Two New Species of Pristionchus (Rhabditida: Diplogastridae): P. fissidentatus n. sp. from Nepal and La Réunion Island and P. elegans n. sp. from Japan

Pristionchus fissidentatus n. sp., isolated from soil in Nepal, and P. elegans n. sp., isolated from Phelotrupes auratus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Japan, are described. The two new species are recognized as basal within the genus and thus occupy an important position for macroevolutionary studies that center on the model P. pacificus. Pristionchus fissidentatus n. sp. is distinguished by its unique stegostomatal morphology: in the stenostomatous form, the right subventral ridge has three prominent cusps and the left subventral sector has, in addition to a plate with two cusps, a prominent denticle slightly left of ventral; in the eurystomatous form, the right subventral stegostomatal sector shows both a tooth and a ridge with several cusps. Diagnostic of P. elegans n. sp. is the structure of the stenostomatous cheilostom, which bulges medially and is underlain by a large vacuolated ring. No eurystomatous form has been observed in P. elegans n. sp. Reproductive modes of P. fissidentatus n. sp. and P. elegans n. sp. are hermaphroditic and gonochoristic, respectively. The additional isolation of P. fissidentatus n. sp. from soil and two species of scarab beetle on La Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean suggests a broad geographic range for this species.     

Three New Species of Nothacrobeles (Nemata: Cephalobidae) from the Mojave Desert, California

Three new species of Nothacrobeles are described from localities in the Mojave Desert, southern California. Nothacrobeles triniglarus n. sp. is characterized by the presence of a long post-vulval sac and three tubular adoral projections. Both N. spatulatus n. sp. and N. nanocorpus n. sp. are smaller than any other known species within the genus. Nothacrobeles spatulatus n. sp. has labial probolae that are short and spatulate without a basal ridge, whereas those of N. nanocorpus n. sp. are flattened and plate-like. Furthermore, N. nanocorpus n. sp. is unique by its extremely short esophageal corpus (less than 25 µm long in adult females) and the small size of its guard processes. An emended diagnosis of the genus is given to accommodate distinctive characteristics of these new species. A table comparing the 11 valid species of Nothacrobeles is presented.     

Tubiluchus lemburgi,a new species of meiobenthic Priapulida

With seven described species Tubiluchus is the most species-rich genus among priapulids. We here describe a new species, Tubiluchus lemburgi sp. nov., from the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands). All Tubiluchus species are very similar morphologically, but show distinct differences in the genital region of males. The new species differs from any other described Tubiluchus in the presence of a clearly demarcated genital region bordered by a cuticular ridge, the shape of the genital openings and the distribution of cuticular structures.     

A new sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Ilek Formation,Western Siberia,Russia

Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., is described based on isolated but possibly associated cervical and dorsal vertebrae, sacrum, and previously published pedal elements from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian?) Ilek Formation at Shestakovo 1 locality (Kemerovo Province, Western Siberia, Russia). Some isolated sauropod teeth from the Shestakovo 1 locality are referred to the same taxon. The phylogenetic parsimony analyses place Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., as a non-titanosaurian somphospondyl titanosauriform. The new taxon exhibits four titanosauriform and one somphospondylan synapomorphies, and one autapomorphy – a hyposphene ridge that extends between the neural canal and the postzygapophyses. It differs from all other Somphospondyli by having only five sacral vertebrae. The new taxon shares with Euhelopus and Epachtosaurus sacral ribs that converge towards the middle of the sacrum in dorsal view. Sibirotitan astrosacralis nov. gen., nov. sp., is only the second sauropod taxon from Russia and one of the oldest titanosauriform described so far in Asia.     

Wood charcoal and seeds as indicators for animal husbandry in a wetland site during the late mesolithic�Cearly neolithic transition period (Swifterbant culture, ca. 4600�C4000 b.c.) in NW Belgium

Analysis of wood charcoal and seeds from ??Doel sector M??, a Swifterbant site (ca. 4600?C4000 b.c.) from NW Belgium, provides information on the environment, plant food subsistence, animal husbandry practices and seasonality of this wetland camp site during the mesolithic?Cneolithic transition period. The results of the analyses of both charcoal and seeds show that the site was located on the top of a sand ridge covered by an upper riverbank forest with Quercus sp., Tilia sp., Ulmus sp. and Fraxinus excelsior, and surrounded by Alnus woodland. Seeds and fruits of Quercus sp., Cornus sanguinea, Corylus avellana, Malus sylvestris and Prunus spinosa probably represent food plants. High numbers of Viscum album charcoal fragments and Hedera helix seeds suggest the use of these plants as leaf fodder, and thus animal husbandry at the site. In terms of seasonality, the use of both Viscum album and Hedera helix is a strong indication that these wetland campsites were occupied during winter/early spring.     

