scholarly journals Desoria calderonis sp. nov., a new species of alpine cryophilic springtail (Collembola: Isotomidae) from the Apennines (Italy), with phylogenetic and ecological considerations

2021 ◽  
Vol 787 ◽  
pp. 32-52
Author(s):  
Barbara Valle ◽  
Claudio Cucini ◽  
Francesco Nardi ◽  
Marco Caccianiga ◽  
Mauro Gobbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Complete Disappearance ◽  
Central Apennines ◽  
Current Definition ◽  
Springtail Species ◽  
European Mountain ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Subsequent Risk

We describe and delimit with integrative taxonomy the new springtail species Desoria calderonis sp. nov. (Collembola: Isotomidae). This cryophilic species is strictly linked to the supraglacial stony debris of the isolated Calderone glacier (Central Apennines, Italy), one of the southernmost glaciers of Europe. Desoria calderonis sp. nov. could belong to the nivalis-complex, a group of European mountain species included in the violacea-group. Genetic analysis (COI mtDNA barcoding) confirms the morphological attribution to the genus Desoria Nicolet in Desor, 1841, but highlights that the genus, in its current definition, is polyphyletic. We specify the peculiar micro-habitat preferences and highlight the threat of extinction for this cryophilic species in the context of the ongoing climate change and subsequent risk of complete disappearance of the glacier.

Taxonomic revision of the epigean representatives of the spider subfamily Harpacteinae (Araneae: Dysderidae) on the island of Crete

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1169 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA CHATZAKI ◽  
MIQUEL A. ARNEDO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Critical Appraisal ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Current Definition ◽  
On This Island ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
A New Species

Here we review the taxonomy of the epigean species of the spider subfamily Harpacteinae (Araneae, Dysderidade) on Crete. Along with the endemic cave-dwelling genus Minotauria, this subfamily is represented on this island by the genera Harpactea and Stalagtia, the last of which is reported for the first time. We describe and illustrate the previously unknown females of Harpacteacressa Brignoli, 1984 and Harpactea coccifera Brignoli, 1984. Furthermore, a new species, Stalagtia thaleriana n. sp., is described and a critical appraisal and a re-delimitation of the current definition of the genus Stalagtia is provided. An identification key, some notes on the ecology (habitat preferences, activity periods) and the distribution of these species on Crete are also given.

Integrative taxonomy of giant crested Eusirus in the Southern Ocean, including the description of a new species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Eusiridae)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie L Verheye ◽  
Cédric D’Udekem D’Acoz
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Putative Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Statistical Parsimony ◽  
Bayesian Implementation ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Giant Species

Abstract Among Antarctic amphipods of the genus Eusirus, a highly distinctive clade of giant species is characterized by a dorsal, blade-shaped tooth on pereionites 5–7 and pleonites 1–3. This lineage, herein named ‘crested Eusirus’, includes two potential species complexes, the Eusirus perdentatus and Eusirus giganteus complexes, in addition to the more distinctive Eusirus propeperdentatus. Molecular phylogenies and statistical parsimony networks (COI, CytB and ITS2) of crested Eusirus are herein reconstructed. This study aims to formally revise species diversity within crested Eusirus by applying several species delimitation methods (Bayesian implementation of the Poisson tree processes model, general mixed Yule coalescent, multi-rate Poisson tree processes and automatic barcode gap discovery) on the resulting phylogenies. In addition, results from the DNA-based methods are benchmarked against a detailed morphological analysis of all available specimens of the E. perdentatus complex. Our results indicate that species diversity of crested Eusirus is underestimated. Overall, DNA-based methods suggest that the E. perdentatus complex is composed of three putative species and that the E. giganteus complex includes four or five putative species. The morphological analysis of available specimens from the E. perdentatus complex corroborates molecular results by identifying two differentiable species, the genuine E. perdentatus and a new species, herein described as Eusirus pontomedon sp. nov.

scholarly journals The Evolutionary History, Diversity, and Ecology of Willows (Salix L.) in the European Alps

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Natascha D. Wagner ◽  
Li He ◽  
Elvira Hörandl
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Introgressive Hybridization ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Climatic Fluctuations ◽  
History Of ◽  
European Mountain ◽  
The Alps

