A comprehensive and integrative re-description of Synchaeta tremula (Müller, 1786) and the newly rediscovered Synchaeta tremuloida Pourriot, 1965 (Rotifera: Synchaetidae)

In this paper, we focus on the two morphologically similar species Synchaeta tremula (Müller, 1786) and Synchaeta tremuloida Pourriot, 1965. This study records one of the first detections of the latter species since its initial description and clarifies its uncertain taxonomic status. Using an integrative approach combining morphological data (from light and scanning electron microscopy) with molecular and ecological data, we present re-descriptions of S. tremula and S. tremuloida and confirm their status as separate species. Finally, we also provide a unique character set that can be readily applied to unambiguously identify each species using easily observable features.

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Integrative description of Hypsibius repentinus sp. nov. (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) from Sweden

Zoosystematica Rossica ◽

10.31610/zsr/2021.30.1.101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 101-115

Author(s):

D.V. Tumanov ◽

G.S. Avdeeva

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

Species Group ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Similar Species ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Morphometric Characters ◽

Morphological Diagnosis ◽

A New Species ◽

Scanning Electron ◽

Hypsibius Dujardini

A new species of tardigrade from the genus Hypsibius Ehrenberg, 1848 is described from the bottom sediments of a small lake in the central part of Scandinavian Peninsula (Sweden), using an integrative approach, i.e. morphological techniques (light and scanning electron microscopy) combined with a molecular analysis (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI markers). Hypsibius repentinus sp. nov. belongs to the Hypsibius dujardini species–group and differs from the most similar species of this group in having a second macroplacoid with a definite constriction and in some other morphometric characters. Morphological diagnosis for the Hypsibius dujardini species–group is proposed, and its composition is discussed.

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Assessing the status of critically endangered Kondana soft-furred rat (Millardia kondana) using integrative taxonomy: combining evidence from morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2019-0056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 392-406

Author(s):

Sameer B. Bajaru ◽

Aparna Lajmi ◽

Ranjit Manakadan ◽

Amol R. Kulavmode ◽

Uma Ramakrishnan

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Niche Modeling ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Sister Relationship ◽

Environmental Niche Modeling ◽

Precipitation Seasonality ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractKondana soft-furred rat is a critically endangered (CR) species, known from a single locality – Sinhgad in the northern Western Ghats, India. However, the taxonomic status of this species is uncertain due to its close resemblance to the widely distributed soft-furred field rat Millardia meltada, which has serious implications on the conservation status of Millardia kondana. In this study, we assessed the current taxonomic status of M. kondana through an integrative approach combining morphological, molecular and environmental niche modeling analyses. We collected morphological data from the specimens around Sinhgad as well as preserved specimens in the museum. Both morphological and two-dimensional (2D) morphometrical analyses showed a significant difference between M. kondana and M. meltada. Molecular phylogeny based on cytochrome b gene revealed a sister relationship between M. kondana and M. meltada, and both species form distinct well-supported monophyletic clades. Niche modeling also predicted niche segregation between the two species: M. kondana preferred areas with a high elevation and precipitation seasonality while M. meltada favored regions with a low elevation and precipitation. We confirmed that M. kondana is taxonomically distinct from M. meltada, and based on our estimates of its occurrence and occupancy, M. kondana continues to be treated as CR until further detailed investigations.

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DNA barcodes combined with geometric morphometry challenge species hypothesis in palaemonid shrimp

ARPHA Conference Abstracts ◽

10.3897/aca.4.e65363 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Author(s):

Aleksandra Jablonska ◽

Nicolas Navarro ◽

Remi Laffont ◽

Remi Wattier ◽

Vladimir Pesic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Balkan Peninsula ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Shape Variation ◽

