Two new species of Mesocyclops from southern China and notes on the genus Mesocyclops in China

Two new Mesocyclops species, M. mariae n. sp. and M. shenzhenensisn. sp., are described from southern China, the former species from Guangxi province, the latter from Guangdong province. Both species have setules on the medial margin of the caudal rami. Compared with each other, there are some conspicuous differences, such as the spinule pattern of the antenna basipodite, the structure of receptaculum seminis, the armature of coxopodite and basipodite of P4 and the armature of the caudal rami. The paper also compares the two new species with their supposedly closest relatives, M. pseudospinosus Dussart & Fernando, 1988, M. leuckarti(Claus, 1857) and M. pehpeiensisHu, 1943. In addition, other species of Mesocyclops in China are discussed and a key to 10 Chinese species of Mesocyclops is provided.     

The cyclopid (Crustacea,Copepoda) fauna of the inland waters of Israel

Four species of the genusMesocyclops (Cyclopoida: Cyclopidae) are reported from Israel:Mesocyclops kieferi Van de Velde, 1984,Mesocyclops aequatorialis similis Van de Velde, 1984,Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, 1957 andMesocyclops arcanus n.sp. The new species, close toM. kieferi, is described and some remarks are given for the other species.     

New or rare species of Diacyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda,Cyclopoida) from different groundwater habitats in Italy

Diacyclops paralanguidoides sp.n., Diacyclops paolae sp.n., Diacyclops maggii sp.n. and Diacyclops sardous sp.n., all belonging to the languidoides-group of species, are described from groundwaters (wells, hyporheic habitats) in Italy.New localities are reported, from the same country, for other remarkable species of the genus, viz. Diacyclops clandestinus (Kiefer) and Diacyclops zschokkei (Graeter).The absence of a vestigial exopod and the armature of the basipodite of the antenna are considered as useful diagnostic characters for species demarcations.Research supported by a M.P.I. 60% grant. Gruppo Nazionale C.N.R.-Biologia Naturalistica.Contribution to the knowledge of the underground water fauna in central and southern Italy: XXXVIII.     

A new Oriental species of Mesocyclops (Copepoda: Cyclopidae)

Mesocyclops ferjemurami sp. nov. is described from Central Vietnam, North India and Sri Lanka. It differs from all congeners in having a unique spinule ornamentation on the caudal surface of the antennary basipodite: the `leuckarti-type' spinule pattern is supplemented with a group of spinules at the height of implantation of the medial setae, and proximal to this group a triangular spinule field occurs, the longest side of which runs more or less parallel to the oblique row of tiny spinules starting at distal half of the medial rim. It is suggested that Mesocyclops ferjemurami is closely related to Mesocyclops pehpeiensis Hu, 1943 and Mesocyclops papuensis Van de Velde, 1987.     

A description of pelagic zooplankton in the large lakes of the Todzha Depression (Bolshoi Yenisey River basin, Tuva)

The zooplankton structure of large lakes (Noyon-Khol’, Shuram-Khol’, Borzu-Khol’, Many-Khol’, Kadysh, and Todzha) of the Todzha Depression has been studied. A comparison of the species composition, abundance, and biomass of zooplankton in the lakes was made. Rotifers have the largest species diversity: from 10 to 16 species, with Conochilus sp., Collotheca sp., Kellicottia longispina (Kellicott), and Asplanchna priodonta Gosse being the most abundant. Copepods are represented mostly by Arctodiaptomus paulseni (Sars), Eudiaptomus graciloides (Lilljeborg), Cyclops scutifer Sars, and Mesocyclops leuckarti Claus. Daphnia galeata Sars and Bosmina longispina Leydig are the dominant cladoceran species. It is shown that the zooplankton communities of the lakes in the Todzha Depression are characterized by a high degree of species composition similarity. Factors forming the taxonomic structure of pelagic zooplankton in the system of these lakes are displayed.     

