Number Of Undescribed Species Research Articles

Review of the New World Notomicrus Sharp (Coleoptera, Noteridae) I: Circumscription of species groups and review of the josiahi group with description of a new species from Brazil.

The New World species of the minute aquatic beetle genus Notomicrus Sharp compose a much greater diversity than their Old World congeners, with 14 of the 17 known Notomicrus species occurring in the Neotropics. A recent phylogenetic study recovered four primary New World species groups and found that there are a number of undescribed species across all of these main lineages. Here, we provide a taxonomic key to these New World species groups, including two described species that we currently do not place in any group (“incertae sedis” species), complete with images and illustrations of diagnostic characters and taxonomic notes including a list of known species in each group. This work provides a scaffold for further planned taxonomic revisions within the genus. In addition, we review the first of the four New World groups, the josiahi species group and describe one new taxon, N. interstinctussp. nov. from northern Brazil. Provided are descriptions, habitus images and illustrations of diagnostic characters.

Spatial and seasonal patterns of ground-dwelling spider assemblages belonging to the retrolateral tibial apophysis clade (Araneae: Araneomorphae) in two remnants of pine-oak forest from Mexico

ABSTRACT We analyzed the spatial-seasonal patterns on the abundance, composition, structure (i.e. abundance distribution among species), and diversity of the ground-dwelling spiders belonging to the retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) clade in two pine-oak forest remnants from Mexico. Additionally, a short review to compare the RTA ground-dwelling communities from Mexican habitats was carried out. Spiders were collected monthly, from July 2010 to June 2011, using pitfall-traps at each site. Species composition was seasonally, but not spatially, different. Estimated diversity for the Hill number 1 was influenced by the sites, and a site–season interaction effect was yielded for the Hill number 2. Abundance and community structure were strongly influenced by both sites and seasons. Six species exhibited strong associations with spatial and seasonal-specific conditions (possible bioindicators). Bibliographic analysis showed the highest richness and the lowest number of undescribed species in desert habitats of northern Mexico, pointing those as possible species repositories for the RTA clade. Our results showed a heterogenous spatial-seasonal response in the RTA ground-dwelling spiders, together with a weak influence of the regional variation in temperature and precipitation on the abundance and species richness, suggesting a stronger influence of ecological drivers at the microhabitat scale.

Illuminating Insights into the Biodiversity of the Australian Psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) Collected Using Light Trapping.

The superfamily Psylloidea includes numerous species which play a key role in Australian ecology and biodiversity, as well as pests and biological control agents, and sometimes threatened species of conservation concern. Different psyllid sampling and collection techniques are usually performed depending on the nature and aim of the study: from the beating and sweeping of psyllid host plants for conservation and biodiversity assessment, to suction and sticky traps in agriculture. Due to a general lack of information on its efficacy for psyllids, however, light trapping has not usually been employed. Here we present the results obtained trapping psyllids using different light sources and we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this technique to assess psyllid biodiversity. In particular, we highlight the strength of using this methodology paired with DNA barcoding, to cast some light on psyllid biodiversity. The results obtained here suggest that the psyllid fauna of Australia is heavily understudied and the number of undescribed species might be many times higher than previously expected. Additionally, we report, for the first time, the species Trioza adventicia Tuthill 1952, and Cryptoneossa triangula Taylor 1990 in the state of Queensland.

