A phylogenetic analysis of dung beetles (Scarabaeinae : Scarabaeidae): unrolling an evolutionary history

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Keith Philips ◽  
Etheresia Pretorius ◽  
Clarke H. Scholtz
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Important Group ◽  
Successful Group ◽  
Feeding Behaviours

The phylogeny of the Scarabaeinae, the largest and most important group of dung feeding beetles, is hypothesised based on 200 morphological characters of 50 taxa, representing nearly one quarter of the known genera. We present a drastically different picture of evolution of this highly successful group of beetles than those previously proposed. It is apparent that gross morphology is correlated with either rolling or tunnelling but does not accurately reflect evolutionary history. Results indicate that there are not two separate clades of dung beetles, the rollers and tunnellers, but that rolling behaviour has evolved several times from ancestral tunnellers. The Dichotomiini, Canthonini, and Coprini are poly- or paraphyletic, whereas each of the remaining nine tribes appear as well supported monophyletic clades (the monophyly of the Gymnopleurini was not tested). The genera traditionally included in the Dichotomiini are the oldest and most basal lineages and all other clades, including those of the Canthonini, evolved from ancestral dichotomiine lineages either directly or indirectly. New interpretations of the evolution of rolling, its possible loss, nesting and feeding behaviours, and future changes in classification are discussed. Evidence supports the origin of the Scarabaeinae before the Tertiary and subsequent vicariance of many clades via the breakup of Gondwanaland.

scholarly journals Cretaceous origin and repeated tertiary diversification of the redefined butterflies

2011 ◽  
Vol 279 (1731) ◽  
pp. 1093-1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Heikkilä ◽  
Lauri Kaila ◽  
Marko Mutanen ◽  
Carlos Peña ◽  
Niklas Wahlberg
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Bayesian Approaches ◽  
The Family ◽  
Family Level ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

Although the taxonomy of the ca 18 000 species of butterflies and skippers is well known, the family-level relationships are still debated. Here, we present, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the superfamilies Papilionoidea, Hesperioidea and Hedyloidea to date based on morphological and molecular data. We reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using parsimony and Bayesian approaches. We estimated times and rates of diversification along lineages in order to reconstruct their evolutionary history. Our results suggest that the butterflies, as traditionally understood, are paraphyletic, with Papilionidae being the sister-group to Hesperioidea, Hedyloidea and all other butterflies. Hence, the families in the current three superfamilies should be placed in a single superfamily Papilionoidea. In addition, we find that Hedylidae is sister to Hesperiidae, and this novel relationship is supported by two morphological characters. The families diverged in the Early Cretaceous but diversified after the Cretaceous–Palaeogene event. The diversification of butterflies is characterized by a slow speciation rate in the lineage leading to Baronia brevicornis , a period of stasis by the skippers after divergence and a burst of diversification in the lineages leading to Nymphalidae, Riodinidae and Lycaenidae.

Electroborus brighti: the first Hylesinini bark beetle described from Dominican amber (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

2013 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony I. Cognato
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
New World ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
South American ◽  
Dominican Amber

AbstractElectroborus brighti, new genus, new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is described based on two specimens from Dominican amber, which represents the first Hylesinini found in Dominican amber. A phylogenetic analysis of 24 Hylesinini species and a Strombophorus Hagedorn species based on morphological characters suggests E. brighti is not related to the Neotropical genus Phloeoborus Erichson, but shares a close affinity to African Hylesinini genera. The discovery of this new genus adds to the evidence that tropical South America and Africa shared similar faunas throughout evolutionary history. Although many Old World taxa have become extinct in the New World, the existence of E. brighti among Recent faunas is a possibility, given that the South American and African scolytine faunas are relatively poorly studied.

