Article
Microbiology
Mingzhen Ma, Yuqing Li, Qingxiang Yuan, Xuetong Zhao, Khaled A. S. Al-Rasheid, Jie Huang, Honggang Ma, Xiangrui Chen
Summary: This study investigated the morphological and molecular characteristics of four suctorian ciliates collected from a freshwater lake in Ningbo, China. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that they belong to three monophyletic suctorian orders, with the family Heliophryidae now being transferred from Evaginogenida to Endogenida based on evidence of endogenous budding reproduction by the type genus Heliophrya.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Joao Paulo Capretz Batista da Silva, Thiago Silva Loboda, Ricardo de Souza Rosa
Summary: This study investigates the pelvic girdle morphology of rays in order to analyze the distribution of the ischial process and its potential significance as a synapomorphy for the Myliobatiformes plus Zanobatus. The findings support the phylogenetic position of Zanobatus as a sister taxon to Myliobatiformes and provide a reinterpretation of its pelvic girdle morphology in relation to previous studies.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ambre Coste, R. Ewan Fordyce, Carolina Loch
Summary: A new fossil dolphin, Nihohae matakoi gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Oligocene of New Zealand, reveals a diverse dentition with a variety of tooth shapes and orientations, including horizontally procumbent tusk-like teeth. This suggests adaptive advantages for horizontally procumbent teeth in basal dolphins.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Erick Rodriguez-Ibarra, Juan Violante-Gonzalez, Scott Monks
Summary: Eight specimens of Urobatis jamaicensis collected from the Yu-catan Peninsula, Mexico, were found to be infected with two new species of Acanthobothrium. These new species differ from other congeners in various characteristics, such as size of the scolex and bothridia, length of the cephalic peduncle, and number of proglottids. One of the new species is distinguished by its clover leaf-shaped scolex. According to the current category scheme, these new species belong to categories 1 and 5, respectively.
Article
Microbiology
Mei-Xiang Li, Gang Wu, Zhu L. Yang
Summary: In this study, four new species of the genus Hemileccinum were identified based on morphological and molecular evidence, expanding the diversity within the genus. The study also provided insights into the pileipellis structure and basidiospore surface characteristics of the studied species.
Article
Parasitology
Geraldine Oosthuizen, Aline A. Acosta, Nico J. Smit, Bjoern C. Schaeffner
Summary: The newly discovered Grillotia sasciae n. sp., recovered from the spotted skate off the south coast of the Western Cape in South Africa, shares similarities with species in the Grillotia subgenus, but possesses distinctive characteristics at both morphological and molecular levels.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jamille A. Bitencourt, Paulo R. A. M. Affonso, Robson T. C. Ramos, Horacio Schneider, Iracilda Sampaio
Summary: In this study, the researchers conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Achiridae family using both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. The results confirmed the monophyletism of Achiridae and identified non-monophyletic genera within the family. The study also provided evidence for the origin of Achiridae in estuaries and the independent evolution of some lineages in marine or freshwater habitats. Additionally, the researchers proposed a scenario for the diversification of New World soles involving marine incursions and geographic barriers. The dependence of Achiridae on estuaries was found to have driven the recent divergence of many species.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tong-Kai Zong, Heng Zhao, Xiao-Ling Liu, Li-Ying Ren, Chang-Lin Zhao, Xiao-Yong Liu
Summary: Four new species within the genus Absidia, characterized by unique morphological traits and molecular evidence, are proposed in this study. Phylogenetic analyses based on rDNA sequences supported the novelty of these species. An identification key to all known Absidia species in China is provided, along with illustrations of the new species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kanad Das, Aniket Ghosh, Dyutiparna Chakraborty, Sudeshna Datta, Ishika Bera, Ranjith Layola Mr, Farheen Banu, Alfredo Vizzini, Komsit Wisitrassameewong
Summary: Through morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, it has been discovered that European and American names of wild mushrooms were often mistakenly applied to Asian lookalikes in the past. Consequently, taxonomical research on wild mushrooms has been intensified in Asian countries, including India, in recent years to reveal the true mushroom diversity. In this study, four new species and two species new to India were identified and established based on morphology and molecular phylogeny.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yixian Liu, Yuping Shi, Duanyong Zhuo, Tao Yang, Limin Dai, Lanlan Li, Heng Zhao, Xiaoyong Liu, Zhiying Cai
Summary: This study isolated 118 strains of Colletotrichum from rubber tree leaves in Yunnan Province, China, and identified nine different species of Colletotrichum based on genetic and phenotypic analysis. The dominant pathogens causing anthracnose on rubber trees in Yunnan were Colletotrichum fructicola, C. siamense, and C. wanningense.
