Multi‐gene phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand coralline algae: Corallinapetra Novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. and recognition of the Hapalidiales ord. nov.

Coralline red algae from the New Zealand region were investigated in a study focused on documenting regional diversity. We present a multi‐gene analysis using sequence data obtained for four genes (nSSU, psaA, psbA, rbcL) from 68 samples. The study revealed cryptic diversity at both genus and species levels, confirming and providing further evidence of problems with current taxonomic concepts in the Corallinophycidae. In addition, a new genus Corallinapetra novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. is erected for material from northern New Zealand. Corallinapetra is excluded from all currently recognized families and orders within the Corallinophycidae and thus represents a previously unrecognized lineage within this subclass. We discuss rank in the Corallinophycidae and propose the order Hapalidiales.     

Congruence and conflict: case studies of morphotaxonomy versus rDNA gene tree phylogeny among articulate brachiopods (Brachiopoda: Rhynchonelliformea), with description of a new genus

We present five case studies among articulate (rhynchonelliform) brachiopods, i.e. of Rhynchonellida, Cancellothyridoidea, Terebratuloidea, Dyscolioidea, Laqueoidea, and various terebratulids with modified long‐loops, in an attempt to illustrate and better understand congruence and conflict between morpho‐classification and rDNA‐based molecular clade structure, having been prompted to address these issues by difficulties encountered when describing the newly collected brachiopod, E biscothyris bellonensis gen. et sp. nov. The five studies reveal dramatic conflict in the Rhynchonellida and Terebratuloidea/Dyscolioidea, good congruence in the Cancellothyridoidea and Laqueoidea, and fair congruence (albeit with weak phylogenetic signal) in the long‐looped terebratulids. We suggest that the leading cause of the observed conflict lies in the use of inadequately specific morphological characters and morpho‐classification. Phylogenetic systematic (cladistic) analyses of Rhynchonellida also conflict markedly with the rDNA gene tree, leading us to recognize that such analyses are not only conceptually circular (using morphological characters to assess a morphological classification) but also to propose that they are biased by the act of classification that necessarily precedes the identification of putatively homologous characters; when the prior classification does not reflect evolutionary history, phylogenetic analysis will do likewise. In addition, we propose that the brachiopod community has overlooked the significance of two sources of morphological homoplasy affecting brachiopod systematics: (1) the loss of co‐adapted genomic complexes caused by mass extinctions at the end of the Permian; and (2) the pervasive consequences of developmental integration and constraint resulting from the integrated roles of the outer mantle epithelium in shell deposition and growth that underly the determination of form and the shell‐based classification. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Revision of “Phyllobrotica” from Taiwan with description of Jolibrotica gen. n. (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae)

All Taiwanese species formerly classified the genus Phyllobrotica Chevrolat, 1836 are revised. Jolibrotica Lee & Bezděk, gen. n., is described for Phyllobrotica sauteri (Chûjô, 1935) (Taiwan, China: Guangxi) and Phyllobrotica chujoi Kimoto, 1969 (Taiwan). Phyllobrotica shirozui Kimoto, 1969 is transferred to the genus Haplosomoides. All species are redescribed and their diagnostic characters illustrated.     

Cieneguiticeras, a new genus of Tithonian oppeliids (Ammonoidea, Late Jurassic)

The new genus Cieneguiticeras, assigned to the family Oppeliidae, is described on the basis of Andean lower-middle Tithonian ammonites from Arroyo Cieneguita, west-central part of the Neuquén-Mendoza Basin, Argentina. The macroconchs are closely homoeomorphic with Neochetoceras Spath and the microconchs have a ‘glochiceratid’-type morphology. The stratigraphic range of Cieneguiticeras nov. gen. includes the lower and middle Tithonian by means of a succession of two or three species which are interpreted as members of a phyletic lineage. Ammonites from the Tithonian of Cuba, Mexico and France are more or less confidently included in this new genus.     

First fossil Calopterygoidea (Odonata: Zygoptera) from Southeastern Asia: A new genus and species from the Paleogene of China

Sinocalopteryx shangyongensis nov. gen., nov. sp., the first fossil calopterygoid from eastern Asia, is described from the earliest Eocene of Southwest China. Although the new genus has the principle synapomorphies of Calopterygoidea, it possesses a unique structure (possible reversal) in the pattern of vein RP1/2.     

