Study of the genital anatomy, shell morphology and phylogeny of the genus Siciliaria Vest, 1867, with insights into Charpentieria, Stigmatica, Gibbularia and Papillifera (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Clausiliidae)

The taxonomy and systematics of the door snail genus Siciliaria was revised based on an integrative approach including a comprehensive genital anatomical investigation, which was combined with shell morphology and DNA sequence data (mitochondrial COI, nuclear ITS2 sequences). The genital morphology of 118 specimens of 21 taxa from 43 populations was investigated and a new general description of the genital morphology of the genus is provided. Additionally, 26 specimens of 14 taxa of additional 5 genera (sensu Bank & Neubert, 2019) of Alopiinae (Mauritanica, Charpentieria, Stigmatica, Gibbularia, Papillifera, and the here reintroduced genus Tirolica) were included in the genetic analyses. In the phylogenetic tree based on COI sequences, the species of the genus Siciliaria s.l. from northwestern Sicily were found within two separate highly supported main clades. In the tree based on the nuclear ITS2 marker sequence, resolution was considerably lower, albeit, the tree partially confirmed the mitochondrial tree. We re-introduced Sicania Tomlin, 1929 (corresponding to main clade II in the tree). Siciliaria scarificata did not appear in one of the two main clades but was the sister group of Mauretanica perinni polygyra. Concerning monophyly of species, only the widely distributed S. calcarae was paraphyletic in the COI tree, a finding that has to be investigated further with multiple marker sequences. For the other genera (Charpentieria, Stigmatica, Gibbularia, Papillifera and Tirolica) we provide here also detailed descriptions of the genital anatomy of 51 taxa for a total amount of 191 dissected specimens. Several of these taxa could be included in the phylogenetic analysis and were found in several quite distinct lineages. Although the taxon sampling of these taxa was far from being complete, the comprehensive data provided here (concerning morphology, genetics and distribution) provide first insights into this diverse group of clausiliid taxa.

The Surge of Hypervirulent ST398 MRSA Lineage With Higher Biofilm-Forming Ability Is a Critical Threat to Clinics

The global increase of community-associated (CA) infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major healthcare problem. Although sequence type (ST) 398 MRSA was first described as a livestock-associated (LA) lineage, human-adapted MRSA (HO-MRSA) ST398 without livestock contact has subsequently been reported from China in our previous study and other later research. The proportion of ST398 HO-MRSA has also remarkably increased in recent years in China. Based on 3878 S. aureus isolates that were collected in a general hospital between 2008 and 2018, we identified 56 ST398 HO-MRSA isolates. The four early appearing isolates of them have been sequenced by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in our previous study. Here, by usage of WGS on the later-appearing 52 isolates and analyzing the phylogenetic dynamics of the linage, we found that 50 isolates clustered together with the former 4 isolates, making it a main clade out of MSSA clones and other MRSA clones, although ST398 HO-MRSA evolved with multiple origins. Drug resistance and virulence gene analysis based on the WGS data demonstrated that ST398 HO-MRSA main clade exhibited a similar pattern in both parts. Furthermore, they all carried a conserved variant of prophage 3 to guarantee virulence and a short SCCmec type V element of class D to maintain considerable lower methicillin resistance. Further phenotypical research verified that the epidemic HO-MRSA ST398 displayed enhanced biofilm formation ability when keeping high virulence. The dual advantages of virulence and biofilm formation in the HO-MRSA ST398 subtype promote their fitness in the community and even in the healthcare environment, which poses a serious threat in clinical S. aureus infections. Therefore, further surveillance is required to prevent and control the problematic public health impact of HO-MRSA ST398 in the future.

