Revision of the Australian ants of the genus Monomorium (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. Heterick
Keyword(s):  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sister Taxon ◽  
South American ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Species Inquirenda ◽  
Species Groups

The Australian ants of the genus Monomorium are revised. Fifty-nine species are recognised. Of these, 41 are described as new: Monomorium aithoderum, M. albipes, M. anderseni, M. anthracinum, M. arenarium, M. bifidum, M. bihamatum, M. brachythrix, M. burchera, M. capito, M. carinatum, M. castaneum, M. crinitum, M. decuria, M. disetigerum, M. draculai, M. durokoppinense, M. elegantulum, M. eremophilum, M. euryodon, M. flavonigrum, M. lacunosum, M. legulus, M. longinode, M. macarthuri, M. majeri, M. megalops, M. micula, M. nanum, M. nightcapense, M. nigriceps, M. parantarcticum, M. petiolatum, M. pubescens, M. ravenshoense, M. rufonigrum, M. shattucki, M. silaceum, M. stictonotum, M. striatifrons, and M. xantheklemma. Thirteen species pass into synonymy: M. armstrongi with M. whitei, M. broomense and M. ilia with M. laeve, M. donisthorpeiand M. fraterculus with M. fieldi, M. flavipes and M. insularis with M. leae, M. foreli with M. sordidum, M. howense with M. tambourinense, M. macareaveyi with M. bicorne, M. sanguinolentum with M. rubriceps, M. subapterum with M. rothsteini, and M. turneri withM. gilberti. Sixteen infraspecific forms are also synonymised: M. kilianii obscurelluminto M. kilianii, M. laeve nigriusand M. laeve fraterculus into M. fieldi, M. ilia lamingtonensisinto M. laeve, M. rothsteini humilior, M. rothsteini leda, M. rothsteini doddi and M. subapterum bogischi into M. rothsteini, M. rothsteini squamigena, M. rothsteini tostum and M. sordidum nigriventris into M. sordidum, M. fraterculus barretti and M. sydneyense nigella into M. sydneyense, M. gilberti mediorubra into M. gilberti, and M. rubriceps cinctumand M. rubriceps rubrum into M. rubriceps. Seventeen species and one subspecies are unchanged. Monomorium kiliani reverts to M. kilianii, M. kilianii tambourinenseis raised to species status, M. occidaneus is here treated as a species inquirenda, and M. flavigaster is removed from the genus Monomorium. Since the generic status of the latter taxon is uncertain, M. flavigaster is here regarded as incertae sedis. The supposedly extralimitalMonomorium talpa is synonymised under Monomorium australicum. At a higher taxonomic level the South American genus Antichthonidris is synonymised under Monomorium. Seven species-groups are proposed for the Australian fauna, (the bicorne-, falcatum-, insolescens-, kilianii-, longinode-, monomorium-, and rubriceps-groups). A cladistic analysis was undertaken of species for which all castes were examined (identifiable males and/or queens were lacking for all members of the falcatum-, insolescens- and longinode-groups). In all, fifteen species of Australian Monomorium were examined (M. bicorne, M. whitei, M. striatifrons and M. rufonigrum from the bicorne-group, M. crinitumand M. kilianii from the kilianii-group, M. fieldi, M. laeve, M. rothsteini, M. sordidum and M. sydneyense from the monomorium-group, and M. centrale, M. leae, M. euryodon and M. rubriceps from the rubriceps-group), together with Monomorium antarcticum(from New Zealand) and the Neotropical Antichthonidris denticulatus. The taxon used for the outgroup was the Neotropical ant Megalomyrmex modestus. Using the PAUP program, 37 characters for worker, queen and male castes were analysed. The clade incorporating the tiny generalists (M. fieldi, M. laeve, M. sordidum, and M. sydneyense), together with M. rothsteini, was found to be the clade most strongly supported as a monophyletic grouping. In this analysis M. euryodon was the sister taxon to the above clade. These ants were shown on this analysis to share a common ancestor with the other members of the rubriceps-group, with M. antarcticum and A. denticulatus, and with thekilianii-group. The relationships between these latter four sets of species were left unresolved, except that M. crinitum was shown to be the sister taxon to M. kilianii. The large, arid zone species in thebicorne-group were also shown as ancestral to the other Australian Monomorium. A key is provided to enable researchers to identify the workers of all Australian Monomorium, as well as extralimital species established in Australia.

