Molecular taxonomy and naming of five cryptic species of Alviniconcha snails (Gastropoda: Abyssochrysoidea) from hydrothermal vents

Large symbiont-hosting snails of the genus Alviniconcha (Gastropoda: Abyssochrysidae) are among the dominant inhabitants of hydrothermal vents in the Western Pacific and Indian oceans. The genus was originally described as monotypic, but unique DNA sequences for mitochondrial genes revealed six distinct evolutionary lineages that we could not distinguish based on external morphology. Subsumed under the name Alviniconcha hessleri Okutani & Ohta, the distinct allopatric and sympatric lineages have been assigned placeholder epithets that complicate scientific communications. Based on the present multi-gene sequence data, we hereby describe five Alviniconcha species (in the order of their discovery) – A. kojimai sp. nov., A. boucheti sp. nov., A. marisindica sp. nov., A. strummeri sp. nov. and A. adamantis sp. nov. Thus, we restrict application of the name A. hessleri to specimens that are genetically similar (≥95% for COI) to those found at localities in the Mariana Trough. Single distinct Alviniconcha species inhabit vent fields along the Central Indian Ridge, the Mariana volcanic arc, and the Mariana back-arc basin, whereas vents in the Manus, Fiji and Lau back-arc basins may host two or three additional species. Formal recognition of these species facilitates future attempts to assess their physiological differences and symbiont associations. Furthermore, their reported distributions have significant biogeographic implications, affecting estimates of the diversity within and overlap among Indo-Pacific vent localities.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1E4B2E71-9F1D-479E-9A9A-22A9E303AAE5     

Polychaete meets octopus: symbiotic relationship between Spathochaeta octopodis gen. et sp. nov. (Annelida: Chrysopetalidae) and Octopus sp. (Mollusca: Octopodidae)

Marine annelids in the subfamily Calamyzinae (family Chrysopetalidae) are either symbiotic or free-living forms that have been mainly reported from deep-sea chemosynthetic systems. Symbiotic calamyzines mainly live in the mantle cavity of bivalves in hydrothermal vents or cold seeps, but one species is also found to be inserted into the epidermis of polychaetes. We found a single specimen of calamyzine polychaete on the body surface of Octopus sp. collected in the Sea of Kumano (Japan), which represents the first known record of symbiotic association between polychaetes and octopuses. We described the specimen as Spathochaeta octopodis gen. et sp. nov. Spathochaeta gen. nov. can be discriminated from other genera in Calamyzinae by the presence of spatula-shaped notochaetae and dorsal chaetal lobes. We also provided the phylogenetic position of S. octopodis gen. et sp. nov. within Chrysopetalidae based on four gene markers (COI, 16S, 18S, H3). www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A8FB15C1-31A7-4487-966B-13F10E19A373.     

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of two new species of Spirostrombidium (Ciliophora,Oligotrichia), with a key to the species of Spirostrombidium

Microscopic methods were used to investigate the morphological characterization of two novel oligotrich ciliates, Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. and Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov., isolated from a mangrove wetland in Zhanjiang and an intertidal sandy beach in Qingdao, respectively. Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. is characterized by three thigmotactic and 8–10 buccal membranelles, the girdle kinety spiralling around cell with one and a half whorls, and located at right anterior third of dorsal side anteriorly. Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov. can be recognized by a prominently deep and broad buccal cavity, two thigmotactic and 15–19 buccal membranelles, and the girdle kinety spiralling around cell with two whorls. The small subunit ribosomal RNA genes of these two species were sequenced and compared with those of their congeners to reveal nucleotide differences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the genus Spirostrombidium is non-monophyletic. Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov. falls into a clade comprising most congeners, but Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. branches off and groups with Varistrombidium kielum with moderate support. A key to the identification of Spirostrombidium species is also provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AB96BEE6-BE3A-4B95-B75A-3469B1C53ABB2     

Skates and rays (Elasmobranchii,Batomorphii) from the Eocene La Meseta and Submeseta formations,Seymour Island,Antarctica

