scholarly journals Morphology, vocalizations, and mitochondrial DNA suggest that the Graceful Prinia is two species

The Auk ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Alström ◽  
Pamela C Rasmussen ◽  
Canwei Xia ◽  
Lijun Zhang ◽  
Chengyi Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Prinias (Cisticolidae: Prinia) are resident warblers of open areas across Africa and Asia and include many polytypic species whose species limits have not been seriously reevaluated recently. Based on an integrative taxonomic analysis of morphology, song, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we suggest that 2 species should be recognized in the Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis) complex. In addition, our morphological analyses show the existence of a well-marked undescribed form in southeastern Somalia, which we name herein as a new subspecies. Prinia gracilis is a small, drab, long-tailed species with streaking above and plain pale underparts that has been suggested to fall into 2 groups: the southwestern nominate group (from Egypt to Oman) and the northeastern lepida group (from Turkey through India). However, the characters presented to justify this grouping are variable and show a mosaic pattern, and whether genetic and vocal differences exist is unknown. We found consistent between-group song differences, with the nominate group giving consistently longer inter-phrase intervals, whereas the members of the lepida group sing an essentially continuous reel. An mtDNA tree suggests a deep split between the nominate and lepida groups, with a coalescence time between these clades of ~ 2.2 million years ago. Vocal and mtDNA analyses provided evidence that the northeastern Arabian Peninsula taxon carpenteri belongs to the lepida group. We found that, of all the morphological characters proposed, only proportions and tail barring and spotting relatively consistently distinguish the 2 groups. However, these characters strongly suggest that the eastern Arabian Peninsula is populated by taxa of both the gracilis and lepida groups, in different areas, but we lack genetic and bioacoustic data to corroborate this. Although further study is needed in potential contact zones, we suggest that 2 species should be recognized in the P. gracilis complex, and we propose the retention of the English name Graceful Prinia for P. gracilis sensu stricto, while we suggest that P. lepida be known as Delicate Prinia.

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4809 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-495
Author(s):  
ISMAEL FRANZ ◽  
DIEGO JANISCH ALVARES ◽  
MÁRCIO BORGES-MARTINS

Euscarthmus pygmy-tyrants include two species of tiny passerines that inhabit semi-open landscapes in South America. One of these, Euscarthmus meloryphus is a taxonomic complex comprising three recognized subspecies for which previously proposed splits and lumps were not founded on proper taxonomic analysis. We assessed morphology (morphometrics and plumage), distribution models, and vocalizations of a substantial dataset with the aim of evaluating species limits within the E. meloryphus complex. Our results support the recognition of two species, the widespread E. meloryphus from east-central South America, and E. fulviceps from Ecuador and Peru, which are clearly diagnosable on morphological and vocal characters. We consider that E. meloryphus paulus from Colombia and Venezuela is a synonym of the nominotypical taxon based on the absence of diagnostic vocal and morphological characters. The allopatric distribution of the two populations of E. meloryphus may be related to the savannah connections during the LGM in South America. Further, we show that Lepturus ruficeps Swainson, 1838 is a synonym of E. rufomarginatus instead of E. meloryphus as it has long been treated. 


1980 ◽  
Vol 112 (S112) ◽  
pp. 1-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.D. Munroe ◽  
Ray F. Smith

AbstractThe systematics of Acalymma sensu stricto of North America including Mexico are revised. Acalymma sensu stricto is defined and distinguished from the other species groups of Acalymma. Sixteen species are discussed including four new species: A. blomorum, A. palomarense, A. invenustum, and A. luridifrons all from Mexico. Three new subspecies of A. blandulum (LeConte) are described: blandulum (LeConte) new status, nigriventre, and yucatanense. Acalymma coruscum costaricense Bechyné is placed as a synonym of A. innubum (Fabricius). Keys are presented to all species and subspecies. Habitus and male genitalia drawings are given for all species and distribution maps are given where appropriate.


Zootaxa ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 5091 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-558
Author(s):  
ZHAOYANG CHEN ◽  
FENGXIANG LIU ◽  
DAIQIN LI ◽  
XIN XU

This paper reports four new species of the primitively segmented spider genus Songthela from Chongqing Municipality, China, based on morphological characters of both males and females: S. jinyun sp. nov., S. longbao sp. nov., S. serriformis sp. nov. and S. wangerbao sp. nov. We also provide the GenBank accession codes of mitochondrial DNA barcode gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), for the holotype of four new species for future identification.  


