The first phylogenetic study of sword-tail crickets from China inferred from COI, 18S and 28S genes, with the establishment of two new genera and description of one new species (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Trigonidiidae)

The phylogenetic tree of Chinese Trigonidiinae species was reconstructed based on one mitochondrial fragment (COI) and two nuclear ribosomal loci (18S and 28S). According to the concatenated trees, we define four genus groups with high nodal supports. The subgenus Paratrigonidium should be upgraded to genus status. A new genus Abstrigonidium He gen. nov. is established and Paratrigonidium chloropodum is selected as type species (A. chloropodum comb. nov.). Amusurgus (Paranaxipha) fujianensis is moved to genus Sectus as S. fujianensis comb. nov. A new species named as Emerasoma curvicerca He gen. et sp. nov. is reported. It differs from other genera by asymmetric genitalia, and lacking stridulatory files and mirror. The type specimens are deposited in Museum of Biology, East China Normal University (ECNU).

Monophyletic status of European morphogenera of the subfamily Candoninae Kaufmann, 1900 (Ostracoda: Candonidae) in relation to their mtDNA phylogenies

The subfamily Candoninae Kaufmann, 1900a is one of the most taxonomically difficult and species-rich lineages of non-marine Ostracoda. It is widely distributed, inhabiting all kinds of surface and subterranean waters, but its taxonomy remains unclear and generic relationships ambiguous due to a number of homoplasies. To verify the morphology-based taxonomy and monophyly of the European morphogenera of Candoninae we propose the analysis of the mitochondrial fragment encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). We investigated 75 individuals of 25 species representing eight of 13 extant genera of Candoninae known from Europe. The phylogenetic analyses revealed a complex pattern of relationships and a noteworthy incongruence with the currently used taxonomic system. The monophyletic status of the morphogenera CandonaBaird, 1845, FabaeformiscandonaKrstić, 1972, and PseudocandonaKaufmann, 1900a appeared questionable, but instead monophyly of some species groups distinguished morphologically within these genera seemed to be confirmed in our study. The phylogenetic position of some other morphogenera remained unresolved. Our analysis, focusing on well-supported nodes, nevertheless revealed a handful of salient points on the evolution of Candoninae that deserve further investigation.

First empirical evidence of naturally occurring androgenesis in vertebrates

Androgenesis among vertebrates is considered a rare phenomenon, with some cases reported so far, but linked to experiments involving gamete manipulation (artificial androgenesis). Herein, we report the first empirical evidence of the natural occurrence of spontaneous androgenesis in a vertebrate, the Squalius alburnoides allopolyploid complex. A genetically screened random sample of a natural population was allowed to reproduce in an isolated pond without any human interference, and the viable offspring obtained was later analysed for paternity. Both nuclear and mitochondrial markers showed that the only allodiploid fish found among all the allotriploid offspring was androgenetically produced by an allodiploid male. This specimen had no female nuclear genomic input, and the sequence of the mitochondrial fragment examined differed from that of the male progenitor, matching one of the parental females available in the pond, probably the mother. The possible role of androgenesis in the reproductive dynamics of this highly successful vertebrate complex is discussed.

Genetic differentiation in the nearly extinct harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus), with emphasis on the Andean Atelopus ignescens and A. bomolochos species complexes

The evolutionary relationships of Andean harlequin frogs were studied, with emphasis on the Atelopus ignescens and A. bomolochos species complexes. Sampling included 53 individuals belonging to eight taxa and several unidentified species, for which a mitochondrial fragment (16S, tRNA-Leu, ND1, and tRNA-Ile; 1294 bp) was amplified. Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses were used to obtain hypotheses of relationships. The resulting phylogeny indicates that the species complexes are non-monophyletic. Additionally, analyses support the presence of four or five undescribed species. Most of these populations and newly discovered lineages have not been recorded in several years and are presumed extinct, the exception being two populations of probably new taxa from mid-elevations in southeastern Ecuador found during recent field surveys. Although sampling is limited, geographic isolation is the most plausible cause of differentiation among populations and taxa.