Taxonomic changes in palaeotropical Xyleborini (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Following the recent reclassification of the Palaeotropic xyleborine genera (Hulcr and Cognato in press), additional species are transferred to correct genera or synonymized based on analysis of their morphological characters. The following species are given new combinations: Debus amphicranoides (Hagedorn), comb. n., Debus birmanus (Eggers, 1930), comb. n., Debus dolosus (Blandford, 1896), comb. n., Debus eximius (Schedl, 1970), comb. n., Debus interponens (Schedl, 1954), comb. n., Debus robustipennis (Schedl, 1954), comb. n., Debus spinatus (Eggers, 1923), comb. n., Microperus alpha (Beeson, 1929), comb. n., Microperus corporaali (Eggers), comb. n., Microperus eucalyptica (Schedl, 1938), comb. n., Microperus nugax (Schedl, 1939), comb. n., Pseudowebbia percorthylus (Schedl, 1935), comb. n., Truncaudum circumcinctus (Schedl, 1941), comb. n.THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE SYNONYMIZED: Arixyleborus hirtipennis (Eggers), syn. n., with Arixyleborus puberulus (Blandford); Coptoborus palmeri (Hopkins), syn. n., with Debus emarginatus (Eichhoff); Coptoborus terminaliae (Hopkins), syn. n., with Debus emarginatus (Eichhoff); Cyclorhipidion polyodon (Eggers), syn. n., with Truncaudum agnatum (Eggers); Euwallacea artelaevis (Schedl), syn. n., with Planiculus bicolor (Blandford); Xyleborinus perminutissimus (Schedl), syn. n., with Xyleborinus perpusillus (Eggers); Xyleborus exesus Blandford, syn. n., with Debus emarginatus (Eichhoff); Xyleborus fulvulus (Schedl), syn. n., with Microperus corporaali (Eggers); Xyleborus marginicollis (Schedl), syn. n., with Diuncus justus (Schedl); Xyleborus shoreae Stebbing, syn. n., with Debus fallax (Eichhoff).THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE GIVEN NEW STATUS: Streptocranus superbus (Schedl, 1951), restored name; Webbia divisus Browne, 1972, restored name; Webbia penicillatus (Hagedorn, 1910), restored name. Genus Taphrodasus Wood (1980) is declared not valid.     

Taxonomic notes on the afrotropical genera Hapalogenius Hagedorn, Hylesinopsis Eggers, and Rhopalopselion Hagedorn (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae)

Taxonomic confusion among the afrotropical scolytine genera Hapalogenius Hagedorn, Hylesinopsis Eggers and Rhopalopselion Hagedorn, and their synonyms is discussed with especial reference to the catalogues of Wood and Bright (1992), and Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (2009). A key is given to separate the three genera recognised, and the species considered to be included in each genus are listed. Hylesinopsis is resurrected from synonymy with Hapalogenius, and shown not to be closely related to it. Chilodendron Schedl is considered to be a synonym of Hylesinopsis and not of Xylechinus Chapuis. The following new synonymy is proposed at specific level: Hapalogenius africanus (Eggers) (= Hapalogenius lesnei Eggers, = Metahylesinus brincki Schedl); Hapalogenius fuscipennis (Chapuis) (= Hapalogenius bimaculatus Eggers); Hapalogenius oblongus (Eggers) (= Metahylesinus striatus Schedl); Hylesinopsis fasciata (Hagedorn) (= Kissophagus punctatus Eggers); Phrixosoma niger Eggers (= Hapalogenius niger Schedl). The following species are returned to Hylesinopsis from Hapalogenius to which they were transferred by Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (2009): Hylesinopsis alluaudi (Lepesme), Hylesinopsis angolensis (Schedl), Hylesinopsis arabiae (Schedl), Hylesinopsis atra (Nunberg), Hylesinopsis confusa (Eggers), Hylesinopsis decellei (Nunberg), Hylesinopsis dubia Eggers, Hylesinopsis emarginata (Nunberg), Hylesinopsis fasciata (Hagedorn), Hylesinopsis ficus (Schedl), Hylesinopsis granulata (Lepesme), Hylesinopsis hirsuta (Schedl), Hylesinopsis joveri (Schedl), Hylesinopsis pauliani (Lepesme), Hylesinopsis punctata (Eggers), Hylesinopsis saudiarabiae (Schedl). The following new combination is given: Hylesinopsis leprosula (Browne) from Cryphalus Erichson. New distributional records are given for some species.     

