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Taxonomy, Volume 3, Issue 1 (March 2023) – 12 articles

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21 pages, 1463 KiB  
Article
Acinetobacter nematophilus sp. nov., Alcaligenes nematophilus sp. nov., Enterobacter nematophilus sp. nov., and Kaistia nematophila sp. nov., Isolated from Soil-Borne Nematodes and Proposal for the Elevation of Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. faecalis, Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. parafaecalis, and Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. phenolicus to the Species Level
by Ricardo A. R. Machado, Ameni Loulou, Aashaq Hussain Bhat, Maristella Mastore, Céline Terrettaz, Maurizio Francesco Brivio and Sadreddine Kallel
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 148-168; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010012 - 09 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2146
Abstract
Four bacterial strains, A-IN1T, A-TC2T, E-TC7T, and K-TC2T, isolated from soil-borne nematodes of the species Oscheius tipulae and Acrobeloides bodenheimeri, were found to represent new species of the genera Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter [...] Read more.
Four bacterial strains, A-IN1T, A-TC2T, E-TC7T, and K-TC2T, isolated from soil-borne nematodes of the species Oscheius tipulae and Acrobeloides bodenheimeri, were found to represent new species of the genera Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Enterobacter, and Kaistia, respectively. In this study, we described these new species using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included whole-genome and whole-proteome phylogenomic reconstructions, core genome sequence comparisons, and phenotypic characterization. Phylogenomic reconstructions using whole-genome and whole-proteome sequences show that A-IN1T is closely related to Acinetobacter guillouiae DSM 590T and to Acinetobacter bereziniae LMG 1003T. The dDDH values between A-IN1T and these latest strains are 25.1 and 39.6%, respectively, which are below the 70% divergence threshold for prokaryotic species delineation. A-TC2T is closely related to Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. faecalis DSM 30030T and to Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. phenolicus DSM 16503T. The dDDH values between A-TC2T and these latest strains are 47.0 and 66.3%, respectively. In addition, the dDDH values between Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. faecalis DSM 30030T, Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. phenolicus DSM 16503T, and Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. parafaecalis are always lower than 70%, demonstrating that the three strains represent species within the genus Alcaligenes rather than subspecies within Alcaligenes faecalis. E-TC7T is closely related to Enterobacter kobei DSM 13645T, Enterobacter chuandaensis 090028T, and to Enterobacter bugandensis STN0717-56T. The dDDH values between E-TC7T and these strains are 43.5, 42.9, and 63.7%, respectively. K-TC2T is closely related to Kaistia terrae DSM 21341T and to Kaistia defluvii JCM 18034T. The dDDH values between these strains are 29.2 and 30.7%, respectively. Several biochemical tests allow to differentiate the type strains of the newly described species from the type strains of their more closely related species. Based on the results of this polyphasic taxonomic approach, the following new species are proposed: Acinetobacter nematophilus sp. nov. with A-IN1T (=CCM 9231T =CCOS 2018T) as the type strain, Alcaligenes nematophilus sp. nov. with A-TC2T (=CCM 9230T =CCOS 2017T) as the type strain, Enterobacter nematophilus sp. nov. with E-TC7T (=CCM 9232T =CCOS 2020T) as the type strain, and Kaistia nematophila sp. nov. with K-TC2T (=CCM 9239T =CCOS 2022T) as the type strain. In addition, we propose the elevation of Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. faecalis, Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. parafaecalis, and Alcaligenes faecalis subsp. phenolicus to the species level. Therefore, we propose the creation of Alcaligenes parafaecalis sp. nov. with DSM 13975T as the type strain, and Alcaligenes phenolicus sp. nov. with DSM 16503T as the type strain. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the biodiversity and phylogenetic relationships of bacteria associated with soil-borne nematodes. Full article
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15 pages, 4020 KiB  
Article
Deep mtDNA Sequence Divergences and Possible Species Radiation of Whip Spiders (Arachnida, Amblypygi, Phrynidae, Phrynus/Paraphrynus) among Caribbean Oceanic and Cave Islands
by Ingi Agnarsson, Jonathan A. Coddington, Laura Caicedo-Quiroga, Laura J. May-Collado and Snæbjörn Pálsson
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 133-147; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010011 - 27 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2820
Abstract
Islands—whether classic oceanic islands or habitat islands such as isolated thermal vents, mountain tops, or caves—often promote the diversification of lineages that colonize them. We examined CO1 mtDNA sequence divergences within the tailless whip spider genus Phrynus Lamarck, 1809 (Amblypygi: Phrynidae) among oceanic [...] Read more.
