Cytogenetic analysis of Hypomasticus copelandii and H. steindachneri: relevance of cytotaxonomic markers in the Anostomidae family (Characiformes)

Recent phylogenetic hypotheses within Anostomidae, based on morphological and molecular data, resulted in the description of new genera (Megaleporinus Ramirez, Birindelli et Galetti, 2017) and the synonymization of others, such as the reallocation of Leporinus copelandii Steindachner, 1875 and Leporinus steindachneri Eigenmann, 1907 to Hypomasticus Borodin, 1929. Despite high levels of conservatism of the chromosomal macrostructure in this family, species groups have been corroborated using banding patterns and the presence of different sex chromosome systems. Due to the absence of cytogenetic studies in H. copelandii (Steindachner, 1875) and H. steindachneri (Eigenmann, 1907), the goal of this study was to characterize their karyotypes and investigate the presence/absence of sex chromosome systems using different repetitive DNA probes. Cytogenetic techniques included: Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding and FISH using 18S and 5S rDNA probes, as well as microsatellite probes (CA)15 and (GA)15. Both species had 2n = 54, absence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, one chromosome pair bearing Ag-NOR, 18S and 5S rDNA regions. The (CA)15 and (GA)15 probes marked mainly the subtelomeric regions of all chromosomes and were useful as species-specific chromosomal markers. Our results underline that chromosomal macrostructure is congruent with higher systematic arrangements in Anostomidae, while microsatellite probes are informative about autapomorphic differences between species.

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Review of the Neotropical water scavenger beetle genus Tobochares Short & García, 2007 (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Acidocerinae): new lineages, new species, and new records

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.1019.59881 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1019 ◽

pp. 93-140

Author(s):

Jennifer C. Girón ◽

Andrew Edward Z. Short

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

South America ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Additional Species ◽

As Species ◽

High Resolution Images ◽

Species Groups ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Almost All ◽

First Time

The water scavenger beetle genus Tobochares Short & García, 2007 currently contains ten species, including one known but formally undescribed taxon. Although Tobochares was revised in 2017, ongoing fieldwork as well as an expanded concept of the genus has led to the recognition of numerous additional species. Here a combination of morphological and molecular data is presented to review this newly found Tobochares diversity. Fifteen new species are described from South America, bringing the total number of known species to 25: Tobochares akoeriosp. nov. (Suriname), T. arawaksp. nov. (Guyana), T. anthonyaesp. nov. (Venezuela: Bolívar), T. aturessp. nov., (Venezuela: Amazonas), T. benettiisp. nov. (Brazil: Amazonas), T. canaimasp. nov. (Venezuela: Bolívar), T. communissp. nov. (Brazil: Amapá and Roraima, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela: Bolívar), T. fusussp. nov. (Brazil: Amapá, French Guiana), T. goiassp. nov. (Brazil: Goiás), T. kappelsp. nov. (Suriname), T. kolokoesp. nov. (Suriname), T. luteomargosp. nov. (Venezuela: Bolívar), T. micropssp. nov. (Suriname), T. pemonsp. nov. (Venezuela: Bolívar), and T. romanoaesp. nov. (Brazil: Roraima). Both morphological and molecular analyses support four clades within the genus, which are here diagnosed and described as species groups. New distributional records are provided for T. kusad Kohlenberg & Short, 2017 and T. sipaliwini Short & Kadosoe, 2011, both of which are recorded from Brazil for the first time. Previously restricted to the Guiana Shield region of South America, the distributional range of the genus is now broadly expanded to include localities as far south as the central Brazilian state of Goiás. Consistent with the biology of the previously described species, almost all the new species described here are associated with seepage and wet rock habitats. Remarkably, one species, T. fusussp. nov., was collected in both seepage habitats as well as in the rotting fruits of Clusia Linnaeus (Clusiaceae), making it one of the few known acidocerines with terrestrial habits outside of the genus Quadriops Hansen, 1999. High-resolution images of most species are included, as well as a key to species groups, species, and habitat photographs.

