Taxonomic position of and generic distinction between Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis), with description of a new species from the Black Sea

Both sexes of a new species of Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis ) are described from sandy beaches along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The genus Taurocletodes is removed from its synonymy with Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and re-instated as a valid genus, accommodating the type species T. dubius (Noodt, 1958) comb. nov. and T. tumenae sp. nov. Both genera can be differentiated by major differences in the segmentation of P1–P3 endopods, the absence/presence of penicillate setae on P1 endopod, the number of outer spines on P2–P4 exp-3, the armature of P2–P4 endopods and the sexual dimorphism of P2 endopod and P3 exopod. T. tumenae sp. nov. and T. dubius are morphologically very similar, differing in morphometric characters related to the endopodal segmentation of P1 and P4, and armature of the male P5. The controversial taxonomic status of Parepactophanes and Taurocletodes within the family Canthocamptidae is discussed.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 469−486.     

Succession in zooplankton and hydrophytes of a seasonal water on the west coast of South Africa

Paramesochra mielkei sp.n. is described and figured from the interstices of subtidal sandy sediments off the SW Dutch coast. Kunz' (1981) phylogenetic scheme of the Paramesochridae Lang, 1948 is re-examined and it is suggested that the family comprises two phyletic lines which originated early in paramesochrid evolution. Translation into Linnean hierarchies implies the establishment of two new sub-families. Within the primitive Diarthrodellinae subfam. n., Tisbisoma Bozic, 1964 is ancestral to Diarthrodella Klie, 1949 s.l. and Rossopsyllus Soyer, 1975. Remanea Klie, 1929 is transferred to the Paramesochrinae subfam. n. which comprises the genera of both the Scottopsyllus- and the Paramesochra-group. The aberrant genus Caligopsyllus Kunz, 1975, standing close to Apodopsyllus, is removed from the Paramesochra-group. P. brevifurca Galhano, 1970 is splitted into two subspecies and replaced in the genus Paramesochra. An attempt is made to assess the phyletic interrelationships of the Paramesochra-species and the resulting cladogram splits the genus into four species-groups. P. mielkei sp.n. is referred to the dubia-group and seems to be closely related to P. borealis Geddes, 1981. Finally, an amended diagnosis and a revised key to the species of the genus Paramesochra are presented.     

Xanthones et C-glucosides flavoniques du genre Gentiana (section Cyclostigma)

Xanthones with a uniform 1,3,7,8-oxidation pattern, the C-glycosides isoorientin and isovitexin, and in some cases mangiferin, were isolated from the aerial parts of G. nivalis, G. brachyphylla, G. favrati, G. rostani, G. utriculosa and G. schleicheri Kunz. The distribution of these compounds within the section Cyclostigma is given. Comparison of phenolic patterns in other sections of Gentiana is made.     

Revalidation and redescription of Potamon elbursi Pretzmann, 1976 (Brachyura, Potamidae) from Iran, based on morphology and genetics

In the current study, we redescribe and revalidate a freshwater crab species of the genus Potamon Savigny, 1816, from northern Iran. Potamon elbursi Pretzmann, 1962, differs from the species it has been synonymised with, Potamon persicum Pretzmann, 1962, mainly by the shape of the first gonopods in males. Consistent and marked genetic divergence was also recognised in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I genes. This study elevates P. elbursi to species rank and therefore increases the number of valid species of the genus Potamon to a total of twenty-two.     

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.     

The morphology of juvenile stages of Crotonia pulcher (Beck, 1962) (Acari: Oribatida: Crotonioidea) with a redescription of the adult

The morphology of juvenile and adult stages of the Neotropical oribatid mite Crotonia pulcher (Beck, 1962) from Ecuador is described and illustrated. This species seems to be a member of the cophinaria group of Crotonia.     

First Immature of the New World Treehopper tribe Thuridini (Hemiptera,Membracidae, Smiliinae) with a new synonym,a new combination,and a new country record

The species Thuris depressus Sakakibara (1975) is proposed as a syn. n. of Thuris binodosus (Goding 1926), comb. n. The distribution of the genus is expanded from Brazil and Peru to include Ecuador and Venezuela, and the immature is described based on 75 characters.     

