Morphological Synapomorphies Research Articles

Molecular phylogeny of Neotropical monogeneans (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea) from catfishes (Siluriformes).

BackgroundThe phylogenetic relationships of dactylogyrids (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) parasitising catfishes (Siluriformes) from the Neotropical region were investigated for the first time.MethodsPartial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene of 40 specimens representing 25 dactylogyrid species were analysed together with sequences from GenBank using Bayesian inference, Maximum likelihood and Parsimony methods. Monophyly of dactylogyrids infecting catfishes and the Ancyrocephalinae was evaluated using the Approximately Unbiased test.ResultsThe Ancyrocephalinae is a paraphyletic group of species clustering in three main clades as follows: (i) clade A comprising freshwater dactylogyrids from the Holarctic parasitising perciforms clustering together with species (Ameloblastella, Unibarra and Vancleaveus) parasitising Neotropical catfishes; (ii) clade B including species of Dactylogyrus (Dactylogyrinae) and Pseudodactylogyrus (Pseudodactylogyrinae) along with Ancyrocephalus mogurndae, and marine dactylogyrids with cosmopolitan distribution, parasites of scorpaeniforms and perciforms, along with the freshwater Cichlidogyrus and Scutogyrus (infecting African cichlids [Cichlidae]) and (iii) clade C containing exclusively dactylogyrids of siluriforms, freshwater and marine, with Palaearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental and Neotropical distributions; species of Aphanoblastella and Dactylogyridae gen. sp. 4 from the Neotropical region clustering together with species allocated in the Ancylodiscoidinae, along with species of Cosmetocleithrum, Demidospermus and Dactylogyridae gen. spp.ConclusionsThe position of the Ancylodiscoidinae within a larger clade of dactylogyrids (ancyrocephalines) indicates that this subfamily does not represent a natural group. Instead, species allocated to this clade (dactylogyrids of siluriforms along with species of the Ancylodiscoidinae) should be considered as a separate subfamily within the Dactylogyridae. The erection of this taxon requires the search for morphological diagnostic characters in addition to phylogenetic information. A similar strategy should be considered for a new classification of the paraphyletic Ancyrocephalinae. Members of the three clades do not seem to share obvious morphological synapomorphies nor clear patterns in host-parasite associations, zoogeographical distribution or ecology. Clade A should be considered as the Ancyrocephalinae sensu stricto since it includes the type species Ancyrocephalus paradoxus Creplin, 1839. A new subfamily should be proposed to accommodate species currently allocated to Ancyrocephalinae clustering within clade B. Future attempts to propose a new classification of the subfamilies in the Dactylogyridae should include the phylogenetically diverse Neotropical dactylogyrids.

Evolution of Angiosperm Pollen. 2. The Basal Angiosperms1

Recently, evolutionary relationships among the five major lineages of the basal angiosperms, i.e., Amborellanae, Nymphaeanae, Austrobaileyanae, Magnolianae, and Ceratophyllanae, still remain incompletely or controversially resolved. This study reviews and reevaluates the origin, evolution, and systematic significance of pollen morphology in basal angiosperms. Pollen grains from 34 species of 31 genera in 23 families of the basal angiosperms are investigated, using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to illustrate the pollen diversity across the grade. Pollen data for 57 genera, representing all nine orders and 28 families of the basal angiosperms, were obtained from previous work and new investigations and were used to optimize character states onto recent molecular phylogenetic estimates. Two 18-character datasets were generated: a comprehensively coded dataset optimized with Fitch parsimony onto 12 recent phylogenies with differing topologies to evaluate the degree of pollen systematic significance of each topology, and a democratically coded dataset optimized by using Fitch parsimony, maximum likelihood, and hierarchical Bayesian inference onto a single recent phylogeny based on molecular data from Soltis et al. to evaluate the disparity of pollen evolutionary patterns among the three methods. Pollen morphology of the basal angiosperms is highly diverse, particularly in terms of pollen size, aperture number, aperture position, ectoaperture shape, tectum sculpture, and infratectal structure. Based on both datasets, the plesiomorphic pollen type for angiosperms was inferred to comprise monads of heteropolar, spheroidal, mono-apertural grains, with distal, colpate apertures, sculptured aperture membranes, and an infratectum and foot layer. Of the basal angiosperm phylogenies considered, when taxon sampling is taken into account, pollen characters provide greatest support for the topology represented in the three-mitochondrial-gene study from Qiu et al., in terms of number of synapomorphies plus what we term “likely synapomorphies” in which the subtending node is ambiguous and, therefore, the exact position of the synapomorphy is ambiguous. Thirty-six various lineages above family level are supported by pollen morphological synapomorphies or likely synapomorphies. We discuss the systematic significance of pollen morphology in basal angiosperm clades including the ANITA group (Amborellaceae, Nymphaeaceae, Schisandraceae, Trimeniaceae, and Austrobaileyaceae), Ceratophyllales, Chloranthales, and magnoliids, as well as in related lineages, i.e., monocots and basal eudicots. We also discuss present limitations in inferring the evolutionary history of pollen morphology in basal angiosperms.

