Taxonomy of the Tetramorium weitzeckeri species group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Afrotropical zoogeographical region

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2704 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO HITA GARCIA ◽  
GEORG FISCHER ◽  
MARCELL K. PETERS

The taxonomy of the Tetramorium weitzeckeri species group is revised for the Afrotropical zoogeographic region. The revision is based on morphology and morphometrics of the worker caste. Twenty six species are recognised of which twelve are described as new: Tetramorium bendai sp. n., Tetramorium boltoni sp. n., Tetramorium intermedium sp. n., Tetramorium kakamega sp. n., Tetramorium mkomazi sp. n., Tetramorium philippwagneri sp. n., Tetramorium renae. n., Tetramorium robertsoni sp. n., Tetramorium rubrum sp. n., Tetramorium susannae sp. n., Tetramorium tanaense sp. n., and Tetramorium trirugosum sp. n.. Tetramorium akengense (Wheeler, W.M. 1922) is revived from synonymy and Tetramorium tersum Santschi, Tetramorium (Xiphomyrmex) kivuense Stitz, and Xiphmyrmex kivuense st. atrinodis Santschi are proposed as junior synonyms of Tetramorium edouardi Forel. All other earlier synonymisations are confirmed here. The species group is redefined and subdivided into three species complexes which are defined and discussed: the Tetramorium edouardi complex (9 species), the Tetramorium muralti complex (8 species), and the Tetramorium weitzeckeri complex (9 species). An illustrated identification key to the Afrotropical species is presented, and for each species diagnosis, description, and taxonomic discussion are provided. Biogeography and important morphological characters of diagnostic value are discussed.

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1179 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GRZEGORZ PA–NIK

The World species of the genus Ischnopoda, Stephens are revised and the genus is redefined. The genera Amanota Casey and Rechota Sharp are considered as new synonyms of Ischnopoda. The revised Ischnopoda includes thirty-eight species, 13 of which are described as new: Ischnopoda assingi sp. n., I. boliviana sp. n., I. brasiliana sp. n., I. chilensis sp. n., I. depressa sp. n., I. drugmandi sp. n., I. lingshani sp. n., I. nebulosa sp. n., I. pretiosa sp. n., I. pseudobasalis sp. n., I. rugosa sp. n., I. schuelkei sp. n. and I. spissata sp. n. The following new synonymies are proposed (each first name being valid): Ischnopoda basalis (Cameron, 1923) = Amanota bimarginata Pace, 1996, syn. n.; I. capensis (Casey, 1906) = Falagria arachnipes Fauvel, 1907, syn. n. = Amanota densicollis Pace, 1986, syn. n. = A. rufobrunnea Tottenham, 1957, syn. n.; Ischnopoda rudicollis (Bernhauer, 1934) = Amanota purpurascens Tottenham, 1957, syn. n. = A. wittei Cameron, 1950, syn. n. The following synonym is confirmed: I. leucopus (Marsham, 1802) = Tachyusa chalybea Erichson, 1839. Lectotypes are designated for Amanota capensis Casey, A. semiopaca Cameron, Ischnopoda subaenea Eppelsheim, Rechota impressa Sharp, Staphylinus leucopus Marsham, Tachyusa abyssina Bernhauer, T. burgeoni Bernhauer, T. chalybea Erichson, T. fissicollis Fairmaire et Germain, T. rudicollis Bernhauer, T. scitula Erichson, T. seticornis Sharp, T. sparsa Sharp and T. umbratica Erichson. Twenty-one species are given in new combination. All species are briefly described/redescribed and illustrated. An identification key to the World species of Ischnopoda is provided. A phylogeny of thirty-eight species belonging to the genus Ischnopoda is proposed, based on fifty-two morphological characters. The cladistic analysis provides a single most parsimonious tree. The genus Ischnopoda is redefined and species group are introduced and defined: leucopus group (eleven species), impressa group (nine species) and capensis group (eighteen species).


Author(s):  
Francisco Hita Garcia ◽  
Georg Fischer

This study presents a taxonomic update of the Tetramorium weitzeckeri species group. Tetramorium mpala sp. nov. is described from Laikipia, Kenya, and placed in the T. weitzeckeri species complex. In addition, we also provide an illustrated identification key to the three species complexes of the T. weitzeckeri species group, and an updated illustrated identification key to species of this species complex.


