Testing subspecies hypothesis with molecular markers and morphometrics in the Pacific white tern complex

To test the validity of subspecies designations of the white tern, genetic and morphological data were used to assess differences among four putative Pacific subspecies Gygis alba candida , Gygis alba rothschildi , Gygis alba pacifica , and Gygis alba microrhyncha . The origin(s) of a recent colonization of Oahu was also examined using molecular data. Samples were collected from 209 birds, representing island groups of the North and South Pacific. Culmen length and depth, longest and shortest rectrix lengths, and wing chord measurements from an earlier dataset were compared. Mitochondrial DNA variation suggests that there are no phylogenetically distinct species within the Pacific Ocean. The genetic and morphological similarity of G. a. candida and G. a. rothschildi warrants merging them into one subspecies ( G. a. candida ). Gygis alba microrhyncha and G. a. pacifica are distinctly smaller and larger than the other two subspecies, respectively, but are not completely diagnosable across the morphological characters examined. Although the Pacific subspecies do not exhibit reciprocal monophyly, there is significant genetic differentiation among the two South Pacific groups, G. a. microrhyncha , G. a. pacifica , and all other Pacific subspecies. This differentiation warrants treating these two South Pacific groups as separate management units, but not species or subspecies. Finally, the recently established population of white terns on Oahu shared haplotypes with all subspecies, suggesting multiple origins from populations across the Pacific and confirming contemporary gene flow.  © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 98 , 586–595.     

Cytogenetic variability within and across populations of Cebus apella in Argentina

Two geographically separated populations of Cebus apella are found in Argentina. We have found important differences in the phenotypic characteristics of these populations, despite marked karyotypic similarity. Two well-distinguished phenotypes were established. Individuals from the northwest of Argentina are phenotypically similar to the Paraguayan populations and are recognized as C. apella paraguayanus. This subspecies is also found in the northeast of Argentina. Other specimens from the northeast are more similar phenotypically to the Brazilian subspecies C. apella nigritus and C. apella libidinosus and are designated as C. apella vellerosus. The two subspecies C. apella paraguayanus and C. apella vellerosus share the same diploid number of chromosomes (2n = 54). Cytogenetic comparisons using G-, Q- and R-banding techniques and C-banding methods with the chromosomes carrying large heterochromatic blocks (No. 3, 5, 11, 12, 13, 19) showed differences between the subspecies. The presence of different polymorphisms and even of heteromorphisms in the same chromosomic pair across geographically isolated populations of the same subspecies is illustrated with Argentinian and Paraguayan specimens.     

Southernmost records of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) are cosmopolitan animals widely distributed in waters of both hemispheres. The taxonomy of Tursiops has long been controversial, with over 20 specific names being published, and subspecies and inshore/offshore forms being proposed. In the southwestern South Atlantic, subspecies T. truncatus truncatus and T. truncatus gephyreus were proposed for specimens along the coasts of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Sightings of bottlenose dolphins are common along the coast of Argentina as far south as the Province of Chubut (ca. 46°S). Here, we summarize and discuss the southernmost records of bottlenose dolphins. We cannot make inferences about the species or subspecies to which these animals belong given the small number of specimens. Future studies of external measurements, pigmentation, DNA, and isotopes from both sides of the continent should help clarify the situation off southern South America. Furthermore, research is needed to explore a possible link between an effect of general global warming and the Tursiops specimens found this far south. The sighting and specimens described here, at 53°S–nearly 55°S, are the southernmost records for the genus and extend the range of the species in the southern South Atlantic.     

中国蛀果蛾科分类学整理及新种记述(鳞翅目：粪蛾总科)

记载中国蛀果蛾科昆虫8属23种（亚种）,其中有中国2新纪录：断斑洁蛀果蛾Meridarchis excisa Walsingham和日本拟蛀果蛾Alexotypa japonica (Walsingham）及2新种：天目坚蛀果蛾Archostola tianmushana sp.nov.和五峰洁蛀果蛾Meridarchis wufengensis sp.nov.。文中给出了中国蛀果蛾科分种检索表和中国新纪录及新种的特征图。     

