Historical biogeography of the Andean region: evidence from Listroderina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Rhytirrhinini) in the context of the South American geobiotic scenario

The weevil subtribe Listroderina belongs in the tribe Rhytirrhinini (subfamily Cyclominae), and has 25 genera and 300 species in the Americas. The distributional history of this subtribe was reconstructed applying dispersal-vicariance analysis (DIVA) using its genera as terminals. The results suggest that Listroderina originated within an area presently represented by the Central Chile, Paramo, Puna, Patagonia and Subantarctic subregions of the Andean region. Posteriorly, the subtribe was affected by extinctions and was confined to Central Chile, Paramo and Subantarctic subregions. Later, extinctions and dispersals took place and the subtribe was restricted to the Paramo and Puna subregions. From there, a dispersal event to the Subantarctic subregion occurred, enlarging again the geographical range of the subtribe. Subsequently, a vicariant event separated the Puna and Paramo subregions from the Subantarctic one. While the Macrostyphlus generic group was confined to the Paramo and Puna subregions and from there dispersed to other areas, the Antarctobius , Falklandius , Listronotus , and Listroderes generic groups diversified in the Subantarctic subregion. The results obtained by DIVA may be linked to major geological events of South America. Thus, the geobiotic scenarios recorded in this subcontinent since the late Cretaceous could be used to interpret the biogeographical events which drove Listroderina evolution.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 80 , 339–352.     

CLADISTIC AND BIOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSES OF THE WEEVIL GENUS LISTRODERES SCHOENHERR (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)

Abstract— The weevil genus Listroderes Schoenherr is a monophyletic group defined by the body vestiture consisting of subcircular to suboval scales, and comprises 35 species endemic to southern South America. A cladistic analysis of the genus was carried out using 44 characters from external morphology, body vestiture, and male and female genitalia. The curvipes (three species), nodifer (five species) and robustus (four species) species groups and the 23 species of the costirostris species group were considered terminal taxa. Apomorphic states were identified using the genus Hyperoides Marshall as outgroup. The analysis yielded 122 equally parsimonious cladograms, each with 89 steps and a consistency index of 0.42; a successive weighting procedure resulted in nine cladograms (consistency index of 0.69 and retention index of 0.85). In the general consensus cladogram, nodifer-robustus and curvipes-costirostris are two pairs of sister species groups. The costirostris group comprises the subgroups foveatus, angusticeps, costirostris, delaiguei, bimaculatus and elegans , in phylogenetic order. A distributional analysis of the species of Listroderes led to identification of four areas of endemism, namely central Chile, sub-Antarctic, central Argentina and Chaco. A vicariance biogeographic analysis of these areas, based on area cladograms of Listroderes, Hyperoides, Naupactus taeniatulus species group (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), and Lucilia generic group (Asteraceae) was carried out applying the three-area statements technique. According to the general area cladogram the sequence of area-fragmentation is as follows: (central Chile (sub-Antarctic (central Argentina, Chaco))). This sequence is congruent with the history hypothesized for the region, where the uplift of the Andes (Oligocene-Pliocene) led to a progressive aridification, replacing the ancient subtropical forest by open-country environments.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Holarctic Teleiodini (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) based on analysis of morphological and molecular data

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships of 25 genera of Holarctic Teleiodini (Gelechiidae) are postulated based on morphology and molecular characters, including CO‐I, CO‐II, and 28S genes. The phylogenetic analysis of the morphology matrix yielded four equal most‐parsimonious trees (length 330 steps, CI = 0.36, RI = 0.55) and a strict consensus tree (length 335 steps, CI = 0.36, RI = 0.54) with one polytomy and one trichotomy. The phylogenetic analysis of the combined morphology and CO‐I + CO‐II + 28S matrices yielded two equally most‐parsimonious trees (length 1184 steps, CI = 0.50, RI = 0.42) and a strict consensus tree (length 1187 steps, CI = 0.50, RI = 0.42) that reinforced results from the morphological analysis and resolved the one polytomy present in the morphology consensus tree. Teleiodini are defined as a monophyletic clade with a Bremer support value greater than 5 in the consensus tree based on morphological and molecular data. Twenty‐three clades of genera are defined with Bremer support values provided. An analysis of larval host‐plant preferences based on the consensus tree for combined data indicates derivation of feeding on woody hosts from genera feeding on herbaceous hosts and a single origin of feeding on coniferous hosts. An area cladogram indicates five independent origins of Nearctic genera from Holarctic ancestors and one origin from a Palearctic genus.     

