scholarly journals A new record of odd-scaled snake (Serpentes, Xenodermidae) from Vietnam: expanded description of Parafimbrios vietnamensis based on integrative taxonomy

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1048 ◽  
pp. 79-89
Author(s):  
Nikolai L. Orlov ◽  
Oleg A. Ermakov ◽  
Tao Thien Nguyen ◽  
Natalia B. Ananjeva

Based on the combination of molecular and morphological data, we herein report the second known finding of the xenodermid snake species Parafimbrios vietnamensis Ziegler, Ngo, Pham, Nguyen, Le & Nguyen, 2018. The male individual was found in the Yen Bai Province of northwestern Vietnam, more than 200 km from the type locality in Lai Chau Province. Genetic divergence between the newly-collected male and the holotype was low (1.7%), and is in agreement with morphological data that supports that they are conspecific. We give a detailed description of the morphological characters and coloration of the new record and provide an expanded diagnosis of P. vietnamensis. Parafimbrios is a poorly-understood genus, and our recent discovery brings the total number of known specimens of the genus to nine, 1/3 of them having been found in Vietnam (one specimen of P. lao and now two specimens of P. vietnamensis).

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-521
Author(s):  
Luana Rodrigues Lima ◽  
Marcos Jorge Matias Dubeux ◽  
Filipe Augusto Cavalcanti do Nascimento ◽  
Daniel Pacheco Bruschi ◽  
Tamí Mott

Abstract Boana atlantica was described based on morphological characters to acommodate populations from Bahia state, Brazil, previously referred to as B. punctata. However, its taxonomic validity is questionable due to inconsistencies in bioacoustic data. Here, we integrate molecular, cytogenetic and morphological data to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of B. atlantica. Molecular analyses provided strong support for the hypothesis that B. atlantica is a valid species, being, however, nominal populations from Bahia state paraphyletic with respect to individuals of B. atlantica collected in Alagoas and Pernambuco states. These populations shown high genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial fragment, and we consider populations from Alagoas and Pernambuco as a putative new candidate species of Boana punctata group. The external and internal morphology of the tadpoles of these lineages were similar, but Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NOR) was sited in different chromosomes. Our results indicate that B. atlantica is paraphyletic and may be a complex of species. Morphological of adult and/or bioacoustical data should be further assessed to find diagnostic characters to tease these lineages apart and name them properly.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2997 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERTO BERTOLANI ◽  
LORENA REBECCHI ◽  
ILARIA GIOVANNINI ◽  
MICHELE CESARI

Within the framework of a DNA barcoding project on tardigrade species, a study was carried out on Macrobiotus hufelandi C.A.S. Schultze 1834, the first formally described tardigrade species. We used samples collected from the type locality and additional material from other European sites containing species of the “M. hufelandi group”. The study was performed by integrating morphological, karyological and molecular (mt-DNA cox1) information and comparing these data with morphological data from the type material. Several species from this group were found in the type locality of M. hufelandi (near Freiburg, Black Forest, Germany) and these were all barcoded. One was M. hufelandi, the other two were: Macrobiotus sandrae Bertolani & Rebecchi 1993 (originally described from the same locality), and Macrobiotus vladimiri Bertolani, Biserov, Rebecchi & Cesari in press (type locality Andalo, Italy), all with interspecific genetic distances of more than 19%. A fourth cryptic species, which had the same morphology as M. hufelandi but a genetic distance of 6.7%, was not described as a new taxon but named M. cf. hufelandi sp.1 for this study. Macrobiotus sandrae and M. vladimiri were also present (and barcoded) in Italy (Alps). Additional individuals (animals and eggs) were also found, and barcoded, in Italy (Apennines) and Switzerland that belonged to the haplogroup Macrobiotus cf. hufelandi sp. 1. These data together with other recent studies on tardigrade DNA barcoding represent a starting point for further studies on tardigrade biogeography, phylogeography and diversity.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3104 (1) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHELE CESARI ◽  
ILARIA GIOVANNINI ◽  
ROBERTO BERTOLANI ◽  
LORENA REBECCHI

