Delimiting Species Boundaries Research Articles

Species boundaries in the messy middle-A genome-scale validation of species delimitation in a recently diverged lineage of coastal fog desert lichen fungi.

Species delimitation among closely related species is challenging because traditional phenotype‐based approaches, for example, using morphology, ecological, or chemical characteristics, may not coincide with natural groupings. With the advent of high‐throughput sequencing, it has become increasingly cost‐effective to acquire genome‐scale data which can resolve previously ambiguous species boundaries. As the availability of genome‐scale data has increased, numerous species delimitation analyses, such as BPP and SNAPP+Bayes factor delimitation (BFD*), have been developed to delimit species boundaries. However, even empirical molecular species delimitation approaches can be biased by confounding evolutionary factors, for example, hybridization/introgression and incomplete lineage sorting, and computational limitations. Here, we investigate species boundaries and the potential for micro‐endemism in a lineage of lichen‐forming fungi, Niebla Rundel & Bowler, in the family Ramalinaceae by analyzing single‐locus and genome‐scale data consisting of (a) single‐locus species delimitation analysis using ASAP, (b) maximum likelihood‐based phylogenetic tree inference, (c) genome‐scale species delimitation models, e.g., BPP and SNAPP+BFD, and (d) species validation using the genealogical divergence index (gdi). We specifically use these methods to cross‐validate results between genome‐scale and single‐locus datasets, differently sampled subsets of genomic data and to control for population‐level genetic divergence. Our species delimitation models tend to support more speciose groupings that were inconsistent with traditional taxonomy, supporting a hypothesis of micro‐endemism, which may include morphologically cryptic species. However, the models did not converge on robust, consistent species delimitations. While the results of our analysis are somewhat ambiguous in terms of species boundaries, they provide a valuable perspective on how to use these empirical species delimitation methods in a nonmodel system. This study thus highlights the challenges inherent in delimiting species, particularly in groups such as Niebla, with complex, relatively recent phylogeographic histories.

New shallow water species of Caribbean Ircinia Nardo, 1833 (Porifera: Irciniidae)

Seven Ircinia morphospecies were collected from three sites in the Caribbean (Bocas del Toro, Panama; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize; and the Florida Keys, United States of America). Previous research used an integrative taxonomic framework (genome-wide SNP sampling and microbiome profiling) to delimit species boundaries among these Ircinia. Here, we present morphological descriptions for these species, six of which are new to science (Ircinia lowi sp. nov., Ircinia bocatorensis sp. nov., Ircinia radix sp. nov., Ircinia laeviconulosa sp. nov., Ircinia vansoesti sp. nov., Ircinia ruetzleri sp. nov.) in addition to one species conferre (Ircinia cf. reteplana Topsent, 1923).

Coalescent-based species delimitation meets deep learning: Insights from a highly fragmented cactus system.

Delimiting species boundaries is a major goal in evolutionary biology. An increasing volume of literature has focused on the challenges of investigating cryptic diversity within complex evolutionary scenarios of speciation, including gene flow and demographic fluctuations. New methods based on model selection, such as approximate Bayesian computation, approximate likelihoods, and machine learning are promising tools arising in this field. Here, we introduce a framework for species delimitation using the multispecies coalescent model coupled with a deep learning algorithm based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We compared this strategy with a similar ABC approach. We applied both methods to test species boundary hypotheses based on current and previous taxonomic delimitations as well as genetic data (sequences from 41loci) in Pilosocereus aurisetus, a cactus species complex with a sky-island distribution and taxonomic uncertainty. To validate our method, we also applied the same strategy on data from widely accepted species from the genus Drosophila. The results show that our CNN approach has a high capacity to distinguish among the simulated species delimitation scenarios, with higher accuracy than ABC. For the cactus data set, a splitter hypothesis without gene flow showed the highest probability in both CNN and ABC approaches, a result agreeing with previous taxonomic classifications and in line with the sky-island distribution and low dispersal of P.aurisetus. Our results highlight the cryptic diversity within the P.aurisetus complex and show that CNNs are a promising approach for distinguishing complex evolutionary histories, even outperforming the accuracy of other model-based approaches such as ABC.

