A preliminary review of Nephelomys albigularis (Tomes, 1860) (Rodentia: Cricetidae), with the description of a new species from the Peruvian montane forests

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5027 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-210
Author(s):  
DENNISSE RUELAS ◽  
VÍCTOR PACHECO ◽  
BETSY INCHE ◽  
NICOLAS TINOCO

Nephelomys albigularis is a sigmodontine rodent of the tribe Oryzomyini distributed in the Andean forests from central Ecuador to central Peru. Although several studies recognize this species as monotypic, significant morphological variation has been reported in Peruvian populations that were not properly assessed by direct comparisons with the type series from central Ecuador. We present a preliminary review of N. albigularis with an integrative approach and emphasis on Peruvian populations. We analyzed specimens using morphological and morphometric methods, complemented with phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation using sequence data from the cytochrome-b gene. Our results reveal that N. albigularis (sensu lato) comprises two taxa: N. albigularis s.s., from the montane forests in central and southern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, and Nephelomys sp. nov. from montane forest east of the Marañón River. These taxa are morphologically distinct and are separated by a genetic distance of 5.90 ± 1.01%. Nephelomys sp. nov. differs from N. albigularis s.s. by longer rump hairs, narrow hypothenar pads, faintly bicolor tail; absent interorbital ridges, low zygomatic plates, smoothly squared posterior margin of the hard palate or with a small median postpalatal process, smoothly edged ventral margin of the external auditory meatus, and slightly angular mandibular sigmoid notches. In this work, we present a diagnosis and description of the new species of Nephelomys and discuss the role of the Marañón River as a potential driver for speciation in the genus Nephelomys.  

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Xia Chen ◽  
Xiao-Hong Gu ◽  
Xue-Feng Ni ◽  
Liang Li

Abstract Background Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridomorpha: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digestive tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships between Cosmocercidae and the other two families, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae, in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera within Cosmocercidae remains unclear. Methods Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular methods [sequencing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae. Results Morphological and genetic evidence supported the hypothesis that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represent a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as in the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group because the subfamily Cruziinae within Kathlaniidae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a seperate lineage. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has a closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in Cosmocercidae. Conclusions Our phylogenetic results suggested that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated as a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca is closely related to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae. The present study provided a basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time to our knowledge. Moreover, a new species, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using integrative approach. Graphical abstract


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Xia Chen ◽  
Xiao-Hong Gu ◽  
Xue-Feng Ni ◽  
Liang Li

Abstract Background Nematodes of the family Cosmocercidae (Ascaridida: Cosmocercoidea) are mainly parasitic in the digest tract of various amphibians and reptiles worldwide. However, our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of the Cosmocercidae is still far from comprehensive. The phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae and the other two families Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the superfamily Cosmocercoidea, are still under debate. Moreover, the systematic position of some genera in Cosmocercidae remains unclear. Methods Nematodes collected from Polypedates megacephalus (Hallowell) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) were identified using morphological methods (light and scanning electron microscopy) and molecular approaches [sequencing and analyzing the small ribosomal DNA (18S), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), large ribosomal DNA (28S) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) target regions]. Phylogenetic analyses of cosmocercoid nematodes using 18S + 28S sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the Cosmocercidae, Atractidae and Kathlaniidae in the Cosmocercoidea, and the systematic position of the genus Aplectana in Cosmocercidae. Results Morphological and genetic evidence supported that the nematode specimens collected from P. megacephalus represents a new species of Aplectana (Cosmocercoidea: Cosmocercidae). Our phylogenetic results revealed that the Cosmocercidae is a monophyletic group, but not the basal group in Cosmocercoidea as the traditional classification. The Kathlaniidae is a paraphyletic group, and the subfamily Cruziinae (including only the genus Cruzia) formed a sister relationship to the Cosmocercidae. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the genus Aplectana has closer relationship to the genus Cosmocerca in the Cosmocercidae. Conclusions Our molecular phylogenetic results supported that the subfamily Cruziinae should be moved out from the hitherto-defined family Kathlaniidae and elevated to a separate family, and the genus Cosmocerca has closer relationship to the genus Aplectana in the family Cosmocercidae, Our present study provided the basic molecular phylogenetic framework for the superfamily Cosmocercoidea based on 18S + 28S sequence data for the first time. Moreover, a new species of Aplectana, A. xishuangbannaensis n. sp., was described using an integrative approach.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4991 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-317
Author(s):  
FERNANDO AYALA-VARELA ◽  
SEBASTIÁN VALVERDE ◽  
STEVEN POE ◽  
ANDREA E. NARVÁEZ ◽  
MARIO H. YÁNEZ-MUÑOZ ◽  
...  