Carpenter moths (Lepidoptera,Cossidae) of the Altai Mountain Range

An annotated species list of carpenter moths (Lepidoptera, Cossidae) of the Altai Mountain Range is presented. It includes 26 species from 3 subfamilies. Two species are new to science: Semagystia tarbagataica Yakovlev, sp. n. and Dyspessa saissanica Yakovlev, sp. n. The former differs from the other species of the genus (except Semagystia enigma Yakovlev, 2007 from southeastern Turkey whose wing pattern is totally reduced) in the absence of wing pattern; a specific clavate shape of the process on the costal margin of valve is also its important diagnostic character. Dyspessa saissanica Yakovlev, sp. n. belongs to the well-revised Dyspessa salicicola (Eversmann, 1848) species group (Yakovlev, 2005); the closest species is D. salicicola, which also has elongate processes of the pectinate antennae and a weakly developed ridge on the costal marginof valve. The newly described species is different in having a poorly developed dark pattern on the forewings, very broad bases of the processes of the transtilla, a thinner base of the aedeagus, and thinner lateral processes of the juxta. In conclusion, the carpenter moth fauna of the Altai Mountains is briefly analyzed.     

A new genus and species of parasitic isopod (Isopoda: Bopyridae: Orbioninae) from Chinese waters, with a new locality and host record for Orbione halipori Nierstrasz & Brender à Brandis, 1923

Parasymmetrorbione bicauda n. g., n. sp. is described from Chinese waters infesting two species of Solenocera Lucas (Decapoda: Penaeoidea). The new genus differs from other orbionine genera by the following combination of features: a pronounced asymmetry of coxal and lateral plate development, biramous uropods, tuberculate lateral plates and a digitate internal ridge on oostegite 1. A key to the eight genera of the Orbioninae R. Codreanu, 1967 is presented. Orbione halipori Nierstrasz & Brender à Brandis, 1923 is also recorded from a new Chinese locality and a new host.     

A new plant with novel leaves from the Upper Devonian of Zhejiang Province,China

The evolution of vascular plants during the Devonian Period has had great impacts on terrestrial ecosystems through innovations of key characters such as leaves, heterospory, seed reproduction, and woods. Here we report a new plant, Qianshouia mira n. gen. n. sp., from the Upper Devonian Wutong (Wutung) Formation of Fanwan section, Changxing County, Zhejiang Province, China. This plant has slender axes which seldom branch. Its leaves are arranged in pseudowhorls, departing from axes with an acute angle. The leaves are strap-shaped and each can be subdivided into proximal, middle and distal portions. At the proximal portion, a middle ridge develops, and at the middle portion this ridge divides at least three times forming four to six daughter ridges, and in between are grooves. The distal portion of leaves (leaf apex) is suggested to be adaxially curved, with no ridges but with forked tips. Qianshouia probably represents a small plant with a shrubby or herbaceous habit. Due to the unique leaf morphology and the lack of fertile structures and anatomy, the exact phylogenetic position of Qianshouia is uncertain. Qianshouia might be a lycopsid in light of the pseudowhorled phyllotaxis, or alternatively, could be a sphenopsid if the dichotomous ridge system of the leaf could be demonstrated to be leaf veins. Nevertheless, Qianshouia adds to the diversity of leaf morphologies among the Late Devonian vascular plants.     

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae), from the gills of Himantura walga (Dasyatidae) off Sarawak, Borneo

Septesinus gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Monocotylidae: Heterocotylinae) is described from the gills of the dwarf whipray Himantura walga (Müller & Henle) collected in marine waters off Sarawak (Borneo), Malaysia. Septesinus n. g. is distinguished from other genera in the Monocotylidae by a combination of characters, including a haptor with one central and seven peripheral loculi, the presence of a highly sinuous ridge surmounting all haptoral septa, four rounded accessory structures on the dorsal surface of the haptor, and the anterior region with two pairs of anteromedian and three pairs of anterolateral gland-duct openings. Septesinus n. g. is accommodated in the Heterocotylinae. Septesinus gibsoni n. sp. is described and fully illustrated, and a key to the genera of Heterocotylinae is provided. The composition of the ridges surrounding the mouth of a number of heterocotyline species and their usefulness as a taxonomic character are examined. The identity of four specimens of Monocotyle Taschenberg, 1878, also recovered from the gills of this host species, is discussed.     

