Comparative Morphology Research Articles

Phylogenetic studies on the genus Candolleomyces (Psathyrellaceae, Basidiomycota) occurring in the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan, reveal three new species

During macrofungal surveys in 2019–2024, several specimens belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae were collected from the bed of the Indus River, Punjab, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses, based on ITS, LSU, and tef-1α sequences and morpho-anatomical study, confirmed the novelty and placement of three taxa in the genus Candolleomyces. They are described as Candolleomyces crenatus, C. undulatus, and C. virgatus. For distinguishing characters, C. crenatus has crenate cap margins, small basidiospores, and a marginate base of stipe. Candolleomyces undulatus has parabolic to campanulate, wavy margins, light purplish gray with a light brownish gray center of pileus, and an appendiculate, pendant annulus. Candolleomyces virgatus has a parabolic to plane, distinct umbo, a virgate surface of pileus, 1–7 tiers, forking lamellae, and longitudinal striation on the surface of the stipe. Currently, Candolleomyces comprises 60 formally recognized species worldwide. However, with the inclusion of these three species, the total number rises to 63. Detailed descriptions, a phylogenetic estimate, morphological comparisons, and illustrations are provided.

On the intriguing Q phyllosoma larva (Decapoda, Scyllaridae): A visitor from the deep sea?

Abstract A peculiar phyllosoma larva at an intermediate stage was collected in 2006 during a plankton survey in the Mexican Caribbean. Its body length was 7.3 mm. This phyllosoma resembles those of species of Scyllaridae Latreille, 1825 with characters including a pear-shaped cephalic shield, the presence of pereiopod 5 with setae, and traits typical of Scyllarus Fabricius, 1775 at early stages viz., uniramous antenna, circular thorax, and a shallow abdomen. Previously, this phyllosoma had only been reported from Florida, but at a more advanced stage of development. Based on morphological comparison with records of Atlantic phyllosoma larvae, it is considered unlikely that this individual belongs to any of the species previously reported from the Caribbean subregion. Instead, it is proposed that this peculiar larva belongs to the deep-living scyllarid genus Bathyarctus Holthuis, 2002, as it seems more likely that this deep-living larva was vertically transported to the epipelagic layers of the Caribbean.

Bulbophyllum halmaherae (Orchidaceae), an unusual species of section Polymeres from Halmahera, Maluku, Indonesia

Summary Bulbophyllum halmaherae Mustaqim, Yudistira, Jacop & Schuit. (Orchidaceae), a distinctive new species of sect. Polymeres, is described and illustrated. A detailed description, morphological comparisons, habitat information, a preliminary conservation assessment and a brief discussion are provided.

The Thermal Tolerance of Springtails in a Tropical Cave, with the Description of a New Coecobrya Species (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Thailand

A new species of Collembola in the genus Coecobrya, C. microphthalma sp. nov., is described from a cave environment in Saraburi province, central Thailand. The new species is the second described species of the boneti-group found in the country. It is most similar to C. chompon Nilsai, Lima & Jantarit, 2022, which is also described from a Thai cave. However, the new species is morphologically different from C. chompon in having orange dot pigmentation on its body and a combination of other morphological characteristics such as the number of sublobal hairs on the maxillary outer lobe and the number of medio-sublateral mac on Th. II, Abd. I, Abd. III and Abd. IV and the anterior face of the ventral tube. The morphological comparison of all known boneti species and a key to the world species of Coecobrya of the boneti-group are given. Coecobrya microphthalma sp. nov. was successfully cultured in the laboratory. The thermal tolerance of the new species was studied and tested with seven different temperature experiments (27 °C as a control, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 °C). The results showed that C. microphthalma sp. nov. cannot survive at a temperature higher than 32 °C after exposure to the experimental heat for 7 and 14 consecutive days. At 27, 30 and 32 °C, C. microphthalma sp. nov. remained alive and produced eggs, but the duration of egg production and number of egg-laying days significantly declined when the temperature increased (p < 0.001). An interesting aspect of their reproduction concerns temperature. At 32 °C (5 °C above the control temperature), the F1 generation survived, was active and was able to molt to the adult stage. However, specimens were unable to produce the next generation of offspring. For postembryonic development, C. microphthalma sp. nov. required six molts to reach the adult stage. The development rate (from egg to adult) varied and differed significantly between the tested temperatures (p < 0.001). An increase in temperature from the control temperature significantly accelerated the developmental rate from egg to juvenile instars to adult with a statistical significance (p < 0.01). This study is the first attempt that provide information on the impact of increasing temperature on the population dynamics, reproductive capacity and life history of a subterranean tropical Collembola.

