Search

Protoperidinium claudicans is a planktonic, heterotrophic, bioluminescent dinoflagellate species commonly found in neritic waters. It has long been considered to display phenotypic variation in its second anterior intercalary plate, which could vary between quadra, penta and hexa. The equivalent spinose, cordate cyst goes under the name of Votadinium spinosum. Here we perform incubation experiments with cysts from France, Canada, China and Japan, which demonstrate that P. claudicans forms a species complex, with at least two ribotypes with a penta configuration (P. claudicans) and one with a quadra configuration (P. carriae sp. nov.). A fossil-based cyst, V. multispinosum sp. nov., is described as the equivalent of P. carriae. Molecular phylogenetics using large subunit ribosomal DNA supports these observations. The cyst–theca relationships for Votadinium psilodora and another, undescribed, cordate, spineless Votadinium species are also reported from China. Macromolecular analyses of the cyst wall of V. multispinosum reveal it is comprised of a protein-rich carbohydrate compound. We show that this compound is not uncommon in dinoflagellate and ciliate cysts and that it is unlikely to preserve very well upon sedimentation and burial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connaraceae is a pantropical family of about 200 species containing lianas and small trees with remarkably diverse floral polymorphisms, including distyly, tristyly, homostyly, and dioecy. To date, relationships within the family have not been investigated using a targeted molecular phylogenetic treatment, severely limiting systematic understanding and reconstruction of trait evolution. Accordingly, their last infrafamilial classification was based only on morphological data. Here, we used phylogenomic data obtained using the Angiosperms353 nuclear target sequence capture probes, sampling all tribes and almost all genera, entirely from herbarium specimens, to revise infrafamilial classification and investigate the evolution of heterostyly. The backbone of the resulting molecular phylogenetic tree is almost entirely resolved. Connaraceae consists of two clades, one containing only the African genus Manotes (4 or 5 species), which we newly recognize at the subfamily level. Vegetative and reproductive synapomorphies are proposed for Manotoideae. Within Connaroideae, Connareae is expanded to include the former Jollydoreae. The backbone of Cnestideae, which contains more than half of the Connaraceae species, remains incompletely resolved. Reconstructions of reproductive system evolution are presented that tentatively support tristyly as the ancestral state for the family, with multiple parallel losses, in agreement with previous hypotheses, plus possible re-gains. However, the great diversity of stylar polymorphisms and their phylogenetic lability preclude a definitive answer. Overall, this study reinforces the usefulness of herbarium phylogenomics, and unlocks the reproductive diversity of Connaraceae as a model system for the evolution of complex biological phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated approach of molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses has revolutionized the systematics and our understanding of the evolutionary relationships of marine taxa. One such group is the hexacorallian order Zoantharia Rafinesque, 1815. The monotypic genus Thoracactis Gravier, 1918 has been little investigated since its placement within the order Zoantharia more than 100 years ago. Here, we examined museum specimens collected from the Cape Verde Islands (eastern Atlantic) and newly collected specimens from Brazil (southwestern Atlantic), using a combined molecular and morphological approach. Our results conclusively show Thoracactis to be referable to the family Parazoanthidae. Morphological data show that Thoracactis topsenti Gravier, 1918, the type species of this monotypic genus, has a cyclically transitional arrangement of its sphincter muscle, and this arrangement has previously been reported from the Parazoanthidae. Thoracactis can be distinguished from other hexasterophoran glass-sponge-associated genera (Churabana Kise, Montenegro & Reimer, 2022, Parachurabana Kise, 2023, and Vitrumanthus Kise, Montenegro & Reimer, 2022) by a combination of morphological, ecological and molecular phylogenetic data. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses clearly indicate that Thoracactis topsenti is placed within Parazoanthidae. These results are yet another demonstration of the utility of comprehensive combined approaches. From now, research attention should focus on the revision of remaining taxonomic questions within the family Epizoanthidae, with the goal of a comprehensively revised suborder Macrocnemina within reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The planktonic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum compressum is widespread in warm and temperate seas. A strain identified as P. cf. compressum BEA 0681B isolated from the island of Gran Canaria, NE Atlantic Ocean, showed a divergence in rDNA/ITS phylogenies with respect to P. compressum. The Canarian strain was oval, with an average length‐to‐width ratio of 1.35, smooth thecal surface with less than 150 thecal pores, including oblique pores, sometimes with a bifurcated opening. In contrast, P. compressum was rounder, with a length‐to‐width ratio < 1.2, with reticulate‐foveate ornamentation and 200–300 pores per valve. We propose Prorocentrum canariense sp. nov. These species clustered as the most early‐branching lineage in the clade Prorocentrum sensu stricto. Although this clade mainly contains planktonic species, the closer relatives were the benthic species P. tsawwassenense and P. elegans. Interestingly, P. compressum and P. canariense sp. nov. are widely distributed in temperate and warm seas without an apparent morphological adaptation to planktonic life. The formation of two concentric hyaline mucilaginous walls could contribute to this success. We discuss the use of Prorocentrum bidens to solve the nomenclature issue of P. compressum that was described citing a diatom as basionym. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlomoides, with 150–170 species, is the second largest and perhaps most taxonomically challenging genus within the subfamily Lamioideae (Lamiaceae). With about 60 species, China is one of three major biodiversity centers of Phlomoides. Although some Phlomoides species from China have been included in previous molecular phylogenetic studies, a robust and broad phylogeny of this lineage has yet to be completed. Moreover, given the myriad new additions to the genus, the existing infrageneric classification needs to be evaluated and revised. Here, we combine molecular and morphological data to investigate relationships within Phlomoides, with a focus on Chinese species. We observed that plastid DNA sequences can resolve relationships within Phlomoides better than nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacer regions (nrITS and nrETS). Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Phlomoides, but most previously defined infrageneric groups are not monophyletic. In addition, morphological analysis demonstrates the significant taxonomic value of eight characters to the genus. Based on our molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological data, we establish a novel section Notochaete within Phlomoides, and propose three new combinations as well as three new synonyms. This study presents the first molecular phylogenetic analyses of Phlomoides in which taxa representative of the entire genus are included, and highlights the phylogenetic and taxonomic value of several morphological characters from species of Phlomoides from China. Our study suggests that a taxonomic revision and reclassification for the entire genus is necessary in the future.

