Re-establishment of the cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix Deroux,nov. gen., with a description of Coeloperix sleighi nov. spec. (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Cyrtophorida)

The cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix, which has remained invalid for over 20 years, is re-established. This taxon is characterized by Lynchellids without podites on the ventral side; somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; pre- and post-oral kineties completely separated; two terminal fragments; perioral kineties consisting of one continuous anterior and two detached posterior rows; with cross-striated band around perimeter between ventral and dorsal surfaces. Based on this definition, two nominal species formerly placed in the invalid genus have been included again in Coeloperix: Coeloperix dirempta (Deroux, 1970) nov. comb. [synonym: Lynchella dirempta; Deroux, 1970], C. aspidisciformis (Kahl, 1933) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella aspidisciformis; Kahl, 1933]. Another two morphotypes C. eforiana (Tucolesco, 1962) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella eforiana; Tucolesco, 1962] and C. lynchelliformis (Borror, 1972) nov. comb. [syn. Chlamydodon lynchelliformis; Borro, 1972] have been transferred into the new genus. The morphology of living cells and infraciliature of a new species, C. sleighi nov. spec., isolated from the coastal area of China, have been investigated. It is diagnosed by: size about 40×30 μm in vivo; consistently 4 preoral and 15–16 postoral kineties; 12–16 nematodesmata; cross-striated band with two separations in the equatorial area; 3–4 (usually 3) finger-like tentacles on the ventral side; macronucleus ellipsoidal; two contractile vacuoles diagonally located; marine habitat.     

Taxonomic studies on three marine pleurostomatid ciliates, Litonotus bergeri nov. spec., L. blattereri nov. spec. and L. petzi nov. spec. (Ciliophora, Pleurostomatida) from North China Sea

The morphology and infraciliature of three pleurostomatid ciliates, Litonotus bergeri nov. spec., L. blattereri nov. spec. and L. petzi nov. spec., collected from mariculture ponds near Qingdao (Tsingtao), China, were investigated using live observations and the protargol impregnation method. These new species are distinguished from their congeners by a combination of characters including the typical distribution of extrusomes, i.e., along entire ventral margin, the number of macronuclear nodules, features and number of somatic kineties, living morphology, number and position of contractile vacuoles and their marine biotopes. Considering the distribution of extrusomes and general morphology, five new combinations are suggested, Litonotus vermiforme (Sauerbrey, 1928) nov. comb. [basionym: Loxophyllum vermiforme Sauerbrey, 1928], Litonotus levigatum (Sauerbrey, 1928) nov. comb. [basionym: Loxophyllum levigatum Sauerbrey, 1928], Litonotus undulatum (Sauerbrey, 1928) nov. comb. [basionym: Loxophyllum undulatum Sauerbrey, 1928], Loxophyllum pictus (Gruber, 1884) nov. comb. [basionym: Litonotus pictus Gruber, 1884] and Loxophyllum trichocystiferus (Foissner, 1984) nov. comb. [basionym: Litonotus trichocystiferus Foissner, 1984].     

Molecular phylogeny and new taxa in the Archaeosporales (Glomeromycota): Ambispora fennica gen. sp. nov., Ambisporaceae fam. nov., and emendation of Archaeospora and Archaeosporaceae

The AM fungal family Archaeosporaceae and the genus Archaeospora are rendered paraphyletic by the relationship with the Geosiphonaceae. This problem led to a more detailed study of the Archaeosporales. Members of the Archaeosporaceae were described as forming both glomoid and acaulosporoid spores, or solely acaulosporoid spores. However, we found that Glomus callosum fell into the same phylogenetic clade as A. leptoticha and A. gerdemannii, but exclusively formed glomoid spores. To resolve these inconsistencies, a genus, Ambispora gen. nov., typified by Ambispora fennica sp. nov., is erected based on morphological evidence and SSU and ITS region rDNA data. Ambispora contains three species known to produce both acaulosporoid and glomoid spores: A. fennica, A. leptoticha comb. nov. (basionym G. leptotichum), and A. gerdemannii comb. nov. (basionym G. gerdemannii). Another species, A. callosa comb. nov. (basionym G. callosum), is known only from glomoid spores. Ambispora is placed in a new family, the Ambisporaceae fam. nov. The Archaeosporaceae is maintained with the type species, Archaeospora trappei (basionym Acaulospora trappei), along with Intraspora schenckii (basionym Entrophospora schenckii). Acaulospora nicolsonii, known only from acaulosporoid spores, is discussed and is considered likely to belong in the Ambisporaceae, but is retained within its present genus because of inadequate morphological information and a lack of molecular data.     

