Broad geographic sampling and DNA barcoding do not support the presence of Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae) in North America

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4671 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
RAFAEL EIJI IWAMA ◽  
ALEJANDRO OCEGUERA-FIGUEROA ◽  
DANIELLE DE CARLE ◽  
CLAIRE MANGLICMOT ◽  
CHRISTER ERSÉUS ◽  
...  

The description of Helobdella stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) has emphasized the presence of a nuchal, chitinous scute located on the dorsal surface in the first third of the body as the diagnostic character for the species. Historically, identifications of species of Helobdella have relied heavily on this character and, as a result, Helobdella stagnalis has been reported from an inordinately broad geographic range, including Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. In addition to a few earlier investigations, a recent analysis showed that great genetic distances (orders of magnitude greater than previous estimations of intraspecific divergence in leeches) are present between scute-bearing specimens identified as H. stagnalis from Europe and North America, implying that H. stagnalis does not occur in North America. The present study expands the geographic boundaries of taxon sampling for both European and North American taxa, and re-examines the phylogenetic relationships and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) variation within scute-bearing species of the genus Helobdella. Our analyses include specimens putatively identified as “Helobdella stagnalis” from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, England, France, Italy, Slovenia, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, as well as numerous localities covering Canada and the USA. Our results corroborate previous studies in that European and west Asian specimens form a clade, including the neotype, which is separate from North American taxa. To alleviate future taxonomic confusion, we redescribe H. stagnalis and designate a neotype from the inferred type locality. The designation of a neotype stabilizes the taxonomy of scute-bearing leeches of the genus Helobdella and enables us to definitively correct erroneous identifications reported in previous studies. We also note that at least four lineages of scute-bearing, North American species of Helobdella lack formal descriptions. 

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2306-2309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard S. Stemberger

The rotifer Keratella armadura n.sp. is described from a shallow alkaline bog lake from Michigan's lower peninsula. The facet pattern of the dorsal plate is similar to that of the common North American phenotype of Keratella cochlearis and K. taurocephala. The rigid, thickened lorica, long recurving posterior spine, and constriction of the body near the base of the anterior spines is distinctive from known congenors. The species was abundant (> 300 individuals/L) within a well-defined habitat, and appears to have a narrow geographic range. Keratella armadura occurred in spring and summer months and was absent from fall and winter collections. This restricted distribution, if common among rotifers, suggests that many undescribed species still exist in Michigan and in North America.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 20170613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susumu Tomiya ◽  
Julie A. Meachen

Recent advances in genomics and palaeontology have begun to unravel the complex evolutionary history of the gray wolf, Canis lupus . Still, much of their phenotypic variation across time and space remains to be documented. We examined the limb morphology of the fossil and modern North American gray wolves from the late Quaternary (< ca 70 ka) to better understand their postcranial diversity through time. We found that the late-Pleistocene gray wolves were characterized by short-leggedness on both sides of the Cordilleran–Laurentide ice sheets, and that this trait survived well into the Holocene despite the collapse of Pleistocene megafauna and disappearance of the ‘Beringian wolf' from Alaska. By contrast, extant populations in the Midwestern USA and northwestern North America are distinguished by their elongate limbs with long distal segments, which appear to have evolved during the Holocene possibly in response to a new level or type of prey depletion. One of the consequences of recent extirpation of the Plains ( Canis lupus nubilus ) and Mexican wolves ( C. l. baileyi ) from much of the USA is an unprecedented loss of postcranial diversity through removal of short-legged forms. Conservation of these wolves is thus critical to restoration of the ecophenotypic diversity and evolutionary potential of gray wolves in North America.


2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kout ◽  
J. Vlasák

The polypore Trametes gibbosa (Pers.) Fries, common in Europe and Asia, is reported from eastern North America for the first time. Single basidiospore cultures from Pennsylvania, United States, and Quebec, Canada, were paired with each other and with cultures from the Czech Republic. The North American intercollection crosses were 60% compatible and 100% compatible with the Czech cultures. All the crosses among the Czech cultures were 100% compatible. The recent introduction of T. gibbosa to North America is suggested as a possible explanation for the limited number of mating-type alleles and subsequent incompatibility among the North American cultures.


