scholarly journals Branching patterns of the afferent branchial arteries and their phylogenetic significance in rays (Batoidea)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla D. A. Soares ◽  
Mônica Toledo-Piza

AbstractRays of the superorder Batoidea comprise the most diverse group of chondrichthyans in terms of valid species and morphological disparity. Up to the present little agreement is observed in studies based on morphological and molecular data focused on uncovering the interrelationships within Batoidea. Morphology-based phylogenies of batoids have not included characters related to the afferent branchial arteries, and little is known about the variation in this anatomical complex in rays. Herein, representatives of 32 genera from 19 families currently recognized of rays were examined as well as some shark taxa. Seven new characters are proposed and tested in two different analyses, one on their own and in the other they were added to the morphological data matrix of the most recent analysis of interrelationships within Batoidea. The arrangement of afferent branchial arteries differs mainly among orders and families of batoids. The absence of a common trunk from which the three posteriormost afferent arteries branch is interpreted as a synapomorphy for Myliobatiformes and the presence of a coronary cranial artery as an autapomorphy for Mobula hypostoma. A close spatial relationship between the second and third afferent arteries within the common branch from the ventral aorta is proposed as a synapomorphy for Rajiformes with a secondary modification in Sympterygia. Data about patterns in afferent branchial arteries in additional taxa such as Squaliformes and Chimaeriformes are needed to better understand the evolution of this character complex among chondrichthyans.

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2880 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIS F. CARRERA-PARRA ◽  
SERGIO I. SALAZAR-VALLEJO

In a series of studies on eunicids, three Grand Caribbean species Eunice filamentosa, E. denticulata, and E. conglomerans were regarded as synonyms, or part of a species complex with an amphiamerican distribution. The revision of type and additional materials collected in the Grand Caribbean Region (GCR) and along the Mexican Pacific coasts, allowed us to clarify that E. conglomerans is a junior synonym of E. denticulata. Thus, E. filamentosa and E. denticulata are valid species in the GCR; while the specimens from the Tropical Eastern Pacific belong to a newly described species, E. tovarae n.sp. Herein we describe these three species, and some morphological features described in previous studies are reevaluated. Additionally, we found an important genetic divergence in nucleotide sequence variation of COI, which supported the morphological data. E. filamentosa and E. denticulata have a genetic divergence of 19.6%; whereas E. tovarae n. sp. has a genetic divergence of 20.7% from E. denticulata, and a 12.9% divergence from E. filamentosa.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-316
Author(s):  
M.A. Chursina ◽  
I.Ya. Grichanov

The recent catalogues of the family Dolichopodidae considered Syntormon pallipes (Fabricius, 1794) and S. pseudospicatus Strobl, 1899 as separate species. In this study, we used three approaches to estimate the significance of differences between the two species: molecular analysis (COI and 12S rRNA sequences), analysis of leg colour characters and geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape. The morphological data confirmed the absence of significant differences between S. pallipes and S. pseudospicatus found in the DNA analysis. Significant differences in the wing shape of two species have not been revealed. Hence, according to our data, there is no reason to consider S. pseudospicatus as a distinct species.


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4512 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE M. KAISER ◽  
HINRICH KAISER ◽  
MARK O’SHEA

Since its conceptualization in 1854, 29 species of the colubrid genus Stegonotus have been recognized or described, of which 15 (admiraltiensis, batjanensis, borneensis, cucullatus, derooijae, diehli, florensis, guentheri, iridis, heterurus, melanolabiatus, modestus, muelleri, parvus, poechi) are still considered valid today. Original species descriptions for the members of this genus were published in Dutch, English, French, German, and Italian and, perhaps as a consequence of these polyglot origins, there has been a considerable amount of confusion over which species names should be applied to which populations of Stegonotus throughout its range across Borneo, the Philippines, Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, and associated archipelagos. In addition, the terminology used to notate characteristics in the descriptions of these forms was not uniform and may have added to the taxonomic confusion. In this paper, we trace in detail the history of the type specimens, the species, and the synonyms currently associated with the genus Stegonotus and provide a basic, species-specific listing of their characteristics, derived from our examination of over 1500 museum specimens. Based on our data, we are able to limit the distribution of S. modestus to the islands of Ambon, Buru, and Seram in the central Moluccas of Indonesian Wallacea. We correct the type locality of S. cucullatus to the Manokwari area on the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesian New Guinea and designate a neotype for S. parvus, a species likely to be a regional endemic in the Schouten Archipelago of Cenderawasih Bay (formerly Geelvink Bay), Indonesian New Guinea. We unequivocally identify and explain the problematic localities of the type specimens of S. muelleri and Lycodon muelleri, which currently reside in the same specimen jar. We remove L. aruensis and L. lividum from the synonymy of S. modestus and recognize them as S. aruensis n. comb. and S. lividus n. comb., respectively. We remove S. keyensis and Zamenophis australis from the synonymy of S. cucullatus and recognize them as S. keyensis n. comb. and S. australis n. comb., respectively. We further remove S. reticulatus from the synonymy of S. cucullatus, S. dorsalis from the synonymy of S. diehli, and S. sutteri from the synonymy of S. florensis. We designate lectotypes for S. guentheri, S. heterurus, S. lividus, and S. reticulatus. Lastly, we introduce S. poechi, a valid species not mentioned in the scientific literature since its description in 1924. This brings the diversity in the genus Stegonotus to 22 species. We also caution that in a complex group of organisms like Stegonotus any rush to taxonomic judgment on the basis of molecular and incomplete morphological data sets may perpetuate errors and introduce incongruities. Only through the careful work of connecting type material with museum specimens and molecular data can the taxonomy and nomenclature of complex taxa be stabilized. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 680 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARNE NYGREN