Morphology and gene sequence of Levicoleps biwae n. gen., n. sp. (Ciliophora, Prostomatida), a proposed endemic from the ancient Lake Biwa, Japan

Levicoleps biwae n. gen., n. sp. was discovered in organic mud on the shore of Lake Biwa, Japan. Its morphology and small subunit rRNA gene sequence were studied with standard methods. Further, we established a terminology for the colepid armour and selected four features for genus recognition: the number of armour tiers, the structure of the tier plates, the presence/absence of armour spines, and the number of adoral organelles (three or five). The Japanese colepid, a barrel-shaped ciliate with an average size of 75 x 45 microm, has six armour tiers and hirtus-type tier plates, but lacks armour spines, both in the environment and in laboratory culture. Thus, it is considered to represent a new genus. This rank is supported by the considerable genetic distance (7%) from the common Coleps hirtus. Although L. biwae looks quite similar to C. hirtus in vivo, it is very likely most closely related to Coleps amphacanthus, a species with conspicuous armour spines, as indicated by body size, the number of ciliary rows and, especially, the multiple caudal cilia. Lake Biwa is about four million years old and inhabited by many endemic organisms, ranging from algae to large fish. Thus, we suspect that L. biwae is restricted to Lake Biwa or, at least, to Asia. Based on literature data and the generic features established, we also propose the new genus Reticoleps for Coleps remanei Kahl, 1933, and resurrect the genus Pinacocoleps Diesing, 1865 to include Coleps incurvus Ehrenberg, 1833, Coleps pulcher Spiegel, 1926, Coleps tessalatus Kahl, 1930 and, probably, Baikalocoleps quadratus Obolkina, 1995a. Nine colepid genera are diagnosed and dichotomously keyed.     

Reinvestigations of Three “Well-known” Marine Scuticociliates: Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. gen., nov. comb., Pseud cohnilembus hargisi Evans & Thompson, 1964 and Cyclidium citrullus Cohn 1865, with Description of the New Genus Uronemella (Protozoa, Ciliophora, Scuticociliatida)

The living morphology, infraciliature and silverline system of 3 “well-known” marine scuticociliates, Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. gen., nov. comb. (formerly Uronema filificum Kahl, 1931), Pseudocohnilembus hargisi Evans & Thompson, 1964 and Cyclidium citrullus Cohn 1865 are reinvestigated and redescribed.

Based on the data obtained, we suggest an establishment of a new genus Uronemella. The diagnosis for the new taxon: thigmotactic Uronematidae with generally pear-shaped body and subequatorially positioned cytostome; apical plate dominant; oral apparatus Uronema-like, one-rowed membranelle 1 about as long as membranelle 2; paroral membrane extending anteriorly to about mid-level of membrane 2; one caudal cilium; in vivo exhibiting typical rotatory movement with help of a caudal-cilium-associated sticky thread; generally in marine habitats. According to this definition, three nominal species as new combinations are transferred into this genus: Uronemella binucleata (Song, 1993) nov. comb. (= Homalogastra binucleata Song, 1993), Uronemella filificum (Kahl, 1931) nov. comb. (= Uronema filificum Kahl, 1931) and Uronemella cymruensis (Pérez-Uz & Hope, 1997) nov. comb. (=Urocyclon cymruensis Pérez-Uz & Hope, 1997). For comparison with Uronemella, some other closely-related taxa are also briefly outlined in the present paper.     

