Mitochondrial genome characteristics of Somena scintillans (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and comparation with other Noctuoidea insects

In this study, mitogenome of Somena scintillans (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) were sequenced and compared with other Noctuoidea species. The mitogenome is 15,410 base pairs in length. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) are initiated by ATN codons except cox1 with CGA and all of PCGs terminate with TAA except nad4 with TAG. The codons ACG and CGC are absent. All the tRNA genes could be folded into the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except the trnS1 which not only loses dihydrouridine (DHU) arm but also mutates its anticodon into TCT. In the AT-rich region of the mitogenome the motif ‘ATAGA’ mutates to ‘ATATA’ and two copies of 161 bp-tandem repeats and two ‘TA’ short tandem repeats are founded. Phylogenetic analyses showed that S. scintillans is clustered into subfamily Lymatriinae. The phylogenetic relationships within Noctuoidea is (((Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)) + Erebidae) + Notodontidae)     

A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family level classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera)

Zahiri, R., Kitching, I. J., Lafontaine, J. D., Mutanen, M., Kaila, L., Holloway, J. D. & Wahlberg, N. (2010). A new molecular phylogeny offers hope for a stable family level classification of the Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 158–173. To examine the higher level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of the megadiverse superfamily Noctuoidea, an extensive molecular systematic study was undertaken with special emphasis on Noctuidae, the most controversial group in Noctuoidea and arguably the entire Lepidoptera. DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and seven nuclear genes (Elongation Factor‐1α, wingless, Ribosomal protein S5, Isocitrate dehydrogenase, Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and Carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein) were analysed for 152 taxa of principally type genera/species for family group taxa. Data matrices (6407 bp total) were analysed by parsimony with equal weighting and model‐based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood), which revealed a new high‐level phylogenetic hypothesis comprising six major, well‐supported lineages that we here interpret as families: Oenosandridae, Notodontidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, Euteliidae and Noctuidae.     

Molecular phylogenetics of Erebidae (Lepidoptera,Noctuoidea)

As a step towards understanding the higher‐level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of quadrifid noctuoid moths, we have undertaken the first large‐scale molecular phylogenetic analysis of the moth family Erebidae, including almost all subfamilies, as well as most tribes and subtribes. DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (COI) and seven nuclear genes (EF‐1α, wingless, RpS5, IDH, MDH, GAPDH and CAD) were analysed for a total of 237 taxa, principally type genera of higher taxa. Data matrices (6407 bp in total) were analysed by parsimony with equal weighting and model‐based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood), which revealed a well‐resolved skeleton phylogenetic hypothesis with 18 major lineages, which we treat here as subfamilies of Erebidae. We thus present a new phylogeny for Erebidae consisting of 18 moderate to strongly supported subfamilies: Scoliopteryginae, Rivulinae, Anobinae, Hypeninae, Lymantriinae, Pangraptinae, Herminiinae, Aganainae, Arctiinae, Calpinae, Hypocalinae, Eulepidotinae, Toxocampinae, Tinoliinae, Scolecocampinae, Hypenodinae, Boletobiinae and Erebinae. Where possible, each monophyletic lineage is diagnosed by autapomorphic morphological character states, and within each subfamily, monophyletic tribes and subtribes can be circumscribed, most of which can also be diagnosed by morphological apomorphies. All additional taxa sampled fell within one of the four previously recognized quadrifid families (mostly into Erebidae), which are now found to include two unusual monobasic taxa from New Guinea: Cocytiinae (now in Erebidae: Erebinae) and Eucocytiinae (now in Noctuidae: Pantheinae).     

