Search

Two new species of the stonefly genus Neoperla, N. jiangae sp. nov. and N. jiaoxihe sp. nov., are described from Shaanxi Province of northwest China. The new species are compared with related congeners. Neoperla flagellata Li & Murányi, 2012 (in Li et al. 2012b) is placed as a synonym of N. bicornua Wu, 1973. The Neoperla sinensis species subgroup in the N. montivaga group is proposed and defined.

The satyr of Greek mythology was half‐man, half‐goat, with an animal persona signifying immoderate sexual appetites. In biology, satyrization is the disruption of reproduction in matings between closely related species. Interestingly, its effects are often reciprocally asymmetric, manifesting more strongly in one direction of heterospecific mating than the other. Heterospecific matings are well known to result in female fitness costs due to the production of sterile or inviable hybrid offspring and can also occur due to reduced female sexual receptivity, lowering the likelihood of any subsequent conspecific matings. Here we investigated the costs and mechanisms of satyrization in the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup of fruitflies. The results showed that D. simulans females experienced higher fitness costs from a loss of remating opportunities due to significantly reduced post‐mating sexual receptivity than did D. melanogaster females, as a result of reciprocal heterospecific matings. Reciprocal tests of the effects of male reproductive accessory gland protein (Acp) injections on female receptivity in pairwise comparisons between D. melanogaster and five other species within the melanogaster species subgroup revealed significant post‐mating receptivity asymmetries. This was due to variation in the effects of heterospecific Acps within species with which D. melanogaster can mate, and significant but nonasymmetric Acp effects in species with which it cannot. We conclude that asymmetric satyrization due to post‐mating effects of Acps may be common among diverging and hybridising species. The findings are of interest in understanding the evolution of reproductive isolation and species divergence., Seminal Fluid Proteins (Sfps) are transferred with the ejacuate during mating, conferring a variety of post‐mating effects on females. We found asymmetries in the strength and effects of these Sfps in reciprocal cross‐species comparisons between closely related Drosophila species.

The Aleiodes bakeri (Brues) species subgroup of the A. seriatus species group is defined based on two previously described species, A. bakeri and A. nigristemmaticum (Enderlein), and is greatly expanded in this paper with an identification key, descriptions, and illustrations of 18 new species from the Neotropical Region: A. andinus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; angustus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; asenjoi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; bahiensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; barrosi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; brevicarina Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; coariensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; goiasensis Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; gonodontivorus Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; hyalinus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; inga Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; joaquimi Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; lidiae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; mabelae Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; maculosus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; ovatus Shimbori & Shaw, sp. nov.; santarosensis Shaw & Shimbori, sp. nov.; and taurus Shimbori & Penteado-Dias, sp. nov. It is hypothesized that the A. bakeri species subgroup is a monophyletic lineage within the larger and probably artificial A. seriatus species group (those Aleiodes with a comb of flat setae at the apex of the hind tibia), and can be distinguished from other members of the seriatus group by having the hind wing vein r present, although weakly indicated; the hind wing marginal cell suddenly widened at junction of veins RS and r; the subbasal cell of the fore wing mostly glabrous but often with two rows of short setae subapically; glabrous regions of the wings also commonly found in the first subdiscal, discal, and basal cells of the fore wing, and the basal cell of hind wing; ocelli quite large, with the width of a lateral ocellus being distinctly larger than the ocellar-ocular distance; and being relatively large Aleiodes species with body almost entirely brownish yellow or reddish brown. In addition, a new replacement name, Aleiodes buntikae Shimbori & Shaw, nom. nov., is proposed for the species formerly called Aleiodes (Hemigyroneuron) bakeri Butcher & Quicke, 2011.

Quantitative genetics aims at untangling the genetic and environmental effects on phenotypic variation. Trait heritability, which summarizes the relative importance of genetic effects, is estimated at the intraspecific level, but theory predicts that heritability could influence long-term evolution of quantitative traits. The phylogenetic signal concept bears resemblance to heritability and it has often been called species-level heritability. Under certain conditions, such as trait neutrality or contribution to phylogenesis, within-species heritability and between-species phylogenetic signal should be correlated. Here, we investigate the potential relationship between these two concepts by examining the evolution of multiple morphological traits for which heritability has been estimated in Drosophila melanogaster. Specifically, we analysed 42 morphological traits in both sexes on a phylogeny inferred from 22 nuclear genes for nine species of the melanogaster subgroup. We used Pagel’s λ as a measurement of phylogenetic signal because it is the least influenced by the number of analysed taxa. Pigmentation traits showed the strongest concordance with the phylogeny, but no correlation was found between phylogenetic signal and heritability estimates mined from the literature. We obtained data for multiple climatic variables inferred from the geographical distribution of each species. Phylogenetic regression of quantitative traits on climatic variables showed a significantly positive correlation with heritability. Convergent selection, the response to which depends on the trait heritability, may have led to the null association between phylogenetic signal and heritability for morphological traits in Drosophila. We discuss the possible causes of discrepancy between both statistics and caution against their confusion in evolutionary biology.

Cormocephalus (C.) guildingii Newport, 1845—one of the oldest names in this genus—is described in detail for the first time, based on material from Western Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic; the range of this species is much expanded. Synonymy of C. impressus Porat, 1876 under C. guildingii is analyzed and confirmed. Relations between the latter and both C. ungulatus (Meinert, 1886) and C. andinus (Kraepelin, 1903) are analysed in detail. Both C. mundus Chamberlin, 1955 and C. (Cupipes) tingonus Chamberlin, 1957 are junior synonyms of C. ungulatus (Meinert, 1886). Cormocephalus mediosulcatus Attems, 1928 is suggested to be transferred to the genus Scolopendropsis as S. thayeri (Meinert, 1886) syn. nov. A new subclade (designated as the “guildingii-subgroup”) is established within the Neotropical clade of the genus Cormocephalus. It includes most Neotropical representatives of the gervaisianus species-group (sensu Schileyko & Stagl 2004) united by nine diagnostic synapomorphies. Relations within the new subclade are analysed and its diagnosis is given.

