Monophyletic Assemblage Research Articles

Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Subfamily Peloniinae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part XIV. Taxonomy of the South American Genera Corinthiscus Fairmaire and Germain, Morulaptoma Opitz, New Genus, and Petorca Opitz, New Genus

The genera CorinthiscusFairmaire and Germain, 1861, Morulaptoma Opitz, new genus, and Petorca Opitz, new genus, are redescribed/described, and revised. The species composition of these genera involves: Corinthiscus insignicornisFairmaire and Germain, 1861, Morulaptoma canuta Opitz, new species, Morulaptoma nigra (Chevrolat, 1876), new combination, and Petorca denticolla (Spinola, 1849), new combination. Corinthiscus nigra (Chevrolat) is now the type species of Morulaptoma. Lectotypes are designated for Corinthiscus insignicornisFairmaire and Germain, 1861, Pelonium nigrumaChevrolat, 1876, and Clerus denticollisSpinola, 1849. Biogeographical evidence suggests that these checkered beetle genera evolved in significantly different forest communities, and morphological observations indicate that they are carnivorous. It is hypothesized that the ancestor of this monophyletic assemblage diversified in a region involving Chile and Argentina, with radiation into the forested biomes of southeastern Brazil.

Testing the higher-level phylogenetic classification of Digenea (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda) based on nuclear rDNA sequences before entering the age of the 'next-generation' Tree of Life.

Digenea Carus, 1863 represent a highly diverse group of parasitic platyhelminths that infect all major vertebrate groups as definitive hosts. Morphology is the cornerstone of digenean systematics, but molecular markers have been instrumental in searching for a stable classification system of the subclass and in establishing more accurate species limits. The first comprehensive molecular phylogenetic tree of Digenea published in 2003 used two nuclear rRNA genes (ssrDNA = 18S rDNA and lsrDNA = 28S rDNA) and was based on 163 taxa representing 77 nominal families, resulting in a widely accepted phylogenetic classification. The genetic library for the 28S rRNA gene has increased steadily over the last 15 years because this marker possesses a strong phylogenetic signal to resolve sister-group relationships among species and to infer phylogenetic relationships at higher levels of the taxonomic hierarchy. Here, we have updated the database of 18S and 28S rRNA genes until December 2017, we have added newly generated 28S rDNA sequences and we have reassessed phylogenetic relationships to test the current higher-level classification of digeneans (at the subordinal and subfamilial levels). The new dataset consisted of 1077 digenean taxa allocated to 106 nominal families for 28S and 419 taxa in 98 families for 18S. Overall, the results were consistent with previous higher-level classification schemes, and most superfamilies and suborders were recovered as monophyletic assemblages. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, new phylogenetic hypotheses from complete mitochondrial genomes have been proposed, although their power to resolve deep levels of trees remains controversial. Since data from NGS methods are replacing other widely used markers for phylogenetic analyses, it is timely to reassess the phylogenetic relationships of digeneans with conventional nuclear rRNA genes, and to use the new analysis to test the performance of genomic information gathered from NGS, e.g. mitogenomes, to infer higher-level relationships of this group of parasitic platyhelminths.

Classification, Natural History, and Evolution of the Subfamily Peloniinae (Coleoptera: Cleroidea: Cleridae). Part XII. Taxonomic Revision of the South American Genus Lasiodera Gray

This treatise involves the genus Lasiodera Gray. The species composition of Lasiodera involves Lasiodera kirbyi (Gray), Lasiodera ruficollis (Gorham), Lasiodera rufipes (Klug), and Lasiodera trifasciata (Laporte). Lectotypes are designated for L. ruficollis, L. rufipes, and L. trifasciata. Lasiodera mulleri Pic and Enoplium ornatum Klug are synonymized with L. ruficollis, and Pelonium zonatum Thomson is synonymized with L. rufipes. Morphological structures suggest that these beetles have a carnivorous life style. It is postulated that the ancestor of this monophyletic assemblage diversified in the highlands of southeastern Brazil. It is also postulated that L. kirbyi is a mimic of the velvet ant Haplomutilla spinosa (Swederus) (Mutillidae). Included in this work are an identification key to the adults of Lasiodera species, a discussion of natural history, hypotheses of evolution, two phylogenetic trees, 26 illustrations, eight SEM micrographs, four genitalic photographs, seven habitus photographs, and one distributional map.

