Description of a new family,new genus,and two new species of deep‐sea Forcipulatacea (Asteroidea), including the first known sea star from hydrothermal vent habitats

Based on a phylogenetic analysis of undescribed taxa within the Forcipulatacea, a new family of deep‐sea forcipulatacean starfishes, Paulasteriidae fam. nov., is described from deep‐sea settings. Paulasterias tyleri gen. et sp. nov. was observed at recently documented hydrothermal vents on the East Scotia Ridge, Southern Ocean. A second species, Paulasterias mcclaini gen. et sp. nov. was observed in deep‐sea settings in the North Pacific, more distant from hydrothermal vents. Both species are multi‐armed (with between six and eight arms), with a fleshy body wall, and a poorly developed or absent adoral carina. Here, we include discussions of pedicellariae morphology, feeding biology, and classification. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

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 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.     

Polychaete species captured in sediment traps moored in northwestern Mediterranean submarine canyons

Sediment traps were placed in the water column both inside and in the vicinity of three northwestern Mediterranean submarine canyons. The sediment traps with 12 rotary collectors were deployed on mooring lines 30 and 500 m above the sea floor, and were sampled fortnightly. Polychaete worms (Anelida) and hydromedusae (Cnidaria) were the most abundant zoological taxa captured. Whereas hydromedusae and three of the polychaete species were clearly planktonic organisms, 16 polychaete species were adult benthic forms without special adaptations for swimming, and sometimes also had a large biomass. Four of the 19 polychaete species are described as new species: Aricidea (Allia) longisetosa sp. nov. , Paradoneis hirsuta sp. nov. , Ophelina margaleffi sp. nov. , and Exogone (Parexogone) canyonincolae sp. nov. The rich collection of polychaetes obtained leads us to postulate that these animals are supported by a continuous flux of organic matter, and that they are adapted to the rigorous physical conditions that may occur between the seafloor and the bottom water. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 1–21.     

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.     

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     

Revision and cladistic analysis of the jumping spider genus Onomastus (Araneae: Salticidae)

The jumping spider genus Onomastus Simon, 1900 is revised. Four new species: Onomastus indra sp. nov. , Onomastus kaharian sp. nov. , Onomastus pethiyagodai sp. nov. , and Onomastus rattotensis sp. nov. are described. Parsimony analysis of 26 morphological characters supported the monophyly of Onomastus. Lyssomanes is sister to Onomastus. Onomastus separates into two clades: the widespread South‐East Asia clade and the South Asia clade. The South Asia clade is restricted to the Sri Lanka–Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Species of the South Asia clade appear to be spot endemics, highly in danger of extinction because of habitat loss and climate change. Male palps are complex and species‐specific, suggesting rapid divergent evolution. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 159 , 711–745.     

Molecular phylogeny of the tribe Erotini with description of a new genus from China (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

Erotini is a small tribe of net‐winged beetles known from the northern temperate zone. We investigated relationships and limits of tribes and genera using a molecular phylogeny inferred from rrnL, cox1 and nad5 mtDNA fragments. Lopheros Leconte, 1881 and Pseudaplatopterus Kleine, 1940 were inferred in current molecular analyses as terminal lineages within Erotini. Therefore, we consider Lopherotini Kazantsev, 2012 and Pseudaplatopterina Kazantsev, 2012 as junior synonyms of Erotini Leconte, 1881. The Platycis genus group comprises 19 species representing several genus‐group taxa previously placed in Platycis s. l. Konoplatycis Nakane, 1969 was recovered as a deeply rooted lineage of Erotini and we inferred another independent lineage for which we propose a new genus Sinoplatycis gen. nov. Additionally, we studied the diversity of Platycis s. l. in Asia, found their highest diversity in the temperate forest habitats of Eastern Asia and inferred the paraphyletic character of the subgenus Erotides s. str. Five new species are described from China: Sinoplatycis cardinalis sp. nov. , S. zhani sp. nov. (type species of Sinoplatycis gen. nov. ), Erotides brunnescens sp. nov. , E. pusillus sp. nov. and E. slipinskii sp. nov. The molecular phylogeny shows deep splits of Japanese species with respect to the continental Eurasian fauna and the role of shallow seas and mountain systems in the diversification of the Platycis genus group.     

