Higher classification of the flabelliferan and related Isopoda based on a reappraisal of relationships

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Brandt ◽  
Gary C. B. Poore

The history of the systematics of isopod suborders is summarised. Several authors have suggested that the traditional suborder Flabellifera is paraphyletic and includes one or more of the suborders Gnathiidea, Epicaridea and Anthuridea. Two suborders, Cymothoida and Sphaeromatidea, have been proposed as replacement taxa for the Flabellifera, but it has not been possible on the basis of phylogenetic analyses to elucidate significant relationships between the suborders and families. Morphological characters are used to explore relationships between 35 genus-, family- and suborder-level taxa of flabelliferan Isopoda in a cladistic analysis (using Phreatoicidea and Asellota as outgroups) and to derive a new classification. The analysis did not find a synapomorphy for 'Flabellifera' sensu lato, but recognises two diverging clades of 'long-tailed' isopods. Members of the Oniscidea are not part of either clade. Nor are the Tainisopidea, a new suborder erected for members of the family Tainisopidae. The Tainisopidea has many synapomorphies and plesiomorphic features, but does not share characters with either clade. The first clade comprises Phoratopidea (for Phoratopus remex) and sister-taxa Cymothoida and Limnoriidea. Representatives of these suborders have uropodal rami ventral to the pleotelson and articulating from side-to-side inside the branchial space. The new suborder, Phoratopidea, is for one species with unique, broad articles of pereopods 3 and 4 with reduced dactyls. It lacks the synapomorphies of the following two suborders. In members of the suborder Cymothoida, the mandibular molar is either a flat triangular blade, reduced to a conical process, or absent, and the maxillipedal endite is rarely longer than palp article 1 (or is absent), distally tapering and has few setae. The suborder Limnoriidea is diagnosed as lacking the mandibular molar, and the non-tapering, slender (except in Keuphylia) maxillipedal endite reaches to at least the distal margin of palp article 4. Members of the second clade share a vaulted pleotelson enclosing a branchial chamber defined by ventrolateral ridges and uropods lateral to the pleotelson margin that fold down alongside the branchial space. It comprises two suborders. Members of the Sphaeromatidea have pleonite 1 much narrower than pleonite 2 and a reduced (or absent) right lacinia mobilis fused to the spine row. They lack operculiform uropods, which characterise Valvifera. The suborder Anthuridea is reduced to superfamily rank and Epicaridea is reduced to two superfamilies within Cymothoida. Unambiguous relationships between most families are resolved, but Sphaeromatidae is suspected to be paraphyletic, Paravireia is placed as the most plesiomorphic of the Sphaeromatoidea and a new family, Basserolidae, is proposed. The Tainisopidea includes freshwater taxa in a relictual environment. The sole species of Phoratopidea is marine, rare, and its ecology is unknown. The Cymothoida are most diverse in tropical regions. Members of the most plesiomorphic family, the Cirolanidae, are mobile predators or scavengers and the more derived families are ectoparasites on fishes and other crustaceans. Members of the Limnoriidea are mainly tropical and at least one family is herbivorous. The Valvifera and Sphaeromatidea are benthic, with respiratory pleopods in a branchial chamber. They are most diverse in the temperate southern hemisphere, and most are detritivores.

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
A.P. Kassatkina

Resuming published and own data, a revision of classification of Chaetognatha is presented. The family Sagittidae Claus & Grobben, 1905 is given a rank of subclass, Sagittiones, characterised, in particular, by the presence of two pairs of sac-like gelatinous structures or two pairs of fins. Besides the order Aphragmophora Tokioka, 1965, it contains the new order Biphragmosagittiformes ord. nov., which is a unique group of Chaetognatha with an unusual combination of morphological characters: the transverse muscles present in both the trunk and the tail sections of the body; the seminal vesicles simple, without internal complex compartments; the presence of two pairs of lateral fins. The only family assigned to the new order, Biphragmosagittidae fam. nov., contains two genera. Diagnoses of the two new genera, Biphragmosagitta gen. nov. (type species B. tarasovi sp. nov. and B. angusticephala sp. nov.) and Biphragmofastigata gen. nov. (type species B. fastigata sp. nov.), detailed descriptions and pictures of the three new species are presented.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Yoshimasa Kumekawa ◽  
Haruka Fujimoto ◽  
Osamu Miura ◽  
Ryo Arakawa ◽  
Jun Yokoyama ◽  
...  