The taxonomy of Merodon dobrogensis Bradescu, 1982 (Diptera: Syrphidae) species subgroup was reviewed. Multiple data sources (morphology, geometric morphometry of wings and surstylus, molecular data, and distributional data) were used to investigate the species subgroup in the manner of integrative taxonomy. Merodon dobrogensis Bradescu, 1982 and M. puniceus Vujić, Radenković, and Pérez-Bañón, 2011 are supported as distinct species belonging to the M. dobrogensis species complex within the M. dobrogensis species subgroup. Additionally, evidence is presented for the description of a new species, M. rojoi Radenković and Vujić new species, with a distribution in mainland Greece, the Greek island Euboea, and the Peloponnese. A short diagnosis is provided for the M. aureus species group, the M. dobrogensis species subgroup, and the newly defined M. dobrogensis species complex, in addition to a description of the new species, with drawings and photographs of adult morphology.

The Fannia serena species group (Diptera: Fanniidae) ismainly distributed in the Holarctic region and comprises four subgroups with a total of 32 species. Three new species of the Fannia serena-subgroup, Fannia aureomarginata Wang et Cheng, sp. n., F. suberemna Wang, sp. n. and F. wui Wang, sp. n., are described from China. An identification key to all known species of the Fannia serena-subgroup is also provided.

Eumerus Meigen (Diptera, Syrphidae) is one of the most speciose hoverfly genera in Europe, with several species groups recognized within. As part of the tricolor group of species, a subgroup of long-legged representatives stands out. We name it Eumerusbinominatus subgroup and provide descriptions for two new European species which belong to this subgroup: E.grallatorsp. nov. from mainland Spain and E.tenuitarsissp. nov. from Lesvos and Evros, Greece. A key for all five recognized species of the binominatus subgroup is provided.

The loricate choanoflagellate genera Diaphanoeca Ellis and Crinolina Thomsen encompass a total of ten species. The majority of these are recorded from the warm water regions reported on here. A distinct morphological dichotomy characterizes the genus Diaphanoeca as currently circumscribed. The species distribute themselves within a ‘D. grandis subgroup’ and a ‘D. pedicellata subgroup’ distinguished on e.g., the position of the protoplast inside the lorica chamber and the elaboration of the anterior projections. We are, while awaiting in particular further molecular evidence, taking a conservative approach and abstain from dealing with the subgroup issue at the generic level. The examination of material from the warm water regions of the world’s oceans has resulted in the description of D. sargassoensis sp.n., D. pseudoundulata sp.n., and D. throndsenii sp.n., and a thorough re-examination of D. undulata. Species of Crinolina share multiple features with in particular the D. grandis species subgroup. It is yet relevant, both in a morphological and molecular perspective, to retain the genus Crinolina which remains unambiguously defined based on the posteriorly open lorica. A high level of agreement is found when contrasting morphological and molecular based phylogenetic schemes.

Introgression, the exchange of alleles between species, is a common event in nature. This transfer of alleles between species must happen through fertile hybrids. Characterizing the traits that cause defects in hybrids illuminates how and when gene flow is expected to occur. Inviability and sterility are extreme examples of fitness reductions but are not the only type of defects in hybrids. Some traits specific to hybrids are more subtle but are important to determine their fitness. In this report, we study whether F1 hybrids between two species pairs of Drosophila are as attractive as the parental species. We find that in both species pairs, the sexual attractiveness of the F1 hybrids is reduced and that pure species discriminate strongly against them. We also find that the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile of the female hybrids is intermediate between the parental species. Perfuming experiments show that modifying the CHC profile of the female hybrids to resemble pure species improves their chances of mating. Our results show that behavioral discrimination against hybrids might be an important component of the persistence of species that can hybridize.

The Saturniidae is one of the most emblematic families of moths, comprising nearly 3000 species distributed globally. In this study, DNA barcode analysis and comparative morphology were combined to describe three new species within the genusAutomeris, which is the most diverse genus in the family.Automeris llanerosDecaëns, Rougerie & Bonilla,sp. nov.,Automeris minerosDecaëns, Rougerie & Bonilla,sp. nov., andAutomeris belemensisDecaëns, Rougerie & Bénéluz,sp. nov.are described from the Colombian Orinoco watershed, the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, and the area of endemism of Belém in the Brazilian Amazonia, respectively. They all belong to theAutomeris bilinea(Walker, 1855) species subgroup, which comprises a number of species that are sometimes difficult to distinguish from each other using morphology alone. Here, the description of these three new species is based on significant differences from their closest relatives, either in terms of wing patterns, genitalia, DNA barcodes or a combination of these features.

Introgression, the exchange of alleles between species, is a common event in nature. This transfer of alleles between species must happen through fertile hybrids. Characterizing the traits that cause defects in hybrids illuminate how and when gene flow is expected to occur. Inviability and sterility are extreme examples of fitness reductions but are not the only type of defects in hybrids. Some traits specific to hybrids are more subtle but are important to determine their fitness. In this report, we study whether F1 hybrids between two species pairs ofDrosophilaare as attractive as the parental species. We find that in both species pairs, the sexual attractiveness of the F1 hybrids is reduced and that pure species discriminate strongly against them. We also find that the cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile of the hybrids is intermediate between the parental species. Perfuming experiments show that modifying the CHC profile of the hybrids to resemble pure species improves their chances of mating. Our results show that behavioral discrimination against hybrids might be an important component of the persistence of species that can hybridize.

