Nomenclatural Issues Research Articles

Cryptic diversity within the Megophrys major species group (Amphibia: Megophryidae) of the Asian Horned Frogs: Phylogenetic perspectives and a taxonomic revision of South Asian taxa, with descriptions of four new species.

The Megophrys major species group (MMSG) is composed of typically medium to large sized frogs. Within the genus, it is the most geographically widespread clade ranging from the western Himalayas to southern Indochina. In this study, we examined in detail the extent of cryptic diversity within the MMSG-Indian populations based on molecular data (up to ten genes) using multigene concatenation and coalescent-based phylogenetic techniques, species delimitation analyses and extensive morphological data.Molecular evidence suggests a high level of hidden cryptic diversity within the MMSG, particularly within the M. major species complex (MMC), highlighting overlapping distributions, a case of potential mitochondrial transfer between two species, and tree topology discordance between phylogenetic methods and mitochondrial and nuclear data sets. Most analyses indicated distinct eastern and western clades in the MMC, and that the western clade may further divide into a northern and a southern subclade.A detailed taxonomic review of Indian members of the Megophrys major species group is provided. Previously undocumented complex nomenclatural issues involving known species are highlighted and resolved. Megophrys monticola is taxonomically redefined for the first time as a valid species since its synonymy with M. parva in 1893. The taxonomic status of two recently described species, Xenophrys katabhako and X. sanu are discussed in light of increased molecular and morphological sampling, and are synonymised with M. monticola. Megophrys monticola and M. robusta are redescribed based on their original type specimens and recently collected material. Megophrys major is neotypified and M. robusta lectotypified to remove prevailing nomenclatural instability. Four new large sized Indian MMC species are formally described from the Northeast Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, and Myanmar. All South Asian MMSG species are morphologically diagnosed from known congeners in the group. The geographic distributions of all taxa discussed are significantly redefined based on the revised taxonomy and extensive literature review. Morphological and molecular evidence suggests that Megophrys major sensu stricto might be endemic to Northeast India; M. glandulosa is formally removed from the Indian and Bhutan species checklists. Numerous misidentifications in literature are highlighted and corrected. In order to reduce future misidentifications of species reported from surrounding regions, high definition images of the holotypes of three Chinese species, M. glandulosa, M. medogensis and M. zhangi are provided for the first time, and a detailed description of Myanmar specimens of M. glandulosa is also given. This study provides the principle foundation for further research into the taxonomic status of the remaining, currently undescribed MMC taxa from Southeast Asia.

Proceedings of the 2018 National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium

The 2018 annual National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium, entitled "Pathology Potpourri," was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the Society of Toxicologic Pathology's 37th annual meeting. The goal of this symposium was to present and discuss challenging diagnostic pathology and/or nomenclature issues. This article presents summaries of the speakers' talks along with select images that were used by the audience for voting and discussion. Various lesions and other topics covered during the symposium included seminiferous tubule dysgenesis in rats, ameloblast and odontoblast degeneration/necrosis in a Sprague Dawley rat, intestinal leiomyositis in a beagle dog, gallbladder mucinous hyperplasia, focus of hepatocellular alteration and bile duct alteration in otters, renal tubule cytoplasmic vacuolation with basophilic granules in mice treated swith antisense oligonucleotide therapy, a uterine choriocarcinoma in a rhesus macaque, and rete ovarii proliferative ovarian lesions in various aged rat strains. One particularly provocative lesion was a malignant neoplastic proliferation in the renal pelvic region of a cynomolgus macaque from a 21-day study. Additional challenging lesions included thyroid proliferative lesions in zebra fish and gross findings in fish larvae during routine chemical screening. The Rabbit and Minipig International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria Organ Working Groups also presented a series of challenging lesions.

Recognition and partial solution of nomenclatural issues involving copepods of the family Monstrillidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Monstrilloida).

