Phylogenetic placement of a new Melanophilharmostes Paulian, 1968 pill scarab (Coleoptera: Hybosoridae: Ceratocanthinae) from Cameroon: molecular results decipher misleading morphology

Zootaxa ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 5087 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-450
Author(s):  
VASILY V. GREBENNIKOV

This study targets two specimens of a morphologically highly unusual pill scarab from Cameroon. The original morphology-inspired hypothesis that these beetles represent a new genus is refuted. Instead, a phylogenetic analysis of 90 terminals and 3231 aligned DNA positions linked both specimens with the Afrotropical genus Melanophilharmostes Paulian, 1968. Both Cameroonian specimens are herein described as Melanophilharmostes tuber Grebennikov, new species. Re-evaluation of the morphological characters of this species in light of molecular results corroborated this taxonomic decision by detecting all three morphological autapomorphies of the genus: the presence of setae and horseshoe-shaped microsculpture on the dorsal body surface, as well as the presence of the lateral carina on each elytron. Except for a single representative of the genus Melanophilharmostes placed within the genus Pseudopterorthochaetes Paulian, 1977 (interpreted as an analytical artifact), both genera are sister groups, in agreement with the pre-existing morphology-based hypothesis. Both genera, together with the Malagasy/Comorian genus Synarmostes Germar, 1843 and monotypic Balleriodes Grebennikov, 2021 from Tanzania, constitute the strongly supported Synarmostes group of genera.  

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1792 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUSTAVO HORMIGA ◽  
LIHONG TU

The spider genus Putaoa new genus (Araneae, Pimoidae) is described to place two species of pimoids from China, Putaoa huaping new species (the type species) and P. megacantha (Xu & Li, 2007) new combination. Parsimony analysis of morphological characters provides support for the monophyly of Putaoa and for its sister group relationship to the genus Weintrauboa Hormiga, 2003 and corroborates the monophyly of Pimoidae.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4571 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
HONGXIANG HAN ◽  
PEDER SKOU ◽  
RUI CHENG

Neochloroglyphica gen. nov. and its type species N. perbella sp. nov. are described from Yunnan, China. Morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes, support the hypothesis that Neochloroglyphica is a member of the tribe Neohipparchini, and that it is a sister genus to Chloroglyphica. Morphological characters, including those of the genitalia, are figured and compared with related genera, especially Chloroglyphica, Neohipparchus and Chlororithra. Diagnoses for the genus and the species are provided and illustrations of external features and genitalia are presented. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony I. Cognato

AbstractElectroborus brighti, new genus, new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is described based on two specimens from Dominican amber, which represents the first Hylesinini found in Dominican amber. A phylogenetic analysis of 24 Hylesinini species and a Strombophorus Hagedorn species based on morphological characters suggests E. brighti is not related to the Neotropical genus Phloeoborus Erichson, but shares a close affinity to African Hylesinini genera. The discovery of this new genus adds to the evidence that tropical South America and Africa shared similar faunas throughout evolutionary history. Although many Old World taxa have become extinct in the New World, the existence of E. brighti among Recent faunas is a possibility, given that the South American and African scolytine faunas are relatively poorly studied.


2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 118-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Dietrich ◽  
Dmitry A. Dmitriev

The genus-level classification of New World Erythroneurini is revised based on results of a phylogenetic analysis of 100 morphological characters. The 704 known species are placed into 18 genera. Erasmoneura Young and Eratoneura Young, previously treated as subgenera of Erythroneura Fitch, and Erythridula Young, most recently treated as a subgenus of Arboridia Zachvatkin, are elevated to generic status. Three species previously included in Erasmoneura are placed in a new genus, Rossmoneura (type species, Erythroneura tecta McAtee). The concept of Erythroneura is thereby narrowed to include only those species previously included in the nominotypical subgenus. New World species previously included in Zygina Fieber are not closely related to the European type species of that genus and are therefore placed in new genera. Neozygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ceonothana Beamer, includes all species previously included in the “ceonothana group”, and Zyginama, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ritana Beamer, includes most species previously included in the “ritana group” of New World Zygina. Five additional new genera are described to include other previously described North American Erythroneurini: Hepzygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura milleri Beamer and also including E. aprica McAtee; Mexigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura oculata McAtee; Nelionidia, n. gen., based on type species N. pueblensis, n. sp., three additional new species, and Erythroneura amicis Ross; Neoimbecilla, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura kiperi Beamer and one new species; and Illinigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura illinoiensis Gillette. Five new genera, based on previously undescribed species, are also recognized: Aztegina, n. gen, based on A. punctinota, n. sp., from Mexico; Amazygina, n. gen., based on type species A. decaspina, n. sp., and three additional new species from Ecuador; Hamagina, n. gen., based on type species H. spinigera, n. sp., and two additional new species from Peru and Ecuador; Napogina, n. gen., based on type species N. recta, n. sp., and one additional new species from Ecuador; Perugina, n. gen., based on type species P. denticula, n. sp., from Peru; and Spinigina, n. gen., based on type species S. hirsuta, n. sp., and an additional new species from Peru. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the New World Erythroneurini consist of three lineages resulting from separate invasions from the Old World.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingi Agnarsson

