Review of Erigonine spider genera in the Neotropics (Araneae: Linyphiidae,Erigoninae)

The Neotropical genera of the linyphiid spider subfamily Erigoninae are revised at the genus level. Emphasis was placed on genera endemic to the Neotropics and species with dubious relationships to their nominal genera, especially species from the older literature. This work recognizes 50 genera in the Neotropics, of which 39 genera are strictly endemic to the Neotropics, three are represented outside the Neotropics by one species, and eight genera have significant representation both in and beyond the Neotropics. Three additional genera, Ceraticelus Simon, 1884, Idionella Banks, 1893, and Eulaira Chamberlin & Ivie, 1933, are represented in northern Mexico and/or the West Indies, but are best classified as having a Nearctic or Holarctic distribution. Species previously placed in the typically northern hemisphere genera Gongylidiellum Simon, 1884, Leptorhoptrum Kulczynski, 1894, Macrargus Dahl, 1886, Minyriolus Simon, 1884, Oedothorax Bertkau, 1883, Phanetta Keyserling, 1886, and Tmeticus Menge, 1868 are found to be misplaced or nomina dubia; two genera endemic to the Neotropics, Clitistes Simon, 1902 and Zilephus Simon, 1902 are nomina dubia. The genus Beauchenia Usher, 1983 is an erigonine, not a mynoglenine; there are no known representatives of the Mynogleninae in the Neotropics. One hundred and forty new combinations are established; 19 genera are synonymized including Micromaso Tambs‐Lyche, 1954, revalidation rejected; 34 species are synonymized. The following new genera are established: Gigapassus gen. nov. , Intecymbium gen. nov. , Moyosi gen. nov. , Orfeo gen. nov. and Toltecaria gen. nov. Malkinella Millidge, 1991 and Valdiviella Millidge, 1985 are preoccupied; Malkinola nom. nov. and Valdiviola nom. nov. are established as replacement names. The following new species are described: Asemostera daedalus sp. nov. , Asemostera enkidu sp. nov. , Asemostera janetae sp. nov. , Fissiscapus attercop sp. nov. , Gonatoraphis lysistrata sp. nov. , Gravipalpus standifer sp. nov. , Microplanus odin sp. nov. , Moyosi chumota sp. nov. , Myrmecomelix leucippus sp. nov. , Neomaso damocles sp. nov. , Notiomaso exonychus sp. nov. , Paraletes pogo sp. nov. , Psilocymbium acanthodes sp. nov. , Smermisia holdridgi sp. nov. and Smermisia parvoris sp. nov. The following species remain misplaced in inappropriate genera: Erigone fellita Keyserling, 1886, Erigone zabluta Keyserling, 1886, and Oedothorax fuegianus (Simon, 1902). For 23 species, type specimens could not be located and the species could not be unambiguously identified; the type of Macrargus pacificus Berland, 1924 could not be located, but it is transferred to Laminacauda Millidge, 1985. The female of Onychembolus subalpinus Millidge, 1985 described by Millidge in 1991 is mismatched; this female is Notiomaso exonychus sp. nov. ; the true female of Onychembolus subalpinus was described as both Neomaso bidentatus Millidge, 1991 syn. nov. and Neomaso tridentatus Millidge, 1991 syn. nov. The male and female of Asemonetes[now Asemostera]arcana (Millidge, 1991) are not conspecific; a male thought to be conspecific with the female of A. arcana is newly described; the true female of A. arcana is unknown. The transfer of Emenista dentichelis Berland, 1913 to Laminacauda comb. nov. renders Laminacauda dentichelis Millidge, 1991 a junior homonym; the replacement name Laminacauda baerti nom. nov. is provided for Laminacauda dentichelis Millidge. The following species were erroneously placed in erigonine genera: Oedothorax bisignatus Mello‐Leitão, 1945 is synonymized with Theridion calcynatum Holmberg, 1876 syn. nov. (Theridiidae); Liger incomta O. Pickard‐Cambridge, 1896 is transferred to Theridion Walckenaer, 1805 (Theridiidae) [Theridion incomtum comb. nov. ]; Erigone ectrapela Keyserling, 1886 is transferred to Dictyna Sundevall, 1833 (Dictynidae) [Dictyna ectrapela comb. nov. ]; Erigone peruana Keyserling, 1886 is transferred to Thymoites Keyserling, 1884 (Theridiidae) [Thymoites peruanus comb. nov. ]; Adelonetria dubiosa Millidge, 1991 is not a linyphiid and will be dealt with elsewhere. Lomaita darlingtoni Bryant, 1948 is confirmed as a linyphiid, not a mysmenid. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149 (Suppl. 1), 1–263.     