Phylogeny of Dorstenia (Moraceae) reveals the polyphyletic nature of its neotropical sections

Dorstenia, the second largest genus of Moraceae, comprises nine sections that are mainly found in Africa and America. Two of them are woody macrospermous, and the other seven are herbaceous microspermous. There are three sections in the Neotropics, all of which are herbaceous and taxonomically complex owing to their great morphological similarity. The most recent molecular phylogenetic studies of Dorstenia suggested that the neotropical sections are polyphyletic. These studies also showed that the neotropical species represent a sister group to an African woody macrospermous grade rather than African herbaceous microspermous plants. We have now expanded the number of taxa sampled and included other molecular markers to determine whether the previous phylogeny are to be corroborated or whether new taxonomic interpretations are to be followed. This study inferred the phylogeny of the group based on ITS, ETS, and trnL-F regions from 40 of the 58 neotropical species and added a new African taxon, thus including 17 of the 60 known species. Our results reaffirmed the polyphyletic nature of the neotropical sections. Dorstenia sect. Acauloma emerged within the main clade of D. sect. Kosaria (both African species), a result that confirms the affinity of these taxa already observed in previous morphological studies. We suggest Dorstenia sect. Dorstenia as the only neotropical section.

Taxonomic reassessment of Parasesarma (Crustacea: Brachyura: Decapoda: Sesarmidae) based on genetic and morphological comparisons, with the description of a new genus

Parasesarma is a species-rich genus whose representatives are common in wetlands and mangroves of the Indo-Pacific. Morphologically, the genus is heterogeneous and has been postulated to constitute a polyphyletic taxon. In the present study, most species of Parasesarma are re-evaluated phylogenetically, using mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers. The results show that the majority of the examined species cluster consistently with the type species Parasesarma plicatum. However, some species, among them the tree-climbing Parasesarma leptosoma, are clearly separated from this main clade of Parasesarma, forming a second stable monophyletic group, distinct from other known genera. Based on these results, and with additional support by morphological diagnoses highlighting consistent differences between the two species groups, we propose a new genus for the species clustering around P. leptosoma, proposing the new name Leptarma gen. nov.

Integrated taxonomy reveals multiple species in the Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa, 1893) complex (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

Dendrobaena byblica (Rosa, 1893) is a Circum-Mediterranean species complex composed of at least 17 nominal taxa. Regarding the most important species characters (clitellum and tubercles) the worms belonging to the genus Fitzingeria Zicsi, 1978 seem to be very close to the D. byblica species group. Here we provide the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the byblica species group and the Fitzingeria species, and show that the genus Fitzingeria is polyphyletic and groups together with the Carpathian and Balkanic deeply pigmented byblica forms. The other main clade consists of the ‘classical’ byblica species. The morphological characteristics also support these results. On the basis of the molecular and morphological characters the species of the former Fitzingeria were relegated to Dendrobaena and four new species were described together with a new replacement name Dendrobaena carpathomontana nom. nov. for F. platyura montana (Černosvitov, 1932).

Monochaetia ilexae sp. nov. (Pestalotiopsidaceae) from Yunnan Province in China

Monochaetia is a pestalotiopsis-like genus characterized by 3–5-septate hyaline to brown conidia with single apical and basal appendages. Monochaetia species exhibit diverse conidial morphology, but many species lack molecular data and thus it is not clear if the genus is monophyletic. In this paper, combined LSU and ITS sequence data and morphological traits are used to introduce a new Monochaetia species, M. ilexae from Yunnan Province, China from dead leaves of Ilex species. Monochaetia ilexae shares similar morphology with the type, M. monochaeta and M. kansensis having fusiform conidia and has a similar range of conidia. However M. ilexae differs from M. monochaeta and M. kansensis having different conidia length, apical and basal appendage lengths. Phylogeny agrees with morphological differences allowing Monochaetia ilexae as a new species that clusters with Monochaetia species, but is separated from the main clade with high support.

