Total evidence phylogeny of the North American harvestman family Stygnopsidae (Opiliones : Laniatores : Grassatores) reveals hidden diversity

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús A. Cruz-López ◽  
Oscar F. Francke

Systematic relationships among Laniatores have received considerable attention during the past few years. Many significant taxonomic changes have been proposed, particularly in the superfamily Gonyleptoidea. As part of this superfamily, the basalmost Stygnopsidae is the least known family. In order to propose the first total evidence phylogeny of the family, we produced four datasets: three molecular markers – partial nuclear 28S, mitochondrial ribosomal 16S, mitochondrial protein-encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; and 72 morphological characters. With these data, we performed three different phylogenetic analyses: (1) Bayesian Inference with molecular data, and (2) Bayesian Inference and (3) Maximum Likelihood using combined data. Our results are congruent: a monophyletic Stygnopsidae subdivided into two major clades: Stygnopsinae and Karosinae, subfam. nov. The following genera are redefined: Stygnopsis, Hoplobunus and Serrobunus stat. rev. The following taxa are described: Iztlina venefica, gen. nov., sp. nov. and Tonalteca, gen. nov. Additionally, the following changes are proposed: Serrobunus queretarius (Šilhavý, 1974), comb. nov., Stygnopsis apoalensis (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov., Stygnopsis mexicana (Roewer, 1915), comb. nov., Stygnopsis oaxacensis (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov., and Tonalteca spinooculorum (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov. We also discuss the status of the genera Isaeus stat. rev. and Mexotroglinus. Finally, we discuss the evolution of male genitalia and convergence of selected homoplastic diagnostic characters.

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Gebiola ◽  
Antonio P. Garonna ◽  
Umberto Bernardo ◽  
Sergey A. Belokobylskij

Doryctinae (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) is a large and diverse subfamily of parasitic wasps that has received much attention recently, with new species and genera described and phylogenies based on morphological and/or molecular data that have improved higher-level classification and species delimitation. However, the status of several genera is still unresolved, if not controversial. Here we focus on two related groups of such genera, Dendrosoter Wesmael–Caenopachys Foerster and Ecphylus Foerster–Sycosoter Picard & Lichtenstein. We integrated morphological and molecular (COI and 28S–D2 genes) evidence to highlight, by phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian) and a posteriori morphological examination, previously overlooked variation, which is here illustrated and discussed. Monophyly of Dendrosoter and Caenopachys and the presence of synapomorphic morphological characters support synonymy of Caenopachys under Dendrosoter. Low genetic differentiation and high variability for putatively diagnostic morphological characters found in both C. hartigii (Ratzeburg) and C. caenopachoides (Ruschka) supports synonymy of D. caenopachoides under D. hartigii, syn. nov. Morphological and molecular evidence together also indicate independent generic status for Sycosoter, stat. rev., which is here resurrected. This work represents a further advancement in the framework of the ongoing effort to improve systematics and classification of the subfamily Doryctinae.


Zootaxa ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 5091 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-154
Author(s):  
XIN XU ◽  
LI YU ◽  
FENGXIANG LIU ◽  
DAIQIN LI

A new genus of the primitively segmented trapdoor spiders, which is endemic to the north of China, is described, Luthela gen. nov., and the status of Sinothela Haupt, 2003 and Sinothela sinensis (Bishop & Crosby, 1932) is discussed and both are treated as nomina dubia. The new genus Luthela gen. nov. is erected based on morphology and molecular data of the type species Luthela yiyuan sp. nov. A taxonomic revision of the new genus is given. Three Sinothela species are transferred to the new genus, L. luotianensis comb. nov. and L. schensiensis comb. nov. are redescribed using our newly collected specimens, include L. heyangensis comb. nov. as a junior synonym of L. schensiensis comb. nov., and describe six new species based on both male and female morphological characters: L. badong sp. nov., L. dengfeng sp. nov., L. handan sp. nov., L. taian sp. nov., L. yiyuan sp. nov., and L. yuncheng sp. nov.  


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rüdiger Bieler ◽  
Paula M. Mikkelsen ◽  
Timothy M. Collins ◽  
Emily A. Glover ◽  
Vanessa L. González ◽  
...  

