Three new species of deep‐sea Gromia (Protista,Rhizaria) from the bathyal and abyssal Weddell Sea,Antarctica

We describe three new species of the genus Gromia from bathyal and abyssal depths in the Weddell Sea. The new species are characterized by a combination of morphological and molecular criteria. All three species possess a distinct oral capsule and a layer of ‘honeycomb membranes’, which form the inner part of the organic test wall. Both these features are typical of gromiids. Their identification as gromiids is confirmed by analyses of partial small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) gene sequences. Gromia marmorea sp. nov. is a rounded species with a prominent oral capsule and a characteristically mottled appearance. In Gromia melinus sp. nov. , the test surface exhibits a polygonal pattern of ridges, with a layer of clay particles coating the surface between the ridges. Gromia winnetoui sp. nov. represents an elongate morphotype in which the organic test is enclosed within an agglutinated case, a feature previously unknown in gromiids. Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum‐likelihood method revealed that all three species form distinct clades, reflecting the morphological differences among Weddell Sea species, as well as between deep‐water Southern Ocean Gromia and previously described gromiids. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 451–469.     

The enigmatic,deep‐sea,organic‐walled genera Chitinosiphon,Nodellum and Resigella (Protista,Foraminifera): A taxonomic re‐evaluation

Abstract

Using a morphology‐based approach, we explore the relationships between three poorly understood species of organic‐walled Foraminifera. Thalmann and Bermudez (1954) described Chitinosiphon rufescens as the type species of a new monotypic genus which they compared to the tubular agglutinated foraminiferan Bathysiphon. Loeblich and Tappan (1964), however, considered C. rufescens to be identical to Reophax membranacea Brady 1879, type species of another organic‐walled genus, Nodellum. Based on a re‐examination of the type specimens of both species, new material of C. rufescens from the Lost City hydrothermal field, and new material of N. membranacea from the NE Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, we show that these two deep‐sea species are distinguished by the following features. (1) Chitinosiphon rufescens lacks the distinct, regular constrictions that divide the tubular test of N. membranacea into a series of segments. (2) The proloculus is spindle‐shaped in C. rufescens but sub‐cylindrical in N. membranacea. (3) A distinctive, pocket‐like invagination is developed at the base (proximal end) of the proloculus in N. membranacea but not in C. rufescens. However, a series of undescribed species which occur in deep‐sea sediments blur the distinction between the two genera. We therefore adopt a conservative position and regard Chitinosiphon as a junior synonym of Nodellum. We also examined the holotype and new material of Nodellum moniliforme Resig, 1982, the type species of Resigella Loeblich and Tappan, 1984, in which the organic‐walled test comprises a series of bulbous chambers. This species exhibits a basal invagination, identical to the feature present in Nodellum membranacea. These three remarkable species are united by the basically tubular test and the nature of the test wall which is largely organic, brownish in colour, and exhibits no internal structure when broken sections are examined by SEM. The surface of the organic test of Nodellum rufescens from Lost City is strewn with tiny (≤1μm), needle‐shaped mineral particles, visible only by SEM. More equidimensional, micron‐sized particles are present in the other two species. We agree with Thalmann and Bermudez (1954) that N. rufescens is related to tubular agglutinated taxa such as Bathysiphon. Resigella may have similar affinities, although this needs to be tested using molecular approaches.     

Taxonomic status of Amebachia Uchida in the genus Netelia Gray (Hymenoptera; Ichneumonidae; Tryphoninae) with descriptions of four new species from Japan

The lectotype of Amebachia baibarana Uchida, 1928, which is the type species of Amebachia Uchida, was re‐examined. Though this species was synonymized with Netelia (Netelia) laevis (= Paniscus laevis Cameron, 1905) and Amebachia has been synonymized under the subgenus Netelia of the genus Netelia, it is concluded that A. baibarana is a distinct species from N. laevis and Amebachia should be a subgenus of the genus Netelia. Netelia laevis is transferred from the subgenus Netelia to Apatagium. Four new species of Netelia (Amebachia), N. (A.) yoshimatsui sp. nov., N. (A.) rasilella sp. nov., N. (A.) fulvistigma sp. nov., and N. (A.) vicinalis sp. nov. are described from Japan, and a key to the species of this subgenus is provided.     

