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Phylogenetic models traditionally represent the history of life as having a strictly-branching tree structure. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the history of life is often not strictly-branching; lateral gene transfer, endosymbiosis, and hybridization, for example, can all produce lateral branching events. There is thus motivation to allow phylogenetic models to have a reticulate structure. One proposal involves the reconciliation of genealogical discordance. Briefly, this method involves using patterns of disagreement -- discordance -- between trees of different genes to add lateral branching events to phylogenetic trees of taxa, and to estimate the most likely cause of these events. I use this practice to argue for: (1) a need for expanded accounts of multiple-models idealization, (2) a distinction between automatic and manual de-idealization, and (3) recognition that idealization may serve the meso-level aims of science in a different way than hitherto acknowledged.

The Curculigo brevifolia resurrected here based on morphological, cytological, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Curculigo brevifolia morphologically resembles C. orchioides but differs in having bulbils at the tip of leaves for vegetative reproduction, leaves elongated falcately shaped, beaked fruits. Cytological parameters, karyotype formula, total haploid genome length (THL), values of CVCL, MCA also supported the distinctness of C. brevifolia and C. orchioides. Phylogenetic analysis based on cpDNA data resulted in the recognition of three clades and strongly supported the revised systematics of Hypoxidaceae. The resurrected species nests within the Curculigo clade of Hypoxidaceae and display a close phylogenetic affinity with newly added Curculigo species and C. orchioides.

Integrative analyses of multiple data sources and increased coverage in genetic and taxa sampling have been increasingly clarified the phylogenetic relationships of caenophidian snakes. However, some knowledge gaps remain, especially at higher-levels and among genera, and unclear relationships of some taxa with scant available information. One of these taxa is the recently described Amazonian genus Eutrachelophis (Dipsadidae), whose members are rarely recorded and lack associated molecular information. By analyzing recently collected specimens from Amazonian expeditions, we found a series of Eutrachelophis papilio and obtained molecular information (two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene) for two specimens. This allowed the first assessment of the molecular phylogenetic relationships of the genus Eutrachelophis. Molecular phylogenetic trees of the caenophidian diversification were inferred considering the information of 10 genes (five mitochondrial and five nuclear), under both Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood optimality criteria. Resulting trees corroborate the distinctiveness and taxonomic validity of Eutrachelophis, and its family and subfamily level allocation. A highly supported clade composed of Eutrachelophis and another enigmatic Amazonian genus, Arcanumophis, was recovered nested in the subfamily Xenodontinae. The Eutrachelophis + Arcanumophis clade is recovered as sister to a clade containing the remaining genera of tribe Xenodontini. These results do not corroborate that the phenotypic apomorphies of Eutrachelophis are secondarily developed within Xenodontini diversification, therefore refuting the recent allocation of this genus in this tribe. In the light of these results, we reassessed the morphological similarities of Eutrachelophis, Baliodryas and Arcanumophis and their distinctiveness among xenodontines. Based on combined phenotypic and molecular evidence, we propose the revalidation of tribe Eutrachelophiini to better reflect the high evolutionary distinctiveness of these snakes. We also obtained novel data on the morphometrics, meristics, color variations, natural history and geographical distributions from the analyzed museum specimens of Eutrachelophis papilio. We found a considerable variation in the range of analyzed morphological characters, including in some considered as diagnostic, justifying the designation of an emended diagnosis for the species. Despite these advances, some gaps remain with respect to these snakes, such as the taxonomic validity of Eutrachelophis species, molecular phylogenetic relationships of Baliodryas, and the internal and hemipenial morphology of Arcanumophis. Further investigation on these issues and reassessment of museum specimens should increase the knowledge associated with these rare snakes.

The taxonomy of Freylinia Pangella ex Colla (Scrophulariaceae) is revised and eight species are recognised. Each species is fully described, with complete nomenclature, typification, ecological notes, and an updated conservation assessment. The subtropical F. tropica S.Moore is segregated as the new sect. Tropicae J.C.Manning, defined by axillary inforescences and flowers with a glandular corolla tube. The remaining species from temperate South Africa share terminal inflorescences and eglandular corollas. Within this group two sections are recognised. Sect. Freylinia comprises the type of the genus F. lanceolata (L.f.) G.Don, and is readily segregated on the basis of its sessile foliage and small capsules, whereas the remaining, strictly shrubby species share petiolate foliage and larger capsules and are recognised as sect. Macrocarpae J.C.Manning. The latter section includes several highly local endemics, most of them of conservation concern, and among which we propose several taxonomic changes. The most significant of these are the inclusion of F. vlokii Van Jaarsv. in F. undulata (L.f.) Benth., and a reappraisal of the identity F. longiflora Benth., which is recognised here as an earlier name for F. helmei Van Jaarsv. The new species F. brevistyla J.C.Manning & N.A.Helme is accordingly described for the populations that were previously misidentified as F. longiflora, and which are readily distinguished from all other species by their short style and unique, obtuse hairs in the corolla throat. This taxon was thought to be restricted to the Hottentots Holland Mtns near Elgin but a recent collection from the northern foothills of the Klein River Mtns represents a significant range extension. Finally, examination of the type of F. undulata var. macrophylla Hiern. shows it to be misplaced in the genus and we identify it as a synonym of Selago myrtifolia Rchb.

We investigated the 53Mn-53Cr isotopic composition of a suite of enstatite chondrites by in situ analyses of various mineral phases with the Cameca IMS 1280-HR ion probe at Heidelberg, Germany, and a Cameca NanoSIMS at Paris, France. Only in sphalerite we found anomalies in 53Cr/52Cr-ratios correlating with 55Mn/52Cr which are due to decay of short-lived 53Mn (t1/2 = 3.7 Ma). A sphalerite in the EH-impact melt LAP 02225 showed the largest excess of 53Cr, with 53Cr/52Cr-ratios ranging up to 2.2. The calculated initial 53Mn/55Mn-ratios are within the range of previous Mn-Cr studies. We observed a spatial variation within a large sphalerite in LAP 02225, translating in distinct initial 53Mn/55Mn values. In case of the EL3 chondrite MAC 88136 the initial 53Mn/55Mn derived for one sphalerite is at the lower end of previously reported values and may reflect a variable influence of alteration-induced exchange of common Cr. This is supported by the total reset of the 53Cr/52Cr-ratio in another sphalerite in contact with an alteration vein irrespective of high Mn/Cr-ratios. Our observed initial 53Mn/55Mn-ratios of Sahara 97158, Indarch and EET 96135 correspond to the I-Xe systematics and hence, show that sphalerites can preserve reasonable age information. For Indarch however, if compared with other initial 53Mn/55Mn values from literature, a considerable scatter is obvious. This clearly demonstrates that the Mn-Cr system in sphalerite can be disturbed by various, still poorly investigated, processes (e.g., by thermal events, weathering, diffusion-controlled remobilization). Future application of Mn-Cr dating to sphalerite in enstatite chondrites thus requires a better understanding of how such processes influence the Mn-Cr systematics and demands for tools to identify the undoubtly present sphalerites carrying a true chronologic information.