A distinct large vole lineage from the Late Pliocene - Early Pleistocene of China

A distinct large vole lineage involving three species from the Late Pliocene - Early Pleistocene of China is morphologically and quantitatively delineated. A special sinuous line (linea sinuosa) pattern, not previously recognized, diagnoses the new lineage, and distinguishes the species in the lineage from all other vole genera known either from China or elsewhere. At present, only two morphologically discrete evolutionary stages can be recognized in the lineage. The primitive stage is represented by rooted Mimomys peii and M. banchiaonicus, and the advanced stage is represented by the newly described rootless Heteromimomys zhengi nov. gen., nov. sp. from the Paleolithic site of Renzidong Cave in Anhui Province. The schmelzmuster of M. peii and Heteromimomys zhengi nov. gen., nov. sp. is also examined to provide more details about the lineage. This lineage diverged from Mimomys by the Late Pliocene within North China. The comparison between the arvicoline species co-existing with Heteromimomys zhengi nov. gen., nov. sp. and those from Haiyan Formation in the Yushe Basin, Shanxi Province, suggests the age of Heteromimomys zhengi nov. gen., nov. sp. can be correlated to or predate the Haiyan Formation, which is in reversely magnetized sediment identified as Chron 2r. The loss of roots in the lineage corresponds with a cooling event at the beginning of the Pleistocene, and seems to characterize the Nihewanian age of the Chinese Land Mammal ages from the perspective of arvicoline biochronology.     

Nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) parasites in Early Cretaceous amber

The present report describes a mermithid nematode (Nematoda: Mermithidae) and a gordiid hairworm (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) from Early Cretaceous Burmese amber dated at 100-110 million years. The mermithid, Cretacimermis protus sp. n., is emerging from a biting midge (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) while the hairworm, Cretachordodes burmitis, gen. n., sp. n. had already emerged from its host. These rare specimens represent the first fossil mermithid parasite of a ceratopogonid midge and second oldest described nematode and the earliest known and only Mesozoic fossil of the phylum Nematomorpha. A list of previously described fossil mermithids is included.     

Peltidiphonte gen. n., a New Taxon of Laophontidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from Coral Substrates of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean

A new genus of the harpacticoid family Laophontidae is described and named Peltidiphonte gen. n. Eight new species are assigned to this genus; they were collected from different locations in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, including the Comoros, the Kenyan coast, the Red Sea, the Andaman Islands, the northern coast of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the northeastern coast of Australia. Most of the specimens were collected from dead coral substrates, suggesting a close affinity between the members of the new genus and this substrate. Peltidiphonte gen. n. can easily be discriminated from other genera of the family by the extremely depressed body and by the shape of the antennule, bearing two (or three) processes on the first segment and a hook-like process along the outer margin of the second segment. An identification key for the new genus is provided.     

Isolation and characterization of a new type of aerobic,oxalic acid utilizing bacteria,and proposal of Oxalicibacterium flavum gen. nov., sp. nov

A mesophilic, aerobic oxalic acid utilizing yellow-pigmented bacterium has been isolated from litter of oxalate producing plants in the region of Izmir (Turkey). It is motile by means of 1-3 polar flagella. Optimal growth occurred between 25-30 degrees C at pH 6.9. The G+C content of DNA is 62-64 mol % (Tm). Based on its morphological and biochemical features the organism belongs to the genus Pseudomonas, but differs from all the previously described species. The taxonomic relationships among strains described as or previously tentatively assigned to the genus Pseudomonas were investigated using numerical classification, DNA base composition and DNA-DNA hybridization. 16S rDNA sequences were determined for the strain TA17. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequence comparisons, physiological and biochemical characteristics, it is proposed to classify TA17T in a new genus and species for which the name Oxalicibacterium flavum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TA17T (= NEU98T, = LMG 21571T).     

The haemosporidian parasites of bats with description of Sprattiella alecto gen. nov., sp. nov

Four species of Haemoproteidae were found in Pteropus alecto Temminck, 1837 in Queensland, Australia: i) Johnsprentia copemani, Landau et al., 2012; ii) Sprattiella alecto gen. nov., sp. nov., characterised by schizonts in the renal vessels; iii) Hepatocystis levinei, Landau et al., 1985, originally described from Pteropus poliocephalus Temminck, 1825 and, experimentally from Culicoides nubeculosus and found in this new host and for which features of the hepatic schizonts are reported; iv) gametocytes of Hepatocystis sp. which are illustrated but cannot be assigned to a known species. A tentative interpretation of phylogenetic characters of haemosporidians of bats is provided from the morphology of the gametocytes and localisation of the tissue stages with respect to recent data on the phylogeny of bats.