Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dariusz L. Szlachetko, Magdalena Dudek, Aleksandra Naczk, Marta Kolanowska
Summary: This study presents a revision of the orchid genus Andinia based on morphological and molecular studies. The authors also calculated and visualized the similarity of climatic niches occupied by representatives of the Andinia-complex. The study found the highest number of Andinia representatives in the Eastern Cordillera real montane forests, and identified unique orchid flora in the Guajira-Barranquilla xeric scrub ecoregion. The proposed classification recognizes nine genera within the Andinia-complex and provides a key to their identification.
Article
Geology
Jithin Johnson, Stephanie F. Loria, Ulrich Kotthoff, Jorg U. Hammel, Mathew M. Joseph, Danilo Harms
Summary: This article reports the discovery of a new genus (Burmeochthonius) and two new species (Burmeochthonius kachinae and Burmeochthonius muelleri) of the pseudoscorpion tribe Tyrannochthoniini in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from northern Myanmar, extending the known fossil record of this group by approximately 75 million years. The study also discusses the evolution and biogeography of this tribe in tropical regions and suggests that the paleoclimate and paleoenvironments of Cretaceous Burmese forests were similar to those of present-day Myanmar.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Vladimir M. Gnezdilov, Fedor Konstantinov, Anna A. Namyatova
Summary: The Issidae, a highly diverse planthopper family, has been the subject of controversy in terms of internal phylogeny and classification. In this study, a phylogeny of the family was inferred using molecular and morphological data. The results validated the taxonomic status of subfamilies, tribes, and generic complexes, and revealed interesting insights about the origin and split of the family.
SYSTEMATIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiantao Hu, Hongjie Li, Harumi Sakai, Takahiko Mukai, Ho Young Suk, Chenhong Li
Summary: In this study, a robust phylogeny of the genus Odontobutis was built based on comprehensive molecular data collection and analysis. Divergence time estimation and ancestral range reconstruction indicated that the common ancestor of modern Odontobutis was likely distributed in Japan, southern China, or the Korean Peninsula. Geographical events in East Asia since the late Miocene, such as the opening of the Japan/East Sea and climate change, might have contributed to the diversification and current distribution pattern of Odontobutis.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Alona Yu. Biketova, Matteo Gelardi, Matthew E. Smith, Giampaolo Simonini, Rosanne A. Healy, Yuichi Taneyama, Gianrico Vasquez, Adam Kovacs, Laszlo G. Nagy, Solomon P. Wasser, Ursula Peintner, Eviatar Nevo, Britt A. Bunyard, Alfredo Vizzini
Summary: In this study, the researchers used a multilocus phylogenetic analysis to determine the taxonomic boundaries between the Butyriboletus and Exsudoporus genera. They found that Exsudoporus is a monophyletic and independent genus that is closely related to Butyriboletus. The study also provided a detailed morphological description of the type species E. permagnificus and confirmed the presence of other Exsudoporus species in different regions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nelson Menolli Jr, Santiago Sanchez-Ramirez, Marisol Sanchez-Garcia, Chaoqun Wang, Sean Patev, Noemia Kazue Ishikawa, Juan L. Mata, Alexandre Rafael Lenz, Ruby Vargas-Isla, Lauren Liderman, Meriel Lamb, Mitchell Nuhn, Karen W. Hughes, Yang Xiao, David S. Hibbett
Summary: Lentinula, the genus that includes the widely cultivated shiitake mushroom, was analyzed in a global-scale phylogenetic study. The study identified 15 independent lineages that may correspond to different species, with lineages in Asia-Australasia and the Americas plus Madagascar forming sister clades. The study also revealed the evolutionary history and distribution of Lentinula, suggesting that the extant distribution is likely the result of long-distance dispersal. Some taxa within the genus require further taxonomic studies.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Chung-Chi Hwang, Mang-Jye Ger, Shu-Ping Wu
Summary: This study revised the systematics of the land snail genus Formosana from Taiwan using molecular, morphological, and anatomical data. A total of 12 valid and endemic species and subspecies were recognized, and the variability in morphological characteristics and their taxonomic implications were discussed. The biogeography and diversification of Formosana in Taiwan were also examined.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rahul Jamdade, Khawla Al-Shaer, Mariam Al-Sallani, Eman Al-Harthi, Tamer Mahmoud, Sanjay Gairola, Hatem A. Shabana
Summary: This study identified two distinct populations of Salicornia in the UAE through molecular markers and morphology analysis, supporting S. persica as the species present in the study area.
