Angiostrongylus vasorum from South America and Europe represent distinct lineages

SUMMARYAngiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode parasite of sylvan and domestic species of the family Canidae. It has a broad but patchy distribution worldwide, and there is evidence for geographical spread and increasing incidence of infection in recent years. While historically Angiostrongylus-like nematodes identified in dogs and foxes have been described as A. vasorum in Europe and Angiocaulus raillieti in South America, more recent taxonomic revision has amalgamated these into a single species, A. vasorum. Here we report, for the first time, the molecular characterization of isolates of A. vasorum from Germany, Portugal, Denmark and the United Kingdom on the basis of the mitochondrial COI gene and the second ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. When compared with isolates from Brazil, sequence analysis revealed 2 distinct genotypes. Estimated rates of evolution based on COI sequences for both nematode and host are consistent with the hypothesis that the presence of A. vasorum in South America is a result of an ancient evolutionary event. Angiostrongylus vasorum in South America potentially represents a separate species to that observed in Europe.

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Genetic analysis reveals Finnish Formica fennica populations do not form a separate genetic entity from F. exsecta

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.6013 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e6013 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Sanja Maria Hakala ◽

Perttu Seppä ◽

Maria Heikkilä ◽

Pekka Punttila ◽

Jouni Sorvari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Species Status ◽

Separate Species ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Recent Addition ◽

Morphological Differences ◽

Dna Microsatellite ◽

Dna Microsatellite Markers

Coptoformica Müller, 1923 is a subgenus of Formica Linnaeus, 1758 that consists of c. a dozen species of ants that typically inhabit open grassy habitats and build small nest mounds. The most recent addition to the group is Formica fennica Seifert, 2000. The description was based on morphological characters, but the species status has not been confirmed by molecular methods. In this study, we use thirteen DNA microsatellite markers and a partial mitochondrial COI gene sequence to assess the species status of F. fennica, by comparing the genetic variation among samples identified as F. fennica and six other boreal Formica (Coptoformica) species. Most of the species studied form separate, discontinuous clusters in phylogenetic and spatial analyses with only little intraspecific genetic variation. However, both nuclear and mitochondrial markers fail to separate the species pair F. exsecta Nylander, 1846 and F. fennica despite established morphological differences. The genetic variation within the F. exsecta/fennica group is extensive, but reflects spatial rather than morphological differences. Finnish F. fennica populations studied so far should not be considered a separate species, but merely a morph of F. exsecta.

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Taxonomic revision of the Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) complex based on vocalizations reveals three species

Avian Research ◽

10.1186/s40657-021-00288-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

George Sangster ◽

Kim Manzon Cancino ◽

Robert O. Hutchinson

Keyword(s):

Multivariate Analyses ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Single Species ◽

The Philippines ◽

Separate Species ◽

Southern Group ◽

Northern Group ◽

As Species ◽

Previously Treated ◽

Superficial Similarity

Abstract Background The Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) is a widespread, polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species. It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of their songs but no detailed comparisons of the songs in this complex have been made. Methods A total of 15 acoustic variables were measured for the songs of 86 individuals representing 8 of the 10 subspecies in the complex. Results Three major groups can be distinguished based on univariate and multivariate analyses: a northern group consisting of the subspecies C. a. monticolus, C. a. amoyensis and C. a. stictomus; a southern group consisting of C. a. affinis, C. a. kasuidori, C. a. timorensis and C. a. propinquus; and a third group in the Philippines consisting of C. a. griseatus. Conclusions It is here argued that these groups are best treated as species, and that Franklin’s Nightjar (C. monticolus) and Kayumanggi Nightjar (C. griseatus) are reinstated as separate species.

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Systematics of North American Petasites (Asteraceae: Senecioneae). III. A taxonomic revision

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b98-222 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 76 (12) ◽

pp. 2061-2075 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Donna M Cherniawsky ◽

Randall J Bayer

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

North American ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Single Species ◽

