Genus-level Taxa Research Articles

Using DNA barcodes for assessing diversity in the family Hybotidae (Diptera, Empidoidea)

Empidoidea is one of the largest extant lineages of flies, but phylogenetic relationships among species of this group are poorly investigated and global diversity remains scarcely assessed. In this context, one of the most enigmatic empidoid families is Hybotidae. Within the framework of a pilot study, we barcoded 339 specimens of Old World hybotids belonging to 164 species and 22 genera (plus two Empis as outgroups) and attempted to evaluate whether patterns of intra- and interspecific divergences match the current taxonomy. We used a large sampling of diverse Hybotidae. The material came from the Palaearctic (Belgium, France, Portugal and Russian Caucasus), the Afrotropic (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the Oriental realms (Singapore and Thailand). Thereby, we optimized lab protocols for barcoding hybotids. Although DNA barcodes generally well distinguished recognized taxa, the study also revealed a number of unexpected phenomena: e.g., undescribed taxa found within morphologically very similar or identical specimens, especially when geographic distance was large; some morphologically distinct species showed no genetic divergence; or different pattern of intraspecific divergence between populations or closely related species. Using COI sequences and simple Neighbour-Joining tree reconstructions, the monophyly of many species- and genus-level taxa was well supported, but more inclusive taxonomical levels did not receive significant bootstrap support. We conclude that in hybotids DNA barcoding might be well used to identify species, when two main constraints are considered. First, incomplete barcoding libraries hinder efficient (correct) identification. Therefore, extra efforts are needed to increase the representation of hybotids in these databases. Second, the spatial scale of sampling has to be taken into account, and especially for widespread species or species complexes with unclear taxonomy, an integrative approach has to be used to clarify species boundaries and identities.

<i>Miamia maimai</i> n. sp., a new Pennsylvanian stem-orthopteran insect, and a case study on the application of cladotypic nomenclature

A new stem-orthopteran insect assignable to the – traditional – genus and the – cladotypic-defined – taxon <i>Miamia</i> Dana, 1864 is described based on abundant material collected from the Xiaheyan locality (Ningxia, China; Early Pennsylvanian). Intra-specific wing venation variability in <i>Miamia maimai</i> n. sp. is appreciated based on wing pairs of single individuals, and on a complete series of conditions. Rare variants are reported. Details of head and leg morphology are documented: the new species possesses a five-segmented tarsus provided with paired claws and arolium, and labial palps with at least four segments, probably five. The nomenclatural section is conducted under the cladotypic nomenclatural procedure, but in a way largely consistent with the traditional usage. This experiment demonstrates that a combination composed of a "genus level-taxon" name previously associated with a definition and type material (e.g. <i>Miamia</i>), a specific epithet (e.g. <i>maimai</i>), and authorship information (e.g. Béthoux et al. 2012), with further mention to "<i>Miamia maimai</i>" or "<i>M. maimai</i>", provides a suitable reference to the species under all nomenclatural procedures, including the traditional one. <br><br> doi:<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mmng.201200008" target="_blank">10.1002/mmng.201200008</a>

Miamia maimai n. sp., a new Pennsylvanian stem-orthopteran insect, and a case study on the application of cladotypic nomenclature

Abstract. A new stem-orthopteran insect assignable to the – traditional – and the – cladotypic-defined – taxon Dana, 1864 is described based on abundant material collected from the Xiaheyan locality (Ningxia, China; Early Pennsylvanian). Intra-specific wing venation variability in n. sp. is appreciated based on wing pairs of single individuals, and on a complete series of conditions. Rare variants are reported. Details of head and leg morphology are documented: the new species possesses a five-segmented tarsus provided with paired claws and arolium, and labial palps with at least four segments, probably five. The nomenclatural section is conducted under the cladotypic nomenclatural procedure, but in a way largely consistent with the traditional usage. This experiment demonstrates that a combination composed of a genus level-taxon name previously associated with a definition and type material (e.g. Miamia), a specific epithet (e.g. maimai), and authorship information (e.g. Bethoux et al. 2012), with further mention to Miamia maimai or M. maimai, provides a suitable reference to the species under all nomenclatural procedures, including the traditional one. doi: 10.1002/mmng.201200008

Cönológiai hasonlósági mintázatok indikációs ereje genuszszint? taxonlisták és gyakorisági eloszlások alapján

