Re-evaluation Of Morphological Characters Research Articles

Descriptions of twenty-three new mirine species from Japan, with a key to genera of the tribe Mirini, updating the Japanese fauna (Hemiptera: Miridae: Mirinae)

Abstract The Japanese fauna of the plant bug tribe Mirini, now represented by 212 species in 62 genera, is updated. Twenty-three species in six genera including a new genus are proposed herein: Apolygus China (14 spp.), Charagochilus Fieber (2 spp.) Exolygocoris gen. n. (1 sp.), Mermitelocerus Reuter (1 sp.), Neolygus Knight (3 spp.), Polymerus Hahn (1 sp.) and Proboscidocoris Reuter (1 sp.), are described as new to science. Apolygopsis miniacea (Yasunaga & Yasunaga) comb. n. and Argenis takahashii (Yasunaga) comb. n. are transferred from Apolygus and Tinginotum, respectively. Mermitelocerus prasinus Reuter stat. n. and Orientomiris nigripes Yasunaga stat. n., originally described as a subspecies of M. annulipes and O. yaeyamanus, respectively, are upgraded to the species level, based on reevaluation of morphological characters. Apolygus syringae (Kerzhner), which has been regarded as a junior synonym of A. hilaris (Horváth), is reinstated as valid and rediagnosed. A checklist and a key are provided for all known Japanese genera.

Mitogenomes of Nine Asian Skipper Genera and Their Phylogenetic Position (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Pyrginae).

Simple SummaryThis is the first attempt to test the validity of morphological characters to diagnose the tribes used in the conventional taxonomy of the pyrginae skippers. Current studies on the group deal only with molecular phylogeny and its resulting classification without considering morphology. The diagnostic characters currently used in distinguishing the two tribes cannot be adopted. When a new taxonomic framework is proposed based on molecular data, reevaluation of morphological characters is suitable.In this study, complete mitochondrial genomes of nine species representing three tribes in the subfamily Pyrginae sensu lato were newly sequenced. The mitogenomes are closed double-stranded circular molecules, with the length ranging from 15,232 bp to 15,559 bp, which all encode 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a control region. The orientation and gene order of these nine mitogenomes are identical to the inferred ancestral arrangement of insects. All PCGs exhibit the typical start codon ATN except for cox1 (using CGA) and cox2 (using TTG) in Mooreana trichoneura. Most of the PCGs terminate with a TAA stop codon, while cox1, cox2, nad4, and nad5 end with the incomplete codon single T. For the different datasets, we found that the one comprising all 37 genes of the mitogenome produced the highest nodal support, indicating that the inclusion of RNAs improves the phylogenetic signal. This study re-confirmed the status of Capila, Pseudocoladenia, and Sarangesa; namely, Capila belongs to the tribe Tagiadini, and Pseudocoladenia and Sarangesa to the tribe Celaenorrhini. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the two tribes, the length of the forewing cell and labial palpi, are no longer significant. Two populations of Pseudocoladenia dan fabia from China and Myanmar and P. dan dhyana from Thailand are confirmed as conspecific.

<strong>Reconsideration of the taxonomic status of <em>Bulbophyllum obtusangulum</em> (Orchidaceae) from southern China</strong>

Bulbophyllum obtusangulum Z.H. Tsi has long been treated as a synonymy of B. lepidum (Blume) J.J. Sm., which is broadly distributed in Southeast Asia. In this paper, based on a re-evaluation of morphological characters and critical study of herbarium specimens and protologue, B. obtusangulum is proposed as a heterotypic synonym of B. tseanum (S.Y. Hu & Barretto) Z.H. Tsi, which was previously regarded as endemic to Hong Kong.

