North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Buffonellaria (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata): implications for biodiversity and biogeography

In this study we revise the cheilostome bryozoan genus Buffonellaria Canu & Bassler, 1927 and its Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic species, thereby addressing several existing problems. First, a lectotype for the type species, Buffonellaria divergens (Smitt, 1873) from Florida, is chosen, which proves to be distinct from the European species. Second, the two hitherto established north-east Atlantic species [ Buffonellaria nebulosa ( Jullien & Calvet, 1903 ) and Buffonellaria porcellanum Arístegui Ruiz, 1987], are redescribed, which were poorly documented until now. Third, close inspection of material, collected from Spitsbergen to tropical West Africa, using scanning electron microscopy reveals that the actual number of species, all previously referred to either B. divergens or Stephanosella biaperta (Michelin, 1848), is distinctly greater in the north-east Atlantic than has been previously acknowledged. As a result, seven new species are introduced ( Buffonellaria acorensis sp. nov. , Buffonellaria antoniettae sp. nov. , Buffonellaria arctica sp. nov. , Buffonellaria harmelini sp. nov. , Buffonellaria jensi sp. nov. , Buffonellaria muriella sp. nov. , and Buffonellaria ritae sp. nov. ), whereas two are left in open nomenclature. With the increase in number of species, the extremely broad geographical range of distribution assumed for B. divergens breaks down to numerous restricted areas. However, although most species have only been reported from a single location, B. arctica sp. nov. seems to have a fairly wide distribution in the Arctic region.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 537–566.     

A revision of the assassin spiders of the Eriauchenius gracilicollis group, a clade of spiders endemic to Madagascar (Araneae: Archaeidae)

An endemic group of Malagasy spiders (Araneae: Archaeidae: Eriauchenius ) called the gracilicollis group is revised. The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the gracilicollis group are tested based on morphological characters. Archaeid spiders of Madagascar have evolved varying degrees of elongation in the cephalic area. Historically, it was believed that the extremely elongated cephalic area had evolved only once. These morphological data support the monophyly of the gracilicollis group and suggest that the elongated cephalic area has evolved more than once. All 14 species from the gracilicollis group are described and keyed, of which nine are new species: Eriauchenius ambre sp. nov. , Eriauchenius anabohazo sp. nov. , Eriauchenius borimontsina sp. nov. , Eriauchenius griswoldi sp. nov. , Eriauchenius halambohitra sp. nov. , Eriauchenius lavatenda sp. nov. , Eriauchenius namoroka sp. nov. , Eriauchenius spiceri sp. nov. and Eriauchenius voronakely sp. nov . The morphology of the gracilicollis group is examined in detail and figures of the male and female genitalia are presented. The distributions of the gracilicollis group species are presented and discussed and higher species group relationships within the Archaeidae are discussed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 255–296.     

Systematics of the bryozoan genus Macropora (Cheilostomata)

Macropora is a distinctive genus of anascan cheilostomes. All species have large zooids with an extensive cryptocystal frontal shield perforated by numerous pores through which parietal muscle strands pass. Also characteristic of Macropora are the calcified opercula closing the d -shaped orifice, avicularia resembling autozooids but having slightly enlarged, typically crenulated opercula/mandibles, and large ovicells that are often costate. This mostly Australasian genus has a documented fossil record stretching back to the Eocene. Here we revise the generic diagnosis of Macropora and describe eight new species from New Zealand (three Recent: M. nodulosa sp. nov. , M. filifera sp. nov. and M. carlosi sp. nov. ; five fossil: M. septispinosa sp. nov. , M. similis sp. nov. , M. pittensis sp. nov. , M. leeae sp. nov. and M. bullata sp. nov. ) and one new species from Japan ( M. mawatariorum sp. nov. ), the only species known with certainty to occur in the northern hemisphere. New observations are given for some previously described species, several of which are illustrated using SEM for the first time. The northern hemisphere Upper Cretaceous species Monoporella exsculpta (Marsson), showing features allowing it to be placed tentatively in the stem-group of Macropora , is redescribed. Attempts to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of species within Macropora were hampered by the relatively few morphological characters compared with the number of species, and it proved impossible to obtain a phylogeny robust to slight changes in taxon and/or character inclusion. The favoured cladogram has poor bootstrap and Bremer support, and its stratigraphical and biogeographical congruences are low.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 115–146.     

