Semiaquatic bugs: phylogeny and classification of the Hebridae (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) with revisions of Timasius, Neotimasius and Hyrcanus

Various characters of semiaquatic bugs belonging to the family Hebridae are analysed with respect to their taxonomic and phylogenetic importance. The cladistic relationships of the genera are discussed and a cladogram included. A classification is presented which divides the family into two sub-families and resurrects Lipogomphus Berg as a valid taxon (to include L. lacuniferus Berg (type-species), L.accola (Drake & Chapman) comb.n. for Merragata accola, L.brevis (Champion) comb.n. for Merragata brevis, and L.leucosticta (Champion) comb.n. for Merragata leucosticta). The following new taxa of hygropetric hebrids are described: Timasius livens sp.n. (Thailand), T.minor sp.n. (Pakistan, N. India), T.miyamotoi sp.n. (Thailand), T.major sp.n. (N.India), T.ventralis sp.n. (N. India), T. miyamotoi sp.n. (S. India), T.rupestris sp.n. (N. India), T.falcifer sp.n. (N. India), T.championi sp.n. (N. India), T.himalayensis sp.n. (N. India), Neotimasius orientalis gen.n., sp.n. (S. India), Hyrcaninae subfam.n. , Hyrcanus dispar sp.n. (N. India), H.saxatilis sp.n. (Thailand) and H.varicolor sp.n. (Java, Sumatra). Other species of the genera Timasius and Hyrcanus are redescribed and the generic position of one species changed: Hebrus (s.str.) atratus (Distant) comb.n. for Timasius atratus.     

A revision of the family Zoogonidae Odhner, 1902 (Platyhelminthes: Digenea): Introduction and subfamily Zoogoninae

Summary The 28 major morphological characters of members of the family Zoogonidae are discussed. A key to the subfamilies is given and a detailed revision of the subfamily is presented. Nine genera and 27 species are treated in detail with keys and cladograms to genera and species. The genera and species covered are: Zoogonus rubellus, Z. argentopsi, Z. dextrocirrus, Z. lasius, Z. [=Zoogonoides] mazuri (Korotaeva) n. comb., Z. pagrosomi, Proparvipyrum israelense, Parvipyrum acanthuri, Brevicreadium congeri, Diphterostomum brusinae, D. albulae, D. americanum, D. betencourti, D. indicum, D. magnacetabulum, D. vividum, Pseudozoogonoides subaequiporus, P. ugui, Glaucivermis spinosus, Neozoogonus californicus, N. longicecus, N. malacanthi, Zoogonoides viviparus, Z. acanthogobii, Z. laevis, Z. pyriformis, Z. yamagutii. ac]19851127     

Chemistry,Anatomy and Morphology of Foliicolous Species of Fellhanera and Badimia (Lichenized Ascomycotina: Lecanorales)

A comparison of secondary chemistry and a variety of anatomical and morphological characters of Fellhanera and Badimia (Pilocarpaceae) has been conducted in an effort to clarify the systematic position of both genera. Based on our results we conclude that Fellhanera and Badimia are closely related and separated mainly by the slightly different paraphyses, amyloid reactions of their asci, apothecial size, and the presence or absence of campylidia. Fellhanera badimioides sp.n. is described, and the following systematic changes are proposed: Badimia cateilea (Vain.) comb.n. B. lecanorina (Zahlbr.) comb.n., B. tuckermanii (R.Sant.) comb.n. and Fellhanera stanhopeae (Müll. Arg.) comb.n.     

A cladistic analysis of Erythracarinae (Acarina: Prostigmata: Anystidae), with the description of a new genus

A cladistic analysis of sixty erythracarine species is presented and used to justify recent nomenclatorial changes to the classification of erythracarine genera. Erythracarinae is redescribed, and a new diagnosis for the subfamily and a key to the included genera are presented. Neotarsolarcus is recognized as a junior synonym of Tarsolarkus, which is recorded for the first time from North America. A new genus, Pedidromus, with six new species (P. agitatus sp.n. P. curiosus sp.n., P. durongensis sp.n., P. peliculus sp.n., P. pilotrix sp.n., P. velox sp.n.) is described.     

