New replacement names in the family Cossidae (Lepidoptera) in Southern Asia

The names of the Cossidae taxa Garuda Yakovlev, 2004 (type species Garuda galina Yakovlev, 2004) and Nirvana Yakovlev, 2004 (type species Nirvana buddhi Yakovlev, 2004) described by the author from various Eurasian regions are substituted by new names due to the former having been previously preoccupied. The name Garuda Yakovlev, 2004: 375 (type species Garuda galina Yakovlev, 2004) is proposed to be substituted for Garrudiella Yakovlev nom. n., since Garuda was used by Scherer (Scherer 1969: 28) while describing a new species in the family Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) (type species Garuda hindustanica Scherer 1969).     

On the status of the Permian radiolarian genus Multisphaera Nazarov and Afanasieva, 2000

Based on the detailed morphological study of the type species of the genus Multisphaera Nazarov and Afanasieva, the author emends the status and diagnosis of this genus and of the subfamily Multisphaerinae Nazarov and Afanasieva. He found that the initial spicule of the type species is not multi-rayed, as initially thought, but a tetrahedral spicule. Accordingly, the genus is assigned to the former tribe Tetrentactiniini Kozur and Mostler that is herein raised to the family rank and comprises all Upper Devonian to lower Permian genera with a tetrahedral initial spicule. Consequently, the subfamily Multisphaerinae is considered a junior synonym of the family Tetrentactiniidae. To better solve the taxonomic problems of this family the author compares the morphological diversity of its members with the morphological diversity of the lower Tithonian (uppermost Jurassic) tetrahedral spicule-bearing entactinarian Radiolaria occurring in the Solnhofen area, southern Germany. Although these genera have the same type of spicule as the Paleozoic ones, they seem to belong to a new family because between the lower Tithonian and the lower Permian genera there is a long time interval of about 120 Ma in which no radiolarians with a tetrahedral initial spicule have been recorded so far. This comparison shows once more the conservative character of the initial spicule and the wide morphological diversity of the extraspicular shell.     

New names for homonyms in the genus Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850 (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae)

The following new replacement names for homonyms in the genus Dactylogyrus Diesing are proposed: Dactylogyrus acrossocheili nom. nov. for D. forcipatus Wu & Wang, 1983; D. birgii nom. nov. for D. simplex Birgi & Lambert, 1987; D. cheni nom. nov. for D. orientalis Hu & Chen, 1979; D. hui nom. nov. for D. xenocypris Hu & Chen, 1979; D. limae nom. nov. for D. hamatus Chinabut & Lim, 1994; D. mikailovi nom. nov. for D. gracilis Mikailov, 1974; D. pakistanensis nom. nov. for D. mrigali Rizvi, 1978; D. papernai nom. nov. for D. magnum Paperna, 1973; D. saurogobii nom. nov. for D. falcatus Wu, Wang & Song, 1983; and D. semifasciolatae nom. nov. for D. lineatus Luo & Lang, 1982.     

Two new replacement names for the planthopper genera in Dictyopharidae (Hemiptera,Fulgoromorpha)

New replacement names are proposed for two genera of the family Dictyopharidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha). The following changes are proposed: Neonotostrophia nom. n. for Notostrophia Emeljanov (not Waterhouse); Emeljanovina nom. n. for Glochina Emeljanov (not Meigen); Neonotostrophia nigrosuturalis (Melichar, 1912) comb. n. from Notostrophia nigrosuturalis (Melichar, 1912) = Dictyophara nigrosuturalis Melichar, 1912 and Emeljanovina dixoni (Distant, 1906) comb. n. from Glochina dixoni (Distant, 1906) = Dictyophara dixoni Distant, 1906.     

Typification of the Linnaean names of the genus Cardamine (Cruciferae)

Lectotypification of the following Linnaean names of the genus Cardamine L. (Cruciferae) is presented Cardamine asarifolia, C. graeca, C. petraea (|M= Cardaminopsis petraea), C. resedgolia (including designation of an epitype), C. trifolia and C. virginica. The lectotypes of the previously typified names of this genus and the protologues of these names are discussed. The probable typotype for the lectotype of C. azcana is identified and the need for the conservation of the type of C. chelidonia is noted.     

Notes on Empididae (4), New replacement names in Empididae

Wiedemamia (s. str.) brevilamellata Wagner is proposed as replacement name for W. alpina Vaillant, 1953 not W. (Chamaedipsia) alpina Engel, 1918). W. beckeri glacicola Wagner replaces W. (Chamaedipsia) beckeri alpina Vaillant, 1967 (not Engel, 1981, not Vaillant, 1953).     

New names and combinations in Trixis (Compositae)

Trixis chiapensis, T. grandibracteata, T. mexicana var.auriculata, T. mexicana var.macradenia, andT. parviflora are described as new, and the combinationsT. californica var.peninsularis, T. michuacana var.longifolia, andT. pringlei var.oligantha are proposed. The application of the namesT. inula andT. michuacana is discussed.     

