Six new species of marine Tubificidae (Oligochaeta) from the continental shelf off Peru

Six species of marine tubifieids are described from the continental shelf off Peru. Two of them are members of the gutless genus Olavius Erséus, 1984 (subfamily Phallodrilinae). Olavius bullatus sp.n. possesses 2 pairs of large penial setae in voluminous copulatory sacs, tiny atria, and spermathecal pores in line with dorsal setae. Olavius crassitunicatus sp.n. is characterized by small atria with thin muscular layer, spermathecae with short ducts, opening dorso-laterally, and lack of penial setae. Four species arc members of the subfamily Limnodriloidinae. Limnodriloides busilicus sp.n. belongs to the appendiculatus-group (sensu Erséus). It is discriminated by somatic setae with subdental ligaments, and its voluminous elongate prostatic pads. Limnodriloides clavellatus sp.n. is distinguished from its congeners by a peculiar bulge in the cavity of each atrial ampulla, and spermatozeugmata imbedded in the walls of the spermathecae. Tectidrilus intermixtus sp.n. is similar to T. bori (Righi & Kanner, 1979); it is distinguished from the latter by having trisetal bundles in segment V or V-VI and by lacking copulatory glands. Marcusaedrilus peruanus sp.n. is characterized by nongranulated atrial ducts and bipartite spermathecae.     

Actinosporeans (Myxozoa) from marine oligochaetes of the Great Barrier Reef

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

Palaearctic species of the genus Confluaria Ablasov (Cestoda,Hymenolepididae): a redescription and synonymy of C. capillaris (Rudolphi, 1810)

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

A generic revision of the Phallodrilinae (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae)

The generic classification of the subfamily Phallodrilinae (with a total of 252 species) is revised according to phylogenetic principles. Morphological character patterns are assessed under the principle of maximum parsimony, but due to the poor resolution and instability in the resulting cladograms, the analysis is supplemented with intuitive weighting of synapomorphic similarities. Thirty-one genera are recognized. The former definition of the type genus Phallodrilus Picrantoni, 1902, is revised and the members of this genus are reclassified into 20 taxa, each hypothesized to be monophyletic: Phallodrilus s.str . (revised to contain the type species only), Somalidrilus gcn.n., Milliganius gen.n., Phallodriloides gen.n., Albanidrilus gen.n., Abyssidrilus gen.n., Paraktedrilus gen.n., Uniporodrilus Erséus, 1979, Inermidrilus gen.n., Gianius gen.n., Mexidrilus gen.n., Peosidrilus Baker & Erséus, 1979, Atlantidrilus Erséus, 1983, Thalassodrilus Brinkhurst, 1963, Pirodrilus gen.n., Pirodriloides gen.n., Marionidrilus gen.n., Pectinodrilus gen.n., Pacifidrilus gen.n. and Pseudospiridion gen.n. Nine new species are described from the Northwest Atlantic: Phallodriloides pinnulatus sp.n., Abyssidrilus opulentus sp.n., A. potens sp.n., A. altoides sp.n., Mexidrilus obtusus sp.n., Peosidrilus dalei sp.n., P. aduncus sp.n., P. riseri sp.n., and Atlantidrilus hamulus sp.n. The genus Discordiprostatus Baker, 1982, is synonymized with Nootkadrilus Baker, 1982.     

The pterolichoid feather mites (Acarina, Astigmata) of the Megapodiidae (Aves, Galliformes)

