Redescription of large-scale eelpout <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lycodes macrolepis</Emphasis> Taranetz et Andriashev, 1935 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae)

Morphology of a rare species—large-scale eelpout Lycodes macrolepis Taranetz et Andriashev, 1935—has been studied. It was shown that the main lateral line of this species has a ventrolateral configuration rather than medial, as was considered previously. Large-scale eelpout is an endemic species of the Sea of Okhotsk; evidence of its finding in the Sea of Japan is based on the erroneous classification of another eelpout species.     

Ericandersonia sagamia, a new genus and species of deep-water eelpouts (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) from Japan

A new genus and species of deep-water zoarcid fish, Ericandersonia sagamia, is described on the basis of four specimens collected from Sagami Bay, Japan, at depths of 880–930 m. This species is placed in the subfamily Gymnelinae and is distinguished from all genera of gymnelines by the following characters: pseudosubmental crest present; frontals partially fused dorsally; parietals meeting in midline; pelvic fins absent; ventral ramus of posttemporal weak; postorbital head pores 5; pectoral-fin rays 14. The phylogenetic analysis (based on 42 morphological characters) indicates that its position is outside the highly modified (= advanced) genera Seleniolycus, Melanostigma, Puzanovia, Nalbantichthys, Opaeophacus, and Andriashevia.     

On the systematic position of the genus Coris (Primulaceae)

The systematic position of the aberrant primulaceous genus Coris was investigated by means of cladistic analysis of nucleotide sequence data from the chloroplast gene rbcL . One new sequence ( Coris ) was added to a data matrix composed of a set of previously published sequences. The notion that Coris is most closely related to the Lythraceae is rejected, and very strong support for its position within the Primulaceae was found. The clariñcation of this issue is important for future analyses of phylogenetic interrelationships in the Primulales.     

On the systematic position of the lichen genus Heppia

The systematic position of the lichen genus Heppia in the order Lichinales was investigated. 18S rDNA sequence data were analyzed using a Bayesian approach to infer phylogeny using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The Lichinales are divided at family level into the sister groups Lichinaceae and Peltulaceae. The genus Heppia forms a highly supported clade in the family Lichinaceae. It is shown that the genus Heppia is morphologically well circumscribed within the Lichinaceae. As a nomenclatural consequence, the family name Heppiaceae is placed into synonymy under the older name Lichinaceae.     

The formation of the Lycodinae fauna (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) of the Sea of Japan

The subfamily Lycodinae is represented in the Sea of Japan by two genera (Lycodes and Petroschmidtia) and seven species (Lycodes japonicus, L. nakamurae, L. raridens, L. tanakae, L. teraoi, L. yamatoi, and Petroschmidtia toyamensis), which are widely distributed on the shelf and upper continental slope. Based on the geographic and bathymetric distribution of eelpouts of the Sea of Japan and adjacent waters, two groups of closely related species with different types of distribution ranges were distinguished. The first group includes pairs of species that live primarily on the continental slope and are completely isolated in the Sea of Japan or in the Sea of Okhotsk. The second group is comprised of upper interzonal species of the Sea of Japan that are found on the continental slope and shelf, as well as in the southern Sea of Okhotsk from Terpeniya Bay to the southern Kuril Islands. Their related species in the Sea of Okhotsk are mostly found to the north of the Terpeniya Bay. The study of the eelpout distribution and the data on the geological history and paleoclimate of the Far East show that the Lycodinae fauna of the Sea of Japan was formed from North Pacific eelpout-like fishes during the isolation of the sea in the late Pliocene-early Pleistocene, which was concomitant with the general cooling of the Earth’s climate. During the Pleistocene interglacials, the eelpout migrations were unidirectional, from the Sea of Japan to the southern Sea of Okhotsk. The reconstruction of the formation of the Sea of Japan Lycodinae fauna suggests that the related taxa from the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk are separate species, while the northern and southern forms of species from the Sea of Japan (Lycodes yamatoi and L. teraoi) are no more than subspecies.     

