Biology, Management, and Protection of North American Sturgeon

2002 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Distinct Species ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Morphometric Character ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Shovelnose Sturgeon ◽  
Major Threat ◽  
Pallid Sturgeon ◽  
Two Indices

<em>Abstract.</em>—It is difficult to distinguish pallid sturgeon <em>Scaphirhynchus albus</em> from the morphologically similar, congeneric and sympatric shovelnose sturgeon <em>S. platorynchus</em>. This has led some to question whether the pallid sturgeon is indeed a valid species. Another controversy is whether the two species are hybridizing. Indices, based on various morphometric and meristic characters, have been proposed to discriminate among <em>Scaphirhynchus</em> taxa, but they are cumbersome to calculate in the field. We report two mathematical indices developed via multiple regression analysis that use five morphometric ratios and two meristics (Character Index), or the five morphometric ratios alone (Morphometric Character Index) as taxon predictors. Data from a study of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon conducted by Carlson and Pflieger (1981) were used to develop the regression models. The consistency of identifications made by the two indices was examined using Discriminant Functions Analysis (DFA) on a collection of 257 <em>Scaphirhynchus</em> specimens from throughout the pallid sturgeon range. Specimens identified via the CI and mCI as pallid sturgeon grouped distinctly from the shovelnose sturgeon cluster; specimens identified as hybrids by the two indices formed an intermediate cluster. The majority (90% and 89.7%, respectively) of the specimens identified as pallid sturgeon by the Character Index (CI) and the Morphometric Character Index (mCI) were classified as pallid sturgeon by DFA. This morphological evidence supports the current status of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon as distinct species. Interspecific hybridization, considered by some to be a major threat to the pallid sturgeon, appears to be common. The Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team has recommended the CI for field identifications throughout the pallid sturgeon’s range.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the catfish species Auchenoglanis occidentalis (Valenciennes, 1840) (Pisces: Claroteidae) from Lake Turkana in East Africa: taxonomic implications

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4450 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
BRIAN OKWIRI ◽  
LIANG CAO ◽  
DOROTHY WANJA NYINGI ◽  
E. ZHANG
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
African Catfish ◽  
Lake Turkana ◽  
The Family ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Taxonomic Implications

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences of two specimens here recognized as Auchenoglanis occidentalis from Lake Turkana in the Ethiopian section were determined. A COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis was performed for these along with sequences of African catfish species from the family Clarotidae available in GenBank. Based on results of this analysis, it is concluded that (1) the currently identified A. occidentalis is a species complex that includes several distinct species; (2) the Niger River basin harbors two distinct species of Auchenoglanis, one of which occurs in Lake Turkana, as well as A. biscutatus; and (3) A. sacchii is likely a valid species, but it is not the endemic species of Lake Turkana. It is suggested here that species diversity of Auchenoglanis requires further study based on molecular and morphological evidence. 

Tamia (Iridaceae), a Synonym of Calydorea: Cytological and Morphological Evidence

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 509-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisina De Tullio ◽  
Germán Roitman ◽  
Gabriel Bernardello
Keyword(s):  
Flower Color ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
San Luis ◽  
Dark Violet ◽  
Chromosomal Variability ◽  
Karyotype Formula ◽  
Base Chromosome Number ◽  
Upper Third

The monotypic genus Tamia was described by Ravenna in 2001 based on specimens of Calydorea pallens from Bolivia and West-Central Argentina (excluding Córdoba and San Luis). At the same time, Ravenna described Calydorea undulata as a new species to accommodate the excluded specimens. He used floral morphology to segregate Tamia from Calydorea. He described Calydorea as having the anthers twisted/circinate after dehiscence, whereas in Tamia, the anthers are straight. Similarly, in Tamia the upper third of the anther is adnate to the style arms while in Calydorea the anthers are free from the style branches. We here evaluate the validity of Tamia and C. undulata based on morphological and cytological approaches. An examination of living plants of both taxa showed the anthers to be straight during dehiscence and twisted when the pollen was exposed, likewise the stamens were completely free from style branches in both taxa. Both have a base chromosome number of x = 7 (C. undulata diploid, 2n = 14; T. pallens tetraploid, 2n = 28). The karyotype formula for C. undulata was 5 m + 2 sm and 7 m + 7 sm for T. pallens. The karyotype is bimodal in C. undulata and moderately asymmetrical in T. pallens. These chromosomal differences and differences in petal shape (the outer are flat for both taxa while the inner are geniculate in T. pallens but flat with undulate margins in C. undulata) and flower color (pale lilac with dark violet dots in T. pallens and violet-blue with violet stripes in C. undulata) suggest that these taxa are distinct species of Calydorea, where a polyploid series based on x = 7 is known. The divergence of their karyotypes is within the observed chromosomal variability of genera in Iridaceae. Thus, we conclude that Tamia should be regarded as a synonym of Calydorea, with the return of its species to Calydorea pallens, because the floral differences between them are not enough to merit generic segregation. Calydorea undulata is nonetheless a valid species.

