South American Species Research Articles

Evidence for 3-hydroxyhexan-2-one as a shared pheromone component for 12 South American species of cerambycid beetles.

3-Hydroxyhexan-2-one (3-C6-ketol) has emerged as the most conserved pheromone structure within the beetle family Cerambycidae. In this study, we report the sex-specific production of this compound by males of 12 species of South American cerambycid beetles. Males of Chrysoprasis chalybea Redtenbacher and Mallosoma zonatum (Sahlberg) (Tribe Dichophyiini), and Ambonus lippus (Germar), Eurysthea hirta (Kirby), Pantonyssus nigriceps Bates, Stizocera plicicollis (Germar), and Stizocera tristis (Guérin-Méneville) (Elaphidiini) produced 3R-C6-ketol as a single component, whereas males of Neoclytus pusillus (Laporte & Gory) (Clytini), Aglaoschema concolor (Gounelle), Orthostoma abdominale (Gyllenhal) (Compsocerini), Dorcacerus barbatus (Olivier), and Retrachydes thoracicusthoracicus (Olivier) (Trachyderini) produced 3R-C6-ketol, along with lesser amounts of other compounds. In field trials testing 8 known cerambycid pheromone compounds, C. chalybea, E. hirta, and R. t. thoracicus were attracted in significant numbers to traps baited with 3-C6-ketol. A second field experiment provided support for the strategy of using the attraction of cerambycid species to test lures as a method of providing leads to their likely pheromone components. Because both sexes are attracted to these aggregation-sex pheromones, live beetles can be obtained from baited traps to verify they produce the compound(s) to which they were attracted, that is, that the compounds are indeed pheromone components.

Phylogeny of Berberidopsidales based on nuclear and chloroplast loci, with the description of a new species of Berberidopsis endemic to Central Chile

AbstractBerberidopsidales comprises two families: monotypic Aextoxicaceae (Aextoxicon punctatum in Chile and Argentina) and Berberidopsidaceae. The latter includes Australian monotypic Streptothamnus (S. moorei) and Berberidopsis (B. beckleri in Australia and B. corallina in Chile). A new Berberidopsis species from the Central Chilean Andes is here described. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear and chloroplast data clarified the relationships within Berberidopsidales. The new species, Berberidopsis granitica, is sister to the Chilean endemic B. corallina, and this clade is sister to the Australian B. beckleri. The dated molecular phylogeny places the split between the South American B. corallina and B. granitica into the late Miocene/early Pleistocene and the split between South American and Australian Berberidopsis to the late Miocene and Pliocene, suggesting transoceanic dispersal rather than vicariance. Climatic niche analyses show two distinct and non‐overlapping climatic niches for the Australian and southern South American species. Berberidopsis granitica and B. corallina also differ clearly in their habitat and morphology, in addition to their climatic niche. Berberidopsis granitica has a very restricted distribution area and grows in the Andes under montane climatic conditions, unique within Berberidopsidales.

Morphological and molecular characterization of brown-banded broodsacs and metacercariae of Leucochloridium (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) parasitizing the semi-slug Omalonyx unguis (Succineidae) in Argentina

Trematodes of the genus Leucochloridium exhibit an unusual transmission strategy among mollusks (intermediate host). The fully developed sporocyst, housing encysted metacercariae, displays vivid coloration and rhythmic activity in the snail's tentacle, mimicking insect larvae. These strategies attract insectivorous birds, their final hosts, thereby increasing the chances of completing their life cycle. In South America, the reports of adults and larval stages of Leucochloridium are scarce. Brown-banded broodsac of Leucochloridium sp. were obtained from Omalonyx unguis collected in a shallow lake from Corrientes Province, Argentina. Here, we morphologically characterized the larval stages (broodsac and metacercaria), identified the parasite through DNA sequences from nuclear 28S-rRNA (28S) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes, and explored its evolutionary affinities with the Leucochloridium species available in GenBank. The present broodsac displays brown bands, with a yellowish background in the first two-thirds and yellowish-white in the last third. Based on morphological comparisons, the broodsac and metacercaria described in this study could not be conclusively categorized under any known South American species of Leucochloridium. In relation to the phylogenetic reconstructions, Leucochloridium sp. consistently clustered with L. perturbatum, and species delimitation analyses resulted in recognized Leucochloridium sp. from Argentina as a distinct species. The DNA sequences obtained in this study constitute the first genetic data generated for sporocyst broodsacs in South America. Future studies, incorporating morphology, genetic, and biological data, will be essential for both species identification and the elucidation of leucochloridiid diversity in the region.

