scholarly journals Morphological and molecular systematic review of Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865 (Annelida: Eunicidae) species from South Africa

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10076
Author(s):  
Jyothi Kara ◽  
Isabel C. Molina-Acevedo ◽  
Joana Zanol ◽  
Carol Simon ◽  
Izwandy Idris
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Molecular Systematic ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Taxonomic Framework ◽  
Marphysa Sanguinea

A vast polychaete fauna is hidden behind complexes of cryptic and pseudo-cryptic species, which has greatly hindered our understanding of species diversity in several regions worldwide. Among the eunicids, Marphysa sanguinea Montagu, 1813 is a typical example, recorded in three oceans and with various species considered its junior synonyms. In South Africa, specimens previously misidentified as M. sanguinea are now known as Marphysa elityeni Lewis & Karageorgopoulos, 2008. Of the six Marphysa Quatrefages, 1865a species recorded from the same region, three have their distributions restricted to South Africa while the others are considered to have worldwide distributions. Here, we evaluated the taxonomic status of the indigenous M. elityeni and investigated the presence of the widespread species Marphysa macintoshi Crossland, 1903 and Marphysa depressa Schmarda, 1861 in South Africa using morphological and molecular data. Our results reveal that M. elityeni is a junior synonym of Marphysa haemasoma, a species previously described from South Africa which is herein reinstated as a valid species. Both M. macintoshi and M. depressa are not present in South Africa and their status as being distributed worldwide deserves further investigation. Marphysa durbanensis Day, 1934 and the new species described here, M. sherlockae n. sp., had been misidentified as M. macintoshi and M. depressa respectively. Thus, the number of Marphysa species with distributions restricted to South Africa increased from three to five. This study reiterates the importance of implementing an integrated taxonomic framework to unravel local biodiversity.

Morphological and molecular diversity in the freshwater crab Potamon ruttneri-P. gedrosianum species complex (Decapoda, Brachyura) indicate the need for taxonomic revision

Crustaceana ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Keikhosravi ◽  
Reza Naderloo ◽  
Christoph D. Schubart
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
Molecular Diversity ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Indus River ◽  
Mitochondrial 16S Rdna ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Incomplete Sampling

Many species and subspecies of Potamon have been described from the easternmost distribution of the genus in the western tributaries of the Indus River. Most of them were synonymised subsequently under the two names of currently valid species known from the region: Potamon gedrosianum Alcock, 1909 and Potamon ruttneri Pretzmann, 1962. Genetic and morphological information, based on mitochondrial 16S rDNA and the first male gonopod (G1), were gathered in the course of the present study. The corresponding results suggest the occurrence of four groups and question the taxonomic status of both species. We also revise the distribution range of both species, in particular that of P. gedrosianum, with a new record from Iran. Overall, the study reveals the need for a major revision using further morphological and molecular data. Because of the complexity of this necessary revision and the incomplete sampling, we here refrain from proposing any taxonomic conclusions.

Revalidation and redescription of Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904, (Perciformes: Serranidae) with a new distribution record

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5057 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-113
Author(s):  
YONELA SITHOLE ◽  
ELAINE HEEMSTRA ◽  
MONICA MWALE
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Genetic Distances ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Eastern Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Gill Raker ◽  
Distribution Record

A southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) percoid fish Serranus knysnaensis Gilchrist, 1904, was long synonymised with the comber, Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758), from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and Black Sea. However, when the species was brought out of synonymy by Heemstra & Heemstra (2004), reasons for this decision were not given. This study aims to revalidate the present taxonomic status of S. knysnaensis using morphological and molecular assessments. The two species are distinguished by the number of circumpeduncular scales (26–34 in S. knysnaensis versus 34–38 in S. cabrilla) and total gill rakers (18–22 versus 22–24). Serranus knysnaensis is also distinct from S. novemcinctus Kner, 1864, the other SWIO species of Serranus, based on total gill raker counts (18–22 versus 31–35). Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA barcode (COI) sequences for 17 Serranus species revealed three closely-related monophyletic clusters corresponding to S. cabrilla, S. novemcinctus and S. knysnaensis that were supported (P <0.001) by species delimitation methods. Even though the genetic distances among the three species were the lowest in the genus (1.60−1.99%), these species may be ecomorphs or lineages that have only recently diverged from each other. These three species also have allopatric distributions and our morphological and molecular data thus confirm that S. knysnaensis is a valid species.  

