The enigmatic Otway odd-clawed spider (Progradungula otwayensis Milledge, 1997, Gradungulidae,Araneae): Natural history,first description of the female and micro-computed tomography of the male palpal organ

The recently described cribellate gradungulid Progradungula otwayensis Milledge, 1997 is endemic to the Great Otway National Park (Victoria, Australia) and known from only one male and a few juvenile specimens. In a recent survey we recorded 47 specimens at several localities across the western part of the Great Otway National park. Our field data suggest that this species is dependant on the microclimate in the hollows of old myrtle beech trees since other hollow trees were very much less inhabited. Furthermore, we describe the female for the first time and study the male palpal organ by using X-ray microtomography. The female genitalia are characterized by eight spermathecae which are grouped in two quartets. The spermophor resembles the general organization of gradungulids, but is similar to Kaiya Gray, 1987 by a convoluted appearance within the embolus. The muscle 30 is located in the cymbium and resembles the organization of other non-entelegyne Araneomorphae.     

Changes in bones of the foot and development of inserting tendons of the lower leg musculature in tibial aplasia

Skeleton, muscles and tendons were investigated in 3 lower legs with aplasia of the tibia. The tibiofibular joint appears to be rather a syndesmosis than a diarthrosis. In all 3 cases, talus and calcaneus are connected by a synostosis. Also in the other parts of the skeleton of the feet, synarthroses with different extensions are found. The muscles, normally originating from the tibia, have shifted their origin to the fibula. The proximal part of the inserting tendons under the retinacula is quite normal. Also, their distal part in the region of the metatarsalia and of the digits exhibits no alterations. In the region of the tarsus in which already alterations in bone formation are found, the tendons of the flexor muscles of the toes exhibit some variations. Often the muscles show a new, strong insertion into the bones of the tarsus. The normal connection between the proximal and distal parts of the tendons is sometimes still indicated by a thin bundle of collagenous fibers. In all 3 cases, the tibialis anterior muscle inserts into the distal part of the tendons of the flexor muscles of the toes, indicating that there are also connections between tendons of muscles from different blastemas.     

A new spider species of the genus Argenna (Aranei,Dictynidae) from Western Siberia

A new dictynid species, Argenna sibirica sp. n., is described based on a male from the environs of Tobolsk. The new species has a combination of somatic criteria typical of the genera Argenna Thorell, 1870 and Altella Simon, 1874 but differs from them in the presence of numerous warts on the chelicerae, an elongated labium, and an elongated crescent-shaped palp conductor.     

Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of orsolobidae (Haplogynae,Araneae) with implications on the evolution of sperm transfer forms in Dysderoidea

Haplogynae are highly diverse with respect to the primary male genital system and sperm characteristics. Additionally, all sperm transfer forms (STF) known for spiders are present. Besides individually transferred sperm (cleistospermia), sperm are transferred as conjugates, both primary (synspermia) and secondary sperm conjugates (coenospermia, rouleaux) occur. Nevertheless, the ultrastructure of spermatozoa and STF are described for few Haplogynae and often only one representative species was studied, resulting in a superficial insight in the evolution of these traits. To elucidate the evolution of STF within Haplogynae we investigated representatives of four genera of the dysderoid family Orsolobidae. Our data show the presence of synspermia (Orsolobus, Osornolobus, Hickmanolobus, and Tasmanoonops) and also cleistospermia (Osornolobus). The occurrence of different STF within one family or even genus has not been described for any other spider taxon so far. Moreover, the synspermia of species of Tasmanoonops and Hickmanolobus were not covered by a secretion sheath suggesting a previously unknown strategy of transferring sperm that is possibly related to sperm residency time or female triggered processes after copulation. Based on serial ultrathin sectioning and subsequent 3D‐reconstruction, we obtained detailed measurements revealing remarkable size differences of STF. To evaluate the previously suggested correlation with the most distal region of the spermophor inside the embolus (intromittent part of the copulatory organ) we measured the diameter of the spermophor using micro‐computed X‐ray tomography data to obtain corresponding morphometric parameters. Based on these data only two species show similarity in STF and spermophor diameter. J. Morphol. 275:1238–1257, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Growth allometry of craniomandibular muscles, tendons, and bones in the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus): relationships to oromotor maturation and biomechanics of feeding

