Just a Fragment of Undescribed Diversity: Twenty New Oriental and Palearctic Species of Sciaroidea (Diptera), including DNA Sequence Data and Two New Fossil Genera

The following 17 extant new species of Sciaroidea (Diptera: Bibionomorpha) are described: Bolitophila nikolae Ševčík sp. nov. (Bolitophilidae, Taiwan), Catocha jingfui sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Catocha manmiaoe sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Catocha shengfengi sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Planetella taiwanensis sp. nov. (Cecidomyiidae, Taiwan), Diadocidia pseudospinusola sp. nov. (Diadocidiidae, Taiwan), Asioditomyia bruneicola sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Brunei), Asioditomyia lacii sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Taiwan), Ditomyia asiatica sp. nov. (Ditomyiidae, Thailand), Chetoneura davidi sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Brunei), Euceroplatus mantici sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Thailand), Setostylus fangshuoi sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Taiwan), Platyceridion yunfui sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Hainan), Terocelion adami sp. nov. (Keroplatidae, Taiwan), Hadroneura martini sp. nov. (Mycetophilidae, Taiwan), Paratinia furcata sp. nov. (Mycetophilidae, Czech Republic, Slovakia), and Nepaletricha sikorai sp. nov. (Sciaroidea incertae sedis, Thailand). Two new genera are described from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, Burmasymmerus gen. nov. (Ditomyiidae, type species Burmasymmerus korneliae sp. nov., including also B. wieslawi sp. nov.), representing the first record of the family Ditomyiidae from the Mesozoic, and Burmatricha gen. nov. (Sciaroidea incertae sedis, type species Burmatricha mesozoica sp. nov.). Molecular phylogeny of Ditomyiidae, based on two DNA markers (28S, COI), as well as that of Catocha Haliday, 1833, based on the mitochondrial COI and 16S fragments, are also presented.

A new Gammarus species from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (China) with a key to Xinjiang freshwater gammarids (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae)

The Gammarus zhouqiongi sp. nov. are described and illustrated from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The new species is characterized by pereopods III-IV with long straight setae on posterior margins and inner ramus of uropod III 0.7 times as long as outer ramus. Detailed morphological comparisons with related species are discussed. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) sequence differs from the other Gammarus species in Xinjiang by 16.6%-32.4% in K2P distance. The mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear markers (28S, EF1α) show that the new species is an independent branch in the phylogenetic tree. A key to identify Gammarus species in the Xinjiang are also provided.

First Report of the Ash Sawfly, Tomostethus nigritus, Established on Fraxinus excelsior in the Republic of Ireland

This is the first report of the ash sawfly, Tomostethus nigritus, in the Republic of Ireland. We observed defoliated leaves of Fraxinus excelsior L. and T. nigritus larvae at a forestry plantation in Co. Kildare. Morphological observation of the larvae and DNA analysis using mitochondrial COI barcoding confirmed the identification of this pest of ash.

Uncovering Hidden Diversity: Three New Species of the Keratella Genus (Rotifera, Monogononta, Brachionidae) of High Altitude Water Systems from Central Mexico

The correct identification of species is an essential step before any study on biodiversity, ecology or genetics. Keratella is a genus with a predominantly temperate distribution and with several species being endemics or restricted geographically. Its diversity may be underestimated considering the confusing taxonomy of species complexes such as K. cochlearis. In this study, we examined genetic diversity and morphology among some Keratella populations from Mexico in order to determine if these populations represent different species. We analyzed a dataset of previously published and newly generated sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear ITS1 marker. We conducted phylogenetic analyses and applied three methods of species delimitation (ABGD, PTP and GMYC) to identify evolutionary significant units (ESUs) equivalent to species. Morphological analyses were conducted through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and morphometry under a compound microscope. In the present study, three new species Keratella cuitzeiensis sp. nov., Keratella huapanguensis sp. nov., and Keratella albertae sp. nov., are formally described. These species were collected in high-altitude water bodies located in the Central Plateau of Mexico. Combining DNA results through COI and ITS1 molecular markers and morphology it was possible to confirm the identity of the new species.