The taxonomy of the subgenus Ashima of the genus Phortica is revised. A cladistic analysis of 66 morphological characters is conducted, covering 35 species (28 known and 7 new species: Phortica efragmentata sp. nov., P. andreagigoni sp. nov., P. watabei sp. nov., P. halimunensis sp. nov., P. akutsui sp. nov., P. kerinciensis sp. nov., and P. takehiroi sp. nov.) which correspond to 71.4% of 49 total spp. of Ashima. The resulting cladogram shows that the studied species are separated into several clades/subclades/cluster each highly supported with specific synapomorphies. Those clades/subclades/cluster are newly defined as the following species groups, subgroups or complex: the afoliolata, foliiseta, nigrifoliiseta and angulata species groups; the foliiseta, tanabei, nigrifoliiseta and glabra species subgroups; and the foliiseta species complex. The subgenus Ashima is peculiar in having the asymmetric male genitalia as the ground plan and showing the antisymmetry (i.e. intraspecific mirror-image variation) in some species but the directional asymmetry (i.e. side-fixed asymmetry) in others. The evolution of genital asymmetry in this subgenus is estimated by mapping the states (symmetry, directional asymmetry and antisymmetry) of bilateral structures of male genitalia on the cladogram. This ancestral state reconstruction estimates that the directional asymmetry of male genitalia has evolved at the ancestor of this subgenus and then changed to the antisymmetric state independently in two lineages, the angulata + nigrifoliiseta species groups and the foliiseta species complex. In this study, a standardized terminology recently proposed for the male terminalia of Drosophila melanogaster is extendedly adopted to describe the morphology of male terminalia in the subgenus Ashima, one group of the subfamily Steganinae.

The willistoni species subgroup has been the subject of several studies since the latter half of the past century and is considered a Neotropical model for evolutionary studies, given the many levels of reproductive isolation and different evolutionary stages occurring within them. Here we present for the first time a phylogenetic reconstruction combining morphological characters and molecular data obtained from 8 gene fragments (COI, COII, Cytb, Adh, Ddc, Hb, kl-3 and per). Some relationships were incongruent when comparing morphological and molecular data. Also, morphological data presented some unresolved polytomies, which could reflect the very recent divergence of the subgroup. The total evidence phylogenetic reconstruction presented well-supported relationships and summarized the results of all analyses. The diversification of the willistoni subgroup began about 7.3 Ma with the split of D. insularis while D.paulistorum complex has a much more recent diversification history, which began about 2.1 Ma and apparently has not completed the speciation process, since the average time to sister species separation is one million years, and some entities of the D. paulistorum complex diverge between 0.3 and 1 Ma. Based on the obtained data, we propose the categorization of the former "semispecies" of D. paulistorum as a subspecies and describe the subspecies D. paulistorum amazonian, D. paulistorum andeanbrazilian, D. paulistorum centroamerican, D. paulistorum interior, D. paulistorum orinocan and D. paulistorum transitional.

Species of the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup, including the species D. simulans, D. mauritiana, D. yakuba, and D. santomea, have long served as model systems for studying evolution. However, studies in these species have been limited by a paucity of genetic and transgenic reagents. Here, we describe a collection of transgenic and genetic strains generated to facilitate genetic studies within and between these species. We have generated many strains of each species containing mapped piggyBac transposons including an enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) gene expressed in the eyes and a φC31 attP site-specific integration site. We have tested a subset of these lines for integration efficiency and reporter gene expression levels. We have also generated a smaller collection of other lines expressing other genetically encoded fluorescent molecules in the eyes and a number of other transgenic reagents that will be useful for functional studies in these species. In addition, we have mapped the insertion locations of 58 transposable elements in D. virilis that will be useful for genetic mapping studies. Fil: Stern, David L.. Janelia Research Campus; Estados Unidos Fil: Crocker, Justin. Janelia Research Campus; Estados Unidos Fil: Ding, Yun. Janelia Research Campus; Estados Unidos Fil: Frankel, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Kappes, Gretchen. No especifica; Fil: Kim, Elizabeth. Janelia Research Campus; Estados Unidos Fil: Kuzmickas, Ryan. Brigham and Women's Hospital; Estados Unidos Fil: Lemire, Andrew. Janelia Research Campus; Estados Unidos Fil: Mast, Joshua D.. California State University; Estados Unidos Fil: Picard, Serge. University of Princeton; Estados Unidos

The monophyletic species subgroup of Podarcis tauricus is distributed in the western and southern parts of the Balkans, and includes four species with unresolved and unstudied inter- and intra-specific phylogenetic relationships. Using sequence data from two mitochondrial and three nuclear genes and applying several phylogenetic methods and species delimitation approaches to an extensive dataset, we have reconstructed the phylogeny of the Podarcis wall lizards in the Balkans, and re-investigated the taxonomic status of the P. tauricus species subgroup. Multilocus analyses revealed that the aforementioned subgroup consists of five major clades, with P. melisellensis as its most basal taxon. Monophyly of P. tauricus sensu stricto is not supported, with one of the subspecies (P. t. ionicus) displaying great genetic diversity (hidden diversity or cryptic species). It comprises five, geographically distinct, subclades with genetic distances on the species level. Species delimitation approaches revealed nine species within the P. tauricus species subgroup (P. melisellensis, P. gaigeae, P. milensis, and six in the P. tauricus complex), underlining the necessity of taxonomic re-evaluation. We thus synonymize some previously recognized subspecies in this subgroup, elevate P. t. tauricus and P. g. gaigeae to the species level and suggest a distinct Albanian-Greek clade, provisionally named as the P. ionicus species complex. The latter clade comprises five unconfirmed candidate species that call for comprehensive studies in the future.

Opsarius putaoensis, new species, is described from the Mali Hka River, a tributary of the Irrawaddy River in northern Myanmar. For convenience of identification, Opsarius sensu Rainboth (1991) in Southeast Asia and India can be divided into two species groups based on the number of anal-fin rays: (1) the O. gatensis species group with more than 12 branched anal-fin rays, and (2) the O. barna species group with fewer than 11 branched anal-fin rays. The remaining species of the O. barna species group can be divided into two species subgroups by the presence or absence of barbels: (1) the O. chatricensis species subgroup without barbels, and (2) the O. barnoides species subgroup with one or two pairs of barbels. Opsarius putaoensis sp. nov. is a member of the O. chatricensis species subgroup together with O. chatricensis, O. arunachalensis, and O. barna. Opsarius putaoensis is most similar to O. chatricensis in overall appearance, including the number of vertical bars and color pattern, but it differs from O. chatricensis by the following characters: insertion of dorsal not reaching posterior end of pelvic fin base vs. reaching, vertical bars 6−7 vs. 7−8, vertical bars extending to the lateral line vs. not, branched anal-fin rays 9 vs. 10, branched pelvic-fin rays 7 vs. 8, branched pectoral-fin rays 12, rarely 11 vs. 11, circumpeduncular scales 12 vs. 14, and scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7−8 vs. 6. It is distinguished from all other species of the genus Opsarius by a combination of the following characters: barbels absent, dentary with parallel rows of tubercles, snout much shorter than eye diameter, mouth gape below anterior edge of orbit, body deep with depth 25.6−33.3% SL, pectoral and pelvic axial scales lobate, lateral line completely perforated with 35−38 scales, scale rows between dorsal-fin origin and lateral line 7−8, predorsal scales 15, circumpeduncular scales 12, branched dorsal-fin rays 7, branched anal-fin rays 9, branched pelvic-fin rays 7, insertion of dorsal not reaching pelvic-fin base, body with 6−7 vertical bars, extending to lateral line, and distal edge of dorsal fin black.