Species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses reveal cryptic diversity within Cerebratulus marginatus (Nemertea: Pilidiophora)

The heteronemertean Cerebratulus marginatus Renier, 1804 is a well-known representative of the family Lineidae (Nemertea) inhabiting sandy or muddy sediments throughout the world. Due to its wide geographic distribution and the lack of distinctive external morphological features among different populations, the species has been considered cosmopolitan. Increasing evidence indicates that nemertean species, including Cerebratulus marginatus, described based on morphology are often not supported by genetic data and represent complexes of cryptic species, rather than cosmopolitan species. Here, we use species delimitation and phylogenetic analyses to evaluate the speciation patterns within the putative C. marginatus species complex. We examined 25 specimens morphologically ascribed to C. marginatus and closely related species using a multilocus dataset including two mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA, COI) and three nuclear markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, H3). Our analyses identified at least four supported independent lineages among the populations analysed, indicating that samples identified as C. marginatus might represent indeed a complex of cryptic species. Therefore, our results do not support the cosmopolitanism of C. marginatus and provide additional evidence suggesting that species identifications in nemerteans should not be based exclusively on morphological or anatomical features which do not accurately reflect evolutionary patterns. Our study highlights the importance of including molecular data in addition to morphological information to accurately delimit species boundaries, thereby improving nemertean taxonomy by providing a more accurate picture of the true species diversity and geographic distribution of this typically neglected phylum.

Using Genealogical Concordance and Coalescent-Based Species Delimitation to Assess Species Boundaries in the Diaporthe eres Complex.

DNA sequence analysis has been of the utmost importance to delimit species boundaries in the genus Diaporthe. However, the common practice of combining multiple genes, without applying the genealogical concordance criterion has complicated the robust delimitation of species, given that phylogenetic incongruence between loci has been disregarded. Despite the several attempts to delineate the species boundaries in the D. eres complex, the phylogenetic limits within this complex remain unclear. In order to bridge this gap, we employed the Genealogical Phylogenetic Species Recognition principle (GCPSR) and the coalescent-based model Poisson Tree Processes (PTPs) and evaluated the presence of recombination within the D. eres complex. Based on the GCPSR principle, presence of incongruence between individual gene genealogies, i.e., conflicting nodes and branches lacking phylogenetic support, was evident. Moreover, the results of the coalescent model identified D. eres complex as a single species, which was not consistent with the current large number of species within the complex recognized in phylogenetic analyses. The absence of reproductive isolation and barriers to gene flow as well as the high haplotype and low nucleotide diversity indices within the above-mentioned complex suggest that D. eres constitutes a population rather than different lineages. Therefore, we argue that a cohesive approach comprising genealogical concordance criteria and methods to detect recombination must be implemented in future studies to circumscribe species in the genus Diaporthe.

Species delimitation of North American Nyssa species

The development of next-generation sequencing technologies allows researchers to address complex problems in species delimitation, especially for non-model organisms. The taxonomic status of North American Nyssa species has long been debated and remains controversial. To elucidate the genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships of the five currently recognized North American Nyssa species, we conducted whole-genome sequencing of representative individuals and identified genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by utilizing the recently released chromosome-level assembly of Nyssa sinensis genome. Population genetic and phylogenetic analyses consistently inferred four well-supported genetic clusters from our sampled individuals, that is, N. aquatica, N. ogeche, N. sylvatica, and N. biflora–N. ursina. Although the identification of N. biflora and N. ursina is primarily based on the morphological characteristics of leaves and drupes, the present evidence, including our principal components analysis of leaf morphological traits, strongly supports the taxonomic designation of N. biflora and N. ursina as a single species. In addition, these four genetic clusters were grouped into two major clades, that is, clade 1 (N. aquatica and N. ogeche) and clade 2 (N. sylvatica and N. biflora–N. ursina). Despite the fact that no evidence of widespread gene flow was found between these two major clades, our analyses revealed the possibility of introgression from N. sylvatica into N. biflora, albeit at a relatively low frequency. This study demonstrates the use of whole-genome sequences as a promising avenue for delimiting species boundaries and further advocates for an integrative approach in the assessment of species delimitation.

Taxonomy of the North Moroccan and Iberian species of the subgenus Amblypteraca/ (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae: Pimelia/).

