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Three new species of the family Pyrgodesmidae Silvestri, 1896 from the Udzungwa Mountains are described: Cryptocorypha geminiramus sp. nov., Cryptocorypha cactifer sp. nov., and Cryptocorypha exovo sp. nov. Several additional, unidentifiable pyrgodesmids from the Udzungwa Mountains are recorded. Elythesmus enghoffi Hoffman, 1978 (Cryptodesmidae Karsch, 1880), is recorded from the East Usambara (type locality), West Usambara, Uluguru, Nguru (Kanga) and Udzungwa Mountains, and its variation in size and body ring numbers is analyzed. The surface sculpture of pro- and metazonites is discussed.
The “trachystreptoform” species of Spirostreptidae, i.e., species which would formerly have been ascribed to the tribe Trachystreptini, from the Udzungwa Mountains are (re)described, including one new genus and five new species: Attemsostreptus reflexus Akkari & Enghoff, 2019, A. cataractae Enghoff sp. nov., A. leptoptilos Enghoff sp. nov., A. julostriatus Enghoff sp. nov., Lophostreptus tersus (Cook, 1896) (= L. ptilostreptoides Carl, 1909 syn. nov.), L. magombera Enghoff sp. nov., and Udzungwastreptus marianae Enghoff gen. et sp. nov. The type material of Lophostreptus regularis Attems, 1909 (= L. tersus) is discussed. The discussion includes paragraphs on the classification and the Udzungwa fauna of Spirostreptidae, on grouping of the Udzungwa trachystreptoform species in relation to altitude, and on the possibly recent immigration of A. reflexus and L. tersus into the Udzungwa Mts.
The use of integrative taxonomy has confirmed the existence of a new distinct crab species, cryptic, within the group of the former genus Liocarcinus, now Polybius, closely related to P. holsatus, P. vernalis and P. marmoreus. Previous reports have considered it to be the Atlantic form of P. vernalis, or as a species “affinis” or “comparable to” P. holsatus. Diagnostic morphological characters are presented for identification and the morphological variability in these species, mainly within P. vernalis (the most related) is analysed. Furthermore, based on molecular and other previous data, a new combination (genus change) is proposed. This new species, Polybius dioscurus sp. nov., lives on infralittoral sandy bottoms, coexisting with the other species mentioned, in the temperate and subtropical zone of the North Atlantic Ocean, including the Alboran Sea (westernmost Mediterranean).
Serratichneumon Riedel & Sheng gen. nov. and Serratichneumon maculatus Sheng & Riedel gen. et sp. nov. belonging to the tribe Ichneumonini of subfamily Ichneumoninae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), collected in the Oriental Region (China, Vietnam, and Indonesia), are described and illustrated. The new genus is placed in Tereshkin’s key to the Palaearctic genera of the subtribe Amblytelina, and compared with similar genera, Hepiopelmus Wesmael, 1845, and Tricholabus Thomson, 1894.
A new fossil ceratopogonid genus and species from Lower Cretaceous Lebanese amber, Baskintoconops maaloufi Pielowska-Ceranowska gen. et sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The studied material originates from a newly discovered amber site in the Lebanese village Baskinta at a locality dubbed Qanat Bakish. The described genus is typified by its wing venation pattern combining characters of genera Fossileptoconops and Jordanoconops belonging to the subfamily Leptoconopinae.
Ysachron pilosus gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Caribbean region of Colombia, and an updated key to genera of South American Achrysonini is provided. Moreover, the geographical distribution of 45 species of Cerambycidae, belonging to the subfamilies Cerambycinae, Lamiinae and Prioninae, is expanded, including nine new country records for Colombia and a further locality in Colombia for nine species.
Bujurquina is the most widely distributed and species-rich genus of cichlids in the western Amazon of South America. In this study we describe a new species from Peru from a hypothesized reverse flowing river system. Prior to the origin of the modern Amazon River at 4.5 Ma, this river system had its headwaters on the Iquitos arch, one of several main structural arches (swells) in the Amazon. Prior to the origin of the modern Amazon these arches formed topographic barriers of drainage basins in lowland Amazonia. For our analyses we use morphological and molecular data, analyzed through multivariate statistics and molecular phylogenies, respectivelly. For all valid species in the genus (except B. cordemadi and B. pardus) we additionally for the first time provide photographs of live specimens. Based on DNA phylogeny and coloration patterns we demonstrate that Bujurquina is divided into two main clades and based on this we provide a dichotomous key for all the species.
Known by many names, the Chinese banyan (Ficus microcarpa L.) is a monoecious plant species originating from south-eastern Asia which has been introduced as an ornamental in numerous areas outside its native range, including the Mediterranean. Like every species of Ficus, it is associated with a series of chalcid wasp species, known as fig wasps. These species are distributed in the families Agaonidae, Epichrysomallidae, Eurytomidae, Ormyridae and Pteromalidae. In this publication, we describe a new species of Ormyrus Westwood, 1832 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Ormyridae), O. microcarpae Askew & Koutsoukos sp. nov., reared from figs of F. microcarpa collected from Greece and Cyprus. The new species is compared with O. lini and O. watshami. This species is likely to be a parasitoid of Meselatus bicolor Chen, 1999 (Hymenoptera, Epichrysomallidae). In addition, the previously unknown female of O. lini is also described and illustrated. This publication constitutes the first report of species of Ormyrus associated with figs in Europe.
Plagiognathus ozgurkocaki sp. nov. is described based on a long series of specimens from Karaman, Turkey. The new species is remarkable among its congeners in Palearctic Region due to the combination of following characters: remarkably small size, dense and unicolorous pale yellow vestiture, darkened cuneus and yellow first antennal segment with a basal ring and pre-apical dots. The new species is associated with the endemic Phlomis leucophracta P.H.Davis & Hub.-Mor. (Lamiaceae) which makes it unique among all its congeners. Additionally, Plagiognathus bipunctatus albicans (Reuter, 1901) and Plagiognathus marivanensis Linnavuori, 2010 are recorded from Karaman, former constitutes a new record for Turkey.
In order to provide a reassessment of the Neotropical genus Pseudonannolene Silvestri, 1895, a cladistic analysis, biogeographic analysis, and taxonomic review were conducted in the present work. For the cladistic approach, 91 morphological characters were scored for 53 terminals as the ingroup and 10 as the outgroup. Three synapomorphies support the monophyly of the genus: presence of a longitudinal suture on the promentum, penial bases partially fused, and the internal branch of the gonopods surrounding the telopodite; and two homoplastic transformations: the lateral lobe of the collum densely striated and setae present up to the apical portion of the prefemoral process on the first leg-pair of males. The genus Pseudonannolene is recovered as sister-group of Epinannolene Brölemann, 1903 (Pseudonannoleninae). A total of 226 occurrence points were recorded for Pseudonannolene, with the majority of records from the Chacoan subregion, composed by Araucaria Forest, Atlantic, and Parana Forest provinces. The biogeographical searches using the Geographically explicit Event Model recovered two biogeographic reconstructions (cost of 79 000), with the vicariance events occurring more frequently in the deep clades, whereas sympatry and points of sympatry occurred in more inclusive clades. The first reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 13 sympatries, 4 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events, and the second reconstruction recovered four vicariances, 12–13 sympatries, 4–5 points of sympatry, and 21 founder events. The genus Pseudonannolene comprises 56 species, including 8 new species herein described: P. alata sp. nov., P. aurea sp. nov., P. bucculenta sp. nov., P. curvata sp. nov., P. granulata sp. nov., P. insularis sp. nov., P. morettii sp. nov., and P. nicolau sp. nov.; P. brevis Silvestri, 1902 and P. rugosetta Silvestri, 1897 are regarded as species inquirendae; a neotype of P. alegrensis Silvestri, 1897 is here proposed with male described for the first time. The following taxa are synonymized: P. canastra Gallo & Bichuette, 2020 and P. saguassu Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. ambuatinga Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013; P. marconii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013 with P. longicornis (Porat, 1888); P. chaimowiczi Fontanetti, 1996, P. gogo Iniesta & Ferreira, 2013, P. rosineii Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, P. taboa Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014, and P. longissima Iniesta & Ferreira, 2014 with P. microzoporus Mauriès, 1987; P. tricolor gracilis Brölemann, 1902 and P. tricolor rugosus Schubart, 1945 with P. tricolor Brölemann, 1902; P. auguralis Silvestri, 1902 with P. rocana Silvestri, 1902; and P. abbreviata Silvestri, 1902 with P. typica Silvestri, 1895. P. inops Brölemann, 1929 is proposed here as new status from P. bovei inops. A dichotomous identification key is presented to facilitate the species identification.
Rhytidaphora Reshchikov & Quicke gen. nov. (type species Rhytidaphora thailandica Reshchikov & Quicke gen. et sp. nov.) from Thailand is described and illustrated. It belongs to the tribe Euryproctini of the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) based on the absence of glymma and the subapical notch on the ovipositor. The new taxon differs from all other genera of Euryproctini by the occipital carina being broadly incomplete dorsally, the hypostomal carina joining the occipital carina shortly before the base of the mandible, distinctly pectinate tarsal claws, and immovably fused and strongly sculptured second and third metasomal tergites.
Ten new species of Thinophilus Wahlberg, 1844 from the Afrotropical region are described and illustrated: T. saegeri sp. nov. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, T. medvedevi sp. nov., T. longicercus sp. nov., T. cataractae sp. nov. and T. manambato sp. nov. from Madagascar, T. gallagheri sp. nov. and T. deemingi sp. nov. from Oman, T. sigwalti sp. nov. from Senegal, T. subpalpatus sp. nov. from South Africa, and T. fluvialis sp. nov. from Tanzania. Type material for 13 previously described Afrotropical species is examined. The genus Paralleloneurum Becker, 1902 is newly synonymized with Thinophilus (syn. nov.). As a result, the following new combinations are here established: Thinophilus cilifemoratus (Becker, 1902) comb. nov. and T. pygmaeus (De Meijere, 1916), comb. nov. The following new synonyms are proposed: Thinophilus annulitarsis Parent, 1936 with T. calopus Loew 1852; T. bipunctatus Curran, 1926 and T. maculatus Parent, 1929 with T. indigenus Becker, 1902. New records are given for some known species. Thinophilus argyropalpis Becker, 1910 and T. spinitarsis Becker, 1907 are reported from the Afrotropical Region for the first time. The number of species of the genus, known from continental Africa, Oman, Yemen and Madagascar, has increased to 30. An identification key to 29 Afrotropical species is compiled. Thinophilus versutus Haliday, 1851 and T. cilifemoratus (Becker, 1902), type species of the former genera Schoenophilus Mik, 1878 and Paralleloneurum Becker, 1902, are subsequently also included into the key, because the two species inhabit northern Africa.
