scholarly journals Breaking the rules: discovery of sexual deception in Caladenia abbreviata (Orchidaceae), a species with brightly coloured flowers and a non-insectiform labellum

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan D. Phillips ◽  
Rod Peakall
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Sexual Deception ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Pollinator Species ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Thynnine Wasp

Caladenia is exceptional among orchid genera in that it contains both species pollinated by sexual deception and species pollinated by food-foraging insects. Whereas pollination strategies have been elucidated in some species complexes, others groups have received limited attention, hampering our ability to understand the evolution of the exceptional diversity of species and floral traits in Caladenia. Here, we conducted the first detailed pollination study of a member of the Caladenia filamentosa complex. On the basis of the brightly coloured and scented flowers exhibited by many species, it has been assumed that most members of the group are food-deceptive. However, we show that Caladenia abbreviata Hopper & A.P.Br. is pollinated by an undescribed species of Rhytidothynnus thynnine wasp via sexual deception. Floral dissections showed that the terminal glands on the sepals and petals are the primary source of the sexual attractant, supporting observations from intact flowers that pollinators frequently copulate with these floral parts. Interestingly, contact with the reproductive structures of the plant was not associated with attempted copulation. Our findings highlighted that sexual deception can evolve in lineages without dull-coloured flowers and insectiform labellum structures. Given that the orchid is apparently dependent on a single pollinator species, efforts to conserve this rare species will be dependent on the availability of the pollinator in suitable orchid habitat.

Systematics of the Boana semilineata species group (Anura: Hylidae), with a description of two new species from Amazonian Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Vol 190 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-180
Author(s):  
Marcel A Caminer ◽  
Santiago R Ron
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Phenotypic Characters ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Candidate Species ◽  
Amazonian Ecuador ◽  
First Time

Abstract The combination of genetic and phenotypic characters for species delimitation has allowed the discovery of many undescribed species of Neotropical amphibians. In this study, we used DNA sequences (genes 12S, 16S, ND1 and COI) and morphologic, bioacoustic and environmental characters of the Boana semilineata group to evaluate their phylogenetic relationships and assess their species limits. In addition, we included DNA sequences of several species of Boana to explore cryptic diversity in other groups. We found three Confirmed Candidate Species (CCS) within the B. semilineata group. Holotype examination of Hyla appendiculata shows that it is a valid species that corresponds to one of the CCS, which is here transferred to Boana. We describe the two remaining CCS. Our phylogeny highlights a number of secondary but meaningful observations that deserve further investigation: (1) populations of B. pellucens from northern Ecuador are more closely related to B. rufitela from Panama than to other Ecuadorian populations of B. pellucens; (2) we report, for the first time, the phylogenetic relationships of B. rubracyla showing that it is closely related to B. rufitela and B. pellucens; and (3) B. cinerascens and B. punctata form two species complexes consisting of several unnamed highly divergent lineages. Each of these lineages likely represents an undescribed species.

Monstera limitaris (Araceae), a new species from the border between Costa Rica and Panama

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 376 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
MARCO CEDEÑO-FONSECA ◽  
ADAM P. KARREMANS ◽  
ORLANDO O. ORTIZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Border Region ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Color Plate ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
A New Species

Species of genus Monstera are among the most representative hemi-epiphytic Araceae in the Neotropics. They are widely distributed and abundant in the tropical forests of Costa Rica and Panama. During recent exploration in the border region between the two countries, an undescribed species belonging to the genus has been identified. The new species, Mostera limitaris, is described and illustrated here, using a color plate based on photographs of the vegetative and reproductive structures of live material.

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

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2574 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUAN M. GUAYASAMIN ◽  
ELISA BONACCORSO ◽  
WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN ◽  
LUIS A. COLOMA
Keyword(s):  
Maximum Likelihood ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Evolutionary Relationships ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Geographic Isolation ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Two Populations ◽  
Mitochondrial Fragment

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.

scholarly journals Pollinators drive floral evolution in an Atlantic Forest genus

AoB Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Neves ◽  
Igor M Kessous ◽  
Ricardo L Moura ◽  
Dayvid R Couto ◽  
Camila M Zanella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Groups ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Incomplete Lineage Sorting ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Lineage Sorting ◽  
Pollination Syndromes ◽  
Angiosperm Diversification ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
As Species