Molecular Comparison among Three Antarctic Endemic Springtail Species and Description of the Mitochondrial Genome of Friesea gretae (Hexapoda, Collembola)

Springtails and mites are the dominant groups of terrestrial arthropods in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. Their Antarctic diversity includes a limited number of species, which are frequently endemic to specific regions within the continent. Advances in molecular techniques, combined with the re-evaluation of morphological characters and the availability of new samples, have recently led to the identification of a number of new springtail species within previously named, but ill-defined, species entities described in the last century. One such species, the neanurid Friesea grisea, originally described from sub-Antarctic South Georgia, was for many years considered to be the only known springtail with a pan-Antarctic distribution. With the recent availability of new morphological and molecular data, it has now been firmly established that the different representatives previously referred to this taxon from the Antarctic Peninsula and Victoria Land (continental Antarctica) should no longer be considered as representing one and the same species, and three clearly distinct taxa have been recognized: F. antarctica, F. gretae and F. propria. In this study, the relationships among these three species are further explored through the sequencing of the complete mtDNA for F. gretae and the use of complete mitogenomic as well as cytochrome c oxidase I data. The data obtained provide further support that distinct species were originally hidden within the same taxon and that, despite the difficulties in obtaining reliable diagnostic morphological characters, F. gretae is genetically differentiated from F. propria (known to be present in different locations in Northern Victoria Land), as well as from F. antarctica (distributed in the Antarctic Peninsula).

Born in the Mediterranean: Comprehensive Taxonomic Revision of Biscutella ser. Biscutella (Brassicaceae) Based on Morphological and Phylogenetic Data

Biscutella L. ser. Biscutella (= Biscutella ser. Lyratae Malin.) comprises mostly annual or short-lived perennial plants occurring in the Mediterranean basin and the Middle East, which exhibit some diagnostic floral features. Taxa in the series have considerable morphological plasticity, which is not well correlated with clear geographic or ecologic patterns. Traditional taxonomic accounts have focused on a number of vegetative and floral characters that have proved to be highly variable, a fact that contributed to taxonomic inflation mostly in northern Africa. A detailed study and re-evaluation of morphological characters, together with recent phylogenetic data based on concatenation of two plastid and one nuclear region sequence data, yielded the basis for a taxonomic reappraisal of the series. In this respect, a new comprehensive integrative taxonomic arrangement for Biscutella ser. Biscutella is presented in which 10 taxa are accepted, namely seven species and three additional varieties. The name B. eriocarpa DC. is reinterpreted and suggested to include the highest morphological variation found in northern Morocco. Its treatment here accepts two varieties, one of which is described as new (B. eriocarpa var. riphaea A. Vicente, M. Á. Alonso & M. B. Crespo). In addition, the circumscriptions of several species, such as B. boetica Boiss. & Reut., B. didyma L., B. lyrata L., and B. maritima Ten., are revisited. Nomenclatural types, synonymy, brief descriptions, cytogenetic data, conservation status, distribution maps, and identification keys are included for the accepted taxa, with seven lectotypes and one epitype being designated here.

Biscutella pseudolyrata (Brassicaceae, Biscutelleae), a new species endemic to NW Morocco based on morphological and molecular evidence

Biscutella pseudolyrata is described from the Atlantic coastal areas of NW Morocco, where several populations are known to occur in deep sandy soils at low elevation. It belongs to B. ser. Biscutella (B. ser. Lyratae, Brassicaceae) and is morphologically close to the Spanish endemic B. lyrata and the C Mediterranean B. maritima, two species to which it has sometimes been considered related and with which it shares a diploid chromosome number 2n = 16. Re-evaluation of morphological characters in the light of phylogenetic trees from plastid (rpl32-trnL and trnV) and nuclear (ITS region) DNA sequence data support description of those Moroccan populations as a new species, which is phylogenetically closer to the W Mediterranean B. boetica but morphologically quite easy to distinguish from it. Data on morphology, ecology and distribution are reported, and similarities and differences with regard to other members of the series are discussed.Citation: Vicente A., Alonso M. A. & Crespo M. B. 2019: Biscutella pseudolyrata (Brassicaceae, Biscutelleae), a new species endemic to NW Morocco based on morphological and molecular evidence. – Willdenowia 49: 155–166. doi: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Version of record first published online on 27 June 2019 ahead of inclusion in August 2019 issue.

