Morphology and distribution of the North American diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aulacoseira pardata</Emphasis> English &amp; Potapova in Russia

Diatom species Aulacoseira pardata English & Potapova, new for the flora of Russia, has been found in the course of studying samples from Lake Frolikha (Transbaikal region) by scanning electron microscopy. Numerical morphological features of the species in the studied population differ from the type population, which indicates their greater variability. It is shown that A. pardata is distinguished from the similar species A. septentrionalis (Camburn & Charles) Genkal & Kulikovskiy by the shape of spines and shape and size of areolae on the valve mantle. Species A. septentrionalis, new for the lake, as well as for Cis-Baikal and Transbaikal regions, has also been recorded in Lake Frolikha.     

The genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Keppleritiana</Emphasis> gen. nov. (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

A new ammonite genus of the subfamily Garantianinae, family Stephanoceratidae, from the Upper Bajocian Strenoceras niortense Zone in the Bolshoi Zelenchuk River basin (Karachay-Cherkessia), with two new species from two different localities, is established. The type species Keppleritiana rostovtsevi gen. et sp. nov. is homeomorphic to some species of the Upper Bathonian–Lower Callovian genus Kepplerites (Fam. Kosmoceratidae) but is distinguished by the presence of a ventral furrow in adults. An isolated valve of an aptychus possibly belonging to this species is illustrated. Keppleritiana graebensteini sp. nov. has a more archaic morphology and is apparently ancestral to the type species. The macroconchs and microconchs of both species are described.     

On the First Finds of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Djanaliparkinsonia</Emphasis> (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) in the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

The genus Djanaliparkinsonia Kutuzova, 1975 was originally described as an endemic subgenus of the genus Parkinsonia (family Parkinsoniidae of the superfamily Perisphinctoidea) from the Upper Bajocian (middle member of the Degibadam Formation) of the Gissar Range (Uzbekistan). A new species D. alanica sp. nov. is established from the Upper Bajocian Garantiana garantiana Zone (upper member of the Djangura Formation) based on occurrences in the Northern Caucasus (Karachay-Cherkessia). Macroconchs and microconchs of the new species are described from the two localities on the Kuban and Kyafar rivers. Djanaliparkinsonia sp. is identified from the lower subzone of the Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River. The species composition and geographic range of Djanaliparkinsonia are expanded: a species previously described from Germany as Garantiana bentzi Wetzel, 1954 also assigned to the genus. The genus Djanaliparkinsonia is assigned to the subfamily Garantianinae of the family Stephanoceratidae (superfamily Stephanoceratoidea).     

On some <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rarecostites</Emphasis> (Parkinsoniidae,Ammonoidea) from the Upper Bajocian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parkinsoni</Emphasis> zone of the Northern Caucasus

The ammonites of the genus Rarecostites (subfamily Parkinsoniinae) are studied from the lower part of the Upper Bajocian Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River (Bolshoi Zelenchuk River Basin, Karachai-Cherkessia, Russia). The locality contains numerous microconch shells of R. subarietis (Wetzel). We follow de Grossouvre (1919) in considering the names R. acris (Wetzel) and R. arietis (Wetzel) to be subjective synonyms of R. subarietis and, thus, the standard Acris should be replaced by the Subarietis Subzone. The lower part of the section also contains numerous microconchs of R. sherstyukovi sp. nov. and, less commonly, macroconchs of R. kyafarensis sp. nov. The phylogeny of Rarecostites species is reconstructed; the above species are described and figured and the sherstyukovi and subarietis faunal horizons are established.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Boreophylloceras</Emphasis> Alekseev et Repin, 1998 (Ammonitida) from the Berriasian <Emphasis Type="Italic">kochi</Emphasis> zone of north-central Siberia

Study of the shells of phylloceratids from the kochi Zone (Berriasian) of north-central Siberia (Boyarka River, basin of the Kheta River) allowed their assignment to the genus Boreophylloceras Alekseev et Repin, 1998. A new species B. densicostatum is described.     

The species composition,morphology, and seasonal distribution of diatoms of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Attheya</Emphasis> West, 1860 from the Sea of Japan

Six species that belong to the diatom genus Attheya were found in the Russian waters of the Sea of Japan. A. cf. flexuosa is a new record for the seas of Russia. A. decora is recorded for the first time for the Sea of Japan. The peculiarities of the morphology of A. decora and A. cf. flexuosa are described and illustrated. The study of the seasonal distribution, abundance, and ecology of Attheya species in the northwestern Sea of Japan showed that A. longicornis and A. ussurensis were the most numerous and widespread species, reaching maximum densities (up to 1.5 × 10⁶ and 1.8 × 10⁴ cells/liter, respectively) in the spring, summer, and fall. A. cf. flexuosa and A. septentrionalis were rare and were found in low numbers in the winter and early spring. Based on the ultrastructure of the girdle bands, the form and number of chloroplasts, the presence/absence of rimoportula on the valve, and habitat features, we distinguished two groups of species of the genus Attheya from the Sea of Japan. The first group includes psammophytes A. decora, A. arenicola, and A. ussurensis; the second one comprises A. longicornis and A. cf. flexuosa epiphytic on other diatoms, as well as A. septentrionalis, which is found in the under-ice plankton and is able to attach to the underside of ice.     

