Evidence for the presence of a second species of mongoose in the Fiji Islands

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig G. Morley ◽  
Patricia A. McLenachan ◽  
Peter J. Lockhart

The small Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus was introduced in the late nineteenth centure into Fiji and is now found throughout the two main islands of Fiji (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu) and on another 11 small outsr islands. When trapping mongoose as part of an investigation into the spread of leptospirosis around Suva, six large red-coloured mongoose were also captured. The body measurements (weight, length and hind-foot size) of these red-coloured mongoose were significantly larger than a random sample of the grey-coloured mongoose H. javanicus normally seen. To clarify whether the red-coloured mongoose was a different species or just a different colour morph of H. javanicus, mitochondrial cytochrome B cytb DNA sequences were determined from muscle tissue of four red-coloured Individuals. Phylogenetic analyses using cytb sequences show that while the red-coloured mongoose belongs to an Asian clade, it is not H. javanicus or H. edwardsi. Further research is needed to determine the identity and origin of the red-coloured mongoose and to ascertain its prevalence in Fiji.

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3235 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHAO YING LIU ◽  
ZHI YU SUN ◽  
YANG LIU ◽  
HAO WANG ◽  
PENG GUO ◽  
...  

During a faunal survey in southern Xizang, we collected 27 specimens of voles that could not be identified as any knownspecies in the Arvicolinae. These specimens shared the following morphological characteristics, not corresponding withany other arvicoline species: the first lower molar possessed five closed triangles, the third upper molar exhibited eitherfour or three inner angles, and the tails of all specimens measured 30% of the body length. Their proximal baculum of theglans was very sturdy and trumpet-shaped, the distal baculum was tongue-like and sturdy, and the lateral bacula were veryshort. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) geneclustered these specimens as a distinct lineage within the genus Neodon. According to the morphological and moleculardata, we described them as a new species, Neodon linzhiensis. Our phylogenetic analysis strongly supported that Lasio-podomys fuscus, Phaiomys leucurus, Neodon sikimensis, N. irene and the new species formed a monophyletic group, notincluding N. juldaschi. We suggested that L. fuscus and P. leucurus should be transferred to Neodon and that N. juldaschishould be removed from this genus. Following our new delineation of Neodon, we proposed a redefinition of the morphological diagnostic characters of the genus.


2015 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-199
Author(s):  
Robert D. Bradley ◽  
Matthew R. Mauldin

Abstract DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome- b gene were obtained from 41 specimens of Neotoma albigula from the southwestern United States and northwestern México. Phylogenetic analyses depicted that samples of N. a. melanura from southern Sonora and northern Sinaloa formed a clade separate from representatives of the other sampled subspecies of N. albigula ( albigula , laplataensis , mearnsi , seri , sheldoni , and venusta ). Genetic distances detected between these clades (7.41%) approached divergence levels reported for other sister species of woodrats and indicated that N. a. melanura is presumably a cryptic and genetically differentiated species relative to N . albigula . Analyses of DNA sequences from a nuclear gene (intron 2 of the alcohol dehydrogenase gene, Adh 1-I2) indicated that samples of N. a. melanura formed a separate, monophyletic clade relative to the remainder of N. albigula . Further, habitat, geographic distinctions, and morphological differences were apparent between members of the 2 clades. Together, those data support the elevation of N. a. melanura to species status. Secuencias de ADN del gen mitocondrial citocromo- b se obtuvieron de 41 especímenes de Neotoma albigula provenientes del suroeste de los Estados Unidos y del noroeste de México. Análisis filogenéticos revelaron que las muestras de N. a. melanura del sureste de Sonora y del norte de Sinaloa formaron un clado separado de especímenes que representan a las otras subspecies de N. albigula (albigula, laplataensis, mearnsi, seri, sheldoni , y venusta ). Las distancias genéticas detectadas entre estos clados (7.41%) se aproximan a los valores de divergencia reportados para otras especies de ratas magueyeras, indicando que N. a. melanura es presumiblemente una especie críptica y relativamente diferenciada genéticamente de N. albigula . Los análisis de secuencias de ADN de un gen nuclear (intron 2 del gen alcohol deshidrogenasa, Adh -I2) indicaron que las muestras de N. a. melanura formaron un clado separado relativamente a especímenes de N. albigula . Adicionalmente, hábitat, distinciones geográficas, y diferencias morfológicas fueron aparentes entre miembros de los dos clados. Todos estos datos soportan la elevación de N. a. melanura al estatus de especie.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3128 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABDUL A. BUHROO ◽  
FERENC LAKATOS