A reconsideration of Pseudofortuynia and Tchihatchewia as synonyms of Sisymbrium and Hesperis, respectively (Brassicaceae)

Pseudofortuynia leucoclada (Boiss.) Khosravi was initially described and was long treated as a member of Hesperis L. whereas Tchihatchewia isatidea Boiss. has never hitherto been assigned to this genus. Currently these species represent monospecific genera, Pseudofortuynia Hedge and Tchihatchewia Boiss., endemic to restricted areas in Iran and Turkey, respectively. Based on a re-evaluation of morphological characters in light of available molecular data, the merger of Pseudofortuynia with Sisymbrium L. and Tchihatchewia with Hesperis is proposed. Relevant combinations are validated.

Taxonomy of Marcetieae: A New Neotropical Tribe of Melastomataceae

Premise of research. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that tribe Melastomateae is biphyletic, consisting of two nonsister clades, the core Melastomateae and the Marcetia alliance, both supported by molecular and morphological characters.Methodology. In this study, we describe the new tribe Marcetieae and revise its generic limits based on a molecular phylogeny and a reevaluation of morphological characters. A short description; notes on distribution, habitat, and taxonomy; and a list of species plus an identification key are presented for all accepted genera.Pivotal results. We propose the recognition of 19 genera in this tribe, including a new genus (Rostranthera) and the resurrection of Dicrananthera, Leiostegia, Noterophila, and Pseudoernestia.Conclusions. Ernestia and Macairea were not fully resolved either in the molecular phylogeny or morphologically, and these genera need additional sampling of taxa and molecular markers to define their generic limits.

Two new combinations, lectotypifications and a new name for Costa Rican Palicourea s.l.

Species of the complex and diverse genera Psychotria and Palicourea are common but little-known elements in many tropical forest ecosystems. DNA-phylogenetic studies and a re-evaluation of morphological characters have recently shown that species of Psychotria subg. Heteropsychotria are nested within Palicourea s.l., which was traditionally separated by exhibiting a bird-pollinated (vs. insect-pollinated) pollination syndrome. In order to render both genera monophyletic groups, species of subg. Heteropsychotria need to be transferred to Palicourea s.l. For Central American species, most of the necessary combinations have already been made. In the course of ongoing research on the phytochemical characterization of species and clades of Costa Rican Palicourea s.l., the nomenclature of Mesoamerican species was revised. As a result, two new combinations and a new name are proposed here: Palicourea horquetensis (Dwyer & Hayden) A. C. Berger & C. M. Taylor is based on Rudgea horquetensis Dwyer & Hayden, Palicourea tonduzii (K. Krause) A. C. Berger is based on Cephaelis tonduzii K. Kraus and Palicourea longiinvolucrata A. C. Berger replaces Psychotria hispidula Standl. In addition, two lectotypes are designated.

On the taxonomic position of the genera Brachydontium Fürnr. and Campylostelium Bruch & Schimp. (Bryophyta, Grimmiales)

The genus Brachydontium was placed in the family Seligeriaceae by most recent authors, in spite of the fact that some of its morphological characters contrast with other genera in this family. The genus Campylostelium was traditionally included in the Ptychomitriaceae, until Hernández-Maqueda et al. (2008) suggested resurrecting the monogeneric Campylosteliaceae De Not. based on data obtained from phylogenetic analyses of two chloroplast markers. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on chloroplast rps4 and mitochondrial nad5 recovered Brachydontium trichodes (F.Weber) Fürnr. and B. olympicum (E.Britton) T.T.McIntosh & J.R.Spence in a strongly supported clade sister to the Ptychomitriaceae, whereas a well- supported clade composed of Campylostelium saxicola (F.Weber & D.Mohr) Bruch & Schimp. and C. pitardii (Corb.) E.Maier was resolved in a sister position to Brachydontium plus Ptychomitriaceae. The well- supported clade of these three groups is sister to the Grimmiaceae. Results of our phylogenetic analysis and re-evaluation of morphological characters suggest transfer of Brachydontium to the Ptychomitriaceae and confirm the placement of Campylostelium in this family. Based on the inferred affinities of Brachydontium and Campylostelium we propose a new circumscription for the family Ptychomitriaceae.