New names,combinations, and lectotypifications in Heterotheca (Compositae: Astereae)

The following new names and combinations are proposed:Heterotheca barbata (Rydb.) Semple,H. horrida subsp.cinerascens (S. F. Blake) Semple,H. fulcrata vararizonica Semple,H. fulcrata var.senilis (Wooton & Standley) Semple,H. oregona var.compacta (Keck) Semple,H. oregona var.rudis (Greene) Semple,H. oregona var.scaberrima (A. Gray) Semple,H. pumila (Greene) Semple,H. villosa var.pedunculata (Greene) V. Harms ex Semple, andH. zionensis Semple. The following chromosome numbers are reported for the first time:H. fulcrata var.arizonica, 2n=9 _II ;H. horrida subsp.cinerascens, 2n=18 _II ;H. pumila, 2n=9 _II ,2n=18 _II ;H. zionensis, 2n=9 _II .     

New genus and species of the family stichaeidae from Hokkaido,Japan

Specimens of a new genus and species of the stichaeid fish,Leptostichaeus pumilus, were collected from the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido in Japan. The present new genus and species clearly differs from all the other genera and species of the stichaeid fishes in the following characters: 3 or 4 pectoral fin rays; 10 or fewer caudal principal rays; 79–82 dorsal spines; no pelvic fin; last interneural spine supporting a single dorsal spine; infraorbital, occipital and lateral line canals absent; moderate size of dorsal spine shorter than eye diameter; membranes of dorsal and anal fins widely connected with caudal fin; a large black spot divided by a yellow band present just above gill cover.     

New species of the genus Trichodrilus (Oligochaeta, Lumbriculidae)

Five new species of the genus Trichodrilus are described: Trichodrilus longipenis. sp. n. T: rouchi sp. n. T. capilliformis sp. n. and T. angelieri sp. n. from hyporhcic waters of the Iberian Peninsula and France. and T. bonheurensis sp. n. from superticial waters of France. The new taxa contribute with some new features to an amended diagnosis of the genus: presence of modified penial setae, four pairs of spermathecae, hair-like dorsal setae and glandular pads in the epidermis.     

New species of the genus Epistephium (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae)

The morphological study of the herbarium material representing Epistephium (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae) led to the discovery of two groups of specimens that significantly differ from all known species of the genus. The results of literature data study and of comparative analysis of those and other specimens suggest that these collections represent new taxa that we describe as E. garayi and E. kubiyuense. The distinguishing features of the species are indicated. As both new species are reported from Colombia (E. garayi, also from Guyana), the key for the determination of all Colombian representatives of the genus is included. Information on the ecology and distribution of newly described taxa is presented.     

New combinations within the genus Colaconema (Acrochaetiaceae, Bangiophyceae)

For the coming checklist of marine macroalgae in Denmark the following combinations are introduced: Colaconema attenualum, C. emergens, C. gynandrum, C. savìa-num and C. strictum .     

Diversity,Ecology and Biogeochemistry of Cyst-Forming Acantharia (Radiolaria) in the Oceans

Marine planktonic organisms that undertake active vertical migrations over their life cycle are important contributors to downward particle flux in the oceans. Acantharia, globally distributed heterotrophic protists that are unique in building skeletons of celestite (strontium sulfate), can produce reproductive cysts covered by a heavy mineral shell that sink rapidly from surface to deep waters. We combined phylogenetic and biogeochemical analyses to explore the ecological and biogeochemical significance of this reproductive strategy. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes of different cyst morphotypes collected in different oceans indicated that cyst-forming Acantharia belong to three early diverging and essentially non symbiotic clades from the orders Chaunacanthida and Holacanthida. Environmental high-throughput V9 tag sequences and clone libraries of the 18S rRNA showed that the three clades are widely distributed in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at different latitudes, but appear prominent in regions of higher primary productivity. Moreover, sequences of cyst-forming Acantharia were distributed evenly in both the photic and mesopelagic zone, a vertical distribution that we attribute to their life cycle where flagellated swarmers are released in deep waters from sinking cysts. Bathypelagic sediment traps in the subantarctic and oligotrophic subtropical Atlantic Ocean showed that downward flux of Acantharia was only large at high-latitudes and during a phytoplankton bloom. Their contribution to the total monthly particulate organic matter flux can represent up to 3%. High organic carbon export in cold waters would be a putative nutritional source for juveniles ascending in the water column. This study improves our understanding of the life cycle and biogeochemical contribution of Acantharia, and brings new insights into a remarkable reproductive strategy in marine protists.     