Three new species of the genus Ripipteryx from Colombia (Orthoptera,Ripipterygidae)

Three new species of Ripipteryx Newman (Orthoptera: Tridactyloidea: Ripipterygidae) are described from Colombia; namely Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. (Forceps Group) and Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. (Marginipennis Group) from Parque Nacional Natural Cueva de los Guacharos in Huila, and Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. (Crassicornis Group) from Parque Nacional Natural Gorgona in Cauca. Ripipteryx diegoi sp. n. is characterized by the antennae black with white spots on flagellomeres 3–7, male subgenital plate with median ridge forming a bilobed setose process, epiproct produced laterally near its base and phallic complex with virga thickened distally and not reaching beyond the membrane. Ripipteryx guacharoensis sp. n. is characterized by the antennae thick with white spots present dorsally on flagellomeres 1–4 and 8, epiproct narrow and triangular, uncus reduced and lacking a distal hook, phallic complex with a concave ventral plate and a dorsal elevation in the middle extended to the virga, and the virga itself with two small projections basally. Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. is characterized by the epiproct with a lateral notch, antennae with a white dorsal spot on flagellomere 1 and flagellomeres 4–7 entirely white. The antennal color pattern of Ripipteryx gorgonaensis sp. n. strongly resembles that of Ripipteryx atra but differs from the latter in the absence of any significant morphological modification of the flagellomeres.     

Eifelian (Middle Devonian) species of Bipennatus from the Beiliu Formation at Nalai,South China

A conodont fauna from the uppermost part of the Beiliu Formation at the Nalai section (Guangxi, South China) is studied. Four species of Bipennatus Mawson are described, of which B. hemilevigatus n. sp. is differentiated by a short sulcus flanked by a smooth left margin and a nodose right margin, and B. planus n. sp. is characterized by a distinctly flat, smooth, and narrow platform in the middle part of the blade above the basal cavity. Another species in open nomenclature, Bipennatus? sp., is distinguished by an extremely primitive sulcus or a totally fused and adenticulate ridge above the basal cavity. This paper also reports occurrences of ‘Ozarkodina’? sp. B, Polygnathus nalaiensis n. sp., and P. costatus costatus Klapper. The conodont fauna situates the investigated samples in the lower Eifelian costatus Zone. Taking specimens of Bipennatus from the Hillesheimer Mulde and Bergischen Land (Germany) into consideration, the conodont material furnishes new data on the diversification and phylogeny of this genus. A taxonomic revision of Bipennatus is conducted, and this genus includes B. bipennatus (Bischoff and Ziegler), B. hemilevigatus, B. montensis (Weddige), B. planus, B. scalaris (Mawson), and B. mayri (Uyeno), the latter two are raised herein to species level. More importantly, the prominent diversification of Bipennatus in the costatus Zone cannot be interpreted by previously proposed hypotheses on the phylogeny of Bipennatus, which specifically focus on the development of a characteristic sulcus on the upper margin above the basal cavity. It is apparent that the ornamentation of the narrow or wide platform above the basal cavity is more complicated and variable than previously estimated, and that this genus needs further investigation, especially on the lowest occurrences of its assigned species.     

A New Sail-Backed Styracosternan (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Early Cretaceous of Morella,Spain

A new styracosternan ornithopod genus and species is here described based on a partial postcranial skeleton and an associated dentary tooth of a single specimen from the Arcillas de Morella Formation (Early Cretaceous, late Barremian) at the Morella locality, (Castellón, Spain). Morelladon beltrani gen. et sp. nov. is diagnosed by eight autapomorphic features. The set of autapomorphies includes: very elongated and vertical neural spines of the dorsal vertebrae, midline keel on ventral surface of the second to fourth sacral vertebrae restricted to the anterior half of the centrum, a posterodorsally inclined medial ridge on the postacetabular process of the ilium that meets its dorsal margin and distal end of the straight ischial shaft laterally expanded, among others. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the new Iberian form is more closely related to its synchronic and sympatric contemporary European taxa Iguanodon bernissartensis and Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis, known from Western Europe, than to other Early Cretaceous Iberian styracosternans (Delapparentia turolensis and Proa valdearinnoensis). The recognition of Morelladon beltrani gen. et sp. nov. indicates that the Iberian Peninsula was home to a highly diverse medium to large bodied styracosternan assemblage during the Early Cretaceous.     

