Morphological Characters Research Articles

Taxonomy of the Genus Bryobia Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae): Reconsideration of Subgenera and Updated Species Groups

The present study aimed to revise the subgeneric divisions of the genus Bryobia based on persistent characteristics and to propose species groups in each subgenus to further ease the identification of species. As a result, only three subgenera, based on literature, are recognized, viz, subgenus Bryobia Koch (duplex setae present on leg tarsi III–IV), subgenus Allobia Livschits and Mitrofanov (duplex setae absent on leg tarsi III–IV), and subgenus Lyobia Livschits and Mitrofanov (duplex setae present only on leg tarsus III). The analysis based on morphological characters and available COI sequences on the GenBank database did not resolve the phylogenetic relationship of Bryobia species, and likewise, no support could be found for the proposed subgeneric divisions. The species in each subgenus were further categorized into species groups based on the position of the fourth pair of dorsocentral setae f1, viz, three species groups, praetiosa, osterloffi, and neoephedrae in subgenus Bryobia; three species groups, pritchardi, abbatielloi, and deserticola in subgenus Allobia; and three species groups, eurotiae, sarothamni, and rubrioculus in subgenus Lyobia. Furthermore, detailed notes are provided on eight Bryobia species which were described by Meyer, having morphological characteristics of both the tribes Bryobiini and Hystrichonychini. The generic status of two bryobine species, B. pseudorubrioculus Smiley and Baker and B. tuttlie Smiley and Baker, is also discussed and considered as species inquirendae.

Genetic Diversity and Structure of Physaria on the Kaibab Plateau: Implications for Conservation

ABSTRACTAssessing patterns of genetic diversity within and among closely related congeners is important for evaluating the conservation status of rare plant taxa. We used nuclear microsatellite genotyping to examine the genetic relatedness among three Physaria taxa on the Kaibab Plateau in northern Arizona. Over 100 species of Physaria are recognized, and are widely distributed in Western North America. On the Kaibab Plateau several taxa occur, including Physaria arizonica and two subspecies of P. kingii, P. kingii subsp. latifolia and P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis. The latter subspecies, the Kaibab bladderpod, is rare and endemic to the Kaibab Plateau and is a potential candidate to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Morphological characters, primarily flower color, have been used to distinguish P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis from other subspecies. Here we aim to assess its genetic diversity and differentiation as compared to congeners on and around the Kaibab Plateau. We genotyped DNA obtained from leaf samples from 463 individuals collected from 26 sites representing the three putative taxa (12 P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis, 8 P. kingii subsp. latifolia, and 6 P. arizonica). Our results showed that all samples initially identified as P. kingii subsp. latifolia and P. kingii subsp. kaibabensis on the Kaibab Plateau form a single genetic cluster that is well‐differentiated from P. kingii subsp. latifolia sampled from sites off the plateau or P. arizonica on or off the plateau. For P. kingii on the plateau, our findings do not support the previous subspecies designations based on morphological characters. While additional studies of P. kingii will further resolve taxonomic uncertainties within this species, our findings indicate that the Kaibab Plateau population is genetically diverse and genetically distinct, and federal protection is justified in light of the threats faced on the Kaibab Plateau and its limited range.

Extending the knowledge of taxonomy, biodiversity, and biogeography of Arctic ichthyofauna: A case study of the most diverse genus Lycodes (Zoarcidae)

Eelpout genus Lycodes (Zoarcidae) is the most species-rich genus of fishes in the Arctic seas. The species composition and the actual ranges of some Arctic eelpouts are still questionable due to insufficient research efforts and often incorrect species identifications. A new material on 12 species of eelpout genus Lycodes was collected during 2019 research cruise in four seas of Siberian Arctic (western Chukchi, East Siberian, Laptev, and Kara seas). The morphological characters, variability and distribution of these species are described and discussed. Four species are discovered in new areas, i.e. L. reticulatus were for the first time reported for the East Siberian Sea, L. pallidus for the Chukchi Sea, L. raridens for the Laptev Sea, and L. rossi in the Chukchi and East Siberian seas. These records significantly extend our knowledge on the modern ranges of these species, and may testify to the expansion of Pacific species into the Arctic. Results obtained show that L. pallidus and L. polaris might be the most abundant and widespread species occurred in three Siberian Arctic seas, while former species is characterized by the the widest range of morphological variability. A data presented contribute to monitoring of the biodiversity of Arctic ecosystems that are transforming rapidly in the face of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressure.

