Molecular identity of the non-indigenous Cassiopea sp. from Palermo Harbour (central Mediterranean Sea)

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1765-1773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Maggio ◽  
Alessandro Allegra ◽  
Mar Bosch-Belmar ◽  
Tiziana Cillari ◽  
Angela Cuttitta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Multiple Introduction ◽  
Invasion Pathway

AbstractThe upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea is a benthic scyphozoan, considered a non-indigenous invasive species in the Mediterranean, forming large blooms in eutrophic areas. Taxonomy of the genus Cassiopea is extremely difficult because morphological/meristic characters used are variable within the same species, overlapping among different species, and cryptic species have been identified by molecular markers; nine Cassiopea species are recognized on the basis of molecular study. Mediterranean records of Cassiopea have been ascribed to andromeda species on the basis of a hypothesized invasion pathway from the Suez Canal. In the current study, an analysis of the main morphological characters of the sampled Cassiopea jellyfish from Palermo (Tyrrhenian Sea) was carried out and subsequently, molecular analyses were performed by using COI barcode in order to identify the species. Molecular data were compared with published information in GenBank. Morphological characters were highly variable, but molecular analyses confirmed that Mediterranean Cassiopea specimens belong to andromeda species. Moreover, high values of sequence divergence were found between Mediterranean Cassiopea and the other C. andromeda from the Red Sea, Hawaii and Florida. These results lead to a discussion of possible explanations linked to life history features of the species. Two different explanations are proposed; the first is that Mediterranean C. andromeda, finding a suitable ecological niche good for colonization and proliferation, could have been isolated in Palermo Harbour. The second considers the possibility of multiple introduction events by human transport as demonstrated for other non-indigenous jellyfish; in this case Cassiopea genetic differences increased in the invaded area.

scholarly journals A new cryptic arboreal species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the uplands of western Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 723-746
Author(s):  
L. Lee Grismer ◽  
Chatmongkon Suwannapoom ◽  
Parinya Pawangkhanant ◽  
Roman A. Nazarov ◽  
Platon V. Yushchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Sister Species ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit 2 ◽  
A New Species

The first integrative taxonomic analysis of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group of Southeast Asia recovered two newly discovered populations from the Tenasserim Mountains in Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand as a new species described here as C. rukhadeva sp. nov. Based on 1397 base pairs of the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2), C. rukhadeva sp. nov. is the well-supported sister species to a clade containing three undescribed species, C. ngati, and C. cf. interdigitalis with a large uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence from other species in the brevipalmatus group ranging from 15.4–22.1%. Cyrtodactylus elok and C. brevipalmatus are recovered as poorly supported sister species and the well-supported sister lineage to the remainder of the brevipalmatus group. Cyrtodactylus rukhadeva sp. nov. is putatively diagnosable on the basis of a number of meristic characters and easily separated from the remaining species of the brevipalmatus group by a number of discrete morphological characters as well as its statistically significant wide separation in multivariate morphospace. The discovery of C. rukhadeva sp. nov. continues to underscore the unrealized herpetological diversity in the upland forests of the Tenasserim Mountains and that additional field work will undoubtedly result in the discovery of additional new species.

Description of two new species of Rhamphus related to R. oxyacanthae (Curculionidae, Curculioninae, Rhamphini) from Italy based on a morphological study supported by molecular data

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4995 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-128
Author(s):  
LUCIANO DIOTTI ◽  
ROBERTO CALDARA ◽  
IVO TOŠEVSKI
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Two New Species

Two new species of the weevil genus Rhamphus from Italy are herein described: R. bavierai n. sp. (Sicily) and R. hampsicora n. sp. (Sardinia). Both are morphologically and from a molecular perspective close to R. oxyacanthae (Marsham, 1802) and R. monzinii Pesarini & Diotti, 2012. Aside from a diagnostic description and a synoptic key, distribution data and notes on the host plants of the four species are reported. Whereas R. monzinii can be distinguished by several morphological characters, the other three species are morphologically very similar to each other and separable only by the combination of a few subtle characters. On the contrary, a preliminary molecular study revealed substantial divergences of mtCOI from 6.2 to 14.9% between the species, confirming the importance of an integrative taxonomy.  

Male identification, generic classification and sexual dimorphism of Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018) comb. nov. (Coleoptera: Lycidae: Calochrominae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4657 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAL MOTYKA
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Large Specimen ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Almost All ◽  
First Time

Almost all net-winged beetles are members of Müllerian complexes and their similarity due to phenotypic coevolution sometimes complicates species identification and generic placement. Therefore, large specimen series, detailed exhaustive examination of morphological characters and molecular data are needed to clarify the taxonomic placement. Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, I investigated the sexual dimorphism and generic placement of the recently described species Calochromus pardus Kazantsev, 2018. I found that the species does not belong in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 and all morphological characters and molecular analyses point to its placement in Micronychus Motschulsky, 1861. Therefore, Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018), comb. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the male is described here for the first time showing the sexual dimorphism in the species. Unlike the females, the males do not superficially resemble members of Xylobanus Waterhouse, 1879 with bright coloured elytral costae and black background, but mimics the sympatrically occurring yellow and black lycids in the genus Cautires Waterhouse, 1879. 

