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In the vast abyssal plains northwest of Iceland, white glass sponges of the genus Caulophacus Schulze, 1886 were inhabited by reddish Bythocaris G.O. Sars, 1870 shrimps and pinkish amphipods. After in situ observations at 3700 m depth, in -1°C waters by a remotely operated vehicle, members of this assemblage were collected and preserved for molecular studies. Based on integrative taxonomic analyses, the amphipods were identified as a new species of the genus Halirages Boeck, 1871 – Halirages spongiae sp. nov. Lörz, Nack & Tandberg –, as described in detail below. Part of our integrative approach was to establish reference DNA barcodes for known species of Halirages. However, our investigation of material of Calliopiidae G.O. Sars, 1895 collected around Iceland and Norway revealed slight morphological discrepancies in all the described species of Halirages. Except for Halirages fulvocinctus (M. Sars, 1858), none of the encountered specimens of Calliopiidae fully matched a current species description. We illuminate the morphological characteristics of nine operational taxonomic units, which also represented clades in COI and 28S. We set the Icelandic samples in the context of Halirages from Canada and Norway. A key to the world species of Halirages is provided.
Within the well-studied Palearctic entomofauna, it is often assumed that the discovery of new species is limited to resolving cryptic species complexes within dark taxa. Herein, we describe a highly distinctive species of Aphanogmus Thomson, 1858 (Hymenoptera: Ceraphronidae) from Germany and provide a COI barcoding sequence for the new species. We present a 3D reconstruction of the holotype based on micro-CT to serve as a cybertype. The females of Aphanogmus kretschmanni Moser sp. nov. are diagnosed by two rows of prominent spines on the ventral edge of the 7th metasomal sternite, a character set that has not previously been found in Hymenoptera. We analyse the functional morphology of the ovipositor mechanism and discuss hypotheses regarding the functional implications of the unique modification of the 7th metasomal sternite. Possible host associations are reviewed and the taxonomic placement of the new species is discussed.
North-western Africa has a large Andrena fauna, but parts of the country away from coastal areas remain poorly studied, and confusion persists as to the identity of certain taxa due to the long history of study combined with imperfectly examined type material. New fieldwork, genetic barcoding, and study of museum material has substantially improved our understanding of this region. Eleven new species are described: A. (Aciandrena) bendai sp. nov., A. (Aciandrena) ifranensis sp. nov., A. (Euandrena) berberica sp. nov., A. (Hoplandrena) darha sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) anammas sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) gemina sp. nov., A. (Micrandrena) tinctoria sp. nov., and A. (incertae sedis) muelleri sp. nov., all from Morocco, and A. (Aciandrena) quieta sp. nov., A. (Euandrena) abscondita sp. nov., and A. (Taeniandrena) prazi sp. nov. from Morocco and Tunisia. Andrena (Aciandrena) nitidilabris Pérez, 1895 was misdiagnosed, and is actually the senior synonym of A. (Graecandrena) montarca parva Warncke, 1974 syn. nov. Andrena (Aciandrena) pisantyi sp. nov. is described from Algeria, Tunisia, and Israel, conforming to A. nitidilabris auctorum sensu Warncke. Andrena (Graecandrena) andina Warncke, 1974 stat. nov. and A. (Micrandrena) heliaca Warncke, 1974 stat. nov. are elevated from sub species to species status. Lectotypes are designated for A. (Melanapis) ephippium Spinola, 1838,
A. (Melanapis) rutila Spinola, 1838, A. (Simandrena) rhypara Pérez, 1903, and A. (Suandrena) savignyi Spinola, 1838. Neotypes are designated for A. (Melandrena) soror Dours, 1872 and A. (Notandrena) nigroviridula Dours, 1873. The female of A. (Aciandrena) triangulivalvis Wood, 2020 is described. The following seven additional synonymies are reported (senior name first): A. (Chrysandrena) testaceipes Saunders, 1908 = A. (Chrysandrena) rubricorpora Wood, 2021 syn. nov., A. (incertae sedis) maidaqi Scheuchl & Gusenleitner, 2007 = A. (Carandrena) hoggara Wood, 2021 syn. nov., A. (Lepidandrena) tuberculifera Pérez, 1895 = A. (Poecilandrena) nigriclypeus Wood, 2020 syn. nov., A. (Notandrena) albohirta Saunders, 1908 = A. (Notandrena) eddaensis Gusenleitner, 1998 syn. nov., A. (Notandrena) microthorax Pérez, 1895 = A. (Notandrena) nigrocyanea Saunders, 1908 syn. nov., A. (Simandrena) rhypara = A. (Simandrena) palumba Warncke, 1974 syn. nov., and A. (Taeniandrena) poupillieri Dours, 1872 = A. (Taeniandrena) lecerfi Benoist, 1961 syn. nov. Andrena (Notandrena) viridiaenea Pérez, 1903 is returned to synonymy with A. nigroviridula. Relative to the 2020 baseline, 16 Andrena species are newly recorded for Morocco, and six species are removed from the faunal list. These revisions bring the total number of Andrena species known from Morocco to 202 with 25 endemic species, making it one of the hotspots for Andrena diversity globally.