Contribution of soft-bodied meiofaunal taxa to Italian marine biodiversity

Meiofauna includes an astonishing diversity of organisms, whose census is far from being complete. Most classic ecological studies have focused on hard-bodied Ecdysozoan taxa (notably Copepoda and Nematoda), whose cuticle allows determination at species-level after fixation, rather than soft-bodied, Spiralian taxa, which most often lose any diagnostic feature in fixed samples. Yet, metabarcoding studies have recently revealed a species-richness of soft-bodied taxa comparable, and in cases superior, to that of Copepoda and Nematoda together. However, given objective difficulties inherent to their study, which necessarily has to be performed on living individuals, and their limited utilisation for ecological and applicative research, taxonomic expertise on soft-bodied organisms has declined over the years, and diversity of these phyla in most areas of the world is presently completely unknown. Here we present an expert-based survey of current knowledge on the composition and distribution of soft-bodied meiofaunal taxa in Italy, with special references to the predominantly or exclusively meiobenthic phyla Gastrotricha, Gnathostomulida, Platyhelminthes, Rotifera, Xenacoelomorpha, and macrofaunal taxa with conspicuous meiofaunal representatives (Annelida, Mollusca and Nemertea). A total of 638 described species have been reported from Italian coasts; furthermore, the existence of a large number of undescribed species is mentioned. Knowledge of Annelida, Gastrotricha, and Rotifera appears particularly detailed, placing Italy among the best-known country worldwide. In contrast, knowledge of Platyhelminthes and Xenacoelomorpha appears patchy, and limited to few areas. Sampling effort has been uneven, with most species recorded from the Tyrrhenian Sea, while large sections of the Adriatic and Ionian seas have been poorly explored. Results highlight the role that Marine Biological Stations, notably the Zoological Station “Anton Dohrn” in Naples, have had in promoting the study of soft-bodied taxa in Italy.

Multilocus phylogeny of the parasitic wasps in the tribe Euphorini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with revised generic classifications.

BackgroundParasitic wasps in the family Braconidae are important regulators of insect pests, particularly in forest and agroecosystems. Within Braconidae, wasps in the tribe Euphorini (Euphorinae) attack economically damaging plant bugs (Miridae) that are major pests of field and vegetable crops. However, the evolutionary relationships of this tribe have been historically problematic. Most generic concepts have been based on ambiguous morphological characters which often leads to misidentification, complicating their use in biological control.MethodsUsing a combination of three genes (COI, 28S, and CAD) and 80 taxa collected worldwide, we conducted Bayesian inference using MrBayes, and maximum likelihood analyses using RAxML and IQ-Tree on individual gene trees as well as the concatenated dataset.ResultsThe monophyly of the tribe Euphorini and the two genera Peristenus and Leiophron were confirmed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. The subgeneric classifications of Leiophron sensu lato were not supported, and the monotypic genus Mama was also not supported.DiscussionEuphoriella, Euphoriana, Euphorus, and Mama syn. n, have been synonymized under Leiophron. Mama mariae syn. n was placed as a junior synonym of Leiophron reclinator. The generic concepts of Peristenus and Leiophron were refined to reflect the updated phylogeny. Further we discuss the need for revising Euphorini given the number of undescribed species within the tribe.

Bioactive Natural Products of Marine Sponges from the Genus Hyrtios.

Marine sponges are known as a rich source for novel bioactive compounds with valuable pharmacological potential. One of the most predominant sponge genera is Hyrtios, reported to have various species such as Hyrtios erectus, Hyrtios reticulatus, Hyrtios gumminae, Hyrtios communis, and Hyrtios tubulatus and a number of undescribed species. Members of the genus Hyrtios are a rich source of natural products with diverse and valuable biological activities, represented by different chemical classes including alkaloids, sesterterpenes and sesquiterpenes. This review covers the literature until June 2016, providing a complete survey of all compounds isolated from the genus Hyrtios with their corresponding biological activities whenever applicable.

Three new species of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 from Araucaria forests with a key to species of the genus (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola)

Areas of Araucaria moist forest have been considered to constitute hotspots of land flatworm diversity, harbouring a high number of undescribed species. Herein we describe three new species of land flatworms of Cratera Carbayo et al., 2013 occurring in such type of forest in south Brazil. The three species are differentiated from their congeners mainly by their colour pattern, anatomy of the pharynx and prostatic vesicle, and details of the penis papilla and male atrium. An identification key to species of the genus in the Neotropical region is provided.

