The scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) of Iran with the description of Mahabadphora aesthesphora as a new genus and species

Scuttle flies (Diptera: Phoridae) are mega-diverse and often synanthropic insects that play superb roles in various ecosystems. Identification of this group of insects is challenging due to their small size, morphological identification difficulties, niche diversity, and lack of taxonomic keys. To pave the way, an in-depth investigation was directed toward the scuttle flies in Iran using morphological and molecular data. A dichotomous key was also developed to identify the genus and species of the phorids reported in the country. The faunistic findings revealed the presence of about 22,000 (13,903 male and 8,097 female) phorid materials organized into 11 genera. Megaselia species (n = 13768), made up about 99% of the specimens studied. Moreover, 71 morphologically defined species belonging to nine genera were molecularly characterized using COI, 28S rRNA, and Arginine kinase datasets. Excluding four Megaselia Rondani, 1856 species, our results specified that morphologically delimited species were in agreement with the molecular analyses inferred from the COI/28S rRNA and COI/Arginine kinase sequences with genetic distances and phylogenetic trees. According to the results of the present study and previously published data, the Phoridae recorded for Iran are a total of 97 species that are ordered in 13 genera and three subfamilies, including Chonocephalinae, Metopininae and Phorinae. By comparing the known world phorid genera, a new monotypic genus of scuttle flies, Mahabadphora aesthesphora gen. nov., sp. nov., was identified based on its morphological and molecular characteristics and included in an updated key. Our results could comprehensively determine the taxonomic status of scuttle flies in Iran, scrutinize their phylogenetic structures and facilitate their identification.

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Bivagina pagrosomi Murray (1931) (Monogenea: Polyopisthocotylea), a microcotylid infecting the gills of the gilt-head sea bream Sparus aurata (Sparidae) from the Red Sea: morphology and phylogeny

Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.2478/jvetres-2019-0053 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 345-352

Author(s):

Saad Bin Dajem ◽

Kareem Morsy ◽

Ali Shati ◽

Ahmed Ezzat ◽

Fahmy El-Said ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Red Sea ◽

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Sparus Aurata ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Sea Bream ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Sequence Alignments ◽

Multiple Sequence

Abstract Introduction Monogenea is a class of ectoparasitic flatworms on the skin, gills, or fins of fish. Microcotylidae is a family of polyopisthocotylean monogeneans parasitising only marine fishes. This work describes and taxonomically determines a microcotylid polyopisthocotylean monogenean in an important fish in Saudi aquaculture. Material and Methods Thirty gilt-head sea bream captured alive from the Red Sea of Saudi Arabia were examined for monogenean infection. Worms were described morphologically and morphometrically by light microscopy and multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees were also constructed after maximum likelihood analysis of the 28S rRNA sequences. Results Seventeen fish were infected by a monogenean parasite in the gill lamellae. It showed a bilobed anterior extremity, two rows of numerous unequal clamps of microcotylid type, and paired muscular vaginae crowned by differently sized spines. The vaginal number and its relative armature suggested the species’ affiliation to group D; the parasite possessed large, muscular vaginae with a full corona of spines over almost the entire width resembling Bivagina pagrosomi Murray (1931). The molecular analysis of the parasite 28s rRNA revealed 97% homology with B. pagrosomi (AJ577461.1). Conclusion The results confirmed the taxonomic status of the parasite recorded. On the basis of morphology and molecular data, we consider that several conclusions on the systematic status of microcotylids from Red Sea fishes in Saudi Arabia should be discussed.

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Taxonomic status of Velinoides Matsumura (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear genes

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.2080.1.5 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2080 (1) ◽

pp. 55-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

HUI LIU ◽

PING ZHAO ◽

SHUJUAN LI ◽

WANZHI CAI

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Gene Segment ◽

Nuclear Gene ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Sister Group ◽

Molecular Data ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Minimum Evolution ◽

Morphological Studies

In this study, we used three mitochondrial genes (cyt b, COI, and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear gene (28S rRNA) to evaluate the current taxonomic status of the genus Velinoides erected by Matsumura. Phylogenetic analyses of genes using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and minimum evolution resulted in different phylogenetic trees. However, the combined dataset analysis revealed better phylogenetic relationships. The constructed phylogenies appeared to be largely congruent with morphological studies. Results based on the molecular data strongly supported that the C. dilatatus, the type species of Velinoides, was the sister group to all other species of the genus Coranus Curtis. Incorporation with the morphological and cytogenetic characteristics, we proposed that Velinoides is of subgeneric status, the genus Coranus Curtis should be divided into two subgenera, Velinoides Matsumura and Coranus Curtis. Our phylogenetic results suggested that the 28S rDNA gene segment alone might not be an optimal molecular marker for the phylogeny of the genus Coranus Curtis.

