Molecular phylogeny of the Lecudinoidea (Apicomplexa): A major group of marine gregarines with diverse shapes, movements and hosts.

Gregarine apicomplexans are ubiquitous endosymbionts of invertebrate hosts. Despite their ecological and evolutionary importance, inferences about the phylogenetic relationships of major gregarine groups, such as the Lecudinidae and Urosporidae, have been hindered by vague taxonomic definitions and limited molecular and morphological data. In this study, we investigated five gregarine species collected from four families of polychaete hosts (Nereididae, Oenonidae, Hesionidae, and Phyllodocidae) using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also generated small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences from these species and conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the Lecudinoidea. Our results include new molecular and morphological data for two previously described species (Lecudina cf. platynereidis and Lecudina cf. arabellae), the discovery of a new species of Lecudina (L. oxydromus n. sp.), and the discovery of two novel species, namely Amplectina cordis n. gen. et. n. sp. and Sphinctocystis inclina n. sp. These two species exhibited unique shapes and movements, resembling those of urosporids but with a phylogenetic affinity to lecudinids, blurring the border between lecudinids and urosporids. Our study emphasizes the need for further investigations into this highly diverse group, which has achieved great success across multiple animal phyla with diverse shapes and movements.

Survey of trematodes in Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum on the west coast of Korea: A preliminary study.

The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum on the west coast of Korea harbors several digenetic trematodes. However, most studies in this region have been restricted to a few sampling sites and the current species designation of some trematodes is largely based on morphology, leaving the molecular phylogenetic position among the Digenea unsolved. Thus, we first provide both morphology and molecular phylogeny of some components in the trematodes community in the Manila clam based on a large-scale survey of 26 sites on the west coast, where well-developed tidal flats serve as large commercial clam culture beds. Our study revealed that the trematodes community in the clams consisted of at least 5 species that belong to 3 families (Himasthlidae, Gymnophallidae, Baccigeridae) and 1 superfamily (Monorchioidea). The life mode of the 5 different species included the metacercaria and sporocyst, with one species (Parvatrema duboisi) utilizing the clams as both the first and/or second intermediate host. Trematode infection prevalences were not evenly distributed among the study sites, although the reasons behind this are yet to be determined. Morphological identification was confirmed with the molecular analyses based on ITS and 28S rDNA; phylogenetic analysis also revealed that Cercaria pectinata infecting the clam gonad should be referred to as Bacciger bacciger hereafter. The present preliminary study provides a crucial baseline that could be further developed in a future study on the digenean trematodes community in the Manila clam.

The burrower bug Macroscytus japonensis (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) acquires obligate symbiotic bacteria from the environment.

Many plant-feeding stinkbugs belonging to the infraorder Pentatomomorpha possess a specialized symbiotic organ at the posterior end of the midgut, in which mutualistic bacterial symbionts are harbored extracellularly. In species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea, these symbionts typically are verticallytransmitted from host mothers to offspring, whereas in species of the superfamilies Coreoidea and Lygaeoidea they are acquired from the environment. In the pentatomoid family Cydnidae, vertical symbiont transmission has been reported in several species. Here, we report the first case of environmental symbiont acquisition in Cydnidae, observed in the burrower bug Macroscytus japonensis. A comprehensive survey of 72 insect samples from 23 sites across the Japanese archipelago revealed that (1) symbionts exhibit remarkably high diversity, forming six distinct phylogenetic groups within the Enterobacteriaceae of the γ-Proteobacteria, (2) most symbionts are cultivable and closely related to free-living Pantoea-allied bacteria, and (3) symbiont phylogenetic groups do not reflect the host phylogeny. Microbial inspection of eggs revealed the absence of bacteria on the egg surface. These results strongly suggest that symbionts are acquired from the environment, not vertical transmission. Rearing experiments confirmed environmental symbiont acquisition. When environmental symbiont sources were experimentally withheld, nymphs became aposymbiotic and died before molting to the second instar, indicating that nymphs environmentally acquire symbionts during the first-instar stage and that symbionts are essential for nymphal growth and survival. This study highlights Cydnidae as the only pentatomoid family that includes species that environmentally acquire symbionts and those that vertically transmit symbionts, providing an ideal platform for comparative studies of the ecological and environmental factors that influence the evolution of symbiont transmission modes.