Autolytinae is revised based on available types, and newly collected specimens. Out of 170 nominal species, 18 are considered as incertae sedis, 43 are regarded as junior synonyms, and 25 are referred to as nomina dubia. The relationships of Autolytinae is assessed from 51 morphological characters and 211 states for 76 ingroup-taxa, and 460 molecular characters from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA for 31 ingroup-taxa; outgroups include 12 non-autolytine syllid polychaetes. Two analyses are provided, one including morphological data only, and one with combined morphological and molecular data sets. The resulting strict consensus tree from the combined data is chosen for a reclassification. Three main clades are identified: Procerini trib. n., Autolytini Grube, 1850, and Epigamia gen. n. Proceraea Ehlers, 1864 and Myrianida Milne Edwards, 1845 are referred to as nomen protectum, while Scolopendra Slabber, 1781, Podonereis Blainville, 1818, Amytis Savigny, 1822, Polynice Savigny, 1822, and Nereisyllis Blainville, 1828 are considered


Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 333 (1) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENWEN LIU ◽  
XUDONG LIU ◽  
QINGHUA WANG ◽  
ZHENGYU HU ◽  
GUOXIANG LIU

Four specimens of Stigeoclonium spp., sampled in China between 2015 and 2016, were identified as the species Stigeoclonium polyrhizum (Chaetophoraceae, Chaetophorales) due to their unique morphology. A large part of the main filament and branches was tightly enclosed by numerous rhizoidal branches, which extended downward to the base of the plant to form an expanded holdfast. S. polyrhizum has previously been regarded as a synonym of S. longipilum or other related species by most phycologists. Therefore, a reassessment of S. polyrhizum based on morphological and molecular data was conducted. Rhizoidal branch development of S. polyrhizum was also described, showing the abundant rhizoidal branches present from the juvenile stage to the mature stage under controlled culture conditions. Phylogenetic evidence, using nuclear-encoded SSU rDNA data, clearly revealed that the Chaetophoraceae diverged into two well-supported sister clades: the Chaetophora-clade and the Fritschiella-clade. S. polyrhizum was included in the Fritschiella-clade instead of the Chaetophora-clade where Chaetophora draparnaldioides (S. longipilum) was found. The morphological and molecular data unambiguously show that S. polyrhizum is a valid species rather than a synonym of S. longipilum or other related species. Thylakoid bands appressed to the periphery of the pyrenoid matrix of S. polyrhizum was also described.


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 634 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Arribas ◽  
Salvador Carranza

Iberolacerta cyreni martinezricai is elevated to the species level (I. martinezricai) based on both morphological and molecular data. The phylogenetic analysis using two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene shows I. martinezricai is more closely related to I. monticola than to I. cyreni. A multivariate analysis of the morphological data also supports the affinities between I. martinezricai and I. monticola but, at the same time, clearly indicates that I. martinezricai is morphologically distinct from both I. monticola and I. cyreni. The molecular data suggests I. cyreni and the clade formed by I. monticola + I. martinezricai split approximately 6.1 Mya, during the Mesinian Salinity Crisis, when climatic conditions around the Mediterranean area changed dramatically as a result of the desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea. Separation between I. martinezricai and I. monticola occurred approximately 2 Mya but, with at least two equally plausible alternative hypotheses, their biogeography is still unclear. New data on the habitat and distribution of I. martinezricai indicates its distribution area is very small (12 15 km 2 ), and that it lives in a climatically extreme habitat for this kind of mountain species. As a result of that and the low numbers of individuals, I. martinezricai is considered here as Critically Endangered.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1517 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK GLAW ◽  
ZOLTÁN T. NAGY ◽  
MIGUEL VENCES