Abstract

Eocene deposits of the famous La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula, yielded the most diverse Paleogene fossil elasmobranch association of the Southern Hemisphere. In this assemblage, sharks clearly dominate the fauna, whereas batoids are very rare components. Herein, we describe two new taxa of cold water tolerant skates, Marambioraja leiostemma gen. et sp. nov., and Mesetaraja maleficapelli gen. et sp. nov., two new species of the genus Raja, Raja amphitrita sp. nov. and Raja manitaria sp. nov., as well as remains of warm water adapted myliobatiforms. It is, however, not possible to unambiguously assign these remains either to Myliobatidae or Rhinopteridae, or to any specific genus. Previously reported remains of Raja/Bathyraja sp. are assigned to the new described species Raja manitaria sp. nov. The biogeographic distribution of extant and extinct rays and skates clearly shows that both groups are more widely distributed today than in the past, and additionally seem to have been more diverse in the Northern than the Southern Hemisphere. The occurrence, albeit rare of isolated teeth of skates (Rajidae) and rays (Myliobatidae) in the La Meseta Formation representes a minimum age constraint for their first appearance in the Southern Ocean.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E507D86C-FFEC-4047-A337-AE77606BB1A6     

Otostephanos (Rotifera,Bdelloidea, Habrotrochidae) with the description of two new species

Abstract

We present a morphological feature-based key for the genus Otostephanos and describe two new species, O. jolantae sp. nov. and O. ukrainicus sp. nov. For O. jolantae sp. nov. we analysed the intraspecific morphological variability and provided the barcodes of mtCOX1 mitochondrial gene. Further, we developed a method to standardize measurements for the Philodina type of corona and trophi measurements of bdelloids. Otostephanos jolantae sp. nov. is a large rotifer with a smooth cuticle and bright red-orange gut; it can be distinguished from the known species by a high triangular upper lip with a tongue-like tip not divided into lobes, spade-shaped swollen rump, and 6/6 dental formula. It is found in Sphagnum collected in Poland, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. Otostephanos ukrainicus sp. nov. has a long body covered with coarse-grained cuticle on the last two neck segments, trunk and rump; it is distinguished by long narrow head and neck, saccular-like swollen trunk, spade-like rump, and a tiny foot. Unlike the other species of this genus, it has band-like upper lip with two narrow, sharp protrusions separated by an interspace, unusually small spurs and trophi with 5/5 major teeth. Thus far, it is only found in Ukraine, in pine and oak forest litter. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9FC484E3-67F5-43A9-8478-A7BE14FBE5E33     

New Zealand ground wētā (Anostostomatidae: Hemiandrus): descriptions of two species with notes on their biology

Abstract

Although the New Zealand ground wētā (Anostostomatidae: Hemiandrus) are widespread and abundant, little has been described of their ecology and behaviour. Within the genus several lineages have evolved with ovipositors that are unusually short for this orthopteran family. Some species with this derived morphological character also exhibit maternal care of eggs and offspring. Two new species are described here, Hemiandrus maia sp. nov. and Hemiandrus electra sp. nov. Although morphologically similar with medium length ovipositors, they are not sister taxa and live at opposite ends of South Island, New Zealand. The behaviour of Hemiandrus maia sp. nov. was studied using burrow door re-construction as a key to activity patterns. Observations at night and burrow excavation during the day were used to identify features of their behaviour. Maternal care of both eggs and nymphs was observed. Hemiandrus maia sp. nov. were shown to eat fruit, invertebrates and seeds without discrimination.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1C7EB0D2-D01B-4D3A-B643-D17813EC2084     

On the genus Sunius Curtis, 1829 of Turkey III. Four new species from western Anatolia,Turkey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

Four new micropterous species of the genus Sunius Curtis, 1829 are described and illustrated from western Anatolia: Sunius akdaghensis sp. n. from Kütahya province, Sunius ciceki sp. n. from Bal?kesir province, Sunius ozgeni sp. n. and Sunius cagatayi sp. n. from Denizli province. Additional records are presented for three species. The genus Sunius is now represented in Turkey by 36 species.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F3808D28-65E9-4619-A350-781C971701EC     

A new species of Tetartopeus Czwalina, 1888 from Turkey,and some additional records from the West Palaearctic region (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

Tetartopeus frischi sp. n. from the U?ak Province in western Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. Additional records of ten species of Tetartopeus are reported from the West Palaearctic region, among them several new country records. An updated key to the Turkish species of Tetartopeus is presented.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B832717-E48D-444A-9E1A-2946DA1BCA68     

Diversity of the cyrtophorid genus Chlamydodon (Protista,Ciliophora): its systematics and geographic distribution,with taxonomic descriptions of three species

