Description of the immature stages of the Neotropical whirligig beetle Gyrinus (Neogyrinus) rozei Ochs, 1953 (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) and first report of the parasitoid wasp Melanosmicra sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on a Gyrinus species

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4732 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-116
Author(s):  
DANIARA COLPANI ◽  
CÉSAR JOÃO BENETTI ◽  
NEUSA HAMADA ◽  
VANDERLY ANDRADE-SOUZA ◽  
KARINE SCHOENINGER ◽  
...  

In most species of Gyrinidae, the immature stages are unknown, especially due to the difficulty in collecting the juveniles and assigning them to a particular species. Molecular association is a feasible technique that may solve this problem. Recent studies have used DNA sequence data, specifically the gene cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), to associate immature and adult stages, thus enabling the description of the former. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe and illustrate the immature stages of Gyrinus (Neogyrinus) rozei Ochs, 1953 including morphometric, chaetotaxic and bionomic information, and (2) to assess the usefulness of the gene COI to associate immatures and adults of Gyrinus. The studied specimens were collected in Roraima state, northern Brazil. The association of immature and adult stages was done either by rearing adults under laboratory conditions or by using DNA sequence data (COI). Eggs were described based on scanning electron microscopy; they are distinguished mainly by several features of chorion, micropyle and reticulation. Larvae of G. (N.) rozei can be distinguished from those of other Neotropical Gyrinidae by a combination of several characters, including the stipes with five robust hook-like additional setae on the dorsointernal margin, and the lacinia roughly hook-shaped. The pupa is similar to that of G. argentinus Steinhel, 1869, except for the number of setae on the body. The first record of the parasitoid wasp Melanosmicra sp. (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) on a Gyrinus species is also provided. 

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-138
Author(s):  
Yuri I Kantor ◽  
Nicolas Puillandre ◽  
Philippe Bouchet

Abstract According to a recent taxonomic revision by Kantor et al. (2001), the neogastropod genus Exilia Conrad, 1860, comprises ten mostly rare species that live at depths between 200 and 2000 m. Adult Exilia measure between 30 and 90 mm in shell length, and the genus is mostly represented in museum collections by empty shells. The abundance of this genus is low in the wild, but recent expeditions organized by the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle have yielded several dozen specimens. These new collections include samples preserved for molecular studies. Here, we present the results of the first molecular systematic study of Exilia. Our aim was to investigate the species limits proposed by Kantor et al. (2001) on the basis of shell and anatomical characters. Analysis of DNA sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase I gene suggests that Exilia hilgendorfi, previously considered to be a single, polymorphic and broadly distributed species, is a complex of at least six species (four of which we sequenced). Two of these species, Exilia cognata n. sp. and E. fedosovi n. sp., are described as new to science. Exilia gracilior, E. claydoni and E. prellei are resurrected from the synonymy of Exilia hilgendorfi; of these three, only the last was sequenced. Exilia vagrans is a well-defined taxon, but our molecular systematic data shows that it consists of two distinct species, which occur sympatrically off Taiwan and are strikingly similar in shell and radular morphology; due to the absence of DNA sequence data from the type locality of E. vagrans (Vanuatu), it is unclear to which of these two species the name would apply. Exilia karukera n. sp., which is conchologically very similar to E. vagrans, was discovered off Guadeloupe, represents the first record of the genus from the Atlantic. For E. elegans, which was previously known only from a single shell, we provide new data including new distributional records (South Africa and the Mozambique Channel), details of the radula and DNA sequence data.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus S. Robb ◽  
George Sangster ◽  
Mansour Aliabadian ◽  
Arnoud B. van den Berg ◽  
Mark Constantine ◽  
...  

Background: Most species of owls (Strigidae) represent cryptic species and their taxonomic study is in flux. In recent years, two new species of owls of the genus Strix have been described from the Arabian peninsula by different research teams. It has been suggested that one of these species, S. omanensis, is not a valid species but taxonomic comparisons have been hampered by the lack of specimens of S. omanensis, and the poor state of the holotype of S. butleri. Methods: Here we use new DNA sequence data to clarify the taxonomy and nomenclature of the S. butleri complex. We also report the capture of a single S. butleri in Mashhad, Iran. Results: A cytochrome b sequence of S. omanensis was found to be identical to that of the holotype of S. butleri, indicating that the name S. omanensis is best regarded as a junior synonym of S. butleri. The identity of the S. butleri captured in Mashhad, Iran, was confirmed using DNA sequence data. This represents a major (1,400 km) range extension of this species. Conclusions: The population discovered in Oman in 2013 and originally named ‘S. omanensis’ actually represents the rediscovery of S. butleri, which was known from a single specimen and had not been recorded since 1878. The range of S. butleri extends into northeast Iran. Our study augments the body of evidence for the recognition of S. butleri and S. hadorami as separate species and highlights the importance of using multiple evidence to study cryptic owl species.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4908 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-570
Author(s):  
BEHROOZ ATASHBAR KANGARLOEI ◽  
MARYAM ROOHI

We report the first record of Branchipodopsis affinis Sars, 1901 (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from Iran. The specimens were collected in small temporary pools in the Bazargan area located in West Azerbaijan province, in spring 2015. Details on the biogeography, ecology and morphology of this species are provided. The DNA sequence data (COI) for this species is reported for the first time, which can be used in the identification of species on molecular terms and generation of information regarding the evolutionary relationship of the species in future. Also, the new finding is an important contribution to the knowledge of the anostracan fauna from Iran. 