Despite several decades of active research, there are still substantial gaps in the knowledge of parasitoid wasps in Australia, with many families and genera yet to be revised using modern approaches and only a fraction of the estimated fauna currently described. The genus Glyptapanteles Ashmead, 1904 is a member of the subfamily Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and all species in the subfamily are lepidopteran parasitoids. The genus previously contained only three species known from Australia: G. deliasa Austin & Dangerfield, 1992, G. drioplanetus Fagan-Jeffries & Austin, 2021 and G. mnesampela Austin, 2000. To undertake a revision of this morphologically-conserved group in Australia, we used a combination of molecular (cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI) and wingless genes) and minimal morphological data to delimit and describe an additional 31 species: G. austini Fagan-Jeffries & Bird sp. nov. and the following 30 species all authored by Fagan-Jeffries, Bird & Austin: G. albigena sp. nov., G. andamookaensis sp. nov., G. arcanus sp. nov., G. aspersus sp. nov., G. austrinus sp. nov., G. baylessi sp. nov., G. bradfordae sp. nov., G. cooperi sp. nov., G. doreyi sp. nov., G. dowtoni sp. nov., G. eburneus sp. nov., G. erucadesolator sp. nov., G. ferrugineus sp. nov., G. foraminous sp. nov., G. goodwinnoakes sp. nov., G. guzikae sp. nov., G. harveyi sp. nov., G. kingae sp. nov., G. kittelae sp. nov., G. kurandaensis sp. nov., G. lambkinae sp. nov., G. lessardi sp. nov., G. mouldsi sp. nov., G. niveus sp. nov., G. rixi sp. nov., G. rodriguezae sp. nov., G. ruhri sp. nov., G. sanniopolus sp. nov., G. vergrandiacus sp. nov. and G. wrightae sp. nov. We provide a key to species groups and to the species able to be identified on morphological characters alone. Additionally, we provide a brief discussion of the difficulties in describing small, morphologically conserved wasps and the challenges associated with revising the taxonomy of hyperdiverse taxa in the context of the planned mission of Taxonomy Australia to accelerate the documentation of Australia’s biodiversity.
We describe a new troglophilic species of Filistata, F. betarif sp. nov. , collected from two caves in central Israel, by using light and electron microscopy and by DNA barcoding of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Sequences of this gene show more than 15% of divergence between the new species and its sibling, F. insidiatrix (Forsskål, 1775), which is widely distributed across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Notwithstanding, the two species are diagnosed only by a minor morphological detail in the embolic keel of the male pedipalp; females of both species are not diagnosable based only on morphology. We also find that samples of F. insidiatrix from different localities have large genetic divergence values (larger than 15% in some cases), but their pedipalps are identical in males; this suggests that F. insidiatrix might hide an additional cryptic diversity. We take this opportunity to provide a dichotomous key for identifying the crevice-weavers (Filistatidae) of Israel and Palestine.
Thai limestone karsts are known to contain a rich biodiversity of animals, especially terrestrial snails, but still require further intensive exploration to evaluate their biodiversity. To date, only a few studies on the limestone karst-inhabiting land snail genera have been published. The present work focuses on the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the limestone karst-restricted land snail genus Aenigmatoconcha from Thailand, based on comparative morphology and molecular evidence. The results yielded three known species (A. clivicola Tumpeesuwan & Tumpeesuwan, 2017, A. sumonthai Tumpeesuwan & Tumpeesuwan, 2018, and A. mitis (Pfeiffer, 1863) comb. nov.), plus a new species (A. eunetis Pholyotha & Panha sp. nov). The phylogenetic analyses of partial fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene confirmed the monophyly of all recognized species and congruence with the traditional morphology-based species designations. Average uncorrected p-distances of COI sequences between species were 9.7–12.0% and within species were 0.2–4.2%. This study also provides the re-description of penial sculpture, penial sheath, flagellum, penial caecum, and mantle lobe morphology that were neglected from the type species description. The present discovery of a new species increases the known diversity of Thai land snails and will support the conservation planning to protect karst biodiversity.
With six valid species, Luciobrotula is a small genus of the family Ophidiidae, commonly known as cusk-eels. They are benthopelagic fishes occurring at depths ranging from 115–2300 m in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Among them, Luciobrotula bartschi is the only known species in the West Pacific. Three specimens of Luciobrotula were collected from the Philippine Sea, Bismarck Sea, and Solomon Sea in the West Pacific during the AURORA, PAPUA NIUGINI, and MADEEP expeditions under the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program, and all of them were initially identified as L. bartschi. Subsequent examination with integrative taxonomy indicates that they belong to two distinct species, with the specimen collected from the Solomon Sea representing a new species, which is described here. In terms of morphology, Luciobrotula polylepis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having a relatively longer lateral line (end of the lateral line below the 33rd dorsal-fin ray) and fewer vertebrae (abdominal vertebrae 13, total vertebrae 50). In the inferred COI gene tree, the two western Pacific species of Luciobrotula do not form a monophyletic group. The genetic K2P distance between the two species is 13.8% on average at the COI locus.
