Species delimitation of the northeastern Anatolian Symphytum (Boraginaceae) taxa

Symphytum is regarded one of the most complicated genera in terms of the classification of its members among the Boraginaceae. In addition to different infrageneric classification methods, several species complex or aggregates have been proposed to deal with the taxonomical problem of genus members. Symphytum asperum aggregate was first introduced by Kurtto, who proposed six taxa within this aggregate. However, according to further studies by different researchers based on morphological data, total number of species of the complex was variable. The number of species was reduced to three, comprising S. asperum, S. savvalense, and S. sylvaticum, after the phylogenetic and morphological studies of Tarıkahya-Hacıoğlu and Erik. However, the taxonomical status of some of these species (i.e., S. savvalense and S. sylvaticum, and S. sepulcrale), which was assigned as a member of this complex by Kurtto, has been regarded as unresolved. To solve this uncertainty, different species delimitation methods were used, including statistical parsimony network analysis (TCS), generalized mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC), and Bayesian Phylogenetics and Phylogeography (BPP) of the ITS, trnL-F and trnS-G sequence data. In addition to members of this complex, S. ibericum, which is phylogenetically nested within the S. asperum aggregate, was also used. The TCS and GMYC analyses demonstrated more complicated clusters, whereas high posterior probabilities of BPP clusters were more compatible with the morphological data. In accordance with the morphological approach of Tarıkahya-Hacıoğlu and Erik, the species delimitation analyses based on molecular data support the recognition of S. asperum, S. ibericum, S. savvalense, and S. sylvaticum as different species.

Rediscovery of the Lohmander’s collection of Diplopoda from Ukraine

The collection of diplopods identified by H. Lohmander during his visit to Kyiv in 1927 was considered to be lost, but it is rediscovered now in the Zoological Department of the National Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv). It includes syntypes of two species and two subspecies that were described from Kyiv and its vicinities and are still valid with one former subspecies currently recognized in species status: Brachyiulus jawlowskii Lohmander, 1928, Leptoiulus semenkevitschi Lohmander, 1928, Megaphyllum kievense (Lohmander, 1928) and Polydesmus montanus ukrainicus Lohmander, 1928. Findings of L. semenkevitschi and P. m. ukrainicus are especially valuable, because there are no other specimens in known collections and both taxa are officially protected in Ukraine by its Red Book. Catalogue of syntypes is provided with high quality photos. The list of 31 millipedes species from Kyiv and its vicinities in the Lohmander’s collection provided with his identifications and notes on current taxonomical status is given.

Five new species of Limacodidae (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea) from South-East Asia

The species Iragoides dudai sp. nov. from China (Sichuan), Euphlyctina butvilai sp. nov. from China (Zhejiang and Yunnan), Sansarea alenae sp. nov. from China (Yunnan), Narosoideus witti sp. nov. from China (Sichuan, Yunnan, Shaanxi, and Jiangxi), Griseothosea mousta sp. nov. from China (Yunnan), Thailand (Chiang Mai, Nan and Chiang Dao), and Laos (Luang Namtha and Luang Prabang) are described as new to science. The taxonomical status of dark and pale forms of Iragoides crispa (Swinhoe, 1890) is discussed.

Host Selectivity of Nerocila Orbignyi (Guerin-Meneville, 1832) (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) with a Record of a New Host from the Sea of Marmara (Turkey)

Nerocila orbignyi (Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is reported for the first time on Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 (Pisces, Mugilidae) from Bandırma Bay (the Sea of Marmara, Turkey) during 2020. This paper aims to present the morphological characters of male of N. orbignyi from Turkey. Hosts infested with N. orbignyi are commented according to taxonomical status (order, families), ecological behaviours (habitat selections, feeding habits, school-solitary), morphological characters (scale types) according to current records. It may be said that N. orbignyi has been reported more frequently on fish belonging to the Perciformes order and Mugilidae and Sparidae families. It may also be said that this parasite selects also the fishes with carnivorous, demersal, schools, and migratory character.

On the taxonomical status of Acanthopsyche semiglabra Solyanikov with notes on morphology and distribution of Acanthopsyche ecksteini (Lederer) (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

Acanthopsyche ecksteini (Lederer, 1885) is morphologically redescribed and Acanthopsyche semiglabra Solyanikov, 2004, syn. n., is synonymized to Psyche ecksteini. The lectotype of Psyche ecksteini is designated and illustrated. The distribution is updated with the most eastern current reliable record in Orenburg Region (Russia).

Sequencing conserved region of endangered species Celtis caucasica Willd

The rarest species of relict ironwood C. caucasica Willd. is naturally occurred on the Ile-Alatau Mountains but very little is known about genetic diversity and distribution and size of its populations in Kazakhstan. In during the sampling expedition were found two additional plant populations in Dzungarian and Kyrgyz Alatau Ranges. The objective of this work was targeted towards sequencing ITS region of C. caucasica and compare the obtained nucleotide sequence with available data on NCBI GeneBank for confident species identification. The identity of C. caucasica sequence and available C. australis and C. bungeana sequences was 93.87% and less. It could be associated with absence sequences producing significant alignments with the studied ironwood sequence and important deposited sequences of GenBank lacking Latin binominals is from environmental samples. Clarifying taxonomical status species and subspecies is difficult by morphological data and molecular markers should be used to correct identifying an endangered species of C. caucasica growing in the east-southern and the south regions of Kazakhstan and providing direction to the conservation management of the plant.

