Search

Oxalis subg. Thamnoxys is a mostly South American group of Oxalis encompassing almost 80 species from tropical habitats that are currently separated into nine sections based on morphology and geographic distributions. In this study, we investigated whether Oxalis subg. Thamnoxys and its sections are monophyletic. DNA sequences of the nrITS, trnL-trnL-trnF , and petA-psbJ from 92 specimens of Oxalis (55 from O. subg. Thamnoxys , 37 from O. subg. Oxalis , and five outgroup taxa) were used to investigate phylogenetic relationships among its nine sections. Nuclear and plastid molecular markers were subjected to maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses individually and in a combined data matrix. Our phylogenetic trees recovered O. subg. Thamnoxys as monophyletic only if O. praetexta , previously included in O. sect. Robustae , is transferred to O. subg. Oxalis. The remaining samples of the subgenus emerged in a clade with full bootstrap and posterior probability support. Within it, O. sect. Holophyllum was the only section that was recovered as monophyletic, whereas the remaining sections were not, either because of sampling a single species of each (O. sect. Foliosae , Hedysaroideae , and Phyllodoxys), to the unexpected placement of O. goyazensis (O. sect. Robustae) in O. sect. Psoraleoideae , or to the sister relationship between O. densifolia (O. sect. Foliosae) with O. pyrenea var. macrochaeta (O. sect. Thamnoxys), suggesting the need of revaluating some specific affinities and updating sectional circumscriptions. This phylogenetic study with an improved sampling of O. subg. Thamnoxys is the first step towards an updated classification of the subgenus and for interpreting both its morphological diversification and biogeographic history in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Pseudolycoriella hygida (Sauaia & Alves, 1968) is a lower Diptera species that belongs to the Sciaridae. This family includes about 3000 described species worldwide, including 161 in the genus Pseudolycoriella. Sciarids are also commonly known as 'black fungus gnats', and in nature their larvae are mainly found in decomposing plant material where fungal activity is apparent. Pseudolycoriella hygida is one of the few sciarid species that has been successfully maintained in culture under laboratory conditions for several decades. Since the original culture was established nearly 60 years ago, studies on Psl. hygida have contributed to the understanding of different aspects of insect biology. The aim of this work is to deepen our understanding of this species by presenting previously unpublished morphological, cytological, and molecular data. Apart from contributing to the characterization of Psl. hygida, this work is an important resource for future studies on the biology of both Sciaridae and Diptera. Pseudolycoriella hygida (Sauaia & Alves, 1968) is a sciarid that has been continuously cultured in the laboratory for nearly 60 years. Studies on this species have contributed to the understanding of DNA puffs, which are characteristic of Sciaridae, and to the knowledge of more general aspects of insect biology, including cell death, nucleolar organization, and the role of the hormone ecdysone during molting. The genome of Psl. hygida has now been sequenced, and it is the third publicly available sciarid genome. The aim of this work is to expand the current knowledge on Psl. hygida. The morphology of the adults is revisited. The morphology of larvae and pupae is described, together with the behavior of immature stages under laboratory conditions. Cytogenetic maps of the salivary gland polytene chromosomes are presented, together with a comparative analysis of the mitotic chromosomes of six different sciarid species. Pseudolycoriella hygida was originally described as a species of Bradysia and recently moved to Pseudolycoriella. We examine here the systematic position of Psl. hygida in the latter genus. Our results extend the characterization of an unconventional model organism and constitute an important resource for those working on the cytogenetics, ecology, taxonomy, and phylogenetic systematics of sciarids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal genus Nigrospora is known to be a plant pathogen, endophyte, and saprobe, and it is usually isolated from various substrates like soil and air. During the surveys of soil fungi in Hebei Province of China, two isolates of Nigrospora were obtained. A multi-locus phylogeny of combined loci of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal gene with the two flanking transcribed spacers (ITS), part of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), and the beta-tubulin (tub2) loci, in conjunction with morphological characters were used to identify the newly collected isolates. Nigrospora humicola sp. Nov. is described and proposed herein, which differs from its phylogenetically close species N. chinensis and N. globosa by the sequences of ITS, tef1, and tub2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NCBI SRA database is constantly expanding due to the large amount of genomic and transcriptomic data from various organisms generated by next-generation sequencing, and re-searchers worldwide regularly deposit new data into the database. This high-coverage genomic and transcriptomic information can be re-evaluated regardless of the original research subject. The database-deposited NGS data can offer valuable insights into the genomes of organelles, particularly for non-model organisms. Here, we developed an automated bioinformatics workflow called "OrgaMiner", designed to unveil high-quality mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes by data mining the NCBI SRA database. OrgaMiner, a Python-based pipeline, automatically orchestrates various tools to extract, assemble, and annotate organelle genomes for non-model organisms without available organelle genome sequences but with data in the NCBI SRA. To test the usability and feasibility of the pipeline, "mollusca" was selected as a keyword, and 76 new mitochondrial genomes were de novo assembled and annotated automatically without writing one single code. The applicability of the pipeline can be expanded to identify organelles in diverse invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant species by simply specifying the taxonomic name. OrgaMiner provides an easy-to-use, end-to-end solution for biologists mainly working with taxonomy and population genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new classification of the catfish family Ariidae based on a total-evidence hypothesis, which incorporates data from the examination of 249 morphological and 5603 molecular characters from 131 species. The named taxa in the proposed classification represent groups of species found in the Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference analyses or, in some cases, two of the three methods. Each named taxon is provided with a diagnosis derived from a comprehensive summary of the morphological characters and their character-state transformations, as interpreted from the most parsimonious version of the total-evidence tree. Taxa newly named herein are: Cathoropsini, new tribe; Genidentini, new tribe; Sciadeini, new tribe; Aceroichthys , new genus (type species Arius dioctes Kailola, 2000); Bleekeriella , new genus (type species Arius leptaspis Bleeker, 1862); Betancurichthys , new genus (type species Arius madagascariensis Vaillant, 1894); Jayaramichthys , new genus (type species Arius leptonotacanthus Bleeker, 1849); Kyataphisa , new genus (type species Pimelodus nenga Hamilton, 1822); Megalosciades , new genus (type species Arius augustus Roberts, 1978); Paracinetodus , new genus (type species Arius carinatus Weber, 1913); Papuarius , new genus (type species Arius latirostris Macleay, 1883); and Pseudosciades , new genus (type species Arius sona Hamilton, 1822). A key to the genera of Ariidae is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tingid classification has been problematic since the recognition of the family. The exaggerated ornamentation of many tingids has caused confusion in