An enigma no more: an integrated taxonomic revision of Aenigmetopia Malloch reveals novel phylogenetic placement and four new species (Diptera : Sarcophagidae : Miltogramminae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas P. Johnston ◽  
James F. Wallman ◽  
Krzysztof Szpila ◽  
Thomas Pape
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
First Time ◽  
Flesh Flies

Aenigmetopia Malloch is the only endemic genus of miltogrammine flesh flies (Diptera:Sarcophagidae) in Australia and, until now it has been known from a single species, A. fergusoni Malloch. This study constitutes the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of Aenigmetopia. Four new species, Aenigmetopia amissa, sp. nov., A. corona, sp. nov., A. kryptos, sp. nov. and A. pagoni, sp. nov., are described through the integration of molecular and morphological data and characters for genus- and species-level diagnoses are given. Aenigmetopia is included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis for the first time and the genus emerges as the sister taxon to Metopia Meigen, in agreement with morphological evidence.

Molecular insights into the phylogenetic placement of the poorly known genus Niceforonia Goin & Cochran, 1963 (Anura: Brachycephaloidea)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4514 (4) ◽  
pp. 487
Author(s):  
ANDRÉS R. ACOSTA-GALVIS ◽  
JEFFREY W. STREICHER ◽  
LUIGI MANUELLI ◽  
TRAVIS CUDDY ◽  
RAFAEL O. DE SÁ
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New World ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Phylogenetic Inference ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
First Time

Among New World direct-developing frogs belonging to the clade Brachycephaloidea (= Terraranae), there are several genera with uncertain phylogenetic placements. One notable example is the genus Niceforonia Goin & Cochran 1963, which includes three species that are endemic to Colombia. Three specimens of the species Niceforonia nana were collected and for the first time the genus is included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial (mtDNA; 12S and 16S) and nuclear (nucDNA; TYR and RAG1) markers. Molecular phylogenetic inference based on concatenated and separate mtDNA and nucDNA analyses recovered Niceforonia nana nested within Hypodactylus Hedges et al. 2008, rendering the latter genus paraphyletic. Consequently, herein we place the genus Hypodactylus in the synonymy of Niceforonia to resolve the paraphyly and place Niceforonia in the subfamily Hypodactylinae. Based on our revised concept of the genus Niceforonia we conducted preliminary morphological comparisons using specimens and literature descriptions. Finally, Nicefornia nana is quite divergent from other species of Niceforonia (uncorrected genetic distances of ca. 10% 16S and 7% TYR) suggesting that further taxonomic revision may be warranted. 

The formerly enigmatic Unidentiidae in the limelight again: a new species of the genus Unidentia from Thailand (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4551 (5) ◽  
pp. 556 ◽  
Author(s):  
TATIANA KORSHUNOVA ◽  
RAHUL MEHROTRA ◽  
SPENCER ARNOLD ◽  
KENNET LUNDIN ◽  
BERNARD PICTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Sea Slugs ◽  
The Family ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

An integrative molecular and morphological study is presented for the family Unidentiidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted with the inclusion of all previous and newly obtained molecular data for the family Unidentiidae Millen & Hermosillo 2012. A new species of the genus Unidentia Millen & Hermosillo 2012, U. aliciae sp. nov., is described from Thailand as part of an inventory of sea slugs at Koh Tao. All up-to-date available morphological data for the species of the genus Unidentia is for the first time summarized. Morphological differences among the different species of Unidentia are clarified showing that every species has its own distinguishable morphological traits. According to the new molecular and morphological data, the family Unidentiidae is re-confirmed as a well-supported taxon of the aeolidacean nudibranchs. The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Aeolidacea in the light of the family Unidentiidae is briefly discussed and necessity of a fine-scale and narrowly-defined taxa approach instead of a ‘‘superlumping’’ one is highlighted. 

What’s under the hood? Phylogeny and taxonomy of the snake genera Parasuta Worrell and Suta Worrell (Squamata: Elapidae), with a description of a new species from the Pilbara, Western Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4778 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-47
Author(s):  
BRAD MARYAN ◽  
IAN G. BRENNAN ◽  
MARK N. HUTCHINSON ◽  
LUKAS S. GEIDANS
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Senior Synonym ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
The Many