We describe a new species of Anolis lizard from the Pacific slopes of the Andes of southwestern Ecuador at elevations between 372–1,000 m. The new species belongs to the Dactyloa clade and may be distinguished from other Anolis by size, external anatomy, mitochondrial DNA divergence, and dewlap color. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data, we found that the new species is sister to A. fraseri in a clade composed primarily of large Dactyloid species. The new species is known from a protected area in southern Ecuador, Buenaventura Reserve, which suggests that at least some its populations are well protected.  


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4254 (5) ◽  
pp. 537 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHIA-HSUAN WEI ◽  
SHEN-HORN YEN

The Epicopeiidae is a small geometroid family distributed in the East Palaearctic and Oriental regions. It exhibits high morphological diversity in body size and wing shape, while their wing patterns involve in various complex mimicry rings. In the present study, we attempted to describe a new genus, and a new species from Vietnam, with comments on two assumed congeneric novel species from China and India. To address its phylogenetic affinity, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the family by using sequence data of COI, EF-1α, and 28S gene regions obtained from seven genera of Epicopeiidae with Pseudobiston pinratanai as the outgroup. We also compared the morphology of the new taxon to other epicopeiid genera to affirm its taxonomic status. The results suggest that the undescribed taxon deserve a new genus, namely Mimaporia gen. n. The species from Vietnam, Mimaporia hmong sp. n., is described as new to science. Under different tree building strategies, the new genus is the sister group of either Chatamla Moore, 1881 or Parabraxas Leech, 1897. The morphological evidence, which was not included in phylogenetic analyses, however, suggests its potential affinity with Burmeia Minet, 2003. This study also provides the first, although preliminary, molecular phylogeny of the family on which the revised systematics and interpretation of character evolution can be based. 


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-185
Author(s):  
MILAN ŠPETÍK ◽  
AKILA BERRAF-TEBBAL ◽  
ROBERT POKLUDA ◽  
ALEŠ EICHMEIER

During the investigation of fungal microbiome associated with boxwood in the Czech Republic, samples from Buxus sempervirens L. (Buxaceae) plants were collected and used for isolation. Two fungal strains were proposed as a new species Pyrenochaetopsis kuksensis based on morphology as well as phylogenetic analyses of ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tub2 sequence data. Detailed descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon are provided.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 482 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
KUNTHIDA PHUTTHACHAROEN ◽  
K.W. THILINI CHETHANA ◽  
RUNGTIWA PHOOKAMSAK ◽  
ERIC H.C. MCKENZIE ◽  
KEVIN D. HYDE

A new species, Rhexocercosporidium camporesii was collected from dead branches of Scabiosa maritima (Caprifoliaceae) in Forlì-Cesena, Italy. The new species is characterized by a lack of setae surrounding the apothecia and by fusiform, aseptate ascospores containing multiple guttules. Rhexocercosporidium camporesii has larger asci and ascospores than other species of Rhexocercosporidium. Phylogenetic analyses using a combined gene analysis of LSU and ITS sequence data indicated that the new species belongs to Ploettnerulaceae (Helotiales). A detailed morphological description and illustration of the new species are provided.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 416 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
YAO FENG ◽  
SHENG-NAN ZHANG ◽  
ZUO-YI LIU

