Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis Research Articles

First Report ofPyrearinusLarvae (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Clayish Canga Caves and Luminous Termite Mounds in the Amazon Forest With a Preliminary Molecular-Based Phylogenetic Analysis of theP. pumilusGroup

Luminescent termite mounds caused by colonization of the luminescent larvae of the click beetle Pyrearinus termitilluminans (Costa, 1982) are well reported in Cerrado ecosystems (savannas) in central west Brazil (Costa 1982). Although luminous termite mounds were occasionally reported in the Amazon forest, they have not been studied as extensively. Here we report for the first time, luminescent larvae of Pyrearinus sp. living inside Canga (clayish) caves in the National Forest of Carajás near an iron mine in Pará state. The luminescence display in the cave is very similar to that of luminous termite mounds infested by P. termitilluminans larvae, and is apparently used to attract flying insects. We also report the occurrence of luminous termite mounds inside the Amazon forest inhabited by larvae of Pyrearinus fragilis (Costa 1978) and P. termitilluminans in three different localities (Caseara-TO, Canaã do Carajás-PA, and Juruena-MT) and in a forested area in Cerrado (Novo Santo Antônio-MT). The distinct habitats and molecular phylogenetic analysis indicate the occurrence of two lineages of P. termitilluminans , which are adapted to savanna and forest termite mounds.

A DNA-barcoding approach to the phenotypic diversity of Mediterranean species of Felimare Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967 (Mollusca: Gastropoda), with a preliminary phylogenetic analysis

The chromodorid nudibranchs Felimare tricolor (Cantraine, 1835), F. fontandraui (Pruvot-Fol, 1951) and F. picta (Shultz in Philippi, 1836) typically show highly variable colour patterns that are misleading for species identification. Their taxonomy has long been confused, and their identification can be difficult if based only on morphological characters. We carried out molecular genetic analyses using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rDNA markers on Mediterranean samples of these three taxa representing a large part of their range of chromatic variation. Results proved the usefulness of the DNA-barcoding approach in assessing species delimitation in this group, and in identification of specimens with body colours not clear for species recognition. We inferred preliminary phylogenetic relationships among one third of the currently recognised species of Felimare: they indicated with good support sister species relationship among Felimare tricolor and F. fontandraui, and suggested (with low support) potential relationships among F. picta, F. verdensis, F. californiensis and F. agassizi.

Observations on the health of Tandanus tropicanus (Teleostei: Plotosidae) from an Australian river system

Wild Wet Tropics tandan Tandanus tropicanus were collected from the Bloomfield River, Queensland, for examination by histopathology and bacteriology. This provided an opportunity to establish baseline information on the general health and parasite fauna of native freshwater catfish in a pristine river. Histology of gill tissue revealed epitheliocystis in one fish. This is the first report of epitheliocystis in T. tropicanus. Bacterial culture showed light growth of bacteria from the kidney of only two fish, and these were identified as Aeromonas veronii, A. jandaei and Bacillus/Lactobacillus spp. An unidentified monogenean infection was observed in the gills of four fish, and trematode metacercariae were observed in the extra-ocular tissue of four fish. Nematodes were observed in the tissues of nine fish, and sequence and preliminary phylogenetic analysis of PCR products using an ITS primer suggest that these parasites may be a previously unreported Contracaecum species.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of Opisthoplatia orientalis and Blaptica dubia (Blattodea: Blaberidae)

The first complete mitochondrial genome in Blaberidae has been reported in this research. Opisthoplatia orientalis (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) known as ground cockroach with golden edge is distributed in East and South Asia and widely used for thrombolytic therapy in China. Meanwhile, Blaptica dubia (Blaberidae, Blaberinae) has been adopted as feeder insect for various kinds of pets all over the world. In the present study, we investigated the complete mitochondrial genome of O. orientalis and B. dubia, and the mitogenome is 18 724 and 17 340 bp in length, respectively. The circular molecule consists of 13 protein coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region, with an AT content of 75.7% for O. orientalis and 72.8% for B. dubia. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis has been carried out with 11 related species and the status of these two species is further confirmed.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Oedaleus infernalis sauss (Orthoptera: Oedipodidae)

