A new species of the nematode genus Aspiculuris Schulz, 1924 from Aethomys namaquensis (Mammalia: Rodentia) in the Kruger National Park,South Africa

Aspiculuris shikoloueta n. sp. is described from the caecum of Aethomys namaquensis (Rodentia: Muridae) from the Kruger National Park, South Africa. It differs from the other species of the genus possessing cervical alae that gradually taper posteriorly in having a complex system of raised pre-cloacal cuticular strips and a pair of similar caudal strips, an almost wholly glandular posterior pharyngeal bulb without obvious valves, and a pair of swollen, raspberry-like, granulate structures lateral to the cloacal opening.     

A new species of Crossidium (Pottiaceae,Bryophyta) from South Africa

Abstract

A new species of Crossidium (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta), C. karoo, is described for South Africa. It uniquely differs from congeners in tight encapsulation of the photosynthetic filaments by the clasping upper lamina.     

Description and ultrastructure of Leishmania zuckermani n. sp. amastigotes detected within the erythrocytes of the South African gecko Pachydactylus turneri Gray, 1864.

In erythrocytes recovered from blood of geckoes of the species Pachydactylus turneri collected in Gauteng Province, Republic of South Africa, leishmania zuckemani n. sp. were detected. Giemsa stained erythrocytes contained amastigotes, either single or numerous, in loose assemblies or in a compact rounded oggregates which may condense to become a round basophilic bodies with a central hollow. This new species of Leishmania differs from all previously described species in being almost exclusively parasitic in circulating erythrocytes. Three to seven amastigotes lodged all within one, or divided between several parasitophorous vacuoles were detected at the EM level. The amastigotes demonstrated essentially all the cytological components characteristic of leishmania species known to parasitize mammals. A point which emphasizes an already suggested close affiliation between mammalian and lizard Leishmania.     

Civettictis braini nov. sp. (Mammalia: Carnivora), a new viverrid from the hominin-bearing site of Kromdraai (Gauteng,South Africa)

A new Plio-Pleistocene viverrid species is described based on two newly discovered maxillae (KW 10141 and KW 10383) from the recent excavations at the hominin-bearing site of Kromdraai (Gauteng, South Africa). This major site allows us to address the conundrum of Paranthropus and Homo origins in South Africa and presents a highly diverse carnivore spectrum (at least 22 species) including herpestids and viverrids. Civettictis braini nov. sp. is a viverrid species comparable in size to the extant African civet Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776). However C. braini nov. sp. differs significantly from the extant species in its dental proportions. Its canine and three premolars (P1–P3) are relatively robust, while its carnassials (P4) and two molars (M1, M2) are extremely reduced. This new species supplements our knowledge on carnivore taxonomic diversity and paleoecology in Southern Africa about 2 millions of years ago.     

Neoalbionella izawai n. sp. from the smallfin gulper shark Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker and additional host records for N. etmopteri (Yamaguti, 1939) off South Africa

Neoalbionella Özdikmen, 2008 comprises 10 accepted species, which all infect sharks of Squaliformes and Carcharhiniformes. Adult females belonging to species of Neoalbionella, based on the maxillule palp armed with three setae and the maxilliped subchela claw with only one secondary denticle, were collected from sharks off the coast of South Africa. Neoalbionella izawai n. sp. collected from the anterodorsal part of the spiracle opening of Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker differs from its congeners by having maxillae that are separated except at the tapering tips where they are fused and that are longer than the trunk, uropods originating from the pointed posterior margin of the trunk and that are well developed, and maxillipeds without an additional spine at the base of the subchela barb. Neoalbionella etmopteri (Yamaguti, 1939) is herein reported from two new hosts (Etmopterus spp.) off South Africa.

     

Description of Madathamugadia hiepei n. sp. (Nematoda: Splendidofilariinae), a parasite of a South African gecko,and its development in laboratory bred Phlebotomus dubosqi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Madathamugadia hiepei n. sp., Splendidofilariinae, a parasite of a South African gecko Pachydactylus turneri is described together with its development obtained experimentally in Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae). This new species differs from the two small, more highly evolved groups with a short tail and atrophied postcloacal papillae, the first group consisting of two Madagascan species, M. zonosauri and M. hopluri, parasites of the Gerrhosauridae and Iguanidae, and the second containing three species from the Ethiopian Region, M. huambensis, M. versterae and M. bissani, parasites of the Scincidae. It also differs from M. ineichi, the most primitive species of the genus (cuticularised buccal capsule, no atrophy of head papillae and largest number of precloacal papillae), a parasite of the Cordylidae in South Africa. M. hiepei is close to the two species parasitic in the Gekkonidae of the Mediterranean subregion, M. ivaschkini and M. wanjii, all three of which have a post-oesophageal vulva. However, the new species can be distinguished from the Mediterranean parasites by (a) the shorter oesophagus, (b) the number and position of the cloacal papillae and (c) the microfilaria. The three filariae of this group and M. ineichi, the only ones of which aspects of the life-cycles are known, experimentally develop in phlebotomine sand flies.     