Abstract Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) are soil animals with extremely low dispersal abilities that experienced allopatric differentiation. To clarify the morphological and phylogenetic differentiation of the endemic harvestman Zepedanulus ishikawai (Suzuki, 1971) (Laniatores: Epedanidae) in the southern part of the Ryukyu Archipelago, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimates based on CO1 and 16S rRNA sequences of mtDNA, the 28S rRNA sequence of nrDNA, and the external morphology. A phylogenetic tree based on mtDNA sequences indicated that individuals of Z. ishikawai were monophyletic and were divided into clade I and clade II. This was supported by the nrDNA phylogenetic tree. Although clades I and II were distributed sympatrically on all three islands examined (Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Yonaguni), heterogeneity could not be detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism of nrDNA, indicating that clades I and II do not have a history of hybridisation. Also, several morphological characters differed significantly between individuals of clade I and clade II. The longstanding isolation of the southern Ryukyus from the surrounding islands enabled estimation of the original morphological characters of both clades of Z. ishikawai.


1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Austin ◽  
and S. A. Field

The morphology of the sclerotised components of the ovipositor system is comprehensively surveyed for scelionid and platygastrid wasps, with information being assessed for 120 genera and 220 species. A diagnosis for the ovipositor system is presented for most genera to complement existing generic descriptions. Two previously described and mechanically different forms of the ovipositor system are recognised: (1) the Ceratobaeus-type that is extended and retracted by antagonistic muscles and (2) the Scelio-type that is operated by changes in hydrostatic pressure, where the ovipositor is extended at the end of an elongate telescopic tube derived from expanded intersegmental membrane between metasomal segments 6 and 7. Comparison of these forms with the supposed ground plan for the Scelionidae strongly indicates that the Scelio-type is apomorphic, that it defines a monophyletic group associated with orthopteran host eggs, and that it comprises the tribes Scelionini, Calliscelionini, most Psilanteridini, Aradophagini, Neoscelionini, Platyscelionini, Doddiellini and four genera misplaced within the Sparasionini and Baryconini (Archaeoteleia Masner, Bracalba Dodd, Chromoteleia Ashmead and Oxyscelio Kieffer), as well as Sceliacanthella Dodd. Until a more robust classification of the superfamily is forthcoming, it is proposed that this group be informally referred to as the 'Scelionini sensu lato'. Further, seven genera (Habroteleia Kieffer, Palpoteleia Kieffer, Anteris Foerster, Fusicornia Risbec, Leptoteleia Kieffer, Opisthacantha Ashmead and Styloteleia Kieffer) are misplaced in the Calliscelionini and Psilanteridini because they possess the Ceratobaeus-type system. Nixonia Masner, Sparasion Latreille and Sceliomorpha Ashmead (Sparasionini) are considered to have the most primitive ovipositor system because they possess a Ceratobaeus-type system, and sub-basally fused lateral and latero-ventral apodemes, the latter being loosely attached to sternite 6. Sparasion and Sceliomorpha also have very short lateral apodemes and this, in conjunction with the form of the apodemes, can be considered to be the ground plan for the superfamily. The Platygastridae all possess a modified ovipositor system but, nonetheless, one that in most cases is extended and retracted by musculature (i.e. Ceratobaeus-type). In particular, the system in most platygastrids is typified by having metasomal tergite 8 and associated cerci missing, the lateral apodemes short and forming a U-shape, and the ovipositor assembly generally robust. Only one of approximately 30 genera examined, Acerotella Masner, has very elongate apodemes, as in the Scelionidae. Many platygastrids also have a pair of latero-ventral apodemes, a presumed plesiomorphic character, rather than a single medial apodeme on stemite 6, which is the case for many Scelionidae. The most highly modified system is found in Isostasius Foerster and some Synopeas (Sactogaster) Foerster, where the ovipositor assembly is coiled vertically or partly so and the apodemes are greatly reduced. Generally, characters associated with the ovipositor system do not provide any independent support for the most recent higher-level classification of platygastrids, although they show substantial potential for more accurate definition of genera. A preliminary cladistic analysis of 14 ovipositor characters supports the monophyly of five clades that correspond to the Scelionini s. l., the Scelionidae (minus the Sparasionini sensu stricto), the Sparasionini s. str., the Platygastridae, and the Sparasioriini s. str. + Platygastridae. Overall, results from this study will provide baseline information on the ovipositor system as a prelude to a more complete phylogenetic analysis of the superfamily including external morphological characters. Although no new classification for the Scelionidae and Platygastridae is proposed, their higher-level taxonomy is reviewed and discussed and cases identified where, on the basis of ovipositor morphology, taxa (tribes and/or genera) apparently form monophyletic groups, and where taxa are misplaced. Finally, the status of the major higher-level groups within the superfamily is discussed, as is the available evidence to support their monophyly.


