Molecular Systematics of Australian Carrion-breeding Blowflies of the Genus Calliphora (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 337 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Wallman ◽  
M. Adams

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to determine the systematic affinities of nine forms of carrion-breeding blowfly of the genus Calliphora: C. stygia, C. albifrontalis, C. augur, C. dubia, C. hilli hilli, C. hilli fallax, C. varifrons, C. sp. nov., and C. maritima. The results (1) confirm the species status of all forms currently described as such, (2) support a return to the ranking of C. hilli fallax as a full species, C. fallax, (3) support the recognition of C. sp. nov. as a distinct species, and (4) indicate that distinct Kangaroo Island and adjacent mainland subpopulations appear to exist in at least three species. The allozyme data also strongly support the placing of eight of the forms into three separate species-groups on morphological grounds, and the placement of C. maritima in a fourth group. However, on the basis of these data, the comparative genetic affinities of the parasitic blowfly Onesia tibialis suggest that Calliphora in its current form may be paraphyletic.

Author(s):  
Francisco A. Solís-Marín ◽  
David S.M. Billett ◽  
Joanne Preston ◽  
Alex D. Rogers

A new species of the synallactid sea cucumber genus Pseudostichopus is described, P. aemulatus sp. nov., based on genetic (DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I [COI] gene) and morphological characters. A comparative molecular study with two other species of the same genus (P. villosus and P. mollis) and from a different family (Isostichopus fuscus) was carried out in order to clarify its taxonomic identity. The nucleotide distance between P. aemulatus sp. nov. and P. villosus and P. mollis is sufficient to support distinct species status. The estimated difference in the number of amino acids, coded for by a partially sequenced COI gene, within the species of the family Synallactidae ranged from 4 to 18. The phylogenetic analysis clearly supports separate species status of these sympatric morphotypes, as indicated by the morphological analysis.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
YA-LING WANG ◽  
ERLAND EJDER ◽  
JIAN-FEN YANG ◽  
RAO LIU ◽  
LI-MING YE ◽  
...  

Magnolia sinostellata has been considered a synonym of Magnolia stellata by several taxonomists due to many shared morphological characters. With similar leaves and twigs, Magnolia amoena is distributed in areas near M. sinostellata. These three species were studied by comparing morphological, cytological and palynological characters, creating a maximum parsimony phylogenetic tree based on plastid DNA sequences and studying these taxa in the field. The results are as follows: M. sinostellata is a diploid, 2n=2x=38, and there are heterozygotes with paracentric inversion chromosomes in wild populations. Magnolia stellata is also a diploid, and there are heterozygotes with pericentric inversion chromosomes in wild populations. The abnormal chromosome behaviour in meiosis has serious effects on survival of the two species. Magnolia amoena is diploid with more or less normal meiosis except for a few lagging chromosomes in anaphase I and II. Magnolia stellata has a more complicated exine sculpture than the other two; exine structure is different in all three species. Separate species status for M. sinostellata is also supported by results of the plastid DNA phylogenetic study. Distributions, population descriptions and observations are provided, and based on all the evidence presented we conclude that M. sinostellata is a distinct species in M. subgenus Yulania. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4991 (3) ◽  
pp. 467-498
Author(s):  
C. BINOY ◽  
P. GIRISH KUMAR ◽  
S. SANTHOSH

The Indian species of the genus Dasyproctus Lepeletier & Brullé (Crabroninae: Crabronini: Crabronina) are reviewed resulting in the descriptions of four new species viz., D. attenboroughi, D. leclercqi, D. niger, and D. tsunekii. Keys to both sexes of Indian Dasyproctus are provided. Comparisons within D. buddha (Cameron) and D. agilis species groups allowed the withdrawing of Crabro (=Dasyproctus) idrieus Cameron from synonymy and raising D. agilis orientalis (Cameron) to full species status. Dasyproctus amplicarinalis Yue & Ma, 2021 is synonymized with D. idrieus (Cameron, 1901) and D. hainanensis Yue & Li, 2021 with D. geethae Binoy & Girish Kumar, 2021.  


The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 820-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. L. Friesen ◽  
D. J. Anderson ◽  
T. E. Steeves ◽  
H. Jones ◽  
E. A. Schreiber

Abstract Pitman and Jehl (1998) recently argued that Masked Boobies (formerly Sula dactylatra granti) breeding on the Nazca Plate in the eastern Pacific Ocean are morphologically and ecologically distinct from other Masked Boobies and may represent a full species. The American Ornithologists' Union subsequently elevated that subspecies to a full species: the Nazca Booby (S. granti). To evaluate that change in classification, we compared sequence variation in the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene among 75 Nazca Boobies and 37 Masked Boobies representing three subspecies from the central and eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Results indicated strong differentiation of cytochrome-b variation among taxa. Sequences constituted three distinct groups: Nazca Boobies, Masked Boobies from the central and eastern Pacific (S. d. personata and S. d. californica), and Masked Boobies (S. d. dactylatra) from the Caribbean and Atlantic. Those three groups probably diverged within a very short period, 400,000–500,000 years ago. Our results support the proposal that S. granti represents a distinct species.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-316
Author(s):  
M.A. Chursina ◽  
I.Ya. Grichanov

The recent catalogues of the family Dolichopodidae considered Syntormon pallipes (Fabricius, 1794) and S. pseudospicatus Strobl, 1899 as separate species. In this study, we used three approaches to estimate the significance of differences between the two species: molecular analysis (COI and 12S rRNA sequences), analysis of leg colour characters and geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape. The morphological data confirmed the absence of significant differences between S. pallipes and S. pseudospicatus found in the DNA analysis. Significant differences in the wing shape of two species have not been revealed. Hence, according to our data, there is no reason to consider S. pseudospicatus as a distinct species.


