Two newly recognized species of Hemidactylus (Squamata,Gekkonidae) from the Arabian Peninsula?and Sinai,Egypt

A recent molecular phylogeny of the Arid clade of the genus Hemidactylus revealed that the recently described H. saba and two unnamed Hemidactylus species from Sinai, Saudi Arabia and Yemen form a well-supported monophyletic group within the Arabian radiation of the genus. The name ‘Hemidactylus saba species group’ is suggested for this clade. According to the results of morphological comparisons and the molecular analyses using two mitochondrial (12S and cytb) and four nuclear (cmos, mc1r, rag1, rag2) genes, the name Hemidactylus granosus Heyden, 1827 is resurrected from the synonymy of H. turcicus for the Sinai and Saudi Arabian species. The third species of this group from Yemen is described formally as a new species H. ulii sp. n. The phylogenetic relationships of the members of ‘Hemidactylus saba species group’ are evaluated and the distribution and ecology of individual species are discussed.     

Taxonomic review of Hemistola Warren, 1893 from China,with descriptions of seven new species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae,Geometrinae)

The genus Hemistola Warren from China is reviewed, and seven new species are described: H. viridimargo, sp. nov., H. glauca sp. nov., H. asymmetra sp. nov., H. arcilinea sp. nov., H. flavifimbria sp. nov., H. orbiculosoides sp. nov. and H. stueningi sp. nov. Two species, acyra and christinaria, are transferred from Hemistola to Maxates and Comostola, respectively: Maxates acyra comb. nov. and Comostola christinaria comb. nov. Including the 25 species previously known from China, a total of 32 species is now recorded. All Chinese species are redescribed. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. Illustrations of adults and genitalia are presented.     

Three new species of Heliotmpium (Boraginaceae) from the Horn of Afiica region

Heliotropium subspinosum sp. nov., from the coastal and subcoastal zones of Yemen, Oman and Somalia, is described and illustrated. This is a woody species with small leaves, and particularly the only 1–4–flowered inflorescences, the axes of which become subspinescent, are remarkable in the genus. H. laxum sp. nov., a slender shrublet from central Somalia, is described, and H. personatum sp. nov., a shrublet that is widespread and scattered, particularly on gypseous ground, in eastern Ethiopia, most parts of Somalia and in southern Yemen, is described and illustrated.     

Further investigations on the PHAEOTHAMNIOPHYCEAE using a multigene phylogeny,with descriptions of five new species

We examined 12 strains representing eight species classified in the algal class Phaeothamniophyceae (Heterokontophyta). Based upon a five-gene molecular phylogeny (nuclear-encoded SSU rRNA and plastid-encoded psaA, psbA, psbC, and rbcL) and light microscopic observations, we describe five new species: Phaeoschizochlamys santosii sp. nov., Phaeoschizochlamys siveri sp. nov., Phaeothamnion wetherbeei sp. nov., Stichogloea dopii sp. nov. and Stichogloea fawleyi sp. nov. The Phaeothamniophyceae, as delimited here, form a natural group that is sister to the Aurearenophyceae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses proved more reliable than morphological characters for distinguishing species. Evolutionary trends with the SI clade of the heterokont algae are discussed.     

New species and global revision of Hippasteria (Hippasterinae: Goniasteridae; Asteroidea; Echinodermata)