Morphological and Molecular Diversity of the Neglected Genus Rhizomastix Alexeieff, 1911 (Amoebozoa: Archamoebae) with Description of Five New Species

The genus Rhizomastix is a poorly known group of amoeboid heterotrophic flagellates living as intestinal commensals of insects, amphibians or reptiles, and as inhabitants of organic freshwater sediments. Eleven Rhizomastix species have been described so far, but DNA sequences from only a single species have been published. Recently, phylogenetic analyses confirmed a previous hypothesis that the genus belongs to the Archamoebae; however, its exact position therein remains unclear. In this study we cultured nine strains of Rhizomastix, both endobiotic and free‐living. According to their light‐microscopic morphology and SSU rRNA and actin gene analyses, the strains represent five species, of which four are newly described here: R. bicoronata sp. nov., R. elongata sp. nov., R. vacuolata sp. nov. and R. varia sp. nov. In addition, R. tipulae sp. nov., living in the intestine of crane flies, is separated from the type species, R. gracilis. We also examined the ultrastructure of R. elongata sp. nov., which revealed that it is more complicated than the previously described R. libera. Our data show that either the endobiotic lifestyle of some Rhizomastix species has arisen independently from other endobiotic archamoebae, or the free‐living members of this genus represent a secondary switch from the endobiotic lifestyle.     

Palaeobathymetric zonation of foraminifera from lower Permian shale deposits of a high-latitude southern interior sea

Foraminifera are documented from the type section of the Quinnanie Shale in order to interpret their bathymetric distributions in a shallow high-latitude interior sea during the Kungurian. The marine setting was a narrow elongate half-graben (Merlinleigh Sub-Basin of the Southern Carnarvon Basin) in the Western Australian portion of eastern Gondwana. The Quinnanie Shale is part of the Byro Group of formations that display pronounced shale–sand cyclicity recording frequent changes in bathymetry. The type section of the Quinnanie Shale shows an overall progradational pattern in lithofacies, and consists of five ‘cycles’, each culminating in a prominent sandstone bed. Foraminifera are abundant in the shale and are almost entirely siliceous (organic-cemented) agglutinated types that probably dominated the original fauna of the interior sea. Hierarchical cluster analysis of samples taken every meter through the 162-m-thick type section is used to distinguish ten biofacies, each defined by a different set of dominant agglutinated species. Although biofacies frequently change up-section, there is an overall trend that is related to the progradational trend suggested by the lithofacies. Based on comparisons between lithofacies and biofacies, a palaeobathymetric zonation is established for the foraminifera. This zonation, the sparse macrofauna, and the lithofacies suggest that the interior sea was stratified in terms of salinity and dissolved oxygen levels, and the water was generally hyposaline. Most of the agglutinated foraminiferal species have analogous morphotypes present in modern confined estuaries and interior seas and this points to great conservatism in the evolutionary and ecological development of this component of interior-sea faunas. Aaptotoichus quinnaniensis sp. nov., an organic-cemented agglutinated foraminifer, is described from the Quinnanie Shale type section.     

Molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy of the genus Rhodymenia (Rhodymeniaceae,Rhodymeniales) from Australia reveals overlooked species diversity

