Monospecific Research Articles

Description of an additional new species in the monotypic genus from Vietnam (Araneae: Salticidae)

Description of an additional new species in the monotypic genus from Vietnam (Araneae: Salticidae)

The subarctic ancient Lake El'gygytgyn harbours the world's northernmost 'limnostygon community' and reshuffles crangonyctoid systematics (Crustacea, Amphipoda).

The northward distribution limit of groundwater fauna is generally dictated by the extent of glacial ice sheets during the Pleistocene. However, some taxa can be found far above this limit, sometimes on isolated oceanic islands, implying long-term survival in subglacial subterranean refugia. Here we report a peculiar assemblage comprising two new depigmented and blind (stygomorphic) amphipods from the subarctic ancient lake El'gygytgyn (northern Far East): Palearcticarellus hyperboreus sp. nov. and Pseudocrangonyx elgygytgynicus sp. nov. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on five markers confirm their affinity to Crangonyctidae and Pseudocrangonyctidae, respectively. Fossil-calibrated molecular dating indicates that the ages of both species predate the onset of Pleistocene glaciations by at least an order of magnitude. Although both species are clearly adapted for subterranean life and are related to groundwater taxa, they are only known from the lake waters (5-170-m depth). Despite being nested within Pseudocrangonyctidae, P. elgygytgynicus has an atypical third uropod that preserves a vestigial inner ramus, a trait characteristic to the monotypic sister family Crymostygidae. Given that this character was the main distinguishing feature between the two families, we propose merging Crymostygidae with Pseudocrangonyctidae. Our findings represent the world's northernmost record of stygomorphic amphipods, emphasising their relictual biogeography and the importance of Lake El'gygytgyn as a long-term, high latitude refugium for ancient pre-glacial fauna. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3A51D1F8-E65D-4A3A-B663-D5C40272E68B.

Merging Ajaniopsis (Asteraceae), an endangered genus endemic to the Tibet Plateau, into Artemisia: Implications for systematics and conservation

AbstractAjaniopsis is a monotypic genus of Asteraceae endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, growing on alpine scree slopes. It has been widely recognized as a separate genus and employed in many evolutionary and ecological analyses for its unique morphological characters. Despite being treated as an endangered species and once included in lists of key protected plant species, its systematic position has never been critically evaluated in a phylogenetic context. Furthermore, neither its past nor future distributional range has been assessed or predicted. In this study, we undertook morphological and molecular investigations to elucidate its systematics, and employed niche modeling to evaluate its historical, current, and potential future distributional range. Our phylogenetic analyses, based on the plastid genome and two nuclear DNA regions, show that Ajaniopsis is deeply nested in the mega‐diverse genus Artemisia. Morphological analysis indicates that its unique characters are also present in many distantly related species of Artemisia, implying significant convergent evolution. Consequently, Ajaniopsis can be reduced into Artemisia rather than being considered a distinct genus. Niche modeling reveals that its distributional range underwent a dramatic contraction ca. 3.3 Ma and is likely to continue shrinking in the future. This dramatic range contraction might be associated with climate changes and human activities in its unique habitat. Therefore, immediate in situ conservation is imperative for this critically endangered species, necessitating the establishment of a nature reserve on the Tibetan Plateau. Our studies highlight that it is beneficial to explore the evolutionary history of endangered species in detail when drafting conservation strategies.

