Consequences of the misidentification of museum specimens: the taxonomic status of Canis lupaster soudanicus

2020 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 1148-1150
Author(s):  
Andrew C Kitchener ◽  
Fabio A Machado ◽  
Virginia Hayssen ◽  
Patricia D Moehlman ◽  
Suvi Viranta
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Morphometrics ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Subsequent Research ◽  
Dental Measurements ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
Conservation And Management

Abstract Researchers are increasingly using museum collections for taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, and faunal analyses, and they assume that taxonomic identifications on museum labels are correct. However, identifications may be incorrect or out of date, which could result in false conclusions from subsequent research. A recent geometric morphometrics analysis of skulls of African canids by Machado and Teta (2020) suggested that Canis lupaster soudanicus is a junior synonym of Lupulella adusta. However, the holotype of soudanicus was not measured and further investigation of the putative soudanicus specimens used in this study showed that these originally were identified as L. adusta. This original identification was confirmed by dental measurements, which also confirm that the holotype of soudanicus is Canis lupaster. Hence, soudanicus should not be synonymized with L. adusta. This example highlights the importance of careful checking of species identifications of museum specimens prior to research and, where possible, including (holo)types of taxa, before making taxonomic changes that could have important consequences for species conservation and management.

scholarly journals A systematic revision of the bats (Chiroptera) of Honduras: an updated checklist with corroboration of historical specimens and new records

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfredo Alejandro Turcios-Casco ◽  
Hefer Daniel Ávila-Palma ◽  
Richard К. LaVal ◽  
Richard D. Stevens ◽  
Eduardo Javier Ordoñez-Trejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
New Records ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Historical Records ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
Conservation Assessments

During the last century, survey efforts for mammals in Honduras have been few and most distributional and conservation assessments of bats have been based on historical records. Taxonomy of many records has changed. Moreover, a number of supposed Honduran occurrences are based on records from bordering countries without confirmation by a Honduran voucher. Therefore, the list of bats of Honduras lacks precision. Here, we update the number of species in the country, including taxonomic changes not reflected in recent works and new records based on museum specimens. The known number of species for Honduras is 113 with seven expected (Cormura brevirostris, Lampronycteris brachyotis, Mesophylla macconnelli, Molossus coibensis, M. pretiosus, Thyroptera discifera and Trinycteris nicefori), based on records in adjoining countries. We provide a new record for Honduras of Natalus lanatus. We confirm the presence of Cynomops greenhalli and Diaemus youngii and clarify the taxonomic status of Artibeus intermedius, Chiroderma gorgasi, Eumops ferox, Gardnerycteris keenani, Lasiurus frantzii, Myotis pilosatibialis, Molossus and Pteronotus species, and Tonatia bakeri. We recommend a reassessment of the conservation status of the bats of Honduras considering recent changes and that a number of species (e.g. Choeronycteris mexicana) have not been observed since their reports in historical records. This requires an update of the taxonomic identification keys for Honduras. The updated checklist below demonstrates the high biodiversity of Honduran bats but is also an example of how poorly many groups have been studied since they were first recorded in the country.

Taxonomic status of Trapelus ruderatus (Olivier) and T. persicus (Blanford), and validity of T. lessonae (De Filippi)

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Iranian Plateau ◽  
Systematic Status ◽  
Established Species

AbstractThe systematic status of the ground agamids (conventional) Trapelus ruderatus and Trapelus persicus is re-evaluated based on material collected by the author on the Iranian Plateau and material from various museum collections, including the type specimens of Trapelus ruderatus (Olivier), T. megalonyx Günther, T. lessonae (De Filippi), T. persicus (Blanford) and T. ruderatus baluchianus (Smith). In conclusion, the holotype of Trapelus ruderatus is a subadult (conventional) T. persicus and that of T. lessonae is a typical (conventional) T. ruderatus ruderatus. Furthermore, T. megalonyx is a well-established species and T. r. baluchianus is not a valid taxonomic entity, being a junior synonym of T. megalonyx. So, some major nomenclatural changes are inevitable: Since T. lessonae is the oldest available name, it is revived for all populations of the (conventional) T. r. ruderatus, and the specific name “ruderatus” is, in turn, assigned for all populations of the (conventional) T. persicus (because of priority). Thus, the specific name “persicus” comes under the synonymy of “ruderatus” and is no longer available.

