scholarly journals First use of molecular evidence to match sexes in the Monstrilloida (Crustacea: Copepoda), and taxonomic implications of the newly recognized and described, partlyMaemonstrilla-like females ofMonstrillopsis longilobataLee, Kim & Chang, 2016

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donggu Jeon ◽  
Donghyun Lim ◽  
Wonchoel Lee ◽  
Ho Young Soh

Two forms of the monstrilloid copepod, one represented by males, the other by females, were dominant among the monstrilloids collected while sampling zooplankton with a light trap in southern coastal waters of Korea. Morphological examination revealed that the males are conspecific with the previously reported and rather specialized Korean speciesMonstrillopsis longilobataLee, Kim & Chang, 2016, hitherto known only from males that have extremely long genital lappets. The females also show several diagnostic features ofMonstrillopsis, such as prominent eyes, bilobed fifth legs with the inner lobe unarmed and reduced, and four urosomal somites. In addition, though, these females are extraordinary among all Monstrilloida in that their ovigerous spines are directed ventrally, not posteriorly as in most species or anteriorly as in those assigned toMaemonstrilla. Genetic divergence analyses based on partial mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase subunit I, complete Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1)–5.8S–ITS2, and partial 28S rRNA revealed little or no genetic divergence between the present males and females, thus demonstrating that they are mutually conspecific. The present report (1) provides the first morphological description of femaleM. longilobatawith the proposal of a revised nomenclature for antennular setal armament; (2) presents the molecular evidence for conspecificity of the males and females; and (3) lists several morphological characteristics that are sexually dimorphic in this species, and thus likely also in other monstrilloids. Matters bearing on the validity of the generaHaemocera,Monstrillopsis, andMaemonstrillaare discussed.

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4786 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-545
Author(s):  
HEINRICH VICENTINI ◽  
SOFIA WYLER ◽  
JOHANN WARINGER

This paper describes the previously unknown larva of Hydropsyche doehleri Tobias 1972. Species association was enabled by the fact that both larval and adult specimens were collected at the same location and that H. doehleri was the only Hydropsychidae collected at this site, based on light-trap samples of adults. In addition, association of larvae with adult males and females were performed using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase region. Information on the morphology of the larva is given, and the most important diagnostic features separating H. doehleri from its sister taxon H. siltalai Döhler 1963 are discussed. In both species, gills are lacking on abdominal segment VII. In the context of the Hydropsychidae key of Waringer & Graf (2011), the two species can be separated by the morphology and coloration of the frontoclypeal apotome, and by their distribution patterns: whereas H. siltalai is widespread in Europe, H. doehleri has been reported from only France, Italy, and southern Switzerland (Tessin).                #We dedicate this paper to Univ. Prof. Dr Hans Malicky on the occasion of his 85th birthday. 


2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio G. Valdecasas ◽  
Angela Abad

AbstractProcedures to study the molecular and morphological characteristics of microscopic organisms are often incompatible with each other. Therein, the realization of alternatives that make the characterization of these features compatible and simultaneously permit the deposition of the original material as a voucher sample into a reference collection is one of the foremost goals of biodiversity studies. In this study, we show that genomic extraction does not necessarily compromise the detailed study of the external morphology of microscopic organisms, and to do so, we used a group of aquatic mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) as a test group. Hydrachnidia morphology is difficult to study when specimens have been stored in pure ethanol; however, proteinase K extraction leaves them flexible and easy to dissect, while, at the same time, maintaining all of their diagnostic features intact. Furthermore, autofluorescence is significantly enhanced after proteinase extraction. Our study was conducted with aquatic mites that were stored in absolute ethanol in the field and processed for DNA extraction using a Qiagen QIAamp minikit. Before and after molecular extraction, a laser scanning confocal microscopy morphological examination was carried out.


2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flavia Guerra Vieira-Menezes ◽  
Cristina de Oliveira Dias ◽  
Astrid Cornils ◽  
Rosane Silva ◽  
Sérgio Luiz Costa Bonecker

Zootaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4196 (4) ◽  
pp. 498 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRZYSZTOF ZAWIERUCHA ◽  
MAŁGORZATA KOLICKA ◽  
ŁUKASZ KACZMAREK