The subgenus Amblypteraca Mas-Peinado, Buckley, Ruiz García-París, 2018 of Pimelia Fabricius, 1775, is restricted to the southern Iberian Peninsula and western Maghreb (northern and western Morocco). The distribution of Amblypteraca throughout the African-European edges overlaps largely with the geographic range of the subgenus Amblyptera, which is sister to the clade grouping subgenera Amblypteraca and Ecphoroma Solier, 1836. Delimiting species boundaries in the speciose genus Pimelia is often challenging, and the taxonomic status of some groups within the aforementioned subgenera is still a matter of debate. Here, we aim to stabilize some of the available names in Amblypteraca, and to correct some previous misidentifications. For that purpose, we discuss the composition and taxonomic structure within Amblypteraca by (i) assessing the phylogenetic congruence between mitochondrial and nuclear markers, and (ii) examining external morphological traits in 568 Amblypteraca specimens under the light of the phylogenetic hypotheses proposed here. Based on our results, Amblypteraca consists of three species: P. rotundipennis Kraatz, 1865, P. fairmairii Kraatz, 1865 and P. chrysomeloides Pallas, 1781. Both molecular and morphological data revealed four lineages within P. chrysomeloides: P. chrysomeloides chrysomeloides, distributed on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar; P. chrysomeloides fornicata Herbst, 1799 from Portugal (Troia region); P. chrysomeloides bathyglypta Antoine, 1949, restricted to a narrow strip between Larache and Arbaoua (northern atlantic Moroccan coast), and P. chrysomeloides subris Koch, 1941 from Kenitra-La Mamora forest (Morocco). We designate a neotype of Tenebrio chrysomeloides Pallas, 1781 and propose the synonymy of P. chrysomeloides (Pallas, 1781) = P. obesa Solier, 1836 syn. n. Pimelia tristis Haag-Rutenberg, 1875, previously misidentified and included in Amblypteraca, is now transferred back to Amblyptera. Further studies with ad hoc sampling designs and analytical tools would be in need to delimit the exact geographic ranges of these taxa, and to analyse the patterns of diversity within and among species and subspecies.

Species delimitation with distinct methods based on molecular data to elucidate species boundaries in the Cycas taiwaniana complex (Cycadaceae)

AbstractAccurately delimiting species boundaries is of critical importance in many areas of biology including population genetics, conservation biology, biogeography, and evolutionary biology because inaccurate species delimitation may significantly affect downstream inferences. The Cycas taiwaniana complex consists of six morphologically similar taxa (C. changjiangensis, C. fairylakea, C. hainanensis, C. lingshuigensis, C. szechuanensis, C. taiwaniana) that are distributed throughout a narrow region of South China. The members of this complex and the taxonomic status of their names have long been debated. In this study, combining morphological characteristics, we employed three distinct approaches to delimit species: haplotype phylogeny delimitation, Bayesian coalescent species delimitation (BPP), and population cluster analyses. To delimitate the species boundaries within the C. taiwaniana complex, we used 4 plastid intergenic spacers (cpDNA), 4 nuclear genes (nDNA) and 10 microsatellites. All three approaches revealed the presence of two distinct species in the C. taiwaniana complex under the unified species concept, C. taiwaniana and C. szechuanensis, largely corresponding to morphological differentiation. Cycas fairylakea was a synonym for C. szechuanensis, and the other three taxa were synonyms for C. taiwaniana. Species delimitation using molecular data was consistent with our preliminary morphological inference. This study thus optimally resolved the species boundaries and taxonomic treatment of the C. taiwaniana complex from an integrated perspective using multiple sources of molecular data and distinct analytical approaches.

Diaporthe amygdali, a species complex or a complex species?

Delimitation of species boundaries within the fungal genus Diaporthe has been challenging, but the analyses of combined multilocus DNA sequences has become an important tool to infer phylogenetic relationships and to circumscribe species. However, analyses of congruence between individual gene genealogies and the application of the genealogical concordance principle have been somehow overlooked. We noted that a group of species including D. amygdali, D. garethjonesii, D. sterilis, D. kadsurae, D. ternstroemia, D. ovoicicola, D. fusicola, D. chongqingensis and D. mediterranea, commonly known as D. amygdali complex, occupy a monophyletic clade in Diaporthe phylogenies but the limits of all species within the complex are not entirely clear. To assess the boundaries of species within this complex we employed the Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Species Recognition principle (GCPSR) and coalescence-based models: General Mixed Yule-Coalescent (GMYC) and Poisson Tree Processes (PTP). The incongruence detected between individual gene phylogenies, as well as the results of coalescent methods do not support the recognition of lineages within the complex as distinct species. Moreover, results support the absence of reproductive isolation and barriers to gene flow in this complex, thus providing further evidence that the D. amygdali species complex constitutes a single species. This study highlights the relevance of the application of the GCPSR principle, showing that concatenation analysis of multilocus DNA sequences, although being a powerful tool, might lead to an erroneous definition of species limits. Additionally, it further shows that coalescent methods are useful tools to assist in a more robust delimitation of species boundaries in the genus Diaporthe.