2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Schwenkenbecher ◽  
A.J. Mordue (Luntz) ◽  
S.B. Piertney

AbstractAnalysis of DNA sequence data has proven invaluable for defining the relationships among taxa, as well as resolving their evolutionary histories. Here, we analyzed DNA sequence variation of one mitochondrial gene (COI) and two nuclear regions (ITSI and II) to clarify the phylogenetic position of Culicoides dewulfi, a midge species widely spread in Europe and a suspected vector for bluetongue virus. Various authors have described C. dewulfi either as part of the Culicoides obsoletus sensu lato complex or as a separate taxonomic group. A maximum likelihood phylogeny, based upon an optimal model of sequence evolution, placed C. dewulfi outwith the C. obsoletus s.l. complex. Shimodaira-Hasegawa test highlighted that this topology was significantly more likely than any topology that placed C. dewulfi anywhere else in the phylogeny. As such, C. dewulfi should not be considered part of the C. obsoletus s.l. complex and instead be treated as a separate group, phylogenetically close to the classical Old World vector C. imicola.


Nematology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 583-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faerlie Bartholomaeus ◽  
Kerrie Davies ◽  
Weimin Ye ◽  
Natsumi Kanzaki ◽  
Robin M. Giblin-Davis

Abstract A new species each of Schistonchus and Parasitodiplogaster were recovered from the sycones of Ficus virens from St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. This is also the first record of Parasitodiplogaster from Australia. The species are described here as Schistonchus virens sp. n. and Parasitodiplogaster australis sp. n. Schistonchus virens sp. n. is differentiated from other species of the genus by a combination of morphological characters, including C-shaped females and males, excretory pore opening located near the head, a short post-vulval uterine sac, rose-thorn-shaped spicule, amoeboid sperm, no gubernaculum, three pairs of subventral papillae on the male tail, DNA sequence data; biogeographical range and host wasp and Ficus species affiliation. Parasitodiplogaster australis sp. n. is differentiated from all other species of the genus by having females with only one gonad, males with C-shaped spicules with an arcuate, slender gubernaculum, characteristic arrangement of the male caudal papillae and DNA sequence data. The generic diagnosis of Parasitodiplogaster is emended to include loss of a female gonad.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heleen Plaisier ◽  
Thomas R. Meagher ◽  
Daniel Barker

Abstract Objective Visualisation methods, primarily color-coded representation of sequence data, have been a predominant means of representation of DNA data. Algorithmic conversion of DNA sequence data to sound—sonification—represents an alternative means of representation that uses a different range of human sensory perception. We propose that sonification has value for public engagement with DNA sequence information because it has potential to be entertaining as well as informative. We conduct preliminary work to explore the potential of DNA sequence sonification in public engagement with bioinformatics. We apply a simple sonification technique for DNA, in which each DNA base is represented by a specific note. Additionally, a beat may be added to indicate codon boundaries or for musical effect. We report a brief analysis from public engagement events we conducted that featured this method of sonification. Results We report on use of DNA sequence sonification at two public events. Sonification has potential in public engagement with bioinformatics, both as a means of data representation and as a means to attract audience to a drop-in stand. We also discuss further directions for research on integration of sonification into bioinformatics public engagement and education.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4766 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-484
Author(s):  
HANNAH E. SOM ◽  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
PERRY L. JR. WOOD ◽  
EVAN S. H. QUAH ◽  
RAFE M. BROWN ◽  
...  

Liopeltis is a genus of poorly known, infrequently sampled species of colubrid snakes in tropical Asia. We collected a specimen of Liopeltis from Pulau Tioman, Peninsular Malaysia, that superficially resembled L. philippina, a rare species that is endemic to the Palawan Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex, western Philippines. We analyzed morphological and mitochondrial DNA sequence data from the Pulau Tioman specimen and found distinct differences to L. philippina and all other congeners. On the basis of these corroborated lines of evidence, the Pulau Tioman specimen is described as a new species, L. tiomanica sp. nov. The new species occurs in sympatry with L. tricolor on Pulau Tioman, and our description of L. tiomanica sp. nov. brings the number of endemic amphibians and reptiles on Pulau Tioman to 12. 


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