A new species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia

A new species of gekkonid lizard is described from Phnom Khpoh, an isolated karstic hill within an extensive karstic archipelago in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. Phylogenetic analysis using a 1041 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial gene ND2 recovered Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov. as the sister species of H. pardalis, found 335 km to the west in southern Thailand. Analyses of meristic, morphometric, and categorical characters of morphology and color pattern differentiated H. khpoh sp. nov. from both the morphologically distinct H. pardalis and the very similar Hemiphyllodactylus sp. from Phnom Kulen, approximately 130 km to the northeast in Siem Reap Province. The statistical morphological analyses and comparisons also showed that H. khpoh sp. nov. is well-differentiated from the recently described H. bokor and H. samkos from the nearby Cardamom Mountains as well from species in clade 6—a recently designated lineage from China, Laos, and Vietnam to which H. khpoh sp. nov. + H. pardalis compose the sister lineage. The discovery of H. khpoh sp. nov. highlights the rich but understudied biodiversity of karstic landscapes, emphasizing the need for continued research in the extensive unexplored karstic archipelago of western Cambodia. This region is poised to reveal unparalleled gekkonid diversity, comparable to that observed in the similarly sized karstic archipelago of the Salween Basin in southern Myanmar. Although karstic landscapes are proving to be some of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet, less than 1% of them are afforded any formal protection.

A new species of eight-gilled hagfish (Myxinidae: Eptatretus) from the deep waters of the Lakshadweep Sea, India.

A new species of eight-gilled hagfish genus Eptatretus (Myxinidae) is described based on five specimens trawled on the upper continental slope off Kollam, Kerala, India, northern Indian Ocean. Eptatretus gopali sp. nov. can be diagnosed by the presence of eight-gill pouches and gill apertures, 10-11 pre-brachial, 7 branchial, 50-55 trunk, 9-10 tail slime pores, 77-82 total pores, 3/2 multicusp teeth pattern, 40-44 total cusps, absence of nasal-sinus papillae, and a light brown body color. Detailed morphological comparisons with all known eight-gilled species of Eptatretus showed that the new species was distinct from all others by having 40-44 total cusps, characteristic body proportions, and the shortest tail length. E. gopali formed a district clade in the phylogenetic tree and exhibited a genetic distance of 3.6%-11.6% in Cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) sequences and 2.0%-4.9% in 16S rRNA sequences between the congeners. An identification key is also provided for the species of Eptatretus from the Indian Ocean.

Integrative supporting techniques for the taxonomy of Schistorchis carneus Lühe, 1906 (Digenea: Megaperidae) with perspective for the existence of species complexes

The morphology and host-parasite data of Schistorchis carneus Lühe, 1906 indicate low host specificity and geographical range variation, accompanied by a large scale of intraspecific variability and ambiguous molecular phylogeny, confusing in determining biodiversity extent and specificity to a particular host and/or locality. To address the challenging circumstances of records of S. carneus, a detailed morphological description, molecular characterization and species delimitation analyses were conducted using a combination of comparative morphology, molecular phylogeny, multivariate analyses, and host-parasite data. Several morphological features exhibited an extensive intra-variation, as well as a wide morphometric range in many measurements within and across records. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the classification of schistorchiines is highly correlated with the morphology/nature of the oral sucker and highlighted the limitations of ribosomal 28S rDNA and ITS2 rDNA in distinguishing morphologically close/related taxa. Species delimitation analyses reflected the critical importance of host distinction in schistorchiines recognition/differentiation, even those that are indistinct morphologically. The clustering of schistorchiines into certain groups was driven by host differences. Additionally, host variation typically corresponds to a distinct schistorchiine species, even if it is morphologically identical to another. Cluster analysis associated with host-parasite data revealed high morphometric convergence and significant diversity among Egyptian and Sri-Lankan records of S. carneus. It also confirmed the distinction between Indian records from the Bay of Bengal and those from the Gulf of Mannar (previously mentioned as Manaar), each in their own distant group. In conclusion, the records of S. carneus represent a repository for a group of closely related cryptic species. The restricted concept of S. carneus should include only records from the white-spotted puffer, Arothron hispidus (Linnaeus) and the stellate puffer, Arothron stellatus (Anonymous). The Australian specimens from the narrow-lined puffer, Arothron manilensis (Marion de Procé) and the Indian record from the lunartail puffer, Lagocephalus lunaris (Bloch & Schneider) likely represent a free-standing cryptic species with limited distribution, requiring further characterization.

