Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rongming Tian, Xueyimu Aou, Boni Song, Zixuan Li, Xingjin He, Songdong Zhou
Summary: Ligusticopsis litangensis, a new cryptic species from Sichuan Province, China, has distinct morphological boundaries compared to Ligusticopsis capillacea and Ligusticopsis dielsiana, with distinguishing features such as long conical multi-branched roots and oblong-globose fruits. By comparing the plastomes of L. litangensis with 11 other species of the genus Ligusticopsis, it was confirmed that L. litangensis represents a new species within the genus. The highly conserved plastid genomes among the 12 Ligusticopsis species further support the classification of L. litangensis as a new species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susan A. Smith, Luciana F. Santoferrara, Laura A. Katz, George B. McManus
Summary: This study compares two cryptic ciliate species using traditional taxonomic characters and genome architecture. The results show minor differences in common taxonomic identification indices, but significant differences in genomic architecture, providing a new tool for species diagnosis and differentiation.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Daniele De Luca, Roberta Piredda, Diana Sarno, Wiebe H. C. F. Kooistra
Summary: Marine protists have traditionally been considered low in diversity and widespread, but recent studies have shown the presence of cryptic species complexes. Overcoming sampling and methodological limitations, global metabarcoding data analysis reveals geographic and ecological differentiation driving speciation among marine protists.
Article
Microbiology
Shu-Hua Jiang, Robert Luecking, Hua-Jie Liu, Xin-Li Wei, Amanda Barreto Xavier-Leite, Carlos Vinas Portilla, Qiang Ren, Jiang-Chun Wei
Summary: In this study, molecular phylogenetics was used to investigate the potential cryptic speciation in foliicolous members of Strigula s.lat. in tropical areas of Asia. The study identified several new species and revealed a high degree of diversification in this group of lichenized fungi, indicating that the current understanding of their diversity is likely incomplete.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simeao S. Moraes, Ygor Montebello, Mariana A. Stanton, Lydia Fumiko Yamaguchi, Massuo J. Kato, Andre V. L. Freitas
Summary: The genus Bois Hubner comprises 254 species, with 217 described from the Neotropics and 31 having their type locality in Brazil. The actual diversity of Eois is greatly underestimated and the Brazilian fauna is poorly known due to inadequate sampling and the potential existence of cryptic species.
Article
Microbiology
Yao Wang, Quan-Ying Dong, Run Luo, Qi Fan, Dong-E Duan, Van-Minh Dao, Yuan-Bing Wang, Hong Yu
Summary: Through investigations in national reserves and Vietnam parks, it was discovered that the Cordyceps militaris complex, including two hidden species, attacks lepidopteran pupae or larvae. Phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons confirmed the descriptions of two new taxa and one known species in the complex. Furthermore, the morphological characteristics of 11 species within the C. militaris complex were compared.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simone Sabatelli, Paola Ruspantini, Paolo Cardoli, Paolo Audisio
Summary: Marine rockpools are unique habitats characterized by harsh conditions for life, but some specialized invertebrates, such as certain water beetle species, have successfully colonized these environments. Recent molecular studies have shown the presence of multiple potentially new species within the subgenus Cobalius, indicating a need for taxonomy revision. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the possible origin of Cobalius in the Early Miocene and the diversification of most species during the Late Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Minseok Jeong, Yitong Wang, Jong Im Kim, Woongghi Shin
Summary: In this study, the taxonomy and phylogeny of colonial Dinobryon species were investigated using molecular and morphological methods. The results revealed 15 different genetic lineages based on the nuclear ITS sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the combined multigene dataset identified 18 subclades, including five new species. Morphological studies focused on lorica dimension and shape, as well as stomatocyst morphology. Based on these findings, five new species were proposed.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Peter Huemer
Summary: The taxonomy of the Caryocolum tricolorella species complex was revised, and four species were separated based on DNA barcodes and adult morphology. These species have different distribution patterns.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonas Jourdan, Mirco Bundschuh, Denis Copilas-Ciocianu, Cene Fiser, Michal Grabowski, Kamil Hupalo, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Jana Kabus, Joerg Roembke, Laura J. Soose, Joerg Oehlmann
Summary: The use of genetic methods has allowed the discovery of previously undistinguishable species based on morphology. However, these cryptic species are rarely considered in ecotoxicology, which can lead to false extrapolations and lack of reproducibility in experiments. It is crucial to address the ecological differentiation and sensitivity of closely related cryptic species for evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and regulatory ecotoxicology.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rodgee Mae Guden, Sofie Derycke, Tom Moens
Summary: Resource diversity can impact foraging behavior and fitness of cryptic species, suggesting that offering a more diverse range of nutritional resources can alleviate interspecific competition among species.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Keita Takeda, Junko Suzuki, Akira Watanabe, Ryo Sekiguchi, Tomoya Sano, Masato Watanabe, Osamu Narumoto, Masahiro Kawashima, Takeshi Fukami, Yuka Sasaki, Atsuhisa Tamura, Hideaki Nagai, Hirotoshi Matsui, Katsuhiko Kamei
Summary: The study shows that morphological identification of Aspergillus spp. is accurate at the species level in over 95% of cases, but there is low concordance in cases with low detection rates. Cryptic species exist within the A. fumigatus and A. niger complexes, showing higher resistance to antifungal drugs.
