Primulina maciejewskii sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Guangdong,China

Primulina maciejewskii F. Wen, R.L. Zhang & A.Q. Dong, a new species of Primulina (Gesneriaceae) from Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to P. lobulata and P. danxiaensis in leaf and flower shape, but can be distinguished by bract shape, peduncle, pedicel, and bract size, filament and anther indumentum, and number of bracts, staminodes and stigma.     

Two new species of Haemaphysalis Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) in the H. (Rhipistoma) spinulosa subgroup,parasites of carnivores and hedgehogs in Africa

Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) princeps n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae) and H. (R.) camicasi n. sp. are described based on adults. Adults of H. princeps n. sp. were mostly collected from various carnivores (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae) and hedgehogs (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae); few specimens were found on hare (Lagomorpha: Leporidae), various rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) and an antelope (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan and Sudan. Few adults of H. princeps n. sp. were reared from nymphs collected on rodents (Rodentia: Muridae) and shrew (Soricomorpha: Soricidae). Adults of H. camicasi n. sp. were also mostly collected from various carnivores (Carnivora: Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae) and hedgehogs (Erinaceomorpha: Erinaceidae); few specimens were found on different rodents (Rodentia: Muridae, Nesomyidae, Sciuridae), hare (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) and bushbaby (Primates: Galagidae) in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan and Togo. Males and females of both species can be differentiated from each other and other H. spinulosa-like ticks by their size, pattern of punctations on conscutum/scutum, size of setae, shape of genital structures, size and shape of spiracular plates, dorsal cornua, posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on palpal segments II and spur on coxae.

     

Description of three new species of Ixodes Latreille, 1795 (Acari: Ixodidae), parasites of tenrecs (Afrotheria: Tenrecidae) on Madagascar

Ixodes soarimalalae n. sp., Ixodes uilenbergi n. sp. and Ixodes uncus n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae), are described based on females ex various species of tenrecs (Afrosoricida: Tenrecidae) from Madagascar. Females of all of these new species are similar to those of other species of the subgenus Afrixodes Morel, 1966 known from Madagascar, from which they can be distinguished and from one other by the size of scutum, size of scutal setae, shape of alloscutal setae, shape of genital aperture, development of genital apron, size of auriculae, size of anterior angle of basis capituli, size of palpi, dental formula on hypostome and size and development of spurs on coxa I.

     

Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani n. sp. and Cucullanus hansoni Olsen, 1952 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from fishes off New Caledonia

Two species of cucullanid nematodes collected from the intestine of marine fishes off New Caledonia were studied with the use of light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM): Dichelyne (Cucullanellus) bodiani n. sp. from Bodianus perditio (Quoy & Gaimard) (Perciformes: Labridae), characterised mainly by the small size of the body (males and gravid females 2.26–3.13 mm and 2.46–3.32 mm long, respectively), the presence of very long spicules (1.53–1.66 mm in length), the remarkably large seminal vesicle and the arrangement of caudal papillae, is the second known species of Dichelyne Jägerskiöld, 1902 parasitising fishes of the Labridae and the second nominal species of this genus recorded from fishes in New Caledonian waters. Cucullanus hansoni Olsen, 1952, originally described from Hawaii, is now, after 67 years, again reported from its type-host, Sufflamen fraenatum (Latreille) (Tetraodontiformes: Balistidae), from off New Caledonia. The SEM examination of C. hansoni, used in this species for the first time, revealed some new morphological details, such as the presence of a median precloacal cuticular elevation or the shape of deirids and distal tips of spicules, as well as the exact location of caudal papillae and phasmids in the male. This is the seventh species of Cucullanus Müller, 1777 recorded from fishes off New Caledonia.

     

Plasmodium spp. (Apicomplexa: Plasmodiidae) of the flying lizardDraco volans (Agamidae)

The agamid lizardDraco volans from Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, was found to be parasitised by threePlasmodium species:P. draconis n. sp.,P. volans n. sp. andP. vastator, Laird 1960. BothP. draconis andP. volans, but notP. vastator, were also present inD. volans from Sarawak. The species are readily distinguished by schizont size, merozoite number, and gametocyte size and shape.P. volans has schizonts approximately one-half the size of those ofP. draconis and produces 4–6 merozoites in comparison to 4–16 in the larger species. Gametocytes of both new species are predominantly oval in the Palawan sample and elongate in that from Sarawak.P. draconis gametocytes are approximately twice the size ofP. volans gametocytes, but on average no more than one-half the size of gametocytes ofP. vastator.     