International audience; Morphological diagnoses are given for the cricket family Trigonidiidae and its two monophyletic subfamilies, the Trigonidiinae and the Nemobiinae. Owing to their morphological characters, we transfer the extant genus Lissotrachellus Hubbell, 1838 from the Gryllidae: Pentacentrinae to the Trigonidiidae: Nemobiinae. Lissotrachellus was the type genus of Lissotrachelini including also Trigonidomimus Caudell, 1912 and Tohila Hubbell, 1938 which are here transferred to Pentacentrinae incertae sedis. The fossils currently attributed to the Trigonidiidae and its subfamilies are reviewed, in order to facilitate future phylogenetic studies. Few fossils can actually be classified in Nemobiinae or Trigonidiinae, and most are Cenozoic: the oldest nemobiine is the Eocene Baltonemobius fossilis Gorochov, 2010 (37.2–33.9 Ma), while the oldest representatives of the crown group Trigonidiinae date from the Miocene (20.43–13.65). The early Cretaceous Liaonemobius tanae Ren, 1998, originally described in the Trigonidiinae, and currently listed in the Gryllidae, proved an Elcanidae. The mid-Cretaceous Birmaninemobius hirsutus Xu et al., 2020, described in the Nemobiinae, is here transferred to the stem group Trigonidiinae.

International audience; Highlights:• A dense and robust phylogeny of Papilio is reconstructed with seven DNA markers.• A taxonomic working list is proposed, including 235 extant species• Papilio originated in the Oligocene in a northern region centered on the Bering Land Bridge• The role of Paleotropics is revealed within the radiation of Old World Papilio• Synchronous southward dispersals explained the current tropical distribution of PapilioAbstract:The swallowtail genus Papilio (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is species rich, distributed worldwide, and has broad morphological habits and ecological niches. Because of its elevated species richness, it has been historically difficult to reconstruct a densely sampled phylogeny for this clade. Here we provide a taxonomic working list for the genus, resulting in 235 Papilio species, and assemble a molecular dataset of seven gene fragments representing ca. 80% of the currently described diversity. Phylogenetic analyses reconstructed a robust tree with highly supported relationships within subgenera, although a few nodes in the early history of the Old World Papilio remain unresolved. Contrasting with previous results, we found that Papilio alexanor is sister to all Old World Papilio and that the subgenus Eleppone is no longer monotypic. The latter includes the recently described Fijian Papilio natewa with the Australian Papilio anactus and is sister to subgenus Araminta (formerly included in subgenus Menelaides) occurring in Southeast Asia. Our phylogeny also includes rarely studied (P. antimachus, P. benguetana) or endangered species (P. buddha, P. chikae). Taxonomic changes resulting from this study are elucidated. Molecular dating and biogeographic analyses indicate that Papilio originated ca. 30 million years ago (Oligocene), in a northern region centered on Beringia. A rapid early Miocene radiation in the Paleotropics is revealed within Old World Papilio, potentially explaining their low early branch support. Most subgenera originated in the early to middle Miocene followed by synchronous southward biogeographic dispersals and repeated local extirpations in northern latitudes. This study provides a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for Papilio with clarification of subgeneric systematics and species taxonomic changes enumerated, which will facilitate further studies to address questions on their ecology and evolutionary biology using this model clade.

The worldwide distributed genus Oecetis currently contains around 550 valid species, 73 of them recorded in the Neotropical region. The genus is characterized by adults bearing long and stout maxillary palps and an unbranched M-vein on forewings. More than 50% of the Neotropical species of Oecetis was described in the past 20 years. However, those descriptions were authored by different specialists, not following a standard layout and there is no published phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus diversity in a cladistics framework. In this study we propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for the Neotropical species of Oecetis based on morphological characters and review most of its diversity taxonomically, offering a dichotomous key for specimen identification and new country records in the Neotropical region. The species of Oecetis occurring in the Neotropics do not form a monophyletic group, meaning that its history is more intricate than a single origin would assume. Most of the species-groups addressed in the taxonomical literature are recovered (such as the Oecetis punctata- and Oecetis inconspicua-groups), the Oecetis punctipennis-group is inferred as the sister group of the remaining Neotropical Oecetis, and we propose a new species-group: the Oecetis pratti-group.

In 1909, the famous paleontologist Louis Dollo identified two putative new species of giant soft-shelled turtles from the lowest Eocene record of Belgium, ‘Trionyx erquelinnensis’ and ‘Trionyx levalensis’, from Erquelinnes and Leval, respectively. However, these proposals did not meet the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, so they were considered as nomina nuda. The information on these specimens or about any other specimen of this lineage of giant turtles from the Belgian record is currently extremely limited. Relatively scarce material from giant trionychids has been described for the lower Eocene record of other European regions. Considering the available information, all the European material has recently been recognized as belonging to the genus Axestemys, which has a North American origin, and possibly attributable to a single species, Axestemys vittata, which currently lacks a diagnosis. Numerous and well-preserved Belgian specimens are deposited in the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. In addition to the cited individuals from Erquelinnes and Leval, additional specimens from both localities, as well as others from Orp-le-Grand, are part of this collection. These specimens, found between the decades of 1910 and 1930, have been recently restored, and their study is carried out here. The presence of Axestemys vittata in Belgium (in Leval and Orp-le-Grand) is confirmed. Knowledge about this species is significantly improved, and a diagnosis is proposed. However, the hypothesis proposed by Dollo is here confirmed, this species being not the only identified in the Belgian record. So, Axestemys erquelinnensis nov. sp. is defined based on the carapace from Erquelinnes known by Dollo, suggesting that the genus probably reached Europe during the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum.

DNA sequencing has led to an explosion in discovery of microbial phylogenetic novelty, especially that represented by uncultivated taxa, to which the traditional system of prokaryotic taxonomy has not adapted. A lack of expansion of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP, 'the Code') to effectively capture this information has created a 'wild west' situation where names are published or appear in popular reference databases without further verification or validation. The rapid propagation of variant and questionable naming methods has led to widespread confusion and undermines prior accomplishments. We exemplify inconsistencies that have arisen from this practice and endanger the interoperability of scientific findings. The immediate solution to this problem is to develop and adopt universal best practices that are accepted by expert researchers, major publishers, the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP), and international microbiological societies.

