Taxonomic revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Equulites elongatus</Emphasis> (Günther 1874) species group (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) with the description of a new species

Taxonomic analysis of a group of morphologically similar and phylogenetically related ponyfishes (Perciformes: Leiognathidae) establishes the Equulites elongatus species group comprising three valid species: Equulites aethopos sp. nov., currently known only from southern Red Sea; Equulites elongatus (Günther 1874), known from northern Australia, Indonesia and Myanmar; and Equulites popei (Whitley 1932), known from Japan, Philippines, Malaysia (Sabah), Thailand (Gulf of Thailand), Oman, the Red Sea, and Mozambique. Although E. popei has previously been regarded as a junior synonym of E. elongatus, the present mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed that these two nominal species are different and that they constitute a monophyletic group separate from other species of Equulites. The E. elongatus species group can be defined by the following of characters: slender body (20–30% in standard length), deeply incised posterior margin of the adipose eyelid, and ventral surface of breast completely scaly. Equulites aethopos sp. nov. differs from the other two species in having smaller eyes (eye diameter 53–68% of postorbital head length vs. 78–137%) and tips of neural and hemal spines of the fourth preural centrum distinctly expanding (vs. slightly expanding). Equulites elongatus is distinguished from E. popei by: scales above and below the lateral line 5–9 and 9–14, respectively (vs. 8–13 and 12–19), anus anteriorly located (distance from the pelvic-fin insertion to the center of anus 30–42% of the distance from the pelvic-fin insertion to the anal-fin origin vs. 35–50%), and more numerous dorsolateral dark marks (1–9 ring marks and 0–14 dark spots smaller than a half of pupil diameter vs. 0–2 and 0–5).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Capillaria appendigera</Emphasis> n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the goldbanded jobfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pristipomoides multidens</Emphasis> (Day) (Lutjanidae) and new records of other intestinal capillariids from marine perciform fishes off Australia

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, a new nematode parasite, Capillaria appendigera n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described from the intestine of the goldbanded jobfish Pristipomoides multidens (Day) (Perciformes, Lutjanidae) from the Arafura Sea West, off the northern coast of Australia. The new species, belonging to the subgenus Procapillaria Moravec, 1987, differs from other congeneric species from fishes mainly in the length (0.92–1.13 mm), shape and structure of the spicule, obtuse spines on the spicule sheath and the structure of eggs. It is characterised, in the male, by the presence of two well-developed dorsolateral caudal lobes, a pair of lateral papillae, a heavily sclerotised spicule with many rough transverse grooves covering almost the entice spicule surface (except for spicule ends), a spinose spicule sheath, and in the female, by a subterminal anus, mostly the presence of a large vulval appendage and by eggs (size 54–69 × 27–33 µm) encapsulated by a conspicuous light-coloured superficial layer. Capillaria appendigera n. sp. is the 12th nominal species of capillariids recorded from fishes in Australian waters and the second known capillariid species parasitising fishes of the perciform family Lutjanidae. In addition, four unidentifiable, morphologically different types of capillariid females, probably representing undescribed species, were recorded from the intestines of marine fishes off the northern coast of Australia: Capillariidae gen. sp. 1 and Capillariidae gen. sp. 2 from Lutjanus johnii (Bloch) and L. malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider), respectively (both Lutjanidae), Capillariidae gen. sp. 3 from Protonibea diacanthus (Lacépède) (Sciaenidae) and Capillariidae gen. sp. 4 from Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus) (Rachycentridae).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Careproctus iacchus,</Emphasis> a new variegated snailfish (Liparidae) from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk

A new species of snailfishes, Careproctus iacchus, is described on the basis of three specimens collected from the Seas of Japan and Okhotsk. Among the species of Careproctus, the new species is most similar to Careproctus comus and Careproctus faunus, both known from the Aleutian Islands, in having a variegated body coloration. However, it can be distinguished in having 44–46 dorsal- and 39–40 anal-fin rays (vs. 50–56 and 44–50 in C. comus and 47–51 and 41–45 in C. faunus, respectively), a pectoral fin without a notch (vs. both with a shallow notch), no interradial fenestra between proximal radials two and three in the pectoral girdle (vs. both having a fenestra between proximal radials two and three), a gill slit entirely above the pectoral fin (extending to just above the pectoral fin or to 1–5th ray), a body with many white spots (vs. mottled with red and white), and a large white blotch on cheek (vs. no distinct markings on cheek) when fresh.     

