Availability of Recently Described Ptychadena (Anura: Ptychadenidae) Nomina from Ethiopia

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4786 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-294
Author(s):  
TIMOTHY J. COLSTON ◽  
BRICE P. NOONAN ◽  
MEGAN L. SMITH ◽  
R. ALEXANDER PYRON
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Ethiopian Highlands ◽  
Numerous Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Ecological Isolation ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Molecular Studies

Frogs of the genus Ptychadena (Boulenger, 1917) have long been identified as harboring cryptic diversity and comprising numerous species-complexes (Largen 1997; Zimkus et al. 2017), and many authors have recognized the particularly high hidden richness in the Ethiopian highlands (Largen 1997; see Largen & Spawls 2010 and refs. within). This cryptic diversity was confirmed by recent molecular studies (Freilich et al. 2014; Smith et al. 2017a, Reyes-Velasco et al. 2018). Those authors identified a congruent set of evolutionarily distinct candidate species using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and described the geographic and ecological isolation of these species in detail (Freilich et al. 2014; Smith et al. 2017a). 

scholarly journals Molecular phylogeny of Kazimierzus Plisko, 2006 (Clitellata, Kazimierzidae) from the Western and Northern Cape Province inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-92
Author(s):  
Thembeka Clara Nxele ◽  
Jadwiga Danuta Plisko ◽  
Tarombera Mwabvu ◽  
Oliver Tendayi Zishiri
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Mitochondrial Marker ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstructions ◽  
Northern Cape ◽  
Tree Building ◽  
Close Relatedness

Species identification of earthworms using morphology can be challenging and inconclusive as homoplasy in many characters is high. The use of molecular DNA technology, such as the use of conserved regions in mtDNA and nuclear DNA has unravelled the phylogenetic background of several earthworm species. The current study utilised the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial marker to reconstruct the phylogeny of Kazimierzus Plisko, 2006 species from the Western and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Phylogenetic reconstructions were implemented using Bayesian Inference, as well as Maximum Likelihood. Both tree building methods adhered to the monophyly of the majority of the taxa. Results showed that species fell into two clades and validated eleven currently known Kazimierzus species (K. circulatus (Plisko, 1998), K. franciscus (Pickford, 1975), K. guntheri (Pickford, 1975), K. hamerae (Plisko, 1998), K. kleinoodi Nxele & Plisko, 2017, K. nietvoorbiji Nxele & Plisko, 2017, K. nieuwoudtvillensis Nxele & Plisko, 2017, K. occidualis (Plisko, 1998), K. pearsonianus (Pickford, 1975), K. phumlani Nxele & Plisko, 2017, K. sophieae (Plisko, 2002)). Cryptic diversity is evident in K. occidualis with genetic divergence greater than 12% amongst populations. Kazimierzus franciscus and K. ljungstroemi (Pickford, 1975) have a low genetic variability suggesting close relatedness or probably conspecificity. A group of specimens from Clanwilliam are morphologically identical to K. sophieae, but are genetically distinct and may belong to undescribed species. This study demonstrates the importance of integrative taxonomy in earthworms in order to present reliable taxonomic and biogeographic data.

scholarly journals Complete ecological isolation and cryptic diversity in Polynucleobacter bacteria not resolved by 16S rRNA gene sequences

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1642-1655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin W Hahn ◽  
Jitka Jezberová ◽  
Ulrike Koll ◽  
Tanja Saueressig-Beck ◽  
Johanna Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Gene Sequences ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequences ◽  
Ecological Isolation

Systematics of the Boana semilineata species group (Anura: Hylidae), with a description of two new species from Amazonian Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-180
Author(s):  
Marcel A Caminer ◽  
Santiago R Ron
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Phenotypic Characters ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Amazonian Ecuador ◽  
First Time

Abstract The combination of genetic and phenotypic characters for species delimitation has allowed the discovery of many undescribed species of Neotropical amphibians. In this study, we used DNA sequences (genes 12S, 16S, ND1 and COI) and morphologic, bioacoustic and environmental characters of the Boana semilineata group to evaluate their phylogenetic relationships and assess their species limits. In addition, we included DNA sequences of several species of Boana to explore cryptic diversity in other groups. We found three Confirmed Candidate Species (CCS) within the B. semilineata group. Holotype examination of Hyla appendiculata shows that it is a valid species that corresponds to one of the CCS, which is here transferred to Boana. We describe the two remaining CCS. Our phylogeny highlights a number of secondary but meaningful observations that deserve further investigation: (1) populations of B. pellucens from northern Ecuador are more closely related to B. rufitela from Panama than to other Ecuadorian populations of B. pellucens; (2) we report, for the first time, the phylogenetic relationships of B. rubracyla showing that it is closely related to B. rufitela and B. pellucens; and (3) B. cinerascens and B. punctata form two species complexes consisting of several unnamed highly divergent lineages. Each of these lineages likely represents an undescribed species.