The pterolichoid feather mites of megapodes are reviewed. Named taxa are briefly discussed and most are figured. The Pterolichidae (Pterolichinae) are: Ascetohchus Perez & Atyeo, three species; Echinozonus Atyeo & Perez, six species; Pereziella Atyeo, two species; and Phycoferus Atyeo & Perez, two species. New pterolichine taxa, with the type species listed first, include: Botryaspis cordiforma gen. et sp.n. and B. cordata gen. et sp.n.; Cycloprotarsus lineatus gen. et sp.n., C. centralis gen. et sp.n. and C. monacrotrichus gen. et sp.n.; Eurypterolichus gen.n. for Pterolichus navicula comb.n. Trouessart & Neumann and E. coniger gen. et sp.n.; Goniodurus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) quadratus comb.n. Trouessart and G. bilobatus gen. et sp.n.; Haptepigynus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) tridentiger comb.n. Trouessart and H. holonotus gen. et sp.n.; Heliaspis ventralis gen. et sp.n.; Leipobius ocellatus gen. et sp.n.; Maleolichus maleo gen. et sp.n.; Mayracarus gen.n. for Pterolichus (P.) tritilobus comb.n. Trouessart; Megapodobius arcuatus gen. et sp.n. and M. striatus gen. et sp.n.; Oxygynurus brevissimus gen. et sp.n., O. longicaulis gen. et sp.n., O. mediocaulis gen. et sp.n. and O. parvicaulis gen. et sp. n.; Prionoturus amembranatus gen. et sp. n.; Talegallobius bidentatus gen. et sp.n.; and Tanysomacarus imperfectus gen. et sp.n. and T. brachymeles gen. et sp.n. A new taxon of the Thoracosathesidae is: Thoracosathes caudiculata sp.n. Keys are provided and host- commensal associations are discussed. All taxa are restricted to the Megapodiidae. Cheylabis fuscina Trouessart is assigned to Pereziella and has as a synonym P. dupilcata Atyeo.     

Two new species of Tubificoides (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) and new records of T. brownae and T. imajimai from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, with a redescription of T. bakeri

Two new species of Tubificoides are described from the west coast of Florida. Both species have large lateral openings of the penis sheaths with proximal flap-like projections. Tubificoides pollex sp.n. is characterized by (1) papillate body wall in postclitellar segments; (2) possession of hair and bifid setae anteriorly, and only bifid setae in pcstclitellar segments; and (3) conical penis sheaths with a lateral opening and a flap-like projection on the proximal margin. The setal distribution of the new species is similar to that of T. bakeri Brinkhurst, 1986, which is redescribed on the basis of new material. Tubificoides lunatus sp.n. is similar to T. pollex except that the flap-like projections of the penis sheaths are crescent shaped, all the somatic setae are bifid, and body wall papillae are absent. Records of Tubificoides brownae Brinkhurst & Baker, 1979, and T. imajimai Brinkhurst, 1986, from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, respectively, are also presented. The latter species was previously known only from subtropical regions of Japan and the People's Republic of China.     

Marine Oligochaeta of Jiaozhou Bay,Yellow Sea coast of China

Sixteen species of marine Oligochaeta (8 Tubificidae, 1 Naididae, 6 Enchytraeidae, 1 Megascolecidae) are recorded from the Qingdao area, at about 36° N on the Chinese Yellow Sea coast. Taxonomic remarks are given for most species, of which none appears new to science.Limnodriloides victoriensis Brinkhurst & Baker andEnchytraeus kincaidi Eisen, previously known from the Northeast Pacific, are described from Asia for the first time. These, as well asMonopylephorus rubroniveus Levinsen and aLumbricillus sp., are interpreted as members of a temperate fauna, while all the remaining species have previously been reported from Hong Kong (at about 22° N) and thus are regarded as subtropical/tropical forms in the Yellow Sea.     

A phylogenetic analysis of Tubificinae and Limnodriloidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae) using sperm and somatic characters

Marotta, R., Ferraguti, M. & Erséus, C. (2003). A phylogenetic analysis of Tubificinae and Limnodriloidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae) using sperm and somatic characters. — Zoologica Scripta , 32 , 255–278.
The spermatozoa and the sperm aggregates of 13 species belonging to four genera ( Smithsonidrilus, Limnodriloides, Thalassodrilides, Doliodrilus ) in the tubificid subfamily Limnodriloidinae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) were studied and compared with the spermatozoal patterns already described in the subfamily Tubificinae. Two characters considered exclusive for the Tubificinae were found in the more spermatologically variable Limnodriloidinae: the production of two kinds of spermatozoa, eusperm and parasperm, and the presence, in the spermathecae, of sperm aggregates formed by a combination of the two sperm types. A parsimony analysis was performed on the spermatozoal data of the species examined and compared with that based on the somatic characters of the same species: a critical revision of the already codified eusperm characters was carried out and the ultrastructure of parasperm was used as a new subset of spermatozoal characters. In a total evidence approach, a further parsimony analysis was run using a matrix combining both sets of characters. This analysis suggested that the double sperm line and the sperm aggregates composed of both eusperm and parasperm may well be homologous in tubificines and limnodriloidines. It thus supported the previous notion that Tubificinae and Limnodriloidinae are closely related and indicated that these subfamilies may be sister taxa.     

