Members of the smoothhound shark genus Mustelus display a widespread distribution pattern across ocean basins with a high degree of sub-regional endemism. The patterns and processes that resulted in smoothhound biodiversity and present-day distribution remain largely unknown. We infer the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Mustelus, based on sequence data (3474 bp) from three mitochondrial genes

Within the ichneumonid wasp tribe Cryptini (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), Acrosnemus gen. nov. and its single species A. occultus sp. nov. are proposed, described, and illustrated. The phylogenetic placement of the new genus is tested using data from genomic ultraconserved elements in a matrix with 126 other species of Cryptini and five outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the new genus is related

Members of the genus Paramecium (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) are widespread ciliates able to colonize many fresh, brackish and marine water environments around the globe. Despite they have been historically used in a variety of research fields, ranging from genomics to ecology, their evolutionary origin and genetic structure remains elusive for most valid species. There are currently 19 valid species

Viviparous reproduction has evolved independently more than 100 times in the evolutionary history of Squamata (lizards and snakes). Adaptation to cold climates is the dominant hypothesis explaining shifts to viviparity, but viviparous species are also present in the tropical lowlands, implying the presence of other factors that may also promote the evolution of viviparity. For example, the tropical

The genus Harpactea Bristowe, 1939 (Araneae, Dysderidae) is one of the most diverse and abundant components of the Mediterranean ground-dwelling spider fauna. However, the taxonomic boundaries of the genus are unclear and its monophyly has been questioned, yet never tested, in a quantitative framework. The only taxonomic revisions in the genus trace back to the 1960s–1990s, and most subsequent work

Heleobia is the most specious genus in the family Cochliopidae, in which many species are morphologically similar. Here we used morphological, microstructural and phylogenetic criteria to investigate species delimitation within the Heleobia chimbaensis complex on the Atacama Desert coast. The range included subdivided populations of the species, the subspecies Heleobia chimbaensis conica, and the allopatric

Southeast Asia boasts a high diversity of carnivorous terrestrial snails in the family Streptaxidae. Six genera are now recognized in this region, mainly classified by the traditional characters of shell morphology, especially the configuration of the apertural dentition and eccentric shell shape. More recently, genital characters have been used to reveal new species and genera. However, the monophyly

Phylogenetic relationships of the Sphaerophoria lineage (Sphaerophoria Le Peletier & Audinet-Serville and related genera) were inferred based on molecular characters, with the specific aim to infer the phylogenetic placement of the Afrotropical Sphaerophoria species and Loveridgeana beattiei van Doesburg & van Doesburg. Three molecular markers were used, i.e., the mitochondrial protein-coding gene

We redescribe the Cuban endemic monotypic skipper genus Holguinia Evans and assess its phylogenetic position. Based on a 5640 bp dataset consisting of one mitochondrial and eight nuclear genes, we recovered Holguinia as a member of the Hesperiina, one of the subtribes of the mostly Neotropical Hesperiini, the largest tribe within the subfamily Hesperiinae. The ancestor of Holguinia split from continental

An integrative taxonomy approach is used to study the diversity of the Brazilian aquatic pipid frog Pipa carvalhoi, evaluating whether within this nominal species two or more lineages are evolving independently. To test these competing scenarios, we analysed morphological (tadpoles and adults), molecular (16S rRNA) and karyological data for up to 109 specimens to check for corroborating patterns among

(2020). An enigmatic carnivorous plant: ancient divergence of Drosophyllaceae but recent differentiation of Drosophyllum lusitanicum across the Strait of Gibraltar. Systematics and Biodiversity: Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 525-537.

Diacanthodes (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) is a fungal genus with stipitate basidiomata and a combination of ornamented and dextrinoid basidiospores that is unique among the poroid fungi. Although some hypotheses based on morphological features speculated about the phylogenetic relationships of the taxon, they have never been tested based on molecular data. We performed molecular phylogenetic analyses

DNA evidence is often critical for taxonomic studies; however, many historical type specimens lack corresponding genetic samples, which limits contemporary molecular research questions and may restrict conservation and management decisions. We conducted a pilot Type Locality Project to collect voucher specimens and genomic-grade samples from amphibian type localities in the state of Virginia, USA.

(2020). Delimiting boundaries between species: excavating sponges close to Cliona mucronata (Demospongiae) Systematics and Biodiversity: Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 573-591.