The 1.688 satellite DNA is present in the genome of Drosophila species from the melanogaster subgroup and has never been detected in species outside this subgroup. We investigated the presence and evolution of the 1.688 satDNA in all Drosophila genomes sequenced so far. Blast searches showed that 1.688 repeats are virtually confined to species from the melanogaster subgroup. Phylogenetic analysis of ~6,500 repeats extracted from D. melanogaster , D. simulans , D. sechellia , D. yakuba and D. erecta revealed the presence of 1.688 family on heterochromatin and euchromatin of all five species. Heterochromatic copies revealed a concerted mode of evolution and a species-specific pattern. Oppositely, euchromatic copies lack species-specific or array-specific pattern. Euchromatic arrays also showed a high number of insertions on 5Kb upstream/downstream of genes and in intronic regions. Unexpectedly, we found an array with at least three full 1.688 tandem repeats in the genome of D. willistoni . These repeats were highly similar to the ones present in the chromosome X of D. melanogaster , although both species have diverged from each other more than 35Mya, suggesting that 1.688 repeats from the X chromosome of D. melanogaster moved to D. willistoni by a recent horizontal transfer event.

Background Recent studies have begun to reveal the complex evolutionary and biogeographic histories of mainland anoles in Central America, but the origins and relationships of many taxa remain poorly understood. One such group is the Anolis (Norops) crassulus species subgroup, which contains ten morphologically similar highland taxa, the majority of which have restricted distributions. The nominal taxon A. crassulus has a disjunct distribution from Chiapas, Mexico, through Guatemala, in the highlands of El Salvador, and in the Chortís Highlands of Honduras. We test the relationships of these species using multiple mitochondrial and nuclear loci in concatenated and multispecies coalescent frameworks, in an effort to both resolve long-standing taxonomic confusion and present new insights into the evolution and biogeography of these taxa. Results Sequences of multiple mitochondrial and nuclear loci were generated for eight of the ten species of the Anolis crassulus species subgroup. We analyzed phylogenetic relationships and estimated divergence times and ancestral ranges of the subgroup, recovering a monophyletic subgroup within Anolis. Within the nominal taxon Anolis crassulus, we recovered multiple genetically distinct lineages corresponding to allopatric populations, and show that the Chortís Highland lineage split from the others over 13 MYA. Additionally, distinct mitochondrial lineages are present within the taxa A. heteropholidotus and A. morazani, and importantly, samples of A. crassulus and A. sminthus previously used in major anole phylogenetic analyses are not recovered as conspecific with those taxa. We infer a Chortís Highland origin for the ancestor of this subgroup, and estimate cladogenesis of this subgroup began approximately 22 MYA. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into the evolution, biogeography, and timing of diversification of the Anolis crassulus species subgroup. The disjunctly distributed Anolis crassulus sensu lato represents several morphologically conserved, molecularly distinct anoles, and several other species in the subgroup contain multiple isolated lineages. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s12862-017-1115-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Author(s): Puig Giribets, Marta; Garcia Guerreiro, Maria Pilar; Santos, Mauro; Ayala, Francisco J; Tarrio, Rosa; Rodriguez-Trelles, Francisco | Abstract: Heat-shock (HS) assays to understand the connection between standing inversion variation and evolutionary response to climate change in Drosophila subobscura found that "warm-climate" inversion O3+4 exhibits non-HS levels of Hsp70 protein like those of "cold-climate" OST after HS induction. This was unexpected, as overexpression of Hsp70 can incur multiple fitness costs. To understand the genetic basis of this finding, we have determined the genomic sequence organization of the Hsp70 family in four different inversions, including OST , O3+4 , O3+4+8 and O3+4+16 , using as outgroups the remainder of the subobscura species subgroup, namely Drosophila madeirensis and Drosophila guanche. We found (i) in all the assayed lines, the Hsp70 family resides in cytological locus 94A and consists of only two genes, each with four HS elements (HSEs) and three GAGA sites on its promoter. Yet, in OST , the family is comparatively more compact; (ii) the two Hsp70 copies evolve in concert through gene conversion, except in D. guanche; (iii) within D. subobscura, the rate of concerted evolution is strongly structured by inversion, being higher in OST than in O3+4 ; and (iv) in D. guanche, the two copies accumulated multiple differences, including a newly evolved "gap-type" HSE2. The absence of concerted evolution in this species may be related to a long-gone-unnoticed observation that it lacks Hsp70 HS response, perhaps because it has evolved within a narrow thermal range in an oceanic island. Our results point to a previously unrealized link between inversions and concerted evolution, with potentially major implications for understanding genome evolution.

The Drosophila curviceps species subgroup is upgraded to a species-group independent from the Drosophila immigrans species group to which it has belonged, but its subgeneric assignment is still undetermined, i.e., incertae sedis. A new species, Drosophila teresae Pradhan & Sati, sp. nov., collected from Darjeeling and Uttarakhand in the Himalaya region, India is described, and supplementary and revised description for Drosophila mukteshwarensis Joshi et al. (Entomon (India) 30:75–84, 2005) is provided.