A taxonomic revision of the Nematotaeniidae Lühe, 1910 (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea)

A taxonomic revision of the Nematotaeniidae, involving the examination of over 400 specimens, was undertaken. Some new taxonomic characters have been introduced to allow distinction of the various species. The family contains 18 recognized species in four genera. The genusNematotaenia Lühe, 1910 contains four species, namelyN. chantalae Dollfus, 1957,N. dispar (Goeze, 1782) Lühe, 1910,N. hylae Hickman, 1960, andN. tarentolae Lopez-Neyra, 1944.N. kashmirensis Fotedar, 1966,N. dollfusi, Yuen & Fernando, 1974 andN. viride Mokhtar-Maamouri & Chakroun, 1984 are considered junior synonyms ofN. dispar. N. aurangabadensis Chincholikar & Shinde, 1975,N. lopezneyrai Soler, 1945 andN. mabuiae Shinde, 1968 are consideredspecies inquirendae: the latter species probably belongs in the genusOochoristica Lühe, 1898 (Anoplocephalidae: Linstowiinae). The genusCylindrotaenia Jewell, 1916 is shown to possess two testes per segment and not one as originally proposed:Baerietta Hsü, 1935 is consequently synonymized withCylindrotaenia. Cylindrotaenia is divided into five species-groups on the basis of adult morphology. The first group contains two American species, namelyC. americana Jewell, 1916 andC. idahoensis (Waitz & Mehra, 1961) n. comb. The second group contains species from Australia and New Zealand, namelyC. allisonae (Schmidt, 1980), n. comb.,C. criniae (Hickman, 1960) n. comb.,C. decidua (Ainsworth, 1985) n. comb.,C. hickmani (Jones, 1985) n. comb. andC. minor (Hickman, 1960) n. comb. A third species group consists ofC. jaegerskioeldi (Janicki, 1926) n. comb.,C. magna n. sp. andC. philauti Crusz & Sanmugasunderam, 1971 and occurs in Africa, Sri Lanka and Japan. The fourth group, apparently restricted to Japan, contains a single species,C. japonica (Yamaguti, 1938) n. comb. The fifth group containsC. montana (Yamaguti, 1954) n. comb. and occurs in Japan and Tibet.C. quadrijugosa Lawler, 1939 is synonymized withC. americana, andBaerietta claviformis Yamaguti, 1954 is synonymized withC. japonica. C. baeri (Hsü, 1935) n. comb.,C. chilensis (Puga & Franjola, 1983) n. comb.,C. diana (Helfer, 1948) Lehmann, 1960,C. malayi (Yuen & Fernando, 1974) n. comb. andC. roonwali Nama, 1972 arespecies inquirendae. The genusDistoichometra, Dickey 1921 contains a single species, namelyD. bufonis Dickey, 1921.D. kozloffi Douglas, 1958 andBaerietta enteraneides (Helfer, 1948) Yamaguti, 1959 are reduced to synonymy withD. bufonis. Bitegmen n. g. is proposed to accomodate a single species,B. gerrhonoti (Telford, 1965) n. comb., which was previously included in the genusBaerietta. The present distribution of the Nematotaeniidae is largely related to that of their anuran hosts. Nematotaeniids probably arose in Gondwanaland.     

Phylogenetic Systematics and Biogeography of the Neoephemeridae (Ephemeroptera: Pannota)

A revision of species of the pannote Holarctic and Oriental mayfly family Neoephemeridae is presented. Three genera are recognized in a strictly phylogenetic classification. Potamanthellus [=Neoephemeropsis Ulmer syn. n.] includes P. caenoides (Ulmer) comb. n., P. amabilis (Eaton) [=N. cuaraoensis Dang syn. n.], P. ganges sp. n., P. chinensis (Hsu) [=P. rarus (Tiunova and Levanidova) syn. n.], P. edmundsi sp. n., and the Oligocene fossil Potamanthellus rubiensis Lewis. Neoephemera [=Leucorhoenanthus Lestage syn. n.] includes N. maxima (Joly), N. purpurea (Traver), N. youngi Berner, N. bicolor McDunnough, and N. compressa Berner. Ochernova gen. n., includes O. tshernovae (Kazlauskas) comb. n. Taxa are described, illustrated and keyed. Species cladistics and biogeography are presented.     