Revision of the section Anillochlamys Jeannel, 1909 (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Leptodirini)

The taxonomy of the Iberian Leptodirini species of the section Anillochlamys Jeannel, 1909 has been revised. The proposed classification is based on the study of the genital structures of both sexes, in particular the internal sac of the aedeagus. According to the different models of internal sacs, the following genera, species and subspecies are identified: genus Anillochlamys Jeannel, 1909: A. aurouxi Español, 1965, A. bueni Jeannel, 1909 (= A. avariae Comas, 1977 n.syn.), A. cullelli Lagar, 1978, A. moroderi Bolívar, 1923 (= A. negrei Comas, 1990 n. syn.), A. subtruncatus Jeannel, 1930 (= A. baguenai Jeannel, 1930) and A. tropicus (Abeille, 1881) (= Adelops hispanicus Ehlers, 1893; A. tropicus var. apicalis Jeannel, 1909); genus Paranillochlamys Zariquiey, 1940: P. catalonicus (Jeannel, 1913), P. urgellesi (Español, 1965) and P. velox Zariquiey, 1940 (= P. velox montadai Lagar, 1963 n. syn.); genus Pseudochlamys Comas, 1977: P. raholai (Zariquiey, 1922) (= Anillochlamys raholai luis-bofilli Zariquiey, 1940 n. syn.); genus Spelaeochlamys Dieck, 1870 (= Typhlochlamys Español, 1975 n.syn.): S.bardisai (Español, 1975) (= Typhlochlamys escolai Comas, 1978 n. syn.), S. ehlersi Dieck, 1870 and S. ehlersi verai Comas, 1977 n. stat.     

New species of Pachycotes Sharp and Xylechinus Chapuis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae,Tomicini) from New Caledonian Araucaria spp. (Coniferales: Araucariaceae)

Abstract

Three new bark beetle species, Pachycotes grandis sp. n., P. engelsi sp. n., and Xylechinus araucariae sp. n. (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Tomicini), are described and illustrated. Brief notes on their life histories are given. The beetles were collected from dead branches and logs of Araucaria laubenfelsii and A. muelleri trees in New Caledonia. In addition, a key for all nine known Pachycotes species (P. araucariae Schedl, P. australis Schedl, P. clavatus Schedl, P. grandis sp. n., P. engelsi sp. n., P. kuscheli Schedl, P. minor Wood, P. peregrinus (Chapuis), and P. villosus Schedl) is presented.     

Morphology and systematics of anthracomartidae (Arachnida: Trigonotarbida)

Abstract: X‐ray microtomography (XMT) was applied to three species of the extinct arachnid order Trigonotarbida, hosted in siderite nodules from the late Carboniferous British Middle Coal Measures. All three, Cryptomartus hindi ( Pocock, 1911 ), Cleptomartus plautus ( Petrunkevitch, 1949 ) and Maiocercus celticus ( Pocock, 1902 ), belong to the family Anthracomartidae. As well as providing interactive three‐dimensional visualisations of their likely appearance in life, XMT study has resolved new morphological detail, yielding key data about the likely stance and habitus of these early arachnids. Similarities in the form of the carapace, eyes and coxosternal region between anthracomartids and the Devonian genus Palaeocharinus Hirst, 1923 are highlighted. Analogies in limb disposition are drawn between anthracomartids and modern crab spiders (Araneae: Thomisidae), which exhibit sit‐and‐wait style predatory behaviour. Anthracomartids are relatively common fossils at many Coal Measures localities. Although they appear to exhibit limited morphological variation, numerous genera and species have been proposed in the literature, often distinguished from each other on rather trivial characters. From our reconstruction of well‐preserved examples, we have resolved a number of common features likely to be present in a typical anthracomartid. Comparisons to this model suggest that the characters on which many anthracomartid genera are distinguished may be artefacts of preservation. We hence treat Promygale Fri?, 1901 , Brachylycosa Fri?, 1904 , Perneria Fri?, 1904 , Coryphomartus Petrunkevitch, 1945 , Cryptomartus Petrunkevitch, 1945 , Pleomartus Petrunkevitch, 1945 , Cleptomartus Petrunkevitch, 1949 and Oomartus Petrunkevitch, 1953 as junior synonyms of the type genus of the family, Anthracomartus Karsch, 1882 . Only the genera Brachypyge Woodward, 1878 and Maiocercus Pocock, 1911 are additionally retained. Within Anthracomartus, Cleptomartus planus Petrunkevitch, 1949 , Cryptomartus meyeri Guthörl, 1964 , Cleptomartus hangardi Guthörl, 1965 and Cryptomartus rebskei Brauckmann, 1984 are treated as junior synonyms of A. hindi Pocock, 1911 (all syn. nov.). Cleptomartus plautus Petrunkevitch, 1949 and Anthracomartus denuiti Pruvost, 1922 are treated as junior synonyms of A. priesti Pocock, 1911 (both syn. nov.).     