The frog filter: amphibian introduction bias driven by taxonomy,body size and biogeography

Aim Invasive species often exhibit a highly non‐random suite of traits relative to non‐invasive taxa, and these biases reflect strong selection at a series of steps along the invasion pathway. Here we investigate traits that are favoured in the first of these steps: the introduction of species outside their native geographic range. We use the global introduction of amphibians as our case study. Location Global. Methods We examined whether taxonomy, body size and attributes of the native geographic range predict the likelihood of an introduction event in amphibians. We then determined whether these characteristics differed between amphibian species that have been introduced intentionally and those that have been introduced unintentionally (i.e. stowaways). Results Comparisons of introduced and non‐introduced amphibians reveal significant biases with respect to taxonomic position (c. 50% of all introduced species originate from only 5% of all families), and characteristics of the native geographic range (most introduced species originate from the Northern Hemisphere, occupy a wide geographic range and are sympatric with high densities of humans). Many of these biases presumably reflect the ease and likelihood of capturing and transporting such animals. Additionally, intentionally introduced species are of larger than average body size, occupy higher elevations in their native ranges, and are more likely to originate from the Northern Hemisphere than unintentionally introduced species. Main conclusions Introduced amphibian species are not a random subset of the global amphibian fauna with respect to taxonomic affiliation and biogeography, and this restricts our ability to make robust generalizations regarding the ecological determinants of introduction success. Nevertheless, many of our findings are similar to those revealed by previous analyses of vertebrate and invertebrate introductions. Thus, our study suggests that biases in the anthropogenic mechanisms involved in transporting species around the globe are surprisingly consistent across broadly divergent taxa.     

A large-scale phylogeny of Amphibia including over 2800 species, and a revised classification of extant frogs, salamanders, and caecilians

The extant amphibians are one of the most diverse radiations of terrestrial vertebrates (>6800 species). Despite much recent focus on their conservation, diversification, and systematics, no previous phylogeny for the group has contained more than 522 species. However, numerous studies with limited taxon sampling have generated large amounts of partially overlapping sequence data for many species. Here, we combine these data and produce a novel estimate of extant amphibian phylogeny, containing 2871 species (∼40% of the known extant species) from 432 genera (∼85% of the ∼500 currently recognized extant genera). Each sampled species contains up to 12,712 bp from 12 genes (three mitochondrial, nine nuclear), with an average of 2563 bp per species. This data set provides strong support for many groups recognized in previous studies, but it also suggests non-monophyly for several currently recognized families, particularly in hyloid frogs (e.g., Ceratophryidae, Cycloramphidae, Leptodactylidae, Strabomantidae). To correct these and other problems, we provide a revised classification of extant amphibians for taxa traditionally delimited at the family and subfamily levels. This new taxonomy includes several families not recognized in current classifications (e.g., Alsodidae, Batrachylidae, Rhinodermatidae, Odontophrynidae, Telmatobiidae), but which are strongly supported and important for avoiding non-monophyly of current families. Finally, this study provides further evidence that the supermatrix approach provides an effective strategy for inferring large-scale phylogenies using the combined results of previous studies, despite many taxa having extensive missing data.     

The evolution and ontogeny of the dentition of Myotragus balearicus Bate, 1909 (Artiodactyla, Caprinae): evidence from new fossil data

