Diagnostic Characters Research Articles

Description of a new coastal Adota Casey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) species from Kamchatka

Adota kamchatkaensis Yoo & Ahn, sp. nov. is described on the coast of Kamchatka, Russia. It is similar to A. ushio (Sawada) and A. madida (Bernhauer) but can be distinguished by the emarginate posterior margin of male abdominal tergite VIII and the different form and structure of the aedeagus and spermatheca. A comparison table of morphological characters, description, habitus photograph, and illustrations of diagnostic characters of this new species are provided.

Indigoferajintongpenensis (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae, Indigofereae), a new species from Yunnan, southwest China.

Indigoferajintongpenensis, a new species of the subfamily Papilionoideae of Fabaceae, is described and illustrated from Yunnan, southwest China. The new species is characterised by having a prostrate habit, flexible stems and branches, as well as spreading, sub-basifixed, asymmetrically 2-branched trichomes covering the entire plant, discoid calyx, and racemose inflorescences 6-8-flowered, short, 1-2 (-3.5) cm in length, apparently shorter than the leaf. A distribution map and comparison of morphological diagnostic characters with its morphologically similar species are provided. Additionally, a preliminary conservation assessment of I.jintongpenensis is proposed following IUCN criteria.

The F-0 larva of Angelagrion nathaliae Lencioni, 2008 from Southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

In this study, we described the last instar larva of Angelagrion nathaliae Lencioni, 2008, the first one described for this genus, collected in Inconfidentes and Uberlândia municipalities, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. We compared the diagnostic characters of A. nathaliae with some species of Telebasis Selys, 1865. Despite some similarities with Telebasis larvae, the larva of A. nathaliae can be distinguished from the family by a combination of characters of the mouthparts and gills.

Nine New Species of Ilyarachninae Hansen, 1916 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Munnopsidae) from Australia and New Zealand with an Updated Key of the Subfamily from the Southwest Pacific

The Ilyarachninae are a diverse and widely distributed subfamily of the asellote family Munnopsidae. This paper describes nine new deep-sea species from two Ilyarachninae genera, Ilyarachna and Notoapais, from the southwestern Pacific, namely from New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. Ilyarachna aculeatus n. sp., Ilyarachna brucei n. sp., Ilyarachna franki n. sp., Ilyarachna mclayi n. sp., Ilyarachna pacifica n. sp., Ilyarachna sami n. sp., Ilyarachna taranui n. sp. and Notopais chathamensis n. sp. are described from New Zealand waters, while Notopais likros n. sp. is described from off the east coast of Australia. Additionally, a redescription of Notopais spinosa from the Balleny Islands, Antarctica, and a revised key to the Ilyarachna and Notopais species from the southwest Pacific are included, and the distribution, affinities, and diagnostic characters of the new species are discussed.

A taxonomic review of the genus Silvanoprus Reitter (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Silvanidae) in Korea

The genus Silvanoprus Reitter (Coleoptera: Silvanidae: Silvaninae) includes 20 known species worldwide, with 10 species in the Palearctic region and two species in Korea. In this study, three additional Korean species are recorded: Silvanoprus fagi (Guérin-Méneville), Silvanoprus longicollis (Reitter), and Silvanoprus scuticollis (Walker). Redescriptions and illustrations of habitus, diagnostic characters, a distribution map, and a key to the Korean Silvanoprus species are provided.

Dynamics of Diversity of Spined Loaches of Genus Cobitis (Cobitidae) of Trans-Caucasus in the Anthropogenic Period According to the Data of Museum Collections. III. Morpho-genetic Variability, Taxonomic Status and Diagnostic Characters of Spined Loaches of the Black Sea Coast North of the Meskheti Ridge of the Lesser Caucasus

Dynamics of Diversity of Spined Loaches of Genus Cobitis (Cobitidae) of Trans-Caucasus in the Anthropogenic Period According to the Data of Museum Collections. III. Morpho-genetic Variability, Taxonomic Status and Diagnostic Characters of Spined Loaches of the Black Sea Coast North of the Meskheti Ridge of the Lesser Caucasus

