Science: Recent submissions
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Bryozoa from the Maastrichtian Korojon Formation, Western AustraliaThe first Australian Cretaceous bryozoan fauna is described from the Upper Campanian – Lower Maastrichtian Korojon Formation from the Giralia Anticline in north-western Western Australia. Bryozoans are the numerically dominant element in a sclerobiont community dependent on the abundant large inoceramids, utilizing both valves in life position as well as reworked shell fragments. A total of 68 species-level taxa are described (22 cyclostomes and 46 cheilostomes); 50 of these are new (12 cyclos-tomes and 38 cheilostomes) and the remaining 18 taxa are left at various levels of open nomenclature. They are referred to 47 genera (14 cyclostome and 33 cheilostome genera, 11 of which are new), with a total of 10 taxa left in open nomenclature. One new family, Cardabiellidae, is introduced. The total Late Cretaceous bryozoan fauna known from the Southern Hemisphere remnants of the Gondwana supercontinent – South America, Africa, India, Antarctica, Australia, Zealandia – is significantly less diverse than that known from the Northern Hemisphere, where the European Chalk Sea fauna constitutes the diversity hotspot. The addition of the Korojon fauna described here expands our knowledge of the Cretaceous bryozoan fauna from the Southern Hemisphere considerably, particularly with respect to the youngest bryozoan order, the Cheilostomata. And importantly, the Korojon fauna, more than doubles the proportion of Late Cretaceous cheilostome genera endemic to the Southern Hemisphere from 12.5% to more than 25% of the total number of Late Cretaceous genera presently known from this realm. We suggest that this significant expansion may well warrant a reassessment of the role of Southern Hemisphere bryozoan faunas in the recovery from the Cretaceous-Paleogene biotic turnover.
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Convergent evolution of plant prickles by repeated gene co-option over deep timeAn enduring question in evolutionary biology concerns the degree to which episodes of convergent trait evolution depend on the same genetic programs, particularly over long timescales. In this work, we genetically dissected repeated origins and losses of prickles—sharp epidermal projections—that convergently evolved in numerous plant lineages. Mutations in a cytokinin hormone biosynthetic gene caused at least 16 independent losses of prickles in eggplants and wild relatives in the genus <jats:italic>Solanum</jats:italic> . Homologs underlie prickle formation across angiosperms that collectively diverged more than 150 million years ago, including rice and roses. By developing new <jats:italic>Solanum</jats:italic> genetic systems, we leveraged this discovery to eliminate prickles in a wild species and an indigenously foraged berry. Our findings implicate a shared hormone activation genetic program underlying evolutionarily widespread and recurrent instances of plant morphological innovation.
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A crowd-sourced genomic project to assess hybrid content in a rare avian vagrant (Azure Tit Cyanistes cyanus (Pallas, 1770))The aim of this study was to correlate plumage variation with the amount of genomic hybrid content in hybrids between Azure Tits Cyanistes cyanus (Pallas, 1770) and European Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus (Linnaeus, 1758), by re-sequencing the genomes of museum specimens of non-hybrids and presumed hybrids with varying plumages. The project was funded by crowdsourcing and initiated when two presumed Azure Tits, observed by hundreds of Swedish birdwatchers, were rejected as hybrids based on minor plumage deviations assumed to indicate hybrid contents from the European Blue Tit. The results confirm that hybrids with intermediate plumages, so called Pleske’s Tits, are first generation hybrids (F1 hybrids). Individuals, whose plumages are similar to Azure Tits, but assessed as hybrids based on minor plumage deviations, are all backcrosses but vary in their degree of hybrid content. However, some individuals morphologically recognized as pure Azure Tits expressed similar degrees of hybrid content. The results indicate that: (1) hybrid content may be widespread in Azure Tits in the western part of its habitat distribution; (2) plumage deviation in backcrosses is not linearly correlated with the genetic degree of hybrid origin; and (3) all Azure Tits observed in Europe outside its natural distribution may have some degree of hybrid origin. We therefore suggest that it is very difficult to phenotypically single out hybrids beyond first generation backcrosses. We argue that decreased sequencing costs and improved analytical tools open the doors for museomic crowd-sourced projects that may not address outstanding biological questions but have a major interest for lay citizens such as birdwatchers.
