Strict Consensus Tree Research Articles

Phylogenetic relationships in Ranunculus species (Ranunculaceae) based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F sequences

The genus Ranunculus L., with a worldwide distribution, is the largest member of the Ranunculaceae. Here, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data and chloroplast trnLF sequence data were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among members of the annual and perennial (Group Praemorsa, Group Rhizomatosa, Group Grumosa and Group non-Grumosa) species of Ranunculus in Iran. In the strict consensus tree of nrDNA ITS sequence analyses, seven sub-clades were described, based on morphological, karyological, palynological, and ecological features. Within each clade, there were species belonging to more than one Group, and species of a single Group may fall into different clades, revealing that a classification based on underground system characters does not show natural interspecific relationships and must be revised. This is also apparent from trnL-F sequence analyses. Based on our results, the Praemorsa and Rhizomatosa Groups can be merged. The ITS sequence data show interspecific relationships more clearly than trnL-F sequence data. © 2011 Progress in Biological Sciences, Vol. 1, No.1, 41-47.

A cladistic analysis and reclassification of the tribe Bembicini (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

A cladistic analysis of the digger wasp tribe Bembicini based on morphological characters is presented. The underlying data matrix comprises 64 terminal taxa (coded on genus-level) and 54 morphological characters. The resulting strict consensus tree was used as the basis for a revised subtribal classification of the Bembicini. Based on a previously published classification, we herewith propose a number of changes. The subtribe Spheciina Nemkov and Ohl, subtrib. nov. (comprising Ammatomus A. Costa 1859, Kohlia Handlirsch 1895, Sphecius Dahlbom 1843, and Tanyoprymnus Cameron 1905) is removed from Handlirschiina Nemkov and Lelej 1996. The subtribe Stictiellina Bohart and Horning 1971, stat. resurr. (composed of Chilostictia Gillaspy 1983, Glenostictia Gillaspy in Gillaspy, Evans, and Lin 1962, Microstictia Gillaspy 1963, Steniolia Say 1837, Stictiella J. Parker 1917, and Xerostictia Gillaspy 1963) is separated from Bembicina Latreille 1802. The subtribe Argogorytina Nemkov and Lelej 1996 (Argogorytes Ashmead 1899, Neogorytes Bohart in Bohart and Menke 1976, Paraphilanthus Vardy 1995) is synonymized with Exeirina Dalla Torre 1897, syn. nov. Finally, the subtribe Trichogorytina Nemkov and Pulawski 2009 (genus Trichogorytes Rohwer 1912 only) is synonymized with Gorytina Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau 1845, syn. nov. An updated identification key to the subtribes of the Bembicini is provided.

European species of Hypocrea part II: species with hyaline ascospores

To date 75 species of Hypocrea/Trichoderma forming teleomorphs are recognised in Europe. The 56 hyaline-spored species are here described in detail and illustrated in colour plates, including cultures and anamorphs. This number includes 16 new holomorphs, two new teleomorphs and nine anamorphs of species previously described as teleomorphs. Phylogenetic placement and relationships of the species are shown on the strict consensus tree, based on sequences of RNA polymerase II subunit b (rpb2) and translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1) exon, comprising 135 species of the genus Hypocrea/Trichoderma. All available holotypes of species described from Europe including some from North America have been examined. A dichotomous key to the species is provided primarily utilising ecological and morphological traits of the teleomorphs and, where necessary, morphology of the anamorphs and cultures, and growth rates. Species descriptions are subdivided among five chapters, arranged primarily according to the larger phylogenetic clades, viz. section Trichoderma with 13 species, the pachybasium core group with 13 species including four species with stipitate stromata (‘Podostroma’), species forming large effused stromata with 10 species including the section Hypocreanum, 9 species of the Brevicompactum, Lutea and Psychrophila clades, and 11 residual species of various smaller clades or of unknown phylogenetic placement. Finally, a list comprising dubious names and species excluded from Hypocrea that are relevant for Europe, or species claimed to occur in Europe by other authors is provided. Hypocrea minutispora is by far the most common species in Europe. For H. moravica, H. subalpina and H. tremelloides the anamorphs are newly described. The anamorphs of the latter two species and H. sambuci produce hyaline conidia on unusual structures new to Trichoderma. These three species form a new subclade of the morphologically strikingly different section Longibrachiatum, which is currently only represented by H. schweinitzii in Europe as a holomorph. The subclade is not named yet formally due to low statistical support. H. fungicola f. raduli is described as the new species H. austriaca, while H. hypomycella was found not to belong to Hypocrea. The typification of H. pilulifera, H. tremelloides and H. lutea has been clarified. Gliocladium deliquescens, the anamorph of H. lutea, is combined in Trichoderma. Species are epitypified where appropriate. Anamorph names are established prospectively to avoid numerous new combinations in future when they may be possibly used as holomorphic names if the ICBN is altered accordingly.

