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Ocypode Weber, 1795 (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) is popularly known as ghost crab, and encompasses 21 valid species, including Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787). This species has wide distribution along the Atlantic coast of America, from the USA (Massachusetts) to Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Central America, and Antilles. Such distribution, along with some biological characteristics of its life cycle and the presence of geographic barriers, could lead to genetic structuring. Herein, we evaluate the hypothesis of the presence of geographic barriers using COI and 16S partial gene fragments. The Maximum Likelihood tree suggests the monophyly of O. quadrata, while the values of intraspecific genetic distance along with the star-shaped haplotype network suggested a lack of genetic structure in Brazilian, Panama, and French Guiana populations, probably caused by larval dispersion. USA and Mexico populations may be a new lineage, but we cannot say it with few sequences and with no morphological characters.

Coral-dwelling gall crabs (Cryptochiridae) are common inhabitants of scleractinian corals. Several species have been described as new in recent years, including Lithoscaptus doughnut, which was described from Hong Kong based on a single female retrieved from the coral Plesiastrea peroni. Here we extend the distribution range of L. doughnut with nine additional localities throughout the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea to the Coral Triangle and Japan. We describe a male specimen of L. doughnut for the first time, based on a specimen from Malaysia, and provide photographs of life and preserved material. Haplotype networks based on COI mtDNA (n = 12) and 16 rRNA sequences (n = 12) were created. We retrieved eleven COI haplotypes and six 16S haplotypes, however no clear geographic distribution pattern was discerned. Intraspecific variation in L. doughnut was 1.4% for COI and 0.2% for 16S. Lastly, the first colour photos and records of associated parasites of this species are provided.

Equine rhinitis A (ERAV) and B (ERBV) viruses are respiratory pathogens with worldwide distribution. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of infection of ERAV and ERBV among horses and foals at Polish national studs, and to determine genetic variability within the viruses obtained. Virus-specific quantitative RT-PCR assays targeting a 5′ untranslated region were used to screen nasal swabs collected from 621 horses at 16 national horse studs from throughout Poland, including 553 healthy horses and 68 horses with respiratory disease. A partial DNA polymerase gene was amplified and sequenced from the qRT-PCR-positive samples. The obtained sequences were analysed using phylogeny and genetic network analysis. None of the nasal swabs were positive for ERAV, whereas ERBV was found in 11/621 (1.78%) samples collected from 10 healthy horses and one foal affected by respiratory disease. Partial DNA polymerase gene sequence variability was correlated with individual horses and studs from which samples were collected when only Polish sequences were analysed, but there was no correlation between country of origin and ERBV sequence when Polish and international sequences were included in the network. The report presents the first detection of ERBV in Poland.

To infer the introduction sources of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, we used a mitochondrial marker to reconstruct the haplotype network and 15 microsatellite loci to reveal genetic structure and relationships between the geographically or temporally different collections from Asia. We performed Approximate Bayesian computations to infer a global origin and a source of the quarantine collections found in Korea. As a result, the 40 populations were divided into three groups, of which genetic similarity is not related to the geographic vicinity. Korean samples had a similar genetic structure to Taiwan and Thailand ones. Our results suggest that the place of origin of the B. dorsalis specimens found in Korea’s border quarantine is likely to be Taiwan or Thailand. As the global origin of B. dorsalis, we estimated that Taiwan and Thailand were most likely the global origins of Southeast Asian populations by testing hypothetical scenarios by the approximate Bayesian computation analyses. Our results will allow easier identification of the source region of the forthcoming invasion of quarantined B. dorsalis specimens.

Inferring phylogeographic patterns of macroalgal species is essential for understanding the population structure and for the conservation of macroalgal species. In this study, the phylogeographic patterns of two co-distributed macroalgal species along the coast of Korea and Japan, Pachymeniopsis lanceolata and Pachymeniopsis elliptica, were analyzed. Pachymeniopsis lanceolata (215 specimens from 36 sites) and P. elliptica (138 specimens from 24 sites), using the plastid rbcL gene, are characterized by fifteen and six haplotypes, respectively. Mitochondrial COI-5P gene sequences revealed a low variation for both species. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), pairwise FST comparisons, and haplotype networks based on the rbcL data suggest a weak genetic differentiation of both species. The shared haplotypes (P. lanceolata: LR01; P. elliptica: ER01) found in the entire sampling range indicate that these two Pachymeniopsis species can disperse over long distances along the coast of Korea and Japan. Despite the similar phylogeographic pattern, our results suggest that P. lanceolata has a higher genetic diversity, with a wider distribution along the Korean Peninsula than P. elliptica. Moreover, it is adapted to low sea surface temperatures and survived in more of the available habitats during periods of climatic change, whereas P. elliptica is less adaptable and more susceptible to environmental disturbance. This phylogeographic study provides a rationale for the conservation of the wild Pachymeniopsis population.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected implantation mycosis prevalent in tropical climate zones, considered an occupational disease that affects impoverished rural populations. This retrospective study described clinical aspects of CBM in a hyperendemic area in Brazil and constructed a worldwide haplotype network of Fonsecaea spp. strains. The variables were collected from medical records using a standard report form, reporting 191 patients with CBM from Maranhão, Brazil. The mean age was 56.1 years, 168 (88%) patients were male and predominantly farmers (85.8%). The mean time of evolution of the disease until diagnosis was 9.4 years. Lower limbs (81.2%) and upper limbs (14.2%) were the main sites affected. Most patients exhibited verrucous (55%) and infiltrative plaque (48.2%). Fonsecaea spp. were identified in 136 cases and a haplotype network constructed with ITS sequences of 185 global strains revealed a total of 59 haplotypes exhibiting high haplotypic and low nucleotide diversities. No correlation was observed between the different haplotypes of Fonsecaea species and dermatological patterns, severity of disease or geographic distribution inside Maranhão. Data from this area contributed to better understanding the epidemiology of CBM. For the first time, a robust haplotype network with Fonsecaea strains reveals an evolutionary history with a recent population expansion.