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Phylogenetic relationships and classification of the Malagasy pseudoxyrhophiine snake genera Geodipsas and Compsophis based on morphological and molecular data

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1517.1.2 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1517 (1) ◽

pp. 53-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

FRANK GLAW ◽

ZOLTÁN T. NAGY ◽

MIGUEL VENCES

Keyword(s):

Dna Sequences ◽

Phylogenetic Relationships ◽

Close Relationships ◽

Original Description ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Molecular Phylogenetic ◽

Species Groups ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

Based on a specimen found at Montagne d'Ambre in northern Madagascar morphologically agreeing with Compsophis albiventris Mocquard, 1894, we report on the rediscovery of this enigmatic snake genus and species and its molecular phylogenetic relationships. Compsophis albiventris, considered to be the only representative of its genus and unreported since its original description, bears strong morphological similarities to species of Geodipsas Boulenger, 1896. A molecular phylogeny based on DNA sequences of three mitochondrial and nuclear genes (complete cytochrome b, fragments of 16S rRNA and c-mos) in Compsophis albiventris and three Geodipsas species corroborated close relationships between C. albiventris and Geodipsas boulengeri, and showed that the genera Compsophis and Geodipsas together form a monophyletic unit. Despite the general similarities, morphological data and chromatic features support the existence of two species groups, corresponding to Compsophis and Geodipsas. We consequently consider Geodipsas as a subgenus of Compsophis and transfer all species currently in Geodipsas into the genus Compsophis.

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Phylogeny of Holarctic gall wasps of the genera Diplolepis and Periclistus (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) based on DNA barcodes

10.1101/530949 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Y. Miles Zhang ◽

Zoltán László ◽

Chris Looney ◽

Avar-Lehel Dénes ◽

Robert H. Hanner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Markers ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Host Use ◽

Dna Barcodes ◽

Gall Wasps ◽

Taxonomic Changes ◽

Species Groups ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

AbstractRose gall wasps Diplolepis induce structurally distinct galls on wild roses, which provide gallers with food and shelter. These galls are attacked by a wide variety of micro-hymenopterans including another cynipid Periclistus that act as inquilines. Both Diplolepis and Periclistus are difficult to distinguish based on adult morphology, instead the structural appearance of galls is often used to distinguish species. Using the mitochondrial gene COI, we built phylogenies of both Diplolepis and Periclistus, while also estimating the ancestral host use of the inducers. Our phylogeny recovered the monophyly of Diplolepis, which have likely diverged from single-or multi-chambered leaf gallers to other plant organs. Periclistus exhibits a divide between the Palearctic and Nearctic clades, and ranges from specialists to generalists in terms of host specificity. The molecular results have largely supported the validity of species described in the literature, with notable exceptions in four species groups. While it is premature to enact any taxonomic changes without additional molecular markers, this incongruence between morphological and molecular data indicates these groups need taxonomic revision and gall morphology alone may be inadequate to delimit species.

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Revision of the genus Sadoletus Distant, with description of new species from China and Australia (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Heterogastridae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4613.2.3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4613 (2) ◽

pp. 251

Author(s):

CUIQING GAO ◽

M.B. MALIPATIL

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Type Species ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Main Group ◽

