Revisionary Study Research Articles

Insights into the genus Xeromphalina, X. tenuipes (Schwein.) A.H. Sm. complex and discovery of a novel species, X. pseudotenuipes from Thailand

Xeromphalina belonging to the family Xeromphalinaceae and characterized as a saprobe thriving on fallen, decayed logs, has undergone taxonomic revisionary study predominantly in the Northern Hemisphere. Despite approximately 36 documented species, studies on complex groups with similar-looking species within this genus are quite fragmentary and have led to misnaming and misidentification. Recent observations have revealed one interesting species from Thailand belonging to the X. tenuipes species complex. Morphological features along phylogenetic analysis (nrITS, nrLSU, and rpb2) inferred that this species is new to science. This novel species, namely X. pseudotenuipes can be distinguished from X. tenuipes by its pileocystidia appearing brownish in 5% KOH, and hyphae of pileipellis and stipitipellis turning orangish brown in 5% KOH. Moreover, this study is the first attempt to undertake a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis encompassing all potential species of Xeromphalina for which sequences are available, aiming to identify which sequence accurately represents each species.

Phylogeny and taxonomic revision of Metacephalus (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with description of seven new leafhopper species.

Metacephalus Delong and Martinson, 1973 includes leafhopper species from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador (new record), Guyana, French Guiana (new record), Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. In the present revisionary study, we describe seven new species of Metacephalus, propose one species synonymy (M. cinctus as junior synonym of M. facetus), and provide new country records for species, considerably expanding knowledge about species distributions. The study also provides redescriptions and photographs of diagnostic characters for 12 previously described valid species and an identification key to all 21 species of Metacephalus. Molecular phylogenies of Metacephalus species are hypothesized based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses of 1,387 bp of mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rDNA and nuclear histone H3. Results of the molecular phylogeny generated herein provided a base for understanding character homologies when presenting morphological diagnoses of Metacephalus species and exposed a high level of convergent characters in color pattern and male genitalia morphology usually used in morphological taxonomy of this group of leafhoppers.

A New Species of <I>Lactuca</I> (Asteraceae) from Himachal Pradesh, India

During the course of a revisionary study on the subtribe Lactuceae in India, the authors encountered some specimens which showed affinities with Lactuca rapuncubides Clarke in the general habit of plant, shape of upper and lower leaves, in the drooping nature of the inflorescence and in having outer involucral bracts much shorter than the inner. Critical examination of these specimens both at BSD and DD, particularly the achene character and the involucre, proved that these specimens belong to a new species, which is described here.

Revision of the Mexican ladybird genus Vedalia Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The ladybird genus Vedalia was established by Mulsant in 1850 to accommodate a single species Vedalia sieboldii Mulsant. Since its description the genus attracted little attention, and its systematic position in modern classification of the subfamily Coccinellinae remained unclear. Here we provide revisionary study based on the type and non-type material from various collections. Male and female genitalia are illustrated for the first time, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrations of the key characters are also provided. Position of the genus within the tribe Chnoodini Mulsant is confirmed. Distribution and biology of Vedalia are also discussed.

Taxation and inequality: A revisionary study of changing income inequality in Finland, 1961–2005

ABSTRACT Income inequality rose rapidly in Finland in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The prevailing discourse attributes this increase to a major tax reform in 1993. However, using time-series analysis and a novel profitability–pay-out metric, the present article argues that a correlation exists between profitability and the income share of the top 1 percent, the latter having been a driver of inequality. The article covers a 45-year period during which profitability and inequality first declined and then rose. The study demonstrates that while taxation has exerted an impact, profitability may also have been a fundamental factor behind changing inequality.