Diversity and morpho-chemo correlations of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark oil from Sri Lanka

The wide natural variation of Cinnamomum verum morphology in Sri Lanka suggests the chemo-diversity, which must be revealed for efficient utilization in a vast scope of industries. This study was carried out to determine the variation of essential oil constituents of cinnamon bark from major growing areas of Sri Lanka, morphological markers for oil constituents and genetic relationships for the correlations among major chemical constituents. E-Cinnamaldehyde (CM), (E)-Cinnamyl acetate (CA), Eugenol (EU), Benzyl benzoate (BB), linalool (LN) and β-caryophyllene (CR) were the highest abundant six out of 188 constituents reported through GC-MS analysis of bark essential oil. The mean values and 95% confidence intervals of CM, CA, EU, BB, LN and CR were 65.10±2.4 (60.15, 70.05), 15.93 ±2.14 (11.51, 20.34), 4.07±0.42 (3.19, 4.95), 3.21±0.52 (2.15, 4.28), 1.44 ± 0.16 (1.09,1.79) and 1.31±0.10 (1.11,1.53) respectively. CM was the highest abundant in 29/30 accessions, while CA was the highest abundant only in 1/30. CM varied with growing district. CM was negatively correlated with CA, (r=0.81) at the 0.01% level of significance irrespective of the growing district. The correlation between EU and BB was significant (r=0.49) at 0.01% level of significance. Chemical constituents were linked with the morphological characters: The leaf width (LW) was correlated with EU, (r=0.37) at 0.05% level of significance and the bark thickness (BT) was in a correlation with CR, (r=0.54) at 0.01% level of significance. Gene network model analysis identifying two pathways for CM, CA and BB biosynthesis, and two pathways for EU biosynthesis explained the correlations between major constituents.

Functional and Character Disparity Are Decoupled in Turtle Mandibles.

Turtles have high shape variation of their mandibles, likely reflecting adaptations to a broad variety of food items and ingestion strategies. Here, we compare functional disparity measured by biomechanical proxies and character disparity measured by discrete morphological characters. Functional and character disparities vary between clades and ecological groups and are thus decoupled. Comparisons with cranial disparity also indicate decoupled patterns within the turtle skull. Exploration of mandibular patterns reveals that several biomechanical configurations or character state combinations can lead to the same feeding type (i.e., convergence) or that high functional disparity can be achieved at a low exhaustion of character state combinations (e.g., cryptodires). Dietary specialists show larger functional disparity than generalists, but the phylogenetically widespread generalist ecology leads to high character disparity signals in the ecotype. Whereas character disparity generally shows high phylogenetic signal, functional disparity patterns correspond to dietary specializations, which may occur convergently across different groups. Despite this, individual functional measurements have overlapping ranges across ecogroups and do not always conform to biomechanical expectations. Jaw opening and closing biomechanical advantages model trade-offs between force transmission and opening/closing speeds, and turtles show a variety of combinations of values that we try to synthesize into several "jaw types". Closing mechanical advantage shows that turtles retain high levels of force transmission at the anterior jaw end compared with other groups (e.g., pseudosuchians). This can possibly be explained as an evolutionary adaptation to retain high bite forces at small head sizes.

Uncovering the relationships among herring-like fossils (Clupei: Teleostei): a phylogenetic analysis

Abstract Research interest in the diversity and evolutionary history of herring-like fossils (subcohort Clupei) has increased in recent decades. However, little is known about the relationships between fossils assigned to Clupei, particularly those that are demonstrably related to extant herring-like members of the order Clupeiformes. To help bridge this gap, we present a new morphological phylogeny that includes representatives of all major clupeiform lineages. The data matrix consists of 192 characters, drawn from 79 extant and 37 fossil taxa and selected to be readily identifiable in fossils. Most clupeiform families are recovered as monophyletic, and their interrelationships are generally compatible with previous morphological hypotheses. The phylogenetic positions of six fossil clupeiform taxa are resolved, as the results of all analyses (unconstrained/constrained parsimony and Bayesian inference) are consistent. Twenty-one fossil taxa are incertae sedis, including two species of Ellimmichtyiformes, which are recovered as Clupeoidei in the parsimony analyses. The relationships of the rest of the fossils are interpreted with varying degrees of certainty. The evolution of key morphological characters is discussed in light of the new results, and four fossil taxa are proposed as calibration points for future dating studies.

Phylogenetic and taxonomic revisions of Jurassic sea stars support a delayed evolutionary origin of the Asteriidae.