Type Material ◽

Present Contribution ◽

Species Groups ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

The species of genus Sadoletus are revised based on re-examination of the type material. A total of eighteen species are recognized in this genus, including five new species: Sadoletus abathonotus sp. nov., Sadoletus alphus sp. nov., Sadoletus biprotuberans sp. nov., and Sadoletus planus sp. nov. from China, and Sadoletus variabilis sp. nov. as the first representative of the genus from Australia, described in the present contribution. The following new subjective synonymy is proposed: Sadoletus validus Distant, 1903 = Sadoletus subpellucidus Ban, 2018 syn. nov. Sadoletus valdezi as treated in Ban & Ishikawa (2013) is proved to be a misidentification, now correctly described as Sadoletus planus sp. nov.. Three species, Sadoletus validus Distant, 1903, Sadoletus voluptarius Bergroth, 1918, Sadoletus melasmus Ban, 2018 are newly recorded from China. A key to all the known species of Sadoletus is provided. The lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated for S. validus Distant, 1903, S. pallescens Distant, 1909, S. valdezi Bergroth, 1918, S. voluptarius Bergroth, 1918, S. montanellus Bergroth, 1918 and S. montivagus Bergroth, 1918. Based on external and genitalia morphology, two “species groups” have been recognized amongst the species described in this genus until now. The main group, including 14 of the 18 known species, is confirmed as the typical Sadoletus (with type-species S. validus), for which a redefinition is provided. However the generic placement of the remaining four species is unclear at present, hence are tentatively retained under the present genus Sadoletus, pending further investigation involving other related heterogastrid genera, and using both morphological and molecular data.

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Chromosomal Evolution in the Amolops mantzorum Species Group (Ranidae; Anura) Narrated by Repetitive DNAs

Cytogenetic and Genome Research ◽

10.1159/000499416 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 157 (3) ◽

pp. 172-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ya Liu ◽

Menghuan Song ◽

Wei Luo ◽

Yun Xia ◽

Xiaomao Zeng

Keyword(s):

Sex Chromosomes ◽

Sex Chromosome ◽

5S Rdna ◽

Chromosomal Evolution ◽

Species Group ◽

Repetitive Dnas ◽

Microsatellite Repeats ◽

Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes ◽

Rapid Changes ◽

5S Rdna Sequence

In an attempt to analyze the organization of repetitive DNAs in the amphibian genome, 7 microsatellite motifs and a 5S rDNA sequence were synthesized and mapped in the karyotypes of 5 Amolops species. The results revealed nonrandom distribution of the microsatellite repeats, usually in the heterochromatic regions, as found in other organisms. These microsatellite repeats showed rapid changes among Amolops species, documenting the recent evolutionary history within this lineage. In contrast, 5S rDNA was localized in chromosomes 5 of all species, suggesting that these chromosomes are homologous within the monophyletic clade. Furthermore, the heteromorphic X and Y sex chromosomes (chromosomes 5) of A.mantzorum, had identical patterns of 5S rDNA, indicating that the subtelocentric Y resulted from a pericentric inversion. Several microsatellite repeats were found in the heteromorphic sex chromosomes, verifying the association of repetitive DNAs with sex chromosome differentiation in A. mantzorum.

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Genomic Differences Between the Sexes in a Fish Species Seen Through Satellite DNAs

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.728670 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Carolina Crepaldi ◽

Emiliano Martí ◽

Évelin Mariani Gonçalves ◽

Dardo Andrea Martí ◽

Patricia Pasquali Parise-Maltempi

Keyword(s):

Sex Chromosomes ◽

Sex Chromosome ◽

Satellite Dnas ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Neotropical Fishes ◽

