scholarly journals The rediscovery of Strix butleri (Hume, 1878) in Oman and Iran, with molecular resolution of the identity of Strix omanensis Robb, van den Berg and Constantine, 2013

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus S. Robb ◽  
George Sangster ◽  
Mansour Aliabadian ◽  
Arnoud B. van den Berg ◽  
Mark Constantine ◽  
...  

Background: Most species of owls (Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux. In recent years, two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Arabian peninsula by different research teams. It has been suggested that one of these species, S. omanensis, is not a valid species but taxonomic comparisons have been hampered by the lack of specimens of S. omanensis, and the poor state of the holotype of S. butleri. Methods: Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of the S. butleri complex. We also report the capture of a single S. butleri in Mashhad, Iran. Results: A cytochrome b sequence of S. omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype of S. butleri, indicating that the name S. omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym of S. butleri. The identity of the S. butleri captured in Mashhad, Iran, was confirmed using DNA sequence data. This represents a major (1,400 km) range extension of this species. Conclusions: The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S. omanensis’ actually represents the rediscovery of S. butleri, which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878. The range of S. butleri extends into northeast Iran. Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition of S. butleri and S. hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-116
Author(s):  
DANIARA COLPANI ◽  
CÉSAR JOÃO BENETTI ◽  
NEUSA HAMADA ◽  
VANDERLY ANDRADE-SOUZA ◽  
KARINE SCHOENINGER ◽  
...  

In most species of Gyrinidae, the immature stages are unknown, especially due to the difficulty in collecting the juveniles and assigning them to a particular species. Molecular association is a feasible technique that may solve this problem. Recent studies have used DNA sequence data, specifically the gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), to associate immature and adult stages, thus enabling the description of the former. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe and illustrate the immature stages of Gyrinus (Neogyrinus) rozei Ochs, 1953 including morphometric, chaetotaxic and bionomic information, and (2) to assess the usefulness of the gene COI to associate immatures and adults of Gyrinus. The studied specimens were collected in Roraima state, northern Brazil. The association of immature and adult stages was done either by rearing adults under laboratory conditions or by using DNA sequence data (COI). Eggs were described based on scanning electron microscopy; they are distinguished mainly by several features of chorion, micropyle and reticulation. Larvae of G. (N.) rozei can be distinguished from those of other Neotropical Gyrinidae by a combination of several characters, including the stipes with five robust hook-like additional setae on the dorsointernal margin, and the lacinia roughly hook-shaped. The pupa is similar to that of G. argentinus Steinhel, 1869, except for the number of setae on the body. The first record of the parasitoid wasp Melanosmicra sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on a Gyrinus species is also provided. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2747 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MADHAVA MEEGASKUMBURA ◽  
KELUM MANAMENDRA-ARACHCHI

Two new species of Sri Lankan shrub frogs of the genus Pseudophilautus are described. These species are diagnosed from their congeners on the basis of morphology, morphometrics and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Pseudophilautus schneideri, new species, is distinguished from all Sri Lankan Pseudophilautus by its small size (< 22.8 mm SVL), distinct tympanum and supratympanic fold, sharp canthal edges, granular throat, chest and belly, and absence or presence of a vomerine ridge. Pseudophilautus hankeni, new species, is distinguished by its diminutive size (< 21.9 mm SVL), distinct tympanum, rounded canthal edges, tuberculated outer edge of lower arm, tuberculated dermal fold on outer edge of foot, granular throat, chest and belly, and the absence of a vomerine ridge. Pseudophilautus schneideri inhabits shrubs in open areas of the low to mid-elevations of the island’s south-western ‘wet zone’ (rainfall > 2,000 mm•yr -1 ), including anthropogenic habitats, while P. hankeni is found on shrubs in the understorey of montane forests of the highest peaks (c. 1,200– 1,600 m elevation) of the Knuckles region. These descriptions bring the total number of valid species of Sri Lankan Pseudophilautus to 67, 48 of which are extant.