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The Founding Feathers: the true ancestry of the domestic Barbary DoveIn 2008 the International Commission for Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) ruled that the name Streptopelia risoria (Linnaeus, 1758) should have priority for both African Collared Dove and its domestic form, Barbary Dove, as it is senior to S. roseogrisea (Sundevall, 1857). Many ignored the ruling in the belief that the ancestry of Barbary Dove is still unproven. Given the lack of a namebearing specimen and in anticipation of the ICZN decision, in 2008 a neotype was designated for S. risoria. To clarify the taxonomic status of roseogrisea, as its original type series was mixed, in 2018 a neotype was also designated for this junior synonym of African Collared Dove. As the species was assumed to be polytypic, synonymisation of roseogrisea with risoria at species level was questioned thereafter. The results of a whole genome-resequencing study now show that African Collared Dove is the principal ancestor of Barbary Dove, and that the species is monotypic.
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Remarks on the types of the New Guinea endemic Otidiphaps Gould, 1870We detail the types and some other early specimens of the four taxa currently usually treated as subspecies of the New Guinea endemic, Pheasant Pigeon Otidiphaps nobilis. This material has been subject to a number of erroneous statements in the previous literature. In chronological order of description, O. n. nobilis Gould, 1870, was based on a single specimen of unknown provenance and collector, now at the Natural History Museum, Tring; O. n. cervicalis E. P. Ramsay, 1880, and its objective junior synonym O. n. regalis Salvin & Godman, 1880, were based on multiple syntypes taken in 1879 (several of them the same specimens), all held in Tring (despite being previously reported as such, two specimens in Sydney appear to have no name-bearing status); O. n. insularis Salvin and Godman, 1883, is known from the two syntypes, collected in 1882 and held in Tring, and just one other specimen, taken in 1896 and held in the American Museum of Natural History, New York; and O. n. aruensis Rothschild, 1928, was based on a specimen collected in June 1914, now in New York, although there is a significantly earlier specimen of this taxon in the Museum Heineanum Halberstadt.
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Contemporary intergeneric hybridization and backcrossing among birds-of-paradiseDespite large differences in morphology, behavior and lek-mating strategies the birds-of-paradise are known to hybridize occasionally, even across different genera. Many of these bird-of-paradise hybrids were originally described as distinct species based on large morphological differences when compared to recognized species. Nowadays, these specimens are generally recognized as hybrids based on morphological assessments. Having fascinated naturalists for centuries, hybrid specimens of birds-of-paradise have been collected and the specimens kept in Natural History Collections. In the present study, we utilize this remarkable resource in a museomics framework and evaluate the genomic composition of most described intergeneric hybrids and some intrageneric hybrids. We show that the majority of investigated specimens are first-generation hybrids and that the parental species, in most cases, are in line with prior morphological assessments. We also identify two specimens that are the result of introgressive hybridization between different genera. Additionally, two specimens exhibit hybrid morphologies but have no identifiable signals of hybridization, which may indicate that minor levels of introgression can have large morphological effects. Our findings provide direct evidence of contemporary introgressive hybridization taking place between genera of birds-of-paradise in nature, despite markedly different morphologies and lek-mating behaviors.
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On the taxonomic status of Burmese Collared Dove Streptopelia (decaocto) xanthocyclaAlthough described as a subspecies of Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto, the isolated Burmese population S. d. xanthocycla is considered to be a species by some authors, based on presumed morphological differences between the two taxa. To resolve the issue, a whole-genome resequencing-based study was conducted. The results show that Burmese xanthocycla can indeed be considered a separate species, and therefore that Eurasian Collared Dove is monotypic. As no type material exists for the Burmese Collared Dove, a neotype is designated for xanthocycla to clarify its taxonomy.
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Redefining the Evolutionary History of the Rock Dove, Columba livia, Using Whole Genome SequencesThe domestic pigeon's exceptional phenotypic diversity was key in developing Darwin's Theory of Evolution and establishing the concept of artificial selection. However, unlike its domestic counterpart, its wild progenitor, the rock dove Columba livia has received considerably less attention. Therefore, questions regarding its domestication, evolution, taxonomy, and conservation status remain unresolved. We generated whole-genome sequencing data from 65 historical rock doves that represent all currently recognized subspecies and span the species’ original geographic distribution. Our dataset includes 3 specimens from Darwin's collection, and the type specimens of 5 different taxa. We characterized their population structure, genomic diversity, and gene-flow patterns. Our results show the West African subspecies C. l. gymnocyclus is basal to rock doves and domestic pigeons, and suggests gene-flow between the rock dove's sister species C. rupestris, and the ancestor of rock doves after its split from West African populations. These genomes allowed us to propose a model for the evolution of the rock dove in light of the refugia theory. We propose that rock dove genetic diversity and introgression patterns derive from a history of allopatric cycles and dispersion waves during the Quaternary glacial and interglacial periods. To explore the rock dove domestication history, we combined our new dataset with available genomes from domestic pigeons. Our results point to at least 1 domestication event in the Levant that gave rise to all domestic breeds analysed in this study. Finally, we propose a species-level taxonomic arrangement to reflect the evolutionary history of the West African rock dove populations.
