Identification of instars and species in some larval Polypedilum (Polypedilum) (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Instars II and III of Polypedilum aviceps Townes, Polypedilum convictum (Walker), and Polypedilum illinoense (Malloch) can be identified to species by associating them with instar IV because key taxonomic characters remain relatively unchanged from instar to instar. Instars I cannot be identified to species or genus unless they are associated with older, identifiable larvae reared from the same egg masses. No single character evaluated on slide material can be used to clearly separate instars in all three species. Larvae of P. aviceps can be separated into instars based on any four of seven characters; P. convictum by either of two characters; and, P. illinoense by a combination of two characters. Changes in structures of instars II, III, and IV are described for all three species. Growth ratios for some structures are compared and discussed with regard to Dyar's Rule.     

A new species of Deinsdorfia (Soricidae, Insectivora, Mammalia) from the Pliocene of Spain

A new species of Deinsdorfia is defined using new material coming from the karstic fissure infilling of Almenara-Casablanca 4 (Castelló, Spain), which shows important differences with the rest of the previously known species of the genus. The definition of a new species is supported by the characters found in extra material coming from the localities of Valdeganga, in the Albacete Province (Spain). The stratigraphical occurrence of this genus of pigmented-toothed shrews reinforces the idea of the Iberian Peninsula as a sink area during the Pliocene, where some Central-European soricids expanded their distribution. Most of those migrations or distributional expansions coincide with moments of climatic changes in the northern hemisphere.     

Two new dimorphic soft-coral species (Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from Antarctica

Sphaeralcyon shackletonisp. nov. and Sphaeralcyon scottisp. nov. are described and illustrated from material collected at the Scotia Sea and Weddell Sea on the Polarstern cruises ANT XIX/3 (ANDEEP-I), ANT XIX/5 (LAMPOS), and ANT XXI/2 (BENDEX). With the discovery of Sphaeralcyon shackletoni and S. scotti, three species are now known in the genus Sphaeralcyon, all them reported from the Southern Ocean. The diagnosis of the genus has been slightly modified to accommodate some of the characters of the new species.     

Phylogenetic relationships in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula</Emphasis> (Betulaceae) based on AFLP markers

The genus Betula comprises various species in boreal and temperate climate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. The taxonomy of Betula is controversial and complicated by parallel evolution of morphological traits, polyploidization events, and extensive hybridization and introgression among species. Multilocus molecular data from AFLPs were used to provide phylogenetic information. A large number of polymorphic markers (321 variable bands) were produced in 107 Betula accessions from 23 species and 11 hybrids. The AFLP results were largely congruent with the results from previously examined nuclear DNA markers. Four distinct subgenera were identified within the genus Betula. These subgenera were partly in disagreement with the traditional (but disputed) division of the genus. In addition, the results indicated several groups of conspecific taxa. The majority of the species fell within subgenus Betula and shared a high degree of similarity with B. pendula. All hybrids were associated with this group, and the AFLP data contained signals on putative parents for some of the interspecific hybrids. Subgenus Chamaebetula and part of the Neurobetula species should be merged with Betula. The subgenera Betulenta, Betulaster, and the remaining part of Neurobetula are distinct and well supported. Although our results indicate that four major taxonomic groups can be recognized within the genus Betula, the relationship between them remains unclear. This may be due to the occurrence of hybridization and introgression, which would have a homogenizing effect on the relationships between species. Naturally occurring Betula species of hybrid origin may explain the low bootstrap values within the Betula clade. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

钟冠报春苣苔(苦苣苔科)的分类鉴定

原唇柱苣苔属(Chirita Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don)为一个人为界定的属, 2011年在分子系统学研究的基础上对该属及其近缘属开展了系统发育重建工作,其中绝大部分的原唇柱苣苔属唇柱苣苔组(Sect. Gibbosaccus C. B. Clark)的物种被并入了广义报春苣苔属(Primulina Hance)。然而,由于历史原因和早期经典分类学在研究方法上的局限性以及对现报春苣苔属部分物种的营养器官与生殖器官的认知不够,该属下一些物种的分类仍存在一些问题,亟待深入研究。比如,在对中国和越南分布的苦苣苔科植物开展研究的过程中,作者发现两个报春苣苔属的物种——广布于中国西南和华南直至中南半岛中部的钟冠报春苣苔[Primulina swinglei(Merr.)Mich. Möller & A. Weber]命名人和原被认为是中国与广西特有种的疏花报春苣苔[P. laxiflora(W. T. Wang)Yin. Z. Wang]之间的鉴定存在分类学问题,需要进一步厘清两者之间的关系。该文对这两个物种进行了形态比较,同时通过对这两种植物的原始描述对比、植物标本检查、栽培观察以及野外实地观察,确定疏花报春苣苔是钟冠报春苣苔的异名。此外,还明确了钟冠报春苣苔的后选指定模式标本。     