Taxonomic circumscription of the N African endemic Biscutella raphanifolia (Brassicaceae) based on morphological and molecular characters

Biscutella raphanifolia is a species distributed in N Algeria and Tunisia, characterized by the presence of large, lyrate basal leaves, amplexicaul cauline leaves, and paniculate-branched inflorescences. It has been traditionally considered the only perennial taxon from B. sect. Biscutella, lifespan being the strongest argument used to differentiate B. raphanifolia from other annual taxa such as B. algeriensis, B. confusa or B. didyma var. coriophora, with which it shares both morphological characters and distribution. Reevaluation of morphological characters in the light of phylogenetic trees from plastid (rpl32-trnL and trnV) and nuclear (ITS region) sequence data support a new circumscription of B. raphanifolia to include all those annual taxa. As a result, the new combination B. raphanifolia var. algeriensis is established, descriptions are provided for both varieties, and synonyms and lectotypes are indicated or designated for the names concerned.Citation: Vicente A., Alonso M. A. & Crespo M. B. 2016: Taxonomic circumscription of the N African endemic Biscutella raphanifolia (Brassicaceae) based on morphological and molecular characters. — Willdenowia 46: 411–422. doi: http//dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.46.46309Version of record first published online on 21 November 2016 ahead of inclusion in December 2016 issue.

Systematics of Irvingiaceae and Ixonanthaceae (Malpighiales): phylogenetic analysis based on three plastid DNA loci

Relationships of Ixonanthaceae and Irvingiaceae have been poorly known in the past. We therefore investigate the relationships of these families here. Plastid atpB, rbcL and ndhF sequences from taxa representing all genera were analysed using maximum likelihood. Allantospermum was found as sister to Irvingiaceae and does not belong to Ixonanthaceae where it was often traditionally placed. This position of Allantospermum in Irvingiaceae is further supported by numerous putative synapomorphic characters. Expanded species sampling in Ixonanthaceae found that African Phyllocosmus was embedded within a strongly supported clade containing American Ochthocosmus. A re-evaluation of morphological characters of the two supports an enlarged concept of Ochthocosmus. Within Irvingiaceae, the West African monotypic Desbordesia was embedded within a strongly supported clade of Old World Irvingia. These findings change circumscriptions of both Ixonanthaceae and Irvingiaceae.

Revision of the systematics of the cardinalfishes (Percomorpha: Apogonidae) based on molecular analyses and comparative reevaluation of morphological characters.

Molecular analyses were conducted based on 120 of the estimated 358 species of the family Apogonidae with 33 of 40 genera and subgenera, using three gobioids and one kurtid as collective outgroups. Species of Amioides, Apogon, Apogonichthyoides, Apogonichthys, Archamia, Astrapogon, Brephamia, Cercamia, Cheilodipterus, Fibramia n. gen., Foa, Fowleria, Glossamia, Gymnapogon, Jaydia, Lachneratus, Nectamia, Ostorhinchus, Paroncheilus, Phaeoptyx, Pristiapogon, Pristicon, Pseudamia, Pterapogon, Rhabdamia, Siphamia, Sphaeramia, Taeniamia, Verulux, Vincentia, Yarica, Zapogon and Zoramia were present in the molecular analyses; species of Bentuviaichthys, Holapogon, Lepidamia, Neamia, Paxton, Pseudamiops and Quinca were absent from the analyses. Maximum-likelihood (ML), Bayesian (BA), and Maximum parsimony (MP) analyses based on two mitochondrial (12S rRNA-tRNAVal-16S rRNA, ca. 1500 bp; COI, ca. 1500 bp) and two nuclear DNA (RAG1, ca. 1300 bp; ENC1, ca. 800 bp) fragments reproduced two basal clades within the monophyletic family: one including a single species, Amioides polyacanthus, and the other comprising species of Pseudamia. All the other apogonid species formed a large well-established monophyletic group, in which almost identical 12 major clades were reproduced, with phylogenetic positions of four species (Glossamia aprion, Ostorhinchus margaritophorus, Pterapogon kauderni, and Vincentia novaehollandiae) left unsettled. Apogon sensu lato and recent Ostorhinchus (excepting O. margaritophorus) were divided into six and three major clades, respectively. Each of the recognized clades in the family was then evaluated for morphological characters to identify synapomorphies. Based on the results of the molecular analyses and the reevaluation of morphological characters, four subfamilies were proposed within the family: Apogoninae (including most of the species in the family), Amioidinae new subfamily (including Amioides, and based on morphology, Holapogon), Paxtoninae new subfamily (including Paxton, based only on morphology) and Pseudamiinae (including Pseudamia). Within the largest subfamily Apogoninae, twelve new tribes were proposed based on the 12 molecular clades and associated morphology: Apogonichthyini, Apogonini (mainly including species of Apogon sensu stricto), Archamiini, Cheilodipterini, Gymnapogonini, Ostorhinchini (including striped species of recent Ostorhinchus), Pristiapogonini, Rhabdamiini, Sphaeramiini (mainly including barred species of traditional Ostorhinchus, such as Apogonichthyoides, Jaydia and Nectamia), Siphamiini, Veruluxini, and Zoramiini. Two additional tribes are proposed based only on morphology: Glossamiini and Lepidamiini. For each of the 14 tribes, morphological characters were described. One new genus, Fibramia, type species Apogon thermalis, recently in Ostorhinchus, was described supported by morphology and molecular trees. A key to all genera is provided and all valid and uncertain status species are allocated to tribes and genera.

