Putative Congener Research Articles

Host‐switching events are not always the driver of speciation in social parasites: a case study in Temnothorax (Myrmoxenus) ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

AbstractHost–parasite systems, including social parasites that exploit resources of the host colonies, are fascinating objects for evolutionary biologists mainly due to the dynamic and often rapid host–parasite coevolution. Host‐switching events are believed to induce rapid speciation of parasitic species. The socially parasitic ant lineage Myrmoxenus, which corresponds to the monophyletic Temnothorax corsicus group, counts in total a dozen species. Most Myrmoxenus species utilize a single host species, but a few others, like Myrmoxenus ravouxi (André, 1896) and M. gordiagini Ruzsky, 1902, are known to use multiple host taxa. Myrmoxenus zaleskyi (Sadil, 1953) was described as a putative congener of M. ravouxi based on its distinct host selection. In this paper, we investigate the diversity of the widely distributed European lineages M. ravouxi and M. zaleskyi from multiple and complementary perspectives to understand whether the host preference exhibited by these two forms implies speciation. We integrated evidence from molecular genetics using mitochondrial CO I/CO II genes, including the tLeu‐region, and multivariate analyses of morphometric data collected from workers and female sexuals (gynes). Although there is substantial regional host species specificity, results suggest that host switching did not result in phylogenetic or morphological divergence and that the central European M. zaleskyi can be considered the junior synonym of M. ravouxi. As the lineage Myrmoxenus has been the subject of considerable evolutionary research, these results are essential to achieve a more accurate picture of host–parasite systems in the future and further strengthen the justification of an integrative approach in studying similarly complex systems. We advise against describing new parasitic species based on host preference unless coupled with marked heritable phenotypic adaptations.

Metabolomics insights into the polyketide-lactones produced by Diaporthe caliensis sp. nov., an endophyte of the medicinal plant Otoba gracilipes.

Plants of the genus Otoba have been the basis for the treatment of tropical diseases in indigenous communities of countries like Colombia. Despite the lack of knowledge about their bioactive principles, endophytic fungi derived from medicinal plants are a prolific source of innovative chemistry. We systematically investigated the secondary metabolite production of a previously undescribed species of Diaporthe, herein introduced as Diaporthe caliensis sp. nov., using different metabolomics approaches together with classical chemical screening. To get an outline of the chemical space produced by this fungus, an exploratory molecular networking (MN) analysis was undertaken. A major molecular family was found to contain the known 10-membered lactone phomol (1), together with other putative congeners as compound 3. After isolation by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, we confirmed phomol (1) as the main reason for the antimicrobial activity of the crude extract. The unknown absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the synthesis of α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetyl (MTPA)-esters and chemical degradation experiments. Moreover, caliensolides A (2) and B (3) were isolated, and their structures were elucidated as novel butenolides structurally unrelated to 1. Overall, the initial MN analysis incorrectly clustered compounds 1 and 3 within a single molecular family, despite evident differences in chemical structures and biosynthetic origin. Contrariwise, the unsupervised substructure discovery algorithm MS2LDA provided a deeper understanding of the fragmentation patterns and correctly clustered the polyketide-lactones produced by D. caliensis sp. nov. Our findings encourage the exploration of Colombian fungal diversity, which as demonstrated here could result in the discovery of new natural products.IMPORTANCEThe integration of metabolomics-based approaches into the discovery pipeline has enabled improved mining and prioritization of prolific secondary metabolite producers such as endophytic fungi. However, relying on automated untargeted analysis tools might lead to misestimation of the chemical complexity harbored in these organisms. Our study emphasizes the importance of isolation and structure elucidation of the respective metabolites in addition to deep metabolome analysis for the correct interpretation of untargeted metabolomics approaches such as molecular networking. Additionally, it encourages the further exploration of endophytic fungi from traditional medicinal plants for the discovery of natural products.

Laserocarpum, a new genus of Apiaceae endemic to Greece

<em>Laserpitium pseudomeum</em> is an endemic umbellifer of Greece occurring in the mountains of Sterea Ellas and northern Peloponnese. Molecular data indicate that it is not related to its putative congeners, but instead constitutes an isolated lineage. The nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS tree places it as a weakly supported sister group to <em>Portenschlagiella ramosissima</em>, the sole species in its genus, whereas the tree inferred from three noncoding cpDNA loci does not confirm this relationship. <em>Portenschlagiella ramosissima</em> is sometimes placed in <em>Athamanta</em>, an affinity supported neither by molecular data nor by fruit morphology. <em>Laserpitium pseudomeum</em> notably differs from <em>P. ramosissima</em> in vegetative, flower, and fruit characteristics, and no obvious morphological synapomorphies indicate their close relationship. Therefore, we place <em>L. pseudomeum</em> in the newly described genus <em>Laserocarpum</em> and lectotypify the species with the specimen <em>Orphanides 2019</em> (G00766460) at G-Boiss.