Mycenabrunnescens (Basidiomycota, Mycenaceae), a new species of Mycena sect. Pterigenae from China.

Background: Mycena (Pers.) Roussel (1806) is a large genus of Mycenaceae known for having small to medium-sized basidiomata. It is typified by the species Mycenagalericulata (Scop.) Gray. For years, many mycologists have made important contributions to understanding Mycena and several monographs have been published. Three specimens were collected from China that belonged to the genus Mycena. On the basis of morphological analysis and phylogenetic analyses employing DNA sequences, a new species is described. New information: Mycenabrunnescens sp. nov. is described as a new species from subtropical areas of China. It is characterised by its brown pileus, whitish lamellae that turns brown when bruised, orange to brown lamellae edges, the absence of pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia with simple or branched excrescences at the apex containing yellowish-brown contents. We performed phylogenetic analyses on a concatenated dataset comprising the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods. The result showed that the new taxon clustered in an independent group and is closely related to M.albiceps and M.flosoides.

DESCRIPTIONS AND PHYLOGENETIC AFFINITIES OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF RHABDIAS STILES AND HASSALL, 1905 (NEMATODA: RHABDIASIDAE) FROM NORTH AMERICAN FROGS: ARE WE STILL ONLY SCRATCHING THE SURFACE?

Two new species of lung-dwelling nematodes are described from North American frogs: Rhabdias aurorae n. sp. from Rana aurora and Rhabdias conni n. sp. from Rana clamitans and Rana catesbeiana from Arkansas; the latter species was also found in Oklahoma and Georgia. Rhabdias aurorae n. sp. differs from other Nearctic congeners in the combination of the following characteristics: buccal capsule 22-25 µm wide, elongated tail covered with inflated cuticle, esophagus with prominent dilatation in anterior part and 6 small circumoral lips. Rhabdias conni n. sp. is morphologically closest to Rhabdias ranae Walton, 1929 and Rhabdias joaquinensisIngles, 1936; it differs from them in the shape of lateral pseudolabia, the dimensions of the body, and the egg size. Both new species were found to be significantly different from the Nearctic congeners in the nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (18S-ITS-28S region), 12S, and CO1 mitochondrial genes. The 2 new species differ from other currently sequenced Nearctic congeners by 1.1-2.7% of nucleotide positions in the nuclear rDNA region, 1.3-3.4% in the 12S gene, and 3.4-9.4% in CO1 gene. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences placed both new species into the clade consisting of Nearctic and Neotropical Rhabdias spp. The position of Rh. aurorae n. sp. within the clade is uncertain because of a polytomy, but Rh. conni n. sp. is nested within the "Rh. joaquinensis complex" related to Rh. ranae and Rhabdias tarichaeKuzmin, Tkach, and Snyder, 2003. The phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences has revealed 3 evolutionary host-switching events from anuran to caudatan hosts among Rhabdias spp. that occurred in the Nearctic and Palearctic. The molecular phylogeny also suggests that Rhabdias may have originally evolved in what is now Africa.

Molecular Systematics and Type-material-based Redescription of Metarhadinorhynchus lateolabracis, With Taxonomic Revisions of Metarhadinorhynchus, Indorhynchus, and Neotegorhynchus (Acanthocephala: Palaeacanthocephala).