Phylogeny of the shore crab family Grapsidae (Decapoda: Brachyura: Thoracotremata) based on a multilocus approach

The Grapsidae are a thoracotreme crab family with 40 species in eight genera (in their strict definition), and possess a number of morphological and molecular synapomorphies. Previous phylogenetic studies based on mitochondrial DNA markers established the monophyly of this family, but suggested possible paraphyly or polyphyly of some of the constituent genera. To test the validity of previous hypotheses, the present study reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of the grapsid crabs based on five molecular markers, including mitochondrial DNA markers and the first use of nuclear protein-coding markers to address this issue. Monophyly of Grapsidae was confirmed, with the exception of the position of the monotypic genus Leptograpsodes. The polyphyly of the genus Pachygrapsus is consistent with previous molecular phylogenies, as members from this genus are dispersed throughout our gene tree. Grapsus and Planes were shown to be paraphyletic, with species of Pachygrapsus nested within them. Our study found incongruences between the currently adopted classification of the family, and hence taxonomic revisions will be needed. We hereby demonstrate the use of nuclear protein-coding markers for high confidence reconstruction of decapod phylogenies, resolving most of the early splits that mitochondrial DNA markers alone are unable to tackle.

Phylogenetic relationships withinDasyurus(Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae): quoll systematics based on molecular evidence and male characteristics

Phylogenetic relationships among the 6 species of quolls (Dasyurus) are resolved using DNA sequences from 4 mitochondrial and 5 nuclear loci (approximately 15 kb) sampled from 1 to 29 individuals per species. Our estimate of quoll phylogeny concurs with previous DNA-based estimates in placing Dasyurus hallucatus as sister to the remaining species, and D. maculatus as sister to a clade containing D. viverrinus, D. albopunctatus, D. geoffroii + D. spartacus. We also provide the first formal description of penis anatomy in the northern quoll (D. hallucatus), documenting it as the only species of Dasyurus lacking an appendage to the penis. This appendage thus appears to constitute a morphological synapomorphy for the clade of 5 species that excludes D. hallucatus. The sequence from our single specimen of bronze quoll (D. spartacus) nested within a clade of 3 western quoll (D. geoffroii) sequences, suggesting that the species boundary between these groups (if it exists) is not yet reflected in reciprocal monop...

Generic phylogeny and character evolution in Urticeae (Urticaceae) inferred from nuclear and plastid DNA regions

AbstractThis study examines phylogenetic relationships among the 12 genera of Urticeae (Urticaceae) and investigates the pattern of morphological evolution based on analysis of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and two plastid DNA regions (rbcL exon, trnL‐F spacer). Sequence data were analyzed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference, and selected morphological traits were mapped onto the molecular tree. The molecular results strongly supported monophyly of Urticeae, excluding Gyrotaenia, which is related to Elatostemateae. All genera were monophyletic except for Urtica, Laportea, and Urera. Two Hesperocnide species are nested within Urtica. Laportea and Urera are divided into three groups with a strong geographical signal. The inferred phylogeny indicates five well‐supported clades in Urticeae: clade A including Urtica (with Hesperocnide), Zhengyia, Laportea I, and Nanocnide; clade B comprising Dendrocnide and Discocnide; clade C including only Girardinia; clade D including Laportea II; and clade E including Obetia, Urera I, II, III, and Poikilospermum. Although it is difficult to identify morphological synapomorphies for these well‐defined clades within Urticeae, character analysis shows that the herbaceous habit and alternate leaves are the ancestral states in the tribe. The presence of stinging hairs is the derived status in Urticeae, and it might have been a key innovation triggering species diversification in the tribe.

