Taxonomic Studies of the Marine Genus Marcusaedrilus Righi & Kanner (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species from the Caribbean Area and Australia*

The definition of Marcusaedrilus Righi & Kanner, 1979, is modified to include M. hummelincki Righi & Kanner, 1979, M. luteolus sp.n. (both from the Caribbean), and six new species from the Great Barrier Reef, M. grandiculus sp.n., M. minusculus sp.n., M. tuber sp.n., M. capricornae sp.n., M. sacculatus sp.n., and M. irregularis sp.n. The genus is largely distinguished from the closely related Limnodriloides Pierantoni, 1903, by its partially ciliated atria and its tripartite spermathecae.     

Inanidrilus bulbosus gen. et sp.n., a Marine Tubificid (Oligochaeta) from Florida, USA

Inanidrilus bulbosus gen. et sp.n. is described from subtidal sands near Miami, Florida. The species lacks alimentary canal, but it possesses highly modified penial setae and an unpaired dorsal spermatheca. It appears closely related to Phallodrilus Pierantoni, but since it is devoid of anterior prostate glands, which are attached to the ental ends of the atria in Phallodrilus , a new monotypic genus, Inanidrilus gen.n., is established.     

Six new species of marine Tubificidae (Oligochaeta) from the continental shelf off Peru

Six species of marine tubifieids are described from the continental shelf off Peru. Two of them are members of the gutless genus Olavius Erséus, 1984 (subfamily Phallodrilinae). Olavius bullatus sp.n. possesses 2 pairs of large penial setae in voluminous copulatory sacs, tiny atria, and spermathecal pores in line with dorsal setae. Olavius crassitunicatus sp.n. is characterized by small atria with thin muscular layer, spermathecae with short ducts, opening dorso-laterally, and lack of penial setae. Four species arc members of the subfamily Limnodriloidinae. Limnodriloides busilicus sp.n. belongs to the appendiculatus-group (sensu Erséus). It is discriminated by somatic setae with subdental ligaments, and its voluminous elongate prostatic pads. Limnodriloides clavellatus sp.n. is distinguished from its congeners by a peculiar bulge in the cavity of each atrial ampulla, and spermatozeugmata imbedded in the walls of the spermathecae. Tectidrilus intermixtus sp.n. is similar to T. bori (Righi & Kanner, 1979); it is distinguished from the latter by having trisetal bundles in segment V or V-VI and by lacking copulatory glands. Marcusaedrilus peruanus sp.n. is characterized by nongranulated atrial ducts and bipartite spermathecae.     

A new lumbriculid genus and species from North America (Clitellata,Lumbriculidae)

Secubelmis limpida n. sp., n. gen., is described from Montana, U.S.A. The monotypic genus resembles the lumbriculid genera Rhynchelmis and Tatriella in having atria in X, spermathecae in VIII, and semi-prosoporous male ducts. It differs from Tatriella in having paired atria and spermathecae, and from Rhynchelmis in having petiolate atria. The single prostate gland is unique within the Lumbriculidae. The new species appears to have a restricted range in the northern Rocky Mountains.     

Two New Genera of Marine Tubificidae (Oligochaeta) from Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Macquaridriloides gen.n. is established for M. heronae from Heron Reef in Queensland, Australia. The species is characterized principally by its lack of spermathecae, and its elaborate male efferent ducts, each of which consists of (1) a ciliated vas deferens, (2) a ciliated and muscular atrium with diffuse prostates, and (3) a stout muscular, non-ciliar ejaculatory duct opening into a large copulatory sac surrounded by posterior prostates. The genus appears closely related to Macquaridrilus Jamieson, 1968, the habitat and zoogeography of which are briefly discussed. Heronidrilus gen.n. is established for H. fastigatus sp.n. and H. bihamis sp.n. both from Heron Reef. This genus is closely related to Macquaridriloides , but the two species differ from M. heronae in that they possess spermathecae and lack ejaculatory ducts.     

