Taxonomic Characters Research Articles

A taxonomic revision of the species of Licea subg. Licea (Myxomycetes)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Licea, subgenus Licea, using type collections and SEM imaging of the type material is presented. The type specimens of 20 species were obtained and studied simultaneously, and detailed comparisons of morphological features by light microscope and SEM were made. In four other species only published information was analized. The SEM imaging of the type material has enabled clarification of some taxonomic characters, such as the number of peridial layers, ornamentation of the inner surface of the peridium, and the ornamentation of the epispore. As a result of this study a new species from Mexico, Licea ampullliformis, has been formally described, and synonymy has been found in the case of two species, L. castanea and the recently described L. bryocorticola. As no type material was found for L. minima, a neotype has been designated here. In the case of L. pusilla an epitype has been selected in addition to the illustration, published in 18th century, which was chosen as a lectotype. A dichotomous key of the species examined is proposed to facilitate their identification.

Scientific history, biogeography, and biological traits predict presence of cryptic or overlooked species.

Genetic data show that many nominal species are composed of more than one biological species, and thus contain cryptic species in the broad sense (including overlooked species). When ignored, cryptic species generate confusion which, beyond biodiversity or vulnerability underestimation, blurs our understanding of ecological and evolutionary processes and may impact the soundness of decisions in conservation or medicine. However, very few hypotheses have been tested about factors that predispose a taxon to contain cryptic or overlooked species. To fill this gap, we surveyed the literature on free-living marine metazoans and built two data sets, one of 187,603 nominal species and another of 83 classes or phyla, to test several hypotheses, correcting for sequence data availability, taxon size and phylogenetic relatedness. We found a strong effect of scientific history: the probability of a taxon containing cryptic species was highest for the earliest described species and varied among time periods potentially consistently with an influence of prevailing scientific theories. The probability of cryptic species being present was also increased for species with large distribution ranges. They were more frequent in the north polar and south polar zones, contradicting previous predictions of more cryptic species in the tropics, and supporting the hypothesis that many cryptic species diverged recently. The number of cryptic species varied among classes, with an excess in hydrozoans and polychaetes, and a deficit in actinopterygians, for example, but precise class ranking was relatively sensitive to the statistical model used. For all models, biological traits, rather than phylum, appeared responsible for the variation among classes: there were fewer cryptic species than expected in classes with hard skeletons (perhaps because they provide good characters for taxonomy) and image-forming vision (in which selection against heterospecific mating may enhance morphological divergence), and more in classes with internal fertilisation. We estimate that among marine free-living metazoans, several thousand additional cryptic species complexes could be identified as more sequence data become available. The factors identified as important for marine animal cryptic species are likely important for other biomes and taxa and should aid many areas in biology that rely on accurate species identification.

Taxonomic and ecological significance of synnema-like structures/acanthophyses produced by Physisporinus (Meripilaceae, Polyporales) species.

Physisporinus, a genus in Polyporales, Basidiomycota, is a versatile fungus that lives as a wood decomposer, a potential pathogen of standing trees, and an orchid mycobiont. We previously reported that some Physisporinus species inhabiting wet wood in aquatic environments such as streams and waterfalls form synnema-like structures (SSs) bearing acanthophyses at their apices, and that they produce acanthophyses on vegetative hyphae when cultured on agar media. In this study, we investigated the acanthophysis-forming ability in Physisporinus and allied genera, and experimentally demonstrated the function of SSs. Phylogenetic analyses and observations of Meripilus, Physisporinus and Rigidoporus cultures showed that all of the strains forming acanthophyses belonged to Physisporinus, whereas strains of Meripilus and Rigidoporus did not produce acanthophyses. These findings suggest that SS/acanthophysis formation is a useful taxonomic character for members of Physisporinus. When Physisporinus strains were cultured under oxygen (O2) concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40%, most of those cultured under 20% O2 formed the most acanthophyses. According to these experimental data, the SSs/acanthophyses in Physisporinus were considered to have a respiratory function. Physisporinus probably acquired the SS/acanthophysis-forming ability to adapt to moist and/or aquatic habitats and to decay wet wood in which the O2 concentration is often low.