The genus Onychelmis Hinton, 1941 was for a long time regarded as a small taxon with only three known species distributed in the Andes. A study of new material from Ecuador, using morphological and molecular data, has resulted in the discovery of five new species: Onychelmis lenkae sp. nov., O. lobata sp. nov., O. minor sp. nov., O. onorei sp. nov. and O. splendida sp. nov. We also revised the entire genus and redescribed the three known species, O. longicollis (Sharp, 1882), O. leleupi Delève, 1968 and O. whiteheadi Spangler & Santiago, 1991. Habitus photographs of adults are provided, together with line drawings of male and female genitalia, and schematic illustrations of the distribution of femoral tomentum for each species. DNA sequences for barcoding the COI mtDNA fragment were used to support species delimitation and to suggest possible relationships among species. The revision includes a key to adults of all species of Onychelmis and notes on the biogeography of the genus, with an updated distribution map.
Platystasius transversus (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is a rarely collected egg parasitoid of Leptura aurulenta Fabricius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Four female specimens were found in Germany, a new country record for the genus and species. Illustrations, DNA barcodes, and an updated distribution are provided. We review its taxonomic history, biology, and ecological associations.
We recognize and review 40 species of Chlamydastis Meyrick, 1916 (Lepidoptera: Depressariidae) from Costa Rica, including four previously described (i.e., C. vividella (Busck, 1914), revived status; C. phytoptera (Busck, 1914); C. orion Busck, 1920; and C. ungulifera (Meyrick, 1929)) and 36 new species: C. abelulatei Phillips and Brown, new species; C. carolinagodoyae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. angelsolisi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. lindapitkinae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. iangauldi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. anniapicadoae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. antonioazofeifai Phillips and Brown, new species; C. mignondavisae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. marianofigueresi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. colleenhitchcockae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. bernardoespinozai Phillips and Brown, new species; C. bobandersoni Phillips and Brown, new species; C. carlosviquezi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. christerhanssoni Phillips and Brown, new species; C. christhompsoni Phillips and Brown, new species; C. paulhansoni Phillips and Brown, new species; C. elenaulateae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. gladysrojasae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. powelli Phillips and Brown, new species; C. gracewoodae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. juanmatai Phillips and Brown, new species; C. isidrochaconi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. jimlewisi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. jimmilleri Phillips and Brown, new species; C. montywoodi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. johnnoyesi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. luisdiegogomezi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. paulthiaucourti Phillips and Brown, new species; C. dondavisi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. irenecanasae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. manuelzumbadoi Phillips and Brown, new species; C. noramartinae Phillips and Brown, new species; C. vitorbeckeri Phillips and Brown, new species; C. ronaldzunigai Phillips and Brown, new species; C. munifigueresae Phillips and Brown, new species; and C. willsflowersi Phillips and Brown, new species.COI nucleotide sequences (“DNA barcodes”) were obtained for 33 of the species, which helped associate males with females for sexually dimorphic species and revealed a few cryptic, presumably evolutionary siblings. We illustrate adults of all species, along with their male and female genitalia, where available.Nineteen species were reared from caterpillars, and their foodplants are listed. In Costa Rica, 15 species of Chlamydastis are recorded exclusively from Sapotaceae; one species each exclusively from Clethraceae, Vochysiaceae, Combretaceae, and Melastomataceae. Larvae are illustrated for 10 of the 36 new species, and superficial larval descriptions are provided based on photographs and notes. Of the 40 species of Chlamydastis reported from Costa Rica, 32 have been light-collected or reared from Área de Conservación Guanacaste.
Background: The angiosperm family Bromeliaceae comprises over 3.500 species characterized by exceptionally high morphological and ecological diversity, but a very low genetic variation. In many genera, plants are vegetatively very similar which makes determination of non flowering bromeliads difficult. This is particularly problematic with living collections where plants are often cultivated over decades without flowering. DNA barcoding is therefore a very promising approach to provide reliable and convenient assistance in species determination. However, the observed low genetic variation of canonical barcoding markers in bromeliads causes problems.
Result. In this study the low-copy nuclear gene Agt1 is identified as a novel DNA barcoding marker suitable for molecular identification of closely related bromeliad species. Combining a comparatively slowly evolving exon sequence with an adjacent, genetically highly variable intron, correctly matching MegaBLAST based species identification rate was found to be approximately double the highest rate yet reported for bromeliads using other barcode markers.
