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The Trebouxiophyceae is a widespread and species-rich green algal class encompassing mostly coccoid algae with a simple spherical, ovoid or ellipsoidal outline. However, some poorly sampled lineages have evolved more elaborate shapes or even complex thalli, adding to the morphological diversity of the class. By investigating new and previously established strains, this study expands the range of morphologies exhibited by the class members by uncovering a clade of croissant-like trebouxiophytes. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from nuclear 18S rDNA and chloroplast rbcL sequences confirmed the monophyly of the 'microcroissant' clade, which we propose to be classified as a new family, Ragelichloridaceae. This family includes two novel genera, Ragelichloris and Navichloris, and the previously described Thorsmoerkia. The position of Ragelichloridaceae within Trebouxiophyceae stayed unresolved but chloroplast phylogenomics showed that the family belongs to the broader incertae sedis group that also includes Xylochloris and Leptosira. In addition, our study showed that the similar morphotype-bearing genus Chlorolobion, previously classified within Chlorophyceae, is a genuine trebouxiophyte, potentially related to Ragelichloridaceae. Highlights: A new family-level clade uncovered within the Trebouxiophyceae. Two new genera, Ragelichloris and Navichloris, are described. The genus Chlorolobion is shown to be a trebouxiophyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Caledonian crickets of the tribe Lebinthini are renowned for their high endemicity and their use of high‐frequency calling songs. Although previous studies have found them to originate from New Guinea around 30 Ma, recent discoveries of new lineages of Lebinthini in New Caledonia and in Australia questioned this result. Here, we describe Kanakinthus koniambo Le Flanchec & Robillard gen. et sp.nov., a new genus and species endemic to New Caledonia. We also describe three new species of the endemic genus Agnothecous: A. anonymous Le Flanchec, Vendanger & Robillard sp.nov., A. borendyi Le Flanchec, Vendanger & Robillard sp.nov. and A. kwakwe Le Flanchec, Vendanger & Robillard sp.nov. We include these new taxa and the Australian Lebinthini in a molecular phylogeny of the subfamily Eneopterinae, estimate their divergence times and reconstruct their historical biogeography. Our results confirm the monophyly of the clade endemic to New Caledonia and its origin from a single colonization event from New Guinea, around 30 Ma, shortly after the archipelago completely re‐emerged in its current configuration, 34 Ma. We also infer an independent colonization of Australia by the genus Julverninthus from New Guinea, around 25 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progressive aridification of the Australian continent, and coincident decline of mesic forest, has been a powerful driver of allopatric and environmental speciation in native species. The relictual mesic forests of the eastern seaboard now harbour a diverse group of endemic fauna, including the wood‐feeding cockroaches of the genus Panesthia, which reached the continent via two separate invasions from Melanesia. The more recent of these colonization events gave rise to a group of five recognized species, occurring in mainland woodlands, sclerophylls and rainforests, as well as the forests and grasslands of the Lord Howe Island Group. Due to limited sampling in molecular studies and doubt regarding the standing taxonomy, there is little certainty about relationships among the species and poor understanding of the effects of ancient climatic change upon their evolution. We undertook a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the clade, using complete mitogenomes and nuclear ribosomal markers from nearly all known morphospecies and populations. Our time‐calibrated phylogenetic analyses reveal an additional six unrecognized, highly divergent lineages and suggest that these have arisen primarily through vicariance as rainforests fragmented during Plio‐Pleistocene glacial cycles (2–5 million years ago). Ancestral niche estimations also evidence a tropical rainforest origin for the group, followed by at least three niche transitions into drier forest, including one associated with the singular colonization of the Lord Howe Island Group. Finally, we find evidence of frequent, parallel wing reduction, in potential association with the contraction of forest habitats into small refugia. Our results reiterate the far‐reaching role of ancient aridification in driving speciation, niche expansion and morphological evolution in Australian fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Together with Syllidae, Nereididae and Eunicidae, Spionidae is one of the four more speciose families of polychaete annelids in southern Africa, comprising 25% of the known species and 53–85% of the unresolved cosmopolitans. Among southern African spionids, the genus Dipolydora Verrill, 1881 particularly requires further revision and, in this paper, we contribute by refining the morphological characteristics of D. capensis (Day, 1955) and D. goreensis (Augener, 1918). Neither species has been redescribed since their original description and are currently difficult to distinguish and identify. Therefore, our study provides additional morphological details based on examining type specimens and newly collected materials from South Africa and the Republic of Congo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial stages of the evolutionary history of peratheriines, the European herpetotheriid metatherians, are largely unknown, primarily due to their limited morphological dental disparity throughout the Palaeogene, coupled with significant intraspecific variation. Based on eleven molars, we document a new early peratheriine species, Peratherium musivum sp. nov. which is larger than and morphologically similar to the earliest peratheriine, Peratherium constans (MP7). Subtle molar characters are shared with the largest early Eocene peratheriine, Peratherium maximum comb. nov. We illustrate the importance of studying possible changes in molar cusp – basin proportions and correlated characters that occured during peratheriine evolution. Peratherium musivum sp. nov. which spanned only part of the MP7-MP8 + 9 time interval, and the ~MP8 + 9 Peratherium maximum comb. nov. were probably widespread in Western Europe. The description of a well-preserved mandible of the latter, from La Borie (~MP8 + 9), reveals original features concerning relative size and shape of dental alveoli, partly corroborated using isolated molars. These traits are absent in the younger, most representative species of both peratheriine genera, Peratherium and Amphiperatherium. Based on the aforementioned data and a critical review, it is demonstrated that peratheriine genera lack consistent definitions, so that the Peratherium/Amphiperatherium dichotomy is plausibly inapplicable to early Eocene representatives.This article is registered in ZooBank under urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2B4DE58-855C-4CB8-BC1D-C9677E6DF97D [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In highly specialised phytophagous insects, important insights on phylogeny of the involved insect group can be often inferred from the evolutionary history of their host plants, and vice-versa, as in the case for a new, peculiar species of pollen beetles, recently discovered in Central China (Hubei Province). This new species is described herein as Teucriogethes huangae Liu & Audisio, sp. nov., and information on its ecology and systematic position is provided. The new species, associated as larvae with a strongly isolated member of the genus Teucrium L. (Lamiaceae), T. ornatum Hemsl., exhibiting a problematic taxonomic position, represents in turn an isolated and morphologically rather aberrant taxon in its lineage, probably the largest in size (2.2–2.8 mm), and the first endemic representative of its genus in the whole Eastern Palaearctic. An updating of the taxonomic assessment of members of Teucriogethes and on possible evolutionary relationships with their larval host plants, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, is finally presented. A key to identification of all known species is also introduced. ZooBank: Pollen beetles of the genus Teucriogethes (Meligethinae) are strictly associated with the flowers of germanders, Teucrium (Lamiaceae). We analysed and described a new species, Teucriogethes huangae , recently discovered in Central China, associated as larvae with a strongly isolated member of Teucrium , T. ornatum. The new species occupies an isolated position inside Teucriogethes revealed by combining both morphological and molecular analyses, as well as bionomical data. This paper provides a significant contribution to many important evolutionary and taxonomical aspects of Teucriogethes. (Image credit: Meike Liu, Simone Sabatelli and Paolo Audisio.