Amended delimitation of Mongolodiaptomus against Neodiaptomus and Allodiaptomus and redescription of the little known Mongolodiaptomus uenoi (Kikuchi, 1936) from Thailand (Copepoda: Calanoida: Diaptomidae)

Mongolodiaptomus uenoi (Kikuchi, 1936), a little known diaptomid copepod from Taiwan and Indonesia, is re-described based on specimens from Thailand, and its relationship with its congeners is discussed. To clear up the generic confusion between the closely allied genera Mongolodiaptomus Kiefer, Neodiaptomus Kiefer and Allodiaptomus Kiefer, a new criterion relating to the armature of the second exopodite-segment of the male right P5 is introduced. Accordingly, some dubious species of Neodiaptomus and Allodiaptomus are transferred to Mongolodiaptomus.     

A new species of Macrothrix (Anomopoda: Macrothricidae) from Central Mexico

Macrothrix mexicanus sp. nov. is described from central México, a transition zone between the nearctic and neotropics. All localities where it was found are over 1800 meters above sea level. It shows many resemblances with M. laticornis, M. camjatae and M. rosea but is characterized by a persistent dorsal tooth on the valve keel, a spinous papilla on the basipodite of the antenna, the second thoracic limb with a long conical sensillum between scraper 1 and the gnathobase, the endopod of trunk limb IV having two setae; the postabdomen with the dorsal margin bilobed, and the distal segment of the seta natatoria which is unusually long.Abbreviations used on figures EN Endopodite - EP Epipodite - EX Exopodite - IDL Inner distal lobe - ODL Outer distal lobe - GT Gnatobase - E1 Endite 1 - E2 Endite 2 - E3 Endite 3     

Some Freshwater Cyclopoids (Crustacea: Copepoda) of the Island of Soqotra (Indian Ocean), with the Description of Three New Species

Copepods from Soqotra Archipelago, a largely unstudied microplate in the north‐west Indian Ocean, were investigated. Seven species of six cyclopoid genera: Ectocyclops Brady , 1904; Halicyclops Norman , 1903; Mesocyclops Sars , 1914; Microcyclops Claus , 1893; Paracyclops Claus , 1893 and Tropocyclops Kiefer , 1927 were identified. Three of them are new to Science, viz. Mesocyclops wraniki sp. n., Halicyclops soqotranus sp. n., and Ectocyclops mozhae sp. n. They are described and figured.     

A New Acanthocyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Central Mexico with Comments on the Distributionof the Genus in Middle America

A new species of Acanthocyclops Kiefer is described from central Mexico. It differs from its congeners by a combination of characters including mainly: 11–13 antennular segments, a spine formula of 3444 and modified setae on legs 2–4. The presence of a compound distal antennular segment is aberrant within the Cyclopoida. The new species seems to be related to Nearctic forms of the vernalis –robustus clade. Ancestors of this lineage probably reached central Mexico as a result of glaciation events and the new species is a remain of stranded postglacial populations; some of these forms were succesful in colonizing tropical lands. A key for the identification of the species of Acanthocyclops recorded in Mexico is included. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Parastenocaris andreji n. sp. (Crustacea; Copepoda) – the first record of the genus in Slovenia (SE Europe)

Parastenocaris andreji n. sp. was found in ground water in a northwestern part of Slovenia (southern part of Central Europe). Two adult females of the new species were filtered out of 20 000 l of water during examination of an aquifer for water supply. The bore well was 10 m deep. The aquifer is fed by rainwater and probably only occasionally from a nearby alpine river Sava. The new species differs markedly from other known species of the genus by shape and armature of furcal rami, very long and slim maxillae and some characters on endopodites P2–P5. The closest related species are probably Parastenocaris nolliKiefer, 1938 with subspecies P. nolli alpinaKiefer, 1960, P. gertrudae Kiefer, 1968 and P. austriacaKiefer, 1976.     