Mitochondrial genomes of the three lucanid species in the Dorcus velutinus complex – Dorcus velutinus Thomson, D. ursulus Arrow and D. tenuihirsutus Kim and Kim – were assembled and analyzed through next generation sequencing. The mitogenome sequences were used to infer phylogenetic relationships among Dorcus species. Our analyses revealed that the newly sequenced mitogenomes are comparable in their size, content, and gene arrangement to other lucanid mitogenomes reported to date. However, we confirmed the presence of a large intergenic spacer (IGS) between trnS(UCN) and ND1 genes, whose length varied from 170 bp (in D. tenuihirsutus) to 193 bp (in D. ursulus and D. velutinus). Within this IGS region, a short sequence fragment (TACTAAATT) was found uniquely across the three species of Dorcus velutinus complex. Our phylogenetic analyses show that the D. velutinus complex constitutes a distinct clade with a significant divergence from other species of the genus Dorcus sensu stricto. Furthermore, we reaffirm the validity of D. tenuihirsutus – a species originally described from Korea – as a distinct species, though the taxonomic status of D. ursulus remains to be studied further. Finally, we find the presence and location of large IGSs to be useful for studying evolutionary history and species delimitation in stag beetles.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T10:24:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The family Nyctibiidae (potoos) comprises seven extant species currently included in the genera Nyctibius and Phyllaemulor, endemic to the Neotropical region, and the extinct genus Paraprefica from the Eocene of Europe. The living species are secretive nocturnal birds, characterized by spend most of the daylight time in a freezing, upright posture, resembling the top of a stump or a dead leaf. Here we present the first phylogenetic analysis of the family based on morphological characters, inferred from 37 cranial and post-cranial characters of all but one representatives of Nyctibiidae, including the extinct genus Paraprefica. TNT analysis resulted in a single most parsimonious tree with a length of 47 steps, and the ingroup topology was (Paraprefica (Phyllaemulor bracteatus (Nyctibius leucopterus (Nyctibius griseus, Nyctibius jamaicensis (Nyctibius aethereus, Nyctibius grandis))))). These results partially corroborate previous phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular data, mainly concerning the position of P. bracteatus, but the relationships among Nyctibius species remain controversial. The osteology of this family is remarkably distinct from close related groups, especially regarding the cranial and mandibular structures, mainly due to their noteworthy habits and large eyes and mouth. The distinction between Paraprefica and Phyllaemulor + Nyctibius, allied to the geographical and temporal disjunction of these two groups, seems to be enough for their separation at the subfamily level. A notable osteological variation exists also among the Nyctibius species, albeit included in a single genus, following the high levels of genetic divergence presented in the literature, suggesting that the currently accepted systematics of the family must be reviewed. Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo, CEP Seção de Aves Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP), Seção de Aves, CP 42.494 Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), CEP Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Caixa Postal 473, CEP Instituto de Recursos Naturais Universidade Federal de Itajubá (IRN/UNIFEI), Av. BPS 1303, Pinheirinho, CEP, Itajubá Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Caixa Postal 473, CEP

The processes leading to divergence and speciation can differ broadly among taxa with different life histories. We examine these processes in a small clade of ducks with historically uncertain relationships and species limits. The green-winged teal (Anas crecca) complex is a Holarctic species of dabbling duck currently categorized as three subspecies (Anas crecca crecca,A. c. nimia, andA. c. carolinensis) with a close relative, the yellow-billed teal (Anas flavirostris) from South America. We examined divergence and speciation patterns in this group, determining their phylogenetic relationships and the presence and levels of gene flow among lineages using both mitochondrial and genome-wide nuclear DNA obtained from 1,393 ultraconserved element (UCE) loci. Phylogenetic relationships using nuclear DNA among these taxa showedA. c. crecca,A. c. nimia, andA. c. carolinensisclustering together to form one polytomous clade, withA.flavirostrissister to this clade. This relationship can be summarized as (crecca,nimia,carolinensis)(flavirostris). However, whole mitogenomes revealed a different phylogeny: (crecca,nimia)(carolinensis,flavirostris). The best demographic model for key pairwise comparisons supported divergence with gene flow as the probable speciation mechanism in all three contrasts (crecca−nimia,crecca−carolinensis, andcarolinensis−flavirostris). Given prior work, gene flow was expected among the Holarctic taxa, but gene flow between North Americancarolinensisand South Americanflavirostris(M∼0.1 - 0.4 individuals/generation), albeit low, was not expected. Three geographically oriented modes of divergence are likely involved in the diversification of this complex: heteropatric (crecca−nimia), parapatric (crecca−carolinensis), and (mostly) allopatric (carolinensis−flavirostris). Ultraconserved elements are a powerful tool for simultaneously studying systematics and population genomics in systems like this.Graphical Abstract

11 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, supplementary data https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107729, Phylogenies for Octopoda have, until now, been based on morphological characters or a few genes. Here we provide the complete mitogenomes and the nuclear 18S and 28S ribosomal genes of twenty Octopoda specimens, comprising 18 species of Cirrata and Incirrata, representing 13 genera and all five putative families of Cirrata (Cirroctopodidae, Cirroteuthidae, Grimpoteuthidae, Opisthoteuthidae and Stauroteuthidae) and six families of Incirrata (Amphitretidae, Argonautidae, Bathypolypodidae, Eledonidae, Enteroctopodidae, and Megaleledonidae) which were assembled using genome skimming. Phylogenetic trees were built using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference with several alignment matrices. All mitochondrial genomes had the ‘typical’ genome composition and gene order previously reported for octopodiforms, except Bathypolypus ergasticus, which appears to lack ND5, two tRNA genes that flank ND5 and two other tRNA genes. Argonautoidea was revealed as sister to Octopodidae by the mitochondrial protein-coding gene dataset, however, it was recovered as sister to all other incirrate octopods with strong support in an analysis using nuclear rRNA genes. Within Cirrata, our study supports two existing classifications suggesting neither is likely in conflict with the true evolutionary history of the suborder. Genome skimming is useful in the analysis of phylogenetic relationships within Octopoda; inclusion of both mitochondrial and nuclear data may be key, This work was funded by a Tony Ryan Fellowship and an Irish Research Council postgraduate scholarship (GOIPG/2017/1740) to MT. FÁF-Á was supported by an Irish Research Council–Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (ref. GOIPD/2019/460) and a JdC-I Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant (ref. IJC2020-043170-I) awarded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. This research was supported by the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S). We are grateful to two anonymous referees for their thoughtful contributions

The Neotropics harbour a spectacular amount of biodiversity, but many of these species remain to be discovered and placed into the tree of life. In the neotropical snake genus Philodryas, the systematics of these rear-fanged snakes has been controversial and debated in recent years. Here, we combine published datasets with new morphological (scale microdermatoglyphics, osteology, pholidosis and genital features) and molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear) data to reassess the phylogenetic positioning of rear-fanged snakes within the tribe Philodryadini. We identified putative synapomorphies and pronounced morphological variation in hemipenial features. Our results suggested a need to reclassify many species in order to clarify some relationships within the Philodryas radiation. We also redefined Philodryadini by resurrecting three genera and naming a newly discovered species.