The ciliate genus Chlamydodon is characterized by a unique cross-striated band (CSB) along the cell perimeter. To date, more than 15 nominal species have been assigned to this genus, all of which are exclusively from marine or brackish water. In the present work, we have revised the genus according to the available data and suggest an illustrated key to aid species diagnosis. In addition, the systematic relationships of chlamydodontid congeners were analysed based on SSU rRNA gene sequences, indicating that all congeners belong to a well-defined clade. Furthermore, we investigated three species from coastal areas of China, including two new species, Chlamydodon wilberti sp. nov. and C. bourlandi sp. nov., using morphological and phylogenetic criteria. Chlamydodon wilberti sp. nov. is characterized by a cell size of 65–105 × 35–60 µm, a complete CSB, and 38–49 somatic kineties. Chlamydodon bourlandi sp. nov. has a cell size of 150–250 × 65–150 µm, a complete CSB, a reddish to violet cell colour, 83–97 somatic kineties, and 40–68 contractile vacuoles. As a further contribution, a well-studied species, C. triquetrus (Müller, 1786) Kahl, 1931, is also re-described.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B83A5466-9D2B-4502-9A23-F16A61D48172.     

A new genus of schizomids (Arachnida: Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) from Mexico,with notes on its systematics

During the systematic revision of Mayazomus, the third most diverse genus of micro whip-scorpions in North America, we found three species with peculiar morphological variation, which are different from those diagnostic characters for Mayazomus. These species share with Mayazomus the large body size and the unusual development of the male pedipalps; however, these three species share the shape of the female spermathecae with Stenochrus rather than with Mayazomus. Therefore, their phylogenetic placements create a dilemma. Here we perform analyses with morphological evidence, using two different methodologies (Parsimony and Bayesian inference) in order to hypothesize the phylogenetic relationships of the three species mentioned with each other and with respect to other North American and/or Central American genera. The results confirm our initial hypothesis that the species belong to a different genus, Olmeca gen. nov., which is recovered as the sister group of all hubbardiine genera included in these analyses, except for the genus Hubbardia. The results also indicate that despite sharing some morphological similarities, it is distantly related with Mayazomus. Three species are described herein: Olmeca brujo sp. nov., Olmeca cruzlopezi sp. nov., and Olmeca santibanezi sp. nov. Additionally, we provide a hypothesis of the relationships and biogeography of Olmeca gen. nov. with other genera.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F64CE801-7D82-4827-A5B9-0C0B41F58043     

Description of Megastygarctides sezginii sp. nov. (Tardigrada: Arthrotardigrada: Stygarctidae) from the Turkish Black Sea coast and a key to the genus Megastygarctides

In this paper, Megastygarctides sezginii sp. nov., a new marine species from the Black Sea (Turkey), is described. Morphological and morphometric studies have revealed that M. sezginii sp. nov. is most similar to M. setoloso Morgan & O’Reilly, 1988, but differs from it through the presence of two types of fibrils, a lack of cuticle granulation, the presence of three lateral projections with fibrils, leg fibrils arranged in transverse stripes and the presence of clumps of fibrils near the clavae. In the studied environment, the new species is frequently found in summer and almost absent in winter. Additionally, a taxonomic key for all Megastygarctides species is presented.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53AA1D57-8700-4A18-9099-1CDDBAEB4D3A     

Two new species of Torymidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) reared from flower heads of Echinops orientalis Trautvetter in south-eastern Turkey

Two new species of torymids, Pseudotorymus hasanberkayi sp. n. and Microdontomerus kahramanmarasensis sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), were reared from flower heads of Echinops orientalis Trautvetter (Asteraceae) collected in Kahramanmara? province, south-eastern Turkey. The new species are described and their diagnostic characters are illustrated.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:848B4E9D-AE8A-4EF8-8072-1F28BE21ADA1     

Paramacrobiotus lachowskae,a new species of Tardigrada from Colombia (Eutardigrada: Parachela: Macrobiotidae)

