scholarly journals Sleuthing cryptic Chromodorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia): adding to Philippine marine biodiversity

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Reef Environments ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Water Coral ◽  
Pseudocryptic Species

The Verde Island Passage of the Philippines is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and heterobranch mollusks are demonstrable models of that species richness of the region. Chromodorid nudibranchs represent a particularly rich taxon, with species of Chromodoris being one of the most iconic and abundant taxa in shallow water coral reef environments. Despite being one of the best-documented clades of nudibranch mollusks, recent work has shown that numerous cryptic and pseudocryptic species are abundant in the waters of the Coral Triangle region. This paper reviews the species richness and distribution of Chromodoris species in the Philippines and provides a description of a new species of Chromodoris from the region. Chromodoris alcalai Gosliner, n. sp. is named to honor Dr. Angel Alcala’s 90th birthday and his pioneering contributions to preserving the marine biodiversity of the Philippines. This species is most similar externally to C. dianae Gosliner and Behrens, 1998, with which it was erroneous lumped. Distinctness of molecular data, external morphology and coloration, and internal anatomical features clearly distinguish these two species. KEYWORDS: systematics, Nudibranchia, coral reefs, Indo-Pacific, Coral Triangle

scholarly journals Delineating priority areas for marine biodiversity conservation in the Coral Triangle

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irawan Asaad ◽  
Carolyn J. Lundquist ◽  
Mark V. Erdmann ◽  
Mark J. Costello
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Priority Areas ◽  
Conservation Concern

Identifying priority areas for biodiversity conservation requires systematic approaches and integrated ecological and biological information. Here, we applied a range of ecological criteria to assess areas of biodiversity importance in the Coral Triangle region, a priority region for marine biodiversity conservation because of its high species richness and endemicity. We used distribution data of three biogenic habitats to assess the criterion of sensitive habitat, modeled geographic distributions of 10,672 species ranges and occurrence records of 19,251 species to evaluate the criterion of species richness, distributions of 834 species of special conservation concern to examine the criterion of species of conservation concern, distributions of 373 reef fish species to assess the criterion of restricted-range species, and distribution of nesting sites and migratory route of six species of sea turtle to evaluate the criterion of areas of importance for particular life history stages. We identified areas of biodiversity importance by superimposing each of the different criterion. We performed two tiers of multi-criteria analysis: (1) a Coral Triangle regional level analysis to identify “clustered hotspots” (i.e., groups of cells) of biodiversity significance, and (2) a site-based analysis to identify the specific sites (cells) of greatest biodiversity importance. We found that approximately 13% of the Coral Triangle was clustered into hotspots of high biodiversity importance. These areas occurred along the southern part of the Philippines, the north-eastern part of Malaysian Sabah, central to eastern reaches of Indonesia, the eastern part of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. By comparison, the site-based analysis identified seven sites of highest biodiversity importance in the Coral Triangle include: (1) the northern tip of Sulawesi Island, (2) Ambon Island, (3) Kei Islands, (4) Raja Ampat Archipelago of Indonesian Papua, (5) the Verde Island Passage, (6) the southern part of Negros Island, and (7) Cebu Island. This information is useful to inform participatory decision-making processes in the Coral Triangle region to identify priority areas for conservation and management.

scholarly journals The Coral Triangle Initiative: what are we missing? A case study from Aceh

Oryx ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 482-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edi Rudi ◽  
Stuart J. Campbell ◽  
Andrew S. Hoey ◽  
Nur Fadli ◽  
Matthew Linkie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Andaman Sea ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Coral Fauna ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Reef Fauna

AbstractThe Coral Triangle Initiative is an ambitious attempt to conserve the marine biodiversity hotspot known as the Coral Triangle. However, the reef fauna in many nearby regions remains poorly explored and, consequently, the focus on the Coral Triangle risks overlooking other areas of high conservation significance. One region of potential significance, Aceh, Indonesia, has not been visited by coral taxonomists since the Dutch colonial period. Here we document the species richness of scleractinian corals of Pulau Weh, Aceh. We also compare the species richness of the genus Acropora at 3–5 sites in each of nine regions in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Although dominated by widespread Indo-Pacific species, the coral fauna of Pulau Weh is also the eastern and western boundary for many Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean species, respectively. We identified a total of 133 scleractinian species, of which three have been previously recorded only in the western Indian Ocean and five are presently undescribed. The mean species richness of the Acropora at Pulau Weh is similar to regions within the Coral Triangle. This high species richness plus the high proportion of endemics suggests that the Andaman Sea is of similarly high conservation value to the Coral Triangle. We suggest that an international initiative similar to the Coral Triangle Initiative is required to conserve this region, which includes the territorial waters of six countries.

