Evolution of the south-western Pacific genus Melicytus (Violaceae): evidence from DNA sequence data, cytology and sex expression

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Mitchell ◽  
P. B. Heenan ◽  
B. G. Murray ◽  
B. P. J. Molloy ◽  
P. J. de Lange
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Chromosome Numbers ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Sex Expression ◽  
The South ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Norfolk Island

Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear DNA external transcribed spacer (ETS) and chloroplast DNA trnL–trnF markers were undertaken to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the South Pacific genus Melicytus. Bayesian analyses of the ETS sequence data produced a phylogenetic tree with several well supported groups, including clades comprising: (1) species from Australia, Tasmania and Lord Howe Island; (2) the Norfolk Island M. latifolius and New Zealand off-shore island M. novae-zelandiae subsp. novae-zelandiae; (3) the large-leaved M. ramiflorus complex; (4) M. fasciger and M. micranthus; and (5) M. obovatus and allies from the Cook Strait region. Phylogenetic analysis of trnL–trnF sequence data also retrieved some of these groups although, in general, was not as well resolved. The relationships of M. lanceolatus are equivocal, as in the ETS phylogeny it is sister to a clade comprising the large-leaved tree species M. fasciger and M. ramiflorus complex and the small-leaved M. micranthus, whereas in the trnL–trnF phylogeny it is sister to a clade of small-leaved shrub species such as M. alpinus and M. crassifolius. Several biogeographic patterns are evident, with dispersal to the west from New Zealand, to Australia, involving small-leaved shrub species. Dispersal to the north from New Zealand, to Norfolk Island and Fiji, involves large-leaved tree species. The sex expression is documented for all named species and undescribed entities, with these being either hermaphroditic or dioecious. When sex expression is mapped onto the phylogeny, the hermaphroditic system is inferred to have evolved from the dioecious system. New chromosome counts are presented for M. angustifolius (2n = 64) and M. dentatus (2n = 32), and earlier counts of 2n = 64 are confirmed for M. crassifolius and M. alpinus. An additional 17 counts are provided for two natural hybrids and several undescribed entities from Australia and New Zealand. The polyploid chromosome number of 2n = 64 occurs most frequently in small-leaved divariate plants with hermaphroditic flowers. When chromosome numbers are plotted onto the phylogeny it is inferred that high polyploids (e.g. 2n = 64) and small-leaved shrubs have evolved from large-leaved trees with functional diploid (e.g. 2n = 32) chromosome numbers.

scholarly journals Phylogeography of southern New Zealand: Implications of Pliocene and Pleistocene Processes and Evolutionary Concordance Across Independent  Loci

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Shay B. O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Genealogical Concordance ◽  
Cook Strait ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Genetic Break

<p>The endemic fauna of the South Island has proven to be an ideal taxonomic group to examine the impact of climatic and geological processes on the evolution of New Zealand's biota since the Pliocene. This thesis examines the phylogeography of McCann's skink (Oligosoma maccanni) in order to provide insight into the relative contribution of Pliocene and Pleistocene processes on patterns of genetic structure in South Island biota. This thesis also investigates the phylogeography of the brown skink (O. zelandicum) to examine whether Cook Strait landbridges facilitated gene flow between the North and South Island in the late-Pleistocene. This thesis also investigates the presence of genealogical concordance across independent loci for the endemic alpine stick insect, Niveaphasma. I obtained mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data (ND2 and ND4; 1284 bp) from across the range of both skink species and mtDNA (COI; 762 bp) and nuclear sequence data (EF1 ; 590 bp) from across the range of Niveaphasma. I used DGGE in order to resolve nuclear EF1 alleles and examined phylogeographic patterns in each species using Neighbour-Joining, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods. Substantial phylogeographic structure was found within O. maccanni, with divergences among clades estimated to have occurred during the Pliocene. Populations in the Otago/Southland region formed a well-supported lineage within O. maccanni. A genetic break was evident between populations in east and west Otago, while north-south genetic breaks were evident within the Canterbury region. There was relatively minor phylogeographic structure within O. zelandicum. Our genetic data supports a single colonization of the North Island by O. zelandicum from the South Island, with the estimated timing of this event (0.46 Mya) consistent with the initial formation of Cook Strait. There was substantial genetic structuring identified within Niveaphasma, with a well-supported lineage present in the Otago/Southland region. There was also a genetic break between populations in Canterbury and eastern Otago with those in central Otago and Southland. The genetic data provided strong genealogical concordance between mtDNA haplotypes and nuclear alleles suggesting an accurate depiction of the historical isolation identified between the major clades of Niveaphasma. This finding offers compelling evidence for the use of nuclear gene  phylogeography alongside mtDNA for future evolutionary studies within New Zealand.</p>

