Morphological data, molecular data, and total evidence in phylogenetic analysis

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (S1) ◽  
pp. 667-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Tehler

Two data sets, one morphological and one molecular, for ascolocular fungi have been analysed separately for taxonomic congruence and in combination for total evidence. Data were analysed with cladistic parsimony, the total support test, and the congruence test. The morphological data set comprised 15 characters and four species, Arthonia radiata, Dendrographa leucophaea, Lecanactis abietina, and Schismatomma pericleum (Arthoniales). The molecular data include the same species and comprised sequence data with 21 informative sites from approximately half of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The morphological phylogeny is corroborated by the molecular phylogeny with regard to relationships of Arthonia radiata, Schismatomma pericleum, and Dendrographa leucophaea. But in the molecular phylogeny Lecanactis abietina is placed as a sister species to the former three species. In the phylogeny inferred from morphological data Lecanactis abietina and Dendrographa leucophaea constitute a sister pair with Schismatomma pericleum followed by Arthonia radiata as subsequent sister taxa. The consensus obtained from the taxonomic congruence method was fully collapsed and uninformative. The combined morphological and molecular data in total evidence produced one most parsimonious cladogram. In total evidence Lecanactis abietina is placed as sister species to Schismatomma pericleum and Dendrographa leucophaea all with Arthonia radiata as sister species. The most resolved and phylogenetically informative hypothesis was obtained from cladistic parsimony analysis using total evidence. A review of congruence between morphological and molecular data in determining gross relationships within the Eumycota and Ascomycetes is also given. Key words: Ascomycetes, Arthoniales, phylogeny, cladistics, taxonomic congruence, total evidence, 18SrDNA.

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinzhong Fu ◽  
Owen Lonsdale ◽  
Brian Wiegmann ◽  
Stephen Marshall

AbstractIn this paper, the Clusiidae (Diptera: Schizophora) is analyzed phylogenetically using morphological and molecular data sets, and then redefined on the basis of derived morphological characters. The biology and distribution of the Clusiidae are also reviewed, a key is provided to the World genera, the status of the genus Craspedochaeta Czerny is reevaluated and the type of Heterochroa pictipennis Wulp is discussed. Molecular data sets include genomic DNA sequences from the mitochondrial genes COI (cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and COII (cytochrome oxidase subunit II), the large ribosomal nuclear subunit 28S, and the nuclear protein-coding carbomoylphosphate synthase (CPS) domain of CAD (or “rudimentary”). Genes were analyzed separately, in combination with each other, and in combination with a morphological data set. Although individual molecular data sets often provided conflicting phylogenetic signals, the topologies of the cladograms produced from each data set alone or in combination were largely similar. Most genus-level relationships and several basal divergences were unresolved, but Apiochaeta was very strongly and consistently supported as Sobarocephalinae, not Clusiinae. The Clusiinae and Sobarocephalinae are subsequently redefined using an adjusted morphological tree — retaining Apiochaeta in the Sobarocephalinae — that is only slightly longer (8.4%, or seven steps) than the most parsimonious tree. Our results illustrate the benefits of multiple independent data sets for phylogenetic reconstruction in order to verify and refine existing classifications.


2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Møller Andersen ◽  
Jakob Damgaard ◽  
Felix A.H. Sperling