Separate Species ◽

Geometric Morphometric ◽

The Balkans ◽

Operational Taxonomic Units ◽

Freshwater Shrimps ◽

Coi Sequences

Although the Mediterranean Region is known as a hotspot for biodiversity and endemism its freshwater fauna is still greatly unexplored, and even the emblematic taxa such as decapods require in-depth integrative investigation. In our research we used integrative approach composed of various geometric morphometric and molecular methods to challenge the taxonomic status of two freshwater shrimps representing Palaemonidae: Palaemon antennarius and Palaemon minos. Basing on 352 COI sequences, three Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) were defined. Two of them belonged to P. antennarius: first inhabiting Apennine Peninsula and Sicily, the second one from the Balkan Peninsula. The third MOTU corresponded to Palaemon minos from Crete. The Balkan MOTU of P. antennarius was closer to P. minos in terms of genetics, than to the other conspecific MOTU. The carapace shape variation, studied on 180 individuals, was mainly explained by the geographic distribution. Balkan and Cretan groups were clearly distinguished, while other samples were distributed along the shape gradient from Sicily and southern Apennine Peninsula to the Balkans. The results of our study showed that, either the MOTU assigned to the Apennine Peninsula and Sicily constitutes a separate species or, alternatively, P. minos should be synonymised with P. antennarius.

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First records of the fanged frogs Limnonectes bannaensis Ye, Fei & Jiang, 2007 and L. utara Matsui, Belabut & Ahmad, 2014 (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae) in Thailand

Biodiversity Data Journal ◽

10.3897/bdj.9.e67253 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Chatmongkon Suwannapoom ◽

Ke Jiang ◽

Yun-He Wu ◽

Parinya Pawangkhanant ◽

Sengvilay Lorphengsy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptic Species ◽

Species Complex ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Species Identity ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Species Complexes ◽

Cryptic Species Complex

The taxonomic status of the Thai populations belonging to the Limnonectes kuhlii species complex is controversial, due to phenotypic similarity in the cryptic species complex. Recently, some studies on this group in Thailand have discovered four new species: L. taylori, L. megastomias, L. jarujini and L. isanensis. Even so, the diversity of this group is still incomplete. Based on an integrative approach encompassing genetic and morphological analyses, we conclude that the Limnonectes populations from Nan Province (northern) and Yala Province (southern) of Thailand are conspecific with L. bannaensis Ye, Fei & Jiang, 2007 and L. utara Matsui, Belabut & Ahmad, 2014, respectively. These are the first records of these species in Thailand. Our study highlights the importance of using DNA sequence data in combination with morphological data to accurately document species identity and diversity. This is especially important for morphologically cryptic species complexes and sympatrically occurring congeners.

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Five new Achnanthidiaceae species (Bacillariophyta) from Jiuzhai Valley, Sichuan Province, Southwestern China

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.405.3.5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 405 (3) ◽

pp. 147

Author(s):

P. YU ◽

Q-M. YOU ◽

W-T. PANG ◽

Y. CAO ◽

Q-X. WANG

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

New Species ◽

Light Microscopy ◽

Southwest China ◽

Sichuan Province ◽

Similar Species ◽

Separate Species ◽

Outline Shape ◽

Scanning Electron

Five new species are described in this study: Achnanthidium jiuzhaienis sp. nov., Achnanthidium epilithica sp. nov., Achnanthidium limosua sp. nov., Achnanthidium subtilissimum sp. nov., and Kolbesia sichuanenis sp. nov. Classification was based on light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A. jiuzhaienis sp. nov. belongs to the “A. pyrenaicum complex” of the genus Achnanthidium, this classification was based on certain characteristics, such as the possession of transpically-elongated areolae and deflected external distal raphe fissures. A. epilithica sp. nov., A. limosua sp. nov., and A. subtilissimum sp. nov. belong to the “A. minutissimum complex” of the genus Achnanthidium, this classification was based on certain characteristics, such as the possession of straight external distal raphe fissures and round or elliptical areolae. Kolbesia sichuanenis sp. nov. was found to belongs to the Kolbesia genus, based on its elongated areolae and striae comprised of one macroareola. All five species were sufficiently different from other similar species to be considered unique separate species based on their valve outline, shape of the axial and center areas, and density of striae of each taxon. These new species derived from the epilithic and epiphytic collections of four alkaline lakes in Jiuzhai Valley, Sichuan Province, Southwest China.

