Species delimitation, bioclimatic range, and conservation status of the threatened lichen Fuscopannaria confusa

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor CARLSEN ◽  
Mika BENDIKSBY ◽  
Tom H. HOFTON ◽  
Sigve REISO ◽  
Vegar BAKKESTUEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
National Level ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Suitable Habitats

AbstractFuscopannaria confusa is a rare lichen restricted to very humid localities in boreal forests. Two Fuscopannaria species, F. ahlneri and F. mediterranea, and Parmeliella parvula are morphologically problematic to distinguish from F. confusa. Our aim with the present study was to evaluate the taxonomic status of F. confusa and thereby clarify its conservation status in Norway. By phylogenetic analysis of multi-locus DNA sequences, we show that F. confusa is genetically well distinguished from F. ahlneri,F. mediterranea, and P. parvula. Fuscopannaria confusa should therefore be treated as a separate species. A species distribution modelling analysis indicates that F. confusa has a slightly continental but potentially wide geographic distribution in Norway. However, suitable localities are continuously being destroyed by clear-cut logging and hydroelectric power development. Because of the decline in suitable habitats, F. confusa should be regarded as highly threatened in Norway and listed as EN (endangered) at the national level.

Rarity, taxonomy and genetics: the chequered history of Grevillea williamsonii (Proteaceae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. James ◽  
Gillian K. Brown ◽  
Rebecca Jordan ◽  
Daniel J. Ohlsen
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Haplotype Network ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Rare Plants ◽  
Threatened Taxa ◽  
History Of ◽  
Nuclear Microsatellite ◽  
Chloroplast Dna Sequences

Resolving uncertainty surrounding the taxonomic and conservation status of rare plants is of utmost importance to enable effective allocation of the limited resources available for conserving biodiversity. Prioritising threatened taxa that are more appropriately regarded as synonymous with more common species represents a waste of resources. Such a scenario may apply to the Australian entity Grevillea williamsonii and consequently its taxonomic status was investigated using chloroplast DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite data. Haplotype network and genetic structure analyses showed that G. williamsonii was not genetically distinct from, and should be synonymised with, the variable and morphologically similar but more common G. aquifolium. This study highlights the benefit of undertaking genetic analyses where questionable taxonomic status biases conservation prioritisation and management decisions.

Taxonomic status and distribution of the critically endangered Christmas Island spleenwort (Asplenium listeri, Aspleniaceae): it is not as rare as we thought

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Ohlsen ◽  
Leon R. Perrie ◽  
Lara D. Shepherd ◽  
Michael J. Bayly
Keyword(s):  
New Caledonia ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Christmas Island ◽  
Chloroplast Haplotype

Asplenium listeri C.Chr. has been considered endemic to Christmas Island and is one of only two fern species listed as Critically Endangered under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Its status as a distinct species has been questioned because of morphological similarity to the widespread A. polyodon G.Forst., which also occurs on Christmas Island. Molecular analyses revealed that A. listeri and plants attributed to A. polyodon from coastal limestone in New Caledonia and Vanuatu share the same rbcL, trnL–trnF and rps4–trnS haplotype and that other samples of A. polyodon in Australia and the south-western Pacific belong to three separate molecular lineages. One of these lineages is formed by epiphytic A. polyodon from Christmas Island and has a chloroplast haplotype closely related to that of A. listeri, differing by four mutations. The A. listeri haplotype and each of the three A. polyodon lineages are associated with morphological characters and are all worthy of recognition as separate species. Asplenium listeri is here expanded to include limestone dwelling populations in the Pacific previously assigned to A. polyodon. This greatly extends the geographic range of A. listeri, and its conservation status should be revised accordingly. Application of correct names to all species in the A. polyodon complex requires further molecular sampling throughout its geographic range and clarification of how type material relates to each of the molecular groups.

