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.     

Molecular phylogeny of plethodonine salamanders and hylid frogs: statistical analysis of protein comparisons.

The bootstrapping method of determining confidence in the topology of phylogenetic trees has been applied to electrophoretic protein data for two groups of amphibians: salamanders of two North American genera (Aneides and Plethodon) of the tribe Plethodontini and Holarctic hylid frogs. Some current methods of phylogenetic reconstruction for electrophoretic protein data have been evaluated by comparing the trees obtained from molecular data sets with available morphological data. Molecular data on the phylogenetic relationships of Aneides and Plethodon, data obtained from electrophoretic and immunological studies, indicate that Aneides probably was derived from western Plethodon subsequent to the separation of eastern and western Plethodon. Thus Plethodon very likely is a paraphyletic genus. The extremely low rate of morphological evolution in Plethodon compared with that in Aneides causes difficulty in indicating their evolutionary relationships taxonomically because there are no synapomorphic morphological characters that define either eastern or western Plethodon, whereas there are several for the genus Aneides. Thus molecular data alone probably indicate the evolutionary relationships of the species in these genera. Highton and Larson's (1979) arrangement of species of Plethodon into eight species groups is supported. The topologies of the unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic means (UPGMA) and distance Wagner trees were compared with independent morphological and molecular data on the relationships of the 28 plethodonine species. It was found that UPGMA trees indicate relationships that are more in agreement with other information than are those provided by distance Wagner trees. The use of the bootstrap technique indicates that the topologies of UPGMA trees are better supported statistically than are the topologies of distance Wagner trees. Moreover, different addition criteria produce a variety of distance Wagner trees with different topologies, each with several groupings that are not supported statistically. It is concluded that considerable caution should be used in interpreting the topology of distance Wagner trees. Very similar results were obtained with a second data set on 30 taxa of Holarctic hylid frogs. Trees obtained by the neighbor-joining method are more in agreement with UPGMA phenograms and other data, so this method of phylogenetic reconstruction may be useful to systematists not willing to assume constant rates of evolution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Phylogenetic relationships, character evolution, and taxonomic implications within the slipper lobsters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Scyllaridae)

The slipper lobsters belong to the family Scyllaridae which contains a total of 20 genera and 89 species distributed across four subfamilies (Arctidinae, Ibacinae, Scyllarinae, and Theninae). We have collected nucleotide sequence data from regions of five different genes (16S, 18S, COI, 28S, H3) to estimate phylogenetic relationships among 54 species from the Scyllaridae with a focus on the species rich subfamily Scyllarinae. We have included in our analyses at least one representative from all 20 genera in the Scyllaridae and 35 of the 52 species within the Scyllarinae. Our resulting phylogenetic estimate shows the subfamilies are monophyletic, except for Ibacinae, which has paraphyletic relationships among genera. Many of the genera within the Scyllarinae form non-monophyletic groups, while the genera from all other subfamilies form well supported clades. We discuss the implications of this history on the evolution of morphological characters and ecological transitions (nearshore vs. offshore) within the slipper lobsters. Finally, we identify, through ancestral state character reconstructions, key morphological features diagnostic of the major clades of diversity within the Scyllaridae and relate this character evolution to current taxonomy and classification.     

Molecular phylogeny of Eastern Pacific porcelain crabs, genera Petrolisthes and Pachycheles, based on the mtDNA 16S rDNA sequence: phylogeographic and systematic implications

Porcelain crabs, genera Petrolisthes and Pachycheles, are diverse and abundant members of the eastern Pacific near-shore decapod crustacean community. Morphology-based taxonomic analyses of these crabs have determined groupings of affiliated species, but phylogenetic relationships remain unknown. We used sequence data from the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of 46 species of eastern Pacific porcelain crabs to perform phylogenetic analyses by distance and parsimony methods. Our results are used to compare the taxonomic significance of morphological and molecular characters, to examine sequence divergence rates of crab 16S rRNA genes, and to analyze the phylogeographic history of these crabs. Our phylogenetic trees indicate that the genus Petrolisthes is divided into two main clades, reflecting morphological features. One clade contains primarily tropical species, and the other contains species from throughout the eastern Pacific, as well as species in the genera Allopetrolisthes and Liopetrolisthes. Phylogenetic trees of Pachycheles suggest an antitropical distribution; north and south temperate species form one clade and tropical species form a second clade. Sequence divergence rates of the 16S rRNA gene from three pairs of geminate species can be used to date divergence times, and we discuss porcelain crab phylogeographic patterns in relation to paleogeographic events.     