Exploring the effects of phylogenetic uncertainty and consensus trees on stratigraphic consistency scores: a new program and a standardized method.

The stratigraphic record of first appearances provides an independent source of data for evaluating and comparing phylogenetic hypotheses that include taxa with fossil histories. However, no standardized method exists for calculating these metrics for polytomous phylogenies, restricting their applicability. Previously proposed methods insufficiently deal with this problem because they skew or restrict the resulting scores. To resolve this issue, we propose a standardized method for treating polytomies when calculating these metrics: the Comprehensive Polytomy approach (ComPoly). This approach accurately describes how phylogenetic uncertainty, indicated by polytomies, affects stratigraphic consistency scores. We also present a new program suite (Assistance with Stratigraphic Consistency Calculations) that incorporates the ComPoly approach and simplifies the calculation of absolute temporal stratigraphic consistency metrics. This study also demonstrates that stratigraphic consistency scores calculated from strict consensus trees can be overly inclusive and those calculated from less-than-strict consensus trees inaccurately describe the phylogenetic signal present in the source most-parsimonious trees (MPTs). Therefore, stratigraphic consistency scores should be calculated directly from the source MPTs whenever possible to ensure their accuracy. Finally, we offer recommendations for standardizing comparisons between molecular divergence dates and the stratigraphic record of first appearances, a promising new application of these methods. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010.

Revision of the genus Renda Blackwelder, 1952 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xantholinini)

The genus Renda Blackwelder, 1952 is revised and redescribed. Thirteen previously described species of Renda are redescribed and twenty-one species are described as new. Renda funebris (Sharp, 1876) is proposed as a junior synonym of R. flagellicornis (Nordmann, 1837), R. pubescens (Nordmann, 1837) as a junior synonym of R. formicaria (Laporte, 1835), and R. dalmasi (Fauvel, 1901) as a junior synonym of R. minor Sharp, 1876. A key to the species of Renda is provided and diagnostic characters are illustrated. A generic key for a group of genera consisting of Renda, Agrodes and Plochionocerus is also included. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to analyze the relationships among Renda species, based on the study of 416 specimens belonging to 31 species. The strict consensus tree supports the monophyly of the genus, but species relationships within Renda are poorly resolved, with only two species groups recovered as monophyletic clades.

Tetralichine trilobites from the Upper Ordovician of Oklahoma and Virginia and phylogenetic systematics of the Tetralichini

New material, including a complete exoskeleton, from the Bromide Formation of Oklahoma, allows a complete evaluation ofProbolichasPhleger, 1936 and necessitates a quantitative revision of the lichid tribe Tetralichini Phleger, 1936. A strict consensus tree of nine equally parsimonious trees generated from a branch and bound analysis indicates that the genusProbolichasis monophyletic, and should no longer be restricted as synonymous with, or as a sub-clade ofAmphilichasRaymond, 1905. The genusApatolichasWhittington, 1963 is revised as a synonym ofAmphilichas, and the Tetralichini is defined as clade with three genera:Amphilichas, Probolichas, andLyralichasWeber, 1948.Probolichas kristiaefrom the Bromide Formation andAmphilichas effnensisfrom the Effna Formation of Virginia are new species.

