[Botany • 2026] Oreocharis nanlingensis (Gesneriaceae) • Integrating Morphological and Molecular Evidence Reveals a New Species and Two Synonyms in Oreocharis

 

Oreocharis nanlingensis  X.Z. Shi & Li H. Yang,

in Shi, Sun, Fu et Yang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73380

ABSTRACT

The genus Oreocharis is a species-rich group within the family Gesneriaceae and represents an excellent model system for evolutionary studies. However, taxonomic understanding of this genus remains insufficient, resulting in several unresolved issues. In this study, we focus on two species groups within Oreocharis—the O. argyreia group and the O. auricula group—each of which presents distinct taxonomic challenges. To address these, we conducted detailed morphological comparisons and statistical analyses, along with phylogenetic analyses based on dense population-level sampling. Our results support abolishing the variety O. argyreia var. angustifolia within O. argyreia but establishing a new species of O. nanlingensis to accommodate specimens of this variety collected from the broader Nanling mountains region. In addition, our findings suggest that O. auricula var. denticulata should be treated as a synonym of O. magnidens. We provide final taxonomic treatments, amended descriptions, photographs, and a distribution map for the relevant taxa.

Oreocharis nanlingensis sp. nov. 

(A) Habit. (B) Flowers in top view. (C) Flowers in side view. (D) Flowers in front view. (E) Opened flower showing stamens, staminodes, and corolla inside. (F) Not yet dehiscing anthers. (G) Calyx. (H) Pistil. (I) Dehiscing fruit. 

 All Photos were taken from its holotype locality.

Oreocharis nanlingensis X.Z. Shi & Li H. Yang, sp. nov.   

 

Diagnosis Oreocharis nanlingensis is similar to O. crispata, but can be distinguished from the latter by its smooth leaf blade with entire margin (vs. rugose leaf blade with crispate and irregularly dentate margin), longer corolla tube (1.6–1.7 cm vs. ca 1.3 cm), and pistil (1.5–1.6 cm vs. ca 1.1 cm), and bilobed stigma (vs. disc-shaped).

 

Xi-Zuo Shi, Zhi-Xia Sun, Jia-Xin Fu and Li-Hua Yang. 2026. Integrating Morphological and Molecular Evidence Reveals a New Species and Two Synonyms in Oreocharis (Gesneriaceae). Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73380 [06 April 2026] 

 

Using both population-level phylogenetic analysis and morphological statistics, this study resolved several taxonomic problems within the genus Oreocharis. Our results support abolishing the variety O. argyreia var. angustifolia, establishing a new species O. nanlingensis, and treating O. auricula var. denticulata as a synonym of O. magnidens.

[Botany • 2026] Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae) • A New Fern Species From Guangdong, China

Leptochilus yangjiangensis F. G. Wang, Y. Huang & H. J. Zhou,

in Zhou, T. Wang, Huang, Fang, Zhang, G.-D. Chen, H.-F. Chen et F.-G. Wang, 2026. 

阳江线蕨  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73621

ABSTRACT

A new fern species, Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae), was discovered during field surveys in Ziluo Mountain, Yangjiang City, Guangdong Province, China. This study provides a detailed morphological description and illustrations of the new species. Morphologically, this species resembles Leptochilus pedunculatus and L. ovatus in plant height, petiole morphology, and soral morphology, but differs from them in its coriaceous laminae and lanceolate fertile fronds. To confirm its taxonomic status, phylogenetic analyses based on three plastid genome regions (rbcL, trnL-F, and rps4+rps4-trnS) indicated that the new species forms a distinct and well-supported monophyletic clade and is sister to L. dolichophyllus. Furthermore, the complete plastid genome of this new species is reported for the first time. Preliminarily assessed as Data Deficient (DD) according to IUCN guidelines, this new species enriches the diversity of Leptochilus.

Keywords: Leptochilus, morphology, new species, phylogenetic analysis, plastid genome

Habitat and morphology of Leptochilus yangjiangensis.
(A) Habitat. (B) Whole plant. (C) Habit. (D) Close-up of fronds with sori. (E) Scale structure under a biological microscope. (F) Spore morphology under a scanning electron microscope.

Photographs by Guo-Di Chen (A–D).

