Nomenclatural status of the fish names created by J. C. van Hasselt (1823) and of some cobitoid genera

The nomenclatural status of the 16 genera and 42 species of fishes described by van Hasselt is reviewed. One genus is preoccupied and 4 genera and 26 species are nomina nuda. The status of some cobitoid generic names is reviewed with greater details:Noemacheilus van Hasselt is a nomen nudum;Acantophthalmus van Hasselt is a junior synonym ofCobitis Linnaeus andAcanthophthalmus Bleeker is an incorrect spelling; the fishes usually calledAcanthophthalmus arePangio Blyth;Acanthopsis Bleeker is an incorrect spelling ofAcantopsis van Hasselt;Acanthopsis Agassiz is valid and its type species isA. angustus Agassiz.     

Redescription ofHypoatherina valenciennei and its relationships to other species of Atherinidae in the pacific and Indian Oceans

A review of Tirant’s collections and examination of types has resulted in the reidentification ofHaplocheilus argyrotaenia Tirant asHypoatherina valenciennei (Bleeker) which is found throughout the southwestern Pacific and as far north as Japan. The taxonomic status ofH. valenciennei is clarified and Bleeker’s emendation of the original specific epithetvalenciennei tovalenciennesi is rejected. The systematic position of this species is difficult to determine sinceH. valenciennei shows affinities with bothHypoatherina andAtherinomorus. In the light of the present knowledge, Bleeker’s species appears to have greater affinities withHypoatherina and is therefore placed in this genus.     

Systematic observations on tropical Asian medakas or ricefishes of the genusOryzias, with descriptions of four new species

The so-calledOryzias melastigma (McClelland, 1839), reported from India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Malaysia by numerous authors beginning with Day (1877), is based mainly or entirely onAplocheilus panchax (Hamilton, 1822). India and Bangladesh have two species ofOryzias, both large. The deeper-bodied of these two species is reported for the first time asO. dancena (Hamilton, 1822). The other is identified asO. carnaticus (Jerdon, 1849). Myanmar has one large species,O. dancena, and one tiny species,O. uwai new species.Oryzias minutillus Smith, 1945 andO. uwai differ from all otherOryzias in having 4/5 instead of 5/6 principal caudal fin rays.Oryzias uwai differs fromO. minutillus in being more conspicuously pigmented and having large, 6-rayed pelvic fins often extending to anal fin origin instead of much smaller and shorter 5-rayed pelvic fins. In Thailand (including its part of the Mekong basin) three species are known: a large estuarine species tentatively identified asO. javanicus (Bleeker, 1854) and two tiny inland species,O. mekongensis Magtoon & Uwa, 1986, andO. minutillus. Oryzias minutillus from many localities are more or less melanoproctic, i.e. have a darkly pigmented genital or vent area not seen in other species. The Mekong basin in Laos has two large species,O. latipes (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846) andO. pectoralis new species, distinguished by a prominent black blotch on the pectoral fin base, both recently collected in the Nam Theun watershed in central Laos; and two tiny species,O. mekongensis andO. minutillus. Only one species ofOryzias is known from the Mekong delta in Vietnam, the small moderately deep-bodiedO. haugiangensis new species, with 19–22 anal and 9–10 pectoral fin rays. The Indonesian island of Java has one large species,O. javanicus (Bleeker, 1852) with 21–25 anal and 11 pectoral fin rays, and one small species,O. hubbsi new species, with only 17–21 anal and 9 pectoral fin rays.     

Two new species of Hyalella from Lake Titicaca,and redescriptions of four others in the genus (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The amphipod genus Hyalella has its highest diversity in the Andean Lake Titicaca. This genus is the only epigean amphipod present in South America. Eleven endemic and one non-endemic species are known from Lake Titicaca. An additional endemic species, Hyalella nefrens n. sp. and one non-endemic species Hyalella tiwanaku n. sp. are described here. Hyalella cuprea(Faxon, 1876), Hyalella latimanus (Faxon, 1876), Hyalella montforti Chevreux, 1907, and Hyalella neveulemairei Chevreux, 1904 are redescribed. The high diversity of Hyalella in the lake is not well understood, and it has been compared with the spectacular diversity of Lake Baikal.     