The Acanthocinini genus Alcathousiella Monné, 2005 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) is revised with both the genus and the type species, Alcathousiella polyrhaphoides (White, 1855) redescribed. New country records for the species, greatly expanding its known distribution in South America, are also presented. Lastly, Alcathousiella giesberti sp. nov., from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama is described and illustrated.
A review of the genus Stratiomys from India is presented. The new species Stratiomys brunettii sp. nov. is described based on male and female specimens collected from the Kashmir Himalayas. The only other congener previously recorded in India, Stratiomys approximata, is redescribed. A key to the species is presented.
Molecular phylogenetic studies of Moraea Mill. and the inclusion of Barnardiella Goldblatt, Galaxia Thunb., Gynandriris Parl., Hexaglottis Vent., Homeria Vent. and Roggeveldia Goldblatt in the genus have rendered the existing infrageneric classification, dating from 1976, in need of substantial revision. In particular, subg. Moraea and subg. Vieusseuxia have been shown to be paraphyletic. We propose a new infrageneric classification, based, as far as current data permit, on phylogenetic principles. Monophyletic subgenera and sections are circumscribed based on molecular phylogenies alone or in combination with morphological considerations. We recognize 11 subgenera, 15 sections and three series, arranged as follows in phylogenetic sequence: Plumarieae; Visciramosae (with sect. Multifoliae and sect. Visciramosae); Moraea (with sect. Moraea and sect. Polyphyllae); Galaxia (with ser. Unguiculatae, ser. Eurystigma and ser. Galaxia); Monocephalae; Acaules; Polyanthes (with sect. Serpentinae, sect. Deserticola, sect. Hexaglottis, sect. Gynandriris, sect. Polyanthes and sect. Pseudospicatae); Grandifl orae; Vieusseuxia (with sect. Integres, sect. Vieusseuxia and sect. Villosae); and Homeria (with sect. Stipanthera, sect. Flexuosae, sect. Homeria and sect. Conantherae). Most are moderately to well circumscribed at the morphological level either by floral or vegetative characters, except subg. Moraea, which includes a small number of unspecialized species apparently not linked by any apomorphic features. With over 27 new species described in the past 25 years and another 60 transferred to the genus, Moraea now includes 214 species. We provide a full taxonomic synopsis of the genus.
The genus Scipopus (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is redefined and revised to include the genera previously treated as the “Scipopus group” which included Scipopus Enderlein, Pseudeurybata Hennig, and Phaeopterina Frey. Pseudeurybata is treated as a junior synonym of Phaeopterina and the genus Scipopus is redefined to include three subgenera: Scipopus s. str., Phaeopterina and Parascipopus subgen. nov.. Redescriptions of 18 previously described species, and descriptions of 25 new species are provided as follows: S. (Parascipopus) subgen. nov., S. (Parascipopus) alturas sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) fenestratus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) kubus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) monteverde sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) nigriscapus sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) otisi sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) savegre sp. nov., S. (Parascipopus) tico sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) argentum sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) brunneus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) lineatus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) musculosus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) narupa sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) noturgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) turgidus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) vee sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) fraudator sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) metallicus sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) quetzal sp. nov., S. (Phaeopterina) uniformis sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) brikelos sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) convexus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) nitidus sp. nov., S. (Scipopus) planus sp. nov., and S. (Scipopus) wokomung sp. nov. Scipopus (Scipopus) limbativertex Enderlein is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) nigripennis (Hendel), S. (Scipopus) bolivianus Hennig is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) belzebul (Schiner), S. (Scipopus) frit Cresson is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) calocephalus (Bigot) and S. (Scipopus) alvarengai Albuquerque is a new junior synonym of S. (Scipopus) erythrocephalus (Fabricius). The phylogeny of Scipopus s. lat. and its presumed outgroup (a clade containing Rainieriella Aczel) is considered using morphological and molecular data and supported with a maximum likelihood tree for the genes 12S, 28S and COI.
The Australian genus Pleuroseta Richards, 1973 is revised, including P. wentworthi (Richards, 1973) and three new species: P. ingens sp. nov. (Queensland), P. monteithi sp. nov. (Queensland) and P. occidentalis sp. nov. (Western Australia). Leptocera (Biroina) dorrigonis Richards, 1973 is treated as a new junior synonym of Pleuroseta wentworthi.
The genus Armillipora Quate is recorded for the first time in Ecuador, with a new geographical record for Armillipora selvica Quate, 1996 and the descriptions of two new species, namely Armillipora muyu sp. nov. and Armillipora imitata sp. nov., doubling the total number of species in the genus. In addition, we make available the first DNA barcodes for the genus, providing a sequence of the 5´-end of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for A. imitata, A. muyu, and, A. selvica. Moreover, we describe the second known female of the genus and we provide a taxonomical key for the known males of the world. Finally, we build Species Distribution Models and discuss the potential distribution of the genus in the Neotropical region.
Recently, it has been hypothesized that the wide distribution of A. fiuzai Salles & Lugo-Ortiz is due to a wide diagnosis and conflicting keys. The same arguments can be applied to A. kallawaya Nieto. In order to test this hypothesis, we revised the type material of A. fiuzai, literature of A. kallawaya, and part of the recorded specimens in Brazil. As a result, three new species from previous records are recognized: Apobaetis pasternakae sp. nov., former A. fiuzai in Amazonas, Roraima and Maranhão states; Apobaetis jaquelinae sp. nov., former A. fiuzai in Rondônia State; Apobaetis luanae sp. nov., former A. kallawaya in Rondônia State. The new data showed that A. fiuzai does not occur in the Amazon Biome and A. kallawaya does not occur in Brazil. Records of A. fiuzai that could not be reviewed in this study are treated as putative and should be evaluated in the light of the new evidence. We also studied the intraspecific variation in A. fiuzai and A. pasternakae sp. nov. The pigment pattern of the nymphs was not considered a robust characteristic for the species differentiation due to the wide variation in and between populations, and interspecific similarity of many features. On the other hand, classical morphological characters such as mouthparts, legs, spines of terga, paraproct and caudal filaments have minimal variation, stable and reliable for specific identification.
The genus Neostasina Rheims & Alayón is revisited. New material is examined, resulting in the description of seven new species: N. aceitillar sp. nov. (♀), N. bani sp. nov. (♂♀), N. demaco sp. nov. (♀) from Dominican Republic, N. juanita sp. nov. (♀), N. paraiso sp. nov. (♂♀), N. toronegro sp. nov. (♀) from Puerto Rico, and N. maisi sp. nov. (♂♀) from Cuba. New distribution records are given for N. amalie, N. cachote, N. guanaboa, N. iberia, N. saetosa, N. siempreverde and N. turquino. In addition, an updated identification key and updated distribution maps for all species of the genus are provided.
The number of currently described species of Afrotropical parasitoid wasps does not reflect the true species diversity. One of the most severely understudied parasitoid wasp groups is Ceraphronoidea. In this first study on Afrotropical mainland Ceraphronoidea in more than 20 years, which is also the first ever taxonomic monograph focusing on Ceraphronidae, we describe 88 new species of Ceraphronidae (85 new species) and Megaspilidae (3 new species) from Kakamega Forest (Kenya), Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and Ivindo NP (Gabon): Aphanogmus abaluhya sp. nov., A. ashitakai sp. nov., A. idakho sp. nov., A. ikhongamurwi sp. nov., A. isiukhu sp. nov., A. kakamegaensis sp. nov., A. lateritorum sp. nov., A. mangimelii sp. nov., A. mariae sp. nov., A. mashariki sp. nov., A. nehbergi sp. nov., A. njia sp. nov., A. vestrii sp. nov., A. yala sp. nov. (all clavicornis species group), A. dimidiatus sp. nov., A. fraterculus sp. nov., A. guenteri sp. nov., A. kakakili sp. nov., A. kisiwa sp. nov., A. maua sp. nov., A. morriconei sp. nov., A. ndefu sp. nov., A. ngai sp. nov., A. nikii sp. nov., A. pilosicoxa sp. nov., A. rafikii sp. nov., A. robustus sp. nov., A. simbai sp. nov., A. taji sp. nov., A. ukanda sp. nov. (all fumipennis species group), A. campanula sp. nov., A. kikuyu sp. nov., A. pagoda sp. nov. (all tenuicornis species group), Ceraphron banda sp. nov., C. brashi sp. nov., C. breviharpis sp. nov., C. breviscapus sp. nov., C. buyangu sp. nov., C. chemositi sp. nov., C. cingulum sp. nov., C. clavatumeris sp. nov., C. digiti sp. nov., C. eaerendili sp. nov., C. ekero sp. nov., C. ellae sp. nov., C. eulbergi sp. nov., C. herreni sp. nov., C. hitagarciai sp. nov., C. insolitus sp. nov., C. isecheno sp. nov., C. isukha sp. nov., C. ivindoensis sp. nov., C. kaharabu sp. nov., C. kaimosiensis sp. nov., C. kakamegaensis sp. nov., C. kidole sp. nov., C. kimathii sp. nov., C. lirhanda sp. nov., C. longiharpis sp. nov., C. longisetae sp. nov., C. longumerunus sp. nov., C. maathaiae sp. nov., C. malava sp. nov., C. mamamutere sp. nov., C. metapleuralis sp. nov., C. mikoi sp. nov., C. mwekaensis sp. nov., C. nandi sp. nov., C. nzoia sp. nov., C. onesimusi sp. nov., C. pilosiharpis sp. nov., C. pleurosulcus sp. nov., C. reinholdi sp. nov., C. salazar sp. nov., C. sataoi sp. nov., C. semira sp. nov., C. sungura sp. nov., C. tenuimeris sp. nov., C. tiriki sp. nov., C. trietschae sp. nov., Cyoceraphron dhahabudorsalis sp. nov., C. harpe sp. nov., C. invisibilis sp. nov., C. kahawia sp. nov., C. njano sp. nov. (all Ceraphronidae), Conostigmus kijiko sp. nov., C. koleo sp. nov., and Dendrocerus wachagga sp. nov. (all Megaspilidae). In addition, we describe four species of Aphanogmus and five species of Ceraphron without formal naming. A neotype is designated for Dendrocerus anneckei Dessart, 1985 (Megaspilidae). With these new species we more than double the number described from the Afrotropical mainland (65 vs 153). The species numbers found allow us to estimate the real worldwide species number of Ceraphronoidea as being roughly 12 000–21 000, i.e., 16–29 times the number of the currently described species (~730, including the species described herein). This study is meant to highlight that it is necessary and also possible to study the parasitoid wasps of tropical regions and provide momentum for exploring the diversity of small and diverse insect groups in the Afrotropics and elsewhere while also providing the basic knowledge that is much needed for protecting biodiversity and understanding evolution and the networks of life on earth. All described species are diagnosed and illustrated, with focus on the male genitalia. Furthermore, we provide an identification key to males of Afrotropical Ceraphronidae.