Trois nouvelles especes du genre mixtacandona (ostracoda,cyprididae, candoninae)

The authors describe Mixtacandona elegans n. sp.,M. pietrosanii n. sp., M. tabacarui n. sp. and present new data on the systematics and biogeography of the following Mixtacandona groups: ljovuschkini,hvarensis and riongessa. Mixtacandona elegans n. sp. belongs to the group ljovuschkini. The carapace is very elongated and has markedly assymetrical valves. The species has been found in a porous aquifer in southeastern Bulgaria. M. pietrosanii n. sp. belongs to the group hvarensis. The 3rd antennular segment and the 2nd endopodial segment of the cleaning leg have each two setae. The species lives in porous aquifers in the Danube plain in Roumania. M. tabacarui n. sp. (gr. riongessa) has a triangular left valve with a pointed dorsal protuberance. The species has been found in wells fed by karstic water in southern dobrodgea (Roumania), on the Black Sea coast.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Phyllopodopsyllus T. Scott (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from Africa with description of two new species

Two new species of marine, sand-dwelling harpacticoids are described: Phyllopodopsyllus pallaresae n. sp. from Namibia, and P. hartmannorum n. sp. from Tanzania. The hitherto unknown male of P. xenus (Kunz) is described from Namibia. Further remarks are made on P. furciger Sars from Tanzania.Zwei neue sandbewohnende Harpacticoiden-Arten werden beschrieben: Phyllopodosyllus pallaresae n. sp. von Namibia und Phyllopodopsyllus hartmannorum n. sp. von Tansania. Außerdem wird das bisher unbekannte Männchen von Phyllopodopsyllus xenus (Kunz) von Namibia beschrieben. Morphologische Merkmale von Phyllopodopsyllus furciger Sars werden anhand eines Fundes von Tansania ergänzt.     

Analysis of the Ilyocryptus spinifer-species group (Anomopoda,Branchiopoda), with description of a new species

We studied the morphology and variability of Ilyocryptus spinifer Herrick, 1882 from different parts of the world using optical microscopy and SEM, re-examining type material wherever possible. Morphometric analysis failed to reveal significant regional differences between populations. The following species names for members of Ilyocryptus spinifer group, I. halyi Brady, 1886; I. longiremis Sars, 1888; I. immundus F. Mueller in Ihering, 1895; I. verrucosus Daday, 1905; and I. tetraspinatus Berganim, 1939, are junior synonyms of I. spinifer. A new species from this group is described from Queensland, Australia. Ilyocryptus timmsi n. sp. shows unique morphological characters in the armature of the lateral swimming setae of the antennal endopod, its apical segment and the postabdominal claws.     

On the morphology of antennular sensory and attachment organs in cypris larvae of the deep‐sea vent/seep barnacles,Ashinkailepas and Neoverruca

Barnacle cypris larvae show high morphological variation in the organs used in search of and attaching to a substratum. This variation may represent adaptation to the habitat of the species. Here, we studied SEM level morphologies of cypris antennular sensory and attachment organs in a deep‐sea vent endemic species (Neoverruca sp.) and a vent/seep inhabiting species (Ashinkailepas seepiophila). We compare them with three species from other environments. The antennular morphologies of Neoverruca sp. and A. seepiophila were similar, which is consistent with recent molecular studies showing a close relationship of the two species. The setation pattern of the antennules was very conservative among species from various environments. In contrast, striking differences were observed in the structure of the attachment organ (the third antennular segment). Neoverruca sp. and A. seepiophila had no velum or a skirt surrounding the attachment disc on the third segment, while other cirripede cyprids almost always have either of these structures. In addition, both cyprids of A. seepiophila and Neoverruca sp. had the attachment disc angled toward the substratum, whereas it faces distally in cyprids from hard bottom inhabiting barnacles. We suggest that both velum/skirt and the angle of the attachment disc play an important role, when the antennules are contacting the substratum during surface exploration. Differences in attachment organ structures may be highly adaptive, enabling cirripede species to enter new habitats during evolution. J. Morphol. 277:594–602, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A new species of Ilyocryptus (Crustacea: Anomopoda) from the River Paraná basin,Argentina

A new species of Ilyocryptus Sars from several localities in River Paraná basin, is described and figured. By the presence of a lateral process on the valves I. paranaensis n.sp. resembles I. cornutus Mordukhai-Boltovskoi & Chircova, but it shows several morphological differences in the shape and the armature of the postabdomen and in the antennal formula.     

