The endemic New Guinean genus Murexia (Dasyuromorphia : Dasyuridae). How many species? An analysis based on morphological, distributional and molecular data

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Woolley ◽  
Carey Krajewski ◽  
Michael Westerman
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
External Appearance ◽  
Multiple Exemplars ◽  
Species Groups

Five species are currently recognised in the dasyurid genus Murexia, i.e. longicaudata, naso, habbema, melanurus and rothschildi. Morphological data, including spacing of premolar teeth, the footpads and aspects of external appearance, together with nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences from multiple exemplars from across the range of each species, suggest that at least three of these represent species groups rather than individual species. Some of the taxa currently synonymised in the five species may warrant reinstatement, including M. murex, M. aspera, M. maxima in the ‘M. longicaudata’ group, M. tafa in the ‘M. naso’ group and M. wilhelmina in the ‘M. melanurus’ group. Our data also suggest the presence of other, synonymised or undescribed taxa within the ‘longicaudata’, ‘naso’, ‘melanurus’ and ‘habbema’ species groups whose species boundaries require clarification by further collections and study.

Phylogenetic relationships and classification of the Malagasy pseudoxyrhophiine snake genera Geodipsas and Compsophis based on morphological and molecular data

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1517 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANK GLAW ◽  
ZOLTÁN T. NAGY ◽  
MIGUEL VENCES
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Original Description ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

Based on a specimen found at Montagne d'Ambre in northern Madagascar morphologically agreeing with Compsophis albiventris Mocquard, 1894, we report on the rediscovery of this enigmatic snake genus and species and its molecular phylogenetic relationships. Compsophis albiventris, considered to be the only representative of its genus and unreported since its original description, bears strong morphological similarities to species of Geodipsas Boulenger, 1896. A molecular phylogeny based on DNA sequences of three mitochondrial and nuclear genes (complete cytochrome b, fragments of 16S rRNA and c-mos) in Compsophis albiventris and three Geodipsas species corroborated close relationships between C. albiventris and Geodipsas boulengeri, and showed that the genera Compsophis and Geodipsas together form a monophyletic unit. Despite the general similarities, morphological data and chromatic features support the existence of two species groups, corresponding to Compsophis and Geodipsas. We consequently consider Geodipsas as a subgenus of Compsophis and transfer all species currently in Geodipsas into the genus Compsophis.

Genes, morphology and agreement: congruence in Australian anthracine bee flies (Diptera : Bombyliidae : Anthracinae)

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine L. Lambkin ◽  
David K. Yeates
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Morphological Analysis ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Simultaneous Analysis ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
The World ◽  
Species Groups

Almost half of the 4547 described bee flies (Bombyliidae : Diptera) in the world belong to the subfamily Anthracinae, with most of the world's diversity in three cosmopolitan tribes: Villini, Anthracini and Exoprosopini. Molecular data from 815 base pairs of 16S mitochondrial DNA and morphological characters from species-groups of these tribes in Australia were analysed cladistically. The results show that the relationships between the anthracine tribes reflect those found in a previous morphological analysis. The genera of the Anthracinae in Australia are monophyletic, except for Ligyra Newman, and are assigned to tribes. Although simultaneous analysis of the combined molecular and morphological data produced clades found in both separate analyses, the different data sources are significantly incongruent. We use phylogenetic measures to examine support for the relationships among the Australian Anthracinae inferred by the molecular and morphological data.

Phylogenetic framework for Dioryctria (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) based on combined analysis of mitochondrial DNA and morphology

2005 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 685-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanli Du ◽  
Amanda D. Roe ◽  
Felix A.H. Sperling
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Combined Analysis ◽  
Mitochondrial Coi ◽  
The North ◽  
Phylogenetic Framework ◽  
Species Groups

AbstractConeworms of the genus Dioryctria Zeller are important lepidopterous pests of conifer cones throughout the Holarctic region. Seventy-nine Dioryctria species are currently recognized and arranged into 11 species groups, but a globally unified classification of these species groups has not been attained. We surveyed 14 Dioryctria species belonging to 7 species groups recognized as being taxonomically problematic. Mitochondrial DNA sequences and morphological characters were used to resolve relationships among and within species groups and species. Sequences were obtained for 2.3 kb of the mitochondrial COI + COII genes and related to 52 morphological characters. Parsimony analyses of separate and combined data showed that (i) the five included Chinese species (D. abietella (Denis and Schiffermüller), D. rubella Hampson, D. nr. rubella, D. magnifica Munroe, and D. yiai Mutuura and Munroe) were distinct from the North American taxa, and their relationships were interspersed among Nearctic and European species; (ii) three of the four species groups represented by more than one species formed robust, well-supported clades (abietella group, sylvestrella group, and zimmermani group) for both mtDNA sequences and morphology; (iii) mtDNA and morphology gave conflicting interspecific and intergroup relationships for the auranticella, schuetzeella, ponderosae, and baumhoferi groups; (iv) all eight species for which more than one specimen was sampled were characterized by discrete clusters of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, and mtDNA divergences among species in the same species group were generally less than those among species in different species groups; and (v) combining mtDNA data with morphological data increased support for most nodes in the phylogeny, with morphological characters providing support for species groups and mtDNA being essential for distinguishing species within species groups. This study demonstrates the value of a combined analysis of both mtDNA and morphological characters and establishes a phylogenetic framework for broader and more comprehensive studies of Dioryctria species.