This study addressed the problem of how growth of craniomandibular muscles, tendons, and bones influences the acquisition of oromotor skills and biomechanics of feeding in the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus). Rats representing a 6.6-fold size range were dissected, and muscles, tendons, and mandibles were weighed. Cross-sectional areas of tendons and bones providing attachment surfaces for muscles were estimated. Ontogenetic scaling of craniomandibular muscles, tendons, and bones was described by using linear regression models, and departures from size-required compensations were used to characterize changes in oromotor function. A two-dimensional model was developed which permitted calculation of mechanical advantages of four masticatory muscles; the model was used to show how mandibular growth and tooth eruption influence the biomechanics of rat feeding. Relative to mandible weight, most jaw muscles scaled either isometrically or positively, tendon cross-sectional areas scaled isometrically or negatively, and bone surfaces scaled negatively. With the exception of the superficial masseter and internal pterygoid muscles, mechanical advantages did not change significantly during mandible growth. Growth patterns of craniomandibular muscles, tendons, and bones contribute significantly to changes in morphology and oromotor function.     

Functional morphology and ultrastructure of mouthparts in unfed water mite larvae Piona carnea (Koch, 1836) (Acariformes: Pionidae)

Mouthparts of unfed larvae Piona carnea (Koch, 1836) (Acariformes: Pionidae) were studied on whole-mount preparations, semi-thin sections and with TEM and SEM methods. The mouth apparatus is incorporated within the pseudotagma, gnathosoma, composed of the infracapitulum and of the chelicerae resting on the roof of the latter. The gnathosoma inclines to the long axis of the body and is inserted at its base into the idiosoma by the circumcapitular fold. The basal cheliceral segments are long and fused. An anterior projection, the proposed fused fixed digits, protrudes from the distal end of the basal cheliceral segment forward between the movable digits. The movable digits are always found in protruded position, strongly curved upward and show a groove on their inner sides. The ventral wall of the infracapitulum is made of the mentum posterior and the malapophyses anterior to the palp articulation. The malapophyses are squeezed between the large palps and envelope the distal portion of the chelicerae from the sides. The ventral portion of the fused malapophyses are provided with a characteristic ventral cuticular fork of unknown function. Each malapophysis terminates by a flexible lateral lip provided by several rigid jags looking posterad. The palps face downward and backward, and bear on the tibia the large curved palpal claws turned laterad. The palp femur bears on the ventral aspect a characteristic wide spade-like projection provided with its own muscles originating on the dorsal wall of the femur. The labrum is a thick cuticular arrow-like structure protruding forward into the preoral cavity, whereas the cervix is a thin weakly sclerotized plate. The particular labral valve projects forward from the dorsal basis of the labrum into the preoral cavity. The labrum and the cervix are provided by their own small labral and cervical muscles originating on the cervical apodemes. The pharynx is totally separated from the ventral wall of the infracapitulum and is devoid of ventral dilators. The dorsal pharyngeal dilators originate on the thick and sclerotized capitular apodeme and, posteriorly, on the paired cuticular branches, capitular apodemes, which end freely in the body cavity and are combined with the common salivary duct. The short sigmoid pieces serve for origin of the levator muscles of the chelicerae. Retraction of the gnathosoma and the chelicerae is mediated by several sets of muscles originating on the dorsal plate.     

Interesting findings of spiders of the families Gnaphosidae and Liocranidae (Aranei) from the semidesert of the northern Caspian Lowland

Spiders were studied near Dzhanybek Village in Western Kazakhstan Province, the Republic of Kazakhstan. The family Gnaphosidae is represented by 41 species. The female of Drassodes rostratus Esyunin et Tuneva, 2002 is described for the first time, the male palp and the female epigynum are illustrated in detail. D. rostratus is shown to be a valid species but not a junior synonym of Drassodes auritus Schenkel, 1963. The genitalia of Haplodrassus isaevi Ponomarev et Tsvetkov, 2006, a new species for Western Kazakhstan, are described and illustrated. The family Liocranidae is represented by three species. Agraecina lineata (Simon, 1878) is described as a new genus and a species of liocranids for the Republic of Kazakhstan.     

Myanmarorchestia victoria sp.nov.(Crustacea,Amphipoda, Talitridae), a new species of landhopper from the high altitude forests in Myanmar

Myanmarorchestia victoria sp.nov.is described from high altitude habitats in Myanmar.The new species differs morphologically from its congeners by palp of maxilliped narrow;sexually dimorphic gnathopod Ⅱ,propodus of male chelate and propodus of female mitten-shaped;and dimorphic uropod Ⅱ,outer ramus of male with small teeth distally,outer ramus of female with three distal spines.Analysis of DNA barcode sequences and niche distinctiveness support recognition of the new species.     