Leptochilus yangjiangensis F. G. Wang, Y. Huang & H. J. Zhou, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Leptochilus yangjiangensis is similar to both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus, but can be distinguished by the following diagnostic characters (Table 2): (1) lamina coriaceous (vs. herbaceous in both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus); (2) fertile fronds lanceolate (vs. ovate-lanceolate in both L. pedunculatus and L. ovatus); (3) life form lithophytic (vs. lithophytic in L. pedunculatus and hemiepiphytic in L. ovatus). Additionally, it can be distinguished from its sister species L. dolichophyllus by the smaller plant size (fertile fronds 26.0–43.0 cm long vs. 43.0–60.0 cm long in L. dolichophyllus) and distinct life form (lithophytic vs. hemiepiphytic in L. dolichophyllus).

Hua-Jing Zhou, Ting Wang, Yi Huang, Yu-Han Fang, Bin Zhang, Guo-Di Chen, Hong-Feng Chen and Fa-Guo Wang. 2026. Leptochilus yangjiangensis (Polypodiaceae), a New Fern Species From Guangdong, China. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.73621 [14 May 2026]

 

[Herpetology • 2020] Evolution of Habitat Preference in 243 Species of Bent‐toed Geckos (Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) with A Discussion of Karst Habitat Conservation

Representative species of the ecotypes associated with the habitat preferences delineated in this study. 
(b) Cyrtodactylus solomonensis, (c) C. linnwayensis, 
(d) C. nigriocularis, (e) C. srilekhae, (f) C. elok, 
(g) C. tiomanensis, (h) C. pantiensis, and (i) C. seribuatensis. 

in Grismer, Wood, Le, et al., 2020.

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6961  

 PerryLeeWoodJr.com 

Photos: a., c., f., g., h., i., L. Lee Grismer; b. Scott Travers; d. Nickolay A. Poyarkov; and e. Ishan Agarwal 

Abstract

Understanding the processes that underpin adaptive evolutionary shifts within major taxonomic groups has long been a research directive among many evolutionary biologists. Such phenomena are best studied in large monophyletic groups that occupy a broad range of habitats where repeated exposure to novel ecological opportunities has happened independently over time in different lineages. The gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus is just such a lineage with approximately 300 species that range from South Asia to Melanesia and occupy a vast array of habitats. Ancestral state reconstructions using a stochastic character mapping analysis of nine different habitat preferences were employed across a phylogeny composed of 76% of the known species of Cyrtodactylus. This was done in order to ascertain which habitat preference is the ancestral condition and from that condition, the transition frequency to more derived habitat preferences. The results indicate that a general habitat preference is the ancestral condition for Cyrtodactylus and the frequency of transitioning from a general habitat preference to anything more specialized occurs approximately four times more often than the reverse. Species showing extreme morphological and/or ecological specializations generally do not give rise to species bearing other habitat preferences. The evolution of different habitat preferences is generally restricted to clades that tend to occur in specific geographic regions. The largest radiations in the genus occur in rocky habitats (granite and karst), indicating that the transition from a general habitat preference to a granite or karst‐dwelling life style may be ecologically uncomplicated. Two large, unrelated clades of karst‐associated species are centered in northern Indochina and the largest clade of granite‐associated species occurs on the Thai‐Malay Peninsula. Smaller, independent radiations of clades bearing other habitat preferences occur throughout the tree and across the broad distribution of the genus. With the exception of a general habitat preference, the data show that karst‐associated species far out‐number all others (29.6% vs. 0.4%–10.2%, respectively) and the common reference to karstic regions as “imperiled arcs of biodiversity” is not only misleading but potentially dangerous. Karstic regions are not simply refugia harboring the remnants of local biodiversity but are foci of speciation that continue to generate the most speciose, independent, radiations across the genus. Unfortunately, karstic landscapes are some of the most imperiled and least protected habitats on the planet and these data continue to underscore the urgent need for their conservation.

Keywords: ancestral state reconstruction, Asia, ecology, Gekkonidae, limestone, phylogeny, stochastic character mapping

Representative species of the ecotypes associated with the habitat preferences delineated in this study.
(a) Cyrtodactylus mombergi, (b) C. solomonensis, (c) C. linnwayensis,
(d) C. nigriocularis, (e) C. srilekhae, (f) C. elok,
(g) C. tiomanensis, (h) C. pantiensis, and (i) C. seribuatensis.