morphology-based phylogenies due to convergence. Also, some genera, like Ulonemia , lack exaggerated structures and their diagnoses rely on reduced morphology, making identification difficult. The relationship between these genera is of great interest, as several species of Ulonemia have recently become pests of Macadamia , and several of these genera are found on other Proteaceae. We used 16S, COI , 18S, and 28S to determine genus-level relationships of Ulonemia and other Australian Tingidae using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference. We also analysed a morphological dataset using maximum parsimony. The parsimony analysis yielded numerous morphological homoplasies, and most deep clades lacked support. The ML and Bayesian analyses had strong support and returned a paraphyletic Ulonemia with three strongly supported clades. Two new genera, Cercotingis gen. nov. and Proteatingis gen. nov. are erected and Ulonemia redescribed to account for the observed phylogenies. Three new species of Cercotingis (C. croajingolong sp. nov. C. namadgi sp. nov. and C. tasmaniensis sp. nov.) and four new species of Proteatingis (Pr. astibosetes sp. nov. Pr. howardi sp. nov. Pr. minuta sp. nov. and Pr. xouthos sp. nov.) are described, with keys to species of Cercotingis and Proteatingis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vriesea is one of the most diverse genera in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, comprising approximately 170 species in this domain. Included in this genus, the V. ensiformis group encompasses ten species that are distributed from northeastern to southern Brazil. During field expeditions in Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we found a new species which was previously long recognized as Vriesea aff. gradata in herbaria. Thus, here we aim to describe V. organensis and investigate its phylogenetic relationship to other species in the V. ensiformis group through a total evidence approach. We conducted an extensive literature review, herbarium consulting and field trips to gather data for describing the new species. Additionally, we constructed a concatenated matrix of molecular and morphological data to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis for the V. ensiformis group. Vriesea organensis is morphologically related to V. psittacina, V. gradata and V. fluviatilis and is described as possibly critically endangered. Our phylogenetic tree revealed that V. organensis is closely related to V. fluviatilis, in contrast to the herbarium hypothesis of similarity with V. gradata. The new species is characterized by the floral bracts incurvate and strongly carinate at the apex, rachis exposed when flowering, petal yellow with green apex and stigma exceeding the anthers. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the V. ensiformis group is not monophyletic based on our dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of phreatic tateids from stream sediments in Australia are described. One, from intermittent streams in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, is a highly modified species of Austropyrgus, a genus widespread in south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. The other three species are included in the new genus Turricochlea and live in sympatry in gravel in a creek bed in the Gregory National Park in the western part of the Northern Territory. Molecular analysis showed that Turricochlea and 'Fluviopupa' kessneri are closely related to Sulawesidrobia from Sulawesi but not Fluviopupa, so the new generic name Austropupa is provided for F. kessneri. Two new family names are proposed for taxa previously included in Tateidae: Beddomeiidae and Ascorhiidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a confused taxonomic history, Prosthechea (Laeliinae, Orchidaceae) has been circumscribed in a broad sense to include species previously placed in Encyclia subg. Osmophytum. However, recent alternative classifications resurrecting old names such as Anacheilium and Hormidium, and proposing new genera such as Euchile, Panarica, Pollardia, and Pseudencyclia were presented, splitting Prosthechea into narrower genera. In this study, we provide a molecular phylogeny of Prosthechea to reassess alternative generic classifications and shed light on evolutionary aspects of this highly diverse Neotropical lineage. Eighty species of Prosthechea s.l. and 12 species of related genera were sampled. Bayesian and maximum parsimony analyses of sequences from three plastid regions (rpl32‐trnL, trnD‐trnT, ycf1) and nrITS were included. Possible conflicts between nuclear and plastid data were assessed with partitioned Bremer support. Ancestral state reconstructions of morphological characters relevant to the genus taxonomy are provided. Our results reinforce the monophyly of the lineage corresponding to a broad circumscription of Prosthechea. The small lineages corresponding to Euchile, Panarica, and Hormidium are monophyletic, whereas the larger Anacheilium, Pollardia, and Pseudencyclia are not monophyletic. Splitting Prosthechea into smaller genera is not supported by our phylogeny, and nonmonophyly also hinders the proposal of a comprehensive infrageneric classification. The phylogenetic relationships recovered reflect better the biogeographic patterns than the previously proposed morphological affinities, pointing to the existence of homoplastic floral traits within the genus. Conflicts between nuclear and plastid partitions were detected, suggesting a possible scenario of reticulate evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pantropical genus Connarus is the largest within Connaraceae and comprises ca. 80 species, most of which occur in the Neotropics. The genus is potentially economically important as several taxa produce metabolites of medicinal interest. Morphologically, Connarus differs from other members of the family mainly by the punctate perianth, the single carpel and follicular and relatively broader fruits than in the other genera. In the decades after the publication of the Flora Neotropica monograph of Connaraceae, new botanical collections have become available, especially in American herbaria, allowing identification of overlooked characters and, hence, redefinition of species circumscriptions. In addition, a significant number of typifications were outdated and taxonomic novelties have recently been proposed – all elements that justify a revisional work. After intensive examination of herbarium specimens and field expeditions, the present study recognizes 57 species, 2 varieties and 2 subspecies of Connarus in the Neotropics; about 100 specific names were evaluated, 39 of which are here considered heterotypic synonyms, 11 of them are new synonyms. The distribution of Neotropical Connarus ranges from south Mexico to south Brazil and, although most species occur in dense wet forests, especially in the Amazonia and Atlantic Forest, some are dispersed in savannas from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, in Brazilian coastal vegetations or in montane formations; wide distributions are commonly seen in wet forests from Central America to northern South America, while restricted occurrences or endemism are mainly observed in the Atlantic Forest, Peru and Venezuela. Complete morphological descriptions of the species of Neotropical Connarus are provided here, as well as illustrative images, identification keys, and detailed discussions of their taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution and habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical genus Atelopus is the most diverse genus of bufonids comprising 99 species. Tadpoles of these frogs are readily distinguished based on the presence of a belly sucker, used by them to stay attached to rocks in fast-flowing streams. Despite their intriguing biology, information about their anatomy is scarce and many morphological systems are unknown. We describe the buccopharyngeal cavity of five Atelopus species. The Atelopus buccopharyngeal cavity is characterized by (1) presence of a pendulum-like papillae in the prenarial arena, (2) presence of