Neotropical Monogenoidea. 50. Oviparous gyrodactylids from loricariid and pimelodid catfishes in Brazil, with the proposal of Phanerothecioides n. g., Onychogyrodactylus n. g. and Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g. (Polyonchoinea: Gyrodactylidea)

The diagnosis of Phanerothecium Kritsky & Thatcher, 1977 is amended, and Phanerothecioides n. g., Onychogyrodactylus n. g. and Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g., all comprised of oviparous gyrodactylids (Monogenoidea: Polyonchoinea), are proposed to accommodate 11 of the 15 species (14 new to science) herein described and/or reported from loricariid and pimelodid catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) in Brazil: Phanerothecium harrisi Kritsky & Boeger, 1991, P. spinatoides n. sp. and P. deiropedeum n. sp. all from Hypostomus spp.; P. spinulatum n. sp. from Hypostomus cf. regani; Phanerothecioides agostinhoi n. g., n. sp. (type-species) from Hypostomus spp. and Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum; Onychogyrodactylus sudis n. g., n. sp. (type-species) and O. hydaticus n. sp. both from Ancistrus multispinus; Aglaiogyrodactylus forficulatus n. g., n. sp. (type-species) from Kronichthys lacerta; A. pedunculatus n. sp. from Hisonotus sp.; A. guttus n. sp. from Pseudotothyris obtusa; A. salebrosus n. sp., A. conei n. sp. and A. ctenistus n. sp. all from Pareiorhaphis parmula; and A. calamus n. sp. and A. forficuloides n. sp. both from Schizolecis guntheri. Phanerothecioides n. g. is characterised by oviparous forms lacking superficial and deep haptoral bars and pregermarial vitelline follicles, and by having a conspicuous testis in adult specimens, a syncytial prostatic gland, a reduced copulatory sac and vitelline ducts in the form of an inverted ‘U’. Onychogyrodactylus n. g. is differentiated from all other oviparous gyrodactylid genera by its members having a spine-like accessory sclerite enclosed in a separate pouch associated with the terminal male genitalia. Species of Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g. possess H-shaped vitelline ducts and a complex accessory piece and sclerotised or non-sclerotised male copulatory organ enclosed within the copulatory sac.     

Hydrogen uptake in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102. Cloning and characterization of a hupSL homologue

Structural genes encoding an uptake hydrogenase of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102 were isolated. From partial libraries of genomic DNA, two clones (pNfo01 and pNfo02) were selected and sequenced, revealing the complete sequence of both a hupS (960 bases) and a hupL (1,593 bases) homologue in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102. A comparison between the deduced amino acid sequences of HupS and HupL of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102 and Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 showed that the HupS proteins are 89% identical and the HupL proteins are 91% identical. However, the noncoding region between the genes in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102 (192 bases) is longer than that of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 and of many other microorganisms. Southern hybridizations using DNA from both N₂-fixing and non-N₂-fixing cells of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102 and different probes from within hupL clearly demonstrated that, in contrast to Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120, there is no rearrangement within hupL of Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102. Indeed, 6 nucleotides out of 16 within the potential recombination site are different from those of Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. Furthermore, we have recently published evidence demonstrating the absence of the bidirectional/reversible hydrogenase in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102. The present knowledge, in combination with the unique characteristics, makes Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102 an interesting candidate for the study of deletion mutants lacking the uptake-type enzyme. Received: 20 August 1997 / Accepted: 24 November 1997     

Dicrocoeliidae (Trematoda: Digenea) of Australian mammals with description of Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp., Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. and Platynosomum burrman n. sp.

Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp. is described from the bile ducts of Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from New South Wales. The species differs from all others in the genus in that the caecal bifurcation is well posterior to the ventral sucker and testes. Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. is described from Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus from New South Wales and from R. norvegicus, R. lutreolus and Pseudomys higginsi from Tasmania (all Rodentia: Muridae). The genus Athesmioides is characterised by the presence of unilateral vitelline follicles and an undivided caecum. Platynosomum burrman n. sp. is described from Isoodon macrourus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) from the Northern Territory. It differs from other species in a combination of characters regarding the shape of the forebody, the arrangement of the gonads, the disposition of the uterus and the size of the eggs. The taxonomic status of Platynosomum australiense (Sandars, 1958), Brachylecithum insulare Angel & Pearson, 1977 and Brachylecithum hydromyos Angel & Pearson, 1977 are summarised. Records are presented of undescribed dicrocoeliids from the marsupials Petaurus breviceps, Planigale maculata and Dasyurus hallucatus and the murids Rattus fuscipes and Melomys sp.     

Eimeria ontarioensis n. sp., E. confusa Joseph, 1969 and Eimeria sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the Ontario Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis*

SYNOPSIS. Eimerians from 27 gray squirrels Sciurus carolinensis sampled in Waterloo County were studied. Two double-walled species, E. ontarioensis n. sp. which was piriform (36.8 × 23.5) and E. confusa Joseph which was subspherical (35.7 × 28.4), were described and compared with similar species from the genus Sciurus. Eimeria sp., ellipsoidal (24.9 × 14.4), from Ontario gray squirrels resembled E. ascotensis and E. neosciuri and was a new eimerian record from Ontario. The zoogeographic significance of E. ontarioensis n. sp. and E. sp. in North American gray squirrels is discussed.     

A new species of cestode, Vampirolepis muraiae n. sp. (Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae), from a Chinese bat

Vampirolepis muraiae n. sp. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Hymenolepididae) is described on the basis of a single specimen from a mouse-eared bat, Myotis sp., from Yunnan Province, China. It is distinguished from its congeners on the basis of the size and shape of the rostellar hooks, which have a blade shorter than the guard, the tubular structure of the initial stage of the developing uterus and eggs with a thick outer coat.     

A novel endophytic Huperzine A–producing fungus,Shiraia sp. Slf14, isolated from Huperzia serrata

Aims: To characterize and identify a novel Huperzine A (HupA)‐producing fungal strain Slf14 isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev. in China. Methods and Results: The isolation, identification and characterization of a novel endophytic fungus producing HupA specifically and consistently from the leaves of H. serrata were investigated. The fungus was identified as Shiraia sp. Slf14 by molecular and morphological methods. The HupA produced by this endophytic fungus was shown to be identical to authentic HupA analysed by thin layer chromatographic, High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), LC‐MS, ¹H NMR and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity in vitro. The amount of HupA produced by Shiraia sp. Slf14 was quantified to be 327·8 μg l^?1 by HPLC, which was far higher than that of the reported endophytic fungi, Acremonium sp., Blastomyces sp. and Botrytis sp. Conclusions: The production of HupA by endophyte Shiraia sp. Slf14 is an enigmatic observation. It would be interesting to further study the HupA production and regulation by the cultured endophyte in H. serrata and in axenic cultures. Significance and Impact of the Study: Although the current accumulation of HupA by the endophyte is not very high, it could provide a promising alterative approach for large‐scale production of HupA. However, further strain improvement and the fermentation process optimization are required to result in the consistent and dependable production.     

Phylogeny and revision of the Neotropical bee genus Rhectomia s.l. Moure (Hymenoptera,Apidae, Augochlorini)

Abstract. This paper revises the bees currently considered to belong to the genus Rhectomia s.l. and proposes a species phylogeny based on morphological characters, using other Corynurina as outgroups. The results indicate that Rhinocorynura Schrottky renders Rhectomia s.l. paraphyletic. Consequently, Corynurella is removed from synonymy with Rhectomia s.s., and Paracorynurella gen.n. is proposed. The topology among these genera is: outgroup [(Rhectomia s.s. + Rhinocorynura) (Paracorynurella gen.n. + Corynurella)]. Nine species are assigned to Corynurella: C. brokopondoi sp.n. , C. caerulea sp.n. , C. cognata sp.n. , C. decora sp.n. , C. harrisoni (Engel), C. mourei Eickwort, C. nigra sp.n. , C. singularis sp.n. and C. triangulata sp.n. Three new species are described in Paracorynurella gen.n. : type species P. betoi sp.n. , P. excavata sp.n ., P. reticulata sp.n. ; P. difficillima (Ducke) comb.n. is transferred from Rhinocorynura. Three species are recognized in Rhectomia s.s.: R. catarina sp.n. , R. liebherri Engel and R. pumilla Moure. The male of R. liebherri is described for the first time. Keys for the identification of the genera and species are provided.     

