A systematic revision of the South African Pettalidae (Arachnida:Opiliones:Cyphophthalmi) based on a combined analysis of discrete and continuous morphological characters with the description of seven new species

2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. de Bivort ◽  
Gonzalo Giribet
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
The South ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
Eastern Australia

The cyphophthalmid family Pettalidae in South Africa is revised and seven new species are described from museum material collected between 1939 and 1985. Two of these are placed in the genus Purcellia and five in Parapurcellia, bringing the total number of described South African cyphophthalmids to 15. In addition, Purcellia peregrinator is transferred to the genus Parapurcellia. Phylogenetic analyses of discrete morphological and continuous morphometric characters, both separately and in combination, support the generic assignments and contribute towards a more detailed understanding of the systematics of the group in South Africa. In order to assess the stability of our phylogenetic results, the different morphological datasets were analysed under equal and implied weighting, as well as under several weighting schemes that varied the respective contribution to tree length of the discrete and continuous data partitions. These variations generated two phylogenetic hypotheses: (1) monophyly of the South African pettalids + Austropurcellia from north-eastern Australia as a derived clade within Pettalidae; and (2) polyphyly of the South African pettalids with Parapurcellia basal within Pettalidae. The latter hypothesis is congruent with previous molecular phylogenies of Cyphophthalmi, and has moderate bootstrap support. The sisterhood of Purcellia griswoldi, sp. nov. and P. lawrencei, sp. nov. receives high nodal support across analytic methods. New combination: Parapurcellia peregrinator (Lawrence, 1963).

scholarly journals First Report of Leaf Rust of Blueberry Caused by Thekopsora minima on Vaccinium corymbosum in the Western Cape, South Africa

Plant Disease ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 478-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mostert ◽  
W. Bester ◽  
T. Jensen ◽  
S. Coertze ◽  
A. van Hoorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Water Solution ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Tween 20 ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
The South ◽  
First Report

Southern highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids) showing rust-like symptoms were observed in July 2006 in Porterville in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa. Diseased plants were also found in Villiersdorp and George in the WC in 2007. In 2008, symptoms were observed in George, and in 2009, in all the previous reported areas. Cvs. Bluecrisp, Emerald, Jewel, Sharpblue, and Star were infected. Reddish-to-brown spots appeared on the adaxial surface of leaves and developed into yellow-to-orange erumpent uredinia with pulverulent urediniospores. Uredinia were hypophyllous, dome shaped, 113 to 750 μm wide, and occasionally coalescing. Urediniospores were broadly obovate, sometimes ellipsoidal or pyriform, with yellowish orange content, and measured 19 to 27 × 12 to 20 μm (average 24 × 15 μm, n = 30). Spore walls were echinulate, hyaline, 1 to 1.5 μm thick, and with obscure germ pores. No telia or teliospores were observed. Voucher specimens were lodged in the South African National Fungus Collection in Pretoria (PREM 60245). The isolate was initially identified as Thekopsora minima P. Syd. & Syd., based primarily on the absence of conspicuous ostiolar cells characteristic of Naohidemyces spp. (3). Genomic DNA was extracted from urediniospores. Approximately 1,400 bp were amplified spanning the 5.8S, ITS2, and 28S large subunit of the ribosomal DNA (1). The sequence (GU355675) shared 96% (907 of 942 bp; GenBank AF522180) and 94% (1,014 of 1,047 bp; GenBank DQ354563) similarities in the 28S portion, respectively, to those of Naohidemyces vaccinii (Wint.) Sato, Katsuya et Y. Hiratsuka and Pucciniastrum geoppertianum (Kuehn) Kleb, two of the three known rust species of blueberry (2). Although no sequences of T. minima were available for direct comparison, phylogenetic analyses of the 28S region strongly supported the South African blueberry rust as congeneric with T. guttata (J. Schröt.) P. Syd. & Syd. (GenBank AF426231) and T. symphyti (Bubák) Berndt (GenBank AF26230) (data not shown). Four 6-month-old cv. Sharpblue plants were inoculated with a suspension (approximate final concentration of 1 × 105 spores per ml) of fresh urediniospores in a water solution with 0.05% Tween 20. After incubation at 20°C for 48 h under continuous fluorescent lighting, the plants were grown in a glasshouse (18/25°C night/day temperatures). Identical uredinia and symptoms developed approximately 3 weeks after inoculation on the inoculated plants, but not on two control plants of cv. Sharpblue sprayed with distilled water and kept at the same conditions. The alternate host hemlock (Tsuga spp.) is not endemic to South Africa and not sold as an ornamental plant according to a large conifer nursery. Hosts of T. minima include Gaylussacia baccata, G. frondosa, Lyonia neziki, Menziesia pilosa, Rhododendron canadense, R. canescens, R. lutescens R. ponticum, R. prunifolium, R. viscosum, V. angustifolium var. laevifolium, V. corumbosum, and V. erythrocarpon (3). Visual inspection of possible hosts in the gardens in close proximity of Vaccinium production areas did not show any rust symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. minima on blueberries outside of Asia and the United States (2). References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. Online publication. USDA-ARS, 2009. (3) S. Sato et al. Trans. Mycol. Soc. Jpn. 34:47, 1993.

