Phylogenetic relationships within western African Torrent Toads (Anura: Bufonidae: Werneria) with focus on the taxonomic status of Werneria preussi and Atelopus africanus

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5575(3), P. 351 - 373

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Bufo preussi Matschie, 1893 from Mt. Cameroon was the first African Torrent toad to be described, soon followed by Atelopus africanus Werner, 1898 Bismarkburg in Togo. Shortly after, both species were considered conspecific and, currently, fall under name Werneria following taxonomic revisions. The type locality of A. consequently believed an error, especially due absence reports individuals Togo subsequent years. However, it remained uncertain if this synonymy is justified or may indeed represent a valid but potentially extinct species. To answer question, we generated mitochondrial data (12S, 16S and COI) for name-bearing types W. using museomic approach. This further complemented nuclear contemporary relatives. Our multi-gene phylogeny inferred showed that constitute well-supported monophyletic group, which includes submontana. Together with distance values falling below commonly used threshold 3% 6% COI, result provides strong evidence being junior synonym preussi, genus It indicates submontana does not distinct rather geographic variety differing morphologically topotypic preussi. Due morphological differentiation, propose consider populations as subspecies herein introduce new comb. nov. We designate lectotype order increase nomenclatural stability facilitate future research focusing on Toads.

Language: Английский

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Museomic analyses clarify species diversity in the icefish genus Channichthys

Polar Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 48(1)

Published: Jan. 31, 2025

Language: Английский

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A new species of wolf snake Lycodon Fitzinger, 1826 from China and Myanmar (Squamata: Colubridae), and new data on Lycodon gongshan Vogel & Luo, 2011

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5621(1), P. 1 - 51

Published: April 13, 2025

We describe a new species of wolf snake in the genus Lycodon Fitzinger based on eight specimens collected from Xizang Autonomous Region southwestern China and Sagaing northern Myanmar (Burma). The species, latifasciatus sp. nov., was previously confused with fasciatus Anderson gongshan Vogel & Luo but differs each by having dorsal color pattern consisting broad dark brown orange crossbands higher number subcaudal scales (90–96). Phylogenetic analyses mitochondrial nuclear DNA sequences (16s ribosomal RNA, cytochrome b, recombination activation gene 1) recover nov. as well-supported outgroup to clade containing five species: fasciatus, gongshan, butleri Boulenger, L. cavernicolus Grismer, Quah, Anuar, Muin, Wood Nor, sidiki Wostl, Hamidy, Kurniawan Smith. It is further distinguished all members that uncorrected pairwise distances ranging 6.65–12.94% (based b sequences), lack haplotype sharing (recombination 1). A redescription molecular morphological data provided, including confirmation recent records Sichuan Province, record Kachin State, Myanmar.

Language: Английский

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DNA-barcoding and ecological niche analysis of Wart Biters (Decticus spp.) from an endemism hotspot (Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5621(5), P. 547 - 559

Published: April 21, 2025

Understanding biogeographical patterns is a challenging task, particularly in the case of poorly studied organisms, whose phylogenetic affinities and ecological needs are not yet understood. Such common among invertebrates insects, extensive diversity may hamper full deep comprehension their evolutionary patterns. Within orthopterans also represent relatively group. Building knowledge upon biogeography evolution provide key insights to conservation, especially range-restricted taxa that inherently more vulnerable, prone extinction. In this study we thus applied an integrated approach, combining DNA-barcoding niche modelling, for investigating wart biters (Orthoptera Tettigoniidae, genus Decticus). We aimed at providing first screening molecular identity species within genus, assessment macro-ecological needs. analysed mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome oxidase I COI) bioclimatic data four Decticus occur Italian Peninsula (D. verrucivorus, D. albifrons, loudoni, aprutianus), reconstructing relationships based on approaches, comparing preferences. COI sequences all found Italy, including one available two endemic ones. clear differentiation species, with albifrons being most distinct basal taxon, as sequence adopted. Our results bring evidence significant differentiation, each occupying portion climatic space Italy. Notably, short-winged loudoni aprutianus, result sister according COI, exhibit greater specialisation compared widespread species. Besides, highlight intra-taxon both verrucivorus sensu stricto suggesting further research potential intraspecific variability be needed clarify taxonomic position populations. The observed genetic divergence suggest adaptation different conditions have played role diversification these confirmed importance biodiversity hotspot Orthoptera solid baseline in-depth studies, besides novel used e.g., metabarcoding or eDNA campaigns. Further fact explore specific factors driving other taxa, investigate pathways led genus’ current distribution.