Total evidence phylogenetic analysis and reclassification of Euschistus Dallas within Carpocorini (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae)

Robust phylogenetic hypotheses have become key for studies addressing the evolutionary biology and ecology of various groups of organisms. In the species‐rich heteropteran superfamily Pentatomoidea, phylogenies at lower taxonomic levels are still scarce and mostly employ exclusively morphological data. In this study, we conducted a total evidence phylogeny focusing on the tribe Carpocorini (Pentatomidae), using morphological data and four DNA markers (COI, Cytb, 16S and 28S rDNA; ～2330 bp; 32 taxa) in order to investigate the relationships within Euschistus Dallas, one of the most speciose pentatomid genera, and between Euschistus and related genera. Our hypotheses generated by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference show that the current taxonomic composition and classification of Euschistus and allied genera are in need of revision. Euschistus was recovered as nonmonophyletic, with the subgenera forming four independent lineages: Euschistus (Euschistus) and Euschistus (Lycipta) Stål are sister groups; Euschistus (Euschistomorphus) Jensen‐Haarup is more closely related to Dichelops Spinola and Agroecus Dallas; and Mitripus Rolston is divided into two clades closely related to Sibaria Stål and Ladeaschistus Rolston. We chose not to change the classification of E. (Euschistomorphus) until further data become available, and propose to split Euschistus into three genera with the exclusion of Euschistus (Mitripus) and all of its species. Here we elevate Mitripus to genus rank to include M. acutus comb.n. , M. convergens comb.n. and M. legionarius comb.n. , and propose Adustonotus Bianchi gen.n. to include A. anticus comb.n. , A. latus comb.n. , A. tauricornis comb.n. , A. grandis comb.n. , A. hansi comb.n. , A. paranticus comb.n. , A. irroratus comb.n. and A. saramagoi comb.n. We also provide identification keys to the genera Adustonotus gen.n. , Ladeaschistus, Mitripus n. rank and Sibaria, here defined as the Mitripus genus group, and to the species of Mitripus and Adustonotus gen.n. Our results provide insights into the current status of the classification of the Pentatomidae, suggesting the need for phylogenetic analyses at different taxonomic levels within stink bugs. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E09D2675‐0F2B‐4AAE‐9837‐257E0B18BC52 .     

The Lepocreadiidae (Digenea) of fishes of the north-east Atlantic: review of the genera Opechona Looss, 1907 and Prodistomum Linton, 1910

The genera Opechona Looss and Prodistomum Linton are redefined: the latter is re-established, its diagnostic character being the lack of a uroproct. Pharyngora Lebour and Neopechona Stunkard are considered synonyms of Opechona, and Acanthocolpoides Travassos, Freitas & Bührnheim is considered a synonym of Prodistomum. Opechona bacillaris (Molin) and Prodistomum [originally Distomum] polonii (Molin) n. comb. are described from the NE Atlantic Ocean. Separate revisions with keys to Opechona, Prodistomum and ‘Opechona-like’ species incertae sedis are presented. Opechona is considered to contain: O. bacillaris (type-species), O. alaskensis Ward & Fillingham, O. [originally Neopechona] cablei (Stunkard) n. comb., O. chloroscombri Nahhas & Cable, O. occidentalis Montgomery, O. parvasoma Ching sp. inq., O. pharyngodactyla Manter, O. [originally Distomum] pyriforme (Linton) n. comb. and O. sebastodis (Yamaguti). Prodistomum includes: P. gracile Linton (type-species), P. [originally Opechona] girellae (Yamaguti) n. comb., P. [originally Opechona] hynnodi (Yamaguti) n. comb., P. [originally Opechona] menidiae (Manter) n. comb., P. [originally Pharyngora] orientalis (Layman) n. comb., P. polonii and P. [originally Opechona] waltairensis (Madhavi) n. comb. Some species are considered ‘Opechona-like’ species incertae sedis: O. formiae Oshmarin, O. siddiqii Ahmad, 1986 nec 1984, O. mohsini Ahmad, O. magnatestis Gaevskaya & Kovaleva, O. vinodae Ahmad, O. travassosi Ahmad, ‘Lepidapedon’ nelsoni Gupta & Mehrotra and O. siddiqi Ahmad, 1984 nec 1986. The related genera Cephalolepidapedon Yamaguti and Clavogalea Bray and the synonymies of their constituent species are discussed, and further comments are made on related genera and misplaced species. The new combination Clavogalea [originally Stephanostomum] trachinoti (Fischthal & Thomas) is made. The taxonomy, life-history, host-specificity and zoogeography of the genera are briefly discussed.     

