A new caddisfly of the fossil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Archaeotinodes</Emphasis> (Insecta: Trichoptera: Ecnomidae) from the Baltic amber

A new caddisfly species of the fossil genus Archaeotinodes, A. igneusaper sp. nov., is described from the Upper Eocene Baltic amber. The new species is close to A. pauper Ulmer, 1912 and A. lanceolata Ulmer, 1912 from the Baltic amber, differing from these in the structure of the male genitalia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fauchea guiryi</Emphasis> Selivanova sp. n.: The first record of a species of the family Faucheaceae (Rhodophyta: Rhodymeniales) in the Far Eastern Seas of Russia

Fauchea guiryi Selivanova sp. n. (Rhodymeniales, Faucheaceae) from the Commander Islands (Russian Pacific coast) is described and illustrated. The new species is compared with closely related taxa of the family Faucheaceae and the genus Fauchea, among them those from the Pacific coast of North America.     

Brachiopods of the suborder Delthyridina Ivanova (order Spiriferida) from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia

New brachiopods of the suborder Delthyridina Ivanova (order Spiriferida) from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia, Ivanothyris costatus sp. nov. (subfamily Delthyridinae), Eoreticularia lata sp. nov., Yania gen. nov. with the type species Y. tumida sp. nov. (subfamily Eoreticulariinae), Reticulariopsis equitans Modzalevskaya, and R. (?) borealis sp. nov. (subfamily Reticulariopsinae) are described.     

Three new species of the Weevil Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otiorhynchus</Emphasis> Germ. (Coleoptera,Curculionidae: Entiminae) from the Caucasus

Three new species of the genus Otiorhynchus Germar, 1822 are described from the Caucasus: O. titarenkoi sp. n. in the subgenus Motilacanus Reitter, 1912 and O. dittae sp. n. and O. zierisi sp. n. in the subgenus Eprahenus Reitter, 1912. The incivilis species-group is transferred from the subgenus Choilisanus Reitter, 1912 to the subgenus Eprahenus (new subgeneric placement).     

A cellulose-decomposing bacterial association

The structure of a cellulose-decomposing bacterial association was described using phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics. Based on their morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, the bacteria isolated from the association were identified as Sporocytophaga sp., Xanthomonas sp, and Pseudomonas sp. The phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene fragments obtained from the association revealed six bacterial species belonging to the clusters of Alcaligenes sp., Ochrobactrum sp., Sphingomonas sp., Achromobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Flexibacteriaceae (Sporocytophaga).     

Frugivore assemblage of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficus superba</Emphasis> in a warm-temperate forest in Yakushima,Japan

Understanding fig consumption patterns is important because figs are regarded as a keystone resource for many frugivorous species in the tropics. While much work on fig consumption has been conducted in tropical regions, temperate forests are particularly interesting for study owing to pronounced seasonal variations in temperature and community-level fruiting phenology. We studied frugivore consumption of Ficus superba (Miq.) Miq. var. japonica Miq syconia in a warm-temperate forest in Yakushima, southern Japan. We conducted 141 4-h focal observations of fruiting F. superba trees over 12 months. We aimed to assess the relative quantitative contribution of each species of frugivore to F. superba consumption over a year as well as factors affecting seasonal variation in consumption. Japanese macaques were by far the most important F. superba syconia consumer (87.6 %), followed by brown-eared bulbuls (5.0 %), and varied tits (4.2 %). Japanese macaques increased their F. superba consumption when the temperature was high and fruit availability (F. superba and other species) was low. Macaques seemed to avoid searching for rare F. superba trees during winter and used F. superba syconia as a fallback food during fruit scarcity. Birds showed the opposite pattern: they increased F. superba syconia consumption when the temperature was low and fruit availability was high. This was probably because birds eat insects as their main food in the summer and switch to fruit as autumn turns to winter.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mirabilicoxa kussakini</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new species of Desmosomatidae (Crustacea,Isopoda, Asellota) from the Sea of Japan

Mirabilicoxa kussakini sp. nov. is described from the bathyal of the northwestern Sea of Japan. This is the first record of the genus Mirabilicoxa Hessler, 1970 in the Sea of Japan. The new species is most similar to M. similis (Hansen, 1916), M. plana Hessler, 1970 and M. minuta Hessler, 1970 from the Northwest Atlantic. It differs from them in having a more elongated body (4.1–4.5 times as long as wide) and antenna 1 with the terminal article 5 shorter than article 4.     