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON MITOCHONDRIAL CYTOCHROME b DNA SEQUENCES AND PHYLOGENY OF FORMALIN FIXED SISORID FISHES (Teleostei:Siluriformes)

从９种科鱼类的福尔马林标本中获得了３３３ｂｐ的细胞色素ｂ基因片段的序列。这９个种分别代表科鱼类的８个属。３３３ｂｐ的ＤＮＡ序列经ＭＵＳＴ软件排序后,有１０１个变异位点,其中有３９个信息位点。序列在成对物种间的距离为８～４８。平均遗传距离为２４％～１４４％。简约分析产生了最大简约系统树,其步长是１６２（ＣＩ＝０７３５,ＲＩ＝０４９４）。在该系统树上,Ｂａｇａｒｉｕｓ是最原始的属,并与所有其他的物种形成姊妹群。其余８个属形成一个单系类群并分为二个姊妹群。尽管在形态上具有１３个离征,但在分子系统树上,鱼类并未形成一个单系类群。可能的原因是３３３ｂｐ序列中的星系信息位点太少;另外单从福尔马林浸制标本获得的ＤＮＡ序列的可靠性尚有待进一步验证     

Evolutionary relationships in the showy mistletoe family (Loranthaceae)

Loranthaceae (73 genera and ca. 900 species) comprise mostly aerial hemiparasitic plants. Three monotypic genera considered relicts are root parasites. The family is diverse in tropical areas, but representatives are also found in temperate habitats. Previous classifications were based on floral and inflorescence morphology, karyological information, and biogeography. The family has been divided into three tribes: Nuytsiae, Elytrantheae (subtribes Elytranthinae and Gaiadendrinae), and Lorantheae (subtribes Loranthinae and Psittacanthinae). Nuytsiae and Elytrantheae are characterized by a base chromosome number of x = 12, whereas subtribes Loranthinae (x = 9) and Psittacanthinae (x = 8) numbers are derived via aneuploid reduction. To elucidate the phylogeny of the family, we analyzed sequences from five genes (nuclear small and large subunit rDNA and the chloroplast genes rbcL, matK, and trnL-F) representing most genera using parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian inference. The three root parasites, Nuytsia, Atkinsonia, and Gaiadendron, are supported as successive sister taxa to the remaining genera, resulting in a monophyletic group of aerial parasites. Three major clades are resolved each corresponding to a subtribe. However, two South American genera (Tristerix and Notanthera) and the New Zealand genus Tupeia, which were previously classified in subtribe Elytranthinae, are weakly supported as part of a clade representing the South American subtribe Psittacanthinae.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pleurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and Arpophyllinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phylogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pleurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

A phylogenetic analysis of subtribe Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae)

A cladistic analysis of subtribe, Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae) is based on 45 anatomical/ morphological characters. The ingroup members comprise 24 genera; the large genus Pkurothallis consists of two subgenera and ten species complexes. Three taxa representing subtribes Laeliinae and ArpophyUinae are designated as outgroup. Eight most parsimonious trees were discovered using computer assisted software (length = 230; CI = 0.27). The hypothesis that subtribe Pleurothallidinae has undergone a unilinear reduction in the number of pollinia is not supported by this study. Although the eight-pollinia state as represented by Octomeria apparently is plesiomorphic, the two-pollinia and four-pollinia states arose early in the phytogeny of the subtribe. Both two-and four-pollinia states subsequently reappeared as parallelisms. The six-pollinia state exhibited in Brachionidium is autapomorphic. This cladistic analysis suggests that Pkurothallis is not a natural genus and, perhaps may be divided into several discrete genera.     