Phylogenetic analysis of eastern Asian and eastern North American disjunct Lespedeza (Fabaceae) inferred from nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid region sequences

Lespedeza (tribe Desmodieae, Fabaceae) follows a disjunct distribution in eastern Asia and eastern North America. Phylogenetic relationships among its species and related taxa were inferred from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid sequences (trnH-psbA, psbK-psbI, trnK-matK and rpoC1). We examined 35 species of Lespedeza, two of Kummerowia and one of Campylotropis, the sole constituents of the Lespedeza group. An analysis of these data revealed that the genus Campylotropis is sister to the other two genera. However, we were unable to resolve the relationships between Kummerowia and Lespedeza in the strict consensus trees of parsimony analyses based on plastid and combined DNA data. In the genus Lespedeza, the Old World subgenus Macrolespedeza is monophyletic, whereas the transcontinental subgenus Lespedeza is paraphyletic. Monophyly of eastern Asian species and of North American species is strongly supported. Although inconsistent with the traditional classification, this phylogenetic finding is consistent with seedling morphology. Three subgroups recognized in subgenus Macrolespedeza were unresolved in our phylogenetic trees. An incongruence length difference (ILD) test indicated that the two partitions (nuclear ITS and plastid sequences) were significantly incongruent, perhaps because of hybridization between species in Lespedeza. Most of the primary clades of tribe Desmodieae are Asian, implying that the relatively few New World ones, such as those in Lespedeza, are more recently derived from Asia. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 164, 221–235.

Resurrection of Dryotomicus Wood and description of two new species from the Amazon River Basin (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Phloeotribini)

A cladistic analysis based on 20 morphological characters was conducted for 11 species representing two valid and two synonymized Phloeotribini genera. One hundred-eighty most-parsimonious trees were recovered and the Dryotomicus Wood species were monophyletic in a mostly unresolved strict-consensus tree. The unusual antennal morphology, with the length of the first two funicular segments equal to the last three segments and a scape which is twice the length of the funicle, distinguish Dryotomicus from the other Phloeotribini genera. Hence this genus is resurrected because of monophyly and diagnostic characters. Dryotomicus oenophilis sp. n. and Dryotomicus woodrex sp. n. are described from Guyana and Peru, respectively. In the male specimen of Dryotomicus oenophilis, the frons has one median and two large lateral carinae and in the male specimen of Dryotomicus woodrex, the frons has three smaller median tubercles arranged transversely. Phloeotribus puberulus Chapuis and Phloeotribus tuberculatus (Eggers) were monophyletic with the new Dryotomicus species and thus are transferred to this genus. Keys to the Phloeotribini genera and Dryotomicus species are given.

What is the phylogenetic placement of Dipteronia dyerana Henry? An example of plant species placement based on nucleotide sequences

DNA sequence data have been widely used to evaluate species delimitations and examine infraspecific relationships. However, species placements inferred from different nucleotide sequences are frequently in conflict. As an example of plant species placement based on nucleotide sequences, the phylogenetic placement of Dipteronia dyerana Henry (Aceraceae) was analyzed in the present study. The study species included eight Acer species (from different sections of Acer), two Dipteronia species, and two outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic trees based on five datasets (ITS, trnL‐F, trnD‐trnT, psbM‐trnD, and rpl16 regions) as well as their combined datasets were generated by using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses. Further analyses were conducted to compare the strict consensus trees based on single regions and the combination of different regions. The results revealed a significant discrepancy among the phylogenetic placements of D. dyerana, inferred from various sequences. Phylogenetic trees using MP analysis based on trnD‐trnT, rpl16, and the four chloroplast combined sequences supported the genus Dipteronia as a monophyletic group, while in the other trees D. dyerana was positioned either in parallel with D. sinensis and Acer species or within the genus Acer. In ML analysis, only rpl16 and the four chloroplast combined sequence datasets supported the genus Dipteronia as a monophyletic group. We concluded that, although significant genetic differentiation occurred between D. dyerana and D. sinensis, D. dyerana was more advanced than D. sinensis. However, whether Dipteronia is monophyletic remains to be further investigated, e.g., by using more closely related taxa and more sequences. Furthermore, in addition to internal transcribed spacer sequences, more chloroplast gene sequences should be used for phylogenetic analyses of species.