Egy él?hely cönológiai állapotának értékelésére sokféle módszer és indikátor áll rendelkezésre. Közülük kiemelked? gyakorlati ökológiai jelent?sége lehet azoknak, amelyek egyszer?ek, gyorsak, standardizálhatóak és megbízhatóak, illetve amelyek pontosan számszer?sítik az él?hely állapotát. Az egyik lehetséges módszer az él?helyen el?forduló, kisméret?, nagy abundanciájú és változatos ökológiai sajátságú nemzetségek (genuszok) vizsgálata. Az egyik legmegfelel?bbnek ítélt csoport erre a célra a talajlakó páncélosatkáké (Acari: Oribatida).
 Az MTA "Alkalmazkodás a klímaváltozáshoz" Kutatócsoportja bioindikációs módszertani kutatási programjához kapcsolódva, Oribatida talajatkákra vonatkozó, általunk felvételezett és irodalmi eredet? adatsorokon elemeztük a genuszszint? taxonlisták indikációs erejét, valamint a hasonlósági mintázatokat létrehozó f?bb mintázatgeneráló tényez?k hatását. Egy olyan módszertani eljárás kifejlesztése volt a cél, amelynek segítségével két tetsz?leges forrásból származó Oribatida genuszlista távolságfüggvényekkel kifejezett különböz?sége tér- és id?léptékeknek feleltethet? meg. Igazoltuk, hogy a genuszlisták az él?helyek térbeli távolságát is kifejezik. Módszerünkkel a bolygatott vagy átalakult él?helyek megváltozását az Oribatida közösségek, tér-id?beli távolságával tudjuk kifejezni.

An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta, Canada

This checklist documents the 2367 Lepidoptera species reported to occur in the province of Alberta, Canada, based on examination of the major public insect collections in Alberta and the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes. Records from relevant literature sources published since 1950 and from selected older works are also included. The entry for each species includes the scientific name, the author and year of publication of the original description, occurrence status, provincial distribution (according to ecoclimatic region), and adult phenology. The most recent taxonomic references are given, and common names are listed for butterflies and conspicuous moth species. The sources of specimen- and literature-based records are provided for each species. An additional 138 species whose occurrence in Alberta is probable are appended to the list. For 1524 of the listed species and subspecies, annotations are given, with selected information on taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution, habitat, and biology. An additional section provides details on 171 species erroneously reported from Alberta in previous works. Introductory sections to the volume provide a general overview of the order Lepidoptera and review the natural regions of Alberta, the state of knowledge of their Lepidoptera faunas, and the history and current state of knowledge of Alberta Lepidoptera. Each of the 63 families (and selected subfamilies) occurring in Alberta is briefly reviewed, with information on distinguishing features, general appearance, and general biology. A bibliography and an index of genus-level, species-level, and subspecies-level names are provided. The list is accompanied by an appendix of proposed nomenclature changes, consisting of revised status for 25 taxa raised from synonymy to species level, and new synonymy for 20 species-level and one genus-level taxa here considered to be subjective synonyms, with resultant revised synonymy for one taxon and formalization of seven new combinations. Status is revised for the following taxa, which were previously treated as junior subjective synonyms or as subspecies and are herein raised to species status: Carterocephalus mandan (Edwards, 1863); Hesperia manitoba (Scudder, 1874); Colias elis Strecker, 1885; Nymphalis j-album (Boisduval & LeConte, [1835]); Euphydryas bernadetta Leussler, 1920; Speyeria leto (Behr, 1862); Boloria myrina (Cramer, 1777); Coenonympha inornata Edwards, 1861; Colostygia circumvallaria (Taylor, 1906); Xanthorhoe delectaria Cassino & Swett, 1922; Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett & Cassino, 1920; Scopula quinquelinearia (Packard, 1870); Spodolepis danbyi (Hulst, 1898); Hyalophora gloveri (Strecker, 1872); Smerinthus ophthalmica Boisduval, 1855; Furcula borealis (Guerin-Meneville, 1844); Furcula occidentalis (Lintner, 1878); Acronicta cyanescens Hampson, 1909; Oligia rampartensis Barnes & Benjamin, 1923; Anarta nigrolunata Packard, 1867; Anarta columbica (McDunnough, 1930); Anarta montanica (McDunnough, 1930); Leucania dia (Grote, 1879); Euxoa adumbrata thanatologia (Dyar, 1904); and Euxoa furtivus (Smith, 1890). The following new synonymies are proposed, with the valid name presented first: Xanthorhoe algidata (Moschler, 1874) (= Xanthorhoe dodata Cassino & Swett, 1920), Macaria signaria (Hubner, 1809) (= Melanolophia unipunctaria W. S. Wright, 1916; Semiothisa marmorata Ferguson, 1972; Macaria? submarmorata Walker, 1861), Speranza occiduaria (Packard, 1874) (= Diastictis andersoni Swett, 1916), Caenurgina crassiuscula (Haworth, 1809) (= Caenurgina distincta (Neumoegen, 1884)), Tarache augustipennis Grote, 1875 (= Conacontia flavicosta Smith, 1900), Acronicta dactylina Grote, 1874 (= Acronicta hesperida Smith, 1897), Acronicta grisea Walker, 1856 (= Acronicta tartarea Smith, 1903), Acronicta lupini Grote, 1873 (= Merolonche ursina Smith, 1898), Fishia yosemitae (Grote, 1873) (= Fishia enthea Grote, 1877; Fishia betsia Smith, 1905; Fishia instruta Smith, 1910), Sutyna privata (Walker, 1857) (= Anytus profundus Smith, 1900), Mniotype ducta (Grote, 1878) (= Xylophasia versuta Smith, 1895), Mniotype tenera (Smith, 1900) (= Xylophasia miniota Smith, 1908; Hadena ferida Smith, 1908), Anarta decepta (Grote, 1883) (= Trichoclea postica Smith, 1891), Protorthodes incincta (Morrison, 1874) (= Taeniocampa utahensis Smith, 1888; Orthodes akalus Strecker, 1898). The following revised synonomy is proposed, with the valid name presented first: Xanthorhoe lagganata Swett & Cassino, 1920 (= Xanthorhoe incursata var. harveyata Cassino & Swett, 1922). One new generic synonymy is proposed, with the valid name appearing first: Idia Hubner, 1813 (= Reabotis Smith, 1903), resulting in one new combination. Six species are transferred from Trichoclea Hubner to Sideridis Hubner, resulting in six new combinations.