A new subspecies of Short-toed Snake-eagle from Wallacea determined from morphological and DNA comparison

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4358 (2) ◽  
pp. 365
Author(s):  
NATHANIEL S.R. NG ◽  
LES CHRISTIDIS ◽  
JERRY OLSEN ◽  
JANETTE NORMAN ◽  
FRANK E. RHEINDT
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome B ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Migrant Population ◽  
Pleistocene Glaciations ◽  
New Subspecies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B

The taxonomic status of the geographically isolated population of Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus on the Lesser Sundas (=Nusa Tenggara) has been controversial. In the past they have been regarded as either a migrant population or a recently arrived resident population. Here we obtained DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene and combined genetic data with assessments of published and novel morphological data to clarify the taxonomic status of the Lesser Sundas population of C. gallicus. The cytochrome-b distance between the Lesser Sundas and Palearctic populations of C. gallicus is consistent with subspecific differentiation, indicating a possible divergence during one of the most recent Pleistocene glaciations. Although some of the morphological distinctions show overlap, the new subspecies can generally be diagnosed from nominate C. gallicus gallicus by being smaller and paler, and exhibiting less spotting and barring. Unlike nominate populations from mainland Eurasia, the new subspecies seems to lack pronounced sexual dimorphism. We here describe this new subspecies to science and discuss its biology and conservation status. 

scholarly journals Genomics-Based Phylogenetic and Population Genetic Analysis of Global Samples Confirms Halophila johnsonii Eiseman as Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook.f.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Waycott ◽  
Kor-jent van Dijk ◽  
Ainsley Calladine ◽  
Eric Bricker ◽  
Ed Biffin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Indian River Lagoon ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Population Genetic Analysis ◽  
Recent Introduction ◽  
Halophila Ovalis ◽  
Genome Wide

Halophila johnsonii is an endangered seagrass species that is restricted to the southeast coast of Florida, United States. Its taxonomic status has been called into question, in particular, given the close morphological and genetic similarity of H. johnsonii and the widely distributed and morphologically variable Halophila ovalis, which is largely restricted to the Indo-Pacific region. While a close relationship to H. ovalis is uncontroversial, it remains uncertain whether H. johnsonii represents a distinct lineage or is a recent introduction to the Florida region. Given the conservation status of H. johnsonii, distinguishing these alternatives has important implications for the management of the species and its habitat. Here, we develop molecular data sets for samples of H. johnsonii and H. ovalis including DNA sequences, genome-wide SNPs and microsatellites with the view to resolving the affinities of H. johnsonii with respect to the wider H. ovalis complex. Phylogenetic hypotheses based upon plastid (∼18000 bp) and low copy nuclear DNA (∼6500 bp) sequences derived from hybrid capture, along with 990 genome-wide ddRAD SNPs consistently resolved H. johnsonii within H. ovalis. Specifically, we found a close affinity between H. johnsonii and H. ovalis sampled from the east coast of Africa. In addition, Halophila specimens collected in Antigua, which are within the range of morphological variation typical for H. ovalis, are virtually identical to H. johnsonii and the East African H. ovalis samples based upon DNA sequence analyses and these group together using Bayesian clustering analyses of microsatellites and ddRAD SNPs. We conducted population genetic analyses using large number of H. johnsonii samples collected over a 17-year period. Genotypic data generated through microsatellites and ddRAD SNPs revealed genetic uniformity for all 132 H. johnsonii samples across the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, while samples of H. ovalis from Antigua shared the same genotype as H. johnsonii. We conclude that the lack of genetic diversity and the absence of sexual reproduction strongly indicates that the total range of H. johnsonii is actually one clone that is closely related to populations in Africa and Antigua and may be derived from a recent introduction from one of those regions.

scholarly journals Disentangling Species Delineation and Guiding Conservation of Endangered Magnolias in Veracruz, Mexico

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 673
Author(s):  
Fabián Augusto Aldaba Aldaba Núñez ◽  
Emily Veltjen ◽  
Esteban Manuel Martínez Martínez Salas ◽  
Marie-Stéphanie Samain
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Volcanic Area ◽  
Conservation Units ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Conservation Projects ◽  
Very High

The Mexican state of Veracruz has suffered very high deforestation rates in the last few decades, and despite the establishment of protected areas and conservation projects, primary forest is now mainly persisting in mostly small, scattered, fragmented remnants. New species of Magnolia section Talauma in this state have been described with little to no reference to the already existing ones, potentially resulting in over-splitting, obscuring their taxonomic delineation and conservation status, and consequently conservation programs. To study the conservation units and their genetic diversity, we here employ 15 microsatellite markers on a highly representative sampling of 254 individuals of what are presumed to be five Magnolia species. The results support at least three species and maximum five main conservation units. We propose downgrading the latter to four, given morphological, ecological, demographical, and geographical considerations. Two out of the three sympatrically occurring species in the rainforest in the Los Tuxtlas volcanic area have weak genetic evidence to be considered separate species. Similarly, the individuals in the Sierra de Zongolica in central Veracruz, who bear a very high morphological and genetic similarity to Magnolia mexicana, have weak genetic evidence to be recognised as a separate species. Nonetheless, the individuals could be identified as Magnolia decastroi based on morphology, and further research including the full range of this species is recommended.

