scholarly journals An investigation into the taxonomy of Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803): revalidation of Dipsas schokari (Kuhl, 1820) (Serpentes, Colubridae)

2008 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan van Rooijen ◽  
Gernot Vogel
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
South West

The taxonomic status of the colubrid snake Dendrelaphis tristis (Daudin, 1803) was investigated on the basis of morphological data taken from 64 museum specimens. Univariate and multivariate analyses of these data reveal that Dendrelaphis tristis is composed of two species. One of these species agrees with the description of Dipsas schokari Kuhl, 1820 which is revalidated in the combination Dendrelaphis schokari (Kuhl, 1820). The syntypes of D. schokari have been lost and a type for D. tristis has never been deposited in a collection. Neotypes are designated and described for both species in order to stabilize the names. D. schokari differs from D. tristis in having a lower number of ventrals and subcaudals, a larger eye, a shorter vertebral stripe and the absence of a bright interparietal spot. D. tristisand D. schokari exhibit a partially overlapping distribution. D. tristis ranges from Sri Lanka northward through most of India to Myanmar whereas the distribution of D. schokari is restricted to Sri Lanka and South-west India (Western Ghats). Although the two species coexist on Sri Lanka and in South-west India, these species presumably do not occur syntopically as suggested by their distribution patterns and morphology.

scholarly journals Anopheles prachongae, a new species of the Gigas Complex of subgenus Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand, contrasted with known forms of the complex

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4236 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
RALPH E. HARBACH ◽  
RAMPA RATTANARITHIKUL ◽  
BRUCE A. HARRISON
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
South Central ◽  
A New Species

Anopheles (Anopheles) prachongae, a new species of the Gigas Complex from northern Thailand, is described and illustrated in the adult, pupal and larval stages, and bionomics and chaetotaxy tables are provided for the immature stages. The species is distinguished from Anopheles baileyi, the only other species of the complex known to occur in Thailand, and contrasted with other taxa of the complex that occur in the Oriental Region. Available morphological data indicate that An. gigas sumatrana is unique and is therefore formally afforded species status. The three other Sumatran subspecies may be conspecific. The taxonomic status of the non-Sumatran subspecies, i.e. crockeri (Borneo), formosus (Philippines), refutans (Sri Lanka) and simlensis (south-central Asia), is questioned but their status is unchanged pending further study. 

Checklist of Indian Lebiinae Bonelli, 1810 (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-63
Author(s):  
RAJ T. SHIJU ◽  
THOMAS K. SABU
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Indian Species ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Gondwana Land ◽  
The Western Ghats

Distribution patterns and literature details of 263 Lebiinae species reported from India are provided. List includes 14 species missed out by Andrewes (1930a) and the 98 species described thereafter. Distribution patterns revealed among the 263 species, 104 species are exclusively Oriental species and 35 species are exclusively Palaearctic species. Among the 263 Indian speceis, 130 species are exclusively Indian species with reports only from the Indian subcontinent and one species with report only from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Of the 130 Indian species,  89 species are recorded from the Oriental, 27 species from the Palaearctic and 14 species recorded from both Oriental and Palaearctic regions in India. Among the 129 Indian subcontinent species, 45 species are endemics to the three global hotspots of the biodiversity in India with 31 species endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspot of biodiversity; six species endemic to the Eastern Himalayas hotspot of biodiversity; eight species endemic to the Indo-Burma hotspot of biodiversity; four species recorded only from Chota Nagpur plateu and 27 species recorded only from Indian Himalayas. Four species (Microlestes parvati, Singilis indicus, S. squalidus and Lebia cardoni) recorded only from Chota Nagpur plateu and the 31 endemic species from the Western Gahts and Sri Lanka are of special interest for their Gondwana relationships. 133 species have wider geographic distribution pattern with 15 species having distribution in Oriental and Indian regions; 8 species having distribution in Palaeractic and Indian regions; 10 species having distribution in Oriental and Indo-Australian regions; 48 species with distribution in Oriental and Palaearctic regions; 29 species with distribution in Oriental, Indo-Australian and Palaearctic regions; 2 species with distribution in Oriental, Australian and Palaearctic regions; 6 species with distribution in Oriental, Palaearctic and Afrotropical regions; 9 species with distribution in Oriental, Indo-Australian, Australian and Palaearctic regions; and 6 species with random distributions in different regions. Distribution records indicate that the arrival/origin of 228 species- 137 species with wider geographic distribution outside India and the 91 species with Indian distribution and not endemics to the Western Ghats and the Chotanagpur Plateau- is likely to have occurred after the joining of Indian subcontinent with Asian continent and during the subsequent faunal exchange between the newly formed Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions (Indo-Burma and Indo-China on the north east front; Mediterranean and Ethiopian regions on the north-western front; Central Asian elements on the northern front). These 228 species represent the younger Indian Lebiinae species compared to the 35 species representing the older/ancient species with Gondwana land origin. Key words: Carabidae, Lebiinae, Perigonini, Pentagonicini, Odacanthini, Cyclosomini, Lebiini, India  