Complete mitochondrial genome of Spilosoma lubricipedum (Noctuoidea: Erebidae) and implications for phylogeny of noctuid insects

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) have been widely used for studies on phylogenetic relationships and molecular evolutionary biology. Here, the complete mitogenome sequence of Spilosoma lubricipedum (Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Arctiinae) was determined (total length 15,375 bp) and phylogenetic analyses S. lubricipedum were inferred from available noctuid sequence data. The mitogenome of S. lubricipedum was found to be highly A + T-biased (81.39%) and exhibited negative AT- and GC-skews. All 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were initiated by ATN codons, except for cox1 with CGA. All tRNAs exhibited typical clover-leaf secondary structures, except for trnS1. The gene order of the S. lubricipedum mitogenome was trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2. The A + T-rich region of S. lubricipedum contained several conservative features common to noctuid insects. Phylogenetic analysis within Noctuoidea was carried out based on mitochondrial data. Results showed that S. lubricipedum belonged to Erebidae and the Noctuoidea insects could be divided into five well-supported families (Notodontidae + (Erebidae + (Nolidae + (Euteliidae + Noctuidae)))).     

New Records of Noctuoid Moths (Lepidoptera,Noctuoidea) in the Baikal Region

The results of long-term faunistic studies of the noctuoid moths in the Baikal region and the literature review are presented. An annotated check-list including 83 species of the families Notodontidae, Erebidae, Nolidae, and Noctuidae is given. Data on the previous records of the species from the study region are given. The Noctuoidea fauna of Irkutsk Province comprises 462 species, that of the Republic of Buryatia, 419 species, and that of the Baikal region as a whole, 510 species. The distribution limits are expanded for 17 species of the Noctuoidea complex: the new eastern range boundary is established for 11 species of Erebidae and Noctuidae, and the new western one is established for 5 representatives of Notodontidae, Erebidae and Noctuidae. Two species, Actebia confinis (Staudinger, 1881) and Actebia confusa (Alphéraky, 1882), are new to the Russian fauna. The trophic associations of Phidrimana amurensis (Staudinger, 1892) are established: the larvae of this Euro-Siberian species feed on the leaves of different species of elms (Ulmus japonica Rehder, Ulmus pumila L.). Three noctuid species, Calyptra lata (Butler, 1881), Bryophila granitalis (Butler, 1881) and Cosmia trapezinula (Filipjev, 1927), with large disjunctions of their ranges are reported; these moths are apparently relicts of the Atlantic Period of the Holocene.     

Farnesyl biliverdins IXα are novel ligands of biliproteins from moths of the Noctuoidea superfamily: A chemosystematic view of the Lepidoptera

Bilins, derived from biliverdin IXα, are known from animals, plants and microorganisms, where they play vital roles as light-absorbing pigments. Bilins occur also in many insects. Recently, we discovered in insects a novel structural type of bilins with a farnesyl substituent at pyrrole ring A of biliverdin IXα. The first of these unusual bilins with a molecular mass of 852 (C₄₈H₆₀O₁₀N₄) was identified in Cerura vinula, subsequently in Spodoptera littoralis; both species are members of the Noctuoidea superfamily of moths. From an evolutionary point of view, it was of interest to examine other species and families of this monophyletic clade. Here, we show that other moths species in this clade (three Notodontidae species, one Erebidae species, and one Noctuidae species) have farnesylated biliverdins IXα that are present as a mixture of three bilins, differing by the number of oxygen atoms (O_8-10). These bilins are associated with typical hemolymph storage proteins, which were identified by mass spectroscopic sequencing of tryptic peptides as arylphorins (a class of 500-kDa hexamerins) in the Notodontidae and Erebidae families, and as 350-kDa very high-density lipoproteins in the Noctuidae family. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that the bilins adopt opposite conformations in complex with the two different classes of proteins. At present, farnesylated biliverdins and IXα-isomers of bilins in general are known only from species of the Noctuoidea clade; the sister clades of Bombycoidea and Papilionoidea synthesise the IXγ-isomer of biliverdin and derivatives thereof.     

