Gli ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) come strumento molecolare per l'identificazione tassonomica di ciprinodontiformi mediterranei

Il genere Valencia (Valenciidae) ha una distribuzione disgiunta, con V. hispanica presente in habitat dulciacquicoli o leggermente salmastri dalla Catalogna meridionale all'estremità meridionale del Golfo di Valencia e V. letourneuxi segnalata nell'Albania meridionale e nella Grecia occidentale. Nel presente lavoro sono stati analizzati e confrontati i profili ISSR dei seguenti esemplari: 2 pesci di dubbia collocazione tassonomica, provenienti da una popolazione mantenuta in cattività da un allevatore amatoriale danese di pesci da acquario, 2 individui di V. hispanica, 5 di V. letourneuxi e 5 dell'altro ciprinodontiforme Aphanius fasciatus. Lo scopo del lavoro è stato quello di 1) saggiare l'efficacia degli ISSR nel risolvere problemi di tipo tassonomico e 2) verificare l'ipotesi di appartenenza dei due esemplari di dubbia collocazione tassonomica ad una delle due specie di Valencia. L'estrazione del DNA è stata effettuata mediante kit di estrazione, utilizzando porzioni di pinna caudale (circa 5 mg ciascuna) fissate in etanolo. Sono stati utilizzati 9 primer che hanno fornito complessivamente 101 loci. Il confronto dei profili ISSR, e l'analisi dei cluster basata sulla matrice delle dissimilarità di Rogers e Tanimoto hanno consentito di assegnare gli individui di dubbia identità a V. hispanica. Gli ISSR si sono rivelati uno strumento efficace per la risoluzione di problemi di tipo tassonomico

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

A new species of the genus Nothobranchius (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the coastal area of northeastern Mozambique

Valdesalici, Stefano (2007): A new species of the genus Nothobranchius (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the coastal area of northeastern Mozambique. Zootaxa 1587: 61-68, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17848

FIGURE 3 in Laimosemion leticia (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), a new species from the upper Rio Amazonas, Southern Colombia

FIGURE 3. Distribution of subgenus Owiyeye black dot, miniature species white dot. Symbol may represent more than one locality

Laimosemion leticia (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), a new species from the upper Rio Amazonas, Southern Colombia

Valdesalici, Stefano (2016): Laimosemion leticia (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), a new species from the upper Rio Amazonas, Southern Colombia. Zootaxa 4085 (2), DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4085.2.