A molecular phylogeny of the pan-tropical pond skater genus Limnogonus Stål 1868 (Hemiptera–Heteroptera: Gerromorpha-Gerridae)

We investigated phylogenetic relationships among pond skaters (Heteroptera: Gerridae) of the genus Limnogonus Stål 1868 by performing separate and combined parsimony analyses of DNA sequences from three mitochondrial (COI+II, 16SrRNA) and one nuclear (28SrRNA) gene(s). The taxon sample represented almost two thirds of the known diversity, and with most taxa represented by two or more individuals. A simultaneous analysis of all data showed that L. luctuosus Montrousier 1865 was paraphyletic and suggests that “L. luctuosus” from Australia and possibly also a population from the Society Islands (Moorea) each represents unrecognized species. L. fossarum F. 1775 was strongly supported, but the two subspecies L. f. fossarum F. 1775 and L. f. gilguyAndersen and Weir 1997 were paraphyletic. The two currently recognized subgenera Limnogonus (s. str.) Stål 1868 and L. (Limnogonoides)Andersen 1975 were paraphyletic, and were accordingly broken up in several monophyletic groups, each containing one or more species. From Limnogonus (s. str.) we delimited five clades: I (comprising L. aduncus Drake & Harris 1933, L. recensDrake and Harris 1934, L. profugus Drake & Harris 1930 and L. ignotusDrake and Harris 1934, all from the Neotropical Region), II (comprising L. nitidus Mayr 1865 from the Oriental Region), III (comprising L. franciscanus (Stål 1859) from the New World and L. cereiventris (Signoret 1862) from the Afrotropical Region), IV (comprising L. hungerfordiAndersen 1975 and L. luctuosus Montrousier 1865 from the Oriental and Australasian Regions) and V (comprising L. fossarum F. 1775 from the Oriental and Australasian Regions). From L. (Limnogonoides) we delimited two clades: VI (comprising L. intermedius Poisson 1941 from the Afrotropical Region and L. pectoralis (Mayr 1865) from the Oriental Region) and VII (comprising L. hypoleucus (Gerstaecker 1873), L. nigrescens Poisson 1941, L. poissoniAndersen 1975, and L. capensis China 1925 from the Afrotropical Region). Finally, L. (s. str.) windi Hungerford & Matsuda 1961 from Australia was placed as sister to clades I–VI. A manual optimization of geographical distribution onto the strict consensus tree suggests that Limnogonus is primarily an Old World group with independent transitions to the New World in L. franciscanus and in the common ancestor of Clade I.

New Craniodental Materials of Litolophus gobiensis (Perissodactyla, “Eomoropidae”) from Inner Mongolia, China, and Phylogenetic Analyses of Eocene Chalicotheres

We describe new craniodental specimens of Litolophus gobiensis recently unearthed from the type locality of the genus, and conduct phylogenetic analyses of Eocene chalicotheres based on a data matrix containing 21 taxa and 58 craniodental characters. Although the phylogenetic relationships of the Eocene chalicotheres are not well resolved in the strict component consensus tree, the 50% majority rule consensus shows that two post–earliest Eocene chalicothere lineages are present. The first lineage represents the main line of chalicothere evolution, including “Grangeria” anarsius, Eomoropus, and post-Eocene chalicotheres. The second lineage, consisting of Litolophus gobiensis and Grangeria canina, is the sister group and stem member to the main lineage. The derivative strict reduced consensus tree, with three unstable taxa pruned, supports some tree topologies of the 50% majority consensus. The taxonomy of some chalicothere taxa is revised based on the phylogenetic analyses, such as “Grangeria” anarsius being probably better referred to the genus Eomoropus as originally identified, E. ulterior being the sister taxon to E. amarorum, and Lophiodon being excluded from the Ancylopoda but allied with the Ceratomorpha.

