Phylogenetic relationships among families of Gadiformes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii) based on nuclear and mitochondrial data

Phylogenetic hypotheses among Gadiformes fishes at the suborder, family, and subfamily levels are controversial. To address this problem, we analyze nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences for the most extensive taxonomic sampling compiled to date, representing all of the recognized families and subfamilies in the order (except the monotypic family Lyconidae). Our study sampled 117 species from 46 genera, comprising around 20% of the species described for the order (more than 60% of all genera in the order) and produced 2740 bp of DNA sequence data for each species. Our analysis was successful in confirming the monophyly of Gadiformes and most of the proposed families for the order, but alternative hypotheses of sister-group relationships among families were poorly resolved. Our results are consistent with dividing Gadiformes into 12 families in three suborders, Muraenolepidoidei, Macrouroidei, and Gadoidei. Muraenolepidoidei contains the single family Muraenolepididae. The suborder Macrouroidei includes at least three families: Macrouridae, Macruronidae and Steindachneriidae. Macrouridae is deeply divided into two well-supported subfamilies: Macrourinae and Bathygadinae, suggesting that Bathygadinae may be ranked at the family level. The suborder Gadoidei includes the families: Merlucciidae, Melanonidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, Ranicipitidae, and Bregmacerotidae. Additionally, Trachyrincinae could be ranked at family level including two subfamilies: Trachyrincinae and Macrouroidinae within Gadoidei. Further taxonomic sampling and sequencing efforts are needed in order to corroborate these relationships.     

Review of the systematics and biology of the Otopheidomenidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) with a description of Eickwortius gen.n. from a termite (Isoptera: Termitidae)

The systematics of the family Otopheidomenidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is reviewed. Eickwortius termes gen.n. et sp.n. is described from a termite, Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Termitidae) from Kenya. Treatia ghaiguptaorum nom.n. is proposed for Treatia indica Ghai & Gupta, 1984, which is a junior homonym of Treatia indica Krantz & Khot, 1962. The Otopheidomenidae as recognized in this paper consists of twenty-five species in nine genera grouped into three subfamilies: Otopheidomeninae Treat, Treatiinae Wainstein, and Kadytiseiinae Fain & Lukoschus. Keys to the subfamilies and genera of Otopheidomenidae are provided and the described species of each genus are listed. The biology of the Otopheidomenidae and its potential in biological control are discussed.     

Phylogeny and classification of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) with an emphasis on Neotropical fauna

Mayflies from the family Leptophlebiidae are cosmopolitan and highly diverse morphologically; they are also the largest family in numbers of genera and the second in number of species in the order Ephemeroptera. In spite of their broad diversity and the efforts employed to understand the evolution of this group, the internal classification of Leptophlebiidae remains controversial at all levels. More recently, important changes have been incorporated into the systematics of the family, increasing the number of subfamilies (from two to six) and recognizing several tribes. We present a phylogeny of the family based on 153 taxa (53 genera) and two molecular markers, representing 1655 bp, and verify the taxonomic status of the subfamilies, tribes and complexes. Based on these results, the number of subfamilies has been increased from six to eight and one new tribes and two new subtribes have been added. In addition, new ranks are proposed and the concept of Atalophlebiinae revised, including genera with distributions in the Australasian and Neotropical regions.     

A reappraisal of the family Comasteridae A. H. Clark, 1908 (Echinodermata: Grinoidea), with the description of a new subfamily and a new genus

The family Comasteridae is divided into four subfamilies on the basis of syzygy positions in the division series and proximal arm. Use of this character results in major differences in perceived relationships between genera compared with that obtained when traditional subfamilial characters are used. The primary character previously used to determine comasterid subfamilies, cirrus ornamentation, is rejected as unimportant in recognizing taxa any higher than species. Seventeen genera, including a new genus from the tropical western Atlantic, and 99 species are now recognized in the Comasteridae. Four of these genera and five species cannot be placed within the newly diagnosed subfamilies. Characters of generic importance are considered to be pinnule comb form, mouth position and, to a lesser extent, the characters traditionally used to distinguish genera.     

