scholarly journals An overlooked threatened species of eagle: Legge's Hawk Eagle Nisaetus kelaarti (Aves: Accipitriformes)

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1792 (1) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. GJERSHAUG ◽  
O. H. DISERUD ◽  
P. C. RASMUSSEN ◽  
D. WARAKAGODA

Species delimitation is fundamental to many areas of biology, and in cases where taxonomic status has not been sufficiently clarified the ramifications can be as serious as extinction due to the failure to implement conservation measures. Since 1931, the Mountain Hawk Eagle Nisaetus (Spizaetus) nipalensis Hodgson has included the allopatric Sri Lankan and southern Indian taxon N. kelaarti (Legge) as a subspecies, and its taxonomic status has not been re-evaluated. We found that N. kelaarti differs considerably from N. nipalensis in its relatively much larger bill and claws and short primary projection, and that it also differs consistently in numerous plumage characters and other mensural characters. Its vocalizations differ distinctly, and an earlier study found a moderate degree of genetic differentiation (4.4% in cyt b and 3.1% in CR) from N. nipalensis. The available evidence thus strongly and unambiguously supports the specific distinctness of N. kelaarti.

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2326 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-38
Author(s):  
JAN O. GJERSHAUG ◽  
HEATHER R. L. LERNER ◽  
OLA H. DISERUD

We re-evaluated the taxonomic status of the New Guinean subspecies weiskei of the Little Eagle Aquila morphnoides and confirmed that it differs considerably from the Australian A. morphnoides in multiple morphological and plumage characters. Genetic differentiation in published mitochondrial cyt-b and ND2 sequences between the nominate subspecies and weiskei is equivalent to that found between other accipitrid taxa at the species level, as are pairwise divergences between each Little Eagle taxon and their sister species, the Booted Eagle A. pennata. The available morphological and genetic evidence thus strongly and unambiguously supports the specific distinctness of A. weiskei. We propose the English name Pygmy Eagle, as this is the world’s smallest known eagle. We show that the distribution of A. weiskei includes the western part of New Guinea (Vogelkop) and the Moluccas (Halmahera, Ternate and Seram), based on our new observations.


Author(s):  
Olga Yu. Anistratenko ◽  
Diana S. Osipova ◽  
Vitaliy V. Anistratenko

The gastropod mollusc genus Borysthenia Lindholm, 1914 comprises many species throughout Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America but species delimitation, based mainly on shell morphology (only possible concerning the fossil records) is often disputable. Statistical methods used to test if the shell measurements are reliable traits in delimitation of recent and fossil species in gastropod molluscs of the genus Borysthenia. Our analyses based on quantitative study of over 100 specimens of the Borysthenia species both modern and fossil. It is concluded that the dimensional characteristics of their shell are suitable for the differentiation of both recent and fossil (at least of Pontian age) species through the statistical processing of quantitative data. Through the morphological study of type material, taxonomic status of B. jalpuchense Gozhik, 2002 and B. vinogradovkaense Gozhik, 2002 described from the middle-pontian deposits of Ukraine revised. It is suggested that these taxa are considered two distinct though close relative extinct species. Stratigraphic range of B. jalpuchense is expanded up to the Lower Pontian. All the modern individuals of Borysthenia involved are attributed to B. menkeana (Jelski, 1863) due to their exact correspondence to the lectotype of this species.


1989 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Scheepmaker ◽  
Jan van Dalfsen

Genetic differentiation among G. fossarum Koch, 1835 from different stations in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and northern France, and the closely related Belgian form G. caparti Pètre-Stroobants, 1980 was investigated by electrophoresis at 20 enzyme loci. Although morphologically variable, geographically distant populations of G. cf. fossarum were hitherto considered conspecific. In the present study, populations of G. cf. fossarum and G. caparti were examined with reference to G. pulex pulex as an estimate for genetic differentiation at the species level. With G. p. pulex as a standard, genetic differentiation among geographically distant populations of G. cf. fossarum is occasionally observed at species level. The populations of G. caparti studied were shown to be genetically very similar to certain populations of G. fossarum. The taxonomic status of G. caparti and the genetically distinct forms of G. fossarum is discussed.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3277 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEVEN L. POWERS ◽  
BERNARD R. KUHAJDA ◽  
SARAH E. AHLBRAND

We examined geographic variation within the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum, of the mitochondrially enconded cyto-chrome b gene (cyt b) and nuclear recombination activation gene 1 (RAG1) as well as pigmentation, 6 meristic variables,and 20 morphometric variables for patterns indicative of speciation within the complex. Four geographically disjunct en-tities were identified by at least one of the datasets corresponding to the Cumberland, Duck, Elk, and upper Tennesseeriver systems. Monophyly of cyt b and RAG1 sequences, modal meristic differences, moderate morphometric divergence,and unique pigmentation in specimens from the Cumberland River suggest this entity represents an evolutionary speciesunder many different species concepts and is described herein as Etheostoma maydeni. Other populations exhibit varyingdegrees of divergence in the different datasets and have conflicting relationships in phylogenetic analyses using cyt b andRAG1 sequences, leaving the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the Duck, Elk and upper Tennessee populations unclear.


