Molecular systematics of the Philippine forest skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Sphenomorphus): testing morphological hypotheses of interspecific relationships

Skinks of the genus Sphenomorphus are the most diverse clade of squamates in the Philippine Archipelago. Morphological examination of these species has defined six phenotypic groups that are commonly used in characterizations of taxonomic hypotheses. We used a molecular phylogeny based on four mitochondrial and two nuclear genes to assess the group's biogeographical history in the archipelago and examine the phylogenetic validity of the currently recognized Philippine species groups. We re‐examined traditional characters used to define species groups and used multivariate statistics to quantitatively evaluate group structure in morphometric space. Clustering analyses of phenotypic similarity indicate that some (but not all) members of previously defined species groups are phenotypically most similar to other members of the same group. However, when species group membership was mapped on our partitioned Bayesian phylogenetic hypothesis, only one species group corresponds to a clade; all other species group arrangements are strongly rejected by our phylogeny. Our results demonstrate that (1) previously recognized species group relationships were misled by phenotypic convergence; (2) Sphenomorphus is widely paraphyletic; and (3) multiple lineages have independently invaded the Philippines. Based on this new perspective on the phylogenetic relationships of Philippine Sphenomorphus, we revise the archipelago's diverse assemblage of species at the generic level, and resurrect and/or expand four previously recognized genera, and describe two new genera to accommodate the diversity of Philippine skinks of the Sphenomorphus group. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 1217–1243.     

A study on the Neotropical Anthaxiini (Coleoptera,Buprestidae, Buprestinae)

Revision of the Neotropical genera of the subtribe Anthaxiina Gory & Laporte, 1839 (Coleoptera, Buprestidae, Buprestinae, Anthaxiini). Five new genera are described: Anthaxita gen. n., Charlesina gen. n., Cobosina gen. n., Marikia gen. n. and Sanchezia gen. n. Genus Agrilaxia Kerremans, 1903 is divided into two subgenera: Agrilaxia and Costiptera subgen. n. and the genus Bilyaxia Hołyński, 1989 is divided into three subgenera: Bilyaxia, Paraguayetta subgen. n. and Tomasia subgen. n. One new species is described: Anthaxita peruviana sp. n., and two informal species-groups are suggested within Agrilaxia (Costiptera subgen. n.): Agrilaxia (Costiptera) modesta (Kerremans, 1897) species-group and Agrilaxia (Costiptera) occidentalis (Kerremans, 1900) species-group. Lectotype is designated for Agrilaxia mrazi Obenberger, 1932. A key of all genera/subgenera is provided and all treated taxa are illustrated.     

A reappraisal of the genus Megacaryon (Boraginaceae,Lithospermeae) based on molecular,morphological, and karyological evidence

The systematic position and phylogenetic relationships of Echium orientale, a rare endemic of the mountains of northern Turkey, were elucidated based on morphological, molecular, and karyological evidence.

Using nuclear and plastid DNA sequences, we found that this species is not included in Echium, but is rather at least as divergent from it as other related lineages, namely the South African Lobostemon and Echiostachys. Pollen characters revealed a strong affinity with Onosma, especially in the non-reticulate ornamentation of the tectum. Fruit morphology is unique in the genera of the Echium ‘alliance' (e.g. Echium, Pontechium, Lobostemon, and Echiostachys), because of the large size and the smooth, glossy nutlet surface as in most species of Onosma. Karyological observations show that this species is diploid with 2n = 12, and differing from both Lobostemon or Echium, where nearly all species have higher numbers (usually 2n = 14 and 2n = 16, respectively). Combined with a ‘megaherb' habit, the weak zygomorphism of the large flowers and a restricted range in the humid mountain forests of the Black Sea region, fruit, pollen and chromosome characters suggest an isolated position for E. orientale in the Echium alliance. We therefore propose its placement in the monotypic Megacaryon, a genus originally described by Boissier, but largely disregarded by later botanists. An original specimen is designated as generic lectotype.     