Redescription of Parasonderia vestita () comb. nov. (Ciliophora,Plagiopylida), with notes on its phylogeny based on SSU rRNA gene

During faunistic studies on psammophilic ciliates along the coast of Qingdao, China, a population of the poorly known species Parasonderia vestita (Kahl, 1928) comb. nov. (basionym: Plagiopyla vestita Kahl, 1928) was found and investigated using silver staining methods. These revealed that its oral ciliature is rather unique and composed of polykinetids comprising four parts: prebuccal polykineties, postbuccal polykineties, parabuccal polykineties, and intrabuccal polykineties. Both the pre- and the postbuccal polykineties are, as extensions of the somatic kineties, spiraling and extending from cell surface into buccal cavity. The somatic kineties are composed mainly of dikinetids with some monokinetids and trikinetids inserted. They are separated into two types: four circle kineties and 24–28 bipolar kineties. The circle kineties start from the side of oral region and connect with the opposite section at the end of the body. Phylogenetic analysis based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data indicates that P. vestita falls into the core part of the order Plagiopylida and groups with an environmental sequence with high support and forms a sister clade with Lechriopyla mystax, Plagiopyla frontata and P. nasuta.     

Three new anascosporic genera of the Saccharomycotina: Danielozyma gen. nov., Deakozyma gen. nov. and Middelhovenomyces gen. nov

Three new non-ascosporic, ascomycetous yeast genera are proposed based on their isolation from currently described species and genera. Phylogenetic placement of the genera was determined from analysis of nuclear gene sequences for D1/D2 large subunit rRNA, small subunit rRNA, translation elongation factor-1α and RNA polymerase II, subunits B1 and B2. The new taxa are: Deakozyma gen. nov., type species Deakozyma indianensis sp. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-1937, CBS 12903); Danielozyma gen. nov., type species Danielozyma ontarioensis comb. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-1246, CBS 8502); D. litseae comb. nov. (type strain NRRL YB-3246, CBS 8799); Middelhovenomyces gen. nov., type species Middelhovenomyces tepae comb. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17670, CBS 5115) and M. petrohuensis comb. nov. (type strain NRRL Y-17663, CBS 8173).     

A new genus Thubdora Park,gen. nov. and seven new species of the subfamily Torodorinae (Lepidoptera,Lecithoceridae) from Cameroon and Rep. of Congo,Africa

Based on the material collected from Cameroon in 1913–1918 and Congo in 1993 which are preserved in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, USA, a new genus Thubdora Park, gen. nov. and seven new species of the subfamily Torodorinae (Lecithoceridae) are described. They are Torodora efulenensis sp. nov., Dragmatucha hispidula sp. nov.; and five species of Thubdora: T. acutalis sp. nov., T. bilobella sp. nov., T. aciphalla sp. nov., T. ambliodes sp. nov., and T. cameroona sp. nov. In addition, six species of Lecithocera Herrich-Shäffer described by Viette, 1955, Viette, 1986 and Meyrick, 1931, Meyrick, 1933 are newly transferred to Torodora and its related genera, due to the male genital characters: Idiopteryx adella (Viette, 1955), comb. nov.; Thubdora decavella (Viette, 1955), comb. nov.; Thubdora mocquerysella (Viette, 1955), comb. nov.; Torodora kambanella (Viette, 1986), comb. nov.; Torodora masoalella (Viette, 1955), comb. nov.; Torodora monobyrsa (Meyrick, 1931), comb. nov.; and T. ochrometra (Meyrick, 1933), comb. nov. For the new species, images of adults with their labels and genitalia are provided.     

A redescription of Tontonia cornuta (Leegaard, 1915) comb. nov., a planktonic oligotrichous ciliate (Ciliophora: Oligotrichia) from the northern Pacific Ocean

A rare marine planktonic ciliate, Tontonia cornuta comb. nov. [formally Strombidium cornutum (Leegaard, 1915) Kahl, 1932], from the northern Pacific Ocean was morphologically and biometrically investigated based on observations of permanent preparations after protargol impregnation. This species is similar to Tontonia simplicidens but can be distinguished by its conspicuously large size, higher number of macronuclei, and large number of buccal adoral membranelles.     