Redescription of Orthopristis ruber and Orthopristis scapularis (Haemulidae: Perciformes), with a hybridization zone off the Atlantic coast of South America

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4576 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALEXANDRE PIRES MARCENIUK ◽  
RODRIGO ANTUNES CAIRES ◽  
LEONARDO MACHADO ◽  
NAJILA NOLIE CATARINE DANTAS CERQUEIRA ◽  
RAYLA ROBERTA M. DE S. SERRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Coloration Patterns

The genus Orthopristis includes seven valid species, three from the western Atlantic and five from eastern Pacific, while the available identification guides and taxonomic keys incorrectly recognize Orthopristis ruber as the only valid species found on the Atlantic coast of South America. Efforts to expand the inventory of fish species from the northern coast of Brazil led to the identification of two distinct species of Orthopristis from Atlantic South America, based on the analysis of coloration patterns and meristic data, as well as DNA. In the present study, the limits of Orthopristis ruber are reviewed, while Orthopristis scapularis is recognized as a valid species for the northern and northeastern coasts of South America. Based on intermediate morphological characteristics and nuclear DNA markers, a hybrid zone was identified off the state of Espírito Santo, on the eastern Brazilian coast. Additionally, considerations are made on the diversity and biogeography of the coastal marine and estuarine fishes found on the Brazilian coast. 

Systematic revision of the living African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops Gray, 1844)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4504 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
MATTHEW H. SHIRLEY ◽  
AMANDA N. CARR ◽  
JENNIFER H. NESTLER ◽  
KENT A. VLIET ◽  
CHRISTOPHER A. BROCHU
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
West African ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Current State ◽  
History Of ◽  
Living Species ◽  
African Form

Molecular and morphological evidence has shown that the African slender-snouted, or sharp-nosed, crocodile Mecistops cataphractus (Cuvier, 1824) is comprised of two superficially cryptic species: one endemic to West Africa and the other endemic to Central Africa. Our ability to characterize the two species is compromised by the complicated taxonomic history of the lineage and overlapping ranges of variation in distinguishing morphological features. The name M. cataphractus was evidently originally based on West African material, but the holotype is now lost. Although types exist for other names based on the West African form, the name M. cataphractus is sufficiently entrenched in the literature, and other names sufficiently obscure, to justify retypification. Here, we designate a neotype for M. cataphractus and restrict it to West Africa. We resurrect M. leptorhynchus as a valid species from Central Africa and identify exemplary referred specimens that, collectively, overcome the obscurity and diagnostic limits of the extant holotype. We additionally indicate suitable neotype material in the event the holotype is lost, destroyed, or otherwise needing replacement, and we rectify the previously erroneous type locality designation. We provide a revised diagnosis for crown Mecistops, and revise and update previous descriptions of the two living species, including providing both more complete descriptions and discussion of diagnostic characters. Finally, we provide considerable discussion of the current state of knowledge of these species’ ecology, natural history, and distribution. 

scholarly journals Integrative taxonomy reveals a rare and new cusk-eel species of Luciobrotula (Teleostei, Ophidiidae) from the Solomon Sea, West Pacific

2021 ◽  
Vol 750 ◽  
pp. 52-69
Author(s):  
Man-Kwan Wong ◽  
Mao-Ying Lee ◽  
Wei-Jen Chen
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Line ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
The West ◽  
West Pacific ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
The Family