Genotyping of Black Sea trematodes of the family Opecoelidae by mitochondrial markers

Opecoelidae Ozaki, 1925 (Trematoda: Opecoeloidea) is the biggest trematode family in the Black Sea in terms of species and genera number. Maritae of the most common Black Sea Opecoelidae trematodes are well described morphologically; nevertheless, information on their genomes structure is sketchy, and data on mitochondrial genomes are absent. The aim was to study the structure of mitochondrial genome fragments of Black Sea trematode species: Cainocreadium flesi Korniychuk & Gaevskaya, 2000, Gaevskajatrema perezi (Mathias, 1926) Gibson & Bray, 1982, and Helicometra fasciata (Rudolphi, 1819) Odhner, 1902. Sequences were made for CO1 (the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and 16S mitochondrial genes. To amplify CO1 gene fragment of Cainocreadium and Helicometra trematodes, primers were developed. Phylogenetic relationships within the analyzed part of the Opecoelidae family were reconstructed on the basis of our data and the corresponding GenBank data by the Maximum Likelihood estimation and the MEGA X programme. To root the phylogenetic trees, the corresponding sequences of the closely related trematode Brachycladium goliath (Brachycladioidea: Brachycladiidae) were used. For the first time, nucleotide sequences of CO1 and 16S mitochondrial genes fragments of Black Sea trematodes C. flesi, G. perezi, and H. fasciata from different definitive fish hosts were determined and deposited in the GenBank. In case of C. flesi, no host-specific lines were found in the structure of CO1 mitochondrial gene fragment, but high CO1 nucleotide diversity was noted. Black Sea H. fasciata, parasitizing peacock wrasse, Symphodus tinca, were revealed to be a host-specific CO1 haplogroup; its taxonomical status requires further clarification, and ecological and genetic studies of the putative H. fasciata species complex from different water areas are needed. No host-specific genetic lines were found when analyzing the sequences of H. fasciata 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene fragment. No significant differences in 16S fragment were registered between G. perezi trematodes from different Black Sea definitive hosts; however, the intraspecific 16S nucleotide diversity was rather high.

Notes on the Brazilian species of Purenleon Stange (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with description of two new species

This study focuses on the Brazilian species of the genus Purenleon Stange (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae). A total of five species are herein reported to Brazil: Purenleon clavatus (Navás), Purenleon fernandezi Miller & Stange (first record for Brazil), Purenleon cautus (Walker) comb. n., and two new species: Purenleon limeirai sp. n. and Purenleon rafaeli sp. n. The taxonomical status of other two species was reevaluated: Formicaleo bipunctatus Navás was synonymized under P. cautus and Feinerus nebulosus Navás was revalidated and transferred to Purenleon. A key to the South American species of Purenleon is also presented.

Molecular phylogeny of the Ficus virens complex (Moraceae)

The closely related species present in the subgenera of Urostigma are challenging to classify due to the existence of overlapping morphological characteristics, which makes identification habitually problematic. It is still unresolved whether the species of the Ficus virens complex, which includes F. virens, F. middletonii, F. caulocarpa, F. concinna, and F. superba, are the same or distinct species due to the complexities in classification. To clarify the circumscription between the species and re-evaluate the taxonomical status, morphological characteristics were extensively examined; further, a phylogenetic reconstruction based on two DNA markers (ITS2 and trnH-psbA) in combination with morphological traits was carried out. The phylogenetic tree constructed using the combined morphology and DNA markers revealed that the five species should be demarcated as independent species. This study supports the importance of using both molecular and morphological data for efficient discrimination of species having high similarities. Further investigation into the species present in the subgenera Urostigma may provide additional information regarding the ancestral traits and its evolutionary history.

Un nouveau Cynorkis (Orchidaceae) pour la flore des Mascareignes

Contexte et objectifs – Lors de la révision taxonomique du genre Cynorkis (Orchidaceae) aux Mascareignes, un nouveau taxon collecté à La Réunion a été découvert et est officiellement décrit ici.Matériel et méthodes – Une comparaison de 312 spécimens (conservés dans les herbiers de P, MAU et REU) des Mascareignes avec les types nomenclaturaux a été entreprise afin de confirmer le statut taxonomique du nouveau taxon. Son état de conservation a été évalué selon les Catégories et Critères de la Liste Rouge de l’UICN.Principaux résultats – Cynorkis borbonica Pailler sp. nov. est décrit et illustré. Il est endémique de La Réunion où il se trouve dans les écosystèmes naturels à plus de 1900 m au-dessus du niveau de la mer. Son habitat est principalement le maquis dominé par Erica borbonica où il se rencontre sur le sol dans un tapis de bryophyte. Cynorkis trilinguis est la seule espèce proche et en diffère morphologiquement par la forme de son éperon et par la forme des feuilles. D’un point de vue de la distribution altitudinale, C. borbonica se développe à des altitudes supérieures à C. trilinguis. L’espèce est considérée comme En Danger selon les catégories et critères de l’UICN. A new Cynorkis (Orchidaceae) for the flora of the Mascarene Islands Background and aims – While conducting a taxonomic revision of the genus Cynorkis (Orchidaceae) in the Mascarenes, a new species collected in La Réunion was discovered and it is formally described here.Material and methods – A comparison of about 312 specimens (housed at P, MAU, and REU herbaria) from Mascarenes with nomenclatural types was undertaken in order to confirm the taxonomical status of the new species. Its conservation status was assessed using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Key results – Cynorkis borbonica Pailler sp. nov. is here described and illustrated. It is endemic to La Réunion where it is found in natural ecosystems at an elevation of more than 1900 m a.s.l. Its habitat is mainly shrubland dominated by Erica reunionensis where it grows on the ground in bryophyte mats. The only morphologically close species is Cynorkis trilinguis but it differs from the latter by its spur and leaf, as well as growing at a higher elevation. The species is considered as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.