To re-evaluate the relationships of the major bivalve lineages, we amassed detailed morpho-anatomical, ultrastructural and molecular sequence data for a targeted selection of exemplar bivalves spanning the phylogenetic diversity of the class. We included molecular data for 103 bivalve species (up to five markers) and also analysed a subset of taxa with four additional nuclear protein-encoding genes. Novel as well as historically employed morphological characters were explored, and we systematically disassembled widely used descriptors such as gill and stomach ‘types’. Phylogenetic analyses, conducted using parsimony direct optimisation and probabilistic methods on static alignments (maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference) of the molecular data, both alone and in combination with morphological characters, offer a robust test of bivalve relationships. A calibrated phylogeny also provided insights into the tempo of bivalve evolution. Finally, an analysis of the informativeness of morphological characters showed that sperm ultrastructure characters are among the best morphological features to diagnose bivalve clades, followed by characters of the shell, including its microstructure. Our study found support for monophyly of most broadly recognised higher bivalve taxa, although support was not uniform for Protobranchia. However, monophyly of the bivalves with protobranchiate gills was the best-supported hypothesis with incremental morphological and/or molecular sequence data. Autobranchia, Pteriomorphia, Heteroconchia, Palaeoheterodonta, Archiheterodonta, Euheterodonta, Anomalodesmata and Imparidentia new clade ( = Euheterodonta excluding Anomalodesmata) were recovered across analyses, irrespective of data treatment or analytical framework. Another clade supported by our analyses but not formally recognised in the literature includes Palaeoheterodonta and Archiheterodonta, which emerged under multiple analytical conditions. The origin and diversification of each of these major clades is Cambrian or Ordovician, except for Archiheterodonta, which diverged from Palaeoheterodonta during the Cambrian, but diversified during the Mesozoic. Although the radiation of some lineages was shifted towards the Palaeozoic (Pteriomorphia, Anomalodesmata), or presented a gap between origin and diversification (Archiheterodonta, Unionida), Imparidentia showed steady diversification through the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic. Finally, a classification system with six major monophyletic lineages is proposed to comprise modern Bivalvia: Protobranchia, Pteriomorphia, Palaeoheterodonta, Archiheterodonta, Anomalodesmata and Imparidentia.


2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
James O. Indsto ◽  
Peter H. Weston ◽  
Mark A. Clements

Diuris is a terrestrial orchid genus of at least 61 and possibly more than 100 species, restricted to Australia except for one species endemic in Timor. Distinctive species groups have respective eastern and western centres of distribution. Although species affinities have been vaguely understood for many years, no formal infrageneric treatment has been undertaken as Diuris possesses few reliable morphological characters for a classification system. We have undertaken cladistic parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of Diuris by using the ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 region of nuclear rDNA and morphological characters, with a subset of samples also studied by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) as an independent test of phylogenetic relationships. Four major clades with strong bootstrap support were resolved and are named here according to a recently published classification; D. sulphurea forms a lineage (subg. Paradiuris) of its own that is well supported as the sister to the rest of Diuris. Two other major eastern clades contained species related to D. maculata (subg. Xanthodiuris) and D. punctata (subg. Diuris), respectively. Although these latter two subgenera are genetically well resolved, there is minimal genetic variation at species level, consistent with recent, rapid speciation. A fourth clade (subg. Hesperodiuris) has a centre of distribution in Western Australia, and has more genetic and morphological variation than the eastern subgenera. Total evidence analysis provides support for the western clade being sister group to the two eastern subgenera Diuris and Xanthodiuris; however, this relationship was not resolved by molecular data. Hybridisation is known to be common among species within subgenera Diuris and Xanthodiuris. Instances of incongruence between different datasets were found suggestive of hybridisation events between species of different sections of Diuris.


2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.


1957 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Wood

While investigating the biology of the North American species of Hypomolyx, field workers in Manitoba found a vestigial, or short-winged, and a long-winged form under apparently identical conditions in about equal numbers. Although biological differences were nor then apparent, there was doubt as to whether they were dealing with one dimorphic species or with two distinct species, A search for morphological characters brought to light numerous differences between the two forms, supporting the view that two species were present. These differences, a description the previously unrecognized species, and notes concerning the status of the genera Hylobius and Hypomolyx are reported below.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5048 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-175
Author(s):  
R.A. KAIM-MALKA ◽  
D. BELLAN-SANTINI ◽  
J.C. DAUVIN

Two new Haploops species are described from the North Atlantic Ocean: a blind species Haploops faroensis spec. nov. and Haploops truncata spec. nov. with a single pair of corneal lenses. In addition, Haploops vallifera Stephensen 1925 and Haploops similis Stephensen 1925, are re-described and the status of Haploops spinosa Shoemaker 1931, is re-established as a valid species. A table is given of the 75 morphological characters of the studied species.  