Tardigrada is phylum of micrometazoans widely distributed throughout the world, because of old descriptions and insufficient morphometric data, many species currently need revision and re-description. Tenuibiotus voronkovi (Tumanov, 2007) is tardigrade previously only recorded from the Svalbard archipelago. This species’ original description was based on two individuals with destroyed claws on the fourth pair of legs and a lack of complete morphometric data for buccal tube and claws. In this paper, we present a re-description of T. voronkovi, supplementing the original description using the original paratype and additional material from Svalbard: Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. This species is characterised by two macroplacoids and a microplacoid, claws of Tenuibiotus type, dentate lunules under claw IV, and faint granulation on legs I–III and strong granulation on the legs IV. We include a new morphological description with microphotographs, morphometric, and molecular data (including: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), internal transcribed spacers (ITS1–5.8S rDNA–ITS2), and nuclear ribosome subunits 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA). These are the first published molecular data for the genus Tenuibiotus Pilato and Lisi, 2011, analysis of which indicated an affiliation of Tenuibiotus to the family Macrobiotidae. We found no differences in body size between individuals from different islands (Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya), but did observe variability in the eggs. After revision of the literature and the published figures, we concluded that Dastych’s (1985) report of T. willardi (Pilato, 1976) from Svalbard, was actually T. voronkovi, which has the greater distribution in Svalbard, and other Arctic locations, than previously believed. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-420
Author(s):  
Bertrand Launay ◽  
Julien Barnasson ◽  
Juliette Becquet ◽  
Michel Brulin ◽  
Sophie Cauvy-Fraunie ◽  
...  

Discovery of a new population of Rhithrogena delphinensis Sowa & Degrange, 1987, in the Arves Massif, and additions to the morphological description of the larva (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae). Rhithrogena delphinensis, described originally on the basis of four larvae from the Western Alps, south of the Arves Massif and from the northern flank of the Ecrins Massif, had not been captured again since 1986. Here, we report the discovery of a new population from river Arvan, whose drainage basin is located between the Grandes Rousses Massif and the northern flank of the Arves Massif. This newly discovered population seems abundant in numbers, and reveals the particular ecological requirements of the species as well as its dependence on glacier fed or nival streams. The morphological characteristics of the larvae are described in detail, and illustrated by photographs. The variability of some of the proposed identification criteria is discussed, and a key to the identification of the Rhithrogena species from the alpestris group of the Western Alps, to which R. delphinensis belongs, is provided. Finally, a portion of 658 base pairs of the COI gene of R. delphinensis is sequenced for the first time and compared to already existing data on the alpestris group in the Western Alps.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 415-424
Author(s):  
Shabana Mangi

Aptopus Eschscholtz is a native of the Mexico sonar light trap Huachuca Mountain of south central Arizona. This species has been first time observed from district Khairpur Sindh province of Pakistan from (March 2018 to October 2019), these observation represent first record of this species from Sindh or Pakistan. This description and illustrations are provided for easy identification, they cause significant damage to crops, they are pest species and omnivores feeder, especially on maize crops, potatoes, tomatoes and germinating seeds, weeds and small grasses overall in worldwide, its larva is yellowish to brown in color, from damage use the granules insecticides at planting time will prevent from wireworm, Aptopus opata is a differ from the closely allied species on the basis of genitalial and morphological characteristics body lengthened, dark brown to blackish with densely punctuations, prontal angles lengthened, pointed, scutellum blackish spot like, legs lengthened, aedeagus wider than longer, base broader, lateral lobe parameres slightly bigonal, with have golden hairs, at apex, median lobe parameres, broad at basal, rapidly narrowing apically, hairs like structure view from the ventral aspects.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4951 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-258
Author(s):  
ZHI-TONG LYU ◽  
CHAO-YU LIN ◽  
JIN-LONG REN ◽  
KE JIANG ◽  
YIN-PENG ZHANG ◽  
...  

The gecko species Gekko (Japonigekko) subpalmatus was previously recorded with a relatively wide distribution from eastern, southern, and southeastern China. However, the populations in southern China are currently recognized as another valid species G. (J.) melli. In this study, we conduct a detailed morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis of the populations currently treated as G. (J.) subpalmatus or G. (J.) melli, which are collectively designated as the G. (J.) subpalmatus complex. Our results reveal that the G. (J.) subpalmatus complex comprises three evolutionarily independent taxa. The populations from Zhejiang, eastern China are G. (J.) subpalmatus, those from southern China are G. (J.) melli, while those from the Sichuan Basin, southwestern China represent a cryptic species, Gekko (Japonigekko) cib sp. nov.. Gekko (Japonigekko) cib sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners, by its divergence from other complex members in the CYTB and 16S genes, and a combination of morphological characteristics, especially in hemipenial morphology. Historic records of G. (J.) subpalmatus complex are also reviewed. 