Bombardier beetles of the genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 (Carabidae: Brachininae: Brachinini) from Indian subcontinent

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4608 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
AKHIL S. VENUGOPAL ◽  
SABU K. THOMAS
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Western India ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Eastern Himalayas ◽  
New Synonyms ◽  
South West ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Western Ghats

Key to the 22 species of genus Pheropsophus Solier 1833 of Indian subcontinent with diagnostic characters, notes, new synonyms, distribution patterns and record of two new species—Pheropsophus devagiriensis sp. nov. and P. indicus sp. nov.—from south west India are provided. Synonymisation of Pheropsophus discicollis (Dejean 1826) with Pheropsophus hilaris (Fabricius 1798) syn. nov., clearing the complications regarding the taxonomy of P. hilaris and P. sobrinus by tracking down the type series of P. hilaris, and reinstating the species status of Pheropsophus sobrinus (Dejean 1826) are the other outcomes of the present study.                Out of the 22 species recorded in India, 14 species are confined to Oriental realm and rest of the eight species penetrates into the Palearctics also; 10 (of the 22) are endemic to Indian subcontinent with P. indicus sp. nov. endemic to south western India; P. devagiriensis sp. nov. endemic to the Western Ghats; P. andrewesi, P. krichna and P. prophylax are endemic to the Indo-Burma; and P. nanodes and P. scythropus are endemic to the Eastern Himalayas.

Checklists of subfamilies Dryptinae and Panagaeinae (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae) from the Indian subcontinent

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 18559-18577
Author(s):  
J.A. Jithmon ◽  
Thomas K. Sabu
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Oriental Region ◽  
Palearctic Region ◽  
The Himalaya ◽  
The Western Ghats

Distribution patterns and literature details of 45 Dryptinae and 33 Panagaeinae species reported from the Indian subcontinent are provided.  Out of the 45 Dryptinae species, six species are endemic to the Western Ghats & Sri Lanka hotspot of biodiversity, two species are endemic to the Indo-Burma hotspot of biodiversity and two species are endemic to the Himalaya hotspot of biodiversity.  Distribution patterns revealed that 24 Dryptinae species are endemic to the Indian subcontinent with 22 species recorded from the Oriental (ORR) region and two from the Palearctic (PAR) region.  Out of the 33 Panagaeinae species, 20 species are endemic to the Indian subcontinent with 17 of these species distributed in the Oriental region; two in the Palearctic region and one species in both Oriental and Palearctic regions.  Seven species are endemic to the Western Ghats & Sri Lanka hotspot of biodiveristy and two endemic to the Himalaya hotspot of biodiversity.  Six Panagaeinae species and seven Dryptinae species recorded only from the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspot of biodiversity are likely to be representatives of the Gondwana remnants.  Genus Ardistomopsis with five species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

On the status of the species of Acanthistius (Gill, 1862) (Percoidei) in the South-West Atlantic Ocean

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1813 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEJO J. IRIGOYEN ◽  
LEOPOLDO CAVALERI GERHARDINGER ◽  
ALFREDO CARVALHO-FILHO
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
The South ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
South West ◽  
The Status ◽  
Diagnostic Key ◽  
Management And Conservation

We review the species of Acanthistius Gill (1862) (Osteichthyes, Percoidei) from the South-Western Atlantic, solving a discrepancy concerning the taxonomic status of Acanthistius brasilianus (Cuvier & Valenciennes 1828) and Acanthistius patachonicus (Jenyns 1842), and providing an objective diagnostic key for the two species. While Argentinean fishery biologists consider A. patachonicus to be a synonym of A. brasilianus, ichthyologists elsewhere regard them as separate species with different distributional ranges. Based on a literature review, examination of museum specimens and observation of live individuals in the field, we identified the sources of the dissent and concluded that A. brasilianus and A. patachonicus are separate species, differing in diagnostic morphological characters and distinctive color patterns and having slightly overlapping distributional ranges. Distinction between these two species has significant implications for management and conservation.

scholarly journals DNA barcoding, phylogeny and systematics of Golden-backed frogs (Hylarana, Ranidae) of the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, with the description of seven new species

2014 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-S4 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Biju ◽  
Sonali Garg ◽  
Stephen Mahony ◽  
Nayana Wijayathilaka ◽  
Gayani Senevirathne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Western Ghats

