590 Tiere (Zoologie)
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Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes indicate that polar bears captured the brown bear mitochondrial genome 160,000 years ago, leading to an extinction of the original polar bear mitochondrial genome. However, mitochondrial DNA occasionally integrates into the nuclear genome, forming pseudogenes called numts (nuclear mitochondrial integrations). Screening the polar bear genome identified only 13 numts. Genomic analyses of two additional ursine bears and giant panda indicate that all except one of the discovered numts entered the bear lineage at least 14 million years ago. However, short read genome assemblies might lead to an under-representation of numts or other repetitive sequences. Our findings suggest low integration rates of numts in bears and a loss of the original polar bear mitochondrial genome.
Molluscs are the second most species-rich phylum in the animal kingdom, yet only eleven genomes of this group have been published so far. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the pulmonate freshwater snail Radix auricularia. Six whole genome shotgun libraries with different layouts were sequenced. The resulting assembly comprises 4,823 scaffolds with a cumulative length of 910 Mb and an overall read coverage of 72x. The assembly contains 94.6 % of a metazoan core gene collection, indicating an almost complete coverage of the coding fraction. The discrepancy of ~690 Mb compared to the estimated genome size of R. auricularia (1.6 Gb) results from a high repeat content of 70 % mainly comprising DNA transposons. The annotation of 17,338 protein coding genes was supported by the use of publicly-available transcriptome data. This draft will serve as starting point for further genomic and population genetic research in this scientifically important phylum.
Molluscs are the second most species-rich phylum in the animal kingdom, yet only 11 genomes of this group have been published so far. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the pulmonate freshwater snail Radix auricularia. Six whole genome shotgun libraries with different layouts were sequenced. The resulting assembly comprises 4,823 scaffolds with a cumulative length of 910 Mb and an overall read coverage of 72×. The assembly contains 94.6% of a metazoan core gene collection, indicating an almost complete coverage of the coding fraction. The discrepancy of ∼690 Mb compared with the estimated genome size of R. auricularia (1.6 Gb) results from a high repeat content of 70% mainly comprising DNA transposons. The annotation of 17,338 protein coding genes was supported by the use of publicly available transcriptome data. This draft will serve as starting point for further genomic and population genetic research in this scientifically important phylum.
Morphological malformations induced by tributyltin (TBT) exposure during embryonic development have already been characterized in various taxonomic groups, but, nonetheless, the molecular processes underlying these changes remain obscure. The present study provides the first genome-wide screening for differentially expressed genes that are linked to morphological alterations of gonadal tissue from chicken embryos after exposure to TBT. We applied a single injection of TBT (between 0.5 and 30 pg as Sn/g egg) into incubated fertile eggs to simulate maternal transfer of the endocrine disruptive compound. Methyltestosterone (MT) served as a positive control (30 pg/g egg). After 19 days of incubation, structural features of the gonads as well as genome-wide gene expression profiles were assessed simultaneously. TBT induced significant morphological and histological malformations of gonadal tissue from female embryos that show a virilization of the ovaries. This phenotypical virilization was mirrored by altered expression profiles of sex-dependent genes. Among these are several transcription and growth factors (e.g. FGF12, CTCF, NFIB), whose altered expression might serve as a set of markers for early identification of endocrine active chemicals that affect embryonic development by transcriptome profiling without the need of elaborate histological analyses.
Solenogastres (Aplacophora) is a small clade of marine, shell-less worm-molluscs with close to 300 valid species. Their distribution ranges across all oceans, and whereas the vast majority of species has been collected and described from the continental shelf and slope, only few species are known from depths below 4,000 m. Following traditional taxonomy, identification of specimens to species level is complex and time-consuming and requires detailed investigations of morphology and anatomy—often resulting in the exclusion of the clade in biodiversity or biogeographic studies. During the KuramBio expedition (Kuril-Kamchatka Biodiversity Studies) to the abyssal plain of the Northwest Pacific and the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, 33 solenogaster specimens were sampled from 4,830 m to 5,397 m. Within this study we present an efficient workflow to address solenogaster diversity, even when confronted with a high degree of singletons and minute body sizes, hampering the use of single individuals for multiple morphological and molecular approaches. We combine analyses of external characters and scleritome with molecular barcoding based on a self-designed solenogaster specific set of mitochondrial primers. Overall we were able to delineate at least 19 solenogaster lineages and identify 15 species to family level and beyond. Based on our approach we identified three key lineages from the two regionally most species-rich families (Acanthomeniidae and Pruvotinidae) for deeper taxonomic investigations and describe the novel abyssal species Amboherpia abyssokurilensis sp. nov. (Cavibelonia, Acanthomeniidae) using microanatomical 3D-reconstructions. Our study more than doubles the previous records of solenogaster species from the Northwest Pacific and its marginal seas. Almost all lineages are reported for the first time from the region of the (Northwest) Pacific, vastly expanding distribution ranges of the respective clades. Moreover it doubles the number of Solenogastres collected from abyssal depths on a global scale and underlines the lack of exploratory α-diversity work in the abyssal zone for reliable species estimates in marine biodiversity.
This publication gives new records for all bumblebee species living in Iceland: B. hortorum, B. hypnorum, B. jonellus, B. lucorum, B. pascuorum, B. pratorum and B. terrestris. B. terrestris was detected outside the greenhouses for the first time. At 23 locations 217 specimens were collected. B. pratorum was only seen. The known strong expansion of B. lucorum (Kratochwil 2016) could be confirmed. The relation between B. jonellus and B. lucorum has constantly changed at the expense of of B. jonellus since B. lucorum occurred in Iceland. It is obvious that B. lucorum has already replaced the original species B. jonellus in some places. As a reason a strong competition of both species is given primarily (Kratochwil & Schwabe 2016). Factors effecting this competition are: the distribution of the neophyte Lupinus nootkatensis, the change in management of land as well as ethological but also morphological differences (Prys-Jones et al. 2016). A too low genetic diversity and a resulting suffering from diseases carried by other introduced bumblebee species (Prys-Jones et al. 2016) only can be supposed. Probably the influence of climatic change effects on B. jonellus in a negative way too (Kratochwil 2016, Kratochwil & Schwabe 2016). B. lucorum is just going to take the north top of Iceland. Only two locations could be found there without any bumblebees. In the future an ongoing expansion of B. lucorum is expected. B. jonellus will further be repressed and may become extinct in some places. A continuing expansion of B. terrestris can be expected.
A considerable body of the literature considers the potential impact of exotic predators on native prey organisms, while comparatively, few studies have asked whether and how native predators include novel prey types into their diet spectrum. Here, we asked whether the native aquatic heteropteran Diplonychus esakii preys on the highly invasive western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), which has been introduced to southern China and threatens native fish species through competition and predation on their fry. We conducted 48-h prey choice experiments under semi-natural conditions. In a ‘no-choice’ experiment (one predator and one potential prey; n = 200), we found the heteropterans to prey more on large-bodied fish, a pattern that was also described for other belostomatids, while prey sex had no effect on capture rates. Moreover, large-bodied heteropterans caught more fish than small-bodied individuals. However, overall capture rates in our study were low (11.5–30%) compared to studies on other belostomatids, which explains why subsequent binary prey choice experiments using one predator and two prey—either large and small females or male and female (with smaller sample sizes of n = 20 and 30, respectively)—did not confirm the results of our first experiment. Our study exemplifies how a pattern of body size-dependent predation can arise in a novel (not coevolved) predator–prey interaction. We tentatively argue that the observed pattern could be driven by intrinsic features of the predator, namely, altered prey preferences with increasing age coupled with a general preference for large-bodied prey, or changing nutritional needs at different developmental stages.
It is with great joy and imbued with the contagious Christmas spirit lived in Macaronesia that I present the second issue of the sixth volume of this journal. This issue consolidates the new path tracked the beginning of 2016, which focused on the renewal of the editorial board and the broadening of the scope of the journal to new scientific areas.
DNA sequences disclose a new species of Africonus cone snail from São Vicente (Gastropoda: Conidae)
(2017)
The sequencing of complete mitochondrial genomes of cone species belonging to the (sub)genus Africonus, which is endemic to Cabo Verde, has allowed the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships among these species, as well as delimitation and validation of their taxonomic status. While several species were found to be synonyms, some populations had enough DNA sequence divergence to merit the species status. This is the case of some populations inhabiting São Vicente, which are hereby described as a new species. The new species shares similarity in shell morphology to Africonus miruchae (Röckel, Rolán & Monteiro, 1980), endemic to Sal, due to convergence, and with Africonus denizi Afonso & Tenorio, 2011, endemic to São Vicente, due to close phylogenetic relationship. Additionally, the three species have significant differences in radular morphology.
The population size and distribution of Phaethon aethereus on Raso Islet was studied from August to December 2016. In total, 42 biometric measures were collected from 38 adults and four juveniles. No recapture was identified although some individuals were ringed in 2014. The means of biometrics variables obtained for the different body segments and eggs were within the ranges of P. aethereus mesonauta from tropical North Atlantic. The two largest agglomerations of P. aethereus identified on Raso were overlapping colonies of brown boobies Sula leucogaster which allowed the maximum direct count of only 90 individuals. The inaccessibility of some breeding areas conditioned the identification and monitoring of just 117 nests. Thus, we estimate the population by the number of nests in more than 100 pairs. However, without an annual census, it is difficult to estimate the population size of this species. So, annual studies are recommended to better understand the population dynamics of P. aethereus on Raso.
First record of a live false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens (Owen, 1846) in Cabo Verdean waters
(2017)
Despite the limited research on cetaceans in Cabo Verde waters, 23 species have been documented (Hazevoet & Wenzel 2000, Hazevoet et al. 2010, Koenen et al. 2013, Berrow et al. 2015). The presence of several species is known only from strandings, such as the false killer whale, which has beached dead twice on Boavista in the 1980s–1990s, and again in 2007 (Hazevoet et al. 2010, Koenen et al. 2013). This is a CITES species, and Data Deficient according to IUCN (Taylor et al. 2008).
Red-billed tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) are distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Eastern Pacific, the Northwest Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean; in the latter, the species is represented by P. a. mesonauta (Del Hoyo et al. 1992). The brown booby (Sula leucogaster) is the species with the largest distribution within the Sulidae (Patterson et al. 2011) with breeding sites across the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans (Morris-Pocock et al. 2010).