A previously published DNA barcode survey of red macroalgae in Australia revealed significant cryptic and overlooked diversity for the genus Rhodymenia with recognition of R. novahollandica, R. prolificans, R. stenoglossa, R. wilsonis and an additional four uncharacterized genetic species groups. Since that study, increased sampling effort in Australia has warranted reassessment and reinvestigation of the number of genetic species groups attributed to Rhodymenia and their respective taxonomic affiliations. Using molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy employing the DNA barcode (COI-5P), the present study resolved 188 Australian specimens in 12 genetic species groups assignable to the genus Rhodymenia. Four of these groups were attributed to the previously recognized species (above), whereas some collections from Lord Howe Island were attributed to the New Zealand species R. novazelandica, expanding its biogeographic range. The following seven genetic groups were inconsistent with existing species of Rhodymenia and established as novel taxa: R. compressa sp. nov., R. contortuplicata sp. nov., R. gladiata sp. nov., R. insularis sp. nov., R. lociperonica sp. nov., R. norfolkensis sp. nov. and R. womersleyi sp. nov. Although morphological and biogeographic features were adequate for distinguishing some species of Rhodymenia from Australia, DNA sequencing in combination with morphology and biogeography provided the most reliable means of identification.     

Description of Phaeobola aeris gen. nov., sp. nov (Rhizaria,Cercozoa, Euglyphida) Sheds Light on Euglyphida’s Dark Matter

The majority of Euglyphida species are characterised by shells with imbricated silica scales. Environmental surveys indicate a large unexplored diversity and recent efforts hinted at a certain diversity of yet undescribed, inconspicuous, scale-lacking Euglyphida. Here we describe Phaeobola aeris gen. nov., sp. nov. that shows a variety of morphological characters typical for the Euglyphida but lacks silica scales-instead, this species bears an agglutinated test. Neither its morphology nor phylogenetic placement allows its assignment to any currently described family. We erected the yet monospecific genus Phaeobola gen. nov., which with yet available data remain Euglyphida incertae sedis.     

Xenophyophores (Rhizaria,Foraminifera), including four new species and two new genera,from the western Clarion-Clipperton Zone (abyssal equatorial Pacific)

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) occupies a vast swathe of the Pacific with extensive polymetallic nodule deposits. Eastern and central parts host diverse assemblages of xenophyophores (megafaunal agglutinated foraminifera). Here we describe xenophyophores obtained using a Remotely Operated Vehicle from the western CCZ. Eleven distinct forms include two known species, Stannophyllum zonarium Haeckel, 1888 and Aschemonella monile Gooday and Holzmann in Gooday et al., 2017b. Another four are described as new species based on morphological and genetic data. In Abyssalia foliformis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Abyssalia sphaerica sp. nov. the flattened or spherical test comprises a homogeneous framework of sponge spicules. Psammina tenuis sp. nov. has a delicate, thin, plate-like test. Moanammina semicircularis gen. nov., sp. nov. has a stalked, fan-shaped test and is genetically identical to ‘Galatheammina sp. 6’ of Gooday and co-workers from the eastern CCZ. Sequence data revealed a spherical ‘mudball’, which disintegrated and cannot be formally described, to be a novel xenophyophore. Finally, four morphospecies are represented by dead tests: Psammina spp., Reticulammina sp., and an unknown genus with a unique test structure. This collection enhances our knowledge of Pacific xenophyophore diversity and provides the first genetic confirmation of wide geographic ranges for abyssal species.     

Lower Cretaceous benthic foraminifera from DSDP Site 263: micropalaeontological constraints for the early evolution of the Indian Ocean