COPTOCLAVID BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: ADEPHAGA) FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF SPAIN: A NEW FEEDING STRATEGY IN BEETLES

Abstract:  Currently the beetle family Coptoclavidae consists of four subfamilies known from the Upper Triassic–Lower Cretaceous (Aptian). We describe two new subfamilies, three new genera and five new species from the Las Hoyas (Cuenca Province) and El Montsec (Lleida Province) localities of Barremian (Early Cretaceous) age from Spain: the first new subfamily, Hispanoclavinae, is from Las Hoyas and comprises one new genus, Hispanoclavina , and two new species, H. diazromerali and H. gratshevi ; the second, Coptoclaviscinae, is represented at El Montsec by one new species of Coptoclavella ( C. inexpecta ). In addition, at Las Hoyas the subfamilies Necronectinae and Coptoclavinae are each represented by one new genus and species: Ovonectes pilosum and Hoyaclava buscalionae , respectively. All beetles previously assigned to the family Coptoclavidae have been interpreted as active hunters. However, we consider Hispanoclavina and Hoyaclava to be filter-feeding, with forelegs adapted for filtering plankton (probably zooplankton because other members of the family are carnivorous) on and beneath the water surface. This represents a new feeding strategy in beetles (extant and extinct). The five new species extend the known geographical distribution of the Coptoclavidae into the western part of European Barremian deposits. The Las Hoyas locality now has the highest known diversity of coptoclavid species.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the genera of Lejeuneaceae (Hepaticae)

The Lejeuneaceae are the largest family of the liverworts (Hepaticae), with almost a thousand species in 91 currently accepted genera. We analysed phylogenetic relationships of 69 genera, representing all major subfamilies and tribes recognized in the family, by using 49 informative morphological characters (31 gametophytic, 18 sporophytic), one chemical character, and applying equal and successive weighting of characters and parsimony analysis. In all trees recovered, the Lejeuneaceae were monophyletic with Nipponolejeunea (subfam. Nipponolejeuneoideae) forming the basalmost lineage. The remaining genera clustered in two major groups, the monophyletic Lejeuneoideae (52 genera) and the paraphyletic Ptychanthoideae (16 genera). Within each, several multigeneric lineages corresponding in part to previously described taxa were recovered: the Acrolejeuneinae and Ptychanthinae clades in the Ptychanthoideae, and the Brachiolejeuneinae, Lejeuneeae and Tuyamaella–Cololejeunea clades in the Lejeuneoideae. Bryopteris , a genus sometimes treated as a separate family, was nested in the Ptychanthinae clade. The Tuyamaella–Cololejeunea lineage corresponded with three previously recognized subfamilies (Cololejeuneoideae, Myriocoleoideae and Tuyamaelloideae) and contained genera with neotenic features, in two subclades. These features seemed to have originated by multiple heterochronic events: single origins were detected for 'protonemal neoteny' and 'primary neoteny', whereas 'secondary neoteny' probably evolved twice. Relationships within the large Lejeuneeae clade (43 genera) remained largely unresolved, although several putative lineages were detected in majority rule trees. Additional characters such as DNA sequences may provide better phylogenetic resolution in this group.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 391–410.     

A comprehensive generic-level phylogeny of the sunflower family: Implications for the systematics of Chinese Asteraceae

