Discovery of Dichocrocisfrenatalis Lederer, 1863 (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Spilomelinae) in mangrove environments of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, and tribal placement of the genus.

The interaction between figs (Ficus, Moraceae) and fig-pollinating wasps (Chalcidoidea, Agaonidae) is one of the most specific mutualisms, and thus is a model system for studying coevolution and cospeciation. In this study we focused on figs and their associated fig-wasps found in the Ryukyu and Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands, Japan, because it has been suggested that breakdown in the specificity may occur in islands or at edge of a species' distribution. We collected 136 samples of 15 native fig species and 95 samples of 13 associated fig-wasps from all major islands in the Ryukyu Islands, including two fig species and one fig-wasp species endemic to the Bonin Islands. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses using plastid DNA and nuclear ITS sequences for the figs and nuclear 28S rRNA and mitochondrial COI genes for the fig-wasps to investigate the interspecific phylogenies and intraspecific variation within the mutualism. Our phylogenetic analyses using multiple samples per species show the single clade of each fig (except the Bonin endemic species) and fig-pollinating wasp species. Fig species belonging to the same subgenera formed well-supported clades in both plastid and ITS trees, except for the subgenus Urostigma. Likewise, fig wasps emerging from host fig species belonging to the same subgenera formed mostly well supported clades in both 28S and COI trees. Host specificity between the figs and fig-wasps functions strictly in these islands. There was very little sequence variation within species, and that no major geographic structure was found. The two Bonin endemic species (F. boninsimae and F. nishimurae) or their common ancestor and the associated fig-wasps (Blastophaga sp.) are apparently derived from F. erecta and its associated fig-wasps (B. nipponica), respectively, and probably migrated from the Ryukyu Islands.

The callichirid ghost shrimp genus Glypturus Stimpson, 1866 was represented until now by four extant species world-wide. Only G. armatus A. Milne-Edwards, 1870 is known from the western Pacific. In this study, we describe G. ferox n. sp. based on seven specimens collected from the Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. All specimens of the new species were collected in inner reef lagoons by suction pump. The new species is easily distinguished from all other congeners, including fossil taxa, by having a row of spines on the lower margin of the major cheliped palm. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene suggests that G. ferox n. sp. is sister to G. armatus; the genetic divergence between the two species is high. An identification key to extant species of Glypturus is provided. A brief overview on Japanese species of Callichiridae is also provided. Glypturus ferox n. sp. is the nineth species of the family known from Japanese waters with certainty.

A new species of hexapodid crab of the genus Hexapinus Manning & Holthuis, 1981 is described based on three females from Okinawa Island, Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. Hexapinus okinawa sp. nov., described in this study, can be distinguished from its closest congener, H. simplex Rahayu & Ng, 2014, by a narrower carapace and setation on the carapace and ambulatory legs. Molecular phylogenetic analyses also support the difference of these two species. In addition, close morphological examination and the molecular phylogeny indicate at least two linages are included within Hexapinus. The polyphyletic nature of Hexapinus and the characteristics of the two lineages are discussed.

