Ants in the genera Anochetus and Odontomachus belong to one of the largest clades in the subfamily Ponerinae, and are one of four lineages of ants possessing spring-loaded "trap-jaws." Here we present results from the first global species-level molecular phylogenetic analysis of these trap-jaw ants, reconstructed from one mitochondrial, one ribosomal RNA, and three nuclear protein-coding genes. Bayesian and likelihood analyses strongly support reciprocal monophyly for the genera Anochetus and Odontomachus. Additionally, we found strong support for seven trap-jaw ant clades (four in Anochetus and three in Odontomachus) mostly concordant with geographic distribution. Ambiguity remains concerning the closest living non-trap-jaw ant relative of the Anochetus+Odontomachus clade, but Bayes factor hypothesis testing strongly suggests that trap-jaw ants evolved from a short mandible ancestor. Ponerine trap-jaw ants originated in the early Eocene (52.5Mya) in either South America or Southeast Asia, where they have radiated rapidly in the last 30million years, and subsequently dispersed multiple times to Africa and Australia. These results will guide future taxonomic work on the group and act as a phylogenetic framework to study the macroevolution of extreme ant mouthpart specialization.

• Klíčová slova
• Anochetus, Ants, Odontomachus, Phylogenetics, Trap-jaw ants,
• MeSH
• Bayesova věta MeSH
• cytochromy b klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Formicidae klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• fylogeografie MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 28S klasifikace   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika MeSH
• Austrálie MeSH
• jihovýchodní Asie MeSH
• Jižní Amerika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytochromy b MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 28S MeSH

Phylogenetic relationships of sub-Saharan African natricine snakes are understudied and poorly understood, which in turn has precluded analyses of the historical biogeography of the Seychelles endemic Lycognathophis seychellensis. We inferred the phylogenetic relationships of Seychelles and mainland sub-Saharan natricines by analysing a multilocus DNA sequence dataset for three mitochondrial (mt) and four nuclear (nu) genes. The mainland sub-Saharan natricines and L. seychellensis comprise a well-supported clade. Two maximally supported sets of relationships within this clade are (Limnophis,Natriciteres) and (Afronatrix,(Hydraethiops,Helophis)). The relationships of L. seychellensis with respect to these two lineages are not clearly resolved by analysing concatenated mt and nu data. Analysed separately, nu data best support a sister relationship of L. seychellensis with (Afronatrix,(Hydraethiops,Helophis)) and mt data best support a sister relationship with all mainland sub-Saharan natricines. Methods designed to cope with incomplete lineage sorting strongly favour the former hypothesis. Genetic variation among up to 33 L. seychellensis from five Seychelles islands is low. Fossil calibrated divergence time estimates support an overseas dispersal of the L. seychellensis lineage to the Seychelles from mainland Africa ca. 43-25 million years before present (Ma), rather than this taxon being a Gondwanan relic.

• Klíčová slova
• Biogeography, Gondwana, Natricidae, Natricinae, Overseas dispersal, Systematics,
• MeSH
• Colubridae genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• fylogeografie * MeSH
• molekulární evoluce * MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Seychely MeSH
• subsaharská Afrika MeSH

Peridinialean dinophytes include a unique evolutionary group of algae harboring a diatom as an endosymbiont (Kryptoperidiniaceae), whose phylogenetic origin and internal relationships are not fully resolved at present. Several interpretations of the thecal plate pattern present in Durinskia oculata currently compete and lead to considerable taxonomic confusion. Moreover, it is unclear at present whether the species is restricted to freshwater habitats, or occurs in the marine environment as well. We collected material at the type locality of D. oculata in the Czech Republic and established monoclonal strains. Dinophyte cells were studied using light and electron microscopy, and we also determined DNA sequences of several rRNA regions (including the Internal Transcribed Spacers) for molecular characterization and phylogenetics. The morphology of strain GeoM∗662 indicated a plate formula of Po, X, 4', 2a, 6″, 5c, 5s, 5‴, 2⁗, which was sustained also in form of a microscopic slide serving as an epitype. In the molecular DNA tree based on a matrix composed of concatenated rRNA sequences, strain GeoM∗662 showed a close relationship to other species of Durinskia, and the freshwater species clearly differs from the marine members. Two independent colonization events from the marine into the freshwater environment can be inferred within the Kryptoperidiniaceae. We provide a summarizing cladogram of dinophytes harboring a diatom as endosymbiont with evolutionary novelties indicated as well as a morphological key to the 6 species of Durinskia that are currently accepted.