Zootaxa ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 1782 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
NICO M. FRANZ

Cotithene Voss, a previously monotypic genus of Neotropical derelomine flower weevils (Curculionidae: Derelomini), is revised, with provision of a key to the species, cladistic analysis and notes on its natural history. The following six new species are described: C. anaphalanta (Costa Rica), C. dicranopygia (Costa Rica), C. leptorhamphis (Costa Rica, Panama), C. melanoptera (Venezuela), C. stratiotricha (Costa Rica) and C. trigaea (Costa Rica). The monophyly of Cotithene is supported by the characters of a dorsomedially expanded, carinate rostrum, ventrally angulate head, long and anteriorly directed setation on the anterior margin of the prosternum and an apicodorsally expanded aedeagus with paired sclerites in the male, and subcontiguous to separated procoxal cavities in the female. Particularly the males of several species have intriguing and allometrically scaled modifications on the head (triangular projections, long setae) and pronotum (expansion, tumescences), which possibly play a role in male-to-male conflicts. Cotithene species are specialized to visit and reproduce on a narrow range of typically closely related species of Cyclanthaceae. The adults do not function as pollinators, and the herbivorous larvae develop in the fruiting organs of their hosts, frequently triggering the abortion of infructescences. An analysis of 12 taxa (5 outgroup, 7 ingroup) and 32 morphological characters yielded a single most parsimonious cladogram (L = 38, CI = 89, RI = 93) with the topology (C. dicranopygia, (C. stratiotricha, ((C. leptorhamphis, C. trigaea), (C. globulicollis Voss, (C. anaphalanta, C. melanoptera))))). The evolution of morphological traits and host shifts is examined in light of the proposed phylogeny.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Gebiola ◽  
Antonio P. Garonna ◽  
Umberto Bernardo ◽  
Sergey A. Belokobylskij

