Mitochondrial and chemical profiles reveal a new genus and species of Neotropical termite with snapping soldiers, Palmitermes impostor (Termitidae : Termitinae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Hellemans ◽  
Thomas Bourguignon ◽  
Pavlína Kyjaková ◽  
Robert Hanus ◽  
Yves Roisin
Keyword(s):  
French Guiana ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Termite Species ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Taxonomic Approach

Since the inception of Linnaean taxonomy, termite species and genus descriptions have been mostly based on the morphology of soldiers, sometimes complemented by alate characters, though these are seldom discriminant. However, narrowly soldier-based descriptions may overemphasise ancestral characters and lead to the establishment of non-monophyletic taxa. In this paper, we used an integrative taxonomic approach that incorporates the morphology of all castes, including workers, as well as molecular and chemical data, to describe Palmitermes impostor Hellemans & Roisin, 2017 (Termitidae:Termitinae), a new termite genus and species from French Guiana. Although the soldiers of P. impostor resemble those of Termes Linnaeus, 1758, the digestive tract and mandibles of workers suggest that Palmitermes is closely related to Cavitermes Emerson, 1925. The sister-group relationship between Palmitermes and Cavitermes was confirmed by a phylogenetic reconstruction based on full mitochondrial genome sequences as well as by the comparison of the profiles of cuticular hydrocarbons of workers with those of related taxa. Our study illustrates the benefits of using an integrative taxonomic approach to describe new taxa and the pitfalls of using soldier morphology as the exclusive set of characters in termite systematics.

scholarly journals Lophiobrycon weitzmani, a new genus and species of glandulocaudine fish (Characiformes: Characidae) from the rio Grande drainage, upper rio Paraná system, southeastern Brazil

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo M. C. Castro ◽  
Alexandre C. Ribeiro ◽  
Ricardo C. Benine ◽  
Alex L. A. Melo
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Standard Length ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Adipose Fin

A new genus and species of glandulocaudine, Lophiobrycon weitzmani, is described based on specimens collected in headwater tributary streams of the rio Grande, upper rio Paraná system, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The inclusion of the new species in the phylogeny of the subfamily Glandulocaudinae proposed by Weitzman & Menezes (1998), reveals a sister group relationship between the new genus and the monophyletic group composed of Glandulocauda and Mimagoniates that currently form the tribe Glandulocaudini. The new species can be readily distinguished from all other species of the tribe by the autapomorphic presence in adult male individuals (with more than 23.9 mm standard length) of an adipose-fin whose base extends for almost the entire distance between the posterior terminus of the base of the dorsal fin and the base of the upper lobe of the caudal fin and averages approximately 25% standard length, along with the presence of globular expansions formed by the lepidotrichia and hypertrophied soft tissue in the middle portions of the first and second pectoral-fin rays. The diagnosis of the tribe Glandulocaudini is modified to accommodate the new genus.

A new early Cambrian bradoriid (Arthropoda) from East Antarctica

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 691-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alycia L. Rode ◽  
Bruce S. Lieberman ◽  
A. J. Rowell
Keyword(s):  
Lower Cambrian ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Early Cambrian ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
Relationship Of

Although bradoriids locally are common components of the Cambrian biota, they have been reported previously from Antarctica only from Tertiary glacial deposits. Here, we describe the bradoriid,Bicarinella evansinew genus and species, collected in situ from the upper Lower Cambrian (Botomian) of the Pensacola Mountains in East Antarctica.Bicarinella evansin. gen and sp. is characterized by a subtriangular carapace with a well-defined marginal rim, subequal anterior and posterior lobes that are elongated into sharp ridges extending one-third the length of the carapace, and a broad dorsal node placed between the anterior and posterior lobes. The surface of the carapace exhibits three kinds of ornamentation: fine pitting, pustules, and reticulae. Several smaller carapaces with reduced ornamentation collected from the same bed are interpreted as instars of this species.Bicarinellan. gen. is assigned to the family Hipponicharionidae and appears to be closely related toAlbrunnicolaMartinsson, 1979, orHipponicharionMatthew, 1886. Although strong archaeocyath faunal similarities demonstrate a close biogeographic relationship between Australia and Antarctica in the Early Cambrian, the possible sister group relationship ofBicarinellan. gen. toHipponicharion, which is otherwise unknown from Gondwana, may suggest a separate biogeographic pathway to East Antarctica that did not involve Australia.

An unusual aquatic sphenodontian (Reptilia: Diapsida) from the Tlayua Formation (Albian), Central Mexico

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. H. Reynoso
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Column ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Central Mexico ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Solid Structure ◽  
Lower Jaw

The sphenodontian Ankylosphenodon pachyostosus new genus and species is the second unusual sphenodontian reported from the Albian deposits of the Tlayua Formation, near Tepexi de Rodríguez, Central Mexico. The skeleton is robust with pachyostotic ribs and vertebrae. Unique long teeth are ankylosed deep into the lower jaw extending close to the edge of the Meckelian canal. Long teeth with open roots, the lack of worn-out teeth, and the presence of posterior wear surfaces exhibiting dentine suggest that tooth growth was continuous. These features combined with a propalinal action of the deep lower jaw suggest herbivory. Herbivorous specializations of Ankylosphenodon are different from the laterally expanded teeth of Toxolophosaurus and Eilenodon and may have evolved to prevent total tooth loss, a feature which is observed in sapheosaurs. A pachyostotic skeleton, a delay of the ossification of the epiphyses, and a solid structure of the vertebral column could be related to a none obligated aquatic behavior. These specializations differ greatly from those of other aquatic sphenodontians such as Pleurosaurus and Palaeopleurosaurus. A stout skeleton with swollen horizontal zygapophyses suggests affinities with sapheosaurs; however, cladistic analysis support sister-group relationship with Toxolophosaurus and/or Eilenodon on the basis of shared propalinal jaw action and deep jaws. The presence of two unique sphenodontians in the Tlayua Quarry suggests the presence of an area for the diversification of lepidosaur reptiles. The late presence of sphenodontians in the Albian also suggests that this area was a refuge for archaic forms at the time.