A phylogenetic analysis and new delimitation of the Neotropical genus Werneria (Compositae, Senecioneae)

AbstractThe genus Werneria was first described from six species found in the northern Andes in 1818 by Karl S. Kunth. By 1970 the number of species increased to around 50. Werneria is mostly distributed in the Andean highlands with a single species, W. nubigena, reaching as far as southern Chiapas, Mexico. Today, the genus Werneria encompasses 28 species with its center of diversity located in Peru and Bolivia. It is defined, in part, by having involucral bracts fused at least halfway and lacking a well‐developed calyculus at the base of the head. Further research indicated that there was considerable variability between Werneria species, and several species were transferred into the related genera Anticona, Misbrookea, Senecio, and Xenophyllum. Recently, it has been brought to light that the type of the genus Werneria is W. rigida, an effective lectotypification made by Rockhausen that previous authors working on this group overlooked. Since W. rigida has been accepted so far as a member of the genus Xenophyllum, Rockhausen's typification has resulted in: (1) Xenophyllum a superfluous name for Werneria; (2) Werneria a name to be applied to the species treated thus far as Xenophyllum; and (3) describing the new genus Rockhausenia to place the “traditional” Werneria species. Instead of proposing to conserve the name Werneria to avoid the aforementioned undesirable disruptions in the interest of nomenclatural stability, 30 new combinations have been made. Herein, we present the first comprehensive phylogenetic study based on ITS, trnL, ndhF, matK, and psbA sequence data involving 29 out of the 51 known species of Werneria and Xenophyllum (including the monotypic genus Misbrookea). The results indicate that: (1) the treatment of Misbrookea as a distinct genus is well supported; and (2) Werneria and Xenophyllum are each clearly not monophyletic. This, in addition to the fact that there are no diagnostic morphological synapomorphies to support either of the two genera, suggests treating them as members of a single genus. Moreover, the type of W. subg. Anactis appears to be nested in the genus Senecio. The three species belonging to this subgenus are accordingly transferred to Senecio. Finally, two subgenera are here proposed for facilitating species identification: (1) W. subg. Werneria, including species previously treated under Xenophyllum; (2) W. subg. Rockhausenia comb. & stat. nov., including the “traditional” Werneria species centered around W. nubigena.

Phylogeography, taxonomy, and conservation of the endangered brown howler monkey, Alouatta guariba (Primates, Atelidae), of the Atlantic Forest

The brown howler, Alouatta guariba, endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and Argentina, is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting, and its susceptibility to yellow fever. Two subspecies have been recognized, but their names, validity, and geographic ranges have been controversial. We obtained samples covering the species' entire distribution in Brazil and Argentina to clarify these issues by investigating their genetic diversity and structure and assessing their evolutionary history. We analyzed, for the first time, a set of ten microsatellite markers (N = 153), plus mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) segments of the control region (N = 207) and cytochrome b gene (N = 116). The microsatellite data support two to three genetic clusters with biological significance. The southern populations (Argentina, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul) presented a homogeneous genetic component, and populations from São Paulo (SP) to the north presented another component, although most presented ∼20% of the southern component. With K = 3, SP emerged as a third component while sharing some ancestry with Rio de Janeiro and Argentina. The mtDNA phylogenies revealed three main clades that diverged almost simultaneously around 250 thousand years ago (kya). Clades A and B are from central SP to the north and east, while clade C is from SP to the south and southwest. Samples from SP presented haplotypes in all three clades, sometimes in the same population. The demographic history of the species estimated with the Bayesian skyline plot of the mtDNA showed a strong expansion ∼40–20 kya and a strong reduction over the last ∼4–2 kya. Although the genetic clusters identified here deserve appropriate management strategies as conservation units, the absence of (i) concordance between the mtDNA and microsatellite data, (ii) reciprocal monophyly in the mtDNA, and (iii) clear-cut non-genetic diagnostic characters advises against considering them as different taxonomic entities. None of the previous taxonomic proposals were corroborated by our data. Our results elucidate the taxonomy of the Atlantic Forest brown howler, indicating it should be considered a monotypic species, A. guariba. We also clarify the evolutionary history of the species regarding its intraspecific genetic diversity, which is crucial information for its conservation and population management.