Marine palynostratigraphy and new species from the Cape Roberts drill-holes, Victoria land basin, Antarctica

Three research wells were cored near Cape Roberts, McMurdo Sound, during the summers of 1997, 1998 and 1999. Rich marine palynomorph assemblages were obtained from the early Miocene and Oligocene sediments, and almost immediately described at a reconnaissance level by the original on-site science team. In these studies, a number of undescribed species were reported, most strikingly of the distinctive dinoflagellate cyst genus Lejeunecysta. This report continues that work with the description of six new species: ?Cymatiosphaera robertsii, Lejeunecysta acuminata, Lejeunecysta attenuata, Lejeunecysta katatonos, Lejeunecysta rotunda, and Lejeunecysta striata. A new zonation comprising five marine palynomorph biozones is proposed, largely based upon the new taxa. The taxon ranges are derived from earlier published ranges with some minor updates.

An overlooked sibling of the fruit-piercing moth Eudocima phalonia(Linnaeus, 1763) from Africa (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Calpinae).

In recent years, we have been investigating the tropical calpine genus Eudocima Billberg, 1920 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Calpinae) with the intent of producing a generic revision. There are a number of undescribed species and here we describe as new a closely related species to the widespread and economically important fruit-piercer Eudocima phalonia (Linnaeus, 1763) (= fullonia Clerck, 1764), with which it has long been confused. Study material came from the private collection of Vernon Antoine Brou collection (VAB) and the Natural History Museum, London (NHM).

Cottus schitsuumsh, a new species of sculpin (Scorpaeniformes: Cottidae)in the Columbia River basin, Idaho-Montana, USA.

Fishes of the genus Cottus have long been taxonomically challenging because of morphological similarities among species and their tendency to hybridize, and a number of undescribed species may remain in this genus. We used a combination of genetic and morphological methods to delineate and describe Cottus schitsuumsh, Cedar Sculpin, a new species, from the upper Columbia River basin, Idaho-Montana, USA. Although historically confused with the Shorthead Sculpin (C. confusus), the genetic distance between C. schitsuumsh and C. confusus (4.84-6.29%) suggests these species are distant relatives. Moreover, the two species can be differentiated on the basis of lateral-line pores on the caudal peduncle, head width, and interpelvic width. Cottus schitsuumsh is also distinct from all other Cottus in this region in having a single small, skin-covered, preopercular spine. Haplotypes of mtDNA cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 of C. schitsuumsh differed from all other members of the genus at three positions, had interspecific genetic distances typical for congeneric fishes (1.61-2.74% to nearest neighbors), and were monophyletic in maximum-likelihood trees. Microsatellite analyses confirmed these taxonomic groupings for species potentially sympatric with C. schitsuumsh and that fish used in morphological comparisons were unlikely to be introgressed. Its irregular distribution, in the Spokane River basin in Idaho and portions of the Clark Fork River basin in Montana, may have resulted from human-assisted translocation.

New synonyms in the Australian micro-caddisfly fauna (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae)

Discovery of new Trichoptera species in collections from mainland Australia is not unusual, and, currently a number of undescribed species are known in existing collections. However, few new species are likely to be found in Tasmania, the caddisfly fauna of which was collected intensively and formed the basis of a PhD study by Neboiss (1977). Subsequent to Neboiss' work, several new species of Hydroptilidae — micro-caddisflies — were described from Tasmania by Wells (1999), and others recorded from the island (Neboiss 1981; Wells 1979a,b,c, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1997). Later, Neboiss (2003) revised the fauna, describing 17 new species collected over the years since his thesis work, none of them hydroptilids. More recently, Oláh and Johanson (2010) described two new micro-caddisfly species based on holotypes from Tasmania, for one of which a paratype is listed from SE Queensland; they also described three other new species from Queensland. Unfortunately, in preparing their paper, it seems that these authors failed to seek access to the extensive hydroptilid material in the collection of Museum Victoria, or the smaller collection in the Australian National Insect Collection, or to types of any closely similar Australian species. Nor, it appears, did they look closely at their specimens since at least four of these new names are found, on examination of the holotypes on which they are based, to be junior synonyms of established species. This short note presents the bases for decisions to suppress in synonymy the following four names of Olah and Johanson (2010): Helleythira hiana, Oxyethira elora, Orthotrichia lapka, and O. capa.