Language: Английский

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Beyond boundaries: Phylogeographic structure and major range extension of the Sinai Fan-Toed Gecko, Ptyodactylus guttatus (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Arid Environments, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 227, P. 105335 - 105335

Published: Feb. 13, 2025

Language: Английский

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The More the Better: Genetic Monitoring of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) Experimental Restockings in Sardinia (Western Mediterranean Sea)

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 554 - 554

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Paracentrotus lividus is a widely distributed species in the Mediterranean Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean, where it plays an important ecological commercial role. The growing demand for its delicious gonads has rapidly led to overexploitation of natural populations around Sardinia (western Mediterranean). present research aimed at understanding population genetics within area, gathering data on juveniles produced experimental 'conservation hatchery' facility. A multilocus approach was used, combining mitochondrial genes (COI Cytb) microsatellite markers. Overall, both microsatellites results indicate that hatchery-produced were less genetically diverse significantly divergent from wild populations, most likely because bottleneck effect due insufficient number parental breeders used. As concerns despite high harvesting pressure, they still have good quantity genetic variation. weak overall differentiation found, suggesting extensive gene flow among sites. However, pairwise comparisons between Sardinian samples found be significant with regard sequences, further investigated additional studies. These provide scientific knowledge necessary inform future management actions improve aquaculture protocols.

Language: Английский

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An updated survey of molecular diversity in Madagascar's velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, with description of a new species from the island’s arid West

Zootaxa, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5620(2), P. 230 - 254

Published: April 8, 2025

Madagascar velvet geckos, genus Blaesodactylus, are classified in six species distributed over low-elevation sites across most of Madagascar. Based on DNA sequences one mitochondrial and two nuclear-encoded gene fragments obtained from numerous newly collected tissue samples, we provide an updated review their molecular variation. Our genetic screening confirms extended distribution B. ambonihazo, so far only known its type locality Ankarafantsika, now reaching northwards to the Sahamalaza Peninsula. Compared previously available data, also verify minor range extensions boivini (southeastwards Bezavona), antongilensis (northwards Marojejy Massif), sakalava complex. Samples assigned according current taxonomy fell into sister lineages differing by about 8.5% pairwise distances 16S rRNA gene, lack haplotype sharing CMOS various subtle but consistent differences body proportions scalation. We conclude that lineage occurring South Madagascar, encompassing locations south Morombe, corresponds sensu stricto based morphological characters name-bearing type; describe West north Morombe as a new species, ganzhorni sp. nov.

Language: Английский

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Morphological Characterization and Assessment of Genetic Variability of Tylenchulus semipenetrans Populations from Southern Iran

Journal of Nematology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 56(1)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Molecular data should be combined with morphological to enhance the reliability of phylogenetic and diagnostic studies on nematodes. In this study, citrus nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans collected from orchards in different localities Fars province, southern Iran, was characterized using partial sequencing ITS rDNA, D2-D3 28S rDNA COI mtDNA genes. We also morphometrically second-stage juveniles (J2) male specimens. The results showed that T. is a genetically homogeneous species, only minor nucleotide differences were detected among populations. Phylogenetic demonstrated most Iranian populations grouped together, there no However, sequence alignment ITS, revealed 17, 24, 16 single variations (SNVs) 11, 12, 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), respectively. morphometric analysis slight within . haplotype topology did not correlate their geographical origin host type. constructed trees close relationship between Trophotylenchulus addition, relationships musicola closest taxon semipenetrans. study provide better understanding diversity may shed light genetic variation nematode.

Language: Английский

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