Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research最新文献

Understanding how hybridization influences the morphology and fitness of hybrids is essential for studying adaptive evolution and ecological speciation. Secondary contact zones, where separately evolving populations meet and hybridize, offer valuable insights into the evolutionary processes driving speciation and provide an excellent system to address these questions. In this study, we investigate patterns of morphological and genetic variation of two congeneric viper species, Vipera aspis and V. latastei, across a contact zone in northern Spain (Oja-Tirón), where vipers with mixed morphology are often detected, but genetic studies addressing hybridization and relating patterns of genetic and morphological admixture are lacking. Using nine morphological traits (scalation and colouration) and 18 microsatellite markers, we (1) estimated the extent of hybridization, (2) morphologically characterized parental species and hybrids, and (3) evaluated the correlation between patterns of genetic and morphological admixture. Analyses revealed a bimodal hybrid zone with high rate of hybridization (22%) and prevalence of late-generation hybrids (F2 and backcrosses). Morphological analyses differentiated the two parental species, and a positive correlation (r = 0.95) was found between morphological and genetic patterns. The hybrid group displayed on average an intermediate morphology between the parentals, yet morphologically intermediate hybrids were rare in our dataset. Instead, most hybrids resembled the parental species with whom they share most of the genetic background. Notably, the hybrid group exhibited greater morphological variation than the parental groups. Traits with adaptative value, such as ventral scales and dorsal marks, showed significant differences between hybrids and the two parental species. Introgression of these traits may confer ecological advantages to hybrids, enhancing local adaptation. Overall, this study reveals a positive correlation between patterns of morphological and genetic variation across a hybrid zone and provides insights into the phenotypic consequences of hybridization on these viper species.

In Southeast Asia, mahseer fishes, such as the species of Tor and Neolissochilus, are significant native commercial fish. Their phylogeny and categorization have a convoluted history. In this study, the molecular systematics and divergence of Tor and Neolissochilus fishes from Southeast Asia and South China were examined using the partial or complete sequences of four mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I, cytochrome b, 16S, and ND4). This study substantiated the monophyly of Tor and supported N. benasi as an independent genus. The result supported T. laterivittatus as a synonym of T. sinensis and T. dongnaiensis as a synonym of T. tambra. In addition, we presented the high diversity and species crypticity of these two taxa in Southeast Asia. The divergent time estimation indicated Tor and Neolissochilus species originated in the early Miocene (about 16.73 Ma), and the divergence of the genus Tor and other species of the genus Neolissochilus began at about 12.86 Ma.

The aim of this study was to understand the systematic relationships between certain fish genera with oromandibular discs in the Labeoninae. At the same time, this was an opportunity to clarify the taxonomic status of certain species in the genera Ageneiogarra, Garra, Placocheilus, and other taxa distributed in China. Morphological comparison and molecular analysis were used in the study. The results showed that the genera with oromandibular discs had no recent common ancestor and that their oromandibular discs were the result of convergent evolution in different evolutionary lineages. Due to the homogeneity of their habitats, these fish have evolved oromandibular discs with similar appearance and structure. Both morphological and molecular evidence suggests that (1) Placocheilus cryptonemus distributed in the Nu-Jiang (the Upper Salween River Basin), Yunnan, China, represent a new genus, here described as Pseudoplacocheilus, and (2) Garra micropulvinus occurring in the Panlong-He (the upper portion of the Lo River, a branch of the Red River Basin) from Wenshan, Yunnan, represents another new genus, here described as Supradiscus.

Trogoderma granarium (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) is a polyphagous pest of stored products and an alarming threat to food security around the globe. The current study is designed to construct the life table of T. granarium on four stored products, i.e., wheat, barley, rice, and maize at controlled conditions (33 ± 1^°C, 65% RH, and a photoperiod of 14 : 10 (L:D) h). The incubation period of T. granarium was longer (5.13 d) on maize and shorter (4.30 d) on wheat. The developmental period of 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th larval instars of T. granarium was longer on maize than the other three hosts were significant. Statistical difference between the longevity of females and males was recorded, while no statistically significant difference was found in the preoviposition period. The mean fecundity values observed on wheat, barley, rice, and maize were 31.33 ± 1.62, 26.21 ± 1.49, 28.00 ± 1.35, and 25.58 ± 1.13, respectively. The highest fertility was observed in wheat and the lowest in maize. The net reproductive rate (R₀) of T. granarium ranged from 8.66 ± 2.86, 13.16 ± 2.65, 12.53 ± 2.27, and 10.23 ± 2.32 offsprings on wheat, barley, rice, and maize, respectively. The highest gross reproductive value (GRR) was for T. granarium reared on barley (18.31 ± 4.10/d), and the lowest was for maize (15.35 ± 2.95/d). To complete the development, T. granarium took 48.97 ± 0.68 d on maize, significantly higher than on other treatments (p < 0.05). The mean generation time (T) of T. granarium was considerably affected by tested products. Based on the results of the present study, maize is a less favorable diet for the development and reproduction of T. granarium and may be considered for the management of this detrimental pest.

