The nematode fauna in the sulphide–rich brine seep and adjacent bottoms of the East Flower Garden, NW Gulf of Mexico. II. Monhysterida

Eight nematode species of the order Monhysterida are described from the East Flower Garden at 72 m depth in the north–western Gulf of Mexico. The material is from sandy and rocky bottom samples influenced or beyond the influence o f a sulphide–rich brine seep. Seven species are new to science: Monhystera anoxybiotica sp.n., Gonionchus intermedius sp.n., Theristus (Theristus) coplatus sp.n., Theristus (Theristus) rezaki sp.n., Xyala oxybiotica spa., Desmolaimoides thiobioticus gen. et sp.n. and Linhomoeus gittingsi sp.n. Specimens of a Linhomoeus species are also described. The species is probably new to science, but the available material only includes females and juveniles.     

The Nematode Fauna in the Sulphide-Rich Brine Seep and Adjacent Bottoms of the East Flower Garden, NW Gulf of Mexico. I Chromadorida

Sixteen nematode species of the order Chromadorida are described from the East Flower Garden at 72 m depth in the north-western Gulf of Mexico. The material is from sandy bottom samples influenced or beyond the influence of a sulphide-rich brine seep. Fifteen species are new to science: Acantholaimus quadridentatus sp.n., Prochromadorella papillata sp.n., Austranema mexicanum sp.n., Rhips anoxybiotica sp.n., Filitonchoides thiobioticus gen. et sp.n., Paracyatholaimus spinulaosus sp.n., Marylynnia punctata sp.n., Marylynnia johanseni sp.n., Acanthopharyngoides bidentatus sp.n., Desmodora (Croconema)punctata sp.n., Desmodora (Desmodora) curvispiculum sp.n., Desmodora (Pseudochromadora) bulbosa sp.n., Chromaspirinia longisetosa sp.n., Prochaetosoma brighti sp.n. and Ixonema powelli sp.n. A specimen of Bathyepsilonema is also described and is probably new to science, but the available material only includes a female.     

A key to the species of Spilogona Schnabl from China, with descriptions of four new species from the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau (Diptera: Muscidae)

A generic diagnosis for Spilogona Schnabl and a key to the 38 species known from China are given. Four new species are described: Spilogona cordis sp. nov., Spilogona lobuliunguis sp. nov., Spilogona medilobulus sp. nov. and Spilogona ponti sp. nov., all four from the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau, China.     

Integrative taxonomy of the stalk-eyed bug genus Chauliops (Heteroptera: Malcidae: Chauliopinae) reveals orogeny-driven speciation

Economically significant bean pests of the genus Chauliops are species rich in the areas surrounding the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and provide an excellent system for speciation studies. Here, an integrative taxonomic approach, employing morphological analyses, population genetic methods, and multiple molecular species delimitation methods, was used to clarify the taxonomy of Chauliops in East and Southeast Asia. Four new species (Chauliops parahorizontalis Li & Bu, sp. nov., Chauliops albida Li & Bu, sp. nov., Chauliops bicoloripes Li & Bu, sp. nov., and Chauliops paraconica Li & Bu, sp. nov.) were described, which increases the number of Chauliops species in this area from six to 10; a key for Chauliops species is also provided. Phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimation revealed that Chauliops was divided into four clades: Clade A (Chauliops bisontula + [Chauliops horizontalis + C. parahorizontalis sp. nov.]), Clade B (C. albida sp. nov. and C. bicoloripes sp. nov.), Clade C (Chauliops quaternaria and Chauliops zhengi), and Clade D (Chauliops fallax + [Chauliops conica + C. paraconica sp. nov.]). Two species diversification events of Chauliops estimated to have occurred 7–1 million years ago (Ma) and 25–13 Ma were detected. These speciation events were consistent with the two historical uplift events of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, suggesting that orogeny might have provided opportunities for the diversification of Chauliops species on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Our findings show that population genetic analyses can be used to delimit related species and that orogeny is a key driver of species diversification on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.     

