A Systematic Revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae

<p>ln this species I recognise 21 species of New Zealand brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), and 7 species of green gecko (Naultinus), bringing the total New Zealand gecko fauna to 28. The only previous comprehensive revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae was that of McOann (1955), who recognised 4 species of brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), 6 species of South lsland green geckos (Heteropholts), and one species of North lsland green gecko (Naultinus). Bauer (1990) synonymised Heferopholis with Naulftnus. In this thesis I interpret the results of allozyme electrophoresis and morphological examination of specimens of all known taxa, using phylogenetic computer analysis and an Evolutionary Species Concept. Allozyme results were obtained for 686 specimens from 235 populations. I resolved 27 allozyme loci from each of these specimens, using 2 tissue types and 5 buffer systems. The following species are recognised as a result of this study. Newly proposed species are indented below the species to which they have previously been referred: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southern Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", H. "Southern mini", H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights" H. "Three Kings" H. rakiurae, H. stephensi (H. delcourfi - probably from New Zealand; presumed extinct), Naultinus elegans (subspecies N. e. elegans and N. e. punctatus), N. gemmeus, N. grayii, N. manukanus, N. rudis, N. stellatus, N. tuberculatus. Hoplodacfylus will include 21 extant species. Apart from one synonymy suggested by examination of type specimens, I suggest no formal changes to Naultinus, because morphological support for the status quo is strong, but allozymes identify only 5 groups (2 within N.'gemmeus) rather than the 8 currently recognised. I provide a key for the identification of all known New Zealand species. Phylogenetic analysis of allozyme and morphological results suggests 4 major groups in the New Zealand gecko fauna: Naultinus ; a narrow toed group of Hoplodactylus species, including H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. rakiurae, and H. stephensi ; the H. pacificus complex, including H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights", and H. "Three Kings" ; the H. maculatus complex, including H. chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", and H. "Southem mini". However, Naultinus is closely related to the narrow-toed group of Hoplodactylus, and falls between H. stephensi and the rest of the narrowtoed group of Hoplodactylus in some analyses. Within the H. maculatus complex, there are 3 species groups: H. chrysosireficus and H, "Southem mini" ; H. maculatus. H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", and H. "Marlborough mini" ; H. duvaucelii, H. brunneus, H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", and H. "Otago". H. pacificus is paraphyletic with respect to the sympatric new species H. "Matapia" in all analyses, and H. granulatus is paraphyletic with respect to H. kahutarae in some analyses. I disagree with many character states Bauer (1990) assigned to the New Zealand species in his morphological data matrix for the Carphodactylini. His resulting cladogram is shown to lack strong support, and alternative phylogenetic, and by inference biogeographical, relationships are possible. Some genetically widely divergent species are so morphologically similar that traditional taxonomies had difficulty distinguishing them (e.9., H. stephensi, all species of the H. pacificus complex, and all species of the H. maculatus complex except H. duvaucelfisubsumed under H. pacificusby McCann 1955). Conversely, some morphologically highly distinct species have genetically close, previously unsuspected sister group relationships. Rates of change in allozymes and morphology therefore appear poorly correlated. In the southern group of the H. maculafus complex, the overall pattem of allozyme variation is a stepped or fragmented cline, which continues across species boundaries. There is a marked absence of diagnostic derived allozyme characters in well-defined species. These allele distributions suggest parapatric speciation, with the shared polymorphisms being older than the speciation event. On Matapia island, the sympatry of 2 morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated species, both of which fall within H. pacificus in trees suggest a double colonisation of the i6land, followed.by morphological divergence. There are at least 5 independent cases of coastal populations of very small H. maculafus-complex geckos with larger inland sister-groups, suggesting strong directional selection on body size. There is strong circumstantial evidence for most evolution and speciation having happened in the South lsland, and for all North lsland species except for the H. pacificus complex being geologicalty recent colonists with South lsland ancestors. The Three Kings and Poor Knights lsland groups are the only islands occupied by New Zealand geckos which are believed not to have been connected to the mainland during Pleistocene glacial periods of low sea level, and also the only islands with genetically distinct local endemics. The recognition of these new species will alter conseruation priorities, as some have very restricted known distributions.</p>