Foveavelia, a new South American genus of Veliinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Veliidae).

Semiaquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) are distributed worldwide and play fundamental roles in limnic ecosystems. They are the most successful group of organisms to occupy the air-water interface, are important models to study ecology and evolution, and can be relevant tools in biomonitoring. Veliidae is the second most speciose family of semiaquatic bugs, but its internal classification, including subfamilies and genera, is artificial and based on symplesiomorphies. One of these non-monophyletic entities is Paravelia Breddin, 1898, the largest genus in the subfamily Veliinae. In an effort to better classify the Veliinae, we describe Foveavelia to hold five South American species previously placed in Paravelia. The new genus is characterized by the following combination of features: unusual coarse cuticular punctures throughout the thorax and abdomen; a pair of small, frosty, pubescent areas formed by a very dense layer of short setae on the anterior lobe of the pronotum; fore tibial grasping comb present only in males; middle tibia with a row of elongate dark-brown trichobothria-like setae on the distal third, decreasing in size distally; macropterous specimens with the apical macula of the forewings elongate and constricted at mid-length, reaching the wing apex; and the male proctiger with a pair of anterodorsal projections. Besides the description, a key to the species of Foveavelia is provided, accompanied by illustrations and a species distribution map.

Genome-wide data support recognition of an additional species of Neotropical river otter (Mammalia, Mustelidae, Lutrinae)

Abstract Cryptic biodiversity continues to be revealed worldwide, even in apparently well-known groups such as carnivorans. The Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis) presents shape variation in its nose pad, a character that has been used to differentiate species in this group. Based on this, 3 subspecies are recognized: L. l. annectens (Mexico, Central America, and South America west of the Andes), L. l. enudris (Amazon and Orinoco basins), and L. l. longicaudis (Paraná basin and remaining distribution). Previous studies partially supported their distinctness based on mitochondrial DNA markers, morphometrics, and ecological niche modeling. We analyzed genome-wide nuclear markers (ultraconserved elements) of 29 L. longicaudis individuals across the species’ range to assess its population structure. Phylogenomic analysis recovered L. longicaudis as paraphyletic with robust support, with 1 clade comprising samples from Mexico and Colombia (trans-Andean populations) and another encompassing the remaining samples (cis-Andean populations), which grouped with 2 other South American species, L. felina and L. provocax. Principal component and admixture analyses strongly differentiated the 2 main L. longicaudis groups, and distinguished the Amazonian individuals from the remaining cis-Andean samples. Our results support the recognition of trans-Andean populations of L. longicaudis as a distinct otter species, which should be recognized as Lontra annectens.

Volatile organic compounds emitted by Megaplatypusmutatus associated fungi: chemical identification and temperature-modulated responses by the ambrosial beetle

BackgroundIn ambrosia and bark beetles–fungi interaction, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a central role in mediating various aspects of community dynamics of beetles and/or fungi. These functions include facilitating beetle habitat location, mate identification, and fungal partner differentiation. However, the understanding on this context remains limited, especially in the globally distributed subfamily Platypodinae, which comprises predominantly ambrosia beetles. There is a lack of chemical data on ambrosia fungi from native South American species. This study addresses this gap by characterizing VOCs from twelve fungal species associated with Megaplatypusmutatus and assessing species-specific behavioral responses during dispersal.MethodsFungal VOCs were collected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with solid-phase microextraction and Y-olfactometry assays of males and females were performed at dispersal stage. Statistical analyses involved: non-metric multidimensional scaling multivariate plot and PermanovaPERMANOVA test, a cluster analysis through unweighted pair group method with Jaccard index, and finally, a chi-square goodness-of-fit test for beetle behavioral assays.ResultsWe identified 72 VOCs from the fungal species isolated from M.mutatus galleries, exocuticle, and gut. The olfactory behavior of M.mutatus demonstrated its capacity to discriminate between volatile profiles, showing a preference for either the fungus or the control source. Our results also enhance the understanding in a chemotaxonomic context and in the behavioral responses of M.mutatus revealing the beetle's remarkable low temperature tolerance and its capability to maintain mobility and orientation toward volatile sources even after zero-degree Celsius exposure.ConclusionThis study presents a comprehensive insight into fungal VOC profiles, emphasizing the sources of isolation within pest associated fungi, as well as its symbiotic species from the Raffaelea genus. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Megaplatypusmutatus exhibits a general aversion to its fungal VOCs symbiont. However, a notable exception arises when the beetles are pre-exposed for 48 h to freezing conditions, highlighting the beetles' ability to withstand freezing conditions as adults and to exhibit altered responses to their fungal associates under these circumstances.