Conclusion. In the present work, we characterize Agt1 as a novel plant DNA barcoding marker to be used for barcoding of bromeliads, a plant group with low genetic variation. Moreover, we provide a comprehensive marker sequence dataset for further use in the bromeliad research community.
Integrative taxonomy of the genus Dyscolus (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Platynini) in Ecuadorian Andes
(2020)
The genus Dyscolus Dejean, 1831 is a highly speciose taxon of neotropical Carabidae and the major component of high-altitude ground beetle communities in the tropical Andes. The aim of this study is threefold: (i) refine the taxonomic position of the equatorial members of Dyscolus using molecular data, (ii) provide a delimitation of the species found in Ecuador in páramo and montane forest environments based on a robust combination of molecular and morphological data, (iii) describe the new species and take the nomenclatural decisions made necessary by the results of this study. The seclusion of Dyscolus from more basal platynine clades including Platynus, Batenus and Glyptolenus, is supported by a phylogenetic analysis of the COI marker. Twenty-five new species of Dyscolus, most of them microendemic, are described and illustrated: D. aquator Moret sp. nov. (Tandayapa, Pichincha), D. arauzae Moret sp. nov. (Mt Cayambe, Pichincha), D. arborarius Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Yacuri, Loja), D. barragani Moret sp. nov. (Mt Ayapungu, Chimborazo), D. crespoae Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Zamora-Chinchipe), D. danglesi Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Yacuri, Loja), D. donosoi Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Zamora-Chinchipe), D. eleonorae Moret sp. nov. (Cotopaxi and Pichincha provinces), D. famelicus Moret sp. nov. (Papallacta, Napo), D. giselae Moret sp. nov. (Reserva Otonga, Cotopaxi), D. globoculus Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Zamora-Chinchipe), D. gobbii Moret sp. nov. (Guamaní and Mt Antisana, Pichincha), D. incommunis Moret sp. nov. (Tandayapa, Pichincha), D. marini Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Loja), D. piscator Moret sp. nov. (Guamaní, Napo), D. placitus Moret sp. nov. (Guamaní, Napo), D. ravidus Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Loja), D. rivinus Moret sp. nov. (Reserva Otonga, Cotopaxi), D. rugitarsis Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Yacuri, Loja), D. ruizi Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Loja and Zamora), D. salazarae Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Podocarpus, Loja), D. silvestris Moret sp. nov. (Papallacta, Napo), D. sulcipedis Moret sp. nov. (Parque Nacional Yacuri, Loja), D. verecundior Moret sp. nov. (Mt Illiniza and Mt Corazón, Pichincha) and D. verecundissimus Moret sp. nov. (Mt Chimborazo, Chimborazo). Dyscolus palatus Moret, 1998 is newly synonymized with D. denigratus (Bates, 1891). We demonstrate the subgenus Hydrodyscolus Moret, 1996 to be polyphyletic and therefore consider it a junior synonym of Dyscolus Dejean, 1831.
The flower fly genus Afrosyrphus Curran, 1927 (Diptera, Syrphidae) is revised and a new species, Afrosyrphus schmuttereri sp. nov., from Kenya and Uganda is described. Diagnoses, illustrations, DNA barcodes and known distributional data are provided for the two species of this genus, as well as an identification key. A critical review of the published literature is also provided.
Two new species, Hyphessobrycon frickei Guimarães, Brito, Bragança, Katz & Ottoni sp. nov. and H. geryi Guimarães, Brito, Bragança, Katz & Ottoni sp. nov., are herein described, based on seven different and independent species delimitation methods, and on molecular and morphological characters, making the hypothesis of these new species supported from an integrative taxonomy perspective. They belong to the “Rosy tetra” clade, which is mainly characterized by the presence of a dark brown or black blotch on the dorsal fin and the absence of a midlateral stripe on the body. These two new species are distinguished from the other members of this clade mainly by the arrangement, shape and color pattern of humeral and dorsal-fin spots, as well as by other characters related to scale counts and body pigmentation. The placement of the new species within the “Rosy tetra” clade was based on the combination of morphological character states mentioned above and corroborated by a molecular phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1. In addition, a new clade (here termed Hyphessobrycon copelandi clade) within the “Rosy tetra” clade is proposed based on molecular data, comprising H. copelandi, H. frickei sp. nov., H. geryi sp. nov. and a still undescribed species. Our results corroborate the occurrence of hidden species within the “Rosy tetra” clade, as suggested by previous studies.
The genus Cotesia Cameron, 1891 is one of the most diverse of the Microgastrinae, a subfamily of wasps that are exclusively endoparasitic on lepidopteran larvae. Species of Cotesia are widely utilised as biological control agents across the world. In Australia, there are currently 10 confirmed native species as well as four species introduced for the management of lepidopteran pests. The genus is morphologically conserved and has not been studied in the Australasian region for many decades. In this study, we use both comparative morphology and sequence data from the COI gene to delineate species, and in so doing describe seven new species from Australia: C. lasallei sp. nov., C. medusae sp. nov., C. ocellata sp. nov., C. reidarum sp. nov., C. scripta sp. nov., C. tjapekki sp. nov. and C. wonboynensis sp. nov., raising the number of species of Cotesia formally recorded in Australia to 21. We also provide updated descriptions of the previously described native species, diagnoses for the introduced species and a key to all currently described species found on the continent and from Papua New Guinea. This study treats only a fraction of the likely diversity of Cotesia, but provides a solid framework for future work.