The superorder Forcipulatacea is a major clade of sea stars with approximately 400 extant species across three orders (Forcipulatida, Brisingida, Zorocallida). Over the past century, the systematics of Forcipulatacea have undergone multiple revisions by various authors, with some considering numerous families such as Asteriidae, Zoroasteridae, Pedicellasteridae, Stichasteridae, Heliasteridae, Labidiasteridae, and Neomorphasteridae, while others recognized only two families (i.e., Asteriidae and Zoroasteridae). Recent molecular analyses have shown the artificial nature of some of these groupings. Notably, four well-supported clades (Zorocallida, Brisingida, Stichasteridae, and Asteriidae) emerged from a synthesis of morphological and molecular evidence. The majority of extinct forcipulatacean species have been placed in modern families. However, many of these fossil species are in need of revision, especially those species placed within the Asteriidae, the largest of all forcipulatacean families. In light of recent advancements in forcipulatacean systematics, we comprehensively reassess six well-preserved Jurassic forcipulatacean taxa, including the earliest crown-group members from the Hettangian (∼201.4 Ma), and also describe two new Jurassic genera, Forbesasterias gen. nov. and Marbleaster gen. nov. We assembled the largest and most comprehensive phylogenetic matrix for this group, sampling 42 fossil and extant forcipulatacean species for 120 morphological characters. To infer phylogenetic relationships and construct an evolutionary timeline for the diversification of major clades, we conducted a Bayesian tip-dating analysis incorporating the fossilized birth-death process. A total of 13 fossil species were sampled in our analysis, including six taxonomically revaluated herein, two recently reappraised species from the Jurassic, and five additional species from the Cretaceous and Miocene. Contrary to prior assumptions, our results indicate that none of the Jurassic taxa investigated belong to Asteriidae or any other modern families, and instead represent stem-forcipulatids. Furthermore, our phylogenetic results suggest that Asteriidae likely originated during the late Cretaceous. Our findings highlight a greater early diversity within the Forcipulatacea than previously presumed, challenging existing perceptions of the evolutionary history of this significant clade of marine invertebrates.

Anthomyza gilviventris in Palaearctic Region: integrative taxonomy, variability and habitat associations of North European population (Diptera: Anthomyzidae)

Anthomyza gilviventris Roháček & Barber, 2016, hitherto known only from the Nearctic Region, is recorded from the Palaearctic Region (NE Sweden) for the first time. Specimens from the Swedish population have been compared with those of A. gilviventris from Canada and the USA and those of A. tschirnhausi Roháček, 2009 from the Kamchatka Peninsula (Far East of Russia). Both morphological and molecular analyses (BI and RAxML, based on seven DNA markers: 12S, 16S, 28S, COI, COII, CytB, ITS2) confirmed that the Swedish specimens belong to A. gilviventris. Because no specimen of A. tschirnhausi has been available for molecular study, the most diagnostic morphological characters used for separation of this species from A. gilviventris have been re-evaluated with respect to Swedish specimens, and their variability discussed. However, these differences, although stable, are relatively small and, consequently, the possibility that they fall within the limits of a single variable species has not been entirely eliminated. New biological information (habitat and host-plant associations) on the Swedish population of A. gilviventris is presented.

Taxonomic revision of Disporum (Colchicaceae) from Thailand including four new species

We present a taxonomic revision of the genus Disporum in Thailand based on Thai specimens including descriptions of the genus and species, a key to the species, illustrations and lectotypifications. The dorsifixed anther attachment is a new character for the genus. There is a total of sixspecies in Thailand, including the four new species described here, namely D. chiangdaoense, D. dorsifixerum, D. phuhinrongklaensis and D. scabridum, and two well-known species D. calcaratum and D. cantoniense. Anatomical and pollen morphological characters can be used for species diagnoses and they strongly support the morphological recognition of the four new species. New lectotypifications of synonyms are provided for D. wallichii, Uvularia calcarata and U. hamiltoniana.

Resolving the ongoing confusion between Erigeron multiradiatus and Tibetiodes himalaica (Asteraceae)

Erigeron multiradiatus (Asteraceae: Astereae: Conyzinae) and Tibetiodes himalaica (Asteraceae: Astereae: Asterinae) are often misidentified due to their morphological similarity and variation in some morphological characters. The present communication aims to resolve the identity crisis of these two species based on detailed morphological studies of freshly collected as well as herbarium specimens (including types), SEM studies of cypselas and molecular study with one nuclear and one chloroplast marker (ITS and trnLF). The morphological analysis showed that the two species differ in involucres and flower colour, with very clear differences in macro- and micro-morphological features of the cypselas. The molecular study also showed clear distinction between these two taxa. Additionally, a lectotype is designated for Erigeron multiradiatus.