Phylogeny of Castanea (Fagaceae) based on chloroplast trnT-L-F sequence data

Species in the genus Castanea are widely distributed in the deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere from Asia to Europe and North America. They show floristic similarity but differences in chestnut blight resistance especially among eastern Asian and eastern North American species. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted in this study using sequences of three chloroplast noncoding trnT-L-F regions. The trnT-L region was found to be the most variable and informative region. The highest proportion of parsimony informative sites, more and larger indels, and higher pairwise distances between taxa were obtained at trnT-L than at the other two regions. The high A+T values (74.5%) in the Castanea trnT-L region may explain the high proportion of transversions found in this region where as comparatively lower A+T values were found in the trnL intron (68.35%) and trnL-F spacer (70.07%) with relatively balanced numbers of transitions and transversions. The genus Castanea is supported as a monophyletic clade, while the section Eucastanon is paraphyletic. C. crenata is the most basal clade and sister to the remainder of the genus. The three Chinese species of Castanea are supported as a single monophyletic clade, whose sister group contains the North American and European species. There is consistent but weak support for a sister–group relationship between the North American species and European species.     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

Molecular characterisation of Sargassum polycystum and S. siliquosum (Phaeophyta) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers

Genomic DNA was extracted from 13 samples of Sargassum polycystum and S. siliquosum collected from various localities around Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore by using four different extraction methods. The yields and the suitability of the DNA to be used as template for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was compared. DNA samples were subjected to PCR analysis by using random primers. Only DNA samples that were extracted using the CTAB method were successfully amplified by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Five of 31 random primers (OPA02, OPA03, OPA04, OPA13 and OPM10) tested amplified sequences of DNA from the DNA samples. Reproducible, amplified products were obtained using these primers and showed some potential to be useful in discriminating individual samples within the genus, in determining relationships between species within a genus and in developing individual fingerprints for individual samples.     

Phylogenetic position of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oxygyne shinzatoi</Emphasis> (Burmanniaceae) inferred from 18S rDNA sequences

The genus Oxygyne comprises three species disjunctly distributed in Africa and Japan and is the least examined genus of the Burmanniaceae due to the scarcity of living material. We obtained living samples of Oxygyne shinzatoi and examined the phylogenetic position of this species on the basis on the 18S rDNA sequence. Oxygne shinzatoi was consistently found to belong to the monophyletic group of tribe Thismieae, but its position in the tribe differed depending on the criteria applied (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference). Distance analysis from the most recent common ancestor indicated that O. shinzatoi had the lowest substitution rate among the species of tribe Thismieae. Combined with recent knowledge of basic chromosome numbers and substitution rate characteristics, O. shinzatoi can be considered to be one of the basal taxon of tribe Thismieae.     

A new species of Ochridacyclops (Kiefer, 1937) (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) from Japan

A new species of cyclopoid copepod, Ochridacyclops nipponensis is described from Japan. This is the third species of the genus. The type material was collected from small streams in the mountainous regions in Shikoku. The new species can easily be distinguished from other members of genus by its 12-segmented antennule, by the proportional length of genital double-somite relative to the length of 3 free abdominal somites, and by the shape of caudal rami. The male is unknown.     

Untersuchungen zur Karyologie und Mikrosporogenese vonPelargonium sect.Pelargonium (Geraniaceae)

The chromosome numbers of the 24 species of sect.Pelargonium were determined from field collected and cultivated plants of known localities in S. Africa. Twelve species are diploid (2n = 22), eight tetraploid (2n = 44), one hexaploid (2n = 66), and three octoploid (2n = 88). The chromosome numbers correlate well with the proposed subdivision of sect.Pelargonium. Its chromosomes are relatively small (1.0–1.5 µm) in comparison to most of the other sections, and its diploid karyotype is considered to be primitive. The occurrence of the basic number x = 11 in this section, in other sections of the genus, and in related genera (Monsonia, Sarcocaulon) leads to the conclusion that x = 11 probably is basic for the whole genus. — The pollen meiosis, microsporogenesis and pollen fertility of the diploid species is normal, with the exception of one, possibly young taxon from the Greyton Nature Reserve. The tetraploid species could be of autoploid origin, the higher polyploids exhibit a mixed auto-alloploid nature. — The 20 diploid and tetraploid species have a relatively small distribution range, most of them occur in the SW. Cape Province of South Africa. This area may therefore be considered as the centre of origin of the genus. Three of the four high polyploid species occupy rather large areas.