The Hawaiian amphibious caterpillar guild: new species of Hyposmocoma (Lepidoptera: Cosmopterigidae) confirm distinct aquatic invasions and complex speciation patterns

Although aquatic caterpillars are a globally rare lifestyle, we have found them in multiple, independent lineages of the endemic moth genus Hyposmocoma across all of the Hawaiian Islands with flowing water. We formally describe 11 new species of Hyposmocoma that belong to four different larval case types: cone, bugle, medium burrito, and large burrito: Hyposmocoma kahamanoa sp. nov. from Oahu Island, Hyposmocoma kamakou sp. nov. from Molokai Island, Hyposmocoma kahaiao sp. nov. , Hyposmocoma waihohonu sp. nov. , and Hyposmocoma moopalikea sp. nov. from Maui Island, and Hyposmocoma aumakuawai sp. nov. , Hyposmocoma eepawai sp. nov. , Hyposmocoma ipowainui sp. nov. , Hyposmocoma kawaikoi sp. nov. , Hyposmocoma uhauiole sp. nov. , and Hyposmocoma wailua sp. nov. from Kauai Island. We also illustrate and describe in detail the aquatic case‐bearing larva of Hyposmocoma kahamanoa. Despite having similar ecologies as algae and lichen grazers at and below the water line of streams, prior research indicates that species with each case type constitute an independent lineage, with terrestrial sister taxa, and therefore the different groups of species bearing unique case types each represent an independent aquatic invasion. The case‐bearing larvae often occur sympatrically, and on Kauai even species with similar case‐types occur together, suggesting complex patterns of speciation and either past periods of isolation or sympatric speciation. Phylogenetic analysis of 2243 base pairs from two nuclear and one mitochondrial gene for 18 species confirm that each species is endemic to a single volcano, and that morphological divergence within case‐types has not been dramatic. Diversification has been complex, and superficially similar case type lineages are not all monophyletic. Kauai, the oldest but smallest of the major high islands, supports more species in the aquatic guild than any other island, thus island age, rather than size, may be important in generating diversity in this group. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162 , 15–42.     

Taxonomy,phylogeny, and diversity of the extinct Lesser Antillean rice rats (Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini), with description of a new genus and species

Rice rats (Sigmodontinae: Oryzomyini) are abundant in the Late Quaternary fossil record and in Holocene pre‐Columbian archaeological middens across the Lesser Antilles. All of these rice rats are now extinct, and their regional diversity and systematics remain extremely poorly understood. We redescribe all of the region's rice rat taxa known from adequate diagnostic material (Megalomys desmarestii, Megalomys luciae, and Oligoryzomys victus), and describe a new genus and species, Pennatomys nivalis gen. et sp. nov. , from archaeological sites on St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, and Nevis, which formed a single larger island during Quaternary low sea‐level stands. Cladistic analysis supports the inclusion of O. victus within Oligoryzomys, and identifies Megalomys as a sister group of the large‐bodied genera Sigmodontomys or Sigmodontomys + Nectomys, suggesting that large body size in Megalomys represents phyletic gigantism rather than ‘island gigantism’. Megalomys and Pennatomys belong to an oryzomyine clade that has undergone remarkable radiation throughout the oceanic and continental‐shelf islands of the Neotropical region, but these genera do not represent a monophyletic group within the Nectomys subclade, indicating multiple over‐water colonization events of the Lesser Antillean island chain. Although Lesser Antillean rice rats were heavily exploited by prehistoric Amerindians, it is likely that most or all of these taxa survived until European arrival in the region. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 160 , 748–772.     