Morphological and molecular analyses of Ips bark beetles collected in the eastern and northwestern Himalayan area resulted in the diagnosis of three species—Ips stebbingi, I. longifolia and I. schmutzenhoferi. These three species can be distinguished by morphological characters, including the frontal setae, the body size and the shape and position of the spines on the elytral declivity. DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I gene were analyzed to detect haplotype variation within each of the species. A phylogenetic analysis was performed on our data plus data from GenBank. Considerable amount of intra-specific sequence divergence was found in I. longifolia, ranging between 0.2%−2.5%. Intra-specific sequence divergence in I. stebbingi ranged from 0.2%−1.1% and in I. schmutzenhoferi it varied by 0.2%. Interspecific sequence divergence was high among the three species: 7.4−8.6% between I. longifolia and I. stebbingi, 11.9−12.2% between I. stebbingi and I. schmutzenhoferi, and 11.5−12.6% between I. longifolia and I. schmutzenhoferi. Phylogenetic analyses revealed Himalayan Ips species to be monophyletic and unrelated to other Asian species. Ips stebbingi and I. longifolia were sister taxa and I. schmutzenhoferi was distinguished from I. stebbingi.


ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 943 ◽  
pp. 119-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Xu ◽  
Shi-Ze Li ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Gang Wei ◽  
Bin Wang

A new species of the genus Megophrys is described from Guizhou Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences all strongly supported the new species as an independent clade sister to M. minor and M. jiangi. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 43.4–44.1 mm in males, and 44.8–49.8 mm in females; vomerine teeth absent; tongue not notched behind; a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid; tympanum distinctly visible, rounded; two metacarpal tubercles on palm; relative finger lengths II < I < V < III; toes without webbing; heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the level between tympanum and eye when leg stretched forward; in breeding males, an internal single subgular vocal sac in male, and the nuptial pads with black spines on dorsal surface of bases of the first two fingers.


2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carey Krajewski ◽  
Gregory R. Moyer ◽  
Justin T. Sipiorski ◽  
Matthew G. Fain ◽  
Michael Westerman

Previous analyses of DNA sequences for mitochondrial cytochrome-b and 12S rRNA, along with the nuclear protamine P1 genes, suggested that the New Guinean dasyurid genera Phascolosorex and Neophascogale (phascolosoricines) form the sister groups of quolls (Dasyurus) and Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus). This runs counter to a common perception that phascolosoricines are anatomically primitive and only distantly related to other dasyurids. We report the DNA sequences of two additional mitochondrial loci (tRNAVal and 16S rRNA) and nuclear loci (interphotoreceptor binding protein exon 1, beta-fibrinogen intron 7) from Phascolosorex dorsalis, Neophascogale lorentzii, and all but three other dasyurid species. These sequences, along with those previously published, comprise a dataset of 7053 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that phascolosoricines form a clade that is highly resolved as sister to Dasyurus + Sarcophilus. This result is obtained independently by mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and cannot be attributed to taxon- or gene-sampling bias, compositional heterogeneity, or the use of overly simplistic phylogenetic estimation procedures. A re-evaluation of published morphological data bearing on the relationships of phascolosoricines demonstrates that, although the conflict with molecular results is significant, it is limited to a small number of correlated dental features that show considerable homoplasy in their evolution.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gabriela Cuezzo ◽  
Maria Jose Miranda ◽  
Roberto Eugenio Vogler ◽  
Ariel Anibal Beltramino