‘Sneaky’ uninflamed oesophageal candidiasis: morphological clues and comparison with candidiasis associated with inflammation

AimsCandida esophagitis is usually readily identified on routine H&E-stained sections as the infection typically presents with prominent acute inflammation as a clue to search for organisms. However, in some cases,...

A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) from the Irano-Turanian biodiversity hotspot: an integrative approach

BackgroundThe genus Astragalus is the largest and one of the most diverse genera of flowering plants, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, with a significant concentration of species in the Irano-Turanian region. Within this genus, section Hymenostegis is notable for its complexity and high levels of endemism, especially in northwestern Iran. During recent field explorations in West Azarbaijan province, a distinct population of Astragalus was identified, differing from known species within section Hymenostegis. This study aimes to describe and analyze this new species and clarify its relationship with closely related taxa using an integrative approach.ResultsAstragalus kuzehrashensis sp. nov. is described following detailed morphological comparisons with its closest relatives, A. chehreganii and A. hakkianus. The new species is distinguished by unique stipule characteristics, leaflet shape, inflorescence structure, and seed micromorphology. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using ITS and ycf1 sequences reveals that A. kuzehrashensis forms a clade with A. chehreganii and A. hakkianus, although it exhibits genetic differences. Genome size estimation confirms that A. kuzehrashensis is hexaploid (2n = 6x = 48), aligning it more closely with A. hakkianus than with the tetraploid A. chehreganii. The distinct morphological characters and genomic data support recognizing A. kuzehrashensis as a new species within section Hymenostegis.ConclusionsThe identification of A. kuzehrashensis underscores the importance of an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological, molecular, and cytogenetic data to resolve species boundaries within complex groups like Astragalus section Hymenostegis. This study highlights the rich biodiversity of the Irano-Turanian floristic region, emphasizing the need for ongoing exploration and conservation efforts, particularly in areas of high endemism. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships within the genus Astragalus.

Poplar transformation with variable explant sources to maximize transformation efficiency

For decades, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation has played an integral role in advancing fundamental and applied plant biology. The recent omnipresent emergence of synthetic biology, which relies on plant transformation to manipulate plant DNA and gene expression for novel product biosynthesis, has further propelled basic as well as applied interests in plant transformation technologies. The strong demand for a faster design-build-test-learn cycle, the essence of synthetic biology, is, however, still ill-matched with the long-standing issues of high tissue culture recalcitrance and low transformation efficiency of a wide range of plant species especially food, fiber and energy crops. To maximize the utility of plant material and improve the transformation productivity per unit plant form, we studied the regeneration and transformation efficiency of different types of explants, including leaf, stem, petiole, and root from Populus, a woody perennial bioenergy crop. Our results show that root explants, in addition to the above-ground tissues, have considerable regeneration capacity and amenability to A. tumefaciens and, the resulting transformants have largely comparable morphology, reporter gene expression, and transcriptome profile, independent of the explant source tissue. Transcriptome analyses mapped to regeneration stages and transformation efficiencies further revealed the expression of the auxin and cytokinin signaling and various developmental pathway genes in leaf and root explants undergoing early organogenesis. We further report high-potential candidate genes that may potentially be associated with higher regeneration and transformation efficiency. Overall, our study shows that explants from above- and belowground organs of a Populus plant are suitable for genetic transformation and tissue culture regeneration, and together with the underlying transcriptome data open new routes to maximize plant explant utilization, stable transformation productivity, and plant transformation efficiency.

FEATURES OF THE EARLY MORPHOGENESIS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

