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
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
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
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
Anatomy & Morphology
Gerhard Haszprunar, Sabrina Y. C. Wendler, Anna B. Joest, Bernhard Ruthensteiner, Martin Hess
Summary: New materials and methods have expanded our anatomical knowledge of cocculinid limpets. The study provides 3D anatomies of two new species and suggests revisions in nomenclature based on anatomical characters. The position of cocculinids among gastropods still requires further investigation.
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.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yann Rollot, Serjoscha W. Evers, Stephanie E. Pierce, Walter G. Joyce
Summary: This study utilizes micro-computed tomography to analyze the skull of an Early Cretaceous baenid turtle, providing new insights into its cranial anatomy and the evolutionary relationship with other baenid and paracryptodire species.
Article
Zoology
M. Rosario Martin-Hervas, Leila Carmona, Kathe R. Jensen, Patrick J. Krug, Fabio Vitale, Juan Lucas Cervera
Summary: This study conducted an integrative study on the systematics and species diversity of the genus Elysia. By using molecular and morphological analyses, the presence of five recognized European Elysia species was confirmed, and a new species and a distinct species were identified. Additionally, some disputed species were found, and a tropical species was recorded for the first time along European coasts.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladislav Susoy, Aravinthan D. T. Samuel
Summary: This study describes a case of behavioral plasticity in the nematode C. elegans. The male performs parallel mating on agar plates, but performs spiral mating in liquid media. Spiral mating improves with experience and does not require long-term environmental changes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongjie Li, Xue Kang, Mengyi Yang, Boris Dodji Kasseney, Xuguo Zhou, Shiyou Liang, Xiaojie Zhang, Jia-Long Wen, Baoting Yu, Ning Liu, Yufen Zhao, Jianchu Mo, Cameron R. Currie, John Ralph, Daniel J. Yelle
Summary: Plant cell walls, which are rich in organic carbon, are difficult to degrade due to lignin barriers. However, termites have evolved the ability to efficiently degrade lignified woody plants. This study reveals the mechanism of lignin depolymerization by termites, as well as the evolutionary origin of lignin degradation in termites. These findings have implications for the development of ligninolytic agents.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Irina A. A. Ekimova, Anna L. L. Mikhlina, Maria V. V. Stanovova, Nellya R. R. Krupitskaya, Olga V. V. Chichvarkhina, Dimitry M. M. Schepetov
Summary: In this paper, the discovery of hidden biodiversity of the genus Dendronotus in the bathyal areas of the North Pacific is reported. Different scenarios of Dendronotus expansion to deeper waters are tested using an integrative analysis based on morphological and molecular data. The results reveal the presence of seven new species, with five of them being described in this study. Phylogenetic reconstructions show that these new species belong to different lineages of Dendronotus, and ancestral area reconstruction indicates multiple independent invasions of deep waters.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justine Siegwald, Trond R. Oskars, Yasunori Kano, Manuel Antonio E. Malaquias
Summary: We present the most comprehensive phylogeny of a globally distributed deep-sea group of gastropods published to date, which includes over 80% of recognized diversity of the Scaphandridae family. Through molecular phylogenetics and morpho-anatomical characters, we redefine the Scaphandridae and propose a new classification with the genera Nipponoscaphander, Sabatia, and Scaphander. We found notable differences between genera in terms of shell shape and male reproductive system. Biogeographically, there are multiple speciation events between Indo-Pacific and Atlantic lineages in the genus Scaphander, with a few species confirmed to have a broad distribution spanning different ocean realms.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Malgorzata Prockow, Elzbieta Kuznik-Kowalska, Joanna R. Pienkowska, Aleksandra Zeromska, Pawel Mackiewicz
Summary: The study of Trochulus land snail species in the Alpenvorland of Germany reveals complex genetic relationships among morphologically similar species, with some individuals showing intermediate characteristics between different species possibly evolved through sympatric speciation. Additionally, evolutionary relationships and genetic diversity within the Trochulus genus indicate a need for caution in applying traditional taxonomic practices.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Soledad Gouiric-Cavalli, Gloria Arratia
Summary: This study describes a new pachycormiform, Kaykay lafken, discovered in the Upper Jurassic of Argentina. Through a comprehensive review of the morphology of holostean and teleostean fishes, the researchers explored the phylogenetic relationships of the new species. The study also highlights the limited understanding of the anatomy of pachycormiform fishes.
JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)