Uncovering hidden specific diversity of Andean glassfrogs of theCentrolene buckleyispecies complex (Anura: Centrolenidae)

The glassfrogCentrolene buckleyihas been recognized as a species complex. Herein, using coalescence-based species delimitation methods, we evaluate the specific diversity within this taxon. Four coalescence approaches (generalized mixed Yule coalescents, Bayesian general mixed Yule-coalescent, Poisson tree processes, and Bayesian Poisson tree processes) were consistent with the delimitation results, identifying four lineages within what is currently recognized asC. buckleyi. We propose three new candidate species that should be tested with nuclear markers, morphological, and behavioral data. In the meantime, for conservation purposes, candidate species should be considered evolutionary significant units, in light of observed population crashes in theC. buckleyispecies complex. Finally, our results support the validity ofC. venezuelense, formerly considered as a subspecies ofC. buckleyi.

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Meiofaunal cryptic species challenge species delimitation: the case of the Monocelis lineata (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) species complex

Contributions to Zoology ◽

10.1163/18759866-08502001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 (2) ◽

pp. 123-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Fabio Scarpa ◽

Piero Cossu ◽

Tiziana Lai ◽

Daria Sanna ◽

Marco Curini-Galletti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Taxonomic Resolution ◽

Biodiversity Crisis ◽

Candidate Species ◽

History Of ◽

Adaptive Radiations ◽

Taxonomic Approach ◽

Conservation Concern ◽

Lines Of Evidence

Given the pending biodiversity crisis, species delimitation is a critically important task in conservation biology, but its efficacy based on single lines of evidence has been questioned as it may not accurately reflect species limits and relationships. Hence, the use of multiple lines of evidence has been portrayed as a means to overcome identification issues arising from gene/species tree discordance, morphological convergence or recent adaptive radiations. Here, the integrative taxonomic approach has been used to address the study of the Monocelis lineataspecies complex. The taxonomic resolution of the complex is challenging, as the species lacks sclerotised copulatory structures, which as a rule of thumb aid identification in Proseriata. Eighteen populations, which encompass most of the geographic range of the complex, were studied using morphology, karyology, crossbreeding experiments and molecular analysis. These different markers provided evidence of four (karyology) to eight (morphology) discrete entities, whereas crossings showed various degrees of intersterility among the tested populations. Molecular species delimitation revealed a different number of candidate species, spanning from five (ABGD and K/θ) to 11 (GMYC). Such incongruences reflect the multifaceted evolutionary history of M. lineata s.l.and hamper the full taxonomic resolution of the complex. However, two candidate species were consistently validated by all of the markers and are described as new species: Monocelis algicolanov. sp. and M. exquisitanov. sp. The latter species appear to have a restricted distribution, and the possibility that meiofaunal taxa may be of conservation concern is discussed.

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The taxonomy of the Tarentola mauritanica species complex (Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae): Bayesian species delimitation supports six candidate species

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution ◽

10.1016/j.ympev.2015.09.008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 94 ◽

pp. 271-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Catarina Rato ◽

David James Harris ◽

Salvador Carranza ◽

Luís Machado ◽

Ana Perera

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Candidate Species ◽

Bayesian Species Delimitation

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Enlightening the black and white: species delimitation and UNITE species hypothesis testing in the Russula albonigra species complex

IMA Fungus ◽

10.1186/s43008-021-00064-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ruben De Lange ◽

Slavomír Adamčík ◽

Katarína Adamčíkova ◽

Pieter Asselman ◽

Jan Borovička ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Perfect Match ◽

Distribution Area ◽

Nuclear Markers ◽

Traditional Concept ◽

Distance Threshold ◽

European Species ◽

Black And White

ABSTRACTRussula albonigra is considered a well-known species, morphologically delimited by the context of the basidiomata blackening without intermediate reddening, and the menthol-cooling taste of the lamellae. It is supposed to have a broad ecological range and a large distribution area. A thorough molecular analysis based on four nuclear markers (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TEF1-α) shows this traditional concept of R. albonigra s. lat. represents a species complex consisting of at least five European, three North American, and one Chinese species. Morphological study shows traditional characters used to delimit R. albonigra are not always reliable. Therefore, a new delimitation of the R. albonigra complex is proposed and a key to the described European species of R. subgen. Compactae is presented. A lectotype and an epitype are designated for R. albonigra and three new European species are described: R. ambusta, R. nigrifacta, and R. ustulata. Different thresholds of UNITE species hypotheses were tested against the taxonomic data. The distance threshold of 0.5% gives a perfect match to the phylogenetically defined species within the R. albonigra complex. Publicly available sequence data can contribute to species delimitation and increase our knowledge on ecology and distribution, but the pitfalls are short and low quality sequences.

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Species delimitation in the Stenocereus griseus (Cactaceae) species complex reveals a new species, S. huastecorum

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0190385 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. e0190385 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hernán Alvarado-Sizzo ◽

Alejandro Casas ◽

Fabiola Parra ◽

Hilda Julieta Arreola-Nava ◽

Teresa Terrazas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Species Delimitation ◽

Species Complex ◽

A New Species

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Atlas of leaf surface micromorphology in Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae) from the Horn of Africa region

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.524.4.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 524 (4) ◽

pp. 261-282

Author(s):

ESHETU FENTAW ◽

KELDA F.V.A. ELLIOTT ◽

SEBSEBE DEMISSEW ◽

DAVID CUTLER ◽

OLWEN M. GRACE

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Plant Material ◽

Species Complex ◽

Leaf Surface ◽

Detailed Comparison ◽

Species Variation ◽

Leaf Epidermis ◽

Horn Of Africa ◽

Surface Micromorphology ◽

Leaf Surface Micromorphology

The confident identification to species rank of fragmentary and sterile plant material is often challenged by the absence of diagnostic characters, which are present in intact specimens, reproductive parts, and plants in habitat. Here, we consider leaf surface micromorphology for the identification of the genus Aloe in the Horn of Africa region. Primary and secondary sculpturing of the leaf epidermis and stomata were characterised from SEM micrographs of 35 taxa representing 31 species of Aloe (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae). Detailed comparison revealed that leaf surface characters are conserved between species and within-species variation is modest. Closely related taxa in the Aloe adigratana—A. camperi—A. sinana species complex could be distinguished using leaf surface micromorphology alone. These characters also guide species delimitation; in the species complex including A. schoelleri and A. steudneri, a narrow circumscription is supported, whereas with A. ankoberensis and A. pulcherrima, a wider circumscription merits consideration. The observed trait combinations are characteristic of plants in xeric environments, with the most notable feature being stomata that are most deeply sunken in species in more arid habitats. Our findings support the use of comparative study of micromorphological leaf surface characters for species identification and taxonomy in the genus Aloe.

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