The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of the Southeast and South Asian bamboo genera Neohouzeaua and Ochlandra (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

Among the tropical woody bamboos, the Melocanninae is one of the most clearly recognized subtribes morphologically and has also been consistently well delimited in molecular phylogenetic work. The relationships among those genera in this subtribe, however, have been contentious because of poorly understood generic delimitations, in part due to poor specimen material or insufficiently assessed morphological traits, sometimes exacerbated by poorly accessible provenances. We address the phylogenetic and taxonomic status of two groups which together include the largest number of species in this subtribe: the Neohouzeaua-Schizostachyum complex, distributed from India to South China, Southeast Asia and southwest Pacific, and the endemic Indian genus Ochlandra. Three Neohouzeaua species (including the generic type), 12 Schizostachyum species (including the generic type and several species of uncertain placement), together with five species of Ochlandra and representatives of Cephalostachyum, Melocanna and Pseudostachyum were assessed in a molecular phylogenetic analysis together with members of other well-distinguished subtribes. Members of Neohouzeaua and Schizostachyum align into two main groups that were not completely well-supported statistically but which members possess mostly reflexed culm leaf blades, or mostly erect culm leaf blades. Other characters which provide obvious differences between taxa, such as the number of flowers in a pseudospikelet, fusion of filaments into a staminal tube, and presence of lodicules, were inconsistent between these groups. Neohouzeaua and Schizostachyum cannot be clearly distinguished in either morphological or molecular terms, and thus are united under the latter name, which takes precedence. In reviewing names in Neohouzeaua and their basionyms, several lectotypifications are designated. Three new combinations in Schizostachyum are proposed. On the other hand, Ochlandra forms a distinct clade and its monophyly is demonstrated, supported by clear morphological characters.

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The Phylogenetic Position of Crenea in the Lythraceae Based on Molecular Evidence, and the Transfer of Its Two Species to Ammannia

Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden ◽

10.3417/2021629 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 106 ◽

pp. 325-339

Author(s):

Shirley A. Graham ◽

Peter W. Inglis ◽

Taciana B. Cavalcanti

Keyword(s):

Morphological Character ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Monophyletic Lineage ◽

The Family ◽

Mangrove Vegetation ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Globally Distributed

Crenea Aubl. (Lythraceae) is a ditypic genus of subshrubs occurring in mangrove vegetation on the coasts of northern South America. Phylogenetic analyses based on morphology have offered unresolved and conflicting phylogenetic positions for the genus in the family. This study presents the first molecular sequences for Crenea, from nrITS, rbcL, trnL, trnL-F, and matK regions. Molecular phylogenetic analyses find full support for Crenea within Ammannia L., a relationship not previously recognized. Ammannia is a globally distributed genus of terrestrial to amphibious herbs mostly occurring in freshwater marshes and wetlands. It was recently reconfigured based on phylogenetic evidence to include the genera Nesaea Comm. ex Kunth and Hionanthera A. Fern. & Diniz. The transfer of Crenea to Ammannia further extends the morphological, ecological, and biogeographical diversity of Ammannia and provides the final evidence defining Ammannia as a monophyletic lineage of the Lythraceae. A revised circumscription of Ammannia s.l. adds several new morphological character states and the first species in the genus restricted to mangrove vegetation. Two changes in taxonomic status are made: Ammannia maritima (Aubl.) S. A. Graham, P. W. Inglis, & T. B. Cavalc., comb. nov., and Ammannia patentinervius (Koehne) S. A. Graham, P. W. Inglis, & T. B. Cavalc., comb. nov. The new combinations are described, a list of exsiccatae examined is provided, and the effects of the reconfiguration to the morphology and biogeography of the genus are detailed.

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The phylogenetic position of the enigmatic Assam day gecko Cnemaspis cf. assamensis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) demonstrates a novel biogeographic connection between Northeast India and south India-Sri Lanka

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-bja10062 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Ishan Agarwal ◽

Rachunliu G. Kamei ◽

Stephen Mahony

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Southeast Asia ◽

South Asian ◽

South India ◽

Northeast India ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Phylogenetic Studies ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Nd2 Gene ◽

Isolated Species

Abstract Northeast Indian biodiversity has long been considered to have a stronger affinity to Southeast Asian rather than Peninsular Indian fauna, however, few molecular phylogenetic studies have explored this hypothesis. In Asia, the polyphyletic gekkonid genus Cnemaspis sensu lato is comprised of two distantly related groups; one primarily from South Asia with some members in Southeast Asia, and the other exclusively from Southeast Asia. Cnemaspis assamensis is a systematically obscure and geographically isolated species (>1400 km from its nearest congeners) from the Brahmaputra River Valley in Northeast India. We provide the first molecular phylogenetic assessment of this species based on a partial ND2 gene fragment. Cnemaspis assamensis is determined to be a deeply divergent (Oligocene) member of the South Asian radiation and is sister to the podihuna clade which is endemic to Sri Lanka. The biogeographic implications of this find are discussed and this is suspected to represent a rare example of true disjunction between the wet zones of Northeast India and southern India/Sri Lanka. These results further emphasise the importance of Northeast India as a refuge for unique ancient faunal lineages.