In this paper eight tribes (Gyrophaenini, Placusini, Homalotini, Diestotini, Falagriini, Athetini, Lomechusini, and Oxypodini), 19 genera and 42 species are recognized. Four genera (Brachyglyptaglossa n. gen. [Homalotini], Trisporusa n. gen., Daccordiusa n. gen. [Lomechusini], and Antistydatusa n. gen. [Oxypodini]) and 37 species are described as new. Each new genus and species is illustrated. Placusa fauveli Pasnik, 2001, from Sydney, is placed in synonymy with Placusa tridens Fauvel, 1878, from Sydney. A new combination to Spallioda for Calodera carissima Oliff is proposed.
Es werden Milben der Gattung Halolaelaps Berlese & Trouessart, 1889 bearbeitet und die neue Untergattung Halolaelaps (Halogamasellus) etabliert. Folgende neue Arten werden in dieser neuen Untergattung beschrieben: Halolaelaps (Halogamasellus) evansi, Halolaelaps (Halogamasellus) janinae und Halolaelaps (Halogamasellus) willmanni. Für die Männchen und Weibchen der Halolae/aps (Halogamasellus)-Arten wird ein Bestimmungsschlüssel aufgestellt. Die Typus-Art der Gattung Saprolae/ aps Leitner, 1946 Saprolaelaps subtilis Leitner, 1946 wird in die neue Untergattung übertragen.
A new flower fly genus (Diptera, Syrphidae), Biema Huo & Zhao gen. nov. from China is described based on two new species: Biema wanglangensis Huo & Zhao gen. et sp. nov. (designated as type-species) and Biema qilianensis Huo & Liu gen. et sp. nov. The new genus can easily be distinguished by the following morphological features: head, mesonotum and scutellum black; postpronotum without pile; metasternum not reduced, posterior margin shallowly concave; katepisternum only with ventral pile patches; alula narrow, as wide as basal width of cell c; male postabdomen conspicuously more swollen than other segments, surstylus and postgonite complex, phallus unsegmented. The results of our Bayesian inference and Maximum Likelihood analysis based on sequences of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, as well as the species delimitation tests, support the separation of Biema Huo & Zhao gen. nov. from its related taxa. Additionally, an identification key to the genera of the tribes Bacchini and Melanostomini occurring in China is provided.
Following a review of the circumscription of the genus Cladoceras Bremek. (Rubiaceae) in relation to Tarenna Gaertn., the new species Cladoceras rovumense I.Darbysh., J.E.Burrows & Q.Luke sp. nov. is described from the dry forests of the Rovuma Centre of Plant Endemism (CoE) in southeast Tanzania and northeast Mozambique. This species has previously been known as Tarenna sp. 53, following the revision of African Tarenna by Jérôme Degreef. A comparison to Cladoceras subcapitatum (K.Schum. & K.Krause) Bremek., the only other member of this genus as currently circumscribed, is provided. The new species is assessed as Endangered under the criteria of the IUCN Red List. New records for Mozambique of two further Rovuma CoE endemics are recorded: Celosia patentiloba C.C.Towns. (Amaranthaceae) and Cordia fissistyla Vollesen (Boraginaceae), both of which are globally threatened.
The taxa of the subgenus Turritus of Cochlostoma (Cochlostomatidae) are analysed based on molecular and morphological data. The phylogenetic trees, based on ribosomal (16S) and nuclear (H3) DNA, indicate that the currently accepted taxonomy should be revised. Based on our data, there are 37 species in Turritus of which 5 are new to science: Cochlostoma (Turritus) pallgergelyi sp. nov., C. (T. ) muranyii sp. nov., C. (T. ) hallgassi sp. nov., C. (T. ) kontschani sp. nov. and C. (T. ) lacazei sp. nov. Of these, we describe the shells and the female genitalia and summarize the distributional data. Some samples (or set of samples) will remain undetermined for lack of data and these are reported in the appendix.
Conidera Rivalier, 1961 is a well-defined subgenus of tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) hitherto only known from two species endemic to the island of Luzon. This paper describes the first species from Mindoro, with a doubtful record from Mindanao. Cylindera (Conidera) mindoroana Zettel and Wiesner, new species, differs strongly by an unusual shape of the female’s elytra. A diagnosis for Conidera and a key to the species of this subgenus is presented.
Puparia of a new whitefly, Aleuroparadoxus marisae García-Ochaeta and Dubey, new species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), collected on leaves of Brosimum alicastrum Sw. in Santa Ana, Petén, Guatemala, and on Pimenta dioica (L). Merr. in Calzada Mopán, Dolores, Petén are described and illustrated. Drawings of morphological structures and differential diagnosis of the puparium are provided, and differences from congeners are discussed. A key to puparia of the Aleuroparadoxus Quaintance and Baker species is included.
ZooBank registration. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:74D1DB72-53A1-4A1C-BFE2-73194DD25908
A new species of Chrysina Kirby, C. clavellina Monzón, Blackaller, and Hawks (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae: Rutelini) is described from Santiago Clavellinas in the Sierra Azul in Oaxaca, Mexico. Chrysina cosijoezai (Ramírez-Ponce and Curoe) is placed as a junior synonym of C. lacordairei (Boucard), and notes on the Chrysina fauna of this mountain range are included.
A new species of Bathynellidae is described from Colorado (USA). Hobbsinella gunnisonensis Camacho & Taylor sp. nov. displays a unique combination of morphological characters including seven-segmented antenna lacking medial seta on exopod, antennule slightly longer than antenna, three-segmented mandibular palp, four articles on endopod of thoracopods I to VII and five spines on sympod and three spines on endopod of the uropods. Partial sequences of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and 18S have been obtained from several specimens of the new species. The mitocondrial and nuclear DNA data complement the traditional morphological taxonomic description support the validity of the new species. Molecular data for the Bathynellidae demonstrate the presence of two highly divergent genetic units, with the new species placed in the genus Hobbsinella. With the description of Hobbsinella gunnisonensis Camacho & Taylor sp. nov. and its molecular characterization, we discovered an interesting distribution of the genus, which occurs in both sides of the Continental Divide (Texas and Colorado) and different habitats.
In this paper, four new cave-dwelling species of the subgenus Tachycines (Gymnaeta) from Guangxi, Hunan and Jiangxi are described, i.e., Tachycines (Gymnaeta) quadratus sp. nov., Tachycines (Gymnaeta) shiziensis sp. nov., Tachycines (Gymnaeta) sparsispinus sp. nov. and Tachycines (Gymnaeta) papilious sp. nov. The female of Tachycines (Gymnaeta) liboensis Zhu, Chen & Shi, 2020 is recorded for the first time. Moreover, images illustrating the morphology of the four new and three previously described species are provided.
A new subgenus, Hydrosmectomorpha Klimaszewski and Webster, of the genus Atheta C. G. Thomson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) is erected to accommodate three new species and Atheta newfoundlandica (Klimaszewski and Langor). The new species are: Atheta (Hydrosmectomorpha) meduxnekeagensis Webster and Klimaszewski, new species; Atheta (Hydrosmectomorpha) quebecensis Webster and Klimaszewski, new species, Atheta (Hydrosmectomorpha) vincenti Webster and Klimaszewski, new species. The new species are described, illustrated, and a key is provided. Atheta newfoundlandica (Klimaszewski and Langor), was recently transferred from Hydrosmecta C.G. Thomson to an unspecified subgenus of Atheta. New habitat/collection data are presented for the treated species.
Two new species of the genus Chlorogomphus are described based on both sexes collected from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. These species are C. hoaian sp. nov. (holotype male from Kon Ka Kinh National Park, 14.3672° N, 108.5368° E, alt. 1000 m) and C. vani sp. nov. (holotype male from Chu Yang Sin National Park, 12.4780° N, 108.4617° E, alt. 749 m). Furthermore, C. gracilis Wilson & Reels, 2001 is recorded from Vietnam for the first time, with notes on its morphology and detailed illustrations of male and female structures.
Descriptions of two new elateroid beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae, Elateridae) from Burmese amber
(2019)
Two new elateroid taxa are described from amber deposits excavated from the northern region of Myanmar. Two genera, Cenomana gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae), and Cretopityobius gen. nov. (Coleoptera: Elateridae) are described for the first time from Burmese amber. The following new species are described: Cenomana clavata sp. nov. and Cretopityobius pankowskiorum sp. nov. Each new species is diagnosed and illustrated.
We describe a new species of Dichotomius Hope, 1838, from the D. agenor species-group from Costa Rica and Nicaragua: D. woodruffi Solís and Kohlmann, new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae). Based on this discovery, we confirm that Dichotomius enioi Montoya-Molina and Vaz-de-Mello, 2021 and D. agenor (Harold, 1869) are not currently distributed in Costa Rica. Instead, the only species of Dichotomius that are currently distributed in Costa Rica from the D. agenor species-group are D. centralis (Harold, 1869) and D. woodruffi. We discuss the distribution of the Dichotomius agenor species-group in Central America.