Isthmiophora Lühe, 1909 and Euparyphium Dietz, 1909 (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) re-defined,with comments on their nominal species

The validity of Isthmiophora Lühe, 1909 in relation to Euparyphium Dietz, 1909 is discussed and confirmed. Isthmiophora melis Schrank, 1788) [the type-species] and I. inermis (Fuhrmann, 1904) n. comb. are redescribed, and diagnoses are given for both genera, along with lists of their presently-accepted constituent species which are commented upon where necessary. A similar list of species previously allocated to these genera is also presented with comments on their current status. A key to the species of Isthmiophora is included. New combinations for species previously attributed to Euparyphium are: Isthmiophora inermis (Fuhrmann, 1904) n. comb., I. beaveri (Yamaguti, 1958) n. comb., I. lukjanovi (Chertkova, 1971) n. comb., I. citellicola (Kadenatsii in Skrjabin & Bashkirova, 1956) n. comb., I. hortensis (Asada, 1926) n. comb., Echinostoma pindchi (Khan & Chishti, 1985) n. comb., Echinoparyphium tripathii (Gupta & Gupta, 1982) n. comb., E. hirundonis (Fischthal & Kuntz, 1976) n. comb., and Hypoderaeum longitestis (Verma, 1936) n. comb. Species attributed to Euparyphium which are here considered species inquirendae are: E. lobata Farooq & Yousuf, 1986 sp. inq., E. ochoterenai Cerecero, 1943 sp. inq., E. sobolevi Ryzhikov, 1965 sp. inq., and E. taiwanense Fischthal & Kuntz, 1976 sp. inq.     

Taxonomic contributions to Hapalidiales (Corallinophycidae,Rhodophyta): Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., Lithothamnion redefined and with three new species and Roseolithon with new combinations

Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL gene sequences and of concatenated rbcL, psbA, and nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequences resolved the generitype of Lithothamnion, L. muelleri, in a clade with three other southern Australian species, L. kraftii sp. nov., L. saundersii sp. nov., and L. woelkerlingii sp. nov. Cold water boreal species currently classified in Lithothamnion and whose type specimens have been sequenced are transferred to Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., with B. glaciale comb. nov. as the generitype. The other species are B. giganteum comb. nov., B. phymatodeum comb. nov., and B. sonderi comb. nov., whose type specimens are newly sequenced, and B. lemoineae comb. nov., B. soriferum comb. nov., and B. tophiforme comb. nov., whose type specimens were already sequenced. Based on rbcL sequences from the type specimens of Lithothamnion crispatum, L. indicum, and L. superpositum, each is recognized as a distinct species and transferred to the recently described Roseolithon as R. crispatum comb. nov., R. indicum comb. nov., and R. superpositum com. nov., respectively. To correctly assign species to these three genera based only on morpho-anatomy, specimens must have multiporate conceptacles and some epithallial cells with flared walls. The discussion provides examples demonstrating that only with phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences can the evolution of morpho-anatomical characters of non-geniculate corallines be understood and applied at the correct taxonomic rank. Finally, phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support recognition of the Hapalidiales as a distinct order characterized by having multiporate tetra/bisporangial conceptacles, and not as a suborder of Corallinales whose tetra/bisporangial conceptacles are uniporate.     

New and little known phalangopsinae (Orthoptera,Gryllidae): 7. Neotropical taxa of the tribes Paragryllini and Luzarini

Three new genera, one new subgenus, and 13 new species (Strogulomorpha separata sp. n., S. davidi sp. n., S. proxima sp. n., Luzarida lata sp. n., Luzara venado sp. n., L. sapani sp. n., Ucayacla pulchella gen. et sp. n., Peruzara atalaya gen. et sp. n., P. loreto sp. n., Amazonacla imitata gen. et sp. n., A. primitiva sp. n., Leptopsis (Leptopsis) ucayali sp. n., and L. (Aberracla subgen. n.) morona sp. n.) are described. The composition of the tribes Paragryllini and Luzarini and of the genera Luzarida Heb. and Luzara Walk is discussed. The new synonymies Luzarida Hebard, 1928 = Ecuazarida Nischk et Otte, 2000, syn. n.; Lerneca Walker, 1869 = Doposia Otte et Perez-Gelabert, 2009, syn. n.; Nemoricantor Desutter-Grandcolas et Hubbell, 1993 = Kumalorina Otte et Perez-Gelabert, 2009, syn. n. are given. The systematic position of some previously described species is corrected.     