The genus Salix (willows), with 33 species, represents the most diverse genus of woody plants in the European Alps. Many species dominate subalpine and alpine types of vegetation. Despite a long history of research on willows, the evolutionary and ecological factors for this species richness are poorly known. Here we will review recent progress in research on phylogenetic relationships, evolution, ecology, and speciation in alpine willows. Phylogenomic reconstructions suggest multiple colonization of the Alps, probably from the late Miocene onward, and reject hypotheses of a single radiation. Relatives occur in the Arctic and in temperate Eurasia. Most species are widespread in the European mountain systems or in the European lowlands. Within the Alps, species differ ecologically according to different elevational zones and habitat preferences. Homoploid hybridization is a frequent process in willows and happens mostly after climatic fluctuations and secondary contact. Breakdown of the ecological crossing barriers of species is followed by introgressive hybridization. Polyploidy is an important speciation mechanism, as 40% of species are polyploid, including the four endemic species of the Alps. Phylogenomic data suggest an allopolyploid origin for all taxa analyzed so far. Further studies are needed to specifically analyze biogeographical history, character evolution, and genome evolution of polyploids.

A new species of Neorhynchoplax (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Hymenosomatidae) from Taiwan

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4461 (3) ◽  
pp. 350 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAN-WEN HSUEH
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Brood Size ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Protective Structure ◽  
The Third ◽  
A New Species

A new hymenosomatid crab, Neorhynchoplax chipolini sp. nov., is described from Taiwan. Of the 32 known species of Neorhynchoplax, only five other species possess a posterolateral tooth on the carapace and unarmed ambulatory dactyli as in N. chipolini sp. nov.: i.e. N. attenuipes (Chopra & Das, 1930), N. falcifera Naruse, Mendoza & Ng, 2008, N. sinensis (Shen, 1932), N. tuberculata (Chopra & Das, 1930), and N. venusta Ng, 2015. Neorhynchoplax chipolini sp. nov., however, differs from these congeners by having the median rostral tooth distinctly bent downwards and the presence of a tubercle on the inner anterolateral margin of the first exopod article of the third maxilliped. Brood size, egg diameters, and the protective structure of eggs in N. chipolini sp. nov. are noted. A table for the habitat preferences of all known species of Neorhynchoplax is provided. 

Human Destinies

2018 ◽  
pp. 73-92
Author(s):  
Gary Westfahl
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Species ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Interstellar Space ◽  
Fiction Writers ◽  
The City ◽  
A New Species

Unlike other science fiction writers, this chapter explains, Clarke rarely envisions humanity colonizing interstellar space and forging a galactic empire, anticipating limitations on human development. Though unconcerned about nuclear wars or alien invasions, Clarke regularly predicts humanity’s extinction, due to climate change or competing new species, or long periods of decadence. If humans avoid these fates, evolution may transform them into a new species, unlike present-day humans. Such scenarios unfold in Clarke’s major novels about humanity’s destiny: in Against the Fall of Night (1953), revised as The City and the Stars (1956), residents of an unchanging future city rediscover their ambitions but still face eventual demise; and in Childhood’s End (1953) humans guided by alien Overlords become a group intelligence to join a transcendent Overmind.

A new species of frog in the Litoria ewingii species group (Anura: Pelodryadidae) from south-eastern Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4858 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-230
Author(s):  
MICHAEL MAHONY ◽  
BEDE MOSES ◽  
STEPHEN V. MAHONY ◽  
FRANK L. LEMCKERT ◽  
STEPHEN DONNELLAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Nuclear Genome ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
A New Species

Population declines and range contractions among Australian frogs that commenced in the early 1980s continue in some species that were once widespread. The generality of this pattern has been difficult to discern, especially for those species that are encountered rarely because they have restricted periods of calling activity with poorly defined habitat preferences, and are not common. Several lines of evidence indicate that Litoria littlejohni is such a species. This frog was once known from mid-eastern New South Wales to eastern Victoria, and evidence from wildlife atlas databases and targeted searches indicate that it has declined in large portions of its former range, leaving several populations that are isolated, in some cases restricted in distribution, and of small size. We investigated the relationships among populations using mitochondrial ND4 nucleotide sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the nuclear genome. We found that northern and southern populations form two highly divergent genetic groups whose distributions abut at the southern margin of the Sydney Basin Bioregion and these genetic groups also show divergence in morphology and male advertisement calls. Here we describe the populations to the south of the Sydney Basin Bioregion as a new species and provide information on its distribution and ecology. In light of the apparent isolation and small size of known populations of the new species and the consequent restriction of the range of L. littlejohni, we assessed the conservation status of both species. 

