Tuyamaella serratistipa S. Hatt. new to the Philippines,with a key to the genus Tuyamaella (Hepaticae,Lejeuneaceae)

Abstract

Tuyamaella serratistipa S. Hatt. is reported as a new generic and specific record for the Philippine bryoflora. A detailed illustration of the species and a distribution map of the genus and the species are presented. A key to all known species of Tuyamaella is also provided, and the taxonomy of the genus discussed.     

Molecular characterization of haemococcidia genus Schellackia (Apicomplexa) reveals the polyphyletic origin of the family Lankesterellidae

The current taxonomy on the haemococcidia establishes that the two genera of protozoan parasites that integrate the family Lankesterellidae are Lankesterella and Schellackia. However, the phylogeny of these genera, as well as the other coccidia, remains unresolved. In this sense, the use of type and described species is essential for the resolution of systematic conflicts. In this study, we molecularly characterize the type species of the genus Schellackia, that is, S. bolivari from Europe and also a described species of the same genus from Asia. At the same time, we contribute with the molecular characterization of another species of the genus Lankesterella. All this put together supports the polyphyly of the family Lankesterellidae. Therefore, we propose the resurrection of the zoological family, Schellackiidae Grassé 1953 , to include species within the genus Schellackia.     

Morphological and molecular description of new species of squat lobster (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Solomon and Fiji Islands (South‐West Pacific)

The family Galatheidae is among the most diverse families of anomuran decapod crustaceans, and the South‐West Pacific is a biodiversity hot spot for these squat lobsters. Attempts to clarify the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of the Galatheidae on the basis of morphological and molecular data have revealed the existence of several cryptic species, differentiated only by subtle morphological characters. Despite these efforts, however, relationships among genera are poorly understood, and the family is in need of a detailed systematic review. In this study, we assess material collected in different surveys conducted in the Solomon Islands, as well as comparative material from the Fiji Islands, by examining both the morphology of the specimens and two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI, and 16S rRNA). These two sources of data revealed the existence of eight new species of squat lobster, four of which were ascribed to the genus Munida, two to the genus Paramunida, one to the genus Plesionida, and the last species was ascribed to the genus Agononida. These eight species are described along with phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. Our findings support the taxonomic status of the new species, yet the phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Further molecular analysis of a larger data set of species, and more conserved genes, will help clarify the systematics of this group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 465–493.     

Phylogeny of the shore crab family Grapsidae (Decapoda: Brachyura: Thoracotremata) based on a multilocus approach

The Grapsidae are a thoracotreme crab family with 40 species in eight genera (in their strict definition), and possess a number of morphological and molecular synapomorphies. Previous phylogenetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA markers established the monophyly of this family, but suggested possible paraphyly or polyphyly of some of the constituent genera. To test the validity of previous hypotheses, the present study reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of the grapsid crabs based on five molecular markers, including mitochondrial DNA markers and the first use of nuclear protein‐coding markers to address this issue. Monophyly of Grapsidae was confirmed, with the exception of the position of the monotypic genus Leptograpsodes. The polyphyly of the genus Pachygrapsus is consistent with previous molecular phylogenies, as members from this genus are dispersed throughout our gene tree. Grapsus and Planes were shown to be paraphyletic, with species of Pachygrapsus nested within them. Our study found incongruences between the currently adopted classification of the family, and hence taxonomic revisions will be needed. We hereby demonstrate the use of nuclear protein‐coding markers for high confidence reconstruction of decapod phylogenies, resolving most of the early splits that mitochondrial DNA markers alone are unable to tackle. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Evolution of sex chromosomes prior to speciation in the dioecious Phoenix species

Understanding the driving forces and molecular processes underlying dioecy and sex chromosome evolution, leading from hermaphroditism to the occurrence of male and female individuals, is of considerable interest in fundamental and applied research. The genus Phoenix, belonging to the Arecaceae family, consists uniquely of dioecious species. Phylogenetic data suggest that the genus Phoenix has diverged from a hermaphroditic ancestor which is also shared with its closest relatives. We have investigated the cessation of recombination in the sex‐determination region within the genus Phoenix as a whole by extending the analysis of P. dactylifera SSR sex‐related loci to eight other species within the genus. Phylogenetic analysis of a date palm sex‐linked PdMYB1 gene in these species has revealed that sex‐linked alleles have not clustered in a species‐dependent way but rather in X and Y‐allele clusters. Our data show that sex chromosomes evolved from a common autosomal origin before the diversification of the extant dioecious species.     