The Oedaleus infernalis sauss (Orthoptera: Oedipodidae) is one of the main pests at the rice production area in China, and they mainly feed on leaves and grain of rice. The mitogenome was 15 898 bp long and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one putative control region. Most protein-coding genes started with a traditional ATN codon, and terminated with the mitochondria stop codon (TAA/TAG) or a single T–– base. The average A + T content of the O. infernalis sauss mitochondrial genome protein-coding sequence, rRNA, tRNA gene, and A + T-rich region was corresponding well to the A + T bias generally observed in insect mitochondrial genomes. Using the 12 protein-coding genes of O. infernalis sauss in this study, together with 15 other closely species, a preliminary phylogenetic analysis has been carried out.

Mitochondrial genome of one kind of giant Asian mantis, Hierodula formosana (Mantodea: Mantidae)

The giant Asian mantis Hierodula formosana (Mantodea: Mantidae) is widely distributed in Taiwan. In the present study, we investigated the complete mitochondrial genome of H. formosana and the mitogenome is 16 266 bp in length. The circular molecule consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region, with an AT content of 75.8%. An extra non-coding region is inserted between trnM and ND2, similar to the other Mantidae species T. tamolana. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis has been carried out with 11 related species and the status of Hierodula formosana is further confirmed.

A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of golden jackals (Canis aureus) (Canidae: Carnivora: Mammalia) from Turkey based mitochondrial D-loop sequences

In the present study, partial sequences (439 bp) of mitochondrial DNA including D-loop region were obtained from seven golden jackals, Canis aureus, collected in Turkey. They were compared to the D-loop sequences registered in the GenBank database under the name Canis aureus. We determined four D-loop haplotypes (333 bp) among the seven Turkish sequences. Despite the limited number of sequences, our analysis indicated that Canis aureus consists of two allopatric haplogroups (a major haplogroup representing Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Serbia and Turkey, and a minor haplogroup containing one haplotype from India) within the sampling area. Interestingly, one haplotype from Senegal was clustered close to grey wolves, used as out-group, and this haplotype might not belong to golden jackal as suggested in previous studies. Our work presented the important data obtained from the Turkish samples to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among golden jackals, and it has suggested that there is a relatively high genetic variability in Turkish golden jackals.

Recent mtDNA haplotype diversification in Adesmia cancellata (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) across the peninsular desert of Qatar

The darkling beetle Adesmia cancellata Solier, 1835 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) with a wide distribution throughout the Arabian Desert, is considered a dominant arthropod in the Qatari desert. To gain insight into the processes that have favored the success of the species in such an extreme environment, we have reconstructed its demographic and evolutionary history through phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches. We performed a preliminary phylogenetic analysis including samples from the four subgenera within Adesmia. The analysis recovered two main clades that included species inhabiting the Arabian Desert and the Maghreb/North Africa region, reflecting a parallel evolutionary history of the two clades along a West–East axis. In one of these clades, Adesmia cancellata from Qatar and Adesmia maroccana from Morocco clustered together with the Onymacris samples from Namib, rendering Adesmia paraphyletic. Phylogeographic patterns were inferred through the analysis of mitochondrial genetic diversity in 33 populations distributed across Qatar. We framed the evolutionary history of the species during the Quaternary glaciations. Our results revealed strong mitochondrial homogeneity and an absence of geographical structure in the studied area. Habitat fragmentation and microhabitat preferences do not seem to be relevant factors in patterning the population genetic structure or in disrupting the cohesiveness of the species throughout the peninsula. A well-differentiated haplotype, however, was found in three individuals from Al Otouriyah. This rare haplotype could correspond to a retained ancestral polymorphism, suggesting that a large population of A. cancellata persisted in the area during the Plesitocene with recurrently expansions and colonizations following the marine transgression/regression cycles. Alternatively, the polymorphism could be representing remnants of past introductions. The lack of geographic structure of mtDNA across Qatar, the relatively low diversity and a recent temporal estimate of haplotype MRCAs, could be indicating then that the species colonized the Qatar peninsula recently, probably during the late Pleistocene. The successive erosion of the genetic diversity by cyclical population bottlenecks caused by the marine transgression/regressions cycles related to glacial/interglacial periods could account for the low levels of differentiation observed. In any case, the species has experienced a demographic growth since 30,000–25,000 yrs ago, probably coupled to the increase of aridity conditions in the area. A. cancellata can be considered a good example of the importance of past aridity episodes for population growth and diversification within the group, which has led darkling beetles to become one of the most impressive evolutionary radiations in desert biotas worldwide.