Taxonomic review of Bourguyiinae,cladistic analysis,and a new hypothesis of biogeographic relationships of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest (Arachnida: Opiliones,Gonyleptidae)

The subfamily Bourguyiinae Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Gonyleptidae) is revised, and both phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses are proposed. Bourguyiinae is monophyletic, and is the sister group of the remainder of the Gonyleptidae species used for analysis, except for the Metasarcinae, which collectively is the sister group of Metavononoides orientalis Mello‐Leitão, 1923 (Cosmetidae). Bourguyiinae is divided into two genera: Bourguyia (six species) and Asarcus (four species). The genus‐level synonyms proposed here are as follows: Caldasius, Styloleptes, and Stylopisthos are junior synonyms of Bourguyia; Bogdana, Cnemoleptes, and Opisthoplites are junior synonyms of Asarcus. The species synonyms proposed here are as follows: Afranius amarali Mello‐Leitão, 1934 is a junior synonym of Bourguyia albiornata Mello‐Leitão, 1923 ; Drastus hamatus Roewer, 1943 and Styloleptes conspersus Piza, 1943 are junior synonyms of Bourguyia trochanteralis Roewer, 1930 ; Asarcus corallipes Simon, 1879 , Asarcus lutescens Sørensen, 1884 , Asarcus pallidus Mello‐Leitão, 1923 , and Opisthoplites ypsilon Sørensen, 1884 are junior synonyms of Asarcus longipes Kollar in Koch, 1839 ; Asarcus nigriconspersus Soares & Soares, 1945 is a junior synonym of Asarcus ingenuus Melo‐Leitão, 1940. New species described are: Bourguyia bocaina sp. nov. (Serra da Bocaina, São José do Barreiro, São Paulo), Bourguyia vinosa sp. nov. (E.B. Boracéia, Salesópolis, São Paulo), and Asarcus putunaberaba sp. nov. (Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Alto Caparaó, Minas Gerais). Bourguyiinae is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná. Based on the modified data matrix of Pinto‐da‐Rocha et al., we propose a new biogeographical hypothesis for the Atlantic Rainforest. We suggest that Bourguyiinae species were originally distributed from the coastal region of Paraná to the north of Rio de Janeiro and south‐east of Minas Gerais, with subsequent dispersals both to northern and southern areas. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 319–362.     

Neoaplectana Steiner, 1929 a junior synonym of Steinernema Travassos, 1927 (Nematoda; Rhabditida)

Summary A type specimen of Steinernema kraussei and a population of this nematode from the type host were compared with three species of Neoaplectana. No characters were found to separate the two genera and so Neoplectana Steiner, 1929 is considered to be a junior synonym of Steinernema Travassos, 1927. Valid species now included within the genus Steinernema are: S. kraussei (Steiner, 1923) Travassos, 1927 (type species); S. glaseri (Steiner, 1929) n.comb.; S. feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) n.comb. and S. bibionis (Bovien, 1937) n.comb. A key is given to these four species and their junior synonyms are listed.     

The freshwater palaemonid prawns (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea) of Myanmar

The taxonomy of the palaemonid freshwater prawns of Myanmar is reviewed and 19 species are recorded. These belong to three genera, with 17 species of Macrobrachium, one species of Palaemonetes and one species of Leptocarpus. The identities of Palaemon spinipes birmanicus Schenkel, 1902, and Palaemon naso Kemp, 1918, are clarified with both recognised as distinct taxa. The taxonomy of several poorly known species of Macrobrachium,viz. M. villosimanus (Tiwari, 1949), M. peguense (Tiwari, 1952), M. hendersoni (De Man, 1906) and M. platyrostrum (Tiwari, 1952) is revised and discussed. Five species are reported from Myanmar for the first time, viz. Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne-Edwards, 1837), M. dayanum (Henderson, 1893), M. lanchesteri (De Man, 1911), M. nipponense (De Haan, 1894), and Palaemonetes sinensis (Sollaud, 1911). One new species, Macrobrachium lanatum, which is closely allied to M. scabriculum (Heller, 1862) and M. dolichodactylus (Hilgendorf, 1879), is described and figured.     