Phylogeny and biogeography of Tynanthus Miers (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae)

The origin of Neotropical biodiversity represents a key question in evolutionary biology. Despite the attempts to decipher the role of ecological and historical factors to present-day distribution patterns, robust phylogenetic studies of Neotropical clades are still needed before a comprehensive picture of the origin of Neotropical biodiversity can be achieved. Tynanthus Miers (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae) is a well-circumscribed genus of Neotropical lianas with species that are narrowly distributed, except from a few taxa. The genus is characterized by a clove odor, small bilabiate flowers with the two upper lobes almost fused, and fruits with raised margins, all of which represent morphological synapomorphies for this clade. Other distinctive characters are the thecae reflexed forward, the densely pubescent ovaries and the poorly-developed nectariferous disk. The circumscription of the genus has remained constant over the years, despite the problematic limits of most genera of tribe Bignonieae. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogeny of Tynanthus based on two plastid (ndhF and rpl32-trnL) and one nuclear (pepC) markers and use this phylogenetic framework to investigate the biogeographical history of the genus. Our phylogenetic hypothesis provides further support for the monophyly of Tynanthus, and strongly supports a series of infra-generic clades. Most species are reconstructed as monophyletic, while T. cognatus and T. polyanthus are paraphyletic. Biogeographic reconstructions suggest that Tynanthus originated between 9.4 and 21.5Mya, most likely at approximately 15.3Mya. The MRCA of the genus was likely broadly distributed through lowland Amazonia, Western South America and Central America and diversified in the Neotropics during the Miocene. Closely related species are generally distributed within the same biogeographic area, suggesting that niche conservatism has played an important role in the diversification history of the group.

Taxonomic updates in Dolichandra Cham. (Bignonieae, Bignoniaceae).

Dolichandra is a genus of lianas found in dry and wet Neotropical forests. The genus currently includes eight species and is well characterized by molecular and morphological synapomorphies. Here, Macfadyena hispida (DC.) Seemann is removed from synonomy with Dolichandra uncata (Andrews) L.G. Lohmann based on the presence of the hispid indument, vinaceus ovary, long fruits, and winged seeds. The combination Dolichandra hispida (DC.) L.H. Fonseca & L.G. Lohmann, comb. nov. is proposed, increasing the number of accepted species of Dolichandra to nine. A taxonomic key for all species of Dolichandra is presented.

A Phylogenetic Analysis of Lychnophorinae (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) Based on Molecular and Morphological Data

Abstract The subtribe Lychnophorinae (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) comprises approximately 100 species and 18 genera distributed mostly in the Cerrado Domain of the Brazilian Central Plateau. Phylogenetic analyses of Lychnophorinae based on four molecular regions (ETS, ITS, ndhF, rpl32-trnL) and a morphological dataset were performed, aiming to delimit monophyletic genera, to confirm or refute the generic assignment of several species, to achieve a better understanding of the relationships between the genera, and to identify morphological characters and synapomorphies for major clades within the subtribe. Our analyses recovered several clades that represent currently recognized genera or genera that have been recognized in the past. All clades recovered are characterized by a combination of morphological characters. However, Lychnophora (35 species), the richest genus of the subtribe, emerged as polyphyletic. Albertinia, Blanchetia and Gorceixia were the first lineages to diversify, whereas Eremanthus plus Lyc...