Resolving the taxonomic identities and genetic structure of two cryptic Platynereis Kinberg species from South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyothi Kara ◽  
Cinthya S. G. Santos ◽  
Angus H. H. Macdonald ◽  
Carol A. Simon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Structured Populations ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Cosmopolitan Species ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Haplotype Networks ◽  
Platynereis Dumerilii

The perceived cosmopolitanism of polychaete worms could be an artefact of historical factors such as poor original species descriptions, lack of type material and the European taxonomic bias, to name a few. Thus, it is possible that several cosmopolitan species hide complexes of cryptic and pseudocryptic species. Two putative cosmopolitan species, Platynereis dumerilii and Platynereis australis, collected in South Africa were investigated here (1) to determine whether the South African taxa are conspecific with the morphologically identical taxa from France and New Zealand (the respective type localities of P. dumerilii and P. australis), (2) to compare the South African species morphometrically to determine whether their morphological characters are reliable enough to separate them, and (3) to investigate whether these species have geographically structured populations along the coast of South Africa. Molecular data (COI and ITS1) confirm that P. dumerilii and P. australis do not occur in South Africa. Instead, the South African taxon formerly thought to be Platynereis dumerilii is new and is described here as Platynereis entshonae, sp. nov.; the identity of the other South African species is currently unresolved and is treated here as Platynereis sp. Surprisingly, Platynereis massiliensis (type locality: Marseilles) nested within the South African Platynereissp. clade but, since it is part of a cryptic species complex in the Mediterranean, the name is considered doubtful. Morphological characters traditionally used to define these South African Platynereis species are not reliable as predefined morphological groupings do not match phylogenetic clades and principal component scores revealed no separation in morphological characters that could distinguish between them. Haplotype networks and phylogenetic trees revealed that P. entshonae, sp. nov. and Platynereis sp. have geographically structured populations along the South African coast. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6E36A210-9E48-430F-8A93-EDC27F0C5631

Descriptions of two new species of the genus Paragus Latreille (Diptera: Syrphidae), with a key to males of all South African species

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4780 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-355
Author(s):  
TAMARA TOT ◽  
SNEŽANA RADENKOVIĆ ◽  
ZORICA NEDELJKOVIĆ ◽  
LAURA LIKOV ◽  
ANTE VUJIĆ
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Afrotropical Region ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Republic

Two new species of the genus Paragus Latreille, 1804 are described from the Republic of South Africa: Paragus longipilus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. and Paragus megacercus Tot, Vujić et Radenković sp. nov. These new species belong to the subgenus Pandasyopthalmus Stuckenberg, 1954a. Paragus longipilus sp. nov. is a member of the P. jozanus group, whereas Paragus megacercus sp. nov. belongs to the P. tibialis group. The taxonomic status of Paragus chalybeatus Hull, 1964 is revised and proposed as synonym of Paragus punctatus Hull, 1949. Additionally, an identification key to males of the South African species of Paragus is provided. Results of the present study confirm a significant level of endemism of Paragus in the Afrotropical Region (12 out of 29). 

scholarly journals Erratum: Addendum to Zootaxa 4612 (3): On some new and old soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) from Africa, with description of a new Coccus species and introduction of a new genus by B. Łagowska and Chris J. Hodgson.