One of the urgent tasks of modern medicine is the prevention of brain damage during the human fetal period and the creation of conditions that ensure proper brain development. Objective of the research. To find out the features of the early morphogenesis of the central nervous system in the embryonic and early pre-fetal periods of human ontogenesis. Methods. The study of the early stages of the formation of the brain and spinal cord was carried out on 14 embryos and 12 human fetuses with 4.5-20.0 mm parietal-caudal length (PCL) by the methods of microscopy, three-dimensional computer reconstruction, morphometry, and statistical processing of digital data. The investigations were performed keeping to the major regulations of the Resolution of the First National Congress on Bioethics «General Ethic Principles of Experiments on Animals» (2001), ICH GCP (1996), the European Union Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (04.04.1997), and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes (18.03.1986), the Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects (1964-2008), EU Directives №609 (24.11.1986), the Orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine № 690 dated 23.09.2009, №944 dated 14.12.2009, № 616 dated 03.08.2012. The work is carried out within the framework of the initiative research work of the Department of Histology, Cytology and Embryology of Institution of the Bukovinian State Medical University "Structural and functional peculiarities of tissues and organs in ontogenesis, regularities of variant, constitutional, sex-, age-related and comparative human morphology". State registration number: 0121U110121. Terms of execution: 01.2021-12.2025. Results. There is a close relationship between the development of the cerebral cavity, in particular, its ventricles, and the morphogenesis of the corresponding parts of the brain. In the process of complications in the structure of the ventricles of the brain, namely during the formation of the vascular plexus, disturbances can occur, which cause defects in the subsequent stages of ontogenesis. On the basis of the above, this period (the 6th week of embryonic development) can be classified as critical. Conclusion. In embryos of 6.0-8.0 mm PCL, the formation of primitive, without the formation of corresponding parts, lateral ventricles and the third ventricle of approximately elliptical shape is determined. In embryos of 9.0-12.0 mm PCL, the contours of the medulla oblongata are defined, which is a continuation of the spinal cord, the central channel of which forms the cavity of the fourth ventricle in the shape of a diamond. At the end of the embryonic period (embryos 12.0-13.5 mm PCL), accelerated development of the terminal and hindbrain is observed, which leads to a change in the configuration of the brain cavity, in which the anterior and lower horns of the lateral ventricles can be distinguished. At 16.0-18.0 mm PCL of human fetuses, the formation of the cerebral vascular plexus begins, which is represented by insignificant folds with barely noticeable protrusions on the ependymal membrane of the brain cavity.

Description of four new species of Mychonastes (Chlorophyceae) from Japanese freshwater habitats based on molecular and morphological data

SUMMARYSpecies of the green algal genus Mychonastes have been recognized as ubiquitous ultrasmall components of freshwater communities worldwide, mainly based on molecular data. However, detailed taxonomic identification of Japanese members of Mychonastes has not yet been conducted. We taxonomically identified species of 13 Mychonastes strains in the Microbial Culture Collection at the National Institute for Environmental Studies originating from Japan based on molecular data and comparative morphology. The strains were classified into 10 species, including four new species, Mychonastes ariiae Nozaki sp. nov. (NIES‐2900), Mychonastes takamurae Nozaki sp. nov. (NIES‐2334, 2336), Mychonastes kasaiae Nozaki sp. nov. (NIES‐3743) and Mychonastes gigas Nozaki sp. nov. (NIES‐2340). Ultrastructural features of the cell walls and chloroplasts of these four species were consistent with the generic concept of Mychonastes. The four new species are distinguishable from other species of Mychonastes based on differences in nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and morphological features including the mucilaginous matrix surrounding the cells, mode of rupture of the mother cell wall during daughter cell release, formation of large colonies in liquid culture and colony morphology on agar plates. The evolution of Mychonastes species is discussed based on phylogenetic inferences obtained using a combined dataset for four chloroplast genes (psaB, rbcL, psbC and atpB) and rDNA ITS sequences.

Modifiable Clinical Dental Impression Methods to Obtain Whole-Mouth and Detailed Dental Traits From Vertebrates.

Dental impressions, developed for accurate capture of oral characteristics in human clinical settings, are seldom used in research on nonlivestock, nonprimate, and especially nonmammalian vertebrates due to a lack of appropriate tools. Studies of dentitions in most vertebrate species usually require euthanasia and specimen dissection, microCT and other scans with size and resolution tradeoffs, and/or ad-hoc individual impressions or removal of single teeth. These approaches prevent in-vivo studies that factor in growth and other chronological changes and separate teeth from the context of the whole mouth. Here, we describe a non-destructive method for obtaining high-resolution dentition-related traits that can be used on both living animals and museum specimens for almost all vertebrates, involving a customizable and printable dental impression tray. This method has repeatedly and accurately captured whole-mouth morphology and detailed features at high resolution in the living non-teleost actinopterygian fish, Polypterus senegalus, in a laboratory setting. It can be used for comparative morphology and to observe temporal changes such as the presence of microwear, tooth replacement rates, and occlusal and morphological changes through ontogeny.