Phylogenetic Placement of the ExtinctEtheostoma sellareand Other Darters with a Compilation of Morphological Character State Polarizations for Darters

Phylogenetic placement of most species of darters is reasonably well understood regarding their closest relatives. However, an exception is the apparently extinct Etheostoma sellare. In this paper, we included E. sellare in a phylogenetic analysis with 62 extant species representing one or more species from all previously recognized darter subgenera. The analysis included 77 new, or previously proposed, polarized, morphological characters for E. sellare and those characters plus reported molecular sequences (RAG1) for the extant species. A parsimony analysis of concatenated data for each species produced nodes congruent with the subgeneric taxonomy of darters and established unambiguous placement for the morphologically distinctive E. sellare placed in the newly created subgenus Mooreichthys to resolve a previous triotomy in which the single taxon was grouped with subgenera Poecilichthys and Litocara. Unique morphological or nucleotide synapomorphies support the monophyly of the subfamily Etheostomatinae ...

Out of South America: phylogeny of non‐biting midges in the genus Labrundinia suggests multiple dispersal events to Central and North America

Non‐biting midges of the genus Labrundinia (Chironomidae: Tanypodinae) are minute dipterans with immature stages living in a variety of unpolluted water bodies, from small streams and ponds to lakes and bays. Extensively recorded in ecological studies, the genus comprises 39 species, all except one described from areas outside the Palearctic region. Internal structure among Labrundinia species was postulated by S. S. Roback, who recognized four species groups based on morphological characters of immature stages. We examined phylogenetic relationships among known Labrundinia species using partial DNA sequences of the nuclear protein‐coding gene CAD and morphological characters. Both analyses with Bayesian inference and parsimony methods recovered the monophyly of Labrundinia, strongly supported by five morphological synapomorphies. Internal relationships within the genus partly supported Roback's species groups with the addition of later described species. Biogeographical inferences were obtained by applying Bayesian binary MCMC (BBM) analysis and favoured a scenario where Labrundinia had its initial diversification in the Neotropical region and that current presence in the Nearctic region and southern South America is due to subsequent dispersal.

The Testaria concept (Polyplacophora + Conchifera) updated

Mollusca is the second most speciose phylum of animals and includes a high organizational diversity grouped in eight classes, with the gastropods and bivalves being most familiar. The phylogenetic relationships among the three aculiferan molluscan classes Solenogastres (Neomeniomorpha), Caudofoveata (Chaetodermomorpha) and Polyplacophora (Placophora, chitons, Loricata), as well as the sister-group relationship to Conchifera (all other molluscs) are still under discussion. On one side, the three aculiferan groups are regarded as a monophyletic clade, Aculifera, contrasted with its sister taxon Conchifera (Aculifera concept). Recent molecular-phylogenomic analyses appear to support this hypothesis. Here we point out the plesiomorphic nature of many morphological similarities among the aculiferan taxa and in relation to Conchifera. On the other side, a complex of morphological synapomorphies support Recent Polyplacophora as sister group to Conchifera (Testaria concept). The supposed monophyletic characters for this clade Testaria (Recent Polyplacophora + Conchifera) include the radula complex, the specific differentiation of the midgut into regions, the dorsoventral musculature, and the excretory organs. A critical review of arguments of both hypotheses in the light of present evidence, also integrating ontogenetic and palaeontological data, is presented. Morphological analyses favour the Testaria concept, implying a gradual anagenesis from aplacophoran to polyplacophoran grades and a monophyletic Testaria. Recently published molecular trees differ conspicuously in the position of Aculifera as well as in conchiferan relationships and show well-supported but conflicting aculiferan and conchiferan topologies. These discrepancies are discussed in connection with outgroup representation, the rooting of Mollusca, and refining of phylogenomic analysis tools. Although considerably improved, current molecular analyses of ‘deeper’ relationships within major molluscan taxa appear less reliable than the morphological Testaria concept.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Scutopus ventrolineatus (Mollusca: Chaetodermomorpha) supports the Aculifera hypothesis.