A Detailed Study of Leaf and Pollen Micromorphology of Some Species of Parietaria and Its Systematic Implication (Urticaceae)

Parietaria L. is a genus comprised of 20 species distributed throughout temperate and subtropical areas of the world. The leaf and pollen characters of four species of Parietaria from different locations in Iran were investigated with light and scanning electron microscopy, in order to assess their diagnostic significance to provide additional evidence on species delimitation. All pollen grains were small in size and found to be porate. Most of the pollen characters, such as shape and sculpturing of pollen grains, exine diameter, were overlapped between species and indicated limited taxonomic value. The pore and annulus diameter could be provided additional taxonomic characters that can be used for species delimitation in the genus. Moreover, the leaf epidermis provided new qualitative data (laminar hydathodes, bladder-based trichomes) that could delimit the species. The characters like twin stomata and laminar hydathode observed in P. officinalis were reported for the first time in this genus.

A new species of Uroxys Westwood, 1842 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from central Brazil, and taxonomical remarks on Uroxys epipleuralis (Boucomont, 1928).

Uroxys punctatus, new species, is described from central Brazil based on taxonomic characters in the cephalic and pronotal punctations and in the male genitalia. A comparative diagnosis with U. epipleuralis (Boucomont, 1928), a morphologically similar species, is provided. A lectotype is designated for U. epipleuralis from a series of four syntypes. Uroxys thoracalis Balthasar, 1940 is newly established as a junior subjective synonym of U. epipleuralis, whereas the previously proposed synonymy between the latter and U. dureti Martnez, 1947 is confirmed. Both nomenclatural acts are based on the study of the respective type specimens. A detailed literature review, illustrations of diagnostic characters, and distributional data for each species are provided.

Cytological studies reveal high variation in ascospore number and shape and conidia produced directly from ascospores in Morchella galilaea.

Spores are important as dispersal and survival propagules in fungi. In this study we investigated the variation in number, shape, size and germination mode of ascospores in Morchella galilaea, the only species of the genus Morchella known to fruit in the autumn. Based on the observation of five samples, we first discovered significant variation in the shape and size of ascospores in Morchella. One to sixteen ascospores were found in the asci. Ascospore size correlated negatively with ascospore number, but positively with ascus size, and ascus size was positively correlated with ascospore number. We noted that ascospores, both from fresh collections and dried specimens, germinated terminally or laterally either by extended germ tubes, or via the production of conidia that were formed directly from ascospores at one, two or multiple sites. The direct formation of conidia from ascospores takes place within asci or after ascospores are discharged. Using laser confocal microscopy, we recorded the number of nuclei in ascospores and in conidia produced from ascospores. In most ascospores of M. galilaea, several nuclei were observed, as is typical of species of Morchella. However, nuclear number varied from zero to around 20 in this species, and larger ascospores harbored more nuclei. One to six nuclei were present in the conidia. Nuclear migration from ascospores to conidia was observed. Conidia forming directly from ascospores has been observed in few species of Pezizomycetes; this is the first report of the phenomenon in Morchella species. Morphological and molecular data show that conidial formation from ascospores is not found in all the specimens of this species and, hence, is not an informative taxonomic character in M. galilaea. Our data suggest that conidia produced from ascospores and successive mitosis within the ascus may contribute to asci with more than eight spores. The absence of mitosis and/or nuclear degeneration, as well as cytokinesis defect, likely results in asci with fewer than eight ascospores. This study provides new insights into the poorly understood life cycle of Morchella species and more broadly improves knowledge of conidia formation and reproductive strategies in Pezizomycetes.