Diversity and phylogeny of south-east Queensland Bathynellacea

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Little ◽  
Daniel J. Schmidt ◽  
Benjamin D. Cook ◽  
Timothy J. Page ◽  
Jane M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
New Genus ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Previous Survey ◽  
The South ◽  
Dna Sequence Data ◽  
North East ◽  
Australian Continent ◽  
Alluvial Groundwater ◽  
Groundwater Systems

The crustacean order Bathynellacea is amongst the most diverse and widespread groups of subterranean aquatic fauna (stygofauna) in Australia. Interest in the diversity and biogeography of Australian Bathynellacea has grown markedly in recent years. However, relatively little information relating to this group has emerged from Queensland. The aim of this study was to investigate bathynellacean diversity and phylogeny in south-east Queensland. Relationships between the south-east Queensland fauna and their continental relatives were evaluated through the analysis of combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Bathynellaceans were collected from alluvial groundwater systems in three catchments in south-east Queensland. This study revealed a diverse bathynellacean fauna with complex evolutionary relationships to related fauna elsewhere in Queensland, and on the wider Australian continent. The multifamily assemblage revealed here is likely to represent several new species, and at least one new genus within the Parabathynellidae. These taxa likely have relatively restricted geographic distributions. Interestingly, the south-east Queensland Bathynellacea appeared to be distantly related to their north-east Queensland counterparts. Although it was not possible to determine the generic identities of their closest relatives, the south-east Queensland Parabathynellidae appear to be most closely affiliated with southern and eastern Australian lineages. Together with previous survey data, the findings here suggest that there is likely to be considerable bathynellacean diversity in alluvial groundwater systems across the wider Queensland region. Further assessment of stygofauna distributions in south-east Queensland is necessary to understand the biological implications of significant groundwater use and development in the region.

scholarly journals Phylogeography of southern New Zealand: Implications of Pliocene and Pleistocene Processes and Evolutionary Concordance Across Independent  Loci

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Shay B. O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Phylogeographic Structure ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Genealogical Concordance ◽  
Cook Strait ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Genetic Break

<p>The endemic fauna of the South Island has proven to be an ideal taxonomic group to examine the impact of climatic and geological processes on the evolution of New Zealand's biota since the Pliocene. This thesis examines the phylogeography of McCann's skink (Oligosoma maccanni) in order to provide insight into the relative contribution of Pliocene and Pleistocene processes on patterns of genetic structure in South Island biota. This thesis also investigates the phylogeography of the brown skink (O. zelandicum) to examine whether Cook Strait landbridges facilitated gene flow between the North and South Island in the late-Pleistocene. This thesis also investigates the presence of genealogical concordance across independent loci for the endemic alpine stick insect, Niveaphasma. I obtained mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data (ND2 and ND4; 1284 bp) from across the range of both skink species and mtDNA (COI; 762 bp) and nuclear sequence data (EF1 ; 590 bp) from across the range of Niveaphasma. I used DGGE in order to resolve nuclear EF1 alleles and examined phylogeographic patterns in each species using Neighbour-Joining, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods. Substantial phylogeographic structure was found within O. maccanni, with divergences among clades estimated to have occurred during the Pliocene. Populations in the Otago/Southland region formed a well-supported lineage within O. maccanni. A genetic break was evident between populations in east and west Otago, while north-south genetic breaks were evident within the Canterbury region. There was relatively minor phylogeographic structure within O. zelandicum. Our genetic data supports a single colonization of the North Island by O. zelandicum from the South Island, with the estimated timing of this event (0.46 Mya) consistent with the initial formation of Cook Strait. There was substantial genetic structuring identified within Niveaphasma, with a well-supported lineage present in the Otago/Southland region. There was also a genetic break between populations in Canterbury and eastern Otago with those in central Otago and Southland. The genetic data provided strong genealogical concordance between mtDNA haplotypes and nuclear alleles suggesting an accurate depiction of the historical isolation identified between the major clades of Niveaphasma. This finding offers compelling evidence for the use of nuclear gene  phylogeography alongside mtDNA for future evolutionary studies within New Zealand.</p>

