scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of West African cone snails (Gastropoda: Conidae) based upon mitogenomic studies: implications for conservation

Author(s):  
Manuel J. Tenorio ◽  
Samuel Abalde ◽  
José R. Pardos-Blas ◽  
Rafael Zardoya

In the last few years, a sharp increase in the number of descriptions of new species of West African cone snails, particularly from the Cabo Verde Archipelago, has taken place. In previous studies, we used mitogenome sequences for reconstructing robust phylogenies, which comprised in total 120 individuals representing the majority of species (69.7%) described from this biogeographical region (except Angolan endemics) and grouped into seven genera within the family Conidae. Here, we add another 12 individuals representing endemic species that were missing in the previous studies. We use the phylogenies to identify monophyletic groups and a genetic divergence threshold (0.2% uncorrected p distance) to determine the number of valid species. As a result, the number of valid West African cone species could be drastically reduced to at least 40%, indicating that some recent poor-quality descriptions loosely based on phenotypic characters prone to convergence such as the shape and color patterns of the shell have contributed substantially to taxonomic inflation. Several previously accepted species with a reduced geographical distribution now become phenotypic forms of the remaining valid species, which increase their distribution ranges. In contrast, several cryptic species are now uncovered and described. For instance, Africonus insulae sp. nov. and Kalloconus canariensis sp. nov. are hereby introduced as new species. A detailed systematic account with illustrations and relevant information is presented. Lectotypes are designated for Conus trochulus and Conus irregularis, and neotypes for Conus crotchii and Conus diminutus. According to our results, it is strongly recommended that any future introduction of new taxa names for cone snails from West Africa should be supported by molecular and/or anatomical rather than exclusively shell morphological data. The taxonomic decisions here taken have direct implications for conservation and will eventually require re-evaluation of the Red List risk status of an important number of species.

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Londoño-Burbano ◽  
Roberto E. Reis

ABSTRACT A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis were completed for Dasyloricaria . The genus includes three valid species: D . filamentosa and D . latiura previously included in the genus, and a new species described herein. Dasyloricaria have a restricted trans-Andean distribution, with D . filamentosa occurring at the lower and middle Magdalena, lower Cauca, and Sinu in Colombia, and lago Maracaibo basin in Colombia and Venezuela; D . latiura in the Atrato and the Tuyra basins in Colombia and Panama, respectively; and the new species in the upper and middle Magdalena basin in Colombia. New synonyms for D . filamentosa and D . latiura are proposed, and a lectotype is designated for the latter. Dasyloricaria is herein recognized as monophyletic, with D . filamentosa as the sister group of D . latiura , and the new speciesas sister to that clade. Spatuloricaria is hypothesized to be the sister group of Dasyloricaria based on synapomorphies of the neurocranium, branchial arches and external morphology features. The subtribe Rineloricariina was partially corroborated through the phylogenetic analysis. An identification key for the species of Dasyloricaria is provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4685 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
IRENE LOBATO-VILA ◽  
JULI PUJADE-VILLAR

A taxonomic revision of the tribe Ceroptresini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is conducted for the first time. Prior to this study, the total number of valid species of Ceroptres, the only genus within Ceroptresini to date, was 23. As a result of this revision, 15 Ceroptres species are retained as valid and one species, Amblynotus ensiger Walsh, 1864, is desynonymized from Ceroptres petiolicola (Osten-Sacken, 1861), being considered here as a valid Ceroptres species: C. ensiger (Walsh, 1864) status verified and comb. nov. An additional five new species are described from Mexico: Ceroptres junquerasi Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. lenis Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. mexicanus Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. nigricrus Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar sp. nov.; C. quadratifacies Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar sp. nov., increasing the total number of valid Ceroptres species to 21. Ceroptres masudai Abe, 1997 is synonymized with C. kovalevi Belizin, 1973. Ceroptres niger Fullaway, 1911 is transferred to Andricus (Andricus confusus Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar comb. nov. and nom. nov.). Five species (Amblynotus inermis Walsh, 1864; Cynips quercusarbos Fitch, 1859; Cynips querficus Fitch, 1859; Cynips quercuspisum Fitch, 1859; and Cynips quercustuber Fitch, 1859) are not considered as valid Ceroptres. The status of Ceroptres quereicola (Shinji, 1938), previously classified as an unplaced species, is commented on. In addition, a Nearctic species from the USA, Ceroptres politus Ashmead, 1896, is here proposed as the type species of a new genus within Ceroptresini: Buffingtonella Lobato-Vila & Pujade-Villar gen. nov. Redescriptions, biological and distribution data, illustrations and keys to genera and species within Ceroptresini are provided. The diagnostic morphological traits of Ceroptresini, Ceroptres and the new genus are discussed. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas P. Johnston ◽  
James F. Wallman ◽  
Krzysztof Szpila ◽  
Thomas Pape