This paper provides formal descriptions of some of the unnamed taxa that were included in the most recent molecular phylogeny of pholcid spiders (Eberle et al. 2018, BMC Evolutionary Biology, 18, 141). The focus is on new genera and on species that belong to recently revised genera. Eight new genera and 25 new species are formally described. In Arteminae, three new species are described in Artema Walckenaer, 1837: A. bahla sp. n., A. ghubrat sp. n., and A. dhofar sp. n. (all from Oman); five new species in Arnapa gen. n. (eastern Indonesia and New Guinea): A. arfak sp. n., A. tinoor sp. n., A. manokwari sp. n., A. meja sp. n., A. tolire sp. n.; and one new species in Chisosa Huber, 2000: C. caquetio sp. n. (Netherlands Antilles). In Ninetinae, three new monotypic genera are described: Pemona gen. n., with the type species P. sapo sp. n. (Venezuela); Pinocchio gen. n., with the type species P. barauna sp. n. (Brazil); and Magana gen. n., with the type species M. velox sp. n. (Oman). In Modisiminae, three new species are described in Chibchea Huber, 2000 (all from Brazil): C. amapa sp. n., C. santosi sp. n., and C. hamadae sp. n.; one new species in Psilochorus Simon, 1893: P. bromelicolus sp. n. (Brazil); and three new monotypic genera, all from Brazil: Arenita gen. n., with the type species A. fazendinha sp. n.; Kairona gen. n., with the type species K. selva sp. n.; and Saciperere gen. n., with the type species S. catuaba sp. n. In Pholcinae, a new monotypic genus is described: Giloloa gen. n., with the type species G. sofifi sp. n. (Indonesia); three new species in the genus Aetana Huber, 2005 (all from Indonesia): A. ternate sp. n.; A. mokwam sp. n.; A. ondawamei sp. n.; and two new species in the genus Panjange Deeleman-Reinhold Deeleman, 1983 (both from Indonesia): P. thomi sp. n., and P. togutil sp. n. Artema ghubrat is a cave-dwelling species and the only (slightly) troglomorphic representative of Arteminae; A. dhofar is presumably the closest known relative of the pantropical and synanthropic A. atlanta. The new genus Arnapa is probably species rich in eastern Indonesia and New Guinea but poorly collected; its morphological delimitation from other Australasian Arteminae (Wugigarra Huber, 2001; Holocneminus Berland, 1942; Trichocyclus Simon, 1908) needs further study. Arnapa nigromaculatus (Kulczyński, 1911) comb. n. is newly transferred from Psilochorus. Pemona sapo is the first representative of Ninetinae from Venezuela. The genus Chibchea, previously known from the Andes only, is for the first time recorded from Brazil/lowland Amazonia. Arenita fazendinha is among the few species in Pholcidae with extremely reduced procursus and barely modified male chelicerae. Kairona selva is unique among Pholcidae for its brush of strong hairs on a median horn anteriorly on the ocular area. Saciperere catuaba is one of only four pholcid species currently known to occur both in the Amazon and in the Atlantic Forest; however, variation indicates that more than one species might be included. It is among the few spiders known to have asymmetric genitalia (antisymmetric female internal genitalia). The Brazilian Psilochorus bromelicolus is the first South American Psilochorus of which both sexes are adequately described; however, the assignment to Psilochorus is tentative. Aetana ternate has extremely elongated procursi and accordingly elongated female internal genitalia. Aetana ondawamei and A. mokwam have almost identical male pedipalps and chelicerae (except for size) but differ clearly in the female genitalia.

The phylogenetic problem of Huia (Amphibia: Ranidae)

DNA sequences identify numerous cryptic species of the vertebrate: A lesson from the gobioid fish Schindleria

The species diversity of the leeches from Japan and recent progress in taxonomic and molecular phylogenetic studies on macrophagous and blood-feeding taxa are reviewed. At present, 64 species are known in Japan, which are classified into 38 genera in 9 families. Recent taxonomic and molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the terrestrial macrophagous genus Orobdella is the most diverse taxon among the genera distributed in Japan. The phylogenetic relationships and geographic distributions of Orobdella species suggest that this genus has been highly influenced by geological events and geographic boundaries. In contrast, phylogenetic relationships between blood-feeding species of the genus Haemadipsa show that Japanese species do not form a monophyletic group, suggesting multiple origins of the species. Phylogenetic relationships of Haemadipsa rjukjuana shed light on the incongruence between its genetic structure and geographic distances. The results indicate that blood-feeding leeches have been dispersed via long-distance migrants. The low genetic diversity of freshwater predatory Mimobdella in the Ryukyu Islands, as well as the presence of the freshwater-introduced species in Japan, indicate the possibility of the influence of human activities on the present distribution of freshwater species.

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.

