scholarly journals The discovery of a microbialite-associated freshwater fish in the world’s largest saline soda lake, Lake Van (Turkey)

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
Mustafa Akkuş ◽  
Mustafa Sarı ◽  
F. Güler Ekmekçi ◽  
Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Difference ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Soda Lake ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Stream Fishes ◽  
Lake Van ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Mtdna Coi ◽  
Endorheic Basin

Lake Van is the largest saline soda lake in the world and one of the world’s few endorheic lakes of greater than 3,000 km2 surface area. Despite its huge size, no fish species have so far been known to permanently occur in this lake due to its extreme environmental conditions. Here, we report the discovery of a fish population that permanently inhabits some of the unique microbialites of the lake, at a maximum depth of 13 m and about 500 m offshore. We tested whether this is an undescribed species or a new occurrence of a known species. A molecular and morphological examination showed that the newly discovered fish represents an isolated population of Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus, the only nemacheilid loach native to the freshwater tributaries of the Lake Van endorheic basin. Our further hypotheses on the prediction that (a) stream fishes would have a more anterior placement of fins than lake fishes were supported; but, that (b) stream fishes would be more slender bodied than their lake conspecifics was not supported. The lake dwelling population also shows very small sequence divergence (0.5% K2P distance) to its stream dwelling conspecific in the mtDNA-COI barcode region. The notable morphological difference with minute molecular divergence implies that the newly discovered population might have lost its link to freshwater during desiccation and transgressional phases of the Lake Van, and has adapted to a life on the microbialites.

scholarly journals Varying colour pattern, yet genetically similar: Pebble Crab Seulocia vittata (Stimpson, 1858) (Brachyura: Leucosiidae) from the southeastern coast of India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 15612-15618
Author(s):  
Sanjeevi Prakash ◽  
Amit Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Molecular Analysis ◽  
Genetic Divergence ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Southeastern Coast ◽  
Palk Bay ◽  
Colour Patterns

Five adult specimens of leucosiid crab Seulocia vittata (Stimpson, 1858) were recently collected off the coast of Palk Bay, southern India.  Typical morphological examination revealed the presence of two colour patterns: grey and red.  Interestingly, molecular analysis based on the barcoding gene cytochrome oxidase sub unit I (COI) revealed that both grey and red colour patterns in S. vittata showed 0% sequence divergence between the specimens.  This indicates a situation of reverse cryptic behavior in this crab.  Surprisingly, the evolutionary and ecological processes leading to the absence of genetic divergence and variation in morphology (colour pattern) in S. vittata complex remain to be addressed.   

scholarly journals Evidence of hidden diversity and taxonomic conflicts in five stream fishes from the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands freshwater ecoregion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Chakona ◽  
Wilbert Kadye ◽  
Taurai Bere ◽  
Daniel Mazungula ◽  
Emmanuel Vreven
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Stream Fishes ◽  
Species Delineation ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Incomplete Knowledge ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Effective Conservation

Stream fishes of the Eastern Afromontane region are among the least studied vertebrates in this region, despite the potential for harbouring cryptic diversity. The present study examined mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence divergence in 153 specimens of stream fishes belonging to four genera and three families, [(<i>Amphilius</i> and <i>Zaireichthys</i> (Amphiliidae); <i>Chiloglanis</i> (Mochokidae); and <i>Hippopotamyrus</i> (Mormyridae)], in the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands (EZH) freshwater ecoregion to explore the extent to which the current taxonomy conceals the ichthyofaunal diversity in the region. The General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) species delineation method identified 14 clusters within five currently recognised ‘species’ from the EZH ecoregion. Only one of these clusters represents a named species, while 13 of them represent candidate or undescribed species. Our results revealed that effective conservation of this region’s unique biota is limited by the incomplete knowledge of taxonomic diversity and inaccurate mapping of species distribution ranges.

Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, a new nemacheilid loach from Central Anatolia (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4975 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-378
Author(s):  
BARAN YOĞURTÇUOĞLU ◽  
CÜNEYT KAYA ◽  
MÜFİT ÖZULUĞ ◽  
JÖRG FREYHOF
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Head Length ◽  
Central Anatolia ◽  
Caudal Peduncle ◽  
Mtdna Coi

Oxynoemacheilus isauricus, new species, from the Lakes Beyşehir and Suğla basins in Central Anatolia is distinguished from all other species of the O. angorae group by having a very slender caudal peduncle (its depth 2.2–2.6 times in its length). The new species is further distinguished by having a short head (head length 21–24% SL), and a midlateral series of irregularly shaped blotches on the flank. Oxynoemacheilus isauricus is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 7.5% and 8.0% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from O. eregliensis and O. atili, its closest relatives. 

scholarly journals Evidence of hidden diversity and taxonomic conflicts in five stream fishes from the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands freshwater ecoregion

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Chakona ◽  
Wilbert Kadye ◽  
Taurai Bere ◽  
Daniel Mazungula ◽  
Emmanuel Vreven
Keyword(s):  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Stream Fishes ◽  
Species Delineation ◽  
Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit ◽  
Incomplete Knowledge ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Effective Conservation

Stream fishes of the Eastern Afromontane region are among the least studied vertebrates in this region, despite the potential for harbouring cryptic diversity. The present study examined mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence divergence in 153 specimens of stream fishes belonging to four genera and three families, [(<i>Amphilius</i> and <i>Zaireichthys</i> (Amphiliidae); <i>Chiloglanis</i> (Mochokidae); and <i>Hippopotamyrus</i> (Mormyridae)], in the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands (EZH) freshwater ecoregion to explore the extent to which the current taxonomy conceals the ichthyofaunal diversity in the region. The General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) species delineation method identified 14 clusters within five currently recognised ‘species’ from the EZH ecoregion. Only one of these clusters represents a named species, while 13 of them represent candidate or undescribed species. Our results revealed that effective conservation of this region’s unique biota is limited by the incomplete knowledge of taxonomic diversity and inaccurate mapping of species distribution ranges.

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

Zootaxa ◽  
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.  

Review of the Oxynoemacheilus tigris group with the description of two new species from the Euphrates drainage (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4612 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
JÖRG FREYHOF ◽  
CÜNEYT KAYA ◽  
DAVUT TURAN ◽  
MATTHIAS GEIGER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Lake Van ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
River Drainage ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Lake Van Basin ◽  
Endorheic Lake

The Oxynoemacheilus tigris species group is reviewed, resulting in the recognition of six species, of which two are described herein as new. Oxynoemacheilus tigris is known from the endorheic Qweik River and the Merziman River, which is a tributary of the western Euphrates. Oxynoemacheilus ercisianus is endemic to the endorheic Lake Van basin and O. hazarensis is endemic to Lake Hazar basin in the upper Tigris drainage. Oxynoemacheilus kaynaki is widespread in the Euphrates drainage. The two undescribed species occur in the Euphrates drainage. Oxynoemacheilus arsaniasus, new species, from the Murat River and the upper Karasu (Muş) River drainage, is distinguished from other species of the O. tigris group by having a bold, black, irregularly-shaped bar at the caudal-fin base, an incomplete lateral line and a scaleless body. Oxynoemacheilus muefiti, new species, from the upper Murat River drainage and a tributary to the Atatürk reservoir, is most similar to O. ercisianus, from which it is distinguished by a more slender body and a shallower dorsal adipose crest. According to our molecular data, the Qweik population of O. tigris is suspected to be introgressed by O. namiri from the Orontes drainage. Oxynoemacheilus erdali is identified as a synonym of O. bergianus as we were unable to find differences between the two species. 

Interpreting noble-gas concentrations as proxies for salinity and temperature in the world’s largest soda lake (Lake Van, Turkey)

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yama Tomonaga ◽  
Rafael Blättler ◽  
Matthias S. Brennwald ◽  
Rolf Kipfer
Keyword(s):  
Noble Gas ◽  
Soda Lake ◽  
Lake Van

scholarly journals Microbial community of soda Lake Van as obtained from direct and enriched water, sediment and fish samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra Ersoy Omeroglu ◽  
Mert Sudagidan ◽  
Mediha Nur Zafer Yurt ◽  
Behiye Busra Tasbasi ◽  
Elif Esma Acar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Diversity ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Soda Lakes ◽  
Soda Lake ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Lake Van ◽  
Sediment Samples ◽  
Fish Samples ◽  
High Level ◽  
Generation Sequencing