This work seeks to expose and clear up nomenclatural irregularities involving copepods of the order Monstrilloida, family Monstrillidae. The diagnostic text related to Monstrilla minuta Isaac, 1974 and four nominal species of Thaumaleus Krøyer, 1849 (now Cymbasoma Thompson, 1888) proposed by Isaac in 1974 is sufficient for all names to be available from their original description except for Thaumaleus similirostratus, which was proposed conditionally in 1974 and was first made available by Isaac in 1975; "similirostris" as used by Grygier in 1995 is an incorrect subsequent spelling. Four other specific names proposed in 1975 by Isaac, but disclaimed by him as nomina nuda (an action permitted retroactively by the Fourth Edition of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature) have never been made available. By quoting the necessary information from Isaac's doctoral dissertation, two of them are validated herein under the names Thaumaleus frondipes Isaac in Grygier Suárez-Morales, sp. nov., and Strilloma scotti Isaac in Grygier Suárez-Morales, sp. nov., and are immediately reassigned as new combinations to Cymbasoma and Monstrilla Dana, 1849, respectively. A fifth such name, Thaumaleus tumorifrons, has already been made available under the authorship of Suárez-Morales, 1999, but its females are excluded from the type series; the spelling of the specific name of the new species recently proposed for those females, Cymbasoma mediterranea Suárez-Morales, Goruppi, Olazabal Tirelli, 2017, is emended to mediterraneum to match the gender of the genus. For Cymbasoma bowmani Suárez-Morales Gasca, 1998, the "Form B" female mentioned in the original description is excluded from the type series. The authorship and date of availability of Haemocera (currently Cymbasoma) morii depends on which language version of Article 13.1.1 of the Code is followed; a ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature under Article 87 of the Code is necessary to resolve the matter. The composition of the type series of Cymbasoma bullatum (Scott, 1909) in terms of both number and sex has become unclear; its type locality is restricted herein to the vicinity of Obi Island in the Moluccas. Despite a published statement to the contrary, the syntype series of Cymbasoma germanicum (Timm, 1893) included specimens from other localities than just Helgoland. The type series of Cymbasoma guerrerense Suárez-Morales Morales-Ramírez, 2009 consists only of the holotype, which was mistakenly reported under the wrong registration number. The supposed invalidity of Monstrilla capitellicola Hartman, 1961 is discussed. Monstrilla javensis Isaac, 1974, nomen nudum, has remained unavailable owing to lack of adherence to Article 16.1 of the Code by later authors; the specific name is made available herein, under Suárez-Morales' authorship, in the combination Cymbasoma javense sp. nov. The taxonomic (and eventual nomenclatural) question of the status of M. mariaeugeniae Suárez-Morales Islas-Landeros, 1993 vis à vis M. wandelii Stephensen, 1913, i.e. as a separate species or a subspecies of the latter, remains unsettled. Cymbasoma lenticula Suárez-Morales McKinnon, 2014 and Monstrillopsis boonwurrungorum Suárez-Morales McKinnon, 2014 are fixed herein as the correct original spellings of those two specific names. Resolution of the problem posed by assignment of the specific name reticulata to supposedly non-conspecific males and females in the genus Monstrillopsis Sars, 1921 requires the designation of a neotype by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

Correct original spelling of Hydropeza queenslandensis Sinclair (Diptera: Empididae).

While databasing type specimens of Hydropeza Sinclair in the Australian Museum (Sydney), different spellings of a species name in Sinclair (2016) were identified. I herein resolve this nomenclatural issue.

Typification of a Linnaean name in Gleicheniaceae (Polypodiopsida)

Gleicheniaceae are an ancient fern family with about 157 species and six genera (PPG I 2016). Although its taxonomy has been through several changes in the last years (Gonzales & Kessler 2011), a great gap remains in both taxonomy and nomenclature. For the Neotropics, there are several national or regional taxonomic treatments of the family (e.g. Proctor 1985, Lellinger 1989, Tryon & Stolze 1989, Moran 1995, Mickel & Smith 2004, Kessler & Smith 2018) and a revision of the Neotropical members of the genus Sticherus Presl (1836: 51) (Gonzales & Kessler 2011), but only few of them are dedicated to solve nomenclatural issues.