Vegetation and climate history of Quebec’s mixed boreal forest suggests greater abundance of temperate species during the early- and mid-Holocene

Botany ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 437-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Émilie Larochelle ◽  
Martin Lavoie ◽  
Pierre Grondin ◽  
Pierre-Luc Couillard
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Plant Macrofossils ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Temperate Species ◽  
White Pine ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Climate History ◽  
History Of ◽  
Suitable Habitats

Today, scattered disjunct stands of two temperate species, yellow birch and white pine, are present north of their continuous distributional range in southern Quebec (Canada) at topographical locations that offer protection from severe fires. This study tested whether these species had populations more numerous and widespread millennia ago when the climate was presumably warmer. Specifically, this research involved the analyses of pollen, plant macrofossils, and charcoal fragments of two sites within the western part of Quebec’s balsam fir – paper birch bioclimatic domain: a forest humus deposit from a yellow birch stand (local scale), and a peatland (regional scale). Fossil data suggest that white pine was more abundant regionally between 7500 and 5000 cal. BP, before coming rare under subsequent cooler conditions. Likewise, yellow birch was more abundant regionally between 7700 and 1500 cal BP. Its subsequent decline and the local disappearance of white pine by ∼200 cal. BP may both be explained by the severe fires that occurred in recent centuries, as well as the rarity of suitable habitats for these species. The sustained presence of temperate species in mixed boreal forests is the result of the combined action of climate, natural disturbances and habitat characteristics.

Species relationships in the dasyurid marsupial genus Pseudantechinus (Marsupialia : Dasyuridae): a re-examination of the taxonomic status of Pseudantechinus roryi

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 240 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Umbrello ◽  
P. A. Woolley ◽  
M. Westerman
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Species Relationships ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
The Status

The status of Pseudantechinus roryi relative to its congeners has been determined from DNA sequences obtained from both nuclear and mitochondrial gene loci. Although all other recognised species of Pseudantechinus form reciprocally monophyletic lineages in phylogenetic analyses, individuals identified in museum collections as Ps. roryi (including type specimens) were indistinguishable from those identified as Ps. macdonnellensis. Ps. roryi is thus considered to be a synonym of Ps. macdonnellensis. Neighbour-joining network analyses failed to reveal any clear biogeographic differences between populations of Ps. macdonnellensis other than some evidence of isolation by distance.

Predicting the potential distribution ofVexillata(Nematoda: Ornithostrongylidae) and its hosts (Mammalia: Rodentia) within America

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Martínez-Salazar ◽  
T. Escalante ◽  
M. Linaje ◽  
J. Falcón-Ordaz
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factor ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Distribution Modelling ◽  
Distributional Patterns ◽  
Suitable Habitats ◽  
Temperature Seasonality ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractSpecies distribution modelling has been a powerful tool to explore the potential distribution of parasites in wildlife, being the basis of studies on biogeography.Vexillataspp. are intestinal nematodes found in several species of mammalian hosts, such as rodents (Geomyoidea) and hares (Leporidae) in the Nearctic and northern Neotropical regions. In the present study, we modelled the potential distribution ofVexillataspp. and their hosts, using exclusively species from the Geomyidae and Heteromyidae families, in order to identify their distributional patterns. Bioclimatic and topographic variables were used to identify and predict suitable habitats forVexillataand its hosts. Using these models, we identified that temperature seasonality is a significant environmental factor that influences the distribution of the parasite genus and its host. In particular, the geographical distribution is estimated to be larger than that predicted for its hosts. This suggests that the nematode has the potential to extend its geographical range and also its spectrum of host species. Increasing sample size and geographical coverage will contribute to recommendations for conservation of this host–parasite system.

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