Photinia taishunensis sp. nov. (Rosaceae) from Zhejiang,eastern China

Photinia taishunensis G. H. Xia, L. H. Lou & S. H. Jin (Rosaceae, Spiraeoideae) from Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. It has previously been confused with P. lochengensis Yü, but differs in details of habit, leaf size, leaf shape, inflorescence, flower size and pubescence. The pollen grains of P. taishunensis are monads, elliptical with trisulcate apertures, and the exine is rugulose, dotted with sparse punctures.     

Morphological variation in Bosmina longirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) (Crustacea: Cladocera): consequence of cyclomorphosis or indication of cryptic species?

Samples of the polymorphic cladoceran Bosmina longirostris were collected in several lakes and ponds in Western Germany between 1993 and 1999. The shape of the first antennule was used as a qualitative criterion to classify 1241 individuals to three morphs (`longirostris', `cornuta', `pellucida') according to Lieder (Crustacea: Cladocera: Bosminidae. Stuttgart, Germany: Gustav. Fischer Verlag, 1996). Eight morphometric variables were subsequently measured in each individual to quantify size‐ and shape‐related features. Principal component and discriminant analyses were used to describe the morphological variation within and among the three morphs. Seasonal environmental changes modified several traits and thus, cyclomorphosis accounted for a high proportion of within‐morph variation. However, there was no gradual change from one morph to another. As well among‐morph variation was considerably greater than within‐morph variation. Consequently, the disagreement between the qualitative pre‐classification and the assignment basing on morphometric discriminant functions was low (4.6–12.0%). Considering that each morph is morphologically well‐defined, and that the different morphs coexisted over several generations in the same lake we conclude that they represent different species rather than variants of one polymorphic species. Therefore, we recognize beside the nominal taxon Bosmina longirostris ( 26 ) two more species: Bosmina cornuta ( 10 ) and Bosmina pellucida 30 .     

Probothriocephalus alaini n. sp. (Cestoda: Triaenophoridae) from the deep-sea fish Xenodermichthys copei in the North Atlantic Ocean

Probothriocephalus alaini n. sp. is described from the intestine of the deep-sea fish Xenodermichthys copei (Gill) (Osmeriformes: Alepocephalidae) from the North Atlantic. It resembles most closely the type-species of Probothriocephalus, P. muelleri Campbell, 1977 described from Alepocephalus agassizi Goode & Bean (Alepocephalidae), but it differs in the distribution of the vitelline follicles that form two medially well-separated bands (versus almost circum-cortical in P. muelleri), in the shape of gravid proglottids that are elongate, much longer than wide (always wider than long in P. muelleri), in the size of the body (much larger in the latter species) and a somewhat different shape of the scolex (widely lanceolate versus elongate and tapering anteriorly in P. muelleri). Other congeneric species, described from deep-sea fish of different orders (Myctophiformes and Beryciformes), lack a distinct neck region, their eggs were reported to be non-operculate and they have much more pronounced external segmentation.     

Gyrodactylus quadratidigitus n. sp. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae), a parasite of the leopard-spotted goby Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) from the south-western coast of the UK

Gyrodactylus quadratidigitus n. sp. (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) is described from the gills, fins and skin of Thorogobius ephippiatus (Lowe) (leopard-spotted goby) from Portland Castle Bay, Dorset, UK. G. quadratidigitus n. sp. most closely resembles the species ofGyrodactyluspreviously described by Geets from Pomatoschistus microps(Krøyer) in the approximate shape and size of the attachment hooks but can be readily distinguished from other species of the genus by the distinctive square shape of the toe region of the marginal hook sickle, the anteriorly positioned cirrus bulb and the unusually short intestinal crura which extend only as far as the level of the testes.     

Isachne edamalayarensis sp. nov. (Poaceae: Micrairoideae) from southern Western Ghats,India

Isachne edamalayarensis, a new species from southern Western Ghats in Kerala, India, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Isachne oreades (Domin) Bor but can be distinguished by its large and glabrous leaves, unequal glumes, and shape and size of lower and upper glumes.     