The morphological diversity of anuran larvae made them an important source of information for evolutionary and systematic studies. For the monotypic frog genus Lithodytes, which has an interesting taxonomic history, including its past synonymizing with Adenomera and its placement as a subgenus of Leptodactylus, the information provided from its larvae can help to understand its systematics interrelationships and also provide insights about its evolutionary trajectories. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the larval morphology of Lithodytes lineatus, including novel data of internal morphology (buccopharyngeal cavity and skeleton), and discuss some morphological and evolutionary aspects in relation to other members of the subfamily Leptodactylinae. Despite the overall similar larval morphology with others members of the subfamily, we identified four autapomorphic traits for Lithodytes and seven purported homoplastic traits with a subclade of the Leptodactylus pentadactylus species group that likely evolved convergently. Some of these traits have been previously associated with a carnivorous diet. Putative homoplastic and autapomorphic characters served as additional diagnostic traits for Lithodytes, supporting its recognition as a distinct genus within Leptodactylidae.

The genus Aphidius is one of the most commercially important species in greenhouse for controlling pests, especially aphids. Although 13 Aphidius species had been recorded in South Korea, it was not carefully surveyed yet. In this study, we surveyed and collected 8 Aphidius spp. including two unrecorded species. Using the DNA barcode region of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), sequences were newly generated for 16 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) of 8 species, except for 15 duplicates, in addition of 58 MOTUs of 18 species referred from GenBank for comparison and identification, which were reconstructed in a barcode phylogeny with Neighbor-Joining method. Then, to define each species, both Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and Bayesian Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP) analyses were performed. As results, although most of Aphidius spp. could be identified by clustering into a clade, we recognized that three Aphdius species were placed in a clade, of which each species was not separated as an independent species. Our data suggested that those species demonstrating a species complex were able to be hypothesized as one species. In addition, diagnoses and illustrations of the two newly recorded species in South Korea were provided.

Background As dominant components of planktonic microeukaryotes, the tintinnine ciliates act as a trophic link between microbial food web and traditional planktonic food chain in aquatic ecosystems. However, traditionally the taxonomy and systematics of tintinnines have been based on the lorica. It is now accepted that lorica features alone are insufficient and that cytological and molecular information are also needed. The systematics of the genera Tintinnopsis and Amphorellopsis is ambiguous, mainly due to the lack of ciliary and molecular information on their type species, T. beroidea and A. acuta. Result In the present study, specimens of both species were collected from coastal waters of Qingdao, China. The morphology of each was investigated based on observations of live and protargol-stained specimens, and their SSU rDNA- and LSU rDNA-based phylogenies were analyzed. Tintinnopsis beroidea presents the genus-typical ciliature. The somatic kineties in Amphorellopsis acuta were found to be evenly distributed without differentiation into distinct ciliary fields. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that Tintinnopsis is non-monophyletic, and that T. beroidea has a close relationship with T. nana and T. baltica. The monophyly of Amphorellopsis is also not supported by SSU rDNA analysis. Conclusion This study first reveals the ciliary pattern and two nuclear rRNA gene sequences of two tintinnine type species, and thus expands knowledge and database of tintinnines. Amphorellopsis represents an intermediate lineage between tintinnines (loricate form) and aloricate choreotrichids.

DNA barcoding has largely been tested for a wide range of taxa and evidenced as a reliable and rapid molecular tool for species-level identification. The present study lends to generate 156 DNA barcodes, of which 141 belonged to 30 morphologically identified bees from the Indian Himalayan Regions (IHRs). The generated barcode data along with 84 sequences of global database distinctly discriminated all the studied species with sufficient genetic distances and cohesive monophyletic clustering in Bayesian analysis (BA) phylogeny. The species delimitation methods, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), Bayesian Poisson-Tree-Processes (bPTP), and General Mixed Yule-coalescent (GMYC) yielded 68, 70, and 71 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) respectively. The present DNA barcode-based examination detected the possible cryptic diversity in two Apis species (A. cerana and A. dorsata), Bombus hypnorum, Lepidotrigona arcifera, and Ceratina sutepensis. The present study also evidenced the species complexes within Bombus albopleuralis and Bombus trifasciatus in the IHRs. The species delimitation methods also detected an additional seven putative species from the IHRs, which were identified up to the genus level. In conclusion, this preliminary effort helps to develop a reliable barcode database of bees from the Indian IHRs to facilitate the future systematics study. These molecular data can be utilized to evaluate the population structures and assist to formulate the effective plans for bee conservation.

Although egg-pods and egg morphology represent useful features for phylogenetic purposes, they are less well known in Pamphagidae when compared with other Orthoptera groups of Caelifera, such as Acrididae. Breeding in the lab some specimens of Acinipe deceptoria (Bolivar, 1878) and Acinipe segurensis (Bolivar, 1908), two sympatric species inhabiting the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula, allowed us to study in detail such structures. The morphology of the egg-pods of both species is very similar and almost undistinguishable. The eggs general morphology is also similar. However, some chorionic features, such as the chorionic mesh-size and the micropyle morphology, make possible to distinguish between both species thus being useful for taxonomic applications. On the other hand, our observations on presence of egg-pods and micropyles arrangement support the classical systematics of Orthoptera splitting it in two suborders.

In this contribution we present new insights on the evolution of the Dom Feliciano Belt, southernmost Mantiqueira Province, integrating new whole-rock Sm–Nd isotopic data for the Arroio Grande Ophiolite (Punta del Este Terrane, Brazil/Uruguay border) with previously published bulk-rock and isotope geochemistry of the South Adamastor paleo-ocean metamafic rocks located in Uruguay (Paso del Dragon Complex, Punta del Este Terrane) and Namibia (Chameis Subterrane, Marmora Terrane, Gariep Belt). For the regional geology, the new data corroborate previous hypothesis and demonstrate the depleted mantle features of the amphibolites and metagabbros of the studied ophiolite. The Arroio Grande Ophiolite rocks are compared with its Uruguayan and Namibian counterparts, demonstrating their isotopic and geochemical similarities and differences, and the back-arc affinity of the South Adamastor paleo-ocean. The MORB-affinity amphibolites from the Arroio Grande Ophiolite-Paso del Dragon Complex are, so far, the most juvenile rocks in the eastern sector of the Dom Feliciano Belt, yielding eNd(640 ​Ma) between +7.3 and ​+​9, and high 147Sm/144Nd (>0.169) and 143Nd/144Nd(640 ​Ma) ratios (0.51219–0.51229). The South Adamastor is interpreted in this paper as an internal back-arc ocean, with limited lateral extension, opened at around 750–650 ​Ma as the result of the closure of the older Charrua-Goianide paleo-ocean during the Brasiliano/Pan-African orogenic cycle and final configuration of the West Gondwana paleocontinent.

