Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research最新文献

The global struggle to conserve as many species as possible with limited resources requires an improvement of our knowledge on the distribution of biodiversity. In Iran, the state of knowledge is poor for most groups of organisms, except few vertebrate groups and vascular plants. Reptiles are one of the best known, most diverse vertebrate groups in Iran, with a high rate of endemism (ca. 29%), but distribution patterns and related environmental drivers remain poorly understood. In the present study, based on a large publicly available dataset, we use general additive modelling (GAM) to identify explanatory variables for species richness of reptiles in Iran. Results indicate heterogeneity parameters (range +entropy) as the variables with the highest explanatory values. Based on the grid cells of the predicted environmental richness, using hotspot analysis, we suggest seven hotspots of reptile diversity (HRDs) across the country. Our results corroborate the previously recognized HRDs and detect three additional ones, located alongside the major mountain ranges around the central deserts plateau, particularly in the Zagros Mountains. Four of the largest HRDs (ca. 90%) situate within the Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus global biodiversity hotspot. In addition, our results reveal a large gap between identified HRDs and the current network of protected areas (PAs) in the country. While three of the detected HRDs in this study are partially touched (ca. 18%) by the PA network, overall, these areas are only covered by less than 10%. Therefore, the effectiveness of the current PAs for the protection of the reptile diversity of Iran is questionable.

The Agamid lizard Trapelus ruderatus has a large distribution in western Asia. There is as yet neither a comprehensive molecular phylogeny nor morphological variation studies on populations of this species. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the morphology and genetic attributes of this species from populations in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. For the morphological examination, 18 characters (nine metric, eight meristic, and one ratio characters) were examined on all specimens. The populations were divided into four Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs; three in Iran and one in Turkey). The Iraqi population was distinguished as Trapelus persicus by morphological characters. Morphological analyses confirmed that all OTUs could be considered as distinct and that the Turkey population is clearly separated from the Iranian populations. In the genetic component of the project, two mitochondrial (Cytb and ND2) gene fragments were used to reveal phylogenetic relationships among the populations. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction showed five distinct clades (three in Iran, one in southeastern Turkey, and one in central-southern Turkey–western Syria). Iraqi populations clustered with T. persicus, with high genetic distances from all other populations, as seen using morphological data. Based on the molecular genetic analyses, southeastern Turkey and central-southern Turkey-Syrian populations are clearly distinct (8.4% mean distance) and far from the type population in Iran. This suggests that they should be considered as different taxa. Iranian populations were differentiated into three major groups, the type population in Fars Province and two others in northwest and western Iran. The morphological and molecular genetic results gave a similar output with three Iranian populations having minor divergence, but being clearly separated from the population in Turkey. We suggest each of these groups should be considered as full species. According to divergence time estimation, T. ruderatus firstly diverged at 26.5 mya and subsequently diversified due to the uplifting of the Zagros Mountains and Anatolian Diagonal 15 mya. Subsequent aridification in the Central Iranian Plateau could also have contributed to the divergence of the Fars lineage 9.6 mya.

Hybridization with non-native-related taxa, especially with introgression, is a major conservation problem, as it may disturb local adaptations, resulting in population decline and biodiversity loss. It is important to identify hybrid individuals, which can be difficult to break up morphologically. Using morphometric and genetic approaches [multivariate analysis, microsatellites, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)], this research attempts to classify the interaction and the prevalence of introgressive hybridization in four native pheasant subspecies of Phasianus colchicus with non-native P. c. torquatus. According to principal component analysis and canonical discriminant function results, hybrid individuals are placed between these two major groups of native and exotic birds. Also, we assessed the population structure, genetic variation, and gene flow between native subspecies and exotic pheasants using 16 microsatellite loci in 129 samples. Our findings revealed that hybridization occurred between two native subspecies, P. c. talischensis and P. c. persicus, and exotic subspecies (P. c. torquatus). Observation of hybrids in P. c. persicus were almost three times higher than P. c. talischensis. The levels of the genetic variation within and among the natural populations were investigated using the AFLP markers method to identify hybrids. A total of 202 distinct bands were amplified using four primer combinations, with 179 of them being polymorphic. AMOVA analysis revealed a low degree of genetic differentiation among the populations. The hybrid samples were closely related to the P. c. talischensis and P. c. persicus populations, according to the UPGMA clusters and discriminant analysis of principal components. It appears that disruption of gene flow between pheasant populations in the Hyrcanian zone is a serious issue. The data from molecular markers prompted us to raise a concern about the genetic integrity in some native subspecies in the Iranian plateau. As a result, a clear cut-level can now be used to differentiate the hybrids, which is also supported by morphological evidence. A direct relationship was found between farmed pheasants and hybrid frequency. Farmed individuals should be closely monitored, and non-native taxa should not be released into the wild.