Cyanobacteria inhabiting biological soil crusts of a polar desert: Sør Rondane Mountains,Antarctica

Molecular and morphological methods were applied to study cyanobacterial community composition in biological soil crusts (BSCs) from four areas (two nunataks and two ridges) in the Sør Rondane Mountains, Antarctica. The sampling sites serve as control areas for open top chambers (OTCs) that were put in place in 2010 at the time of sample collection and will be compared with BSC samples taken from the OTCs in the future. Cyanobacterial cell biovolume was estimated using epifluorescence microscopy, which revealed the dominance of filamentous cyanobacteria in all studied sites except the Utsteinen ridge, where unicellular cyanobacteria were the most abundant. Cyanobacterial diversity was studied by a combination of molecular fingerprinting methods based on the 16S rRNA gene (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 454 pyrosequencing) using cyanobacteria-specific primers. The number of DGGE sequences obtained per site was variable and, therefore, a high-throughput method was subsequently employed to improve the diversity coverage. Consistent with previous surveys in Antarctica, both methods showed that filamentous cyanobacteria, such as Leptolyngbya sp., Phormidium sp. and Microcoleus sp., were dominant in the studied sites.In addition, the studied localities differed in substrate type, climatic conditions and soil parameters, which probably resulted in differences in cyanobacterial community composition. Furthermore, the BSC growing on gneiss pebbles had lower cyanobacterial abundances than BSCs associated with granitic substrates.     

The Mecyclothorax beetles (Coleoptera,Carabidae, Moriomorphini) of Tahiti,Society Islands

The 101 species of Mecyclothorax Sharp known to inhabit Tahiti Island, French Polynesia are taxonomically revised, including 28 species that are newly described: Mecyclothorax claridgeiae sp. n., Mecyclothorax jeanyvesi sp. n., Mecyclothorax poria sp. n., Mecyclothorax aano sp. n., Mecyclothorax papau sp. n., Mecyclothorax manina sp. n., Mecyclothorax everardi sp. n., Mecyclothorax ramagei sp. n., Mecyclothorax pitohitiensis sp. n., Mecyclothorax curtisi sp. n., Mecyclothorax hoeahiti sp. n., Mecyclothorax ninamu sp. n., Mecyclothorax kokone sp. n., Mecyclothorax paahonu sp. n., Mecyclothorax kayballae sp. n., Mecyclothorax ehu sp. n., Mecyclothorax papuhiti sp. n., Mecyclothorax tuea sp. n., Mecyclothorax taatitore sp. n., Mecyclothorax konemata sp. n., Mecyclothorax arboricola sp. n., Mecyclothorax rahimata sp. n., M. oaoa sp. n., Mecyclothorax maninapopoti sp. n., Mecyclothorax hunapopoti sp. n., Mecyclothorax fefemata sp. n., Mecyclothorax maninamata sp. n., and Mecyclothorax niho sp. n. Mecyclothorax muriauxioides Perrault, 1984 is newly synonymized with Mecyclothorax muriauxi Perrault, 1978. Lectotypes are designated for: Thriscothorax altiusculus Britton, 1938; Thriscothorax bryobius Britton, 1938; Mecyclothorax globosus Britton, 1948: and Mecyclothorax sabulicola Britton, 1948. Dichotomous identification keys augmented by dorsal habitus and male aedeagal photographs are provided to the various species-groups and all included species. The spermatophore of Mecyclothorax papau sp. n. is described, with the ampulla and collar found to correspond dimensionally to the length of the internal sac flagellar plate. Variation among characters of the female reproductive tract is presented for all newly described plus other representative species comprising the radiation. Taxa are assigned to species groups, modified from the classification of G.G. Perrault, based on derived character states polarized using the Australian outgroup taxon Mecyclothorax punctipennis (MacLeay). Much of the species-level diversity on this small Pacific island is partitioned allopatrically over very small distributional ranges. No species is shared between Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, and nearly all species in Tahiti Nui are geographically restricted to one ridgelike massif of that volcano. Cladistically similar species are often distributed on different massifs suggesting that vicariance associated with erosional valley formation has facilitated speciation, however several instances in which sister species occupy sympatric distributions on the same ridge system demonstrate that speciation may also occur across extremely localized landscapes. Such localized differentiation is facilitated by the low vagility of these small-bodied, flightless predators whose fragmented populations can persist and diverge within spatially limited habitat patches. The intense philopatry of Tahitian Mecyclothorax spp. coupled with the highly dissected landscape has produced the geographically densest adaptive radiation on Earth. This radiation has occurred very rapidly, with species durations averaging 300,000 yr; a speciation rate similar to that observed in Hawaiian Oliarus planthoppers and Laupala crickets, and East African Rift lake cichlid fishes.     