An Ascomycetous species was found from decaying woody stems in Guizhou, China. Morphologically, the fungus can be assigned well in Tremateia in having immersed ascomata, cellular pseudoparaphyses and muriform ascospores, but it differs from other species in having the 3–7 transverse septa ascospores surrounded by a gelatinous sheath. Phylogenetic analyses based on a concatenated dataset of ITS, LSU, SSUand TEF1-α sequence data indicated that the fungus belongs to the genus Tremateia, Didymosphaeriaceae, four taxa formed a monophyletic clade and represent the genus Tremateia with well supported. The new collection formed a distinct lineage and can be recognized as a new species. Therefore, a new species Tremateia murispora is introduced with detailed description and illustration, the notes on its morphologically and phylogenetically related taxa is provided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Fan Cao ◽  
Hui-Xia Chen ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Dang-Wei Zhou ◽  
Shi-Long Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Tibetan antelope Pantholops hodgsonii (Abel) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) is an endangered species of mammal endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Parasites and parasitic diseases are considered to be important threats in the conservation of the Tibetan antelope. However, our present knowledge of the composition of the parasites of the Tibetan antelope remains limited. Methods Large numbers of nematode parasites were collected from a dead Tibetan antelope. The morphology of these nematode specimens was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, i.e. small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S), large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), were amplified and sequenced for molecular identification. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) inference based on 28S and 18S + 28S + cox1 sequence data, respectively, in order to clarify the systematic status of these nematodes. Results Integrated morphological and genetic evidence reveals these nematode specimens to be a new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae). There was no intraspecific nucleotide variation between different individuals of S. longicaudatum n. sp. in the partial 18S, 28S, ITS and cox1 sequences. However, a high level of nucleotide divergence was revealed between the new species and its congeners in 28S (8.36%) and ITS (20.3–23.7%) regions, respectively. Molecular phylogenetic results suggest that the genus Skrjabinema should belong to the subfamily Oxyurinae (Oxyuroidea: Oxyuridae), instead of the subfamily Syphaciidae or Skrjabinemiinae in the traditional classification, as it formed a sister relationship to the genus Oxyuris. Conclusions A new species of pinworm Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. (Oxyurida: Oxyuridae) is described. Skrjabinema longicaudatum n. sp. represents the first species of Oxyurida (pinworm) and the fourth nematode species reported from the Tibetan antelope. Our results contribute to the knowledge of the species diversity of parasites from the Tibetan antelope, and clarify the systematic position of the genus Skrjabinema.


MycoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. 53-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-Pin Xiao ◽  
Sinang Hongsanan ◽  
Kevin D. Hyde ◽  
Siraprapa Brooks ◽  
Ning Xie ◽  
...  

Ophiocordyceps is entomopathogenic and the largest studied genus in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. Many species in this genus have been reported from Thailand. The first new species introduced in this paper, Ophiocordycepsglobiceps, differs from other species based on its smaller perithecia, shorter asci and secondary ascospores and additionally, in parasitising fly species. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS, TEF1α and RPB1 sequence data indicate that O.globiceps forms a distinct lineage within the genus Ophiocordyceps as a new species. The second new species, Ophiocordycepssporangifera, is distinguished from closely related species by infecting larvae of insects (Coleoptera, Elateridae) and by producing white to brown sporangia, longer secondary synnemata and shorter primary and secondary phialides. We introduce O.sporangifera based on its significant morphological differences from other similar species, even though phylogenetic distinction is not well-supported.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 316 (2) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANUSHA H. EKANAYAKA ◽  
D. J. BHAT ◽  
KEVIN D. HYDE ◽  
E. B. GARETH JONES ◽  
QI ZHAO

The genus Phillipsia (Sarcoscyphaceae) is characterized by large, bright-coloured, sub-stipitate apothecia, sub-operculate asci and asymmetrical ascospores with longitudinal striations. Morphological and phylogenetic studies were carried out on new collections of Phillipsia from China and Thailand. Phillipsia subpurpurea are recorded from China and Phillipsia gelatinosa from Thailand is introduced as a new species to science. Our new collections are confirmed to be divergent from other species of Phillipsia based on morphological examination and molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS and LSU sequence data. Descriptions and figures are provided for the taxa which are also compared with allied taxa.


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