Evolution of the thaumastocheliform lobsters (Crustacea,Decapoda, Nephropidae)

Deep‐sea lobsters previously assigned to the family Thaumastochelidae Bate, 1888, the thaumastocheliforms, have very distinctive, greatly unequal first chelipeds, with the right side extremely elongate and pectinate, and in having short, quadrate pleonal pleura. Despite interesting morphology and a long taxonomic history, the phylogeny of the group has received little detailed analysis. Here, we conduct a species‐level phylogenetic analysis of the thaumastocheliforms based on morphological and molecular data (three mitochondrial genes: COI, 16S rDNA and 12S rDNA; two nuclear protein‐coding genes: H3 and NaK) to robustly reconstruct their evolutionary history and estimate divergence times. Separate and combined analyses of all data sources support thaumastocheliform monophyly, but as a clade deeply nested within the Nephropidae supporting recent synonymy of Thaumastochelidae with Nephropidae. Combined and molecular‐only analyses support generic monophyly of all three thaumastocheliform genera and Dinochelus as sister to Thaumastochelopsis, fully corroborating the current, morphology‐based taxonomy. In contrast, Thaumastocheles is recovered as paraphyletic in morphology‐only analyses owing to minimal character support. The Cretaceous–Paleogene Oncopareia was recovered as a stem‐lineage thaumastocheliform. The fossil record indicates that the thaumastocheliforms once lived in shallow, continental shelf depths, but moved into deeper water in the Cenozoic where they occur today. The thaumastocheliforms originated in northern Europe during the Mid‐Late Cretaceous and later dispersed westwards to the south‐eastern Pacific through the western Atlantic and eastwards to the western Pacific through the Indian Ocean. Thaumastochelopsis can be considered the most derived thaumastocheliform genus based on the degree of structural reduction relative to other thaumastocheliforms, its remote geographical occurrence (Australia) from the hypothesised place of origin (northern Europe) and its more recent estimated divergence than other genera (28 Mya for the MRCA of extant species of the genus).     

Evidence for three major clades within the snapping shrimp genus Alpheus inferred from nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequence data

The snapping shrimp genus Alpheus is among the most diverse of caridean shrimps, and analyses of taxa separated by the Isthmus of Panama have been used to estimate rates of molecular evolution. Although seven morphological groups have been informally suggested, no formal phylogenetic analysis of the genus has been previously attempted. Here we infer the phylogenetic relationships within Alpheus using sequence data from two nuclear genes, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and elongation factor-1alpha, and from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I. Three major clades corresponding to previously noted morphological features were identified. Discrepancies between earlier informal morphological groupings and molecular analyses largely consisted of species whose morphologies were not entirely typical of the group to which they had been assigned. The traditional placements of shrimp with highly sessile lifestyles and consequently simplified morphologies were also not supported by molecular analyses. Phylogenies for Alpheus suggest that specialized ecological requirements (e.g., symbiotic associations and estuarine habitats) and modified claw morphologies have evolved independently several times. These new analyses also support the sister species status of transisthmian pairs analyzed previously, although very similar pairs were not always resolved with the more slowly evolving nuclear loci. In addition, six new cryptic species were identified in the course of these studies plus a seventh whose status remains to be determined.     

Molecular evolutionary relationships between partulid land snails of the Pacific

Adaptive radiation of partulid land snails in the tropical Pacific has produced an extraordinary array of distinctive morphological, ecological and behavioural types. Here we use part of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene cluster to investigate the relationships within and between the three partulid genera, Partula, Samoana and Eua. The genera cluster separately, with Samoana and Partula forming monophyletic groups. With one exception, the molecular data generally support the previous generic classification based on genital morphology, even in species that show a number of characteristics otherwise atypical of the genus. Convergent evolution explains morphological similarities between members of different genera. The phylogeny suggests that Samoana has colonized the Pacific from west to east, originating in the area where Eua, believed to be the most ancient partulid genus, is found. An unexplained anomaly is the reported occurrence of a single species of Samoana in the Mariana Islands of the western Pacific. The genus Partula has a disjunct distribution, encompassing islands both to the east and west of the range occupied by Eua. Partula seems to have spread both eastward and westward after the splitting of the Partula lineage.     

