Phylogeographic Analysis Elucidates the Influence of the Ice Ages on the Disjunct Distribution of Relict Dragonflies in Asia

Unusual biogeographic patterns of closely related groups reflect events in the past, and molecular analyses can help to elucidate these events. While ample research on the origin of disjunct distributions of different organism groups in the Western Paleartic has been conducted, such studies are rare for Eastern Palearctic organisms. In this paper we present a phylogeographic analysis of the disjunct distribution pattern of the extant species of the strongly cool-adapted Epiophlebia dragonflies from Asia. We investigated sequences of the usually more conserved 18 S rDNA and 28 S rDNA genes and the more variable sequences of ITS1, ITS2 and CO2 of all three currently recognised Epiophlebia species and of a sample of other odonatan species. In all genes investigated the degrees of similarity between species of Epiophlebia are very high and resemble those otherwise found between different populations of the same species in Odonata. This indicates that substantial gene transfer between these populations occurred in the comparatively recent past. Our analyses imply a wide distribution of the ancestor of extant Epiophlebia in Southeast Asia during the last ice age, when suitable habitats were more common. During the following warming phase, its range contracted, resulting in the current disjunct distribution. Given the strong sensitivity of these species to climatic parameters, the current trend to increasing global temperatures will further reduce acceptable habitats and seriously threaten the existences of these last representatives of an ancient group of Odonata

Cladistical analysis of the Jovian and Saturnian satellite systems

Jupiter and Saturn each have complex systems of satellites and rings. These satellites can be classified into dynamical groups, implying similar formation scenarios. Recently, a larger number of additional irregular satellites have been discovered around both gas giants that have yet to be classified. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationships between the satellites and rings of the gas giants, using an analytical technique called cladistics. Cladistics is traditionally used to examine relationships between living organisms, the 'tree of life.' In this work, we perform the first cladistical study of objects in a planetary science context. Our method uses the orbital, physical, and compositional characteristics of satellites to classify the objects in the Jovian and Saturnian systems. We find that the major relationships between the satellites in the two systems, such as families, as presented in previous studies, are broadly preserved. In addition, based on our analysis of the Jovian system, we identify a new retrograde irregular family, the Iocaste family, and suggest that the Phoebe family of the Saturnian system can be further divided into two subfamilies. We also propose that the Saturnian irregular families be renamed, to be consistent with the convention used in Jovian families. Using cladistics, we are also able to assign the new unclassified irregular satellites into families. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the potential use of the cladistical technique in the investigation of relationships between orbital bodies

A fossil insect wing belonging to the new order Paramecoptera, ancestral to the Trichoptera and Lepidoptera from the Upper Coal-Measures of Newcastle, N.S.W

Volume: 44Start Page: 231End Page: 25

Description and life-history of a new species of Nannophlebia

Volume: 37Start Page: 712End Page: 72

The panorpoid complex. A study of the phylogeny of the holometabolous insects, with special reference to the subclasses Panorpoidea and Neuropteroidea. [Introduction]

Volume: 43Start Page: 265End Page: 28

Upper Permian insects of New South Wales. IV. The order Odonata

Volume: 60Start Page: 374End Page: 39

Report on the neuropteroid insects of the hot springs region, N.Z., in relation to the problem of trout food

Volume: 45Start Page: 205End Page: 21

Studies in Australian Neuroptera. No. i. The wing-venation of the Myrmeleonidae

Volume: 40Start Page: 734End Page: 75

The mayflies of the Mount Kosciusko region. I. (Plectoptera). Introduction and family Siphlonuridae

Volume: 58Start Page: 1End Page: 3