Article
Entomology
Jonas M. Eliassen, Bjarte H. Jordal
Summary: This study provides a detailed molecular phylogeny of the ambrosia beetle genus Xyleborinus in the Afrotropical region, particularly focusing on the Malagasy radiation. The analysis revealed a single colonization event in Madagascar approximately 8.5-11.0 million years ago, leading to the recent radiation and the emergence of at least 32 new species on the island. The molecular data strongly supported two recolonization events of the African mainland, as well as several intraspecific dispersals, resulting in taxonomic changes and the description of 12 new species.
INSECT SYSTEMATICS AND DIVERSITY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Ya-Lian Wang, Jin-Ming Lu, Yuan Zhang, Hong-Wei Chen
Summary: This study investigates the molecular phylogeny of the Stegana (Steganina) shirozui species group, confirming its monophyly and the correlation between species affinities and structural homogeneity in male genitalia. It identifies four new species and a new synonym in the group, suggesting the origin of the S. shirozui group in south-west China.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meng-Le Xie, Jun-Liang Chen, Chayanard Phukhamsakda, Balint Dima, Yong-Ping Fu, Rui-Qing Ji, Ke Wang, Tie-Zheng Wei, Yu Li
Summary: New fungal species, Cortinarius subsalor and C. tibeticisalor, have been discovered in China, associated with Lithocarpus trees and Abies respectively. They differ from other species within sect. Delibuti in appearance and spore size, and are confirmed as new species through molecular data.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sebastian Salata, Brian L. Fisher
Summary: This study revises the taxonomy of the Pheidole megacephala group in the Malagasy region and identifies three species. It reveals the presence of Pheidole megacephala in both natural and disturbed sites in Madagascar, as well as the occurrence of supermajors in colonies of P. spinosa.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sandor Csosz, Ana C. Loss, Brian L. Fisher
Summary: The study assessed the diversity of Malagasy Aphaenogaster fauna using multiple lines of evidence including quantitative morphometric, qualitative morphological, and DNA sequence data. Five species were identified, three of which are new to science.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunhuan Liu, Emily Carlisle, Huaqiao Zhang, Ben Yang, Michael Steiner, Tiequan Shao, Baichuan Duan, Federica Marone, Shuhai Xiao, Philip C. J. Donoghue
Summary: The early history of deuterostomes, composed of chordates, echinoderms, and hemichordates, is still controversial due to a lack of representative fossils. The microscopic animal Saccorhytus coronarius was previously thought to be an early deuterostome, but new material and analyses have shown that it actually belongs to the total group Ecdysozoa. This expands the morphological and ecological diversity of early Cambrian ecdysozoans.
Article
Ecology
Cornelia Krause, Birgit Oelschlaegel, Hafez Mahfoud, Dominik Frank, Gerard Lecocq, Lulezim Shuka, Christoph Neinhuis, Pablo Vargas, Aycan Tosunoglu, Mike Thiv, Stefan Wanke
Summary: The taxonomy of the Mediterranean Aristolochia pallida complex has been debated for decades. Phylogenetic analyses based on cpDNA sequence variation reveal that the traditional taxonomy does not align with the genetic relationships. Geographic factors play a significant role, with different lineages surviving and expanding in different refugia in the Mediterranean region. The study provides important clues to the origin and evolution of the Aristolochia pallida complex in the Mediterranean.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Harutaka Hata, Sebastien Lavoue, Hiroyuki Motomura
ICHTHYOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Harutaka Hata, Sebastien Lavoue, Hiroyuki Motomura
Article
Zoology
Sebastien Lavoue, Siti Zafirah Ghazali, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Khaironizam Md. Zain
ZOOSYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Fisheries
Harutaka Hata, Sebastien Lavoue, Hiroyuki Motomura
Summary: This study redescribes Dussumieria albulina as a valid species distinct from Dussumieria acuta based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA analysis, revealing differences in body characteristics and genetic distance of 12% between the two species. Redescription of D. acuta is also provided in the study.
ICHTHYOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Harutaka Hata, Sebastien Lavoue, Hiroyuki Motomura
Summary: Examination of type specimens and non-type specimens confirmed the validity of several fish species, including three new species, with phylogenetic relationships analyzed using two mitochondrial markers. The genetic distinctiveness of each species was indicated by at least 2.4% mean p-distance divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene.
ICHTHYOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Noor Zahidah Ahmad Sobri, Sebastien Lavoue, Fazimah Aziz, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib, Md Zain Khaironizam
Summary: The study found that there are genetic differences among the Southeast Asian spotted barb, three-lined barb, and saddle barb in Peninsular Malaysia, with each species forming largely reciprocal monophyletic lineages. Further investigation revealed potential reproductive porousness between these lineages at a specific locality. Further studies are needed to determine the extent of genetic divergence among these species and their co-occurring populations.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ranina Radzi, Faradina Merican, Paul Broady, Peter Convey, Narongrit Muangmai, Wan Maznah Wan Omar, Sebastien Lavoue
Summary: Two cyanobacterial morphotypes isolated from Signy Island, Antarctica were characterized as belonging to the genus Wilmottia, specifically within the clade of W. murrayi. This extends the known distribution of W. murrayi in Antarctica and suggests a new combination, W. arthurensis.
Article
Zoology
Siti Zafirah Ghazali, Sebastien Lavoue, Khaironizam Md. Zain, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Amirrudin Ahmad, Sahat Ratmuangkhwang, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor
Summary: We compared several populations of the glass-perchlet Parambassis siamensis and found two genetically distinct lineages, supporting the conclusion that Chanda punctulata is a junior synonym of P. siamensis.
Article
Ecology
Sebastien Lavoue, Harutaka Hata, Siti Amalia Aisyah Abdul Halim, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Mohamad Firdaus bin Mohamad Ridzwan, Sahat Ratmuangkhwang, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib, Zarul Hazrin Hashim
Summary: This study aimed to survey the diversity of anchovies along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia and update the taxonomic list of common species. It also aimed to build a DNA database for species identification. The results showed clear genetic differences and diagnosability among the species. This study is valuable for documenting anchovy diversity and informing future fisheries management studies.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Siti Zafirah Ghazali, Sebastien Lavoue, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Abdullah Halim Muhammad-Rasul, Min Pau Tan
Summary: Ambassis octava sp. nov. is a new species described based on specimens collected from Peninsular Malaysia. The new species closely resembles Ambassis nalua but can be differentiated by differences in anal-fin ray length, gill raker count, predorsal scale count, and mitochondrial gene sequence. This is only the second description of a new Ambassis species in Southeast Asia in the last 100 years.
ICHTHYOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yi Qing Fam, Jamsari Amirul Firdaus Jamaluddin, Abdullah Halim Muhammad-Rasul, Mohd Lokman Ilham-Norhakim, Nik Fadzly N. Rosely, Sebastien Lavoue
Summary: This study investigated the variability of the miniature rasborine Boraras maculatus in acidic-water habitats of Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular and morphological analyses revealed four distinct lineages of B. maculatus. However, there was limited morphological differentiation among these lineages, as shown by principal component analysis and machine learning methods.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danial Hariz Zainal Abidin, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Sebastien Lavoue, Masazurah A. Rahim, Noorul Azliana Jamaludin, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib
Summary: The Merbok Estuary is one of the largest remaining mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia, providing important services to local and global communities. A recent study used DNA barcoding to reassess the fish diversity, revealing 139 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) and calling for further taxonomic investigations. This research highlights the benefits of combining morphological and molecular evidence to study poorly understood tropical fish communities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Danial Hariz Zainal Abidin, Sebastien Lavoue, Norli Fauzani Mohd Abu Hassan Alshari, Siti Azizah Mohd Nor, Masazurah A. Rahim, Noor Adelyna Mohammed Akib
Summary: The Sungai Merbok Mangrove Forest Reserve, established in 1951, is the second-largest intact mangrove forest patch in Peninsular Malaysia. A study on the fish diversity of the Merbok river estuary and its adjacent marine waters revealed 138 fish species, with the most abundant order being Perciformes.Further research is needed to complete the inventory and better understand the aquatic biodiversity in the area.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Harutaka Hata, Sebastien Lavoue, Hiroyuki Motomura
MARINE BIODIVERSITY
(2020)
Review
Zoology
Sebastien Lavoue
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2020)