FREQUÊNCIA DA OCORRÊNCIA DE EVENTOS TROMBOEMBÓLICOS NA COVID-19: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected the health services and day-to-day lives of billions of people around the world. COVID-19 is a lung infection that causes mild to severe symptoms. It is known that the hemostatic disorder resulting from this infection produces an immune response that triggers the activation of coagulation factors and thrombin release, communicating the pathways of humoral and cellular amplification causing thromboinflammation. Thromboembolic events represent an important portion of potentially fatal consequences in patients who have evolved to severe form and secondary complications, especially in survivors with post-covid syndrome. This article is an integrative revisional study of the literature that analyzes the events already reported. PubMed and Scielo databases were used to search for the main thromboembolic events resulting from this infection.

Taxonomic Revision of Lycianthes (Capsiceae, Solanaceae) in Brazil

Abstract— Lycianthes, comprising approximately 200 species, is one of the largest genera of the Solanaceae family. The taxonomy of the genus is considered difficult, and for more than a century its species were included in Solanum. Despite its relative diversity, Lycianthes has only a small number of diagnostic characters and has accumulated nomenclatural and systematic problems throughout its history, reflecting its great similarity with Solanum. Information concerning the genus in Brazil is still scarce, and the present work was designed to provide a taxonomic treatment and revisionary study of the Brazilian members of Lycianthes. The circumscriptions of the species presented here are based on evaluations of more than 700 specimens from both Brazilian and foreign herbaria and the examination of types and images from virtual herbaria. Lycianthes is represented in Brazil by 12 species belonging to Lycianthes subgenus Polymeris, with three subordinate sections (Lycianthes sects. Asaropsis, Simplicipila, and Eupolymeris). We provide keys to separate the three sections and the 12 Brazilian species of Lycianthes and include synonymy, typification, updated descriptions, distributions, and illustrations of all treated species.

BPS and BPF are as Carcinogenic as BPA and are Not Viable Alternatives for its Replacement.

Plastic polymers are omnipresent, and life without them is virtually impossible. Despite the advantages provided by the material, conventional plastic also has harmful effects on the environment and human health. Plastics release microplastics and compounds, such as BPA, which is a xenoestrogen and once absorbed by the body, have an affinity for estrogen receptors α and β, acting as an agonist on human cells, being an endocrine disrupter able to cause various diseases and acting as a potential neoplastic inducer. BPS and BPF are BPA's analogs, a proposed solution to solve its harmful effects. The analogs can be found in daily use products and are used in several industrial applications. In the present work, the researchers aimed to conduct a revisional study on BPA's harmful effects on human health, focusing on its carcinogenic potential, discussing its mechanisms of action, as well as its analogs effects, and identifying if BPS and BPF are viable alternatives to BPA's substitution in plastic polymers' production. In this review, articles published in the last 15 years related to the different aspects of conventional plastics and BPA were analyzed and revised with precision. The subjects ranged from conventional plastics and the problems related to their large-scale production, BPA, its negative aspects, and the feasibility of using its analogs (BPS and BPF) to replace the compound. The articles were extensively reviewed and concisely discussed. This study demonstrated that BPA has a high carcinogenic potential, with known mechanisms to trigger breast, ovarian, prostate, cervical, and lung cancers, thus elucidating that its analogs are also xenoestrogens, and they can exert similar effects to BPA and, therefore, cannot be considered viable alternatives for its replacement. .This study suggests that new research should be carried out to develop such alternatives, allowing the substitution of plastic materials containing BPA in their composition, such as developing economically viable and sustainable biodegradable bioplastics for socioenvironmental well-being.

A taxonomic revision of the dirt ants, Basiceros Schulz, 1906 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

The ant genus Basiceros is an exclusively Neotropical group known for its cryptic habits. Based on a recent molecular phylogenetic framework, a comprehensive revisionary study of the genus is presented. Nine species are recognized, two of which are described as new (Basiceros browni sp. nov. and Basiceros tumucumaquensis sp. nov.). Basiceros redux (Donisthorpe 1939) is transferred to the genus Octostruma (O. reducta comb. nov.). As part of this revisionary work, taxonomic keys and images to all species and castes are provided. Castes and sexes (including larvae, males, and intercastes) are described for the first time for several Basiceros species. New records considerably expand the distributional range for most species. Natural history data and comments on character plasticity and convergence are also included.

