Phylogenetic position of two Macrobiotus species with a revisional note on Macrobiotus sottilei Pilato, Kiosya, Lisi & Sabella, 2012 (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4933 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-135
Author(s):  
YEVGEN KIOSYA ◽  
JUSTYNA POGWIZD ◽  
YELYZAVETA MATSKO ◽  
MATTEO VECCHI ◽  
DANIEL STEC

In a moss and lichen sample collected on the Polish coast, a new population of Macrobiotus sottilei was found. Given that the original description of M. sottilei was based solely on the morphology observed under light microscopy and measurements of a few individuals, we provide, by means of integrative taxonomy, a revisional note on this species. We present a comprehensive set of morphometric and morphological data from light and scanning electron microscopy analysis together with nucleotide sequences of three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI) DNA fragments. We also provide the same set of DNA sequences for Macrobiotus glebkai from a population recently found in Eastern Ukraine and elucidate the phylogenetic position of these two taxa within the family Macrobiotidae. Moreover, the terminology of cuticular bars in macrobiotid legs, and pillars within the egg chorion ornamentation in the Macrobiotus hufelandi morphogroup, are also discussed. 

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justyna Pogwizd ◽  
Daniel Stec

In sediment samples collected from three distinct European locations (United Kingdom, France, Poland), populations of Dactylobiotus parthenogeneticus were found. The original description of this species was based solely on the morphology observed with light microscopy and later supplemented by some additional SEM data of the buccal apparatus and DNA sequences of 18S rRNA and COI. Here we provide an updated description of the species by means of integrative taxonomy. The description comprises a comprehensive set of morphometric and morphological data from light and scanning microscopy as well as nucleotide sequences of three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI) fragments. Our analysis of haplotype diversity confirmed our morphological identification and showed that D. parthenogeneticus is widely distributed in Europe.


Author(s):  
Daniel Stec ◽  
Denis T. Tumanov ◽  
Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen

In this paper we describe Macrobiotus engbergi sp. nov. and Tenuibiotus zandrae sp. nov. from Greenland. Our study has involved both classical taxonomic methods, which include morphological and morphometric analyses conducted with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy, and genetic analysis based on four molecular markers (three nuclear: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2, and one mitochondrial: COI). Moreover, we re-examined the type series of Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007) as well as the original sample where the species was found and we provide new morphological data from light and scanning electron microscopy which enabled us to amend its description. Finally, we also analysed slides with animals and egg of two populations from Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya (archipelago of Svalbard, Norway) designated as T. voronkovi within its recent redescription. The results and comparisons presented in our study question the validity of this designation. 


Author(s):  
Kyle Coughlan ◽  
Daniel Stec

In this paper we describe two new tardigrade species belonging to the Macrobiotus hufelandi complex: Macrobiotus noongaris sp. nov. from Perth, Australia, and Macrobiotus kamilae sp. nov. from Mussoorie, India. Live specimens extracted from moss samples were used to establish laboratory cultures in order to obtain additional animals and eggs needed for their integrative descriptions. These descriptions are based on traditional morphological and morphometric data collected using both light and scanning electron microscopy, which, at the same time, were associated with DNA sequences of four genetic markers, three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI). The use of DNA sequences allowed for a more accurate verification of the taxonomic status of M. noongaris sp. nov. and M. kamilae sp. nov as independent species of the hufelandi group. Although they both exhibit typical inverted goblet-shaped processes, they represent a recently discovered clade, which was thought to group species with modified morphology of egg processes. Thus, this contribution expands the definition of the mentioned clade and constitutes another link that will be helpful for future studies on the evolution of the M. hufelandi complex.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4300 (3) ◽  
pp. 403 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANIEL STEC ◽  
KRZYSZTOF ZAWIERUCHA ◽  
ŁUKASZ MICHALCZYK

A population of Ramazzottius subanomalus (Biserov, 1985) was found in a moss sample collected from concrete wall in Poznań, western Poland. Animals were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy and for DNA sequencing to provide an integrative description of the species that was originally described only by means of classical alpha taxonomy. As a result of our studies, we provide the first ever SEM photomicrographs of Ramazzottius subanomalus individuals and their buccal apparatuses. Additionally, we present new DNA sequences as well as new morphometric data for R. subanomalus. The molecular data comprise sequences for three DNA fragments, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA). As a result of being able to analyse a considerable number of animals and eggs, our study has expanded some of R. subanomalus morphometric traits ranges; compared with those provided in the original description. The spine-shaped egg processes  as well as qualitative and quantitative characters of adults show R. subanomalus is most similar to Ramazzottius anomalus (Ramazzotti, 1962). However, our study has shown that R. subanomalus differs from R. anomalus by the lack of fine granulation on eggshell surface as well as by three other morphometric characters: longer buccal tube and two aspects of the placoids. We also discuss the validity of the R. anomalus record in Poland in the light of our findings. Finally, we show that the extreme eggshell variability in this species is observed both in natural and laboratory environments. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4415 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIOTR GĄSIOREK ◽  
DANIEL STEC ◽  
WITOLD MOREK ◽  
ŁUKASZ MICHALCZYK