Islands—whether classic oceanic islands or habitat islands such as isolated thermal vents, mountain tops, or caves—often promote the diversification of lineages that colonize them. We examined CO1 mtDNA sequence divergences within the tailless whip spider genus Phrynus Lamarck, 1809 (Amblypygi: Phrynidae) among oceanic islands and among cave ’islands´ distributed across the Caribbean archipelago and on the continental mainland. The significance of this study lies in the extensive taxon sampling of a supposedly depauperate lineage (considering its age), over a large proportion of its geographical range, and the discovery of deep mtDNA sequence divergences. We sampled thousands of specimens—and sequenced 544, including six outgroup species—across 173 localities on 17 islands (135 localities) and five countries on the North to South American mainland (38 localities), including a total of 63 caves. Classical taxonomy identified ten named Phrynus and two Paraphrynus Moreno, 1940 species. Paraphrynus seems to be paraphyletic and nested in Phrynus. Uncorrected genetic distances within named species and among morphological species ranged up to 15% and 19%, respectively. Geographic distances explained a significant portion of genetic distances on islands (19%, among both subterranean and epigean specimens), and for epigean specimens on the mainland (27%). Species delimitation analyses indicated that the 12 named species harbored from 66 to well over 100 putative species. The highest number of species was indicated by the GMYC method (114 species) while the Bayesian Poisson tree processes (bPTP) and the BP&P relying on the Markov chain Monte Carlo Bayesian Phylogenetic model estimated an upper level of 110 species. On the other hand, the recently recommended and relatively conservative distance-based (phylogeny free) ASAP model has the greatest support for 73 species. In either case, nearly all putative species are tightly limited to a single locality, often a small cave system, and sometimes to the surrounding epigean area. Caribbean Phrynus diversity has likely been vastly underestimated, likely due to both morphological crypsis and the ignorance of Caribbean cave fauna. Although mtDNA sequences can suggest species limits, nuclear DNA sequencing and detailed morphological research are necessary to corroborate them and explore whether this phenomenon constitutes species radiation or perhaps just mtDNA divergences as a consequence of, for example, stationary females and actively dispersing males. Full article
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24 pages, 8542 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Seed Images with Geometric Models, an Approach to the Morphology of Silene (Caryophyllaceae)
by José Javier Martín-Gómez, José Luis Rodríguez-Lorenzo, Bohuslav Janoušek, Ana Juan and Emilio Cervantes
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 109-132; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010010 - 09 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1645
Abstract
Seed morphological description is traditionally based on adjectives, which originated from the comparison with other shapes, including geometric figures. Nevertheless, descriptions based on this feature are not quantitative and measurements giving the percentage of similarity of seeds with reference figures are not available [...] Read more.