New Combination ◽

Separate Species ◽

Difficult Genus ◽

Isozyme Analyses ◽

Perennial Herbs ◽

High Degree

Petasites Mill. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) is a taxonomically difficult genus of polygamodioecious, perennial herbs with a widespread distribution across North America. As many as 10 species and as few as two species (Petasites sagittatus (Banks ex Pursh) A. Gray and Petasites frigidus (L.) Fries with three varieties), with one hybrid taxon, have been recognized previously. Considerable taxonomic controversy has surrounded the genus as a result of a conservative floral morphology and a high degree of polymorphism in leaf morphology. Additionally, a number of intergrading leaf forms among those with rather consistent taxonomic characteristics across various treatments have contributed to the taxonomic ambivalence surrounding Petasites. Our taxonomic revision of North American Petasites is based on results obtained from recent multivariate morphometric and isozyme analyses. These data have indicated that taxa of Petasites are not sufficiently differentiated, morphologically or isozymically, from one another to warrant the recognition of separate species. Therefore, Petasites is circumscribed as a single species containing three varietal taxa and one hybrid taxon between two of the varieties. Although our circumscription of P. sagittatus is in accordance with most previous circumscriptions, we have removed it from the rank of species to varietal status under P. frigidus. The new combination Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus (Banks ex Pursh) Cherniawsky is proposed. Subsequent to the new status of one of its parental taxa (P. frigidus var. sagittatus), the new combination for Petasites ×vitifolius (Greene) Bogle is proposed: Petasites frigidus var. ×vitifolius (Greene) Cherniawsky. The three entities of the frigidus complex are united under one polymorphic taxon, P. frigidus var. frigidus and the circumscription and name of Petasites frigidus var.palmatus (Ait.) Cronq. is in accordance with previous authors. A complete list of synonymy and a key to the taxa of Petasites is presented together with distribution maps.Key words: Petasites, Asteraceae, Senecioneae, North America, taxonomic revision.

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Allopatric separation represents an overlooked cryptic species in theAnania hortulataspecies complex (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae): congruence between genetic and morphological evidence

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2018.70 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 151 (2) ◽

pp. 163-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Zhaofu Yang ◽

Jean-François Landry

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Nuclear Gene ◽

Single Species ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Morphological Differences

AbstractAnania hortulata(Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae) is a strikingly coloured, common, and widespread species that has long been recognised as a single species widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and North America. Using a combination of molecular and morphometric data, this study resolved thatA. hortulatais actually a species complex of two superficially indistinguishable species. Phylogenetic and network analyses based on the mitochondrial COI gene discriminated lineages from all major geographical regions of China as distinct,A. sinensisYang and Landrynew species, whereasA. hortulataoccurs in Central Asia, Europe, and North America. Nuclear gene (CAD) and morphological differences in the genital characters provided further evidence for the separation ofA. hortulataandA. sinensis.

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DNA barcoding for identification of anuran species in the central region of South America

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10189 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10189

Author(s):

Ricardo Koroiva ◽

Luís Reginaldo Ribeiro Rodrigues ◽

Diego José Santana

Keyword(s):

South America ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Central Area ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Reference Database ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Species Discovery ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Anuran Species ◽

Specimen Identification

The use of COI barcodes for specimen identification and species discovery has been a useful molecular approach for the study of Anura. Here, we establish a comprehensive amphibian barcode reference database in a central area of South America, in particular for specimens collected in Mato Grosso do Sul state (Brazil), and to evaluate the applicability of the COI gene for species-level identification. Both distance- and tree-based methods were applied for assessing species boundaries and the accuracy of specimen identification was evaluated. A total of 204 mitochondrial COI barcode sequences were evaluated from 22 genera and 59 species (19 newly barcoded species). Our results indicate that morphological and molecular identifications converge for most species, however, some species may present cryptic species due to high intraspecific variation, and there is a high efficiency of specimen identification. Thus, we show that COI sequencing can be used to identify anuran species present in this region.

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The discovery of Scutovertex ianus sp. nov. (Acari, Oribatida) – a combined approach of comparative morphology, morphometry and molecular data

Contributions to Zoology ◽

10.1163/18759866-07901003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 39-55

Author(s):

Tobias Pfingstl ◽

Sylvia Schäffer ◽

Ernst Ebermann ◽

Günther Krisper

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Oribatid Mite ◽

Intraspecific Variability ◽

Comparative Morphology ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Mite Species ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Separate Species ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic

Based on morphological, morphometric and genetic data Scutovertex ianus sp. nov. is described as a new oribatid mite species. The traditional comparison with the morphologically most similar congeneric S. minutus and S. sculptus demonstrated that the new species shares certain characters with both species, but can be clearly identified by indistinct cuticular notogastral foveae in combination with short spiniform notogastral setae. Furthermore the eggs of S. ianus exhibit a different fine structure of the exochorion. The morphometric analysis of 16 continuous morphological variables separated the three species, S. minutus, S. sculptus and S. ianus with a certain overlap indicating minor size and shape differences in overall morphology. The molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI gene sequences supported the monophyly of all three investigated species and confirmed S. ianus as separate species with high bootstrap values. Each performed analysis approves the discreteness of S. ianus and the results contradict the formerly supposed large intraspecific variability of the representatives of the genus Scutovertex. The records of S. ianus are as yet restricted to the Eastern part of Austria and to one location in Germany, but findings of intermediary Scutovertex specimens from other European countries may refer to this new species.