Distribution of representatives of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoabbottiella</Emphasis> (Rhodophyta: Halymeniales) in the Russian Far Eastern Seas and taxonomic status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. valentinae</Emphasis> N. Klochkova et Pisareva, 2013

The new information on distribution of the red algae Neoabbottiella in the Russian Far East changes the concept of the areal of these algae and their preferred temperatures. A comparison of N. valentinae N. Klochkova et Pisareva with Schizymenia dubyi f. palmata Yamada collected by Y. Yamada from Urup Island and stored with its type and paratypes in the collection of Hokkaido University Museum (Sapporo, Japan) showed their conspecificity. Based on the data, N. valentinae was recognized as a synonym of Schizymenia dubyi f. palmata. Since this form does not possess the main generic feature of the genus Schizymenia and at the same time has well-expressed generic features of Neoabbottiella, the form S. dubyi f. palmata is transferred to this genus with the name N. palmata (Yamada) N. Klochkova et Pisareva.     

Chromosome counts in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chaetogastra</Emphasis> (Melastomataceae,Melastomateae)

Chaetogastra is the largest genus in Melastomateae, with about 165–190 species. The genus was only recently resurrected, based on species that have been traditionally treated in Tibouchina sects. Diotanthera, Pseudopterolepis, Purpurella and Simplicicaules. This article presents 15 chromosome counts for the genus, a review of the available counts and also a discussion of these counts in a systematic context. Although the sampling in the genus is still poor, the data found in the literature and in our research indicate x=9 as the base chromosome number for the genus. We also found that euploidy may be common in Chaetogastra, with diploid, tetraploid and hexaploid species. Basic chromosome numbers also seem to be a taxonomic character that distinguishes Chaetogastra (x=9) from Brachyotum (x=10).     

Revision of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meroctenus</Emphasis> Gemminger et Harold,with a new status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodochus</Emphasis> Andrewes (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Originally described as a monotypical genus with unclear taxonomic position from Sudan, Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 is treated as a polytypical genus of the Selenophori genus group with two subgenera: Meroctenus s. str. and Xenodochus Andrewes, 1941, stat. n. (the latter was previously considered a distinct genus). Within Meroctenus, two species are recognized: M. (Meroctenus) crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 (type species) and M. (M.) mediocris (Andrewes, 1936), comb, n., transferred to Meroctenus s. str. from Xenodochus. A new subspecies M. (M.) crenulatus orientalis subsp. n. is described from Pakistan. Diagnoses of the genus Meroctenus in new interpretation as well as of its two subgenera are discussed, and a taxonomic review of the subgenus Meroctenus s. str. with a key to the species and subspecies is provided. The following synonymy is proposed: Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 = Paregaploa Müller, 1947, syn. n.; Meroctenus crenulatus (Chaudoir, 1843) = Egaploa (Paregaploa) conviva Müller, 1947, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomerus crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 and Xenodus mediocris Andrewes, 1936.     

Redescription and systematic position of nominal loach species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nemacheilus compressirostris</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N. sibiricus</Emphasis> (Nemacheilidae)

Type specimens of nominal species Nemacheilus compressirostris Warpachowsky, 1897, and N. sibiricus Gratzianov, 1907, from the upper Ob River basin were redescribed, and lectotypes for both species were selected. Although some traits were not preserved well enough, it was established that both names should be classified with Barbatula cf. toni, corresponding to the “snub-nosed” morphotype fide Prokofiev (2007). None of the names are suitable for designation of the morph “tigris” fide Gundrizer (1975) and Prokofiev (2007). A comparison table of diagnostic traits of the genus Barbatula from the Asian part of the range was compiled.     

Anatomy,pollen, and chromosomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adenoa</Emphasis> (Turneraceae), a monotypic genus endemic to Cuba

The monotypic genus Adenoa is endemic to Cuba. Its name alludes to the presence of minute glands on the petal margin, identified in the present study as lachrymiform colleters. Here we describe the morphological, anatomical, palynological, and chromosome features that characterize Adenoa cubensis. The indumentum of Adenoa consists only of stellate trichomes. Unlike many species of the new world genera Piriqueta and Turnera, Adenoa lacks glandular hairs and extrafloral nectaries. Adenoa, Piriqueta, and Turnera share the presence of standard, sessile, and lachrymiform colleters. The leaves of Adenoa have xeromorphic features, which include entire, revolute blade margins, an adaxial hypodermis, and stomata restricted to the abaxial surface. The chromosome number is 2n?=?14, which is probably the ancestral number of the family. Adenoa chromosomes are similar in size to those of Turnera, and are larger than those of Piriqueta. Using the available data, we discuss relationships among the new world genera of Turneraceae.     

