Phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of gerbil mice Eligmodontia (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in South America, with a description of a new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1753 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL A. MARES ◽  
JANET K. BRAUN ◽  
BRANDI S. COYNER ◽  
RONALD A. VAN DEN BUSSCHE

We present a systematic study of the genus Eligmodontia (sigmodontine rodents of the tribe Phyllotini) from Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, based on molecular data. Phylogenetic relationships among 49 individuals were examined using nucleotide sequence data from the entire 1143 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene. Unweighted parsimony, minimum evolution, maximum-likelihood (TrN+I+G), and Bayesian analyses revealed 2 major clades, representing Andean and non-Andean groups, and 6 minor clades, representing E. typus (lowland), E. typus (highland), E. morgani, E. puerulus, E. moreni, and E. hirtipes. E. typus (highland) is described as a new species based on combined data from the cytochrome-b gene, morphology, and karyology. The results indicate that the genus Eligmodontia is composed of a complex of species, most of which correspond to taxa that were described originally and each of which shows molecular cohesion within a limited geographic range. This species complex has relevance to current theories regarding the speciation patterns and the historical biogeography of South American sigmodontine rodents. The biogeographic history of the genus also is outlined.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-139
Author(s):  
Shuo Liu ◽  
Mian Hou ◽  
Ye Htet Lwin ◽  
Qiaoyan Wang ◽  
Dingqi Rao

A new species of the genus Gonyosoma Wagler is described from Yunnan Province, China. The new species closely resembles G. prasinum (Blyth), but it is differentiated from the latter species by the following characters: precloacal plate divided, iris blue and inside of mouth greyish-white in life. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister species to G. prasinum by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses. The uncorrected pairwise distance between the new species and other species of the genus Gonyosoma ranged from 11.78% to 17.07% calculated using the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence. This discovery increases the number of Gonyosoma species to seven.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4803 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-74
Author(s):  
GERNOT VOGEL ◽  
ZENING CHEN ◽  
V. DEEPAK ◽  
DAVID J. GOWER ◽  
JINGSONG SHI ◽  
...  

A new species of natricid snake, Smithophis linearis sp. nov., is described on the basis of a single recently collected specimen from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, and three historical specimens from Yunnan and from northeastern Myanmar. The new species is assigned to the genus Smithophis on the basis of its single internasal and single prefrontal shields, and on the basis of the results of phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b DNA sequence data. The new species differs from its congeners in having the following combination of characters: temporal shields present, six or more circumorbital scales, and a distinctive colour pattern comprising regular, narrow, longitudinal dark and pale lines. Morphological and cytochrome b data are consistent with the recognition of Smithophis as distinct from the genus Opisthotropis. A revised key to the identification of the species of Smithophis is provided. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Galbreath ◽  
Kristina Ragaliauskaite ◽  
Leonas Kontrimavichus ◽  
Arseny Makarikov ◽  
Eric Hoberg

AbstractHymenolepidid cestodes in Myodes glareolus from Lithuania and additional specimens originally attributed to Arostrilepis horrida from the Republic of Belarus are now referred to A. tenuicirrosa. Our study includes the first records of A. tenuicirrosa from the European (western) region of the Palearctic, and contributes to the recognition of A. horrida (sensu lato) as a complex of cryptic species distributed broadly across the Holarctic. Specimens of A. tenuicirrosa from Lithuania were compared to cestodes representing apparently disjunct populations in the eastern Palearctic based on structural characters of adult parasites and molecular sequence data from nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (cytochrome b) genes. Morphological and molecular data revealed low levels of divergence between eastern and western populations. Phylogeographic relationships among populations and host biogeographic history suggests that limited intraspecific diversity within A. tenuicirrosa may reflect a Late Pleistocene transcontinental range expansion from an East Asian point of origin.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4577 (3) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRIAN W. BAHDER ◽  
CHARLES R. BARTLETT ◽  
EDWIN A. BARRANTES BARRANTES ◽  
MARCO A. ZUMBADO ECHAVARRIA ◽  
ALESSANDRA R. HUMPHRIES ◽  
...  