Article
Forestry
Chang Xu, Zhi-Qun Liang, Ming-Sheng Su, Shuai Jiang, Yun Chen, Yu-Guang Fan, Nian-Kai Zeng
Summary: Austroboletusbrunneisquamus, a newly described species from a tropical rainforest in China, is characterized by its scaly pileal surface and fine cristate ornamentation on basidiospores.
Article
Zoology
Jhon Jairo Ospina-Sarria, Taran Grant
Summary: By studying the phenotypic characters of Brachycephaloidea, we have provided new synapomorphies to recognize three clades previously recognized solely on the basis of DNA. We conclude that phenotypic data are a valuable source of evidence in testing phylogenetic hypotheses of Brachycephaloidea.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Siarhei A. Dabravolski, Stanislav V. Isayenkov
Summary: Our study elucidates the evolution of the voltage-independent TPK (two-pore K+-channels) family, represented in some species by one pore, K+-inward rectifier (Kir)-like channels. Through a comprehensive investigation of existing databases and modern bioinformatic tools, we have gained insight into the evolutionary origin of TPK family proteins by conducting a detailed phylogenetic inventory of TPK/KCO3 (KCO: potassium channel, outward rectifying) channels across many taxa.
Article
Microbiology
Yu-Zhuo Zhang, Wen-Fei Lin, Bart Buyck, Zhi-Qun Liang, Ming-Sheng Su, Zuo-Hong Chen, Ping Zhang, Shuai Jiang, Dong-Yu An, Nian-Kai Zeng
Summary: Species of Cantharellus subgenus Cantharellus in China have important mycorrhizal properties, medicinal values, and edibility. Four new species were described in this study, contributing to the knowledge of species diversity in China.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Sieber, Arne Traulsen, Hinrich Schulenburg, Angela E. Douglas
Summary: The prevalence of specific microbes in a host population can increase even when they do not provide specific benefits to the host, especially when there is overlap in their lifecycles and they share dispersal routes. This suggests that host enrichment alone is not a reliable indicator of beneficial host-microbe interactions, but increased time spent associated with a host can lead to new selection conditions, potentially favoring microbial adaptations towards a host-associated lifestyle and laying the foundation for the evolution of mutually beneficial coevolved symbioses.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Tomas Scholz, Andrea Waeschenbach, Mikulas Oros, Jan Brabec, D. Timothy J. Littlewood
Summary: This study presents the most comprehensive multi-gene molecular phylogeny of tapeworms of the order Caryophyllidea, revealing three well-supported lineages and highlighting the importance of host association and biogeographical distribution in their classification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Kirsten Jensen, Rachel Guyer
Summary: The study investigated lecanicephalidean cestodes parasitizing endangered giant freshwater whiprays, discovering 3 new species and increasing the total number of known Tetragonocephalum species.
JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janine N. Caira, Kirsten Jensen
Summary: This study reports a novel example of nutritionally-based mutualism with bacteria in two geographically disparate and phylogenetically distant species of tapeworms, Elicilacunosus dharmadii and Caulobothrium multispelaeum. Both tapeworms possess cavities with concentrations of bacteria on their outer surfaces, suggesting a specialized structure for enhanced nutrient uptake.
Article
Zoology
Janine N. Caira, Kirsten Jensen
Summary: Two new species of the cestode genus Caulobothrium, Caulobothrium multispelaeum n. sp. and Caulobothrium katzi n. sp., collected from the duckbill eagle ray off Senegal, are described. They are among the smallest and largest members of the genus, possessing unique medial longitudinal grooves on their strobila. This study also suggests that apical suckers may be present in all members of the genus.
Article
Parasitology
Janine N. Caira, Kyle Otto, Daniel Fernando, Kirsten Jensen
Summary: Examination of bamboo shark specimens from Sri Lanka revealed three new species of 'tetraphyllidean' cestodes, each belonging to a different genus. These new species exhibit morphological differences from their congeners and show similarities in microtrich patterns on their scolices.