EREMAEIDAE (ACARI: ORIBATIDA) OF NORTH AMERICA

1993 ◽  
Vol 125 (S168) ◽  
pp. 1-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Behan-Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
North American Species ◽  
Sister Taxon ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe oribatid family Eremaeidae is represented in North America by two genera, Eremaeus and Eueremaeus, both widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. In North America species in both genera are found in moist to arid habitats from New Mexico to the High Arctic. Reproduction is sexual, and both immatures and adults feed mainly on fungi.Revised diagnoses are presented for the Eremaeidae and genera Eremaeus and Eueremaeus. Eighteen species of Eremaeus, of which 14 are newly proposed, and 24 species of Eueremaeus, of which 15 are newly proposed, are recognized. Identification keys are provided for the world genera of Eremaeidae, and for adults of Eremaeus and Eueremaeus of North America. All but one North American species of these genera are described, and their geographical distributions mapped.North American Eremaeus species include E. appalachicus sp. no v., E. boreomontanus sp. nov., E. brevitarsus (Ewing), E. californiensis sp. nov., E. gracilis sp. nov., E. grandis Hammer, E. kananaskis sp. nov., E. kevani sp. nov., E. megistos sp. nov., E. monticolus sp. nov., E. nortoni sp. nov., E. occidentalis sp. nov., E. oresbios sp. nov., E. plumosus Woolley, E. porosus sp. nov., E. salish sp. nov., E. translamellatus Hammer, and E. walteri sp. nov. The immatures of four of these, E. kananaskis, E. occidentalis, E. oresbios, and E. translamellatus, are described.North American Eueremaeus include Eu. acostulatus sp. nov., Eu. aridulus sp. nov., Eu. columbianus (Berlese), Eu. foveolatus (Hammer), Eu. marshalli sp. nov., Eu. masinasin sp. nov., Eu. michaeli sp. nov., Eu. nahani sp. nov., Eu. nemoralis sp. nov., Eu. proximus (Berlese) comb, nov., Eu. woolleyi (Higgins) comb, nov., Eu. yukonensis sp. nov., and three informal species groups with the following included species in North America: (1) Eu. trionus group—Eu. trionus (Higgins) comb, nov., (2) Eu. stiktos group—Eu. carinatus sp. nov., Eu. higginsi sp. nov., Eu. stiktos (Higgins) comb, nov., Eu. tetrosus (Higgins) comb, nov., (3) Eu. chiatous group—Eu. alvordensis sp. nov., Eu. aysineep sp. nov., Eu. chiatous (Higgins) comb, nov., Eu. danos sp. nov., Eu. lindquisti sp. nov., Eu. magniporosus (Wallwork) comb, nov., and Eu. osoyoosensis sp. nov. The immatures of nine of these, Eu. masinasin, Eu. nahani, Eu. carinatus, Eu. higginsi, Eu. columbianus, Eu. proximus, Eu. woolleyi, Eu. stiktos, and Eu. tetrosus, are described. Kartoeremaeus reevesi Higgins and Eremaeus politus Banks are considered junior subjective synonyms of Eueremaeus columbianus (Berlese).A cladistic analysis of the genera comprising Eremaeidae: Eremaeus, Tricheremaeus, Eueremaeus (and included species groups), Proteremaeus, Carinabella, and Asperemaeus, indicates that Eremaeus is the sister taxon of Carinabella, and that Eueremaeus is the sister taxon of Proteremaeus. Tricheremaeus is the sister taxon of Eremaeus + Carinabella, and Asperemaeus is the sister taxon of Eueremaeus + Proteremaeus. The relationship of the Eremaeidae to the Megeremaeidae and Zetorchestidae is presented. Finally, I discuss the ecology and distribution of North American species of Eremaeidae.

scholarly journals The ant genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Malagasy region—taxonomy of the T. bessonii, T. bonibony, T. dysalum, T. marginatum, T. tsingy, and T. weitzeckeri species groups

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3365 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCISCO HITA GARCIA ◽  
BRIAN L. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Species Level ◽  
The Other ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Species Status ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Species ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Level Identification