Redescription of a forgotten nudibranch Miamira striata (Eliot, 1904) and review of the taxonomic status of the genus Orodoris (Nudibranchia: Chromodorididae: Miamirinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4981 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-165
Author(s):  
YARA TIBIRIÇÁ ◽  
TERRENCE M. GOSLINER ◽  
LYNN J. BONOMO ◽  
JUAN LUCAS CERVERA
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Sister Relationship ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The Status ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
The Pacific Ocean ◽  
Small Genus

The genus Orodoris Bergh, 1875 is a small genus that together with Miamira Bergh, 1875, was considered as a junior synonym of Ceratosoma A. Adams & Reeve, 1850. This decision was based on a morphological phylogenetic study conducted in 1999 that recovered the monophyly of the Ceratosoma. However, in 2012, molecular evidences led to the resurrection of Miamira, while Orodoris was retained as a junior synonym of Miamira with no further details. Here we revise the status of the genus Orodoris in light of the rediscovery of M. striata (syn. Orodoris striata Eliot, 1904). Our phylogenetic analysis revealed a close sister relationship between Miamira striata and Miamira miamirana Bergh, 1875 which nested within the Miamira clade. Therefore, to retain the monophyly of Miamira, the genus Orodoris should be maintained as a junior synonym of the former. This study proposes a neotype for M. striata and underscores the importance of reviewing historical taxonomic changes and investigating ancient descriptions prior to describing new taxa. Our study also confirms that Miamira magnifica Eliot, 1910 from the Indian Ocean and Miamira flavicostata Baba, 1940 from the Pacific Ocean represent two distinct, sister species. 

scholarly journals A taxonomic review of the species of CharaxScopoli, 1777 (Teleostei: Characidae: Characinae) with description of a new species from the rio Negro bearing superficial neuromasts on body scales, Amazon basin, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naércio A. Menezes ◽  
Carlos Alberto S. de Lucena
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Museum Collections ◽  
Taxonomic Review ◽  
Rio Negro ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Pelvic Fin

The species of Charaxwere reviewed by Lucena (1987) who a little later (1989) added three new species to the genus. Examination of recently collected specimens from museum collections documented the more extensive geographic distribution for most species and revealed the existence of a new species in which superficial neuromasts were discovered and are herein described. These skin structures were also detected in C. metae Eigenmann, 1922. Anal- and pelvic-fin hooks previously observed only on the anal-fin of one species of the genus are described herein in some other species. Charax unimaculatus Lucena is considered a junior synonym of C. michaeli Lucena. All the species are redescribed and the new species described.

Checklist and taxonomic changes for Central and South American Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4449 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIANA CHANI-POSSE ◽  
ALFRED F. NEWTON ◽  
ASLAK KAPPEL HANSEN ◽  
ALEXEY SOLODOVNIKOV
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Type Material ◽  
New Combination ◽  
South American ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Generic Composition ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

A checklist of all described species of Philonthina, a subtribe of the staphylinid tribe Staphylinini, known to occur in Central and South America (CASA) is presented. Included for each species, and for synonyms known from CASA, is a reference to the original description, type locality and type depository, and for each species the known distribution within and outside CASA. Type material was sought in the main European and American collections where it is deposited (BMNH, MNHUB, IRSNB and FMNH) and is summarized for all indigenous CASA species, with lectotypes designated for 16 names and confirmation of holotypes and prior designation of lectotypes when necessary. Based on recent phylogenetic work in Philonthina and our revision of types of CASA species of Philonthus Stephens, 1829 and Belonuchus Nordmann, 1837, some taxonomic changes are proposed. Thirty-one species of Philonthus are transferred to Belonuchus (16), Gabrius Stephens 1829 (14), and Bisnius Stephens 1829 (one) resulting in the following new combinations: B. abnormalis (Sharp 1885), B. celatus (Sharp 1885), B. corticalis (Sharp 1885), B. extremus (Sharp 1885), B. infimus (Sharp 1885), B. iteratus (Sharp 1887), B. latecinctus (Sharp 1885), B. lucilius (Sharp 1885), B. muticus (Sharp 1876), B. optatus (Sharp 1885), B. platypterus (Sharp 1885), B. rufiventris (Sharp 1887), B. rufocaudus (Sharp 1885), B. rufopygus (Sharp 1885), B. serraticornis (Sharp 1876), B. supernus (Herman 2001), G. approximans (Sharp 1885), G. armatipes (Sharp 1885), G. atricolor (Sharp 1885), G. championi (Sharp 1885), G. dampfi (Bernhauer 1929), G. elegans (Sharp 1885), G. forsterianus (Scheerpeltz 1960), G. misellus (Sharp 1885), G. nugax (Sharp 1885), G. ovaticeps (Sharp 1885), G. peruvianus (Bernhauer 1916), G. planulatus (Sharp 1885), G. rusticus (Sharp 1885), G. serpens (Sharp 1885) and Bi. subaeneipennis (Bernhauer 1916). Endeius nitidipennis Solier 1849 is transferred to Gabrius, resulting in the following new combination, G. nitidipennis (Solier 1849). Leptopeltus carchiensis Chani-Posse & Asenjo 2013 is proposed as junior synonym of Philonthus divisus Sharp 1891, which is transferred to Leptopeltus Bernhauer 1906 resulting in a new combination: Leptopeltus divisus (Sharp 1891). Belonuchus penetrans Silvestri 1946 is transferred to Pridonius Blackwelder 1952 as a new combination. Lectotypes are designated for Atopocentrum mirabile Bernhauer 1906, Philonthus armatipes Sharp 1885, Ph. atricolor Sharp 1885, Ph. championi Sharp 1885, Ph. misellus Sharp 1885, Ph. planulatus Sharp 1885, Ph. rusticus Sharp 1885, Ph. serpens Sharp 1885, Ph. abnormalis Sharp 1885, Ph. celatus Sharp 1885, Ph. infimus Sharp 1885, Ph. latecinctus Sharp 1885, Ph. muticus Sharp 1876, Ph. platypterus Sharp 1885, Ph. rufocaudus Sharp 1885 and Ph. rufopygus Sharp 1885. Of the 543 currently known species of Philonthina reported from CASA, at least 14 are believed to be adventive from elsewhere, 56 may occur naturally elsewhere, and 473 (87%) are evidently endemic to this region. Of the 31 genera represented by these described species, 20 (65%) are endemic to CASA. One genus, Gabronthus Tottenham 1955, is adventive. However, the actual philonthine fauna of CASA will undoubtedly be much larger, and the generic composition highly modified, when the fauna is fully explored and studied within a phylogenetical framework. 

