Holocene thecideide brachiopods from the north‐western Pacific Ocean: Systematics,life habits and ontogeny

Abstract

A new species of the lacazelline brachiopod genus Ospreyella is described from shallow cryptic habitats in Palau, western Caroline Islands and Arnd Atoll, Pohnpei, eastern Caroline Islands, north‐western Pacific Ocean. This new taxon, here named Ospreyella palauensis, and representing the third discovery of a species of Ospreyella from the Indo‐Pacific region, is compared with the other two recently described extant species of the genus, O. depressa Lüter from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, and O. maldiviana Logan from the Maldive Islands, northern Indian Ocean. An ontogenetic sequence is described for the new species and compared with those previously described for other Holocene lacazellines. Additionally, a study of ontogenetic stages in Thecidellina congregata from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands shows early‐stage similarities to those of the new species and other lacazellines. These observations on development in extant forms provide important analogies for comparison with ontogenetic stages in ancestral fossil forms and information which may be useful in reconstructing thecideide phylogenetic history.     

Un'Ipotesi Sull'Evoluzione dei Limonium del Bacino del Mediterraneo

Abstract

A hypothesis on the evolution of Limonium species in the Mediterranean area. — The chromosomic somatic number of 27 species and 2 hybrids belonging to the genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) of several Mediterranean regions (Spain, France, Tuscany, Sardinia, Sicily) and Canarian Islands are here determined on wild populations. Keeping into account 10 data previously determined by other Authors, the chromosomic number is now known for more than 1/3 of the species occurring in West Europe and Mediterranean.

This allows to formulate a hypothesis on the group's evolution: from some diploid species living on inner rocks (Felsenheide) or sea cliffs and having a very restricted area, tetraploid races living on sandy shores had developped, which expanded afterwards on the whole Mediterranean area, and finally by hybridations giving rise to triploids.

Ecology and areal dimension of triploid species are generally intermediate between those of diploids and tetraploids; in some cases there is an apparent tendency to fragmentation into local forms, sometimes joined with apomictic reproduction.     

Notes on the genus Thamnobryum in Macaronesia (excluding the Cape Verde Islands)

Abstract

The genus Thamnobryum is reviewed from Macaronesia (excludingthe Cape Verde Islands). In this area there are three species, T. alopecurum (Hedw.) Gang., T. maderense (Kindb.) Hedenäs, comb. nov. and T. fernandesii C. Sérgio. T. fernandesii is only known from Madeira; the other two also occur on the Canary Islands and the Azores. Thamnobryum canariense (Ren. & Card.) Long is transferred to Isothecium, as I. atlanticum Hedenäs, comb. et nom. nov.     

Typhlocybinae of New Zealand (Homoptera: Cicadellidae)

Two tribes of the subfamily Typhlocybinae are represented in New Zealand, as follows. Erythroneurini: the cosmopolitan genus Zygina is represented by 4 endemic species—toetoe, ramsayi n.sp., dumbletoni, and agni n.sp.—plus zealandica, which occurs in Australia also. Typhlocybini: Typhlocyba froggatti, T. lethierryi, Ribautiana tenerrima, Eupteryx melissae, Kybos smaragdula, and K. betulicola are introduced Northern Hemisphere elements; Matatua montivaga n.gen.&sp. is endemic; M. maorica (formerly Dikraneura maorica), also endemic, is of uncertain identity in the absence of male specimens. Keys are given for the separation of all taxa, the genera and species are described, and all species except Matatua maorica are figured.     

Chassalia magnificens sp. nov. and C. chrysoclada comb. nov. (Rubiaceae) from central Africa

Chassalia magnificens, a new species from the Albertine Rift in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is described and illustrated. The species is recognised inter alia by its large stipules and montane habitat. Chassalia chrysoclada is a new combination for a widespread, but hitherto overlooked, central African species originally described in the genus Psychotria. Chassalia chrysoclada is related to C. pteropetala (K. Schum.) Cheek but lacks the bicostate twigs and dorsally winged corolla lobes of that species.     

Revision of New Zealand Orthotylinae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract

Six genera and 11 species of Orthotylinae are now known from New Zealand. Zanchius Distant is newly recorded. One new genus, Tridiplous, and seven new species of endemic New Zealand Orthotylini are described and illustrated. Four new species are described in Tridiplous: T. burrus, T. parvapiatus, T. penmani, and T. virens, and three new species are described in Zanchius: Z. ater, Z. rubicrux, and Z. totus. Keys are provided to identify New Zealand taxa of the tribes of Orthotylinae, genera and species of Halticini, genera of Orthotylini, and species of Tridiplous and Zanchius. The bugs are illustrated with colour habitus photos, and drawings including male and female genitalia. Economic importance is discussed.     