Three genetically distinct clades of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Ixodes scapularis

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an emerging disease in Canada because of range expansion by the arthropod vector, Ixodes scapularis. These ticks carry the Ap-ha variant of Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap-ha), which has been implicated in causing HGA, and the Ap-variant 1, which is not associated with human infection. We report the detection of 13 genotypes of the ankyrin (ankA) gene among 76 infected blacklegged ticks. Haplotype network and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the ankA genotypes corresponding to the Ap-ha variant did not form a monophyletic assemblage. They formed two distinct clades (Clades I and III), one of which was genetically more similar in nucleotide and amino acid sequences to genotypes of Ap-variant 1 that comprised Clade II. Additional work is needed to explore the evolutionary history of A. phagocytophilum in North America, and to determine if there are differences in pathogenicity or clinical symptoms associated with the two divergent groups of the Ap-ha variant given the significant differences in ankA amino acid sequence.

Taxonomic Attribution of “Oscillatoriales” Strains within the Bacteriological System of Cyanobacteria: Identification Algorithm for Operational Genera

In “Oscillatoriales” cyanobacteria (Cyanophyceae), relatively simple and uniform morphology superimposes on high genetic diversity that impedes reliable identification. The system of Cyanobacteria set forth in Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology-2001/Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria-2015 deals with operational taxa—form-genera (“larger” genera represented by strains) unlike true cyanophycean genera represented by species. Form-genera were established on morphological criteria shared with Cyanophyceae, although they were typified by Pasteur Culture Collection (PCC) strains. Despite being important in determinative cyanobacteriology, old diagnoses of form-genera should be reappraised because, in them: (i) vague and/or ephemeral morphological characters are considered taxonomically significant; (ii) phylogenetic character, such as 16S rRNA gene sequence (16S) is missing. We identified 32 “Oscillatoriales” strains from CALU collection (St. Petersburg University, Russia) basing on core morphology traits, 16S of PCC type strains, and 16S from GenBank database. We proposed that, in experimentally oriented and ecology oriented studies, unequivocal identification can be attained via triple match: streamlined form-genus diagnosis— 16S of PCC reference strain—GenBank most similar 16S. Additionally, we traced the phylogeny of “Oscillatoriales” form-genera via 16S clustering and HIP1 fingerprinting, and suggested that these operational taxa should be replaced with monophyletic assemblages. Nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the GenBank database under the accession numbers KX263921−KX263950.

Multilocus Phylogenetics of New World Milkweed Vines (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Gonolobinae)

Subtribe Gonolobinae of the cosmopolitan family Apocynaceae is diverse and represents the largest radiation of milkweeds in the New World (∼500 species). The largest genus, Matelea, is an amalgam that was united largely by a perceived lack of discrete morphological variation, particularly in floral structures. Using plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, we estimate a phylogeny of Gonolobinae using four chloroplast loci and three cloned nuclear regions. We investigate themonophyly of Matelea and other established and provisional genera via a series of hypothesis tests. We find variable support and considerable conflict among the gene trees. Despite this, our data confirm the paraphyly of Matelea, while Gonolobus and other segregate genera receive some support as monophyletic assemblages. We attribute conflicting signal in our data primarily to incomplete lineage sorting, a likely result of rapid radiation. Ancestral character reconstructions of growth form, fruit, and corolla morphology reveal a woody twining growth form to be plesiomorphic with one to two transitions to an herbaceous, non-twining growth form followed by one putative reversal to the woody twining growth form in the subtribe. Plesiomorphic states for fruit ornamentation and corolla shape are less clear, and these characters exhibit high levels of homoplasy. This study is one of the most comprehensive phylogenies of gonoloboid milkweeds to date and the first to sample multiple nuclear loci and include allelic data.

