Species delimitations in the Atractus collaris complex (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4392 (3) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAULO PASSOS ◽  
ANA L. C. PRUDENTE ◽  
LUCIANA O. RAMOS ◽  
JOSÉ RANCES CAICEDO-PORTILLA ◽  
JOHN D. LYNCH

We reassessed the taxonomic status of the species in the Atractus collaris complex (A. alphonsehogei, A. collaris, A. limitaneus, and A. gaigeae) on the basis of congruence between quantitative and qualitative morphological characters (meristic, morphometric, color pattern, hemipenis, and scale microdematoglyphics) along its wide geographical distribution. Our results support the recognition of three species with apparently fixed diagnostic characters. We propose the synonymization of Atractus limitaneus with A. collaris based on the wide overlap of all morphological character systems here analyzed, as well as on the basis of examination of the holotype and two topotypes of A. limitaneus. Finally, we discuss the geographical variation and morphological distinction of A. alphonsehogei, A. collaris and A. gaigeae. Furthermore, we provide a dichotomous key for all recognized species in the A. collaris species group. 

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 317 (4) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
OTÁVIO LUIS MARQUES DA SILVA ◽  
INÊS CORDEIRO

Within Astraea Klotzsch (1841: 194), Astraea lobata (Linnaeus 1753: 1005) Klotzsch (1841: 194) may be considered the most taxonomically complex species due to its wide geographical distribution and the several varieties that have been proposed for this species by Müller Argoviensis (1866, 1874). In his concept, Müller Argoviensis (1866) united under Croton lobatus Linnaeus (1753: 1005) plants with 3–5-partite leaves almost as long as the petioles, subulate stipules, the bracts not well developed and ovaries with varied indumentum. In De Candolles’s Prodromus, Müller Argoviensis (1866) recognized eight varieties, maintaining this concept in the Flora Brasiliensis (Müller Argoviensis 1874) with few modifications. Morphological characters and geographical distribution support the recognition of some of these varieties as species distinct from A. lobata. As part of an undergoing taxonomic revision of Astraea, these distinct taxa must be validly published for further studies on this genus. Therefore, in this note we propose these novelties with commentaries about morphology and geographic distribution, along with photos to illustrate them and lectotypifications when necessary.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 367 (3) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
TIAGO D. M. BARBOSA ◽  
RAFAELA J. TRAD ◽  
MIKLOS M. BAJAY ◽  
MARIA I. ZUCCHI ◽  
MARIA DO CARMO E. DO AMARAL

Cabomba schwartzii was described by Rataj in 1977. The species discovered in the Brazilian Amazon was said to differ from other Cabomba species in having two sepals, two petals and a lobate petal base. According to the 1991 study of Ørgaard, C. schwartzii is similar to C. aquatica in other morphological characters (C. aquatica has flowers with three sepals and three petals) and since variation in number of floral parts is common in the genus, Ørgaard synonymized both species. After an analysis of C. schwartzii type material, other herbarium collections and location of four populations (two with C. schwartzii characteristics and two with C. aquatica characteristics), we conducted an integrated morphological and genetic study to evaluate whether or not C. schwartzii is a distinct species from C. aquatica. The results reveal the species to be distinct from each other and therefore C. schwartzii should be reestablished. The floral formula for C. schwartzii is K2 C2 A2+2 G1, versus K3 C3 A3+3 G2 for C. aquatica. A detailed species description and the geographical distribution of C. schwartzii are presented with a dichotomous key to distinguish both species, together with illustrations.


1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.M. Herselman ◽  
J.H. Van Wyk ◽  
P. le F.N. Mouton

AbstractTo evaluate the taxonomic status of the races of the graceful crag lizard, Pseudocordylus capensis, geographical variation in 44 external morphological characters was determined, using 97 specimens from 31 localities. Two different epiphenotypes predominate in the northern and southwestern parts of the distribution range. These epiphenotypes are, however, connected by a continuum of variation. It is therefore suggested that the recognition of races be abandoned in the formal taxonomy. Several new distribution records for the species are provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2913 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTINA E. POCCO ◽  
GONZALO D. RUBIO ◽  
M. MARTA CIGLIANO

A new species of the romaleid grasshopper genus Zoniopoda Stål (Romaleidae: Romaleini) is described and illustrated from the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba Province, central Argentina. A cladistic analysis based on morphological characters indicates that the genus Zoniopoda constitutes a monophyletic group and that Zoniopoda serrana n. sp. must be assigned to Iheringi species group based on synapomorphies of the pronotum and body color. The new species is similar to Z. similis Bruner from Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil, from which it can be distinguished by the color pattern of the body, shape of the pronotal dorso-median carina and characters of the male terminalia and epiphallus. This paper has been formatted with embedded links to images of the type specimen, maps based on georeferenced specimen data for the genus and an updated key to the species of Zoniopoda available on the Orthoptera Species File (OSF) online (http://orthoptera.speciesfile.org).


