Mammomonogamus nematodes in felid carnivores: a minireview and the first molecular characterization

AbstractFive of the 13 known species of Mammomonogamus have been described in members of the family Felidae, including domestic cats, making felids the most frequent hosts of Mammomonogamus. The occurrence of Mammomonogamus in felids is geographically scattered and information on the life cycle and other aspects of infections is lacking. The paucity of data opens the questions on possible conspecificity of some of the described species of Mammomonogamus and on the existence of possible reservoirs for infections in domestic cats in geographically isolated endemic foci of infection. To test such hypotheses, we compared sequences of mitochondrial and nuclear markers obtained from Mammomonogamus adults or eggs collected from domestic cats in three geographically distant localities. Based on morphology, geographic origin and site of infection, the worms examined can be referred to as Mammomonogamus ierei and Mammomonogamus auris. Phylogenetic analyses of both mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA markers showed monophyly of the genus Mammomonogamus and suggested the existence of at least two species in cats. Review of the literature, the existence of several species and the discontinuous geographic distribution of Mammomonogamus infections in domestic cats suggest an historical spillover of infection from wild reservoirs, presumably wild felids.

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First Phylogeny of Bitterbush Family, Picramniaceae (Picramniales)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9020284 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 284

Author(s):

Alexey Shipunov ◽

Shyla Carr ◽

Spencer Furniss ◽

Kyle Pay ◽

José Rubens Pirani

Keyword(s):

Morphological Evolution ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic Tree ◽

Plant Group ◽

The Family ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Recent Addition ◽

The Subject ◽

American Tropics

Picramniaceae is the only member of Picramniales which is sister to the clade (Sapindales (Huerteales (Malvales, Brassicales))) in the rosidsmalvids. Not much is known about most aspects of their ecology, geography, and morphology. The family is restricted to American tropics. Picramniaceae representatives are rich in secondary metabolites; some species are known to be important for pharmaceutical purposes. Traditionally, Picramniaceae was classified as a subfamily of Simaroubaceae, but from 1995 on, it has been segregated containing two genera, Picramnia and Alvaradoa, with the recent addition of a third genus, Nothotalisia, described in 2011. Only a few species of the family have been the subject of DNA-related research, and fewer than half of the species have been included in morphological phylogenetic analyses. It is clear that Picramniaceae remains a largely under-researched plant group. Here we present the first molecular phylogenetic tree of the group, based on both chloroplast and nuclear markers, widely adopted in the plant DNA barcoding. The main findings are: The family and its genera are monophyletic and Picramnia is sister to two other genera; some clades corroborate previous assumptions of relationships made on a morphological or geographical basis, while most parts of the molecular topology suggest high levels of homoplasy in the morphological evolution of Picramnia.

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An Overview of 24 Years of Molecular Phylogenetic Studies in Phallales (Basidiomycota) With Notes on Systematics, Geographic Distribution, Lifestyle, and Edibility

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.689374 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Gislaine C. S. Melanda ◽

Alexandre G. S. Silva-Filho ◽

Alexandre Rafael Lenz ◽

Nelson Menolli ◽

Alexandro de Andrade de Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geographic Distribution ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Dna Markers ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Its Sequences ◽

Atpase Subunit ◽

Genus Level ◽

Small Subunit Rdna

The order Phallales (Basidiomycota) is represented by gasteroid fungi with expanded and sequestrate basidiomata, known as stinkhorns and false truffles. In phalloids, the first DNA sequence was published in 1997, and after that, some studies aimed to resolve phylogenetic conflicts and propose new species based on DNA markers; however, the number of families and genera in the order still generates controversies among researchers. Thus, this work aims to provide an overview of Phallales diversity represented by selected DNA markers available in public databases. We retrieved Phallales sequences from DNA databases (GenBank and UNITE) of seven markers: ITS (internal transcribed spacer), nuc-LSU (nuclear large subunit rDNA), nuc-SSU (nuclear small subunit rDNA), mt-SSU (mitochondrial small subunit rDNA), ATP6 (ATPase subunit 6), RPB2 (nuclear protein-coding second largest subunit of RNA polymerase), and TEF1-α (translation elongation factor subunit 1α). To compose our final dataset, all ITS sequences retrieved were subjected to BLASTn searches to identify additional ITS sequences not classified as Phallales. Phylogenetic analyses based on Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches using single and combined markers were conducted. All ITS sequences were clustered with a cutoff of 98% in order to maximize the number of species hypotheses. The geographic origin of sequences was retrieved, as well as additional information on species lifestyle and edibility. We obtained a total of 1,149 sequences, representing 664 individuals. Sequences of 41 individuals were unidentified at genus level and were assigned to five distinct families. We recognize seven families and 22 genera in Phallales, although the delimitation of some genera must be further revisited in order to recognize only monophyletic groups. Many inconsistencies in species identification are discussed, and the positioning of genera in each family is shown. The clustering revealed 118 species hypotheses, meaning that approximately 20% of all described species in Phallales have DNA sequences available. Information related to geographic distribution represents 462 individuals distributed in 46 countries on all continents, except Antarctica. Most genera are saprotrophic with only one putative ectomycorrhizal genus, and 2.1% of the legitimate specific names recognized in Phallales are confirmed edible species. Great progress in the molecular analyses of phalloids has already been made over these years, but it is still necessary to solve some taxonomic inconsistencies, mainly at genus level, and generate new data to expand knowledge of the group.