2001 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor R. Townsend Jr ◽  
Bruce E. Felgenhauer ◽  
Judy F. Grimshaw

We examined the morphology of the genitalia and cuticular scales of eight species of Australian lynx spiders of the genus Oxyopes and compared them with those of representative species from Africa, Asia and North America. Our results indicate that the eight species examined are representative of two distinct species groups of Oxyopes in Australia. The first group consists ofO. amoenus, O. dingo, O. gracilipes, O. molarius, O. rubicundus, and O. variabilis. The evolutionary origin of these spiders is difficult to discern as they share multiple genitalic characters with African and Asian taxa. However, these six species display two characters, leg scales and internal cuticular elements in the opisthosomal scales, that are exhibited by African, but not Asian, taxa. The second group consists of Oxyopes macilentus and O. papuanis. These taxa exhibit many of the same morphological features, exhibited by Asian, but not African, species.


2021 ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Viktor Melnyk

The systematic position and modern state of populations of the rare species of Ukrainian flora Carlina cirsioides Klokov (Asteraceae) are considered. Since this species is included into the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) and the European List of Globally Threatened Animals and Plants (1991), it is well-known for European botanists as an endemic of the Ukrainian flora. However, neither the authors of Flora Europaea (1976), nor monographers of the genus Carlina recognize Carlina cirsioides as a separate species. Comparative morphological, chorological, and coenotic analyzes does not allow Carlina cirsioides to be considered as a separate species, endemic and relic of the Ukrainian flora. According to morphological features, specimens from the plains of Ukraine are referred to the subspecies Carlina acaulis caulescens, which is distributed mainly in plain regions of Europe. Ecological and coenotic conditions of habitats of Carlina acaulis in the lowland part of Ukraine are different from its habitats in the Carpathians and Alps and are close to xerotherme grass communities with Carlina acaulis of plains of Central Europe. Steppe communities of Festuco-Brometea class with Carlina acaulis in the Volhynian-Podolian Upland are similar to xerotherme communities with Carlina acaulis of Central Europe. Erico-Pinetea class communities are common habitats for Carlina acaulis in the Ukrainian Polissia and north-eastern Poland. Lowering the species status of Carlina cirsioides from separate species to subspecies Carlina acaulis caulescens does not diminish its phytosozological value. Due to the low number of Carlina acaulis populations in the Volhynian-Podolian Upland and Polissia, all localities of this species in the lowland part of Ukraine need to be provided by protection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Arndt ◽  
Michael Wink

Introduction: The relationships within the Pyrrhura species complex are partly unresolved. In this study, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Pyrrhura picta-leucotis complex was carried out, covering all species except P. subandina. Material and Methods: We made a morphological analysis of 745 preserved specimens of all the taxa in different museums. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome gene were generated and used to reconstruct a molecular phylogeny of Pyrrhura. Results and Discussion: Our results show that the complex is divided into 6 main groups comprising 15 species. P. dilutissima, regarded up to now as a subspecies of P. peruviana, acquires species status and three new subspecies are described. We also provide evidence that P. roseifrons is a paraphyletic group, indicating the existence of probably 3 lineages of which 2 deserve species status.


1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
AK Lee

The status of the five existing species of the genus Heleioporus Gray, H. albopunctatus Gray, H. australiacus (Shaw), H. eyrei (Gray), H. inornatus Lee & Main, and H. psammophilus Lee & Main are confirmed on the basis of morphological and behavioural criteria and the results of interpopulation in vitro crosses. The Western Australian population, formerly included under H. australiacus, is raised to species status on the basis of consistent differences in morphology and mating call. Each species is redescribed, and descriptions of the larvae and juveniles are included. The results of in vitro crosses support the recognition of two species groups, a bassian group comprising H. australiacus, the H. australiacus-like frog, and H. inornatus, and an eyrean group comprising H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus. The breeding biology of all of the western species appears closely tied to the Mediterranean climate of south-western Australia. All species breed in April and May. Rain sufficient to moisten the soil, and declining temperatures are the two most obvious environmental factors influencing the timing of breeding. Breeding sites include ephemeral ponds and water courses, and the edges of coastal lakes. Breeding occurs before these are covered by water, in winter. Males call from burrows, and copulation, oviposition, and embryonic development all occur at the bottom of these burrows. Where they occur together, the burrows of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H. psammophilus are found scattered through the centre of a swamp and those of H. inornatus, around the periphery. The eggs are laid in froth, and development to hatching takes between 1 and 3 weeks. Hatching may be delayed by withholding the eggs from water. The period between the onset of calling and hatching of the embryos roughly corresponds to the period between the onset of winter rain and the flooding of larval sites. The larvae of H. albopunctatus, H. eyrei, and H, psammophilus are found in ponds, those of H. inornatus in collapsed, flooded breeding burrows, and those of H. australiacus and the H. australiacus-like frog in creeks.


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