Possible phylogenetic relationships of Gymnarrhena (Gymnarrheneae, Gymnarrhenoideae, Asteraceae) based on comparative carpology

The amphicarpic annual Gymnarrhena micrantha (Asteraceae), inhabiting the deserts of North Africa to the Middle East, is interesting not only for its unusual biology, but also for its peculiar morphological structure. The monotypic genus Gymnarrhena, with uncertain position in the Asteraceae for a long time, is currently included in the tribe Gymnarrheneae and a separate subfamily Gymnarrhenoideae. The objective of the study was to examine fruit and seed structure in G. micrantha to consider possible phylogenetic relationships of the genus based on carpological characters. It was found that fruit structural organization in G. micrantha, with simply arranged pericarp and seed coat, parenchymatous and poorly differentiated on the tissue, corresponds to that of the early diverging evolutionary lines of Asteraceae, in which the states of these characters are considered to be plesiomorphic in the family. It has been suggested that taxonomically important structural features of Gymnarrhena cypsela include the structure of the apical region, pericarp and seed coat, the place of pappus attachment and its structure, the type of pappus hygroscopic tissue, and morphophysiological features of receptacular bracts surrounding the cypsela. The study did not confirm the relationship of Gymnarrhena with the tribes Corymbieae and Cichorieae, the seed coat of which differs markedly from the seed coat of Gymnarrhena in the presence of fine porosity of the exotesta cell walls. A set of the anatomical and carpological characters indicates a possible relationship of Gymnarrhena with the basal subtribes Cardopatiinae and Carlininae of the tribe Cardueae. The morphophysiological adaptation of G. micrantha and Cousiniopsis atractyloides cypselae to dissemination in desert conditions, similar in structural details, apparently suggests a close relationship between the subfamilies Gymnarrhenoideae and Carduoideae.

Mystery on the Bounty: The family-level status of Pacificana cockayni Hogg, 1904 (Araneae)

The family-level placement of the species Pacificana cockayni Hogg, 1904 (Araneae, Miturgidae) has been ambiguous for over a century, with the monotypic genus initially placed in Agelenidae, later transferred to Amaurobioidinae (Anyphaenidae), and presently in Miturgidae. A recent work describing the male and molecular data consisting of a single mitochondrial gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, confirmed that the species is part of the marronoid clade; however, these data did not result in conclusive family-level placement. Here, we use low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) combined with data from the Sequence Read Archive to infer a phylogeny from ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and six legacy Sanger loci. Indications of potential family placements from prior work and the topologies from this study support a transfer of Pacificana Hogg, 1904 to Cycloctenidae Simon, 1898 (new family placement).

A redescription of the Pacific Bounty hunter, Pacificana cockayni Hogg, 1904 and an attempt to reunite with its family

ABSTRACT The male of the Bounty Island endemic Pacificana cockayni Hogg, 1904 is described for the first time and the female is redescribed. We attempted to place the monotypic genus Pacificana in an appropriate family based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 DNA sequence data, however, our phylogenetic analysis was inconclusive. Morphologically, P. cockayni shares characters with the New Zealand genera Pakeha Forster & Wilton, 1973 (Cycloctenidae) and Otira Forster & Wilton, 1973 (Amaurobiidae) plus two Australian amaurobiid genera, Storenosoma Hogg, 1900 and Oztira Milledge, 2011. We note that while other spider species recorded from the Bounty Islands are found on other sub-Antarctic islands, Pacificana is not. We have not suggested a family placement until the placement of Otira, Oztira, Pakeha, and Storenosoma has been resolved by further, more extensive phylogenetic analysis.

New species, new synonyms, and resurrected taxa: A review of West and Central Palaearctic members of the genus Pseudoanthidium (Apoidea: Megachilidae).