The freshwater-fish genus Laubuka contains ∼13 species distributed through the lowlands of tropical South and South-east Asia. Four of these species (Laubuka lankensis, L. varuna, L. ruhuna, and L. insularis) are reported as endemic to Sri Lanka, a remarkable datum given the island’s small size. We sampled populations of Laubuka at 56 locations in 14 of the island’s principal river basins and analysed

Tardigrada are a phylum of cosmopolitan invertebrates inhabiting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The carnivorous species are usually characterized by a wide buccal tube, which constitutes the first and rigid part of the digestive system. Among tardigrades, only the genus Milnesium is considered exclusively carnivorous and includes the largest known species in the phylum. Some members of the

In the last decade, understanding of the Neotropical lizards family Gymnophthalmidae has changed dramatically with the recognition of several new genera, resolution of non-monophyly, definition of previously unknown lineages and refined biogeographic hypotheses. Recent field explorations on the northern Cordillera Central in Colombia uncovered two undescribed species that cannot be assigned to any

Endemicity is a key consideration for conservation, and taxa that are endemic to a single country are vaulable conservation targets. In this study, we investigate endemic species of the genus Campanula in northern Iberian Peninsula based on sequences of nrDNA (internal transcribed spacer, ITS) and plastid regions (rbcL, trnL-F and trnS-G) and additionally the secondary structure of ITS2. The main aim

(2020). The relative role of glacial refugia and longstanding barriers in the diversification of a fossorial squamate. Systematics and Biodiversity: Vol. 18, No. 5, pp. 447-463.

Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni is one of the widest ranging glassfrog species, occurring in the lowlands from Mexico through Central America to Ecuador. Despite its conservative morphology, previous studies suggested that the species is comprised of multiple lineages. Here we test the hypothesis of cryptic species within H. fleischmanni by means of morphology, morphometrics, bioacoustics, and molecular

Reinwardtia Brauer & Bergenstamm is a monotypic genus, with only R. tachinina described from Venezuela. Here, we revised the genus to include Reinwardtia bicolor sp. nov. from Colombia and Ecuador. To investigate the phylogenetic positioning of Reinwardtia, we present a morphological analysis, including 16 species of the Neotropical Reinwardtiini genera. We used 35 characters from male and female adults

Ascidians are known to harbour bacterial symbionts in their tunics. In particular, the ascidian genus Lissoclinum can host abundant and diverse cyanobacterial associates. Here, we determined the diversity and host-specificity of cyanobacteria inhabiting 28 ascidian samples corresponding to eight Lissoclinum species: L. bistratum, L. midui, L. patella, L. punctatum, and L. timorense from Japan, L. aff

Lipotactinae is an elusive monophyletic subfamily of katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) unique to Asia and comprising two genera – Lipotactes and Mortoniellus. Nearly nothing is known beyond their original descriptions. The stridulum morphology is rarely examined and described in taxonomy and their acoustics are only known for six species, none of which is from Borneo. New Lipotactes specimens collected

Within the ichneumonid wasp tribe Cryptini (Ichneumonidae, Cryptinae), Acrosnemus gen. nov. and its single species A. occultus sp. nov. are proposed, described, and illustrated. The phylogenetic placement of the new genus is tested using data from genomic ultraconserved elements in a matrix with 126 other species of Cryptini and five outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic analyses indicate the new genus is related

The arctic environment continues to undergo a rapid transformation due to climatic shifts, human activities, and invasive species. Revealing ecosystem responses to these stressors requires extensive knowledge about the diversity of the Arctic fauna and flora. Gastropoda is one of the most diverse invertebrate groups within the marine benthos. Shell-bearing microgastropods (snails no larger than 5 mm)

Up to now, 19 species in eight genera and two families (Dorvilleidae and Oenonidae) of polychaetes are known to be endoparasitic in the body of other polychaetes. In this paper, we describe Endovermis seisuiae gen. et sp. nov. as the first representative of Phyllodocidae parasitizing other polychaetes. Specimens of E. seisuiae were found in the body cavity of Aphrodita sp. (Aphroditidae) and Lepidonotus

Stemodia sensu lato is one of the largest genera of the Gratioleae (Plantaginaceae). Recent phylogenetic studies corroborated the paraphyly of Stemodia in its traditional circumscription and suggested the segregation of S. stellata from this genus. This species belongs to a morphologically cohesive group along with S. cipoensis, S. harleyi and S. lobata, all endemic to the Espinhaço Range, eastern

The taxonomic identification of species is an essential issue in biological studies, as the uncertain taxonomy of a species hinders the investigation of its biology. Limitations regarding the description and identification of new species characterizes the “taxonomic impediment”. The genus Trypoxylon is an example of a taxon with this difficulty, particularly in the Neotropical region. It is a diverse

Investigations following the discovery of an unusual new collection from the Amazon lead to a phylogenetic investigation in order to ascertain its position within the Nyctaginaceae. Two different approaches were used: gene trees from nucleotide sequences of ndhF and ITS aiming to check the phylogenetic position of the new species in the genus Belemia (Nyctaginaceae), using mostly the available data;