A proposal for a new generic structure of the killifish family Aphaniidae, with the description of Aphaniops teimorii (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4810 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
JÖRG FREYHOF ◽  
BARAN YOĞURTÇUOĞLU
Keyword(s):  
Original Description ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Zoological Nomenclature ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Generic Structure ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Colour Patterns ◽  
Fossil Genus

Following an exhaustive review of published molecular data and morphological characters, we propose a new generic classification for the Cyprinodontiform family Aphaniidae. The generic concept applied is based on monophyly, reasonable compactness, and morphological diagnoses. The proposed genera are monophyletic and compact groups that can be diagnosed by a combination of morphological characters. All species in Aphaniidae are morphologically homogeneous and have similar scale patterns, fin positions, and meristic characters. However, only a handful of morphological characters, including colour patterns, permit identification. We propose separation of Aphaniidae into eight monophyletic genera: Anatolichthys, Aphaniops, Aphanius, Kosswigichthys, Paraphanius, and Tellia, in addition to the new genera Esmaeilius and Apricaphanius, which are described for the species of the A. sophiae and A. iberus species groups, respectively. The original description of Aphanius hormuzensis does not fulfil the criteria of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, therefore this taxon is re-described as A. teimorii. Esmaeilius arakensis, E. kavirensis, E. mesopotamicus, and E. pluristriatus are treated as synonyms of E. sophiae. Esmaeilius farsicus is a junior synonym of E. persicus (Jenkins, 1910). The fossil genus Brachylebias is considered as incertae sedis since it lacks diagnostic characters which would permit it to be assigned to any of the extant genera recognised in this study. 

A new karst dwelling species of the Gekko japonicus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Laos

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4263 (1) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
VINH QUANG LUU ◽  
TRUONG QUANG NGUYEN ◽  
MINH DUC LE ◽  
MICHAEL BONKOWSKI ◽  
THOMAS ZIEGLER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Genetic Divergence ◽  
Dorsal Surface ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Hind Limbs ◽  
Gekko Japonicus ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Nd2 Gene

A new species of the Gekko japonicus group is described from Khammouane Province, central Laos, based on morphological characters and molecular data. Morphologically, Gekko nadenensis sp. nov. is differentiated from the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: size moderate (SVL 61.0–77.1 mm); nares bordered with rostral; internasals absent; postmentals enlarged; interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 28–30; dorsal tubercles absent; ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 175–185; midbody scale rows 123–140; ventral scale rows 38–40; subdigital lamellae on first toes 13–15, on fourth toes 14–16; finger and toe webbing present at base; tubercles on dorsal surface of fore and hind limbs absent; precloacal pores six (3+3 or 5+1) in a discontinuous row in males, absent in the female; postcloacal tubercles 1 or 2; tubercles absent on dorsal surface of tail base; subcaudals distinctly enlarged; dorsal surface of body with greyish brown blotches. Molecular analyses demonstrated the new species is closely related to G. bonkowskii and G. thakhekensis, but separated from them by approximately 7% in genetic divergence as shown by a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

scholarly journals Morpho-phylogenetic evidence reveals new species in Rhytismataceae (Rhytismatales, Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota) from Guizhou Province, China

MycoKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 81-106
Author(s):  
Jin-Feng Zhang ◽  
Jian-Kui Liu ◽  
Kevin D. Hyde ◽  
Anusha H. Ekanayaka ◽  
Zuo-Yi Liu
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Guizhou Province ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Phylogenetic Affinities ◽  
Karst Terrains

Karst formations represent a unique eco-environment. Research in the microfungi inhabiting this area is limited. During an ongoing survey of ascomycetous microfungi from karst terrains in Guizhou Province, China, we discovered four new species, which are introduced here as Hypoderma paralinderae, Terriera karsti, T. meitanensis and T. sigmoideospora placed in Rhytismataceae, based on phylogenetic analyses and morphological characters. Molecular analyses, based on concatenated LSU-ITS-mtSSU sequence data, were used to infer phylogenetic affinities. Detail descriptions and comprehensive illustrations of these new taxa are provided and relationships with the allied species are discussed, based on comparative morphology and molecular data.

scholarly journals Cave shrimps Troglocaris s. str. (Dormitzer, 1853), taxonomic revision and description of new taxa after phylogenetic and morphometric studies

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3421 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JURE JUGOVIC ◽  
BRANKO JALŽIĆ ◽  
SIMONA PREVORČNIK ◽  
BORIS SKET
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Morphometric Analyses ◽  
Morphological Distinction

Within the Dinaric genus Troglocaris cave shrimps from the subgenus Troglocaris s. str. (Dormitzer, 1853) (Crustacea:Decapoda: Atyidae), have the widest distribution area. The recent molecular analyses have revealed significant, crypticdiversity in the subgenus. The aim of the subsequent detailed morphometric analyses was the provision of the appropriatediagnosable characters for the discovered lineages, i.e. taking care of their taxonomical visibility. We herein designate aneotype and provide a detailed description for the polytipic type species of the genus T. (T.) anophthalmus (Kollar, 1848), toenable its morphological distinction from the erroneously described T. (T.) planinensis Birštejn, 1948. Considering acombination of morphological, geographical and molecular data, we describe four new subspecies: T. (T.) a. ocellata ssp. nov.,T. (T.) a. periadriatica ssp. nov., T. (T.) a. legovici ssp. nov. and T. (T.) a. sontica ssp. nov., apart from the extant T. (T.) a.intermedia Babić, 1922. Due to a considerable morphological variability and no easily observable diagnostic morphological characters, the GenBank accession numbers for the COI gene are added in all mentioned taxa.