New approaches to species delimitation and population structure of anthozoans: Two case studies of octocorals using ultraconserved elements and exons.

As coral populations decline worldwide in the face of ongoing environmental change, documenting their distribution, diversity and conservation status is now more imperative than ever. Accurate delimitation and identification of species is a critical first step. This task, however, is not trivial as morphological variation and slowly evolving molecular markers confound species identification. New approaches to species delimitation in corals are needed to overcome these challenges. Here, we test whether target enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exons can be used for delimiting species boundaries and population structure within species of corals by focusing on two octocoral genera, Alcyonium and Sinularia, as exemplary case studies. We designed an updated bait set (29,181 baits) to target-capture 3,023 UCE and exon loci, recovering a mean of 1,910±168 SD per sample with a mean length of 1,055±208bp. Similar numbers of loci were recovered from Sinularia (1,946±227 SD) and Alcyonium (1,863±177 SD). Species-level phylogenies were highly supported for both genera. Clustering methods based on filtered single nucleotide polymorphisms delimited species and populations that are congruent with previous allozyme, DNA barcoding, reproductive and ecological data for Alcyonium, and offered further evidence of hybridization among species. For Sinularia, results were congruent with those obtained from a previous study using restriction site associated DNA sequencing. Both case studies demonstrate the utility of target-enrichment of UCEs and exons to address a wide range of evolutionary and taxonomic questions across deep to shallow timescales in corals.

The Neotropical Fomitiporia (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota): the redefinition of F. apiahyna s.s. allows revealing a high hidden species diversity

The Neotropical species Fomitiporia apiahyna was repeatedly shown to form a lineage with multiple sublineages that could correspond to different phylogenetic species, hence forming a highly diverse species complex. Due to their inconspicuous morphological features, species delimitation in this complex needs an integrative taxonomic perspective. In this study, we have performed multilocus molecular (ITS, ncLSU, TEF-1α, and RPB2) analyses in order to delimit the phylogenetic placement of specimens previously determined as F. apiahyna and to determine the phylogenetic diversity in term of clades that could be equated to species. Both morphological, ecological, and distribution data have been integrated to better delimit species boundaries. The F. apiahyna sensu lato lineage was shown to encompass four clades, corresponding to the four species: F. apiahyna sensu stricto, which is confirmed based on specimens originating from the type locality and here epitypified; F. nubicola sp. nov., proposed based on specimens found on Drimys angustifolia and Drimys sp., a relic plant species distributed exclusively in fragmented forests of high altitude areas in southern Brazil; F. conyana sp. nov., proposed from specimens previously suggested as the closest to F. apiahyna s.s.; and F. murrilli sp. nov., proposed based on specimens found on the locally exotic Eucalyptus sp. and another undefined angiosperm in southern Brazil. Additionally, Phellinus elegans emerged from the synonymy of F. apiahyna and the new combination Fomitiporia elegans is proposed. An identification key to the Neotropical species with pileate basidioma also is provided. Phylogenetically delimited species are strongly supported by ecological data, and in the case of F. conyana by clear-cut morphological data. It is expected that, with the redefinition of F. apiahyna s.s., other phylogenetic species will emerge in the near future.

Shining a light on species delimitation in the tree genus Engelhardia Leschenault ex Blume (Juglandaceae)