Phylogenetic systematics and character evolution in the angiosperm family Haloragaceae

The poorly known Haloragaceae R. Br. (Saxifragales) are highly diverse in habit (small trees to submerged aquatics) and labile in floral merosity (2-4), both uncommon among the core eudicots. This family has a cosmopolitan distribution, but taxonomic diversity is concentrated in Australia. An explicit phylogenetic approach has not previously been utilized to examine relationships or character evolution in this family. We used molecular evidence from nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnK and matK regions under both Bayesian and parsimony analyses to address phylogenetic relationships. Combined molecular analyses defined a monophyletic Haloragaceae with the woody genera (Haloragodendron, Glischrocaryon) sister to the rest. Relationships among many genera were well resolved, with genera as currently delimited generally well supported, although there were notable exceptions; a new genus (Trihaloragis) is recognized, and the aquatic genus Meionectes is again distinct from Haloragis. Three new species combinations are also recognized. There are multiple (two or three) origins of the submerged aquatic habit in the family and potentially an intermediate reversal to the terrestrial habit, neither previously demonstrated in a core eudicot family using an explicit phylogenetic hypothesis. Ancestral character analyses suggest two origins of trimerous flowers and multiple reductions to dimerous flowers throughout Haloragaceae.     

Molecular systematics and radiation of western North American nymphophiline gastropods

Three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships of the morphologically diverse, species rich, and poorly understood western North American aquatic gastropod genus Pyrgulopsis (Hydrobiidae: Nymphophilinae). Sequences were obtained from 62 of 124 currently recognized species of Pyrgulopsis and representatives of four related genera of North American nymphophilines. Separate and combined analyses of the mtDNA datasets recovered a well supported clade composed of Pyrgulopsis and two other North American nymphophiline genera (Floridobia, Nymphophilus) consistent with the results of a prior study based on a single gene and with anatomical evidence suggesting that these taxa form a monophyletic group. Phylogenetic relationships among lineages of Pyrgulopsis were little resolved in our analyses and provided no obvious basis for splitting this large genus into multiple genera. The little differentiated Mexican genus Nymphophilus was consistently placed within Pyrgulopsis in our trees and is formally synonymized with it herein. Pyrgulopsis was also depicted as paraphyletic with respect to Floridobia in some of our trees while in others the latter was sister to a Nymphophilus + Pyrgulopsis clade. Based on these equivocal results and the morphological and geographical divergence of eastern North American Floridobia relative to Pyrgulopsis, we recommend that the former be maintained as a separate genus. The short, weakly supported branches within Pyrgulopsis and the noncongruence between our molecular phylogenetic hypotheses and geographical groupings of species are attributed to an early rapid diversification of the genus, perhaps triggered by the complex changes in western topography which occurred during the late Tertiary. Our results also indicate that penial morphologies used to define species groups of Pyrgulopsis have been subject to striking convergence throughout the West, suggesting another compelling facet of the radiation of these snails.     

Phylogeny of the scathophagidae (Diptera, calyptratae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences

The family Scathophagidae constitutes, together with members of the families Muscidae, Fannidae, and Anthomyiidae, the Muscoidea superfamily. The species Scathophaga stercoraria has been used extensively to investigate questions in animal ecology and evolution, particularly as a model system for studies of sperm competition and life history evolution. However, no phylogenetic studies have ever been performed on the Scathophagidae and the relationships within this family remain unclear. This study represents a molecular approach aimed at uncovering the phylogenetic relationships among 61 species representing 22 genera of Scathophagidae. A fragment of the terminal region of the mitochondrial gene COI (subunit I of the cytochrome oxidase gene) was sequenced in scathophagid species covering a wide geographic area, as well as a diverse spectrum of ecological habitats. Several clades grouping different genera and species have been identified, but the resolution power of the COI was insufficient to establish the exact relationships between these clades. The molecular data confirm the existence of a group consisting of the genera Delina, Chylizosoma, and Americina, which could represent the subfamily Delinae. Concerning the controversial position of the genus Phrosia, our data clearly suggest that it should be removed from the Delinae and placed within the genus Cordilura. Monophyly of most genera was confirmed, except for the genus Scathophaga, which should be divided into several different taxa.     

