A new species of Discostella guiyangensis sp.nov.(Bacillariophyta,Stephanodiscales)from Guiyang,China:morphology and phylogeny

We describe a new species of Discostella from Guiyang based on light and scanning electron microscopic observations,as well as molecular analysis.This species is morphologically distinguished from other species by a relatively smooth and slightly recessed central area with marginal striae of unequal lengths forked near the margin.Marginal fultoportulae and a single rimoportula are situated between every two costae or on the costae.Both morphological characters and the concatenated data of rbc L and SSU rDNA indicate that Discostella guiyangensis is a unique and new species.According to divergence time estimation analysis,Discostella guiyangensis is the oldest species among the Discostella species sequenced currently.In addition,we complement molecular data of Discostella asterocostata and Discostella stelligera.

Phylogenetic biogeography and taxonomy of disjunctly distributed bryophytes

More than 200 research papers on the molecular phylogeny and phylogenetic biogeography ofbryophytes have been published since the beginning of this millenium. These papers corroborated assumptions of a complex genetic structure of morphologically circumscribed bryophytes, and raised reservations against many morphologically justified species concepts, especially within the mosses. However, many molecular studies allowed for corrections and modifications of morphological classification schemes. Several studies reported that the phylogenetic structure of disjunctly distributed bryophyte species reflects their geographical ranges rather than morphological disparities. Molecular data led to new appraisals of distribution ranges and allowed for the reconstruction of refugia and migration routes. Intercontinental ranges of bryophytes are often caused by dispersal rather than geographical vicariance. Many distribution patterns of disjunct bryophytes are likely formed by processes such as short distance dispersal, rare long distance dispersal events, extinction, recolonization and diversification.

The impact of ancestral population size and incomplete lineage sorting on Bayesian estimation of species divergence times

Although the effects of the coalescent process on sequence divergence and genealogies are well understood, the vir- tual majority of studies that use molecular sequences to estimate times of divergence among species have failed to account for the coalescent process. Here we study the impact of ancestral population size and incomplete lineage sorting on Bayesian estimates of species divergence times under the molecular clock when the inference model ignores the coalescent process. Using a combination of mathematical analysis, computer simulations and analysis of real data, we find that the errors on estimates of times and the molecular rate can be substantial when ancestral populations are large and when there is substantial incomplete lineage sorting. For example, in a simple three-species case, we find that if the most precise fossil calibration is placed on the root of the phylogeny, the age of the internal node is overestimated, while if the most precise calibration is placed on the internal node, then the age of the root is underestimated. In both cases, the molecular rate is overestimated. Using simulations on a phylogeny of nine species, we show that substantial errors in time and rate estimates can be obtained even when dating ancient divergence events. We analyse the hominoid phylogeny and show that estimates of the neutral mutation rate obtained while ignoring the coalescent are too high. Using a coalescent-based technique to obtain geological times of divergence, we obtain estimates of the mutation rate that are within experimental estimates and we also obtain substantially older divergence times within the phylogeny [Current Zoology 61 （5）： 874-885, 2015].

Taxonomy,phylogeny and evolution of freshwater Hypocreomycetidae(Sordariomycetes)

