Reconstruction of the proximal ends of retiolitid rhabdosomes (Graptolithina) from the Upper Wenlock and the Lower Ludlow

Detailed study of the ultrastructures on the cortical lists of retiolitids occurring after the lundgreni event has been undertaken. The extremely well preserved material from the Go?dap borehole of Poland (Baltica) enables classification of clathrial lists into two types—with single and double seams. Significantly different seam development is observed between two groups of retiolitids occurring before and after the lundgreni event. The study of seams and increments on the lists enables reconstruction of the membrane arrangement of the rhabdosomes. Reconstruction of the proximal ends, the arrangement of the ancora umbrella, and the layout of the proximal ventral and lateral orifices of five genera, Neogothograptus, Holoretiolites, Plectograptus, Spinograptus, and Quattuorgraptus n. gen., is presented. The new genus Quattuorgraptus is separated from Spinograptus because of the different development of the ancora umbrella and the width of the lateral walls of the rhabdosome.     

Retiolitid graptolites from the collection of Hermann Jaeger II: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cometograptus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spinograptus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectograptus</Emphasis>

Graptolites from the Jaeger collection at the Museum für Naturkunde (Berlin, Germany) provide important information on structural details of Silurian (Wenlock–Ludlow) retiolitids as well as for the biostratigraphic and biogeographic distribution of these magnificent graptolites. Species of the genera Cometograptus, Spinograptus and Plectograptus are described from isolated glacial boulder material, collected in northern Germany and from shale specimens found in the Lower Graptolite Shale of Thuringia. The biostratigraphic placement of material derived from glacial erratic boulders, however, is far from being precise. The fauna associated with the neotype of Plectograptus macilentus in the ‘Unterer Graptolithenschiefer’ of Thuringia is discussed and illustrated. Cometograptus alfeisenacki from the Cyrtograptus lundgreni Biozone is recognized as a new species. The genus is discovered for the first time in North German glacial erratic boulders.     

A new viviparous acoel Childia vivipara sp. nov. with observations on the developing embryos, sperm ultrastructure, body wall and stylet musculatures

A free‐living viviparous acoel, Childia vivipara sp. nov., from the Gullmar fjord of the Swedish coast is described. The new species is assigned to the taxon Childia based on histological, ultrastructural and molecular sequence similarities. All available molecular markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and histone H3) and several morphological characters, obtained using transmission electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy of whole mount specimen stained with TRITC‐labelled phalloidin, support the placement of C. vivipara in the taxon Childia. Childia vivipara and other Childia species share the following morphological synapomorphies: well‐developed copulatory organs built of tightly packed stylet needles, proximal part of the stylet inserted into the seminal vesicle, reversed body‐wall musculature, absence of ventral diagonal muscles, presence of dorsal diagonal muscles, and presence of ventral straight longitudinal muscles between frontal pore and mouth, 9 + 1 sperm axoneme structure, six distal sperm cytoplasmic microtubules, and extensive overlap of axonemes and nucleus. The new species can be easily distinguished from other Childia species by its viviparous mode of reproduction and single curved stylet. Observations on late embryonic development based on the oldest developing embryos are discussed.     

Tricalcaria Han gen. nov., a remarkable new genus with three hind‐tibial spurs belonging to the tribe Trichopterygini,with description of a new species from China (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae)

Tricalcaria Han gen. nov. and its type species Tricalcaria stueningi Han sp. nov. are described from China. Morphological characters, including those of the male and female genitalia, are figured. The main diagnostic characters of Tricalcaria are: hind tibia with three spurs in both male and female; ventral margin of costal protrusion bearing a series of long, hook‐like, sclerotized setae in the male genitalia; female papilla analis modified and bearing over part of its surface broad blade‐like sclerotized setae. The wing pattern, venation, and genitalia of this genus are compared with those of the most closely related genera, Tristeirometa Holloway, 1997, Hypocometa Warren, 1896, and Phthonoloba Warren, 1893. Tribal placement is discussed, with the conclusion that the new genus should be placed in the tribe Trichopterygini.     