Photos: a., c., f., g., h., i., L. Lee Grismer; b. Scott Travers; d. Nickolay A. Poyarkov; and e. Ishan Agarwal

 

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood Jr., Minh Duc Le, Evan S. H. Quah and Jesse L. Grismer. 2020. Evolution of Habitat Preference in 243 Species of Bent‐toed Geckos (Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) with A Discussion of Karst Habitat Conservation. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6961

 PerryLeeWoodJr.com/2020/11/23/evolution-of-habitat-preference-in-243-species-of-bent-toed 

[Ichthyology • 2018] Basic Description and Some Notes on the Evolution of Seven Sympatric Morphs of Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma from the Lake Kronotskoe Basin (Russia, Kamchatka)

Sympatric morphs of Lake Kronotskoe charrs.
 W, white; L, longhead; N, nosed; S, smallmouth; B, bigmouth

Markevich, Esin & Anisimova, 2018.

 DOI:  10.1002/ece3.3806  

Abstract

The study examines the basic morphological and ecological features of Dolly Varden from Lake Kronotskoe (Russia, Kamchatka). Seven valid morphs different in head proportions, feeding, timing, and place of spawning have been determined in this ecosystem. The basic morphometric characteristics clearly separate Lake Kronotskoe morphs from each other, as well as from its potential ancestor (Dolly Varden). According to CVA analysis, the most notable morphological characteristics determining the mouth position are the length of a lower jaw and rostrum. Furthermore, five of seven morphs inhabit different depth zones of the lake and feed on different food resources. Our data suggest that reproductive isolation may be maintained by temporal/spatial isolation for two morphs with lacustrine spawning, and by spatial isolation only for the rest of the morphs with riverine spawning. The sympatric diversity of the Lake Kronotskoe charrs is exceptionally wide, and there are no other examples for seven sympatric morphs of genus Salvelinus to coexist within a single ecosystem. This study puts forward a three-step hypothetical model of charr divergence in Lake Kronotskoe as a potential ground for future studies.

KEYWORDS: “charr problem”, diversification isolation, functional morphology, spawning, trophic polymorphism

Figure 1 Sympatric morphs of Lake Kronotskoe charrs.
W, white; L, longhead; N, nosed: 1—blunt nosed, 2—sharpnosed, 3—shovelnosed; S, smallmouth; B, bigmouth

Grigorii Markevich, Evgeny Esin and Liudmila Anisimova. 2018. Basic Description and Some Notes on the Evolution of Seven Sympatric Morphs of Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma from the Lake Kronotskoe Basin. Ecology and Evolution. DOI:  10.1002/ece3.3806 

[Herpetology • 2017] Evolutionarily Significant Units of the Critically Endangered Leaf Frog Pithecopus ayeaye (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) are Not Effectively Preserved by the Brazilian Protected Areas Network

Pithecopus ayeaye B. Lutz, 1966

de Magalhães, Lemes, Camargo, et al. 2017. 

Photograph by R. A. Brandão. || DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3261   

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) are essential for biodiversity conservation, but their coverage is considered inefficient for the preservation of all species. Many species are subdivided into evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) and the effectiveness of PAs in protecting them needs to be investigated. We evaluated the usefulness of the Brazilian PAs network in protecting ESUs of the critically endangered Pithecopus ayeaye through ongoing climate change. This species occurs in a threatened mountaintop ecosystem known as campos rupestres. We used multilocus DNA sequences to delimit geographic clusters, which were further validated as ESUs with a coalescent approach. Ecological niche modeling was used to estimate spatial changes in ESUs’ potential distributions, and a gap analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the Brazilian PAs network to protect P. ayeaye in the face of climate changes. We tested the niche overlap between ESUs to gain insights for potential management alternatives for the species. Pithecopus ayeaye contains at least three ESUs isolated in distinct mountain regions, and one of them is not protected by any PA. There are no climatic niche differences between the units, and only 4% of the suitable potential area of the species is protected in present and future projections. The current PAs are not effective in preserving the intraspecific diversity of P. ayeaye in its present and future range distributions. The genetic structure of P. ayeaye could represent a typical pattern in campos rupestres endemics, which should be considered for evaluating its conservation status.

KEYWORD: Sapproximate Bayesian computation, campos rupestres, conservation genetics, ecological niche modeling, niche overlap, statistical phylogeography 

FIGURE 1: An individual of Pithecopus ayeaye B. Lutz, 1966 from type locality, Morro do Ferro, Poços de Caldas—MG.

