Two new and rare mountain door-snails (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Clausiliidae) from high mountain areas in Macedonia

Two species of Clausiliidaeare described as new to science. Euxinella alpinellasp. n. is the fourth species within genus Euxinella Nordsieck, 1973, and Vestia lazaroviisp. n. is the second species of genus Vestia recorded from the Republic of Macedonia. In both species, the clausilium apparatus shows a high degree of variation.     

Ischnomelissa,a New Genus of Augochlorine Bees (Halictidae) from Colombia

A new augochlorine bee genus, Ischnomelissa gen. n., is described and figured. The genus is based on a new species from the mountains of Colombia, Ischnomelissa zonata. Ischnomelissa superficially resembles species of Caenaugochlora (Ctenaugochlora), but differs in having a rounded preoccipital ridge, an acute marginal cell apex, an elongated propodeum, and a single gonostylus (not divided into ventral and dorsal gonostylar processes). Color variation within I. zonata and the position of the group in augochlorine phylogeny is briefly discussed. Modified couplets are provided for Eickwort’s 1969 key to genera and subgenera in order to correctly identify the genus.     

Xenostegia,a new genus of Convolvulaceae

Stigma anatomy, pollen morphology, cotyledon structure and other traits suggest that two species formerly considered members ofMerremia fall outside an acceptable range of variation for that genus. A new genus,Xenostegia, is proposed for these two species.     

华西雨蛙寄生多盘虫科单殖吸虫一新种

在云南省新平县(24°N,101°32’E)采集的华西雨蛙Hyla a.annectans膀胱内检获多盘虫属1新种,新平多盘虫Polystoma xinpingensis sp.nov.。124只华西雨蛙中18只华西雨蛙感染,自然感染率为14.5%。新种与多盘虫属记录种最显著的区别在于:虫体体型小,其体长仅为2967μm。内侧肠管于虫体后1/3处仅形成2条横跨虫体的联合肠管,其它记录种肠管分支多数或形成较复杂的网状。睾丸巨大,呈滤泡状,分散分布直达虫体中部。新种的正、副模式标本保存在云南师范大学生命科学学院。     

The morphology,taxonomy and evolution ofRhodocoma (Restionaceae)

The vegetative and reproductive morphology, culm and rhizome anatomy and seed surface micromorphology ofRhodocoma are described. It is shown that this variation is best contained by recognizing three new species in the genus. These new taxa are described, and the phylogeny of the genus is investigated by cladistic analysis. The environmental parameters and distributions of the species are related to the cladogram. This suggests that the species are at present ecologically separated, and indicates that the speciation may have been sympatric. This is the first support for the hypothesis that sympatric speciation may have been important in the speciose Cape flora.     

A new species of Haborophocoena, an Early Pliocene phocoenid cetacean from Hokkaido, Japan

A new species of phocoenid cetacean Haborophocoena , collected from the Early Pliocene Embetsu Formation, in the close vicinity to the site where the holotype of the type species of the genus Haborophocoena was retrieved, improves our knowledge of the anatomy of this cetacean. The new species, represented by a skull, lacking distal half of the rostrum, ear bones, and teeth, is significantly smaller than, but morphologically similar to, the type species Haborophocoena toyoshimai Ichishima and Kimura 2005 . This new record of Haborophocoena confirms the veracity of the genus Haborophocoena as a biological entity, contributes to understanding the interspecific variation, and suggests that the genus diversified in the northwestern Pacific of early Pliocene time. The adult-like degree of ossification in this small skull precludes it from being a juvenile of Haborophocoena toyoshimai . Autapomorphies of Haborophocoena minutus include narrow premaxilla on the dorsal surface of the rostrum, the anterior position of the premaxillary foramen, and a distinct ridge dividing a fossa on the lateral face of the base of the zygomatic process into the dorsal and the ventral halves, the zygomatic process rectangular in lateral profile, and its small size, which is the most compelling feature, making it a distinct species.     

The Caloscyphaceae (Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota), with a new genus

The family Caloscyphaceae with a single genus, Caloscypha, has been considered to include a single species, C. fulgens. Study of an overlooked second species, Caloscypha incarnata from North Africa and Italy, using SSU, LSU rDNA, and morphology allows placement of this species in a new genus, Kallistoskypha, in the Caloscyphaceae. This fungus is found in association with Eucalyptus species. The species was recently redescribed from Spain under the name Marcelleina parvispora. Caloscypha fulgens, the type species of the genus Caloscypha, shows sequence variation from across its range.     