THE FLORAL ANATOMY OF KOEBERLINIA ZUCC: SYSTEMATIC IMPLICATIONS

The in toto pattern of the floral vasculature in Koeberlinia Zucc, is distinctive. The median vascular trace to each sepal is concrescent with the antesepalous stamen trace forming a trace complex. Each petal trace is concrescent with the nearest antestaminal trace, and this common trace is in turn concrescent basally with the common basal supply to the adjacent sepal margins. The ventral carpellary bundles and the ovular traces of the two carpels are arranged for part of the ventral carpellary system into an essentially continuous hollow stele-like cylinder and many of the ovular vascular supplies originate from this strand. All vascular concrescences are congenital. Comparisons of the morphological and floral vasculature characters of Koeberlinia with those of its various putative allies revealed that there are no substantial reasons for linking Koeberlinia with Canotia, Celastraceae, Rutaceae, Simaroubaceae, or Zygophyllaceae. The in toto floral vascular structure of Koeberlinia is closely similar to that of the Caryophyllaceae and dissimilar to that of the Capparaceae. Several qualitative characters of the secondary xylem of Koeberlinia differ from those of the Capparaceae, yet certain important ones are similar. Many of the morphological characters of Koeberlinia are similar to those of the Capparaceae as well as the Caryophyllaceae, yet certain critically important ones strongly indicate a relation of Koeberlinia to the Capparaceae: occurrence of myrosin cells, capparaceous pollen, capparaceous ovular characters. To include Koeberlinia within either of these families is unwise, but the writers are inclined to retain Koeberlinia in a monogeneric family within the larger Capparales.     

A new species of the leopard pleco genus Pseudacanthicus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Rio Xingu,Brazil

The genus Pseudacanthicus comprises six valid species distributed in the Amazon basin and Caribbean coastal drainages from Guyana to French Guiana: P. serratus, P. fordii, P. histrix, P. spinosus, P. leopardus and P. pitanga. A new species of Pseudacanthicus is described from the Rio Xingu Basin, distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of anastomose dark blotches forming continuous zigzag bands alongside longitudinal keels; presence of dark blotches on ventral surface of body and head; all fins with orange to red colour on unbranched rays and sometimes subsequent branched rays. Brief comments on ornamental fisheries and conservation of the new species are also provided.     

Phylogenetic relationships within the Retiolitidae (Graptolithina) and a new genus, Cometograptus

A new retiolitid genus Cometograptus, restricted to the lundgreni Biozone (Late Wenlock), is characterized by a combination of primitive features such as strong transverse rods and ancora sleeve lists with seams facing out, with advanced features such as a long sicula, central, free nema and pustulose bandages. Cometograptus links two Subfamilies of the Family Retiolitidae. The Subfamily Retiolitinae is divided into redefined lineages: Pseudoretiolites, Retiolites, Paraplectograptus, whereas the Subfamily Plectograptinae is divisible into the Sokolovograptus (questionable), Gothograptus, Spinograptus, Plectograptus lineages, and Cometograptus. The Sokolovograptus group, the first retiolitids bearing ancora sleeve lists with seams facing out, did not survive the lundgreni crisis. The only survivors were Upper Wenlock retiolitids of the Gothograptus lineage. The new genus Cometograptus includes Cometograptus koreni n.gen. and n.sp., Cometograptus tomczyki n.gen. and n.sp., as well as the previously described Cometograptus nevadensis, Cometograptus marsupium and Cometograptus apoxys.     

Osteological analysis of the killifish genus Cynolebias (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)

Relationships among the species of the annual fish Cynolebias are unclear. An analysis of the variation and utility of osteological characters for phylogenetic analysis was done using cleared and double-stained specimens representing 21 species of Cynolebias. This analysis showed that some of the characters previously used to diagnose this genus and some of the species are polymorphic. Osteologically, Cynolebias can be diagnosed by the following synapomorphies: (1) triangular-shaped parietal, (2) vomer positioned ventral to the parasphenoid, (3) long ventral process of the dentary, (4) teeth on fourth ceratobranchial, and (5) teeth on first epibranchial. In addition, characters that help define some of the currently recognized species complexes were identified. Species in the “antenori complex” share at least five synapomorphies, such as ossified medial radials of dorsal and anal fins, four pectoral radials, ventral process of the maxillae enlarged, mesopterygoid long relative to the autopalatine, and proportion of cartilage in the basihyal. The “bellottii complex” is characterized by having a reduced basihyal and a deep urohyal, whereas species in the “elongatus complex” possess a caudal fin supported by four vertebrae and have unique modifications of jaw bones. The following osteological features are useful as diagnostic characters at the specific level: (1) Two vertebrae supporting the caudal fin (C. nigripinnis); (2) cartilaginous pelvic bones (C. notatus); (3) short third postcleithrum and broad lateral process of the sphenotic (C. wolterstorffi); (4) thick third postcleithrum (C. gymnoventris); (5) crest on the parietal and reduced in the upper portion of the lacrimal (C. whitei); (6) anteriorly curved lacrimal (C. cheradophilus); (7) second dermosphenotic (C. bellottii); and (8) expansion of the ventral tip of the maxillae and long basyhial (C. constanciae). J. Morphol. 238:245–262, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Un nuovo ascomicete entomogeno rinvenuto in grotta: Cordyceps riverae