Free-living nematodes of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alaimella</Emphasis> Cobb 1920 (Nematoda: Leptolaimidae): A description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. macramphis</Emphasis> sp. n. from the White Sea and a revision of the genus

Alaimella cincta Cobb 1920 and Alaimella macramphis sp. n. are described and illustrated. Both the species were first recorded for the White Sea in northern Russia. A. cincta occurs in the shells of the agglutinated foraminiferan Reophax curtus, as well as freely in bottom sediments. A. macramphis sp. n. is described from a single male sampled from bottom sediments. A. macramphis sp. n. is distinguished from two previously known species of Alaimella (A. cincta Cobb 1920 and A. truncate Cobb 1920) by having a longer body, longer cephalic setae, and a wide amphid equal to the respective body diameter. The new species also differs from A. truncate by the distinct striation of the cuticular annulations. The Alaimella species are additionally characterized by having a posterior glandular widening of the esophagus. An emended diagnosis of the genus Alaimella Cobb 1920 and a key for species identification are provided.     

New species of stenolaemate bryozoans from the Jurassic of the Moscow and Saratov Regions (Russia)

Three new species of the Middle Jurassic stenolaemate bryozoans of the genera Reptomultisparsa d’Orbigny and Microeciella Taylor et Sequeiros are described: R. saratovensis sp. nov. and M. seltseri sp. nov. from the Lower Bathonian and the Upper Callovian of the Saratov Region, respectively, and R. stupachenkoi sp. nov. from the Middle Callovian of the Moscow Region. Some specific features of their astogeny and colonial morphology are discussed.     

Interactions of Algae within the Community of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilaria gracilis</Emphasis> (Rhodophyta)

Interactions among the unattached red alga Gracilaria gracilis, the dominant species of an algal community, and associated algal species Chaetomorpha linum, Enteromorpha prolifera f. prolifera, and Polysiphonia sp. were studied during and after an algal bloom. It was shown that during their bloom the associated algae Enteromorpha and Polysiphonia sp. significantly decreased the photosynthetic rate of G. gracilis but did not affect its growth rate. It is suggested that the inhibition of Gracilaria gracilis photosynthesis is connected to the impact of extracellular metabolites excreted by Chaetomorpha linum, Enteromorpha prolifera f. prolifera, and Polysiphonia sp. In laboratory experiments, the photosynthetic rate of the associated species was enhanced in the presence of Gracilaria. However, no significant alterations were observed in the content of chlorophyll a, growth, and the dark respiration rates of associated algae when they were kept together with Gracilaria. It was suggested that allelopathic interactions observed among algal species during the formation of the monospecific Gracilaria community, as well as during algal blooms, are not determinative.     

New ideas on the system of the Permian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inoceramus</Emphasis>-like bivalves of the eastern Boreal zone

New concepts of systematics and phylogeny of the Permian Inoceramus-like bivalve mollusks of the eastern part of the Boreal zone are discussed based on analysis of the group’s historical development. All taxa studied are referred to the family Kolymiidae Kusnezov, which is divided into two subfamilies, Kolymiinae and Atomodesmatinae. In the subfamily Kolymiinae, two new genera are described: Praekolymia with the type species P. archboldi sp. nov. and P. urbajtisae sp. nov., and Taimyrokolymia with the type species T. ustritskyi sp. nov. In the subfamily Atomodesmatinae, two new genera, Costatoaphanaia and Okhotodesma, are described. The development of the group is shown to be generally autochthonous with some invasions (genus Atomodesma and, probably, Trabeculatia) from extraboreal regions.     

Review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Banjos</Emphasis> (Perciformes: Banjosidae) with descriptions of two new species and a new subspecies

A taxonomic review of the genus Banjos (Perciformes: Banjosidae), previously restricted to a single species, Banjos banjos (Richardson 1846), recorded from the northwestern Pacific Ocean from the South China Sea north to Japan, as well as Lombok (Indonesia), New Caledonia and Australia, resulted in the recognition of three species, including B. banjos (northwestern Pacific Ocean, Indonesia and western Australia), Banjos aculeatus sp. nov. (eastern Australia) and Banjos peregrinus sp. nov. [northern Australia (Timor Sea)]. Records of B. banjos from New Caledonia probably also represent B. aculeatus, which is clearly distinct from other congeners in having a relatively long, strongly serrated spine at the posteroventral angle of the preopercle and an entirely dusky membrane on the spinous dorsal fin in juveniles < ca. 70 mm SL, in addition to slightly longer first and second dorsal-fin spines. Banjos peregrinus is characterized by a relatively greater head length, orbit diameter, postorbital length and pre-pelvic-fin length, as well as poorly developed serration of the exposed margin of the cleithrum. Within B. banjos, a population from the southeastern Indian Ocean, including Indonesia and western Australia, is regarded as a distinct subspecies (Banjos banjos brevispinis ssp. nov.), distinguishable from B. b. banjos from the northwestern Pacific Ocean by a relatively narrow least interorbital width, and shorter second and eighth dorsal-fin spines. Ontogenetic morphological changes within the genus and the status of the holotype of Anoplus banjos Richardson 1846 are discussed in detail.     