We report genital coupling of Drosophila teissieri Tsacas, 1971, a member of the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup. The species subgroup consists of nine described species including the model organism Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830. Despite numerous studies on the biology of this group, our understanding of the evolutionary significance of the diversity in their genital structures is limited. This study provides evidence that (i) during the copulation, which lasts 41.1 min, a paired male genital part (dorsal branches of the basal processes of the aedeagus) open after being inserted into the female reproductive tract, (ii) female D. teissieri have a pair of pockets on the dorsal side of their genitalia that receive bifurcated spines of the male genitalia (ventral branches of the basal processes of the aedeagus), and (iii) male genital parts, especially unique strong spines of the cerci, cause multiple copulatory wounds on membranous areas of the female genitalia. Within the established phylogeny of the D. melanogaster species subgroup, we discuss possible functions of and evolutionary transitions in these genital structures.

Phylogenetic analyses suggest that violations of “Dollo’s law”—that is, re-evolution of lost complex structures—do occur, albeit infrequently. However, the genetic basis of such reversals has not been examined. Here, we address this question using the Drosophila sex comb, a recently evolved, male-specific morphological structure composed of modified bristles. In some species, sex comb development involves only the modification of individual bristles, while other species have more complex “rotated” sex combs that are shaped by coordinated migration of epithelial tissues. Rotated sex combs were lost in the ananassae species subgroup and subsequently re-evolved, ∼12 million years later, in Drosophila bipectinata and its sibling species. We examine the genetic basis of the differences in sex comb morphology between D. bipectinata and D. malerkotliana, a closely related species with a much simpler sex comb representing the ancestral condition. QTL mapping reveals that >50% of this difference is controlled by one chromosomal inversion that covers ∼5% of the genome. Several other, larger inversions do not contribute appreciably to the phenotype. This genetic architecture suggests that rotating sex combs may have re-evolved through changes in relatively few genes. We discuss potential developmental mechanisms that may allow lost complex structures to be regained.

Rotuma, the northern-most Fijian island, reportedly has two resident species of treeskinks of the Emoia samoensis species group. One species is a member of the Emoia concolor species subgroup and was last reported from Rotuma in the 1890s. The other species is a member of the Emoia samoensis subgroup. Members of the latter subgroup are robust-bodied skinks in contrast to the more slender-bodied concolor. The abundant treeskink on Rotuma is more slender-bodied than other samoensis subgroup members but clearly belongs to this subgroup. It possesses other differences, particularly in scalation, that demonstrate its differentiation and speciation in the remote and isolated Rotuma Islands. It is recognized herein as a new species Emoia oriva. A key to the members of the Emoia samoensis species group provides a current summary of phenetic relationships in this group although on-going studies suggest at least a half-dozen species remain undescribed in the samoensis species group.

The present-day vertebrate fauna of Tonga contains 17 species of lizards from three families: Gekkonidae, Iguanidae, and Scincidae. Are any of these lizard species members of a fauna before humans arrived? This question is examined and partially resolved. Endemic taxa, such as Lepidodactylus euaensis, Emoia adspersa, and E. tongana, are likely inhabitants whose ancestors arrived, before the arrival of humans, via waif dispersal and subsequently differentiated in isolation. Recognition of these species is essential to interpret correctly the evolutionary history of the Tongan herpetofauna. The largest surviving Tongan skink previously has been identified incorrectly as a population of the Fijian Emoia trossula lineage. It is not and, herein, is differentiated from Emoia trossula and other central Pacific members of the Emoia samoensis species group and subgroup. Emoia mokolahi Zug, Ineich, Pregill & Hamilton, n. sp., differs from its sister taxa in the Emoia samoensis species subgroup by body size, dorsal and digital scalation, and coloration.

Six new species of the Drosophila robusta species group are described from Southeast Asian Islands. Kalimantan and Sunda Islands lie east of Bali, from which Drosophila barobusta sp.nov and D. uncinata sp.nov belong to the lacertosa subgroup, and D. sungaicola sp.nov, D. baliensis sp.nov, D. hitam sp.nov and D. subaquatica sp.nov to the okadai subgroup. The robusta group from Southeast Asian tropics exclusively inhabits streamsides in mountainous highlands with an elevation of more than 600 m from the sea level.

The phylogenetic information content of different developmental stages is a long-standing issue in the study of development and evolution. We performed phylogenetic analyses of 51 body segmentation genes in 12 species of Drosophila in order to investigate the impact of the mode of evolution of development on phylogeny inference. Previous studies of these genes in Drosophila using pairwise phenetic comparisons at the species group level revealed the presence of an "hourglass model" (HG), wherein mid-embryonic stages are the most evolutionarily constrained. We utilized two character-based approaches: taxonomic congruence using the relative consensus fork index (RCFI), in which phylogenies are inferred from each gene separately and compared with a total evidence tree (TET), and partitioned simultaneous analysis using several indices such as branch support (BS) and localized incongruence length difference (LILD) test. We also proposed a new index, the recapitulatory index (R), which divides the number of synapomorphies on the total number of informative characters in a data set. Polynomial adjustment of both BS and R indices showed strong support for the hourglass model regardless of the taxonomic level (species subgroup vs. subgenera), showing less phylogenetic information content for mid-developmental stages (mainly the zygotic segment polarity stage). Significant LILD scores were randomly distributed among developmental stages revealing the absence of differential selective constraints, but were significantly related to chromosomal location showing physical (linkage) impact on phylogenetic incongruence. RCFI was the most sensitive measure to taxonomic level, having a convex parabola at the species subgroup level in support of the hourglass model and a concave parabola at the subgeneric level in support of the adaptive penetrance model. This time-dependent discrepancy of best fit developmental model parallels previous conflicting results from the vertebrates. Because of the quasi-phenetic nature of this index, we argue that the discrepancy is due to the evolutionary rate heterogeneity of developmental genes rather than to fundamental differences among organisms. We suggest that simultaneous character-based analyses give better macroevolutionary support to the hourglass model of the developmental constraints on genome evolution than pairwise phenetic comparisons.

