A recent record of Romanogobio antipai (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae, Gobioninae) from the Danube River in Bulgaria

The Danube delta gudgeon, Romanogobioantipai, has been considered to be extinct because there were no reliable recent observations. The latest record confirmed by a voucher specimen dating from 1992. We report here on a specimen of R.antipai collected in 2016 in the Bulgarian sector of the Danube main stream using a bottom drift net at a depth of 8 m. The species determination is supported by morphological examination including discriminant and cluster analyses in comparison with three syntypes and five non-type specimens of R.antipai, samples of the R.kesslerii species complex and R.vladykovi. Romanogobioantipai most clearly differs from both R.kesslerii and R.vladykovi by proportional measurements (caudal peduncle depth, head width, eye horizontal diameter, and interorbital width), from R.kesslerii also by the number of scales above and below the lateral line (6 and 4, respectively, (vs. commonly 5 and 3), and from R.vladykovi, also by 8½ branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 7½) and the vertebral caudal region longer than the abdominal vertebral region (abdominal+caudal vertebrae 19+21 or 20+21, vs. commonly 20+20 or variants with a caudal region shorter than the abdominal one). The possibility that R.antipai represents a deep-water cophenotype of either R.kesslerii or R.vladykovi, cannot be excluded. The new record demonstrates that R.antipai is still extant in the lower Danube but may be restricted to greater depths in the main channel and the deltaic branches.

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Taxonomic revision of the genus Lycenchelys (Osteichthyes: Zoarcidae) in Japanese waters

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4762.1.1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4762 (1) ◽

pp. 1-66

Author(s):

SHUMPEI KAWARADA ◽

HISASHI IMAMURA ◽

YOJI NARIMATSU ◽

GENTO SHINOHARA

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Taxonomic Revision ◽

Head Length ◽

Head Width ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Snout Length ◽

Lower Jaw ◽

Eye Diameter ◽

Japanese Waters

Eelpout species of the genus Lycenchelys Gill, 1884 recorded from Japanese waters are taxonomically revised. This study recognizes the following 11 species from Japanese waters as valid: Lycenchelys albomaculata Toyoshima, 1983, Lycenchelys aurantiaca Shinohara & Matsuura, 1998, Lycenchelys hippopotamus Schmidt, 1950, Lycenchelys maculata Toyoshima, 1985, Lycenchelys makushok Fedorov & Andriashev, 1993, Lycenchelys melanostomias Toyoshima, 1983, Lycenchelys rassi Andriashev, 1955, Lycenchelys remissaria Fedorov, 1995, Lycenchelys ryukyuensis Shinohara & Anderson, 2007, Lycenchelys squamosa Toyoshima, 1983 and Lycenchelys tohokuensis Anderson & Imamura, 2002. We redescribe species in detail based on type specimens as well as additional specimens in many cases. The synonymy of Lycenchelys brevimaxillaris Toyoshima, 1985 with L. melanostomias is supported in this study. Sexual dimorphism and changes with growth are revealed in L. albomaculata, L. aurantiaca, L. hippopotamus, L. makushok, L. melanostomias and L. rassi, all based on 10 or more specimens, for relative head length, head width, and upper and lower jaw lengths. In addition, we also found that the sizes at which sexual dimorphism can be recognized, and the tendencies for change with growth, differ among species. Furthermore, the dimorphism in head length is influenced by the snout length, eye diameter and/or postorbital length in L. albomaculata and L. aurantiaca.

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Two new species of the genus Sinopodisma Chang, 1940 (Orthoptra, Acridoidea, Catantopidae, Podisminae) from Taiwan, China

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4258.6.6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4258 (6) ◽

pp. 574

Author(s):

BAO-HUA YE ◽

JIAN-PING SHI ◽

ZHAN YIN

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Ventral View ◽

Abdominal Tergite ◽

Hind Femur ◽

Middle Part ◽

National Museum ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Horizontal Diameter ◽

Two New Species ◽

Subgenital Plate

Two new species of the genus Sinopodisma Chang, 1940 from Taiwan, China are described in this paper. The new species Sinopodisma orchofemura sp. nov. is similar to Sinopodisma kodamae (Shiraki, 1910), but differs from latter in antennae length of joint 2.9 times width in the middle part, hind femur yellow, length of interspace of mesosternum larger than narrowest, tegmina almost reaching the hind margin of second abdominal tergum. The Sinopodisma hsinchuensis sp. nov. is similar to Sinopodisma orchofemura sp. nov., but differs from latter by vertical diameter of eyes 1.7 times horizontal diameter and 1.8 times subocular furrow; tegmina extending over the hind margin of first abdominal tergite slightly; the length of interspace of mesosternum equal to narrowest and subgenital plate longer than ovipositor valves ventral view. Type specimens are deposited in the National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan, China and the Institute of Entomology, Taiwan University, Taibei, Taiwan, China respectively.

