Incertae Sedis Research Articles

More than meets the eye: characterizing the cryptic species complex and Symbiodiniaceae communities in the reef-dwelling nudibranch Pteraeolidia ‘semperi’ (Nudibranchia: Aeolidioidea) from Singapore

ABSTRACT The advent of molecular systematics has revolutionized our knowledge of biodiversity, revealing undiscovered cryptic lineages across the tree of life. Correspondingly, an increasing number of nudibranch species complexes have been found and described through integrative taxonomic approaches. Pteraeolidia ‘semperi’ (Nudibranchia: Cladobranchia: Aeolidioidea) presently represents a species complex, possessing ambiguous systematics and an underestimated diversity. Sequencing and phylogenetic reconstructions based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I marker from 48 samples of P. ‘semperi’ collected from Singapore's southern waters, as well as morphological analyses including scanning electron microscopy of the radula, suggest that P. ‘semperi’ comprises several distinct cryptic lineages. We further characterized the Symbiodiniaceae communities of P. ‘semperi’ from Singapore using metabarcoding of the internal transcribed spacer 2 gene. Pteraeolidia ‘semperi’ from Singapore was found to predominantly host Cladocopium and Durusdinium symbionts, and was significantly structured by biogeography. This study elucidates the present taxonomic diversity of P. ‘semperi’ in Singapore and contributes to the growing body of work on the diversity of algal symbionts associated with this enigmatic taxon.

Nomenclatural and taxonomic changes in parasitic isopods (Isopoda: Epicaridea), including two new families and note on the questionable association between monogeneans and bopyrids

Several long-standing taxonomic and nomenclatural problems in bopyroid and cryptoniscoid isopods are addressed. Within Bopyroidea we propose five new synonomies, three new combinations, a correction of the spelling of one species and a replacement name for another. In addition, the likely erroneous conclusion that a monogenean is an associate of bopyrids is discussed. Within Cryptoniscoidea, we determined the familial placement of three genera that were previously designated as incertae sedis (Capitoniscus Bourdon, 1972 and Carocryptus Schultz, 1977) or of doubtful affiliation (Cumoechus Hansen, 1916). In total, five species of cryptoniscoids are placed into two new families (Capitoniscidae n. fam. and Cumoechidae n. fam.), each containing at least one species known from both female and cryptoniscus larvae/paedomorphic male stages. Finally, the status of two cryptoniscoid genera is addressed: Gorgoniscus Grygier, 1981 is placed in Hemioniscidae, and Leponiscus Giard, 1887, is synonymized with Hemioniscus Buccholz, 1866.

Notes on the diatom collection of the Natural History Museum, London (BM) VII: An account of some original specimens of Pyrgodiscus (Bacillariophyta) with notes on Stephanogonia (Bacillariophyta)

Specimens of the diatom genus Pyrgodiscus held at the BM have been examined and two species are recognised and accepted: Pyrgodiscus armatus and Pyrgodiscus simplex. Both are extinct fossil species but known only from light microscope data. The sole defining character recognised (so far) is two series of spines: (1) one series of spines surrounding the base of the valve, (2) the other series surrounding the central pillar. The status of the genus, however, is unclear as they may be resting spores. The classification of Pyrgodiscus is uncertain. Although a relationship with Stephanogonia was suggested some time ago, the only option at this time is to leave Pyrgodiscus as incertae sedis and to encourage investigation and characterisation of higher taxa.

ENCYCLOBREPHUS BREVIVITELLUS N. SP. (DIGENEA: PLAGIORCHIOIDEA, INCERTAE SEDIS) INFECTING THE MEKONG SNAIL-EATING TURTLE, MALAYEMYS SUBTRIJUGA, IN THE MEKONG RIVER, VIETNAM, WITH PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSES BASED ON RDNA.

