Distributional data and taxonomic keys art presented for thirty-four species of Plecoptera known to occur in Oklahoma. Ten species are new records for the state. Descriptions are provided for two species new to science, Zealeuctra cherokee and Isoperla brevis, and for the previously unknown male of Strophopteryx cucullata Frison and female of Helopicus nalatus (Frison).

As garças e os socós, aves da família Ardeidae, são pernaltas com tamanho médio ou grande, possuem hábitos solitários ou gregários e estão distribuídas por todos os continentes exceto a Antártica. Tradicionalmente, a família é colocada dentro da ordem Ciconiiformes, juntamente com Scopidae (ave-cabeça-de-martelo), Threskiornithidae (íbis), Balaenicipitidae (bico-de-sapato) e Ciconiidae (cegonhas). Entretanto, vários autores propõem a separação das garças e socós em ordem à parte, no caso, Ardeiformes. Outro problema relacionado à taxonomia da família Ardeidae refere-se à divergência dos autores quanto à validade ou à abrangência de alguns gêneros. O presente estudo tem como objetivo novos exames morfológicos, especialmente do esqueleto, visando a obtenção de dados que possam prover soluções para a taxonomia dessa família. Foram utilizados 66 esqueletos completos de Ardeidae, representando 22 espécies distribuídas em 13 gêneros. Os dados indicam que Syrigma sibilatrix e Pilherodius pileatus possuem caracteres suficientes para serem mantidas em gêneros monotípicos, dentro da subfamília Ardeinae. Egretta Alba possui caracteres que suportam a sua inclusão no gênero Ardea, como Ardea Alba. Os gêneros Butorides e Bubulcus também possuem características suficientes que são válidas e monotípicas. Em relação a Cochlearius fica claro ser um autêntico ardeídeo, embora possua estrutura singular no crânio, e deve ser tratado como uma garça noturna (Nycticoracinae). O gênero Nyctanassa é outro gênero válido, pois Nyctanassa violacea difere de Nycticorax por importantes detalhes osteológicos. A classificação de Martinez-Villalta & Motis (1992) é mais coerente com os resultados obtidos, apesar de algumas discordâncias, na qual a família é dividida em quatro subfamílias: Ardeinae, Nycticoracinae, Tigrisomatinae e Botaurinae / Herons and bitterns are medium to large sized birds of the family Ardeidae. With long bills, neck and legs they are adapted for wading and feeding on fishes and other kinds of small animals that occur near water. They live in all regions of the world except Antarctica. Traditionally, the family is included in the order Ciconiiformes, together the Scopidae (hammerheads), Threskiornithidae (ibises), Balaenicipitidae (whalebills) and Ciconiidae (storks). However, some authors have proposed a new order, Ardeiformes, for these birds. Another taxonomic problem in the family Ardeidae concerns the validity and the limits of some genera. This study presents a new approach to the morphology, mainly of the skeleton, of this group looking for new data that may provide insights for the taxonomy of this family. Sixty six complete skeletons of Ardeidae, representing 13 genera and 22 species were studied. Our studies indicate that the species Syrigma sibilatrix and Pilherodius pileatus have sufficient characters to be maintained in their monotypic genera within the subfamily Ardeinae. Egretta Alba has several characters that support its inclusion in the genus Ardea, as Ardea Alba. Butorides and Bubulcus also have particular features that are valid and monotypical. For Cochlearius, it is very clear that it is an Ardeidae, and despite its special bill and skull structure, it must be included in the night-heron group (Nycticoracinae). The genus Nyctanassa is another valid genus and differs from species of the genus Nycticorax in several osteological characters. The classification of the Ardeidae by Martinez-Villalta & Motis (1992) is the most consistent with this study, in spite of some differences, and that the family Ardeidae should be divided in four subfamilies: Ardeinae, Nycticoracinae, Tigrisomatinae and Botaurinae

The taxonmic study of Spirobolida in Taiwan can be traced to the works done by Takakuwa and Wang from the 1940s, with most specimens collected from the plain. After their works, no other studies were done for the Taiwan millipede ever since. According to Korsós (2004) and unpublished information, there are 10 species in 7 genera and 6 families of spirobolids from Taiwan. However descriptions and illustrations of these species are insufficient and specimens are lacking for comparison. This study of Spirobolida is based on specimens collected from Taiwan recently and adjacent islands recorded color photos, and allocated in museums. Diagnostic Morphological characters include collum, coxae of legs, position of ozopore and gonopod. Four new species and 1 new subspecies of Spirobolus were designated in this study, S. panmaus sp. nov., S. taimalius sp. nov., S. redpodus sp. nov., S. lienhuachihus sp. nov. and S. formosae semiflavus subsp. nov.; a species revived and reassigned to other genus: Leptogoniulus takahasii (Takakuwa, 1940) stat. rev., comb. nov.; and 3 species reported earlier were not found, Salpidobolus oceanicus, Spirobolus walkeri and Spirobolus bungii. So far, there are 12 species, 5 genera, 4 family of Spirobolida in Taiwan.