新米虾属的修订（甲壳亚门：十足目：匙指虾科）

本文回顾了新米虾Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ的研究历史及存在争议,根据形态,生活史,生态和地理分布四个主要性状的综合考虑,提出确认新米虾属Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ,修订了属征,并整理了该属现有种类,修订后的Ｎｅｏｃａｒｉｄｉｎａ共１９种类及亚种,分布于中国,日本,朝鲜及越南,文中记述６新种及新亚种,Ｎ．ｚｈａｎｇｊｉａｊｉｅｎｓｉｓｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．Ｎ．ｅｕｓｐｉｎｏｓａｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．ｎ。ｄｅｎｔｉｃｕｌａｔ     

Isolation of tetranucleotide microsatellite loci in the burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus)

We isolated seven novel polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci from the burrowing parrot (Cyanoliseus patagonus) and optimised them for future studies of population differentiation and genetic variation. The loci were screened for polymorphism using 38 samples from wild individuals from three neighbouring colonies in Argentina. The primers amplified highly variable loci characterised by 3–10 alleles per locus and their observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.15 to 0.78 and 0.15 to 0.81, respectively. When we analysed 52 samples across Argentina and Chile, we found strong genetic differentiation between the Chilean and the Argentinean subspecies as well as significant differentiation between two geographically separated subspecies within Argentina. Our results indicate the suitability of these microsatellites for investigating further questions regarding the population genetics in this species.     

SPINNER DOLPHINS (STENELLA LONGIROSTRIS) OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTHEAST ASIA: PELAGIC AND SHALLOW-WATER FORMS1

A dwarf form of the spinner dolphin has been reported from the Gulf of Thailand, while more typical large spinner dolphins have been described from Japanese waters and other localities in the western Pacific. These reports have been based on very few specimens. Our purpose in this study was to determine the affinities of spinner dolphins throughout the region based on larger samples and to review their taxonomic status, with an hypothesis of two widespread ecotypic forms, or subspecies. We examined 213 osteological specimens, from a tuna gillnet fishery in the Philippines, from the former Taiwanese shark gillnet fishery in the Timor and Arafura Seas off northern Australia, from the Gulf of Thailand, from other areas in the western Pacific and Southeast Asia, from the eastern Indian Ocean, and from the Central and South Pacific. Results show that spinner dolphins from the deep inner waters of the Philippines conform to the large pelagic type of spinner dolphin that inhabits the Central and South Pacific, the western Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean. The skull is similar in size and shape to the holotype specimen of S. longirostris (from unknown locality). This form feeds primarily on small mesopelagic fishes and squids. Spinner dolphins from the shallow waters of inner Southeast Asia represented in the sample, including the Gulf of Thailand, Timor Sea and Arafura Sea, are smaller in body and skull size, have fewer teeth and vertebrae, and feed mainly on benthic and coral reef fishes and invertebrates. We hypothesize that this form also inhabits the Java Sea and other shallow waters throughout inner Indonesia and Malaysia. We redescribe a subspecies corresponding to the small form and based on Delphinus roseiventris Wagner 1846 from the Arafura Sea, designating a neotype and paraneotype specimens.     

Spool-and-line tracking of giant rats in New Guinea

We present movement data for a species of New Guinea "giant rat", Mallomys rothschildi , as a test of the efficacy of a recently developed method of spool-and-line tracking in short-term ecological/behavioural studies. We demonstrate that M. rothschildi is scansorial, feeds on shoots of Pandanus spp., and ranges freely over large areas without apparently being constrained by a fixed "home" nest. Another species, Hyomys golialh , occurs sympatrically and is superficially virtually indistinguishable from M. rolhschildi. Data from the single individual tracked suggest that the two species are ecologically segregated on the basis of clear behavioural differences. We note the considerable advantages of spool-and-line tracking over radio tracking in this type of study.     