A new digenean species belonging in EncyclobrephusSinha, 1949 is described, and the generic diagnosis is amended to accommodate variation in several features of the new species. Worms were collected from the intestines of 2 specimens of the Mekong snail-eating turtle, Malayemys subtrijuga (Schlegel and Müller, 1845). Permanent whole-mounted worms were studied using light microscopy, and ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences were generated from 3 worms. We investigated the phylogenetic relationship of the new species among some digenea using separate Bayesian inference analyses, 1 based on the 28S rDNA gene and rooted using a species from the Monorchioidea Odhner, 1911, and a second based on the internal transcribed spacer 1 region rooted by a species in the Microphalloidea Ward, 1901. Prior to the analyses, Encyclobrephus was classified in the Encyclometridae Mehra, 1931. Previous studies using rDNA from the type species for the family, Encyclometra colubrimurorum (Rudolphi, 1819) Baylis and Cannon, 1924, have demonstrated that En. colubrimurorum is closely related to species of Polylekithum Arnold, 1934 in the Gorgoderoidea Looss, 1901. Nevertheless, phylograms from both analyses indicated that the new species of Encyclobrephus belongs in the Plagiorchioidea Lühe, 1901, related to species in the families Cephalogonimidae Looss, 1899, Plagiorchiidae Lühe, 1901, Reniferidae Pratt, 1902, and Telorchiidae Looss, 1899. The present results suggest that Encyclobrephus is not closely related to En. colubrimurorum. Familial classification of Encyclobrephus is contingent on molecular data availability for the type species but it should be removed from the Encyclometridae and classified as incertae sedis within the Plagiorchioidea. Encyclometridae belongs in the Gorgoderoidea, not the Plagiorchioidea.

Molecular phylogenetics coupled with morphological analyses of Arctic and Antarctic strains place Chamaepinnularia (Bacillariophyta) within the Sellaphoraceae

The diatom genus <i>Chamaepinnularia</i> was first published by Lange-Bertalot et Krammer in 1996 to accommodate several small species previously included within <i>Navicula</i> and <i>Pinnularia</i>. Despite its morphological similarity to those two genera, the family-level classification of <i>Chamaepinnularia</i> has been considered <i>incertae sedis</i> since its description almost three decades ago. We provide the first molecular characterisation (18S and rbcL) of the genus based on cultured polar strains and investigated its phylogenetic placement. Molecular data are complemented with observations on living cells, as well as detailed examination of oxidized material with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The 12 investigated strains were morphologically identified as three taxa: two already described species (<i>C. gerlachei</i>, <i>C. krookii</i>) and one here newly described (<i>C. australis </i>sp. nov.). These species formed three separate, well-supported branches in the phylogeny. Our analyses placed <i>Chamaepinnularia</i> as a sister group to members of the Sellaphoraceae for which sequence data exist (i.e. <i>Sellaphora</i>, <i>Fallacia</i>, <i>Rossia</i> and <i>Diprora</i>). Based on the presence of hymenate areolae, a single H-shaped plastid with girdle appressed plates and the results of the phylogenetic trees, we propose the inclusion of <i>Chamaepinnularia</i> within the family Sellaphoraceae, which altogether form a supported monophyletic group.

An Update of the Cenchrinae (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paniceae) and a New Genus for the Subtribe to Clarify the Dubious Position of a Species of Panicum L.

Subtribe Cenchrinae, so-called as the "bristle clade", is a monophyletic group of panicoid grasses characterized by having sterile branches or bristles on the inflorescences in most of its species. Within this subtribe is also placed Panicum antidotale Retz., an "incertae sedis" species of Panicum L. which lacks bristles along the inflorescence. In this study, we present an update of the subtribe Cenchrinae based on molecular, morphological, and anatomical evidence to clarify the systematic position of P. antidotale in the Cenchrinae, excluding it from Panicum and establishing it in a new genus (i.e., Janochloa Zuloaga & Delfini); the morphological features distinguishing the new genus from other closely related taxa are properly discussed and an identification key to the 24 genera recognized within Cenchrinae is presented. We also add American Setaria species, not tested before, of subgenera Paurochaetium and Reverchoniae, discussing the position of these taxa in actual phylogeny of the genus as well as defining placements in the tree of Setaria species that were imprecisely located in previous analyses. A comparison with the results from other studies, comments on Stenotaphrum Trin. and a brief discussion on conflicting placements in Cenchrus and related taxa, and of Acritochaete Pilg. are also included.