A taxonomic revision of the Australian species of Amobia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae: Miltogramminae) is completed using an integrated approach combining four molecular loci (three mitochondrial, COI, ND4 and CYTB; one nuclear, EF1α) and morphological data. A new species, Amobia (s. str.) serpenta sp. nov., endemic to Australia, is described, and Amobia auriceps (Baranov, 1935) and Amobia burnsi (Malloch, 1930) are re-described. Molecular data are used to reconstruct inter-specific and generic relationships and support morphological species hypotheses. Phylogenetic analysis places all three Australian Amobia species together with Amobia signata (Meigen, 1824) (a Palaearctic species) in a single clade sister to Senotainia Macquart, 1846 (in part), which is in agreement with previous phylogenetic studies of the Miltogramminae. In addition to the description of species and molecular phylogenetics, general host associations for the Australian species of Amobia are discussed and evidence for the synonymisation of A. pelopei (Rondani, 1859) and A. auriceps is refuted.
A new genus, Janzena (Erebidae), and 37 new species of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) are described from Florida as well as two species elevated from synonymy to species status. Bleptina biformata, Bleptina extincta, Bleptina flavivena, Bleptina verticalis, Lascoria coma, Janzena pyraliformis, Sigela sordes, Sigela minuta,Sigela incisa, Sigela subincisa, Sigela rosea, Sigela lynx, Dyspyralis ocala, Metalectra nigrior, Metalectra dixoni, Melipotis florida, Doryodes acta, Doryodes unica, Doryodes fulva, Toxonprucha killamae, Zale lafontainei,Zale vargoi, Zale clandestina, Athyrma fakahatchee, Antiblemma perva, Antiblemma carolae, Paectes hercules,Meganola georgei, Litoprosopus linea, Tripudia calusa, Catabenoides insularis, Neogalea caracara, Condica collaris, Homophoberia australis, Diastema leo, Pyreferra slotteni, and Leucania elephas are described as new. Hemeroplanis floccalis (Zeller), revived status, is raised to species status from the synonymy of Hemeroplanis scopulepes (Haworth),and Euscirrhopterus argentata (Druce), revived status, is raised to species status from the synonymy of Euscirrhopterus poeyi Grote. The genus Araeopteron Hampson is restricted to the Old World and Araeopteron vilhelmina (Dyar) is transferred to the genus Sigela Hulst, new combination. The barcode index number (BIN) is provided for each species, when available.
Arcola malloi (Pastrana, 1961) is a junior subjective synonym of Macrorrhinia endonephele (Hampson, 1918) syn. nov. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The species is a biological control agent introduced in United States and Australia to control alligatorweed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae). The synonymy is recognized by comparison of type specimens, genitalic dissections, and DNA COI barcoding. Vogtia Pastrana, 1961 syn. nov. and Arcola Shaffer, 1995 syn. nov. are synonymized with Macrorrhinia Ragonot, 1887. Macror-rhinia megajuxta (Neunzig and Goodson, 1992) comb. nov. is transferred from Ocala Hulst, 1892. Lectotypes are designated for Divitiaca ochrella Barnes and McDunnough, 1913, and Divitiaca simulella Barnes and Mc-Dunnough, 1913.
Records of Odonata from the southwest of Sri Aman Division and the extreme east of Serian Division in Sarawak are presented. The sampled areas are interesting not only because they are poorly known for Odonata but also because many are just to the south and west of the Lupar Line which is a division between the ancient Sunda shelf and more recent geological formations. Differences between the odonate faunas on either side of the Lupar Line are discussed. Eightyfive species of Odonata were recorded during the surveys reported on. The single most notable record is that of Coeliccia southwelli Dow & Reels, 2011, which represents a considerable extension to the known range of this species. Other interesting records include Telosticta dupophila (Lieftinck, 1933), T. species cf longigaster Dow & Orr, 2012, Podolestes parvus Dow & Ngiam, 2019 and Heliogomphus species cf olivaceous Lieftinck, 1961. Variation in the markings of Stenagrion dubium (Laidlaw, 1912) across its range is discussed and a gene tree using the COI marker is presented to illustrate the high variability of this species in this marker. However the variability in COI does not appear to be correlated with other characters.
