Comparative Phylogeography of Baileys' Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus baileyi) and the Peromyscus eremicus Species Group: Historical Vicariance of the Baja California Peninsular Desert

Abstract We compared mitochondrial DNA sequences for six species distributed across the aridlands of North America to document phylogeographic patterns and assess levels of congruence. The Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) and Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fuscus) show genetic divisions between the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, whereas the Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus), Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura), and Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) do not. Most likely, species without phylogeographic structure only recently colonized their entire current range. Therefore, although these species are today part of a widespread avifauna, species' distributions were historically different from today. In Baja California, the Cactus Wren and the Verdin show phylogeographic breaks at 28°–30°N, consistent with a division previously described in the LeConte's Thrasher (Toxostoma lecontei) and in some members of the herpetofauna. These genetic divisions were likely caused by isolation resulting from a mid-peninsular seaway that existed one million years ago. Hence, these species appear to have been broadly sympatric for at least one million years. In contrast, the California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica) lacks such a phylogeographic division, and apparently only recently expanded into the northern part of its current range. Thus, not all species in Baja California have had similar histories, although further sampling might reveal a general pattern. Comparative phylogeography therefore provides an indirect method of evaluating the long-term stability of faunas via assessment of levels of phylogeographic congruence, and can show whether particular species are likely to have had a long period of co-association.

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Revision of Odontophotopsis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae), Part 1, with a description of a new Genus Laminatilla

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1619.1.1 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1619 (1) ◽

pp. 1-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

JAMES P. PITTS

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Type Species ◽

New Genus ◽

Baja California ◽

Species Group ◽

Junior Synonym ◽

Group A ◽

Species Groups

This study presents part 1 of a revision of Odontophotopsis Viereck (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) and includes the cockerelli, dentifera, exogyra, hexadonta, quadridentata, setifera, tenuiptera, and unicornis species-groups sensu Schuster (1958), representing 14 species. This revision also includes the sonora species-group, which contains Odontophotopsis sonora (Schuster), new comb., and the villosa species-group, which is newly defined and contains O. villosa Mickel. Odontophotopsis polis, sp. nov., is described from Baja California and is placed in the O. dentifera species-group. Odontophotopsis mexicana, sp. nov., and O. costaricensis, sp. nov., are described from Mexico and Costa Rica, respectively, and are placed in the O. tenuiptera species-group. A neotype is designated for O. unicornis Schuster. Keys are provided to the Odontophotopsis species-groups and to the species in these species-groups, where appropriate. Odontophotopsis (Periphotopsis) mamata Schuster is placed in the O. parva species-group and Periphotopsis is a junior synonym ofOdontophotopsis. Odontophotopsis rubriventris (Schuster), new comb., was previously placed in Sphaeropthalma Blake. Photomorphus piceogaster (Schuster), new comb., was previously placed in Odontophotopsis. A new genus Laminatilla, gen. nov. (type species Odontophotopsis lamellifera Schuster 1958), is described. This new genus includes the three species L. bicornigera (Schuster), comb. nov., L. lamellifera (Schuster), comb. nov., and O. mixtoensis Schuster (Schuster), comb. nov., which were previously placed in the O. lamellifera species-groups sensu Schuster (1958). A key to the species of Laminatilla and a new key for the males of the Nearctic genera of nocturnal mutillids are provided.

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Involvement of a Fishing Community in the Eradication of the Introduced Cactus Mouse (Peromyscus eremicus cedrosensis) from San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13110588 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (11) ◽

pp. 588

Author(s):

Federico Méndez Sánchez ◽

Alfonso Aguirre-Muñoz ◽

Araceli Samaniego ◽

Yuliana Bedolla Guzmán ◽

Ana Cárdenas Tapia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pacific Islands ◽

Local Community ◽

Baja California ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Fishing Community ◽

Mexican Pacific ◽

Eradication Strategy ◽

Mexican Government ◽

Restoration Work ◽

Peromyscus Eremicus

San Benito Archipelago is internationally important for the conservation of 13 species of seabirds. San Benito Oeste, the largest and only inhabited island, was declared mammal-free in 2000 after a series of eradications conducted in collaboration between the fishing cooperative Pescadores Nacionales de Abulón, the Mexican conservation organization, Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C., and the Mexican Government. The archipelago remained mammal-free until 2006, when an unusual invader, the Cedros island cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus cedrosensis), was accidentally introduced to San Benito Oeste island. The same collaboration scheme involving locals, conservationists, and authorities was once again put in motion, delivering tangible results. Research informed the mouse eradication strategy, the local community supported the operation, and the mouse eradication was successfully implemented in December 2013. To date (8 years later), no mammals have been recorded in the archipelago, which suggests community-led island biosecurity is working. In addition, this collaborative restoration work contributed to the creation of the Baja California Pacific Islands Biosphere Reserve, protecting 21 islands, including the San Benito Archipelago, and 97 islets in the Mexican Pacific.

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Six new species and one new subspecies of noctuid moths from western United States of America and Mexico (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.788.26282 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 788 ◽

pp. 201-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lars G. Crabo ◽

Paul C. Hammond ◽

Tomas Mustelin ◽

David L. Wikle

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

New Species ◽

United States Of America ◽

Baja California ◽

Species Group ◽

Western United States ◽

New Subspecies ◽

Early Stages ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae ◽

Group Unknown

Six new species and one new subspecies of Noctuidae are described from western United States of America and Baja California, Mexico:DolocuculliapooleiCrabo & Hammond,sp. n.(Cuculliinae),PlagiomimicusyakamaCrabo & Wikle,sp. n.,PlagiomimicusyakamamojaveWikle & Crabo,ssp. n.,PlagiomimicusincomitatusMustelin,sp. n.(Amphipyrinae),SympistisferrirenaCrabo,sp. n.(Oncocnemidinae),AseptisharpiCrabo & Mustelin,sp. n., andHypotrixlactomellisWikle & Crabo,sp. n.(Noctuinae). The adults and genitalia of these species are described, illustrated, and compared to similar related moths. The larvae of thePlagiomimicustepperispecies group, unknown previously, are reported to feed on several species ofBrickelliaEll. (Asteraceae). The early stages ofPlagiomimicusyakamamojaveare described and late instars are illustrated.

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