Systematic position of the Afrotropical species described in Trachyphloeini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4344 (3) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROMAN BOROVEC ◽  
JIŘÍ SKUHROVEC
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
New Genera ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
A New Species

The Afrotropical species described as Trachyphloeini Lacordaire, 1863 were examined and their taxonomic status is revised. Atrachyphloeus Voss, 1962 is proposed as a junior synonym of Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842, Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 as a junior synonym of Tapinomorphus sylvicola Voss, 1962 and Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 as a junior synonym of Platycopes tuberculatus Marshall, 1906. Atrachyphloeus convergens Voss, 1962 is transferred to the genus Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842, Trachyphloeus hardenbergi Marshall, 1923 and T. notulatus Boheman, 1842 to Glyptosomus Schoenherr, 1847, Trachyphloeus nanus Fåhraeus, 1871 to Pentatrachyphloeus Voss, 1974, Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 to Platycopes Schoenherr, 1823 and Trachyphloeus setiger Fåhraeus, 1871 to Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842. “Trachyphloeosoma” brevicolle Voss, 1974, “Trachyphloeus” brevis Boheman, 1842, “T”. nodifrons Hoffmann, 1968 and “T”. squalidus Boheman, 1842 are provisionally left in their current genera, but new genera for them will be described in future papers. The genus Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842 has been redefined and redescribed. Lectotypes for the following species are designated (current names added in brackets where different): Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 (Tapinomorphus sylvicola Voss, 1962), Trachyphloeus hardenbergi Marshall, 1923 (Glyptosomus hardenbergi (Marshall, 1923)), Trachyphloeus nanus Fåhraeus, 1871 (Pentatrachyphloeus nanus (Fåhraeus, 1871)), Trachyphloeus notulatus Boheman, 1842 (Glyptosomus notulatus (Boheman, 1842)), Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 (Platycopes tuberculatus (Marshall, 1906)), Trachyphloeus setiger Fåhraeus, 1871 (Phaylomerinthus setiger (Fåhraeus, 1871)), “Trachyphloeus” brevis Boheman in Schoenherr, 1842 and “Trachyphloeus” squalidus Boheman in Schoenherr, 1842. Two paralectotypes of Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 from Tanzania are described as a new species, Tapinomorphus franzi sp. n. All type specimens are illustrated. 

scholarly journals Catalog of Rose Gall, Herb Gall, and Inquiline Gall Wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) of the United States, Canada, and Mexico

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Nastasi ◽  
Andrew Deans
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Original Description ◽  
The United States ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Vernacular Names ◽  
The North ◽  
Gall Wasps ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
Gall Induction

Cynipidae (Hymenoptera: Cynipoidea) is a diverse group of wasps, many of which are capable of inducing plants to make novel structures, galls, that protect and nourish the wasps' larvae. Other cynipids, especially those species in Ceroptresini and Synergini, are understood to be usurpers of galls made by other cynipids. The North American cynipid fauna has not been fully cataloged since 1979, but there is renewed interest in revising the taxonomy and in doing research that sheds light on the mechanisms of gall induction, the evolution of this life history, and their ecological interactions more broadly. Significant taxonomic changes have impacted the group since 1979, thereby warranting a new catalog. The current state of knowledge of species classified in Aulacideini, Ceroptresini, Diastrophini, Diplolepidini, Phanacidini, and Synergini in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is summarized in catalog format. We report 323 names, including 170 valid species of rose gall wasps, herb gall wasps, and inquiline gall wasps, classified in 12 genera, from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Current taxonomic status, distribution, host associations, and vernacular names are listed for each species. The catalog also includes the original description of galls for many species of gall-inducer, as well as atomized characterizations of different gall traits as key-value pairs. For most galling species without existing vernacular names, new vernacular names are proposed.