Deep‐sea bigscales,pricklefishes, gibberfishes and whalefishes (Teleostei: Stephanoberycoidei) off Brazil: new records,range extensions for the south‐western Atlantic Ocean and remarks on the taxonomy of Poromitra

The Stephanoberycoidei includes 23 genera and c. 94 species of deep‐sea teleosts commonly known as bigscales, pricklefishes, gibberfishes and whalefishes. Stephanoberycoidei is one of the least known groups of deep‐sea fishes, in spite of their apparent relative abundance in meso and bathypelagic depths. Nine species of the Stephanoberycoidei are reported here for the first time in Brazilian waters, and most of them represent new range extensions for the south‐western Atlantic Ocean. Those species are Melamphaes polylepis, Melamphaes typhlops, Poromitra sp. and Scopeloberyx robustus (Melamphaidae), Acanthochaenus luetkenii and Stephanoberyx monae (Stephanoberycidae), Rondeletia bicolor and Rondeletia loricata (Rondeletiidae) and Gyrinomimus sp. (Cetomimidae). Occurrences of the pricklefish Scopelogadus mizolepis (Melamphaidae), the gibberfish Gibberichthys pumilus (Gibberichthyidae) and the velvet whalefish Barbourisia rufa (Barbourisiidae) are confirmed in the Brazilian exclusive economic zone, but previously published records of Poromitra capito and Melamphaes simus (Melamphaidae) in the region most likely represent misidentifications. Validities of the recently described Poromitra kukuevi and Poromitra indooceanica are discussed in light of new specimens of the genus collected in the south‐western Atlantic Ocean. An identification key for the 13 species of Stephanoberycoidei reported off Brazil is also provided.     

The family Myriotrochidae Théel (Echinodermata: Holothurioidea) in the deep northeast Atlantic Ocean

Recent sampling in the Rockall Trough, Porcupine Seabight and Porcupine Abyssal Plain, in the NE Atlantic, has yielded 200 specimens of apodous holothurians belonging to seven species of the family Myriotrochidae Théel from depths between 1000 and 4310 m. These include the type species of a new genus and two new species of existing genera. Parvotrochus belyaevi gen. et sp. nov . is described from some minute specimens from the Rockall Trough that possess both exceptionally small wheel-like deposits and numerous, large curved rods in the body wall and tentacles. Myriotrochus clarki sp. Nov . has affinities to M. vitreus (M. Sars) but shows differences in the shape of the plates of the calcareous ring and in having larger, frequently abnormally formed, wheels. Siniotrochus myriodontus sp. Nov . is similar to the type species of this genus, S. phoxus, Pawson, but differs in the arrangement of the teeth on the wheels. A single small specimen of Prototrochus Belyaev et Mironov from the Whittard Canyon, northern Bay of Biscay, is similar to P. minutus (Östergren), a species known only from the Sea of Japan, but differs in some characteristics of the wheels and tentacles. A new subspecies, P. zenkevitchi rockallensis subsp. nov. , is proposed for a form of P. zenkevitchi (Belyaev) that was the most common myriotrochid encountered. P. zenkevitchi was known previously only from a few localities in the Pacific and S Atlantic deep-sea trenches. Similarly, two species previously known only from the NE Pacific, Myriotrochus bathybius H. L. Clark and M. giganteus H. L. Clark, are also recorded from the N Atlantic for the first time. The synonymy of M. giganteus and M. sp. ex gr. macquariensis-giganteus Belyaev et Mironov is proposed. The greatest number both of specimens and species came from the areas most intensively sampled. The present records show that several species have world-wide distributions. The wide geographic separation of many records is the result of both poor sampling effort in the deep sea, particularly with fine-meshed gear, and the difficulties in sampling infaunal animals in the deep sea. Box core samples in the Rockall Trough suggest that the myriotrochids are more common in this area than would be supposed from epibenthic sledge data. Hence, myriotrochids may be more prevalent in the deep sea than previously thought.     

Morphological and molecular taxonomy of a new Daptonema (Nematoda,Xyalidae) with comments on the systematics of some related taxa

A new species of Daptonema is described based upon morphological characters and 18S rRNA sequence. Daptonema matrona sp. nov. was collected in Pina Basin (north‐eastern Brazil). It differs from all other species of the genus by the presence of reduced cephalic setae and straight spicules. These features require an adaptation of the generic diagnosis. Moreover, the females are characterized by intra‐uterine development of the offspring, considered herein as their major autapomorphic feature. Molecular systematic analyses supported Daptonema matrona sp. nov. as a distinct genetic and evolutionary lineage. The data also indicate hypotheses of taxonomic synonymies amongst some related taxa from Xyalidae as well as the paraphyly of Daptonema. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 1–15.     