Myotragus balearicus Bate 1909 is an artiodactyl Caprinae endemic to the Balearic Islands (Spain), which became extinct more than 4000 years ago. It is characterized by a series of very unusual apomorphies acquired throughout its insular evolution, one of which is the presence of a single evergrowing incisor (with an open root) in each dentary. This incisor has been classically considered as I₁. The study of recendy discovered fossils of this species, which have been collected from the excavation of Holocene cave sediments in Cova Estreta (Pollenca, Mallorca) and in Cova des Moro (Manacor, Mallorca), together with the reexamination of materials belonging both to this species and to its ancestors, allowed us to study the ontogeny and evolution of the Myotragus dentition. The replacement of premolars differs only slighdy from the pattern recorded in ofiier bovids. Nevertheless, there are significant differences with other bovids regarding the incisiform series. Myotragus balearicus lacks secondary incisors. Through a neotenic process, which started during the Upper Pliocene, M. balearicus acquired a monophyodontic incisiform dentition, reducing the number of incisiforms to only one, identified as dl₂. The richness of the finds allows us to describe the different steps in this evolution. The only incisiform that appears to have been lost is dl_;l. The identification of the evergrowing incisor of M. balearicus as dl₂ reinforces its convergence with rodents postulated by Bate and there is discussion regarding homologies of incisors of rodents and lagomorphs.     

The role of phylogeny and ecology in shaping morphology in 21 genera and 127 species of Australo‐Papuan myobatrachid frogs

Body shape is predicted to differ among species for functional reasons and in relation to environmental niche and phylogenetic history. We quantified morphological differences in shape and size among 98.5% of the 129 species and all 21 genera of the Australo‐Papuan endemic myobatrachid frogs to test the hypothesis that habitat type predicts body shape in this radiation. We tested this hypothesis in a phylogenetic context at two taxonomic levels: across the entire radiation and within the four largest genera. Thirty‐four external measurements were taken on 623 museum specimens representing 127 species. Data for seven key environmental variables relevant to anurans were assembled for all Australian‐distributed species based on species' distributions and 131,306 locality records. The Australo‐Papuan myobatrachid radiation showed high diversity in adult body size, ranging from minute (15 mm snout–vent length) to very large species (92 mm), and shape, particularly sin relative limb length. Five main morphological and environmental summary variables displayed strong phylogenetic signal. There was no clear relationship between body size and environmental niche, and this result persisted following phylogenetic correction. For most species, there was a better match between environment/habitat and body shape, but this relationship did not persist following phylogenetic correction. At a broad level, species fell into three broad groups based on environmental niche and body shape: 1) species in wet habitats with relatively long limbs, 2) species in arid environments with relatively short limbs (many of which are forward or backward burrowers) and 3) habitat generalist species with a conservative body shape. However, these patterns were not repeated within the four largest genera ? Crinia, Limnodynastes, Pseudophryne and Uperoleia. Each of these genera displayed a highly conservative anuran body shape, yet individual species were distributed across the full spectrum of Australian environments. Our results suggest that phylogenetic legacy is important in the evolution of body size and shape in Australian anurans, but also that the conservative body plan of many frogs works well in a wide variety of habitats.     

Phylogenetic analysis of spotted fever group rickettsiae based on gltA, 17-kDa, and rOmpA genes amplified by nested PCR from ticks in Japan

In order to understand the natural situation of rickettsiae in the ticks in Japan, the rickettsial genes, gltA gene, rOmpA gene, and 17-kDa gene, were amplified from the ticks by nested PCR. The prevalences of rickettsial gltA genes among Haemaphysalis formosensis, H. longicornis, H. megaspinosa, Ixodes ovatus, H. flava, H. kitaokai, and I. persulcatus were 62, 57, 24, 24, 19, 13, and 10%, respectively; 26% (186/722) being the average. The gltA genes amplified from the ticks were classified into 9 genotypes (I to IX) by the difference in nucleotide sequences. Genotype I was detected from 7 species of ticks. Genotype II mainly was detected from H. longicornis and H. formosensis. Genotypes III and VII mainly were detected from H. flava and I. ovatus. The polarization in the distribution of genotypes among regions where the ticks were collected was not clear. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the three genes presented here, genotypes I, III, and IV (detected from H. formosensis, H. hystricia, and I. ovatus ) are genetically close with each other, but rickettsiae of the same property still have not been isolated from ticks anywhere in the world. These genotypes should be considered as new species among SFG rickettsiae. Genotype II was identical with strain FUJ-98, genetically close to R. japonica which has been isolated from ticks in China. Genotype V was identical with R. felis and strain California 2 isolated from the cat flea. This is the first report on the detection of R. felis from ticks. Genotype VI detected from Ixodes sp. did not seem to belong to genus Rickettsia. Based on the previous antigenic data and the phylogenetic analysis presented here, Genotype VII should be considered a variant of R. helvetica and genotype VIII detected from I. ovatus and I. persulcatus were identical with R. helvetica. Genotype IX detected from I. nipponensis was genetically close to the strains IRS3, IRS4, and IrR/Munich isolated from I. ricinus in Slovakia and German.     

