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The Greater Antilles are renowned as a biodiversity hotspot and known to be geologically complex, which has led, in part, to the generation of organismal diversity in this area. One of the most species-rich montane groups within the Greater Antilles is the tribe Miconieae (Miconia s.l.) of the Melastomataceae, with ca. 325 species found there. The most diverse clade of Miconia in the Caribbean, the Caribbean clade, composes roughly half of that diversity, with an estimated 160 species, nearly all of which are endemic to the Greater Antilles. It is unclear how that diversity has been generated through time or where it originated, but we now have sufficiently well-sampled and robust datasets to test these patterns. Using a custom-built plastome dataset, we generated a robust phylogenetic hypothesis for 106 of the 160 Caribbean clade members and tested biogeographical patterns among the islands. Our results suggest that the Caribbean clade originated in the mid-Miocene, probably from a South American ancestor, and diversified substantially on the island of Cuba before repeatedly dispersing across other parts of the Greater Antilles, especially into nearby Hispaniola and then, to a lesser extent, into Jamaica, Puerto Rico and, finally, into the Lesser Antilles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Limia is endemic to the Greater Antilles with a single species in Cuba, Limia vittata , widespread in lowland ecosystems. The limited data available regarding its population structure suggest that its levels of intraspecific divergence are lower compared to other Cuban poeciliids. Furthermore, little is known about the dispersal pathways and demographic changes experienced by present-day populations. By analysing two mitochondrial markers and testing scenarios of dispersal and vicariance, we provide insights into the evolutionary history of L. vittata. Here, we show that this species is formed by three genetically differentiated and geographically delimited groups of populations. We also found moderate intraspecific divergence and a mtDNA pattern of high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity which is consistent with a rapid demographic expansion. Our Bayesian analysis recovered dispersal from eastern to western Cuba as the most likely scenario explaining the current distribution of this species. Limia vittata exhibited a distinct regional distribution of haplogroups that corresponds to major core landmasses within Cuba, along with a signature of rapid population expansion during relatively recent palaeoclimatic changes that occurred during the formation of the archipelago. Similar phylogeographic patterns have been identified in other freshwater and terrestrial taxa on the island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With nearly 40 species, the fern genus Notholaena has its evolutionary centre in the deserts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. Previous studies have focused on assessing the monophyly of the genus and the patterns of farina evolution, but little attention has been given to species complexes. Notholaena trichomanoides s.l. is endemic to the Greater Antilles, growing on all four islands. Although at least two varieties have been described, many authors have hesitated to recognize them and have treated this complex as only one taxon. A multivariate morphometric analysis including 80 representatives of N. trichomanoides from the Greater Antilles allowed us to recognize four morphological groups. Twenty individuals from seven populations representing all these morphological groups were sampled in Cuba. Differences among the four lineages were supported by molecular phylogenetics (including three plastid and two nuclear markers), molecular species delimitation, morphology and geological preferences. Ploidy levels inferred using spore sizes calibrated by chromosome counts revealed the existence of diploid and tetraploid lineages within the complex. Time-calibrated trees suggest that the divergence of the common ancestral populations of N. trichomanoides s.l. and those of its sister taxon N. ekmanii occurred between the Middle Miocene and the Miocene–Pliocene boundary followed by a recent diversification within the complex, ranging between the Middle Pliocene and the Middle Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Entre los gasterópodos dulceacuícolas, muchas de las especies de la familia Lymnaeidae están involucradas en la transmisión del trematodo parásito Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus, 1758) a nivel mundial. Galba cubensis (Pfeiffer, 1839) ha sido señalada como vector en Sudamérica y otras áreas del Neotrópico. El uso de técnicas moleculares ha sido empleado por diferentes grupos de investigadores para discriminar entre especies conquiológicamente indistinguibles, como son las del grupo Galba/Fossaria, esclareciendo aspectos epidemiológicos de crucial importancia en el estudio y control de la fascioliasis. El objetivo de esta investigación fue reconfirmar con técnicas moleculares la presencia de G. cubensis y distinguirla de otras especies crípticas como Galba truncatula (Müller, 1774) y Galba shirazensis (Küster, 1862) en la región noreste y sur de República Dominicana. Se capturaron moluscos compatibles fenotípicamente con G. cubensis y se tomaron mediciones conquiológicas de los mismos. Además, se realizaron análisis de ADN mediante PCR convencional con primers específicos para las tres especies sospechadas, con ejemplares fijados en alcohol al 80 %. Se obtuvo amplificación de una región del ADN mitocondrial de la especie G. cubensis, únicamente. El uso de la técnica permitió confirmar que G. cubensis es, a la fecha, la única especie de limneido involucrada en la transmisión de la fascioliasis en República Dominicana.

