Phylogenetic Systematics

The genus Habromys includes seven species of rodents restricted to Mesoamerican cloud forests across the mountain systems of central and eastern Mexico and northern Central America. Previous studies have suggested that diversification within the genus largely shaped by vicariant scenarios in which range expansion was followed by isolation driven by habitat fragmentation. However, these hypotheses have not been formally evaluated within a time-calibrated framework using explicit model-based approaches. Here, we reconstructed the biogeographic history of Habromys using a time-calibrated phylogeny based on mitochondrial genes, previously used in published studies, and evaluated alternative parametric biogeographic models implemented in BioGeoBEARS. The DEC+j was the best-supported model explaining geographic range evolution, indicating that founder-event speciation and within-area cladogenesis (narrow and subset sympatry) were the most frequent processes shaping diversification, whereas vicariance and anagenetic dispersal/extinction were inferred as comparatively uncommon. Divergence-time estimates suggest that crown diversification in Habromys began during the Pliocene, whereas most interspecific divergences occurred during the middle Pleistocene. These patterns are consistent with a biogeographic history driven by climatic oscillations that periodically increased connectivity among cloud forest habitats and later promoted isolation in montane regions. Overall, our results support a scenario in which repeated colonization and isolation events associated with Pliocene-Pleistocene climatic fluctuations played a greater role than vicariant processes linked to mountain building.

Clathrinidae Minchin, 1900 (by original designation). Calcinea with the skeleton composed exclusively of free spicules, without hypercalcified non-spicular reinforcements, spicule tracts, calcareous scales or plates. Clathrinida is a very rich and variable group. All developmental stages are present, from olynthus-like sponges to complex ones with an elaborate aquiferous system. Different parallel evolutionary lines may be distinguished, in each of which can be observed a complete series from simple asconoid organization to elaborate leuconoid systems. Three evolutionary lines have been recognized (Borojevic et al., 1990) all of which originate from sponges organized as a simple olynthus. In all lines there is a progressive evolution from a homocoel to a heterocoel grade of organization. All may represent a monophyletic homogenous clade and together they cannot be divided into two orders, the Clathrinida and the Leucettida, by their homocoel or heterocoel grade of organization, respectively, as proposed by Hartman (1958a). Borojevic et al. (1990) thus proposed a single order, Clathrinida for all Calcinea without a hypercalcified skeleton.

Forest fragmentation, the decline of an endangered primate and changes in host-parasite interactions relative to an unfragmented forest. Am. J. Primatol. 70: 222-230. Kowalewski, M. M. and Gillespie, T. R. 2009. Ecological and anthropogenic influences on patterns of parasitism in free-ranging primates: a meta-analysis of the genus Alouatta.

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This study investigated the molecular phylogeny and phytochemical composition of fourteen locally used antimalarial plants found within Kaduna State University, Kaduna, using rbcL gene sequences. The aim was to elucidate their genetic relationships and identify bioactive secondary metabolites that may underlie their therapeutic potential. Fresh leaves of each plant were collected, air-dried, and subjected to aqueous extraction for qualitative phytochemical screening, while genomic DNA was extracted and amplified using the rbcL primer through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified products were visualized on agarose gel electrophoresis, sequenced, and analyzed using BLAST and MEGA 11 software to construct phylogenetic relationships. Results showed that all plants contained at least four classes of secondary metabolites, with Azadirachta indica, Artemisia annua, Cassia occidentalis, Carica papaya, Magnifera indica, and Senna siamese exhibiting the richest phytochemical profiles, containing flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and alkaloids. The PCR amplification produced distinct bands of approximately 700 bp, confirming successful amplification of the rbcL gene. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the species into four major clades consistent with their taxonomic families, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Caricaceae, demonstrating close evolutionary relationships among related taxa. The study concludes that integrating molecular phylogeny with phytochemical screening provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity and therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, which can be candidates for further antimalarial drug discovery.

Parvoviruses (family) are small, single-stranded DNA viruses. Many parvoviral pathogens of medical, veterinary and ecological importance have been identified. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to investigate the diversity of parvoviruses infecting wild and domestic animals in Brazil. We identified 21 parvovirus sequences (including twelve nearly complete genomes and nine partial genomes) in samples derived from rodents, bats, opossums, birds and cattle in Pernambuco, São Paulo, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul states. These sequences were investigated using phylogenetic and distance-based approaches and were thereby classified into eight parvovirus species (six of which have not been described previously), representing six distinct genera in the subfamily. Our findings extend the known biogeographic range of previously characterized parvovirus species and the known host range of three parvovirus genera (,). Moreover, our investigation provides a window into the eco...

In this paper, we focus on Brauer's height zero conjecture, Robinson's conjecture, and Olsson's conjecture regarding the direct product of finite groups and give relative versions of these conjectures by restricting them to the algebraic concept of the anchor group of an irreducible character. Consider G to be a finite simple group. We prove that the anchor group of the irreducible character of G with degree p is the trivial group, where p is an odd prime. Additionally, we introduce the relative version of the Green correspondence theorem with respect to this group. We then apply the relative versions of these conjectures to suitable examples of simple groups. Classical and standard theories on the direct product of finite groups, block theory, and character theory are used to achieve these results.

