scholarly journals Bats Out of Africa: Disentangling the Systematic Position and Biogeography of Bats in Cabo Verde

Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Ianna Borloti ◽  
Herculano Dinis ◽  
Raquel Vasconcelos

Cabo Verde Archipelago presents one of the largest knowledge gaps in the distribution and taxonomy of bats in the world. Old works indicated that there are five species classified as European taxa. We have conducted an integrative taxonomy to revise the systematic position and distribution of Cabo Verdean bats with molecular, morphological, and ecological data, to test their native or exotic origin, and infer possible colonization patterns based on fieldwork and museum samples. Results showed that Cabo Verde Hypsugo is closely related to those from the Canary Islands, in which the taxonomic status is under debate, presenting unique mitochondrial and nuclear haplotypes. We also expanded the distribution of Taphozous nudiventris for Fogo Island through pellets and acoustic identification, showed unique haplotypes for this species, and that Miniopterus schreibersii shared a haplotype with European, North African, and Western Asian specimens. The morphological and acoustic identification of Cabo Verdean specimens was challenging because of the lack of modern morphological descriptions and similarity of echolocation calls within the same genus. More studies are definitely needed to access the systematic of bat species in the archipelago, but this work is the first step for the establishment of conservation actions of the probable only native Cabo Verdean mammals.

Taxon ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng‐Hua Zhang ◽  
Ran Wei ◽  
Qiao‐Ping Xiang ◽  
Atsushi Ebihara ◽  
Xian‐Chun Zhang

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4344 (3) ◽  
pp. 522 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROMAN BOROVEC ◽  
JIŘÍ SKUHROVEC

The Afrotropical species described as Trachyphloeini Lacordaire, 1863 were examined and their taxonomic status is revised. Atrachyphloeus Voss, 1962 is proposed as a junior synonym of Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842, Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 as a junior synonym of Tapinomorphus sylvicola Voss, 1962 and Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 as a junior synonym of Platycopes tuberculatus Marshall, 1906. Atrachyphloeus convergens Voss, 1962 is transferred to the genus Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842, Trachyphloeus hardenbergi Marshall, 1923 and T. notulatus Boheman, 1842 to Glyptosomus Schoenherr, 1847, Trachyphloeus nanus Fåhraeus, 1871 to Pentatrachyphloeus Voss, 1974, Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 to Platycopes Schoenherr, 1823 and Trachyphloeus setiger Fåhraeus, 1871 to Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842. “Trachyphloeosoma” brevicolle Voss, 1974, “Trachyphloeus” brevis Boheman, 1842, “T”. nodifrons Hoffmann, 1968 and “T”. squalidus Boheman, 1842 are provisionally left in their current genera, but new genera for them will be described in future papers. The genus Phaylomerinthus Schoenherr, 1842 has been redefined and redescribed. Lectotypes for the following species are designated (current names added in brackets where different): Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 (Tapinomorphus sylvicola Voss, 1962), Trachyphloeus hardenbergi Marshall, 1923 (Glyptosomus hardenbergi (Marshall, 1923)), Trachyphloeus nanus Fåhraeus, 1871 (Pentatrachyphloeus nanus (Fåhraeus, 1871)), Trachyphloeus notulatus Boheman, 1842 (Glyptosomus notulatus (Boheman, 1842)), Trachyphloeus pustulifer Voss, 1959 (Platycopes tuberculatus (Marshall, 1906)), Trachyphloeus setiger Fåhraeus, 1871 (Phaylomerinthus setiger (Fåhraeus, 1871)), “Trachyphloeus” brevis Boheman in Schoenherr, 1842 and “Trachyphloeus” squalidus Boheman in Schoenherr, 1842. Two paralectotypes of Cathormiocerus africanus Hoffmann, 1965 from Tanzania are described as a new species, Tapinomorphus franzi sp. n. All type specimens are illustrated. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4407 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
TONATIUH RAMÍREZ-REYES ◽  
OSCAR FLORES-VILLELA