Flexible migration of Japanese freshwater gobies Rhinogobius spp. as revealed by otolith Sr:Ca ratios

The migratory histories of six Rhinogobius spp., the cross‐band type (R. sp. CB), the large‐dark type (R. sp. LD), the dark type (R. sp. DA), the cobalt type (R. sp. CO), the orange type (R. sp. OR) and R. flumineus, were studied by examining strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in their otoliths using wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectrometry on an electron microprobe. The Sr:Ca ratios in the otoliths changed both with the ontogenetic development and with the salinity level of the habitat. Most fishes had high Sr:Ca ratios around the otolith core in spite of the fact that those fishes live most of their lives in a freshwater environment. The high ratios in the otoliths were thought to be a physiological effect in those fishes. Thereafter, the Sr:Ca ratios changed remarkably along the life‐history transect, showing intraspecies and interspecies variations. The otolith Sr:Ca ratios of Rhinogobius sp. CB, R. sp. LD and R. sp. CO collected from three rivers connected to the sea were low around the core, subsequently increased sharply to the points 180–345 μm from the core and then decreased again towards the edge. They were thought to reflect the typical amphidromous life history. The R. sp. CO, however, remain in a brackish‐water environment after migration from the sea, while the other species showed typical amphidromous lives with complete freshwater residence after migration from the sea. The five species (R. sp. CB, R. sp. LD, R. sp. CO, R. sp. DA and R. sp. OR) collected above dams had never migrated to the sea, spending their whole life in a freshwater environment, although Rhinogobius species, except for the fluvial type, were thought to have an amphidromous life history according to previous studies. These species are thought to have a landlocked life cycle. The otolith Sr:Ca ratios of R. flumineus showed consistently low ratios towards the edge except for only around the core, although they were collected from a river connected to the sea. These species could have a fluvial life history corresponding to a previous study. The present study clearly suggests that the migratory histories of Rhinogobius spp. are highly different both within and between species and that they have flexible migratory patterns allowing them to utilize the full range of salinity during their life history.     

The effects of different light–dark cycles on the metabolism of the diazotrophic,unicellular cyanobacteria Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142, and Cyanothecesp. PCC 7822

The diazotrophic unicellular cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 demonstrates circadian patterns in nitrogenase activity, H₂ production and glycogen storage when grown under nitrogen‐fixing, 12:12 light:dark (L:D) conditions. In this study, we grew Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142, and another strain in this genus, Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822, under long‐day (16:8 L:D) and short‐day (8:16 L:D) nitrogen‐fixing conditions to determine if they continued to display circadian rhythms. Both strains demonstrated similar circadian patterns for all three metabolic parameters when grown under long‐day conditions. However, the strains responded differently to short‐day growth conditions. Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 retained reasonable circadian patterns under 8:16 L:D conditions, whereas Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822 had quite damped patterns without a clear circadian pattern. In particular, glycogen storage changed very little throughout the day and we ascribe this to the difference in the type of glycogen granules in Cyanothece sp. PCC 7822 which has small β‐granules, compared to the large, starch‐like granules in Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142. The results suggested that both mechanistic and regulatory processes play a role in establishing the basis for these metabolic oscillations.     