Heteromorphic Sex Chromosomes ◽

Sex Chromosome System ◽

Species Specific ◽

Female Genome ◽

Shed Light

Neotropical fishes have highly diversified karyotypic and genomic characteristics and present many diverse sex chromosome systems, with various degrees of sex chromosome differentiation. Knowledge on their sex-specific composition and evolution, however, is still limited. Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are tandemly repeated sequences with pervasive genomic distribution and distinctive evolutionary pathways, and investigating satDNA content might shed light into how genome architecture is organized in fishes and in their sex chromosomes. The present study investigated the satellitome of Megaleporinus elongatus, a freshwater fish with a proposed Z1Z1Z2Z2/Z1W1Z2W2 multiple sex chromosome system that encompasses a highly heterochromatic and differentiated W1 chromosome. The species satellitome comprises of 140 different satDNA families, including previously isolated sequences and new families found in this study. This diversity is remarkable considering the relatively low proportion that satDNAs generally account for the M. elongatus genome (around only 5%). Differences between the sexes in regards of satDNA content were also evidenced, as these sequences are 14% more abundant in the female genome. The occurrence of sex-biased signatures of satDNA evolution in the species is tightly linked to satellite enrichment associated with W1 in females. Although both sexes share practically all satDNAs, the overall massive amplification of only a few of them accompanied the W1 differentiation. We also investigated the expansion and diversification of the two most abundant satDNAs of M. elongatus, MelSat01-36 and MelSat02-26, both highly amplified sequences in W1 and, in MelSat02-26’s case, also harbored by Z2 and W2 chromosomes. We compared their occurrences in M. elongatus and the sister species M. macrocephalus (with a standard ZW sex chromosome system) and concluded that both satDNAs have led to the formation of highly amplified arrays in both species; however, they formed species-specific organization on female-restricted sex chromosomes. Our results show how satDNA composition is highly diversified in M. elongatus, in which their accumulation is significantly contributing to W1 differentiation and not satDNA diversity per se. Also, the evolutionary behavior of these repeats may be associated with genome plasticity and satDNA variability between the sexes and between closely related species, influencing how seemingly homeologous heteromorphic sex chromosomes undergo independent satDNA evolution.

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Evolution of developmental sequences in lepidosaurs

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3262 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3262 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tomasz Skawiński ◽

Bartosz Borczyk

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Signal ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Ancestral State ◽

Continuous Analysis ◽

Developmental Sequences ◽

Cladistic Analyses ◽

Phylogenetic Hypotheses ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

Background Lepidosaurs, a group including rhynchocephalians and squamates, are one of the major clades of extant vertebrates. Although there has been extensive phylogenetic work on this clade, its interrelationships are a matter of debate. Morphological and molecular data suggest very different relationships within squamates. Despite this, relatively few studies have assessed the utility of other types of data for inferring squamate phylogeny. Methods We used developmental sequences of 20 events in 29 species of lepidosaurs. These sequences were analysed using event-pairing and continuous analysis. They were transformed into cladistic characters and analysed in TNT. Ancestral state reconstructions were performed on two main phylogenetic hypotheses of squamates (morphological and molecular). Results Cladistic analyses conducted using characters generated by these methods do not resemble any previously published phylogeny. Ancestral state reconstructions are equally consistent with both morphological and molecular hypotheses of squamate phylogeny. Only several inferred heterochronic events are common to all methods and phylogenies. Discussion Results of the cladistic analyses, and the fact that reconstructions of heterochronic events show more similarities between certain methods rather than phylogenetic hypotheses, suggest that phylogenetic signal is at best weak in the studied developmental events. Possibly the developmental sequences analysed here evolve too quickly to recover deep divergences within Squamata.

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The taxonomic and phylogenetic utility of vegetative anatomy and fruit epidermal silica bodies in Carex section Phyllostachys (Cyperaceae)

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b01-004 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 362-379 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Julian R Starr ◽

Bruce A Ford

Keyword(s):

Support Groups ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Evolutionary Relationships ◽