A new microsporidium Fibrillaspora daphniae g. n. sp. n. infecting Daphnia magna (Crustacea: Cladocera) in Siberia and its taxonomic placing within a new family Fibrillasporidae and new superfamily Tubulinosematoidea (Opisthosporidia: Microsporidia).

Infection with a new microsporidium, Fibrillaspora daphniae g. n. sp. n., was found in a local Daphnia magna population in Tomsk region (Western Siberia, Russia) at the prevalence rate of 52%. Histological sections showed parasite cells entirely encompassing the host haemocoel. Methanol-fixed spores were elongate, oval, 4.8 ± 0.3μm × 2.3 ± 0.2μm in size. All developmental stages were in direct contact with the host cell cytoplasm, with single nuclei, and division by binary fission. The sporont surface was covered with an additional outer layer composed of fine tubules. The spores possessed a thick endospore, large posterior vacuole filled with electron-dense granules, and a bipartite polaroplast composed of anterior lamellar and posterior globular elements. The polar tube was slightly anisofilar, with 13-19 coils arranged in one row; the two posterior coils were of lesser diameter. The small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence was deposited in Genbank under accession # MF278272. Considering the sister relationship between Fibrillanosema crangonycis and our new isolate described here as Fibrillaspora daphniae, we propose a new family Fibrillasporidae fam. n. to contain these two genera and the descendants of their common ancestor. A new superfamily Tubulinosematoidea superfam. n. is proposed as a monophyletic assemblage of Fibrillasporidae fam. n. and Tubulinosematidae.

Phylogeny of Miracula helgolandica gen. et sp. nov. and Olpidiopsis drebesii sp. nov., two basal oomycete parasitoids of marine diatoms, with notes on the taxonomy of Ectrogella-like species

Despite their widespread nature and economic impact, little is known regarding the diversity and phylogeny of diatom-infecting oomycetes. While the phylogenetic affinities of Lagenisma, affecting large centric diatoms, has recently been resolved, no member of the widespread genus Ectrogella has, so far, been investigated using molecular phylogenetics. The genus Ectrogella contains about a dozen species, which are all holocarpic. The species in the genus are diverse in terms of morphology and development, and primarily set apart from other holocarpic oomycete genera on the basis of their occurrence in unicellular or colonial algae, predominantly licmophoroid and bacillarioid diatoms. Here, we report the phylogenetic placement of two oomycete parasitoids one parasitic to Pseudo-nitzschia pungens and the other parasitic to Rhizosolenia imbricata. While both parasitoids were placed outside the crown oomycete groups represented by Saprolegniomycetes and Peronosporomycetes, they did not form a monophyletic assemblage. The Rhizosolenia parasitoid was embedded amongst marine Olpidiopsis species, while the Pseudo-nitzschia parasitoid was placed as the sister clade to all remaining oomycetes. The taxonomy of Ectrogella-like organisms and Olpidiopsis is discussed and, as a consequence of morphological differences and phylogenetic placement, two new species, Miracula helgolandica and Olpidiopsis drebesii, are introduced.

A Review of Methods for Detection of Hepatozoon Infection in Carnivores and Arthropod Vectors.

Vector-borne protists of the genus Hepatozoon belong to the apicomplexan suborder Adeleorina. The taxonomy of Hepatozoon is unsettled and different phylogenetic clades probably represent evolutionary units deserving the status of separate genera. Throughout our review, we focus on the monophyletic assemblage of Hepatozoon spp. from carnivores, classified as Hepatozoon sensu stricto that includes important pathogens of domestic and free-ranging canine and feline hosts. We provide an overview of diagnostic methods and approaches from classical detection in biological materials, through serological tests to nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). Critical review of used primers for the 18S rDNA is provided, together with information on individual primer pairs. Extension of used NAATs target to cover also mitochondrial genes is suggested as a key step in understanding the diversity and molecular epidemiology of Hepatozoon infections in mammals.

