scholarly journals In situmorphometric survey elucidates the evolutionary systematics of the EurasianHimantoglossumclade (Orchidaceae: Orchidinae)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Bateman ◽  
Attila Molnár V. ◽  
Gábor Sramkó
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphometric Character ◽  
Clinal Variation ◽  
Plant Vigour ◽  
Parallel Acquisition ◽  
The Status ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Vegetative Characters

Background and AimsThe charismaticHimantoglossum s.l.clade of Eurasian orchids contains an unusually large proportion of taxa that are of controversial circumscriptions and considerable conservation concern. Whereas our previously published study addressed the molecular phylogenetics and phylogeography of every named taxon within the clade, here we use detailed morphometric data obtained from the same populations to compare genotypes with associated phenotypes, in order to better explore taxonomic circumscription and character evolution within the clade.MethodsBetween one and 12 plants found in 25 populations that encompassed the entire distribution of theHimantoglossum s.l.clade were measuredin situfor 51 morphological characters. Results for 45 of those characters were subjected to detailed multivariate and univariate analyses.Key ResultsMultivariate analyses readily separate subgenusBarliaand subgenusComperiafrom subgenusHimantoglossum, and also the early-divergentH. formosumfrom the less divergent remainder of subgenusHimantoglossum. The sequence of divergence of these four lineages is confidently resolved. Our experimental approach to morphometric character analysis demonstrates clearly that phenotypic evolution withinHimantoglossumis unusually multi-dimensional.ConclusionsDegrees of divergence between taxa shown by morphological analyses approximate those previously shown using molecular analyses.Himantoglossum s.l. is readily divisible into three subgenera. The three sections of subgenusHimantoglossum—hircinum,caprinumandformosum—are arrayed from west to east with only limited geographical overlap. At this taxonomic level, their juxtaposition combines with conflict between contrasting datasets to complicate attempts to distinguish between clinal variation and the discontinuities that by definition separatebona fidespecies. All taxa achieve allogamy via food deceit and have only weak pollinator specificity. Artificial crossing demonstrates that intrinsic sterility barriers are weak. Although we have found evidence of gene flow among and within the three sections of subgenusHimantoglossum, reports of natural hybrids are surprisingly rare, probably because putative parents are sufficiently similar to questionably warrant the status of species. Phenological separation and increased xeromorphy characterise the origin of subgenusBarlia. Several individual morphological characters show evidence of parallel acquisition, and loss of features is especially frequent in floral markings among members of sectioncaprinum. Detailed patterns of gain and loss demonstrate that several different categories of flower markings are inherited independently. Along with the dimensions of labellar lobes, these pigmentation characters have been over-emphasised in previous taxonomic treatments. Increased plant vigour was a crucial element of the origin of the genus, but vegetative characters underwent remarkably little subsequent evolution. Attempts to reconstruct hypothetical ancestors at internal nodes of the phylogeny are weakened by (a) uncertain placement ofSteveniellaas sister toHimantoglossum s.l.and (b) uncertain relationships among subtly different putative species within sectioncaprinum. Nonetheless, heterochronic/allometric trends, ultimately limited by functional constraints, clearly dictate transitions between contrasting flower sizes and complex labellum shapes.

scholarly journals Perspectives in Earthworm Molecular Phylogeny: Recent Advances in Lumbricoidea and Standing Questions

Diversity ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Daniel Fernández Marchán ◽  
Thibaud Decaëns ◽  
Jorge Domínguez ◽  
Marta Novo
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Phylogenetics ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Reduced Representation ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Status ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Terrestrial Habitats ◽  
Integrative Systematics ◽  
Representation Techniques ◽  
Targeted Enrichment