PURPOSE: Molecular phylogenetics has been improving the acanthocephalan systematics, yet numerous taxa remain unexplored. The palaeacanthocephalan Metarhadinorhynchus Yamaguti, 1959 and its type species M. lateolabracis Yamaguti, 1959 are such to-be-explored taxa. We aim to refine (i) the systematic placement, (ii) the morphological circumscription, and (iii) the taxonomic components of the genus. We also aim to examine the taxonomic status of the species that have been assigned to the genus. METHODS: Morphological observations on newly collected specimens as well as the type material of Metarhadinorhynchus lateolabracis were conducted. Also, molecular phylogenetic analyses with maximum-likelihood method and Bayesian inference were performed based on freshly collected specimens. Nominal species that have at least once been assigned in Metarhadinorhynchus, as well as a related form, Gorgorhynchus lateolabri Yin and Wu, 1984, are taxonomically re-evaluated based on literature information. RESULTS: Our re-examination of the type material of M. lateolabracis revealed that the number of cement glands is six, instead of eight as described and illustrated in the original description. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, M. lateolabracis was nested in Isthmosacanthidae. Gorgorhynchoides Cable and Linderoth, 1963 was found to be a junior synonym of Metarhadinorhynchus. Taxonomic re-evaluations of six nominal species that have once belonged in Metarhadinorhynchus led to modifications of generic diagnoses for Indorhynchus Golvan, 1969 and Neotegorhynchus Lisitsyna, Xi, Orosová, Barcák, and Oros, 2022. CONCLUSIONS: Metarhadinorhynchus has been assigned to Leptorhynchoididae (Echinorhynchida), but our study now locates it in Isthmosacanthidae (Polymorphida). We propose 13 new combinations of specific names in Metarhadinorhynchus and three in Indorhynchus. Metarhadinorhynchus lateolabri (Yin and Wu, 1984) comb. nov. may be synonymous with M. orientalis (Wang, 1966) comb. nov.

Museomics allows comparative analyses of mitochondrial genomes in the family Gryllidae (Insecta, Orthoptera) and confirms its phylogenetic relationships.

Background: Next-generation sequencing technology can now be used to sequence historical specimens from natural history collections, an approach referred to as museomics. The museomics allows obtaining molecular data from old museum-preserved specimens, a resource of biomolecules largely underexploited despite the fact that these specimens are often unique samples of nomenclatural types that can be crucial for resolving scientific questions. Despite recent technical progress, cricket mitogenomes are still scarce in the databases, with only a handful of new ones generated each year from freshly collected material. Methods: In this study, we used the genome skimming method to sequence and assemble three new complete mitogenomes representing two tribes of the cricket subfamily Eneopterinae: two were obtained from old, historical type material of Xenogryllus lamottei (68 years old) and X. maniema (80 years old), the third one from a freshly collected specimen of Nisitrus vittatus. We compared their genome organization and base composition, and reconstructed the molecular phylogeny of the family Gryllidae. Results: Our study not only confirmed that the genome skimming method used by next generation sequencing allows us to efficiently obtain the whole mitogenome from dry-pinned historical specimens, but we also confirmed how promising it is for large-scale comparative studies of mitogenomes using resources from natural history collections. Used in a phylogenetic context the new mitogenomes attest that the mitogenomic data contain valuable information and also strongly support phylogenetic relationships at multiple time scales.

Revision of Trigastrotheca Cameron (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Braconinae) with descriptions of 13 new species.

The Old World braconine wasp genus Trigastrotheca Cameron is revised. The genus is recorded from the island of Madagascar for the first time based on two new species, T.christianhenrichi Quicke & Butcher, sp. nov. and T.formosa Quicke & Friedman, sp. nov. Trigastrothecagriffini Quicke, sp. nov. is described from Australia; T.aethiopica Quicke & Friedman, sp. nov. is described from Ethiopia; T.braeti Quicke & Butcher, sp. nov. is described from Congo; T.simba van Noort, sp. nov. is described from Tanzania; T.freidbergi Quicke & Friedman, sp. nov., T.carinata Ranjith, sp. nov., T.flava Ranjith, sp. nov. and T.similidentata Ranjith, sp. nov. are described from India; T.khaoyaiensis Quicke & Butcher, sp. nov., T.naniensis Quicke & Butcher, sp. nov., and T.sublobata Quicke & Butcher, sp. nov. are described from Thailand. Trigastrothecatridentata is recorded from Thailand for the first time. A putative female of T.sureeratae is described for the first time. Acroceriliatricolor Quicke & Ingram, 1993 is transferred into Trigastrotheca, as T.acroceropsis nom. nov. A key is provided for the identification of species.