Taxonomic diversity, biology and ecology of leaf endophytes were studied from some evergreen plants including Arbutus unedo, Buxus sempervirens, flex aquifolium, Laurus nobilis, Ligustrum vulgare, Prunus lusitanica, Rhododendron ponticum, Rhododendron sp., and Skimmia sp. from England, and some others from China. It was found: 1. A great number of fungal species, including several new species and new British records, have been isolated. Distribution patterns of endophyte assemblages and their variations between plant species and geographical locations are described. 2. Comparisons of leaf endophytes and saprobes of R. ponlicum at the same locality showed they belonged to two different ecological groups. This was further confirmed by study on endophytes and saprobes from a number of plant species growing in the same locality. 3. Host specificity of endophytic fungi at the species level was rare and this was supported by comparisons of endophyte assemblages from both taxonomically related (same family) and unrelated (different families) plant species. Molecular characterisations of Phyllosticta species confirmed this. 4. Infection and colonisation studies during a two year period showed that leaf endophytes of R. ponlicum were horizontally transmitted. Internal bud material was sterile and became infected by aerial spores. The infection and colonisation level of endophytes were strongly affected by environmental conditions. 5. Phylogenetic studies of Phyllosticta based on ITS 1-5.8s rDNA-ITS2 sequences concluded there was no evidence to show that the evolution of host plants of Phyllosticta species and ITS were related. Most Phyllosticta species from the same locality were found to have a broad host range and occurred on many taxonomically unrelated plants in the same locality. P. concentrica was separated into 4 species including P. concentrica on Hedera, P. arxii on Ilex, P. maxima on Rhododendron and P. taxi on Taxus.

As garças e os socós, aves da família Ardeidae, são pernaltas com tamanho médio ou grande, possuem hábitos solitários ou gregários e estão distribuídas por todos os continentes exceto a Antártica. Tradicionalmente, a família é colocada dentro da ordem Ciconiiformes, juntamente com Scopidae (ave-cabeça-de-martelo), Threskiornithidae (íbis), Balaenicipitidae (bico-de-sapato) e Ciconiidae (cegonhas). Entretanto, vários autores propõem a separação das garças e socós em ordem à parte, no caso, Ardeiformes. Outro problema relacionado à taxonomia da família Ardeidae refere-se à divergência dos autores quanto à validade ou à abrangência de alguns gêneros. O presente estudo tem como objetivo novos exames morfológicos, especialmente do esqueleto, visando a obtenção de dados que possam prover soluções para a taxonomia dessa família. Foram utilizados 66 esqueletos completos de Ardeidae, representando 22 espécies distribuídas em 13 gêneros. Os dados indicam que Syrigma sibilatrix e Pilherodius pileatus possuem caracteres suficientes para serem mantidas em gêneros monotípicos, dentro da subfamília Ardeinae. Egretta Alba possui caracteres que suportam a sua inclusão no gênero Ardea, como Ardea Alba. Os gêneros Butorides e Bubulcus também possuem características suficientes que são válidas e monotípicas. Em relação a Cochlearius fica claro ser um autêntico ardeídeo, embora possua estrutura singular no crânio, e deve ser tratado como uma garça noturna (Nycticoracinae). O gênero Nyctanassa é outro gênero válido, pois Nyctanassa violacea difere de Nycticorax por importantes detalhes osteológicos. A classificação de Martinez-Villalta & Motis (1992) é mais coerente com os resultados obtidos, apesar de algumas discordâncias, na qual a família é dividida em quatro subfamílias: Ardeinae, Nycticoracinae, Tigrisomatinae e Botaurinae / Herons and bitterns are medium to large sized birds of the family Ardeidae. With long bills, neck and legs they are adapted for wading and feeding on fishes and other kinds of small animals that occur near water. They live in all regions of the world except Antarctica. Traditionally, the family is included in the order Ciconiiformes, together the Scopidae (hammerheads), Threskiornithidae (ibises), Balaenicipitidae (whalebills) and Ciconiidae (storks). However, some authors have proposed a new order, Ardeiformes, for these birds. Another taxonomic problem in the family Ardeidae concerns the validity and the limits of some genera. This study presents a new approach to the morphology, mainly of the skeleton, of this group looking for new data that may provide insights for the taxonomy of this family. Sixty six complete skeletons of Ardeidae, representing 13 genera and 22 species were studied. Our studies indicate that the species Syrigma sibilatrix and Pilherodius pileatus have sufficient characters to be maintained in their monotypic genera within the subfamily Ardeinae. Egretta Alba has several characters that support its inclusion in the genus Ardea, as Ardea Alba. Butorides and Bubulcus also have particular features that are valid and monotypical. For Cochlearius, it is very clear that it is an Ardeidae, and despite its special bill and skull structure, it must be included in the night-heron group (Nycticoracinae). The genus Nyctanassa is another valid genus and differs from species of the genus Nycticorax in several osteological characters. The classification of the Ardeidae by Martinez-Villalta & Motis (1992) is the most consistent with this study, in spite of some differences, and that the family Ardeidae should be divided in four subfamilies: Ardeinae, Nycticoracinae, Tigrisomatinae and Botaurinae