Two new genera of killifish (Cyprinodontiformes) from the Middle Miocene of the Bugojno Basin, Bosnia and Herzegovina: insights into the lost diversity of Valenciidae

Present-day killifishes (Cyprinodontiformes, toothcarps), known for their diversity and ecological adaptability, are represented in Eurasia by two families that each have their own taxonomic diversity, namely the diverse Aphaniidae (eight genera, > 40 species) and the less diverse Valenciidae (one genus, three species). The fossil record of both families is quite extensive in the area of Western and Central Europe, but is poor elsewhere. Here we present new fossil killifish material (consisting of 179 individuals, in many cases with otoliths in situ) from the Middle Miocene of south-eastern Europe (that is, site Gračanica in the Bugojno Basin, Bosnia and Herzegovina) using both comparative morphology (including meristics, osteology and otoliths) and phylogenetic analysis. For the latter, we used a substantially expanded morphological matrix of a previous work and conducted implied-weight maximum parsimony analyses both without constraints and with a molecular scaffold as a backbone for the extant taxa (with fossils left as floaters). Our results show that the Bugojno killifish assemblage consists exclusively of members of two new genera of the Valenciidae, †Miovalencia gen. nov. and †Wilsonilebias gen. nov., each of which is represented by two species (three new and one genus reassignment). We also found that not only the saccular otolith (sagitta), which is well known for its taxonomic information, but also the utricular otolith (lapillus) provide important taxonomic information for generic diagnosis. The discovery of the new species from the Bugojno Basin expands the known geographical distribution of the fossil Valenciidae to the Dinaride Lake System of south-eastern Europe. Furthermore, by surveying previous works, we uncovered that the fossil Valenciidae were taxonomically diverse and widely distributed geographically, which is in stark contrast with their diversity and biogeography today. Our results highlight the importance of detailed taxonomic and phylogenetic investigations of fossil killifishes in gaining insight into the evolutionary history of this remarkable group among today’s freshwater fish faunas. http://zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:890009C0-2758-49AA-931F-0F63A4E46C8E

Neurochemical and Morphological Comparisons of Motor Nerve Organoids and Spinal-Cord Explants.

Organoids are multicellular structures formed in vitro from populations of individual cells allowing modeling of structural and functional aspects of organs and tissues in normal and diseased states. They offer unique opportunities to model and treat disease. Using a mouse embryonic stem cell line, we have cultured organoids that express markers of spinal cord motor neurons as well as motor neurons found within the peripheral nervous system. The morphology and select neurotransmitter content of the organoids and spinal cord explants were compared at different developmental time points. We found indications of maturation in the organoids over time, mirrored by similar trends in the spinal cord explants. Although the organoids contained the same neurotransmitters as the spinal cord explants, the developmental changes of these neurotransmitter levels were less marked in organoids. Given these differences, further work is required to optimize organoid growth conditions to better reproduce in vivo models when using organoids to study development.

Molecular phylogenetic and morphological studies reveal increased species diversity in the millipede genus Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901 in China (Julida: Mongoliulidae)

A taxonomic study of the genus Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901 from nine provinces in China was conducted utilizing morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The results reveal thirteen new species, i.e. Skleroprotopus yutiantianaesp. nov., S. tiankengsp. nov., S. megistussp. nov., S. penglaisp. nov., S. longissimussp. nov., S. genjudisp. nov., S. laiyuanensissp. nov., S. longiflagellatussp. nov., S. changesp. nov., S. ampullaceussp. nov., S. incisodentatussp. nov., S. multistriatussp. nov., and S. conicussp. nov. This significantly enriches the diversity of Skleroprotopus in China, bringing it to a total of 18 species. With the exception of S. yutiantianaesp. nov., all these species were collected in caves. In terms of their degree of adaptation to the cave environment, the latter six species are presumed troglophiles, while the others are likely troglobites. DNA-barcoding based on the COI mitochondrial gene is documented for the first time in this genus. The specific p-distances between Skleroprotopus species range from 6.6–17.0%, while intraspecific p-distances are only 0.2–1.4%. Additionally, the morphological features of male leg-pair 1, the penis and leg-pair 7 are also discussed.

Identification and Characterization of Endophytic Fungus DJE2023 Isolated from Banana (Musa sp. cv. Dajiao) with Potential for Biocontrol of Banana Fusarium Wilt.