a glandular zone in the prenarial arena, (3) narial vacuities, (4) conical median ridge, (5) absence of buccal roof arena papillae, (6) absence of buccal roof pustulations, (7) single pair of infralabial papillae, (8) absence of lingual papillae, and (9) absence of pustulations in the buccal floor. We propose that characters 1, 2, and 3 are new synapomorphies for the genus. We also propose that the presence of a single pair of infralabial papillae is a synapomorphy for bufonid. Finally, we discuss the convergent evolution of gastromyzophorous and suctorial tadpoles withing anurans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on morphological features, genetic distances, and phylogenetic relationships, we report the discovery of two new species of Enyalioides from the montane forest of Cordillera de Colán in northern Peru. The first new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: scales immediately posterior to superciliaries on lateral edge of skull conical, slightly higher than adjacent scales; gular scales heterogeneous in size; scales on neck mostly large and conical; dorsal scales between dorsolateral crests covered by large, keeled, mucronate scales; scales on flanks tiny, tuberculate or granular, with scattered enlarged conical or tuberculate scales; ventral scales keeled or feebly keeled; caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment; and marked sexual dichromatism. Among other features, the second new species differs from other Enyalioides in having a distinctively low vertebral crest; scales immediately posterior to superciliaries on lateral edge of skull barely projected and similar in height to adjacent scales; 56-71 vertebral scales from occiput to base of tail; dorsal scales feebly keeled and heterogeneous in size; ventral scales keeled; and caudal scales heterogeneous, increasing in size posteriorly on each segment. In addition, we present an updated identification key for species of Hoplocercinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first review of the history, status, and prospects for Philippine herpetology conducted more than two decades ago (2002) summarized the diverse topics studied and highlighted the development and achievements in research up to the year 2000. This study revisits and re-assesses what Philippine herpetology has accomplished, both as a discipline and a community, during the last two decades (2002–2022). A total of 423 herpetological publications was collated, revealing a substantial increase in annual publications, rising from approximately four per year during 2002–2008 to around 28 per year in 2009–2022. Half of the published studies focused on squamate reptiles (lizards 30.5%, snakes 21%) and 28.4% on amphibians, 5.9% on turtles, and 2.6% on crocodiles. The remaining 11.6% of studies focused simultaneously on multiple taxa (i.e., faunal inventories). Diversity and distribution (35.2%) and ecological (26.5%) studies remained popular, while studies on taxonomy (14.9%), phylogenetics and biogeography (11.8%), and conservation (11.6%) all increased. However, geographical gaps persist urging immediate surveys in many understudied regions of the country. Finally, we found a balanced representation between Filipino and foreign first authors (1.0:1.1), yet a substantial gender gap exists between male and female first authors (7.1:1.0). Nonetheless, the steep increase in publications and the diversity of people engaged in Philippine herpetology is a remarkable positive finding compared to the 20 years preceding the last review (1980–2000). Our hope is that the next decades will bring increasingly equitable, internationally collaborative, and broadly inclusive engagement in the study of amphibians and reptiles in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consistent species identification is foundational to biological research and requires coordination among a diversity of researchers and institutions. However, such consistency may be hindered for rare organisms where specimens, identification resources, and taxonomic experts are few. This is often the case for deep-sea taxonomic groups. For example, the deep-sea gastropod genus Provanna Dall, 1918 is common at chemosynthetic sites throughout the world's oceans, yet no formal guide to these species has yet been produced. Recent exploration has recovered new specimens of Provanna from hydrocarbon seeps off the Pacific Costa Rica Margin. The current work assesses the species identity of these specimens using shell morphology, radular morphology, and genetic barcoding (mitochondrial CO1 and nuclear H3). Records of occurrence for P. laevis Warén & Ponder, 1991, P. ios Warén & Bouchet, 1986, and P. pacifica Warén & Bouchet, 1986 are herein presented from the Costa Rica Margin. A critical taxonomic review of the 29 extant species within this genus was conducted and their genetic, morphological, and biogeographical distinction assessed. In this review, genetic and morphological support was found for nearly all current species delineations except for P. glabra Okutani et al., 1992, syn. nov. and P. laevis, syn. nov., which are herein synonymized to P. laevis, and for P. ios, syn. nov. and P. goniata Warén & Bouchet, 1986, syn. nov., which are synonymized to P. ios. Finally, the first species identification key for the extant species in this genus is presented. This work clarifies the taxonomy and systematics of this deep-sea gastropod genus and contributes a novel polytomous key for use in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of Boesenbergia (Zingiberaceae) has long been a challenge, and recent insights from molecular phylogenetic studies have both raised and resolved a number of questions. Combined morphological and molecular revisions resulted in the description of new species as well as merging of Haplochorema and Jirawongsea into Boesenbergia. This study uses the most complete set of Boesenbergia accessions and sister genera to investigate the evolutionary relationships of the genus in a phylogenetic framework. This framework confirms the previously identified clades and the placement of the included accessions within those clades. These clades share being single-flowered and having a basipetalous flowering sequence, characters uniting all taxa in Boesenbergia, but also have unique or mostly unique characters that are clade specific. In addition, the phylogeny identifies two species, B. purpureorubra and B. siamensis, that are hard to place within these clades based on both molecular and morphological data, while the morphological data points to a stronger affiliation with the clade including the type of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ropalidia chromis sp. nov. is described from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is characterized by a mixture of morphological features present in two large species groups of that genus, suggesting a separate phylogenetic lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Ancistrus is described from the rio Vacacaí drainage, rio Jacuí basin, laguna dos Patos system, southern Brazil. The new species differs from A. brevipinnis, the common species in the laguna dos Patos system, by having a dark brown to black background body color and dorsal and caudal fins plain dark, without lighter spots or bands. A morphometric and molecular comparison of different populations of A. brevipinnis from the laguna dos Patos system suggests that previously undetected species diversity is present in that basin. The typelocality of A. brevipinnis, originally described as Rio Grande do Sul State, is herein restricted to the rio Camaquã sub-basin of the laguna dos Patos system, and a redescription of A. brevipinnis is provided based on that population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent molecular phylogenetic and biogeographic study on the krill genus Hansarsia revealed undescribed cryptic diversity in the Atlantic. Each of four species analysed encompassed robust molecular clades that were linked to dimorphic males in H. microps , H. atlantica and H. tenella. We tested the robustness and divergence of the observed clades using an integrative approach including (1) three independent species delimitation methods for the mitochondrial COI gene (ASAP, GMYC, bPTP), (2) variability of two nuclear genes (H3 and ITS1) and (3) morphological analysis (MDS and PCA) with a dataset of 22 characters scored for 131 specimens. Both molecular and morphological analyses resulted in at least six distinct clades within the Atlantic Hansarsia. The strongest divergence was revealed between the two clades of H. tenella , one of which we diagnosed as a new species. Two clades of H. megalops also showed significant divergence but in the absence of males, we were reluctant to designate new species. Different clades linked to male forms in H. microps and H. atlantica are suggested as an incipient species. We also hypothesise an unusual trend in the evolution of euphausiids, in which visual recognition enhances tactile interaction during mating. Our results show that analyses of ostensibly well studied groups may yet yield taxonomic surprises. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AE045636-50EF-450A-B9B3-9231E8B91522 We characterise the biodiversity of the taxonomically entangled krill genus Hansarsia in the deep Atlantic by applying an integrative approach. Molecular and morphological analyses suggest at least six species of Hansarsia instead of the currently recognised four. We describe one new species and wait for males to describe the second one. The results confirm ongoing diversification of the Atlantic krill and show an unusual trend in the evolution of euphausiids, in which visual recognition enhances tactile interaction during mating. (Image credit: D. Kulagin.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is focused on the ammonoids of Oxynotum Zone and Raricostatum Zone (Densinodulum Subzone) from Asturian (Spain) and Lusitanian (Portugal) basins. They come from expanded sections from where 216 specimens have been collected. These have been classified in eight genera and 15 species that belong to families Echioceratidae, Oxynoticeratidae and Eoderoceratidae. Most of the ammonoids are typical of the Northwest European Province. Echioceratidae is the most frequent in the Asturian Basin, whereas Oxynoticeratidae is the predominant in the Lusitanian Basin. Eoderoceratidae specimens are scarcer, and they are registered only between the middle part of Oxynotum Subzone and the lower part of Densinodulum Subzone. A new species is proposed for the upper part of Oxynotum Subzone of the Lusitanian Basin, Plesechioceras rochai sp. nov., which is relatively frequent. As well, also in Portugal, Cheltonia sp. is registered in Densinodulum Subzone, which is a form different from Cheltonia accipitris. This provides new evidence to support the hypothesis of the relation micro-macroconch between the genera Oxynoticeras (M) and Cheltonia (m). Remarkable differences in the studied area are the presence of Paroxynoticeras salisburgense and Plesechioceras cf. delicatum in the Asturias Basin, and Crucilobiceras densinodulum, associated to Oxynoticeras lymense, in the Lusitanian Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Scarabaeinae has been traditionally divided into tribes on the basis of morphological similarity between groups of genera or, even, dissimilarity shown by a single genus. Although various tribal units have been described over the past 220 years, they had been recently reduced to a maximum of only 12 through synonymies within some tribes. However, following the advent of morphological and molecular cladistic systematics, it is clear that there are many discrepancies between phylogeny and phenetic tribal classification. As a result the number of tribes has now been expanded to 20 by revalidating some tribes or describing new groupings although this revision is incomplete. Thus, this study provides a comprehensive review of the current status of dung beetle tribal classification with regards to validity in terms of monophyly versus polyphyly or paraphyly. We discuss the systematic position of tribes among Scarabaeinae and provide a summary of the generic and species structure for each tribe. Given the enduring polyphyly or paraphyly in several tribes, it is clear that further tribal units will need to be described or revalidated to resolve the discrepancies. Therefore, we discuss how to use multiple lines of evidence (molecular, morphological, biogeographical, and paleontological) to build the tree of life for dung beetles and consequently provide stability in the tribal classification of the lineage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two recent fieldwork expeditions to Peru and Ecuador resulted in the finding of two Carex species (C. hypsipedos and C. sanctae-marthae) previously known from a single collection each, and of uncertain morphological and systematic affinities. We performed phylogenetic analyses using barcode molecular markers and a detailed morphological comparison among the new specimens and the original collections. A BLAST search was used to obtain the preliminary infrageneric affinities of problematic samples. Phylogenetic results confirmed the adscription of these species to two sectional Carex groups: Carex sect. Racemosae (subg. Carex) for C. hypsipedos and Carex sect. Junciformes (subg. Psyllophorae) for C. sanctae-marthae. Morphological revision revealed unique traits in C. hypsipedos, especially geocarpy, here strikingly reported for the first time for the genus Carex. On the other hand, the careful comparison of the new materials of C. sanctae-marthae revealed unequivocal affinities with the type, confirming its identity as this species. Our work illustrated that for the understanding of poorly known groups, such as these two Neotropical Carex, integrative approaches combining basic biosystematics tools are still very necessary: field and herbaria surveys and DNA barcode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Philonthina (2864 species in 74 genera) represents almost one‐half of the diversity of Staphylinini and is the largest of its subtribes. Most Philonthina species are found in tropical areas, but the origin of this diversity is still not well understood, mainly because their systematics belongs to a past era of taxonomy. Such is the case of a group of genera, most of them endemic to the Neotropical region (NT), whose monophyly has been repeatedly confirmed and which constitutes the so‐called Neotropical lineage (NL). However, basal relationships have not been clarified, neither for Philonthina nor its NL. The NL includes ∼300 species and 26 genera, but two of them (Belonuchus Nordmann and Paederomimus Sharp) account for two‐thirds of its species. Here, using the largest molecular‐based phylogeny of Philonthina and its NL to date, a time‐calibrated phylogeny, and ancestral range reconstructions for the NL, we explore the evolutionary history of Philonthina with a focus on its NL to reveal their early evolution and diversification in the NT. We show that Philonthina originated during the Late Cretaceous ∼ 67.6 Ma and diversified into five main lineages mostly during the Eocene. The NL originated in northwestern South America (SA) and the Andes not earlier than 64.2 Ma from a Laurasian lineage present in SA ∼49.1–69.9 Ma. Shortly afterward, that is, 39.9–56.9 Ma, the NL diversified into the Andean clade and the most species‐rich Belonuchus‐Paederomimus group. Our analyses recover northwestern SA and the Andes as the primary centers of diversification. Dispersal events to the northern landmasses took place at least three times during the Miocene in the early evolution of the NL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Miltogramminae (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) includes ~600 species across >40 genera, which constitute ~20% of global Sarcophagidae. While molecular phylogenetic hypotheses have been produced for this group, critical problems persist, including the presence of paraphyletic genera, uncertain relationships between genera, a bias of sampling towards Palaearctic taxa, and low support for many branches. The present study remedies these issues through the application of Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) to a sample including ~60% of the currently recognised genera (16% of known species) representing all biogeographic regions except the Neotropical. An alignment of 1,281 concatenated loci was analysed with maximum likelihood (RAxML, IQ‐TREE), Bayesian inference (ExaBayes) and coalescent‐based approaches (ASTRAL, SVDquartets), which resulted in highly supported and concordant topologies, providing unprecedented insight into the relationships of this subfamily of flesh flies, allowing a major update to miltogrammine classification. The AHE phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyly of a large proportion of genera. The monophyly of Metopia Meigen is restored by synonymy with Aenigmetopia Malloch, syn.n. To achieve monophyly of Miltogramma Meigen, eight species are transferred from Pterella Robineau‐Desvoidy. The genus Pterella is shown to be paraphyletic in its current circumscription, and to restore generic monophyly Pterella is restricted to contain only Pt. grisea (Meigen). Erioprocta Enderlein, stat.rev., is resurrected. The genus Senotainia Macquart is reconstructed as paraphyletic. The monotypic genus Metopodia Brauer & Bergenstamm is synonymised with Taxigramma Macquart, syn.n. In light of our phylogenetic hypotheses, a new Miltogramminae tribal classification is proposed, composed of six tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haminoea are herbivorous, coastal snails occurring in temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans, with one species present in temperate South Africa (Indian Ocean). The genus is taxonomically difficult as several available nominal species were introduced based on shell descriptions alone, or described based on subtle differences in morpho‐anatomical features, without a phylogenetic molecular framework. Fifteen species are currently accepted as valid in recent scientific literature and field guides (eight Eastern Atlantic, one temperate Indian Ocean, four Western Atlantic and three Eastern Pacific). Here we generate the first complete phylogeny (Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood) of this genus based on multilocus molecular data (COI, 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA) using a taxon set accumulated over a period of 15 years, coupled with species delimitation analyses methods (ABGD, ASAP, bPTP) and morpho‐anatomical studies. The goal of this study is to provide insights into the taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships and geographical distributions of species while generating a framework for future systematic reviews of the genus, as well as to study speciation and historical biogeography. Our results rendered four possible hypotheses of species diversity: with 14, 15, 19 and 20 candidate species and point to the fact that several taxa presently regarded as valid might be conspecific (e.g. H. orteai–H. templadoi–H. exigua; and H. alfredensis–H. antillarum–H. orbignyana), while highlighting the existence of a complex of four or five species often identified as H. elegans. Pervasive nomenclatural problems in the genus, including with the type species H. hydatis, are highlighted and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the fossil record reveals, neopterygians had a major diversification after the great mass extinction at the Permian-Triassic boundary, including the appearance of the major clade Teleosteomorpha. Detailed studies of new taxa (Pseudopholidoctenus germanicus, Barschichthys ruedersdorfensis, and Ruedersdorfia berlinensis) from the lower Anisian (middle Muschelkalk) of Germany and their comparisons with other Triassic relatives are presented, including new information concerning size, shape, and diet. Two families, Pholidophoridae and Marcopoloichthyidae, made a modest appearance during the Anisian of Europe and Asia almost simultaneously, with Pseudopholidoctenus (and the teleosteomorphs Barschichthys and Ruedersdorfia) from the Germanic Basin, being the oldest stem teleosts (244 Ma), followed shortly by Marcopoloichthys ani from Italy. The early teleostean diversification was fast—already in the late Ladinian three lineages were present: Prohalecitiidae (Europe), Pholidophoridae (Asia, Europe), and Marcopoloichthyidae (Asia, Europe), with ca. 20 species inhabiting the Tethys Ocean during the Middle–Late Triassic. Most Triassic teleosteomorphs were small, ca. 50 mm standard length, and a few as possibly miniature, with torpedo or oblong shapes, and suction feeders—probably a plankton based-diet. These first Triassic radiations were replaced during the early Sinemurian of marine ecosystems of Europe with two major groups: (a) non-monophyletic 'pholidophoriforms' and (b) proleptolepids and leptolepids, having an average size (ca. 100 mm SL) longer than Triassic forms, with oblong and fusiform shapes. A fast dispersion from the Tethys to the Paleo-Pacific followed, as demonstrated by the presence of small (ca. 50 mm SL) suction feeder proleptolepids in the early Sinemurian of Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female of Neognathus beshtauiensis sp. nov. (Acari: Caligonellidae) is described from soil sample collected from the Beshtau mountain in Stavropol Krai of Northern Caucasus. Molothrognathus venustus (Khaustov & Kuznetsov) is recorded from Russia for the first time and its female and male are redescribed based on materials from the Tyumen Oblast of Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strombidium is a species‐rich genus of oligotrichid ciliates mainly inhabiting the marine pelagial. In molecular phylogenies, the genus emerged as non‐monophyletic, and cladistic analyses suggest that it is largely characterized by plesiomorphies. A reliable split of the genus and the establishment of new genera necessitate, however, support by novel morphological and/or ultrastructural features. In the present study, the arrangement and ultrastructure of trichites are proposed as taxonomically relevant characters. Strombidium biarmatum Agatha et al., 2005 differs in the trichite pattern from the type species Strombidium sulcatum and most congeners. Aside from the trichites inserting anteriorly to the girdle kinety and generating the typical funnel‐shaped complex in the posterior cell portion, the species displays additional trichites between the adoral membranelles even visible in live cells. Here, this exceptional trichite arrangement is detailed based on transmission electron microscopic investigations. In molecular phylogenies, S. biarmatum forms a monophylum with two congeners sharing its trichite arrangement. Therefore, the strombidiid genus Heteropilum nov. gen. is established with S. biarmatum as type species to also include H. paracapitatum (Song et al., 2015) nov. comb. and H. basimorphum (Martin & Montagnes, 1993) nov. comb. Further differences discovered in the trichite ultrastructure support the organelles' taxonomic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spring-active Arizona specimens identified as Sphaenothecus bilineatus (Gory, 1831) were determined to represent another species, S. cylindricollis (Casey, 1924), which had been a synonym and is herein reinstated as a valid species. A diagnosis of S. cylindricollis is presented with morphological characters photographed, discussed, and compared to S. bilineatus. Specimen label data from institutional and private collections are provided for S. cylindricollis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification and phylogenetic relationships within the Phaseoleae tribe (Leguminosae) have consistently posed challenges to botanists. This study addresses these taxonomic intricacies, with a specific focus on the Glycininae subtribe, by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the highly conserved plastome in Amphicarpaea edgeworthii Benth., a critical species within this subtribe. Through meticulous genomic sequencing, we identified a plastome size of 148,650 bp, composed of 128 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Comparative genomic analysis across seven Glycininae species illuminated a universally conserved circular and