Analysis of 66 samples from DSDP Site 263 (Cores 263-4R-4 to 263-29R-4) reveals a unique faunal composition with a predominance of agglutinated taxa, many of them previously unrecorded from any other DSDP and ODP Indian Ocean sites. A total of 66 agglutinated and 31 calcareous taxa are documented and five new species are described: Hippocrepina gracilis n.sp., “Textulariopsis” elegans n.sp., Aaptotoichus challengeri n.sp., “Gaudryinopsis” pseudobettenstaedti n.sp. and “Gaudryina” cuvierensis n.sp. Three assemblages are recognized based on changes in the composition of dominant taxa and occurrences of stratigraphically important species: (1) a high-diversity Valanginian to Barremian Bulbobaculites-Recurvoides Assemblage (Cores 263-29R to -18R), comprised of numerous elongate agglutinated forms, rare nodosariids, and variable numbers of tubes and ammodiscids; (2) a moderately diverse Aptian to Albian Rhizammina-Ammodiscus-Glomospira Assemblage (Cores 26318R to -7R) with highly fluctuating numbers of the nominate taxa and Haplophragmoides, Trochammina, Verneuilinoides spp., and Vemeuilina howchini; (3) a very low diversity Albian or younger Assemblage (Cores 263-6R to -4R) containing sparse agglutinated foraminifera, rare nodosariids and rotaliids. We interpret the assemblages as shelf to lower slope and consider them to reflect a deepening palaeobathymetry as the Cuvier margin subsided after the initial breakup of East Gondwana during the Valanginian. Our interpretation is in sharp contrast with initial palaeodepth estimates of less than 100 m, as well as with original chronostratigraphic interpretations based on foraminifera and nannofossils which correlated the base of the recovered interval with the Aptian. The absence of many cosmoplitan forms, despite high diversity, suggests strong faunal differentiation in the Austral realm or endemisn within the Cuvier Basin during the Early Cretaceous.     

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Russian Far East

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps, Labenopimplinae subfam. nov. (Ichneumonidae), is described from the Cenomanian Ola Formation of the locality Obeshchayushchiy, Magadan Region, Russian Far East. The subfamily is highly diverse morphologically and combines characters of the Labeninae and Pimplinae. It includes 11 new species described in five new genera: Labenopimpla rasnitsyni gen. et sp. nov., L. kasparyani sp. nov., Armanopimpla zherikhini gen. et sp. nov, Ramulimonstrum intermedium gen. et sp. nov., Rugopimpla vulgaris gen. et sp. nov., R. fallax sp. nov., R. angusticella sp. nov., R. macra sp. nov., R. matrona sp. nov., Micropimpla lucida gen. et sp. nov., and M. obscura sp. nov. Also described is a new monotypic genus, Tryphopimpla xoridoptera gen. et sp. nov., which combines characters of the Tryphoninae, Pimplinae, and Xoridinae and cannot be currently placed into any of the known subfamilies. The population of fossil ichneumon wasps at this locality is distinctly dominated by females.     

Antlered richardiid flies: new species of Richardia (Tephritoidea: Richardiidae) with antler‐like genal processes

Within Richardiidae, Richardia infestans, from Colombia, is the only known species to have genal processes, which are structures formed by the extension of the cuticle on the lateral margin of the gena. In the present work, six new species, with different patterns of antler‐like genal processes, are described. An identification key and illustrations are provided. Richardia bella sp. nov. , R. modesta sp. nov. and R. vitta sp. nov. are recorded from Costa Rica; R. advena sp. nov. is recorded from Costa Rica and Panama; R. simplex sp. nov. is recorded from Panama; and R. ornatella sp. nov. is recorded from Ecuador.     

Discovery of the Drosophila (Drosophila) robusta species group (Diptera,Drosophilidae) from Southeast Asian tropics,with the descriptions of six new species

Six new species of the Drosophila robusta species group are described from Southeast Asian Islands. Kalimantan and Sunda Islands lie east of Bali, from which Drosophila barobusta sp.nov and D. uncinata sp.nov belong to the lacertosa subgroup, and D. sungaicola sp.nov, D. baliensis sp.nov, D. hitam sp.nov and D. subaquatica sp.nov to the okadai subgroup. The robusta group from Southeast Asian tropics exclusively inhabits streamsides in mountainous highlands with an elevation of more than 600 m from the sea level.     

New stoneflies (Insecta: Perlida = Plecoptera) from Eocene Rovno amber,Ukraine

A new genus, Rovnocapnia gen. nov., with new species R. atra sp. nov. and R. ambita sp. nov., from the family Capniidae, and a new genus and species Palaeoleuctra acuta gen. sp. nov., from the family Leuctridae, of the suborder Nemourina (Euholognatha), are described from Late Eocene Rovno amber. Familial assignment of one additional specimen (suborder Perlina, infraorder Perlomorpha (Systelognatha)), represented by a nymphal skin, is obscure due to its incomplete preservation.     

