scholarly journals Journeys Through Shape and Time: Palaeobiology of Cenozoic New Zealand Spissatella and Eucrassatella (Bivalvia, Crassatellidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katie Susanna Collins
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Hard Part ◽  
Outline Shape ◽  
External Shell

<p>A novel, highly-integrated approach combining morphometric, stratocladistic and sclerochronological methods has been applied to two genera of New Zealand Cenozoic crassatellid bivalve (Family Crassatellidae): Spissatella Finlay, 1926 and Eucrassatella Iredale, 1924. This study builds on previous work on Spissatella that demonstrated their amenability to shape analysis and provided a foundation for evolutionary studies of the group. The taxonomy of these crassatellids has been in need of revision; a number of changes to generic placement having been proposed in recent publications without redescription. These bivalves are character-depauperate and known only from fossil material within New Zealand, making them challenging subjects for the phylogenetic analysis that would, ideally, inform taxonomic revision. Geometric morphometric methods have been used to characterise the morphological variation of the study group in terms of shape. Landmarks/semilandmarks that capture internal hard-part morphology and external shell shape, have been compared with internal landmarks only, outline shape semilandmarks only, and outline shape Fourier transform methods, and are shown to best combine comprehensive coverage of total shell form with high correct reassignment of individuals to taxa in multidimensional morphospace. Procrustes-superimposed landmark/semilandmark configurations have been ordinated using Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and PCA plots have been used to compare the shape variation of each species. The independance in morphospace of Spissatella n. sp. C from S. trailli and S. clifdenensis has been established. Covariation of internal morphology and shell-shape has been interpreted as supporting the interdependance of shell and body/mantle proposed by Stasek (1963). PCA scores have been combined with traditional morphological characters and stratigraphic data to produce a phylogenetic tree using stratocladistics, a form of parsimony-based analysis which seeks to minimise combined morphological and stratigraphic debt. This technique also assesses the placement of taxa in ancestral positions on internal nodes of the tree. Combining discretised morphometric data with stratigraphic and morphological data in a single analysis has been shown to produce a more resolved tree than analyses based only on continuous morphometric data. The new analyses demonstrate paraphyly of both Eucrassatella and Spissatella as previously recognised. A taxonomic revision of the studied taxa has been undertaken, incorporating information from both morphometric and phylogenetic studies. Spissatella subobesa and S. maudensis are referred to Eucrassatella. Spissatella discrepans is synonymised with S. acculta. Triplicitella n. gen. and S.maxwelli n. sp. are described. Oxygen isotope analysis has been employed to show that shell-banding in these species is, on average, likely to have been laid down annually. Using this information, the longitudinal dataset of outlines from Crampton & Maxwell (2000) has been recalibrated to use chronological age rather than size to compare shape across taxa, and investigate heterochrony in twelve pairs of species representing either ancestor-descendant, sister-group or lineage-segment relationships. All of the heterochronic processes sensu Gould (1977), namely progenesis, neoteny, acceleration and hypermorphosis, as well as proportioned dwarfism and proportioned gigantism, are identified as having affected evolution within this clade.</p>

scholarly journals Journeys Through Shape and Time: Palaeobiology of Cenozoic New Zealand Spissatella and Eucrassatella (Bivalvia, Crassatellidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Katie Susanna Collins
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Hard Part ◽  
Outline Shape ◽  
External Shell