Phylogenetic relationships of sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cottus volki</Emphasis> Taranetz, 1933 (Scorpaeniformes,Cottidae) according to the results of analysis of control region in mitochondrial DNA

Sequencing of the fragment of control region in mitochondrial DNA in sculpin Cottus volki and the comparison of obtained data with homologous nucleotide sequences in the other species from genus Cottus demonstrated that C. volki occupies the basal position in the “poecilopus” group, which includes also typical sculpin C. poecilopus Heckel, 1837 from water bodies of Europe, sculpin C. szanaga Dybowski, 1869 from the Amur River basin, and sculpin Cottus cf. poecilopus from the Lena River basin. Early separation of C. volki line from common trunk of “poecilopus” group explains the presence in C. volki of several primitive (plesiomorphic for this group) morphological characters: long interior ray of ventral fin, practically complete lateral body line, and well-developed dentition of palatine bones.     

Characterization of invasive fish species in a river transposition region: evolutionary chromosome studies in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hoplias</Emphasis> (Characiformes,Erythrinidae)

Karyotypic analyses were performed in fishes from the genus Hoplias (H. malabaricus and H. lacerdae groups) from the São Francisco River basin (Brazil), in an impacted region by a river transposition which altered the local ecology and fish fauna. The karyotypes were investigated using chromosomal markers obtained from classic and molecular cytogenetics (Giemsa, CMA₃ and DAPI staining, C-banding, Ag-NORs, and FISH with 18S rDNA, 5S rDNA and 5SHindIII satellite DNA probes). Two karyotypic forms were found for the H. malabaricus group—karyomorph F, corresponding to the native form from the São Francisco River basin, and karyomorph A, corresponding to the invading form from the Upper Paraná River basin. Specimens from the H. lacerdae group exhibited striking chromosome differences in relation to the H. malabaricus group, thereby enabling good cytotaxonomic characterization and inferences regarding the karyotype evolution of these groups.     

End of an enigma: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aenigmopteris</Emphasis> belongs in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectaria</Emphasis> (Tectariaceae: Polypodiopsida)

The phylogenetic affinities of the fern genus Aenigmopteris have been the subject of considerable disagreement, but until now, no molecular data were available from the genus. Based on the analysis of three chloroplast DNA regions (rbcL, rps16-matK, and trnL-F) we demonstrate that Aenigmopteris dubia (the type species of the genus) and A. elegans are closely related and deeply imbedded in Tectaria. The other three species of genus are morphologically very similar; we therefore transfer all five known species into Tectaria. Detailed morphological comparison further shows that previously proposed diagnostic characters of Aenigmopteris fall within the range of variation of a broadly circumscribed Tectaria.     

A new Oryzopsis from Idaho

A new species of ricegrass,Oryzopsis swallenii, from the sagebrush hills at the east end of the Lost River and Lemhi ranges in east central Idaho is described. The plant combines features ofStipa andOryzopsis, but is set apart fromStipa by virtue of a quickly deciduous awn and a blunt callus, and from other species inOryzopsis by its relatively long glumes and its chromosome number, 2n = 34. The chromosome number forO. exigua Thurb., 2n = 22, is also reported. A key is provided to separate this new species from others in the genus most similar to it.     

Neogene phasianids (Aves: Phasianidae) of Central Asia: 1. Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tologuica</Emphasis> gen. nov.

A new genus, Tologuica, with two species (T. aurorae sp. nov. and T. karhui sp. nov.), from the Middle Miocene of the Sharga locality (western Mongolia) is described. The new genus shares some characters with the extinct genera Palaeocryptonyx, Palaeortyx, and Plioperdix and with extant Coturnix. The foot structure suggests that Tologuica resembled in ecology the European genus Palaeortyx and was probably adapted to an arboreal mode of life, in contrast to the terrestrial Coturnix and Plioperdix.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Barracudia australiensis</Emphasis> n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Philometridae) from the obtuse barracuda <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphyraena obtusata</Emphasis> Cuvier (Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) off eastern Australia

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, a new nematode parasite, Barracudia australiensis n. sp. (Philometridae), is described from the gall-bladder of the marine fish (obtuse barracuda) Sphyraena obtusata Cuvier (Sphyraenidae, Perciformes) from off the eastern Pacific coast of Australia, for which a new genus Barracudia n. g. is established. This new genus is mainly characterised by features found in the male: sickle-shaped, ventrally curved spicules, a gubernacum with a broad, dorsally bent distal portion and a markedly dorsoventrally elongated cloacal aperture. Based on these features, Barracudia spp. conspicuously differ from representatives of all other philometrid genera with known males. Philometra philippinensis Quiazon & Yoshinaga, 2013 is transferred to Barracudia as B. philippinensis (Quiazon & Yoshinaga, 2013) n. comb. Barracudia australiensis is the third nominal species of philometrids described from the Sphyraenidae and the 19th species of the Philometridae recorded from fishes in Australian waters.