Brain and sensory organ morphology in Antarctic eelpouts (Perciformes: Zoarcidae: Lycodinae)

Eelpouts of the family Zoarcidae comprise a monophyletic group of marine fishes with a worldwide distribution. Centers of high zoarcid diversity occur in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, with important radiations into the Arctic, along southern South America, and into the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Along with snailfishes (Liparidae), zoarcids form an important component of the non-notothenioid fauna in the subzero shelf waters of Antarctica. We document the anatomy and histology of the brains, cranial nerves, olfactory apparatus, cephalic lateral lines, taste buds, and retinas of three Antarctic zoarcid species, living at depths of 310-939 m, representing three of the nine genera from this region. The primary emphasis is on Ophthalmolycus amberensis, and we provide a detailed drawing of the brain and cranial nerves of this species. Although this brain reflects general perciform neural morphology, it exhibits a reduction of the (optic) tecta and the eminentia granulares and crista cerebellares of the lateral line system. Interspecific differences among the three species are slight. The olfactory rosette consists of three to four lamellae and the nasal sac, contrary to the claim of Fanta et al. ([2001] Antarct Rec, Natl Inst Polar Res, Tokyo 45:27-42), is not in communication with the cephalic lateral line system. Primary olfactory neurons are abundant and converge on branches of the olfactory nerve. Numerous taste buds are located in the lips. All three species lack an ocular choroid rete and have relatively thin retinas with a low cell density and a single bank of rods as the only type of photoreceptor. Neural diversification among Antarctic zoarcids has not involved the evolution of sensory specialists; brain and sensory organ morphologies do not approach the condition seen in primary deep-sea fishes, or even that of some sympatric non-perciform secondary deep-sea fishes, including liparids and muraenolepidids (eel cods). There may be phylogenetic constraints on brain morphology in perciforms such that we do not see extreme specialization in sensory and neural systems for deep habitats. We suggest that the brains and sensory organs of Antarctic zoarcids reflect habitation of 500-2,000-m depths and likely reflect morphologies seen in zoarcids living on continental slopes elsewhere in the world. This balance among the sensory modalities makes zoarcids relatively generalized among secondary deep-sea fishes and may be one of the reasons this opportunistic and adaptable group has been successful in colonizing a variety of emergent and ephemeral habitats.     

Tape blenny Neozoarces pulcher Steindachner, 1880 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae)—a sole valid species of the genus, its reproduction, and embryonal and larval development

On the basis of morphometric analysis of our collections of pairs of spawning fish of the genus Neozoarces, development of prolarvae of fish, and a survey of museum collections, a conclusion is made in respect to only one of the two species of the genus—tape blenny Neozoarces pulcher, Steindachner, 1880. Differences in morphometric characters and coloration of different fish are accounted for by a sharply expressed sexual dimorphism. The reproduction and the egg and prolarvae development in N. pulcher are described.     

Distribution and some features of the biology of the eelpout Lycodes tanakae Jordan et Thompson, 1914 (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) in the Tatar Strait, Sea of Japan

Based on data from studies that were performed in 2006, 2007, and 2009, we analyzed the distribution and some features of the biology of the eelpout Lycodes tanakae, which inhabits the Tatar Strait. The young of this species (<30 cm in TL) predominantly occur to the north of 50° N. The largest individuals (>71 cm in TL) are found to the south of 49° N and medium-sized fish occur throughout the studied area. In the Tatar Strait, L. tanakae inhabits the 50?C615 m depth range, but the majority of the eelpouts (67.9%) were caught from depths of 200?C600 m. Small individuals of this species (<30 cm in TL) occur at depths of 50?C200 m, while medium-sized and large fish (>30 cm in TL) can be found at all depth horizons that were surveyed. The mean linear size of L. tanakae increases with an increase in the depth of their habitat. The relationship between the spatial distribution of L. tanakae and water temperature regime is discussed. The nutritional spectrum of L. tanakae includes 18 food items, with fish and shrimp predominating. Young L. tanakae (<30 cm in TL) are benthophages, 41?C50-cm individuals feed mainly on cephalopods and fish.     

Spatial distribution and thermal regime of habitation of two representatives of the genus Lycodes (Perciformes: Zoarcidae) in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan

Main features of spatial distribution and thermal regime of habitation of Lycodes nakamurae and L. yamatoi in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan are discussed. Comparative analysis of specific features of distribution of eelpouts of the mesobenthal group (L. nakamurae, L. yamatoi, L. tanakae) in some areas of the Sea of Japan with different hydrological conditions is provided. No horizontal migrations directed along isobaths were revealed in these species. In Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, L. nakamurae inhabits depths 130–760 m, preferring the range of depths 200–700 m (it was found in catches of 95.7% of trawlings); L. yamatai inhabits depths 140–800 m, but most frequently is found in the range of depths 200–500 m (86.1% of trawlings). L. nakamurae occurs at a temperature of 0.4–1.2°C and L. yamatoi is found at 0.3–1.9°C. Seasonal migrational activity in the former species is more pronounced than in the latter. Spring-summer migration towards the shelf for feeding and reproduction and autumn-winter wintering migration towards the continental slope taking place with the cooling of the shelf are noticeable. Maximum range of vertical migrations is typical of medium-size fish and minimal is typical of juveniles of the studied species that inhabit the upper section of the bathyal (200–400 m). It is suggested that the lower limit of distribution of eelpouts of the mesobenthal group in the southern and northern sectors of the Sea of Japan coincide. The upper boundary of habitation of the species in different seasons of the year is totally determined by the thermal regime of water masses in different areas of the sea.     