• Klíčová slova
• Epitype, Molecular sequence diagnostics, Morphology, Ribosomal RNA, Sequence comparison, Taxonomy,
• MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• pravděpodobnostní funkce MeSH
• RNA ribozomální chemie   genetika   MeSH
• rozsivky cytologie   genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• RNA ribozomální MeSH

Views on myxosporean phylogeny and systematics have recently undergone substantial changes resulting from analyses of SSU rDNA. Here, we further investigate the evolutionary trends within myxosporean lineages by using 35 new sequences of the LSU rDNA. We show a good agreement between the two rRNA genes and confirm the main phylogenetic split between the freshwater and marine lineages. The informative superiority of the LSU data is shown by an increase of the resolution, nodal supports and tree indexes in the LSU rDNA and combined analyses. We determine the most suitable part of LSU for the myxosporean phylogeny by comparing informative content in various regions of the LSU sequences. Based on this comparison, we propose the D5-3'-end part of the LSU rRNA gene as the most informative region which provides in concatenation with the complete SSU a well resolved and robust tree. To allow for simple amplification of the marker, we design specific primer set for this part of LSU rDNA.

• MeSH
• Bayesova věta MeSH
• DNA primery MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• geny rRNA MeSH
• molekulární evoluce * MeSH
• Myxozoa klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• pravděpodobnostní funkce MeSH
• ribozomální DNA genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• sekvenční seřazení MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA primery MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH

The melyrid lineage of beetles form a distinct group of the superfamily Cleroidea with a high level of soft-bodiedness. Here we present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of this group. The data matrix included partial sequences of the small and large subunits of rRNA, the mitochondrial large subunit rRNA, and cytochrome oxidase subunit I of 67 melyrid and eight outgroup taxa. The concatenated sequences were analysed using maximum-parsimony (MP), maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian analysis (BA) approach. The results strongly supported the monophyly of the melyrid lineage splitting into six major clades: Rhadalidae, Mauroniscidae, Prionoceridae, Melyridae sensu stricto, Dasytidae and Malachiidae. The rhadalids were placed in the most basal position, followed by mauroniscids and prionocerids. Three terminal lineages-the true melyrids, dasytids, and malachiids-are well supported by all analyses, but their mutual relationships remain uncertain as MP analysis proposed alternative topologies to that of the ML and BA trees, with often low node support in the latter two methods. The monophyly of the subfamily Danacaeinae (Dasytidae) with respect to the danacaeine genera of the southern hemisphere (Hylodanacaea, Listrocerus, Amecocerus) was challenged as they were found to be polyphyletic. Similarly, the monophyly of Attalus was rejected by our analyses and shown to be polyphyletic. Based on the preferred phylogenetic hypothesis, the subfamilies Rhadalinae, Dasytinae and Malachiinae are elevated to family rank. © The Willi Hennig Society 2011.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Euglenids are a well-known group of single-celled eukaryotes, with phototrophic, osmotrophic and phagotrophic members. Phagotrophs represent most of the phylogenetic diversity of euglenids, and gave rise to the phototrophs and osmotrophs, but their evolutionary relationships are poorly understood. Symbiontids, in contrast, are anaerobes that are alternatively inferred to be derived euglenids, or a separate euglenozoan group. Most phylogenetic studies of euglenids have examined the SSU rDNA only, which is often highly divergent. Also, many phagotrophic euglenids (and symbiontids) are uncultured, restricting collection of other molecular data. We generated transcriptome data for 28 taxa, mostly using a single-cell approach, and conducted the first multigene phylogenetic analyses of euglenids to include phagotrophs and symbiontids. Euglenids are recovered as monophyletic, with symbiontids forming an independent branch within Euglenozoa. Spirocuta, the clade of flexible euglenids that contains both the phototrophs (Euglenophyceae) and osmotrophs (Aphagea), is robustly resolved, with the ploeotid Olkasia as its sister group, forming the new taxon Olkaspira. Ploeotids are paraphyletic, although Ploeotiidae (represented by Ploeotia spp.), Lentomonas, and Keelungia form a robust clade (new taxon Alistosa). Petalomonadida branches robustly as sister to other euglenids in outgroup-rooted analyses. Within Spirocuta, Euglenophyceae is a robust clade that includes Rapaza, and Anisonemia is a well-supported monophyletic group containing Anisonemidae (Anisonema and Dinema spp.), 'Heteronema II' (represented by H. vittatum), and a clade of Neometanema plus Aphagea. Among 'peranemid' phagotrophs, Chasmostoma branches with included Urceolus, and Peranema with the undescribed 'Jenningsia II', while other relationships are weakly supported and consequently the closest sister group to Euglenophyceae remains unresolved. Our results are inconsistent with recent inferences that Entosiphon is the evolutionarily pivotal sister either to other euglenids, or to Spirocuta. At least three transitions between posterior and anterior flagellar gliding occurred in euglenids, with the phylogenetic positions and directions of those transitions remaining ambiguous.