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Hippasteria, rooted against Evoplosoma, has provided the basis for taxonomic revisions and provided insight into the biogeography of a widely occurring, cold‐water group of corallivorous asteroids. Herein, we describe three new species, H ippasteria mcknighti sp. nov. , H ippasteria muscipula sp. nov. , and H ippasteria tiburoni sp. nov. , from deep‐water settings. Additionally, in light of taxonomic changes, we further elaborate on distribution data for multiple species. Range extensions for Hippasteria phrygiana and Hippasteria californica are included. Discussions about biogeography, cladogenic events, and morphology are also presented. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A revision of West Palaearctic species of the Micropsectra atrofasciata species group (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Phylogenetic relations among selected Micropsectra (Diptera: Chironomidae) species are inferred using mitochondrial COII gene sequences and morphological characters. Both maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses indicate a monophyletic atrofasciata species group. However, some species morphologically similar to M. atrofasciata (Kieffer) in the adult male, i.e. M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani (Johannsen), are placed outside the atrofasciata group in the gene trees. The phylogenetic hypotheses based on parsimony analyses of the combined molecular and morphological data sets weakly support a monophyletic atrofasciata group including M. appendica sp. nov. and M. logani if third positions in the COII gene sequences are excluded. In the taxonomic part of this study, adult males, pupae and larvae of Micropsectra aristata Pinder, M. atrofasciata, M. bavarica sp. nov., M. klinki sp. nov., M. logani, M. pallidula (Meigen) and M. schrankelae sp. nov. , and adult males and pupae of M. appendica sp. nov. and M. sofiae sp. nov. as well as adult males of M. andalusiaca Marcuzzi, M. calcifontis sp. nov., M. freyi Storå, M. longicrista sp. nov., M. robusta sp. nov. , and M. zernyi Marcuzzi are described and diagnosed. Micropsectra bidentata (Goetghebuer), M. jokaquarta Sasa & Ogata, M. miki Marcuzzi, M. pallida Goetghebuer, M. subnitens Goetghebuer, M. suecica (Kieffer) and M. shouharasima Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. atrofasciata; Micropsectra groenlandica Andersen and M. utonaitertia Sasa are new junior synonyms of M. logani; Micropsectra candida Chaudhuri & Datta, M. franzi Goetghebuer and M. viridiscutellata Goetghebuer are new junior synonyms of M. pallidula. Comments on the ecology, distribution and systematics of each species are provided. Keys to all known life stages are presented, as well as an annotated list of species morphologically similar to species in the atrofasciata group and nomina dubia in the atrofasciata group. Chironomus mimulus Holmgren is transferred to the genus Micropsectra. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 146 , 165–225.     

On the phylogeny of Ischyroceridae (Amphipoda,Senticaudata, Corophiida), with the description of a new genus and eight new species from deep‐sea Brazilian waters

The family Ischyroceridae is analysed herein by cladistic methods based on morphological characters, using both PAUP 4.0b and TNT. The data matrix of 41 characters × 32 terminal taxa was constructed using DELTA. Based on the results, we comment on the phylogenetic relationships of certain genera and their synapomorphic characters, also discussing the phylogenetic position of M yersius gen. nov. , which appeared as the sister group of Bathyphotis. In addition, Pseudischyrocerus crenatipes is removed to Bathyphotis, for which a new diagnosis is provided. A taxonomic study with the Ischyroceridae collected on the continental slope (depth, 700–2000 m) in the Campos Basin (20.5–24°S, 40–41°W) was also performed. Samples were collected in November–December 2002 and July–August 2003 using a box core device. As a result, a new genus and eight new species are described: B onnierella campensis sp. nov. , B onnierella laurensi sp. nov. , M yersius denticaudatus gen. et sp. nov. , N otopoma lowryi sp. nov. , N otopoma teresae sp. nov. , P seudericthonius bousfieldi sp. nov. , P seudericthonius concavus sp. nov. , and P seudischyrocerus caecus sp. nov. The genus Bonnierella is recorded for the first time from Brazilian waters, and the subspecies Bonnierella linearis linearis and Bonnierella linearis californica are elevated to species rank. Keys to the genera of Ischyroceridae used in the cladistic analysis and the world species of Notopoma are given. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Multigene phylogeny of Synura (Synurophyceae) and descriptions of four new species based on morphological and DNA evidence

We used phylogenetic analyses based on multiple gene sequences (partial nr SSU and LSU rDNA, partial pt LSU rDNA, psaA and rbcL) from 148 strains (including three outgroups) and scale ultrastructure to examine phylogenetic relationships among species of the colonial genera Synura and Tessellaria. The phylogenetic tree based on the combined dataset was congruent with ultrastructural characteristics of the scales. Synura was divided into three major clades, two including species in section Synura, and one representing section Peterseniae. One clade, consisting of seven strains of S. uvella (section Synura), diverged at the base of the genus. The second clade consisted of the remaining species belonging to the section Synura. The third clade, containing organisms in the section Peterseniae and characterized by scales possessing a keel, was monophyletic with strong support values. Based on our findings, S. uvella needs to be in a separate section from other spine-bearing species, and we therefore propose new sectional ranks; Synura, Peterseniae, Curtispinae (presence of body scales with slender spines, tubular scales and caudal scales). We further propose four new species based on phylogenetic analyses and unique scale characters: S. longitubularis sp. nov., S. sungminbooi sp. nov., S. soroconopea sp. nov. and S. lanceolata sp. nov. Lastly, we propose a new genus name, Neotessella, to replace the invalid use of the name Tessellaria.     

