scholarly journals Combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers as a useful tool to identify Ctenophthalmus species and subspecies (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Zurita ◽  
Cristina Cutillas
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Mtdna Markers

AbstractCtenophthalmus is considered the largest genus within the Order Siphonaptera. From a morphological point of view, only males of this genus can be identified at species and subspecies levels using morphological keys, whereas there are no morphological criteria in order to classify females at these taxonomical levels. Furthermore, the amount of available molecular and phylogenetic data for this genus is quite scarce so far. The main objective of this work was to assess the utility of the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers with respect to their ability to differentiate among different subspecies within the Ctenophthalmus genus. With this purpose, we carried out a comparative morphological and molecular study of three different subspecies (Ctenophthalmus baeticus arvernus, Ctenophthalmus nobilis dobyi, and Ctenophthalmus andorrensis catalaniensis) in order to clarify and discuss its taxonomic status. In addition, our study complemented the molecular data previously provided for Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani subspecies. We sequenced five different molecular markers: EF1-α, ITS1, ITS2, cox1, and cytb. Our results confirmed that morphological data by themselves are not able to discriminate among Ctenophthalmus female taxa; however, the combination of the nuclear marker EF1-α together with mtDNA markers cytb and cox1 constituted a useful taxonomical and phylogenetic tool to solve this issue. Based on these results, we consider that the use of this molecular approach should be gradually used within Ctenophthalmus genus in order to complement its classical taxonomy and clarifying the complex taxonomy of other congeneric species of fleas.

Notes on the molecular taxonomy of the Proclossiana eunomia complex (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae: Argynnini): analysis of DNA barcodes

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. V. Yakovlev ◽  
N. A. Shapoval ◽  
G. N. Kuftina ◽  
A. V. Kulak ◽  
S. V. Kovalev
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Molecular Taxonomy ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Wing Pattern ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Proclossiana Eunomia

The Proclossiana eunomia (Esper, 1799) complex is currently composed of the several subspecies distributed throughout Palaearсtic region and North America. Despite the fact that some of the taxa have differences in wing pattern and body size, previous assumptions on taxonomy not supported by molecular data. Therefore, the identity of certain populations of this complex has remained unclear and the taxonomic status of several recently described taxa is debated. Here, we provide insights into systematics of some Palaearctic members of this group using molecular approach, based on the analysis of the barcoding fragment of the COI gene taking into account known morphological differences.

Regarding the taxonomic status of Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera: Muscidae): A molecular approach

Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 712 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILHERME SCHNELL E. SCHUEHLI ◽  
CLAUDIO JOSÉ BARROS DE CARVALHO ◽  
BRIAN M. WIEGMANN
Keyword(s):  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Mitochondrial Genes ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Elongation Factor 1

The muscid genus Ophyra has long been the subject of debate over its placement within the family. However, a phylogenetic study has never been conducted that would clarify its systematic position. In the present paper, phylogenetic relationships are examined between Ophyra albuquerquei and related muscid genera. The mitochondrial genes Cytochrome Oxidase I and II and tRNA-Leu were used combined with the nuclear genes CAD and Elongation Factor 1 to compose a matrix with 2989 characters (716 parsimonyinformative). These characters were analyzed under parsimony resulting in a single most parsimonious tree. Contrary to some recent classifications, our molecular data suggest the placement of Ophyra albuquerquei within the Muscinae in a separate position from the azeliine genus Hydrotaea.

scholarly journals Sicuophora (Syn. Wichtermania) multigranularis from Quasipaa spinosa (Anura): morphological and molecular study, with emphasis on validity of Sicuophora (Armophorea, Clevelandellida)

Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Li ◽  
Weishan Zhao ◽  
Dong Zhang ◽  
Runqiu Wang ◽  
Guitang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Silver Impregnation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Right

Morphological studies of Sicuophora (Syn. Wichtermania) multigranularis Xiao et al., 2002, from the rectum of the frog, Quasipaa spinosa, performed using silver impregnation and scanning electron microscopy, confirmed the following newly recognized features: (1) only one apical suture on the right surface; (2) two naked regions at the posterior end of both the left and the right side of the body. Phylogenetic analysis based on the SSU-rRNA gene showed that S. multigranularis is a sister to a clade comprising all other Clevelandellida, strongly supporting the validity of the genus Sicuophora. This is also the first molecular data obtained for the genus Sicuophora. Because of the lack of molecular data, it will be necessary to obtain more genetic data from the family Sicuophoridae to discuss the question of the taxonomic status of the genus Sicuophora.

