Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ying Wang, Yimin Du, Xiang Song, Aijun Huang
Summary: Anax parthenope, a large dragonfly species patrolling around ponds and lakes, was studied for its complete mitochondrial genome which encoded key genes. The gene order, nucleotide composition, and start-stop codons were consistent with other dragonflies, with closer phylogenetic relationship to Anax imperator. The major clade of Anisoptera species was well-supported in the phylogenetic analysis, with Aeshnidae showing a close relationship with Gomphidae and Libellulidae.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Laura C. Breitkreuz, Ivonne J. Garzon-Orduna, Shaun L. Winterton, Michael S. Engel
Summary: We present a phylogeny of Chrysopidae based on combined molecular and morphological data. Apochrysinae was found to be sister to the rest of the family (Nothochrysinae and Chrysopinae), and the monogeneric tribe Nothancylini is confirmed as sister to the remaining Chrysopinae. The other four tribes are grouped into two clades, Belonopterygini + Leucochrysini and Ankylopterygini + Chrysopini. The Nineta-group is transferred from Chrysopini to Ankylopterygini. Within the diverse and species-rich Chrysopini, five genus-group clades are recognized: Chrysopa, Chrysoperla, Chrysopodes, Eremochrysa, and Meleoma. Mapping of characters on the phylogeny provides insights into their evolution in the family. Taxonomic changes proposed include the inclusion of Chrysopidia, Nineta, and Tumeochrysa in the tribe Ankylopterygini, and the synonymization of Furcochrysa with Chrysopa.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
De-Ping Wei, Dhanushka N. Wanasinghe, Eleni Gentekaki, Vinodhini Thiyagaraja, Saisamorn Lumyong, Kevin D. Hyde
Summary: Stictidaceae family includes species with diverse lifestyles, many of which are drought resistant and significant for studying fungal adaptation and evolution. This study introduces a new species and a new combination, as well as additional morphological and molecular data for certain species. Taxonomic conclusions are drawn based on morphological evidence and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data, highlighting characteristics and lifestyles within the Stictidaceae genera.
Article
Plant Sciences
Danilo E. Bustamante, Boo Yeon Won, Michael J. Wynne, Tae Oh Cho
Summary: Recent segregation of 12 genera in the tribe Streblocladieae has updated the taxonomy of certain species belonging to Polysiphonia sensu lato, with new combinations being proposed. Six new additions to the tribe have been made based on morphological and molecular analyses, including the description of a new species and proposal of new combinations. The study also identified additional diagnostic features for two genera within the tribe, providing insights into distribution, diagnostic features for delimiting genera morphologically, and molecular evolutionary relationships.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Mateus Marques Pires, Gerson Luiz Ely-Junior, Marina Schmidt Dalzochio, Goran Sahlen, Eduardo Perico
Summary: The study evaluated the intraspecific morphological variation in Erythrodiplax media in relation to different grassland physiognomies in South Brazilian Campos. Results showed that grassland type significantly affected the morphology of male and female dragonflies, with specimens from Coastal grasslands differing most prominently from those in Highland and Steppic regions.
NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Marina Vilenica, Dejan Kulijer, Bogic Gligorovic, Aleksandra Gligorovic, Geert De Knijf
Summary: A study in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro found Caliaeschna microstigma present at 135 localities, mostly in karst springs and streams. The species was observed at various altitudes, with most localities below 200m and facing anthropogenic threats like waste disposal and urban impacts. The research contributes to understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of the species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yulia Zakharova, Artyom Marchenkov, Darya Petrova, Yurij Bukin, Aleksey Morozov, Yekaterina Bedoshvili, Yulia Podunay, Olga Davidovich, Nikolai Davidovich, Alexander Bondar, Maria Kahlert, Yelena Likhoshway
Summary: This study investigated the delimitation and circumscription of Fragilaria and Ulnaria species, two closely related diatom genera. Strains from Lake Baikal were compared with species from freshwater reservoirs in Europe and Asia. Phylogenetic analysis of rbcL and 18S rRNA genes revealed that the baikalian F. radians clade was distinct from other species of the genus. Ulnaria species were grouped into three clades: U. acus, U. ulna, and U. danica. Morphological characteristics and genetic distance analysis supported the differentiation between species within these genera.
Article
Entomology
S. Bruce Archibald, Robert A. Cannings
Summary: This study describes the first discovery of fossil odonates from the early Eocene Allenby Formation in southern British Columbia, Canada. The findings include a new genus and species, as well as an unidentified wing fragment. The Dysagrionidae is the most common odonate family in other regional deposits of the early Eocene Okanagan Highlands series.
CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Prosenjit Dawn
Summary: A new species Cephalaeschna patrai sp. nov. is described from Neora Valley National Park, Darjeeling Himalays as the eighth species of the genus from India. This new species is characterized by bright green markings on overall black body color. An updated key for all the Indian species is provided here.