Wool carder bees of the genus Pseudoanthidium comprise approximately 60-65 species, which are found in the Palaearctic, Indo-Malayan and Afrotropical realms. Their taxonomic relationships are little understood. Herein, I revised West and Central Palaearctic members of the genus. Four species are described as new, namely P. farsiense sp. nov. from Iran, P. microrubrum sp. nov. from Morocco, P. syriacum sp. nov. from Syria, and P. tajikistanicum sp. nov. from Tajikistan. The largely overlooked species Anthidium fulviventre Friese, 1917, described from Russia, and Anthidium ivanovi Mavromoustakis, 1954, described from Tajikistan, are recognized as members of the Pseudoanthidium genus, as P. fulviventre (Friese, 1917) comb. nov. and P. ivanovi (Mavromoustakis, 1954) stat. resurrect. & comb. nov. Anthidium moricei Friese, 1911, from Jordan, and A. royoi Dusmet, 1915, from Morocco, are resurrected from synonymy with P. melanurum and suggested to be treated as P. moricei (Friese, 1911) stat. resurrect. and P. royoi (Dusmet, 1915) stat. resurrect. & comb. nov. The hitherto unknown males of P. moricei (Friese, 1911) and P. rubellulum Pasteels, 1969 are described based on material from Jordan and Israel, respectively. Royanthidium bicoloripenne Pasteels, 1981 (syn. nov.) from Morocco, is revealed to be a junior synonym of P. octodentatum (Pérez, 1895). Morphological traits, along with DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene ("barcoding gene"), allowed clustering the species in five polytypic and five monotypic species groups. As key character traits of the type species of nominate Pseudoanthidium largely fit the subgeneric characters of the subgenus Royanthidium Pasteels, 1969, Royanthidium is regarded as a junior synonym (syn. nov.) of nominate Pseudoanthidium. The species of the subgenus Exanthidium Pasteels, 1969 form a uniform clade both in terms of morphology and DNA marker. An examination of the non-Palaearctic Pseudoanthidium species is suggested to determine whether Exanthidium deserves subgenus status.

Coniolepiota alexandri (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota), a new species in the formerly monotypic genus and a new record of C. spongodes, from Vietnam

Coniolepiota, a genus within the family Agaricaceae, described in 2011, has been considered monotypic, embracing one species, C. spongodes, distributed in tropical Asia. Based on the morphological study and molecular analysis, two species of Coniolepiota viz. C. spongodes and C. alexandri are recognized from Southern Vietnam. Coniolepiota spongodes, a new record to Bu Gia Map National Park (Binh Phuoc), possesses attractive lilac basidiomata of medium size with flocculose squamules, white spores, and T-shaped pileal elements. Coniolepiota alexandri, proposed as a new species from Cat Tien National Park (Dong Nai), shares all the features listed above but has a different colour (white) of basidiomata. Detailed descriptions of the new species and the new record are presented herein. Field photographs of the collected basidiomata, illustrations of the microscopic structures, and phylogenetic trees generated from datasets of nrITS and LSU sequences, are provided.

The chloroplast genome of Cephalanthera nanchuanica (Orchidaceae): comparative and phylogenetic analysis with other Neottieae species