Phylogenetic relationships in Dichroplus Stål (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) inferred from molecular and morphological data: testing karyotype diversification

The neotropical genus Dichroplus and related genera are characterized by a relatively uniform external morphology and a remarkably divergent male genitalia and hence its taxonomy is controversial. It also shows an extreme karyotypic diversification. In this study we used molecular and morphological characters to test the monophyly of the genus and to evaluate chromosome evolution. Twenty‐seven species from Dichroplus and related genera were included in the analysis. Morphological characters refer to the general morphology, male genitalia and female structures. Molecular studies were performed, sequencing part of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase I and II. Independent and combined phylogenetic analyses of the data were performed under maximum parsimony. The karyotypic characters (rearrangements) were either mapped onto the combined topology or combined with the other data sets. While the molecular analysis confirms some results attained with morphology, some others do not. All point towards the paraphyly of the genus. Our results show the relevance of morphological data in phylogenetic studies because morphology and molecules supply complementary evidence. The mapping of chromosome characters on the combined tree shows that the most extreme karyotype, in D. silveiraguidoi, is a derived condition, probably reached through several centric fusions, and that X‐autosome centric fusions were recurrently fixed during the evolution of the group. © The Willi Hennig Society 2005.     

The genus Artemisia (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) at a continental crossroads: molecular insights into migrations, disjunctions, and reticulations among Old and New World species from a Beringian perspective

Artemisia is the largest genus (ca. 350-500+ spp.) in the tribe Anthemideae and is composed of ecologically, morphologically, and chemically diverse species that are found primarily throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Two major centers of diversity for the genus are located in Eurasia and western North America, but phytogeographic links connecting these two regions are observed all across the North Pacific Rim and adjacent areas in the Arctic, including many islands and archipelagos. Previous phylogenetic studies have helped to clarify major lineages and identify likely sister relationships, but many questions remain unanswered regarding the relationships and migration history of New and Old World species. Here we investigate the phylogenetics of Artemisia within a biogeographic context centered in the Beringian Region and offer new hypotheses concerning species relationships, migration history, and the likely role of reticulate evolution in the genus. Our sampling included many new taxa and emphasized multiple accessions of widespread species, species from proposed refugia, and species with disjunct/vicariant distributions. The ITS phylogeny contained 173 accessions (94 new and 79 from GenBank) and indicated that Artemisia is paraphyletic by the exclusion of several small Asian genera and the North American genus Sphaeromeria. Following a survey of thirteen chloroplast loci, phylogenies based on two plastid markers (psbA-trnH and rpl32-trnL spacers) were constructed with a reduced data set, and though largely consistent with the ITS topology, revealed several cases of possible introgression among New World and Beringian species. Our analysis reveals that North American Artemisia species have multiple origins, and that western North America has served as a source for some colonizing elements in eastern Asia and South America.     

A molecular phylogenetic study of the Palmae (Arecaceae) based on atpB, rbcL, and 18S nrDNA sequences

Notoriously slow rates of molecular evolution and convergent evolution among some morphological characters have limited phylogenetic resolution for the palm family (Arecaceae). This study adds nuclear DNA (18S SSU rRNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA; atpB and rbcL) sequence data for 65 genera of palms and characterizes molecular variation for each molecule. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated with maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony techniques for the new data and for previously published molecular data for 45 palm genera. Maximum parsimony analysis was also used to compare molecular and morphological data for 33 palm genera. Incongruence among datasets was detected between cpDNA and 18S data and between molecular and morphological data. Most conflict between nuclear and cpDNA data was associated with the genus Nypa. Several taxa showed relatively long branches with 18S data, but phylogenetic resolution of these taxa was essentially the same for 18S and cpDNA data. Base composition bias for 18S that contributed to erroneous phylogenetic resolution in other taxa did not seem to be present in Palmae. Morphological data were incongruent with all molecular data due to apparent morphological homoplasy for Caryoteae, Ceroxyloideae, Iriarteae, and Thrinacinae. Both cpDNA and nuclear 18S data firmly resolved Caryoteae with Borasseae of Coryphoideae, suggesting that at least some morphological characters used to place Caryoteae in Arecoideae are homoplastic. In this study, increased character sampling seems to be more important than increased taxon sampling; a comparison of the full (65-taxon) and reduced (45- and 33-taxon) datasets suggests little difference in core topology but considerably more nodal support with the increased character sample sizes. These results indicate a general trend toward a stable estimate of phylogenetic relationships for the Palmae. Although the 33-taxon topologies are even better resolved, they lack several critical taxa and are affected by incongruence between molecular and morphological data. As such, a comparison of results from the 45- and 33-taxon trees offers the best available reference for phylogenetic inference on palms.     