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here present a comprehensive integrative taxonomic review of the genus Hylomys , using molecular (mitochondrial genomes and up to five nuclear loci) and morphological data from museum specimens across its distribution, resulting in the description of two new species and the elevation of three subspecies to specific status. This revision significantly increases the known diversity of Hylomys from two to seven extant species, challenging the traditional view of species-level diversity within gymnures. We discuss the implications of the taxonomic findings for conservation, particularly in relation to the restricted distribution ranges of several species that may be threatened by habitat loss and/or climate change. Our research emphasizes the importance of scientific collections and underscores the potential of museum genomics and additional field sampling to identify new species and improve our understanding of species diversity in poorly studied regions. Speciation events within Hylomys occurred during the Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, possibly driven by shifting climate conditions such as the strengthening of the Indian monsoon and the expansion of seasonally dry conditions. This study supports northern Sumatra and the southern Annamites as centres of localized endemicity and suggests the need for additional small mammal surveys across Sumatra's Barisan Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematics of side-gilled slugs face long-lasting incongruencies provided by morphological and molecular data. Parsimonious morphological assessments divided the single superfamily Pleurobranchoidea into the shell-less Pleurobranchaeidae and the internally shelled Pleurobranchidae, including the aberrant helicoid-shelled Tomthompsonia. Molecular evidence has proven untrustworthy to date, revealing contrasting hypotheses. This study's multilocus phylogeny benefits from a dense taxon sampling of 94 pleurobranchids, with 22 newly sequenced specimens, including type species for all known genera. We further evaluate the effects of masking with several algorithms to better enhance phylogenetic resolution. Our results support that Tomthompsonioidea superfam. nov. are the sister group of all other Pleurobranchida; the absence of an acidic oral gland and a helicoid shell are the diagnostic features. We also provide the first molecular evidence that Euselenops nests within Pleurobranchaeidae, and Pleurobranchella is related to Pleurobranchaea , but remains distinct morphologically. Regarding Pleurobranchidae, the genus Berthella is paraphyletic and now embodied in the four clades: Berthella s.s. , Boreoberthella , Pleurehdera , and Tomoberthella gen. nov. The fact that, whereas there is a supposed low Antarctic diversity, we find hidden speciation in several tropical species suggests that side-gilled slugs pose an Antarctic origin or a relic that radiated in shallower, warmer waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crepidotus subg. Dochmiopus contributes to more than half of Crepidotus species and exhibits highly hidden diversity. However, C. subg. Dochmiopus is challenging to study because the basidiomata of C. subg. Dochmiopus species are usually small and white, inconspicuous interspecific distinctions, and possess a familiar complex. In this study, we utilized a variety of characteristics for species identification, including habitat, presence or absence of a stipe in mature specimens, pileipellis and cheilocystidia patterns, whether the lamellae edges are fimbriated, and other characteristics. Above all, cheilocystidia and pileipellis patterns will be important in C. subg. Dochmiopus research. Based on the present specimens, we constructed a multigene phylogenetic tree (ITS + LSU) and recognized four new species: C. lamellomaculatus sp. nov., C. capitatocystidiatus sp. nov., C. succineus sp. nov., C. clavocystidiatustustus sp. nov. Detailed morphological descriptions, photographs, line drawings and comparisons with closely related taxa for the new species are provided. The current phylogenetic analysis does not support the previously classifications, indicating that the classification of Crepidotus requires re-evaluation. But the existing molecular datasets and species' descriptions are insufficient to fully resolve the classification. Further integration of new gene segments and a comprehensive review of morphological characteristics will reveal a natural classification for Crepidotus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Large crickets in the family Anostostomatidae, which are locally known as wētā, are a prominent feature of New Zealand endemic diversity and ecology. However, their systematics are poorly resolved, which reflects the wider uncertainty about the treatment on this orthopteran family. We examined the relationships among the New Zealand genera with representatives of the fauna from nearby Australia and New Caledonia by using a DNA dataset. We found that the New Zealand genera comprised four distinct lineages that were each more closely related to taxa outside New Zealand. We also found that the most speciose genus in New Zealand comprised two paraphyletic taxa. The Anostostomatidae of Aotearoa New Zealand are well-characterized at the genus and species level, but the higher-level systematics of the family as a whole remain poorly resolved. We tested the hypothesis that the New Zealand anaostostomatid fauna consists of a single monophyletic group consistent with a single common ancestor. For phylogenetic analysis, we sampled the genera in Aotearoa New Zealand as well as representatives of the family from Australia and New Caledonia. Maximum likelihood analyses including topological comparison statistics with a DNA alignment of thirteen mitochondrial and four nuclear protein coding genes rejected the monophyly of lineages in New Zealand. We found phylogenetic support for four separate New Zealand lineages; three with their closest relatives in Australia and one in New Caledonia. The New Zealand genus Hemiandrus is paraphyletic and the establishment of a morphologically distinct genus is justified. We determined that six of the valid species previously placed in Hemiandrus form a distinct clade that we designated here as Anderus gen. nov. The putative Hemiandrus that we sampled from Australia was sister to neither of the New Zealand lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Thelyphonida, also known as vinegaroons or whip-scorpions, is a small arachnid order with 140 described species. Despite being conspicuous and widely distributed across the tropics and subtropics on four continents, knowledge of the order has been slow to advance. The genus Thelyphonellus, a member of subfamily Hypoctoninae, consisted of four species described prior to the present contribution. In this study, the first detailed morphological study and phylogenetic analysis of Thelyphonellus is presented. The analysis includes all except one of the previously described species of Thelyphonellus in addition to two new species described herein, the species of Ravilops (from the Caribbean island of Hispaniola), and the West African genus Etienneus. A single, optimal phylogenetic hypothesis placed Ravilops nested within Thelyphonellus. Four lineages with disjunct distributions, each characterized by a combination of characters, were recovered by the analysis of Hypoctoninae. Based on these results, four genera, two of which are new, are recognized: Ravilops, Thelyphonellus, Wounaan (new genus), and Yekuana (new genus). Two new species, classified in Wounaan and Yekuana, are described and illustrated. A key to the identification of the Neotropical genera of Hypoctoninae and a map plotting the known distribution of its species are also presented. Thelyphonida Blanchard, 1852, also known as vinegaroons or whip-scorpions, is a small arachnid order with 140 described species contained in a single family, Thelyphonidae Lucas, 1835. Despite being conspicuous and widely distributed across the tropics and subtropics on four continents, knowledge of the order has been slow to advance. Hypoctoninae Pocock, 1899, one of four subfamilies currently recognized and one of two represented in the New World, comprises five genera. Since its inception, Thelyphonellus Pocock, 1894 has remained the only hypoctonine genus occurring in South America, with only four species described prior to the present contribution. The first detailed morphological study and phylogenetic analysis of Thelyphonellus is presented herein. The morphological phylogenetic analysis—the first for Thelyphonida—includes all except one of the previously described species of Thelyphonellus in addition to two new species described herein; the species of Ravilops Víquez and Armas, 2005 (from the Caribbean island of Hispaniola); and the monotypic Old World genus Etienneus Heurtault, 1984 (from West