Robyn Howitt

Phylogenetic analysis of New Zealand earthworms (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) reveals ancient clades and cryptic taxonomic diversity.

We have constructed the first ever phylogeny for the New Zealand earthworm fauna (Megascolecinae and Acanthodrilinae) including representatives from other major continental regions. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed from 427 base pairs from the mitochondrial large subunit (16S) rRNA gene and 661 base pairs from the nuclear large subunit (28S) rRNA gene. Within the Acanthodrilinae we were able to identify a number of well-supported clades that were restricted to continental landmasses. Estimates of nodal support for these major clades were generally high, but relationships among clades were poorly resolved. The phylogenetic analyses revealed several independent lineages in New Zealand, some of which had a comparable phylogenetic depth to monophyletic groups sampled from Madagascar, Africa, North America and Australia. These results are consistent with at least some of these clades having inhabited New Zealand since rifting from Gondwana in the Late Cretaceous. Within the New Zealand Acanthodrilinae, major clades tended to be restricted to specific regions of New Zealand, with the central North Island and Cook Strait representing major biogeographic boundaries. Our field surveys of New Zealand and subsequent identification has also revealed extensive cryptic taxonomic diversity with approximately 48 new species sampled in addition to the 199 species recognized by previous authors. Our results indicate that further survey and taxonomic work is required to establish a foundation for future biogeographic and ecological research on this vitally important component of the New Zealand biota.

Selection on MHC class II supertypes in the New Zealand endemic Hochstetter’s frog

BackgroundThe New Zealand native frogs, family Leiopelmatidae, are among the most archaic in the world. Leiopelma hochstetteri (Hochstetter’s frog) is a small, semi-aquatic frog with numerous, fragmented populations scattered across New Zealand’s North Island. We characterized a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II B gene (DAB) in L. hochstetteri from a spleen transcriptome, and then compared its diversity to neutral microsatellite markers to assess the adaptive genetic diversity of five populations (“evolutionarily significant units”, ESUs).ResultsL. hochstetteri possessed very high MHC diversity, with 74 DAB alleles characterized. Extremely high differentiation was observed at the DAB locus, with only two alleles shared between populations, a pattern that was not reflected in the microsatellites. Clustering analysis on putative peptide binding residues of the DAB alleles indicated four functional supertypes, all of which were represented in 4 of 5 populations, albeit at different frequencies. Otawa was an exception to these observations, with only two DAB alleles present.ConclusionsThis study of MHC diversity highlights extreme population differentiation at this functional locus. Supertype differentiation was high among populations, suggesting spatial and/or temporal variation in selection pressures. Low DAB diversity in Otawa may limit this population’s adaptive potential to future pathogenic challenges.

A revision of the New Zealand Placostylus land snails using mitochondrial DNA and shell morphometric analyses, with implications for conservation

Abstract We have analysed mitochondrial DNA and shell morphometric data from all species and subspecies of Placostylus land snails in New Zealand. These subspecies were originally described on the basis of shell morphology. The genetic data show that each of the three species P. bollonsi, P. hongii and P. ambagiosus are well differentiated and monphyletic for mitochondrial DNA, consistent with their species status. Variation among subspecies within each of the three species was minimal with sharing of haplotypes among subspecies. Morphometric analysis of shell shape characters shows large amounts of environmental plasticity. On the basis of these data we have synonymised all subspecies within each of the three Placostylus species. Consequently, the New Zealand fauna now consists of three Placostylus species, P. ambagiosus, P. hongii and P. bollonsi, and no subspecies. We recommend conservation of multiple populations within each species to ensure preservation of genetic variation.