A NEW LOOK AT AN ANCIENT ORDER: GENERIC REVISION OF THE BANGIALES (RHODOPHYTA)(1).

The red algal order Bangiales has been revised as a result of detailed regional studies and the development of expert local knowledge of Bangiales floras, followed by collaborative global analyses based on wide taxon sampling and molecular analyses. Combined analyses of the nuclear SSU rRNA gene and the plastid RUBISCO LSU (rbcL) gene for 157 Bangiales taxa have been conducted. Fifteen genera of Bangiales, seven filamentous and eight foliose, are recognized. This classification includes five newly described and two resurrected genera. This revision constitutes a major change in understanding relationships and evolution in this order. The genus Porphyra is now restricted to five described species and a number of undescribed species. Other foliose taxa previously placed in Porphyra are now recognized to belong to the genera Boreophyllum gen. nov., Clymene gen. nov., Fuscifolium gen. nov., Lysithea gen. nov., Miuraea gen. nov., Pyropia, and Wildemania. Four of the seven filamentous genera recognized in our analyses already have generic names (Bangia, Dione, Minerva, and Pseudobangia), and are all currently monotypic. The unnamed filamentous genera are clearly composed of multiple species, and few of these species have names. Further research is required: the genus to which the marine taxon Bangia fuscopurpurea belongs is not known, and there are also a large number of species previously described as Porphyra for which nuclear SSU ribosomal RNA (nrSSU) or rbcL sequence data should be obtained so that they can be assigned to the appropriate genus.

Using taxonomic revision data to estimate the geographic and taxonomic distribution of undescribed species richness in the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea)

Abstract. 1. Knowledge of global diversity patterns is important for research into the factors that shape them, and for systematic conservation planning. However, most species inventories are incomplete and biased towards conspicuous, charismatic, geographically widespread, and temperate species. These biases hamper attempts to gain a clear view of underlying diversity patterns, and compromise conservation plans that are based upon what is known.2. Here we investigate this problem using two methods to estimate species diversity in the parasitic wasp family Braconidae. The first quantifies the effect of taxonomic revisions on species numbers within genera to estimate the present level of underdescription. The second additionally considers the numbers of specimens referred to in descriptions and revisions.3. Modelling underdescription as a function of region and body size shows that research carried out thus far displays significant geographical and taxonomic biases.4. Correcting for these biases affects the distribution of inferred undiscovered diversity among braconid subfamilies and among regions, as well as the total diversity estimates for the family.5. The geographic distribution of levels of underdescription also has implications for latitudinal diversity gradients. Weak or non‐existent gradients in some taxa may be caused simply by differences in the number of undescribed species between tropical and temperate regions.6. Such analyses can enlighten researchers as to where, taxonomically and geographically, research should be directed to economically improve species richness estimates. In the case of braconid wasps the greatest gains are to be made in Africa and southern America, and for the Braconinae and Microgastrinae.