An updated phylogeny of <i>Iphitime</i> (Annelida: Dorvilleidae) revealing multiple host switching, with description of <i>I. nubila</i> sp. nov.

The dependence of the results of molecular phylogenetic sequence analysis (both align­ ment and cladogram construction) on variation in analytical parameters is examined. Phylogenetic analyses of molecular sequence data are necessarily based on intrinsically unmeasurable param­ eters such as transition-transversion and alignment gap cost ratios (among others). Procedures for robust and liberal hypothesis choice are proposed using congruence as an optimality criterion. To illustrate and explain this process further, data on arthropod relationships are used. The effects of variation in transversion-transition and gap-change ratio parameters on alignment and phy­ logeny reconstruction are assessed in light of both taxonomic and character-based congruence measures. (Sequence alignment; sensitivity analysis; arthropods; molecular systematics; phylog­ eny.) The phylogenetic analysis of nucleic acid sequences, as with other data, is unavoid­ ably based on explicit and implicit as­ sumptions. At the fore are character trans­ formation models-usually transversion­ transition ratios-and the relative cost of alignment-derived sequence gaps. These values are the fulcra of sequence analysis. Simple homogeneous weighting does not avoid the issue of arbitrary, yet crucial, as­ sumptions. Transversion-transition ratios and alignment gap costs are generally not directly measurable. These values are statements of process, and they can only be inferred appropriately from a predeter­ mined phylogenetic pattern. The disturb­ ing circularity of the interaction between the specification of values a priori and their inference a posteriori is a general and cen­ tral problem in molecular phylogenetic analysis. One potential solution to the problem of parameter sensitivity has been proposed by Farris (1969; amplified by Carpenter, 1988) through the successive approxima­ tions weighting (SAW) procedure. Iteration is used to estimate parameters repeatedly (in this case character weights) by recon­ structing phylogeny and using this phy­ logeny to generate new self-consistent pa­ rameter estimates. This process is reprised until stability in inferred weights is achieved. The SAW approach has been ex­ tended for character transformation weights by Williams and Fitch (1989). Al­ though an iterative approach is in some sense objective, it will not yield informa­ tion as to how sensitive the results are to the specific model (set of analysis param­ eters) the process yields. Iteration is a way to choose some models over others, but it does not tell us how much better these models are. Furthermore, all iterative ap­ proaches are to some degree sensitive to the initial conditions (a priori weights) of the analysis. Even though transversion-transition and gap-change cost ratios are unmeasur­ able in the absence of· a predetermined phylogeny, it is possible to estimate their values through appeal to an external op­ timality criterion. The most reasonable op­ timality criterion for phylogenetic analysis must be congruence (whether taxonomic (Nelson, 1979) or character based (Mick­ evich and Farris, 1981); but see Miyamoto, 1981, 1985). Without any way of objectively measuring the accuracy of reconstruction, only precision (the agreement among data) can be used to arbitrate among competing hypotheses. This same sort of precision (in the guise of congruence) can be used to assay both the quality and robustness of phylogenetic hypotheses.

Filamentous non-heterocystous cyanobacterial taxa from 8 genera were collected from different ecological niches like high altitudes, plains and estuaries of eastern India. The systematic accounts of 23 taxa were investigated with a polyphasic approach considering morpho taxonomy, cultural behavior, and molecular phylogenetic analysis with 16S and 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions as molecular markers. The collected taxa were from the families Oscillatoriaceae, Phormidiaceae and Pseudanabaenaceae with 8 representative genera viz. Lyngbya, Plectonema, Oscillatoria, Limnothrix, Leptolyngbya, Planktothrix, Desertifilum and Phormidium. The 16S-23S ITS region-based molecular characterization of 13 species from Oscillatoriaceae, 6 species from Phormidiaceae, and 4 species from Pseudanabaenaceae were found to be congruent with earlier phylogenetic studies using other markers. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed habitat-specific clustering of ITS sequences of the investigated taxa. The 16S molecular marker-based phylogenetic analysis, along with cultural studies of the Lyngbya-Plectonema clade, highlighted the need for morphotaxonomic reconsideration of Lyngbya birgei and Plectonema tomasinianum related to the formation of false branching. The present study affirmed that 98% sequence similarity in the ITS region can be considered as a threshold percentage for conspecificity determination in the Lyngbya genus. Keywords: Cyanobacteria; ITS; Oscillatoriaceae; Phormidiaceae; Phylogenetic tree; Pseudanabaenaceae.