Nothobranchius hengstleri Valdesalici, 2007, new species

<i>Nothobranchius hengstleri,</i> new species <p>(Figs. 1–4)</p> <p> <i>Nothobranchius</i> species “Nassoro” MZHL- 2005-14, Hengstler&Valdesalici (2006)</p> <p> <b>Holotype.</b> ZSM 34483 (male, 41.3 mm SL); Mozambique: Cabo Delgado: about 5 km north of Nassoro village, temporary pools, not connected to any permanent river system, 10°53.222’S, 40°22.094’E, Holger Hengstler and Silverio Vendo, 18 May 2005. Collected with large hand nets and preserved after seven months of aquarium maintenance.</p> <p> <b>Paratypes.</b> ZSM 34484 (female, 40.5 mm SL), same collection and preservation data as for holotype (upper part of caudal fin removed for DNA extraction). ZSM 34485 (female, 33.1 mm SL), 34486 (male, 30.9 mm SL), same collection data as for holotype (preserved in field).</p> <p> <b>Diagnosis.</b> <i>Nothobranchius hengstleri</i> is distinguished from <i>N. melanospilus</i> and <i>N.</i> cf. <i>melanospilus</i> on the basis of both meristic and morphometric data, male and female coloration, and by a more convex dorsal profile. Male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from male <i>N. melanospilus</i> in having a greater body depth (30.4–31.8 <i>vs</i>.</p> <p> 29.3–30.3 % SL), a longer head (33.3–33.4 <i>vs</i>. 26.8–28.3 % SL), a longer prepelvic length (49.6–50.1 <i>vs</i>. 45.6–48.9 % SL); males and females have fewer scales in longitudinal series (25–26 <i>vs</i>. 31–32).</p> <p> Male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from male <i>N.</i> cf. <i>melanospilus</i> in having a greater body depth (30.5–31.8 <i>vs</i>. 25.6–28.2 % SL), a longer head (33.3–33.5 <i>vs</i>. 29.5–32.6 % SL); males and females have fewer scales in the longitudinal series (25–26 <i>vs</i>. 29–30).</p> <p> Males differ from males of the other two species in having a deeper red coloration over the entire body and head, a spotted anal fin (well defined brown spots over entire fin <i>vs</i>. few spots limited at base), a different caudal-fin pattern (deep red, with a well defined complete black margin <i>vs</i>. red, without any particular marking or with thin rudimentary black margin sometimes reduced on upper and lower angle), and a different caudal fin shape (perfectly rounded vs. rounded to subtruncate). Female <i>N. hengstleri</i> differ from female <i>N. melanospilus</i> by the spots on body and fins (absent vs. present) and by the caudal fin shape indicated immediately before. They also differ from female <i>N.</i> cf. <i>melanospilus</i> by the spots on body and fins (absent vs. present but rudimentary in analyzed populations; absent in other populations) (Seegers, 1986; 1997; 2003; Rosenstock, 2003).</p> <p> Among other closely related species, male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from male <i>N. vosseleri</i> in having a longer head (33.3–33.4 <i>vs.</i> 25.1–31.5 %SL), anal fin pattern (spots forming approximately three or four arch-like stripes in middle part of fin <i>vs.</i> small spots extending on fin rays and irregular stripes), male <i>N. vosseleri</i> from “Korogwe” area by dorsal and anal fins coloration (yellow-green <i>vs.</i> yellow-grey to pale blue), males and females with fewer scales in longitudinal series (25–26 <i>vs</i>. 25–31), and fewer anal fin rays (14–16 <i>vs.</i> 15–18).</p> <p> Male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs form male <i>N. interruptus</i> in having a deeper red colorations over the entire body and head, caudal fin coloration (deep red with complete black margin <i>vs.</i> pale to clear red with irregular blue-grey to almost colorless border), dorsal fin coloration (yellow-green, with red to brown spots <i>vs.</i> bluegrey to olive with dark grey spots), anal fin coloration (yellow-green with red/brown spots <i>vs.</i> olive-yellow to pale blue with some grey spots near fin base), males and females with fewer scales in longitudinal series (25– 26 <i>vs</i>. 27–32), and caudal fin shape (perfectly rounded <i>vs.</i> subtruncate).</p> <p> Male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from male <i>N. jubbi</i> in having a deeper red colorations over the entire body and head, dorsal fin coloration (yellowish with red/brown spots <i>vs.</i> blue-grey to olive with red brown spots), anal fin coloration (yellow-green, with red-brown spots <i>vs.</i> olive-yellow to pale blue with some grey spots near fin base), caudal fin coloration (deep red with complete black margin <i>vs.</i> blue-grey with a pattern of red- brown spots and a white margin in blue morph and clear red followed by a wide blue-grey band and white border in red morph), female <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from female <i>N. jubbi</i> in body and unpaired fins pattern (not marked <i>vs.</i> dark border on body scales and small dark gray marking at base of fins), males and females with fewer scales in longitudinal series (25–26 <i>vs</i>. 29–32), fewer dorsal (13–16 <i>vs.</i> 15–20) and anal fin rays (14–16 vs.15– 19), caudal fin shape (perfectly rounded <i>vs.</i> subtruncate).</p> <p> Male <i>N. hengstleri</i> differs from male <i>N. elongatus</i> in having a deeper red colorations over the entire body and head, anal fin coloration (yellow-green, with red/brown spots <i>vs.</i> yellow-grey with few red spots near fin base); males and females have fewer scales in longitudinal series (25–26 <i>vs.</i> 30–32), fewer anal fin rays (14– 16 <i>vs.</i> 16–18), and caudal fin shape (perfectly rounded vs. subtruncate).</p> <p> <b>Description.</b> Morphometric data appear in Table 1.</p> <p> A robust, moderately deep-bodied <i>Nothobranchius</i> with pointed snout, terminal mouth directed upward. Dorsal fin rays 13–16; anal fin rays 14–16. Longitudinal series of scales 25–26 + 2–4 on caudal fin base. Cephalic squamation pattern variable, with one specimen (ZSM 34486) showing G-type. Anterior neuromast series on head ‘open’ type; central series in two shallow grooves, lined with low lobes; posterior cephalic neuromast series with curved shallow pits on each side. Preopercular neuromast system in open groove, distal ridge slightly overlapping opercle. One neuromast on each scale of mid-lateral line.</p> <p>Males. Body profile convex on dorsal and ventral margins, slightly concave on caudal peduncle posterior to dorsal and anal fins. Greatest body depth observed at level of pelvic fins base. Dorsal and anal fins rounded, their tips with rudimentary filamentous rays. Caudal fin perfectly rounded. Membranes of pelvic fins fusing near the base, tips reaching urogenital papilla. Dorsal and anal fins with small papillate contact organs. Opercular membrane projecting from opercle, distal edge slightly wrinkled.</p> <p>In percent of standard length In percent of head length Females. Body less compressed and deep compared to males. Dorsal fin rounded; anal fin triangular, with rounded tip; caudal fin perfecly rounded. Anal fin positioned more posteriorly compared to males. Membranes of pelvic fins fusing near the base, tips reaching urogenital papilla. Opercular membrane not projecting from opercle.</p> <p>Maximum observed size of males 41.3 mm SL. Maximum observed size of females 40.5 mm SL.</p> <p> <b>Color in life</b>. Male (Fig. 3). Scales on body and head light blue, with distinct red margins, resulting in a reticulated pattern. Scale margins in ventral area orange. Snout, throat, frontal and upper/dorsal part of head deep red. Scales on middle part of caudal peduncle and on caudal fin base red. Dorsal fin yellowish-green, with pattern of red/brown spots forming arch-like stripes and narrow lines; spots on distal part of fin smaller and more dense, with white to light blue border and with thin submarginal blue band. Anal fin yellow-green, with pattern of red/brown spots forming approximately three or four arch-like stripes in middle part of fin; spots near base distally fused in narrow lines extending onto fin rays; fin with white to light blue border. Caudal fin deep red, with complete black margin. Pelvic fins light yellow-green, with some brown spots parallel to fin rays, light blue border and brown submarginal band. Pectoral fins hyaline, with light blue margin. Iris golden, with light blue iridescences and faint dark vertical bar.</p> <p>Female (Fig. 4). Body pale olive-brown, darker grey-brown dorsally; light brown to almost silvery-white ventrally. Flank scales with light blue iridescence. Unpaired and paired fins hyaline. Iris golden, with a faint dark vertical bar.</p> <p> <b>Color in alcohol.</b> Male (Fig.1). Body scales light brown to whitish, almost all scales with distinct dark red margin. Dorsal fin light brown with a pattern dark brown spots. Anal fin light brown. Caudal fin light brown with dark red lines exending on fin rays. Pelvic and pectoral fins light brown. Iris bluish.</p> <p>Female (Fig. 2). Body light brown to whitish, scales with a narrow brown margin. Opercular and ventral area yellowish to light orange. Unpaired and paired fins pale light brown to whitish. Iris blueish.</p> <p> <b>Distribution and habitat.</b> (Figs. 5–6). <i>N. hengstleri</i> is only known from the type locality, a temporary pool in a small coastal plateau, about 10 km long by 20 km wide, altitude 67 m, in northeastern Mozambique, approximately 5 km north Nassoro village, Cabo Delgado province. The species probably has a wider range, but this can only be ascertained through additional collecting.</p> <p>The very small pool was at the time of collection about 6 m long, 1.5 m wide and shallow (about 0.10 m deep). No aquatic vegetation was present, with only dry grass along the shore. The water was brown and turbid and the pH 7.5. No other fish species were present.</p> <p> <b>Etymology.</b> The new species is named in honor of the collector, Mr. Holger Hengstler of Munich, Germany.</p>Published as part of <i>Valdesalici, Stefano, 2007, A new species of the genus Nothobranchius (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from the coastal area of northeastern Mozambique, pp. 61-68 in Zootaxa 1587</i> on pages 62-66, DOI: <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/178488">10.5281/zenodo.178488</a&gt