Vertebral formula and numerical variations in the spine of the Antarctic and southern South American penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes)

Abstract The vertebral column in tetrapods consists of several constant regions, namely the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal regions. Each of these regions is characterized by a specific number of vertebrae, contributing to the overall vertebral formula. Supernumerary and/or missing vertebrae have only been sporadically mentioned for penguins, and the specific vertebral formula is only determined for some non-passeres orders. Variations in the anatomy and vertebral number of South American and Antarctic penguin species are evaluated here. Sixty-six specimens of Aptenodytes forsteri, Pygoscelis adeliae, P. antarcticus, P. papua, Spheniscus magellanicus, and Eudyptes chrysocome were examined to establish the vertebral formula for six South American and Antarctic species, reporting the type and frequency of the variations found in the generalized configuration. We found no intraspecific variation in respect of the number of cervical as well as cervicothoracic vertebrae in all penguin species studied. Intra- and interspecific variation occur in the thoracic, synsacral, and caudal regions comprising 6–7, 13–14 and 5–8 vertebrae, respectively. Particularly, the variations were found in the transitional zones between one region and another and/or between synsacral segments.

Salvation and documentation: additional (probable) type material of South American land-snail species (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora) in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin

Type material of some South American species in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, belonging to different families is documented. It includes 16 species: Bulimus cuneus L. Pfeiffer, 1854, Bulimus proteus Broderip, 1832, Bulimus scalarioides L. Pfeiffer, 1867, Bulimus similaris J. Moricand, 1856, Andinia (Ehrmanniella) dedicata Weyrauch & Zilch, 1954, Helix hettneriana E. von Martens, 1897, Eurycampta hidalgonis Döring, 1877, Helix aequatoris L. Pfeiffer, 1860, Helix bituberculata L. Pfeiffer, 1853, Helix bourcieri L. Pfeiffer, 1853, Helix neogranadensis L. Pfeiffer, 1845, Cyclostoma (Cyclophorus) bourcieri L. Pfeiffer, 1854, and Helix platygyra Albers, 1857. The concept of the “salvation” of type material is explained.

A new species of Guadua (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae: Guaduinae) from the Colombian Amazon

A new species of Guadua, Guadua bambuzoniae Londoño, is described from the Amazon region of Colombia, specifically in the tropical rainforest ecosystem. This species is unusual in that it grows in swampy areas and has several distinct characteristics that differentiate it from all other South American species of Guadua. These include erect and hollow culms at the base, as well as solid and arched culms at the middle and upper portions; primary branches that develop thorns at each culm node; usually a falcated, prominent and fimbriate auricle on the upper part of the culm sheath on one side; elongated and glabrous leaf sheaths; a usually straight, linear-lanceolate pseudospikelet; lemmas pubescent toward the margins with the margins densely ciliated, but otherwise glabrous, and a conspicuous and strong mucron; and paleas only slightly shorter than the lemmas, with broadly winged keels. Here, we provide a geographical distribution map, illustrations, photographs, and a morphological comparison with G. macrospiculata and G. uncinata.