Redescriptions of Phallodrilus parthenopaeus Pierantoni and P. obscurus Cook (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae)

The type species of Phallodrilus Pierantoni, 1902, P. parthenopaeus Pierantoni, 1902; is redescribed on the basis of new material from W Scotland. The species is characterized by its specific spermathecal and penial setae, its very slender atria, and its long spermathecal ducts. Sexually fully mature specimens of P. obscurus Cook, 1969 are described for the first time, on the basis of material from New Jersey (E USA). The new material shows that this species possesses 5 to 9 penial setae in each ventral bundle of segment XI, and that its atria are coated with a relatively thick musculature.     

Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., a new lumbriculid (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from North America

A new species of the genus Stylodrilus is described from phreatic waters in California, North America. Tubular atria with bulbous penes and spermathecae with broad and short ducts characterize the new species. The habitat of Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., confirms that the distribution of the genus Stylodrilus in the Neartic biogeographical zone is mainly associated with subterranean waters.     

Four new interstitial species of marine Oligochaeta representing a new family

A new oligochaete family, Randiellidae, is established for R. multitheca sp.n. (from the continental shelf off the east coast of the U.S.A.), R. litoralis sp.n. (from Oregon, U.S.A.), R. caribaea sp.n. and R. minuta sp.n. (both from Guadeloupe and Martinique), all members of a new marine genus Randiella. The species are characterized by small single-pointed and somewhat sigmoid somatic setae, slender (generally hair-like) modified genital setae in segment X, sperm funnels in X (if one pair), or in X and XI (if two pairs), very simple male ducts lacking atria, clitellum over XII-XIII, and multiple spermathecae in VII and/or VIII.     

Taxonomic Studies of Phallodrilinae (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef and the Comoro Islands with Descriptions of Ten New Species and One New Genus

A taxonomic and morphological account of a collection of Phallodrilinae from coralline sands at Heron Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef is given. Ten new forms are described: Jamiesoniella athecata gen. et sp.n. Phallodrilus rectisetosus heronensis subsp.n. P. geniculatus sp.n. P. filithecatus sp.n. P. clavatus sp.n. (latter three all devoid of an alimentary canal), Bathydrilus superiovasatus sp.n. Coralliodrilus atriobifidus sp.n. C. oviatriatus sp.n. C. parvigenitalis sp.n. and the gutless C. avisceralis sp.n. Morphological notes are given for Phallodrilus albidus Jamieson, 1977 and Bathydrilus rohdei (Jamieson, 1977). The new meiobenthic genus Jamiesoniella is characterized by having simple atria with only one pair of prostate glands, which are attached to ectal parts of atria, and by lacking spermathecae and penial setae, The genus is probably related to Aktedrilus Knöllner and Bacescuella Hrabě. A gutless species, Phallodrilus comorensis sp.n. is described from the Comoro Islands in the Mozambique Channel (W Indian Ocean).     

Kathrynella, a new oligochaete genus from Guyana

Kathrynella guyanae gen. n., sp. n. from a limicolous habitat in Guyana is described. It is distinguished from the known genera of Alluroididae by having testes in XI, male pores in XIV, and one pair of spermathecae opening laterally at 6/7. The circulatory apparatus appears remarkably developed. The diagnosis of the family is emended to include the new species.     

Taxonomic Revision of the Marine Genera Bathydrilus Cook and Macroseta Erséus (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae), with Descriptions of Six New Species and Subspecies

Macroseta Erséus, 1975 is considered a junior synonym to Bathydrilus Cook, 1970 after examination of the type material of B. asymmetricus Cook, 1970. Bathydrilus is defined mainly by its organization of the male duct: vas deferens entering ectal half of atrium, one prostate gland attached to ectal part of atrium, near entrance of vas deferens, another prostate attached to apical, ental end of atrium. B. atlanticus sp.n., B. hadalis sp.n., B. meridianus sp.n., B. graciliatriatus sp.n. and B. longus sp.n. are described from specimens collected from various parts of the world; most of the species are deep-sea forms. Phallodrilus rohdei Jamieson, 1977 and Phallodrilus adriaticus Hrabe', 1971 are transferred to Bathydrilus , and a Caribbean/Bermudian form is described as B. adriaticus trisetosus subsp.n. The taxonomy and morphology of the different species, including B. rarisetis (Erséus, 1975) comb.n., are discussed. Bathydrilus is included in the sub-family Phallodrilinae. It appears closely related to Phallodrilus Pierantoni, 1902, from which it is distinguished principally by differences in the relative positions of the vasa deferentia, the atria and the prostate glands.     

