Integrated taxonomy supports the identification of some species of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Georgia

The present study reports results of a survey carried out mostly on Citrus sp. and Rubus sp. in Georgia. Morphological and molecular (12S rRNA, COI and CytB mtDNA markers) data were analysed in a framework of integrative taxonomy. Eleven species were identified and among them seven are new for the Georgian fauna. Euseius stipulatus and Phytoseius finitimus were the most abundant species during this survey. We assume that Amblyseius eharai, only reported from eastern Asia, was most probably introduced. Neoseiulus californicus, retrieved from uncultivated vegetation, was almost certainly originating from commercial strains. DNA sequences comparisons disclosed phylogenetic closeness between Amblyseius andersoni and Transeius wainsteini, despite these species (i) being morphologically well differentiated and (ii) classified in different genera, thereby questioning the reliability of the genus Transeius. General morphological characters, including measurements, are provided for species for which diagnoses were doubtful.

Rare specimen identification in an un-integrated taxonomy: implications of DNA sequences from a Taiwanese Philine (Mollusca, Philinidae)

Many species of the gastropod genus Philine have been named from northeastern Asia but scanty descriptions based predominantly on shells make it difficult to determine which are valid. This, plus the sporadic anatomical and genetic information available for many of these species has led to what may be described as an un-integrated taxonomy. In this situation, it is generally preferable to postpone dissection of rare and unusual specimens until relevant diagnostic characters can be established in broader studies. Micro-CT scanning and DNA sequencing were used to examine such a specimen collected recently from deep waters off northeastern Taiwan. Micro-CT examination of the morphology of the internal shell and gizzard plates suggested that, among named species, the sequenced specimen is most similar to P. otukai. It cannot, however, be definitively referred to P. otukai as that species lacks adequate anatomical description or known DNA sequences. Phylogenetic analyses of newly collected DNA sequences show the specimen to be most closely related to, but distinct from the northern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean species, Philine quadripartita. The sequences also confirm genetically that five or more species of Philine occur in northeast Asia, including at least three subject to considerable taxonomic uncertainty.

Resolving phylogenetic and classical nomenclature: A revision of Seraphsidae Jung, 1974 (Gastropoda: Neostromboidae)

This revision demonstrates that an integrated taxonomic approach to classical taxonomic practice can lead to increased internal cladistic resolution within a clade, including the recognition of new taxa at all nomenclatural levels. In particular, this revision has two aims: 1) to complete an α-taxonomic revision of Seraphsidae (Stromboidea); and 2) to resolve the infrafamilial relationships within Seraphsidae using morphological cladistics. An annotated synonymy was generated for each taxon, the precedence of names determined, and revised descriptions formulated. Character sets that reflect the synapomorphies within the major subclades of Seraphsidae were coded and a cladogram generated using maximum likelihood within the tnt program with default settings. Four forms of material and evidence were used in this systematic review: 1) the type material for each taxon; 2) non-type physical material; 3) published images; and 4) literary references for specimen localities without illustration. The current morphologically-based classification of Seraphsidae was found to be sound in terms of current species delimitations. Regardless of this, the use of an integrated taxonomy improved understanding of the internal cladistic relationships within Seraphsidae, which led to higher resolution of the internal cladistic arrangements and taxonomic delimitation. Furthermore, this increased resolution is now reflected in the family nomenclature. Two new subfamilies are proposed, Seraphsinae and Pseudoterebellinae, which are used to distinguish the two clades within Seraphsidae based on form: members of Seraphsinae are involute, while members of Pseudoterebellinae are evolute. Pseudoterebellum is proposed as a new genus to show the discontinuity in the fossil record and highlight the structural differences between it and Terebellum. A new species from Jamaica, Seraphs kaindraperi, is described, being the first record from that location and that geological period and is morphologically distinct from other described taxa. This revision included Mauryna within Seraphsidae on the grounds that it provides a basal link to the Seraphsidae sister taxa Semiterebellum and Terebellopsis, all of which are currently contained within Rostellariidae, and all three clades may in time be brought together under one family. All clades have been constructed to be in compliance with both the ICZN and PhyloCode. It was not possible within the context of this revision to test the results of the α-taxonomic findings against phylogenies generated with molecular data. This was due to the high number of extinct taxa within the Seraphsidae.

Pseudococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Uruguay: morphological identification and molecular characterization, with descriptions of two new species

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) are important pests in fruit production in Uruguay; however, very little is known about the species involved. A survey of mealybugs associated especially with fruit crops (apple, citrus, figs, grapes, pears, quince and strawberry), and other crops like vegetables and sugar cane, ornamentals and weeds was performed between 2017 and 2019 in Uruguay, using integrated taxonomy (morphology and DNA analyses) for their identification. A total of 19 mealybug species were identified. The most common species were Planococcus ficus (Signoret), Pseudococcus scatoterrae Granara de Willink and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) on fruits, and Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Phenacoccus peruvianus Granara de Willink and Planococcus citri (Risso) on ornamental plants, all of them causing damage to their hosts. This study presents nine new species records for Uruguay, besides the description of two new species. An identification key to the mealybugs in Uruguay is provided.

Towards Resolving the American and West African Strombidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Neostromboidae) Using Integrated Taxonomy

The phylogeny of the American Strombidae the genus Lobatus is limited to the extant Lobatus raninus and several fossil precursors, the genera Macrostrombus, Aliger and Titanostrombus are re-installed as valid genera. The genus Persististrombus which was used as a sink for a plethora of species, is limited to the extant Persististrombus granulatus, fossil American species and a few Eocene to Miocene European species, which we enclose within Persististrombini nov. tribus along with Thetystrombus. Two new genera for the Miocene ancestral basal taxa of Aligerini nov. tribus, Edpetuchistrombus nov. gen. and Antestrombus nov. gen., both of which represent basal reference points enabling greater clarity in the resolution of early West African and American Strombidae radiations are proposed. This revised phylogeny informed by total evidence and historical revisions will assist in providing an evolutionary-based nomenclature that offers a structural basis for further explanation of the radiation and diversification of taxa within the Strombidae.

A new species of Diphascon (Tardigrada: Hypsibiidae) from Northern China supported by integrated taxonomy

Morphological and molecular analyses have determined that there is a new species of Tardigrada found in China. Diphascon wuyingensis sp. nov., has smooth cuticle, pharyngeal apophyses, three rod-shaped macroplacoids (increasing in length from first to third, with the second macroplacoid clearly longer than the first) and lacks microplacoids and septulum. The new species has a very small drop-shaped formation and small claws of the Hypsibius type, but no pseudolunules or other cuticular thickenings. Three individual specimens and a group of four specimens were used for DNA isolation and 18S rRNA and COI sequencing; the p-distances to another three Diphascon species used for comparison varied in ranges of 8.8–10.2% (18S rRNA) and 24.2–26.7% (COI).