DNA barcodes evidence the contact zone of eastern and western caddisfly lineages in the Western Carpathians

The region of the Western Carpathians is, among other aspects, very important for survival and diversity of European freshwater fauna due to the presence of a large number of (sub)mountain springs and streams. However, these ecologically and faunistically diversified habitats are still understudied in the context of genetic diversity and population structure of their inhabitants. This study focuses on genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the caddisfly Rhyacophila tristis, common and widespread representative of mountain freshwater fauna. Analysis of the COI mitochondrial marker revealed presence of the western and eastern lineages, with samples from both lineages being grouped in BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) into separate BINs (Barcode Index Numbers). Our data indicates that eastern lineage (BIN_E) is more closely related to the Balkan populations than to co-occurring western lineage (BIN_W), and that the contact zone of the lineages passes through the W Carpathians. The study revealed phylogeographic and demographic differences between lineages, supporting hypothesis of their evolutionary independence and specific ecological preferences. The obtained genetic data of the R. tristis population from W Carpathians improved our knowledge about population genetics of this aquatic species and can contribute to understanding the state and evolution of biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems in Europe.

Erforschung der kritisch bedrohten Süßwasserfauna des Vorderen Orients

Im oberen Miozän kollidierte die afroarabische Platte mit Eurasien. So entstand die Gomphotherium- Landbrücke, welche Paläarktis, Orientalis und Afrotropis miteinander verband und einen Faunenaustausch zwischen diesen Regionen über ständig wechselnde Gewässernetze ermöglichte, der jedoch mit zunehmender Aridität immer mehr eingeschränkt wurde. In den 1970er Jahren initiierte Ragnar Kinzelbach mit einer Serie von Forschungsreisen die systematische Erforschung der Hydrofauna der Levante, die er und seine Schüler*innen später auf den gesamten Vorderen Orient ausweiteten. Die umfangreichen, in Museen deponierten Sammlungen, die aufgrund fortschreitender Umweltzerstörung und bewaffneter Konflikte in der Region heute nur eingeschränkt zusammengetragen werden können, bilden eine wichtige Grundlage für fortlaufende Forschungsarbeiten und Naturschutzinitiativen. Anhand einiger Beispiele werden die rezente Biodiversität der Binnengewässer der Region und die Geschichte ihrer Besiedlung mit Süßwasserorganismen umrissen. Research into the Critically Endangered Freshwater Fauna of the Middle East Abstract: During the Upper Miocene, the Afro-Arabian Plate collided with Eurasia, giving rise to the Gomphotherium land bridge, which connects the Palaearctic, Oriental and Afrotropical realms, allowing for an exchange of faunal elements among these realms via an ever-changing network of freshwater connections. This migration, however, was soon restricted by increasing aridity. In the 1970s, Ragnar Kinzelbach initiated research activities on the freshwater fauna of the Levant, which he and his students later on extended to the entire Middle East. Extensive collections were deposited in museums, serving scientific research and conservation initiatives. Given increasing degradation of freshwater ecosystems and armed conflicts in the region, most of these collecting activities would no longer be possible today. The extant biodiversity of the region’s inland waters and its historical biogeography are briefly outlined.

East Meets West in the Western Carpathians: Contact Zone Between Alpine and Carpathian Caddisfly Lineages Evidenced by COI Barcodes

European mountains are important areas regarding biodiversity of the continent, and they also harbour diverse freshwater fauna, which is critically endangered in terms of the current species extinction. However, sufficient knowledge of this valuable part of European biota is no longer possible without molecular data. This study focuses on the genetic diversity and distribution patterns of the classical representative of the mountain freshwater fauna, caddisfly Rhyacophila tristis, in the Western Carpathians. Based on the COI mitochondrial marker, two genetic lineages (separate BINs) were identified. BIN_W was found in 16 localities in the western part of the study area, BIN_E in 44 eastern localities. The data obtained indicate that BIN_W occurs in a significantly narrower altitude range, BIN_E is more closely related to the Balkan populations than to co-occurring BIN_W, and that the contact zone of the lineages passes through the Western Carpathians. The study revealed phylogeographic and demographic differences between lineages, supporting hypothesis of their evolutionary independence and specific ecological preferences. The obtained genetic data shifted our knowledge on the populations of the studied caddisfly and suggested patterns that could be common to other freshwater species. This could help us to protect unique freshwater ecosystems and preserve European biodiversity.

First record of stygobiotic gastropod genus Travunijana Grego & Glöer, 2019 (Mollusca, Hydrobiidae) from Montenegro

The stygobiotic genus Travunijana Grego & Glöer, 2019 is one of the typical elements of the subterranean freshwater fauna of the Trebišnjica River Basin in Bosnia and Hercegovina. The previous records of the genus suggested that its distribution was limited to the basin of the Trebišnjica River and adjacent parts of the southwestern Neretva Basin. In this paper we describe a new species, Travunijana djokovicisp. nov. from “Vriješko Vrelo” spring in Montenegro. The recent finding of a new species in the Skadar Lake basin (The Drin River system) suggests the possibility of a subterranean route between the Trebišnjica and the Drin drainages, indicating that likely the endemic subterranean fauna in both basins has a lower level of historical isolation than has been considered so far.

Metagenomic sequencing reveals a lack of virus exchange between native and invasive freshwater fish across the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia

Biological invasions are among the biggest threats to freshwater biodiversity. This is increasingly relevant in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia, particularly since the introduction of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). This invasive species now occupies up to 90% of fish biomass, with hugely detrimental impacts on native fauna and flora. To address the ongoing impacts of carp, cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) has been proposed as a potentially effective biological control. Crucially, however, it is unknown whether CyHV-3 and other cyprinid herpesviruses already exist in the Murray-Darling. Further, little is known about those viruses that naturally occur in wild freshwater fauna, and the frequency with which these viruses jump species boundaries. To document the evolution and diversity of freshwater fish viromes and better understand the ecological context to the proposed introduction of CyHV-3, we performed a meta-transcriptomic viral survey of invasive and native fish across the Murray-Darling Basin, covering over 2,200 km of the river system. Across a total of 36 RNA libraries representing 10 species, we failed to detect CyHV-3 nor any closely related viruses. Rather, meta-transcriptomic analysis identified 18 vertebrate-associated viruses that could be assigned to the Arenaviridae, Astroviridae, Bornaviridae, Caliciviridae, Coronaviridae, Chuviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Hepeviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Picornaviridae, Poxviridae, Reoviridae and Rhabdoviridae families, and a further 27 that were deemed to be associated with non-vertebrate hosts. Notably, we revealed a marked lack of viruses that are shared among invasive and native fishes sampled here, suggesting that there is little virus transmission from common carp to native fish species. Overall, this study provides the first data on the viruses naturally circulating in a major river system and supports the notion that fish harbour a large diversity of viruses with often deep evolutionary histories.Author SummaryThe ongoing invasion of the common carp in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia, has wreaked havoc on native freshwater ecosystems. This has stimulated research into the possible biological control of invasive carp through the deliberate release of the virus cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3). However, little is known on the diversity of viruses that naturally circulate in wild freshwater fauna, whether these viruses are transmitted between invasive and native species, nor if CyHV-3 or other cyprinid herpesviruses are already present in the basin. To address these fundamental questions we employed meta-transcriptomic next-generation sequencing to characterise the total assemblage of viruses (i.e. the viromes) in three invasive and seven native fish species cohabiting at 10 sites across 2,200 km of the river system. From this analysis we identified 18 vertebrate-associated viruses across 14 viral families, yet a marked lack of virus transmission between invasive and native species. Importantly, no CyHV-3 was detected. This study shows that freshwater fish harbour a high diversity and abundance of viruses, that viruses have likely been associated with fish for millennia, and that there is likely little direct virus transmission between introduced and native species.

Glossifungites gingrasi n. isp., a probable subaqueous insect domicile from the Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone, Utah

A new ichnospecies, Glossifungites gingrasi n. isp., is described from multiple locations in basal sand-filled coastal plain distributary channels of the Turonian (Upper Cretaceous) Ferron Sandstone (central Utah). Glossifungites gingrasi n. isp. is attributed to the ichnogenus Glossifungites based on the presence of scratch imprints, passive fill, and a tongue-shaped structure, yet the new ichnospecies is distinct because it displays transverse bioglyphs that run perpendicular to the planiform structure, which contrasts to the axis parallel bioglyphs present in the ichnospecies G. saxicava. The transverse arrangement of ornamentation exhibited by G. gingrasi n. isp. is observed in modern subaqueous insect burrows produced by mayfly and chironomid larvae, and constitutes a way to differentiate insect-generated burrows from structures produced by crustaceans that are known to create other Glossifungites ichnospecies. Differentiating insect- from crustacean-generated burrows is significant because it provides a way to distinguish bioturbation by marine-recruited fauna from that produced by freshwater fauna in the rock record, making G. gingrasi n. isp. a valuable ichnological tool for paleoenvironmental and stratigraphic interpretation. While G. gingrasi n. isp. may represent a burrow created by a variety of filter-feeding subaqueous insects, the large size of G. gingrasi n. isp. in the Ferron Sandstone suggests that the largest specimens are probable mayfly burrows and supports the assertion that burrowing mayflies (e.g., Polymitarcyidae and Ephemeridae) adapted to domicile filter-feeding during or prior to the Turonian. UUID: http://zoobank.org/a033b22f-bf09-481a-975e-3a1b096154cc

Historical and Contemporary Diversity of Galaxiids in South America: Biogeographic and Phylogenetic Perspectives

Galaxiid fishes from South America are represented by three genera (Aplochiton, Brachygalaxias and Galaxias) and eight species. Their genetic patterns have been studied over the last two decades to disentangle how historical and contemporary processes influenced their biogeographic distribution and phylogeographic patterns. Here we review and synthesize this body of work. Phylogeographic approaches reveal the important role played by orogeny and the expansion/melting of glacial ice during the Quaternary. Populations retreated to glacial refugia during glacial times and some systems experienced drainage reversals from the Atlantic to the Pacific following deglaciation. Although most species expanded their populations and increased their genetic diversity during the Holocene, the introduction of salmonids and the construction of dams are likely to lead to a decline in genetic diversity for at least some species. An improvement in our understanding of the processes that influenced historical and contemporary diversity patterns among galaxiid and other native fishes in South America is necessary for addressing the cumulative and synergistic impacts of human activity on this unique freshwater fauna.