Photograph by Reuber Albuquerque Brandão. 

Rafael Félix de Magalhães, Priscila Lemes, Arley Camargo, Ubirajara Oliveira, Reuber Albuquerque Brandão, Hans Thomassen, Paulo Christiano de Anchietta Garcia, Felipe Sá Fortes Leite and Fabrício Rodrigues Santos. 2017. Evolutionarily Significant Units of the Critically Endangered Leaf Frog Pithecopus ayeaye (Anura, Phyllomedusidae) are Not Effectively Preserved by the Brazilian Protected Areas Network.  Ecology and Evolution. 7(21); 8812–8828.  DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3261  

ResearchGate.net/publication/319957237_Evolutionarily_significant_units_of_the_critically_endangered_leaf_frog_Pithecopus_ayeaye_Anura_Phyllomedusidae_are_not_effectively_preserved_by_the_Brazilian_protected_areas_network

[Ornithology • 2015] Potential Merger of Ancient Lineages in A Passerine Bird discovered based on Evidence from Host-Specific Ectoparasites

Figure 1. Phylograms and sample distribution maps of Xanthomixis zosterops and its associated Myrsidea.
(A) ML phylogram of X. zosterops from 1979 bp of mtDNA (ND3, cyt-b, and ATP6), collapsed to unique haplotypes. Nodes labeled with cyt-b corrected and p-distance (in parentheses) divergences and with nodal support (MP/ML/PP, *=100/100/1.0). Map shows distribution of X. zosterops mtDNA clades, with pie charts showing proportion of each clade among samples from a given area. Numbers next to pie charts are sample sizes.
 (B) ML phylogram of all Myrsidea feather lice collected from X. zosterops, based on 379 bp of mtDNA (COI). Numbers at tips represent the X. zosterops clade from which the individual was collected. Nodes labeled with corrected and p-distance (in parentheses) divergences and with nodal support (MP/ML/PP, *=100/100/1.0). Map shows geographic distribution of Myrsidea samples.

 Internal pie charts represent proportion of Myrsidea collected from each of the four X. zosterops mtDNA clades. Numbers next to pie charts are sample sizes. || DOI:  10.1002/ece3.1639

Abstract

The merger of formerly isolated lineages is hypothesized to occur in vertebrates under certain conditions. However, despite many demonstrated instances of introgression between taxa in secondary contact, examples of lineage mergers are rare. Preliminary mtDNA sequencing of a Malagasy passerine, Xanthomixis zosterops (Passeriformes: Bernieridae), indicated a possible instance of merging lineages. We tested the hypothesis that X. zosterops lineages are merging by comparing mtDNA sequence and microsatellite data, as well as mtDNA sequence data from host-specific feather lice in the genus Myrsidea (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae). Xanthomixis zosterops comprises four deeply divergent, broadly sympatric, cryptic mtDNA clades that likely began diverging approximately 3.6 million years ago. Despite this level of divergence, the microsatellite data indicate that the X. zosterops mtDNA clades are virtually panmictic. Three major phylogroups of Myrsidea were found, supporting previous allopatry of the X. zosterops clades. In combination, the datasets from X. zosterops and its Myrsidea document a potential merger of previously allopatric lineages that likely date to the Pliocene. This represents the first report of sympatric apparent hybridization among more than two terrestrial vertebrate lineages. Further, the mtDNA phylogeographic pattern of X. zosterops, namely the syntopy of more than two deeply divergent cryptic clades, appears to be a novel scenario among vertebrates. We highlight the value of gathering multiple types of data in phylogeographic studies to contribute to the study of vertebrate speciation.

Keywords: Birds; despeciation; ectoparasites; Madagascar; microsatellites

Conclusion

In addition to contributing to the study of vertebrate speciation, particularly in birds, this work adds to limited data concerning avian phylogeography on Madagascar. The focus of most phylogeographic studies on Madagascar has been amphibians, reptiles, or mammals, with only four utilizing extensive population-level sampling in birds (Fuchs et al. 2007, 2013; Cruaud et al. 2011; Goodman et al. 2011). This study represents the densest and largest sampling yet presented for a Malagasy endemic bird and the first for a species within one of Madagascar's endemic avian radiations. Although bird communities show differences between lowland and montane forests, this differentiation between habitats has not been suggested to play a direct role in bird diversification on the island. Studies on other vertebrates have highlighted cryptic taxa geographically split by elevation in humid forests (e.g., Olson et al. 2004), but X. zosterops provides the first example of this biogeographic pattern in birds.

