Invalid Taxa Research Articles

Range-Wide Phylogeography and Ecological Niche Modeling Provide Insights into the Evolutionary History of the Mongolian Racerunner (Eremias argus) in Northeast Asia.

The Mongolian racerunner, Eremias argus, is a small lizard endemic to Northeast Asia that can serve as an excellent model for investigating how geography and past climate change have jointly influenced the evolution of biodiversity in this region. To elucidate the processes underlying its diversification and demography, we reconstructed the range-wide phylogeographic pattern and evolutionary trajectory, using phylogenetic, population genetic, landscape genetic, Bayesian phylogeographic reconstruction and ecological niche modeling approaches. Phylogenetic analyses of the mtDNA cyt b gene revealed eight lineages that were unbounded by geographic region. The genetic structure of E. argus was mainly determined by geographic distance. Divergence dating indicated that E. argus and E. brenchleyi diverged during the Mid-Pliocene Warm Period. E. argus was estimated to have coalesced at~0.4351 Ma (Marine Isotope Stage 19). Bayesian phylogeographic diffusion analysis revealed out-of-Inner Mongolia and rapid colonization events from the end of the Last Interglacial to the Last Glacial Maximum, which is consistent with the expanded suitable range of the Last Glacial Maximum. Pre-Last Glacial Maximum growth of population is presented for most lineages of E. argus. The Glacial Maximum contraction model and the previous multiple glacial refugia hypotheses are rejected. This may be due to an increase in the amount of climatically favorable habitats in Northeast Asia. Furthermore, E. argus barbouri most likely represents an invalid taxon. The present study is the first to report a range-wide phylogeography of reptiles over such a large region in Northeast Asia. Our results make a significant contribution towards understanding the biogeography of the entire Northeast Asia.

Seznam izopodov (Crustacea: Isopoda) v Sloveniji

Isopods are a diverse peracarid crustacean group with marine, freshwater and terrestrial representatives. Isopod species lists were typically prepared according to different habitats, which was true also for Slovenia. Here, we prepared the first unified overview of isopod species for Slovenia, which is also the first list of marine isopods in the country. We examined scientific publications, research reports and institutional databases. A total of 126 species have been recorded in Slovenia, of which 31 are marine, 21 are found in freshwater, and 74 are terrestrial. Of these, we report on seven marine and one terrestrial species for the first time. A major part of freshwater isopod richness is linked to the subterranean environment, where most endemic species for the country can be found. Among marine species, many are parasites, with potential economic impact, and two species are considered introduced. When the new species list is considered with valid national legislation, only 41 species retained the same taxonomic status. Many synonyms and invalid taxa according to recent taxonomy point out the need for revision the national red list of Malacostraca as well as other nature protection acts.

The new association Pimpinello lithophilae-Centaureetum lovricii (Crithmo-Staticetea) from the island of Vis (southern Croatia)

This paper presents the new association Pimpinello lithophilae-Centaureetum lovricii, described for the halotolerant vegetation of the order Helichrysetalia italici (Crithmo-Staticetea) on the island of Vis (southern Croatia). The new association substitutes the Pimpinello lithophilae-Centaureetum issaeae, originally published invalidly because its name was formed from the invalid taxon name ‘Centaurea issaea Lovrić’.

Middle Cambrian pelecypods from the Anti-Atlas, Morocco

A new species of the Early to Middle Cambrian pelecypod genus Pojetaia is reported from the early Middle Cambrian of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas with the new species Pojetaia sarhroensis. Arhouriella opheodontoides n. gen. and sp. is the first report of a Cambrian pelecypod with an amphidetic, slightly twisted and partly internal ligament and appears to represent a second order of pelecypods in the early Middle Cambrian. Preservation, environment and correlation are discussed. Species of Pojetaia are discussed in detail. Jellia is shown to be a junior synonym of Pojetaia. Hence, the species originally described under the names P. runnegari and Jellia ovata by Li and Zhou (1986) need to be renamed. Oryzaconcha He and Pei, 1985 is regarded as an invalid taxon. Other Cambrian pelecypods are reviewed briely.