A redescription of the marine hypotrichous ciliate, Nothoholosticha fasciola (Kahl, 1932) nov. gen., nov. comb. (Ciliophora: Urostylida) with brief notes on its cellular reorganization and SS rRNA gene sequence

The morphology and infraciliature of the marine hypotrichous ciliate Nothoholosticha fasciola (Kahl, 1932) nov. gen., nov. comb., isolated from mariculture waters near Qingdao, China, are redescribed based on live and protargol-impregnated specimens. Features reported for the first time include the possession of more than 50 macronuclear nodules and details of the infraciliature, i.e. 50–60 adoral membranelles, shortened paroral and endoral membranes, six frontal, one buccal and two to seven transverse cirri, ca. 40 pairs of midventral cirri, ca. 60–120 left and 70–120 right marginal cirri, three dorsal kineties, caudal and frontoterminal cirri absent. In addition, brief details of two stages of cellular reorganization in N. fasciola are supplied and comparisons with some related urostylids based on SS rRNA gene sequence data are reported. The new genus Nothoholosticha is established based primarily on the absence of frontoterminal cirri, which distinctly separates it from similar urostylid genera. Anteholosticha longissima is transferred to Nothoholosticha as N. longissima (Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) nov. comb. and Holosticha antarctica is transferred to Pseudokeronopsis as P. antarctica (Wilbert and Song, 2008) nov. comb.     

Echinochara triplicata sp. nov. (Clavatoraceae,fossil Charophyta) from the Lower Albian of Tunisia

Echinochara Peck, 1957 is a poorly known charophyte genus from the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous of the United States and Europe. Its fossil record is currently limited to two species, Echinochara spinosa Peck, 1957 and Echinochara peckii (Mädler, 1952) nov. comb. Grambast, 1956 emend. Schudack, 1993, which have obscure phylogenetic relationships. A third species of this genus, Echinochara triplicata nov. sp., is described here from the Lower Albian of Jebel Koumine (Central Tunisia) and is hypothesized to derive from the Barremian-Aptian morphotypes of Echinochara peckii. The new species represents the first record of the genus in Africa and its more recent record worldwide. It occurs along with the clavatoraceans: Clavator harrisii zavialensis and Atopochara trivolvis trivolvis and provides an additional tool for the biostratigraphic characterization of non-marine Albian of Europe and North Africa.     

Redescription of Atopospira galeata (Kahl, 1927) nov. comb. and A. violacea (Kahl, 1926) nov. comb. with redefinition of Atopospira Jankowski, 1964 nov. stat. and Brachonella Jankowski, 1964 (Ciliophora,Armophorida)

The taxonomy of the Metopidae (Ciliophora, Armophorida) remains poorly understood since most of its members have not been studied by modern morphologic and molecular methods. Recent molecular investigations have indicated that the two most species-rich genera, Metopus and Brachonella, are likely nonmonophyletic with at least one well-supported 18S rDNA clade comprised of a species from each of these genera (Brachonella galeata and Metopus violaceus). We investigated these two species with silver impregnation and scanning electron microscopy. Both taxa share important morphologic characteristics not described in other species of Metopus or Brachonella. These synapomorphies include: (1) a diplostichomonad paroral membrane, (2) a bipartite adoral zone with a short buccal part composed of ordinary membranelles and a longer distal part composed of much smaller membranelles bearing a single cilium or none and extending the same length as the perzonal ciliary stripe. We transfer Brachonella galeata (Kahl, 1927) Jankowski, 1964 and Metopus violaceus Kahl, 1926 to genus Atopospira Jankowski, 1964 nov. stat. Pending detailed morphologic and molecular characterization, Brachonella campanula, B. cydonia and B. pyriforma, B. intercedens, and B. lemani remain in Brachonella Jankowski 1964.     

Resurrection of the genus Yezoterpnosia Matsumura (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadini) based on a new definition of the genus Terpnosia Distant

The genus Terpnosia Distant is newly defined. Terpnosia elegans (Kirby) stat. rev. is resurrected from junior synonymy with Terpnosia psecas (Walker). Seven species are now considered to belong to Terpnosia sensu stricto, including two species currently placed in this genus: T. psecas (Walker) and T. elegans (Kirby) stat. rev. Five species are transferred from Pomponia Stål to Terpnosia: T. polei (Henry) comb. nov., T. lactea (Distant) comb. nov., T. similis (Schmidt) comb. nov., T. simusa (Boulard) comb. nov., and T. graecina (Distant) comb. nov. Yezoterpnosia Matsumura stat. rev. is resurrected from junior synonymy with Terpnosia. Six species formerly in the genus Terpnosia are transferred to Yezoterpnosia: Y. nigricosta (De Motschulsky), Y. ichangensis (Liu) comb. nov., Y. shaanxiensis (Sanborn) comb. nov., Y. vacua (Olivier) comb. nov., Y. obscura (Kato) comb. nov., and Y. fuscoapicalis (Kato) comb. nov. Terpnosia is placed in the subtribe Psithyristriina of the tribe Cicadini, and Yezoterpnosia is placed in the subtribe Leptopsaltriina of Cicadini. Terpnosiina syn. nov. is synonymized with Psithyristriina.     

Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. from Brazil,a new Microgastrinae wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of importance in biological control

A new species of Diolcogaster (Ashmead, 1900) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described and illustrated. Additionally, a key to all New World species formally published of the xanthaspis species-group (to which the new species belongs) is provided. The solitary larval parasitoid Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. was collected in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This natural enemy was reared from caterpillars of Agaraea minuta (Schaus, 1892) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) feeding on plants of spiked spiralflag ginger, Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. and ginger spiral, Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe var. spiralis (Costaceae). The fauna of the xanthaspis group in the New World included just three published species prior to this publication. Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. is the only yellow-orange species of the xanthaspis group recorded in the New World thus far.     

Corrections to forsstroemia including bryonorrisia,gen. nov. (Anomodontaceae)

Five species previously included inForsstroemia Lindb. are excluded:F. leptodontoidea Buck is a synonym ofMiyabea fruticella (Mitt.) Broth. (Thuidiaceae);F. rigida Dix. becomesNeolindbergia plicata Stark & Buck, nom. nov. (Prionodontaceae);F. dixonii Tosco & Piovano is a synonym ofLevierella fabroniacea C. Müll. (Fabroniaceae);F. filiformis M. X. Zhang becomesLeptopterigynandrum filiforme (M. X. Zhang) Stark & Buck, comb. nov. (Leskeaceae); andF. secunda Dix. & Badhw. is placed in a new genus,Bryonorrisia Stark & Buck, asB. secunda (Dix. & Badhw.) Stark & Buck, comb. nov. (Anomodontaceae).     

New grylloblattids of the family Lemmatophoridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Permian of Russia

New grylloblattids of the family Lemmatophoridae (Insecta: Grylloblattida), Artinska sojanensis sp. nov., Sylvaprisca colorata sp. nov., and Uraloprisca lisca gen. et sp. nov., from the Soyana locality (Lower Kazanian, Arkhangelsk Region) and Paraprisca solikamskensis sp. nov. from the Tyul’kino locality (Ufimian, Perm Region) are described. Two species are transferred from the genus Paraprisca to Uraloprisca gen. nov.: Uraloprisca uralica (G. Zalessky, 1952), comb. nov. and Uraloprisca causaria (Novokshonov, 2000), comb. nov. (both from the Kungurian of the Perm Region). The evolution of the family is discussed.     

Morphological Description and Molecular Phylogeny of Two Species of Levicoleps (Ciliophora,Prostomatida), L. taehwae nov. spec. and L. biwae jejuensis nov. subspec., collected in Korea

Two colepid ciliates, Levicoleps taehwae nov. spec. and L. biwae jejuensis nov. subspec., were collected from the brackish water of the Taehwa River and a small freshwater pond in Jeju Island, South Korea, respectively. Their living morphology, infraciliature, and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences were determined using standard methods. Barrel‐shaped L. taehwae nov. spec. is a small ciliate with an average size of 45 × 25 μm in vivo, about 15 ciliary rows each composed of 12 monokinetids and two perioral dikinetids, and two 20 μm‐long caudal cilia. The sequence length and GC content of the SSU rRNA gene are 1,669 bp, 44.5%. This novel species is similar in body size to Coleps hirtus, and has six armor tiers and hirtus‐type tier plates, and the same number of ciliary rows as C. hirtus; however, it can be distinguished from the latter by the absence of armor spines and its sequence similarity of SSU rRNA gene is about 92.8% which indicates that it is a distinct form. Levicoleps biwae jejuensis nov. subspec., is a medium colepid ciliate which has a barrel‐shaped body, about 22 somatic kineties and 16 transverse ciliary rows, three mini adoral organelles, and four 15 μm‐long caudal cilia. The sequence length and GC content of the SSU rRNA gene are 1,666 bp and 44.4%.