Bryobartramia schelpei T.A.Hedderson,a new species to accommodate the South African populations of the genus

Abstract

South African populations of Bryobartramia have been treated as B. novae-valesiae, a species otherwise restricted to Australia. However, material from the two regions differs in a number of traits, and the African populations are here described as a new species, B. schelpei. The Cape species differs most obviously from B. novae-valesiae in the markedly prorate-papillose, narrow, thick-walled cells of the calyptra. Nested analysis of variance reveals further morphometric differences, including the relatively narrower, more cylindrical, calyptra with a longer rostrum, and the smaller leaf cells and spores. Bryobartramia schelpii is known only from arid portions of the winter rainfall region in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.     

A new species of Schoutedenichia Jadin & Vercammen-Grandjean, 1954 from Madagascar and a re-description of S. dutoiti (Radford, 1948) from South Africa (Acariformes: Trombiculidae)

A new chigger mite species, Schoutedenichia microcebi n. sp. is described from the grey mouse lemur Microcebus murinus (J.F. Miller) from Madagascar. The new species is closely related to S. dutoiti (Radford, 1948), a species described from a single specimen collected on a rodent in South Africa. Examination of the holotype and new material on S. dutoiti from South Africa enabled us to re-describe this species and provide new data on its hosts and geographical distribution.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pleuroxus</Emphasis>-like chydorids (Crustacea: Anomopoda) from South Africa,with the description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dumontiellus africanus</Emphasis> gen. n., sp. n.

Five species of Pleuroxus-like chydorids are found in new material from South Africa or are known from the literature. One species is here described as Dumontiellus africanus gen. n., sp. n., endemic to South Africa. Handling editor: K. Martens     

Dactylosoma hannesi n. sp. (Dactylosomatidae,Piroplasmia) Found in the Blood of Grey Mullets (Mugilidae) from South Africa1

ABSTRACT. A new species of Dactylosoma (Dactylosomatidae, Piroplasmia), for which the name Dactylosoma hannesi n. sp. is proposed, was discovered in blood erythrocytes of Mugil cephalus, Liza richardsoni, and L. dumerili (Mugilidae) from Swartkops estuary, located east of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The life cycle of this species differs in some respects from that described for all other known species of Dactylosoma and Babesiosoma. Mature schizonts contain eight nuclei but undergo division only to two to four daughter cells. During cytoplasmic cleavage, schizonts assume triad, rosette, or cruciform shapes. Merozoites are finally produced through a series of binary fissions of these daughter cells which may also be involved in additional nuclear divisions.     

A revision of the purse-web spider genus Calommata Lucas, 1837 (Araneae, Atypidae) in the Afrotropical Region

The purse-web spider genus Calommata Lucas, 1837 is revised in the Afrotropical Region. Following examination of the female type material, Calommata transvaalica Hewitt, 1916 is removed from synonymy with Calommata simoni Pocock, 1903 and revalidated. The females of both species are redescribed and their males described for the first time. While Calommata simoni is very widespread across tropical Africa, Calommata transvaalica is endemic to northern South Africa. Four new species are described, all known only from males: Calommata megaesp. n. (Zimbabwe), Calommata meridionalissp. n. (South Africa), Calommata namibicasp. n. (Namibia) and Calommata tibialissp. n. (Ivory Coast and Togo). Notes are presented on the biology of each species.     

A review of the alderfly genus Leptosialis Esben-Petersen (Megaloptera, Sialidae) with description of a new species from South Africa

The monotypic South African alderfly genus Leptosialis Esben-Petersen, 1920 is reviewed and Leptosialis africana Esben-Petersen, 1920 is redescribed. In the process a new species of alderfly Leptosialis necopinatasp. n. from the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa is recognised and described. Within Sialidae the new species most closely resembles Leptosialis africana. A key to the two species of Leptosialis using both adult and larval characters is provided.     

A new, gall-feeding moth (Lyonetiidae: Bucculatricinae) from South Africa with comments on larval habits and phylogenetic relationships

Abstract. A new species of Lyonetiidae, Bucculatrix (Leucoedemiaj ingens subgen.n. and sp.n., is described from South Africa. Although the moth resembles members of the Cemiostominae, its ribbed cocoon is typical of Bucculatrix Zeller. The new species feeds in stem galls on Ozoroa paniculosa (Anacardiaceae) and probably induces their formation. An account of the structure, life-history and phylogeny of the new species is presented, and the reasons for its inclusion in Bucculatrix are given.     