Global diversity and distribution of distoseptosporic micromycete <em>Corynespora</em> Güssow (Corynesporascaceae): An updated checklist with current status

A review and updated checklist of <em>Corynespora</em> (Dematiaceous hyphomycetes) diversity and distribution reported from all over the world is prepared and presented over here based on available bibliographic survey upon published data. After critical review and verification, a total of 207 taxonomic records of <em>Corynespora</em> has been found in Index Fungorum, among them 179 spp. (86.47%) have been found as nomenclaurally valid/accepted taxa, while 14 spp. (6.76%) found to be transferred to other different taxa, 11 spp. (5.31%) synonymously transferred to other <em>Corynespora</em> taxa, and 3 spp. (1.44%) found as invalid taxa. In all word-wide recorded <em>Corynespora</em> species, 114 spp. (55.07%) have been found as foliicolous, 90 spp. (43.47%) as lignicolous, 2 spp. (0.96%) as lichenicolous, and 1 sp. (0.48%) from the air. Similarly, 184 spp. (88.88%) have been reported on Angiosperms, 1 sp. (0.48%) on Gymnosperms, 22 spp. (10.62%) recorded on unidentified plant parts/taxa, whereas no one species recorded on Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. Likewise, 166 spp. (80.19%) have been recorded on 54 families of Dicot, 18 spp. (8.69%) on 6 families of monocot, 1 sp. (0.48%) on 1 family of Gymnosperm, and 22 spp. (10.62%) on unidentified plant parts/taxa. Furthermore, the distribution of <em>Corynespora</em> spp. have been recorded from 34 countries, in which the species richness recorded maximum in India (80 spp., 38.64%) followed by China (31 spp., 14.97%), USA (11 spp., 5.31%), and other countries. Besides, distinguishing features of valid <em>Corynespora</em> spp. are also provided along with their hosts/substrate, host&#39;family, distribution (country), and references. This paper provides an updated checklist of <em>Corynespora</em> spp. reported from all over the world with their current status in the context of current nomenclature. In order to get all collected scientific information at one shop for further scientific study on exploration of <em>Corynespora</em>, this compiled up-to-date checklist with their comparative morphology would be vital and helpful to the researchers of concern fields as well as allied disciplines.

Global diversity and distribution of distoseptosporic micromycete Corynespora Güssow (Corynesporascaceae): An updated checklist with current status

A review and updated checklist of Corynespora (Dematiaceous hyphomycetes) diversity and distribution reported from all over the world is prepared and presented over here based on available bibliographic survey upon published data. After critical review and verification, a total of 207 taxonomic records of Corynespora has been found in Index Fungorum, among them 179 spp. (86.47%) have been found as nomenclaurally valid/accepted taxa, while 14 spp. (6.76%) found to be transferred to other different taxa, 11 spp. (5.31%) synonymously transferred to other Corynespora taxa, and 3 spp. (1.44%) found as invalid taxa. In all word-wide recorded Corynespora species, 114 spp. (55.07%) have been found as foliicolous, 90 spp. (43.47%) as lignicolous, 2 spp. (0.96%) as lichenicolous, and 1 sp. (0.48%) from the air. Similarly, 184 spp. (88.88%) have been reported on Angiosperms, 1 sp. (0.48%) on Gymnosperms, 22 spp. (10.62%) recorded on unidentified plant parts/taxa, whereas no one species recorded on Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. Likewise, 166 spp. (80.19%) have been recorded on 54 families of Dicot, 18 spp. (8.69%) on 6 families of monocot, 1 sp. (0.48%) on 1 family of Gymnosperm, and 22 spp. (10.62%) on unidentified plant parts/taxa. Furthermore, the distribution of Corynespora spp. have been recorded from 34 countries, in which the species richness recorded maximum in India (80 spp., 38.64%) followed by China (31 spp., 14.97%), USA (11 spp., 5.31%), and other countries. Besides, distinguishing features of valid Corynespora spp. are also provided along with their hosts/substrate, host'family, distribution (country), and references. This paper provides an updated checklist of Corynespora spp. reported from all over the world with their current status in the context of current nomenclature. In order to get all collected scientific information at one shop for further scientific study on exploration of Corynespora, this compiled up-to-date checklist with their comparative morphology would be vital and helpful to the researchers of concern fields as well as allied disciplines.