Taxonomic Morphology of Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Ceratopogononidae is a family of small nematocerous flies ranging approximately 1 to 3mm in length. Ceratopogonidae which was previously categorised as a subfamily of Chironomidae is distinguised by the presence of its biting mouthparts. Ceratopogonids commonly known as biting midges are the vectors of numerous pathogens such as viruses, protozoans and nematodes. Hence its transmission has a great veterinary and medical importance. This family is divided into four subfamilies: Leptoconopinae, Forcipomyiinae, Dasyhilinae and Ceratopogoninae. The flies were collected with the help of aspirator, Diptera net and UV light trap. The collected specimens were preserved in the 70% ethanol and later dissected out with the help of Digital Motic Dissecting Binocular. Ceratopogonidae include widely diversified morphotaxanomic character describing various subgroups. This variable character which include colour pattern, sizes of the body, proportions of various morphological parts are not very reliable for taxonomic identification. The study found that the morphotaxanomic feature like external genitalia of male and female, armature and arrangement of wing venation are much more stable. There are several puzzling problems in the determination of disputed species, can be resolved on the basis of taxonomic characters of male and female genitalia. The present paper will resolve the problem related to plethora of taxonomic character with special reference to biting midges.

Limited convergence in the postcranium of aquatic Crocodylomorpha

AbstractThalattosuchia (Early Jurassic to Early Cretaceous) and Dyrosauridea (Late Cretaceous to Early Eocene) are crocodylomorph archosaurs which diversified in fluvial and marine environments and endured extinction events (i.e. Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary for Thalattosuchia; Cretaceous–Palaeogene for Dyrosauridea). Their postcrania remain globally undervalued in anatomical descriptions and diagnoses, shrouding the locomotive adaptations that possibly underpinned their radiations and longevity. We thoroughly surveyed the postcranial morphology of Dyrosauridea and Thalattosuchia, recreated their girdles in three‐dimensions using tens of high‐precisions 3D scans, and analysed their shape using geometric morphometrics. Dyrosauridea and Thalattosuchia have clearly distinct postcrania, even when found within similar environments, suggesting the existence of clade‐specific features limiting the strength of evolutionary convergence. Moreover, the range of postcranial morphologies evolved by dyrosaurids and thalattosuchians is large compared to extant crocodylians, making the latter unsatisfactory functional analogues for every group of extinct crocodylomorphs. Our work reveals the previously unsuspected potential of postcranial anatomy as an abundant source of phylogenetic and taxonomic characters to assess the relationships within Crocodylomorpha. Incorporation of postcranial anatomy therefore appears crucial to fully assess the ecology, disparity, and relationships of crocodylomorphs.

Morpho-colorimetric characterization of the perigonium of the Alstroemeria pulchra complex (Alstroemeriaceae, Alstroemerieae) as an aid to delimit its infraspecific taxa

The main taxonomic characters of Alstroemeria derive from the perianth and have traditionally been used from qualitative perspectives, which difficult their interpretation, especially in species considered as infraspecific complexes. Through spectrophotometry and specialized image analysis approaches, a total of one hundred and sixty flowers from twenty populations of the Alstroemeria pulchra complex were quantified. Our results allowed us to recognize the infraspecific taxa A. pulchra subsp. lavandulacea, A. pulchra var. maxima, and A. pulchra var. pulchra through the color, shape, size, and ornamental patterns of their tepals. The colorimetric information subjected to discriminant analysis corroborate the taxonomic utility of flower color. Similar results were obtained from the analysis of ornamental patterns, sizes, and shapes of the tepals. The discriminant analysis of the combined matrix that included the shape and ornamental patterns allowed us to identify three non-overlapping groups within A. pulchra, with a high differentiation degree. These results significantly contribute to improving the understanding of the phenotypic variability of A. pulchra and its infraspecific taxa. This information will serve as a basis for systematic studies that will address the relationships between these and other related taxa from an integrative taxonomic perspective.