Umashtanchaeviella plethotricha,a new genus and species of the family Tetracondylidae (Acari,Oribatida)

A new genus of oribatid mites of the family Tetracondylidae, Umashtanchaeviella gen. n., with type species Umashtanchaeviella plethotricha sp. n., is proposed and described from forest litter, the Bu Gia Map National Park, southern Vietnam. The new genus is distinguishable from other otocepheoid genera by the presence of notogastral plethotrichy.¹     

Phylogenetic position of gastrostomobdellid leeches (Hirudinida,Arhynchobdellida, Erpobdelliformes) and a new family for the genus Orobdella

Nakano, T., Ramlah, Z. & Hikida, T. (2012). Phylogenetic position of gastrostomobdellid leeches (Hirudinida, Arhynchobdellida, Erpobdelliformes) and a new family for the genus Orobdella. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 177–185. The leech family Gastrostomobdellidae is characterized by its possession of an agnathous and euthylaematous pharynx, a ventral gastropore and a gastroporal duct. In this study, the phylogenetic position of two gastrostomobdellid genera, Gastrostomobdella and Orobdella, was investigated using partial nucleic 18S, 28S rDNA and mitochondrial 12S rDNA sequences. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that both Gastrostomobdella and Orobdella are nested within Erpobdelliformes, but Gastrostomobdellidae is not a monophyletic taxon. Orobdella is a sister taxon of the other Erpobdelliformes taxa. The phylogenetic position of Gastrostomobdella within the clade of Gastrostomobdella, Erpobdellidae and Salifidae still remains uncertain. According to the reconstruction of the ancestral state of the pharynx in Erpobdelliformes, a euthylaematous pharynx is considered to be plesiomorphic in this taxon. Examination of Gastrostomobdella and Orobdella specimens indicates that the morphology of the gastroporal duct of Orobdella is quite different from that of Gastrostomobdella. A new family, Orobdellidae fam. nov., was therefore erected for the genus Orobdella. Orobdellidae is characterized by its possession of a generally tubular gastroporal duct, lying on the female organ.     

Molecular phylogeny and morphological evolution of the Acantharia (Radiolaria)

Acantharia are ubiquitous and abundant rhizarian protists in the world ocean. The skeleton made of strontium sulphate and the fact that certain harbour microalgal endosymbionts make them key planktonic players for the ecology of marine ecosystems. Based on morphological criteria, the current taxonomy of Acantharia was established by W.T. Schewiakoff in 1926, since when no major revision has been undertaken. Here, we established the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny from single morphologically-identified acantharian cells, isolated from various oceans. Our phylogenetic analyses based on 78 18S rDNA and 107 partial 28S rDNA revealed the existence of 6 main clades, sub-divided into 13 sub-clades. The polyphyletic nature of acantharian families and genera demonstrates the need for revision of the current taxonomy. This molecular phylogeny, which highlights the taxonomic relevance of specific morphological criteria, such as the presence of a shell and the organisation of the central junction, provides a robust phylogenetic framework for future taxonomic emendation. Finally, mapping all the existing environmental sequences available to date from different marine ecosystems onto our reference phylogeny unveiled another 3 clades and improved the understanding of the biogeography and ecology of Acantharia.     

Toxicocalamus, a New Guinea genus of snakes of the family Elapidae

Toxicocalamus is expanded to include Apistocalamus and Ultrocalamus as subgenera. Pseudapistocalamus nymani, Apistocalamus pratti, A. loennbergi, and A. lamingtoni are considered geographic variations of Toxicocalamus ( Apistocalamus ) loriae. Toxicocalamus ( Ultrocalamus ) buergersi, synonymized with T. ( U. ) preussi by previous workers, is recognized as a distinct species because of many structural peculiarities (most notably, extension of the venom gland back within the body cavity nearly to the heart, as in Maticora ). Three species are described as new: T. ( Apistocalamus ) spiblepidotus, characterized by large size and peculiar colouration; T. ( A. ) holopelturus, characterized by entire subcaudals and hemi-penial structure; and T. ( Toxicocalamus ) misimae, differing from the related T. longissimus in much lower ventral count and in having only 15 scale rows. A population from Garaina (Morobe Division) is believed to be of recent origin from hybridization between T. ( A. ) loriae and T. ( T. ) stanleyanus. Toxicocalamus is most closely related to the Australian genera called Brachyurophis, Melwardia, Narophis, Rhinelaps, and Rhynchoelaps by Worrell, but here all grouped in the genus Rhynchoelaps. This Australian genus and Toxicocalamus make up the Rhynchoelaps group, which does not include the genera Vermicella (for V. annulata only), Ogmodon, or Parapistocalamus. The lack of a diastema behind the fang in the elapid genera Kerilia, Ogmodon, and Toxicocalamus is not a primitive, but a specialized, feature, probably developed independently in each of these genera as a mechanism for coordinating the replacement rhythm of the fangs with that of solid teeth behind. It is suggested that the solid maxillary teeth of Toxicocalamus are neomorphs, formed by backward extension of the fang-forming portion of the dental lamina.