Molecular Confirmation on the Phylogenetic Position of the Genus <i>Clemensiella</i> Schltr. in Marsdenieae (Apocynaceae - Asclepiadoideae)

The Philippine Marsdenieae (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) comprises a total of seven genera including the imperfectly known Clemensiella Schltr. Due to its unique morphology, the position of the small genus in the tribe Marsdenieae of Asclepiadoideae was previously in question. In this first molecular study of Clemensiella , the internal transcribed spacer (ITS, nrDNA) region of three isolates were newly generated and analyzed together with previous published sequences. The present aims to assess the phylogenetic positon, monophyly and closely-related genera of Clememsiella . The three Clemensiella isolates yielded a total of 630 to 642 base pairs (bp) and the average GC content ranged from 63.21% to 63.86%. Based on the strict consensus tree, the monophyly of Clemensiella is highly supported with BS = 100% and nested within the tribe Marsdenieae with BS = 61%. This study confirms the phylogenetic position of Clemensiella in Marsdenieae and its close relation to Dischidia and Hoya . Although the three Marsdenieae are distinct in their seed structures, they share common features in habit, inflorescence and corolla aestivation. KEYWORDS: Clemensiella ; ITS, Marsdenieae; Apocynaceae; Asclepiadoideae DOI: 10.3860/pjsb.v4i0.1564 P hilippine Journal of Systematic Biology Vol. IV (June 2010) 55-66

Describing variations and taxonomic status of earthworms collected from selected areas in Misamis Oriental, Philippines using principal component and parsimony analysis

The present study describes variations and determines the taxonomic status of the collected earthworms from selected areas in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro city. Principal component and parsimony analyses were used to describe variations and groupings in collected earthworm individuals. Of the five groups of earthworms determined and described, one group was found to be allochthonous and anthropochorous. Cladistic analysis yielded a strict consensus tree with a length of 253 steps, consistency index =50 and retention index =69. Four groups were identified to belong to Family Megascolecidae, and one group to Family Eudrilidae. Differences observed were attributed to the number and pattern of genital markings, prostomium type, and the number and location of spermathecae. None of the four new megascolecid groups completely match with the nearest genera of Oriental megascolecids. The results of the study clearly indicate the existence of the five new species of earthworms.

Evolutionary significance of long-distance dispersal and hybridisation in the New Zealand endemic genus Hoheria (Malvaceae)

Parsimony and SplitsTree analyses of ITS and 5′ trnK/matK sequence data were used to assess the extent of hybridisation and its evolutionary significance in the New Zealand endemic genus Hoheria A.Cunn. The seven species of Hoheria form a monophyletic group along with the New Zealand endemic genus Plagianthus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. and the Australian endemics Asterotrichion Klotzsch. and Gynatrix Alef. This strongly supported clade is sister to a clade of Australian species of Lawrencia Hook. The inferred evolutionary history of Hoheria suggests that the extant species are derived from a common ancestor that arrived in New Zealand by long-distance dispersal. There was little divergence among the species of Hoheria in either their ITS or trnK/matK sequences. Two known Hoheria hybrids exhibited overlapping heteromorphic nucleotides at virtually all of the variable positions. Approximately 40% of the other Hoheria accessions in our study retain similar heteromorphic sites. These polymorphisms were shared among the deepest branches in the ITS phylogeny, which potentially suggests that hybridisation has occurred throughout the evolutionary history of Hoheria. The phylogenetic structure of the ITS phylogeny completely collapsed in the strict consensus tree, and there was significant conflict between the biparentally inherited ITS phylogeny and the maternally inherited trnK/matK phylogeny. However, the removal of known and suspected hybrids resulted in parsimony trees that were more resolved. SplitsTree analyses revealed incompatible signals in the data, but recovered well supported groups that diverged from a central boxy network. Although the species of Hoheria are isolated by their ecological preferences or geographical distributions, interspecific hybrids are common in urban areas where the species are often planted.