Based on the distribution of 275 species of ants native to the Iberian Peninsula (IP), we identified areas of endemism (AE) within its geographical limits and present a biogeographic regionalization using two complementary methods and two types of operational geographical units. For endemicity analysis (EA), we used a 100 km² grid cell, and for parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE), we used hydrological basins as natural units. The EA revealed twelve areas of endemism that were grouped into five consensus areas. These are the Northeastern area, South plateau, Guadalquivir Valley, Baetic System, and Iberian Peninsula (whole). PAE resulted in a cladogram that classified hydrological basins into at least two successively nested subsets: an Atlantic group that is more related to northern European fauna and an Iberian subset that is well supported by synapomorphies. The Iberian subset was differentiated into four main areas: (a) a Northeastern area formed by the Pyrenees and the Catalan Coastal Range, (b) a mainland area containing the Central System and Guadiana and Tajo valleys, (c) a Southern area consisting of the Guadalquivir Valley and the Baetic System, and (d) a Northern coastal area. The results showed congruence between the two methods since many of the synapomorphies are shared among the diagnostic and IP endemic species of the EA. Both EA and PAE showed the relevance of the heterogeneous peninsular orography that combines mountainous regions with valleys and plateaus, which have acted as historical barriers or corridors. The presence of numerous endemic species, particularly in the southern third of the IP, suggests that several Iberian refuges for ants originated during glacial periods. These areas constitute priority sites for the conservation of ants in particular and biodiversity in general on the IP and allow further research about the processes that generated these distributional patterns.

Evaluation and conservation of local genetic resources of the domestic honey bee populations is important, especially in regions with high diversity levels as well as high honey bee colony density. Greece is rich in honey bee biodiversity, hosting several subspecies, with the status of them being, though, doubtful. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the genetic relationships of both stationary and movable honey bee populations, originating from many location throughout Greece. Two molecular markers were utilized, namely, the conserved mitochondrial COI gene and the highly variable complementary sex determination (CSD) gene. Samples were collected from nine distant populations: eight populations from colonies that followed the traditional stationary beekeeping model and one following the modern migratory beekeeping model type, where the hives are transferred from place to place according to the season. Regardless the beekeeping model, all populations were characterized by sufficient genetic diversity indicating no signs of inbreeding or any bottleneck effects. Nevertheless, genetic differentiation and phylogenetic analysis in comparison with haplotypes obtained from GenBank revealed a genetic admixture pattern suggesting that movement causes genetic homogeneity, occasionally in the stable reared populations as well. Interestingly, two populations, namely, Kastoria and Protokklisi, belonging to A. m. macedonica population, were significantly differentiated, supporting the maintenance of their genetic integrity. Unfortunately, on the other hand, genetic structure of the populations from Crete (Sasalos population) provided evidence that the indigenous breed from the island, A. m. adami, has probably gone extinct. Future management strategies should focus on the conservation of the local genetic resources in which distinct genetic identity has been sustained.

Revealing phylogeographic structure is important for accurate subspecies delineation and understanding a species’ evolutionary history. In leopards (Panthera pardus), there are currently nine subspecies recognized. On the African continent, only one subspecies occurs (P. p. pardus), although mitochondrial DNA from historical samples suggests the presence of three putative continental clades: (1) West Africa (WA), (2) Central Africa (CA), and (3) Southern Africa (SA). So far, whole genome data did not recover this phylogeographic structure, although leopards in the southern periphery of their distribution range in Africa have not yet been investigated in detail. The Mpumalanga province of South Africa is of particular interest, as here, the CA and the SA clade possibly meet. The aim of this study was to characterize the first mitogenomes of African leopards from Mpumalanga, to help clarifying how South African leopards fit into continental patterns of genetic differentiation. Complete mitogenomes from nine leopards, including a strawberry leopard, were assembled de novo and included in phylogenetic analysis, in combination with 32 publicly available mitogenomes. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses identified two deeply diverged putative clades within South Africa, which were more genetically distinct than two subspecies in Asia. The clades dated back to 0.76-0.86 million years ago, indicating that they originated during the climatically unstable Mid-Pleistocene, as seen in other large mammals. The Pleistocene refuge theory states that the maintenance of savanna refugia in East and Southern Africa promoted the divergence between populations. As such, leopards may reflect the unique climatic history of southern Africa, which has resulted in eminent and endemic genetic diversity.