Two species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neometadena</Emphasis> Hafeezullah &amp; Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae) from Moreton Bay,Australia, including the description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neometadena paucispina</Emphasis> n. sp. from Australian Lutjanidae

A survey of the trematode fauna of lutjanid fishes off the east coast of Queensland (QLD), Australia revealed the presence of two species of Neometadena Hafeezullah & Siddiqi, 1970 (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae). Neometadena paucispina n. sp. is described from the intestine and pyloric caeca of Lutjanus fulviflamma (Forsskål) and L. russellii (Bleeker) from Moreton Bay, in southeast QLD. Specimens of the type- and only other species, N. ovata (Yamaguti, 1952) Miller & Cribb, 2008, were recovered from L. carponotatus (Richardson), L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus (Forster), L. russellii, and L. vitta (Quoy & Gaimard) off Lizard Island, on the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Neometadena paucispina is distinguished from N. ovata in having fewer oral spines (55–65 vs 67–80). Alignment of novel molecular data for these two taxa revealed that they differ consistently by 13 nucleotides (1.5%) over the partial large subunit (LSU), 34 nucleotides (6.6%) over the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 0 nucleotides over the 5.8S, and 21 nucleotides (7.3%) over the ITS2 rDNA regions. Despite relatively large samples of L. carponotatus, L. fulviflamma and L. russellii from three distinct locations along the east coast of QLD (i.e. Moreton Bay in the south, Heron Island in central QLD and Lizard Island in northern QLD), these two species have been found at only one site each with neither species at Heron Island. These distributions are discussed in the context of the wide distribution of other cryptogonomid species in the same hosts elsewhere in the Indo-West Pacific.     

Heterotrophic microbial activities and nutritional status of microbial communities in tropical marsh sediments of different salinities: the effects of phosphorus addition and plant species

Oligotrophic, phosphorus (P) limited herbaceous wetlands of northern Belize are being impacted by P loading from fertilizer runoff. P enrichment causes a shift in autotroph communities from a microphyte (cyanobacterial mats, CBM) to macrophyte (Eleocharis spp., Typha domingensis) dominated system. To document potential effects of P, salinity, and macrophyte species on the heterotrophic microbial community nutritional status (represented especially by specific phospholipids fatty acids and specific respiration rate), biomass and activities, we took soil samples from established P enrichment plots in replicated marshes of two salinity levels. P addition increased microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and P, as well as soil nutrient transformation rates (nitrogenase activity, N mineralization and immobilization, methanogenesis). The effect of plant species (Eleocharis vs Typha sites) was generally lower than the effect of P addition (CBM vs Eleocharis sites) and was most evident at the low salinity sites, where Eleocharis dominated plots had enhanced nitrogenase activity and P microbial immobilization. Salinity reduced the overall rates of microbial processes; it also weakened the positive effect of both P addition and plant species on microbial activities. Lastly, the amount of N stored in microbial cells, likely in form of osmoprotective compounds, was enhanced by salinity.     

