A taxonomic revision of the Musician Wren, Cyphorhinus arada (Aves, Troglodytidae), reveals the existence of six valid species endemic to the Amazon basin

Zootaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4193 (3) ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
FERNANDA BOCALINI ◽  
LUÍS FÁBIO SILVEIRA

Cyphorhinus arada, an Amazonian endemic, shows considerable geographic variation in plumage that has led to the recognition of eight subspecies. These include C. a. arada, C. a. salvini, C. a. modulator, C. a. transfluvialis, C. a. interpositus, C. a. griseolateralis, C. a. urbanoi and C. a. faroensis. However, a thorough taxonomic revision of the Cyphorhinus arada complex has never been undertaken, so we revise the taxonomy based on morphological and vocal characters. We analyzed a total of 515 museum specimens and 146 voice recordings representing and encompassing the distributions of all named taxa, including those currently considered not valid. Vocal analyses showed major variation within the complex, from which several trends could be identified between populations. We concluded that six species (C. arada, C. transfluvialis, C. modulator, C. salvini, C. interpositus and C. griseolateralis) should be recognized under the Phylogenetic Species Concept based on the diagnosis of stable plumage and vocal patterns of each. 

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
OCTAVIO R. ROJAS-SOTO ◽  
ADOLFO G. NAVARRO-SIGÜENZA ◽  
ALEJANDRO ESPINOSA DE LOS MONTEROS

SummaryThe taxonomic criteria used as bases for endangered species lists can affect conservation policy decisions. We emphasize that the use of different taxonomic units affects the baselines of such lists. Recent taxonomic reviews for the Mexican avifauna provided the tools for assessing this effect on a highly diverse avifauna which is currently in need of serious conservation actions. Most ornithologists have used a taxonomy based on the biological species concept (BSC) to make decisions on species limits and therefore to set them into endangered species lists. However, the application of the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) as an alternative for delimiting species, results in a different panorama of what should be protected. Our analysis shows that the current official Mexican endangered species list, BSC based, encompasses 371 birds, ranked as 277 species and 94 subspecies. The same list of protected forms changes under the phylogenetic species concept because 47 of them are not recognized as valid species, while another 28 forms merit higher levels of protection. Additionally, under this concept another 11 forms should be candidates for inclusion based on their restricted distribution. We call attention to the fact that the use of one or another species concept affects endangered species lists.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2120 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIP A. HASTINGS ◽  
VICTOR G. SPRINGER

Species inventories for macroecology, biogeography and conservation biology rely upon accurate lists of valid species. In order to provide a more uniform taxonomic treatment for blennioid fishes, we evaluated the taxonomic status of 21 species with currently recognized subspecies. In six cases we found no compelling evidence for recognizing these nominal forms as distinct species. However, in 15 cases, evidence exists for elevating 17 subspecies to full species status based on currently used criteria for delimiting fish species. This evidence includes the existence of significant phenotypic and/or genetic differences supporting the hypothesis that they are on distinct evolutionary pathways in accordance with a phylogenetic species concept. Known distributions of affected species are modified accordingly. Most of these elevated species are separated from their closest relatives by well-known biogeographic barriers.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 444 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-76
Author(s):  
ANDREW HENDERSON

A taxonomic revision of the neotropical palm genus Attalea based on morphological data was carried out. Nine hundred and two herbarium specimens were scored for 21 quantitative and 33 qualitative variables. Using the Phylogenetic Species Concept, qualitative variables were used to recognize 30 species. These are widely distributed in Central and South America from Mexico to Bolivia and Paraguay, with one species in Haiti. Nomenclature, descriptions, and distribution maps are provided for each species. Qualitative variables are illustrated, and illustrations of 22 living plants are also provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Richardson

As a consequence of genetic studies of population structuring, the usefulness of subspecies has been questioned, with opinions divided. The situation is further confused by the use of varying species and subspecies concepts. Most alternatives require each taxon to be following an independent evolutionary trajectory. These include traditional approaches and the more recent phylogenetic species concept. The latter has led to large increases in the apparent number of taxa in some groups, though strong objections have been raised to this approach. An alternative, the ecological species concept, has been opposed by phylogeneticists. These two approaches are compared using morphological and genetic data from common wallaroo (Osphranter robustus) populations. The different taxonomies that might result (many species, one species with two subspecies, one species with no subspecies) can have significant consequences for legislative and management decisions. The ecological approach is considered preferable for subspecies and the present taxonomy is maintained. A potential location of the boundary between the wallaroo subspecies is proposed. How the use of the different subspecies definitions would affect legislative decisions is explored.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vavalidis ◽  
Zogaris ◽  
Economou ◽  
Kallimanis ◽  
Bobori