A species complex within the isopod genus Haploniscus (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida) from the Southern Ocean deep sea: a morphological and molecular approach

Seven new species of the genus Haploniscus from the deep Scotia and Weddell Seas are presented, combining morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA). Haploniscus cassilatus sp. nov. , H. cucullus sp. nov. , H. weddellensis sp. nov. , H. procerus sp. nov. and H. kyrbasia sp. nov. are characterized by a prominent rostral process, the size and shape of which vary among species. The rostrum of H. microkorys sp. nov. is distinctly smaller than that of the former species, while H. nudifrons sp. nov. does not possess a rostrum. The status of the latter as separate species is obvious, owing to the stronger morphological differences. DNA was sequenced from three of the other five species. Genetic distances together with the more subtle morphological variation justify the erection of separate species. Overall morphological variations between these species are small yet noticeable and include, among others, the rostrum, the shape of the pleotelson and setation of pereopods. Our molecular data sets reveal detailed phylogenetic insights within the Haploniscus cucullus complex, supporting the monophyly of all species. We found p -distances of at least 0.0732 (16S rDNA) and 0.0140 (complete 18S rDNA) between pairs of species and show that both genes can be used as a marker for DNA taxonomy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 655–706.     

Late Oligocene mesotheriids (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from Salla and Lacayani (Bolivia): implications for basal mesotheriid phylogeny and distribution

The oldest known mesotheriids are referred to the genus Trachytherus , a taxon traditionally included in its own subfamily 'Trachytheriinae'. The ontogeny, morphological variation and systematics of the genus Trachytherus are still poorly understood and the monophyly of this taxon is questionable. For the first time, a large collection of basal mesotheriids (belonging to the genus Trachytherus ) yielded by the Bolivian Salla beds (Deseadan, late Oligocene) and previously referred to T. spegazzinianus was included in a large-scale analysis. This has led to the recognition of a unique new species in the locality of Salla-Luribay, distinct from T. spegazzinianus : Trachytherus alloxus sp. nov . Skulls of this species are described and cheekteeth variation range throughout ontogeny is discussed. These new data are incorporated in a parsimony analysis of basal mesotheriids. The most probable hypothesis of a clade T. spegazzinianus -mesotheriines is discussed. The distinction of the new Salla species from the Patagonian species T. spegazzinianus confirms the faunal differences observed between these Bolivian and Patagonian Deseadan localities. Moreover, the assignment to Trachytherus spegazzinianus of mesotheriid remains from the Bolivian Lacayani deposits complicates the problem of these faunal differences. Further systematic investigations on the Lacayani fauna and on the age of the Patagonian localities are needed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 153–200.     

Development, phylogeny, and taxonomy of Bostrycapulus (Caenogastropoda: Calyptraeidae), an ancient cryptic radiation

Calyptraeid gastropods are well know for the taxonomic difficulties caused by their simple, phenotypically variable shells. In this paper I demonstrate that what was previously considered to be a single species, Crepidula aculeata , is an ancient (3–15 Myr) cryptic species complex made up of at least eight species, and that this group should be placed in the genus Bostrycapulus . Despite the difficulty in finding diagnostic adult shell and anatomical features upon which species can be unambiguously identified, DNA sequences, protoconch morphology, embryonic morphology and developmental characters clearly differentiate these eight species. A single species with direct development and nurse eggs is present in the South Atlantic, and a species with planktotrophic development occurs in the equatorial Pacific. The species from Japan, Australia, Florida, the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, and the Cape Verde Islands all have direct development. Most of these species are separated by > 15% divergence in COI sequence data. The fossil record of Bostrycapulus goes back to the Miocene, which agrees with genetic estimates of divergences within the genus ranging from 3 to 15 Mya. Surprisingly, these ancient species differ only slightly in morphology from each other and genetic differentiation does not correlate with geographical distance. I revise the genus Bostrycapulus on the basis of differences in adult morphology, embryonic morphology, mode of development, protoconch morphology, and DNA sequence data. I also describe four new species ( B. pritzkeri sp. nov., B. odites sp. nov., B. latebrus sp. nov. and B. urraca sp. nov. ) and remove three others ( B. gravispinosus , B. calyptraeformis , and B.  cf. tegulicius ) from synonymy with B. aculeatus .  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 144 , 75−101.     

A new divergent lineage of Daphnia (Cladocera: Anomopoda) and its morphological and genetical differentiation from Daphnia curvirostris Eylmann, 1887

The systematic biology of the subgenus Daphnia s . s . remains confused. Prior attempts at resolution used chiefly postabdominal claw morphology, chromosome numbers and rRNA gene sequences as characters for higher-level relations. Still, several taxa, such as Daphnia curvirostris Eylmann, 1878, have unclear affiliations. We addressed the position of D. curvirostris in this genus by estimating phylogenetic trees from a rapidly evolving protein coding gene (ND2), conducting broad geographical comparisons and carrying out detailed morphological comparisons. The Japanese ' curvirostris' was found to be a new divergent lineage in the subgenus Daphnia , and to possess distinctive morphological characteristics from D. curvirostris . We described this new species as Daphnia tanakai sp. nov. , and redescribed D. curvirostris . The polymorphic postabdominal claw morphology and the distinctive chromosome number of D. tanakai sp. nov. provided evidence for rapid evolution of these traits. Our new morphological, chromosomal and genetic assessment of Daphnia weakened the argument for division of the subgenus Daphnia ( Daphnia ) O. F. Müller, 1785 sensu Johnson, 1952, into two further subgenera.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 146 , 385–405.     