Abstract Pollinators are important drivers of angiosperm diversification at both micro- and macroevolutionary scales. Both hummingbirds and bats pollinate the species-rich and morphologically diverse genus Vriesea across its distribution in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here, we (i) determine if floral traits predict functional groups of pollinators as documented, confirming the pollination syndromes in Vriesea and (ii) test if genetic structure in Vriesea is driven by geography (latitudinal and altitudinal heterogeneity) or ecology (pollination syndromes). We analysed 11 floral traits of 58 Vriesea species and performed a literature survey of Vriesea pollination biology. The genealogy of haplotypes was inferred and phylogenetic analyses were performed using chloroplast (rps16-trnk and matK) and nuclear (PHYC) molecular markers. Floral traits accurately predict functional groups of pollinators in Vriesea. Genetic groupings match the different pollination syndromes. Species with intermediate position were found between the groups, which share haplotypes and differ morphologically from the typical hummingbird- and bat-pollinated flowers of Vriesea. The phylogeny revealed moderately to well-supported clades which may be interpreted as species complexes. Our results suggest a role of pollinators driving ecological isolation in Vriesea clades. Incipient speciation and incomplete lineage sorting may explain the overall low genetic divergence within and among morphologically defined species, precluding the identification of clear species boundaries. The intermediate species with mixed floral types likely represent a window into shifts between pollinator syndromes. This study reports the morphological-genetic continuum that may be typical of ongoing pollinator-driven speciation in biodiversity hotspots.

scholarly journals Ongoing revision of Echiniscoididae (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscoidea), with the description of a new interstitial species and genus with unique anal structures

2019 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadja Møbjerg ◽  
Aslak Jørgensen ◽  
Reinhardt M Kristensen
Keyword(s):  
New Genus ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Intertidal Sediments ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Coi Sequences

Abstract Marine tidal heterotardigrades (Echiniscoididae) have gained increasing interest owing to their unique adaptations and evolutionary position, bridging marine and limnoterrestrial taxa. Echiniscoididae was established to accommodate the marine genera Anisonyches and Echiniscoides. However, it has become apparent that Anisonyches, with its claw configuration, median cirrus and seminal receptacles, clearly has little or no affinity to tidal echiniscoidids with supernumerary claws. Consequently, we establish Anisonychidae fam. nov. to accommodate Anisonyches in a paraphyletic Arthrotardigrada and discuss its affinity to other heterotardigrade taxa. We recently split Echiniscoides into Isoechiniscoides and Echiniscoides s.l. The latter remains a miscellany of species complexes and undescribed genera, and it has become evident that a larger number of echiniscoidids belonging to Echiniscoides, Isoechiniscoides and undescribed genera coexist in intertidal sediments. Here, we erect Neoechiniscoides aski gen. nov., sp. nov. from Roscoff, France, which has a unique anal system, characterized by prominent lateral lobes with a set of wing-like structures. Phylogenetic analyses based on COI sequences infer a close relationship between N. aski, an undescribed species from Roscoff and unidentified species from Maine, USA. We propose that the new genus includes the former Echiniscoides species Echiniscoides pollocki and Echiniscoides horningi, which we hereby transfer.

scholarly journals Catalogue of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from Vorarlberg (Austria)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4783 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-106
Author(s):  
HEINRICH SCHATZ
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
Oribatid Mite ◽  
Oribatid Mites ◽  
General Distribution ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
As Species ◽  
Other Information ◽  
The Alps

A checklist of the oribatid mites from Vorarlberg (Austria) which covers all published records and hitherto unpublished results of additional collecting is presented. Several species are revised, doubtful and erroneous records from previous publications are discussed and corrected. At present a total of 327 described species are known from Vorarlberg, complemented by three subspecific taxa and two undetermined or undescribed species, altogether from 61 families. A total of 96 species (including 3 subspecific taxa) are newly reported from Vorarlberg, among them 16 species are new records for Austria. The compilation includes the occurrence of each species in different vegetation units and habitats of Vorarlberg, their known distribution in Austria and the neighbouring Alps, Switzerland and Southern Germany, as well as their general distribution. Occasional additional remarks give taxonomic and other information. A historical overview of the exploration of the oribatid mites in Vorarlberg is outlined. The general distribution of the oribatid mite fauna of Vorarlberg is analysed. Remarkable results are, among others, the findings of some mostly rare species which were described by Schweizer and Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp from Switzerland as well as species restricted to the Alps, mainly in higher montane regions. 

scholarly journals Pre-adaptations and the evolution of pollination by sexual deception: Cope's rule of specialization revisited

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1748) ◽  
pp. 4786-4794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas J. Vereecken ◽  
Carol A. Wilson ◽  
Susann Hötling ◽  
Stefan Schulz ◽  
Sergey A. Banketov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Sexual Deception ◽  
Evolutionary Transitions ◽  
Plant Groups ◽  
Pollinator Specialization ◽  
Cope’S Rule ◽  
Floral Specialization