At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae)

I describe two new species in the miniaturized microhylid frog genus Paedophryne from forests in southeastern Papua New Guinea. The first species is described on the basis of two specimens and exhibits female snout-vent length of 8.5-9.0 mm (no males known), whereas that of the second species, described on the basis of 12 specimens, is 8.8-9.3 mm, with males 8.1-8.9 mm. These frogs are smaller than the other two diminutive species described when the genus was recently erected, and they represent what are currently the smallest known species of tetrapods. The two species replace each other elevationally on the same mountain massif and occur in relative geographic proximity to the other named species of the genus. Females of both species contain only two enlarged ova, suggesting that they also possess clutch sizes at the extreme lower end of variation in frogs. All species of Paedophryne inhabit leaf litter, as seen for most other miniaturized anurans.     

A new species of the genus Paracryptops from India, with remarks on the generic and specific characters (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Cryptopidae)

Paracryptops spinosus , a new centipede species from Delhi, is described. The species is unique in the genus in that its anal legs have their femora and tibiae beset distally with extraordinary spines. It is pointed out that the exceedingly short poison claws supposed to be incapable of meeting in the middle cannot be depended upon to identify the genus Paracryptops . This character is apparent, not real and should be discarded. It is also pointed out that the number of tibial teeth used as a key character at species level, being subject to age variation, can be of limited taxonomic value and should be used with caution.     

Five new species of Triotemnus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Morocco and Yemen

Fivenew species of the genus Triotemnus from Morocco and Yemen are described. Triotemnus is a new genus of Scolytinae for the Yemen region. External morphology of the new species and all morphologically related species of the genus were studied. While the new species from Morocco are morphologically similar to the known species from the corresponding region, all three newly described species from Yemen, mainly two of them living in Socotra, are morphologically very different from all other known species of the genus. Geographical distribution and the probability of endemicity are discussed.     

A New Extinct Species of the Genus Microcavia (Rodentia,Caviidae) from the Upper Pleistocene of the Northern Basin of Uruguay,with Paleobiogeographic and Paleoenvironmental Comments

A new species, Microcavia criolloensis (Rodentia, Caviidae), from the Upper Pleistocene (Sopas Formation) of the northern basin of Uruguay (South America) is described. This species is characterised by an exclusive association of skull and dental state characters. An analysis of similarity including other species of the genus and the related genera of Caviidae was performed. The new species of Microcavia behaved in the phenogram obtained as a discrete unit closely associated to Microcavia chapalmalensis and Microcavia niata. A mosaic of habitats, ranging from open and arid or semiarid microhabitats to fluvial and riparian forests, is suggested here, mainly based on the current adaptations of the genus Microcavia and the records of several taxa of mammals in the Sopas Formation. The geographic area occupied by Microcavia in the Pleistocene was different, with fossil records located more than 500 km eastward with respect to its present distribution. This variation could have occurred as a response to environmental changes in the last interglacial and glacial cycles.     

The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: further species of Glossodoris, Thorunna and the Chromodoris aureomarginata colour group

Nineteen species of chromodorid nudibranchs from the Indo-West Pacific are described including 12 new to science. There are four new species of Glossodoris and one new species of Thorunna . The anatomy of two other species of Thorunna, T. daniellae and T. florens , is described and the problematical 'Hypselodoris' kulonba Burn, 1966 is shown to belong to the genus Digidentis. New species of chromodorids which are white with a yellow or red margin. or markings. from the genera Durvilledoris. Noumea and Cadlina are also described. Notes on colour variation in Glossodoris pallida and Chromodoris splendida are included.     

Late Oligocene mesotheriids (Mammalia, Notoungulata) from Salla and Lacayani (Bolivia): implications for basal mesotheriid phylogeny and distribution

The oldest known mesotheriids are referred to the genus Trachytherus , a taxon traditionally included in its own subfamily 'Trachytheriinae'. The ontogeny, morphological variation and systematics of the genus Trachytherus are still poorly understood and the monophyly of this taxon is questionable. For the first time, a large collection of basal mesotheriids (belonging to the genus Trachytherus ) yielded by the Bolivian Salla beds (Deseadan, late Oligocene) and previously referred to T. spegazzinianus was included in a large-scale analysis. This has led to the recognition of a unique new species in the locality of Salla-Luribay, distinct from T. spegazzinianus : Trachytherus alloxus sp. nov . Skulls of this species are described and cheekteeth variation range throughout ontogeny is discussed. These new data are incorporated in a parsimony analysis of basal mesotheriids. The most probable hypothesis of a clade T. spegazzinianus -mesotheriines is discussed. The distinction of the new Salla species from the Patagonian species T. spegazzinianus confirms the faunal differences observed between these Bolivian and Patagonian Deseadan localities. Moreover, the assignment to Trachytherus spegazzinianus of mesotheriid remains from the Bolivian Lacayani deposits complicates the problem of these faunal differences. Further systematic investigations on the Lacayani fauna and on the age of the Patagonian localities are needed.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 153–200.     