We have in recent papers revealed that an integrative taxonomy approach helps to solve taxonomic problems in tardigrades. However, whole tardigrades are required for DNA work, which leaves no hologenophore voucher specimens with adult morphology. Using a novel methodology for the Tardigrada, we introduce the practice of collecting high quality maximum magnification light microscopy images of recently thawed animals to act as hologenophore voucher specimens of animals later used for DNA barcode sequencing. Within the framework of a DNA barcoding project on tardigrades, we collected a moss sample from the type locality of Macrobiotus terminalis Bertolani & Rebecchi, 1993 (Castelsantangelo, Central Apennines, Italy), a species of the “Macrobiotus hufelandi group”. Within the moss sample we found several animals and eggs with a morphology that corresponded to the original description of M. terminalis, while others were attributable to Macrobiotus macrocalix Bertolani & Rebecchi, 1993. In this study, molecular (cox1 mtDNA) analyses demonstrated no intraspecific variability in M. terminalis from the type locality but very large interspecific differences when compared with M. macrocalix and GenBank data for other species within the M. “hufelandi group”. There was also a large difference between our M. terminalis sequences and the GenBank data of a specimen attributed to the same species. The GenBank sequence originated from a population in the Northern Apennines, whose morphology appeared to be like that of the specimens of the locus typicus. This confirmed the importance in utilising material from the type locality for linking molecular data to the species’ morphological characters. Our paper underlines the importance of an integrative taxonomy in species diagnoses and demonstrates a scenario where morphological observations alone are not always sufficient. Lastly, this work adds reliable information to the sequence reference library that provides a useful building block for further studies on similar and related tardigrade taxa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-434
Author(s):  
Ingrid C Marçal ◽  
Fernanda P Páez ◽  
Lenice Souza-Shibatta ◽  
Silvia H Sofia ◽  
Gustavo M Teixeira

Abstract Aegla lata Bond-Buckup & Buckup, 1994 is considered extinct in the type locality. New populations of this species, however, have been found in northern Paraná state, Brazil. We revised the taxonomy of A. lata based on morphological data obtained from the type material and specimens recently obtained from streams of the Tibagi River sub-basin, Paranapanema River basin, Upper Paraná Ecoregion. Moreover, Aegla jacutingan. sp. is described and illustrated. The new species resembles A. lata in the shapes of the body and chelipeds. Both species are nevertheless separated by particular morphological characters of the carapace, chelipeds, and epimeron as well as by molecular (COI mtDNA) differences. Both species can be distinguished from their congeners based on morphological and molecular evidence.


2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Bañón ◽  
David Barros-García ◽  
Alejandro De Carlos

The taxonomic identification of one Kyphosus sectatrix and two Kyphosus vaigiensis specimens caught in the European Atlantic waters of Galicia, northwestern Spain, was carried out by means of integrative taxonomy, combining the examination of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. Taxonomical assignation based on morphological characters of these specimens was tested by comparing their COI sequences with available data of Kyphosus deposited in public repositories. The resulting neighbour-joining tree defined four clades corresponding to Barcode Index Number (BIN) and indicated that some nucleotide sequences from Kyphosus, previously deposited, probably originate from misidentified specimens, as would be expected from cryptic and sympatric species. The specimens of Kyphosus vaigiensis represent a new record for the waters of Galicia and the northernmost record in the eastern Atlantic. This kind of herbivorous tropical fishes could play an important role in the tropho-dynamic context of this temperate coastal ecosystem.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piyatida Pimvichai ◽  
Henrik Enghoff ◽  
Somsak Panha ◽  
Thierry Backeljau

Pseudospirobolellidae is a poorly known family of spirobolidan millipedes with only two genera and five described species. Yet, the descriptive taxonomy and molecular systematics of this group have been largely neglected. Therefore, the present work presents an integrative taxonomic study of new pseudospirobolellid taxa in Thailand. To this end, two mitochondrial gene fragments (COI and 16S rRNA) combined with morphological characters were used to define the genus Coxobolellus, gen. nov. with 10 new species, viz. C. albiceps, sp. nov., C. compactogonus, sp. nov., C. fuscus, sp. nov., C. nodosus, sp. nov., C. serratus, sp. nov., C. simplex, sp. nov., C. tenebris, sp. nov., C. tigris, sp. nov., C. transversalis, sp. nov. and C. valvatus, sp. nov. The interspecific COI sequence divergences among the new species ranged from 6 to 15%. The intergeneric COI sequence divergence between species of Coxobolellus, gen. nov., Benoitolus birgitae and Pseudospirobolellus sp. ranged from 20 to 23%. Three major morphological differences separate Coxobolellus, gen. nov. from Benoitolus and Pseudospirobolellus, namely (1) the protruding process on the 3rd (and 4th) coxae on male legs, (2) the posterior gonopod telopodite divided into two parts, and (3) a conspicuous opening pore at the mesal margin at the end of the coxal part of the posterior gonopod. Thus, the new genus is well supported by both mtDNA and morphological evidence, while the delimitation of the 10 new species is supported by the congruence between mtDNA and morphological data. Yet, with respect to the relationships of Benoitolus birgitae, morphological data suggest a similarity with Coxobolellus, gen. nov. and Pseudospirobolellus, whereas mtDNA data place this species in the Pachybolidae. Further phylogenetic analyses are needed to explore this apparent incongruence and test the monophyly of Pseudospirobolellidae.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4674 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-82
Author(s):  
ZHENGYAN ZHOU ◽  
ZHIYONG SUN ◽  
SHUO QI ◽  
YUYAN LU ◽  
ZHITONG LYU ◽  
...  