Mobulinae rays are part of Cabo Verde native biodiversity and belong to two extant genera, Manta and Mobula (Paig-Tran et al. 2013, Ward-Paige et al. 2013). Mobula spp. can be distinguished from Manta spp. by the mouth position, the shape of the cephalic fins and body size (Stevens 2011). Despite their large size, little is known about their population trends and precise distribution. They are particularly difficult to study in the wild and have restricted distributions (Ward-Paige et al. 2013, Croll et al. 2015).
The idea of setting up a scientific society in Cabo Verde in the field of Zoology was born on the initiative of Dr Cornelis J. Hazevoet, a Dutch biologist living in Portugal who has been studying the biodiversity of the Cabo Verde Islands since the 1980s. Hazevoet’s research has mainly focused on the phylogeography of avian fauna and marine mammals, and to a lesser extent in areas of Biogeography, Systematics and Evolution from a Paleontological framework.
Parasites represent one of the most abundant lifestyles, and yet, only a small portion is described (Dobson et al. 2008). Cabo Verde parasitofauna is mostly unknown and the only study on parasites infecting reptiles, in which a new species of nematodes is referred, highlights the presence of unrecognized taxa (Jorge et al. 2012).
In Volume 5, Number 2, of Zoologia Caboverdiana, Richard Porter and Tony Prater reassessed the two existing records of Baird’s sandpiper Calidris bairdii for Cabo Verde, concluding that both were misidentified, based on the respective photographs in the 6th and 8th Cabo Verde Bird Reports (Hazevoet 2010, 2014).
Forensic entomology
(2017)
For many members of the forensic community, insects still have an exotic status. This may be one reason why forensic entomology, the analysis of insect evidence for forensic and legal purposes, has not yet achieved the significance it deserves in forensic sciences. The present special issue may help to change that. ...
After initial formation, the heart tube grows by addition of second heart field progenitor cells to its poles. The transcription factor Isl1 is expressed in the entire second heart field in mouse, and Isl1-deficient mouse embryos show defects in arterial and venous pole development. The expression of Isl1 is conserved in zebrafish cardiac progenitors; however, Isl1 is required for cardiomyocyte differentiation only at the venous pole. Here we show that Isl1 homologues are expressed in specific patterns in the developing zebrafish heart and play distinct roles during cardiac morphogenesis. In zebrafish, isl2a mutants show defects in cardiac looping, whereas isl2b is required for arterial pole development. Moreover, Isl2b controls the expression of key cardiac transcription factors including mef2ca, mef2cb, hand2 and tbx20. The specific roles of individual Islet family members in the development of distinct regions of the zebrafish heart renders this system particularly well-suited for dissecting Islet-dependent gene regulatory networks controlling the behavior and function of second heart field progenitors in distinct steps of cardiac development.
The recent recolonisation of the Central European lowland (CEL) by the grey wolf (Canis lupus) provides an excellent opportunity to study the effect of founder events on endoparasite diversity. Which role do prey and predator populations play in the re-establishment of endoparasite life cycles? Which intrinsic and extrinsic factors control individual endoparasite diversity in an expanding host population? In 53 individually known CEL wolves sampled in Germany, we revealed a community of four cestode, eight nematode, one trematode and 12 potential Sarcocystis species through molecular genetic techniques. Infections with zoonotic Echinococcus multilocularis, Trichinella britovi and T. spiralis occurred as single cases. Per capita endoparasite species richness and diversity significantly increased with population size and changed with age, whereas sex, microsatellite heterozygosity, and geographic origin had no effect. Tapeworm abundance (Taenia spp.) was significantly higher in immigrants than natives. Metacestode prevalence was slightly higher in ungulates from wolf territories than from control areas elsewhere. Even though alternative canid definitive hosts might also play a role within the investigated parasite life cycles, our findings indicate that (1) immigrated wolves increase parasite diversity in German packs, and (2) prevalence of wolf-associated parasites had declined during wolf absence and has now risen during recolonisation.
Species identification of adult African blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic importance
(2017)
Necrophagous blowflies can provide an excellent source of evidence for forensic entomologists and are also relevant to problems in public health, medicine, and animal health. However, access to useful information about these blowflies is constrained by the need to correctly identify the flies, and the poor availability of reliable, accessible identification tools is a serious obstacle to the development of forensic entomology in the majority of African countries. In response to this need, a high-quality key to the adults of all species of forensically relevant blowflies of Africa has been prepared, drawing on high-quality entomological materials and modern focus-stacking photomicroscopy. This new key can be easily applied by investigators inexperienced in the taxonomy of blowflies and is made available through a highly accessible online platform. Problematic diagnostic characters used in previous keys are discussed.
Results are presented of an odonatological survey of 23 localities in Thala Barivat District of Stung Treng Province, northern Cambodia, on July 26 – August 1, 2016. Most localities were situated in areas of open low deciduous dipterocarp forests on gravel soils, some at hillside areas of tall evergreen dipterocarp forest. The great Mekong River right bank was studied within 7 km downstream of its Nimith (Nimet, Khon Thai, Labak Koun, Khone Pha Pheng) Waterfall. In total, 55 species were found, of which 52 identified to species and three to genus. Two species, Gynacantha saltatrix Martin, 1909 and Macrogomphus matsukii Asahina, 1986, were recorded in Cambodia for the first time. Five obligatory lotic species were found at the Mekong River, namely Dysphaea gloriosa, Prodasineura coerulescens, Burmagomphus asahinai, Nychogomphus duaricus and Onychothemis testacea, including tenerals of P. coerulescens and B. asahinai. Most probably these species breed in the Mekong reach which is enriched with oxygen downstream of the great waterfall cascade.
Drepanosticta kosterini sp. nov. (holotype ♂, from Gunung Penrissen, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, deposited in RMNH) is described from both sexes. It is the sister species of D. actaeon Laidlaw, 1934; a fresh description of the male of D. actaeon and the first description of the female are given, along with discussion of variation in this species. Both D. actaeon and D. kosterini are considered to belong to a species group also including D. rufostigma (Selys, 1886) and a preliminary discussion of variation in this species is given, along with illustrations of both sexes. A neighbour joining COI gene tree for D. actaeon and D. kosterini is presented. The relationships of D. actaeon, D. kosterini and D. rufostigma to other members of the Platystictidae are briefly discussed.
The Odonata fauna of flat marshy areas of the Gulf of Siam coast in Koh Kong Province of Cambodia, containing 55 species, is considered. The published data of 2010- 2013 and new data of 2014 and 2016 on the surroundings of Koh Kong town are compiled and the first data on the area of large swampy Melaleuca forests at Andoung Tuek village are presented as well as some occasional photographic records. Gynacantha bayadera, Lyriothemis mortoni and Pornothemis serrata were for the first time recorded for Cambodia. Mortonagrion falcatum was found unexpectedly abundant at Andoung Tuek.
Part 1, Quoc Toan Phan and Van Quang To, page 1-6:
The genus Megalestes Selys, 1862 in Vietnam, with first description of female of Megalestes australis Karube, 2014 (Odonata: Zygoptera: Synlestidae)
Abstract: The male secondary genitalia and the caudal appendages of males and females of the three confirmed Vietnamese Megalestes species (M. australis, M. haui and M. micans) are figured. The female sex of M. australis is described for the first time.
Part 2, Quoc Toan Phan and Van Quang To, page 7-19:
Odonata checklist from Son Tra Nature Reserve, Da Nang city, central Vietnam
Abstract: A checklist of 44 odonate species (21 Zygoptera and 23 Anisoptera) from Son Tra Nature Reserve, central Vietnam is provided. Idionyx thailandica Hämäläinen, 1985 is recorded for the Vietnamese fauna for the first time, a new Coeliccia sp. is awaiting description in the near future, and the taxonomic status of specimens of the genus Leptogomphus remains unsettled and will have to be solved in the future.
Results are presented of a brief odonatological examination of the Abrau and Taman' Peninsulas at the northwesternmost Caucasian Black Sea coast in Krasnodarskiy Kray, Russia, on July 2026, 2017. Twenty three species have been observed at the former peninsula and five at the latter. The Odonata records at the Abrau Peninsula are summarised, to include 34 species.
The survey is based on specimens held at Museums in Australia, Belgium and Germany. Altogether 487 specimens of 31 species from Timor were examined. These include: a recent collection from TimorLeste of 148 specimens (25 species) at the Australian Museum Sydney, an historic collection from West Timor consisting of 338 specimens (20 species) of the excollection Eugène Le Moult, stored at the Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique in Brussels, and a single specimen from West Timor of the Coll. Ris stored at the Senckenberg Naturmuseum Frankfurt, Germany. The following nine species are reported from Timor for the first time: Agriocnemis pygmaea, Austroallagma sagittiferum, Ischnura heterosticta, Xiphiagrion cyanomelas, Crocothemis servilia, Neurothemis ramburii, Orthetrum pruinosum cf. schneideri, Potamarcha congener and Zyxomma obtusum. The female of Anax georgius is described and illustrated. An illustrated key to the Anax species of the Lesser Sunda Islands is given and specimens from the Lesser Sunda Islands formerly identified as Anax gibbosulus are considered to be Anax panybeus. Some characters of the Orthetrum pruinosum taxa group of species, Tramea stenoloba and female Zyxomma obtusum are discussed. Figures of the male appendages and genital ligulae of Austroallagma sagittiferum, Aciagrion fragile and Xiphiagrion cyanomelas are provided, as well as figures of the male secondary genitalia, appendages and the penis of Trithemis lilacina and the male appendages of Epophthalmia vittigera. A preliminary checklist for Timor including 36 species is given.
Part 1, Oleg E. Kosterin and Vladimir I. Solovyev, page 1-43:
Odonata found in mid-summer 2015 and 2016 at the north-westernmost Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus, with the first record of Cordulegaster picta Selys, 1854 in Russian Federation
Abstract: Results are presented of brief odonatological examination of the Black Sea coastal northwesternmost spurs of the Caucasus between Anapa and Gelendzhik (mostly at Kabardinka village), Russia, in late July/early August 2015 and early-mid July 2016. In total, 28 Odonata species were found, including Cordulegaster picta for the first time in Russia. For C. picta and Caliaeschna microstigma, the world’s northernmost records were made. New localities of species rare in this area are reported: one for Coenagrion scitulum and three for Selysiothemis nigra, including their breeding habitat. Numerous migrant individuals of Pantala flavescens were observed in many localities in 2015 but none in 2016. Observations on trophic activity of Aeshna affinis and A. mixta are reported, the former showing predominantly matutinal and vespertinal activity and the latter diurnal activity. Occurrence of the Chalcolestes spp. in the Caucasus is discussed.