This paper presents an apatite U–Pb and geochemistry archive for exposed plutons and metamorphic rocks of the Kyrgyz South Tian Shan (STS) within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Apatite U–Pb dates and trace-element geochemistry are provided for 17 samples from late Carboniferous – early Permian I-type granites in the Terktinsky complex and A-type granites in the Kokshaal Range; early Devonian granites in the Kembel complex; Cryogenian granitoids and tuffs from the Middle Tian Shan and gneisses from the Atbashi metamorphic complex. These samples form a comprehensive selection of igneous and metamorphic rocks within the cores of Mesozoic basement highs that supplied detritus to adjacent basins such as the Tarim, Ferghana and Yarkand-Ferghana Basins. Generally, the granitoid samples preserve primary igneous apatite U–Pb ages that are within uncertainty of previously published zircon U–Pb dates. The apatites from the Atbashi metamorphic complex record anomalous Ordovician dates with large uncertainties that are interpreted as mixing ages between Cryogenian protolith formation and Carboniferous metamorphism. Principal component analysis discriminates apatite samples from the different bedrock terranes in the Kyrgyz STS based on their geochemical fingerprint and categorizes the samples with respect to an extensive apatite geochemical archive. The combined apatite-zircon archive provides a novel framework for provenance studies on the Meso–Cenozoic sedimentary history of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt.

Ancient Lake Tanganyika in East Africa houses the world's ecologically and morphologically most diverse assemblage of cichlid fishes, and the third most species-rich after lakes Malawi and Victoria. Despite long-lasting scientific interest in the cichlid species flocks of the East African Great Lakes, for example in the context of adaptive radiation and explosive diversification, their taxonomy and systematics are only partially explored; and many cichlid species still await their formal description. Here, we provide a current inventory of the cichlid fish fauna of Lake Tanganyika, providing a complete list of all valid 208 Tanganyikan cichlid species, and discuss the taxonomic status of more than 50 undescribed taxa on the basis of the available literature as well as our own observations and collections around the lake. This leads us to conclude that there are at least 241 cichlid species present in Lake Tanganyika, all but two are endemic to the basin. We finally summarize some of the major taxonomic challenges regarding Lake Tanganyika's cichlid fauna. The taxonomic inventory of the cichlid fauna of Lake Tanganyika presented here will facilitate future research on the taxonomy and systematics and the ecology and evolution of the species flock, as well as its conservation.

A new species of Capbrya from Brazilian Caatinga is described and illustrated in detail. Capbrya brasiliensis sp. n. is the first record of the genus outside South Africa. We provide the first complete and labelled dorsal chaetotaxy description of the genus including the S-chaetotaxy of tergal segments, and the complete trunk dorsal chaetotaxy of the first instar, described for the first time for the whole Nothobryinae. C. brasiliensis sp. n. differs from Capbrya marshalli and Capbrya themeda by ventral head and dorsal trunk chaetotaxy, postantennal organ size, metatrochanteral organ, empodial complex and manubrial plate morphology. We redrew and interpreted the published chaetotaxies of C. marshalli and Hispanobrya barrancoi and analysed specimens of Nothobrya sertaneja, Nothobrya sp.1 and Nothobrya sp.2. After the morphological comparison, we propose the subdivision of Nothobryinae in two tribes and their inclusion in the family Orchesellidae: the tribe Nothobryini for Nothobrya and the tribe Capbryini for Capbrya and Hispanobrya. We also provide an update to the identification key of Capbrya, Hispanobrya and Nothobrya species, now including C. brasiliensis sp. n.; and an update to Nothobrya diagnosis, including now its S-chaetotaxy formula and labial chaetae.

The species in Ledebouria sect. Resnova are revised, with an identification key, full nomenclature, descriptions, ecological notes, and illustrations. Sect. Resnova is defined by its deeply campanulate flowers with tepals shortly connate basally and erect throughout or spreading distally; biseriate stamens with white, filiform filaments; sessile or subsessile ovary; and diagnostic seeds, obliquely obovoid with an inflated and invaginated raphe, and a finely puberulous-echinulate testa. Five species are recognised, divided between the monotypic ser. Lachenalioides, diagnosed by larger flowers with multi-nerved tepals, and ser. Resnova, with smaller flowers and uni-nerved tepals. Species in ser. Resnova are distinguished primarily by the presence or absence of hairs on one or both surfaces of the leaves, and by the presence or absence of a pseudopetiole. The new species Ledebouria hardyi J.C.Manning is described for a collection of plants from near Burgersfort in Limpopo with mostly solitary, markedly pseudopetiolate foliage. The species in sect. Resnova are geographically and ecologically separated by altitude and climate. A revised subtribal classification is provided for Massonieae, based on available phylogenetic hypotheses. Three subtribes are recognised: the monotypic Merwillineae is described for the genus Merwilla and is diagnosed by its white ovary and beige seeds; the genus Schizocarphus is transferred to join Ledebouria in Ledebouriinae, which is weakly diagnosed by the development of multiple inflorescences in some species and a flexuous scape; and Lachenaliinae is included within Massoniinae, which comprises all remaining genera in the tribe and is diagnosed by its few to many subglobose seeds per locule and often tunicated bulbs. This classification replaces existing hypotheses, which are inconsistent with available morphological and phylogenetic data.

Within the Platyhelminthes, Temnocephalida is a clade of continental turbellarians that establish an ectocommensal relationship with their hosts. Many species live associated with decapod crustaceans. In the Neotropical region, two species of Temnocephala are commensals on species of the shrimp family Palaemonidae. Temnocephala digitata lives on Palaemon argentinus and was originally reported from freshwater bodies connected to the Rio de la Plata, in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The original brief description of the species caused the name to be used incorrectly, creating confusion about the actual specific identity. Here we redescribe T. digitata based on morphological, biological and ecological features. Main morphological features of the reproductive system are the length of the cirrus and its introvert, as well as the number and disposition of its spines. Also, the female portion of the reproductive system lacks vaginal sphincters, which are otherwise well developed in the other species of the genus. The species is big and has the smallest adhesive disk reported for the genus, which allows firm attachment and active movements on the host surface. The egg capsules are fixed on the border of the gill chamber of the host. The prevalence, intensity, and abundance of T. digitata vary according to the size and sex of the host and throughout the year, with the highest prevalence, intensity, and abundance on ovigerous female hosts. This fact is related to the longer intermolt period of ovigerous hosts. These observations conform a solid redescription for a species with a tortuous nomenclatural history.

