Morphological and molecular confirmation of the common pipistrelle bat, Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreber, 1774 (Vespertilionidae: Chiroptera), in Xinjiang, China

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamshidin Abduriyim ◽  
Tuerxunpaxia Kasimu ◽  
Jing-Kai Lan ◽  
Zi-Li Pu ◽  
Jin-Long Bai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Pipistrellus Pipistrellus ◽  
The Common

Abstract Species identification is pivotal in taxonomy, systematics, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. We collected bats that died of natural causes in Shihezi city, Xinjiang, China, and carried out morphological and genetic identification. Morphologically, all individuals were adults/subadults or juveniles of Pipistrellus pipistrellus. We found one haplotype for the mitochondrial gene ND1 and five for the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b (Cytb) among six specimens. Phylogenetically, all the Cytb sequences grouped with P. pipistrellus. We confirm this species’ occurrence in Xinjiang, China.

Reassessing species boundaries in the Syagrus glaucescens complex (Arecaceae) using leaf anatomy

Botany ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 379-387
Author(s):  
D.H.T. Firmo ◽  
S.A. Santos ◽  
M.E.M.P. Perez ◽  
P. Soffiatti ◽  
B.F. Sant’Anna-Santos
Keyword(s):  
Species Identification ◽  
Leaf Anatomy ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Geographical Isolation ◽  
Species Occurrence ◽  
Species Diagnosis ◽  
High Degree

The Syagrus glaucescens complex comprises three species: Syagrus glaucescens Glaz. ex Becc., Syagrus duartei Glassman, and Syagrus evansiana Noblick. Recently, a new population of S. evansiana that possesses a high degree of endemism was reported in the Serra do Cabral mountain. Here we intend to study the leaf anatomy of the S. glaucescens complex and confirm whether this newly found population (from now on called Syagrus aff. evansiana) belongs to S. evansiana or not. Specimens were collected to investigate their leaf anatomy, which showed distinct differences between S. aff. evansiana and S. evansiana. The midrib anatomy revealed novelties for the S. glauscecens complex, proving useful for species diagnosis. Features such as accessory vascular bundles around the vascular system of the midrib and the number of collateral bundles are diagnostic for species identification. In addition, morphological and anatomical analyses indicated a correlation with the species occurrence. We found greater similarity between S. glaucescens and S. duartei, while S. evansiana and S. aff. evansiana are more alike. Here, we propose a new identification key based only on the leaf anatomy. Despite their morphological similarities, S. aff. evansiana and S. evansiana presented differences in leaf anatomy, which — when associated with their geographical isolation — suggests a fourth taxon in the complex.

scholarly journals The possible origin of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) in Ukraine

Herpetozoa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 87-93
Author(s):  
Oleksandra Oskyrko ◽  
Hanna Laakkonen ◽  
Iolanda Silva-Rocha ◽  
Daniel Jablonski ◽  
Oleksiy Marushchak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Danube River ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Native Population ◽  
Podarcis Muralis ◽  
Common Wall ◽  
The Common ◽  
Genetic Signal ◽  
Human Transport

The phylogenetic relationships and possible origin of a putative non-native population of Podarcis muralis in Ukraine were assessed based on sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Ukrainian lizards belong to two distinct mitochondrial lineages (haplogroups), both occurring within the Central Balkan clade, which includes most of central and south-eastern European populations. From overall three detected Ukrainian haplotypes, one haplotype share same genetic signal with the hyplotype from the locality Bjala (Bulgaria), the other two are unique for Ukrainian population. Two of haplotypes correspond with haplogroup covering large geographic region of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania. These results reinforce previous findings that the species has the ability to establish new populations out of its native range. While most introductions to Germany and Britain have been deliberate, it appears likely that human transport of goods via the Danube river of goods is responsible for the range expansion into Ukraine.