Article
Mycology
Zhi-Yuan Zhang, Yao Feng, Shuo-Qiu Tong, Chen -Yu Ding, Gang Tao, Yan-Feng Han
Summary: In this study, two new fungal taxa belonging to the family Clavicipitaceae were discovered in Chinese soils. These species were identified as Pochonia sinensis sp. nov. and a new genus called Paraneoaraneomyces gen. nov. based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis.
Article
Zoology
Deyan Ge, Anderson Feijo, Alexei Abramov, Zhixin Wen, Zhengjia Liu, Jilong Cheng, Lin Xia, Liang Lu, Qisen Yang
Summary: The research identified the Niviventer fulvescens species complex (NFSC) composed of species with well-developed spines, with the discovery of a new species, N. fengi. A comprehensive taxonomic revision within China resulted in the recognition of five species within the NFSC. Further study, including samples from Southeast Asia, is needed to fully understand this complex species group.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Lijuan Zhu, Yongxiang Hou, Hideyuki Chiba, Yohei Osada, Zhenfu Huang, Sergey Yu. Sinev, Min Wang, Xiaoling Fan
Summary: Two new species of Ochlodes, Ochlodes pseudochraceus and Ochlodes cryptochraceus, are discovered in China. Phylogenetic analysis shows that O. ochraceus can be divided into four clades. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, O. pseudochraceus, O. cryptochraceus, and O. rikuchina are considered distinct species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zi-yan Duan, X. I. N. Yang, Chao-mao Liu, Chang-lin Zhao
Summary: Two new species of bird's nest fungus, Cyathus asiaticus and C. prismaticus, have been proposed based on a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. They were characterized by specific features such as shape, surface texture, color, spores, and hyphal system. Sequence analysis of ITS and nLSU rRNA markers confirmed their placement within the genus Cyathus.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anja Holzhausen, Petra Nowak, Andreas Ballot, Ralf Becker, Jasmina Gebert, Thomas Gregor, Kenneth G. Karol, Elisabeth Lambert, William Perez, Uwe Raabe, Susanne C. Schneider, Nick Stewart, Klaus van de Weyer, Volker Wilde, Hendrik Schubert
Summary: The taxonomic status of five European Tolypella taxa was investigated using gene sequence data and morphological characteristics. The results showed inconsistencies between morphological and genetic identification, suggesting the need for further examination of the taxonomy of Tolypella sect. Tolypella.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Eleftheria Antaloudaki, Moysis Mylonas, Zacharias Kypriotakis, Nikos Poulakakis
Summary: This study provides initial insights into the phylogenetic relationships and sectional classification of Greek taxa in the genus Origanum based on nuclear and chloroplast DNA analysis. The molecular results show the monophyly of endemic species and confirm the close affinity of certain sections. However, the species sectional classification differs from previous recognition.
Article
Microbiology
Stephen J. Taerum, Daniel E. Jasso-Selles, Megan Wilson, Jessica L. Ware, David Sillam-Dusses, Jan Sobotnik, Gillian H. Gile
JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Diane S. Srivastava, Jessica L. Ware, Jacqueline T. Ngai, Brian M. Starzomski, Sarah L. Amundrud
Editorial Material
Ecology
Michelle Tseng, Rana W. El-Sabaawi, Michael B. Kantar, Jelena H. Pantel, Diane S. Srivastava, Jessica L. Ware
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manpreet Kohli, Marie Djernaes, Melissa Sanchez Herrera, Goran Sahlen, Erik Pilgrim, Thomas J. Simonsen, Kent Olsen, Jessica Ware
Summary: The study indicates significant genetic differences between North American and European dragonfly populations, which may have been separated for over 400,000 years. Dragonfly populations from the Greater Beringian region show haplotypes clustering with North American or European populations. Glacial Beringia may have served as a transit zone and refuge for dragonflies during the Quaternary period.
