Morphological and molecular data of new species of Characithecium and Diaphorocleidus (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Neotropical characid fishes

The present study describes three new species of monogenean parasites of characid fishes from the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil: Characithecium paranapanemense n. sp. on Psalidodon paranae and Psalidodon bockmanni, Diaphorocleidus magnus n. sp. on Astyanax lacustris and Psalidodon fasciatus, and Diaphorocleidus neotropicalis n. sp. on Astyanax lacustris and P. bockmanni. An amendment for Diaphorocleidus is proposed, since additional characters observed in the new species required to extend the generic diagnostic features mainly to include: articulation process connecting the base of the MCO with accessory piece present or absent, and accessory piece with variable shapes (plate-like, pincer-shaped, wrench-shaped, sheath-shaped), divided or not into subunits. Characithecium paranapanemense n. sp. can be distinguished from other congeners by the morphology of its MCO and accessory piece. Diaphorocleidus magnus n. sp. differs from most of its congeners by the morphology of its accessory piece, the presence of articulation process connecting the base of the MCO with accessory piece, and the morphology of the sclerotized structures of the haptor. Diaphorocleidus neotropicalis n. sp. can be easily distinguished from its congeners by the morphology of the accessory piece, the sclerotized structures of the haptor and the morphology of the vagina. Molecular data of the new species (partial 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I) were obtained and the first phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA gene sequences for species of Characithecium and Diaphorocleidus are provided. Although Diaphorocleidus and Characithecium share some morphological similarities, phylogenetic analysis indicates that species of these two genera are not closely related.     

New jewel beetles (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) from Cretaceous deposits of Russia

A new genus and two new species of jewel beetles, Cretalbiana sukatshevae gen. et sp. nov. and C. major sp. nov., are described from the Middle Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Khetana, Khabarovsk Region, Russia.     

An integrative taxonomic study of Susanlimocotyle narina n. gen. n. sp. (Monogenoidea,Dactylogyridae) from the nasal cavities of a marine catfish (Siluriformes,Ariidae) from the Atlantic Amazon Coast of Brazil and new molecular data of Chauhanellus spp.

Based on a taxonomic approach, combining morphological characters with DNA sequences (i.e.,18S rDNA, ITS1, 5.8S rDNA and ITS2), Susanlimocotyle n. gen. is proposed to accommodates Susanlimocotyle narina n. sp. from the nostrils of the ariid Sciades herzbergii (Bloch) from the coast of the state of Pará, Brazil. Susanlimocotyle n. gen. is characterized by species possessing: an intestinal ceca confluent posteriorly; a male copulatory organ, comprising a variable tube, articulated with the accessory piece; a sclerotized vagina, vaginal aperture dextro-ventral; an onchium; a robust ventral bar; two dorsal bars; a ventral anchor with elongated shaft and a dorsal anchor with deep root expanding into wings. In addition, new molecular data of Chauhanellus spp. are also provided and used for the evaluation of the phylogenetic relationships among monogenoids parasitizing siluriforms. Susanlimocotyle n. gen. exhibited a higher genetic divergence level for 18S rDNA (4.6 to 7.2% [83–130 bp]) with respect to Chauhanellus spp. despite sharing S. herzbergii as a host, than Hamatopeduncularia spp., (4.1 to 5.8% [75–110 bp]) from Oriental ariids. For the 18S rDNA, 5.8S rDNA, ITS1 and ITS2 regions, C. boegeri and C. susamlimae were observed to have the smallest interspecific distances, and C. velum was revealed to be the most genetically distant species to Chauhanellus. The proposal for Susanlimocotyle n. gen. is also supported by phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rDNA gene, which supports the close relationship between the new genus and Hamatopeduncularia and Chauhanellus from ariids from the South America and Oriental regions. Moreover, the patterns towards the shared diversification between monogenoids and their ariid hosts were addressed.     

Ten new species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Baltic amber

Ten new species of caddisflies of the families Polycentropodidae (nine) and Molannidae (one) are described from the Eocene Baltic amber: Holocentropus peregrinator sp. nov., H. proximorepertus sp. nov., H. dugoi sp. nov., H. fundamentalis sp. nov., H. telergon sp. nov., Plectrocnemia varigoria sp. nov., P. synthesia sp. nov., P. novokshonovi sp. nov., Nyctiophylax valideturbidus sp. nov., and Molanna okraina sp. nov.     