A well-preserved new mid-paleocene penguin (Aves, Sphenisciformes) from the Waipara Greensand in New Zealand

ABSTRACTWe describe a partial skeleton of a new stem group representative of the Sphenisciformes from the mid-Paleocene Waipara Greensand in New Zealand, which represents the best-preserved and most complete Paleocene penguin found so far. Sequiwaimanu rosieae, n. gen. et sp., is the fourth penguin species from the Waipara Greensand, which previously yielded two species that were assigned to the taxon Waimanu, in addition to leg bones of an unnamed giant penguin. Among other features, the new species is characterized by an articular facet for the furcula on the apex carinae of the sternum, which is unknown from other sphenisciforms. We perform detailed comparisons with the species assigned to Waimanu and show that the type species Waimanu manneringi differs in tarsometatarsus morphology from its putative congener ‘W.’ tuatahi, which is here assigned to the new taxon Muriwaimanu. Sequiwaimanu rosieae exhibits a more derived morphology than Muriwaimanu tuatahi, but its exact affinities to W. manneringi are unresolved owing to the incompletely known osteology of the latter species. With S. rosieae being more closely related to the crown group than M. tuatahi, shared characteristics of the two taxa are likely to be plesiomorphic for sphenisciforms. Although the skeletal morphology of these sphenisciform stem species shows some similarities to plotopterids (i.e., wing-propelled diving seabirds from the North Pacific Basin) in some characters, the stem group sphenisciforms from the Waipara Greensand are clearly distinguished from plotopterids.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:86031231-EADB-45EF-930B-8E55833D32F6SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVPCitation for this article: Mayr, G., V. L. De Pietri, L. Love, A. A. Mannering, and R. P. Scofield. 2018. A well-preserved new mid-Paleocene penguin (Aves, Sphenisciformes) from the Waipara Greensand in New Zealand. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2017.1398169.

Multilocus molecular phylogeny of the ornamental wood-eating catfishes (Siluriformes, Loricariidae, Panaqolus and Panaque) reveals undescribed diversity and parapatric clades

Approximately two-dozen species in three genera of the Neotropical suckermouth armored catfish family Loricariidae are the only described fishes known to specialize on diets consisting largely of wood. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of 10 described species and 14 undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the wood-eating catfish genus Panaqolus, and four described species and three undescribed species or morphotypes assigned to the distantly related wood-eating catfish genus Panaque. Our analyses included individuals and species from both genera that are broadly distributed throughout tropical South America east of the Andes Mountains and 13 additional genera hypothesized to have also descended from the most recent common ancestor of Panaqolus and Panaque. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci totaling 4293bp confirmed respective monophyly of Panaqolus, exclusive of the putative congener ‘Panaqolus’ koko, and Panaque. Members of Panaqolus sensu stricto were distributed across three strongly monophyletic clades: a clade of 10 generally darkly colored, lyretail species distributed across western headwaters of the Amazon Basin, a clade of three irregularly and narrowly banded species from the western Orinoco Basin, and a clade of 11 generally brown, broadly banded species that are widely distributed throughout the Amazon Basin. We erect new subgenera for each of these clades and a new genus for the morphologically, biogeographically and ecologically distinct species ‘Panaqolus’ koko. Our finding that perhaps half of the species-level diversity in the widespread genus Panaqolus remains undescribed illustrates the extent to which total taxonomic diversity of small and philopatric, yet apparently widely distributed, Amazonian fishes may remain underestimated. Ranges for two Panaqolus subgenera and the genus Panaque overlap with the wood-eating genus Cochliodon in central Andean tributaries of the upper Amazon Basin, which appear to be a global epicenter of wood-eating catfish diversity.

Effects of Halide Ions on the Carbamidocyclophane Biosynthesis in Nostoc sp. CAVN2.

In this study, the influence of halide ions on [7.7]paracyclophane biosynthesis in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. CAVN2 was investigated. In contrast to KI and KF, supplementation of the culture medium with KCl or KBr resulted not only in an increase of growth but also in an up-regulation of carbamidocyclophane production. LC-MS analysis indicated the presence of chlorinated, brominated, but also non-halogenated derivatives. In addition to 22 known cylindrocyclophanes and carbamidocyclophanes, 27 putative congeners have been detected. Nine compounds, carbamidocyclophanes M−U, were isolated, and their structural elucidation by 1D and 2D NMR experiments in combination with HRMS and ECD analysis revealed that they are brominated analogues of chlorinated carbamidocyclophanes. Quantification of the carbamidocyclophanes showed that chloride is the preferably utilized halide, but incorporation is reduced in the presence of bromide. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of 30 [7.7]paracyclophanes and related derivatives against selected pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria exhibited remarkable effects especially against methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant staphylococci and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. For deeper insights into the mechanisms of biosynthesis, the carbamidocyclophane biosynthetic gene cluster in Nostoc sp. CAVN2 was studied. The gene putatively coding for the carbamoyltransferase has been identified. Based on bioinformatic analyses, a possible biosynthetic assembly is discussed.