The Nature and Analysis of Phenotypic Transitions

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane West-Eberhard
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Adopted Children ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Origin Of Species ◽  
Classical Mythology ◽  
Biological Parents ◽  
Novel Traits ◽  
Famous Book ◽  
The Common ◽  
Vertebrate Eye

Part II is about origins: how do new traits arise from old phenotypes? People of all ages are fascinated by the question of origins. Origins are the common concern of evolutionists and creationists, of ethnic historians, of Mormon geneologists and the Daughters of the American Revolution, of adopted children searching for their biological parents— indeed, of all who have wondered where Johnny got his patience, his sense of humor, or his big nose. Darwin was a clever publicist when he titled his most famous book The Origin of Species. He touched deep human chords by discussing not only the origin of species but the origin of marvellously complex morphological and psychological traits—specialized limbs, sexual behavior, intelligence, heroism, and the vertebrate eye, to mention just a few. Research on selection and adaptation may tell us why a trait persisted and spread, but it will not tell us where a trait came from. This is why evolutionary biology inevitably intersects with developmental biology, and why satisfactory explanations of ultimate (evolutionary) causation must always include both proximate causes and the study of selection. Novel traits originate via the transformation of ancestral phenotypes during development. This transformational aspect of evolutionary change has been oddly neglected in modern evolutionary biology, even though it is an integral part of human curiosity about origins in other fields. From classical mythology to modern-day childrens’ books, origins are explained in terms of transformations of the phenotype, alongside attention to developmental mechanisms and adaptive functions. Consider this excerpt from The Apeman’s Secret (Dixon, 1980), a Hardy Boys adventure book: . . . [T]he Apeman hated cruelty of any kind. Whenever he saw crooks or villians do something nasty to a helpless victim, he would fly into a rage. This would change his body chemistry and cause him to revert to the savage state. . . .

scholarly journals DNA barcoding unveils the first record of Andrena allosa for Italy and unexpected genetic diversity in Andrena praecox (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Maurizio Cornalba ◽  
Paolo Biella ◽  
Andrea Galimberti
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Global Change ◽  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
First Record ◽  
Global Distribution ◽  
Genetic Identification ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
Eastern Sector ◽  
Morphological Species

DNA barcoding is well-known to support morphological species identification and it can be helpful for unveiling unexpected populations divergence patterns, especially in the context of the impacts on species posed by global change. In this note, we provided the first Italian record of the alpine mining bee Andrena allosa Warncke, 1975, confirmed with DNA barcoding. In addition, genetic identification of a specimen of Andrena praecox (Scopoli 1753) from western Italy pointed to an unexpected intraspecific genetic structuring at COI DNA barcoding region, with sequences from the Italian and the western sector of its global distribution differing 2.22% (p-dist) from populations of the eastern sector. Given the relevance of these records and of the genetic identity of bee populations from Italy, we argue that implementing molecular surveys in bee monitoring would surely contribute to the conservation of these important pollinators.

Molecular phylogeny of Fordini (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Pemphiginae) inferred from nuclear gene EF-1 α and mitochondrial gene COI

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.C. Zhang ◽  
G.X. Qiao
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Nuclear Gene ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Gene Coi ◽  
The Common ◽  
Different Parts ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractThe tribe Fordini is a fascinating group because of its complicated life history, primary host specificity and gall-forming characteristic. Different species produce galls with different morphology on different parts of the host plants. The EF-1α-based, COI-based and combined sequences-based phylogenetic trees with three algorithms MP, ML and Bayes all strongly suggest that Fordini is a monophyletic group with two clades corresponding to two subtribes, Fordina and Melaphidina, each also monophyletic. Some important morphological characters and primary host plants of aphids were mapped onto the phylogenetic tree to analyse the division of subtribes and to uncover at which level the aphids correspond to their primary hosts, Pistacia and Rhus. Results suggest that the division of subtribes in Fordini is closely related to host selection of aphids. The evolution of gall morphology and the probable driving force behind it in this tribe were also discussed. The Fordini aphids seem to have evolved towards a better ability to manipulate their host plant, induce strong sinks and gain high reproductive success. Galls in this tribe evolved mainly along two directions to attain this goal: (i) by enlarging the gall from small bag to spherical, even big cauliflower-like, and changing the galls' location or forming two galls in their life cycle (Fordina); (ii) by moving the gall position from midrib, petiole of the leaflet, and eventually to the common petiole of the compound leaf (Melaphidina).

scholarly journals Using DNA barcodes to assess identity and diversity of Dendropsophus minutus: Failure?

Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1691 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. ALEX SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome C ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Cytochrome C Oxidase ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Gene Region ◽  
Dna Barcodes ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The 5' end (Folmer or Barcode region) of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) has been proposed as the gene region of choice for a standardized animal DNA barcode (Hebert et al. 2003). Concerns have been raised regarding the decision to utilize this particular mitochondrial gene region as a barcode. Nevertheless, widely divergent taxonomic groups have reported success using CO1 for both species identification and discovery. The utility of CO1 for barcoding amphibians was raised early on (Vences, et al. 2005) and concerns for this group were reported widely (Waugh 2007)—although some considered that the reporting of the concerns outstripped the data that had been analyzed at that point (Smith et al. 2008). Indeed, our analysis of CO1 for a small group of Holarctic amphibians was neither more difficult to generate nor to analyze than for other groups where we have utilized the technique.

How to find a dinosaur, and the role of synonymy in biodiversity studies

Paleobiology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Benton
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Biology ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Error Rates ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Error Level ◽  
Prolific Author ◽  
Generic Level

Taxon discovery underlies many studies in evolutionary biology, including biodiversity and conservation biology. Synonymy has been recognized as an issue, and as many as 30–60% of named species later turn out to be invalid as a result of synonymy or other errors in taxonomic practice. This error level cannot be ignored, because users of taxon lists do not know whether their data sets are clean or riddled with erroneous taxa. A year-by-year study of a large clade, Dinosauria, comprising over 1000 taxa, reveals how systematists have worked. The group has been subject to heavy review and revision over the decades, and the error rate is about 40% at generic level and 50% at species level. The naming of new species and genera of dinosaurs is proportional to the number of people at work in the field. But the number of valid new dinosaurian taxa depends mainly on the discovery of new territory, particularly new sedimentary basins, as well as the number of paleontologists. Error rates are highest (>50%) for dinosaurs from Europe; less well studied continents show lower totals of taxa, exponential discovery curves, and lower synonymy rates. The most prolific author of new dinosaur names was Othniel Marsh, who named 80 species, closely followed by Friedrich von Huene (71) and Edward Cope (64), but the “success rate” (proportion of dinosaurs named that are still regarded as valid) was low (0.14–0.29) for these earlier authors, and it appears to improve through time, partly a reflection of reduction in revision time, but mainly because modern workers base their new taxa on more complete specimens. If only 50% of species are valid, evolutionary biologists and conservationists must exercise care in their use of unrevised taxon lists.

scholarly journals Sex and Speciation: Drosophila Reproductive Tract Proteins— Twenty Five Years Later

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama Singh ◽  
Santosh Jagadeeshan
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Evolutionary Dynamics ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
2D Electrophoresis ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Genomic Studies ◽  
Molecular Genetic Variation ◽  
The Common

The protein electrophoresis revolution, nearly fifty years ago, provided the first glimpse into the nature of molecular genetic variation within and between species and showed that the amount of genetic differences between newly arisen species was minimal. Twenty years later, 2D electrophoresis showed that, in contrast to general gene-enzyme variation, reproductive tract proteins were less polymorphic within species but highly diverged between species. The 2D results were interesting and revolutionary, but somewhat uninterpretable because, at the time, rapid evolution and selective sweeps were not yet part of the common vocabulary of evolutionary biologists. Since then, genomic studies of sex and reproduction-related (SRR) genes have grown rapidly into a large area of research in evolutionary biology and are shedding light on a number of phenomena. Here we review some of the major and current fields of research that have greatly contributed to our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics and importance of SRR genes and genetic systems in understanding reproductive biology and speciation.

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