Phylogenetic relationships in Hybosoridae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)

AbstractHybosoridae comprise five extant subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae, Hybosorinae, Liparochrinae and Pachyplectrinae). The phylogenetics of Anaidinae and Ceratocanthinae have been analysed previously. This is the first thorough analysis with greater representation of the entire family, especially regarding Hybosorinae. The present study tested the monophyly of Hybosoridae; the monophyly and relationships of its subfamilies and among the genera; and the ‘incertae sedis’ placement of the hybosorid genera Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes and of Orubesa, currently assigned to Scarabaeidae. The matrix consisted of 111 morphological characters and 76 taxa. The monophyly of Hybosoridae and three subfamilies (Anaidinae, Ceratocanthinae and Liparochrinae) was supported. Few changes were necessary to recover the monophyly of Hybosorinae and Pachyplectrinae: Brenskea is transferred from Pachyplectrinae to Hybosorinae, and Borrochrus and Daimothoracodes are allocated to Pachyplectrinae. Hybosorinae include two paraphyletic genera: Apalonychus and Hybosorus. To recover their monophyly, two monotypic genera were synonymized: Hapalonychoides is now a junior subjective synonym of Apalonychus (Apalonychus similis comb. nov.) and Hybosoroides a junior subjective synonym of Hybosorus (Hybosorus alluaudi comb. nov.). Orubesa is more closely related to Ochodaeidae than to Hybosoridae.

Altered gut microbiota in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease: an age-sex matched case-control study.

The investigations related to how gut microbiota changes the brain-gut axis in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) attract growing interest. We aimed to determine whether gut microbiota is altered in PD patients and whether non-motor symptoms of PD and disease duration had any relation with alterations of microbiota profiles among patients. Microbial taxa in stool samples obtained from 84 subjects (42-PD patients and 42-healthy spouses) were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon-sequencing. We observed a significant decrease of Firmicutes and a significant increase of Verrucomicrobiota at the phylum level. At the family level, Lactobacillaceae and Akkermansiaceae were significantly increased and Coriobacteriales Incertae Sedis were significantly decreased in the PD patients compared to their healthy spouses. Genus level comparison inferred significant increase in abundance only in Lactobacillus while the abundance of Lachnospiraceae ND3007 group, Tyzzerella, Fusicatenibacter, Eubacterium hallii group and Ruminococcus gauvreauii group were all decreased. We determined that the abundance of Prevotella genus decreased, but not significantly in PD patients. In addition, we found differences in microbiota composition between patients with and without non-motor symptoms. We observed differences in gut microbiota composition between PD patients and their healthy spouses. Our findings suggest that disease duration influenced microbiota composition, which in turn influenced development of non-motor symptoms in PD. This study is the first in terms of both gut microbiota research in Turkish PD patients and the probable effect of microbiota on non-motor symptoms of PD.

Catalog of the Hydroptilidae (Insecta, Trichoptera).

The microcaddisfly (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) fauna is catalogued from a review of more than 1,300 literature citations through the end of 2020 to include 2,665 currently recognized, valid species in six subfamilies and 76 genera. Fourteen subspecies are included in the total as well as 23 fossil species and three fossil genera. The family Ptilocolepidae (Trichoptera), also covered in this catalogue, comprises 19 valid species in two genera; two subspecies and two fossil species are included in the total. The monotypic genus Eutonella, currently considered incertae sedis within Trichoptera, was formerly placed in Hydroptilidae and is also included in this catalogue. Genus-group and species-group synonyms are listed. Information on the type locality, type depository, sex of type, distribution by country, and other relevant taxonomic or biological information is included for each nominal species. Summary information on taxonomy, phylogeny, distribution, immature stages, and biology are provided for each subfamily, tribe, and genus where known. An index to all nominal taxa is provided to facilitate catalog use.

A new genus of dance fly (Diptera: Empidoidea: Hybotidae) from Cretaceous Spanish ambers and introduction to the fossiliferous amber outcrop of La Hoya (Castellón Province, Spain).

Hybotidae fly species, also known as dance flies, in Cretaceous ambers have been described from Lebanon, France, Myanmar, Russia, and Canada. Here we describe Grimaldipeza coelica gen. et sp. n., and recognize another two un-named species, in Spanish amber from the middle Albian El Soplao and lower Cenomanian La Hoya outcrops. The fore tibial gland is present in the new genus, which is characteristic of the family Hybotidae. We compare Grimaldipeza coelica gen. et sp. n. with the holotypes of Trichinites cretaceus Hennig, 1970 and Ecommocydromia difficilis Schlüter, 1978, and clarify some morphological details present in the latter two species. Further taxonomic placement beyond family of the here described new genus was not possible and remains incertae sedis within Hybotidae until extant subfamilies are better defined. We provide new paleoecological data of the hybotids, together with paleogeographical and life paleoenvironmental notes. A table with the known Cretaceous Hybotidae is provided. Furthermore, the La Hoya amber-bearing outcrop is described in detail, filling the information gap for this deposit.