Comparative morphology of populations of Monstera Adans. (Araceae) from natural forest fragments in Northeast Brazil using elliptic Fourier Analysis of leaf outlines

Summary  A comparative study of the leaf outline morphometrics of Monstera adansonii var. klotzschiana, M. adansonii var. laniata and M. praetermissa was carried out. The study focused on populations in isolated montane humid (brejo) forests of Ceará state in Northeast Brazil and compared them with populations from Amazonia and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Digitised outlines were prepared from a total of 1,695 field-collected leaf images from 20 populations, and elliptic Fourier analysis was used to generate matrices of coefficients, from which six shape variables (principal components) were extracted using Principal Components Analysis. Intra-population variability and inter-population differences were analysed with multivariate distance methods. Separate analyses were carried out for each of three leaf size classes (juvenile, submature, mature) because of the strong heteroblasty typical of this genus. Juvenile leaves were the least variable size class within populations of M. adansonii var. klotzschiana. The shape variables expressed very similar types of variation in all three size classes. The Ceará brejo populations of M. adansonii var. klotzschiana showed significant differences between mature leaf outlines in all pairwise comparisons; the Pacatuba population was the most distinct. The Ceará populations did not cluster together exclusively. In all three size classes, populations clustered together into their taxonomic groups, most clearly so in mature leaves. No correlation between morphological and geographic distance matrices was found, nor between morphological and molecular distance. The study showed that leaf outline shape is a practicable and useful quantitative trait for studying morphological variability at species, varietal and population levels. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cattiena fansipanis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhigonematida: Carnoyidae) from a millipede (Myriapoda: Diplopoda: Spirobolida) in North Vietnam

A new species of Cattiena Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001 from a diplopod (Spirobolida: Pseudospirobolellidae Brolemann) collected near Sa Pa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam, is described. Females of Cattiena fansipanis n. sp. are closely related to females of two other known species of the genus, C. trachelomegali Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001 and C. trigoniuli Hunt & Spiridonov, 2001, but can be distinguished by the distinctly more anterior position of the vulva, abrupt constriction of the body at the vulval level, presence of two swollen portions of the oviducts, and longer body and tail. Males of new species differ by having a rounded cephalic region followed by 13–14 annules which are larger than those which follow them, a different size and shape of the spicules and gubernaculum, and body and tail length. Three size groups of juveniles were found in the host gut lumen, presumably representing second, third and fourth juvenile stages. The morphology of the juvenile stages is described.     

Morphological studies on the nutlet of Turkish Cyclotrichium Manden. & Scheng. (Lamiaceae)

Morphological characters of the nutlets of Cyclotrichium Manden. & Scheng. in Turkey were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The genus Cyclotrichium is represented by six species in Turkey, of which two are endemic for Turkey. Nutlet morphology of the species was studied using stereoscopic microscopy and SEM, and the features were described and illustrated. Nutlet morphology of the examined specimens exhibits some variation in size, shape and sculpture. Nutlets range from 1.1 to 2.0 mm in length and 0.5 to 1.0 mm in width and are elliptic, oblong to ovoid and trigonous in shape. Nutlet sculpture can be divided into two main types: distinctly or weakly reticulate pattern in C. niveum, C. origanifolium, C. longiflorum and rounded cell arrangement in the remaining species. Micromorphological characters could be useful in solving taxonomic problems of Cyclotrichium.     

Isomermis bipapillatus n. sp. and Gastromermis mesostoma n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda), parasites of Simulium japonicum (Simuliidae: Diptera) in Japan

Summary Two new species of the Mermithidae (Nematoda) are described from the Japanese blackfly Simulium japonicum Matsumura. They are the first representatives of Gastromermis and Isomermis from Japan. Gastromermis mesostoma n. sp. is characterized by a terminal or near terminal mouth, 6 hypodermal cords and the absence of cloacal or vulvar lips. Isomermis bipapillatus n. sp. is characterized by the small size of the spicules, their curved shape and by a pair of terminal hypodermal protuberances in the tail. This work was in part supported by a grant (No. 58570188) from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture This work was in part supported by a grant (No. 58570188) from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture     

Novelty in Centaurea sect. Acrocentron (Asteraceae,Cardueae) from Iran

A new species, Centaurera bojnordensis Ranjbar, Negaresh & Joharchi (Asteraceae), endemic to Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran and belonging to Centaurea sect. Acrocentron, is described and illustrated. This species is mainly distinguished from C. sintenisiana of C. sect. Acrocentron by its indumentum of stem, shape and size of involucres, cilia and spine length. In addition, geographical distribution of the two species is presented and shown. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Polystomatidae (Monogenea) of African Anura: Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. parasitic in Ptychadena anchietae (Bocage)

Polystoma dawiekoki n. sp. is described as a new species of the Polystomatidae parasitic in the urinary bladder of the plain grass frog Ptychadena anchietae. This parasite was collected at Mkuze town and Mkuze Game Reserve in northern Kwazulu-Natal Province, in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, and at Bulwa in Tanga Province, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. It is distinguished from other African Polystoma species by a combination of characters, including the body size, size and shape of marginal hooklets and the haptor length to body length ratio. The presence of adult, as well as subadult, parasites in the same individuals, as is known for Eupolystoma, represents a significant evolutionary departure from the pattern of transmission typical of Polystoma in most of the other anuran hosts.     