A new genus and species of oribatid mites <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scarabacarus longisensillus</Emphasis> gen. et sp. n. (Acariformes,Liacaridae) from the Caucasus

A new genus and species, Scarabacarus longisensillus gen. et sp. n., of the family Liacaridae are described from the Caucasus (Azerbaijan and Abkhazia): The new genus Scarabacarus is characterized by the highly convex body, straight anterior margin of the notogaster, narrow fusiform sensilla, the lamellae situated on the lateral margins of the prodorsum, the absence of interlamellar and notogastral setae (besides one posterior pair), presence of four pairs of genital setae, and tridactylous leg tarsi.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuberosciponoceras</Emphasis>: a new dimorphic ammonoid genus from the Upper Albian of Patagonia,Argentina

Tuberosciponoceras insolitum n. gen., n. sp. is a single dimorphic species in the Upper Albian of the Austrat Basin, southern Patagonia. The short-lived genus was characterized by distinct ventral tubercles on all ribs and a deep, trifid internal lobe.     

Two New Genera of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera; Insecta) from Madagascar

Two new genera of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera), Scutoptilum gen. n. and Echinopus gen. n., are described to accommodate three new species from Madagascar: Scutoptilum verrucosum sp. n., Echinopus giboni sp. n., Echinopus minutus sp. n.. They all share a unique apomorphy; they possess a subapico-transverse arc of long setae on the outer margin of femora. Scutoptilum presents important adaptations to fast flowing waters and mouthparts modified for scraping. Moreover, Scutoptilum shows an unusual general habitus with a prothorax broadly expanded laterally, forewing pads extremely developed and shape of the head subrectangular. Echinopus appears less derived and possesses more plesiomorphic features. Both genera are closely related to the Afrotropical genus Afroptilum and belong to the Centroptiloides complex.     

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis,gen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda,Microlaimidae) from the Mediterranean (Calvi)

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from the continental slope off Calvi (Mediterranean). The new genus Spirobolbolaimus belongs to the Microlaimidae Micoletzky, 1922 and is closely related to the genus Bolbolaimus Cobb, 1920. It can be differentiated from Bolbolaimus by its multispiral amphideal fovea and by its six rows of postamphideal setae.     

New water mite species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aturus</Emphasis> (Acari,Hydrachnidia, Aturidae) from Russia

Two new species of the genus Aturus Kramer (A. tuzovskyi sp. n. and A. kimichungi sp. n.) from Russia are described. These species and closely related species of the genus Aturus are compared. A. tuzovskyi sp. n. male is characterized by a slender body, the presence of a pair of bifurcated setae on the dorsal shield, two sword ventrodistal setae equal in length on the genu of leg IV, and 10–14 pairs of acetabula. The female of this species is characterized by the oval body and the presence of 10–13 pairs of acetabula. The male of A. kimichungi sp. n. is characterized by a rounded body, the presence of a single pair of bifurcated setae on the dorsal shield; sword setae on the genu IV are longer than tibia IV; 14–21 pairs of acetabula are present. The female of this species possesses a rounded body and 18–19 pairs of acetabula.     

Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. and two additional new species of aquatic oligochaetes (Lumbriculidae,Clitellata) from poorly-known lotic habitats in North Carolina (USA)

Three new species of Lumbriculidae were collected from floodplain seeps and small streams in southeastern North America. Some of these habitats are naturally acidic. Sylphella puccoon gen. n., sp. n. has prosoporous male ducts in X–XI, and spermathecae in XII–XIII. Muscular, spherical atrial ampullae and acuminate penial sheaths distinguish this monotypic new genus from other lumbriculid genera having similar arrangements of reproductive organs. Cookidrilus pocosinus sp. n. resembles its two subterranean, Palearctic congeners in the arrangement of reproductive organs, but is easily distinguished by the position of the spermathecal pores in front of the chaetae in X–XIII. Stylodrilus coreyi sp. n. differs from congeners having simple-pointed chaetae and elongate atria primarily by the structure of the male duct and the large clusters of prostate cells. Streams and wetlands of Southeastern USA have a remarkably high diversity of endemic lumbriculids, and these poorly-known invertebrates should be considered in conservation efforts.