DNA data consisting of a short segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI, or cox1), the standard barcode segment, have previously provided evidence that the butterfly taxon Telegonus fulgerator (Hesperiidae: Eudaminae) is actually comprised of a complex of at least 10 cryptic species presently referred to as the ‘fulgerator complex’. Because the 10 putative species, each

Lactifluus is a monophyletic genus of ectomycorrhizal fungi with about 200 described species classified in four subgenera: L. subg. Gymnocarpus, L. subg. Lactariopsis, L. subg. Lactifluus, and L. subg. Pseudogymnocarpus. Currently L. subg. Lactariopsis is considered monophyletic with approximately 57 species described and classified in four sections: Albati, Edules, Lactariopsis, and Russulopsidei

Marine bioinvasions are potential threats to biodiversity and ecosystems services, being one of the major environmental, human health and socio-economic problems throughout the world. In 2005, a sponge species never reported before to the Atlantic Ocean was detected in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). This species was initially considered new to science and in less than a decade its populations became very

Species discovery methods utilizing coalescent-based approaches are powerful tools for detecting cryptic lineages within morphological conservative groups, thus being an important methodology of integrative taxonomic research. Crocodilians are a classic example of morphologically conserved group where coalescence-based species delimitation analyses resulted in the discovery of cryptic lineages and

Until recently, the evolutionary origin of aquatic organisms in the Balearic archipelago (western Mediterranean) had been scarcely addressed. The freshwater gastropod genus Pseudamnicola Paulucci, 1878 (Hydrobiidae), consisting of ∼60 species in the Mediterranean area, is widely distributed across the major islands of Majorca and Minorca. From phylogenetic datasets of limited geographic coverage, a

This study aimed to examine the systematic position of South American species of Phacelia (Hydrophyllaceae) and Wigandia (Namaceae) and the historical biogeography of Hydrophyllaceae and Namaceae using molecular dating and ancestral area reconstruction. To this end, we constructed two datasets, one with a plastid (ndhF) and one with a nuclear marker (ITS), using previously published and newly generated

The description of a new species is a key step in cataloguing the World’s flora. However, this is only a preliminary stage in a long process of understanding what that species represents. We investigated how long the species discovery process takes by focusing on three key stages: 1, the collection of the first specimen; 2, the publication of the species name; and 3, the date when a minimum number

Cremolobus is a genus of seven species distributed along the Andes from northern Argentina and Chile northward into Colombia, and it inhabits a variety of different environments from humid habitats, such as the Yungas in Bolivia and Argentina or the Andean Paramos in Colombia and Ecuador, to the arid regions of the Sechura Desert in Peru. This genus, together with Aimara and Menonvillea, form the South

Erpobdellid leeches of the genus Trocheta are among the biggest and most charismatic members of their class. The studies of the group have a long and complicated history due to the lack of reliable distinguishing features, which impedes the taxonomy of the genus. A number of Trocheta species have been misclassified for years if not centuries. Our present research demonstrates that the genus Trocheta

Within many species, confusions occur between infraspecific taxa, recurrent ecotypic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity. Subspecies are often debated when they are supported only by slight morphological differentiation coupled to habitat variation. In this context we tested the evolutionary support of the four contested subspecies of Dianthus superbus. Based on 147 Eurasian accessions, our integrative

Recent improvements in taxonomy consider multiple operational criteria. Integrative taxonomy provides a methodological framework merging these multisource approaches. Bumblebees are considered as a uniform group where their taxonomy remains one of the most difficult. Here, we investigate the taxonomic statuses inside a monophyletic group including six taxa (B. inexspectatus, B. mlokosievitzii, B. ruderarius

The Central American genus Strangalidium Giesbert, 1997 Giesbert, E. F. (1997). Further studies in the Lepturini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lepturinae) of Central America. Occasional Papers of the Consortium Coleopterorum, 1, 17–42. [Google Scholar] is part of the subfamily Lepturinae, known for the floricolous habits of its species. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to study the relationships

The morphologically similar populations of the Korean freshwater spined loach recently described as a new species Cobitis nalbanti (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) inhabit the rivers and streams on the Korean Peninsula that flow into the Yellow Sea and the Korea Strait. These shallow sea areas have experienced recurrent sea-level rises and falls. In this study, we investigate the impact of

Knowledge of factors determining the distribution of plants on islands is of crucial importance in island biogeography. Here the drivers and mechanisms that best explain α- and β-diversity of orchids in the Aegean Archipelago were explored. The analyses were based on (a) matrix of the total number of orchid taxa recorded on each island, and (b) matrix containing the number of grid cells of each island

Species are a fundamental unit of biodiversity that are delimited via genetic data and coalescent-based methods with increasing frequency. Despite the widespread use of coalescent-based species delimitation, we do not fully understand the sensitivity of these methods to potential sources of bias and violations of their underlying assumptions. One implicit assumption of coalescent-based species delimitation