AbstractWe examined phylogenetic relationships among gerrid water striders of the genus Aquarius Schellenberg using molecular and morphological characters. The molecular data sets included 780 bp sequence data from the mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and 515 bp sequence data from the nuclear gene encoding elongation factor I alpha (EF-1α). The morphological data set was a slightly modified version of a previously published data set. We included all 17 known species and one subspecies of Aquarius as well as five species from three related genera, Gigantometra gigas, Limnoporus esakii, L. rufoscutellatus, Gerris pingreensis, and G. lacustris. Unweighted parsimony analyses of the COI data set gave a single most parsimonious tree (MPT) with a topology quite similar to the morphological tree. Parsimony analyses of the EF-1α data set gave 3 MPT's and a strict consensus of these trees gave a tree with a slightly different topology. A combined analysis of the three data sets gave a single MPT with the same topology as for the morphological data set alone. The phylogeny of Aquarius presented here supports the monophyly of the A. najas, remigis, conformis and paludum species groups as well as previous hypotheses about their relationships. On the other hand, the inclusion of molecular data weakens the support for the monophyly of the genus Aquarius, and questions the specific status of the eastern North American A. nebularis (as separate from A. conformis) and members of the Nearctic A. remigis group. Finally, we discuss the implications of the reconstructed phylogeny in the biogeography and ecological phylogenetics of Aquarius.


2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 580-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Magee ◽  
Ben-Erik van Wyk ◽  
Patricia M. Tilney ◽  
Stephen R. Downie

Generic circumscriptions and phylogenetic relationships of the Cape genera Capnophyllum, Dasispermum, and Sonderina are explored through parsimony and Bayesian inference analyses of nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rps16 intron sequences, morphology, and combined molecular and morphological data. The relationship of these genera with the North African genera Krubera and Stoibrax is also assessed. Analyses of both molecular data sets place Capnophyllum, Dasispermum, Sonderina, and the only southern African species of Stoibrax (S. capense) within the newly recognized Lefebvrea clade of tribe Tordylieae. Capnophyllum is strongly supported as monophyletic and is distantly related to Krubera. The monotypic genus Dasispermum and Stoibrax capense are embedded within a paraphyletic Sonderina. This complex is distantly related to the North African species of Stoibrax in tribe Apieae, in which the type species, Stoibrax dichotomum, occurs. Consequently, Dasispermum is expanded to include both Sonderina and Stoibrax capense. New combinations are formalized for Dasispermum capense, D. hispidum, D. humile, and D. tenue. An undescribed species from the Tanqua Karoo in South Africa is also closely related to Capnophyllum and the Dasispermum–Sonderina complex. The genus Scaraboides is described herein to accommodate the new species, S. manningii. This monotypic genus shares the dorsally compressed fruit and involute marginal wings with Capnophyllum, but is easily distinguished by its erect branching habit, green leaves, scabrous umbels, and fruit with indistinct median and lateral ribs, additional solitary vittae in each marginal wing, and parallel, closely spaced commissural vittae. Despite the marked fruit similarities with Capnophyllum, analyses of DNA sequence data place Scaraboides closer to the Dasispermum–Sonderina complex, with which it shares the erect habit, green (nonglaucous) leaves, and scabrous umbels.


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 680 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ARNE NYGREN

Autolytinae is revised based on available types, and newly collected specimens. Out of 170 nominal species, 18 are considered as incertae sedis, 43 are regarded as junior synonyms, and 25 are referred to as nomina dubia. The relationships of Autolytinae is assessed from 51 morphological characters and 211 states for 76 ingroup-taxa, and 460 molecular characters from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA for 31 ingroup-taxa; outgroups include 12 non-autolytine syllid polychaetes. Two analyses are provided, one including morphological data only, and one with combined morphological and molecular data sets. The resulting strict consensus tree from the combined data is chosen for a reclassification. Three main clades are identified: Procerini trib. n., Autolytini Grube, 1850, and Epigamia gen. n. Proceraea Ehlers, 1864 and Myrianida Milne Edwards, 1845 are referred to as nomen protectum, while Scolopendra Slabber, 1781, Podonereis Blainville, 1818, Amytis Savigny, 1822, Polynice Savigny, 1822, and Nereisyllis Blainville, 1828 are considered


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1423 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEFFREY H. SKEVINGTON ◽  
CHRISTIAN KEHLMAIER ◽  
GUNILLA STÅHLS