Enhanced efficacy in species delimitation is critically important in biology given the pending biodiversity crisis under global warming and anthropogenic activity. In particular, delineation of traditional classifications in view of the complexity of species requires an integrative approach to effectively define species boundaries, and this is a major focus of systematic biology. Here, we explored species delimitation of Engelhardia in tropical and subtropical Asia. In total, 716 individuals in 71 populations were genotyped using five chloroplast regions, one nuclear DNA region (nrITS), and 11 nuclear simple sequence repeats (nSSR). Phylogenetic trees were constructed and relationships among species were assessed. Molecular analyses were then combined with 14 morphological characteristics of 720 specimens to further explore the species boundaries of Engelhardia. Integrating phylogenetic and morphological clusters provided well-resolved relationships to delineate seven species. The results suggested that: first, that E. fenzelii, E. roxburghiana, E. hainanensis, E. apoensis, and E. serrata are distinct species; second, E. spicata var. spicata, E. spicata var. aceriflora, E. spicata var. colebrookeana, and E. rigida should be combined under E. spicata and treated as a species complex; third, E. serrata var. cambodica should be raised to species level and named E. villosa. We illuminated that bias thresholds determining the cluster number for delimiting species boundaries were substantially reduced when morphological data were incorporated. Our results urge caution when using the concepts of subspecies and varieties in order to prevent confusion, particularly with respect to species delimitation for tropical and subtropical species. In some cases, re-ranking or combining subspecies and/or varieties may enable more accurate species delimitation.

Gene flow and species delimitation in fishes of Western North America: Flannelmouth (Catostomus latipinnis) and Bluehead sucker (C. Pantosteus discobolus).

The delimitation of species boundaries, particularly those obscured by reticulation, is a critical step in contemporary biodiversity assessment. It is especially relevant for conservation and management of indigenous fishes in western North America, represented herein by two species with dissimilar life histories codistributed in the highly modified Colorado River (i.e., flannelmouth sucker, Catostomus latipinnis; bluehead sucker, C. (Pantosteus) discobolus). To quantify phylogenomic patterns and examine proposed taxonomic revisions, we first employed double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD), yielding 39,755 unlinked SNPs across 139 samples. These were subsequently evaluated with multiple analytical approaches and by contrasting life history data. Three phylogenetic methods and a Bayesian assignment test highlighted similar phylogenomic patterns in each, but with considerable difference in presumed times of divergence. Three lineages were detected in bluehead sucker, supporting elevation of C. (P.) virescens to species status and recognizing C. (P.) discobolus yarrowi (Zuni bluehead sucker) as a discrete entity. Admixture in the latter necessitated a reevaluation of its contemporary and historic distributions, underscoring how biodiversity identification can be confounded by complex evolutionary histories. In addition, we defined three separate flannelmouth sucker lineages as ESUs (evolutionarily significant units), given limited phenotypic and genetic differentiation, contemporary isolation, and lack of concordance (per the genealogical concordance component of the phylogenetic species concept). Introgression was diagnosed in both species, with the Little Colorado and Virgin rivers in particular. Our diagnostic methods, and the agreement of our SNPs with previous morphological, enzymatic, and mitochondrial work, allowed us to partition complex evolutionary histories into requisite components, such as isolation versus secondary contact.

Evolutionary relationships among Massospora spp. (Entomophthorales), obligate pathogens of cicadas

ABSTRACT The fungal genus Massospora (Zoopagomycota: Entomophthorales) includes more than a dozen obligate, sexually transmissible pathogenic species that infect cicadas (Hemiptera) worldwide. At least two species are known to produce psychoactive compounds during infection, which has garnered considerable interest for this enigmatic genus. As with many Entomophthorales, the evolutionary relationships and host associations of Massospora spp. are not well understood. The acquisition of M. diceroproctae from Arizona, M. tettigatis from Chile, and M. platypediae from California and Colorado provided an opportunity to conduct molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological studies to investigate whether these fungi represent a monophyletic group and delimit species boundaries. In a three-locus phylogenetic analysis including the D1–D2 domains of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene (28S), elongation factor 1 alpha-like (EFL), and beta-tubulin (BTUB), Massospora was resolved in a strongly supported monophyletic group containing four well-supported genealogically exclusive lineages, based on two of three methods of phylogenetic inference. There was incongruence among the single-gene trees: two methods of phylogenetic inference recovered trees with either the same topology as the three-gene concatenated tree (EFL) or a basal polytomy (28S, BTUB). Massospora levispora and M. platypediae isolates formed a single lineage in all analyses and are synonymized here as M. levispora. Massospora diceroproctae was sister to M. cicadina in all three single-gene trees and on an extremely long branch relative to the other Massospora, and even the outgroup taxa, which may reflect an accelerated rate of molecular evolution and/or incomplete taxon sampling. The results of the morphological study presented here indicate that spore measurements may not be phylogenetically or diagnostically informative. Despite recent advances in understanding the ecology of Massospora, much about its host range and diversity remains unexplored. The emerging phylogenetic framework can provide a foundation for exploring coevolutionary relationships with cicada hosts and the evolution of behavior-altering compounds.