Diversity and distribution of intertidal Microporella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) from California
(2024)
Seven species of the cheilostome bryozoan genus Microporella were identified across 15 rocky intertidal sites spanning 940 km of the California coast, from Mill Creek in the Montereyan Pacific Transition Region north to Point Saint George in the Mendocinian Region. Colonies of Microporella were found encrusting boulders and mollusc shells. Among these species, three are new to science, namely Microporella dentata Chowdhury & Di Martino sp. nov., M. pauciperforata Chowdhury & Di Martino sp. nov. and M. rota Chowdhury & Di Martino sp. nov. Three other species, M. californica, M. setiformis, and M. umbonata have previously been recorded from other localities in California. Finally, Microporella neocribroides, originally described from off Kodiak Island, Alaska, and subsequently found in Hokkaido, Japan, was recorded in California for the first time. An additional new species, M. similis Chowdhury & Di Martino sp. nov., was identified through the re-examination of museum material previously attributed to M. cribrosa and M. californica. These newly acquired data allowed for a more comprehensive examination of the distribution of species, intraspecific variability, and potential predator-induced teratologies in certain species, thanks to the availability of numerous colonies from various sites and the re-examination of museum records. Altogether, this study increases the known Recent diversity of Microporella in California’s waters to a total of 18 species.
Eight new species of Gulella Pfeiffer, 1856 are described from south-eastern South Africa, occurring over a linear distance of 550 km within the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot. Seven species are narrow-range endemics, while Gulella kenbrowni sp. nov. occurs somewhat patchily over most of this distance. The very similar G. fordycei sp. nov. is recorded from only one small nature reserve in medium-altitude mistbelt forest. Six species, G. crookesi sp. nov., G. maraisi sp. nov., G. mkombeni sp. nov., G. abbotti sp. nov., G. donaikeni sp. nov. and G. calcicola sp. nov. each occur at one or a few isolated localities along a narrow strip of 140 km at or near the coast. The latter two are found only in the Marble Delta region, where mining has badly degraded and continues to threaten their habitat, and appear to meet the criteria for Red-Listing as Critically Endangered. Six species occur in nature reserves, highlighting the importance of small pockets of protected habitat for the conservation of terrestrial snails.
The Chinese fauna of the pselaphine genus Sathytes Westwood (Batrisitae: Batrisini) currently includes 20 species. In this paper, 15 new species from various provinces of the country are described: S. alpicola sp. nov. (Xizang), S. australis sp. nov. (Guangdong, Guangxi), S. chayuensis sp. nov. (Xizang), S. chengzhifeii sp. nov. (Yunnan), S. huapingensis sp. nov. (Guangxi), S. linzhiensis sp. nov. (Xizang), S. maoershanus sp. nov. (Guangxi), S. nujiangensis sp. nov. (Yunnan), S. panzhaohuii sp. nov. (Xizang), S. shennong sp. nov. (Hubei), S. tianquanus sp. nov. (Sichuan), S. transversus sp. nov. (Xizang), S. valentulus sp. nov. (Guangxi), S. xingdoumontis sp. nov. (Hubei) and S. xizangensis sp. nov. (Xizang). New collection records are provided for S. longitrabis Yin & Li, 2012, S. tangliangi Yin & Li, 2012 and S. yunnanicus Yin & Li, 2012. Maps showing the distribution of the genus in China, and an updated checklist of the world species are provided.
Coelogynoporidae (Platyhelminthes) includes comparatively large and slender Proseriata, usually occurring in shallow benthic environments. Coelogynopora Steinböck, 1924 is the most frequently reported genus and the one with the highest species diversity. Notwithstanding that, the genus has never been reported from the Southern Hemisphere. A recent analysis of sediment from the Magellan Strait shores (Chile) resulted in the discovery of a new species of Coelogynopora, the first representative of the genus to be found in austral waters. The new species is defined by the following combination of characters: sclerotised copulatory system consisting of a slender, ventrally curved stylet with a broad base and three pairs of symmetrically arranged spines, the proximal ends of which are fused laterally to the base of the stylet; distal ends of the three pairs of spines hooked, with apophyses at progressively longer distances from the tip; accessory spines and solar organ absent. Based on the morphological characters, the new species appears to be more related to species from the Pacific Ocean than to those from the Atlantic Ocean. The present work suggests a vast biogeographic disjunction in the genus Coelogynopora, which may be described as a bipolar or amphitropical pattern of distribution.
A new species Alainites neeru sp. nov. is described based on larvae collected from a hill stream in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is the first report of the genus Alainites Waltz & McCafferty, 1994 from India. The new species is closely related to the Palearctic species A. muticus (Linnaeus, 1758), but can be distinguished from the latter by the length of the maxillary palp, the reduced number of spine-like setae on the margin between the prostheca and mola of the right mandible, the reduced tracheation in the tergalii, and by a reduced number of spines on the prolongation of the paraproct. With this record, the genus Alainites encompasses a total of twenty-two species.
The ant genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) is diverse with 498 species described. Species are distributed predominately within the northern hemisphere with species richness decreasing closer to the tropics; contrary to other ant genera overall. In Southeast Asia, richness is relatively low and knowledge on the genus remains fragmentary, likely due to poor sampling efforts compared to temperate regions. Here, using specimens from recent sampling efforts, Temnothorax is reported for the first time from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Two new species, T. barrettoi Hamer & Guénard sp. nov. and T. haveni Lee, Hamer & Guénard sp. nov., are described based on qualitive morphological characters, with additional morphometric data also gathered. An updated key, as well as a distributional checklist of Temnothorax species from mainland China is provided. We suggest that the two new species are likely arboreal based on our collections, however, further arboreal sampling is necessary to confirm this hypothesis. We hope this study may spurn effort to generate further information on sub-tropical Chinese Temnothorax species.
The family Hahniidae is reported from Thailand for the first time. The genus Hexamatia gen. nov. and two new species, Hexamatia seekhaow gen. et sp. nov. and Hahnia ngai sp. nov., are described and illustrated. DNA sequences are provided for all the species reported here. The phylogenetic position of the novel genus Hexamatia gen. nov. and its relation to Hahnia are discussed. Based on these results, a new combination is proposed for Hexamatia senaria (Zhang, Li & Zheng, 2011) gen. et comb. nov. = Hahnia senaria. Known distribution of the species Hahnia saccata Zhang, Li & Zheng, 2011, originally described from China, is expanded. A brief review and notes on the taxonomy of the six-eyed hahniids are included.
Five new species of the genus Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940 (Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from China
(2024)
This paper reports five new species of Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940 from Sichuan, Yunnan and Guangxi in China, i.e., Phlugiolopsis luojishanensis sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis lata sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis rongshuiensis sp. nov., Phlugiolopsis acuta sp. nov. and Phlugiolopsis daweishanensis sp. nov. We present a redescription of the male of Phlugiolopsis punctata Wang, Li & Liu, 2012, describe the female of Phlugiolopsis punctata Wang, Li & Liu, 2012 and the male of Phlugiolopsis pentagonis Bian, Shi & Chang, 2013 for the first time. In addition, images illustrating the morphology of these species and seven previously described species are provided. The distribution map of the genus Phlugiolopsis from China is also provided.
Five new species of the spider genus Heteropoda Latreille, 1804 (Araneae: Sparassidae) from China
(2024)
Five new species of Heteropoda (Araneae, Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) are described from China: H. bawanglingensis sp. nov. (female; Hainan), H. dulongensis sp. nov. (male, female; Yunnan), H. hainanensis sp. nov. (male, female; Hainan), H. longa sp. nov. (female; Guizhou), and H. vaginalis sp. nov. (female; Yunnan). We provide descriptions and illustrations for each species as well as a distribution map in the current paper.
The following four species new to science are described: Platygaster azarbaijanica Buhl & Asadi sp. nov., Platygaster lotfalizadehi Buhl & Asadi sp. nov., Platygaster karimpouri Asadi & Buhl sp. nov. and Synopeas calecai Buhl & Asadi sp. nov. Diagnostic characters are discussed, and figures are provided to distinguish the new species. In addition, ten species of Platygastrinae Howard, 1892 belonging to the genera Platygaster Latreille, 1809, Synopeas Förster, 1856 and Leptacis Förster, 1856 are reported as new records for the fauna of Iran. Four species of Platygaster and one species of Synopeas are recorded as ʻconferʼ.
Four new species of Alloxysta (Hym.: Cynipoidea: Figitidae: Charipinae) from Petr Starý’s collection
(2023)
After the revision of Petr Starý’s Charipinae collection, four new species of Alloxysta Förster, 1869 have been found. This collection represents a good overview of the Charipinae fauna worldwide, although the best represented area is Central Europe. Here, we describe four new species of Alloxysta: A. llumae Ferrer-Suay sp. nov., A. onae Ferrer-Suay sp. nov., A. poli Ferrer-Suay sp. nov. and A. staryi Ferrer-Suay & Pujade-Villar sp. nov. Three of these new species are based on reared specimens. Diagnosis, distribution, and description of the new species are given and illustrated.
Four new species of the braconid wasp genus Hecabolus Curtis, 1834 (Doryctinae Foerster, 1863) are described for the Neotropical region in south and southwestern Brazil: H. acutus sp. nov., H. chrisaxeli sp. nov., H. gavinbroadi sp. nov., and H. transversalis sp. nov. We also report the morphological variation of females and males of H. mexicanus Zaldívar-Riverón & Belokobylskij, 2009, originally described based on a single female, and provide its first precise geographical distribution records. An updated key to the 13 described species of Hecabolus is provided.
The species of the ant genus Strumigenys Smith, 1860 from Southeast Asia are reviewed based on recent sampling efforts as well as unreported historical material from southern mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. We report 42 new species records for these regions. A total of 20 species new to science are described: S. anhdaoae sp. nov., S. claviseta sp. nov., S. crinigera sp. nov., S. decumbens sp. nov., S. delicata sp. nov., S. densissima sp. nov., S. doydeei sp. nov., S. fellowesi sp. nov., S. intermedia sp. nov., S. jaitrongi sp. nov., S. liuweii sp. nov., S. longidens sp. nov., S. mediocris sp. nov., S. rongi sp. nov., S. scutica sp. nov., S. strummeri sp. nov., S. xenopilus sp. nov., S. yamanei sp. nov., S. zanderi sp. nov. and S. zhenghuii sp. nov. The descriptions of the existing species S. elegantula (Terayama & Kubota, 1989) and S. nathistorisoc Tang et al., 2019 are revised. Strumigenys formosensis Forel, 1912 syn. nov. is synonymized with S. feae Emery 1895 in the light of recently collected specimens. Three species complexes are created within the S. leptothrix-group: elegantula-complex, leptothrix-complex and zanderi-complex, based on differences in dentition. A new species group, S. nathistorisoc-group, is introduced. The key to Strumigenys of East Asia (as Pyramica) by Bolton is partially revised to accommodate species from these species groups that were described since the publication of the key. Finally, the implication of our results to the region and the current limitation of species groups and complexes of the genus is discussed.