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4629 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-600
Author(s):  
BOŻENA ŁAGOWSKA ◽  
CHRIS J. HODGSON
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Scale Insects ◽  
The South ◽  
Soft Scale ◽  
New Material

Due to an oversight, the depositories of the new species, Coccus giliomeei Łagowska & Hodgson, and of the new material of Coccus rhodesiensis (Hall) collected in the Transvaal, South Africa, was omitted from the manuscript.  Both lots of slides will be deposited in SANC, The South African National Collection of Insects, Pretoria, South Africa. 

A new species group of the genus Trechosia from the Cape region of South Africa (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Trechinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1469 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-50
Author(s):  
GERNOT GEGINAT
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Species Group ◽  
The South ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
A New Species

Trechodes intermedia sp. nov. and T. kogelbergensis sp. nov. are described from South Africa. A third species, T. humeralis (Jeannel, 1930) comb.nov. is transferred to Trechosia Jeannel from the genus Cothresia Jeannel. All three species are macropterous, endemic to the South African Cape region, and together represent a new species group of the genus Trechosia. Keys to the species groups of the genus Trechosia and to the species of the new T. intermedia group are provided.

A revision of the soft coral genus, Eunephthya Verrill, 1869 (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Nephtheidae), with a description of four new species from South Africa

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3485 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
CATHERINE S. MCFADDEN ◽  
LEEN P. VAN OFWEGEN
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Soft Coral ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
28S Rdna ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Coral Genus ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

Based on the results of morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses of newly collected material, we reinstate thesoft coral genus Eunephthya Verrill, 1869 for a group of species endemic to South Africa. Eunephthya is morphologicallyand phylogenetically distinct from the zooxanthellate, tropical genus Capnella Gray, 1869 with which it had been synon-ymized. In Eunephthya the polyp sclerites include unilaterally spinose or leaf spindles, and the sclerites of the stalk surfaceand interior (when present) are small radiates and spheroids. In contrast, C. imbricata, the type species of Capnella, hasleaf clubs and leaf-capstans in the polyps and stalk surface, and large ovals and irregular forms in the interior. We describefour new species of Eunephthya from Algoa Bay, South Africa—E. celata, E. ericius, E. granulata, and E. shirleyae— and propose a new combination, E. susanae.Keywords. Molecular phylogenetics, Capnella, mtMutS, COI, 28S rDNA, endemism

Taxonomy, cladistics and biogeography of the Australian genus Putoniessa Kirkaldy (Hemiptera : Cicadelloidea : Cicadellidae)

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1037
Author(s):  
MM Stevens
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
New Combination ◽  
The South ◽  
As Species ◽  
Vicariance Event ◽  
Eastern Species

The morphology of Putoniessa Kirkaldy is reviewed and the genus revised. In total, 28 species are recognised: the type species, P. dignissima Kirkaldy, which is removed from synonymy; one new combination, P. dorsalis (Walker); eight previously described species, P. nigra (Walker), P. minima Evans, P. mackei Evans, P. draba Evans, P. taradalensis Evans, P. sordida Evans, P. nigrella Evans and P. turneri Evans; and 18 new species, P. rieki, P, brisbanensis, P. hickmani, P, neboissi, P. stanthorpensis, P. woodwardi, P. striata, P. evansi, P. variegata, P. tasmaniensis, P. grossi, P. serrata, P. northamensis, P. bifurcata, P. kiataensis, P. watsoni, P. fusca and P. aroka. P. nota Evans is excluded from the genus, and P. maculata Evans is synonymised under P. dorsalis (Walker). P. rivularis (Walker), originally described under Bythoscopus Germar, and P. galliensis Evans are considered as species of uncertain identity. The genus is shown to have a disjunct Bassian distribution with some eastern species extending northwards into the south-east of the Tomesian province. A consensus cladogram for Putoniessa, based on morphological characters, is presented. Large areas of the cladogram remain unresolved because of high levels of homoplasy among the limited number of reliable ingroup characters available. The cladogram does not support a purely vicariant biogeographic hypothesis. Theories that receive qualified support involve an eastern origin for the group followed by either an east-to-west dispersal or a vicariance event affecting a single taxon subsequent to initial speciation. A western origin for the group is strongly refuted.