Polypengeneration und Entwicklung vonEutonina indicans (Thecata-Leptomedusae)

The medusaEutonina indicans (Romanes 1876) represents a circumpolar northern boreal species. In the European seas it has its southern limits of distribution in the southern North Sea, where it is common during late spring and early summer. The present paper is concerned with the formerly unknown polyp generation. It was possible to rear polyps from fertilized medusa eggs to full size; they formed colonies and produced gonangia and young medusae. Thus, morphology and development of the single polyp, colony, and young medusa could be described in detail. The systematic position ofEutonina indicans is discussed briefly, and a diagnosis of the species, including the two generations, given.     

On two species of Diptera described by I. A. Portschinsky in 1876

In 1876 I.A. Portschinsky described two species of Diptera: Urellia muscipora Portschinsky (Tephritidae) and Phlebotomus grimmi Portschinsky (Psychodidae–Phlebotominae). The former name is a senior synonym of Goniurellia tridens (Hendel, 1910), but it was not used as a valid name since 1876 and should be rejected according to Articles 23.9.1.1 and 23.9.1.2 of the ICZN. The name Phlebotomus grimmi was in use in 1926–1984 as a valid name and as a senior synonym of Ph. sergenti Parrot, 1917 or Ph. caucasicus Marzinovsky, 1917. It is necessary to appeal to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to establish the status of Phlebotomus grimmi Portschinsky, 1876.     

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, a valid species of western Pacific tonguefish (Pleuronectiformes: Cynoglossidae)

Symphurus hondoensis Hubbs, 1915, originally described only from the holotype taken in 390–542 m in Suruga Bay Japan, has long been considered a junior synonym ofS. strictus Gilbert, 1905, known from waters off Hawaii, Japan, the Philippine Islands, and South Africa. Based on new information from the holotype and a specimen recently captured from deep waters (789–815 m) off Amami-Oshima Island, southern Japan,S. hondoensis is now established as a valid species.Symphurus hondoensis is unique among congeners in having the combination of a 1–2–3 pattern of interdigitation of proximal dorsal pterygiophores and neural spines, 10 abdominal vertebrae, 14 caudalfin rays, 111–113 dorsal-fin rays, 95 anal-fin rays, 59 total vertebrae, 105–106 scales in longitudinal series, blind side nearly as darkly pigmented as the ocular surface, and a black peritoneum. Recognition ofS. hondoensis increases the number of described species ofSymphurus in waters off Japan to three (S. orientalis Bleeker,S. strictus, andS. hondoensis), with at least one more underscribed species occurring in deepwater hydrothermal vent areas off southern Japan.     

First record of the twostripe goby,Valenciennea helsdingenii (Gobiidae,Gobiiformes) from the?southeast?coast of India

Two specimens of Valenciennea helsdingenii (Bleeker, 1858) were collected off Punnakayal coast, from Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India in November 2012. The morphometric and meristic characters of the recorded specimens are described and discussed. This is the first record of the species from the Indian waters that is a range extension of its known range within the Indian Ocean.     

Two new species of Pupulina van Beneden, 1892 (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Caligidae) from mobulid rays off South Africa

The caligid genus Pupulina van Beneden, 1892 currently has three accepted species. Two new species, Pupulina cliffi n. sp. and P. merira n. sp., are described from Mobula kuhlii (Müller & Henle) and M. eregoodootenkee (Bleeker) (Mobulidae) caught along the east coast of South Africa. Pupulina cliffi can be distinguished from all the other species by the absence of posterolateral processes on the genital complex, whereas P. merira has very short, rounded posterolateral processes on the genital complex compared to the three previously known species. Additionally, P. merira is the only species with the abdomen only about two-thirds the length of the genital complex and the caudal rami about the same length as the abdomen. A dichotomous key to distinguish the five species of Pupulina is provided.     