The taxonomy of the T. bessonii, T. bonibony, T. dysalum, T. marginatum, T. tsingy, and T. weitzeckeri species groups isrevised. A total of 33 species is treated, of which 27 are newly described and one is raised to species status. The T.weitzeckeri group contains the single species T. humbloti Forel, which is of Afrotropical origin and the only representativeof the group in the Malagasy region. The species T. bessonii Forel, T. dysalum Bolton, T. marginatum Forel, and T. stein-heili Forel, which were originally members of the T. weitzeckeri group, are now placed in other groups. Tetramorium bes-sonii is the core species of the T. bessonii group, which also contains the four newly described species T. artemis sp. n., T.malagasy sp. n., T. ryanphelanae sp. n., T. wardi sp. n., and T. orientale Forel stat. n., which was a junior synonym of T.bessonii but is now raised to species rank. The T. dysalum group is a moderately-sized group with ten species, of whichonly T. dysalum and T. steinheili were previously known; the other eight species are all newly described. The newly described species in this group are: T. ambatovy sp. n., T. macki sp. n., T. mallenseana sp. n., T. orc sp. n., T. robitika sp. n.,T. sargina sp. n., T. yammer sp. n., and T. vohitra sp. n. A lectotype and several paralectotypes of T. steinheili are desig-nated. Tetramorium marginatum is the central species of the T. marginatum group, which also includes the five newly de-scribed species T. valky sp. n., T. hector sp. n., T. norvigi sp. n., T. shamshir sp. n., and T. silvicola sp. n. The T. bonibonyand T. tsingy groups represent completely new groups that consist entirely of previously unknown, undescribed species.The first group holds the new species T. bonibony sp. n., T. kali sp. n., T. sada sp. n., T. nosybe sp. n., T. olana sp. n., T.popell sp. n., and T. trafo sp. n. and T. vony sp. n. The last group, the T. tsingy group, only contains the two species T. tyrionsp. n. and T. tsingy sp. n., both among the rarest Tetramorium species in Madagascar. All groups are fully revised withillustrated species-level identification keys, and all species are described/re-described and illustrated with high qualitymontage images. In addition, the current status of the Malagasy Tetramorium species groups is discussed and further modifications are proposed.

New information on the eggshell of ratites (Aves) and its phylogenetic implications

2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 962-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darla K Zelenitsky ◽  
Sean P Modesto
Keyword(s):  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Data Matrix ◽  
Sister Taxon ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
New Information ◽  
Phylogenetic Implications ◽  
Skeletal Analysis ◽  
Large Living

A reappraisal of the eggshell of ratites clarifies aspects of its microstructure and ultrastructure. The phylogenetic usefulness of the eggshell data, consisting of discrete characters, is assessed using eggshell characters alone and by adding the eggshell characters to a data matrix from the literature based on skeletal characters. The resultant tree from the eggshell data alone yields Apteryx as the most basal ratite, dinornithids as the sister taxon of a clade of large living ratites, with Casuarius and Dromaius in a sister-group relationship. The combined eggshell and skeletal analysis revealed most groupings within Ratitae that were based on previous cladistic analysis of the skeletal characters alone, but also supports two equally parsimonious topologies: one identifies Dinornithidae and Apteryx as a clade at the base of Ratitae, and the other identifies Apteryx as the sister taxon of a clade consisting of all the other ratites. It is determined that the characteristics used to define the improperly named "ratite morphotype" in the current eggshell parataxonomy are not synapomorphies of the eggshell of Ratitae. An expanded cladistic analysis of the eggshells of avian and non-avian theropods is required to determine the phylogenetic usefulness of the characteristics of the ratite morphotype.

Phylogenetic relationships in the lizard genus Diplodactylus Gray and resurrection of Lucasium Wermuth (Gekkota, Diplodactylidae)

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Oliver ◽  
Mark N. Hutchinson ◽  
Steven J. B. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sister Group Relationship ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
Species Groups