Monograph of the Afrotropical species of Scelio Latreille (Hymenoptera,Platygastridae), egg parasitoids of acridid grasshoppers (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

The genus Scelio is a cosmopolitan and speciose group of solitary parasitoids of the eggs of short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae). A number of these hosts are important pests, including plague locusts of the genus Schistocerca. Species of Scelio are recognized as potentially important biological control agents, but this possibility has yet to be fully realized, in part because the species-level taxonomy is still incompletely developed. The species of the pulchripennis group have been recently revised. As a continuation of this effort, here we revise the Afrotropical species of Scelio, excluding the pulchripennis species group. Sixty two (62) species are treated, 48 of which are new. Species are classified into the following species groups: ernstii (12 species, 9 new), howardi (23 species, 19 new), ipomeae (6 species, 5 new), irwini (4 species, 3 new), simoni (3 new species) and walkeri (12 species, 9 new). Keys to species groups and to the species within each group are provided. New species described are: S. albatus Yoder, sp. n., S. aphares Yoder, sp. n., S. apospastos Yoder, sp. n., S. ardelio Yoder, sp. n., S. aurantium Yoder, sp. n., S. balo Valerio & Yoder, sp. n., S. bayanga Yoder, sp. n., S. bubulo Yoder, sp. n., S. cano Yoder, sp. n., S. clypeatus Yoder, sp. n., S. concavus Yoder, sp. n., S. copelandi Yoder, sp. n., S. crepo Yoder, sp. n., S. destico Yoder, sp. n., S. dupondi Yoder, sp. n., S. effervesco Yoder, sp. n., S. erugatus Yoder, sp. n., S. exophthalmus Yoder, sp. n., S. fremo Valerio & Yoder, sp. n., S. gemo Yoder, sp. n., S. grunnio Yoder, sp. n., S. harinhalai Yoder, sp. n., S. igland Yoder, sp. n., S. impostor Yoder, sp. n., S. irwini Yoder, sp. n., S. janseni Yoder, sp. n., S. latro Yoder, sp. n., S. memorabilis Yoder, sp. n., S. modulus Yoder, sp. n., S. mutio Yoder, sp. n., S. ntchisii Yoder, sp. n., S. parkeri Yoder, sp. n., S. phaeoprora Yoder, sp. n., S. pilosilatus Yoder, sp. n., S. pipilo Yoder, sp. n., S. quasiclypeatus Yoder, sp. n., S. retifrons Yoder, sp. n., S. ructo Yoder, sp. n., S. scomma Yoder, sp. n., S. simoni Yoder, sp. n., S. simonolus Yoder, sp. n., S. somaliensis Yoder, sp. n., S. susurro Yoder, sp. n., S. tono Yoder, sp. n., S. transtrum Yoder, sp. n., S. tritus Yoder, sp. n., S. ululo Yoder, sp. n., S. vannoorti Valerio & Yoder, sp. n. The following species are redescribed: S. afer Kieffer, S. chapmani Nixon, S. howardi Crawford, S. ipomeae Risbec, stat. n., S. mauritanicus Risbec, S. philippinensis Ashmead, S. remaudierei Ferrière, S. striatus Priesner,S. taylori Nixon, and S. zolotarevskyi Ferrière. The genus Lepidoscelio Kieffer is treated as a junior synonym of Scelio Latreille, syn. n.; its type species, Lepidoscelio fuscipennis Kieffer, 1905 is transferred to Scelio, renamed Scelio obscuripennis Johnson, nom. n. (preoccupied by Scelio fuscipennis Ashmead, 1887), and redescribed. The following additional species are transferred from Lepidoscelio to Scelio: S. cayennensis (Risbec), comb. n., S. insularis Ashmead, rev. comb., S. luteus (Cameron), comb. n., S. thoracicus Ashmead, rev. comb. Lectotypes are designated for S. africanus Risbec, S. ipomeae Risbec, S. mauritanicus Risbec, S. remaudierei Ferrière, S. sudanensis Ferrière, and S. zolotarevskyi Ferrière. Scelio gaudens Nixon is a junior synonym of Scelio striatus Priesner, syn. n.; Scelio africanus Risbec and Scelio clarus Fouts are both junior synonyms of Scelio afer Kieffer, syn. n.; Scelio sudanensis Ferrière and Scelio cheops Nixon are both junior synonyms of Scelio zolotarevskyi Ferrière, syn. n.; Scelio cahirensis Priesner is a junior synonym of Scelio mauritanicus Risbec, syn. n. The name Scelio chapmanni Nixon is an incorrect original spelling, requiring an emendation to S. chapmani. Digital versions of the identification keys are available at http://www.waspweb.org/Platygastroidea/Keys/index.htm     

