Small Genus Research Articles

A new species of Eurypogon Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Artematopodidae) from China, with notes on E. sanzang Wang & Liu.

Eurypogon Motschulsky, 1859 is a small artematopodid genus from the Nearctic and Palaearctic realms, with only three species known from mainland China. Here, we describe Eurypogon schuhi Packova & Kundrata, sp. nov. from the Hubei province in China, which is similar in the black body coloration to the recently described Eurypogon sanzang Wang & Liu, 2021 from the Henan province. Both species differ mainly in the ratio of basal antennomeres, elytral surface and proportions, and shape of male genitalia. We report populations of E. sanzang from the Qinling Shan in the Shaanxi province (a new province record) and from the Xiong'er Shan in the Henan province. Additionally, we describe the female of E. sanzang and discuss intraspecific variability in male genitalia. We provide images of main diagnostic characters for both species.

Notes on the typification of the name Curtia montevidensis (Gentianaceae)

The genus Curtia Chamisso & Schlechtendal (1826: 209, t. 4) is a small genus of the family Gentianaceae. It comprises eight species distributed in Mexico, tropical regions of Central and South America (Crespo & Marcondes-Ferreira 2009, Struwe & Pringle, 2018).

Endemism among Lord Howe Island Thysanoptera, with new species of Baenothrips (Phlaeothripidae) and Scirtothrips (Thripidae)

The Thysanoptera diversity of Lord Howe Island comprises 39 known species, of which 13 are considered likely to be endemic to this tiny remnant of an ancient submarine volcano. Three new species are described in Baenothrips, a small but widespread genus of wingless, fungus-feeding species in the Old World tropics. Two new species of Scirtothrips are described that are members of a species-group breeding on the youngest fronds of tree ferns.

Scaphanocephalus spp. (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) in intermediate and definitive hosts of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, with a re-description of Scaphanocephalus expansus

Summary Scaphanocephalus is a small trematode genus belonging to the family Opistorchiidae. The genus currently contains only three species associated with marine fish as intermediate hosts and fish-eating birds as definitive hosts. Here, specimens of Scaphanocephalus were collected from the Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, and the White mullet, Mugil curema in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. We report for the first-time DNA sequences of adult specimens of Scaphanocephalus, particularly S. expansus, as well as a sequence of a different species sampled as metacercaria. Morphological comparisons of Scaphanocephalus expansus confirmed the identity of the adult specimens, with minor morphological variations; Scanning electron photomicrographs were included, and the species was re-described. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA sequences showed that Scaphanocephalus is monophyletic within Opisthorchiidae and consists of three independent lineages. Sequences of adults are identical to those of S. expansus. Instead, the sequence of the metacercaria sampled from the mesentery of Mugil curema nested with specimens reported as Scaphanocephalus sp. from a labrid fish in the Mediterranean Sea, herein named it as Scaphanocephalus sp. 2.

Immature stages of Blepolenis bassus (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae: Brassolini)

The Brassolini are among the most noticeable Neotropical butterflies. The adults have showy colorful wings with conspicuous eyespots on the ventral surface. Although Brassolini monophyly is recovered in recent phylogenies, some relationships among their genera remain uncertain and the shortage of information about the immature stages of the tribe probably contributes to the lack of understanding of its systematics. Blepolenis Röber, 1906 is a small brassoline genus and the morphology of its immature stages remains largely unknown. In order to provide new data on the morphology and natural history of Blepolenis and contribute to the systematics of the Brassolini, we here describe and illustrate the immature stages of Blepolenis bassus (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867). The immatures of Blepolenis bassus show a general morphology similar to other Brassolini immatures. The first instar B. bassus head has two types of setae and the body bears filiform setae (F). The pupa lacks the lateral mirrored spot, seen on known pupae of closely related groups, such as Opsiphanes Doubleday, [1849]. B. bassus larvae feed on Saccharum villosum Steud. (Poaceae) remaining on their hostplant for about one year, and are univoltine, with adults flying in December and January.

A Comprehensive Review of the Morphological and Molecular Taxonomy of the Genus <i>Helleborus</i> (Ranunculaceae)

Helleborus is a small genus of the Ranunculaceae family and comprises about 19 species of herbaceous perennials. These perennial plants have a long flowering period and are mainly evergreen. Helleborus cultivars, including H. niger (commonly called Christmas rose), are a highlight in winter gardens and bloom from winter until early spring, at a time when few other flowers are in bloom. Taxonomy of the genus Helleborus was previously based only on morphological characteristics; however, molecular studies have been done in the past 20 years and further such research will provide comprehensive genetic information. This genus has a rich and diverse group of flower shapes. This review provides a general introduction to the genus Helleborus, focusing on the two different taxonomic methods: morphological and molecular. Several molecular tools used for phylogenetic studies are summarized and evaluated for their applicability in future studies of Helleborus taxonomy.