A Systematic Revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae

<p>ln this species I recognise 21 species of New Zealand brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), and 7 species of green gecko (Naultinus), bringing the total New Zealand gecko fauna to 28. The only previous comprehensive revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae was that of McOann (1955), who recognised 4 species of brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), 6 species of South lsland green geckos (Heteropholts), and one species of North lsland green gecko (Naultinus). Bauer (1990) synonymised Heferopholis with Naulftnus. In this thesis I interpret the results of allozyme electrophoresis and morphological examination of specimens of all known taxa, using phylogenetic computer analysis and an Evolutionary Species Concept. Allozyme results were obtained for 686 specimens from 235 populations. I resolved 27 allozyme loci from each of these specimens, using 2 tissue types and 5 buffer systems. The following species are recognised as a result of this study. Newly proposed species are indented below the species to which they have previously been referred: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southern Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", H. "Southern mini", H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights" H. "Three Kings" H. rakiurae, H. stephensi (H. delcourfi - probably from New Zealand; presumed extinct), Naultinus elegans (subspecies N. e. elegans and N. e. punctatus), N. gemmeus, N. grayii, N. manukanus, N. rudis, N. stellatus, N. tuberculatus. Hoplodacfylus will include 21 extant species. Apart from one synonymy suggested by examination of type specimens, I suggest no formal changes to Naultinus, because morphological support for the status quo is strong, but allozymes identify only 5 groups (2 within N.'gemmeus) rather than the 8 currently recognised. I provide a key for the identification of all known New Zealand species. Phylogenetic analysis of allozyme and morphological results suggests 4 major groups in the New Zealand gecko fauna: Naultinus ; a narrow toed group of Hoplodactylus species, including H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. rakiurae, and H. stephensi ; the H. pacificus complex, including H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights", and H. "Three Kings" ; the H. maculatus complex, including H. chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", and H. "Southem mini". However, Naultinus is closely related to the narrow-toed group of Hoplodactylus, and falls between H. stephensi and the rest of the narrowtoed group of Hoplodactylus in some analyses. Within the H. maculatus complex, there are 3 species groups: H. chrysosireficus and H, "Southem mini" ; H. maculatus. H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", and H. "Marlborough mini" ; H. duvaucelii, H. brunneus, H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", and H. "Otago". H. pacificus is paraphyletic with respect to the sympatric new species H. "Matapia" in all analyses, and H. granulatus is paraphyletic with respect to H. kahutarae in some analyses. I disagree with many character states Bauer (1990) assigned to the New Zealand species in his morphological data matrix for the Carphodactylini. His resulting cladogram is shown to lack strong support, and alternative phylogenetic, and by inference biogeographical, relationships are possible. Some genetically widely divergent species are so morphologically similar that traditional taxonomies had difficulty distinguishing them (e.9., H. stephensi, all species of the H. pacificus complex, and all species of the H. maculatus complex except H. duvaucelfisubsumed under H. pacificusby McCann 1955). Conversely, some morphologically highly distinct species have genetically close, previously unsuspected sister group relationships. Rates of change in allozymes and morphology therefore appear poorly correlated. In the southern group of the H. maculafus complex, the overall pattem of allozyme variation is a stepped or fragmented cline, which continues across species boundaries. There is a marked absence of diagnostic derived allozyme characters in well-defined species. These allele distributions suggest parapatric speciation, with the shared polymorphisms being older than the speciation event. On Matapia island, the sympatry of 2 morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated species, both of which fall within H. pacificus in trees suggest a double colonisation of the i6land, followed.by morphological divergence. There are at least 5 independent cases of coastal populations of very small H. maculafus-complex geckos with larger inland sister-groups, suggesting strong directional selection on body size. There is strong circumstantial evidence for most evolution and speciation having happened in the South lsland, and for all North lsland species except for the H. pacificus complex being geologicalty recent colonists with South lsland ancestors. The Three Kings and Poor Knights lsland groups are the only islands occupied by New Zealand geckos which are believed not to have been connected to the mainland during Pleistocene glacial periods of low sea level, and also the only islands with genetically distinct local endemics. The recognition of these new species will alter conseruation priorities, as some have very restricted known distributions.</p>

Revision of the genus Hannia (Teleostei, Terapontidae), with description of a new species, Hannia wintoni, from the Kimberley, Western Australia

The systematics of the genus Hannia Vari 1978, endemic to freshwater habitats of remote north-western Australia, is revised in light of recent collections in the region and a molecular study of the group that identified an undescribed candidate species. A new freshwater fish species (Hannia wintoni sp. nov) is described based on analysis of multiple nuclear genetic markers (53 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (601 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 66 morphometric and meristic characters). Head profile, postorbital length, maximum length, preopercular spines and pectoral-fin rays are characters that best distinguish H. wintoni sp. nov from its only congener, H. greewayi. While the existing description of H. greenwayi is robust and accurate, we present a number of additional characters that enhance to the original description, based on type and fresh material. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of the two species is summarised. The new species is a narrow-range endemic.