<p>A novel, highly-integrated approach combining morphometric, stratocladistic and sclerochronological methods has been applied to two genera of New Zealand Cenozoic crassatellid bivalve (Family Crassatellidae): Spissatella Finlay, 1926 and Eucrassatella Iredale, 1924. This study builds on previous work on Spissatella that demonstrated their amenability to shape analysis and provided a foundation for evolutionary studies of the group. The taxonomy of these crassatellids has been in need of revision; a number of changes to generic placement having been proposed in recent publications without redescription. These bivalves are character-depauperate and known only from fossil material within New Zealand, making them challenging subjects for the phylogenetic analysis that would, ideally, inform taxonomic revision. Geometric morphometric methods have been used to characterise the morphological variation of the study group in terms of shape. Landmarks/semilandmarks that capture internal hard-part morphology and external shell shape, have been compared with internal landmarks only, outline shape semilandmarks only, and outline shape Fourier transform methods, and are shown to best combine comprehensive coverage of total shell form with high correct reassignment of individuals to taxa in multidimensional morphospace. Procrustes-superimposed landmark/semilandmark configurations have been ordinated using Principal Components Analysis (PCA), and PCA plots have been used to compare the shape variation of each species. The independance in morphospace of Spissatella n. sp. C from S. trailli and S. clifdenensis has been established. Covariation of internal morphology and shell-shape has been interpreted as supporting the interdependance of shell and body/mantle proposed by Stasek (1963). PCA scores have been combined with traditional morphological characters and stratigraphic data to produce a phylogenetic tree using stratocladistics, a form of parsimony-based analysis which seeks to minimise combined morphological and stratigraphic debt. This technique also assesses the placement of taxa in ancestral positions on internal nodes of the tree. Combining discretised morphometric data with stratigraphic and morphological data in a single analysis has been shown to produce a more resolved tree than analyses based only on continuous morphometric data. The new analyses demonstrate paraphyly of both Eucrassatella and Spissatella as previously recognised. A taxonomic revision of the studied taxa has been undertaken, incorporating information from both morphometric and phylogenetic studies. Spissatella subobesa and S. maudensis are referred to Eucrassatella. Spissatella discrepans is synonymised with S. acculta. Triplicitella n. gen. and S.maxwelli n. sp. are described. Oxygen isotope analysis has been employed to show that shell-banding in these species is, on average, likely to have been laid down annually. Using this information, the longitudinal dataset of outlines from Crampton & Maxwell (2000) has been recalibrated to use chronological age rather than size to compare shape across taxa, and investigate heterochrony in twelve pairs of species representing either ancestor-descendant, sister-group or lineage-segment relationships. All of the heterochronic processes sensu Gould (1977), namely progenesis, neoteny, acceleration and hypermorphosis, as well as proportioned dwarfism and proportioned gigantism, are identified as having affected evolution within this clade.</p>

Integrative Taxonomy of Australian Metopia (Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) Reveals a New Species and Challenges Traditional Phylogeny

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas P Johnston ◽  
James F Wallman ◽  
Thomas Pape
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Generic Relationships

Abstract A taxonomic revision of all Australian species of Metopia Meigen (Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) is completed using an integrated approach combining molecular and morphological data. Metopia nudibasis (Malloch) is redescribed as a species complex and a new endemic Australian species, Metopia sputnik sp. n., is described. Evidence is presented that Metopia sauteri (Townsend) is absent from Australia and this species is therefore removed from the known Australian fauna. Molecular phylogenetics is used to reconstruct interspecific and generic relationships and support morphology-based species hypotheses. Phylogenetic analysis splits Metopia Meigen into two clades, separated by Aenigmetopia Malloch, rendering the former genus nonmonophyletic. The implications of this are discussed.

scholarly journals The taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the New Zealand Thomisidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Phil J. Sirvid
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Recent Establishment

<p>The New Zealand Thomisidae (crab spiders) are represented in New Zealand by two subfamilies (Stephanopinae and Thomisinae) and were used as a model group to test two competing theories on the origins of the New Zealand spider fauna. The New Zealand thomisids are also given their first full taxonomic revision. The two origin models essentially represent species radiations following recent dispersal or ancient vicariance events. Modern distribution data suggested that the stephanopines are poor dispersers and may provide evidence demonstrating a long period of separation from Australia; while in contrast, thomisines are known to be excellent dispersers. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of cytochrome c suboxidase subunit I (COI), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), histone H3 (H3), NADH dehyrogenase 1 (ND1) data and a combined genetic dataset was undertaken. Results indicate New Zealand stephanopines and thomisines form distinct endemic groups separate from sampled Australian species and appear to have separated from them around 5-6 million years ago. Additionally, genetic data from this study showed i) colour variations are not indicative of cryptic species; ii) previously described species are genetically distinct; iii) several suspected new species are also genetically distinct; iv) the relatively recent establishment of two Australian stephanopines and the occurrence of similar COI haplotypes in disjunct locations suggest that the dispersal ability of stephanopines is greater than previously thought and that radiation following colonization from Australia is a plausible explanation for the current diversity of the New Zealand thomisid biota. The taxonomic revision raises the number of described species from eight to eleven based on a combination of morphological and genetic data. In the stephanopines, Bryantymella Gen. nov. is erected to contain the type species Bryantymella angularis (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. as well as B. angulata (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., B. thorini sp. nov. and B. brevirostris sp. nov. Two Australian species, Sidymella longipes (Koch, 1874) and S. trapezia (Koch, 1874), are also recorded for New Zealand. Sidymella benhami (Hogg, 1910) is considered to be a junior synonym of Bryantymella angulata (Urquhart, 1885). In the thomisines, all species are now included in the previously monotypic genus Cymbachina Bryant, 1933. The genus now encompasses the type species C. albobrunnea (Urquhart, 1893), C. ambara (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., C. albolimbata (L. Koch, 1893) comb. nov., C. sphaeroides (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. and D. urquharti sp. nov. Synema suteri Dahl, 1907 is regarded as a junior synonym of C. ambara (L. Koch 1893). All previously described species are redescribed to a modern standard and sexes for some species are described for the first time. Three new species are described. Photographs of adults and diagnostic genitalic characters are included, as are diagnostic keys and updated synonymic, geographic and biological information. Overall, this study indicates that New Zealand thomisids appear to have split from their Australian relatives some 5-6 million years ago and taken in concert with the recent establishment of two Australian stephanopine species, it appears that dispersal to New Zealand by Australian colonists and subsequent radiation into endemic New Zealand forms is a plausible explanation for the current state of the fauna. Genetic and morphological data are mutually supporting and in concert have helped inform the first taxonomic revision ever undertaken for this family in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals A morphometric assessment of species boundaries in a widespread anole lizard (Squamata: Dactyloidae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 813-825
Author(s):  
Tanner C Myers ◽  
Pietro L H de Mello ◽  
Richard E Glor
Keyword(s):  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Normal Mixture ◽  
Test Species ◽  
Candidate Species