Reclassification of Gall Midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiini) from Amaranthaceae, with Description of Ten New Species Based on an Integrative Taxonomic Study

The genus Halodiplosis includes 99 species restricted to host-plants of the Amaranthaceae, virtually all of which are from Central Asia. The discovery of numerous undescribed species putatively belonging to this genus in Israel instigated an exhaustive review of the original descriptions of all known species in this genus. This study revealed that the generic concept of Halodiplosis and some of the genera synonymized under it should be redefined based on morphological and life-history attributes, such that Halodiplosis is limited to only 13 species developing in plant tissues without obvious gall formation or as inquilines in galls of other cecidomyiids. Revised status were proposed for Asiodiplosis, Onodiplosis, and Desertomyia, all species of which are gall inducers. A detailed morphological study of the Israeli species combined with data on their life history and an analysis of mitochondrial COI and 16S gene sequences revealed nine gall-inducing species belonging to Asiodiplosis and one inquilinous species belonging to Halodiplosis. All ten species (Asiodiplosis admirabilis n.sp., A. bimoda n.sp., A. delicatula n.sp., A. largifica n.sp., A. mohicana n.sp., A. mucronata n.sp., A. paradoxa n.sp., A. pillosaeconspicua n.sp., A. stellata n.sp., and Halodiplosis fugax n.sp.) are described here as new to science, including the first descriptions of larvae and pupae for these genera.

Identification of Natural Hybrids between Ahlbergia frivaldszkyi (Lederer, 1853) and Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers

Natural hybridization is rather widespread and common in animals and can have important evolutionary consequences. In terms of taxonomy, exploring hybridization and introgression is crucial in defining species boundaries and testing taxonomic hypotheses. In the present paper, we report on natural hybrid specimens between Ahlbergia frivaldszkyi (Lederer, 1853) and Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758). To test the hypothesis of their hybrid origin, we employed the molecular mitochondrial (COI gene) and nuclear (wingless, RPS5, and Ca-ATPase genes) markers commonly used in phylogenetic studies and explored the morphology of the specimens. Our analysis revealed that hybrids bear mitochondrial haplotypes of C. rubi, while nuclear fragments are heterozygous, sharing a combination of A. frivaldszkyi and C. rubi lineages. The hybrid specimens combine morphological characters of both genera. Our results for the first time empirically demonstrate the possibility of genetic introgression between these species and between the genera Callophrys and Ahlbergia on the whole.

Molecular evidence for the cladistic classification of euptyctimous moss mites (Acari, Oribatida, Euptyctima)

The cladistic classification of Phthiracaroidea (Niedbała 1986) and Euphthiracaroidea (Mahunka 1990) (Acari, Oribatida), based on morphological symplesio- and synapomorphic characters has been subjected to verification by molecular analysis of mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS2, 18S and 28S DNA regions. Twenty-one selected species from representative genera of both superfamilies were analyzed. The phylogenetic trees generated by maximum likelihood method confirm the classification of ptyctimous mites resulting from the analysis of morphological characters. Mesoplophoridae, representing the supercohorts Enarthronota, were placed separately to the clade Mixonomata containing Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea that are in a sister relationship. The percentage of genetic divergence between the main clades is high in three markers (COI, ITS2 and 28S), it ranges from 36.8% to 38.7% in the barcode marker COI from 26.0% to 35.4% in ITS2 and from 16.2% to 30.0% in 28S, while in 18S it is very low (1.1% - 3.3%). In the Phthiracaroidea, two sister clades Steganacaridae and Phthiracaridae are distinguished. Steganacaridae include three clades Atropacarus, Hoplophthiracarus and Steganacarus with Steganacarus and Tropacarus as the sister clades. Closely related S. (T.) carinatus and S. (T.) pulcherrimus are separate species. Within the Euphthiracaroidea, the four clades: Mesotritia, Microtritia, Acrotritia and Euphthiracarus are resolved. Mesotritia is the most distant, and Microtritia and Acrotritia show the closest relationship.