Phylogeny of the riodinid butterfly subtribe Theopeina (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Nymphidiini)

Abstract The almost exclusively Neotropical butterfly family Riodinidae is poorly represented in both ecological and systematic studies of Lepidoptera. A comparative morphological study of all seventy-five species in subtribe Theopeina (tribe Nymphidiini) yielded 104 characters, predominantly from wing pattern, male and female genitalia, and abdominal structures. All morphological characters and adults representing the range of wing pattern variation are illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis of the data produced a large number of most parsimonious cladograms, but the strict consensus of these, both when using equal weights and after successive weighting, is well resolved and the majority of terminal clades have high character and branch support. Theopeina is found to consist of five monophyletic genera, Protonymphidia , Archaeonympha , Calicosama , Behemothia and Theope (=  Parnes and Dinoplotis ), with the largest genus Theope containing thirteen monophyletic species groups, which are delineated to facilitate a discussion of broad evolutionary patterns in this morphologically diverse subtribe.     

(鱼兆)科鱼类细胞色素b基因片段的序列测定及其系统发育的初步研究

从9种(鱼兆)科鱼类的福尔马林标本中获得了333 bp的细胞色素b基因片段的序列.这9个种分别代表(鱼兆)科鱼类的8个属.333 bp的DNA序列经MUST软件排序后,有101个变异位点,其中有39个信息位点.序列在成对物种间的距离为8～48.平均遗传距离为2.4%～14.4%.简约分析产生了最大简约系统树,其步长是162(CI=0.735,RI=0.494).在该系统树上,Bagarius是最原始的属,并与所有其他的物种形成姊妹群.其余8个属形成一个单系类群并分为二个姊妹群.尽管在形态上具有13个离征,但在分子系统树上,(鱼宴)(鱼兆)鱼类并未形成一个单系类群.可能的原因是333 bp序列中的星系信息位点太少;另外单从福尔马林浸制标本获得的DNA序列的可靠性尚有待进一步验证.     

Comparative osteology and phylogenetic systematics of fossil and living bony-tongue fishes (Actinopterygii, Teleostei, Osteoglossomorpha)

Several recent studies using analyses of morphological characters have addressed the interrelationships of Osteoglossomorpha, a group that sometimes is considered the living sister group of all other living teleosts. Many characters used in these studies were found to be poorly defined, to be coded incorrectly or illogically, or to display more variation than was described. The goal of this study is to address these concerns and contribute generally to knowledge of the morphology and systematic relationships of osteoglossomorphs. Analysis of 72 characters (65 informative) scored for 20 genera resulted in two most parsimonious cladograms (171 steps, CI = 0.6433, CI = 0.6139 excluding uninformative characters, HI = 0.3977, HI = 0.3861 excluding uninformative characters; RI = 0.7782; RC = 0.5006). Osteoglossomorpha is supported by both synapomorphies and homoplasies, although its monophyly was not truly tested in this analysis (only a single outgroup, Elops , was included in the analysis). The only difference in the topologies of these cladograms is in the position of ?Lycoptera (recovered as either the sister group of all other osteoglossomorphs sampled or of ?Eohiodon +Hiodon ). ?Ostariostoma is recovered as the sister group of all non‐hiodontiform osteoglossomorphs. Mormyrids are the sister group of notopterids + osteoglossids. This clade has not been found in other recent analyses. Mormyrids and notopterids usually are considered more closely related to each other than to any other group; characters not included here support this relationship and future consideration of these characters must be made. Although almost completely dichotomous, many nodes of the resulting trees lack rigorous support. For example, ?Palaeonotopterus is interpreted as the sister group of all mormyrids sampled, although for this taxon only 22% of characters could be scored. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 137 , 1?100.     