A note on the occurrence of Zoelucasa sablensis Nicholls, 2012 (Cercozoa, Incertae Sedis): Morphology and environment, recorded from the east coast of Scotland, North Sea

A note on the occurrence of <i>Zoelucasa sablensis</i> Nicholls, 2012 (Cercozoa, Incertae Sedis): Morphology and environment, recorded from the east coast of Scotland, North Sea

Integrative taxonomy of Urocleidoides spp. (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae) parasites of characiform and gymnotiform fishes from the coastal drainages of the Eastern Amazon, Brazil.

Eight species (four new) of Urocleidoides are reported from Characiformes and Gymnotiformes fishes of the coastal drainages of the Eastern Amazon. Urocleidoides vanini n. sp. is characterized by having a male copulatory organ (MCO) with three and a half counterclockwise rings, absence of vaginal sclerite, and a V-shaped ventral bar. Urocleidoides atilaiamarinoi n. sp. has MCO with two and a half counterclockwise rings, dumbbell-shaped accessory piece, similar anchors, open V-shaped ventral bar, and open U-shaped dorsal bar. Urocleidoides macrosoma n. sp. exhibits an elongate and robust body, MCO comprising one counterclockwise ring, similar anchors with wavy point, and dumbbell-shaped ventral and dorsal bars. Urocleidoides nataliapasternakae n. sp. has MCO comprising two and a half counterclockwise rings, vaginal canal convoluted, point of the dorsal anchor with ornamentation as sclerotized shredded filaments, elongate dumbbell-shaped ventral bar, and U-shaped dorsal bar. Urocleidoides naris and Urocleidoides brasiliensis from H. malabaricus (Characiformes) and the incertae sedis species, Urocleidoides gymnotus and Urocleidoides carapus, from Sternopygus macrurus (Gymnotiformes) are reported, and their molecular sequences are presented in this study. Phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data (28S rDNA and COI mtDNA) reveal that species of Urocleidoides lacking vaginal sclerite are closely related to species that possess vaginal sclerite, suggesting that the absence of vaginal sclerite in Urocleidoides may be the result of a secondary loss. The relationships between species of Urocleidoides and other Neotropical dactylogyrids are also addressed.

Toward a New Classification of Planthoppers Hemiptera Fulgoromorpha: 1. What Do Fulgoridiidae Really Cover?

The basal classification of planthoppers (Hemiptera Fulgoromorpha) is revised. The wrinkled ambient vein (appendix) on the fore wing is given as an apomorphic character for the Fulgoromorpha for which the Pennsylvanian, Moscovian genus Aviorrhyncha (310 Mya), Aviorrhynchidae, is the oldest representative to date. All other planthopper taxa belong to the informal eucixioidean lineage. Coleoscytoidea and Surijokocixiioidea are downgraded to the family level. Permian genus Reticulocicada is formally transferred from Hemiptera incertae sedis to Coleoscytidae. Fulgoridiidae are reviewed and upgraded to superfamily Fulgoridioidea superfam. nov. Superfamilies Fulgoroidea stat. nov. includes all extant families, except families Cixiidae, Delphacidae, and Lalacidae grouped into Cixioidea superfam. nov., while Jubisentidae, Mimarachnidae, Neazoniidae and Perforissidae remain incertae sedis families in the eucixioidean lineage. Rather than being seen as a “stratigraphic taxon” (e.g., all Jurassic planthoppers belong to Fulgorididiidae), monophyly of Fulgoridioidea is confirmed, based on a complex synapomorphic character: posterior branches of the CuA aligned in series along the CuP, arising from two successive prenodal nodes, and whose anterior branches emerge distinctly anteriorly. Accordingly, the taxonomic composition of Fulgoridioidea includes: 1) Fulgoridiidae (restricted to genera Cixiites, Eofulgoridium, Stonymetopus, Fulgoridium (type genus) and Valvifulgoria, 2) the already described families: Jurassic Qiyangiricaniidae, Triassic Szeiinidae, mid-Cretaceous taxa Dorytocidae, Inoderbidae, Katlasidae; 3) several incertae sedis genera transferred from Perforissidae: Aafrita, Aonikenkissus, Foveopsis, Iberofoveopsis, Lanlakawa, aberrant paratype specimen of Tsaganema oshanini, and genus Aulieezidium excluded from Fulgoridiidae, and 4) the Eocene taxa Weiwoboidae and genus Emiliana transferred from Tropiduchidae. In reverse, genera Compactofulgoridium, Conofulgoridium, Fenghuangor, Fulgoridiella, Fulgoridulum, Fulgoropsis, Margaroptilon, Metafulgoridium, Parafulgoridium, Procercofulgoridium, Productofulgoridium and Tetrafulgoria, are excluded from Fulgoridiidae and transferred to eucixioidean lineage incertae sedis.