A systematic revision of the genus Hylarana in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot is presented. Species delineation in Hylarana is complicated due to a lack of distinct colour differences or striking morphological characters, leading to potential misidentification. We conducted extensive surveys throughout the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot and performed multiple gene (16S, COI and Cytb) barcoding using 103 samples collected from cultivated land and natural habitats. Genetic distance comparisons and Neighbor Joining trees indicated the presence of at least 14 candidate species in the region, supported by taxa groupings for all three genetic markers. Utilising a combination of molecular and morphological data, we describe seven new species, doubling the number of Hylarana species previously known from this region. We further demonstrate that H. temporalis, which was originally described from Sri Lanka, was misidentified with the Western Ghats endemic species for nearly 100 years. Conversely, H. aurantiaca was originally described from the Western Ghats and misidentified in Sri Lanka. Our study confirms that the distribution of H. temporalis is restricted to Sri Lanka, while H. aurantiaca is endemic to the Western Ghats, and that there are no shared Hylarana species between the two regions. Hylarana flavescens, H. intermedius and H. montanus, previously considered synonyms of H. temporalis are confirmed as valid species. Hylarana bhagmandlensis is removed from the synonymy of H. aurantiaca and placed as a junior subjective synonym of H. montanus. To establish nomenclatural stability, H. flavescens, H. malabarica and H. temporalis are lectotypified and H. intermedius is neotypified. Detailed descriptions, diagnosis, morphological and genetic comparisons, illustrations and data on distribution and natural history are provided for all species. Phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial markers (16S, COI and Cytb) and a fragment of the nuclear Rag1 gene, show complete endemism of the Western Ghats-Sri Lankan species. Four major groups in this region are identified as: 1 — the Hylarana aurantiaca group, endemic to the Western Ghats; 2 — the Hylarana flavescens group, endemic to the Western Ghats; 3 — the Hylarana temporalis group, endemic to Sri Lanka; and 4 — the Hylarana malabarica group from Sri Lanka and India. The discovery of numerous morphologically cryptic Hylarana species in this region further emphasizes the benefits of utilizing an integrative taxonomic approach for uncovering hidden diversity and highlighting local endemism in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot.

scholarly journals Schrödinger’s phenotypes: herbarium specimens show two-dimensional images are both good and (not so) bad sources of morphological data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo M. Borges ◽  
Victor Candido Reis ◽  
Rafael Izbicki
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
List Type ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Lower Accuracy ◽  
Precision And Accuracy ◽  
Two Dimensional Images

AbstractMuseum specimens are the main source of information on organisms’ morphological features. Although access to this information was commonly limited to researchers able to visit collections, it is now becoming freely available thanks to the digitization of museum specimens. With these images, we will be able to collectively build large-scale morphological datasets, but these will only be useful if the limits to this approach are well-known. To establish these limits, we used two-dimensional images of plant specimens to test the precision and accuracy of image-based data and analyses.To test measurement precision and accuracy, we compared leaf measurements taken from specimens and images of the same specimens. Then we used legacy morphometric datasets to establish differences in the quality of datasets and multivariate analyses between specimens and images. To do so, we compared the multivariate space based on original legacy data to spaces built with datasets simulating image-based data.We found that trait measurements made from images are as precise as those obtained directly from specimens, but as traits diminish in size, the accuracy drops as well. This decrease in accuracy, however, has a very low impact on dataset and analysis quality. The main problem with image-based datasets comes from missing observations due to image resolution or organ overlapping. Missing data lowers the accuracy of datasets and multivariate analyses. Although the effect is not strong, this decrease in accuracy suggests caution is needed when designing morphological research that will rely on digitized specimens.As highlighted by images of plant specimens, 2D images are reliable measurement sources, even though resolution issues lower accuracy for small traits. At the same time, the impossibility of observing particular traits affects the quality of image-based datasets and, thus, of derived analyses. Despite these issues, gathering phenotypic data from two-dimensional images is valid and may support large-scale studies on the morphology and evolution of a wide diversity of organisms.

scholarly journals Disentangling relationships among eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria including description of a novel species from the southern Peloponnese (Greece)

2021 ◽  
Vol 307 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pau Carnicero ◽  
Núria Garcia-Jacas ◽  
Llorenç Sáez ◽  
Theophanis Constantinidis ◽  
Mercè Galbany-Casals
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Aegean Islands ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