In this report, we analyse the benthic hydroids collected on the Vema and Valdivia seamounts during a survey conducted in 2015 in the SEAFO Convention Area, focused on mapping and analysing the occurrence and abundance of benthopelagic fish and vulnerable marine ecosystem (VMEs) indicators on selected Southeast Atlantic seamounts. A total of 27 hydroid species were identified, of which 22 belong to Leptothecata and only five to Anthoathecata. Monostaechoides gen. nov. was erected within the family Halopterididae to accommodate Plumularia providentiae Jarvis, 1922, and a new species, Monotheca bergstadi sp. nov., is also described. Campanularia africana is recorded for the first time from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Northeast Atlantic species Amphinema biscayana, Stegopoma giganteum and Clytia gigantea are also recorded from the South Atlantic. Three species were identified to the genus level only, due to the absence of their gonosomes. None of the reported species are endemic, and the hydroid community is clearly dominated by species with a wide geographical distribution in the three major oceans. Only Monotheca bergstadi sp. nov. presently has its distribution restricted to the Vema Seamount and the South African coast.
Inocybe hopeae sp. nov. and first record of Pseudosperma keralense (Inocybaceae) from Thailand
(2023)
Based on genetic studies, supported further by morphological and ecological differences, we present a taxonomic novelty (Inocybe hopeae Raghoonundon & Raspé sp. nov.) and a new geographical record (Pseudosperma keralense) from forests of Northern Thailand. Inocybe hopeae is characterized by medium-sized basidiomes, brownish orange to brown pileus that is darker towards the margin, off-white to pale brown context, light brown to dark brown stipe with off-white basal mycelium and pale brown to grayish brown lamellae. A three-gene phylogeny (LSU, tef1, rpb2) coupled with macroscopic / microscopic descriptions and illustrations are provided confirming the species’ positions in their respective generic clades. Inocybe hopeae was sister to I. thailandica with strong support (BS = 100%, PP = 1.0). Our Thai collections of OR1629 had similar morphological characters and 100% identical sequences with the holotype of Pseudosperma keralense from India.
In this paper a new tardigrade species, Macrobiotus azzunae sp. nov., from Tunisia, is described. An integrative taxonomic approach was applied by combining morphological, morphometric and molecular data. In particular, light and scanning electron microscopy observations, and four genetic markers, three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI) were used. The analysis showed that M. azzunae sp. nov. belongs to the Macrobiotus hufelandi group and is most similar to Macrobiotus sandrae Bertolani & Rebecchi, 1993. It differs from M. sandrae by a more pronounced constriction of the first macroplacoid (hardly visible in M. sandrae) and for the eggshell shape, with thinner wires of the reticulum and meshes around the processes larger than the inter-process meshes in M. azzunae sp. nov., while all meshes are similar in size in M. sandrae. The species is gonochoristic. With this discovery, there are 33 species of tardigrades identified in Tunisia, all non-marine. This result, compared with nearby Sicily, where more research has been conducted, indicates that there is a considerable potential for identification of new species. Further research will be most informative if multiple habitats are explored and if carried out with an integrated approach as done in this present work.
A new species of the genus Mesobiotus is described from the Republic of South Africa using a traditional morphological approach (light and scanning electron microscopy) combined with molecular analysis (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI markers). Mesobiotus anastasiae sp. nov. differs from all known Mesobiotus species by having a unique combination of characters of the adult animals and the eggs. Adults of the new species have an oral cavity armature without elongate teeth in the second band, while the processes of the egg chorion have a basal collar and distinct rows of large pores. An updated key to the species of the genus Mesobiotus, including 66 of 70 currently described species, is given. An aquatic mite species from the Lobohalacarus weberi complex (freshwater Halacaridae) co-occurs with M. anastasiae sp. nov., suggesting that the newly described tardigrade inhabits constantly wet moss cushion habitats.
Paramacrobiotus bengalensis sp. nov. was discovered in a moss sample collected from a tree in West Bengal, India. We describe this new species using detailed morphological and morphometric data obtained from phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, along with molecular and phylogenetic data analyses. Due to the presence of a cap-like structure at the distal portion of egg processes, the new species showed the highest similarity with Paramacrobiotus garynahi (Kaczmarek, Michalczyk & Diduszko, 2005), Paramacrobiotus alekseevi (Tumanov, 2005), Paramacrobiotus filipi Dudziak, Stec & Michalczyk, 2020, Paramacrobiotus sagani Daza, Caicedo, Lisi & Quiroga, 2017, Paramacrobiotus vanescens (Pilato, Binda & Catanzaro, 1991) and Paramacrobiotus gadabouti Kayastha, Stec, Mioduchowska & Kaczmarek, 2023. However, it can be differentiated from them by some morphological and morphometric characteristics. The genetic data corroborated our phenotypic outcome further supporting the new species hypothesis.
In this study, we describe two new species of Mesobiotus based on morphological data collected through light and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptions include DNA sequences of four commonly used molecular markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS-2, and COI). Mesobiotus efa sp. nov. was discovered in North-West Russia and belongs to the group of species with smooth cuticle, harmsworthi-type OCA, typical Mesobiotus claws IV with unindented lunules, and egg chorion with reticulated processes in form of ‘sharp wide cones’ or ‘cones with long slender endings’, egg process bases with well-developed crone of dark thickenings without finger-like projections, and egg shell surface between the processes with ridges without reticulation, areolation or semi-areolation. It can be distinguished from all know species of this group by a unique combination of morphological and morphometric characters. Mesobiotus vulpinus sp. nov. was found in the Russian Far East, and is similar to Mesobiotus mauccii by having an egg chorion with polygonal relief. The new species can be distinguished from M. mauccii by having a narrower buccal tube, by details of oral cavity armature, and by longer egg chorion processes. Furthermore, we provide results of the phylogenetic analyses of the genus Mesobiotus conducted in this study.
In this study, I describe two new species of Macrobiotus based on morphological data collected through light and scanning electron microscopy. Both species are accompanied by DNA sequences from four commonly used molecular markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS-2, and COI). Macrobiotus ovovittatus sp. nov. was discovered in Greenland and can be distinguished from similar taxa of Macrobiotus by its continuous, solid, and clearly wrinkled egg surface, adorned with sparse, very small and irregularly spaced pores. Additionally, the terminal discs of egg processes are covered in multiple light-refracting dots, resembling crocheted napkins. Macrobiotus mileri sp. nov. was found in Israel and is characterized by unique pore arrangements in its body cuticle, expressed in two distinct animal forms: (i) forma porata with large pores arranged in five distinct patches and (ii) forma aporata with single, almost undetectable pores. It also features weakly defined convex terminal discs with smooth edges. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analyses conducted in this study offer the most updated phylogeny of superclade I within the family Macrobiotidae. This facilitates additional discussion concerning the interrelationships among species within the genus Macrobiotus and the circumscription of species groups within it.
A recent phylogenetic analysis has shown that the genus Stephanopis comprises several different lineages of bark-dweller crab spiders. The ones with South American distribution that present a close relationship with other Neotropical genera like Epicadus, Onocolus, Rejanellus and Epicadinus were recovered in a single clade, with good support and stability. Here, we present a taxonomic review of Stephanopis species attributed to the ‘pentacantha clade’, proposing the new genus Kryptochroma Machado gen. nov. to accommodate them. New distribution records are provided and the following species are described for the first time: Kryptochroma gigas Machado & Viecelli gen. et sp. nov., Kryptochroma hilaris Machado & Teixeira gen. et sp. nov., Kryptochroma quadrata Machado & Viecelli sp. nov. and Kryptochroma septata Machado & Teixeira sp. nov. The species Stephanopis borgmeyeri is considered a nomen dubium, Stephanopis aheneus is a junior synonym of Epicadus tuberculatus, Stephanopis quimiliensis is transferred to Ulocymus and Stephanopis stelloides is transferred to Epicadus, being Epicadus stelloides the senior synonym of Stephanopis salobrensis, Stephanopis trilobata and Epicadus caudatus.
Labahitha spiders (Arachnida: Araneae: Filistatidae) from islands in the Indian and Pacific Ocean
(2022)
The genus Labahitha has hitherto comprised two species from peninsular Malaysia and Christmas Island (Australia). We here demonstrate that the genus is widespread in islands and territories across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including the following species that have been previously assigned to other filistatid genera: Labahitha marginata (Kishida, 1936) comb. nov. (= Filistata bakeri Berland, 1938 syn. nov.), Labahitha garciai (Simon, 1892) comb. nov. (= Pritha heikkii Saaristo, 1978 syn. nov., = Pritha sechellana Benoit, 1978 syn. nov.), Labahitha nicobarensis (Tikader, 1977) comb. nov., Labahitha littoralis (Roewer, 1938) comb. nov., Labahitha insularis (Thorell, 1891) comb. nov., Labahitha sundaica (Kulczyński, 1908) comb. nov. (all transferred from Pritha, the latter three provisionally, pending re-examination of the type material); Labahitha fuscata (Nakatsudi, 1943) comb. nov. and Labahitha ryukyuensis (Ono, 2013) comb. nov. (both transferred from Tricalamus). Many of these species have been collected in synanthropic settings and from disparate islands thousands of kilometers apart. This suggests either high dispersal capabilities or, more likely, human-mediated introductions. At least L. marginata has been introduced to continental America. Two new species of Labahitha are described: Labahitha platnicki sp. nov. from New Caledonia and the Bismarck Islands and Labahitha incerta sp. nov. from Queensland, Australia. The male of Labahitha gibsonhilli (Savory, 1943) is reported for the first time. Wandella loloata sp. nov. is described from Papua New Guinea, representing the first record of this genus outside Australia. Pritha hasselti (Simon, 1906) from Indonesia is shown to be a Filistatinae, and thus the species is provisionally transferred back to Filistata.