Part 2, Oleg E. Kosterin, page 45 - 57:
Calopteryx virgo feminalis subsp. nov., a long known under the same name but hitherto formally nameless subspecies from the Caucasian Black Sea Coast
Abstract: The populations of Calopteryx virgo of the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus have females with the distal hindwing part darkened and males with the underside of S10 and appendages whitish, They are known for more than a century and deserve a subspecific status but since the name feminalis Bartenev, 1910 proposed to them is unavailable, a new subspecies is formally erected under the same name, Calopteryx virgo feminalis Kosterin subsp. nov., with the following type locality: Russia, Krasnodarskiy Kray, Gelendzhik Municipality, Kabardinka village, the Doob River lowermost reaches, 44°38'26-53'', 37°55'55''-57'58'' E.
New records of Odonata from Kelantan, Malaysia, with a checklist of species recorded from the state
(2017)
We report here the results from field trips to collect Odonata in the central and northeastern parts of Kelantan state, Peninsular Malaysia. Sixty eight species were collected, and 15 of these are new records for the state. Interesting species collected include Euphaea masoni Selys, 1879 and Leptogomphus tioman Choong, 2016. A checklist of the Odonata recorded from Kelantan with a total 131 confirmed species is given in an appendix.
We report here the results from two field trips to collect Odonata in the Crocker Range National Park in western Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Thirtysix species were collected. Telosticta fugispinosa had not been described at the time of collection, nor had the two Devadatta species. There was no published record of Protosticta species cf kinabaluensis before the 2012 expedition, nor of Drepanosticta species cf crenitis.
The results of a short collecting trip to Kedah in the northwest of Peninsular Malaysia, made in September 2016, are reported. 64 species were collected, 13–14 of these are new records for the state and 28–29 are new records for the mainland of Kedah. A checklist of the Odonata recorded from Kedah (including Langkawi Island) is given in an appendix. At least 126 species of Odonata are now known from the state.
A new species of the genus Teinobasis Kirby is described from the Muller Range in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Its male is distinguished from all other Teinobasis species by having a pale labrum, an extensively bright orange thorax, and ventrally bowed superior anal appendages that are markedly shorter than the plump, apically rounded inferiors. Characters of the male are illustrated, and the affinities of the new species are discussed.
Between 2009 and 2016, a total of 174 Odonata species (Tab. 1) have been recorded in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, China. 21 of these species are new records for China, and additional 26 taxa have to be described as new to science. Brief comments on selected species refer to morphological characters, distribution and seasonality.
DragonflyIndia Meet 2016
(2017)
A survey of Odonata on the Indonesian island of Belitung is reported. The work of Belitung Biodiversity Observer on Odonata is briefly outlined. Sixty four species were recorded during the survey, including two new records for the island. A checklist of the known odonate fauna, consisting of 105 species, of the island is given in an appendix.
One of the notable features of penguin evolution is the occurrence of very large species in the early Cenozoic, whose body size greatly exceeded that of the largest extant penguins. Here we describe a new giant species from the late Paleocene of New Zealand that documents the very early evolution of large body size in penguins. Kumimanu biceae, n. gen. et sp. is larger than all other fossil penguins that have substantial skeletal portions preserved. Several plesiomorphic features place the new species outside a clade including all post-Paleocene giant penguins. It is phylogenetically separated from giant Eocene and Oligocene penguin species by various smaller taxa, which indicates multiple origins of giant size in penguin evolution. That a penguin rivaling the largest previously known species existed in the Paleocene suggests that gigantism in penguins arose shortly after these birds became flightless divers. Our study therefore strengthens previous suggestions that the absence of very large penguins today is likely due to the Oligo-Miocene radiation of marine mammals.
The iconic Australasian kangaroos and wallabies represent a successful marsupial radiation. However, the evolutionary relationship within the two genera, Macropus and Wallabia, is controversial: mitochondrial and nuclear genes, and morphological data have produced conflicting scenarios regarding the phylogenetic relationships, which in turn impact the classification and taxonomy. We sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 11 kangaroos to investigate the evolutionary cause of the observed phylogenetic conflict. A multilocus coalescent analysis using ∼14,900 genome fragments, each 10 kb long, significantly resolved the species relationships between and among the sister-genera Macropus and Wallabia. The phylogenomic approach reconstructed the swamp wallaby (Wallabia) as nested inside Macropus, making this genus paraphyletic. However, the phylogenomic analyses indicate multiple conflicting phylogenetic signals in the swamp wallaby genome. This is interpreted as at least one introgression event between the ancestor of the genus Wallabia and a now extinct ghost lineage outside the genus Macropus. Additional phylogenetic signals must therefore be caused by incomplete lineage sorting and/or introgression, but available statistical methods cannot convincingly disentangle the two processes. In addition, the relationships inside the Macropus subgenus M. (Notamacropus) represent a hard polytomy. Thus, the relationships between tammar, red-necked, agile, and parma wallabies remain unresolvable even with whole-genome data. Even if most methods resolve bifurcating trees from genomic data, hard polytomies, incomplete lineage sorting, and introgression complicate the interpretation of the phylogeny and thus taxonomy.
A checklist of all currently accepted species of Grania Southern, 1913 (Annelida, Clitellata, Enchytraeidae) is presented. The genus is widespread over the world and comprises 81 species described to date. Remarks on their geographical distribution, habitat, synonymies and museum catalogue numbers
are provided.
Dendritic and/or rosetted microborings in calcareous and osteic skeletal substrates have a diverse trace fossil record, spanning most of the Phanerozoic, whereas the ichnodiversity of comparable bioerosion traces produced in modern seas is rather limited. The most prominent occurrences are known from Devonian brachiopods and from Upper Cretaceous belemnite rostra. Ichnotaxonomically, they are comprised within one of the few ichnofamilies established to date, the Dendrinidae Bromley et al., 2007. As an outcome of the present revision of this ichnofamily, the plethora of 84 ichnospecies established within 25 ichnogenera since the erection of the type ichnogenus Dendrina Quenstedt, 1849 was considerably condensed to 22 ichnospecies included in 7 ichnogenera, based on a coherent morphological categorisation and ichnotaxobasis assessment. The suite of ichnogenera now subsumed within the Dendrinidae includes Dendrina Quenstedt, 1849; Clionolithes Clarke, 1908; Calcideletrix Mägdefrau, 1937; Dictyoporus Mägdefrau, 1937; Abeliella Mägdefrau, 1937; Nododendrina Vogel et al., 1987; and Pyrodendrina Tapanila, 2008. New combinations thereby concern Dendrina dendrina (Morris, 1851) comb. nov., Clionolithes pannosus (Solle, 1938) comb. nov., C. alcicornis (Vogel et al., 1987) comb. nov., C. convexus (Hofmann, 1996) comb. nov., Calcideletrix anomala (Mägdefrau, 1937) comb. nov., C. fastigata (Radtke, 1991) comb. nov., Dictyoporus balani (Tavernier et al., 1992) comb. nov., Nododendrina europaea (Fischer, 1875) comb. nov., N. incomposita (Mägdefrau, 1937) comb. nov. and N. paleodendrica (Elias, 1957) comb. nov. Investigation of new material and a reassessment of 63 dendrinid microborings previously addressed in informal nomenclature allowed the establishment of two complementing ichnogenera, Rhopalondendrina igen. nov. and Antodendrina igen. nov., and eight new ichnospecies, comprising Pyrodendrina arctica isp. nov., P. belua isp. nov., P. villosa isp. nov., Rhopalondendrina avis igen. et isp. nov., R. acanthina igen. et isp. nov., R. contra igen. et isp. nov., R. tigris igen. et isp. nov. and Antodendrina ligula igen. et isp. nov. In densely bioeroded calcareous substrates, different dendrinids and other bioerosion traces may be found in direct contact with each other, forming composite trace fossils, but some of these associations appear rather systematic in nature and could be the work of the same tracemaker under different behavioural modes, thus forming compound trace fossils. In these cases, however, the distinction between the two concepts remains largely equivocal. Dendrinid microborings are primarily found in living and dead calcareous skeletal substrates of bivalves, brachiopods, belemnites and corals, with complementing records from six other substrate types. Facing considerable sampling artefacts, evidence for true substrate specificity or symbiotic relationships is inconclusive as yet, whereas there is direct evidence for post-mortem infestation in several cases, such as the diverse dendrinid associations in Upper Cretaceous belemnite guards. Despite a wealth of available interpretations, the actual biological identity of the dendrinids’ tracemakers remains largely speculative. The most convincing evidence has been put forward in support of foraminiferans as the producers of Nododendrina, and excavating micro-sponges producing Clionolithes and some Calcideletrix. Since most of the dendrinids are found in aphotic (palaeo-)environments, these two principal types of organotrophic tracemakers are also potential candidates for the other ichnogenera. With regards to evolutionary patterns through geologic time, strong adaptive radiations are evident from the ichnodiversity of dendrinid ichnospecies in the Early to Mid-Palaeozoic, reflecting the “Ordovician Bioerosion Revolution” (sensu Wilson & Palmer 2006) and the “Mid-Palaeozoic Precursor of the Mesozoic Marine Revolution” (sensu Signor & Brett 1984), respectively, and in the Mesozoic, coinciding with the prominent “Marine Mesozoic Revolution” (sensu Vermeij 1977). This pattern mimics that of
other micro- and macro-bioerosion trace fossils and is interpreted as a reflection of increased predation pressure and consequent infaunalisation. For extinction events, in turn, a differential effect is recorded in that the first four of the “Big Five” mass extinctions appear not to have had any noticeable effect on dendrinid ichnodiversity, whereas the end-Cretaceous mass-extinction resulted in a 77% drop following the Cretaceous peak ichnodiversity of 13 dendrinid ichnospecies.
Improving nomenclatural consistency: a decade of experience in the World Register of Marine Species
(2017)
The World Register of Marine species (WoRMS) has been established for a decade. The early history of the database involved compilation of existing global and regional species registers. This aggregation, combined with changes to data types and the changing needs of WoRMS users, has resulted in an evolution of data-entry consistency over time. With the task of aggregating the accepted species names for all marine species approaching completion, our focus has shifted to improving the consistency and quality of data held while keeping pace with the addition of > 2000 new marine species described annually. This paper defines priorities and longer-term aims that promote standardisation within and interoperability among biodiversity databases, provides editors with further information on how to input nomenclatural data in a standardised way and clarifies for users of WoRMS how and why names are represented as they are. We 1) explain the categories of names included; 2) list standard reasons used to explain why a name is considered ‘unaccepted’ or ‘uncertain’; 3) present and explain the more difficult situations encountered; 4) describe categories of sources and notes linked to a taxon; and 5) recommend how type material, type locality and environmental information should be entered.
Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832 spiders are infamous for their medical importance, but a taxonomic picture of the genus is still far from complete. In this study, the Chilean species of Loxosceles are described and mapped. The males of Loxosceles surca Gertsch, 1967 and L. coquimbo Gertsch, 1967 are described for the first time. Three new species with narrow distributions are described from central and northern Chile: Loxosceles diaguita sp. nov. from the Antofagasta Region, L. pallalla sp. nov. from Coquimbo and L. vallenar sp. nov. from Atacama. The first two species are remarkable in their morphology and do not fit into any of Gertsch’s species groups, suggesting that Chile still harbours an undiscovered phylogenetic diversity of the genus. New distribution records for Loxosceles laeta (Nicolet, 1849) are provided throughout Chile.
Five species of the terrestrial diatom genus Luticola D.G.Mann were found during a taxonomic survey of two small volcanic islands, Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul (Southern Indian Ocean). Apart from the two already known Luticola species L. beyensii Van de Vijver et al. and L. subcrozetensis Van de Vijver et al., two new species are described: L. ivetana Chattová & Van de Vijver sp. nov. and L. vancampiana Chattová & Van de Vijver sp. nov. Finally, one, up to now unknown, Luticola species is briefly discussed and illustrated. Detailed morphological descriptions of these taxa are provided based on both light and scanning electron microscopy observations. Morphological features of the new species are compared to morphologically similar taxa, and notes on their ecology and biogeography are added.
The genus Synaldis Foerster, 1863 is recorded in the Neotropical region for the first time. Five new Neotropical species, S. brasiliense Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., S. fritzi Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., S. longiflagellaris Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., S. magnioculis Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., and S. novateutoniae Peris-Felipo, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. The original combination for Synaldis ulmicola Ashmead, 188
A new species of the sessile deep-sea barnacle, Heteralepas (Crustacea, Cirripedia), Heteralepas gettysburgensis sp. nov., is described. The specimens were collected at a depth of 225 m at the Gettysburg Seamount on the Gorringe Bank, located in the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone, approximately 200 km off the southwestern coast of mainland Portugal. Extensive morphological and molecular (COI, 12S and 16S) analyses were carried out to separate the species from its nearest congeners with similar geographic distribution, i.e., Atlantic waters.
Siamopsis gen. nov., described here, belongs to a group of genera with the right valve overlapping the left valve in the subfamily Cypridopsinae Kaufmann, 1900 of the family Cyprididae Baird, 1845. The distinguishing characters of the new genus are in the morphology of its valves and soft parts. The postero-dorsal margin of the internal left valve is plate-like protruded. The morphology of this plate varies in different species, e.g., some species bear a tooth-like tubercle on the plate. The posterior margin of the right valve is recurved inwardly at ca mid-height, resulting in the occurrence of a lobe-like expansion that can clearly be seen in the dorsal and caudal views of the carapace. In addition, the other diagnostic soft part features of the new genus are the cylindrical caudal ramus, the presence of two t-setae on the female A2 penultimate segment, the very elongated terminal segment of the Mx1 palp, the morphology of the two large bristles (tooth bristles) of the Mx1 third endite (one smooth, one serrated) and the absence of d-seta on T1. In the present paper, five new species are described under this new genus: Siamopsis renateae gen. et sp. nov., S. suttajiti gen. et sp. nov., S. conspecta gen. et sp. nov., S. khoratensis gen. et sp. nov. and Siamopsis planitia gen. et sp. nov. A key to the species of Siamopsis gen. nov. is also provided.
Two species of the nematode family Diplopeltidae are described from Skagerrak. The new genus Belgopeltula gen. nov. is proposed for Diplopeltula belgica Vincx & Gourbault, 1992 and is characterised by: amphidial fovea circular in female and double-loop-shaped in male; excretory pore located at the level of cephalic setae bases; oral opening on the dorsal side of the body; pharynx subdivided into strongly muscularised fusiform corpus and weakly muscularised narrow and long postcorpus; female didelphic with antidromously reflexed ovaries; supplements absent. Mudwigglus micramphidium sp. nov. is characterised by: a body of 0.6 mm long; cephalic sensilla 1.5 μm long; amphidial fovea loop-shaped, 8 μm long and 3.5 μm wide; gymnostom without cuticularised ring; tail elongate conoid, with subcylindrical distal part; terminal setae absent; spicules 15 μm long; gubernaculum present; two midventral precloacal setae. It is distinguished from M. macramphidium Leduc, 2013 in having shorter amphidial fovea, shorter spicules and presence of two precloacal setae. Redescription of Diplopeltis cylindricauda Allgén, 1932 is provided based on type material. Diplopeltula minuta Vitiello, 1972 is transferred to the genus Mudwigglus Leduc, 2013. Diplopeltis cylindricauda Allgén, 1932, Diplopeltula laminata Vitiello, 1972 and Diplopeltula cassidaignensis Vitiello, 1972 are transferred to the genus Pseudaraeolaimus Chitwood, 1951.
In 1966, Robert William Hayman, Xavier Misonne and Walter Verheyen published their listing of the Congolese, Rwandan and Burundian bat specimens in the collections in the museums of Tervuren, Brussels, Geneva, London and New York. In the fifty years that have passed since, some major changes have been introduced in the taxonomy of the Chiroptera: new species have been discovered, species have been split off, species have been moved to other genera, and additional material has been collected. We re-evaluated the data presented by Hayman et al., and supplemented this with specimen records found in the literature and in online catalogs. This resulted in 136 species, represented by 20 231 specimens (compared to 113 species and 8567 specimens originally). When available, we also recorded additional information such as locality, sex and age, collector, collection date and preservation type of the voucher specimen. The distribution maps of the Congolese taxa are revised to represent the current taxonomy, and are presented in perspective against the taxon’s Species Distribution Model to assess species distribution on the African continent. Additionally, an updated key to the various taxa is presented.
The species-rich giant pill-millipedes (Sphaerotheriida) often represent a microendemic component of Madagascar’s mega-invertebrate fauna. Of the chirping genus Sphaeromimus de Saussure & Zehntner, 1902, ten species have been described. Here, we describe two new species of Sphaeromimus integratively, combining light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, DNA barcoding and micro-CT technology for the first time in a taxonomic description of a giant pillmillipede. S. kalambatritra sp. nov. and S. midongy sp. nov. are the first giant pill-millipedes collected and described from the mountainous rainforests of Kalambatritra and Midongy. Both species show island gigantism compared to their congeners. Our analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene shows that the two species are related to one another with a moderate genetic distance (9.4%), while they are more closely related to an undetermined specimen from the forest of Vevembe (6.3% and 8.4%). They stand in a basal position with S. ivohibe Wesener, 2014 and S. musicus (de Saussure & Zehntner, 1897). The four aforementioned species share a high number of stridulation ribs on the male harp. Our micro-CT analysis provides a look into the head of S. kalambatritra sp. nov. and shows that non-destructive CT methods are a useful tool for studying the inner morphology of giant pill-millipedes.
We review the three species currently placed in the genus Xylopertha Guérin-Méneville, 1845, and describe a new species, Xylopertha elegans sp. nov., from Turkey. We propose the following new synonymy: Xylopertha Guérin-Méneville, 1845 (= Paraxylogenes Damoiseau, 1968); Xylopertha reflexicauda (Lesne, 1937) (= Paraxylogenes pistaciae Damoiseau, 1968). We give details of the sexual dimorphism, and summarise information on the distribution and biology of all species. A key to the species of Xylopertha is provided.
A new mesoserphid wasp from the Middle Jurassic of northeastern China (Hymenoptera, Proctotrupoidea)
(2017)
A new genus and species of Mesoserphidae (Hymenoptera), Juraserphus modicus gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a well-preserved fossil specimen from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of northeastern China. It is characterized by the following forewing features: the forking of Rs+M located approximately one-third of the distance between 1m-cu and 2r-rs, both 1cu-a and 2cu-a antefurcal; 1-M more than twice as long as 1m-cu and hind wing with cells r and rm closed. In addition, it has a short ovipositor, only extending slightly beyond the metasomal apex. Its new morphological characters broaden the diversity of Mesoserphidae in the Mesozoic and provide new insights into the evolution and relationships of Mesoserphidae.
Aprionus Kieffer, 1894 is one of the most species-rich genera of the fungivorous subfamily Micromyinae (family Cecidomyiidae, gall midges). Eighteen new species of this genus are described here from different parts of the Palearctic region based on morphological characters of male adults: Aprionus balduri sp. nov. (Norway, Sweden), A. bestlae sp. nov. (Sweden, Czech Republic), A. borri sp. nov. (Sweden), A. fontanus sp. nov. (Germany), A. friggae sp. nov. (Sweden), A. fujisanensis sp. nov. (Japan), A. hugini sp. nov. (Sweden, Germany), A. magnii sp. nov. (Sweden), A. montivagus sp. nov. (Germany, Russia), A. munini sp. nov. (Sweden, Germany, Hungary), A. odini sp. nov. (Sweden), A. ogawaensis sp. nov. (Japan), A. sifae sp. nov. (Sweden), A. sleipniri sp. nov. (Sweden), A. surtri sp. nov. (Sweden), A. thori sp. nov. (Sweden), A. tyri sp. nov. (Sweden), and A. ymiri sp. nov. (Sweden, Finland). These species are classified with the angulatus, halteratus and smirnovi groups, or remain unclassified within the genus Aprionus. The styloideus subgroup of the halteratus group is established for seven species (four described here as new) with generally similar male genitalic morphology. Aprionus paludosus Jaschhof & Mamaev, 1997 is revived from synonymy with A. styloideus Mamaev & Berest, 1990, and both species are redescribed.
Three-taxon statement analysis (3TA) is a method that may help to formalize the taxonomical intuition of the synapomorphy of the clade as a combination of its diagnostic traits, even if each trait, if taken separately, may be found in one or many other taxa of the same relationship. Using example based on the real morphological data, we are showing that 3TA can recognize clade in case of the complete lack of it synapomorphies, as optimized under the criterion of standard parsimony.