A laboratory strain identified as “Hypsibius dujardini” is one of the best studied tardigrade strains: it is widely used as a model organism in a variety of research projects, ranging from developmental and evolutionary biology through physiology and anatomy to astrobiology. Hypsibius dujardini, originally described from the Île-de-France by Doyère in the first half of the 19th century, is now the nominal species for the superfamily Hypsibioidea. The species was traditionally considered cosmopolitan despite the fact that insufficient, old and sometimes contradictory descriptions and records prevented adequate delineations of similar Hypsibius species. As a consequence, H. dujardini appeared to occur globally, from Norway to Samoa. In this paper, we provide the first integrated taxonomic redescription of H. dujardini. In addition to classic imaging by light microscopy and a comprehensive morphometric dataset, we present scanning electron photomicrographs, and DNA sequences for three nuclear markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2) and one mitochondrial marker (COI) that are characterised by various mutation rates. The results of our study reveal that a commercially available strain that is maintained in many laboratories throughout the world, and assumed to represent H. dujardini sensu stricto, represents, in fact, a new species: H. exemplaris sp. nov. Redescribing the nominal taxon for Hypsibiidae, we also redefine the family and amend the definitions of the subfamily Hypsibiinae and the genus Hypsibius. Moreover, we transfer H. arcticus (Murray, 1907) and Hypsibius conifer Mihelčič, 1938 to the genus Ramazzottius since the species exhibit claws and eggs of the Ramazzottius type. Finally, we designate H. fuhrmanni as subjectively invalid because the extremely poor description precludes identifying neotype material. 


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0251900
Author(s):  
Alejandro Blanco

Our current knowledge on the crocodyliform evolution is strongly biased towards the skull morphology, and the postcranial skeleton is usually neglected in many taxonomic descriptions. However, it is logical to expect that it can contribute with its own phylogenetic signal. In this paper, the changes in the tree topology caused by the addition of the postcranial information are analysed for the family Allodaposuchidae, the most representative eusuchians in the latest Cretaceous of Europe. At present, different phylogenetic hypotheses have been proposed for this group without reaching a consensus. The results of this paper evidence a shift in the phylogenetic position when the postcranium is included in the dataset, pointing to a relevant phylogenetic signal in the postcranial elements. Finally, the phylogenetic relationships of allodaposuchids within Eusuchia are reassessed; and the internal relationships within Allodaposuchidae are also reconsidered after an exhaustive revision of the morphological data. New and improved diagnoses for each species are here provided.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12597
Author(s):  
Alice M. Clement ◽  
Richard Cloutier ◽  
Jing Lu ◽  
Egon Perilli ◽  
Anton Maksimenko ◽  
...  

Background The megalichthyids are one of several clades of extinct tetrapodomorph fish that lived throughout the Devonian–Permian periods. They are advanced “osteolepidid-grade” fishes that lived in freshwater swamp and lake environments, with some taxa growing to very large sizes. They bear cosmine-covered bones and a large premaxillary tusk that lies lingually to a row of small teeth. Diagnosis of the family remains controversial with various authors revising it several times in recent works. There are fewer than 10 genera known globally, and only one member definitively identified from Gondwana. Cladarosymblema narrienense Fox et al. 1995 was described from the Lower Carboniferous Raymond Formation in Queensland, Australia, on the basis of several well-preserved specimens. Despite this detailed work, several aspects of its anatomy remain undescribed. Methods Two especially well-preserved 3D fossils of Cladarosymblema narrienense, including the holotype specimen, are scanned using synchrotron or micro-computed tomography (µCT), and 3D modelled using specialist segmentation and visualisation software. New anatomical detail, in particular internal anatomy, is revealed for the first time in this taxon. A novel phylogenetic matrix, adapted from other recent work on tetrapodomorphs, is used to clarify the interrelationships of the megalichthyids and confirm the phylogenetic position of C. narrienense. Results Never before seen morphological details of the palate, hyoid arch, basibranchial skeleton, pectoral girdle and axial skeleton are revealed and described. Several additional features are confirmed or updated from the original description. Moreover, the first full, virtual cranial endocast of any tetrapodomorph fish is presented and described, giving insight into the early neural adaptations in this group. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly of the Megalichthyidae with seven genera included (Askerichthys, Cladarosymblema, Ectosteorhachis, Mahalalepis, Megalichthys, Palatinichthys, and Sengoerichthys). The position of the megalichthyids as sister group to canowindrids, crownward of “osteolepidids” (e.g.,Osteolepis and Gogonasus), but below “tristichopterids” such as Eusthenopteron is confirmed, but our findings suggest further work is required to resolve megalichthyid interrelationships.