The antennular setation and sternal morphology of parastacid crayfishes, with a comparison across Astacidea (Decapoda)

Abstract The crustacean infraorder Astacidea is represented by two freshwater (Astacoidea and Parastacoidea) and two marine superfamilies (Enoplometopoidea and Nephropoidea). The antennule setation and sternal morphology were examined in specimens of 1) Parastacoidea: Cherax destructor, C. quadricarinatus, and C. tenuimanus from the Australian mainland; Astacopsis franklinii from Tasmania; C. gherardii, C. monticola, C. peknyi, and C. snowden from New Guinea; Paranephrops planifrons from New Zealand; Parastacus brasiliensis from Brazil; P. pugnax from Chile; and Astacoides madagascarensis from Madagascar; 2) Astacoidea: Pacifastacus leniusculus from Japan (where it is non-native); Procambarus clarkii and P. virginalis from the aquarium trade; and Cambaroides dauricus, C. schrenckii, C. similis, and C. wladiwostockiensis from Russia; 3) Enoplometopoidea: Enoplometopus chacei from Japan; E. debelius and E. occidentalis from the aquarium trade; and 4) Nephropoidea: Homarus americanus from the USA fish market; Metanephrops neptunus from Taiwan; and Metanephrops japonicus, Nephropsis stewari, and Thaumastocheles japonicus from Japan. Antennular setation and sternal morphology were identified as key taxonomic characters to distinguish between the four Astacid superfamilies (Astacoidea, Parastacoidea, Enoplometopoidea, and Nephropoidea). The two new key characters are described and illustrated in detail.

Description of the first-stage juvenile ofAegla jacutingaMarçal & Teixeira in Marçal, Páez, Souza-Shibatta, Sofia & Teixeira, 2020 (Decapoda: Anomura: Aeglidae) from southeastern Brazil

AbstractThe morphologies of only 10 of the 93 described species of Aegla Leach, 1820 are known. We describe and illustrate the external morphology of newly-hatched, first-stage juveniles of Aegla jacutinga Marçal & Teixeira in Marçal, Páez, Souza-Shibatta, Sofia & Teixeira, 2020 using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) comparing them with the same stage in other congeners and providing diagnostic characters. Aegla is morphologically a conservative genus, which creates many problems in the identification of its many cryptic species. It thus becomes necessary to refine the taxonomic characters used in the taxonomy of the group by providing a new sets of morphological characters to be analyzed.

Cataphryxus zapoteca sp. nov. (Isopoda, Bopyridae) and new hosts and records of bopyrid isopods from the Mexican Eastern Pacific.

Based on the examination of diverse crustacean taxa collected along the Mexican Pacific and deposited in the Colección Nacional de Crustáceos of the Instituto de Biología, UNAM, six species of bopyrid isopods were detected. New hosts and localities are reported for Munidion pleuroncodis Markham, 1975, Probopyrus pacificensis Román-Contreras, 1993, Probopyrus markhami Román-Contreras, 1996, Progebiophilus bruscai Salazar-Vallejo & Leija-Tristán, 1990 and Schizobopyrina striata (Nierstrasz & Brender à Brandis, 1929). Cataphryxus zapoteca sp. nov., is described as abdominal parasite of the shrimp Lysmata galapagensis Schmitt; this bopyrid is the second species described in the genus Cataphryxus Shiino, 1936 and the first registered on the American continent. Taxonomic characters, distribution and some reproductive data for five of the six species examined are provided in order to update the knowledge of this parasite group in this Eastern Pacific region.

Cotula australis Hook.f. (Asteraceae), a species newly introduced in Morocco

We report the discovery of Cotula australis Hook.f. for the first time in Morocco and North Africa. We found it living in the cork-oak forest of Maamora (Northwest). This species, a member of the family Asteraceae, is introduced to Morocco and has potential to be highly invasive and destructive to the native environment. We describe the distinctive taxonomic and morphological characters of this species and provide notes on its distribution, ecology, and habitat.

