Neglected refugia of biodiversity: mountainous regions in Mozambique and Malawi yield two novel freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes)

Phylogenetic relationships amongst the southern African freshwater crab fauna are reinvestigated following the recent collection of morphologically distinct Potamonautes specimens from remote mountainous regions in Malawi and Mozambique. Specimens were subjected to DNA sequencing of three mtDNA loci, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA and compared to the 14 described species from the region. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference revealed the presence of two novel evolutionary lineages. The phylogeny demonstrates that Potamonautes obesus (A. Milne‐Edwards, 1868) is sister to a morphologically distinct novel species from Mount Namuli in Mozambique. Two sympatric and genetically distinct species from Mount Mulanje, in Malawi (forms A and B) were recognized. Form B is sister to the large‐bodied South African riverine freshwater crabs and represents a novel lineage whereas the remaining species (form A) from Mulanje, in Malawi was sister to samples from Mounts Inago and Mabu, and in Mozambique was identified as Potamonautes choloensis (Chace, 1953). The two novel evolutionary lineages were genetically distinct and morphologically different from the described species in each of the respective regions. Two new freshwater crab species Potamonautes namuliensis sp. nov. and Potamonautes mulanjeensis sp. nov. , are described in the present study. The samples from Mount Mulanje in Malawi, and Mounts Mabu and Inago in Mozambique represent new distribution records for Potamonautes choloensis. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 498–509.     

Disentangling the divergence and cladogenesis in the freshwater crab species (Potamonautidae: Potamonautes perlatus sensu lato) in the Cape Fold Mountains,South Africa,with the description of two novel cryptic lineages

River networks of major drainages can form barriers that shape the phylogeography of freshwater organisms, particularly those with low dispersal capabilities. Freshwater crab species' distributions can be used to examine hydrological patterns to expose historical drainage interconnectivity. We used molecular sequence data (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA) and divergence time estimations to determine the phylogeography of the freshwater crab, Potamonautes perlatus sensu lato, from six drainage systems along the Cape Fold Mountains, South Africa. Two major clades were detected: clade 1 comprised two geographically discrete haploclades occurring in southern flowing drainages, whereas clade 2 included specimens from western flowing drainages. Divergence time estimations suggested a Pleistocene (c. 2.61 Mya) divergence of P. perlatus s.l. The Pleistocene was associated with arid conditions and drainage contractions. However, it is likely that during the mesic conditions of the Pleistocene, P. perlatus s.l. migrated and diverged into contemporary patterns. We conclude that three lineages are nested within P. perlatus s.l., two representing novel species. Potamonautes perlatus sensu stricto is confined to western flowing drainages. The two novel species both occurring in southern flowing drainages are described here: P otamonautes barbarai sp. nov. occurs in the Gamtoos and Gourits Rivers and P otamonautes barnardi sp. nov. in the Breede River. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A new genus and species of monostiliferoidean nemertean (Nemertea: Enopla) found on an egg mass of the anomuran decapod Paralithodes camtschatica

A new genus and species of monostiliferoidean enoplan nemertean from Alaska is described and illustrated. The nemertean, Alaxinus oclairi gen. et sp. nov. , was found on the egg mass of a red king crab, Paralithodes camtschatica.     

A Middle Miocene endemic freshwater mollusc assemblage from an intramontane Alpine lake (Aflenz Basin,Eastern Alps,Austria)

The mollusc fauna of the early Middle Miocene (Langhian) intramontane Alpine Lake Groisenbach is described for the first time. The shells derive from the Feistring Formation in the Aflenz Basin in Austria, which was covered by Lake Groisenbach. The assemblage is moderately diverse with 12 gastropod and 2 bivalve species, suggesting shallow lacustrine and fluvial settings. Among the gastropods, only Theodoxus crenulatus (Klein, 1853) is known from other Miocene localities, whilst all other species are documented so far only from Lake Groisenbach. None of the Early and Middle Miocene lake systems of the Alpine-Carpathian Foredeep and the Balkan Peninsula displays any faunistic resemblance with this new fauna. Even coeval lake faunas from the close-by Graz Basin have no species in common with Lake Groisenbach. This pattern points to a surprising endemicity and biogeographic fragmentation in the Central European freshwater systems during the Early and Middle Miocene. The uniqueness of the newly described fauna is also indicated by the completely erratic occurrence of the otherwise African-Mediterranean genus Bulinus, which is unknown from all other central European Miocene freshwater systems. Emmericia roetzeli Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp., Nematurella zuschini Neubauer and Harzhauser nov. sp., Romania fastigata Neubauer and Harzhauser nov. sp., Odontohydrobia groisenbachensis Neubauer and Harzhauser nov. sp., Odontohydrobia pompatica Neubauer and Harzhauser nov. sp., Odontohydrobia styriaca Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp., Planorbis austroalpinus Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp., Gyraulus sachsenhoferi Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp., Bulinus corici Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp., Ferrissia crenellata Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp. and Stagnicola reinholdkunzi Harzhauser and Neubauer nov. sp. are introduced as new species.     