Taxonomic review of the Haliplidae (Coleoptera) in the Korean peninsula

A taxonomic review of Korean Haliplidae Aubé is presented. Eight species in two genera are recognized, one of which (Haliplus diruptus Balfour‐Browne) is reported for the first time in South Korea. We also found that H. ovalis Sharp previously recorded in the Korean peninsula was an incorrect identification of H. chinensis Falkenström. Habitus and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photographs, diagnoses of genera, additional characters of species and diagnostic characters with illustrations of the species are provided.     

Taxonomic and phylogenetic revision of three rare irpicoid species within the Meruliaceae

We have carried out a morphological and molecular study of Mycoacia nothofagi and Steccherinum lusitanicum, two rare irpicoid species collected in Spain. From Steccherinum lusitanicum, only the type of the species, collected in Portugal, was known to date. This has been compared with type material of Hydnum setulosum (≡Hyphodontia setulosa) collected in the USA, confirming that both species are synonymous. We contribute with microphotographs of the most representative characters of the specimens. The molecular data based on ITS and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences show that both taxa should be accommodated within genus Phlebia. Our data suggest a close relationship between S. lusitanicum and the core of Phlebia sensu stricto (including the type species P. radiata), whereas M. nothofagi is apparently more closely related with another group of species that would include M. aurea, P. subserialis and P. livida, among others. The molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms that the genera Mycoacia and Mycoaciella, as well as Merulius, should be considered as synonyms of Phlebia.     

Petraliellidae Harmer, 1957 (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) from Queensland,Australia

Several species of the family Petraliellidae were first described from the coast of Queensland, including the type species of Sinupetraliella, S. litoralis. These species are redescribed from type, or topotype specimens, and include Petraliella concinna, which has not been certainly found since its introduction in 1891; lectotype material is designated for P. buski and P. magna. Six other species are described from Queensland, P. crassocirca, P. dentilabris, P. dorsiporosa, Mucropetraliella bennetti, M. serrata and M. tuberosa. The species Mucropetraliella tuberosa is a new addition to the Queensland fauna and is described and illustrated here for the first time since its introduction in 1884. The characters of the family Petraliellidae are briefly discussed and the genera to which the Queensland species are assigned is reviewed. A taxonomic key to the ten Queensland petraliellid species described is also provided.     

To the knowledge of the herbivorous scolytid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thamnurgus</Emphasis> Eichhoff (Coleoptera,Scolytidae)

Based on the male genitalia structure, 3 subgenera are distinguished in the genus Thamnurgus: Thamnurgus s. str. (type species Thamnurgus euphorbiae Küster; the subgenus includes also Th. characiae and Th. varipes), Parathamnurgus subgen. n. (type species Thamnurgus caucasicus Reitter; includes also Th. armeniacus, Th. kaltenbachii, Th. brylinskyi, and Th. pegani) and Macrothamnurgus subgen. n. (type species Thamnurgus delphinii Rosenhauer; includes also Th. petzi and Th. rossicus). Thamnurgus s. str. comprises species with the aedeagus lacking supporting apical structures and with unbranched apophyses. In the two other subgenera the aedeagal apophyses are branched and the apical supporting structures are differently arranged. Species of Thamnurgus s. str. are associated exclusively with Euphorbiaceae, species of Macrothamnurgus, with Ranunculaceae, and those of Parathamnurgus, with plants of several families. A key to Palaearctic Thamnurgus species based on the external and genital characters is proposed. The host plants and distribution of some species are clarified. In the aedeagus structure, the Palaearctic Thamnurgus species clearly differ from the African Thamnurgus and also from the members of Taphronurgus, Cynanchophagus, Triotemnus, and Xylocleptes. Data on the male genital structure support generic distinctness of Thamnurgus, Taphronurgus and Xylocleptes. Lectotypes of Th. armeniacus Reitter, 1897, Th. brylinskyi Reitter, 1889, Th. characiae Rosenhauer, 1878, Th. declivis Reitter, 1897, Th. delphinii (Rosenhauer, 1856), Th. pegani Eggers, 1933, and Th. petzi Reitter, 1901 are designated. Thamnurgus jemeniae Schedl, 1975 is transferred to Xylocleptes, and Th. orientalis Schedl, 1978, to Pseudothamnurgus. Based on the endophallus characters, Thamnurgus ugandensis Nunberg, 1961 and Th. lobeliae Eggers, 1939 are considered to belong to a genus distinct from the Palaearctic Thamnurgus.     