Untersuchungen zur Karyologie und Mikrosporogenese der GattungPelargonium, 1.     

Biological Basis of Saki (Pithecia) Folk Species Recognized by the Matses Indians of Amazonian Perú

The Matses Indians of northeastern Perú recognize two linguistically labeled folk species of saki monkeys (Cebidae: Pithecia) that are said to be morphologically distinguishable, to prefer different habitats, and to be noninterbreeding. Because the systematic literature recognizes only one biological taxon of Pithecia in the area inhabited by the Matses, their folk taxonomy suggests either the presence of a previously undescribed species or a hitherto undocumented range extension. All known species of Pithecia are currently thought to be allopatric, so both possibilities are of interest. We obtained blood samples and anatomical voucher material from hunters' kills in order to test the biological basis for the Matses folk taxonomy of sakis. Molecular and morphological analyses of the collected material indicate that both Matses folk species correspond to one effectively panmictic population of Pithecia monachus. Overdifferentiation in folk classification systems, whereby one biological species is represented by two or more nonsynonymous folk species names, is a potentially widespread source of error that should be considered by researchers using local informants for primate field studies. In addition to resolving a folk-taxonomic enigma, our study provides the first quantitative analyses of local (within-population) morphological and molecular variation in this little-known platyrrhine genus.     

A cladistic analysis ofAnisopappus (Asteraceae: Inuleae)

A cladistic analysis of the genusAnisopappus (Asteraceae: Inuleae) has been undertaken. A hypothesis of species interrelationships in the genus is presented for the first time. The analysis also includedArctotis (Arctoteae), used as outgroup, and five additional genera from theInuleae: Geigeria, Calostephane, Asteriscus, Buphthalmum, Pulicaria, andInula. It is concluded thatAnisopappus is a monophyletic group situated at the base of the tribe, diagnosed by, e.g., their obtuse stylar sweeping-hairs. The species with acute sweeping-hairs were found to be derived within the genus. Problems concerning species delimitation, biogeography and character evolution in the genus are briefly discussed.     

On the taxonomy and geographical distribution of the superfamily Sidoidea Baird, 1850 (Crustacea: Cladocera)

A systematic revision of the superfamily Sidoidea Baird, 1850 is carried out based on a considerable amount of material, including types. Unification of the families Sididae and Holopedidae in one group is found to be justified. Two new tribes of the recently isolated subfamily Sidinae Baird, 1850 are described. In considering the systematics of taxa at a species level, special attention is given to the genus Diaphanosoma. Its taxonomy is far from satisfactory but most species may be included in two morphoecological groups. The distribution of some genera and species is analyzed and their regions of origin and ranges are discussed.     

A new deep-sea pennatulacean (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Chunellidae) from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic)

During the BENGAL cruises, an important collection of deep-sea benthic organisms was sampled. Among the pennatulacean colonies, a previously undescribed species of chunellid was collected. That material is here described as the type species of a new genus, Porcupinella gen. nov. The new genus and species are described based on material collected in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic), 4,839–4,847 m in depth. This is the first time that a chunellid is reported from the Atlantic Ocean. The new genus is compared with the other genera in the family, and some phylogenetic remarks about the families Chunellidae and Umbellulidae are also provided.     

Isozyme differentiation in the endemic genusArgyranthemum (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) in the Macaronesian Islands

The genusArgyranthemum (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) comprises 38 taxa and is restricted to the archipelagos of the Canaries, Selvagens, Madeira, and Desertas in the Macaronesian biogeographic region. An electrophoretic study, including 17 enzyme loci and at least one population of each of the described taxa, was carried out. High identity (low distance) values between taxa (mean of 0.893) were obtained despite the old age of the islands, their close proximity to the African continent, and the fact thatArgyranthemum is the most species-rich and variable genus in Macaronesia. These results suggest that the genus is monophyletic and that it has evolved very rapidly in these islands. There is little correspondence between taxonomy and neighbor-joining analysis based on Roger's genetic distances, but in several instances populations from the same islands cluster together despite being from different species or even different sections. It is suggested that repeated genetic bottlenecks associated with the founding of new populations during radiation of the genus resulted in lineage sorting of ancestral allozyme polymorphisms. Because every population has a high average identity with all other populations, lineage sorting could result in populations of different taxa being slightly more similar than populations of the same taxon. Gene flow between different species on the same island could account for some populations clustering by island of origin rather than taxonomic disposition. Average allozyme diversity within populations (0.098) is 50% higher than the mean total diversity for species endemic to oceanic islands.     

