Dwarves on the roof of the world: A taxonomic revision of the Himalayan Lasiocaryeae Weigend (Boraginaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 297 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JULIANA CHACÓN ◽  
MOHAN SIWAKOTI ◽  
HARTMUT H. HILGER ◽  
MAXIMILIAN WEIGEND
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Nuclear Region ◽  
Plant Family ◽  
Cushion Plants ◽  
Chloroplast Markers ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
The World ◽  
Molecular Studies

Recent molecular studies have contributed significantly to our understanding of the systematics and phylogeny of Boraginaceae. A morphologically interesting placement within this plant family is the sister-group relationship between two Himalayan genera of dwarf annuals (Lasiocaryum and Microcaryum) and the genera Trichodesma and Caccinia, a clade that is sister to the remainder of tribe Cynoglosseae. This study investigates the systematics, taxonomy and relationships of Lasiocaryum and Microcaryum and compares it with other, morphologically similar genera, Setulocarya and Chionocharis. Together, Lasiocaryum, Microcaryum, Setulocarya and Chionocharis include seven species as currently recognized. However, morphological studies show that the monotypic Setulocarya should be treated as a synonym of Lasiocaryum munroi while L. ludlowii is best placed within L. trichocarpum, leading to a total of five species within this clade. Sequences from three chloroplast markers and one nuclear region generated for four of the five species here recognized confirm the monophyly of the clade Chionocharis [Microcaryum + (Lasiocaryum trichocarpum + L. munroi)]. This exclusively Himalayan lineage is morphologically homogeneous, and consists of tiny annual herbs and perennial cushion plants with small, turbinate to oblong-ovoid, pubescent or rugulate nutlets.

Comparative morphology of extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Neuroptera: Mantispidae, Rhachiberothidae) suggests a non-monophyletic Mantispidae and a single origin of the raptorial condition within the superfamily

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4992 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-89
Author(s):  
ADRIAN ARDILA-CAMACHO ◽  
CALEB CALIFRE MARTINS ◽  
ULRIKE ASPÖCK ◽  
ATILANO CONTRERAS-RAMOS
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Family ◽  
Evolutionary Context ◽  
New Interpretation

Adult external morphology of the extant raptorial Mantispoidea (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae and Rhachiberothidae) is compared emphasizing the morphology of the subfamily Symphrasinae as a key group to understand the phylogenetic relationships among the members of the superfamily. Plega dactylota Rehn, 1939 is thoroughly characterized in order to exemplify the morphology of the Symphrasinae. Additionally, following a review of the literature and examination of comparative material of Dilaridae, Berothidae, Rhachiberothidae and all Mantispidae subfamilies, a new interpretation of the components of the raptorial apparatus (i.e., head, prothorax, grasping forelegs, as well as integumentary specializations) is presented. Also, wing venation for these groups is reinterpreted, and new homology hypotheses for wing venation are proposed based on tracheation and comparative analyses. Given the high morphological divergence on the genital sclerites within the Mantispoidea, plus the confusing previous usage of neutral terminology and terms referring to appendages across taxonomic and morphological studies, we attempt to standardize, simplify, and situate terminology in an evolutionary context under the “gonocoxite concept” (multi-coxopod hypothesis). The remarkable morphological similarity of the genital sclerites of Symphrasinae and Rhachiberothidae (sensu U. Aspöck & Mansell 1994) with the Nallachinae (Dilaridae) was taken as a starting point to understand the morphology of other Mantispidae subfamilies. Based on these morphological comparisons, we provide a revised phylogenetic analysis of Mantispoidea. This new phylogenetic analysis supports a sister group relationship between the family Rhachiberothidae, comprising Rhachiberothinae and Symphrasinae, and the family Mantispidae, including the subfamily Mantispinae and its sister taxa Drepanicinae and Calomantispinae, which may represent a single subfamily. Based on these analyses, raptorial condition probably evolved a single time in these insects and subsequently became diversified in the two sister clades of the raptorial Mantispoidea.  