Dwight Willard Taylor (1932–2006): His Life And Malacological Research

Dwight Willard Taylor (1932–2006) was a malacologist and paleontologist whose research on the systematics and biogeography of freshwater gastropods, particularly the Hydrobiidae and Physidae, resulted in numerous taxonomic innovations and led to extensive research by others. His biogeographical analyses of the distribution of freshwater mollusks, particularly from western North America, were provocative and stimulating. His research on endangered or threatened species was influential in the conservation of those species and their habitats. He published 65 papers and 9 abstracts, and authored numerous internal reports to federal and state agencies, primarily for the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He described 132 taxa, comprising 12 family-level taxa, 31 genus-level taxa, and 89 species; most of his taxa were in the Hydrobiidae (54) and Physidae (39), and he was involved in the founding and early development of Malacologia.

Naming Species in Phylogenetic Nomenclature

are important for organizing knowledge of biodiversity (Gaston, 2000; Bertrand et al, 2006). This is also reflected by the use of species as basic referents in ecology as well as evolutionary and conservation biology. Under codes of traditional rank-based nomenclature (TN), the zoological code (ICZN; International Commis sion on Zoological Nomenclature, 1999), the botanical code (ICBN; Greuter et al, 2000), and the bacteriolog ical code (ICNB; Lapage et al, 1992), but not the viral code (Mayo and Horzinek, 1998), all species names are composed of a combination of two names, the first be ing a generic name and the second being a specific name (specific epithet). The application of this combination to species names dates back to Carl Linnaeus's Philosophia Bot?nica (1751) and the combination itself is termed a bi nomen or binomial. To avoid terminological ambiguity, in this paper I will refer to this combination as the Lin naean binomen, using a binomen to refer to any species name that is composed of two separate words. Although alternative methods for naming species had been proposed already before the advent of PN (e.g., Berio, 1953; Cain, 1959a; Michener, 1963,1964; Lanham, 1965; Amadon, 1966; Griffiths, 1976), none have gained acceptance. Although the dead weight of tradition and familiarity is undoubtedly important and likely decisive, it is not the only reason why Linnaean binominal (binary) nomenclature (LBN) continues to be kept in use. Cer tainly, LBN offers a number of advantages. Probably the most important of these is that the inclusion of a genus name within a species name helps avoiding homonymy. This is particularly relevant when taking into account the large number of species in nature and the fact that many species have been named using identical specific epithets. Another practical benefit of LBN is that the bi nominal form distinguishes the names of species from the names of other taxa, which usually consist of either one word (supraspecific taxa) or three words (infraspe cific taxa). Furthermore, LBN enhances the retrieval of information on genus-level taxa because the name of a genus is part of the names of all species assigned to that genus. It is, however, also true that LBN has introduced a number of problems into biological nomenclature Phylogenetic nomenclature (PN) is a rank-free system of biological nomenclature, designed to name species and clades (de Queiroz and Gauthier, 1990, 1992, 1994; Cantino and de Queiroz, 2006). In this system, the cat egories species and clade are not taxonomic ranks but different kinds of biological entities. A species is an in dividuated segment of a metapopulation-level lineage. A clade is a complete system of ancestry and descent, consisting of an ancestor (such as a species, popula tion, or organism) and all its descendants (de Queiroz, 1998,1999,2005a, 2005b, 2005c; Cantino and de Queiroz, 2006). Both are historical entities that compose the Tree of Life, viewed as concrete individuals rather than abstract classes in the ontological sense (but see, e.g., Lee and Wolsan [2002] for a notion of the ontological distinction between synchronie individuals and diachronic histor ical entities). As existing independently of human per ception rather than being human constructs, species and clades are discovered or inferred rather than constructed

Systematics and biogeography of New World sea catfishes (Siluriformes: Ariidae) as inferred from mitochondrial, nuclear, and morphological evidence

Ariid or sea catfishes include around 150 species that inhabit marine, brackish, and freshwater environments along world’s tropical and subtropical continental shelves. Phylogenetic relationships for 46 New World and three Old World species of ariids were hypothesized using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference reconstruction criteria on 2842 mitochondrial (cytochrome b, ATP synthase 8 and 6, ribosomal 12S and 16S) and 978 nuclear ( rag2) nucleotide sites. The molecular topologies were compared to a previously compiled morphological dataset that was expanded herein to a total of 25 ariid species and 55 characters. Mitochondrial data yielded clades highly resolved at subfamilial, generic, and intrageneric levels. Nuclear rag2 reconstructions showed poor resolution at supra- and intrageneric levels, but provided support for the monophyly of most genera (except Ariopsis and Cathorops) as well as for the subfamilial clades. The hypothesized phylogeny derived from the morphological data was congruent with the molecular topologies at infrafamilial and generic levels. As indicated by the statistical tests of topological congruence, Kailola’s phylogenetic hypothesis of ariids based on anatomical data is significantly different from our molecular trees. All reconstructions agree in the division of the Ariidae into two subfamilies, the Ariinae and the monogeneric Galeichthyinae. Basal ariine resolution was negligible suggesting that early diversification events occurred rapidly. The three Indo-Pacific taxa were grouped into a clade, but New World ariines were never recovered as monophyletic. We provide a revised classification for New World ariines examined, which is consistent with the molecular and the morphological evidence. Our classification scheme includes the genera Ariopsis, Bagre, Cathorops, Notarius, Potamarius, and Sciades, and the description of two new genus-level taxa ( Occidentarius n. gen and Precathorops n. subgen.). We also hypothesize plausible biogeographic scenarios that explain distributional patterns of major ariid lineages. Diversification of the predominantly circumtropical ariines likely occurred throughout the Tethys Sea, whereas speciation events in the subtropical galeichthyines were probably tied to the southern coast of Gondwana.

Calcareous algae and associated microfossils from Mid-Carboniferous rocks in east-central Idaho

Mid-Carboniferous (upper Chesterian–lower Atokan) rocks exposed north of the Snake River Plain in east-central Idaho are assigned to the Arco Hills, Bluebird Mountain and lower Snaky Canyon formations (ascending order). In the southern Lemhi Range, calcareous algae and associated microproblematica from these rocks include representatives of at least 13 genera and genus-level taxa within the Dasycladaceae, Aoujgaliaceae, Ungdarellaceae, and incertae familiae. Local appearances of Masloviporidium delicata and Donezella lutugini are early Morrowan or younger as determined independently by studies of associated foraminifers and conodonts. Beresella polyramosa and Komia abundans are locally restricted to Atokan rocks. These findings are consistent with compiled data on worldwide stratigraphic distributions of these taxa, and suggest that certain Upper Paleozoic calcareous algae may be of limited value in biostratigraphic correlation.