Taxonomic notes on Trigonidium and related groups with one new species from the Philippines (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae; Trigonidiinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4564 (2) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
MING KAI TAN ◽  
JESSICA B. BAROGA-BARBECHO ◽  
SHERYL A. YAP
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Considerable Confusion ◽  
Future Work ◽  
One New Species ◽  
A New Species

The taxonomy of Old World Trigonidiinae (sword-tailed crickets) is in need of major revision. This includes its type genus Trigonidium. Various authors have different opinions on what constitutes the subgenera and species of Trigonidium s. l. and this has led to considerable confusion and inconsistencies. Recent use of molecular data has helped make some progress in resolving some of these problems, but there are still limitations. In this paper, we aim to provide a baseline to resolve the confusion in the taxonomy of Trigonidium s. l. Firstly, we provide a literature review of the contentious taxa related to Trigonidium and also provide some recommendations on future work for Trigonidium s. l. Secondly, we reanalysed the gene tree (sensu Lu et al., 2018) using more DNA sequences from GenBank to test whether Trigonidium s. str. and Paratrigonidium should be considered separate genera or subgenera of Trigonidium s. l. However, the gene tree based on current data was not conclusive. Lastly, we describe a new species of Trigonidium s. str. from Siargao Island, Mindanao (Philippines): Trigonidium solis sp. nov. 

scholarly journals A new species of Casmaria H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 (Gastropoda, Cassidae) from the Philippines identified by molecular data

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Fedosov ◽  
Baldomero M. Olivera ◽  
Maren Watkins ◽  
Varvara Barkalova
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Sandy Bottom ◽  
Smooth Form ◽  
Sympatric Forms ◽  
A New Species

The genus Casmaria H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853 (family Cassidae) is widespread in the tropical Indo-Pacific and has been documented from some Atlantic localities as well. Two Casmaria species, C. erinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) and C. ponderosa (Gmelin, 1791), are common in Indo-Pacific shallow-water sandy bottom communities and are characterized by high morphological variability; both species encompass multiple, often sympatric forms of uncertain status. In the present study we carry out a phylogenetic analysis of some Philippine Casmaria morphs and demonstrate that one of the distinctive morphs earlier assigned to Casmaria ponderosa is in fact a different species, which we describe as Casmaria boblehmani sp. nov. The smooth form of Casmaria ponderosa, C. ponderosa ponderosa, and the solid nodulose form, widely called “form nodulosa” despite being strikingly different in shell morphology, are shown to be conspecific. Studied specimens of these two morphs even from different localities share the same haplotype of the CO1 gene. In light of these new data on the morphological variability of Casmaria species, we discuss criteria of species delimitation in the genus Casmaria and possible affinities of Casmaria boblehmani sp. nov. within the genus.

scholarly journals Comparative Phylogeography of the Coral Triangle and Implications for Marine Management

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent E. Carpenter ◽  
Paul H. Barber ◽  
Eric D. Crandall ◽  
Ma. Carmen A. Ablan-Lagman ◽  
Ambariyanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Comparative Phylogeography ◽  
Sea Level Fluctuations ◽  
Marine Management ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
Management Schemes ◽  
Divergence Dates

Extreme concentration of marine biodiversity and exploitation of marine resources in the Coral Triangle pose challenges to biogeographers and resource managers. Comparative phylogeography provides a powerful tool to test biogeographic hypotheses evoked to explain species richness in the Coral Triangle. It can also be used to delineate management units for marine resources. After about a decade of phylogeographical studies, patterns for the Coral Triangle are emerging. Broad connectivity in some species support the notion that larvae have maintained gene flow among distant populations for long periods. Other phylogeographic patterns suggest vicariant events resulting from Pleistocene sea level fluctuations, which have, at least occasionally, resulted in speciation. Divergence dates ranging back to the Miocene suggest that changing land configurations may have precipitated an explosion of species diversification. A synthesis of the marine phylogeographic studies reveals repeated patterns that corroborate hypothesized biogeographic processes and suggest improved management schemes for marine resources.

Redescription of Callianassa jousseaumei Nobili, 1904, a junior subjective synonym of Callianassa indica de Man, 1905 with description of a new species of Neocallichirus (Decapoda: Axiidea: Callianassidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2746 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER C. DWORSCHAK
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
First Record ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Type Material ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
De Man ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Subjective Synonym

Investigation of newly collected material from the Philippines during the Panglao Marine Biodiversity Project 2004, together with re-examination of the type material of Callianassa jousseaumei Nobili, 1904 and numerous specimens identified as Neocallichirus indicus (de Man, 1905), revealed that the latter is identical with the former and has to be considered a junior synonym of Callianassa jousseaumei. A redescription of this species is presented together with notes on its morphological variability and its ecology. A new species of Neocallichirus, N. vaugelasi, is described for specimens from Aqaba, previously attributed erroneously to C. (or N.) jousseaumei, and N. natalensis Barnard, 1947 is removed from the synonymy of the latter. This is the first record of this species for the Philippines and Thailand.

scholarly journals CRYPTIC MARINE BIODIVERSITY OF RAJA AMPAT ISLANDS

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-101
Author(s):  
Bert W. Hoeksema ◽  
Yosephine Tuti ◽  
Suharsono
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Coral Triangle ◽  
Marine Lakes ◽  
Very High

During a marine field survey in Raja Ampat as part of Ekspedisi Widya Nusantara (E-win), 21 scientists, studied the area's cryptic biota on coral reefs and in marine lakes. Cryptic species lead hidden lives due to their small size, successful camouflage or mimicry, or because they live in habitats that are easily overlooked or hard to access. Hundreds of species were sampled, many of which still have to be identified. The species richness of Raja Ampat appears to be very high, even among other areas within the centre of maximum marine biodiversity, the so-called Coral Triangle.