In this article we describe a new Paramacrobiotus species of the areolatus group by means of integrative taxonomy. Together with the detailed morphological and morphometric data (obtained from light and scanning electron microscopy) we also provide DNA sequences of four universal molecular markers used in tardigrade taxonomy (three nDNA fragments: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-2, and one mtDNA fragment: COI). The animals of Paramacrobiotus lachowskae sp. nov. are similar to several species of the areolatus complex and the eggshell ornamentation is similar to that of two species of the richtersi group. Therefore, the new species can be easily distinguished from the areolatus group species by egg morphology (dome-like, wrinkled processes with long flexible spines/filaments covered by fine short hairs) and from species of the richtersi complex by the absence of the microplacoid. Paramacrobiotus lachowskae sp. nov. is the 43rd species reported from Colombia and fifth Paramacrobiotus species from this South American country.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FEDC11D3-DCCF-4699-A704-CE6DEA1CDED4     

New species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera,Dilaridae) from the Hengduan Mountains,southwestern China

The genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera, Dilaridae) is the most species-rich genus of the family Dilaridae and is diverse in China, previously with 32 described species. Here we report two new species of Dilar from the southern part of the Hengduan Mountains, Sichuan, southwestern China, namely Dilar muliensis sp. nov. and Dilar punctulosus sp. nov. A revised key to species of Dilar from China is provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:27EC214B-6587-4E38-BDAC-295F7389ABF3.     

A new species of plume moth (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) from Jordan

The species Hellinsia jordanica Ustjuzhanin & Kovtunovich sp. n. is newly described from Jordan.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EED698C9-1943-41BC-A503-13A2128A62C5     

A surprisingly derived hydrometrid (Hemiptera,Gerromorpha) from the Crato Formation,Early Cretaceous of Brazil

In the present paper, we review the fossil record of the Hydrometridae (Hemiptera, Gerromorpha) and present a new species from the Early Cretaceous Crato Formation of Northeastern Brazil, Christometra paradoxa gen. et sp. nov. This species is based on a new specimen (a female), as well as a previously figured one (a male), providing a rare case of preservation of sexually dimorphic features in the fossil record. This is the third species coming from this deposit, which is Aptian-Albian in age and the oldest deposit to have yielded hydrometrids so far. Only five other Mesozoic species are known, being slightly younger in age (Cenomanian). So far, phylogenetic analyses have recovered Cretaceous hydrometrids as basal relative to Cenozoic genera but, Christometra paradoxa exhibits several advanced characteristics that unite it in a clade together with the extant genera Hydrometra and Bacillometroides, in a more derived position than any previously known fossil hydrometrid.

The present publication is registered in the Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (Zoobank), under the registration number http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3CFA88AB-3CBC-4CCC-8196-698ECC863947. The registration number for the nomenclatural act of the genus is http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:84744426-1259-4864-8E3F-E43E0DAB2021, and that of the species is http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:23700AB2-F7AD-4F50-A5E7-CB28868079B2.     

The Neotropical Genus Notodiaptomus Kiefer, 1936 (Calanoida: Diaptomidae): Redescription of the Type Species Notodiaptomus deitersi (Poppe, 1891) and Designation of a Neotype

Ribautia williamsi sp. nov., a new dwarf geophilomorph centipede from the Lower Urubamba Region, Peruvian Amazonia, is described and illustrated based on the holotype female. The new species is characterized by having the coxal organs grouped in clusters (three of these in each coxopleuron of the ultimate leg-bearing segment) and ventral pore-fields present along all the body; these two combined traits being shared by five other Neotropical species currently included in the genus Ribautia Brölemann, 1909, i.e. R. centralis (Silvestri, 1907) (from Colombia and Brazil), R. difficilis Pereira, Minelli &; Barbieri, 1995 (from Brazil), R. montana Kraus, 1954 (from Peru), R. peruana (Verhoeff, 1941) (from Peru), and R. titicacae (Turk, 1955) (from Peru). The new taxon is differentiated from the aforementioned species by the low number of leg-bearing segments and small body length; it is included in a key which will enable the identification of all known Neotropical members having coxal organs grouped in clusters. R. williamsi sp. nov. is the 14th species of Ribautia recorded from Peru.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D9FA5FAF-7652-4A5B-AC09-8783F05A694D     

A new species of the genus Vulda Jacquelin du Val from Turkey (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Xantholinini)

Vulda assingi sp. n. from Bozda?lar, Manisa province, western Anatolia, is de-scribed, illustrated and distinguished from congeners recorded from Turkey. Additional records are reported for two species. A total of six species is now known from Turkey.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B3E6C251-50D4-4985-9655-2EAC57869F18