Muscid species of the 'Spilogona contractifrons species-group' (Spilogona alticola (Malloch, 1920), S. arctica (Zetterstedt, 1838), S. contractifrons (Zetterstedt, 1838), S. orthosurstyla Xue & Tian, 1988) and of the 'Spilogona nitidicauda species-group' (S. nitidicauda (Schnabl, 1911), S. hissarensis Hennig, 1959, S. imitatrix (Malloch, 1921), S. platyfrons Sorokina, 2018) are notoriously difficult to distinguish. In this paper, their morphological features are analysed, images of the male head, frons and abdomen of all the species are given, and the male terminalia are figured. The study of extensive material has shown that all the morphologically recognised species in each of these groups are valid species. An identification key is provided for both groups of species. To confirm the morphological differences, genetic differences in the cytochrome oxidase I gene of flies of the 'Spilogona contractifrons speciesgroup' and of the 'Spilogona nitidicauda species-group' were analysed. It is shown that members of both groups of species have not only distinguishing morphological characters but also fixed substitutions in the DNA sequences. Since a low interspecific polymorphism is known in the Muscidae Latreille, 1802, the revealed genetic distances confirm the existence of separate species or subspecies in each of the groups studied.
The systematic position of Tonza Walker, 1864 is re-evaluated, based on the characteristics of immature stages and DNA barcodes. Larvae and pupae of Tonza citrorrhoa Meyrick, 1905 are described and illustrated for the first time. Larvae of this species form a loose web among the leaves and branches of the host plant, Putranjiva matsumurae Koidz. (Putranjivaceae Endl.). The immature stages of Tonza exhibit four unique apomorphies including: in the larva, the prolegs on A5 and A6 absent, and the seta L2 on the A1–A8 very small; in the pupa, four minute knobs are positioned in the middle portion on abdominal segments V and VI; while its caudal processes possess a W-shaped spine with numerous minute spines. These characteristics clearly distinguish Tonza from other yponomeutoid families and hence, we propose a new family group name, Tonzidae Kobayashi & Sohn fam. nov., for the genus Tonza. Existing DNA barcode data suggest a relationship with Glyphipterigidae Stainton, 1854. The family level status of Tonzidae fam. nov. provides a hypothesis that needs to be tested with larger molecular data.
Drepanosticta kosterini sp. nov. (holotype ♂, from Gunung Penrissen, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, deposited in RMNH) is described from both sexes. It is the sister species of D. actaeon Laidlaw, 1934; a fresh description of the male of D. actaeon and the first description of the female are given, along with discussion of variation in this species. Both D. actaeon and D. kosterini are considered to belong to a species group also including D. rufostigma (Selys, 1886) and a preliminary discussion of variation in this species is given, along with illustrations of both sexes. A neighbour joining COI gene tree for D. actaeon and D. kosterini is presented. The relationships of D. actaeon, D. kosterini and D. rufostigma to other members of the Platystictidae are briefly discussed.
Allopatric alpine populations of Phtheochroa frigidana s. lat. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) are reviewed. In addition to traditional diagnostic characters of external morphology, the genitalia structures of everted vesicae in male genitalia and DNA barcodes are analysed. This new approach supports the existence of five rather than two species in Europe: Phtheochroa schawerdae (Rebel, 1908) comb. nov. (Dinaric Mts, Rila Mts, Pirin Mts) = P. drenowskyi (Rebel, 1916) syn. nov.; P. alpinana sp. nov. (SW Alps); P. apenninana sp. nov. (Apennines); P. frigidana (Guenée, 1845) stat. rev. (Pyrenees) = P. flavidana (Guenée, 1845) = P. sulphurana (Guenée, 1845) = P. andorrana (Millière, 1865); P. cantabriana sp. nov. (Cantabrian Mts). In order to stabilize the nomenclature, a neotype for Eupoecilia frigidana is designated.
The genus Dasydorylas Skevington, 2001 is recorded from two provinces in Iran (Sistan-o Baluchestan and Kermanshah Provinces). Dasydorylas derafshani sp. nov. and D. zardouei sp. nov. are characterized morphologically by DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene. Eudorylas antennalis Kapoor, Grewal & Sharma, 1987 is transferred to Dasydorlyas (comb. nov.). An existing identification key to the males of the western Palaearctic species of Dasydorylas is complemented to include the newly described species.
While many programs are available to edit phylogenetic trees, associating pictures with branch tips in an efficient and automatic way is not an available option. Here, we present TreePics, a standalone software that uses a web browser to visualize phylogenetic trees in Newick format and that associates pictures (typically, pictures of the voucher specimens) to the tip of each branch. Pictures are visualized as thumbnails and can be enlarged by a mouse rollover. Further, several pictures are can be selected and displayed in a separate window for visual comparison. TreePics works either online or in a full standalone version, where it can display trees with several thousands of pictures (depending on the memory available). We argue that TreePics can be particularly useful in a preliminary stage of research, such as to quickly detect conflicts between a DNA-based phylogenetic tree and morphological variation, that may be due to contamination that needs to be removed prior to final analyses, or the presence of species complexes.