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On another specimen of Faeroese white-speckled raven Corvus corax variusThe white-speckled raven, a colour aberration of the Faeroese Common Raven Corvus corax varius Brünnich, 1764, has occurred on the Faeroe Islands since at least the Middle Ages and was always prized by collectors. In the second half of the 19th century while the Faeroese raven population was suffering intense persecution, pied individuals were even more severely hunted, and were extinct by the early 20th century. Twenty-six specimens had been recorded so far in different museum collections, but a 27th has now come to light in the Natural History Museum of the University of Oslo. The collector is unknown but given the collection date, 1846, it was probably an islander rather than a foreign collector.
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Confusing female Taiwanese Tarsiger bush robins and designation of a lectotype for Ianthia johnstoniae Ogilvie-Grant, 1906Recent research reveals that the original series, a male and female, used to describe Ianthia johnstoniae Ogilvie-Grant, 1906 (= Collared Bush Robin Tarsiger johnstoniae), held in the Natural History Museum, Tring, is mixed. The male is a Collared Bush Robin, but the female is an example of the morphologically very similar White-browed Bush Robin T. indicus formosanus. Because the syntypes represent two different species and in order to fix the identity on the universally understood taxonomic concept associated with T. johnstoniae, we select as its lectotype the unambiguously identified male specimen (NHMUK 1907.12.12.39).
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Third time lucky for Forsten's pigeon; taeniura, forsterii, forsteniTemminck’s major work on pigeons became famous partly because of the complementary plates by Knip, even though Knip had used subterfuge to make the published work appear to be hers. It was generally assumed that this permanently ended their partnership as the evidence for renewed cooperation between the two, present in Knip’s second pigeon book, was widely overlooked. A rediscovered letter from Temminck to Knip confirms the renewed partnership, with Temminck supplying specimens of new species of pigeon to be included in Knip’s work. One of these was a Ducula from Sulawesi, collected by the Dutch naturalist Forsten. Due to a spelling mistake, this species initially did not receive the name intended by Temminck. Although the error was subsequently corrected by Bonaparte, his action is invalid in the eyes of the International code for zoological nomenclature. Another article in the Code, however, dealing with a different matter, is applicable and rules that the ‘amended’ name is valid after all.
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Why Bolle's Laurel Pigeon Columba bollii is not named Wagler's Laurel Pigeon Columba lamprauchenThe Canary Islands endemic Bolle's Laurel Pigeon Columba bollii was described as a species in 1872 by Godman. A specimen of the same species collected more than 75 years earlier, during the 1796–98 expedition commanded by Baudin, was instead believed to be an example of the Jamaican endemic, Ring-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas caribaea (Jacquin, 1784). However, in 1827 its identity had been questioned by Wagler, who believed the specimen represented a separate Caribbean species that he named Columba Lamprauchen. Although Wagler's name is senior to Godman's, we demonstrate that, following the International code of zoological nomenclature, Columba bollii should be used as the correct name for this Canarian species.