Channa pseudomarulius, a valid species of snakehead from the Western Ghats region of peninsular India (Teleostei: Channidae), with comments on Ophicephalus grandinosus, O. theophrasti and O. leucopunctatus

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4299 (4) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
RALF BRITZ ◽  
ELEANOR ADAMSON ◽  
RAJEEV RAGHAVAN ◽  
ANVAR ALI ◽  
NEELESH DAHANUKAR
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Channa Marulius ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

An investigation integrating morphological and molecular data to address the taxonomic status of Indian Channa marulius-like fishes reveals the presence of two species within Indian Rivers. As a consequence, Channa pseudomarulius is resurrected as a valid species and removed from the synonymy of C. marulius. Channa pseudomarulius appears to be restricted to the southern Western Ghats region of peninsular India and can be distinguished from the more widespread C. marulius by fewer lateral-line scales, fewer dorsal- and anal-fin rays, fewer vertebrae, and by a difference of about 8% in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene sequences. Channa marulius and C. pseudomarulius both possess low levels of genetic diversity across their range suggestive of small historical population sizes. This is especially interesting in the case of C. marulius, which is shown to have a large natural geographical range spanning at least the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Indo-Burman ranges in westernmost Myanmar. The synonymy of Channa marulius with Ophicephalus grandinosus, O. theophrasti, and O. leucopunctatus is confirmed based on examination of type specimens. A lectotype is designated for O. grandinosus. 

Taxonomic reassessment of the freshwater mussel genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Russia and Ukraine based on morphological and molecular data

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4286 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
OLGA KLISHKO ◽  
MANUEL LOPES-LIMA ◽  
ELSA FROUFE ◽  
ARTHUR BOGAN ◽  
LYUDMILA VASILIEV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Coi Gene ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Morphological Variations ◽  
Mtdna Coi ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

The taxonomy of species within the genus Unio (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Unioninae) in Russia and Ukraine has been contentious due to the lack of correspondence between three concurrent yet divergent classifications. In order to clarify which classification system best reflects the evolutionary relationships among these taxa, we performed detailed morphological analyses on 720 Ukrainian and Russian specimens, complemented with molecular data (COI) from a selected number of specimens. The morphological character data set shows the existence of only three widespread species with slight eco-morphological variations. Statistical analyses of shell morphometric parameters and molecular analyses based on mtDNA COI gene fragment sequences confirm the existence of the same three species within a single genus, Unio, in Russia and Ukraine, that is U. pictorum, U. tumidus and U. crassus. Results from molecular analyses suggest the existence of an additional subgroup within the U. crassus lineage, U. crassus cf. courtilieri that deserves further research. The present integrated approach confirms the validity of the classification by Zhadin (1952) and rejects the complex classifications of Starobogatov et al. (2004) and Bogatov & Kijashko (2016). 

scholarly journals A NEW SPECIES OF THE Pareas hamptoni COMPLEX (SQUAMATA, SERPENTES, PAREIDAE) FROM THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

2020 ◽  
pp. 174-193
Author(s):  
Li Ding ◽  
Zening Chen ◽  
Chatmongkon Suwannapoom ◽  
Tan Van Nguyen ◽  
Nikolay A. Poyarkov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Yunnan Province ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Actual Distribution ◽  
Golden Triangle ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data

An investigation of the taxonomic status of Pareas hamptoni (Hampton's Slug snake) based on morphological and molecular data revealed a new distinct species from the Golden Triangle region (comprising parts of southern China, and adjacent Laos and Thailand). The new species is shown to be a sister species to P. hamptoni but can be separated from the latter by having 3–5 dorsal scale rows at midbody slightly keeled (vs 5–9 scales strongly keeled); a lower number of ventrals, 170–188 (vs 185–195); and a lower number of subcaudals, 67–91 (vs 91–99). The new species is currently known from northwestern Thailand, northern Laos, and the southern part of Yunnan Province in China at elevations of 1,160–2,280 m a.s.l. We suggest that the new species to be considered of Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN‘s Red List categories. Problems of taxonomy and actual distribution of the P. hamptoni complex are briefly discussed; our results show P. hamptoni is now reliably known only from Myanmar and Vietnam, but its occurrence in Yunnan Province of China is likely.