Northernmost Record of the Merck’s Rhinoceros Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger) and Taxonomic Status of Coelodonta jacuticus Russanov (Mammalia, Rhinocerotidae)

A lower jaw of Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis from the Mus Khaya locality on the Yana River in Yakutia is described. This jaw was previously designated as a paratype of Coelodonta jacuticus, but morphological and morphometric analysis has shown that it actually belongs to a typical S. kirchbergensis. Morphometric parameters of the holotype (skull) of C. jacuticus fall within the range of intraspecific variation of C. antiquitatis. The same results of a morphometric study were obtained for the subspecies Coelodonta antiquitatis pristinus and C. a. humilis. This suggests that C. jacuticus, Coelodonta antiquitatis pristinus, and C. a. humilis are invalid taxa which should be regarded as junior synonyms of C. antiquitatis. The find of S. kirchbergensis in northern Yakutia is the northernmost occurrence of this species.

Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis n. sp. (Trypanosomatidae), a parasite from Thailand responsible for localised cutaneous leishmaniasis

BackgroundLeishmaniasis is an emerging disease in Thailand with an unknown incidence or prevalence. Although the number of properly characterized and clinically confirmed cases is about 20, it is suspected that this low number masks a potentially high prevalence, with clinical disease typically manifesting itself against an immunocompromised background, but with a substantial number of subclinical or cured cases of infection. To date leishmaniasis in Thailand has been mainly ascribed to two taxa within the recently erected subgenus Mundinia Shaw, Camargo & Teixeira, 2016, Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis Desbois, Pratlong & Dedet, 2014 and a species that has not been formally described prior to this study.ResultsA case of simple cutaneous leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a patient from Nan Province, Thailand. Molecular analysis of parasites derived from a biopsy sample revealed this to be a new species of Leishmania Ross, 1908, which has been named as Leishmania (Mundinia) orientalis Bates & Jariyapan n. sp. A formal description is provided, and this new taxon supercedes some isolates from the invalid taxon “Leishmania siamensis”. A summary of all known cases of leishmaniasis with a corrected species identification is provided.ConclusionsThree species of parasites are now known to cause leishmaniasis is Thailand, L. martiniquensis and L. orientalis n. sp. in the subgenus Mundinia, which contains the type-species Leishmania enriettii Muniz & Medina, 1948, and a single case of Leishmania infantum Nicolle, 1908. This study now enables epidemiological and other investigations into the biology of these unusual parasites to be conducted. It is recommended that the use of the taxonomically invalid name “L. siamensis” should be discontinued.

Longamoebia is not monophyletic: Phylogenomic and cytoskeleton analyses provide novel and well-resolved relationships of amoebozoan subclades

Longamoebia is one of the most morphologically diverse member of Amoebozoa. It includes the human pathogen Acanthamoeba, which causes minor skin and serious eye infections as well as fatal central nervous system complications. The taxonomy and phylogeny of Longamoebia is poorly understood partly due to the growing number of molecular studies that report unsuspected affiliations of lineages with extremely different morphotypes in the group. A recent molecular study questioned the monophyly of Longamoebia. In this study, we conducted a more comprehensive phylogenomic analysis including all of putative members of Longamoebia to assess its monophyly. We conducted extensive analyses to see effects of outgroup choice, missing data, and gene and taxon sampling on resulting phylogenies. We also collected morphological characters derived from the cytoskeleton using immunocytochemistry to assess homologies of pseudopodia at a finer scale. Our phylogenomic analysis yielded a well-resolved tree of Amoebozoa and highly supported novel relationships. Discosea is recovered as a monophyletic group with all of its known taxonomic orders. However, its within-group relationships dramatically differed from those originally proposed. Our study strongly demonstrates that Longamoebia sensu Smirnov et al. (2011) is not monophyletic and an invalid taxon. Thecamoebida forms a strongly supported sister group relationship with clade Flabellinea (Dactylopodida and Vannellida), while Dermamoebida (Mayorella+Dermamoeba) form an independent branch basal to other members of Discosea. The remaining groups including members of Centramoebida form a consistently well-supported clade that was shown to form a sister group relationship with Himatismenida. This robust clade shares the unique cytoskeletal features of coiled cytoplasmic microtubule network and F-actin characters. Our analyses demonstrated that placement of unstable taxa in large-scale analysis with varying levels of missing data might be compromised by some confounding factors such as outgroup choice and gene and taxon sampling.