New representatives of the genus Ancorabolina George, 2006 (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Ancorabolidae) including remarks on ancorabolid phylogeny

Four new species of Ancorabolina George, 2006 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Ancorabolidae) are described: Ancorabolina belgicae sp. nov. (from the Porcupine Seabight, north‐east Atlantic Ocean), Ancorabolina anaximenesi sp. nov. and Ancorabolina galeata sp. nov. (both from Anaximenes Mountain, eastern Mediterranean Sea), and Ancorabolina divasecunda sp. nov. (from Cape and Guinea Basins, south‐east Atlantic Ocean). Furthermore, the generic diagnosis for Ancorabolina is provided and the position of the taxon within Ancorabolidae is discussed. The characters originally employed to allocate Ancorabolina to the subfamily Ancorabolinae Sars, 1909, are critically evaluated and two true autapomorphies for a monophyletic Ancorabolinae (including Ancorabolina) are recognized. Two autapomorphies supporting Ancorabolina are proposed: (1) cephalothorax posteriorly with pair of ventrolateral cuticular processes turned backwards and (2) loss of the third setal element subapically on the antennary endopod. The urgent need for a phylogenetic re‐evaluation of the paraphyletic subfamily Laophontodinae Lang, 1944 is stressed and evidenced by three characters widespread in this subfamily but also present in Ancorabolina. This may be an indication of a closer relationship of Ancorabolina with certain members of Laophontodinae. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 16–55.     

Phylogeny of the deep‐sea cirripede family Scalpellidae (Crustacea,Thoracica) based on shell capitular plate morphology

A cladistic analysis of 23 extant species of the deep‐sea pedunculate cirripede family Scalpellidae was undertaken, based on 61 shell plate characters, and taking the Jurassic–Cretaceous scalpellomorph genus Cretiscalpellum as an out‐group. The consensus tree shows progressive morphological change from basal to more derived taxa, but a derived group is marked by major morphological innovation, including 27 character state changes that permit subdivision of the family into two sharply demarcated clades – the more basal group is here placed within a redefined Scalpellinae (Arcoscalpellum, A rcuatoscalpellum gen. nov. , D iotascalpellum gen. nov. , Graviscalpellum, R egioscalpellum gen. nov. , and Scalpellum), and a more derived group named A migdoscalpellinae subfam. nov. that shows numerous progressive trends in morphology, permitting the recognition of three genera (Amigdoscalpellum, Catherinum, and Weltnerium). The phylogeny is independently supported by a recently published multiple DNA marker‐based molecular phylogeny. The more basal Scalpellinae appeared in the Aptian (Early Cretaceous, 120 Mya), and derived Amigdoscalpellinae were already present by the Campanian (Late Cretaceous, 78 Mya), represented by C atherinum anglicum sp. nov. and Amigdoscalpellum bellulum from the UK Chalk. Specialized receptacles to accommodate dwarf males in the apical interior of the scutum evolved at least three times during the history of the scalpellids. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

A new genus of rodent from Wallacea (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae: Rattini), and its implication for biogeography and Indo‐Pacific Rattini systematics

We describe Halmaheramys bokimekot Fabre, Pagès, Musser, Fitriana, Semiadi & Helgen gen. et sp. nov. , a new genus and species of murine rodent from the North Moluccas, and study its phylogenetic placement using both molecular and morphological data. We generated a densely sampled mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data set that included most genera of Indo‐Pacific Murinae, and used probabilistic methodologies to infer their phylogenetic relationships. To reconstruct their biogeographical history, we first dated the topology and then used a Lagrange analysis to infer ancestral geographic areas. Finally, we combined the ancestral area reconstructions with temporal information to compare patterns of murine colonization among Indo‐Pacific archipelagos. We provide a new and comprehensive molecular phylogenetic reconstruction for Indo‐Pacific Murinae, with a focus on the Rattus division. Using previous results and those presented in this study, we define a new Indo‐Pacific group within the Rattus division, composed of Bullimus, Bunomys, Paruromys, Halmaheramys, Sundamys, and Taeromys. Our phylogenetic reconstructions revealed a relatively recent diversification from the Middle Miocene to Plio‐Pleistocene associated with several major dispersal events. We identified two independent Indo‐Pacific dispersal events from both western and eastern Indo‐Pacific archipelagos to the isolated island of Halmahera, which led to the speciations of H. bokimekot gen. et sp. nov. and Rattus morotaiensis Kellogg, 1945. We propose that a Middle Miocene collision between the Halmahera and Sangihe arcs may have been responsible for the arrival of the ancestor of Halmaheramys to eastern Wallacea. Halmaheramys bokimekot gen. et sp. nov. is described in detail, and its systematics and biogeography are documented and illustrated. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Molecular phylogeny of the Forcipulatacea (Asteroidea: Echinodermata): systematics and biogeography