Molecular Diversities of Sugarcane mosaic virus and Sorghum mosaic virus Isolates from Yunnan Province,China

Degenerate Potyviridae primers were used to amplify and sequence the 3′‐terminal regions of viruses from traditional and modern cultivars of sugarcane with mosaic disease growing in different areas of Yunnan province, China. Seven samples contained Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), 11 contained Sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) and two contained both viruses. SCMV was only isolated from traditional cultivars. In a phylogenetic analysis of the partial NIb and complete coat protein coding regions, most SCMV isolates formed a distinctive phylogenetic cluster (named SO) that otherwise contained only three Vietnamese isolates. SCMV variation seems mostly related to host genotype. In the same analysis, the SrMV isolates formed three major groups, one of which is reported for the first time, but the significance of the grouping is unclear.     

一株马冠状病毒的分离鉴定及遗传演化分析

马冠状病毒病是由马冠状病毒(equine coronavirus, ECoV)引起的一种马新发胃肠道病毒病,成年马感染后主要出现发烧、腹痛和腹泻等症状。1975年,马冠状病毒感染首次在美国出现,此后在多个国家和地区均有流行,此前我国仅从山东腹泻驴的小肠样品中分离得到了一株重组马冠状病毒。【目的】了解ECoV中国毒株的基因组成、亲缘关系以及生物学特性,可以为我国ECoV流行现状和遗传演化趋势提供依据,为ECoV防控产品的研发提供材料。【方法】对湖北省武汉市黄陂区腹泻马匹的粪便样品进行RT-PCR检测,对检测阳性样品进行病毒分离,并利用靶向ECoV S1蛋白的单克隆抗体通过间接免疫荧光试验(indirect immunofluorescence assay, IFA)对分离的病毒进行验证。根据ECoV-JL株全基因组测序结果,对全基因组、N基因和NS2基因进行了基因组系统发育分析和同源性比较。【结果】成功分离到一株ECoV,并命名为ECoV-JL。透射电镜(transmission electron microscopy, TEM)观察分离到的病毒颗粒呈球状,且具有囊膜和冠状病毒典型的纤突结构。该分离株感染HRT-18细胞72 h后病毒滴度可到达峰值,半数组织培养感染剂量(tissue culture infectious dose 50%, TCID₅₀)约为10^6.16 TCID₅₀/mL。ECoV-JL毒株可以在人回盲肠癌(human ileocecal cancer-18, HRT-18)细胞、人结直肠腺癌(human colorectal adenocarcinoma-2, Caco-2)细胞和人肝癌(human liver cancer cells, Huh7)细胞上稳定传代。ECoV-JL株与GenBank中现有的ECoV全基因组序列相似性为97.9%-99.0%,系统发育分析发现ECoV-JL株属于单独的演化分支,与其他毒株的亲缘关系较远,说明ECoV-JL株可能是重组变异而来,其中NS2基因突变较多,NS2基因编码的差异是造成ECoV-JL株与其他毒株同源性较差的主要原因。【结论】本研究从腹泻马的粪便样品中成功分离并鉴定了一株ECoV,将其命名为ECoV-JL株,对该毒株生物学特性和亲缘关系的研究反映了湖北地区流行毒株的特点,为我国ECoV流行现状和演化趋势提供重要依据。     

The distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Fukuoka, Japan.

To determine the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) subtypes in Fukuoka, Japan, viruses from 41 HIV-1 infected individuals were subtyped. Subtyping by V3-loop enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed 31 of the 41 subjects as subtype B (MN type), one as subtype A, one as subtype C, and eight untypable. The subject infected with subtype C was identified as a foreigner; the subtype A subject was Japanese. A phylogenetic analysis of nucleic acid sequences from the env C2-V3 region was also conducted. Genetic subtyping was successful for 25 samples: 23 samples were determined as subtype B, one subtype A and one subtype E. One of the individuals infected with subtype B, as well as the subtype A and subtype E subjects, were not Japanese. This study indicated that subtype B (USA and European type) is still dominant among HIV-1 infections in Fukuoka. Further, no Japanese were subtype E positive, which is increasing in the Kanto region. It is notable, however, that subtype A and subtype C infections, which are rare in Japan, were found in Fukuoka, located far from the metropolitan area of Tokyo.     