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Morphological and molecular analyses of larval taeniid species in small mammals from contrasting habitats in Denmark

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x13000680 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 112-117 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M.N.S. Al-Sabi ◽

P.M. Jensen ◽

M.U. Christensen ◽

C.M.O. Kapel

Keyword(s):

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Small Mammals ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Species Determination ◽

North East ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Species Specific

AbstractTaeniid infections in intermediate hosts manifest themselves as extraintestinal larval stages which, in early development, lack species-specific characteristics. The inability to distinguish infections of zoonotic importance such as Echinococcus multilocularis from other taeniid infections that have mainly veterinary significance stimulated the development of species-specific molecular diagnostics. In this study, the prevalence of taeniid infections in potential intermediate hosts was evaluated using both morphological diagnosis and a newly described multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for species determination. Small mammals (N= 719) were trapped in three different types of habitats in north-east Zealand, Denmark. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR (90.5%) exceeded that of morphological examination (57.9%) for identifying 95 taeniid infections. The use of the multiplex PCR resulted in higher prevalence rates due to improved detection of immature liver infections with Hydatigera taeniaeformis and Versteria mustelae, but did not affect the observed prevalence rates of peritoneal metacestodes of Taenia polyacantha. The prevalence of taeniid infections showed a significant difference according to habitat type, potentially identifying a ‘sylvatic’ transmission and an ‘urban’ transmission, with marked variation among different taeniid species. Versteria mustelae and T. polyacantha were more prevalent in rural forests, while infections with H. taeniaeformis were dominant in urban parks/forests and in residential and farm gardens. The multiplex PCR facilitated a better utilization of wildlife samples by yielding a higher number of definitive diagnoses of ambiguous taeniid infections in liver lesions, allowing for more accurate epidemiological data and, hence, a more accurate risk assessment.

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THE TAXONOMY, HISTORY, AND DISTRIBUTION OF LINARIA DALMATICA

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b62-028 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 295-307 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

J. F. Alex

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Comprehensive Description ◽

Voucher Specimen ◽

Linaria Dalmatica

The taxonomy of Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill. is discussed and a lectotype is selected, viz plant-number XII.10, Linaria latifolia Dalmatica, magno flore Bauh., in the Joachim Burser herbarium, which is preserved in Uppsala. A comprehensive description of the species is given. Two varieties are included: var. dalmatica, native from Yugoslavia to Iran, and var. macedonica (Griseb.) Vandas, indigenous to the mountains of southern Yugoslavia. Photographs of the type specimens of each are presented. L. grandiflora Desf. is shown to be a synonym of var. dalmatica, and Vandas is the correct authority for var. macedonica. Var. macedonica probably has never been cultivated but var. dalmatica was under cultivation at least as early as 1594 in Europe. It is now cultivated in Asia and North America as well as in Europe. Although probably introduced into North America by 1894, the earliest voucher specimen is dated 1920. Presently growing in 15 states in the U.S.A. and six provinces in Canada, var. dalmatica has escaped from cultivation and has spread as a weed in very diverse habitats, especially in coarse-textured soils west of the 100th meridian.

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Preparation of Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) for Genetic Characterization and Morphological Examination

Journal of Insect Science ◽

10.1093/jisesa/iev086 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B. W. Bahder ◽

M. L. Bollinger ◽

M. R. Sudarshana ◽

F. G. Zalom

Keyword(s):

Taxonomic Status ◽

Planococcus Citri ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Agricultural Pests ◽

Current Standard ◽

Physical Damage ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

High Quality ◽

Voucher Specimen ◽

Pseudococcus Viburni

Abstract Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are economically significant agricultural pests on many different crops. Because of their small size and lack of easily visible characters for identification, determination of their taxonomic status is difficult and requires technical competency to prepare a slide-mounted specimen. The standard mounting technique does not allow for analysis of the genome of the specimen. Conversely, preparatory techniques for genetic analysis of mealybugs cause either loss of the entire individual or physical damage that can make morphology-based identification difficult. This study describes a simple protocol that does not impact physical integrity of the specimen for fixation and microscopic examination yet enables simultaneous DNA extraction for DNA-based identification of four mealybug species. All species prepared yielded high quality slide mounts, identified as Planococcus citri Risso, Pseudococcus viburni Signoret, Rhizoecus kondonis Kuwana, or Rhizoecus californicus Ferris. DNA extracted in this manner had higher purity and yield in the final eluate than in samples extracted using standard methods. DNA extracted was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction using primers for the cytochrome oxidase I gene and subsequently sequenced for all specimens. This protocol is likely to be applicable to other Hemiptera taxa that are preserved by slide mounting, allowing for both the preparation of a high-quality voucher specimen for morphological identification and simultaneous analysis of DNA for the same specimen. The methods used are technically less challenging than current standard procedures.