We describe a new species of Meloe (Coleoptera: Meloidae), subgenus Eurymeloe , included in the M. rugosus species group, related to species of the M. murinus subgroup. The specimens of the new species studied were found along the western Rif mountain chain (Talassemtane National Park) in northwestern Morocco, and were located in hiperhumid montane forest habitats. The new species is characterized by having: a dull black coloration with greyish hue; a very short, curved, and not dense, yellow-whitish pilosity, which does not form tufts; a subrectangular transverse pronotum with a marked median grove and two longitudinal lateral depressions; head and pronotum punctures well impressed and subconfluent; elytra sligtly rugose; tarsomeres with slightly developed ventral pads; aedeagus with curved parameres, laterally depressed, apically pointed, with the distal ventral hook of median lobe close to apex. The new taxon es phenetically similar to M. nanus, M. baudueri and M. flavicomus , but distinguished from all of them by the mentioned morphological external and male genitalia characters. The distribution of the new species, only known from its type locality, overlaps those of M. murinus, M. nanus and possibly M. baudueri , but so far it has not been found in strict sympatry with any of them. The habitat type inhabited by the new species, mountain areas with mixed forests of Pinus pinaster hamiltonii var. maghrebiana, P. nigra mauritanica and Abies maroccana (endemic taxa of the limestone northwestern Rif mountain chain), contrasts with other habitat types recorded for species of the M. (E). murinus species subgroup of the subgenus Eurymeloe .

The intragenomic distribution of five retrotransposon families (297, 1731, copia, mdg1 and roo) in the species of the melanogaster complex was studied by comparing results of the Southern blotting technique in males and females with those of in situ hybridization. The degree of structural polymorphism of each family in the different species was also investigated by restriction enzyme analysis. It was found that genomic distribution is a trait that depends on the family and species. The distribution of roo is mainly euchromatic in the four species and 1731 is heterochromatic, but the distribution of families 297, copia and mdg1 is markedly different in the melanogaster and simulans clades. These families were mainly euchromatic in D. melanogaster but heterochromatic in its sibling species. In the simulans clade most copia and mdg1 elements are located on chromosome Y. Differences in genomic distribution are unrelated with structural conservation. The relation of intragenomic distribution to phylogeny, transpositional activity and the role of the host genome are discussed.

We describe three new species of the Drosophila obscura species group, D. hypercephala, D. hideakii and D. quadrangula Gao & Toda, spp. nov., all discovered from high altitudes (>1500 m) on Mt Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. These are the southernmost distribution records of the D. obscura group in the Oriental Region. The three new species are each morphologically similar to different species of the Old World D. obscura species subgroup. This suggests that they are descendants of different founder species that independently colonized the tropics from the subtropical or temperate zones during the glacial ages. The new species D. hypercephala is hypercephalic not only in males but also, although less distinct, in females, unlike other hypercephalic drosophilid species in which only males are hypercephalic. This new finding of a hypercephalic species from the subgenus Sophophora, of which species are relatively easy to culture in the laboratory and include the model species such as D. melanogaster and D. pseudoobscura, will promote genetic analyses on the development and the evolution of hypercephaly.

Drosophila ananassae and its relatives have many advantages as a model of genetic differentiation and speciation. In this report, we examine evolutionary relationships in the ananassae species subgroup using a multi-locus molecular data set, karyotypes, meiotic chromosome configuration, chromosomal inversions, morphological traits, and patterns of reproductive isolation. We describe several new taxa that are the closest known relatives of D. ananassae. Analysis of Y-chromosomal and mitochondrial haplotypes, shared chromosome arrangements, pre-mating isolation and hybrid male sterility suggests that these taxa represent a recent evolutionary radiation and may experience substantial gene flow. We discuss possible evolutionary histories of these species and give a formal description of one of them as D. parapallidosa Tobari sp. n. The comparative framework established by this study, combined with the recent sequencing of the D. ananassae genome, will facilitate future studies of reproductive isolation, phenotypic variation and genome evolution in this lineage.

The spoon tarsus species subgroup is revised and this clade is placed in the modified tarsus group of Hawaiian Drosophila. The species boundaries in this group are discussed in light of diagnostic secondary sexual characters of males. Drosophila septuosa Hardy is regarded as a junior synonym of Drosophila percnosoma Hardy. A new species, Drosophila kikalaeleele Lapoint, Magnacca & O’Grady is described. Drosophila fastigata Hardy, a species endemic to O‘ahu, is added to the species subgroup, bringing the total number of known species to 12. An updated key to species is provided to the spoon tarsus subgroup.

Zaprionus is an important drosophilid genus in the Afrotropical region. Here, two new species, Z. burlai n. sp. and Z. tsacasi n. sp., are described from Tanzania and São Tomé, respectively. The two species show incomplete reproductive isolation with Z. tuberculatus Malloch and Z. sepsoides Duda, respectively, with intercrosses producing fertile females but sterile males. The latter two have long been considered sibling species and together with three other species (Z. mascariensis Tsacas & David, Z. kolodkinae Chassagnard & Tsacas, and Z. verruca Chassagnard & McEvey) form the tuberculatus subgroup. The phylogenetic relationships of these seven species of the subgroup were revised in light of mitochondrial (COII) gene sequences and wing morphometrics. Mitochondrial DNA firmly distinguished most of the species, except for a triad of Z. tuberculatus, Z. verruca, and Z. burlai. Wing morphometrics was able to distinguish between closely related species and also indicated the altitudinal origin of each species. Most species can be identified through internal anatomy of the reproductive system (testis and seminal receptacle lengths), and the discovery of the new species with incomplete reproductive isolation may help in understanding the genetic basis of this variation through interspecific hybridization. The molecular phylogeny reconfirmed the Malagasy origin of the subgroup during the Late Pliocene. Colonization of Africa probably involved two independent events during the Pleistocene.

SummaryThehobo-related sequences (hRSs) were considered as degenerate and inactive elements until recently, when one mobilizable copy was described. Using this sequence as the initial seed to search for homologous sequences in 12 availableDrosophilagenomes, in addition to searching for these sequences by PCR and Southern blot in nine other species, we found homologous sequences in every species of theDrosophila melanogasterspecies subgroup. Some evidence suggests that these non-autonomous sequences were kept mobilizable for at least 0·4 million years. Also, some very short sequences with miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) characteristics were found among thesehRSs. ThesehRSs and their ‘MITE-like’ counterparts could provide a good example of the steps proposed in models that describe the MITEs origin.