Chromatographic Characterization and Phytotoxic Activity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis and Saprophytic Strain Toxins

The bayoud disease, vascular fusariosis of date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera L.), is caused by the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. The characteristic symptoms of the bayoud disease were elicited on detached leaves of F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis‐susceptible cultivars of date palm trees, which were treated either with the F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction purified from the organic extracts of a F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis liquid culture, or with a solution of fusaric acid. Enniatins, which are secreted by several Fusarium species, were tested at different concentrations and were not capable of inducing symptoms on such detached leaves. The F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction was unable to induce necrosis of potato slices, which indicates that it does not contain significant amounts of enniatins. The high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiles of the F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction showed toxic peaks different from fusaric acid. A fraction, named F_II (AZ₄), was obtained from culture filtrates of a saprophytic Fusarium strain maintained in the same cultural conditions as for the F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. The HPLC profile of the F_II (AZ₄) fraction did not show the characteristic phytotoxic peaks present in the F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction. This finding well agrees with the fact that the F_II (AZ₄) fraction is not toxic to detached date palm leaves. Moreover, the HPLC profiles of F_II fractions obtained from other special forms of F. oxysporum are different the F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) profile. The phytotoxic compounds purified from the F_II (F. oxysporum f. sp. albedinis) fraction are probably new molecules that may help in understanding the pathogenesis of bayoud disease.     

Maclurochloa tonkinensis sp. nov. (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) from Vietnam

Maclurochloa K. M. Wong (Gramineae: Bambusoideae) is a genus of clambering bamboos with dry caryopses. It was thought to be monotypic in Peninsular Malaysia, but here we report one more species from Vietnam which is new to science: Maclurochloa tonkinensis H. N. Nguyen et V. T. Tran sp. nov. Maclurochloa tonkinensis is most similar to M. montana (Ridl.) K. M. Wong from which differs mainly by having internodes 50–58 × 3.0–3.5 cm and culm leaves with auriculate sheaths and erect blade.     

Morphology and Infraciliature of Trochiliopsis australis N. Sp., Pelagohalteria viridis (Fromentel, 1876) N. G., N. Comb., and Strobilidium lacustris N. Sp. (Protozoa,Ciliophora)1

Three ciliate species from Australia and Norway were examined by silver impregnation, biometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Trochiliopsis australis n. sp. (order Nassulida, family Microthoracidae) differs from the single other known species of the genus, T. opaca, by its prominent ridges on the left side, the distinctly longer anterior segment of somatic kinety 2, and by the doubled total number of kinetosomes. Pelagohalteria n. g. (order Oligotrichida, family Halteriidae) differs from Halteria by the structure of the bristle complexes, which are composed of a vertically and a horizontally oriented row of kinetosomes. Two Halteria species belong to the new genus: P. viridis (Fromentel, 1876) n. comb., which is redescribed here, and P. cirrifera (Kahl, 1935) n. comb. Strobilidium lacustris n. sp. (order Oligotrichida, family Strobilidiidae) differs from its nearest relative, S. velox, by the smooth pellicle, the absence of symbiotic green algae, and by its larger size.     

Gerbera jamesonii, Osteospermum sp. and Argyranthemum frutescens: New Hosts of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi

The pathogenicity of five isolates of Fusarium oxysporum obtained from infected gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Paris daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens) and African daisy (Osteospermum sp.) plants was tested on some varieties of the following Compositae hosts: C. morifolium, G. jamesonii, Argyranthemum frutescens (Paris daisy) and Osteospermum sp. and compared with the host range and pathogenicity of an isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi obtained from the ATCC collection. The results indicated that isolates of F. oxysporum from G. jamesonii as well as those from A. frutescens and Osteospermum sp. belong to the forma specialischrysanthemi. The isolate from gerbera was virulent on all tested varieties of gerbera, C. morifolium, A. frutescens and Osteospermumsp. Similar results were obtained testing the isolates obtained from A. frutescens and Osteospermumsp. The strain from C. morifolium infected cultivar of gerbera, A. frutescens and Osteospermum sp. The pathogenicity of isolate of F. oxysporum f. sp. chrysanthemi obtained from the ATCC showed a different cultivar range particularly in the case of chrysanthemum and gerbera.     