Review of the andean armored catfishes of the genus Dolichancistrus Isbrücker (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

The loricariid catfish genus Dolichancistrus is reviewed and four species recognized. Species of Dolichancistrus are distinguished from each other by the degree of development of the pectoral-fin spine, the form of the distal margin of the pelvic fin, the relative size and form of the cheek plates, the pattern of odontodes along the margin of the snout, the presence versus absence of a buccal papilla at the premaxillary symphysis, and the relative lengths of the anal- versus pelvic-spines. Dolichancistrus atratoensis is known from the río Atrato system and the río Cubarradó on the Pacific versant of Colombia; D. carnegiei occurs in the eastern río Magdalena basin in the departments of Boyacá and Santander, Colombia; D. cobrensis inhabits southern tributaries of the Lago Maracaibo basin in Colombia and Venezuela along with some highland rivers of the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuela draining into the río Orinoco system; and D. fuesslii is known from the Andean piedmont portions of the río Meta basin in the western río Orinoco system. Pseudancistrus pediculatus is considered a junior synonym of Ancistrus fuesslii. Chaetostomus setosus previously assigned to Dolichancistrus, was found to lack features characteristic of its putative congeners and is rather more closely related to other members of Chaetostoma group. Consequently, the species is herein considered as incertae sedis within that group. Dolichancistrus is diagnosed, a key is provided to the members of the genus, and diagnoses and redescriptions are provided for all of the recognized species.

A generic name for some sparrows (Aves: Emberizidae)

Klicka and Spellman (2007) demonstrated convincingly that the genus Amphispiza Coues as then recognized is not monophyletic, i.e., that the two species (bilineata and belli) then assigned to it (American Ornithologists’ Union 1998) are not closely related. The species belli was shown to be a member of a well-resolved clade of “grassland” sparrows that includes the genera Pooecetes, Oriturus, Passerculus, Ammodramus (in part), Melospiza, and Xenospiza. Importantly, the taxonomic affinities of the putative congener bilineata lie elsewhere. It is part of a well-supported clade that contains the species quinquestriata (recently transferred from Aimophila to Amphispiza; Chesser et al. 2010) and the monotypic form Calamospiza (DaCosta et al. 2009). The type species of Amphispiza is Emberiza bilineata Cassin; therefore, a new generic name must be provided for belli and its close relatives. Klicka and Spellman (2007) suggested that Artemisospiza [sic] would be an appropriate name for belli, commonly called the Sage Sparrow, but did not propose it formally, as it did not meet the requirements of Article 13 of the ICZN (1999) Code. We now modify that suggestion and propose the following:

A phylogenetic analysis of the emberizid sparrows based on three mitochondrial genes

Previous molecular phylogenetic studies have examined the taxonomic relationships among a number of typical emberizid sparrow genera. To help clarify these relationships, we sequenced a 1673 base pair fragment for the complete sequence of three mitochondrial genes: adenosine triphosphatase ( Atp8 and Atp6) and cytochrome oxidase subunit III (COIII) for 38 sparrow species, along with Passerina amoena (Cardinalidae) and Piranga ludoviciana (Thraupidae) which were selected as the outgroups. Our analysis confirms the monophyly of traditional genera such as Junco, Melospiza, and Zonotrichia. Although Calcarius and Plectrophenax are often thought to be putative emberizids, all our analyses placed these genera basal to all other sparrows examined. As observed with Calcarius, Spizella did not form a monophyletic group, with S. arborea being the sister-taxon to Passerella iliaca. Our analyses also suggest that Aimophila ruficeps is probably more closely related to the “brown towhees” ( Pipilo aberti, P. crissalis, and P. fuscus) than its putative congeners. The genus Ammodramus was also not monophyletic, since it appears that Passerculus sandwichensis is more closely related to A. henslowii and A. leconteii then either one is related to its congener A. savannarum. Finally, our analyses exhibited other unsuspected associations, such as the sister-taxon relationships between Amphispiza bilineata and the Chondestes grammacus/ Calamospiza melanocorys clade, and Amphispiza belli and Pooecetes gramineus.

Freshwater snails of the genera Fluvidona and Austropyrgus (Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, Australia

The freshwater snail genus Fluvidona (Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda, Rissooidea, Hydrobiidae) is reapprasied and described using anatomical, shell, radula and opercular characters. Five species, three of them new, are described, being differentiated using anatomical, shell and opercular character states. A sixth species, similar to the Fluvidona species, is described and is tentatively assigned to the genus Austropyrgus Cotton. All six species live in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland and all are from single localities or very restricted areas. All species live in small streams, although one was found aestivating in soil in the bed of a small dry creek. The new species placed in Austropyrgus, from the Bunya Mountains, Queensland, is widely separated from putative congeners that are found in southern New South Wales and other parts of south-eastern Australia.

Functional projections, markedness, and “root infinitives” in early child Greek

The aim of this paper is to determine whether there is an equivalent Root Infinitive stage for children acquiring a language which does not have an infinitive construction, namely Modern Greek. We find that in the typical Root Infinitive contexts Greek children use a verb form involving the suffix -i, which corresponds to the 3rd person singular suffix, as well as to a participial form. We argue that the data are best explained by treating the -i form as the participle, thus suggesting that the putative congener of the Root Infinitive need not be an infinitive. Under Rizzi's (1994) approach, we would in fact expect various non-finite verb forms to be attested in the main clauses of the youngest speakers of various languages