Late Miocene Conidae of Crete (Greece) have recently been evaluated for the genera Conilithes and Conus (Kalloconus). We continue this first inventory of the Miocene Conidae from Crete by discussing the genera Conus (Lautoconus), Conus (Stephanoconus), Conus (Plagioconus) and two species, not attributed to a subgenus of Conus. With the use of UV light, we recognized 17 species, of which five are new: Conus (Lautoconus) ictini sp. nov., Conus (Lautoconus) lauriatragei sp. nov., Conus (Lautoconus) damianakisi sp. nov., Conus (Stephanoconus) moissettei sp. nov. and Conus davolii sp. nov. Six species are first reported in the Late Miocene of Greece: Conus (Lautoconus) cf. baldichieri Borson, 1820, Conus (Stephanoconus) cf. taurinensis Bellardi & Michelotti, 1841, Conus fuscocingulatus Hörnes 1851, Conus (Plagioconus) elatus Michelotti, 1847 and Conus (Plagioconus) aquensis d’Orbigny, 1852. Six species are left in open nomenclature.
Three leptostracan species (Crustacea: Phyllocarida) are reported from mud volcanoes at the Moroccan margin of the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic). Nebalia strausi Risso, 1826 and N. abyssicola Fage, 1929 were found in experimentally deployed organic substrates in Mercator, Meknès and Darwin mud volcanoes; N. abyssicola was also found among bathymodiolin bivalves and is recorded for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean. The third species was collected from the Gemini mud volcanoes and is described herein as Sarsinebalia ledoyeri sp. nov. The new species is characterised by having the eyes provided with ommatidia and lacking pigment, the ventral margin of the eye is concave along distal half, the antennular scale is more than twice as long as wide, the second article of the mandibular palp bears one seta on lateral surface about 0.5 times as long as the article and one subterminal seta longer than the third article, the distal article of the maxilla II endopod is about 1.8 times as long as the proximal article, the maxilla II exopod is clearly longer than the endopod proximal article, the lateral margin of the pleopod I exopod lacks setae and the posterodorsal border of pleonites VI–VII is provided with rounded to pointed denticles.
This review lists Agama smithii Boulenger 1896 as a synonym of Agama agama (Linnaeus 1758), Agama trachypleura Peters 1982 as a synonym of Acanthocercus phillipsii (Boulenger 1895) and describes for the first time Acanthocercus guentherpetersi n. sp. Without more convincing evidence, Chamaeleon ruspolii Boettger 1893 cannot be accepted as specifically distinct from Chamaeleo dilepis Leach 1819, nor Chamaeleo calcaricarens Böhme 1985 from C. africanus Laurenti 1768. Consequently, 101 species of lizard are currently recognised in Ethiopia, of which some 40% appear to be denizens of the Somali-arid zone. This significant proportion is attributable in part to the importance of the Horn of Africa as a centre for reptilian diversification and endemicity, in part to the fact that this lowland fauna was rather extensively sampled during the 1930s, but also to the conspicuous neglect of lizards in other regions of the country. Mountain and forested habitats are widespread in Ethiopia, so it seems extraordinary to record only five saurian species which are believed to be endemic in such environments. The inference that there are many more still to be discovered has important implications for conservation, because montane forest is known to be among the most threatened of Ethiopian biomes and there is clearly an urgent need for its herpetofauna to be more thoroughly researched and documented.
The nine genera of Malagasy spittlebug are revised, with the addition of new characters, facilitating the identification of the species. Nesaulax Jacobi, 1917, is synonymized with Amberana Distant, 1908, leading to a new combination for Amberana vittipennis (Bergroth, 1894). A new endemic genus Soulierana Bucher & Bouteille gen. nov. is proposed for two species originally placed in Literna Stål, 1866, based on morphological characters of the head, tegmina and male genitalia. Also, three new species are described in this genus: Soulierana bigidea Bucher gen. et sp. nov., Soulierana claudinae Bouteille gen. et sp. nov. and Soulierana kelymena Le Cesne gen. et sp. nov. Pictures of species and drawings of the male genitalia for all genera, with the exception of Rhinaulax Amyot & Serville, 1843, Alluaudensia Lallemand, 1920 and Literna, are included. An identification key is available in both a dichotomous format and an interactive format (Xper3).
Martensina thailandica gen. et sp. nov., a freshwater ostracod species representing a new subfamily, Martensininae subfam. nov., in the family Cyprididae, is here described from a swamp in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. The new genus and species is mainly characterized by the 7-segmented antennula which has a Rome organ and remarkably long aesthetasc ya, the morphology of the sexually dimorphic antenna (A2), the markedly elongated A2 terminal segment, the short and thin α- and β-setae on the mandibular palp, the elongated terminal segment of the maxillula, the obviously 2-segmented male prehensile palp, the presence of d1 and d2 setae on the protopod of the second thoracopod (T2), the sexually dimorphic T2, the distinctive terminal segment of the third thoracopod bearing three long setae, the well-developed caudal ramus, the large hemipenis which has a complex internal structure, and the Zenker organ with funnel-shaped ends and numerous spiny whorls.
Drepanoistodus basiovalis (Sergeeva, 1963) is a common conodont species in Middle Ordovician strata of Baltica. For many years it has been widely accepted that the species encompasses a wide range of morphological plasticity. Hence, several different morphotypes that significantly deviate from the holotype have nonetheless been included in the broad species concept. In this study, we performed a detailed taxonomical study on 112 predominantly well-preserved specimens (geniculate elements) from the St. Petersburg region of Russia; 37 of these were selected for morphometric analyses together with 21 well-illustrated specimens from the published literature. The results demonstrate that, among the morphotypes that share some characteristics with D. basiovalis sensu lato, at least five species can be readily distinguished. Hence, three new species – Drepanoistodus iommii sp. nov., D. svendi sp. nov. and D. viirae sp. nov. – are here added to the previously known D. basiovalis and D. contractus (Lindström, 1955). In addition, some specimens were left under open nomenclature and assigned to Drepanoistodus aff. basiovalis and D. cf. suberectus (Branson & Mehl, 1933). In order to objectively compare the Drepanoistodus taxa and test the validity of the new species, we performed a Principal Component Analysis combined with non-parametric (PERMANOVA) tests based on 21 morphological characters.
Remipedia is a stygobitic group commonly associated with coastal anchialine caves. This class consists of 12 genera, ten of which are found within the Lucayan Archipelago. Herein, we describe a new species within the genus Godzillius from Conch Sound Blue Hole, North Andros Island, Bahamas. Godzillius louriei sp. nov. is the third known remipede observed from a subseafloor marine cave, and the first from the Godzilliidae. Remipedes dwell within notoriously difficult to access cave habitats and thus integrative and comprehensive systematic studies at family or genus level are often absent in the literature. In this study, all species of Godzillius are compared using morphological and molecular approaches. Specifically, the feeding appendages of G. louriei sp. nov., G. fuchsi Gonzalez, Singpiel & Schlagner, 2013 and G. robustus Schram, Yager & Emerson, 1986 were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Species of Godzillius are identified based on the spines of maxilla 1 segment 4 and by the denticles on the lacinia mobilis of the left mandible. A molecular phylogeny using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear histone 3 genes recovered G. louriei sp. nov. within the Godzillius clade and 16S genetic distances revealed a 13–15% difference between species of Godzillius.
Commonly reported as a household pest throughout the northern hemisphere, Willowsia nigromaculata (Lubbock) is among the most abundant and widely distributed springtails. However, taxonomic uncertainty due to incomplete morphological descriptions based on specimens from different continents may lead to incorrect identifications and/or prevent the recognition of distinct lineages within this morphospecies. Here, we perform the first comprehensive morphological and genetic comparison between W. nigromaculata specimens collected from North America and Europe. Morphological and genetic evidence reveals that populations in the United States and France represent two distinct nigromaculata-like species, but a phylogenetic analysis indicates both species may also be present in Canada. Based on these results, we redescribe W. nigromaculata from France, provide a description for Willowsia neonigromaculata sp. nov. from the United States, and propose new diagnostic characters for their separation, including the number of inner appendages on the maxillary sublobal plate. We also highlight the need for morphological and molecular investigations of additional populations to better understand the diversity and distribution of W. nigromaculata and related species.
This is a first inventory of Isopoda Anthuroidea from near-shore marine sites in Sulawesi. The material was collected from reefs, sea-grass beds and mangroves of the Minahasa Peninsula in North Sulawesi. Specimens were washed out from benthos samples collected in shallow water. The new species Hyssura reptans sp. nov., Kupellonura indonesica sp. nov., Kupellonura macaroni sp. nov., Pendanthura bangkaensis sp. nov., Expanathura marcoi sp. nov., and Colanthura gerungi sp. nov. are described. We discovered that in Colanthura the mandible is fused to the cephalothorax, a unique feature among isopods. Expanathura collaris (Kensley, 1979) is described from Bangka Island and several differences between other Indo-Pacific populations are discussed.
The fauna of the millipede family Odontopygidae in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania is reviewed. Species from the North Pare, South Pare, West Usambara, East Usambara, Nguru, Rubeho, Uluguru and Rungwe Mts are treated. The odontopygids of the Udzungwa Mts have been subject of a series of previous papers and are only treated marginally. Six new genera and 25 new species are described: Antipustia gen. nov., Aptyctosmilax gen. nov., Multipronopea gen. nov., Notogallanus gen. nov., Praludivera gen. nov., Uncodrama gen. nov., Antipustia hoteldolichoiuli gen. et sp. nov., Aptyctosmilax helenae gen. et sp. nov., Calyptomastix ingemanni sp. nov., Calyptomastix vuasu sp. nov., Calyptomastix xystopygoides sp. nov., Calyptomastix zoltani sp. nov., Chaleponcus jolantae sp. nov., Chaleponcus nesrineae sp. nov., Chaleponcus schioetzae sp. nov., Chaleponcus sergeii sp. nov., Chaleponcus soerensenae sp. nov., Geotypodon cristinae sp. nov., Lamelloramus frederiksenae sp. nov., Multipronopea agneteae gen. et sp. nov., Notogallanus mastacembalus gen. et sp. nov., Praludivera paralellamella gen. et sp. nov., Raduliverpa donatellae sp. nov., Spinotarsus axeli sp. nov., Syndesmogenus estelleae sp. nov., Uncodrama coronata gen. et sp. nov., Xystopyge bentemarieae sp. nov., Xystopyge doggartae sp. nov., Xystopyge hippocampus sp. nov., Xystopyge minnae sp. nov., and Xystopyge voluntariorum sp. nov. The discussion focuses on diversity and distribution patterns, the justification for monotypic (monospecific) genera, and the following morphological character types: the ozopore series, the limbus, the number of setae on the anal valves, the first pair of male legs, the gonopod sternum, and the sternum of the rudimentary 9th leg-pair.
