Perlidae (Plecoptera) from the Paranapiacaba Mountains, Atlantic Forest, Brazil: Diversity and implications of the integrative approach and teneral specimens on taxonomy

Two new species of Hemimycale from Southeastern Brazil are described in this study with the use of morphological and molecular data. Hemimycale oxeata sp. nov. is orange salmon colored in life and has unique oxeote like tornote spicules in addition to the typical (subtylo-)strongyles of the genus. Hemimycale ceadensis sp. nov. is reddish orange in life and has raised, tiny pore sieves, and subtylostrongyles with asymmetrical ends and raphides as microscleres. The diagnosis of the genus Hemimycale was slightly modified for the inclusion of the new species. Maximum-Likelihood analyses of 18S rRNA and COI sequences resulted in the clustering of both new species with the type species of the genus, thus confirming our morphological identification. The value of anatomical characters of pore sieves for diagnosing species and the genus is discussed. A key for species identification is also furnished.

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Colouration, chaetotaxy and molecular data provide species-level resolution in a species complex of Dicranocentrus (Collembola : Entomobryidae)

Invertebrate Systematics ◽

10.1071/is18019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (6) ◽

pp. 1298 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Feng Zhang ◽

Daoyuan Yu ◽

Mark I. Stevens ◽

Yinhuan Ding

Keyword(s):

Species Complex ◽

Instar Larva ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Species Level ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Gene Markers ◽

Late Neogene ◽

Taxonomic Approach ◽

Colour Patterns

Integrative taxonomic approaches are increasingly providing species-level resolution to ‘cryptic’ diversity. In the absence of an integrative taxonomic approach, formal species validation is often lacking because of inadequate morphological diagnoses. Colouration and chaetotaxy are the most commonly used characters in collembolan taxonomy but can cause confusion in species diagnoses because these characters often have large intraspecific variation. Here, we take an integrative approach to the genus Dicranocentrus in China where four species have been previously recognised, but several members of the genus have been morphologically grouped as a species complex based on having paired outer teeth on unguis and seven colour patterns. Molecular delimitations based on distance- and evolutionary models recovered four candidate lineages from three gene markers and revealed that speciation events likely occurred during the late Neogene (4–13million years ago). Comparison of intact dorsal chaetotaxy, whose homologies were erected on the basis of first instar larva, further validated these candidates as formal species: D. gaoligongensis, sp. nov., D. similis, sp. nov., D. pallidus, sp. nov. and D. varicolor, sp. nov., and increase the number of Dicranocentrus species from China to eight. Our study further highlights the importance of adequate taxonomy in linking morphological and molecular characters within integrative taxonomy.

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Multi-instar descriptions of cave dwelling Erythraeidae (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona) employing an integrative approach

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4717.1.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4717 (1) ◽

pp. 137-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SAMUEL GEREMIAS DOS SANTOS COSTA ◽

HANS KLOMPEN ◽

LEOPOLDO FERREIRA DE OLIVEIRA BERNARDI ◽

LUCIANA CARDOSO GONÇALVES ◽

DANTE BATISTA RIBEIRO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Cytochrome Oxidase ◽

Molecular Analysis ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Morphological Changes ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Larval Instars ◽

Individual Host

The life cycle of Parasitengona includes major morphological changes precluding an instar association based only on the morphology. This makes rearing and/or molecular data necessary to associate the heteromorphic instars. Most of the described species are known from either post larval instars or larva. Following a previous study on Palearctic Erythraeidae, in the present study the instar association was made through an integrative approach including rearing trials and molecular analysis of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene with the Bayesian Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (bGMYC) algorithm for species delimitation. Two new cave dwelling Erythraeidae (Trombidiformes: Parasitengona) species are described Lasioerythraeus jessicae sp. nov. and Leptus sidorchukae sp. nov. including all active instars. Additionally, a complete description of the previously unknown adults of Charletonia rocciai Treat & Flechtmann, 1979 is provided with notes on the larva and deutonymph. We also demonstrate experimentally that Ch. rocciai larvae are not attached to the same individual host during the entire feeding stage. We discuss the presence of troglomorphisms in Le. sidorchukae sp. nov.; and the distribution of the species.