Baikal amphipods are one of the most unique freshwater species flocks of over 350 morphological species and subspecies playing multiple ecological roles in this ancient lake. However, molecular phylogeny studies accumulate evidence that this number is underestimated. Previously, we showed that an abundant littoral species Eulimnogammarus verrucosus comprised at least three genetic lineages: southern (S), western (W), and eastern (E), inhabiting corresponding parts of Baikal shore. The Angara River is the only outflow of the lake and is inhabited by amphipods originating from Baikal, which were previously analysed only morphologically. The river has parts with strong current or closed bays as opposed to sea‐like conditions of Lake Baikal, which raises the question of which species were able to adapt here. Here we studied the phylogeny of E. verrucosus from the Angara River, which could be reached by two lineages, S and W. We analysed 17 sites from 0.6 to 650 km from the outflow. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S rRNA analysis showed that the sites closest to Baikal were inhabited by the S and W lineages sympatrically. The other sites were inhabited by the S lineage at both banks and also by the novel A (Angara) lineage. The A lineage was the first to split up from the last common ancestor of all E. verrucosus. Our data confirm the importance of considering cryptic diversity in ecological monitoring, and in order to simplify the identification of the genetic lineage, we developed a web‐app speCOIdent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monogeneric family Calomyscidae includes the brush-tailed mice, genus Calomyscus , which have a Palearctic distribution ranging from the Hindu Kush Mountains in western Pakistan to the eastern Mediterranean region. Zagros Mountains—stretching from northwest to south of Iran—was assumed for long as the range of a single species, Calomyscus bailwardi ; however, recent studies revealed considerable heterogeneities among the geographical populations presumably referring to the persistence of undescribed diversity. One such group from the western Zagros Mountains has recently been recognized as C. behzadi Akbarirad, Dezhman, Aliabadian, Siahsarvie, Shafaeipour, and Mirshamsi, 2021. Using molecular, morphometric, geometric morphometric, and karyotypic data, we examine the divergence of 2 additional groups from western Iran and name these as new species. The first of these species is distributed in the northern Zagros and western Alborz Mountains in northwestern Iran was recovered as the sister species to C. urartensis from the South Caucuses. The second species from a single locality in the central Zagros Mountains was clustered closely with C. grandis from the western Alborz Mountains. Morphologic analyses, karyological features, and genetic distances disentangled these 2 new species from their sister species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corsica and Sardinia are amongst the largest islands of the Western Mediterranean. Their complex geological history included belonging to the European–Iberian continental margin (close to current-day Catalonia and Provence) and varying degrees of isolation for the last 30 million years, leading to peculiar, highly endemic faunas and floras. This is especially true for their earthworm faunas, which include endemic species of several Lumbricoidea genera and the endemic family (or subfamily) Diporodrilidae. Only three species have been described for the morphologically unique Diporodrilus, but there exists evidence for wide morphological variability within them and the existence of several species-level genetic lineages within Corsica. This work aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships between the genetic lineages of Diporodrilus from Corsica and Sardinia (based on the sequences of 5 mito-nuclear markers), to perform an integrative systematics revision combining species delimitation techniques and morphological data, and to obtain a time-calibrated phylogeny of Diporodrilus and other Corso-Sardinian Lumbricoidea. Within 15 populations of the morphospecies Diporodrilus omodeoi and Diporodrilus pilosus across Corsica and Sardinia, 10 species-level genetic lineages were detected. Phylogenetic independence, high genetic divergence and morphological differences provided the support for the description of five new pseudocryptic species: Diporodrilus rotundus sp. nov., Di. jorgei sp. nov., Di. minor sp. nov., Di. meridionalis sp. nov. and Di. telti sp. nov. Time-calibrated phylogenetic inference estimated the age for genus Diporodrilus at 65.9 Mya; even if other Corso-Sardinian genera were significantly younger, all of them presented deep divergences predating the break-off of the microplate from the continent. The almost threefold increase in the known diversity of Diporodrilus stresses the need for comprehensive earthworm diversity inventories in both Sardinia and Corsica, and for studies on their ecological role and conservation status. The close correspondence between some geological and cladogenetic events suggest that the distribution of Corso-Sardinian earthworms could be used to inform standing geological controversies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the interplay between morphological diversity and genomic duplication are crucial, since novel traits may have profound evolutionary and ecological consequences. Within the Lythraceae, Cuphea stands out as the most karyotypically diverse genus, exhibiting a broad distribution across contrasting ecosystems in the Neotropics such as wetlands, forests, savannas, and prairies, ranging from coastal regions to the central continent, and from sea level to mountainous areas, with a remarkable array of morphological variation in vegetative and reproductive structures. To elucidate the potential relationships between karyotypic diversity and morphological variability in Cuphea, we compiled a morphological database, chromosome numbers and a molecular phylogenetic tree to infer the phylogenetic signal of morphological traits and karyotype evolution in this genus. Our findings confirm the pivotal role of polyploidy in the extensive karyotypic diversification observed in Cuphea. Ancestral state reconstruction revealed that the ancestral chromosomal number for the genus is x = 11 and there is a high incidence of polyploidy in the genus, with at least 11 events of whole-genome duplication, in addition to 20 events of dysploidy (10 ascending and 10 descending). We found evidence to support a positive correlation between chromosome numbers and overall size of selected morphological traits with polyploid species showing longer floral tubes. Our investigations also revealed a potential association between polyploidy and the adaptive radiation of Cuphea during its distribution expansion to the North America. These results reinforce the importance of whole-genome duplication events in producing trait diversity and, consequently, speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of molecular data in phylogenetic reconstruction during more than three decades has greatly improved our understanding of the macroevolutionary history of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) and has provided a solid basis for improvement of its classification. Based on the results of 130 studies, among them most recent phylogenomic works, we present a consensus phylogeny and a robust classification of Rubiaceae that shed light on the evolutionary success of this highly diverse angiosperm family and can serve as a framework for ecological and evolutionary studies. There are more than 14,000 species and about 580 accepted genera of Rubiaceae that are assigned to 71 tribes, of which 68 are classified in two subfamilies (Dialypetalanthoideae with 38 tribes and Rubioideae with 30 tribes). Three tribes (Acranthereae, Coptosapelteae, Luculieae) remain unclassified as to subfamily. Sixty‐three of these 71 tribes are assigned to nine informal alliances (four in Rubioideae and five in Dialypetalanthoideae). These tribes are listed in alphabetical order within their respective alliances. Five tribes, one (Coussareeae) in Rubioideae and four (Airospermeae, Jackieae, Retiniphylleae, Steenisieae) in Dialypetalanthoideae, are excluded from these alliances due to unclear or conflicting phylogenetic positions. Thirty‐six tribes retain their tribal status but receive new generic limits to remedy their previous para‐ or polyphyletic nature. Twenty‐nine tribes not implemented in previous classifications have been added, of which three (Chioneae, Glionnetieae, Temnopterygeae) are newly described here. Basic information on phylogenies, distributions, former classifications, and useful references to previous works are provided for all accepted tribes, and future perspectives are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi 1792) is distributed in Italy and southern France, both