The genus Phyllomyza Fallén (Diptera: Milichiidae) from Japan, with descriptions of four new species

The Japanese species of the genus Phyllomyza Fallén are revised. Four new species, Phyllomyza kanmiyai sp. nov., P. amamiensis sp. nov., P. proceripalpis sp. nov. and P. japonica sp. nov., are described and illustrated. P. securicornis Fallén is recorded from Japan for the first time. A key to the Japanese species of Phyllomyza is presented.     

The question of cosmopolitanism in the deep-sea ostracod fauna: the example of the genus Pedicythere

Deep-sea Pedicythere species which had been earlier considered as pan-abyssal in distribution are shown to be composite species including similar, but separate species in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Morphology and distribution of Pedicythere are analysed. A key to well-described Cenozoic species and forms in open nomenclature which are referred to Pedicythere is presented, together with an annotated checklist of species. Five new species of Pedicythere are described from the South China Sea: P. hirundo sp. nov., P. gibbera sp. nov., P. dentata sp. nov., P. arator sp. nov. and P. nivea sp. nov.     

中国八种宽缘金小蜂Pachyneuron Walker及两新种记述（膜翅目：金小蜂科）

记述8种宽缘金小蜂及其新寄主并给出了分种检索表,其中包括2新种,即喀什宽缘金小蜂Pachyneuron kashiensis sp. nov. 和脉毛宽缘金小蜂Pachyneuron trichon sp. nov. 及1新记录种,即同色宽缘金小蜂 Pachyneuron concolor F rster。     

Two new species of Phraortes from the Ryukyus,Japan (Phasmatodea: Phasmatidae)

Two new species of Phraortes are described from the Ryukyus of Japan. Phraortes kumensis sp. nov. is described from Kume‐jima Island, and P. yonaguniensis sp. nov. from Yonaguni‐jima Island. The morphology of the females, males and eggs of the new species is illustrated.     

A new genus and species of freshwater monostiliferous hoplonemertean (Nemertea, Enopla) from the People's Republic of China

A new genus and species of freshwater monostiliferous hoplonemertean, Limnemertes poyangensis gen. et sp. nov., from Poyang Lake, People's Republic of China, is described and illustrated. The taxon is compared and contrasted with previously described freshwater hoplonemerteans. This is the fourth species of freshwater nemertean to be described from China and the first recorded from Poyang Lake.     

A new genus of Elateriform beetles (Coleoptera,Polyphaga) from the Jurassic of Daohugou,China

A new coleopteran genus, Parelateriformius, gen. nov., comprising the species P. communis, sp. nov., P. villosus, sp. nov., P. capitifossus, sp. nov., and P. mirabdominis, sp. nov., is described from Daohugou deposits, Inner Mongolia, China, and is assigned to the infraorder Elateriformia. The systematic position of the new genus within the suborder Polyphaga is discussed.     

西藏准驼舞虻属二新种（双翅目：舞虻科）

首次报道西藏准驼舞虻属Parahybos,并记述2新种:短突准驼舞虻Parahybos breviprocerus sp.nov.和长突准驼舞虻P.longiprocerus sp.nov.。     

Updating the knowledge of assassin bug cockroaches (Blattodea: Blaberidae: Paranauphoeta Brunner von Wattenwyl): Species from China and taxonomic changes

The investigation into the cockroach genus Paranauphoeta Brunner von Wattenwyl is insufficient, and there is a lack of taxonomic documentation of this genus from China. Recently, the authors obtained some newly collected specimens which facilitated this study. In this paper the generalized morphology of Paranauphoeta is interpreted in detail, particularly for the male phallic complex, which is illustrated as a whole rather than in pieces. The taxonomy of Paranauphoeta species from China is revised. One out of four species recorded from China, P. indica Saussure & Zehntner, is removed; instead, P. kirby nom. nov. is recorded from China. Together with three new species described in this paper, namely, P. anulata sp. nov. , P. brachyptera sp. nov. and P. lineola sp. nov. , a total of seven Paranauphoeta species are now known to occur in China, whose habitus photos are provided. The new species confirm that this genus is wing‐polymorphic. Male structures, if available, are illustrated. Female structures and oothecae, of which knowledge is limited in this genus and also in cockroach taxonomy, are illustrated or documented, respectively. A key to and a distribution map of the Paranauphoeta species from China are provided. In addition, P. atra Shelford nom. rev. , P. sinica Bey‐Bienko stat. nov. and P. vietnamensis Anisyutkin stat. nov. are regarded as valid separate species.     

New conodonts of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygnathus</Emphasis> from the Evlanovian and Livnian (Upper Devonian) of the Voronezh Anteclise (central Devonian Field)

New conodont species of the genus Polygnathus (P. krutoensis sp. nov., P. makhlinae sp. nov., P. menneri sp. nov., P. obruchevae sp. nov.) are described from the Evlanovian-Livnian (Upper Devonian) deposits of the Voronezh Anteclise (central regions of the Rassian platform). The ontogenetic series of the new species are presented.     