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4320 (3) ◽  
pp. 505 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROMANA KALOUSOVA ◽  
LADISLAV BOCAK

Cladophorus Guérin-Méneville, 1830 are endemic Papuan net-winged beetles which take part in highly diverse Müllerian mimicry rings. Available specimens were sequenced for cox1–tRNA-Leu–cox2 mitochondrial DNA fragment and the species delimitations were based on the genetic distance, phylogenetic analysis, and morphology. Three earlier described species were identified in the recently collected material and further 10 species are described: C. pallescens sp. nov., C. bicolor sp. nov., C. craterensis sp. nov., C. motykai sp. nov., C. mindikensis sp. nov., C. kailakiensis sp. nov., C. manokwarensis sp. nov., C. haiaensis sp. nov., C. humeralis sp. nov., and C. boceki sp. nov. DNA-based identifications provided some ambiguous results and closely related species could not be robustly delimited using solely molecular data. Additionally, the species limits were based on clearly defined morphological characters and the morphological differentiation was found unlinked from the genetic divergence. Colour patterns cannot be used for identification because all species available in more specimens were polymorphic and followed various local co-mimics. The Papuan fauna of Cladophorus is very diverse and the closely related species regularly occur in limited regions. Differentiation within restricted ranges is therefore considered as the main speciation mode. 


Author(s):  
Andreas Bertsch

Königinnen von 12 Taxa der Untergattung Bombus sensu stricto (Bombus affinis, B. albocinctus, B. cryptarum, B. lucorum, B. magnus, B. moderatus, B. occidentalis, B. patagiatus, B. sporadicus, B. terrestris, B. terricola and B. tunicatus) wurden im Frühjahr gefangen, um künstliche Kolonien zu züchten. Zusätzlich wurden Männchen von B. franklini und B. lucorum/China gefangen. Mitochondriale Cytochrome Oxidase Untereinheit I (COI) von 53 Proben wurde sequenziert (Teilsequenzen der Länge 1257 bp). GenBank Sequenzen der Ostasiatischen Arten B. hypocrita, B. ignitus und B. lucorum/China wurden einbezogen. Der Unterschied zwischen den Arten beträgt 30 – 92 Basen-Substitutionen und die Tamura-Nei genetische Distanz 0.030-0.103, während der Unterschied innerhalb der Arten nur 1 – 3 Basensubstitution beträgt und die Tamura-Nei genetische Distanz nur 0.001-0.003. Dreizehn Taxa mit Artrang sowie eine neue Art B. minshanicola Bischoff 1936 (= B. terrestris ssp. minshanicola = B. lucorum/China) wurden nachgewiesen. In der Topologie des phylogenetischen Stammbaums gibt es 4 Cluster: ein Artenpaar B. sporadicus – B. ignitus und ein Artenpaar B. terricola – B. occidentalis, ein Cluster für B. magnus, B. patagiatus and B. cryptarum mit den Subspecies B. cryptarum albocinctus und B. cryptarum moderatus sowie ein Cluster für B. hypocrita, B. lucorum, B. minshanicola, B. franklini and B. affinis. Die Arten B. terrestris mit den Subspecies B. terrestris canariensis und B. terrestris sassaricus sowie B. tunicatus sind einzeln abgetrennt. Da sich im Alignment der COI Sequenzen keine Lücken finden, können die einzelnen Nucleotid-Positionen als homolog betrachtet werden. Jede Art besitzt eine Reihe einzigartiger (‘privater’) Positionen, die als diagnostische Merkmale benutzt werden können um die Art zu definieren und zu identifizieren.