Corrigendum to: Phylogenetics of hopbushes and pepperflowers (Dodonaea, Diplopeltis - Sapindaceae), based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and partial ETS sequences incorporating secondary-structure models

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Mark G. Harrington ◽  
Paul A. Gadek
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Structure ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Evolutionary Trends ◽  
Secondary Structure Models

Hopbushes and pepperflowers (Dodonaea, Diplopeltis ? Sapindaceae) are important components of Australia's arid zone and sclerophyll and temperate forests and woodlands. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal ITS and partial ETS sequences for near-complete sampling of both genera were performed using a Bayesian statistical method and RNA specific models of nucleotide evolution that incorporate secondary structure (separate models for stems and loops). Diplopeltis is paraphyletic. Diplopeltis stuartii is not closer to other species of the genus than it is to species outside the genus. There are also several evolutionary elements in the molecular data that support D. stuartii as distinct from the other members of the genus. The monophyly of Dodonaea as redefined here to include all species of Distichostemon is unequivocally supported by the molecular data and the morphological synapomorphies of petal-less flowers with a highly reduced intrastaminal disk that is absent in staminate flowers. There do not appear to be any obvious evolutionary trends in the morphological characters (leaf and capsule form, presence or absence of aril, or breeding system) that have been previously used to group taxa. However, there are some morphological characters that may be useful to delineate some of the clades recovered in the present molecular study. New combinations in Dodonaea are made for all species of Distichostemon.

scholarly journals Hierarchical analysis of mtDNA variation and the use of mtDNA for isopod (Crustacea: Peracarida: Isopoda) systematics

2001 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Wetzer
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Hierarchical Analysis ◽  
Nucleotide Bias ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Mtdna Variation ◽  
Hierarchical Levels

Carefully collected molecular data and rigorous analyses are revolutionizing today’s phylogenetic studies. Although molecular data have been used to estimate various invertebrate phylogenies for more than a decade, this study is the first survey of different regions of mitochondrial DNA in isopod crustaceans assessing sequence divergence and hence the usefulness of these regions to infer phylogeny at different hierarchical levels. I evaluate three loci from the mitochondrial genome (two ribosomal RNAs (12S, 16S) and one protein-coding (COI)) for their appropriateness in inferring isopod phylogeny at the suborder level and below. The patterns are similar for all three loci with the most speciose suborders of isopods also having the most divergent mitochondrial nucleotide sequences. Recommendations for designing an order- or suborder-level molecular study in previously unstudied groups of Crustacea would include: (1) collecting a minimum of two-four species or genera thought to be most divergent, (2) sampling across the group of interest as equally as possible in terms of taxonomic representation and the distribution of species, (3) surveying several genes, and (4) carrying out preliminary alignments, checking data for nucleotide bias, transition/ transversion ratios, and saturation levels before committing to a large-scale sequencing effort.

scholarly journals Metacestodes of Elasmobranch Tapeworms in Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) from Central Mediterranean—SEM and Molecular Data

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2038
Author(s):  
Perla Tedesco ◽  
Monica Caffara ◽  
Andrea Gustinelli ◽  
Graziano Fiorito ◽  
Maria Letizia Fioravanti
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Data ◽  
Taxonomic Resolution ◽  
Octopus Vulgaris ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
The Common ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
First Time

Cephalopods are intermediate/paratenic hosts in the life cycle of elasmobranch tapeworms, nevertheless most records of infection in this group of mollusks are outdated and fragmentary. The present work aimed to investigate the cestode fauna of the common octopus Octopus vulgaris from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean). The parasitic stages were characterized by light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and sequencing of 28S rDNA. Three cestode taxa were identified to the genus level: the onchoproteocephalidean Acanthobothrium sp. (prevalence 28%), the “tetraphyllidean” Anthobothrium sp. (prevalence 13%) and the trypanorhynch Nybelinia sp. (prevalence 3%). The remarkable prevalence observed for gastrointestinal cestodes highlight a possible important role of O. vulgaris in the transmission of elasmobranch tapeworms, particularly Onchoproteocephalideans. Furthermore, the present work provides, for the first time, detailed morphological (SEM) and molecular support to confirm the occurrence of Anthobothrium sp. in cephalopod hosts. In order to gain higher taxonomic resolution for the identified taxa, we stress the need to collect further morphological and molecular data of adult cestodes infecting their elasmobranch definitive hosts.

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