An ongoing survey for novel phytoplasmas and viruses that affect palms (Arecaceae) is being conducted in Costa Rica along with potential vectors. During that survey, a new species of derbid planthopper (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) in the genus Omolicna Fennah was detected from Heredia and Limón State and is here described as Omolicna xavieri sp. n. This new taxon was first found on declining coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) and subsequently on healthy coconut palms in Tortuguero National Park. Also, two additional species of Omolicna, O. brunnea and O. triata, were collected on coconut in the same habitat and represent new country records. There are no previously published records of Omolicna from Costa Rica. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the 18S ribosomal RNA gene were obtained. In addition, novel 18S primers specific to auchenorrhynchan insects were developed and presented. The molecular data show high pairwise distances between O. xavieri sp. n. and other Omolicna species (24% to 31% and 10% using COI and 18S, respectively). Based on both morphological and sequence data, we erect and briefly describe the new subgenus Agoo for the new species to reflect the observed differences. A checklist of Omolicna species is presented. 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 459 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-154
Author(s):  
CORNELIA KLAK ◽  
PAVEL HANÁČEK ◽  
ODETTE CURTIS-SCOTT ◽  
ANSO LE ROUX ◽  
PETER V. BRUYNS

A phylogeny of all nine subgenera of Drosanthemum, based on chloroplast sequence-data, is presented. The results confirm some previously published facts, e.g. that D. zygophylloides is sister to Drosanthemum. We propose to treat this species as a new monotypic genus, Lemonanthemum, which differs from Drosanthemum in features of the leaves and fruit-stalks. In Drosanthemum s.s., the small subg. Quadrata, characterized by 4-locular fruits, is highly supported as sister to the remainder of Drosanthemum (where fruits are 5-locular). Further, our data support the transfer of Delosperma pubipetalum to Drosanthemum (where a nomenclatural change is also made). The pubescent petals, 5-locular fruits with narrow covering membranes and downward-pointing hair-like papillae on the branches suggest that D. pubipetalum is close to D. papillatum and belongs to subg. Quastea. Another species, D. badspoortense, which had been placed in D. subg. Quastea on account of its narrow covering membranes, is shown to belong to Delosperma and also lacks the unique structure of the fruit-stalk of Drosanthemum. In addition, a new species, D. overbergense, is described from disjunct patches of remnant renosterveld within the Overberg and near Albertinia, in the Western Cape of South Africa. Morphological characteristics suggest that this species belongs to subg. Xamera, but this was not corroborated by our molecular data. Finally, a new name—Drosanthemum calcareum—is proposed for the illegitimate D. intermedium and a lectotype (at BOL) is designated for D. pubipetalum. The lectotypification of D. badspoortense is also proposed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4895 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-380
Author(s):  
OMAR TORRES-CARVAJAL ◽  
JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA ◽  
VALENTINA POSSE ◽  
ELVIS CELI ◽  
CLAUDIA KOCH

Leptodeira is one of the most widespread and taxonomically problematic snake taxa in the Americas. Here we describe a new species of Leptodeira from the Andes of southern Ecuador based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is geographically close and morphologically similar to L. ornata and L. larcorum, from which it can be distinguished by having smaller dorsal body blotches, a longer tail, and shorter spines on the hemipenial body. The shortest genetic distances between the new species and its congeners are 0.02 (16S), 0.05 (cytb), and 0.18 (ND4). The new species is restricted to the Jubones River Basin in southern Ecuador, an area of endemism for other reptile species. Our phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data also supports recognition of the names L. larcorum (restricted to Peru) for “L. septentrionalis larcorum”, and L. ornata for populations of “L. s. ornata” from central and eastern Panama, western Colombia, and western Ecuador. However, some samples of “L. s. ornata” from Panama and Costa Rica, as well as the new species described herein, are not included within or more closely related to L. ornata, which is sister to the clade (L. bakeri, L. ashmeadii). 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Kallal ◽  
Gustavo Hormiga

The spider genus Nemoscolus Simon, 1895 (Araneidae) has been neglected taxonomically despite the unique retreat that several species construct in their horizontal orb-webs, composed of pebbles and other detritus. The distribution of Nemoscolus is poorly known and the genus includes species from Africa and Europe. Nemoscolus is placed in Simon’s Cycloseae species group along with Cyclosa Menge, 1866, Acusilas Simon, 1895, Arachnura Vinson, 1863, Witica O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1895, among others. Here we describe a new species from Queensland, Australia, N. sandersi, sp. nov., drastically expanding the distribution range of the genus. We use nucleotide sequence data to phylogenetically place Nemoscolus using model-based inference methods within Araneidae and to explore its affinities to Simon’s Cycloseae. The data support propinquity of Nemoscolus with Acusilas and Arachnura but not with Cyclosa. Our analyses suggest that Cycloseae is not a clade, with Cyclosa, Acusilas, Witica and Nemoscolus not sharing a recent common ancestor. This use of an integrated granular retreat represents at least the second independent evolution of such a structure within Araneidae. These results improve our understanding of both phylogeny and retreat evolution in araneid spiders.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 437 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
YUAN S. LIU ◽  
JIAN-KUI (JACK) LIU ◽  
PHONGEUN SYSOUPHANTHONG ◽  
KEVIN D. HYDE ◽  
SAISAMORN LUMYONG

