Tomasz Strzała

Complete mitochondrial genome of endangered Socorro Conure (Aratinga brevipes) – taxonomic position of the species and its relationship with Green Conure

Abstract Socorro Conure (Aratinga brevipes.Aratinga holochlora brevipes) is a parrot endemic to the Island of Socorro. According to some taxonomists the species is considered a subspecies of Green Conure (Aratinga holochlora). Some other classifications treat brevipes as a separate species based on relatively minor morphological differences between both species/subspecies. However, taxonomic position of Aratinga brevipes was never determined by molecular research. We sequenced full mitochondrial genome of the species and constructed phylogenetic tree using sequences of mitochondrial ND2 gene from A. brevipes and some other representatives of Conures group. Our results showed, that despite Aratinga brevipes is closely related to Aratinga holochlora, this Conure should be treated as a separate species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Blue-crowned Parakeet (Aratinga acuticaudata)—phylogenetic position of the species among parrots group called Conures

Blue-crowned Parakeet (Aratinga acuticaudata) is a South American parrot species with a taxonomic position not confirmed by molecular studies. We sequenced full mitochondrial genome and constructed phylogenetic tree using sequences of mitochondrial ND2 gene from A. acuticaudata and some other representatives of Conures group. Our results confirmed previously described distribution of Aratinga species into three clades, but surprisingly did not classify Blue-crowned Parakeet to any of them. We found that A. acuticaudata shares the closest relationship with Diopsittaca nobilis and forms a separate clade together with Guaruba guarouba and Leptosittaca branickii species with a significant node. Our results confirm lack of monophyly of the genus Aratinga and underline the need of its taxonomic revision.

Complete mitochondrial genome of endangered Maroon-fronted Parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) – conspecific relation of the species with Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)

Abstract Maroon-fronted Parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) is an endangered parrot endemic to pine-oak forests in north-eastern Mexico. According to all present classifications, R. terrisi as well as Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha are treated as a separate species based on some morphological and behavioral discrepancies. Despite this formal separation of the two species, some taxonomists conjecture their conspecific character. However, mutual taxonomic position of both species/subspecies was never verified by molecular research. We sequenced full mitochondrial genome of R. terrisi and constructed phylogenetic tree using sequences of mitochondrial ND2 gene from R. terrisi. R. pahyrchyncha and some other representative species of the tribe Arini. Our results indicated that in contrast to formal classification, both Rhynchopsitta taxa should be treated as subspecies.

Phylogeny of Amazona barbadensis and the Yellow-Headed Amazon Complex (Aves: Psittacidae): A New Look at South American Parrot Evolution

The Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona barbadensis) is the sole parrot of the genus Amazona that inhabits only dry forests. Its population has been dropping; therefore it has been the topic of many studies and conservation efforts. However, the phylogenetic relationship of this species to potential relatives classified within the Yellow-Headed Amazon (YHA) complex are still not clear. Therefore, we used more extensive data sets, including the newly sequenced mitochondrial genome of A. barbadensis, to conduct phylogenetic analyses. Various combinations of genes and many phylogenetic approaches showed that A. barbadensis clustered significantly with A. ochrocephala ochrocephala from Colombia and Venezuela, which created the Northern South American (NSA) lineage, clearly separated from two other lineages within the YHA complex, the Central (CA) and South American (SA). Tree topology tests and exclusion of rapidly evolving sites provided support for a NSA+SA grouping. We propose an evolutionary scenario for the YHA complex and its colonization of the American mainland. The NSA lineage likely represents the most ancestral lineage, which derived from Lesser Antillean Amazons and colonized the northern coast of Venezuela about a million years ago. Then, Central America was colonized through the Isthmus of Panama, which led to the emergence of the CA lineage. The southward expansion to South America and the origin of the SA lineage happened almost simultaneously. However, more intensive or prolonged gene flow or migrations have led to much weaker geographic differentiation of genetic markers in the SA than in the CA lineage.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Pyrrhura sp. – question about conspecificity in the light of hybridization between Pyrrhura molinae and Pyrrhura rupicola species

Abstract The genus Pyrrhura contains at least 24 species widespread mainly through South America. Pyrrhura molinae (Green-cheeked Conure) and Pyrrhura rupicola (Black-capped Conure) are treated as separate species based on morphological differences. Geographical ranges of these two species overlap in southern Peru. However, it is not clear if they occur there sympatrically or it is a hybridization zone. Some taxonomists conjecture their conspecific character, as possible hybrid individuals have been found in Puno region. We sequenced mitochondrial genome of specimen with phenotype typical for P. molinae. To confirm its species belonging, we aligned CYTB and control region (CR) sequences with adequate sequences of 21 Pyrrhura species. Surprisingly, analyzed P. molinae individual grouped together with two different individuals of P. rupicola species. Such incompatibility of genetic data with morphology may be only the result of these two species hybridization.

Reintroduction of the European Capercaillie from the Capercaillie Breeding Centre in Wisła Forest District: Genetic Assessments of Captive and Reintroduced Populations.