BackgroundWith more than 100000 living species, mollusks are the second most diverse metazoan phylum. The current taxonomic classification of mollusks recognizes eight classes (Neomeniomorpha, Chaetodermomorpha, Polyplacophora, Monoplacophora, Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, and Scaphopoda) that exhibit very distinct body plans. In the past, phylogenetic relationships among mollusk classes have been contentious due to the lack of indisputable morphological synapomorphies. Fortunately, recent phylogenetic analyses based on multi-gene data sets are rendering promising results. In this regard, mitochondrial genomes have been widely used to reconstruct deep phylogenies. For mollusks, complete mitochondrial genomes are mostly available for gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods, whereas other less-diverse lineages have few or none reported.ResultsThe complete DNA sequence (14662 bp) of the mitochondrial genome of the chaetodermomorph Scutopus ventrolineatus Salvini-Plawen, 1968 was determined. Compared with other mollusks, the relative position of protein-coding genes in the mitochondrial genome of S. ventrolineatus is very similar to those reported for Polyplacophora, Cephalopoda and early-diverging lineages of Bivalvia and Gastropoda (Vetigastropoda and Neritimorpha; but not Patellogastropoda). The reconstructed phylogenetic tree based on combined mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data recovered monophyletic Aplacophora, Aculifera, and Conchifera. Within the latter, Cephalopoda was the sister group of Gastropoda and Bivalvia + Scaphopoda.ConclusionsPhylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial sequences showed strong among-lineage rate heterogeneity that produced long-branch attraction biases. Removal of long branches (namely those of bivalves and patellogastropods) ameliorated but not fully resolved the problem. Best results in terms of statistical support were achieved when mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data were concatenated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-014-0197-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Systematics of the Octopleura Clade of Miconia (Melastomataceae: Miconieae) in Tropical America

The Octopleura clade of Miconia is a natural group of Neotropical subshrubs and small trees comprising some thirty-three species. These had previously been described in Ossaea and Clidemia, two traditionally recognized genera of Miconieae, but this natural group is nested within the megadiverse genus Miconia. This study represents the first comprehensive monograph of the clade across its entire range based on a study of over 2100 collections from seven herbaria. Thirteen new combinations are made (Miconia aguilarii, M. aurantiaca, M. biolleyana, M. boekei, M. chocoensis, M. evanescens, M. incerta, M. laxivenula, M. palenquensis, M. quinquenervia, M. radicans, M. reitziana, and M. rufibarbis). Thirteen new names are provided for epithets preempted in Miconia (M. albertobrenesii, M. alboglandulosa, M. approximata, M. atropurpurea, M. bensparrei, M. bractiflora, M. erikasplundii, M. magnifolia, M. neocoronata, M. quadridomius, M. sessilis, M. spiciformis, and M. variabilis). Six new species are proposed (M. alatissima, M. anchicayensis, M. formicaria, M. latidecurrens, M. renatoi, and M. veraguensis). A taxonomic key, detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and phenological and ecological information are presented for all species, along with SEM images of seed morphology for selected species. A preliminary geospatial conservation assessment is made for each species. Diagnostic illustrations are included for all new taxa and other selected species. A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on four genic loci is presented, along with a reconstruction of ancestral character states. Molecular and morphological data are used to develop a better understanding of the constituent species of the clade and their evolutionary relationships. Three subclades, Approximata, Quinquenervia, and Variabilis, are evident within the Octopleura clade, and supported by morphological synapomorphies.

The deep phylogeny of jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae).

In order to resolve better the deep relationships among salticid spiders, we compiled and analyzed a molecular dataset of 169 salticid taxa (and 7 outgroups) and 8 gene regions. This dataset adds many new taxa to previous analyses, especially among the non-salticoid salticids, as well as two new genes – wingless and myosin heavy chain. Both of these genes, and especially the better sampled wingless, confirm many of the relationships indicated by other genes. The cocalodines are placed as sister to lapsiines, in a broader clade with the spartaeines. Cocalodines, lapsiines, and spartaeines are each supported as monophyletic, though the first two have no known morphological synapomorphies. The lyssomanines appear to be non-monophyletic, of three separate groups: (1) Lyssomanes plus Chinoscopus, (2) Onomastus, and (3) the remainder of Old World species. Several previously-inferred relationships continue to be supported: hisponines as sister to the Salticoida, Amycoida as sister to the remaining Salticoida, and Saltafresia as monophyletic. The relationship of Salticus with Philaeus and relatives is now considered well enough corroborated to move the latter into the subfamily Salticinae. A new clade consisting of the Plexippoida + Aelurilloida + Leptorchesteae + Salticinae is recognized. Nungia is found to be an astioid, and Echeclus, Gedea and Diplocanthopoda to be hasariines. The euophryines are corroborated as monophyletic. The agoriines Agorius and Synagelides are salticoids, within the sister group to amycoids, but their further placement is problematical, perhaps because of their nuclear ribosomal genes’ high GC bias, as also seen in the similarly problematic Eupoa.

