scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of the Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) complex based on vocalizations reveals three species

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
George Sangster ◽  
Kim Manzon Cancino ◽  
Robert O. Hutchinson

Abstract Background The Savanna Nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) is a widespread, polytypic species which was previously treated as two or three species. It is currently treated as a single species based on superficial similarity of their songs but no detailed comparisons of the songs in this complex have been made. Methods A total of 15 acoustic variables were measured for the songs of 86 individuals representing 8 of the 10 subspecies in the complex. Results Three major groups can be distinguished based on univariate and multivariate analyses: a northern group consisting of the subspecies C. a. monticolus, C. a. amoyensis and C. a. stictomus; a southern group consisting of C. a. affinis, C. a. kasuidori, C. a. timorensis and C. a. propinquus; and a third group in the Philippines consisting of C. a. griseatus. Conclusions It is here argued that these groups are best treated as species, and that Franklin’s Nightjar (C. monticolus) and Kayumanggi Nightjar (C. griseatus) are reinstated as separate species.

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 579-641
Author(s):  
Gary Li ◽  
Peter W. Fritsch

Several taxonomic treatments of Styrax (Styracaceae) exist in regional floras of Asia, but the Asian species of the genus have not been comprehensively revised since 1907. A treatment of the Asian taxa of S. series Cyrta with imbricate floral aestivation was accomplished in 2003. To complete the taxonomic revision of S. series Cyrta, we conducted a taxonomic revision of the species of the series with valvate aestivation of the corolla lobes. Our revision comprises 11 species with a combined distribution from eastern India through southern China and Malesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia, although the group is absent from the Philippines. We resurrected S. bracteolatus, S. rubifolius, and S. warburgii as species to be recognized, and we corrected the misapplication of S. finlaysonianus, previously used for a species in S. series Benzoin. Styrax finlaysonianus and S. warburgii are segregated from the broader concept of S. agrestis recognized in prior treatments. The circumscriptions of the heretofore poorly delimited species S. confusus, S. faberi, and S. fortunei are clarified and their possible introgressants discussed. We observed unique combinations of characters in some problematic specimens whose taxonomic status remains unresolved because only single specimens with either flowers or fruits were available; at least some of these may represent undescribed species. Lectotypes are designated for Cyrta agrestis, S. argyi, S. bracteolatus, S. calvescens, S. casearifolius, S. confusus var. microphyllus, S. dasyanthus, S. dasyanthus var. cinerascens, S. faberi, S. finlaysonianus, S. formosanus, S. fortunei, S. fukienensis, S. henryi, S. henryi var. microcalyx, S. iopilinus, S. philadelphoides, S. rostratus, S. rubifolius, S. serrulatus var. agrestis, and S. virgatus. A neotype is designated for S. warburgii. Keys, descriptions, distribution maps, and conservation assessments are provided for all species. Styrax agrestis, S. bracteolatus, and S. rubifolius are rare endemics of conservation concern, with highly restricted distributions. 


1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 2061-2075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M Cherniawsky ◽  
Randall J Bayer

Petasites Mill. (Asteraceae: Senecioneae) is a taxonomically difficult genus of polygamodioecious, perennial herbs with a widespread distribution across North America. As many as 10 species and as few as two species (Petasites sagittatus (Banks ex Pursh) A. Gray and Petasites frigidus (L.) Fries with three varieties), with one hybrid taxon, have been recognized previously. Considerable taxonomic controversy has surrounded the genus as a result of a conservative floral morphology and a high degree of polymorphism in leaf morphology. Additionally, a number of intergrading leaf forms among those with rather consistent taxonomic characteristics across various treatments have contributed to the taxonomic ambivalence surrounding Petasites. Our taxonomic revision of North American Petasites is based on results obtained from recent multivariate morphometric and isozyme analyses. These data have indicated that taxa of Petasites are not sufficiently differentiated, morphologically or isozymically, from one another to warrant the recognition of separate species. Therefore, Petasites is circumscribed as a single species containing three varietal taxa and one hybrid taxon between two of the varieties. Although our circumscription of P. sagittatus is in accordance with most previous circumscriptions, we have removed it from the rank of species to varietal status under P. frigidus. The new combination Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus (Banks ex Pursh) Cherniawsky is proposed. Subsequent to the new status of one of its parental taxa (P. frigidus var. sagittatus), the new combination for Petasites ×vitifolius (Greene) Bogle is proposed: Petasites frigidus var. ×vitifolius (Greene) Cherniawsky. The three entities of the frigidus complex are united under one polymorphic taxon, P. frigidus var. frigidus and the circumscription and name of Petasites frigidus var.palmatus (Ait.) Cronq. is in accordance with previous authors. A complete list of synonymy and a key to the taxa of Petasites is presented together with distribution maps.Key words: Petasites, Asteraceae, Senecioneae, North America, taxonomic revision.


Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. JEFFERIES ◽  
S. E. SHAW ◽  
M. E. VINEY ◽  
E. R. MORGAN

SUMMARYAngiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode parasite of sylvan and domestic species of the family Canidae. It has a broad but patchy distribution worldwide, and there is evidence for geographical spread and increasing incidence of infection in recent years. While historically Angiostrongylus-like nematodes identified in dogs and foxes have been described as A. vasorum in Europe and Angiocaulus raillieti in South America, more recent taxonomic revision has amalgamated these into a single species, A. vasorum. Here we report, for the first time, the molecular characterization of isolates of A. vasorum from Germany, Portugal, Denmark and the United Kingdom on the basis of the mitochondrial COI gene and the second ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. When compared with isolates from Brazil, sequence analysis revealed 2 distinct genotypes. Estimated rates of evolution based on COI sequences for both nematode and host are consistent with the hypothesis that the presence of A. vasorum in South America is a result of an ancient evolutionary event. Angiostrongylus vasorum in South America potentially represents a separate species to that observed in Europe.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill T. Braulik ◽  
Frederick I. Archer ◽  
Uzma Khan ◽  
Mohammad Imran ◽  
Ravindra K. Sinha ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Alexey V. Solovyev

The genus Nirmides Hering, 1931 is revised. Nowadays it includes 17 species, known from Thailand, Vietnam and the Andamans to the Philippines. Eight species are described as new to science: N. siamasp. n. (Thailand), N. ihleisp. n. (Thailand), N. dianasp. n. (Andaman Islands), N. samaressp. n. (Philippines, Samar), N. lourensisp. n. (Philippines, Luzon), N. similissp. n. (Philippines, Mindanao), N. kanlaonensissp. n. (Philippines, Negros), and N. hollowayisp. n. (Borneo). Lectotypes are designated for Susica basalis Walker, 1862 and Nirmides basalis f. fusca Hering, 1931. The taxon Nirma micron van Eecke, 1929 is removed from synonymy with Nirmides basalis (Walker, 1862) and restored to a separate species. A new synonymy is proposed: Nirmides micron (van Eecke, 1929) = Nirmides manwahi Holloway, 1990, syn. n. The homology of the sclerites of the male genitalia is discussed; the musculature of the male genitalia is examined. A key to species is given.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 652-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Gler ◽  
L. E. Macalintal ◽  
L. Raymond ◽  
R. Guilatco ◽  
M. I. D. Quelapio ◽  
...  

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 317 (4) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
OTÁVIO LUIS MARQUES DA SILVA ◽  
INÊS CORDEIRO

Within Astraea Klotzsch (1841: 194), Astraea lobata (Linnaeus 1753: 1005) Klotzsch (1841: 194) may be considered the most taxonomically complex species due to its wide geographical distribution and the several varieties that have been proposed for this species by Müller Argoviensis (1866, 1874). In his concept, Müller Argoviensis (1866) united under Croton lobatus Linnaeus (1753: 1005) plants with 3–5-partite leaves almost as long as the petioles, subulate stipules, the bracts not well developed and ovaries with varied indumentum. In De Candolles’s Prodromus, Müller Argoviensis (1866) recognized eight varieties, maintaining this concept in the Flora Brasiliensis (Müller Argoviensis 1874) with few modifications. Morphological characters and geographical distribution support the recognition of some of these varieties as species distinct from A. lobata. As part of an undergoing taxonomic revision of Astraea, these distinct taxa must be validly published for further studies on this genus. Therefore, in this note we propose these novelties with commentaries about morphology and geographic distribution, along with photos to illustrate them and lectotypifications when necessary.


Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Smolensky

AbstractThe conservation status of threatened taxa may be obfuscated by the detection of cryptic species complexes, in both vertebrate and invertebrate species. African dwarf crocodiles (Osteolaemusspp.) are hunted throughout their range but their conservation status is unknown. Few population assessments have been carried out and there has been a taxonomic revision of the number of species in the genus. The similar morphologies ofOsteolaemus tetraspisandOsteolaemus osbornipose a challenge for conservation in Cameroon, where they are still managed as a single species. Nocturnal spotlight surveys were conducted in three regions during August–November 2010 and December 2011–February 2012 to provide population assessments ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniand raise awareness of the two species in Cameroon. The mean encounter rates ofO. tetraspisandO. osborniwere 1.02 ± SD 1.34 (65 individuals in 39 surveys) and 0.61 ± SD 0.38 (three in four surveys) crocodiles per km, respectively. TheO. tetraspispopulation comprised juveniles predominantly and had a male-biased sex ratio. The fewO. osbornidetected comprised both adults and juveniles. Both species are threatened in Cameroon, based on low encounter rates, young population structures and the threats of habitat loss and hunting pressure. This study provides distribution maps and serves as a baseline to quantify population trends and inform conservation strategies.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4716 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-240
Author(s):  
LEONILA CORPUZ-RAROS ◽  
SERGEY G. ERMILOV

This paper presents a Catalogue of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) recorded from the Malay Archipelago covering 113 years from 1905 to the end of 2018. The Malay Archipelago comprises countries located in the maritime area of Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, viz., Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor and the Philippines. Information compiled for each species includes references to the original description, subsequent re-combinations of specific name with other genera, and junior synonyms, if any, as well as the type locality, type habitat, later recorded habitats, and geographic distribution within and outside the Malay Archipelago. A historical review of explorations and taxonomic studies on oribatids in the various countries is also provided.                A total of 1,030 valid species including subspecies and 6 doubtful species have been recorded from the Malay Archipelago from 1905 to 2018. The valid species belong to 323 genera, 98 families and 34 superfamilies in all of the five infraorders and two hyporders of the Suborder Oribatida. Among the component countries, the Philippines has the highest number of records at 513, followed by Indonesia including Kalimantan and excluding the Moluccas and Irian Barat on New Guinea Island (402), Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak (250), Brunei (64), and Singapore (28), while not a single species is currently known from East Timor. Most of the species known from Malaysia come from its two provinces (Sabah and Sarawak) in Borneo Island with 190, or more than twice that on Peninsular or West Malaysia with 77 species. On the whole, Borneo Island which is home for three countries has 235 recorded species with Sabah and Sarawak having 190, Brunei 64, and Kalimantan only 18 species. Aside from Borneo, the better explored islands, in descending order of records, are Luzon (346), Java (261), Samar (182), Mindanao (178), Leyte (112), Polillo (105), Bali (99), and Sumatra (82), and the peninsular part of Malaysia (78), while the relatively large island of Sulawesi has only 13 species records.                Endemism to the individual countries ranges from 36.1–60.7%, the highest of which are Singapore (60.7%) and Brunei (57.8%). The relatively better known and bigger countries have lower rates of endemism—47.4% for the Philippines, 46.8% for Malaysia, whereas Indonesia, with the largest land area and earliest records, has the lowest rate of 36.1%. Overall, 608 species or 59.0% of the total fauna of the Malay Archipelago are known so far only from this region.  


Author(s):  
Géraldine Veron ◽  
Agathe Debruille ◽  
Pauline Kayser ◽  
Desamarie Antonette P Fernandez ◽  
Aude Bourgeois

Abstract The binturong or bearcat is a forest mesocarnivore ranging from Nepal to Indonesia and the Philippines. Several subspecies of binturongs are recognized but a revision is needed. The binturong from Palawan was described as a species and is now considered a subspecies, but its status has never been checked using molecular approaches. Owing to its restricted range and the pressure on its habitat, the Palawan binturong may be endangered. It is, therefore, of crucial importance to clarify its taxonomic status, particularly for the management of captive populations. We sequenced one nuclear and two mitochondrial markers for binturongs from locations across the species range and from zoos. Our results provide an assessment of the genetic polymorphism and structure within the binturong, resulting in two groups, corresponding to the Indochinese and the Sundaic regions. Within the latter were found the Palawan binturongs on one side, and an individual from Sulu archipelago (a locality not reported before) on the other side. The Palawan binturongs form a monophyletic group, genetically close to Bornean binturongs, which suggests that they may have dispersed from Borneo, and represents a lineage worth preserving, but which is not a separate species nor a separate subspecies.


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