Despite decades of phylogenetic studies, the generic and species-level relationships of some Australian elapid snakes remain problematic. The morphologically conservative genus Parasuta comprises small nocturnal snakes with a particularly obfuscated taxonomic history. Here we provide a molecular phylogenetic analysis of all currently recognised species including members of the sister genus Suta and provide new morphological data that lead to a taxonomic revision of generic and species boundaries. We failed to find support for monophyly of Parasuta or Suta, instead supporting previous evidence that these two genera should be combined. Our species-level investigations revise the boundaries between P. gouldii (Gray) and P. spectabilis (Krefft) resulting in recognition that both P. spectabilis bushi (Storr) and P. spectabilis nullarbor (Storr) are conspecific with P. gouldii. We also find the Pilbara population of P. monachus (Storr) to be specifically distinct. As a consequence of this information, we synonymise Parasuta with its senior synonym Suta, redescribe S. gouldii, S. monachus and S. spectabilis to clarify morphological and geographical boundaries and describe S. gaikhorstorum sp. nov., which differs from all other described Suta species, including the geographically proximate and similar-looking S. monachus, by a combination of molecular genetic markers, morphometric attributes, details of colouration and scalation. The recognition of S. gaikhorstorum sp. nov. adds to the growing list of the many endemic reptiles from this exceptionally diverse biotic region. We also designate a lectotype for S. spectabilis from the original syntype series, highlight a distinctive population from the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia and comment on further unresolved issues regarding the relationships between S. dwyeri (Worrell) and S. nigriceps (Gȕnther).  

scholarly journals Mycosphaerangium and Neomelanconium (Cenangiaceae) are closest relatives: phylogenetic relationships, morphology and a new species

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 1329-1352
Author(s):  
Hermann Voglmayr ◽  
Walter M. Jaklitsch ◽  
Salvador Tello
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Lsu Rdna ◽  
The North ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Fungal Associations ◽  
First Time ◽  
Ascospore Morphology ◽  
A New Species

Abstract Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multigene matrix of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF1 sequences and by morphological evidence, the genus Mycosphaerangium is shown to be the closest relative of Neomelanconium, and confirmed to be a member of the Cenangiaceae (Leotiomycetes). While Mycosphaerangium and Neomelanconium share many traits like similar conidia, conidiogenesis, asci and ascospores, their apothecia differ particularly in excipular features and are therefore recognized as distinct genera. Mycosphaerangium tiliae, described from North America, is excluded from the genus but shown to represent the sexual morph of the European Neomelanconium gelatosporum, and it is therefore synonymized with the latter. Based on morphology, Neomelanconium deightonii is assumed to be congeneric with Neomelanconium gelatosporum, and it is lectotypified. Dermatea tetraspora and Phaeangium magnisporum, the basionyms of Mycosphaerangium tetrasporum and M. magnisporum, respectively, are lectotypified as well, and for M. tetrasporum, the asexual morph is recorded for the first time. Mycosphaerangium quercinum sp. nov. is described as a new species from various Quercus hosts in Europe, where it is shown to be widely distributed. It morphologically and ecologically closely resembles the North American M. tetrasporum, but differs in paraphysis and ascospore morphology and by croziers at its ascus base. The three accepted species of Mycosphaerangium and the two of Neomelanconium are described and illustrated. Mycosphaerangium magnisporum, M. quercinum and M. tetrasporum are recorded to be constantly associated with species of Coryneum, indicating a fungicolous habit, but no evidence for fungal associations has been found in Neomelanconium deightonii and N. gelatosporum.

Integrative taxonomy reveals remarkable diversity in Australian Protomiltogramma (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5043 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-104
Author(s):  
NIKOLAS P. JOHNSTON ◽  
JAMES F. WALLMAN ◽  
KRZYSZTOF SZPILA ◽  
THOMAS PAPE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
The World ◽  
Flesh Flies

Protomiltogramma Townsend is the largest and most diverse genus of miltogrammine flesh flies in Australia. However, no comprehensive taxonomic work had been completed on the Australian members of this genus in almost a century. This study presents the first taxonomic revision of all Australian species of Protomiltogramma (Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae), completed using an integrative approach combining molecular and morphological data. Eight new species endemic to Australia are described: P. dalbiensis sp. n., P. grandis sp. n., P. incana sp. n., P. kapnos sp. n., P. nigrisensa sp. n., P. popularis sp. n., P. rubra sp. n. and P. subtilis sp. n. In addition, P. australis Malloch, 1930 is synonymised with P. cincta Townsend, 1916, syn. n. and P. mallochi Verves, 1987 is synonymised with P. laticeps Malloch, 1930, syn. n. Molecular phylogenetics is used to place the Australian Protomiltogramma among the miltogrammine genera of the world.  

A taxonomic revision of the Meranoplus F. Smith of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) with keys to species and diagnosis of the males

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3635 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRENDON E. BOUDINOT ◽  
BRIAN L. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Biogeographic Region ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
First Time ◽  
First Diagnosis

The species-level taxonomy of the ant genus Meranoplus F. Smith from Madagascar is revised. Two new species, M. cryptomys sp. n. and sylvarius sp. n. are described from workers and queens; M. mayri Forel, 1910, and M. radamae Forel, 1891, are redescribed, and queens and males for these two species are described for the first time. The first diagnosis of Meranoplus males for any biogeographic region is provided based on Malagasy species. Illustrated keys to all known Malagasy castes and species are presented. Diagnoses are given for two species groups: the M. mayri group and the M. nanus group. The diagnosis of the M. nanus species group from Bolton (1981) is thereby expanded with six new characters. Two species are known from the M. mayri species group and seven described species are known for the M. nanus species group, including the two new species described herein. The mouthparts, genitalia, and all castes, where known, of Malagasy Meranoplus are illustrated.