A Phylogenetic Analysis and Taxonomic Revision of Bartonia (Gentianaceae: Gentianeae), Based on Molecular and Morphological Evidence

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine G. Mathews ◽  
Niall Dunne ◽  
Emily York ◽  
Lena Struwe
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Test Species

A phylogenetic study and taxonomic revision of the four currently accepted species of Bartonia (Gentianaceae, subtribe Swertiinae) were conducted in order to test species boundaries and interspecific relationships. Species boundaries were examined based on measurements of key quantitative and qualitative morphological characters as given in the original descriptions. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using molecular data from the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region and chloroplast DNA (trnL intron through the trnL-F spacer), separately and combined using parsimony and Bayesian methodologies, incorporating outgroups from subtribes Swertiinae and Gentianinae. The morphological study revealed that characters of one species, B. texana, represent a subset of the morphological variation found within B. paniculata, but that B. paniculata, B. verna, and B. virginica could all be separated from one another. The molecular phylogenetic analyses all found B. texana to nest in a clade with the two recognized subspecies of B. paniculata (subsp. paniculata and subsp. iodandra), making the latter paraphyletic. Bartonia texana is here reduced to subspecific rank, as Bartonia paniculata subsp. texana. Also, the phylogenetic analyses showed strong support for a sister group relationship between B. verna and B. virginica, as opposed to between B. paniculata and B. virginica as has been previously suggested.

Megacraniinae—The Palm Stick Insects: A new subfamily of Old World Phasmatodea and a redefinition of Platycraninae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 (Phasmatodea: “Anareolatae”)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4896 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-179
Author(s):  
FRANK H. HENNEMANN
Keyword(s):  
Sister Group ◽  
Traditional Treatment ◽  
Old World ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Large Head ◽  
Stick Insects ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Subgenital Plate ◽  
First Time ◽  
Female Abdomen

The subfamily Platycraninae Brunner v. Wattenwyl, 1893 is polyphyletic in the traditional treatment. None of the genera attributed to the subfamily is closely related to the type-genus Platycrana Gray, 1835, which has already been suggested by morphological studies. The main key feature of Platycraninae traditionally used to characterize the subfamily, the remarkably large head and strongly enlarged genae (“cheeks”), is not true for Platycrana. Consequently, all other genera, the true “Palm Stick Insects” need to be removed from Platycraninae and are here accommodated in Megacraniinae subfam. nov.. Megacrania Kaup, 1871 is chosen as the type-genus of this new subfamily, because the name very well describes the main characteristic of this clade. Previous molecular studies have shown Megacraniinae subfam. nov. to be a member of the Old World family Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata Bradler, 2001), which is characterized by the enlarged, laterally flattened and foliaceous or lanceolate cerci and by the male anal segment longitudinally split into two movable, interiorly dentate hemi-tergites that serve as a clasping apparatus to grasp the female abdomen during copulation and makes lacking a vomer. Neither character is true for Platycrana and Platycraninae sensu nov. respectively. Molecular studies have revealed Platycraninae sensu novo as the sister group of Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata). The tribe Stephanacridini Günther, which has previously been without a subfamilar affiliation is transferred as a subordinate taxon of Platycraninae sensu novo. Platycraninae is characterized and distinguished from Phasmatidae s. str. (= Lanceocercata) by the small cylindrical cerci, simple anal segment and presence of a vomer in males, as well as the strongly keeled subgenital plate and remarkably elongated, filiform gonapophysis VIII of females, which greatly project over the apex of the abdomen. Characterizations are presented for Megacraniinae subfam. nov. as well as Platycraninae sensu nov. and its two tribes Platycranini and Stephanacridini. Lists of genera are provided for the three taxa. Three genera are removed from Platycraninae and Megacraniinae subfam. nov.: The Australian Echetlus Stål, 1875 is transferred to Phasmatinae: Acanthomimini and Redtenbacherus Özdikmen & Darilmaz, 2008 and Elicius Günther, 1935 are transferred to Lonchodidae: Necrosciinae. The male of Megacrania spina Hsiung, 2007 as well as the eggs of Megacrania brocki Hsiung, 2002, Erastus apalamnus Rehn, 1904, Ophicrania apterus (Redtenbacher, 1908), Ophicrania nigroplagiatus (Redtenbacher, 1908), Platycrana viridana (Olivier, 1792) and Macrophasma lyratus (Redtenbacher, 1908) are illustrated for the first time. Xenomaches moderata (Kirby, 1884) from the island of Ambon is synonymised with Platycrana viridana (Olivier, 1792) (syn. nov.). 