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Identification of Novel Feline Paramyxoviruses in Guignas (Leopardus guigna) from Chile

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12121397 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (12) ◽

pp. 1397

Author(s):

Michael Sieg ◽

Irene Sacristán ◽

Johannes Busch ◽

Karen A. Terio ◽

Javier Cabello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Specific Antibodies ◽

Two Samples ◽

The Family ◽

Phylogenetic Origin ◽

Leopardus Guigna

The family of paramyxoviruses has received growing attention as several new species have been identified recently, notably two different clusters in domestic cats, designated as feline morbillivirus (FeMV) and feline paramyxovirus (FPaV). Their phylogenetic origin and whether wild felids also harbor these viruses are currently unknown. Kidney samples from 35 guignas (Leopardus guigna), a wild felid from Chile, were investigated for paramyxoviruses using consensus-RT-PCR. In addition, thirteen serum samples of guignas were screened for the presence of FeMV-specific antibodies by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Viral RNA was detected in 31% of the kidney samples. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported clusters, related to isolates from domestic cats, rodents and bats. No significant histopathology changes were recorded in infected guignas. Serology identified two samples which were positive for FeMV-specific antibodies. Our study highlights the diversity of paramyxovirus infections in felids with special emphasis on guignas from Chile.

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Systematic revision and redefinition of the genus Scirrotherium Edmund and Theodor, 1997 (Cingulata, Pampatheriidae): Implications for the origin of pampatheriids and the evolution of the South American lineage including Holmesina

10.1101/719153 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Kevin Jiménez-Lara

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

South American ◽

The South ◽

Systematic Revision ◽

Sister Clade ◽

The Family ◽

Single Clade ◽

Low Latitudes ◽

The Relationship

AbstractThe intrageneric relationships of the pampatheriid genus Scirrotherium and its affinities with supposedly related genera, i.e., Kraglievichia and Holmesina, are revised through parsimony phylogenetic analyses and new comparative morphological descriptions. For this work, unpublished material of pampatheriids (numerous osteoderms, one partial skull and a few postcranial bones) from Neogene formations of Colombia was analyzed. The results show that Scirrotherium is paraphyletic if we include all its referred species, i.e., Scirrotherium hondaensis, S. carinatum and S. antelucanus. The species S. carinatum is closer to Kraglievichia paranensis than to S. hondaensis or S. antelucanus, therefore the new name K. carinatum comb. nov. is proposed. The relationship among S. hondaensis and S. antelucanus could not be resolved, so these species should be designated in aphyly. In spite of failing to recover S. hondaensis and S. antelucanus as one single clade, here is preferred to maintain the generic name Scirrotherium in both species based on diagnostic evidence. New emended diagnoses for Scirrotherium, S. hondaensis and Kraglievichia are provided. The genus Holmesina was found to be monophyletic and positioned as the sister clade of Scirrotherium + Kraglievichia. The evolutionary and biogeographic implications of the new phylogeny and taxonomic re-arrangements are discussed. A possible geographic origin of the family Pampatheriidae and Scirrotherium in low latitudes of South America as early as Early Miocene times is claimed. The South American ancestor or sister taxon of Holmesina is predicted to be morphologically more similar to Scirrotherium than to Kraglievichia.

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Different behaviour of mitochondrial and nuclear markers: introgression and the evolutionary history of Chrysocarabus (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Entomologica Fennica ◽

10.33338/ef.84330 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andreas Düring ◽

Martina Brückner ◽

Dietrich Mossakowski

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Evolutionary History ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Gene Tree ◽

Gene Trees ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽

History Of ◽

Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers

Phylogenetic analyses of Chrysocarabus taxa using different markers result in different phylogenetic trees. In particular, the mitochondrial gene tree contradicts the results of morphological and inbreeding studies. Two very different haplotypes of Carabus splendens Olivier, 1790 do not form a clade within this phylogenetic tree. We have earlier proposed that contradictory results are due to introgression. To verify our hypothesis, we analysed the internal transcribed spacer 2. No substitutions were observed in these nuclear sequences between the individuals of Carabus splendens, which contain the different mitochondrial haplotypes in question. The differences in the gene trees based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequences can be explained with at least two introgression events.