Morphology and molecular phylogenetic placement of a coastal shipworm (Bactronophorus thoracites (Gould, 1862), Teredinidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

In Japan and Taiwan, five valid species of the genus Scolopendra Linnaeus, 1758 have been described: S. morsitans Linnaeus, 1758, S. subspinipes Leach, 1816, S. mutilans Koch, 1878, S. japonica Koch, 1878, and S. multidens Newport, 1844. Recently, an undetermined species was found in the Ryukyu Archipelago and Taiwan. Using molecular phylogenetic analyses with mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA and nuclear 28S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes as well as conventional morphological examination, we successfully discriminated this sixth species as an independent lineage from S. subspinipes, S. mutilans, and other named congeners from East and Southeast Asia. Therefore, the species was described as S. alcyona Tsukamoto Shimano, sp. nov. Several situational evidences suggest that this species prefers streamside environments and exhibits amphibious behavior.

The Ryukyu Archipelago, located at the southwestern part of Japan, is known as a group of continental islands and harbours many endemic taxa, supposedly reflecting its fairly long isolation from the Eurasian continent, Taiwan and the Japanese main islands. Microhyla okinavensis has been known as an endemic member of the terrestrial fauna of this archipelago. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using samples from nearly all island populations of the species and representative samples of other east Asian congeneric species revealed that M. okinavensis consists of four distinct subclades, of which the Amami, Okinawa and Miyako subclades, though exhibiting distinct genetic differentiations from each other, formed a monophyletic group (clade A). The remaining Yaeyama subclade was exclusively sister to M. mixtura from inland China, forming another monophyletic group (clade B), rendering M. okinavensis in the current definition paraphyletic. These results, as well as estimated dates of divergence from related taxa, indicate that M. okinavensis actually includes more than one distinct species. The results indicate that M. okinavensis and M. mixtura are relict species with disjunct distributions which had been most probably caused by invasion of M. fissipes in intervening areas.

Disjunct geographic distribution of a species or a group of species is the product of long-term interaction between organisms and the environment. Filling the distributional gap by discovery of a new population or a species has significant biogeographic implications, because it suggests a much wider past distribution and provides evidence for the route of range expansion/contraction. The salamandrid genus Echinotriton (commonly known as spiny salamanders, spiny newts, or crocodile newts) has two species that are restricted to two widely separated areas, one in eastern Zhejiang province, China and the other in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. It has been hypothesized that Echinotriton was once continuously distributed between the two areas through a historical land bridge that connected mainland China, Taiwan, and the archipelago. Finding fossils or relic populations along the postulated distribution are strong evidence for the hypothesis. Hundred-twenty-two years after the description of E. andersoni and eight-one years after that of E. chinhaiensis, we discover a third species of Echinotriton in southern China, which fills the distributional gap of the former two species. Species status of the new species is confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison. Mitochondrial DNA indicates that the new species is sister to E. chinhaiensis, while nuclear DNA does not support this relationship. The new species has a very large quadrate projection, a single line of lateral warts pierced by distal rib extremities, normally developed 5th toes, and conical skin tubercles. Our discovery supports the hypothesis that there was a continuous distribution of Echinotriton from eastern coastal China to the Ryukyu Archipelago. We suggest that other species of this genus may also be found in Taiwan. Due to the rarity of this new species, we urge all hobbyists to refrain themselves from collecting this salamander or leaking locality information if encountered, and boycott any trading.