scholarly journals Bombus (Pyrobombus) johanseni Sladen, 1919, a valid North American bumble bee species, with a new synonymy and comparisons to other “red-banded” bumble bee species in North America (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombini)

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 984 ◽  
pp. 59-81
Author(s):  
Cory S. Sheffield ◽  
Ryan Oram ◽  
Jennifer M. Heron
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Old World ◽  
Northern Canada

The bumble bee (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombini, Bombus Latreille) fauna of the Nearctic and Palearctic regions are considered well known, with a few species occurring in both regions (i.e., with a Holarctic distribution), but much of the Arctic, especially in North America, remains undersampled or unsurveyed. Several bumble bee taxa have been described from northern North America, these considered either valid species or placed into synonymy with other taxa. However, some of these synonymies were made under the assumption of variable hair colour only, without detailed examination of other morphological characters (e.g., male genitalia, hidden sterna), and without the aid of molecular data. Recently, Bombus interacti Martinet, Brasero &amp; Rasmont, 2019 was described from Alaska where it is considered endemic; based on both morphological and molecular data, it was considered a taxon distinct from B. lapponicus (Fabricius, 1793). Bombus interacti was also considered distinct from B. gelidus Cresson, 1878, a taxon from Alaska surmised to be a melanistic form of B. lapponicus sylvicola Kirby, 1837, the North American subspecies (Martinet et al. 2019). Unfortunately, Martinet et al. (2019) did not have DNA barcode sequences (COI) for females of B. interacti, but molecular data for a melanistic female specimen matching the DNA barcode sequence of the holotype of B. interacti have been available in the Barcodes of Life Data System (BOLD) since 2011. Since then, additional specimens have been obtained from across northern North America. Also unfortunate was that B. sylvicola var. johanseni Sladen, 1919, another melanistic taxon described from far northern Canada, was not considered. Bombus johanseni is here recognized as a distinct taxon from B. lapponicus sylvicola Kirby, 1837 (sensuMartinet et al. 2019) in the Nearctic region, showing the closest affinity to B. glacialis Friese, 1902 of the Old World. As the holotype male of B. interacti is genetically identical to material identified here as B. johanseni, it is placed into synonymy. Thus, we consider B. johanseni a widespread species occurring across arctic and subarctic North America in which most females are dark, with rarer pale forms (i.e., “interacti”) occurring in and seemingly restricted to Alaska. In addition to B. johanseni showing molecular affinities to B. glacialis of the Old World, both taxa also inhabit similar habitats in the arctic areas of both Nearctic and Palearctic, respectively. It is also likely that many of the specimens identified as B. lapponicus sylvicola from far northern Canada and Alaska might actually be B. johanseni, so that should be considered for future studies of taxonomy, distribution, and conservation assessment of North American bumble bees.

scholarly journals Taxonomic notes on Scutellaria taipeiensis (Lamiaceae) from morphological and molecular data

PhytoKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Chien-Ti Chao ◽  
Bing-Hong Huang ◽  
Jui-Tse Chang ◽  
Pei-Chun Liao
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Plastid Dna ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Comprehensive Study

The genus Scutellaria comprises eight species distributed from 50 to 2000 m in Taiwan. Amongst them, S. barbata and S. taipeiensis are very similar on the basis of morphological and plastid DNA sequence information. Therefore, a comprehensive study of the taxonomic status of S. taipeiensis is necessary. We reviewed the herbarium sheets, related literature and protologues and compared morphologies of these two species, as well as their phylogenetic relationships. All evidence, including the diagnostic characters between S. taipeiensis and S. barbata, suggest that they belonged to a single species rather than two. As a result, S. taipeiensis is treated as a synonym of S. barbata.