The relationships of Gasteroclupea branisai Signeux, 1964, a freshwater double-armored herring (Clupeomorpha, Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene of South America

The clupeomorph fish Gasteroclupea branisai Signeux, 1964 from the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene of El Molino Formation, Cayara locality, Bolivia is redescribed in detail. This South American double-armored herring is the sole member of the family Gasteroclupeidae and exhibits a unique combination of features (skull roof ornamented with fine tubercles, beryciform foramen, endopterygoid teeth, about 16–18 supraneurals, a series of 35–38 predorsal and 40 ventral scutes, median fins small and containing 12–14 rays) that clearly supports its assignment to the extinct clupeomorph order Ellimmichthyiformes. G. branisai shares a number of synapomorphies with Sorbinichthys elusivo and S. africanus (five hypurals, second hypural autogenous, distal end of the second uroneural not reaching the distal end of the first uroneural) with which it forms a monophyletic assemblage recognized herein for the first time as the new suborder Sorbinichthyoidei. The peculiar morphology of Gasteroclupea that is characterized by having an extremely deep abdominal profile, hypertrophied coracoid, and elongated pectoral fins, resembles in many aspects the body plan of extant freshwater hatchetfishes of the characiform family Gasteropelecidae, suggesting that the morphological adaptations of G. branisai can be related, at least in part, to a similar lifestyle.

Phytomonas (Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae): Phylogenetic analyses support infrageneric lineages and a new species transmitted to Solanaceae fruits by a pentatomid hemipteran

The genus Phytomonas includes trypanosomatids transmitted to the fruits, latex, and phloem of vascular plants by hemipterans. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of plant and insect isolates assigned to the previously defined genetic groups A–F and H of Phytomonas, particularly those from groups A, C and E comprising flagellates of Solanaceae fruits. Phylogenetic analyses using glycosomal Glyceraldehyde Phosphate Dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) and Small Subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) genes strongly supported the monophyly of the genus Phytomonas and its division into seven main infrageneric phylogenetic lineages (Phy clades). Isolates from fruit or latex do not constitute monophyletic assemblages but disperse through more than one lineages. In this study, fruit flagellates were distributed in three clades: PhyA, formed by isolates from Solanaceae and phytophagous hemipterans; PhyC comprising flagellates from four plant families; and PhyE, which contains 15 fruit isolates from seven species of Solanaceae. The flagellates of PhyE are described as Phytomonas dolleti n. sp. according to their positioning in phylogenetic trees, complemented by data about their life cycle, and developmental and morphological characteristics in cultures, fruits of Solanum spp., and salivary glands of the vector, the phytophagous hemipteran Arvelius albopunctatus (Pentatomidae).

First report on nematode parasite infection in the yellowbar angelfish Pomacanthus maculosus (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae) from the Iraqi coral reef, with description of a new species of Cucullanus (Nematoda: Ascaridida) using the integrated approaches

The yellowbar angelfish Pomacanthus maculosus (Forsskål) (Perciformes: Pomacanthidae) is a beautiful, marine ornamental fish with very important commercial value. However, to date, no information is available on nematode parasite infection in P. maculosus. In the present study, the integrated approaches including light and scanning electron microscopy, and sequencing and analysing ribosomal [small ribosomal DNA (18S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] and mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1)] target regions, respectively, were employed for the systematic evaluation of the nematode parasites firstly isolated from P. maculosus in the Iraqi coral reef. The results revealed that these nematodes represent a new species of Cucullanus (Ascaridida: Cucullanidae). The phylogenetic analyses based on 18S, ITS and cox1 sequences were constructed, respectively, to assess the phylogenetic relationships between the new species and the other cucullanids, and the monophyly of Cucullanus, as well as some its related genus-level taxa. The results supported C. extraneus n. sp. appear to be sister to C. hainanensis, and the genera Cucullanus, Dichelyne and Truttaedacnitis may be not monophyletic assemblages. This is the first report of the occurrence of nematode parasites in P. maculosus.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Polyporus Group Melanopus (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China.

