Systematics of the Culex coronator complex (Diptera: Culicidae): morphological and molecular assessment

2017 ◽  
Vol 182 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Laurito ◽  
Andrew G Briscoe ◽  
Walter R Almirón ◽  
Ralph E Harbach

Abstract The Culex coronator complex of the mosquito subgenus Culex includes five currently recognized species: Cx. camposi, Cx. coronator, Cx. ousqua, Cx. usquatissimus and Cx. usquatus. Because of the confusing taxonomic history of the complex, we aimed to clarify the specific status of these nominal forms based on an examination of holotypes and lectotypes and molecular data from other specimens. Critical assessment of published descriptions and study of type specimens revealed that the known distributions of the five species overlap considerably and exhibit biotic sympatry in some areas. Sequences from the COI barcode region and complete mitochondrial genomes were used to assess the relationships and degree of genetic divergence of the species and two newly discovered morphological forms, Cx. coronator Forms 1 and 2. Genetic distances in the COI dataset varied from 0.00 to 2.67%, with the largest relative divergence being 4.41 between specimens of Cx. coronator and Cx. coronator Form 1. Bayesian Poisson tree process analysis of the COI barcode region also failed to provide support for the nominal species. Evidence from the morphological and molecular data thus leads us to conclude (at least provisionally) that the Cx. coronator complex is a single polymorphic species. The forms constitute a monophyletic group but there is no support for the specific status of the five nominal forms.

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4512 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
CHRISTINE M. KAISER ◽  
HINRICH KAISER ◽  
MARK O’SHEA

Since its conceptualization in 1854, 29 species of the colubrid genus Stegonotus have been recognized or described, of which 15 (admiraltiensis, batjanensis, borneensis, cucullatus, derooijae, diehli, florensis, guentheri, iridis, heterurus, melanolabiatus, modestus, muelleri, parvus, poechi) are still considered valid today. Original species descriptions for the members of this genus were published in Dutch, English, French, German, and Italian and, perhaps as a consequence of these polyglot origins, there has been a considerable amount of confusion over which species names should be applied to which populations of Stegonotus throughout its range across Borneo, the Philippines, Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, and associated archipelagos. In addition, the terminology used to notate characteristics in the descriptions of these forms was not uniform and may have added to the taxonomic confusion. In this paper, we trace in detail the history of the type specimens, the species, and the synonyms currently associated with the genus Stegonotus and provide a basic, species-specific listing of their characteristics, derived from our examination of over 1500 museum specimens. Based on our data, we are able to limit the distribution of S. modestus to the islands of Ambon, Buru, and Seram in the central Moluccas of Indonesian Wallacea. We correct the type locality of S. cucullatus to the Manokwari area on the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesian New Guinea and designate a neotype for S. parvus, a species likely to be a regional endemic in the Schouten Archipelago of Cenderawasih Bay (formerly Geelvink Bay), Indonesian New Guinea. We unequivocally identify and explain the problematic localities of the type specimens of S. muelleri and Lycodon muelleri, which currently reside in the same specimen jar. We remove L. aruensis and L. lividum from the synonymy of S. modestus and recognize them as S. aruensis n. comb. and S. lividus n. comb., respectively. We remove S. keyensis and Zamenophis australis from the synonymy of S. cucullatus and recognize them as S. keyensis n. comb. and S. australis n. comb., respectively. We further remove S. reticulatus from the synonymy of S. cucullatus, S. dorsalis from the synonymy of S. diehli, and S. sutteri from the synonymy of S. florensis. We designate lectotypes for S. guentheri, S. heterurus, S. lividus, and S. reticulatus. Lastly, we introduce S. poechi, a valid species not mentioned in the scientific literature since its description in 1924. This brings the diversity in the genus Stegonotus to 22 species. We also caution that in a complex group of organisms like Stegonotus any rush to taxonomic judgment on the basis of molecular and incomplete morphological data sets may perpetuate errors and introduce incongruities. Only through the careful work of connecting type material with museum specimens and molecular data can the taxonomy and nomenclature of complex taxa be stabilized. 


Genome ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
pp. 986-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Wang ◽  
Dongfa Sun ◽  
Genlou Sun

The phylogeny of diploid Hordeum species has been studied using both chloroplast and nuclear gene sequences. However, the studies of different nuclear datasets of Hordeum species often arrived at similar conclusions, whereas the studies of different chloroplast DNA data generally resulted in inconsistent conclusions. Although the monophyly of the genus is well supported by both morphological and molecular data, the intrageneric phylogeny is still a matter of controversy. To better understand the evolutionary history of Hordeum species, two chloroplast gene loci (trnD-trnT intergenic spacer and rps16 gene) and one nuclear marker (thioreoxin-like gene (HTL)) were used to explore the phylogeny of Hordeum species. Two obviously different types of trnD-trnT sequences were observed, with an approximately 210 base pair difference between these two types: one for American species, another for Eurasian species. The trnD-trnT data generally separated the diploid Hordeum species into Eurasian and American clades, with the exception of Hordeum marinum subsp. gussoneanum. The rps16 data also grouped most American species together and suggested that Hordeum flexuosum has a different plastid type from the remaining American species. The nuclear gene HTL data clearly divided Hordeum species into two clades: the Xu + H genome clade and the Xa + I genome clade. Within clades, H genome species were well separated from the Xu species, and the I genome species were well separated from the Xa genome species. The incongruence between chloroplast and nuclear datasets was found and discussed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 680 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARNE NYGREN

