scholarly journals Fungia fungites (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) is a species complex that conceals large phenotypic variation and a previously unrecognized genus

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-209
Author(s):  
Yutaro Oku ◽  
Kenji Iwao ◽  
Bert W. Hoeksema ◽  
Naoko Dewa ◽  
Hiroyuki Tachikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Scleractinian Corals ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Clade B ◽  
Unknown Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Morphological Differences

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses of scleractinian corals have resulted in the discovery of cryptic lineages. To understand species diversity in corals, these lineages need to be taxonomically defined. In the present study, we report the discovery of a distinct lineage obscured by the traditional morphological variation of Fungia fungites. This taxon exists as two distinct morphs: attached and unattached. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS markers as well as morphological comparisons were performed to clarify their phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic positions. Molecular data revealed that F. fungites consists of two genetically distinct clades (A and B). Clade A is sister to a lineage including Danafungia scruposa and Halomitra pileus, while clade B formed an independent lineage genetically distant from these three species. The two morphs were also found to be included in both clades, although the attached morph was predominantly found in clade A. Morphologically, both clades were statistically different in density of septal dentation, septal number, and septal teeth shape. These results indicate that F. fungites as presently recognized is actually a species complex including at least two species. After checking type specimens, we conclude that specimens in clade A represent true F. fungites with two morphs (unattached and attached) and that all of those in clade B represent an unknown species and genus comprising an unattached morph with only one exception. These findings suggest that more unrecognized taxa with hitherto unnoticed morphological differences can be present among scleractinian corals.

Systematics of big-eyed bats, genus Chiroderma Peters, 1860 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4846 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-93
Author(s):  
GUILHERME S. T. GARBINO ◽  
BURTON K. LIM ◽  
VALÉRIA DA C. TAVARES
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Western Mexico ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Andean South America ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

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. 

Review of the systematics, morphology and distribution of Asian Clawed Salamanders, genus Onychodactylus (Amphibia, Caudata: Hynobiidae), with the description of four new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3465 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
NIKOLAY A. POYARKOV, JR. ◽  
JING CHE ◽  
MI-SOOK MIN ◽  
MASAKI KURO-O ◽  
FANG YAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Russian Far East ◽  
Far East ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

We describe four new species of Asian Clawed salamanders of the genus Onychodactylus (Caudata: Hynobiidae), basedon fresh material collected during fieldwork in Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East and northeastern China between 2003and 2010, as well as older voucher specimens deposited in several museums. Our analyses comprise all species currentlyrecognized within this genus across its entire distribution range. We follow an integrative taxonomic approach bycombining detailed morphological comparative analyses with molecular phylogenetic analyses. We find significantdifferences among species in this genus, based on morphological and molecular data, which resulted in the recognitionand description of four new species within this genus. The new species have uncorrected molecular divergences of over4.5–7.4% and 1.9–4.1% to their closest relatives in the mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA genes respectively. In themolecular analyses, we found two very divergent lineages in Korea and Japan that need further investigation, as detailedmorphological data are not available for them. We also discuss our approach to delimit species on salamanders. For thenew species described in this group we evaluate their threat status according to IUCN criteria: O. koreanus sp. nov. Min,Poyarkov & Vieites and O. nipponoborealis sp. nov. Kuro-o, Poyarkov & Vieites are classified as Least Concern, whileO. zhaoermii sp. nov. Che, Poyarkov & Yan and O. zhangyapingi sp. nov. Che, Poyarkov, Li & Yan are classified as Vulnerable (Vu2a).

The formerly enigmatic Unidentiidae in the limelight again: a new species of the genus Unidentia from Thailand (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4551 (5) ◽  
pp. 556 ◽  
Author(s):  
TATIANA KORSHUNOVA ◽  
RAHUL MEHROTRA ◽  
SPENCER ARNOLD ◽  
KENNET LUNDIN ◽  
BERNARD PICTON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Sea Slugs ◽  
The Family ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

An integrative molecular and morphological study is presented for the family Unidentiidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted with the inclusion of all previous and newly obtained molecular data for the family Unidentiidae Millen & Hermosillo 2012. A new species of the genus Unidentia Millen & Hermosillo 2012, U. aliciae sp. nov., is described from Thailand as part of an inventory of sea slugs at Koh Tao. All up-to-date available morphological data for the species of the genus Unidentia is for the first time summarized. Morphological differences among the different species of Unidentia are clarified showing that every species has its own distinguishable morphological traits. According to the new molecular and morphological data, the family Unidentiidae is re-confirmed as a well-supported taxon of the aeolidacean nudibranchs. The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Aeolidacea in the light of the family Unidentiidae is briefly discussed and necessity of a fine-scale and narrowly-defined taxa approach instead of a ‘‘superlumping’’ one is highlighted. 

scholarly journals Impatiens wuyiensis (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Fujian of Southeast China, based on morphological and molecular evidences

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Sheng Wang ◽  
Yi-Fei Lu ◽  
Yue-Liang Xu ◽  
Shui-Hu Jin ◽  
Xiao-Feng Jin
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Southeast China ◽  
Unknown Species ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Corolla Morphology

Abstract Background Southeast Asia, together with tropical Africa, Madagascar, South India and Sri Lanka, and the eastern Himalayas, are the five primary hotspots of species diversity of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae). China is also rich in Impatiens species, especially in the limestone karsts or ‘Danxia’ landforms. With zygomorphic flowers and diverse corolla morphology and color, the species in Impatiens are well-known for their ornamental use, but they are also notorious in taxonomy. During the preparation of revision of Impatiens in Zhejiang and adjacent regions, an unknown species was collected from Mt. Wuyi in Fujian Province, Southeast China. Results Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS, chloroplast atpB-rbcL and trnL-F sequences, together with micromorphology of pollen grains and seed coats, strongly supported the close relationship of the new species with Impatiens platysepala Y.L.Chen and I. chloroxantha Y.L.Chen. In turn, both molecular data and morphological characters also were sufficient to distinguish the new species from the other two counterparts. Conclusions Our detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of Impatiens wuyiensis as a species new to science.

