Taxonomic status of two controversial species of Opuntia (Cactaceae) from Mexico based on morphological and molecular data

An investigation of the taxonomic status of Pareas hamptoni (Hampton's Slug snake) based on morphological and molecular data revealed a new distinct species from the Golden Triangle region (comprising parts of southern China, and adjacent Laos and Thailand). The new species is shown to be a sister species to P. hamptoni but can be separated from the latter by having 3–5 dorsal scale rows at midbody slightly keeled (vs 5–9 scales strongly keeled); a lower number of ventrals, 170–188 (vs 185–195); and a lower number of subcaudals, 67–91 (vs 91–99). The new species is currently known from northwestern Thailand, northern Laos, and the southern part of Yunnan Province in China at elevations of 1,160–2,280 m a.s.l. We suggest that the new species to be considered of Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN‘s Red List categories. Problems of taxonomy and actual distribution of the P. hamptoni complex are briefly discussed; our results show P. hamptoni is now reliably known only from Myanmar and Vietnam, but its occurrence in Yunnan Province of China is likely.

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Taxonomic notes on Scutellaria taipeiensis (Lamiaceae) from morphological and molecular data

PhytoKeys ◽

10.3897/phytokeys.140.48578 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 140 ◽

pp. 33-45

Author(s):

Chien-Ti Chao ◽

Bing-Hong Huang ◽

Jui-Tse Chang ◽

Pei-Chun Liao

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequence ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Plastid Dna ◽

Single Species ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Sequence Information ◽

Related Literature ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Comprehensive Study

The genus Scutellaria comprises eight species distributed from 50 to 2000 m in Taiwan. Amongst them, S. barbata and S. taipeiensis are very similar on the basis of morphological and plastid DNA sequence information. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the taxonomic status of S. taipeiensis is necessary. We reviewed the herbarium sheets, related literature and protologues and compared morphologies of these two species, as well as their phylogenetic relationships. All evidence, including the diagnostic characters between S. taipeiensis and S. barbata, suggest that they belonged to a single species rather than two. As a result, S. taipeiensis is treated as a synonym of S. barbata.

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Variability, host range, delimitation and neotypification of Amanita simulans (Amanita section Vaginatae): collections associated with Helianthemum grasslands, and epitypification of A. lividopallescens

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.280.1.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 280 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ALFREDO VIZZINI ◽

MIRCA ZOTTI ◽

MIDO TRAVERSO ◽

ENRICO ERCOLE ◽

PIERRE-ARTHUR MOREAU ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Morphological Variability ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Phylogenetic Position ◽

Extensive Discussion ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Colour Form ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

Several collections of Amanita species from section Vaginatae have been reported to be strictly associated with Helianthemum plants growing in grasslands, a still largely under-explored ectomycorrhizal habitat. The main aim of this study was to investigate the taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of strictly Helianthemum-associated Amanita sect. Vaginatae taxa, informally named Amanita “helianthemicola”. Collections from Italy, England and France were included in this study. The morphologically closely related species complex A. lividopallescens was also examined. Analyses were carried out based on both morphological and molecular data (phylogenetic analysis of the nrITS sequences). All investigated Amanita collections, which are strictly associated with Helianthemum nummularium, turned out to be conspecific with A. simulans. Amanita simulans was recently described from Sardinia (Italy) from Populus nigra habitats based on morphological characters only. As the holotype of A. simulans was lost, a neotype is designated here based on a voucher from the original collecting area. Amanita simulans is re-described, and an extensive discussion on the morphological variability, host species range, distribution and related taxa is provided. Amanita lividopallescens was confirmed as a good species, and re-delimited based on our phylogenetic analysis; moreover, it was epitypified with a recent and well-documented collection from Corse (France). Amanita stenospora is a synonym of A. lividopallescens, being a colour form of the latter without taxonomic value.

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Morphological and molecular diversity in the freshwater crab Potamon ruttneri-P. gedrosianum species complex (Decapoda, Brachyura) indicate the need for taxonomic revision

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003512 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 129-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alireza Keikhosravi ◽

Reza Naderloo ◽

Christoph D. Schubart

Keyword(s):

New Record ◽

Molecular Diversity ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Valid Species ◽

Indus River ◽

Mitochondrial 16S Rdna ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Incomplete Sampling

Many species and subspecies of Potamon have been described from the easternmost distribution of the genus in the western tributaries of the Indus River. Most of them were synonymised subsequently under the two names of currently valid species known from the region: Potamon gedrosianum Alcock, 1909 and Potamon ruttneri Pretzmann, 1962. Genetic and morphological information, based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA and the first male gonopod (G1), were gathered in the course of the present study. The corresponding results suggest the occurrence of four groups and question the taxonomic status of both species. We also revise the distribution range of both species, in particular that of P. gedrosianum, with a new record from Iran. Overall, the study reveals the need for a major revision using further morphological and molecular data. Because of the complexity of this necessary revision and the incomplete sampling, we here refrain from proposing any taxonomic conclusions.