Aenigmetopia Malloch is the only endemic genus of miltogrammine flesh flies (Diptera:Sarcophagidae) in Australia and, until now it has been known from a single species, A. fergusoni Malloch. This study constitutes the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of Aenigmetopia. Four new species, Aenigmetopia amissa, sp. nov., A. corona, sp. nov., A. kryptos, sp. nov. and A. pagoni, sp. nov., are described through the integration of molecular and morphological data and characters for genus- and species-level diagnoses are given. Aenigmetopia is included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis for the first time and the genus emerges as the sister taxon to Metopia Meigen, in agreement with morphological evidence.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4237 (3) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
CONNAL EARDLEY ◽  
TERRY GRISWOLD

The Afrotropical species of Pachyanthidium Friese are revised. Sixteen species are recognized in four subgenera. One new species, Pachyanthidium (Trichanthidium) anoplos sp. n. is described; and one species, Pachyanthidium (Trichanthidium) cucullatum (Friese), is reinstated as a valid species. Four new synonymy are proposed: Pachyanthidium minutulum Pasteels =Pachyanthidium (Trichanthidiodes) semiluteum Pasteels syn. n.; Anthidium africanum Smith = P. (P.) bicolor (Lepeletier) syn. n.; Pachyanthidium cordatum swellemdamense Mavromoustakis = Pachyanthidium (P.) cordatum (Smith) syn. n. and Anthidium cordatum var. salamense Friese 1931 = Pachyanthidium (P.) salamense (Friese 1915) syn. n. Identification keys for the Afrotropical species are given. 


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Lombardo ◽  
Rita Umbriaco ◽  
Salvatrice Ippolito

A full taxonomic revision of the Neotropical genusParastagmatopteraSaussure is presented, including the description of two new species:Parastagmatoptera bororoisp.n. andParastagmatoptera sottileisp.n.The following species are synonyms:Parastagmatoptera tessellataSaussure & Zehntnersyn.n.(male nec female) andParastagmatoptera hoorieCaudellsyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera flavoguttata(Serville);Parastagmatoptera confusaG.-Tossyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera pellucidaG.-Tos;Parastagmatoptera tessellataSaussure & Zehntnersyn.n.(female nec male),Parastagmatoptera serricornisKirbysyn.n.andParastagmatoptera vitrepennisBrunersyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera unipunctata(Burmeister);Parastagmatoptera concolorJantschsyn.n.ofParastagmatoptera theresopolitanaG.-Tos.Parastagmatoptera vitreola(Stål), previously treated as a synonym ofParastagmatoptera flavoguttatais returned to species status;P. flavoguttata var. immaculataChopard is recognized as a valid species.Parastagmatoptera amazonicaWerner andParastagmatoptera glauca(Rehn) are transferred to the subfamily Photinainae. In total, nine species are recognized, each of which is presented with a diagnosis, a full description, assessments, distribution data and a comprehensive bibliography. A taxonomic history of the genus and its species is provided. A key to allParastagmatopteraspecies is included and each is fully illustrated. Comments about the biogeography ofParastagmatopteraare also presented.