2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan EKMAN

AbstractBacidia rosellizans S. Ekman is described as new to science. Morphologically, the new species is similar to the type species of the genus, B. rosella (Pers.) De Not., particularly in the pale pink and pigment-deficient apothecia and in having the proper exciple and upper part of the hymenium inspersed with minute crystals that consist at least partly of atranorin. Bacidia rosellizans, however, differs in having a thin whitish thallus, smaller apothecia and a thinner apothecial margin, a dense layer of crystals along the excipular rim, shorter and narrower ascospores with fewer septa, and septate conidia. Whereas B. rosella is a species occurring in the nemoral zone of Europe and possibly northernmost Africa and parts of Asia (but not North America), B. rosellizans is found mainly on Populus and Salix in taiga. This species is currently known from Sweden, Russia, Canada and the USA. It was erroneously treated as Bacidia rosella in a monograph of North American corticolous species of Bacidia and Bacidina by Ekman (in Opera Botanica 127, 1996).


Weed Science ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey A. Bodo Slotta ◽  
Michael E. Foley ◽  
Shaioman Chao ◽  
Ruth A. Hufbauer ◽  
David P. Horvath

Invasive species such as Canada thistle pose a significant threat to ecosystems. The risk of introducing invasive species has increased with human activities, and the effects of such events have economic and aesthetic impacts. Native to Europe, Canada thistle is now established throughout temperate North America. Although there is documentation of early occurrences to North America, little is known on how it has become established in diverse habitats or how it continues to spread. We examined genetic diversity within and among nearly 1,700 Canada thistle individuals from 85 North American locations with the use of seven microsatellite markers in order to address these questions. PAUP and STRUCTURE programs were used to assess genetic diversity and relationships within and between populations. Populations exhibited greater within-population diversity (> 60%) than expected for a reported clonally reproducing species. Total diversity of sampled locations in North America (0.183) was less than previously reported for European locations (0.715), but the greater mean difference between North American populations (0.264 relative to 0.246 from England) suggests strong founder effects or restriction of gene flow influencing individual populations. Furthermore, analyses identified numerous instances where individuals from geographically distant regions clustered together, indicating long-distance translocation of propogules. However, isolation by distance analysis showed significant correlation between location and population genetic distances (r = 0.1917, P = 0.006). Within populations, nearly 92% of individuals sampled harbored unique multilocus genotypes, strongly suggesting that sexual reproduction is common. Within populations, analysis of genetic structure indicated significant admixture of genotypes throughout the invasive range in North America. The recurrent distribution of seed throughout North America has led to a highly diverse gene pool and increased the adaptive success Canada thistle to a wide variety of habitats. Future technologies developed for control of Canada thistle should consider this diversity.


Author(s):  
Fincham Derek

This concluding chapter offers a comparative perspective on the key components of contemporary cultural heritage law in North America. The region’s collective tangible and intangible cultural heritage has an array of legal and policy tools to safeguard it for future generations, though coordination between the three nations involved would benefit from increased cohesiveness. The primary legal mechanisms to prevent illicit movement are restrictions on removing archaeological materials; declarations of ownership for some or all of this material; export restrictions; and the ultimate enforcement of these protections both domestically and abroad. All three countries in North America have made this body of law a priority. The chapter then looks at the law enforcement efforts, international outreach, and treatment of specific objects of cultural heritage in Mexico, Canada, and the USA. It also describes the relationship of these North American States with the World Heritage Convention and UNESCO’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention.


Author(s):  
Raimundo César Barreto Jr.

Resumo: Este artigo apresenta o desenvolvimento do pensamento de Rubem Alves lado a lado com a sua recepção na academia norte-americana. Limita-se às suas contribuições teológicas, publicadas em inglês, principalmente por meio de resenhas, artigos e citações dos seus escritos, discutindo também a ausência de obras mais significativas sobre seu trabalho. A recepção dos escritos de Rubem Alves na América do Norte recebeu um tratamento ambíguo, variando desde um acolhimento entusiástico à critica ao rigor acadêmico. Mais recentemente, no domínio da teopoética, há um renovado interesse nas suas contribuições. Dessa forma, o artigo apresenta aperiodização do pensamento de Rubem Alves, assinala a sua relação com a igreja, a academia e os EUA ressaltando sua condição de exílio, e destaca exemplos de recepção dos seus escritos na América do Norte. Palavras-chave: Rubem Alves. Teologia. Teopoética. Recepção. Abstract: This paper presents the development of the thought of Rubem Alves vis-a-vis its reception in the North American Academy. It is limited to his theological contributions published in English, and the responses found in book reviews, articles, and references to his writings. It also discusses the absence of more significant works in English about Rubem Alves’ work. The reception of the writings of Rubem Alves in North America received an ambiguous treatment, both an enthusiastic reception and criticism of its academic rigor. More recently, there is a renewed interest in Alves’ contributions in the field of theo-poetics. In short, the paper presents the periodization of the thought of Rubem Alves, points out its relationship to the church, academia and the USA, highlighting his condition of exile, and examines examples of the reception of his writings in North America. Keywords: Rubem Alves. Theology. Theopoetics. Reception.


