Systematics of the Mesalina guttulata species complex (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Arabia with the description of two new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4429 (3) ◽  
pp. 513 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERTO SINDACO ◽  
MARC SIMÓ-RIUDALBAS ◽  
ROBERTO SACCHI ◽  
SALVADOR CARRANZA
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Northwestern India ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Lacertid Lizards ◽  
Phylogenetic Lineages

Mesalina are small diurnal lacertid lizards inhabiting arid areas from North Africa to northwestern India. Previous phylogenetic studies have shown the existence of several species complexes within the genus, some of them with high levels of undiscovered diversity. In the present study, we carry out an integrative systematic revision of the Mesalina guttulata species complex using both molecular and morphological data from across its entire distribution range in North Africa, the Middle East and Arabia. The results of the genetic analyses indicate that M. guttulata and M. bahaeldini are two allopatric sister taxa separated by the Suez Canal and that the species complex includes a further three unnamed deep phylogenetic lineages, two of them restricted to southern and southwestern Arabia and described herein as Mesalina austroarabica sp. nov. and Mesalina arnoldi sp. nov., respectively. As a result of the lack of enough material, the third deep lineage, distributed across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is provisionally left undescribed. The two newly described species are characterized by their size, scale counts and tail coloration, as well as differences at the three mitochondrial and one nuclear gene analyzed in the present study. 

scholarly journals Optimal markers for the identification ofColletotrichumspecies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willie Anderson dos Santos Vieira ◽  
Priscila Alves Bezerra ◽  
Anthony Carlos da Silva ◽  
Josiene Silva Veloso ◽  
Marcos Paz Saraiva Câmara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Plant Pathogens ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Intergenic Spacer ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacers ◽  
Type Locus ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Fungal Plant Pathogens ◽  
Species Complexes

ABSTRACTColletotrichumis among the most important genera of fungal plant pathogens. Molecular phylogenetic studies over the last decade have resulted in a much better understanding of the evolutionary relationships and species boundaries within the genus. There are now approximately 200 species accepted, most of which are distributed among 13 species complexes. Given their prominence on agricultural crops around the world, rapid identification of a large collection ofColletotrichumisolates is routinely needed by plant pathologists, regulatory officials, and fungal biologists. However, there is no agreement on the best molecular markers to discriminate species in each species complex. Here we calculate the barcode gap distance and intra/inter-specific distance overlap to evaluate each of the most commonly applied molecular markers for their utility as a barcode for species identification. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), histone-3 (HIS3), DNA lyase (APN2), intergenic spacer between DNA lyase and the mating-type locusMAT1-2-1 (APN2/MAT-IGS), and intergenic spacer between GAPDH and a hypothetical protein (GAP2-IGS) have the properties of good barcodes, whereas sequences of actin (ACT), chitin synthase (CHS-1) and nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacers (nrITS) are not able to distinguish most species. Finally, we assessed the utility of these markers for phylogenetic studies using phylogenetic informativeness profiling, the genealogical sorting index (GSI), and Bayesian concordance analyses (BCA). Although GAPDH, HIS3 and β-tubulin (TUB2) were frequently among the best markers, there was not a single set of markers that were best for all species complexes. Eliminating markers with low phylogenetic signal tends to decrease uncertainty in the topology, regardless of species complex, and leads to a larger proportion of markers that support each lineage in the Bayesian concordance analyses. Finally, we reconstruct the phylogeny of each species complex using a minimal set of phylogenetic markers with the strongest phylogenetic signal and find the majority of species are strongly supported as monophyletic.

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

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.

scholarly journals Additions to Philippine slender skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) IV: Resurrection and redescription of Brachymeles burksi

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Recognition ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Phenotypic Characteristics ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Limb Reduction ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Meristic Counts

The diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles has increased over the last few decades, in part due to re-evaluation of species formerly believed to be widespread. Many of these investigations of widespread species have uncovered multiple closely related cryptic lineages comprising species complexes, each restricted to individual Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complexes (PAICs). One group in particular for which widespread cryptic diversity has been common is the clade of Philippine skinks of the genus Brachymeles. Recent phylogenetic studies of the formerly recognized widespread species Brachymeles bonitae have indicated that this species is actually a complex distributed across several major PAICs and smaller island groups in the central and northern Philippines, with numerous species that exhibit an array of digit loss and limb reduction patterns. Despite the recent revisions to the B. bonitae species complex, studies suggest that unique cryptic lineages still exist within this group. In this paper, we resurrect the species Brachymeles burksi Taylor 1917, for a lineage of non-pentadactyl, semi-fossorial skink from Mindoro and Marinduque islands. First described in 1917, B. burksi was synonymized with B. bonitae in 1956, and has rarely been reconsidered since. Evaluation of genetic and morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements), and comparison of recently-obtained specimens to Taylor’s original description support this species’ recognition, as does its insular distribution on isolated islands in the central portions of the archipelago. Morphologically, B. burksi is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a suite of unique phenotypic characteristics, including a small body size, digitless limbs, a high number of presacral vertebrae, the absence of auricular openings, and discrete (non-overlapping) meristic scale counts. The recognition of this central Philippine species further increases the diversity of non-pentadactyl members of the B. bonitae complex, and reinforces the biogeographic uniqueness of the Mindoro faunal region. KEYWORDS: biodiversity, endemism, faunal region, fossoriality, limb reduction