Hypocreomycetidae is a highly diverse group with species from various habitats. This subclass has been reported as pathogenic,endophytic, parasitic, saprobic, fungicolous, lichenicolous, algicolous, coprophilous and insect fungi from aquatic andterrestrial habitats. In this study, we focused on freshwater fungi of Hypocreomycetidae which resulted 41 fresh collectionsfrom China and Thailand. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we identified 26 species that belong to twoorders (Hypocreales and Microascales) and six families (Bionectriaceae, Halosphaeriaceae, Microascaceae, Nectriaceae,Sarocladiaceae and Stachybotryaceae). Ten new species are introduced and 13 new habitats and geographic records arereported. Mariannaea superimposita, Stachybotrys chartarum and S. chlorohalonatus are recollected from freshwater habitatsin China. Based on phylogenetic analysis of combined LSU, ITS, SSU, rpb2 and tef1-α sequences data, Emericellopsisis transferred to Hypocreales genera incertae sedis;Pseudoacremonium is transferred to Bionectriaceae;Sedecimiella isplaced in Nectriaceae;Nautosphaeria and Tubakiella are excluded from Halosphaeriaceae and placed in Microascalesgenera incertae sedis;and Faurelina is excluded from Hypocreomycetidae. Varicosporella is placed under Atractium as asynonym of Atractium. In addition, phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimates showed that Ascocodina, Campylospora,Cornuvesica and Xenodactylariaceae form distinct lineages in Hypocreomycetidae and they evolved in the family/order time frame. Hence, a new order (Xenodactylariales) and three new families (Ascocodinaceae, Campylosporaceae andCornuvesicaceae) are introduced based on phylogenetic analysis, divergence time estimations and morphological characters.Ancestral character state analysis is performed for different habitats of Hypocreomycetidae including freshwater, marineand terrestrial taxa. The result indicates that marine and freshwater fungi evolved independently from terrestrial ancestors.The results further support those early diverging clades of this subclass, mostly comprising terrestrial taxa and freshwaterand marine taxa have been secondarily derived, while the crown clade (Nectriaceae) is represented in all three habitats. Theevolution of various morphological adaptations towards their habitual changes are also discussed.

Phylogeny,taxonomy and diversification events in the Caliciaceae

Although the high degree of non-monophyly and parallel evolution has long been acknowledged within the mazaediate Caliciaceae(Lecanoromycetes,Ascomycota),a natural re-classification of the group has not yet been accomplished.Here we constructed a multigene phylogeny of the Caliciaceae-Physciaceae clade in order to resolve the detailed relationships within the group,to propose a revised classification,and to perform a dating study.The few characters present in the available fossil and the complex character evolution of the group affects the interpretation of morphological traits and thus influences the assignment of the fossil to specific nodes in the phylogeny,when divergence time analyses are carried out.Alternative fossil assignments resulted in very different time estimates and the comparison with the analysis based on a secondary calibration demonstrates that the most likely placement of the fossil is close to a terminal node rather than a basal placement in the Calicium clade.Our dating analysis show two successive events giving rise to main clades of mazaediate taxa within the Caliciaceae,in the Upper-Lower Cretaceous boundary and in the Paleocene.As a result of this study,Cyphelium is synonymized with Calicium,Acolium is resurrected,and the new genera Allocalicium and Pseudothelomma are described.Twelve new combinations are proposed:Acolium karelicum,Acolium marcianum,Allocalicium adaequatum,Calicium carolinianum,Calicium lecideinum,Calicium lucidum,Calicium notarisii,Calicium pinicola,Calicium trachyliodes,Pseudothelomma occidentale,Pseudothelomma ocellatum and Thelomma brunneum.A key for the mazaedium-producing Caliciaceae is included.

Diversification of Sisorid catfishes(Teleostei: Siluriformes)in relation to the orogeny of the Himalayan Plateau

Abstract Sisorid catfishes are primarily limited in distribution to rivers of the Himalayan region and Tibetan Plateau. These species have external morphologies that are adapted for extremely fast-flowing riverine systems. Given the diversity of the group and the above qualities of these catfishes, this lineage serves as an ideal group for inferring the geological history of this region based on their phylogenetic relationships reflecting evolu- tionary history. We sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome and four nuclear genes of representative sisorids distributed across river systems in China. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of the Sisoridae and the glyptosternoids. An analysis of the reconstructed ancestral states derived from inferred genealogical relationships suggests that the evolution of this lineage was accompanied by convergent evolution in morphological traits that were presumably in response to environmental pressure involving the rapid flowing river system that were generated during the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau （UTP）. Molecular dating indicates that the Chinese sisorids and the glyptosternoids originated at the later Miocene （~ 10.9-9.8 Mya）, and with further biogeographic analyses indicates that the species of Sisoridae likely originated from a widely distributed ancestor. Moreover, the divergence of the Sisoridae in China can be divided into two phases consis- tent with the UTP. All of these results indicate that the diversification and dispersal events in this lineage occurred as a result of drainage systems formed during and after the UTP in the late Miocene and Quaternary periods.