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Invertebrate Systematics Invertebrate Systematics Society
Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography

Invertebrate Systematics

Invertebrate Systematics

Invertebrate Systematics publishes significant contributions and reviews on the systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of all invertebrate taxa. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Gonzalo Giribet

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Invertebrate Systematics has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 08 March 2024

IS23018Novel molecular resources for single-specimen barcoding of enigmatic crustacean y-larvae

Niklas Dreyer 0000-0002-1391-1642, Jørgen Olesen 0000-0001-9582-7083, Mark J. Grygier, Danny Eibye-Jacobsen 0000-0002-7079-2627, Alexandra S. Savchenko 0000-0001-6167-5405, Yoshihisa Fujita 0000-0003-1906-746X, Gregory A. Kolbasov 0000-0002-3762-1834, Ryuji J. Machida 0000-0003-1687-4709, Benny K. K. Chan 0000-0001-9479-024X and Ferran Palero 0000-0002-0343-8329
 

Schematic representation of the life cycle of y‐larvae (Pancrustacea: Facetotecta).

Adult forms of y-larvae (Pancrustacea: Facetotecta) remain unknown despite discovery more than 100 years ago and global occurrence. Likewise, the evolutionary history of y-larvae remains almost entirely unknown due to a critical lack of molecular, morphological and ecological data. To rectify this situation, we developed a novel rearing, imaging, and DNA extraction protocol that maximises retrieval of molecular and morpho-ecological data layers from single larval specimens. Through the design of new primers and a careful evaluation of best practices, we pave the road for finally unravelling the evolutionary history of this enigmatic group of animals. (Image credit: J. Olesen.)

Published online 15 February 2024

IS23052Castaways: the Leeward Antilles endemic spider genus Papiamenta (Araneae: Pholcidae)

Bernhard A. Huber 0000-0002-7566-5424, Guanliang Meng 0000-0002-6488-1527, Tim M. Dederichs, Peter Michalik, Martin Forman and Jirí Král
 

Papiamenta savonet Huber, 2000 spider

Ninetinae comprises small spiders largely restricted to dry habitats. We studied the ultrastructure, distribution, species limits and karyotype of Papiamenta. The type species P. levii (Gertsch, 1982) may include more than one species but COI and morphology suggest conflicting clade limits. Sperm ultrastructure and gene sequences suggest a close relationship with North American genera, whereas the sex chromosome system closely resembles that of South American genera. Papiamenta is likely an ancient West Indian element of the Leeward Antilles fauna. (Photograph by B. A. Huber.)

Published online 13 February 2024

IS23035Phylogenomics of endemic Australian Ulopinae (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadellidae)

Olivia Evangelista 0000-0001-8515-3548, Nikolai Tatarnic and Keith Bayless
 

Two images of Austrolopa brunensis (top row); and two images of Austrolopa kingensis (bottom row).

Ulopinae is a distinctive leafhopper subfamily widely distributed across the Afrotropical, Palearctic, Indomalayan and Australasian regions. The Australian fauna is entirely endemic, and many species lack hindwings. Here, we investigate the phylogeny of ulopine leafhoppers, focusing on the genus Austrolopa. Populations previously ascribed to A. brunensis represent new species, suggesting that these insects have narrow ranges and may be further restricted to specific elevations or host plants. Our study demonstrates that non-monophyletic ulopine tribes and genera need reappraisal with integrative methods. (Photographs by O. Evangelista.)


Dorsal view of Peripatopsis lawrencei, Lawrence’s velvet worm, from South Africa.

Velvet worms are soft-bodied organisms, where crypticity and habitat complexity have created poor taxonomic delineations. This study aims to contribute to the taxonomic revisions through the identification of an undescribed ancient novel lineage living in sympatry, at the Riviersonderend Mountains at Oubos, with the known Peripatopsis lawrencei. In this study, we discovered a new velvet worm species, P. aureus sp. nov., and this is described in this paper. (Photograph by Prof. M. D. Picker.)

Published online 17 January 2024

IS23034An integrative taxonomic approach to the Atlantic Hansarsia (formerly Nematoscelis) yields new krill taxa (Crustacea: Euphausiidae)

D. N. Kulagin 0000-0002-5521-8598, U. V. Simakova, A. A. Lunina 0000-0002-1105-8027 and A. L. Vereshchaka
 

Species analyses overplayed on COI Bayesian ultrametric tree, Hansarsia einarssoni sp. nov., MDS plot of Hansarsia spp.

We characterise the biodiversity of the taxonomically entangled krill genus Hansarsia in the deep Atlantic by applying an integrative approach. Molecular and morphological analyses suggest at least six species of Hansarsia instead of the currently recognised four. We describe one new species and wait for males to describe the second one. The results confirm ongoing diversification of the Atlantic krill and show an unusual trend in the evolution of euphausiids, in which visual recognition enhances tactile interaction during mating. (Image credit: D. Kulagin.)