Daddy-long-leg giants: revision of the spider genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837 (Araneae, Pholcidae)
(2017)
This is the first revision of Artema Walckenaer, 1837, a genus consisting of large and phylogenetically interesting species. Even though Artema is not species-rich (now eight nominal species), it has suffered from poor descriptions and synonymies. Our main goal was to gather all available material and to clarify species limits. Four species are easily distinguished from other congeners: Artema atlanta Walckenaer, 1837, the type species; A. kochi Kulczyński, 1901 (revalidated); A. bunkpurugu Huber & Kwapong, 2013; and A. nephilit sp. nov. All other species are problematic for varying reasons: species limits are unclear between A. doriae Thorell, 1881 and A. transcaspica Spassky, 1934; A. magna Roewer, 1960 and A. ziaretana (Roewer, 1960) are problematic because they are based on female and juvenile types respectively and little new material is available. The material available to us suggests the existence of a few further species; however, they are not formally described, either because of small sample sizes (Artema sp. a and A. sp. b are represented by only one specimen each) or because of unclear species limits (between Artema sp. c, A. transcaspica and A. doriae).This study is the first serious step towards understanding the genus. Intensive collecting effort is needed in order to fully clarify species limits.
Hornbeams (Carpinus) and hop-hornbeams (Ostrya) are trees or large shrubs from the northern hemisphere. Currently, 43 species of Carpinus (58 taxa including subdivisions) and 8 species of Ostrya (9 taxa including sudivisions) are recognized. These are based on 175 (plus 16 Latin basionyms of cultivars) and 21 legitimate basionyms, respectively. We present an updated checklist with publication details and type information for all accepted names and the vast majority of synonyms of Carpinus and Ostrya, including the designation of 54 lectotypes and two neotypes. Cultivars are listed if validly described under the rules of the ICN. Furthermore, we consider Carpinus hwai Hu & W.C.Cheng to be a synonym of Carpinus fargesiana var. ovalifolia (H.J.P.Winkl.) Holstein & Weigend comb. nov. During the course of our work, we found 30 legitimate basionyms of non-cultivars that have been consistently overlooked since their original descriptions, when compared with the latest checklists and floristic treatments. As regional floras are highly important for taxonomic practice, we investigated the number of overlooked names and found that 78 basionyms were omitted at least once in the eight regional treatments surveyed. More seriously, we found 4 basionyms of accepted species being overlooked in a major floristic treatment.
Two Mastogloia Thwaites ex W.Sm. taxa were found during a survey of the diatom flora of Lac de Guiers, Senegal. Based on all currently available literature, one taxon could be identified as M. belaensis M.Voigt, a species formerly described from Pakistan. The second species showed some resemblance to M. braunii Grunow. Analysis of the type of M. braunii revealed, however, important morphologic differences, leading to the description of a new species from the Senegal population: M. senegalensis Van de Vijver, Fofana, Sow & Ector sp. nov. The present paper describes this new species and discusses and illustrates the morphology of M. belaensis and the type of M. braunii. All taxa are discussed with morphologically similar taxa.
Araboplia lorisi gen. et sp. nov. of Scarabaeidae Latreille, 1802 Rutelinae MacLeay, 1819, is described based on a single male specimen from the Arabian Peninsula, and compared with the closest Palaearctic genera. Araboplia gen. nov. is placed in the tribe Anomalini C.E. Blanchard, 1851 subtribe Popilliina Ohaus, 1918. This decision is due to its similarity with other Popilliina genera but lacks strong characters-based evidence, due to the poor definition of the Popilliina itself, which is discussed.
Ufocandona hannaleeae gen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from an artesian well in Texas, USA
(2017)
We describe a new genus, Ufocandona gen. nov. with its type species Ufocandona hannaleeae gen. et sp. nov., from an artesian well in San Marcos, Texas, USA. The new genus has diagnostic characteristics that distinguish it from other genera in Candonidae, including the asymmetric shape of the valves, the smooth central area on the external surface of the valves, the hexagonal ornamentations around the marginal ends of the carapace, the dense spines on the marginal edges of the right valve and the dorsal prolongation and tubercles seen from inside the ventral edges of the left valve. Additional differences in the soft body parts of the male and female (e.g., claw-like uropod, shape of hemipenis, long Y aesthetascs, two short or reduced exopods on antenna, reduced numbers of setae and segments on other extremities) distinguish the new genus from others in the family. The discovery of this species from a deep artesian well contributes important information to our understanding of groundwater species diversity in a biologically diverse aquifer where the ostracod fauna has been unstudied.
Three new species of potamonautid freshwater crabs are described from the Lake Victoria region in southern Uganda, East Africa. Two of the new species (Potamonautes busungwe sp. nov. and P. entebbe sp. nov.) are from the shores of Lake Victoria, while the third (P. kantsyore sp. nov.) is from an inland locality on the Kagera River that flows into the lake. In addition, two of the new taxa (P. busungwe sp. nov. and P. kantsyore sp. nov.) are among the smallest species of freshwater crabs so far known from Africa. Diagnoses, illustrations and distribution maps are provided for these taxa, which are compared to similar species from Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa.
Two distinct new species of the ant genus Crematogaster, C. khmerensis sp. nov. and C. pfeifferi sp. nov., are described from Cambodia and Malaysia, respectively. The two species are unique among Asian Crematogaster in that they have vertically directed propodeal spines, but their systematic positions have not been determined based on morphological characters alone. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 89 Crematogaster taxon matrices previously published plus C. khmerensis sp. nov., using nuclear genes, reveals that C. khmerensis sp. nov. is nested within the Australo-Asian Crematogaster clade. Morphological assignment of the developed pronotal shoulders implies a close relationship between C. khmerensis sp. nov. and the C. tetracantha-group. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, we erect a new species group, C. khmerensis-group, to contain C. khmerensis sp. nov. and C. pfeifferi sp. nov. Divergence time estimates using MCMCTree shows that the root node of the C. khmerensis sp. nov. terminal is estimated to be of middle Miocene age at 15 million years old. The position of the C. khmerensis-group well supports the Oriental- to Australian-region dispersal history that has been proposed for the Australo-Asian Crematogaster clade.
Eight species of Diplopeltoides are described from the Swedish west coast. Diplopeltoides suecicus sp. nov. has the cuticle with longitudinal striation visible only under SEM; cuticular plate underlying the cephalic cuticle around the amphid present; cephalic sensilla 4–6 μm long; amphid an inverted U-shape; wide space between amphidial branches areolated; spicules 27–31 μm long; gubernaculum with caudal apophysis. Diplopeltoides longicaudatus sp. nov. is characterized by a cuticle without longitudinal striation; cuticular plate underlying cephalic cuticle around amphid present; cephalic sensilla 13 μm long; amphid an inverted U-shape; narrow space between amphidial branches not ornamented; spicules unequal in size, 27–31 μm long; gubernaculum absent; midventral precloacal cuticular ridge present. D. grandis sp. nov. is characterized by a cuticle with longitudinal striation; cuticular plate underlying cephalic cuticle around amphid present; cephalic sensilla 18.5 μm long; amphid an inverted U-shape; wide space between amphidial branches punctate. The following taxonomic changes are proposed: Diplopeltoides asetosus (Juario, 1974) comb. nov., Diplopeltoides botulus (Wieser, 1959) comb. nov., Diplopeltoides bulbosus (Vitiello, 1972) comb. nov., Diplopeltoides lucanicus (Boucher & Helléouët, 1977) comb. nov., Diplopeltoides pumilus (Vincx & Gourbault, 1992) comb. nov. and Diplopeltoides striatus (Gerlach, 1956) comb. nov. Diplopeltoides holovachovi Fadeeva & Mordukhovich, 2013 is synonymised with Diplopeltoides pumilus comb. nov. An updated key to the species of Diplopeltoides is provided.
Allopatric alpine populations of Phtheochroa frigidana s. lat. (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) are reviewed. In addition to traditional diagnostic characters of external morphology, the genitalia structures of everted vesicae in male genitalia and DNA barcodes are analysed. This new approach supports the existence of five rather than two species in Europe: Phtheochroa schawerdae (Rebel, 1908) comb. nov. (Dinaric Mts, Rila Mts, Pirin Mts) = P. drenowskyi (Rebel, 1916) syn. nov.; P. alpinana sp. nov. (SW Alps); P. apenninana sp. nov. (Apennines); P. frigidana (Guenée, 1845) stat. rev. (Pyrenees) = P. flavidana (Guenée, 1845) = P. sulphurana (Guenée, 1845) = P. andorrana (Millière, 1865); P. cantabriana sp. nov. (Cantabrian Mts). In order to stabilize the nomenclature, a neotype for Eupoecilia frigidana is designated.
Polychelidan lobsters (Decapoda: Polychelida) are crustaceans with extant species which are restricted to deep water environments. Fossil species, however, used to live in more varied palaeoenvironments, from shallow water to deep water, and were more diverse morphologically. We redescribe two species of polychelidan lobsters, the Late Triassic Rosenfeldia triasica Garassino, Teruzzi & Dalla Vecchia, 1996 and the Late Jurassic Eryon oppeli Woodward, 1866, recently assigned to the same genus, Rosenfeldia, based upon only a few characters. Our investigation of all available material of both species leads us to distinguish these two species and to erect Rogeryon gen. nov. to accommodate Eryon oppeli. The palaeobiology of both species is interpreted for the first time. Rosenfeldia triasica with its stout first pereiopods and mandibles with both incisor and molar processes (documented for the first time in Polychelida) was benthic and probably fed either on slow-moving sedentary preys or was a scavenger. Rogeryon oppeli gen. et comb. nov. was benthic, visually adapted to shallow water palaeoenvironments, and possibly had a diet similar to that of slipper lobsters and horseshoe crabs. The redescription of these two species highlights the palaeobiological diversity of fossil polychelidans.