Autolytinae is revised based on available types, and newly collected specimens. Out of 170 nominal species, 18 are considered as incertae sedis, 43 are regarded as junior synonyms, and 25 are referred to as nomina dubia. The relationships of Autolytinae is assessed from 51 morphological characters and 211 states for 76 ingroup-taxa, and 460 molecular characters from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA for 31 ingroup-taxa; outgroups include 12 non-autolytine syllid polychaetes. Two analyses are provided, one including morphological data only, and one with combined morphological and molecular data sets. The resulting strict consensus tree from the combined data is chosen for a reclassification. Three main clades are identified: Procerini trib. n., Autolytini Grube, 1850, and Epigamia gen. n. Proceraea Ehlers, 1864 and Myrianida Milne Edwards, 1845 are referred to as nomen protectum, while Scolopendra Slabber, 1781, Podonereis Blainville, 1818, Amytis Savigny, 1822, Polynice Savigny, 1822, and Nereisyllis Blainville, 1828 are considered


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4486 (4) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL VENCES ◽  
ANDREA HILDENBRAND ◽  
KATHARINA M. WARMUTH ◽  
FRANCO ANDREONE ◽  
FRANK GLAW

The subgenus Brygoomantis in the Madagascar-endemic genus Mantidactylus contains 12 nominal species but is in urgent need of taxonomic revision as many additional, genetically divergent but undescribed candidate species have been identified. We here take a first step towards a better resolution of this group by describing a new species, Mantidactylus schulzi sp. nov., occurring at the Tsaratanana and Manongarivo Massifs, differentiated in genetic, bioacoustic and sometimes morphological characters from its closest relatives. We show that upon detailed study, most species in Brygoomantis can be delimited by concordant differentiation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and by bioacoustic and morphological differences. We flag this group of morphologically similar frogs as a test case where molecular data on historical type specimens by ancient DNA methods might be needed to reach a satisfying clarification of taxonomy and nomenclature. However, the status of the new species M. schulzi is not in doubt as it is morphologically distinct from most historical type specimens, and microendemic to a region in northern Madagascar from where no earlier names exist. 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 496 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-53
Author(s):  
GOIA DE MATTOS LYRA ◽  
JOSÉ MARCOS DE CASTRO NUNES ◽  
EDILENE MARIA DOS SANTOS PESTANA ◽  
JOÃO CARLOS GAMA DE MATOS ◽  
TAIARA AGUIAR CAIRES ◽  
...  

The Gracilariaceae comprises 242 mainly tropical species, including some with significant economic value for the food and pharmaceutical industry. Accurate taxonomy is crucial for the selection of species for cultivation. However, species identification is still challenging taxonomists. Nineteen species of Gracilariaceae have so far been referred to the Brazilian coast. We describe this diversity across approximately 32 degrees of latitude, using mitochondrial (COI-5P) and plastid (UPA and rbcL) markers in species delimitation analyses (ABGD and SPN). We provide phylogenetic (based on a concatenated three-genes tree and a taxa rich rbcL tree) and barcoding analyses from a broad and partially original collection combined with morphoanatomical data, including information resulting from analyses of type specimens and topotype material. We identified twenty-five specific entities occurring on the Brazilian coast, including four new species yet to be described. Spermatangial arrangements and aspects of thallus morphology were the most useful characters for species and genera delimitation, while characters based on the anatomy of the cystocarp overlap. Our morphological analyses demonstrate the lack of exclusive characters that justify the recently proposed Gracilariaceae infrafamilial categories, and therefore we use in this work the Gracilaria sensu lato genus concept. We provide descriptions, illustrations and a dichotomous key for the identification of species occurring in Brazil.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 305 (2) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
SIRRI YÜZBAŞIOĞLU ◽  
IHSAN A. AL-SHEHBAZ ◽  
ELİF YÜZBAŞIOĞLU ◽  
EDA DALYAN

Berteroa physocarpa, a new species from the subalpine-alpine zone (1600−2200 m) of northwest Anatolia, is described and illustrated. It shares with the other species of Berteroa 2n=16 and morphologically is readily distinguished from them by having distinctly inflated fruit with glabrous valves. Sequences of nuclear ribosomal transcribed spacer (ITS) region were used to determine the relationship of Berteroa species using maximum likelihood methods. The phylogenetic results confirmed the recently established systematic history of Berteroa and also supported the recognition of this new species.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4846 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-93
Author(s):  
GUILHERME S. T. GARBINO ◽  
BURTON K. LIM ◽  
VALÉRIA DA C. TAVARES

