scholarly journals Conflicts in sperm: how do genitalia coevolve with elaborate sperm?

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Gomez ◽  
David Maddison

Some sperm traits are now recognized as ornaments akin to peacock’s tails evolving under cryptic female choice or weapons in sexual conflicts, but there are still few studies addressing patterns and process in sperm-female evolution. We are studying sperm-female evolution in ground beetles of the genus Dyschirius. Male Dyschirius make groups of sperm, termed conjugates, by pairing sperm to non-cellular rods, or spermatostyles. This pairing creates a conflict for storage space in the female’s reproductive tract between sperm and the spermatostyle, which is incapable of fertilizing eggs. We speculate that the conjugates of some Dyschirius that include large spermatostyles with few sperm are ornaments. We hypothesize that increased spermathecal storage volume is positively correlated with larger spermatostyles and that male genitalic complexity is negatively correlated with elaboration of sperm. We gathered morphological trait data on sperm conjugates and male and female genitalia from several species of Dyschirius. We analyzed these data in a phylogenetic framework using a robust Dyschirius species tree derived from DNA sequence data. We present preliminary results from this ongoing study and solicit feedback from the ECM community.

Author(s):  
Pradeep K. Divakar ◽  
Ana Crespo

Several obligately sexualy reproducing lichen-forming fungal species are disjunctly distributed in pantropical regions. Here, we aim to re-examine species boundaries within the sexually reproducing, disjunctly distributed species, Hypotrachyna intercalanda. We gathered a three-locus DNA sequence data set of Hypotrachyna subgen. Parmelinopsis, especially including the samples from India, and these data were analysed in a phylogenetic framework. Our results show that specimens of H. intercalanda, as currently circumscribed, do not form a monophyletic group but fall into two well-supported independent clades. Morphological and chemical features were re-evaluated. Corroborating with the phenotypic features, the sample recovered in clade 2 occurring in southern India are described as a new species, viz. Hypotrachyna upretii Divakar and A. Crespo sp. nov. Our study adds a further example of a previously overlooked, geographically distinct, lineage that was uncovered using molecular data. Additionally, our study underlines the need of critical reexamination of phenotypic features of samples falling into different clades.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2991 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
JOHN M. HASH ◽  
BRIAN V. BROWN ◽  
PAUL T. SMITH

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data from the nuclear CAD (rudimentary) and mitochondrial NDI, COI, and 16S gene regions (2817 bp total) recovered exemplars of the genus Dohrniphora as a monophyletic lineage. The data also supported the sister-group relationship of Dohrniphora + Diplonevra and were used to associate a morphologically dissimilar male and female of the species D. ecitophila. Further, we discuss the implications of this designation and provide support for the synonymy of D. ecitophila and D. geminata as proposed by Borgmeier (1968).


The Auk ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose G. Tello ◽  
John M. Bates

Abstract The tody-tyrant and flatbill assemblage, sensuLanyon (1988a), includes 12 genera of tyrant flycatchers known variously as “tody-tyrants” and “flatbills.” Lanyon supported the monophyly of the group based on similar skull morphology and nest form, and built intergeneric relationships based on syringeal characters. However, these comparisons were made without a phylogenetic framework. A more recent study assessing relationships in the tyrant flycatchers using published morphological and behavioral data failed to recover monophyly of this assemblage (Birdsley 2002). Using DNA sequence data, we test for the monophyly of the tody-tyrant and flatbill assemblage and compare and contrast phylogenetic signals from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA character systems. We discuss our results in light of results from previous studies. We include representatives of the other major tyrant flycatcher assemblages for a total of 42 individuals (representing 27 tyrannid genera and 36 species). We sequenced 3,022 base pairs (bp) of three mitochondrial genes (ND2, ND3, and cytochrome b) and one nuclear intron (FIB5). Our results resolve many of the basal relationships of the tody-tyrant and flatbill phylogeny, but separate and combined analyses of data partitions are necessary to understand the nature of conflict among data sets. The tody-tyrants constitute a monophyletic clade, but the genera Hemitriccus and Lophotriccus are not monophyletic, and the limits of Oncostoma-Lophotriccus need to be revised with more complete sampling at the species level. The flatbills as defined by Lanyon are not monophyletic (Onychorhynchus and Platyrinchus are not true flatbills). Pseudotriccus and Corythopis are sister taxa and, together with Leptopogon and Mionectes, are allied to the tody-tyrant and flatbill clade. Filogenia Molecular del Grupo de los Picochatos y Mosquiteros de la Familia Tyrannidae


PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Horn ◽  
Annette Häser

BackgroundNames used in ingredient lists of food products are trivial and in their nature rarely precise. The most recent scientific interpretation of the term bamboo (Bambusoideae,Poaceae) comprises over 1,600 distinct species. In the European Union only few of these exotic species are well known sources for food ingredients (i.e., bamboo sprouts) and are thus not considered novel foods, which would require safety assessments before marketing of corresponding products. In contrast, the use of bamboo leaves and their taxonomic origin is mostly unclear. However, products containing bamboo leaves are currently marketed.MethodsWe analysed bamboo species and tea products containing bamboo leaves using anatomical leaf characters and DNA sequence data. To reduce taxonomic complexity associated with the term bamboo, we used a phylogenetic framework to trace the origin of DNA from commercially available bamboo leaves within the bambusoid subfamily. For authentication purposes, we introduced a simple PCR based test distinguishing genuine bamboo from other leaf components and assessed the diagnostic potential ofrbcLandmatKto resolve taxonomic entities within the bamboo subfamily and tribes.ResultsBased on anatomical and DNA data we were able to trace the taxonomic origin of bamboo leaves used in products to the generaPhyllostachysandPseudosasafrom the temperate “woody” bamboo tribe (Arundinarieae). Currently availablerbcLandmatKsequence data allow the character based diagnosis of 80% of represented bamboo genera. We detected adulteration by carnation in four of eight tea products and, after adapting our objectives, could trace the taxonomic origin of the adulterant toDianthus chinensis(Caryophyllaceae), a well known traditional Chinese medicine with counter indications for pregnant women.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5061 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-270
Author(s):  
FERNANDO M. S. DIAS ◽  
THOMAS J. RILEY ◽  
MIRNA M. CASAGRANDE ◽  
OLAF H. H. MIELKE

Memphis Hübner, [1819] is a nymphalid butterfly genus exclusive to the Neotropics. It includes species with iridescent bluish or greenish coloration on the upper side of the wings while the underside is cryptic, resembling dead leaves. This paper aims to describe a remarkable new species, M. smalli Riley & Dias sp. nov., from the remote Atlantic slopes of Panama based on molecular and morphological analyses. We also review the taxonomy of species herein included in the “arginussa” species group based on distances analyses of DNA sequence data. The “arginussa” species group, as defined here, includes M. arginussa (Geyer, 1832), M. eubaena (Boisduval, 1870) stat. rest., M. onophis (Felder & Felder, 1861) stat. rest., M. lemons (Druce, 1877), M. neidhoeferi (Rotger, Escalante & Coronado, 1965), M. perenna (Godman & Salvin, [1884]), M. lankesteri (Hall, 1935) stat. rest., M. paulus Costa & Orellana, 2014, M. pithyusa (Felder, 1869), M. herbacea (Butler & Druce, 1872) and M. smalli sp. nov. Anaea pithyusa morena Hall, 1935 syn. nov. is recognized as a synonym of Nymphalis pithyusa Felder, 1869. The new species and its closest ally, M. herbacea, are illustrated, including characters of the head, labial palpus, wings, legs, male and female genitalia and their distribution map.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Niccolò Forin ◽  
Alfredo Vizzini ◽  
Federico Fainelli ◽  
Enrico Ercole ◽  
Barbara Baldan

