Cthulhu Macrofasciculumque n. g., n. sp. and Cthylla Microfasciculumque n. g., n. sp., a Newly Identified Lineage of Parabasalian Termite Symbionts

The parabasalian symbionts of lower termite hindgut communities are well-known for their large size and structural complexity. The most complex forms evolved multiple times independently from smaller and simpler flagellates, but we know little of the diversity of these small flagellates or their phylogenetic relationships to more complex lineages. To understand the true diversity of Parabasalia and how their unique cellular complexity arose, more data from smaller and simpler flagellates are needed. Here, we describe two new genera of small-to-intermediate size and complexity, represented by the type species Cthulhu macrofasciculumque and Cthylla microfasciculumque from Prorhinotermes simplex and Reticulitermes virginicus, respectively (both hosts confirmed by DNA barcoding). Both genera have a single anterior nucleus embeded in a robust protruding axostyle, and an anterior bundle flagella (and likely a single posterior flagellum) that emerge slightly subanteriorly and have a distinctive beat pattern. Cthulhu is relatively large and has a distinctive bundle of over 20 flagella whereas Cthylla is smaller, has only 5 anterior flagella and closely resembles several other parababsalian genera. Molecular phylogenies based on small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) show both genera are related to previously unidentified environmental sequences from other termites (possibly from members of the Tricercomitidae), which all branch as sisters to the Hexamastigitae. Altogether, Cthulhu likely represents another independent origin of relatively high cellular complexity within parabasalia, and points to the need for molecular characterization of other key taxa, such as Tricercomitus.     

Proleptonchoides southindiae n. gen., n. sp., a New Leptonchoid from South India

Proleptonchoides southindiae n. gen., n. sp. (Dorylaimida: Leptonchidae), is described from soil around false tobacco (Lobelia excelsa) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomurn) in South India. P. southindiae is prodelphic, has a short constricted esophageal bulb and flanged odontophore, and is phylogenetically close to Proleptonchus.     

Thiomicrospira pelophila,gen. n., sp. n., a new obligately chemolithotrophic colourless sulfur bacterium

From marine mud flats a very thin, comma- or spiral-shaped bacterium was isolated. The new organism was an obligately chemolithotrophic sulfur bacterium. Its physiology was found to be essentially similar to that ofThiobacillus thioparus. Because of the spirillum-like appearance it was proposed to classify this bacterium into a new genusThiomicrospira, with the species nameTms. pelophila. Tms. pelophila and a marineT. thioparus, which was isolated from the same mud, occupy different niches in this habitat.Tms. pelophila has a remarkable sulfide-tolerance as compared withT. thioparus. This property could be used for the specific enrichment ofTms. pelophila. The organism was also readily isolated in pure culture by filtering mud suspensions through a 0.22 Μm membrane filter.     

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gen., n. sp., from Australia (Nematoda:Tylenchorhynchinae)

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gem, n. sp. is described and illustrated from soil around Rhagodia sp. in Australia. It can be distinguished from the most closely related genus Tylenchorhynchus Cobb, 1913 by the distinctly set-off, rounded, lip region with a conspicuous labial disc, and long thin stylet. The face view and spicules of Sauertylenchus labiodiscus are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. The subfamilies Tylenchorhynchinae and Merlininae ale discussed.     

Chamaesiphonosira cymbellicola n.gen., n.sp., ein knospenbildendes Bakterium,und sein spezialisierter Epiphytismus

The organism shows long-conical, colourless cells of bacterial size, affixed with the broader basis and cutting off buds from the free apex in numbers as high as 30, which form a chain and later separate. Multiplication is entirely by budding. Some resemblance to Cyanophycean cells, in particular to the exosporangia of Chamaesiphon, seems to be cytologically not verified. The organism grows exclusively on living cells of the diatom Cymbella cesati, and is fixed to them principally on the edges of the valvae. In spite of the presence of many other similar diatom species, the organism represents a remarkable case of extremely specialized epiphytism. There are no signs of damage of the “host” cell, in cell division the epiphyte is taken over by the epithecae of the daughter cells. Systematically the species because of practical reasons can be included into the Caulobacterales sensu Henrici and Johnson (1935). A second species, obviously belonging in here, is represented by Chamaesiphon hyalinus Scherffel (1907).     