Abstract Cryptic species – genetically distinct species that are morphologically difficult to distinguish – present challenges to systematists. Operationally, cryptic species are very difficult to identify and sole use of genetic data or morphological data can fail to recognize evolutionarily isolated lineages. We use morphometric data to test species boundaries hypothesized with genetic data in the North Caribbean bark anole (Anolis distichus), a suspected species complex. We use univariate and multivariate analyses to test if candidate species based on genetic data can be accurately diagnosed. We also test alternative species delimitation scenarios with a model fitting approach that evaluates normal mixture models capable of identifying morphological clusters. Our analyses reject the hypothesis that the candidate species are diagnosable. Neither uni- nor multivariate morphometric data distinguish candidate species. The best-supported model included two morphological clusters; however, these clusters were uneven and did not align with a plausible species divergence scenario. After removing two related traits driving this result, only one cluster was supported. Despite substantial differentiation revealed by genetic data, we recover no new evidence to delimit species and refrain from taxonomic revision. This study highlights the importance of considering other types of data along with molecular data when delimiting species.

Species limits and taxonomic revision of the bracteate-prostrate group of southern hemisphere forget-me-nots (Myosotis, Boraginaceae), including description of three new species endemic to New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi M. Meudt ◽  
Jessica M. Prebble
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Species Descriptions

A taxonomic revision of southern hemisphere bracteate-prostrate forget-me-nots (Myosotis L., Boraginaceae) is presented here. The group comprises mostly species endemic to New Zealand plus the South American Myosotis antarctica Hook.f. (also Campbell Island) and M. albiflora Hook.f. The statistical analyses of morphological data from herbarium specimens reported here support recognition of five main subgroups on the basis of habit. Excluding the M. pygmaea Colenso species group (M. antarctica, M. brevis de Lange & Barkla, M. drucei (L.B.Moore) de Lange & Barkla, M. glauca (G.Simpson & J.S.Thomson) de Lange & Barkla, and M. pygmaea), which is being treated elsewhere, 14 species are recognised in the following four remaining subgroups: (1) creeping-species group: M. matthewsii L.B.Moore, M. chaffeyorum Lehnebach, M. spatulata G.Forst., M. tenericaulis Petrie, and M. albiflora; (2) cushion-species group: M. uniflora Hook.f., M. pulvinaris Hook.f., and M. glabrescens L.B.Moore; (3) M. cheesemanii + M. colensoi species group: M. cheesemanii Petrie and M. colensoi J.F.Macbr.; and (4) M. lyallii species group: M. lyallii Hook.f. and new species M. retrorsa Meudt, Prebble & Hindmarsh-Walls. New species Myosotis umbrosa Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen and M. bryonoma Meudt, Prebble & Thorsen do not fit comfortably within these subgroups. Myosotis elderi L.B.Moore is treated as M. lyallii subsp. elderi (L.B.Moore) Meudt & Prebble. For each of the 14 species revised here, a key to species, descriptions, phenology, distributions, maps, illustrations, specimens examined and notes are provided. Some specimens examined do not fit within these species and require additional comparative studies, including with certain ebracteate-erect species, before taxonomic decisions can be made. Future research on these and other southern hemisphere Myosotis should incorporate the morphological data presented here, with additional genetic, cytological, pollen, and other data in an integrative systematic framework.