The distinction between natural selection and sexual selection represents a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, yet their interaction remains complex and context-dependent. Natural selection primarily promotes traits that enhance survival and ecological fitness, whereas sexual selection favours traits that increase reproductive success, often at the cost of survival. This study examines the conceptual differences between these two mechanisms and explores their interaction in reptiles, a group in which sexual selection is generally considered limited. By integrating principles of evolutionary ecology with morphological observations, particularly in crocodilians, this paper highlights how natural and sexual selection may operate simultaneously. The case of Gavialis gangeticus demonstrates a unique overlap where feeding adaptations driven by natural selection are modified by sexually selected traits for mate attraction. These findings suggest that, although sexual selection is less pronounced in reptiles, specific ecological and evolutionary conditions can facilitate its emergence and significance.

The distinction between natural selection and sexual selection represents a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, yet their interaction remains complex and context-dependent. Natural selection primarily promotes traits that enhance survival and ecological fitness, whereas sexual selection favours traits that increase reproductive success, often at the cost of survival. This study examines the conceptual differences between these two mechanisms and explores their interaction in reptiles, a group in which sexual selection is generally considered limited. By integrating principles of evolutionary ecology with morphological observations, particularly in crocodilians, this paper highlights how natural and sexual selection may operate simultaneously. The case of Gavialis gangeticus demonstrates a unique overlap where feeding adaptations driven by natural selection are modified by sexually selected traits for mate attraction. These findings suggest that, although sexual selection is less pronounced in reptiles, specific ecological and evolutionary conditions can facilitate its emergence and significance.

Over the past two decades, numerous species of tethysuchian crocodyliforms have been described, and their phylogenetic relationships have increasingly received more attention. Consequently, several tethysuchian clade names have been erected following the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode) and/or the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). To help maintain taxonomic and nomenclatural stability, we have decided to establish a suprageneric classification for Tethysuchia that is consistent across both nomenclatural codes. Here, we provide phylogenetic definitions that are valid under the PhyloCode for the following pre-existing names: Tethysuchia, Pholidosauridae, Dyrosauroidea, Dyrosauridae, Phosphatosaurinae, and Hyposaurinae. However, under the articles of the ICZN Code, the senior synonym, Dyrosaurinae, should be used instead of Hyposaurinae. Awaiting a decision from the ICZN Commission, we consider the use of Hyposaurinae to be preferable because the name is in prevailing usage. Finally, given that there is no consensus on which clade is the sister taxon of Tethysuchia, we redefined the pre-existing name Coelognathosuchia for the Tethysuchia + Goniopholididae phylogenetic hypothesis and erected the new name Stenorhynchosuchia for the alternative hypothesis formed by Tethysuchia + Thalattosuchia.

Le présent travail a concerné la distribution des Ptéridophytes1 épiphytes et leur relation avec les
phorophytes en zone de montagne au Parc national de Kahuzi-Biega (PNKB) à l’est de la
République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Nous avons effectué 10 transects et 20 placettes sur un
gradient altitudinal de 1712 à 3326 mètres d’altitude. Les inventaires ont été faits suivant leschéma de la distribution des épiphytes sur les phorophytes selon la méthode de Johansson
(1974). La plus petite surface nécessaire au relevé pour que la plupart des espèces soient
représentées était de 200 centimètres autour du tronc du phorophyte. Les indices de diversité des
Ptéridophytes ont été mesurés ainsi que les liens entre la variation floristique des Ptéridophytes
et la variation écologique grâce à une Analyse en composantes principales (ACP). Au total, 63
Ptéridophytes épiphytes ont été recensées sur 842 phorophytes appartenant à 20 espèces. Les
hémi-épiphytes (34,9 %) suivis des épiphytes semi-stricts (25,4 %) sont majoritaires dans la forêt
de montagne (1700-2600 mètres d’altitude) pendant que les épiphytes semi-stricts dominent dans
la forêt afro-subalpine (17,5 %). La forêt de montagne enregistre un grand nombre de
Ptéridophytes épiphytes avec une séquence de I > II > III > IV > V, alors que la forêt afro-subalpine
présente une séquence de I > II > III suivant l’échelle de Johansson. Le diamètre du support
d'épiphyte et les conditions environnementales sont deux facteurs qui influencent plus
l’abondance des épiphytes. De plus, la nature de l’écorce des arbres hôtes a une forte influence
dans la relation Ptéridophytes épiphytes et phorophytes.

The lizard genus Psilophthalmus was originally described from the sandy deposits at the northern end of Serra do Espinhaço, in Santo Inácio, state of Bahia, but since then it has been recorded in other Brazilian localities of the states of Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Sergipe. Here, we review the collected specimens based on molecular markers (mitochondrial 12S, 16S, ND4 and cyt b, and nuclear C-mos and NT3) and morphological evidence (external, hemipenial and osteological morphologies). In the course of our revision we find out that Psilophthalmus Rodrigues 1991 was preoccupied by Psilophthalmus Szépligeti 1902 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae). The replacement name Psilops is proposed for the genus for which we recognize three species, with Psilops paeminosus as type species. One of the new species is found along the high elevation areas of the Chapada Diamantina plateaus, state of Bahia, while the other occurs in the cerrados of “Serra Geral”, in the occidental plateaus of that state. Psilop...