Abstract

A new entomogenous Ascomycete found in cave: Cordyceps riverae.—A new species of entomogenous Cordyceps, belonging to Subgenus Racemella (Ces.) Sacc., found on an adult Lepidotteron in a cave near L'Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy) is described. The characters of this species, named Cordyceps riverae, are compared with those of other similar species of Cordyceps.     

Taxonomic notes on Neophylax koizumii (Iwata 1927) (Trichoptera, Uenoidae) from Japan

We re-examined the type series material of Apatania koizumii Iwata and designated a lectotype and a paralectotype. We transferred Apatania koizumii to the genus Neophylax based on the morphological characters of the larvae. We redescribed the larva of Neophylax koizumii and its case and provided some ecological notes and the geographical distribution. We also examined the larvae used to describe Neophylax sp. NA (sensu Tanida 1985) and found that those belonged to Neophylax koizumii. On the other hand, the larva of Neophylax sp. NA designated by Akagi (1962) is clearly different from that of Neophylax koizumii in characters of the ventral sclerites on the meta-thorax and abdominal segment I. Received: September 6, 1999 / Accepted: February 20, 2000     

Description and Molecular Phylogeny of a Novel Hypotrich Ciliate from the Soil of Marche Region,Italy; Including Notes on the MOSYSS Project

The morphology and morphogenesis during cell division of a new stylonychine hypotrich, Rigidocortex quadrinucleatus n. sp., were investigated using live observation and protargol staining. The new species was isolated from soil samples collected from an organic farm in the Marche Region, Italy, in framework of the MOSYSS project. Rigidocortex quadrinucleatus is characterized as follows: cell size about 180 × 80 μm in vivo; four ellipsoidal macronuclear nodules; 44 adoral membranelles: 18 fronto‐ventral‐transverse cirri consisting of three frontal, four frontoventral, one buccal, three ventral, two pretransverse, and five transverse cirri; dorsal kinety 3 with multiple fragmentation; resting cyst with hyaline ridges. Rigidocortex quadrinucleatus mainly differs from the type species R. octonucleatus in having four (vs. eight) macronuclear nodules. Rigidocortex quadrinucleatus can be easily confused with Sterkiella cavicola since both have a rather similar ventral ciliature; however, they can be separated by the slightly higher number of cirri in the left marginal row that runs along the posterior cell's margin in R. quadrinucleatus. Morphogenesis on the ventral surface is highly similar to that of Sterkiella species, but differs significantly on the dorsal surface (multiple vs. simple fragmentation of dorsal kinety 3). Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequences consistently place the new species within the stylonychine oxytrichids, clustering closer to Gastrostyla steinii than to S. cavicola.     

Cnidae in the sea anemone Sagartiogeton viduatus (Muller, 1776) (Cnidaria,Anthozoa); A comparison to cnidae in the sea anemone Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761) (Cnidaria,Anthozoa)

The cnidom of the sea anemone Sagartiogeton viduatus (Muller, 1776) is described from interference‐contrast light micrographs (LMs) and scanning electron micrographs (SEMs). Special attention is given to nematocyst maturation, including the differentiation of the shaft into proximal and main regions as helical folding of the shaft wall proceeds. Comparisons are made with Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761), whose cnidom, with a few exceptions, is closely similar to that of S. viduatus. The two anemones possess b‐ and p‐mastigophores, p‐amastigophores, isorhizas and spirocysts. Although the majority of cnidae in S. viduatus is smaller than corresponding ones in M. senile, they are grouped into the same size classes as those of M. senile, namely small, medium and large. The main differences from M. senile cnidae are the followings: (1) Large acontia p‐amastigophores are the largest nematocysts in S. viduatus. (2) They are noticeably larger than the large acontia b‐mastigophores, and (3) they are separated from the p‐amastigophores of M. senile by the sinusoid pattern of their U‐shaped capsular matrix. (4) The large acontia b‐mastigophores are microbasic and not mesobasic as in M. Senile, and (5) they do not produce darts. (6) Another difference from M. senile is the absence of catch‐tentacle isorhizas.     

