Cryptic species of the gobioid paedomorphic genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schindleria</Emphasis> from Palau,Western Pacific Ocean

The extremely paedomorphic fish Schindleria (Gobioidei, Schindleriidae) is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, inhabiting coral reef lagoons. At least 21 cryptic species (Schindleria spp. 1–21) have been discovered around the Ryukyu and Ogasawara Islands. As a first step in extending the survey areas to the entire Indo-Pacific Ocean, the present study collected and examined Schindleria in Palau, located approximately 2,200 km from the Ryukyu Islands, for any cryptic diversity. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using partial mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of 71 specimens revealed four new cryptic species of Schindleria spp. 22–25 (Palau 1–4) in Palau.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epigonus cavaticus</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Perciformes), a new epigonid fish from Palau,western Central Pacific

A new epigonid fish, Epigonus cavaticus, is described on the basis of eight specimens (59.2–69.5 in standard length: SL) collected from a cave at depth 20 m, southern fringing reef of Ngemelis Island, Palau. The species differs from other congeners by having minute teeth on both jaws, no opercular spine, pyloric caeca 7–8, gill rakers 25–27, total pored lateral line scales 48–50, dorsal fin rays VII-I, 10–11 (mode VII-I, 10), pectoral fin rays 16, vertebrae 10 + 15, body depth 21.4–25.0% SL, pectoral fin length 22.7–24.6% SL, eye diameter 44.4–47.5% head length: HL, upper jaw length 40.2–42.5% HL. Four paratypes (63.7–66.8 mm SL) of the new species are female with mature gonads, it is the smallest in size at sexual maturity among the congeners.     

Palaumysis pilifera,a new species of cave-dwelling mysid (Crustacea: Mysidacea) from Okinawa,southwestern Japan,with an additional note on P. simonae Bacescu & Iliffe, 1986

A new species of Palaumysis, P. pilifera, the fourth species of the genus, is reported from two submarine caves of Okinawa, southwestern Japan. The new species closely resemble the two species previously reported from the Pacific by possessing a multi-segmented inner flagellum in the antennule, but it differs from them in having the terminal spine of the male fourth pleopod bearing rows of fine setules (or hairs) near midlength, as opposed to a naked spine in the latter two species. The present discovery extends the geographical limit of the genus further north to 26° N in the western North Pacific. Additional information on the colour pattern and ecological feature of P. simonae Bcescu & Iliffe, 1986, are provided on the basis of newly collected material from a submarine cave on Palau.     

Size Variation in Small-Bodied Humans from Palau,Micronesia

Background

Recent discoveries on Palau are claimed to represent the remains of small-bodied humans that may display evidence insular size reduction. This claim has yet to be statistically validated

Methodology/Principal Findings

Published postcranial specimens (n = 16) from Palau were assessed relative to recent small-bodied comparative samples. Resampling statistical approaches were employed to test specific hypotheses relating to body size in the Palau sample. Results confirm that the Palau postcranial sample is indisputably small-bodied.

Conclusions/Significance

A single, homogenous body size morph is represented in early prehistoric postcrania from Palau. Small body size in early Palauans is an ancestral characteristic and was likely not a consequence of in-situ size reduction. Specimens from Palau have little bearing upon hypothesised insular size reduction in the ancestral lineage of Homo floresiensis.     

Transition zones in small lakes: the importance of dilution and biological uptake on lake-wide heterogeneity

Community structure and diversity patterns of pelagic copepods were investigated for the coastal areas and in the marine lakes of the Palau islands in the West Pacific. We conducted field surveys during 2004–2007 and collected zooplankton samples from eight coastal areas and 16 marine lakes. The marine lakes in the islands of Palau are limnologically classified into two types, meromictic and holomictic lakes. Species diversity indices (Margalef’s species richness d′, Shannon–Wiener index H′, and Simpson’s dominance) were measured at each sampling site. The copepod community structure was analyzed using multivariate analyses, hierarchical cluster analysis, and non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) from the PRIMER package. A total of 36 copepod taxa were identified to the genus or species level from Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida, and Poecilostomatoida. Multivariate analysis based on the Bray–Curtis similarity index revealed that copepod assemblages could be classified into three different groups according to their habitat: (I) meromictic lakes, (II) holomictic lakes with an exceptionally shallow and flat basin (type A holomictic lakes), (III) holomictic lakes with a deep basin (type B holomictic lakes), and all coastal areas. The meromictic lakes were characterized by markedly decreased species diversity (d′ = 0.15, H′ = 0.41) in which only two brackish-water species, Bestiolina similis and Oithona dissimilis, were dominant. Type A holomictic lakes were characterized by relatively low levels of species diversity (d′ = 1.25, H′ = 1.35). In contrast, type B holomictic lakes were characterized by relatively high levels of species diversity, which was comparable to that of coastal areas. This result indicated that zooplankton assemblages in the type B holomictic lakes were closely related to a coastal community. The present study showed that the species diversity of pelagic copepods varies according to the level of isolation and the local environmental conditions for each marine lake.     