Comparative morphology of the larval mouthparts among six species of Notodontidae (Insecta, Lepidoptera), with discussions on their feeding habits and pupation sites

Larval mouthparts are significant organs for the individual development, morphologically related with feeding habits, and providing valuable characters for taxonomy and phylogenetic analysis. In previous studies, larval mouthparts revealed two identifying characters of Notodontidae. However, the evolutionary driving force and exact definition of these structures remain unsatisfactory. In this study, the larval mouthparts of Euhampsonia cristata (Butler, 1877), Fentonia ocypete (Bremer, 1861), Phalera assimilis (Bremer & Grey, 1853), Nerice davidi Oberthür, 1881, Cerura erminea (Esper, 1783) and Furcula furcula (Clerck, 1759) are morphologically observed and compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The larval mouthparts of the six species are commonly equipped with paired maxillary sacs, congruent with the previous descriptions. However, the larval mouthparts of N. davidi are peculiar for bearing toothed mandibles, providing an exception of Notodontidae. Otherwise, the mouthparts exhibit morphological differences on mandibles, spinnerets, labral notches, and setal arrangements among the six species. The morphological diversity and the related feeding and pupation habits are briefly discussed.

Influence of Supplementation of Dietary with Varying Levels of L-carnitine on Laying Performance And Egg Quality Parameters in Different Lines of Kurdish Quails

The present study is a morphological description of Cerambyx cerdo L. 1758 which was collected from different localities of Duhok province, Kurdistan region-Iraq. The species is morphologically has been described and illustrated in detail. The most important diagnostic and taxonomic characters were studied. The locality, general distribution, collecting date and host plant of this species has been recorded

A new species of the genus Hoplochaetella Michaelsen 1900 (Clitellata: Octochaetidae) from the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone, India.

A new species Hoplochaetella darwini sp. nov. is described from the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone of South Indian State, Tamil Nadu. The new species is distinguished from all known Hoplochaetella species by having only one pair of spermathecal pores in segment 7, and a combination of male and prostatic pores in segment 17. The canonical analysis of principal coordinates also supported the proposed new species, showing significant differences with other members of the genus based on the taxonomical characters such as the number and position of spermathecae and prostate glands. Furthermore, an identification key and updated checklist of known species in the genus are also presented along with updated locality details.

AN INSIGHT INTO THE SYSTEMATICS OF PLICATOSTYLIDAE (BIVALVIA), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF <em>PACHYGERVILLIA ANGUILLAENSIS</em> N. GEN. N. SP. FROM THE <em>LITHIOTIS</em> FACIES (LOWER JURASSIC) OF ITALY

The Lithiotis facies represents an Early Jurassic global bioevent characterized by a remarkable spread of gregarious bivalves, which produced large sedimentary bodies in tropical shallow-water marine environments. The most peculiar and common genera Lithiotis, Cochlearites and Lithioperna, with aberrant and extremely elongated or strongly flattened shells, have been studied since the second half of the nineteenth century. Despite numerous systematic studies, their phylogenetic relationship with the other bivalve families is still uncertain. The Lithiotis facies yields other bivalve genera, among which a large multivincular mytiloid, provisionally determined as Isognomon (Mytiloperna) sp. ind. or Mytiloperna sp., is recorded in the literature. This taxon is here studied from a systematic point of view to clarify its taxonomic position and solve the open nomenclature adopted in the past. Here, we propose a new genus Pachygervillia and a new species Pachygervillia anguillaensis. The stratotype is located in the lower part of the Rotzo Formation (Calcari Grigi Group, Lower Jurassic), while the type locality is in the Lessini Mountains (Verona Province, Trento Platform, Southern Alps). This new species is characterized by a thick aragonitic inner shell layer with a fibrous, irregular, spherulitic, prismatic microstructure combined with a nacreous middle layer, both also occurring in species of the genera Lithiotis and Cochlearites of the family Plicatostylidae. This microstructural layering is here proposed as the main taxonomic character of the family, which is here emended and divided into the following two subfamilies: Plicatostylinae, yielding Lithiotis and Cochlearites with stick-like shells, and Pachygervilliinae nov. subfam., yielding Gervilleioperna, Lithioperna, Pachygervillia n. gen., and Pachyperna, previously placed within the subfamily Isognomoninae.