<span lang="EN-US">Entogoniopsis</span><span lang="EN-US"> gen. nov. and Trilamina gen. nov. (Bacillariophyta): a survey of multipolar pseudocellate diatoms with internal costae, including comments on the genus Sheshukovia Gleser</span>

We present the results of an extensive light-(LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) study of internally costate pseudocellate multipolar diatoms previously placed within Biddulphia, Entogonia, Sheshukovia and Triceratium. For the first time, we critically examine the poorly known genus Sheshukovia. We find that the separation of Sheshukovia from Triceratium is justified, as advocated by Gleser (1975, 1984), but also show that Sheshukovia as circumscribed by Gleser (1975, 1984) is a heterogenous taxon comprising at least three morphologically distinct groups. In order to clarify the confused taxonomy of pseudocellate multipolar diatoms, a preliminary phylogenetic analysis is presented, including Triceratium, Sheshukovia, Entogonia, Medlinia and two new closely related genera proposed here: Entogoniopsis and Trilamina. Both new genera have valvocopulae that attach to costae on the valve interior by means of a variety of clasping devices. Entogoniopsisis is characterized by areolate valves and a twofold mechanism for valvocopula attachment, whereas Trilamina possesses extensive hyaline areas and a threefold valvocopula attachment mechanism. The twofold mechanism for valvocopula attachment in Entogoniopsis, and the threefold valvocopula attachment mechanism in Trilamina are here considered synapomorphies supporting the monophyly of the respective taxon. The morphology of 19 species, four of which are new, is documented using both LM and SEM and a further 18 taxa are transferred from elsewhere, observations being based on literature survey and/or LM examination. When original material is available, taxa are typified. Two new morphological terms are proposed: a trifolium is a triradiate raised sector located in the central part of undulate valve faces in some species of Entogoniopsis; a fossa is a circumferential invagination of the advalvar edge of the valcocopula. These features are found in both new genera proposed herein.

Vegasaurus molyi, gen. et sp. nov. (Plesiosauria, Elasmosauridae), from the Cape Lamb Member (lower maastrichtian) of the Snow Hill Island Formation, Vega Island, Antarctica, and remarks on Wedellian Elasmosauridae

ABSTRACT—A new elasmosaurid, Vegasaurus molyi, gen. et sp. nov., from Vega Island, James Ross Archipelago, Antarctica, is described. The holotype and only specimen of this species (MLP 93-I-5-1) was collected from the lower Maastrichtian Cape Lamb Member of the Snow Hill Island Formation. Vegasaurus molyi is the only Antarctic elasmosaurid and one of only a few Late Cretaceous elasmosaurids from the Southern Hemisphere whose postcranial anatomy is well known. Vegasaurus molyi is distinguished from other elasmosaurids by the following combination of characters: cervical region with 54 vertebrae with elongated centra, dumbbell-shaped articular faces and lateral ridge present in the anterior and middle parts of the neck but absent in the posterior-most cervical vertebrae; scapula with ventral ramus bearing a strong ridge in the anteromedial corner of its dorsal surface; ilium shaft with expanded distal end, divided into two parts forming an angle of 140° opening anteriorly; and humerus with anterior knee and prominent posterior projection with accessory posterior articular facet. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis places V. molyi within a clade that includes the Late Cretaceous Wedellian aristonectine elasmosaurids, Aristonectes and Kaiwhekea. This indicates a close relationship between Aristonectinae and non-Aristonectinae Late Cretaceous Weddellian elasmosaurids and suggests a Weddellian origin for the Aristonectinae.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1B9D10DA-0373-41B5-BFFF-E7AC25D79BF3SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVP

Mitochondrial genome of the Emberiza jankowskii (Emberizidae: Emberiza)

Emberiza jankowskii is an Endangered species, whose population quantity decreased year by year in the limited distribution areas. The complete mitochondrial genome of E. jankowskii (16,776 bp in length) consists of 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes) and a non-coding region (D-loop), which is similar to the typical mtDNA of vertebrates. All the protein-coding genes in E. jankowskii are distributed on the H-strand, except the ND6 subunit gene and ten tRNA genes, which are encoded on the L-strand. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis has been carried out with eight bunting species and other related species.