We report a new myxozoan, Myxobolus opsaridiumi sp. nov., infecting the ornamental fish Opsaridium ubangiensis (Pellegrin, 1901) collected from the Anga River near the city of Yaounde, Cameroon. Plasmodia were found in the skin, muscles and spleen. The overall prevalence of infection was 54.7% (288 parasitized fish out of 526 examined). The myxospores were ovoid to subspherical in frontal view and lenticular in lateral view. The valves were symmetrical and relatively thick, without edge markings. The myxospore measurements were 10.7 ± 0.14 (10–11.5) μm long, 9 ± 0.15 (8–10) μm wide and 6.2 ± 0.7 (5.6–7.2) μm thick. The two ovoid polar capsules were equal in size, converging and opening together at the anterior end, measuring 5 ± 0.07 (4.3–6.0) μm long and 2.7 ± 0.07 (2.2–3.0) μm wide. Polar filaments were coiled from 5 to 7 turns. Histopathological analysis revealed no inflammatory reaction associated with the infection. A BLAST search found that the newly obtained 18 rDNA sequence had a low sequence similarity with available sequences for Myxobolus on GenBank. A phylogenetical analysis based on ribosomal DNA partial sequences showed that M. opsaridiumi sp. nov. is closely associated with several species of Myxobolus infecting cyprinid fish.
An annotated list of twenty species of rarely collected and little known bees of the genus Sphecodes Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae) from the Himalayas is given. Sphecodes bluethgeni sp. nov. is described from Bhutan. Three species are newly recorded from the Himalayas: S. binghami Blüthgen, 1924, S. kershawi Perkins, 1921 and S. laticeps Meyer, 1920. Based on type specimens, new synonymies have been proposed for Sphecodes cameronii (Bingham, 1897) = S. armeniacus Warncke, 1992 syn. nov.; S. gibbus (Linnaeus, 1758) = S. indicus Bingham, 1898 syn. nov.; and S. invidus (Cameron, 1897) = S. nigrobasalis Meyer, 1922 syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Sphecodes sikkimensis Blüthgen, 1927. Illustrated keys to males and females of all species known from the Himalayas and an updated checklist of the 26 Himalayan species of Sphecodes are provided. Additionally, one new species from neighboring Uttar Pradesh (India), Sphecodes uttaricus sp. nov., is here described as new and included due to its close relationship to the Himalayan S. sikkimensis Blüthgen, 1927.
Four new species of Ommatius Wiedemann, the female of O. stramineus Scarbrough, and the male of 0. nigellus Scarbrough from Hispaniola are described. A lectotype for O. gwenae Scarbrough and a neotype for O. cinnamomeus are selected. Notes of previously named species, new records, illustrations of terminalia, and a key to the species are included.
A new scale insect genus and species, Gompholopium quercicola gen. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on material from China (Yunnan Prov.). Hemaspidoproctus cinereus (Green, 1922) is redescribed, based on material from India (Allahabad). Walkeriana tosariensis Reyne, 1957 is transferred to the genus Hemaspidoproctus Morrison, 1927 – H. tosariensis (Reyne, 1957) comb. nov. Monophlebus neglectus Gavrilov-Zimin, 2018 syn. nov. is formally synonymized with the unrecognizable Monophlebus atripennis Burmeister, 1835 in order to resolve an old taxonomic and nomenclatural problem in the subfamily Monophlebinae.
Examination of Coccinellidae material recently collected from Napo Province in Ecuador revealed 38 species of ladybird beetles, of which six are new: Chnoodes yanayacu sp. nov., Cyrea mcclarini sp. nov., Eupalea borowieci sp. nov., Exoplectra misahualli sp. nov., Hyperaspis rutai sp. nov., Toxotoma gonzalezi sp. nov. Seven species are recorded for the first time from Ecuador: Cyrea noticollis (Mulsant, 1850), Eupalea formosa Mulsant, 1850, Epilachna transverselineata (Mader, 1858), Psyllobora marshalli Crotch, 1874, Toxotoma fuscopilosa (Weise, 1902), Toxotoma taeniola (Gordon, 1975), Zenoria linteolata Mulsant, 1850. For three species: Epilachna obtusiforma Gordon, 1975, Hinda ecuadorica Gordon & Canepari, 2013 and Siola atra González, 2015, supplementary notes on the original descriptions are provided. New name combinations are proposed for six species, which are transferred to the genus Toxotoma Weise, 1900: Toxotoma aequatorialis (Gordon, 1975), Toxotoma chigata (Gordon, 1975), Toxotoma flavocirculus (González, 2015), Toxotoma fuscopilosa, Toxotoma hybridula (Gordon, 1975), Toxotoma taeniola. The occurrence of Scymnus interruptus (Goeze, 1777) in Ecuador is also confirmed.
Two new species of aulacid wasps, Pristaulacus iuliae Turrisi & Nobile sp. nov. from South India (Karnataka) and Pristaulacus ninae sp. nov. from Peninsular Malaysia (Pahang), are described, figured and compared with most related species. Based on the present addition, the Indomalayan area currently includes 27 species of Pristaulacus Kieffer out of 61 known from the whole Oriental Region, which is however a largely underestimated number. An identification key to species and an updated checklist of Pristaulacus occurring in the Indomalayan area are provided.
New species and taxonomical notes in Gorybia Pascoe, 1866 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae)
(2019)
Three new Gorybia Pascoe, 1866 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Piezocerini), species from Bolivia are described: G. martinsi Wappes, Botero and Santos-Silva new species; G. galileoae Wappes, Botero and Santos-Silva, new species; and G. clarkeorum Wappes, Botero and Santos-Silva, new species. In addition, G. bispinosa Martins, Galileo and Limeira-de-Oliveira, 2009 is proposed as a synonym of G. castanea (Gounelle, 1909) and G. maculosa Martins, 1976 as a synonym of G. apatheia Martins, 1976.
New species of genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari: Hydrachnidiae, Hygrobatidae) from Qinghai, China
(2022)
The paper deals with five new species of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari: Hydrachnidiae, Hygrobatidae) collected from Qinghai Province, P.R. China, Atractides (Atractides) biprojectus Zhang, Li & Guo sp. nov., Atractides (Atractides) smiti Zhang, Li & Guo sp. nov., Atractides (Atractides) menyuanensis Zhang, Li & Guo sp. nov., Atractides (Atractides) longiprojectus Zhang, Li & Guo sp. nov. and Atractides (Atractides) xianmiensis Zhang, Li & Guo sp. nov. All the new species are described and illustrated in detail, and all the type specimens are deposited in the Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China (GUGC).
Five new species of Hercostomus Loew, 1857 from Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania and South Africa are described and illustrated. They belong to the Hercostomus longiventris lineage, which also appears similar to the Palaearctic H. chetifer subgroup and the Oriental H. takagii and H. absimilis groups on the basis of the modified male fore tarsus. The male cercus of almost all Afrotropical species is remarkable in having ventral processes or projections and are conditionally divided into H. nectarophagus and H. perturbus subgroups on the basis of the presence of one or two ventral projections on the cercus, respectively. Hercostomus brandbergensis sp. nov. and H. fedotovae sp. nov. are associated with the H. nectarophagus subgroup; H. koshelevae sp. nov., H. vikhrevi sp. nov., and H. sanipass sp. nov. are associated with the H. perturbus subgroup. The new species differ by fine structures of the male fore tarsus, cercus and postgonite. An identification key to males of 23 Afrotropical species of Hercostomus is compiled for the first time. New records are given for some known species.
The justification of the 4 genera that currently compose the class Pavlovophyceae is based on a low number of species and a relative paucity of available, traceable and referenced cultures. Previous integrative phylogeny work revealed strains that can refine and strengthen our knowledge of the genera in the class. The application of multiple light and electron microscopy techniques allowed us to prioritize the cytomorphological characters (pyrenoid, thylakoid, stigma, knob-scales, life stage / life cycle) used for the taxonomy of these algae and to describe two new species: Exanthemachrysis fresneliae Véron sp. nov. and Rebecca billardiae Véron sp. nov. Consequently, revisions of the two genera Exanthemachrysis Lepailleur emend. Véron and Rebecca Green emend. Véron were made. In addition, the genus Pavlova Butcher emend Véron is revised in the light of these characters. Particular emphasis is placed on the life stages and habitat of the species.
We describe and illustrate eight new species of chewing lice in the genus Philopterus Nitzsch, 1818, parasitic on hosts in the bird families Cardinalidae, Chloropseidae, Hirundinidae, Icteridae, Motacillidae, Paridae, and Vangidae from China, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and the USA. They are: Philopterus coriaceus sp. nov. from Molothrus oryzivorus oryzivorus (Gmelin, 1788); P. hebes sp. nov. from Chloropsis aurifrons inornata Kloss, 1918 and C. cochinchinensis kinneari Hall & Deignan, 1956; P. micropunctatus sp. nov. from Anthus hodgsoni Richmond, 1907; P. afropari sp. nov. from Melaniparus cinerascens cinerascens (Vieillot, 1818); P. pseudhirundo sp. nov. from Pseudhirundo griseopyga Sundevall, 1850; P. sinensis sp. nov. from Hemipus picatus capitalis (Horsfield, 1840); P. stansburyensis sp. nov. from Pheucticus melanocephalus melanocephalus (Swainson, 1827); and P. trepostephanus sp. nov. from Tephrodornis virgatus fretensis Robinson & Kloss, 1920 and T. v. mekongensis Meyer de Schauensee, 1946. Philopterus hebes sp. nov. constitutes the first record of the genus Philopterus from the Chloropseidae. We also provide some notes on the morphology and status of Cypseloecus Conci, 1941.
The bee genus Austrosphecodes Michener, 1978 comprises 29 obligatory cleptoparasitic species distributed from Chile to Mexico. Currently, three species are known to occur in Brazil, Austrosphecodes brasiliensis (Schrottky, 1910), A. inornatus (Schrottky, 1902), and A. minarum (Schrottky, 1910). Here, we describe nine new species, Austrosphecodes asmodeus sp. nov., A. balrog sp. nov., A. cerberus sp. nov., A. gorgon sp. nov., A. jurupari sp. nov., A. krampus sp. nov., A. lucifer sp. nov., A. orcus sp. nov., and A. tartarus sp. nov. An identification key for the 12 known species from Brazil is presented. Specimens of A. asmodeus sp. nov. and A. brasiliensis were observed near nest aggregations of Caenohalictus incertus (Schrottky, 1902) in Curitiba (State of Paraná).