quadripartite structure, with nine genes exhibiting notable nucleotide diversity, signifying a remarkable genomic variability. Phylogenetic reconstruction of 35 Phaseoleae species underscores the affinity of Amphicarpaea with Glycine, placing Apios as a sister lineage to all other Phaseoleae species, excluding Clitorinae and Diocleinae subtribes. Intriguingly, Apios, Butea, Erythrina, and Spatholobus, traditionally clumped together in the Erythrininae subtribe, display paraphyletic divergence, thereby contesting their taxonomic coherence. The pronounced structural differences in the quadripartite boundary genes among taxa with unresolved subtribal affiliations demand a reevaluation of Erythrininae's taxonomic classification, potentially refining the phylogenetic contours of the tribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tardigrade taxonomy is most often hindered by prevalent outdated species descriptions, lack of integrative redescriptions, scarce genetic information, and fragmentary sampling. Here, we diagnose the problems obscuring phylogenetic inference and the taxonomy of the cosmopolitan family Ramazzottiidae. We carried out the most extensive phylogenetic analysis of this family to date, with a considerable influx of new genetic data from poorly sampled regions of the world. We found two new distinct evolutionary lineages defined by distinct morphological traits (dorsal cuticular sculpturing and/or body shape), characterized by restricted geographic distributions, and we delineated them as new species complexes: the Neotropical Ramazzottius baumanni complex and the Afro-Oriental Ramazzottius szeptyckii complex. Nevertheless, we could not confidently ascertain the taxonomic status of both complexes due to: (i) the current state of the ramazzottiid taxonomy, with outdated and/or imprecise species descriptions with heterogeneous terminology and, in many cases, without accounting for intraspecific variation; (ii) the missing genetic information for key taxa; and (iii) the possible lack of monophyly of Cryoconicus and Ramazzottius as suggested by our results. In addition to diagnosing the problems of ramazzottiid phylogeny and systematics, we also propose possible solutions that could accelerate the progress in our understanding of the evolution of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tick species that comprise the Amblyomma maculatum group (Acari: Ixodidae) are widely distributed in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, ranging from the United States of America (USA) to Argentina. This group includes three species: Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma tigrinum, and Amblyomma triste, which parasitize a high number of vertebrates, including domestic mammals and humans, where they are the main vectors of Rickettsia parkeri s.s. The identification, distribution, and validity of the three species within the group have been controversial and continue to raise questions. Previous studies have mostly focused on the analysis of partial nuclear and mitochondrial genes, highlighting the need for new integrative analyses that contribute to clarifying their systematics and ecology. In this investigation, we obtained the first mitochondrial genome of A. triste (14,808 bp), which, upon comparison with the reported mitochondrial genomes of A. maculatum, exhibits a genetic distance of 4.2%, providing new evidence for the validity of the former species. The order, composition, and structure of the mitogenome of A. triste are consistent with the characteristics reported for most Metastriata including taxa within Amblyomma, that count with several mitochondrial genomes published in the last few years. The attributes of the mitogenomes, such as the absence of paralogs and a small genome, confirm the utility in studies involving complexes of cryptic species as it also serves as a robust tool for inferring phylogenies. Furthermore, we reported new molecular markers at the mitochondrial level which can be used in phylogenetic studies for other tick species, especially those with controversial or challenging taxonomy. We highlight the need of sequencing the mitochondrial genome of A. tigrinum, which is part of the A. maculatum group, as well as experimental crosses of populations from different places in the Americas to obtain additional evidence for species recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described a new species of elapid snake genus Bungarus from the Tenasserim Mountain Range in Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand. Bungarus sagittatus sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by having the combination of 15 dorsal scale rows; 215–217 ventral scales; 48–56 undivided subcaudal; prefrontal suture 2.4–2.6 times length of internasal suture; anterior chin shields larger than posterior chin shields; head of adult uniform black while juvenile black with small dim white patches on temporal and parietal areas; dorsal body black, with 25–31 white narrow bands, white and black bands at midbody covering 1.5–3.0 and 4.5–6.0 vertebral scales, respectively; dorsal body black bands not intruding ventrals or intruding ventrals less than 0.5 times of width of outer dorsal scales; ventral surface of body immaculate white; ventral side of tail white with a row of dark brown triangular patches on middle pointing posteriorly; tail relatively long, tail length/total length 0.140–0.143. Genetically, the new species has uncorrected pairwise divergences of ≥ 8.29% of the mitochondrial cytochrome b from other Bungarus species. Currently, the new species is only known from the type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species have been described from Indian waters, based on the materials collected from Kochi coast, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Mannar and West Bengal coast along the Bay of Bengal. Ariosoma gracile sp. nov. is described, based on five specimens collected from the landings at Kalamukku Fishing Harbour, Arabian Sea. The new species is characterised by longer tail, 55.3–58.7% TL; dorsal-fin origin above pectoral-fin base; no dark or whitish bands on dorsal surface of head, ventral extremities of lower jaw and mid-portion with minute dark pigmentation patch; anus positioned well before the middle of total length; SO canal with 4 pores; 0 or 3 pores on ST canal; pre-dorsal vertebrae 9; pre-anal vertebrae 49–54; total vertebrae 140–142. Ariosoma gracile sp. nov. is closely related to Ariosoma dolichopterum and Ariosoma emmae by sharing similar morphometrics and pre-anal vertebral counts. However, it differs by having more total pores (132–135 vs. 121–129 in A. dolichopterum, 123–126 in A. emmae); fewer pre-anal pores (43–46 vs. 47–51 in A. dolichopterum, 50–53 in A. emmae); more pre-dorsal pores (9 vs. 5–9 in A. dolichopterum, 4–6 in A. emmae). Another new species, Ariosoma kannani sp. nov. is described on the basis of two specimens (157–171 mm TL) from Gulf of Mannar and one specimen (201 mm TL) collected from Shankarpur Fish Landing Centre, West Bengal. This species is similar to Ariosoma megalops, but readily differs by having smaller eyes, smaller interorbital distance and exhibits 10.8% genetic divergence from A. megalops from the Taiwan waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, the pleurobranchid genus Pleurobranchaea Leue, 1813 is represented by two species, Pleurobranchaea meckeli (Blainville, 1825) and Pleurobranchaea morosa (Bergh, 1892). The former is a well-known species distributed from northern Spain to Senegal and the Mediterranean Sea, while the second is a poorly-described species. In this contribution, species delimitation analyses (ABGD and COI/16S p-distances) identified a third undescribed Pleurobranchaea species from samples collected in south-western UK waters and the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Spain). This new species, Pleurobranchaea britannica sp. nov. , is also supported by several morphological synapomorphies. The British specimens constitute the first occurrence of the genus Pleurobranchaea in UK waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The click-beetle genus