A molecular analysis of the Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera,Gelechioidea) with an interpretative grouping of its taxa

We re‐examine the higher level phylogeny and evolutionary affinities of the family Gelechiidae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) based on DNA sequence data for one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and seven nuclear genes (Elongation Factor‐1α, wingless, Ribosomal protein S5, Isocitrate dehydrogenase, Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, Glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and Carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein). Fifty‐two taxa representing nearly all established subfamilies and tribes of Gelechiidae, and about 10% of described gelechiid genera, in addition to five outgroup taxa were sequenced. Data matrices (6157 bp total) were analysed under model‐based evolutionary methods (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference), resulting in novel high‐level phylogenetic interrelationships. The best supported cladogram divided the Gelechiidae into six distinct clades corresponding to the subfamilies Anacampsinae, Dichomeridinae, Apatetrinae, Thiotrichinae, Anomologinae and Gelechiinae (+ Physoptilinae, which were not available for study). The results suggest the following adjustments in gelechiid interrelationships: Brachmini is nested within Dichomeridinae; Anarsiini is the sister group of Chelariini; Pexicopiinae is the sister group of Apatetrinae, here suggested to be treated as a tribe Pexicopiini of Apatetrinae. A new subfamily Thiotrichinae ( subfam.n. ) is proposed on the basis of the resurrected genus Thiotricha Meyrick ( gen.rev. ), which includes Macrenches Meyrick, Palumbina Rondani and Polyhymno Chambers. Gelechiidae display a wide array of life‐history strategies, but the diversity in patterns of larval mode of life has direct phylogenetic correlation only below subfamily level, suggesting multiple origins and/or frequent reversals for traits such as external or internal feeding and leaf mining within the family.     

New data on trematosauroid labyrinthodonts of Eastern Europe: 3. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Qantas samarensis</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov.

Based on fragmentary remains (incomplete lower jaw and premaxilla) from the Lower Triassic Kamennyi Dol locality (Kamennyi Yar Formation, Rybinskian Horizon) of Obshchii Syrt (Samara Region) and a number of specimens from the same region, a new genus and species of trematosauroid temnospondyls, Qantas samarensis gen. et sp. nov., is described. It displays a mosaic combination of typical benthosuchid and trematosaurid characters, remaining in general structure of the lower jaw at the benthosuchid evolutionary level, so that a new benthosuchid subfamily, Qantasinae subfam. nov., representing an isolated lineage, is established. Based on the cranial remains of trematosaurid temnospondyls from the Cynognathus Zone of South Africa, which were previously described by Shishkin and Welman (1994), a new trematosaurine genus and species, Trematosuchoides africanus gen. et sp. nov., is established.     

Further progress on the phylogeny of Noctuoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera) using an expanded gene sample

Major progress has been made recently toward resolving the phylogeny of Noctuoidea, the largest superfamily of Lepidoptera. However, numerous questions and weakly supported nodes remain. In this paper we independently check and extend the main findings of multiple recent authors by performing maximum‐likelihood analyses of 5–19 genes (6.7–18.6 kb) in 74 noctuoids representing all the families and a majority of the subfamilies. Our results strongly support the six family system of Zahiri et al., with the former Lymantriidae and Arctiidae subsumed within the huge family Erebidae, and Noctuidae restricted largely to the subfamilies with so‐called trifine hindwing venation. Our data also strongly corroborate monophyly of the set of four families with quadrifid forewing venation, to the exclusion of Notodontidae, and removal from the latter of Oenosandridae. Other among‐family relationships, however, remain unsettled. Our evidence is equivocal on the position of Oenosandridae, which are sister group to either Notodontidae alone or to all other noctuoids. Like other recent nuclear gene studies, our results also provide no strong support for relationships among the four quadrifid forewing families. In contrast, within families our analyses significantly expand the list of robustly resolved relationships, while introducing no strong conflicts with previous molecular studies. Within Notodontidae, for which we present the largest molecular taxon sample to date, we find strong evidence for polyphyly for some, or all, recent definitions of the subfamilies Thaumetopoeinae, Pygaerinae, Notodontinae and Heterocampinae. Deeper divergences are incompletely resolved but there is strong support for multiple ‘backbone’ nodes subtending most of the subfamilies studied. Within Erebidae, we find much agreement and no strong conflict with a recent previous study regarding relationships among subfamilies, and somewhat stronger support. Although many questions remain, the two studies together firmly resolve positions for over half the subfamilies. Within Noctuidae, we find no strong conflict with previous molecular studies regarding relationships among subfamilies, but much stronger resolution along the ‘backbone’ of the phylogeny. Combining information from multiple studies yields strongly resolved positions for most of the subfamilies. Finally, our results strongly suggest that the tribes Pseudeustrotiini and Prodeniini, currently assigned to the largest subfamily, Noctuinae, do not belong there. In sum, our results provide additional corroboration for the main outlines of family‐level phylogeny in Noctuoidea, and contribute toward resolving relationships within families.     