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Morphological and molecular data to determine the origin and taxonomic status of Prosopis chilensis var. riojana (Fabaceae, Mimosoideae)

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b03-078 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 81 (9) ◽

pp. 905-917 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Soledad Vázquez-Garcidueñas ◽

Ramón A Palacios ◽

Jenny Segovia-Quiroz ◽

Juan T Frías-Hernández ◽

Victor Olalde-Portugal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Random Amplified Polymorphic Dna ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Group Method ◽

Sympatric Populations ◽

Arithmetic Means ◽

Genetic Characteristics ◽

Genetic Traits ◽

Prosopis Chilensis

This study analyzes the morphological and genetic characteristics of three sympatric populations of Prosopis from Argentina. Although morphological and geographical data suggest that Prosopis chilensis var. riojana is an interspecific hybrid of Prosopis chilensis var. chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa var. flexuosa, no correlation was found between morphological traits and genetic distances generated by random amplified polymorphic DNA - polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). Genetic similarity is greater among P. chilensis var. chilensis and P. flexuosa var. flexuosa than between either of these two taxa with P. chilensis var. riojana. Also, P. chilensis var. riojana has unique genetic markers that are absent from its putative parents. Additionally, dendrograms generated by unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) and Neighbor-Joining clustering criteria group P. chilensis var. chilensis and P. flexuosa var. flexuosa apart from P. chilensis var. riojana. Possibilities for the lack of congruence between morphology and RAPD markers are discussed. The results obtained are insufficient to conclusively establish the origin of P. chilensis var. riojana; however, the morphological and genetic traits observed suggest this taxon is well differentiated from P. chilensis var. chilensis and P. flexuosa var. flexuosa.Key words: genetic distances, hybridization, morphology, Prosopis, RAPD, rare taxon.

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Anchialine adjustments: an updated phylogeny and classification for the family Barbouriidae Christoffersen, 1987 (Decapoda: Caridea)

Journal of Crustacean Biology ◽

10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 401-411 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Robert E Ditter ◽

Luis M Mejía-Ortíz ◽

Heather D Bracken-Grissom

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Nuclear Gene ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Evolutionary Relationships ◽

The Bahamas ◽

16S Gene ◽

Dichotomous Key ◽

The Family

Abstract Barbouriidae Christoffersen, 1987 is a family comprised of 4 genera and 11 species of enigmatic shrimps restricted to anchialine or marine caves whose evolutionary history and relationships remain elusive. We investigated the evolutionary relationships among members of Barbouriidae with the inclusion of four genera and nine species, and newly collected material from Belize, the Bahamas, and the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. Phylogenetic analyses based on seven mitochondrial and nuclear gene regions and genetic distances calculated using partial 16S gene regions have identified a need to revisit the relationships and classification within Barbouriidae. More specifically, we find evidence to suggest Janicea Manning & Hart, 1984 as a junior synonym of Parhippolyte Borradaile, 1900, B. yanezi Mejía, Zarza & López, 2008 as a synonym of Barbouria cubensis (von Martens, 1872), and define two new subfamilies, Calliasmatinae Holthuis, 1973 and Barbouriinae Christoffersen, 1987. Included is a dichotomous key for the species of Barbouriidae that summarizes previous literature and includes new morphological characters. Our findings shed light on existing inaccuracies and gaps in molecular data from barbouriids. We also provide further clarity into evolutionary relationships among genera of Barbouriidae and their allies, suggesting phylogeographic divisions within the family. Our findings suggest an early Atlantic-Pacific divide among genera originating from a shallow-water reef ancestor.