Elathous Reitter, 1890 (Elateridae: Dendrometrinae) contains almost 50 species distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic realms. Specimens of this genus are rare in collections, partly due to their largely unknown biology and ecology. Until now, larvae were known only for three species, all of them described decades ago. Due to the intensive fieldwork research by the first author, who found larvae of Elathous agilis Németh, 2019 in Lebanon and Elathous brucki (Candèze, 1878) in Greece, we have an opportunity to describe their morphology for the first time. We compare them with each other and the remaining known larvae of Elathous and related genera. Although we are able to differentiate larvae of all known Elathous species, our limited knowledge on dendrometrine immature stages as well as the genus-level systematics is insufficient to propose a reliable generic diagnosis for Elathous based on the larval morphology. Additionally, we provide updated information on biology and ecology of Elathous species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims -- With 40 species, Brazil is the centre of diversity for Vanilla. Frederico Carlos Hoehne described eight Vanilla species for the Brazilian flora, including Vanilla schwackeana, an obscure taxon currently assumed to be a synonym of V. planifolia. While studying Neotropical Vanilla, plants were found in gallery forests of the Vale do Rio Doce region, Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Based on the examination of the protologues of the Brazilian species, in addition to the study of herbarium specimens, it was verified that the plants correspond to the rare V. schwackeana. Material and methods -- A redescription of V. schwackeana is provided, and a morphological comparison with other Neotropical taxa is presented. An illustration of V. schwackeana based on living specimens is provided, and its geographic distribution is presented based on recent findings. The position of V. schwackeana within Vanilla is discussed based on both morphological data and a molecular phylogeny. Key results -- Vanilla schwackeana is distinguishable by its pseudopetiolate leaves, by its largely elliptic to obelliptic leaf blades with attenuate base and acuminate apex, by its apical racemes with small flowers, by its yellow labellum with white undulate-crenulate margins, and by its papillous appendages on the apical portion of the labellar crest. Both morphological and molecular data suggest a close relationship of V. schwackeana with V. appendiculata, V. hartii, and the Brazilian endemic V. rupicola. Based on current data, V. schwackeana is assessed as Critically Endangered. Conclusion -- Integrative taxonomy was crucial to understand the identity and species boundaries of V. schwackeana. The V. appendiculata/V. schwackeana/(V. hartii/V. rupicola) clade comprises an unrecognized infrageneric Vanilla group. It seems plausible that the formation of a new infrageneric group will be necessary. As the habitat of V. schwackeana has been devastated by iron ore extraction, conservation strategies for this Brazilian endemic species will be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two scorpion species, Euscorpius petarberoni sp. n. (Bulgaria) and E. trichasi sp. n. (Greece), are described based on morphological and molecular evidence; E. petarberoni sp. n. is related to E. popovi Tropea et al., 2015, E. drenskii Tropea et al., 2015, and E. thracicus Kovařík et al., 2020, while E. trichasi sp. n. is related to E. kabateki Kovařík & Šťáhlavský, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One specimen of frog was collected from Mohan Town, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, which is the type locality of Rana bannanica Rao & Yang, 1997, currently considered as a junior synonym of Hylarana milleti (Smith, 1921). This specimen well agrees with the original description of R. bannanica. In regard to morphology, R. bannanica and H. milleti are, indeed, very similar, but can still be distinguished from each other. Phylogenetic analysis, based on mitochondrial gene sequences, showed that this specimen and H. milleti are different species. Hence, we remove R. bannanica from the synonymy of H. milleti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human gait analysis aims to assess gait mechanics and to identify the deviations from “normal” gait patterns by using meaningful parameters extracted from gait data. As each parameter indicates different gait characteristics, a proper combination of key parameters is required to perform an overall gait assessment. Therefore, in this study, we introduced a simple gait index derived from the most important gait parameters (walking speed, maximum knee flexion angle, stride length, and stance-swing phase ratio) to quantify overall gait quality. We performed a systematic review to select the parameters and analyzed a gait dataset (120 healthy subjects) to develop the index and to determine the healthy range (0.50 – 0.67). To validate the parameter selection and to justify the defined index range, we applied a support vector machine algorithm to classify the dataset based on the selected parameters and achieved a high classification accuracy (∼95%). Also, we explored other published datasets that are in good agreement with the proposed index prediction, reinforcing the reliability and effectiveness of the developed gait index. The gait index can be used as a reference for preliminary assessment of human gait conditions and to quickly identify abnormal gait patterns and possible relation to health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relevance of the article lies in monitoring the state of the natural mountain vegetation of the gorges of Merke, Sandyk, Shaisandyk and Araltobe as a natural zoning of the main changes in vegetation cover, in compiling classification schemes for the analysis of vegetation cover. In mountainous areas, local, isolated, floral complexes are formed, which are represented by alpine and subalpine meadows. The study of the composition and structure of the vegetation cover of individual regions is of great importance for establishing floral connections between different botanical and geographical regions. An episodic study of the flora and vegetation of the Merken district has been conducted by scientists in the last few years. There was a deterioration of vegetation in the western part of the Kyrgyz Alatau. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to study various groups of plants in this region, which will allow knowing the general development of flora, to outline the main stages of its formation. The main stages of the study were based on field expeditionary research, using route-reconnaissance and semi-stationary methods, data from scientific literature, herbarium material of their own collection and other colleagues. To analyse correlations in vegetation dynamics between the regions of the gorges of Merke, Sandyk, Shaisandyk and Araltobe, methods of mathematical statistics on the coefficient of floristic generality and graphical representation of materials were used. Since for many years there have been problems with studying the state of the floral composition of the gorges Merke, Sandyk and Shaisandyk, Araltobe, the results of the research aimed at taking inventory of the floral diversity of the zapodnaya part of the Kyrgyz ridge. During the analysis of plants of the studied area, 835 species belonging to 78 families and 336 families were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The eight species of Bondarius Rosado-Neto, 2006 are distributed in South, Central and North America, and the Caribbean: B. tuberculatus (Boheman, 1836), B. subrufus (Fiedler, 1936), B. breyeri (Brèthes, 1910), B. fuscoaeneus (Boheman, 1843), B. sublaevicollis (Hustache, 1939), B. nitidus (Champion, 1902), B. spinipes (Champion, 1902) and B. pectoralis (Suffrian, 1872). This study presents a taxonomic review of the genus and redescription of the known species, provides illustrations of the external morphology, mouthparts and genitalia of males and females, and an identification key to species.