Molecular phylogeny of Lymantriinae (Lepidoptera,Noctuoidea, Erebidae) inferred from eight gene regions

To understand the evolutionary history of Lymantriinae and test the present higher‐level classification, we performed the first broad‐scale molecular phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily, based on 154 exemplars representing all recognized tribes and drawn from all major biogeographical regions. We used two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S ribosomal RNA) and six nuclear genes (elongation factor‐1α, carbamoylphosphate synthase domain protein, ribosomal protein S5, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and wingless). Data matrices (in total 5424 bp) were analysed by parsimony and model‐based evolutionary methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Based on the results of the analyses, we present a new phylogenetic classification for Lymantriinae composed of seven well‐supported tribes, two of which are proposed here as new: Arctornithini, Leucomini, Lymantriini, Orgyiini, Nygmiini, Daplasini trib. nov. and Locharnini trib. nov. We discuss the internal structure of each of these tribes and address some of the more complex problems with the genus‐level classification, particularly within Orgyiini and Nygmiini.     

Inclusion of rare taxa from Blattidae and Anaplectidae improves phylogenetic resolution in the cockroach superfamily Blattoidea

Cockroaches are an ecologically and economically important insect group, but some fundamental aspects of their evolutionary history remain unresolved. In particular, there are outstanding questions about some of the deeper relationships among cockroach families. As a group transferred from Blaberoidea Saussure to Blattoidea Latreille, the evolutionary history of the family Anaplectidae Walker requires re-evaluation. In our study, we infer the phylogeny of Blattoidea based on the mitochondrial genomes of 28 outgroup taxa and 67 ingroup taxa, including 25 newly sequenced blattoid species mainly from the families Anaplectidae and Blattidae Latreille. Our results indicate that Blattoidea is the sister group of the remaining Blattodea Brunner von Wattenwyl and that Blattoidea can be divided into three main clades: Blattidae + Tryonicidae McKittrick & Mackerras, Lamproblattidae McKittrick + Anaplectidae and Termitoidae Latreille + Cryptocercidae Handlirsch. Our analyses provide robust support for previously uncertain hypotheses. The sister group of Termitoidae + Cryptocercidae (Xylophagodea Engel) is inferred to constitute the rest of Blattoidea, for the first time. Within Blattidae, Hebardina Bey-Bienko is placed as the sister lineage to the rest of Blattidae. The subfamily Archiblattinae is polyphyletic, Blattinae is paraphyletic and Polyzosteriinae is monophyletic (Macrocercinae Roth not included); the genus Periplaneta Burmrister is polyphyletic. Based on the results of our phylogenetic analyses, we have revised these taxa. A new subfamily, Hebardininae subfam.nov. , is proposed in Blattidae. Archiblattinae and Shelfordella Adelung are synonymized with Blattinae and Periplaneta, respectively: Archiblattinae Kirby syn.nov. and Shelfordella Adelung syn.nov. Our inferred divergence times indicate that Blattoidea emerged in the Late Triassic, with six families in Blattoidea diverging in the Middle and Late Jurassic. We suggest that the divergences among lineages of Asian Blattidae and Anaplectidae were driven by the uplift of the Himalayas and deglaciation during the Quaternary, leading to the present-day distributions of these taxa.     