The genus Odontarrhena (Brassicaceae) in Albania: Taxonomy and Nickel accumulation in a critical group of metallophytes from a major serpentine hot-spot

Metal hyperaccumulator plants represent a unique biological resource for scientific research and practical applications. Though essential, however, an adequate knowledge of the systematics of these plants is often missing. This is the case of Odontarrhena, a large but taxonomically critical group of nickel hyperaccumulators from Eurasia. We present a study on this genus in Albania, to fill a gap in our knowledge of this group from a major centre of diversity of metallicolous flora, and to contribute updated information to the Global Hyperaccumulator Database. Morphological and karyological analyses of material from field collections across all major serpentine outcrops in the country, in different years and seasons, allowed to delimit seven taxa: O. albiflora, O. chalcidica, O. moravensis, O. sibirica, O. decipiens, O. smolikana subsp. glabra and O. rigida. The three latter taxa have been long neglected and were resurrected in view of their clear distinctness, while commonly accepted taxa such as O. bertolonii subsp. scutarina and O. markgrafii were reduced to synonymy of O. chalcidica due to the lack of consistent differentiation. Polyploidy was prevalent, while diploid complements were typical of the two vicariant endemics O. rigida and O. moravensis. Types are indicated or newly designated for each entity, and nomenclatural issues are addressed based on in-depth studies of literature and herbarium material. Revised descriptions, phenology, habitat and distribution data are given for each taxon, as well as original iconographies and chromosome counts. A revised identification key is provided. Shoot nickel concentrations were determined to assess accumulation levels of taxa and populations in natural conditions and their potential for phytoextraction of this metal from the soil. With ca. 23000 and 17000 µg of Ni g-1 of shoot dry weight, respectively, the tetraploids O. chalcidica and O. decipiens were the most promising candidates, especially the latter for its robust habit.

The genus Odontarrhena (Brassicaceae) in Albania: Taxonomy and Nickel accumulation in a critical group of metallophytes from a major serpentine hot-spot

Metal hyperaccumulator plants represent a unique biological resource for scientific research and practical applications. Though essential, however, an adequate knowledge of the systematics of these plants is often missing. This is the case of Odontarrhena, a large but taxonomically critical group of nickel hyperaccumulators from Eurasia. We present a study on this genus in Albania, to fill a gap in our knowledge of this group from a major centre of diversity of metallicolous flora, and to contribute updated information to the Global Hyperaccumulator Database. Morphological and karyological analyses of material from field collections across all major serpentine outcrops in the country, in different years and seasons, allowed to delimit seven taxa: O. albiflora, O. chalcidica, O. moravensis, O. sibirica, O. decipiens, O. smolikana subsp. glabra and O. rigida. The three latter taxa have been long neglected and were resurrected in view of their clear distinctness, while commonly accepted taxa such as O. bertolonii subsp. scutarina and O. markgrafii were reduced to synonymy of O. chalcidica due to the lack of consistent differentiation. Polyploidy was prevalent, while diploid complements were typical of the two vicariant endemics O. rigida and O. moravensis. Types are indicated or newly designated for each entity, and nomenclatural issues are addressed based on in-depth studies of literature and herbarium material. Revised descriptions, phenology, habitat and distribution data are given for each taxon, as well as original iconographies and chromosome counts. A revised identification key is provided. Shoot nickel concentrations were determined to assess accumulation levels of taxa and populations in natural conditions and their potential for phytoextraction of this metal from the soil. With ca. 23000 and 17000 µg of Ni g-1 of shoot dry weight, respectively, the tetraploids O. chalcidica and O. decipiens were the most promising candidates, especially the latter for its robust habit.

TaxonWorks: a Use Case in Documenting of Etymology of Generic Names in Auchenorrhyncha (Hemiptera)