Early Miocene Mollusca from McMurdo Sound,Antarctica (ANDRILL 2A drill core), with a review of Antarctic Oligocene and Neogene Pectinidae (Bivalvia)

Retrotapes andrillorum sp. nov., Hiatella cf. arctica (Linnaeus, 1767), ?Yoldia sp. (internal mould) and six taxa of Pectinidae are reported from the Burdigalian section of the ANDRILL 2A core, drilled in McMurdo Sound, Ross Sea. The pectinids are Adamussium cf. jonkersi Quaglio et al., 2010, Antarctipecten gen. nov. alanbeui (Jonkers, 2003), Austrochlamys forticosta sp. nov., Austrochlamys cf. marisrossensis Jonkers, 2003, Ruthipecten gen. nov., sp. nov. (not named) and a fragmentary specimen representing an unnamed genus and species. In a revision of Antarctic Pectinidae, Austrochlamys Jonkers, 2003, Ruthipecten gen. nov. (proposed for Chlamys (Zygochlamys) tuftsensis Turner, 1967, reported only from Wright Valley and the Vestfold Hills, not present in ANDRILL 2A), Leoclunipecten gen. nov. (proposed for Austrochlamys gazdzickii Jonkers, 2003, reported only from Oligocene rocks of King George Island, not present in ANDRILL 2A) and the unnamed genus in ANDRILL 2A are assigned to subfamily Chlamydinae, tribe Chlamydini, whereas Adamussium Thiele, 1934 and Antarctipecten gen. nov. are assigned to subfamily Palliolinae, tribe Adamussiini. The diverse Pectinidae in ANDRILL 2A suggest sea temperatures roughly 5°C warmer than at present in the Ross Sea during Early Miocene time.     

The new genus Pheude (Coleoptera,Curculionidae, Cossoninae) with description of a new species from mainland China

A new weevil, Pheude punctatus gen. et sp. n., of the tribe Dryotribini in Cossoninae, is described from Guangdong Province, South China. It differs from the related genera Dryotribus Horn and Microtribodes Morimoto in having antennae with seven articles and a distinct scutellum, and from Ochronanus Pascoe and Stenomimus Wollaston in having long antennae, a rostrum with a medio-longitudinal furrow beginning at the posterior margin of the eyes and extending approximately midway on the rostrum, and a moderately elevated, medio-longitudinal carina extending the full length of the pronotum. Other diagnostic characters and illustrations are provided. A key to the genera of Dryotribini known from China is given.     

Distributional patterns of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) in Australia

Aim To analyse observed and predicted distributional patterns of selected salticid genera in Australia and to examine these distributions in the light of the origins and attributes of the fauna. To detect and compare the locations of regional hotspots when measured using different scales. Location Australia. Methods A total of 4104 locality records for specimens of 51 genera were stored in BioLink. Maps of observed and predicted (using bioclim ) distributions were prepared for each genus. The predicted distributions were combined to provide estimates of the number of genera likely to be found at each locality in the raster and for each of a set of landscape regions across Australia. The predictions were tested by comparing them with independent data sets. Results The Australian salticid fauna consists of radiations based on Oriental, Papuan and possibly Gondwanan forms, plus pantropical and peridomestic species. The predicted distributions of genera fall into a limited number of categories and these reflect the traditional biogeographical regions of Australia. Maximum regional diversity is predicted for central eastern Queensland, though diversity at single locations is highest further south in the New South Wales/Queensland border region. The locations of hotspots are therefore scale dependent. Patterns of distribution are not simply related to particular lifestyles. Fewer genera were predicted from inland Australia; however, recent work has shown that there are a large number of undescribed genera in the drier parts of Australia. The prediction maps allowed lists of genera potentially present in unstudied areas to be developed. Main conclusions (1) The current distribution of genera is predicted by their bioclimatic profiles rather than by their origins or ecology. Some Oriental genera, however, have not reached south‐western Western Australia, though bioclimatic conditions there are predicted to be suitable for them; (2) the highest diversity of genera is predicted to be in south‐eastern Queensland; (3) the results highlight the shortcomings of past fieldwork in Australia, which has concentrated on the areas with higher rainfall; (4) it seems likely that inland Australia will support a large, highly endemic, fauna adapted to the region, and ultimately perhaps 40 or more genera could be found in each region; (5) the results show the possibility of using the maps of predicted distribution of genera not only for biogeographical analyses but also for conservation management and survey purposes.     

