Cryptic variation in an ecological indicator organism: mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data confirm distinct lineages of Baetis harrisoni Barnard (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in southern Africa
- Authors: Pereira-da-Conceicoa, L L , Price, Benjamin W , Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:7151 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011855
- Description: Baetis harrisoni Barnard is a mayfly frequently encountered in river studies across Africa, but the external morphological features used for identifying nymphs have been observed to vary subtly between different geographic locations. It has been associated with a wide range of ecological conditions, including pH extremes of pH 2.9–10.0 in polluted waters. We present a molecular study of the genetic variation within B. harrisoni across 21 rivers in its distribution range in southern Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
Cryptic variation in an ecological indicator organism: mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data confirm distinct lineages of Baetis harrisoni Barnard (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in Southern Africa
- Authors: Pereira-da-Conceicoa, Lyndall L , Price, Benjamin W , Barber-James, Helen M , Barker, Nigel P , de Moor, Ferdy C , Villet, Martin H
- Date: 2012
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005976 , https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-12-26
- Description: Baetis harrisoni Barnard is a mayfly frequently encountered in river studies across Africa, but the external morphological features used for identifying nymphs have been observed to vary subtly between different geographic locations. It has been associated with a wide range of ecological conditions, including pH extremes of pH 2.9–10.0 in polluted waters. We present a molecular study of the genetic variation within B. harrisoni across 21 rivers in its distribution range in southern Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A synopsis of the Afrotropical Tricorythidae
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7003 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008362
- Description: The Tricorythidae of the Afrotropical Region is currently composed of five described genera, three of which are thought to be restricted to Madagascar (Madecassorythus Elouard and Oliarioniny, Ranorythus Oliarinony and Elouard, and Spinirythus Oliarinony and Elouard), one which is restricted to Africa (Dicercomyzon Demoulin), and one which is thought to be distributed on both landmasses (Tricorythus Eaton). Based on sexual dimorphism, manifest in the relative eye size of mature male and female nymphs and adults and on the structure of the genitalia of adult males, it is proposed that there are two additional genera in Africa, as yet undescribed. One of these genera is represented by a species currently placed in Tricorythus (T. discolor [Burmeister]). Several other undescribed species within South Africa have been identified as belonging to the group. A second lineage is represented by Tricorythus tinctus Kimmins, from Uganda, the only currently described species. There are also several more undescribed species of this group widespread in Africa.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Global diversity of mayflies (Ephemeroptera, Insecta) in freshwater
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M , Gattolliat, J-L , Sartori, Michel , Hubbard, Michael D
- Date: 2008
- Language: English
- Type: text , Article
- Identifier: vital:6895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011655
- Description: The extant global Ephemeroptera fauna is represented by over 3,000 described species in 42 families and more than 400 genera. The highest generic diversity occurs in the Neotropics, with a correspondingly high species diversity, while the Palaearctic has the lowest generic diversity, but a high species diversity. Such distribution patterns may relate to how long evolutionary processes have been carrying on in isolation in a bioregion. Over an extended period, there may be extinction of species, but evolution of more genera. Dramatic extinction events such as the K-T mass extinction have affected current mayfly diversity and distribution. Climatic history plays an important role in the rate of speciation in an area, with regions which have been climatically stable over long periods having fewer species per genus, when compared to regions subjected to climatic stresses, such as glaciation. A total of 13 families are endemic to specific bioregions, with eight among them being monospecific. Most of these have restricted distributions which may be the result of them being the relict of a previously more diverse, but presently almost completely extinct family, or may be the consequence of vicariance events, resulting from evolution due to long-term isolation.
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- Date Issued: 2008
Freshwater invertebrate fauna of the Tristan da Cunha islands (South Atlantic Ocean), with new records for Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7001 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008360
- Description: As part of a multidisciplinary floristic-faunistic study, a three week survey of the invertebrate fauna of Inaccessible Island (South Atlantic Ocean) was carried out in October / November 1989. In addition, one day of collecting was done on Nightingale Island. This paper deals only with the fauna associated with freshwater ecosystems from these islands, some of which are usually associated with marine or brackish conditions. On Inaccessible Island, five distinct types of freshwater body were identified - pH neutral streams, acidic streams (pH 5), an open pool of standing water (pH 6), areas of acidic bog, and seepages down rock faces. The survey, the most comprehensive for Inaccessible Island to date, has resulted in the discovery of 19 aquatic invertebrate species previously unrecorded on Inaccessible Island, two new to Nightingale Island, and 14 of which are new to the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. Many of the species are known from other parts of the world, indicating a low degree of endemicity within the freshwater invertebrate community. Recolonisation from the source populations, preventing an isolated gene pool, may account for the low endemicity. Several of the species have a degree of salinity tolerance, enabling them to withstand transportation across tracts of ocean, and others have marine origins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Global diversity of mayflies (Ephemeroptera, Insecta) in freshwater
- Authors: Barber-James, Helen M , Gattolliat, Jean-Luc , Sartori, Michel , Hubbard, Michael D
- Date: 2007
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008361