PERMIAN OSTRACODS FROM THE LERCARA FORMATION (MIDDLE TRIASSIC–CARNIAN?), SICILY,ITALY

Abstract: A rich, diverse Permian ostracod fauna has been recovered from the red and grey, laminated shales and quartz‐rich shales of the Triassic Lercara Formation. Forty‐seven species have been identified, 13 of which are newly described here; they belong to 26 genera of which three are new: Anahuacia lercaraensis sp. nov., Aurigerites siciliaensis sp. nov., Bairdia portellaensis sp. nov., Cristanaria? katyae sp. nov., Fabalicypris gruendeli sp. nov., Lethiersa salomonensis gen. et sp. nov., Lethiersia sinusoventralis gen. et sp. nov., Portella trapezoida gen. et sp. nov., Siciliella elongata gen. et sp. nov., Siciliella infernespinosa gen. et sp. nov., Siciliella prima gen. et sp. nov., Siciliella quadrata gen. et sp. nov., and Siciliella spinorobusta gen. et sp. nov. The assemblages contain or are composed of palaeopsychrospheric forms, which are regarded as index fossils for deep environments. The bathymetry of the different associations in life is evaluated.     

Discovery of the Drosophila (Drosophila) robusta species group (Diptera,Drosophilidae) from Southeast Asian tropics,with the descriptions of six new species

Six new species of the Drosophila robusta species group are described from Southeast Asian Islands. Kalimantan and Sunda Islands lie east of Bali, from which Drosophila barobusta sp.nov and D. uncinata sp.nov belong to the lacertosa subgroup, and D. sungaicola sp.nov, D. baliensis sp.nov, D. hitam sp.nov and D. subaquatica sp.nov to the okadai subgroup. The robusta group from Southeast Asian tropics exclusively inhabits streamsides in mountainous highlands with an elevation of more than 600 m from the sea level.     

Nematicidal activity of Okinawa Island plants on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood

In order to develop biological control methods that are effective against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) chitwood, the activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of wild plant species distributed on Okinawa Island on the viability and mobility of second stage M. incognita juveniles (J2s) was evaluated. Eleven of the 29 extracts immobilized at least half of the J2 stage nematodes in an in vitro assay. Aqueous extracts of Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata Scherff, Hydrocotyle dichondroides Makino, Oxalis corymbosa DC., Oxalis corniculata L., and Stenactis annus (L.) Cass gave 90% or better immobilization activity. Among these, B. pilosa var. radiata had the highest activity. Significant immobilization, lethality, repellence and egg hatching inhibition were observed with extracts from each B. pilosa plant part, but especially from leaves. The effects of plant extracts on the mobility of M. incognita were higher than on the free-living nematode Panagrolaimus sp., suggesting that M. incognita could be suppressed using B. pilosa extracts without significantly affecting beneficial nematodes.     

New gall midges of the tribe Leptosynini (Diptera,Cecidomyiidae) from the Late Eocene ambers and the classification of the supertribe Heteropezidi

Three new genera and 27 new species of gall midges are described from the Late Eocene ambers: Henria baltica sp. nov., Frirenia manca sp. nov., F. musicata sp. nov., Leptosyna samlandica sp. nov., L. fastosa sp. nov. from Baltic amber and H. xystica sp. nov., H. liquida sp. nov., Stellasegna vlaskini gen. et sp. nov., S. vaporea sp. nov., S. nexa sp. nov., Rasnitsia verticosa gen. et sp. nov., F. rohdendorfi sp. nov., F. schevchenkoi sp. nov., F. melica sp. nov., F. lukashevichae sp. nov., F. leporidis sp. nov., F. marmarygma sp. nov., F. vesana sp. nov., Vincinescia alisae gen. et sp. nov., L. margarita sp. nov., L. munifera sp. nov., L. sukachevae sp. nov., L. assa sp. nov., L. larga sp. nov., L. vegeta sp. nov., L. vaticina sp. nov., and L. shcherbakovi sp. nov. from Rovno amber. Strobliella capitata Fedotova is redescribed as Henria capitata (Fedotova, 2004) (comb. nov.). Diagnoses of Henria (= Electroxylomyia Nel et Prokop, syn. nov.), Frirenia, and Leptosyna are revised. As a result, Henria comprises 3 extant and 5 extinct (Late Eocene) species, including H. eocenica (Nel et Prokop), comb. nov. (= Electroxylomyia eocenica), Frirenia comprises 1 extant and 10 Late Eocene species, and Leptosyna comprises 3 extant and 11 Late Eocene species. The tribe Heteropezini is elevated to the supertribal rank (Heteropezidi) and included in the subfamily Lasiopterinae. Leptosynini is treated as a separate tribe, and Lasiopterinae is considered as part of Cecidomyiidae s. str. (i.e., excluding Lestremiidae). Keys to the tribes and genera of Heteropezidi and to species of Henria, Stellasegna, Frirenia, and Leptosyna are provided. The gall midge faunas of the Rovno and Baltic ambers are compared. Phylogenetic relationships within the supertribe are hypothesized.     