Formulation of Definitions of Consciousness on the Methodological Basis of Realism

In this paper, the traditional question – what is mind? – is suggested to be treated from the metareflective realist stance from which different determinations of consciousness could be apprehended as always instantiated and dependent on their definitions. Methodological differentiation between what is representational and what is non-representational is expressed as a divergence between particular definitions of consciousness and the ontological X, in this context, acting as a universality of consciousness. The derivation of this position is reached through the investigation of François Laruelle’s non-standard philosophy, Wilfrid Sellars’s critique of the myth of the given and Iain Hamilton Grant’s revisionary study of Schelling’s naturphilosophie.

Synopsis of the Piper subgenus Ottonia Spreng. (Piperaceae) from Brazil

Piper is a large genus in the Piperaceae family, with the subgenus Ottonia having about 30 species distributed in the Neotropics, most of which occur in Brazil (26 species). Ottonia is characterized by the flower densely papillate, pedicellate or sessile, with four stigmas, four stamens and 4-ribbed fruits with persistent stigmas. The recent global studies of Piper propose that all the species of Ottonia should be considered a subgenus of Piper. Beacause Brazil doesn’t have a revisionary study with the subgenus or with Piper, most of the names of the Piper subgenus Ottonia, about 100 names, need to be re-evaluated. We presented 26 species of Piper subgenus Ottonia, which one three are new species from Brazil Piper brumadinense M. Carv.-Silva & E.F. Guim., Piper cariacicaense M. Carv.-Silva & E.F. Guim., and Piper moringanum E.F. Guim. & M. Carv.-Silva. A synopsis of the Piper L. subgenus Ottonia Spreng. (Piperaceae) is presented, including diagnostics aspects and comments on species, descriptions of the new species, synonyms, lectotypes, and a key to the species and illustrations.

Taxonomic revisionary study on economically important pest species of Spilomelinae [Crambidae: Lepidoptera] from Tamil Nadu, India

In the present study, economically most important, five pests species viz., Conogethes punctiferalis (Guenee, 1854) on castor, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee, 1854 on brinjal; Diaphania indica (Saunders, 1851) on ashgourd and ribbedgourd; Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787) on redgram and lablab; Haritalodes derogata (Fabricius, 1775) on cotton were recorded under the speciose subfamily Spilomelinae. Labial palpi of all species short, porrect or upturned and revealed presence of sexual dimorphism in labial palpi of L. orbonalis. Diaphania recognized structurally by the presence of a strong anal tuft of distinctly spatulate scales, present in both sexes though weakly developed in female. Male and female genitalia of the five different species were studied and described.

A New Species of Adesmia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) from Southern Brazil, with Notes on Leaf Anatomy

A revisional taxonomic study of Adesmia subg. Adesmia ser. Bicolores has unveiled a new species from southern Brazil. Adesmia miottoae is described and illustrated here. Its geographic distribution, phenology, conservation status and morphological similarities with its closest relatives, Adesmia punctata and A. incana, are presented. The species is distinguished by glandular trichomes covering all the aerial parts of the plant, except the corolla. These trichomes are shorter than those of Adesmia punctata. Additionally, a detailed anatomical description of the leaflet blade is provided.

Resurrection of Lamium ponticum (Lamiaceae) with a new subspecies, Lamium ponticum subsp. anatolicum, from Turkey

Lamium ponticum, known from central and eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, is an endemic species with white flowers. However, it was evaluated as a synonym of L. moschatum subsp. micranthum in the last taxonomic revision the genus. During our revisional studies on the genus, we concluded that L. ponticum is completely different from L. moschatum subsp. micranthum. In addition, we collected some specimens from western Black Sea region of Turkey with pink-rose colored flowers, pinkish-purplish inflorescence and calyx, and greenish-pinkish bracts with pinkish-white spots at base, that looks quite different from the typical L. ponticum. Therefore, in this paper, we resurrected L. ponticum and described a new subspecies from western Black Sea region of Turkey. IUCN red list category, notes on biogeography and ecology of the new subspecies are also given.