Taxonomic revision of the American spider genus Arachosia (Araneae: Anyphaenidae).

We review the American spider genus Arachosia O.P.-Cambridge, and present a descriptive taxonomic study with a comparative dichotomous key including 21 species, of which seven are newly described (A. avalosi sp. nov., A. carancho sp. nov., A. kapiipeoi sp. nov., A. magna sp. nov., A. monserrate sp. nov., A. pinhalito sp. nov. and A. tungurahua sp. nov.). Four species names are considered nomina dubia: Oxysoma dubium Berland, Gayenna duplovittata Mello-Leitão, Oxysoma polytrichium Mello-Leitão, and Arachosia sulfurea Mello-Leitão. Arachosia bonneti (Mello-Leitão) is newly synonymized with A. albiventris Mello-Leitão, and A. mezenioides Mello-Leitão with A. freiburgensis Keyserling. Previous problems with the identification of species in a species complex including A. cubana (Banks) are resolved. A disjunct distributional pattern is reported for A. kapiipeoi sp. nov.; a preliminary phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial COI sequences shows that these may correspond with two cryptic species. In this contribution, grassland and forests are discussed as the two main habitats inhabited by species of Arachosia. Finally, we propose a hypothesis of matching sexes based on functionality of some genital structures, involving sclerites of the male copulatory organ with structures of the epigyne: the prolateral projection on the primary conductor of the male would have a direct interaction with the lateral projections of the anterior pouch on the median epigynal field of females.

A Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis and Comparative Study on the Molecular and Conventional Identities of Bacteria Isolated from Typhoid Fever Patients Attending Some Hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria

Aim: This study aimed at determining the molecular and conventional identities of bacteria associated with presumptive typhoid fever patients in Ondo State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study attempted a comparative study of the conventional and molecular identities of bacteria isolated from presumptively diagnosed typhoid patients. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in three different hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria viz; State Specialists’ Hospital, Akure, Don Bosco Clinic, Akure and Federal Medical Centre, Owo, between February and May, 2013. Methodology: A total of 520 blood samples were collected from presumptively diagnosed typhoid fever patients attending Don Bosco Clinic Akure, Federal Medical Center, Owo and State Original Research Article Boboye et al.; BBJ, 8(2): 1-9, 2015; Article no.BBJ.17275 2 Specialists’ Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The samples were screened for the presence of Salmonella typhi and other co-existing bacteria through blood culture. Initial identification of the isolates was carried using their culture morphology, Gram stain and biochemical tests, while their identities were verified using molecular techniques like PCR analysis, gene sequencing and blasting. The genetic relatedness of the bacterial isolates was investigated by constructing a phylogenetic tree using neighbor-joining (NJ) method. Results: The traditional identities of the bacteria were Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa while their molecular identities were Enterobacter cloacae, Shigella flexneri, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Bacterium species clone BAO 14, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. Most of the isolates fell within the same clade on the phylogenetic tree signifying that they had a common ancestor. Conclusion: Molecular biology techniques are more reliable, sensitive and accurate for bacterial identification than the conventional methods.

Phylogenetic Position of the Queer, Backward-bent Entoproct Loxosoma axisadversum (Entoprocta: Solitaria: Loxosomatidae)

The solitary entoproct Loxosoma axisadversum Konno, 1972 was found on the body surface of the maldanid polychaete Nicomache personata Johnson, 1901 obtained among roots of the seagrass Phyllospadix iwatensis Makino collected at a depth of about 1 m in Oshoro Bay, Hokkaido, Japan. The species had previously been known from elsewhere in northern Japan, attached to another maldanid, Nicomache minor Arwidsson, 1907. The morphology of the new material is briefly described with photographs taken in life. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis using concatenated partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, as well as the nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA genes, placed L. axisadversum as the sister taxon to all the rest of Solitaria included in the analysis, indicating non-monophyly of the genus Loxosoma Keferstein, 1862.

Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis of Briese Family Relationships

A comparison was made of 37 STR markers on the Y-chromosome of eight individuals bearing the surname Briese. Based on paper records, two of these individuals were known to be related, but relationships could not be determined for others. The genetic study showed three distinct genetic lineages bearing the Briese surname. Five of the eight were shown to have had a common ancestor within genealogical time, which suggests that a cluster of related Briese families lived in the Deutsch Krone area of West Prussia in the 18th century. A sixth individual, originating from a different geographic region, Meseritz in Posen, was more distantly related, while the remaining two individuals were not related at all, either to the group or to each other. While not providing proof, these findings agree with the hypothesis that the Briese surname originated as a place name that was initially adopted by unrelated people. This would result in distinct clusters of more-closely related families, genetically distinct from other such clusters. Genetic genealogy can help to determine relationships between emigrant Briese families and those remaining in Germany. More individuals from Briese families with known origins are needed to participate in this study to confirm and enlarge on these preliminary findings.

Sonnenemertes cantelli gen. et sp. nov. (Heteronemertea)—A new Oxypolella-like nemertean from the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril–Kamchatka Trench

Approximately 129 nemertean specimens were obtained in the material collected by the Russian–German KuramBio expedition 2012 to the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril–Kamchatka Trench (KKT). Due to deformed, fragmentary condition of most of the collected nemerteans they were identified to the order level only. Both archi- and heteronemerteans were very rare, and tubulanid palaeonemerteans and hoplonemerteans were predominant in the KuramBio epibenthic sledge (EBS) samples. Before the KuramBio expedition, only three species of the World fauna of benthic nemerteans had been known from depths exceeding 3000m; according to data of Vityaz expedition in the KKT, published in 1955, unidentified nemerteans were found in all trawl samples from depths 1000 to 4640m, but only one specimen of unidentified nemertean was collected from depths exceeding 5000m. A reliable estimation of the actual species diversity of the present KuramBio samples could have been made primarily based on molecular genetic analyses; almost all the collected specimens are likely to represent undescribed species. In this study, a new species of the heteronemertean, Sonnenemertes cantelli gen. et sp. nov., from a depth of approximately 4870m is described. This is the deepest record for an identified benthic nemertean, as well as the first species of the subfamily Oxypolellinae from the North Pacific. A single specimen was examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy with phalloidin and antibody labeling. Morphologically, this species is similar to those in the genus Oxypolella. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rDNA among the selected heteronemertean species indicated that S. cantelli formed a monophyletic group with Oxypolella alba Bergendal, 1903 together as a sister to the genus Baseodiscus. Systematic positioning of Oxypolella, Sonnenemertes, and related genera is discussed.

Description and phylogenetic position of the first abyssal solitary kamptozoan species from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench area: Loxosomella profundorum sp. nov. (Kamptozoa: Loxosomatidae)

One of two orders of a small phylum Kamptozoa, Solitaria, consisting of one family Loxosomatidae of about 140 species, has never been recorded deeper than 700m. All known for the north-western Pacific loxosomatids (about 17 species) occur in shallow waters. The first abyssal solitary kamptozoan, Loxosomella profundorum sp. nov. is described herein. It was collected during the German–Russian deep-sea expedition KuramBio aboard RV Sonne in the summer of 2012 in the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. It is the deepest finding of Kamptozoa to date. The new species was found living on the anthozoan polyp Corallimorpharia. L. profundorum sp. nov. is a largest solitary kamptozoan species, up to 4mm in length, with a stalk of up to 3.5mm, with 10–12 tentacles, with two conspicuous lateral papillae, and a row of glandular cells in its stalk. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis based on partial 18S rDNA indicated that L. profundorum sp. nov. is a sister clade to the clade, which includes other Loxosomella and two species of Loxomitra.

A preliminary phylogenetic analysis of the New World Helopini (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Tenebrioninae) indicates the need for profound rearrangements of the classification.