滇桂两省中越边境地区藓类物种多样性及区系研究

对2012~2015年间采集自滇、桂两省中越边境地区的2 600余份藓类植物标本进行物种鉴定和文献研究,分析了中越边境地区藓类植物的物种组成和区系特点,并将中越边境地区与邻近地区和国家的藓类植物进行物种丰富度、属种相似性和区系谱的比较及聚类分析。结果表明:(1)滇、桂两省中越边境地区共有藓类植物51科、155属、452种(含种下单位),其中卷边麻锦藓[Taxithelium kerianum(Broth.)Broth.]为中国新记录种。(2)中越边境地区的藓类植物共有优势科9科,优势属12属。(3)中越边境地区的藓类植物区系以热带亚洲成分所占比例最高,达31.19%,其次为东亚成分(25.46%)和北温带广布成分(13.76%)。(4)与中越边境地区的藓类植物属及种的相似性最高的分别是越南和中国贵州。(5)中越边境地区的藓类植物区系与贵州、广东、福建及台湾的亲缘关系较近。     

Microfungi on the Pandanaceae:Polytretophora macrospora sp. nov.

Polytretophora macrospora is introduced based on specimens from two species ofPandanus in Seychelles. The new species is compared with currently accepted species. A key and a comparative synopsis toPolytetophora species are provided. Numerous specimens ofP. calcarata, collected on members of the Pandanaceae from Australia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Caledonia, Palau, Philippines, Seychelles and Solomon Islands are also reported, along withP. dendroidea onPandanus sp. from Malaysia.     

A new deep-sea pennatulacean (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Chunellidae) from the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic)

During the BENGAL cruises, an important collection of deep-sea benthic organisms was sampled. Among the pennatulacean colonies, a previously undescribed species of chunellid was collected. That material is here described as the type species of a new genus, Porcupinella gen. nov. The new genus and species are described based on material collected in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (NE Atlantic), 4,839–4,847 m in depth. This is the first time that a chunellid is reported from the Atlantic Ocean. The new genus is compared with the other genera in the family, and some phylogenetic remarks about the families Chunellidae and Umbellulidae are also provided.     

Molecular assessment of the genetic integrity,distinctiveness and phylogeographic context of the Saltwater crocodile (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocodylus porosus</Emphasis>) on Palau

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest and most broadly distributed crocodilian species, and thus is of special conservation and economic interest. Similar to other parts of its range throughout the Indo-Pacific, C. porosus distributed in the Republic of Palau have experienced a severe population decline over the past century primarily due to commercial hunting and eradication campaigns. In addition, several thousand crocodiles of undocumented species and origin were imported into Palau during the 1930’s for commercial farming purposes, potentially polluting the gene pool of the endemic saltwater crocodiles. Analysis of 39 individuals collected throughout the Republic of Palau revealed a single mitochondrial DNA control region haplotype shared by populations sampled in Sulawesi, Borneo and Australia. The mtDNA results, in combination with microsatellite genotypic data at six loci, detected no evidence for inter-specific hybridization between endemic Palauan C. porosus and potentially introduced Crocodylus species. There was no evidence for a genetic bottleneck in the Palauan population, however an excess of rare alleles was identified, indirectly suggesting a recent history of admixture potentially linked to introductions of non-native C. porosus. Following from these findings, Palauan C. porosus should be included in the single ESU previously established for all saltwater crocodiles given the recovery of a fixed, but geographically widespread haplotype. Although Palauan C. porosus exhibited significant genetic differentiation relative to all other sampled populations, it’s delineation as a distinct management unit is precluded at the present time by evidence that the genetic integrity of the population may have been compromised by the introduction of non-native saltwater crocodiles.     

Phytoplankton from Tehuantepec River, Oaxaca, Mexico and some biogeographical relationships

Phytoplankton species collected from the limnetic to euryhaline sections of Tehuantepec River were identified, classified and compared with regional information from Mexico and South America. We collected 15 samples every three months from July 1997 through August 1998 with a 20 microm net and a Van Dorn bottle. Indicator values and a code checklist are included. A total of 58 families, 121 genera, 273 species, one subspecies, 75 varieties, 13 forms and one morphotype were identified in the taxa Bacillariophyta (42.0 %), Chlorophyta (29.0 %), Cyanoprocaryota (18.0 %), Euglenophyta (5.0 %), Dinophyta (3.0 %), Cryptophyta (2.0 %) and Chrysophyta (1.0 %). The predominant families were Scenedesmaceae (24 species), Oocystaceae (22), Bacillariophyceae (21), Chaetocerotaceae (15) and Euglenaceae (14). Five families, eight genera, 72 species, 45 varieties and eight forms are first records for Mexico. The species Chroococcus turgidus, Microcystis flosaquae and Pseudanabaena limnetica (which produce massive blooms or red tides) are important in this river of moderate water quality.     