Integrative Systematics Reveals Cryptic Diversity in Paraphrynus Whip Spiders (Amblypygi: Phrynidae) from Southwestern North America

Due to their continuous growth, reclusive nature, and low vagility, the distributions and species limits of many whip spiders (Amblypygi Thorell, 1883) remain poorly understood, and much cryptic diversity remains unrecognized. Past attempts to separate the historical “forms” of Paraphrynus Moreno, 1940 into morphologically diagnosable species resulted, for example, in the division of Paraphrynus mexicanus (Bilimek, 1867) into three species—the nominotypical form, Paraphrynus cubensis Quintero, 1983, and Paraphrynus carolynae Armas, 2012. Nevertheless, the limitations of conservative morphology continue to hinder progress towards clarifying the diversity of Paraphrynus. One such example concerns P. carolynae, distributed from Arizona to central Mexico as currently defined. Through the acquisition of new, freshly collected material, the discovery of novel morphological characters, and molecular systematics analyses, it became apparent that P. carolynae comprises at least two morphologically diagnosable species. In this present contribution, the northernmost population of P. carolynae occurring in Arizona and California is described as a new species, Paraphrynus tokdod, sp. nov., raising the number of species in the genus to 22. This investigation also revealed more variation than expected in the secondary spine counts of the pedipalps and the trichobothrial counts of leg IV, previously used for species delimitation in Paraphrynus, suggesting that such characters should be used with caution.

Comparative plastome analysis of Arundinelleae (Poaceae, Panicoideae), with implications for phylogenetic relationships and plastome evolution

BackgroundArundinelleae is a small tribe within the Poaceae (grass family) possessing a widespread distribution that includes Asia, the Americas, and Africa. Several species of Arundinelleae are used as natural forage, feed, and raw materials for paper. The tribe is taxonomically cumbersome due to a paucity of clear diagnostic morphological characters. There has been scant genetic and genomic research conducted for this group, and as a result the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries within Arundinelleae are poorly understood.ResultsWe compared and analyzed 11 plastomes of Arundinelleae, of which seven plastomes were newly sequenced. The plastomes range from 139,629 base pairs (bp) (Garnotia tenella) to 140,943 bp (Arundinella barbinodis), with a standard four-part structure. The average GC content was 38.39%, but varied in different regions of the plastome. In all, 110 genes were annotated, comprising 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Furthermore, 539 simple sequence repeats, 519 long repeats, and 10 hyper-variable regions were identified from the 11 plastomes of Arundinelleae. A phylogenetic reconstruction of Panicoideae based on 98 plastomes demonstrated the monophyly of Arundinella and Garnotia, but the circumscription of Arundinelleae remains unresolved.ConclusionComplete chloroplast genome sequences can improve phylogenetic resolution relative to single marker approaches, particularly within taxonomically challenging groups. All phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Arundinella and Garnotia, respectively, but the monophylly of Arundinelleae was not well supported. The intergeneric phylogenetic relationships within Arundinelleae require clarification, indicating that more data is necessary to resolve generic boundaries and evaluate the monophyly of Arundinelleae. A comprehensive taxonomic revision for the tribe is necessary. In addition, the identified hyper-variable regions could function as molecular markers for clarifying phylogenetic relationships and potentially as barcoding markers for species identification in the future.

Archaic sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) as Cretaceous pollinators

Kateretidae have been considered a family of generalist (as a whole) fossil pollinator beetles after the description of many fossil species in this taxon from the Upper Cretaceous Kachin amber together with pollen grains from their host plant. But the placement of this group of fossils in Kateretidae remained tentative because some definite characters to be observed in the fossils (e.g., maxillae and genitalia) were almost inaccessible by conventional methods. A recent paper proposed to include most of these fossil “kateretid” genera and species in the newly erected family Apophisandridae among Cucujoidea. The description of the two new genera and species Diopsiretes corniger gen. et sp. nov. and Cornuturetes elaphus gen. et sp. nov. from the same deposit, and the use of synchrotron light to describe the first cited species, combined with the examination of new photographic material of the type of Apophisandra ammytae, allowed us to better define this peculiar group of fossils. We attempt to demonstrate their placement in an extinct basal subfamily in Nitidulidae (Apophisandrinae stat. nov.), with some partially shared plesiomorphic characters of both Kateretidae and Nitidulidae: Epuraeinae, and with a series of convergent morphological characters also shared with other extant anthophagous nitidulids including Nitidulinae: Mystropini and Meligethinae. As such, all the fossil species from the Kachin amber initially described in Kateretidae and recently moved to Apophisandridae, should be included in Nitidulidae: Apophisandrinae.