Integrative taxonomic and geographic variation analyses in Cyrtodactylus aequalis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Myanmar (Burma): one species, two different stories

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 151-179
Author(s):  
L. Lee Grismer ◽  
L. Wood Perry ◽  
Marta S. Grismer ◽  
Evan S.H. Quah ◽  
Myint Kyaw Thura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Phylogenetic Inference ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Biodiversity Crisis ◽  
Allopatric Populations ◽  
Compelling Argument ◽  
Historical Accuracy ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

The historical accuracy of building taxonomies is improved when they are based on phylogenetic inference (i.e., the resultant classifications are less apt to misrepresent evolutionary history). In fact, taxonomies inferred from statistically significant diagnostic morphological characters in the absence of phylogenetic considerations, can contain non-monophyletic lineages. This is especially true at the species level where small amounts of gene flow may not preclude the evolution of localized adaptions in different geographic areas while underpinning the paraphyletic nature of each population with respect to the other. We illustrate this point by examining genetic and morphological variation among three putatively allopatric populations of the granite-dwelling Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtodactylus aequalis from hilly regions in southeastern Myanmar. In the absence of molecular phylogenetic inference, a compelling argument for three morphologically diagnosable species could be marshaled. However, when basing the morphological analyses of geographic variation on a molecular phylogeny, there is a more compelling argument that only one species should be recognized. We are cognizant of the fact however, that when dealing with rare species or specimens for which no molecular data are possible, judicious morphological analyses are the only option—and the desired option given the current worldwide biodiversity crisis.

A Family of Genes Clustered at the Triplo-lethal Locus of Drosophila melanogaster Has an Unusual Evolutionary History and Significant Synteny With Anopheles gambiae

Genetics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas R Dorer ◽  
Jamie A Rudnick ◽  
Etsuko N Moriyama ◽  
Alan C Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Codon Bias ◽  
Good Target ◽  
The Family ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gambiae Genome

Abstract Within the unique Triplo-lethal region (Tpl) of the Drosophila melanogaster genome we have found a cluster of 20 genes encoding a novel family of proteins. This family is also present in the Anopheles gambiae genome and displays remarkable synteny and sequence conservation with the Drosophila cluster. The family is also present in the sequenced genome of D. pseudoobscura, and homologs have been found in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and in four other insect orders, but it is not present in the sequenced genome of any noninsect species. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the cluster evolved prior to the divergence of Drosophila and Anopheles (250 MYA) and has been highly conserved since. The ratio of synonymous to nonsynonymous substitutions and the high codon bias suggest that there has been selection on this family both for expression level and function. We hypothesize that this gene family is Tpl, name it the Osiris family, and consider possible functions. We also predict that this family of proteins, due to the unique dosage sensitivity and the lack of homologs in noninsect species, would be a good target for genetic engineering or novel insecticides.

A large new species of Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae) from Cerrado of Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1627 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
NATAN M. MACIEL ◽  
REUBER A. BRANDÃO ◽  
LEANDRO A. CAMPOS ◽  
ANTONIO SEBBEN
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Advertisement Call ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Morphometric Feature ◽  
Distrito Federal

A new toad, Rhinella cerradensis, is described, including its tadpole and the advertisement call. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in the Brazilian states of Piauí, Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal. The species is characterized by its large size; absence of tibial glands; well developed cranial crests; short hands; sexually dimorphic coloration; and by the absence of a spiracle tube of the tadpole. The new species is included in the Rhinella marina group by the presence of a jagged suture formed by the articulation between the pterygoid medial ramus and the parasphenoid alae, as well as other shared morphological features. Morphological characters and statistical analyses inferred by morphometric feature suggest the existence of two subgroups of species within R. marina group. However, taxonomic rearrangements are not made here and await phylogenetic analysis.

Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Hylodinae (Anura, Leptodactylidae) based on morphological characters

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisca do Val ◽  
Paulo Nuin
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Maximum Parsimony ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Family

AbstractThe systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the family Leptodactylidae are controversial as is the intrafamilial phylogeny of the leptodactylids. Here we analyze the relationships of the leptodactylid subfamily Hylodinae. This subfamily has been considered to be monophyletic and composed of three genera, Hylodes, Crossodactylus and Megaelosia. In the present study 49 characters were used, based on different studies on Leptodactylidae phylogeny. Maximum parsimony methods with unweighted and successively weighted characters were used to estimate the phylogeny of the Hylodinae. Upon analysis, the data provided further evidence of the monophyletic status of the three genera, with Megaelosia being the basal genus and the other two genera being sister taxa. The analysis with successive weighting results in a more resolved topology of the species subgroups of the genus Hylodes and separates this genus from Crossodactylus and confirms that the hylodines are monophyletic.

