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Thought to be monotypic for decades, the only species in the goosefish genus Lophiomus Gill, Lm. setigerus (Vahl), shows a wide range of morphological variation and is distributed widely in the Indo-West Pacific (IWP). In this study, datasets for two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes sequences obtained from samples of Lophiomus collected in different localities across the IWP were constructed and analyzed to explore the phylogeny and species diversity within the genus. Our integrated approach with multiline evidence unveiled an unanticipated richness of at least six delimited species of Lophiomus. Herein, based on materials already available from museums and new specimens obtained primarily through the Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos program surveying IWP benthic fauna, we formally describe three new species: Lm. immaculioralis sp. nov., Lm. nigriventris sp. nov., and Lm. carusoi sp. nov. Also, we resurrect Lm. laticeps stat. rev. from synonyms of Lm. setigerus. These species can be diagnosed by genetics, body coloration, patterns on the floor of the mouth, peritoneum pigmentation, morphometric measurements, and meristic counts of cranial spines, dorsal-fin spines, and pectoral-fin and pelvic-fin rays from each other and from Lm. setigerus. The species Lm. setigerus, as well as the genus Lophiomus, are re-described accordingly based on the new results. Amended identification keys to the four extant lophiid genera and to species of Lophiomus are also provided.
A consistent muscle activation strategy underlies crawling and swimming in Caenorhabditis elegans
(2014)
Although undulatory swimming is observed in many organisms, the neuromuscular basis for undulatory movement patterns is not well understood. To better understand the basis for the generation of these movement patterns, we studied muscle activity in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits a range of locomotion patterns: in low viscosity fluids the undulation has a wavelength longer than the body and propagates rapidly, while in high viscosity fluids or on agar media the undulatory waves are shorter and slower. Theoretical treatment of observed behaviour has suggested a large change in force–posture relationships at different viscosities, but analysis of bend propagation suggests that short-range proprioceptive feedback is used to control and generate body bends. How muscles could be activated in a way consistent with both these results is unclear. We therefore combined automated worm tracking with calcium imaging to determine muscle activation strategy in a variety of external substrates. Remarkably, we observed that across locomotion patterns spanning a threefold change in wavelength, peak muscle activation occurs approximately 45° (1/8th of a cycle) ahead of peak midline curvature. Although the location of peak force is predicted to vary widely, the activation pattern is consistent with required force in a model incorporating putative length- and velocity-dependence of muscle strength. Furthermore, a linear combination of local curvature and velocity can match the pattern of activation. This suggests that proprioception can enable the worm to swim effectively while working within the limitations of muscle biomechanics and neural control.
Speolepta leptogaster (Winnertz, 1863) is frequently occurring in European subterranean environments. As for most cave animals, studies addressing non-anatomical aspects are sparse. Here we present the first molecular study on S. leptogaster. We investigated the demographic structure (i.e. COI locus) of 69 specimens from 36 underground populations in Hesse (Central German Uplands) to get first insights into the species’ dispersal ability.
In total, 14 haplotypes were revealed. Haplotype diversity was relatively high, whereas nucleotide diversity was low. Furthermore, a significant but low pattern of isolation-by-distance and (a) past population expansion event(s) were detected.
Our genetic results suggest a (good) active dispersal ability for Speolepta leptogaster. The occurrence of several surface records of adult specimens corroborates this hypothesis. We discuss the developmental stages of S. leptogaster in the context of the ecological classification system and regard the species as a eutroglophile. Evidence has been found to distinguish two larval types. A reconstructed life-cycle of the species is provided.
The Cueva del Azufre in Tabasco, Mexico, is a nutrient-rich cave and its inhabitants need to cope with high levels of dissolved hydrogen sulfide and extreme hypoxia. One of the successful colonizers of this cave is the poeciliid fish Poecilia mexicana, which has received considerable attention as a model organism to examine evolutionary adaptations to extreme environmental conditions. Nonetheless, basic ecological data on the endemic cave molly population are still missing; here we aim to provide data on population densities, size class compositions and use of different microhabitats. We found high overall densities in the cave and highest densities at the middle part of the cave with more than 200 individuals per square meter. These sites have lower H2S concentrations compared to the inner parts where most large sulfide sources are located, but they are annually exposed to a religious harvesting ceremony of local Zoque people called La Pesca. We found a marked shift in size/age compositions towards an overabundance of smaller, juvenile fish at those sites. We discuss these findings in relation to several environmental gradients within the cave (i.e., differences in toxicity and lighting conditions), but we also tentatively argue that the annual fish harvest during a religious ceremony (La Pesca) locally diminishes competition (and possibly, cannibalism by large adults), which is followed by a phase of overcompensation of fish densities.
Cryptochrome 1a, located in the UV/violet-sensitive cones in the avian retina, is discussed as receptor molecule for the magnetic compass of birds. Our previous immunohistochemical studies of chicken retinae with an antiserum that labelled only activated cryptochrome 1a had shown activation of cryptochrome 1a under 373 nm UV, 424 nm blue, 502 nm turquoise and 565 nm green light. Green light, however, does not allow the first step of photoreduction of oxidized cryptochromes to the semiquinone. As the chickens had been kept under ‘white’ light before, we suggested that there was a supply of the semiquinone present at the beginning of the exposure to green light, which could be further reduced and then re-oxidized. To test this hypothesis, we exposed chickens to various wavelengths (1) for 30 min after being kept in daylight, (2) for 30 min after a 30 min pre-exposure to total darkness, and (3) for 1 h after being kept in daylight. In the first case, we found activated cryptochrome 1a under UV, blue, turquoise and green light; in the second two cases we found activated cryptochrome 1a only under UV to turquoise light, where the complete redox cycle of cryptochrome can run, but not under green light. This observation is in agreement with the hypothesis that activated cryptochrome 1a is found as long as there is some of the semiquinone left, but not when the supply is depleted. It supports the idea that the crucial radical pair for magnetoreception is generated during re-oxidation.
Debate exists regarding the number of species of the moon jellyfish (genus Aurelia), a common member of the planktonic community of the coastal shelf seas around the world. Three Aurelia congeners (A. aurita, A. labiata and A. limbata) are currently considered to exist but recent genetic analyses suggested that this is an oversimplification. We analyzed the morphological characteristics of scyphistomae, morphological characteristics of ephyrae and differences in the time span of the strobilation process of Aurelia congeners from 17, 7 and 6 different source populations, respectively, of known species. Morphological characteristics of scyphistomae were similar among the 17 populations but those of ephyrae, such as the shape and form of lappets, were effective discriminators in the 6 cases examined. We recommend identifying species based on differences in 1) the morphological characteristics of scyphistomae and ephyrae (and not only medusae), 2) the genetics of individuals, and 3) the geographical occurrence of the population. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on scyphozoan scyphistomae and ephyrae, stages of the metagenic life cycle of scyphozoans that have received relatively little study compared to medusae.
The present paper describes five new species of candonid ostracods in two genera: Pseudocandona agostinhoi sp. nov., P. cillisi sp. nov., P. claudinae sp. nov., Candobrasilopsis elongata sp. nov. and C. acutis sp. nov. The three species of Pseudocandona belong to the caribbeana-group in this genus. With the two new species of Candobrasilopsis, this genus now comprises four species.
Candobrasilopsis elongata sp. nov. is the most common of the five new species described here, while C. acutis sp. nov. and P. claudinae sp. nov. are known from one locality only, which is furthermore the same for both species: a small streamlet entering the Paraná River. With the description of the present five species, the number of species known from the Paraná River alluvial valley, including the Taquaruçu lakes, now amounts to 49.
A recent paper on the phylogenetic relationships of species within the cephalopod family Mastigoteuthidae meant great progress in stabilizing the classification of the family. The authors, however, left the generic placement of Mastigoteuthis pyrodes unresolved. This problem is corrected here by placing this species in a new monotypic genus, Mastigotragus, based on unique structures of the photophores and the funnel/mantle locking apparatus.
Two new species and one subspecies of Pharnaciini, belonging to two different genera, are described from Vietnam: one species and subspecies of Phryganistria Stål, 1875 and one species of Phobaeticus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907. Two species currently attributed to the genus Ramulus Saussure, 1862, Ramulus magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) and R. chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907), are transferred to Baculonistria Hennemann & Conle, 2008 comb. nov. Phobaeticus longicornis Bi & Wang, 1998 and Phobaeticus yuexiensis Chen & He, 1993 represent the male and female of Baculonistria magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Baculonistria chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907). The genus Baculonistria now contains three species. Nearchus bachmaensis Ta & Hoang, 2004 is transferred to Phryganistria and the new combination Phryganistria bachmaensis (Ta & Hoang, 2004) comb. nov. is proposed. The species is redescribed and the authors’ attribution corrected, the egg is described and figured for the first time.
Phryganistria tamdaoensis sp. nov. is described and figured from both sexes and the egg. Females of P. tamdaoensis sp. nov. are easily recognised by the conspicuously enlarged lanceolate cerci, a character previously unknown in this tribe. The distribution range of Phryganistria heusii heusii (Hennemann & Conle, 1997) is extended to Tam Dao National Park. A new subspecies Phryganistria heusii yentuensis subsp. nov. is described from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve from adult males and females and the eggs. Males can easily be distinguished from the nominal subspecies by their colouration. This huge subspecies represents the second longest insect recorded to date. A key to the species of the genus Phryganistria is provided. Phobaeticus trui sp. nov. is described from central Vietnam. It is the first species of Phobaeticus recorded from Vietnam. Adults of both sexes are illustrated.
Six new species of Platypalpus Macquart, 1827 are described from tropical forest at Yangambi (Democratic Republic of the Congo): Platypalpus bolikoi sp. nov., P. ikoso sp. nov., P. lokonda sp. nov., P. manjano sp. nov., P. saffradi sp. nov. and P. yangambensis sp. nov. All species are photographed and, except for P. saffradi sp. nov. known only from females, male terminalia are illustrated for all. A key is provided for the six species of DR Congo. COI barcodes are available for all species at GenBank.
The Malagasy genus Belbina Stål, 1863 (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) is revised, transferred from the Enchophorinae Haupt, 1829 to the Aphaeninae Blanchard, 1847, and two new species, B. bourgoini sp. nov. and B. laetitiae sp. nov., are described. The genus Cornelia Stål, 1866 is proposed as a junior synonym of Belbina. The following new combinations are proposed: Belbina bergrothi (Schmidt, 1911) comb. nov. and B. nympha (Stål, 1866) comb. nov. The combination Belbina foliacea Lallemand, 1950 is restored. Aphana madagascariensis Westwood, 1851 is redescribed, transferred to Belbina and the new combination B. madagascariensis (Westwood, 1851) is proposed. Belbina vicina Lallemand, 1959 is proposed as a junior synonym of B. falleni Stål, 1863 and Cornelia atomaria (Brancsik, 1893) as a junior synonym of Belbina nympha (Stål, 1866). Neotypes are designated for B. madagascariensis (Westwood, 1851) comb. nov. and B. servillei (Spinola, 1839). The genus now comprises 12 species from Madagascar. A list of diagnostic characters, an identification key, illustrations of the male genitalia and distribution maps are provided. The falleni+ species group is defined based on characters of the male genitalia and contains the following 5 species: B. bloetei Lallemand, 1959, B. falleni Stål, 1863, B. laetitiae sp. nov., B. lambertoni Lallemand, 1922 and B. pionneaui Lallemand, 1922.
The osteology of “Coccodus” lindstroemi is studied in detail and it is demonstrated that this species does not belong to the genus Coccodus, but is a rather primitive member of the pycnodontiform family Gladiopycnodontidae. Indeed, the snout of “Coccodus” lindstroemi is elongated in a rostrum formed by the prefrontal and the premaxilla. This rostrum extends beyond the lower jaw level. The toothless premaxilla is sutured by its upper margin to the lower margin of the long and broad prefrontal.
The pectoral fin is lost and replaced by a pectoral spine which articulates on the cleithrum. A long nuchal spine resting on the dermosupraoccipital is present. The body is entirely covered by scales that are flakelike in the abdominal region and scute-like in the caudal region. Joinvillichthys gen. nov. is thus erected
with “Coccodus” lindstroemi as the type species. It is also shown that specimens with dumpier head and body, usually ranged in “Coccodus” lindstroemi, represent another species of the same genus for which the taxon Joinvillichthys kriweti gen. et sp. nov. is created. Specimens sometimes considered as possible juveniles of “Coccodus” lindstroemi form a distinctive new genus and species of gladiopycnodontid fish, Pankowskichthys libanicus gen. et sp. nov. Pankowskichthys differs from Joinvillichthys by many
osteological structures.
Twenty new species of the millipede genus Chaleponcus Attems, 1914, are described from the Udzungwa Mountains: C. netus sp. nov., C. quasimodo sp. nov., C. malleolus sp. nov., C. scopus sp. nov., C. nikolajscharffi sp. nov., C. mwanihanensis sp. nov., C. basiliscus sp. nov., C. krai sp. nov., C. nectarinia sp. nov., C. circumvallatus sp. nov., C. ibis sp. nov., C. vandenspiegeli sp. nov., C. vilici sp. nov., C. teres sp. nov., C. hamerae sp. nov., C. termini sp. nov., C. gracilior sp. nov., C. mwabvui sp. nov., C. howelli sp. nov. and C. tintin sp. nov. Together with C. dabagaensis Kraus, 1958, they constitute the Chaleponcus dabagaensis-group, well characterized by apparently apomorphic gonopodal characters, presumably monophyletic, and the first example of a major radiation within the Udzungwas. All species are restricted to altitudes >1390 m, all but one were found in only one, rarely two forest reserves, and the vast majority of specimens were collected in montane forest. Chaleponcus gracilior sp. nov. was collected in four forest reserves, often in secondary habitats where other species were only exceptionally found. Co-occurrence of multiple species, inter-specific differences in body size and unusual tarsal setation of a few species tentatively suggest adaptive radiation.
Parasitoid wasps new to Britain (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae,
Eurytomidae, Braconidae & Bethylidae)
(2014)
One genus and five species are recorded as new to Britain: Fidiobia, Fidiobia hispanica, Macroteleia bicolora (Platygastridae); Sycophila binotata (Eurytomidae); Schizoprymnus collaris (Braconidae); and Laelius pedatus (Bethylidae). Keys to British Macroteleia and Laelius are provided.
Provisional synonymy is proposed between Macroteleia minor and M. brevigaster, and synonymy is proposed between Laelius femoralis, L. microneurus and L. nigricrus. The possible mode of introduction of Sycophila binotata is discussed. A lectotype is designated for Schizoprymnus collaris.
Halirages helgae sp. nov. is recorded from the shelf slopes of the Norwegian Sea at depths of 1000 to 2600 m in the Arctic cold water masses. A total of 50 specimens were found at five stations. The
species differs from other known species in the genus Halirages Boeck, 1871 by the bilobed posterior margin of pereonite 7. A synoptic table to the northeast Atlantic species of Halirages is provided.
The endophallic structure of the genus Laius is studied and discussed based on the examination of 19 species from Asia to the Indian Ocean. The structure contains two primary sclerites (named gonoporal piece and ligula), a secondary sclerite on the basal part of the gonoporal piece (named additional sclerite) in some species, and a membranous basal area closely covered with many spines (named spinous area). Five species groups are recognized based on the morphology of the endophallic sclerites. The sympatric species have different body sizes and quite distinguishable endophallic sclerites (= different species group), while the allopatric species have overlapping body sizes and similar endophallic sclerites (= same species group). Three new species are described and six previously known species are redescribed with endophallic sclerites, and the descriptions of endophallic sclerites of the remaining ten species are added. The larva of Laius rodriguesensis sp. nov. is also described. The genus
Nossibeus Evers, 1994 is synonymised with Laius Guérin-Méneville, 1830.
The taxonomy of the family Desmodoridae (Nematoda: Desmodorida) is partially revised based on morphology. The diagnoses of the Desmodoridae and the subfamilies Desmodorinae and Spiriniinae are emended to accommodate re-analyzed morphological features. Eight known species are redescribed and the implication of the new findings for the taxonomy of the group is discussed. Amphispira and Metadesmodora are confirmed as genera inquirendae. Alaimonema and Sigmophoranema, and their corresponding type species, are proposed as inquirendae due to poor descriptions of the type material. The other three species of Sigmophoranema are transferred to the genus Onyx because they bear the diagnostic features of this group: spear-like dorsal tooth and s-shape precloacal supplements. Echinodesmodora, Paradesmodora and Stygodesmodora are transferred to the Spiriniinae based on the absence of a head capsule and on the amphidial fovea being surrounded by cuticle striation. Paradesmodora toreutes is transferred to the genus Acanthopharyngoides as A. toreutes comb. nov. The genus Onepunema does not fit in the family Desmodoridae because of diorchic males; thus, it is regarded as taxon incertae sedis.
Lists of valid genera for the two subfamilies are provided. A dichotomic key for the identification of the 14 genera within the Spiriinae is provided.
The South African endemic bees of the "euryglossiform" species of the genus Scrapter Lepeletier & Serville, 1828 are revised and illustrated. The species-group is defined for the first time and comprises 20 species, 16 of which are described here as new: Scrapter exiguus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. gessorum sp. nov. ♀, S. inexpectatus sp. nov. ♀, S. luteistigma sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. minutissimus sp. nov. ♂, S. minutuloides sp. nov. ♀, S. minutus sp. nov. ♀, S. nanus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. nigerrimus sp. nov. ♀, S. nigritarsis sp. nov. ♀, S. papkuilsi sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. punctatus sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. pygmaeus sp. nov. ♀, S. roggeveldi sp. nov. ♀, ♂, S. spinipes sp. nov. ♀, ♂ and S. ulrikae sp. nov. ♀, ♂. For S. acanthophorus Davies, 2005 and S. sittybon Davies, 2005 the female is here described for the first time. A key to all species is provided.
Rhaptothyreus is arguably the most enigmatic nematode taxon due to a combination of unusual morphological features (e.g., large feather-like amphids, vestigial mouth, trophosome, single spicule), unclear phylogenetic relationships (possible affinities with the Enoplida, Mermithida and Benthimermithida) and a distribution restricted to the deep sea. Here I provide the first record of the genus in the Western Pacific Ocean and describe new morphological features of a moulting juvenile. This specimen is characterised by features that differ markedly from those of the adults, the most prominent being the absence of cephalic sensillae and amphids and the presence of a stylet-like structure in the buccal cavity. Similar contrasts in morphology are found between adults and juveniles of the order Benthimermithida, which is characterised by free-living adults and parasitic juveniles.
Other morphological (large body size, presence of trophosome) and distributional characteristics (predominantly deep-sea distribution, juveniles rare / absent in sediments) are also common to both groups. Published records show that Rhaptothyreus is commonly found in oligotrophic environments (e.g., abyssal plain) where organisms bearing symbiotic bacteria are not typically found, which makes the presence of endosymbiotic bacteria inside the trophosome unlikely. These observations are consistent with the existence of a parasitic juvenile life stage in Rhaptothyreus.
Three new species of Pachygnatha, P. bispiralis sp. nov., P. intermedia sp. nov. and P. ventricosa sp. nov., are described from forest areas in western Burundi. The presence of P. procincta Bosmans & Bosselaers, 1994 in Burundi confirms its very wide distribution spanning most of Africa.
Pachygnatha appears to be an important element of the afromontane spider fauna.
Datua brevirostris Lallemand, 1959 is transferred to the genus Egregia Chew Kea Foo, Porion & Audibert, 2011 in the Aphaeninae and the new combination Egregia brevirostris (Lallemand, 1959)
comb. nov. is proposed. Egregia marpessa Chew Kea Foo, Porion & Audibert, 2011, the type-species of the genus Egregia, is synonymized with Egregia brevirostris (Lallemand, 1959). A second species, Egregia laprincesse sp. nov. is described from Sumatra, extending the distribution of the genus hitherto recorded only from Borneo. Distribution maps and an identification key are provided. The male genitalia of E. brevirostris are illustrated and described. The genus Datua Schmidt, 1911 now contains a single species, D. bisinuata Schmidt, 1911.
The Afrotropical Rhyssinae are reviewed. A total of 12 species are reported from the region, including five new species: Epirhyssa brianfisheri sp. nov., E. gavinbroadi sp. nov., E. shaka sp. nov., E. villemantae sp. nov. and E. tombeaodiba sp. nov. The generic status of E. brianfisheri sp. nov. is discussed since this species could also be considered to be an extra-limital Triancyra species, emphasizing the putative paraphyletic status of Epirhyssa. Epirhyssa ghesquierei Seyrig, 1937, E. overlaeti Seyrig, 1937 and E. uelensis Benoit, 1951 are newly reported from Cameroon. We provide illustrated diagnoses and identification notes. Finally, we discuss the apparent scarcity of African rhyssines compared to other regions.
This study presents a taxonomic update of the Tetramorium weitzeckeri species group.
Tetramorium mpala sp. nov. is described from Laikipia, Kenya, and placed in the T. weitzeckeri species complex. In addition, we also provide an illustrated identification key to the three species complexes of the T. weitzeckeri species group, and an updated illustrated identification key to the species of the T. weitzeckeri species complex.
Jirds (genus Meriones) are a diverse group of rodents, with a wide distribution range in Iran. Sundevall’s jird (Meriones crassus Sundevall, 1842) is one such species that shows a disjunct distribution, found on the Iranian Plateau and Western Zagros Mountains. Morphological differences observed between these two populations, however, lack quantitative support. Morphological differences between geographical populations of Meriones crassus were analysed and compared with those of the sympatric M. libycus. Similarities in the cranial morphology of these species were found, e.g. in a relatively large and inflated bulla. A two-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis was done on the skull of 275 M. crassus and 220 M. libycus from more than 70 different localities in their distribution range. Results confirm cranial differences between specimens of M. crassus from the Western Zagros and those from Africa and Arabia, mainly at the level of the relative size of the tympanic bulla, that were significantly correlated with the annual rainfall and elevation. Moreover, the study supports the hypothesis that the Western Zagros specimens are both a geographically and phenotypically distinct group compared to the other Iranian M. crassus specimens, suggesting that the former might be a distinct species.
Populations of Stegelleta are described from California, New Zealand and Senegal. An amphimictic population from California is identified as belonging to S. incisa and compared with type specimens from Utah and an amphimictic population from Italy. One population from New Zealand is close to S. incisa but considered to represent a new species, Stegelleta laterocornuta sp. nov. It is particularly characterised by a 379–512 μm long body in females and 365–476 μm in males; cuticle divided into 16 rows of blocks at midbody (excluding lateral field); lateral field with four incisures; three pairs of asymmetrical lips, U-shaped primary axils without guarding processes, each lip asymmetrically rectangular with a smooth margin, only lateral lips have slender acute tines; three labial probolae, bifurcated at half of their length; vulva without flap; spermatheca 17–31 μm long; postuterine sac 7–24 μm long; spicules 21.5–23.5 μm long. Other specimens from New Zealand are identified as belonging to S. tuarua. A parthenogenetic population from Senegal is identified as belonging to S. ophioglossa and compared with type specimens from Mongolia and records of several other populations of S. ophioglossa. The generic diagnosis is emended and a key to the species of Stegelleta is provided.
Characterized by small body size, apically rounded/lobed anterior gonopod telopodites, long slender posterior gonopod telopodites, and torsion in the cyphopod receptacles, Floridobolus fl oydi, n. sp., is described from the southern sector of the Brooksville Ridge in northwestern peninsular Florida. It inhabits sandy “Big Scrub” environments like F. penneri Causey, 1957, and F. orini Shelley, 2014, and is documented from the sector’s center and northern periphery, in Hernando and Citrus Counties, respectively, with a sight record from the eastern periphery. Its discovery supports the thesis that each sand ridge in peninsular Florida may harbor a unique species of this endemic genus.
Background: The invasive eel parasite Anguillicoloides crassus (syn. Anguillicola crassus) is considered one of the major causes for the decline of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) panmictic population. It impairs the swim bladder function and reduces swimming performance of its host. The life cycle of this parasite involves different intermediate and paratenic hosts. Despite an efficient immune system of the paratenic fish hosts acting against infections with A. crassus, levels of parasitized eels remain high in European river systems. Recently, the round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Gobiidae) has become dominant in many rivers in Europe and is still spreading at a rapid pace. This highly invasive species might potentially act as an important, so far neglected paratenic fish host for A. crassus.
Methods: Based on own observations and earlier single sightings of A. crassus in N. melanostomus, 60 fresh individuals of N. melanostomus were caught in the Rhine River and examined to assess the infection levels with metazoan parasites, especially A. crassus. Glycerin preparations were used for parasite identification.
Results: The parasite most frequently found in N. melanostomus was the acanthocephalan Pomphorhynchus sp. (subadult stage) which occurred mainly encysted in the mesenteries and liver. Every third gobiid (P = 31.7%) was infected by A. crassus larvae (L3) which exclusively occurred inside the acanthocephalan cysts. No intact or degenerated larvae of A. crassus were detected elsewhere in the goby, neither in the body cavity and mesenteries nor in other organs. Affected cysts contained the acanthocephalan larvae and 1-12 (mI =3) living A. crassus larvae. Additionally, encysted larvae of the nematode Raphidascaris acus were detected in the gobies, but only in the body cavity and not inside the acanthocephalan cysts.
Conclusions: Based on our observations, we suggest that A. crassus might actively bypass the immune response of N. melanostomus by invading the cysts of acanthocephalan parasites of the genus Pomphorhynchus using them as "Trojan horses". Providing that eels prey on the highly abundant round goby and that the latter transfers viable infective larvae of A. crassus, the new paratenic host might have a strong impact on the epidemiology of A. crassus.
Evolutionary genetics of bears and red foxes over phylogenetic and phylogeographic time scales
(2014)
Climatic fluctuations during the Pleistocene (2.6-0.01 million years) have played an important role during evolution of many species. Cyclic range contractions and expansions had demographic consequences within species, provided environmental conditions for population divergence and speciation and enabled secondary contact and interspecific hybridization. These and other evolutionary processes have left genetic signatures in the genomes of affected organisms. Comprehensive and unbiased estimates of evolutionary processes can be obtained using genetic markers from different parts of the genome and by integrating population genetic and phylogenetic concepts.
Suitable for studies on evolutionary processes and patterns over different evolutionary time scales are bears (Ursidae) and foxes (Vulpes), which occupy a wide range of habitats and evolved during the past few millions of years. In my thesis, I therefore used bears and red foxes as study species to investigate the genetic variation within and between species and to obtain estimates of evolutionary relationships and divergence times of populations and species that I interpreted in a climatic context. Further, I investigated population genetic processes during the evolution of bears. My thesis includes three publications and one submitted manuscript, spanning different evolutionary time scales - from evolutionary relationships and processes among species (phylogenetic time scales, Publications I & II), among populations and closely related species in a geographical context (phylogeographic time scales, Publications II & III), to ongoing processes within species (population genetic time scales, Publication IV).
In Publication I (Kutschera et al. 2014, Mol Biol Evol 31(8):2004-2017), I studied bears at several nuclear markers from several individuals per species, complemented with markers from the Y chromosome. Using approaches based on a population genetic concept (coalescent theory) I obtained a species tree with divergence time estimates. Further, I studied two evolutionary processes in bears, interspecific gene flow and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). This study contributed to the growing evidence that population genetic processes can be relevant on time scales up to several millions of years.
In Publication II (Hailer, Kutschera et al. 2012, Science 336(6079):344-347), we complemented previous mitochondrial (mt) DNA-based inference of the evolutionary history of polar and brown bears with nuclear DNA. Coalescence-based species tree analyses of multiple nuclear markers from several individuals per species placed polar bears as sister lineage to brown bears and their divergence time to about 600 thousand years ago (ka). This contrasted previous mtDNA-based inference. We explained this discrepancy between mtDNA and nuclear DNA with interspecific gene flow between polar and brown bears.
In Publication III (Kutschera et al. 2013, BMC Evol Biol 13:114), I studied range-wide phylogeographic events and their timing in red foxes. A synthesis of newly generated and published mtDNA sequences was analyzed using a coalescence-based approach with multiple fossil calibration points. Thereby, I validated the identity and geographic distribution of several red fox lineages and showed that red foxes colonized North America and Japan several times independently during the late Pleistocene (126-11 ka) and around the last glacial maximum (26.5-19 ka). In a comparison of my results from red foxes to brown bears and grey wolves, I identified similar phylogeographic patterns.
In Publication IV (Kutschera et al., submitted to Biol Conserv), I found similar levels of genetic variability in vagrant polar bears that had reached Iceland compared to established subpopulations from across the range. Based on climate projections reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2014, polar bear habitat will markedly decline and become increasingly fragmented within the next decades. Dispersal will play an important role by connecting isolated subpopulations, thereby maintaining genetic diversity levels. My results indicate that vagrants could stabilize genetic variability when immigrating into established subpopulations.
In conclusion, my thesis provided a deeper understanding of evolutionary genetic processes and patterns and their timing in bears and red foxes in a climatic context, which can have conservation implications. Further, I showed that processes like ILS and interspecific gene flow can be relevant over different time scales and are important aspects of evolutionary history. Thereby, my thesis contributed to the knowledge on the evolutionary history of several carnivore species and on evolutionary processes acting within and between closely related species.
Tympanal hearing organs of insects emit distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) which are indicative of nonlinear mechanical sound processing. General characteristics of insect DPOAEs are comparable to those measured in vertebrates, despite distinct differences in ear anatomy. DPOAEs appear during simultaneous stimulation with two pure tones (f1<f2) as additional spectral peaks at frequencies of nf1-(n-1)f2 and nf2-(n-1)f1, with the 2f1-f2 emission being the most prominent one. Insect DPOAEs are highly vulnerable to manipulations that interfere with the animal's physiological state and disappear after death. First evidence from locusts suggested that scolopidial mechanoreceptors might play a role in frequency-specific DPOAE generation (Möckel et al. 2007). The overall aim of this thesis was to determine the source of sensitive, nonlinear hearing at high frequencies and of DPOAE generation in tympanal organs of insects.
The first project of the present thesis involved general characteristics of DPOAE generation in the bushcricket Mecopoda elongata and the selective exclusion of the scolopidial mechanoreceptors using the neuroactive insectizide pymetrozine (Möckel et al. 2011). Pymetrozin appears to act highly effective and selectively on chordotonal organs, without affecting other sensory organs that lack scolopidial receptors. Pymetrozine solutions were applied as closely as possible to the scolopidia via a cuticle opening in the tibia, distally to the organ. Applications at concentrations between 10-3 and 10-7 M led to a pronounced and irreversible decrease of DPOAE amplitudes. Both this study on bushcrickets (Möckel et al. 2011) and an earlier one on locusts (Möckel et al. 2007) hence indicate the involvement of scolopidia in DPOAE generation in insects, by using complementary methods (pharmacological versus mechanical manipulation) and different animal models.
The second project of the present thesis investigated the temperature-dependence of DPOAEs in the locust Locusta migratoria (Möckel et al. 2012). The suggested biological origin of acoustic two-tone distortions in insects should involve metabolic processes, whose temperature-dependence would directly affect the DPOAE generation. Body temperature shifts resulted in reversible, level- and frequency-dependent effects on the 2f1–f2 emission. Using low f2 frequencies of up to 10 kHz, a body temperature increase (median +8–9°C) led to an upward shift of DPOAE amplitudes of approximately +10 dB, whereas a temperature decrease (median –7°C) was followed by a reduction of DPOAE amplitudes by 3 to 5 dB. Both effects were only present in the range of the low-level component of DPOAE growth functions below f2 stimulus levels of approximately 30-40 dB SPL. Emissions induced by higher stimulus levels and frequencies (e.g. 12 and 18 kHz) remained unaffected by any temperature shifts. The Arrhenius activation energy of the underlying cellular component amounted to 34 and 41 kJmol-1 (for growth functions measured with 8 and 10 kHz as f2, respectively). Such activation energy values provide a hint that an intact dynein-tubulin system within the scolopidial receptors could play an essential part in the DPOAE generation in tympanal organs.
The third project of this thesis demonstrated mechanical DPOAE analogs in the tympanum's vibration pattern during two-tone stimulation in the locust Schistocerca gregaria, using laser Doppler vibrometry (Möckel et al. 2014). DPOAE generation crucially relies on the integrity of the scolopidial mechanoreceptors (Möckel et al. 2007, 2011), which in locusts, directly attach to the tympanal membrane. During two-tone stimulation, DPOAEs were shown to mechanically emerge at the tympanum region where the auditory mechanoreceptors are attached. Those emission-coupled vibrations differed remarkably from tympanum waves evoked by external pure tones of the same frequency, in terms of wave propagation, energy distribution, and location of amplitude maxima. In contrast to traveling wave-like characteristics of externally evoked vibrations, intrinsically generated waves were locally restricted to the region around the high frequency receptors’ attachment position. The mechanical gradient of the tympanal membrane that leads to direction-dependent properties probably avoids the spreading of these locally evoked waves, which are then reflected and occur only in restricted areas as standing waves. Selective inactivation of mechanoreceptors by mechanical lesions did not affect the tympanum's response to external pure tones, but abolished the emission's displacement amplitude peak. These findings provide evidence that tympanal auditory receptors, comparable to the situation in mammals, comprise the required nonlinear response characteristics, which during two-tone stimulation lead to additional, highly localized deflections of the tympanum.
We have isolated a cDNA coding for a putative invertebrate-type dopamine receptor (Peadop2) from P. americana brain by using a PCR-based strategy. The mRNA is present in samples from brain and salivary glands. We analyzed the distribution of the PeaDOP2 receptor protein with specific affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies. On Western blots, PeaDOP2 was detected in protein samples from brain, subesophageal ganglion, thoracic ganglia, and salivary glands. In immunocytochemical experiments, we detected PeaDOP2 in neurons with their somata being located at the anterior edge of the medulla bilaterally innervating the optic lobes and projecting to the ventro-lateral protocerebrum. In order to determine the functional and pharmacological properties of the cloned receptor, we generated a cell line constitutively expressing PeaDOP2. Activation of PeaDOP2-expressing cells with dopamine induced an increase in intracellular cAMP. In contrast, a C-terminally truncated splice variant of this receptor did not exhibit any functional property by itself. The molecular and pharmacological characterization of the first dopamine receptor from P. americana provides the basis for forthcoming studies focusing on the significance of the dopaminergic system in cockroach behavior and physiology.
Arachnides N°73 (2014)
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Arachnides N°72 (2014)
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Arachnides N°71 (2014)
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Arachnides N°70 (2014)
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Ursine bears are a mammalian subfamily that comprises six morphologically and ecologically distinct extant species. Previous phylogenetic analyses of concatenated nuclear genes could not resolve all relationships among bears, and appeared to conflict with the mitochondrial phylogeny. Evolutionary processes such as incomplete lineage sorting and introgression can cause gene tree discordance and complicate phylogenetic inferences, but are not accounted for in phylogenetic analyses of concatenated data. We generated a high-resolution data set of autosomal introns from several individuals per species and of Y-chromosomal markers. Incorporating intraspecific variability in coalescence-based phylogenetic and gene flow estimation approaches, we traced the genealogical history of individual alleles. Considerable heterogeneity among nuclear loci and discordance between nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies were found. A species tree with divergence time estimates indicated that ursine bears diversified within less than 2 My. Consistent with a complex branching order within a clade of Asian bear species, we identified unidirectional gene flow from Asian black into sloth bears. Moreover, gene flow detected from brown into American black bears can explain the conflicting placement of the American black bear in mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies. These results highlight that both incomplete lineage sorting and introgression are prominent evolutionary forces even on time scales up to several million years. Complex evolutionary patterns are not adequately captured by strictly bifurcating models, and can only be fully understood when analyzing multiple independently inherited loci in a coalescence framework. Phylogenetic incongruence among gene trees hence needs to be recognized as a biologically meaningful signal.
Kempfidris : a new genus of myrmicine ants from the Neotropical region (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
(2014)
The new genus Kempfidris gen. nov. is described based on the workers of a single species, K. inusualis comb. nov., from Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Kempfidris inusualis comb. nov. was originally described by Fernández (2007) and provisionally placed in Monomorium awaiting a better understanding of the internal relationships in Myrmicinae. Kempfidris gen. nov. has a series of distinctive morphological characters including the mandibular configuration, vestibulate propodeal spiracle, propodeal carinae, and cylindrical micro-pegs on the posteromedian portion of abdominal tergum VI and anteromedian portion of abdominal tergum VII. This last trait appears to be autapomorphic for the genus.
Solaenodolichopus Verhoeff, 1924 is redefined to include S. pruvoti (Brolemann, 1931), S. rubriventris Verhoeff, 1928, S. sulcatus (Verhoeff, 1928), S. teres (Verhoeff, 1924), S. vittatus (Verhoeff, 1924) and S. walesius Verhoeff, 1928, each of which is redescribed. Lectotypes are designated for S. sulcatus, S. teres, S. vittatus and S. walesius. Parwalesoma Verhoeff, 1937 is synonymised with Solaenodolichopus and S. vittatus dorsalis (Verhoeff, 1924) with S. vittatus vittatus (Verhoeff, 1924).
Tapinesthis inermis Simon, 1882, the only species in the genus, is widely distributed in western Europe. This redescription provides the first information on the ultrastructure of the species using SEM. The morphology of the spinnerets, tarsal claws and tarsal organs, and the internal structure of the female genitalia and the male palp are described and illustrated in detail. The combination of these structures is very similar to those encountered in some dysderoid spiders and supports the basal placement of Tapinesthis among Oonopinae. The phylogenetic relationships of the species are discussed. The only female among the three syntypes is designated as the lectotype.
This paper summarizes current knowledge about Central African pholcids. Central Africa is here defined as the area between 10°N and 7°S and between 6°E and 18°E, including mainly the Lower Guinean subregion of the Guineo-Congolian center of endemism. This includes all of Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, most of Cameroon and Congo Republic, and parts of the neighboring countries. An annotated list of the 14 genera and 79 species recorded from this area is given, together with distribution maps and an identification key to genera. Seven species are newly described: Anansus kamwai sp. nov., Leptopholcus gabonicus sp. nov., Ninetis faro sp. nov., Pholcus punu sp. nov., P. rawiriae sp. nov., Spermophora abibae sp. nov., and S. awalai sp. nov. Additional new records are given for 16 previously described species, including 17 new country records. Distribution and diversity patterns are compared with data on West and East Africa. While West Africa contains a similar set of genera it is significantly less diverse than Central Africa. East Africa is taxonomically more distinct. It has similar levels of diversity as Central Africa, but appears to be less undersampled.
Among the 125 currently recognized species of the panoceanic genus Leucothoe, L. antarctica was described in 1888 from the Antarctic seas, but was soon synonymized with the so-called cosmopolitan Leucothoe spinicarpa Abildgaard, which was cited from the Southern Ocean about 70 times since this first record. After erecting a new Antarctic species again only in 1983, “morphological variants” were observed and discussed. In this paper, we revalidate the first defined Antarctic species (Leucothoe antarctica), redescribe the second one (L. orkneyi), describe 5 new Southern Ocean species (L. campbelli sp. nov., L. longimembris sp. nov., L. macquariae sp. nov., L. merletta sp. nov. and L. weddellensis sp. nov.) and provide a key to all Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species.
The ground beetle genus Cymindis is the most species rich amongst genera in the carabid subtribe Cymindidina (tribe Lebiini). Four subgenera are often recognized, i.e. Cymindis (sensu stricto) Latreille, Afrotarus Jeannel, Taridius Chaudoir and Pinacodera Schaum. Cymindis (sensu stricto) has a predominately Holarctic distribution (Hunting 2013) and includes Cymindis alutacea Wollaston, C. dohrnii Wollaston and C. anchomenoides Wollaston (the last one sometimes placed in Tarulus Bedel, either ranked as a genus or a subgenus), all three endemic to the Cape Verde Islands (Geisthardt 1988, 1996).
The abundance of humpback whales occurring around Boa Vista, Cape Verde Islands, was estimated by markrecapture modelling. Photographs of markings on tail flukes of individual whales were collected during the breeding season. Sighting histories were constructed for each individual and an abundance of 171 animals was estimated using a Jolly-Seber mark-recapture model. Correcting for known biases arising due to sex-specific behaviour and temporary emigration insofar as possible, an estimate of 260 whales was obtained. This is significantly higher than the previous estimate of 99 humpback whales from this region. Due to limited survey effort it is not known how representative the study area is of the entire Cape Verde archipelago and this estimate may be considered to be biased low and serves as a minimum estimate. The high recapture probability (0.37) coupled with the low abundance is consistent with a small local population. The low survival rate (0.86) suggests possible emigration and further studies are needed to assess connectivity between humpback whales breeding in Cape Verde and other breeding locations. The amount of exchange between groups of whales breeding in Cape Verde and adjacent areas remains unknown. It is unclear whether the abundance estimate herein applies to part of an isolated population or part of a larger and continuous one.
Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) has a wide geographical distribution, including France and southern Iberia to sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, and east to central Asia and northern central China, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and Taiwan (Pierce 1996). On the African mainland, breeding sites nearest to the Cape Verde Islands are in Mauritania and Senegal (Isenmann et al. 2010, Borrow & Demey 2014).
Recent data on status and distribution of resident and migrant birds in the Cape Verde Islands are presented, including records of nine taxa new to the archipelago, viz. Ciconia nigra, Ciconia ciconia, Circus macrourus, Falco naumanni, Chlidonias hybrida, Chlidonias leucopterus, Apus affinis, Ptyonoprogne fuligula and Phylloscopus inornatus. Also presented are data on a number of breeding taxa, including the first record of the endemic Cape Verde purple heron Ardea bournei outside Santiago island. The alarming situation of the magnificent frigatebird Fregata magnificens, of which only three individuals remain in Cape Verde, constituting the entire population in the East Atlantic, remains of great concern. Several species of birds of prey are also highly threatened and have already become extinct in some islands. Following its expansion through Northwest Africa and the Canary Islands, Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto has now also become established in at least three of the Cape Verde Islands.
The zoogeographic composition of the coastal ichthyofauna of the Cape Verde archipelago shows a predominance of Guinean species, followed by tropical-subtropical (amphi-Atlantic) fishes and several endemic species. Recent taxonomic revisions, new species descriptions, new fish records in the area and recent ecological surveys of intra-specific fish interaction as well as emergent research on seamounts in national waters warrant an up-to-date review of research on the ichthyofauna of Cape Verde. An updated percentage of endemic coastal reef fish of 10.2% attest significant speciation in Cape Verde waters. Almost half of the total cryptobenthic fish species richness in Cape Verde comprises endemic species, some of them newly discovered. Examples of endemism are discussed, notably white seabream Diplodus sargus lineatus, bulldog dentex Dentex (Virididentex) acromegalus, blackfish drummer Girella stuebeli, Lubbock's chromis Chromis lubbocki, Cape Verde damselfish Similiparma hermani and Guinean parrotfish Scarus hoefleri. Cape Verde diverges considerably from the other Macaronesian island groups in terms of its ichthyofauna and its uniqueness warrants special attention by governmental agencies and conservation organizations.
During an entomological survey in Santiago Island, Cape Verde Islands, in November-December 2011 in order to study the bio-ecology and susceptibility to insecticides of Anopheles arabiensis Patton, 1905, Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles, 1901 was found to be present in the Santa Cruz District. Both adult and immature specimens were collected and a description of both is given. Further confirmation of the taxonomic identity of the specimens was obtained from studying the male genitalia. This is the first known occurrence of Culex tritaeniorhynchus (a primary vector of Japanese encephalitis in eastern and southern Asia and a potential vector of West Nile Virus, Sindbis and Rift Valley Fever Virus) in the Cape Verde Islands.
The genus Paragymnopleurus Shipp, 1897 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae: Gymnopleurini) is characterized and its constituent taxa are keyed and illustrated. Twelve species and five subspecies are deemed valid, and five species groups are recognized. Three new synonymies include: Paragymnopleurus stipes japonicus Balthasar is synonymized with P. ambiguus Janssens, and P. maurus malayanus Ochi and Kon and P. maurus pauliani Janssens are synonymized with the nominotypical subspecies. First country and provincial records are reported for P. brahminus (Waterhouse), P. maurus (Sharp) and P. sinuatus szechouanicus Balthasar. A lectotype is here designated for Gymnopleurus singularis Waterhouse, validating an unpublished designation. A checklist of valid species and synonyms is provided.
A summary of the milliped faunas of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Kashmir (Arthropoda: Diplopoda)
(2014)
Three female callipodidan samples from northern Pakistan are assigned to Bollmania kohalana (Attems, 1936) (Caspiopetalidae), the only ordinal representative documented from the country; a new record of Kaschmiriosoma loebli Jeekel, 2003 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), is also provided. Localities are summarized for the 14 Pakistani, 6 Kashmirian, and 5 Bangladeshi diplopods. The last include one unidentifi able female of Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae), and two adventive species, Trachyjulus calvus (Pocock, 1893) (Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae) and Asiomorpha coarctata (Saussure, 1860) (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae); all constitute new country records. Two obscurely documented Bangladeshi diplopods are Gonoplectus cautus (Attems, 1936) (Spirostreptida: Harpagophoridae), and Trichopeltis watsoni Pocock, 1895 (Polydesmida: Cryptodesmidae). The Pakistani polydesmidan, Quasidesmus puschtun Golovatch, 1991, is transferred from Pyrgodesmidae to Cryptodesmidae.
Carinostoma elegans new to the Slovakian harvestmen fauna (Opiliones, Dyspnoi, Nemastomatidae)
(2014)
A new genus and species of small harvestman was found for the first time in Slovakia – Carinostoma elegans (Sorensen, 1894). One male and two females were collected in the Mlyňany arboretum of the Slovak Academy of Science (western Slovakia). Descriptions and photographs of both sexes of C. elegans are provided. Additional comments, and a map of distribution of all species of this genus, are provided.
For faunistic research on a certain animal group, knowledge of the situation in surrounding countries is a necessity. The presence of certain species in neighbouring regions, together with notes on their distribution and trends, offers valuable information for the interpretation of the status of these species in one’s own study area. Changes in the national fauna – e.g. the discovery of a new species – can often better be explained when integrating information on the status of species in nearby countries. Distribution atlases are therefore not only valuable publications for the country of concern, but also for other countries in the same region.
Sauron rayi (Simon, 1881) is recorded in Austria for the first time. Male and female specimens of this rare European spider were found in two “Austrian pine forests” in Lower Austria. Data on distribution, habitat, phenology and Red List status from the Austrian localities and from published records in other countries are presented.
Jörg Wunderlich wurde am 19. Dezember 1939 in Berlin geboren. Nach dem zweiten Weltkrieg befand sich seine Familie im Osten des Landes, es gelang ihr aber 1951 nach West-Berlin zu ziehen. Aufgrund der mangelnden schulischen Ausbildung in der Nachkriegszeit und der unterschiedlichen Schulprogramme im Osten (Russisch) und Westen (Latein und Englisch) schloss Jörg die Schule im Alter von 20 Jahren ab.
Danach begann er an der Freien Universität Berlin zunächst Mathematik zu studieren, wechselte aber bald zu Biologie, Geographie, Politikwissenschaften und Philosophie. Insgesamt verbrachte er acht Jahre an der Universität. Währenddessen übernahm er Jobs um sich seinen Lebensunterhalt zu finanzieren. Seine Staatsexamensarbeit an der Freien Universität war eine ökologische Studie über die Zwergspinnenfauna der Pfaueninsel in Berlin, einem Naturschutzgebiet, in dem er über 300 Webspinnenarten in verschiedenen Habitaten nachwies, zwei davon neu für die Wissenschaft (Glyphesis taoplesius, Moebelia berolinensis).
Die Springspinne Evarcha michailovi Logunov, 1992 wird erstmalig für Deutschland von einem ehemaligen Truppenübungsplatz im Süden Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns gemeldet. Gleichzeitig werden Erstnachweise der Springspinnen Evarcha laetabunda (C. L. Koch, 1846), Philaeus chrysops (Poda, 1761) und Sitticus inexpectus Logunov & Kronestedt, 1997, der Haubennetzspinne Crustulina sticta (O. P.-Cambridge, 1861) sowie der Krabbenspinne Heriaeus graminicola (Doleschall, 1852) erbracht.
Examination of the type material of the forgotten species Liocranum ochraceum Simon, 1867 reveals this species has to be transferred to the genus Anagraphis comb. nov. and that Anagraphis pallida (Hadjissarantos, 1940) is its junior synonym (syn. nov.). Furthermore, the monotypic genus Macedoniella Drensky, 1935 is a junior synonym of Anagraphis and M. karamani a junior synonym of Anagraphis ochraceum (L. Koch, 1867) (syn. nov.).
A survey of spiders of the genus Scytodes Latreille, 1804 in Iran resulted in six species occurring in this country: Scytodes fusca Walckenaer, 1837, S. strandi Spassky, 1941, S. thoracica (Latreille, 1802), S. univittata Simon, 1882 and – recorded for the first time – S. arwa Rheims, Brescovit & van Harten, 2006 and S. makeda Rheims, Brescovit & van Harten, 2006. Illustrations of the newly recorded species and a key to all known Iranian species are presented.
Carniella brignolii Thaler & Steinberger, 1988 was first described based on a male from Austria and still belongs to the rare, scarcely studied species. Based on material from Germany and Switzerland the hitherto unknown female now can be assigned and presented. In this context a new synonymy is also proposed: The cave-dwelling, troglomorphic C. mihaili (Georgescu, 1989) from Romania, originally established as new genus Marianana, is synonymised with C. brignolii.