Doryctinae (Hymenoptera : Braconidae) is a large and diverse subfamily of parasitic wasps that has received much attention recently, with new species and genera described and phylogenies based on morphological and/or molecular data that have improved higher-level classification and species delimitation. However, the status of several genera is still unresolved, if not controversial. Here we focus on two related groups of such genera, Dendrosoter Wesmael–Caenopachys Foerster and Ecphylus Foerster–Sycosoter Picard & Lichtenstein. We integrated morphological and molecular (COI and 28S–D2 genes) evidence to highlight, by phylogenetic analyses (maximum likelihood and Bayesian) and a posteriori morphological examination, previously overlooked variation, which is here illustrated and discussed. Monophyly of Dendrosoter and Caenopachys and the presence of synapomorphic morphological characters support synonymy of Caenopachys under Dendrosoter. Low genetic differentiation and high variability for putatively diagnostic morphological characters found in both C. hartigii (Ratzeburg) and C. caenopachoides (Ruschka) supports synonymy of D. caenopachoides under D. hartigii, syn. nov. Morphological and molecular evidence together also indicate independent generic status for Sycosoter, stat. rev., which is here resurrected. This work represents a further advancement in the framework of the ongoing effort to improve systematics and classification of the subfamily Doryctinae.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jiang ◽  
M. Nitin ◽  
B. Jiang ◽  
Y. P. Zheng ◽  
S. S. Hong ◽  
...  

Numerical taxonomy and cladistic analysis of 19 species of Camellia L. were performed using floral morphology containing continuous and discrete units. The current study mostly supports the classifications of 19 species as proposed in previous works. In addition, it also agrees with combining the following species together: C. oleifera and C. vietnamensis; C. sasanqua and C. hiemalis; C. brevistyla and C. puniceiflora; and C. grijsii and C. shensiensis. Further, we propose that C. maliflora be recognized as a variety of C. sasanqua, and C. phaeoclada is best placed in sect. Paracamellia. Moreover, we conclude that these species can be combined: C. tenii and C. miyagii; and C. confusa and C. fluviatilis. Our study indicates that the numerical taxonomy and cladistic analysis based on morphological characters of floral organ is useful in species classification, and this technique appreciated in sect. Oleifera and sect. Paracamellia can be used for identification and classification of other taxa. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v19i2.13130 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 19(2): 155-165, 2012 (December)


2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Bayly

The eucalypt group includes seven genera: Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Angophora, Eucalyptopsis, Stockwellia, Allosyncarpia and Arillastrum. Knowledge of eucalypt phylogeny underpins classification of the group, and facilitates understanding of their ecology, conservation and economic use, as well as providing insight into the history of Australia’s flora. Studies of fossils and phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular data have made substantial contributions to understanding of eucalypt relationships and biogeography, but relationships among some genera are still uncertain, and there is controversy about generic circumscription of the bloodwood eucalypts (genus Corymbia). Relationships at lower taxonomic levels, e.g. among sections and series of Eucalyptus, are also not well resolved. Recent advances in DNA sequencing methods offer the ability to obtain large genomic datasets that will enable improved understanding of eucalypt evolution.


2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Wolfe ◽  
Kelly Miller ◽  
Olof Biström

AbstractThe phylogeny of the Hydroporinae is investigated in a cladistic analysis emphasizing placement of the genus Peschetius Guignot, historically placed in the tribe Hydroporini. Sixty-nine adult and larval morphological characters were coded for 61 species of Hydroporinae representing eight of the nine tribes. Cladistic analysis of the data resulted in 396 most parsimonious cladograms (length = 176, CI = 46, RI = 80). The results indicate that the genus Peschetius is the sister group to the tribe Bidessini based mainly on an unambiguous character, the presence of a prominent internal spermathecal spine, and several other more ambiguous or homoplasious characters. The tribe Bidessini is expanded to include the genus Peschetius, and it is formally transferred from the tribe Hydroporini. Other results indicating interesting relationships of tribes and genera within Hydroporinae are also discussed. Results include; 1) a dramatically paraphyletic Hydroporini with Laccornellus Roughley and Wolfe, Canthyporus Zimmermann and Hydrocolus Roughley and Larson in basal positions within the phylogeny, 2) Hydrovatus Motschulsky and Queda Sharp resolved as sister groups and not closely related to Methlini van den Branden, 3) support for close relationship of Pachydrus Sharp (Pachydrini Biström, Nilsson and Wewalka) with Hyphydrini Sharp, 4) paraphyly of Hygrotus Stephens sensu lato with the relationship H. (Coelambus) Thomson + (Hygrotus sensus stricto + Hydrovatini)) suggesting recognition of Coelambus and Hygrotus as separate genera, 5) close relationship between the Australian genera of Hydroporini and Hyphydrini and 6) the nesting of Vatellini within a group of Hydroporini.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Denk ◽  
Guido W. Grimm ◽  
Paul S. Manos ◽  
Min Deng ◽  
Andrew Hipp