Revised circumscription of Nothofagus and recognition of the segregate genera Fuscospora, Lophozonia, and Trisyngyne (Nothofagaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER B. HEENAN ◽  
ROB D. SMISSEN
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
South America ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Genus ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
New Combinations ◽  
Southern South America ◽  
Dna Sequence Data

The generic taxonomy of the Nothofagaceae is revised. We present a new phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters and map these characters onto a recently published phylogenetic tree obtained from DNA sequence data. Results of these and previous analyses strongly support the monophyly of four clades of Nothofagaceae that are currently treated as subgenera of Nothofagus. The four clades of Nothofagaceae are robust and well-supported, with deep stem divergences, have evolutionary equivalence with other genera of Fagales, and can be circumscribed with morphological characters. We argue that these morphological and molecular differences are sufficient for the four clades of Nothofagaceae to be recognised at the primary rank of genus, and that this classification will be more informative and efficient than the currently circumscribed Nothofagus with four subgenera.        Nothofagus is recircumscribed to include five species from southern South America, Lophozonia and Trisyngyne are reinstated, and the new genus Fuscospora is described. Fuscospora and Lophozonia, with six and seven species respectively, occur in New Zealand, southern South America and Australia. Trisyngyne comprises 25 species from New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. New combinations are provided where necessary in each of these genera.

Entomophilic nematodes, Diploscapter coronatus and Oscheius tipulae from Afghanistan

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4926 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-416
Author(s):  
MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN FALAHZADAH ◽  
EBRAHIM SHOKOOHI ◽  
GHOLAM HOSSEIN MORAVEJ ◽  
PHATU WILLIAM MASHELA ◽  
ABDUL KHALID MADADI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Genetic Distance ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
The Body ◽  
Morphometric Data ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
The Relationship

Several soil samples from different habitats in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan were collected to isolate and characterize bacteria feeding nematodes. The Galleria mellonella-baiting method was used for the isolation of the Afghan insect-associated nematodes. The nematodes were studied using morphological and morphometric data. The Oscheius specimen was characterized by a longer body (630–820 µm) and shorter pharynx (125–145 µm), whereas other morphological characters were not unusual. The Diploscapter specimen had an annulated cuticle, with lip region width 1.5 times shorter than the stoma, and had separated pharyngeal corpus from the isthmus and vulva located in the middle of the body. The molecular data were derived using three loci; 18S, 28S (D2/D3 segment), and ITS rRNA region, which were utilized to measure the genetic distance. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted to reconstruct the relationship tree. Both morphological and molecular approaches confirmed the identity of nematode isolates as Oscheius tipulae and Diploscapter coronatus. This is the first report of insect-associated nematodes from the soil of Afghanistan. Both species were capable of infecting and killing G. mellonella larvae in less than 96 h. 

Reevaluation of the systematic position of some southern Brazilian Discocyrtus (Gonyleptidae:Roeweriinae), with the reinstatement of Bunopachylus

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael N. Carvalho ◽  
Adriano B. Kury ◽  
Marcos R. Hara
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Maximum Parsimony ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Systematic Position ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

During a study of Discocyrtus Holmberg, 1878 and related genera, several species of alleged Pachylinae, mostly Discocyrtus, from southern Brazil were suspected of belonging in Roeweriinae. Herein, a maximum parsimony phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters was performed to test this hypothesis. Accordingly, the following taxonomic changes are herein proposed: the genus Bunopachylus Roewer, 1943 (currently in Pachylinae) is herein revalidated from synonymy with Discocyrtus, transferred to the Roeweriinae and now includes three species: B. armatissimus comb. nov. (for Discocyrtus armatissimus Roewer, 1913), B. orientalis comb. nov. (for Pachyloides orientalis Roewer, 1913) and B. occultus sp. nov. (which had been misidentified in the literature). A total of five new synonymies are proposed here: Discocyrtus milloti Roewer, 1943 = Discocyrtus coronatus Mello-Leitão, 1935 = Paradiscocyrtus trochanteralis Roewer, 1929 = Discocyrtus calcarifer Roewer, 1917 = Pachyloides orientalis Roewer, 1913, and Bunopachylus magnicalcar Roewer, 1943 (the type-species of Bunopachylus) = Discocyrtus armatissimus Roewer, 1913.

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