Molecular Phylogeny Estimation of the Bamboo Genus <I>Chusquea</I> (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Bambuseae) and Description of Two New Subgenera

Abstract Chusquea is a diverse genus of American woody bamboos, accounting for almost half of the woody bamboo species in the Neotropics. Previous analyses of molecular data have recovered four major lineages within Chusquea, but morphological synapomorphies have been identified only for subgenus Rettbergia. This study estimates a chloroplast phylogeny of Chusquea with a focus on relationships within the large and intractable Euchusquea clade. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on 40% of the described species in Chusquea, with data from five chloroplast regions and a preliminary survey of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer complex. Several results from previous studies were corroborated, including the presence of two clades formerly comprising the genus Neurolepis and monophyly of subgenus Rettbergia. The clades formerly in Neurolepis are named as Chusquea subgenus Platonia and Chusquea subgenus Magnifoliae based on molecular support and potential morphological synapomorphies. We recovered two stro...

A New Generic Classification of Tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae)1

The history of classification of the tribe Bignonieae and its genera are reviewed as context for a comprehensive new genus-level classification of the tribe Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae, Lamiales). This new classification is based on a well-supported phylogeny based on multiple molecular markers from both chloroplast and nuclear DNA, a morphological survey, and a broad sampling of taxa. Genera are circumscribed here as clades that are well supported as monophyletic by molecular data and also recognizable by one or more morphological synapomorphies. Perianthomega Bureau ex Baill. is here transferred from Bignoniaceae tribe Tecomeae into Bignonieae, and 21 genera and a total of 393 species are recognized in Bignonieae: Adenocalymma Mart. ex Meisn. (82 species), Amphilophium Kunth (47), Anemopaegma Mart. ex Meisn. (45), Bignonia L. (28), Callichlamys Miq. (1), Cuspidaria DC. (19), Dolichandra Cham. (8), Fridericia Mart. (67), Lundia DC. (13), Manaosella J. C. Gomes (1), Mansoa DC. (12), Martinella Baill. (2), Neojobertia Baill. (2), Pachyptera DC. ex Meisn. (4), Perianthomega (1), Pleonotoma Miers (17), Pyrostegia C. Presl (2), Stizophyllum Miers (3), Tanaecium Sw. (17), Tynanthus Miers (15), and Xylophragma Sprague (7). Several genera are here circumscribed differently from previous classifications, in particular Memora Miers and Sampaiella J. C. Gomes are synonymized with Adenocalymma; Distictella Kuntze, Distictis Mart. ex Meisn., Glaziova Bureau, Pithecoctenium Mart. ex DC., and Urbanolophium Melch. are synonymized with Amphilophium; Cydista Miers, Clytostoma Miers ex Bureau, Macranthisiphon Bureau ex K. Schum., Mussatia Bureau ex Baill., Phryganocydia Mart. ex Bureau, Potamoganos Sandwith, Roentgenia Urb., and Saritaea Dugand are synonymized with Bignonia; Macfadyena A. DC., Melloa Bureau, and Parabignonia Bureau ex K. Schum. are synonymized with Dolichandra; Arrabidaea DC. is synonymized with Fridericia; Gardnerodoxa Sandwith is synonymized with Neojobertia; Leucocalantha Barb. Rodr. is synonymized with Pachyptera; and Ceratophytum Pittier, Periarrabidaea A. Samp., Paragonia Bureau, Pseudocatalpa A. H. Gentry, and Spathicalyx J. C. Gomes are synonymized with Tanaecium. The genera Adenocalymma, Amphilophium, Fridericia, Dolichandra, and Tanaecium are formally emended here as to diagnosis and circumscription. A natural key, complete morphological descriptions, and illustrations characterize the accepted genera, and full generic synonymy and a catalogue of their component species summarize their basic nomenclature and geographic range. Three new names are published: B. neouliginosa L. G. Lohmann replaces Phryganocydia uliginosa Dugand; B. neoheterophylla L. G. Lohmann replaces Cydista heterophylla Seibert; and Tanaecium neobrasiliense L. G. Lohmann replaces Sanhilaria brasiliensis Baill. Thirty-two generic names are newly synonymized, and 144 new nomenclatural combinations are made. A lectotype is designated for one genus, Periarrabidaea A. Samp., and 78 species names. One species name is neotypified, Memora campicola Pilg. (≡ Adenocalymma campicola (Pilg.) L. G. Lohmann).

Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomic revision ofHabenariasectionPentadactylae(Orchidaceae, Orchidinae)

As a step towards a revision of the sectional classification of Neotropical species of Habenaria, we focus here on section Pentadactylae. In its current delimitation, this is the largest of the 14 New World sections and embraces a group of 34 morphologically heterogeneous species. We expanded the sampling of Neotropical species currently placed in this section and performed Bayesian, maximum likelihood and parsimony analyses using nucleotide sequences from one nuclear (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and three plastid (matK, trnK intron, rps16–trnK) DNA regions. In addition, morphological features of these species were reassessed. Based on our analyses, we propose that Habenaria section Pentadactylae should be recircumscribed to include only seven species: H. pentadactyla (the type species of the section), H. dutrae, H. ekmaniana, H. exaltata, H. henscheniana, H. megapotamensis and H. montevidensis. Thirty-two species previously assigned to the section grouped within unrelated clades and are therefore excluded from the section. There are no unambiguous morphological synapomorphies for the section, but the group can be confidently recircumscribed and identified on the basis of a combination of diagnostic morphological vegetative and floral characters. Morphological floral features in Habenaria montevidensis are distinct from those of other species in the section, probably as a result of a shift to diurnal pollinators. Following a taxonomic revision of the group, H. crassipes is placed under the synonymy of H. exaltata and neotypes are designated for H. crassipes, H. montevidensis and H. recta (= H. ekmaniana). All species in the section live in marshes or wet grasslands from northern Argentina to central Brazil; most species are concentrated in southern Brazil. Most species are probably rare, and five may be threatened according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 175, 47–73.

Sexual dimorphism in Tripedaliidae (Conant 1897) (Cnidaria, Cubozoa, Carybdeida).

The family Tripedaliidae was re-defined and expanded based on a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis by Bentlage et al. (2010, Proceedings of the Royal Society Biological Science, 277: 497). Additionally, Bentlage et al. (2010) proposed that all members of the family Tripedaliidae present dimorphism in gonads and have structures that function as seminal vesicles (at least in males). Until now, no information on Tripedalia binata concerning gonad morphology, sexual dimorphism, spermatophore formation or structures that serve as seminal vesicles or spermathecae were published. We studied mature medusae of both sexes of Tripedalia cystophora, Tripedalia binata and Copula sivickisi in order to compare these structures in their stomach regions. We found sexual dimorphism and spermatophore formation in seminal vesicle-like structures in all three species. In particular, we show that along with the females of Copula sivickisi, the females of Tripedalia cystophora and Tripedalia binata also possess structures that store spermatophores and serve as spermathecae. The results are in agreement with the morphological synapomorphies for Tripedaliidae outlined in Bentlage et al. (2010), but suggest an adjustment of the diagnosis of Tripedaliidae (underlined): All carybdeids that display sexual dimorphism of the gonads, produce spermatophores and in which males and females possess subgastral sacs, pockets or purses which function as seminal vesicles or spermathecae.