The 3i World Auchenorrhyncha database (http://dmitriev.speciesfile.org) is being migrated into TaxonWorks (http://taxonworks.org) and comprises nomenclatural data for all known Auchenorrhyncha taxa (leafhoppers, planthoppers, treehoppers, cicadas, spittle bugs). Of all those scientific names, 8,700 are unique genus-group names (which include valid genera and subgenera as well as their synonyms). According to the Rules of Zoological Nomenclature, a properly formed species-group name when combined with a genus-group name must agree with the latter in gender if the species-group name is or ends with a Latin or Latinized adjective or participle. This provides a double challenge for researchers describing new or citing existing taxa. For each species, the knowledge about the part of speech is essential information (nouns do not change their form when associated with different generic names). For the genus, the knowledge of the gender is essential information. Every time the species is transferred from one genus to another, its ending may need to be transformed to make a proper new scientific name (a binominal name). In modern day practice, it is important, when establishing a new name, to provide information about etymology of this name and the ways it should be used in the future publications: the grammatical gender for a genus, and the part of speech for a species. The older names often do not provide enough information about their etymology to make proper construction of scientific names. That is why in the literature, we can find numerous cases where a scientific name is not formed in conformity to the Rules of Nomenclature. An attempt was made to resolve the etymology of the generic names in Auchenorrhyncha to unify and clarify nomenclatural issues in this group of insects. In TaxonWorks, the rules of nomenclature are defined using the NOMEN onthology (https://github.com/SpeciesFileGroup/nomen).

Intersex Studies: A Systematic Review of International Health Literature

There is a need to better understand contemporary issues of nomenclature and group construction around people with intersex variations shaping health research and practices—including their framing within concepts like disorders of sex development (DSD), intersex, or the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) umbrella. This article reviews health literature in the broad field of Intersex Studies since 2015. It outlines the contexts, theoretical lenses, methods and participant numbers, framing of participants, and health findings around interventions evident in 61 sources. Sources came from the African region, American Canadian region, Asia-Pacific region, European region, and the Middle East. While health-related work was largely found in medical journals, it was also located in publications focused on a range of other fields including, for example, bioethics, education, and legal studies. The piece discusses the tensions between institutional expert-centered work with a traditional clinical/medical lens and the arguments found in a range of other patient-centered, community group–centered, and theory-centered sources applying innovative perspectives onto key issues. Liberal Constructivist, Bioethical Narrative Inquiry, Critical Intersex Studies, and Critical LGBTI Liberationist lenses have introduced a range of methods (from autobiographical analyses through to large-scale online surveys) to questions of the need for and processes of certain health care interventions and norms in the treatment of patients with intersex variations. Problematic practices in clinical health care and research are identified and discussed: particularly the lack of adequate information dissemination and consent-gleaning in areas ranging from anatomical photography through to application of “corrective” genital surgeries.

Polypedates smaragdinus Blyth, 1852-a senior subjective synonym ofRhacophorus maximus Günther, 1858.

After more than 160 years, the onomatophores (name-bearing types) of Polypedates smaragdinus Blyth, 1852 were located in the collection of the ZSI (Kolkata, India). This allowed to study the specimens, to identify them and to propose an allocation of this nomen to the taxon Rhacophorus maximus. To stabilize nomenclatural and taxonomic issues, a lectophoront (lectotype) is designated for Polypedates smaragdinus Blyth, 1852 and described. A formal synonymy list is given. The species currently known as Rhacophorus maximus Günther, 1864 should now bear the nomen Rhacophorus smaragdinus (Blyth, 1852).

Updated checklist and distribution of the diaptomid copepods (Copepoda, Calanoida, Diaptomidae) of China

We present an updated checklist of the Diaptomidae of China, based on a literature review and on original field data from all over China during 2012-2016. A total of 19 genera and 56 species have been recorded.Neutrodiaptomushas the highest species richness (10 species), followed byArctodiaptomus(9 species). Only one species each ofEudiaptomus,Mixodiaptomus,Eodiaptomus,Dentodiaptomus,Dolodiaptomus,Allodiaptomus,Karstodiaptomus,MetadiaptomusandParadiaptomuswas found. The taxonomic status of 16 species was revised: one wrongly attributed genus,Argyrodiaptomus, was corrected toSinodiaptomus. First records for China includeArctodiaptomus parvispineusand one new cave-dwelling genus,Karstodiaptomus, is added. One Latin name from Shen & Sung’s book (1979) is corrected. Remarks on nomenclature and taxonomic issues are supplemented with information on the geographical distribution of the various species within China.