Tineobius (Tineobius) tamaricis Ribes & Fusu sp. nov. is newly described from Parapodia sinaica (Frauenfeld, 1859) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) galls from Catalonia in Spain. This is the first record of the so far Palaeotropical genus Tineobius Ashmead, 1896 in the Palaearctic region. Basic biological data and a DNA barcode are provided for the new species. Parapodia sinaica (the host of T. tamaricis sp. nov.) is reported for the first time to form galls on Tamarix canariensis (Willd). A checklist of described world Tineobius species is provided, with nine species formally transferred to Tineobius from Anastatoidea Gahan, 1927 and thirteen species newly assigned to T. (Tineobius). Metapelma seyrigi (Risbec, 1952) is transferred to Tineobius and the replacement name Tineobius (Tineobius) madagascariensis nom. nov. is proposed, as the name is preoccupied by Tineobius (Tineobius) seyrigi (Ferrière, 1938) comb. nov.; Tineobius (Tineobius) albopalpalis (Brues, 1907) comb. nov. is transferred from Charitopus Förster, 1856 (a genus in Encyrtidae). One species is transferred from Anastatoidea to Eupelmus Dalman, 1820 as Eupelmus (Episolindelia) ambatomangae (Risbec, 1958) comb. nov.
Acrodiscus Zanardini is a poorly known monotypic endemic Mediterranean genus based on A. vidovichii (Menegh.) Zanardini. Rarely reported, its reproductive structures have remained undocumented, leaving its exact taxonomic position uncertain. Solely on the basis of its vegetative structure, Zanardini provisionally placed it in the family Cryptonemiaceae of the order Cryptonemiales (currently the Halymeniaceae of the Halymeniales), although he was uncertain as to whether the new genus actually belonged to that family or should instead be included in the Gigartinaceae of the Gigartinales (where Meneghini had originally placed it). In the present study we have extensively sampled A. vidovichii and documented its vegetative and tetrasporangial features. As well, we provide molecularsequence data (COI-5P, rbcL, LSU) that indicate its phylogenetic affinities. We confirm Acrodiscus as a member of the Halymeniaceae and its status as an independent genus. Searches of several institutional herbaria have allowed us to locate and lectotypify Meneghini’s Chondrus? vidovichii by the discovery of his original material now held at the Herbarium Horti Pisani (Pisa, Italy).
Nine individuals of Apatidelia from Zhejiang Province, China were examined and their barcode sequences were generated and analyzed. A new species, A. morsei Xu & Sun sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The larva, male and female of A. acuminata Leng & Yang, 1998 and the male and female of A. morsei Xu & Sun sp. nov. are associated by mtCOI gene sequences. The male of A. acuminata Leng & Yang, 1998 is re-described and re-illustrated, and the female and the larva of the same species are also described and illustrated. Females and larvae of the genus are here reported for the first time.
We describe a new minute species of the genus Pristimantis, P. boucephalus sp. nov., from the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, Región Pasco, Peru. The description is based on a freshly collected male specimen found at 2950 m a.s.l. in a cloud forest and four previously unidentified museum specimens consisting of two adult males, one subadult female and a juvenile from the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park. The new species is mainly characterized by a snout–vent length of 13.4–14.5 mm in adult males (n = 3), and 12.5 mm in the only known subadult female, and is compared morphologically and genetically with other taxonomically and biogeographically relevant species of Pristimantis. The new species is characterized by its small size, disproportionally large head with short snout, absence of a tympanic annulus and membrane, and reddish-copper iris. Phylogenetically it belongs to a speciose clade, an as yet unnamed species group, comprising both montane (Andes, Guiana Shield) and lowland (Amazon) taxa from the northern part of South America. The new species is genetically close to the sympatric P. cruciocularis. Species of Pristimantis occurring in the Cordillera Yanachaga region in the Andes of central Peru are members of six divergent phylogenetic lineages.
We report here on the taxonomic and molecular diversity of 10 929 terrestrial arthropod specimens, collected on four islands of the Society Archipelago, French Polynesia. The survey was part of the ‘SymbioCode Project’ that aims to establish the Society Islands as a natural laboratory in which to investigate the flux of bacterial symbionts (e.g., Wolbachia) and other genetic material among branches of the arthropod tree. The sample includes an estimated 1127 species, of which 1098 included at least one DNA-barcoded specimen and 29 were identified to species level using morphological traits only. Species counts based on molecular data emphasize that some groups have been understudied in this region and deserve more focused taxonomic effort, notably Diptera, Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera. Some taxa that were also subjected to morphological scrutiny reveal a consistent match between DNA and morphology-based species boundaries in 90% of the cases, with a larger than expected genetic diversity in the remaining 10%. Many species from this sample are new to this region or are undescribed. Some are under description, but many await inspection by motivated experts, who can use the online images or request access to ethanol-stored specimens.