On the synonymy of Delamarella Chappuis and Latiremus Božić (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Latiremidae), including the description of D. obscura sp. nov. from the Black Sea

A new species of Delamarella Chappuis, 1954 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Latiremidae), D. obscura sp. nov. , is described from sandy beaches along the western Black Sea coast of Turkey, using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Additional morphological observations of the closely related D. galateae Cottarelli, 1971 are presented, based on topotype material from Sardinia and newly collected specimens from mainland Italy. Previous records of D. karamani Petkovski, 1957 from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast are based on misidentifications and should be attributed to D. obscura sp. nov. All three species are morphologically similar, and criteria based on meristic and ornamentation characters are provided to distinguish them. Examination of copepodid V ♂ intermoult stages provided new insights into the morphology of the highly transformed P4 exopod of the adult male and its homology with reference to the female. A reassessment of the generic distinctiveness of Delamarella and the monotypic genus Latiremus Božić, 1969 revealed that morphological criteria, traditionally employed to separate both genera, are all essentially unsound and based on erroneous reports in the literature. Consequently, Latiremus is relegated to a junior synonym of the type genus, leaving Delamarella and Arbutifera Huys & Kunz, 1988 as the only remaining valid genera in the family.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 145 , 263–281.     

Three new species with two flowered spikelets in Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae) from East Anatolia, Turkey

Three new species, Acantholimon bashkaleicum sp. nov. , Acantholimon artosense sp. nov. and Acantholimon hoshapicum sp. nov. (Plumbaginaceae) are described and illustrated. The species are all confined to B9/B10 Van Province in East Anatolia where they grow either on calcareous mountain slopes or on mountain steppes. Diagnostic morphological characteristics from the closely related species are given, along with a discussion dealing with their taxonomic relationships, and their conservation statuses are pointed out. A revised key to the Acantholimon species with heterophyllous leaves, two or more flowered and four or more bracteated spikelets is also provided.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 497–505.     

Parmelina quercina (Parmeliaceae, Lecanorales) includes four phylogenetically supported morphospecies

Morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the worldwide Mediterranean lichen forming fungus, Parmelina quercina , have been studied. Specimens from western Europe, western North America and southern Australia were analysed using molecular data (nuITS rDNA, nuLSU rDNA and mtSSU rDNA) and selected morphological features (upper cortex maculae, scanning electron microscopy examination of the epicortex, ascospores and conidia shape and size, and amphithecial retrorse rhizines). The results conclusively reveal that: (1) there is not one single species but four separate species in the Mediterranean or sub Mediterranean areas of the world. Parmelina quercina and Parmelina carporrhizans (Euroasiatic species), Parmelina coleae sp. nov. (North America) and Parmelina elixia sp. nov. (Australia); (2) largely debated P. carporrhizans is not a synonym of P. quercina but supported as a valid species circumscribed to Macaronesic relict sites; (3) the geographical isolation of the Australian population is correlated with a large genetic distance; (4) morphological characters (ascospores and conidial variability and thallus epicortex) correlate with the phylogenetic hypothesis; (5) the new or revalidated species within Parmelina quercina are not cryptic species but morphologically recognizable taxa.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 91 , 455–467.     

Taxonomic revision, phylogenetic analysis, and biogeography of the bee genus Tropidopedia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Tapinotaspidini)

The species of the bee genus Tropidopedia stat. nov. are revised. Thirteen new species are proposed: T. carinata sp. nov. , T. caracicola sp. nov. , T. danunciae sp. nov. , T. duckeana sp. nov. , T. eliasi sp. nov. , T. flavolineata sp. nov. , T. friesei sp. nov. , T. japuraensis sp. nov. , T. nigrita sp. nov. , T. nigrocarinata sp. nov. , T. ornata sp. nov. , T. peruana sp. nov. and T. venezuelana sp. nov. Taxonomic notes are provided for another four species: Tropidopedia punctifrons (Smith, 1879) comb. nov. , T. pallidipennis (Friese, 1899) comb. nov. , T. seabrai (Michener & Moure, 1957) and T. arcuatilis (Vachal, 1909) comb. nov. , including designation of a lectotype for Tetrapedia arcuatilis Vachal. An identification key, illustrations for main diagnostic characters, and distributions maps for all species are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to evaluate the monophyly of Tropidopedia and its main species groups, as well as to position it among the related genera. Biogeographical patterns are discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 511–554.     