Reanalysis of the phylogenetic status of Nipponosaurus sachalinensis (Ornithopoda: Dinosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Southern Sakhalin

Nipponosaurus sachalinensis is the only definitive lambeosaurine hadrosaurid from Sakhalin Island of Russia. Previous studies suggested it was a member of Lambeosaurini (derived lambeosaurines). However, its phylogenetic status within Lambeosaurini remains controversial. In addition, some studies argued the juvenile ontogenetic stage of the holotype and regarded Nipponosaurus as an invalid taxon. In order to solve these problems, its definite growth stage is determined through histological studies. Absence of a line of arrested growth, presence of osteons with large vascular spaces, and presence of primary bone remnants even in the highly modified regions of the femur confirm that the holotype was a juvenile. More than a hundred of the 350 characters used to determine the phylogenetic position of Nipponosaurus are ontogenetically variable characters based on the different ontogenetic stages of Hypacrosaurus stebingeri. Our phylogenetic analysis reveals that Nipponosaurus is a basal lambeosaurine hadrosaurid, much further down in the tree than previously suggested, and shows a polytomy with Blasisaurus and Arenyisaurus. This study also indicates that Nipponosaurus is a valid taxon because it possesses unique characters within the Lambeosaurinae (presence of massive surangular anterodorsal process, presence of lateral shelf of the dentary, and a relatively short ulna), which are independent of ontogeny.

The making of oncology: The tales of false carcinogenic worms

Cancer is a disease of antiquity. The Ancient Greeks were familiar with onkos (from which we have the term oncology)—tumour of all sorts. Hippocrates coined karkinos and karkinoma, our source of the words cancer and carcinoma. Of a plethora of carcinogens, parasitic worms (helminths) constitute a considerable health concern. Three trematodes, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, and Schistosoma haematobium are now officially classified carcinogens. But the discovery of helminths as cancer-causing agents took wrong turns and marks an inglorious chapter in the history of science. The carcinogenicity of worms, vindicating Rudolf Virchow’s reiztheorie (irritation theory) of cancer origin, was glorified in the scientific forefront by Johannes Fibiger in the 1910s. Discovery of a new nematode, which he proudly named Spiroptera carcinoma, and his subsequent demonstration that the parasite could induce stomach cancer in rats, earned Fibiger a retrospective Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1926, and a lasting fame. But not in an appealing way. His achievement did not withstand the test of time. S. carcinoma was annulled as an invalid taxon in zoology—supplanted by Gongylonema neoplasticum—and eventually was branded as a non-carcinogenic agent.

Complex longitudinal diversification across South China and Vietnam in Stejneger's pit viper, Viridovipera stejnegeri (Schmidt, 1925) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae)

Viridovipera stejnegeri is one of the most common pit vipers in Asia, with a wide distribution in southern China and Vietnam. We investigated historical demography and explored how the environment and climatic factors have shaped genetic diversity and the evolutionary history of this venomous snake. A total of 171 samples from 47 localities were sequenced and analysed for two mitochondrial gene fragments and three nuclear genes. Gene trees reveal the existence of two well-supported clades (Southwest China and Southeast China) with seven distinct and strongly supported, geographically structured subclades within V.stejnegeri. Estimation of divergence time and ancestral area suggests that V.stejnegeri originated at ~6.0Ma in the late Miocene on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The estimated date of origin and divergence of the island populations of Taiwan and Hainan closely matches the geological origin of the both islands. The mtDNA gene tree reveals the presence of west-east diversification in V.stejnegeri populations. Complex orogenesis and heterogeneous habitats, as well as climate-mediated habitat differentiation including glacial cycles, all have influenced population structure and the distribution of this taxon. The validity of V.stejnegeri chenbihuii is questionable, and this subspecies most probably represents an invalid taxon.

Giving taxonomic significance to morphological variability in the bivalve Ptychomya Agassiz

AbstractThe taxonomic significance of the morphological variability present in the genus Ptychomya Agassiz has remained obscure due to inadequacy of the traditional qualitative approach to account for complex patterns of variation. In this work, we focus on solving the distinction between intra‐ and interspecific variability in Ptychomya from Hauterivian marine beds of the Neuquén Basin (west‐central Argentina), a longstanding and unresolved palaeontological issue, using the quantitative framework provided by geometric morphometrics and multivariate statistics. The species Ptychomya koeneni Behrendsen and several subspecies had been recognized in the studied succession by former authors based on qualitative morphological descriptions. We tested two hypotheses: (1) that there exist morphological discontinuities between hypothesized species that mark their boundaries; and (2) that morphology follows a pattern of geographical variation, suitable for recognition of subspecies. We find two morphological groups in the studied sample, with a significant morphological gap between them, supporting the idea that there are at least two species in the studied succession, Ptychomya cf. koeneni and Ptychomya coihuicoensis Weaver. On the other hand, we found no correspondence between morphological and geographical distributions, leading to the conclusion that the named subspecies are invalid taxa. This study highlights the potential of this methodological approach for solving the taxonomy of this notorious genus of pandemic distribution during the Cretaceous.