雾灵山国家级自然保护区大型真菌物种多样性

大型真菌在维持生态系统稳定和为人类提供经济价值方面都具有重要作用, 本文对雾灵山国家级自然保护区中的大型真菌资源进行了详细调查, 为该保护区大型真菌资源开发和利用提供基础资料。作者于2019‒2020年采用样线法和随机踏查法对该保护区大型真菌物种资源多样性进行了初步调查和评估, 共采集大型真菌标本1,132份。结合形态学和ITS序列证据进行了鉴定, 并通过查阅相关文献资料对该保护区大型真菌物种资源价值进行了评价。结果表明: 雾灵山国家级自然保护区共有236种大型真菌, 隶属于2门6纲18目56科107属, 其中15种属于子囊菌门, 221种属于担子菌门。为方便统计, 将大于等于10个种的科定为优势科, 大于等于5个种的属定为优势属。其中优势科有红菇科、蘑菇科、多孔菌科和丝膜菌科, 每个科所包含的种数分别占总种数的8.90%、7.20%、5.93%和4.24%, 共计62种。优势属有红菇属(Russula)、蘑菇属(Agaricus)、鹅膏菌属(Amanita)、丝膜菌属(Cortinarius)、马勃属(Lycoperdon)、小皮伞属(Marasmius)等11个属, 共包含79个种, 占总种数的33.48%。对大型真菌的资源价值评价的结果显示, 保护区内共有食用菌66种、药用菌35种、有毒菌36种和食药兼用菌26种。研究结果表明, 雾灵山国家级自然保护区大型真菌资源丰富, 优势科和优势属中最为丰富的分别是红菇科和红菇属(Russula), 具有经济价值的菌达127种, 为食用菌的引种驯化、药用菌开发利用亦或有毒菌鉴别提供了丰富资源。     

江西三清山种子植物中国特有属的物种多样性分析

通过多年调查,发现江西三清山分布有中国特有属37属(其中3属为华东特有属),含40种,隶属于30科,占中国种子植物特有属总数的13.75%,占华东地区种子植物特有属总数的53.62%,占江西种子植物特有属总数的66.07%,是江西乃至华东特有属的生物多样性最丰富的地区之一。三清山分布的中国特有属区系以双子叶植物占优势,生活型以落叶木本和多年生草本为主,地理分布与华东各山地关系最密切,属种起源以原始、孤立为特色,并有许多珍稀濒危保护物种。     

Revision of Acanthocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with description of a new genus from eastern Asia

In this paper, we reassess the status of the two genera of scaled Entomobryinae with dental spines (Acanthocyrtus and Acanthurella) and we erect a new genus ( Sinhomidia ) on the basis of scale morphology and scale distribution. Scales are partially pointed in Acanthocyrtus and all rounded in Acanthurella. The new genus, Sinhomidia , has pointed scales, but lacks dental scales contrary to Acanthurella and Acanthocyrtus; in addition, it exhibits a unique dorsal macrochaetotaxy. Three new species of Acanthocyrtus are described ( Acanthocyrtus yolngui sp. nov. , Acanthocyrtus loftyensis sp. nov. , Acanthocyrtus barrowensis sp. nov. ) and two are redescribed [Acanthocyrtus spinosus (Schött, 1917), Acanthocyrtus lineatus Womersley, 1934]. One species (Acanthocyrtus bicolor Yosii, 1965 ) of the genus is redescribed and transferred to the new genus Sinhomidia . A key to the scaled Entomobryinae genera with dental spines and a key to the eight known Acanthocyrtus species are provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 495–514.