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 511 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
XIANG MA ◽  
CHANG-LIN ZHAO

Two new species, Xylodon bambusinus and X. xinpingensis, are proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. Both species share the annual growth habit, resupinate basidiomata and monomitic hyphal system with clamped, colorless generative hyphae, smooth, thin-walled basidiospores, but X. bambusinus is characterized by the smooth to tuberculate hymenial surface, presence of capitate and fusiform cystidia, broad ellipsoid basidiospores, while X. xinpingensis by the reticulate hymenophore with cream hymenial surface, and subglobose basidiospores (4.5–6 × 3.5–5 µm). Sequences of ITS and LSU nrRNA gene regions of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS and ITS+nLSU sequences showed that X. bambusinus was sister to X. subclavatus, while X. xinpingensis grouped with X. astrocystidiatus and X. paradoxus. The nLSU dataset revealed that X. bambusinus grouped with X. asperus and X. brevisetus with lower supports, and that X. xinpingensis grouped with X. astrocystidiatus and X. paradoxus and then with X. rimosissimus without supports. Both morphological and molecular evidences confirmed the placement of two new species in Xylodon. Description and figures from the new species and a key to the known species of Xylodon from China are presented.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10364
Author(s):  
Natalia I. Abramson ◽  
Fedor N. Golenishchev ◽  
Semen Yu. Bodrov ◽  
Olga V. Bondareva ◽  
Evgeny A. Genelt-Yanovskiy ◽  
...  

In this article, we present the nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the Subalpine Kashmir vole Hyperacrius fertilis (Arvicolinae, Cricetidae, Rodentia), assembled using data from Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the DNA from a century-old museum specimen. De novo assembly consisted of 16,341 bp and included all mitogenome protein-coding genes as well as 12S and 16S RNAs, tRNAs and D-loop. Using the alignment of protein-coding genes of 14 previously published Arvicolini tribe mitogenomes, seven Clethrionomyini mitogenomes, and also Ondatra and Dicrostonyx outgroups, we conducted phylogenetic reconstructions based on a dataset of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) under maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Phylogenetic analyses robustly supported the phylogenetic position of this species within the tribe Arvicolini. Among the Arvicolini, Hyperacrius represents one of the early-diverged lineages. This result of phylogenetic analysis altered the conventional view on phylogenetic relatedness between Hyperacrius and Alticola and prompted the revision of morphological characters underlying the former assumption. Morphological analysis performed here confirmed molecular data and provided additional evidence for taxonomic replacement of the genus Hyperacrius from the tribe Clethrionomyini to the tribe Arvicolini.


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-412
Author(s):  
Marcelo R. Pace ◽  
Brenda Hernández-Hernández ◽  
Esteban M. Martínez Salas ◽  
Lúcia G. Lohmann ◽  
N. Ivalu Cacho

Background: Astianthus is a monospecific arborescent genus of Bignoniaceae that occur in the Pacific Coast of central Mexico and northern Central America, where it grows in dense populations along riversides. Its phylogenetic placement has remained controversial since Astianthus has unusual morphological characters such as a four-loculed ovary, and simple, pulvinate, verticillate leaves. Methods: Here we used three plastid markers ndhF, rbcL, and trnL-F, wood, and bark anatomical data to investigate the phylogenetic placement of Astianthus and assign it to one of Bignoniaceae’s main clades. Results: Our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that Astianthus belongs in tribe Tecomeae s.s., where other charismatic Neotropical Bignoniaceae genera such as Campsis and Tecoma are currently placed. Wood and bark anatomy support this placement, as Astianthus reunites a unique combination of features only known from members of Tecomeae s.s., such as storied axial parenchyma, the co-occurrence of homo- and heterocellular rays, septate fibers, and scattered phloem fibers in the bark. Conclusions: The placement of Astianthus within Tecomeae s.s. provides further support to previous proposals for the Neotropical origin of this Pantropical tribe.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document