Africa) scored for 45 morphological characters. A single, most parsimonious phylogenetic hypothesis revealed that Thelyphonellus is paraphyletic with respect to Ravilops. The New World Hypoctoninae comprises four clades with disjunct distributions and well supported by a combination of morphological characteristics, on the basis of which four genera, two of which are new, are recognized: Ravilops, with two species, endemic to Hispaniola; Thelyphonellus, herein restricted to Thelyphonellus amazonicus (Butler, 1872) and Thelyphonellus ruschii Weygoldt, 1979, occurring in Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and northern Brazil; Wounaan, gen. n., containing Wounaan vanegasae (Giupponi and Vasconcelos, 2008), comb. n. and Wounaan yarigui, sp. n. from Colombia; and Yekuana, gen. n., containing Yekuana venezolensis (Haupt, 2009), comb. n. and Yekuana wanadi, sp. n. from Venezuela. The two new species are described and illustrated. A key to the identification of the Neotropical genera of Hypoctoninae and a map plotting the known distribution of its species are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The wheat tribe, Triticeae, has been the subject of molecular phylogenetic analyses for nearly three decades, and extensive phylogenetic conflict has been apparent from the earliest comparisons among DNA‐based data sets. While most previous analyses focused primarily on nuclear vs. chloroplast DNA conflict, the present analysis provides a broader picture of conflict among nuclear loci throughout the tribe. Methods: Exon data were generated from over 1000 nuclear loci using targeted sequence capture with custom baits, and nearly complete chloroplast genome sequences were recovered. Phylogenetic conflict was assessed among the trees from the chloroplast genomes, the concatenated nuclear loci, and a series of nuclear‐locus subsets guided by Hordeum chromosome gene maps. Results: At the intergeneric level, the analyses collectively revealed a few broadly consistent relationships. However, the prevailing pattern was one of extensive phylogenetic conflict throughout the tribe, among both deep and shallow branches, and with the extent of the conflict varying among data subsets. Conclusions: The results suggest continual introgression or lineage sorting within and among the named lineages of the Triticeae, shaping both deep and shallow relationships in the tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circumscription of the large genus Pultenaea Sm. has been contentious since shortly after description. We draw on recently generated phylogenomic data to provide a fully resolved phylogeny of Pultenaea and related genera based on near-complete species level sampling for the genus. Phylogenomic data divide Pultenaea sens. lat. into five independent lineages, corresponding to previously identified clades, that we recognise as distinct genera. Pultenaea sens. str. contains most of the currently recognised species and as circumscribed here, all of the species are endemic to eastern Australia except for P. tenuifolia R.Br. & Sims that extends across the Nullarbor into Western Australia. The genus Euchilus R.Br. is reinstated for eight species, all endemic to south-west Western Australia except for E. elachistus (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia that also occurs in South Australia. Three new genera are described, with all of the constituent species endemic to south-west Western Australia: Grievea R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia, with two species, Jennata R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia, with nine species and Loricobbia R.L.Barrett, Clugston & Orthia with six species. Pultenaea adunca Turcz. remains unplaced but we exclude this species from our concept of Pultenaea. Twenty-one new combinations are made: Euchilus aridus (E.Pritz.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, E. calycinus subsp. proxenus (Orthia & Chappill) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, E. daena (Orthia & Chappill) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, E. elachistus (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, Grievea brachytropis (Benth. ex Lindl.) R.L.Barrett & Orthia, G. craigiana (C.F.Wilkins, Orthia & Crisp) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, Jennata brachyphylla (Turcz.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. empetrifolia (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. ericifolia (Benth.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. indira (Orthia & Crisp) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. indira subsp. monstrosita (Orthia) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. indira subsp. pudoides (Orthia) Orthia & R.L.Barrett, J. radiata (H.B.Will.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. strobilifera (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, J. verruculosa (Turcz.) R.L.Barrett & Clugston, Loricobbia aspalathoides (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. ochreata (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. pauciflora (M.B.Scott) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. pinifolia (Meisn.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl., L. reticulata (Sm.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl. and L. skinneri (F.Muell.) R.L.Barrett & T.D.Macfarl. The bush-pea genus (Pultenaea) is one of the larger legume genera in Australia but has been difficult to define. We present a new classification of the group, recognising five genera instead of one using a large DNA based analysis of relationships. Three genera are newly described and one genus is reinstated, and these are almost entirely restricted to south-west Western Australia, with true Pultenaea being mostly restricted to eastern Australia. (Photograph by Russell Barrett.) This article belongs to the collection Genomics for Australian Plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new species, Paepalanthus fonsecae (Eriocaulaceae), is described and illustrated. It is placed in P. sect. Conodiscus due to its dimerous flowers, subcylindrical receptacles, and a gynoecium with the nectariferous branches of the style inserted below the level of the short stigmas on the fused portion of the style. The new species is compared with similar congeners, especially P. echinoides, from which it is mainly distinguished by having an elongated aerial stem covered by membranaceous and flat leaves, and the inflorescences consisting of usually fewer but longer scapes, each subtending a wider capitulum with elliptic involucral bracts. Paepalanthus fonsecae is known from two collections from central Brazil in the municipalities of Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Cavalcante and, according to IUCN criterion B, it should be treated as critically endangered (CR). Detailed comments on the species' distribution and morphology, along with new anatomical and palynological data, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of evidence indicates that the global diversity of freshwater fishes has not been fully documented. Studies of freshwater fishes that were previously thought to be morphologically variable have revealed the existence of deeply divergent lineages, with many distinct species. In southern Africa a number of Enteromius species exhibit either exceedingly wide or divided distribution patterns that should be rare for freshwater fishes with limited dispersal opportunities between river systems. One such species is the sidespot barb, Enteromius neefi. As currently defined, E. neefi has a disjunct distribution that is divided between rivers in the northeast escarpment in South Africa and Eswatini, and tributaries of the Upper Zambezi in Zambia and southern Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a large geographic gap between these two populations. With the use of molecular and morphological methods, the level of divergence between the two populations was examined, and a new species was described from the Steelpoort River in the Limpopo River system of South Africa. Findings from this study provide further evidence for a number of taxonomic problems within the goldie barbs of southern Africa, and some taxonomic rearrangements are proposed for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blancan III or late early Blancan–early late Blancan (3.9–2.6 Ma, Pliocene) cervid remains are described from alluvial deposits of the locality Los Hornitos, northeastern Sonora, northwestern Mexico. These remains include antlers, teeth, a mandible fragment, and other several postcranial elements. These Sonoran Blancan fossil cervid elements constitute the second most abundant group of the mammalian assemblage after the equids in the studied area. The morphometric comparative study with Pliocene and Pleistocene cervid material from United States and Mexico together with statistical analyses (bivariate and multivariate), indicate that herein