A new concept of Leptadenia (Apocynaceae)

AbstractWe revise the concept of Leptadenia. The closely related, small genus Orthanthera (Ceropegieae‐Asclepiadoideae‐Apocynaceae) contains four species, all with tubular flowers. Our phylogenetic reconstructions show that the type of Orthanthera, namely the little‐known Himalayan endemic O. viminea, is deeply nested within Leptadenia, where it is most closely related to the widespread L. pyrotechnica, a species with rotate flowers. Consequently, we deduce that the tubular flowers of Orthanthera viminea evolved separately from those in the other three species of Orthanthera, which are all from Africa south of the equator. These African species form a separate clade, which is sister to the remainder of Leptadenia. We transfer all four species of Orthanthera to Leptadenia to render Leptadenia monophyletic once more. Leptadenia consists of two subgenera: subg. Leptadenia contains the four species previously in Leptadenia and L. viminea (Orthanthera viminea); subg. Barrowia contains the three species L. albida (Orthanthera albida), L. gossweileri (O. gossweileri) and L. jasminiflora (O. jasminiflora) from Africa south of the equator. We highlight the fact that the range from flat to tubular flowers, well‐known in Ceropegia, is also found in each of the three subtribes that are sister to and basal to Ceropegia. A lectotype is selected for Leptadenia and lectotypes and neotypes are selected for several names.

Triangular modular curves of small genus

Triangular modular curves are a generalization of modular curves that arise from quotients of the upper half-plane by congruence subgroups of hyperbolic triangle groups. These curves also arise naturally as a source of Belyi maps with monodromy text {PGL}_2(mathbb {F}_q) or text {PSL}_2(mathbb {F}_q). We present a computational approach to enumerate Borel-type triangular modular curves of low genus, and we carry out this enumeration for prime level and small genus.

Review of Anthobaris Hustache and description of a new species from Costa Rica (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Baridinae)

The small Neotropical weevil genus Anthobaris Hustache, 1951 is studied for the first time since its description. Anthobaris affabra of authors [=Baridius affaber Boheman, 1844] is distinguished from the true A. affabra [=Centrinus affaber Boheman, 1844] and removed from the genus. Three species are recognized: the type species A. rugosicollis Hustache, 1951 from Argentina and Bolivia, A. affabra (Boheman, 1844) new combination from Brazil, and A. comptior Prena new species from Costa Rica. Anthobaris denticulata Hustache, 1951 is a junior subjective synonym of A. affabra (new synonymy). Collections of A. rugosicollis from Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia suggest that these weevils might be associated with the sunflower genus Smallanthus (Compositae).

A new species of planthopper in the genus Tico (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Derbidae) on palms in Costa Rica

Tico is a small genus of planthopper comprised of four species primarily known from Costa Rica, with one species known from Trinidad and Venezuela. Recent survey work has documented multiple new species from palms and other broadleaf monocots in Costa Rica. Herein, a new species, Tico villablanca sp. n., is described from palms in the Los Angeles cloud forest, Costa Rica. Novel molecular data for the 18S rRNA gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene is provided for the new species and supplements morphological support for placement in the genus Tico. An updated key is provided for the species of Tico.

Evolutionary insights into the Andean genus Nicandra (Solanoideae, Solanaceae)

Nicandra (Solanaceae) is a small Andean genus, historically considered monospecific, with N. physalodes as its only species. This species is native to the South American Andes but naturalized in many countries worldwide. Recently, N. john-tyleriana and N. yacheriana were described using morphological evidence, which are endemic to Peru. Sequence data from four DNA markers, the plastidial intergenic spacers trnL-trnF and ndhF-rpl32, and the nuclear ITS region and GBSSI (waxy) gene, were used to test the identity of the nominal species using genomic evidence, to reconstruct the genus phylogenetic history through Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference, and to estimate divergence times within the genus. The three Nicandra species formed distinct partitions and monophyletic lineages. Nicandra physalodes, originated in the late Miocene (ca. 8 My), was resolved as the first splitting branch, sister to the siblings N. john-tyleriana and N. yacheriana, which were originated at the end of the Miocene (ca. 5 My). The crown ages for the three species were estimated from the early Pliocene (N. physalodes) to the mid-Pleistocene (N. john-tyleriana and N. yacheriana), which is consistent with hypotheses of Neotropical species diversification. Open questions remain about the biogeography of the genus.

Heegaard genus and complexity of fibered knots

We prove that if a fibered knot K $K$ with genus greater than 1 in a three-manifold M $M$ has a sufficiently complicated monodromy, then K $K$ induces a minimal genus Heegaard splitting P $P$ that is unique up to isotopy, and small genus Heegaard splittings of M $M$ are stabilizations of P $P$ . We provide a complexity bound in terms of the Heegaard genus of M $M$ . We also provide global complexity bounds for fibered knots in the three-sphere and lens spaces.