In a seminal study on elasmobranch systematics, Maisey proposed the monophyly of a large lineage of sharks based primarily on the sharing of an orbitostylic jaw suspension. This group was later redefined as the Squalomorphi, which included Squatinidae but not Batoidea. Subsequent morphological analyses, however, rejected Maisey’s scheme, which was left aside for nearly two decades until the first molecular phylogenies began to cluster again the orbitostylic sharks into a monophyletic group. In a broad comparative investigation of the anatomy of the appendicular skeleton of cartilaginous fishes, we discovered new evidence supporting the monophyly of squalomorph sharks: the presence of a posterior process at the lateral region of the coracoid bar serving as a origin site for the depressor pectoralis II muscle. This feature would be the first strong morphological evidence in 40 years potentially supporting the monophyly of Squalomorphi.

The Trypanosomatid family are a diverse and widespread group of protozoan parasites that belong to the higher order class Kinetoplastida. Containing predominantly monoxenous species (i.e. those having only a single host) that are confined to invertebrate hosts, this class is primarily known for its pathogenic dixenous species (i.e. those that have two hosts), serving as the aetiological agents of the important neglected tropical diseases including leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and human African trypanosomiasis. Over the past few decades, a multitude of studies have investigated the diversity, classification and evolutionary history of the trypanosomatid family using different approaches and molecular targets. The mitochondrial-like DNA of the trypanosomatid parasites, also known as the kinetoplast, has emerged as a unique taxonomic and diagnostic target for exploring the evolution of this diverse group of parasitic eukaryotes. This review discusses recent advancements and important developments that have made a significant impact in the field of trypanosomatid systematics and diagnostics in recent years.

The taxonomy of Dinelytron Gray (Prisopodidae: Prisopodinae) is controversially discussed in the literature, as well as the delimitation between Prisopodini genera. The phylogenetic relationships between Prisopodini genera were never studied. Attempting to resolve these problems, Dinelytron was reviewed and a phylogeny was conducted to test the monophyly of the genus and better delimitate the limits of the tribe genera. Resulting, Prisopoides gen. nov., with four species was described. In Dinelytron, one species is redescribed and five new Brazilian species are described. Dinelytron unilineatus (Redtenbacher) comb. nov. was transferred from Damasippus Stal. New diagnosis for Damasippus and Prisopus are proposed, based on external characters and of the male genitalia. The phylogeny recovered two most parsimonious trees, both supporting the taxonomic changes proposed in the present study. Prisopodini and each of its genera are shown to be monophyletic. Novelties on the male genitalia are described and discussed, as well as their impact over Phasmatodea systematics.

Ranging from the Jurassic to the Pleistocene, the fossil record of decapod crustaceans in the British Isles is extensive, comprised of 159 species (including those in open nomenclature) assigned to 101 genera. Preservation is variable, but most taxa are based upon carapace material; the study of disarticulated limb elements has added surprisingly little to the known diversity. No new taxa are erected herein, but some species have been reassigned to more appropriate genera and/or families. The stratigraphic distribution of these crustaceans is such that most, if not all, species are known from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic successions of southern and eastern England. Some areas and horizons are particularly rich in decapod species, including the Aptian Atherfield Clay Formation, Isle of Wight; the Albian Gault Clay Formation; the Cenomanian Beer Head Limestone Formation, Wilmington Sands Member; the Lower Eocene London Clay Formation; the Paleogene of the Isle of Wight; and the various crag formations of East Anglia.

The Plio-Pleistocene fossil rhinoceroses of Eurasia are relatively well known, although their taxonomy and phylogeny are still debated. The fossil rhinoceros material collected at the Bethlehem site during the first half of the 20th century is revised and re-described. Based on morphological comparison of the Bethlehem material with the latest Miocene, Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Eurasian and African species, the specimens are assigned as Rhinocerotini indet., Dihoplus sp. and 'Dihoplus' bethlehemsis sp. nov. The comparison revealed that the studied material displays more features in common with the genus Dihoplus than with the genus Stephanorhinus. Tooth microwear analysis revealed that the diet of Bethlehem rhinoceros was probably composed of leaves of trees, bushes, or part of dicots. The new species could be one of the latest representatives of the Miocene genus Dihoplus that survived in Eurasia until the end of the Pliocene. Thus again the site of Bethlehem being unique in its biogeographically setting, provides novel understanding of the ‘Levantine Corridor’ dispersal route.

Morphological homogeneity within Sericini has resulted in great difficulties with respect to generic classification primarily due to lack of diagnostic characters and significant levels of homoplasy of many traits used to establish and diagnose generic groups. Recently, new morphological structures have been studied within sericines to determine their systematic utility. Reported here are the results of a comparative study of sericine mouthparts. The data gathered was used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree using parsimony analysis exclusively based on mouthpart morphology. For this study, we examined 52 morphological characters from adults of 81 currently recognized subgenera and genera. Across all species examined, the labium and the mandibular molar lobe were highly sclerotized. The different mouthparts compared among the genera were rather homogeneous and little differentiated. This may be due to the similar polyphagous-herbivore feeding behaviour common to all Sericini. The phylogenetic tree resulting from our analysis showed little resolution and did not confirm the monophyly of the two subtribes Sericina and Trochalina, but also not that of the Sericini itself. Nevertheless, we hope the extended data matrix will prove very useful when used in concert with other morphological traits to bring more clarity to the systematics and classification of Sericini.

International audience; The genus Phragmites includes taxa that are very difficult to distinguish macroscopically, and even genetically. To better discriminate these taxa, microscopic traits, such as the epidermis of floral bracts and leaves, and leaf anatomy, were investigated. In the Old World, four distinct giant reeds species (> 3 m) were delineated: two tropical species, P. karka and P. mauritianus, and two Mediterranean species, P. altissimus and P. frutescens. Previously included within P. australis sensu lato, the rehabilitation of P. altissimus and P. frutescens is supported by relevant distinctive characteristics. Conversely, the small reeds (< 3 m) from temperate to cold regions form a distinct group. Although this group is still difficult to subdivide with epidermis traits, three taxa can be separated using leaf anatomy: both the Afro-European and the Australian-E. Asian P. australis sensu stricto, and P. japonicus. Using iodine green solution, we link our morphological analyses with previous genetic clustering, the green coloration of floral bracts and margin leaf teeth matches with the presence of nuclear waxy gene bands in P. frutescens and P. mauritianus (100 bp), and P. altissimus (200 bp), while P. karka, P. australis subsp. australis and P. japonicus have no coloration nor waxy band. While leaf anatomy features seem to be correlated with eco-climatic conditions, the epidermal traits delimited other clades. For leaf epidermis P. karka, P. mauritianus, and P. frutescens present the more ancestral characters, whereas P. australis, P. japonicus, and P. altissimus possess derived traits. Lastly, floral bract epidermis traits separate two divergent evolutionary lineages from the basal P. karka.