The first harvestman described from Bocas del Toro Archipelago: a new Poecilaemula (Opiliones: Cosmetidae) and notes about the genus

ABSTRACT The discovery of a new Cosmetidae species from Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama, with unusual sexual dimorphism and colouration, presented an identification challenge due to the limited knowledge of the taxonomy of cosmetids in Central America. The new species is notable for the extensive bright orange blots on the dorsal scutum and by the unusual structure of tibia IV of males, which is not incrassate, and bears two compact rows of strong spines. After examination of both type and non-type specimens of the type species of the genus Poecilaemula Roewer, 1912 (Meterginus signatus Banks, 1909), we decided that the new species should be assigned to this genus, and that the current circumscription of the genus is debatable as a natural group. Here, we propose a new definition of Poecilaemula, which includes three species: the type species from Costa Rica; Poecilaemula iching sp. n. from western Panama; and the species Poecilaemula eutypa (Chamberlin, 1925) comb. n. from eastern Panama, which is newly transferred from Paecilaema C.L. Koch, 1839. Additionally, Paecilaemana reimoseri Roewer, 1933 is considered a new junior subjective synonym of Meterginus signatus Banks 1909 (currently under Poecilaemula). The five South American species currently included in Poecilaemula reveal a geographic discrepancy, and they should be transferred to other genera in future investigations because they do not share any special similarity with the type species of the genus. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0101B1EE-CF5F-4781-96FF-E797C71CF05C

Exploring floral morphoanatomy and embryology in wild populations of Chrysolaena flexuosa (Vernonia, Asteraceae): a contribution to understanding its ornamental potential.

Chrysolaena flexuosa (Sims.) H. Rob. is a South American species in the tribe Vernonieae, with potential ornamental value: it has attractive inflorescences, is suitable for pot cultivation, and its cypselae are useful for dried flower arrangements. Apart from studies on the growth dynamics of this species under cultivation, chromosome number, DNA content, ploidy level, size, pollen viability, and the characterization of phenotypic and genetic variability, it is noteworthy that other aspects regarding the floral architecture, reproductive mode, and gametophyte formation of C. flexuosa have not yet been studied. For this reason, our study encompasses a floral morphoanatomical survey and a comprehensive assessment of gametophyte development in the species. As a result of this study, we report new floral morphotypes, confirming that the morphological variability of the species might be greater than speculated. The morphoanatomy of the androecium and gynoecium and the male and female gametophyte developmental characteristics are uniform in all the populations studied despite the different ploidy levels. Chrysolaena flexuosa has five tetrasporangiate stamens of the dicotyledonous type of development; all the populations studied displayed a unilocular inferior ovary with a single anatropous, unitegumented, and tenuinucellar ovule. Given that all the embryo sacs observed were of the Polygonum-type development regardless of the ploidy level, we infer that the populations analyzed are fertile and undergo sexual reproduction. Our results not only contribute further research in the field of breeding systems and propagation of this species, but also promote the successful introduction of C. flexuosa to the plant ornamental market.

Genetic variability of New Caledonian Boeckella De Guerne & Richard, 1889 (Copepoda: Calanoida), with the description of a new species

Abstract Thirteen new freshwater populations of the copepod genus BoeckellaDe Guerne & Richard, 1889 were found during three expeditions to New Caledonia (‘La Planète Revisitée,’ 2016-2018). The 12 populations from the Plaine des Lacs, which show remarkable genetic diversity among themselves, were identified as B. spinogibbaDefaye, 1998, the only species of its genus known from New Caledonia until now. The sole exception, the population from Mont-Dore 22 km further east, appeared genetically and morphologically distinct from the others and is described herein as a new species. The two species are distinguished from each other by the shapes of the male and female P5, female Th5, and body colour. A previously published key is amended to separate the species. Our concatenated COI+28S phylogeny places the two New Caledonia species as a new branch within Boeckella, distinct from the branches consisting of South American, Antarctic and Australasian species. All 13 Boeckella populations inhabit the extreme south of New Caledonia, an area known for endemism and high heavy metal concentrations in the soil. Extensive mining activity in this metal-rich area, begun in 1873, is now leading to conflict with conservation goals. By using aerial photographs to trace the fate of the pond that is the type locality of B. spinogibba, we confirmed that it disappeared between 2007 and 2014 as a result of the expansion of the Goro nickel mine.