2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (7) ◽  
pp. 1357-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. MILLER ◽  
S. J. SWEENEY

SUMMARYMycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, has been identified in nine geographically distinct wildlife populations in North America and Hawaii and is endemic in at least three populations, including members of the Bovidae, Cervidae, and Suidae families. The emergence of M. bovis in North American wildlife poses a serious and growing risk for livestock and human health and for the recreational hunting industry. Experience in many countries, including the USA and Canada, has shown that while M. bovis can be controlled when restricted to livestock species, it is almost impossible to eradicate once it has spread into ecosystems with free-ranging maintenance hosts. Therefore, preventing transmission of M. bovis to wildlife may be the most effective way to mitigate economic and health costs of this bacterial pathogen. Here we review the status of M. bovis infection in wildlife of North America and identify risks for its establishment in uninfected North American wildlife populations where eradication or control would be difficult and costly. We identified four common risk factors associated with establishment of M. bovis in uninfected wildlife populations in North America, (1) commingling of infected cattle with susceptible wildlife, (2) supplemental feeding of wildlife, (3) inadequate surveillance of at-risk wildlife, and (4) unrecognized emergence of alternate wildlife species as successful maintenance hosts. We then propose the use of integrated and adaptive disease management to mitigate these risk factors to prevent establishment of M. bovis in susceptible North American wildlife species.


ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1047 ◽  
pp. 27-60
Author(s):  
Tao Luo ◽  
Yali Wang ◽  
Siwei Wang ◽  
Xueli Lu ◽  
Weifeng Wang ◽  
...  

Herein, we describe Panophrys congjiangensissp. nov. obtained from the Yueliangshan Nature Reserve, Congjiang County, Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI indicated that this new species represented an independent lineage, closely related to P. leishanensis. The uncorrected genetic distances between the new species and its closest congener, P. leishanensis, were 3.0% for 16S rRNA and 8.4% for COI. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics (1) medium body size (SVL 28.6–33.4 mm in males and 38.4–40.2 mm in females); (2) a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid; (3) the tympanum distinctly visible (TD/ED ratio 0.47–0.66); (4) vomerine teeth absent; (5) the tongue not notched behind; (6) a narrow and unobvious lateral fringe on toes; (7) relative finger lengths II &lt; I &lt; V &lt; III; (8) rudimentary webs on toes; (9) hindlimbs slender, heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (10) two metacarpal tubercles on the palm, with the inner metatarsal tubercle long and oval-shaped; (11) the tibiotarsal articulation reaching the nostril when the leg is adpressed and stretched forward; (12) dorsal skin rough with numerous orange–red granules, ventral surface smooth; (13) a single internal subgular vocal sac present in males; and (14) in breeding males, weak gray-black nuptial pads with black nuptial spines present on the dorsal surface of the bases of the first and second fingers. To date, the new species is only known from the type locality.


Author(s):  
T L Whitworth ◽  
Matthew G Bolek ◽  
G Arias-Robledo

Abstract In North America, until recently, all cases of anuran myiasis were attributed to Lucilia silvarum (Meigen) or Lucilia elongata Shannon. The latter species is exceedingly rare and its life history is unknown, but L. silvarum is common and was thought to be capable of being either parasitic or saprophytic in North America. Until recently, the anuran parasite Lucilia bufonivora Moniez was thought to be strictly Palearctic, but a study in 2014 has determined this species is established throughout southern Canada. In 2019, a study demonstrated, with molecular and morphological evidence, that two adult flies formerly identified as L. silvarum and reared from amphibian myiasis cases from Canada, are actually L. bufonivora. Although the mentioned study detected relatively high genetic distances with European L. bufonivora, the lack of evident morphological differentiation suggest that they are the same species. The current study examined 12 adult males and eleven adult females morphologically from three additional North American studies. Specimens were examined which had been identified as L. silvarum or L. elongata, and they all proved to be L. bufonivora. We now suspect L. silvarum is strictly saprophagous in North America like they are in the Palearctic Region. We also provide evidence that the pattern of myiasis differs between European and North American specimens.


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