Three new scale insect species, Coccidohystrix daedalea Gavrilov-Zimin sp. nov., Mirococcopsis ptilura Gavrilov-Zimin sp. nov. (both from the family Pseudococcidae) and Cryptinglisia millari Gavrilov-Zimin sp. nov. (family Coccidae), are described and illustrated from the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
The species of the genus Enicospilus Stephens, 1835 in Saudi Arabia are reviewed. Six species have previously been recorded from Saudi Arabia: E. brevicornis (Masi, 1939), E. capensis (Thunberg, 1822), E. nervellator Aubert, 1966, E. perlatus Shestakov, 1926, E. psammus Gauld & Mitchell, 1978 and E. oculator Seyrig, 1935. Five new species are described and illustrated in this paper: Enicospilus arabicus Gadallah & Soliman sp. nov., E. mirabilis Soliman & Gadallah sp. nov., E. pseudoculator Gadallah & Soliman sp. nov., E. shadaensis Gadallah & Soliman sp. nov. and E. splendidus Rousse, Soliman & Gadallah sp. nov. Twelve species are newly recorded for the fauna of Saudi Arabia, thus raising the total number to 23 species: E. bicoloratus Cameron, 1912, E. divisus (Seyrig, 1935), E. dubius (Tosquinet, 1896), E. grandiflavus Townes & Townes, 1973, E. odax Gauld & Mitchell, 1978, E. oweni Gauld & Mitchell, 1976, E. pacificus (Holmgren, 1868), E. pallidus (Taschenberg, 1875), E. rundiensis Bischoff, 1915, E. senescens (Tosquinet, 1896), Enicospilus sp. 1 and Enicospilus sp. 2 cf. bicoloratus Cameron, 1912. The unknown male of E. odax is described for the first time. The COI barcodes of 17 specimens were sequenced, compared to the existing data and uploaded to the BOLD Systems database. An illustrated key and an annotated faunistic list of all species of Enicospilus in Saudi Arabia are also provided. Finally, we discuss the biogeographical and ecological significance of the Enicospilus fauna in Saudi Arabia.
Samples from deep benthic areas in the Bransfield Strait, Antarctica, revealed the presence of two new species of Colletteidae: Filitanais elongatus sp. nov. and Macrinella lavradoae sp. nov. Filitanais elongatus sp. nov. resembles F. moskalevi in its habitus; it can, however, be distinguished by characters such as the pleonites and pleotelson with lateral margins parallel and the uropod exopod being longer than half of the first endopod article. Macrinella lavradoae sp. nov. differs from the other species of Macrinella in the shape of the uropod and the pleotelson, with the uropod exopod shorter than the first article of the endopod, the uropod about as long as the pleotelson and the pleotelson with a rounded tip. The number of species of Tanaidacea recorded from Antarctica increases to 162, while the colletteids are now represented by 16 species. Moreover, the diagnosis of the genus Filitanais is herein modified.
A new species of the genus Spinaethorax Papáč & Palacios-Vargas, 2016, recently erected for two cave species in Mexico, is described from a Vietnamese cave. It differs from the Mexican species most noticeably by the dorsal chaetotaxy of the head (number and morphology of chaetae), the shape of S-chaetae on the third antennomere, the dorsal chaetotaxy of the abdomen and the chaetotaxy of the dens. The pattern of special τ-chaetae is described for the first time in the genus. The affinities between Spinaethorax and the other genera of Neelipleona are discussed. Spinaethorax is propably closely related to Neelus Folsom, 1896. A table of the differential characters is provided for the three known species of Spinaethorax. Spinaethorax appears to be restricted to caves, but its presence in Vietnam indicates that this genus has a much larger distribution than previously recognized.
The genus Dasydorylas Skevington, 2001 is recorded from two provinces in Iran (Sistan-o Baluchestan and Kermanshah Provinces). Dasydorylas derafshani sp. nov. and D. zardouei sp. nov. are characterized morphologically by DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial COI gene. Eudorylas antennalis Kapoor, Grewal & Sharma, 1987 is transferred to Dasydorlyas (comb. nov.). An existing identification key to the males of the western Palaearctic species of Dasydorylas is complemented to include the newly described species.
Two formerly monotypic lumbriculid genera, Guestphalinus Michaelsen, 1933 and Kincaidiana Altman, 1936, are reviewed using morphological and molecular data, following the discovery of new northwestern, Nearctic species. Several populations of Kincaidiana hexatheca Altman, 1936 were examined, and both morphology and DNA data suggest a single, variable species in Pacific drainages extending from northern California through Washington, USA. Specimens of Kincaidiana from the Smith River drainage with a single, median atrium and differing genetically from K. hexatheca are assigned to K. smithi sp. nov. The chaetal morphology of North American Guestphalinus populations is variable, and two basic morphotypes are assigned to G. elephantinus sp. nov. and G. exilis sp. nov. This decision is supported by molecular data. The tree topology, based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI), and the nuclear 28S rRNA gene sequences, confirmed the close phylogenetic relationships among the Nearctic Guestphalinus, Kincaidiana and Uktena Fend, Rodriguez & Lenat, 2015. Probable synapomorphies associating these genera include a filiform, ringed proboscis, a forward shift of reproductive organs relative to the usual position in the family, and spermathecae in the atrial segment.
For much of the last thirty years, the caesalpinioid genus Bauhinia has been recognised by numerous authors as a broadly circumscribed, ecologically, morphologically and palynologically diverse pantropical taxon, comprising several subgenera. One of these, Bauhinia subg. Phanera has recently been reinstated at generic rank based on a synthesis of morphological and molecular data. Nevertheless, there remains considerable diversity within Phanera. Following a review of palynological and molecular studies of Phanera in conjunction with a careful re-examination of the morphological heterogeneity within the genus, we have found strong evidence that the species of Phanera subsect. Corymbosae are a natural group that warrant generic status. We describe here the genus Cheniella R.Clark & Mackinder gen. nov. to accommodate them. It comprises 10 species and 3 subspecies, one newly described here. Generic characters include leaves that are simple and emarginate or bilobed; flowers with elongate hypanthia which are as long as or much longer than the sepals; pods that are glabrous, compressed, oblong, indehiscent or tardily dehiscent; and with numerous seeds, the seeds bearing an unusually long funicle extending most of the way around their circumference. A further distinctive floral character was found to be a fleshy disc on which the staminodes are mounted. An analysis carried out for this study reveals Cheniella to be characterised by a pollen type that is unique to the genus and previously unknown in the Leguminosae. Species diversity is richest in southern China, the full distribution extending westward to India and south- and eastward through Indochina into Malesia.
Epimeria of the Southern Ocean with notes on their relatives (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Eusiroidea)
(2017)
The present monograph includes general systematic considerations on the family Epimeriidae, a revision of the genus Epimeria Costa in Hope, 1851 in the Southern Ocean, and a shorter account on putatively related eusiroid taxa occurring in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seas. The former epimeriid genera Actinacanthus Stebbing, 1888 and Paramphithoe Bruzelius, 1859 are transferred to other families, respectively to the Acanthonotozomellidae Coleman & J.L. Barnard, 1991 and the herein re-established Paramphithoidae G.O. Sars, 1883, so that only Epimeria and Uschakoviella Gurjanova, 1955 are retained within the Epimeriidae Boeck, 1871. The genera Apherusa Walker, 1891 and Halirages Boeck, 1891, which are phylogenetically close to Paramphithoe, are also transferred to the Paramphithoidae. The validity of the suborder Senticaudata Lowry & Myers, 2013, which conflicts with traditional and recent concepts of Eusiroidea Stebbing, 1888, is questioned. Eight subgenera are recognized for Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species of the genus Epimeria: Drakepimeria subgen. nov., Epimeriella K.H. Barnard, 1930, Hoplepimeria subgen. nov., Laevepimeria subgen. nov., Metepimeria Schellenberg, 1931, Pseudepimeria Chevreux, 1912, Subepimeria Bellan-Santini, 1972 and Urepimeria subgen. nov. The type subgenus Epimeria, as currently defined, does not occur in the Southern Ocean. Drakepimeria species are superficially similar to the type species of the genus Epimeria: E. cornigera (Fabricius, 1779), but they are phylogenetically unrelated and substantial morphological differences are obvious at a finer level. Twenty-seven new Antarctic Epimeria species are described herein: Epimeria (Drakepimeria) acanthochelon subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) anguloce subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) colemani subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) corbariae subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) cyrano subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) havermansiana subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) leukhoplites subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) loerzae subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) pandora subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) pyrodrakon subgen. et sp. nov., E. (D.) robertiana subgen. et sp. nov., Epimeria (Epimeriella) atalanta sp. nov., Epimeria (Hoplepimeria) cyphorachis subgen. et sp. nov., E. (H.) gargantua subgen. et sp. nov., E. (H.) linseae subgen. et sp. nov., E. (H.) quasimodo subgen. et sp. nov., E. (H.) xesta subgen. et sp. nov., Epimeria (Laevepimeria) anodon subgen. et sp. nov., E. (L.) cinderella subgen. et sp. nov., Epimeria (Pseudepimeria) amoenitas sp. nov., E. (P.) callista sp. nov., E. (P.) debroyeri sp. nov., E. (P.) kharieis sp. nov., Epimeria (Subepimeria) adeliae sp. nov., E. (S.) iota sp. nov., E. (S.) teres sp. nov. and E. (S.) urvillei sp. nov. The type specimens of E. (D.) macrodonta Walker, 1906, E. (D.) similis Chevreux, 1912, E. (H.) georgiana Schellenberg, 1931 and E. (H.) inermis Walker, 1903 are re-described and illustrated.
Recent expeditions (NANHAI 2014, DONGSHA 2014 and ZHONGSHA 2015) conducted in deep waters of the South China Sea obtained interesting material of various spider crabs (Majoidea) including several new records for the area, and two new species of epialtids of the genera Oxypleurodon Miers, 1885 and Stegopleurodon Richer de Forges & Ng, 2009. Two poorly known species, previously only known from their types, Rochinia strangeri Serène & Lohavanijaya, 1973 and R. kagoshimensis (Rathbun, 1932) comb. nov., are redescribed, refigured, and their taxonomy discussed.
The genus Eulibitia was described by Roewer including three species from Colombia and Ecuador: Eulibitia maculata Roewer, 1912, E. annulipes Roewer, 1912 and E. sexpunctata Roewer, 1914. Herein, the genus is revisited and only the type species, Eulibitia maculata Roewer, 1912 is maintained from the previous configuration. Eulibitia sexpunctata is transferred to Ambatoiella Mello- Leitão, 1943 and E. annulipes is considered as Cosmetinae incertae sedis. Acromares lateralis Goodnight & Goodnight, 1943 and Paramessa castanea (Sørensen, 1932) are here considered junior subjective synonyms of Messatana scalaris (Sørensen, 1932) and Eulibitia maculata, respectively. Brachylibitia Mello-Leitão, 1941, currently a junior synonym of Platymessa, is regarded as a synonym of Eulibitia. Platymessa Mello-Leitão, 1941, with two species, and the monotypic genera Messatana Strand, 1942 and Paramessa Mello-Leitão, 1933, are synonymized with Eulibitia Roewer, 1912, yielding the following new combinations: Eulibitia ectroxantha (for Brachylibitia ectroxantha Mello-Leitão, 1941), E. h-inscriptum (for Platymessa h-inscripta Mello-Leitão, 1941) and E. scalaris (for Libitia (Messa) scalaris Sørensen, 1932). Eulibitia is re-diagnosed and five new species are described: E. castor sp. nov., E. pollux sp. nov., E. clytemnestra sp. nov., E. leda sp. nov. and E. helena sp. nov. A key to the nine Eulibitia species is presented; the morphology of Eulibitia is compared with that of Libitia, Libitiella and Ambatoiella.