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Calibrating the taxonomy of a megadiverse insect family: 3000 DNA barcodes from geometrid type specimens (Lepidoptera, Geometridae)

Genome ◽

10.1139/gen-2015-0197 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 59 (9) ◽

pp. 671-684 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Axel Hausmann ◽

Scott E. Miller ◽

Jeremy D. Holloway ◽

Jeremy R. deWaard ◽

David Pollock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18Th Century ◽

Dna Barcode ◽

Data Systems ◽

Dna Barcodes ◽

Reference Library ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Voucher Specimen ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Taxonomic Assignments ◽

Insect Family

It is essential that any DNA barcode reference library be based upon correctly identified specimens. The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) requires information such as images, geo-referencing, and details on the museum holding the voucher specimen for each barcode record to aid recognition of potential misidentifications. Nevertheless, there are misidentifications and incomplete identifications (e.g., to a genus or family) on BOLD, mainly for species from tropical regions. Unfortunately, experts are often unavailable to correct taxonomic assignments due to time constraints and the lack of specialists for many groups and regions. However, considerable progress could be made if barcode records were available for all type specimens. As a result of recent improvements in analytical protocols, it is now possible to recover barcode sequences from museum specimens that date to the start of taxonomic work in the 18th century. The present study discusses success in the recovery of DNA barcode sequences from 2805 type specimens of geometrid moths which represent 1965 species, corresponding to about 9% of the 23 000 described species in this family worldwide and including 1875 taxa represented by name-bearing types. Sequencing success was high (73% of specimens), even for specimens that were more than a century old. Several case studies are discussed to show the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of this approach.

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Maluti Mystery: A systematic review of Amietia vertebralis (Hewitt, 1927) and Strongylopus hymenopus (Boulenger, 1920) (Anura: Pyxicephalidae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1962.1.2 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1962 (1) ◽

pp. 33-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

JEANNE TARRANT ◽

MICHAEL J. CUNNINGHAM ◽

LOUIS H. DU PREEZ

Keyword(s):

Sequence Data ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Original Description ◽

Type Specimen ◽

Systematic Position ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Species Type ◽

Original Application

The taxonomic status of Amietia vertebralis and Strongylopus hymenopus, two frogs restricted to the Maluti-Drakensberg highlands in southern Africa, is unclear. Here, morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses elucidate the systematic position of these two species. Type specimens of both species were examined and compared with more recent collections to clarify their identity. These comparisons revealed discrepancies between the original application of these names and their current usage. The holotype and original description of A. vertebralis match specimens from an extant population at that species’ type locality that are currently assigned to S. hymenopus. Furthermore, the type specimen of S. hymenopus is of uncertain provenance and does not match well with either of the forms currently associated with these names. We assessed both intraspecific and interspecific variability using DNA sequence data. Broad sampling of the form currently assigned to A. vertebralis revealed very little genetic variation thereby dispelling the hypothesis that this is a compound taxon. The generic placement of both species within the family Pyxicephalidae was resolved using a combined dataset of mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear RAG1 gene sequences. The form currently recognised as S. hymenopus was excluded from the otherwise monophyletic genus Strongylopus, and was placed instead within Amietia. Based on these data a revised application of both species names is recommended here. Populations currently assigned to Amietia vertebralis are referred to Amietia umbraculata and those attributed to Strongylopus hymenopus are referred instead to Amietia vertebralis.