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Split distribution, biogeography and morphological and genetic diversity of the Iberobathynellini Tribe in the family Parabathynellidae (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Bathynellacea)

Contributions to Zoology ◽

10.1163/18759866-bja10024 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-61

Author(s):

Ana Isabel Camacho ◽

Paloma Mas-Peinado ◽

E. Karen López-Estrada ◽

Beatriz A. Dorda ◽

Isabel Rey

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Cryptic Species ◽

Plate Tectonics ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Molecular Dating ◽

Nominal Species ◽

The Family ◽

Well Differentiated ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

Abstract The “Iberobathynella group”, or Iberobathynellini tribe, is a complex of six genera consisting of 33 nominal species and several cryptic species with an amphiatlantic distribution (in Europe, North Africa and North America). A modern systematic revision of this group of subterranean crustaceans is presented here. A phylogenetic and biogeographic study using morphological and molecular data (mitocondrial coi and nuclear 18S) was carried out and allowed to a) re-evaluate the taxonomic status and validity of previously erected subtribes, genera and subgenera that show congruence in the data; b) assess whether the identified mitochondrial lineages represent cryptic species; c) provide a plausible phylogenetic hypothesis for the relationships within Iberobathynellini and with the other two genera of the family Parabathynellidae that inhabit North America and Europe (Montanabathynella and Parabathynella, respectively); d) propose a plausible temporal and historical framework (paleobiogeographic scenario) for the diversification and evolution of the Iberobathynellini tribe based on the current distribution of morphotypes and their estimated times of divergence. Our results show that in parabathynellids, molecular and morphological divergences are not always congruent. Subtribe and subgenus are invalid categories so they must be eliminated. Paraiberobathynella genus needs to be revisited. The molecular dating results support the early divergence of the Iberobathynellini Tribe (Upper Cretaceous, around 78 Mya) and the vicariance by plate tectonics as main factor to explain the amphi-Atlantic distribution shown by this ancient subterranean crustacean group. Since there are species morphologically very similar to I. magna and I. imuniensis, but genetically different, we can ensure the existence of at least three cryptic species. Texanobathynella is undoubtedly a valid genus distinct from Iberobathynella. Montanabathynella and Parabathynella are two well-differentiated genera closely related to the Iberobathynellini tribe.

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The taxonomic status of Cryptobatrachus frogs (Anura: Hemiphractidae) from the Serranía del Perijá

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5068.2.5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5068 (2) ◽

pp. 247-262

Author(s):

FABIO LEONARDO MEZA-JOYA ◽

ELIANA RAMOS ◽

FERNANDO J. M. ROJAS-RUNJAIC ◽

ANDRÉS OVALLE-PACHECO

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Genetic Divergence ◽

Morphological Traits ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

The Other ◽

Taxon Sampling ◽

Morphological Similarity ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

The Neotropical frog genus Cryptobatrachus includes six currently recognized species distributed throughout the northern Andes in Colombia and Venezuela. Cryptobatrachus conditus, C. pedroruizi, and C. remotus were described from the Colombian and Venezuelan slopes of the Serranía del Perijá. Due to the great morphological similarity among these species, we re-assess their taxonomic status based on morphological and molecular data from types, topotypes, and specimens from localities referred to in the original descriptions of these species. Morphometric comparisons showed that all these species are virtually indistinguishable, although some subtle qualitative differences in morphological traits distinguish C. conditus from the other species. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences found that C. remotus and C. pedroruizi are not reciprocally monophyletic and exhibit low genetic divergence (< 1 %). Therefore, C. remotus should be considered a junior synonym of C. pedroruizi. This work stresses the importance of comprehensive taxon sampling in poorly explored areas, especially between neighbouring countries.