The southern African genus Veltheimia (Hyacinthaceae: Scilloideae: Massonieae) comprises the paraptric species pair V. capensis and V. bracteata. Both species are reviewed with full nomenclature, descriptions, ecological notes, and colour illustrations. The two species are distinguished by the shape of the bulb and the texture of the outer tunics, the colour of the foliage, and the flowering time. An epitype is designated to fix the application of the name Aletris capensis in its current sense, and the nomenclature of V. deasii is clarified, including the designation of a lectotype for V. deasii P.E.Barnes, nom. illeg., non V. deasii Coutts.

A new rhabdocoel of the genus Syndesmis Silliman, 1881 (Umagillidae) is described from the intestine of the New Zealand sea urchin Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes, 1846) Mortensen, 1943a. This new species, Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp., is morphologically distinct and can easily be recognised by its very long (±1 mm) stylet and its bright-red colour. In addition to providing a formal description, we present some observations on reproduction and life history of this new species. Fecundity is comparable to that of other umagillids and the rate of egg production and development increases with temperature. Hatching in this species is induced by intestinal fluids of its host. Relevant to global warming, we assessed the effect of temperature on survival, fecundity, and development. The tests indicate that Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp. is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures (11–25 °C) and that its temperature optimum lies between 18.0 and 21.5 °C. Egg viability is, however, significantly compromised at the higher end of this temperature range, with expelled egg capsules often being deformed and showing increasingly lower rates of hatching. Given this, a rise in global temperature might increase the risk of Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp. infecting new hosts and would possibly facilitate the spread of these endosymbionts., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Syndesmis kurakaikina n. sp. (Umagillidae, Rhabdocoela) is described. • This new species was found infecting kina (Evechinus chloroticus) in New Zealand. • S. kurakaikina n. sp. can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. • Egg-capsule production and development increase with temperature. • Rising sea-water temperatures may facilitate infection and spread of this species.

Background Field studies from 2011 onwards have demonstrated the presence of a breeding population of Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China that is phenotypically distinct from known subspecies occurring in Asia. Here we describe the plumages and vocalisations of this population and discuss its taxonomic status. Methods The analysis of plumage is based on field studies and photos available online. Recordings of vocalisations are compared with recordings from other Yellow Wagtail populations, and differences are analysed based on sonograms. Mitochondrial DNA from one individual is compared to other Yellow Wagtail taxa. Results Unlike M. flava subspecies breeding in or near Xinjiang, males in the studied population show a blue-grey head without prominent white supercilium, being most similar to the widely disjunct M. f. cinereocapilla. They differ from the similarly widely allopatric M. f. thunbergi, which might occur as a migrant or vagrant in Xinjiang, by on average cleaner yellow breast and more extensive white on the throat, and from the widely disjunct M. f. plexa and M. f. macronyx, which might also occur on migration in that area, by softer contact calls and slower pace of song. Females are similar to female M. f. feldegg in plumage. The mitochondrial ND2 tree shows the single sample from Xinjiang to be nested in the clade of western Yellow Wagtail taxa. Conclusion We discuss whether the Xinjiang breeding population could represent an intergrade between subspecies breeding nearby, or whether it is better regarded as a separate as yet unrecognized subspecies. We argue that the localization of its apparent range in relation to other subspecies along with fairly consistent male and female plumages suggest that it is more likely to represent an undescribed taxon, but conclude that more research is needed to firmly establish its status.

This work presents isotopic data for the non-traditional isotope systems Fe, Cu, and Zn on a set of Chicxulub impactites and target lithologies with the aim of better documenting the dynamic processes taking place during hypervelocity impact events, as well as those affecting impact structures during the post-impact phase. The focus lies on material from the recent IODP-ICDP Expedition 364 Hole M0077A drill core obtained from the offshore Chicxulub peak ring. Two ejecta blanket samples from the UNAM 5 and 7 cores were used to compare the crater lithologies with those outside of the impact structure. The datasets of bulk Fe, Cu, and Zn isotope ratios are coupled with petrographic observations and bulk major and trace element compositions to disentangle equilibrium isotope fractionation effects from kinetic processes. The observed Fe and Cu isotopic signatures, with δ56/54Fe ranging from −0.95‰ to 0.58‰ and δ65/63Cu from −0.73‰ to 0.14‰, mostly reflect felsic, mafic, and carbonate target lithology mixing and secondary sulfide mineral formation, the latter associated to the extensive and long-lived (> 105 years) hydrothermal system within Chicxulub structure. On the other hand, the stable Zn isotope ratios provide evidence for volatility-governed isotopic fractionation. The heavier Zn isotopic compositions observed for the uppermost part of the impactite sequence and a metamorphic clast (δ66/64Zn of up to 0.80‰ and 0.87‰, respectively) relative to most basement lithologies and impact melt rock units indicate partial vaporization of Zn, comparable to what has been observed for Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary layer sediments around the world, as well as for tektites from various strewn fields. In contrast to previous work, our data indicate that an isotopically light Zn reservoir (δ66/64Zn down to −0.49‰), of which the existence has previously been suggested based on mass balance considerations, may reside within the upper impact melt rock (UIM) unit. This observation is restricted to a few UIM samples only and cannot be extended to other target or impact melt rock units. Light isotopic signatures of moderately volatile elements in tektites and microtektites have previously been linked to (back-)condensation under distinct kinetic regimes. Although some of the signatures observed may have been partially overprinted during post-impact processes, our bulk data confirm impact volatilization and condensation of Zn, which may be even more pronounced at the microscale, with variable degrees of mixing between isotopically distinct reservoirs, not only at proximal to distal ejecta sites, but also within the lithologies associated with the Chicxulub impact crater.

High-throughput DNA sequencing (HTS) presents great opportunities for plant systematics, yet genomic complexity needs to be reduced for HTS to be effectively applied. We highlight Hyb-Seq as a promising approach, especially in light of the recent development of probes enriching 353 low-copy nuclear genes from any flowering plant taxon.

Fungi historically placed in the iconic genera of Boletus, Leccinum and Xerocomus have been the subject of major taxonomic revisions in recent years. Yet, despite all advancements in systematics, boletoid fungi in insular ecosystems remain little explored and our knowledge of their diversity, distribution and abundance in Mediterranean ecoregions is far from complete. To shed light on this blind spot, the findings of a ten-year study from the island of Cyprus were analysed, integrating phylogenetic, ecological, morphological, phenological and chorological data. An unexpected diversity of Boletaceae fungi is unveiled, with twenty-five species phylogenetically confirmed to be present on the island, thirteen of them previously unreported. Sequencing of the ITS rDNA region, reveals crypticism within the Butyriboletus fechtneri, Caloboletus radicans, Rubroboletus lupinus and Rheubarbariboletus armeniacus species-complexes and infrageneric relationships are discussed. A strong link between boletoid fungi and Mediterranean oaks of the ilicoid group (Quercus alnifolia, Quercus coccifera subsp. calliprinos) is illustrated, with nineteen species (76%) overall found to be strictly or broadly associated with evergreen oaks. In stark contrast, the semi-deciduous Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris appears to be an unfavorable host for boletoid fungi, with just a single associated species so far. Phenological and chorological records indicate that most species on the island are rare, highly localized and fruit during very brief spells several years apart, mainly in response to increased annual, late summer or early autumn precipitation. The conservation status of these high-profile fungi is hence discussed, particularly in view of alarming climate changes, forecasted to have a dramatic impact on Mediterranean ecosystems in the years to come.