Length–weight relationships of wild fish captured at the mouth of Río Verde,Oaxaca, México and connected lagoons (Miniyua,El Espejo,Chacahua and Pastoría)

Length–weight relationships (LWR) were estimated for 34 fish species belonging to 25 genera and 17 families, specimens were collected near the mouth of the Río Verde, Oaxaca, Mexico. All r² values are statistically significant (P > 0.0001). The values of ‘b’ ranged from 2.55 and 3.3, within the usual range (2.5–3.5). This study provides the first LWR references for six species, and new maximum length records for eight species.     

Proposal of a new genus,Doorochen (Digenea: Lepocreadioidea), for reef-inhabiting members of the genus Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993

A new genus, Doorochen n. gen., is erected for four species of Postlepidapedon Zdzitowiecki, 1993, all of which inhabit members of the labroid genus Choerodon Bleeker, the tuskfishes, and which molecular phylogenies have indicated are not congeneric with the type-species, P. opisthobifurcatum (Zdzitowiecki, 1990) Zdzitowiecki, 1993. Doorochen secundum (Durio & Manter, 1968) n. comb. from Choerodon graphicus (De Vis), the Graphic tuskfish, from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and New Caledonia is designated the type-species of the new genus. Other species recognised are Doorochen spissum (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. venustus (De Vis), the Venus tuskfish, C. cyanodus (Richardson), the Blue tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; D. uberis (Bray, Cribb & Barker, 1997) n. comb. from C. schoenleinii (Valenciennes), the Blackspot tuskfish, and C. venustus from the GBR and Moreton Bay; and D. philippinense (Machida, 2004) n. comb. from C. anchorago (Bloch), the Orange-dotted tuskfish, from Philippine waters. In addition to these four species, two new species are described: D. zdzitowieckii n. sp. from C. fasciatus (Günther), the Harlequin tuskfish, and C. graphicus from the GBR; and D. goorchana n. sp. from C. anchorago from the GBR and Palau. The genus Postlepidapedon is now considered to comprise just two species, P. opisthobifurcatum and P. quintum Bray & Cribb, 2001. The relationships of Doorochen, Postlepidapedon, Myzoxenus Manter, 1934 and Intusatrium Durio & Manter, 1968 in the family Lepidapedidae Yamaguti, 1958 are discussed.     

Length‐weight relationship of ten indigenous freshwater fish species from Gandak River,Bihar, India

Ten indigenous freshwater fish species belonging to nine genera and seven families were collected from Gandak River, Bihar, India during December, 2014 to September, 2016. Fishes were caught using Cast nets, Gill nets, Drag nets with mesh size of 15–20 mm, 25–30 mm and 5–10 mm respectively along with Traps. Sampling was done during dry and wet seasons and a total of 682 fish were collected for analysis of their Length–Weight Relationships (LWRs). Analyses included seven species for which no previous LWRs information were available in FishBase, and new maximum lengths were recorded for three species.     

Burmannia bengkuluensis sp. nov. (Burmanniaceae) from Sumatra

A new species of Burmannia (Burmanniaceae), Burmannia bengkuluensis Tsukaya et Daernadi, discovered in a swamp adjacent to Bengkulu Airport, Sumatra, Indonesia, is described. It has poorly developed photosynthetic leaves and resembles B. ledermannii Jonker, described from a specimen collected in Palau, in having poorly developed leaves, narrowly 3‐winged erect flowers, and in particular, funnel‐shaped anthers, but differs in having dark purple flowers, longer outer perianth lobes, well‐developed, fan‐shaped inner perianth lobes, and a thick and short style. Sequence data on genomic DNA regions covering ITS1 and ITS2 are also provided.     

New Data on the fauna of oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) from the polar Urals

The fauna of oribatid mites in soils of the polar Ural mountains (the lower Malaya Paipudyna River, Labytnangi District, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, 67°06′N, 65°20′E) was studied. Samples from the upper soil layer and litter were collected along a transect running from the floodplain to the mountain lichen tundra (from 150 to 520 m a.s.l.. A total of about 10 thousand mites belonging to 82 species of 34 families were collected, and the distribution of some species in various biotopes was recorded. 46 species and 11 families (Hypochthoniidae, Euphthiracaridae, Phthiracaridae, Nanhermanniidae, Trhypochthoniidae, Cepheidae, Eremaeidae, Thyrisomidae, Micreremidae, Passalozetidae, and Scutoverticidae) are new to the fauna of the polar Urals. Together with these new taxa, the oribatid fauna of the polar Urals comprises not less than 106 species of 34 families. This fauna consists mainly of species with the wide polyzonal geographical distribution.     