Diplodactylid geckos offer a model system for investigating the biogeographic history of Australia and adaptive radiations in the arid zone, but there is considerable uncertainty in the systematics of several key genera. We used sequence data from mitochondrial DNA to carry out a comprehensive analysis of phylogenetic relationships of geckos in the genus Diplodactylus. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were highly concordant and allocated all species to one of two monophyletic clades, one comprising the species placed in the vittatus and conspicillatus species groups, the other comprising species placed in the stenodactylus and steindachneri species groups, plus D. byrnei, formerly in the vittatus group. The distinctness of these two clades is supported by external morphology of the digits, body and limb proportions, and osteology of the bones in the orbital region, and we use these characters to formally define the two clades as genera. We revive and expand the genus Lucasium for D. byrnei, D. steindachneri and the stenodactylus group, with the other species staying in a redefined Diplodactylus. The monotypic Rhynchoedura is distinct from Lucasium, although the Bayesian mtDNA analysis (but not parsimony) gives some support for a sister-group relationship between Lucasium and Rhynchoedura. Molecular data suggest that each of these clades represents a distinct radiation into semiarid and arid terrestrial habitats during the mid-Tertiary, well before the hypothesised Pliocene onset of major aridification.

scholarly journals Cladistic analysis of Zethus Fabricius, 1804 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae): a new subgeneric classification

2021 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 253-283
Author(s):  
Rogério Botion Lopes ◽  
James M. Carpenter ◽  
Fernando Barbosa Noll
Keyword(s):  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
External Morphology ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Phylogenetic Incongruence ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Species Groups

Zethus is the largest genus in Vespidae with over 270 species. It is currently divided into four subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Zethoides), Z. (Zethusculus) and Z. (Madecazethus). While the last three are restricted to certain biogeographic areas, the first is spread through western and eastern hemispheres. Studies have shown possible phylogenetic incongruence regarding this current division and even raised the possibility of paraphyly in the genus. To evaluate this classification, morphological pasimony analyses under implied weights was carried out, examining external morphology and male genitalia. Analyses showed paraphyly of the genus under various “k” values and paraphyly of two subgenera. Ischnocoelia and Ctenochilus are lowered to subgenera of Zethus. Zethus (Madecazethus) is no longer restricted to Malagasy species and now includes those of the African continent as well. Zethus (Zethastrum)subg. nov. is defined for Oriental representatives. Z. (Zethus) is subdivided into three subgenera: Z. (Zethus), Z. (Didymogastra) and Z. (Wettsteinia). Zethus (Zethusculus) and Z. (Zethoides) are monophyletic and hold their status as subgenera. Three species-groups are Incertae sedis: Z. albopictus, Z. pallidus and Z. spinosus.

A REVIEW OF THE SPIDER GENUS PHILODROMUS IN THE AMERICAS (ARANEIDA: PHILODROMIDAE)

1976 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Dondale ◽  
J. H. Redner
Keyword(s):  
Junior Synonym ◽  
South American ◽  
The South ◽  
Species Status ◽  
South American Species ◽  
Species Groups

AbstractPhilodromus Walckenaer 1826 and its seven component species groups in the Americas are defined and diagnosed. The 12 species of the aureolus group are keyed, diagnosed, and mapped. P. obscurus Blackwail, 1871 is placed in synonymy under P. cespitum (Walckenaer, 1802). P. lutulentus Gertsch, 1934 is raised to species status from synonymy under P. laticeps Keyserling, 1880, and P. eremus Buckle, 1973 is placed in synonymy under P. lutulentus. P. agreutes Schick, 1965 is placed in synonymy under P. californicus Keyserling, 1884, and P. decolor O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1899 under P. satullus Keyserling, 1880. The South American species P. fuliginosus Nicolet in Gay, 1849, P. junior Nicolet in Gay, 1849, and P. meridionalis Keyserling, 1891 are removed to the genus Petrichus, and P. setosus Petrunkevitch, 1929 is removed to the genus Thanatus, where it becomes a junior synonym of T. vulgaris Simon, 1870.

A systematic revision of Goniosomatinae (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae), with a cladistic analysis and biogeographical notes

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcio Bernardino DaSilva ◽  
Pedro Gnaspini
Keyword(s):  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Systematic Revision ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Species Inquirenda ◽  
Evolutionary Studies ◽  
Southern Bahia ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

