Mosaic pattern of genital divergence in three populations of Schistocerca lineata Scudder, 1899 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Cyrtacanthacridinae)

Sexual selection theory predicts that genital structures in isolated populations are likely to diverge, but male genitalia are often species-specific, which led to the idea that male genitalia are relatively invariable within species. Previous allometric studies collectively suggested that male genitalia are intraspecifically invariable in size compared with external body parts. We investigated whether male genitalia are invariable in shape in three populations of a grasshopper Schistocerca lineata Scudder, 1899, using two independent methods of geometric morphometric analyses. Specifically, we focused on the idea that male genitalia are complex structures consisting of many functionally different components, and studied how these individual parts diverge among three populations. Individual components of male genitalia show different population-level divergence, resulting in the mosaic pattern of genital divergence. Individual components diverge independently from each other. Body size is positively correlated with genitalia size, but is significantly correlated with the shape of only one of the three genital structures we measured. Thus, different components of male genitalia may be influenced by different evolutionary processes. This study is the first to show that components of complex genitalia evolve separately within a species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 94 , 289–301.     

Initial genetic diversity enhances population establishment and alters genetic structuring of a newly established Daphnia metapopulation

When newly created habitats are initially colonized by genotypes with rapid population growth rates, later arriving colonists may be prevented from establishing. Although these priority effects have been documented in multiple systems, their duration may be influenced by the diversity of the founding population. We conducted a large‐scale field manipulation to investigate how initial clonal diversity influences temporal and landscape patterns of genetic structure in a developing metapopulation. Six genotypes of obligately asexual Daphnia pulex were stocked alone (no clonal diversity) or in combination (‘high’ clonal diversity) into newly created experimental woodland ponds. We also measured the population growth rate of all clones in the laboratory when raised on higher‐quality and lower‐quality resources. Our predictions were that in the 3 years following stocking, clonally diverse populations would be more likely to persist than nonclonally diverse populations and exhibit evidence for persistent founder effects. We expected that faster growing clones would be found in more pools and comprise a greater proportion of individuals genotyped from the landscape. Genetic composition, both locally and regionally, changed significantly following stocking. Six of 27 populations exhibited evidence for persistent founder effects, and populations stocked with ‘high’ clonal diversity were more likely to exhibit these effects than nonclonally diverse populations. Performance in the laboratory was not predictive of clonal persistence or overall dominance in the field. Hence, we conclude that although laboratory estimates of fitness did not fully explain metapopulation genetic structure, initial clonal diversity did enhance D. pulex population establishment and persistence in this system.     

High molecular and phenotypic diversity in the Merodon avidus complex (Diptera,Syrphidae): cryptic speciation in a diverse insect taxon

This paper examines molecular and phenotypic variability in the widely spread European hoverfly species complex Merodon avidus. Herein, based on the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and morphometric wing parameters, M. avidus is shown to comprise a complex of cryptic species, and one variety is redefined as a valid species: M. bicolor Gil Collado, 1930 (as var. of spinipes). The species M. bicolor, M. avidus A, and M. avidus B were clearly delimited based on their wing size. A total of 29 M. avidus and M. bicolor individuals presented 20 mtDNA haplotypes, four of which were shared by M. avidus A and M. avidus B, three were confined to M. bicolor, seven to M. avidus A, and six to M. avidus B. Sequence divergences between lineages occurring in the Balkan and in Spain ranged from 4.93 to 6.0 (uncorrected p in %) whereas divergences between M. avidus A and M. avidus B were 0.26 to 1.56. Divergence among morphologically identified individuals of M. avidus A and M. avidus B species ranged from 0.13 to 1.58, and from 0.13 to 0.52, respectively. The phenotypic substructuring and observed genetic uniqueness of populations in spatially and temporally fragmented M. avidus taxa were used to identify genetic units. The early split of two allopatric lineages, Spanish M. bicolor and Balkan M. avidus, was followed by diversification in each lineage. Present‐day morphological uniformity masks much of the genetic complexity of lineages within the M. avidus complex. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 819–833.     