Nematodes found in Nile crocodiles in the Kruger National Park,South Africa,with redescriptions of Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) (Heterocheilidae) and Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937 (Camallanidae)

Sixteen Nile crocodiles were collected in the Kruger National Park, South Africa and vicinity during 2010 and 2011. A total of 11 nematode species representing six families were recovered. Heterocheilids were the dominant group, comprising five species, with Dujardinascaris madagascariensis (Chabaud & Caballero, 1966) being the most prevalent (75%), followed by Ingwenascaris sprenti Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (68.8%), which was also the second most numerous nematode. While less prevalent (31.3%), Typhlophoros kwenae Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 was the most abundant species. Micropleura huchzermeyeri Junker & Mutafchiev, 2017 (Micropleuridae) was collected from five crocodiles and Crocodylocapillaria sp. (Capillariidae) occurred in a single host. Three nematodes, Camallanus kaapstaadi Southwell & Kirshner, 1937, Spirocamallanus sp. (both Camallanidae) and Ascarophis sp. (Cystidicolidae), are considered accidental infections, likely ingested with the hosts’ prey. Our findings of D. dujardini (Travassos, 1920), D. madagascariensis and Multicaecum agile (Wedl, 1861) in South Africa constitute new geographical records. Crocodylocapillaria sp. represents a new host and geographical record, while T. kwenae, I. sprenti and M. huchzermeyeri have been described as new species during the course of this survey. Multicaecum agile is here redescribed based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Previously undescribed morphological characters of C. kaapstaadi, typically a parasite of Xenopus spp. (Amphibia: Pipidae), but here found in two Nile crocodiles, are also presented.

     

A new species of Spinicauda (Nematoda: Heterakidae) and other endoparasites in Platymantis pelewensis (Anura: Ranidae) from the Palau Islands, Republic of Belau, Oceanica

Spinicauda fisheri n. sp. from the intestine of Platymantis pelewensis collected in the Palau Islands, Republic of Belau, is described and illustrated. Spinicauda fisheri represents the 12th species assigned to the genus and the first from Oceanica. It is most similar to Spinicauda spinicauda in that the tail ends in a filament, but it has 19 pairs of caudal papillae as compared with 5 pairs in S. spinicauda. In addition to S. fisheri, 2 species of Cestoda, cysticercoids of Joyeuxiella sp. and tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp., 2 species of Nematoda, Oswaldocruzia bakeri and Physocephalus sp. (larvae in cysts), 1 species of Acanthocephala, Acanthocephalus bufonis, and 1 species of Pentastomida, nymphs of Kiricephalus pattoni were identified.     

A new species of anglerfish (Lophiidae: <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lophiodes</Emphasis>) from the western Pacific

Lophiodes endoi sp. nov. is described from the western Pacific Ocean. Within the genus Lophiodes, the new species belongs in the L. mutilus group mainly defined by the absence of the fourth dorsal fin spine and differs from other species in the L. mutilus group in having a rounded esca with a paler tip, a third dorsal spine bearing a pair of black tendrils at two-thirds its length, 20–21 pectoral fin rays, a relatively short head, a relatively short illicium, a relatively short third dorsal spine, and a relatively long fifth dorsal spine, reaching the third soft dorsal fin ray when folded back. Comments on a similar species, L. bruchius, newly collected from the Kyushu–Palau Ridge, and notes on the distribution of congeneric species in the northwestern Pacific are provided.     

Benthic isopods (Crustacea,Malacostraca) from the Ross Sea,Antarctica: species checklist and their zoogeography in the Southern Ocean

In this study isopod species of the Ross Sea were investigated. Literature until May 2008 was checked to provide an overview of all known and described species in the Ross Sea. This species checklist was then enlarged through material of the 19th Italica expedition in 2004. During this expedition for the first time a small mesh net (500 μm) was used. Nine thousand four hundred and eighty one isopod specimens were collected during this expedition. Through this material the number of isopod species in the Ross Sea increased from 42 to 117 species, which belong to 20 families and 49 genera. Fifty-six percentage of the isopods species collected during the Italica expedition are new to science. The zoogeography of the 117 species was investigated. A non-transformed binary presence-absence data matrix was constructed using the Bray–Curtis coefficient. The results were displayed in a cluster analysis and by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS). This paper gives a first insight into the occurrence and distribution of the isopod species of the Ross Sea.