Nematology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 591-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul De Ley ◽  
Marie-Anne Felix ◽  
Linda Frisse ◽  
Steven Nadler ◽  
Paul Sternberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Detailed descriptions are given of the amphimictic nematode strains PS1158, PS2052 and PS2160, which are unusual in that they only differ in predominant body handedness. Although these strains are morphologically identical in all other respects, published reproductive data and new DNA sequence data of the D2/D3 region of the large subunit rRNA gene show that they do represent two separate species. On the basis of comparison with type material, the left-handed strains PS1158 and PS2160 are identified as Acrobeloides bodenheimeri, and the right-handed strain PS2052 as A. camberenensis, which is re-instated as a valid species. A. bodenheimeri and its relatives exhibit various types of diagnostic and taxonomic problems at species level, and it is shown that D2/D3 sequence data provide an important new diagnostic tool for addressing these problems. Phylogenetic analysis shows that two right-handed parthenogenetic strains identified as A. maximus represent a third species which is more closely related to A. camberenensis than to A. bodenheimeri. Caracterisation morphologique et moleculaire de deux especes intersteriles de chiralite contraire (Nematoda: Cephalobidae) - Une description detaillee est donnee des souches amphimictiques de nematodes PS1158, PS2052 et PS2160, souches inhabituelles car differant par la chiralite du corps. Bien que ces souches soient morphologiquement identiques sous tout autre rapport, les resultats publies de tests de croisement et de nouvelles donnees concernant la sequence d'ADN de la region D2/D3 du gene de la grosse sous-unite d'ARN ribosomal montrent qu'elles representent en fait deux especes distinctes. Se fondant sur une comparaison avec le materiel type, les souches sinistres PS1158 et PS2160 sont identifiees comme Acrobeloides bodenheimeri et la souche dextre PS2052 comme A. camberenensis, ainsi retabli comme espece valide. A. bodenheimeri et les especes proches posent differents problemes diagnostiques et taxinomiques au niveau specifique, et nous montrons que les donnees de sequence D2/D3 fournissent un nouvel outil diagnostique important pour aborder ces problemes. L'analyse phylogenetique montre que deux souches parthenogenetiques dextres identifiees comme A. maximus representent en fait une troisieme espece, plus proche de A. camberenensis que de A. bodenheimeri.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heleen Plaisier ◽  
Thomas R. Meagher ◽  
Daniel Barker

Abstract Objective Visualisation methods, primarily color-coded representation of sequence data, have been a predominant means of representation of DNA data. Algorithmic conversion of DNA sequence data to sound—sonification—represents an alternative means of representation that uses a different range of human sensory perception. We propose that sonification has value for public engagement with DNA sequence information because it has potential to be entertaining as well as informative. We conduct preliminary work to explore the potential of DNA sequence sonification in public engagement with bioinformatics. We apply a simple sonification technique for DNA, in which each DNA base is represented by a specific note. Additionally, a beat may be added to indicate codon boundaries or for musical effect. We report a brief analysis from public engagement events we conducted that featured this method of sonification. Results We report on use of DNA sequence sonification at two public events. Sonification has potential in public engagement with bioinformatics, both as a means of data representation and as a means to attract audience to a drop-in stand. We also discuss further directions for research on integration of sonification into bioinformatics public engagement and education.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4766 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-484
Author(s):  
HANNAH E. SOM ◽  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
PERRY L. JR. WOOD ◽  
EVAN S. H. QUAH ◽  
RAFE M. BROWN ◽  
...  

Liopeltis is a genus of poorly known, infrequently sampled species of colubrid snakes in tropical Asia. We collected a specimen of Liopeltis from Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, that superficially resembled L. philippina, a rare species that is endemic to the Palawan Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex, western Philippines. We analyzed morphological and mitochondrial DNA sequence data from the Pulau Tioman specimen and found distinct differences to L. philippina and all other congeners. On the basis of these corroborated lines of evidence, the Pulau Tioman specimen is described as a new species, L. tiomanica sp. nov. The new species occurs in sympatry with L. tricolor on Pulau Tioman, and our description of L. tiomanica sp. nov. brings the number of endemic amphibians and reptiles on Pulau Tioman to 12. 


2007 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 193-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kou Amano ◽  
Hiroaki Ichikawa ◽  
Hidemitsu Nakamura ◽  
Hisataka Numa ◽  
Kaoru Fukami-Kobayashi ◽  
...  

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