We present a revision of the Neotropical bat genus Chiroderma, commonly known as big-eyed bats. Although species of Chiroderma have a wide distribution from western México to southern Brazil, species limits within Chiroderma are not clearly defined, as attested by identification errors in the literature, and there is no comprehensive revision of the genus that includes morphological and molecular data. Our review is based on phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial (COI and CYTB) and two nuclear (RAG2 and DBY) genes, coalescence analyses of mitochondrial genes, and morphological analyses including type specimens of all named taxa. We recognize seven species in three clades: the first clade includes (1) C. scopaeum Handley, 1966, endemic to western México and previously considered a subspecies of C. salvini; and (2) C. salvini Dobson, 1878, a taxon associated with montane forests, distributed from México to Bolivia; the second clade includes (3) C. improvisum Baker and Genoways, 1976, endemic to the Lesser Antilles, and (4) C. villosum Peters, 1860, widely distributed on the continental mainland and polytypic, with subspecies C. v. villosum and C. v. jesupi; and the third clade includes (5) the polytypic C. doriae Thomas, 1891, with C. d. doriae distributed in eastern Brazil and Paraguay, and C. d. vizottoi, occurring in northeastern Brazil; (6) C. trinitatum Goodwin, 1958, distributed from Trinidad to Amazonia; and (7) C. gorgasi Handley, 1960, distributed from Honduras to trans-Andean South America, previously considered a subspecies of C. trinitatum. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4695 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
JOHN W. SHORT ◽  
TIMOTHY J. PAGE ◽  
CHRISTOPHER L. HUMPHREY

Caridina biyiga sp. nov. is described from Leichhardt Springs, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is highly distinctive among its congeners in having the dactylus of pereiopod 5 similar to the dactyli of pereiopods 3–4 and lacking the comb-like row of spiniform setae typical of the genus. The branchial formula is also distinctive for the genus in lacking an arthrobranch at the base of pereiopod 1 and in having a vestigial epipod on maxilliped 1.                Despite the distinctive morphology of the new species, the molecular data did not provide strong support for the recognition of a new genus. Phylogenetic analyses of Australian Caridina using the mitochondrial 16S rDNA gene fragment placed the new species in a well-supported clade containing at least one typical species of Caridina. Within this clade, referred to as the ‘thermophila’ group, Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) genetic distances of 16S rDNA between the new species and sister taxa ranged from 5.1–6.0%. Analyses using the mitochondrial 3’ COI gene fragment from species of the ‘thermophila’ group yielded K2P genetic distances between the new species and its sister taxa ranging from 10.4–15.1%.                A preliminary illustrated key to Northern Territory Caridina is provided. The conservation significance of Leichhardt Springs and its aquatic fauna are also briefly discussed. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4895 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-380
Author(s):  
OMAR TORRES-CARVAJAL ◽  
JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA ◽  
VALENTINA POSSE ◽  
ELVIS CELI ◽  
CLAUDIA KOCH

Leptodeira is one of the most widespread and taxonomically problematic snake taxa in the Americas. Here we describe a new species of Leptodeira from the Andes of southern Ecuador based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is geographically close and morphologically similar to L. ornata and L. larcorum, from which it can be distinguished by having smaller dorsal body blotches, a longer tail, and shorter spines on the hemipenial body. The shortest genetic distances between the new species and its congeners are 0.02 (16S), 0.05 (cytb), and 0.18 (ND4). The new species is restricted to the Jubones River Basin in southern Ecuador, an area of endemism for other reptile species. Our phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data also supports recognition of the names L. larcorum (restricted to Peru) for “L. septentrionalis larcorum”, and L. ornata for populations of “L. s. ornata” from central and eastern Panama, western Colombia, and western Ecuador. However, some samples of “L. s. ornata” from Panama and Costa Rica, as well as the new species described herein, are not included within or more closely related to L. ornata, which is sister to the clade (L. bakeri, L. ashmeadii). 


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4317 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAXIM V. VINARSKI ◽  
DMITRY M. PALATOV ◽  
VADIM V. MARINSKIY

The paper is the first illustrated check-list of the freshwater Gastropoda of the state of Mongolia. The authors examined their own samplings made in 2009–2012 as well as collections of other explorers and zoological museums (mostly those of Russia). In total, 35 nominal species of four families (Valvatidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, and Planorbidae) have been included into annotated list, with remarks on their distribution, ecology, taxonomic status, and nomenclature. All species are illustrated by pictures of their shells (including some type specimens). The fauna of freshwater Gastropoda of Mongolia is taxonomically impoverished as compared to the fauna of southern Siberia and other adjacent areas. In particular, no representatives of such families as Acroloxidae and Bithyniidae were found to live there as well as no species of Anisus, Aplexa, Planorbarius, Planorbis, Stagnicola and some other genera of aquatic snails broadly distributed in Palearctic. From the zoogeographic point of view, the recent fauna of aquatic Gastropoda of Mongolia consists of species belonging to three diversification centers—northwestern Palearctic, Siberian, and Central-South Asian. The only species endemic to Mongolia is Choanomphalus mongolicus inhabiting the Hövsgöl Lake. A brief history of formation of the recent Mongolian fauna of freshwater snails is provided. 


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