Molecular phylogeny of interstitial Polycopidae ostracods (Crustacea) and descriptions of a new genus and four new species

Family Polycopidae is one of the more abundant and diverse taxa occurring in marine interstitial environments. Most of the interstitial polycopids are so far known from Japan and belong to the genus Parapolycope Klie, 1936. In this paper we describe another four new species from Japan. A new genus, K liecope gen. nov. is erected to include one new species K liecope mihoensis sp. nov. and one new combination Kliecope oligohalina (Tanaka & Tsukagoshi, 2010) comb. nov. Although the morphology of K liecope is similar to Parapolycope, the new genus has the following diagnostic characters: absence of an inward bulge on the antennular second podomere, presence of two setae bearing a sucker on the antennular third podomere, and absence of a dorsal seta on the basis of mandibula. Another three Parapolycope, P arapolycope setouchiensis sp. nov. , P arapolycope subtidalis sp. nov. , and P arapolycope miurensis sp. nov. are described as well. To test the phylogenetic relationship between the new genus and Parapolycope, we performed phylogenetic analyses based on the 14 18S rDNA sequences of interstitial Polycopidae species, 12 of which were newly obtained from our material. The 18S gene proved to be suitable for phylogenetic analyses in polycopids with high intraspecific or intrageneric resolution. Here we present trees obtained with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and neighbour‐joining methods, and they support the divergence between Kliecope and Parapolycope with high bootstrap values. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Taxonomic revision of Coralliidae with descriptions of new species from New Caledonia and the Hawaiian Archipelago

The systematics of Coralliidae has been revised based on molecular phylogenetic analysis and detailed morphological studies. This revision has also revealed the existence of new species. In order to fully accomplish this revision, five new species including Hemicorallium aurantiacum sp. nov., Pleurocorallium bonsaiarborum sp. nov., P. clavatum sp. nov., and P. norfolkicum sp. nov. from New Caledonia, and H. guttatum sp. nov. from the Hawaiian Archipelago are described by integrating the phylogenetic inference and morphological comparisons. Moreover, the type specimens of Corallium tortuosum, H. reginae, H. halmaheirense, P. porcellanum and P. kishinouyei as well as non-type specimens of C. stylasteroides are redescribed. The sclerites of H. reginae, H. halmaheirense, P. porcellanum and C. stylasteroides were first depicted by scanning electron microcopy. A thorough comparison between P. porcellanum and P. kishinouyei indicated that they should be regarded as one species and the former was adopted as the senior synonym. The two new species of Hemicorallium can be separated by morphological features based on the result of multiple factor analysis. A key is proposed for the identification of all existing species of Coralliidae.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7B772D08-E3D6-4585-AE78-E5A31BE32ECC     

A molecular phylogeny of the freshwater-fish genus Rasbora (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka reveals a remarkable diversification—And a cryptic species

The diversity of the freshwater-fish genus Rasbora (Cyprinidae) on Sri Lanka (five species) is high compared with the four species reported from the peninsula of India, from which the island's cyprinid fauna is derived. The paucity of characters by which species of Rasbora can be phenotypically distinguished renders field identification difficult, adversely affecting the estimation of populations and distributions, with consequences for conservation and management, increasing also the risk of taxonomic inflation. From a sampling of 90 sites across Sri Lanka and based on phylogenetic and haplotype analyses of sequences of cox1 and cytb mitochondrial, and rag1 and irbp nuclear markers, we review the species diversity and phylogeography of Rasbora on the island. Molecular analyses recover, in addition to the five species previously reported, a new (cryptic) species: Rasbora adisi sp. nov. Uncorrected pairwise cox1 genetic distances between species range from 2.0 to 12.3 percent. The Sri Lankan diversification derives from a common ancestor which arrived from India during a sea-level low-stand in the mid-Miocene (15.1 Ma [95% HPD: 11.5–19.8 Ma]), when the present-day island was subaerially connected to the Indian subcontinent by a broad isthmus. This gave rise to a clade comprising five species—R. adisi sp. nov.,Rasbora armitagei, Rasbora microcephalus, Rasbora naggsi and Rasbora wilpita—with a crown age of 9.9 Ma (95% HPD: 7.1–13.3 Ma) and to a clade comprising Indian and Sri Lankan populations of Rasbora dandia, which themselves are reciprocally monophyletic. Morphological analysis of 334 specimens discriminates between most species which, however, are most reliably diagnosed by chromatic characters. The four endemic species exhibit a pattern of inter-basin dispersal via headwater capture, followed by vicariance, explaining the high diversity of the genus on the island.     