Granite boulders act as deep-time climate refugia: A Miocene divergent clade of rupicolous Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Mysore Plateau,India, with descriptions of three new species

We describe a divergent clade and three new rupicolous species of dwarf geckos of the genus Cnemaspis from the Mysore Plateau, southern India. Cnemaspis bangarasp. nov., C. graniticola sp. nov., and C.yelagiriensis sp. nov. differ from each other by 9%–18% uncorrected ND2 sequence divergence and other South Asian Cnemaspis by 17%–33% and are morphologically distinguishable from all regional congeners and each other. The new species are known from only granite boulders in montane habitats (>1,000 m asl.), just 60–120 km straight-line distance apart from each other. A fossil-calibrated timetree and ancestral area reconstructions indicate South Asian Cnemaspis originated in Western Ghats forests with initial divergence in the Paleocene-Eocene making it perhaps the oldest Indian squamate clade. Cnemaspis that occur in Peninsular India in the dry zone outside the Western Ghats form three independently derived clades that occur in significantly warmer and drier habitats than those in the Western Ghats. The discovery of a Miocene divergent clade from rocky hills on the southern edge of the Mysore Plateau reveals these habitats as novel, long-term climate refugia. This adds to the body of work revealing ancient origins of taxa in the Indian dry zone and supports the Mysore Plateau as an important and overlooked hot spot of lizard biodiversity.     

Rare bryozoans (Stenolaemata) with bilateral colonies from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of the East European Platform

New bryozoans characterized by a bilateral vertical colonies colonies—Cardioecia refuga sp. nov. (Tubuliporida), Elea lyapini sp. nov., E. troshkovensis sp. nov., and E. taylori sp. nov. (Melicerititida) from Middle Jurassic (Middle Callovian) of the Moscow region (Russia), and Biforicula legitima sp. nov. (Melicerititida) from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Campanian) of the Southern Donets Basin (Ukraine)—are described. All species described in this paper belong to genera that have been recorded for the first time in the East European Platform. Some morphological structures in the colonies of these bryozoans and some distinctive features of the order Melicerititida that emphasize the difference of this order from bryozoans of other orders of the class Stenolaemata are examined.     

Vallodiscus gen. nov., a new fossil resting spore morpho-genus related to the marine diatom genus Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyceae)

A new fossil marine diatom resting spore morphogenus, Vallodiscus Suto gen. nov., is described using samples from Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 338 in the Norwegian Sea, Sites 436 and 438 in the north‐west Pacific Ocean and the onland Newport Beach Section, California. Vallodiscus is characterized by a single ring of veins along the epivalve margin and a hypovalve covered with circular depressions of several sizes with gentle elevation. The morpho‐genus bears three new species and one new combination: Vallodiscus simplexus Suto sp. nov., Vallodiscus complexus Suto sp. nov., Vallodiscus lanceolatus Suto sp. nov. and Vallodiscus chinchae (Mereschkowsky) Suto comb. nov.     

Continuing of the revision of Spriferid (Brachiopoda) zonal species from the Frasnian Stage (Upper Devonian) of the Russian Platform

Adolfia siratschoica (Ljaschenko) and Adolfia krestovnikovi (Ljaschenko) are accepted as zonal species of the Petino and Voronezh Horizons of the Frasnian Stage of the Russian Platform. However it was established that these species do not belong to the genus Adolfia. The former species was recognized as the nomenclatural type species of Ljaschenkovia gen. nov. and the latter species was recognized as the type species of Tokmospirifer gen. nov. The comparative analysis provided of the shell structure, microornamentation, and shell interior of the type species of Ljaschenkovia gen. nov., Tokmospirifer brevis gen. et sp. nov., and Adolfia solita Ljaschenko is presented.     

A STUDY OF CRYPTOLECHIA ZELLER (LEPIDOPTERA: OECOPHORIDAE) IN CHINA (I), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FIFTEEN NEW SPECIES

The present paper reports thirty‐three species of the genus Cryptolechia in China. Fifteen species are described as new to science: C. deflecta sp. nov., C. kangxianensis sp. nov., C. microbyrsa sp. nov., C. falsivespertina sp. nov., C. zhengi sp. nov., C. neargometra sp. nov., C. paranthaedeaga sp. nov., C. cornutivalvata sp. nov., C. fascirupta sp. nov., C. stictifascia sp. nov., C. jigongshanica sp. nov., C. mirabilis sp. nov., C. anthaedeaga sp. nov., C. gei sp. nov. and C. varifascirupta sp. nov. The genital structures of the new species are illustrated.     

