New biting midges from the Cretaceous amber of Lebanon (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

New Ceratopogonidae from the Early Cretaceous amber of Hammana (Central Lebanon) are studied. Five new species (Lebanoculicoides daheri sp. nov., Protoculicoides krzeminskii sp. nov., Archiaustroconops annae sp. nov., Archiaustroconops hammanensis sp. nov., and Archiaustroconops dominiakae sp. nov.) are characterized, described, illustrated, and compared with other Cretaceous taxa. New keys for species of the three genera Lebanoculioides, Protoculicoides, and Archiaustroconops, but also for all genera of Lebanese fossil biting midges, are proposed.     

A new Early Cretaceous eutherian mammal from the Sasayama Group,Hyogo, Japan

We here describe a new Early Cretaceous (early Albian) eutherian mammal, Sasayamamylos kawaii gen. et sp. nov., from the ‘Lower Formation’ of the Sasayama Group, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Sasayamamylos kawaii is characterized by a robust dentary, a distinct angle on the ventral margin of the dentary at the posterior end of the mandibular symphysis, a lower dental formula of 3–4 : 1 : 4 : 3, a robust lower canine, a non-molariform lower ultimate premolar, and a secondarily reduced entoconid on the molars. To date, S. kawaii is the earliest known eutherian mammal possessing only four premolars, which demonstrates that the reduction in the premolar count in eutherians started in the late Early Cretaceous. The occurrence of S. kawaii implies that the relatively rapid diversification of eutherians in the mid-Cretaceous had already started by the early Albian.     

The life history of Turnerella pennyi (Harv.) Schmitz

The life-history and phenology of T. pennyi, regarded as the only species of Turnerella in the north Atlantic Ocean, are described on the basis of culture, cytology and field investigations.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, heteromorphic phases occur: tetraspores from an encrusting tetrasporophyte resembling Cruoria arctica/rosea give rise to a similar perennial sterile phase from which the foliose T. pennyi phase arises directly. These foliose plants are dioecious gametophytes. The male gametophyte, reported for the first time, bears spreading spermatangial sori over most of its surface. Old cystocarpic plants may exhibit in situ germination of carpospores. Chromosome counts show that n = 18–20; 2n = 36–40.

The indications are that the life-history of the species is similar in other parts of its range, although the longevity of the foliose stage may vary with geographical location and depth. Regeneration of old loose-lying plants readily occurs.     

A barcode analysis of the genus Lobophora (Dictyotales,Phaeophyceae) in the western Atlantic Ocean with four novel species and the epitypification of L. variegata (J.V. Lamouroux) E.C. Oliveira

In the western Atlantic Ocean, the brown algal genus Lobophora is currently represented by a single species, L. variegata, with a type locality designated by Lamouroux as ‘Antilles’. In this study, we used molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy (MAAT) to assess species diversity of Lobophora in Bermuda, the Florida Keys, St. Croix and Guadeloupe (Lesser Antilles). Using cox1 and cox3 sequences as barcode markers, five species of Lobophora, four of them novel, were delineated, all previously having been identified in the area as L. variegata. Our morphological and habitat studies, made possible by abundant sampling, have revealed unique characters for each of these western Atlantic species, including distinct cellular arrangements, as well as different depth ranges for certain species. Observations made from Lamouroux’s holotype of Dictyota variegata (= Lobophora variegata) allowed us to assess the anatomy of this species, which enabled us to easily align this early taxon to one of our genetic species from the western Atlantic. As the type was unavailable for genetic analysis, we selected a recent St. Croix (Virgin Is., Antilles) specimen as the epitype to support it with molecular sequence data.     

Studies of the Liagoraceae (rhodophyta) of Western Australia: Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. and Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov.