Social structure of perennial Vespula squamosa wasp colonies

Many social species show variation in their social structure in response to different environmental conditions. For example, colonies of the yellowjacket wasp Vespula squamosa are typically headed by a single reproductive queen and survive for only a single season. However, in warmer climates, V. squamosa colonies sometimes persist for multiple years and can grow to extremely large size. We used genetic markers to understand patterns of reproduction and recruitment within these perennial colonies. We genotyped V. squamosa workers, pre‐reproductive queens, and males from perennial colonies in the southeastern United States at 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial DNA locus. We found that V. squamosa from perennial nests were produced by multiple reproductives, in contrast to typical annual colonies. Relatedness of nestmates from perennial colonies was significantly lower than relatedness of nestmates from annual colonies. Our analyses of mitochondrial DNA indicated that most V. squamosa perennial colonies represented semiclosed systems whereby all individuals belonged to a single matriline despite the presence of multiple reproductive females. However, new queens recruited into perennial colonies apparently mated with non‐nestmate males. Notably, perennial and annual colonies did not show significant genetic differences, supporting the hypothesis that perennial colony formation represents an instance of social plasticity. Overall, our results indicate that perennial V. squamosa colonies show substantial changes to their social biology compared to typical annual colonies and demonstrate variation in social behaviors in highly social species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stolephorus continentalis,</Emphasis> a new anchovy from the northwestern South China Sea,and redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stolephorus chinensis</Emphasis> (Günther 1880) (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae)

Stolephorus continentalis sp. nov. is described from 36 specimens from Hong Kong and northern Vietnam. The new species is closely related to the endemic Chinese anchovy S. chinensis (Günther 1880), which is redescribed with a lectotype designated, with both species having a long upper jaw with the posterior tip just reaching to the posterior border of the preopercle; no predorsal scute; the posterior preopercular border rounded, convex; the posterior tip of the depressed pelvic fin not reaching to vertical through dorsal-fin origin; a pair of dark patches behind the occiput without a following pair of dark lines; and no black spots below the eye and lower-jaw tip. However, the new species is distinguished from S. chinensis in having higher total gill-raker counts on the first, second, third, and fourth gill arches (43–48, 33–40, 23–26, and 18–21, respectively vs. 35–41, 29–34, 19–24, and 16–19), and longer pectoral (16.5–19.2 % SL vs. 15.8–16.4 %) and pelvic fins (9.1–11.6 % SL vs. 8.2–8.3 %). Examination of the specimens previously considered as S. chinensis from Southeast Asia revealed that they differed from true S. chinensis and S. continentalis in having eight transverse scales (vs. 10 in the latter two species). The applicable scientific name for the Southeast Asian species is suggested here as Stolephorus oceanicus Hardenberg 1933.     

A new species and a new subspecies of the stargazer genusGnathagnus from Northwestern Australia

Heretofore the genusGnathagnus (Uranoscopidae) has been composed of three species:G. elongatus (Temminck et Schlegel) from northern Australia to Japan,G. innotabilis (Waite) from Australasia, andG. egregius (Jordan et Thompson) from the western Atlantic Ocean. In this paper, a new species and a new subspecies from northwestern Australia are described and a key to the known species and subspecies of the genus is presented.     

The genusNephtys (Polychaeta: Phyllodocida) of northern Europe: A review of species,including the description ofN. pulchra sp. n. and a key to the Nephtyidae

Twelve species ofNephtys now known from northern Europe are described, including one new species,N. pulchra sp. n. A key is provided to the 14 species of Nephtyidae, from the region. Geographic changes in the setiger in which interramal cirri first occur are recognized inN. caeca (Fabricius),N. ciliata (Müller),N. hombergii Savigny andN. pente Rainer.     

Tree-ring records from Nothofagus dombeyi: A preliminary chronology network in Northern Patagonia,Argentina

Most of the dendrochronological efforts in northern Patagonia have been invested in long-lived conifer species, whereas several broadleaf species have received less attention. This is the case for Nothofagus dombeyi, a dominant species in the mesic temperate and rainforests in the region. The aim of this study was to develop the first tree-ring chronologies for N. dombeyi in northern Patagonian and contribute to the future dendroecological and dendroclimatological studies in the region. Using standard dendrochronological techniques, six tree-ring-width chronologies were obtained encompassing the east–west precipitation gradient of this species in the Argentinean sector of the northern Patagonian Andes. Chronology statistics indicated that N. dombeyi records are highly reliable and a good source of information on tree-growth variability in the region. Stands located in the xeric sectors of the gradient showed higher inter-site variability. Also, results presented here showed that N. dombeyi has a large potential for the study of climatic variability in northern Patagonia.     