Sequence data from 658 base pairs of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) were analysed for 28 described species of Pipunculidae (Diptera) in an effort to test the concept of DNA Barcoding on this family. Two recently revised but distantly related pipunculid lineages with presumed different evolutionary histories were used for the test (Clistoabdominalis Skevington, 2001 and Nephrocerus Zetterstedt, 1838). An effort was made to test the concept using sister taxa and morphologically similar sibling species swarms in these two genera. Morphological species concepts for Clistoabdominalis taxa were either supported by cox1 data or found to be too broad. Most of the discordance could be accounted for after reassessing morphological characters. In these cases, the molecular data were invaluable in assisting taxonomic decision-making. The radiation of Nearctic species of Nephrocerus could not be diagnosed using cox1. The ability of cox1 to recover phylogenetic signal was also tested on Clistoabdominalis. Morphological data for Clistoabdominalis were combined with the molecular data set. The pipunculid phylogeny from molecular data closely resembles the published phylogeny based on morphology. Partitioned Bremer support is used to localize areas of conflict between the datasets.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary H. Griebenow

Abstract.Although molecular data have proven indispensable in confidently resolving the phylogeny of many clades across the tree of life, these data may be inaccessible for certain taxa. The resolution of taxonomy in the ant subfamily Leptanillinae is made problematic by the absence of DNA sequence data for leptanilline taxa that are known only from male specimens, including the monotypic genus Phaulomyrma Wheeler & Wheeler. Focusing upon the considerable diversity of undescribed male leptanilline morphospecies, the phylogeny of 35 putative morphospecies sampled from across the Leptanillinae, plus an outgroup, is inferred from 11 nuclear loci and 41 discrete male morphological characters using a Bayesian total-evidence framework, with Phaulomyrma represented by morphological data only. Based upon the results of this analysis Phaulomyrma is synonymized with Leptanilla Emery, and male-based diagnoses for Leptanilla that are grounded in phylogeny are provided, under both broad and narrow circumscriptions of that genus. This demonstrates the potential utility of a total-evidence approach in inferring the phylogeny of rare extant taxa for which molecular data are unavailable and begins a long-overdue systematic revision of the Leptanillinae that is focused on male material.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Thompson ◽  
Melodina Fabillo

The taxonomy of Neurachninane has been unstable, with its member genera consisting of Ancistrachne, Calyptochloa, Cleistochloa, Dimorphochloa, Neurachne, Paraneurachne and Thyridolepis, changing since its original circumscription that comprised only the latter three genera. Recent studies on the phylogeny of Neurachninae have focused primarily on molecular data. We analysed the phylogeny of Neurachninae on the basis of molecular data from seven molecular loci (plastid markers: matK, ndhF, rbcL, rpl16, rpoC2 and trnLF, and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and morphological data from 104 morphological characters, including new taxonomically informative micromorphology of upper paleas. We devised an impact assessment scoring (IAS) protocol to aid selection of a tree for inferring the phylogeny of Neurachninae. Combining morphological and molecular data resulted in a well resolved phylogeny with the highest IAS value. Our findings support reinstatement of subtribe Neurachninae in its original sense, Neurachne muelleri and Dimorphochloa rigida. We show that Ancistrachne, Cleistochloa and Dimorphochloa are not monophyletic and Ancistrachne maidenii, Calyptochloa, Cleistochloa and Dimorphochloa form a new group, the cleistogamy group, united by having unique morphology associated with reproductive dimorphism.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 478 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-200
Author(s):  
SHABIR A. RATHER ◽  
WANG SHU ◽  
MAYANK DHAR DWIVEDI ◽  
CHANG ZHAOYANG

In this study, we explored the evolutionary history and taxonomic treatment of the Caragana opulens complex taking information from morphological and molecular data. The complex consists of three species, C. opulens, C. licentiana and C. kansuensis. Moreover, the morphological characters currently used to differentiate the species present in the complex have been found insignificant and inconsistent and do not help diagnose the species. For the present study, we investigated its range and sampled 139 accessions from the different populations of the genus Caragana and 17 accessions of the complex. DNA sequence data from one nrDNA ITS and one cpDNA trnH-psbA loci were sequenced and analyzed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods. The resulting phylogenies were congruent in topologies. Based on morphological and molecular data, it is concluded that all three species of the complex are one of the same with significant morphological variations. Hence C. opulens is accepted as the correct name along with C. licentiana and C. kansuensis as synonyms.