Phylogenetic analysis of Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae) based on plastid matK and nuclear ribosomal spacer (ITS) DNA sequences and morphology

Phylogenetic analyses of the monocotyledonous genera Leucojum and Galanthus (Amaryllidaceae, Asparagales), using plastid (trnL-F and matK) and largely non-coding nuclear ribosomal (ITS) DNA sequences show the two to be closely related to Lapiedra, Narcissus, Vagaria, Pancratium and Sternbergia. We compare the results obtained with a combined parsimony analysis of these nucleotide sequences with that of a matrix of morphological characters. The sampling included all species of Leucojum and most species of Galanthus (representing all series and subseries of the genus) and used as outgroup the above mentioned genera of Amaryllidaceae shown to be close relatives. The plastid, nuclear and morphological data were analysed independently and in combination, showing that the boundaries between the two genera are not appropriate. Galanthus is monophyletic but embedded in Leucojum. On the basis of chromosome numbers and floral characters Leucojum has been previously divided into four subgenera, which have been accepted as genera by some authors. In our phylogenetic analyses (separate as well as combined), Leucojum species are separated in two primary clades corresponding to L. subgenera Ruminia + Acis and L. Leucojum + Aerosperma. The taxonomic implications of this pattern are discussed, and an alternative classification is proposed. Finally, biogeographic relationships of species of both Leucojum and Galanthus are discussed, emphasising the possible origin of the narrowly distributed taxa of Leucojum relative to the widespread species.     

Genetic differentiation,polyploidization and hybridization in northern EuropeanDactylorhiza (Orchidaceae): Evidence from allozyme markers

Taxa endemic to North-western Europe are rare, but the orchid genusDactylorhiza contains several species restricted to this area. Evidence from morphological and cytological studies have indicated that some species may have arisen recently and may be of hybrid origin. In the present report, I use allozymes to characterize the genomes in various species ofDactylorhiza and evaluate the possibilities for rapid evolutionary change in the genus. Allotetraploid species have evolved repeatedly from two principal diploid ancestral lineages. These lineages include extant diploid and autotetraploid species, from which allotetraploid derivatives may still arise. It is suggested that allotetraploidization dominates over introgression as speciation mechanism in the genus. The more common and widespread allotetraploid species could be characterized by their allozyme characters over considerable distances, indicating that each of them may have a unique origin and that they have spread from their ancestral populations to the present distribution areas. However, it is also possible that some allotetraploid species contain local populations that have been independently derived from the ancestral lineages.     

Hyaenictitherium minimum, a new ictithere (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from the Late Miocene of Toros-Menalla, Chad

A new species of Hyaenidae, Hyaenictitherium minimum, is described in the carnivore fauna of the Late Miocene layers of Toros-Menalla (Chad). Its size is similar to that of a jackal and it had probably a similar ecological niche. It is found in several fossil-bearing localities of this area. The genus Hyaenictitherium is known from the early Late Miocene in Eurasia from China to Spain; the Chadian material is, perhaps with some specimens from Sahabi and Lothagam, the earliest occurrence of the genus in Africa. It results certainly from Eurasian migration, which will have to be taken into account for the analysis of the bulk of the fauna. To cite this article: L. de Bonis et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

The first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) of Melipona species (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): characterization and phylogenetic analysis

Summary. Internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) sequences of the nuclear rDNA of eight bee species of the genus Melipona were studied. Complete ITS-1 sequence and flanking regions from three Melipona species were PCR-amplified, cloned, sequenced, and their variability compared. These sequences show length variation (1391 to 1417 bp), several repeated elements of one, two, three, and four nucleotides, and a repeated tandem sequence of approximately 80 bp. The low variation level between M. quadrifasciata and M. mandacaia sequences supports the hypothesis that they diverged recently. PCR-amplification, cloning, and sequencing of a partial ITS-1 sequence (394 to 496 bp) of eight Melipona species and two outgroups were performed and the obtained sequences used for phylogenetic analysis. The single tree estimated from parsimony analysis recovered four well-defined clades and monophyly of the genus Melipona. The phylogenetic relationships derived from sequences of ITS-1 fragments corroborate the taxonomic classification of Melipona based on morphological characters.Received 17 July 2003; revised 10 May 2004; accepted 1 June 2004.