Revision of Corallinaceae (Corallinales,Rhodophyta): recognizing Dawsoniolithon gen. nov., Parvicellularium gen. nov. and Chamberlainoideae subfam. nov. containing Chamberlainium gen. nov. and Pneophyllum

A multi‐gene (SSU, LSU, psbA, and COI) molecular phylogeny of the family Corallinaceae (excluding the subfamilies Lithophylloideae and Corallinoideae) showed a paraphyletic grouping of six monophyletic clades. Pneophyllum and Spongites were reassessed and recircumscribed using DNA sequence data integrated with morpho‐anatomical comparisons of type material and recently collected specimens. We propose Chamberlainoideae subfam. nov., including the type genus Chamberlainium gen. nov., with C. tumidum comb. nov. as the generitype, and Pneophyllum. Chamberlainium is established to include several taxa previously ascribed to Spongites, the generitype of which currently resides in Neogoniolithoideae. Additionally we propose two new genera, Dawsoniolithon gen. nov. (Metagoniolithoideae), with D. conicum comb. nov. as the generitype and Parvicellularium gen. nov. (subfamily incertae sedis), with P. leonardi sp. nov. as the generitype. Chamberlainoideae has no diagnostic morpho‐anatomical features that enable one to assign specimens to it without DNA sequence data, and it is the first subfamily to possess both Type 1 (Chamberlainium) and Type 2 (Pneophyllum) tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof development. Two characters distinguish Chamberlainium from Spongites: tetra/biasporangial conceptacle chamber diameter (<300 μm in Chamberlainium vs. >300 μm in Spongites) and tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof thickness (<8 cells in Chamberlainium vs. >8 cells in Spongites). Two characters also distinguish Pneophyllum from Dawsoniolithon: tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roof thickness (<8 cells in Pneophyllum vs. >8 cells in Dawsoniolithon) and thallus construction (dimerous in Pneophyllum vs. monomerous in Dawsoniolithon).     

New mesozoic Ithyceridae beetles (Coleoptera)

A new subfamily, Mongolocarinae subfam. nov. of the family Ithyceridae, from the Middle-Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of Asia is described. It includes five genera with five species: Palaeocar gen. nov. (with P. princeps sp. nov.), Mongolocar gen. nov. (M. orcinus sp. nov.), Praecar gen. nov. (P. stolidus sp. nov.), Karacar gen. nov. (M. contractus sp. nov.), and Baissacar gen. nov. (B. passarius sp. nov.).     

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Russian Far East

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps, Labenopimplinae subfam. nov. (Ichneumonidae), is described from the Cenomanian Ola Formation of the locality Obeshchayushchiy, Magadan Region, Russian Far East. The subfamily is highly diverse morphologically and combines characters of the Labeninae and Pimplinae. It includes 11 new species described in five new genera: Labenopimpla rasnitsyni gen. et sp. nov., L. kasparyani sp. nov., Armanopimpla zherikhini gen. et sp. nov, Ramulimonstrum intermedium gen. et sp. nov., Rugopimpla vulgaris gen. et sp. nov., R. fallax sp. nov., R. angusticella sp. nov., R. macra sp. nov., R. matrona sp. nov., Micropimpla lucida gen. et sp. nov., and M. obscura sp. nov. Also described is a new monotypic genus, Tryphopimpla xoridoptera gen. et sp. nov., which combines characters of the Tryphoninae, Pimplinae, and Xoridinae and cannot be currently placed into any of the known subfamilies. The population of fossil ichneumon wasps at this locality is distinctly dominated by females.     

