Echinobothrium clavatum n. sp. (Cestoda,Diphyllidea) from the spiral valve of Raja clavata L., 1758, including a note on its ultrastructure and a key to species of the genus

Echinobothrium clavatum n. sp. from the spiral valve of the thornback ray Raja clavata from the Irish Sea is described and illustrated. On the basis of the number of apical hooks it resembles most closely E. musteli but can be distinguished from it by the absence of spines on the rostellum and the different number of spines on the cephalic peduncle. A generic diagnosis together with a key to species of the genus is given. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy of the scolex indicates that the tegument of the rostellum is capable of taking up food by pinocytosis.     

A large Percrocutid Carnivore from the Late Miocene (ca. 10–9 Ma) of Nakali, Kenya

The presence of a large hyaenoid (Hiperhyaena sic leakeyi) from the Late Miocene (Vallesian equivalent) deposits at Nakali, Kenya, was first recorded in 1974, but the fossil on which the announcement was based was not described or figured, nor was a type specimen or type species nominated. The generic and specific names are thus nomina nuda. Howell and Petter (1985) described Hyperhyaena leakeyi, and credited the generic and specific names alternatively to Aguirre and Leakey (1974) and Aguirre and Crusafont in 1974 (the latter paper was never published). Howell and Petter are in fact the authors of both the generic and the specific names. Later in the same paper, Howell and Petter (1985) rejected the name Hyperhyaena and classified the species leakeyi in Allohyaena (Dinocrocuta). The purpose of this paper is to provide more information about the fossil and to discuss its relationships to other percrocutids. It is concluded that it belongs to the genus Percrocuta Kretzoi, 1938, being morphologically similar to the type species Percrocuta carnifex (Pilgrim, 1913) from the Siwaliks of Pakistan.     

Morphological and molecular characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mariannaea aquaticola</Emphasis> sp. nov. collected from freshwater habitats

Mariannaea aquaticola sp. nov. is described, illustrated, and compared with closely related taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS and 28S sequences show that Mariannaea aquaticola has affinity with Nectriaceae, which is in agreement with other Mariannaea species. Other morphologically similar genera such as Verticillium and Clonostachys are shown to be phylogenetically distant to Mariannaea. The generic concept of Mariannaea is discussed, and the affinity to Nectriaceous teleomorphs is suggested as additional generic character. A key to Mariannaea species is provided.     

Cryptosporidium wrairi sp. n. from the Guinea Pig Cavia porcellus, with an Emendation of the Genus

SYNOPSIS. Cryptosporidium wrairi sp. n. is described from the laboratory guinea pig Cavia porcellus. The life cycle is given insofar as it is known. Two schizogonous generations are described; the 1st with 8 merozoites, the 2nd with 4 merozoites. The latter generation was previously referred to as the sporulated oocyst, but evidence is presented to show that it is a schizont. Micro- and macrogametogony are also described. No oocysts were found. Cross-transmission to mice, chickens, turkeys and rabbits was unsuccessful. The generic character of oocysts with 4 naked sporozoites is discarded and the presence of endogenous stages in the striated border of epithelial cells is used as the emended generic character. A listing of valid and non-valid species is given.     

Myosotis wumengensis sp. nov. (Boraginaceae) from central Yunnan,southwest China

Myosotis wumengensis, a distinct new species endemic to Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species differs from all Myosotis species in China by having exserted anthers and a long corolla tube. Phylogenetic analysis confirms the generic position of the new species. In addition, the pollen morphology of the new species is described.     

New cavernicolous cixiid from New Zealand (Homoptera: Fulgoroidea)

Confuga persephone n.gen. & sp. (Cixiidae) is described from a cavernicolous population in Nelson Province, New Zealand. Most of its generic characters can be matched separately in other endemic genera, but it appears not to be closely related to any one of them. Malpha duniana Myers is transferred to Aka White.     

Abraracourcix curvivenatus n. gen. n. sp. from the Lowermost Eocene Oise amber (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Ricaniidae)

An extinct genus Abraracourcix n. gen. with A. curvivenatus n. sp. is described based on the specimen from the Lowermost Eocene Oise amber. The venation characters and possible hostplant relationships, as well as taxonomic position and biogeographical pattern of recent Pochazoides generic group are discussed.     

Macrocoma (Hornsch. ex C. Muell.) Grout (Orthotrichaceae)-a taxon new to India

Abstract

Desmatodon bogosicus C.Muell. hal. (1872) is shown to provide an earlier name for the recently described Tortula khartoumensis Pettet (1967). A new record of the species is supplied, from northern Kenya, and its generic position discussed.     