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Revision of the genus Dinotoperla Tillyard, 1921 (Plecoptera: Gripopterygidae) using morphological characters and molecular data: Establishes two new genera, three new species and updates the larval taxonomy

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4224.1.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4224 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

JULIA H MYNOTT ◽

PHILLIP J SUTER ◽

GUNTHER THEISCHINGER

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Life Stage ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

New Genera ◽

Adult Males ◽

Larval Life ◽

Dichotomous Key

The larval taxonomy of Australian stoneflies (Plecoptera) shows a large disparity in knowledge when compared to the adult taxonomy with many species having undescribed larval forms. The importance of stoneflies as an indicator group for monitoring aquatic ecosystems means knowledge of the larval taxonomy and the ability to identify species is essential. This study combined morphology and mitochondrial gene sequences to associate the adult and larval life-stages for species of Dinotoperla Tillyard. Morphological identification of adult males was recognised for 17 of the 35 Dinotoperla species and combining molecular data with morphology confirmed eight new adult-larval life stage associations. Further, molecular data supported the larval taxonomy for five morphospecies which remain unassociated. The combination of molecular and morphological methods enabled the larval morphology to be reassessed for the genus Dinotoperla and this has led to the establishment of two new genera, Odontoperla, gen. nov. and Oedemaperla, gen. nov., and the new species Dinotoperla aryballoi, sp. nov, D. tasmaniensis, sp. nov. and Oedemaperla shackletoni, sp. nov. as well as the new or updated descriptions of the larvae of 31 species and a comprehensive dichotomous key to these larvae.

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Metacercarial polymorphism and genetic variation of Paragonimus heterotremus (Digenea: Paragonimidae), and a re-appraisal of the taxonomic status of Paragonimus pseudoheterotremus

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x13000734 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 182-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

P.N. Doanh ◽

U. Thaenkham ◽

P.T. An ◽

H.V. Hien ◽

Y. Horii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Haplotype Network ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Maximum Diameter ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Extensive Collection ◽

Different Populations ◽

A New Species ◽

India And China

AbstractParagonimus heterotremus, which is an important pathogen for human paragonimiasis in Asia, is recognized as having the smallest metacercariae (maximum diameter < 300 μm) of any previously reported Paragonimus species. Recently, P. pseudoheterotremus has been described from Thailand as a new species having metacercariae (about 200 μm) slightly smaller than those of Thai P. heterotremus. In fact, the small size of P. pseudoheterotremus metacercariae is compatible with those of P. heterotremus from India and China. In this study in Vietnam, we found variably sized small metacercariae which are expected to consist of both P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus. Contrary to expectation, the adult flukes obtained by separate infection of experimental cats with different sized metacercariae were all identified as P. heterotremus, using both morphological and molecular characteristics. The molecular analyses of an extensive collection of P. heterotremus/P. pseudoheterotremus isolates from Asian countries also indicated that genetic distances between different populations of P. heterotremus are even larger than that between P. pseudoheterotremus and P. heterotremus. The haplotype network showed that all P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus isolates formed a P. heterotremus complex consisting of three groups with strong geographical origins. In addition, the Indian P. heterotremus group is the root of the other P. heterotremus and P. pseudoheterotremus populations. Based on the observed metacercarial polymorphisms and genetic variation in P. heterotremus,P. pseudoheterotremus should be considered a geographically isolated population of the P. heterotremus complex.

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Morphological and molecular characterisation of Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus (Steiner, 1914) Golden, 1956 and related species (Tylenchida: Hoplolaimidae) with a phylogeny of the genus

Nematology ◽

10.1163/15685411-00002850 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 27-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sergei A. Subbotin ◽

Nicola Vovlas ◽

Gregor W. Yeates ◽

Johannes Hallmann ◽

Sebastian Kiewnick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Related Species ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Valid Species ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

28S Rrna ◽

Molecular Characterisation ◽

Its Rrna Gene

Morphological identification of spiral nematodes of the genus Helicotylenchus is a difficult task because most characters used for their diagnosis vary within species. In this paper we provide morphological and molecular characterisations of several spiral nematodes, H. broadbalkiensis, H. digonicus, H. dihystera, H. microlobus, H. paxilli and H. pseudorobustus, collected in different geographical areas of USA, Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, UK, South Korea and Russia. We suggest that H. microlobus and H. pseudorobustus are valid species separated from each other morphologically and molecularly. Seven species with distinct molecular characteristics are also distinguished, but are not ascribed morphologically to any specific taxon because of the low number of specimens available. Phylogenetic relationships of H. pseudorobustus with other Helicotylenchus species are given as inferred from the analyses of 154 sequences of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA gene and 37 sequences of ITS rRNA gene.