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Diversity and distribution of Epeorus (Caucasiron) (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) in Iran, with descriptions of three new species

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.947.51259 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 947 ◽

pp. 71-102

Author(s):

Ľuboš Hrivniak ◽

Pavel Sroka ◽

Jindřiška Bojková ◽

Roman J. Godunko ◽

Javid Imanpour Namin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Central Iran ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Northern Iran ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Three New Species ◽

First Time

Combining morphological and molecular data in an integrative approach, three new mayfly species of Epeorus (Caucasiron) are described. These include Epeorus (Caucasiron) alborzicus Hrivniak & Sroka, sp. nov. and Epeorus (Caucasiron) shargi Hrivniak & Sroka, sp. nov. from northern Iran, and Epeorus (Caucasiron) zagrosicus Hrivniak & Sroka, sp. nov. from central Iran. They are unambiguously delimited using both distance-based and likelihood-based approaches in the analyses of barcode COI sequences. Each new species is compared with other species of the subgenus and morphological diagnostic characters are provided. Based on extensive sampling of streams throughout the country, the distribution and habitat preferences of all Caucasiron species in Iran are assessed. Altogether, there are now six species recorded, among them also E. (C.) nigripilosus Sinitshenkova, 1976 is reported for the first time in Iran. Five species are distributed in the Alborz Mts. in northern Iran, one species was found in the Zagros Mts. in central Iran.

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Integrative taxonomy supports the presence of two species of Kyphosus (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) in Atlantic European waters

Scientia Marina ◽

10.3989/scimar.04601.08a ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. 467 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rafael Bañón ◽

David Barros-García ◽

Alejandro De Carlos

Keyword(s):

New Record ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Index Number ◽

Dna Barcodes ◽

Northwestern Spain ◽

Kyphosus Vaigiensis ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

Public Repositories

The taxonomic identification of one Kyphosus sectatrix and two Kyphosus vaigiensis specimens caught in the European Atlantic waters of Galicia, northwestern Spain, was carried out by means of integrative taxonomy, combining the examination of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. Taxonomical assignation based on morphological characters of these specimens was tested by comparing their COI sequences with available data of Kyphosus deposited in public repositories. The resulting neighbour-joining tree defined four clades corresponding to Barcode Index Number (BIN) and indicated that some nucleotide sequences from Kyphosus, previously deposited, probably originate from misidentified specimens, as would be expected from cryptic and sympatric species. The specimens of Kyphosus vaigiensis represent a new record for the waters of Galicia and the northernmost record in the eastern Atlantic. This kind of herbivorous tropical fishes could play an important role in the tropho-dynamic context of this temperate coastal ecosystem.

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Tackling the Taxonomic Challenges in the Family Scoliidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) Using an Integrative Approach: A Case Study from Southern China

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12100892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 892

Author(s):

Zhen Liu ◽

Sheng-Jie Yang ◽

Yu-Yuan Wang ◽

Yan-Qiong Peng ◽

Hua-Yan Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cryptic Species ◽

Southern China ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

The Family ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

Taxonomic Approach

Species of the family Scoliidae are larval parasitoids of scarabaeoid beetles and pollinators of various plants. Despite their great importance in pest biological control and plant pollination, the taxonomy and systematics of these parasitoids are far from clear. Some species of the family are extremely morphologically similar and difficult to identify, especially in males. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphology and molecular data, was used to discriminate the species of Scoliidae from southern China. In total, 52 COI sequences belonging to 22 morphospecies of 9 genera in two tribes were obtained. The COI sequences worked well for the identification of all the studied species, with intraspecific genetic distances generally less than 2%, while interspecific distances ranged between 5.3% and 20.8%. The delimitations of the problematic species and subspecies of Scolia and Megacampsomeris are well solved by COI sequences, suggesting that DNA barcoding could be a useful identification tool for Scoliidae. Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, we discovered one undescribed cryptic species of the polytypic species Solia (Discolia) superciliaris Saussure, 1864, five newly recorded species, i.e., Scolia (Discolia) sikkimensis Bingham, 1896, Sericocampsomeris flavomaculata Gupta and Jonathan, 1989, Megacampsomeris asiatica (Saussure, 1858), Megacampsomeris pulchrivestita (Cameron, 1902) and Megacampsomeris shillongensis (Betrem, 1928) and one pending subspecies of Scolia (Discolia) watanabei (Matsumura, 1912) from China. Our study indicates that such an integrative approach, combing both molecular and morphological evidence, is a potent tool to tackle the taxonomic challenges in the family Scoliidae, or even, in other diverse groups of Aculeata, of which sexual dimorphism and cryptic species are common.