described material correspond to the species Odocoileus virginianus. This is the first record of this medium-sized deer from the Blancan of Sonora and the earliest unequivocal record to Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tadpoles serve as crucial evidence for testing systematic and taxonomic hypotheses. Suctorial tadpoles collected in Guyana were initially assigned to Rhaebo nasicus through molecular phylogeny. Subsequent analysis of larval and adult morphological traits revealed synapomorphies within the clade encompassing R. nasicus and R. ceratophrys, prompting the recognition of a new genus described herein as Adhaerobufo. The new genus is distinguished from other bufonids by specific phenotypic traits including an enlarged, suctorial oral disc with distinct papillae arrangements, and the presence of certain muscles and narial vacuities at the larval stage. However, only a few adult external characteristics (e.g., enlarged eyelids, infraocular cream spot), seem to be reliably discriminative from related genera. This study underscores the significance of larval morphology in anuran systematics and offers new insights into the evolution of suctorial and gastromyzophorous larvae within bufonids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a new species of the genus Multidentorhodacarus Karg, M. deesaensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the female. The specimens of the new species were collected from leaf litter underneath Citrus trees. Additionally, the genus Afrodacarellus Hurlbutt is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia with the species A. xucurukariri Santos and Castilho collected from soil under Coffea arabica L.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7A4E9DE1-8CF5-4260-BA85-37504A76C988http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:91428D10-8686-43A8-90D7-3638E469F586 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A meticulous morphological study of the genus Minimelanolocus and related genera reveals that several species within the genus are not congeneric. As a result, two new genera, Acuminavicula and Zelofuscophialis, are proposed to accommodate Minimelanolocus chimonanthi and M. bicolorata, respectively. Additionally, a new species, M. eucalypti, is proposed. Seven species of Minimelanolocus are reassigned to the genera Kylindria, Nigrolentilocus, Pyriculariopsis, Repetophragma and Thysanorea. Two synonyms are proposed for Belemnospora verruculosa and Repetophragma dennisii. The new combination Kylindria yunnanensis is suggested based on morphological and phylogenetic analysis. A synoptic table and illustrations of conidia of accepted species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomy of the Parachela–Oxygaster–Macrochirichthys clade of Xenocyprididae has been confused since the original descriptions of Parachela oxygastroides and Parachela hypophthalmus in the mid‐19th century. The confusion seems attributable to the substantial intraspecific variation in color and other morphological characteristics of species of Oxygaster and Parachela. Morphological data on 401 specimens from throughout the range of Parachela and molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that six available species names for Parachela are valid: Parachela cyanea, P. hypophthalmus, Parachela ingerkongi, Parachela johorensis (removed from the synonymy of P. oxygastroides), P. oxygastroides, and Parachela williaminae. In addition, two new species of Parachela, Parachela melanosticta and Parachela microlepis, are described. Chela pointoni is a synonym of P. oxygastroides, not a valid species of Oxygaster as previously hypothesized, and Parachela maculicauda is a synonym of Parachela johorensis. Considerable morphological and genetic variation is present in all well‐sampled species of Parachela. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenomic data are revolutionizing the field of insect phylogenetics. One of the most tenable and cost-effective methods of generating phylogenomic data is target enrichment, which has resulted in novel phylogenetic hypotheses and revealed new insights into insect evolution. Orthoptera is the most diverse insect order within polyneoptera and includes many evolutionarily and ecologically interesting species. Still, the order as a whole has lagged behind other major insect orders in terms of transitioning to phylogenomics. In this study, we developed an Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probe set from 80 transcriptomes across Orthoptera. The probe set targets 1828 loci from genes exhibiting a wide range of evolutionary rates. The utility of this new probe set was validated by generating phylogenomic data from 36 orthopteran species that had not previously been subjected to phylogenomic studies. The OR-TE probe set captured an average of 1037 loci across the tested taxa, resolving relationships across broad phylogenetic scales. Our detailed documentation of the probe design and bioinformatics process is intended to facilitate the widespread adoption of this tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractApomixis, the reproduction via asexually formed seed, is taxonomically scattered in angiosperms. Here we review the major developmental pathways to apomixis and the occurrences on the level of orders and families. We provide surveys of large families for which occurrences and evolutionary pathways of apomixis are well documented (Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Rosaceae, Brassicaceae, Rutaceae, and Asteraceae). Molecular phylogenetic, phylogenomic, and cytogenetic studies have confirmed that apomixis frequently arises in hybrids, with or without polyploidy. Multiple origins, different developmental pathways, and genetic/epigenetic control mechanisms confirm that apomixis is a derived trait. Pollen functions are in many taxa maintained for fertilization of polar nuclei and proper endosperm development, which allows also for maintenance of facultative sexuality and further intercrossing of lineages. This way, apomixis often results in huge and dynamic complexes of numerous hybrid genotypes and phenotypes with highly reticulate relationships. Such complexes are successful to establish in various habitats and geographical regions. Expression of apomixis appears to be in some genera influenced by environmental conditions. The diversity of evolutionary pathways is reflected in various, genus-wise taxonomic treatments. Future research is needed to understand the short-term evolutionary dynamics, the functional background for apomixis, and the long-term evolutionary fates of apomictic lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimetabelba Miko gen. nov. a new genus of damaeid mites within Metabelba sensu lato is proposed after redescription of the species T. propexa (Kulczynski, 1902) comb. nov. based on topotypical material from High Tatra Mountains (Carpathians). Two further new species are described: T. proxima Miko sp. nov. from multiple localities in Slovakia, Czechia and Switzerland, and T. prolixa Kolesnikov et Murvanidze sp. nov. from Georgia. Generic concepts of Metabelba sensu lato are discussed, and another new genus – Prometabelba Miko gen. nov. – is proposed with P. centurion (Miko et al., 2014) as its type species. An identification key is provided for all known genera and subgenera of the generic complex Metabelba sensu lato, as well as all species of Trimetabelba.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EB176C50-C71A-49BA-AE8D-208323CCA4C5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil representatives of the family Resinacaridae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from the Late Eocene Rovno amber are reviewed. Three new species are described in the genus Resinacarus Vitzthum, namely, R. longipilissp. nov., R. vitzthumisp. nov., and R. striatussp. nov. A new genus and species, Pararesinacarus krczaligen. and sp. nov. are also described. The extant species Pararesinacarus aradii (Krczal) comb. nov. was moved from Resinacarus. All active stages of the extant type species of the genus Resinacarus, R. resinatus Vitzthum, are redescribed based on type material. A key to genera and species of Resinacaridae is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The Sierras Pampeanas Centrales of Argentina constitute the fourth centre of diversity of lycophytes and ferns in the Cono Sur, where representatives of four families of lycophytes live: Huperziaceae, Lycopodiaceae, Isoetaceae and Selaginellaceae. The aim of this work is to provide data of the morphology of their spores observed with optical and scanning electron microscopes, as a contribution to the taxonomy and conservation. M&M: The materials were analysed without prior chemical treatment and photographic records were obtained with both observation equipments. Results: The morphological diagnostic features of the spores are presented. The Huperziaceae and Lycopodiaceae are isosporous