As well as being informative about avian biogeography in Madagascar, this study illustrates the importance of lowland humid forest to preserving extant biodiversity on the island. This has been highlighted in other vertebrate taxa, but it has been underemphasized in birds. Low-elevation forests in the central east and southeast have not received attention as a center of endemism in birds, but the X. zosterops results show their importance. Further phylogeographic studies on Malagasy birds may yet uncover similar patterns and unknown cryptic taxa.

Finally, we highlight the value of gathering multiple types of data in phylogeographic studies to contribute to the study of vertebrate speciation. In this instance, data from mtDNA, nuclear DNA, and ectoparasites were necessary to better understand the complicated evolutionary history of X. zosterops. We also emphasize the importance of sampling across a taxon's distribution to provide greater insight into the biodiversity of a region and to reveal unknown patterns of regional endemism. These aspects contribute to more accurate and comprehensive biogeographic theories and provide important details for developing conservation programs.

Nicholas L. Block, Steven M. Goodman, Shannon J. Hackett, John M. Bates and Marie J. Raherilalao. 2015. Potential Merger of Ancient Lineages in A Passerine Bird discovered based on Evidence from Host-Specific Ectoparasites.
Ecology and Evolution. 5(17); 3743–3755.
DOI:  10.1002/ece3.1639

Scientists discover bird in Madagascar that evolved in reverse http://news.mongabay.com/2015/10/scientists-discover-bird-in-madagascar-that-evolved-in-reverse/

[Ichthyology • 2014] DNA Barcoding reveals Novel Insights into Pterygophagy and Prey Selection in Distichodontid Fishes (Characiformes: Distichodontidae)

Abstract

DNA barcoding was used to investigate dietary habits and prey selection in members of the African-endemic family Distichodontidae noteworthy for displaying highly specialized ectoparasitic fin-eating behaviors (pterygophagy). Fin fragments recovered from the stomachs of representatives of three putatively pterygophagous distichodontid genera (Phago, Eugnathichthys, and Ichthyborus) were sequenced for the mitochondrial gene co1. DNA barcodes (co1 sequences) were then used to identify prey items in order to determine whether pterygophagous distichodontids are opportunistic generalists or strict specialists with regard to prey selection and, whether as previously proposed, aggressive mimicry is used as a strategy for successful pterygophagy. Our findings do not support the hypothesis of aggressive mimicry suggesting instead that, despite the possession of highly specialized trophic anatomies, fin-eating distichodontids are opportunistic generalists, preying on fishes from a wide phylogenetic spectrum and to the extent of engaging in cannibalism. This study demonstrates how DNA barcoding can be used to shed light on evolutionary and ecological aspects of highly specialized ectoparasitic fin-eating behaviors by enabling the identification of prey species from small pieces of fins found in fish stomachs.

Keywords: Ectoparasitic fin-eating behaviors; mtDNA; stomach contents; trophic ecology

Figure 2. Characteristically damaged fins in Phago specimens victims of pterygophagy. Scale bars represent 1 cm.

DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1321

Figure 1. Variation in jaw anatomy in pterygophagous distichodontids represented in this study by the genera Phago (A), Eugnathichthys (B), and Ichthyborus (C).
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1321

Jairo Arroyave and Melanie L. J. Stiassny. 2014. DNA Barcoding reveals Novel Insights into Pterygophagy and Prey Selection in Distichodontid Fishes (Characiformes: Distichodontidae). Ecology and Evolution. 4(23); 4534–4542. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1321

 ResearchGate.net/publication/268528787_DNA_barcoding_reveals_novel_insights_into_pterygophagy_and_prey_selection_in_distichodontid_fishes_(Characiformes_Distichodontidae)

NEW RESEARCH: DNA Barcoding Reveals Cannibal Fish With a Broad Appetite for Fins

http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/research-posts/dna-barcoding-reveals-fish-with-a-broad-appetite-for-fins

http://tumblr.amnh.org/post/104872677899/new-research-dna-barcoding-reveals-cannibal-fish

http://ibol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/iBOL-Barcode-Bulletin-March-2015.pdf

https://twitter.com/LSU_FISH/status/537259364072316930