A revised taxonomy for

This paper presents a revision of Uvaria L. (Annonaceae) in continental Asia and outlying islands, north of the Thailand–Malaysia border, on the basis of a combination of new morphological analyses and recent phylogenetic data. Two new taxonomic groupings are defined within the genus in Asia on the basis of detailed morphological character analysis in ~1800 specimens. Stamen and carpel structure are shown to be significantly more informative than calyx and corolla characters for subgeneric differentiation, and reliably discriminate basal and derived radiations when mapped onto recent molecular phylogenies for the genus in Asia. Thirty-three species and species varieties are recognised within Uvaria in continental Asia, incorporating taxa formerly assigned to Anomianthus Zoll., Cyathostemma Griff., Ellipeia Hook.f. & Thomson, Ellipeiopsis R.E.Fr. and Dasoclema J.Sinclair. Four new combinations are proposed, and outstanding taxonomic, nomenclatural and typification issues are resolved for included taxa. Keys for both flowering and fruiting material are included, and distribution data are provided for all taxa.

Well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) and poorly differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PanNECs): concepts, issues and a practical diagnostic approach to high-grade (G3) cases.

With increasing accessibility and advancements in abdominal imaging modalities, the incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms has increased steadily during the past few decades. By definition, neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas show neuroendocrine differentiation, but they represent a broad and heterogeneous group of neoplasms with diverse clinical and pathological characteristics. The majority of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms can be classified as well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) or poorly differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinomas (PanNECs). While PanNETs and PanNECs are distinct entities with respect to clinical presentation, outcome and therapeutic approach, they may exhibit overlapping histopathological features. Moreover, the frequent modifications in nomenclature and prognostic grading systems over the years of not only pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms, but neuroendocrine neoplasms from other organ sites, has created confusion for both pathologists and clinicians as to the appropriate use of terminology and grading when evaluating these neoplasms. This review examines the current concepts and issues of nomenclature and grading of PanNETs and PanNECs. In addition, considering the morphological overlap between high-grade (G3) PanNETs and PanNECs, we discuss an integrative and practical diagnostic approach to aid in discriminating challenging cases.

Multilocus phylogeny and taxonomy of East Asian voles Alexandromys (Rodentia, Arvicolinae)

Phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy and nomenclature issues within East Asian voles Alexandromys were addressed using comprehensive species samples, including all 12 valid species of the genus, and multilocus analysis. We examined the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene and three nuclear genes in 36 specimens. Additionally, we examined a data set of 106 specimens using only the cytb gene. Our results did not confirm the aggregation of A. kikuchii, A. montebelli and A. oeconomus into a separate clade, namely the subgenus Pallasiinus. Analysis of incomplete lineage sorting using JML software highlighted both the cases of mitochondrial introgression and incomplete lineage sorting within the genus. Thus, the sister position of A. sachalinensis and A. maximowiczii in mitochondrial trees could be explained by mitochondrial introgression, while the sister position of A. limnophilus and A. fortis in mitochondrial trees could be successfully explained by incomplete lineage sorting. Very short genetic distances, together with an absence of monophyly, of the three species, A. evoronensis, A. mujanensis and A. maximowiczii, is supported by multiple morphological data, which indicates that these three taxa should be one species—A. maximowiczii. Analysis of genetic distances and tree topology revealed that three species of short‐tailed voles—A. middendorffii, A. mongolicus and A. gromovi—are more closely related to each other than to other established species of Alexandromys. The lacustrine vole, A. limnophilus, is closely related to the group of short‐tailed voles. Analysis of the type specimens of limnophilus and flaviventris confirmed that these taxa form one species together with A. l. malygini. Our results suggest that the mountains of western Mongolia are inhabited by a new taxon of short‐tailed voles of the same rank as middendorffii, mongolicus and gromovi—A. m. alpinus ssp. n.

A review of issues of nomenclature and taxonomy of Hypericum perforatum L. and Kew's Medicinal Plant Names Services.