Reconstructing biogeographic temporal events in the evolution of the livebearer fish genus Jenynsia based on total evidence analysis (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae)

The current distribution of the Neotropical ichthyofauna has been widely affected by the main geological events that occurred in South and Central America. However, robust biogeographic information is still scarce or absent for most fish families. The biogeographic relationships of the most diverse anablepid genus, Jenynsia, are herein analysed, using temporal and spatial approaches based on a total evidence dataset, including 167 morphological characters and seven nuclear genes, totalling 6075?bp. A time calibrated analysis recovered the origin of Jenynsia at the Miocene and the diversification of its two subgenera between the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene. This result combined with the analysis of reconstruction of ancestral states indicates that the ancestor of Jenynsia colonized the Paranean Sea, and the current distribution of the species of the genus is probably a result of geological events, including: (1) ancient connections between Iguaçu and upper Uruguay River basins; (2) sea level variation along the Pliocene in the South American Atlantic coast; and (3) the decrease of the Paranean Sea along the Pliocene and Pleistocene.     

Microsatellite variation and fine-scale population structure in the wood frog (Rana sylvatica)

We investigated genetic population structure in wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) from a series of Prairie Pothole wetlands in the northern Great Plains. Amphibians are often thought to exist in demographic metapopulations, which require some movement between populations, yet genetic studies have revealed strong subdivision among populations, even at relatively fine scales (several km). Wood frogs are highly philopatric and studies of dispersal suggest that they may exhibit subdivision on a scale of approximately 1-2 km. We used microsatellites to examine population structure among 11 breeding assemblages separated by as little as 50 m up to approximately 5.5 km, plus one population separated from the others by 20 km. We found evidence for differentiation at the largest distances we examined and among a few neighbouring ponds, but most populations were strikingly similar in allele frequencies, suggesting high gene flow among all but the most distant populations. We hypothesize that the few significant differences among neighbouring populations at the finest scale may be a transient effect of extinction-recolonization founder events, driven by periodic drying of wetlands in this hydrologically dynamic landscape.     

COI-based DNA barcoding of Arcoida species (Bivalvia: Pteriomorphia) along the coast of China

DNA barcoding is a promising tool for the rapid and unambiguous identification of species. Some arcoid species are particularly difficult to distinguish with traditional morphological identification owing to phenotypic variation and the existence of closely related taxa. Here, we apply DNA barcoding based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) to arcoid species collected from the coast along China. Combining morphology with molecular data indicates the 133 specimens of Arcoida could be assigned to 24 species. Because of the deep genetic divergence within Tegillarca granosa, there was an overlap between genetic variation within species and variation between species. Nevertheless, NJ and Bayesian trees showed that all species fell into reciprocally monophyletic clades with high bootstrap values. Our results evidence that the COI marker can efficiently identify species, correct mistakes caused by morphological identification and reveal genetic differentiation among populations within species. This study provides a clear example of the usefulness of barcoding for arcoid identification. Furthermore, it also lays a foundation for other biological and ecological studies of Arcoida.     

Mitochondrial markers reveal deep population subdivision in the European protected spider <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrothele calpeiana</Emphasis> (Walckenaer, 1805) (Araneae,Hexathelidae)

The funnel-web spider genus Macrothele is the only representative of the mygalomorph family Hexathelidae not found in Australia or New Zealand. Its 26 species occur in Central Africa and the Oriental region. Two Macrothele species are found in Europe: M. cretica Kulczynski, 1903 from Crete, and M. calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805) type species of the genus and the largest European spider, whose distribution extends across the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula, and in two localities of North Africa. Macrothele calpeiana is the only spider protected under European legislation. The fragmentation and destruction of the cork oak forest, with which M. calpeiana was thought to be closely associated, prompted the inclusion of this species in the Bern Convention. Some authors, however, have challenged this view and consider M. calpeiana to be neither a cork oak forest bioindicator nor an endangered species. By contrast, other observations suggest that the distribution of the species is extremely fragmented and that most local populations should be considered as threatened. In this paper, we examine aspects of the conservation status of M. calpeiana in the light of molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial markers of sample specimens from major populations. Our data confirm the fragmented distribution of M. calpeiana and reveal high levels of genetic differentiation across its populations. Local population growth cannot be ruled out, though the lineage as a whole has apparently not undergone population growth. Lineage age estimates suggest that M. calpeiana colonized the Iberian Peninsula during the Messinian salinity crisis and that the current population fragmentation originates from the Pliocene and Pleistocene. We argue that the fragmentation and deep genetic divergence across populations, along with evolutionary singularity and endemicity in one of Europe’s main biodiversity hotspots, support the preservation of its legally protected status.     