Evolutionary and biogeographical patterns within the smelt genus Hypomesus in the North Pacific Ocean

Aim We address questions about trans‐Pacific distributions of marine organisms and the North Pacific Ocean as a centre of marine biodiversity through a phylogenetic and biogeographical study of a pan‐Pacific genus of Northern Hemisphere smelts (Hypomesus, Pisces: Osmeridae). Location North Pacific Ocean. Methods Relationships of the five species of Hypomesus from throughout the North Pacific were reconstructed through maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of sequence data from two mitochondrial (cytb, 16S) and three nuclear (ITS2, S71, RAG1) gene regions of five to 25 individuals per species, totalling 3588 characters. The resulting phylogenies were used to test hypotheses of species relationships and geographical origins using both dispersal‐based and maximum likelihood methods for inferring ancestral areas (lagrange ). Cytb sequence divergence and a Bayesian approach (beast ) were used to estimate the timeframe of Hypomesus evolution, which was compared with work on similarly distributed taxa. Results Hypothesized trans‐Pacific Ocean relationships based on lateral line scale counts were not supported by the phylogeny, suggesting parallel evolution of this phenotype, although we found one such relationship between the western H. japonicus and the two eastern Pacific species (H. pretiosus and H. transpacificus). Dispersalist approaches rejected an early proposal of a double‐compression vicariant mechanism as well as an eastern Pacific origin. Results from the lagrange analysis suggested a more widespread ancestor, although also supporting a role for the western Pacific. Divergence estimates suggested that most splits between species occurred in the mid‐Miocene, and the most recent speciation event, between the eastern Pacific species, occurred in the Pliocene to early Pleistocene. Main conclusions Our molecular data indicate that the character historically used to define relationships within Hypomesus, lateral line scale count, does not reflect ancestry within the genus. Biogeographical reconstructions suggest an important role for the western North Pacific in the diversification of Hypomesus. While uncertainty remains over the date of origin for this genus, estimates place the divergences during periods of climatic cooling that have been important in generating diversity in a number of similarly distributed organisms. Additional comparative data will provide further insight into the relative importance of the western region in generating diversity in the North Pacific Ocean.     

Re-examination and phylogeny of the genus Chondrostoma based on mitochondrial and nuclear data and the definition of 5 new genera

Previous molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus Chondrostoma (Cyprinidae: Leuciscinae) were unable to resolve the relationship among its major species groups. In this paper we present a phylogeny for this genus, based on five mitochondrial genes and the nuclear gene beta-actin, comprising a total of 4068 bp. Bayesian inference using all gene fragments yielded a fully resolved phylogeny, compatible with topologies obtained from individual fragments using maximum parsimony and minimum evolution. Mapping of morphological characters critical to the rasping feeding mode of most Chondrostoma species indicates that they evolved several times, and questions the use of these characters in the traditional definition of the genus. Our findings led us to the definition of the following new genera: Achondrostoma, Iberochondrostoma, Pseudochondrostoma, Protochondrostoma and Parachondrostoma. Our data contradict the hypothesis of a rapid radiation during Lago Mare phase, suggested by previous studies.     

What lies beneath: molecular phylogenetics and ancestral state reconstruction of the ancient subterranean Australian Parabathynellidae (Syncarida, Crustacea)

The crustacean family Parabathynellidae is an ancient and significant faunal component of subterranean ecosystems. Molecular data were generated in order to examine phylogenetic relationships amongst Australian genera and assess the species diversity of this group within Australia. We also used the resultant phylogenetic framework, in combination with an ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) analysis, to explore the evolution of two key morphological characters (number of segments of the first and second antennae), previously used to define genera, and assess the oligomerization principle (i.e. serial appendage reduction over time), which is commonly invoked in crustacean systematics. The ASR approach also allowed an assessment of whether there has been convergent evolution of appendage numbers during the evolution of Australian parabathynellids. Sequence data from the mtDNA COI and nDNA 18S rRNA genes were obtained from 32 parabathynellid species (100% of described genera and ~25% of described species) from key groundwater regions across Australia. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that species of each known genus, defined by traditional morphological methods, were monophyletic, suggesting that the commonly used generic characters are robust for defining distinct evolutionary lineages. Additionally, ancestral state reconstruction analysis provided evidence for multiple cases of convergent evolution for the two morphological characters evaluated, suggesting that caution needs to be shown when using these characters for elucidating phylogenetic relationships, particularly when there are few morphological characters available for reconstructing relationships. The ancestral state analysis contradicted the conventional view of parabathynellid evolution, which assumes that more simplified taxa (i.e. those with fewer-segmented appendages and setae) are derived and more complex taxa are primitive.     