with trilete spores. Huperziaceae presents foveolated or fossulated spores, while Lycopodiaceae spores are reticulate, scabrate and baculate. In Isoetes hieronymi (heterosporate), the microspores are monolete with echinate ornamentation, while the megaspores are trilete, with reticulate ornamentation. The Selaginellaceae, all heterosporate, produce trilete microspores and megaspores, both with varied ornamentation. Conclusions: Spore characteristics provide relevant information for regional floristic studies as well as for taxonomic assignments, both of extant flora and fossil records. Also, for studies of the composition of soil spore banks as a tool for the conservation of local floristic biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the species diversity of the genus Peltula Nyl. in Helan Mountain of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the specimens of the genus Peltula Nyl. collected from Helan Mountain of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region were classified by morph-anatomical, chemical and phylogenetic analysis of rDNA-ITS sequences. Two new records for China, Peltula africana (Jatta) Swinscow & Krog and P. impressa (Vain.) Swinscow & Krog, were identified. P. africana was mainly characterized by squamules undulate, 0.3-3.0 mm across, lower cortex cell palisade. P. impressa was mainly recognised by the black new type of soralia on top of the thallus, the hymenium I +, burgundy and about 64 ascospores. The morphological and anatomical characters of these two species were described in details, the differences with similar species were discussed, and the photos of morphological and anatomical structures of the two species were provided. The results enrich basic data for the genus Peltula Nyl. in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gaoligong Mountains are characterized by large variations in elevation and topography, which support high levels of biodiversity and endemism that remain largely understudied. Herein, based on the integration of morphological comparisons and phylogenetic reconstruction, we describe a new species of Rhacophorus from the northern Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan Province, China. The new species, Rhacophorus dulongensis sp. nov., is morphologically distinguishable from its congeners based on the differences in body size, head length, tibia length, snout and tongue shape, toe webbing formula and coloration, ventral skin texture and coloration, dorsal pattern and coloration, body macroglands, iris coloration, and pattern of markings on flanks. Phylogenetically, it differs from its congeners by uncorrected p-distances of >4.8% for the 16S rRNA gene fragment. Rhacophorus dulongensis sp. nov. is likely to be found in Myanmar, considering its type locality lies close to the China-Myanmar border. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the "widespread" species, R. rhodopus, is a species complex and a composite of five distinct lineages. The results revealed that R. napoensis is also found in Vietnam, making it a new country record for Vietnam. Interestingly, R. dulongensis sp. nov. likely breeds in bamboo, a hidden behavioral characteristic that makes them easy to overlook. Given the ongoing habitat loss and degradation in the region, further biological exploration is urgently needed in the Gaoligong Mountains as a biodiversity reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Malay Peninsula has traditionally been considered to harbour a diverse land-snail fauna, both in terms of a high species richness and a wide variety of conchological traits, especially within the limacoid land snails. A recent survey along the Malay Peninsula of southern Thailand discovered an overlooked limacoid taxon "Trochomorpha" sculpticarina Martens, 1883, previously assigned to genus Trochomorpha of the Trochomorphidae. This genus is herein described as Janbinmorpha gen. nov. based on comparative studies of shell morphology, external features, genital anatomy and radular morphology, as well as analyses of partial sequences of two mitochondrial markers, COI and 16S rRNA, and of one nuclear marker, 28S rRNA. This new genus is characterised by a combination of distinct morphological and anatomical features. The most distinguishing features are a depressed trochiform shell with a keeled last whorl, gametolytic organ without a duct, gametolytic sac with two lobes, and proximal epiphallus encircled with a thick sheath and attached by the penial retractor muscle. In addition, an analysis of the differentiation in mitochondrial and nuclear markers confirmed that this new genus, first recognised by morphology, is also genetically distinct. The molecular data also confirm that J. sculpticarina comb. nov. is a member of the Ariophantidae and has a close evolutionary relationship to Hemiplecta and Maelamaodiscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the rediscovery, a century after its last record, of two specimens of Pristimantis ruidus from approximately 6 km northeast of its type locality, in a montane forest from the western Andes of southern Ecuador. This species, described by John D. Lynch in 1979, based on specimens collected in 1922 by George H. Tate, was previously known only from the type series, all specimens originating from a single locality (Molleturo, Provincia Azuay, Ecuador, 2317 m elev.). The rediscovery occurred in November 2022 in the Reserva de Conservación Quitahuaycu, Molleturo Parish, Azuay Province. The two specimens, both females, are characterised by rough skin with numerous rounded low warts and tubercles on their dorsum, a W-shaped occipital fold, tympanum and tympanic ring not externally visible and by the lack of cranial crests, characters that correspond with the description of the holotype. We evaluate the phylogenetic relationships, based on two mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear gene (RAG-1). These analyses reveal Pristimantis ruidus as a member of the subgenus Huicundomantis, being most closely related to P. philipi, a species with a distribution restricted to the paramo of the same mountain region (Macizo del Cajas). Pristimantis ruidus co-exists with Pristimantis jimenezi, three additional species of Pristimantis and one Noblella with uncertain taxonomic status. This rediscovery underscores the urgency of implementing effective conservation and monitoring measures for the few remnants of the original ecosystems from western Ecuador, which face ongoing anthropogenic threats and harbour a diversity that remains insufficiently studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpions) occur in seashore habitats where they are typically found under driftwood or rocks. Here we review the genus Nipponogarypus Morikawa, 1955 from littoral habitats in Japan and South Korea and describe a new species, Nipponogarypus seosanensis sp. nov., from the Korean Peninsula. We also elevate two former subspecies to species rank: N. enoshimaensis enoshimaensis Morikawa, 1960 = N. enoshimaensis Morikawa, 1955, and N. enoshimaensis okinoerabensis Morikawa, 1960 = N. okinoerabensis Morikawa, 1960, stat. nov. The distribution of all Nipponogarypus species is mapped, and an identification key for the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxynoemacheilus fatmae, a new species, is found in the Güzelhisar Stream in the northern Aegean Sea basin. It is differentiated from all other species of Oxynoemacheilus in the northern Aegean Sea and adjacent basins by having four to eight irregularly shaped narrow black bars on the posterior part of flank, and anterior parts of the flank with a marbled pattern. O. fatmae is differentiated from the closest species Oxynoemacheilus theophilii by having 14 fixed diagnostic nucleotide substitution sites, and the pair‐wise genetic distance is 2.22%. It further differs from O. theophilii by having a slenderer body (body at dorsal‐fin origin: 15%–17% standard length [SL] vs. 17%–18%), a slenderer caudal peduncle (10%–12% SL vs. 12%–13%), a more forked caudal fin (length of middle caudal‐fin lope: 16%–19% SL vs. 19%–23%), and the absence the dorsal and ventral adipose crests on the caudal peduncle behind the vertical of the posterior anal‐fin base (vs. present). Three species delimitation tests (assemble species by automatic partitioning (ASAP), automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and generalized mixed yule‐coalescent (GMYC)) and phylogenetic analyses reinforce the validity of O. fatmae as a distinct species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea corals are rarely identified to species due to a lack of taxonomic expertise and paucity of sampling. Herein we describe a new genus from the family Keratoisididae collected from the Northeast Atlantic. Using both nuclear (2010 conserved element loci) and complete mitogenome phylogenies, we found this genus to be closely related to the genera Dokidisis and Jasonisis. In the nuclear phylogeny, each genus occupied a distinct well-supported clade. All three genera lack thorned- or double-star sclerites in the pharynx; instead they have flattened rods, a potential unifying feature of the keratoisidid group J3 of Watling et al. (2022). The newly described genus Explorisis gen. nov. has a unique sclerome including spindles and tapered rods that differentiates it from its sister genera. Explorisis katharina sp. nov. is characterised by volcano to cylindrical shaped polyps, striated rods and spindles in the polyp body, and elongated flattened rods in the coenenchyme, whereas Explorisis poppyae sp. nov. has heavily granulated spindles and rods in both the polyp body and coenenchyme. Genetic variation within the mitogenomes across both Explorisis gen. nov. species is limited with mutations in just 3 of 14 protein coding regions. ZooBank: Deep-sea corals are often not identified to species rank due to a lack of taxonomic expertise. Bamboo corals are an exclusively deep sea and prolific group of corals found in every ocean basin. In this study, we describe a new genus and two new species of bamboo coral from the Northeast Atlantic. By analysing both their morphology and DNA, we determined that this newly identified genus, named Explorisis, is closely related to the genera Dokidisis and Jasonisis. (Image credit: Declan Morrissey.