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Molecular characteristics and taxonomic status of morphologically similar barnacles (Amphibalanus) assessed using the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d220349 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Sri Riani ◽

ROMANUS EDY PRABOWO ◽

Agus Nuryanto

Keyword(s):

Cytochrome C ◽

Cytochrome C Oxidase ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Field Trips ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Severe Problem ◽

Molecular Barcoding ◽

Level Identification

Abstract. Riani S, Prabowo RE, Nuryanto A. 2021. Molecular characteristics and taxonomic status of morphologically similar barnacles (Amphibalanus) assessed using the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene. Biodiversitas 22: 1456-1466. Amphibalanus variegatus and A. reticulatus have similar external morphology. Morphological similarities can be a severe problem for direct species-level identification. The problem can be overcome through anatomy-based identification and validated through molecular barcoding. Molecular characterization using the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene provides a useful tool for precise species identification. This study attempted to assess the molecular characteristics of morphologically similar barnacle (Amphibalanus) specimens collected at five localities in Indonesia to validate their taxonomic status. Forty-five barnacle specimens were collected during the field trips in Lampung, Jakarta, Semarang, Bali, and Lombok. The COI gene was amplified using LCO1490 and HCO2198 primers. The gene was sequenced using bidirectional sequencing at 1st base Asia. The specimens' taxonomic status was determined based on sequence identity, genetic distance, monophyly, nucleotide compositions, and nucleotides in a particular position. Shell shapes-based identification placed barnacle specimens into A. reticulatus. However, anatomical-based identification placed barnacle samples into two different anatomic groups, which was further validated by molecular data that two anatomic groups of Amphibalanus samples have significant differences in their COI gene. Based on the molecular characteristics, 43 samples were identified as A. reticulatus, while the two remaining samples were identified as A. variegatus.

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Molecular phylogeny of genus Horaglanis (Indian blind catfishes) within Family Clariidae

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3251 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Annam Pavan-Kumar

Keyword(s):

Genetic Divergence ◽

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Adaptations ◽

Basal Group ◽

Tree Topologies ◽

Family Based ◽

Inference Methods

Background: India is one of the mega biodiverse countries with a large number of endemic freshwater fishes. Recently, species of genus Horaglanis (family: Clariidae) have been reported from the southern part of India. Due to their unique morphological adaptations, these enigmatic species have been subjected to phylogenetic studies to understand the evolution of adaptive traits. Further, the taxonomic status of these species has not been verified using molecular data. Methods: In the present study, secondary data i.e. reported sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene was used to estimate the genetic divergence values for 14 species of the family Clariidae. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian Inference methods. Results: The average genetic divergence value among genera Clarias-Clariallabes-Platyallabes-Dolichallabes-Gymnallabes-Tanganikallabes-Channallabes was 0.082 ± 0.01. However, these genera showed an average divergence value of 0.296±0.02 with genus Horaglanis. In all tree topologies, species of the genus Horaglanis formed a basal group to all other clariids. Discussion : The higher genetic divergence value between genus Horaglanis and other genera of Clariidae family suggested that genus Horaglanis may belong to a separate sub family. Based on phylogenetic trees, it is evident that species of Horaglanis might have originated early in the evolution of Clariids than other species.

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Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904, (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5057.1.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5057 (1) ◽

pp. 99-113

Author(s):

YONELA SITHOLE ◽

ELAINE HEEMSTRA ◽

MONICA MWALE

Keyword(s):

Dna Barcode ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Valid Species ◽

Eastern Atlantic Ocean ◽

Coi Sequences ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Gill Raker ◽

Distribution Record

A southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) percoid fish Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904, was long synonymised with the comber, Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758), from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and Black Sea. However, when the species was brought out of synonymy by Heemstra & Heemstra (2004), reasons for this decision were not given. This study aims to revalidate the present taxonomic status of S. knysnaensis using morphological and molecular assessments. The two species are distinguished by the number of circumpeduncular scales (26–34 in S. knysnaensis versus 34–38 in S. cabrilla) and total gill rakers (18–22 versus 22–24). Serranus knysnaensis is also distinct from S. novemcinctus Kner, 1864, the other SWIO species of Serranus, based on total gill raker counts (18–22 versus 31–35). Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcode (COI) sequences for 17 Serranus species revealed three closely-related monophyletic clusters corresponding to S. cabrilla, S. novemcinctus and S. knysnaensis that were supported (P <0.001) by species delimitation methods. Even though the genetic distances among the three species were the lowest in the genus (1.60−1.99%), these species may be ecomorphs or lineages that have only recently diverged from each other. These three species also have allopatric distributions and our morphological and molecular data thus confirm that S. knysnaensis is a valid species.

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