Melanopus is a morphological group of Polyporus which contains species with a black cuticle on the stipe. In this article, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies on Melanopus group were carried out on the basis of morphological characters and phylogenetic evidence of DNA sequences of multiple loci including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nSSU), the small subunit mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences (mtSSU), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (EF1-α), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2), and β-tubulin gene sequences (β-tubulin). The phylogenetic result confirmed that the previously so-called Melanopus group is not a monophyletic assemblage, and species in this group distribute into two distinct clades: the Picipes clade and the Squamosus clade. Four new species of Picipes are described, and nine new combinations are proposed. A key to species of Picipes is provided.

Revision of the Brazilian Hemispheric Ovary Clade ofVellozia(Velloziaceae) with the NewV. religiosa1

Abstract Species of the hemispheric ovary clade of the Velloziaceae are presented. The Vellozia hemisphaerica group is endemic to the Espinhaco Range in Bahia, Brazil, and is composed of the five species Vellozia canelinha Mello-Silva, V. caudata Mello-Silva, V. hemisphaerica Seub., V. jolyi L. B. Sm., and V. religiosa Mello-Silva & D. Sasaki. The group is a monophyletic assemblage supported by an ovary outline that is broader than long and other plastid and nuclear molecular characters, as well as non-molecular characters. Identification keys for the species group, their morphological and anatomical descriptions, as well as comments on the affinities of the species and character evolution based on previous cladistic analysis, geographical distribution, and conservation status are presented. A new species, V. religiosa, is described, and V. burlemarxii L. B. Sm. & Ayensu and V. campanuloides Mello-Silva are synonymized with V. hemisphaerica and V. caudata, respectively. Lectotypification of the name V. he...

DNA barcodes, cryptic diversity and phylogeography of a W Mediterranean assemblage of thermosbaenacean crustaceans

We assess the occurrence of crypticism and analyse the phylogeography of a thermosbaenacean crustacean, the monodellid Tethysbaena scabra, endemic to the Balearic Islands (W Mediterranean). This species occurs only in mixohaline waters of coastal wells and caves adjacent to the seashore. We have used the mitochondrial DNA barcode region to assess its genetic population structure throughout the anchialine environment of the islands. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses showed that the Balearic Tethysbaena and those from the NW Italian Peninsula form a monophyletic assemblage subdivided into several lineages. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) p‐distances among the more divergent Mallorcan lineages are remarkably high and on par with those established between the formally described species T. scabra from Menorca and T. argentarii from Italy. This result and the application of the generalised mixed Yule coalescence model (GMYC) suggest that at least some of the Mallorcan lineages represent cryptic species. A clear‐cut phylogeographic pattern is displayed by this anchialine assemblage: six of its seven lineages appear in allopatry, with the exception of a Mallorcan lineage limited to a single cave nested within the geographic range of another lineage. All lineages show a distribution reduced to a single cave or to short portions of coast not exceeding 60 km in length. Our coalescence estimations suggest an early Tortonian (10.7 Ma) origin for the Balearic + Italy Tethysbaena clade, an age that is largely prior to the onset of the eustatic oscillations associated with the Quaternary glaciations. Only the diversification that took place within some of the Mallorcan lineages could be coeval with the broad glacio‐eustatic oscillations of the Quaternary.

Phylogenomics Reveals Convergent Evolution of Lifestyles in Close Relatives of Animals and Fungi

The Opisthokonta are a eukaryotic supergroup divided in two main lineages: animals and related protistan taxa, and fungi and their allies [1, 2]. There is a great diversity of lifestyles and morphologies among unicellular opisthokonts, from free-living phagotrophic flagellated bacterivores and filopodiated amoebas to cell-walled osmotrophic parasites and saprotrophs. However, these characteristics do not group into monophyletic assemblages, suggesting rampant convergent evolution within Opisthokonta. To test this hypothesis, we assembled a new phylogenomic dataset via sequencing 12 new strains of protists. Phylogenetic relationships among opisthokonts revealed independent origins of filopodiated amoebas in two lineages, one related to fungi and the other to animals. Moreover, we observed that specialized osmotrophic lifestyles evolved independently in fungi and protistan relatives of animals, indicating convergent evolution. We therefore analyzed the evolution of two key fungal characters in Opisthokonta, the flagellum and chitin synthases. Comparative analyses of the flagellar toolkit showed a previously unnoticed flagellar apparatus in two close relatives of animals, the filasterean Ministeria vibrans and Corallochytrium limacisporum. This implies that at least four different opisthokont lineages secondarily underwent flagellar simplification. Analysis of the evolutionary history of chitin synthases revealed significant expansions in both animals and fungi, and also in the Ichthyosporea and C. limacisporum, a group of cell-walled animal relatives. This indicates that the last opisthokont common ancestor had a complex toolkit of chitin synthases that was differentially retained in extant lineages. Thus, our data provide evidence for convergent evolution of specialized lifestyles in close relatives of animals and fungi from a generalist ancestor.