With six valid species, Luciobrotula is a small genus of the family Ophidiidae, commonly known as cusk-eels. They are benthopelagic fishes occurring at depths ranging from 115–2300 m in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Among them, Luciobrotula bartschi is the only known species in the West Pacific. Three specimens of Luciobrotula were collected from the Philippine Sea, Bismarck Sea, and Solomon Sea in the West Pacific during the AURORA, PAPUA NIUGINI, and MADEEP expeditions under the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program, and all of them were initially identified as L. bartschi. Subsequent examination with integrative taxonomy indicates that they belong to two distinct species, with the specimen collected from the Solomon Sea representing a new species, which is described here. In terms of morphology, Luciobrotula polylepis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having a relatively longer lateral line (end of the lateral line below the 33rd dorsal-fin ray) and fewer vertebrae (abdominal vertebrae 13, total vertebrae 50). In the inferred COI gene tree, the two western Pacific species of Luciobrotula do not form a monophyletic group. The genetic K2P distance between the two species is 13.8% on average at the COI locus.

scholarly journals Influences of oceanic islands and the Pleistocene on the biogeography and evolution of two groups of Australasian parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes: Eclectus roratus, Trichoglossus haematodus complex). Rapid evolution and implications for taxonomy and conservation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-66
Author(s):  
Michael P. Braun ◽  
Matthias Reinschmidt ◽  
Thomas Datzmann ◽  
David Waugh ◽  
Rafael Zamora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Genetic Evidence ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽  
Avian Diversification

AbstractThe Australasian region is a centre of biodiversity and endemism, mainly based on the tropical climate in combination with the large amount of islands. During the Pleistocene, islands of the Sahul Shelf (Australia, New Guinea, Aru Islands) had been part of the same land mass, while islands within the Wallacea (Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, Sulawesi etc.) remained isolated. We investigated biogeographical avian diversification patterns of two species complexes across the Wallacea and the Sahul Shelf: the Eclectus Parrot Eclectus roratus Wagler, 1832, and the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus Linnaeus, 1771. Both species are represented by a large number of described geographical subspecies. We used mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences for phylogenetic and network analysis to detect biogeographic roles of islands and avian diversification patterns. The number of threatened taxa in this region is increasing rapidly and there is an urgent need for (sub-)species conservation in this region. Our study provides first genetic evidence for treating several island taxa as distinct species. In both species complexes similar genetic patterns were detected. Genetic diversification was higher across the islands of the Wallacea than across the islands of the Sahul Shelf. Divergence in E. roratus can be dated back about 1.38 million years ago, whereas in the younger T. haematodus it was 0.80 million years ago. Long distance dispersal was the most likely event for distribution patterns across the Wallacea and Sahul Shelf. The geographic origin of the species-complex Eclectus roratus spp. is supposed to be Wallacean, but for the species-complex Trichoglossus haematodus spp. it is supposed to be non-Wallacean. Trichoglossus euteles, so far considered a distinct species, clearly belongs to the Trichoglossus-haematodus-complex. The only case of sympatry in the complex is the distribution of T. (h.) euteles and T. h. capistratus on Timor, which means a rapid evolution from one ancestor into two distinct species within only 800,000 years. For all other taxa a Checkerboard distribution pattern is present. In this complex, 8 taxa are already treated as separate species (del Hoyo et al. 2014). Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are supported to represent phylogenetic units: (1) N New Guinea (haematodus) incl. Biak (rosenbergii), Bismarck Archipelago (massena), and New Caledonia (deplanchii); (2) Flores (weberi); (3) E Australia (moluccanus) incl. Aru Islands (nigrogularis) and S New Guinea (caeruleiceps); (4) N Australia (rubritorquis); (5) Timor 1st lineage (capistratus) incl. Sumba (fortis); (6) Bali and Lombok (mitchellii); (7) Sumbawa (forsteni); (8) Timor 2nd lineage (euteles). Those 8 phylogenetic units are not identical to the 8 species listed by del Hoyo et al. (2014). Several populations on smaller islands are under decline, a separate species status may lead to a higher conservation status in both species complexes, which are currently listed as “Least Concern”. Eclectus roratus is currently treated as monospecific. Based on genetic evidence, the following populations are suggested being treated as valid species: (1) Sumba (Eclectus cornelia), (2) Tanimbar Islands (E. riedeli), (3) Moluccas (E. roratus), and (4) New Guinea (E. polychloros incl. Aru Islands (E. aruensis), and Solomon Island (E. solomonensis).