scholarly journals ORBITOLINA DAVIESI HOFKER, 1966: A FORGOTTEN ORBITOLINIDAE FROM THE THANETIAN OF PAKISTAN AND ITS TAXONOMIC STATUS

2020 ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
FELIX SCHLAGINTWEIT
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Linear Arrangement ◽  
Radial Zone

Orbitolina daviesi Hofker, 1966 (family Orbitolinidae) was validly described and thoroughly illustrated from Thanetian limestones of Pakistan. Although its attribution to the genus Orbitolina d’Orbigny and any phylogenetic relationships with the Cretaceous taxa have been refuted shortly afterwards, the species has not been taxonomically revised since then. Karsella hottingeri Sirel, 1999 was established as new genus and new species from the Thanetian of Turkey, without taking into account J. Hofker’s publication. The original description and genus diagnosis of Karsella has meanwhile been emended to include the occurrence of a radial zone with septula that follow a zig-zag pattern and associated linear arrangement of the foramina, as well as a complex embryo. Orbitolina daviesi clearly displays these features and is here considered a species of the genus Karsella Sirel. Karsella hottingeri is regarded as a subjective junior synonym of O. daviesi Hofker and therefore, the only species of the genus is given as a new combination: Karsella daviesi (Hofker). From a suprageneric viewpoint, the two Paleogene genera Karsella Sirel and Cushmania Silvestri display a complex embryo and might belong to a new subfamily of the Orbitolinidae, phylogenetically different and unrelated to the lower-mid Cretaceous Orbitolininae.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Mischonyx Bertkau, 1880, with taxonomic changes and three new species description (Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11682
Author(s):  
Caio Gueratto ◽  
Alípio Benedetti ◽  
Ricardo Pinto-da-Rocha
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Phylogenetic Hypothesis ◽  
Areas Of Endemism ◽  
Taxonomic Changes ◽  
Three New Species

The type species of Mischonyx Bertkau 1880, Mischonyx squalidus, was described based on a juvenile. The holotype is lost. Based on a revision of publications, the genus includes 12 species, all in Brazil. The objectives of this research are: to propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for Mischonyx based on Total Evidence (TE); propose taxonomic changes based on the phylogeny; and analyze the phylogenetic hypothesis biogeographically. Using the exemplar approach to taxon selection, we studied 54 specimens, 15 outgroups and 39 ingroup taxa using seven molecular markers (28S, 12S and 16S ribosomal genes, citochrome oxidase subunit I gene, carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase gene, internal transcribed spacer subunit 2 and histone H3 gene), totaling 3,742 bp, and 128 morphological characters. We analyzed the dataset under three optimality criteria: Maximum likelihood (ML), Maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian. We discuss the transformation of character states throughout the phylogeny, the different phylogenetic hypotheses using different datasets and the congruence of evidence between the clades obtained by the phylogenetic analysis and the biogeographical hypothesis for the Atlantic Forest areas of endemism. We estimate that Mischonyx clade diverged 50.53 Mya, and inside the genus there are two major clades. One of them cointains species from Paraná, Santa Catarina, South of São Paulo and Serra do Mar Areas of Endemism and the other has species from Espinhaço, Bocaina, South coast of Rio de Janeiro and Serra dos Órgãos Areas of Endemism. The first split inside these two clades occurred at 48.94 and 44.80 Mya, respectively. We describe three new species from Brazil: Mischonyx minimus sp. nov. (type locality: Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro), Mischonyx intervalensis sp. nov. (type locality: Ribeirão Grande, São Paulo) and Mischonyx tinguaensis sp. nov (type locality: Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro). The genus Urodiabunus Mello-Leitão, 1935 is considered a junior synonym of Mischonyx. Weyhia spinifrons Mello-Leitão, 1923; Weyhia clavifemur Mello-Leitão, 1927 and Geraeocormobius reitzi Vasconcelos, 2005 were transferred to Mischonyx. Mischonyx cuspidatus (Roewer, 1913) is a junior synonym of M. squalidus Bertkau, 1880. In the results of the phylogenetic analyses, Gonyleptes antiquus Mello-Leitão, 1934 (former Mischonyx antiquus) does not belong in Mischonyx and its original combination is re-established. As it is now defined, Mischonyx comprises 17 species, with seven new combinations.

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