The sunflower family (Asteraceae) is the largest and the most diverse flowering plant family, comprising 24 000–30 000 species and 1600–1700 genera. In China, Asteraceae are also the largest family, with approximately 2336 indigenous species in 248 genera. In the past two decades, molecular phylogenetic analyses has contributed greatly to our understanding of the systematics of Asteraceae. Nevertheless, the large-scale analyses and knowledge about the relationships of Chinese Asteraceae at the generic level as a whole are far from complete due to difficulties in sampling. In this study, we presented a three-marker (rbcL, ndhF, and matK) phylogeny of Asteraceae, including 506 genera (i.e., approximately one-third of Asteraceae genera). The study sampled 200 Chinese genera (i.e., approximately 80% of Chinese Asteraceae genera). The backbones of the new phylogeny were largely congruent with earlier studies, with 13 subfamilies and 45 tribes recognized. Chinese Asteraceae were distributed in 7 subfamilies (Mutisioideae, Wunderlichioideae, Carduoideae, Pertyoideae, Gymnarrhenoideae, Cichorioideae, and Asteroideae) and 22 tribes (Mutiseae, Hyalideae, Cardueae, Pertyeae, Gymnarrheneae, Vernonieae, Cichorieae, Doroniceae, Senecioneae, Astereae, Anthemideae, Gnaphalieae, Calenduleae, Inuleae, Athroismeae, Helenieae, Coreopsideae, Neurolaeneae, Tageteae, Millieae, Eupatorieae, and Heliantheae). Chinese Asteraceae lacked 6 basal subfamilies and 23 tribes. Several previously ambiguous relationships were clarified. Our analyses also resolved some unplaced genera within Chinese Asteraceae. Finally, our phylogenetic tree was used to revise the classification for all genera of Chinese Asteraceae. In total, 255 genera, 22 tribes, and 7 subfamilies in China are recognized.     

Comparative cytogenetic analysis of eleven species of subfamilies Neoplecostominae and Hypostominae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

The family Loricariidae with about 690 species divided into six subfamilies, is one of the world’s largest fish families. Recent studies have shown the existence of several problems in the definition of natural groups in the family, which has made the characterization of the subfamilies and even of some genera quite difficult. With the main objective of contributing for a better understanding of the relationships between loricariids, cytogenetic analysis were conducted with two species of Neoplecostominae and nine species of Hypostominae that, according to morphological and molecular data, may belong to a new monophyletic unit. The results obtained showed a marked chromosomal conservation with the presence of 2n = 54 chromosomes and single interstitial Ag-NORs in all species analyzed. Considering that Neoplecostominae is the primitive sister-group of all other loricariids, with exception of Lithogeneinae, this karyotypic structure may represent the primitive condition for the family Loricariidae. The cytogenetic characteristics partaken by the species of Neoplecostominae and Hypostominae analyzed in the present study reinforce the hypothesis that the species of both these subfamilies might belong to a natural group.     

New insights into the phylogenetic relationships among the oceanic dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae)

The phylogenetic relationships of oceanic dolphins (family Delphinidae) remain unclear. Several works using mitochondrial and/or nuclear DNA on different genera and species have been published, though no consensus exists regarding even the subfamilies that conform the family. Here, a new phylogeny for the family Delphinidae, including 36 different complete mitochondrial genomes (plus two outgroups), was constructed under Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. Results indicate identical tree topology in both cases, with almost all nodes fully supported independently of the reconstruction approach. This topology is different from those previously published and proposes new phylogenetic relationships among subfamilies, genera and species of the family. These findings are critically important for the study of oceanic dolphin taxonomy, ecology, evolution and conservation, and highlight the importance of revisiting and resolving uncertain phylogenies.     

中国豆科植物分类系统概览

豆科是被子植物中继兰科和菊科之后的第三大科,其中包括三个亚科:即云实亚科、含羞草亚科和蝶形花亚科.本文根据最新资料,整理出世界豆科有42族、634属、17 834种,中国有33族、169属、1 518种(另外含15亚种、167变种和41变型),其中外来种158种(含亚种和变种,隶属于73属).为建立中国豆科植物数据库,本文在Polhill豆科植物分类系统的基础上,结合一些新的资料,提出中国豆科植物系统概要.文中按分类等级进行排序,每一属含有世界和中国种数及分布.     

Molecular phylogenetics of the family Cyprinidae (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes) as evidenced by sequence variation in the first intron of S7 ribosomal protein-coding gene: further evidence from a nuclear gene of the systematic chaos in the family