Chimborazoa (Sapindaceae), a new genus from Ecuador

Paullinia lachnocarpa has been known only from flowering and immature fruiting material collected in Ecuador. A recent collection with mature fruit shows that this biternate-leaved plant with multi-stelar stems and schizocarpic (indehiscent) fruit is best placed in its own genus,Chimborazoa. The only known species isChimborazoa lachnocarpa, which appears to be endemic to mountainous areas (1200–2000 m) in the provinces Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, Ecuador. The pollen morphology ofChimborazoa differs from that ofPaullinia. The lectotypification ofP. lachnocarpa is discussed, the new genus is described and illustrated, and a key to the genera of the Paullinieae is provided.     

The genus Hormiops Fage, 1933 (Hormuridae,Scorpiones), a palaeoendemic of the South China Sea: Systematics and biogeography

The monotypic genus Hormiops Fage, 1933 is so far only known from two groups of granitic islands off the coasts of Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam. Examination of newly collected material from both archipelagos and of the type series of Hormiops davidovi Fage, 1933 reveals previously disregarded morphological differences sufficient to assign the Malaysian specimens to a distinct species, described here as Hormiops infulcra sp. nov. An updated diagnosis of the genus, as well as a dichotomic key enabling the determination of Hormiops from its close relatives, Hormurus Thorell, 1876 and Liocheles Sundevall, 1833 are also provided. The phylogenetic position, distribution pattern, and ecology of these insular scorpions suggest that they are palaeoendemics, remnants of a previously more widely distributed lineage. A biogeographical model is proposed for the genus based on these observations and on a synthesis of palaeogeographical and palaeoenvironmental data currently available for Sundaland.     

The heteromorph ammonite genus Ammonitoceras Dumas, 1876 (Ancyloceratidae) in the lower Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Les Ferres Aptian Basin (southeastern France)

Ammonitoceras Dumas, 1876 is a genus of heteromorph ammonites characterized by the presence of a peculiar ontogenetic stage in its inner whorls: the Ammonitoceras stage. But in spite of its wide paleogeographic and biostratigraphic extension throughout the Aptian (Lower Cretaceous), this genus remains poorly known. In the present work we study specimens of Ammonitoceras from the lower Aptian Deshayesites multicostatus (Deshayesites deshayesi Zone) to Dufrenoyia furcata (Dufrenoyia furcata Zone) subzones of the Les Ferres Aptian Basin (southeastern France). The results are as follows: (1) representatives of Ammonitoceras from this area are regarded dimorphic with criocone macroconchs and ancylocone microconchs, (2) their ontogenetic sequence is described, (3) their intraspecific variability is significant and concerns the adult size and the duration of the ontogenetic stages, especially the Ammonitoceras stage, (4) two species are recognized: the earlier Ammonitoceras ucetiae Dumas, 1876, characterized by a brief Ammonitoceras stage on average, and the latter Ammonitoceras lahuseni (Sinzow, 1906), characterized by a longer Ammonitoceras stage on average. The sample of the Deshayesites grandis Subzone (Deshayesites deshayesi Zone) is composed of specimens too fragmentary to be identified at species level.     

A review of the threadfin breams of the genusNemipterus (Nemipteridae) from Japan and Taiwan,with description of a new species

Species of the fish genusNemipterus (Nemipteridae) from Japan and Taiwan are reviewed. A key, diagnoses and synonymies are provided for 9 species, including a new species:N. aurora sp. nov. (previously misidentified asN. delagoae Smith);N. bathybius Snyder;N. furcosus (Valenciennes) [mistakenly referred to asN. peronii (Valenciennes)];N. hexodon (Quoy et Gaimard);N. japonicus (Bloch);N. peronii (Valenciennes) [previously referred to asN. tolu (Valenciennes), a junior synonym];N. thosaporni Russell [previously misidentified asN. marginatus (Valenciennes)];N. virgatus (Houttuyn); andN. zysron (Bleeker) [previously referred to asN. metopias (Bleeker), a junior synonym].N. aurora is described from specimens from Taiwan, the Gulf of Thailand, East Malaysia and Indonesia. It appears to be closely allied toN. bipunctatus (Ehrenberg) (N. delagoae is a junior synonym), an Indian Ocean species, but the two species are readily distinguished on the basis of colour pattern of the dorsal and anal fins:N. aurora has a broad orange-yellow submedial stripe along the dorsal fin, and a lemon submedial stripe on the anal fin; whereas inN. bipunctatus the dorsal fin is uniformly rosy, and the anal fin has 2–4 wavy yellow stripes.     