Diplobulbus brayi n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Odax acroptilus (Perciformes: Odacidae) off Western Australia

Diplobulbus brayi n. sp. is described from the small intestine of Odax acroptilus (Perciformes: Odacidae) from Point Peron in southern Western Australia. One of the five previously described species of Diplobulbus, D. vitellosus Bilqees, 1972 from Tetraodon lunaris (now Lagocephalus lunaris), is synonymised with Alloheterolebes indicus (Gupta, 1968) Hafeezullah, 1971, which is known from the same host in the Indian Ocean. D. brayi n. sp. can be distinguished from the remaining four species of Diplobulbus by the distinct interruption of the vitelline follicles at the ventral sucker, its more elongate form and its long post-testicular space. Diplobulbus is so far restricted to the Indo-Pacific region and appears to be stenoxenic to labroid fishes. This is the first record of a trematode from an odacid fish.     

Polychaete meets octopus: symbiotic relationship between Spathochaeta octopodis gen. et sp. nov. (Annelida: Chrysopetalidae) and Octopus sp. (Mollusca: Octopodidae)

Marine annelids in the subfamily Calamyzinae (family Chrysopetalidae) are either symbiotic or free-living forms that have been mainly reported from deep-sea chemosynthetic systems. Symbiotic calamyzines mainly live in the mantle cavity of bivalves in hydrothermal vents or cold seeps, but one species is also found to be inserted into the epidermis of polychaetes. We found a single specimen of calamyzine polychaete on the body surface of Octopus sp. collected in the Sea of Kumano (Japan), which represents the first known record of symbiotic association between polychaetes and octopuses. We described the specimen as Spathochaeta octopodis gen. et sp. nov. Spathochaeta gen. nov. can be discriminated from other genera in Calamyzinae by the presence of spatula-shaped notochaetae and dorsal chaetal lobes. We also provided the phylogenetic position of S. octopodis gen. et sp. nov. within Chrysopetalidae based on four gene markers (COI, 16S, 18S, H3). www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A8FB15C1-31A7-4487-966B-13F10E19A373.     

Musculature in polychaetes: comparison of Myrianida prolifera (Syllidae) and Sphaerodoropsis sp. (Sphaerodoridae)

Abstract. The relationship of the polychaete taxa Syllidae and Sphaerodoridae within Phyllodocida is still unresolved: phylogenetic analyses either show them as sister groups or more widely separated. The present article aims to provide information about the structure of the muscular system that could be essential for understanding their relationship. A crucial point is whether the body wall contains circular muscles, which has recently been shown to be absent in more taxa than previously known. The F-actin filaments in members of Myrianida prolifera (Syllidae) and Sphaerodoropsis sp. (Sphaerodoridae) were labeled with phalloidin and their three-dimensional relationships reconstructed by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Among the noteworthy differences that emerged between the species are (1) members of M. prolifera possess four, those of Sphaerodoropsis sp. eight, longitudinal muscle strands; (2) the body wall in M. prolifera contains transverse fibers in a typical, supralongitudinal position, while in Sphaerodoropsis sp., corresponding fibers lie beneath the longitudinal strands; (3) pro- and peristomium in M. prolifera have no distinct F-actin fibers, while five longitudinal pairs and three single transverse muscular fibers shape the anterior end in Sphaerodoropsis sp.; (4) the proventricle of M. prolifera comprises primarily radial muscle fibers arranged in distinct rows, while in Sphaerodoropsis sp. the axial proboscis consists of longitudinal and circular fibers and radial fibers are lacking; (5) in M. prolifera, the proximal and distal sections of the two anteriormost pairs of dorsal cirri possess longitudinal myofilaments, which are separate from the body wall musculature; by contrast, all appendages in Sphaerodoropsis sp. do not; (6) both species have bracing muscles: in M. prolifera they are positioned above the longitudinal fibers, whereas in Sphaerodoropsis sp. they are uniquely positioned between longitudinal and sublongitudinal transverse fibers. These results do not support a sister-group relationship of Syllidae and Sphaerodoridae. In addition, Sphaerodoropsis sp. is yet another example in the list of polychaetes lacking typical circular muscles in the body wall.     