Australian gall-inducing scale insects on Eucalyptus: revision of Opisthoscelis Schrader (Coccoidea, Eriococcidae) and descriptions of a new genus and nine new species

We revise the genus Opisthoscelis Schrader, and erect the genus Tanyscelisgen. n. with Opisthoscelis pisiformis Froggatt as its type species. Species of both genera induce sexually dimorphic galls on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in Australia, with Opisthoscelis subrotunda Schrader also in Papua New Guinea. We synonymise the following taxa (junior synonym with senior synonym): Opisthoscelis fibularis Froggatt, syn. n. with Opisthoscelis spinosa Froggatt; Opisthoscelis recurva Froggatt, syn. n. with Opisthoscelis maculata Froggatt; Opisthoscelis globosa Froggatt, syn. n. (= Opisthoscelis ruebsaameni Lindinger) with Opisthoscelis convexa Froggatt; and Opisthoscelis mammularis Froggatt, syn. n. with Opisthoscelis verrucula Froggatt. We transfer seven Opisthoscelis species to Tanyscelis as Tanyscelis conica (Fuller), comb. n., Tanyscelis convexa (Froggatt), comb. n., Tanyscelis maculata (Froggatt), comb. n., Tanyscelis maskelli (Froggatt), comb. n., Tanyscelis pisiformis (Froggatt), comb. n., Tanyscelis spinosa (Froggatt), comb. n., and Tanyscelis verrucula (Froggatt), comb. n. We redescribe and illustrate the adult female of each named species of Opisthoscelis for which the type material is known, as well as the first-instar nymph of the type species of Opisthoscelis (Opisthoscelis subrotunda) and Tanyscelis (Opisthoscelis pisiformis). We describe four new species of Opisthoscelis: Opisthoscelis beardsleyi Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., Opisthoscelis thurgoona Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., Opisthoscelis tuberculataHardy & Gullan, sp. n., and Opisthoscelis ungulifinis Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., and five new species of Tanyscelis: Tanyscelis grallator Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., Tanuscelis megagibba Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., Tanyscelis mollicornuta Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., Tanyscelis tripocula Hardy & Gullan, sp. n., and Tanyscelis villosigibba Hardy & Gullan, sp. n. We designate lectotypes for Opisthoscelis convexa, Opisthoscelis fibularis, Opisthoscelis globosa Froggatt, Opisthoscelis maculata, Opisthoscelis mammularis, Opisthoscelis maskelli, Opisthoscelis pisiformis, Opisthoscelis recurva, Opisthoscelis serrata, Opisthoscelis spinosa, and Opisthoscelis verrucula. As a result of our taxonomic revision, Opisthoscelis has six species and Tanyscelis has 12 species. We describe the galls of females for all 18 species and galls of males for 10 species of Opisthoscelis and Tanyscelis, and provide photographs of the galls for most species. A key to the adult females of the species of both genera is included.     