PSEUDOFAGUS IDAHOENSIS,N. GEN. ET SP. (FAGACEAE) FROM THE MIOCENE CLARKIA FLORA OF IDAHO

A new genus and species of Fagaceae are established for compressed leaves and attached fruits which represent one of the dominant taxa in the rich Miocene Clarkia flora of northern Idaho. The leaf and fruit morphology, cuticular and pericarp anatomy, and leaf phytoliths fall within the range of variation of the subfamily Fagoideae. The unique fruit consists of a large, exposed, distinctly keeled, trigonous nut and a diminutive basal cupule. The cupule has an apical frill of free, petiolate, leaflike appendages but lacks other ornamentation, and there is no evidence of a distinct Valvation. As no other genus of the Fagaceae has fruits with this combination of characters, a new genus is established and is referred to the subfamily Fagoideae. The Miocene genus seems most closely related to the extant genus Fagus.     

Revision of the genus Chalcasthenes Arrow (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Oryctoderini) from the Solomon Islands

The genus Chalcasthenes Arrow (Dynastinae: Oryctoderini), a scarab beetle genus endemic to the Solomon Islands, is reviewed. Based on examination of type specimens, the genus Strehlia Frey (Rutelinae: Rutelini: Parastasiina) is a new junior synonym of Chalcasthenes . The historical classification of these genera (either in the subfamily Dynastinae or Rutelinae) and character-based criteria for assigning the taxa to the Dynastinae are provided. We discuss character states that support the monophyly of members of the genus Chalcasthenes, comment on the distribution and biogeography of species in the genus and provide a key to species. The genus includes four species: Chalcasthenes divinus Endrödi, Chalcasthenes pulcher Arrow, Chalcasthenes squamigerus Frey new combination and Chalcasthenes styracoceros Jameson and Ratcliffe n. sp. Species hypotheses are corroborated based on evidence from Pleistocene geological reconstructions of the Solomon Islands, geographic variation of bird species in the region and development in scarab beetles.     

中国团藻目研究(Ⅰ)

为了配合中国孢子植物志《团藻目》编志的需要 ,作者到广西壮族自治区、内蒙古自治区、湖北省等地采集标本进行分类研究。文中报道了团藻目 6个属的 4个新种 ,1个新变种和 9个中国新记录 ,其中拟衣藻属Chloromonas和朴罗藻属 Provasoliella为我国新记录属 ,武汉朴罗藻、嗜碱衣藻、多粒衣藻、广西拟衣藻为新种 ,星状四鞭藻广西变种为新变种。     

Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis,sp. nov. (Metzgeriales,Aneuraceae) from Yunnan,China

Abstract

The genus Lobatiriccardia Furuki is reported as new to China, from the Dulong River valley, Gaoligong Shan range, Yunnan Province and this material is described as a new species endemic to China, Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis Furuki & D.G. Long, the fifth known species in the genus. The differences between the new species and the other members of the genus are enumerated, along with a key to all known species of Lobatiriccardia.     

A developmental staging series for the lizard genus Anolis: a new system for the integration of evolution, development, and ecology

Vertebrate developmental biologists typically rely on a limited number of model organisms to understand the evolutionary bases of morphological change. Unfortunately, a typical model system for squamates (lizards and snakes) has not yet been developed leaving many fundamental questions about morphological evolution unaddressed. New model systems would ideally include clades, rather than single species, that are amenable to both laboratory studies of development and field-based analyses of ecology and evolution. Combining an understanding of development with an understanding of ecology and evolution within and between closely related species has the potential to create a seamless understanding of how genetic variation underlies ecologically and evolutionarily relevant variation within populations and between species. Here we briefly introduce a new model system for the integration of development, evolution, and ecology, the lizard genus Anolis, a diverse group of lizards whose ecology and evolution is well understood, and whose genome has recently been sequenced. We present a developmental staging series for Anolis lizards that can act as a baseline for later comparative and experimental studies within this genus.     

Pentagonia zhangduensis nov. spec. (Lobosea, Arcellinida), a new freshwater species from China

The morphology of a new testate amoeba Pentagonia zhangduensis nov. spec. was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species was discovered in the sediments of Lake Zhangdu, Hubei Province, China. The low coefficients of variation and normal size frequency distribution suggest that P. zhangduensis is a size-monomorphic species. P. zhangduensis differs from the one other species in this genus (P. maroccana), by its larger size and its quadrangular cross section with two parallel longitudinal ridges on each of the two flattened sides of the test.     

The genus Arhaconotus Belokobylskij (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) from China, with description of a new species

The genus Arhaconotus Belokobylskij (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Doryctinae) is recorded for the first time from China. A new species of this genus, Arhaconotus hainanensis Tang & Chen, sp. n., is described and illustrated. A key to the species of this genus is updated to include the new species.