Molecular, chromosomal and morphological characters reveal a new diploid species in the Smilax china complex (Smilacaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (3) ◽  
pp. 199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunpeng Zhao ◽  
Zhongshuai Sun ◽  
Yihan Wang ◽  
Chengxin Fu
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Diploid Species ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
Diploid Population ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

The Smilax china complex (Smilacaceae) is a typical mixoploid species complex including five extant diploid taxa with a widespread distribution across eastern Asia. The diploid population (mHB, 2n = 32), which was originally considered to be diploid S. china, together with two newly discovered diploid populations (mZZ and mYXS) is supported here as a distinct species by morphological, karyotypic and molecular data. These three populations present consistent morphological characters of sub-erect stems, rudimentary tendrils and minutely serrulate leaf margins, in which they differ from S. china. Molecular phylogenetic analyses also confirm its monophyly with a closer relationship to the other two erect species S. biflora and S. trinervula in the complex. These three populations are thus proposed to be a clear new diploid species and described with the name of Smilax microdontus Z. S. Sun & C.X. Fu, sp. nov. The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of closer examinations on species complexes by integrating multiple evidence.

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.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4999 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-76
Author(s):  
Quyen Hanh Do ◽  
TRUNG MY PHUNG ◽  
HANH THI NGO ◽  
MINH DUC LE ◽  
THOMAS ZIEGLER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Southern Vietnam ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi Gene ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
Dorsal Pattern ◽  
A New Species

A new species of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis group is described from Ninh Thuan Province, southern Vietnam based on molecular divergence and morphological differences. Cyrtodactylus orlovi sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by having the unique combination of the following characters: size medium (SVL 61.0–77.7 mm); dorsal tubercles in 16–20 irregular rows; 36–39 ventral scale rows; precloacal pores absent in females, 5 or 6 in males, in a continuous row; femoral pores absent; 3–8 enlarged femoral scales; postcloacal spurs 1 or 2; lamellae under toe IV 16–19; a continuous neckband; a highly irregular transverse banded dorsal pattern; the absence of transversely enlarged median subcaudal scales. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species was revealed to be the sister taxon to a clade consisting of Cyrtodactylus cattienensis and the most recently described species from Vietnam, C. chungi, with 12.1–12.4% and 11.7 % pairwise genetic divergence from the two species, respectively, based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.  

scholarly journals Polulichloris henanensis gen. et sp. nov. (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta), a novel subaerial coccoid green alga

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 218 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyin Song ◽  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Guoxiang Liu ◽  
Zhengyu Hu
Keyword(s):  
Green Alga ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase ◽  
Bisphosphate Carboxylase ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
18S Rdna Gene

Coccoid green algae are abundant in subaerial habitats, but they are largely unexplored because of their morphological uniformity. Several new genus-level lineages have recently been described on the basis of molecular data. In this study, a coccoid green alga was isolated from surface soil in Zhoukou, Henan Province, China, and the cultured cells were described using light and electron microscopy. The ellipsoidal cell had smooth cell wall and parietal chloroplast with a pyrenoid surrounded by a starch envelope. Reproduction occurred by formation of 2‒16 autospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear 18S rDNA gene and the chloroplast ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (rbcL) indicated that this coccoid green alga represents a new lineage of the Watanabea clade (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta). Here, we describe this organism as a new genus and species, Polulichloris henanensis, gen. et sp. nov.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic placement of enigmatic Astianthus (Bignoniaceae) based on molecular data, wood and bark anatomy

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-412
Author(s):  
Marcelo R. Pace ◽  
Brenda Hernández-Hernández ◽  
Esteban M. Martínez Salas ◽  
Lúcia G. Lohmann ◽  
N. Ivalu Cacho
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Phloem Fibers ◽  
Plastid Markers ◽  
Bark Anatomy

Background: Astianthus is a monospecific arborescent genus of Bignoniaceae that occur in the Pacific Coast of central Mexico and northern Central America, where it grows in dense populations along riversides. Its phylogenetic placement has remained controversial since Astianthus has unusual morphological characters such as a four-loculed ovary, and simple, pulvinate, verticillate leaves. Methods: Here we used three plastid markers ndhF, rbcL, and trnL-F, wood, and bark anatomical data to investigate the phylogenetic placement of Astianthus and assign it to one of Bignoniaceae’s main clades. Results: Our molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that Astianthus belongs in tribe Tecomeae s.s., where other charismatic Neotropical Bignoniaceae genera such as Campsis and Tecoma are currently placed. Wood and bark anatomy support this placement, as Astianthus reunites a unique combination of features only known from members of Tecomeae s.s., such as storied axial parenchyma, the co-occurrence of homo- and heterocellular rays, septate fibers, and scattered phloem fibers in the bark. Conclusions: The placement of Astianthus within Tecomeae s.s. provides further support to previous proposals for the Neotropical origin of this Pantropical tribe.

A new riparian Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) frog from the Tsaratanana and Manongarivo Massifs in northern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4486 (4) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL VENCES ◽  
ANDREA HILDENBRAND ◽  
KATHARINA M. WARMUTH ◽  
FRANCO ANDREONE ◽  
FRANK GLAW
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Morphological Differences

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. 

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