Eniochobothriids, which parasitise soley cownose rays, are particularly intriguing because of their mode of attachment and lack of a vagina. New collections from around the globe yielded substantial, previously unrecognised diversity. Supported by molecular sequence data, a new genus is erected and six new species are described. The mode of attachment for the family is described. Given the limited spectrum of hosts for members of the family, its diversity is predicted not to exceed 27 species globally.
Invertebrate Systematics
Volume 36 Number 10 2022
Estimating species diversity is critical for all biological fields but objectively determining species diversity can be challenging. We investigated the speciation history and explored the species diversity in a tiger beetle species complex using an integrative approach. We also demonstrated that allopatric speciation and population subdivision could occur at fine geographic scale even if the system has been expected to exhibit high dispersal ability. Therefore, neglected species diversity may still hide in plain sight in many empirical systems.
IS22013Deconstructing the crustacean squat lobster genus Munida to reconstruct the evolutionary history and systematics of the family Munididae (Decapoda, Anomura, Galatheoidea)
Phylogenetic studies of the squat lobster family Munididae have suggested polyphyletic origins for the most speciose genus Munida (~300 species) and the paraphyly of Munididae. Using an integrative approach, we confirm the validity of most genera and propose new ones. Lineage divergence times and ancestral biogeographic area reconstructions complement the taxonomic profiles and suggest explosive diversification within Munididae during the Cretaceous and Palaeogene. Our study highlights the importance of the integrative approach in accurately delineating species in understanding the history of a family and the factors driving the evolution.