in natural and urban environments. It comprises three lineages: i) R. lucifugus lucifugus (Rossi 1792) in the mainland, ii) R. lucifugus corsicus Clement 1977 in Corsica, Provence, Sardinia and a portion of the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy, iii) a third lineage, not yet described, identified based on the genetic analysis of a few samples from Sicily and from an isolated population in northern Italy, where it was most probably introduced by man. In this study, we characterize genetically (COII and 16S mitochondrial genes) and morphometrically (measurements of alates and soldiers) the Sicilian lineage, based on new samples collected all over the island. Our results confirm the existence of a well supported clade comprising all the samples from Sicily, neatly separated from R. lucifugus lucifugus and R. lucifugus corsicus. No other Reticulitermes species or subspecies was found in Sicily, and the Sicilian lineage was not found in peninsular Italy, suggesting that the strait separating Sicily from the mainland is an effective barrier to termite dispersal. Based on these results, we describe the Sicilian lineage of R. lucifugus as Reticulitermes lucifugus siculus ssp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial DNA gene organisation is an important source of phylogenetic information for various metazoan taxa at different evolutionary timescales, though this has not been broadly tested for all insect groups nor within a phylogenetic context. The cosmopolitan subfamily Doryctinae is a highly diverse group of braconid wasps mainly represented by ectoparasitoids of xylophagous beetle larvae. Previous molecular studies based on Sanger and genome-wide (ultraconserved elements, UCE; and mitochondrial genomes) sequence data have recovered a non-monophyletic Doryctinae, though the relationships involved have always been weakly supported. We characterised doryctine mitogenomes and conducted separate phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenome and UCE sequence data of ~100 representative doryctine genera to assess the monophyly and higher-level classification of the subfamily. We identified rearrangements of mitochondrial transfer RNAs (tRNAs) that support a non-monophyletic Doryctinae consisting of two separate non-related clades with strong geographic structure ('New World' and 'Old World' clades). This geographic structure was also consistently supported by the phylogenetic analyses preformed with mitogenome and UCE sequence data. These results highlight the utility of the mitogenome gene rearrangements as a potential source of phylogenetic information at different evolutionary timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For most of Earth's history life was microbial, with archaeal and bacterial cells mediating biogeochemical cycles through their metabolisms and ecologies. This diversity was sufficient to maintain a habitable planet across dramatic environmental transitions during the Archean and Proterozoic Eons. However, our knowledge of the first 3 billion years of the biosphere pales in comparison to the rich narrative of complex life documented through the Phanerozoic geological record. In this review, we attempt to lay out a microbial natural history framework that highlights recent and ongoing research unifying microbiology, geochemistry, and traditional organismal evolutionary biology, and we propose six broadly applicable principles to aid in these endeavors. In this way, the evolutionary history of microbial life—once considered only a prelude to the much more storied history of complex metazoan life in the Phanerozoic—is finally coming into its own. The outlines of microbial natural history are now starting to appear through the integration of genomic and geological records. Microorganisms drive Earth's biogeochemical cycles, and their natural history reflects a coevolution with the planet. Past environmental changes have induced microbial biotic transitions, marked by extinction, taxonomic shifts, and new metabolisms and ecologies. Microbial evolution can benefit from a historical perspective of processes and successions as established by macropaleontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular phylogenetic studies focused on the early-branching papilionoid legumes have revealed many new clades and supported several generic realignments, yet the monophyly of some of the constituent genera has remained unassessed. This is the case for the Amazonian genus Clathrotropis of the tribe Ormosieae. The genus, as traditionally circumscribed, comprises seven species of trees, including some of the most ecologically hyper dominant taxa across the Amazonian terra firme and seasonally flooded forests. Here we employed a Bayesian analysis of densely sampled nuclear ribosomal ITS/5.8S and plastid matK and trnL intron DNA sequences to evaluate the monophyly of Clathrotropis. All individual and concatenated analyses concurred in showing the non-monophyletic nature of Clathrotropis , whose species fall into three distantly related lineages: one, comprised of C. brachypetala , C. brunnea , C. glaucophylla and the ecologically dominant C. macrocarpa , is circumscribed here as the new genus Cabari ; the two others, comprising C. paradoxa and the widespread C. nitida , are more closely related to Spirotropis of the tribe Ormosieae. Such phylogeny-based dismemberment of Clathrotropis is further supported by vegetative, floral, fruit, and seed characters. Although the genes analysed in this study have provided phylogenetically informative data supporting the need for a new circumscription of Clathrotropis , we suggest that future phylogenomic studies should seek to better resolve the relationships of the newly described genus Cabari across the phylogenetically recalcitrant early-branching nodes of the Genistoid clade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nemognathinae is notable for its high diversity in Meloidae, yet our knowledge about its species in China remains restricted. Here, we describe a new genus and species and report three other species as new additions to the Chinese fauna. Based on our investigation of the types, we transfer the genus Oreomeloe from Meloini to Nemognathini. Finally, we present molecular phylogenies built on multi-locus data, which corroborate the systematic placement of Sinostenoria and Longizonitis. Our findings and treatment contribute to the understanding of Chinese Nemognathinae and resolve a pending issue in the taxonomy of Nemognathinae. Despite being the most widespread blister beetle subfamily, Nemognathinae is unfairly understudied in China. In this study, a new genus and species, Sinostenoria yangi Pan, from northern China is described and illustrated. The antennae, elytra, hind wings, and claws of the new genus form a truly unique set of characteristics never observed in other genera of Nemognathini Laporte de Castelnau, 1840. Three species from China are newly recorded and illustrated: Megatrachelus sibiricus (Tauscher, 1812), Zonitomorpha dollei (Fairmaire 1889), and Stenodera djakonovi Aksentjev, 1978. The genus Oreomeloe Tan, 1981, is transferred from the tribe Meloini Gyllenhal, 1910, to Nemognathini based on an examination of the types. Aiming to test the morphology-based placement of the new genus, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses using two mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and three nuclear markers (28S, CAD, ITS2). The results confirm our tribal assignment of the new genus and support a clade that consists of Sinostenoriagen. n., Longizonitis Pan and Bologna, 2018, Stenoria cf. grandiceps, and Ctenopus cf. persicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campanula L. is among the genera with the highest number of endemics in the Caucasus ecoregion. A group of attractive alpine and subalpine perennial rosette plants with short single-flowered stems centred in the Caucasus has been treated as Campanula subg. Scapiflorae or at other ranks, with considerably varying circumscription and classification. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of three plastid DNA regions (trnK/matK, petD, rpl16) of a strongly extended sampling, comprising 23 of the 27 commonly accepted taxa (85%) with 330 accessions built on and guided by the results of our previous study of the group, confirmed the polyphyly of C. subg. Scapiflorae in any of its circumscriptions. The core clade of the group comprises exclusively endemics and near-endemics of the Caucasus and is treated here as C. sect. Tridentatae in a revised circumscription. The phylogenetic relationships of the disparate other elements of the Scapiflorae group are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on literature review, molecular phylogenetics of ITS sequences, and chromosome cytology, the taxonomy of Lysimachia s.l. (Primulaceae) of Taiwan is updated. Amongst the 15 taxa recognized in the most recent work of the genus in Taiwan, L. ardisioides is synonymized under L. simulans that has long been neglected, L. arvensis var. caerulea is elevated to specific status and replaced with the name L. loeflingii, the specific status of the newly described L. ravenii is reaffirmed, and L. congestiflora, a misapplied name, is corrected to L. taiwaniana. We also identify references that represent the genuine first reports of the genus Lysimachia and L. candida of Taiwan, respectively, and reveals L. taiwaniana as an isonym that was published independently twice by two different authors based on the same type. To stabilize the taxonomy of Lysimachia of Taiwan, L. capillipes Hemsl., L. consobrina Hance, L. decurrens var. recurvata Matsum., L. formosana Honda, L. mauritiana Lam., L. lineariloba Hook. & Arn., and L. nigropunctata are lectotypified, and L. candida Lindl. is neotypified. The recently described L. lalashanensis S.S.Ying and L. nanhutashanensis S.S.Ying are synonymized under L. capillipes Hemsl. and L. taiwaniana Suzuki, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhinebothriidean tapeworm family Escherbothriidae has recently been expanded to include the genus Ivanovcestus, species of which parasitise arhynchobatid skates. Similarities in morphology and host associations between Ivanovcestus and Semiorbiseptum - a genus yet to be assigned to one of the families in the order Rhinebothriidea - led us to explore the possibility that Semiorbiseptum might also belong in the Escherbothriidae. Morphological similarities with Scalithrium ivanovae, Scalithrium kirchneri and Rhinebothrium scobinae, all of which also parasitise arhynchobatid skates, raised questions regarding the generic placements of these species. In addition, new collections from the skate Sympterygia brevicaudata revealed two new species that morphologically resemble species of Ivanovcestus. A combination of morphological and molecular data were used to assess the generic placement of the newly discovered species and refine our understanding of the membership of the family Escherbothriidae. Sequence data for the D1-D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene were generated de novo for 14 specimens of 7 rhinebothriidean species and combined with comparable published data to represent all 6 families in the Rhinebothriidea in the analysis. The phylogenetic tree resulting from maximum likelihood analysis strongly supports the inclusion of the genus Semiorbiseptum in the family Escherbothriidae. Our work also suggests that the skate-hosted species previously assigned to Scalithrium and Rhinebothrium are also members of Semiorbiseptum and that Ivanovcestus is a junior synonym of Semiorbiseptum. Six species are transferred to Semiorbiseptum, bringing the total number of species in the genus to ten. The diagnosis of Semiorbiseptum is amended to accommodate the additional species. A second species in the previously monotypic type genus of the family, Escherbothrium, is described. The diagnosis of the Escherbothriidae is amended to include the new and transferred species. This study underscores the importance of integrating morphological and molecular data in bringing resolution to cestode systematics. We believe our findings provide a robust foundation for future research into the evolutionary history and host associations of cestodes within the order Rhinebothriidea and beyond. These also highlight the importance of expanding our understanding of skate-hosted cestodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rebuttal to the proposal to conserve Selaginella, nom. cons., with a conserved type is submitted. We further discuss why this proposal is unwarranted and disruptive to nomenclatural stability as is the intention to split Selaginella since potentially segregated genera fail to reconcile monophyly and taxonomic diagnosability. Accordingly, we recommend the rejection of the Proposal (2943) and not to follow the dismembering of Selaginella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new family of antipatharian corals, Ameripathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia), is established for Ameripathes pseudomyriophylla Opresko & Horowitz, gen. et sp. nov. The new family resembles Myriopathidae and Stylopathidae in terms of the morphology of the polyps and tentacles and the pinnulate branching of the corallum. Phylogenetic analysis using a genomic data set of 741 conserved element loci indicates that the new family is sister to a clade containing the Myriopathidae, Stylopathidae, Antipathidae, and Aphanipathidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new land snail species representing a new genus from the mountainous area of Zhejiang, China. The snail has a depressed shell with granules all over the surface. The soft part of the new taxon is characterized by the presence of a mantle lobe whose form is reviewed herein across a wide range of helicoid snails, the presence of a developed epiphallic papilla, and the absence of a penial sheath, a dart sac apparatus and a flagellum. As indicated by a molecular-based phylogeny (16S + ITS2), the new taxon is deeply nested in the eastern Asian camaenid genera and shows a close relationship with the camaenids distributed in Central China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylaria is a widely distributed genus in the Ascomycota phylum that can decompose wood. It is an essential decomposer in ecosystems and a source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular evidence, this article thoroughly describes two new species discovered on the fallen leaves in Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, along with illustrations and comparisons with similar species. Xylaria diaoluoshanensis is characterized by filamentous stromata with long infertile apexes, ascospores sometimes with non-cellular appendages. Xylaria fulvotomentosa differentiates itself from other Xylaria species that grow on fallen leaves by its stroma surface, being yellow tomentose. These two new species of the genus Xylaria were found by phylogenetic analysis using the ITS-β-tubulin-RPB2 sequence dataset. Furthermore, a species first discovered in China, X. petchii, is described. Finally, a search table for 44 species related to fallen leaves and petioles in the world is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the microscopy realm, a large body of dark biodiversity still awaits to be uncovered. Unarmoured dinophytes are particularly neglected here, as they only present inconspicuous traits. In a remote German locality, we collected cells, from which a monoclonal strain was established, to study morphology using light and electron microscopy and to gain DNA sequences from the rRNA operon. In parallel, we detected unicellular eukaryotes in ponds of the Botanical Garden Munich‐Nymphenburg by DNA‐metabarcoding (V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene), weekly sampled over the course of a year. Strain GeoK*077 turned out to be a new species of Borghiella with a distinct position in molecular phylogenetics and characteristic coccoid cells of ovoid shape as the most important diagnostic trait. Borghiella ovum, sp. nov., was also present in artificial ponds of the Botanical Garden and was the second most abundant dinophyte detected in the samples. More specifically, Borghiella ovum, sp. nov., shows a clear seasonality, with high frequency during winter months and complete absence during summer months. The study underlines the necessity to assess the biodiversity, particularly of the microscopy realm more ambitiously, if even common species such as formerly Borghiella ovum are yet unknown to science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The false blister beetle tribe Stenostomatini includes only the genus Stenostoma , with four species showing an intriguing distribution: Stenostoma lowei (Madeira), Stenostoma cossyrense (Pantelleria), Stenostoma melitense (Malta and southern Sicily) and Stenostoma rostratum, widely distributed along the Mediterranean and North Atlantic coasts. The evolutionary history leading to this distribution has not been investigated. Here, we explore the phylogeny and evolutionary history of the tribe, adopting an integrative approach that combines morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial COI and nuclear CAD and 28S). Moreover, we propose a new key for species identification and update the knowledge on adult and larval ecology. Finally, we propose the following explanation for the current distribution of the species. The genus originated in the Miocene, with S. lowei belonging to the oldest lineage. The remaining species share a common ancestor, dating to the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Stenostoma melitense and S. cossyrense are well differentiated according to morphology, but not according to molecular analysis. The wide distribution of S. rostratum might be related to its strategy of laying eggs within beached driftwood, where larvae develop, easily transported by the currents. Given that neither morphological nor molecular differentiation was detected between the two subspecies of S. rostratum , we propose the new synonymy Stenostoma rostratum septentrionale Švihla, 2005  =  Stenostoma rostratum (Fabricius, 1787) syn. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA barcoding and morphological characters together with thorough bioecological investigations to diagnose field bean pod borer, Adisura atkinsoni Moore, 1881 an important pest was carried out. A. atkinsoni has a limited host range. The incidence of Adisura was higher on local varieties (photo sensitive) compared to HA4 hybrid (photo-insensitive). The field bean pod borer appeared during middle of October and continue to March. The undefined taxa were identified using both female and male genitalia. But since they could be differentiated from their morphologically closest relative, they were marked as sensu lato. While doing BLAST analysis, the mitochondrial COI Sequence of Adisura specimens collected from Bengaluru showed similarity to A. bella. In the phylogenetic tree, these two samples Sp1 and Sp2 separate new sub-clade which stands separately from the rest of the Adisura species. It was identified that the lepidopteran samples collected from Bengaluru are Adisura and the DNA sequences did not match with any of the existing species of Adisura. The shift in this pest's prevalence has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horologion Valentine, one of the rarest and most enigmatic carabid beetle genera in the world, was until now known only from the holotype of Horologion speokoites Valentine, discovered in 1931 in a small cave in West Virginia. A single specimen of a new species from Virginia was collected in 1991, but overlooked until 2018. DNA sequence data from specimens of this new species, Horologion hubbardi sp. nov., collected in 2022 and 2023, as well as a critical examination of the external morphology of both species, allow us to confidently place Horologion in the supertribe Trechitae, within a clade containing Bembidarenini and Trechini. A more specific placement as sister to the Gondwanan Bembidarenini is supported by DNA sequence data. Previous hypotheses placing Horologion in or near the tribes Anillini, Tachyini, Trechini, Patrobini, and Psydrini are rejected. The existence of two species of Horologion on opposite sides of the high mountains of the middle Appalachians suggests that these mountains are where the ancestral Horologion populations dispersed from, and predicts the discovery of additional populations and species. All specimens of H. hubbardi were collected in or near drip pools, and most were found dead, suggesting that the terrestrial epikarst, rather than caves, is the true habitat of Horologion, which explains their extreme rarity since epikarst has not been directly sampled. We recognize the tribe Horologionini, a relict lineage without any close relatives known in the Northern Hemisphere, and an important part of Appalachian biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crypthecodinium cohnii strains can accumulate significant amounts of lipids with a high fraction of docosahexaenoic acid that is used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In this study, macroalgal hydrolysate was used as a low-cost carbon source for the growth of the oleaginous strain Crypthecodinium sp. AL–05 to reduce the cost of its growth and lipid production. The Saudi strain was placed in the genus Crypthecodinium with high statistical support based on the sequences of three concatenated genes (SSU, ITS, and LSU rDNA). Crypthecodinium sp. AL-05 was grown on four different glucose concentrations and three different macroalgal hydrolysate concentrations: 20, 40, and 80 g l−1. We also used the same concentrations of macroalgal hydrolysate with 10 g l−1 of four carbon sources: acetic acid, glycerol, glucose, and sugarcane molasses. Glucose (40 g l−1) gave the best results, followed by 80 g l−1 macroalgae alone and with glucose or molasses. One-way ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni correction post-hoc test showed that the dry weight of Crypthecodinium sp. AL–05 produced using the following carbon sources: the four concentrations of the pure glucose, 80 g l−1 macroalgae alone, 40 and 80 g l−1 macroalgae + glucose, 40 and 80 g l1 macroalgae + molasses were significantly higher than the other 10 carbon sources tested. Three carbon sources (20 g l−1 macroalgae with glucose, molasses and acetic acid) produced percentages of lipids that were significantly lower than the other 16 carbon sources. For the first time, our research shows that the dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium AL–05 can be successfully grown on macroalgal hydrolysate, which can be used in industrial processes. Importantly, Crypthecodinium sp. AL–05 grown on 80 g l−1 macroalgae produced only saturated fatty acids, of which caprylic acid represented 43.45 % of the total fatty acids. Caprylic acid is widely used in industry and pharmaceuticals and the Saudi isolate can be used for its commercial production using macroalgae as a carbon source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kgaria is described as a new porphyrellus-like genus of Boletaceae to accommodate Tylopilus cyanogranulifer, a dark brown to dull lilac/violet, or rarely, nearly black bolete with a series of oxidation reactions progressing from blue to red then nearly black and a dark brown spore deposit. Idiosyncratic blue-green pigment encrustations (cyanogranules) and a similarly colored reaction of the hyphae located on pileus and stipe surfaces are also diagnostic. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear large-subunit rDNA (nrLSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef-1), and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) infer Kgaria as a unique generic lineage with two species, one of which is newly described (K. similis). Tylopilus olivaceoporus, originally described at the same time and as distinct from T. cyanogranulifer, appears to be conspecific with the latter. Some darkly pigmented taxa with similar oxidation reactions that were recently described from Brazil, Guyana, and China are further supported by morphology and molecular data as discrete lineages in separate genera in subfamily Boletoideae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Skinks comprise the dominant component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge of their diversity is incomplete, and their conservation needs are poorly understood. Aims: To explore the diversity and threat status of the skinks of ONGEW and identify knowledge gaps and conservation needs. Methods: We compiled a list of all skink species occurring in the region and their threat categories designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We used available genetic sequences deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's GenBank to generate a phylogeny of the region's skinks. We then assessed their diversity within geographical sub-divisions and compared to other reptile taxa in the region. Key results: Approximately 300 species of skinks occur in ONGEW, making it the second largest global hotspot of skink diversity following Australia. Many phylogenetic relationships remain unresolved, and many species and genera are in need of taxonomic revision. One in five species are threatened with extinction, a higher proportion than almost all reptile families in the region. Conclusions: ONGEW contain a large proportion of global skink diversity on <1% of the Earth's landmass. Many are endemic and face risks such as habitat loss and invasive predators. Yet, little is known about them, and many species require taxonomic revision and threat level re-assessment. Implications. The skinks of ONGEW are a diverse yet underexplored group of terrestrial vertebrates, with many species likely facing extreme risks in the near future. Further research is needed to understand the threats they face and how to protect them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Tamarix comprises trees and shrubs that grow mainly in saline habitats. Previous phylogenetic analyses have shown incongruence between different gene trees, which suggest that hybridization processes might have been present in the past. However, the complex pattern of colonization of the Western Mediterranean region has yet to be understood, and no dated phylogeny that reconciles the different gene trees is currently available. The objectives of the study are: (i) to reconstruct the first dated species tree of the genus Tamarix from previously published data, (ii) to evaluate the occurrence of past hybridization, and (iii) to discuss biogeographical implications, mainly focused on the Mediterranean Basin. Our results show that the separation between Tamarix and Myricaria occurred 