Phylogenetic relationships of subtribe Ecliptinae (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) based on chloroplast DNA restriction site data

Phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA restriction site data for 76 of the 302 genera of Heliantheae sensu lato using 16 restriction endonucleases reveals that subtribe Ecliptinae is polyphyletic and that its genera are distributed in four different lineages. The ecliptinous genera Squamopappus, Podachaenium, Verbesina, and Tetrachyron (of the Neurolaeninae), along with other members of subtribe Neurolaeninae are the basalmost clades of the paleaceous Heliantheae. The mostly temperate species of subtribe Ecliptinae (exemplified by Balsamorhiza, Borrichia, Chrysogonum, Engelmannia, Silphium, Vigethia, and Wyethia) are strongly nested in a clade with the Mesoamerican monotypic genus Rojasianthe as basal. The genera characterized by marcescent ray corollas traditionally classified in subtribe Zinniinae constitute a strongly supported group sister to Acmella, Spilanthes, and Salmea. The largest clade of ecliptinous genera is the most recently derived group within Heliantheae sampled. This large group of mostly Neotropical lowland genera (variously characterized by their winged cypselae, foliaceous phyllaries, and opposite phyllotaxy and exemplified by Perymenium, Wedelia, and Zexmenia) has been and continues to be the most challenging group from a taxonomic standpoint. The study provides new insights as to their relationships that will have a positive impact in future monographic studies of the group. The genera of the Espeletiinae form a monophyletic clade and are sister to members of the Milleriinae and Melampodiinae. This result is consistent with their traditional taxonomic placement with genera such as Smallanthus with which they share a tendency for functionally staminate disc flowers. The phylogenetically enigmatic genus Montanoa is sister to Melampodium. Members of subtribe Galinsoginae are clustered in two main lineages that correspond to the traditional division of the subtribe based on pappus characteristics. There is no support for the monophyly of subtribe Galinsoginae, and the same results indicate some of its genera are paraphyletic.     

Cladistic analysis and biogeography of the cicadas of the Indo-Pacific subtribe Cosmopsaltriina (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae)

Abstract A consensus cladogram is presented for ninety-seven of the ninety-nine (sub)species of the cicada subtribe Cosmopsaltriina on the basis of a cladistic analysis of forty-nine characters. The consensus cladogram confirms the monophyly of the eight genera constituting the subtribe, and the monophyly of the subtribe as a whole. Cosmopsaltriina occur in Sulawesi, the Moluccas, New Guinea, Cape York, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. The subtribe demonstrates a high rate of endemism on genus, species group and species level. The taxon-area and consensus-area cladograms resulting from Brooks parsimony analysis are discussed in relation to the palaeogeography of the area.     

Cladistic analysis of Neuroptera and their systematic position within Neuropterida (Insecta: Holometabola: Neuropterida: Neuroptera)

A phylogenetic analysis of Neuroptera using thirty‐six predominantly morphological characters of adults and larvae is presented. This is the first computerized cladistic analysis at the ordinal level. It included nineteen species representing seventeen families of Neuroptera, three species representing two families (Sialidae and both subfamilies of Corydalidae) of Megaloptera, two species representing two families of Raphidioptera and as prime outgroup one species of a family of Coleoptera. Ten equally most parsimonious cladograms were found, of which one is selected and presented in detail. The results are discussed in light of recent results from mental phylogenetic cladograms. The suborders Nevrorthi‐ formia, Myrmeleontiformia and Hemerobiiformia received strong support, however Nevrorthiformia formed the adelphotaxon of Myrmeleontiformia + Hemerobiiformia (former sister group of Myrmeleontiformia only). In Myrmeleontiformia, the sister‐group relationships between Psychopsidae + Nemopteridae and Nymphidae + (Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae) are corroborated. In Hemerobiiformia, Ithonidae + Polystoechotidae is confirmed as the sister group of the remaining families. Dilaridae + (Mantispidae + (Rhachiberothidae + Berothidae)), which has already been proposed, is confirmed. Chrysopidae + Osmylidae emerged as the sister group of a clade comprising Hemerobiidae + ((Coniopterygidae + Sisyridae) + (dilarid clade)). Despite the sister‐group relationship of Coniopterygidae + Sisyridae being only weakly supported, the position of Coniopterygidae within the higher Hemerobiiformia is corroborated. At the ordinal level, the analysis provided clear support for the hypothesis that Megaloptera + Neuroptera are sister groups, which upsets the conventional Megaloptera + Raphidioptera hypothesis.     