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Phylogenetic Network of Mitochondrial COI Gene Sequences Distinguishes 10 Taxa Within the Neotropical Albitarsis Group (Diptera: Culicidae), Confirming the Separate Species Status of Anopheles albitarsis H (Diptera: Culicidae) and Revealing a Novel Lineage, Anopheles albitarsis J

Journal of Medical Entomology ◽

10.1093/jme/tjaa211 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Maysa T Motoki ◽

Yvonne-Marie Linton ◽

Jan E Conn ◽

Fredy Ruiz-Lopez ◽

Richard C Wilkerson

Keyword(s):

Isolation By Distance ◽

Species Recognition ◽

Divergence Time ◽

Phylogenetic Network ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Mitochondrial Lineage ◽

Separate Species ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Two Samples ◽

Statistical Parsimony

Abstract The Neotropical Albitarsis Group is a complex assemblage of essentially isomorphic species which currently comprises eight recognized species—five formally described (Anopheles albitarsis Lynch-Arribalzaga, An. deaneorum Rosa-Freitas, An. janconnae Wilkerson and Sallum, An. marajoara Galvao and Damasceno, An. oryzalimnetes Wilkerson and Motoki) and three molecularly assigned (An. albitarsis F, G & I)—and one mitochondrial lineage (An. albitarsis H). To further explore species recognition within this important group, 658 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) were analyzed from 988 specimens from South America. We conducted statistical parsimony network analysis, generated estimates of haplotype, nucleotide, genetic differentiation, divergence time, and tested the effect of isolation by distance (IBD). Ten clusters were identified, which confirmed the validity of the eight previously determined species, and confirmed the specific status of the previous mitochondrial lineage An. albitarsis H. High levels of diversity were highlighted in two samples from Pará (= An. albitarsis J), which needs further exploration through additional sampling, but which may indicate another cryptic species. The highest intra-specific nucleotide diversity was observed in An. deaneorum, and the lowest in An. marajoara. Significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance was observed only in An. oryzalimnetes and An. albitarsis F. Divergence time within the Albitarsis Group was estimated at 0.58–2.25 Mya, during the Pleistocene. The COI barcode region was considered an effective marker for species recognition within the Albitarsis Group and a network approach was an analytical method to discriminate among species of this group.

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Supratidal existence drives phenotypic divergence, but not speciation, in tropical rocky-shore snails

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/biolinnean/blaa164 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 132 (1) ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

David J Marshall ◽

Hussein Taha ◽

Amalina Brahim ◽

Ahmed Awad Abdelhady

Keyword(s):

Single Species ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Rocky Shores ◽

Evaporative Water ◽

Air Exposure ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Mitochondrial Coi ◽

Larval Recruitment ◽

Phenotypic Divergence ◽

Species Speciation

Abstract The mechanisms underlying the evolutionary adaptation of animals that transcend the ecological barrier separating the intertidal and supratidal zones of rocky shores are poorly understood. Different wetting frequencies in these zones in tropical regions (daily vs. seasonally, respectively) impose different physical stressors, which should drive phenotypic variation and ultimately speciation in the animals that inhabit them. We studied morphological, physiological and genetic variation in a tropical high-shore gastropod that transcends these zones [Echinolittorina malaccana (Philippi, 1847)]. Variation in melanization, shell features and evaporative water loss was linked to regular seawater wetting, frequent activity and feeding, and solar exposure in intertidal snails, and to inactivity and prolonged aestivation in the shade during continuous air exposure in supratidal snails. Despite selective pressure for phenotypic divergence, and reproductive isolation of the populations in either zone, their mitochondrial COI gene sequences confirmed that they represent a single species. Speciation in our study case is probably constrained by the limitation on activity, mating and reproduction of supratidal snails, such that their populations can only be sustained through intertidal pelagic larval recruitment. Comparisons with other studies suggest that supratidal speciation and specialization for life in this zone probably require moderation of the abiotic (desiccative) conditions, to facilitate greater activity and interaction of animals during air exposure.

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