28.49 Mya, and the crown age of the genus Tamarix is dated at 16.65 Mya. Past hybridization processes might be present in three species: Tamarix amplexicaulis , Tamarix canariensis , and Tamarix minoa. Various colonization events are probable in the Western Mediterranean: a first colonization in the Early Miocene, Tamarix africana during the Late Miocene, and Tamarix boveana and Tamarix gallica during the Pleistocene. In addition, the genus Tamarix migrated to south-western Africa around 5.8 Mya, probably through an ancient arid African corridor, or a long-distance dispersal event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the results of molecular phylogenetics, this paper attempts to explain the migration of mainly terrestrial animals between continents and islands by land bridges. The possibility of the existence of the land bridges are based on the sea-level rise curve since the end of the Jurassic period, which is inferred from deep-sea drilling and the deposition mechanism of stratigraphic formation, and is derived from the considerably low sea-level position in the past. Organisms inhabit and extend their ranges within those natural environments. The migration of terrestrial animals and segregation of their distribution should be based on this idea. Based on this idea, this paper estimates the land bridges in the past crossed by terrestrial animals that existed on the ocean floor. These land bridges include the Scotia Arc from the Africa to Antarctica, the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge - the East Pacific Rise from New Zealand to South America, the Davie Ridge between Africa and Madagascar, the Carnegie Ridge from South America to the Galápagos Islands, and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge from Africa to South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Edulis Fungi is the property of Acta Edulis Fungi 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.)

Upogebia major (De Haan, 1841) is known for forming huge burrows in sandy, intertidal areas that can extend to depths of over 2 m. Despite its widespread distribution in East Asia and Russia, the genetic relatedness of its regional populations remains uncertain, likely owing to difficulties in specimen collection. Therefore, to appraise the phylogeographic patterns, genetic diversity, and morphological variety of U. major, the mitochondrial DNA of specimens collected from Japan, Korea and China were subjected to molecular phylogenetic analyses of COI genes, alongside morphological assessment. As a result, we discovered four principal groups; of these, Group 1 consisted predominantly of Japanese specimens, while Groups 3 and 4 were interpreted as having originated from the continent. Group 2 exhibited genetic segregation from both continental and Japanese descent. Group 1 mostly comprising Japanese specimens implies that the planktonic larvae of U. major were disseminated north and south by ocean currents encompassing the Japanese archipelago. In contrast, individuals probably originating from the continent were discovered in Lake Notoro, Hokkaido and Matsukawa-ura, Fukushima in northeastern Japan, indicating possible introduction from the continent through ocean currents or unintentional introduction with other organisms imported. Additionally, one of the specimens collected from Matsukawa-ura exhibited significant genetic and morphological differences from other specimens, suggesting the possibility of being a subspecies. The outcomes of this study not only offer valuable insights into the origins of distribution of U. major but also introduce a novel challenge of assessing the coexistence of two routes: natural and anthropogenic dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mazus motuoensis W.B.Ju, Bo Xu bis & X.F.Gao is a newly described species found in Xizang Autonomous Region, China. Morphologically, this species differs from all the other known Mazus species by having erect perennial herb form with a rhizome, presence of multicellular hairs, without basal leaves, opposite arrangement of stem leaves, and corolla lobes with erose-toothed margins. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear and cpDNA genes suggests that this new species occupies a basal position within Mazus. In conclusion, both morphological evidence and molecular phylogenetic analyses support that this species belongs to Mazus and represents an as-yet-unreported new species with distinct differences from other species within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transfer of DNA among distantly related organisms is relatively common in bacteria but less prevalent in eukaryotes. Among fungi and plants, few of these events have been reported. Two segments of fungal mitochondrial DNA have been recently discovered in the mitogenome of orchids. Here, we build on that work to understand the timing of those transfer events, which orchids retain the fungal DNA and the fate of the foreign DNA during orchid evolution. We update the content of the large DNA fragment and establish that it was transferred to the most recent common ancestor of a highly diverse clade of epidendroid orchids that lived ~28–43 Mya. Also, we present hypotheses of the origin of the small transferred fragment. Our findings deepen the knowledge of these interesting DNA transfers among organelles and we formulate a probable mechanism for these horizontal gene transfer events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana is a small riverine minnow endemic to North American fresh waters. Its range extends from the southern USA to southcentral Canada; the latter includes a rare lacustrine population in Lake Erie. Anthropogenic activities pose an immediate threat to several Silver Chub populations, currently categorized from special concern to threatened at the state level in the USA and federally and provincially not‐at‐risk to endangered in Canada. Several studies have examined the anthropogenic causes for the decline of Silver Chub populations, but conservation efforts have been hindered by the lack of knowledge of the population genetics of this species. Methods: Here, we provide an assessment of the genetic diversity of Silver Chub populations across the USA and Canada using a fast‐evolving mitochondrial gene, with particular focus on the Lake Erie population. Result: We found the Lake Erie population to be divergent from all other populations, with nearly all the haplotypes sampled there being private. Conclusion: Our study provides genetic evidence that the Silver Chub population in Lake Erie could be considered a separate conservation unit. Impact statementLake Erie supports more than 11 million residents and ~ USD $50 billion industries, but pollution and associated algal blooms have damaged this ecosystem and put many species, like Silver Chub, at risk. This study determined that Lake Erie Silver Chub is genetically distinct from all other populations, which will help guide conservation efforts in restoring this natural resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2022 outbreak of the mpox virus (previously monkeypox virus, MPXV) in non-epidemic regions has created a global issue. The emergence of MPXV was first reported in Europe, which was described as the MPXV epicenter, however, no reports are available to illustrate its outbreak patterns in Europe. Methods: The study used numerous in silico and statistical methods to analyze hMPXV1 in European countries. Here, we used different bioinformatics servers and software to evaluate the spread of hMPXV1 in European countries. For analysis, we use various advanced servers like Nextstrain, Taxonium, MpoxSpectrum, etc. Similarly, for the statistical model, we used PAST software. Results: The phylogenetic tree was depicted to illustrate the origin and evolution of hMPXV1 using vas number of genome sequences (n = 675). We found several sublineages in Europe, indicating microevolution. The scatter plot reveals the clustering patterns of the newly developed lineages in Europe. We developed statistical models for the monthly total relative frequency counts of these sublineages. The epidemiology of MPX in Europe was examined in an attempt to capture the epidemiological pattern, total cases, and deaths. Our Study noted the highest number of cases was in Spain (7500 cases) and the second-highest in France (4114 cases). The third highest number of cases was in the UK (3730 cases), which was very similar to Germany (3677 cases). Finally, we noted the mutational landscape throughout European genomes. Significant mutations were observed at the nucleotide and protein levels. We identified several unique homoplastic mutations in Europe. Conclusion: This study reveals several essential aspects of the European outbreak. It might help to eradicate the virus in Europe, assist in strategy formation to fight against the virus, and support working against the next public health emergency in Europe.