Revision of the genus Spilopteron Townes, 1965 (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Acaenitinae) from Japan
(2017)
Ten Japanese species of the genus Spilopteron Townes, 1965 are recognized. Five new species, S. albiventre sp. nov., S. brachyurum sp. nov., S. nigrum sp. nov., S. oblongulum sp. nov. and S. pseudonigrum sp. nov., are described from Japan. Morphological discrimination between most Japanese species is confirmed by sequence analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene, which indicates the following relationships: S. oblongulum sp. nov. + S. apicale (Matsumura, 1912), S. brachyurum sp. nov. + S. nigrum sp. nov. + S. pseudonigrum sp. nov., and S. tosaense (Uchida, 1934) + S. luteum (Uchida, 1930). A key to the Japanese species of Spilopteron is provided. This genus seems to have its center of diversity in the mid-latitude area of East-Asia.
A large white species of wolf spider, Ocyale ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov., is described from a white sandy beach of an inland freshwater lake in the northwest of Madagascar. The first photos of a living specimen of the genus Ocyale are provided together with some observations on the biology of the newly described species. An updated and illustrated key to the Afrotropical species of Ocyale is included here.
Gastrotricha is a cosmopolitan phylum of aquatic and semi-aquatic invertebrates that comprises about 820 described species. Current knowledge regarding freshwater gastrotrichs inhabiting caves is extremely poor and there are no extant data regarding freshwater Gastrotricha from Montenegro. We describe a new species from Obodska Cave, which is also the first record of a gastrotrich from this region. Due to its unusual habitat and morphological characteristics, this species may be important when considering the evolution and dispersion routes of Chaetonotidae Gosse, 1864 (sensu Leasi & Todaro 2008). We provide morphometic, molecular and phylogenetic data for the new species, together with photomicrographs and drawings.
While many programs are available to edit phylogenetic trees, associating pictures with branch tips in an efficient and automatic way is not an available option. Here, we present TreePics, a standalone software that uses a web browser to visualize phylogenetic trees in Newick format and that associates pictures (typically, pictures of the voucher specimens) to the tip of each branch. Pictures are visualized as thumbnails and can be enlarged by a mouse rollover. Further, several pictures are can be selected and displayed in a separate window for visual comparison. TreePics works either online or in a full standalone version, where it can display trees with several thousands of pictures (depending on the memory available). We argue that TreePics can be particularly useful in a preliminary stage of research, such as to quickly detect conflicts between a DNA-based phylogenetic tree and morphological variation, that may be due to contamination that needs to be removed prior to final analyses, or the presence of species complexes.
Description of three new species of Caledomina (Insecta, Trichoptera, Ecnomidae) from New Caledonia
(2017)
Three new species of Caledomina Johanson, 2011 are described and illustrated for the first time: C. paniensis sp. nov., C. dorsospina sp. nov. and C. kohensis sp. nov. A key to the males of the four known species in the genus is given, as well as a map indicating their geographical distribution. When examining a phylogenetic hypothesis comprising the four species, we see an increased complexity in younger species compared to older species.
Haplosclerid sponges possessing a unique asymmetric flagelliform type of sigmoid microsclere have been reported from all global oceans. This peculiar spicule, characterized by a circular or elliptical shape, with a longer and sharper curved ending at one side and a shorter and more gradually curved ending at the opposing side, is proposed to be termed ‘flagellosigma’. These sponges invariably also possess smaller normal sigmas while their skeletal structure of oxea megascleres is markedly confused. They are assigned to the large genus Haliclona Grant, 1841 (family Chalinidae) in a new subgenus, Haliclona (Flagellia) subgen. nov. The species belonging to the new subgenus are reviewed and four species new to science are described, Haliclona (Flagellia) indonesiae subgen. et sp. nov., H. (F.) amirantensis subgen. et sp. nov., H. (F.) hiberniae subgen. et sp. nov. and H. (F.) hajdui subgen. et sp. nov. One species, H. (F.) hentscheli nom. nov., is given a new name on account of secondary homonymy caused by its transfer to the genus Haliclona. One species remains unnamed because of paucity of material. Already known species, reassigned to the new subgenus are H. (F.) hamata subgen. et comb. nov., H. (F.) flagellifera subgen. et comb. nov., H. (F.) porosa subgen. et comb. nov., H. (F.) edaphus subgen. et comb. nov. and H. (F.) anataria subgen. et comb. nov. Additional species are likely hiding among many erroneous records of ‘Gellius flagellifer’ from wide ranging parts of the global oceans.
Type series for 35 type species of Macrodactylini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) are studied and taxonomic changes are proposed. The following 35 lectotypes are designated: Agaocnemis pruina Moser, 1918; Amphicrania ursina Burmeister, 1855; Anomalochilus singularis Blanchard, 1850; Anomalonyx uruguayensis Moser, 1921; Aulanota sulcipennis Moser, 1924; Barybas nanus Blanchard, 1850; Barybas volvulus Burmeister, 1855; Calodactylus tibialis Blanchard, 1850; Ceraspis pruinosa LePeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828; Ceratolontha venezuelae Arrow, 1948; Chariodactylus chacoensis Moser, 1919; Clavipalpus dejeani Laporte, 1832; Corminus canescens Burmeister, 1855; Ctenotis obesa Burmeister, 1855; Ctilocephala pellucens Burmeister, 1855; Demodema fallax Blanchard, 1850; Euryaspis gaudichaudii Blanchard, 1851; Faula cornuta Blanchard, 1850; Gama grandicornis Blanchard, 1850; Gastrohoplus mirabilis Moser, 1921; Mallotarsus spadiceus Blanchard, 1850; Manodactylus gaujoni Moser, 1919; Manopus biguttatus Conte de Castelnau, 1840; Melolontha rufipennis Fabricius, 1801; Oedichira pachydactyla Burmeister, 1855; Pachycerus castaneipennis Guérin-Méneville, 1831; Pachylotoma viridis Blanchard, 1850; Pectinosoma elongata Arrow, 1913; Philochlaenia virescens Blanchard, 1842; Plectris tomentosa LePeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828; Pseudohercitis viridiaenea Moser, 1921; Rhinaspoides aeneofusca Moser, 1919; Schizochelus flavescens Blanchard, 1850; Serica marmorea Guérin-Méneville, 1831; and Ulomenes hypocrita Blanchard, 1850. The following six genera are revalidated: Byrasba Harold, 1869 (formerly a synonym of Rhinaspis Perty, 1833); Euryaspis Blanchard, 1851 (formerly a synonym of Plectris LePeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828); Junkia Dalla Torre, 1913 (formerly a synonym of Plectris); Faula Blanchard, 1850 (formerly a synonym of Ceraspis LePeletier de Saint-Fargeau & Audinet-Serville, 1828); Paulosawaya Martínez & d’Andretta, 1956 (formerly a synonym of Clavipalpus Laporte, 1832); and Pseudoserica Guérin-Méneville, 1838 (formerly a synonym of Plectris). The following 11 new generic synonymies are proposed: Anomalochilus Blanchard, 1850 a new synonym of Plectris; Amphicrania Burmeister, 1855 (formerly a synonym of Clavipalpus and a homonym of Amphicrania Dejean, 1833) and Pseudoleuretra Martínez & d’Andretta, 1956 are synonymized with Paulosawaya; Aulanota Moser, 1924 and Hadrocerus Guérin-Méneville, 1838 are synonymized with Philochloenia; Ctenotis Burmeister, 1855 a new synonym of Euryaspis Blanchard, 1851; Gama Blanchard, 1850, Pachylotoma Blanchard, 1850 (formerly a synonym of Gama) and Harpodactyla Burmeister, 1855 (formerly a synonym of Gama) are synonymized with Pseudoserica; Gastrohoplus Moser, 1921 a new synonym of Schizochelus Blanchard, 1850; and Hercitis Burmeister, 1855 a new synonym of Barybas Blanchard, 1850. One new specific synonymy is proposed: Hercitis pygmaea Burmeister, 1855 a synonym of Barybas nana Blanchard, 1850. Philochloenia armata nom. nov. is proposed for Aulanota sulcipennis Moser, 1924 to avoid secondary homonymy. Ancistrosoma Curtis, 1835, nomen protectum, has priority over Sciuropus Dejean, 1833, nomen oblitum. Taxonomic remarks, diagnoses and a key are given to all Macrodactylini genera.
The genus Paharia Distant, 1905 is reviewed based on the description of a new species, Paharia oorschoti sp. nov., and redescription of the allied Paharia putoni (Distant, 1892), both from Turkey. The relationships among Paharia, Subpsaltria Chen, 1943 and Tibicina Kolenati, 1857 of the tribe Tibicinini Distant, 1905 are discussed. The morphology of the exuviae of Pa. oorschoti sp. nov. and S. yangi Chen 1943 is described and compared. Tibicina insidiosa Boulard, 1977 is transferred to Paharia to become Paharia insidiosa comb. nov. A key to all species of Paharia is provided.
Big and beautiful: the Megaxyela species (Hymenoptera, Xyelidae) of East Asia and North America
(2017)
Megaxyela Ashmead, 1898 comprises 13 species, four of which are described as new and one is removed from synonymy: Megaxyela euchroma Blank, Shinohara & Wei sp. nov. from China (Zheijang), M. fulvago Blank, Shinohara & Wei sp. nov. from China (Hunan, Jiangsu, Zhejiang), M. inversa Blank & D.R. Smith sp. nov. from the USA (West Virginia), M. langstoni Ross, 1936 sp. rev. from the eastern USA, and M. pulchra Blank, Shinohara & Sundukov sp. nov. from China (Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Tibet), South Korea (Kangwon-do) and Russia (Primorskiy Kray). The male of M. parki Shinohara, 1992 is described for the first time. A lectotype is designated for M. gigantea Mocsáry, 1909. A cladogram, based on COI sequences of seven species, is presented and interpreted in view of selected morphological characters. Records of M. fulvago sp. nov. from Hunan and of M. pulchra sp. nov. from Tibet extend the known distribution of Megaxyela in the Old World 600 kilometers farther south and 2500 kilometers farther west than previous records.