- Description: The extant global Ephemeroptera fauna is represented by over 3,000 described species in 42 families and more than 400 genera. The highest generic diversity occurs in the Neotropics, with a correspondingly high species diversity, while the Palaearctic has the lowest generic diversity, but a high species diversity. Such distribution patterns may relate to how long evolutionary processes have been carrying on in isolation in a bioregion. Over an extended period, there may be extinction of species, but evolution of more genera. Dramatic extinction events such as the K-T mass extinction have affected current mayfly diversity and distribution. Climatic history plays an important role in the rate of speciation in an area, with regions which have been climatically stable over long periods having fewer species per genus, when compared to regions subjected to climatic stresses, such as glaciation. A total of 13 families are endemic to specific bioregions, with eight among them being monospecific. Most of these have restricted distributions which may be the result of them being the relict of a previously more diverse, but presently almost completely extinct family, or may be the consequence of vicariance events, resulting from evolution due to long-term isolation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
Tanzaniops, replacement name for certain African Baetidae (Ephemeroptera)
- Authors: McCafferty, W P , Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7009 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008387
- Description: The name Tanzaniella, proposed for an African baetid mayfly by Gillies (1991) was preoccupied. The name Tanzaniops is provided as a replacement for this homonym.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2005
Trans-oceanic and endemic origins of the small minnow mayflies (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) of Madagascar
- Authors: Monaghan, M T , Gattolliat, J L , Sartori, Michel , Elouard, J M , Barber-James, Helen M , Derleth, P , Glaizot, Olivier , de Moor, Ferdy C , Vogler, Alfred P
- Date: 2005
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6957 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011998
- Description: We investigated the relative importance of dispersal and vicariance in forming the Madagascar insect fauna, sequencing approximately 2300bp from three rRNA gene regions to investigate the phylogeny of Afrotropical small minnow mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae). Six lineages contained trans-oceanic sister taxa, and variation in genetic divergence between sister taxa revealed relationships that range from very recent dispersal to ancient vicariance. Dispersal was most recent and frequent in species that spend the larval stage in standing water, adding to evidence that these evolutionarily unstable habitats may select for ecological traits that increase dispersal in insects. Ancestral state likelihood analysis suggested at least one Afrotropical lineage had its origin in Madagascar, demonstrating that unidirectional dispersal from a continental source may be too simplistic. We conclude that the Malagasy mayfly fauna should be considered in a biogeographical context that extends beyond Madagascar itself, encompassing trans-oceanic dispersal within multiple lineages.
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- Date Issued: 2005
A non-paraphyletic classification of the afrotropical genus Acanthiops Waltz & McCafferty (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)
- Authors: Lugo-Ortiz, C R , Barber-James, Helen M , McCafferty, W P , de Moor, Ferdy C
- Date: 2001
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7006 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008384
- Description: Acanthiops Waltz & McCafferty (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is shown to be a monophyletic grouping defined by an anteromedially emarginate and laterally expanded and flattened pronotum in the larva. Attempts to restrict the concept of Acanthiops to Ac. marlieri (Demoulin) and re-erect Afroptiloides Gillies, syn. n., for Ac. elgonensis Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Ac. griffithsi Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, Ac. tsitsa Barber-James & McCafferty, Ac. variegatus (Gillies), Ac. varius (Crass) and Ac. zomba Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, are shown to be based on inconsistent and inadequate morphological features that result in a paraphyletic taxonomy. The unofficial separate treatment of Ac. cooperi (Gillies & Wuillot) and Ac. erepens (Gillies) under Platycloeon Gillies & Wuillot is also shown to be paraphyletic. Acanthiops faro Barber-James & McCafferty, sp. n., is described from larvae from Guinea, and is distinguished by the combination of a papillate projection on labial palp segment 2, small tubercles on terga 1-8 and abdominal colour pattern. Acanthiops io Lugo-Ortiz & McCafferty, sp. n., is described from larvae from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is distinguished by the combination of a papillate projection on palp segment 2, elongate tubercles on terga 1-9 and abdominal colour pattern. The larva of Ac. erepens (Gillies) is redescribed to incorporate morphological features and variability previously not accounted for, and larvae originally assigned to Baetis cataractae Crass are shown to be equivalent to Ac. erepens. New locality data or emendations on locality data are provided for Ac. griffithsi, Ac. tsitsa Barber-James & McCafferty and Ac. varius (Crass).
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2001
A taxonomic and ecological review of Pseudocloeon glaucum (Agnew)(Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)
- Authors: Lugo-Ortiz, C R , de Moor, Ferdy C , Barber-James, Helen M
- Date: 2000
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:7007 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008385
- Description: Pseudocloeon masai (Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty), P. nadineae (Lugo-Ortiz and McCafferty) and P. quintum (Agnew) are junior subjective synonyms of P. glaucum (Agnew). Larvae of P. glaucum manifest a wide range of variation in mouthpart morphology, particularly with respect to the development of the distomedial process of segment 2 of the labial palps, body size, general body colour and abdominal colour pattern. Such variation is observed in different cohorts and populations, and explains why several names have been applied to the same species. Larvae of P. glaucum also have considerable ecological tolerance, accounting for the abundance and widespread distribution of the species in the Afrotropical Region. New records from Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe are provided.
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- Date Issued: 2000