Pollination by sexual deception is arguably one of the most unusual liaisons linking plants and insects, and perhaps the most illustrative example of extreme floral specialization in angiosperms. While considerable progress has been made in understanding the floral traits involved in sexual deception, less is known about how this remarkable mimicry system might have arisen, the role of pre-adaptations in promoting its evolution and its extent as a pollination mechanism outside the few groups of plants (primarily orchids) where it has been described to date. In the Euro-Mediterranean region, pollination by sexual deception is traditionally considered to be the hallmark of the orchid genus Ophrys . Here, we introduce two new cases outside of Ophrys , in plant groups dominated by generalized, shelter-mimicking species. On the basis of phylogenetic reconstructions of ancestral pollination strategies, we provide evidence for independent and bidirectional evolutionary transitions between generalized (shelter mimicry) and specialized (sexual deception) pollination strategies in three groups of flowering plants, and suggest that pseudocopulation has evolved from pre-adaptations (floral colours, shapes and odour bouquets) that selectively attract male pollinators through shelter mimicry. These findings, along with comparative analyses of floral traits (colours and scents), shed light on particular phenotypic changes that might have fuelled the parallel evolution of these extraordinary pollination strategies. Collectively, our results provide the first substantive insights into how pollination sexual deception might have evolved in the Euro-Mediterranean region, and demonstrate that even the most extreme cases of pollinator specialization can reverse to more generalized interactions, breaking ‘Cope's rule of specialization’.

New deep-water records and species of North Atlantic nudibranchs (Mollusca, Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) with the description of a new species

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Valdés ◽  
Francisco Javier Murillo ◽  
Jennifer B. McCarthy ◽  
Natalie Yedinak
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
New Records ◽  
First Record ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Associated Fauna ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Bathymetric Range ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
A New Species

The examination of a collection of nudibranchs (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) obtained during several expeditions to international waters off Newfoundland, North Atlantic, revealed the presence of rare species, new records for the area, and an undescribed species ofTritonia(described herein). This includes the first record ofDendronotus niveusEkimova, Korshunova, Schepetov, Neretina, Sanamyan and Martynov, 2015 from the Atlantic Ocean and numerous specimens of the rare speciesDoridoxa ingolfianaBergh, 1899, which is here redescribed. Other species collected areFlabellinacf.salmonacea(Couthouy, 1838),Dendronotus frondosus(Ascanius, 1774),Dendronotus robustusA. E. Verrill, 1870,Aldisa zetlandica(Alder & Hancock, 1854),Onchidoris bilamellata(Linnaeus, 1767),Colga villosa(Odhner, 1907) as well as an unidentified species ofAeolidiella. Anatomical characteristics and genetic barcode data are used to identify the species whenever it was possible. Ecological data, including substrate, associated fauna and bathymetric range are provided.

scholarly journals In search of new Fusarium species

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Leslie ◽  
Brett Summerell
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Reliable Data ◽  
Subsistence Agriculture ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Species Origin ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
Distribution Potential

In search of new Fusarium species Fusarium is a large fungal genus, but scientists who work with it continue to search for new species to help bridge perceived phylogenetic gaps and to assess the biogeography of species origin and distribution. Potential new sources for species include collections made from plants and soil in native ecosystems and subsistence agriculture farms. These ecosystems are less likely to have suffered anthropomorphic changes and may offer the best hope for identifying previously undescribed species and for obtaining reliable data on species distribution. In addition to new collections, new species also may result from the break-up of a number of large species complexes that are held together primarily by morphological similarities. The two approaches are complementary and should collectively help to increase the number, diversity and quality of the species known within the genus.

Floral geometric morphometrics unveils a new cauliflorous species of Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae) from the Guiana Shield

Phytotaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 474 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
JOELCIO FREITAS ◽  
FAVIO GONZÁLEZ ◽  
ODILE PONCY ◽  
CHRISTIAN FEUILLET ◽  
ANDERSON ALVES-ARAÚJO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Geometric Morphometrics ◽  
French Guiana ◽  
Geometric Analysis ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Guiana Shield ◽  
Species Complexes ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Shape And Size

Aristolochia wankeana (Aristolochiaceae), a new species from French Guiana and Guyana, is described and illustrated here. Floral traits, primarily of the shape and size of the perianth limb, examined through a morphometric geometric analysis, are diagnostic to distinguish the new species from its relatives A. cornuta and A. iquitensis. The species belongs to Aristolochia subser. Anthocaulicae, characterized by having extremely short cauliflorous racemes with scale-like, triangular subtending bracts. This is the first study that uses morphometrics for taxonomic purposes in Aristolochia, an approach that becomes promising to solve species complexes in this genus.

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