The Tropical Andes contains exceptionally high diversity, much of it arising within the Quaternary period. The complex geology of the Andes and paleoclimate fluctuations within the Quaternary suggest complex speciation scenarios. This, in turn, has contributed to idiosyncratic speciation modes among shallowly diverged Amazonian taxa. Many relationships among these taxa remain poorly resolved. Here we use a sequence capture approach, ultraconserved elements (UCEs), to address the phylogenetic relationships among three recently diverged Peruvian Ameerega poison frog species (A. cainarachi, A. petersi, and A. smaragdina; family Dendrobatidae) and explore a possible mode of speciation in this group. We assess concordance among concatenated phylogenetic tree inference, gene-tree based species tree inference, SNP-based species tree inference, and Bayes factor lineage delimitation to resolve species boundaries. We complement these analyses with assessments of call divergence to address the presence of a prezygotic reproductive barrier. Additionally, we further explore the phylogeographic history of these species of Ameerega with demographic inference, considering evidence for admixture and population expansions. Our results support the synonymy of A. smaragdina as a junior synonym of A. petersi and we find that speciation in this group is characterized by admixture and signatures of a population bottleneck followed by expansion. We invoke the disturbance-vicariance hypothesis to explain the observed patterns and call for more, detailed investigations of in-situ speciation in the Tropical Andes.

The sub-Saharan African species previously included in Scilla subgenus Scilla are reviewed, with full nomenclature, descriptions, ecological notes, and colour illustrations. Four genera and five species are recognised. Pseudoprospero firmifolium (tribe Pseudoprospereae) is endemic to South Africa and is separated by leaf width and ovary colour into subsp. firmifolium from the Eastern Cape and subsp. natalensis from KwaZulu-Natal. It is diagnosed primarily by its bi-ovulate locules, and often branched raceme. Merwilla (tribe Massonieae) is recognised by its white ovary, and unique, pale beige seeds. It includes the dwarf M. dracomontana from the foothills of the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Drakensberg, distinguished by its prostrate foliage and hispidulous scape, and the variable M. plumbea from southern and east subtropical Africa, with hispidulous or glabrous foliage but consistently glabrous scape. Dwarf forms of this species from the southeastern coast and near-interior of South Africa that include the type of M. kraussii are segregated as subsp. kraussii. The subtropical M. lazulina is treated as a synonym of subsp. plumbea. The monotypic Schizocarphus (tribe Massonieae) is diagnosed by its fibrous leaves and dark ovary, and S. nervosus is widely distributed through southern and subtropical Africa. Although it is highly variable in stature, in the shape and vestiture of the foliage, and in the length of the pedicels, it is not possible to recognise more than a single species. Spetaea lachenaliiflora (tribe Massonieae) is endemic to the southwestern mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa, and is readily distinguished from the other three genera by its tunicated bulb, ebracteolate raceme, and campanulate flowers with exserted stamens and style.

Classification of tribe Cardueae in natural subtribes has always been a challenge due to the lack of support of some critical branches in previous phylogenies based on traditional Sanger markers. With the aim to propose a new subtribal delimitation, we applied a Hyb-Seq approach to a set of 76 Cardueae species representing all subtribes and informal groups defined in the tribe, targeting 1061 nuclear conserved orthology loci (COS) designed for Compositae and obtaining chloroplast coding regions as by-product of off-target reads. For the extraction of the target nuclear data, we used two strategies, PHYLUCE and HybPiper, and 776 and 1055 COS loci were recovered with each of them, respectively. Additionally, 87 chloroplast genes were assembled and annotated. With three datasets, phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using both concatenation and coalescent approaches. Phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear datasets fully resolved virtually all nodes with very high support. Nuclear and plastid tree topologies are mostly congruent with a very limited number of incongruent nodes. Based on the well-solved phylogenies obtained, we propose a new taxonomic scheme of 12 monophyletic and morphologically consistent subtribes: Carlininae, Cardopatiinae, Echinopsinae, Dipterocominae (new), Xerantheminae (new), Berardiinae (new), Staehelininae (new), Onopordinae (new), Carduinae (redelimited), Arctiinae (new), Saussureinae (new), and Centaureinae. In addition, we further updated the temporal framework for origin and diversification of these subtribes. Our results highlight the power of Hyb-Seq over Sanger sequencing of a few DNA markers in solving phylogenetic relationships of traditionally difficult groups., Financial support from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Project CGL2015-66703-P and Ph.D. grant to Sonia Herrando-Moraira) and the Catalan government (“Ajuts a grups consolidats” 2017-SGR1116) is also gratefully acknowledged.

Carbonatite metasomatism has been widely implicated for worldwide mafic mantle suites but so far, no combined data have been available for highly siderophile element systematics (HSE – Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, Re) and Re–Os isotopic compositions in carbonatites themselves. We present the first systematic survey of the HSE and Re–Os isotopic compositions in a suite of well-characterized Neoproterozoic carbonatites, silicocarbonatites and associated silicate rocks (pyroxenites, monzogabbros, syenites) from south India in order to place constraints on the HSE systematics in carbonatite magmas, anchoring possible mantle sources of carbonatites and relationship to the ambient crustal lithologies as well as preliminary constraints on carbonatite metasomatism in Earth's mantle. The most plausible explanation for generally low HSE contents in calciocarbonatites from Tamil Nadu (∑HSE

Three new fossil species of Aulacidae are described from mid-Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Burmese amber: Archeofoenus engeli Turrisi & Ellenberger, sp. nov., Electrofoenops cockerelli Turrisi & Ellenberger, sp. nov., and Electrofoenops rasnitsyni Turrisi & Ellenberger, sp. nov. Hyptiogastrites electrinus Cockerell, 1917, previously known from the holotype female only, is newly recorded and the male is described for the first time. The four fossil samples examined originate from the mines around the Noije Bum Hill, about 30 km southwest from the Kachin State capital of Tanai, in the Hukawng Valley, northern Myanmar. The species are described, illustrated, and compared with most similar fossil species and their features discussed in the context of the systematics of Aulacidae. A revised checklist of fossil Aulacidae is also provided.