Two new taxa of Liagoraceae (Nemaliales) are described from Western Australia. Gloiotrichus fractalis gen. et sp. nov. has been collected from 3–20 m depths at the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. Plants are calcified, extremely lubricous, and grow to 17 cm in length. Carpogonial branches are straight, 6 or 7 cells in length, arise from the basal or lower cells of cortical fascicles, and are occasionally compound. Branched sterile filaments of narrow elongate cells arise on the lower cells of the carpogonial branch prior to gonimoblast initiation, at first on the basal cells, then on progressively more distal cells. Following presumed fertilisation the carpogonium divides transversely, with both cells giving rise to gonimoblast filaments. The distal cells of the carpogonial branch then begin to fuse, with fusion progressing proximally until most of the cells of the carpogonial branch are included. As fusion extends, the filaments on the carpogonial branch are reduced to the basal 2 or 3 cells. The gonimoblast is compact and bears terminal carposporangia. Spermatangial clusters arise on subterminal cells of the cortex, eventually displacing the terminal cells. The sequence of pre- and post-fertilisation events occurring in the new genus separates it from all others included in the Liagoraceae, although it appears to have close affinities with the uncalcified genus Nemalion. Ganonema helminthaxis sp. nov. was collected from 12 m depths at Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Plants are uncalcified and mucilaginous, the axes consisting of a few (< 10) primary medullary filaments, each cell of which gives rise to a cortical fascicle at alternate forks of the pseudodichotomies borne on successive medullary cells. Subsidiary (adventitious) filaments and rhizoids comprise the bulk of the thallus. Carpogonial branches are straight, (3-)4(-6) cells in length, arise on the basal 1–4 cells of the cortical fascicles, and are frequently compound. Carposporophytes develop from the upper of two daughter cells formed by a transverse division of the fertilised carpogonium. Ascending and descending sterile filaments girdle the carpogonial branch cells and arise mostly on the supporting cell prior to fertilisation. Ganonema helminthaxis is the first completely non-calcified member of the genus, and its reproductive and vegetative morphology supports the recognition of Ganonema as a genus independent from Liagora. Liagora codii Womersley is a southern Australian species displaying features of Ganonema, to which it is transferred.     

Preliminary observations on differences of scale morphology at various stages in the life cycle of ‘Apistonema-Syracosphaera’ Sensu von Stosch

A preliminary study of the fine structure of various stages in the life cycle of von Stosch's solate of ‘Syracosphaera carterae’ has been made by means of sections and whole mounts. Protoplast structure appears to be similar throughout the cycle. However, the Apistonema thallus possesses a cell wall composed of numerous layers of closely adpressed rimless unmineralised scales. Two types of asexual swarmers are shown to be covered with one or two layers of somewhat similar scales. One type of swarmer possesses a short haptonema which is covered with small scales. In addition the coccolith-bearing stages are shown to be identical with Hymenomonas carterae sensu Manton and Peterfi (1969) and this isolate has therefore been transferred to H. carterae.     

Observations on Thorea ramosissimaBory (Batrachospermales,Thoreaceae), a freshwater red alga rarely recorded in the British Isles

The conspicuous macroscopic stage of the freshwater red alga Thorea ramosissima has been re-discovered in the River Thames after a lapse of almost 140 years. In the 1840s it was reported only from Walton-on-Thames, but is now known from 13 localities along a 133 km stretch between Oxford and Teddington. It is transient, often remaining undetected at known localities in subsequent years. All British records are assessed, especially 19th century collections from the Thames. The ecology and the morphology of the macroscopic stage are discussed.     

辽宁本溪中三叠统林家瓣轮叶(新种)

在对中国东北辽宁本溪中三叠统林家组的化石研究中, 发现了木贼目瓣轮叶属一个新种——林家瓣轮叶(Lobatannularia linjiaensis sp. nov.)。该种叶轮小, 明显分成两瓣, 每瓣叶数约10–12枚。叶线形至倒披针形, 叶长差别大, 叶联合长度占叶长约1/3–3/4。自1927年Kawasaki建立瓣轮叶属以来, 该属已至少发现了33种, 其中大部分报道于二叠纪, 少数见于三叠纪。瓣轮叶属作为晚古生代华夏植物群孑遗分子之一, 当前该属新种的发现不仅丰富了瓣轮叶属的分类多样性, 而且拓展了对二叠纪-三叠纪之交生物大灭绝及之后复苏过程中瓣轮叶属演化趋势的认识。