Why is population information crucial for taxonomy? A case study involving a hybrid swarm and related varieties.

Hybridization has become a focal topic in evolutionary biology, and many taxonomists are aware that the process occurs more frequently than previously assumed. Nonetheless many species and varieties are still described without explicitly considering the possibility of hybridization, especially in countries that have relatively short scientific histories, but which often possess the highest species diversities. Furthermore, new taxa are often described based only on herbarium specimens, not taking into account information from wild populations, significantly decreasing the potential to detect morphologies arising from hybridization at this crucial descriptive stage. We used morphological data from a hybrid swarm involving two Rhododendron species to showcase possible character combinations in intermediates. Certain characters used to distinguish taxa were more variable within the same individual than between species, emphasizing the importance of population information for an adequate choice of characters. Most described varieties of the two species fell within the spectrum of hybrid morphology, suggesting that these taxa would be unlikely to have merited formal description if contemporary standards had been employed. In all investigated cases the hybrid nature of described varieties seems to have been detectable with adequate morphological data alone, if populations had been assessed. A post hoc assessment of taxa is often complicated, especially if certain types of information are not provided. To avoid accumulation of such invalid taxa, careful scrutiny should be employed for new descriptions. Hybrids (not hybrid species) described as taxa obscure valuable information about natural processes and impact negatively on further research that depends on taxonomic data.

A census of J.P.L.Dangeard's invalid taxa with proposals to resolve the nomenclatural problems of some of them

A census of J.P.L.Dangeard's invalid taxa with proposals to resolve the nomenclatural problems of some of them

The genus Hylebainosoma Verhoeff, 1899 (Diplopoda, Chordeumatida, Haaseidae): redescription of Hylebainosoma tatranum, description of a new troglobiont species and notes to the Hylebainosoma-Romanosoma species group.

A revision of the taxonomy, distribution and ecology of the millipedes of the genus Hylebainosoma Verhoeff, 1899 in the Carpathians is presented. Based on the study of numerous specimens, we consider the subspecies of the species Hylebainosoma tatranum Verhoeff, 1899 described in the past as overrated, reflecting simply intrapopulational variation attributable to the rather extended area of species distribution, different habitats of its occurrence (surface and cave habitats, soil, litter and stony debris) and wide altitudinal range from the forest zone in foothills to the alpine zone above timberline. Besides the redescription of males, the morphology of female vulvae is presented for the first time. Hylebainosoma tatranum is endemic to the extensive area of the Western and Eastern Carpathians, involving Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and highly probably Ukraine. A new troglobiont species from the karst area near the Tisovec Town (Muránska planina Mts., Central Slovakia), Hylebainosoma gulickai n. sp. is described, and is considered as stenoendemic for this small karstic region, with occurrence in few nearby caves. Hylebainosoma gulickai represents the first troglobiont chordeumatid millipede found in the northern territories of the Carpathians and the northernmost troglobiont in Central Europe in general. Morphological characteristics of both males and females are presented.Taxonomic relationships between the closely related genera Hylebainosoma and Romanosoma Ceuca, 1967 are discussed and replacement of the species Hylebainosoma cavernicola (Ceuca, 1967) n. comb., Hylebainosoma oltenica (Ceuca, 1967) n. comb. and Hylebainosoma odici (Ceuca, 1979) n. comb. into the genus Hylebainosoma is proposed. The fourth species described as Romanosoma (?) birtei Ceuca, 1967 we consider as invalid taxon. Romanosoma becomes a junior subjective synonym of the genus Hylebainosoma.

Phytoplasma infection in prized linden Tilia platyphyllos var. laciniata: is 'laciniata' a valid botanical variety?

Linden (Tilia platyphyllos var. laciniata) trees growing in Kaunas Botanical Garden and in the parks of Verkiu (Vilnius) and Belvederis estates in Lithuania exhibit laciniated, deformed leaves and yellowing of the veins. These trees had been planted in the parks, for the beauty of their “cut-out-elongated leaves”, as a new variety of linden. However, use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), primed by phytoplasma universal primer pairs to amplify 16S rRNA gene sequences, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, revealed that these linden trees were infected by phytoplasma strains belonging to subgroup 16SrI-B and to a new subgroup designated 16SrI-V, in the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ species of wall-less bacteria. The strains were further characterized by ribosomal protein gene sequence analysis. The experimental results have rekindled discussion of the possibility that a prized cultivar displaying unusual morphotype might be an invalid taxon. Is linden with laciniate-leaved branches a valid taxon (botanical variety), or simply a plant that has abnormal leaf morphotype caused by infection with a tiny wall-less bacterium?