The genus Synotaxus Simon, 1895 is reviewed. Modern systematic work has challenged the classical placement of Synotaxus as an argyrodine theridiid. Its placement is evaluated in a phylogenetic analysis containing a wide selection of theridiids, including all major argyrodine genera. For the analysis, two published matrices are fused to produce a dataset containing 83 orbicularian taxa and 302 morphological characters. Although the two matrices share only 10 taxa and 33 characters, a single most parsimonious tree is obtained. The results are congruent with results from each independent matrix, and unambiguously corroborate the placement of Synotaxus outside Theridiidae. Some superficial similarities, such as the elongate abdomen extending far beyond the spinnerets, are clearly convergent in the two taxa. Synotaxus, furthermore, lacks the suite of synapomorphies defining Theridiidae. Thus, its transfer out of Theridiidae is corroborated, and a sister relationship with Chileotaxusi Platnick, 1990 is proposed, based on similarities in web and somatic morphology. A synapomorphy-based circumscription of the genus is given. Synotaxus waiwai, sp. nov. is described, Synotaxus monoceros (Caporiacco, 1947), previously only known from males, is redescribed and synonymised with S. pupularum, Exline & Levi, 1965, syn. nov., previously only known from females. A description of the webs of both species is given, as well as that of Chileotaxus sans Platnick, 1990. Many further Synotaxus species remain to be described.


2000 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Leistikow

In a collection of terrestrial isopods from Venezuela, a distinct species was identified which does not fit any of the known genera. Therefore, a new taxon Metaprosekia gen.n. is instituted to accomodate the new species. An analysis of its morphological characters revealed a close relationship to the genus Prosekia Vandel, 1968 and allied genera. The phylogeny of this group is discussed and one of its poorly known representatives, Xiphoniscus mirabilis Vandel, 1968 is redescribed on the basis of the type material.


2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (3) ◽  
pp. 248-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Packer

AbstractPatagonicolaPackernew genusis described for two species of xeromelissine bee (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) from Patagonian Argentina. One species,P. graveliPackernew speciesis described; the second species,P. aenigma(Packer)new combination, originally placed inChilicolaSpinola, 1851 subgenusChilioediscelisToro and Moldenke, 1979, is designated as the type species. The new genus is superficially most similar toXenochilicolaToro and Moldenke, 1979 but possesses none of the derived characteristics that were originally used to define that genus. Results of a phylogenetic analysis, based upon 114 morphological characters, are presented and suggest that the new genus is the sister clade to (GeodiscelisMichener and Rozen, 1999 +XeromelissaCockerell, 1926). An illustrated key is provided for the genera of Xeromelissinae and for the two species ofPatagonicola.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7723
Author(s):  
Sergio I. Salazar-Vallejo ◽  
Jesús Angel de León-González ◽  
Luis F. Carrera-Parra

Microphthalminae Hartmann-Schröder, 1971 was proposed in Hesionidae to include Microphthalmus and Hesionides; however, the affinities of these genera to other members of Hesionidae have been debated, and some authors have concluded they do not belong in Hesionidae. Herein, based on morphological characters, a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily and some other similar poorly-known genera, with an uncertain position in Hesionidae was performed to clarify their affinities. Our results indicate that Microphthalminae, as currently delimited, is paraphyletic. The inclusion of Struwela, Uncopodarke, and Westheideius, a new genus, as well as the recognition of Fridericiella are proposed to meet the requirement of monophyly; and as result of this, the elevation in rank to the family level is herein presented. Furthermore, the type species for Hesionella and Struwela are redescribed, and a new species in the latter is described. A key to identify microphthalmid genera is also included.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2918 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. WESLEY GAPP ◽  
BRUCE S. LIEBERMAN ◽  
MICHAEL C. POPE ◽  
KELLY A. DILLIARD

The Early Cambrian olenelline trilobites are a diverse clade and have been the subject of several phylogenetic analyses. Here, three new species of Bradyfallotaspis Fritz, 1972 (B. coriae, B. nicolascagei, and B. sekwiensis) and one new species of Nevadia Walcott, 1910 (N. saupeae) are described from the Sekwi Formation of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. In addition, new specimens potentially referable to Nevadia ovalis McMenamin, 1987 were recovered that may expand that species’ geographic range, which was thought to be restricted to Sonora, Mexico. The results of a phylogenetic analysis incorporating several olenelline taxa, including Judomia absita Fritz, 1973 from the Sekwi Formation, are also presented herein. This species has been assigned to various olenelline genera, including Judomia Lermontova, 1951 and Paranevadella Palmer & Repina, 1993. Phylogenetic analysis suggests this species is closely related to Judomia tera Lazarenko, 1960 from Siberia. This phylogenetic relationship provides further support for the hypothesis that a close biogeographic relationship existed between Laurentia and Siberia during the Cambrian.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1627 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
NATAN M. MACIEL ◽  
REUBER A. BRANDÃO ◽  
LEANDRO A. CAMPOS ◽  
ANTONIO SEBBEN

A new toad, Rhinella cerradensis, is described, including its tadpole and the advertisement call. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in the Brazilian states of Piauí, Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal. The species is characterized by its large size; absence of tibial glands; well developed cranial crests; short hands; sexually dimorphic coloration; and by the absence of a spiracle tube of the tadpole. The new species is included in the Rhinella marina group by the presence of a jagged suture formed by the articulation between the pterygoid medial ramus and the parasphenoid alae, as well as other shared morphological features. Morphological characters and statistical analyses inferred by morphometric feature suggest the existence of two subgroups of species within R. marina group. However, taxonomic rearrangements are not made here and await phylogenetic analysis.


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