Article
Biology
Nicolas Mongiardino Koch, Russell J. Garwood, Luke A. Parry
Summary: Fossils provide a direct window into evolutionary events in the distant past. Incorporating fossils into phylogenetic hypotheses of living clades can help time-calibrate divergences and elucidate macroevolutionary dynamics. Additionally, fossils improve the accuracy of phylogenetic analysis of morphological datasets and increase the number of resolved nodes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander P. Sukhorukov, Maya V. Nilova, Maria Kushunina, Yuri Mazei, Cornelia Klak
Summary: The family Aizoaceae is a diverse group of plants, with around 1880 species, particularly in arid areas of southern Africa. These plants have evolved special reproductive adaptations to survive in harsh climatic conditions. The study focused on the anatomical features, evolutionary trends, and ecological significance of the seeds of 132 species from 61 genera. Several diagnostic characters were identified and added to the list of characteristics distinguishing major clades within the family.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Tyler J. Achatz, Eric E. Pulis, Ethan T. Woodyard, Thomas G. Rosser, Jakson R. Martens, Sara B. Weinstein, Alan Fecchio, Chris T. McAllister, Carlos Carrion Bonilla, Vasyl V. Tkach
Summary: Fibricola and Neodiplostomum, two similar genera of diplostomid, were previously separated based on their definitive hosts. However, DNA sequence analysis suggests that Fibricola should be considered a junior synonym of Neodiplostomum. Additionally, morphological identification of Neodiplostomum cratera specimens revealed genetic diversity within the species. Furthermore, molecular phylogenetic data showed multiple host-switching events in the evolutionary history of Neodiplostomum.
Article
Entomology
Chaoyang Kong, Keli Feng, Shengjuan Zhao, Wenliang Li, Xuankun Li
Summary: This study presents the first morphological phylogeny of the genus Homoneura, providing a framework and information for future research. The results did not support the monophyly of the genus Homoneura and subgenus Homoneura, but supported the monophyly of the subgenera Euhomoneura and Neohomoneura, as well as the sister relationship between subgenus Chaetohomoneura and Neohomoneura. The genus Homoneura is highly diverse, with over 700 described species in eight known subgenera, and more than 200 species recorded from China.
Article
Mycology
Lu-Sen Bian, Meng Zhou, Jian Yu
Summary: This article describes the characteristics of three new Coltricia species discovered in China, and confirms their placement through morphological and molecular data analysis. Additionally, an identification key to the recorded Coltricia species in China is provided.
MYCOLOGICAL PROGRESS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Bin Chen, Junfeng Liang, Xumeng Jiang, Jie Song
Summary: Three new species of Russula subg. Russula from China are described and identified based on morphological evidence and phylogenetic analysis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yan-Fang Cui, Peng Zhou, Kun-Li Xiang, Qiang Zhang, Hua Yan, Li-Guo Zhang, Bo Pan, Yu-Song Huang, Zhi-You Guo, Zhen-Yu Li, Xiao-Guo Xiang
Summary: This study used plastid phylogenomics to explore the relationships within the Trichosporeae tribe. It found that Hemiboea has diverse morphology, with plastome lengths ranging from 152,742 bp to 153,695 bp and GC contents ranging from 37.2% to 37.8%. The study also identified 13 hypervariable regions that could be potential molecular markers for species identification.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. A. Abade dos Santos, M. D. Duarte, C. L. Carvalho, M. Monteiro, P. Carvalho, P. Mendonca, P. C. L. G. Valente, H. Sheikhnejad, H. Waap, J. Gomes
Summary: A new species of filarial worms has been discovered in the blood vessels of Iberian hares in Portugal, which may pose a potential threat to the hare population. Further research is needed to investigate the morphology, prevalence, and clinical impact of this new parasite.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Yuliya Y. Sokolova, Robin M. Overstreet, Richard W. Heard, Nadezhda P. Isakova
Summary: The genus Unikaryon exclusively parasitizes Platyhelminthes, with two new species identified in brachyuran crabs from intertidal habitats in Florida. Unikaryon panopei was isolated from Microphallus sp. in Panopeus herbstii, while the second Unikaryon sp. is pending specific designation. Phylogenetic analysis showed Unikaryon panopei to be closely related to Unikaryon legeri, with 94% SSUrDNA similarity.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Satoshi Koi, Prem Lal Uniyal, Masahiro Kato
Summary: The submerged lithophilous Podostemaceae show significant variation in phenotypic characters, and taxonomic estimation based on these characters alone is not sufficient for a natural classification. Through detailed morphological observations and molecular analyses, the relationships between Cussetia and Terniopsis, as well as Indotristicha tirunelveliana and Dalzellia, have been determined. Based on consistent phylogeny and morphological variation, a new genus for Cussetia and Indotristicha tirunelveliana has been proposed, and diagnostic characters have been summarized.
Article
Mycology
Ning Mao, Jing-Chong Lv, Yu-Yan Xu, Tao-Yu Zhao, Li Fan
Summary: Two new species of Clitocella have been identified through morphological and phylogenetic investigations. These new species, Clitocella borealichinensis and Clitocella colorata, are distinguished from related species based on their morphology and genetic profiles. Phylogenetic analysis supports the taxonomic position of these new species within the genus Clitocella.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mihaiela Cornea-Cipcigan, Doru Pamfil, Cristian Radu Sisea, Rodica Margaoan
Summary: This study characterized the genetic diversity of 32 Cyclamen genotypes using morphological and molecular analysis. The color parameters of leaves and flowers were found to play important roles in the genetic diversity among varieties. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding and genetic investigations of Cyclamen plants.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Diane P. Barton, Frantisek Moravec, Xiaocheng Zhu, Shokoofeh Shamsi
Summary: Nematodes of the family Philometridae are poorly known and taxonomic issues exist within the family. Genetic sequencing of 15 recently described species showed they were closely related within 4 clades based on site of infection within host and habitat. Host family and geographical location were less important for their position in the phylogenetic trees.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wenjie Xu, Xuan Zhang, Hualiang Chen, Jiaqi Zhang, Qiaoyi Lu, Wei Ruan, Xiaoxiao Wang
Summary: This study investigated the molecular marker distributions of k13, Pfcrt, and Pfmdr1 genes in Plasmodium falciparum parasites imported from central Africa to Zhejiang Province, China between 2016 and 2021. The results showed geographical and temporal variations in the polymorphisms of these genes. This data provides updated evidence for adjusting anti-malarial drug policies in central Africa and China.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Ana Lucia Sereno-Uribe, Marcelo Tonatiuh Gonzalez-Garcia, Mirza Patricia Ortega-Olivares, Alejandra Lopez-Jimenez, Martin Garcia-Varela, Leopoldo Andrade-Gomez
Summary: This study re-described a small genus of echinostomatids parasitising threskiornithid birds worldwide. By combining molecular analysis and morphological comparison, it was found that previously misidentified specimens belong to the same species. This study represents the first application of an integrative taxonomy approach in this genus.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Miguel Calixto-Rojas, Andres Lira-Noriega, Miguel Rubio-Godoy, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon, Carlos D. Pinacho-Pinacho
Summary: The Profundulidae family consists of small-sized fish species distributed between southern Mexico and Honduras, characterized by their ecological niche to understand their biogeographic and evolutionary history. Competitive analysis revealed that ecologically similar species are not necessarily sister species, and Profundulus oaxacae may be a distinct valid species.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Ana Santacruz, Marta Barluenga, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: Procamallanus is a diverse genus of parasitic nematodes found in marine, brackish, and freshwater fishes, occasionally in amphibians and reptiles. This study reevaluated the taxonomic status of Procamallanus rebecae, described a new species endemic to Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and discussed the ancient association patterns and host specificity between cichlids and Procamallanus during their northern dispersal from South America. Sequencing and morphology analysis revealed significant genetic and structural differences between Procamallanus specimens from Central America and southeastern Mexico, leading to the description of a new species.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Camila Pantoja, Tomas Scholz, Jose Luis Luque, Gerardo Perez-Ponce Deleon
Summary: A new species of Crassicutis from Satanoperca jurupari in the Amazon River basin, Brazil, is morphologically similar to C. cichlasomae. Molecular data revealed C. cichlasomae represents a species complex in Middle American cichlids. The new species is distinguished from C. cichlasomae in various morphological traits.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon, Ana L. Sereno-Uribe, Carlos D. Pinacho-Pinacho, Martin Garcia-Varela
Summary: This study investigates the genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships of Posthodiplostomum minimum metacercariae sampled from different host species. The results reveal six well-supported monophyletic lineages, with four lineages primarily parasitizing cyprinodontiforms of various families, and two lineages exclusively parasitizing cichlids.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Santacruz, Marta Barluenga, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: This study characterized the macroparasite diversity of Midas cichlids in Nicaraguan lakes, revealing a fauna composed of 37 taxa. The large lakes had higher parasite diversity, but lower infracommunity diversity. Environmental factors, host resistance, competitive exclusion, and introduction of exotic fish may contribute to the observed pattern of parasite distribution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Luis Garcia-Prieto, Wesley Dattilo, Miguel Rubio-Godoy, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: This article presents the current state of research on Mexican fishes and their parasites, and provides a detailed description of a large dataset containing geographic information and fish-parasite interaction data. The data indicates that parasites are mainly distributed in certain states in the south and east of Mexico, as well as major basins throughout the country. The article hopes that this dataset will inspire researchers worldwide to explore ecological and coevolutionary aspects of fishes and their helminth parasites, and provide useful information for the implementation of conservation initiatives.