The Thyropygus opinatus subgroup (Diplopoda: Harpagophoridae) of the T. allevatus group in Thailand is revised. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequence data, it is merged with the T. bifurcus subgroup to form an extended T. opinatus subgroup. Nine new species are described: Thyropygus cimi sp. nov. and T. forceps sp. nov. from Nakhonsrithammarat Province, T. culter sp. nov., T. planispina sp. nov., T. undulatus sp. nov. and T. ursus sp. nov. from Krabi Province, T. mesocristatus sp. nov. from Songkhla Province, T. navychula sp. nov. from Phang-Nga Province and T. sutchariti sp. nov. from Phetchaburi Province.
This paper describes five new Ceratitis species from the eastern and southern parts of the Afrotropical Region: C. (Pterandrus) quilicii De Meyer, Mwatawala & Virgilio sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) pallidula De Meyer, Mwatawala & Virgilio sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) taitaensis De Meyer & Copeland sp. nov.; C. (Ceratalaspis) sawahilensis De Meyer & Virgilio sp. nov.; and C. (Ceratalaspis) flavipennata De Meyer & Virgilio sp. nov. Their relationships with closely allied species within their respective subgenera are discussed where appropriate, and diagnostic characters are given. DNA barcodes are provided for all new species. In addition, the hitherto unknown male of C. (Pardalaspis) serrata De Meyer, 1996 is described, based on material collected in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recognition of these new species and sexes is the result of an integrative approach using morphological characters and DNA data.
Two new species of Leptanilloides are described: L. copalinga Delsinne & Donoso sp. nov. and L. prometea Delsinne & Donoso sp. nov., based on workers collected in the leaf litter and soil of the Andes of southern Ecuador. Both species belong to the L. biconstricta species-group (formally diagnosed here). The metatibial gland, considered a synapomorphy for Dorylinae, is observed in L. prometea sp. nov. but seems absent in L. copalinga sp. nov. We provide a COI DNA barcode for both species and a revised key for the worker caste of all known species in the genus. We also describe a single male identified as a potential new Leptanilloides species on the basis of morphology. Furthermore, its mitochondrial COI gene sequence does not match any previously barcoded species. However, we refrain from giving it a specific name because of our lack of knowledge about the worker caste. So far, half of the 14 Leptanilloides species have been discovered above 1500 m in the mountain forests or páramos of the Ecuadorian Andes, confirming, if needed, the biological significance of these threatened habitats.
A new species of the eutroglobiont gastropod taxon Zospeum Bourguignat, 1856 is described. Zospeum tholussum sp. n. is characterized based on a population from the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave system (Velebit Mts., Croatia). A single living specimen occurred at 980 m depth. The species is morphologically related to Zospeum amoenum (Frauenfeld, 1856), but can be readily distinguished from the latter by the presence of a weak columellar fold and its dome-like structured 2nd whorl. DNA barcoding is capable to clearly delineate Zospeum tholussum from other Zospeum spp. as well.
BACKGROUND: Current biodiversity patterns are considered largely the result of past climatic and tectonic changes. In an integrative approach, we combine taxonomic and phylogenetic hypotheses to analyze temporal and geographic diversification of epigean (Carychium) and subterranean (Zospeum) evolutionary lineages in Carychiidae (Eupulmonata, Ellobioidea). We explicitly test three hypotheses: 1) morphospecies encompass unrecognized evolutionary lineages, 2) limited dispersal results in a close genetic relationship of geographical proximally distributed taxa and 3) major climatic and tectonic events had an impact on lineage diversification within Carychiidae.
RESULTS: Initial morphospecies assignments were investigated by different molecular delimitation approaches (threshold, ABGD, GMYC and SP). Despite a conservative delimitation strategy, carychiid morphospecies comprise a great number of unrecognized evolutionary lineages. We attribute this phenomenon to historic underestimation of morphological stasis and phenotypic variability amongst lineages. The first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for the Carychiidae (based on COI, 16S and H3) reveals Carychium and Zospeum to be reciprocally monophyletic. Geographical proximally distributed lineages are often closely related. The temporal diversification of Carychiidae is best described by a constant rate model of diversification. The evolution of Carychiidae is characterized by relatively few (long distance) colonization events. We find support for an Asian origin of Carychium. Zospeum may have arrived in Europe before extant members of Carychium. Distantly related Carychium clades inhabit a wide spectrum of the available bioclimatic niche and demonstrate considerable niche overlap.
CONCLUSIONS: Carychiid taxonomy is in dire need of revision. An inferred wide distribution and variable phenotype suggest underestimated diversity in Zospeum. Several Carychium morphospecies are results of past taxonomic lumping. By collecting populations at their type locality, molecular investigations are able to link historic morphospecies assignments to their respective evolutionary lineage. We propose that rare founder populations initially colonized a continent or cave system. Subsequent passive dispersal into adjacent areas led to in situ pan-continental or mountain range diversifications. Major environmental changes did not influence carychiid diversification. However, certain molecular delimitation methods indicated a recent decrease in diversification rate. We attribute this decrease to protracted speciation.