A new genus for Chlorodiella longimana (H. Milne Edwards) supported by morphology and molecular data, with a preliminary phylogeny of the Chlorodiellinae (Crustacea : Decapoda : Xanthidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Lasley ◽  
Joelle C. Y. Lai ◽  
Brent P. Thoma
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Antennal Segment ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
General Appearance

Chlorodiella longimana is the only chlorodielline species presently known from the western Atlantic Ocean. Although C. longimana superficially resembles other species of the genus in general appearance of the carapace, morphological analyses revealed a suite of characters that separate it from all other known species of Chlorodiella – in particular, ambulatory legs having dactyli with a single tip and a basal antennal segment with a lateral flange that extends halfway into the orbital hiatus, excluding the antennal flagellum. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of the Chlorodiellinae inferred from three mitochondrial markers (12S, 16S, COXI) and a nuclear marker (histone H3), confirms that C. longimana is genetically distinct from its congeners. A new genus, Ratha, is proposed to accommodate C. longimana. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis of six chlorodielline genera indicates that the subfamily is polyphyletic as presently defined.

DISTATIS: A Promising Framework to Integrate Distance Matrices in Molecular Phylogenetics.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermin Agüero-Chapin ◽  
Yuliana Jiménez ◽  
Aminael Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽  
Reinaldo Molina-Ruiz ◽  
Oscar Vivanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Reproduction Mode ◽  
Alignment Free ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Distance Matrices ◽  
Ascospore Morphology

Background: Molecular phylogenetic algorithms frequently disagree with the approaches considering reproductive compatibility and morphological criteria for species delimitation. The question stems if the resulting species boundaries from molecular, reproductive and/or morphological data are definitively not reconcilable; or if the existing phylogenetic methods are not sensitive enough to agree morphological and genetic variation in species delimitation. Objectives : We propose to DISTATIS as an integrative framework to combine alignment-based (AB) and alignment-free (AF) distance matrices from ITS2 sequences/structures to shed light whether Gelasinospora and Neurospora are sister but independent genera? Methodology: We aimed at addressing this standing issue by harmonizing genus-specific classification based on their ascospore morphology and ITS2 molecular data. To validate our proposal, three phylogenetic approaches: i) traditional alignment-based, ii) alignment-free and iii) novel distance integrative (DI)-based were comparatively evaluated on a set of Gelasinospora and Neurospora species. All considered species have been extensively characterized at both the morphological and reproductive levels and there are known incongruences between their ascospore morphology and molecular data that hampers genus-specific delimitation. Results: Traditional AB phylogenetic analyses fail at resolving the Gelasinospora and Neurospora genera into independent monophyletic clades following ascospore morphology criteria. In contrast, AF and DI approaches produced phylogenetic trees that could properly delimit the expected monophyletic clades. Conclusions: The DI approach outperformed the AF one in the sense that it could also divide the Neurospora species according to their reproduction mode.

Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum (Beaucournu, 1968) and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani (Smit, 1955) (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae) as synonymous taxa: morphometric, phylogenetic, and molecular characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-676
Author(s):  
Antonio Zurita ◽  
Ángela María García-Sánchez ◽  
Cristina Cutillas
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Genotypic Variability ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Family ◽  
Morphological Differences

AbstractThe family Ctenophthalmidae (Order Siphonaptera) has been considered as a ‘catchall’ for a wide range of divergent taxa showing a paraphyletic origin. In turn, Ctenophthalmus sp. (Ctenophthalmidae) includes 300 valid described taxa. Within this genus, males are easily distinguishable basing on the size, shape, and chaetotaxy of their genitalia; however, females show slight morphological differences with each other. The main objective of this work was to carry out a comparative morphometric, phylogenetic, and molecular study of two different subspecies: Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani in order to clarify and discuss its taxonomic status. From a morphological and biometrical point of view, we found clear differences between modified abdominal segments of males of both subspecies and slight differences in the margin of sternum VII of all female specimens which did not correspond with molecular and phylogenetic results based on four different molecular markers (Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and 2 of ribosomal DNA, and the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and cytochrome b of mitochondrial DNA). Thus, we observed a phenotypic plasticity between both subspecies, which did not correspond with a real genotypic variability nor different environmental or ecological conditions. Basing on these results, we could consider that there are no solid arguments to consider these two ‘morphosubspecies’ as two different taxa. We propose that C. b. boisseauorum should be considered as a junior synonym of C. a. allani.