Description of a new species of Mesochaetopterus (Annelida, Polychaeta, Chaetopteridae), with redescription of Mesochaetopterus xerecus and an approach to the phylogeny of the family

Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. , a new large chaetopterid polychaete from the Mediterranean Sea, is described. The analyses of partial sequences from the nuclear 18S rRNA (643 bp) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (577 bp) genes of representative individuals of all known chaetopterid genera indicated the initial assignment of the new species into Mesochaetopterus . These analyses also supported the monophyly of the family and revealed two well-supported clades: Chaetopterus/Mesochaetopterus and Spiochaetopterus/Phyllochaetopterus . Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. is close to Mesochaetopterus xerecus , which is redescribed here from newly collected material. Mesochaetopterus rogeri sp. nov. was characterized as follows: (1) two long tentacles with dorsal transversal black bands of alternating widths (sometimes with two additional longitudinal light-brown bands); (2) region A with nine chaetigers (up to 12), with 13–19 modified chaetae in the fourth chaetiger; (3) region B with three flat segments, with accessory feeding organs in the second and third segments; (4) sandy straight tubes, 2.5-m long or more, vertically embedded in the sand. In the Bay of Blanes, M. rogeri sp. nov. occurs between 6- and 9-m deep (but also up to 30-m deep), in a patchy distribution (< 1 individual m⁻²), with maximum densities in April/June (likely to be the result of recruitment events), and minimum densities in September/November (likely to be a behavioural response to increasing sediment dynamics). Although it was originally thought that M. rogeri sp. nov. could be an introduced species, we argue that it is probably a native of the Mediterranean that has been overlooked by scientists up to now.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 201–225.     

A new species of Noccaea (Brassicaceae) from South Anatolia, Turkey

Noccaea camlikensis sp. nov. (Brassicaceae) is described and illustrated from a localized serpentine range in southern Turkey. Its close relationship to N. cariensis , from which it differs in leaf and carpological characters, is discussed. The protologue of this fairly unknown species can now be amended to cover better the morphological variability of this taxon. A comparative study of seed-coat anatomy advocates its move from Thlaspi to Noccaea ; the relevant combination N. cariensis (Carlström) Parolly, Nordt & Aytaç is made. The ecology of both vicarious species is discussed and their distribution mapped.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 409–416.     

A new species of Selaginella from Hainan Island, China, with a key to the Hainan species

Selaginella hainanensis X.C.Zhang & Noot. sp. nov. , a new species from Hainan Island, South China, is described and illustrated. Diagnostic notes and a key to the species distributed in Hainan are also provided.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 323–327.     

A new species of Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia, Turkey

A new species Scorzonera gokcheoglui O. Ünal & R. S. Göktürk sp. nov. from south Anatolia is described and illustrated. Its relationships with S. argyria and S. pisidica are discussed. A map showing the distribution of the species and other related species is given.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 465–468.     

Systematics of the spider genus Metabus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 (Araneoidea: Tetragnathidae) with additions to the tetragnathid fauna of Chile and comments on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus : the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov. , A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov. , A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov. – created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov. – and three new species of Chrysometa : C. acinosa sp. nov. , C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov. , M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. , M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 285–335.     

Revision of the Neotropical Scleropactidae (Crustacea: Oniscidea)

The species of Scleropactidae from America are revised and redescribed. A phylogeny hypothesis based on an analysis of morphological characters is presented. The genera are redefined and the generic placement of several species is corrected. The Neotropical Scleropactidae include Colomboscia , Scleropactes , Circoniscus , Neosanfilippia , Sphaeroniscus , Richardsoniscus , Spherarmadillo , Colomboniscus , Amazoniscus and Protosphaeroniscus . The genus Chileoniscus is excluded from the Scleropactidae. Sphaerobathytropa is excluded from the Scleropactidae and its previous record from Argentina is revealed to be erroneous. Synuropus is revalidated and excluded from the Scleropactidae. The following new genera are introduced: Scleropactoides gen. nov. , Globopactes gen. nov. , Caecopactes gen. nov. , and Troglopactes gen. nov. Thirteen species are described as new: Caecopactes minimus sp. nov. , Colomboscia parva sp. nov. , Globopactes falconensis sp. nov. , Globopactes hispidus sp. nov. , Globopactes meridae sp. nov. , Scleropactes cotopaxii sp. nov. , Scleropactes ecuadoriensis sp. nov. , Scleropactes pululahua sp. nov. , Scleropactoides curvatus sp. nov. , Circoniscus hirsutus sp. nov. , Sphaeroniscus quintus sp. nov. , Spherarmadillo nebulosus sp. nov. , and Chileoniscus armadillidioides sp. nov. Identification keys to all species are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 (Suppl. 1), 1–339.