Freshwater fishes are key indicators for delineating biogeographical maps worldwide. However, controversy in regional-scale ichthyogeographic boundaries still persists, especially in areas of high species endemicity, such as in Greece. One problem concerns the taxonomy of the fishes because there have been extensive changes, mainly due to an increased splitting of species in recent years in Europe. Here, we explore why ichthyogeographic boundary disagreements and uncertainties in region-scale biogeographical units persist. We compare cluster analyses of river basin fish fauna in Greece using two taxonomic datasets: the older fish taxonomy (from 1991) and the current taxonomy that now follows the phylogenetic species concept (PSC), which has become widely established in Europe after 2007. Cluster analyses using the older fish taxonomy depicts only two major biogeographical regional divisions, while the current taxonomy defines four major regional divisions in mainland Greece. Interestingly, some older maps from the pre-PSC taxonomy era also similarly show four ichthyogeographic divisions in Greece and we can assume that the older biogeographical work did not solely use numerical taxonomy but followed an expert-guided synthesis; the older regional definitions have persisted quite well despite radical changes in Europe’s fish taxonomy. Through the prism of biodiversity conservation planning, we hope this review may help identify ways to help standardize policy-relevant biogeographical mapping.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 445 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-656
Author(s):  
ANDREW HENDERSON

A revision of Calamus was carried out based on morphological data. Eight thousand, six hundred and thirty-three herbarium specimens were examined and scored for 14 quantitative and 157 qualitative variables. Application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept to 516 preliminary species of Calamus resulted in recognition of 411 phylogenetic species. Of these, 38 are recognized as new (C. barisanensis, C. brevissimus, C. brunneus, C. calciphilus, C. densifloropsis, C. disjunctus, C. divergens, C. exiguus, C. furvus, C. gaharuensis, C. goramensis, C. heteracanthopsis, C. hosensis, C. impressus, C. insolitus, C. insularis, C. johanis, C. kinabaluensis, C. kubahensis, C. latus, C. lengguanii, C. lobatus, C. notabilis, C. obiensis, C. oresbiopsis, C. oxleyoides, C. pahangensis, C. powlingii, C. saltuensis, C. seropakensis, C. spinosus, C. sulawesiensis, C. tambingensis, C. tapanensis, C. trigynus, C. vinaceus, C. viridis, C. wedaensis). Analysis of quantitative variables and geographic distributions resulted in the division of 11 species into 36 subspecies. Eight species were considered to be ochlospecies (C. erioacanthus, C. inermis, C. javensis, C. melanochaetes, C. micranthus, C. moseleyanus, C. plicatus, C. siphonospathus). Nomenclature, descriptions, and distribution maps are provided for all species. Images of the type specimens of all new species are provided as well as images of most qualitative variables. One hundred and forty–three species are illustrated with images from living plants.


2005 ◽  
Vol 176 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-225
Author(s):  
Jean Génermont

Abstract In 1980, Henri Tintant advocated the usefulness of the biological species concept in paleontology. At this time, this concept was still accepted by many neontologists, but it was already rather severely criticized by some others. In fact, a lot of new concepts appeared in the course of the following two decades. While a few ones are mere adjustments of the biological concept, for instance taking in account ecological criteria, in such a way that it could be applied to clonal organisms, some others, which were developed in connexion with the cladistic theory of taxonomy, are truly new from a conceptual point of view. The diagnosable version of the phylogenetic species concept is somewhat reminiscent of Simpson’s evolutionary species concept, since it accepts phyletic speciation as well as survival of the stem species after a cladogenetic event. One of its more criticizable features, from a cladistic point of view, is that the species are not necessarilly monophyletic. On another hand, according to the monophyly version of the phylogenetic species concept, species are recognized rather subjectively as monophyletic taxa revealed by some previous cladistic analysis dealing with operational taxonomic units. A consensus on the definition of species cannot be expected, since all concepts related to the biological one are founded on population grouping on the basis of potentially identical evolutionary fates, while those which are related to cladistic taxonomy are exclusively concerned with historical features.


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Z. Barrett

The Nimravidae is a family of extinct carnivores commonly referred to as “false saber-tooth cats.” Since their initial discovery, they have prompted difficulty in taxonomic assignments and number of valid species. Past revisions have only examined a handful of genera, while recent advances in cladistic and morphometric analyses have granted us additional avenues to answering questions regarding our understanding of valid nimravid taxa and their phylogenetic relationships. To resolve issues of specific validity, the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) was utilized to maintain consistency in diagnosing valid species, while simultaneously employing character and linear morphometric analyses for confirming the validity of taxa. Determined valid species and taxonomically informative characters were then employed in two differential cladistic analyses to create competing hypotheses of interspecific relationships. The results suggest the validity of twelve species and six monophyletic genera. The first in depth reviews ofPogonodonandDinictisreturned two valid species (P. platycopis,P. davisi) for the former, while only one for the latter (D. felina). The taxonomic validity ofNanosmilusis upheld. Two main clades with substantial support were returned for all cladistic analyses, the Hoplophoneini and Nimravini, with ambiguous positions relative to these main clades for the European taxa:Eofelis,Dinailurictis bonali, andQuercylurus major; and the North American taxaDinictisandPogonodon.Eusmilusis determined to represent a non-valid genus for North American taxa, suggesting non-validity for Old World nimravid species as well. Finally,Hoplophoneus mentalisis found to be a junior synonym ofHoplophoneus primaevus, while the validity ofHoplophoneus oharraiis reinstated.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document