A new snake species of the genus Hebius is described on the basis of three specimens from Hunan Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a significant genetic divergence of 6.1%–12.9% of the mitochondrial cytb gene and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) tail long, approximately 25% of the total length; (2) dorsal scale rows 19-19-17, vertebral scales enlarged, smooth, 2nd–10th rows distinctly keeled; (3) anterior temporals 2, preocular 1, postoculars 3; (4) ventrals 160–164; (5) internasals narrowed anteriorly; (6) a pair of occipital spots and a pale postparietal streak; (7) a pale brown or beige dorsolateral stripe on the 4th–6th scale rows; (8) ventral scales brick-red at their outer border, with a row of well-defined dark blotches; (9) maxillary teeth 21, gradually enlarged, followed by 2 moderately enlarged posterior teeth, without diastema; (10) nostrils lateral. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  

A study originally intended to update the taxonomy and distribution of calanoid copepods in selected freshwater ecosystems of Central Luzon has led to the discovery of a new record of Phyllodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 in Candaba Swamp, Pampanga. Since 1979, the only calanoid copepods recorded from this area included Filipinodiaptomus insulanus (Wright S., 1928) and Tropodiaptomus australis Kiefer, 1936. Later studies on calanoid copepods in the region have since been non-existent. Analyses of pertinent key morphological characters revealed that the specimens at hand belonged to Phyllodiaptomus (Ctenodiaptomus) praedictus sulawensis Alekseev & Vaillant, 2013, a freshwater diaptomid calanoid copepod subspecies discovered and known to be endemic only in Indonesia. Provided in this paper are baseline information on the morphological characters of the Philippine members of the subspecies accompanied by line drawings as well as a comparison between the recorded morphological data presented by Alekseev, Haffner, Vaillant & Yusoff (2013) and the current dataset to support the identification of the specimen. The discovery of P. (C.) praedictus sulawensis in the Philippines, which was thought to be endemic in Indonesia, presents a new record of this species in the country and the first such record outside of its country of origin.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4964 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-102
Author(s):  
ŁUKASZ KACZMAREK ◽  
PUSHPALATA KAYASTHA ◽  
MAGDALENA GAWLAK ◽  
MONIKA MIODUCHOWSKA ◽  
MILENA ROSZKOWSKA

In the present study, we used integrative taxonomy to describe a population of Diploechiniscus oihonnae (Richters, 1903) from the neotype locality in Merok (Norway). We found no differences in the chaetotaxy formula between the life stages and sex of Dpl. oihonnae. The presence of filaments at Bd in some specimens of Dpl. oihonnae appears to be random and most likely represents the morphological variability of this species. We also obtained DNA sequences of 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2, and COI of Dpl. oihonnae from the neotype locality for comparison with the sequences available in GenBank, which showed low genetic differences between the neotypic population and specimens from other localities. Therefore, we decided to establish our specimens from Merok as neotype and neoparatypes of Dpl. oihonnae. Additionally, based on morphological characters, Dpl. horningi (Schuster & Grigarick, 1971) was synonymised with Dpl. oihonnae.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Schult ◽  
Onno A. Preik ◽  
Stefan Kirschner ◽  
Frank Friedrich

Abstract A biosemiotic approach of interpreting morphological data is apt to reveal morphological traits whose key role in intraspecific communication processes, such as specific mate recognition, has been overlooked so far. Certain genital structures of the haplogyne spider Dysdera erythrina (Walckenaer, 1802) serve as an example. In Dysdera erythrina the semi-circular sclerite at the tip of the male’s bulb fits exactly into the anterior diverticulum of the female’s endogyne. From the viewpoint of biosemiotics, which studies the production and interpretation of signs and codes in living systems, these structures are considered the morphological zones of an intraspecific communication process which forms one of the necessary prerequisites for sperm transfer and achievement of fertilisation. Thus, a biosemiotics-based species delimitation approach with its peculiar form of evaluation of morphological structures yields new insights for the multidisciplinary undertaking of modern integrative taxonomy.


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