The family Cyprinidae is the largest freshwater fish group in the world, including over 200 genera and 2100 species. The phylogenetic relationships of major clades within this family are simply poorly understood, largely because of the overwhelming diversity of the group; however, several investigators have advanced different hypotheses of relationships that pre- and post-date the use of shared-derived characters as advocated through phylogenetic systematics. As expected, most previous investigations used morphological characters. Recently, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and combined morphological and mtDNA investigations have been used to explore and advance our understanding of species relationships and test monophyletic groupings. Limitations of these studies include limited taxon sampling and a strict reliance upon maternally inherited mtDNA variation. The present study is the first endeavor to recover the phylogenetic relationships of the 12 previously recognized monophyletic subfamilies within the Cyprinidae using newly sequenced nuclear DNA (nDNA) for over 50 species representing members of the different previously hypothesized subfamily and family groupings within the Cyprinidae and from other cypriniform families as outgroup taxa. Hypothesized phylogenetic relationships are constructed using maximum parsimony and Basyesian analyses of 1042 sites, of which 971 sites were variable and 790 were phylogenetically informative. Using other appropriate cypriniform taxa of the families Catostomidae (Myxocyprinus asiaticus), Gyrinocheilidae (Gyrinocheilus aymonieri), and Balitoridae (Nemacheilus sp. and Beaufortia kweichowensis) as outgroups, the Cyprinidae is resolved as a monophyletic group. Within the family the genera Raiamas, Barilius, Danio, and Rasbora, representing many of the tropical cyprinids, represent basal members of the family. All other species can be classified into variably supported and resolved monophyletic lineages, depending upon analysis, that are consistent with or correspond to Barbini and Leuciscini. The Barbini includes taxa traditionally aligned with the subfamily Cyprininae sensu previous morphological revisionary studies by Howes (Barbinae, Labeoninae, Cyprininae and Schizothoracinae). The Leuciscini includes six other subfamilies that are mainly divided into three separate lineages. The relationships among genera and subfamilies are discussed as well as the possible origins of major lineages.     

番荔枝科的地理分布

番荔枝科的地理分布陈伟球（中国科学院华南植物研究所,广州５１０６５０）关键词番荔枝科;地理分布ＴＨＥＧＥＯＧＲＡＰＨＩＣＡＬＤＩＳＴＲＩＢＵＴＩＯＮＯＦＴＨＥＡＮＮＯＮＡＣＥＡＥ￥ＣｈｅｎＷｅｉｃｈｉｕ（ＳｏｕｔｈＣｈｉｎａＩｎｓｔｉｔｕｔｅｏｆＢｏ...     

A new taxonomy of the family Teloschistaceae

The lichen family Teloschistaceae is one of the larger families of lichenized fungi. Currently it includes one very large heterogenous genus, Caloplaca, with some 1000 or more species with a vast variation in morphology, anatomy and chemistry. The rest of the family is split into 10–15 smaller genera, each with 20 or fewer species. There is no modern classification of the family based on molecular data. Here we attempt a first phylogenetic evaluation of a large part of the family, including a total of 337 species. Of these, 162 were used in a combined phylogenetic analysis of the ribosomal RNA sequence markers nrITS, nrLSU and mrSSU, using Bayesian inference. We also analysed all species using nrITS data, split into four different analyses. As a result we propose a new classification of the family, where a total of 39 genera are recognized, of which 31 are newly described or resurrected. The new genera are: Athallia, Austroplaca, Bryoplaca, Calogaya, Cerothallia, Flavoplaca, Gondwania, Haloplaca, Orientophila, Pachypeltis, Parvoplaca, Rufoplaca, Shackletonia, Scutaria, Sirenophila, Solitaria, Squamulea, Stellarangia, Teloschistopsis, Usnochroma, Variospora, Villophora and Wetmoreana. Resurrected genera are Blastenia, Dufourea, Follmannia, Gyalolechia, Leproplaca, Polycauliona, Pyrenodesmia and Xanthocarpia. The species Orientophila subscopularis is described as new. A third subfamily, Teloschistoideae, is proposed to accommodate the genus Teloschistes and related genera, parallel to the two previously recognized subfamilies Xanthorioideae and Caloplacoideae. We also show the large plasticity in both morphological and anatomical characters between closely related species within genera, indicating the low value of these as evolutionary markers. The secondary chemistry is a better marker in some parts of the family. We recognize a large number of geographically delimited clades with clear centres of evolution, but often showing large variation in morphology and anatomy.     