The evolutionary history and molecular systematics of the Musteloidea

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus-Peter Koepfli ◽  
Jerry W. Dragoo ◽  
Xiaoming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Taxonomic History ◽  
History Of ◽  
A New Species

This chapter provides a review of the evolutionary and taxonomic history of the Musteloidea, which is the most species-rich superfamily of the Carnivora, containing approximately 30% of the extant species in the order. An up-to-date summary of knowledge on the evolutionary and taxonomic history and phylogenetic relationships of the Mephitidae, Ailuridae, Procyonidae and Mustelidae is provided. Multilocus DNA sequences have made a large impact on the understanding of phylogenetic relationships among the Musteloidea. Molecular data have revealed distinct families (Ailuridae and Mephitidae) within the Musteloidea and have illuminated new relationships based on tempo and patterns of evolution within the Procyonidae. Morphological data in conjunction with molecular data have been used to elucidate species boundaries within certain musteloid genera and have led to the discovery of a new species. Research studies published during the last 30 years have enriched and transformed our understanding of the evolution of musteloid biodiversity.

Male identification, generic classification and sexual dimorphism of Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018) comb. nov. (Coleoptera: Lycidae: Calochrominae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4657 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAL MOTYKA
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Large Specimen ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Almost All ◽  
First Time

Almost all net-winged beetles are members of Müllerian complexes and their similarity due to phenotypic coevolution sometimes complicates species identification and generic placement. Therefore, large specimen series, detailed exhaustive examination of morphological characters and molecular data are needed to clarify the taxonomic placement. Using mitochondrial DNA sequences, I investigated the sexual dimorphism and generic placement of the recently described species Calochromus pardus Kazantsev, 2018. I found that the species does not belong in Calochromus Guérin-Méneville, 1833 and all morphological characters and molecular analyses point to its placement in Micronychus Motschulsky, 1861. Therefore, Micronychus pardus (Kazantsev, 2018), comb. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the male is described here for the first time showing the sexual dimorphism in the species. Unlike the females, the males do not superficially resemble members of Xylobanus Waterhouse, 1879 with bright coloured elytral costae and black background, but mimics the sympatrically occurring yellow and black lycids in the genus Cautires Waterhouse, 1879. 

scholarly journals The phylogenetic conundrum of Lutzia (Diptera: Culicidae: Culicini): a cautionary account of conflict and support

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian J. Kitching ◽  
C. Lorna Culverwell ◽  
Ralph E. Harbach
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Generic Status ◽  
Strong Signal ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Data Support

Lutzia Theobald was reduced to a subgenus of Culex in 1932 and was treated as such until it was restored to its original generic status in 2003, based mainly on modifications of the larvae for predation. Previous phylogenetic studies based on morphological and molecular data have provided conflicting support for the generic status of Lutzia: analyses of morphological data support the generic status whereas analyses based on DNA sequences do not. Our previous phylogenetic analyses of Culicini (based on 169 morphological characters and 86 species representing the four genera and 26 subgenera of Culicini, most informal group taxa of subgenus Culex and five outgroup species from other tribes) seemed to indicate a conflict between adult and larval morphological data. Hence, we conducted a series of comparative and data exclusion analyses to determine whether the alternative positions of Lutzia are due to conflicting signal or to a lack of strong signal. We found that separate and combined analyses of adult and larval data support different patterns of relationships between Lutzia and other Culicini. However, the majority of conflicting clades are poorly supported and once these are removed from consideration, most of the topological disparity disappears, along with much of the resolution, suggesting that morphology alone does not have sufficiently strong signal to resolve the position of Lutzia. We critically examine the results of other phylogenetic studies of culicinine relationships and conclude that no morphological or molecular data set analysed in any study conducted to date has adequate signal to place Lutzia unequivocally with regard to other taxa in Culicini. Phylogenetic relationships observed thus far suggest that Lutzia is placed within Culex but further data and extended taxon sampling are required to confirm its position relative to Culex.

Phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical Pristimantis leptolophus species group (Anura: Craugastoridae): molecular approach and description of a new polymorphic species 

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4242 (2) ◽  
pp. 313
Author(s):  
MAURICIO RIVERA-CORREA ◽  
CARLOS JIMÉNEZ-RIVILLAS ◽  
JUAN M. DAZA
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phylogenetic Reconstruction ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Polymorphic Species ◽  
Species Groups

Pristimantis, distributed throughout the New World tropics, is the most speciose vertebrate genus. Pristimantis presents an enormous morphological diversity and is currently divided into several demonstrably non-monophyletic phenetic species groups. With the purpose of increasing our understanding of Pristimantis systematics, we present the first phylogenetic analysis using molecular evidence to test the monophyly and infer evolutionary relationships within the Pristimantis leptolophus group, an endemic group of frogs from the highlands of the Colombian Andes. Our phylogenetic reconstruction recovers the group as monophyletic with high support, indicating general concordance between molecular data and morphological data. In addition, we describe a new polymorphic species lacking conspicuous tubercles, a regular attribute among species of the P. leptolophus species group and endemic from the Páramo de Sonsón complex (Antioquia, Colombia). The phylogenetic position of the new species is inferred and other systematic implications in the light of our results are discussed. 

Phylogeny and mtDNA phylogeography of two widespread European pond skater species (Hemiptera-Heteroptera: Gerridae: Gerris Fabricius)

2006 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Damgaard
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Dna Sequence Data ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Species Groups

AbstractThis study addresses the phylogenetic relationships within and between two widespread Palaearctic pond skater species, Gerris costae and G. thoracicus, by including new DNA sequence data from the Central Asian G. sahlbergi, traditionally assigned as a close relative of G. costae. The results support the assignment of G. costae and G. thoracicus to two individual species groups that are not closely related, but also that G. sahlbergi is nested within G. costae (including subspecies costae, fieberi and poissoni) thus suggesting a new subspecific rank as G. c. sahlbergi. A broad geographical sampling of mitochondrial DNA from populations of G. thoracicus and G. costae (incl. G. c. sahlbergi) shows that the two species are strikingly similar in terms of genetic diversity and lack of geographical substructure, thus adding further evidence for the G. costae group comprising a single, widespread species.

scholarly journals Craniodental morphology and phylogeny of marsupials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin M. D. Beck ◽  
Robert Voss ◽  
Sharon Jansa
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Dense Sampling

The current literature on marsupial phylogenetics includes numerous studies based on analyses of morphological data with relatively limited sampling of Recent and fossil taxa, and many studies based on analyses of molecular data that include a dense sampling of Recent taxa, but relatively few that combine both data types. Another dichotomy in the marsupial phylogenetic literature is between studies that focus on New World taxa, others that focus on Sahulian taxa. To date, there has been no attempt to assess the phylogenetic relationships of the global marsupial fauna, based on combined analyses of morphology and molecular sequences, for a dense sampling of Recent and fossil taxa. For this report, we compiled morphological and molecular data from an unprecedented number of Recent and fossil marsupials. Our morphological data consist of 180 craniodental characters that we scored for 97 species representing every currently recognized Recent genus, 42 additional ingroup (crown-clade marsupial) taxa represented by well-preserved fossils, and 5 outgroups (non-marsupial metatherians). Our molecular data comprise 24.5 kb of DNA sequences from whole-mitochondrial genomes and six nuclear loci (APOB, BRCA1, GHR, RAG1, RBP3 and VWF) for 97 marsupial terminals (the same Recent taxa scored for craniodental morphology) and several placental and monotreme outgroups. The results of separate and combined analyses of these data using a wide range of phylogenetic methods support many currently accepted hypotheses of ingroup (marsupial) relationships, but they also underscore the difficulty of placing fossils with key missing data (e.g., †Evolestes), and the unique difficulty of placing others that exhibit mosaics of plesiomorphic and autapomorphic traits (e.g., †Yalkaparidon). Unique contributions of our study are (1) critical discussions and illustrations of marsupial craniodental morphology, including descriptions and illustrations of some features never previously coded for phylogenetic analysis; (2) critical assessments of relative support for many suprageneric clades; (3) estimates of divergence times derived from tip-and-node dating based on uniquely taxon-dense analyses; and (4) a revised, higher-order classification of marsupials accompanied by lists of supporting craniodental synapomorphies. Far from the last word on these topics, this report lays the foundation for future research that may be enabled by the discovery of new fossil taxa, better-preserved material of previously described taxa, novel morphological characters, and improved methods of phylogenetic analysis.

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