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

La Española es la isla de mayor riqueza hidrológica de las Antillas Mayores y segunda en tamaño luego de Cuba. Dos naciones la ocupan, República Dominicana y Haití. En este trabajo se presenta el estado del conocimiento de los macroinvertebrados acuáticos de la isla La Española, resultando la primera lista de familias que unifica información dispersa y sirve de referente para futuros trabajos sobre la biota dulceacuícola. La metodología empleada incluyó la revisión de literatura y la inspección de aproximadamente 4.300 ejemplares de una colección de referencia. Los resultados muestran una rica biota compuesta por 107 familias de macroinvertebrados acuáticos, con los insectos como mayor componente (69 familias, 64,5% de los especímenes de la colección o 86,2% si se calcula con base en las 80 familias de insectos registradas para las Antillas Mayores), seguidos por los crustáceos (27) y los moluscos (11). Hay poca información sobre anélidos y platelmintos. Los órdenes de insectos con mayor riqueza de familias fueron Diptera (17), Coleoptera (15) y Trichoptera (12). El orden Megaloptera no está registrado para la isla y Plecoptera solo se conoce del registro fósil. Con base en el conocimiento de expertos se adicionaron Xiphocarididae (Decapoda), Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) y Blephariceridae (Diptera) y se sustituyó Tricorythidae por Leptohyphidae (Ephemeroptera). Se sugiere: a) mejorar las colecciones de referencia y su accesibilidad, b) realizar estudios taxonómicos enfatizando los grupos menos conocidos, c) realizar inventarios faunísticos, d) incorporar los macroinvertebrados en los programas de bioindicación y e) la formación de especialistas a nivel local.

Introducción: en el paisaje epidemiológico de la fascioliasis humana, dos aspectos son de fundamental importancia: a) presencia de hospederos definitivos (especialmente ganado bovino y humanos) parasitados con adultos del tremátodo y; b) presencia de hospederos intermediarios invertebrados, moluscos de la familia Lymnaeidae, en los que se desarrollan los estadios larvarios, además de plantas acuáticas de consumo humano. Material y métodos: con el objetivo de prevenir brotes de fascioliasis humana mediante la correcta identificación de aspectos de interés epidemiológico, un humedal fue seleccionado en el sector de Palo Blanco, municipio de Jarabacoa, provincia de La Vega, en el cual se realizó un estudio malacológico en octubre de 2016, en busca de especies de moluscos limneidos e hidrófitos asociados. En el laboratorio se obtuvieron los índices de infección natural y experimental a Fasciola hepatica. Resultados: se identificó el limneido Pseudosuccinea columella, en proporciones de 250 especímenes por persona/hora. El vegetal predominante fue el berro (Nasturtiun officinale), cultivado comercialmente en tres cuadrantes del humedal y en el otro cuadrante se observaron bovinos pastando. El índice de infección experimental de los moluscos fue de 94 % a la cepa simpátrica de F. hepatica de Dajabón; no se encontraron moluscos parasitados naturalmente. Conclusiones: Pseudosuccinea columella debe considerarse como un molusco de relevancia epidemiológica en la transmisión de la fascioliasis en República Dominicana, a tenor de su dispersión y elevado índice de infección experimental obtenido en el presente estudio.