New southern African species and a revalidation in the dung beetle genus Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) with an updated key

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4624 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-282
Author(s):  
CHRISTIAN M. DESCHODT ◽  
ADRIAN L.V. DAVIS
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Coastal Forest ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
The South ◽  
African Species ◽  
Three New Species

Three new species are described in the genus Gyronotus van Lansberge, 1874 (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae), from upland grasslands of South Africa. They are Gyronotus dracomontanus Deschodt & Davis, new species, Gyronotus ovalis Deschodt & Davis, new species and Gyronotus kearneyorum Deschodt & Davis, new species. The South African coastal forest species, Gyronotus marginatus Péringuey, 1888, status revised, is removed from synonymy with Gyronotus pumilus (Boheman, 1857) and revalidated at species level. An updated key to all South African and eSwatini species is provided. 

Review of the Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) in Australia, with comments on peripatopsid relationships

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
AL Reid
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Ancestral State ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
America South ◽  
Selection Of

The Peripatopsidae (Onychophora) are analysed by cladistic techniques. In all, 64 taxa, including 41 new Australian species, are included, and 369 character states are studied for these taxa; 36 genera are recognised, 22 of which are new from Australia. New species are described and redescriptions provided for the 13 Australian taxa recognised prior to the present study. A neotype is designated for Euperipatoides leuckartii (Saenger, 1869) and a lectotype is designated for Ooperipatus oviparus (Dendy, 1895). The phylogenetic relationships of the genera and a selection of characters used in the phylogenetic analyses are discussed. The results indicate that the Australian Peripatopsidae may not be monophyletic. The historical biogeography of the Peripatopsidae appears consistent with current geological theories of continental breakup and climate change, with the oldest elements of the fauna confined to Tasmania and south-eastern mainland Australia, regions that retain affinity with taxa from South America, South Africa and New Zealand. The evolution of some important characters is discussed in relation to these events. Ovoviviparity appears to be the ancestral state in the Onychophora, with oviparity arising in at least two Australian lineages. In eastern Australia there has been a dramatic radiation of species, many exhibiting unusual modifications of the head and its papillae.

scholarly journals The skull of StW 573, a 3.67 Ma Australopithecus skeleton from Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald J Clarke ◽  
Kathleen Kuman
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The South ◽  
Dental Wear ◽  
Hominid Fossil ◽  
First Time

Here we present the first full anatomical description of the 3.67 million-year-old Australopithecus skull StW 573 that was recovered with its skeleton from the Sterkfontein Member 2 breccia in the Silberberg Grotto. Analysis demonstrates that it is most similar in multiple key morphological characters to a group of fossils from Sterkfontein Member 4 and Makapansgat that are here distinguished morphologically as A. prometheus. This taxon contrasts with another group of fossils from those sites assigned to A. africanus. The anatomical reasons for why these groupings should not be lumped together (as is frequently done for the South African fossils) are discussed in detail. In support of this classification, we also present for the first time a palate (StW 576 from Sterkfontein Member 4) newly reconstructed by RJC, which has a uniquely complete adult dentition of an A. africanus. The StW 573 skull also has certain similarities with other earlier Australopithecus fossils in East Africa, A. afarensis and A. anamensis, which are discussed. One of its most interesting features is a pattern of very heavy anterior dental wear unlike that found in A. africanus but resembling that found in A. anamensis at 4.17 Ma. While StW 573 is the only hominid fossil in Sterkfontein Member 2, we conclude that competitive exclusion probably accounts for the synchronous and sympatric presence of two species of Australopithecus in the younger deposits at Makapansgat and Sterkfontein Member 4. Because the StW 573 skull is associated with a near-complete skeleton that is also described for the first time in this special issue, we are now able to use this individual to improve our understanding of more fragmentary finds in the South African fossil record of Australopithecus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document