1958 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
IFB Common

A taxonomic revision of the Australian cutworms, previously referred to Agrotis and Euxoa, has shown that nine valid species belong to Agrotis and none to Euxoa, which does not occur in Australia. A new species, A. cygnea from southwestern Australia, is described. The wings and genitalia of each species are figured, and keys to the males and females provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1629 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
LAURI KAILA

The Elachista bedellella Sircom complex is diagnosed and its taxonomy is revised. The female genitalia, when known, are found to be of good diagnostic value in defining species. In the male genitalia there are subtle, yet decipherable interspecific differences in the shape of the juxta and the cornutus that correlate with differences in the outer appearance of different populations. As a result, eight species are recognised, including the following new species: Elachista antonia sp. n. from Greece (Crete), E. slivenica sp. n. from Bulgaria, E. dorinda sp. n. from Turkey, E. versicolora sp. n. from Russia (Transbaikalia) and E. camilla sp. n. from Russia (Kuray). The identity of E. lugdunensis Frey is clarified and it is considered a valid species, and E. coeneni Traugott-Olsen, 1985 is confirmed to be a junior synonym of it. E. bedellella, E. lugdunensis and E. titanella Kaila & Jalava, 1994 (stat. n.) are diagnosed and illustrated.


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4227 (3) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
SVEN O. KULLANDER

Devario comprises 38 potentially valid species in southern Asia. Ten species of Devario have been reported so far from Myanmar, six of which belong in the group of striped devarios, with predominantly horizontal stripes in the colour pattern. Among them, records of D. aequipinnatus most likely represent misidentifications. Remaining species of striped devarios in Myanmar are known only from brief descriptions and are in need of taxonomic revision. Devario yuensis and D. deruptotalea, known previously only from India, are here reported for the first time from Myanmar. Devario fangae, new species, is described on the basis of specimens collected in 1998 from small streams in Putao in the extreme north of Myanmar. These streams drain to the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Ayeyarwaddy River. Devario fangae shares uniquely with D. browni and D. kakhienensis an anterior expansion in width of the middle dark stripe on the side (P stripe). It differs from D. browni and D. kakhienensis in presence of a broad P stripe, wider than adjacent interstripes, vs. narrow, as wide as or narrower than interstripes. Devario fangae is further similar to other species of Devario characterized by three dark stripes (P, P+1, P-1) along the side, but differs from these in having all three stripes wide and of about equal width vs. P stripe wide and P+1 and P-1 stripes much narrower. The largest specimen of D. fangae is 61.0 mm SL. Females are significantly more deep-bodied than males. A specimen of D. aequipinnatus reported from Putao in 1919 probably represents D. fangae.        Devario myitkyinae, new species, is described on the basis of specimens collected in 1997 and 1998 from a stream and lake in the Ayeyarwaddy River drainage near Myitkyina in northern Myanmar. It is similar to D. browni and D. kakhienensis, but different from D. fangae in having horizontal stripes on side equal in width, narrow, irregular, and to some extent curved away from horizontal extension. Devario myitkyinae differs from D. browni, D. kakhienensis, and D. fangae in absence of anterior widening of the P stripe. Devario myitkyinae is similar to other species of Devario characterized by three dark stripes (P, P+1, P-1) along the side, but differs from these in having all three stripes irregular and of equal width vs. stripes regular, P stripe wide and P+1 and P-1 stripes much narrower. The largest wild specimen of D. myitkyinae is 68.7 mm SL. A specimen collected near Myitkyina and reported as D. aequipinnatus in 1929 probably represents D. myitkyinae. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Phil J. Sirvid