Seals (Pinnipedia) at Norfolk Island, south-west Pacific

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Peter D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Margaret Christian
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
The South ◽  
Subadult Male ◽  
West Pacific ◽  
South West ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Norfolk Island

Five seals were observed at Norfolk Island (29°S, 168°E) between 2000 and 2013. Two have been identified as Arctocephalus forsteri on the basis of photographs, a juvenile or weaned pup that weighed 9.5 kg and a subadult male. The nearest known aggregation of these fur seals is at Three Kings Islands (34°S, 172°E), 700 km to the south-east. Because New Zealand fur seals are increasing in abundance in New Zealand and Australia, sightings of vagrant fur seals at Norfolk Island are likely to increase.

scholarly journals Population Connectivity and Traces of Mitochondrial Introgression in New Zealand Black-Billed Gulls (Larus bulleri)

Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Mischler ◽  
Andrew Veale ◽  
Tracey van Stijn ◽  
Rudiger Brauning ◽  
John McEwan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
The South ◽  
Mitochondrial Introgression

Black-billed gulls (Larus bulleri) are endemic to New Zealand and are suspected to be undergoing substantial population declines. They primarily breed on open gravel beds in braided rivers of the South Island—a habitat that is diminishing and becoming increasingly modified. Although management of this species is increasing, little has been published on their movements and demographics. In this study, both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region domain I and nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined to help understand the connectivity and population structure of black-billed gulls across the country and to help inform management decisions. Mitochondrial DNA showed no population structure, with high haplotype and low nucleotide diversity, and analyses highlighted mitochondrial introgression with the closely related red-billed gulls (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus). Nuclear DNA analyses, however, identified two groups, with Rotorua birds in the North Island being distinct from the rest of New Zealand, and isolation-by-distance evident across the South Island populations. Gene flow primarily occurs between nearby colonies with a stepwise movement across the landscape. The importance from a genetic perspective of the more isolated North Island birds (1.6% of total population) needs to be further evaluated. From our results, we infer that the South Island black-billed gull management should focus on maintaining several populations within each region rather than focusing on single specific colonies or river catchments. Future study is needed to investigate the genetic structure of populations at the northern limit of the species’ range, and identify the mechanisms behind, and extent of, the hybridisation between red-billed and black-billed gulls.

Literary Histories

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva-Marie Kröller
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
Literary History ◽  
English Language ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
The South ◽  
Cultural Elite ◽  
Historical Methodology ◽  
Literary Histories

This chapter discusses national literary histories in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the South Pacific and summarises the book's main findings regarding the construction and revision of narratives of national identity since 1950. In colonial and postcolonial cultures, literary history is often based on a paradox that says much about their evolving sense of collective identity, but perhaps even more about the strains within it. The chapter considers the complications typical of postcolonial literary history by focusing on the conflict between collective celebration and its refutation. It examines three issues relating to the histories of English-language fiction in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the South Pacific: problems of chronology and beginnings, with a special emphasis on Indigenous peoples; the role of the cultural elite and the history wars in the Australian context; and the influence of postcolonial networks on historical methodology.

The testate amoebae of New Zealand: a checklist, identification key and assessment of biogeographic patterns

2021 ◽  
pp. 125789
Author(s):  
Michelle M McKeown ◽  
Edward A D Mitchell ◽  
Matthew J Amesbury ◽  
Quentin Blandenier ◽  
Dan Charman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Testate Amoebae ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns
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