Diversity and biology of Spirometra tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea), zoonotic parasites of wildlife: A review.

Tapeworms of the genus Spirometra Faust, Campbell et Kellogg, 1929 have long been known as intestinal parasites of carnivores and their larvae (spargana) have been found in various vertebrates. Nevertheless, their species diversity, host associations and geographical distribution remain poorly understood. Molecular data clearly confirm the validity of the genus, which has been synonymised by several authors with Diphyllobothrium Cobbold, 1858. Despite morphological similarities between the species of the two genera, they are not closely related and also differ in their life cycle. The present review provides a list of the species recognised as valid and additional genotypes that may represent other species, with a basic characterisation of each taxon and comments on their validity, the probable range of definitive and intermediate hosts, and their distribution. The existing taxonomic problems and the insufficient knowledge of the host specificity and distribution of Spirometra tapeworms can only be solved by combining molecular and morphological data, i.e. by comparing genetically characterised specimens with corresponding morphological vouchers (hologenophores). Further targeted sampling and surveys are required to clarify the distribution and host associations.

Diversity and New Species of Ascomycota from Bamboo in China.

Bamboo is an economically important crop that has gained prominence as an alternative to wood to reduce deforestation and ecosystem destruction. Diseases of bamboo that typically occur on leaves and stems can cause significant loss, reducing the quality and yield of the bamboo. However, there are few reports identifying the fungal species diversity and potential pathogens of bamboo. Here, we describe four new species of plant fungi from the leaves of bamboo within Fujian provinces, China. Fungi were isolated from diseased leaves collected within Fujian province and identified based on their morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenies using nucleotide sequences derived from combined datasets of the intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS), the 28S large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), the large subunit of RNA polymerase I (rpb1), the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (tef1-α), and the partial beta-tubulin gene (tub2). These analyses helped reveal and clarify taxonomic relationships in the family Magnaporthaceae. The new species of bambusicolous fungi identified include two species of Bifusisporella, described as B. fujianensis sp. nov. and B. bambooensis sp. nov., and two species of Apiospora, described as A. fujianensis sp. nov. and A. fuzhouensis sp. nov. This study further expands the characterization and distribution of fungi associated with bamboo.

Revision of Alternaria sections Pseudoulocladium and Ulocladioides: Assessment of species boundaries, determination of mating-type loci, and identification of Russian strains.

Alternaria is a large genus within Pleosporaceae and consists of fungi that have up to recently been considered to be 15 separate genera, including Ulocladium. The majority of Ulocladium species after incorporation into Alternaria were placed in three sections: Ulocladioides, Pseudoulocladium, and Ulocladium. In this study, phylogeny of 26 reference strains of 22 species and 20 Russian Ulocladium-like isolates was recovered. The partial actin gene (act), Alternaria major allergen (alta1), calmodulin (cal), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (rpb2), and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) were sequenced for Russian isolates. All these fungi were examined using multilocus phylogenetic analysis according to the genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) principle and the coalescent-based model Poisson tree processes (PTP, mPTP) and evaluated for the presence of recombination. All strains were combined into two clades that corresponded to the Pseudoulocladium and Ulocladioides sections. The Pseudoulocladium clade included four reference strains and nine local isolates and considered to be a single species, whereas the Ulocladioides section comprises 11 species, instead of 17 names previously adopted. Nine species were abolished by joining four other species. Species A. atra and A. multiformis were combined into the single species A. atra. Five species, A. brassicae-pekinensis, A. consortialis, A. cucurbitae, A. obovoidea, and A. terricola, were united in the species A. consortialis. Alternaria heterospora and A. subcucurbitae were combined into one species, A. subcucurbitae. Alternaria aspera, A. chartarum, A. concatenata, and A. septospora were combined into a single species, A. chartarum. Also, amplification with two different primer sets was performed to define mating-type locus 1 (MAT1) idiomorph. All studied isolates were heterothallic, contradicting some prior studies. Twenty Russian Ulocladium-like isolates were assigned to five species of two sections, A. atra, A. cantlous, A. chartarum, A. consortialis, and A. subcucurbitae. Species A. cantlous and A. subcucurbitae were found in Russia for the first time.