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Morphological and molecular systematic review of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865 (Annelida: Eunicidae) species from South Africa

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10076 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. e10076

Author(s):

Jyothi Kara ◽

Isabel C. Molina-Acevedo ◽

Joana Zanol ◽

Carol Simon ◽

Izwandy Idris

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Valid Species ◽

Molecular Systematic ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Taxonomic Framework ◽

Marphysa Sanguinea

A vast polychaete fauna is hidden behind complexes of cryptic and pseudo-cryptic species, which has greatly hindered our understanding of species diversity in several regions worldwide. Among the eunicids, Marphysa sanguinea Montagu, 1813 is a typical example, recorded in three oceans and with various species considered its junior synonyms. In South Africa, specimens previously misidentified as M. sanguinea are now known as Marphysa elityeni Lewis & Karageorgopoulos, 2008. Of the six Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865a species recorded from the same region, three have their distributions restricted to South Africa while the others are considered to have worldwide distributions. Here, we evaluated the taxonomic status of the indigenous M. elityeni and investigated the presence of the widespread species Marphysa macintoshi Crossland, 1903 and Marphysa depressa Schmarda, 1861 in South Africa using morphological and molecular data. Our results reveal that M. elityeni is a junior synonym of Marphysa haemasoma, a species previously described from South Africa which is herein reinstated as a valid species. Both M. macintoshi and M. depressa are not present in South Africa and their status as being distributed worldwide deserves further investigation. Marphysa durbanensis Day, 1934 and the new species described here, M. sherlockae n. sp., had been misidentified as M. macintoshi and M. depressa respectively. Thus, the number of Marphysa species with distributions restricted to South Africa increased from three to five. This study reiterates the importance of implementing an integrated taxonomic framework to unravel local biodiversity.

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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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To be or not to be tchernovi: a taxonomic revision of the snake genus Micrelaps (Squamata: Serpentes), in Israel

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4881.2.4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4881 (2) ◽

pp. 290-306

Author(s):

SIMON JAMISON ◽

EREZ MAZA ◽

GUY SINAIKO ◽

KARIN TAMAR ◽

ALEX SLAVENKO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Morphological Variation ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Colour Pattern ◽

Clinal Variation ◽

Jordan Valley ◽

Temperature And Precipitation ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Colour Patterns

The enigmatic snake genus Micrelaps has uncertain phylogenetic affinities. The type species of the genus, Micrelaps muelleri, inhabits the Southern Levant. Snakes inhabiting the Jordan River Valley just south of the Sea of Galilee have been described as a new species, Micrelaps tchernovi, based on their distinct colour patterns, despite M. muelleri being well known to be variable in colour-pattern traits. Here we use morphological and molecular data to examine the taxonomic status and phylogenetic affinity of Levantine Micrelaps. We show that all scalation, colour, and pattern-related traits are extremely variable across the range of these snakes. Some morphological features show clinal variation related to temperature and precipitation, and snakes with a ‘tchernovi’ morph are merely at one end of a continuum of morphological variation. Both ‘classical muelleri’ and ‘tchernovi’ morphs occur in syntopy in the Jordan Valley and elsewhere in Israel. Against this background of high morphological variation, neutral genetic markers show almost no differentiation between snakes, no genetic structure is evident across populations, and no differences are to be found between the two putative species. We conclude that Levantine Micrelaps belongs to a single, morphologically variable, and genetically uniform species, Micrelaps muelleri, of which M. tchernovi is a junior synonym.

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Taxonomic status of three controversial species of Cephalanthera (Orchidaceae) from Korea based on morphological and molecular data

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.415.2.2 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 415 (2) ◽

pp. 105-112

Author(s):

HYE WOO SHIN ◽

CHANG SHOOK LEE ◽

SUN A CHOI ◽

SANG MI EUM ◽

NAM SOOK LEE

Keyword(s):

Chloroplast Dna ◽

Nuclear Dna ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Molecular Data ◽

The Other ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Independent Species

The taxonomic status of three of the seven Cephalanthera species in Korea is controversial: C. erecta var. oblanceolata, C. subaphylla, and C. shizuoi. To clarify their taxonomic status, we used molecular data of ITS of nuclear DNA, and three regions of chloroplast DNA (matK, rpl16 and trnL-F), in addition to morphological characters. We analyzed 82 accessions collected from 26 sites including the other four taxa: C. erecta, C. falcata, C. longibractea, and C. longifolia. The analysis of ITS, matK, rpl16 and trnL-F data showed that Cephalanthera erecta var. oblanceolata should be treated as a synonym of C. erecta. Molecular data supported that C. subaphylla is an independent species rather than a variety or forma of C. erecta. Cephalanthera shizuoi was currently treated as a synonym of C. erecta or C. longifolia based on morphology and the molecular data supported that C. shizuoi should not be recognized as distinct species; but C. shizuoi should be a synonym of C. longifolia, not a synonym of C. erecta.

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