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christina L. Master, Kristy Arbogast, Steven Broglio
Article
Entomology
Jessica Ware, Manpreet Kaur Kohli, Ciara Mae Mendoza, Daniel Troast, Hiroshi Jinguji, Keith A. Hobson, Göran Sahlen, R. Charles Anderson, Frank Suhling
Summary: The global population structure and dispersal patterns of Pantala flavescens were evaluated using mitochondrial DNA dataset, nuclear markers, wing isotopic data, and a literature review. No haplotype structure was found between the samples. Isotope data suggest most samples were immigrants at the collection locations. Migration events of the species were confirmed by the literature review, with regular inter- and intra-continental migrations occurring. The migrations coincide with prevailing winds and seasonal rains, suggesting a mechanism of widespread gene flow.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ODONATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Thomas J. Simonsen, S. Bruce Archibald, Jan A. Rasmussen, Rene L. Sylvestersen, Kent Olsen, Jessica L. Ware
Summary: We propose a new genus Danowhetaksa (Odonata: Whetwhetaksidae) and discovered two new species, D. birgitteae and D. rusti, from the Olst Formation in northwestern Denmark. Whetwhetaksidae has previously been found only in the Ypresian Okanagan Highlands of far-western North America, making these new records the first in the Palearctic Region.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John C. Abbott, Cornelio A. Bota-Sierra, Robert Guralnick, Vincent Kalkman, Enrique Gonzalez-Soriano, Rodolfo Novelo-Gutierrez, Seth Bybee, Jessica Ware, Michael W. Belitz
Summary: Rarely have studies evaluated Odonata diversity across the entire Nearctic realm, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This study found a pattern of greater species richness in the eastern portion of the Nearctic, likely due to higher aquatic habitat diversity promoting niche partitioning and specialization. The southeastern US has the highest number of endemic species of dragonflies and damselflies, likely due to glacial refuges providing a foundation for a rich and unique biota.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Samantha Standring, Melissa Sanchez-Herrera, Rhainer Guillermo-Ferreira, Jessica L. Ware, Yesenia Margarita Vega-Sanchez, Rebecca Clement, Jonathan P. Drury, Gregory F. Grether, Antonio Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Luis Mendoza-Cuenca, Cornelio A. Bota-Sierra, Seth Bybee
Summary: In this study, a phylogenetic hypothesis was generated to test the relationships and divergence times within Hetaerininae. It was found that Mnesarete and Ormenophlebia render Hetaerina paraphyletic. The forest habitat was identified as the ancestral state for Hetaerininae, with transitions to generalist species primarily in the Mesoamerican region. The closure of the Central American Seaway was supported to have occurred gradually, starting in the Oligocene and ending in the Pliocene.
Article
Entomology
Aaron M. Goodman, Jamie M. Kass, Jessica Ware
Summary: The intensity and severity of bushfires in Australia have increased due to climate change, posing a threat to habitat loss for various species. This study investigated the effects of recent bushfires, land-cover change, and climate variables on the distribution of a dragonfly species. The researchers found that fire-specific variables had little importance in the models, while tree percentage and non-vegetative cover were most important. The dynamic model outperformed the static ones, and there were no patterns of habitat expansion, contraction, or shifting.
ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Mayra A. Saenz Oviedo, William R. Kuhn, Martin A. Rondon Sepulveda, John Abbott, Jessica L. Ware, Melissa Sanchez-Herrera
Summary: In this study, a machine learning approach was used to identify odonate genera based on wing contours. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) showed the best performance, distinguishing the highest number of classes with high accuracy. The findings also highlighted the need to include other morphological characters to improve classification accuracy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ODONATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vincent J. Kalkman, Jean-Pierre Boudot, Ryo Futahashi, John C. Abbott, Cornelio A. Bota-Sierra, Robert Guralnick, Seth M. Bybee, Jessica Ware, Michael W. Belitz
Summary: The diversity patterns of dragonflies and damselflies in the Palaearctic region show a clear longitudinal decreasing trend, with higher diversity found in tropical areas.
Article
Zoology
S. Bruce Archibald, Jessica L. Ware, Jan A. Rasmussen, Rene L. Sylvestersen, Kent Olsen, Thomas J. Simonsen
Summary: The early Eocene odonate genus Furagrion Petrulevicius et al. from the Danish Fur Formation is revised, and a nearly complete Fur Formation fossil is designated as neotype. Furagrion is a zygopteran unassigned to family, possessing the wing character states used to diagnose the Dysagrionidae but lacking the distinctive head shape of the Cephalozygoptera suborder. These wing character states appear in different combinations not only in various Zygoptera and Cephalozygoptera, but also in the Eocene family Frenguelliidae, possibly representing an unnamed suborder. Furagrion morsi Zessin is synonymized with Phenacolestes jutlandicus Henriksen, syn. nov., and Morsagrion Zessin with Furagrion Petrulevicius, Wappler, Wedmann, Rust, and Nel, syn. nov.
Article
Entomology
Aaron Goodman, Ethan Tolman, Rhema Uche-Dike, John Abbott, Jesse W. Breinholt, Seth Bybee, Paul B. Frandsen, J. Stephen Gosnell, Rob Guralnick, Vincent J. Kalkman, Manpreet Kohli, Judicael Fomekong Lontchi, Pungki Lupiyaningdyah, Lacie Newton, Jessica L. Ware
Summary: This study examined the use of museum specimens for high throughput sequencing and found that specimen storage over time and museum differences can affect the quality of DNA and sequencing results.
INSECT SYSTEMATICS AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Entomology
T. F. Carrijo, M. S. Engel, T. Chouvenc, G. H. Gile, A. Mikaelyan, F. Dedeine, J. L. Ware, I. Haifig, A. Arab, J. P. Constantini, J. P. Souza, S. -B. Lee, A. Bucek, Y. Roisin, E. M. Cancello, C. M. D. Santos
Summary: This commentary paper addresses the use of outdated and misleading terminology to categorize termites into higher and lower groups. It discusses how these terms perpetuate an inaccurate linear progression view of evolution and hinder our understanding of biodiversity. The paper advocates for using Termitidae (or termitid) instead of higher termites and suggests refraining from grouping lower termites together, unless referring to their symbionts.