The pouched mouse, Saccostomus campestris Peters, 1846 from southern Africa shows a high degree of karyotypic variation where up to 16 variants (2n = 30–50) have been reported. This has led to a systematic uncertainty that the present study attempts to assess using: 1) cytochrome b (cyt b; 1077 bp) and 16S rRNA (528 bp) partial sequences; 2) G-banding cytogenetic data; and 3)geometric morphometric data of various views of the cranium and mandible. The results from these multidisciplinary analyses are broadly similar with phylogenetic analyses of the molecular data revealing the presence of two major lineages. The first lineage comprises the high diploid numbered 2n = 46 cytotype from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa that is considered to be ancestral. The second lineage consists of multiple inland populations that are subdivided into: 1) a sub-lineage comprising samples from a large semi-arid area in the west; and b) a sub-lineage of small distinct populations of low migrations from the east. The cytogenetic data suggest that karyotypic variation within S. campestris from southern Africa is due to autosomal Robertsonian fusions, with evidence of geographic structuring where cytotypes with high diploid numbers originate from the mesic east, while those with low diploid numbers originate from the arid west. The reduction in chromosome number appears to be due to adaptation to cold and dry conditions in the arid west. The X-chromosome revealed three variants that arose from a single pericentric inversion followed by the addition of genetic material, possibly heterochromatin. Variant 1 is only present in the ancestral cytotype and is found in all cytotypes throughout southern Africa, variant 2 is found in cytotypes from areas with < 600 mm of annual rainfall, while variant 3, although only found in females, is sympatric with variant 2. Geometric morphometric analysis of karyotyped specimens showed no discernible patterns of variation among karyotypic variants except for some subtle but equivocal indication of the morphological distinctiveness of the 2n = 46 cytotype from KwaZulu-Natal. Collation of the molecular, cytogenetic, and geometric morphometric data in the present study suggest that S. campestris from southern Africa is monotypic. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Thesis (M.Sc. (Zoology)) -- University of Limpopo , 2023 / Currently Copepoda consists of 14 600 species of which 2 275 species are members of the Siphonostomatoida. Siphonostomatoida consists of 40 families, with 17 families symbiotic on fish. Sphyriidae has 44 accepted species in eight reported genera, of which four genera infect teleosts and the remaining four infect elasmobranchs. Adult females undergo transformation through loss of locomotory appendages to suit their mesoparasitic lifestyle and develop outgrowths on the cephalothorax or neck for attachment to the host. To date, only 176 marine siphonostomatoid species have been reported from South African waters, with only nine sphyriid species. Sphyriids previously collected from marine bony fish off the east, south and west coasts of southern Africa and preserved in 70% ethanol were studied. Specimens were examined with stereo- and compound microscopes and identified using published literature. Selected specimens were stained in lactic acid with added lignin pink, appendages were dissected and illustrated with the aid of a drawing tube. Selected specimens were also studied through scanning electron microscopy. The examined specimens were identified as species of Sphyrion and Lophoura. Re descriptions were done for all valid Sphyrion species females (S. laevigatum, S. lumpi and S. quadricornis) and new descriptions for the males of S. laevigatum and S. quadricornis. Post-metamorphosis females of Sphyrion species can be differentiated by the shape of cephalothorax, length of the neck in relation to the length of the trunk and the length of posterior processes in relation to the trunk length, while males are mostly very similar. New information is provided regarding the appendages of S. laevigatum and S. quadricornis. The appendages of the three species bear close resemblance to one another. Additionally, an