From hell’s heart I stab at thee! A determined approach towards a monophyletic Pteromalidae and reclassification of Chalcidoidea (Hymenoptera)

The family Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) is reviewed with the goal of providing nomenclatural changes and morphological diagnoses in preparation for a new molecular phylogeny and a book on world fauna that will contain keys to identification. Most subfamilies and some tribes of Pteromalidae are elevated to family level or transferred elsewhere in the superfamily. The resulting classification is a compromise, with the aim of preserving the validity and diagnosability of other, well-established families of Chalcidoidea. The following former subfamilies and tribes of Pteromalidae are elevated to family rank: Boucekiidae, Ceidae, Cerocephalidae, Chalcedectidae, Cleonymidae, Coelocybidae, Diparidae, Epichrysomallidae, Eunotidae, Herbertiidae, Hetreulophidae, Heydeniidae, Idioporidae, Lyciscidae, Macromesidae, Melanosomellidae, Moranilidae, Neodiparidae, Ooderidae, Pelecinellidae (senior synonym of Leptofoeninae), Pirenidae, Spalangiidae, and Systasidae. The following subfamilies are transferred from Pteromalidae: Chromeurytominae and Keiraninae to Megastigmidae, Elatoidinae to Neodiparidae, Nefoeninae to Pelecinellidae, and Erotolepsiinae to Spalangiidae. The subfamily Sycophaginae is transferred to Pteromalidae. The formerly incertae sedis tribe Lieparini is abolished and its single genus Liepara is transferred to Coelocybidae. The former tribe Tomocerodini is transferred to Moranilidae and elevated to subfamily status. The former synonym Tridyminae (Pirenidae) is treated as valid. The following former Pteromalidae are removed from the family and, due to phylogenetic uncertainty, placed as incertae sedis subfamilies or genera within Chalcidoidea: Austrosystasinae, Ditropinotellinae, Keryinae, Louriciinae, Micradelinae, Parasaphodinae, Rivasia, and Storeyinae. Within the remaining Pteromalidae, Miscogastrinae and Ormocerinae are confirmed as separate from Pteromalinae, the former tribe Trigonoderini is elevated to subfamily status, the former synonym Pachyneurinae is recognized as a distinct subfamily, and as the senior synonym of Austroterobiinae. The tribe Termolampini is synonymized under Pteromalini, and the tribe Uzkini is synonymized under Colotrechnini. Most former Otitesellinae, Sycoecinae, and Sycoryctinae are retained in the tribe Otitesellini, which is transferred to Pteromalinae, and all other genera of Pteromalinae are treated as Pteromalini. Eriaporidae is synonymized with Pirenidae, with Eriaporinae and Euryischiinae retained as subfamilies. Other nomenclatural acts performed here outside of Pteromalidae are as follows: Calesidae: elevation to family rank. Eulophidae: transfer of Boucekelimini and Platytetracampini to Opheliminae, and abolishment of the tribes Elasmini and Gyrolasomyiini. Baeomorphidae is recognized as the senior synonym of Rotoitidae. Khutelchalcididae is formally excluded from Chalcidoidea and placed as incertae sedis within Apocrita. Metapelmatidae and Neanastatidae are removed from Eupelmidae and treated as distinct families. Eopelma is removed from Eupelmidae and treated as an incertae sedis genus in Chalcidoidea. The following subfamilies and tribes are described as new: Cecidellinae (in Pirenidae), Enoggerinae (incertae sedis in Chalcidoidea), Erixestinae (in Pteromalidae), Eusandalinae (in Eupelmidae), Neapterolelapinae (incertae sedis in Chalcidoidea), Solenurinae (in Lyciscidae), Trisecodinae (in Systasidae), Diconocarini (in Pteromalidae: Miscogastrinae), and Trigonoderopsini (in Pteromalidae: Colotrechninae). A complete generic classification for discussed taxa is provided.