A taxonomic review of the genus Phaeocystis

Phaeocystis is recognized both as a nuisance and as an ecologically important phytoplankton species. Its polymorphic life cycle with both colonial and flagellated cells causes many taxonomic problems. Sequence variation among 22 isolates representing a global distribution of the genus has been compared using three molecular markers. The ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO) spacer is too conserved to resolve species. The most conserved 18S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) analysis suggests that an undescribed unicellular Phaeocystis sp. (isolate PLY559) is a sister taxon to the Mediterranean unicellular Phaeocystis jahnii; this clade branched prior to the divergence of all other Phaeocystis species, including the colonial ones. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region shows sufficient variation that some spatial population structure can be recovered, at least in P. antarctica. P. globosa and P. pouchetii have multiple different ITS copies, suggestive of cryptic species that are still able to hybridize. A molecular clock has been constructed that estimates the divergence of the cold water colonial forms from the warm-water colonial forms to be about 30 Ma and the divergence of P. antarctica and P. pouchetii to be about 15 Ma. A short description of the colonial stage and the flagellated stage for each formally recognized species is provided. Morphological information is also provided on a number of undescribed species. These include the strain Ply 559, consisting of non-colonial cells with peculiar tubular extrusomes, a second non-colonial species from the north western Mediterranean Sea producing a lot of mucus, and a colonial species with scale-less flagellates found in Italian waters. In addition, three flagellated morphotypes with scales different from those of P. antarctica were reported in the literature from Antarctic waters. The picture emerging from both molecular and morphological data is that the number of species in the genus is still underestimated and that cryptic or pseudocryptic diversity requires a sound assessment in future research of this genus. Based on all published observations, an emended description of the genus is provided.

Classification and Biogeography of New World Grasses: Anomochlooideae, Pharoideae, Ehrhartoideae, and Bambusoideae

Molecular data support Anomochlooideae and Pharoideae as the two most basal extant clades within Poaceae. Anomochlooideae are endemic to the New World and have two tribes and two genera including the widespread Streptochaeteae (3–4 spp.) and the critically endangered Anomochloeae (1 sp.) of coastal Bahia, Brazil. Pharoideae are pantropical with one tribe, three genera, and 14 species; all eight species of Pharus occur only in the New World. Bambusoideae and Ehrhartoideae are sister groups and together form a clade sister to Pooideae, although support for this set of relationships is low. Ehrhartoideae are a worldwide subfamily represented in the New World by three tribes (Ehrharteae [as several introduced species], Oryzeae, and Streptogyneae), eight genera, and 33 species. Bambusoideae, also worldwide, include two tribes, Bambuseae (woody bamboos) and Olyreae (herbaceous bamboos). The native New World members of Bambuseae (21 genera, 359 spp.) are divided into four subtribes (Arundinariinae, Arthrostylidiinae, Chusqueinae, Guaduinae), including the genera Chusquea (136 spp.), Merostachys (46 spp.), Aulonemia (34 spp.), Arthrostylidium (32 spp.), and Guadua (25 spp.). Together they are most diverse in the central and northern Andes and southeastern Brazil (from Santa Catarina to Bahia), with secondary centers of diversity in tropical Mexico, the West Indies, Costa Rica, and the Guayana Highlands of South America, and all (especially Chusquea) have a number of undescribed species especially in the Andes, Guayana Highlands, and mountainous south-eastern Brazil. Olyreae (21 genera, 116–120 spp.) are almost exclusively American and are dominated by Olyra (23 spp.) and Pariana (several to 38 spp.), with one monotypic genus endemic to New Guinea (for which a new subtribe, Buergersiochloinae, is proposed) and with one species (Olyra latifolia) occurring in Africa as well as tropical America.

Two New Species of the Lizard Genus Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from Northern Patagonia, with Comments on Liolaemus rothi

A number of undescribed species of the iguanian lizard genus Liolaemus, formerly referred to Liolaemus rothi and Liolaemus boulengeri, have been identified in the northern Patagonian region of Argentina. Descriptions of two of the species are presented, along with their distributions and natural history. Liolaemus rothi is redescribed, a lectotype is designated, its likely provenience is discussed, and its distribution and natural history are given.

Two New Species of Rattan (Palmae: Calamoideae) from the Forests of West and Central Africa

Recent field work in West and Central Africa has led to the discovery of a number of undescribed species of climbing palm (rattans). Two new taxa, Eremospatha barendii and Oncocalamus tuleyi, were recently described by Sunderland (2002). This account describes two further new species; Eremospatha dransfieldii from the forests of Upper Guinea and Laccosperma korupensis from Cameroon. These taxa will be more comprehensively described and illustrated in a forthcoming identification manual on the rattans of Africa (Sunderland in prep.).