Cytology of 2N pollen formation and pollen morphology in diploid lotus tenuis (fabaceae)

Two genotypes of Lotus tenuis Waldst & Kit. ex Willd. PI 204882, a diploid (2n = 2x = 12), were identified as producing 2n pollen (maximum = 6%). The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the mechanism(s) of 2n pollen formation in the L. tenuis genotypes and (2) to morphologically describe n and 2n pollen using light and scanning electron microscopy. Meiotic studies revealed that 2n pollen resulted from tripolar spindles during anaphase II of microsporogenesis. The 2n pollen germinated well, although abnormal pollen tubes were observed. The genetic constitution of 2n pollen resulting from tripolar spindles is equivalent to first division restitution (FDR) of meiosis. Fresh and air-dried pollen samples exhibited differences in size and shape under light and scanning electron microscopy. The size of diploid (2n) pollen was larger than that of haploid (1n) pollen. Normal haploid (1n) pollen was globose-prolate in shape, while diploid (2n) pollen was tetrahedral in shape.     

Coccidia of Brazilian Mammals: Eimeria corticulata N. Sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Anteater Tamandua tetradactyla (Xenarthra: Myrmecophagidae) and Eimeria zygodontomyis N. Sp. from the Cane Mouse Zygodontomys lasiurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Feces from a specimen of Tamandua tetradactyla (Linn.) from Portel, Para State, north Brazil, contained two different coccidial oocysts; one identified as Eimeria tamanduae Lainson 1968, and the other as a new species, described here as Eimeria corticulata n. sp. Oocysts of E. corticulata are ellipsoidal, 37.4 × 30.4 (31.2–43.7 × 23.7–35.0) μm, shape index (length/width) 1.2 (1.0–1.5). Oocyst wall 2.5–3.7 μm thick and composed of two layers; an outer thick, brown-yellow one with radial striations, and a thin inner smooth one: no visible micropyle. Oocyst residuum a large globule of about 10.7 × 10.3 μm, usually accompanied by a number of smaller attached globules. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 21.0 × 11.0 (20.0–22.5 × 10.0–12.5) μm, with a conspicuous Stieda body: shape index 1.9 (1.6–2.2). Sporocyst residuum a small number of scattered granules: sporozoites 18.7 × 5.0 μm, with a large posterior refractile body. Eimeria zygodontomyis n. sp. is described in feces from Zygodontomys lasiurus (Lund) from the Serra dos Carajas, Para. Oocysts ellipsoidal to cylindrical, 16.5 × 12.0 (13.7–18.7 × 11.2–12.3) μm, shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). Wall colorless, smooth, single-layered and about 0.6 μm thick: no micropyle. No oocyst residuum, but a polar granule of about 1.8 × 1.0 μm is sometimes present. Sporocysts ellipsoidal, 8.4 × 5.5(7.5–8.7 × 5.0–6.2) μm, shape index 1.5 (1.4–1.7), with a thin colorless wall and a delicate Stieda body. Sporozoites enclose a compact residuum of about 2.5 × 3.7 μm.     

Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) dorsovaginatus n. sp.(Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from the dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus (Sciaenidae) on the southern coast of South Africa

Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) dorsovaginatus n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) is described from the dusky kob, Argyrosomus japonicus (Temminck & Schlegel) from the southern coast of South Africa in the Breede River Estuary. Like four other species of Neoechinorhynchus Stiles & Hassall, 1905, N. (N.) africanus Troncy, 1969, N. (N.) johnii Yamaguti, 1939, N. topseyi Podder, 1937 and N. (N.) tylosuri Yamaguti, 1939, the new species has a very long, slender body, cylindrical testes and cement-gland, anterior proboscis hooks much longer than the middle or posterior hooks, and a long neck. The new species is the only species of Neoechinorynchus having an antero-dorsal hump just posterior to the neck and a specialised vaginal sphincter and a gonopore on the dorsal side. It is closest to N. (N.) johnii, but is distinguished from it by: the size of the trunk, proboscis, anterior proboscis hooks, neck, and the posterior testis in relation to the cement-gland; the shape of cerebral ganglion and proboscis hook root; and the number of giant nuclei in the cement-gland.