Description of a new snake eel,Apterichtus hatookai sp. nov. (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae), from the Pacific coast of Japan

A new species of snake eel (family Ophichthidae, subfamily Ophichthinae), Apterichtus hatookai, is described based on the 478.5 mm holotype and three paratypes, 265.0–519.4 mm in total length (TL), collected from the Pacific Ocean, off the coasts of Shikoku Island and central Honshu Island, Japan. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners, except for Apterichtus monodi and Apterichtus orientalis, by having seven supratemporal pores. The new species is distinguishable from A. monodi by having a longer tail (60.4–62.0 % TL vs. 57.4–60.2 %), four preopercular pores (vs. three), fewer lateral-line pores before the anus (54–58 vs. 63–68), and fewer total vertebrae (137–141 vs. 142–151). Apterichtus hatookai differs from A. orientalis in having a shorter head (5.1–6.1 % TL vs. 7.1–8.1 %; 13.3–16.0 % of preanal length vs. 16.2–18.0 %), a longer tail (60.4–62.0 % TL vs. 54.8–56.0 %), lower body depth at gill opening (0.9–1.5 % TL vs. 1.8–1.9; 2.3–3.8 % of preanal length vs. 4.1–4.2 %), more numerous total vertebrae (137–141 vs. 131–133), and by the anterior tip of the lower jaw below the center of the eye (vs. anterior to a vertical through anterior margin of eye).     

Two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from marine fishes off the northern coast of Australia

Based on light and electron microscopical studies, two new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) are described from the ovary of marine perciform fishes off the northern coast of Australia (near Darwin): Philometra carangis n. sp. from the bluespotted trevally Caranx bucculentus Alleyne & Macleay (Carangidae) and P. carponotati n. sp. from the Spanish flag snapper Lutjanus carponotatus (Richardson) (Lutjanidae). Philometra carangis is mainly characterised by the length of the spicules (153–189 µm), the presence of a distinct dorsal protuberance consisting of two dorsolateral lamellar parts separated from each other by a smooth median field, a V-shaped mound on the male caudal extremity, a pair of large post-cloacal papillae and the body length of the males (3.22–4.15 mm). Philometra carponotati is distinguished from other congeneric species parasitising lutjanids by the length of the spicules and gubernaculum (225–252 and 99–117 µm, respectively), the absence of a dorsal protuberance on the distal lamellar part of the gubernaculum, the presence of a U-shaped mound on the male caudal extremity, a pair of large post-cloacal papillae and the body length of the male (3.74–4.31 mm). Besides the recently established Philometra zabidii Moravec & Diggles, 2014 (based on a single female), these two newly described nematodes are the only nominal gonad-infecting species of Philometra known to parasitise marine fishes in Australian waters.     

Drought signal in the tree rings of three conifer species from Northern Pakistan

Anthropogenic and climatic stressors have affected the forests of northern Pakistan in recent decades. Several studies have been conducted to understand forest growth and its relation to the changing climate in this region, but more work needs to be done to understand this complex environment. In this study, we have collected tree core samples of three conifer species (Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana, and Abies pindrow) from three different sites in northern Pakistan to understand their radial growth pattern with the goal of finding a relationship between ring-width and climatic parameters (temperature, precipitation, and drought). A 610-year (AD 1406–2015), a 538-year (AD 1478–2015), and a 306-year (AD 1710–2015) long tree-ring width chronology of Pinus wallichiana, Picea smithiana, and Abies pindrow were developed, respectively, using living trees. The ring-width chronologies of these three species showed a strong positive link with the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) rather than precipitation or temperature alone, indicating that soil moisture is the primary limiting climatic factor for the growth of these species in the sampling locations. The chronologies of Pinus wallichiana and Picea smithiana exhibited growth suppressions during AD 1570–1610 and the second half of 17th century while their growth was heightened from AD 1540–1560. We have found the lowest growth in Abies pindrow and Picea smithiana from AD 1900–1920, suggesting dry conditions. All three chronologies have exhibited the most rapid increase in growth during the recent decades, suggesting that this region is experiencing climate change with a strong trend towards wetter conditions.     