Article
Parasitology
Y. Velazquez-Urrieta, O. A. Flores-Villela, L. M. Ochoa-Ochoa, G. Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: Mexico has a diverse population of amphibians, but the study of its helminth parasite fauna is lacking. Vaillant's frogs in the Chiapas Highlands were examined and two trematode species were identified, one belonging to the Langeronia genus and the other to the Haematoloechus genus. Molecular and morphological analyses helped in the identification process, although the species of the Langeronia genus could not be fully determined due to lack of sequence data from specific locations.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
K. G. A. Dias, G. Perez-Ponce de Leon, R. J. da Silva, D. H. M. D. Vieira, L. A. R. Leite, R. K. de Azevedo, V. D. Abdallah
Summary: Phyllodistomum pepirense n. sp. is a new species described from the urinary bladder of Hoplias malabaricus in the Jacare-Pepira River, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Molecular analysis of the 28S rRNA gene showed that the new species is closely related to Phyllodistomum virmantasi from Mexico. The new species differs from P. virmantasi and other Phyllodistomum species reported from freshwater fishes in Brazil in terms of morphology, host association, and geographical distribution.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Leopoldo Andrade-Gomez, Mirza Patricia Ortega-Olivares, Brenda Solorzano-Garcia, Martin Garcia-Varela, Berenit Mendoza-Garfias, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: Adult specimens of monorchiids were collected from the intestines of Haemulon plumierii and Mugil curema from the Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico. Three new genetic lineages (species) and two additional species were discovered through molecular and morphological analyses.
Article
Parasitology
M. M. Montes, I. Garcia, J. M. Paredes del Puerto, J. A. Barneche, M. Ibanez Shimabukuro, G. F. Reig Cardarella, S. R. Martorelli, G. Perez Ponce de Leon
Summary: This study examined the morphological and molecular characteristics of Clinostomum metacercariae collected from three fish species in Argentina. The results showed a distinct lineage closely related to C. caffarae, and two other lineages which were conspecific with Clinostomum L3 and Clinostomum CVI metacercariae found in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Juan F. Espinola-Novelo, Brenda Solorzano-Garcia, Sergio Guillen-Hernandez, Maribel Badillo-Aleman, Xavier Chiappa-Carrara, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: This study analyzed the parasite diversity of the Ocellated killifish in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Sixteen parasite taxa were found, with 10 of them being in larval stages. The cestode Glossocercus caribaensis was the most prevalent, and the component community had higher parasite species richness compared to other species of Cyprinodontidae.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
D. I. Hernandez-Mena, J. Cabanas-Granillo, E. Medina-Hernandez, G. Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: This study reports a new species of digenean parasite found in the intestine of a fish species in Sontecomapan Lagoon, Mexico. The new species belongs to the genus Homalometron and shares morphological similarities with four other congeners. The discovery contributes to the understanding of parasite diversity in brackish water fishes of Mexico.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
A. Santacruz, M. Barluenga, G. Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: The heterogeneous landscape of Nicaragua is home to diverse freshwater fishes, including numerous endemic species. This study provides a survey of the parasite fauna infecting these fish species, as well as a checklist of parasite-host and host-parasite relationships. The findings reveal promising information about the diversity, origin, and evolutionary history of the Nicaraguan freshwater fish parasite fauna.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Brenda Solorzano-Garcia, Ella Vazquez-Dominguez, Gerardo Perez-Ponce de Leon, Daniel Pinero
Summary: The study reveals a genetic correlation between two species of pinworms and howler monkeys, with higher similarity in genetic structure, differentiation, and diversity between howler monkeys and T. multilabiatus compared to T. minutus. The results suggest potential local adaptation in pinworms and support the idea of correlated evolution between pinworms and their primate hosts.