The phylogenetic position of the New Zealand batfly, Mystacinobia zelandica (Mystacinobiidae; Oestroidea) inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA sequence data

The New Zealand batfly, Mystacinobia zelandica, is unique in its phoretic association with the endemic short‐tailed bat, Mystacina tuberculata However, the origins of Mystacinobia, and its systematic position within the Diptera, have long been unclear We have investigated the phylogenetic position of Mystacinobia using sequence data derived from a 51 lbp region of the mitochondnal 16S rDNA gene A total of 17 taxa, representing 11 families and 14 genera within the Diptera, were included in the phylogenetic analysis The resulting phylogenetic trees support morphological revisions which place Mystacinobia within the Oestroidea, most closely associated with the Calhphondae

Phylogenetic relationships of Wainuia (Mollusca: Pulmonata)—biogeography and conservation implications

Abstract The endemic land snail genus Wainuia (Pulmonata: Rhytididae) most likely forms a distinct clade within a larger radiation of carnivorous species in New Zealand. Species within the clade are poorly resolved on shell shape, which is the basis of existing classifications. Wainuia at some sites were recently found to subsist almost entirely on amphipods. This habit is found on both the North Island and South Island, but the relationships between these populations are unclear. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of extant populations of Wainuia by sequencing regions of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I genes. Our results enabled us to construct a phylogeny of extant populations of Wainuia and resolve several taxonomic uncertainties. Trees based on sequence data indicate that there are at least five distinct species of Wainuia. W. urnula nasuta is only distantly related to W. urnula and should be raised to full species rank. We recommend that a full taxonomic revision of Wainuia be undertaken, and that future conservation management take into account the important contribution of outlying populations to the diversity of this group. This phylogeny enables hypotheses regarding behaviour, morphology, and biogeography of this group to be further tested. For example, the habit of eating amphipods, along with associated dentition changes, appears to have evolved twice. Also, the extent of sequence divergence between these taxa does not provide evidence for a land bridge across Cook Strait in the last interglacial period, as reported previously.

Characterisation of microsatellite markers for the primitive New Zealand frog, Leiopelma hochstetteri

Hochstetters frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) is one of only four endemic frog species within New Zealand. Here we describe the first 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci for this species developed using high-throughput genomic sequencing technology. Genetic diversity was assessed in 34 individuals sampled from a single location. We also tested these in the critically threatened L. hamiltoni, which may number fewer than 150 frogs, with six markers showing amplification.

Polymorphic microsatellite loci and interspecific cross-amplification in the New Zealand endemic gecko species Hoplodactylus duvaucelii and Hoplodactylus maculatus

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci were obtained from Hoplodactylus duvaucelii using high-throughput genomic sequencing technology. Loci isolated from H. duvaucelii showed extensive cross-amplification for H. maculatus, resulting in six polymorphic loci for H. duvaucelii and 10 for H. maculatus. Genetic diversity was assessed in 34 individuals of H. duvaucelii from Korapuki Island, and 20 individuals of H. maculatus from Kapiti Island.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from Lochmaea suturalis, the heather beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a pest in Europe and a biocontrol agent in New Zealand

The heather beetle Lochmaea suturalis which is native to northwest Europe has been released as a biocontrol agent for heather in New Zealand. We have isolated and optimized eight microsatellite loci from New Zealand beetles. These loci provide markers with high polymorphism ranging from four to 20 alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity averaged 0.631 per locus. These results suggest the markers are useful for population studies that will contribute to assessment of L. suturalis as a biocontrol agent.

Abundance and characteristics of microsatellite markers in Gansu zokor (Eospalax cansus), a fossorial rodent endemic to the Loess plateau, China

1College of Grassland Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Grassland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education, Pratacultural Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, People’s Republic of China 2Gansu Agricultural University-Massey University Research Centre for Grassland Biodiversity, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, People’s Republic of China 3Lanzhou Vocational Technology College, Lanzhou 730070, People’s Republic of China 4Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce ACT 2601, Australia 5Ecological Genetics Laboratory, Landcare Research, Private Bag 92170, Auckland, New Zealand 6Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, North Shore Mail Centre 0632, Auckland, New Zealand