About a thousand described species of Myxomycetes, colloquially named slime moulds, are present in most terrestrial habitats. Molecular environmental sampling has revealed that a significant proportion of sequences could not be assigned to known species, with some specific groups showing a high hidden diversity. One such group included Stemonitis and allied genera, with only a few closely related reference

Vermilingua is a peculiar group of xenarthran placental mammals with well-established phylogenetic relationships based on morphological and molecular data, but until now, no combined analysis of those data types. Here we perform the first total-evidence phylogenetic analysis of Vermilingua and estimate divergence times for living and fossil anteaters with a tip-dating approach, using the Fossilized

Research on cryptic species complexes has reached a consensus on the necessity of integrating multiple sources of evidence. Reduced representation library techniques such as Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) have proven useful to study these groups. Both integrative taxonomy and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data remain to be widely applied to earthworms, an animal group with widespread

The Wallaby-Zenith Fracture Zone, within the Wharton Basin of the East Indian Ocean, is a geomorphologically complex structure with depths from abyssal to hadal (∼6600 m) with limited published taxonomic data. To fill this knowledge gap, this study describes two new species of scavenging amphipods, Stephonyx sigmacrus sp. nov. (Uristidae) and Civifractura serendipia gen. et sp. nov. (Alicellidae),

In the present study, we assessed the assemblages of terrestrial Heteroptera along a 500-km latitudinal and 500-km longitudinal gradient in the north of Argentine Patagonia and investigated the potential effects of the environment, vegetation factors and spatial structure on the community composition of terrestrial Heteroptera at regional scale. To identify the terrestrial Heteroptera assemblages and

Despite their importance, our knowledge of the biodiversity and phylogeography of sponges in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters is largely unexplored. Such knowledge, however, is necessary to better understand those patterns and processes that generated and maintained sponge diversity in this largely separated marginal sea, and to create a foundation for future exploration of the marine natural resources

The increase of free and open online biodiversity databases is of paramount importance for current research in ecology and evolution. However, little attention is paid to using updated taxonomy in these “biodiversity big data” repositories and the quality of their taxonomic information is often questioned. Here we assess how reliable is the current use of nomenclatural classification in the distributional

Morphological conservatism among closely related species often results in incongruent taxonomic classification between studies, leading to disagreements about the inferred evolutionary history of the species. This is the case in Mugil fishes, where extreme morphologic conservatism contrasts with wide distributions and high genetic divergence. To understand how these morphologically similar species

Sixteen species of Costus s.s. are cited to Brazil, all of which can be found in the Brazilian Amazon, while only three also grow in the Atlantic Forest: C. arabicus, C. scaber, and C. spiralis. Studies of the genus from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest evidenced a distinctive fourth taxon, similar overall to C. spiralis, which is an ornithophilous species, however the flower morphology of this new taxon

While among the most common Holarctic land snails, species of the Euconulus fulvus group have been subject to considerable recent taxonomic controversy. Based on 76 Euconulus populations collected across Eurasia and North America, we empirically evaluated these competing taxonomic hypotheses through an integration of nDNA and mtDNA phylogenetics, shell morphometrics and various qualitative traits.

(2019). Reviewer Acknowledgements. Systematics and Biodiversity: Vol. 17, No. 8, pp. 830-831.

Evolutionary processes in plants such as hybridization and polyploidy are relevant to speciation and little studied in subtropical South America. In subtropical South America, the genus Mimosa is highly diverse, comprising 30% of polyploid species. The origin and genetic and morphological structure of polyploids in Mimosa are only very recently investigated, as well as their relevance to speciation

Madagascar is an isolated oceanic island characterized by high degrees of endemism at all taxonomic levels. The waters surrounding Madagascar are still poorly studied for benthic marine diatom assemblages. The aim of our study was to analyse the taxonomic biodiversity and molecular phylogeny of the diatom assemblages of the Nosy Be archipelago in terms of their ubiquity/rarity. A total of 65 samples

The taxonomy of Gymnodinium and the Gymnodiniaceae is inconsistent, because the systematic position of the type species, G. fuscum, is elusive at present. Historical names of microscopic species are frequently ambiguous, making reliable determination difficult, although it is crucial to fully explore the biology of the organisms. We collected material at the type locality of a historical variety, namely

Green algal species of spherical cell shape are generally considered to belong to the genus Chlorella, which are mostly freshwater or terrestrial organisms. Phylogenetic studies have shown that this genus is polyphyletic and belongs to different classes. However, until now, only freshwater or terrestrial strains have been studied. Here we investigated 11 strains of ‘marine’ Chlorella deposited in public

(2019). End of the road. Systematics and Biodiversity: Vol. 17, No. 8, pp. 729-730.