The hemp flea beetle Psylliodes attenuata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Psylliodes) is a common pest of Cannabis sativa, including cultivars of both industrial hemp and medicinal marijuana. Both the larval and adult stages of this beetle can cause significant damages to C. sativa, resulting in substantial crop losses. At present, little is known about the populations of this pest, including its genetic diversity. In this study, we obtained 281 P. attenuata samples from nine field sites representing broad industrial hemp productions in China and analyzed their DNA sequences at the mitochondrial COI gene, the insect DNA barcode. Our analyses revealed a total of 48 haplotypes, with 28 being found only in one specimen each while the remaining 20 were shared by two or more specimens each. Of the 20 shared haplotypes, eight were shared among local populations often from far away locations, consistent with recent long-distance dispersals. However, the observed putative long-distance dispersals have not obscured the significant genetic differentiations among the regional populations from northeastern, eastern, central and southwestern China. Interestingly, haplotype network analyses suggest evidence for potential mitochondrial recombination in natural populations of this species. We briefly discuss the implications of our results on its evolution, center of diversity, route of spread, and pest management strategies in hemp fields.

The grass parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea sensu lato produces sclerotia with toxic indole alkaloids. It constitutes several genetic groups with divergent habitat preferences that recently were delimited into separate proposed species. We aimed to 1) analyze genetic variation of C. purpurea sensu lato in Norway, 2) characterize the associated indole alkaloid profiles, and 3) explore relationships between genetics, alkaloid chemistry and ecology. Approximately 600 sclerotia from 14 different grass species were subjected to various analyses including DNA sequencing and HPLC-MS. Molecular results, supported by chemical and ecological data, revealed one new genetic group (G4) in addition to two of the three known; G1 (C. purpurea sensu stricto) and G2 (C. humidiphila). G3 (C. spartinae) was not found. G4, which was apparently con-specific with the recently described C. arundinis sp. nov, was predominantly found in very wet habitats on Molinia caerulea and infrequently in saline habitats on Leymus arenarius. Its indole-diterpene profile resembled G2, while its ergot alkaloid profile differed from G2 in high amounts of ergosedmam. In contrast to G1, indole-diterpenes were consistently present in G2 and G4. Our study supports and complements the newly proposed species delimitation of the C. purpurea complex, but challenges some species characteristics including host spectrum, habitat preferences and sclerotial floating ability.

Sirex noctilio F. (Hymenoptera: Siricidae: Siricinae), a new invasive species in China, is a significant international forestry pest which, transported via logs and related wood packing materials, has led to environmental damage and substantial economic loss in many countries around the world. It was first detected in China in 2013, and since then infestations have been found in 18 additional sites. Using a 322 bp fragment of the mitochondrial barcode gene COI, we studied the genetic diversity and structure of S. noctilio populations in both native and invaded ranges, with a specific focus in China. Twelve haplotypes were found across the native and invaded distribution of the pest, of which three were dominant; among these there were only one or two mutational steps between each pair of haplotypes. No obvious genetic structure was found other than in Chinese populations. China has a unique and dominant haplotype not found elsewhere, and compared with the rest of the world, the genetic structure of Chinese populations suggested a multiple invasion scenario.

Widespread reports over the last six years confirm the establishment of lionfish (Pterois miles) populations in the eastern Mediterranean. Accumulated knowledge on lionfish invasions in the western Atlantic Ocean has shown that it is a successful invader and can have negative impacts on native species, indirect ecological repercussions and economic effects on local human societies. Here we analysed genetic sequences of lionfish from Cyprus as well as data from the whole distribution of the species, targeting the mtDNA markers cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and the control region (CR). Our results reflect a pattern of repeated introductions into the Mediterranean from the northern Red Sea and a secondary spread of this species west to Rhodes and Sicily. Presented results agree with previously published studies highlighting the genetic similarity with individuals from the northern Red Sea. Nevertheless, some individuals from Cyprus, in addition to those coming via the Suez Canal, were genetically similar to fish from the Indian Ocean, indicating genetic homogeneity among populations of P. miles across its current distribution, possibly facilitated by the ornamental fish trade and/or transport through ballast water.

DNA barcoding has resulted in the ‘discovery’ of a vast number of new species and subspecies. Assigning formal scientific names to these taxa remains a major challenge. Names sometimes are newly designated. Alternatively, available valid names can be resurrected from synonymy, based on barcode analyses together with classical taxonomic characters. For the most part, however, new putative species revealed by barcoding studies go undescribed. This situation is most often attributed to insufficient taxonomic expertise with the authors conducting the study, together with a critical lack of formally trained taxonomists. However, even with formal training, and additional supportive data from morphological, ecological or life history characters, other factors can arise that impede new species descriptions. In the present paper, several specific taxonomic challenges that have arisen from barcode analyses in two groups of skipper butterflies (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), the Sootywings (Pholisora catullus and P. mejicanus) and the Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus) are highlighted and discussed. Both P. catullus and A. toxeus show relatively large intraspecific genetic divergences of barcodes (2–3%) which suggests the possibility of previously unrecognized cryptic speciation within each group. Some of the challenges to providing formal names and clarifying taxonomic status of these cryptic taxa could be largely overcome by (1) barcoding type specimens, (2) clarifying imprecise and often vague or suspect type localities, and (3) by conducting in-depth comparative studies on genitalic morphology.