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DNA reconciles morphology and colouration in the drunk blenny genus Scartichthys (Teleostei: Blenniidae) and provides insights into their evolutionary history

10.1101/2021.02.22.432327 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Erwan Delrieu-Trottin ◽

Hans Hartmann Salvo ◽

Pablo Saenz Agudelo ◽

Mauricio F. Landaeta ◽

Alejandro Pérez Matus

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Behaviour ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Valid Species ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

South American ◽

Traditional Taxonomy ◽

Herbivore Species ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Colour Patterns ◽

Time Of Divergence

AbstractThe blenniids of the genus Scartichthys represent key herbivore species of central and south American Pacific coastal reefs. Yet Scartichthys spp. remain difficult to identify in the field, especially across the c.a 6000 km where three of the four currently accepted species are known to occur in sympatry. The main diagnostic characters from traditional taxonomy that have been used to revise this genus are indeed elusive. At the same time, species can display multiple colour patterns in the field, depending on the ontogenetic stage, habitat association, and/or reproductive behaviour. Overall, molecular characterization is warranted to help address these issues. Here, we used a combination of colouration, morphological and molecular data for the first time, including specimens representative of the four currently valid species and seven described colour patterns. Our integrative approach revealed that only three of the four species should be considered as valid; Scartichthys gigas (Steindachner, 1876), S. variolatus (Valenciennes, 1836) and S. viridis (Valenciennes, 1836); while S. crapulatus Williams 1990 should be synonymized with S. viridis. In the same way, our analyses show that one of the colour patterns attributed so far to S. gigas is characteristic of the juvenile stages of S. viridis. Our time-calibrated phylogeny shows that this genus is relatively young, with an estimated time of divergence between Scartichthys gigas and S. viridis of around 1.71 Ma. In comparison, the Desventuradas and Juan Fernandez Islands endemic S. variolatus diverged about 1.95 Ma. Our results help to clarify the taxonomy of the Scartichthys genus.

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Genetic diversity of infective larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) in freshwater swamp eels from Thailand

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x16000857 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 91 (6) ◽

pp. 767-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. Eamsobhana ◽

D. Wanachiwanawin ◽

K. Roongruangchai ◽

S.L. Song ◽

H.S. Yong

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Wholesale Market ◽

Gnathostoma Spinigerum ◽

Infective Larvae ◽

Food Borne ◽

Freshwater Swamp ◽

Second Intermediate Host ◽

Coi Sequences

AbstractHuman gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by a tissue nematode of the genus Gnathostoma. The disease is highly endemic in Asia, including Thailand. The freshwater swamp eel (Monopterus albus), the second intermediate host of the gnathostome nematode, has an important role in transmitting the infection in Thailand. Surveys on the infective larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum based on morphological features in freshwater swamp eels have been performed continuously and reported in Thailand. However, there is still limited molecular data on intra-species variations of the parasite. In this study, a total of 19 third-stage larvae of morphologically identified G. spinigerum were collected from 437 liver samples of freshwater swamp eels purchased from a large wholesale market in Bangkok, Thailand. Molecular characterization based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences was performed to elucidate their genetic variations and phylogenetic relationship. Among the 19 infective larvae recovered from these eels, 16 were sequenced successfully. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the partial COI gene showed the presence of three distinct COI haplotypes. Our findings confirm the presence of G. spinigerum as the main species in Thailand.

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Dead man’s fingers point towards new species: A taxonomic revision of Alcyonium aurantiacum with statistical discrimination methods and a survey of integrative taxonomy in Octocorallia

10.26686/wgtn.17238104.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Gustav Kessel

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Colony Morphology ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Species Discrimination ◽