ObjectivesTo review which names are used to refer to Hypericum perforatum L. in health regulation and medicinal plant references, and the potential for ambiguity or imprecision.Key findingsStructured searches of Kew's Medicinal Plant Names Services Resource, supplemented with other online bibliographic resources, found that the scientific name Hypericum perforatum L. is used consistently in the literature, but variation between subspecies is rarely considered by researchers. Research is still published using only the common name ‘St John's wort’ despite it being imprecise; at least 80 other common names are also used for this plant in multiple languages.SummaryAmbiguous and alternative plant names can lead to ineffective regulation, misinterpretation of literature, substitution of raw material or the failure to locate all published research. Kew's Medicinal Plant Names Services (MPNS) maps all names used for each plant in medicinal plant references onto current taxonomy, thereby providing for disambiguation and comprehensive access to the regulations and references that cite that plant, regardless of the name used. MPNS also supplies the controlled vocabulary for plant names now required for compliance with a new standard (Identification of Medicinal Products, IDMP) adopted by medicines regulators worldwide.

Nomenclatural notes and typifications in Campanula versicolor (Campanulaceae) and related names

Campanula versicolor is a member of the Campanula pyramidalis complex. It is distributed in the southern Balkan Peninsula, with a small disjunct range in SE Italy (Puglia and Basilicata administrative regions). Due to its high morphological variability, 17 taxa have been described (at specific and infraspecific level). However, the taxonomic status of these taxa is not clear. In modern floristic literature and checklists they are considered as synonyms within broadly defined C. versicolor. Considering the fact that misinterpretations of their taxonomy in floras and checklists might be caused by unresolved nomenclatural issues, after studying the original material from relevant herbarium collections, we designated lectotypes or epitypes for the following names: C. corymbosa, C. planiflora, C. plasonii, C. rosanii, C. tenorei, C. versicolor, C. versicolor f. mrkvickana, C. versicolor subsp. thessala subvar. lancifolia, C. versicolor var. rosanii, C. versicolor var. thessala, C. versicolor var. thessala f. tomentella, C. versicolor var. tomentella and C. willdenowiana. Note on the already typified C. mrkvickana is also provided.

Proceedings of the 2017 National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium.

The 2017 annual National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium, entitled "Pathology Potpourri," was held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada at the Society of Toxicologic Pathology's 36th annual meeting. The goal of this symposium was to present and discuss challenging diagnostic pathology and/or nomenclature issues. This article presents summaries of the speakers' talks along with select images that were used by the audience for voting and discussion. Various lesions and other topics covered during the symposium included renal papillary degeneration in perinatally exposed animals, an atriocaval mesothelioma, an unusual presentation of an alveolar-bronchiolar carcinoma, a paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl (also called an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma), the use of human muscle samples to illustrate the challenges of manual scoring of fluorescent staining, intertubular spermatocytic seminomas, medical device pathology assessment and discussion of the approval process, collagen-induced arthritis, incisor denticles, ameloblast degeneration and poorly mineralized enamel matrix, connective tissue paragangliomas, microcystin-LR toxicity, perivascular mast cells in the forebrain thalamus unrelated to treatment, and 2 cases that provided a review of the International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) bone nomenclature and recommended application of the terminology in routine nonclinical toxicity studies.

Mammalian Diversity and Matses Ethnomammalogy in Amazonian Peru Part 2: Xenarthra, Carnivora, Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, and Sirenia