Complementary description of two Anthoseius De Leon (Acari: Phytoseiidae) species based on their holotypes with new synonyms

Due to the inadequacy of prior descriptions and the absence of redescriptions, studies on the taxonomy of the subgenus Anthoseius De Leon (Acari: Phytoseiidae) have become challenging and often cause confusion among taxonomists. Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) ghanii (Muma) and T. (A.) loralaiana (Muma) were described from Pakistan almost sixty years ago. Their original descriptions are not very detailed, being based on simple drawings and an absence of diagnostic characters that include measurements of dorsal setae. Most likely due to its inadequate description, T. (A.) ghanii was not recognized by acarologists and was therefore repeatedly described as a new species under different names. We examined the holotypes of T. (A.) homalii Gupta and T. (A.) sagaricus Karmakar et al. concluding both species to be junior synonyms of T. (A.) ghanii. Moreover, T. (A.) kuznetsovi (Denmark and Welbourn), described from Tajikistan, is proposed as a new junior synonym of T. (A.) loralaiana based on the examination of their holotypes. Hence, complementary descriptions of T. (A.) ghanii and T. (A.) loralaiana, based on their holotypes, are provided to facilitate species identification and to improve their diagnosis.

Is Garra rezai (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) a species known only from two widely disjunct areas in the Tigris drainage?

Garra rezai was recently described from two geographically distant areas in the Tigris drainage: upper Yanarsu River (eastern Türkiye) and Bouein-Sofla Creek (Iran). In the scope of this study, we aimed to ascertain the distribution ranges of G. rezai and its morphologically most similar congener G. rufa in Türkiye by examining 1165 specimens from 73 lots, which were collected between 1957 and 2023 and currently curated in two broad fish collections. To achieve this, we focused on two important diagnostic morphological characters which distinguish these two species: scales on predorsal mid-line between dorsal-fin origin and nape, and branched dorsal-fin rays. The results revealed that G. rufa is a widely distributed species in the Tigris-Euphrates catchment, while G. rezai is regionally widespread, with populations identified in at least six different regions within the Tigris catchment. Additionally, G. rezai is documented for the first time in the upper Euphrates. Furthermore, we identified the drainage areas where G. rezai co-exists with G. rufa.

Taxonomic delimitation in Aspidosperma sect. Pungentia (Apocynaceae) based on morphological and leaf anatomical traits

Aspidosperma is one of the most representative genera in Apocynaceae in Brazil, composed of trees or small trees popularly known as perobas. The genus is distributed throughout tropical America, from Mexico to Argentina, with the exception of Chile. It comprises 80 species, 42 of which occur in Brazil, which is the center of diversity for the genus. Aspidosperma triternatum and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco, name the Aspidosperma sect. Pungentia, section is easily distinguished from the others, even in the vegetative state, by grouping species that have leaves with pungent apexes, unique in the genus. However, A. triternatum and A. quebracho-blanco are difficult to distinguish due to the morphological similarities they present, such as the pungent apex of their whorled leaves and the yellowish white color of their flowers. Therefore, our objective was to develop a study to obtain leaf morphological using the usual methods of microscopy. The most important diagnostic characters useful for delimiting the species were: the number of pairs of secondary veins; the patterns of distance between these and the median and distal region, as well as the reticulation of these veins; the branching of the tertiary veins; the impression of the quaternary veins as well as their development and the shape of the areola; shape of epidermal cells; cuticular ornamentation pattern; types and distribution of trichomes; distribution of stomata; organization and number of cell layers in mesophyll. We have shown from the performed study that the species have remarkable morphological and anatomical differences which made possible a better circumscription of the group.

Records of three gobioid fishes (Actinopterygii: Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Gujarat coast, India

We report for the first time three gobioid fishes: Amblygobius semicinctus (Bennett, 1833), Istigobius diadema (Steindachner, 1876), and Yongeichthys nebulosus (Forskål, 1775) from the Gujarat coast of India. We present short descriptions with species diagnostic characters, habitat and present distributions.