World revision of Dolichocolon Brauer & Bergenstamm (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae: Goniini)

The Palaeotropical goniine genus Dolichocolon Brauer & Bergenstamm is revised and analysed cladistically. Seventeen new species are described from Australia (Queensland, Northern Territory), Cameroon, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, Thailand, Uganda, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. The following new synonymy is proposed after direct comparison of primary types: Dolichocolon klapperichi Mesnil, 1967 = Dolichocolon orientale Townsend, 1927 syn. nov. A key to the 21 known species is presented. A cladistic analysis based on 36 morphological characters provides support for the monophyly of Dolichocolon. A sister‐group relationship is indicated between Dolichocolon and Kuwanimyia Townsend, whereas Dolichocolon chiangmaiensis sp. nov. from Thailand takes a position as sister group to all other Dolichocolon species. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162 , 544–584.     

New insight into the identification and molecular phylogeny of dagger nematodes of the genus Xiphinema (Nematoda: Longidoridae) with description of two new species

The genus Xiphinema constitutes a large group of about 260 species of plant‐ectoparasitic nematodes. The group is polyphagous and distributed almost worldwide. Some of the species of this genus damage agricultural crops by direct feeding on root cells as well as by transmitting nepoviruses. Species discrimination in Xiphinema is complicated by phenotypic plasticity leading to potential misidentification. We conducted nematode surveys in cultivated and natural environments in Spain from 2009 to 2012, from which we identified 20 populations of Xiphinema species morphologically close to the virus‐vector nematode species Xiphinema diversicaudatum, three apomictic populations tentatively identified as species from the complex Xiphinema aceri‐pyrenaicum group, and one population morphologically different from all others that is characterized by a female tail elongate to conical and absence of uterine differentiation. We developed comparative multivariate analyses for these related species by using morphological and morphometrical features together with molecular data from nuclear ribosomal DNA genes [D2‐D3 expansion segments of large ribosomal subunit 28S, internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and partial small ribosomal subunit (18S)]. The results of multivariate, molecular, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the morphological hypotheses and allowed the delimitation and discrimination of two new species in the genus described herein as Xiphinema baetica sp. nov. and Xiphinema turdetanensis sp. nov. , and ten known species: Xiphinema adenohystherum, Xiphinema belmontense, Xiphinema cohni, Xiphinema coxi europaeum, Xiphinema gersoni, Xiphinema hispidum, Xiphinema italiae, Xiphinema lupini, Xiphinema nuragicum, and Xiphinema turcicum. Multivariate analyses based on quantitative and qualitative characters and phylogenetic relationships of Xiphinema spp. based on the three molecular ribosomal markers resulted in a partial consensus of these species grouping as nematode populations were maintained for the majority of morphospecies groups (e.g. morphospecies groups 5 and 6), but not in some others (e.g. position of Xiphinema granatum), demonstrating the usefulness of these analyses for helping in the diagnosis and identification of Xiphinema spp. The clade topology of phylogenetic trees of D2‐D3 and partial 18S regions in this study were congruent in supporting the polyphyletic status of some characters, such as the female tail shape and the degree of development of the genital system in species with both genital branches equally developed. This is the most complete phylogenetic study for Xiphinema non‐americanum‐group species. Agreement between phylogenetic trees and some morphological characters (uterine spines, pseudo‐Z organ, and tail shape) was tested by reconstruction of their histories on rDNA‐based trees using parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Thus, integrative taxonomy, based on the combination of multivariate, molecular analyses with morphology, constitutes a new insight into the identification of Xiphinema species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Systematics and biodiversity of Ophryotrocha (Annelida,Dorvilleidae) with descriptions of six new species from deep-sea whale-fall and wood-fall habitats in the north-east Pacific

Six new Ophryotrocha species are described from five whale-falls and two wood-falls off the southern Californian coast. Phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear gene H3 and the mitochondrial genes COI and 16S using MrBayes and maximum likelihood analyses were performed on 40 dorvilleid taxa and one outgroup. Ophryotrocha batillus sp. nov. is morphologically identical to Ophryotrocha scutellus described from a shallow water whale-fall in the North Atlantic, although the two cryptic species differ genetically. Ophryotrocha langstrumpae sp. nov. is closely related in the molecular phylogenetic analyses to these two sibling species. Ophryotrocha flabella sp. nov. is similar to Ophryotrocha globopalpata, and although there are a few morphological differences, the genetic divergence is low between the two species. Ophryotrocha nauarchus sp. nov. is sexually dimorphic, with males having appendages on the first chaetiger. Ophryotrocha magnadentata sp. nov. and Ophryotrocha longicollaris sp. nov. are sister species in our molecular analyses, and together with O. nauarchus sp. nov. and O. flabella sp. nov. they fall within a clade that includes O. globopalpata and Exallopus jumarsi described from hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Ocean and Ophryotrocha longidentata from the shallow North Atlantic. Our results highlight the remarkable unknown diversity of deep-water habitats and the role of chemosynthetic ecosystems in the evolution of deep-sea life.     