A review of the Apocreadiidae Skrjabin, 1942 (Trematoda: Digenea) and description of Australian species

The Apocreadiidae is reviewed and is considered to include genera recognised previously within the families Apocreadiidae, Homalometridae, Schistorchiidae, Sphincterostomatidae and Trematobrienidae. Key features of the family are extensive vitelline follicles, eye-spot pigment dispersed in forebody, I-shaped excretory vesicle, no cirrus-sac and genital pore opening immediately anterior to the ventral sucker (usually) or immediately posterior to it (Postporus Manter, 1949). Three subfamilies and 18 genera are recognised within the Apocreadiidae. The Apocreadiinae comprises Homalometron Stafford, 1904 (new syn. Barbulostomum Ramsey, 1965), Callohelmis n. g., Choanodera Manter, 1940, Crassicutis Manter, 1936, Dactylotrema Bravo-Hollis & Manter, 1957, Marsupioacetabulum Yamaguti, 1952, Microcreadium Simer, 1929, Myzotus Manter, 1940, Neoapocreadium Siddiqi & Cable, 1960, Neomegasolena Siddiqi & Cable, 1960, Pancreadium Manter, 1954, Procaudotestis Szidat, 1954 and Trematobrien Dollfus, 1950. The Schistorchiinae comprises Schistorchis Lühe, 1906, Sphincterostoma Yamaguti, 1937, Sphincteristomum Oshmarin, Mamaev & Parukhin, 1961 and Megacreadium Nagaty, 1956. The Postporinae comprises only Postporus. A key to subfamilies and genera of the Apocreadiidae is provided. It is argued that there is no convincing basis for the recognition of the genus Apocreadium Manter, 1937 and all its constituent species are combined with Homalometron. The following new combinations are proposed for species previously recognised within Apocreadium: Homalometron balistis (Manter, 1947), H. caballeroi (Bravo-Hollis, 1953), H. cryptum (Overstreet, 1969), H. longisinosum (Manter, 1937), H. manteri (Overstreet, 1970), H. mexicanum (Manter, 1937) and H. vinodae (Ahmad, 1985). Apocreadium uroproctoferum Sogandares-Bernal, 1959 is found to lack a uroproct and is made a synonym of H. mexicanum. Homalometron verrunculi nom. nov. is proposed to replace the secondarily pre-occupied H. caballeroi Lamothe-Argumedo, 1965. Barbulostomum is made a synonym of Homalometron and H. cupuloris (Ramsey, 1965) n. comb. is proposed. Neochoanodera is made a synonym of Choanodera and Choanodera ghanensis (Fischthal & Thomas, 1970) n. comb. is proposed. Species within the Apocreadiinae and Postporinae are reviewed and the following are recorded or described from Australian fishes: Homalometron wrightae n. sp. from Achlyopa nigra (Macleay), H. synagris (Yamaguti, 1953) n. comb. from Scolopsis monogramma (Cuvier), H. stradbrokensis n. sp. from Gerres subfasciatus Cuvier, Marsupioacetabulum opallioderma n. sp. from G. subfasciatus, Neoapocreadium karwarensis (Hafeezullah, 1970) n. comb. from G. subfasciatus, N. splendens n. sp. from S. monogramma and Callohelmis pichelinae n. g., n. sp. from Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch), H. fasciatus (Bloch), Stethojulis bandanensis (Bleeker) andChoerodon venustus (De Vis). Callohelmis is recognised by the combination of absence of tegumental spines, caeca terminating midway between the testes and posterior end of body, ventral sucker enclosed in a tegumental pouch, prominent muscles radiating through the body from the ventral sucker, vitelline follicles not extending into the forebody, and a very short excretory vesicle that opens ventrally. New combinations for species previously recognised within Crassicutis are proposed as follows: Neoapocreadium caranxi (Bilqees, 1976) n. comb., N. gerridis (Nahhas & Cable, 1964) n. comb., N. imtiazi (Ahmad, 1984) n. comb. and N. marina (Manter, 1947) n. comb. The host-specificity and zoogeography of the Apocreadiinae are considered.     

Revision of the genus Salganea St?l (Blattodea,Blaberidae, Panesthiinae) from China,with descriptions of three new species

Three new species of Salganea Stål, 1877 are described and illustrated: S. quinquedentata sp. n., S. anisodonta sp. n. and S. flexibilis sp. n. S. taiwanensis Roth, 1979, S. guangxiensis (Feng & Woo, 1990), S. incerta (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893) and S. raggei Roth, 1979 are redescribed. Panesthia concinna Feng & Woo, 1990 is synonymized with S. taiwanensis Roth, 1979 and Panesthia guangxiensis Feng & Woo, 1990 is transferred to the genus Salganea for the first time. As well, a key to species from China is presented.     