Visean and Serpukhovian Koktjubinids (Biseriamminacea,Foraminifera) from Kazakhstan

Taxonomical composition of the family Koktjubinidae Marfenkova, 1991 is revised. Genera and species Koktjubina venusta Marfenkova, 1991, K. exotica (Vdovenko, 1962), Dzhamansorina grata Marfenkova, 1991, D. kipshakensis Marfenkova, 1991, D. minima (Vdovenko, 1962), Admiranda convexa Marfenkova, 1991, Ulanbela Marfenkova, 1991, and Ulanbela anabensis (Marfenkova, 1991) are redescribed. The Koktjubinidae are found to be more widely spread: Kyrgyzstan, western Europe, Morocco, Turkey, China, and Canada.     

Re-establishment of the cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix Deroux,nov. gen., with a description of Coeloperix sleighi nov. spec. (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Cyrtophorida)

The cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix, which has remained invalid for over 20 years, is re-established. This taxon is characterized by Lynchellids without podites on the ventral side; somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; pre- and post-oral kineties completely separated; two terminal fragments; perioral kineties consisting of one continuous anterior and two detached posterior rows; with cross-striated band around perimeter between ventral and dorsal surfaces. Based on this definition, two nominal species formerly placed in the invalid genus have been included again in Coeloperix: Coeloperix dirempta (Deroux, 1970) nov. comb. [synonym: Lynchella dirempta; Deroux, 1970], C. aspidisciformis (Kahl, 1933) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella aspidisciformis; Kahl, 1933]. Another two morphotypes C. eforiana (Tucolesco, 1962) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella eforiana; Tucolesco, 1962] and C. lynchelliformis (Borror, 1972) nov. comb. [syn. Chlamydodon lynchelliformis; Borro, 1972] have been transferred into the new genus. The morphology of living cells and infraciliature of a new species, C. sleighi nov. spec., isolated from the coastal area of China, have been investigated. It is diagnosed by: size about 40×30 μm in vivo; consistently 4 preoral and 15–16 postoral kineties; 12–16 nematodesmata; cross-striated band with two separations in the equatorial area; 3–4 (usually 3) finger-like tentacles on the ventral side; macronucleus ellipsoidal; two contractile vacuoles diagonally located; marine habitat.     

Changes in the zooplankton of Lakes Mutanda, Bunyonyi and Mulehe (Uganda)

Samples taken from Lake Mutanda in 1975 indicate that the specific composition of the zooplankton has changed from that in 1962. This change is very similar to that which occurred in Lake Bunyonyi sometime between 1931 and 1962. The most important aspect of the change is the disappearance of three species of Daphnia, together with Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Metadiaptomus aethiopicus, and Caridina nilotica. The 1975 samples indicate lower standing crops of zooplankton in all three lakes, and lower ratios of nauplii to copepodids than in 1962. The possibility of these changes being attributable to human activities is discussed.     

Pictorial key to species of the genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville, 1831 (Hymenoptera,Vespidae) from China,with description of one new species

Twenty two species of the paper wasp genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville, 1831, are listed from China. Among them, R. malaisei van der Vecht, 1962, R. cyathiformis (Fabricius, 1804), R. santoshae Das & Gupta, 1989, R. scitula (Bingham, 1897), R. obscura Gusenleitner, 1996 and R. ornaticeps (Cameron, 1900) are new records from China. A new species, R. parartifex Tan & van Achterberg, is described. Their diagnostic characteristics are summarized in an illustrated key and 36 colourplates.     

Anomopterellidae Restored,with Two New Genera and Its Phylogeny in Evanioidea (Hymenoptera)

Background

Anomopterellidae was originally classified as a family within the Evanioidea, and later lowered to a subfamily, Anomopterellinae, of Praeaulacidae. Up to date, only Rasnitsyn 1975, with four species, was assigned to Anomopterellinae. Due to their special wing venation and their metasomal attachment similar to those known in Evanioidea, the systematic position of Anomopterellinae in Evanioidea has been in contention.

Principal Findings

Here we report a new fossil genus Synaphopterella gen. nov. and six species from the Middle Jurassic of China and transfer Anomopterella stenocera Rasnitsyn, 1975, from Upper Jurassic of Kazakhstan, to Choristopterella gen. nov. We place these three genera in the restored family Anomopterellidae and provide a key to known genera and species.