Rhizobitoxine: A phytotoxin of unknown function which is commonly produced by bradyrhizobia

Summary Fifty-six percent of 93 strains ofBradyrhizobium japonicum andBradyrhizobium sp. (various hosts) from diverse geographical areas were found to produce a chlorosis-inducing toxin. Toxin production was common among bradyrhizobia originating from the USA, Africa, Central America, and South America. Toxin produced by West African strains was compared with rhizobitoxine by cation exchange chromatography, paper chromatography, and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) bioassay. The comparison suggested that the chlorosis-inducing toxin produced by West African bradyrhizobia is rhizobitoxine. Purified toxin from a West AfricanBradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) strain inhibited the growth ofBacillus subtilis on minimal medium. The growth inhibition was reduced by addition of yeast-extract or casamino acids but not by any of 21 individual amino acids, including methionine. The same toxin did not inhibit the growth of 14 Bradyrhizobium strains, including eight strains that did not produce toxin. Mixed inoculum experiments revealed that a toxin-producing West African strain could not assist toxin non-producingB. japonicum strains in nodulating non-nodulating (rj₁ rj₁) soybeans.     

The freshwater calanoida (crustacea : copepoda) of Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia

The systematics and geographical distribution of Malaysian and Singapore freshwater calanoid copepods are discussed in details. Neodiaptomus handeli Brehm, N. laii Kiefer, N. blachei (Brehm), N. botulifer Kiefer, N. mephistopheles Brehm, Pseudodiaptomus (Schmackeria) dauglishi Sewell, P. (S.) tollingerae Sewell and Tropodiaptomus spp. Kiefer are all present in the northwestern part of the Peninsula. There are only 4 species, namely, N. handeli, N. botulifer, N. meggitti Kiefer and Tropodiaptomus sp. in the southern half of the Peninsula. The whole of the east coast also has 4 species, i.e. N. handeli, N. malaindosinensis (n.n.), P. (S.) tollingerae and one species of Tropodiaptomus. The only species that cut across a wide range of geographical barriers are N. handeli and Tropodiaptomus.     

The effect of temperature on the development times of eggs,naupliar and copepodite stages of five species of cyclopoid copepods

The duration times of eggs, combined naupliar instars and of the different copepodite stages of five species of cyclopoid copepods — Acanthocyclops robustus, Cyclops vicinus, Diacyclops bicuspidatus, Mesocyclops leuckarti, and Thermocyclops crassus — were investigated at five different temperatures. The five species can be divided in two groups: two species, C. vicinus and D. bicuspidatus, adapted to cold water conditions and three species, A. robustus, M. leuckarti and T. crassus adapted to warm water conditions. The cold water species showed a faster egg development than M. leuckarti and T. crassus at 5–15 °C. The eggs and instars of the warm water species M. leuckarti tend to develop faster than those of the former two species at higher temperatures. A. robustus showed the shortest egg and instar development at 10–25 °C. The warm water species T. crassus produced no eggs at 10 °C and temperatures below. At higher temperatures (20, 25 °C) the egg and instar duration times were similar or longer than those of the other species. When cultured in total darkness a great part of the C_IV respectively C_V copepodites of the summer forms entered arrest and the percentage of copepodites that showed an arrest of development was highest at lowest temperatures. The present results are compared with data from literature and differences are discussed.     

A new species of Ilyocryptus (Cladocera: Macrothricidae) from Turkey

A new species of Ilyocryptus Sars from Çildir Lake in Kars is described and figured. In external morphology, Ilyocryptus anatolicus n. sp. resembles partly I. sordidus (Liévin) and I. spinosus tifter, but it shows several morphological differences in shape and armature of the postabdomen and in the defensive spines on the posterior margin of the carapace.