Phylogeny of Psephenidae (Coleoptera: Byrrhoidea) based on larval, pupal and adult characters

Abstract.  We conducted the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Psephenidae, based on 143 morphological characters of adults, larvae and pupae and coded for 34 taxa, representing three outgroups and 31 psephenid genera, including four undescribed ones. A strict consensus tree calculated (439 steps, consistency index = 0.45, retention index = 0.75) from the two most-parsimonious cladograms indicated that the monophyly of the family and subfamilies is supported, with the exception of Eubriinae, which is paraphyletic when including Afroeubria . Here a new subfamily, Afroeubriinae ( subfam.n. ), is formally established for Afroeubria . The analysis also indicated that the 'streamlined' larva is a derived adaptive radiation. Here, suprageneric taxonomy and the evolution of some significant characters are discussed. Keys are provided to the subfamilies and genera of Psephenidae considering larvae, adults and pupae.     

Phylogeny of the Nymphaeaceae inferred from

The Nymphaeaceae are one of the most important taxa for understanding the origin and evolution of primitive angiosperms due to its basal position in the cladograms of the angiosperms recently given based both on several gene sequences and on morphological characters, but phylogenetic relationships within the family have not as yet been resolved. The sequences of nrDNA ITS region of 11 species representing seven genera of the Nymphaeaceae and one outgroup, Ceratophyllum demersum, were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of the family using PAUP4.0b4A. Three most parsimonious trees (Length=1125, CI=0.7618 and RI=0.7214) were obtained. In the consensus tree: (1) Nelumbo was basal to the other genera with a bootstrap value of 100% and occupied an isolated position, so it could be separated from the Nymphaeaceae and placed in its own family, Nelumbonaceae, and its own order, Nelumbonales; (2) Nuphar was monophyletic, nested in the basal position of clade II and was strongly supported to be the sister group of the other genera (excluding Nelumbo) of the Nymphaeaceae, suggesting that its traditional inclusion in the Nymphaeaceae should be maintained; (3) Cabomba and Brasenia were sister group and formed a subclade with a bootstrap value of 99%, indicating their close affinity; (4) Nymphaea was strongly supported to be the sister group of a subclade comprising Euryale and Victoria with a bootstrap value of 94%, indicating that they should be placed in the Nymphaeaceae.     

Phylogenetic relationships of galeaspids (Agnatha)

We present the first parsimony analysis of the agnathan subclass Galeaspida based on the analysis of 53 morphological characters.Three most parsimonious cladograms (126 steps in length;CI=0.508;RI=0.801)were discovered.An amended classification of the Galeaspida is proposed corresponding to the present analysis.Our results suggest that hanyangaspids,xiushuiaspids and dayongaspids from the Llandovery-Wenlock of Silurian are basal galeaspids.Within the remaining galeaspids,three major monophyletic groups (the Eugaleaspidiformes,the Polybranchiaspidiformes and the Huananaspidiformes)are well supported.It is shown that the dorsal fenestrae of the headshield evolved twice within the Galeaspida,one in the polybranchiaspidiform lineage,and the other in the huananaspidiform lineage (nested within the Huananaspidae).The chronological distribution of galeaspids highlights two radiations of the group,one for basal galeaspids and eugaleaspids in the Telychian (Llandovery)of Silurian,and the other for polybranchiaspidiforms and huananaspidiforms in the Lochkovian of Early Devonian.     