In a recent monograph on the genus Rosellinia, type specimens worldwide were revised and re-classified using a morphological approach. Among them, some came from Pier Andrea Saccardo’s fungarium stored in the Herbarium of the Padova Botanical Garden. In this work, we taxonomically re-examine via a morphological and molecular approach nine different Roselliniasensu Saccardo types. ITS1 and/or ITS2 sequences were successfully obtained applying Illumina MiSeq technology and phylogenetic analyses were carried out in order to elucidate their current taxonomic position. Only the ITS1 sequence was recovered for Rosellinia areolata, while for R. geophila, only the ITS2 sequence was recovered. We proposed here new combinations for Rosellinia chordicola, R. geophila and R. horridula, while for R. ambigua, R. areolata, R. australis, R. romana and R. somala, we did not suggest taxonomic changes compared to the current ones. The name Rosellinia subsimilis Sacc. is invalid, as it is a later homonym of R. subsimilis P. Karst. & Starbäck. Therefore, we introduced Coniochaeta dakotensis as a nomen novum for R. subsimilis Sacc. This is the first time that these types have been subjected to a molecular study. Our results demonstrate that old types are an important source of DNA sequence data for taxonomic re-examinations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 911-927
Author(s):  
Lucia Muggia ◽  
Yu Quan ◽  
Cécile Gueidan ◽  
Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi ◽  
Martin Grube ◽  
...  

AbstractLichen thalli provide a long-lived and stable habitat for colonization by a wide range of microorganisms. Increased interest in these lichen-associated microbial communities has revealed an impressive diversity of fungi, including several novel lineages which still await formal taxonomic recognition. Among these, members of the Eurotiomycetes and Dothideomycetes usually occur asymptomatically in the lichen thalli, even if they share ancestry with fungi that may be parasitic on their host. Mycelia of the isolates are characterized by melanized cell walls and the fungi display exclusively asexual propagation. Their taxonomic placement requires, therefore, the use of DNA sequence data. Here, we consider recently published sequence data from lichen-associated fungi and characterize and formally describe two new, individually monophyletic lineages at family, genus, and species levels. The Pleostigmataceae fam. nov. and Melanina gen. nov. both comprise rock-inhabiting fungi that associate with epilithic, crust-forming lichens in subalpine habitats. The phylogenetic placement and the monophyly of Pleostigmataceae lack statistical support, but the family was resolved as sister to the order Verrucariales. This family comprises the species Pleostigma alpinum sp. nov., P. frigidum sp. nov., P. jungermannicola, and P. lichenophilum sp. nov. The placement of the genus Melanina is supported as a lineage within the Chaetothyriales. To date, this genus comprises the single species M. gunde-cimermaniae sp. nov. and forms a sister group to a large lineage including Herpotrichiellaceae, Chaetothyriaceae, Cyphellophoraceae, and Trichomeriaceae. The new phylogenetic analysis of the subclass Chaetothyiomycetidae provides new insight into genus and family level delimitation and classification of this ecologically diverse group of fungi.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heleen Plaisier ◽  
Thomas R. Meagher ◽  
Daniel Barker

Abstract Objective Visualisation methods, primarily color-coded representation of sequence data, have been a predominant means of representation of DNA data. Algorithmic conversion of DNA sequence data to sound—sonification—represents an alternative means of representation that uses a different range of human sensory perception. We propose that sonification has value for public engagement with DNA sequence information because it has potential to be entertaining as well as informative. We conduct preliminary work to explore the potential of DNA sequence sonification in public engagement with bioinformatics. We apply a simple sonification technique for DNA, in which each DNA base is represented by a specific note. Additionally, a beat may be added to indicate codon boundaries or for musical effect. We report a brief analysis from public engagement events we conducted that featured this method of sonification. Results We report on use of DNA sequence sonification at two public events. Sonification has potential in public engagement with bioinformatics, both as a means of data representation and as a means to attract audience to a drop-in stand. We also discuss further directions for research on integration of sonification into bioinformatics public engagement and education.


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