Microfungi associated with Clematis (Ranunculaceae) with an integrated approach to delimiting species boundaries

The cosmopolitan plant genus Clematis contains many climbing species that can be found worldwide. The genus occurs in the wild and is grown commercially for horticulture. Microfungi on Clematis were collected from Belgium, China, Italy, Thailand and the UK. They are characterized by morphology and analyses of gene sequence data using an integrated species concept to validate identifications. The study revealed two new families, 12 new genera, 50 new species, 26 new host records with one dimorphic character report, and ten species are transferred to other genera. The new families revealed by multigene phylogeny are Longiostiolaceae and Pseudomassarinaceae in Pleosporales (Dothideomycetes). New genera are Anthodidymella (Didymellaceae), Anthosulcatispora and Parasulcatispora (Sulcatisporaceae), Fusiformispora (Amniculicolaceae), Longispora (Phaeosphaeriaceae), Neobyssosphaeria (Melanommataceae), Neoleptosporella (Chaetosphaeriales, genera incertae sedis), Neostictis (Stictidaceae), Pseudohelminthosporium (Neomassarinaceae), Pseudomassarina (Pseudomassarinaceae), Sclerenchymomyces (Leptosphaeriaceae) and Xenoplectosphaerella (Plectosphaerellaceae). The newly described species are Alloleptosphaeria clematidis, Anthodidymella ranunculacearum, Anthosulcatispora subglobosa, Aquadictyospora clematidis, Brunneofusispora clematidis, Chaetosphaeronema clematidicola, C. clematidis, Chromolaenicola clematidis, Diaporthe clematidina, Dictyocheirospora clematidis, Distoseptispora clematidis, Floricola clematidis, Fusiformispora clematidis, Hermatomyces clematidis, Leptospora clematidis, Longispora clematidis, Massariosphaeria clematidis, Melomastia clematidis, M. fulvicomae, Neobyssosphaeria clematidis, Neoleptosporella clematidis, Neoroussoella clematidis, N. fulvicomae, Neostictis nigricans, Neovaginatispora clematidis, Parasulcatispora clematidis, Parathyridaria clematidis, P. serratifoliae, P. virginianae, Periconia verrucose, Phomatospora uniseriata, Pleopunctum clematidis, Pseudocapulatispora clematidis, Pseudocoleophoma clematidis, Pseudohelminthosporium clematidis, Pseudolophiostoma chiangraiense, P. clematidis, Pseudomassarina clematidis, Ramusculicola clematidis, Sarocladium clematidis, Sclerenchymomyces clematidis, Sigarispora clematidicola, S. clematidis, S. montanae, Sordaria clematidis, Stemphylium clematidis, Wojnowiciella clematidis, Xenodidymella clematidis, Xenomassariosphaeria clematidis and Xenoplectosphaerella clematidis. The following fungi are recorded on Clematis species for the first time: Angustimassarina rosarum, Dendryphion europaeum, Dermatiopleospora mariae, Diaporthe ravennica, D. rudis, Dichotomopilus ramosissimum, Dictyocheirospora xishuangbannaensis, Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii, Fitzroyomyces cyperacearum, Fusarium celtidicola, Leptospora thailandica, Memnoniella oblongispora, Neodidymelliopsis longicolla, Neoeutypella baoshanensis, Neoroussoella heveae, Nigrograna chromolaenae, N. obliqua, Pestalotiopsis verruculosa, Pseudoberkleasmium chiangmaiense, Pseudoophiobolus rosae, Pseudoroussoella chromolaenae, P. elaeicola, Ramusculicola thailandica, Stemphylium vesicarium and Torula chromolaenae. The new combinations are Anthodidymella clematidis (≡ Didymella clematidis), A. vitalbina (≡ Didymella vitalbina), Anthosulcatispora brunnea (≡ Neobambusicola brunnea), Fuscohypha kunmingensis (≡ Plectosphaerella kunmingensis), Magnibotryascoma rubriostiolata (≡ Teichospora rubriostiolata), Pararoussoella mangrovei (≡ Roussoella mangrovei), Pseudoneoconiothyrium euonymi (≡ Roussoella euonymi), Sclerenchymomyces jonesii (≡ Neoleptosphaeria jonesii), Stemphylium rosae (≡ Pleospora rosae), and S. rosae-caninae (≡ Pleospora rosae-caninae). The microfungi on Clematis is distributed in several classes of Ascomycota. The analyses are based on morphological examination of specimens, coupled with phylogenetic sequence data. To the best of our knowledge, the consolidated species concept approach is recommended in validating species.