Genetic Relationships Between Commercially Produced and Natural Populations of Bombus Terrestris Dalmatinus in Terms of Mitochondrial COI and CytB

Bombus terrestris dalmatinus is naturally common in many countries, including Turkey, and is also used commercially for the pollination of greenhouse plants. Intensive commercial production and international trade in many countries are considered as reasons for the disappearance of some natural populations. Hybridization of native bumble bees with those produced commercially, but having escaped from greenhouses and colonization of these commercial bees in natural habitats are cause for concern. In order to assess this concern, B. t. dalmatinus workers were collected from twelve different populations: five commercial producers, three surrounding greenhouse centers, three natural areas at least 30 km away from greenhouses, and one more recent greenhouse zone in Antalya, Turkey. The genetic variations and relationships among the twelve populations were estimated using SNP haplotypes determined in mitochondrial COI and CytB. Twenty and sixteen haplotypes were obtained for COI and CytB, respectively. A single haplotype, H1, was widespread with a high frequency in all individuals for both genes. Individuals collected from around greenhouse centers and commercial companies had more common haplotypes. The genetic variations of intra-populations were higher than the interpopulations in both COI (65.41%>34.59%) and CytB (72.47%>27.53%). The natural and commercial populations were genetically more distant from each other considering Fst values. However, samples from near the greenhouses had a higher similarity with the commercially produced samples, while the natural populations far away from greenhouses still retained their genetic distinctiveness.

Hidden diversity of Ctenophora revealed by new mitochondrial COI primers and sequences

[Definitive version of this article may be found here] The mitochondrial gene cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit 1 (COI) is useful in many taxa for phylogenetics, population genetics, metabarcoding, and rapid species identifications. However, the phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies) has historically been difficult to study due to divergent mitochondrial sequences and the corresponding inability to amplify COI with degenerate and standard COI ‘barcoding’ primers. As a result, there are very few COI sequences available for ctenophores, despite over 200 described species in the phylum. Here, we designed new primers and amplified the COI fragment from members of all major groups of ctenophores, including many undescribed species. Phylogenetic analyses of the resulting COI sequences revealed high diversity within many groups that was not evident from more conserved 18S rDNA sequences, in particular among the Lobata. The COI phylogenetic results also revealed unexpected community structure within the genus Bolinopsis, suggested new species within the genus Bathocyroe, and supported the ecological and morphological differences of some species such as Lampocteis cruentiventer and similar lobates (Lampocteis sp. ‘V’ stratified by depth, and ‘A’ differentiated by color). The newly described primers reported herein provide important tools to enable researchers to illuminate the diversity of ctenophores worldwide via quick molecular identifications, improve the ability to analyze environmental DNA by improving reference libraries and amplifications, and enable a new breadth of population genetic studies.

Pleistocene allopatric differentiation followed by recent range expansion explains the distribution and molecular diversity of two congeneric crustacean species in the Palaearctic

Pleistocene glaciations had a tremendous impact on the biota across the Palaearctic, resulting in strong phylogeographic signals of range contraction and rapid postglacial recolonization of the deglaciated areas. Here, we explore the diversity patterns and history of two sibling species of passively dispersing taxa typical of temporary ponds, fairy shrimps (Anostraca). We combine mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (ITS2 and 18S) markers to conduct a range-wide phylogeographic study including 56 populations of Branchinecta ferox and Branchinecta orientalis in the Palaearctic. Specifically, we investigate whether their largely overlapping ranges in Europe resulted from allopatric differentiation in separate glacial refugia followed by a secondary contact and reconstruct their postglacial recolonization from the inhabited refugia. Our results suggest the existence of distinct refugia for the two species, with genetic divergence among intraspecific lineages consistent with late Pleistocene glacial cycles. While B. ferox lineages originated from Mediterranean refugia, the origin of B. orientalis lineages was possibly located on the Pannonian Plain. We showed that most dispersal events predominantly happened within 100 km, coupled with several recent long-distance events (> 1000 km). Hence the regional habitat density of suitable habitats in Central Europe is possibly a key to the co-existence of the two species. Overall, our study illustrates how isolation in combination with stochastic effects linked to glacial periods are important drivers of the allopatric differentiation of Palaearctic taxa.