Norigondolella n. gen., eine neue obertriassische Conodontengattung

The development of the genus concept for platform-bearing gondolellid conodonts is discussed. The collective genusNeogondolella Bender & Stoppel s. l. must be subdivided into several genera separated mostly by morphological differences of their platform elements. Only for these genera, but not forNeogondolella s. l., differential diagnoses againstGondolella Stauffer & Plummer s. l. can be given.Norigondolella n. gen., species of which were formerly placed intoParagondolella Mosher s. l.,Gondolella Stauffer & Plummer s. l. orNeogondolella Bender & Stoppel s. l., is a typical gondolellid platform conodont genus of topmost Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) pelagic sediments. It has evolved from Carnian representatives ofParagondolella, but the lower surface of the platform element shows considerable similarities (homoeomorphy) to the Middle Carboniferous to Middle Permian genusMesogondolella Kozur.     

Basipodella harpacticola n.gen., n. sp. (Crustacea,Copepoda)

Several stages of the copepodBasipodella harpacticola n. gen., n. sp., which lives as a parasite on harpacticoid copepods, are described on the basis of four individuals obtained from the Peruvian deep-sea. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed.     

Grellamoeba robusta gen. n., sp. n., a possible member of the family Acramoebidae Smirnov,Nassonova et Cavalier-Smith, 2008

A strain of naked amoeba isolated from pikeperch (Sander lucioperca (L.)) kidney tissue has been characterized using light- and transmission electron microscopy. Sequencing of SSU rDNA and phylogenetic analysis based on a broad dataset of sequences completed our study. All data obtained suggest that this strain belongs to a species that has not been described before. As none of the existing genera of amoebae is applicable to this organism, the new genus Grellamoeba is established and the type species Grellamoeba robusta is described. Although the phylogenetic position of the SSU rDNA sequence of the type strain of G. robusta is sensitive to the method of analysis applied, a tendency to group with Acramoeba dendroida Smirnov, Nassonova et Cavalier-Smith, 2008 is evident.     

A New Ataloderinae (Nematoda: Heteroderidae), Thecavermiculatus gracililancea n. gen., n. sp.

Thecavermiculatus gracililancea n. gen., n . sp. is described from the roots of Festuca myuros L. ("rattail fescue") a range grass in Monterey County, California. Thecavermiculatus females have a slight terminal prominence on which are located the vulva and anus, while its closest relatives, Atalodera and Sherodera, have a large terminal prominence. Furthermore, in T. gracililancea the hatched second-stage juveniles are retained in the female body while Atalodera and Sherodera females retain embryonated eggs.     

Pterotylenchus cecidogenus n. gen., n. sp., a New Stem-gall Nematode Parasitizing Desmodium ovalifolium in Colombia

Pterotylenchus cecidogenus n. gen., n. sp. from stem-galls of Desmodium ovalifolium Wall. in Colombia is described and illustrated. The new genus belongs to Anguinidae and is related to Orrina Brzeski, 1980 but is unique in having large vulval flaps. P. cecidogenus has females with body 0.59-0.8 mm long, stylet 9-11 μm long, no median oesophageal bulb, a crustaformeria of 32-36 cells, a short post-vulval uterine sac, and a conical pointed tail.     

Studies on Porochlamydia buthi g. n., sp. n., an intracellular pathogen of the scorpion Buthus occitanus

An endemic disease caused by an intracellular microorganism related to the Chlamydiales, Porochlamydia buthi g. n., sp. n., exists in populations of the scorpion Buthus occitanus of Languedoc in southern France. The pathogen's developmental cycle occurs in the hepatopancreatic cells and progressively brings about the destruction of this organ. The microorganism is spread mostly through dejecta which contain the infectious forms during nearly the entire period of illness.     

Truyolsodontos estauni n. gen., n. sp., Truyolsodontidae,a new family of lamniform sharks from the Cenomanian of northern Spain

Truyolsodontos estauni n. gen., n. sp. is described based on fossil teeth from the middle and upper Cenomanian of northern Spain. The species Protoscyliorhinus magnusLandemaine, 1991 is withdrawn from the genus Protoscyliorhinus and placed in this new one. For the new genus, the new family Truyolsodontidae is proposed.     

Description of Paktylenchus tuberosus gen. n., sp. n. (Nematoda: Tylenchinae)

Paktylenchus tuberosus gen.n., sp.n. is described and illustrated from soil around Solanum tuberosum from Kaghan Valley, Pakistan. Paktylenchus gen.n, can be distinguished from the most closely related genus, Agelenchus Andrassy, 1954, by the distinct longitudinal striae, three incisures in the lateral field, and absence of males. Paktylenchus tuberosus shows affinities to Coslenchus Siddiqi, 1978 but differs in having an oblique vagina-to-body axis and a prominent sunken vulva with vulval flaps. Four genera of the subfamily Tylenchinae are also discussed herein.     