scholarly journals Revision and phylogenetics of the genus Paraulax Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) with biological notes and description of a new tribe, a new genus, and five new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2200 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSÉ LUIS NIEVES-ALDREY ◽  
JOHAN LILJEBLAD ◽  
MARÍA HERNÁNDEZ NIEVES ◽  
AUDREY GREZ ◽  
JOHAN A. A. NYLANDER
Keyword(s):  
New Genus ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Gall Wasp ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Plant Associations ◽  
Nothofagus Forests ◽  
New Tribe

The gall wasp genus Paraulax (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) associated with southern beeches (Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae)) from South America is revised. The genus Paraulax and its type species, P. perplexa, are redescribed and a neotype is designated. Two additional species of Paraulax are described as new: P. queulensis and P. ronquisti. After having been first tentatively placed in the Cynipini and later transferred to the Pediaspidini, this genus is here placed in the newly erected tribe Paraulacini, together with the herein described genus Cecinothofagus and the three species that are described as new: C. gallaecoihue, C. gallaelenga and C. ibarrai. The biology of the members of this new tribe is discussed. Contrary to a prior hypothesis that postulated Paraulax (sensu lato) to be true gall-inducers, as most cynipids, evidence here shows that the three species of the new genus Cecinothofagus are instead parasitoids or lethal inquilines inhabiting galls induced by species of Aditrochus (Pteromalidae) on Nothofagus. The biology of the Paraulax species is unknown but since they too are associated with Nothofagus forests their biology is likely associated with the pteromalid gall community. We describe host plant associations as well as the morphology and phenology of the host gall. A phylogenetic reconstruction of the Paraulacini and selected Cynipidae taxa, based on 28S and COI, is performed. Both markers indicate the Paraulacini to be monophyletic and support a sister group relationship with the Pediaspidini. Results from 28S are congruent with both the morphological evidence and the proposed classification.

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Corotoca, with description of a new genus and species from Brazil (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-45
Author(s):  
Bruno Zilberman
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Exhaustive Search ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
A New Species

Corotoca is a strictly Neotropical genus of termitophilous beetles associated with termites of genus Constrictotermes. A cladistic analysis based on 13 terminal taxa and 60 characters (57 morphological and three behavioral) was conducted. The exhaustive search with equally weighted characters resulted in two most parsimonious trees with 95 steps. Spirachtha is proposed to be the sister group of the monophyletic “subgroup Corotocae” (Corotoca + Cavifonexus gen. nov.), based on eleven synapomorhphies (ten exclusive and one homoplastic). The monophyly of Corotoca is supported here, including six species associated with Constrictotermes cyphergaster: (Corotoca hitchensi sp. nov + (C. melantho + C. pseudomelantho sp. nov.) + ((C. fontesi + (C. phylo + C. araujoi)). A new genus, Cavifronexus gen. nov., is proposed to two species associated with Constrictotermes cavifrons (Holmgren, 1910): Cavifronexus guyanae comb. nov., from Guyana and Brazil, previously described as Corotoca; and a new species, Cavifronexus papaveroi sp. nov., from Brazil. This work also includes descriptions, redescriptions, and illustrations for all species and genera. Keys for genera and species identification in “subgroup Corotocae” are also provided.

A new characiform fish (Teleostei: Ostariophysi) from the Eocene of Tanzania

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M Murray
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
African Species ◽  
Caudal Skeleton ◽  
Weberian Apparatus ◽  
Fossil Fish

Four specimens of a small fossil fish were collected from the Eocene Mahenge site of Tanzania. The specimens, preserved as part and counterpart natural moulds, are identified, predominantly based on the structure of the caudal skeleton, as members of the Characiformes, probably the sister group to the living African Alestidae. The area just behind the skull, in the two specimens that include this area, is distorted, and therefore it is difficult to identify the bones of the Weberian apparatus, although that structure does appear to be present. The fossil record of characiforms includes few articulated skeletons, with only one other African species previously reported from much younger deposits. The new specimens from Mahenge are described here as a new genus and species, Mahengecharax carrolli.

On Putaoa, a new genus of the spider family Pimoidae (Araneae) from China, with a cladistic test of its monophyly and phylogenetic placement

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1792 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUSTAVO HORMIGA ◽  
LIHONG TU
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Parsimony Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement

The spider genus Putaoa new genus (Araneae, Pimoidae) is described to place two species of pimoids from China, Putaoa huaping new species (the type species) and P. megacantha (Xu & Li, 2007) new combination. Parsimony analysis of morphological characters provides support for the monophyly of Putaoa and for its sister group relationship to the genus Weintrauboa Hormiga, 2003 and corroborates the monophyly of Pimoidae.

scholarly journals Inti (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) a peculiar new genus from tropical America

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2729 (1) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
CHRISTER HANSSON
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Dominican Republic ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Tropical America ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
One New Species

Inti gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Entedoninae), is described from Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, and includes one new species, I. levis sp. nov. The new genus is characterized by four autapomorphies, and the possession of an additional 14 synapomorphies. Inti is compared to the Australian genus Horismenoides Girault with which it shares the most apomorphies, indicating a possible sister-group relationship. The relationship of Inti to the tribe Euderomphalini and to other groups in the subfamily is discussed briefly.

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