Earthworm systematics have been limited by the small number of taxonomically informative morphological characters and high levels of homoplasy in this group. However, molecular phylogenetic techniques have yielded significant improvements in earthworm taxonomy in the last 15 years. Several different approaches based on the use of different molecular markers, sequencing techniques, and compromises between specimen/taxon coverage and phylogenetic information have recently emerged (DNA barcoding, multigene phylogenetics, mitochondrial genome analysis, transcriptome analysis, targeted enrichment methods, and reduced representation techniques), providing solutions to different evolutionary questions regarding European earthworms. Molecular phylogenetics have led to significant advances being made in Lumbricidae systematics, such as the redefinition or discovery of new genera (Galiciandrilus, Compostelandrilus, Vindoboscolex, Castellodrilus), delimitation and revision of previously existing genera (Kritodrilus, Eophila, Zophoscolex, Bimastos), and changes to the status of subspecific taxa (such as the Allolobophorachaetophora complex). These approaches have enabled the identification of problems that can be resolved by molecular phylogenetics, including the revision of Aporrectodea, Allolobophora, Helodrilus, and Dendrobaena, as well as the examination of small taxa such as Perelia, Eumenescolex, and Iberoscolex. Similar advances have been made with the family Hormogastridae, in which integrative systematics have contributed to the description of several new species, including the delimitation of (formerly) cryptic species. At the family level, integrative systematics have provided a new genus system that better reflects the diversity and biogeography of these earthworms, and phylogenetic comparative methods provide insight into earthworm macroevolution. Despite these achievements, further research should be performed on the Tyrrhenian cryptic complexes, which are of special eco-evolutionary interest. These examples highlight the potential value of applying molecular phylogenetic techniques to other earthworm families, which are very diverse and occupy different terrestrial habitats across the world. The systematic implementation of such approaches should be encouraged among the different expert groups worldwide, with emphasis on collaboration and cooperation.

Status of Family Fissidentaceae in Gujarat

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D.G. Shah ◽  
D.N. Mehta ◽  
R.V. Gujar
Keyword(s):  
Distinct Species ◽  
The State ◽  
The Other ◽  
Land Plants ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Status ◽  
Vegetative Characters ◽  
First Time ◽  
Different Parts

Bryophytes are the second largest group of land plants and are also known as the amphibians of the plant kingdom. 67 species of bryophytes have been reported from select locations across the state of Gujrat. The status of family fissidentaceae which is a large moss family is being presented in this paper. Globally the family consists of 10 genera but only one genus, Fissidens Hedw. has been collected from Gujarat. Fissidens is characterized by a unique leaf structure and shows the presence of three distinct lamina, the dorsal, the ventral and the vaginant lamina. A total of 8 species of Fissidens have been reported from the state based on vegetative characters as no sporophyte stages were collected earlier. Species reported from the neighboring states also showed the absence of sporophytes. The identification of different species was difficult due to substantial overlap in vegetative characters. Hence a detailed study on the diversity of members of Fissidentaceae in Gujarat was carried out between November 2013 and February 2015. In present study 8 distinct species of Fissidens have been collected from different parts of the state. Three species Fissidens splachnobryoides Broth., Fissidens zollingerii Mont. and Fissidens curvato-involutus Dixon. have been identified while the other five are still to be identified. Fissidens zollingerii Mont. and Fissidens xiphoides M. Fleisch., which have been reported as distinct species are actually synonyms according to TROPICOS database. The presence of sexual reproductive structures and sporophytes for several Fissidens species are also being reported for the first time from the state.

The North American Allies of Hylobius piceus (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

1957 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Wood
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
North American Species ◽  
Winged Form ◽  
The North ◽  
The Status ◽  
Field Workers ◽  
Dimorphic Species ◽  
Biological Differences

While investigating the biology of the North American species of Hypomolyx, field workers in Manitoba found a vestigial, or short-winged, and a long-winged form under apparently identical conditions in about equal numbers. Although biological differences were nor then apparent, there was doubt as to whether they were dealing with one dimorphic species or with two distinct species, A search for morphological characters brought to light numerous differences between the two forms, supporting the view that two species were present. These differences, a description the previously unrecognized species, and notes concerning the status of the genera Hylobius and Hypomolyx are reported below.

Complement to the knowledge of the Haploops species (Crustacea, Gammaridea, Ampeliscidae), with the description of two new species from North Atlantic Ocean. [Contribution to the knowledge of the Haploops genus. 10.]