Similarity,parsimony and conjectures of homology: The chelonian shoulder girdle revisited

Much has been written about the definition and recognition of biological homology. Homology is usually defined as similarity inherited from a common ancestor (e.g., papers in Hall, 1994). It is recognised through cladistic analysis: Patterson (1982) and de Pinna (1991) have cogently argued that homology can be equated with synapomorphy (a shared evolutionary novelty uniting a monophyletic group). Such identification involves two stages: first, a possible homology is proposed on the basis of morphological similarity. This similarity might be structural, topological, developmental, or any combination thereof. Next, a cladistic analysis is performed, involving the trait in question and all other informative traits identified. If the trait is congruent with the resultant phylogeny, it is accepted as homologous in all taxa which possess it. If the trait is incongruent with the phylogeny, it is interpreted as homoplasious in certain taxa. This has been termed the test of congruence (Patterson, 1982; de Pinna, 1991). Rieppel (1996) has recently suggested that the test of congruence might be circular, and that as a result certain inferences about the evolution of the chelonian shoulder girdle (Lee, 1996) are poorly substantiated. Here I argue that the test of congruence is not circular, and that the disputed conclusions about the evolution of chelonian shoulder girdle can be defended on the basis of parsimony. More generally, I suggest how considerations of parsimony can and should be used to arbitrate between conflicting conjectures of homology that are both congruent with an accepted phylogeny.     

The Use of the Nuclear Protein-Encoding Gene, RNA Polymerase II, for Tick Molecular Systematics

Phylogenetic studies of ticks have been increasing in recent years, particularly in the use of molecular data. However, all of the studies to date are either limited to the mitochondrial genome or to a few nuclear ribosomal genes. There is a need to explore the use of nuclear protein-encoding genes because these genes direct most aspects of the phenotypic traits in the development of an organism. We report here the test of a nuclear protein-encoding gene, RNA polymerase II, for the phylogenetic study of ticks. Thirty-eight ticks representing 26 species of hard and soft ticks were chosen for the study. The pairwise divergences among sampled species are ranged from 0.3 to 15.2% and most of the substitutions are transitions. In addition, the nucleotide composition is not obviously biased in POL II gene. The trees inferred from the POL II sequences using maximum parsimony (MP), neighbor joining (NJ), and maximum likelihood (ML) by PAUP* and MrBayes are largely concordant with the existing phylogenies. Our study demonstrated that POL II gene sequences contain strong phylogenetic signals in ticks at the generic and higher levels. POL II has proven to be a useful gene for resolving tick phylogeny. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

一株氯氰菊酯降解菌16SrDNA，gyrB和GyrB的系统发育分析

从农药厂污水处理池中分离得到一株氯氰菊酯降解菌,在30℃,pH7．0的条件下,无机盐培养基中100mg／L的氯氰菊酯,经过7．5天,能够降解大约52．3％,外加碳源能够明显提高其降解性能。生理生化实验结合16SrDNA,册诏和GyrB的系统发育分析,将其归为Gordonia菌属。在16SrDNA水平上,其与G．amicalis DSM44461和G．hydrophobica DSM44015^T的相似值最高,为98．1％;而在gyrB和GyrB水平上,其与G.hydrophobica JCM10086的相似值最高,分别为86．8％和91,1％。通过对所构建的系统发育树进行评估,表明16SrDNA序列适用于将分离菌株鉴定到属的水平上,而gyrB和GyrB更适用于在属内种的水平上进行系统发育的分析。     

Population Structure and Development of Resistance to Hymexazol Among Fusarium solani Populations from Date Palm,Citrus and Cucumber