The first results of a herbariological study on the genus Callitriche L. at the Central Italian Herbarium (Herbarium Centrale Italicum) of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Florence are presented. This genus represents a critical group from a systematic and taxonomic point of view, as the diagnostic characters mainly consist in details of the reproductive structures that are difficult to observe and interpret. The herbarium specimens represent a material suitable for study only if they have anthers and especially ripe fruits. The study of these samples has brought to light the presence of material from newly reported locations for various Italian regions. In some cases, the reports derive from original new revisions, in other cases they are the result of the discovery and confirmation of previous revisions not incorporated by the modern Italian floras.

Two new species of Perinereis with single bar-shaped paragnaths on area VI (Group 1) from the rocky shores of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, are described with barely (Subgroup 1A) or largely (Subgroup 1B) expanded proximal region of dorsal ligule in posterior parapodia. Perinereis malabarensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the morphologically similar 1B species P. euiini Park & Kim, 2017 by the paragnath count in area I, the laterally isolated paragnaths in area III, and the length of the dorsal cirrus and dorsal ligule. Additionally, P. misrai sp. nov. is more similar to 1A species P. falsovariegata Monro, 1933 and P. villalobosi Rioja, 1947, but differs by the paragnath count in areas III–V and VII–VIII, the isolated paragnaths in area III, and the number of rows in the anterior band of areas VII–VIII. The morphological characters of the current 44 species within Perinereis G1 are compared, and an identification key to the species belonging to this group is also provided.

Abstract The family Limacodidae belongs to the superfamily Zygaenoidea, which includes 1672 species commonly referred to as slug moths. Limacodidae larvae are major pests for many economically important plant species and can cause human dermatitis. At present, the structure of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), phylogenetic position, and adaptive evolution of slug moths are poorly understood. Herein, the mitogenomes of Parasa lepida, Phlossa conjuncta, Thosea sinensis, and Setora sinensis were sequenced and compared with other available mitogenome sequences to better characterize the mitogenomic diversity and evolution of this moth family. The mitogenomes of P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis were confirmed to be circular in structure with lengths of 15,575 bp, 15,553 bp, 15,535 bp, and 15,529 bp, respectively. The Limacodidae mitogenomes exhibited similar nucleotide composition, codon usage, RNA structure, and control region patterns, indicating the conservation of the mitogenome in the family Limacodidae. A sliding window, Ka/Ks, and genetic distance analyses revealed that the atp8 and nad6 genes exhibited the highest levels of variability and the most rapid evolutionary rates among the 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs) encoded in these Limacodidae mitogenomes, suggesting that they may offer value as candidate DNA markers. The phylogenetic analysis recovered the overall relationship as Tortricoidea + (Sesiidae + (Zygaenoidea + (Cossoidea/+Choreutoidea + (others)))). Within Zygaenoidea, Limacodidae was recovered as monophyletic, and the phylogenetic relationships were recovered as (Phaudidae + Zyganidae) + Limacodidae in all six phylogenetic trees. The analysis indicated that P. lepida, P. conjuncta, T. sinensis, and S. sinensis are members of the Limacodidae.

The database of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group currently (December 2023) registers 218 species and subspecies of Neotropical primates in 24 genera and five families. In the early 1960s, the diversity of Neotropical primates was estimated to be around 200 species and subspecies. From then, through the 1970s to the mid-1990s, however, the perception of the region’s primate diversity dropped, and reached an all-time low at 83 species and subspecies in 1980 (A World List of Mammalian Species, G. B. Corbet and J. E. Hill, British Museum (Natural History), Comstock Publishing, Cornell University Press, London and Ithaca). Interest in taxonomy and primate field research in the Neotropics was subdued up to the late 1970s. Change was sparked by the burgeoning capture of primates for biomedical research in the 1950s and 1960s, and the increasing destruction of the Amazon rainforests from the late 1970s. The numbers increased, at first slowly, but then, in 1995, they leapt back to the 200s in anticipation of a book by C. P. Groves (2001, Primate Taxonomy, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC). The species’ counts (not including subspecies) rose due to the adoption of the Phylogenetic Species Concept over the Biological Species Concept, the former favoring the category of species over subspecies. In this article, we discuss the changes in species and subspecies numbers in the classification of the Neotropical primates, and report on the taxonomic changes resulting from taxonomic research ongoing since 2012. We emphasize the importance of taxonomic research for an understanding of the diversity of primates, and for conservation planning, not least in identifying the populations that are threatened.

Oak decline is a complex disorder that seriously threatens the survival of Zagros forests. In an extensive study on taxonomy and pathology of fungi associated with oak decline in the central and northern part of Zagros forests, 462 fungal isolates were obtained from oak trees showing canker, gummosis, dieback, defoliation, and partial or total death symptoms. Based on inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting patterns, morphological characteristics, and sequences of ribosomal DNA (28S rDNA and ITS) and protein coding loci (acl1, act1, caM, tef-1α, rpb1, rpb2, and tub2), 24 fungal species corresponding to 19 genera were characterized. Forty percent of the isolates were placed in eight coelomycetous species from seven genera, namely, Alloeutypa, Botryosphaeria, Cytospora, Didymella, Gnomoniopsis, Kalmusia, and Neoscytalidium. Of these, four species are new to science, which are introduced here as taxonomic novelties: Alloeutypa iranensis sp. nov., Cytospora hedjaroudei sp. nov., Cytospora zagrosensis sp. nov., and Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov. According to pathogenicity trials on leaves and stems of 2-year-old Persian oak (Quercus brantii) seedlings, Alternaria spp. (A. alternata, A. atra, and A. contlous), Chaetomium globosum, and Parachaetomium perlucidum were recognized as nonpathogenic. All coelomycetous species were determined as pathogenic in both pathogenicity trials on leaves and seedling stems, of which Gnomoniopsis quercicola sp. nov., Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Neoscytalidium dimidiatum were recognized as the most virulent species followed by Biscogniauxia rosacearum.