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of the species of Stenothemus from Southwest China (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with the descriptions of five new species

2021 ◽  
Vol 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Yang ◽  
Shujuan Ge ◽  
Xingke Yang ◽  
Haoyu Liu
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Female Reproductive System ◽  
Female Characters ◽  
New Synonyms ◽  
Internal Genitalia ◽  
First Time

The species of Stenothemus Bourgeois, 1907 from Southwest China are reviewed. Three species are transferred to this genus, S. davidi (Pic, 1926) comb. nov. (from Malthacus Kirby, 1837), S. minutissimus (Pic, 1933) comb. nov. (from Micropodabrus Pic, 1920) and S. singularicollis (Pic, 1933) comb. nov. (from Lycocerus Gorham, 1895). Two new synonyms are suggested, S. dinshuiensis Švihla, 2011 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. davidi and S. melleus Švihla, 2005 syn. nov. with S. singularicollis. Stenothemus shaanxiensis Švihla, 2004 stat. nov. is raised to species level from a subspecies of S. benesi Švihla, 2004. Five new species are described, S. gracilis Y. Yang & X. Yang sp. nov., S. chongqingensis Y. Yang & H. Liu sp. nov., S. flavicollis Y. Yang & S. Ge sp. nov., S. jindraimimus Y. Yang & X. Yang sp. nov. and S. laticornis Y. Yang & H. Liu sp. nov., which are illustrated with photographs of habitus, aedeagi, abdominal sternites VIII and internal genitalia of the female. Characters of the female reproductive system are described for the first time for the following species: S. diffusus Wittmer, 1974, S. dundai Švihla, 2004, S. grahami Wittmer, 1974, S. jindrai Švihla, 2004, S. tryznai Švihla, 2004 and S. singularicollis. Some additional distribution information is added for previously known species. A key for the identification of all studied species is provided.

scholarly journals A taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus subgenus Macraea (Phyllanthaceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-252
Author(s):  
J.I.M. Verwijs ◽  
R.W. Bouman ◽  
P.C. van Welzen
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Vernacular Names ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

Within the morphologically diverse pantropical genus Phyllanthus, many subgenera, sections and subsections are recognized. While most taxonomic revisions often focus on local floras, closely related and often resembling species are not always treated in full. Subgenus Macraea is here revised for the first time over its whole distribution, including an identification key and descriptions of its species with distributions, ecology, uses and vernacular names. The currently acknowledged varieties of Phyllanthus distichus are rejected due to inadequate morphological differences. Phyllanthus panayensis is synonymized with P. lancifolius. Phyllanthus alpestris has now become a variety of P. glaucophyllus because of the resemblance in morphology and distribution. The species complex around Phyllanthus virgatus remains taxonomically difficult, but Phyllanthus virgatus var. gardnerianus and Phyllanthus virgatus var. hirtellus are here recognized on the species level as P. gardnerianus, stat nov. and P. tararae, stat & nom. nov. A new species from the Philippines, Phyllanthus ridsdalei, is described.

scholarly journals Remarkable Species Diversity of the Leafhopper Genus Xestocephalus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Aphrodinae) in Thailand

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 514
Author(s):  
Zonglei Liang ◽  
Christopher H. Dietrich ◽  
Wu Dai
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Malaise Trap ◽  
Field Sampling ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Trap Field ◽  
The World ◽  
First Time

Xestocephalus Van Duzee is among the most common and widespread genera of Cicadellidae in the temperate and tropical regions of the world. In the present study, 205 specimens of the genus Xestocephalus were collected in Thailand, whereas only a single species of the genus was recorded previously using Malaise trap field sampling, studied by comparative morphology. Seventeen species were recognized, including twelve new species: X. binarius sp. nov., X. chrysanthemum sp. nov., X. cowboyocreus sp. nov., X. densprint sp. nov., X. dimiprocessus sp. nov., X. exproiecturus sp. nov., X. gracilus sp. nov., X. limpidissimus sp. nov., X. malleus sp. nov., X. nonattribus sp. nov., X. recipinams sp. nov., and X. tenusis Liang sp. nov. Four species were recorded in Thailand for the first time: Xestocephalus abyssinicus Heller and Linnavuori, Xestocephalus asper Linnavuori, Xestocephalus ishidae Matsumura, and Xestocephalus toroensis Matsumura. Detailed morphological descriptions of all 17 species are given; photographs of external habitus and male genitalia of the species from Thailand are provided. A checklist of species of the genus is also given, and a key to all Thailand Xestocephalus species is also provided.

scholarly journals Disentangling relationships among eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria including description of a novel species from the southern Peloponnese (Greece)

2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document