Seed morphological description is traditionally based on adjectives, which originated from the comparison with other shapes, including geometric figures. Nevertheless, descriptions based on this feature are not quantitative and measurements giving the percentage of similarity of seeds with reference figures are not available in the literature. Lateral views of Silene seeds resemble the cardioid and cardioid-derived figures. Dorsal views, nonetheless, resemble ellipses and derivatives, allowing seed shape quantification by comparison with defined geometric figures. In this work, we apply already-described models as well as new models to the morphological analysis of 51 Silene species. Our data revealed the existence of a link between lateral and dorsal models. Lateral models closed in the hilum region (models LM2 and LM4) were associated with those convex models of the dorsal seed views (DM1-DM4, DM10). Lateral models more open around the hilum region adjusted to seeds characterized as dorso canaliculata type better, i.e., to those geometric models with partial concavities in their dorsal views. The relationship between lateral and dorsal models, as well as between the models to their utility in taxonomy, is discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exclusive Paper Collection of Editorial Board Members of Taxonomy)
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14 pages, 9922 KiB  
Article
Thesium hispidifructum (Santalaceae), a New Hispidulous Species from Limpopo, South Africa and Notes on Enigmatic T. celatum
by Natasha Lombard and M. Marianne Le Roux
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 95-108; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010009 - 04 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1298
Abstract
Two shrub-like Thesium species (subgenus Psilothesium) from the Limpopo and North West Provinces in South Africa are treated. Using morphological information from the literature, herbarium material (including types) and geographic information, specimens of the little-known T. celatum N.E.Br. and a new species, [...] Read more.
Two shrub-like Thesium species (subgenus Psilothesium) from the Limpopo and North West Provinces in South Africa are treated. Using morphological information from the literature, herbarium material (including types) and geographic information, specimens of the little-known T. celatum N.E.Br. and a new species, T. hispidifructum N.Lombard and M.M.leRoux sp. nov., are treated. A first comprehensive description of the Waterberg–Magaliesberg endemic, T. celatum, is provided along with diagnostic characters to distinguish it from its morphologically most similar-looking species, T. burchellii A.W.Hill. It has hitherto been classified as data deficient due to taxonomic reasons by the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) but a status of Vulnerable is suggested. Thesium hispidifructum is recognised for the first time here and is endemic to Blouberg and Mount Letsjume. It is morphologically most similar to T. disparile N.E.Br. Its name was chosen with reference to its hispidulous to hispid indumentum covering the entire plant including the outside of the flowers and fruit. A threat status of vulnerable is proposed. Treatments of both species include detailed morphological descriptions, information on their distribution and habitat, comparisons and an identification key with morphologically similar species and photo plates. Full article
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10 pages, 2624 KiB  
Article
Ancyronyx jhoanae sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Elmidae), A New Spider Riffle Beetle Species from Luzon, Philippines, and New Records for A. tamaraw Freitag, 2013
by Christalle Beatriz N. Seno and Hendrik Freitag
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 85-94; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010008 - 02 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2428
Abstract
Ancyronyx jhoanae sp. nov., a new species of genus Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 from Luzon is described using an integrative taxonomic approach. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters are provided. Molecular analysis of a fragment of the COI 5’-end was employed to support the [...] Read more.
Ancyronyx jhoanae sp. nov., a new species of genus Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 from Luzon is described using an integrative taxonomic approach. Illustrations of habitus and diagnostic characters are provided. Molecular analysis of a fragment of the COI 5’-end was employed to support the morphological species concept. Differences from closely related species based on molecular and morphological data are discussed. First records of A. tamaraw Freitag, 2013 from Luzon are reported. Full article
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17 pages, 26375 KiB  
Article
The Origin of the Mangrove and Saltmarsh Snail Ellobium (Eupulmonata, Ellobiidae)
by Mathias Harzhauser, Jean-Michel Pacaud and Bernard M. Landau
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 68-84; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010007 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1865
Abstract
The pulmonate gastropod genus Ellobium has its greatest diversity in the modern Indo-West Pacific Region (IWP). Its origin, however, is traced to the Early Oligocene of the Northeastern Atlantic and the Western Tethys Region. Two Ellobium species are documented from the Rupelian of [...] Read more.