Helopini is a diverse tribe in the subfamily Tenebrioninae with a worldwide distribution. The New World helopine species have not been reviewed recently and several doubts emerge regarding their generic assignment as well as the naturalness of the tribe and subordinate taxa. To assess these questions, a preliminary cladistic analysis was conducted with emphasis on sampling the genera distributed in the New World, but including representatives from other regions. The parsimony analysis includes 30 ingroup species from America, Europe and Asia of the subtribes Helopina and Cylindrinotina, plus three outgroups, and 67 morphological characters. Construction of the matrix resulted in the discovery of morphological character states not previously reported for the tribe, particularly from the genitalia of New World species. A consensus of the 12 most parsimonious trees supports the monophyly of the tribe based on a unique combination of characters, including one synapomorphy. None of the subtribes or the genera of the New World represented by more than one species (Helops Fabricius, Nautes Pascoe and Tarpela Bates) were recovered as monophyletic. Helopina was recovered as paraphyletic in relation to Cylindrinotina. One Nearctic species of Helops and one Palearctic species of Tarpela (subtribe Helopina) were more closely related to species of Cylindrinotina. A relatively derived clade, mainly composed by Neotropical species, was found; it includes seven species of Tarpela, seven species of Nautes, and three species of Helops, two Nearctic and one Neotropical. Our results reveal the need to deeply re-evaluate the current classification of the tribe and subordinated taxa, but a broader taxon sampling and further character exploration is needed in order to fully recognize monophyletic groups at different taxonomic levels (from subtribes to genera).

Mechanisms underlying flower color variation in Asian species ofMeconopsis: A preliminary phylogenetic analysis based on chloroplast DNA and anthocyanin biosynthesis genes

AbstractThe Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) harbors the highest species diversity of alpine plants in the world, with a spectacular diversity of flower colors. Among these QTP plants, the genusMeconopsiscomprises more than 50 species, for which flower color is a key diagnostic character. However, the mechanisms underlying flower color variation have rarely been investigated. In the present study, we used three chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments and two anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (F3HandF3′H) for phylogenetic reconstruction ofMeconopsis. We revealed the presence of three well‐supported clades and/or subclades in the cpDNA and nuclear gene trees; further, flower color transition occurred in each lineage. The results of selection tests and preliminary expression analyses of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes indicate that the pigment pathway leading to cyanidin is active in blue and red flowers ofMeconopsis; further, a blue–red color shift is not attributable to an on/off switching of the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (ABP) branches. Together with the results of previous flower pigment analyses, our findings suggest that blue–red flower color transitions inMeconopsisare attributable to modification of cyanidin. Our molecular dating results indicate that the lineage diversification inMeconopsisis closely related to the QTP uplift; thus, it is likely that environmental changes arising from the QTP uplift have played important roles in driving the diversification of flavonoids, through which species ofMeconopsishave adapted physiologically to diverse habitats.

Paragyrodactylus variegatusn. sp. (Gyrodactylidae) fromHomatula variegata(Dabry De Thiersant, 1874) (Nemacheilidae) in Central China

Paragyrodactylus variegatus n. sp. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) is described from the fins and body surface of Homatula variegata (Dabry de Thiersant, 1874) living in cold-water streams in the Qinling Mountains of central China. It represents the third known species in the genus, with all species parasitizing Asian river loaches (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae). The new species resembles most closely Paragyrodactylus iliensis Gvosdev and Martechov, 1953 , but is diagnosed by its marginal hooks being longer than 19 μm, a sickle longer than 4 μm, a sickle aperture shorter than the sickle distal width, and absence of a ventromedial indentation in the haptoral accessory hard part. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a central foramen in the haptoral accessory hard part, and small knob-like protuberances on the heel and toe of the marginal hook sickle. A partial 18S (448 bp) and complete ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 (1,139 bp) rDNA sequences are provided. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S gene, which included all sequenced genera of the Gyrodactylidae, suggests P. variegatus n. sp. is basal within Gyrodactylus sensu lato. It is proposed that the genus is a relict freshwater lineage parasitizing river loaches in the mountain plateaus of central Asia.