Genetic polymorphism in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour) populations from Ural and Altai-Sayan mountains

The article presents the results of analysis of the variability of 23 allozyme loci in 10 populations of Siberian Stone pine. Populations from South Siberia mountain regions had higher percentage of polymorphic loci in averageand mean number of alleles per loci (P99% = 44,57 %, NA = 1,543 ± 0,014) compared to Ural populations (P99%=29,57%,NA = 1,348 ± 0,015). The average values of the observed and expected heterozygosity in the populations of the Altai-Sayan (HO = 0,087 ±0,007 and HE = 0,090 ± 0,004) and the Ural mountain region (HO = 0,083 ± 0,008 и HE = 0,082 ± 0,005)were close. About 8.4% of the total genetic diversity is due to differences between the studied populations. The results ofmultidimensional data analysis confirm the existence of the Altai-Sayan and Ural refugia in the post-glacial period andthe dispersal of Siberian stone pine to the North from the Ural glacier refugium.

Two new species of dwarf rainbowfishes (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae) from northern Australia and southern New Guinea

The ‘maccullochi species group’ of rainbowfishes are small and distinctly patterned freshwater fishes of streams and swamps, comprising around eight species. The species from which the group bears its name, Melanotaenia maccullochi Ogilby, 1915, has been thought to comprise three forms occurring in distinct geographic areas, and recent mitochondrial genetic data provides matching patterns of likely inter-specific divergence. Here we undertake a detailed investigation of the taxonomic status of M. maccullochi using a combined lines of evidence approach incorporating multiple nuclear genetic markers (55 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters). As all three datasets provide support for a three-way split, we accordingly describe two new species and redescribe M. maccullochi sensu stricto. McCulloch’s Rainbowfish M. maccullochi, a species with brown body stripes and red fins occurs in northeast Queensland and is redescribed based on 338 specimens, 13.1–53.0 mm SL. This species was one of the first rainbowfishes to become known in the aquarium hobby. A second form with darker stripes on a contrasting light white-grey body and with distinct sub-marginal black bands in the dorsal and anal fins, distributed across northern and eastern Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and southern central New Guinea, is described as Sahul Rainbowfish M. sahulensis sp. nov. based on 267 specimens, 13.4–48.4 mm SL. A diminutive and well geographically isolated form occurring below the escarpment of the Tabletop Range in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory possessing a more prominent and purplish mid-lateral stripe, is described as the Little Rainbowfish Melanotaenia wilsoni sp. nov. based on 50 specimens, 19.3–33.3 mm SL. A combination of morphological characters is useful for separating the respective taxa with M. wilsoni sp. nov. the most distinctive, typically having fewer vertebrae, lateral scales, cheek scales, procurrent caudal rays and anal rays and proportionally a shorter maxilla and snout than either of the other two species. Useful characters for further separating M. sahulensis sp. nov. from M. maccullochi include slightly higher counts of vertebrae, lateral scales and anal rays and proportionally greater body depth, body width and pre-dorsal distance. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of the three species is summarised, with the Northern Territory species being a narrow-range endemic with specific environmental requirements.

A molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the Asian agamid lizard genus Phrynocephalus reveals discrete biogeographic clades implicated by plate tectonics