Revision of the Australasian genus Orussobaius Benson (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Orussidae)

Abstract The Australasian genus Orussobaius Benson is revised. Seven species are recognised: Orussobaius paniculus sp. n. from Papua New Guinea, and six species from Australia: O. badius sp. n., O. caligneus sp. n., O. mesembrinus Benson, O. minutissimus sp. n., O. minutus Benson, and O. wilsoni Benson. Orussobaius normani Rayment (new synonymy) is removed from synonymy with O. wilsoni and treated as a junior synonym of O. minutus instead. With a body length of only 2 mm, O. minutissimus sp. n. is the smallest currently known sawfly species in the world. A key is provided and distribution maps are shown for all species. The genus Orussobaius is redefined on the basis of all species currently included.     

Taxonomic Revision of the Marine Genus Heterodrilus Pierantoni (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae)1

Marine tubificids possessing trifid anterior setae are morphologically and taxonomically reviewed, on the basis of material from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Heterodrilus Pierantoni, 1902 is revised to include thirteen species, H. arenicolus Pierantoni, 1902, H. minisetosus sp.n.H. ascensionensis sp.n. H. queenslandicus (Jamieson, 1977), H. lacertosus sp.n. H. scitus sp.n. H. keenani sp.n. H. claviatriatus sp.n. H. subtilis (Pierantoni, 1917), H. jamiesoni sp.n. H. occidentalis sp.n. H. pentcheffi sp.n. and H. bulbiporus sp.n. The genus is briefly defined: marine tubificids with trifid setae in preclitellar segments (with H. subtilis as the only exception); paired spermathecae located in segment X; vasa deferentia entering apical, ental ends of slender, ciliated atria, which bear broadly attached masses of prostate glands; paired male pores, and generally with penial setae arranged in bisetal bundles. Heterodriloides gen.n. is established for H. quadrithecatus sp.n. distinguished from Heterodrilus by two main features: its spermathecae are located in XII, with a supplementary pair generally located in XI; and its vasa enter the ectal part of the atria. Giereidrilus gen.n. a third genus with trifid setae, is established to include Phallodrilus ersei Giere, 1979 and G. inermis sp.n. Both species have unpaired spermathecal and male pores, and their atria are not ciliated. Heterodrilus, Heterodriloides and Giereidrilus are placed in the subfamily Rhyacodrilinae Hrabě, 1963.     

Review of the Palaearctic members of the Lispe tentaculata species-group (Diptera, Muscidae): revised key, synonymy and notes on ecology

The taxonomic reasons for regarding Lispe draperi Séguy, 1933, sp. rev., as a valid species instead of a synonym of Lispe tentaculata (De Geer, 1776) and for treating Lispe quaerens Villeneuve, 1936, syn. n., as a junior synonym of Lispe sericipalpis Stein, 1904 are given. A revised key for the Palaearctic members of the Lispe tentaculata species-group is given. Data on ecology, distribution and feeding preferences are provided.     

A cladistic analysis of Erythracarinae (Acarina: Prostigmata: Anystidae), with the description of a new genus

A cladistic analysis of sixty erythracarine species is presented and used to justify recent nomenclatorial changes to the classification of erythracarine genera. Erythracarinae is redescribed, and a new diagnosis for the subfamily and a key to the included genera are presented. Neotarsolarcus is recognized as a junior synonym of Tarsolarkus, which is recorded for the first time from North America. A new genus, Pedidromus, with six new species (P. agitatus sp.n. P. curiosus sp.n., P. durongensis sp.n., P. peliculus sp.n., P. pilotrix sp.n., P. velox sp.n.) is described.     