SACCHARIS v2: Streamlining Prediction of Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme Specificities Within Large Datasets.

Carbohydrates are chemically and structurally diverse, composed of a wide array of monosaccharides, stereochemical linkages, substituent groups, and intermolecular associations with other biological molecules. A large repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and enzymatic activities are required to form, dismantle, and metabolize these complex molecules. The software SACCHARIS (Sequence Analysis and Clustering of CarboHydrate Active enzymes for Rapid Informed prediction of Specificity) provides a rapid, easy-to-use pipeline for the prediction of potential CAZyme function in new datasets. We have updated SACCHARIS to (i) simplify its installation by re-writing in Python and packaging for Conda; (ii) enhance its usability through a new (optional) interactive GUI; and (iii) enable semi-automated annotation of phylogenetic tree output via a new R package or the commonly-used webserver iTOL. Significantly, SACCHARIS v2 has been developed with high-throughput omics in mind, with pipeline automation geared toward complex (meta)genome and (meta)transcriptome datasets to reveal the total CAZyme content ("CAZome") of an organism or community. Here, we outline the development and use of SACCHARIS v2 to discover and annotate CAZymes and provide insight into complex carbohydrate metabolisms in individual organisms and communities.

The Systematics of the Trematoda.

The platyhelminth class Trematoda comprises two subclasses with largely disparate species diversity, with the small Aspidogastrea with c.80 species and the speciose Digenea with c.18,000 species, which has attracted much effort towards our understanding of evolutionary relationships among suprageneric taxa. This chapter focuses on insights into the classification of the Digenea, that have become apparent from our advanced understanding of both morphological and molecular data. The field of molecular systematics of the Digenea has experienced significant advances over the past 15 years. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data predominantly from the 18S and 28S rRNA genes have incorporated a considerable diversity of taxa, thus increasing the accuracy of phylogenetic inferences at higher taxonomic levels. As a result, the status of long-standing supraspecific taxa has been revised, new higher-level taxa have been defined, and inferences made in association with morphological and life-cycle evidence. A substantial effort has been made towards a classification reflecting a natural system of the Digenea by considering morphological evidence in conjunction with phylogenies inferred from molecular data; this has resulted in considerable congruence. However, limited taxon sampling in the phylogeny of the Digenea still remains relevant, especially in relation to some higher-level taxa, and an outline of these omissions is presented. A framework that has led to robust estimates of phylogeny is outlined, and the application of advanced morphological and molecular approaches in digenean taxonomy and systematics is illustrated using the most comprehensively studied digenean superfamilies.

Paragoniastreavariabilis Kishi, Nomura & Fukami, sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia), a new coral species previously considered as a variant of Paragoniastreadeformis, from Japan and northern Taiwan.

A new zooxanthellate scleractinian coral, Paragoniastreavariabilis Kishi, Nomura & Fukami, sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Merulinidae), is described from non-coral reef regions of Japan and northern Taiwan. This new species was previously recognized as a morphological variant of Paragoniastreadeformis (Veron, 1990) and can be morphologically distinguished from that species by lacking groove-and-tube structures on corallite wall joints, and by having larger calices, numerous septa, and up to three corallites in one valley. The new species also formed an independent clade from its congeners, P.australensis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857), P.deformis and P.russelli (Wells, 1954), in the molecular phylogeny based on the mitochondrial intergenic region and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers.

Proterodiplostomid no longer: Molecular phylogeny reveals the true position of Proalarioides (Digenea: Diplostomoidea).