Phylogenetic evidence of a possible Trichuris globulosa species complex in Arabian camels from Kuwait.

During a 1-year study, Trichuris adults were obtained after necropsy of Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius) from a slaughterhouse in Kuwait. Morphological and molecular identification was performed to confirm the identity of the Trichuris specimens obtained from C. dromedarius. Fifteen male Trichuris specimens were selected, and molecular identification was performed using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 12S ribosomal RNA, 16S ribosomal RNA genes and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region. Through phylogenetic analysis, 2 distinct groups were obtained using the mitochondrial genes, where group 1 showed a close relationship to Trichuris globulosa while group 2 showed a close relationship to Trichuris ovis, providing molecular evidence of a possible T. globulosa species complex. Additionally, the nuclear ITS2 region did not provide enough resolution to distinguish between the 2 groups of Trichuris specimens. Observation of morphological characters revealed variations in the shape of the male spicule sheath, where specimens present either a globular posteriorly truncated swelling or the absence of posteriorly truncated swelling. Moreover, the variations in male spicule sheath does not corroborate with the results of molecular data, suggesting the limited use of this character for identification of T. globulosa. In conclusion, molecular analysis suggests a possible species complex in T. globulosa, with the mitochondrial genetic markers successfully differentiating between the 2 groups. The limited use of the male spicule sheath as a diagnostic character for identification of T. globulosa is suggested.

Preparation techniques for the mosquitoes and the blackflies (Diptera: Culicidae: Simuliidae)

Preparation techniques are given for making permanent or nonpermanent microscope slides of the mosquitoes and the blackflies (Diptera: Culicidae: Simuliidae). We mention here only those that we have personally found to be most satisfactory in the order to further study the morphology of dipterans. These techniques are required for a detailed examination of the diagnostic characters of mosquitoes and blackflies, as a result, to correctly identify the specimens. First, the general stages of processing specimens are considered, then the specifics for making permanent or nonpermanent microscope slides are given (in glycerin, Canadian balsam and euparal). Preparation techniques of larvae and adults (males and females) of mosquitoes and blackflies, as well as blackfly pupae, are discussed in detail, because these processes differ in each group and in each stage of the life cycle. Moreover, we give the technique for damaged material (i.e., as a result of loss of fixing fluid). For the first time, the description of diagnostic characters that are lost during the preparation is considered in detail. We have specified the structures of blackfly larvae, pupae and adults, whose characters must be described before making permanent microscope slides. We consider that some structures (i.e., the male genitalia of fam. Culicidae and Simuliidae) should be pre-examined on nonpermanent microscope slides, and then permanent slides can be made.

Unravelling the mishmash: A new phylogeny for the family Empheriidae (Psocodea, Trogiomorpha) with a new genus and species from Cretaceous Charentese amber

The order Psocodea, including barklice, booklice, and parasitic lice, is diverse and widely distributed since the Cretaceous. That is particularly the case for the speciose extinct family Empheriidae (Psocodea, Trogiomorpha, Atropetae), recently fused with the ‘Archaeatropidae’. Understanding the evolution of barklice is dependent in part on studying this family, as its representatives have been found from the Early Cretaceous to the Eocene, surviving the K/Pg extinction event. The phylogenetic relationships of Empheriidae in relation to other families, such as Lepidopsocidae or Psoquillidae, have been extensively debated. However, distinguishing diagnostic characters for the Empheriidae has proven challenging. In this study, we describe the new empheriid Santonipsocus mimeticusgen. et sp. nov. from Cretaceous Charentese amber (France). It is the third empheriid species found in this locality. The new genus is compared with the other genera in the family, and Proprionoglaris guyoti and Proprionoglaris axioperierga are revised based on the type material and new specimens. We explore the phylogeny of Empheriidae, both the relationships with other families and the inner relationships between the genera, through maximum parsimony analysis and Bayesian inference analysis. Our results suggest that Empheriidae may represent a paraphyletic evolutionary grade to the rest of Atropetae. The phylogenetic relationships between genera align with the biogeography of the family and support previous hypotheses. In addition, we discuss the possible biology of the members of the family, shedding light on the evolutionary history of Empheriidae.