Ten new species belonging to three new genera (Atlantisina gen. nov., Bathycyclopora gen. nov., Calvetopora gen. nov.) of umbonulomorph bryozoans from northeastern Atlantic seamounts, islands, and the continental slope are introduced. We furthermore erect the new family Atlantisinidae fam. nov. for these genera. Eight new species belong to the new genus Atlantisina: Atlantisina atlantis gen. et sp. nov. (type species), A. acantha gen. et sp. nov., A. gorringensis gen. et sp. nov., A. inarmata gen. et sp. nov., A. lionensis gen. et sp. nov., A. meteor gen. et sp. nov., A. seinensis gen. et sp. nov., and A. tricornis gen. et sp. nov. The genus Bathycyclopora gen. nov. is introduced for ?Phylactella vibraculata Calvet from the Azores, and also includes Bathycyclopora suroiti gen. et sp. nov. The type species of Calvetopora gen. nov. is Lepralia inflata Calvet from the Gulf of Cadiz; this genus also includes Calvetopora otapostasis gen. et sp. nov. and another species left in open nomenclature. Of the 13 species described herein, 11 occur on seamounts and islands, and nine species are endemic to a single seamount, island or station. The present results show that bryozoans provide striking examples of the function of seamounts as areas of endemism, most likely intrinsically linked to the low dispersal abilities of bryozoan larvae.
Three new fossil bryozoan species, a ctenostome and two cheilostomes, are described and figured from Pleistocene strata of the Wanganui Basin, New Zealand. Buskia waiinuensis sp. nov., a soft-body ctenostome preserved as a mould bioimmuration, is the first fossil record of the genus from New Zealand. Microporella rusti sp. nov., which is notable for the lack of ooecia in the large suite of colonies available, is one of the most common bryozoans in the Nukumaru Limestone and Nukumaru Brown Sand shellbeds, forming large encrusting sheet-like colonies, but is uncommon in younger beds. Rare, small-sized colonies of Parkermavella columnaris sp. nov. were found as fossil in two Quaternary beds, the Nukumaru Limestone and the Upper Kai-Iwi Shellbed, and also alive on rocks from greater Cook Strait area.
The fouling serpulids (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) from United States coastal waters: an overview
(2017)
Serpulids are an important component of fouling communities. This paper provides an overview of the serpulid species found in North America, as part of a broader study of fouling invertebrates focused on NIS (non-indigenous species) in United States coastal ecosystems. Almost 4400 serpulid specimens were examined from selected fouling plates. Fouling plates were deployed in 26 bays and coastal lagoons along the continental coasts of the United States and Hawaiian islands, primarily in bays and lagoons with salinities averaging 20‰ or greater. Twenty-five serpulid species were identified, including four new records for the United States (Ficopomatus uschakovi, Hydroides cf. brachyacantha, H. longispinosa and Protula longiseta), three known NIS, two presumed NIS, three cryptogenic serpulids, and several range extensions. Crucigera websteri extends its northward range from Santa Barbara Island to Humboldt Bay, California; Ficopomatus enigmaticus, first recorded in North America from San Francisco, California in 1920, Rockport, Texas in 1952 and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey in 1980, is now recorded at additional localities on the east coast (Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina and Indian River, Florida) and the northern Gulf of Mexico (Galveston Bay, Texas); F. miamiensis extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; F. uschakovi, an Indo-Pacific and Western African species, was recorded formally for the first time from the northern Gulf of Mexico ((Galveston Bay and Corpus Christi, Texas) and the east coast of Florida (Jacksonville). Hydroides cf. brachyacantha extends its northward range from Curaҫao to Pensacola Bay, Florida; H. dirampha from Veracruz, Mexico to Corpus Christi, Texas; H. floridana extends its westward range from Louisiana to Texas; H. gracilis extends its northward range from Pacific Grove to San Francisco, California; Salmacina huxleyi from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Rhode Island; and Spirobranchus minutus from Veracruz, Mexico to Pensacola Bay, Florida. The following additional species range extensions are provisional in that they represent only one record or were not found in the most recent surveys (e.g., Hydroides elegans - east coast): H. longispinosa from Marshall Islands to Oahu, Hawaii; Protula balboensis from Florida to Texas; P. longiseta from the Mexican Caribbean to the Indian River, Florida; H. elegans from San Francisco to Humboldt Bay, northern California and on the east coast from the Indian River, Florida, to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Among surveyed bays, Biscayne Bay, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas (northern Gulf of Mexico) had the greatest number of species (14 and 8, respectively); in contrast, almost all sites in Alaska, Washington, Oregon (northwest Pacific), Rhode Island, Virginia and South Carolina (Atlantic) had only one or two species each. Hydroides dianthus was, by far, the most abundant serpulid species on fouling plates in the northern Gulf of Mexico and the east coast, while Pseudochitinopoma occidentalis was the most abundant serpulid detected on the west coast. For each species recorded herein, we include the synonyms and some key references, a material studied section, a diagnosis, and updated distributional information. A checklist and identification key to the known shallow-water serpulids sensu stricto of the United States are included.
Numerous specimens of squat lobsters belonging to the families Munididae, Munidopsidae and Eumunididae were collected during several cruises along the eastern coasts of Africa. The study of these specimens revealed the presence of 10 new species (one Eumunida Smith, 1883, eight Munida Leach, 1820 and one Munidopsis Whiteaves, 1874). We describe and illustrate these new species, providing some new data on occurrences and colour patterns for previously described taxa. We have also included molecular data from two mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA and COI) to support the taxonomic status of different species. Some deep-sea species show a clear increase in their geographic range dirstribution. Finally, a key to known species of the genus Munida from the western and central Indian Ocean is also presented.
We report the description of a new species of freshwater flatworm of the genus Dendrocoelum inhabiting the chemoautotrophic ecosystem of Movile Cave as well as several sulfidic wells in the nearby town of Mangalia, thus representing the first planarian species fully described from this extreme biotope. The species was also found in non-sulfidic wells localized in villages in the vicinity of the cave with a total of nine examined populations. Dendrocoelum obstinatum Stocchino & Sluys, sp. nov. represents the first triclad being able to live in both sulfidic and non-sulfidic waters. Among the fauna of the Mangalia sulfidic ecosystem it is the only species found also outside of the current boundaries of the sulfidic aquifer. One possible explanation of this peculiar distribution is that the new species is limited to the old boundaries of the sulfidic aquifer. The latter became much smaller during the hydrogeological history of the region, so that D. obstinatum may be considered to be an indicator of the extension of the sulfidic aquifer in the past of the Mangalia region. In the context of a biogeographic discussion on the distribution of the genus Dendrocoelum we provide an annotated checklist of species reported from Romania.
The cryptic assassin bug subfamily Physoderinae is characterized by a distinctly uneven species and genus-level diversity across continents, but the lack of a phylogeny has so far precluded investigations into the biogeographic history of the group. Endemic Madagascan Physoderinae (11 of the 15 genera) exhibit broad morphological diversity, but the large (38 spp.) and seemingly uniform genus Physoderes is widely distributed across the Oriental and Australasian regions. The three remaining genera are small or even monotypic and restricted to the Neotropical (Cryptophysoderes, Leptophysoderes) and Afrotropical (Porcelloderes) regions. To investigate relationships among Physoderinae, with emphasis on the monophyly of the Madagascan fauna and the monophyly of Physoderes, we conducted a cladistic analysis based on 57 morphological characters and complete genus-level taxon sampling. We found that the Madagascan fauna is not monophyletic, indicating that the island was colonized more than once, although the great majority of Madagascan taxa are part of a single clade. Overall relationships are recovered as Afrotropical Porcelloderes + [(Neotropical Cryptophysoderes, Leptophysoderes) + (Madagascan, Oriental and Australasian taxa)]. Physoderes is shown to be polyphyletic and 3 new genera, Breviphysoderes gen. nov., Macrophysoderes gen. nov. and Nanophysoderes gen. nov., are erected to accommodate new species and several species previously classified as Physoderes. A taxonomic revision of Physoderes and allied genera is conducted. Diagnoses, updated distribution ranges, habitus and genitalic images, and identification keys are provided. A total of 17 synonymies are given, and 15 new species and 3 new genera are described, focusing on the diversity of Physoderinae in the Oriental and Australasian regions. The new species are Breviphysoderes fulvopicta gen. et sp. nov., B. tenebrosa gen. et sp. nov., Macrophysoderes cirripilosa gen. et sp. nov., M. elongata gen. et sp. nov., M. finisterre gen. et sp. nov., M. grandis gen. et sp. nov., Paraphysoderes popeye sp. nov., Physoderes anamalaiensis sp. nov., P. brevipennis sp. nov., P. minime sp. nov., P. muluensis sp. nov., P. mysorensis sp. nov., P. nigripennis sp. nov., P. ractepilosa sp. nov. and P. tricolor sp. nov.
The genus Hybovalgus Kolbe, 1904 is represented by eight species on the Chinese mainland, many of which also inhabit northern Vietnam and Laos. Species of Hybovalgus are endemic to this area, and to the island of Taiwan. Until now, there is a lot of confusion in our knowledge of Hybovalgus on mainland China, due to erroneous descriptions of new species by European entomologists and incorrect identifications of specimens by local entomologists. Study of more material and many types has clarified this situation by better defining the species, synonymizing some of them, describing one new species, Hybovalgus calvus sp. nov. and recognizing the fact that females of two species were included in the new genus Excisivalgus Endrödi, 1952, which is here synonymized with Hybovalgus.
The taxonomy and distribution of Pacific Annonaceae are reviewed in light of recent changes in generic delimitations. A new species of the genus Monoon from the Solomon Archipelago is described, Monoon salomonicum I.M.Turner & Utteridge sp. nov., together with an apparently related new species from New Guinea, Monoon pachypetalum I.M.Turner & Utteridge sp. nov. The confirmed presence of the genus in the Solomon Islands extends the generic range eastward beyond New Guinea. Two new species of Huberantha are described, Huberantha asymmetrica I.M.Turner & Utteridge sp. nov. and Huberantha whistleri I.M.Turner & Utteridge sp. nov., from the Solomon Islands and Samoa respectively. New combinations are proposed: Drepananthus novoguineensis (Baker f.) I.M.Turner & Utteridge comb. nov., Meiogyne punctulata (Baill.) I.M.Turner & Utteridge comb. nov. and Monoon merrillii (Kaneh.) I.M.Turner & Utteridge comb. nov. One neotype and four lectotypes are designated. The geographic patterns exhibited by nine native Annonaceae genera, that range in the Pacific beyond New Guinea, are discussed.