BackgroundLand gastropods of the Dry Chaco merit special attention because they comprise a highly diverse but barely studied group.ClessiniaDoering, 1875 are typical inhabitants of this ecoregion. The inclusion of their distribution areas intoSpixiarange, their shell shape similarities, and a former molecular study raised doubts on the monophyly of this genus. The present study review the species ofClessinia, under a morphological, geometric morphometrics, and molecular combined approach.MethodsAdults were collected, photographed, measured, and dissected for anatomical studies. Shell ultrastructure was studied with scanning electron microscope. Geometric morphometric analyses on shells were performed testing if they gave complementary information to anatomy. Two mitochondrial genes, and a nuclear region were studied. Phylogenetic reconstructions to explore the relationships of DNA sequences here obtained to those ofClessiniaandSpixiaspecies from GenBank were performed.ResultsSpecies description on shell, periostracal ornamentation and anatomy is provided. We raised formerClessinia cordovana striatato species rank, naming it asClessinia tulumbensissp. nov. The periostracum, consisting of hairs and lamellae, has taxonomic importance for species identification. Shell morphometric analyses, inner sculpture of penis and proportion of the epiphallus and penis, were useful tools to species identification. Nuclear markers do not exhibit enough genetic variation to determine species relationships. Based on the mitochondrial markers, genetic distances amongClessiniaspecies were greater than 10%, and whileC. cordovana,C. nattkemperi, andC. pagodawere recognized as distinct evolutionary genetic species, the distinction betweenC. stelzneriandC. tulumbensissp. nov. was not evident.ClessiniaandSpixiawere paraphyletic in the molecular phylogenetic analyses. Species ofClessiniahere treated have narrow distributional areas and are endemic to the Chaco Serrano subecoregion, restricted to small patches within the Dry Chaco.ClessiniaandSpixiaare synonymous, and the valid name of the taxon should beClessiniaDoering, 1875 which has priority overSpixiaPilsbry & Vanatta, 1894.DiscussionOur results support the composition ofC. cordovanacomplex by three species,C. cordovana,C. stelzneri, andC. tulumbensissp. nov. The low genetic divergence betweenC. stelzneriandC. tulumbensissp. nov. suggests that they have evolved relatively recently. The formerSpixiaandClessiniaare externally distinguished becauseClessiniahas a detached aperture from the body whorl forming a cornet, periostracal microsculpture extended over dorsal portion of the peristome, five inner teeth on the shell aperture instead of three–four found inSpixia. Morphological similarities exists between both genera in shell shape, type of periostracum microsculpture, reproductive anatomy, besides the overlap in geographic ranges.


2018 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Sereno-Uribe ◽  
A. López-Jimenez ◽  
L. Andrade-Gómez ◽  
M. García-Varela

AbstractAdults of Hysteromorpha triloba (Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz, 1931 inhabit primarily the intestine of cormorants across the globe, whereas metacercariae have been found in the body cavity of freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, Ariidae, Pimelodidae and Catostomidae. In this study, adults and metacercariae identified as H. triloba were collected from the Neotropical cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianus) and from the Mexican tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean slopes in the Neotropical region. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox 1) and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated for both developmental stages, and were compared with available sequences of H. triloba from the Nearctic region. The genetic divergence between metacercariae and adults of H. triloba from the Neotropical and Nearctic region (Canada) associated with the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritus), ranged from 0 to 5.5% for cox 1 and from 0 to 0.2% for ITS. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with both molecular markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference placed the adults and metacercariae in a single clade, confirming that both stages are conspecific. Our data confirmed that H. triloba is a widely distributed species across the Americas, parasitizing both the Neotropical and Nearctic cormorants in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, USA and Canada.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1142
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Ando ◽  
Takeshi Nabeshima ◽  
Shingo Inoue ◽  
Mya Myat Ngwe Tun ◽  
Miho Obata ◽  
...  