identification key for the post metamorphosis females of Sphyrion species is provided. Re-descriptions were done for five female Lophoura species (L. caparti, L. cornuta, L. cf edwardsi, L. tetraloba and Lophoura sp.) and a new description of the male of L. tetraloba. Differences between young and post-metamorphosis females of L. cf edwardsi and L. tetraloba were observed in the width of the holdfast organ processes and the length of porous peduncle and stalks of the posterior processes which appear to grow with age. The difference between the young and adult male of L. tetraloba lies in the lengths of the cephalothorax in relation to the trunk length and segmentation visible on the trunk of the young male but not adult male. The post-metamorphosis females of Lophoura species can be differentiated by the shape and number of processes on the holdfast organ, in combination with the cephalothorax length in relation to the neck length, neck length in relation to the trunk length, shape of the trunk, and the length and structure of the posterior processes. An identification key was drawn up for all species of the Lophoura post-metamorphosis females. An attempt was made to provide the COI barcodes for all the species of Sphyrion and five species of Lophoura. These would have confirmed the species identification of morphologically variable species e.g. S. laevigatum and S. lumpi and also provide an estimation of the interspecific divergence amongst the different species. Additionally, it would have assisted in distinguishing between L. tetraloba and L. cf edwardsi and provided an estimation of the amount of sequence divergence between the two genera. Unfortunately sequencing of apparently successfully amplified products was unsuccessful probably due to low DNA quality which possibly degraded due to collection methods used for the fish hosts and parasites and prolonged preservation of specimens. This study provides new host records i.e. Coelorinchus simorhynchus, Coelorinchus trunovi and Saurida undosquamis for Sphyrion quadricornis off South Africa which is also a new geographical record. Allocyttus verrucosus, Coelorinchus simorhynchus, Coelorinchus trunovi, Mesovagus antipodum and Ventrifossa nasuta are also new host records for S. lumpi. Additionally, Epigonus denticulatus and Bassanago albescens are new host records for Lophoura caparti and L. cornuta respectively off South Africa, which is a new geographical record for both species. Furthermore, Coelorinchus fasciatus and Lucigadus ori are new host records for Lophoura tetraloba and L. cf edwardsi off South Africa, which is also a new geographic record for both species. Thus, the results of the study improve the current knowledge of the marine siphonostomatoid biodiversity off South Africa as well as their distribution and infected hosts. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Psiguria Arn. is a small genus of Neotropical vines in the Cucurbitaceae that grows in both wet and dry tropical forests from southern Mexico to Paraguay, and on Caribbean islands. The genus is estimated to be very young with natural history characteristics that have contributed to confusing species circumscriptions. The unique relationship of plants in the group with their butterfly pollinators makes Psiguria an interesting and important genus in tropical ecosystems. Both molecular and morphological approaches were used to investigate the monophyly of Psiguria, to elucidate the number of species in the genus, to discover sister relationships, and to identify characteristics for delineating species. Toward that end, an intensive screening of 141 primer combinations in search of phylogenetically informative low-copy nuclear markers was conducted along with a molecular phylogenetic analysis and a complete taxonomic revision of Psiguria. From the screening study, three potentially phylogenetically informative low-copy nuclear markers were discovered for Psiguria, 11 were found to be potentially useful in rosids, and 32 in other angiosperms. DNA sequences for eight chloroplast intergenic spacers (ndhF-rpL32, ndhC-trnV, rps16-trnQ, trnS-trnG, psbZ-trnM, psbM-trnD, rpoB-trnC, and psbE-petL), ITS, and the nuclear serine/threonine phosphatase intron were obtained for 70 samples of Psiguria plus 14 outgroups. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Psiguria and a sister relationship between P. umbrosa and P. warscewiczii. In the final chapter, two reviews on the genus are presented – one encapsulating the nomenclatural history, and one summarizing 35 years of ecological and natural history studies. In addition, morphological characters were databased, descriptions were written, and maps of geographic distribution were produced for all species. Considering both molecular and morphological data, six species of Psiguria are defined. To distinguish those species missing identifiable morphological characters, a set of DNA barcodes was developed. At least four chloroplast regions are required to differentiate species (ndhC-trnV, rps16- trnQ, rpoB-trnC, and ndhF-rpL32). Because of the absence of many morphological characters, two taxonomic keys are presented – one using male flowers, and the other using the set of DNA barcodes along with consistent leaf characteristics and geographic distribution. / text