2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (3) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Healy ◽  
Lynn J. Gillespie

The Saxifraga nivalis complex displays significant ecological, morphological and cytological variation. Most European studies suggest that the S. nivalis complex comprises two distinct species: Saxifraga nivalis sensu stricto and Saxifraga tenuis. However, the presence of intermediate morphotypes, inconsistencies in chromosomal counts and variability in morphological keys and descriptions have led to different taxonomic interpretations of the complex in North America. This study investigated the systematics of Canadian Arctic Island members of this complex from 157 specimens using 23 morphological characters. Principal component analysis of the morphological data revealed two adjacent clusters, corresponding to the two taxa and consistent with a close morphological similarity and the presence of hybrids. A preliminary restriction site analysis of five non-coding regions of the chloroplast genome, trnH-trnK, trnT-trnF, trnF-trnV, trnV-rbcL and rbcL-ORF106, was conducted using 21 restriction endonucleases. This analysis indicated a length difference between the trnT-trnF region of S. nivalis and that of S. tenuis, but no difference in restriction sites for any of the assayed regions. These results confirm that in the Canadian Arctic, the S. nivalis complex consists of two closely related, largely sympatric species, with notable morphological variability, and possible hybrids.


2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan W. Arntzen ◽  
Jacob McAtear ◽  
Ernesto Recuero ◽  
Janine M. Ziermann ◽  
Annemarie Ohler ◽  
...  

The Common toad Bufo bufo sensu lato is a widespread, morphologically conserved taxon. Recent studies have uncovered deep genetic differentiation between population groups, highlighting the need to revise the current taxonomy of the group and recognize additional species. Here we investigate patterns of variation in molecular (a mitochondrial DNA restriction enzyme assay and sequence data for two nuclear DNA fragments totalling 979 bp) and 17 morphological variables in Northern France where two of these groups meet (B. bufo sensu stricto and B. spinosus), in order to delineate their contact zone and uncover characters that would allow discrimination of the two taxa. Mitochondrial DNA data show an abrupt transition from areas where B. bufo is present to those inhabited by B. spinosus, with a narrow area of overlap east of the city of Caen. Morphometric characters, particularly those related to the positioning of the parotoid glands and metatarsal tubercle shape and size, proved useful in discriminating between species (AUC ≥ 0.97, kappa ≥ 0.79). We then used the differentiating character states to allocate over 300 museum specimens from Western Europe to either species with consistent results, including comparable values of AUC and kappa of the identification models, indicating that models could successfully be applied across datasets. We summarize available evidence relevant to the delineation of the distribution of B. bufo and B. spinosus in France and discuss the characters differentiating both species in an evolutionary context. In view of the observed morphological and genetic differentiation and the absence of unequivocal evidence for widespread hybridization we support the view that B. bufo and B. spinosus are best considered different species. Finally, we propose that ‘parotoids in parallel position’ and a thin and smooth skin are derived character states for B. bufo over the northern part of its range.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4657 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAL MOTYKA

Almost all net-winged beetles are members of Müllerian complexes and their similarity due to phenotypic coevolution sometimes complicates species identification and generic placement. Therefore, large specimen series, detailed exhaustive examination of morphological characters and molecular data are needed to clarify the taxonomic placement. Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, I investigated the sexual dimorphism and generic placement of the recently described species Calochromus pardus Kazantsev, 2018. I found that the species does not belong in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 and all morphological characters and molecular analyses point to its placement in Micronychus Motschulsky, 1861. Therefore, Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018), comb. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the male is described here for the first time showing the sexual dimorphism in the species. Unlike the females, the males do not superficially resemble members of Xylobanus Waterhouse, 1879 with bright coloured elytral costae and black background, but mimics the sympatrically occurring yellow and black lycids in the genus Cautires Waterhouse, 1879. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4624 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
PERRY L. JR. WOOD ◽  
EVAN S. H. QUAH ◽  
MYINT KYAW THURA ◽  
JAMIE R. OAKS ◽  
...  

An integrative taxonomic analysis of the Cyrtodactylus linnwayensis group of the Shan Plateau recovered two new populations from isolated karst habitats near Pinlaung Town, Shan State as a new species, C. pinlaungensis sp. nov. Cyrtodactylus pinlaungensis sp. nov. is most closely related to a clade comprising C. linnwayensis and C. ywanganensis from the western edge of the Shan Plateau approximately 90 km to the northwest. Cyrtodactylus pinlaungensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all members of the C. linnwayensis group by a number of statistically different morphological characters, discrete color pattern differences, and its heavy tuberculation. It also bears an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 5.0–7.6% from all other species combined based on the mitochondrial gene ND2 and its flanking tRNAs. The discovery of this new species on the Shan Plateau continues to underscore the fact that this region is rapidly emerging as a herpetological diversity hot-spot for Myanmar. 


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