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Taxonomic reexamination of Portulaca okinawensis (Portulacaceae) inthe Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan based on molecular and morphological data

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.117.1.2 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 117 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

GORO KOKUBUGATA ◽

KOH NAKAMURA ◽

YUMIKO HIRAYAMA ◽

MASATSUGU YOKOTA

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Ryukyu Islands ◽

Ryukyu Archipelago ◽

Separate Species ◽

New Variety ◽

Orange Yellow ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Bright Green ◽

Amami Islands

We used molecular phylogenetic and morphological data to reexamine the taxonomic status of Portulaca okinawensis (≡ P. pilosa subsp. okinawensis) endemic to the central Ryukyu islands, southwestern Japan. Our molecular analyses showed that P. okinawensis is monophyletic, sister to the clade of P. psammotropha and P. tuberosa and it is not closely related to P. pilosa subsp. pilosa. Two subclades, one comprising plants from the Okinawa Islands and the other from the Amami Islands, were recognized. The plants from the Okinawa Islands had more than 20 stamens, orange-yellow nallowly obovate to oblanceolate petals, and reddish-green stems (as the holotype), while the plants from the Amami Islands had less than 20 stamens, lemon-colored obovate petals, and bright-green stems. The molecular and morphological data support a taxonomic treatment of Walker & Tawada (1951) regarding P. okinawensis as a separate species, also suggesting that the plants from the Amami and Okinawa islands should be treated as different taxa. A new variety Portulaca okinawensis var. amamiensis was here described.

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Taxonomy of rock-wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). IV. Multifaceted study of the brachyotis group identifies additional taxa

Australian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1071/zo13095 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 62 (5) ◽

pp. 401 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Sally Potter ◽

Robert L. Close ◽

David A. Taggart ◽

Steven J. B. Cooper ◽

Mark D. B. Eldridge

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Sensu Stricto ◽

Northern Territory ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Separate Species ◽

Phylogenetic Structure ◽

True Diversity

Defining taxonomic units is an important component of understanding how biodiversity has formed, and in guiding efforts to sustain it. Understanding patterns of biodiversity across the monsoonal tropics of northern Australia is limited, with molecular technology revealing deep phylogenetic structure and complex evolutionary histories. The brachyotis group of rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.), which currently consists of three species (Petrogale brachyotis, P. burbidgei and P. concinna) distributed across north-western Australia, provides an example where current taxonomy does not reflect the true diversity or phylogenetic relationships within the group. We have used an integrative approach, combining morphological data, together with DNA sequences (~1000 bp mitochondrial DNA; ~3000 bp nuclear DNA) to resolve relationships within P. brachyotis. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses indicated that P. brachyotis (sensu lato) represents at least two separate species: P. brachyotis (sensu stricto) from the Kimberley and western Northern Territory, and P. wilkinsi from the northern and eastern Northern Territory. Petrogale brachyotis (sensu stricto) can be separated on genetic and morphological evidence into two subspecies: P. b. brachyotis and P. b. victoriae (subsp. nov.). Distinct genetic lineages have also been identified within both P. brachyotis and P. wilkinsi, as well as within P. burbidgei and P. concinna.

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Revision of Navicula striolata (Grunow) Lange-Bertalot and N. rumaniensis Hustedt with the description of N. friedelhinziae sp. nov.

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.204.3.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 204 (3) ◽

pp. 117

Author(s):