Proalarioides Yamaguti, 1933 (Digenea Carus, 1863: Diplostomoidea Poirier, 1886) is a small genus of proterodiplostomids parasitic in the intestines of snakes in Asia. Only two species are considered valid: Proalarioides serpentis Yamaguti, 1933 and Proalarioides tropidonotis Vidyarthi, 1937. Unlike other proterodiplostomids, Proalarioides spp. possess pseudosuckers and lack the paraprostate, otherwise extremely characteristic of the Proterodiplostomidae Dubois, 1936. In the present study, we describe the morphology of progenetic metacercariae of a Proalarioides sp. from bicolored frog, Clinotarsus curtipes (Jerdon), collected in India and provide the first DNA sequences from any member of the genus. These specimens differ from previously described metacercariae and adults of P. serpentis and P. tropidonotis in several ways, including body and organ sizes, sucker ratios, and distribution of vitellarium. The newly generated partial large ribosomal subunit (28S) rRNA gene sequence was used to test the phylogenetic position of the genus among other major lineages of diplostomoideans. Our 28S phylogeny clearly demonstrated Proalarioides sp. to be well-separated from other members of the Proterodiplostomidae. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, we transfer Proalarioides out of the Proterodiplostomidae into the Diplostomidae Poirier, 1886.

Phylogenomics and biogeography of the small carpenter bees (Apidae: Xylocopinae: Ceratina).

Small carpenter bees in the genus Ceratina are behaviourally diverse, species-rich, and cosmopolitan, with over 370 species and a range including all continents except Antarctica. Here, we present the first comprehensive phylogeny of the genus based on ultraconserved element (UCE) phylogenomic data, covering a total of 185 ingroup specimens representing 22 of the 25 current subgenera. Our results support most recognized subgenera as natural groups, but we also highlight several groups in need of taxonomic revision - particularly the nominate subgenus Ceratina sensu stricto - and several clades that likely need to be described as new subgenera. In addition to phylogeny, we explore the evolutionary history of Ceratina through divergence time estimation and biogeographic reconstruction. Our findings suggest that Ceratinini split from its sister tribe Allodapini about 72 million years ago. The common ancestor of Ceratina emerged in the Afrotropical realm approximately 42 million years ago, near the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum. Multiple subsequent dispersal events led to the present cosmopolitan distribution of Ceratina, with the majority of transitions occurring between the Afrotropics, Indomalaya, and the Palearctic. Additional movements also led to the arrival of Ceratina in Madagascar, Australasia, and a single colonization of the Americas. Dispersal events were asymmetrical overall, with temperate regions primarily acting as destinations for migrations from tropical source regions.

Phylogenetic analysis of Ellipsomyxa species (Myxosporea) and description of Ellipsomyxa gordeyi n. sp. from the gall bladder of mullets (Mugiliformes: Mugilidae) in Nha Trang Bay of the East Sea, Vietnam.

The coastal waters of Vietnam are home to a wide diversity of fishes, but the parasite diversity of these potential hosts is much less well characterized. To begin addressing this knowledge gap, we carried out surveys of myxozoan parasites in fishes collected from Nha Trang Bay in Vietnam's East Sea in 2018-2019. Mugilid fishes were collected in March-April 2018, January-February 2019, and November-December 2019, and examined for myxozoans. Myxospores consistent with those of the genus Ellipsomyxa were found in the gall bladder of four mullet species, and we thoroughly characterized those from Planiliza melinoptera. Myxospores were elliptoid and devoid of striation, with a distinct sinuous suture line. Polar capsules were pyriform and oriented toward the poles of the spore. Morphological features were compared to nominal species and this species from Vietnam was distinct. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial small subunit rDNA sequence revealed that broadly, Ellipsomyxa species split into three phylogenetic lineages, and although in some branches there are groupings by host family, habitat or locality, there are no clear phylogenetic patterns. The new species we encountered in P. melinoptera had a close sister relationship with Ellipsomyxa adlardi, with both species part of a larger subclade within the Ellipsomyxa lineage. Despite this phylogenetic similarity, these species were morphologically distinct, and partial large subunit DNA sequences were only 93% similar to each other. A combination of the morphological characteristics and molecular data suggest that this is an undescribed species and we propose the name Ellipsomyxa gordeyi n. sp.

Sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida, 1913 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Empoascini).