金缕梅科的种子形态学及其系统学评价

本文利用光学显微镜及扫描电镜在属级水平上观察了金缕梅科全部6亚科中的21属41种1变种植物的种子特征,结果表明：该科的种子形状、颜色、大小及种脐特征在各亚科中有差异(除了双花木亚科与金缕梅亚科的大多数属是一致的)可作为区分亚科的特征之一。根据种皮的特征,可划分为5类：(1)种皮平滑或仅在边缘部分具条纹状纹饰(双花木亚科及金缕梅亚科中大部分属);(2)种皮具条纹状纹饰,条纹有波浪加厚或升高(马蹄荷亚科);(3)种皮具瘤状纹饰或具条纹和瘤状相间排列的纹饰(红花荷亚科);(4)种皮具条一网状纹饰(壳菜果亚科);(5)种皮具网状纹饰(枫香亚科)。种皮纹饰对亚科的划分具有一定意义。此外,还详细观察了该科的种皮结构,确认金缕梅科的种皮由外种皮及内种皮构成,而外种皮又进一步划分为外层、中层和内层,种皮各层的细胞层数对该科的分类价值不大。研究结果还表明：枫香亚科的种子特征明显不同于该科的其它成员。关于枫香亚科的系统位置还需深入研究。     

A new subfamily, two new genera and three new species of Aclerdidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from southern Africa, with a phylogenetic analysis of relationships

Abstract A new aclerdid genus, Lecanaclerda Hodgson & Millar, closely related to Aclerda but with fully developed legs and antennae, is introduced for a new new species, L. macropoda Hodgson & Millar, for which the male and female are described. In addition, genus Rhodesaclerda McConnell is revised and all known stages of existing species, R. combreticola McConnell and R. halli McConnell, are redescribed. The crawler, second-instar female, pupa and the adult male and female of a new species, R. insleyae Hodgson & Millar, from South Africa are also described. Another new genus, Kwazulaclerda Hodgson & Millar, close to Rhodesaclerda , is introduced and the crawler, second-instar female, second-instar male, pupa and adult male and female of the new species K. loranthi Hodgson & Millar from Kwazulu-Natal are described. A phylogenetic analysis based on adult macropterous male characters was undertaken to look at the relationships of these species with other Coccoidea. It is concluded that Lecanaclerda is closely related to Aclerda , Kwazulaclerda is closely related to Rhodesaclerda , Kwazulaclerda and Rhodesaclerda belong to Aclerdidae, and Aclerdidae should be split into two subfamilies, Rhodesaclerdinae Hodgson & Millar (to include Rhodesaclerda and Kwazulaclerda ) and Aclerdinae Cockerell (to include Aclerda , Lecanaclerda and Nipponaclerda ). These two subfamilies are diagnosed and a key is given for the separation of the genera now included in Aclerdidae. The relationships of Aclerdidae and Coccidae are discussed.     

Zur taxonomischen Gliederung der Familie Porocharaceae (Charophyta)

A revision of the charophyte family Porocharaceae Grambast is given, previously unstudied from the Keuper (Late Triassic) of Germany. The Porocharaceae were divided into three subfamilies. Two of them (Porocharoideae Grambast and Stellatocharoideae Grambast) are conserved; the third (Cuneatocharoideae Wang & Huang) is rejected. The diagnosis of the Stellatocharoideae is emendated. All genera with neck-like or conical apex are now included in this family, that means not only the genera of the rejected subfamily Cuneatocharoideae (Cuneatochara, Latochara, Stenochara), but also the genusStomochara, previously placed in the Porocharoideae. Only three genera (Porochara, Feistiella and the new genusKozurella n. gen.) are now attributed to the Porocharoideae, a subfamily characterized by a flat apex. The genusAuerbachichara Kiselevsky & Saidakovsky is a synonym toStomochara Grambast, the genusVladimiriella Saidakovsky toPorochara MÄDLER. Two additional species ofVladimiriella (V.decora SAIDAKOVSKY andV. karpinskyi Demin are assigned toStenochara Grambast on the basis of their apex-morphology. A new species,Cuneatochara württembergensis n. sp. is described from the Lower Keuper of Southern Germany.