Systematics and phylogeny of Potamotrygonocestus (Platyhelminthes, Tetraphyllidea, Onchobothriidae) with descriptions of three new species from freshwater potamotrygonids (Myliobatoidei, Potamotrygonidae)

Specimens of Potamotrygonocestus used in the present taxonomic and phylogenetic study were collected in freshwater potamotrygonids from the Rio Paraná (Puerto Reconquista, Santa Fé, Argentina; 59°42'W, 29°29'S) during February 1995, and from the Amazon region of Brazil during September to December 1996, supplemented by specimens previously deposited in museum collections. Six species of Potamotrygonocestus were recognized ( P . amazonensis , P . chaoi sp. n., P . fitzgeraldae sp. n., P . magdalenensis , P . maurae sp. n., P . travassosi ), for which an identification key is provided. Potamotrygonocestus orinocoensis is considered a junior synonym of P . travassosi . Additional specimens of Potamotrygonocestus may represent two undescribed species. A phylogenetic analysis of six morphological characters for the six named species of Potamotrygonocestus generated a single tree eight steps long, with a consistency index of 0.87, a retention index of 0.90, and a rescaled consistency index of 0.79 with the following topology: ( P . maurae sp. n. (( P . amazonensis  +  P . magdalenensis ) ( P . chaoi sp. n. ( P . fitzgeraldae sp. n. +  P . travassosi )))).     

Taxonomy and Phylogeny of the Gutless Phallodrilinae (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae), with Descriptions of One New Genus and Twenty-Two New Species*

The gutless members of the subfamily Phallodrilinae are taxonomically revised and generically split off from their gut-bearing relatives. Inanidrilus Erséus, 1979, a much modified definition of which is presented, comprises the species leukodermatus (Giere, 1979) comb.n., speroi sp.n., fijiensis sp.n., bonomii sp.n., carterensis sp.n., gustavsoni sp.n., wasseri sp.n., scalprum sp.n., belizensis sp.n., aduncosetis sp.n., vacivus sp.n., triangulatus sp.n., ernesti sp.n., manae sp.n., falcifer Erséus & Baker, 1982, renaudae sp.n., extrmus (Erséus 1979) comb.n., mexicanus Erséus & Haker, 1982, and bulbosus Erséus, 1979. Olavius sp.n. is established to accommodate the species geniculatus (Erséus, 1981) comb.n., imperfectus sp.n., filithecatus (Erséus. 1981) comb.n. albidus (Jamieson, 1977) comb.n., propinquus sp.n., comorensis (Erséus. 1981) comb.n., cornuatus Davis, 1984, pellucidus sp.n., tenuissimus (Erséus, 1979) macer sp.n., caudatus (Erséus. 1979) comb.n., planus (Erséus, 1979) comb.n., clavatus (Erséus. 1981) comb.n., tantulus sp.n., longissimus (Giere, 1979) comb.n., alius sp.n., avisceralis (Erséus, 1981) comb.n., loisae sp.n., and hanssoni sp.n., Two subgenera are erected for tantulus—longissimus–alius (nominate subgenus Olavius) and avisceralis-loisae-hanssoni (Coralliodriloides subgen.n.), respectively. A tentative phylogeny of the gutless group, which appears monophyletic, is inferred on the basis of a partly computerized Wagner-tree analysis of all 38 species. According to this analysis. According to this analysis, Inanidrilus can be defined by one synapomorphy, more or less sickle-shaped penial setae, whereas Olavius can be discriminated by two such characters, (1) atrium comma-shaped/horizontal rather than erect and (2) copulatory sacs present.     

Habitat preferences and species associations of shallow-water marine Tubificidae (Oligochaeta) from the barrier reef ecosystems off Belize,Central America

The marine tubificid oligochaete fauna of Belize is the most diverse that has been described for the Caribbean Sea, with records for over 50% of all known Caribbean species. Tubificids were sampled at 77 stations around the outer barrier of the coral reefs off the Belize mainland. A total of 1,529 individuals representing 52 species were collected. Species distribution patterns were controlled mainly by sediment type and the presence or absence of mangroves. Six species (Phallodrilus molestus, Tubificoides bermudae, Inanidrilus leukodermatus, Heterodrilus flexuosus, Bathydrilus formosus, Smithsonidrilus hummelincki) with diverse life history characteristics were common and had broad habitat preferences being found in various types of heterogeneous sandy sediments. Heterodrilus flexuosus was the only common species in these samples known only in Belize. The other five common species range from Belize to Florida or Bermuda. Most other species have narrower habitat preferences and are limited to specific habitats. For example, one group of gutless species was restricted to organically enriched fine to medium sands, a group of Limnodriloidinae occurred only in mud around mangrove cays, and a group of meiofaunal species were restricted to saline groundwater.