A review of the woody bamboos (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago are important islands to Neotropical woody bamboo taxonomy. Trinidad is a type locality for two widely applied names with poorly defined species concepts: Arthrostylidium pubescens and A. excelsum, and two potentially endemic species: Chusquea cylindrica and Rhipidocladum prestoei. Few resources exist for the islands to adequately identify all the woody bamboo species that putatively grow there. The serialized vascular flora of Trinidad and Tobago (1928–1992), for instance, lacks a treatment for Poaceae. Moreover, the most speciose native genus, Arthrostylidium, is only partially revised, with the emphasis on the South American species and not those of the West Indies. Our objective is to critically review the woody bamboos of Trinidad and Tobago, clarify which species are or have been known from the islands, and provide an identification key, species accounts and distribution maps for the revised list of taxa. We conducted fieldwork campaigns in 2021–2023, and reviewed herbarium specimens and human observation records of woody bamboos from the islands. Newly collected specimens were vouchered and all woody bamboo records were georeferenced and plotted using QGIS. We confirmed two species of native woody bamboo and four species of introduced woody bamboo were extant on Trinidad. An additional three Western Hemisphere species have historic records of occurrence on the islands. Native species diversity correlated well with previously identified floristic hotspots. One introduced species, Bambusa vulgaris, is common on both islands. To the best of our knowledge, there are currently no native woody bamboo species present on Tobago, however, A. pubescens appears to have been growing along the Main Ridge in the past. The historic presence of some species not currently found may be the result of dynamic and/or stochastic colonization events among the islands and mainland South America.

Nesting of Dark-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus) on Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador

We present new data and reviewed the information available on the breeding biology of the Dark-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus melacoryphus), a widespread South American species. We collected opportunistic observations from three nests in a mangrove forest on Isabela Island, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador. The nests were built in forks of White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) branches 5 to 9 m above the ground. They were low/cup-shaped, with intertwined branches on the outside and leaves, stipules, and strips of stem bark in the inner cup. The clutch size was three eggs, which were light green and sub-elliptical in shape. The nestling period lasted between 7 and 8 days. We observed biparental care during incubation and brooding. In addition, we documented the parasitism of the Avian Vampire Fly (Philornis downsi) on Dark-billed Cuckoo chicks.

First record of Mythicomyia Coquillett, 1983 from Colombia with description of a new species of Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) Brthes, 1919 (Diptera: Mythicomyiidae: Mythicomyiinae) and an updated key to South American species.

Mythicomyia Coquillett (1893) has a disjunct distribution (presence in every biogeographical region with the exception of the Palearctic) and is a poorly studied group in the Neotropical Region, and completely unknown in Colombia. Its subgenus Heterhybos Brthes has a Nearctic and Neotropical distribution. Of the nine species in the Neotropical Region (in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay), all occur in Chile and only one in Argentina and Uruguay. A new species of Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) is here described from Colombia: Mythicomyia (Heterhybos) bilobata sp. nov. (type-locality: Liborina, La Sucia). Illustrations of the new species, dichotomous key (males and females) and distribution map of the South American species are also presented.

Invertebrate dispersal by waterbird species in neotropical wetlands.

Endozoochory by waterbirds is particularly relevant to the dispersal of non-flying aquatic invertebrates. This ecological function exercised by birds has been demonstrated in different biogeographical regions, but there are no studies for the neotropical region. In this work, we identified propagules of invertebrates in faeces of 14 syntopic South American waterbird species representing six families, and hatched additional invertebrates from cultured faeces. We tested whether propagule abundance, species richness and composition varied among bird species, and between the cold and warm seasons. We found 164 invertebrate propagules in faecal samples from seven different waterbirds species, including eggs of the Temnocephalida and Notonectidae, statoblasts of bryozoans (Plumatella sp.) and ephippia of Cladocera. Ciliates (including Paramecium sp. and Litostomatea), nematodes and rotifers (Adineta sp. and Nottomatidae) hatched from cultured samples. Potential for endozoochory was confirmed for 12 of 14 waterbird species. Our statistical models suggest that richness and abundance of propagules are associated with bird species and not affected by seasonality. Dispersal by endozoochory is potentially important to a broad variety of invertebrates, being promoted by waterbirds with different ecological and morphological traits, which are likely to drive the dispersal of invertebrates in neotropical wetlands.

Notes on the genus Usnea (lichenized Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae). V.