Copyright of Journal of Caribbean Ornithology is the property of Society for the Conservation & Study of Caribbean Birds and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nesophontes is an extinct, shrew-like mammal endemic to the Greater Antilles. Within this genus, the Cuban taxa have a challenging taxonomic history. The dichotomy in the interpretation of species limits arises from the ample size variation observed in skeletal remains. Here, I provide a detailed systematic revision of Cuban species through multivariate morphometric and qualitative analyses. These include discrete osteological characteristics of the cranium, dentary, dentition, humerus, femur, pelvis, and endocranial casts from a wide range of specimens, several maturity levels, and radiocarbon-dated paleontological contexts, all of which can help resolve current taxonomic ambiguities and elucidate the species limits of the Cuban taxa. Furthermore, stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were obtained to approximate aspects of diet, habitat, and resource partitioning between the Cuban Nesophontes. Collectively, these analyses support the presence of three species that are divided into two morphotypes. The larger included Nesophontes major and Nesophontes longirostris , whereas Nesophontes micrus is smallest. Morphotypes of N. major and N. micrus showed further intraspecific variation, which could be attributed to sexual dimorphism. Chronologic and geographic variations, at least during the Late Holocene, were quantitatively detected but poorly supported. The isotope signals suggest slight microhabitat segregation between N. major and N. micrus , but overall similar diets. Altogether, these new data provide insights into the morphology and natural history of these peculiar and extinct Antillean land mammals. • Comprehensive systematic revision of Nesophontes , an extinct, shrew-like mammal endemic to the Greater Antilles. • Multivariate morphometric and qualitative analyses used to study Cuban taxa with challenging taxonomic history. • Three species identified, divided into two size-based morphotypes: N. major , N. longirostris (larger), and N. micrus (smaller). • Intraspecific variation observed within N. major and N. micrus , attributed to sexual dimorphism. • Slight geographic variation detected, not chronologic during the Late Holocene. • Stable isotope analysis suggests minor microhabitat segregation between N. major and N. micrus , similar diets with Solenodon cubanus. • Partial support for the hypothesis of size variation due to diachronous populations, not extreme sexual dimorphism. • Temporal-geographical and sexual size variation deemed important factors in morphological variation, especially in species determination when stratigraphic control is absent. • Insights into morphology and natural history of extinct Antillean land mammals, resolving taxonomic ambiguities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se compila una lista preliminar de las especies de insectos conocidas para la Reserva Científica Ébano Verde (RCEV), Cordillera Central, República Dominicana, a partir de datos publicados en la literatura entomológica y el estudio de recolectas recientes. La lista incluye un total de 350 especies de insectos, clasificadas en 254 géneros, 70 familias y 12 órdenes. Cuatro especies de Syrphidae (Diptera) y una especie de Vespidae (Hymenoptera) constituyen nuevos registros para la República Dominicana y La Española. Estos datos, obviamente, abarcan solo una pequeña porción de la entomofauna total que habita el área. Los mismos deberán servir para impulsar otros estudios entomológicos en la zona y a su vez contribuir con el avance del conocimiento de los insectos en la Cordillera Central dominicana y de otras áreas protegidas de la isla.

There exists doubt over the correct name of the endemic Hispaniolan species Consolea microcarpa (K. Schum.) E.F. Anderson. The majority of the most recent publications treating the species use the name C. picardae (Urb.) Areces, a synonym originally put in place to correct a supposed later homonym, O. microcarpa K. Schum. We discuss the correct name that should be used for the species, C. microcarpa, as the earlier name O. microcarpa Engelm. was never formally described and merely represents a provisional name. We also provide a distribution map, notes regarding the morphology and ecology of the species, and a dichotomous key to aid in the identification of the species of Consolea on Hispaniola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se presenta la situación actual de la colección de ortópteros de J. C. Gundlach. En esta colección constituida de 129 ejemplares, están representadas 58 especies, incluidas en 47 géneros y 9 familias (Tetrigidae, Eumastacidae, Acrididae, Gryllacrididae, Anostostomatidae, Gryllotalpidae, Gryllidae, Mogoplistidae y Tettigoniidae). Se incluyen notas de colectas sobre cada espécimen, una valoración del estado de preservación de la colección y nombre válido para cada especie.