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Allium xinlongense (Amaryllidaceae, Allioideae), a new species from western Sichuan

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.432.3.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 432 (3) ◽

pp. 274-282

Author(s):

DENG-FENG XIE ◽

FU-MIN XIE ◽

SHENG-BIN JIA ◽

HAO LI ◽

XIN YANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

New Species ◽

Related Species ◽

Morphological Traits ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Comprehensive Description ◽

Western Sichuan ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

A New Species ◽

Habitat Environment

Allium xinlongense from western Sichuan Province, China, is described as a new species. Its diagnostic morphological characters were confirmed to be valid by comparing them to those of related species, such as A. maowenense, A. chrysanthum, A. rude, A. xichuanense, A. chrysocephalum, and A. herderianum. Molecular phylogenetic analysis (combining ITS and rpL32-trnL markers) indicated that this new species is a member of Allium sect. Daghestanica. A comprehensive description of this new species is provided, including habitat environment and detailed morphological traits.

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Variability, host range, delimitation and neotypification of Amanita simulans (Amanita section Vaginatae): collections associated with Helianthemum grasslands, and epitypification of A. lividopallescens

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.280.1.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 280 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ALFREDO VIZZINI ◽

MIRCA ZOTTI ◽

MIDO TRAVERSO ◽

ENRICO ERCOLE ◽

PIERRE-ARTHUR MOREAU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Morphological Variability ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Extensive Discussion ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Colour Form ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

Several collections of Amanita species from section Vaginatae have been reported to be strictly associated with Helianthemum plants growing in grasslands, a still largely under-explored ectomycorrhizal habitat. The main aim of this study was to investigate the taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of strictly Helianthemum-associated Amanita sect. Vaginatae taxa, informally named Amanita “helianthemicola”. Collections from Italy, England and France were included in this study. The morphologically closely related species complex A. lividopallescens was also examined. Analyses were carried out based on both morphological and molecular data (phylogenetic analysis of the nrITS sequences). All investigated Amanita collections, which are strictly associated with Helianthemum nummularium, turned out to be conspecific with A. simulans. Amanita simulans was recently described from Sardinia (Italy) from Populus nigra habitats based on morphological characters only. As the holotype of A. simulans was lost, a neotype is designated here based on a voucher from the original collecting area. Amanita simulans is re-described, and an extensive discussion on the morphological variability, host species range, distribution and related taxa is provided. Amanita lividopallescens was confirmed as a good species, and re-delimited based on our phylogenetic analysis; moreover, it was epitypified with a recent and well-documented collection from Corse (France). Amanita stenospora is a synonym of A. lividopallescens, being a colour form of the latter without taxonomic value.

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Toward a Natural Classification of Botryosphaeriaceae: A Study of the Type Specimens of Botryosphaeria sensu lato

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.737541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Ying Zhang ◽

Yupei Zhou ◽

Wei Sun ◽

Lili Zhao ◽

D. Pavlic-Zupanc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Natural Classification ◽

Dna Sequence Data

The genus Botryosphaeria includes more than 200 epithets, but only the type species, Botryosphaeria dothidea and a dozen or more other species have been identified based on DNA sequence data. The taxonomic status of the other species remains unconfirmed because they lack either morphological information or DNA sequence data. In this study, types or authentic specimens of 16 “Botryosphaeria” species are reassessed to clarify their identity and phylogenetic position. nuDNA sequences of four regions, ITS, LSU, tef1-α and tub2, are analyzed and considered in combination with morphological characteristics. Based on the multigene phylogeny and morphological characters, Botryosphaeria cruenta and Botryosphaeria hamamelidis are transferred to Neofusicoccum. The generic status of Botryosphaeria aterrima and Botryosphaeria mirabile is confirmed in Botryosphaeria. Botryosphaeria berengeriana var. weigeliae and B. berengeriana var. acerina are treated synonyms of B. dothidea. Botryosphaeria mucosa is transferred to Neodeightonia as Neodeightonia mucosa, and Botryosphaeria ferruginea to Nothophoma as Nothophoma ferruginea. Botryosphaeria foliicola is reduced to synonymy with Phyllachorella micheliae. Botryosphaeria abuensis, Botryosphaeria aesculi, Botryosphaeria dasylirii, and Botryosphaeria wisteriae are tentatively kept in Botryosphaeria sensu stricto until further phylogenetic analysis is carried out on verified specimens. The ordinal status of Botryosphaeria apocyni, Botryosphaeria gaubae, and Botryosphaeria smilacinina cannot be determined, and tentatively accommodate these species in Dothideomycetes incertae sedis. The study demonstrates the significance of a polyphasic approach in characterizing type specimens, including the importance of using of DNA sequence data.