Dorsal and ventral views of neotype of Torix tagoi and topotype of Torix orientalis.

Freshwater leeches of the genus Torix Blanchard, 1893 in Japan have considerable morphological variation, leading to taxonomic confusion. In this study, we revisit the taxonomic accounts of T. orientalis (Oka, 1925) and T. tagoi (Oka, 1925) to clarify the diagnostic characteristics for the three Torix species in Japan. Our morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the Japanese Torix species are indistinguishable. We therefore conclude that the three Torix species should be synonymised and treated as a single species. (Image credit: Chiaki Kambayashi.)

Published online 29 November 2023

IS23050Genitalic morphology and phylogenomic placement of the Australian spider Paraplectanoides crassipes Keyserling, 1886 (Araneae, Araneidae) with a discussion on the classification of the family Araneidae

Gustavo Hormiga 0000-0002-0046-1822, Siddharth Kulkarni 0000-0002-7400-4704, Miquel Arnedo 0000-0003-1402-4727, Dimitar Dimitrov 0000-0001-5830-5702, Gonzalo Giribet 0000-0002-5467-8429, Robert J. Kallal 0000-0001-8945-5586 and Nikolaj Scharff 0000-0001-6809-2878
pp. 797-818

Adult female of Paraplectanoides crassipes, live habitus, from Biamanga National Park (NSW).

We study the morphology, phylogenetic placement and classification of the rare Australian spider Paraplectanoides crassipes Keyserling, 1886. We complement and expand the description of this araneid species and provide the first detailed study of the male palpal homologies using scanning electron micrographs. Our phylogenetic analyses corroborate the sister group relationship between Paraplectanoides and the araneid subfamily Nephilinae. We evaluate a recent proposal for the classification, and restore the familial and subfamilial classification of Araneidae to that present in our recent works that have been based on more extensive analyses and that will result in a more stable classification of Araneidae spiders. (Photograph by Gustavo Hormiga.)

Published online 24 November 2023

IS23033New hypothesis of the tribal placement puzzle of Enigmadiplosis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), with description of a new pest species on Rhododendron (Ericaceae) in Japan

Ayman Khamis Elsayed 0000-0003-0110-543X, Yasuko Kobayashi, Raymond J. Gagné and Makoto Tokuda 0000-0001-7162-0715
pp. 782-796

Enigmadiplosis harrisi: infested Rhododendron pulchrum; freshly emerged female; mature larva and infestation of two larvae.

The gall midge genus Enigmadiplosis Harris (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is puzzling because the larva is typical for the tribe Cecidomyiini whereas the adults resemble those of Clinodiplosini. In this study, we describe Enigmadiplosis harrisi sp. nov., a pest species of Rhododendron pulchrum in Japan. A molecular phylogeny clearly indicates that Enigmadiplosis belongs to Cecidomyiini. Additionally, Clinodiplosis rhododendri (Felt) that is associated with Rhododendron spp. in the Nearctic region is redescribed to show that this is unrelated to the new Japanese species. (Photographs by A. K. Elsayed and Y. Kobayashi.)

Published online 17 November 2023

IS23037Phylogeny of freshwater mollusc genus Brotia H. Adams, 1866 (Gastropoda: Pachychilidae) from north-east India

Anushree S. Jadhav 0000-0002-5153-3283, Surya Narayanan 0000-0001-9359-2815, Chinta Sidharthan, Frank Köhler 0000-0001-7150-6509 and Neelavar Ananthram Aravind 0000-0002-4515-8421
pp. 772-781

Three images showing a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree for Brotia spp. reported from north-east India (left), a map of India showing where the Brotia sampling took place (top right), shells of the reported different putative Brotia species (bottom right).

We provide the first phylogenetic analysis of Brotia from India and compare this with South-East Asian species and estimate divergence time. Species delimitation analysis suggests six to nine distinct species in north-east India and all Indian species form a single clade nested within the South-East Asian radiation and dispersed into India during the early Eocene and Oligocene. Integrative taxonomy is needed to resolve the taxonomic status and reveal the exact number of species in north-east India.

Published online 02 November 2023

IS23019Morphological and DNA analyses reveal cryptic diversity in Anentome wykoffi (Brandt, 1974) (Gastropoda: Nassariidae), with descriptions of two new species from Thailand

Nithinan Chomchoei, Thierry Backeljau, Piyatida Pimvichai, Ting Hui Ng 0000-0002-5123-0039 and Nattawadee Nantarat 0000-0003-3317-0041
pp. 755-771

The species delimitation tree from which a morphological and molecular phylogenetic assessment revealed three putative cryptic morphotypes of Anentome wykoffi representing three well-supported clades interpreted as three different species viz. A. wykoffi (sensu stricto), A. longispira sp. nov. and A. khelangensis sp. nov.

