Molecular evidence for the cladistic classification of euptyctimous moss mites (Acari, Oribatida, Euptyctima)

The cladistic classification of Phthiracaroidea (Niedbała 1986) and Euphthiracaroidea (Mahunka 1990) (Acari, Oribatida), based on morphological symplesio- and synapomorphic characters has been subjected to verification by molecular analysis of mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS2, 18S and 28S DNA regions. Twenty-one selected species from representative genera of both superfamilies were analyzed. The phylogenetic trees generated by maximum likelihood method confirm the classification of ptyctimous mites resulting from the analysis of morphological characters. Mesoplophoridae, representing the supercohorts Enarthronota, were placed separately to the clade Mixonomata containing Phthiracaroidea and Euphthiracaroidea that are in a sister relationship. The percentage of genetic divergence between the main clades is high in three markers (COI, ITS2 and 28S), it ranges from 36.8% to 38.7% in the barcode marker COI from 26.0% to 35.4% in ITS2 and from 16.2% to 30.0% in 28S, while in 18S it is very low (1.1% - 3.3%). In the Phthiracaroidea, two sister clades Steganacaridae and Phthiracaridae are distinguished. Steganacaridae include three clades Atropacarus, Hoplophthiracarus and Steganacarus with Steganacarus and Tropacarus as the sister clades. Closely related S. (T.) carinatus and S. (T.) pulcherrimus are separate species. Within the Euphthiracaroidea, the four clades: Mesotritia, Microtritia, Acrotritia and Euphthiracarus are resolved. Mesotritia is the most distant, and Microtritia and Acrotritia show the closest relationship.

The classification of the Tungusic languages

This chapter surveys previous attempts to classify the genetic relationships among the Tungusic languages. The set of sound correspondences that can be employed in this classification is examined and it is argued that, if one assumes binary branching for a cladistic classification, there are three plausible classifications that result from the application of the classical comparative method. Next, a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of basic vocabulary is undertaken to determine whether that analysis provides any further evidence for which of the three classifications is preferred. The conclusion is that it does and that one of the best classifications of Tungusic places Manchu, Xibe, and Jurchen in a Southern Branch together with Udihe and Nanai complexes, and the Even-Evenki complex in a Northern Branch. Though our analysis does not exclude the most common classification in which the Manchuric branch separated first from all other Tungusic languages.

Revision of the genus Diaphorocera Heyden, 1863 (Coleoptera, Meloidae, Cerocomini)

Diaphorocera, a Saharo-Sindian genus belonging to the tribe Cerocomini, is revised and a new synonymy is proposed. A cladistic classification is proposed as well, on a set of adult morphological characters. The available bionomical records, both original and from literature, concerning phenology, elevation, habitat preference, and host plants, are summarised. Adult morphology of all species is described and figured, the catalogue of localities with maps of distribution is reported, and a biogeographical analysis is proposed.

Ambophthalmos, a new genus for "Neophrynichthys" angustus and "Neophrynichthys" magnicirrus, and the systematic interrelationships of the fathead sculpins (Cottoidei, Psychrolutidae)

The new genus Ambophthalmos is recognised for "Neophrynichthys" angustus and "Neophrynichthys" magnicirrus, two southern Pacific psychrolutids. A hypothesis of psychrolutid phylogenetic relationships based on parsimony analysis of osteological characters is presented. Two synapomorphic characters suggest that A. angustus and A. magnicirrus form a monophyletic group: the supratemporal is posteriorly fused to the posttemporal and arch 2 is medially fused to its antimere. Four characters suggest that Cottunculus is monophyletic and five synapomorphic characters suggest that Ambophthalmos is sister to Cottunculus. A cladistic classification of the Psychrolutidae includes five subfamilies sequenced as Dasycottinae, new; Eurymeninae, new; Cottunculinae, redefined; Malacocottinae, new; and Psychrolutinae, unchanged.