A study was conducted to investigate genetic diversity and sensitivity to hymexazol among 80 isolates of Fusarium solani complex obtained from date palm (30), citrus (31) and cucumber (19). Characterization based on sequences of the EF1α and ITS rRNA showed that isolates belong to F. solani complex MLST type 3 + 4. AFLP analysis produced 980 polymorphic loci, 80 AFLP genotypes and moderate levels of genetic diversity (H = 0.2494). Clustering of the isolates was not related to the host or the geographical origin of the isolates. Analysis of molecular variance (amova ) indicated the existence of a low level of genetic differentiation among populations obtained from different hosts (F_st = 0.0162) and regions (F_st = 0.0066). This may provide evidence for frequent movement of inoculum among hosts and regions in Oman, which could be attributed to cultural practices employed by farmers. Isolates of F. solani displayed variation in sensitivity to hymexazol, with EC₅₀ values ranging from 2 to 5745 μg/ml (mean = 878 μg/ml); 19% of the isolates have an EC₅₀ value of more than 1000 μg/ml. Findings are discussed in terms of the factors that affect diversity in F. solani isolates. The study reports for the first time the development of resistance to hymexazol among F. solani isolates from date palm, citrus and cucumber.     

Taxonomic review of Bourguyiinae,cladistic analysis,and a new hypothesis of biogeographic relationships of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (Arachnida: Opiliones,Gonyleptidae)

The subfamily Bourguyiinae Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Gonyleptidae) is revised, and both phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses are proposed. Bourguyiinae is monophyletic, and is the sister group of the remainder of the Gonyleptidae species used for analysis, except for the Metasarcinae, which collectively is the sister group of Metavononoides orientalis Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Cosmetidae). Bourguyiinae is divided into two genera: Bourguyia (six species) and Asarcus (four species). The genus‐level synonyms proposed here are as follows: Caldasius, Styloleptes, and Stylopisthos are junior synonyms of Bourguyia; Bogdana, Cnemoleptes, and Opisthoplites are junior synonyms of Asarcus. The species synonyms proposed here are as follows: Afranius amarali Mello‐Leitão, 1934 is a junior synonym of Bourguyia albiornata Mello‐Leitão, 1923 ; Drastus hamatus Roewer, 1943 and Styloleptes conspersus Piza, 1943 are junior synonyms of Bourguyia trochanteralis Roewer, 1930 ; Asarcus corallipes Simon, 1879 , Asarcus lutescens Sørensen, 1884 , Asarcus pallidus Mello‐Leitão, 1923 , and Opisthoplites ypsilon Sørensen, 1884 are junior synonyms of Asarcus longipes Kollar in Koch, 1839 ; Asarcus nigriconspersus Soares & Soares, 1945 is a junior synonym of Asarcus ingenuus Melo‐Leitão, 1940. New species described are: Bourguyia bocaina sp. nov. (Serra da Bocaina, São José do Barreiro, São Paulo), Bourguyia vinosa sp. nov. (E.B. Boracéia, Salesópolis, São Paulo), and Asarcus putunaberaba sp. nov. (Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Alto Caparaó, Minas Gerais). Bourguyiinae is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná. Based on the modified data matrix of Pinto‐da‐Rocha et al., we propose a new biogeographical hypothesis for the Atlantic Rainforest. We suggest that Bourguyiinae species were originally distributed from the coastal region of Paraná to the north of Rio de Janeiro and south‐east of Minas Gerais, with subsequent dispersals both to northern and southern areas. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 319–362.     

The monophyly of the Characidiinae, a Neotropical group of characiform fishes (Teleostei: Ostariophysi)

Although virtually no phylogenetic evidence (in the sense advocated by Hennig, 1966) had been previously presented to support the monophyly of the Characidiinae, and most 'diagnostic' characters used by previous authors were found to be unacceptable in a cladistic classification, i t is still possible to diagnose the Characidiinae in a phylogenetic sense. This study revealed the existence of 13 synapomorphies supporting the monophyly of the group. Several of these synapomorphies, such as the modifications associated with the mesethmoid, the jaw bones, and the ribs of the fifth vertebra, are unique to the Characidiinae, thus providing a solid basis for recognizing the group as a monophyletic unit of characiform fishes. Demonstration of characidiin monophyly provides a solid foundation for further phylogenetic analysis of characidiin interrelationships, and higher level relationships among characiform fishes.     

