Article
Evolutionary Biology
Thomas Lemarcis, Alexander E. Fedosov, Yuri Kantor, Jawad Abdelkrim, Paul Zaharias, Nicolas Puillandre
Summary: The Neogastropoda, including several model organisms, have unresolved phylogenetic relationships and unstable classification. In this study, a new molecular phylogeny of the neogastropods was constructed using mitogenomes from GenBank. The study revealed new relationships but also highlighted the need for additional data to revise the classification. Furthermore, the study showed the challenges of using complex models to handle the evolutionary history of mitogenomes.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Adelfia Papu, Alexander Bogdanov, Robert Bara, Stefan Kehraus, Gabriele M. Koenig, Nathalie Yonow, Heike Waegele
Summary: This study utilized an integrative approach to analyze nudibranch species, including molecular analysis, morphological analysis, and chemical analysis. Several new species were discovered, and more effective species identification features were provided.
ORGANISMS DIVERSITY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kendall Feliciano, Manuel Antonio E. Malaquias, Carla Stout, Bastian Brenzinger, Terrence M. Gosliner, Angel Valdes
Summary: The study revealed that the Micromelo genus actually consists of four species, each with genetic and anatomical differences. Through a review and evaluation of existing names, three species were confirmed and a new name was introduced for another species.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Julie Innabi, Carla C. Stout, Angel Valdes
Summary: A study of well-preserved discodorid nudibranchs collected in Koumac, New Caledonia, discovered seven new species belonging to the genera Atagema, Jorunna, Rostanga, and Sclerodoris. However, the generic assignments are tentative due to an unresolved phylogeny of Discodoridi-dae. The paper emphasizes the significance of comprehensive collecting efforts in identifying and documenting well-camouflaged taxa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Furfaro, Walter Renda, Gianbattista Nardi, Salvatore Giacobbe
Summary: The worldwide Haminoeidae bubble snails display the most diverse radiation within the Cephalaspidea order despite their extreme morphological homogeneity. Molecular studies have recently revealed the hidden diversity within the family, clarifying some aspects of its systematics. Further research is needed to clarify the species and their intraspecific variability, and the Faro Lake in Sicily provides an interesting study area for this integrative taxonomic approach. Evaluation: 8/10.
Review
Zoology
Alessandra Grandez, Andre Ampuero, Sergio P. Barahona
Summary: This study presents an updated and comprehensive list of nudibranch species in the Peruvian sea, with a total of 31 species identified. The distribution patterns of these species vary, with some exhibiting a global or circumtropical distribution, and some being endemic to Peru. This research provides important information on the biogeographical aspects, geographical distributions, and taxonomic updates of nudibranch species in Peru.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelyn M. Raphalo, Mary L. Cole, Savel R. Daniels
Summary: The study investigated the phylogeny and population genetic structure of several species within the terrestrial snail genus Gittenedouardia in South Africa. The results revealed deep genetic structure and diversification timing within the genus, suggesting the presence of undescribed diversity and the need for taxonomic revision.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Giulia Furfaro, Christopher Schreier, Egidio Trainito, Miquel Pontes, Enric Madrenas, Pascal Girard, Paolo Mariottini
Summary: This study reveals the existence of a species complex within the sea slug Doriopsilla areolata, consisting of two Mediterranean endemic species and one additional Atlantic species. It helps unveil the cryptic diversity within Mediterranean Heterobranchia and enhances the understanding of Doriopsilla genus diversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Matteo Garzia, Paolo Manottini, Daniele Salvi, Giulia Furfaro
Summary: The Mediterranean marine biodiversity, particularly nudibranchs, is underestimated due to the difficulty in identifying taxa with limited morphological characters. Molecular assessments using mitochondrial markers have helped reveal cryptic diversity within nudibranchs. This study demonstrates the effective use of the nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) in delimiting species in eolid nudibranchs, providing a valuable complement to traditional genetic markers.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Angel Valdes, Kendall Feliciano, Manuel A. E. Malaquias
Summary: The study identifies six distinct species of Pupa (Acteonidae) in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, including an undescribed species. The species are re-described and named based on molecular and morphological evidence, literature review, examination of type material, and photographs. The study also suggests the existence of six additional species from other regions across the Indo-Pacific. This is the first species-level review of this group using modern taxonomic techniques.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Tao Xu, Lu Qi, Lingfeng Kong, Qi Li
Summary: This study sequenced 10 new mitochondrial genomes and analyzed them with previously published nine mitogenomes and six transcriptomic data representing six families of Patellogastropoda. Based on amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes, a well-supported phylogeny was reconstructed, revealing Lottioidea as non-monophyletic with two well-supported lineages. Comparison of gene order among families, genera and species showed that Nacellidae has a conserved gene arrangement, while Lottiidae exhibits extensive rearrangements.
Article
Plant Sciences
Da-Juan Chen, Jacob B. Landis, Hong-Xin Wang, Qing-Hui Sun, Qiao Wang, Hua-Feng Wang
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast genome of Arecaceae was conducted. It was found that the genomes possess common structural features and the phylogenetic relationships among different subfamilies are clear. Molecular dating suggests that the origin of the family can be traced back to approximately 96.60-102.40 million years ago, and ancestral traits were reconstructed.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Agnese Petraccioli, Paolo Crovato, Fabio Maria Guarino, Marcello Mezzasalma, Gaetano Odierna, Orfeo Picariello, Nicola Maio
Summary: The superfamily Helicoidea exhibits significant chromosomal diversity in terms of chromosome number, morphology, and distribution of chromosomal features among different taxonomic groups. A molecular and comparative cytogenetic analysis was conducted on 15 Helicoidea species from three families to update the assessment of karyological diversity. Chromosome translocations and inversions have led to variations in chromosome number and morphology within the superfamily, with an ancestral karyotype of 2n = 60 identified as the starting point.
Article
Zoology
Willy De Mattia, Susanne Reier, Elisabeth Haring
Summary: The taxonomy and systematics of the door snail genus Siciliaria were revised using an integrative approach including anatomical investigations, shell morphology, and DNA sequence data. New anatomical structures were described and phylogenetic analyses revealed the relationships among species within the genus. This study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships of these clausiliid taxa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eggy Triana Putri, Damin Lee, Haena Kwak, Yukyung Kim, Tomoyuki Nakano, Joong-Ki Park
Summary: The subclass Patellogastropoda, consisting of approximately 350 species worldwide, is one of the most primitive groups of Gastropoda. The internal phylogeny within this subclass, especially the relationships of Acmaeidae with other patellogastropod families, is not fully understood. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of two Acmaeidae species (Acmaea mitra and Niveotectura pallida) and one Lottiidae species (Discurria insessa), and combined them with sequences from 20 other limpet species for phylogenetic analysis. The resulting phylogenetic trees revealed two clades within Patellogastropoda, with Acmaeidae and Pectinodontidae being the most closely related.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
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)