Parasite species lacking a free-living stage rely on their hosts for dispersal. Their population genetic structure depends on the host's vagility and dispersal rate. To gain more insight into the drivers responsible for shaping the spatio-temporal population structure in host–parasite systems, we used mitochondrial DNA sequences to compare patterns of genetic diversity in two closely related and contact-transmitted parasitic wing mites Spinturnix psi and S. myoti with their bat hosts Miniopterus pallidus and Myotis blythii, respectively, across vast distances in Iran. We observed almost no genetic differentiation between mites living on bats in different colonies even from distant locations, whereas we found some level of genetic differentiation and isolation by distance in each host species, particularly in the less vagrant M. blythii. Despite Iran's high spatial divergence and long distance between the sampled locations, local genetic diversity and inter-population gene flow in the parasites were high, even between different sides of the Zagros and Alborz Mountains. The genetic similarity that was observed among mite populations likely reflects genetic exchanges between colonies at swarming places of bats, as well as the possible occupation of other host species, resulting in a higher effective population size and more dispersal opportunities for the mites.

This paper provides an overview on troglobitic springtails found in European caves, including a checklist at species level. The paper also reviews what is currently known about Collembola, which occur in caves of the most important mountain ranges in Europe. Only troglobitic species were included since many troglophiles were of uncertain ecological status. A total of 338 troglobitic species of Collembola is recorded from European caves, distributed across 12 families. Spain and France appear to host the highest richness of species, including endemics. From a biogeographic perspective, troglobitic species are unevenly distributed in Europe, especially in the most important mountain ranges, like the Alps, the Carpathians, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus, and other European mountains. Troglobitic springtails are far more abundant in temperate zones than in the tropics. Despite this, several genera of Collembola appear to be well represented, while some are poorly represented (or lacking) in European caves. Many advances in knowledge of subterranean springtails have been made, particularly in the description of new species. However, there are still major gaps in the knowledge of the biology, environmental requirements, and impacts on subterranean fauna. This paper highlights the need for further research and provides baseline data for such efforts.

The presence of aflagellate spermatozoa in two species of Kryptodasys (Fam. Macrodasyidae), a gastrotrich genus recently described, is reported. Their ultrastructure shows common features, which appear peculiar to the genus and different from those of male gametes of the phylogenetically unrelated Dolichodasys (Fam. Cephalodasyidae), the only other macrodasyidan genus known to have aflagellate sperm. Additional information on the ultrastructure of the genital apparatus of the two Kryptodasys species is given, which confirm the data of the originals description and the systematic delimitation of this new genus from Macrodasys, which was mainly based on the structure of the reproductive system until now. The functional and phylogenetic significance of the aflagellate condition of spermatozoa in the two taxa under study and in other species is discussed also in the light of the generally flagellate condition of functional sperm in Gastrotricha.