The study of the trematodes of the family Notocotylidae Lühe, 1909, is continued using an integrated approach based on new data. A new genus, Pseudonotocotylus n. gen., has been identified, and two species new to science, Notocotylus multipapillus n. sp. and Pseudonotocotylus martynenkoi n. sp., have been discovered. The life cycle and morphology of developmental stages of the new species are described, and the molecular data for nuclear (28S) and mitochondrial markers (cox1 and nad1) are presented. Sequences of cox1 and nad1 mtDNA genes were obtained for five previously studied notocotylid species for the first time. Phylogenetic relationships within Notocotylidae were inferred from the analysis of these markers, and the results obtained reveal some subtle differences in some of the notocotylid species despite their morphological similarities. Based on the differences in gene sequences among the species, two additional criteria are proposed to divide the genus Notocotylus into Notocotylus and Pseudonotocotylus n. gen. The criteria are based on, first, having the Pulmonata or Prosobranchia group of snails as the first intermediate host and, second, molecular properties, as shown by substitutions specific to genus at various nucleotide locations in alignments for 28S and cox1.

Two new species of the genus Dugesia from Southern China are described by applying an integrative approach, including morphological, karyological, histological, and molecular information. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species, Dugesia pendula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. and Dugesia musculosa Chen & Dong, sp. nov., fall into an Eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade and an Oriental/Australasian clade, respectively, while sharing only a rather distant relationship. The separate specific status of the two new species is supported also by their genetic distances. Dugesia pendula is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal, a duct between seminal vesicle and diaphragm, small diaphragm, dorsally located seminal vesicle, a penis papilla suspended from the dorsal wall of the male atrium, and mixoploid karyotype with diploid complements of 2n = 2x = 14 + 0 − 1 B-chromosome and triploid complements of 2n = 3x = 21 + 0 − 1 B-chromosome, with all chromosomes being metacentric. Dugesia musculosa is characterized by the following features: asymmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a ventrally displaced ejaculatory duct with a terminal opening; two diaphragms; a bursal canal provided with a strong, thick layer of circular muscle, which extends from the copulatory bursa to the common atrium and gonoduct; the left vas deferens opening at the midlateral wall of the seminal vesicle, while the right sperm duct opens at the dorsolateral wall of the seminal vesicle; and karyotype consisting of complicated diploid and aneuploid mosaicism, with diploid complements of 2n = 2x = 16 and 2n = 2x = 16 − 1^7th-1^8th, with all chromosomes being metacentric. The uncommon karyotypes, combined with the asexual reproduction of aneuploid animals, are evaluated in the context of the relationship between ploidy levels and reproductive modalities in the genus Dugesia.

Accurate phylogenetic reconstructions are crucial for comprehending the evolutionary histories, reproductive traits, and ecological habits of organisms. The subfamily Gonideinae of freshwater mussels is currently thought to include eight tribes. However, due to inadequate taxon sampling and molecular data, the assignment of the freshwater mussel genus Inversidens at the tribe level has been unstable. Additionally, the lack of phylogenetic data has hindered efforts to understand the basic biology and implementation of conservation efforts of Inversidens rentianensis, an endemic species to China. Here, we first present the complete mitochondrial genome of Inversidens rentianensis and offer a detailed description of its anatomical morphology. Based on DNA sequence data from five genes (COI, ND1, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, and 28S rRNA) and complete mitochondrial genomes, we investigated the phylogenetic position of Inversidens using various analytical methods. Both the concatenated five-gene and mitogenome datasets strongly supported that Inversidens classified to the tribe Gonideini in Gonideinae and formed a basal clade within the tribe Gonideini. Molecular dating analysis suggested that Inversidens originated during the mid-Cretaceous era (102.73 Mya, 95% highest posterior density (HPD) = 72.22-137.03 Mya) and underwent diversification in the Late Paleogene era (37.92 Mya, 95% HPD = 20.39-60.59 Mya). Moreover, based on the Quantitative Assessment of Species for Conservation (QASCP), Inversidens rentianensis is ranked as second priority, providing valuable insights for its management and conservation efforts. Taken together, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the systematic position and evolutionary history of Inversidens within the currently accepted subfamily Gonideinae classification framework. These findings establish a solid foundation for future investigations on the ecology, reproductive behavior patterns, and conservation biology of this taxonomic group.