Silica Body ◽

Species Pair ◽

Vegetative Anatomy ◽

Phylogenetic Studies ◽

Species Circumscription ◽

Phylogenetic Hypotheses ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

In Carex, vegetative anatomy and fruit epidermal silica bodies have been used to delimit species and sections, although frequent conflicts with traditional classifications have led many authors to question whether they can be used to infer evolutionary relationships. This conclusion, however, has largely been drawn from poorly circumscribed groups that have not been phylogenetically analyzed. This study was undertaken to assess the taxonomic and phylogenetic utility of these characters within Carex section Phyllostachys, a small (eight species), monophyletic group whose taxonomy and phylogeny has been extensively studied. Leaf and culm anatomy clearly separate the close species pair of Carex backii Boott and Carex saximontana Mackenzie, and they provide unique characters that distinguish Carex latebracteata Waterfall and Carex juniperorum Catling, Reznicek, & Crins. Anatomical and silica body characters strongly support the recognition of three species within the Carex willdenowii Willdenow complex (Carex willdenowii s.s., Carex basiantha Steudel, Carex superata Naczi, Reznicek, & B.A. Ford). Although unique characters were lacking in Carex jamesii Schw., infraspecific variation in its silica bodies was consistent with the high levels of genetic and morphological variation previously detected. Silica body characters support groups that are congruent with previous phylogenetic hypotheses derived from both morphological and molecular data. In contrast, vegetative anatomy, in this and previous studies, supports contradictory groups suggesting that its use in future phylogenetic studies below the sectional level in Carex may be limited.Key words: Carex, anatomy, silica bodies, cladistics, species circumscription.

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DNA barcodes reveal inconsistent species boundaries in Diplolepis rose gall wasps and their Periclistus inquilines (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2019.59 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 151 (6) ◽

pp. 717-727 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Y. Miles Zhang ◽

Zoltán László ◽

Chris Looney ◽

Avar-Lehel Dénes ◽

Robert H. Hanner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Markers ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Species Boundaries ◽

Dna Barcodes ◽

Gall Wasps ◽

Taxonomic Changes ◽

Species Groups ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

AbstractRose gall wasps, Diplolepis Geoffroy (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), induce structurally distinct galls on wild roses (Rosa Linnaeus; Rosaceae), which provide gallers with food and shelter. These galls are attacked by a wide variety of micro-hymenopterans, including Periclistus Förster (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae), which act as inquilines. Both Diplolepis and Periclistus are difficult to distinguish based on adult morphology, instead the structural appearance of galls is often used to distinguish species. Using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, we tested the species boundaries and built phylogenies of both Diplolepis and Periclistus. The molecular results have largely supported the validity of species described in the literature, with notable exceptions in four species groups. Periclistus exhibits a divide between the Palaearctic and Nearctic clades, and ranges from specialists to generalists in terms of host specificity. While it is premature to enact any taxonomic changes without additional molecular markers, this incongruence between morphological and molecular data indicates these groups need taxonomic revision and gall morphology alone may be inadequate to delimit species.

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A new species of Bottosaurus (Alligatoroidea: Caimaninae) from the Black Peaks Formation (Palaeocene) of Texas indicates an early radiation of North American caimanines

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society ◽

10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 191 (1) ◽

pp. 276-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Adam P Cossette

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

North American ◽

Phylogenetic Trees ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Lower Jaw ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Group A ◽

Phylogenetic Hypotheses ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data ◽

Early Radiation

Abstract Morphological and molecular data suggest a close relationship for alligators and caimans. The first fossil appearances combined with phylogenetic hypotheses suggest a divergence of the groups near the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary, but the early fossil record of Caimaninae is incomplete, and large gaps exist between the earliest representatives of the group. A new caimanine from lower Palaeocene (Tiffanian) deposits in the Black Peaks Formation of Brewster County, Texas is established upon two specimens of different size that bear similarities to Bottosaurus harlani from the uppermost Cretaceous and lowermost Palaeogene of New Jersey. The larger individual consists of a partial skull and lower jaw in addition to postcranial material. The smaller individual preserves a snout and posterior portions of the skull. Both specimens suggest an animal with a comparatively short, flat, broad snout. Species of Bottosaurus share diagnostic morphological character states but are differentiated in meaningful ways. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the new species is sister to B. harlani, indicates an early radiation of North American caimanines and elucidates a more complicated biogeographical history than previously hypothesized. A growing body of evidence suggests that Caimaninae may be diagnosed by ancestral characters, potentially drawing basal alligatoroids crownwards in phylogenetic trees.

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