中国蒙新区土蝽科一新种及四新纪录：半翅目：土蝽科

本文记录了我国蒙新区土蝽科１新种：新疆光土蝽Ｓｅｈｉｒｕｓ ｘｉｎｊｉａｎｇｅｎｓｉｓ ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ。及４个中国新纪录种：黄圆土蝽Ｂｙｓｉｎｕｓ ｐｅｎｉｃｉｌｌａｔｕｓ Ｅ．Ｗａｇｎｅｒ,小圆土蝽Ｂ．ｍｉｎｏｒ Ｅ．Ｗａｇｎｅｒ,光头伊土蝽Ａｅｔｈｕｓ ｌａｅｖｉｃｅｐｓ Ｋｅｒｚｈｅｒ及斜光土蝽Ｓ．ｐａｒｅｎｓ Ｍｕｌｓａｎｔ ｅｔ Ｒｅｙ。     

Mitochondrial DNA variability in Giraffa camelopardalis: consequences for taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of giraffes in West and central Africa

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) still survives in four countries of West and central Africa. The populations of Niger and Cameroon are generally assigned to the subspecies peralta, but those of Chad and the Central African Republic are taxonomically problematic, as they are referred to as either peralta, or antiquorum, or congoensis. In this study, a mitochondrial fragment of 1765 nucleotide sites, covering the complete cytochrome b gene, three transfer RNAs and a large part of the control region, was sequenced to assess the relationships between several populations of giraffe. The phylogenetic analyses performed on the 12 identified haplotypes indicate that northern giraffes constitute a natural group, distinct from that of southern giraffes. Surprisingly, the giraffes of Niger are found to be more closely related to the giraffes of East Africa (subspecies rothschildi and reticulata) than to those of central Africa. We conclude therefore that the subspecies peralta contains only the Niger giraffes, whereas the subspecies antiquorum includes all populations living in Cameroon, Chad, the Central African Republic, and southwestern Sudan. We suggest that the ancestor of the Nigerian giraffe dispersed from East to North Africa during the Quaternary period and thereafter migrated to its current Sahelian distribution in West Africa, in response to the development of the Sahara desert. This hypothesis implies that Lake Mega-Chad acted as a strong geographical barrier during the Holocene, preventing any contact between the subspecies peralta and antiquorum. Our study has direct implications for conservation management, as we show that no subspecies peralta is represented in any European zoos, only in Niger, with a small population of less than 200 individuals.     

Notes on Echinodorus (Alismataceae)

Errors by Rataj in lecto- and neotypification of five names inEchinodorus are corrected. These errors include the selection of lectotype specimens that were not cited in the protologue and the designation of neotypes from syntypes. Lectotypes for four of the names are designated here. The other is not typified at this time, as we have as yet been unable to examine the cited collections. In addition, a lectotype is designated for the Linnaean nameAlisma cordifolia, a name for which Rataj did not choose a lectotype. A new species,Echinodorus reticulatus, is described and illustrated. Five new combinations at the subspecies level are proposed, with most of these subspecies having a distribution from Central America to Paraguay and Argentina.     

Leptopsyllines from Madagascar (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae): description of five new species of Paractenopsyllus Wagner, 1938

Five new species of the malagasy endemic genus Paractenopsyllus Wagner, 1938, are described. Paractenopsyllus rouxi, P. ratovonjatoi, P. duplantieri, P. juliamarinus and P. gemelli have been collected on endemic small mammals and the black rat. Biotopes are mid-elevation rain-forests of the central highlands or the northern mountains of Madagascar. Morphological affinities between these new species and those already known provide taxonomic links within the genus. Differences in the spatial and altitudinal distributions and host ranges allow discussion of the potential factors important in the species distribution of this genus.     

Aspidoderid nematodes from bolivian armadillos, with the description of a new species of Lauroia (Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae)

One nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and 1 yellow armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) were necropsied in the field during an expedition to collect parasites of mammals in Bolivia. A total of 205 Aspidodera binansata Railliet and Henry, 1913 (Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae), and 40 specimens of Lauroia bolivari n. sp. (Heterakoidea: Aspidoderidae) were recovered from the cecum and large intestines of D. novemcinctus and E. sexcinctus. Aspidodera esperanzae Fujita et al., 1995, is proposed as a junior synonym of A. binansata based on the structure of the cordons on the hood. Lauroia bolivari n. sp. has an undercut cephalic cap and unequal spicules. It differs from other species in the genus in the shape of the cephalic cap and from Lauroia travassosi Proen?a, 1938, in the relative proportion of the spicules. This is the first record of a member of Lauroia Proen?a, 1938, for Bolivia.     