Adelphomyia crane flies (Diptera, Limoniidae) of Korea with identification key for all Palaearctic species.

Limnophilinae crane flies belonging to the genus Adelphomyia Bergroth, 1891 of the Korean Peninsula were studied starting from 1937, but only one species A.macrotrichiata (Alexander, 1923) has been recorded from North Korea so far. The genus was unknown from South Korea. Four species were found during our studies on the Peninsula, one of them from Jeju Island described as new, Adelphomyiajejuana Podenas, sp. nov. Three species are recorded from both northern and southern parts of the Peninsula. Specimens on which was based the record of A.macrotrichiata from North Korea was misidentified and no more specimens were collected; therefore, A.macrotrichiata is deleted from the Korean species list. Habitat, elevation range, and seasonality data is presented for each species. Images of taxonomically important morphological characters, and an identification key for all Palaearctic species of the genus Adelphomyia are presented. Distribution maps are presented for all Korean species.

Effect of Edible Coatings on Morphological Characters of Strawberry Fruits

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) a member of rosaceae family, is a monoecious, short day, succulent, thalamus, perennial herb and quick growing fruit plant. Strawberries are processed into various value-added products such as canned strawberry, jam, jelly, ice cream, wine and other soft drinks. Strawberry is a delicious but delicate fruit with 2-4 days shelf life on ambient condition. Fruit of strawberry are very delicate and highly perishable in nature which resulted very short life span and considerable postharvest loss. The use of edible coating improved the shelf life of strawberry in general compared to untreated control. Significant difference was observed for effect of edible coating on strawberry for all the quality parameter during storage. The fruit weight, width and length decreased in all edible coating treatment. The minimum decrease in fruit weight, Width and length was recorded in treatment T7 (EC + Aloe vera gel 20%) while, the minimum decrease in volume and specific gravity of fruit in the same edible coating.

Systematics of Apatelodidae Neumoegen & Dyar, 1894 (Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea) based on molecular and morphological data.

Apatelodidae is a family of New World bombycoids distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, with 14 genera, 222 valid species and 8 subspecies. These moths are medium-sized with a wingspan ranging from 2 to 8cm, generally greyish, straw-yellow or reddish-brown, with darker spots and lines on the dorsal side of the wings. We combine adult morphology and molecular data to test, under a probabilistic framework, the monophyly of apatelodid genera and the placement of Tamphana (Bombycidae). We sampled the type species of 12 of the 14 valid genera of Apatelodidae, including the type species of synonymised genera. We sampled ~75% of the species from all valid genera in the family and outgroups from Bombycidae, Brahmaeidae, Eupterotidae and Phiditiidae, totalling 195 terminals. Examination of the specimens resulted in a matrix of 138 morphological characters (116 from male; 22 from female) from the head (7 from male; 1 from female), thorax (37 from male; 4 from female), abdomen (5 from male) and genitalia (66 from male; 17 from female). For the molecular analyses, we used four genes: DDC (647bp) for 14% of terminals; CAD (2486bp) for 23% of terminals, Wgl (409bp) for 38% of terminals and COI (658bp) for 75% of terminals. Species of Tamphana were recovered in Apatelodidae as two independent clades. The genera Arotros , Crastolliana , Drepatelodes , Pantelodes , and Prothysana were recovered as monophyletic. The remaining apatelodid genera were polyphyletic. We propose a new genus-level classification: Tamphana is transferred to Apatelodidae; 16 new genera are proposed: Aymara gen. nov. , Campesina gen. nov. , Caribas gen. nov. , Cecile gen. nov. , Kaweskar gen. nov. , Lempira gen. nov. , Misak gen. nov. , Mocambo gen. nov. , Nhanderu gen. nov. , Peabiru gen. nov. , Raoni gen. nov. , Tapuia gen. nov. , Tibira gen. nov. , Tupac gen. nov. , Tuyvae gen. nov. and Zapata gen. nov. Two new species are described: Mocambo lauracensis sp. nov. , and Nhanderu takua sp. nov. We revalidate the genus Hygrochroa stat. rev. and three species: Carnotena perlineata stat. rev., Tupac bombycina stat. rev., comb. nov. and Zanola vivax stat. rev. Overall, we propose 82 new generic combinations, synonymise 16 species, and restore the status of 3 species: Apatelodes floramia stat. rest. , Carnotena rectilinea comb. nov. , stat. rest. and Ephoria nubilosa stat. rest. Additionally, we summarise data on the natural history and distribution of each Apatelodidae species. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:254AA924-30B3-48A8-AB15-CCF2745C3B8E.