AbstractPhoxinus sedelnikowi is a Central Asian representative of the genus Phoxinus, occurring in the tributaries of Lake Zaisan at the southern foot of the Altai Mountains. Its systematic position has so far been unclear. It was considered a subspecies of Rhynchocypris czekanowskii, R. lagowskii and P. phoxinus. Here, we sequenced the cytochrome b gene and ATP-ase subunits 6 and 8 of representatives of P. sedelnikowi and two populations of P. phoxinus (including the topotypical population) and R. czekanowskii, R. lagowskii, and R. percnurus. We also performed an analysis of the shapes of the seven bones of the skull of all six forms examined and then performed a phylogenetic interpretation of the obtained results. Both P. sedelnikowi and Phoxinus sp. from the Solonovka population appeared to be separate from P. phoxinus from the topotypical population by Cytb: 0.11 and ATP: 0.13 distance. Therefore, they may be considered as independent species within the genus Phoxinus. We found the generic level genetic distance between Phoxinus and Rhynchocypris (Cytb: 0.24 and ATP: 0.68), which thus confirmed their independence. Genetic analyses revealed that one of the studied individuals of R. lagowskii shares the ATP haplotype with R. czekanowskii. The Cytb haplotype of this individual is also closest to that of R. czekanowskii, indicating an introgression between these forms and questioning their species status. The UPGMA and MP analysis of the selected osteological features confirmed the differentiation between Phoxinus and Rhynchocypris on the generic level. The results at lower taxonomic levels are not consistent with the identified genetic diversity, suggesting that osteological features may not be sufficient to distinguish forms at the intra-generic level.

Despite being the most widespread blister beetle subfamily, Nemognathinae is unfairly understudied in China. In this study, a new genus and species, Sinostenoria yangi Pan, from northern China is described and illustrated. The antennae, elytra, hind wings, and claws of the new genus form a truly unique set of characteristics never observed in other genera of Nemognathini Laporte de Castelnau, 1840. Three species from China are newly recorded and illustrated: Megatrachelus sibiricus (Tauscher, 1812), Zonitomorpha dollei (Fairmaire 1889), and Stenodera djakonovi Aksentjev, 1978. The genus Oreomeloe Tan, 1981, is transferred from the tribe Meloini Gyllenhal, 1910, to Nemognathini based on an examination of the types. Aiming to test the morphology-based placement of the new genus, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses using two mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and three nuclear markers (28S, CAD, ITS2). The results confirm our tribal assignment of the new genus and support a clade that consists of Sinostenoriagen. n., Longizonitis Pan and Bologna, 2018, Stenoria cf. grandiceps, and Ctenopus cf. persicus.

The elucidation of mechanisms responsible for the reproductive isolation of species is a fundamental part of speciation research. South American poeciliid fishes in the genus Phalloceros represent a promising system in which to study the evolution of reproductive barriers between closely related species. Phalloceros are often found in sympatry with non-sister congeners, and most such species pairs have morphologically divergent female and male genitalia. In recent studies, it has been hypothesized that mismatched genitalia between co-occurring Phalloceros species might act as mechanical barriers to prevent hybridization and might help to explain the diversification of this group. However, this idea has not yet been evaluated empirically with genetic data. Here, we tested this hypothesis using morphological data in conjunction with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Our study focused on Phalloceros anisophallos and Phalloceros leptokeras , two non-sister species that have mismatched genitalia and that occur together in at least four rivers in south-eastern Brazil. Despite the prevalence of hybridization between closely related non-sister species of animals, especially fish, our phylogenetically-based results detected no evidence of mitonuclear discordance and (hence historical hybridization) between the two focal species. Our findings are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that mismatched genitalia prevent hybridization between sympatric species of Phalloceros fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early-branching clades of Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae are characterized by their remarkable lability in floral architecture. In contrast, more derived papilionoid lineages are marked by evolutionary conservatism towards strongly bilateral, papilionate flowers. Here, we show an unexpected example of conservatism of a unique floral architecture during the early diversification history of the papilionoids. We built the most comprehensively sampled molecular phylogenetic tree with a focus on the early-diverging papilionoid Dipterygeae clade to evaluate conservatism of the winged papilionate architecture and associated traits related to flower specialization (e.g. zygomorphy, petal differentiation, stable stamen number and stamen sheath). Dipterygeae comprise c. 22 species of mostly giant trees from across tropical forests in Central America and the Amazon, but they are also ecologically dominant in the savannas of the Brazilian Central Plateau. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal ITS/5.8S and plastid matK and trnL intron sequences strongly supported inter-relationships and the monophyly of each genus (Dipteryx , Monopteryx , Pterodon and Taralea). Bayesian relaxed-clock dating and a Bayesian model of ancestral character estimation revealed c. 30 Myr of conservatism of all winged papilionate-related flower traits in a clade comprising the most recent common ancestor of Dipteryx , Pterodon and Taralea , but lability in fruit morphology during the diversification of the entire Dipterygeae clade. Despite Monopteryx and remaining Dipterygeae being florally discrepant, they are collectively defined by a floral synapomorphy that is unique among all papilionoid Fabaceae: the highly differentiated calyx, where the two upper lobes are enlarged and wing-like, whereas the other three lower lobes are reduced. We suggest that the different dispersal strategies and the ancient winged papilionate floral conservatism in Dipterygeae, which has maintained effective ecological interactions with specialized pollinators and ensured the protection of young flower buds and developing fruits, may explain successful evolutionary and ecological persistence of the clade across the main Neotropical biomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During an investigation of a natural sandy beach on Jeju Island, South Korea, a species of marine nematode belonging to the rare genus Manunema was discovered and is now being reported. Up until now, no molecular sequences of this genus have been available, and its position within the