Genetic differentiation between migratory and sedentary populations of the Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica), with the discovery of a novel cryptic sedentary lineage

Species that exhibit intraspecific variation in migratory behavior provide a valuable opportunity to study the evolution of avian migration. The Northern Boobook (Ninox japonica) has two subspecies in East Asia, one sedentary (N. j. totogo) and one migratory (N. j. japonica). The validity and residential status of the two subspecies has never been examined through genetic analysis. Their coexistence in Taiwan provides an excellent opportunity to explore their genetic differentiation and migratory behavior. Analyzing the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 77 samples including ascertained breeders, ascertained migrants, and topotypes of the sedentary N. j. totogo from Lanyu, we found a coexistence of two clades with a 1.72 % sequence divergence, and both clades were highly supported in phylogenetic analyses. The clade containing ascertained breeders occurs year round in Taiwan and is the only resident population during the breeding season. The other clade containing ascertained migrants appears only in non-breeding seasons and coexists with the former during these months. Topotypes of N. j. totogo from Lanyu were clustered with N. j. japonica, which undermines its classification as a subspecies. We suggest treating N. j. totogo as an invalid taxon and treating the sedentary population in Taiwan as a unique cryptic lineage until further information is available. The discovery of this lineage will improve our understanding of the owls in terms of animal conservation, genetic biodiversity, and the evolution of their migratory behavior.

Lipopolysaccharide core structures and their correlation with genetic groupings of Shigella strains. A novel core variant in Shigella boydii type 16

Bacteria Shigella, the cause of shigellosis, evolved from the intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli. Based on structurally diverse O-specific polysaccharide chains of the lipopolysaccharides (LPSs; O-antigens), three from four Shigella species are subdivided into multiple serotypes. The central oligosaccharide of the LPS called core is usually conserved within genus but five core types called R1-R4 and K-12 have been recognized in E. coli. Structural data on the Shigella core are limited to S. sonnei, S. flexneri and one S. dysenteriae strain, which all share E. coli core types. In this work, we elucidated the core structure in 14 reference strains of S. dysenteriae and S. boydii. Core oligosaccharides were obtained by mild acid hydrolysis of the LPSs and studied using sugar analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The R1, R3 and R4 E. coli core types were identified in 8, 3 and 2 Shigella strains, respectively. A novel core variant found in S. boydii type 16 differs from the R3 core in the lack of GlcNAc and the presence of a D-glycero-D-manno-heptose disaccharide extension. In addition, the structure of an oligosaccharide consisting of the core and one O-antigen repeat was determined in S. dysenteriae type 8. A clear correlation of the core type was observed with genetic grouping of Shigella strains but not with their traditional division to four species. This finding supports a notion on the existing Shigella species as invalid taxa and a suggestion of multiple independent origins of Shigella from E. coli clones.

Anatomy ofHaplomastodon chimborazi(Mammalia, Proboscidea) from the late Pleistocene of Ecuador and its bearing on the phylogeny and systematics of South American gomphotheres

ABSTRACT I present here a revision of the late Pleistocene Haplomastodon chimborazi (Proano, 1922) material from Bolivar, Ecuador and a comparison with other New World trilophodont gomphotheres, and provide new morphological data in order to develop a novel phylogenetic hypothesis of South American (SA) proboscideans. Haplomastodon Hoffstetter, 1950 includes a single SA species whose valid name is H. chimborazi. Haplomastodon waringi (Holland, 1920) is considered to be an invalid taxon as it is based on undiagnosed material. Phylogenetic analysis supports the monophyly of SA gomphotheres (Cuvieroniinae) H. chimborazi, Cuvieronius hyodon (Fischer de Waldheim, 1814), and “Stegomastodon” platensis (Ameghino, 1888), based on five unambiguous characters. Conflicting evidence regarding the interrelationships of SA gomphotheres leads to three possible alternative hypotheses: two paired associations ((H. chimborazi, “S.” platensis) C. hyodon) and ((C. hyodon, “S.” platensis) H. chimborazi), and a trichotomy. Thes...