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bath sponges, included in the Spongiidae (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida), are distributed across the oceans of the world, with a greater abundance in temperate, subtropical, and tropical zones. Their harvest started during ancient times in the Mediterranean Sea, which shed light on the whole family. Most of the Mediterranean Spongiidae have been reported repeatedly from the Northeast Atlantic, notably along the Iberian peninsula. The aim of this study was to clarify the taxonomic status of these sponges after a recent sampling effort in the French Pays Basque and the Spanish Cantabria, complemented by several Mediterranean Sea stations, including the Strait of Gibraltar. An integrative taxonomic approach was adopted for the first time on a set of Spongiidae samples from the Northeast Atlantic, assessing the congruence of analyses of: (i) the morphology of the spongin skeleton; (ii) two different parts of the genome (mitochondrial and nuclear); and (iii) metabolomic fingerprints, to delimit the frontiers between species better. A new bath sponge species is described herein, and significant advances and changes are proposed for the systematics of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent taxonomic revision of the strikingly ornamented millipedes known as 'dragon millipedes' in the family Paradoxosomatidae, has revealed generic division into six genera. The majority of species are distributed in mainland South-East Asia and each genus is restricted to a well-delimited area. However, their evolutionary history has remained poorly understood, particularly the relationships among genera and their biogeographic distribution. We present a comprehensive and well-resolved molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes. A dataset of 256 sequences representing 40 dragon millipede species was newly generated and analysed in order to reveal the relationships and to explore the origin using ancestral range reconstruction. All dragon millipedes were retrieved together as monophyletic, each genus except Hylomus forming a distinct clade with strong statistical values, supporting the previous classification using morphology. A new monotypic genus and new species, Siamaxytes bifurca Srisonchai and Panha gen. nov. et sp. nov. was revealed based on distinct morphological and DNA data. The Tenasserim mountain range was inferred to be the centre of origin of dragon millipedes with a series of subsequent diversifications across mainland South-East Asia. Our analysis provides evidence that both dispersal and vicariance presumably played a role in shaping these millipedes' distribution and diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan is a biodiversity hotspot with a remarkable diversity of endemic plants and animals. Although recent biodiversity surveys have highlighted that gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are the most species-rich taxon of insects worldwide, only 43 species are known presently in the Ryukyus. In this study, an undescribed gall midge developing in the flower buds of Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae) was found on Ishigaki Island, southern Ryukyus, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Morphologically, the gall midge belongs to the supertribe Cecidomyiidi (Cecidomyiidae: Cecidomyiinae), but it does not fit the definition of any of the tribes and genera classified of Cecidomyiidi. A molecular phylogenetic analysis including the main tribes of Cecidomyiidi was conducted and reinforced the results of morphological examination. Therefore, Ishigakidiplosis karamae Elsayed, gen. nov. et sp. nov. was introduced for what is no doubt a previously unnamed species. This new genus sheds light on the unique gall midges of the Ryukyus and highlights the importance of conducting further surveys to elucidate their diversity and evolutionary relationships to other known gall midges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Styracosternan ornithopods are plenty abundant in the Lower Cretaceous fossil record of Europe. In particular, Iguanodon, the second genus of dinosaurs described worldwide, has been found in UK, Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain, evidencing a wide geographical distribution. Currently, the genus Iguanodon comprises two species, the type species I. bernissartensis from the late Barremian–Aptian of Europe and I. galvensis from the early Barremian of Teruel, Spain. The latter species is well known mainly from perinate and juvenile specimens. Here, axial and appendicular fossils of an adult, large and massively constructed ornithopod from the lower Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) Camarillas Formation of Galve (province of Teruel, Spain) are described. Fossil dimensions and some osteological evidence reveal that the specimen was a large (roughly 10 m long) ornithopod. An autapomorphic feature in the ischium and other characters allow us to ascribe this specimen to I. galvensis. In addition, postcranial co-ossification and fusion of the neurocentral suture indicate that the specimen was skeletally mature. Part of the material studied here was unknown in adults of I. galvensis, providing a better knowledge of the axial and appendicular region of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree diagrams are the prevailing form of visualization in biological classification and phylogenetics. Already during the time of the so-called Systematist Wars from the mid-1960s until the 1980s most journal articles and textbooks published by systematists contained tree diagrams. Although this episode of systematics is well studied by historians and philosophers of biology, most analyses prioritize scientific theories over practices and tend to emphasize conflicting theoretical assumptions. In this article, I offer an alternative perspective by viewing the conflict through the lens of representational practices with a case study on tree diagrams that were used by numerical taxonomists (phenograms) and cladists (cladograms). I argue that the current state of molecular phylogenetics should not be interpreted as the result of a competition of views within systematics. Instead, molecular phylogenetics arose independently of systematics and elements of cladistics and phenetics were integrated into the framework of molecular phylogenetics, facilitated by the compatibility of phenetic and cladistic practices with the quantitative approach of molecular phylogenetics. My study suggests that this episode of scientific change is more complex than common narratives of battles and winners or conflicts and compromises. Today, cladograms are still used and interpreted as specific types of molecular phylogenetic trees. While phenograms and cladograms represented different forms of knowledge during the time of the Systematist Wars, today they are both used to represent evolutionary relationships. This indicates that diagrams are versatile elements of scientific practice that can change their meaning, depending on the context of use within theoretical frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of rodent species can be challenging due to high morphological similarities observed among them. This problem is further increased in palaeontological systematics, where classification is traditionally based on the molar morphology. The subfamily Arvicolinae (Rodentia, Mammalia) is one of these rodent groups, whose classification being important for biostratigraphic and climatic studies of the Quaternary period is challenging. We present an application developed using