Halacaridae (Acari) from Pujada Bay (the Philippines): description and biogeography of three new and two known species

Three new and two known Halacaridae species belonging to the genus Copidognathus collected among seagrass plants in Pujada Bay (Mindanao, the Philippines) are described. Copidognathus ivanomorsellii sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus gibbus' group and shows the main characteristics of the group but differs from known species as the two triangular porose areolae on AD are joined together, the typical shape of the lateral line of the costae of PD, the distance between the anterior gland pore on PD and the lateral margin of PD, tarsi III and IV with 4:4 dorsal setae, ventral seta on trochanter III almost as long as ventral seta of basifemur III, anterior end of AD with rosette pores, AE and GA only laterally fused but separated in the middle portion and elongated frontal spine (projection) on AD, lateral claws with very fine pecten ventrally. A zoogeographical distribution of the `C. gibbus' group is reported. Copidognathus pujadus sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus bairdi' group and is loosely related to C. sideus Bartsch, 1982, C. sidellus Bartsch, 1985 and C. euryalus Bartsch, 1997b. Differences were observed and are discussed. Copidognathus philippinensis sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus curassaviensis' group but differs from the four known species within the group by the elevated ridge below the middle two areolae on AD area which connects the two areolae. In addition, two known species i.e. Copidognathus uniscutatus Bartsch, 1984, C. faubeli Bartsch, 1986 were collected. The Halacaridae fauna recorded so far from the Philippines is summarised and discussed.     

Description of Meloidogyne pini n. sp., a Root-Knot Nematode Parasitic on Sand Pine (Pinus clausa), with Additional Notes on the Morphology of M. megatyla

Meloidogyne pini n. sp. is described from sand pine, Pinus clausa, in Georgia. The perineal pattern of the female has a large cuticular ridge surrounding a deeply recessed perivulval area. The lateral fields are marked by transverse striae. The female stylet is 14.6 μm long, and the knobs are small, rounded, and set off from the straight and narrow shaft. The excretory pore is near the level of the base of the stylet. The labial disc of the male is large, rounded, and fused with the crescent-shaped medial lips. The head region is smooth, the styler is 20.8 μm long, and the cone is more than twice as long as the shaft. The knobs are rounded and set off from the shaft. In the second-stage juvenile, the labial disc, medial lips, and lateral lips form one smooth, continuous, ovoid head cap. Mean juvenile length is 434 μm, stylet length is 12.8 μm, and tail length is 44.4 μm. M. pini n. sp. also parasitizes loblolly and slash pine. Additional morphological details of M. megatyla are presented.     

New species of pipefish (Syngnathidae) from the South China Sea

A new species, Festucalex armillatus sp. n., is described from the littoral zone of Hainan Island (China). The species differs from other species of the genus in a combination of the following characters: trunk rings 16–17 + 31–32, two prepectoral ridges present, lateral trunk ridge terminated on the third or fourth caudal ring, snout comparatively short and very deep, and a characteristic pattern composed of four wide dark bands on the head and numerous narrow transversal dark bands on a light background of the trunk.     

The first Strigocis Dury (Coleoptera, Ciidae) from the southern Neotropical region and a provisional key to world species

Strigocis vicosensis Lopes-Andrade, sp. n. is described based on specimens from a single locality (type locality: Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil), being the southernmost record of a Strigocis Dury species. Diagnostic to this new species are the dorsal vestiture consisting of stout yellowish bristles, pronotal punctures separated from each other by at least 0.75× puncture-width and sutural flange of elytra not diverging near apex. Males have both frontoclypeal ridge and anterior pronotal margin produced forward and emarginated at middle forming two small subtriangular plates, and a small abdominal sex patch. Among the New World Strigocis, it most resembles Strigocis bilimeki (Reitter), of which images of male terminalia, as far as ventral and dorsal SEM images of males are also provided. The morphological limits of Strigocis are briefly discussed and redefined, and a provisional key to the world species is provided.