so our data do not support recognition of the genus Ranidella for other Crinia species. Crinia subinsignifera, C. pseudinsignifera, and C. insignifera are extremely closely related despite differences in male advertisement call. A preliminary investigation of phylogeographic substructure within C. signifera revealed significant divergence between samples from across the range of this species.     

A molecular assessment of phylogenetic relationships and lineage accumulation rates within the family Salamandridae (Amphibia, Caudata)

We examine phylogenetic relationships among salamanders of the family Salamandridae using approximately 2700 bases of new mtDNA sequence data (the tRNALeu, ND1, tRNAIle, tRNAGln, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, tRNACys, tRNATyr, and COI genes and the origin for light-strand replication) collected from 96 individuals representing 61 of the 66 recognized salamandrid species and outgroups. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis are performed on the new data alone and combined with previously reported sequences from other parts of the mitochondrial genome. The basal phylogenetic split is a polytomy of lineages ancestral to (1) the Italian newt Salamandrina terdigitata, (2) a strongly supported clade comprising the "true" salamanders (genera Chioglossa, Mertensiella, Lyciasalamandra, and Salamandra), and (3) a strongly supported clade comprising all newts except S. terdigitata. Strongly supported clades within the true salamanders include monophyly of each genus and grouping Chioglossa and Mertensiella as the sister taxon to a clade comprising Lyciasalamandra and Salamandra. Among newts, genera Echinotriton, Pleurodeles, and Tylototriton form a strongly supported clade whose sister taxon comprises the genera Calotriton, Cynops, Euproctus, Neurergus, Notophthalmus, Pachytriton, Paramesotriton, Taricha, and Triturus. Our results strongly support monophyly of all polytypic newt genera except Paramesotriton and Triturus, which appear paraphyletic, and Calotriton, for which only one of the two species is sampled. Other well-supported clades within newts include (1) Asian genera Cynops, Pachytriton, and Paramesotriton, (2) North American genera Notophthalmus and Taricha, (3) the Triturus vulgaris species group, and (4) the Triturus cristatus species group; some additional groupings appear strong in Bayesian but not parsimony analyses. Rates of lineage accumulation through time are evaluated using this nearly comprehensive sampling of salamandrid species-level lineages. Rate of lineage accumulation appears constant throughout salamandrid evolutionary history with no obvious fluctuations associated with origins of morphological or ecological novelties.     

A comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the starlings (Aves: Sturnidae) and mockingbirds (Aves: Mimidae): congruent mtDNA and nuclear trees for a cosmopolitan avian radiation

We generated a comprehensive phylogeny for the avian families Sturnidae (starlings, mynas, Rhabdornis, oxpeckers, and allies) and Mimidae (mockingbirds, thrashers, and allies) to explore patterns of morphological and behavioral diversification. Reconstructions were based on mitochondrial DNA sequences from five coding genes (4108 bp), and nuclear intron sequences from four loci (2974 bp), for most taxa, supplemented with NDII gene sequences (1041 bp) derived from museum skin specimens from additional taxa; together the 117 sampled taxa comprise 78% of the 151 species in these families and include representatives of all currently or recently recognized genera. Phylogenetic analyses consistently identified nine major clades. The basal lineage is comprised of the two Buphagus oxpeckers, which are presently confined to Africa where they are obligately associated with large mammals. Some species in nearly all of the other major clades also feed on or around large vertebrates, and this association may be an ancestral trait that fostered the world-wide dispersal of this group. The remaining taxa divide into sister clades representing the New-World Mimidae and Old-World Sturnidae. The Mimidae are divided into two subclades, a group of Central American and West Indian catbirds and thrashers, and a pan-American clade of mockingbirds and thrashers. The Sturnidae are subdivided into six clades. The Phillipine endemic Rhabdornis are the sister lineage to a larger and substantially more recent radiation of South Asian and Pacific island starlings and mynas. A clade of largely migratory or nomadic Eurasian starlings (within which the basal lineage is the model taxon Sturnus vulgaris) is allied to three groups of largely African species. These reconstructions confirm that Buphagus should not be included in the Sturnidae, and identify many genera that are not monophyletic. They also highlight the substantial diversity among the major Sturnidae subclades in rates of species accumulation, morphological differentiation, and behavioral variation.     