Phylogeny,classification and evolution of the water scavenger beetle tribe Hydrobiusini inferred from morphology and molecules (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae)

The water scavenger beetle tribe Hydrobiusini contains 47 species in eight genera distributed worldwide. Most species of the tribe are aquatic, although several species are known to occur in waterfalls or tree mosses. Some members of the tribe are known to communicate via underwater stridulation. While recent morphological and molecular‐based phylogenies have affirmed the monophyly of the tribe as currently circumscribed, doubts remain about the monophyly of included genera. Here we use morphological and molecular data to infer a species‐level phylogeny of the Hydrobiusini. The monophyly of the tribe is decisively supported, as is the monophyly of most genera. The genus Hydrobius was found to be polyphyletic, and as a result the genus Limnohydrobius stat. rev. is removed from synonymy with Hydrobius, yielding three new combinations: L. melaenus comb.n. , L. orientalis comb.n. , and L. tumbius comb.n. Recent changes to the species‐level taxonomy of Hydrobius are reviewed. The morphology of the stridulatory apparatus has undergone a single remarkable transformation within the lineage, from a simple, unmodified pars stridens to one that is highly organized and complex. We present an updated key to genera, revised generic diagnoses and a list of the known distributions for all species within the tribe.     

New species and new data on Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma) from Eastern Asia and Pacific islands

Four new genera and eleven new species of Zygentoma thysanurans (families Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae) are described and some faunistic novelties reported from Oriental and Australian Regions, viz.: Protrinemura leclerci n. sp., from northern Thailand, Protrinemurella allacrotelsoides n. gen. n. sp., from southern Thailand, and Protrinemuroides celebensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Celebes islands (Protrinemuridae), Lepidospora (L.) digitata n. sp., from northern Thailand, L. (L.) deharvengi n. sp., from the Celebes, and Pseudobrinckina anempodiata n. gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), Gastrotheus (G.) papuanus n. sp., from Papua-New Guinea (Nicoletiidae: Atelurinae), and Metrinura celebensis n. sp., from the Celebes, Trinemurodes anomalocoxa n. sp., from southern Thailand, T. bedosae n. sp., from northern Thailand, and Allotrinemurodes thai n.gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Bharatatelura malabarica Mendes is reported for the first time off the Indian sub-continent (in Suva). Proatelura jacobsoni Silvestri is recorded in Macao (southern China) and in the Moluccas islands and notes are presented on its male sex. Gastrotheus (Lasiotheus) nanus (Escherich) is found for the very first time in Macao, in Cook islands and in Niue. Identification keys are provided to Protrinemuridae genera and to species of Trinemurodes, and modifications are suggested to previously presented keys to Nicoletiidae genera and to Lepidospora and Metrinura species.     

SOLVING TAXONOMIC AND NOMENCLATURAL PROBLEMS IN PACIFIC GIGARTINACEAE (RHODOPHYTA) USING DNA FROM TYPE MATERIAL

Molecular data obtained by a procedure for extracting PCR-amplifiable nuclear and chloroplast DNA from old and formalin-fixed red algal herbarium specimens were used to elucidate problems in the systematics of Pacific Gigartinaceae. Correspondence between nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 region or the RUBISCO spacer from type specimens and modern collections supports the following conclusions. (1) The type of Fucus cordatus Turner, now Iridaea cordata (Turner) Bory, came from the southern hemisphere (probably from Isla de los Estados, Argentina) rather than from Banks Island, B.C., Canada. (2) The type of Iridaea heterocarpa P. et R. [Mazzaella heterocarpa (P. et R.) Fred.] represents the tetrasporangial phase of a species of Chondrus, possibly C. crispus Stackh. (3) The types of Iridaea lilacina P. et R., I. phyllocarpa P. et R., and Iridophycus furcatum S. et G. represent a single species from Alaska, Mazzaella phyllocarpa (P. et R.) Perest., currently but incorrectly called M. heterocarpa. (4) The type of Iridophycus oregonum Doty represents the tetrasporangial phase of the species from southern Alaska to southern California known incorrectly as M. heterocarpa. (5) Mazzaella splendens (S. et G.) Fred. is more closely related to M. linearis (S. et G.) Fred. than it is to M. flaccida (S. et G.) Fred. (6) Iridophycus coriaceum S. et G. is conspecific with M. splendens, whereas Rhodoglossum coriaceum E.Y. Dawson is an independent species: Mazzaella coriacea (E.Y. Dawson) Hughey. (7) Iridaea cornucopiae P. et R. is conspecific with Mazzaella laminarioides (Bory) Fred., and the type probably came from Chile rather than from the North Pacific. (8) Plants attributed to Iridaea cornucopiae in Pacific North America are referable to Mazzaella parksii (S. et G.) comb. nov. (9) Rhodoglossum parvum G. M. Smith et Hollenb. is an independent species: Mazzaella parva (G. M. Smith et Hollenb.) comb. nov. (10) Grateloupia squarrulosa S. et G., Grateloupia johnstonii S. et G., and Gigartina pectinata E.Y. Dawson represent a single species: Chondracanthus squarrulosus (S. et G.) comb. nov.     