This study characterized an endophytic fungus, DJE2023, isolated from healthy banana sucker of the cultivar (cv.) Dajiao. Its potential as a biocontrol agent against banana Fusarium wilt was assessed, aiming to provide a novel candidate strain for the biological control of the devastating disease. The fungus was isolated using standard plant tissue separation techniques and fungal culture methods, followed by identification through morphological comparisons, multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, and molecular detection targeting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) race 1 and race 4. Furthermore, assessments of its characteristics and antagonistic effects were conducted through pathogenicity tests, biological trait investigations, and dual-culture experiments. The results confirmed isolate DJE2023 to be a member of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex but distinct from Foc race 1 or race 4, exhibiting no pathogenicity to banana plantlets of cv. Fenza No.1 or tomato seedlings cv. money maker. Only minute and brown necrotic spots were observed at the rhizomes of banana plantlets of 'Dajiao' and 'Baxijiao' upon inoculation, contrasting markedly with the extensive necrosis induced by Foc tropical race 4 strain XJZ2 at those of banana cv Baxijiao. Notably, co-inoculation with DJE2023 and XJZ2 revealed a significantly reduced disease severity compared to inoculation with XJZ2 alone. An in vitro plate confrontation assay showed no significant antagonistic effects against Foc, indicating a suppressive effect rather than direct antagonism of DJE2023. Research on the biological characteristics of DJE2023 indicated lactose as the optimal carbon source for its growth, while maltose favored sporulation. The optimal growth temperature for this strain is 28 °C, and its spores can germinate effectively within the range of 25-45 °C and pH 4-10, demonstrating a strong alkali tolerance. Collectively, our findings suggest that DJE2023 exhibits weak or non-pathogenic properties and lacks direct antagonism against Foc, yet imparts a degree of resistance against banana Fusarium wilt. The detailed information provides valuable insight into the potential role of DJE2023 in integrated banana disease control, presenting a promising candidate for biocontrol against banana Fusarium wilt.

Cordyceps duyunensis, a new species from Doupeng Mount, Guizhou, China

A new species, Cordyceps duyunensis, which was isolated from an infected pupa, is introduced. Morphological comparisons and phylogenies analysis of a multigene dataset (SSU, ITS, RPB1, RPB2 and TEF) support the establishment of the new species. It differs from related species by its smaller phialides.

Molecular and morphological assessment of the Liopholis inornata (Rosén, 1905) species group (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae), with descriptions of two new species from northern Western Australia

Molecular genetic and morphological assessments were undertaken on the Liopholis inornata species group of skinks that occur on sandy soils in both mesic and arid regions of Australia. The primary objective was the taxonomic identification of two outlying peripheral populations from the North-West Cape and Purnululu National Park, in northern Western Australia. To provide adequate context, molecular genetic and morphometric variation was assessed across the wide geographic range of L. inornata, a taxon that is strongly phylogeographically structured. It was also necessary to reassess the taxonomic identity of two previously named taxa from central Australia, L. s. slateri (Storr) and L. s. virgata (Storr). Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear SNPs from extant populations confirm that L. inornata, L. s. slateri and the two outlying populations from northern Western Australia are each distinct evolutionary lineages. Prior to analyses of the extent of morphological divergence between the lineages, we assessed the extent of morphometric differences between the sexes using two well-sampled species, L. inornata and L. striata (Sternfeld) from Western Australian populations. We determined that while males have relatively longer, wider and deeper heads throughout life these differences are relatively slight and the data from both sexes could be pooled for subsequent morphological interspecific comparisons. The two outlying populations are distinguished from congeners based on phylogenetic relationships and divergence in nuclear nucleotide sequences and distinctive morphometric and colour attributes and thus represent new species. The new species both occur in biogeographically significant areas that contain several other endemic reptile species. Liopholis s. virgata, for which we currently lack genetic data, is morphometrically and chromatically different from all the other taxa and very likely represents a distinct species that is potentially extinct as it has not been sighted for more than a century.

Two new species of Paratanakia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Taiwan and mainland China

Two new species of bitterling of Paratanakia were found and collected from Taiwan island and Fujian Province, mainland China recently. Paratanakia fuvlidorsalis n. sp. which is endemic in Taiwan island can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin ray counts: dorsal fin rays 3, 8; anal fin rays 3, 10; pectoral fin rays modally 1, 12; (2) squamtion: lateral-line scales modally 34; and (3) its own specific dorsal fin color pattern in male. Paratanakia julongjiangensis n. sp. which is endemic in Fujian Province, mainland China can be well distinguished from other congeners by the following unique combination of features: (1) fin ray counts: dorsal fin rays 3, 9; anal fin rays 3, 11; pectoral fin rays modally 1, 12; (2) lateral-line scales modally 34; and (3) its own specific dorsal fin color pattern in male. The brief morphological comparison with close related species would be also addressed.