Taxonomy and multi-gene phylogeny of Micropsalliota (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) with description of six new species from China.

Micropsalliota is a relatively small genus containing only 62 previously identified species. Here, we describe six new taxa of Micropsalliota based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses: M. minor, M. ovalispora, M. pseudodelicatula, M. rufosquarrosa, M. tenuipes, and M. wuyishanensis and a new record taxon to China. The first Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of a three-gene dataset (ITS, LSU, and rpb2) separated the genus into 18 weakly to strongly supported major clades and subclades, but only a few subclades were synapomorphies. According to phylogenetic analyses, M. cornuta does not belong in Micropsalliota. A key to 20 species of Micropsalliota in China is provided.

The complete chloroplast genome of two Firmiana species and comparative analysis with other related species.

Firmiana is a small genus within the subfamily Sterculioideae of the Malvaceae. There are nine Firmiana species distributed in South and South-west China, most of which are endangered. Due to the shortage of plastid genomes data, the phylogenetic relationships and the evolutionary history of this genus remain unclear. Therefore, the complete chloroplast genomes of F. calcarean and F. hainanensis were sequenced using high-throughput sequencing and then compared with the chloroplast genomes of other reported Firmiana species. The genome size of F. calcarean and F. hainanensis is 161,263 and 160,031bp long, respectively, containing a total of 131 genes (including 85 protein coding genes, 37 tRNAs, 8 rRNAs, and one pseudogene). Comparative analysis revealed that the genome structure, GC content, gene content and order, as well as the RNA editing sites within the chloroplast genomes of F. calcarean and F. hainanensis were similar to previously reported Firmiana species. ML phylogenetic analysis revealed that F. danxiaensis, F. hainanensis, F. calcarean, F. simplex, and F. major form a sister group to F. colorata, F. pulcherrima, and F. kwangsiensis. The SSRs, long repeats, and 21 highly divergent regions (Pi > 0.01) identified in this study might provide potential DNA markers for further population genetics and phylogenetic studies of Firmiana. Our findings can help design new species-specific molecular markers and the general framework to further explore the evolutionary history of Firmiana and to address their conservation challenges.

Comparative analysis of chloroplast genomes of Sanguisorba species and insights into phylogenetic implications and molecular dating

Sanguisorba is a small genus which consists of about 15 species widely distributed in North America and Eurasia. Previous studies on Sanguisorba are useful for understanding its phylogeny and chloroplast (cp) genome evolution, however, the cp genome resources of Sanguisorba are still limited, and the phylogeny and molecular dating for Sanguisorba and its relatives still need to be further explored. Here, we report four cp genomes of Sanguisorba and conduct comparative analysis of these four Sanguisorba cp genomes plus five previously published ones. The nine cp genomes have a typical quadripartite structure with a total length of 154 282–155 730 bp and their gene content, gene structure and gene order are relatively conserved. Analysis of single copy (SC)/inverted repeat (IR) boundaries shows only very slight boundary differences among the Sanguisorba cp genomes. Eight variation hotspots were screened as excellent candidate markers for future studies in Sanguisorba. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Sanguisorba is monophyletic and a member of Agrimonieae subtribe Sanguisorbinae. Within Sanguisorba, S. filiformis is the sister group of the six other taxa in the present sampling. Estimation of divergence times indicates that the subtribes Agrimoniinae and Sanguisorbinae diverged at the transition between the Oligocene and the Miocene, and divergent times of Agrimonieae genera ranged from the late Miocene to the Middle Pleistocene. This study enriches the available cp genome resources of Sanguisorba, and it is of great significance to further study of the phylogeny and evolution of Sanguisorba and its relatives.

Biogeography and Systematics of the Genus Axyris (Amaranthaceae s.l.).