scholarly journals Distribution of naked amoebae in the soils of the steppe zone of Ukraine

2020 ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
M. Patsyuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Multidimensional Scaling ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Molecular Clusters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Steppe Region ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Naked Amoebae

As a result of the study, in the steppe zone of Ukraine (Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad region), 12 species of naked amoebas were identified, which according to the modern Eukaryot system belong to three molecular clusters Tubulinea Smirnov et al., 2005, Discosea Cavalier-Smith, 2004., Discoba Simpson and Hampl et al., 2009. This species Vahlkampfia sp. (1), Vahlkampfia sp. (2), Deuteramoeba mycophaga Page, 1988, Saccamoeba stagnicola Page, 1974, Vexillifera sp., Vannella sp. Ripellaplatypodia Smirnov, Nassonova, Chao et Cavalier-Smith, 2007, Cochliopodium sp. (1), Mayorella sp., Thecamoeba striata Penard, 1890, Stenamoeba stenopodia (Page, 1969) Smirnov et al., 2007, Acanthamoeba sp. (1). In the studied steppe soils, the most common were Vahlkampfia sp. (2), S. stenopodia, Vahlkampfia sp. (1), Vexillifera sp., Cochliopodium sp. (1); the least common – R. platypodia, D. mycophaga, T. striata, Mayorella sp. As a result of the cluster analysis, it was found that the largest share of common species is observed between Mykolaiv and Kirovograd regions (0.71) and Odessa and Kirovograd regions (0.53); the smallest is between the Odessa and Mykolaiv regions (0.43). According to the results of cluster analysis, the faunistic complexes of soil species of amoebae of the steppe region of Ukraine are united into two clusters: one of them being complexes characteristic of the Odessa region, and the other complexes of the Mykolaiv and Kirovograd regions. According to the results of nonparametric multidimensional scaling, it is established that the species complex of soil amoebae in the Kirovograd and Mykolaiv regions is determined by the increased soil temperature and acidity, compared to the Odessa region. As for moisture, this factor has little effect on the species complexes amoebae steppe region of Ukraine.

scholarly journals Quid estClea helena?Evidence for a previously unrecognized radiation of assassin snails (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea: Nassariidae)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen E. Strong ◽  
Lee Ann Galindo ◽  
Yuri I. Kantor
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Aquarium Trade ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
Se Asia ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Us

The genusCleafrom SE Asia is from one of only two unrelated families among the megadiverse predatory marine Neogastropoda to have successfully conquered continental waters. While little is known about their anatomy, life history and ecology, interest has grown exponentially in recent years owing to their increasing popularity as aquarium pets. However, the systematic affinities of the genus and the validity of the included species have not been robustly explored. Differences in shell, operculum and radula characters support separation ofCleaas presently defined into two distinct genera:Clea, for the type speciesClea nigricansand its allies, andAnentomeforClea helenaand allies. A five-gene mitochondrial (COI, 16S, 12S) and nuclear (H3, 28S) gene dataset confirms the placement ofAnentomeas a somewhat isolated offshoot of the family Nassariidae and sister to the estuarineNassodonta. Anatomical data corroborate this grouping and, in conjunction with their phylogenetic placement, support their recognition as a new subfamily, the Anentominae. The assassin snailAnentome helena, a popular import through the aquarium trade so named for their voracious appetite for other snails, is found to comprise a complex of at least four species. None of these likely represents trueAnentome helenadescribed from Java, including a specimen purchased through the aquarium trade under this name in the US and one that was recently found introduced in Singapore, both of which were supported as conspecific with a species from Thailand. The introduction ofAnentome“helena” through the aquarium trade constitutes a significant threat to native aquatic snail faunas which are often already highly imperiled. Comprehensive systematic revision of this previously unrecognized species complex is urgently needed to facilitate communication and manage this emerging threat.