Molecular phylogeny and morphological analysis resolve a long‐standing controversy over generic concepts in Ecdyonurinae mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae)

Heptageniidae is a species‐rich mayfly family (Ephemeroptera), whose taxonomy and phylogeny have been based almost exclusively on traditional morphological studies. Inconsistent use of diagnostic characters and the general lack of molecular studies have led to vague generic concepts, and the phylogenetic relationships among taxa in the family remain unclear. Afronurus Lestage is an Old World heptageniid genus of 66 species. The generic assignment of two species within this genus, A. kugleri Demoulin and A. zebratus (Hagen), has been the subject of much debate, because they share many apomorphic features that distinguish them from other congeners. We combined a thorough morphological study of all life stages of 28 representative heptageniid species with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four mitochondrial and nuclear markers to resolve the generic position of A. kugleri and A. zebratus as well as the integrity of Afronurus and related genera. Our results confirm the monophyly of Afronurus and Electrogena and support the assignment of A. kugleri and A. zebratus to a newly described genus, Anapos Yanai & Sartori gen.n . We provide clear, diagnostic morphological characters for the genus and discuss the need for a thorough revision of generic concepts in the subfamily Ecdyonurinae. This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:075E40C6-BAFE-4184-A2C2-E3BCFBC0BC15 .     

Proposal of Monorhizochytrium globosum gen. nov., comb. nov. (Stramenopiles,Labyrinthulomycetes) for former Thraustochytrium globosum based on morphological features and phylogenetic relationships

Thraustochytrium is the type genus of the family Thraustochytriaceae in the class Labyrinthulomycetes. This genus is characterized by zoospore formation, namely, shape of the cell wall of sporangia and presence or absence of a proliferous body. However, there are several issues associated with the taxonomy of this genus, and these include polyphyletic taxa and overlapping of taxonomic features among species. In particular, the first and second species, T. proliferum and T. globosum, were described based on observations of the morphological features of natural samples in the absence of culture conditions. Before addressing the taxonomic issues associated with this genus, it is important to consider the taxonomic features of each species, i.e., the life history under culture conditions and the phylogenetic position. The objective of the present study was to isolate T. globosum, the second described species in the genus Thraustochytrium, from the type locality. We successfully isolated strain NBRC 112723, which exhibited characteristic features of T. globosum. Under culture conditions, strain NBRC 112723 exhibited taxonomic features observed in other thraustochytrid species. Our molecular phylogeny indicated that this strain isolated from the type locality was located in an unidentified thraustochytrid group; moreover, some strains located in this group exhibited characteristic features of strain NBRC 112723. We clearly distinguished T. globosum based on the taxonomic criteria used to classify the T. proliferum type species. Therefore, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Monorhizochytrium, for the species T. globosum in the family Thraustochytriaceae.     

Phylogeny,classification and divergence times of pygmy leaf‐mining moths (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae): the earliest lepidopteran radiation on Angiosperms?

Nepticulidae represent one of the early diverging Lepidoptera lineages, and the family currently comprises over 850 described species. The larvae of the vast majority of the species are leaf miners on Angiosperms and highly monophagous, which has led to persistent ideas on coevolution with their plant hosts. We present here a molecular phylogeny based on eight gene fragments from 355 species, representing 20 out of 22 extant Nepticulidae genera. Using two fossil calibration points, we performed molecular dating to place the origin of the family in the Early Cretaceous, before the main Angiosperm diversification. Based on our results we propose a new classification, abandoning all ranks between family and genus, as well as subgenera to allow for a stable classification. The position of Enteucha Meyrick within Nepticulidae remains somewhat ambiguous, and the species‐rich cosmopolitan genus Stigmella Schrank, with nearly half of all described Nepticulidae, requires further study. Ectoedemia Busck, Zimmermannia Hering, Acalyptris Meyrick, Etainia Beirne, Parafomoria Borkowski, Muhabbetana Koçak & Kemal and Fomoria Beirne appear to have diversified in a relatively short evolutionary period, leading to short branches in the molecular phylogeny and unclear suprageneric relations. Otherwise support values throughout the phylogeny are mostly high and the species groups, genera and higher clades are discussed in respect of their supporting morphological and life‐history characters. Wing venation characters are confirmed to be mostly reliable and relevant for Nepticulidae classification, but some other previously used characters require reinterpretation. The species groups of most genera are recovered, but only partly so in the large genus Stigmella. The molecular dating results are compared with existing knowledge on the timing of the Angiosperm radiation and reveal that the diversification of Nepticulidae could largely have been contemporaneous with their hosts, although some of the genera restricted to a single plant family appear to have begun to diversify before their hosts.     