Molecular data sheds light on the classification of long-legged flies (Diptera:Dolichopodidae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Germann ◽  
Corinne Wimmer ◽  
Marco Valerio Bernasconi
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Traditional Classification ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Early Radiation

Dolichopodidae (long-legged flies) is the world’s fourth largest dipteran family, but a phylogeny based on a broad global taxon sample is still lacking. We present here a first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for Dolichopodidae, based on 157 dolichopodid species in 68 genera and 15 subfamilies from the Old and New World, and seven empidoid species (Empididae, Hybotidae) as outgroups. Both relatively fast-evolving mitochondrial markers (COI, 12S, 16S) and a more conserved nuclear marker (18S) were used, the latter being widely employed to study the phylogeny at higher taxonomic levels. We present strong evidence for Microphorinae as sister group to Dolichopodidae sensu stricto, and for the monophyletic Parathalassiinae as part of Dolichopodidae sensu stricto. Monophyly of Achalcinae, Dolichopodinae, and Sciapodinae is supported and Stolidosomatinae are placed within Sympycninae. Diaphorinae, Medeterinae, Neurigoninae, Rhaphiinae, and Sympycninae are paraphyletic, and Hydrophorinae and Peloropeodinae polyphyletic. Our broad taxon sample allows us to gain new insights into the complex systematics of Dolichopodidae. Our results highlight several problems with the traditional classification, which have considerable consequences for the systematic status of some taxa. The poor resolution observed in deep divergences supports previous hypotheses suggesting a rapid early radiation of Dolichopodidae.

Taxonomy of the Oulimnius tuberculatus species group (Coleoptera: Elmidae) based on molecular and morphological data

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2670 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
FEDOR ČIAMPOR JR. ◽  
JÁN KODADA
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
16S Rna ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase

Two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, 16S RNA) and one nuclear (18S RNA) gene fragments were used to analyse relationships within the Oulimnius tuberculatus species group. The results of molecular data analysis are compared with morphological characters, and the distributional patterns and taxonomic status of recognized taxa are addressed. Based on molecular data, Oulimnius perezi is re-validated as a distinct species, and the discovery of a possible new species from northwest Italy is reported. The possible origins and times of speciation within the species group are discussed.

Morphometrical and genetic comparison of two nematode species: H. spumosa and H. dahomensis (Nematoda, Heterakidae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Ribas ◽  
Jöelle Bellocq ◽  
Albert Ros ◽  
Papa Ndiaye ◽  
Jordi Miquel
Keyword(s):  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Asiatic Origin ◽  
Cricetomys Gambianus

AbstractHeterakis is a genus of parasitic nematodes, the majority of which are found in ground-feeding birds and only rarely in mammals. The best-known species is Heterakis spumosa, a parasite associated with the cosmopolitan invasive rodent Rattus rattus of Asiatic origin. Heterakis dahomensis was described in 1911 as a parasite of the Gambian giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus) from Benin (Africa), subsequently synonymized to H. spumosa by Hall (1916). The study of helminths in African rodents is scarce and patchy. Since the original description of H. dahomensis, there have been only a few reports from Africa of species belonging to the genus Heterakis and the validity of this species has never in fact been confirmed or rejected. In the present study individual Heterakis spp. were collected from C. gambianus from Senegal. The morphological data taken point to differences between Heterakis dahomensis and H. spumosa, specifically in the number of tail papillae in males and in the vulva cuticular processes of females. In addition, molecular data revealed differences between these taxa and so H. dahomensis should be considered as a valid species. Moreover, recent changes in the systematics of the genus Cricetomys mean that it is now necessary to study the morphology and genetics of the Heterakis specimens collected from Cricetomys spp. (previously assigned to C. gambianus) in order to determine their taxonomic status as either H. dahomensis o H. spumosa.

An unusual disjunction in Loasaceae: Central American Chichicaste grandis is nested in Brazilian Aosa

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 365 (3) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAFAEL ACUÑA ◽  
ISLER F. CHINCHILLA ◽  
MAXIMILIAN WEIGEND
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Central American ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Plastid Markers ◽  
Morphological Differences

The highly distinctive genus Chichicaste is restricted to the Costa Rica-Chocó Biogeographic Hotspsot from Costa Rica to northwestern Colombia and comprises a single species, C. grandis. Relationships of this taxon have been doubtful in the absence of critical morphological analyses (particularly of living plants) and convincing molecular data. The present study aims at identifying the phylogenetic relationships of C. grandis using molecular and morphological data to establish its relationships. Our molecular data set includes four plastid markers (trnL–trnF, matK, trnS–trnG and rps16) and the nuclear marker ITS for 38 in-group taxa, including all of the currently recognized genera of the Loasoideae clade, and six out-group taxa from non Loasoideae Loasaceae and Hydrangeaceae. The dataset was analyzed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference approaches. The plastid and nuclear trees were mostly congruent, with their respective ML best and BI strict consensus trees showing no significant differences in their topologies. Chichicaste is nested in Aosa series Parviflorae and sister to A. plumieri from Hispaniola, thus representing northern and western outliers of this otherwise strictly Brazilian genus. A critical morphological re-examination indicates that considering C. grandis as part of Aosa is plausible, in spite of the ecological and morphological differences between the two taxa. Based on these results the genus Chichicaste is synonymized with Aosa and the required new combination is provided. An amended key for an expanded Aosa, is also presented.

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