Type material of twelve species of Usnea related to Asia and South Africa were studied and one species from North America is newly described. Holotype specimens of eight Chinese taxa described in 1975 were synonymized as follows: U. mengyangensis is lectotypified and synonymized with U. aciculifera. Usnea recurvata and U. subrectangulata are synonymized with U. baileyi. Usnea kirinensis is synonymized with U. barbata s.str. Usnea crassiuscula and U. yunnanensis (= U. australis J.D. Zhao et al., nom. illeg. non Fr.) are synonymized with U. bismolliuscula. Usnea iteratocarpa is synonymized with U. cristatula (new to Asia, China). Usnea decumbens is synonymized with U. intumescens (new to Asia, China). Usnea entoviolata and U. roseola are synonymized with U. fragilis (new to Asia, China, India, Japan). The lectotype of Usnea trichoideoides was found to belong to the Usnea pectinata aggr. and consequently U. montis-fuji was resurrected for U. trichodeoides sensu Ohmura. Usnea ceratina and U. trichodeoides are excluded from the Japan lichen flora. Usnea macaronesica a recently described Macaronesian and South American species is synonymized with the Asian taxa U. pycnoclada. Usnea chicitae is described as a new species endemic of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. It is characterized by stipitate efflorescent soralia, a tenuicorticata-type of CMA and the presence of salazinic and psoromic acid in the medulla.

Chalarus (Diptera: Pipunculidae) of Colombia, with description of two new species and an updated key to males of the Neotropical species

Chalarus Walker, 1834 (Diptera: Pipunculidae: Chalarinae) has a cosmopolitan distribution, with 11 known species in the Neotropical Region, but none recorded in Colombia. Two new species of Chalarus are described from Colombia, namely Chalarus boyacensis sp. nov. (type locality: Cabaña Chaina, Santuario de Fauna y Flora Iguaque) and C. chairensis sp. nov. (type locality: Vereda Tigrera Alta, Cartagena del Chaira). Chalarus absonus Rafael, 1990, C. delicatus Rafael, 1990 and C. connexus Rafael, 1988 are recorded in Colombia for the first time, with amended and comparative diagnoses. Photographs of five South American species, distribution map and a dichotomic key to males of all Neotropical species are included.

Molecular phylogenetics and morphology reveal the Plettkea lineage including several members of Arenaria and Pycnophyllopsis to be a clade of 21 South American species nested within Stellaria (Caryophyllaceae, Alsineae)

Molecular phylogenetics and morphology reveal the Plettkea lineage including several members of Arenaria and Pycnophyllopsis to be a clade of 21 South American species nested within Stellaria (Caryophyllaceae, Alsineae)

Coenura Bigot as a valid genus: A molecular and morphological phylogenetic analysis of Pelecorhynchus Macquart sensu lato (Diptera: Pelecorhynchidae).

The phylogeny of the genus Pelecorhynchus Macquart (Diptera: Pelecorhynchidae) was analyzed using three genes, cytochrome oxidase I, 28S ribosomal DNA, and CAD5, with 112 morphological characteristics. A total of 59 specimens (13 outgroups and 46 ingroups) were included in the analysis. The monophyly of Pelecorhynchidae was recovered under all analyses, with Glutops Burgess as the sister group of Pelecorhynchus s.l., while Pseudoerinna jonesi (Cresson) was the sister group. Within Pelecorhynchus there are three main clades with unresolved affinities. Clade I was formed by P. personatus (Walker), P. vulpes (Macquart), P. penai Pechuman and P. kroeberi (Lindner), a well-supported clade. Clade II corresponds to the set of species of Chilean Pelecorhynchus, conformed to P. biguttatus (Philippi), P. toltensis Llanos & Gonzlez, P. elegans (Philippi), P. xanthopleura (Philippi), P. hualqui Llanos & Gonzlez, and P. longicauda (Bigot), a well-supported clade. Clade III is represented exclusively by P. fulvus Ricardo, which has an exclusively Australian distribution. The monophyly of P. fulvus and its nomenclature remain an open question, as only a single species of this taxon was included. Our study demonstrated that the concept of Pelecorhynchus should be revisited. Therefore, we restore Coenura Bigot, 1857 to generic status for part of the southern South American species of Pelecorhynchus conformed by the species C. biguttata, C. elegans, C. hualqui, C. longicauda, C. toltensis, and C. xanthopleura which are monophyletic, supported by molecular and morphological data, and consistent with a Chilean distribution.