Bothalia ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Becker ◽  
F. Albers

This contribution deals with the taxonomy and phylogeny of the  Pelargonium carnosum complex, a group of closely related taxa of Pelargonium L’Hér. section  Otidia (Sweet) DC. (Geraniaceae) that is distributed in the winter rainfall area of South Africa. According to molecular analyses via AFLP, P. adriaanii M.Becker F.AIbers,  P. carnosum (L.) L’Uér., P.  ferulaceum (C'av.) Willd. and P. polycephalum (E.Mey. ex Harv.) R.Knuth form a monophyletic clade. Although hybridization may occur between the taxa, three are assigned to specific rank. The fourth taxon, P. ferulaceum is recognized as a subspecies ot'P carnosum. As is implied from the occurrence of morphological intermediates and partly from molecular evidence,hybridization does not only occur among the taxa in this complex but also involves species closely related to this group  (P. panifiorum J.C.Wendl., P. laxum (Sweet) G.Don, P. dasyphyllum R.Knuth). For the taxa in the P. carnosum complex, distribution areas are delineated and diagnostic features that have until now remained obscure, are outlined.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3436 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAKU OKAMOTO ◽  
TSUTOMU HIKIDA

A new species of scincid lizard allied to Plestiodon japonicus (Peters, 1864) was described as P. finitimus sp. nov., fromthe eastern part of Honshu and Hokkaido, Japan. A previous DNA study reported the taxonomic status of the easternJapanese populations of Plestiodon as an undescribed species on the basis of their collective genetic distinctness from aparapatric congener P. japonicus sensu strict from the western part of mainland Japan. We present the diagnostic featuresof P. finitimus compared to P. japonicus and P. latiscutatus Hallowell, 1861, the other parapatric species occurring in theIzu Peninsula and Izu Islands of central Japan, on the basis of morphological characteristics and DNA barcode patterns.Both P. finitimus and P. japonicus have a small postnasal and large anterior loreal that contacts the supralabials. In contrast,the Izu Peninsular populations of P. latiscutatus, which had no known diagnostic features relative to the other two species,usually have a large postnasal and small anterior loreal, with the latter separated from the supralabials by the former, ormay otherwise lack a postnasal. In most populations of P. finitimus, the right and left prefrontals are usually isolated fromeach other, whereas they exhibit medial contact in most populations of P. japonicus. Although all the above characters arevariable both within and between populations, 60–90% of the specimens from each locality on mainland Japan werecorrectly identified using a combination of these characters. Based on these characters, the Russian Far East populationof Plestiodon was also identified as P. finitimus. The interspecific sequence differences in the standard DNA barcoderegion (a 658 base pair fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of mitochondrial DNA) were distinct, andeach of the three species was exclusively clustered in a neighbor-joining tree. The limited hybridization among the threespecies indicated by previous studies suggests that DNA barcodes could provide a reliable key for their correctidentification. The implications for the biogeography and speciation of the three parapatric lizard species are briefly discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ekaterina A Shepeleva ◽  
Mikhail I Schelkunov ◽  
Michal Hroneš ◽  
Michal Sochor ◽  
Martin Dančák ◽  
...  

Abstract Thismia is a genus of > 80 mycoheterotrophic species characterized by a peculiar appearance and complex floral morphology. A significant proportion of the species and morphological diversity of Thismia has only been uncovered in the past two decades, and new discoveries continue to be made. Given that many new data have recently become available, and the most comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus from 1938 addresses less than half of the currently known species, previous hypotheses for species relationships and infrageneric taxonomic classification in Thismia was in need of review. Extensive molecular phylogenetic studies of Thismia at the genus level have never been presented. We investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 41 species (and one variety) of Thismia from the Old World. Our study comprises 68 specimens (for 28 of which the data were newly generated), including outgroup taxa broadly representing Thismiaceae (= Burmanniaceae p.p. sensuAPG IV, 2016), and is based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial marker. We use maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer relationships among the taxa. We also constructed a morphological dataset of 12 mostly floral characters, comparing these characters to hypotheses based on molecular evidence to identify putative synapomorphies for major clades and to discuss hypotheses regarding the evolution of structural traits in the genus. Our analyses indicate that the majority of currently accepted infrageneric taxa of Thismia are polyphyletic. We find support for the monophyly of the Old World group, in which we recognize five well-supported lineages (clades); the only New World species studied appears to be related to the Neotropical genus Tiputinia. Ancestral state reconstructions demonstrate that the evolution of most morphological characters was homoplastic, but we identify characters that provide each of the five clades of Old World Thismia with a unique morphological description. The geographical distribution of the species under study is also shown to be consistent with the major clades. Our investigation provides a phylogenetic basis for the development of a novel sectional classification of Thismia reflecting morphological and geographical traits.


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