Identification of Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyta) of central Portugal by histological and genetic methods

This study aims to identify different populations of Gracilariaceae collected from the central coast of Portugal through light microscopy, anatomical observations and genetic tools, essential approaches to correctly assign species identity. Samples were obtained from Ria de Aveiro (AV), Figueira da Foz (FFBC, FFMD), and Lagoa de Óbidos (LOBR, LOEV, LOBS). Although histological observations offered a visual representation of the characteristic pseudoparenchymatous organization, they did not allow a clear distinction among the species. The amplification of a ∼700 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, and its sequencing enabled us to assign the populations FFBC and LOBS to Gracilaria gracilis, and the populations AV, FFMD, LOBR, and LOEV to Agarophyton vermiculophyllum. This contribution will help phycologists to correctly identify the Portuguese populations of Gracilaria sensu lato at the species level, which will be crucial in ensuring that future studies and industrial exploration accurately target the correct species.

Konservasi Genetik Ikan Kakap Putih (Lates calcarifer, Bloch, 1790) Melalui Pendekatan DNA Barcoding dan Analisis Filogenetik di Sungai Kumbe Merauke Papua

Genetic data is very important as the basis for fisheries management and conservation related to connectivity between regions and population structure. White snapper Fish is one of the fish that has high economic value which is utilized either by its meat or by its swim bladder. This research was aimed to identify the species of white snapper fish were collected from the Kumbe River, Merauke Regency, Papua using the Cytochrome Oxidase I gene. The results shows that this sample is a species of Lates calcarifer, Bloch, 1790 with 100% similarity. The haplotype of white snapper fish from Merauke has similarities with the haplotype from Australia, Malaysia and China, this indicating that there is gene flow and connectivity among those locations. The phylogenetic tree explains the grouping of species based on genetic distance and the level of DNA Sequences similarities. Molecular approach can be used in the management and conservation of fish with high economic value.

Fishes collected during the 2017 MarineGEO assessment of Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i

We report the results of a survey of the fishes of Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, conducted in 2017 as part of the Smithsonian Institution MarineGEO Hawaii bioassessment. We recorded 109 species in 43 families. The most speciose families were Acanthuridae (11 species), Gobiidae (11 species), Pomacentridae (10) and Chaetodontidae (9 species). Nine of the species that we collected are known or suspected to be introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. Specimens were identified, measured and photographed. All specimen vouchers were fixed in formalin and ultimately transferred to 75% ethanol for long-term storage. For nearly all species, we took multiple tissue samples from specimen vouchers prior to formalin-fixation; we preserved tissues in 95% ethanol and then stored them at −80°C. The 5′-end of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (mtCOI) was sequenced for 94 species to confirm their taxonomic identification. Using these barcode sequences, we also measured genetic distances between collected individuals and their conspecifics from other localities outside Hawaii to verify the hypothesis that Hawaiian populations of species broadly distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific may be genetically distinct. We present select case studies to demonstrate the potential for undiscovered endemism in the Hawaiian fish biota.

First report of the Old World leafhopper genus Olidiana McKamey (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Coelidiinae) from Pakistan with description of a new species

The genus Olidiana McKamey, 2006 is reported for the first time from Pakistan based on the new species Olidiana pakistanica sp. nov. Photographic illustrations and a description are provided for the habitus and male genitalia of this new species. A partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) sequence is also provided.

Figure 2: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)

<div><p>The river sardine, <i>Mesobola</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of <i>Mesobola</i> Howes, 1984. Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently identified as <i>M.</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> showed that these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages. Furthermore, <i>Engraulicypris</i><i> </i><i>sardella</i> (Günther, 1868), the type species of <i>Engraulicypris</i> Günther, 1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades. </p><p><br></p> <p>Fig 2. Truss network used for morphometric analysis, defined by ten landmarks <b>A–J</b>.</p></div>

Figure 3: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)

<div><p>The river sardine, <i>Mesobola</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of <i>Mesobola</i> Howes, 1984. Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently identified as <i>M.</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> showed that these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages. Furthermore, <i>Engraulicypris</i><i> </i><i>sardella</i> (Günther, 1868), the type species of <i>Engraulicypris</i> Günther, 1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades. </p><p><br></p> <p>Fig.3 Maximum-likelihood phylogram based on partial sequences of the COI gene. Bootstrap support values were attained using a heuristic tree search and 1000 replicates. Numbers following locality names represent SAIAB catalogue numbers and GenBank accession numbers (in brackets). The shaded boxes enclose well-supported clades that were identified as populations of <i>Mesobola</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> in the past. The scale bar represents the number of base substitutions per site.</p></div>

Table 1: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)

<div><p>The river sardine, <i>Mesobola</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of <i>Mesobola</i> Howes, 1984. Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently identified as <i>M.</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> showed that these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages. Furthermore, <i>Engraulicypris</i><i> </i><i>sardella</i> (Günther, 1868), the type species of <i>Engraulicypris</i> Günther, 1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades. </p> <p>Table 1. Sample catalogue numbers and locality information for specimens from which DNA was extracted for phylogenetic analysis.</p></div>

Table 1: Phylogeographic, morphometric and taxonomic re-evaluation of the river sardine, Mesobola brevianalis (Boulenger, 1908) (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Chedrini)

<div><p>The river sardine, <i>Mesobola</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> (Boulenger, 1908), is the type species of <i>Mesobola</i> Howes, 1984. Standard phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene of individuals from populations across southern Africa that are currently identified as <i>M.</i><i> </i><i>brevianalis</i> showed that these populations represent four genetically distinct allopatric lineages. Furthermore, <i>Engraulicypris</i><i> </i><i>sardella</i> (Günther, 1868), the type species of <i>Engraulicypris</i> Günther, 1894, was convincingly nested amongst these clades. </p> <p>Table 1. Sample catalogue numbers and locality information for specimens from which DNA was extracted for phylogenetic analysis.</p></div>