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Integrative Taxonomy of Two Peruvian Strains of Brachionus plicatilis Complex with Potential in Aquaculture

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13120671 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 671

Author(s):

Pedro Pablo Alonso Sánchez-Dávila ◽

Giovanna Sotil ◽

Araceli Adabache-Ortiz ◽

Deivis Cueva ◽

Marcelo Silva-Briano

Keyword(s):

Egg Production ◽

Brachionus Plicatilis ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Mtdna Coi ◽

The Relationship

Two Peruvian strains of the genus Brachionus were isolated from impacted coastal wetlands. With an integrative taxonomic view, we described their taxonomic status, morphological characters, productive parameters, and phylogenetic position. In the case of both strains, the relationship between biometrics and productive parameters obtained with Principal Components Analysis indicated that the lorica length was associated with longevity, progeny, egg production, and reproductive age, while the lorica width and aperture were associated with the maximum number of eggs carried. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analysis carried out with mtDNA COI gene and rDNA ITS1 region showed that both strains were clustered in two clades with distinct phylogenetic positioning from what is currently known for Brachionus plicatilis s.l. One of the strains, Z010-VL, is proposed to be a subspecies of L4 (B. paranguensis), and the other strain, Z018-SD, is proposed as a sub species of SM2 (B. koreanus). In addition, 33 and 31 aquaculture production lineages are proposed, delimited by COI and concatenated COI+ITS1 sequences, respectively. Finally, this study provides new tools that enhance the traceability of the origin of each sub-species throughout the world.

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One less mystery in Coleoptera systematics: the position of Cydistinae (Elateriformia incertae sedis) resolved by multigene phylogenetic analysis

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 187 (4) ◽

pp. 1259-1277 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robin Kundrata ◽

Stephan M Blank ◽

Alexander S Prosvirov ◽

Eliska Sormova ◽

Matthew L Gimmel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Genus ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Incertae Sedis ◽

Targeted Sampling ◽

Family Level ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

History Of ◽

Multigene Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Close Relatives

Abstract Cydistinae are a rare monogeneric beetle lineage from Asia with a convoluted history of classification, historically placed in various groups within the series Elateriformia. However, their position has never been rigorously tested. To resolve this long-standing puzzle, we are the first to present sequences of two nuclear and two mitochondrial markers for four species of Cydistinae to determine their phylogenetic position. We included these sequences in two rounds of analyses: one including a broad Elateriformia dataset to test placement at the superfamily/family level, and a second, including a richer, targeted sampling of presumed close relatives. Our results strongly support Cydistinae as sister to Phengodidae in a clade with Rhagophthalmidae. Based on our molecular phylogenetic results and examination of morphological characters, we hereby transfer the formerly unplaced Cydistinae into Phengodidae and provide diagnoses for the newly circumscribed Phengodidae, Cydistinae and Cydistus. Since both Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae have bioluminescent larvae and strongly neotenic females, similar features can be hypothesized for Cydistinae. Additionally, Cydistus minor is transferred to the new genus Microcydistus.

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Thelopsis challenges the generic circumscription in the Gyalectaceae and brings new insights to the taxonomy of Ramonia

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s002428292000050x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 45-61

Author(s):

Damien Ertz ◽

Neil Sanderson ◽

Marc Lebouvier

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Saint Paul ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Systematic Position ◽

Sister Species ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Generic Type ◽

The Family ◽

Fungal Dna ◽

First Time

AbstractThe genus Thelopsis was classified in the family Stictidaceae but its systematic position has never been investigated by molecular methods. In order to determine its family placement and to test its monophyly, fungal DNA of recent collections of Thelopsis specimens was sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses using nuLSU, RPB2 and mtSSU sequences reveal that members of Thelopsis form a monophyletic group within the genus Gyalecta as currently accepted. The placement of Thelopsis, including the generic type T. rubella, within the genus Gyalecta challenges the generic circumscription of this group because Thelopsis is well recognized by the combination of morphological characters: perithecioid ascomata, well-developed periphysoids, polysporous asci and small, few-septate ellipsoid-oblong ascospores. The sterile sorediate Opegrapha corticola is also placed in the Gyalectaceae as sister species to Thelopsis byssoidea + T. rubella. Ascomata of O. corticola are illustrated for the first time and support its placement in the genus Thelopsis. The hypothesis that O. corticola might represent the sorediate fertile morph of T. rubella is not confirmed because the species is phylogenetically and morphologically distinct. Thelopsis is recovered as polyphyletic, with T. melathelia being placed as sister species to Ramonia. The new combinations Thelopsis corticola (Coppins & P. James) Sanderson & Ertz comb. nov. and Ramonia melathelia (Nyl.) Ertz comb. nov. are introduced and a new species of Gyalecta, G. amsterdamensis Ertz, is described from Amsterdam and Saint-Paul Islands, characterized by a sterile thallus with discrete soralia. Petractis luetkemuelleri and P. nodispora are accommodated in the new genus Neopetractis, differing from the generic type (P. clausa) by having a different phylogenetic position and a different photobiont. Francisrosea bicolor Ertz & Sanderson gen. & sp. nov. is described for a sterile sorediate lichen somewhat similar to Opegrapha corticola but having an isolated phylogenetic position as sister to a clade including Gyalidea praetermissa and the genera Neopetractis and Ramonia. Gyalecta farlowii, G. nidarosiensis and G. carneola are placed in a molecular phylogeny for the first time. The taxonomic significance of morphological characters in Gyalectaceae is discussed.

