Paracerella Imadaté in China: the description of a new species and the analysis of genetic differences between populations (Protura, Acerentomata, Nipponentomidae)

Abstract

The genus Paracerella Imadaté, 1980 is recorded from China for the first time, with the description of a new species, Paracerella sinensis sp. n. Paracerella sinensis is characterized by four pairs of A-setae on tergite I, the presence of setae Pc and P3a on tergite VII, eight A-setae on tergite VIII, the presence of seta Pc on both sternites VI and VII, and 4/2 setae on sternite VIII, which are different from all other members of the genus. The key to the four species of the genus is updated. In addition, DNA barcodes of four populations are sequenced and their genetic differences are analyzed.

Diversification in tropics and subtropics following the mid‐Miocene climate change: A case study of the spider genus Nesticella

“…These clades included the species geographically distributed almost entirely to the north and south of the R.R.F., approximately corresponding to the Asian tropical (SGR) and subtropical/temperate climate zones (NGR;Figure 1a). The SGR matched the nepalensis species group described byLin et al (2016) and showed a single origin despite the wide and diverse area of distribution, which extended from Africa to the whole ofSouth and Southeast Asia. In contrast, the northern group (NGR) further separated into subclades NCLs I-IV, reflecting their morphological separation.…”

“…The same tree topology was also obtained from the BEAST analysis. This was the most complete phylogenetic reconstruction of Nesticella so far, and our results obtained the species groups established byLin et al (2016) on the basis of morphological characters.Both ML and BI strongly supported the monophyly of Nesticella and resolved Wraios as its sister-group (ML bootstrap = 100, BI posterior probability = 1). These genera clearly separated from the other nesticids (ML = 100, BI = 1), in particular from Hamus, Typhlonesticus and the clade composed of the remaining members of the tribe Nesticini sensuLehtinen and Saaristo (1980) (Carpathonesticus, Cyclocarcina, Kryptonesticus, Nesticus and Speleoticus).…”

“…In contrast to most other nesticids, which are mainly restricted to subterranean habitats, species of Nesticella typically have both epigean or endogean lifestyles in being only partially cave dwelling and more frequently occurring in rainforest litter (Lehtinen & Saaristo, 1980). Nevertheless, Nesticella living in subtropical environments of southern China seem to have developed a much stronger bond with the hypogean ecosystem than their tropical counterparts, and also exhibit a surprisingly wide local diversity that has no parallel in other regions of Asia (Lin, Ballarin, & Li, 2016;Zhang & Li, 2013). Despite the general absence of specialized morphological adaptations, these species generally occur in small geographical areas and are permanently restricted to caves or other comparable habitats; basically, they are absent from the surface.…”

Going Deeper into High and Low Phylogenetic Relationships of Protura

“…We note that the application of molecular markers and bioinformatic methods for species delimitation may greatly assist the identification of species and lead to a more precise assessment of actual biodiversity. The method that has been most frequently used to confirm the morphological identification of Protura species is based on observed levels of genetic distance among specimens supposed to belong to the same or to different species (e.g., [34,36,75]). However, as observed from Table 3, this approach is not always flawless.…”

A synthesis on cave-dwelling spiders in Europe

“…Notable exceptions are three species of eyeless Lycosidae, two in Hawaii (Gertsch, 1973a) and one in French Polynesia (Framenau & Lehtinen, 2014). In addition, it has been suggested that an active lifestyle is not a good adaptation to cave life, as it requires much energy compared to a sit-and-wait strategy (e.g., Cardoso, 2012a Brignoli, 1970;Gertsch, 1974Gertsch, , 1984Ledford, Paquin, Cokendolpher, Campbell, & Griswold, 2012;Ledford et al, 2011;Lehtinen & Saaristo, 1980;Lin, Ballarin, & Li, 2016;Miller, 2005;Reddell, 2005 Table S1 for the complete checklist.…”