AbstractSoda lakes are saline and alkaline ecosystems that are considered to have existed since the first geological records of the world. These lakes support the growth of ecologically and economically important microorganisms due to their unique geochemistry. Microbiota members of lakes are valuable models to study the link between community structure and abiotic parameters such as pH and salinity. Lake Van is the largest endroheic lake and in this study, bacterial diversity of lake water, sediment, and pearl mullet (inci kefali; Alburnus tarichi), an endemic species of fish which are collected from different points of the lake, are studied directly and investigated meticulously using a metabarcoding approach after pre-enrichment. Bacterial community structures were identified using Next Generation Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The analysis revealed that the samples of Lake Van contain high level of bacterial diversity. Direct water samples were dominated by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidota, on the other hand, pre-enriched water samples were dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at phylum-level. In direct sediment samples Proteobacteria, whereas in pre-enriched sediment samples Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were determined at highest level. Pre-enriched fish samples were dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes at phylum-level. In this study, microbiota members of Lake Van were identified by taxonomic analysis.

scholarly journals Inter- and infraspecific relationships in the Gondwanan liverwort genus Hymenophyton (Hymenophytaceae, Hepaticophytina). Studies in austral temperate rain forest bryophytes 23

2004 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Pfeiffer ◽  
Friederike Schaumann ◽  
Gabriela G. Hässel de Menéndez ◽  
Wolfgang Frey
Keyword(s):  
Internal Transcribed Spacer ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Intergenic Spacer ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Morphological Examination ◽  
Temperate Rain Forest ◽  
High Bootstrap ◽  
Trnluaa Intron ◽  
Molecular Characters

Inter- and infraspecific relationships in Hymenophyton Dumort. were studied by sequencing of the cpDNA trnTUGU-trnLUAA 5′exon intergenic spacer, trnLUAA 5′exon and trnLUAA intron and nrDNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and by morphological examination of representative specimens. Based on the molecular data, four taxa were recognised, comprising (i) Australasian H.�flabellatum (Labill.) Dumort. ex Trevis., (ii) Chilean specimens, (iii) New Zealand H.�leptopodum (Hook.f. & Taylor) A.Evans samples and (iv) a Tasmanian H. leptopodum specimen, respectively. The former three clades are supported by high bootstrap values, while the affinities of the latter specimen remain ambiguous in the calculated trnT-trnL and ITS2 trees. The observed sequence divergence supports the existence of a distinct Hymenophyton taxon in southern South America, delimitated from H. flabellatum and H. leptopodum on species level: H.�pedicellatum Steph. This reinstated species is described in detail; differentiating morphological and molecular characters are presented. Hymenophyton taxa have a basically palaeoaustral distribution pattern. Biogeography, dispersal biology and phylogeography of the taxa are discussed.

A new species of Enchytraeus (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) from the profundal of Lake Van, the world's largest soda Lake (Turkey, East Anatolia)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4382 (2) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAİME ARSLAN ◽  
TARMO TIMM ◽  
VERÓNICA ROJO ◽  
ANTÓN VIZCAÍNO ◽  
RÜDIGER M. SCHMELZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Soda Lake ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Lake Van ◽  
Gene Trees ◽  
Sampling Campaign

Enchytraeus polatdemiri sp. nov. (Enchytaeidae, Oligochaeta) was discovered in the framework of a sampling campaign of the benthic invertebrate fauna of the hyperalkaline Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, the third-largest closed lake and the largest soda lake on Earth. It was the only oligochaete species found in all samples. DNA sequencing included a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, and a fragment of the nuclear histone 3 (H3) gene. For comparison, specimens from laboratory cultures of E. albidus Henle, 1837, a widespread and morphologically similar species, were sequenced as well. The new species differs from E. albidus in comparatively small body size, 2 or 3 chaetae per bundle, saddle-shaped clitellum, absence of a copulatory field between the male pores and vasa deferentia usually not extending beyond the clitellum. The individual gene trees of COI and H3, as well as the combined phylogenetic analysis of both trees, recovered Enchytraeus polatdemiri sp. nov. as a monophyletic group within the genus Enchytraeus, closely related to E. albidus, but with an average p-distance for COI of 14.5 %. E. polatdemiri sp. nov. may have evolved from a local population of Enchytraeus albidus, a species well-adapted to changing salinity conditions, or from a common ancestor into an extremophile species that dwells and reproduces in the profundal of a strongly alkaline soda lake. 

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