Lepidapedon spp. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from deep-sea gadiform fishes of the NW Atlantic Ocean,including four new species

Five species are described from fishes in deep waters of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean: Lepidapedon gaevskayae n. sp. from Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus; L. merretti n. sp. from Phycis chesteri; L. zubchenkoi n. sp. from Coryphaenoides (Chalinura) leptolepis; L. beveridgei n. sp. from C. (N.) armatus; and Lepidapedon sp. innom. from Antimora rostrata. The genus Lepidapedon is discussed and divided into groups of species distinguished by the vitelline distribution and the extent of excretory vesicle. The new species are placed in their appropriate groups and differentiated from the other species in the group.     

Heterocotyle whittingtoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of the black-spotted whipray,Maculabatis toshi (Whitley) (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae), collected in coastal waters of Queensland,Australia

Heterocotyle whittingtoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is described from the gills of the black-spotted whipray Maculabatis toshi (Whitley) (Dasyatidae) collected from Moreton Bay near Dunwich and Peel Island, and from the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria off Weipa, Queensland, Australia. Heterocotyle whittingtoni n. sp. has a single sinuous ridge surmounting the haptoral septa and the male copulatory organ lacks an accessory piece. The new species can be distinguished from the two other Heterocotyle species that have this combination of characters by the distal portion of the male copulatory organ which is slightly flared with uniquely thickened walls and by the morphology of the testis. The identity of the host of H. whittingtoni n. sp. is discussed. We confirm that the host of the monocotylids Dendromonocotyle lasti Chisholm & Whittington, 2005 and Monocotyle caseyae Chisholm & Whittington, 2005 originally identified as “Himantura sp.” was M. toshi.

     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 49. Four new species of the Diplectanidae (Dactylogyrinea) from the gills of some pachyurines (Teleostei: Sciaenidae) from the Rio Tocantins and Rio Doce Basins, with the proposal of Anoplectanum n. g. and Spinomatrix n. g.

Four new species of the Diplectanidae from the gills of freshwater sciaenid species (Pachyurinae) in Brazil are described and two new genera, Anoplectanum n. g. and Spinomatrix n. g., are proposed. These are: Diplectanum copiosum n. sp. from Pachyurus junki and Petilipinnis grunniens; Anoplectanum haptorodynatum n. g., n. sp. from Pachyurus junki and Petilipinnis grunniens, and A. microsoma n. g., n. sp. from Petilipinnis grunniens, all in the Tocantins Basin; and Spinomatrix penteormos n. g., n. sp. from Pachyurus adspersus in the Rio Doce Basin. Anoplectanum is proposed to accommodate diplectanids lacking squamodiscs and having a superficial root of the ventral anchor as long or longer than the deep root. Spinomatrix is proposed for species having a haptoral and peduncular armature composed of spines, hooks, anchors, squamodiscs and armed muscular pads.     

New Paleocene large cassiduline foraminifera (Cassidinidae fam. nov., Miscellanacea) from Egypt and its phylogeny

Larger foraminifera of the Late Paleocene–Early Eocene lower slope to toe-of-slope deposits of the southern Galala, Egypt, are described. Sulcocassidina nakkadyi n. gen. et sp. (base) and Vacuolicassidella dakhlensis n. gen. et sp. (top) represent a phylogenetic line related to the family Cassidinidae (new family), superfamily Miscellanacea (new superfamily) in the latest Paleocene (shallow benthic zone 4) of the southern Galala, Egypt. In addition, Oscucassidella cassis n. gen. et sp., Pellatispiroides youssefi n. gen. et sp. and Chordcassidella ainshamsiana n. gen. et sp. are described and illustrated. Genus: Pomerolina n. gen. (Type species: Alveolina meandrina Carter, 1861, is newly erected and it belongs to Cassidinidae. In this family, the chambers are initially arranged streptospirally, whereas in later stages they are planispirally enrolled. Lateral chamberlets (retral process) are separated from the laminae by a passage and a marginal crest is added during growth.