130 years from discovery to description: micro‐CT scanning applied to construct the integrative taxonomy of a forgotten moth from Southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

AbstractX‐ray micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) of dried and pinned museum specimens combined with advanced image processing can provide a useful, novel and non‐destructive tool for integrative insect taxonomy. This paper demonstrates how micro‐CT can be applied to provide unambiguous illustrations of diagnostic morphological characters for new taxa description and to understand how micro‐CT imaging may complement other imaging techniques. Following micro‐CT scanning, a semi‐automatic segmentation and volume rendering protocol was used to portray the wing venation and diagnostic structures and ornamentation of male genitalia from multiple angles. Using micro‐CT images, we provide the description of a conspicuous geometrid moth from southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), which has been present in collections since 1894, but left without an available name. Using a multigenetic dataset comprising 273 terminal taxa from the superfamily Geometroidea, we constructed a molecular phylogeny to place our study species to an isolated lineage in Geometridae: Larentiinae, tribe Xanthorhoini sensu lato. We describe it as Chloecolora vergetaria new genus, new species Englund & Staude, and provide diverse ecological information on its distribution, habitat, host plant, adult and immature stages, and parasites. We found micro‐CT imaging particularly useful in two‐ and three‐dimensional imaging of wings, providing detailed information for instance on non‐tubular folds that may be difficult to distinguish using other techniques.

Taxonomic reassessment of Rhodnius zeledoni Jurberg, Rocha & Galvão: a morphological and morphometric analysis comparing its taxonomic relationship with Rhodnius domesticus Neiva & Pinto

BackgroundRhodnius zeledoni was described from a single specimen. Since its description, doubts have arisen regarding the taxonomic status of this species in relation to Rhodnius domesticus.MethodsThe present study reviewed and compared R. zeledoni with R. domesticus based on morphological analysis and head geometric morphometrics.ResultsOur analysis revealed the absence of distinctive diagnostic characters between the two species at specific levels. Rhodnius zeledoni and R. domesticus show morphological and morphometric similarity, with only minor differences in coloration observed between them. Contrary to previous statements, our analysis showed that R. zeledoni and R. paraensis are not closely related species, not corroborating previous studies with such an assumption.ConclusionsTherefore, we formally propose R. zeledoni as a junior synonym of R. domesticus.

Gladiolus adanus (Iridaceae, Crocoideae), a new species from Türkiye

Gladiolus adanus is introduced to the scientific world as a new species from Adana/Tufanbeyli/Türkiye. In this study, description and illustration, diagnostic morphological characters, habitat, distribution, ecological characteristics, conservation status, seed micromorphological characters (LM and SEM) and comparisons with close species are given.

A review of Odontiinae (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) of Iran, with description of two new species

The Odontiinae species of Iran are reviewed. Tegostoma pseudosarobiella Alipanah & Nazari sp. n. and T. tremewani Alipanah & Nazari sp. n. are newly described. Tegostoma moeschleri (Christoph, 1862) is considered as a senior synonym of T. uniforma Amsel, 1951 syn. n., T. lepidalis lepidalis (Herrich-Schäffer, 1851) as a senior synonym of T. lepidalis apurpurealis Amsel, 1970 syn. n., and Aeschremon belutschistanalis Amsel, 1959 as a senior synonym of Tegostoma marginalis Amsel, 1961 syn. n. The genus Autocharis Swinhoe, 1894 and five species, namely Aporodes dentifascialis Christoph in Romanoff, 1887, Cynaeda forsteri de Lattin, 1951, Aeschremon ochrealis Asselbergs, 2008, A. desertalis Asselbergs, 2008 and Autocharis fessalis (Swinhoe, 1887) are newly reported for the fauna of Iran. The redescription of female of Tegostoma confluentalis Hampson, 1913, male genitalia of Aeschremon belutschistanalis, and female genitalia of Epimetasia abbasalis Amsel, 1974 are presented. The hitherto unknown female of A. belutschistanalis and the hitherto unknown male of E. abbasalis are described and illustrated. The intraspecific variations of the species if present are discussed and additional new diagnostic characters to separate the closely related species are presented. Data on the geographical distribution of the Iranian species of this subfamily as well as their distribution maps are provided.