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Phylogenetic position of Echeveria heterosepala (Crassulaceae): a rare species with diagnostic characters of Pachyphytum

Botanical Sciences ◽

10.17129/botsci.1190 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (3) ◽

pp. 515 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Carlos Vázquez-Cotero ◽

Victoria Sosa ◽

Pablo Carrillo-Reyes

Keyword(s):

Rare Species ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Outgroup Species ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Stem Type ◽

Ancestral Character Reconstruction ◽

Parsimony Criterion

Background: Echeveria and Pachyphytum are two closely related Neotropical genera in the Crassulaceae. Several species in Echeveria possess characters cited as diagnostic for Pachyphytum such as a clearly defined stem, a nectary scale on the inner face of petals and as inflorescence a scorpioid cyme or cincinnus. Pachyphytum has been identified as monophyletic while Echeveria as polyphyletic in previous molecular phylogenetic analysess.Hypothesis: The objective of this paper is to identify the phylogenetic position of a rare species with restricted distribution in Echeveria, E. heterosepala that possesses the diagnostic characters of Pachyphytum to better understand the generic limits between these two genera. We expect this species to be closely related to Pachyphytum.Methods: Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses were carried out using 47 taxa, including as ingroup, species of Echeveria, Graptopetalum, Lenophyllum, Pachyphytum, Sedum, Thompsonella and Villadia and as outgroup, species in Dudleya. Analyses were conducted based on plastid (rpl16, trnL-F) and nuclear (ETS, ITS) markers. Ancestral character reconstruction was carried out under a parsimony criterion based on the molecular trees retrieved by the phylogenetic analyses. Four morphological characters were considered: defined stem, type of inflorescence, nectary scale in petals and position of sepals.Results: Accessions of E. heterosepala were retrieved in a well-supported clade group comprising exclusively Echeveria species. Therefore this species belongs to Echeveria although possessing characters similar to Pachyphytum and moreover it was not identified closely related to this genus. None of the traits considered have taxonomic importance. The node at the Pachyphytum clade identified unambiguous character states such as stem present, straight sepals, nectary scale on petals, however these character states were identified in the rest of the clades as well. Remarkably, the monophyly of Pachyphytum was corroborated, while Echeveria remains poorly understood.

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The phylogenetic placement of the rare North American band-winged grasshopper Shotwellia isleta Gurney, 1940 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae)

Insect Systematics & Evolution ◽

10.1163/187631210x519709 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 303-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Lightfoot ◽

Kelly Miller ◽

William Edelman

Keyword(s):

North American ◽

Chihuahuan Desert ◽

Cladistic Analysis ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Phylogenetic Placement ◽

The North ◽

Species Of Conservation Concern ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Conservation Concern

AbstractThe phylogenetic placement of the North American band-winged grasshopper Shotwellia isleta (Gurney 1940) (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae) has been investigated. This rare and unique species of grasshopper belongs to a monotypic genus known only from a few isolated locations in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico and New Mexico, USA. The taxonomic status of Shotwellia has been uncertain and historically classified in very different ways relative to other genera. We conducted the first molecular phylogenetic cladistic analysis of Shotwellia and of the Chortophaga (Saussure) genus group in which it is currently classified, using three mitochondrial genes (16S, 12S and cytochrome c oxidase II), 14 morphological characters and two behavioral characters. Our analysis supports the current monotypic status of the genus Shotwellia within the Chortophaga genus group and indicates that Shotwellia is sister to the other genera in that group. Shotwellia isleta is a species of conservation concern, and our field sampling indicates that it is a rare specialist of freshwater ephemeral desert lake beds that are being impacted by human activity. Understanding the phylogeny of S. isleta provides a basis from which biological, evolutionary and conservation inferences can be made.

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