This report continues our monographic analysis of mammalian diversity and Matses ethnomammalogy in the Yavari-Ucayali interfluvial region of northeastern Peru. Based primarily on specimens collected in the region from 1926 to 2003, interviews with Matses hunters, and published sight surveys of large mammals, we document the local occurrence of 33 species of xenarthrans, carnivores, perissodactyls, artiodactyls (including cetaceans), and sirenians. All of the species in these groups, with the exception of the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), are recognized and named by the Matses, from whom we recorded extensive accounts of mammalian natural history.The local xenarthran fauna consists of nine species (Cabassous unicinctus, Priodontes maximus, Dasypus novemcinctus, D. pastasae, Bradypus variegatus, Choloepus hoffmanni, Cyclopes didactylus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Tamandua tetradactyla), all of which are represented by examined specimens. Only two xenarthrans (D. pastasae and C. hoffmanni) are primary game species for the Matses, who are familiar with many aspects of their biology that were previously unrecorded in the scientific literature. However, Matses interviews also provide important new information about the behavior of D. novemcinctus (a secondary game species) and M. tridactyla, neither of which has previously been studied in rainforested environments.The local carnivore fauna consists of 16 species (Atelocynus microtis, Speothos venaticus, Leopardus pardalis, L. wiedii, Panthera onca, Puma concolor, Pu. yagouaroundi, Eira barbara, Galictis vittata, Mustela africana, Lontra longicaudis, Pteronura brasiliensis, Bassaricyon alleni, Nasua nasua, Potos flavus, Procyon cancrivorus), most of which are represented by examined specimens; six species without preserved voucher material are known from camera-trap photographs and/or unambiguous sightings by Matses hunters and field biologists. Although the coati (N. nasua) is the only carnivore occasionally hunted by the Matses for food, Matses interviews are richly informative about the natural history of other species, notably including S. venaticus, Leopardus spp., Pa. onca, Puma spp., and E. barbara.All of the local ungulates (Tapirus terrestris, Pecari tajacu, Tayassu pecari, Mazama americana, M. nemorivaga) are hunted by the Matses for food, and the hunters we interviewed are correspondingly well informed about the natural history of most of these species, with the exception of the seldom-encountered gray brocket (M. nemorivaga). Both species of local cetaceans (Inia geoffroyi, Sotalia fluviatilis) are familiar to the Matses, although neither is eaten.The xenarthrans, carnivores, ungulates, and aquatic mammals that inhabit the Yavari-Ucayali interfluve are all widespread species, so this component of the regional fauna, as currently understood, is not biogeographically distinctive, nor is it extraordinarily diverse (by western Amazonian standards). Although we discuss several noteworthy taxonomic and nomenclatural issues relevant to these taxa, the principal contribution of this report consists in the natural history information compiled from our Matses informants and the resulting overview of local community structure as defined by diurnal activity, locomotion, social behavior, and trophic relationships.

New species and combinations on Fragilariforma (Bacillariophyta) from tropical freshwater environments

Several species currently belonging to the genus Fragilariforma D.M. Williams et Round are known worldwide. This genus is mainly characterized by regular spacing of the uniseriate striae composed of round areolae bearing simple vela, and simple apical pore fields. A large number of species has been recognised for some regions of South America and tropical Africa, but few studies encompass type material and/or the morphological variation existing within populations of the different species. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the morphology of these species from tropical environments under light and scanning electron microscopy and using available type material. Nomenclatural issues are examined and clarified for five taxa: Fragilaria nitzschioides var. brasiliensis Grunow, F. undata var. brasiliensis C. Zimmermann, F. strangulata (Zanon) D.M. Williams et Round, F. telum J.R. Carter et Denny and F. rolandschmidtii Metzeltin et Lange-Bertalot. The type material of F. nitzschioides var. brasiliensis, housed in the Grunow Collection at the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (W) was examined and its epitypification is proposed. One new species from the Amazon region Fragilariforma amazonica sp. nov. is presented and described here, while Fragilaria telum is formally transferred to the genus Fragilariforma.

Multilocus and SSU rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses of available cyanobacterial genomes, and their relation to the current taxonomic system

Despite the global significance of cyanobacteria, their taxonomy is still heavily lagging behind the progress in genome sequencing. Besides nomenclatural issues and difficulties in species identification, this problem is largely a consequence of missing reference strains and sequences for many cyanobacterial taxa. In this study, a robust multilocus phylogenetic tree based on 23 conserved proteins from the current set of available genomes is presented and compared to a respective 16S rRNA gene tree. To facilitate further progress in achieving a stable system of monophyletic taxa, the phylogenetic status of eight cyanobacterial orders recently proposed in the botanical system was evaluated. While several orders addressed by previous studies (Gloeobacterales, Spirulinales, Chroococcidiopsidales, Nostocales) retain their monophyly, the remaining big groups (Synechococcales, Pleurocapsales, Chroococcales, Oscillatoriales) are polyphyletic and require thorough revision. Comparison of the 16S rRNA tree to the multilocus tree supports the careful use of this gene in distinguishing cyanobacterial genera, whereas its application at other taxonomic levels is limited.