Taxonomic review of Hemistola Warren, 1893 from China,with descriptions of seven new species (Lepidoptera: Geometridae,Geometrinae)

The genus Hemistola Warren from China is reviewed, and seven new species are described: H. viridimargo, sp. nov., H. glauca sp. nov., H. asymmetra sp. nov., H. arcilinea sp. nov., H. flavifimbria sp. nov., H. orbiculosoides sp. nov. and H. stueningi sp. nov. Two species, acyra and christinaria, are transferred from Hemistola to Maxates and Comostola, respectively: Maxates acyra comb. nov. and Comostola christinaria comb. nov. Including the 25 species previously known from China, a total of 32 species is now recorded. All Chinese species are redescribed. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. Illustrations of adults and genitalia are presented.     

A preliminary study of oligochaetes in Poyang Lake,the largest freshwater lake of China,and its vicinity,with description of a new species of Limnodrilus

The oligochaete fauna of the largest freshwater lake of China, Poyang Lake, has never been investigated before. On the basis of a preliminary survey in the lake and its vicinity in 1997–1999, 25 species belonging to 20 genera and 5 families are recorded. Among them, one genus, Cernosvitoviella (Enchytraeidae), and two species, Bratislavia unidentata (Naididae), Potamothrix bedoti (Tubificidae), are recorded from China for the first time. Another tubificid, Limnodrilus paramblysetus sp. nov., is new to science. It is similar to L. amblysetus Brinkhurst et al., 1990 in chaetal shape but differs in having short hooded penis sheaths.     

Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) of New Guinea: Part II. Hamatina gen. nov., with descriptions of four new species

This is the second part in a series of taxonomic studies on the family Lecithoceridae (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) of New Guinea. A new genus, Hamatina gen. nov., is described, based on the type species, H. hemitoma (Diakonoff), comb. nov., and four new species are described: H. nabangae sp. nov., H. robdevosi sp. nov., H. jembatana sp. nov., and. iriana sp. nov. A key to four allied genera is given. Adults, heads, labial palpi, wing venations, and the male genitalia are illustrated.     

On some megaspores from the triassic of Nidhpuri,India

The paper describes structural features of megaspores from the Middle Gondwana (Middle Triassic) beds of Nidhpuri. These include two species of Srivastavaesporites Bharadwaj et Tiwari viz. S. triassicus sp. nov. and S. major sp. nov.; Grambastisporites nidhpurensis gen. et sp. nov.; Trikonia emarginata gen. et sp. nov.; one species of Mamillaespora Pant et Srivastava, M. sidhiensis sp. nov.; Nidhitriletes spinosa gen. et sp. nov.     

Contributions to the study of fossil snipe flies (Diptera: Rhagionidae): The genus Protorhagio

Three new species of the snipe fly genus Protorhagio, viz. P. karataviensis sp. nov., P. ponomarenkoi sp. nov., and P. ruptus sp. nov., are described from the Middle-Upper Jurassic Karabastau Formation in Kazakhstan. The type species of the genus, P. capitatus, is redescribed. A key is provided to all known species of Protorhagio.     

A new species and a new record of Helicomyces from Taiwan

Helicomyces geniculatus sp. nov. from decaying wood submerged in a freshwater stream at Juchi Town of Alishan area, Chiayi County, Taiwan, is described and illustrated. It differs from other Helicomyces species in having geniculate conidiophores arising from repent hyphae and also borne on erect setae. Abundant stalked sclerotia were also found in this species. Helicomyces torquatus is described in this paper as a new record for Taiwan, with new observation. The phylogenetic relationship of H. geniculatus, H. torquatus, and related taxa were sought by comparing the sequences of their ITS barcode of the nuc rDNA. A synopsis of the 13 accepted Helicomyces species is given.     