• Klíčová slova
• Cell motility, Euglenozoa, Phylogenomics, Protozoa, Spirocuta, Symbiontida,
• MeSH
• biologická evoluce MeSH
• Euglenida klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Malacosporeans represent a small fraction of myxozoan biodiversity with only two genera and three species described. They cycle between bryozoans and freshwater fish. In this study, we (i) microscopically examine and screen different freshwater/marine fish species from various geographic locations and habitats for the presence of malacosporeans using PCR; (ii) study the morphology, prevalence, host species/habitat preference and distribution of malacosporeans; (iii) perform small subunit/large subunit rDNA and Elongation factor 2 based phylogenetic analyses of newly gathered data, together with all available malacosporean data in GenBank; and (iv) investigate the evolutionary trends of malacosporeans by mapping the morphology of bryozoan-related stages, host species, habitat and geographic data on the small subunit rDNA-based phylogenetic tree. We reveal a high prevalence and diversity of malacosporeans in several fish hosts in European freshwater habitats by adding five new species of Buddenbrockia and Tetracapsuloides from cyprinid and perciform fishes. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses revealed that, apart from Buddenbrockia and Tetracapsuloides clades, a novel malacosporean lineage (likely a new genus) exists. The fish host species spectrum was extended for Buddenbrockia plumatellae and Buddenbrockia sp. 2. Co-infections of up to three malacosporean species were found in individual fish. The significant increase in malacosporean species richness revealed in the present study points to a hidden biodiversity in this parasite group. This is most probably due to the cryptic nature of malacosporean sporogonic and presporogonic stages and mostly asymptomatic infections in the fish hosts. The potential existence of malacosporean life cycles in the marine environment as well as the evolution of worm- and sac-like morphology is discussed. This study improves the understanding of the biodiversity, prevalence, distribution, habitat and host preference of malacosporeans and unveils their evolutionary trends.

• Klíčová slova
• Bryozoa, Buddenbrockia, Cryptic, Diversity, Fish, Phylogeny, Tetracapsuloides, Worm,
• MeSH
• biodiverzita * MeSH
• biologická evoluce * MeSH
• elongační faktor 2 genetika   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• Myxozoa klasifikace   cytologie   genetika   MeSH
• protozoální DNA genetika   MeSH
• ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální genetika   MeSH
• ryby parazitologie   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• elongační faktor 2 MeSH
• protozoální DNA MeSH
• ribozomální DNA MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH
• RNA ribozomální MeSH
• RNA, ribosomal, 26S MeSH Prohlížeč

The presence of a nucleus and other membrane-bounded intracellular compartments is the defining feature of eukaryotic cells. Endosymbiosis accounts for the origins of mitochondria and plastids, but the evolutionary ancestry of the remaining cellular compartments is incompletely documented. Resolving the evolutionary history of organelle-identity encoding proteins within the endomembrane system is a necessity for unravelling the origins and diversification of the endogenously derived organelles. Comparative genomics reveals events after the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA), but resolution of events prior to LECA, and a full account of the intracellular compartments present in LECA, has proved elusive. We have devised and exploited a new phylogenetic strategy to reconstruct the history of the Rab GTPases, a key family of endomembrane-specificity proteins. Strikingly, we infer a remarkably sophisticated organellar composition for LECA, which we predict possessed as many as 23 Rab GTPases. This repertoire is significantly greater than that present in many modern organisms and unexpectedly indicates a major role for secondary loss in the evolutionary diversification of the endomembrane system. We have identified two Rab paralogues of unknown function but wide distribution, and thus presumably ancient nature; RabTitan and RTW. Furthermore, we show that many Rab paralogues emerged relatively suddenly during early metazoan evolution, which is in stark contrast to the lack of significant Rab family expansions at the onset of most other major eukaryotic groups. Finally, we reconstruct higher-order ancestral clades of Rabs primarily linked with endocytic and exocytic process, suggesting the presence of primordial Rabs associated with the establishment of those pathways and giving the deepest glimpse to date into pre-LECA history of the endomembrane system.

