A fresh start in ambersnail (Gastropoda: Succineidae) taxonomy: finding a foothold using a widespread species of Oxyloma

The ambersnails (Succineidae), found nearly worldwide, are considered a very challenging group to classify and identify with even genus-level identifications requiring dissection. In this study, we use mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers, shell morphometrics, and anatomical dissection to examine fresh material collected from the type localities of two nominal species in Oxyloma (Neoxyloma). We conclude from these evidence that Oxyloma salleanum (L. Pfeiffer, 1850) and Oxyloma effusum (L. Pfeiffer, 1853) are conspecific, and accordingly reduce O. effusum to the status of junior synonymy. We present a redescription of O. salleanum.

Two new hybrids of the genus Diplazium (Athyriaceae) from Japan

In this study, we describe the ferns Diplazium × kanayamaense hyb. nov. and D. × tsukushiense hyb. nov. and further compare them to parental species D. chinense, D. deciduum and D. fauriei in terms of morphological characteristics, plastids and nuclear DNA markers. These new hybrids have been determined to be endemic to western Japan. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources status was evaluated for D. × kanayamaense as endangered (EN) and D. × tsukushiense as critically endangered (CR).

Deparia × nanakuraensis K.Hori (Athyriaceae), a new hybrid pteridophyte from Japan

I describe Deparia × nanakuraensishyb. nov. and discuss differences in morphological characteristics between parental species D. pterorachis and D. viridifrons with chromosome counting, plastid, and nuclear DNA markers. The new hybrid is endemic to the eastern and northern parts of Japan. Based on the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, this new species is here considered Data Deficient. The ploidy level is diploid sterile.

The new freshwater crab belongs to the genus Geothelphusa as inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers

This is the first report of a freshwater crab (Naju crab) collected from the Korean peninsula. It was named after Naju city. The Naju crab was identified based on evidence of 2 mitochondrial DNA of 16S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit1 (COI), supporting that the Naju crab belongs to the genus Geothelphusa. The variances of the nucleotide sequence of 16S rDNA are from 2.01% to 6.02% between the Naju crab and four G. dehaani isolates (AB290630, AB551391, AB187570, and AB535460, respectively). The variances of the nucleotide sequence of CO1 are from 2.58% to 7.96% between the Naju crab and four G. dehaani isolates (AB551393, AB187570, AB290648, and AB535491, respectively). The nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence (1515bp) of the Naju crab showed that its 5.8S nucleotide sequence was highly conserved to that of Sesarma spp, terrestrial crab endemic to the American continent. However, the nucleotide sequences of the ITS1 and the ITS2 are not found to be conserved in any species in the world.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of subfamilial placement of Haplotropis Saussure, 1888 (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers

The genus Haplotropis Sauss. is a relatively small genus in the family Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Caelifera). Historically, there has been a discussion on the placement of this genus, whether it belongs in the subfamily Pamphaginae or in the subfamily Thrinchinae. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of two mitochondrial genes (COI, COII) and the ITS2 rRNA nuclear region of multiple species of the family Pamphagidae and related taxa. Our results clearly support the placement of the genus Haplotropis, and other species of the tribe Haplotropidini, in the subfamily Thrinchinae.