Goniosomatine harvestmen have strongly armed pedipalps, generally large bodies and, commonly, very long legs (sometimes more than 20 cm), and are distributed in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, from southern Bahia to Santa Catarina. Since they are conspicuous animals and individuals of some species tend to concentrate in caves (and also under rock boulders), they have been (and still are) the target of several studies, especially those focusing on reproductive and defensive behavior, population ecology, physiology, chromosomes, etc. In spite of their importance for biological studies (some species constitute important and frequently used models for these studies), the taxonomy of Goniosomatinae has faced some problems, including misidentification, a large number of undescribed species and the lack of a phylogenetic hypothesis for the relationships among its species (which would allow evolutionary studies to be made). The last taxonomic changes in the subfamily were made 60 years ago. Considering a taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of the subfamily to be of paramount importance, the main scope of the present paper is to provide a cladistic analysis and taxonomic revision of the species of Goniosomatinae and a new arrangement of genera (and species). The main taxonomic changes are given as follows. Six genera are recognised within the subfamily: Goniosoma; the newly described genus Pyatan; the reestablished genera Serracutisoma, Heteromitobates and Mitogoniella; and Acutisoma. New generic synonyms include: Glyptogoniosoma = Goniosomella = Lyogoniosoma = Metalyogoniosoma = Xulapona = Goniosoma, Acutisomelloides = Pygosomoides = Spelaeosoma = Serracutisoma; and Acutisomella = Heteromitobates. Newly described species include: Goniosoma capixaba; G. apoain; Pyatan insperatum DaSilva, Stefanini-Jim & Gnaspini; Serracutisoma pseudovarium; S. fritzmuelleri; S. guaricana; Heteromitobates anarchus; H. harlequin; H. alienus; Mitogoniella taquara; M. unicornis; and Acutisoma coriaceum. New combinations include: Goniosoma macracanthum (Mello-Leitão, 1922); G. unicolor (Mello-Leitão, 1932); G. carum (Mello-Leitão, 1936); Serracutisoma proximum (Mello-Leitão, 1922); S. banhadoae (Soares & Soares, 1947); S. molle (Mello-Leitão, 1933); S. thalassinum (Simon, 1879); S. catarina (Machado, Pinto-da-Rocha & Ramires, 2002); S. inerme (Mello-Leitão, 1927); S. spelaeum (Mello-Leitão, 1933); Heteromitobates inscriptus (Mello-Leitão, 1922); H. albiscriptus (Mello-Leitão, 1932); Mitogoniella modesta (Perty, 1833); and M. badia (Koch, 1839). Reestablished combinations include: Mitogoniella indistincta Mello-Leitão, 1936 and Acutisoma longipes Roewer, 1913. New specific synonyms include: Acutisomella cryptoleuca = Acutisomella intermedia = Goniosoma junceum = Goniosoma patruele = Goniosoma xanthophthalmum = Metalyogoniosoma unum = Goniosoma varium, Goniosoma geniculatum = Goniosoma venustum; Goniosomella perlata = Progoniosoma minense = Goniosoma vatrax, Glyptogoniosoma perditum = Progoniosoma cruciferum = Progoniosoma tijuca = Goniosoma dentipes; Leitaoius iguapensis = Leitaoius viridifrons = Serracutisoma proximum; Acutisoma marumbicola = Acutisoma patens = Serracutisoma thalassinum; Progoniosoma tetrasetae = Serracutisoma inerme; and Acutisoma monticola = Leitaoius nitidissimus = Leitaoius xanthomus = Mitogoniella mutila = Acutisoma longipes. The following species are considered species inquirenda: Goniosoma lepidum Gervais, 1844; G. monacanthum Gervais, 1844; G. obscurum Perty, 1833; G. versicolor Perty, 1833; and Mitogoniella badia (Koch, 1839). The monotypic genus Goniosomoides Mello-Leitão, 1932 (and its species, G. viridans Mello-Leitão, 1932) is removed from Goniosomatinae and considered incertae sedis.

Notes on South American Carex section Schiedeanae and description of the new species Carex roalsoniana

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 260 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
PEDRO JIMÉNEZ-MEJÍAS ◽  
MARCIAL ESCUDERO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
The Other ◽  
South American ◽  
South American Species ◽  
Southern South America ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Incertae Sedis ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern South America