Systematics of Hymenophyllum subgenus Mecodium (Hymenophyllaceae) in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 753-767
Author(s):  
Tian-Chuan Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fang Huang ◽  
Yi-Shan Chao
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Common Element ◽  
Morphological Investigation ◽  
Eastern Asia ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Independent Species

Abstract—Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium, composed of the taxonomically notorious H. polyanthos and approximately 15 other closely related taxa, is a common element of filmy fern communities in the tropical and subtropical moist forests. In Taiwan, although only H. polyanthos and one or two closely related taxa were recognized in recent studies, considerable morphological variation has been observed among populations throughout the island. Thus, we conducted an extensive morphological investigation, as well as a molecular phylogenetic analysis, to clarify the specific diversity and phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan. Field and herbaria surveys helped in recognizing five morphs in Taiwan, mainly differentiated by the combination of certain traits, viz., the presence or absence of stipe wings, general frond size and shape, degree of laminar crispation, sori position, and involucre shape. The different morphs had diverse ecological preferences. The phylogenetic tree, inferred from the sequences of the plastid loci rbcL and rps4-trnS, demonstrated that Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium materials in Taiwan comprise several well-supported lineages, mostly corresponding to the classification based on morphology. Comparing with the protologues and type specimens of 34 related scientific names, the five morphs are herein recognized as five independent species. A new species, Hymenophyllum exquisitum, is described here. Also, the status of H. paniculiflorum is reconfirmed and that of H. fujisanense, H. parallelocarpum, and H. punctisorum reinstated. Only H. exquisitum and H. parallelocarpum are endemic to Taiwan among all the species studied. In addition, the names Hymenophyllum blumeanum, H. integrum, H. microsorum, H. polyanthos, H. tenellum, and H. wrightii are now excluded from the regional flora, and several related taxa from China, Taiwan, and the Philippines are treated as synonyms. This study unravels the deep phylogenetic relationships within Hymenophyllum subg. Mecodium in Taiwan and Eastern Asia.

Description of a new species Coomansus batxatensis (Mononchida, Mononchidae) from Vietnam, with an updated key to species

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.T.T. Vu
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Buccal Cavity ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Cavity Size ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Tooth Apex ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Posterior Position ◽  
28S Ribosomal Dna

Abstract Coomansus batxatensis sp. nov., recorded from Vietnam, is described and illustrated and its phylogenetic relationship within the Mononchida is analysed. The molecular data (18S and 28S ribosomal DNA) are provided for the new species. The new species is characterized by small body size (body length, L = 0.7–0.9 mm); buccal cavity sub-rectangular in shape, flattened at base, 21–24 × 12–13 μm or 1.9 (1.7–2.0) times as long as wide; posterior position of dorsal tooth apex (59–63% from the base of buccal cavity); pars refringens vaginae with faint and small (2.5 × 1.7 μm) teardrop-shaped pieces, short pars distalis vaginae; and males with short spicules (50–51.5 μm) with rounded head and conical blade part. The new species is close to Coomansus parvus but differs from it by the smaller buccal cavity size, more posterior position of the dorsal tooth apex, longer tail and presence of males. An updated identification key to Coomansus species and a compendium of all the species known are presented.

A new species of Cynomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from the northwestern slope of the Andes

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Arenas-Viveros ◽  
Pamela Sánchez-Vendizú ◽  
Alan Giraldo ◽  
Jorge Salazar-Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Mtdna Sequences ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Western Side ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

Abstract The systematics and taxonomy of the broadly distributed bats of the genus Cynomops has changed considerably in the last few years. Among the major changes, Cynomops abrasus was split into two species of large-bodied forms (Cynomops mastivus and C. abrasus) distributed east of the Andes. However, large Colombian specimens identified as C. abrasus from the western side of the Andes had yet to be included in any revisionary work. Phylogenetic analysis performed in this study, using mtDNA sequences (Cytochrome-b), revealed that these Colombian individuals are more closely related to Cynomops greenhalli. Morphological and molecular data allowed us to recognize populations from western Colombia, western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, as members of a new species of Cynomops. Characters that allow for its differentiation from C. greenhalli include a larger forearm, paler but more uniform ventral pelage, more globular braincase, and well-developed zygomatic processes of the maxilla (almost reaching the postorbital constriction). This study serves as another example of the importance of including multiple lines of evidence in the recognition of a new species. Given its rarity and the advanced transformation of its habitat, this new species is particularly important from a conservation perspective.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document