A new genus of xenophyophores (Foraminifera) from Japan Trench: morphological description,molecular phylogeny and elemental analysis

The deep‐sea floor is inhabited by a number of unusual and enigmatic taxa, unknown in shallow waters. These include the xenophyophores, a group of giant protists that construct fragile agglutinated tests. Here, we describe Shinkaiya lindsayi gen. et sp. nov. , a new xenophyophore collected by the submersible Shinkai 6500 at a depth of 5435 m near the Japan Trench. The phylogenetic analysis performed on its complete small‐subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequence confirms that Sh. lindsayi sp. nov. is a foraminiferan that is closely related to another xenophyophore, Syringammina corbicula Richardson, 2001, and to a monothalamous (single‐chambered) foraminiferan Rhizammina algaeformis Brady, 1879. In terms of morphology, the new genus resembles Syringammina, but its test wall is thicker, softer, and more weakly cemented. Moreover, the SSU rDNA sequences of the two genera are highly divergent. Mass spectra analyses reveal unusually high concentrations of some elements, such as lead, uranium, and mercury. The granellare system (the cytoplasm and the organic sheath that encloses it) is apparently devoid of barite crystals, which are usually abundant as intracellular inclusions in xenophyophores, but is rich in mercury (with 12 times the concentration of mercury found in the surrounding sediment). Fecal pellets retained within a tubular system (stercomare) concentrate heavy metals, including lead and uranium (respectively, two and six times more than that of the sediment). Based on a comparison of the compositions of the agglutinated test wall, the granellare, the stercomare, and the surrounding sediment, we discuss the impact of xenophyophores on their habitat. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 455–464.     

New stoneflies (Insecta: Perlida = Plecoptera) from the late Mesozoic locality Khasurty,Transbaikalia

From the Lower Cretaceous locality Khasurty, western Transbaikalia, a new genus and species, Rasnitsyrina culonga, gen. et sp. nov. are described in the family Perlariopseidae. R. desiliens (Sinitshenkova, 1987), originally described in the genus Karanemoura Sinitshenkova, 1987, is transferred to the new genus. Two new species belonging to recent families are described: Dimoula khasurtensis sp. nov. (Nemouridae) and Jurataenionema rohdendorfi sp. nov. (Taeniopterygidae). All new species are described from fossils of adults.     

Branching out: a remarkable new branching syllid (Annelida) living in a Petrosia sponge (Porifera: Demospongiae)

We describe the morphology and biology of a previously unknown form of branching annelid, Ramisyllis multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. , an endosymbiont of shallow‐water marine sponges (Petrosia sp., Demospongiae) in northern Australia. It belongs to the polychaete family Syllidae, as does Syllis ramosa McIntosh, 1879, the only other named branching annelid, which was collected from deep‐water hexactinellid sponges during the 1875 Challenger expedition. It differs from S. ramosa in parapodial and chaetal morphology. Ramisyllis multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. has segments of several types, including specialized posterior segments on the emergent portions of the worm, and simplified elongate segments that bridge larger cavities in the sponge interior. Aside from the obvious branching form, the new annelid is similar to Parahaplosyllis, differing from it in lacking pharyngeal armature and in the details of the parapodial chaetae and dorsal cirri. Molecular evidence from 16S and 18S rDNA supports a sister‐group relationship with Parahaplosyllis, with both being sister to Trypanosyllis and Eurysyllis. The phylogenetic position of R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. indicates that branching has evolved independently in Ramisyllis gen. nov. and Syllis. This is supported by differences in the branching process between the two taxa: in S. ramosa branching is initiated by segment addition at the parapodium, whereas in R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. segments are added from a region between parapodia. A model for branching in R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. is proposed and possible developmental processes underlying branching in Annelida, and body symmetry comparisons with other invertebrates, are also discussed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 481–497.     