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Centipedes (Myriapoda, Chilopoda) of Aldabra Atoll (Seychelles)Centipedes collected during Royal Society surveys of the arthropod fauna of the Aldabra Atoll in 1968–1975 are identified, described, and illustrated to provide the first checklist to the Aldabran centipede fauna, comprising 12 species. These newly include the lithobiomorph <jats:italic>Lamyctes tristani</jats:italic> (Pocock, 1893), the scolopendromorphs <jats:italic>Scolopendra morsitans</jats:italic>Linnaeus 1758, Cryptops cf. japonicus Takakuwa, 1934, <jats:italic>Cryptops mauritianus</jats:italic> Verhoeff, 1939, and <jats:italic>Cryptops nigropictus</jats:italic> Takakuwa, 1936, and the geophilomorphs Ityphilus cf. taeniaformis (Lawrence, 1960), <jats:italic>Mecistocephalus angusticeps</jats:italic> (Ribaut, 1914), <jats:italic>Mecistocephalus lohmanderi</jats:italic> Verhoeff, 1939, <jats:italic>Orphnaeus dekanius</jats:italic> Verhoeff, 1938, Ribautia cf. paucipes Attems, 1952, and <jats:italic>Tuoba sydneyensis</jats:italic> (Pocock, 1891). The geophilomorph genera <jats:italic>Hovanyx</jats:italic> Lawrence, 1960, <jats:bold>syn. nov.</jats:bold>, and <jats:italic>Mixophilus</jats:italic> Silvestri, 1929, <jats:bold>syn. nov.</jats:bold>, are revised in light of the examined material and hereby designated junior subjective synonyms of <jats:italic>Tuoba</jats:italic> Chamberlin, 1920 with the species <jats:italic>Geophilus lemuricus</jats:italic> Verhoeff, 1939, <jats:bold>syn. nov.</jats:bold>, and <jats:italic>Hovanyx waterloti</jats:italic> Lawrence, 1960, <jats:bold>syn. nov.</jats:bold>, designated as junior subjective synonyms of <jats:italic>T. sydneyensis</jats:italic>. The oryid genus <jats:italic>Nycternyssa</jats:italic> Crabill, 1959, <jats:bold>syn. nov.</jats:bold>, is revised and designated a junior subjective synonym of <jats:italic>Orphnaeus</jats:italic> Meinert, 1870. New data on intraspecific morphological variation are presented for <jats:italic>C. nigropictus</jats:italic>, with the validity of <jats:italic>Cryptops daszaki</jats:italic> Lewis, 2002 being questioned following examination of its type material. The affinities and possible origins of the Aldabran centipede fauna are found to be mainly East African, with several species occurring across other islands in the Western Indian Ocean.
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Genus-level revision of the Alycaeidae (Gastropoda, Cyclophoroidea), with an annotated species catalogue412 species-group names (including 11 replacement names), and 14 genus-group names of the Alycaeidae have been introduced to date. Type materials of 85% (336) of the known species and subspecies were examined, a further 5% (19) of the taxa were studied using available non-type material, and for another 6% (22) the original descriptions were sufficiently detailed to evaluate their taxonomic status. Only 3% of the taxa (12) could not be examined. Special attention was paid to the sculpture of the embryonic whorls and the sutural tube-microtunnel system in order to provide a novel classification for this group.</jats:p> <jats:p>In this study 363 taxa (320 species or 43 subspecies) are accepted within the family Alycaeidae. Of these, 22 have been described by the lead author and his coauthors in previous publications. In addition, there are 18 species that were formerly classified in <jats:italic>Cycloryx</jats:italic> and now belong to <jats:italic>Pincerna</jats:italic> due to its synonymy with <jats:italic>Cycloryx</jats:italic>. Among the remaining 323 species, 209 (65%) are transferred here to another genus, whilst 114 (35%) have remained in their original genus.</jats:p> <jats:p>Seven genera are accepted. While some questions (e.g., the distinction between <jats:italic>Pincerna</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Alycaeus</jats:italic>) remained unanswered, this revision made three main achievements: (1) The <jats:italic>Dicharax</jats:italic> species were identified based on the absence of spiral striation on the entire shell; (2) the <jats:italic>Metalycaeus</jats:italic> species were identified based on the spiral striation of the protoconch; (3) and <jats:italic>Stomacosmethis</jats:italic> was separated from <jats:italic>Alycaeus</jats:italic> based on the extremely short sutural tube.</jats:p> <jats:p>Five nominal species are being synonymised with other species, and eight species are now treated as subspecies. The following replacement names are proposed: <jats:italic>Dioryx urnula niosiensis</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for Alycaeus urnula var. daflaensis Godwin-Austen, 1914; <jats:italic>Dioryx urnula rotundus</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for Alycaeus urnula var. globosus Godwin-Austen, 1914; <jats:italic>Pincerna crenilabris juttingae</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for <jats:italic>Alycaeus crenilabris laevis</jats:italic> van Benthem Jutting, 1959; <jats:italic>Pincerna crenilabris korintjiensis</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for <jats:italic>Alycaeus crenilabris latecostatus</jats:italic> van Benthem Jutting, 1959; <jats:italic>Dicharax conicus jatingaensis</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for Alycaeus conicus var. nanus Godwin-Austen, 1914; <jats:italic>Metalycaeus godwinausteni</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for <jats:italic>Alycaeus neglectus</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1914; and finally <jats:italic>Metalycaeus suhajdai</jats:italic> Páll-Gergely, <jats:bold>nom. nov.</jats:bold> for <jats:italic>Alycaeus varius</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1914.