A phylogenetic analysis of the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae (Arachnida, Araneae)

We present the first cladistic analysis focused at the tribal and subfamily level of the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae. The data matrix of 82 characters scored for 57 arancid genera of 6 subfamilies and 19 tribes (and 13 genera from 8 outgroup families) resulted in 16 slightly different, most parsimonious trees. Successive weighting corroborated 62 of the 66 informative nodes on these cladograms; one is recommended as the 'working' araneid phylogcny. The sister group of Araneidae is all other Araneoidea. Araneidae comprises two major clades: the subfamily Araneinae, and the 'argiopoid' clade, which includes all other subfamilies and most tribes (((Gasteracanthinae, Caerostreae), (((Micratheninae, Xylcthreae), Eruyosaccus ), (Eurycorminae, Arciinae)), Cyrlarachninae), ((Argiopinae, Cyrtophorinae), Arachnureae)). Cyrtarachneae and Mastophoreae are united in a new subfamily, Cyr-tarachninae. The spiny orb-weavers alone (Gasteracanthinae and Micratheninae) are not monophyletic. The mimetid subfamily Arciinae and the 'tetragnathid' genus Zygiella are araneids, but .Nephila (and other tetragnathids) are not. On the preferred tree, web decorations (stabilimenta) evolved 9 times within 15 genera, and were lost once. The use of silk to subdue prey evolved once in cribellate and four times in ecribillate orb weavers. Sexual size dimorphism evolved once in nephilines, twice in araneids, and reverted to monomorphism five times. Evolution in other genitalic and somatic characters is also assessed; behavioral and spinneret features arc most consistent (male genitalia, leg and prosomal features least consistent) on the phylogeny.     

睡莲科的系统发育:核糖体DNA ITS区序列证据

以金鱼藻Ceratophyllum demersum为外类群,使用PAUP4.0b4A软件对睡莲科Nymphaeaceae植物7属11个代表种的ITS区序列进行了系统发育分析。采用最大简约法分析获得了3个最简约树,步长为1125,一致性指数(CI)和维持性指数(RI)值分别为0.7618和0.7214。利用3个最简约树获取严格一致树。结果表明:(1)莲属Nelumbo位于系统树的基部,自展支持率为100%,可从睡莲科中独立出来成立莲科Nelumbonaceae和莲目Nelumbonales;(2)萍蓬草属Nuphar是一单系类群,位于分支Ⅱ的基部,并和睡莲科其他属(不包括莲属)植物聚在一起构成姐妹群,故萍蓬草属仍应置于睡莲科中;(3)水盾草属Cabomba和莼菜属Brasenia聚成一小支并构成姐妹群,自展支持率为99%,说明这两属之间亲缘关系较近;(4)睡莲属和芡实属Euryale、王莲属Victoria聚成一小支并构成姐妹群,自展支持率为94%,说明三者亲缘关系较近,仍应置于睡莲科中。     

Palynological Features as a Systematic Marker in Artemisia L. and Related Genera (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) - II: Implications for Subtribe Artemisiinae Delimitation

Abstract: Using optical and scanning electron microscopy, we completed a palynological study of the subtribe Artemisiinae (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), which we started in a previous paper. This subtribe contains different genera with a systematic position that, in many cases, has been controversial. There is a group of genera closely related to Artemisia, and another one more related to Chrysanthemum sensu lato. We confirm the existence of two pollen morphological patterns - concerning exine ornamentation - in the tribe Anthemideae and in the subtribe Artemisiinae as currently considered: one with long spines ( Anthemis type) and the other with short spinules ( Artemisia type). This feature is a good taxonomic marker, well correlated with other morphological and with molecular characters. This enables a new delimitation of the subtribe Artemisiinae, which is characterized by pollen grain ornamentation constituted by short spinules (microechinate pollen), and should be restricted to Artemisia and the closely related genera that share this trait.