Xanthagaricus siamensis, a new species in the family Agaricaceae, was discovered in northern Thailand and is here introduced based on its morphological features and molecular data. It is characterized by small to medium-sized basidiomata, a convex to plano-convex with depressed center pileus when mature, the presence of greyish orange to violet-brown fibrillose squamules on the pileus, lamellae that start out white, change to pinkish white when damaged, then change to dull green with age. Additionally, the annulus is fugacious, and the pileipellis is recognized as a cutis which morphologically distinguishes it from all other known Xanthagaricus. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) and the large subunit of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrLSU) sequence data indicated that the three specimens of X. siamensis form a distinct lineage within Xanthagaricus, and they formed a well-supported clade representing the genus Xanthagaricus. Detailed illustrations of macro- and micro-morphological characteristics and descriptions are provided, as well as other relevant molecular evidence.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3441 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
ASTA KRIŽANAUSKIENĖ ◽  
TATJANA A. IEZHOVA ◽  
VAIDAS PALINAUSKAS ◽  
NIKITA CHERNETSOV ◽  
GEDIMINAS VALKIŪNAS

Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) nucleocondensus n. sp. (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) is described from aEurasian songbird, the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus based on the morphology of its blood stages andpartial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Transmission of this haemoproteid occurs in Africa, where theGreat Reed Warblers are infected. Due to unclear reasons, its transmission does not occur at European breeding groundsof this bird, resulting in absence of the parasites in juvenile birds before and during seasonal migration. Haemoproteusnucleocondensus can be readily distinguished from other avian haemoproteids by tiny, compact microgametocyte nucleithat are significantly smaller than macrogametocyte nuclei, a rare character of haemosporidian parasites. By thismorphological feature, the new species is similar to Haemoproteus payevskyi, Haemoproteus micronuclearis, andHaemoproteus nucleofascialis. Haemoproteus nucleocondensus can be readily distinguished from both H. payevskyi andH. micronuclearis, primarily due to its numerous growing gametocytes (size greater than erythrocyte nuclei), which donot touch the envelope of erythrocytes along their entire margin; such gametocytes do not develop in Haemoproteuspayevskyi and H. micronuclearis, but present in H. nucleofascialis. However, microgametocyte nuclei are band-like inshape in the latter parasite; that is not a case in H. nucleocondensus. Illustrations of blood stages of the new species aregiven, and morphological and phylogenetic analyses identify the DNA lineages that are associated with these parasites.Genetic distance between cyt b gene sequences of the new species and H. payevskyi, H. micronuclearis, and H.nucleofascialis is 4.4%, 5.9%, and 8.1%, respectively. Cytochrome b gene sequences (GenBank no. JX026901) can be used for bar-coding in studies of H. nucleocondensus.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4324 (1) ◽  
pp. 121 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIS M. P. CERÍACO ◽  
MARIANA P. MARQUES ◽  
ANDREAS SCHMITZ ◽  
AARON M. BAUER

The Cobra-Preta (black snake in Portuguese) of Sao Tomé Island in the Gulf of Guinea has historically been referred to as Naja (Boulengerina) melanoleuca (Squamata: Elapidae). Its presence on the island has been traditionally explained as an introduction from the mainland by Portuguese settlers, supposedly to control the rat population. This explanation has been widely accepted by local authorities and even international conservation agencies. The taxonomic identity of this snake has remained undisputed by all taxonomists who have published about it, with the exception of L. Capocaccia in 1961. Arguments supporting the human introduction hypothesis are weak and are contradicted by historical, morphological and molecular data. Further, the biogeographic history of the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands and recent insights on the taxonomic identity and evolutionary history of other taxonomic groups occurring there suggest that the Cobra-Preta, in fact, represents a distinct lineage of the melanoleuca group, endemic to São Tomé. We here describe the Cobra Preta as a new species. The new species differs from N. (B.) melanoleuca, its sister species, by a distinct coloration ventral pattern and the type of contact of the sublingual scales. Data on the toxicology, distribution, ecology, folklore and conservation status of the new species are presented. 


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