In this study, we investigated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus (SFTSV) infection in cats in Nagasaki, Japan. In total, 44 of 133 (33.1%) cats with suspected SFTS were confirmed to be infected with SFTSV. Phylogenetic analyses of SFTSV isolates from cats indicated that the main genotype in Nagasaki was J1 and that unique reassortant strains with J2 (S segment) and unclassified genotypes (M and L segments) were also present. There were no significant differences in virus growth in cell cultures or fatality in SFTSV-infected mice between the SFTSV strains that were isolated from recovered and fatal cat cases. Remarkably, SFTSV RNAs were detected in the swabs from cats, indicating that the body fluids contain SFTSV. To evaluate the risk of SFTSV infection when providing animal care, we further examined the seroprevalence of SFTSV infection in veterinarian staff members; 3 of 71 (4.2%) were seropositive for SFTSV-specific antibodies. Our results provide useful information on the possibility of using cats as sentinel animals and raised concerns of the zoonotic risk of catching SFTSV from animals.


Botany ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
pp. 901-910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel P. Olfelt ◽  
William A. Freyman

Taxa of Rhodiola L. (Crassulaceae) generally grow in arctic or alpine habitats. Some Rhodiola species are used medicinally, one taxon, Rhodiola integrifolia Raf. subsp. leedyi (Rosend. & J.W.Moore) Moran, (Leedy’s roseroot), is rare and endangered, and the group’s biogeography in North America is intriguing because of distributional disjunctions and the possibility that Rhodiola rhodantha (A.Gray) H.Jacobsen (2n = 7II) and Rhodiola rosea L. (2n = 11II) hybridized to form Rhodiola integrifolia Raf. (2n = 18II). Recent studies of the North American Rhodiola suggest that the group’s current taxonomy is misleading. We analyzed nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences (internal transcribed spacer (ITS), trnL intron, trnL–trnF spacer, trnS–trnG spacer) from the North American Rhodiola taxa. We combined our data with GenBank sequences from Asian Rhodiola species, performed parsimony, maximum likelihood (ML), and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, and applied a Bayesian clock model to the ITS data. Our analyses reveal two major Rhodiola clades, suggest that hybridization between R. rhodantha and R. rosea lineages was possible, show two distinct clades within R. integrifolia, and demonstrate that a Black Hills, South Dakota, Rhodiola population should be reclassified as Leedy’s roseroot. We recommend that R. integrifolia be revised, and that the Black Hills Leedy’s roseroot population be managed as part of that rare and endangered taxon.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manokaran Kamalakannan ◽  
Chandrakasan Sivaperuman ◽  
Shantanu Kundu ◽  
Govindarasu Gokulakrishnan ◽  
Chinnadurai Venkatraman ◽  
...  

AbstractWe discovered a new Crocidura species of shrew (Soricidae: Eulipotyphla) from Narcondam Island, India by using both morphological and molecular approaches. The new species, Crocidura narcondamica sp. nov. is of medium size (head and body lengths) and has a distinct external morphology (darker grey dense fur with a thick, darker tail) and craniodental characters (braincase is rounded and elevated with weak lambdoidal ridges) in comparison to other close congeners. This is the first discovery of a shrew from this volcanic island and increases the total number of Crocidura species catalogued in the Indian checklist of mammals to 12. The newly discovered species shows substantial genetic distances (12.02% to 16.61%) to other Crocidura species known from the Indian mainland, the Andaman and Nicobar Archipelago, Myanmar, and from Sumatra. Both Maximum-Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic inferences, based on mitochondrial (cytochrome b) gene sequences showed distinct clustering of all included soricid species and exhibit congruence with the previous evolutionary hypothesis on this mammalian group. The present phylogenetic analyses also furnished the evolutionary placement of the newly discovered species within the genus Crocidura.


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