苏联远东地区角微蛛属(蜘蛛目,皿蛛科,微蛛亚科)一新种

The new species Ceratinella kurenshchikovi sp.nov. is described on the basis of the holotype male from Khabarovsk Province. It has a modified carapace, a character unknown in other Ceratinella species. The male palp of the new species is most similar to that of C. brevis.     

The morphology of Dajella tenera (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae): Taxonomic status and evidence for the pheromone communication in the Mesozoic

A reexamination of the fossil Mesozoic caddisfly Dajella tenera Sukatsheva, 1990, formerly in Philopotamidae, has revealed new characters showing this species to be a representative of the family Glossosomatidae. It is a single species of the new subfamily Dajellinae subfam. nov. The morphology of the head, thorax, and abdomen including the maxillary palp with well developed apical spine (apical sensory complex), the integumental structures associated with sternal glands, and the male genitalia are described. The complicated cuticular structures associated with the sternal glands on abdominal sternite V suggest active secretion of the pheromone volatiles. Short projection on sternite VI in this species might be used in the vibratory signaling which is known to occur in the behavior of the extant Glossosomatidae.     

The larval head of Agathiphaga (Lepidoptera, Agathiphagidae) and the lepidopteran ground plan

Abstract. The larval head of Agathiphaga vitiensis is described. There is a complete hypostomal bridge but no hypostomal ridges. Adfrontal ridges and distinct ecdysial lines are absent. There are two vestigial stemmata (without lenses) on each side. The antenna is one-segmented. All ‘typical lepidopteran’ head setae have been identified. The corporotentorium is very slender; dorsal tentorial arms are present. Intrinsic labral muscles are lacking. The mandible has retained a tentorial muscle. The maxilla is without a discrete cardo and has but a single endite lobe; ‘intrinsic maxillary muscles’ and the ‘cranial flexor of the dististipes’ are lacking. The postlabium is undivided and without setae, the labial palp is one-segmented and the lateral prelabio-hypopharyngeal sclerotization is continued into an oral arm. Some of the ventral pharyngeal dilators arise on the tentorium; mouth-angle retractors and dorsal post-cerebral pharynx dilators are absent. The two brain lobes have almost parallel long axes and are united by a narrow (almost pure neuropile) bridge. The corpora cardiaca and callata are contiguous. The aorta is an open gutter in front of the retrocerebral complex. Available evidence on the ground plan structure of the lepidopteran larval head is reviewed. The ancestral head supposedly was prognathous and was autapomorphic in having the cranio-cardinal articulation far behind the mandible; it had a complete hypostomal bridge but neither hypostomal nor adfrontal ridges, its tentorium was probably stout and with dorsal arms. Paulus & Schmid (1978, Z. zool. Syst. EvolForsch. 16) described a lepidopteran/trichopteran synapomorphy in stemma structure. A tentative table of homologies between cranial setae in Lepidoptera and Trichoptera is presented; it differs considerably from the scheme of Williams & Wiggins (1981, Proc. 3rd Symp. Trichopt.). The mouth parts and their musculature must have been overall very primitive for a panorpid larva, but the number of maxillary palp segments was reduced (three). The ‘dististipes’sensu Hinton is considered to consist of complexly fused parts of the stipes and basal palp segments. The cephalic stomodaeum must have possessed all primitive groups of extrinsic muscles. The incomplete available information on Micropterigidae impedes reconstruction of some details of the lepidopteran ground plan. Larval head structures support the monophyly of an entity comprising the Agathiphagidae + Heterobathmiidae + Glossata. There is one suite of derived characters shared by Heterobathmiidae and Agathiphagidae only and another shared by Heterobathmiidae and the Glossata only; one of these must represent parallelisms.     

First identifiable Mesozoic harvestman (Opiliones: Dyspnoi) from Cretaceous Burmese amber

Two inclusions in a piece of Upper Cretaceous (Albian) Burmese amber from Myanmar are described as a harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones), Halitherses grimaldii new genus and species. The first Mesozoic harvestman to be named can be referred to the suborder Dyspnoi for the following reasons: prosoma divided into two regions, the posterior formed by the fusion of the meso- and metapeltidium; palp lacking a terminal claw, with clavate setae, and tarsus considerably shorter than the tibia. The bilobed, anteriorly projecting ocular tubercle is reminiscent of that of ortholasmatine nemastomatids. The status of other Mesozoic fossils referred to Opiliones is briefly reviewed.     