Phylogenetic Placement and Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Monochilus (Lamiaceae), a Rare Brazilian Endemic

Abstract— Monochilus (Lamiaceae) is an enigmatic genus endemic to Brazil with two rarely collected species currently recognized. Based on morphological features Monochilus is hypothesized to be closely related to Amasonia within subfamily Ajugoideae. However, Monochilus is one of the few genera within Lamiaceae never to be represented in a published molecular phylogenetic study, and thus has an uncertain placement with the subfamily. During recent herbarium exploration in association with the Flora of Brasil 2020 project, new specimens of Monochilus gloxinifolius and M. obovatus were uncovered. Based on this material, a new phylogeny of Ajugoideae was constructed based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast matK and trnL-trnF markers. Monochilus, as previously hypothesized, is closely related to Amasonia and placed within Ajugoideae. We discuss the phylogenetic placement of the genus and provide a taxonomic revision with description, distribution maps, an identification key, preliminary conservation assessments, photographic plates, and comments on both the taxonomy and ecology of these two species. Additionally, we provide a lectotypification for M. gloxinifolius.

New records of continental vertebrates from the Triassic of the Atacama Desert, northern Chile

This contribution describes new vertebrate remains found in Triassic strata informally known as “Estratos El Bordo”, in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile. These include the first temnospondyl record in the El Bordo Basin, plus actinopterygians referable to the clade Pseudobeaconiidae and a second form with affinities to the incertae sedis ray-finned fish Guaymayenia paramillensis. Associated to these taxa, we describe two spiral coprolites. Their vertebrate producers are discussed. These new freshwater vertebrates add to previous archosaur records from “Estratos El Bordo”, represented by the putative aetosaur Chilenosuchus forttae, an indeterminate silesaurid and a fragmentary indeterminate Crocodylomorpha. Vertebrate remains here described show affinities to the known diversity from the Cuyana Basin of Argentina, but differ from those recorded in northern Argentina (Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Basin) and southern Brazil (Paraná Basin). This suggests preliminary paleoenvironmental insights for the continental vertebrates that inhabited the southwestern margin of South America during the Triassic. The new findings also support a Middle-to-Upper Triassic age for the “Estratos El Bordo” unit, as previously indicated by radioisotopic datating.

Taxonomic review of Scrophularia sect. Tomiophyllum in Bulgaria and Serbia: the case of Scrophularia bulgarica

The taxonomic treatment and geographical distribution of Scrophularia bulgarica (≡ S. variegata var. bulgarica, Scrophulariaceae), a rare and enigmatic taxon in the Bulgarian flora, and application of its name have been revisited. A revised species description and comparison with its closest and nomenclaturally related taxa, S. rupestris and S. heterophylla subsp. laciniata, are given. For the last three decades in the Bulgarian flora, S. heterophylla subsp. laciniata has been considered within the circumscription of S. bulgarica and therefore its presence in Bulgaria was neglected. On the other hand, S. bulgarica is newly reported for Serbia, hitherto erroneously identified as S. laciniata. Citation: Stoyanov S., Marinov Y., Apostolova-Stoyanova N., Ranđelović V. & Vukojičić S. 2022: Taxonomic review of Scrophularia sect. Tomiophyllum in Bulgaria and Serbia: the case of Scrophularia bulgarica. – Willdenowia 52: 303–312. Version of record first published online on 28 November 2022 ahead of inclusion in December 2022 issue.

Exploratory analysis of one versus two-day intermittent fasting protocols on the gut microbiome and plasma metabolome in adults with overweight/obesity.