The Dogma of Dingoes—Taxonomic status of the dingo: A reply to Smith et al.

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4564 (1) ◽  
pp. 198 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN M. JACKSON ◽  
PETER J.S. FLEMING ◽  
MARK D.B. ELDRIDGE ◽  
SANDY INGLEBY ◽  
TIM FLANNERY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Domestic Dogs ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Evolutionary Divergence ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Gray Wolves ◽  
Narrow Scope

Adopting the name Canis dingo for the Dingo to explicitly denote a species-level taxon separate from other canids was suggested by Crowther et al.  (2014) as a means to eliminate taxonomic instability and contention. However, Jackson et al.  (2017), using standard taxonomic and nomenclatural approaches and principles, called instead for continued use of the nomen C. familiaris for all domestic dogs and their derivatives, including the Dingo. (This name, C. familiaris, is applied to all dogs that derive from the domesticated version of the Gray Wolf, Canis lupus, based on nomenclatural convention.) The primary reasons for this call by Jackson et al.  (2017) were: (1) a lack of evidence to show that recognizing multiple species amongst the dog, including the Dingo and New Guinea Singing Dog, was necessary taxonomically, and (2) the principle of nomenclatural priority (the name familiaris Linnaeus, 1758, antedates dingo Meyer, 1793). Overwhelming current evidence from archaeology and genomics indicates that the Dingo is of recent origin in Australia and shares immediate ancestry with other domestic dogs as evidenced by patterns of genetic and morphological variation. Accordingly, for Smith et al.  (2019) to recognise Canis dingo as a distinct species, the onus was on them to overturn current interpretations of available archaeological, genomic, and morphological datasets and instead show that Dingoes have a deeply divergent evolutionary history that distinguishes them from other named forms of Canis (including C. lupus and its domesticated version, C. familiaris). A recent paper by Koepfli et al.  (2015) demonstrates exactly how this can be done in a compelling way within the genus Canis—by demonstrating deep evolutionary divergence between taxa, on the order of hundreds of thousands of years, using data from multiple genetic systems. Smith et al.  (2019) have not done this; instead they have misrepresented the content and conclusions of Jackson et al.  (2017), and contributed extraneous arguments that are not relevant to taxonomic decisions. Here we dissect Smith et al.  (2019), identifying misrepresentations, to show that ecological, behavioural and morphological evidence is insufficient to recognise Dingoes as a separate species from other domestic dogs. We reiterate: the correct binomial name for the taxon derived from Gray Wolves (C. lupus) by passive and active domestication, including Dingoes and other domestic dogs, is Canis familiaris. We are strongly sympathetic to arguments about the historical, ecological, cultural, or other significance of the Dingo, but these are issues that will have to be considered outside of the more narrow scope of taxonomy and nomenclature. 

A checklist of the moray eels of the world (Teleostei: Anguilliformes: Muraenidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3474 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID G. SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Distribution ◽  
Type Locality ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Primary Type

A checklist of the currently recognized species of moray eels (Muraenidae) is presented. One hundred ninety seven speciesare considered to be valid, in 15 genera, and two subfamilies. The account for each valid species contains bibliographicinformation for that species and all synonyms, including primary type specimens and type locality. Also given for eachspecies is the number of vertebrae, the mean vertebral formula (MVF), the general geographic distribution, and any ex-planatory remarks that may be needed. A list of nominal genera and species is given, with the current status of each. Separate lists are provided for names that cannot be assigned to known species (incertae sedis) and those that are unavailable.

Genetic and morphological evidence on the species validity of Gekko melli Vogt, 1922 with notes on its diagnosis and range extension (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3505 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
JIAN-HUAN YANG ◽  
YING-YONG WANG ◽  
TIAN-DU ZHANG ◽  
YAN-JUN SUN ◽  
SHI-SHI LIN
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Molecular Genetic Analysis ◽  
Range Extension ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Previously Treated

Mell’s gecko Gekko melli Vogt, 1922, a poorly known gecko species in China, had been previously treated as synonym ofGekko subpalmatus for a rather long time. It was recently resurrected as a valid species on the basis of morphological com-parisons of type specimens with the latter species. In this study, we confirmed the specific validity of G. melli based on aset of specimens we collected from China, as well as on the basis of molecular genetic analysis. We also provide a more complete morphological description and diagnosis of G. melli.

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