Phylogenetics,character evolution,and distribution patterns of the greenbriers,Smilacaceae (Liliales), a near‐cosmopolitan family of monocots

Smilacaceae, composed of Smilax and Heterosmilax, are a cosmopolitan family of > 200 species of mostly climbing monocots with alternate leaves characterized by reticulate venation, a pair of petiolar tendrils and usually prickly stems. Although there has been a long history of studying Smilax since Linnaeus named the genus in 1753, the phylogenetic history of this dioecious family remains unclear. Here we present results based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and plastid matK and rpl16 intron DNA sequence data from 125 taxa of Smilacaceae. Our taxon sampling covers all sections of Smilax and Heterosmilax and major distribution zones of the family; species from Ripogonaceae and Philesiaceae are used as outgroups. Our molecular analysis indicates that phylogenetic relationships largely contradict the traditional morphological classification of the family, instead showing a conspicuous geographical pattern among the species clades. The previously recognized genus Heterosmilax was found to be embedded in Smilax. Species in the family are separated into primarily New World and Old World clades, except for a single species lineage, Smilax aspera, that is sister to the remaining species of the family, but with poor statistical support. Ancestral character state reconstructions and examination of distribution patterns among the clades provide important information for future taxonomic revisions and historical biogeography of the group. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173 , 535–548.     

Four trematode cercariae from the New Zealand intertidal snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus (Batillariidae)

Abstract

The cercariae and sporocysts (or rediae) of four trematode species are described from the intertidal snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus: a distome xiphidiocercaria assigned to the genus Renicola (family Renicolidae); a monostome xiphidiocercaria belonging either to the genus Microphallus or Megalophallus (family Microphallidae); a magnacercous cercaria of the genus Galactosomum (family Hetero‐phyidae); and a cercaria of the genus Philophthalmus (family Philophthalmidae). The morphological features of these cercariae are compared to previously described cercariae of the same genera. In addition, since the philophthalmid cercaria encysts readily on artificial substrates in the laboratory, the metacercaria of this species is also described. These cercariae are part of a diverse community of at least six digenean species parasitising the snail Z. subcarinatus that, together, have a major impact on the ecology and evolution of this snail.     

Molecular characterisation of acanthocephalans from Australian marine teleosts: proposal of a new family,synonymy of another and transfer of taxa between orders

We provide molecular data (cox1, 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA) for 17 acanthocephalan species and 20 host-parasite combinations from Australian marine teleosts collected from off Queensland, Australia. Fourteen of these acanthocephalans are characterised with molecular data for the first time and we provide the first molecular data for a species of each of the genera Heterosentis Van Cleave, 1931, Pyriproboscis Amin, Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2003 and Sclerocollum Schmidt & Paperna, 1978. Using 18S and 28S rDNA sequences, the phylogenetic position of each newly sequenced species is assessed with both single-gene and concatenated 18S+28S maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Additional phylogenetic analyses focusing on the genus Rhadinorhynchus Lühe, 1912 and related lineages are included. Our phylogenetic results are broadly consistent with previous analyses, recovering previously identified inconsistencies but also providing new insights and necessitating taxonomic action. We do not find sufficient evidence to recognise the Gymnorhadinorhynchidae Braicovich, Lanfranchi, Farber, Marvaldi, Luque & Timi, 2014 as distinct from the Rhadinorhynchidae Lühe, 1912. The family Gymnorhadinorhynchidae and its sole genus, Gymnorhadinorhynchus Braicovich, Lanfranchi, Farber, Marvaldi, Luque & Timi, 2014, are here recognised as junior synonyms of Rhadinorhynchidae and Rhadinorhynchus, respectively. The two species currently assigned to Gymnorhadinorhynchus are recombined as Rhadinorhynchus decapteri (Braicovich, Lanfranchi, Farber, Marvaldi, Luque & Timi, 2014) n. comb. and Rhadinorhynchus mariserpentis (Steinauer, Garcia-Vedrenne, Weinstein & Kuris, 2019) n. comb. In all of our analyses, Rhadinorhynchus biformis Smales, 2014 is found basal to the Rhadinorhynchidae + Transvenidae Pichelin & Cribb, 2001, thus resulting in a paraphyletic Rhadinorhynchidae. It appears that R. biformis may require a new genus and family; however, morphological data for this species are currently insufficient to adequately distinguish it from related lineages, thus we defer the proposal of any new higher-rank names for this species. Species of the genus Sclerocollum, currently assigned to the Cavisomidae Meyer, 1932, are found nested within the family Transvenidae. We transfer the genus Sclerocollum to the Transvenidae and amend the diagnosis of the family accordingly. The genera Gorgorhynchoides Cable & Linderoth, 1963 and Serrasentis Van Cleave, 1923, currently assigned to the Rhadinorhynchidae, are supported as sister taxa and form a clade in the Polymorphida. We transfer these genera and Golvanorhynchus Noronha, Fabio & Pinto, 1978 to an emended concept of the Isthomosacanthidae Smales, 2012 and transfer this family to the Polymorphida. Lastly, Pyriproboscis heronensis (Pichelin, 1997) Amin, Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2003, currently assigned to the Pomphorhynchidae Yamaguti, 1939, falls under the Polymorphida in our analyses with some support for a sister relationship with the Centrorhynchidae Van Cleave, 1916. As this species clearly does not belong in the Pomphorhynchidae and is morphologically and molecularly distinct from the lineages of the Polymorphida, we propose the Pyriprobosicidae n. fam. to accommodate it.