nematode system has been a subject of dispute. Currently, Manunema is classified within the order Plectida, either as the only genus of the family Peresianidae in the superfamily Haliplectoidea or directly as a genus of the family Leptolaimidae. Here, we report on the discovery of Manunema cf. proboscidis Gerlach, 1957, which was found off Jeju Island, South Korea. We also conduct an in-depth investigation of its peculiar morphology, with a particular focus on the reproductive system type observed within the species. Additionally, we examine the phylogenetic relationship of the genus using 18S rRNA sequences. Partial mtCOI, nearly complete sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene as well as a partial 28S (D2–D3 region) gene are provided. Morphologically, the presence of tubular precloacal supplements (shared by superfamily Leptolaimoidea and not Haliplectoidea) and antidromously reflected ovaries of females in Manunema (shared by the order Plectida and not Desmoscolecida) may have taxonomic significance. Our phylogenetic trees based on 18S rRNA also reflected this, including Manunema in a well-supported monophyletic clade of the family Leptolaimidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black corals (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) are an anthozoan lineage in the class Hexacorallia that occur across a wide range of habitats from the tropics to the poles and from surface waters to depths deeper than 8000 m. A new species of black coral, Aphanipathes puertoricoensis sp. nov., collected with a remotely operated vehicle 357 m deep off Puerto Rico is recognized in the family Aphanipathidae. The new species is characterized by very long and loosely coiled primary branches and up to 0.5 mm tall spines with as many as 40 or more small conical tubercles. A phylogeny composed of 13 taxa that are closely related to the new species was reconstructed from 793 nuclear loci to show their systematic relationships. Our study integrated morphological and genomic data to show that this new species is distinct from other species in the genus Aphanipathes. Furthermore, our results add to the growing knowledge of black coral diversity, while further demonstrating the need for exploration in deep waters of the Caribbean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Late Cenozoic flourishing of polar marine ecosystems, just when temperatures were reaching their lowest levels, has always seemed anomalous. Such an observation is coupled with an increasing volume of molecular phylogenetic evidence to indicate that some polar taxa radiated at exceptionally high evolutionary rates. The canonical latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) may not be underpinned by a parallel gradient in evolutionary rates. This study provides a review of this critical question. Location: A variety of polar – tropical comparisons are made, with some emphasis on the Southern Ocean. Taxa: Both marine and terrestrial taxa are used, with some emphasis on marine Mollusca. Methods: High – low latitude comparisons of evolutionary rates over the last 66 Myr are made using two approaches: rates derived from molecular phylogenies, and rates derived from the fossil record. For the former of these data are taken from various marine and terrestrial taxa, and for the latter use is made of the excellent fossil record of marine Mollusca. Results: For approximately the first half of the Cenozoic era (i.e., 66 Ma onwards) there is strong palaeontological evidence to suggest that the global LDG developed in a conventional way, with higher rates of origination in the tropics than at the poles. However, there then appears to have been a marked change in the latter half of the Cenozoic when origination rates increased in the high‐latitude and polar regions. The modern latitudinal diversity gradient may be a fossil feature that formed in the Early Cenozoic. Main Conclusions: As the extra‐tropical regions expanded through the Cenozoic they provided increasingly more ecological opportunities for a wide variety of marine and terrestrial taxa. Substantially lower temperatures in the polar regions were clearly not an obstacle to spectacular evolutionary radiations such as that based on the krill ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molecular phylogenetic investigation was undertaken for 30 species belonging to 15 genera of the palm family Arecaceae in Bangladesh to infer evolutionary relationships and molecular dating utilizing plastid-based matK and rbcL genes through multifacetedalgorithm driven approaches with Neighbor-Joining, Maximum-Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference methods. The study revealed that matK has better species discrimination efficiency than rbcL gene due to its highly variable nature. Transition/transversion bias test corroborated this finding as matK showed higher bias (2.632) than rbcL (2.235). Nucleotide substitution patterns were visualized via HYPERMUT program, which unveiled higher variability in matK and lower variability in rbcL alignment. Phylogenetic trees constructed with matK revealed monophyletic nature of origin for all the three subfamilies, viz. Arecoideae, Coryphoideae and Calamoideae, while rbcL trees exhibited polyphyly for Coryphoideae and monophyly for Arecoideae and Calamoideae. All the nine tribes belonging to three subfamilies demonstrated monophyletic nature in matK trees. Bootstrap support and Bayesian posterior probability were found to be higher in matK topologies than that of rbcL. The molecular clock test unraveled an equal evolutionary rate for matK and unequal rate for rbcL sequences. Molecular dating approach unveiled Calamoideae to be the most ancient subfamily (65.75 MYA) among the three subfamilies that originated during the Late Cretaceous period in the Mesozoic era, whereas Coryphoideae and Arecoideae were found to have originated in the Cenozoic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distimake vitifolius comb. nov. (Convolvulaceae), currently treated as Camonea vitifolia , is a common and widespread species in South-East Asia. A recent study on the re-delimitation of the genus Merremia classified its species into six genera. The results of molecular phylogenetic analyses and the presence of hexazonocolpate pollen informed the transfer of Merremia vitifolia to Camonea. We present new molecular, morphological and palynological data and reinterpret previous results, demonstrating that the species should be classified in Distimake instead, reflecting the phylogenetic relationships of the species. Thus, the occurrence of hexazonocolpate pollen in both Distimake and Camonea is found to be the result of the convergent evolution of this apertural pattern in 'Merremieae', with implications for pollen evolution studies in the family. We formally transfer Camonea vitifolia to Distimake and present this reclassification as an example of the relevance of reciprocal reinterpretation of different sources of evidence in systematic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]