2007 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly P. Nevin ◽  
Dawn E. Holmes ◽  
Trevor L. Woodard ◽  
Sean F. Covalla ◽  
Derek R. Lovley

Reclassification of the species Trichlorobacter thiogenes as Geobacter thiogenes comb. nov. is proposed on the basis of physiological traits and phylogenetic position. Characteristics additional to those provided in the original description revealed that the type strain (strain K1T=ATCC BAA-34T=JCM 14045T) has the ability to use Fe(III) as an electron acceptor for acetate oxidation and has an electron donor and acceptor profile typical of a Geobacter species, contains abundant c-type cytochromes, and has a temperature optimum of 30 °C and a pH optimum near pH 7.0; traits typical of members of the genus Geobacter. Phylogenetic analysis of nifD, recA, gyrB, rpoB, fusA and 16S rRNA genes further indicated that T. thiogenes falls within the Geobacter cluster of the family Geobacteraceae. Based on extensive phylogenetic evidence and the fact that T. thiogenes has the hallmark physiological characteristics of a Geobacter species, Trichlorobacter thiogenes should be reclassified as a member of the genus Geobacter.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1517 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK GLAW ◽  
ZOLTÁN T. NAGY ◽  
MIGUEL VENCES

Based on a specimen found at Montagne d'Ambre in northern Madagascar morphologically agreeing with Compsophis albiventris Mocquard, 1894, we report on the rediscovery of this enigmatic snake genus and species and its molecular phylogenetic relationships. Compsophis albiventris, considered to be the only representative of its genus and unreported since its original description, bears strong morphological similarities to species of Geodipsas Boulenger, 1896. A molecular phylogeny based on DNA sequences of three mitochondrial and nuclear genes (complete cytochrome b, fragments of 16S rRNA and c-mos) in Compsophis albiventris and three Geodipsas species corroborated close relationships between C. albiventris and Geodipsas boulengeri, and showed that the genera Compsophis and Geodipsas together form a monophyletic unit. Despite the general similarities, morphological data and chromatic features support the existence of two species groups, corresponding to Compsophis and Geodipsas. We consequently consider Geodipsas as a subgenus of Compsophis and transfer all species currently in Geodipsas into the genus Compsophis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 39-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kajihara

The taxonomic identity of the palaeonemertean Cephalothrix linearis (Rathke, 1799) has been obscure for nearly two centuries, because its original description applies to almost any congeners, including Cephalothrix filiformis (Johnston 1828) and Cephalothrix rufifrons (Johnston, 1837), which occur commonly in the North Sea and adjacent waters. In this paper, I redescribe C. linearis based on two topotypes from Bergen, one herein designated as the neotype for C. linearis, because Rathke’s original material is not extant; I invoke Article 70.3.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to fix Planaria linearis Rathke, 1799 as the type species of Cephalothrix Örsted, 1843 for the sake of stability. From the neotype, I determined sequences of the 28S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes. Using the COI sequence, I inferred the phylogenetic position of C. linearis along with 316 cephalotrichid sequences currently available in public databases. A tree-based species delimitation analysis detected 43 entities among them, with 34 in Cephalothrix and nine in eitherBalionemertes or Cephalotrichella. I apply valid species names to 12 of the 34 entities in Cephalothrix. I tabulated a total of 36 nominal species that are likely the members of the genus; the following five were excluded even though their specific names were originally combined with Cephalothrix: Cephalothrix armata Ulyanin, 1870 [Monostilifera, possibly Emplectonema gracile (Johnston, 1837)], Cephalothrix fragilis Bürger, 1892 [now Cephalotrichella signata (Hubrecht, 1879)], Cephalothrix signata Hubrecht, 1879 [now in Cephalotrichella], Cephalothrix unipunctata Parfitt, 1867 [now Tetrastemma melanocephalum (Johnston, 1837) (Monostilifera)], and Cephalothrix viridis Chapuis, 1886 [possibly Heteronemertea]. The five names cephalothrix Diesing, 1850 (as Borlasia cephalothrix), kroyeri Diesing, 1850 (as Cephalothrix kroyeri), linearis Diesing, 1850 (as Borlasia linearis), lineata Claparède, 1862 (as Cephalothrix lineata), and oerstedii Diesing, 1850 (as Cephalothrix oerstedii) aredeclared nomenclaturally unavailable.


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