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Clarification on the name-bearing type designation of several cyclophorid species (Mollusca, Gastropoda) by H. H. Godwin-Austen (1915)The type series boundary and the name-bearing type designation of each cyclophorid taxon originally described by Godwin-Austen are clarified based on an interpretation that complies with the ICZN. Previous statuses of type specimens designated by previous authors are reconsidered. Lectotypes of <jats:italic>Spiraculum oakesi</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Spiraculum kempi</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Pterocyclos aborensis</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Pterocyclos miriensis</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Pterocyclos brahmakundensis</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Spiraculum luyorensis</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, <jats:italic>Spiraculum putaoensis</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915, and <jats:italic>Theobaldius oakesi</jats:italic> Godwin-Austen, 1915 are here designated to stabilize the existing nomenclature. In addition, the type specimens of <jats:italic>Pterocyclos miriensis</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Theobaldius oakesi</jats:italic> are photographed and figured for the first time.
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Crystallographic and geochemical responses of giant clams on turbid reefsMarine calcifying organisms on coral reefs face significant threats from various anthropogenic stressors. To better understand how these organisms will respond to a rapidly changing ocean, it is crucial to investigate their biomineralization across different reef environments. Despite their resilience and potential as conservation hotspots, turbid reefs—projected to expand throughout the 21st century—remain understudied, including a limited knowledge of biomineralization processes within these environments. Herein, for the first time, we assess the crystallographic and geochemical signatures of aragonite giant clam shells <jats:italic>Tridacna squamosa</jats:italic> from high and low turbid reefs in the Coral Triangle. Shell composition is strongly influenced by turbidity and biominerals formed in a high turbid reef show a more organized crystal orientation and significantly lower element-to-calcium ratios (magnesium/calcium, strontium/calcium). We hypothesize that these variations are driven by physiological changes related to the trophic flexibility of <jats:italic>T. squamosa</jats:italic>, utilizing both autotrophic and heterotrophic mechanisms. Observed differences may have implications for biomechanical and defense responses of shells, important in their ability to survive future change.
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A revision of the Asiatic genus Smerinthulus Huwe, 1895 (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), with the description of three new taxa and notes on its junior synonym, Degmaptera Hampson, 1896The Asian sphingid genus Smerinthulus is revised and the first illustrated catalogue of all the known species produced, showing the habitus of the adults and the structure of the male genitalia. The current generic circumscription is accepted, that is including Degmaptera Hampson, 1896 but excluding Cypoides Matsumura, 1921. Two species, Smerinthulus arunachalensis Melichar & Haxaire n. sp. and Smerinthulus taiwana Haxaire & Melichar n. sp., and one new subspecies, Smerinthulus diehli pinratanai Haxaire & Melichar n. ssp., are described as new to science. In addition, Smerinthulus paradoxa Kishida & Suziki, 2021 syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of Smerinthulus olivacea (Rothschild, 1894), and Smerinthulus schnitzleri (Melichar & Řezáč, [2014]) is synonymized with Smerinthulus mirabilis (Rothschild, 1894) as a subspecies, Smerinthulus mirabilis schnitzleri syn. & stat. nov. Furthermore, Smerinthulus flavomaculatus Inoue 1990 stat. rev., hitherto treated as a subspecies of S. perversa (Rothschild, 1895), is reinstated to full species status.
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Joseph Charles Hippolyte Crosse (1826-1898). 1, Biography, bibliography and new taxa introducedThe Frenchman Joseph Charles Hippolyte Crosse was educated as lawyer but dedicated his whole life to malacology. He joined the editorial board of the Journal de Conchyliologie in 1861, and was managing director of the journal until his death in 1898. His biography gives details about his childhood, family, and professional life. His bibliography lists 697 publications, among which the Études sur les mollusques terrestres et fluviatiles du Mexique et du Guatemala. This magnum opus by P. Fischer and Crosse appeared in 17 parts of which we give a collation. Crosse described 987 taxa, of which 14 as available names at family or higher level, 102 at genus level, 850 at species level; of these 262 were introduced as varieties. These taxa comprise Mollusca from all major groups from around the world, as well as some Brachiopoda. Type specimens have been traced as far as possible, or the original figure(s) are presented when available. Twenty-five taxa remained originally unfigured and are now figured with type material. Indices are given to unlock the data on taxa and persons.
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The genome sequence of the Whirlpool Ramshorn snail, Anisus vortex (Linnaeus, 1758)We present a genome assembly from an individual <ns4:italic>Anisus vortex </ns4:italic>(the Whirlpool Ramshorn snail; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Hygrophila; <ns4:ext-link xmlns:ns5="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="uri" ns5:href="https://www.molluscabase.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=489336">Lymnaeoidea</ns4:ext-link>; Planorbidae). The genome sequence is 869.5 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 13.57 kilobases in length.