Isospora juruviarae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes: Vireonidae) in South America

Chivi vireos Vireo chivi (Vieillot, 1817) are passerine birds widely distributed throughout Brazil, but mainly observed in the Atlantic Forest of the South and Southeast regions of the country. In this context, the current study identifies a new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 from V. chivi captured in the Marambaia Island, on the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. The oocysts of Isospora juruviarae Andrade & Berto n. sp. are subspheroidal to ovoidal, measuring on average 26 by 24 μm. Micropyle is absent or inconspicuous. Oocyst residuum absent, but polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal with pointed posterior end, measuring on average 17 by × 11 μm. Stieda and Sub-Stieda bodies are present. Sporocyst residuum is present among the vermiform sporozoites, which have refractile bodies and nucleus. This morphology was different from the other Isospora spp. recorded in the same family, superfamily and parvorder as the host. Molecular identification was targeted by the amplification and sequencing of two different loci of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene and one locus of the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S) gene. Phylogenetic analyses were not very efficient in forming monophyletic groups associated with host taxon, zoogeographical region or taxonomic character; however, they confirmed the identification as a new species through comparison with sequences from Isospora spp. of wild passerines. Finally, based on the morphological and molecular analyses of the oocysts recovered from the chivi vireo V. chivi in the current work, I. juruviarae is considered new to science, being the second species recorded in the host family Vireonidae and the first to have a supplementation by molecular identification.

A new species of Dilophochila Bates, 1888 with comments on natural history and distribution of the genus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Rutelinae)

A new species, Dilophochila glabra sp. nov. is described from the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico. Diagnosis and images (dorsal, lateral and ventral habitus, and genitalia) of the taxonomic characters are provided. Affinities with their closest congeners and the general distribution pattern of the genus are discussed, considering that it presents a typical Mountain Paleoamerican sub-pattern. The modifications in the mouthparts of this genus due to the specialization in the intake of pine needles are commented, as well as in two other different taxa within Anomalini.

Morphometric characteristics of the nematode Oesophagostomum venulosum (Nematoda, Strongylida) isolated from the domestic goat

The nematodes of the genus Oesophagostomum Molin, 1861 parasitize in the large intestine of ruminants and are widely represented in the terrestrial ecosystems of many countries of the world. One of the most common species of this genus in small ruminants is Oesophagostomum venulosum Rudolphi, 1809. The validity of this species was established using morphological and molecular genetic methods, the importance of which is still relevant. The aim of our research was to determine the morphological and metric characteristics of O. venulosum nematodes isolated from domestic goats in Ukraine. The differential parameters of mature males and females of nematodes of this species are described and illustrated, and the obtained data is analyzed in the context of the findings of other authors. The taxonomic morphological characters of O. venulosum include the presence of a pronounced cuticular vesicle at the head end, inner and external corona radiata, cervical papillae located behind the esophagus; in males, the presence of prebursal papillae in front of the tail bursa and features of its structure, thin and tubular spicules and features of the structure of their proximal and distal ends; in females, features of the structure of the tail end, vulva and its location. 35 morphometric indicators were determined and proposed to be used in the identification of O. venulosum in males, and 29 indicators in females. Of these, 20 parameters characterize the general body structure (the length and width of the nematode, the dimensions of the mouth capsule, cervical vesicle, esophagus, the length of the inner and outer radial crowns, the location of the nerve ring and cervical papillae, as well as their sizes). In male nematodes of this species, 15 indicators characterize the metric parameters of the reproductive system (the size of the spicules in their various parts, gubernaculum, genital cone, genital papillae and their location, the width of the copulatory bursa). In females, 7 indicators are described that characterize the length of the vagina, the ovipositor, the location of the vulva and anus, the width of the body in the area of the vulva and anus, as well as two metric parameters of eggs. The identified and described morphometric characters of O. venulosum males and females based on microscopic studies can be an economical and effective method for researchers to accurately identify nematodes of this species. The information obtained in this study can contribute to the timely planning of control and prevention strategies for the parasitism of these nematodes on goat farms.