We describe a new species, Kobeltocochlea tamarae Sitnikova, Teterina & Maximova sp. nov., from Lake Baikal discovered in the Saint Petersburg methane seep at a depth of approximately 1400 m. The uncorrected genetic distance was 4.26% of the COI gene between this new species and K. falsipumyla collected from the Academic Ridge at depths between 157 and 163 m. The two shallow-water species, K. martensiana and K. olchonensis, differed in substrate preference and geographic habitats, with a genetic distance of 0.97% for COI. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (ITSI, 28S) sequences indicated that Kobeltocochlea was paraphyletic with respect to other benedictiid genera Benedictia and Yaroslawiella, formed well-supported monophyletic groups. We revealed the discordance of morphological and genetic data within Kobeltocochlea and other benedictiids, which reflected their complicated history. The current knowledge of benedictiids does not allow for significant changes in the taxonomy of the Benedictiidae, except for synonymizing K. lindholmiana with K. olchonensis and Pseudobenedictia with Benedictia that were also investigated. We speculate that three main lineages of benedictiids originated from three populations of a single ancient species approximately 3.2 Ma. The speciation of deep-water species was probably driven independently by bathymetric isolation in the cold methane seeps of different geomorphological structures. The diversification of the third lineage consisting of littoral (including K. martensiana/K. olchonensis), deep-water, and eurybathic benedictiids may be explained by rapid adaptive radiation to intralacustrine environments.

The distribution and diversification processes of freshwater fishes have been influenced by tecto-volcanic and climatic events that have in turn promoted genesis, destruction, and numerous changes in the drainage networks, leaving complex phylogeographic patterns in the ichthyofauna of highly dynamic regions such as central Mexico. In this study, we evaluated the evolutionary history of the Aztec shiner Aztecula sallaei, which is distributed in currently isolated drainages in the highlands of central Mexico, performing phylogenetic, biogeographic, and phylogeographic analyses using three genes: the mitochondrial cytb and two nuclear genes, S7 and ACTB. The studied populations show three genetically divergent and structured lineages: two are exclusive to the Panuco biogeographic region and the third is widely distributed in the Upper Lerma, Middle Lerma, Cuitzeo, and Balsas (Zempoala Lakes) biogeographic regions, as well as one population in Panuco. This widely distributed lineage also presents a genetic structure that is congruent with these biogeographic regions supported by the cytb gene and partially supported by the S7 gene. The divergence time of these lineages was dated to the Pleistocene period (0.56–2.79 Mya) and was associated with temporally or spatially independent events of river capture, which promoted the exchange of fishes between the river headwaters followed by subsequent isolation, explaining the current distribution of this cyprinid in neighboring but currently isolated basins. Our results indicate that, in the highlands of central Mexico, tecto-volcanic activity has shaped the geographic ranges, diversification, and phylogeographic patterns of freshwater fishes.

Many land snail taxa have undergone speciation in the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan in East Asia. We examined the shell, radular, and genital morphology, and mitochondrial phylogeny of two described Sicradiscus species distributed in Miyako Island and Taiwan, and the newly discovered Sicradiscus pallgergelyi sp. nov. from Iriomote Island. Canonical variate analysis based on adult shell measurements indicated that S. pallgergelyi sp. nov. and the Taiwanese Sicradiscus ishizakii had more similar shell measurements, whereas S. pallgergelyi sp. nov. shared common characteristics of shell sculpture with the Japanese Sicradiscus hirasei. The leave-one-out cross-validation results correctly classified 100%, 71.4%, and 88.0% of S. hirasei, S. ishizakii, and S. pallgergelyi sp. nov., respectively. The radular and genital morphology was similar in these three species. Moreover, molecular phylogenetic analyses showed monophyly of the three species, although the Japanese lineages were more closely related to each other than to the Taiwanese species. Accordingly, the characteristics of shell sculpture are common traits of the two Japanese species, and these findings indicate that shell morphology has significantly diverged in Japan. The different apertural callus lengths among the three species may be an adaptation to predators, and shell flatness may reflect interspecific differences in microhabitats.

According to Rensch's rule, sexual size dimorphism (SSD) decreases with increasing body size in species where females are larger than males, whereas SSD increases with body size when males are larger than females. In this study, we examined body size from 15 populations of Bufo minshanicus in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau in China. We estimated the age of the individuals from eight populations to evaluate Rensch's rule and possible causes of variation in SSD. After or before correcting male and female body size for age differences, the patterns of SSD failed to obey Rensch's rule or its inverse, even though fecundity selection in toads tends to favor larger female body size. We also found that the degree of SSD was positively correlated with the operational sex ratio in the field across B. minshanicus populations. Thus, sexual and fecundity selection play an equal role driving the evolution of SSD within toads. In addition, sex-specific growth rate and age structure explain part of the variation observed in SSD across populations.