Saetheriella amplicristata gen. n., sp. n., a new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Tennessee

The generic diagnosis of the male imago of a new genus of the subfamily Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae), Saetheriella is given. The genus is characterized by protruding, hairy eyes; antenna with straight, apical seta; antepronotum reduced; squama without setae; Cu₁ distinctly downcurved; and anal point short, triangular, covered with microtrichia and with two strong, lateral setae. The genus is close to Gynnidocladius Sublette & Wirth, Unniella Sæther and Parakiefferiella Thienemann. The distribution of the genera shows evidence of a Gondwanian connection. The male imago of the only included species S. amplicristata sp. n. is described.     

Descriptions of a new species and the pupae of two known species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India

Pupa, and adult male and female of Culicoides pseudosimilis n. sp., and pupae of two known species, C. selangorensis Wirth & Hubert, and C. dryadeus Wirth & Hubert, are described and illustrated. An identification key to the Indian species of Clavipalpis and Shermani species group of male Culicoides is also provided.     

Semiocladius Sublette and Wirth: taxonomy and ecology of an estuarine midge (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)

Abstract Semiocladius Sublette and Wirth, described from adult midges from south-western Pacific Ocean shores, has the Australian Camptocladius crassipennis Skuse as its type. Immature stages previously known only from Semiocladius kuscheli Sublette and Wirth from sub-Antarctic New Zealand were associated tentatively, by co-occurrence. For the first time, the immature stages for the Australian species are associated definitively by rearing. Larvae rear to a pupa identical to a speculatively associated exuviae of Semiocladius from Lord Howe Island. Adults conform to the described S. crassipennis . Larval Semiocladius are distinctive and previous diagnoses are confirmed. In contrast, the putatively associated pupa of S. kuscheli is indistinguishable from that of the marine intertidal Thalassosmittia Strenke and Remmert, whereas the newly associated S. crassipennis pupa is distinct. The pupa of S. kuscheli may have been misassociated. Semiocladius live in the mesohaline of the salinity gradient of the Clyde River estuary, south-east Australia and the genus appears to be a distinctive western Pacific saline/mesohaline taxon.     

Studies of New Zealand Hepaticae. 1–6

Six New Zealand species are treated. 1. The correct basionym reference forBazzania hochstetteri (Reichardt) Hodgson is Reichardt (1866). A key to the New Zealand vittate species ofBazzania is included. 2. The correct citation forBazzania mittenii (Stephani) Stephani is given. 3.Lepidozia leptodictyon Herzog is placed in the synonymy ofPseudocephalozia lepidozioides R. Schuster. 4.Metahygrobiella chilensis Engel & Schuster is a new name forCephalozia heteroica Schuster & Engel. 5.Metzgeria alpina Schuster & Engel is described as new. 6. The correct citation forPachyglossa Herzog is Herzog (1952).     

Cheilolejeunea morganii Bever. & Glenny (Lejeuneaceae,Marchantiopsida), a newly described species from lowland indigenous forest sites in New Zealand

Introduction. Cheilolejeunea morganii Bever. & Glenny, a new species of Cheilolejeunea from a lowland forest habitat in eastern Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand, is described and illustrated.

Methods. DNA sequences were extracted from recently collected material at two locations and compared with those for species in a published phylogeny of the genus to establish the position of C. morganii. Photographic images were obtained of key features of the species for the preparation of illustrations for publication.

Key results. Cheilolejeunea morganii does not match any species described for New Zealand or Australia. The sequencing results indicate its position in the phylogeny is close to Section Paroicae. A key to the New Zealand species of Cheilolejeunea is provided.

Conclusions. In the Australasian flora, C. morganii is distinguished from other species by its combination of monoicy, pycnolejeuneoid gynoecial innovations, lobule length less than 50% lobe length and a multicellular second lobule tooth with 3–4 cells uniseriate. A case is presented for the recognition of the species as a New Zealand endemic.     

Eulimid gastropods parasitic on echinoderms in the New Zealand region

Abstract

Eulimindae (Prosobranchia) of the New Zealand region that parasitise echinoderms are recorded and discussed. Fuscapex ophioacanthicola n.gen. & sp. is parasitic on Ophioacantha sp., Ophieulima fuscoapicata n.sp. is a parasite of Ophioactis profundi Lütken & Mortensen, Punctifera ophiomoefrae n.gen. & sp. lives partly buried among the radial shields of Ophiomoeris projecta Matsumato, and Stilapex sp. is recorded, but not described, from Ophiothrix oliveri Benham (all hosts ophiuroids). Stilifer sp. lives in galls in an undescribed oreasterid (Asteroidea). Annulobalcis marshalli n.sp. is described from Crotalometra rustica (A. H. Clark) (Crinoidea). Eulima infrapatula Murdoch & Suter is transferred to Sabinella Monterosato and recorded from Ogmocidaris benhami Mortensen; Fusceulima goodingi n.sp. is described from Centrostephanus rodgersi (A. Agassiz) (both hosts echinoids). Two earlier records of sea urchin parasites from New Zealand are discussed, and the species are referred to Pelseneeria.     