A new synonymy in the Lethaeini of the Neotropics (Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae), with new country records for Petissius spinipes (Stål)

ABSTRACT Lethaeini is a diverse tribe within Rhyparochromidae, with Lethaeus Dallas being the most speciose genus. This study is focused on the poorly documented Lethaeus lepidus White, the only species in the genus recorded from the Neotropics. Through a reexamination, this species is considered a new synonym of Petissius spinipes Stål. The examined material is sourced from recent field expeditions in natural areas in Brazil, as well as from entomological collections. In addition, the types of the described species were studied from high-definition photographs. The distribution of P. spinipes is updated, indicating that the species is widely distributed in the Neotropics, and filling a large geographic gap with many new locality records. Distribution map including the new records and high-definition illustrations of the species and diagnostic characters are provided. As a result of the findings presented, there are currently no documented representatives of the genus Lethaeus in the New World. With the previouly significant geographical gap between Argentina and Guyana, the 12 new Brazilian state records substantially amplify our undertanding into the species’ range. This emphasizes the indispensable role of entomological collections and the need for dedicaded sampling expeditions to enhance our undertanding of overlooked taxa, as is often the case for Rhyparochromidae.

Türkiye’den Salmo cinsine ait iki türün karşılaştırmalı otolit morfolojisi

In this study, the morphology of the sagittal otolith of Salmo coruhensis Turan, Kottelat & Engin, 2010 and Salmo fahrettini Turan, Kalayci, Bektaş, Kaya & Bayçelebi, 2020 from Çam Stream (Artvin) and Terme Stream (Samsun) was described by images of scanning electron microscopy. Its shape and contour were also analyzed with shape indices, elliptic Fourier coefficients and wavelet transforms. As the study material, a total of 30 S. coruhensis sample and 20 S. fahrettini sample were obtained. Interspecies differences in otolith shape and morphometry were evaluated by principal components analysis, canonical discrimination analysis, and permutational multivariate analysis of variance. The two salmonid species studied were distinguished by both morphometric and shape analysis methods. However, wavelet transform was found to be more effective than shape indices and elliptic Fourier coefficients in species discrimination, with an overall classification success rate of 80%. Our results showed that saccular otolith morphology could be an additional diagnostic character for trout species differentiation.

Morphological and molecular evidence of cryptic speciation in sympatric colour morphotypes of Mycale (Carmia) cecilia (Porifera: Poecilosclerida) from the Mexican Pacific

Identifying cryptic species is pivotal for understanding marine biodiversity and optimizing strategies for its conservation. A robust understanding of poriferan diversity is a complex endeavour. It has also been extremely hampered by the high phenotypic plasticity and the limited number of diagnostic characters. Mycale (Carmia) cecilia has different body colours, even among individuals living together. We tested whether the colour variation could be due to polymorphism, phenotypic plasticity or cryptic speciation. Phylogenetic reconstructions of nuclear and mitochondrial loci were congruent. Individuals of different body colour did not cluster together and had high levels of genetic divergence. Furthermore, the green morphotype clustered in almost all reconstructions with Mycale (C.) phyllophila, as both showed higher gene similarity at the transcriptomic level (public transcriptome). Morphologically, the green individuals consistently showed discrepancies from the red ones. These results suggest that all individuals with the same body colour, either red or green, correspond to the same species, while individuals with different body colours probably belong to different species. These results reveal high levels of morphologic and genetic diversity, which could have important implications for what is known as M. (C.) cecilia and the Mycalidae systematics.