Phylogeny and genus-level classification of mantellid frogs (Amphibia, Anura)

We propose a novel classification of frogs in the family Mantellidae, based on published phylogenetic information and on a new analysis of molecular data. Our molecular tree for 53 mantellid species is based on 2419 base pairs of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, tRNAVal and cytochrome b genes, and of the nuclear rhodopsin gene. Because the genus Mantidactylus Boulenger sensu lato is confirmed to be paraphyletic with respect to Mantella Boulenger, and is highly diverse in morphology and reproductive biology, we propose to partition Mantidactylus into seven genera by elevating four subgenera to genus rank (Blommersia Dubois, Guibemantis Dubois, Spinomantis Dubois, and Gephyromantis Methuen) and creating two new genera (Boehmantis gen. n. and Wakea gen. n.). In addition, we create the new subgenera Boophis (Sahona) subgen. n., Gephyromantis (Duboimantis) subgen. n., G. (Vatomantis) subgen. n., and Mantidactylus (Maitsomantis) subgen. n. The following species are transferred to Spinomantis, based on their phylogenetic relationships: S. elegans (Guibé) comb. n. (formerly in Mantidactylus subgenus Guibemantis); S. bertini (Guibé) comb. n. and S. guibei (Blommers-Schlösser) comb. n. (both formerly in Mantidactylus subgenus Blommersia); S. microtis (Guibé) comb. n. (formerly in Boophis Tschudi). Within Boophis, the new B. mandraka species group and B. albipunctatus species group are established. Boophis rhodoscelis (Boulenger) is transferred to the B. microtympanum group. The following five species are revalidated: Mantidactylus bellyi Mocquard and M. bourgati Guibé (not junior synonyms of M. curtus (Boulenger)); M. cowanii (Boulenger) (not syn. M. lugubris (Duméril)); M. delormei Angel (not syn. M. brevipalmatus Ahl); Mantella ebenaui (Boettger) (not syn. M. betsileo (Grandidier)). The new classification accounts for recent progress in the understanding of the phylogeny and natural history of these frogs, but it is still tentative for a number of species. Future modifications may be necessary, especially as concerns species now included in Gephyromantis and Spinomantis.Full article published online at: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-11.htm     

A molecular assessment of species diversity and generic boundaries in the red algal tribes Polysiphonieae and Streblocladieae (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) in Canada

Sequence data generated during a Canadian barcode survey (COI-5P) of the tribes Polysiphonieae and Streblocladieae, a large and taxonomically challenging group of red algae, revealed significant taxonomic confusion and hidden species diversity. Polysiphonia pacifica Hollenberg, P. paniculata Montagne, P. stricta (Dillwyn) Greville and Vertebrata fucoides (Hudson) Kuntze were all complexes of two or more genetically distinct yet overlooked species. One variety of P. pacifica was elevated to the rank of species as P. determinata (Hollenberg) Savoie & Saunders, stat. nov. Several new additions to the Canadian flora were recorded including P. kapraunii Stuercke & Freshwater and P. morrowii Harvey. Subsequent multi-gene (COI-5P, LSU and rbcL) phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the genus Polysiphonia Greville was polyphyletic, and currently assigned species resolved with many other genera. Polysiphonia sensu stricto was restricted to a group of species that formed a monophyletic lineage with the type, Polysiphonia stricta. Carradoriella P.C.Silva was resurrected based on the South African species Carradoriella virgata (C.Agardh) P.C.Silva. Species previously attributed to Polysiphonia were transferred to Carradoriella, Leptosiphonia and Vertebrata as well as to three new genera described here: Acanthosiphonia gen. nov., based on A. echinata (Harvey) comb. nov.; Eutrichosiphonia gen. nov. for E. confusa (Hollenberg) comb. nov. and E. sabulosia (B.Kim & M.S.Kim) comb. nov.; and Kapraunia gen. nov., which includes K. schneideri (Stuercke & Freshwater) comb. nov. and three additional species.