     

First record of the genus Dudresnaya (Dumontiaceae,Rhodophyta) in New Zealand waters

The genus Dudresnaya is reported for the first time in New Zealand waters. Samples were collected in Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand, on rhodolith beds and at the edge of a rocky reef, between ?5 and ?10 m depth. The species was identified by morphological and anatomical characters as Dudresnaya capricornica and its identity was confirmed by molecular sequence data. This species is characterized by terete radial branches, outer cortical cells cylindrical, presence of hexagonal crystals, lack of annulation and mucilage coat on auxiliary cell branches, oblique division of carpogonium and cystocarps no cleft. The rbcL phylogenetic analysis showed the genus Dudresnaya is strongly supported and sister to taxa in the family Dumontiaceae. This family is also closely related to the families Rhizophillidaceae and Kallymeniaceae. This is the first record of the family Dumontiaceae in New Zealand.     

10. CORRESPONDENCE

Taxonomic classification of birds based exclusively on morphology and plumage traits has often been found to be inconsistent with true evolutionary history when tested with molecular phylogenies based on neutrally evolving markers. Here we present cytochrome-b gene sequences for the poorly known Little Brown Bustard Eupodotis humilis and analyse it in a phylogenetic context together with all other bustard species in the family Otididae. Our results suggest that this species is more closely related to the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax than to other members of the Eupodotis genus. This finding is consistent with previous results suggesting polyphyly in the genus Eupodotis and with the fact that many of the phenotypic traits used to classify members of the family Otiidae are not phylogenetically informative.     

The historical biogeography of Apsilochorema (Trichoptera,Hydrobiosidae) revised,following molecular studies

The genus Apsilochorema Ulmer, 1907 is unique in the family Hydrobiosidae Ulmer, being widely distributed in the Palaearctic, Oriental and Australian Regions. All other 49 genera in the family, except the New World Atopsyche Banks, 1905, are confined to a single biogeographical Region. This unique distribution has independently stimulated researchers to formulate competing hypotheses about the biogeographical history of the genus. Molecular sequence data from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and nuclear cadherin (CAD) genes of Apsilochorema species from the Oriental and Australian areas were analysed phylogenetically. The results retain a monophyletic Apsilochorema, which forms the sistergroup to the other genera in the subfamily Apsilochorematinae. The results from the biogeographical analyses dispute the earlier assumptions of an Oriental or northern Gondwana origin for the genus, revealing unambiguously an initial Australian radiation of the ancestral Apsilochorema with a subsequent dispersal into the Oriental Region. All but one of the Apsilochorema species occurring on the Pacific islands had an Oriental ancestor. The exception is the sistergroup to the New Caledonian species, which is found in both Australia and Oriental Regions. The molecular dating analysis, using a relaxed clock model, indicates that the genus Apsilochorema is about 36.4 MY old and that it dispersed from Australia into the Oriental Region about 28.3 Ma. It also gives an estimate of the approximate ages of the dispersals into New Caledonia to about 15.3 Ma; to the Solomon Islands at about 16.2 Ma; to the Fiji Islands at about 16.1 Ma; and to the Vanuatu Islands at about 5.4 Ma.     