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of Australian Amobia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae): integrating morphology and genetics finds a new species and tackles old problems

2020 ◽  
Vol 722 ◽  
pp. 75-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas P. Johnston ◽  
James F. Wallman ◽  
Mark Dowton ◽  
Krzysztof Szpila ◽  
Thomas Pape
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Morphological Species ◽  
A New Species

A taxonomic revision of the Australian species of Amobia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) is completed using an integrated approach combining four molecular loci (three mitochondrial, COI, ND4 and CYTB; one nuclear, EF1α) and morphological data. A new species, Amobia (s. str.) serpenta sp. nov., endemic to Australia, is described, and Amobia auriceps (Baranov, 1935) and Amobia burnsi (Malloch, 1930) are re-described. Molecular data are used to reconstruct inter-specific and generic relationships and support morphological species hypotheses. Phylogenetic analysis places all three Australian Amobia species together with Amobia signata (Meigen, 1824) (a Palaearctic species) in a single clade sister to Senotainia Macquart, 1846 (in part), which is in agreement with previous phylogenetic studies of the Miltogramminae. In addition to the description of species and molecular phylogenetics, general host associations for the Australian species of Amobia are discussed and evidence for the synonymisation of A. pelopei (Rondani, 1859) and A. auriceps is refuted.

scholarly journals Quantifying shell outline variability in extant and fossil Laqueus (Brachiopoda: Terebratulida): are outlines good proxies for long-looped brachidial morphology and can they help us characterize species?

Paleobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Natalia López Carranza ◽  
Sandra J. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Learning Algorithms ◽  
Biological Species ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Fossil Species ◽  
Outline Shape

Abstract Extant and extinct terebratulide brachiopod species have been defined primarily on the basis of morphology. What is the fidelity of morphological species to biological species? And how can we test this fidelity with fossils? Taxonomically and phylogenetically, the most informative internal feature in the brachiopod suborder Terebratellidina is the geometrically complex long-looped brachidium, which is highly fragile and only rarely preserved in the fossil record. Given this, it is essential to test other sources of morphological data, such as valve outline shape, when trying to recognize and identify species. We analyzed valve outlines and brachidia in the genus Laqueus to explore the utility of shell shape in discriminating extant and fossil species. Using geometric morphometric methods, we quantified valve outline variability using elliptical Fourier methods and tested whether long-looped brachidial morphology correlates with shell outline shape. We then built classification models based on machine learning algorithms using outlines as shape variables to predict fossil species’ identities. Our results demonstrate that valve outline shape is significantly correlated with long-looped brachidial shape and that even relatively simple outlines are sufficiently morphologically distinct to enable extant Laqueus species to be identified, validating current taxonomic assignments. These are encouraging results for the study and delimitation of fossil terebratulide species, and their recognition as biological species. In addition, machine learning algorithms can be successfully applied to help solve species recognition and delimitation problems in paleontology, especially when morphology can be characterized quantitatively and analyzed statistically.

Taxonomic revision of five species groups of ebracteate-erect Myosotis (Boraginaceae) endemic to New Zealand, based on morphology, and description of new subspecies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi M. Meudt
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Natural Hybrid ◽  
The South ◽  
New Subspecies ◽  
Taxonomic Treatment ◽  
Species Groups

Macro-morphological data were analysed to assess the distinctiveness and revise the taxonomy of 14 species, varieties and tag-named taxa in five informal species groups of ebracteate-erect forget-me-nots endemic to New Zealand. The following nine species are recognised: Myosotis albosericea Hook.f., M. brockiei L.B.Moore &amp; M.J.A.Simpson, M. capitata Hook.f., M. concinna Cheeseman, M. goyenii Petrie, M. laeta Cheeseman, M. monroi Cheeseman, M. rakiura L.B.Moore, and M. traversii Hook.f. Three species have two allopatric subspecies each in the South Island, distinguished by few, minor morphological characters, including Myosotis brockiei subsp. brockiei and M. brockiei subsp. dysis Courtney &amp; Meudt subsp. nov., M. goyenii subsp. goyenii and M. goyenii subsp. infima Meudt &amp; Heenan, and M. traversii subsp. cantabrica (L.B.Moore) Meudt comb. et stat. nov. and M. traversii subsp. traversii. Myosotis × cinerascens Petrie is hypothesised to be a rare natural hybrid involving M. traversii subsp. cantabrica and another species, possibly M. colensoi. Several vegetative and floral characteristics can distinguish the study taxa from one another and from other ebracteate-erect species. The nine species plus M. × cinerascens are included in the taxonomic treatment, and the key also includes other recently revised ebracteate-erect species.