Scorpionfishes of New Zealand (Pisces: Scorpaenidae)

Abstract

Recent collecting has increased the number of scorpionfish species known from New Zealand, particularly the Kermadec Islands. The following species are now represented in collections at the National Museum of New Zealand: Scorpaena papillosus (Bloch & Schneider); S. cardinalis Richardson; S. cooki Günther; Trachyscorpia capensis (Gilchrist & von Bonde); Phenacoscorpius megalops Fowler; Maxillicosta raoulensis Eschmeyer & Poss; Ectreposebastes niger (Fovrmanoir); Pterois volitans (Linnaeus); P. antennata (Bloch & Schneider); Ocosia apia Poss & Eschmeyer; Plectrogenium nanum Gilbert; and Scorpaenodes guamensis (Quoy & Gaimard). Helicolenus, represented by a complex of species, is not discussed here. All other species are figured and at least briefly described, and a key to their identification is provided.     

New species of Euptyctima (Acari,Oribatida) from New Zealand

Abstract

Oribotritia contortula n. sp., O. contraria n. sp., O. teretis n. sp., Rhysotritia bifurcata n. sp., Microtritia contraria n. sp., M. glabrata n. sp., Hoplophthiracarus bisulcus n. sp., Austrophthiracarus pulchellus n. sp., and Notophthiracarus claviger n. sp. are described from New Zealand.

The genera of Oribotritia Jacot, Rhysotritia Märkel & Meyer, Hoplophthiracarus Jacot, and Austrophthiracarus Balogh & Mahunka are new records for New Zealand.     

A reappraisal of Athoracophorus bitentaculatus,with comments on the validity of genus Reflectopallium (Gastropoda: Athoracophoridae)

Abstract

The slug Athoracophorus bitentaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832) is redescribed from material collected in the northern third of the North Island of New Zealand. Its anatomy is described and figured, local variation in the condition of the lateral grooves and mantle is figured, and supplementary information on its biology and distribution is given. Its identity and taxonomy are discussed in the context of earlier work on the species. Evidence is presented for the reduction of Reflectopallium Burton, 1963 to synonymy with Athoracophorus Gould, 1852. A revised key to New Zealand and subantarctic genera of Athoracophoridae is given.     

Pselaphotumulus,a new genus of pselaphine endemic to New Zealand (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Pselaphitae)

ABSTRACT

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand’s main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary.     

The first records of Stylodrilus heringianus (Oligochaeta: Lumbriculidae) from the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract

The oligochaete family Lumbriculidae is well represented in the Northern Hemisphere, but for the Southern Hemisphere only Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller) is recorded, from Africa, Australia, and New Zealand; no species are known from South America (Brinkhurst & Jamieson 1971). According to Brinkhurst (1971), L. variegatus may be a recent introduction to New Zealand, where it is now widely distributed in a range of inland waters.     

Revision of the Acanthoclinidae (Pisces: Perciformes), with descriptions of a new genus and five new species

Abstract

The family Acanthoclinidae includes 10 species: Acanthoclinus fuscus Jenyns, 1842; Taumakoides littoreus ((Forster) Bloch & Schneider, 1801); T. rua n. sp.; T. marilynae n. sp.; T. matti n. sp.; Belonepterygion fasciolatum (Ogilby, 1889); Beliops xanthokrossos n. gen. et sp.; Acanthoplesiops indicus (Day, 1888); A. hiatti Schultz, 1953; and A. psilogaster n. sp. Acanthoclinus quadridactylus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) and A. trilineatus Griffin, 1933, are reduced to synonymy under Taumakoides littoreus ((Forster) Bloch & Schneider, 1801).

Osteological and morpological character states, between and within genera, suggest that Acanthoclinus and Taumakoides are close to the stock from which the family is derived. There is also compelling evidence that T. matti is the least specialised species of Taumakoides. Progressive specialisation is evident in the remaining genera, with Acanthoplesiops being the most highly specialised.

The family occurs primarily in shallow waters of the Indian and western Pacific oceans; most of the species are found about New Zealand. The centre of origin of the Acanthoclinidae was probably on the Indian-Australian Plate (which includes the New Zealand continental shelf). Acanthoplesiops hiatti and A. indicus are considered to be endemics of the Pacific and African plates, respectively.

A key to species is included.     