Meristoderes gen. nov., a new kinorhynch genus, with the description of two new species and their implications for echinoderid phylogeny (Kinorhyncha: Cyclorhagida, Echinoderidae)

A new kinorhynch genus, Meristoderes gen. nov., and two new species from Spain and the Solomon Islands, respectively, are described. The new genus is distinguished from all other genera by the first segment consisting of a closed cuticular ring, and the second segment having partial tergosternal junctions, and a superficial midventral fold. This is a new cuticular configuration that may shed light into the phylogenetic relationships of echinoderid kinorhynchs. Meristoderes macracanthus gen. et sp. nov. from the Mediterranean coast of Spain is recognised by the presence of middorsal spines on segments 4, 6 and 8, ventrolateral tubules on segment 2, lateroventral tubules on segment 5, lateroventral spines on segments 6-9, lateral accessory tubules on segment 8, one pair of laterodorsal tubules on segment 10. Meristoderes galatheae sp. nov. from the Solomon Islands is recognized by having a middorsal spine on segment 4 only, ventrolateral tubules on segment 2, lateroventral tubules on segment 5, lateroventral spines on segments 6-9, lateral accessory tubules on segment 8 and subdorsal tubules on segment 10. Both species have a pattern of paraventral perforation site clusters on segments 3-9, with conspicuously long bracteate hairs from the posteriormost perforations sites on the segments 3-7 and 3-6, respectively.The new genus Meristoderes gen. nov. is included into the family Echinoderidae Bütschli, 1876 and appears closely related with the genera Cephalorhyncha Adrianov, 1999 and Echinoderes Claparède, 1863. The new information it provides is discussed to clarify the internal phylogeny of Echinoderidae. The terminology for cuticular characters in the overlapping area between consecutive segments is also standardized.     

Seven new species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Rovno amber (Eocene of Ukraine)

Seven new caddisfly species of the families Polycentropodidae, Psychomyiidae, and Lepidostomatidae are described from the Late Eocene Rovno amber: Holocentropus kobodok sp. nov., H. zhiltsovae sp. nov., Plectrocnemia nastigermania sp. nov., P. ucrainica sp. nov., Nyctiophylax terreusbos sp. nov., Lype essentia sp. nov., and Lepidostoma quasitypica sp. nov.     

海南岛海水鱼类单殖吸虫研究及宽海盘虫二新种记述

记述了采自海南岛后水湾的眶棘双边鱼Ambassis gymnocephalus Lacépéde鳃上寄生的宽海盘虫2新种.张氏宽海盘虫Euryhaliotrema zhangjianyingi sp nov.以其边缘小钩明显长于两对中央大钩,支持器的套环状特殊结构,两对中央大钩和联结片而不同于属内的已知种;双边鱼宽海盘虫,Euryhaliotrema ambassisi sp.nov.以其交接器的量度,后吸器中央大钩内突基部较宽,外突较小,钩基部较直,钩尖短而不同于相似种和属内已知种.文中量度μm,模式标本保存在海南师范学院生物系.     

A new genus and two new species of dactylogyrid monogeneans from gills of Neotropical catfishes (Siluriformes: Doradidae and Loricariidae)

A new genus of dactylogyrid monogeneans (Ancyrocephalinae), Paracosmetocleithrum n. gen., is erected to accommodate P. trachydorasi n. sp. from Trachydoras paraguayensis (Siluriformes: Doradidae) in the Upper Paraná River basin, Brazil. The new genus differs from Neotropical dactylogyrids in the presence of a well-developed ornamentation in the middle portion of the ventral bar, and a sclerotized patch on the surface of the dorsal bar with an inconspicuous medial process that possesses two submedial projections arising from the tapered ends of this patch. In addition, Demidospermus rhinelepisi n. sp. is described from Rhinelepis aspera (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). The new species, which is the fifth species of the genus described from loricariids, can be differentiated from congeners by the possession of a sclerotized patch attached to the middle portion of the ventral bar, and by morphology of the accessory piece, which presents broad ends, tapering in the centre, rounded proximal end, distal end folding on both sides with folds extending to approximately ¾ of the accessory piece length. Molecular data on both new species are also provided and species composition of Demidospermus, recently revealed as polyphyletic by molecular studies including the present one, is discussed.     

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS IOWANA HOTTES (HOMOPTERA:APHIDIDAE) FROM CHINA*

Abstract This paper deals with a new species of Iowana Hottes, Icrwana zhangi, sp. nov. in China. This new species is closely related to J. frisoni, but differs from the latter in the shape of cauda, length of processus terminalis, length of ultimate rostral segment, and as well as in having smooth siphunculi, having 6‐segmented antennae and primary rhinarium with accessory rhinaria on the ultimate antennal segment. All the type specimens of this new species, collected from Heilongjiang Province, are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. Iowana Hottes is a new record genus to China.     