Phylogenetic relationships of nonbiting midges in the subfamilyTanypodinae (Diptera:Chironomidae) inferred from morphology

AbstractThe nonbiting midge subfamily Tanypodinae represents one of the most diverse lineages ofChironomidae. Despite the wide distribution and high diversity of tanypodine chironomids, the evolutionary history of the subfamily remains poorly understood. Here, we present the first phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Tanypodinae based on morphological data. Cladistic analyses were conducted using 86 morphological characters from 115 species belonging to 54 tanypodine genera, including the eight currently recognised tribes:Anatopyniini,Clinotanypodini,Coelopyniini,Macropelopiini,Natarsiini,Pentaneurini,Procladiini andTanypodini. We use characters from fourth‐instar larvae, pupae and adults of both sexes. We examine the effects of implied weighting by reanalysing the data with varying values of concavity constant (k). Our analysis supports the monophyly ofTanypodinae withPodonominae as its sister group. All previously proposed tribes are recovered as monophyletic assemblages under a wide range of weighting factors. Under these conditions, the genusFittkauimyiais the sister group of the remaining Macropelopiini and is erected as a new monobasic tribe,Fittkauimyiinitrib.n. The tribePentaneurini is recovered as monophyletic with some internal relationships resolved. The genusParamerina, recovered as sister ofReomyia + Zavrelimyia, is formally synonymised withZavrelimyiasyn.n., based on morphological similarity in all three life stages and treated as a subgenus of the latter. Finally, the recently suggested synonymies ofGressittiusandGuassutanypuswithAlotanypusand the establishment of the subgeneraConchapelopia(Helopelopia),Macropelopia(Bethbilbeckia),Monopelopia(Cantopelopia),Thienemannimyia(Hayesomyia) andZavrelimyia(ReomyiaandSchineriella) are investigated. Our results support all proposed changes, except for the subgenus‐level status ofHelopelopiaandCantopelopia.We suggest re‐establishment ofHelopelopiaas a genus, but refrain from promoting genus‐level status ofCantopelopiaat present because the apparent sister‐relationship betweenMonopelopia + Nilotanypuslikely is due to wing vein reduction caused by miniaturisation.This published work has been registered in ZooBank,http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DF012C17‐AFB3‐4904‐83DC‐30DD94D0B376.

The phylogenetic relationships of endemic Australasian trichostrongylin families (Nematoda: Strongylida) parasitic in marsupials and monotremes.

The phylogenetic relationships of the endemic (or largely endemic) Australasian trichostrongylin nematode families Herpetostrongylidae, Mackerrastrongylidae and Nicollinidae as well as endemic trichostrongylin nematodes currently placed in the families Trichostrongylidae and Molineidae were examined using the complete large subunit (28S) ribosomal RNA gene. The Herpetostrongylinae proved to be monophyletic. However, representatives of the Nicollinidae nested with the Herpetostrongylinae. The Mackerrastrongylidae was also a monophyletic group and included Peramelistrongylus, currently classified within the Trichostrongylidae. The Globocephaloidinae, currently considered to be a subfamily of the Herpetostrongylidae, was excluded from the family in the current analysis. Ollulanus and Libyostrongylus, included for the first time in a molecular phylogenetic analysis, were placed within the Trichostrongylidae. This study provided strong support for the Herpetostrongylidae (including within it the Nicollinidae, but excluding the Globocephaloidinae) and the Mackerrastrongylidae as monophyletic assemblages. Additional studies are required to resolve the relationships of the remaining endemic Australasian trichostrongylin genera.