New cavernicolous cixiid from New Zealand (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

Confuga persephone n.gen. & sp. (Cixiidae) is described from a cavernicolous population in Nelson Province, New Zealand. Most of its generic characters can be matched separately in other endemic genera, but it appears not to be closely related to any one of them. Malpha duniana Myers is transferred to Aka White.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Macropelopiini (Chironomidae: Tanypodinae): adjusting homoplasies

Macropelopiini is a widely distributed tribe of Tanypodinae, with immature stages inhabiting cool seeps, springs, and small streams. The present study evaluated the monophyly and the supporting synapomorphies within a phylogenetic context for the first time for Macropelopiini. The monophyly and the intergeneric relationships were tested by morphological evidence in a cladistic framework, and the information gained from each homoplastic character was evaluated. The monophyly of Macropelopiini is corroborated through the objective synapomorphy ‘outer fringe decreasing from base to apex ending in small spines’ in the pupa, and the subjective synapomorphies ‘tibial spurs with main teeth and short lateral tooth’ in males and ‘dorsal setae arising from prominent tubercles’ in the pupa. Fittkauimyia Karunakaran, 1969 is excluded from Macropelopiini, Gressitius Sublette & Wirth, 1980 is established as a junior synonym of Alotanypus Roback, 1971, and the new combination A lotanypus antarcticus comb. nov. is proposed. Character combination, mainly through the use of the characters with informative taxonomical value, remains an efficient tool to diagnose the Macropelopiini genera. The new genus Paggipelopia gen. nov. for P aggipelopia spaccesii gen. et sp. nov. is erected and the emendation of the species diagnosis of Wuelkerella toncekensis Añón Suárez & Sublette, 2012 is conducted. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Bispiculum inaequale n. gen. & sp. (Nematoda: Tetradonematidae) from New Zealand wood-boring beetles (Curculionidae: Platypodinae )

Abstract

A monotypic new genus, Bispiculum, is erected for B. inaequale n.sp. from the haemocoel of Platypus apicalis, P. caviceps, and P. gracilis, ambrosia beetles indigenous to New Zealand. B. inaequale is characterised by its possession of a pair of spicules and three rows of anal papillae in the male, and ‘escape-form’ juveniles. This is the first record of a tetradonematid in New Zealand, and the first of a tetradonematid from the Curculionidae. All stages are described, and the life history is discussed. The diagnosis of the Tetradonematidae is emended, the family is reviewed, and a key to species is provided.     

New species and records of Stigmaeidae (Acari: Prostigmata) from New Zealand - ID. Genus Stigmaeus Koch

Abstract

Stigmaeus arboricola, S. montanus, S. luxtoni, and S. novazealandicus are described as new species, and the larva of S. loadmani is described. Several new records are noted, and a key is given to the New Zealand species of Stigmaeus.     

Taxonomy of the New Zealand genus Eulimnia,and biology and immature stages of E. philpotti (Diptera: Sciomyzidae)

Abstract

The endemic New Zealand genus Eulimnia and its two species are redescribed. Data are presented on the life cycle of E. philpotti Tonnoir & Malloch, and the habitat, geographical distribution, phenology, and biological features of adults and immature stages are discussed. Adults are found in permanently wet marshes, where the larvae prey on fingernail clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae) while completely submerged. Mature larvae form puparia among vegetation or debris above the water level. The immature stages of E. philpotti are described. The genus is placed in tribe Tetanocerini, and its taxonomic position is discussed.     

Praealbonemertes whangateaunienses n. gen. and n. sp., a new heteronemertean from New Zealand

Abstract

A new genus and species of heteronemertean, Praealbonemertes whangateaunienses n. gen. and n. sp., is described and illustrated. The species is characterised by inter alia a cephalic lacuna with strands of longitudinal muscle fibres, a proboscis with three muscle layers, and a well-developed muscle plate dorsal to the foregut and anterior intestine. The material was collected in New Zealand.     

New species of Halacaridae (Acari) from New Zealand

Abstract

Seven new taxa of marine mites (Halacaridae) are described from the marine littoral zone of northern and southern New Zealand: Agauopsis novaezelandiae, A. luxtoni, Halacarellus lubricus, Copidognathus lubricus, Simognathus glaber, S. glareus, and Rhombognathus novaezelandicus. A list of halacarid species known from New Zealand waters is added.     

Clavaptera ornata n.gen. et sp., a new genus and species of Carventinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) from Northland,New Zealand

Abstract

Clavaptera ornata gen. et sp. n. from leaf-litter from North Cape, Northland, New Zealand, is described and figured. This new genus falls within Group 1 of the Carventinae as proposed by Usinger & Matsuda (1959), and shares some characteristics of Carventaptera and Neocarventus, but it is readily distinguished from these genera by the medial fusion of the mesothorax and metathorax and the presence of a large hexagonal median prominence in the region of fusion. The holotype male was collected in leaf-litter near Serpentine access road, 4 miles from Spirits Bay road and the allotype from the Tapotupotu Stream area, at the base of Cape Reinga.