A taxonomic re-evaluation of Pittosporum roimata Gemmill & S.N. Carter (Pittosporaceae, Apiales)

Pittosporum roimata Gemmill & S.N. Carter (Pittosporaceae, Apiales) was established in 2018 as an endemic species confined to the Poor Knights Islands group, off the eastern coastline of Northland Aotearoa / New Zealand. The new species was distinguished from P. cornifolium A. Cunn. on the basis of vegetative characters (leaf length, width, petiole length), floral characters (pedicel length, flower colour), and numbers of fruit per stem. The new species was also reported as differing from P. cornifolium by a single substitution within the nrITS cistron, with that data obtained from a paper that did not provide a phylogenetic interpretation of this result, nor specify whether the cultivated plants used were derived from seed obtained from multiple individuals or from cutting grown plants from a limited wild-sourced selection. In this paper the same morphological characters used to separate P. roimata are examined using a much wider sampling of P. cornifolium, and the specimens available for P. roimata. There are very slight differences in leaf width and length, petiole length, and pedicel length in Poor Knights Islands P. roimata specimens seen also in some collections from other northern Aotearoa / New Zealand offshore islands and some mainland stations. Flower colour is not a useful character as this is variable in P. roimata and P. cornifolium, as it is also in many other Aotearoa / New Zealand Pittosporum. On the basis of our morphological assessment we conclude that to maintain the segregation of P. roimata from P. cornifolium at the species rank is impractical, as there is a grading of characters between both species. As plants corresponding to P. roimata occur throughout the range of P. cornifolium, already a variable species, we suggest that, in line with other treatments of Aotearoa / New Zealand Pittosporum, it is better to reduce P. roimata into synonymy of P. cornifolium.

A Taxonomic Revision of the South African Genus Plastologus Schoenherr, 1842 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cyclominae)

Plastologus Schoenherr, 1842, hitherto a monotypic genus belonging to the tribe Hipporhinini, is herein revised for the first time. Three species are recognized as valid based on morphological characters, all distributed in southern regions of South Africa. In addition to the type species of the genus, Plastologus costatus Boheman, 1842, the following two species are described as new to the science: P. boroveci Košťál sp. n. and P. punctatus Košťál sp. n.

Four New Families of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Within the Order Glomerales

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses, and also considering morphological characters, four new families are separated from the family Glomeraceae within the order Glomerales and the class Glomeromycetes. The revised family Glomeraceae comprises only four genera: the type genus Glomus, Complexispora, Sclerocarpum and Simiglomus. Septoglomeraceae fam. nov. comprises, besides Septoglomus, Funneliformis, Funneliglomus, Blaszkowskia and Viscospora. Sclerocystaceae fam. nov. is represented by the type genus Sclerocystis but also by Halonatospora, Oehlia, Parvocarpum, Rhizoglomus and Silvaspora. Kamienskiaceae fam. nov. encompasses Kamienskia, Microkamienskia and Epigeocarpum. Finally, Dominikiaceae fam. nov. includes the genera Dominikia, Macrodominikia gen. nov. Microdominikia, Nanoglomus and Orientoglomus. The genera Oehlia and Halonatospora form two other clades well separated from Silvaspora, Sclerocystis and Rhizoglomus and might represent two further families within Glomerales. This deeper separation is, in our opinion, fully supported by molecular phylogeny, but in view of the low numbers of taxa, the separation is not yet proposed at this stage of research progress.

A revision of the Afrotropical hover fly genus Afroxanthandrus Kassebeer, 2000 (Diptera, Syrphidae), with the description of two new species and one new synonymy

The hover fly (Diptera: Syrphidae) genus Afroxanthandrus Kassebeer, 2000 is revised based on morphological and molecular characters. Two new species, Afroxanthandrus comorosensis sp. nov., and Afroxanthandrus conopeum sp. nov. are described, while Xanthandrus magnificus Thompson, 2019 is a new junior synonym of Afroxanthandrus congensis (Curran, 1938). We also redescribe A. congensis stat. rev. and A. longipilus stat. rev. and report additional distribution records for both species.