2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip S. Ward ◽  
Seán G. Brady

We investigated phylogenetic relationships among the 'primitive' Australian ant genera Myrmecia and Nothomyrmecia (stat. rev.) and the Baltic amber fossil genus Prionomyrmex, using a combination of morphological and molecular data. Outgroups for the analysis included representatives from a variety of potential sister-groups, including five extant subfamilies of ants and one extinct group (Sphecomyrminae). Parsimony analysis of the morphological data provides strong support (~95% bootstrap proportions) for the monophyly of (1) genus Myrmecia, (2) genus Prionomyrmex, and (3) a clade containing those two genera plus Nothomyrmecia. A group comprising Nothomyrmecia and Prionomyrmex is also upheld (85% bootstrap support). Molecular sequence data (~2200 base pairs from the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA genes) corroborate these findings for extant taxa, with Myrmecia and Nothomyrmecia appearing as sister-groups with ~100% bootstrap support under parsimony, neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood analyses. Neither the molecular nor the morphological data set allows us to identify unambiguously the sister-group of (Myrmecia + (Nothomyrmecia + Prionomyrmex)). Rather, Myrmecia and relatives are part of an unresolved polytomy that encompasses most of the ant subfamilies. Taken as a whole, our results support the contention that many of the major lineages of ants – including a clade that later came to contain Myrmecia, Nothomyrmecia and Prionomyrmex – arose at around the same time during a bout of diversification in the middle or late Cretaceous. On the basis of Bayesian dating analysis, the estimated age of the most recent common ancestor of Myrmecia and Nothomyrmecia is 74 million years (95% confidence limits, 53–101�million years), a result consistent with the origin of the myrmeciine stem lineage in the Cretaceous. The ant subfamily Myrmeciinae is redefined to contain two tribes, Myrmeciini (genus Myrmecia) and Prionomyrmecini (Nothomyrmecia and Prionomyrmex). Phylogenetic analysis of the enigmatic Argentine fossils Ameghinoia and Polanskiella demonstrates that they are also members of the Myrmeciinae, probably more closely related to Prionomyrmecini than to Myrmeciini. Thus, the myrmeciine ants appear to be a formerly widespread group that retained many ancestral formicid characteristics and that became extinct everywhere except in the Australian region.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary H. Griebenow

Although molecular data have proven indispensable in confidently resolving the phylogeny of many clades across the tree of life, these data may be inaccessible for certain taxa. The resolution of taxonomy in the ant subfamily Leptanillinae is made problematic by the absence of DNA sequence data for leptanilline taxa that are known only from male specimens, including the monotypic genus Phaulomyrma Wheeler & Wheeler. Focusing upon the considerable diversity of undescribed male leptanilline morphospecies, the phylogeny of 35 putative morphospecies sampled from across the Leptanillinae, plus an outgroup, is inferred from 11 nuclear loci and 41 discrete male morphological characters using a Bayesian total-evidence framework, with Phaulomyrma represented by morphological data only. Based upon the results of this analysis Phaulomyrma is synonymised with Leptanilla Emery, and male-based diagnoses for Leptanilla that are grounded in phylogeny are provided, under both broad and narrow circumscriptions of that genus. This demonstrates the potential utility of a total-evidence approach in inferring the phylogeny of rare extant taxa for which molecular data are unavailable and begins a long-overdue systematic revision of the Leptanillinae that is focused on male material.


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