Genetic variation of Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand based on chloroplast DNA(psbA-trnH and petA-psbJ) sequences

Genetic variation and species authentication of 71 Kaempferia accessions (representing 15 recognized, six new, and four unidentified species) found indigenously in Thailand were examined by determining chloroplast psbA-trnH and partial petA-psbJ spacer sequences. Ten closely related species (Boesenbergia rotunda, Gagnepainia godefroyi, G. thoreliana, Globba substrigosa, Smithatris myanmarensis, S. supraneanae, Scaphochlamys biloba, S. minutiflora, S. rubescens, and Stahlianthus sp) were also included. After sequence alignments, 1010 and 865 bp in length were obtained for the respective chloroplast DNA sequences. Intraspecific sequence variation was not observed in Kaempferia candida, K. angustifolia, K. laotica, K. galanga, K. pardi sp nov., K. bambusetorum sp nov., K. albomaculata sp nov., K. minuta sp nov., Kaempferia sp nov. 1, and G. thoreliana, for which more than one specimen was available. In contrast, intraspecific sequence polymorphisms were observed in various populations of K. fallax, K. filifolia, K. elegans, K. pulchra, K. rotunda, K. marginata, K. parviflora, K. larsenii, K. roscoeana, K. siamensis, and G. godefroyi. A strict consensus tree based on combined psbA-trnH and partial petA-psbJ sequences revealed four major groups of Kaempferia species. We suggest that the genus Kaempferia is a polyphyletic group, as K. candida was distantly related and did not group with other Kaempferia species. Polymorphic sites and indels of psbA-trnH and petA-psbJ can be used as DNA barcodes for species diagnosis of most Kaempferia and outgroup species. Nuclear DNA polymorphism should be examined to determine if there has been interspecific hybridization and chloroplast DNA introgression in these taxa.

Towards a phylogeny and evolution of Acochlidia (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia)

The Acochlidia are unique among opisthobranch gastropods in combining extremely high morphological and ecological diversity with modest species diversity. The phylogeny of acochlidians has never been addressed by cladistic means, as their evolution has remained unknown. This study gives a first overview on more than 150 biological and morphological characters that are potentially useful for phylogenetic analysis. Based on 107 characters, a parsimony analysis (PAUP) was performed for all 27 valid acochlidian species together with 11 (plus two) outgroup taxa. The resulting strict consensus tree shows a moderate overall resolution, with at least some bootstrap support for most resolved nodes. The Acochlidia are clearly monophyletic, and originate from an unresolved basal opisthobranch level. The Acochlidia split into the Hedylopsacea (Tantulum (Hedylopsis (Pseudunela (Strubellia (‘Acochlidium’, ‘Palliohedyle’))))) and Microhedylacea (Asperspina (Pontohedyle, ‘Parhedyle’, ‘Microhedyle’, (Ganitus, Paraganitus))). The formerly enigmatic Ganitidae, resembling sacoglossan opisthobranchs by having dagger-like rachidian radular teeth, are likely to be highly derived microhedylids. The paraphyly of some of the traditionally recognized family level taxa induced a preliminary reclassification. From the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained, we conclude that the acochlidian ancestor was marine mesopsammic. The colonization of limnic systems occurred twice, independently: first in the Caribbean (with the development of the small interstitial Tantulum elegans), and second in the Indo-Pacific, with a radiation of large-sized benthic acochlidian species. The evolution of extraordinary reproductive features, such as hypodermic impregnation by a complex copulative aparatus in hedylopsaceans, cutaneous insemination via spermatophores in microhedylaceans, and gonochorism in Microhedylidae s.l. (including Ganitidae), is discussed.