Molaetherium heissigi n. gen., n. sp., an unusual mammal from the Early Oligocene of Germany (Mammalia: Palaeanodonta)

A new genus and species of epoicotheriid,Molaetherium heissigi, is described from the Early Oligocene of Grafenmühle 22, near Pappenheim, Bavaria. It is a tiny, highly fossorial form, closely related to the North American genusEpoicotherium. Asia is considered the center of origin of the suborder Palaeanodonta; from there it dispersed to North America and Europe.     

Antaretylus humus n. gen., n. sp. from the Subantarctic (Nematoda: Tylenchoidea)

Antarctylus humus n. gen., n. sp. from peat soil in the subantarctic is proposed. It can be distinguished from the most closely related genus Helicotylenchus by the arrangement of the esophageal glands, the broadly rounded lip region, and the tapering pointed tail in the female.     

Tylenchocriconema alleni n. g., n. sp. from Guatemala (Tylenchocriconematidae n. fam.; Tylenchocriconematidae n. superfam.; Nematoda)

Tylenchocriconema alleni n.g.n.sp, is described from soil about roots of a bromeliad from Guatemala City, Guatemala. It has characteristics of both the Tylenchoidea and Criconematoidea. Tylenchocriconematidae, n. fam., and Tylenchocriconematoidea, n. superfam., are proposed to express the relationship of this species to other taxa. Tylenchulidae and Paratylenchidae are considered closely related, and Tylenchulidoidea, n. rank, is proposed to indicate their relationship.     

Pseudomonas creosotenesis sp. n., a Creosote-tolerant Marine Bacterium

In a study of the marine biological environment in which creosoted pilings are located, a previously unreported species of bacteria was isolated. This species was detected on creosoted piling from 11 widely differing locations and was the predominant species of bacteria found on these piling. The new organism was identified as a gram-negative rod belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and has been named Pseudomonas creosotensis. It has been completely described by the standard morphological and biochemical tests.     

The subfamily Encotyllabinae (Monogenea: Capsalidae) with the description of Alloencotyllabe caranxi n. g., n. sp. and Encotyllabe kuwaitensis n. sp.

Alloencotyllabe caranxi n. g., n. sp. is found in groups of 9–15 specimens attached close together to the lower pharyngeal plate of Caranx sp. It is characterized by having an elongate body, a prohaptor with large spines, an armed penis which lies in a pouch and a vaginal pouch guarded by two sets of glands. Encotyllabe kuwaitensis n. sp. is attached individually to the lower pharyngeal plate of Caranx sp. It is characterized by having an elongate body and tandem testes. E. spari is reported from the lower pharyngeal tooth plate of Plectorhynchus cinctus, P. pictus and P. schotaf. All fish hosts were caught in Kuwaiti waters in the Arabian Gulf. The subfamily Encotyllabinae is reviewed and the genus Neoencotyllabe is regarded as a genus inquirendum. The new genus is attached to the subfamily Encotyllabinae.     

Pararotylenchus n. gen. (Pararotylenchinae n. subfam., Hoplolaimidae) with Six New Species and Two New Combinations

A new subfamily, Pararotylenchinae, (Hoplolaimidae) is described. It includes a single genus, Pararotylenchus n. gen., six new species, attd two new combinations, Pararotylenchus (syn. Tylenchorhynchus) brevicaudatus (Hopper, 1959) n. comb. and Pararotylenchus (syn. Rotylenchus) pint (Mamiya, 1968) n. comb. Pararotylenchinae is similar to certain other Hoplolaimidae, such as Rotylenchinae, with respect to most characters including the short tail, the position of the phasmids near the anus, and the relatively great distance of the dorsal gland orifice from the base of the stylet knobs. The lip region, as observed with the scanning electron microscope, conforms to the basic pattern for Hoplolaimidae. The labial disc is round with slit-like amphidial openings at the lateral sides of the periphery of the disc. The distinctive anterior-most lip annule is segmented into six sectors. Unlike other Hoplolaimidae, however, the esophageal glands of Pararotylenchinae form a basal bulb similar to that of Tylenchorhynchidae; other characters do not resemble Tylencborhynchidae. Specimens of Pararotylenchus have been recovered only from cool regions at high elevations and Pacific coastal areas in the Western United States, Japan, and Korea.