Protura (Insecta) from the Kermadec Islands,and a redescription of Acerentulus nemoralis from Argentina

Abstract

Two species of Protura, Berberentulus sp. (aff. nelsoni Tuxen) and Acerentulus kermadecensis n.sp., are described from the Kermadec Islands. They are very similar to South American species, of which Acerentulus nemoralis Najt & Vidal is redescribed. Two additional species-groups are recognised in genus Acerentulus, one for the Australian A. sexspinatus Womersley and the other for A. kermadecensis, A. kisonis Imadaté from Japan, and A. nemoralis from Argentina. A key to distinguish the species of this latter group is given.     

Rhodobryum commersoni(Schwaegr.) Par. and R. aubertii (Schwaegr.) Thér. in South India.

Abstract

A new species Tristichella dimorpha is described and illustrated and a comparison made with the two other species in the genus, T. spiculifera and T. glabrescens, and with Clastobryella cuculligera to which it appears to be closely related, particularly in sporophytic characters.     

The benthic algal flora on rocky substrata of the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea)

ABSTRACT

The results of a floristic study of benthic marine macroalgae on rocky substrata from the Tremiti Islands (Adriatic Sea) are presented. The list of taxa at specific and infraspecific level consists of 226 Rhodophyceae, 59 Fucophyceae and 36 Chlorophyceae. Of these 321 taxa, 147 are newly reported from the Tremiti Islands. Data on the reproductive phenology of each species, and comments on some species of particular interest are also given.     

An analysis of allozymic characters of four species of New Zealand Amalda (Gastropoda: Olividae: Ancillinae)

Abstract

This contribution reports the results of an electrophoretic analysis of four species of the molluscan genus Amalda. The results of this analysis confirm that four taxonomically defined species are also biologically distinct, that their often considerable morphological variability is a within-species phenomenon, and that a previously undescribed form of A. depressa, which is genetically and morphologically distinct, occurs in the Bay of Islands. The genetic data were analysed cladistically and the resulting phylogenetic classification supports that based on morphology.     

A revision of post-war collections of Hong Kong Sematophyllaceae

Abstract

Six genera and 11 species of Sematophyllaceae are confirmed for the Hong Kong moss flora based on recent collections. One genus, Brotherella, and three species, Brotherella erythrocaulis, lsocladiella surcularis and Taxithelium instratum, are new to Hong Kong. Taxithelium batanense is a new synonym of T. oblongifolium. Sematophyllum japonicum, S. pulchellum and S. subhumile are treated as a species complex awaiting further revision. The report of Trichosteleum mammosum from Hong Kong needs confirmation.     

No longer a circumtropical species: revision of the lizardfishes in the Trachinocephalus myops species complex,with description of a new species from the Marquesas Islands

Trachinocephalus, a formerly monotypic and nearly circumtropical genus of lizardfishes, is split into three valid species. Trachinocephalus gauguini n. sp. is described from the Marquesas Islands and is distinguished from the two other species in the genus by having a shorter snout, a narrower interorbital space, larger eye and modally fewer anal‐fin and pectoral‐fin rays. The distribution of Trachinocephalus myops (type species) is restricted to the Atlantic Ocean and the name Trachinocephalus trachinus is resurrected for populations from the Indo‐West Pacific Ocean. Principal component analyses and bivariate plots based on the morphometric data differentiated T. gauguini from the other two species, but a substantial overlap between T. myops and T. trachinus exists. Phylogenetic evidence based on mtDNA COI sequences unambiguously supports the recognition of at least three species in Trachinocephalus, revealing deep divergences between the Atlantic Ocean, Indo‐West Pacific Ocean and Marquesas entities. Additional analyses of species delimitations using the generalized mixed Yule coalescent model and the Poisson tree processes model provide a more liberal assessment of species in Trachinocephalus, indicating that many more cryptic species may exist. Finally, a taxonomic key to identify the three species recognized here is provided.     

Amanita xenokommosis (Agaricales,Basidiomycota), a striking new species from sand dune forest of northeastern Brazil,with a key for phenetically similar species*

Abstract

Amanita is a well established genus corresponding one to the major groups of Agaricales having with a rich systematic story. Several species belonging to this genus were recently reported from Brazil. Recent studies changed drastically its infrageneric classification, recognizing the subgenera Amanita, Amanitina and Lepidella. Within the subg. Amanitina, the ectomycorrhizal species with amyloid basidiospores, appendiculate pileus and stipe base with more globose to subglobose bulb belong to sect. Roanokenses. Amanita xenokommosis belongs to this section and is described here a new species from the Brazilian Coastal Sand Dune. It is characterized by elongate to cylindrical amyloid basidiospores, brown pileus with sharp floccose appendiculate remnants and bulb covered by a large limbate/saccate universal veil. Amanita caojizong, A. manginiana, A. modesta, A. pseudomanginiana and A. pseudoporphyria are similar species, but differ in many aspects, such as basidiospores size, shape of bulb and characteristics of the universal veil.     