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Genome-wide sequencing uncovers cryptic diversity and mito-nuclear discordance in theOctopus vulgarisspecies complex

10.1101/573493 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Michael D. Amor ◽

Stephen R. Doyle ◽

Mark D. Norman ◽

Alvaro Roura ◽

Nathan E. Hall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptic Species ◽

Phylogenetic Signal ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Octopus Vulgaris ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

Divergence Time Estimates ◽

Mitochondrial Markers ◽

Species Complexes ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Mitochondrial And Nuclear Markers

ABSTRACTMany marine species once considered to be cosmopolitan are now recognised as cryptic species complexes. Mitochondrial markers are ubiquitously used to address phylogeographic questions, and have been used to identify some cryptic species complexes; however, their efficacy in inference of evolutionary processes in the nuclear genome has not been thoroughly investigated. We used double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) markers to quantify species boundaries in the widely distributed and high value common octopus,Octopus vulgaris, comparing genome-wide phylogenetic signal to that obtained from mitochondrial markers. Phylogenetic analyses, genome-wide concordance and species tree estimation based on 604 genome-wide ddRADseq loci revealed six species within theO. vulgarisgroup. Divergence time estimates suggested modern-day species evolved over the last 2.5 ma, during a period of global cooling. Importantly, our study identified significant phylogenetic discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear markers; genome-wide nuclear loci supportedO. vulgarissensu stricto and Type III (South Africa) as distinct species, which mtDNA failed to recognise. Our finding of conflicting phylogenetic signal between mitochondrial and nuclear markers has broad implications for many taxa. Improved phylogenetic resolution ofO. vulgarishas significant implications for appropriate management of the group and will allow greater accuracy in global fisheries catch statistics.

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Cytauxzoon europaeus infections in domestic cats in Switzerland and in European wildcats in France: a tale that started more than two decades ago

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-05111-8 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Barbara Willi ◽

Marina L. Meli ◽

Chiara Cafarelli ◽

Urs O. Gilli ◽

Anja Kipar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Infections ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Gene Sequencing ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Domestic Cats ◽

Stray Cats ◽

Wild Felids ◽

Central Switzerland ◽

High Risk Populations

Abstract Background Cytauxzoon spp. infection is believed to be a newly emerging tick-borne disease in felids in Europe, with three species of the haemoparasite having recently been differentiated in wild felids. In Switzerland, rare infections have been documented in domestic cats in the west and northwest of the country, the first of which was in 2014. The aims of the present study were: (i) to characterize a Cytauxzoon spp. hotspot in domestic cats in central Switzerland; (ii) to elucidate the geographic distribution of Cytauxzoon spp. in domestic cats in Switzerland; (iii) to assess suspected high-risk populations, such as stray and anaemic cats; and (iv) to investigate the newly emerging nature of the infection. Cytauxzoon spp. were further differentiated using mitochondrial gene sequencing. Methods The overall study included samples from 13 cats from two households in central Switzerland (study A), 881 cats from all regions of Switzerland (study B), 91 stray cats from a hotspot region in the northwest of Switzerland and 501 anaemic cats from across Switzerland (study C), and 65 Swiss domestic cats sampled in 2003 and 34 European wildcats from eastern France sampled in the period 1995–1996 (study D). The samples were analysed for Cytauxzoon spp. using real-time TaqMan quantitative PCR, and positive samples were subjected to 18S rRNA, cytochrome b (CytB) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing. Results In study A, six of 13 cats from two neighbouring households in central Switzerland tested postive for Cytauxzoon spp.; two of the six infected cats died from bacterial infections. In studies B and C, only one of the 881 cats (0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0–0.3%) in the countrywide survey and one of the 501 anaemic cats (0.2%; 95% CI: 0–0.6%) tested postive for Cytauxzoon spp. while eight of the 91 stray cats in the northwest of Switzerland tested positive (8.8%; 95% CI: 3.0–14.6%). In study D, Cytauxzoon spp. was detected in one of the 65 domestic cat samples from 2003 (1.5%; 95% CI: 0–4.5%) and in ten of the 34 European wildcat samples from 1995 to 1996 (29%; 95% CI: 14.2–44.7%). The isolates showed ≥ 98.6% sequence identities among the 18S rRNA, CytB and COI genes, respectively, and fell in the subclade Cytauxzoon europaeus based on CytB and COI gene phylogenetic analyses. Conclusions The study challenges the newly emerging nature of Cytauxzoon spp. in central Europe and confirms that isolates from domestic cats in Switzerland and European wild felids belong to the same species. Graphical Abstract

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