scholarly journals Influences of oceanic islands and the Pleistocene on the biogeography and evolution of two groups of Australasian parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes: Eclectus roratus, Trichoglossus haematodus complex). Rapid evolution and implications for taxonomy and conservation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-66
Author(s):  
Michael P. Braun ◽  
Matthias Reinschmidt ◽  
Thomas Datzmann ◽  
David Waugh ◽  
Rafael Zamora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽  
Avian Diversification

AbstractThe Australasian region is a centre of biodiversity and endemism, mainly based on the tropical climate in combination with the large amount of islands. During the Pleistocene, islands of the Sahul Shelf (Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands) had been part of the same land mass, while islands within the Wallacea (Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Sulawesi etc.) remained isolated. We investigated biogeographical avian diversification patterns of two species complexes across the Wallacea and the Sahul Shelf: the Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus Wagler, 1832, and the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Linnaeus, 1771. Both species are represented by a large number of described geographical subspecies. We used mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences for phylogenetic and network analysis to detect biogeographic roles of islands and avian diversification patterns. The number of threatened taxa in this region is increasing rapidly and there is an urgent need for (sub-)species conservation in this region. Our study provides first genetic evidence for treating several island taxa as distinct species. In both species complexes similar genetic patterns were detected. Genetic diversification was higher across the islands of the Wallacea than across the islands of the Sahul Shelf. Divergence in E. roratus can be dated back about 1.38 million years ago, whereas in the younger T. haematodus it was 0.80 million years ago. Long distance dispersal was the most likely event for distribution patterns across the Wallacea and Sahul Shelf. The geographic origin of the species-complex Eclectus roratus spp. is supposed to be Wallacean, but for the species-complex Trichoglossus haematodus spp. it is supposed to be non-Wallacean. Trichoglossus euteles, so far considered a distinct species, clearly belongs to the Trichoglossus-haematodus-complex. The only case of sympatry in the complex is the distribution of T. (h.) euteles and T. h. capistratus on Timor, which means a rapid evolution from one ancestor into two distinct species within only 800,000 years. For all other taxa a Checkerboard distribution pattern is present. In this complex, 8 taxa are already treated as separate species (del Hoyo et al. 2014). Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are supported to represent phylogenetic units: (1) N New Guinea (haematodus) incl. Biak (rosenbergii), Bismarck Archipelago (massena), and New Caledonia (deplanchii); (2) Flores (weberi); (3) E Australia (moluccanus) incl. Aru Islands (nigrogularis) and S New Guinea (caeruleiceps); (4) N Australia (rubritorquis); (5) Timor 1st lineage (capistratus) incl. Sumba (fortis); (6) Bali and Lombok (mitchellii); (7) Sumbawa (forsteni); (8) Timor 2nd lineage (euteles). Those 8 phylogenetic units are not identical to the 8 species listed by del Hoyo et al. (2014). Several populations on smaller islands are under decline, a separate species status may lead to a higher conservation status in both species complexes, which are currently listed as “Least Concern”. Eclectus roratus is currently treated as monospecific. Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are suggested being treated as valid species: (1) Sumba (Eclectus cornelia), (2) Tanimbar Islands (E. riedeli), (3) Moluccas (E. roratus), and (4) New Guinea (E. polychloros incl. Aru Islands (E. aruensis), and Solomon Island (E. solomonensis).

Four new species of Phrynus, Lamarck (Arachnida: Amblypygi) from Mexico

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4948 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-183
Author(s):  
DANIEL CHIRIVI JOYA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Genetic Population ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Taxonomic Information ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Morphologic Variation ◽  
Mexican Species

Mexico is the country with the largest diversity of the genus Phrynus (Amblypygi: Phrynidae); however, many species could remain hidden due to the conservative morphology of the group. Two of the Mexican species, P. operculatus, and P. jalisco show enough variation, between populations from different localities, to be considered as possible species complexes. The scarce taxonomic information of these species and the few analyses of their variation could cause misidentifications and sub estimation of the diversity. Specimens morphologically similar to P. operculatus from different Mexican localities were analyzed, using characters from the male and female genitals. Four new species are described, presenting illustrations of SEM for the male genitals. Details of the morphologic variation in this group of species are discussed, as well as the usefulness of sexual characters like the size proportions, and sclerotization in the female gonopods, and ornaments in males, to improve the diagnoses of the Mexican Phrynus. The known distribution of P. operculatus is large in comparison with those of the other species, after the result of this research, the possibility that it is a larger species complex is evident, thus, it is necessary to increase the morphologic and genetic population studies in this group. 