Delimitation of five astome ciliate species isolated from the digestive tube of three ecologically different groups of lumbricid earthworms, using the internal transcribed spacer region and the hypervariable D1/D2 region of the 28S rRNA gene

BackgroundVarious ecological groups of earthworms very likely constitute sharply isolated niches that might permit speciation of their symbiotic ciliates, even though no distinct morphological features appear to be recognizable among ciliates originating from different host groups. The nuclear highly variable ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 region and the hypervariable D1/D2 region of the 28S rRNA gene have proven to be useful tools for the delimitation of species boundaries in closely related free-living ciliate taxa. In the present study, the power of these molecular markers as well as of the secondary structure of the ITS2 molecule were tested for the first time in order to discriminate the species of endosymbiotic ciliates that were isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of three ecologically different groups of lumbricid earthworms.ResultsNineteen new ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 region and D1/D2-28S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from five astome species (Anoplophrya lumbrici, A. vulgaris, Metaradiophrya lumbrici, M. varians, and Subanoplophrya nodulata comb. n.), which were living in the digestive tube of three ecological groups of earthworms. Phylogenetic analyses of the rRNA locus and secondary structure analyses of the ITS2 molecule robustly resolved their phylogenetic relationships and supported the distinctness of all five species, although previous multivariate morphometric analyses were not able to separate congeners in the genera Anoplophrya and Metaradiophrya. The occurrence of all five taxa, as delimited by molecular analyses, was perfectly correlated with the ecological groups of their host earthworms.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that morphology-based taxonomy of astome ciliates needs to be tested in the light of molecular and ecological data as well. The use of morphological identification alone is likely to miss species that are well delimited based on molecular markers and ecological traits and can lead to the underestimation of diversity and overestimation of host range. An integrative approach along with distinctly increased taxon sampling would be helpful to assess the consistency of the eco-evolutionary trend in astome ciliates.

Multiple evolutionary origins of sequestrate species in the agaricoid genus Chlorophyllum

ABSTRACTChlorophyllum accommodates lamellate agaricoid species as well as sequestrate angiocarpic taxa, which do not form a monophyletic lineage within the genus. To clarify phylogenetic affinities and delimit species boundaries among sequestrate representatives of the genus, we analyzed historical and contemporary material from a broad geographic range, encompassing North America, southern Africa, eastern Asia, the Greek and Iberian peninsulas, and the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Lesvos. Six sequestrate lineages of Chlorophyllum were identified, which appear to have evolved in at least three independent gasteromycetation events. Multigene analysis of the nuc rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and portions of the nuc 28S rDNA (28S), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) genes revealed the presence of a previously undescribed species, introduced here as Chlorophyllum levantinum, sp. nov. Its sister species C. lusitanicum, previously known only from Spain, is shown to have a wider distribution throughout the Mediterranean basin. A South African collection of Secotium gueinzii, a poorly known taxon described in 1840 and seldom appearing in literature since, was also shown to nest within Chlorophyllum. An epitype for this rare species is designated, Secotium becomes a priority synonym of Chlorophyllum, and nomenclatural implications are discussed. The phylogenetic placement of C. arizonicum is confirmed after successful sequencing of the century-old holotype and an undescribed sister lineage of this species detected. Emended descriptions of sections Chlorophyllum, Endoptychorum, and Sphaerospororum are provided to reflect current results, along with updated descriptions and extensive imagery for all known sequestrate taxa of Chlorophyllum.

One step beyond a broad molecular phylogenetic analysis: Species delimitation of Adenomera marmorataSteindachner, 1867 (Anura: Leptodactylidae).