scholarly journals Lineage Identification Affects Estimates of Evolutionary Mode in Marine Snails

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1106-1121
Author(s):  
Felix Vaux ◽  
Michael R Gemmell ◽  
Simon F K Hills ◽  
Bruce A Marshall ◽  
Alan G Beu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Morphological Evolution ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Shell Shape ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Shell Size ◽  
Evolutionary Pattern ◽  
Pattern And Process ◽  
Marine Snails ◽  
Extant Species

Abstract In order to study evolutionary pattern and process, we need to be able to accurately identify species and the evolutionary lineages from which they are derived. Determining the concordance between genetic and morphological variation of living populations, and then directly comparing extant and fossil morphological data, provides a robust approach for improving our identification of lineages through time. We investigate genetic and shell morphological variation in extant species of Penion marine snails from New Zealand, and extend this analysis into deep time using fossils. We find that genetic and morphological variation identify similar patterns and support most currently recognized extant species. However, some taxonomic over-splitting is detected due to shell size being a poor trait for species delimitation, and we identify incorrect assignment of some fossil specimens. We infer that a single evolutionary lineage (Penion sulcatus) has existed for 22 myr, with most aspects of shell shape and shell size evolving under a random walk. However, by removing samples previously classified as the extinct species P. marwicki, we instead detect morphological stasis for one axis of shell shape variation. This result demonstrates how lineage identification can change our perception of evolutionary pattern and process. [Genotyping by sequencing; geometric morphometrics; morphological evolution; Neogastropoda; phenotype; speciation; stasis.]

scholarly journals The taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the New Zealand Thomisidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Phil J. Sirvid
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Recent Establishment

<p>The New Zealand Thomisidae (crab spiders) are represented in New Zealand by two subfamilies (Stephanopinae and Thomisinae) and were used as a model group to test two competing theories on the origins of the New Zealand spider fauna. The New Zealand thomisids are also given their first full taxonomic revision. The two origin models essentially represent species radiations following recent dispersal or ancient vicariance events. Modern distribution data suggested that the stephanopines are poor dispersers and may provide evidence demonstrating a long period of separation from Australia; while in contrast, thomisines are known to be excellent dispersers. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of cytochrome c suboxidase subunit I (COI), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), histone H3 (H3), NADH dehyrogenase 1 (ND1) data and a combined genetic dataset was undertaken. Results indicate New Zealand stephanopines and thomisines form distinct endemic groups separate from sampled Australian species and appear to have separated from them around 5-6 million years ago. Additionally, genetic data from this study showed i) colour variations are not indicative of cryptic species; ii) previously described species are genetically distinct; iii) several suspected new species are also genetically distinct; iv) the relatively recent establishment of two Australian stephanopines and the occurrence of similar COI haplotypes in disjunct locations suggest that the dispersal ability of stephanopines is greater than previously thought and that radiation following colonization from Australia is a plausible explanation for the current diversity of the New Zealand thomisid biota. The taxonomic revision raises the number of described species from eight to eleven based on a combination of morphological and genetic data. In the stephanopines, Bryantymella Gen. nov. is erected to contain the type species Bryantymella angularis (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. as well as B. angulata (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., B. thorini sp. nov. and B. brevirostris sp. nov. Two Australian species, Sidymella longipes (Koch, 1874) and S. trapezia (Koch, 1874), are also recorded for New Zealand. Sidymella benhami (Hogg, 1910) is considered to be a junior synonym of Bryantymella angulata (Urquhart, 1885). In the thomisines, all species are now included in the previously monotypic genus Cymbachina Bryant, 1933. The genus now encompasses the type species C. albobrunnea (Urquhart, 1893), C. ambara (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., C. albolimbata (L. Koch, 1893) comb. nov., C. sphaeroides (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. and D. urquharti sp. nov. Synema suteri Dahl, 1907 is regarded as a junior synonym of C. ambara (L. Koch 1893). All previously described species are redescribed to a modern standard and sexes for some species are described for the first time. Three new species are described. Photographs of adults and diagnostic genitalic characters are included, as are diagnostic keys and updated synonymic, geographic and biological information. Overall, this study indicates that New Zealand thomisids appear to have split from their Australian relatives some 5-6 million years ago and taken in concert with the recent establishment of two Australian stephanopine species, it appears that dispersal to New Zealand by Australian colonists and subsequent radiation into endemic New Zealand forms is a plausible explanation for the current state of the fauna. Genetic and morphological data are mutually supporting and in concert have helped inform the first taxonomic revision ever undertaken for this family in New Zealand.</p>

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