the MatLab informatic algorithm, designed to classify the Arvicolinae species using Geometric Morphometrics (GMM) analyses of the first lower molar. Moreover, the application includes an option to automatically obtain the linear measurements that are commonly used for the identification of these species. This method shows a high degree of accuracy in the species classification, which is expected to increase as the reference database is further developed. This application can serve as an alternative tool for the classification of specimens with unclear morphologies. It can also be used to reduce the time required to manually obtain the linear indices necessary for their classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tapeworms belonging to the order Caryophyllidea (Platyhelminthes, Eucestoda) represent a widespread group of intestinal parasites found in cypriniform and siluriform fishes. This group comprises four families (Balanotaeniidae, Capingentidae, Caryophyllaeidae, Lytocestidae), 42 genera and approximately 130 described species. Additionally, over a hundred new taxa have been reported from India. While many of these taxa are endemic and have unique evolutionary importance, a considerable number of putative new taxa were also invalidated because the quality and reliability of the published data did not meet the requirements. Various researchers have synonymised 28 species into a single representative, Lytocestus indicus (Moghe, 1925) Woodland, 1926. Consequently, L. indicus was chosen as a model organism to investigate whether there is taxonomic inflation or hidden diversity. Newly collected specimens of L. indicus were subjected to various fixatives for morphological assessment, and hologenophores of the same were obtained to determine whether true variations exist in their genotype or if they are merely fixation-induced variations. Despite morphological variations associated with fixation, molecular data indicated that they were indeed the same specimens. The taxonomic status of 43 new taxa was critically evaluated, with most of them tentatively synonymised with L. indicus. Others were also found to be conspecific with L. indicus but were classified as unavailable names based on their first description in unpublished dissertations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tapeworms belonging to the order Caryophyllidea (Platyhelminthes, Eucestoda) represent a widespread group of intestinal parasites found in cypriniform and siluriform fishes. This group comprises four families (Balanotaeniidae, Capingentidae, Caryophyllaeidae, Lytocestidae), 42 genera and approximately 130 described species. Additionally, over a hundred new taxa have been reported from India. While many of these taxa are endemic and have unique evolutionary importance, a considerable number of putative new taxa were also invalidated because the quality and reliability of the published data did not meet the requirements. Various researchers have synonymised 28 species into a single representative, Lytocestus indicus (Moghe, 1925) Woodland, 1926. Consequently, L. indicus was chosen as a model organism to investigate whether there is taxonomic inflation or hidden diversity. Newly collected specimens of L. indicus were subjected to various fixatives for morphological assessment, and hologenophores of the same were obtained to determine whether true variations exist in their genotype or if they are merely fixation-induced variations. Despite morphological variations associated with fixation, molecular data indicated that they were indeed the same specimens. The taxonomic status of 43 new taxa was critically evaluated, with most of them tentatively synonymised with L. indicus. Others were also found to be conspecific with L. indicus but were classified as unavailable names based on their first description in unpublished dissertations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined several American alligators, Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin, 1802) (Crocodilia: Alligatoridae) from Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina in August 2022. The intestine of one alligator from Alabama was infected by Dracovermis occidentalis Brooks and Overstreet, 1978 (Platyhelminthes: Digenea: Liolopidae Odhner, 1912), a seldom collected and incompletely described trematode that lacks a representative nucleotide sequence. Liolopidae comprises 5 genera and 15 species: Liolope spp. infect giant salamanders; Helicotrema spp. infect turtles and lizards; Harmotrema spp. infect snakes; Paraharmotrema spp. infect turtles; and Dracovermis spp. infect crocodilians. Based on our study of the newly collected specimens and the holotype of D. occidentalis, we redescribe D. occidentalis, correct errors in its original description, and provide an updated phylogeny for Liolopidae that, for the first time, includes Dracovermis Brooks and Overstreet, 1978. Our specimens were identified as D. occidentalis by having testes in the posterior 1/3 of the body, a pretesticular cirrus sac, a spined and eversible cirrus, a bipartite seminal vesicle, and a post-acetabular vitellarium. A phylogenetic analysis of the D1–D3 domains of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (28S) recovered Liolopidae as monophyletic; however, low taxon sampling in the group precludes hypothesis-testing about liolopid-vertebrate cophyly. This is the first collection for morphological study of the type species for Dracovermis since the genus was proposed 46 years ago, the first record of a liolopid from Alabama, and the first phylogenetic analysis that includes Dracovermis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charopidae is a family of mostly minute land snails whose diversity is centered in the southern hemisphere. This family is represented on Australia's Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea with 13 currently accepted species in seven genera, including Australia's largest charopid species. We comprehensively revise the taxonomy of all endemic Lord Howe Island charopids using comparative morpho-anatomy and phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (ITS2, ELAVI8) markers and demonstrate that these species represent two independent island radiations. We recognise these radiations as two distinct genera, Goweroconcha and Pseudocharopa, containing six and five species respectively. The two genera have distinct biogeographic affinities. Whereas the sister clade of Goweroconcha comprises several Australian genera, indicating its evolutionary origin likely being in Australia, the sister group of Pseudocharopa predominantly contains species endemic to New Zealand. Both genera have diversified on Lord Howe Island into flocks of species that differ most notably in shell size and, in the case of Pseudocharopa, to some extent, also in the degree of shell reduction. Hence, we demonstrate that while both charopid radiations include unusually large species, there is no evidence of the island effect, which tends to produce a narrower range of body sizes than observed in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besleria , a genus of perennial herbs, shrubs, or small trees growing in the understorey of rainforests, is one of the largest genera of neotropical Gesneriaceae, with over 165 species. Despite the ecological importance and ubiquity of Besleria in rainforest ecosystems, taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Besleria are limited. Here, we generated a phylogenetic analysis of Besleria using four nuclear and chloroplast DNA regions (ITS, mat K, rps 16, and trn L- trn F) covering more than 50% of the recognized species, along with two secondary calibration points to infer divergence times. Our results support the monophyly of Besleria and allowed us to revise the infrageneric classification and biogeographical history of the genus. We identified five major clades that do not correspond to sections or subsections in previous classifications. These clades are well circumscribed geographically but remain difficult to characterize using previously hypothesized morphological characters. Biogeographical reconstructions indicate an origin in the northern Andes during the Middle Miocene (ca. 15 Mya). The current distribution patterns of this plant group have been significantly shaped by geological and climatic events, particularly Andean uplift and the formation of the Panama Isthmus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new fossil species of walnuts, Juglans eoarctica sp. nov., J. nathorstii sp. nov., and J. cordata sp. nov., are described on the basis of nuts recovered from the middle Eocene fossil forests of Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These represent the most northerly occurrence of Juglans and are among the oldest records of Juglans to date. The Axel Heiberg Island walnuts conform to the sections Rhysocaryon and Cardiocaryon and, together with the contemporaneous midlatitude fossil species