Gongylonema aegypti n. sp. (Nematoda: Thelaziidae) from Egyptian rodents

Summary A new species of spiruroid nematode,Gongylonema aegypti, is described from two rodents,Mus musculus andGerbillus gerbillus, from Egypt.G. aegypti is distinguished from closely related species by the size of the spicules and gubernaculum, the absence of cuticular bosses in males, and the size of the egg. SEM studies suggest that the generic diagnosis ofGongylonema should be amended to include the presence of a dorsal pore on the cephalic plate and the presence around the buccal cavity of three triangular teeth (not lips) and two sclerotized plates or interlabia. ac]19850414     

Hepatospora eriocheir (Wang and Chen, 2007) gen. et comb. nov. infecting invasive Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) in Europe

We describe a microsporidian parasite infecting non-native Chinese mitten crabs (Eriochier sinensis) from Europe. Electron microscopy revealed merogonic and sporogonic life stages bound within a plasmalemma. The crab parasite develops polar tube precursors at the sporont stage but does not complete formation of the intact spore extrusion apparatus at the stage of the sporogonial plasmodium like Enterocytozoon bienuesi and other representatives of the Enterocytozoonidae. Its presence within an aquatic crustacean host, and a distinct molecular phylogeny based on partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences also place it relatively close, though distinct to, existing genera within the Enterocytozoonidae. Consideration of morphological and phylogenetic characteristics of other hepatopancreas-infecting microsporidia from crustaceans suggests that certain ones (e.g. Enterospora canceri) are retained within the clade corresponding to the existing family Enterocytozoonidae, while others, including the parasite described here, may eventually be grouped in a sister taxon potentially of family rank. Based upon morphological and host similarity, it is likely that the parasite described here is the same as Endoreticulatus eriocheir (Wang and Chen, 2007), previously described from Chinese mitten crabs in Asia. However, using a combined taxonomic approach based upon morphological and phylogenetic data, we propose the formation of a new genus (Hepatospora) to replace the previous generic classification of the Asian parasite as Endoreticulatus. The microsporidian from the hepatopancreas of E. sinensis is named Hepatospora eriocheir (Wang and Chen, 2007) gen. et comb. nov. It is assumed that the parasite was introduced during initial invasions of this crab to Europe during the early 20th Century.     

Rhododrilus sexpapillatus n.sp. (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from New Zealand

Abstract

A new earthworm species belonging to the acanthodriline genus Rhododrilus is described from the North Island of New Zealand, elevating the generic total (excluding Australian forms) to 30 species. The new taxon forms part of the species-group with incomplete fusion of the male and prostatic terminalia. Its most closely related congener is the geographically proximate R. papaensis. Though exhibiting great heterogeneity, suggestive of polyphyly, the genus remains taxonomically convenient. It probably encompasses convergent forms, the ancestral affinities of which may never be ascertained.     

THE GENUS PLATOMA (GIGARTINALES,RHODOPHYTA) WITH A DESCRIPTION OF P. ABBOTTIANA SP. NOV.1

Platoma abbottiana (Gymnophlaeaceae; Gigartinales), a new species of benthic red algae, is described from Isla Mejía and is the second member of this genus reported from the Gulf of California, Mexico. Vegetative anatomy and reproductive details of the carpogonial and auxiliary cell branches of the new species are described and illustrated. Geographical distributions of the seven previously described Platoma species are given. Their distinguishing morphological characteristics are compared to those of the new species. The correct time and place of valid publication of the generic name, Platoma, and some of its binomials are discussed.     

SCHMITZIA EVANESCENS SP. NOV. (RHODOPHYTA,GIGARTINALES) A NEW SPECIES OF CALOSIPHONIACEAE FROM THE NORTHEASTERN NEW ZEALAND COAST1

A new red alga, Schmitzia evanescens sp. nov. (Gigartinales), is described from the northeastern coast of North I., New Zealand. Gametophytes are diminutive, delicate, mucilaginous spring annuals which grow subtidally on cobble substrata. The uniaxial construction and carposporophyte development place this new taxon in the Calosiphoniaceae, a family of only two genera, Calosiphonia H. M. Crouan et P. L. Crouan and Schmitzia P. C. Silva. This is the first report of this family in New Zealand. The new species has vegetative features of both these genera, but is assigned to Schmitzia on the basis of its unusual carposporophyte development in which the gonimoblast initial arises directly from the connecting filament at some distance from the undifferentiated intercalary auxiliary cell. Because recent investigators of other red algal genera with a similar carposporophyte development have questioned the validity of site of gonimoblast initiation as a generic criterion it is suggested that the separation of Schmitzia and Calosiphonia should be re-evaluated. These and several other genera in the Gymnophlaeaceae, Pseudoanemoniaceae, Dumontiaceae and Gloiosiphoniaceae, can be considered, on morphological and reproductive grounds, to be relatively simple and therefore perhaps primitive members of the Rhodophyta.     