A new loach, Cobitis shikokuensis (Teleostei: Cobitidae), from Shikoku Island, Japan

A new species of spinous loach, Cobitis shikokuensis, is described based on 297 specimens from Shikoku Island, Japan. The new species was formerly known as the Shikoku group of Cobitis takatsuensis. It can be distinguished from other species of Cobitis and closely related genera by a combination of the following characters: dorsal fin with 6 branched soft rays; anal fin with 5 branched soft rays; one brownish streak across eye from the tip of nose, no streak on cheek; a black spot smaller than eye diameter near the dorsal corner of the caudal fin base; 3–5 small brownish speckles on ventral side of caudal peduncle; high caudal peduncle with well-developed fleshy keels on dorsal and ventral side; a lamina circularis at base of dorsal part of pectoral fin absent; first branched soft ray of pectoral fin broad in males; pectoral soft rays widely branched from the approximate midpoint; last anal fin ray with 2 elements; interorbital width 11.2–17.1% of head length.     

TAKAYAMA GEN. NOV. (GYMNODINIALES,DINOPHYCEAE), A NEW GENUS OF UNARMORED DINOFLAGELLATES WITH SIGMOID APICAL GROOVES,INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTION OF TWO NEW SPECIES1

A new potentially ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate genus, Takayama de Salas, Bolch, Botes et Hallegraeff gen. nov., is described with two new species isolated from Tasmanian (Australia) and South African coastal waters: T. tasmanica de Salas, Bolch et Hallegraeff, sp. nov. and T. helix, de Salas, Bolch, Botes et Hallegraeff, sp. nov. The genus and two species are characterized by LM and EM of field samples and laboratory cultures as well as large subunit rDNA sequences and HPLC pigment analyses of several cultured strains. The new Takayama species have sigmoid apical grooves and contain fucoxanthin and its derivatives as the main accessory pigments. Takayama tasmanica is similar to the previously described species Gymnodinium pulchellum Larsen, Gyrodinium acrotrochum Larsen, and G. cladochroma Larsen in its external morphology but differs from these in having two ventral pores, a large horseshoe‐shaped nucleus, and a central pyrenoid with radiating chloroplasts that pass through the nucleus. It contains gyroxanthin‐diester and a gyroxanthin‐like accessory pigment, both of which are missing in T. helix. Takayama helix has an apical groove that is nearly straight while still being clearly inflected. A ventral pore or slit is present. It has numerous peripheral, strap shaped, and spiraling chloroplasts with individual pyrenoids and a solid ellipsoidal nucleus. The genus Takayama has close affinities to the genera Karenia and Karlodinium.     

The benthic dinoflagellate genus Amphidinium in south-eastern Australian waters,including three new species

Seventeen species of the mainly sand-dwelling genus Amphidinium are reported from south-eastern Australian waters. Three new species are described: A. boggayum, A. mootonorum and A. yuroogurrum. Additional features from previously described species are presented, including non-motile cell stages. Nine of these species are new records for Australia; however, these species are probably widespread and common. Two potentially ichthyotoxic species of Amphidinium were commonly found: A. carterae and A. cf. operculatum. A table of morphological characters is compiled as a step towards recognizing new characters with which to group species of this presently artificially defined unarmoured dinoflagellate genus.     

A NEW BLACKFLY SPECIES OF SIMULIUM (DIPTERA: SIMULIIDAE) FROM GUIZHOU PROVINCE,CHINA*

Abstract The present paper deals with a new species of Simulium (Simulium) from Leigongshan, Guizhou province, S. (S.) qianense sp. nov. The specific name was given in the place of production. On the basis of the morphological characters, the new species (S.) qianense sp. nov evidently falls into S. variegatum species‐group, is most similar to S. (S.) taiwanicum, 1979, but can be distinguished from the latter by the characteristic pattern of scutum and legs color in the both sexes, the shape of male geritalia and several characters in the larva. The type specimens are kept in the Department of Biology of the Guiyang Medical College.     

Didymodon kunlunensis D.P.Zhao,S.Mamtimin & S.He (Pottiaceae), a new species from Xinjiang,China

Didymodon kunlunensis D.P.Zhao, S.Mamtimin & S.He is described as a new species found in Xinjiang, China. The new species is characterised by a combination of the following characters: ovate leaves with laminal cells always smooth, red colour in KOH, recurved leaf margins from base to apex, a percurrent costa without dorsal and ventral stereid bands in cross section, a distinct stem central strand and the presence of gemmae in the leaf axils. Light microscope photographs of the significant characters are provided and its distinctions from closely related taxa are discussed. A key to Chinese Didymodon species with smooth laminal cell is provided.