Revisional notes on the genus Toxopoda Macquart (Diptera,Sepsidae) in the Oriental and Australasian regions

I herein revise the genus Toxopoda Macquart of the Oriental and Australasian regions. A total of 16 species is discussed. Six new species are described: T. cavata sp. nov., T. angulata sp. nov., T. elephantina sp. nov., T. zuskai sp. nov., T. malayana sp. nov., and T. ozerovi sp. nov. The species T. contracta (Walker), T. viduata (Thomson) and T. simplex Iwasa, which can be easily confused with other species, are correctly redescribed and illustrated. Distributional notes and a key to the species of the Oriental and Australasian regions are provided.     

The question of cosmopolitanism in the deep-sea ostracod fauna: the example of the genus Pedicythere

Deep-sea Pedicythere species which had been earlier considered as pan-abyssal in distribution are shown to be composite species including similar, but separate species in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans. Morphology and distribution of Pedicythere are analysed. A key to well-described Cenozoic species and forms in open nomenclature which are referred to Pedicythere is presented, together with an annotated checklist of species. Five new species of Pedicythere are described from the South China Sea: P. hirundo sp. nov., P. gibbera sp. nov., P. dentata sp. nov., P. arator sp. nov. and P. nivea sp. nov.     

The ultrastructure of the cuticle of Nematoda. II. The cephalic cuticle of Stilbonematinae (Adenophorea,Desmodoridae)

Summary  The ultrastructure of the cephalic cuticle of 6 of 7 representative genera of Stilbonematinae (Eubostrichus, Catanema, Laxus, Robbea, Leptonemella, Stilbonema) is investigated using SEM and TEM techniques. Additionally, one species of Spirinia (Spiriniinae) and one of Desmodora (Desmodorinae) were studied for outgroup comparison. Most of the studied species show modifications of the cephalic cuticle. Furthermore, at least four different pathways have been developed to reinforce the head within Stilbonematinae. Species with a coarsely annulated somatic cuticle (Leptonemella sp., Stilbonema majum, and Desmodora ovigera) developed a rigid, non-annulated cephalic capsule by modifying the main constructing element of the median zone, the ’’ring body.’’ In faintly annulated Laxus oneistus, the annulated cephalic capsule results from a newly inserted ’’block layer’’ between the median and basal zone. The non-annulated cephalic capsule of Robbea sp. is formed by both the block layer and the ring body element. The annulated capsule of Catanema sp. stems from a doubled number of fiber layers within the basal zone. In Spirinia sp., only the amphidial region is strengthened in what could be termed an amphidial shield. All forms with cephalic capsules show mechanisms to keep the oral region pliable. Only Eubostrichus topiarius lacks a reinforcement of the cephalic cuticle. A comparison with the literature is made to elucidate corresponding structures within the cephalic capsules of representatives of Desmodorida. It is demonstrated that the presence of a cephalic cuticle is of no systematic value above the genus level. Accepted: 3 March 1996     

Some new species of Penicillium recovered from the atmosphere in Madrid and from other substrata

Six new species ofPenicillium Linkex Fries are described and illustrated. Four of them have been recovered from the atmosphere in Madrid, Spain, the other two species were isolated from must and from soil respectively. They clearly differ from all species of the genus described so far and are, therefore described and proposed as new taxa:Penicillium gerundense sp. nov.,Penicillium valentinum sp. nov.,Penicillium alicantinum sp. nov.,Penicillium malacaense sp. nov.,Penicillium tarraconense sp. nov., andPenicillium vasconiae sp. nov.     

Six new species of the genus Dicranosepsis Duda (Diptera, Sepsidae) from Vietnam, with a revised key to the species

The flies of the genus Dicranosepsis from Vietnam were investigated and classified taxonomically. Six new species (D. longa sp. nov., D. kurahashii sp. nov., D. monoseta sp. nov., D. sinuosa sp. nov., D. barbata sp. nov., and D. vietnamensis sp. nov.) are described and illustrated. Dicranosepsis is redefined and a revised key to the species is also provided.