An investigation of the cranial evolution of Asian pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae), with comments on the phylogenetic position of Peltopelor macrolepis

Guo, P., Jadin, R.C., Malhotra, A. and Li, C. 2009. An investigation of the cranial evolution of Asian pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae), with comments on the phylogenetic position of Peltopelor macrolepis—Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91 : 402–407. We investigated the evolution of 12 cranial characters of 31 species of Asian pitvipers by examining the character state changes on a consensus tree modified from broadly consistent molecular results. We found that these characters appear stable with only one intraspecific polymorphism. Nine of the 12 characters form useful synapomorphies, whereas three are ambiguous and evolutionarily plastic. Clades that are supported with numerous apomorphies are the Trimeresurus group [consisting of the recently defined genera Trimeresurus sensu Malhotra and Thorpe (2004) , Parias, Popeia, Viridovipera, Himalayophis, and Cryptelytrops] and the genera Protobothrops, Parias, and Viridovipera. Two species previously considered as congeners but now known to be distantly related, Ovophis monticola and ‘Ovophis’okinavensis, have nearly identical character states, demonstrating substantial convergence in cranial characters. Finally, we attempt to infer the phylogenetic position of Peltopelor macrolepis by comparing its cranial features with that of other pitvipers.     

Regional scale speciation reveals multiple invasions of freshwater in Palaemoninae (Decapoda)

Ashelby, C.W., Page, T.J., De Grave, S., Hughes, J.M. & Johnson, M.L. (2012) Regional scale speciation reveals multiple invasions of freshwater in Palaemoninae (Decapoda). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 293–306. The generic level, systematic relationship in Palaemoninae was inferred from analyses based on the mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear Histone (H3) genes, primarily focussed on the genera Palaemon and Palaemonetes, as previous morphological and molecular studies indicated potential paraphyly in some genera. Palaemonetes, Exopalaemon, Coutierella and certain Palaemon recover as a strongly supported monophyletic clade, but with the exception of Palaemon concinnus, P. pandaliformis and P. gracilis. Within this clade, six major clades are identified with geographic relationships appearing stronger than generic relationships. The data strongly suggest that Palaemon, Palaemonetes, Exopalaemon and Coutierella are synonymous and that the morphological characters currently used to define these genera require re‐evaluation. Freshwater species are not closely related to each other, but instead group with geographically close marine species, suggesting multiple invasions of freshwater by physiologically plastic ancestors rather than a single colonisation event with subsequent speciation.     

Revision of Entomelas Travassos, 1930 (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) with a review of genera in the family

Summary Entomelas entomelas (Dujardin, 1845) Travassos, 1930, the type species of Entomelas, is redescribed based on specimens from Anguis fragilis and Ophisaurus apodus. The generic diagnosis is emended. E. dujardini (Maupas, 1916) Travassos, 1930, Paraentomelas kazachstanika (Sharpilo & Vakker, 1972) Sharpilo, 1976 and Hexadontophorus ophisauri Kreis, 1939 are synonymized with E. entomelas and the genera Paraentomelas and Hexadontophorus fall as synonyms of Entomelas. Kurilonema Szczerbak & Sharpilo, 1969 is synonymized with Entomelas and the type species, K. markovi, is reclassified as Entomelas markovi (Szczerbak & Sharpilo, 1969) n. comb. Entomelas cruszi n. sp. is described from agamid lizards of Sri Lanka. The genera in the Rhabdiasidae are reviewed and a key is provided. Ophiorhabdias Yamaguti, 1943 and Shorttia Singh & Ratnamala, 1977 are designated synonyms of Rhabdias Stiles & Hassall, 1905. ac]19790201     

A review of cross‐backed grasshoppers of the genus Dociostaurus Fieber (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from the western Mediterranean: insights from phylogenetic analyses and DNA‐based species delimitation

Phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation methods are powerful tools for understanding patterns of species diversity. Given the current biodiversity crisis, such approaches are invaluable for urgent assessment and delimitation of truthful species, particularly of endangered and morphologically cryptic taxa from vulnerable areas submitted to strong climate change and progressive human intervention such as the M editerranean region. In this study, we applied two DNA ‐based species delimitation methods and performed a B ayesian phylogenetic reconstruction using three mitochondrial gene fragments (12S , 16S and COI) to solve several taxonomic uncertainties among species of cross‐backed grasshoppers (genus Dociostaurus F ieber) from the western M editerranean. P hylogenetic analyses demonstrate the polyphyletic character of subgenera Dociostaurus , Kazakia B ey‐B ienko and Stauronotulus T arbinsky and, thus, the necessity of revising the currently accepted taxonomic subgenera within the genus Dociostaurus . We propose the split of closely related taxa with allopatric distributions such as D. (S.) kraussi and D. (S.) crassiusculus , considering the later a distinct species limited to the I berian P eninsula and excluding the name crassiusculus from other forms of D. (S.) kraussi from E ast E urope and A sia. Estimates of divergence times indicate that diversification of Dociostaurus probably happened during the M iocene–P liocene (3–7 Ma), and the split of the studied pairs of sister taxa took place during the middle and late P leistocene (1–2 Ma). This study highlights the need for more molecular studies on the genus and their different species for a better understanding of their evolution, genetic variation and population dynamics in order to prioritize strategies for their adequate conservation and management.     

Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the genus Aneorhachis Kleine 1923 (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Microtrachelizini)

A taxonomic revision of the genus Aneorhachis Kleine 1923 (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and a phylogenetic analysis of species belonging to this genus are carried out. The genus Ipsopisthius Kabakov 2001 is synonymised with Aneorhachis, and two new combinations are proposed: Aneorhachis hirta (Kabakov 2001), n. comb. and A. incerta (Kleine 1935), n. comb. Higonius nitens Goossens 2008 is synonymized with A. incerta. One new species is described from New Guinea, A. papuana n. sp. All the species are redescribed and type-specimens are illustrated; an identification key is proposed. A maximum parsimony analysis is provided on the base of 23 characters from adult morphology. This analysis confirms the monophyly of the genus and seems to show that Aneorhachis originated on continental Asia and then spread out eastward to colonize Pacific islands.     

Opalinidae in African Anura. IV. Genus Protoopalina

During 1988 and 1989, 409 specimens of southern African Anura comprising 50 species in nine families, were checked for opalines in the cloaca. Protoopalina africana Metcalf, 1923 was found in Rana angolensis (Ranidae); P. appendiculata Fantham, 1929 in R. fuscigula; P. boycotti n. sp. in Pyxicephalus adspersus (Ranidae); P. brevis Boisson, 1959 in Ptychadena oxyrhynchus (Ranidae); P. drachi Tuzet & Knoepffler, 1968 in Ptychadena anchietae, P. mascareniensis, P. mossambica and P. oxyrhynchus (Ranidae); P. nutti Metcalf, 1923 in Bufo rangeri (Bufonidae); P. octomixa Fantham, 1930 in Schismaderma carens (Bufonidae); P. ovalis Fantham, 1929 in Rana angolensis (Ranidae); P. pattersoni n. sp. in Ptychadena mascareniensis (Ranidae); P. petiti Tuzet & Knoepffler, 1968 in Ptychadena oxyrhynchus (Ranidae); P. primordialis (Awerinzew, 1913) Metcalf, 1918 in Bufo angusticeps, B. gariepensis, B. garmani, B. rangeri (Bufonidae), Heleophryne natalensis (juveniles and tadpoles) (Heleophrynidae), Xenopus laevis (juveniles and tadpoles) (Pipidae), Cacosternum boettgeri, Ptychadena mossambica (juvenile), Rana angolensis, R. fuscigula and Strongylopus grayii (Ranidae); P. stevensoni (Stevenson, 1911) Metcalf, 1923 in Bufo gariepensis, B. garmani, B. gutturalis, B. maculatus, B. rangeri, Capensibufo rosei (Bufonidae), Rana angolensis and R. fuscigula (Ranidae); P. transvaalensis Fantham, 1923 in Pyxicephalus adspersus (Ranidae); and P. xenopodos Metcalf, 1923 in Xenopus laevis (including tadpoles) and X. muelleri (Pipidae). It is suggested that the Bufonidae (genus Bufo) and the Ranidae (in particular the genera Cacosternum, Ptychadena, Rana and Strongylopus) are among the major carriers of Protoopalina in the Afrotropical Regional. The biogeography and evolution of the genus Protoopalina are discussed.