Molecular relationships between populations of South African citrus thrips (Scirtothrips aurantii Faure) in South Africa and Queensland, Australia

Abstract   In response to the recent establishment of a population of South African citrus thrips ( Scirtothrips aurantii Faure) in Australia, we used DNA sequence data to examine whether this population is distinct from populations in South Africa. Mitochondrial and internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) DNA from populations from different host plants in Australia and South Africa showed no clear separation between populations that was entirely congruent with host plant or country of origin. Analysis of the ITS2 data was confounded by the presence of multiple different copies of the spacer in some populations. Neither the presence or absence, nor the sequence of these copies was clearly diagnostic for any one population. These preliminary data suggest that the Australian population is not a distinct species or subspecies from the populations of S. aurantii on either citrus or Bryophyllum in South Africa.     

A new species of Ascocotyle (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, off Patagonia, Argentina

We describe a new heterophyid species, Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) patagoniensis n. sp., based on specimens collected from the intestines of the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens from Patagonia (Argentina). Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is distinguished from the other species of the subgenus by the number of circumoral spines, which are arranged in 2 rows of 18 to 23. The new species also differs from the other species in having a gonotyl without papillae. The specimens exhibited the widest seminal receptacle described for a species of this subgenus. Species of the subgenus Ascocotyle usually infect fish-eating birds or mammals in freshwater or brackish habitats. Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is the first species of the subgenus described from a marine mammal. However, no metacercariae of Ascocotyle spp. were found in 542 marine teleosts from 20 species collected in the same locality. The life cycle of the marine species from the Ascocotyle -complex infecting pinnipeds remains elusive.     

Regional diversity, local community structure and vacant niches: the herbivorous arthropods of bracken in South Africa

Abstract. 1. Seventeen species of phytophagous arthropods (sixteen insects and one gall-forming eryiophyid mite) were found feeding on the above-ground parts of bracken ( Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Khun.) in surveys throughout the geographic range of the plant in South Africa. A further thirteen species of insects may possibly feed on the plant in this region.
2. Given the area over which bracken grows in South Africa, this is very close to the number of species expected on the plant, based on species-area calculations and comparisons with bracken in other geographic regions.
3. The species-richness of bracken-feeding arthropods in local communities reflects the size of the regional pool of species in different geographic areas. Local richness in South Africa is intermediate between that in south-western U.S.A. and Britain.
4. In both Britain and South Africa there is a weak tendency (0.05 < P < 0.07) for larger local patches of bracken to support more species of phytophages than small patches, with similar very shallow slopes (0.083 and 0.086) in plots of log species versus log area on both continents.
5. The taxonomic composition of bracken-feeding arthropods in South Africa is markedly different from that in other pants of the world, suggesting very different and largely independent evolutionary histories in different regions.
6. There is no sign of convergence in the feeding niches of communities of bracken-feeding arthropods in different parts of the world, and the pattern of feeding relationships is very different in South Africa to patterns observed elsewhere. Conspicuous vacant niches (ways of exploiting the plant that are observed in other geographic regions) are easily identified in the South African communities.     

A new species of Polystichum (Pteridophyta: Dryopteridaceae) from South Africa

A new Polystichum (Pteridophyta: Dryopteridaceae) species, P. incongruum J.P.Roux sp. nov. from the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces from Soudi Africa is described. This variable species is related to P. pungens (Kaulf.) C.Presl but differs from it in pinnule morphology, the frequent occurrence of glandular cells along the sporangium stalk, the (more rare) occurrence of clavate unicellular glands along the indusium margin and a chromosome number of 2 n = 164.     

Descriptions of Tachygonetria africana n. sp. and T. pretoriensis n. sp. and redescriptions of two other species of Tachygonetria Wedl, 1862 (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae), all parasitic in Geochelone pardalis (Testudinidae) from South Africa

Two new species of Tachygonetria, T. africana n. sp. and T. pretoriensis n. sp. are described. Both are parasites of Geochelone pardalis (Bell) from South Africa. In addition, two subspecies, T. longicollis fitzsimmonsi Petter, 1966 and T. macrolaimus macrolaimus (Linstow, 1899), also parasites of Geochelone pardalis (from Pretoria Zoo, South Africa), are redescribed and new information on their morphology is presented. On the basis of their morphology, these subspecies are raised to full specific level.