Morphological and molecular description of eight new species of Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832 (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) from poeciliid fishes, collected in their natural distribution range in the Gulf of Mexico slope, Mexico

Eight new species of Gyrodactylus are described from Poecilia mexicana, Poeciliopsis gracilis, Pseudoxiphophorus bimaculatus [syn. = Heterandria bimaculata], and Xiphophorus hellerii collected in the Nautla and La Antigua River Basins in Veracruz, and in the Tecolutla River Basin in Puebla, Mexico. Analyzing the morphology of the marginal hooks, Gyrodactylus pseudobullatarudis n. sp. and Gyrodactylus xtachuna n. sp. are both very similar to Gyrodactylus bullatarudis; Gyrodactylus takoke n. sp. resembles Gyrodactylus xalapensis; Gyrodactylus lhkahuili n. sp. is similar to Gyrodactylus jarocho; and both Gyrodactylus microdactylus n. sp. and Gyrodactylus actzu n. sp. are similar to Gyrodactylus poeciliae in that all three species possess extremely short shaft points. A hypothesis of the systematic relationships of the eight new Gyrodactylus species and some of the known gyrodactylids infecting poeciliids was constructed with sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S ribosomal gene of the rRNA. Phylogenetic trees showed that the new and previously described species of Gyrodactylus infecting poeciliid fishes do not form a monophyletic assemblage. Trees also showed that the eight new species described morphologically correspond to well-supported monophyletic groups; and that morphologically similar species are also phylogenetically close. Additionally, we correct previous erroneous records of the presence of Gyrodactylus bullatarudis on wild Poecilia mexicana and Xiphophorus hellerii collected in Mexico, as re-examination of the original specimens indicated that these corresponded to Gyrodactylus pseudobullatarudis n. sp. (infecting Poecilia mexicana and Xiphophorus hellerii) and to Gyrodactylus xtachuna n. sp. (on Xiphophorus hellerii). Finally, given the widespread anthropogenic translocation of poeciliid fishes for the aquarium trade and mosquito control programs, as well as the existence of invasive, feral poeciliid populations worldwide, we discuss the possibility that gyrodactylid parasites could be introduced along with the fish hosts-this work provides taxonomic information to assess that possibility, as it describes parasites collected from poeciliid fishes within their native distribution range.

An Analysis ofMyotis peninsularis(Vespertilionidae) Blending Morphometric and Genetic Datasets

Myotis peninsularis Miller, 1898 is an endemic bat from the Cape Region in Baja California Sur, México. Its taxonomic status is unclear, either as a valid species or as a subspecies of M. velifer (J. A. Allen, 1890). In order to assess its taxonomic status, the objective of this study was to examine phylogenetic relationships of M. peninsularis, using molecular and geometric morphometric data. Two mitochondrial genes were analyzed: cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb). The phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood and Bayesian Inference) showed that M. peninsularis and M. velifer were sister groups, collectively forming a monophyletic assemblage. We observed less than 2% of genetic distance in the Cytb, considered an interval at the subspecies level. The geometric morphometric analysis showed differences in skull shape. We obtained three morphotypes: M. peninsularis (Baja California group), M. velifer incautus (northern population) and M. v. velifer (southern population). The most important differences were located in the braincase (ventral, dorsal and lateral view). The lateral view was the most discriminating. The Cape Region specimens had the sagittal crest more procumbent in the front than the rear of the braincase. The slope line at the rostral lateral view was more abrupt in M. velifer populations. Morphologically, the three lineages tended to possess the same normal variation as the entire Mexican population of M. velifer but with a specific morphotype associated to its distribution. In a combined molecular and landmark configuration of the phylogenetic analysis, the ancestral shape corresponded to an intermediate shape between M. peninsularis and M. velifer, presenting a similar variation to the one of intra-specific level in M. velifer. We considered M. peninsularis a junior-synonym of M. velifer.