Congruence between comparative morphology and molecular phylogenies: Evolution of the male genital skeletal/muscular system in the subtribe Polyommatina (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

The skeleton and musculature of male genitalia were studied in species of a model butterfly group (subtribe Polyommatina, Lycaenidae). In total, we analyzed 45 species of the tribe Polyommatini most of which were previously used in the molecular phylogenetic study (Talavera et al., 2013). The studied morphological characters were mapped on the molecular trees, which allowed us to reveal trends of morphological changes and to estimate the age of their origin. As a result, chronology of evolution of skeleton and musculature traits was established. It was shown that periods of slow morphological evolution alternated in the subtribe Polyommatina with those of a high rate of origin of new traits. For example, topography of the intravalvar muscles has not changed for 26 MY preserving their initial fan-shaped attachment. The evolution of intravalvar muscles started 10 MYA, proceeded slowly during the first 5 MY, and then accelerated during the last 5 MY resulting in the extensive splitting of the musculature in most monophyletic lineages. Mapping the morphological characters on the phylogeny demonstrated that the rates of skeleton and muscle evolution within the skeleton/musculature apparatus were different. In most cases the intravalvar musculature evolved much faster than the skeleton. The cladistic interpretation of states of morphological traits was found to be consistent with phylogenetic reconstructions based on analysis of multiple molecular markers. Moreover, morphological synapomorphies were found for the lineages Alpherakya + Glabroculus and Aricia + (Alpherakya + Glabroculus), which had low statistical support in molecular phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, in some cases molecular studies helped to reveal trends in the evolution of morphological traits. For example, the unpaired uncus and the compact juxta are not plesiomorphic for Cupidina as previously thought; instead, they were shown to have evolved secondarily within this subtribe.

New insights into polyphyly of the harpacticoid genus Delavalia (Crustacea, Copepoda) through morphological and molecular study of an unprecedented diversity of sympatric species in a small South Korean bay.

Polyphyly of the genus Delavalia Brady, 1869 has been postulated previously based on intuitive methods, but no phylogenetic study was ever conducted. A chance discovery of seven sympatric species of this genus in the highly industrialized Gwangyang Bay in South Korea, in addition to one species each from the closely related genera Stenhelia Boeck, 1865 and Onychostenhelia Itô, 1979, prompted a renewed interest in the phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily Stenheliinae Brady, 1880. Additional surveys along the Korean coast failed to produce Delavalia species, but comparative material was sourced from Posyet Bay in the Russian Far East. Aims of this study were to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of the newly collected stenheliins using molecular methods, test the hypothesized polyphyly of Delavalia, formally describe any resulting monophyletic units, perform a comparative study of traditional morphological and novel micro-morphological characters, and describe all new Delavalia species. A fragment of the mtCOI gene was successfully PCR-amplified from 23 stenheliin specimens and an additional 300 specimens were studied for morphological characters. All phylogenetic analyses supported the presence of at least eight genetically divergent lineages, most with very high bootstrap values, and the polyphyletic nature of Delavalia is demonstrated. Three new genera, each supported by molecular data and a number of morphological synapomorphies, were erected to accommodate the newly discovered species and some previously described members of Delavalia: Wellstenhelia gen. nov., Itostenhelia gen. nov., and Willenstenhelia gen. nov. The Chinese Wellstenhelia qingdaoensis (Ma & Li, 2011) comb. nov. is recorded for the first time in Korea, and six new species are described from Gwangyang Bay: Wellstenhelia calliope sp. nov., Wellstenhelia clio sp. nov., Wellstenhelia erato sp. nov., Wellstenhelia euterpe sp. nov., Itostenhelia polyhymnia sp. nov., and Willenstenhelia thalia sp. nov. Additonally, Itostenhelia golikovi (Chisleno, 1978) comb. nov. is redescribed from newly collected material from the type locality in Russia and its male described for the first time, while Wellstenhelia melpomene sp. nov., Willenstenhelia urania sp. nov., and Willenstenhelia terpsichore sp. nov. are established as new names for previously reported populations of two presumably widely distributed Delavalia species.