The pulmonate gastropod genus Ellobium has its greatest diversity in the modern Indo-West Pacific Region (IWP). Its origin, however, is traced to the Early Oligocene of the Northeastern Atlantic and the Western Tethys Region. Two Ellobium species are documented from the Rupelian of France and Italy and a new species is recorded from the Chattian of Hungary: Ellobium kerwaensis nov. sp. The first records in the IWP are known from the Early Miocene, suggesting an eastward range expansion of the genus around the Oligocene/Miocene boundary, when Ellobium became extinct in the European seas. Extant Ellobium species are bound to habitats above the high tide line in salt marshes and mangroves. Comparable environmental requirements are expected for the fossil congeners. Ellobium may derive from Eocene ancestors, such as the Bartonian Eoellobium heberti from the Northeastern Atlantic. Eoellobium is introduced in this paper as a new genus. Full article
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11 pages, 3402 KiB  
Article
A New Giant Petrel (Macronectes, Aves: Procellariidae) from the Pliocene of Taranaki, New Zealand
by Alan J. D. Tennyson and Rodrigo B. Salvador
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 57-67; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010006 - 30 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5277
Abstract
A new species of giant petrel, Macronectes tinae sp. nov., is described from the Pliocene deposits of South Taranaki, New Zealand. The holotype is a near complete skull and the paratype a fragmentary left humerus; both come from the Tangahoe Formation, dating from [...] Read more.
A new species of giant petrel, Macronectes tinae sp. nov., is described from the Pliocene deposits of South Taranaki, New Zealand. The holotype is a near complete skull and the paratype a fragmentary left humerus; both come from the Tangahoe Formation, dating from the late Pliocene (Piacenzian or “Waipipian”; age estimated as ca. 3.36–3.06 Ma). The new species of giant petrel is the first fossil Macronectes ever reported. It is morphologically similar to the two present-day Macronectes spp., but it was a smaller bird. The skull is diagnosed by its overall smaller size, a proportionately longer apertura nasi ossea, and potentially by a shorter os supraocciptale. The humerus is diagnosed from both species by a proportionately less deep shaft, a more prominent medial portion of the epicondylus ventralis, and a larger and fusiform fossa medialis brachialis. The Tangahoe Formation is proving to be a remarkable source of marine vertebrate fossils and an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the evolution and biogeography of seabirds. Full article
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2 pages, 192 KiB  
Editorial
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Taxonomy in 2022
by Taxonomy Editorial Office
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 55-56; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010005 - 16 Jan 2023
Viewed by 791
Abstract
High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...] Full article
9 pages, 2928 KiB  
Article
Morphological Description and Molecular Analysis of Newly Recorded Asteroid, Henricia djakonovi Chichvarkhin, 2017 (Asteroidea: Spinulosida: Echinasteridae), from Dokdo Island, Korea
by Michael Dadole Ubagan, Mariya Shihab Ahmed Alboasud and Taekjun Lee
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 46-54; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010004 - 11 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1358
Abstract
We recently collected the samples of Henricia from adjacent waters of Dokdo Island, Korea, using trimix SCUBA diving. Based on a combined result of morphological and molecular analysis, we identified our specimen as Henricia djakonovi Chichvarkhin, 2017, which is newly recorded in Korea. [...] Read more.
We recently collected the samples of Henricia from adjacent waters of Dokdo Island, Korea, using trimix SCUBA diving. Based on a combined result of morphological and molecular analysis, we identified our specimen as Henricia djakonovi Chichvarkhin, 2017, which is newly recorded in Korea. Morphologically, H. djakonovi has crescent abactinal plates bearing numerous pillar-shaped abactinal spines with a droplet-like apical tip. Moreover, molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial COI gene occurred that clearly distinguished H. djakonovi from other species of Henricia in the pairwise genetic distance and maximum likelihood analysis. Accordingly, 15 species of Henricia are recorded in Korean fauna, including H. djakonovi. Full article
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17 pages, 1040 KiB  
Article
Phylogenomic Analysis Supports the Transfer of 20 Pathovars from Xanthomonas campestris into Xanthomonas euvesicatoria
by Jamie Harrison, Rana M. F. Hussain, Andrew Aspin, Murray R. Grant, Joana G. Vicente and David J. Studholme
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 29-45; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010003 - 06 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2624
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacterial genus Xanthomonas includes numerous infra-specific taxa known as pathovars, which are defined primarily on host range and disease symptoms. With the advent of molecular sequence data, many pathovars have been transferred from X. campestris into other Xanthomonas species to better [...] Read more.