Phylogenetic relationships of the agamid lizard genus Phrynocephalus are described in the context of plate tectonics. A near comprehensive taxon sampling reports three data sets: (1) mitochondrial DNA from ND1 to COI (3’ end of ND1, tRNAGln, tRNAIle, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, tRNACys, tRNATyr, and the 5’ end of COI) with 1761 aligned positional sites (1595 included, 839 informative), (2) nuclear RAG-1 DNA with 2760 aligned positional sites (342 informative), and (3) 25 informative allozyme loci with 213 alleles (107 informative when coded as presence/absence). It is hypothesized that Phrynocephalus phyletic patterns and speciation reflect fault lines of ancient plates now in Asia rejuvenated by the more recent Indian and Arabian plate collisions. Molecular estimates of lineage splits are highly congruent with geologic dates from the literature. A southern origin for the genus in Southwest Asia is resolved in phylogenetic estimates and a northern origin is statistically rejected. On the basis of monophyly and molecular evidence several taxa previously recognized as subspecies are recognized as species: P. hongyuanensis, P. sogdianus, and P. strauchi as “Current Status”; Phrynocephalus bannikovi, Phrynocephalus longicaudatus, Phrynocephalus turcomanus, and Phrynocephalus vindumi are formally “New Status”. Phylogenetic evaluation indicates a soft substrate habitat of sand for the shared ancestor of modern Phrynocephalus. Size diversity maximally overlaps in the Caspian Basin and northwestern Iranian Plateau. The greatest species numbers of six in sympatry and regional allopatry are found in the southern Caspian Basin and southern Helmand Basin, both from numerous phylogenetic lineages in close proximity attributed to tectonic induced events.

Revision of the Australian Wet Tropics endemic rainbowfish genus Cairnsichthys (Atheriniformes: Melanotaeniidae), with description of a new species

The freshwater melanotaeniid genus Cairnsichthys is endemic to a relatively small area of specialised habitat within the Wet Tropics bioregion of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It was previously considered as monotypic, including only a single species, C. rhombosomoides (Nichols & Raven, 1928). The recent discovery of an apparently-isolated population in the Daintree rainforest, approximately 120 km north of the known range extent, prompted a detailed investigation of its taxonomic status using a combined lines of evidence approach. We provide compelling evidence from multiple nuclear genetic markers (52 allozyme loci), mitochondrial DNA sequence data (1141 bp cytochrome b) and morphology (examination of a suite of 38 morphometric and meristic characters) that supports north-south splitting of C. rhombosomoides. Accordingly, we describe the northern population as a distinct species, C. bitaeniatus sp. nov., on the basis of 25 specimens, 34.7–65.6 mm SL. The new species differs morphologically primarily by having a more slender and narrow shape, featuring a flatter, straighter predorsal profile and shorter second dorsal fin base; possession of slightly smaller scales, reflected in higher counts of lateral scales and predorsal scales; typically more vertebrae; and colour differences including a more robust, short black stripe across the upper operculum, a pronounced yellow patch on the anteroventral body and usually a more conspicuous second dark stripe on the lower body, with adult males generally having yellowish compared to reddish fins. We also provide a generic diagnosis for Cairnsichthys and a redescription of C. rhombosomoides. Information on the known distribution, habitats and conservation status of species in the genus is summarised, the new species being of particular concern as a narrow range endemic with specific environmental requirements.

Modern methods of assessing the taxonomic affiliation of honeybee colonies

At least 30 subspecies of the honeybee Apis mellifera L. were formed allopatrically during the evolution, which spreaded throughout all Africa, Europe and West Asia. The dark forest bee Apis mellifera mellifera is the only and most valuable subspecies for the Northern and Western Europe countries, adapted to productive living in the hard-continental climate of Eurasia. In the past 100 years, natural geographical isolation of subspecies has been disrupted as a result of a human activities. Mass transportations of honeybee colonies beyond the boundaries of their area have been threatened of loss the identity of gene pool of subspecies as a result of hybridization. Preservation of the gene pool of subspecies is possible only when controlling the transportation of honeybee colonies using the methods of identification of taxonomic affiliation of honeybee colonies. Now, dozens of methods have been developed to identify the taxonomic affiliation of honeybee's colony, which are based on the variability of body parts, allozyme loci, mitochondrial DNA loci, microsatellite nuclear loci, sites of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The variability of microsatellite loci and the single nucleotide polymorphism sites have shown the greatest informativeness in identification of the taxonomic affiliation of honeybee's colony.

Morpho-genetic variability of native and adventitious populations of the Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae)

The population structure of the terrestrial mollusc Brephulopsis cylindrica (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Enidae) in the native area (Crimea Peninsula) and out of its borders (two adventive groups in the city of Belgorod) was studied on the basis of conchometric characteristics and analysis of polymorphic allozyme loci. For all the morphometric parameters statistically significant differences were found between the studied groups. In all studied populations a high level of intra-population genetic variability was revealed ( Fit = 0,401). At the same time, the considerable variability of the conchological parameters and the high level of allelic polymorphism at a number of loci identified in adventitious colonies create the prerequisites for successful adaptation to new conditions and further expansion of the species range in urbanized areas.