Hispaniola is the island of greatest hydrological wealth in the Greater Antilles and is second in size (77,914 km2) after Cuba (104,556 km2). Two nations occupy this island, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. This paper presents the state of knowledge of the aquatic macroinvertebrates of Hispaniola, resulting in the first list of Families, unifying dispersed information, and may constitute a reference for future work on this freshwater biota. The methodology was based on a literature review and the inspection of ca. 4300 specimens in a reference collection. The results show a rich biota composed of 107 Families of aquatic macroinvertebrates, with insects being the major component (69 families, 64.5% of collection specimens, or 86.2% if calculated based upon the 80 insect families registered for the Greater Antilles), followed by crustaceans (27) and molluscs (11). There is little information available on annelids and flatworms. The Orders of insects with greatest richness of Families were Diptera (17), Coleoptera (15) and Trichoptera (12). The Order Megaloptera is not reported for the island and Plecoptera is only known from a fossil record. The following additions were made based upon expert knowledge: Xiphocarididae (Decapoda), Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) and Blephariceridae (Diptera), and Tricorythidae was replaced by Leptohyphidae (Ephemeroptera). It is suggested to: a) improve reference collections and their accessibility, b) conduct taxonomic studies emphasizing poorly known groups, c) undertake more surveys, d) incorporate macroinvertebrates into bioindicator programs, and e) training of specialists at the local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partir de la identificación, catalogación y ordenamiento de la colección de arañas del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Santo Domingo (MNHNSD) y la revisión de material adicional procedente de otras colectas en República Dominicana, se registran por primera vez para La Hispaniola cuatro géneros con representantes en América Central y Las Antillas, pero desconocidos para esta isla: Masteria L. Koch, 1873 (Dipluridae), Strotarchus Simon, 1888 (Miturgidae), sólo conocidos de la fauna fósil, Lygromma Simon, 1893 (Prodidomidae) y Peckhamia Simon, 1901 (Salticidae). Con estos nuevos hallazgos la fauna de arañas de La Hispaniola se eleva a 310 especies agrupadas en 43 familias. Se amplía también el ámbito geográfico de otras tres especies endémicas: Wulfila gracilipes (Banks, 1903) (Anyphaenidae), Mimetus hispaniolae Bryant, 1948 (Mimetidae) y Ariadna multispinosa Bryant, 1948 (Segestriidae). Las dos primeras conocidas únicamente de la localidad tipo.

The Old World swallowtail Papilio demoleus Linnaeus was first reported in the Dominican Republic in March 2004 and was later discovered in Cuba in June 2007. This conspicuous butterfly has been documented from coastal areas of the eastern-most Cuban provinces of Guantánamo, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba. The dispersal of the butterfly in Cuba has been relatively slow. In 2014 we found P. demoleus at sites further to the west and interior of the coast in Las Tunas and Camagüey provinces. The immature stages are attacked by predators and parasitoids in Cuba and other islands of the West Indies and P. demoleus does not appear to be much of a threat to citrus production or native citrus-feeding swallowtails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Scirtothrips, S. coccolobae sp. nov. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is described from the state of Florida in the United States of America, and from the Cayman Islands. This species appears to be native to the Caribbean region. Present evidence indicates it to be specific to a single host plant, Coccoloba uvifera L. (Caryophyllales: Polygonaceae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibian populations have been declining worldwide and the exact mechanisms underlying these changes are not well understood. We examined environmentally induced phenotypic changes that may reflect ongoing stresses on individuals and therefore their ability to persist in increasingly changing landscapes. Specifically, we evaluated the contribution of habitat loss on the size, allometry, and levels of fluctuating asymmetry of Eleutherodactylus antillensis and E. coqui , 2 common species that are endemic to Puerto Rico. We x-rayed frogs collected at 9 sites that differed in the amount of forest cover and measured their snout-vent, radio-ulna, femur, and tibio-fibula lengths. E. antillensis and E. coqui were smaller in the highly disturbed (≤20% forest cover) than in the intermediately (20–70% forest cover) and little-disturbed (≥70% forest cover) landscapes. In E. antillensis but not in E. coqui , the slope and intercept of the curves relating snout-vent length with the length of the 3 bones differed with degree of forest cover, suggesting an effect of habitat loss on body shape. In E. antillensis and E. coqui , differences between right and left sides corresponded to true fluctuating asymmetry; however, only the radio-ulna length of E. coqui showed a trend toward an increase in fluctuating asymmetry with habitat loss. Because body size scales with a variety of physiological, life history, and ecological traits, conservation programs aimed at monitoring morphological changes in amphibians may help in understanding the mechanisms that contribute to their persistence in changing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]