System of generic groups in mealybugs (Homoptera: Coccinea: Pseudococcidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.A. Gavrilov-Zimin
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Generic Rank ◽  
The World ◽  
Generic Groups ◽  
World Fauna

The paper provides a brief conspectus of the system of morphological generic groups, elaborated earlier by the author basing on the total taxonomic revision of Palaearctic mealybugs. Here the system is complemented by the analysis of all 249 genera of the world fauna. Borders of two generic groups are reconsidered and two else groups (with mainly Oriental and Australasian genera) are included in the system. Main taxonomic characters of generic rank are discussed and illustrated.

First description of the male of Cretaconiopteryx grandis Liu & Lu, 2017 (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) from the Cretaceous Burmese amber

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4674 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
HONGYU LI ◽  
BO WANG ◽  
XINGYUE LIU
Keyword(s):  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Burmese Amber ◽  
Representative Species ◽  
First Time

The male of Cretaconiopteryx grandis Liu & Lu, 2017, which is the only representative species of the extinct dustywing subfamily Cretaconiopteryginae, is described for the first time from the Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber. The male genitalia, well preserved in the examined specimen, show a number of plesiomorphic characters, which support the sister group relationship between Coniopterygidae and the rest of extant lacewing families. 

scholarly journals A Comprehensive, Flexible Collection of SARS-CoV-2 Coding Regions

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3399-3402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dae-Kyum Kim ◽  
Jennifer J Knapp ◽  
Da Kuang ◽  
Aditya Chawla ◽  
Patricia Cassonnet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Viral Life Cycle ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Widespread Availability ◽  
Rapid Transfer

Abstract The world is facing a global pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Here we describe a collection of codon-optimized coding sequences for SARS-CoV-2 cloned into Gateway-compatible entry vectors, which enable rapid transfer into a variety of expression and tagging vectors. The collection is freely available. We hope that widespread availability of this SARS-CoV-2 resource will enable many subsequent molecular studies to better understand the viral life cycle and how to block it.

The postcranial skeleton, phylogenetic position, and probable lifestyle of the Early Triassic reptile Procolophon trigoniceps

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael deBraga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Morphological Study ◽  
Lower Triassic ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Early Triassic ◽  
Postcranial Skeleton ◽  
Sister Clade ◽  
Key Innovations

A morphological study of the postcranial skeleton of Procolophon trigoniceps from the Lower Triassic of South Africa and Antarctica is undertaken. Procolophon shares a sister-group relationship with the procolophonid Tichvinskia from the Lower Triassic of Russia and is a basal member of Procolophonidae. This clade also includes the enigmatic taxon Sclerosaurus, believed most recently to be a pareiasaur relative. Owenettids form a separate lineage from Procolophonidae and are predominantly restricted to the Permian of both South Africa and Madagascar. A phylogenetically based assessment is considered, in which specialized modern taxa (sand lizards) are compared to their nonfossorial sister clade, allowing for "key innovations" to be identified. A similar comparison between owenettids and procolophonids reveals a number of apparent "key innovations" within procolophonids that are suggestive of a burrowing lifestyle for Procolophon.