BackgroundCephalanthera nanchuanica is a terrestrial orchid species and has been red listed as a second-grade protected plant due to its limited distributions in China. Initially classified within a monotypic genus Tangtsinia, this species was later reassigned to Cephalanthera based on morphological and molecular data. However, previous phylogenetic analyses of Cephalanthera using several segment sequences exhibited a low discriminatory power in delineating its relationships.ResultsIn this study, we characterized and comparatively analyzed the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of C. nanchuanica with those of six previously reported Cephalanthera species. Our findings revealed that the cp genome of C. nanchuanica had the typical quadripartite structure, with a size of 161,365 bp and a GC content of 37.27%. A total of 113 unique genes were annotated, among which nearly half of protein-encoding genes (RSCU > 1) showed a preference in codon usage. No structural rearrangements were observed among the cp genomes of Cephalanthera species, except for C. humilis, which displayed structural alterations due to gene loss, relocation, and inverted repeat (IR) expansion/contraction. The cp genomes of Cephalanthera species were highly conserved, with only a small number of SSRs detected, most of which preferred A/T bases. Comparative analysis of cp genomes indicated that IR and coding regions were less divergent than single copy and non-coding regions and eight mutational hotspots were identified. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the tribe Neottieae was a monophyletic group, divided into five clades. Palmorchis was the earliest-diverging lineage, followed by Cephalanthera. Diplandrorchis was deeply nested within Neottia, forming a clade. Aphyllorchis and Limodorum formed another clade, sister to Epipactis. Within the Cephalanthera clade, C. nanchuanica was sister to C. falcata with a strong support.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the cp genome characters of C. nanchuanica are highly similar to those of other Cephalanthera species, except for the mycoheterotrophic species C. humilis. Although the cp genomes of Cephalanthera species (excluding C. humilis) exhibited conservation in genome structure and sequence, SSR repeats and mutational hotspots were identified, which could potentially serve as as molecular markers for distinguishing Cephalanthera species. The phylogenetic analysis based on the protein-coding genes provided high-resolution support for the infrageneric classification. Therefore, cp genome data will be instrumental in resolving the phylogeny of the genus Cephalanthera.

Two new genera of Neotropical Dasymutillini (Hymenoptera, Mutillidae, Sphaeropthalminae): Goncharovtilla gen. nov. from Brazil and Dasyphuta gen. nov. from Panama.

Two new monotypic genera are described within the tribe Dasymutillini: Goncharovtilla Williams, Bartholomay & Lopez, gen. nov. (type species: G. oblomovi Williams, Bartholomay & Lopez, sp. nov.) and Dasyphuta Cambra, Williams & Brothers, gen. nov. (type species: D. gorgupea Cambra, Williams & Brothers, sp. nov.). Both genera are known from both sexes. A key to the genera of Dasymutillini from the New World is provided. With these new genera the tribe Dasymutillini now contains 13 genera.

Review of the endemic New Zealand genus Halteriphorus Parent (Diptera, Dolichopodidae) with description of a new species

The type species of the previously monotypic genus Halteriphorus Parent, 1933 (Diptera, Dolichopodidae, Neurigoninae), H. mirabilis Parent, is redescribed. A second species, also from New Zealand, H. thorpei sp. nov., is described. Photos of habitus, illustrations of male and female terminalia, a distribution map of the species and an amended diagnosis for the genus are provided.

Phytolith spectra of the monotypic grass Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook. (Danthonioideae) from Northern Western Ghats, India: Taxonomic and environmental significance of its distinctive Bilobates

Grass Silica Short Cell Phytoliths (GSSCPs) are regarded as a potential adjunctive tool for grass subfamily identification owing to their definite morphology and affinity towards certain grass subfamilies. In the present study phytolith spectra of the monotypic genus Danthonidium gammiei (Bhide) Hubb. in Hook., collected from northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra is studied in detail for the first time. This grass profusely produces Bilobates along with other GSSCPs and Elongate types. A thorough study is undertaken to find out potential of the Danthonidium gammiei Bilobates in distinguishing this grass from other major Bilobate producing grass sub-families like Panicoideae and Aristidoideae. The possible relationship between Bilobates specific for Danthonidium gammiei and the intensity of rainfall in northern Western Ghats is also discussed here. Statistical analyses (PCA, CA, and CCA) also establish the potential of Bilobate phytoliths in identifying Danthonioideae subfamily and discriminating different rainfall zones of the region.

Foordus gen. nov., a new genus of euophryine jumping spider from South Africa (Salticidae, Araneae)

A new monotypic genus Foordusgen. nov. with Foordus stefanisp. nov. as the type species is described. A short discussion on other Salticidae with disjunctive distributions is provided.

Comprehensive overview of host plant resistance and its progress in wilt resistance in castor bean (Ricinus communis L.)