Polyphyly across oceans: a molecular phylogeny of the Chromodorididae (Mollusca, Nudibranchia)

The Chromodorididae is a large and colourful family of nudibranch sea slugs distributed across the world's oceans. Most diversity is centred in the Indo-Pacific, but several genera are present in multiple ocean basins, or across regions separated by biogeographical barriers. The monophyly of these widespread genera had not been tested previously. We used 18S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI sequence data to generate a molecular phylogeny for this group. We recovered evidence of paraphyly or polyphyly in all of the widespread genera examined ( Hypselodoris , Mexichromis , Chromodoris and Glossodoris ). East Atlantic Hypselodoris and west Atlantic + east Pacific Mexichromis species were more closely related to each other than they were to their Indo-Pacific congeners. The addition of Southern Ocean species of Digidentis demonstrated an interesting alternative to this relationship, becoming the sister group for the east Atlantic Hypselodoris on the basis of 16S and 18S data, but not COI data. Sister group relationships were recovered for most monotypic or enigmatic genera. Ardeadoris is linked to Glossodoris , as is Diversidoris ; Pectenodoris is sister to the Indo-Pacific Mexichromis clade, and Verconia is the sister to Noumea haliclona . Controversy surrounding the placement of the three most basal genera was only partially resolved. Using Actinocyclus to root the mitochondrial trees, Cadlinella was the unsupported sister to the Chromodorididae (excluding Cadlina ), and Tyrinna occupied a relatively basal position, although this also did not receive significant statistical support. Adding nuclear 18S data gave support for Cadlina as the sister group to the rest of the Chromodorididae s.s. Otherwise, like previous molecular studies, mitochondrial genes supported an alternative position for Cadlina (with other dorid genera).     

An ITS phylogeny of Balsamorhiza and Wyethia (Asteraceae: Heliantheae)

The relationships among the species of Balsamorhiza and Wyethia (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) were examined using data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The ITS sequences were obtained from nine species of Balsamorhiza and 14 species of Wyethia as well as seven outgroup genera. Five of the outgroup genera were members of the subtribe Engelmanniinae of the tribe Heliantheae, the subtribe that includes Balsamorhiza and Wyethia. The resulting trees show that Balsamorhiza and Wyethia together form a monophyletic group. Balsamorhiza alone is monophyletic, but neither of its two sections is monophyletic. Wyethia is paraphyletic. One group of Wyethia species, including all members of sections Alarconia and Wyethia as well as W. bolanderi from section Agnorhiza, is monophyletic and sister to Balsamorhiza. The other species of Wyethia (all placed in section Agnorhiza) are part of a polytomy along with the clade composed of Balsamorhiza plus the rest of Wyethia.     

Cotylea (Polycladida): a cladistic analysis of morphology

Abstract. Polyclad flatworms are acoelomate bilaterians found in benthic communities worldwide, predominantly in marine environments. Current polyclad systematics is unstable, with two non-concordant classification schemes resulting in a poor understanding of within-group relationships. Here we present the first phylogenetic framework for the suborder Cotylea using a morphological matrix. Representatives of 34 genera distributed among all cotylean families (except four, excluded due to their dubious taxonomic status) were investigated. The number of families included ranges from a conservative eight to a revisionary 11. Outgroup analysis indicated that the suborder is monophyletic and defined by the presence of a ventral adhesive structure, a short posteriorly positioned vagina, and cement glands. Of the eight to 11 families included, we confirmed that three were monophyletic: Boniniidae, Prosthiostomidae, and Pseudocerotidae. Boniniidae was consistently recovered as the sister group to other Cotylea, based on the retention of the plesiomorphic Lang's vesicle. The clade consisting of Anonymus, Marcusia , and Pericelis is sister to the Boniniidae and the rest of the Cotylea. Above this clade there is little resolution at the base of the sister group. The Euryleptidae are found to be paraphyletic and give rise to the Pseudocerotidae. Neither classification scheme received unequivocal support. The intrafamilial relationships of the diverse Pseudocerotidae and Euryleptidae were examined. Color pattern characters (used for species identification) were highly homoplasious but increased cladogram resolution within genera. The monophyly of seven genera within the Pseudocerotidae and Euryleptidae was not supported and many genera showed no autapomorphies, highlighting the need for taxonomic revision of these families.     

Origin and evolution of the endemic Macaronesian Inuleae (Asteraceae): evidence from the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA

The tribe Inuleae (Asteraceae) has 10 species endemic to the Macaronesian islands, including the three endemic genera Allagopappus, Schizogyne, and Vierea. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of 47 taxa were performed using all Macaronesian endemics and representative species from 21 of the 36 genera of the Inuleae. The resulting ITS phylogeny reveals that Allagopappus is sister to a large clade that contains all genera with a predominantly Mediterranean distribution. This finding suggests that Allagopappus may represent an ancient lineage that found refuge in the Canary Islands following the major climatic and/or geologic changes in the Mediterranean basin after the Tertiary. The Macaronesian endemic genus Schizogyne is sister to Limbarda from the Mediterranean. The third Macaronesian endemic genus, Vierea, is sister to Perralderia, which is restricted to Morocco and Algeria. Pulicaria canariensis is sister to P. mauritanica, a species endemic to Morocco and Algeria. In contrast, P. diffusa from the Cape Verde Islands is sister to a broadly distributed species, P. crispa, that occurs from North Africa to the Arabian peninsula. Based on the ITS data, the genera Blumea, Inula, and Pulicaria are not monophyletic. The ITS trees suggested that Blumea mollis belongs to the tribe Plucheeae, a finding that is congruent with recent morphological evidence. A possible southern African origin for the core of the Laurasian taxa of the Inuleae is also suggested.     