Species of Macrocyprina Triebel, 1960 (Crustacea, Ostracoda,Macrocyprididae) collected by the REVIZEE Program along Brazilian coast

Six samples collected from the eastern Brazilian continental shelf, along the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, during the REVIZEE Program were analysed. Three species of Macrocyprina were encountered in these samples. Macrocyprina maddocksae sp. nov. is described. This species is diagnosed by the following combined characteristics: carapace fairly small, its lateral surface with three or four small subcircular patches, one small, subtriangular patch at anteroventral margin, one small, elongate, patch at posteroventral margin; male appendages V strongly asymmetrical, left appendage larger than right, podomere II of left appendage subtriangular, not recurved. Hemipenis subtrapezoidal. Furthermore, M. sp. nov. 3 Brandão, in press and M. sp. are recorded.     

Pyrenomycetes of the Russian Far East—Additions and corrections. 1.Rossmania ukurunduensis gen. et sp. nov.

Rossmania ukurunduensis gen. and sp. nov. collected in the reverve Bolshekhekhtsirsky (Khabarovsk Territory, Russian Far East) is described and illustrated.Rossmania aculeata comb. Nov. is indicated as the second species of the genus.     

Macrocyprididae (Ostracoda) from the Southern Ocean: taxonomic revision,macroecological patterns,and biogeographical implications

Animal communities inhabiting shallow marine benthic environments around Antarctica are quite well known, however, only a few studies deal with the deep‐water faunas in the Southern Ocean. In the present study 19 deep‐water samples and 14 shallow and mid‐water samples containing macrocypridids were studied. The first important finding of the present study is the fivefold increase in the diversity of Macrocyprididae in the Southern Ocean: the species count increased from six to 30. Additionally, statistical analyses showed that depth is the main factor influencing macrocypridid assemblages and that geography does not play an important role. Two faunal bathymetric boundaries were observed, one around 1250 m and the other around 2500 m depth. Furthermore, species previously believed to be widely distributed (i.e. Macroscapha opaca, Macroscapha turbida, and Macroscapha inaequata) are shown to be groups of sometimes conspicuously distinct species. Over 30 Macrocyprididae species were identified from over 1200 specimens studied. After the study of the soft part morphology and chaetotaxy of Mh. opaca under the electron microscope, the following has been observed: (1) The exopodite of antenna II is clearly inserted on the distal margin of podomere II; (2) several setae previously considered aesthetascs (i.e. the long, proximal setae of podomere IV of the antenna II; the two sexually dimorphic setae of the podomere IV of antenna II; the modified setae of the podomeres II and III of the male appendage V) lack any pore, and should therefore not be chemoreceptors. Sixteen new species are described ( Macromckenziea giambonini sp. nov. , Macropyxis alanlordi sp. nov. , Macropyxis cronini sp. nov. , Macropyxis ghartmanni sp. nov. , Macropyxis hornei sp. nov. , Macropyxis jeans sp. nov. , Macropyxis parajeans sp. nov. , Macrosarisa andeep sp. nov. , Macrosarisa fahrbachi sp. nov. , Macroscapha cactus sp. nov. , Macroscapha falcis sp. nov. , Macroscapha rehmi sp. nov. , Macroscapha scotia sp. nov. , Macroscapha solecavai sp. nov. , Macroscapha subhemispherica sp. nov. , Macroscapha walterae sp. nov. ). Five previously described species are recorded: Macromckenziea glacierae Maddocks 1990 , Macroscapha inaequalis ( G. W. Müller, 1908 ), Mh. inaequata Maddocks 1990 , Mh. opaca Maddocks, 1990 species complex, Mh. turbida ( G. W. Müller, 1908 ). At least nine species are left in open nomenclature. Moreover, Yemanja gen. nov. is described from shallow tropical waters of the Western Atlantic; Macrosarisa procera ( Jellinek & Swanson, 2003 ) comb. nov. is proposed; and Macroscapha tensa ( Müller, 1908 ) is herein considered a nomen dubium. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 567–672.