FIGURE 1 in Laimosemion leticia (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), a new species from the upper Rio Amazonas, Southern Colombia

FIGURE 1. Laimosemion leticia, IAvH-P 12943, holotype, male, 21.1 mm SL; Colombia: Amazonas: Leticia (Photo S. Valdesalici)

Rivulus staecki, a new killifish (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the upper Rio Negro drainage in southern Venezuela

Rivulus staecki, a new species of the subgenus Owiyeye, is described from the upper Rio Negro drainage in southern Venezuela (Estado Amazonas). It differs from the other species of the subgenus by a unique combination of character states: a truncate caudal fin, elongated pelvic fins in males, presence of a 'rivulus spot' in both sexes and 35 – 38 scales in the longitudinal series

Description of a new killifish of the genus Rivulus (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from south eastern Peru

Rivulus parlettei spec. nov. from south eastern Peru (Departamento Cusco) is described. It is a member of the R. limoncochae group (as diagnosed by Costa, 2010) and differs from all the other species of this assemblage by its unique colour pattern and different morphology. It is distinguished from its geographic neighbour R. christinae by irregular interrupted lines of dots wider than the interspaces on body sides (versus longitudinal rows of dots forming stripes narrower than the interspaces). The infl uence of the occupation of distinct microhabitats for the radiation of the clades and the possible process of speciation of the new species are briefl y discussed

Nothobranchius seegersi (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), a new annual killifish from the Malagarasi River drainage, Tanzania

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