A molecular phylogeny of Panicum (Poaceae: Paniceae): tests of monophyly and phylogenetic placement within the Panicoideae

Panicum L. is a cosmopolitan genus with approximately 450 species. Although the genus has been considerably reduced in species number with the segregation of many taxa to independent genera in the last two centuries, Panicum remains a heterogeneous assemblage, as has been demonstrated in recent years. The genus is remarkably uniform in its floral characters but exhibits considerable variation in anatomical, physiological, and cytological features. As a result, several classifications, and criteria of what the genus should really include, have been postulated in modern literature. The purpose of this research, based on molecular data of the chloroplast ndhF gene, is to test the monophyly of Panicum, to evaluate infrageneric classifications, and to propose a robust phylogenetic hypothesis. Based on the present results, previous morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, and inferred diagnostic morphological characters, we restrict Panicum sensu stricto (s.s.) to the former subgenus Panicum and support recognition of Dichanthelium, Phanopyrum, and Steinchisma as distinct genera. We have transfered other species of Panicum to other genera of the Paniceae. Most of the necessary combinations have been made previously, so few nomenclatural changes have been required. The remaining species of Panicum sensu lato (s.l.) are included within Panicum incertae sedis representing isolated species or species grouped within monophyletic clades. Additionally, we explore the performance of the three codon position characters in producing the supported phylogeny.     

Extreme gender flexibility: using a phylogenetic framework to infer the evolution of variation in sex allocation, phylogeography, and speciation in a genus of bidirectional sex changing fishes(Lythrypnus, Gobiidae)

The genus Lythrypnus is a group of marine gobies that exhibit extreme gender flexibility as bidirectional sex changers. The genus consists of 20 described species and several undescribed species that are distributed in the Americas. Five species have been characterized with respect to sex allocation and gonad morphology. The hormonal, morphological, and behavioral aspects of sex change have been studied extensively for one species, L. dalli. These data, however, have not been interpreted in an evolutionary context because a phylogenetic hypothesis has not previously been proposed for the genus Lythrypnus. We propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus based on molecular data from three mitochondrial genes (12s, ND2, and Cytb), one nuclear gene (Rag1) and one nuclear intron (S7). We also include three previously undescribed Lythrypnus species. Our results support the monophyly of the genus with L. heterochroma, an Atlantic species, as the basal taxon. After the divergence of L. heterochroma, there are two main clades, one comprised of species distributed in the Atlantic, the other comprised of species distributed in the Pacific. These data indicate an Atlantic origin for the genus, followed by divergence after the closure of the Isthmus of Panama. Our data also support the monophyly of three previously described species complexes, the L. rhizophora complex and L. dalli complex in the Pacific, and the L. mowbrayi complex in the Atlantic. We mapped patterns of sex allocation within this genus onto the fully resolved and supported topology, and found that sexual plasticity and gender flexibility is likely a synapomorphy for the genus. Overall our results create a well-supported framework to understand the phylogeography of the genus, and to interpret the evolution of sex allocation in Lythrypnus gobies.     

Phylogenetic relationships of North American Antirrhinum (Veronicaceae)

Species of the genus Antirrhinum (Veronicaceae) provide excellent opportunities for research on plant evolution given their extensive morphological and ecological diversity. These opportunities are enhanced by genetic and developmental data from the model organism Antirrhinum majus. The genus Antirrhinum includes 15 New World species in section Saerorhinum and 21 Old World species in sections Antirrhinum and Orontium. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were conducted for 19 Antirrhinum species, including all species from the New World, and 13 related genera in the tribe Antirrhineae. These analyses confirm the monophyly of Antirrhinum given the inclusion of the small genus Mohavea and exclusion of A. cyathiferum. The New World species, all of which are tetraploid, form a clade that is weakly supported as sister to the Old World sect. Orontium. The Old World species in sect. Antirrhinum form a well-supported clade that is sister to the remainder of the genus. In addition, both molecular and morphological data are used in the most comprehensive effort to date focused on recovering the phylogenetic relationships among the extremely diverse species in section Saerorhinum.