Nutritional interventions are a promising therapeutic option for addressing obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction. One such option, intermittent fasting (IF), has emerged as a viable alternative to daily caloric restriction and may beneficially modulate body weight regulation and alter the gut microbiome (GM) and plasma metabolome. This secondary analysis of a larger, registered trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04327141) examined the effect of a four-week intervention comparing one vs. two-consecutive days of IF in combination with protein pacing (IF-P; 4-5 meals/day, >30% protein/day) on the GM, the plasma metabolome, and associated clinical outcomes in overweight and obese adults. Participants (n = 20) were randomly assigned to either a diet consisting of one fasting day (total of 36 h) and six low-calorie P days per week (IF1-P, n = 10) or two fasting days (60 h total) and five low-calorie P days per week (IF2-P, n = 10). The fecal microbiome, clinical outcomes, and plasma metabolome were analyzed at baseline (week 0) and after four weeks. There were no significant time or interaction effects for alpha diversity; however, baseline alpha diversity was negatively correlated with percent body fat change after the four-week intervention (p = 0.030). In addition, beta-diversity for both IF groups was altered significantly by time (p = 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. The IF1-P group had a significant increase in abundance of Ruminococcaceae Incertae Sedis and Eubacterium fissicatena group (q ≤ 0.007), while the IF2-P group had a significant increase in abundance of Ruminococcaceae Incertae Sedis and a decrease in Eubacterium ventriosum group (q ≤ 0.005). The plasma metabolite profile of IF2-P participants displayed significant increases in serine, trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), levulinic acid, 3-aminobutyric acid, citrate, isocitrate, and glucuronic acid (q ≤ 0.049) compared to IF1-P. Fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations did not differ significantly by time or between groups (p ≥ 0.126). Interestingly, gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly reduced for the IF2-P group but not for the IF1-P group. Our results demonstrate that short-term IF modestly influenced the GM community structure and the plasma metabolome, suggesting these protocols could be viable for certain nutritional intervention strategies.

Revisionary systematics of Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) guided by phylogenomics

The anthozoan sub-class Octocorallia includes over 3500 nominal species of soft corals and gorgonian sea fans, many of which serve as critical foundation species in benthic marine ecosystems in shallow waters to the deep sea. Despite their familiarity and ecological impor-tance, the diversity and taxonomy of octocorals remain poorly known. All of the orders, subordinal groups, and a majority of families have been recognized to be poly- or paraphyletic, but poor resolution of the deeper nodes in mitochondrial or single-locus nuclear gene trees have hindered formal revision of the higher-level taxonomy of the group. We used sequence data from target-capture of 739 ultraconserved and exon loci to reconstruct a fully resolved phylogeny for 185 octocoral taxa represent-ing 55 of 63 currently recognized families. We use this phylogeny, sup-plemented with a gene tree for mitochondrial mtMutS for an additional 107 taxa, to guide a revision of the families and orders of Octocorallia. We (1) elevate the anthozoan sub-classes Octocorallia and Hexacorallia to the rank of Class; (2) replace the three currently recognized orders of Octocorallia (Alcyonacea, Pennatulacea, Helioporacea) with two new orders reflecting reciprocally monophyletic major clades; and (3) revise all families with the exception of the 15 recognized families of sea pens, which we accommodate within a new superfamily. The revised classifi-cation of Octocorallia thus comprises 79 families, including 18 that are newly described and three that have been reinstated or elevated in rank. In addition, two new genera are described and another three reinstated. We leave the family assignment of 46 of 413 genera as incertae sedis until further molecular or morphological data can be obtained to confirm their phylogenetic affinities.

Phylogenetic analyses of Phaseolinae (Leguminosae) reveal a new genus endemic to limestone outcrops in Seasonally Dry Forests of Bahia, Brazil

AbstractPhaseolinae is one of the most diverse groups within the family Leguminosae, characterized by a style bearing a pollen brush and seeds with an epihilum. This subtribe has a complex taxonomic history and has undergone several changes over time. In the early 2000s, our research team found a phaseoloid liana growing in a limestone outcrop in western Bahia, Brazil. Its identity remained a mystery until recently, when we revisited the locality to study it in more detail and gathered material to generate nuclear ITS and plastid trnK/matK sequences. These sequences were included in a broadly sampled Phaseolinae matrix used to perform phylogenetic analyses and an ancestral character states reconstruction. Our results demonstrate that the enigmatic taxon represents a new lineage within subtribe Phaseolinae, sister to the genus Sigmoidotropis. This new lineage, along with Sigmoidotropis and Ancistrotropis, forms a clade here called the Sigmoid‐keel clade, since all representatives present flowers with sigmoid keel petals. The new taxon is here described as Delgadoa bambuicola gen. &amp; sp. nov., a new genus and a new species of woody lianas known from only two localities in the state of Bahia. We also present an identification key to the genera of the Sigmoid‐keel clade, descriptions, illustrations, a distribution map, taxonomic comments, and a conservation status assessment of the new genus.