Mitochondrial lineages or discrete species? Assessing diversity within Timon tangitanus (Lacertidae) using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-132
Author(s):  
João M. Abreu ◽  
Daniele Salvi ◽  
Ana Perera ◽  
D. James Harris
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Lineage Sorting ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Mtdna Sequence ◽  
Mtdna Lineages

Abstract Identification of extremely high levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence divergence within reptiles from North Africa is commonplace. This high divergence often compares with interspecific levels among widely accepted species, leading to the hypothesis of the occurrence of species complexes. Indeed, in many examples, data from nuclear markers support such taxonomic recognition. Such is the case of two recently recognized ocellated lizard species of the genus Timon, T. nevadensis, from Spain, and T. kurdistanicus, from the Middle East, which both showed notable genetic differentiation from their sister taxa. In North Africa, highly divergent mtDNA lineages of Timon tangitanus were previously identified but not corroborated with nuclear markers. Here we expand geographic sampling across the range of Timon tangitanus and complement mtDNA sequences with data from nuclear markers (MC1R and ACM4). We identify four divergent mtDNA lineages, at a level similar to some reptile species. However, the nuclear markers show limited differentiation and lack of lineage sorting. This and some other recent assessments within reptiles discourage the use of mtDNA data alone as a proxy for taxonomic units, demonstrating once more the need for integrative taxonomic approaches.

scholarly journals Cryptic diversity in vertebrates: molecular data double estimates of species diversity in a radiation of Australian lizards ( Diplodactylus , Gekkota)

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1664) ◽  
pp. 2001-2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Oliver ◽  
Mark Adams ◽  
Michael S.Y. Lee ◽  
Mark N. Hutchinson ◽  
Paul Doughty
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Taxonomic Impediment ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Developed Nations ◽  
Diversity Estimates ◽  
Conservation And Management

A major problem for biodiversity conservation and management is that a significant portion of species diversity remains undocumented (the ‘taxonomic impediment’). This problem is widely acknowledged to be dire among invertebrates and in developing countries; here, we demonstrate that it can be acute even in conspicuous animals (reptiles) and in developed nations (Australia). A survey of mtDNA, allozyme and chromosomal variation in the Australian gecko, genus Diplodactylus , increases overall species diversity estimates from 13 to 29. Four nominal species each actually represent multi-species complexes; three of these species complexes are not even monophyletic. The high proportion of cryptic species discovered emphasizes the importance of continuing detailed assessments of species diversity, even in apparently well-known taxa from industrialized countries.

Genome size differences in Hyalella cryptic species

Genome ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland Vergilino ◽  
Kaven Dionne ◽  
Christian Nozais ◽  
France Dufresne ◽  
Claude Belzile
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Genome Size ◽  
Dna Content ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Nuclear Dna Content ◽  
Complex Species ◽  
Numerous Species ◽  
Freshwater Habitats

The Hyalella azteca (Saussure) complex includes numerous amphipod cryptic species in freshwater habitats in America as revealed by DNA barcoding surveys. Two ecomorphs (small and large) have evolved numerous times in this complex. Few phenotypic criteria have been found to differentiate between the numerous species of this complex. The present study aims to explore genome size differences between some species of the H. azteca complex co-occurring in a Canadian boreal lake using flow cytometry. Nuclear DNA content was estimated for 50 individuals belonging to six COI haplotypes corresponding to four provisional species of the H. azteca complex. Species from the large ecomorph had C-values significantly larger than species from the small ecomorph, whereas slight differences were found among species of the small ecomorph. These differences in genome sizes might be linked to ecological and physiological differences among species of the H. azteca complex.