AbstractThe eastern Mediterranean basin hosts a remarkably high plant diversity. Historical connections between currently isolated areas across the Aegean region and long-distance dispersal events have been invoked to explain current distribution patterns of species. According to most recent treatments, at least two Cymbalaria species occur in this area, Cymbalaria microcalyx and C. longipes. The former comprises several intraspecific taxa, treated at different ranks by different authors based on morphological data, evidencing the need of a taxonomic revision. Additionally, some populations of C. microcalyx show exclusive morphological characters that do not match any described taxon. Here, we aim to shed light on the systematics of eastern Mediterranean Cymbalaria and to propose a classification informed by various sources of evidence. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using ITS, 3’ETS, ndhF and rpl32-trnL sequences and estimated the ploidy level of some taxa performing relative genome size measures. Molecular data combined with morphology support the division of traditionally delimited C. microcalyx into C. acutiloba, C. microcalyx and C. minor, corresponding to well-delimited nrDNA lineages. Furthermore, we propose to combine C. microcalyx subsp. paradoxa at the species level. A group of specimens previously thought to belong to Cymbalaria microcalyx constitute a well-defined phylogenetic and morphological entity and are described here as a new species, Cymbalaria spetae. Cymbalaria longipes is non-monophyletic, but characterized by being glabrous and diploid, unlike other eastern species. The nrDNA data suggest at least two dispersals from the mainland to the Aegean Islands, potentially facilitated by marine regressions.

scholarly journals Combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers as a useful tool to identify Ctenophthalmus species and subspecies (Siphonaptera: Ctenophthalmidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Zurita ◽  
Cristina Cutillas
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Molecular Approach ◽  
Nuclear Marker ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Morphological Criteria ◽  
Mtdna Markers

AbstractCtenophthalmus is considered the largest genus within the Order Siphonaptera. From a morphological point of view, only males of this genus can be identified at species and subspecies levels using morphological keys, whereas there are no morphological criteria in order to classify females at these taxonomical levels. Furthermore, the amount of available molecular and phylogenetic data for this genus is quite scarce so far. The main objective of this work was to assess the utility of the combination of nuclear and mitochondrial markers with respect to their ability to differentiate among different subspecies within the Ctenophthalmus genus. With this purpose, we carried out a comparative morphological and molecular study of three different subspecies (Ctenophthalmus baeticus arvernus, Ctenophthalmus nobilis dobyi, and Ctenophthalmus andorrensis catalaniensis) in order to clarify and discuss its taxonomic status. In addition, our study complemented the molecular data previously provided for Ctenophthalmus baeticus boisseauorum and Ctenophthalmus apertus allani subspecies. We sequenced five different molecular markers: EF1-α, ITS1, ITS2, cox1, and cytb. Our results confirmed that morphological data by themselves are not able to discriminate among Ctenophthalmus female taxa; however, the combination of the nuclear marker EF1-α together with mtDNA markers cytb and cox1 constituted a useful taxonomical and phylogenetic tool to solve this issue. Based on these results, we consider that the use of this molecular approach should be gradually used within Ctenophthalmus genus in order to complement its classical taxonomy and clarifying the complex taxonomy of other congeneric species of fleas.

scholarly journals Climate variability impacts on diversification processes in a biodiversity hotspot: a phylogeography of ancient pseudoscorpions in south-western Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (4) ◽  
pp. 934-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo Harms ◽  
J Dale Roberts ◽  
Mark S Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Molecular Dating ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
The South ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
South West ◽  
Western Division

Abstract The south-western division of Australia is the only biodiversity hotspot in Australia and is well-known for extreme levels of local endemism. Climate change has been identified as a key threat for flora and fauna, but very few data are presently available to evaluate its impact on invertebrate fauna. Here, we derive a molecular phylogeography for pseudoscorpions of the genus Pseudotyrannochthonius that in the south-west are restricted to regions with the highest rainfall. A dated molecular phylogeny derived from six gene fragments is used for biogeographic reconstruction analyses, spatial mapping, environmental niche-modelling, and to infer putative species. Phylogenetic analyses uncover nine clades with mostly allopatric distributions and often small linear ranges between 0.5 and 130 km. Molecular dating suggests that the origins of contemporary diversity fall into a period of warm/humid Palaeogene climates, but splits in the phylogeny coincide with major environmental shifts, such as significant global cooling during the Middle Miocene. By testing several models of historical biogeography available for the south-west, we determine that Pseudotyrannochthonius is an ancient relict lineage that principally follows a model of allopatric speciation in mesic zone refugia, although there are derivations from this model in that some species are older and distribution patterns more complex than expected. Ecological niche models indicate that drier and warmer future climates will lead to range contraction towards refugia of highest rainfall, probably mimicking past variations that have generated high diversity in these areas. Their conservation management will be crucial for preserving the unique biodiversity heritage of the south-west.

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