Based on a specimen found at Montagne d'Ambre in northern Madagascar morphologically agreeing with Compsophis albiventris Mocquard, 1894, we report on the rediscovery of this enigmatic snake genus and species and its molecular phylogenetic relationships. Compsophis albiventris, considered to be the only representative of its genus and unreported since its original description, bears strong morphological similarities to species of Geodipsas Boulenger, 1896. A molecular phylogeny based on DNA sequences of three mitochondrial and nuclear genes (complete cytochrome b, fragments of 16S rRNA and c-mos) in Compsophis albiventris and three Geodipsas species corroborated close relationships between C. albiventris and Geodipsas boulengeri, and showed that the genera Compsophis and Geodipsas together form a monophyletic unit. Despite the general similarities, morphological data and chromatic features support the existence of two species groups, corresponding to Compsophis and Geodipsas. We consequently consider Geodipsas as a subgenus of Compsophis and transfer all species currently in Geodipsas into the genus Compsophis.


Crustaceana ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Keikhosravi ◽  
Reza Naderloo ◽  
Christoph D. Schubart

Many species and subspecies of Potamon have been described from the easternmost distribution of the genus in the western tributaries of the Indus River. Most of them were synonymised subsequently under the two names of currently valid species known from the region: Potamon gedrosianum Alcock, 1909 and Potamon ruttneri Pretzmann, 1962. Genetic and morphological information, based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA and the first male gonopod (G1), were gathered in the course of the present study. The corresponding results suggest the occurrence of four groups and question the taxonomic status of both species. We also revise the distribution range of both species, in particular that of P. gedrosianum, with a new record from Iran. Overall, the study reveals the need for a major revision using further morphological and molecular data. Because of the complexity of this necessary revision and the incomplete sampling, we here refrain from proposing any taxonomic conclusions.


ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 971 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilgoo Kang ◽  
Khuat Dang Long ◽  
Michael J. Sharkey ◽  
James B. Whitfield ◽  
Nathan P. Lord

For the first time in 21 years, a new genus of cardiochiline braconid wasp, Orientocardiochiles Kang & Long, gen. nov. (type species Orientocardiochiles joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov.), is discovered and described. This genus represents the ninth genus in the Oriental region. Two new species (O. joeburrowi Kang, sp. nov. and O. nigrofasciatus Long, sp. nov.) are described and illustrated, and a key to species of the genus, with detailed images, is added. Diagnostic characters of the new genus are analyzed and compared with several other cardiochiline genera to allow the genus to key out properly using an existing generic treatment. The scientific names validated by this paper and morphological data obtained from this project will be utilized and tested in the upcoming genus-level revision of the subfamily based on combined morphological and molecular data.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M. D. Beck ◽  
Robert Voss ◽  
Sharon Jansa

The current literature on marsupial phylogenetics includes numerous studies based on analyses of morphological data with relatively limited sampling of Recent and fossil taxa, and many studies based on analyses of molecular data that include a dense sampling of Recent taxa, but relatively few that combine both data types. Another dichotomy in the marsupial phylogenetic literature is between studies that focus on New World taxa, others that focus on Sahulian taxa. To date, there has been no attempt to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the global marsupial fauna, based on combined analyses of morphology and molecular sequences, for a dense sampling of Recent and fossil taxa. For this report, we compiled morphological and molecular data from an unprecedented number of Recent and fossil marsupials. Our morphological data consist of 180 craniodental characters that we scored for 97 species representing every currently recognized Recent genus, 42 additional ingroup (crown-clade marsupial) taxa represented by well-preserved fossils, and 5 outgroups (non-marsupial metatherians). Our molecular data comprise 24.5 kb of DNA sequences from whole-mitochondrial genomes and six nuclear loci (APOB, BRCA1, GHR, RAG1, RBP3 and VWF) for 97 marsupial terminals (the same Recent taxa scored for craniodental morphology) and several placental and monotreme outgroups. The results of separate and combined analyses of these data using a wide range of phylogenetic methods support many currently accepted hypotheses of ingroup (marsupial) relationships, but they also underscore the difficulty of placing fossils with key missing data (e.g., †Evolestes), and the unique difficulty of placing others that exhibit mosaics of plesiomorphic and autapomorphic traits (e.g., †Yalkaparidon). Unique contributions of our study are (1) critical discussions and illustrations of marsupial craniodental morphology, including descriptions and illustrations of some features never previously coded for phylogenetic analysis; (2) critical assessments of relative support for many suprageneric clades; (3) estimates of divergence times derived from tip-and-node dating based on uniquely taxon-dense analyses; and (4) a revised, higher-order classification of marsupials accompanied by lists of supporting craniodental synapomorphies. Far from the last word on these topics, this report lays the foundation for future research that may be enabled by the discovery of new fossil taxa, better-preserved material of previously described taxa, novel morphological characters, and improved methods of phylogenetic analysis.


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