Castor bean, a non-edible monotypic species known for its unique hydroxy fatty acid, is susceptible to a range of pathogens. Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini is the most complex and destructive disease. Chemical control of wilt has proven ineffective due to the systemic nature of the disease and the seed and soil borne nature of the pathogen. Physical, chemical, biological, and integrated management methods have shown only limited success in controlling wilt. Host plant resistance, however, stands out as the most promising strategy, offering a viable pathway for the genetic improvement of castor beans for wilt resistance. Screening techniques are well established, and several resistant donors have already been identified. While significant progress has been made in understanding the inheritance of wilt resistance, a complete understanding of its genetic mechanisms still requires further research. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers and genomic regions linked to wilt resistance have been successfully identified. Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) has been identified as a predisposing factor for wilt, and genomic regions linked to nematode resistance have also been identified. However, Marker-assisted selection has not yet been utilized to develop wilt-resistant castor varieties. Further research is required to explore the pathogen diversity, host-pathogen interactions, and mechanisms underlying wilt resistance including the metabolites responsible for preventing the emergence of new pathogenic races and ensuring long-term protection against wilt.

A genome assembly for the California endemic liverwort Calasterella californica.

Calasterella californica belongs to a monotypic genus of liverworts endemic to the west coast of North America, primarily distributed in California. This dioicous species occurs in a variety of ecosystems from deserts to redwood forest; little is known about how this species is adapted to live in those seemingly contrasting environments. In this paper, we report the assembly of the nuclear genome of Calasterella californica. As part of the California Conservation Genomics Project (CCGP), we used Pacific Biosciences HiFi long-read sequencing data to produce a de novo assembly that consists of 772 contigs, with a total length of 517 Mbp and a BUSCO complete score of 95%. C. californica is only the sixth species of liverworts - a group with more than 7200 described species - to have a nuclear reference genome. The availability of this reference genome will facilitate the study of the unique features of C. californica and other liverworts, pave the road towards a comparative understanding of liverwort genomes, and add an important starting point for studies of the geographic variation of this species within the CCGP project.

Potential Cryptic Diversity in the Genus Scoliodon (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae): Insights from Mitochondrial Genome Sequencing.

Scoliodon is a genus of small placental sharks living in offshore waters. For a long time, the genus was considered a monotypic genus until a valid species, Scoliodon macrorhynchos, was confirmed in 2010. However, S. muelleri in the same study was not widely recognized because of the lack of evidence. In this study, we obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of the genus Scoliodon from Ranong, Thailand, and tentatively named it Scoliodon sp. By comparing the complete mitochondrial genome with those of two other Scoliodon species and conducting phylogenetic and divergence time analyses, we determined that Scoliodon sp. diverged from the other species. These findings indicate the potential for a new cryptic species (Scoliodon sp.) in the Scoliodon genus. This conclusion was further supported by a subsequent analysis of the published S. laticaudus control region sequences from previous studies. Finally, based on these conclusions, we used machine learning to derive a new identification method for the cryptic species. This approach may be useful for the discovery of new species or cryptic species in other organisms.

Novitates Gabonenses 94 Salpingifera (Achariaceae) a new monotypic and endemic genus from Gabon

The aberrant Oncoba ngounyensis from Gabon, originally described in Lindackeria (then Flacourtiaceae, nowadays Achariaceae), but excluded from that genus by Sleumer, is closer investigated to see whether it belongs in Camptostylus as suggested by that author or in any other genus of the Lindackerieae. Itis concluded that this secies belongs to neither Lindackeria nor Camptostylus. Withinthe Lindackerieae, Oncoba ngounyensis occupies a morphologically isolated position which is taxonomically best expressed by placing it in a new genus of its own, we name Salpingifera.

Nocheta alfordi, a New Species of Pentatomini (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from South America

A new species in the monotypic genus Nocheta Rolston, 1980, N. alfordi new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Pentatomini), is described from specimens collected in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. The new species is described, illustrated, and compared to N. adda Rolston, 1980. Additional information on N. adda is also provided.