Three new Indo-Australian species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca,with a reevaluation of generic limit

Three new species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca are described:A. kyushini from off Borneo, differs from all known congeners in having no swimbladder appendages enveloplng the bladder, no forward directed branches from the ventral limbs of the appendages, a long tube-like last appendage parallel to the bladder wall and a pale mouth lining;A. brevis from off northern Australia and Papua New Guinea, is distinguished by its short pectoral fin (less than 23% SL) and pleural rib on the 11th vertebra;A. adusta from Papua New Guinea, is distinctive in having a low dorsal soft ray number (23–24) and long caudal peduncle (27–30% SL).Atrobucca Chu, Lo et Wu is redefined to accommodate the new species: the genus is principally characterized by the swimbladder appendages divided into developed dorsal and ventral limbs, and the only slightly curved sulcus tail of the sagitta. A key and diagnoses are provided for all known species ofAtrobucca.     

Scolecenchelys fuscogularis (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae, Myrophinae), a new worm eel from Japan

A new species of worm eel (Ophichthidae, subfamily Myrophinae), Scolecenchelys fuscogularis, is described from two specimens collected at 90–147 m depth off the coast of Japan. The new species is characterized by its dorsal-fin origin, which is located posterior to a vertical through the anus, its high total number of vertebrae (146–149), and its uniserial dentition on jaws and vomer. The new species is similar to Scolecenchelys australis and Scolecenchelys tasmaniensis in having 148–152 total and 60–61 preanal vertebrae and its uniserial teeth, but can be distinguished from the latter two species as it has a larger head [8.5–8.8 % of total length (TL) vs. 7.8–8.3 %], a longer trunk (39 % TL vs. 34–35 %), and a shorter tail (52–53 % TL vs. 56–58 %). Although S. fuscogularis most resembles Scolecenchelys chilensis in having 146–159 total and 59–64 preanal vertebrae and uniserial teeth, as well as in the proportions of the head, trunk and tail, the new species differs from the latter in having a smaller head (8.5–8.8 % TL vs. 8.9–9.7 %), a more slender body (body depth 1.5–1.6 % TL vs. 2.3–2.9 %), a more posterior dorsal-fin origin (horizontal distance between the origin and a vertical through the anus 83 % of head length vs. 36–54 %), no groove on the ventral side of its snout, and a dark lower jaw with a patch of melanophores on the ventral side of its branchial basket.     

A new cardinalfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Verulux solmaculata</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Apogonidae), from Papua New Guinea and Australia

Verulux solmaculata sp. nov., a new cardinalfish based on 88 specimens collected from Papua New Guinea and Australia, differs from V. cypselurus, the only other known member of the genus, by the following characters: higher modal numbers of pectoral fin-rays (16 vs. 15 in the latter) and developed gill rakers (14 vs. 13), a broader black band extending over 3–5 (mode 4) rays on each lobe of the caudal fin (vs. 1–3, mode 2), and a black blotch on the caudal-fin base (vs. blotch absent).     

A revision of the black-and-white Snappers,genusMacolor (Perciformes: Lutjanidae)

Macolor macularis Fowler was described on the basis of adult specimens of two distinct species of the genus. Since the holotype is presumed to be lost and it is impossible to check its validity, one of the 25 paratypes is designated as the neotype ofM. macularis to set the name as a valid species. The two species are redescribed and compared with each other.Macolor macularis differs fromM. niger in the number of anal soft rays (10 versus 11) and gill rakers (110–122 versus 89–107), extent of the exposed portion of the maxillary bone (more exposed inM. niger), length of pelvic fin (long and pointed in young versus not elongate at any size), and coloration on body and fins in adult (blue spots on head and fins versus almost uniformly black).Macolor macularis is distributed in the western Pacific, from northern Australia to Iriomote-jima, Ryukyu Islands.