We studied the phylogenetic relationships among the six species of the Drosophila auraria species complex and three species of the montium species subgroup endemic to Japan. To do this, we examined the DNA sequences of the nuclear ITS1 and the mitochondrial COII of these species. Intraspecific variation in ITS1 was observed for most of the species studied. However, interspecific variation was small and of the same magnitude as intraspecific variation among D. auraria, D. triauraria, and D. quadraria. In addition, the amount of intraspecific variation between COII sequences from D. auraria and D. triauraria was almost the same as that of the interspecific variation between these species. Phylogenetic trees based on ITS1 or COII data reveal that, with the exception of D. pectinifera, these species can be separated into two taxonomic groups. D. rufa formed a taxonomic lineage with two Japanese endemic species, D. asahinai and D. lacteicornis. Physiological and behavioral differences between D. auraria and D. triauraria have been reported, but our results differed from those previously reported. Such differences may be better explained by hybridization between D. auraria and D. triauraria than by similarity due to recent common ancestry. Both the ITS1- and COII-based phylogenetic trees placed D. pectinifera outside the auraria complex. However, D. pectinifera sequences were more similar to those of the auraria complex than those of D. punjabiensis, another species thought to be closely related to members of the auraria complex.

Oxygen consumption at rest was studied in drosophilid species from cool-temperate, warm-temperate and subtropical regions to assess whether adaptations to different climates are associated with changes in metabolic rates. In experiments at 23°C using 8-day-old males of 28 species, body mass was revealed to be a significant predictor of oxygen consumption. No significant relation was detected between mass-adjusted oxygen consumption and latitudinal distribution or thermal tolerance by either conventional regression analysis or a phylogenetically based method. The effect of temperature on oxygen consumption was studied with experiments at 15, 18, 23 and 28°C using 8- and 24-day-old males of four species of each of the montium species subgroup and the subgenus Drosophila. In these experiments, it was confirmed that temperature was a significant predictor of mass-adjusted oxygen consumption. In both lineages, mass-adjusted oxygen consumption was not higher in cool-temperate species than in subtropical species. Thus, adaptations to colder climates are not associated with elevation of metabolic rates in these drosophilid species. The results of the present study also indicate that oxygen consumption is not related to the capacity to walk quickly.

Drosophila (Sophophora) subpulchrella Takamori and Watabe, sp. nov., of the D. suzukii subgroup in the D. melanogaster species group, is described from Japan and southern China, and compared with its sibling species, D. pulchrella Tan et al. distributed i

The functional characteristics of homogeneously purified LDH were studied in the eight D. melanogaster species subgroup at two different growing temperatures (14 degrees C, 25 degrees C). The Vmax, kcat, Vmax/KeNAD.KmLac and Kcat/KsNAD KmLac values detected at the permissive growing temperature of 25 degrees C, were found to converge with the consensus phylogeny of these species which consists of two (melanogaster, yakuba) complexes. This scheme, also verified by the Micro-Complement Fixation (MC'F) method in another study in our Laboratory, substantiates the connection between the enzyme function and the phylogeny of these species. We propose that the major variation of the Ldh gene in this subgroup has arisen prior to the first species divergence, the final result of which is the eight sibling species. On the other hand, the variable catalytic differentiation observed at the restrictive temperature of 14 degrees C may enrich the species with hidden adaptive possibilities.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are the big problem in worldwide planting of potatoes and another Solanaceous plants. Identification of individual pathotypes according to international scheme is very demanding but a very important part of the phytosanitary process to control these pests. Molecular genetic identification of different plant and animal species or individuals is a very interesting way at the present time and let’s hope that it will be important in future. This report presents results of the RAPD study of nine different real PCN populations. There were five Globodera rostochiensis populations and four G. pallida populations. Pathotypes Ro2, Ro2/3, Ro4, Ro5, Pa2 and Pa3 were from European populations; population Ro1 and X were of Czech provenance. Genetics variable of these populations was described by a set of six decameric primers (OPA 07, OPG 03, OPG 05, OPG 08, OPG 10 and OPG 13). Genetic dissimilarity was by Gel Manager for Windows evaluated. Detectable differences behind all populations were found and the dendrogram was compiled. The unknown population X was sorted into group of Globodera pallida species subgroup of Pa2 consequently.

To investigate the phylogenetic relation- ships and molecular evolution of a-amylase (Amy) genes in the Drosophila montium species subgroup, we constructed the phylogenetic tree of the Amy genes from 40 species from the montium subgroup. On our tree the sequences of the auraria, kikkawai, and jambulina complexes formed distinct tight clusters. However, there were a few inconsistencies between the clustering pattern of the sequences and taxonomic classification in the kikkawai and jambulina com- plexes. Sequences of species from other complexes (bocqueti, bakoue, nikananu, and serrata) often did not cluster with their respective taxonomic groups. This suggests that relationships among the Amy genes may be different from those among species due to their particular evolution. Alternatively, the current taxonomy of the investigated species is unreliable. Two types of divergent paralogous Amy genes, the so-called Amy1 -a ndAmy3-type genes, previously identified in the D. kikkawai complex, were common in the montium subgroup, suggesting that the dupli- cation event from which these genes originate is as ancient as the subgroup or it could even predate its differentiation. Thc Amy1-type genes were closer to the Amy genes of D. melanogaster and D. pseud- oobscura than to the Amy3-type genes. In the Amy1- type genes, the loss of the ancestral intron occurred independently in the auraria complex and in several Afrotropical species. The GC content at synonymous third codon positions (GC3s) of the Amy1-type genes was higher than that of the Amy3-type genes. Fur- thermore, the Amy1-type genes had more biased co- don usage than the Amy3-type genes. The correlations between GC3s and GC content in the introns (GCi) differed between these two Amy-type genes. These findings suggest that the evolutionary forces that have affected silent sites of the two Amy-type genes in the montium species subgroup may differ.