Mesozoic Trachypachidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) from China

Abstract: Four well‐preserved beetles, attributed to Eodromeinae within Trachypachidae, are described from the Mesozoic of Inner Mongolia, China. Eodromeus robustus sp. nov., E. daohugouensis sp. nov. and Unda chifengensis sp. nov. are from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou. The diagnostic characters for the two genera are revised, and all species of these genera are keyed. A new genus and species, Sinodromeus liutiaogouensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liutiaogou. The current fossil records of Trachypachidae from China are reviewed, and only five species (four described here) can be convincingly attributed to this family. The morphological disparity of Mesozoic Eodromeinae suggests that they evolved a broad spectrum of locomotory lifestyles.     

Morphology and molecules reveal two new species of Porites (Scleractinia,Poritidae) from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

Two new reef coral species, Porites farasani sp. nov. and Porites hadramauti sp. nov. (Scleractinia, Poritidae), are described from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Porites farasani sp. nov. only occurs in the Farasan Islands in the southern Red Sea, while P. hadramauti sp. nov. has been collected in the Yemen Hadramaut region in the Gulf of Aden. Both species presented striking in situ differences with respect to other Porites species, and were characterized by small encrusting colonies and unusual polyp colouration. In order to test the genetic distinctiveness of P. farasani sp. nov. and P. hadramauti sp. nov. between each other and with respect to other representatives in the genus Porites, we investigated their evolutionary relationships with eight other morphological species of Porites occurring in the Red Sea and in the Gulf of Aden. Two DNA loci, the mitochondrial putative control region and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region, were sequenced, and three species delimitation approaches based on barcoding threshold (Automated Barcoding Gap Discovery) and coalescence theory (Poisson-Tree process, Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent) were applied. Phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses were overall concordant, resolving P. farasani sp. nov. and P. hadramauti sp. nov. as two divergent but closely related lineages. Of the other morphologically defined Porites species, three were genetically differentiated (P. rus, P. columnaris and P. fontanesii), but five were genetically indistinguishable. The discovery of two regional endemics confirms the importance of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as regions of high biodiversity and suggests the need for an integration of genome-wide molecular data with the re-evaluation of skeletal structures in the systematics of Porites.     

Taxonomic contributions to Hapalidiales (Corallinophycidae,Rhodophyta): Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., Lithothamnion redefined and with three new species and Roseolithon with new combinations

Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL gene sequences and of concatenated rbcL, psbA, and nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequences resolved the generitype of Lithothamnion, L. muelleri, in a clade with three other southern Australian species, L. kraftii sp. nov., L. saundersii sp. nov., and L. woelkerlingii sp. nov. Cold water boreal species currently classified in Lithothamnion and whose type specimens have been sequenced are transferred to Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., with B. glaciale comb. nov. as the generitype. The other species are B. giganteum comb. nov., B. phymatodeum comb. nov., and B. sonderi comb. nov., whose type specimens are newly sequenced, and B. lemoineae comb. nov., B. soriferum comb. nov., and B. tophiforme comb. nov., whose type specimens were already sequenced. Based on rbcL sequences from the type specimens of Lithothamnion crispatum, L. indicum, and L. superpositum, each is recognized as a distinct species and transferred to the recently described Roseolithon as R. crispatum comb. nov., R. indicum comb. nov., and R. superpositum com. nov., respectively. To correctly assign species to these three genera based only on morpho-anatomy, specimens must have multiporate conceptacles and some epithallial cells with flared walls. The discussion provides examples demonstrating that only with phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences can the evolution of morpho-anatomical characters of non-geniculate corallines be understood and applied at the correct taxonomic rank. Finally, phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support recognition of the Hapalidiales as a distinct order characterized by having multiporate tetra/bisporangial conceptacles, and not as a suborder of Corallinales whose tetra/bisporangial conceptacles are uniporate.     

Description of a new genus with four new species of termite‐guest rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) associated with Hodotermopsis sjostedti (Isoptera: Termopsidae)

Hodotermopsiphila gen. nov. is described to include four termitophilous species: H. maruyamai sp. nov. (Yaku‐shima, Japan), H. nitens sp. nov. (Yaku‐shima, Japan), H. longisetosa sp. nov. (Taiwan), and H. sugayai sp. nov. (Taiwan and northern Laos). These species are associated with the damp‐wood termite, Hodotermopsis sjostedti Holmgren, 1911. Hodotermopsiphila species share possible apomorphic character states with three termitophilous species, Hodotermophilus gloriosus, Yakuus iwatai, and Termophidoholus formosanus, which are also associated with H. sjostedti.