Morphological variation in the palaeonemertean Tubulanus annulatus (Montagu, 1804)

Previous studies on the palaeonemertean Tubulanus annulatus have hinted on possible geographic variation, or even a species complex. This study describes the variation in morphology, focusing on the characters that have been supposed to vary geographically. Specimens from the Swedish west coast (Tjärnö and Kristineberg), Scottish west coast (Millport), and the Mediterranean (Naples and Split) were included in the study. It is concluded that the pattern of variation in the studied characters do not correspond to geography and most of the character states previously thought to vary geographically are in fact found within one and the same population.     

Patterns of population differentiation in annual killifishes from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin: the role of vicariance and dispersal

Aim To elucidate the role of vicariance versus dispersal at the microevolutionary scale in annual killifish populations belonging to the Austrolebias bellottii species complex (Rivulidae). Within this complex, A. bellottii and A. apaii have low vagility and occur widely within the study area, making them excellent models for testing biogeographic hypotheses of differentiation. Location South America, in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin. Methods Molecular data and morphometric analyses were used to reconstruct the phylogeographic history and morphological variation of 24 populations of two taxa of the A. bellottii species complex. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) model‐based methods, estimates of clade divergence times implemented in beast , non‐metric multidimensional scaling, analysis of molecular variance results, and morphological analyses elucidated the role of vicariance versus dispersal hypotheses in population differentiation in the aforementioned river basin. Results In the A. bellottii species complex from the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata river basin, past allopatric fragmentation from vicariance events seems to be the most plausible scenario for diversification since the Late Miocene and more recently since the Plio‐Pleistocene. The Plio‐Pleistocene vicariance produced the differentiation of three major clades in A. bellottii populations. One clade from the eastern Uruguay River drainage was separated from another in western Uruguay and the Paraná–La Plata River drainages. A later vicariance event split populations to the south (lower Paraná–La Plata Basin) and north (middle Paraná) of the western Paraná River drainage. However, our results do not exclude the possibility of dispersal events among A. bellottii populations from both the Uruguay and Paraná river drainages, which could occur in these river basins during hypothesized connectivity cycles of the Late Pliocene and Pleistocene. Main conclusions Past allopatric fragmentation caused by different vicariance events seems to be the main driver of diversification in the A. bellottii species complex since the Plio‐Pleistocene. However, the current molecular data suggest that populations from both drainages of the Paraná–Uruguay rivers may have experienced cycles of connectivity during the Pleistocene, perhaps including multiple vicariance or dispersal events from populations located in the western lower Uruguay River drainage, which encompassed climatic and geological changes in the Paraná–Uruguay–La Plata Basin.     

Spatial genetic structuring in a vagile species, the European wood mouse

We examined the genetic structure of natural populations of the European wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus at the microgeographic (<3 km) and macrogeographic (>30 km) scales. Ecological and behavioural studies indicate that this species exhibits considerable dispersal relative to its home-range size. Thus, there is potential for high gene flow over larger geographic areas. As levels of population genetic structure are related to gene flow, we hypothesized that population genetic structuring at the microgeographic level should be negligible, increasing only with geographic distance. To test this, four sites were sampled within a microgeographic scale with two additional samples at the macrogeographic level. Individuals ( n =415) were screened and analysed for seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Contrary to our hypothesis, significant levels of population structuring were detected at both scales. Comparing genetic differentiation with geographic distance suggests increasing genetic isolation with distance. However, this distance effect was non-significant being confounded by surprisingly high levels of differentiation among microgeographic samples. We attribute this pattern of genetic differentiation to the effect of habitat fragmentation, splitting large populations into components with small effective population sizes resulting in enhanced genetic drift. Our results indicate that it is incorrect to assume genetic homogeneity among populations even where there is no evidence of physical barriers and dispersal can occur freely. In the case of A. sylvaticus , it is not clear whether dispersal does not occur across habitat barriers or behavioural dispersal occurs without consequent gene flow.     