We present a comprehensively sampled three‐gene phylogeny of the monophyletic Forcipulatacea, one of three major lineages within the crown‐group Asteroidea. We present substantially more Southern Hemisphere and deep‐sea taxa than were sampled in previous molecular studies of this group. Morphologically distinct groups, such as the Brisingida and the Zoroasteridae, are upheld as monophyletic. Brisingida is supported as the derived sister group to the Asteriidae (restricted), rather than as a basal taxon. The Asteriidae is paraphyletic, and is broken up into the Stichasteridae and four primary asteriid clades: (1) a highly diverse boreal clade, containing members from the Arctic and sub‐Arctic in the Northern Hemisphere; (2) the genus Sclerasterias; (3) and (4) two sister clades that contain asteriids from the Antarctic and pantropical regions. The Stichasteridae, which was regarded as a synonym of the Asteriidae, is resurrected by our results, and represents the most diverse Southern Hemisphere forcipulatacean clade (although two deep‐sea stichasterid genera occur in the Northern Hemisphere). The Labidiasteridae is artificial, and should be synonymized into the Heliasteridae. The Pedicellasteridae is paraphyletic, with three separate clades containing pedicellasterid taxa emerging among the basal Forcipulatacea. Fossils and timing estimates from species‐level phylogeographic studies are consistent with prior phylogenetic hypotheses for the Forcipulatacea, suggesting diversification of basal taxa in the early Mesozoic, with some evidence for more widely distributed ranges from Cretacous taxa. Our analysis suggests a hypothesis of an older fauna present in the Antarctic during the Eocene, which was succeeded by a modern Antarctic fauna that is represented by the recently derived Antarctic Asteriidae and other forcipulatacean lineages. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 162 , 646–660.     

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.     

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.     

Revision and phylogenetic assessment of the rove beetle genus Pseudohesperus Hayashi,with broad reference to the subtribe Philonthina (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini)

This paper studies the phylogeny of the rove beetle subtribe Philonthina, to test its hypothetical monophyly and to unravel the evolutionary relationships of the subtribe and its included genus‐level taxa, with emphasis on the genus Pseudohesperus and its close‐allied relatives. The phylogenetic analyses are based on 105 adult morphological characters and 66 terminal taxa, i.e., all six members of Pseudohesperus, 51 species to represent 29 other genera of the subtribe Philonthina, seven species to represent the other six subtribes of Staphylinini, one species of the tribes Arrowinini, and one of the Platyprosopini. According to the phylogenetic results obtained, the genus Erichsonius should move out from the hitherto‐defined subtribe Philonthina and thus the monophyly of this taxon is challenged. The phylogenetic tree suggests that the genera Hesperus and Belonuchus might not be monophyletic, but the monophyly of Pseudohesperus and the sister relationship between it and Bisnius are well supported. The species‐level phylogenetic relationships of the genus Pseudohesperus reveal a clear pattern of species diversification that can be correlated well with the species' zoogeographical patterns. The paper also revises the taxonomy of Pseudohesperus and describes five new species from China: Pseudohesperus luteus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus pedatiformis Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus tripartitus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , Pseudohesperus sparsipunctatus Li & Zhou sp. nov. , and Bisnius lubricus Li & Zhou sp. nov. An identification key to the species of Pseudohesperus is provided and their geographical distributions are mapped. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 679–722.