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5048 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-175
Author(s):  
R.A. KAIM-MALKA ◽  
D. BELLAN-SANTINI ◽  
J.C. DAUVIN
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
North Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Single Pair ◽  
The North ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
The Status ◽  
The North Atlantic

Two new Haploops species are described from the North Atlantic Ocean: a blind species Haploops faroensis spec. nov. and Haploops truncata spec. nov. with a single pair of corneal lenses. In addition, Haploops vallifera Stephensen 1925 and Haploops similis Stephensen 1925, are re-described and the status of Haploops spinosa Shoemaker 1931, is re-established as a valid species. A table is given of the 75 morphological characters of the studied species.  

scholarly journals Novitates neocaledonicae. XIII. Taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) in New Caledonia, with description of a new species

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 502 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-229
Author(s):  
JÉRÉMIE MOREL ◽  
JÉRÔME MUNZINGER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Remarkable Feature ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Line Drawings ◽  
Vegetative Characters ◽  
Reproductive Characters ◽  
A New Species

Three endemic species of Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) are currently recognized in New Caledonia. A recent multivariate analysis of 18 morphological characters based on 129 specimens of Xyris from New Caledonia, supported by 10 anatomical and micromorphological observations, suggested that three species should be recognized in the New Caledonian archipelago. However, the three published names did not correspond to the three entities identified via the multivariate analyses. The results showed that Xyris neocaledonia Rendle was morphologically distinct but requires lectotypification, Xyris guillauminii Conert was indistinct from X. pancheri Rendle, and that a new morphologically distinct species required description. We therefore propose to clarify the taxonomy of the genus for New Caledonia, by designating a lectotype, making this synonymy and describing the new species. The new species, Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger, sp. nov., has the remarkable feature of leaves that are shed as the plant senesces, and is reflected in the specific epithet for this new species. Line drawings are provided for the new species, along with colour photos for the three New Caledonian Xyris species and a distribution map. Three identification keys are provided, the first based on vegetative characters, the second on reproductive characters and the third on anatomical features of the leaf. Xyris desquamatus is preliminarily assigned an IUCN risk of extinction assessment of vulnerable.

scholarly journals A taxonomic revision of the family Harrimaniidae (Hemichordata: Enteropneusta) with descriptions of seven species from the Eastern Pacific

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2408 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. DELAND ◽  
C. B. CAMERON ◽  
K. P. RAO ◽  
W. E. RITTER ◽  
T. H. BULLOCK
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Nomen Nudum ◽  
Phylogenetic Hypothesis ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Dichotomous Key ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Status

The family Harrimaniidae (Hemichordata: Enteropneusta) is revised on the basis of morphological characters. The number of harrimaniid genera is increased to nine by the addition of Horstia n. gen., Mesoglossus n. gen., Ritteria n. gen. and Saxipendium, a genus previously assigned to the monospecific family Saxipendiidae. The number of species is increased to 34, resulting from the description of five new species from the eastern Pacific — Horstia kincaidi, Mesoglossus intermedius, M. macginitiei, Protoglossus mackiei and Ritteria ambigua. A description is supplied for a sixth harrimaniid species, Stereobalanus willeyi Ritter & Davis, 1904, which previously had the status of a nomen nudum. Four harrimaniids previously assigned to the genus Saccoglossus are transfered to the genus Mesoglossus — M. bournei, M. caraibicus, M. gurneyi and M. pygmaeus, while Saccoglossus borealis is reassigned to the genus Harrimania. Notes on habitat and zoogeography are included for the seven foregoing species and a table of diagnostic characters for existing and new species and a dichotomous key to the enteropneust families and harrimaniid genera are provided. Finally, a phylogenetic hypothesis concerning the Harrimaniidae is postulated, with discussion on the evolution of the group.

The status of the races of the graceful crag lizard, Pseudocordylus capensis, from South Africa

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.M. Herselman ◽  
J.H. Van Wyk ◽  
P. le F.N. Mouton
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Geographical Variation ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Distribution Range ◽  
The Status ◽  
Formal Taxonomy ◽  
New Distribution

AbstractTo evaluate the taxonomic status of the races of the graceful crag lizard, Pseudocordylus capensis, geographical variation in 44 external morphological characters was determined, using 97 specimens from 31 localities. Two different epiphenotypes predominate in the northern and southwestern parts of the distribution range. These epiphenotypes are, however, connected by a continuum of variation. It is therefore suggested that the recognition of races be abandoned in the formal taxonomy. Several new distribution records for the species are provided.