An integrative taxonomy approach was implemented based on analysis of genetic, phylogenetic, morphological and ecological data to identify the cryptic diversity within the Phyllodactylus lanei complex. At least six species can be identified, of which four are currently considered subspecies: Phyllodactylus lanei, Phyllodactylus rupinus, Phyllodactylus isabelae, Phyllodactylus lupitae and two corresponding to undescribed taxa, which are identified and described in this contribution. These differ from other Mexican geckos in several characters: genetic distance (DNAmt), position in molecular phylogeny (concatened data DNAmt+DNAnu), species tree, morphological characters such as snout-vent length, longitudinal scales, tubercles from head to tail, interorbital scales, scales across venter, third labial–snout scales and rows of tubercles across dorsum; there are also differences in their bioclimatic profiles (temperature and precipitation) and geographical distribution. The most recent studies on taxonomy and evolution of Mexican geckos (Phyllodactylus) show that the diversity of this group of reptiles is currently underestimated, suggesting that more research and conservation efforts are should be addressed at these lizards. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-521
Author(s):  
Luana Rodrigues Lima ◽  
Marcos Jorge Matias Dubeux ◽  
Filipe Augusto Cavalcanti do Nascimento ◽  
Daniel Pacheco Bruschi ◽  
Tamí Mott

Abstract Boana atlantica was described based on morphological characters to acommodate populations from Bahia state, Brazil, previously referred to as B. punctata. However, its taxonomic validity is questionable due to inconsistencies in bioacoustic data. Here, we integrate molecular, cytogenetic and morphological data to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of B. atlantica. Molecular analyses provided strong support for the hypothesis that B. atlantica is a valid species, being, however, nominal populations from Bahia state paraphyletic with respect to individuals of B. atlantica collected in Alagoas and Pernambuco states. These populations shown high genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial fragment, and we consider populations from Alagoas and Pernambuco as a putative new candidate species of Boana punctata group. The external and internal morphology of the tadpoles of these lineages were similar, but Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NOR) was sited in different chromosomes. Our results indicate that B. atlantica is paraphyletic and may be a complex of species. Morphological of adult and/or bioacoustical data should be further assessed to find diagnostic characters to tease these lineages apart and name them properly.


Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3423 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
JERZY A. LIS ◽  
PAWEŁ LIS ◽  
DARIUSZ J. ZIAJA ◽  
ANNA KOCOREK

Mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA sequences of five species of Dinidoridae Stål, 1868, a largely Paleotropical family, and 16 other shield bugs (Pentatomoidea) were studied. This was the first molecular examination of the systematic position of this family within the superfamily Pentatomoidea using more than a single dinidorid species. Phylogenetic trees obtained from the Bayesian inference of 12S and 16S sequences of these mitochondrial DNA, identified Dinidoridae as the monophylum and a sister group to the Tessaratomidae. Moreover, results of the study suggested a close molecular affinity of the genus Eumenotes to representatives of the subfamily Dinidorinae, which contradicts all previous morphological analyses that placed it within the subfamily Megymeninae. We suggest restoring taxonomic status of the tribe Eumenotini and removing it from the synonymy of Megymenini, leaving the genus with no subfamilial assignment for the moment.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3098 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIPPE GENIEZ ◽  
JOSÉ M. PADIAL ◽  
PIERRE-ANDRÉ CROCHET

We studied the taxonomic status of the north African Agama species A. impalearis, A. castroviejoi, and A. boueti. The study of recently collected specimens and museum material, as well as phylogenetic analyses of a short 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragment, revealed the presence of an undescribed species in Adrar des Ifoghas (Mali), Aïr Mountains (Niger), Ahaggar Mountains (Algeria) and Tassili n’Ajjer (Algeria, Lybia), previously mistaken either as A. impalearis or A. agama. The new species, Agama tassiliensis n. sp., clearly belongs to the impalearis – boueti – spinosa species group but differs from these species, among other characters, by its red, reddish-orange or orange vertebral stripe in males, long and angular head, long limbs and toes (with 4 th toe usually slightly longer than 3 rd toe), long but low nuchal crest made of 10 to 15 spines (rarely 8–9 spines) and large number of supralabials (10–16, usually around 12). Interspecific uncorrected p- distances based on the 16S rDNA gene fragment are high, ranging from 3.9% between A. boueti and A. impalearis to 7.9% between A. spinosa and A. impalearis. The new species is sympatric with A. boueti at least in the Aïr Mountains and exhibits average mtDNA divergences of 6.2%, 7.4%, and 7.6% with A. spinosa, A. impalearis, and A. boueti, respectively. Agama boueti is paraphyletic relative to A. castroviejoi in the mtDNA tree, and mtDNA genetic divergences between populations of both species are lower than 1.0%, suggesting that A. castroviejoi is better treated as a junior synonym of A. boueti pending more detailed analyses. Scattered mountain ranges in the Sahara seem to have promoted lineage divergence and ultimately speciation in this group. Further work should be done to study species taxonomy and evolution in those areas.


Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 712 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
GUILHERME SCHNELL E. SCHUEHLI ◽  
CLAUDIO JOSÉ BARROS DE CARVALHO ◽  
BRIAN M. WIEGMANN

The muscid genus Ophyra has long been the subject of debate over its placement within the family. However, a phylogenetic study has never been conducted that would clarify its systematic position. In the present paper, phylogenetic relationships are examined between Ophyra albuquerquei and related muscid genera. The mitochondrial genes Cytochrome Oxidase I and II and tRNA-Leu were used combined with the nuclear genes CAD and Elongation Factor 1 to compose a matrix with 2989 characters (716 parsimonyinformative). These characters were analyzed under parsimony resulting in a single most parsimonious tree. Contrary to some recent classifications, our molecular data suggest the placement of Ophyra albuquerquei within the Muscinae in a separate position from the azeliine genus Hydrotaea.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4276 (4) ◽  
pp. 503 ◽  
Author(s):  
TANJA WILKE ◽  
WILKO H. AHLRICHS ◽  
OLAF R.P. BININDA-EMONDS

In this paper, we focus on the two morphologically similar species Synchaeta tremula (Müller, 1786) and Synchaeta tremuloida Pourriot, 1965. This study records one of the first detections of the latter species since its initial description and clarifies its uncertain taxonomic status. Using an integrative approach combining morphological data (from light and scanning electron microscopy) with molecular and ecological data, we present re-descriptions of S. tremula and S. tremuloida and confirm their status as separate species. Finally, we also provide a unique character set that can be readily applied to unambiguously identify each species using easily observable features. 


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha A. Gutiérrez-Aguirre ◽  
Adrián Cervantes-Martínez ◽  
Manuel Elías-Gutiérrez ◽  
Alfonso Lugo-Vázquez

Background In Mexico, species of four families of free-living calanoid copepods have been recorded as inhabitants of several freshwater systems. These families are Centropagidae, Temoridae, Pseudodiaptomidae and Diaptomidae. The genera Leptodiaptomus and Mastigodiaptomus are the most speciose diaptomid genera in Mexico, and they inhabit natural and artificial lakes, ephemeral ponds, springs, and caverns. Leptodiaptomus is considered as an endemic Nearctic genus, whereas Mastigodiaptomus is a widely distributed Neotropical genus in the southern USA, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and Central America. Based on new and recent evidence, Mastigodiaptomus diversity has been underestimated: six species of the genus were known before 2000. In this work three new Mastigodiaptomus species have been described from different regions of Mexico by using integrative taxonomy. We also gave amended diagnosis of M. nesus Bowman (1986) and M. patzcuarensis s. str. (Kiefer, 1938). Methods In this work, the taxonomic status of the species was clarified using modern, integrative method based on the COI gene as a DNA marker, plus micro-structural analysis (based on SEM and ligth microscopy). Results Three new species of Mastigodiaptomus were described based on genetic and morphological analyses: M. alexei sp. n., M. ha sp. n. and M. cihuatlan sp. n. Also amended description of M. nesus, morphological variation of M. patzcuarensis s. str., and a comparison of them with all known sequences within the genus are provided. These new findings show that in Mastigodiaptomus differences in several cuticular microstructures of several appendages (such as the antennules, the fifth legs, or the urosomites of these copepods) agree with the interspecific genetic divergence >3% observed in sequences of the COI gene, and the integration of this information is a powerful tool in species delineation.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal Arekar ◽  
S. Sathyakumar ◽  
K. Praveen Karanth

AbstractTaxonomy is replete with groups where the species identity and classification remain unresolved. One such group is the widely distributed Hanuman langur (Colobinae: Semnopithecus). For most part of the last century, Hanuman langur was considered to be a single species with multiple subspecies. Nevertheless, recent studies using an integrative taxonomy approach suggested that this taxon is a complex, with at least three species. However, these studies did not include the Himalayan population of the Hanuman langur whose taxonomic status remains unresolved. The Himalayan population of Hanuman langurs have been classified as a distinct species with multiple subspecies or have been subsumed into other species. These classification schemes are wholly based on morphological characters and which are sometimes insufficient to delimit different species. Here, we have integrated data from multiple sources viz. morphology, DNA, and ecology to resolve the taxonomy of the Himalayan langur and to understand its distribution limit. Our results with three lines of evidence corresponding to three different species concepts show that Himalayan langur is a distinct species from S. entellus of the plains. Additionally, these results did not show any support for splitting of the Himalayan langur into multiple subspecies. Our study supports the classification proposed by Hill (1939) and we recommend Semnopithecus schistaceus, Hodgson 1840 as species name for the Himalayan langur and subsume all the known subspecies into it.


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