Axyris is a small genus of six species with a disjunct geographic range. Five species are present in Siberia, Central Asia, the Himalayas, and Tibet, whereas Axyris caucasica has been registered in the Central Caucasus only. Axyris species diversity is the highest in the Altai Mountains (four spp.), followed by the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains (three spp.), and the Himalayas and Tibet (two spp.). Axyris sphaerosperma, sometimes considered endemic to Southern Siberia, in fact has a disjunct range: it is present in the lowlands of Eastern Siberia and in the Altai, Tian Shan, and Pamir Mountains. It has also been found in Mongolia and China for the first time. An updated detailed distribution of Axyris in Siberia is presented on the basis of thorough herbarium revisions. One nuclear and three plastid markers were selected for phylogenetic analysis. Divergence times were estimated using a time-calibrated Bayesian approach. Axyris shows two major clades: an Axyris amaranthoides clade and a clade including the remaining species. The latter clade consists of two subclades (A. sphaerosperma/A. caucasica and A. mira/A. prostrata + A. hybrida). The crown age for Axyris dates back to the Early Pliocene (~5.11 mya, the Zanclean). The ancestral range of Axyris covers Southern Siberia, Mongolia, NW China, and the Tian Shan/Pamir Mountains, with extensions toward Eastern Siberia, the Himalayas/Tibet, and the Caucasus. Fruit and seed characteristics of Axyris are discussed with reference to the present phylogenetic results. Closely related A. sphaerosperma and A. caucasica have the thickest seed coat among all Chenopodiaceae, and these traits have probably evolved as adaptations to extremely low winter temperatures. This reproductive peculiarity may explain the disjunct range of A. sphaerosperma, which is restricted to harsh climatic conditions.

The first species of Nemestrinidae (Diptera) endemic to Madagascar: A remarkable new species of Atriadops Wandolleck, 1897

A new species of Nemestrinidae, Atriadops irwini Barraclough sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Sakaramy in the far north of Madagascar at about the same latitude as the Comoros Islands. The species was collected in lowland tropical forest by Dr Michael Irwin. Atriadops Wandolleck, 1897, is a small genus of Nemestrinidae in the subfamily Trichopisideinae. Six named species are distributed across the Australasian, Oriental, Afrotropical and Neotropical Regions. Atriadops irwini sp. nov. is thus only the seventh species in the genus (the first new species described in almost 70 years) and the second valid species from the Afrotropical Region. This is the first record of Atriadops from Madagascar, where the new species is the only endemic nemestrinid. Nycterimyia capensis Bezzi is the only other nemestrinid recorded from Madagascar, but it also occurs in South Africa (where it was first described) and Kenya. The world fauna of Atriadops is discussed and all known larval host records are listed.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Eriocampa ovata Linné, 1760 (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) and phylogenetic analysis

Eriocampa Hartig, 1837 is a small genus of Tenthredinidae and its systematic position has never been fully assessed. The complete mitochondrial genome of Eriocampa ovata Linné, 1760 was described. The circular genome is 16,293 bp in length with an A + T content of 80.6%. It contains 37 genes and a 1254 bp control region with a 405 bp repetitive sequence. All the 13 protein-coding genes initiate with a typical ATN. The CR - trnI (+)- trnQ (−)- trnM(+) cluster rearranges to trnQ (−)- trnM (+)- CR -trnI(+). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that E. ovata and Conaspidia wangi Wei, 2015 are closely related within the subfamily of Tenthredinidae.

A new stag beetle species of the genus Gnaphaloryx Burmeister from Java, western Indonesia (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

ABSTRACT Tropical Indonesia has a rich biota. The fauna of stag beetles (Lucanidae) is relatively well understood in Indonesia, with numerous endemic species, including on the island of Java. Gnaphaloryx (Lucaninae: Dorcini) is a small genus of stag beetles mainly distributed in the Oriental Region. A new lucanid species, Gnaphaloryx rectus Yamamoto sp. nov., is described from West Java, western Indonesia. This new species can be easily distinguished from the known Gnaphaloryx in the large males as it possesses symmetrical and rather linear mandibles, very weakly developed cephalic horn, weakly produced canthi, and narrower 2nd and 3rd costae on the elytra in comparison with the 1st one. We provide a checklist of all species and subspecies of the genus with their known distributions. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:738C1CA7-8D54-46C4-90D6-97087356528F http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:211DA3A1-A08C-4291-BDC7-BAB3F69034C5

Towards the phylogenetic placement of the enigmatic African genus Prolabeops Schultz, 1941.

The small cyprinid genus Prolabeops Schultz, 1941 is restricted to the Nyong and Sanaga River systems in Cameroon. In the past, the genus had been suggested to be either a member of the Labeoninae, Torinae or the Smiliogastrinae mainly on the basis of morphological similarities, and it is nowadays considered as incertae sedis within the Cypriniformes. This study provides the first attempt to reveal the phylogenetic position of Prolabeops using molecular data. For this purpose, the authors sequenced a large fraction of the mitochondrial genome (c. 13,600 bp), including all mitochondrial protein coding genes, of two Prolabeops melanhypopterus specimens and an additional four Enteromius specimens. The large-scale phylogenetic analysis was based on an alignment including all mitochondrial protein coding genes of 902 specimens representing c. 899 cypriniform species. Prolabeops was clearly recovered within the African Smiliogastrinae, forming a weakly supported clade together with Enteromius jae, Enteromius hulstaerti and Barboides gracilis. The study data underline the urgent need of a thorough taxonomic revision of the small African barbs collectively placed in the genus Enteromius.