The remarkable similarity among three putatively cryptic morphotypes of A. wykoffi necessitated an integrative phylogenetic assessment. Both morphological analysis and DNA (COI and 28S rRNA) sequence data showed that the three morphotypes represent three well-supported clades interpreted as three different species viz. A. wykoffi (sensu stricto), A. longispira sp. nov. and A. khelangensis sp. nov. We therefore provide a new taxonomic interpretation of this poorly known species and describe two new closely related (but not sister) cryptic species.

Published online 31 October 2023

IS23038Hidden in plain sight: Tripneustes kermadecensis (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) is a junior synonym of the eastern Australian sea urchin Evechinus australiae described in 1878

Emily McLaren 0000-0001-8007-2415, Omri Bronstein 0000-0003-2620-3976, Andreas Kroh 0000-0002-8566-8848, Viola Winkler 0000-0001-5307-3420, Ashley Miskelly, Brigitte Sommer 0000-0003-0617-7790 and Maria Byrne 0000-0002-8902-9808
pp. 741-754

Micro-computed tomography three-dimensional reconstruction of the type material of Evechinus australiae

In Australia there are two Tripneustes species, the tropical T. gratilla gratilla and the temperate T. kermadecensis. We found potential senior type material for the recently described T. kermadecensis in the Australian Museum described as Evechinus australiae (Tenison-Woods, 1878) 150 years ago. Our genetic and morphological analyses showed that these two species represent the same taxon, and therefore the correct designation of this taxon is Tripneustes australiae (Tenison-Woods, 1878). This study is important as Tripneustes australiae is shown to be a common species on the south-east coast of Australia and should be considered in regional conservation and management. (Photograph by Emily McLaren.)


Extendible insect net for collecting palm bugs by Geoff Monteith.

This work reports on the discovery of a remarkable new palm bug of the true bug family Thaumastocoridae on Norfolk Island. This new genus and new species, Latebracoris norfolcensis, is described, along with an analysis of the phylogenetic position and biology, including association with the native Norfolk Island palm, Rhopalostylis baueri. This species has biogeographic significance due to being the first record of the subfamily Xylastodorinae in Australia, and possible connections to New Caledonia, South America and South-east Asia, and isolation on one of the most remote islands in the Pacific. (Photograph by Anthony Postle.)


Dorsal view of a female Ogyris halmaturia halmaturia butterfly.

The systematics of the bronze azure butterfly Ogyris idmo species group are revised through an integrative taxonomic approach. Morphological examination and phylogenetic analysis resolved eight taxa within this group (six species and two subspecies) and five new nomenclatural changes are proposed. A key to all taxa is provided and all taxa are illustrated. These taxonomic changes affect some of the most threatened Australian butterflies and the conservation is discussed. (Photograph by Ethan P. Beaver.)

graphical abstract image

The globally distributed pseudoscorpion family Garypinidae is included with the family Larcidae in a unique superfamily, Garypinoidea but there are no phylogenetic hypotheses for the group. Sequence data were obtained for 14 species in 8 genera, and numerous outgroup taxa that allowed for a preliminary molecular phylogeny. A new subfamily classification is proposed within Garypininae and includes two new subfamilies, Protogarypininae and Amblyolpiinae.

Published online 11 September 2023

IS23015Towards a systematic revision of the superfamily Cyrenoidea (Bivalvia: Imparidentia): species delimitation, multi-locus phylogeny and mitochondrial phylogenomics

Ruiwen Wu 0000-0002-8936-6054, Lili Liu 0009-0009-1164-7735, Xiongjun Liu, Yingying Ye, Xiaoping Wu, Zhicai Xie, Zhenyuan Liu and Zhengfei Li 0000-0003-3281-6015
pp. 607-622

Cladogram of superfamilies of bivalves Cyrenoidea, Veneroidea, Arcticoidea, Sphaerioidea and Solenoidea showing the relative positions of families and species

Cyrenoidea Gray, 1840 is a superfamily of bivalves (Bivalvia: Imparidentia). Owing to inadequate sampling, a comprehensive phylogenetic relationship remains elusive. Moreover, taxonomy and delimitation for most species have not yet been examined by molecular analyses. Here, we provide a comprehensive phylogeny of Cyrenoidea and revise the taxonomic positions of the three genera Geloina, Cyanocyclas and Polymesoda. COI barcoding clarifies the validity of Geloina coaxans and Geloina erosa, and supports the existence of multiple cryptic species within the Geloina expansa complex. We also obtain a novel mitochondrial gene arrangement in Venerida from Glauconome virens.

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These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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