Phylogenetic in situ/ex situ analysis of a sulfur mat microbial community from a thermal sulfide spring in the north Caucasus

A phylogenetic in situ/ex situ analysis of a sulfur mat formed by colorless filamentous sulfur bacteria in a thermal sulfide spring (northern spur of the main Caucasian ridge) was carried out. Nine phylotypes were revealed in the mat. Thiothrix sp. and Sphaerotilus sp. were the dominant phylotypes (66.3% and 26.3%, respectively). The 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence of Sphaerotilus sp. phylotype from the clone library was identical to the sequences of the seven Sphaerotilus strains isolated from the same source. A very high degree of similarity of Sphaerotilus strains revealed by ERIC-PCR fingerprints indicated little or no population diversity of this species in the mat. Thiothrix phylotype from the clone library and two Thiothrix strains isolated from the same mat sample differed in one to three nucleotides of 16S rRNA genes; this is an indication of this organism’s population variability in the mat. 16S rRNA genes of the strains and clones of Thiothrix sp. exhibited the highest similarity (ca. 99%) with Thiothrix unzii; the strains and clones of Sphaerotilus had 99% similarity with the type species Sphaerotilus natans (the only species of this genus) and therefore can be assigned to this species. The minor seven components belong to the phylotypes from the Proteobacteria (3%), as well as the Chlorobia, Cyanobacteria, Clostridia, and Bacteroidetes phylogenetic groups, each of them constituting not more than 1%. Intracellular accumulation of elemental sulfur by Sphaerotilus similar to other filamentous sulfur bacteria was demonstrated for the first time (both in the population of the sulfur spring and in cultures with sulfide). Although mass growth of Sphaerotilus and Thiothrix is typical of bacterial populations of anthropogenic ecosystems (the activated sludge of treatment facilities), stable communities of these bacteria have not been previously found in the sulfur mats or “threads” of natural sulfide springs.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otiorhynchus</Emphasis> Germ. (Coleoptera,Curculionidae) from Turkmenistan and adjacent territories

Data on 15 species of the subgenus Pseudotiorhynchus Magnano, 2004 of the genus Otiorhynchus Germar, 1822 from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Iran are given. Otiorhynchus lukarevskayae Davidian, sp. n., O. karakalensis Davidian et Savitsky, sp. n., O. konstantini Davidian et Savitsky, sp. n., O. muratovi Savitsky et Davidian, sp. n., O. kopetdagicus Savitsky et Davidian, sp. n., and O. shakhensis Savitsky et Davidian, sp. n. from Turkmenistan, and O. khorasanus Savitsky et Davidian, sp. n. from Iran are described as new to science. A new synonymy is established: Pseudotiorhynchus Magnano, 2004 = Crassorhynchus Magnano, 2004, syn. n. Otiorhynchus iranensis Magnano, 2004 is transferred from the subgenus Protarammichnus Voss, 1960 to the subgenus Pseudotiorhynchus. Lectotype of O. conicirostris Stierlin, 1886 is designated. A key to 15 species of the subgenus Pseudotiorhynchus is given. The new subgenus Microhanibotus Savitsky et Davidian, subgen. n. is established for the new species O. ghilarovi Davidian et Savitsky, sp. n. from the Western Kopet Dagh in Turkmenistan. Microhanibotus subgen. n. is closely related to the subgenera Pseudotiorhynchus, Hanibotus Reitter, 1912 and Nubidanus Reitter, 1912.     

Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eckhardites</Emphasis> Mitta (Cardioceratidae,Ammonoidea) from the Lower Callovian of the subboreal Jurassic

The genus Eckhardites Mitta 1999, with the type species Macrocephalites pavlowi Smorodina, 1928 is discussed and its diagnosis and assignment to the family Cardioceratidae are substantiated. Eckhardites is compared to the genus Macrocephalites Zittel (family Sphaeroceratidae), to which some workers presently assign the type species of Eckhardites. Three species of Eckhardites are recorded from the basal Callovian elatmae Zone of the Russian Platform, one of which (E. menzeli (Mönnig)) was originally described from the synchronous beds in Germany. A new species E. dietli sp. nov. is described.     

