Article
Zoology
Ara Monadjem, Leigh R. Richards, Jan Decher, Rainer Hutterer, Mnqobi L. Mamba, Jen Guyton, Piotr Naskrecki, Wanda Markotter, Benjamin Wipfler, Anna S. Kropff, Desire L. Dalton
Summary: Pipistrelloid bats in Africa are poorly understood due to their small size and morphological similarity. Recent molecular studies have led to the discovery of new species, complicating the taxonomy. A new Pipistrellus species has been described from West Africa, with implications for the classification of the genus. The Upper Guinea rainforest zone may be a hotspot for pipistrelloid bats and should be prioritized for conservation efforts.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kory M. Evans, Olivier Larouche, Sara-Jane Watson, Stacy Farina, Maria Laura Habegger, Matt Friedman
Summary: Evolutionary innovations are essential for organisms to adapt to new environments, and the evolution of cranial asymmetry in flatfishes was a rapid process that led to the colonization of novel trait space. Strong integration in skull shape changes played a major role in the evolution of this innovation by synchronizing responses to selective pressures.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jairo Arroyave, Christopher M. Martinez, Fausto H. Martinez-Oriol, Erick Sosa, S. Elizabeth Alter
Summary: The Yucatan Peninsula houses a spectacular karstic aquifer supporting a wide array of aquatic fauna, with genetic and morphological variations observed among Neotropical catfish populations in different cenotes. However, these differences do not correspond to discernible geographic patterns. The study lays the groundwork for future research on the evolutionary history of aquatic stygofauna in the region and emphasizes the need for further exploration of genetic differentiation in other species within the Yucatan Peninsula aquifer.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jasmina Ludoski, Ljubinka Francuski, Milica Lukac, Radoslav Dekic, Vesna Milankov
Summary: The complex biogeographical history of the Balkan Peninsula has led to remarkable freshwater fish diversity and endemism, with a focus on the unique Aulopyge huegelii. Research on Dalmatian barbelgudgeon populations from Bosnia and Herzegovina reveals morphometric and genetic diversity between introduced and natural populations, suggesting the need for targeted conservation strategies in the Dinaric karst region.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ramzan Ali, Ebrahim Shokoohi, Erum Iqbal, Muhammad Ismail Bhatti, Saboohi Raza
Summary: Ectoparasitic nematodes belonging to the family Hoplolaimidae were found in the soil surrounding the roots of khejri tree and Leptadenia pyrotechnica in the Thar Desert, Pakistan. The species were identified based on morphology and molecular characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis placed the studied population in the same clade with other Helicotylenchus species, and the Pakistani population of H. seinhorsti in a different clade. Further investigation is needed to understand the ecological role of these species in Pakistani agriculture.
Article
Forestry
Hugo Silva, Joana M. S. Cardoso, Ricardo M. F. da Costa, Isabel Abrantes, Luis Fonseca
Summary: A survey in Portugal found Potensaphelenchus stammeri in a declining centennial stone pine tree, Pinus pinea. An isolate of P. stammeri was obtained from wood samples and identified based on morphological and genetic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Portuguese P. stammeri isolate is closely related to other isolates of P. stammeri. This is the first report of P. stammeri in Portugal and includes detailed morphological and morphometric data for a Portuguese isolate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angus D'Arcy Lawrie, Jennifer Chaplin, Lisa Kirkendale, Corey Whisson, Adrian Pinder, Musa C. Mlambo
Summary: Genetic and morphological data suggest a Gondwanan connection between the non-marine aquatic gastropod genera Coxiella, Tomichia, and Idiopyrgus. More assessment of the validity of the family Tomichiidae is needed. Coxiella is found in Australian salt lakes, Tomichia in southern Africa, and Idiopyrgus in South America. The taxonomy and diversity of these genera need to be better understood for future studies and conservation planning.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jennifer J. Freer, Rupert A. Collins, Geraint A. Tarling, Martin A. Collins, Julian C. Partridge, Martin J. Genner
Summary: This study investigates the roles of geography, habitat use, and lateral photophores in lanternfish speciation using phylogenetic, ecological, and morphological data. The results suggest that large-scale oceanographic features structure the diversity of lanternfish communities and that speciation within this family might not require geographical isolation, but instead relies on divergent habitat use and differences in photophore patterns.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xu Wang, Hao Zhang, Ian Kitching, Zhen-Bang Xu, Yi-Xin Huang
Summary: This study analyzed the mitochondrial genomes of Sphingidae to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and genomic differences among different subfamilies within this moth family. The results supported the monophyly of all four recognized subfamilies and suggested a revised placement of Langiinae within the family.
Article
Biology
Nicola Zadra, Annapaola Rizzoli, Omar Rota-Stabelli
Summary: The study reveals a strong incongruence between nuclear and mitochondrial markers in the phylogeny of Aedini mosquitoes, suggesting potential evolutionary events or hybridization history as explanations. The findings may guide future research in phylogenomic studies of Aedini mosquitoes.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Olga Koshkina, Tatiana Deniskova, Arsen Dotsev, Elisabeth Kunz, Marina Selionova, Ivica Medugorac, Natalia Zinovieva
Summary: Russia has a rich variety of local sheep breeds, but their genetic diversity and maternal origin have not been thoroughly investigated. This study analyzes the mitochondrial genomes of Russian sheep breeds from different regions, revealing their diversity and phylogeny.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tong Liu, Jiachen Jia, Lingyu Liu, Jie Wang, Wenjie Chen, Guiyin Miao, Yilin Niu, Wei Guo, Kangkang Zhang, Keping Sun, Wenhua Yu, Jiang Zhou, Jiang Feng
Summary: This study used genetic markers and morphological characteristics to investigate the taxonomy of Myotis bats in China. The results revealed 11 species in China, with revisions made to M. davidii and M. longipes. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using multiple genes, and mitochondrial divergence was found to be much higher than nuclear divergence. These findings have important implications for the future research and conservation of Chinese Myotis bats.
Article
Zoology
Jessica R. Zehnpfennig, Andrew R. Mahon
Summary: In this study, a new species of Antarctic pycnogonid, Austropallene halanychi, is described. The species is distinguished from congeners by its larger size and unique morphological features. Molecular data and phylogenetic analyses further support its status as a new species.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Arnold Roger Bitja-Nyom, Jean-Francois Agnese, Antoine Pariselle, Charles Felix Bilong-Bilong, Andre Gilles, Jos Snoeks
Summary: The study revises the group of large five-spotted Hemichromis species from West Africa and Lower Guinea using a combination of morphometry and genetics. The results suggest potential synonymy of species and admixture of populations from different regions. Additionally, a new species, Hemichromis camerounensis sp. nov., was described in the study.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Debora Princepe, Marcus A. M. de Aguiar
Summary: This study explores how interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA affect species identification accuracy and the speciation process. The findings suggest that mito-nuclear compatibility plays a crucial role in speciation and genetic data reconstruction.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2021)