Phylogenetic placement of the unusual jumping spider Depreissia Lessert,and a new synapomorphy uniting Hisponinae and Salticinae (Araneae,Salticidae)

The relationships of the unusual salticid spider Depreissia from central Africa and Borneo have been difficult to resolve, obscured by its highly modified ant-like body. Phylogenetic analysis of the gene 28S strongly supports its placement outside the major clade Salticinae and within the clade of cocalodines, spartaeines and lapsiines, with weaker support for a relationship with the cocalodines in particular. Excluding the genus from the Salticinae is supported also by the presence of a median apophysis on the male palp, and by the lack of a cymbial apical groove cradling the tip of embolus, which is newly presented here as a synapomorphy of Hisponinae plus Salticinae.     

Copulation in spiders: experimental evidence for fatigue effects and bilateral control of palpal insertions.

Male lycosid spiders were prevented from using one palp during the first third of copulation by a sling that we then cut to free the palp. Initial insertion durations of the treated palp were significantly shorter than those shown concurrently by the much-used normal palp; they showed temporal patterning unaffected by use of the normal palp. Data indicate that there are relatively independent control mechanisms for each palp and support the hypothesis that fatigue causes the increased duration of successive palpal insertions. Our data also suggest that normal matings terminate due to maximal use of either palp by the male.     

A new species and record of branchial parasitic isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae: Pseudioninae) of porcellanid crabs from the Philippines

Branchial bopyrids infesting porcellanid crabs from the Philippines were investigated based on intertidal collections made in 1999-2000. Crabs of the genus Petrolisthes collected from sites in the northern Philippines were examined and two parasite species were found. One new pseudionine species found infesting Petrolisthes sp. [cf. Petrolisthes asiaticus (Leach)] is described as Aporobopyrus galleonus (prevalence 6.1%); this species is distinguished from other members of the genus by a setose palp on the maxilliped of the females, barbula morphology, and male characters including the possession of pleopods. This represents the second described species of Aporobopyrus from the Philippines, and the first from porcellanid crabs. In addition, Pleurocrypta macrocephalaNierstrasz and Brender à Brandis, 1923 (originally described from Indonesia) was found infesting the same unidentified Petrolisthes sp. (prevalence 2.6%); this is the first report of the species from the Philippines.     

On Levymanus,a remarkable new spider genus from?Israel,with notes on the Chediminae (Araneae,Palpimanidae)

Levymanus gershomi gen. n. et sp. n., is described from southern Israel. The eye arrangement and structure of the male palp indicate that this genus belongs to Chediminae Simon, 1893. Levymanus gen. n. differs from other chedimine genera by its unusually long and slender legs, an elongate body, a unique shape of the bipartite thoracic fovea, reduced leg scopulae, smaller spinnerets, and other characters, which are presumably apomorphic. We propose two taxonomic changes: 1) based on widely spaced lateral eyes the Western African genus Badia Roewer, 1961 is transferred from Chediminae to Palpimaninae, and 2) Fernandezina gyirongensis Hu & Li, 1987 from China, based on palpal morphology, is transferred to the Asian genus Steriphopus Simon, 1887 for a new combination Steriphopus gyirongensis (Hu & Li, 1987) comb. n.     

A new sponge-inhabiting amphipod species (Crustacea, Gammaridea, Sebidae) from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, southwestern Gulf of Mexico

A new species of the genus Seba Bate (Amphipoda: Sebidae) is described from the Veracruz Coral Reef System, Veracruz, south-western Gulf of Mexico. The specimens were found in association with a sponge, Ircinia fistularis, at depths from 8 to 10 m. Seba alvarezi n. sp. can be distinguished from closely related species mainly by the presence of a short, two-articulated accessory flagellum, three apical setae on article 3 of the mandible palp, and by the absence of apical setae on the inner lobe of maxilla 1. The new species is compared to closely related species in the family, and an identification key to the species of Seba known from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea is given.     

A new species of Cancricepon Giard & Bonnier, 1887 (Isopoda: Bopyridae) from China

Specimens of the genus Cancricepon Giard & Bonnier, 1887 are recorded for the second time from China, and a new taxon, Cancricepon multituberosum n. sp., is described based on specimens parasitising the xanthid crab Liomera laevis (A. Milne-Edwards). Females of the new species can be distinguished from the other seven species of Cancricepon by the presence of mid-dorsal projections on all pereomeres and the absence of a palp on the maxilliped. Merocepon knudseni Danforth, 1970 is transferred to Cancricepon as C. knudseni (Danforth, 1970) n. comb. A table of the eight described species of Cancricepon is provided.     