REVISION OF THE MASTOPHOROIDEAE (CORALLINALES,RHODOPHYTA) AND POLYPHYLY IN NONGENICULATE SPECIES WIDELY DISTRIBUTED ON PACIFIC CORAL REEFS1

The subfamily Mastophoroideae (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) is characterized by species possessing nongeniculate, uniporate tetrasporangial conceptacles without apical plugs, the presence of cell fusions, and the absence of secondary pit connections. However, molecular phylogenetic studies not including the type genus Mastophora indicated that the Mastophoroideae was polyphyletic. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily including the type genus using DNA sequences of SSU rDNA and plastid‐encoded gene of PSII reaction center protein D1 (psbA) revealed that Mastophora formed a robust clade only with Metamastophora. The other mastophoroid genera were divided into six lineages within the family Corallinaceae. Five supported lineages—(i) Pneophyllum; (ii) Hydrolithon gardineri (Foslie) Verheij et Prud’homme, Hydrolithon onkodes (Heydr.) Penrose et Woelk., and Hydrolithon pachydermum (Foslie) J. C. Bailey, J. E. Gabel et Freshwater; (iii) Hydrolithon reinboldii (Weber Bosse et Foslie) Foslie; (iv) Spongites; and (v) Neogoniolithon—were clearly distinguished by the combination of characters including the presence or absence of palisade cells and trichocytes in large, tightly packed horizontal fields and features of tetrasporangial and spermatangial conceptacles. Therefore, we amend the Mastophoroideae to be limited to Mastophora and Metamastophora with a thin thallus with basal filaments comprised of palisade cells, tetrasporangial conceptacles formed by filaments peripheral to fertile areas, and spermatangia derived only from the floor of male conceptacles. This emendation supports Setchell’s (1943) original definition of the Mastophoroideae as having thin thalli. We also propose the establishment of three new subfamilies, Hydrolithoideae subfam. nov. including Hydrolithon, Porolithoideae subfam. nov. including the resurrected genus Porolithon, and Neogoniolithoideae subfam. nov. including Neogoniolithon. Taxonomic revisions of Pneophyllum and Spongites were not made because we did not examine their type species.     

Relationships among the basal lineages of Noctuidae (Lepidoptera,Noctuoidea) based on eight gene regions

In this study, we clarify the relationships between the basal lineages in the moth family Noctuidae using DNA sequence data from eight independent gene regions. Data matrices (6.4 kbp) are analysed using parsimony and model‐based methods (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference). Our results support the family Noctuidae as a monophyletic group in which most subfamilies have hindwing vein M2 reduced or absent. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that in the Noctuidae, the plesiomorphic condition is that in which vein M2 arises about one‐third of the way up the discocellular vein between the origins of M1 and M3, mainly parallel to M3, and is of thickness similar to vein M3. Most Noctuidae lineages possess an apomorphic (derived) condition in which hindwing vein M2 is markedly reduced or totally absent, so that the cubital vein appears to be three‐branched and these lineages are hence referred to as ‘trifine’. However, Noctuidae also include a number of lineages in which vein M2 is unreduced, or only slightly reduced, and these are more problematic for morphological association with the family Noctuidae. Our results also show that the subfamily Acronictinae is not closely related to Pantheinae, but instead shows a closer association with Amphipyrinae. Among the major lineages of Noctuidae, we postulate a general trend, with numerous exceptions, in larval host plants from woody plants in the basal groups towards herb feeding in derived groups. Similarly, the major radiations of monocot‐feeding groups within the family Noctuidae are in the higher trifines. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Thiacidinae, syn. nov., a junior synonym of Pantheinae, and Dyopsinae, stat. nov., are reinstated as a subfamily.     

Phylogeny and classification ofFumariaceae, with emphasis onDicentra s. l., based on the plastid generps16 intron