Taxonomists always have had intense discussions about how species should be delimited and recently many studies have used integrative approaches by combining molecular, morphological, and bioacoustic data. Although these studies are paramount for understanding species diversity, few of them actually formalize species delimitations to the final step of nomenclatural acts. Historically, the Neotropical frog genus Adenomera has been considered as a difficult taxonomic group because it comprises many morphologically similar species exhibiting high levels of intraspecific polymorphism. A recent work using molecular data shed light on the phylogenetic relationships within the genus and identified several lineages that may correspond to undescribed species but did not delimit species boundaries. In the Atlantic Forest, a clade formed by A. marmorata and two putative species (Adenomera sp. J and Adenomera sp. K) were identified. In this paper, we combine morphological, acoustic, and molecular data in order to evaluate species limits within this Atlantic Forest Adenomera clade. We provide a redescription of A. marmorata and restrict its type locality to the Tijuca Massif, in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our results do not support A. marmorata and the two candidate species as diagnosable distinct species. Therefore A. marmorata corresponds to a species with pronounced morphological and acoustic variation in the genus and a complex phylogeographic structure.

Global domination by crazy ants: phylogenomics reveals biogeographical history and invasive species relationships in the genus Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

AbstractNylanderia (Emery) is one of the world's most diverse ant genera, with 123 described species worldwide and hundreds more undescribed. Fifteen globetrotting or invasive species have widespread distributions and are often encountered outside their native ranges. A molecular approach to understanding the evolutionary history and to revision of Nylanderia taxonomy is needed because historical efforts based on morphology have proven insufficient to define major lineages and delimit species boundaries, especially where adventive species are concerned. To address these problems, we generated the first genus‐wide genomic dataset of Nylanderia using ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to resolve the phylogeny of major lineages, determine the age and origin of the genus, and describe global biogeographical patterns. Sampling from seven biogeographical regions revealed a Southeast Asian origin of Nylanderia in the mid‐Eocene and four distinct biogeographical clades in the Nearctic, the Neotropics, the Afrotropics/Malagasy region, and Australasia. The Nearctic and Neotropical clades are distantly related, indicating two separate dispersal events to the Americas between the late Oligocene and early Miocene. We also addressed the problem of misidentification that has characterized species‐level taxonomy in Nylanderia as a result of limited morphological variation in the worker caste by evaluating the integrity of species boundaries in six of the most widespread Nylanderia species. We sampled across ranges of species in the N. bourbonica complex (N. bourbonica (Forel) + N. vaga (Forel)), the N. fulva complex (N. fulva (Mayr) + N. pubens (Forel)), and the N. guatemalensis complex (N. guatemalensis (Forel) + N. steinheili (Forel)) to clarify their phylogenetic placement. Deep splits within these complexes suggest that some species names – specifically N. bourbonica and N. guatemalensis – each are applied to multiple cryptic species. In exhaustively sampling Nylanderia diversity in the West Indies, a ‘hot spot’ for invasive taxa, we found five adventive species among 22 in the region; many remain morphologically indistinguishable from one another, despite being distantly related. We stress that overcoming the taxonomic impediment through the use of molecular phylogeny and revisionary study is essential for conservation and invasive species management.

Integrative taxonomy uncovers hidden species diversity in the rheophilic genus Potamometra (Hemiptera: Gerridae)

AbstractThe genus Potamometra Bianchi, 1896 represents big rheophilic semi‐aquatic bugs that typically inhabit middle‐altitude mountainous streams. Here, we integrated molecular and morphological data for delimiting species boundaries and understanding the evolutionary history of the genus Potamometra. Twenty‐seven complete mitochondrial genomes of Potamometra were sequenced, with samples representing most of the known geographically distributed locations around the Sichuan Basin. The results of different species delimitation methods (ABGD, bPTP, GMYC and BPP) based on the monolocus or multilocus data strongly supported the existence of two cryptic new species (Potamometra anderseni Zheng, Ye & Bu, sp. nov. and Potamometra zhengi Zheng, Ye & Bu, sp. nov.) although more entities were found in the tree‐based delimitation methods. The two new species were successfully validated using morphological characters within a detailed taxonomic framework. Phylogenetic analyses supported the reciprocal monophyly of the seven highly node‐supported clades, which were matched with the five known species and two new taxa. A novel gene arrangement pattern that two trnF (trnF1 and trnF2) genes separated by an intergenic spacer (IGS) were found in all the species except the sister group of Potamometra berezowskii Bianchi, 1896 and Potamometra linnavuorii Chen, Nieser & Bu, 2016. This gene rearrangement event could be explained by the tandem duplication and random loss (TDRL) model. Our study emphasized that the combination of molecular sequence data, morphological characters and mitochondrial structural information could improve the accuracy of species delimitation.