Article
Biology
Maria Pia Miglietta, Sarah Pruski
Summary: Sampling in multiple localities and molecular barcoding reveal the presence of local cryptic species in allopatry in wide-ranging nominal species. However, cryptic species in sympatry can easily be missed if they have different seasonality and require long-term frequent sampling for identification. This study investigates the presence of cryptic species within a temporal gradient and on a spatial scale in Hydrozoa using mitochondrial sequencing and finds a high number of sympatric cryptic species. The bi-dimensional cryptic diversity highlighted in this study is crucial for understanding evolution processes, biogeography, and biodiversity assessments in the sea.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Christopher S. Lobban, Britney Sison, Matt P. Ashworth
Summary: This study explored the diversity of Homoeocladia genus in Micronesia and identified several undescribed species based on variations in multiple characters. Seventeen new species in three morphological groups were described using ultrastructural data. The groups were solely based on morphology and no genetic relationships were implied.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeremiah J. Minich, Andreas Harer, Joseph Vechinski, Benjamin W. Frable, Zachary R. Skelton, Emily Kunselman, Michael A. Shane, Daniela S. Perry, Antonio Gonzalez, Daniel McDonald, Rob Knight, Todd P. Michael, Eric E. Allen
Summary: This study analyzed the microbial ecology of Southern California marine fishes and identified body site as the strongest driver of microbial diversity. The gill of larger, pelagic fishes had the lowest microbial biomass and diversity. Phylosymbiosis patterns were observed across different body sites. In addition, the study showed that mammals have the highest gamma diversity in vertebrate hindguts, while fishes have the highest percentage of unique microbial taxa.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caitlin M. Baker, Rebecca S. Buckman-Young, Cristiano S. Costa, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: RNA sequencing and phylogenomic analysis were used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships within the phylum Onychophora, revealing a well-supported phylogeny for the family Peripatopsidae with signals of Gondwanan vicariance. However, the family Peripatidae in the Neotropical region showed unstable relationships largely due to amino acid-translated sequence data. Discordant phylogenetic signal between genes may indicate a rapid, mid-Cretaceous radiation in the group.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Ligia R. Benavides, Chao Jiang, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: Mimopidae, previously known only by its holotype, was rediscovered in Qinling Mountain, China. By generating novel transcriptomic data and using various analytical methods, this study confirmed the phylogenetic position of Mimopidae within scolopendromorph centipedes and provided stability to the scolopendromorph phylogeny, shedding light on the evolution of centipedes.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Tauana Junqueira Cunha, James Davis Reimer, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: Phylogenetic analyses of the mollusc clade Vetigastropoda may face conflicts due to the evolutionary history of deep sea snails. New research utilizing transcriptomes provides a genomic-scale phylogeny for the group, revealing differences in deep divergences and the likelihood of long branch attraction.
SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Shoyo Sato, Allison Law, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: This study examined the population structure and microhabitat of Symbion americanus individuals from five North American localities. The results revealed three distinct lineages of S. americanus and suggested that different genetic lineages may segregate onto different host mouthparts.
INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos Leiva, Ana Riesgo, David Combosch, Maria Belen Arias, Gonzalo Giribet, Rachel Downey, Nathan James Kenny, Sergi Taboada
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of using a multispecies and multilocus approach in the design of marine protected areas (MPAs), specifically in the Southern Ocean. The results highlight the role of the South Orkney Islands in connecting the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA with the Western Antarctic Peninsula, emphasizing the need for the implementation of the proposed MPA.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Elena Moncada, Arianna Lord, Luiz Ricardo L. Simone, Daniel Adjei-Boateng, Philippe Bouchet, Ellen E. Strong, Rudiger Bieler, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: Donacidae is a commercially important family of heterodont bivalves that has successfully colonised brackish and fresh waters. Using molecular data and fossil records, we propose an evolutionary hypothesis for this widely distributed group. Our analysis supports the monophyly of Donacidae and reveals the paraphyly of Donax. The diversification of Donacidae is closely linked to the opening of the Atlantic Oceans and the closing of the Tethys Ocean.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Gonzalo Giribet, Matthew Shaw, Arianna Lord, Shahan Derkarabetian
Summary: Petallidae is a family of mite harvestmen that inhabit former circum-Antarctic Gondwanan terranes. A new pettalid species, Archaeopurcellia eureka, from South Australia, has been discovered, filling the distributional gap of Australian pettalids. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the new genus is related to the Chilean Chileogovea, possibly due to the Antarctic land bridge between these two terranes.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Paula C. Rodriguez-Flores, Charlotte A. Seid, Greg W. Rouse, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: Munidopsid squat lobsters are abundant decapods in the East Pacific and new species, as well as new distribution records, have been described. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the nesting of Janetogalathea californiensis within Munidopsidae and the reassessment of Phylladiorhynchus and Coralliogalathea's taxonomy. The study also suggests a wider geographic range for abyssal species than previously thought.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tauana J. Cunha, Jose Fernandez-Simon, Macy Petrula, Gonzalo Giribet, Juan Moles
Summary: Baseline biodiversity data were collected from the Maldivian Archipelago, with a focus on the Faafu and Male Atolls. The study identified 104 species from two gastropod subclasses, Heterobranchia and Vetigastropoda, using snorkeling and scuba diving. The research also provided important COI barcodes and discovered six new species. The findings highlight the significant diversity and potential cryptic species in the region.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Shoyo Sato, Tauana J. Cunha, Bruno A. S. de Medeiros, Danielle E. Khost, Timothy B. Sackton, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: We present the first annotated draft genome for the phylum of Onychophora, a group of cryptic, soil dwelling worms. The genome's large size is due to high repeat content, intron size inflation, and extensive gene family expansion. We also report a previously unknown diversity of onychophoran hemocyanins, suggesting independent diversification of copper-mediated oxygen carriers in Onychophora after its split from Arthropoda and parallel diversification of hemocyanins in each of the main arthropod lineages.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Arianna Lord, Tauana J. Cunha, Bruno A. S. de Medeiros, Shoyo Sato, Danielle E. Khost, Timothy B. Sackton, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: Genomic data for priapulans are limited, so this study generated a high-quality priapulan genome for Tubiluchus corallicola using a combination of sequencing technologies. The assembled genome had a high level of completeness and was screened for homologs of key genes involved in the molting pathway. The presence of a putative homolog suggests a deeper origin for these genes in Ecdysozoa.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Christian Bartel, Jason A. Dunlop, Gonzalo Giribet
Summary: This study describes new Cyphophthalmi specimens from Burmese amber, including fossils representing an ongoing transition in some lineages during the late Cretaceous. The discovery of unique morphological novelties in Cyphophthalmi fossils, such as elongated ozophores and numerous pits covering the body, provides insights into their evolutionary history. The diversity of Cyphophthalmi during the Cretaceous is further supported by the identification of additional specimens with unique adenostyles. The total number of named Burmese amber Cyphophthalmi species is increased from one to six, expanding our knowledge of this suborder's fossil record.
Biographical-Item
Zoology
Alexei V. Chernyshev, Jose E. Fernandez Alfaya, Nuria Anadon, Sonia C. S. Andrade, Thomas Bartolomaeus, Jorn von Dohren, Fernando Angel Fernandez-Alvarez, Gonzalo Giribet, Juan Junoy, Hiroshi Kajihara, William R. Kem, Armand Kuris, Sebastian Kvist, Annie Machordom, Eric G. Mcevoy, Jon L. Norenburg, Robert K. Okazaki, Alex D. Rogers, Malin Strand, Shi-chun Sun, Per Sundberg, Martin Thiel
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Willians Porto, Shahan Derkarabetian, Martin Ramirez, Gonzalo Giribet, Abel Perez-Gonzalez
Summary: This study provides new insights into the phylogeny and external morphology of South American Triaenonychidae, revealing a new genus and two new species.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Cristiano S. Costa, Gonzalo Giribet Fls, Ricardo Pinto-Da-Rocha
Summary: Onychophora, or velvet worms, are important for understanding the evolution of Ecdysozoans. The Peripatidae family presents taxonomic issues, especially in the Neotropical region. Research on Neopatida has shown that relying solely on morphological characters is insufficient to resolve phylogenetic relationships at higher taxa, while analyses of molecular or combined data indicate that Neotropical species can be divided into two clades.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