New species of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulini) from the Baltic and Bitterfeld ambers

A new genus, Microsoronia, gen. nov., and new species of this genus, M. hoffeinsorum, sp. nov. from the Bitterfeld amber and M. kerneggeri sp. nov., M. nigerrima sp. nov., and M. interfax, sp. nov. from the Baltic amber, are described. The earliest known member of the genus Phenolia, P. (Lasiodites) angustitibialis, sp. nov., is described from the Baltic amber. The systematic position of these two genera, their possible evolution, as well as the possible ecology and bionomics of their members are discussed. It is shown that “Phenolia” incapax Scudder, 1890 should be included in the family Peltidae, rather than Nitidulidae.     

A reanalysis of Parabuthus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) phylogeny with descriptions of two new Parabuthus species endemic to the Central Namib gravel plains,Namibia

Two new thick‐tail scorpions in the genus Parabuthus Pocock, 1890 are described from the gravel plains of the Central Namib Desert, Namibia: Parabuthus glabrimanus sp. nov. ; Parabuthus setiventer sp. nov. The two new species occupy discrete distributional ranges, allopatric with the closely related species Parabuthus gracilis Lamoral, 1979 and Parabuthus nanus Lamoral, 1979. The distributions of the four species are mapped and a key provided for their identification. Revised diagnoses are provided for P. gracilis and P. nanus. The two new species are added to a previously published morphological character matrix for Parabuthus species and their phylogenetic positions determined in a reanalysis of Parabuthus phylogeny. Parabuthus setiventer sp. nov. is found to be the sister species of P. nanus, whereas P. glabrimanus sp. nov. is sister to a monophyletic group comprising P. gracilis, P. nanus, and P. setiventer sp. nov. The discovery of two new scorpion species endemic to the Central Namib gravel plains contributes to a growing body of evidence that this barren and desolate region is a hotspot of arachnid species richness and endemism. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 673–710.     

Taxonomic review of the genus Pseudostegania Butler, 1881, with description of four new species and comments on its tribal placement in the Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

The genus Pseudostegania Butler is revised. In addition to the two species known, four species are described as new: P. lijiangensis sp. nov. from Yunnan Province, P. qinlingensis sp. nov. from Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces, P. zhoui sp. nov. from Sichuan Province (China) and P. burmaensis sp. nov. from Burma (Myanmar); two species are newly combined with Pseudostegania: P. distinctaria (Leech, 1897), comb. nov. and P. yargongaria (Oberthür, 1916), comb. nov. All the known species are redescribed and lectotypes are designated for P. defectata (Christoph, 1881), P. distinctaria and P. yargongaria. The generic characters, based on all species, are summarized. The tribal placement of Pseudostegania is discussed. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented.     

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.     

Morphology and life cycle of Ceratium rhomvoides nov. sp. (Dinophyceae) from the lake Plußsee (Federal Republic)

A new species of freshwater dinoflagellates, Ceratium rhomvoides nov. sp., is described from the Plußsee, northern West Germany, where it occurs regularly. C. rhomvoides nov. sp. is distinguished from closely related taxa by various aspects of the morphology of the vegetative cell and the cyst and by its sexual reproduction and seasonal distribution.     

中国剑盾狭背瘿蜂属二新种记述（膜翅目：环腹瘿蜂科：狭背瘿蜂亚科）

记述剑盾狭背瘿蜂属Prosaspicera Kieffer 2新种:天目剑盾狭背瘿蜂P.tianmunensis sp.nov.和福建剑盾狭背瘿蜂P.fujianensis sp.nov.以及2中国新记录种:异剑盾狭背瘿蜂P.confusa Ros-Farré,2006和东方剑盾狭背瘿蜂P.orientalis Pujade-Villar,2006,提供了中国该属的分种检索表。模式标本保存于浙江农林大学昆虫标本室。     

New Eocene dinoflagellate cysts from the southern edge of the Junggar Basin,Xinjiang, China

The Anjihaihe Formation in the southern edge of the Junggar Basin was previously considered a series of freshwater lacustrine depositions. However, abundant marine dinoflagellate cysts were recently recovered from the middle to upper part of the middle member of the formation. Two new genera, six new species and one new subspecies among the abundant dinoflagellate cysts are described and illustrated, i.e. Circulodinium? laeve sp. nov., Kaiwaradinium abbreviatum sp. nov., Spiniferites adnatus subsp. latispinus subsp. nov., Oligosphaeropsis accreta gen. et. sp. nov., Oligosphaeropsis complex gen. et. sp. nov., Oligosphaeropsis megaprocessa gen. et. sp. nov. and Tianshandinium biconicum gen. et. sp. nov. They are rare to common constituents of the dinoflagellate assemblage in the Anjihaihe Formation and may prove useful for regional biostratigraphic correlation and palaeoenvironment re-establishment.