The Western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a specific bird species, which, despite its very broad distribution and large global population size, is highly endangered in many Western and Central European countries. According to the species situation, in many countries (including Poland), breeding and reintroduction programmes have been started. One of the most complex and large-scale reintroduction programmes was started in Bory Dolnośląskie Forest, and the Capercaillie Breeding Centre in Wisła Forest District was used as one of the sources of individuals for reintroduction. As genetic tools provide essential knowledge about species biodiversity, which is crucially important during the breeding process and reintroduction, both captive and reintroduced grouse populations were genetically analysed. We were particularly interested in genetic diversity of the individuals in both populations and the genetic relationship between them, as well as between them and other capercaillie representatives from their current range. To fulfil these goals we determined nine microsatellite loci along with a fragment of the mitochondrial control region. Genetic diversity parameters were moderate to high compared to populations from other Central and Western European countries. Both populations were clustered into three distinct genetic clades based on microsatellites. Phylogenetic analysis placed all mitochondrial haplotypes we revealed in the Eurasian clade. The present results will play an important role as they will help to preserve and maximize genetic diversity in captive populations, and will provide a basis for future monitoring of the reintroduction process.

Morphological similarity and molecular divergence of Trochulus striolatus and T. montanus, and their relationship to sympatric congeners (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Hygromiidae)

Shell morphology has played an important role in the differentiation of mollusc species. However, extensive morphological variation and the lack of readily available diagnostic characters often lead to confusion and controversy in taxonomy of closely related species, such as the genus Trochulus. Two nominal species Trochulus striolatus and T. montanus show only subtle differences in their reproductive systems and are indistinguishable on the basis of sole conchological traits. Therefore, we performed molecular and morphological analyses to establish robust species limits among the taxa. The canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) of shell characters confirmed strong similarity between the species. It also revealed high intraspecific variability of the shell morphology, which allowed the distinguishing of some populations as two extremely distinct forms, while simultaneously making it difficult to discriminate between the two species. Analysis of the genital morphology indicated that differences were continuous and practically negligible among the species. In contrast, phylogenetic analyses based on newly obtained 114 Trochulus sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 55 homologues retrieved from the GenBank database showed clear genetic divergence between T. striolatus and T. montanus. Moreover, they revealed a close relationship between some T. montanus, some T. caelatus and T. clandestinus samples, which formed a monophyletic group. Some of their haplotypes were even identical. It suggested that their recent common origin or recurrent gene flow occurred between these populations. However, T. sericeus sequences were split into independent diverged lineages, which were separated by many unidentified Trochulus species. It suggested that this taxon may represent a paraphyletic species complex.

A microsatellite study in the Łęgucki Młyn/Popielno hybrid zone reveals no genetic differentiation between two chromosome races of the common shrew (Sorex araneus)

This study investigated a chromosome hybrid zone between two chromosomal races of the common shrew (Sorex araneus). Gene flow and genetic structure of the hybrid zone, located in the northeast of Poland, were studied using seven polymorphic autosomal microsatellite loci (L9, L14, L33, L45, L67, L68, L97) and a Y-linked microsatellite locus (L8Y). Seventy-five animals (46 of the Łęgucki Młyn race and 29 of the Popielno race) from nine different localities were examined and the data were analyzed using hierarchical AMOVA and F-statistic. The studied microsatellite loci and races (divided into nine geographical populations) were characterized by observed heterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosities within (HS), and between (HT) populations, inbreeding coefficient (FIS), fixation index (FST), and average allelic richness (A). We found that genetic structuring within and between the two chromosome races were weak and non-significant. This finding and unconstrained gene flow between the races indicates a high level of migration within the Łęgucki Młyn/Popielno hybrid zone, suggesting that evolutionarily important genetic structuring does not occur in interracial zones where races which are not genetically distinct come into contact.

Ongoing Speciation and Gene Flow between Taxonomically Challenging Trochulus Species Complex (Gastropoda: Hygromiidae)

Geographical isolation, selection and genetic drift can cause the geographical diversification of populations and lead to speciation. Land snail species in the genus Trochulus show overlaps in geographical ranges as well as in morphology, but genetic data do not always support the species-level taxonomy based on morphological characters. Such a group offers an excellent opportunity to explore the processes involved. We have addressed the problem by determining the status of the restricted endemic T. graminicola within the larger context of Trochulus taxonomy. We used an integrated approach based on morphological features, ecological preferences and two molecular markers: mitochondrial COI sequences and microsatellites. Comparison of these results demonstrated: (i) conchological distinction of T. striolatus and T. sericeus; (ii) anatomical, ecological and genetic differentiation of T. graminicola and (iii) concordance between morphological characters and mtDNA markers in T. striolatus. Moreover, our data showed an intricate evolutionary history within the genus Trochulus, which can be best explained by: (i) recent or ongoing gene flow between taxa or (ii) their large ancestral polymorphism. Both of these hypotheses suggest that diversification within this group of snails has occurred relatively recently. The mismatches between species defined on morphology and on molecular genetics indicate the complexity of the processes involved in the diversification of this genus.

Agents of swimmer’s itch—dangerous minority in the Digenea invasion of Lymnaeidae in water bodies and the first report of Trichobilharzia regenti in Poland

Trichobilharzia spp. have been identified as a causative agent of swimmers’ itch, a skin disease provoked by contact with these digenean trematodes in water. These parasites have developed a number of strategies to invade vertebrates. Since we have little understanding of the behavior of these parasites inside the human body, the monitoring of their invasion in snail host populations is highly recommended. In our research, lymnaeid snails were collected from several Polish lakes for two vegetation seasons. The prevalence of bird schistosomes in snail host populations was significantly lower than that of other digenean species. We were the first to detect the presence of the snails emitted Trichobilharzia regenti (potentially the most dangerous nasal schistosome) in Poland. In addition, by sequencing partial rDNA genes, we confirmed the presence of the snails positive with Trichobilharzia szidati in Polish water bodies, showing that swimmer’s itch is more frequent during summer months and that large snails are more often infected with bird schistosomes than small ones.