• MeSH
• eukaryotické buňky klasifikace   enzymologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• intracelulární membrány enzymologie   MeSH
• klasifikace metody   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• Rab proteiny vázající GTP genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• hodnotící studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• Rab proteiny vázající GTP MeSH

The two stork species that nest in Central Europe, Ciconia ciconia and Ciconia nigra, have been repeatedly shown to host the digenetic trematode Cathaemasia hians (Rudolphi, 1809) in their esophagus and muscular stomach. These host species differ in their habitat and food preferences, and the morphologic characters of C. hians isolates ex Ci. nigra and Ci. ciconia are not identical. These differences led to a previous proposal of two subspecies, Cathaemasia hians longivitellata Macko, 1960, and Cathaemasia hians hians Macko, 1960. We hypothesize that the Cathaemasia hians isolates ex Ci. nigra and Ci. ciconia represent two independent species. Therefore, in the present study, we performed the first molecular analyses of C. hians individuals that were consistent with the diagnosis of C. hians hians (ex Ci. nigra) and C. hians longivitellata (ex Ci. ciconia). The combined molecular and comparative morphological analyses of the central European Cathaemasia individuals ex Ci. nigra and Ci. ciconia led to the proposal of a split of C. hians into C. hians sensu stricto (formerly C. hians hians) and C. longivitellata sp. n. (formerly C. hians longivitellata). Morphological analyses confirmed that the length of the vitellaria is the key identification feature of the two previously mentioned species. Both Cathaemasia spp. substantially differ at the molecular level and have strict host specificity, which might be related to differences in the habitat and food preferences of the two stork species.

• Klíčová slova
• Aves, Cathaemasiidae, Digenea, Lymnaea, Planorbis, Trematoda, esophagus,
• MeSH
• DNA helmintů genetika   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• fylogeneze * MeSH
• hostitelská specificita * MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• Trematoda * anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA helmintů MeSH

Broad tapeworms (Diphyllobothriidea) are parasites whose adults are capable of infecting a wide range of freshwater, marine and terrestrial tetrapods including humans. Previous works examining the evolution of habitat and host use in this group have been hampered by the lack of a well-resolved phylogeny. In order to produce a robust phylogenetic framework for diphyllobothriideans, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of 13 representatives, carefully chosen to cover the major clades, and two outgroup species representing the Spathebothriidea and Haplobothriidea. In addition, complementary data from the nuclear ribosomal operon was sequenced for 10 representative taxa. Mitogenomes and ssrDNA and lsrDNA were used towards elucidating the phylogenetic framework for the Diphyllobothriidea. The Cephalochlamydidae is confirmed as the earliest diverging diphyllobothriidean lineage, and Solenophoridae and Diphyllobothriidae are sister groups. We infer a probable freshwater origin of the diphyllobothriideans. The ancestral condition for life cycle complexity could not be unambiguously resolved. However, we infer exclusive use of a three-host life cycle following the origin of the Solenophoridae + Diphyllobothriidae. Regarding definitive host use, although we infer reptiles as the most likely ancestral condition, this result should be revisited with a more densely sampled phylogeny in future studies. Freshwater habitat is used by the early diverging lineages within the Solenophoridae + Diphyllobothriidae clade. For the latter, habitat use shifts between freshwater and marine environments, and definitive host use includes marine and terrestrial mammals and birds. We use mitochondrial genomes to distinguish Schistocephalus species occurring in different species of sticklebacks and demonstrate conspecificity of Ligula cf. intestinalis specimens collected from two Fennoscandian ringed seal subspecies.

• Klíčová slova
• 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, Ancestral character estimation, Diphyllobothriosis, Genome-skimming, Sparganosis, Systematics,
• MeSH
• Cestoda * genetika   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genom mitochondriální * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• operon MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH