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We compared Chatham Island endemic species Xanthocnemis tuanuii to its congenerics from the New Zealand South Island: X. zealandica (newly collected specimens)and X. sinclairi (type specimens plus newly collected material). Two independent tests were performed –geometric morphometrics and molecular. Both analyses were consistent in supporting the status of X. tuanuiias a good species. Species differed statistically in the following morphological traits: head (dorsal view), male appendages (dorsal, lateral, posterior and ventral views), thorax (dorsal view), and penis (dorsal and lateral view). In addition to the original diagnostic features (mainly shape of the male superior appendages), a new morphological character is suggested here which reliably distinguishes the species based on the shape of the inferior appendages. There was no statistical support for the species status of X. sinclairi. The only feature re-ported as diagnostic (lower lobe of male superior appendages) was found to be variable and insufficient to warrant the previously proposed taxonomic rank for X. sinclairi. Molecular analysis of specimens showing identical appendages to the X. sinclairi holotype grouped them with X. zealandica specimens. Therefore X. sinclairi is synonymised with X. zealandica.
One feature of global geographic variation in avian body sizes is that they are larger on isolated islands than on continental regions. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether there have been changes in body size following successful establishment for seven passerine bird species (blackbird Turdus merula, song thrush T. philomelos, house sparrow Passer domesticus, chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, greenfinch Chloris chloris, goldfinch Carduelis carduelis, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella) introduced from the continental islands of the UK to the more isolated oceanic landmass of New Zealand in the middle of the nineteenth century. Measures of tarsus length were taken from individuals from contemporary UK and New Zealand populations of these species, and from historical specimens collected around the time that individuals were translocated from the UK to New Zealand. Analysis of Variance was used to test for size differences between contemporary UK and New Zealand populations, and between historical UK and contemporary UK and New Zealand populations. Historical UK populations have longer tarsi, on average, than 12 (7 UK and 5 New Zealand) of the 14 contemporary populations. Significant decreases in tarsus length relative to the historical populations have occurred in the UK for blackbird, chaffinch and greenfinch, and in the New Zealand blackbird population. Contemporary New Zealand house sparrows have significantly longer tarsi, on average, than both historical and contemporary UK populations. Exposure to novel environments may be expected to lead to changes in the morphology and other traits of exotic species, but changes have also occurred in the native range. In fact, contrary to expectations, the most common differences we found were between contemporary and historical UK populations. Consideration of contemporary populations alone would underestimate the true scale of morphological change in these species over time, which may be due to phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation to environmental changes experienced by all populations in the last 150 years.
The genus Pleioplectron was first described by Hutton (1896) and included six New Zealand species. This genus has since had three species moved, one each to the genera Pachyrhamma Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1888, Miotopus Hutton, 1898 and Novoplectron Richards, 1958. Here we clarify the status and appearance of Pleioplectron simplex Hutton, 1896 (incl. P. pectinatum Hutton, 1896 syn. nov.) and P. hudsoni Hutton, 1896, as well as P. thomsoni (Chopard, 1923) comb. nov., which is transferred from the genus Weta Chopard, 1923. The genus Weta is newly synonymised with Pleioplectron. We also describe seven new species of Pleioplectron from South Island, New Zealand: P. auratum sp. nov., P. caudatum sp. nov, P. crystallae sp. nov., P. flavicorne sp. nov., P. gubernator sp. nov., P. rodmorrisi sp. nov and P. triquetrum sp. nov. We base these descriptions on morphology using fresh specimens of both male and female adults, and provide support for each with DNA sequence variation (mtDNA, partial COI).
The New Zealand alpine cave wētā genus Pharmacus was first described by Pictet & de Saussure (1893) as a monotypic taxon. Three species were added to the genus by Richards in 1972. Here we clarify the status and appearance of all known species of Pharmacus. Based on morphology and mtDNA sequences we determine that the species Pharmacus brewsterensis Richards, 1972 is better placed within the genus Notoplectron Richards, 1964. We also resolve the species Isoplectron cochleatum Karny, 1935 and show that it belongs to the genus Pharmacus. Additionally, we describe six new species and three new subspecies from the southern regions of South Island, New Zealand. We provide key traits and known distributions for all known species and subspecies in this alpine genus. New combinations: Pharmacus brewsterensis Richards, 1972 becomes Notoplectron brewsterense (Richards, 1972) comb. nov.; Isoplectron cochleatum Karny, 1935 becomes Pharmacus cochleatus (Karny, 1935) comb. nov. New species and subspecies: Pharmacus cochleatus rawhiti subsp. nov., Pharmacus cochleatus fiordensis subsp. nov., Pharmacus cochleatus nauclerus subsp. nov., Pharmacus concinnus sp. nov., Pharmacus cristatus sp. nov., Pharmacus notabilis sp. nov., Pharmacus perfidus sp. nov., Pharmacus senex sp. nov. and Pharmacus vallestris sp. nov. New synonyms: Pharmacus dumbletoni Richards, 1972 = Pharmacus montanus Pictet & de Saussure, 1893 syn. nov.; Pharmacus chapmanae Richards, 1972 = Pharmacus cochleatus (Karny, 1935) syn. nov.
Glemparon Jaschhof, 2013, a previously monotypic genus confined to Sweden, is shown here to be considerably richer in species, with most species found to occur in the Australasian region. Eighteen new species are described: G. tomelilla sp. nov. (from Sweden); G. aotearoa sp. nov., G. birhojohmi sp. nov., G. cervus sp. nov., G. didhami sp. nov, G. kaikoura sp. nov., G. nativitas sp. nov., G. orautahi sp. nov., G. otago sp. nov., G. pureora sp. nov., G. rakiura sp. nov., G. rotoiti sp. nov., G. rotoroa sp. nov., G. tewaipounamu sp. nov., G. waipapa sp. nov., G. waipoua sp. nov. (all from New Zealand); G. manuka sp. nov. and G. warra sp. nov. (both from Tasmania, Australia). Glemparon sagittifer Jaschhof, 2013 is redescribed. Genitalic illustrations are provided allowing for the effective identification of all the species known thus far. Morphological data obtained here are used for revising the generic definition. Dicerura Kieffer, 1898 is hypothesized as the sister group to Glemparon. The case of Glemparon is discussed as a perfect example of the fact that our collective ignorance of porricondyline diversity in most parts of the world is a major impediment to a better understanding of the European species.
The genus Bembidion Latreille (Carabidae: Bembidiini) is reviewed for New Zealand. Thirty-six species-group taxa are recognized. Seven species are described as new: Bembidion (Zecillenus) karikari new species, Bembidion (Zecillenus) puponga new species, Bembidion (Zecillenus) tepaki new species, Bembidion (Zecillenus) waimarama new species, Bembidion (Zemetallina) bullerense new species, Bembidion (Zemetallina) mangamuka new species, Bembidion (Zemetallina) waiho new species. The taxonomic status of two species-group taxa is changed (valid names listed after equal sign): Bembidion (Zeactedium) orbiferum giachinoi Toledano, 2005 = Bembidion (Zeactedium) giachinoi Toledano, 2005; Bembidion (Zeperyphodes) nesophilum Broun, 1886 (previously synonymized with Bembidion (Zeperyphodes) callipeplum Bates, 1878) is resurrected from synonymy. A new synonymy is established (valid name listed after equal sign): Bembidion (Ananotaphus) rotundicolle eustictum Bates, 1878 = Bembidion (Ananotaphus) rotundicolle Bates, 1874. A concise review of the taxonomy of all taxa is provided.
Descriptions, identifi cation keys, illustrations of male genitalia, habitus photos, as well a s distributional data and
maps are given. Extensive information on ecology, biology, dispersal power, and collecting techniques is included for each species.
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.
The present study describes five new free-living nematode species and provides three new species records of the family Comesomatidae (genera Cervonema Wieser, 1954, Dorylaimopsis Ditlevsen, 1918, Hopperia Vitiello, 1969, and Kenyanema Muthumbi et al., 1997) from the continental margin of New Zealand, Southwest Pacific. Dichotomous identification keys are provided for all known species of Dorylaimopsis and Hopperia. Cervonema shiae Chen & Vincx, 2000 is recorded for the first time outside the type locality (Beagle Channel, Chile). C. kaikouraensis sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5.5 turns situated at 1.7 head diameter from anterior end, jointed outer labial setae, equal in length to cephalic setae, sperm dimorphism, and 5-6 small pre-cloacal supplements. C. multispira sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 8.0-8.5 turns situated at 2.6-4.0 head diameter from anterior end, cephalic setae 2-3 μm long, slightly shorter than outer labial setae, presence of six uninucleated cells in males (potentially pseudocoelomocytes or supplementary excretory cells), 5 small pre-cloacal supplements, and strongly cuticularised, arcuate spicules with capitulum. C. proberti sp. nov. is characterised by amphideal fovea with 5 turns and located at < 1 head diameter from anterior end, cephalic setae 1.6-2.0 times longer than outer labial setae, and 8 small pre-cloacal supplements. Dorylaimopsis nodderi sp. nov. is characterised by cuticle with lateral differentiation consisting of three longitudinal rows of larger dots in the pharyngeal and caudal regions, two rows of larger dots in middle region of body, and spicules with rounded ventral projection at one third of spicule length from distal end, giving appearance of a joint. Hopperia ancora sp. nov. is characterised by short conical cephalic setae, spicules with hook-like projection at distal end, gubernaculum with bent apophyses, and 11-13 pre-cloacal supplements. H. beaglense Chen & Vincx, 1998 is recorded from Kaikoura Canyon, the fi rst record of this species outside the type locality (Beagle Channel, Chile). Kenyanema monorchis Muthumbi et al., 1997 is also recorded for the first time outside the type locality (Indian Ocean).
Two new species of the family Trefusiidae, viz., Trefusia piperata sp. nov. and Trefusialaimus idrisi sp. nov., are described from the crest of the Chatham Rise, Southwest Pacific Ocean (350 m water depth). The present study provides the first species records for this family in the region. Trefusia and Trefusialaimus comprise twenty and three valid species, respectively. A key to males of Trefusia is provided.
Three new species of the order Monhysterida are described based on specimens obtained at depths of 8081 and 9177 m in the Kermadec Trench. Thelonema clarki sp. nov. is characterised by a large body size (3230–4461 μm), short cylindrical buccal cavity, gubernaculum without apophyses, and long conico-cylindrical tail. This is the first record of the genus since its original description over two decades ago from the Peru Basin. Metasphaerolaimus constrictus sp. nov. is characterised by a relatively long body (1232–1623 μm), slightly arcuate spicules without gubernaculum, and conico-cylindrical tail with inner cuticle conspicuously thickened immediately anterior to cylindrical portion. Monhystrella kermadecensis sp. nov. is characterised by a circle of papillose outer labial sensillae slightly anterior to the four short cephalic setae, gubernaculum with caudal apophyses, the presence of distinct cuticularised piece along anterior vaginal wall, and a relatively short conical (males) or conico-cylindrical tail (females) with conical, ventrally-curved spinneret. M. kermadecensis sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other species of the genus, and, indeed, the entire family, based on the variable position of the anterior gonad relative to the intestine. The new species is classified within the Monhysteridae, and not the closely-related Xyalidae, based on the small body size, a smooth cuticle, and the presence of six outer labial papillae and only one testis. Further work is required to clarify the placement of M. kermadecensis sp. nov. relative to other monhysterid genera. A tabular key to all ten valid Metasphaerolaimus species is presented.