Morphological and phylogenetic study of the Western Atlantic Crepidula plana complex (Caenogastropoda, Calyptraeidae), with description of three new species from Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1112 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUIZ RICARDO L. SIMONE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Good Resolution ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Informal Group ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
History Of ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Good Number

A detailed morphological study was performed in the following species of Crepidula: 1) C. margarita new species from Venezuela; 2) C. plana Say, 1822; 3) C. atrasolea Collin, 2000; 4) C. depressa Say, 1822, from Florida, USA; 5) C. pyguaia, new species from Santa Catarina coast, Brazil; 6) C. carioca, new species from Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil. Additionally, five other species anatomically studied in Simone (2002) were also included: 7) C. argentina Simone, Pastorino & Penchaszadeh, 2000, from Argentina; 8) C. glauca Say, 1822, from Venezuela; 9) C. fornicata (Linné, 1758), from Mediterranean and Florida; 10) C. protea Orbigny, from S.E. Brazil; 11) C. aff. plana, here described as C. intratesta new species, from S.E. Brazil; 12) C. cachimilla Cledón Simone & Penchaszadeh, 2004, from Patagonia. The 46 characters (106 states) for these species were phylogenetically analyzed and a single cladogram was obtained (length: 93, CI: 65; RI: 64) as follows: (Crepidula cachimilla (C. argentina ((C. carioca C. pyguaia) ((C. fornicata (C. intratesta C. protea)) ((C. glauca C. margarita) (C. plana (C. atrasolea C. depressa))))))). Two outgroups were used: Bostrycapulus aculeatus (Gmelin, 1791), which most authors consider a Crepidula (operationally analyzed as part of the ingroup), and the remaining calyptraeoideans studied by the author. The monophyly of the ingroup is confirmed, supported by 25 morphological synapomorphies. Although the ingroup is fully resolved, no clades are formally named, because the phylogeny is still considered provisional. Most studied species belong to an informal group called “Crepidula plana-complex”, but it is not monophyletic, since C. fornicata, which does not belong to this complex, is part of the ingroup. This study demonstrates that detailed morphological data are useful in phylogenetic studies even at the level of closely related/sibling species, resulting in cladogram with good resolution and a good number of shared, analyzable characters. A biogeographic analysis is also performed considering the distribution of each species under the light of the obtained cladogram, a clear ascension from south to north is the main pattern of the evolutionary history of these species. Further comments on the systematics of Crepidula aplysioides Reeve and C. convexa Say is also performed.

scholarly journals Phylogeny of the Subtribe Monoctonina (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelisaveta Čkrkić ◽  
Andjeljko Petrović ◽  
Korana Kocić ◽  
Milana Mitrović ◽  
Nickolas G. Kavallieratos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
Close Relatedness ◽  
One New Species ◽  
Basal Position

Members of the Monoctonina subtribe have long been neglected in applied studies of the subfamily Aphidiinae, due to their low economic importance, as they do not parasitize pests of cultivated plants. Consequently, data about this group are scarce, including its taxonomy and phylogeny. In the present study, we explore inter- and intraspecific genetic variation of Monoctonina species, including genera Monoctonus Haliday 1833, Monoctonia Starý 1962, Falciconus Mackauer 1959 and Harkeria Cameron 1900. We employ two molecular markers, the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the D2 region of the 28S nuclear gene (28S rDNA), to analyze genetic structuring and phylogeny of all available Monoctonina species, and combine them with morphological data for an integrative approach. We report one new species, and three potentially new species which can be formally described when further specimens are available. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the subtribe shows a basal position for the genera Falciconus and Monoctonia, and the close relatedness of Harkeria and Monoctonus.

scholarly journals Genetic relatedness provides support for a species complex of myxosporeans infecting the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita

2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpreet Kaur ◽  
Aditya Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Genetic Relatedness ◽  
Labeo Rohita ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Infected Fish ◽  
Hemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Indian Major Carp ◽  
Metazoan Parasites ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Gill Lamellae

Myxozoans are an economically important group of microscopic metazoan parasites of fish. The myxozoan species Thelohanellus filli infects commercially important freshwater fish both in wild and in cultured habitat. This parasite causes gill hemorrhagic disease and significant damage to the respiratory surface of the infected fish. In the present study, the 18S rDNA gene sequence of morphologically identified T. filli infecting the gill lamellae of the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, was characterized. This revealed that we are actually dealing with a species complex containing T. bifurcata, T. jiroveci and T. seni. Phylogenetically, T. filli clustered with other myxozoan parasites, with the species most closely related to T. filli having 96 to 97% sequence similarity. The intraspecific variation demonstrated in this study points towards the importance of newer approaches to facilitate reassessment of taxa and detecting species complexes and cryptic species.

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