Living in isolation – population structure,reproduction, and genetic variation of the endangered plant species Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar pink)

The endangered plant species Dianthus gratianopolitanus exhibits a highly fragmented distribution range comprising many isolated populations. Based upon this pattern of distribution, we selected a study region in Switzerland with a lower magnitude of isolation (Swiss Jura) and another study region in Germany with a higher degree of isolation (Franconian Jura). In each region, we chose ten populations to analyze population structure, reproduction, and genetic variation in a comparative approach. Therefore, we determined population density, cushion size, and cushion density to analyze population structure, investigated reproductive traits, including number of flowers, capsules, and germination rate, and analyzed amplified fragment length polymorphisms to study genetic variation. Population and cushion density were credibly higher in German than in Swiss populations, whereas reproductive traits and genetic variation within populations were similar in both study regions. However, genetic variation among populations and isolation by distance were stronger in Germany than in Switzerland. Generally, cushion size and density as well as flower and capsule production increased with population size and density, whereas genetic variation decreased with population density. In contrast to our assumptions, we observed denser populations and cushions in the region with the higher magnitude of isolation, whereas reproductive traits and genetic variation within populations were comparable in both regions. This corroborates the assumption that stronger isolation must not necessarily result in the loss of fitness and genetic variation. Furthermore, it supports our conclusion that the protection of strongly isolated populations contributes essentially to the conservation of a species' full evolutionary potential.     

The existence of a glycogenic body in the spinal cord of a cyprinodontiform teleost,Jenynsia lineata (Jenyns 1842)

Summary A distinct spinal cord structure is described in the teleostean fish J. lineata wich occupies the medial dorsal aspect of the cord, and extends in depth from the dorsal surface to the tectum of the central canal. This structure is characterized by the presence of large quantities of glycogen; this feature makes it similar in certain aspects to the glycogenic body of birds. The name of glycogenic body has been proposed for this structure.     

Taxonomic status of the loaches Paracobitis vignai and P. rhadinaea (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) in Iran

The crested loaches of the genus Paracobitis from the Sistan basin (Iran) are reviewed based on morphological and mitochondrial cytb and COI sequences characters to check the status of taxa in phylogenetic trees. Paracobitis rhadinaea (Regan, 1906) and P. vignai Nalbant & Bianco, 1998 were known only based on minor morphological differences (presence or absence of scales, caudal fin shape, colour pattern and fish size). We failed to find any diagnostic molecular and morphological characters between them. Therefore, we regard P. vignai as a junior synonym of P. rhadinaea.     

Polymorphism of axillary bud galls induced by Rhopalomyia longitubifex (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Artemisia princeps and A. montana (Asteraceae) in Japan and Korea, with designation of new synonyms

In the past, Rhopalomyia longitubifex, Rhopalomyia shinjii, and Rhopalomyia sp. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) have been regarded as independent species based on differences in the sizes and shapes of axillary bud galls induced on Artemisia montana (Asteraceae) in Japan and A. princeps in Japan and Korea. However, comparison of morphological features and molecular sequencing data indicate that these Rhopalomyia gall midges are identical and that the differences in gall shape are polymorphisms, although the measurements of gall height and diameter overlap slightly. This finding suggests that although galls have frequently been regarded as extensions of the phenotype of a species, differences in gall shape may not always be reliable for identifying gall‐inducing cecidomyiids. The older name, R. longitubifex, is applied to these gall midges, and the names that were applied to this species on later occasions are revised or synonymized. The mature and immature stages of R. longitubifex are redescribed and information on the distribution, host range, and gall size of this species is provided. We also discuss the role of gall polymorphism in the early stages of speciation.     