scholarly journals Cryptic biodiversity and phylogeographic patterns of Seychellois Ligia isopods

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A Santamaria ◽  
Joanna K Bluemel ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Melinda Curran
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Rocky Intertidal ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Cryptic Species Complex ◽  
Cryptic Biodiversity ◽  
Intertidal Habitats

Ligia isopods are conspicuous inhabitants of rocky intertidal habitats exhibiting several biological traits that severely limit their dispersal potential. Their presence in patchy habitats and low vagility may lead to long term isolation, allopatric isolation and possible cryptic speciation. Indeed, various species of Ligia have been suggested to represent instead cryptic species complexes. Past studies; however, have largely focused in Eastern Pacific and Atlantic species of Ligia, leaving in doubt whether cryptic diversity occurs in other highly biodiverse areas. The Seychelles consists of 115 islands of different ages and geological origins spread across the western Indian Ocean. They are well known for their rich biodiversity with recent reports of cryptic species in terrestrial Seychellois organisms. Despite these studies, it is unclear whether coastal invertebrates from the Seychelles harbor any cryptic diversity. In this study, we examined patterns of genetic diversity and isolation within Ligia isopods across the Seychelles archipelago by characterizing individuals from locations across both inner and outer islands of the Seychelles using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We report the presence of highly divergent lineages of independent origin. At Aldabra Atoll, we uncovered a lineage closely related to the Ligia vitiensis cryptic species complex. Within the inner islands of Cousine, Silhouette, and Mahé we detected the presence of two moderately divergent and geographically disjunct lineages most closely related to Ligia dentipes. Our findings suggest that the Seychelles may harbor at least three novel species of Ligia in need of description and that these species may have originated independently.

scholarly journals Cryptic speciation in freshwaters: are speciation in lentic species shaped by paleohydrological events?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maitreya Sil ◽  
Abhishikta Roy ◽  
Tenzin Palden ◽  
Poorna Bhat ◽  
K. Praveen Karanth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Freshwater Snail ◽  
Snail Species ◽  
Cryptic Speciation ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Putative Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Biotic Diversity ◽  
Pila Globosa

The Indian subcontinent is extremely diverse in terms of its flora and fauna. However, there is a severe underestimation of the biotic diversity in invertebrate groups as well as a lack of understanding of the processes generating diversity in these groups. Here we aimed to jointly estimate the cryptic diversity of two freshwater snail species complexes, Pila globosa and Pila virens, and uncover the processes behind the speciation in these groups. We employed phylogenetic, morphometric, population genetic and niche modelling technique to address these questions. We found out that both species complexes consist of several genetically and ecologically distinct putative species. The speciation was primarily driven by allopatric isolation into different river basins. A combination of paleoclimatic and paleohydrological changes during the Miocene have shaped the speciation events. Local climatic adaptation also could have contributed towards some of the speciation events. The study sheds light on the complex interaction between the biology of the species and the environment that shape the diversification patterns in a group.

scholarly journals High levels of cryptic species diversity uncovered in Amazonian frogs

2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1734) ◽  
pp. 1806-1814 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chris Funk ◽  
Marcel Caminer ◽  
Santiago R. Ron
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Cryptic Diversity ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Poor Understanding

One of the greatest challenges for biodiversity conservation is the poor understanding of species diversity. Molecular methods have dramatically improved our ability to uncover cryptic species, but the magnitude of cryptic diversity remains unknown, particularly in diverse tropical regions such as the Amazon Basin. Uncovering cryptic diversity in amphibians is particularly pressing because amphibians are going extinct globally at an alarming rate. Here, we use an integrative analysis of two independent Amazonian frog clades, Engystomops toadlets and Hypsiboas treefrogs, to test whether species richness is underestimated and, if so, by how much. We sampled intensively in six countries with a focus in Ecuador ( Engystomops : 252 individuals from 36 localities; Hypsiboas : 208 individuals from 65 localities) and combined mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, morphological, and bioacoustic data to detect cryptic species. We found that in both clades, species richness was severely underestimated, with more undescribed species than described species. In Engystomops , the two currently recognized species are actually five to seven species (a 150–250% increase in species richness); in Hypsiboas , two recognized species represent six to nine species (a 200–350% increase). Our results suggest that Amazonian frog biodiversity is much more severely underestimated than previously thought.

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