New lichenicolous, muscicolous, corticolous and lignicolous taxa of Burgoa s. l. and Marchandiomyces s. l. (anamorphic Basidiomycota), a new genus for Omphalinafoliacea, and a catalogue and a key to the non-lichenized, bulbilliferous basidiomycetes

A catalogue and a key to the non-lichenized, bulbilliferous basidiomycetes are given. The new genus Burgella is described for the lichenicolous B. flavoparmeliae, phylogenetically close to Sistotrema oblongisporum and Multiclavula. The genera Pneumatospora and Tricellulortus are placed in synonymy of Minimedusa, the new combination M. obcoronata is proposed, and the new facultative lichenicolous M. pubescens is described. The new facultative lichenicolous Burgoa angulosa is phylogenetically close to the generic type B. verzuoliana, whilst the new B. moriformis and B. splendens are provisionally included in the genus Burgoa. A Burgoa-like species in the Ceratobasidiaceae is left unnamed. Two new species of Marchandiomyces, M. buckii and M. nothofagicola, are described. As Marchandiomyces aurantiacus is phylogenetically more close to Erythricium than to Marchandiomyces, it is proposed to exclude it from that genus and to use the holomorphic generic name Marchandiobasidium for both anamorph and teleomorph of this species. The new genus Marchandiomphalina is introduced for the lichenized Omphalina foliacea, a taxon phylogenetically close to Marchandiobasidium. Taxonomic novelties Burgella Diederich & Lawrey; B. flavoparmeliae Diederich & Lawrey; Burgoa angulosa Diederich, Lawrey & Etayo; B. moriformis Diederich, Ertz & Coppins; B. splendens Diederich & Coppins; Marchandiomphalina Diederich, Lawrey & Binder; Marchandiomphalina foliacea (P. M. J?rg.) Diederich, Lawrey & Binder; Marchandiomyces buckii Diederich & Lawrey; M. nothofagicola Diederich & Lawrey; Minimedusa pubescens Diederich, Lawrey & Heylen; M. obcoronata (B. Sutton, Kuthub. & Muid) Diederich & Lawrey     

Jusheyhoea moseri n. sp. (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae), a parasite of macrourid fishes in Hawaiian waters

Jusheyhoea moseri (Copepoda, Chondracanthidae), a new species parasitic on deep water fishes off Hawaii, is described and illustrated. It differs from its only congener in the size and number of its trunk processes, as well as in the positions of its two pairs of legs. The latter differences necessitated redefinition of the genus Jusheyhoea. A new generic diagnosis is appended and the taxonomic value of some morphological characteristics of chondranthids is discussed.     

Redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amioides grossidens</Emphasis> Smith and Radcliffe 1912 as a valid genus and species of the family Acropomatidae (Perciformes)

The acropomatid, Amia (Amioides) grossidens Smith and Radcliffe 1922, was originally described from a single specimen collected off Luzon Island, the Philippines. Although this species was regarded as belonging to Synagrops, it is distinguished from Synagrops by the dentition of the upper jaw, number of dorsal fin spines, and additionally from other acropomatid genera by 14 caudal vertebrae and a posttemporal spine. Therefore, this species should be placed in a monotypic genus Amioides, with elevation of the subgenus to generic rank, compared with diagnostic characters of seven other genera, and this genus and species were herein redescribed based on the holotype.     

Shimiella gen. nov. and Shimiella gracilenta sp. nov. (Dinophyceae,Kareniaceae), a Kleptoplastidic Dinoflagellate from Korean Waters and its Survival under Starvation

A small dinoflagellate, ~13 μm in cell length, was isolated from Jinhae Bay, Korea. Light microscopy showed that it was similar to the kleptoplastidic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium gracilentum nom. inval. rDNA sequences were obtained and its anatomy and morphology described using light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that it belonged to the family Kareniaceae. However, its large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences were 5.2–9.5% different from those of the other five genera in the family, and its clade was clearly divergent from that of each genus. Its overall morphology was different from those of the other five genera in the family and from Gymnodinium. Unlike Gymnodinium, this dinoflagellate did not have a horseshoe‐shaped apical groove, nuclear envelope chambers, or a nuclear fibrous connective (NFC). It had an apical line of narrow amphiesmal vesicles and an elongated apical furrow crossing the apex. Cells were covered with polygonal amphiesmal vesicles arranged in 16 rows. Starved cells did not contain their own plastids, eyespots, pyrenoids, peridinin, or fucoxanthin. However, they could survive without added prey for approximately one month using chloroplasts from the cryptophyte prey Teleaulax amphioxeia, indicating kleptoplastidy. Because this taxon is genetically distinct at the generic rank from the other genera in Kareniaceae, it is placed in Shimiella gen. nov., and because G. gracilentum was invalid, the new bionomial S. gracilenta sp. nov. is proposed.     

A walking stick,Clonistria dominicana n. sp. (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae) in Dominican amber

A walking stick, Clonistria dominicana n. sp. (Phasmatodea: Diapheromeridae: Diapheromerinae: Diapheromerini) is described from Dominican amber. The new species can be distinguished from extant members of the genus by the long hind leg tarsomere II (over six times the length of the foreleg tarsomere II), the short metanotum, which is only half the length of the median segment and the prominent median carina. Two phasmatid eggs in separate pieces of Dominican amber are also presented. One of these has characteristics of the genus Clonistria Stål, 1875, which supports the generic placement of C. dominicana. The second egg resembles those of the genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906 (Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae). Both of these genera occur in Hispaniola today.