<p>The New Zealand Thomisidae (crab spiders) are represented in New Zealand by two subfamilies (Stephanopinae and Thomisinae) and were used as a model group to test two competing theories on the origins of the New Zealand spider fauna. The New Zealand thomisids are also given their first full taxonomic revision. The two origin models essentially represent species radiations following recent dispersal or ancient vicariance events. Modern distribution data suggested that the stephanopines are poor dispersers and may provide evidence demonstrating a long period of separation from Australia; while in contrast, thomisines are known to be excellent dispersers. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of cytochrome c suboxidase subunit I (COI), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), histone H3 (H3), NADH dehyrogenase 1 (ND1) data and a combined genetic dataset was undertaken. Results indicate New Zealand stephanopines and thomisines form distinct endemic groups separate from sampled Australian species and appear to have separated from them around 5-6 million years ago. Additionally, genetic data from this study showed i) colour variations are not indicative of cryptic species; ii) previously described species are genetically distinct; iii) several suspected new species are also genetically distinct; iv) the relatively recent establishment of two Australian stephanopines and the occurrence of similar COI haplotypes in disjunct locations suggest that the dispersal ability of stephanopines is greater than previously thought and that radiation following colonization from Australia is a plausible explanation for the current diversity of the New Zealand thomisid biota. The taxonomic revision raises the number of described species from eight to eleven based on a combination of morphological and genetic data. In the stephanopines, Bryantymella Gen. nov. is erected to contain the type species Bryantymella angularis (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. as well as B. angulata (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., B. thorini sp. nov. and B. brevirostris sp. nov. Two Australian species, Sidymella longipes (Koch, 1874) and S. trapezia (Koch, 1874), are also recorded for New Zealand. Sidymella benhami (Hogg, 1910) is considered to be a junior synonym of Bryantymella angulata (Urquhart, 1885). In the thomisines, all species are now included in the previously monotypic genus Cymbachina Bryant, 1933. The genus now encompasses the type species C. albobrunnea (Urquhart, 1893), C. ambara (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., C. albolimbata (L. Koch, 1893) comb. nov., C. sphaeroides (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. and D. urquharti sp. nov. Synema suteri Dahl, 1907 is regarded as a junior synonym of C. ambara (L. Koch 1893). All previously described species are redescribed to a modern standard and sexes for some species are described for the first time. Three new species are described. Photographs of adults and diagnostic genitalic characters are included, as are diagnostic keys and updated synonymic, geographic and biological information. Overall, this study indicates that New Zealand thomisids appear to have split from their Australian relatives some 5-6 million years ago and taken in concert with the recent establishment of two Australian stephanopine species, it appears that dispersal to New Zealand by Australian colonists and subsequent radiation into endemic New Zealand forms is a plausible explanation for the current state of the fauna. Genetic and morphological data are mutually supporting and in concert have helped inform the first taxonomic revision ever undertaken for this family in New Zealand.</p>


ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 949 ◽  
pp. 1-185
Author(s):  
Sebastian Salata ◽  
Brian L. Fisher

The present study represents a taxonomic revision of the Pheidole sikorae species group from Madagascar. Forty-four members of this group are recognised and described, and an illustrated identification key to this group is also presented. One species is raised to species level: P. litigiosa Forel, 1892 stat. nov.Pheidole veteratrix angustinoda Forel, 1892 syn. nov. is proposed as a junior synonym of Pheidole veteratrix Forel, 1891. Worker castes are also described and lectotypes designated for P. litigiosa Forel, 1892, P. sikorae Forel, 1891, and P. veteratrix Forel, 1891. The following 41 new species are described: P. alinasp. nov., P. ambohimangasp. nov., P. analavelonasp. nov., P. andohahelasp. nov., P. anomalasp. nov., P. anosyennesp. nov., P. antranohofasp. nov., P. beankasp. nov., P. befotakasp. nov., P. dasossp. nov., P. flavominutasp. nov., P. gracilissp. nov., P. habokasp. nov., P. havoanasp. nov., P. hazosp. nov., P. itremosp. nov., P. joffrevillesp. nov., P. kelysp. nov., P. lavasoasp. nov., P. mahamavosp. nov., P. maintysp. nov., P. mamiratrasp. nov., P. mananteninasp. nov., P. masoandrosp. nov., P. mavohavoanasp. nov., P. midongysp. nov., P. mikrossp. nov., P. mivorysp. nov., P. nitidobrunasp. nov., P. parvulasp. nov., P. parvulogibbasp. nov., P. reniranosp. nov., P. savasp. nov., P. sofiasp. nov., P. sparsasp. nov., P. tamponysp. nov., P. trichotossp. nov., P. tsaravonianasp. nov., P. vadumsp. nov., P. volontanysp. nov., and P. vonysp. nov. At present, there are 109 valid species and subspecies of Pheidole known from Madagascar, but this number is expected to increase with upcoming taxonomic revisions of the species groups not revised in this study.


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