1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 1675-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Olchowecki ◽  
James Reid

From Manitoba hardwoods and conifers, 183 collections were examined for Ceratocystis species. Most previously described species, including many type specimens, were also examined.Among the morphological characters used to separate species of Ceratocystis, those of the ascospores are the most reliable and were given major stress herein. The nature of the conidial state, which is distinctive in some species and of diagnostic value in others, was also considered in preparing species diagnosis, and the method of conidium formation was therefore also stressed.The genus Ceratocystis is organized into four groups based mainly on ascospore characters: (1) the Minuta group; (2) the Ips group; (3) the Fimbriata group; and (4) the Pilifera group. It is felt that such groupings reflect the affinities between various species. A key to the groups of species and keys to the species of each of the four respective groups are provided. The keys include 70 species, 50 of which are found in Manitoba.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4344 (1) ◽  
pp. 115 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHADESEH SADAT TAHAMI ◽  
JAN MUILWIJK ◽  
ROMAN LOHAJ ◽  
SABER SADEGHI

The species belonging to the Sphodrine genus Laemostenus Bonelli, 1810 from central and southern Zagros Mts. and central zones of Iran were studied. Two new species-groups of the subgenus Antisphodrus Schaufuss, 1865 are proposed, and seven new species belonging to subgenera Antisphodrus Schaufuss, 1865 and Iranosphodrus Lohaj & Casale, 2011 are described. Morphological characters of the habitus and shape of male genitalia were used to delimit the species. New species of subgenus Antisphodrus are: L. (A.) zagrosensis sp. nov. and L. (A.) speleophilus sp. nov. from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and L. (A.) farsicus sp. nov. from Fars province (zagrosensis species-group); Laemostenus (A) zakariyiensis sp. nov. from Fars province (aequalis species-group), and L. (A.) shirazensis sp. nov. from Fars province (glasunowi species-group).  Based on the newly collected material, the subgenus Iranosphodrus is redefined and two new species from Yazd province are described: L.(I.) yazdensis sp. nov. and L.(I.) troglophilus sp. nov. An identification key for the Laemostenus species of the studied area is provided, and a check list for Iranian representatives of subgenera Antisphodrus and Iranosphodrus are given. 


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre V. Bochkov ◽  
Barry M. OConnor

Phylogenetic relationships among species of the parasitic mite subgenus Listrophoroides Hirst (Atopomelidae), fur-mites of Asian and African murine rodents, are reconstructed on the basis of parsimony analysis of morphological characters. This group is polyphyletic with respect to the outgroup, subgenera Marquesania Womersley and Paklistrophoroides Fain & Hyland. The mite phylogeny partially reflects the host phylogeny and several groups of closely related species associated with particular rodent groups are recognised. The rajah-group, with 34 species associated with rats of the genus Maxomys Sody, is most diverse. Most Maxomys species are parasitised by a single mite species but some of them harbour a complex of several species. Maxomys surifer (Miller), the most widespread species of the genus, hosts unique species combinations comprising 23 species in different parts of its range. This synhospitality is hypothesised to have originated during Pleistocene isolation of different host populations in multiple rain forest refugia. The current species complexes also reflect later host range expansions. These data are consistent with a hypothesis of Pliocene vicariance in some Sunda Shelf rodents and not with the traditional view of widespread migration across the Late Pleistocene Sunda Shelf. The rajah species-group is revised, 16 species are described as new and three are synonymised.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 767-778
Author(s):  
Eranga Wettewa ◽  
Nick Bailey ◽  
Lisa E. Wallace

Abstract—Species complexes present considerable problems for a working taxonomy due to the presence of intraspecific variation, hybridization, polyploidy, and phenotypic plasticity. Understanding evolutionary patterns using molecular markers can allow for a more thorough assessment of evolutionary lineages than traditional morphological markers. In this study, we evaluated genetic diversity and phylogenetic patterns among taxa of the Platanthera hyperborea (Orchidaceae) complex, which includes diploid (Platanthera aquilonis) and polyploid (Platanthera hyperborea, P. huronensis, and P. convallariifolia) taxa spanning North America, Greenland, Iceland, and Asia. We found that three floral morphological characters overlap among the polyploid taxa, but the diploid species has smaller flowers. DNA sequence variation in a plastid (rpL16 intron) and a nuclear (ITS) marker indicated that at least three diploid species have contributed to the genomes of the polyploid taxa, suggesting all are of allopolyploid origin. Platanthera convallariifolia is most like P. dilatata and P. stricta, whereas P. huronensis and P. hyperborea appear to have originated from crosses of P. dilatata and P. aquilonis. Platanthera huronensis, which is found across North America, has multiple origins and reciprocal maternal parentage from the diploid species. By contrast, P. hyperborea, restricted to Greenland and Iceland, appears to have originated from a small founding population of hybrids in which P. dilatata was the maternal parent. Geographic structure was found among polyploid forms in North America. The area of Manitoba, Canada appears to be a contact zone among geographically diverse forms from eastern and western North America. Given the geographic and genetic variation found, we recommend continued recognition of four green-flowered species within this complex, but caution that there may be additional cryptic taxa within North America.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3504 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALESSANDRE PEREIRA-COLAVITE ◽  
CLAUDIO J. B. DE CARVALHO