The Gram-negative bacterial genus Xanthomonas includes numerous infra-specific taxa known as pathovars, which are defined primarily on host range and disease symptoms. With the advent of molecular sequence data, many pathovars have been transferred from X. campestris into other Xanthomonas species to better harmonise taxonomy and phylogeny. We performed whole-genome shotgun sequencing on pathotype strains of the following X. campestris pathovars: blepharidis, carissae, clerodendri, convolvuli, coriandri, daturae, euphorbiae, fici, heliotropii, ionidii, lawsoniae, mirabilis, obscurae, paulliniae, pennamericanum, spermacoces, uppalii, vernoniae, viegasii and zingibericola. These genomes showed more than 98% average nucleotide identity with the type-strain of X. euvesicatoria and less than 88% with the type-strain of X. campestris. We propose the transfer of these pathovars into X. euvesicatoria and present an emended species description for X. euvesicatoria. Full article
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19 pages, 4997 KiB  
Article
A New Species of Proctoporus (Reptilia, Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurinae) from the Puna of the Otishi National Park in Peru
by Edgar Lehr, Juan C. Cusi, Maura I. Fernandez, Ricardo J. Vera and Alessandro Catenazzi
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 10-28; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010002 - 31 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6996
Abstract
We describe a new species of Proctoporus from the scientifically unexplored southern sector of the Otishi National Park (Region Cusco) in Peru, on the basis of molecular and morphological characters. Seven type specimens were obtained from six localities between 3241–3269 m a.s.l. within [...] Read more.
We describe a new species of Proctoporus from the scientifically unexplored southern sector of the Otishi National Park (Region Cusco) in Peru, on the basis of molecular and morphological characters. Seven type specimens were obtained from six localities between 3241–3269 m a.s.l. within a radius of ca. 1.5 km in a Puna valley. Nine adult specimens (four males, five females) from Chiquintirca (Region Ayacucho, ca. 85 km airline from the type locality) are considered referred specimens. Males of the new species have a snout–vent length of 41.3–53.9 mm (x¯ = 46.7, n = 6), females have a snout–vent length of 43.6–52.6 mm (x¯ = 48.1, n = 8). The new species has dorsal scales striated, four supraoculars, four anterior supralabials, loreal and prefrontal scales absent, two pairs of genials (rarely one or three), three rows of pregulars, and five to seven femoral pores in males (absent in females). Sexual dimorphism is evident in the ventral coloration: males have neck, chest, and belly dark gray to black, whereas females have neck, chest, and belly pale gray with a diffuse dark gray fleck in the center of each scale, and an orange iris with a fringed pupil in both sexes. Full article
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9 pages, 722 KiB  
Article
A Cautionary Note on Linear Measurements and Their Ratios in Taxonomy
by Antonio G. Valdecasas
Taxonomy 2023, 3(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3010001 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1296
Abstract
Statisticians work with figures, whereas scientists work with estimated quantities. Every direct (physical) measurement has some degree of uncertainty. Single numbers pose no problems, and an implied range can always be specified. Difficulties arise when those numbers or sets of numbers are used [...] Read more.
Statisticians work with figures, whereas scientists work with estimated quantities. Every direct (physical) measurement has some degree of uncertainty. Single numbers pose no problems, and an implied range can always be specified. Difficulties arise when those numbers or sets of numbers are used to calculate derived figures. Statistical measures such as ratios can be skewed if uncertainty about the actual measurements used to derive those quantities is not taken into account. This lack of consideration may lead to incorrect figures being used and calls into question the criteria used to diagnose, identify or delimit new species. In this case study, I use data gathered from the literature on different species of the clade Hydrachnidia (Acari, Parasitengona) to show how range ratios of important characters differ when uncertainty is considered. I outline the successive steps taken during the measuring process—from microscope calibration to the calculation of several statistical values from the direct measurements—and suggest some corrections. I anticipate that the results and recommendations presented here will be applicable to other taxonomic groups for which linear measurements play a central role in the description and identification of species. Full article
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