The Edible Mushrooms of Madagascar: An Evolving Enigma

The Edible Mushrooms of Madagascar: An Evolving Enigma. This paper on the most significant edible wild mushrooms of Madagascar is organized in the following four categories: (1) mushrooms of introduced eucalypt plantations, (2) mushrooms of introduced pine plantations, (3) mushrooms of native forests and woodlands, and (4) mushrooms found in fields, agricultural waste and other altered, non–forest habitats. Eucalyptus robusta plantations yield by far the bulk of edible mushrooms that are sold, especially species of Russula and Cantharellus. Some Suillus species of northern hemisphere origin have been introduced with pine plantations and are locally important, forming the basis of a small canning industry. In native woodland areas on the central plateau, several ectomycorrhizal mushrooms—very similar to those on the African mainland—are collected and consumed. With the exception of the widely marketed Cantharellus platyphyllus ssp. bojeriensis, these are only of local importance in the villages and smaller markets of the area. Denser forests in the mountains or on the east coast as well as manmade habitats such as fields, pastures, and agricultural wastes are searched for saprobic mushrooms of various types. Some of these saprobic mushrooms show considerable potential for cultivation. The variety of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms found in eucalypt plantations is unprecedented outside of Australia and, for the most part, do not appear to be of Australian origin. Possible reasons for this are briefly discussed. Two economically important species, Russula prolifica sp. nov. and R. edulis sp. nov., are newly described.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Malassezia</Emphasis> spp. in Acoustic Meatus of Bats (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Molossus molossus</Emphasis>) of the Amazon Region,Brazil

The yeasts of the Malassezia genus are opportunistic microorganisms and can cause human and animal infections. They are commonly isolated from the skin and auricular canal of mammalians, mainly dogs and cats. The present study was aimed to isolate Malassezia spp. from the acoustic meatus of bats (Molossus molossus) in the Montenegro region, “Rondônia”, Brazil. From a total of 30 bats studied Malassezia spp. were isolated in 24 (80%) animals, the breakdown by species being as follows (one Malassezia sp. per bat, N = 24): 15 (62.5%) M. pachydermatis, 5 (20.8%) M. furfur, 3 (12.5%) M. globosa and 1 (4.2%) M. sympodialis. This study establishes a new host and anatomic place for Malassezia spp., as it presents the first report ever of the isolation of this genus of yeasts in the acoustic meatus of bats.     

Ticks collected on birds in the state of São Paulo,Brazil

The present study reports a collection of Amblyomma spp. ticks in birds from several areas of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 568 tick specimens (404 larvae, 164 nymphs) were collected from 261 bird specimens. From these ticks, 204 (36%) specimens (94 larvae, 110 nymphs) were reared to the adult stage, being identified as Amblyomma longirostre (94 larvae, 90 nymphs), Amblyomma calcaratum (13 nymphs), Amblyomma nodosum (2 nymphs), and Amblyomma cajennense (5 nymphs). Additionally, 39 larvae reared to the nymphal stage and 8 nymphs that died before reaching the adult stage were identified as A. longirostre according to peculiar characters inherent to the nymphal stage of this species: scutum elongate, and hypostome pointed. The remaining 271 larvae and 46 nymphs were identified as Amblyomma sp. Ticks were collected from 51 species of birds distributed in 22 bird families and 6 orders. The order Passeriformes constituted the vast majority of the records, comprising 253 (97%) out of the 261 infested birds. Subadults of A. longirostre were identified from 35 species of Passeriformes, comprising 11 families (Cardinalidae, Dendrocolaptidae, Fringillidae, Furnariidae, Parulidae, Pipridae, Thamnophilidae, Thraupidae, Turdidae, Tyrannidae, and Vireonidae), and from 1 species of a non-passerine bird, a puffbird (Bucconidae). Subadults of A. calcaratum were identified from 5 species of Passeriformes, comprising 5 families (Cardinalinae, Conopophagidae, Pipridae, Thamnophilidae and Turdidae). Subadults of A. nodosum were identified from 2 species of Passeriformes, comprising two bird families (Thamnophilidae and Pipridae). Subadults of A. cajennense were identified from 2 species of non-passerine birds, belonging to 2 different orders (Ciconiiformes: Threskiornithidae, and Gruiformes: Cariamidae). Birds were usually infested by few ticks (mean infestation of 2.2 ticks per bird; range: 1–16). Currently, 82 bird species are known to be infested by immature stages of A. longirostre, with the vast majority [74 (90%)] being Passeriformes. Our results showed that Passeriformes seems to be primary hosts for subadult stages of A. longirostre, A. calcaratum, and A. nodosum. However, arboreal passerine birds seem to be the most important hosts for A. longirostre whereas ground-feeding passerine birds seem to be the most important for both A. calcaratum and A. nodosum. In contrast, the parasitism of birds by subadults of A. cajennense has been restricted to non-passerine birds.