Craspedia (Compositae: Gnaphalieae) is a genus of 23 species found only in Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand species of Craspedia have confusing and continuous character variation, with boundaries between species often indistinct and relationships difficult to elucidate. Taxonomic treatments in the genus so far have been regionally based, with the result that species between New Zealand and Australia have not been adequately compared. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS, ETS and psbA-trnH non-coding spacers show that New Zealand Craspedia is a monophyletic group nested within Australian Craspedia. This is consistent with a jump-dispersal event from Australia to New Zealand across the Tasman Sea. The New Zealand lineage is identified as sister to one of two Australian lineages, which consists of mainly subalpine and alpine species found on the main divide of south eastern Australia and in Tasmania. An estimate of when New Zealand Craspedia diverged, using ITS substitution rates from other mainland/island disjunctions in Compositae, gave an approximate date of between 650,000 and 325,000 years ago. This is consistent with the New Zealand fossil pollen record, and with other molecular studies, in suggesting that the Pleistocene, a period of mountain building and climate change, has been an important factor in the evolution of the New Zealand herbaceous flora. The two Australian lineages have not previously been recognised based on morphology and it is suggested they represent two independent species radiations into the Australian alpine zone. Although the New Zealand clade is only partly resolved, the phylogenetic analyses of ITS and ETS indicate that some relationships are incongruent with those previously suggested by morphology and current species boundaries.

In recent years there has been a desire to definitively catalogue the life on our planet. In light of the increasing extinction rates that are driven by human activities, it is unlikely that this will be achieved using traditional methods. Whilst most organisms which have a body size of more than 1cm have been described, the vast majority of animal life is smaller than this, collectively known as meiofauna, and is yet to be catalogued. Meiofaunal organisms present a range of problems for traditional taxonomy. Firstly they are microscopic, meaning that morphological features are often difficult to resolve. Secondly these creatures often exhibit cryptic diversity meaning that different species often look the same. Thirdly, it is often the case that the organisms are poorly described in the literature making it very difficult to confirm identification, assuming that someone has already described it. It is possible, however, to obtain DNA sequences from these organisms. DNA barcoding, the use of short sequences of DNA to identify individuals, is now commonly used in a wide range of applications. It has been proposed that a single target gene should be sufficient to describe all organisms this way. Barcodes can be acquired from individuals or from bulk extractions from environmental samples. In the latter case, many of the sequences obtained are novel and unlikely to ever have a type specimen associated with them. When this is the case, assessing the diversity of a sample becomes a computational exercise. However, as yet, there is no agreed standard method adopted for analyzing the barcodes produced. Indeed most methods currently employed lack objectivity. This thesis investigates the efficiency of a range of gene targets and analysis methods for DNA barcoding, with an emphasis on meiofaunal organisms (nematodes, tardigrades and thrips). DNA barcodes were generated for up to three genes for each specimen. Sequences for each gene were analysed using two programs, MOTU_define.pl and DOTUR. These programs use different methods to assign sequences to operational taxonomic units (OTU), which were then compared. An objective method for analysing sequences such as MOTU_define.pl, which relies on only the information contained in the sequences, was found to be most suitable for designating taxa. It does not attempt to apply evolutionary models to the data, and then infer taxa from the derived data. In addition to barcoding, some samples were pre-processed using video capture and editing (VCE). This creates a virtual slide of a specimen so that a sequence can be linked to a morphological identification. VCE proved to be an efficient method to preserve morphological data from specimens.