To be or not to be a valid genus: the systematic position of Ophyra R.‐D. revised (Diptera: Muscidae)

Ophyra Robineau‐Desvoidy is one of the better‐studied genera of the family Muscidae (Diptera). The larvae of species of this genus feed on highly decomposed organic matter of various origins, and may reveal predatory behaviour as they mature. These feeding habits, combined with the widespread distribution and close association with human dwellings of some species, give the genus commercial and medico‐legal importance. However, the systematic position of Ophyra has been a matter of debate for many years. Ophyra has been considered by muscid workers to be either a valid genus or a junior synonym of Hydrotaea Robineau‐Desvoidy. A lack of agreement about the systematic position of Ophyra has led to serious errors, particularly in the applied literature. Recent molecular and morphological studies provided contradictory information on the validity of the genus and its subfamilial classification. We revise the systematic position of Ophyra herein by means of molecular phylogenetic reconstruction. Our results are incongruent with opinions on the systematic position of Ophyra based on previously published molecular phylogenies, although they correspond with the concept of the genus based on adult morphology. All analyses of the concatenated dataset revealed Ophyra as monophyletic and placed within a paraphyletic Azeliini. Depending on the phylogenetic approach, Ophyra was placed within either a monophyletic, paraphyletic or polyphyletic Hydrotaea, yet always closely related to a certain group of species. We conclude that Ophyra, as currently defined, should not be considered a valid name, yet a detailed reconstruction of the genus Hydrotaea awaits future studies with greater increases in both taxon sampling and the number of molecular markers.     

Molecular phylogeny of the Korean Rivellia species (Diptera: Tephritoidea: Platystomatidae) based on 16S rDNA sequences: Testing morphological hypotheses using molecular data

The phylogeny of the genus Rivellia Robineau‐Desvoidy was inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal (r)DNA gene sequences of 13 Korean Rivellia species and six species representing other platystomatid genera and the family Tephritidae. We compared the inferred molecular phylogeny with the previously published morphological cladogram. As a result, the following phylogenetic relationships were recognized: (i) monophyly of the genus Rivellia; (ii) monophyly of the R. syngenesiae species group; (iii) R. depicta and R. apicalis (which were not previously placed in any species group) were recognized as a sister group of the R. syngenesiae species group; and (iv) monophyly of the R. basilaris species group was recognized to a limited extent. These results, even though geographically limited, provide a new insight into the phylogeny of the genus Rivellia. They clearly show the utility of 16S rDNA for phylogenetic analysis of the genus Rivellia. Additional study involving samples from different geographical areas will be needed to gain a better understanding of the adaptive radiation of this species‐rich genus.     

The Iberian Peninsula: ancient history of a hot spot of mite harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi: Sironidae) diversity

The Iberian Peninsula represents a hot spot of cyphophthalmid (mite harvestman) disparity, with four of the eight genera currently recognized in the family Sironidae represented in the region – a generic diversity and morphological disparity not found in any other region of the World so far. From these, two genera (Iberosiro and Odontosiro) are monotypic, and are restricted to the western side of the peninsula. Parasiro is restricted to the north‐east region, from the Catalonian Coastal Ranges and both sides of the Eastern Pyrenees, in areas where the annual rainfall surpasses 1000 mm, and mostly restricted to areas with Paleozoic and Variscan rocks, with other species of the genus extending to Corsica, Sardinia, and the Italian Peninsula. A second species of the genus Paramiopsalis, Paramiopsalis eduardoi sp. nov. from Fragas do Eume, is described here along with a re‐diagnosis of the genus. Paramiopsalis species, together with Odontosiro, inhabit the north‐west corner of the Iberian Peninsula, an area with some of the highest recorded annual rainfall, and with Paleozoic rocks from the Iberian Massif or Variscan granitoid rocks. A phylogenetic analysis of the members of the family Sironidae using four molecular markers, despite not including all of the Iberian genera, clearly shows the non‐monophyly of the Iberian Cyphophthalmi, indicating that the Iberian Peninsula is home to multiple ancient lineages of mite harvestmen. The two Paramiopsalis species form a sister clade to the Balkan genus Cyphophthalmus, whereas Parasiro constitutes the first lineage of the sironids represented.