In this paper, we review major classification schemes proposed for oaks by John Claudius Loudon, Anders Sandøe Ørsted, William Trelease, Otto Karl Anton Schwarz, Aimée Antoinette Camus, Yuri Leonárdovich Menitsky, and Kevin C. Nixon. Classifications of oaks (Fig. 1) have thus far been based entirely on morphological characters. They differed profoundly from each other because each taxonomist gave a different weight to distinguishing characters; often characters that are homoplastic in oaks. With the advent of molecular phylogenetics our view has considerably changed. One of the most profound changes has been the realisation that the traditional split between the East Asian subtropical to tropical subgenus Cyclobalanopsis and the subgenus Quercus that includes all other oaks is artificial. The traditional concept has been replaced by that of two major clades, each comprising three infrageneric groups: a Palearctic-Indomalayan clade including Group Ilex (Ilex oaks), Group Cerris (Cerris oaks) and Group Cyclobalanopsis (cycle-cup oaks), and a predominantly Nearctic clade including Group Protobalanus (intermediate or golden cup oaks), Group Lobatae (red oaks) and Group Quercus (white oaks, with most species in America and some 30 species in Eurasia). The main morphological feature characterising these phylogenetic lineages is pollen morphology, a character overlooked in traditional classifications. This realisation, along with the now available (molecular-)phylogenetic framework, opens new avenues for biogeographic, ecological and evolutionary studies and a re-appraisal of the fossil record. We provide an overview about recent advances in these fields and outline how the results of these studies contribute to the establishment of a unifying systematic scheme of oaks. Ultimately, we propose an updated classification of Quercus recognising two subgenera with eight sections. This classification considers morphological traits, molecular-phylogenetic relationships, and the evolutionary history of one of the most important temperate woody plant genera.


REINWARDTIA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
Sreehari S Nair ◽  
K.H. Amitha Bachan ◽  
P.J. Ebin

NAIR, S. S., BACHAN, K. H. A.  &  EBIN, P. J.  2021. Diversity and phenetic study on syconium of Ficus L. (Moraceae) from Kerala, India revealing natural classification along  with an identification key. Reinwardtia  20(1): 27–36. — Ficus L. commonly called ‘figs’ is one of the most complex genera among the angiosperms with its specialised inflorescence called syconium that looks like a fruit. Syconium of 33 species of  Ficus reported from Kerala were observed here to develop a novel key, solely based on syconium morphology. Numerical taxonomic methodology  for syconium  morphological characters  were standardised, considering 22 characters with 104 character states and analysed using similarity clustering. The floral features of the genus are very much complex and all the existing keys for the species identification relays on both vegetative as well as floral features. Hence, the present key will be practical  in  use  when  syconium  is  the  only  available  part.  The  numerical  analysis  of  the  syconium  features  well clustered and separated the trees with cauliflorous inflorescence, hemi epiphytic -epiphytic life forms and independent trees similar to the natural classification of the figs as  “Atthi, Itthi and Aal”, indicating that phenetic analysis using the syconium  characters  alone  provided  a  grouping  similar  to  the  natural  grouping  based  on  the  habit.  Preliminary phylogenetic analysis of figs also provided a similar clustering. This gives an insight into the fact that the separation of figs into these natural groups is reflecting phylogenetic trait. Detailed studies including more morphological traits and molecular analysis could establish the phylogenetic relation of figs in relation to the evolutionary history of climate and vegetation.


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