Taxonomic revision of Lophiostoma and Lophiotrema based on reevaluation of morphological characters and molecular analyses

Lophiostoma and Lophiotrema share several morphological and ecological features. They have been regarded as closely related genera within the family Lophiostomataceae, but their morphological circumscriptions have been uncertain. To clarify the generic definitions of Lophiostoma and Lophiotrema, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of 29 isolates of these genera based on the SSU and LSU nrDNA sequences, and also reevaluated several key characters previously used for their generic characterization. Our results clearly confirmed that Lophiostoma and Lophiotrema are distinct genera belonging to different families; the ascus shape, including length of the ascus stipe, is a reliable taxonomic indicator to allow discrimination between the genera. In Lophiostoma species, asci are clavate with relatively long stipes [mostly (10–) 15–30μm in length], whereas in Lophiotrema the asci are cylindrical with short stipes (up to 15μm long). A new family, Lophiotremataceae, is proposed to accommodate species in the Lophiotrema clade that was distantly placed from the Lophiostomataceae within the Pleosporales. Lophiostoma quadrisporum, collected from twigs of Liriodendron tulipifera, is described as a new species with distinctive 4-spored asci. Lophiotrema vitigenum, which has clavate asci with long stipes, is transferred to Lophiostoma.

A nomenclator of Pacific oceanic island Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), including Glochidion

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies and reevaluation of morphological characters have led to the inclusion of Glochidion within a broader delimitation of Phyllanthus. It is necessary for preparation of the Vascular Flora of the Marquesas Islands to make new combinations for the Marquesan species. We also provide the relevant combinations and listing of all of the currently accepted species of Phyllanthus on Pacific oceanic islands for a total of 69 native species in oceanic Pacific islands. Glochidion tooviianum J. Florenceis here placed into synonymy of Phyllanthus marchionicus (F. Br.) W. L. Wagner & Lorence based on new assessment of recently collected specimens from Nuku Hiva. Glochidion excorticans Fosberg var. calvum Fosberg is placed into synonomy of Phyllanthus ponapense (Hosokawa) W. L. Wagner & Lorenceand Glochidion puberulum Hosokawa and Glochidion excorticans Fosberg are placed in synonymy of Phyllanthus senyavinianus (Glassman)W. L. Wagner & Lorence based on new study of all Micronesian specimens available to us. No infraspecific taxa are recognized within Phyllanthus pacificus of the Marquesas Islands. Species already with valid names in Phyllanthus are also listed for completeness and convenience. Brief distributional comments are given for each species. We propose new names for species for which a new combination is not possible: Phyllanthus florencei W. L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., Phyllanthus mariannensis W.L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., Phyllanthus otobedii W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Phyllanthus raiateaensis W. L. Wagner & Lorence, Phyllanthus st-johnii W. L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov., and Phyllanthus vitilevuensis W.L. Wagner & Lorence, nom. nov. We provide information for four additional naturalized species within the region (Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus debilis, Phyllanthus tenellus, and Phyllanthus urinaria). The name Glochidion ramiflorum widely applied to Pacific island populations is here considered to be a species further west in the Pacific with all of the oceanic species here referred to several regional species.