The Content of Light-Harvesting Complexes in Different Maize (Ze mays L.) Genotypes

Genetic analysis of the content of light-harvesting complexes of thylakoid membranes was accomplished for the first time during the study of intraspecific variation in photosynthetic characteristics. The existence of genetically determined differences between genotypes together with positive heterosis in F₁ generation was demonstrated. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Allozyme differentiation and genetic structure of the Lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) island populations in north-east Poland

The population genetic structure in the rare and endangered perennial plant, Cypripedium calceolus , from north-east Poland was investigated. A total of 11 loci were analysed, of which five were polymorphic for the species and in every population. The 11 loci resolved gave a total of 19 alleles with the mean number of 1.73 alleles per locus. The proportion of polymorphic loci (P) was the same for the species and in every population, 45.5%. The average observed and expected heterozygosities for the total Lady's slipper data set were 0.156 and 0.184, respectively. The average expected heterozygosity for the populations under study ranged from 0.176 to 0.188 and did not differ significantly among populations. Genetic diversity within C. calceolus populations from the Biebrza Valley is relatively high compared with rare taxa and taxa with similar life histories. The genetic diversity among populations of C. calceolus studied ( F _ST = 0.016) is much smaller than the genetic diversity within populations. In the species studied, there was no significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances ( r = −0.73, Mantel test). This may indicate the relatively recent origin of the populations studied, or a high level of gene flow among populations. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 138 , 433–440.     

Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the Neotropical genus Atlantoscia (Oniscidea,Philosciidae): DNA barcoding and description of two new species

Identification to the species level using morphology is challenging when usual diagnostic characters are similar amongst related taxa. Within the Neotropical genus Atlantoscia, differences between nominal species are generally small and restricted to a few characters. Despite the power of DNA sequencing to identify and distinguish between species, molecular phylogenies of terrestrial isopods from the Neotropics have not been determined. In this study, two new species of Atlantoscia were described and molecular markers were used to verify both the validity of the current taxonomy and the relationships amongst the species within this genus. All of the recognized Atlantoscia species were strongly supported in the generated phylogenetic trees. The average congeneric distance was 14.7%, with Atlantoscia ituberasensis and Atlantoscia rubromarginata showing the highest genetic divergence. Our results demonstrate the utility of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene together with DNA barcoding to reliably distinguish Atlantoscia species. They also show that DNA barcoding may be helpful in those cases in which classical taxonomy does not provide clear‐cut species resolution. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Genetic diversity of the dung beetle,Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), that is endangered in Korea

The dung beetle, Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is an endangered insect in Korea. In order to establish a conservation strategy, a preliminary investigation on the genetic diversity of Korean populations was performed using mitochondrial COI (658 bp), CytB (433 bp), and nuclear ITS2 (411 nucleotide positions). Sequencing of 69 individuals collected from five localities showed substantially higher variability (5.02% for COI, 4.62% for CytB, and 8.03% for ITS2). The resulting networks for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes exhibited two star‐like phylogenies, which might indicate that Korean populations have recently expended from two small populations. The ITS2 network, which was presented in the form of a star‐like phylogeny, confirmed that a recent population expansion occurred. Considering the high genetic diversity and gene flow in C. tripartitus populations, one issue regarding conservation seems to be the recovery of previous habitats.     

First record of the genus Jenynsia from marine water on the coast of Punta del Este,Maldonado, Uruguay (Cyprinodontiformes: Anablepidae)

The first report of the genus Jenynsia occurring in marine waters is presented here. The evolution of high salinity tolerance within Anablepidae is discussed and a hypothesis is proposed that this characteristic is a plesiomorphic trait in Jenynsia which was probably present in the common ancestor of the Anablepidae.     

A new species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the rio Madeira basin,Brazil

This study describes Characidium nambiquara, a new species from the upper rio Guaporé, rio Madeira basin, Brazil. The new species differs from most congeners by the presence of isthmus and area between the contralateral pectoral-fin bases completely naked. From congeners with some degree of scaleless ventral surface of the body C. nambiquara differs by having 10 circumpeduncular scales. The new species is also distinguished from congeners by the spotted colour pattern on body of the large-sized specimens and by having black dashes on all fins and conspicuous midlateral longitudinal dark stripe or conspicuous vertical bars absent. Characidium nambiquara further differs from most congeners by the presence of 34–36 pored scales on the lateral line, 3 horizontal scale rows above the lateral line and 3 horizontal scale rows from the lateral line to the midventral scale series. Remarks on intraspecific colour variation within the genus, not related to sexual dimorphism, are also provided.