Origin, diversification, and historical biogeography of the genus Trachurus (Perciformes: Carangidae)

We addressed phylogenetic relationships in the genus Trachurus using cytochrome b gene and D-loop sequences. The trees showed five groups: (1) the Southwest Pacific species (T. japonicus, T. novaezelandiae, and T. declivis); (2) The Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Atlantic species (T. mediterraneus); (3) The Atlantic Ocean species (T. lathami and T. trecae); (4) Eastern Atlantic species (T. trachurus and T. capensis); and (5) a group of highly mobile pelagic species, two from the Eastern Pacific (T. symmetricus and T. murphyi) and one from the Eastern Atlantic (T. picturatus). The phylogeny based on Cyt b, supports the molecular clock hypothesis and our results agree with the reported fossil indicating that the origin of this genus occur when the Thetys Sea closed (around 18.4 MYA). In addition, a very slow neutral substitution rate is reported identified only two periods of maximum diversification: the first occurring between 18.4 and 15.0 MYA and the second between 8.4 MYA and present day.     

The Papuan tortricine genus Heterochorista and the systematic position of the Sparganothini (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT .
The previously monotypic Papuan genus Heterochorista Diakonoff, 1952 is revised and twenty-one species are recognized. Nikolaia Diakonoff, 1953 is synonymized, syn.n. with Heterochorista. The following six species are placed in new combination in Heterochorista: Nikolaia melanopsygma Diakonoff, N.inumbrata Diakonoff, N.aperta Diakonoff, Isochorista papuana Diakonoff, I.polysperma Diakonoff and Dicellitis chrysonetha Diakonoff. Thirteen new species are added to Heterochorista: acomata sp.n., rostrata sp.n., trivialis sp.n., ornata sp.n., prisca sp.n., punctulata sp.n., rufulimaculata sp.n., classeyiana sp.n., spinosa sp.n., signata sp.n., fulgens sp.n., nitida sp.n. and aura sp.n. A checklist and a key to species are provided, and adults and male and female genitalia are described and illustrated. The phylogeny of Heterochorista is outlined on the basis of a cladistic character analysis and the genus is referred to the base of the Sparganothini. The apomorphies characterizing this tribe are reviewed with regard to their phylogenetic significance and the relationship between Sparganothini, Archipini and Atterini is briefly discussed.     

Comparative osteology,relationships, and systematics of fish of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zoarces</Emphasis> (Zoarcidae,Perciformes)

Comparative-osteological investigation of all species of the genus Zoarces is made: Z. fedorovi, Z. andriashevi, Z. elongatus, Z. viviparus, Z. americanus, and Z. gillii. In the skeleton of hyoid arch in species of Zoarces, Lycozoarces, and Lycodes, paired bony elements are found, not described previously, identified as parurohyalia which may be synapomorphy of Zoarcidae. Differences between the Zoarces species are revealed by 56 external morphological and osteological characters. Cladistic analysis yielded one tree 135, Ci 0.57, Ri 0.54 long. Cladistic analysis confirms validity of a recently described species Z. fedorovi, which turned out to be the most generalized in the genus Zoarces, as well as the validity of Z. elongatus. The species Z. americanus and Z. gillii occupy a terminal position preventing their isolation to independent genera as was previously supposed, as this would lead to paraphyly of the genus Zoarces.     

On the systematic position of Catocala Schrank (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The Holarctic genus Catocala Schrank is argued to belong to an otherwise mainly Ethiopian and Oriental clade consisting, in addition to this genus, of Audea Walker, Crypsotidia Rothschild, Hypotacha Hampson, Tachosa Walker and Ulotrichopus Wallengren. The principal synapomorphy is a distinctively sclerotized, elongate ovipositor. A numerical phylogenetic analysis of this group based on fifty-five characters suggests that Catocala may be paraphyletic, a subset of species being the closest relatives of Ulotrichopus. Catocala and Ulotrichopus together appear to be the sister-group of the remaining four genera. Audea fatilega Felder & Rogenhofer is found to have the characters of Ulotrichopus.     