Taxonomy of the Sylvilagus brasiliensis complex in Central and South America (Lagomorpha: Leporidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 1599-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis A Ruedas ◽  
Sofia Marques Silva ◽  
Johnnie H French ◽  
Roy Nelson Platt ◽  
Jorge Salazar-Bravo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Type Material ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
South American ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Neotropical Species ◽  
Nomen Dubium ◽  
Taxonomic Framework

Abstract A taxonomic framework for South American cottontail rabbits (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) was recently published by Diersing and Wilson (2017). Although we agree with some of its taxonomic conclusions (e.g., species status for S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens), we disagree with others. We provide herein evidence supporting S. andinus as a valid species based on morphological characters and novel molecular data. We also provide details of the morphological characters of S. apollinaris and S. fulvescens that support separating these from S. brasiliensis. We adduce data suggestive to the effect that—absent any type material—S. defilippi is at best a nomen dubium. Finally, we provide evidence in support of recognizing additional Neotropical species of Sylvilagus. Un esquema taxonómico para los conejos sudamericanos (Lagomorpha: Leporidae: Sylvilagus) fue recientemente publicado por Diersing y Wilson (2017). Aunque estamos de acuerdo con algunas de sus conclusiones (por ejemplo: estatus de especie válida para S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens), no estamos de acuerdo con las restantes conclusiones taxonómicas. Aportamos aquí pruebas convincentes sobre la característica naturaleza de los caracteres morfológicos y moleculares de S. andinus, pruebas que esgrimimos en apoyo de la hipótesis que esta última es una especie válida, así confirmando su escisión de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos detalles de los caracteres morfológicos de S. apollinaris y S. fulvescens que confirman la decisión taxonómica de asimismo separarlos de S. brasiliensis. Proporcionamos datos en aditamento que indican que a falta de cualquier material tipo para S. defilippi, este nombre es en el mejor de los casos un nomen dubium. Finalmente, ofrecemos datos y evidencia apoyando nuestras decisiones de reconocer un mayor número de especies Neotropicales de Sylvilagus que previamente se conocían.

Reassessment of the species Stigeoclonium polyrhizum (Chaetophoraceae, Chaetophorales) based on morphological and molecular data

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 333 (1) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENWEN LIU ◽  
XUDONG LIU ◽  
QINGHUA WANG ◽  
ZHENGYU HU ◽  
GUOXIANG LIU
Keyword(s):  
Related Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Ssu Rdna ◽  
Juvenile Stage ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Branch Development ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
Main Filament

Four specimens of Stigeoclonium spp., sampled in China between 2015 and 2016, were identified as the species Stigeoclonium polyrhizum (Chaetophoraceae, Chaetophorales) due to their unique morphology. A large part of the main filament and branches was tightly enclosed by numerous rhizoidal branches, which extended downward to the base of the plant to form an expanded holdfast. S. polyrhizum has previously been regarded as a synonym of S. longipilum or other related species by most phycologists. Therefore, a reassessment of S. polyrhizum based on morphological and molecular data was conducted. Rhizoidal branch development of S. polyrhizum was also described, showing the abundant rhizoidal branches present from the juvenile stage to the mature stage under controlled culture conditions. Phylogenetic evidence, using nuclear-encoded SSU rDNA data, clearly revealed that the Chaetophoraceae diverged into two well-supported sister clades: the Chaetophora-clade and the Fritschiella-clade. S. polyrhizum was included in the Fritschiella-clade instead of the Chaetophora-clade where Chaetophora draparnaldioides (S. longipilum) was found. The morphological and molecular data unambiguously show that S. polyrhizum is a valid species rather than a synonym of S. longipilum or other related species. Thylakoid bands appressed to the periphery of the pyrenoid matrix of S. polyrhizum was also described.

A new species of the Ranunculaceae from southwestern China based on morphological and molecular data

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
BING LIU ◽  
YUN-QING HAO ◽  
YONG YANG ◽  
TIAN-TIAN SUN ◽  
YANG-JUN LAI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Southwestern China ◽  
Leaf Margin ◽  
Molecular Systematic ◽  
Field Investigations ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
A New Species

Based on field investigations, morphological and molecular systematic studies, a new species, Caltha dysosmoides (Ranunculaceae) from southwestern China is described. It differs from all other known congeneric species by the densely dentate leaf margin, the pendulous pedicels, the scarlet flowers, the compressed filaments, and the triangular connective. To better understand taxonomy of this new species, phylogenetic analyses were conducted using a combined dataset from nrITS, plastid trnL-trnF region, and atpB-rbcL spacer. The results indicate that Caltha is monophyletic and C. dysosmoides is sister to C. sinogracilis. The conservation status of the new species is categorized as CR based on IUCN criteria.

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