Author(s):  
Denis V Tumanov

Abstract Pseudechiniscus, the second-largest genus of the family Echiniscidae (Tardigrada: Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea), is notoriously difficult for taxonomic studies. In this study, I performed a morphological analysis of a new species from Croatia, based on a light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of 45 specimens from the same sample. Furthermore, I have summarized all available data on Pseudechiniscus species, including their original descriptions, and have analysed the following complexes of morphological characters: (1) arrangement and morphology of dorsal cuticular plates, (2) ventral sculpture, (3) morphology of cephalic, trunk and leg sensory organs and (4) claw morphology. The applicability of these characters in the taxonomy and their distribution in the genus are discussed. Some of the characters traditionally used for species delimitation were shown to be unsuitable and others in need of a thorough reinvestigation. The meaning of the old term ‘faceted’, commonly used but often misapplied, has been clarified, based on the initial definition. Several characters of the claw structure were suggested as potentially useful for species delimitation. The taxonomic status of several old forms and species was discussed.


Author(s):  
Ann Bucklin

Sessile organisms capable of asexual reproduction may be expected to show much genetic differentiation among local populations: mating between distant individuals is unlikely and genetic drift will contribute to differentiation since habitats can be colonized by one or a few individuals. This study investigates genetic differentiation of populations of the sea anemone Metridium senile (L.) in Great Britain. Individuals of M. senile are sessile and reproduce both sexually, by free-spawning of gametes, and asexually, by regeneration of fragments torn from the pedal disc. Metridium senile is one of the most common and widespread of British sea anemones (Manuel, 1981); reports place it at an enormous number and variety of sites around Britian (unpublished results of surveys by the Underwater Conservation Society of the United Kingdom). The extensive geographic range and variability of the species have confounded attempts to determine the taxonomic status of the ecological and morphological forms, but make it an interesting system for genetic analysis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel PINO-BODAS ◽  
Ana Rosa BURGAZ ◽  
Teuvo AHTI ◽  
Soili STENROOS

AbstractThe lichen speciesCladonia angustilobais characterized by a well-developed primary thallus and narrow squamules which show deep incisions, and the presence of usnic and fumarprotocetraric acids. Morphologically it is similar toC. foliaceaandC. convoluta, from which it can be distiguished by the squamule size and morphology. Since similar characters were used to distinguishC. foliaceafromC. convolutawhich do not represent different lineages, it is necessary to examine the taxonomic status ofC. angustilobaby means of DNA sequences. In this study, the species delimitation within theC. foliaceacomplex was studied by sequencing three loci, ITS rDNA,cox1andRPB2. The data were analyzed by means of phylogenetic and species delimitation methods (GMYC, PTP, ABGD and BPP). Our results show that none of the three species is monophyletic. Most of the species delimitation methods did not support the current species as evolutionary lineages. Only some of the BPP analyses supportedC. angustilobaas a species distinct fromC. foliaceaandC. convoluta. However, the hypothesis that considers theC. foliaceacomplex as constituted by a unique species obtained the best Bayes Factor value. Therefore,C. angustilobaandC. convolutaare synonymized withC. foliacea.A new, thoroughly checked synonymy with typifications of the wholeC. foliaceacomplex is presented. An updated survey of the world distribution data is compiled.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1611-1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Yousefzadeh ◽  
Abasalt Hosseinzadeh Colagar ◽  
Fatemeh Akbarzadeh ◽  
Nicholas P. Tippery

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Ricardo C. Lima ◽  
Angela T. Paes ◽  
Wagner E. P. Avelar

As with other freshwater mussels, Anodontites trapesialis is an endangered and threatened species. Artificial culture has been strongly recommended in recovery plans as a strategy to bolster declining populations, as well as the reintroduction of species to sites within their historic ranges. Our project compares two methods of adult animal management: buried and suspended, focusing on growth and survival of A. trapesialis in a captive environment. Animals were fed with Chlamydomonas spp. After 120 days, weight (soft and hard body) increased by 2.1% in the suspended group and decreased by 1.4% in the buried group. Suspended animals showed higher survival rates than those that were buried. The information provided may be of particular interest to develop future conservation measures for this and other similar endangered species. Así como otras especies de almejas de agua dulce, Anodontites trapesialis se encuentra en peligro y amenazada de extinción. El cultivo artificial ha sido muy recomendado en los planes de recuperación como una estrategia para mejorar las cifras de población en declive, así como la reintroducción de especies a sitios dentro de sus rangos históricos. Nuestro estudio compara dos métodos de manejo de animales adultos, enterrados y suspendidos, con un enfoque en el crecimiento y la supervivencia de A. trapesialis en un ambiente de cautiverio. Los animales fueron alimentados con Chlamydomonas spp. Al comparar los porcentajes de peso corporal (concha y tejido blando) después de 120 días, un aumento medio del 2.1% se observó en el grupo suspendido y una pérdida media del 1.4% en el grupo enterrado. Los animales suspendidos tuvieron mejores tasas de supervivencia que aquellos que fueron enterrados. La información proporcionada puede ser de especial interés para el desarrollo de las futuras medidas de conservación para esta y otras especies similares en peligro de extinción.


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