Descriptions of Three New Longidorus Species from Slovakia (Nemata: Longidoridae)

Three new Longidorus species from Slovakia are described. Longidorus carpathicus n. sp. most closely resembles Longidorus silvae but differs by having a longer odontostyle, odontophore, and total stylet; smaller a and c ratios; and longer distance to the guide ring. This new species also resembles L. picenus, L. macrosoma, and L. major but differs by having a narrower lip width. It further differs from L. picenus by having a longer odontostyle and smaller c ratio, and by lacking males; from L. macrosoma by having a longer odontostyle, smaller c ratio, by lacking males, and a more pronounced J1 tail peg; and from L. major by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, longer odontophore, and longer J1 tail peg. Longidorus piceicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. eridanicus, from which it differs by having a greater lip width, longer tail, smaller c ratio, larger c'' ratio, shorter hyaline tail length, and a conically rounded vs. hemispherical tail. This new species differs from L. cylindricaudatus by having a larger lip width, longer odontostyle and odontophore, and a greater distance to the guide ring; from L. nevesi by having a shorter body length, longer odontostyle, larger c'' ratio, and shorter hyaline tail length. Longidorus juglansicola n. sp. most closely resembles L. athesinus but differs by its longer body, wider lips, and larger a and c ratios. It closely resembles L. vineacola but differs by its shorter body length, smaller c ratio, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline; from L. lusitanicus by a longer odontophore and tail, and an almost parallel lip outline vs. an expanded lip outline.     

Taxonomy of the genus Laena from Yunnan in China,with description of eight new species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae)

Eight new species of the genus Laena Dejean, 1821 (subfamily Lagriinae, tribe Laenini) from Yunnan Province of China were described and illustrated: L. acutidentata Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. brevicarina Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. dongchuana Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. glabridentipa Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. nuda Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. raropuncta Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. rugulosa Wei & Ren, sp. nov. and L. spinicla Wei & Ren, sp. nov.. Illustrations and a key to the known Laena species from Yunnan Province are provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FDEDA1E8-2F2E-4732-8DB4-FE2D7BDC75D8.     

Himantura tutul sp. nov. (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae), a new ocellated whipray from the tropical Indo-West Pacific,described from its cytochrome-oxidase I gene sequence

It has been previously established that the Leopard Whipray, Himantura leoparda, consists of two genetically isolated, cryptic species, provisionally designated as ‘Cluster 1’ and ‘Cluster 4’ (Arlyza et al., Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 65 (2013) [1]). Here, we show that the two cryptic species differ by the spotting patterns on the dorsal surface of adults: Cluster-4 individuals tend to have larger-ocellated spots, which also more often have a continuous contour than Cluster-1 individuals. We show that H. leoparda's holotype has the typical larger-ocellated spot pattern, designating Cluster 4 as the actual H. leoparda. The other species (Cluster 1) is described as Himantura tutul sp. nov. on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of a 655-base pair fragment of its cytochrome-oxidase I gene (GenBank accession No. JX263335). Nucleotide synapomorphies at this locus clearly distinguish H. tutul sp. nov. from all three other valid species in the H. uarnak species complex, namely H. leoparda, H. uarnak, and H. undulata. H. tutul sp. nov. has a wide distribution in the Indo-West Pacific, from the shores of eastern Africa to the Indo-Malay archipelago. H. leoparda under its new definition has a similarly wide Indo-West Pacific distribution.     

Fungi on grasses: new species of Ascotaiwania,Diaporthe and Oxydothis (Ascomycetes)

Four new species of ascomycetes, Ascotaiwania pennisetarum sp. nov., Diaporthe appendiculata sp. now., Diaporthe minutis sp. nov., and Oxydothis miscanthiecola sp. nov., are described from senescent culms of grasses in Hong Kong. Ascotaiwania pennisetarum is distinctive from other species in the genus as ascospores are narrower. Diaporthe minutis differs from the most similar Diaporthe species in having ascospores with bipolar mucilaginous pads, while Diaporthe appendiculata differs from other species in having ascospores with both a mucilaginous pad and appendages at both ends. Oxydothis miscanthicola differs from other species in the genus in having long fusiform ascospores, which taper to rounded apices or otherwise differ in shape and size. These new species are compared with existing species and illustrated with interference light micrographs. The Diaporthe species known to posses mucilaginous ascospore appendages are listed.