A Campanulaceous Fate: the Albanian Stenoendemic Asyneuma comosiforme in fact Belongs to Isophyllous Campanula

The Balkan Peninsula is one of the few biodiversity hotspots in Europe, characterized by numerous endemic taxa. Due to their often-restricted distribution and the scarcity of modern phylogenetic and phylogeographic studies from this region, the phylogenetic position and taxonomy of these species are often poorly understood. One example is Asyneuma comosiforme, a stenoendemic species known only from the Shija Gorge in northeastern Albania. Since its description in 1921, the position of this poorly known species within Asyneuma has been questioned. Here, we use nuclear ITS and plastid trnL–trnF DNA sequence data to address the question of the phylogenetic position of this enigmatic species. The inferred phylogenies clearly support A. comosiforme as sister to the main clade of isophyllous Campanula species, which is supported by morphological and ecological similarities. Thus, a new nomenclatural combination, Campanula comosiformis, is proposed. Given the restricted distribution, this species should be considered at least vulnerable, but the small population size might warrant its classification as endangered.

Phylogeny and classification of Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia (Myrtaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal DNA, chloroplast DNA and morphology

Phylogenetic analysis of Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia is presented on the basis of the following three datasets: sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the external transcribed spacer (ETS) regions from nuclear rDNA, sequences of the psbA–trnH intergenic spacer region from chloroplast DNA, and morphological characters, including stamen bundling, operculum development, seeds and trichomes. Studies of floral development were essential for understanding the morphology of mature flowers and interpretation of synapomorphy and homoplasy. A summary phylogeny was constructed from a maximum parsimony analysis of those nodes coded as characters that had support in the molecular trees together with morphological characters. A revised infra-subgeneric classification is presented on the basis of the summary phylogeny, and compared with classifications of Hill and Johnson (1998) and Brooker (2000). Differences relate to relationships between clades and taxonomic rank (sections, series and subseries) and valid names of Brooker (2000) are conserved where possible. One main clade of 14 species (section Limbatae), many of mallee growth form, was found in all analyses; this clade is distributed in the South-West of Western Australia and adjacent Interzone and desert areas. A second main clade (section Complanatae) occurs in the northern and eastern tropical and subtropical regions of Australia, including Kimberley, Arnhem, Queensland and New South Wales. This section includes E. tetrodonta, previously treated as an isolated taxon in a monotypic section; however, this species is related to E. baileyana, E. similis, E. lirata and series Miniatae. The hypothesised phylogeny provides a framework for further analyses of biogeography and ecology, including functional traits.

A basal phylogenetic placement for the salticid spider Eupoa, with descriptions of two new species (Araneae: Salticidae)

The southeast Asian genus Eupoa includes small salticid spiders with unusual palpi. Two new species of the genus are described. Two morphological characters (presence of a median apophysis in the male palp and of a tarsal claw in the female palp) suggest it is excluded from the main clade of salticids (the Salticoida). Sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial gene regions (28S, 18S, 16S–ND1, CO1), analyzed by parsimony and Bayesian methods, agree that Eupoa is a basal (non-salticoid) salticid, but fail to find a clear placement. Eupoa may represent a deep-branching lineage long separate from the lyssomanines, spartaeines, and other basal groups.

Bipinnate acacias (Acacia subg. Phyllodineae sect. Botrycephalae) of eastern Australia are polyphyletic based on DNA sequence data

A phylogenetic analysis of Acacia subg. Phyllodineae sect. Botrycephalae, endemic to eastern Australia, is presented based on a combined dataset of ITS and ETS sequences of nrDNA. A smaller set of species was sequenced also for the cpDNA trnK region. A limited number of morphological characters was also combined with the ITS+ETS dataset for most taxa. Thirty-eight of 41 Botrycephalae species were sequenced, together with a sample of ten uninerved phyllodinous species (sect. Phyllodineae). Although these DNA regions showed limited sequence divergence, bootstrap supported nodes of the consensus ITS+ETS tree indicate that Botrycephalae as currently defined is polyphyletic. Eight bipinnate species fell outside the main clade of Botrycephalae species while seven phyllodinous species were nested within it, near the base. The few derived but homoplasious morphological characters that were discovered included: presence of appressed unicellular hairs, presence of jugary and interjugary glands, number of pinnae > 7 and the funicle half–fully encircling the seed. Section Botrycephalae requires redefinition.