Biochemical properties of enzyme alpha-amylase were surveyed in Drosophila obscura Old world group of species (D. subobscura, D. ambigua, D. obscura and D. tristis) sampled in the same habitat, with the aim to reveal some ecological and evolutionary aspects of amylase polymorphism, which has been studied extensively in D. subobscura, but not compared with other species in the group. The data obtained show that D. subobscura is distinct from the other three species regarding all biochemical amylase properties. Such a divergence also correlates with the niche breadth and relative abundance of these species in the same habitat.

The Drosophila mimica subgroup is revised, including descriptions of 10 new species (D. acanthos Kam & Perreira, D. antecedens Kam & Perreira, D. chimera Kam & Perreira, D. echinostoma Kam & Perreira, D. gagne Kam & Perreira, D. inebria Kam & Perreira, D. lobatopalpus Kam & Perreira, D. ma’ema’e Kam & Perreira, D. odontostoma Kam & Perreira, D. xenophaga Kam & Perrierra) and a needed lectotype designation for Drosophila kauluai Bryan. We erect seven species complexes; conjectura, flavibasis, infuscata, involuta, kauluai, mimica, and soonae, based on a variety of morphological characters, most specifically the chaetotaxy of the labellae and the forelegs of males. A key to all taxa in the mimica subgroup is provided. The ecological associations of this species subgroup are also reviewed. We report host use from 13 of the 20 mimica subgroup species.

Neoseiulus HUGHES, 1948 is currently one of the largest genus of Phytoseiidae Berlese. Neoseiulus demitei sp. nov., a new species of phytoseiid mite from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, is illustrated and described based on specimens collected on Tibouchina sp. (Melastomataceae) plants. This new species differs from others by having most of propodossomal setae reaching the base of nearby setae and a constriction of ventrianal shield at level of preanal pores. Nevertheless, this new species is the first of the species subgroup kennetti described from Brazil. A key of Neoseiulus species reported in Brazil is also included.

We performed a comparative study on the enzymological features of purified recombinant α-amylase of three species belonging to the Drosophila melanogaster species subgroup: D. melanogaster, D. erecta and D. sechellia. D. erecta an d D. sechellia are specialist species, with host plant Pandanus candelabrum (Pandanaceae) and M orinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae), respectively. The temperature o ptima were around 57–60°C for the three species. The pH optima were 7.2 for D. melanogaster, 8.2 for D. erecta and 8.5 for D. sechellia. The kcat and Km were also estimated for each species with different substrates. The specialist species D. erecta and D. sechellia display a higher affinity for starch than D. melanogaster. α-Amylase activity is higher on starch than on glycogen in all species. α-A mylases of D. erecta and D. sechellia have a higher activity on maltooligosaccharides (G6 and G7) than on starch, contrary to D. melanogaster. Such differences in the e nzymological features between the species might reflect adaptation to different ecological niches and feeding habits.

External genitalia are one of the most rapidly evolving morphological features in insects. In theDrosophila melanogasterspecies subgroup, males possess a nonfertilizing external genital structure, called the posterior lobe, which is highly divergent among even closely related species. A previous study on this subgroup mapped two genomic regions that affect lobe size and four that affect lobe shape differences betweenD. mauritianaandD. sechellia; none of the regions affected both size and shape. Here, we investigate whether three of these significant regions also affect lobe size and shape differences between the overlapping species pairD. mauritianaandD. simulans. We found that the same three regions ofD. mauritiana, previously shown to affect lobe morphology in aD. sechelliagenetic background, also affect lobe morphology in aD. simulansgenetic background, with one of the regions affecting both size and shape. Two of the regions also affected morphology when introgressed in the reciprocal direction. The overlap of regions affecting genital morphology within related species pairs indicates either that there is a common underlying genetic basis for variation in genital morphology within this species group or that there are multiple adjacent loci with the potential to influence genital morphology.

The bilbo element is a non-LTR retrotransposon isolated from Drosophila subobscura. We conducted a distribution survey by Southern blot for 52 species of the family Drosophilidae, mainly from the obscura and melanogaster groups. Most of the analyzed species bear sequences homologous to bilbo from D. subobscura. In the obscura group, species from the same species subgroup also share similar Southern blot patterns. To investigate the phylogenetic relationship among these elements, we analyzed eight copies of a short sequence of the element from several species of the obscura group. The obtained phylogram agrees with the phylogeny of the species, which suggests vertical transmission of the element.

The eight species of the melanogaster species subgroup of the genus Drosophila were compared to each other with respect to: (a) the electrophoretic mobility of the major chorion proteins under SDS–PAGE; (b) the overall eggshell ultrastructure. The phylogenetic tree obtained using the first criterion showed that the eight species are divided into three clusters that contain the species of the melanogaster complex (D. melanogaster, D. sechellia, D. mauritiana and D. simulans), the two species of the yakuba complex (D. yakuba and D. teissieri) and the erecta complex species (D. erecta and D. orena). This clustering is in agreement to the generally accepted phylogeny of the subgroup based on exclusive criteria. The eggshell ultrastructure of the species at the main body of the egg revealed that the phylogenetically closely related species exhibit similar eggshell structure. We conclude that the criteria applied in this study could be eventually used in groups with unknown phylogeny to trace the phylogenetic relationships of the species.

Two new species of the Drosophila ananassae subgroup are described. D. comorensis Tsacas sp. n. and D. merina Tsacas sp. n. are endemic to the Indian Ocean islands Comores and Madagascar, respectively. Comparisons with 2 other species, also endemic to Indian Ocean islands and belonging to the D. ananassae subgroup, D. ercepeae Tsacas & David from La RA©union and D. vallismaia Tsacas from Seychelles, lead to the definition of a 3rd complex, ercepeae , within this subgroup. Relationships among the 4 species of the ercepeae complex are based on morphological data (the only data available for D. comorensis ), mitotic and polytene chromosome analyses, behavioral interactions, interspecific hybridizations, chemical analyses of cuticular hydrocarbons, and amylase polymorphism. Within this complex, D. ercepeae and D. merina are distinguished from D. vallismaia and D. comorensis . All characters show close affinities between D. ercepeae and D. merina . The geographic distribution of the species of the 3 complexes of the D. ananassae subgroup is also discussed.