Conclusions/Significance

Based on new fossil specimens and phylogenetic analyses, Praeaulacidae has the most basal position in Evanioidea and it is justifiable to restore Anomopterellidae Rasnitsyn, 1975 as a full family. Comparing the size of all described anomopterellids from China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan, we conclude that the species from China have larger bodies and forewings. Diversity of the Praeaulacidae and Anomopterellidae in the late Middle Jurassic of Daohugou suggests that Evanioidea appeared at least before the late Middle Jurassic.     

A new species of Wellsopsyllus (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Paramesochridae) from the deep Southern Ocean and remarks on its biogeography

The new deep-sea copepod species of the family Paramesochridae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) presented here was collected during the scientific ANtarctic benthic DEEP-sea biodiversity cruise II (ANDEEP II) to the Weddell Abyssal Plain and western Weddell Sea and the CROZet natural iron bloom and EXport experiment (CROZEX cruise) to the Crozet Isles in the Indian Ocean. The new species has been allocated to the subgenus Wellsopsyllus within the genus Wellsopsyllus Kunz, 1981, based on the 1-segmented endopods and 3-segmented exopods of swimming legs 2–4. Furthermore, the new species shows a 1-segmented exopod of the antenna. Wellsopsyllus (W.) antarcticus sp. n. can be distinguished from its congeners by its small body size, the presence of two setae on the distal segment of the endopod of the first swimming leg, by the very small furcal rami, the extremely reduced endopods of second and third swimming legs, the reduced mandibular palp and maxillula, as well as by the size and armature of the fifth and sixth swimming legs in both sexes. Difficulties of the placement of the new species into a suitable genus show an insufficiency in the present family classification. In the future, a revision of the genus Wellsopsyllus is essential. With its presence in the western Weddell Sea and the Indian Ocean, the new species may have a wide distribution range. Furthermore, it is the first abyssal species of the genus Wellsopsyllus sampled outside of the Scotia Sea.     

Establishment and maintenance of friable,embryogenic maize callus and the involvement of L-proline

Friable, embryogenic maize (Zea mays L.), inbred line A188, callus was established and maintained for more than one year without apparent loss of friability or embryogenic potential. Embryoid development was abundant in these cultures and plants were easily regenerated. Frequencies of friable-callus initiation and somatic-embryoid formation increased linearly with addition to N6 medium (C.C. Chu et al. 1975, Sci. Sin. [Peking] 18, 659–668) of up to 25 mM L-proline. Proline additions up to 9 mM to MS medium (inorganic elements of T. Murashige and F. Skoog 1962, Physiol. Plant. 15, 473–497, plus 0.5 mg 1^-1 thiamine hydrochloride and 150 mg 1^-1 L-asparagine monohydrate) did not stimulate embryoid formation. A major part of the difference between MS and N6 media could be attributed to their respective inorganic nitrogen components. L-Glutamine was not a satisfactory substitute for L-proline. Of 111 regenerated plants grown to maturity from three independent friable, embryogenic cell lines ranging in age from three to seven months, only four plants were abnormal based on morphology and pollen sterility. Seed was produced by 77% of the regenerated plants.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MS medium containing inorganic elements of Murashige and Skoog (1962), plus 0.5 ml 1^-1 thiamine hydrochloride and 150 mg 1^-1 L-asparagine monohydrate - N6 medium of Chu et al. (1975) Paper No. 13,904, Scientific Journal Series Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station     

Description of Hygrobates aloisii sp. nov. from Hong Kong, a new species of Hygrobates (Lurchibates) subgen. nov. (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae), with data on the parasite-host relationship to the Hong Kong Newt Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae)

Adults and deutonymphs of a new water mite species of the genus Hygrobates Koch, 1837 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) were found to parasitize the Hong Kong Newt, Paramesotriton hongkongensis Myers and Leviton, 1962 (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae), endemic to Hong Kong and coastal areas of Guangdong Province: Hygrobates aloisii sp. nov. Males and females, as well as deutonymphs and larvae are described. A new subgenus - Lurchibates subgen. nov. - is defined to accommodate the species of the Hygrobates salamandrarum-group. The parasite-host association, infestation rate, attachment sites and the impact of mite infestation on the newts behaviour and body condition are investigated. These ecological aspects of the parasite-host association between freshwater mites and newts are examined for the first time in detail in their natural habitat.