Anuran skin and basking behavior: The case of the treefrog Bokermannohyla alvarengai (Bokermann, 1956)

We investigated the morphology of the skin and the biochemistry of the lipids in the skin secretion of Bokermannohyla alvarengai, a montane treefrog that is known to bask regularly, motionless in full sunlight for extended periods of time. Our primary goal was to identify structural and biochemical modifications that might assist this frog species to accommodate the conflicting demands for heat exchange and water balance while basking. The modulation of heat exchange in basking B. alvarengai involves changes in skin coloration. We found that this response was supported by a prominent monolayer of large iridophores, whose light reflectance property is adjusted by the response of intervening melanophores. Mucosubstances and lipid compounds, mainly consisted of saturated fatty acids and presumably secreted from granular glands, were detected on the skin of B. alvarengai. These compounds formed an extra‐epidermal layer over the animal's dorsal surface that might assist in the prevention of excessive water loss through evaporation. Additionally, we found well‐developed skin folds at the ventral region of the frogs that lead to an increment of surface area. This feature combined with the extensive hypervascularization, also noticed for the skin of B. alvarengai, may play an important role in water reabsorption. The suite of structural and biochemical modifications identified for the integument of B. alvarengai seems to conjugate aspects relevant to both, heat exchange and water balance, allowing for this species to explore basking as an efficient thermoregulatory strategy. J. Morphol. 276:1172–1182, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

丝带凤蝶线粒体基因组全序列及其系统学意义(英文)

锯凤蝶类与凤蝶科其他类群的系统发生关系及其分类学地位一直存在争议。本研究采用PCR和long PCR技术测定了属于锯凤蝶类的丝带凤蝶Sericinus montelus线粒体基因组全序列; 结合已有的其他凤蝶科物种的相应序列数据, 基于13个蛋白质编码基因重建了凤蝶科主要类群的系统发生树, 探讨了它们之间的系统发生关系。基因组分析结果表明： 丝带凤蝶线粒体基因组全长15 242 bp, 包括13个编码蛋白基因(ATP6, ATP8, COⅠ-Ⅲ, ND1-6, ND4L和Cytb)、 22个tRNA基因、 16S和12S rRNA基因以及非编码的控制区; 基因组A, T, G和C含量分别为40.1%, 40.8%, 7.4%和11.7%, 表现出明显的AT偏倚。所有的蛋白质编码基因都使用标准的起始密码子(ATN); 除ND4 和 ND4L基因使用单个的T作为终止密码子外, 其余蛋白编码基因都使用了标准的终止密码子(TAA)。除丝氨酸 tRNA的二氢尿苷突环缺失外, 所有tRNA基因都形成典型的三叶草型结构。基因组中共存在12个大小介于2~65 bp之间的基因间隔区以及15个大小介于1~8 bp之间的基因重叠区, 其中, 存在于COⅡ和tRNA^Lys之间的24 bp的间隔区在其他鳞翅目昆虫中未曾见到。以邻接法和最大简约法并基于13个蛋白质编码基因序列对凤蝶科进行了系统发生分析。结果显示, 丝带凤蝶和中华虎凤蝶Luehdorfia chinensis先构成一个支系, 再和冰清绢蝶Parnassius bremeri构成姊妹群; 表明锯凤蝶类应作为族级分类单元归于凤蝶科下的绢蝶亚科。     

trnL内含子及trnL—trnF间隔区序列在木兰科系统发育研究中的应用

通过木兰科29个种的trnL基因内含子的525个碱基序列及21个种的trnL-trnF基因间隔区的370个碱基序列测定和分析,构建的严格一致性树建议：（1）含笑属为相对一致的单系类型;（2）玉兰亚属的几个种形成一个单系类群,与木兰亚属的几个种无共衍位点;（3）木莲属为一个相对保守的类群,种间碱基差异很小。碱基位点差异分析表明：含笑和野含笑的trnL序列相对鹅掌揪有3个位点的变异和一个简单重复序列的插入;鹅掌揪的trnL-trnF序列与GenBank(AF040679)中已注册的序列有3个位点的差异。两个严格一致性树的CI值高达0．978和0．913,说明trnL内含子和trnL-trnF间隔区序列的平行演化在木兰冬这几个属间发生频率非常氏,只适于木兰科高等级的（属以上）的系统研究