Lectotypification of two names in Indian Millettia (Fabaceae—Papilionoideae)

Two names in Indian Milletia (Fabaceae—Papilionoideae) namely, M. rubiginosa and M. splendens are lectotypified here as a part of the revisionary study of the tribe Millettieae in India. Original materials of both species were traced from BM, BR, CAL, E, K, M, MH, P and NY. Besides, the diversity of Millettia in India is briefly discussed. An artificial key for the identification of Millettia species in India is also presented.

Devonian Radiolarian Ecozones of Northern Eurasia

This study provides a description of the Devonian radiolarian associations of northern Eurasia and discusses their role in the evolution of Earth’s biosphere. It contributes to evolutionary studies of the Earth and its organic world by reconstructing the diversity dynamics of the Devonian radiolarian biota and the chorology of its components, at the same time revealing the biostratigraphic and paleoecological potential of radiolarians. The taxonomic composition and characteristics of the dominant morphotypes in radiolarian communities are indicators of environmental conditions. Associations of radiolarians vary significantly between different, even neighboring, water areas, so they can be considered as ecozones. Data on the structure of associations of radiolarians at the level of taxa of higher rank (classes) are a kind of “certificate” or “passport” of ecozones of individual paleobasins. Radiolarian ecozones replace each other in time, which allows their use for biostratigraphy. The results of the new and revisional studies of the Devonian radiolarians from 15 regions of northern Eurasia enabled a refined and detailed radiolarian scale of the Devonian system and description of 39 Devonian radiolarian ecozones, 24 of which are described for the first time: 17 ecozones are recognized based on the literature data, while seven ecozones are based on analysis of new data. Of 39 ecozones, 33 are dated based on conodont data, and six are dated using the co-occurring foraminifers, ostracodes, and/or ammonoids. General patterns in the evolution of Devonian radiolarians of northern Eurasia are considered and discussed. Spherical porous Sphaerellaria distinctly dominated in the Devonian. A clear trend towards an eastward increase in the relative abundance of spongy and latticed morphotypes of Spumellaria is shown. Spiny Aculearia of the orders Fasciculata and Triangulata are found to have been widespread. The early evolution of the bilaterally symmetrical Albaillellata is recorded. It is shown that in the Famennian, radiolarians with a pylome, Popofskyellidae and Archocyrtiinae, were common, while the genus Caspiaza first appeared at that time. The habitats and the distribution of the discoidal and ellipsoidal radiolarian morphotypes are analyzed in space and time. The dominance of these morphotypes can be used as an indicator of shallow water settings and a marker of transgression and regression boundaries in the paleobasin. A model of cyclic deposition of Domanik-type rocks in an anoxic basin is proposed, and the ecology of radiolarians in the anoxic environments of the Middle Frasnian Domanik Paleosea is analyzed. The predominance of the spiny morphotypes over spherical radiolarians is proposed as a paleoclimatic coefficient indicating cooling of the seawater in a paleobasin. Devonian radiolarians are represented by indigenous species and migrant species: (1) the value of the settled index exceeds that of the migration index by 3–5 times, (2) radiolarians occupied new ecological niches by emigration of evolutionarily young species representing genera with one–two species in total. Four radiolarian migration episodes are established in the Famennian basins of Laurussia. The monograph is intended for widespread use in paleontology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleobiogeography and for university courses.

<p><strong>Lectotypification of <em>Rhynchosia acuminatifolia</em> (Leguminosae)</strong></p>

During the revisionary study on the genus Rhynchosia in India, it was observed that no lectotype has been designated for Rhynchosia acuminatifolia Makino. Therefore, the original material of the species is here established and lectotype is selected.