Hybridization studies in the Schistocerca americana complex: II. The Peruvian locust

A culture of swarming locusts from Peru was hybridized with locusts from Argentina and Mexico. The sex ratio and fertility of the hybrids was measured and male meiosis observed. It is concluded that the Peruvian locust is a subspecies of the Central American locust and a separate species from the Argentinian.     

A morphometric assessment of geographical variation and subspecies in impala

The single species of Aepyceros, Aepyceros melampus (impala), is native to central and southern Africa, from Uganda to South Africa. It inhabits open woodlands, sandy bush country and acacia savannah. This study tested the morphological and geographical variation among specimens of impala and their possible relation with described subspecies. Nineteen skull and horn measurements were taken. A multivariate analysis was used and size and shape were explored. Facial coat patterns were also coded. The results supported four out of five traditionally described subspecies: Aepyceros melampus petersi from Angola/Namibia, Aepyceros melampus melampus from South Africa, Aepyceros melampus suara from East Africa and Aepyceros melampus johnstoni from Zambia and Malawi. We consider Aepyceros melampus rendilis to be a synonym of suara . A revised synopsis is suggested, with comments on the geographical ranges of the subspecies. Skull dimensions also allowed us to estimate the geographical origin and subspecies of some individuals of unknown provenance. Coat patterns showed no clear relation with subspecies or geographic location, with the exception of A. m. petersi .     

Subspecific taxonomy of the desert locust,Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera: Acrididae), based on molecular and morphological characters

We evaluated the validity of the subspecific designation for Schistocerca gregaria gregaria (Forskål) and Schistocerca gregaria flaviventris (Burmeister), isolated in distinct regions along the north–south axis of Africa. Towards this goal, we assessed the variation of multiple morphological and molecular traits within species. We first used elliptic Fourier and landmark‐based relative warps analyses to compare the size and shape of two internal and two external structures of male genitalia. We provide a discriminant function which classified the specimens with 100% accuracy and selected shape elements of the external structures only (cercus and epiproct). We also tested eight molecular markers, and because of either absence of variation or contamination by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)‐like sequences, we used a clone‐and‐sequence analysis of the standard cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial DNA barcode only. We differentiated 185 true mitochondrial sequences from 66 mitochondrial DNA‐like sequences, most of which were from S. g. gregaria specimens. On the dataset of mitochondrial origin, we identified three characteristic point mutations that diagnosed the two allopatric subspecies with 94% accuracy. Minimum spanning network and parsimony tree analyses identified S. g. flaviventris as a monophyletic lineage distinct from the nominate subspecies. Accordingly, microsatellite data indicate rarely occurring admixture events only, showing that independent evolutionary history is the norm.     

A review of the cranial characteristics of the Wild Boar (Susscrofa Linnaeus 1758), with systematic conclusions

The Wild Boar Sus scrofa L. is widely distributed in Europe, Asia and North-West Africa. It has also been introduced into the USA and Argentina. Authors have described 22 subspecies on the basis of cranium shape and size. Differences in taxonomic characters have been evaluated using one-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons have been performed with the Bonferroni Test. Cranium shape does not allow reliable statistical distinction, and is not valid as a diagnostic tool. Cranium profile-which only differs for the male specimens, with populations differing at a value of 26.9%, or at the subspecies level 24.4%–cannot be used as a diagnostic tool. The length, width and their proportions of the third upper molar tooth show the following differences between subspecies: 39.1%, 41.0% and 8.3% for males and 36.1%, 41.7% and 16.7% for females, respectively. Only the first two criteria are useful as diagnostic tools. The percentage distance between the palatum durum and the basipterygoideus suture, the length of the third lower molar tooth and proportion between the height of lacrimal bone at the orbit and its lower suture length differ as follows: at the subspecies level 46.7%, 38.5% and 56.4% for the male specimens and 36.1%, 45.8% and 55.6% for the female ones. All of these characters can be used as diagnostic criteria. Taking these taxonomic characters and the four shapes of the lacrimal bone together with the rear margin of palatum durum as a basis, only four subspecies of Wild Boar are recognizable: Sus scrofa scrofa, inhabiting North-West Africa, Europe and West Asia; Sus scrofa ussuricus, which inhabits North Asia and Japan; Sus scrofa cristatus, which inhabits the Asia Minor peninsula, India and the Far-East; and Sus scrofa vittatus, which inhabits Indonesia.