A new riparian Mantidactylus (Brygoomantis) frog from the Tsaratanana and Manongarivo Massifs in northern Madagascar

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4486 (4) ◽  
pp. 575 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL VENCES ◽  
ANDREA HILDENBRAND ◽  
KATHARINA M. WARMUTH ◽  
FRANCO ANDREONE ◽  
FRANK GLAW
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
The Status ◽  
Morphological Differences

The subgenus Brygoomantis in the Madagascar-endemic genus Mantidactylus contains 12 nominal species but is in urgent need of taxonomic revision as many additional, genetically divergent but undescribed candidate species have been identified. We here take a first step towards a better resolution of this group by describing a new species, Mantidactylus schulzi sp. nov., occurring at the Tsaratanana and Manongarivo Massifs, differentiated in genetic, bioacoustic and sometimes morphological characters from its closest relatives. We show that upon detailed study, most species in Brygoomantis can be delimited by concordant differentiation of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, and by bioacoustic and morphological differences. We flag this group of morphologically similar frogs as a test case where molecular data on historical type specimens by ancient DNA methods might be needed to reach a satisfying clarification of taxonomy and nomenclature. However, the status of the new species M. schulzi is not in doubt as it is morphologically distinct from most historical type specimens, and microendemic to a region in northern Madagascar from where no earlier names exist. 

Taxonomic notes on Alpheus inopinatus Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1958 and Alpheus cf. lobidens De Haan, 1849 from Kuwait (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4851 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-197
Author(s):  
ARTHUR ANKER ◽  
MANAL AL-KANDARI ◽  
SAMMY DE GRAVE
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Snapping Shrimp ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Common

The status of the common intertidal snapping shrimp, Alpheus inopinatus Holthuis & Gottlieb, 1958, is discussed based on newly collected material from Kuwait. Alpheus inopinatus was previously confused with morphologically very similar species in the Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849 species complex, formerly identified as A. crassimanus Heller, 1862 and herein tentatively referred to as A. cf. lobidens. The material herein examined strongly supports the validity of A. inopinatus based on several morphological characters, as well as differences in the colour pattern, compared to other members of the A. lobidens complex. 

Recharacterisation and photo-documentation of five North American Bursaphelenchus species from C.L. Massey’s type material

Nematology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natsumi Kanzaki ◽  
Robin M. Giblin-Davis ◽  
Barbara J. Center
Keyword(s):  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Female Characters ◽  
Species Status ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Lateral Field ◽  
Female Tail ◽  
Photo Documentation ◽  
The Status

The type specimens of fiveBursaphelenchusspecies described by Massey,i.e.,B. bestiolus,B. corneolus,B. elytrus,B. newmexicanusandB. wilfordi, were re-examined and photo-documented to update their descriptions in light of a contemporary understanding of the genus. The presence of a lateral field, basal swelling of stylet, P1 ventral single papilla of males and a pair of three-celled structures in females, which were not described or mentioned in the original descriptions, were observed, although the number of lateral incisures were not clarified because of sample condition. Within these five species, the intrageneric groupings ofB. bestiolusandB. wilfordihad been unclear. In the present study, because of newly observed morphological characters,B. bestiolusis considered to belong to thehofmanni-group, and is close toB. talonusandB. rufipennis. These three species form a species complex and are distinguished from each other only by female tail morphology. The species status ofB. wilfordiis still unclear, although, based on spicule morphology and structure and arrangement of genital papillae, we consider it to belong to thehofmanni-group, close toB. parvispicularis,B. paraparvispicularisandB. osumiana. However, female characters ofB. wilfordiare also similar to members of thecocophilus-group andParasitaphelenchus. Re-isolation and molecular identification are necessary to confirm the status of these species. By contrast, the affiliations ofB. corneoluswith thehofmanni-group andB. elytrusandB. newmexicanuswith theeggersi-group were confirmed. Based upon its morphological traits,B. corneolusis close toB. gerberaeandB. paracorneolus, and is distinguished from these species by its spicule morphology, female tail morphology and female post-uterine sac length. However, male specimens ofB. corneoluswere not available for the present study and confirmation is necessary.Bursaphelenchus elytrusis similar toB. tusciaeand is distinguished from it by its spicule (condylus) morphology and excretory pore position.Bursaphelenchus newmexicanusis close toB. glochisand is distinguished from it mostly by morphometrics and spicule (condylus) morphology. However, morphometrics usually vary among individuals and populations of a species, necessitating morphometric and molecular comparisons of more isolates (strains) in order to clarify specific status.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document