Five new species of Thripidae (Thysanoptera) endemic to New Zealand

Abstract

Three new species of genus Thrips are described—austellus, coprosmae, and phormiicola—which are closely related to the common New Zealand species T. obscuratus (Crawford). The systematic and zoogeographic significance of this endemic species-group is discussed. Physemothrips hadrus n.sp. is described from the South Island; the only other member of this genus is from Macquarie Island. Anaphothrips zelandicus n.sp. is described from the South Island and the Chatham and Antipodes islands, A. woodi Pitkin is recorded from New Zealand, and the relationships of these two species to the Australian fauna are discussed.     

A record of the Plain Tiger,Danaus chrysippus,in Turkey

Summary

In this publication, a subdivision of the genus Annenica O. Boettger, 1877 sensu Auct. is proposed. One result of our study is the recognition of the genus Sprattia O. Boettger, 1883 for most of the South Anatolian species of the former genus Armenica. The genus Astrogena Szekeres, 1970, which was synonymised by H. NORDSIECK (1975: 98) with Armenica is redefined and used as a subgenus of Armenica for some species. Extensive recent collections contain new species and subspecies of this genus, which are described here.     

Numerical analysis of phenotypic properties,genomic fingerprinting,and multilocus sequence analysis of Bradyrhizobium strains isolated from root nodules of Lembotropis nigricans of the tribe Genisteae

Purpose

The aim of this study was to estimate the level of genomic and phenotypic diversity as well as the genus and species position of bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of Lembotropis nigricans (family Fabaceae).

Methods

The genomic diversity of studied L. nigricans nodule symbionts was examined by using BOX-PCR and AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) fingerprinting techniques. To assign bacteria to the genus, numerical analysis of phenotypic features and comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences were performed. The comparative analysis of combined atpD, dnaK, gyrB, and rpoB gene sequences (multilocus sequence analysis, MLSA) was used to determine the most closely related species to the studied bacteria.

Results

Both BOX-PCR and AFLP techniques revealed a high level of genomic heterogeneity of L. nigricans nodulators. Among 33 studied bacteria, 32 genotypes were delineated by the AFLP method and 27 genotypes were identified by the BOX-PCR fingerprinting. The numerical analysis of 86 phenotypic characteristics of L. nigricans nodule isolates and reference rhizobia showed that studied bacteria belong to the genus Bradyrhizobium. Affiliation of L. nigricans nodule isolates to the genus Bradyrhizobium was supported by comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences and the concatenation of atpD, dnaK, gyrB, and rpoB gene sequences. MLSA indicated also that L. nigricans microsymbionts are members of Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Conclusion

L. nigricans root nodule symbionts are members of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and exhibit high phenotypic and genomic diversity important for their survival in soil.

     

The gastric mill of euphausiid crustaceans: a comparison of eleven species

The morphology of the gastric mill of 11 species in the family Euphausiidae is described. Two distinct arrangements can be recognized with respect to presence or absence of lateral teeth. One is the well-developed gastric mill of Thsanoessa gregaria, T. inermis, T. macrura and Pseudeuphausia sinica; the other is the gastric mill without lateral teeth of Nematoscelis atlantica, N. difficilis, N. megalops, Nematobrachion flexipes, N. sexspinosum, Stylocheiron abbreviatum, and S. carinatum. This supports the close relationships of the four species of both genera, Thysanoessa and Pseudeuphausia on the one hand and seven species belonging to Nematobrachion, Nematoscelis, and Stylocheiron on the other hand. The hypothesis that species in the same genus have similar gastric mill morphology, which was once rejected in the genus Thysanopoda, is accepted in all five genera examined here. Functional morphology of euphausiid foreguts is discussed.     

Evolution and biogeography of the genus Tarentola (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the Canary Islands,inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

Sequences from fragments of the 12S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b mitochondrial genes were used to analyze phylogenetic relationships among geckos of genus Tarentola from the Canary Islands. A surprisingly high level of within island differentiation was found in T. delalandii in Tenerife and T. boettgeri in Gran Canaria. Molecular differentiation between populations of T. angustimentalis on Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and between Moroccan and Iberian Peninsula T. mauritanica, also indicate that at least two subspecies should be recognized within each of them. Phylogenetic relationships among these species reveals a higher level of differentiation and a more complex colonization pattern than those found for the endemic genus Gallotia. Lack of evidence for the presence of T. boettgeri bischoffi on the island of Madeira does not seem to support the origin of T. delalandii, T. gomerensis and the canarian subspecies of T. boettgeri from this island, whereas molecular data confirms that T. angustimentalis is a sister species of the continental T. mauritanica. Several independent colonization events from the continent and the extinction of some species are probably responsible for the current distribution of Tarentola in the Canary Islands.