Depreissia decipiens,an enigmatic canopy spider from Borneo revisited (Araneae,Salticidae), with remarks on the distribution and diversity of canopy spiders in Sabah,Borneo

Depreissia is a little known genus comprising two hymenopteran-mimicking species, one found in Central Africa and one in the north of Borneo. The male of Depreissia decipiens is redescribed, the female is described for the first time. The carapace is elongated, dorsally flattened and rhombus-shaped, the rear of the thorax laterally depressed and transformed, with a pair of deep pits; the pedicel is almost as long as the abdomen. The male palp is unusual, characterized by the transverse deeply split membranous tegulum separating a ventral part which bears a sclerotized tegular apophysis and a large dagger-like retrodirected median apophysis. The female epigyne consists of one pair of large adjacent spermathecae and very long copulatory ducts arising posteriorly and rising laterally alongside the spermathecae continuing in several vertical and horizontal coils over the anterior surface. Relationships within the Salticidae are discussed and an affinity with the Cocalodinae is suggested. Arguments are provided for a hypothesis that Depreissia decipiens is not ant-mimicking as was previously believed, but is a mimic of polistinine wasps. The species was found in the canopy in the Kinabalu area only, in primary and old secondary rainforest at 200–700 m.a.s.l. Overlap of canopy-dwelling spider species with those in the understorey are discussed and examples of species richness and endemism in the canopy are highlighted. Canopy fogging is a very efficient method of collecting for most arthropods. The canopy fauna adds an extra dimension to the known biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. In southeast Asia, canopy research has been neglected, inhibiting evaluation of comparative results of this canopy project with that from other regions. More use of fogging as a collecting method would greatly improve insight into the actual species richness and species distribution in general.     

Musculature of the male genitalia of Xylophagus cinctus (De Geer) and relationships within the superfamily Xylophagoidea (Diptera, Brachycera)

There is no general agreement on relationships within Xylophagoidea (Diptera, Brachycera). The musculature of the male genitalia of Xylophagus cinctus (De Geer) (Xylophagidae, the most primitive family of Brachycera) is described and compared with that of some other Xylophagoidea: Exeretonevridae (Exeretonevra angustifrons Hardy), Coenomyiidae (Anacanthaspis biafasciata Röder), and Rhagionidae (Rhagio montanus Becker, Chrysopilus dives Loew, and Ch. helvolus Meigen) discussed earlier (Ovtshinnikova, 1989, 1998; Palmer et al., 2000). In spite of the differences in the structure of the genital sclerites, Xylophagidae possess all the muscles found in Coenomyiidae and Rhagionidae. The musculature of the male genitalia of Xylophagus cinctus includes two muscle pairs of the aedeagus sheath (M1 and M2); three muscle pairs of the ejaculatory complex (M30, M31, and M32); one muscle pair of the gonocoxites (M33); two muscle pairs of the gonostyli (M27 and M28); one muscle pair of the proctiger (M21), one muscle pair of the cerci (M29); two pairs of the tergosternal muscles (M5 ¹ and M5 ²); and two pairs of the pregenital muscles (M18 and M19). Muscles of the family Exeretonevridae are mostly the same, except for the muscles of the cerci M29, proctiger M29, and pregenital muscles M18 and M19, that are subdivided into two parts. This fact and also a different degree of the development of muscles M32 and M5 ² clearly distinguish Exeretonevridae from closely related families. The attachment places of the muscles of the aedeagus sheath M2 and of the gonostyli M28, as well as the split character of the tergosternal muscle pair M5 ¹ makes it possible to distinguish two sister groups, Xylophagidae plus Exeretonevridae, versus Coenomyiidae plus Rhagionidae. It should be noted that the muscles of the male genitalia of Xylophagidae, Exeretonevridae, Coenomyiidae, and Rhagionidae possess similar plesiomorphic characters, and these families should be united into the superfamily Xylophagoidea. This superfamily is the most primitive superfamily of Brachycera Orthorrhapha and possesses the most stable set and arrangement of male genital muscles within the entire suborder. An improved dendrogram of the phylogenetic relationships between the known groups of Xylophagoidea is proposed on the basis of the structure of male genital muscles.