On the systematic position of the family Gyrinidae (Coleoptera: Adephaga)

Various characters of adult and larval members of Adephaga and Cupedidae were analyzed, and suggest that Gyrinidae are the sister-group of the remaining Adephaga, and are not closely related to the remaining aquatic Adephaga. The aquatic families Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae seem to form a well founded monophyletic unit. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Gyrinidae: bifurcate condition of the muscle (= M.) tentoriopraementalis inferior, reduction of hypopharynx, strongly developed prosternal process, reduction in size and specialized modification of the ventral sclerite of the mesothorax, strongly developed mesofurcal arms, a high mesopleural ridge, globular mesocoxae restricted to rotatory movements, invaginated sternum VIII (coxostemum), the strongly curved base of the median lobe of the aedeagus, which articulates with the parameres, the rotated position of the aedeagus in repose, fusion of the larval clypeolabrum with the frons and reduction of the larval lacinia. Mesal shifting of M. episterno-coxalis prothoracis, and the fusion of the apical portions of the malpighian tubules of either side are considered as synapomorphies of Adephaga excluding Rhysodidae and Gyrinidae. Lateral reduction of the meta “sternal” transverse ridge and the presence of the subcubital setal binding patch of the hind wing are considered as synapomorphic characters of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. We postulate that the metacoxal fusion occurred independently in gyrmids and the common ancestor of Trachypachidae, Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae. Consequently we consider this character state as another synapomorphy of Trachypachidae and Hydradephaga excluding Haliplidae and Gyrinidae. The following characters are considered as synapomorphies of Noteridae, Amphizoidae, Hygrobiidae and Dytiscidae: Loss of tactile setae on the head capsule, metafurcal origin on the intercoxal wall, expansion of the intercoxal wall, elongation of the subcubital setal binding patch, loss of Mm. furca-coxale anterior and posterior, reduction of the larval abdominal segments IX and X, and the shifting of the uropmphi onto the ventral side of segment VIII. Presence of M. tentorio-mandibularis and M. stipitopalpalis intemus are certainly primitive features of adult gyrinids but the distribution of these character states among most members of Adephaga is yet unclear. Chemical defence gland constituents point towards a very isolated position of Gyrinidae. The old age of the group, documented by a larva found in upper Permian deposits, may support the hypothesis of a sister-group relation-ship between Gyrinidae and the remainder of Adephaga.     

Phylogeography of the Chionodraco genus (Perciformes,Channichthydae) in the Southern Ocean

Antarctic fish of the suborder Notothenioidei represent one of the most notable examples of adaptive radiation in the marine environment. The evolutionary relationships between and within the eight families of this suborder have been well established by numerous studies, whereas the microevolutionary processes of notothenioid species remain largely unexplored. In the present paper we investigated the evolutionary relationships between three closely related species of the genus Chionodraco (family Channichthyidae), namely Chionodraco hamatus, Chionodraco rastrospinosus, and Chionodraco myersi by analysing portions of the mitochondrial genome (D-loop and 16S rRNA). The taxonomic status of C. hamatus and C. rastrospinosus as separate species has been questioned because of the limited number of key morphological characters that distinguish these two taxa. Our results, based on the analysis of several specimens belonging to both morphological groups revealed a small genetic differentiation among haplotypes, however, a clear separation between the two nominal species emerged since all individuals of each of the two taxa clustered together in distinct monophyletic groups. C. myersi appeared more distantly related in the phylogenetic analysis. For one species, C. hamatus, sampling was carried out at three different geographic locations in the area of the Ross Sea and Weddell Sea. The results showed that the partition of the genetic variation within this species is not compatible with the hypothesis of panmixia as gene flow between populations was significantly reduced.     

A redescription of Pintneriella Yamaguti, 1934 (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha and an examination of its systematic position

Specimens of Pintneriella musculicola Yamaguti, 1934 are redescribed based on paratype material and specimens subsequently allocated to the species by its describer. The cestode species is characterised by two bothridia, a typical heteroacanthous armature with a distinctive basal swelling and basal armature, a space between hook files 1 and 1', nine hooks per principal row, no intercalary hooks and bands of hooklets or chainettes but a distinctive space on the external surface of the tentacle between hook files 9 and 9'. The strobilia is unknown. The features described indicate that Pintneriella is a valid genus within the Heteracanthoidea. Its currently known morphological features do not allow its allocation to an existing family.