Revision of monogeneans parasitising Lythrurus (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) in eastern U.S.A., with description of Dactylogyrus lythruri sp. n. and new records of Dactylogyrus crucis Rogers, 1967 (Monogenoidea: Dactylogyridae).

A revisionary study revealed two species of monogeneans, Dactylogyrus crucis Rogers, 1967 and Dactylogyrus lythruri sp. n., parasitising Lythrurus Jordan (formerly a subgenus of Notropis Rafinesque, 1818). New records and updated taxonomy of seven of 12 known minnows of the genus of Lythrurus are provided for D. crucis. A record of Dactylogyrus attenuatus Mizelle et Klucka, 1953 (syn. Dactylogyrus umbratilus [Kimpel, 1939], nomen nudum) on Lythrurus umbratilis (Girard) is referrable to D. crucis. Dactylogyrus lythruri is described from eight species of Lythrurus. It most closely resembles Dactylogyrus beckeri Cloutman, 1987, but is distinguished by having a smaller base of the male copulatory organ (MCO) and lacking a ventral enlargement of the distal end of the basal process. Previous reports of Dactylogyrus banghami Mizelle et Donahue, 1944 and Dactylogyrus cf. beckeri Cloutman, 1987 from Lythrurus atrapiculus (Snelson) and Lythrurus bellus (Hay) from Alabama, and Dactylogyrus confusus Mueller, 1938 from L. umbratilis in Illinois are herein relegated to D. lythruri. Four species of Lythrurus appeared not to be infected with Dactylogyrus.

Lectotypification of five names in Indian Tephrosia (Fabaceae)

Names of five taxa including four Indian endemic species in Tephrosia Pers. (Fabaceae), namely T. calophylla Bedd., T. coccinea Wall., T. pulcherrima (Baker) Wight ex Gamble, T. roxburghiana J.R.Drumm. and T. wynaadensis J.R.Drumm. are lectotypified here as a part of the revisionary study of the genus in India.

Global domination by crazy ants: phylogenomics reveals biogeographical history and invasive species relationships in the genus Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

AbstractNylanderia (Emery) is one of the world's most diverse ant genera, with 123 described species worldwide and hundreds more undescribed. Fifteen globetrotting or invasive species have widespread distributions and are often encountered outside their native ranges. A molecular approach to understanding the evolutionary history and to revision of Nylanderia taxonomy is needed because historical efforts based on morphology have proven insufficient to define major lineages and delimit species boundaries, especially where adventive species are concerned. To address these problems, we generated the first genus‐wide genomic dataset of Nylanderia using ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to resolve the phylogeny of major lineages, determine the age and origin of the genus, and describe global biogeographical patterns. Sampling from seven biogeographical regions revealed a Southeast Asian origin of Nylanderia in the mid‐Eocene and four distinct biogeographical clades in the Nearctic, the Neotropics, the Afrotropics/Malagasy region, and Australasia. The Nearctic and Neotropical clades are distantly related, indicating two separate dispersal events to the Americas between the late Oligocene and early Miocene. We also addressed the problem of misidentification that has characterized species‐level taxonomy in Nylanderia as a result of limited morphological variation in the worker caste by evaluating the integrity of species boundaries in six of the most widespread Nylanderia species. We sampled across ranges of species in the N. bourbonica complex (N. bourbonica (Forel) + N. vaga (Forel)), the N. fulva complex (N. fulva (Mayr) + N. pubens (Forel)), and the N. guatemalensis complex (N. guatemalensis (Forel) + N. steinheili (Forel)) to clarify their phylogenetic placement. Deep splits within these complexes suggest that some species names – specifically N. bourbonica and N. guatemalensis – each are applied to multiple cryptic species. In exhaustively sampling Nylanderia diversity in the West Indies, a ‘hot spot’ for invasive taxa, we found five adventive species among 22 in the region; many remain morphologically indistinguishable from one another, despite being distantly related. We stress that overcoming the taxonomic impediment through the use of molecular phylogeny and revisionary study is essential for conservation and invasive species management.