The new species Carex roalsoniana (Cyperaceae) from Ecuador and Peru (northern South America) is here described and illustrated. It is related to C. subandrogyna, a species that has been placed in section Schiedeanae. An additional incertae sedis species, Carex lepida from Ecuador, may also be related to them. Section Schiedanae is a morphologically well-defined group previously known from southern North America (southern USA and Mexico), and southern South America (northern Argentina and southern Bolivia). The new species presents very clear-cut characters that distinguish it from all the other members of the section. Specifically, C. roalsoniana and C. subandrogyna differ in utricle morphology (3.6–4.1 mm long, with a beak 0.5–1.2 mm in C. roalsoniana vs. 2.4–2.9 mm long, with a beak up to 0.3 mm long or beakless in C. subandrogyna) and leaves (up to 3–4 mm wide, stiff, in C. roalsoniana vs. up to 5.6–7.5 mm wide, very soft in C. subandrogyna). Carex lepida is easily distinguished from C. roalsoniana and C. subandrogyna because its habit (rhizomes elongated vs. rhizomes densely caespitose) and number of stigmas (two vs. three). The glabrous nerveless utricles of the three South American species distinguish them from the North American species of the section, which have scabrid to hispidulous, conspicuously nerved utricles. The formal ascription of C. lepida among the South American members of section Schiedeanae is also discussed. A brief key to distinguish C. lepida and C. roalsoniana from the other species of the section and the co-occurring species is provided.

Revision of the Mecodema curvidens species group (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Broscini)

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2829 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID S. SELDON ◽  
RICHARD A. B. LESCHEN
Keyword(s):  
East Coast ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Species Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Data Matrix ◽  
The North ◽  
Apical Plate ◽  
Apical Lobe ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
New Synonymy

The flightless carabid genus Mecodema Blanchard 1843 is restricted to New Zealand and presently contains 64 species. In this study, we examine species in the newly constituted curvidens group (sulcatum and curvidens are synonymised), reducing the Mecodema species groups to seven. They share two synapomorphies (rounded apical lobe of the aedeagus and lack of microsculpture on the vertex of the head) and are distributed in Northland, south along the east coast of the North Island and the northeast portion of the South Island. Adult specimens of the curvidens and sulcatum groups, along with exemplars of the other Mecodema groups (alternans, costellum, ducale, infimate, laterale and spiniferum), and an outgroup Oregus Putzeys 1868 were examined for cladistic analysis using a data matrix composed of a 63 characters and 21 terminal taxa. The analysis resulted in 18 most parsimonious trees. The following new species in the curvidens group are described: M. aoteanoho sp. n., M. haunoho sp. n., M. manaia sp. n., M. parataiko sp. n., M. ponaiti sp. n., and M. tenaki sp. n. Mecodema exitiosus was wrongly sysnonymised under M. occiputale and we propose a new synonymy M. curvidens (=M. exitiosus). We consider the parts of the male genitalia in detail with special attention to the structures of apical plate once everted from the endophallus.

Revision and cladistic analysis of the Afrotropical endemic genus Smeringopus Simon, 1890 (Araneae: Pholcidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3461 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
BERNHARD A. HUBER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Sister Taxon ◽  
Endemic Genus ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Geographic Distributions

The genus Smeringopus Simon, 1890 is revised, with redescriptions of most previously known species and descriptionsof 36 new species. With now 55 species, Smeringopus becomes the most species-rich pholcid genus in Africa.Smeringopus is largely restricted to central, southern, and eastern Africa, where it includes some of the largest and mostconspicuous pholcid spiders in the region. A first cladistic analysis of Smeringopus, including outgroup representatives ofall other genera of Smeringopinae, strongly suggests that the central and western African Smeringopina Kraus, 1957 isthe sister taxon of Smeringopus. Smeringopus is here divided into twelve operational species groups, most of which arecharacterized by putative synapomorphies and by specific geographic distributions. Three species are newly synonymizedwith S. pallidus (Blackwall, 1858): S. excavatus (Simon, 1877); S. pholcicus Strand, 1907; and S. buehleri Schenkel, 1944.Smeringopus madagascariensis Millot, 1946 is newly synonymized with S. carli Lessert, 1915. Crossoprizacylindrogaster Simon, 1907 is transferred to Smeringopus. The following new species are described: S. badplaas; S. blyde;S. bujongolo; S. butare; S. bwindi; S. chibububo; S. chogoria; S. dehoop; S. dundo; S. florisbad; S. hanglip; S. harare; S.isangi; S. kalomo; S. katanga; S. koppies; S. lotzi; S. lubondai; S. luki; S. lydenberg; S. mayombe; S. mgahinga; S. mlilwane;S. moxico; S. mpanga; S. ndumo; S. ngangao; S. oromia; S. principe; S. ruhiza; S. saruanle; S. sederberg; S. tombua; S. turkana; S. ubicki; S. uisib.

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