The complete mitogenome of the cotton leafhopper, Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida, 1913, was sequenced and annotated. The mitogenome is 14,474 bp long and contains 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, as well as a control region. The nucleotide composition of the mitogenome is as follows: A, 39.17%; T, 39.3%; C, 11.13%; and G, 10.39%. The total length of the 13 PCGs is 10,496 bp, which encodes 3503 amino acids. All PCGs start with the ATG codon, except for ATA, ATC, GTG, and ATT. Most of the PCGs stop with TGA, and the remaining with CCT, GAA, GGT, TCA, CCA, CTA, TTA, AAA, ATT, or ATA. The phylogenetic tree shows that A. biguttula biguttula belongs to Empoascini of the subfamily Typhlocybinae, but is different from other species within the subfamily.

Comparative Study of Two Himalayan Snow Trouts, Schizothorax esocinus and Schizothorax curvifrons Within the Schizothoracinae and Other Nearest Relatives of Cyprinidae, Inferred from Mitochondrial Sequences of Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) and Cytochrome Oxidase I (Co-I) Gene.

The Himalayan region encompasses varied aquatic ecosystems, characterized by the presence of diverse ichthyofauna, particularly represented by members of the Schizothorax genus, commonly referred to as snow trout. The primary objective of this work was to examine the molecular phylogeny of Schizothoracinae, specifically focusing on the two species, Schizothorax esocinus and Schizothorax curvifrons, which are known to inhabit the northern and north-eastern regions of the Himalayas. This investigation was conducted by analyzing the entire mitochondrial Cyt-b and Co-I gene sequences. The aligned Cyt-b and Co-I sequences for S. esocinus, S. curvifrons, and related members within the subfamily Schizothoracinae, spanned 1130 to 1141 and 1536 to 1551 base pairs, respectively. Using these gene, phylogenetic trees were created to compare Schizothoracinae species to other subfamilies of the family Cyprinidae (Barbinae, Alburninae, Leuciscinae, Xenocyprinae, Cyprininae, and Cultrinae). Genetic distances for Cyt-b and Co-I sequence at three hierarchical levels shows significant disparities in their average score. For Cyt-b, average p-distances for intraspecies, intragenus, and intrafamily were 2.13%, 4.1%, and 15.23%, respectively. Similarly, for Co-I, average p-distances were 1.19%, 3.6%, and 13.8% for intraspecies, intragenus, and intrafamily, respectively. Total number of haplotypes (h) based on Cyt-b and Co-I gene were 6 and 12 within the target Schizothorax spp. In the present study, the observed range of haplotype diversity (hd) for the Cyt-b gene varied from 0.00 to 0.847, with an average haplotype diversity of 0.847 ± 0.034. Similarly, for the Co-I gene, the observed haplotype diversity ranged from 0.00 to 0.931, with an average value of haplotype diversity estimated to be 0.931 ± 0.024. The results of the present study clearly shows that the representative species exhibited close affinities with members of Barbinae and Cyprininae, while other subfamilies formed distinct groups. The findings of the study also indicated that the Cyt-b and Co-I gene exhibits polymorphism and has the potential to serve as a marker for identifying genetic differentiation among populations based on ecological habitats. Mitochondrial Cyt-b and Co-I have been established as a universally accepted and validated genetic marker within a comprehensive bio-identification system at the species level.

Aspleniumguodanum (Aspleniaceae), a distinct new fern species from northern Guangdong, China, based on morphological data and molecular phylogeny.

A new spleenwort species, Aspleniumguodanum, was found and described from Danxia landform region in Guangdong, China. The new species has close resemblance to A.subcrenatum Ching ex S.H.Wu in morphology, but can be distinguished by having plants small, stipes and rachises not covered with fibrous scales, relatively fewer pairs of pinnae, pinnae short, pinna margin weakly biserrate, pinna apex acute and lower pinnae obviously reduced. Phylogenetic analyses, based on six plastid markers (atpB, rbcL, rps4 & rps4-trnS and trnL & trnL-F) of the new species and its relatives, support a close relationship between A.guodanum and A.subcrenatum. Only one population with no more than 50 individuals were found and, therefore, it is recommended to be classified as Critically Endangered (CR) following IUCN Red List Criteria.