scholarly journals An integrated approach to delimiting species borders in the genus Chrysotoxum Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Syrphidae), with description of two new species

2015 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zorica Nedeljković ◽  
Jelena Ačanski ◽  
Mihajla Đan ◽  
Dragana Obreht-Vidaković ◽  
Antonio Ricarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Taxonomic Study ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Lateral Margins ◽  
A New Species

Integrative taxonomy tests the validity of taxa using methods additional to traditional morphology. The existence of two different morphotypes in specimens identified as Chrysotoxum vernale Loew (Diptera: Syrphidae) prompted their taxonomic study using an integrative approach that included morphology, wing and male-surstylus geometric morphometrics, genetic and ecological analyses. As a result, a new species is recognised, Chrysotoxum montanum Nedeljković & Vujić sp. nov., and C. vernale is re-defined. A lectotype and paralectotypes are designated for C. vernale to stabilize this concept. An additional species, Chrysotoxum orthostylum Vujić sp. nov., with distinctive male genitalia is also described. The three species share an antenna with the basoflagellomere shorter than the scape plus pedicel and terga with yellow fasciae not reaching the lateral margins. This study confirms the value of integrative approach for resolving species boundaries.

A new species of Arrhopalites Börner, 1906 (Collembola, Symphypleona, Arrhopalitidae) from Iran with an updated key to A. diversus group of species

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4759 (3) ◽  
pp. 338-350
Author(s):  
ROBERT S. VARGOVITSH ◽  
MORTEZA KAHRARIAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Abdominal Segment ◽  
The Family ◽  
Springtail Species ◽  
A New Species

A new springtail species of the family Arrhopalitidae, Arrhopalites persicus sp. nov., is described from Kermanshah Province in Iran. It belongs to the diversus group of species with 3, 2, 1, 1 anterior setae on dens. It is separated from all members of this group by presence of 5+5 circumanal spines on the sixth abdominal segment and it shows reduced tibiotarsal chaetotaxy. It is the second species of the genus recorded in the country. A key to Arrhopalites diversus group of species is updated. 

Integrative taxonomy of the Asian skinks Sphenomorphus stellatus (Boulenger, 1900) and S. praesignis (Boulenger, 1900) with the resurrection of S. annamiticus (Boettger, 1901) and the description of a new species from Cambodia

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4683 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. LEE GRISMER ◽  
PERRY L., JR. WOOD ◽  
EVAN S. H. QUAH ◽  
SHAHRUL ANUAR ◽  
NIKOLAY A. POYARKOV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Univariate Analyses ◽  
A New Species

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the sister species Sphenomorphus stellatus and S. praesignis based on the mitochondrial genes 12S and 16S rRNA recover the former as paraphyletic with respect to the latter in that a specimen of S. stellatus from the type locality in Peninsular Malaysia is more closely related to S. praesignis than to Indochinese populations of S. stellatus. Furthermore, the phylogeny indicates that the Indochinese populations represent two species, thus resulting in four major lineages within this clade. These relationships are consistent with multivariate and univariate analyses of morphological and discrete color pattern data which statistically define and diagnose the four lineages and together with the molecular data, provide the foundation for robust, testable, species-level hypotheses. As such, S. stellatus is herein restricted to Peninsular Malaysia; S. annamiticus is resurrected for the circum-continental populations ranging through southeastern Thailand, southern Cambodia, and southern Vietnam; a new species—S. preylangensis sp. nov.—is described from an isolated mountain, Phnom Chi, from the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary in central Cambodia; and the taxonomy of S. praesignis remains unchanged. The description of S. preylangensis sp. nov. underscores the necessity to conserve this remnant of lowland evergreen rainforest in the Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary. 

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