Bucania (Gastropoda) from the Ordovician of Estonia

Seven species ofBucania Hall 1847 from the Ordovician of Estonia are presented, also taking into consideration Pleistocene drift material from Germany, and their stratigraphical and geographical distributions are revised. The Middle Ordovician speciesBucania latissima Koken 1897 andBucania salpinx Koken 1897 are tentatively assigned toMegalomphala Ulrich inUlrich &Scofield 1897, while the Lower Ordovician speciesBucania macera Koken inKoken &Perner 1925 is placed inSalpingostoma Roemer 1876. The Middle OrdovicianBucania czekanowskii (Schmidt 1858) and the Upper OrdovicianBucania radiata (d’Eichwald 1856) were earlier considered conspecific, but based on study of the type material they are here considered distinct species.Salpingostoma cornu (Koken 1897), commonly referred to this genus because of the trema, is here transferred toBucania. Two Upper Ordovician specimens ofBucania display wide and abruptly flaring apertures morphologically far removed from other species of the genus.     

On the anatomy and relationships ofEfraasia diagnostica (Huene) n. gen., a prosauropod dinosaur (Reptilia: Saurischia) from the Upper Triassic of Germany

Palaeosaurus (?) diagnosticus Huene from the Stubensandstone (Upper Triassic, Norian) of Nordwürttemberg, Germany is made the type species of a new genus of prosauropod dinosaurEfraasia, which is referred to the family Anchisauridae. The anatomy ofEfraasia diagnostica is conservative and it was an ideal ancestor for the later and more specializedAnchisaurus polyzelus of North America. The slenderness of the manus and pes ofEfraasia andAnchisaurus is matched amongst prosauropods only by the feet ofGyposaurus capensis andThecodontosaurus antiquus. Staurikosaurus pricei Colbert from the Upper Triassic of Brazil is probably a very primitive theropod dinosaur.     

A revision of the Puerto Rican species of lepanthes (Orchidaceae)

Six species of the orchid speciesLepanthes are described as new. A seventh species,L. sanguined, previously known only from Jamaica, is reported from Puerto Rico. The current misspelling ofL. selenitepala, the only species of the genus previously reported from Puerto Rico, is corrected. A key to the eight Puerto Rican species ofLepanthes is presented, and the value of several interesting taxonomic characters is discussed. The possibility of apogamy in this genus is raised, and detailed biosystematic investigations are indicated as necessary for a complete understanding of the group.     

THE IDENTITY OF PHOTOBIONTS FROM THE LICHENPYRENULA JAPONICA

Nine specimens ofPyrenula japonicaKurokawa were collected from various areas in Japan. Photobionts were isolated from their thalli and studied taxonomically. As a result, only one species of green alga,Trentepohlia lagenifera(Hild.) Wille was identified as the photobiont ofPyrenula japonica. This is the first record of this alga from the lichen genusPyrenula.     

Das Vorkommen von Malatenzym und Malo-Lactat-Enzym bei verschiedenen Milchsäurebakterien

1. Malic enzyme was induced by malic acid and malo-lactic enzyme was induced by malic acid and glucose in cells of three strains ofLactobacillus casei that were able to grow on malate as carbon source. Two strains ofStreptococcus faecalis formed malic enzyme only, whereas only malo-lactic enzyme was formed by a glucose requiring strain ofStreptococcus lactis.
2. Given sequential induction, cells ofLactobacillus casei M40 were found to contain malic enzyme and malo-lactic enzyme simultaneously.
3. Malic enzyme and malo-lactic enzyme have been separated by chromatography on Sephadex G-200. These two enzymes have a different pH optimum, different affinities for substrates, form different end products from malate, and have molecular weights of 120000 and 150000 daltons respectively.