Similar Species ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure

Octocorals are a diverse group of sessile, colonial, filter-feeding anthozoan cnidarians, which form significant components of benthic marine communities worldwide. Globally, the most critical hurdle to the effective management of octocorals in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressure is the poor state of their species-level taxonomy, which hinders understanding of their biodiversity. New Zealand’s octocoral assemblage is among the most diverse of any country and is characterised by high levels of endemism, yet over half of its octocoral species remain undescribed. While progress is being made, this has focussed almost exclusively on protected deep-sea gorgonian octocorals. Unprotected coastal soft corals are less studied in New Zealand. This includes the endemic Alcyonium aurantiacum Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. Multiple, morphologically diverse forms have been attributed to this species. Here, the taxonomic status of A. aurantiacum is reviewed, and its phylogenetic relationships are examined using molecular data (nuclear 28S and mitochondrial MutS genes), which is compared to morphology in an integrative approach. As a result, evidence for two new, endemic genera and ten new species is presented. Alcyonium aurantiacum is referred to Kotatea gen. n. (as K. aurantiaca comb. n.), which contains seven additional new species. A second genus, Ushanaia gen. n., contains three new species. Of the new taxa described herein, K. aurantiaca and K. lobata sp. n. are the most commonly encountered and widespread, yet little is known regarding their biology. Both species co-occur in their natural habitat, could not be differentiated genetically with the tools used here, and can be difficult to distinguish without microscopic sclerite examinations. To facilitate the identification of these two similar species by non-taxonomists, a statistical model was developed that can discriminate them with up to 90% accuracy using easily obtainable measurements of gross colony morphology. Relationships between colony morphology and depth are also examined. Considering the difficulties associated with species discrimination among octocorals, a literature survey was conducted to review the use of integrative taxonomy in this group since the start of the 21st century, focusing particularly on morpho-molecular data comparisons. This revealed that, while description rates at family, genus, and species levels over the last twenty-one years rank among the highest ever, integrative techniques have been applied unevenly across taxonomic groups and geographic regions and overall remain a minority compared to taxonomic research based solely on morphology. Implementation of the integrative approach is increasing, however, as are the per-annum number of taxonomic publications and the total pool of authors associated with these publications. It is hoped that the research presented herein can contribute to ongoing global efforts of revising octocoral systematics and that the examination of integrative practices in octocoral taxonomy will serve as a baseline against which future taxonomic progress can be compared and promoted. For New Zealand specifically, elucidating the taxonomy and variability of these endemic taxa will enable aspects such as their contribution to ecosystem functioning and management needs to be examined accurately for the first time, which in turn may lead to their recognition as organisms worthy of legal protection.

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Dead man’s fingers point towards new species: A taxonomic revision of Alcyonium aurantiacum with statistical discrimination methods and a survey of integrative taxonomy in Octocorallia

10.26686/wgtn.17238104 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Gustav Kessel

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

New Zealand ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Integrative Taxonomy ◽

Colony Morphology ◽

Integrative Approach ◽

Species Discrimination ◽

Similar Species ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure

Octocorals are a diverse group of sessile, colonial, filter-feeding anthozoan cnidarians, which form significant components of benthic marine communities worldwide. Globally, the most critical hurdle to the effective management of octocorals in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressure is the poor state of their species-level taxonomy, which hinders understanding of their biodiversity. New Zealand’s octocoral assemblage is among the most diverse of any country and is characterised by high levels of endemism, yet over half of its octocoral species remain undescribed. While progress is being made, this has focussed almost exclusively on protected deep-sea gorgonian octocorals. Unprotected coastal soft corals are less studied in New Zealand. This includes the endemic Alcyonium aurantiacum Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. Multiple, morphologically diverse forms have been attributed to this species. Here, the taxonomic status of A. aurantiacum is reviewed, and its phylogenetic relationships are examined using molecular data (nuclear 28S and mitochondrial MutS genes), which is compared to morphology in an integrative approach. As a result, evidence for two new, endemic genera and ten new species is presented. Alcyonium aurantiacum is referred to Kotatea gen. n. (as K. aurantiaca comb. n.), which contains seven additional new species. A second genus, Ushanaia gen. n., contains three new species. Of the new taxa described herein, K. aurantiaca and K. lobata sp. n. are the most commonly encountered and widespread, yet little is known regarding their biology. Both species co-occur in their natural habitat, could not be differentiated genetically with the tools used here, and can be difficult to distinguish without microscopic sclerite examinations. To facilitate the identification of these two similar species by non-taxonomists, a statistical model was developed that can discriminate them with up to 90% accuracy using easily obtainable measurements of gross colony morphology. Relationships between colony morphology and depth are also examined. Considering the difficulties associated with species discrimination among octocorals, a literature survey was conducted to review the use of integrative taxonomy in this group since the start of the 21st century, focusing particularly on morpho-molecular data comparisons. This revealed that, while description rates at family, genus, and species levels over the last twenty-one years rank among the highest ever, integrative techniques have been applied unevenly across taxonomic groups and geographic regions and overall remain a minority compared to taxonomic research based solely on morphology. Implementation of the integrative approach is increasing, however, as are the per-annum number of taxonomic publications and the total pool of authors associated with these publications. It is hoped that the research presented herein can contribute to ongoing global efforts of revising octocoral systematics and that the examination of integrative practices in octocoral taxonomy will serve as a baseline against which future taxonomic progress can be compared and promoted. For New Zealand specifically, elucidating the taxonomy and variability of these endemic taxa will enable aspects such as their contribution to ecosystem functioning and management needs to be examined accurately for the first time, which in turn may lead to their recognition as organisms worthy of legal protection.

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