A revision of <i>Ledebouria</i> (Hyacinthaceae) in South Africa. 1. Two new species

A revision of Ledebouria in South Africa has revealed a number of undescribed species. This paper deals with two new species, Ledebouria atrobrunnea S.Venter and L dolomiticola S.Venter. Both species possess cylindrical bulbs, erect leaves (rare in Ledebouria) and prominent shoulders on the carpel apices. These synapomorphies are also seen in L viscosa Jessop, and its allies.

Bryotropha Mundella (Douglas): A New Synonym of Bryotropha Umbrosella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae)

consists of almost 80 nominal species, about 40 of which are currently recognised as valid. The genus has never been revised, and especially in the southwestern part of the palaearctic region there are a number of undescribed species. Even among specialists, Bryotropha is regarded as one of the more difficult genera of Microlepidoptera. Pierce and Daltry (1938) divided the genus into two subgenera, Bryotropha s. str. and Mniophaga Pierce & Daltry, 1938. In the subgenus Bryotropha the male genitalia have a strong, specialised gnathos while the female genitalia have a plate-like signum with two transverse ridges (Sattler 1971). The subgenus Mniophaga was reserved for species in which the male has a rather small gnathos and the female a plate-like signum with strong spikes at the corners. There are, however, intermediate taxa, and Sattler (loc. cit.) concluded that a subdivision of Bryotropha is unjustified. Differences in the genitalia are distinct between members of the first group (‘subgenus’ Bryotropha), but less distinct between species of the second group (‘subgenus’ Mniophaga) (Rutten, in press). The latter include the small, ‘dark’ Bryotropha species of northern and central Europe, which often cause much confusion. The light coloured B. mundella (Douglas) also belongs to this group and this moth is the subject of the present paper. According to the original description by Douglas (1850), the distinct feature of B. mundella is its light greyish ground colour which distinguish this moth from other members of the genus. Over the years, however, the name B. mundella has been given to a whole range of small Bryotropha with ground colour varying from nearly white to dark grey. Doubts were raised whether all these forms are representatives of B. mundella (see e.g. Pierce & Daltry 1938). Unfortunately, individual variations within Bryotropha species are poorly investigated and the genitalia of B. mundella have never been properly described. The drawings published by Pierce and Metcalfe (1935) are not suited for an identification. In the best study on Bryotropha so far, Svensson (1962) describes the genitalia of B. mundella as resembling those of B. umbrosella (Zeller). The description and drawings of B. mundella given in Piskunov (1990: 970, 977) probably refer to B. affinis or B. similis (Stainton). Specimens identified by Piskunov as B. mundella and examined by us belonged to B. similis. B. mundella is a rather scarce moth, especially on mainland Europe. Only a handful were known from

New Species in Mexican and Mesoamerican Rubiaceae

Ten new species of Rubiaceae from southern Mexico and Mesoamerica are described and illustrated: Bouvardia macdougallii Lorence, Hoffmannia ixtlanensis Lorence, H. minuticarpa Dwyer & Lorence, Machaonia martinezorum Lor- ence, Psychotria breedlovei Lorence, P. thornei Lorence, Rondeletia breedlovei Lorence, R. chi- riquiana Lorence, R. megalantha Lorence, and Sommera parva Lorence. During the course of preparing a treatment of the Rubiaceae for Flora Mesoamericana, collec- tions representing a number of undescribed species from southern Mexico and Mesoamerica were en- countered. Many of these collections are the result of recent fieldwork in botanically poorly known or under-collected areas in conjunction with the Flora of Chiapas, Flora de Oaxaca, and Flora Mesoam- ericana projects. Ten new species are described and illustrated herein, and their affinities are discussed. Most of these taxa occur within the region covered by the Flora Mesoamericana project, i.e., southern Mexico from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec to the Panama-Colombia border (Anon., 1982). A com- plete account of the Mesoamerican Rubiaceae will be given in a forthcoming treatment for Flora Me- soamericana (Dwyer & Lorence, in prep.).