Phylogeny of Chaetonotidae and other Paucitubulatina (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotida) and the colonization of aquatic ecosystems

Kånneby, T., Todaro, M. A., Jondelius, U. (2012). Phylogeny of Chaetonotidae and other Paucitubulatina (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotida) and the colonization of aquatic ecosystems. —Zoologica Scripta, 42, 88–105. Chaetonotidae is the largest family within Gastrotricha with almost 400 nominal species represented in both freshwater and marine habitats. The group is probably non‐monophyletic and suffers from a troubled taxonomy. Current classification is to a great extent based on shape and distribution of cuticular structures, characters that are highly variable. We present the most densely sampled molecular study so far where 17 of the 31 genera belonging to Chaetonotida are represented. Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches based on 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and COI mtDNA are used to reconstruct relationships within Chaetonotidae. The use of cuticular structures for supra‐specific classification within the group is evaluated and the question of dispersal between marine and freshwater habitats is addressed. Moreover, the subgeneric classification of Chaetonotus is tested in a phylogenetic context. Our results show high support for a clade containing Dasydytidae nested within Chaetonotidae. Within this clade, only three genera are monophyletic following current classification. Genera containing both marine and freshwater species never form monophyletic clades and group with other species according to habitat. Marine members of Aspidiophorus appear to be the sister group of all other Chaetonotidae and Dasydytidae, indicating a marine origin of the clade. Halichaetonotus and marine Heterolepidoderma form a monophyletic group in a sister group relationship to freshwater species, pointing towards a secondary invasion of marine environments of these taxa. Our study highlights the problems of current classification based on cuticular structures, characters that show homoplasy for deeper relationships.     

Phylogeny of the Polytrichales (Bryophyta) based on simultaneous analysis of molecular and morphological data

Phylogenetic analyses of Polytrichales were conducted using morphology and sequence data from the chloroplast genes rbcL and rps4 plus the trnL-F gene region, part of the mitochondrial nad5 and the nuclear-encoded 18S rDNA. Our analyses included 46 species representing all genera of Polytrichales. Phylogenetic trees were constructed with simultaneous parsimony analyses of all sequences plus morphology and separate combinations of sequence data only. Results lend support for recognition of Polytrichales as a monophyletic entity. Oedipodium griffithianum appears as a sister taxon to Polytrichales or as a sister taxon of all mosses excluding Sphagnales and Andreaeles. Within Polytrichales, Alophosia and Atrichopsis, species without the adaxial lamellae (in Atrichopsis present but poorly developed on male gametophyte) otherwise typical of the group are sister to the remaining species followed by a clade including Bartramiopsis and Lyellia, species with adaxial lamellae covering only the central portion of the leaves. Six taxa with an exclusively Southern Hemisphere distribution form a grade between the basal lineages and a clade including genera that are mostly confined to the Northern Hemisphere.     

Phylogenetics of scutigeromorph centipedes (Myriapoda: Chilopoda) with implications for species delimitation and historical biogeography of the Australian and New Caledonian faunas

Phylogeny of the centipede order Scutigeromorpha has received recent attention from combined analyses of molecular and morphological data. Denser generic sampling, an additional marker (12S rRNA), and multiple specimens for selected species are used to explore phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomy of this charismatic group of centipedes. Among 55 specimens/27 species analysed for six genes are the first molecular data for the genera Dendrothereua , Pilbarascutigera , and Tachythereua , and previously unsampled species of Scutigerinae from Madagascar. Sampling density is especially increased for Thereuoneminae from Australia and New Caledonia. At the base of Scutigeromorpha, the split of Pselliodidae from Scutigerinidae + Scutigeridae is favoured by the optimal parameter set in combined analyses, but most suboptimal parameter sets instead unite pselliodids and scutigerinids. Dendrothereua is re-established for a Neotropical clade that variably resolves as sister to Tachythereua or separate from Scutigerinae, grouped with Pselliodidae and Scutigerinidae. As traditionally diagnosed, the genera that comprise most of Australian and New Caledonian diversity, Allothereua and Parascutigera , are mutually polyphyletic, though they unite as a well supported clade, sister to or including the Western Australian Pilbarascutigera . The main biogeographical signal within the Allothereua / Parascutigera clade is Western Australia as sister area to eastern Australia/New Caledonia, within which New Caledonian " Parascutigera " has a single origin under optimal parameter sets. Genetic variation within scutigeromorph species is appraised using samples of Scutigera coleoptrata throughout its native distribution plus presumed synanthropic records, and from the Allothereua/Parascutigera clade. Variation between six alleged narrow-range endemic species of Parascutigera in north Queensland is consistent with a single species.