J. clarnensis Scott, imply the establishment of two distinct Juglans lineages prior to the middle Eocene. Climatic cooling, leading ultimately to Pleistocene glaciation, has transformed high-latitude vegetation and resulted in the American/Eurasian disjunct distribution found in many north temperate families, of which Juglans is typical. With three coexisting species in the Axel Heiberg Island fossil forests, it is clear that Juglans was an important component of this ancient polar landscape and played a significant role in the evolution of northern temperate forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suillus (order Boletales) is a diverse genus of epigeous, mushroom-forming fungi native to temperate forests across the Northern Hemisphere; however, some species are also present in areas where Pinaceae has been introduced in the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the closely related genus Rhizopogon, there are no described hypogeous, sequestrate species of Suillus. Here, we describe Suillus hypogaeus, the first known species of the genus with hypogeous, sequestrate sporocarps. Collections were made on Marys Peak in Benton County, Oregon, USA, at an elevation of 800 m in forests dominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii. The peridium is white, quickly staining pink to purple-reddish where bruised or cut. The gleba is pale yellow when young, becoming purple with maturity, and the basidiospores are obovoid, light yellow in KOH, and amyloid in Melzer's reagent. Multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses support the placement of S. hypogaeus among the Larix specialists in the spectabilis group of Suillus. Although Larix and Pseudotsuga are sister genera, Larix does not occur on Marys Peak or elsewhere in western Oregon. Suillus hypogaeus, therefore, represents both an independent origin of the hypogeous, sequestrate sporocarp within the Boletales and an independent host shift between Larix and Pseudotsuga within the genus Suillus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of Albomagister, a genus of Tricholomataceae in the order Agaricales, are described and illustrated from eastern North America. All four are relatively rare or geographically restricted but two have a broad geographical distribution occurring in southeast Canada and in the southern Appalachians. This study increases the number of known species in the genus from three to seven, five of which occur in eastern North America. A broad concept for the genus is discussed. Illustrations and descriptions of the North American taxa are presented, along with a taxonomic key to the known seven species in the genus worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jumping spiders (Salticidae) are a diverse group of non‐web‐building predators and the most species‐rich spider family. The Salticidae Tribe Nannenini consists of a small group of Oriental jumping spiders that are very poorly known. The use of explicit phylogenetic analyses to establish its affinities has so far remained limited. The Nannenini genus Epidelaxia has a peculiar morphology, making its systematic position uncertain. In this study, we present a comprehensive dataset combining molecular and morphological data for Nannenini, including exemplars from all genera. This dataset comprises DNA sequences of approximately 2400 bp, including nuclear genes (18S, 28S and H3) and the mitochondrial gene CO1, sequenced for 40 taxa (20 ingroups and 20 outgroups), along with 61 morphological characters. Notably, both DNA sequences and morphological traits were analysed separately and concurrently for the first time. The Nannenini clade is recovered with high support. Further, Epidelaxia is monophyletic and sister to Tubalaxia gen. n. This is the first hypothesis on the internal phylogenetic structure of Epidelaxia and its placement within the Tribe Nannenini. A new genus Tubalaxia gen. n. and the following new species are described: E. bharathi sp. n., E. somasundaram sp. n., T. castanea sp. n., T. aurea sp. n. The following new combination is proposed: Tubalaxia minuta (Prószyński, 1992) comb. n. Epidelaxia albostellata, E. albocruciata and E. obscura are redescribed. It is worth noting that the newly described species face endangerment due to their limited distribution and small population sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peradectidae are Paleogene ‘opossum-like’ stem-metatherians, largely Laurasian, whose evolutionary history remains unclear. Based on new remains (mainly dental) discovered in several French localities, we carry out a comprehensive systematic revision of all early Eocene peradectids from Europe (~MP7 reference level to MP10-11 interval). We describe well-preserved specimens from Palette (Southern France, MP7-MP8 + 9 interval) documenting the earliest European peradectid, Peradectes crocheti sp. nov. This new species exhibits an interesting mosaic of characters, including plesiomorphic traits found in the North American type species, Peradectes elegans Matthew and Granger, 1921. Molars allocated to the strikingly ubiquitous Peradectes crocheti sp. nov. are found in eight additional localities from northwestern and southwestern Europe, all limited to the time interval MP7-MP8 + 9. Moreover, the study of unpublished material of the MP8 + 9 and ~MP8 + 9 peradectids allows us to recognize two younger coeval species (Peradectes louisi Crochet, 1979, and Peradectes russelli Crochet, 1979). Our taxonomic conclusions are supported a posteriori by the first quantitative assessment of the variation in height of metatherian stylar cusps. The holotype of Peradectes louisi is reinterpreted, and Peradectes ‘mutigniensis’ Crochet, 1979 appears to be a junior synonym of Peradectes russelli. In addition to size, the otherwise similar Peradectes louisi and Peradectes russelli can be distinguished based on subtle yet consistent differences, such as lower molar proportions. Phylogenetic analyses using a novel matrix of dental characters shed new light on the relationships among Eocene peradectids, confirming the paraphyly of Peradectes with respect to Armintodelphys and Mimoperadectes. Our results suggest a single dispersal from North America to Europe in the evolutionary history of peradectids, which likely occurred immediately after the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Peradectes crocheti sp. nov. being recovered as the earliest offshoot of the European clade. Scarce lower molars from the MP10 reference locality and ~MP10 localities analyzed within this constrained phylogenetic framework reveal a trend towards shrinking of the entoconid in the European lineage throughout the early Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of what has recently been written about taxonomy has focused on negatives in the face of a heterogeneously defined taxonomic impediment. The current review takes a step back from the rhetoric to explicate the modern science of taxonomy with a new practical model, "the five 'D's": taxon discovery, delimitation, diagnosis, description, and specimen determination. Although individual taxonomists may focus more on some of these practices and less on others, taxonomy as a discipline requires all five. Each practice depends on the one prior and necessarily leads to and often overlaps with the one following. In fact, the first 'D'—taxon discovery—has its origin in the last, specimen determination, thereby closing a recursive loop of taxonomic progress. Hopefully users of taxonomy—almost all biologists—will appreciate a fresh perspective on a foundational science. Several recommendations are offered to biological researchers to account for the iterative improvement, and hence necessary change, in the taxonomy and nomenclature of their study organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bambusa vulgaris is an exotic species for Brazil with high economic value, widely-distributed, highly-adaptable and fast growing. While many studies on fungal diversity on bamboo species have been conducted in the past, most utilised generic or family-level designations for the host, limiting our understanding of the true diversity and distribution patterns of fungi among these plants. Such investigations are particularly limited and conducted intermittently over long periods of time in Brazil. To address this, we conducted a survey of hyphomycetes associated with Bambusa vulgaris debris on the campus of the State University of Feira de Santana, located in Bahia, Brazil. Four new species, Endophragmiella pseudostromatica, Kramasamuha subramanianii, Rhexoampullifera castanedae and Ceratocladium bambusicola are reported. Our results additionally provide the second record for the American continent of Staphylotrichum acaciicola and the first record for this host. Taxonomic treatments, morphological descriptions, comments, and illustrations are provided for the aforementioned species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]