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3577 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
HIROYUKI TAKAOKA

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) Enderlein, the third largest (206 named species included) in the genus Simulium Latreille s. l., is one of the two most abundant and diverse subgenera in the Oriental Region. To provide a classification scheme to facilitate morphological identification of the species within this subgenus, its diagnostic characters are redefined, and nine known species-groups within it are reviewed. Based on putative lineages explored by using certain adult morphological characters, seven more species-groups are proposed: asakoae, darjeelingense, epistum, gombakense, heldsbachense, hemicyclium and palauense species-groups, while the trirugosum species-group is merged in the varicorne species-group. Subgroups are also introduced to represent apparently different lineages within certain species-groups based on certain pupal morphological characters: two in the banauense species-group, seven in the batoense species-group redefined, four in the ceylonicum species-group redefined, four in the epistum species-group, two in the hemicyclium species-group, two in the sherwoodi species-group and four in the varicorne species-group redefined. A new checklist of species of the subgenus Gomphostilbia, and a key to all 15 species-groups within it are provided. The eastward expansion of the geographical distribution of the subgenus Gomphostilbia is inferred on the basis of the more frequent occurrence of apomorphic characters of certain adult and pupal morphological features in insular species-groups than in continental species-groups. A preliminary attempt using a cladistic analysis of morphological characters shows that among 10 subgenera examined, Gomphostilbia has a sister-taxon relationship with the Australasian subgenus Morops Enderlein, and this clade, together with the Central-Western Pacific subgenus Inseliellum Rubtsov, is positioned closest to the most derived clade formed by Daviesellum Takaoka & Adler and Simulium Latreille s. str.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2294 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAINER SONNENBERG ◽  
ECKHARD BUSCH

The phylogeny of the West African genus Archiaphyosemion was studied with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. The results of the combined dataset presented here did not support a monophyletic group. After the exclusion of the type species of the genus, A. guineense, the remaining species form a well-supported monophyletic group. Based on these molecular results and supported by morphological data, we suggest a new name for this group, Nimbapanchax, new genus. Additionally, based on a recent collection in Guinea, two new Nimbapanchax species were described. The taxon Nimbapanchax leucopterygius, new species, is described for a nothobranchiid fish formerly misidentified as Archiaphyosemion maeseni (Poll, 1941). Nimbapanchax melanopterygius, new species, is described from the Mount Nimba region in southeastern Guinea. Both new Nimbapanchax species are clearly distinguished from their congeners by the coloration pattern of adult males. The results of the DNA data support the assumption based on color pattern and morphological characters that the new described species are sister taxa. The type of Aphyosemion maeseni Poll, 1941 was reexamined and transferred to the genus Epiplatys, a decision based on diagnostic morphological characters.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4577 (2) ◽  
pp. 335 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAFAELA P. OTA ◽  
FLÁVIO C. T. LIMA ◽  
MAX H. HIDALGO

We described herein a new Hemigrammus from the río Madre de Dios and rio Mamoré basins in southeastern Peru and Bolivia. The new species possess a color pattern similar to those belonging to the Hemigrammus lunatus species-group, i.e., a broad longitudinal dark stripe across the eye and a conspicuous, narrow dark stripe along the anal-fin basis. It can be easily diagnosed from the species belonging to this group by presenting the combination of the following characters: an oval, horizontally elongated humeral blotch, 6-7 upper branch and 10-12 lower branch gill-rakers, up to five cusps on broader maxillary teeth, and by lacking a midlateral dark stripe. Comments on its putative relationships are provided. Additionally, we updated the geographical distribution of Hemigrammus lunatus and H. machadoi based on an exhaustive survey of material deposited in collections. [Species Zoobank registration: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:A2ED5D61-8434-4A0F-BC5B-B496FB3DC191] 


1992 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.T. Dang

AbstractMale genitalia of Choristoneura species from the Nearctic Region and Palaearctic Region are described and illustrated. The study revealed that the male genitalia are among the most important body parts that contain valuable morphological characters for species distinction or grouping in this genus. They are potentially useful in the clarification of the taxonomic status of species in closely related species groups, such as the spruce budworm species complex in North America.On the basis of 17 interpretable male genital characters and their corresponding evolutionary states, the phylogeny of the genus Choristoneura is inferred and proposed. Nine species groups are recognized: (1) fumiferana, pinus, biennis, orae, occidentalis, lambertiana, carnana, retiniana, and spaldingiana; (2) diversana, murinana, metasequoiacola, and jezoensis; (3) longicellana; (4) lafauryana; (5) conflictana and fractivittana; (6) hebenstreitella, adumbratana, and luticostana; (7) albaniana and lapponana; (8) rosaceana and parallela; and (9) obsoletana and zapulata.Morphological evidence obtained in the present study suggests that two conifer-feeding species groups of Choristoneura, species group 1 from the Nearctic Region and species group 2 from the Palaearctic Region, are related. They represent the least evolved species groups in the genus. Choristoneura rosaceana, C. parallela, C. obsoletana, and C. zapulata, representing some of the species feeding on deciduous trees, are among the most evolved Choristoneura species.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Koch ◽  
Angele Martins ◽  
Silke Schweiger

We describe a new species of Epictia based on eight specimens from Nicaragua collected and housed in the collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna for more than a century. The species differs from the congeners by the combination of external morphological characters: midtail scale rows 10; supralabials two, anterior one large and in broad contact with supraocular; infralabials four; subcaudals 14–19; middorsal scale rows 250–267; supraocular scales present; frontal scale distinct; striped dorsal color pattern with more or less triangular dark blotches on each scale; small white blotch in anterior part of dorsal surface of rostral present in five out of six specimens (two further specimens are lacking their heads); terminal spine and adjacent scales white. Eidonomic species separation from other Epictia spp. is also supported by a few qualitative and quantitative differences in vertebrae count and morphology. The new species is putatively assigned to the Epictia phenops species group based on external morphological characters and distribution.


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