Ordosemys leios, n.gen., n.sp., a new turtle from the Early Cretaceous of the Ordos Basin, Inner Mongolia

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 2128-2138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald B. Brinkman ◽  
Jiang-Hua Peng
Keyword(s):  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Inner Mongolia ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Ordos Basin ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Articular Surfaces ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
The Ordos Basin

Ordosemys leios, n.gen., n.sp., from the Early Cretaceous Luohandong Formation, Zhidan Group, Ordos Basin, Inner Mongolia, is a primitive aquatic turtle with a reduced, fenestrated plastron. It shares with the members of the Centrocryptodira the presence of well-formed articular surfaces on the cervical and caudal vertebrae. Within the Centrocryptodira, characters of the cervical vertebrae suggest it is more closely related to the Polycryptodira than is the Meiolaniidae. Ordosemys shares with the Chelydridae the presence of two procoelous anterior caudals, but this character may be primitive for the Polycryptodira. Characters of the basicranial region of the braincase shared by Ordosemys and the Chelonioidea support a sister-group relationship between these two taxa, but a sister-group relationship between Ordosemys and the Polycryptodira is more strongly supported by characters shared by the Chelonioidea and other members of the Polycryptodira.

The male genitalia of Agathiphaga (Lepidoptera: Agathiphagidae) and the lepidopteran ground plan

1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels P. Kristensen
Keyword(s):  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Posterior Part ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Ground Plan ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Internal Genitalia ◽  
Genital Structure ◽  
Segment Viii

AbstractThe genital segments and internal genitalia of Agathiphaga vitiensis are described. Sternum VIII is anteriorly produced into blunt paired apophyses and posteriorly into a tongue-shaped lobe. Segment IX is a complete ring, very short in the dorsal and ventral midlines; its anterolateral lobes are largely apodemal. The long and curved gonopod ("valva") consists of a single piece. There is no median sclerite between the gonopod bases, but an open, softwalled "subgenital crypt" below the entrance of the phallocrypt may be homologous with the "median plate" in other primitive homoneurous moths. Tergum X bears a pair of broad "superior lobes" and the postgenital complex terminates in a medially intended, sclerotized "terminal lobe" above the eversible perianal area. The roof of the posterior part of the genital chamber bears a median aggregation of cuticular spines (the "spiny plate"), and a pair of smooth lateral sclerotizations ("presocii") tentatively attributed to venter X: a pair of setose sclerites (socii) are tentatively attributed to the paraprocts. The area bearing the spiny plate and presocii may in repose be folded down behind the phallus, thereby closing the phallocrypt. The phallus comprises a tubular phallotheca and an eversible aedeagus; the thick basal margen of the phallotheca is posteriorly expanded and forms the floor of the greater part of the phallocrypt; there is no ventral aedeagal branch. The musculature comprises two IX/X muscles, a segment IX muscle inserting on the subgenital crypt, phallic pro- and retractors (the former originating in the gonopod), intrinsic phallic muscles, a single segment IX muscle (adductor) to the gonopod and five intrinsic muscles of the postgenital complex. Each testis comprises four large, separate follicles. The spermatozoa do not remain grouped in discrete bundles in the vas deferens. Seminal vesicles are located on the vasa deferentia close to the testis and are doubtfully homologous with the vesicles in other Lepidoptera. The unpaired ejaculatory duct is very short. The evidence bearing on a reconstruction of the ground plan of the lepidopteran male genitalia is reviewed. Segment VIII was similar to the preceding segments. It is tentatively suggested that tergum and sternum IX were fused, that the gonopod was undivided and that a tubular, partly sclerotized aedeagus was present; deviations from these states within the order are therefore considered to be autapomorphic. The base of the aedeagus was probably surrounded by a short, collarlike phallotheca. It is suggested that there was a median sclerite between the gonopod bases, but the presence of discrete, paired and muscular "valvellae" in the lepidopteran ground plan is considered doubtful. It is further suggested that dorsum X bore a pair of lobes and that there were paired sclerotizations in venter X. The X/XI boundary is very difficult to trace. Seventeen muscle sets are ascribed to the lepidopteran ground plan; it is considered an autapomorphy of this ground plan that the phallic protractor originates within the gonopod. The testes presumably had large, separate follicles and there may have been two pairs of tubular accessory glands. The testes and the double set of accessory glands of Agathiphaga could be cited in support of a sistergroup relationship to all other Lepidoptera whereas the phallic structure (and possibly the "spiny plate") might support a sister group relationship to the Heterobathmiina. There is no support in male genital structure for a sistergroup relationship to the Heterobathmiina + Glossata; the latter phylogenetic hypothesis may be preferable on other grounds, however.

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