A phylogenetic study of subgenus Polypompholyx: a parallel radiation of Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) throughout Australasia

Phylogenetic relationships among 26 of the 37 recognised taxa of Utricularia subgenus Polypompholyx sensu Müller & Borsch were assessed by cladistic analysis of DNA sequences from the plastid rps16 intron. We also examined the placement of the recently described U. simmonsii (sect. Minutae), which was reported to share some morphological characters with subgenus Polypompholyx. We found strong jackknife support for a monophyletic subgenus Polypompholyx lineage; however, our strict consensus tree shows an unresolved relationship between the sections Polypompholyx and Pleiochasia. Within the section Pleiochasia, we found two supported clades, generally differing in a more northern or southern distribution. Despite high levels of morphological heterogeneity and convergence, we found some clade-specific character homogeneity within these two clades, particularly that of growth and bladder-trap form, and floral structure. Bladder-trap form corresponds most strongly with terrestrial v. aquatic habits. The evolution of filiform corolla appendages corresponds with floral colour, and is possibly associated with sexual mimicry, with those of the upper corolla arising twice independently. Furthermore, we found that U. monanthos and U. novae-zelandiae remain synonyms of U. dichotoma, and that U. simmonsii is not included in the subgenus Polypompholyx, but instead is allied with sections Stomoisia and Enskide of subgenus Bivalvaria.

Larval morphology of Rhantus Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Colymbetinae): descriptions of 22 species and phylogenetic considerations

Descriptions of larval instars of 22 species of Rhantus Dejean, 1833 are presented including a detailed chaetotaxic analysis of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment and urogomphi. A parsimony analysis including 25 Rhantus species (the 22 species described in this paper + 3 additional ones) from all major zoogeographic regions and representatives of other Colymbetini genera was conducted using the program TNT based on 43 informative larval characteristics. Jackknife values indicate strong support for the monophyly of members of the tribe Colymbetini (Colymbetinae), which is supported by eight synapomorphies. It is postulated that Rhantus is polyphyletic as Rhantus (Nartus) grapii (Gyllenhal, 1908) and R. monteithi Balke, Wewalka, Alarie & Ribera, 2007 occur as more closely related phylogenetically to other genera of the tribe Colymbetini than to the Rhantus species studied. We suggest that the Neotropical species R. orbignyi Balke, 1992, R. antarcticus nahueli Trémouilles, 1984, R. calidus (Fabricius, 1792) and R. validus Sharp, 1882 represent a distinct lineage within the Colymbetini. All these species diverge at the basis of the strict consensus trees prior to all other Colymbetini studied and are characterized by several unique larval character states. Larvae of Palearctic and Nearctic species of Rhantus were found to share similar character states, which is suggestive of a common phylogenetic origin.

Systematics and natural history of Barronopsis (Araneae: Agelenidae), with description of a new species

The monophyletic agelenid genus Barronopsis Chamberlin & Ivie is revised to include 6 species. The Cuban species B. campephila Alayón and B. cesari Alayón are synonomized under B. barrowsi (Gertsch) and B. jeffersi (Muma), respectively, and B. stephaniae new species is described. Natural history observations, distribution maps, diagnoses and descriptions, and a species identification key including B. texana (Gertsch), B. arturoi Alayón, and B. floridensis (Muma) are provided. Detailed descriptions of the male palpus and female genitalia, a review and evaluation of historical terminology used to describe agelenid palpal bulbs, and a discussion of the utility of certain male palpal characters in resolving phylogeny within Agelenidae are provided. Based on the morphology of the male and female genitalia and morphometric data, two species groups are recognized: a large-bodied B. texana species group (B. texana, floridensis, arturoi, jeffersi) and a small-bodied B. barrowsi species group (B. barrowsi, B. stephaniae). A cladistic analysis of Barronopsis, using Tortolena glaucopis (F. O. P.-Cambridge), Melpomene singula (Gertsch & Ivie), and species of Agelenopsis Giebel as outgroups identified three most parsimonious trees of 37 steps. The strict consensus tree yielded the following species relationships: (Agelenopsis (((B. texana, B. jeffersi), B. floridensis, B. arturoi), (B. barrowsi, B. stephaniae))))).Key words: Agelenopsis, revision, taxonomy, phylogenetic analysis

Phylogenetic analysis of the genusRasbora(Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on 35 cyprinid taxa, including 29 species of Rasbora, and 41 morphological characters. A strict consensus tree from four equally parsimonious trees recov ...