The phylogeny ofFumariaceae, as inferred fromrps16 intron sequences, is compared with morphological data, and nrDNA-ITS. The different data sets are largely congruent and indicate that (1)Dicentra and the tribeCorydaleae as hitherto circumscribed are polyphyletic, (2)Lamprocapnos (=Dicentra spectabilis) is sister group to the rest of subfam.Fumarioideae, (3)Ehrendorferia, gen. nov. (=Dicentra chrysantha andD. ochroleuca) is basal in the latter group, (4) the morphologically aberrantIchtyoselmis, gen. nov. (=Dicentra macrantha) groups withDicentra s. str., (5) the genusCysticapnos should be included in the tribeFumarieae, (6)Dactylicapnos (=Dicentra subg.Dactylicapnos) is sister group toCorydalis, (7) the genusCorydalis is monophyletic, and consists of three subgenera:Chremnocapnos, stat. nov.,Sophorocapnos, stat. nov., andCorydalis. The following new combinations are validated:Ehrendorferia chrysantha, E. ochroleuca, Ichtyoselmis macrantha, andLamprocapnos spectabilis. Dedicated to emer. Univ.-Prof. DrFriedrich Ehrendorfer on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Evolution and systematics of the Late Paleozoic brachiopod family Linoproductidae with descriptions of species from the Lower Permian of the Northern Timan

The analysis of the morphological features of the genera of the family Linoproductidae in the Late Paleozoic substantiates its three subfamilies as three evolutionary trends beginning with the initial subfamily Coopericinae Lazarev, 2004, which is known from the beginning of the Early Carboniferous and two its derivatives: subfamily Linipalinae subfam. nov., which appeared in the Podolskian Time (Upper Moscovian Age), and subfamily Linoproductinae Stehli, 1954, which appeared in the Kasimovian Age. The problems and prospects of the further detailing of the system of these subfamilies are discussed. Three new species of the genus Sublinoproductus are described from the Lower Permian of Northern Timan.     

New fossils from China elucidating the phylogeny of Praesiricidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera)

A new subfamily of Praesiricidae (Pamphilioidea), Decorisiricinae subfam.n. , is erected based on three new genera: Decorisiricius gen.n. , Limbisiricius gen.n. and Brevisiricius gen.n. Two new species – Decorisiricius patulus gen. et sp.n. and D. longus sp.n. – from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation and three species –Limbisiricius aequalis gen. et sp.n. , Limbisiricius complanatus sp.n. and Brevisiricius partialis gen. et sp.n. – from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation, are described. Based on these well‐preserved new fossil specimens and previously published data, the nonmonophyly of Praesiricidae is confirmed and the phylogenetic relationships of species of Praesiricidae are analysed for the first time. Two main clades within Praesiricidae are recognized from the cladistic analysis: Decorisiricinae subfam.n. forms a monophyletic lineage, with the remaining members of Praesiricidae plus Megalodontes (Megalodontesidae) forming its sister group. The two subfamilies Archoxyelydinae and Praesiricinae are discarded with no strong supported synapomorphic characters based on phylogenetic research. A key to all genera of Praesiricidae is provided. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:38D703ED‐127A‐4DB0‐8153‐8D78AF4AC212 .     

Phylogenetic relationships of corallinaceae (Corallinales,Rhodophyta): taxonomic implications for reef‐building corallines

A new, more complete, five‐marker (SSU, LSU, psbA, COI, 23S) molecular phylogeny of the family Corallinaceae, order Corallinales, shows a paraphyletic grouping of seven well‐supported monophyletic clades. The taxonomic implications included the amendment of two subfamilies, Neogoniolithoideae and Metagoniolithoideae, and the rejection of Porolithoideae as an independent subfamily. Metagoniolithoideae contained Harveylithon gen. nov., with H. rupestre comb. nov. as the generitype, and H. canariense stat. nov., H. munitum comb. nov., and H. samoënse comb. nov. Spongites and Pneophyllum belonged to separate clades. The subfamily Neogoniolithoideae included the generitype of Spongites, S. fruticulosus, for which an epitype was designated. Pneophyllum requires reassesment. The generitype of Hydrolithon, H. reinboldii, was a younger heterotypic synonym of H. boergesenii. The evolutionary novelty of the subfamilies Hydrolithoideae, Metagoniolithoideae, and Lithophylloideae was the development of tetra/bisporangial conceptacle roofs by filaments surrounding and interspersed among the sporangial initials.