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Melanoleuca galbuserae, M. fontenlae and M. acystidiata—Three New Species in Subgenus Urticocystis (Pluteaceae, Basidiomycota) with Comments on M. castaneofusca and Related Species

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7030191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 191

Author(s):

Vladimír Antonín ◽

Hana Ševčíková ◽

Roberto Para ◽

Ondrej Ďuriška ◽

Tomáš Kudláček ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Morphological Data ◽

Alpine Grasslands ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

The Usa ◽

Tree Estimation ◽

Three New Species ◽

Micromorphological Characters

Melanoleuca is one of the taxonomically most complicated genera of Agaricomycetes with several taxonomically lineages. The subgenus Urticocystis of the genus Melanoleuca contains species with either urticoid or absent cheilocystidia. In this paper, three new European species, Melanoleuca galbuserae, Melanoleuca fontenlae, and Melanoleuca acystidiata are described as new to science. Melanoleuca galbuserae, related to Melanoleuca stepposa and Melanoleuca tristis, was discovered in alpine grasslands in North Italy. The type specimens and recent collections of Melanoleuca angelesiana, Melanoleuca castaneofusca, Melanoleuca luteolosperma, Melanoleuca pseudopaedida, and Melanoleuca robertiana were sequenced and morphologically examined. Moreover, the related Melanoleuca microcephala and Melanoleuca paedida were included in morphological examination and DNA sequence analyses. All the species were delimited by macro- and micromorphological characters and the multigene phylogenetic analyses of a combined (ITS, rpb2, and tef1) dataset on the basis of the species tree estimation. In accordance with new molecular and morphological data, we suggest taxonomic reappraisal of M. pseudopaedida and M. robertiana, and M. fontenlae and M. acystidiata are proposed as new species. The differences between the type material of M. angelesiana from the USA and European M. angelesiana specimens are discussed.

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Taxonomy of ‘Euconnus complex’. Part XXIII. Status of Napochus Thomson, Pycnophus Casey, and Filonapochus Franz revisited (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.5026.2.6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5026 (2) ◽

pp. 255-270

Author(s):

PAWEŁ JAŁOSZYŃSKI

Keyword(s):

Type Species ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Type Specimens ◽

Morphological Examination ◽

Term Study ◽

Morphological Group ◽

Long Term Study ◽

Complex Part

In previously published parts of this long-term study, subgenera Napochus Thomson and Pycnophus Casey of Euconnus Thomson were tentatively maintained, based on detailed morphological examination of their type species. Since then, many more species have been studied, including several hundred nominal Euconnus s. str., Napochus, and Pycnophus spp., and over a thousand presumably undescribed species collected on all continents. Considering character variability, current diagnoses of Napochus and Pycnophus were found to largely overlap with that of Euconnus s. str., and many species show intermediary features. In the present study, examples of such intermediary or transitional characters are illustrated, and character variability within the Euconnus s. str. + Napochus + Pycnophus morphological group is discussed. Available morphological evidence strongly supports a concept of a highly diverse Euconnus s. str. that includes Napochus and Pycnophus. Consequently, Napochus syn. n. and Pycnophus syn. n. are merged with Euconnus s. str. as junior synonyms. In addition, examination of the type specimens of the type species of Glandularia L.W. Schaufuss and Connophron Casey, both names currently treated as junior synonyms of Napochus, confirms the previously established synonymies. Characters of the previously revised subgenus Filonapochus Franz were also found to fall within the variability revealed in the present study, and also Filonapochus syn. n. is placed as a junior synonym of Euconnus s. str.

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Identification of nitrate sources, hot spots, and dilution in the Danube River Basin using a multitracer approach

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-20266 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Janine Halder ◽

Yuliya Vystavna ◽

Cedric Douence ◽

Christian Resch ◽

Roman Gruber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Stable Isotopes ◽

River Basin ◽

Danube River ◽

Quality Data ◽

The Black Sea ◽

Main Stream ◽

Water Quality Data ◽

The Danube River ◽

Danube River Basin

The Danube is Europe`s second longest river, stretching from Germany to the Black Sea. Water quality in the Danube River Basin is regularly monitored by the national authorities of all riparian countries and in addition for specific water quality data during the Joint Danube Surveys (JSD), which is organised by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River every 6 years.This study presents the results of water stable isotopes and stable isotopes (15N and 18O) of nitrate as well as major ion analysis from 3 JDS (2001, 2007, 2019). Results indicate that water stable isotopes allow to trace differences in the amount of snowmelt contribution to the Danube and hence the dilution effects of pollutants e.g. nitrate. The oxygen and nitrogen isotope compositions of nitrate are clearly indicating that nitrate in the Danube main stream mainly derives from waste water effluents, which input is increasing along the stream. This can furthermore be confirmed by results of micropollutant studies that demonstrate an increase of widely consumed pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, diclofenac and caffeine) at different sections of the Danube River affected by tributary inflows and discharge from urban settlements.In summary, this study is an example of combining isotope techniques, hydrological methods but also emerging compounds in order to approach the fate of anthropogenically derived nitrate within the Danube Basin. The results of this study aim to support the 2021 update of the Danube River Basin Management Plan as well as water monitoring practices across the Danube countries.

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