The pseudoscorpion (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) fauna of mainland Ecuador, excluding the Galápagos Islands, is poorly known, with only 41 described species in 9 families. The family Syarinidae has a pantropical distribution and presently comprises ca 120 species in 17 valid genera that are found in leaf litter and subterranean habitats, mostly in tropical and subtropical climates. Four syarinid species have been recorded from Ecuador, including the Galápagos, in two widespread genera, Ideobisium and Ideoblothrus, but field collections suggest that these pseudoscorpions are common and abundant in all forest systems across the country. Here, we review field collections of syarinids from mainland Ecuador and describe five new species in these genera: Ideobisium kichwa sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve), I. sonqo sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve), I. susanae sp. nov. (Napo Province, Jatun Sacha Natural Reserve), Ideoblothrus nadineae sp. nov. (Napo Province, Colonso Chalupas Natural Reserve) and I. safinai sp. nov. (Pichincha Province, Otongachi Natural Reserve) based on morphology. These species seem to have narrow distributions and we therefore restrict the ranges of two species previously recorded from Ecuador (Ideobisium crassimanum Balzan, 1892 and Ideoblothrus costaricensis (Beier, 1931)) to their countries of origin, which is Costa Rica and Venezuela, respectively.
New taxa and new records of Winnertziinae and Porricondylinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Germany
(2024)
Winnertziinae and Porricondylinae are two subfamilies of mycophagous Cecidomyiidae (gall midges). An earlier census in 2021 found the German fauna of both groups to comprise 53 species and 28 genera – only a small proportion of the nearly 400 species and 75 genera known from all of Europe. A 24-month inventory in 2021‒2023, whose most significant taxonomic and faunistic outcomes are presented here, yielded evidence of an additional 142 species and 24 genera present in Germany, more precisely 41 species and three genera of Winnertziinae, and 101 species and 21 genera of Porricondylinae. Included in these numbers are 30 new species (six Winnertziinae, 24 Porricondylinae) and one new genus (of Porricondylinae) described and named here. The number of potentially new species discovered during the project is considerably larger (85+), but the too poor condition of the specimens and various other circumstances do not permit their taxonomic description at this stage. New taxa named in the present paper are Johnsonomyia szadziewskii sp. nov., Rhipidoxylomyia bilobata sp. nov., Winnertzia haushoferorum sp. nov., Winnertzia incrassata sp. nov., Winnertzia macrodens sp. nov., Winnertzia subdentata sp. nov., all Winnertziinae, Asynapta doczkali sp. nov., Asynapta falcata sp. nov., Bryocrypta longissima sp. nov., Camptomyia serrata sp. nov., Cassidoides rainensis sp. nov., Cassidoides riparius sp. nov., Claspettomyia gracilostylus sp. nov., Claspettomyia parvidentata sp. nov., Divellepidosis bavarica sp. nov., Lamellepidosis luderbuschensis sp. nov., Neurepidosis hartschimmelhofensis sp. nov., Neurepidosis simplex sp. nov., Parepidosis lobata sp. nov., Porricondyla acutistylata sp. nov., Porricondyla insolita sp. nov., Porricondyla oblonga sp. nov., Porricondyla ornata sp. nov., Porricondyla pilosoides sp. nov., Porricondyla plana sp. nov., Porricondyla pumila sp. nov., Schistoneurus paraimpressus sp. nov., Schistoneurus subimpressus sp. nov., Spungisomyia germanica sp. nov., Wohllebenia gen. nov., and Wohllebenia hybrida gen. et sp. nov., all Porricondylinae. Taxonomic descriptions are based on both the morphology of males and, if available, CO1 (DNA barcode) sequences, using specimens collected by Malaise traps in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, the two southernmost federal states of Germany. Released here are 150 BINs new to BOLD as well as 145 species names for previously unidentified BINs in BOLD. Redescriptions of male morphology are provided for Camptomyia heterobia Mamaev, 1961, Claspettomyia carpatica Mamaev, 1998, Dicerura scirpicola Kieffer, 1898, and Winnertzia betulicola Mamaev, 1963. The state of knowledge of Germany’s fauna of mycophagous gall midges is discussed.
Cheilostomatid bryozoans are present in large quantities in Miocene sediments of western Kachchh. A detailed investigation, as presented here, has yielded 11 species. Among them, two species – Canda ukirensis sp. nov. and Antropora ramaniaensis sp. nov. – are new to science. Five species had already been reported from the same region, while a genus and the remaining three species are left in open nomenclature pending an exhaustive study using better preserved material.
A new monospecific genus belonging to the family Linyphiidae Blackwell, 1859, Nihonella gen. nov., is described using an integrative taxonomic approach based on the species N. chika gen. et sp. nov. The new genus is endemic to Western Honshu, Japan, and it shows distinctive genitalic and somatic characters of other genera of the subfamily Erigoninae Emerton, 1882. Nihonella gen. nov. is found only in the twilight and transition zones of caves in Okayama and Nara Prefectures. The phylogenetic position of Nihonella gen. nov. within the subfamily Erigoninae, and its relationship as a sister clade of the species of the group of Savignia Blackwell, 1833 (sensu Millidge 1977), is discussed on the basis of both, morphological and molecular evidence.
En este estudio se describe una nueva especie de mosca blanca Aleuropleurocelus chamaedoreaelegans Sánchez-Flores y Carapia-Ruiz sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) encontrada en el envés de las hojas de Chamaedorea elegans Mart. en el Estado de Puebla (México). Se proporcionan microfotografías de estructuras morfológicas de puparios, se discute la separación con otras especies cercanas de Aleuropleurocelus Drews y Sampson, y se propone una clave para especies del grupo de forma oval.
Discoveries of new species often depend on one or a few specimens, leading to delays as researchers wait for additional context, sometimes for decades. There is currently little professional incentive for a single expert to publish a stand-alone species description. Additionally, while many journals accept taxonomic descriptions, even specialist journals expect insights beyond the descriptive work itself. The combination of these factors exacerbates the issue that only a small fraction of marine species are known and new discoveries are described at a slow pace, while they face increasing threats from accelerating global change. To tackle this challenge, this first compilation of Ocean Species Discoveries (OSD) presents a new collaborative framework to accelerate the description and naming of marine invertebrate taxa that can be extended across all phyla. Through a mode of publication that can be speedy, taxonomy-focused and generate higher citation rates, OSD aims to create an attractive home for single species descriptions. This Senckenberg Ocean Species Alliance (SOSA) approach emphasises thorough, but compact species descriptions and diagnoses, with supporting illustrations and with molecular data when available. Even basic species descriptions carry key data for distributions and ecological interactions (e.g., host-parasite relationships) besides universally valid species names; these are essential for downstream uses, such as conservation assessments and communicating biodiversity to the broader public.This paper presents thirteen marine invertebrate taxa, comprising one new genus, eleven new species and one re-description and reinstatement, covering wide taxonomic, geographic, bathymetric and ecological ranges. The taxa addressed herein span three phyla (Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata), five classes, eight orders and twelve families. Apart from the new genus, an updated generic diagnosis is provided for four other genera. The newly-described species of the phylum Mollusca are Placiphorella methanophila Vončina, sp. nov. (Polyplacophora, Mopaliidae), Lepetodrilus marianae Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Lepetodrilidae), Shinkailepas gigas Chen, Watanabe & Tsuda, sp. nov. (Gastropoda, Phenacolepadidae) and Lyonsiella illaesa Machado & Sigwart, sp. nov. (Bivalvia, Lyonsiellidae). The new taxa of the phylum Arthropoda are all members of the subphylum Crustacea: Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Lepechinellidae), Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, gen. et sp. nov. (Amphipoda, Maeridae), Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Bopyridae), Mastigoniscus minimus Wenz, Knauber & Riehl, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Haploniscidae), Macrostylis papandreas Jonannsen, Riehl & Brandt, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Macrostylidae), Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. (Isopoda, Nannoniscidae) and Apseudopsis daria Esquete & Tato, sp. nov. (Tanaidacea, Apseudidae). In the phylum Echinodermata, the reinstated species is Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886 (Holothuroidea, Psychropotidae).The study areas span the North and Central Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the North, East and West Pacific Ocean and depths from 5.2 m to 7081 m. Specimens of eleven free-living and one parasite species were collected from habitats ranging from an estuary to deep-sea trenches. The species were illustrated with photographs, line drawings, micro-computed tomography, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Molecular data are included for nine species and four species include a molecular diagnosis in addition to their morphological diagnosis.The five new geographic and bathymetric distribution records comprise Lepechinella naces Lörz & Engel, sp. nov., Cuniculomaera grata Tandberg & Jażdżewska, sp. nov., Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., Austroniscus indobathyasellus Kaiser, Kniesz & Kihara, sp. nov. and Psychropotes buglossa E. Perrier, 1886, with the novelty spanning from the species to the family level. The new parasite record is Pseudionella pumulaensis Williams & Landschoff, sp. nov., found in association with the hermit crab Pagurus fraserorum Landschoff & Komai, 2018.
Records of Odonata collected above 800m a.s.l.on Gunung Penrissen in western Sarawak are presented. A short note on the location of Mount Merinjak, the type locality of several species, is included. Notable records include two new species from the Platystictidae, Bornargiolestes species and Acrogomphus jubilaris. Previously unpublished records from Annah Rais, a location at the foot of Gunung Penrissen, made in 2005 and 2006, are included in an appendix.
In February 2012, Odonata were recorded and voucher specimens collected in Luzon, The Philippines. The focus of study was set on localities near Dinapigue and San Mariano (Isabela Province), sites in Casiguran (Aurora Province) and on Polillo Island (Quezon Province). 60 Odonata species were recorded. Three are new to science and have been formally to be described. Four species were recorded for the first time in Luzon. Amphicnemis furcata and Diplacodes nebulosa were rediscovered after several decades since they were last documented from Luzon.
Two new species, Habrocestum sahyadri sp. nov., and Irura shendurney sp. nov. are described from the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. The unknown female of Habrocestum kerala Asima, Caleb, Babu #38; Prasad, 2022 is described and three other species: Gelotia lanka Wijesinghe, 1991, Phintella accentifera (Simon, 1901) and Vailimia jharbari Basumatary, Caleb #38; Das, 2020 are recorded from the locality. Detailed descriptions, diagnosis and illustrations of the species are provided.