BMC ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Y. Velazquez-Urrieta, G. Perez-Ponce de Leon
Summary: The study investigated the diversity of cercariae in 11 species of molluscs from two lakes in Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, identifying 16 genetic lineages and at least 16 putative species. Some cercariae were identified up to genus and species levels based on phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance. This research contributes to understanding trematode diversity and life cycles in an area with high vertebrate species diversity.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Markus Osaland Fjelde, Einar Timdal, Reidar Haugan, Mika Bendiksby
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomy of the crustose lichen genus Calvitimela using molecular phylogenetics and morphological observations. The results revealed evolutionarily old and deeply divergent lineages within Calvitimela, with overlapping morphological characters between different subgenera. Chemical characters were informative at the level of subgenera but often homoplastic at the species level. A practical taxonomy of Calvitimela was proposed based on these findings.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bo-Yang Shi, Da Pan, Kang-Qin Zhang, Tian-Yu Gu, Darren C. J. Yeo, Peter K. L. Ng, Neil Cumberlidge, Hong-Ying Sun
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of montane potamids in the Hengduan Mountains Region. The results suggest that the vicariance events of these crabs are correlated with the emergence of sky islands due to the uplift of the mountains. The mountain ridges provided corridors for their dispersal and past climatic conditions played a crucial role in their evolutionary history. The mechanisms isolating sky islands are reinforced by the climatic features of dry-hot valleys and continue to affect local diversification.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Attila Nemeth, Edvard Mizsei, Levente Laczko, David Czaban, Zsolt Hegyeli, Szabolcs Lengyel, Gabor Csorba, Gabor Sramko
Summary: Species delimitation of European blind mole rats is challenging due to their small morphological differences and complex chromosomal evolution. This study provides a comprehensive framework to improve understanding of their evolutionary history and revise their taxonomy. The results reveal the presence of multiple superspecies and species, with distinct geographic patterns and rapid chromosomal evolution.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying Qi, Zhaoyan Zhong, Xu Liu, Xing He, Yadong Zhou, Lili Zhang, Chong Chen, Katrin Linse, Jian-Wen Qiu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships among patellogastropod families using mitochondrial and phylogenomic data. The results show that the mitochondrial phylogeny recovers monophyly of most families, but the relationships among families are still contentious. However, a more robust family-level topology consistent with morphology is achieved by phylogenomics. Additionally, the mainly deep-water families are found to be monophyletic, suggesting a single colonization of the deep water during the Jurassic.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu-Jie Shi, Jin -Liang Huang, Jia-Xuan Mi, Jing Li, Fan-Yu Meng, Yu Zhong, Fang He, Fei -Fei Tian, Fan Zhang, Liang-Hua Chen, Han-Bo Yang, Hong-Lin Hu, Xue-Qin Wan
Summary: Despite numerous studies on hybrid speciation, our understanding of this process remains limited. In this study, we conducted an 18-year systematic investigation on Populus taxa on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and discovered three new taxa that originated from distant hybridization between two different sections. These hybrid taxa demonstrate greater ecological adaptability than their ancestral species due to heterosis. We propose a hybrid speciation process model that can explain important evolutionary concerns.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Cho, Denis Tikhonenkov, Gordon Lax, Kristina I. Prokina, Patrick J. Keeling
Summary: Unlike conspicuous ochrophytes, many small and overlooked flagellates belonging to basally branching stramenopiles remain poorly characterized at the cellular or genomic level. This study describes four new species, including two new genera, of sediment-dwelling MAST-6 and provides updated phylogenomic tree of stramenopiles. The characterization of these flagellates is important due to their phylogenetic diversity and abundance in various environments.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tian-Tian Xue, Steven B. Janssens, Bin-Bin Liu, Sheng-Xiang Yu
Summary: Phylogenomic conflicts are widespread among genomic data, with most previous studies primarily focusing on nuclear datasets instead of organellar genomes. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic conflicts within and between plastid and mitochondrial genomes using Potentilla as a case study. We found that both plastid and mitochondrial genomes divided Potentilla into eight highly supported clades, with two newly identified clades. Our results demonstrate that mitochondrial genes can fully resolve phylogenetic relationships among major clades of Potentilla and are not always linked with plastomes in evolutionary history.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra A. Grossi, Chunpo Tian, Mengjiao Ren, Fasheng Zou, Daniel R. Gustafsson
Summary: This study suggests that the coevolutionary relationships between chewing lice, endosymbiotic bacteria, and birds are not independent, but the patterns vary depending on the analysis method used. Additionally, louse host-switching does not seem to affect bacterial strains.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ingrid Olivares, Sergio Tusso, Maria Jose Sanin, Marylaure de La Harpe, Oriane Loiseau, Jonathan Rolland, Nicolas Salamin, Michael Kessler, Kentaro K. Shimizu, Margot Paris
Summary: Traditionally, differences between species have been associated with morphological variation. However, the discovery of cryptic diversity suggests that the evolution of distinct lineages can occur without morphological differences. Through genetic analysis, we found that a tropical montane plant lineage is composed of numerous unrecognized genetic groups that are not morphologically distinct. Geographic distance and topography play a crucial role in determining the genetic divergence of these groups.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2024)