Agata Zofia Wojtal ◽

Nadja Ognjanova-Rumenova ◽

Krisztina Buczko ◽

Janusz Siwek ◽

Bart Van de Vijver

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Type Material ◽

Similar Species ◽

Separate Species ◽

Modern Material ◽

Poor Understanding ◽

The Status ◽

Study Type ◽

Scanning Electron

Navicula striolata was originally described as N. digitoradiata var. striolata from modern material collected in Sweden. After examination of a sample collected from Belgium, the variety was transferred to N. reinhardtii as N. reinhardti var. gracilior. From this time a large mix up of these and related taxa was observed in the literature. A similar species, Navicula rumaniensis had also been established in 1934 from Neogene Romanian materials but there has been much confusion regarding the status of these taxa, leading to a poor understanding of their distribution. In this study, type material of Navicula digitoradiata var. striolata, N. reinhardtii var. gracilior and N. rumaniensis are revised using light and scanning electron microscopy in order to clarify their identity and to investigate possible conspecificity. The results indicate that these species are not synonyms. Conspecificity of the modern N. digitoradiata var. striolata and N. reinhardti var. gracilior was confirmed and lectotypes of both varieties have been designated whereas N. rumaniensis proved to be a separate species. In addition, the study of Neogene material from Bulgaria revealed the presence of a new Navicula taxon—N. friedelhinziae. The morphology of these and similar taxa is discussed.

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Consolidated data on the phylogeny and evolution of the family Tritoniidae (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) contribute to genera reassessment and clarify the taxonomic status of the neuroscience models Tritonia and Tochuina

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0242103 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. e0242103

Author(s):

Tatiana Korshunova ◽

Alexander Martynov

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Model Systems ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Crown Group ◽

Taxonomic Assignment ◽

Species Identity ◽

Separate Species ◽

The Family ◽

First Time

Nudibranch molluscs of the family Tritoniidae are widely used neuroscience model systems for understand the behavioural and genetic bases of learning and memory. However species identity and genus-level taxonomic assignment of the tritoniids remain contested. Herein we present a taxonomic review of the family Tritoniidae using integration of molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphological and biogeographical data. For the first time the identity of the model species Tritonia tetraquetra (Pallas, 1788) and Tritonia exsulans Bergh, 1894 is confirmed. T. tetraquetra distributes across the large geographic and bathymetric distances in the North-Eastern (NE) and North-Western (NW) Pacific. In turn, at NE Pacific coasts the separate species T. exsulans is commonly occured. Thus, it reveals a misidentification of T. tetraquetra and T. exsulans species in neuroscience applications. Presence of more hidden lineages within NW Pacific T. tetraquetra is suggested. The long lasting confusion over identity of the species from the genera Tritonia and Tochuina is resolved using molecular and morphological data. We also disprove a common indication about “edible T. tetraquetra” at the Kuril Islands. It is shown that Tochuina possesses specialized tritoniid features and also some characters of “arminacean nudibranchs”, such as Doridoxa and Heterodoris. Diagnoses for the families Doridoxidae and Heterodorididae are provided. Taxonomy of the genus Doridoxa is clarified and molecular data for the genus Heterodoris presented for the first time. A taxonomic synopsis for the family Tritoniidae is provided. A new genus among tritoniid taxa is proposed. Importance of the ontogeny-based taxonomy is highlighted. The cases when apomorphic characters considerably modified in a crown group due to the paedomorphosis are revealed. Tracing of the character evolution is presented for secondary gills–a key external feature of the family Tritoniidae and traditional dendronotacean nudibranchs.

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The taxonomic status of Cossus cossus afghanistanus (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) from Afghanistan: insights from molecular and morphological data

Ukrainian Journal of Ecology ◽

10.15421/2017_61 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 134-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

N. A. Shapoval ◽

R. V. Yakovlev ◽

G. N. Kuftina

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Separate Species ◽

Morphological Differences

In our study we use a 658 bp fragment of the COI gene to analyze a taxon from Afghanistan usually treated in literature as Cossus cossus afghanistanus (Daniel, 1953). The previous conclusions on taxonomy and nomenclature were not supported by molecular data therefore the question of identity of this taxon has remained unverified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed C. c. afghanistanus to be strongly differentiated from nominotypical Cossus cossus (Linnaeus, 1758) (p-distance: 6.7% ± 1.5%). Cossus c. afghanistanus forms a distinct well-supported clade in ML and BI trees. This fact, together with prominent morphological differences (wing color and genitalia structure) shows that C. c. afghanistanus represent a separate species rather than a subspecies of Cossus cossus.

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