Neomuscina Townsend includes 41 species distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions. Although the genus has a large number of species, it has been ignored and its taxonomy is confusing and has many flaws. In this work we analyzed the following species recorded for Brazil: Neomuscina atincta Snyder, N. atincticosta Snyder, N. capalta Snyder, N. currani Snyder, N. douradensis Lopes & Khouri, N. goianensis Lopes & Khouri, N. inflexa (Stein), N. instabilis Snyder, N. mediana Snyder, N. mimosa Lopes & Khouri, N. neosimilis Snyder, N. nigricosta Snyder, N. paramediana Lopes & Khouri, N. pictipennis pictipennis (Bigot), N. ponti Lopes & Khouri, N. sanespra Snyder, N. schadei Snyder, N. similata Snyder, N. stabilis (Stein), N. transporta Snyder, N. vitoriae Lopes & Khouri and N. zosteris (Shannon & Del Ponte). Neomuscina nigricosta and N. transporta are new distribution records for Brazil. Three new species are described: Neomuscina anajeensis sp. nov. from Anagé (Bahia), Neomuscina maculata sp. nov. from Botelhos (Minas Gerais) and Neomuscina snyderi sp. nov. from Mata de São João (Bahia). An identification key based on the morphological characters of both male and female is provided. Species distributions are discussed and updated, and the number of species now recorded for Brazil is 29.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4965 (3) ◽  
pp. 541-557
Author(s):  
TATIANA M. TIUNOVA ◽  
ALEXANDER A. SEMENCHENKO ◽  
XIAOLI TONG

A new species, Baetis majus Tiunova sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on larvae and reared adults discovered in the Russian Far East. The differential identification of this species was determined by the characteristics of other representatives of the genus Baetis Leach, including subgenera Baetis Leach and Tenuibaetis Kang & Yang from Eastern and Western Palaearctic, Nearctic and Oriental regions. In addition to morphological studies, DNA barcoding of the described species with average intraspecific K2P distances to nearest neighbours is documented. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of all available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of the subgenera of Baetis and Tenuibaetis from four regions. Bayesian analysis using 47 morphological characters additional to partial COI sequences did not allow to determine the species-group of the Baetis genus to which the described species belongs. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (2) ◽  
pp. 709-736
Author(s):  
Jae-Cheon Sohn ◽  
Shigeki Kobayashi ◽  
Yutaka Yoshiyasu

Abstract A northward trans-Wallacean radiation is demonstrated for Chrysorthenches, a member of the Orthenches group. Here we review Chrysorthenches and allied genera resulting in a generic transfer of Diathryptica callibrya to Chrysorthenches and two new congeners: C. muraseaeSohn & Kobayashisp. nov. from Japan and C. smaragdinaSohnsp. nov. from Thailand. We review morphological characters of Chrysorthenches and allied genera, and find polyphyly of Diathryptica and the association of the Orthenches-group with Glyphipterigidae. These findings were supported in a maximum likelihood phylogeny of DNA barcodes from ten yponomeutoids. We analysed 30 morphological characters for 12 species of Chrysorthenches, plus one outgroup, via a cladistic approach. The resulting cladogram redefined two pre-existing Chrysorthenches species-groups and identified one novel lineage: the C. callibrya species-group. We review the host associations between Chrysorthenches and Podocarpaceae, based on mapping the working phylogenies. Our review suggests that ancestral Chrysorthenches colonized Podocarpus and later shifted to other podocarp genera. Biogeographical patterns of Chrysorthenches show that they evolved long after the Podocarpaceae radiation. Disjunctive trans-Wallacean distribution of the C. callibrya species-group is possibly related to the tracking of their host-plants and the complicated geological history of the island-arc system connecting Australia and East Asia.


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4413 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
DAVIDE SASSI

The genus Metallactus has been controversial since its introduction due to the ambiguous nature of the original diagnosis. This has caused some confusion in the taxonomy of Neotropical Pachybrachina. In this work the morphology of endophallus, which is useful for the characterization of species groups in several groups of Coleoptera, including Cryptocephalinae, has been analyzed. This has proven to be a good resource also in the taxonomic treatment of the species belonging to the genus Metallactus. After a careful survey on most of the species described so far, the endophallus shape in Metallactus turned out to be remarkably distinctive and very promising in the delimitation of species groups. The present work includes: a) a new diagnosis of the genus Metallactus on the basis of the aedeagal anatomy; b) the designation of the type species of the nominal genus; c) the revision of a first species-group of the genus, including the type species, hereinafter called Metallactus kollari species-group. Before this revision, catalogues had been reporting 13 species attributable to this group, in the present work three species have been synonymized and seven have been described as new to science. Therefore, the group includes 17 species. The species described as new are: Metallactus rileyi n. sp., M. bellatrix n. sp., M. longicornis n. sp.; M. londonpridei n. sp., M. regalini n. sp., M. bezoar n. sp., M. guarani n. sp. The new synonymies are as follows: Metallactus albipes Suffrian, 1866 (= M. nigrofasciatus Suffrian, 1866 n. syn.), M. albifrons Suffrian, 1866 (= M. flavofrontalis Jacoby, 1907 n. syn.), M. dodecastictus Suffrian, 1866 (= Griburius nigritarsis Jacoby, 1907 n. syn.). The lectotypes of all previously described species have been designated. The new synonymies, the name-bearing type fixations and designations and the nomenclatural acts have been critically discussed. An identification key for the species-group is also provided. 


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