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liina Kinkar, Robin B. Gasser, Bonnie L. Webster, David Rollinson, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, Bill C. H. Chang, Andreas J. Stroehlein, Pasi K. Korhonen, Neil D. Young
Summary: This study demonstrates how third-generation long-read sequencing and informatic methods can accurately characterize long non-coding, tandem-repetitive regions in mitochondrial genomes, overcoming challenges faced by conventional sequencing methods. The discovery of a large tandem-repetitive non-coding region in a metazoan organism raises questions about the evolution and function of potential control regions in mt genomes, prompting further exploration using Nanopore-informatic workflows.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Janine N. Caira, Veronica Bueno, Kirsten Jensen
Summary: New genera of tapeworms were identified based on molecular sequence data, each parasitizing different species of elasmobranchs. Morphological characteristics were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. These new genera are supported by a taxonomically comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analysis, with the addition of newly generated sequence data, to provide new insights into the study of phyllobothriidean tapeworms.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. N. Caira, M. Pickering, K. Jensen
Summary: This study identified six new species of tapeworm genus Yamaguticestus in catsharks, indicating that the previous prediction of 70 undiscovered species may be an underestimate of the diversity of tapeworms.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Kirsten Jensen, Isabel A. M. Pen, Janinen Caira
Summary: The Rhoptrobothriidae is a mysterious family of cestodes found in elasmobranchs, with debates over the taxonomic status of its original genera primarily due to differences in interpretation of the complex morphology of their scolex. Apart from Rhoptrobothrium, each genus is monotypic. New data from specimens collected from various locations have led to the assessment of the taxonomic status of these genera, revealing that Myzophyllobothrium, Myzocephalus, and Rhoptrobothrium are not mutually monophyletic, with Myzophyllobothrium being recognized as the valid genus.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Euripide F. G. A. Avokpaho, Parfait Houngbegnon, Manfred Accrombessi, Eloic Atindegla, Elodie Yard, Arianna Rubin Means, David S. Kennedy, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, Andre Garcia, Achille Massougbodji, Sean R. Galagan, Judd L. Walson, Gilles Cottrell, Moudachirou Ibikounle, Kristjana Hronn Asbjornsdottir, Adrian J. F. Luty
Summary: Despite previous deworming campaigns targeting school-aged children, there is still a persistent reservoir of soil-transmitted helminth infections in adults and pre-school aged children that require targeted control measures. Expanding mass drug administration to target the whole community, instead of just school-aged children, may be necessary to achieve the goal of eliminating soil-transmitted helminths as a public health problem.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natalia Fraija-Fernandez, Andrea Waeschenbach, Andrew G. Briscoe, Suzanne Hocking, Roman Kuchta, Tommi Nyman, D. Timothy J. Littlewood
Summary: This study established a robust phylogenetic framework for diphyllobothriidean tapeworms through sequencing mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ribosomal operon. Results indicate Cephalochlamydidae as an early diverging lineage, with Solenophoridae and Diphyllobothriidae as sister groups. While diphyllobothriideans likely originated in freshwater, later lineages show shifts between freshwater and marine habitats, with definitive hosts including marine and terrestrial mammals and birds.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yao-Dong Wu, Guo-Dong Dai, Li Li, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, John Asekhaen Ohiolei, Lin-Sheng Zhang, Ai-Min Guo, Yan-Tao Wu, Xing-Wei Ni, Nigus Abebe Shumuye, Wen-Hui Li, Nian-Zhang Zhang, Bao-Quan Fu, Yong Fu, Hong-Bin Yan, Wan-Zhong Jia
Summary: Cyclophyllidea is the most species-rich order of tapeworms, with significant health impact on wildlife, livestock, and humans. Through collection and sequencing of specimens from rodents in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, several putative new species were identified. Additionally, three known species were found, suggesting their wide distribution in western China. The divergence time estimates indicate a strong association between species differentiation and biogeographic changes resulting from the uplift of the QTP, supporting the hypothesis of host-parasite co-evolution.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Marina Papaiakovou, D. Timothy J. Littlewood, Stephen R. Doyle, Robin B. Gasser, Cinzia Cantacessi
Summary: This article evaluates the strengths and limitations of existing methods for diagnosing gastrointestinal helminth infections in humans and animals. It also explores the use of high-throughput sequencing approaches to define the taxonomic composition of these infections. Additionally, the article discusses the interactions between helminths and microbiota in the host gut.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
B. Neov, G. P. Vasileva, G. Radoslavov, P. Hristov, D. T. J. Littlewood, B. B. Georgiev
Summary: This study aimed to test a hypothesis for phylogenetic relationships among mammalian hymenolepidid tapeworms using molecular analyses and phylogenetics, revealing diverse host switching and evolutionary events among different clades.
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2021)