GENETIC RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CHORISTONEURA SPECIES (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE) IN NORTH AMERICA AS REVEALED BY ISOZYME STUDIES

1996 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.T. Harvey

AbstractAllozymes at several polymorphic loci were assayed in larval collections of 12 recognized species and two possible new species of Choristoneura and two species of Archips. Most of the 48 collections came from high density populations, and those of C. fumiferana, C. occidentalis, and C. pinus represented much of the geographic range of these species. Mean percentage heterozygosity ranged from 2.0 to 18.6%, based on nine polymorphic loci. Three loci are sex-linked in C. fumiferana, two in C. pinus and C. occidentalis and probably in some other members of the group. Allozymes of aspartate transaminase (AAT-1) were most varied among the species and permit identification of individual C. fumiferana in better than 95% of cases. Among the group of coniferophagous Choristoneura species genetic distances were small (max. Nei = 0.232); C. fumiferana was the most distinct species. Wagner trees based on modified Rogers’ distances supported the above conclusions but indicated that separations among C. biennis, C. orae, C. occidentalis, C. carnana, C. subretiniana, and the two new species of Choristoneura were very small and probably below the species level, based on the allozymes measured.

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4555 (4) ◽  
pp. 491
Author(s):  
STEPHEN J. MAXWELL ◽  
AART M. DEKKERS ◽  
TASMIN L. RYMER ◽  
BRADLEY C. CONGDON

Here we evaluate the taxonomy of the marine gastropod genus Laevistrombus Abbott, 1960 and determine that there are five extant species within this genus, three of which occur in the southwest Pacific. Comparative analyses of this complex have been problematic due to the lack of designated type material. Therefore, we present the type material for L. canarium Linnaeus, 1758; L. taeniatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1834; and L. vanikorensis Quoy & Gaimard, 1834. Current taxonomy has L. vanikorensis absorbed within the L. canarium complex. L. taeniatus is generally held to be a synonym of L. turturella Röding, 1789. We demonstrate that both L. taeniatus and L. vanikorensis are distinct species and reinstate both to species level. Our revision also notes the significant variability in early teleoconch structure within the geographic range of L. vanikorensis, and highlights the need for a greater revision of Laevistrombus, given the diversity in early teleoconch morphology present in southwest Pacific species. 


Crustaceana ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-462
Author(s):  
Bianca L. Zimmermann ◽  
Jober V. De Vargas Machado ◽  
Sandro Santos ◽  
Marlise L. Bartholomei-Santos

Abstract Representatives of the genus Aegla present a conserved morphology; thus, the increased use of molecular markers has raised many taxonomic issues. We used AFLP and mtDNA to investigate the genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of morphologically similar species with overlapping distribution areas in southern Brazil: A. georginae, A. ludwigi, and A. platensis. While A. platensis is widely distributed, the critically endangered A. georginae and A. ludwigi have limited distributions. Although both markers showed populations with low levels of genetic variability, they differed markedly in revealing relationships between populations; according to AFLP, the genetic distances between A. platensis populations were as high as those between distinct species, a result not observed when considering mtDNA data. We emphasize that the use of multiple lines of evidence is necessary for defining correct levels of genetic diversity and a good species-level taxonomic resolution. Such features are essential for the management and conservation of Aegla species.


2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 369 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
J. Dubach ◽  
K. L. Viggers

The morphological and genetic characteristics of the mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus caninus) are described for animals from a range of locations throughout its known geographic distribution in eastern Australia. Although there is considerable variation among populations, unequivocal morphological and genetic differences exist between northern and southern populations of the species. Specimens from southern populations (from Victoria) have a significantly (P < 0.001) larger ear conch, a significantly (P < 0.001) longer pes, and a significantly (P < 0.001) shorter tail than do specimens from northern populations (from New South Wales and Queensland). Animals can be clearly distinguished using a simple index based on these three morphological measures, which are gathered from live animals. North–south dimorphism is strongly supported by patterns in genetic data that show genetic distances of 2.7–3.0% between the southern and northern populations. The combined outcomes of morphological and genetic analyses suggest the existence of two distinct species. We recommend that the northern form, distributed from central New South Wales north to central Queensland, retain the name Trichosurus caninus; the southern form from Victoria is described here as Trichosurus cunninghami, sp. nov. The common names of these new species should be the 'short-eared possum' and the 'mountain brushtail possum', respectively.


Zootaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4208 (4) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAOLO MELIS ◽  
ANA RIESGO ◽  
SERGIO TABOADA ◽  
RENATA MANCONI

We used both morphological and genetic approaches to investigate and to describe a new Mediterranean sponge species of the genus Protosuberites from the estuarine-anchialine Bue Marino Cave of Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Sea). The morphotraits of the specimens were compared versus congeneric species with the strongest affinities, covering the genus geographic range worldwide. Protosuberites mereui sp. nov. is light yellow, thinly encrusting, devoid of any special ectosomal skeleton, with spicular complement of tylostyles of three size classes, single or arranged in bundles/tufts, with round to suboval heads. The new species is characterized by an exclusive diagnostic trait recorded for any cave-dwelling Protosuberites i.e. suboval and basally plated resting bodies with a foraminal aperture ornate by a collar. Resting bodies were found in the basal spongin plate firmly adhering to the substratum singly or in small groups. Also the rare, small tylostyles with a sinuous shaft and a typical mushroom-like head were never recorded in the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic species of the genus. The phylogenetic reconstruction using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) analyses (COI, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA) recovered a robustly supported sister relationship between the Mediterranean P. mereui sp. nov. and Protosuberites sp. ‘Panama’ from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The genetic distances based on COI sequences between all compared Protosuberites species were always higher than 2%, a value sufficient to confirm that P. mereui sp. nov. is a distinct species within the genus. Morphological and genetic analyses confirm unanimously P. mereui sp. nov. as a new species. Our results contribute to the assessment of biodiversity in anchialine/estuarine caves and increase data on sponge adaptive strategies in these extreme ecosystems. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4508 (3) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENJAMIN TAPLEY ◽  
TIMOTHY CUTAJAR ◽  
STEPHEN MAHONY ◽  
CHUNG THANH NGUYEN ◽  
VINH QUANG DAU ◽  
...  

Megophrys are a group of morphologically conserved, primarily forest-dependent frogs known to harbour cryptic species diversity. In this study, we examined populations of small-sized Megophrys from mid- and high elevation locations in the Hoang Lien Range, northern Vietnam. On the basis of morphological, molecular and bioacoustic data, individuals of these populations differed from all species of Megophrys known from mainland Southeast Asia north of the Isthmus of Kra and from neighbouring provinces in China. Further, the newly collected specimens formed two distinct species-level groups. We herein describe two new species, Megophrys fansipanensis sp. nov. and Megophrys hoanglienensis sp. nov. Both new species are range restricted and likely to be highly threatened by habitat degradation. These discoveries highlight the importance of the Hoang Lien Range for Vietnam’s amphibian diversity.  


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4819 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-435
Author(s):  
LYNN J. BONOMO ◽  
TERRENCE M. GOSLINER

This paper describes four new Chromodoris species: Chromodoris balat sp. nov., Chromodoris baqe sp. nov., Chromodoris kalawakan sp. nov., and Chromodoris quagga sp. nov. We were able to distinguish 44 species level lineages within Chromodoris, expanding the Indo-Pacific species from 39 species. The phylogeny presented here provides slightly greater resolution of species relationships than do previous studies of this genus. Layton et al. (2018), determined that variable color patterns made it difficult to differentiate in living specimens of distinct species, but we provide some additional stable color characters that potentially help resolve this issue, as well as additional internal features that are useful in species delimitation and correlate with the molecular phylogenetic analysis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
pp. 1107-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
David F. Wright ◽  
Alycia L. Stigall

The orthidine brachiopod generaPlaesiomysandHebertellaare significant constituents of Late Ordovician benthic marine communities throughout Laurentia. Species-level phylogenetic analyses were conducted on both genera to inform systematic revisions and document evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analyses combined discrete and continuous characters, from which character states were determined using a statistical approach, and utilized both cladistic and Bayesian methodologies.Plaesiomys cutterensis,P. idahoensis, andP. occidentalisare herein recognized as distinct species rather than subspecies ofP. subquadratus. Similarly,Hebertella montoyensisandH. prestonensisare recognized as distinct species separate fromH. occidentalis, andH. richmondensisis recognized as a distinct species rather than a geographical variant ofH. alveata.Hebertella subjugatais removed from its tentative synonymy withH. occidentalisand revalidated.The development of species-level evolutionary hypotheses forPlaesiomysandHebertellaprovides a detailed framework for assessing evolutionary and paleobiogeographic patterns of Late Ordovician brachiopods from Laurentia. The geographic range ofHebertellaexpanded throughout Laurentia during the Richmondian into both intracratonic and marginal basins.Plaesiomys subquadratusparticipated in the Late Ordovician Richmondian Invasion. The recovered phylogenetic topology forPlaesiomyssuggests thatP. subquadratusmay have migrated into the Cincinnati region from a basin situated to the paleo-northeast.


Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4890 (4) ◽  
pp. 578-588
Author(s):  
RODNEY A. HITCHMOUGH ◽  
STUART V. NIELSEN ◽  
AARON M. BAUER

The New Zealand diplodactylid gecko genus Toropuku is currently monotypic, but the sole member of the genus, T. stephensi, is distributed in two disjunct, geographically distant regions of New Zealand – the islands of Cook Strait (which includes the type locality, Stephens Island), between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, and the Coromandel Peninsula, in the northeastern North Island. Previously published phylogenetic results, based on three total individuals, recognized substantial—possibly species-level—diversity between these disparate localities, although no taxonomic decisions were made at that time. More recently, additional animals have been found on the Coromandel Peninsula. We here present phylogenetic and morphological evidence based on this expanded dataset to formally describe the populations on the Coromandel Peninsula as a new species, Toropuku inexpectatus sp. nov. The specific epithet refers to the species’ surprise discovery in a herpetologically well-surveyed area. The recognition of T. inexpectatus sp. nov. as a distinct species has implications for the conservation status of T. stephensi, which is now considered restricted to three islands in Cook Strait. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Prötzel ◽  
Shea M. Lambert ◽  
Ginah Tsiorisoa Andrianasolo ◽  
Carl R. Hutter ◽  
Kerry A. Cobb ◽  
...  

On a recent expedition to eastern Madagascar, we discovered a distinct new species of the genusCalummathat we describe here using an integrative approach combining morphology, coloration, osteology and molecular genetics.Calummaroalokosp. n.has a dermal rostral appendage and occipital lobes, and belongs to theC.boettgericomplex, within the Madagascar-endemic pheneticC.nasutumspecies group. It is readily distinguished from other species of theC.boettgericomplex by a characteristic two-toned body coloration and small body size with a snout-vent length of 45.6 mm in an adult male. The osteology of the skull, with a prominent maxilla and broad parietal, is similar to the closest related species,C.uetzi. Analysis of uncorrected genetic distances within theC.nasutumgroup using the mitochondrial gene ND2 shows a minimum pairwise distance of 11.98% toC.uetzifrom the Sorata massif and Marojejy National Park &gt;500 km north of the type locality ofC.roalokosp. n.. Given an apparently small range (potentially &lt;300 km2), located entirely outside of any nationally-protected areas, we recommend this new species be classified as Endangered under criterion B1ab(iii) of the IUCN Red List. The discovery of clearly distinct species likeC.roalokosp. n.in an area of Madagascar that is comparatively thoroughly surveyed highlights the critical role of continued field surveys for understanding the true extent of Madagascar’s spectacular biodiversity.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1188
Author(s):  
Renata Carvalho de Oliveira ◽  
Jorlan Fernandes ◽  
Elba Regina de Sampaio Lemos ◽  
Fernando de Paiva Conte ◽  
Rodrigo Nunes Rodrigues-da-Silva

Bats are hosts of a range of viruses, and their great diversity and unique characteristics that distinguish them from all other mammals have been related to the maintenance, evolution, and dissemination of these pathogens. Recently, very divergent hantaviruses have been discovered in distinct species of bats worldwide, but their association with human disease remains unclear. Considering the low success rates of detecting hantavirus RNA in bat tissues and that to date no hantaviruses have been isolated from bat samples, immunodiagnostic tools could be very helpful to understand pathogenesis, epidemiology, and geographic range of bat-borne hantaviruses. In this sense, we aimed to identify in silico immunogenic B-cell epitopes present on bat-borne hantaviruses nucleoprotein (NP) and verify if they are conserved among them and other selected members of Mammantavirinae, using a combination of (the three most used) different prediction algorithms, ELLIPRO, Discotope 2.0, and PEPITO server. To support our data, we in silico modeled 3D structures of NPs from representative members of bat-borne hantaviruses, using comparative and ab initio methods due to the absence of crystallographic structures of studied proteins or similar models in the Protein Data Bank. Our analysis demonstrated the antigenic complexity of the bat-borne hantaviruses group, showing a low sequence conservation of epitopes among members of its own group and a minor conservation degree in comparison to Orthohantavirus, with a recognized importance to public health. Our data suggest that the use of recombinant rodent-borne hantavirus NPs to cross-detect antibodies against bat- or shrew-borne viruses could underestimate the real impact of this virus in nature.


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