Etheliaceae fam. nov. (Gigartinales,Rhodophyta), with a clarification of the generitype of Ethelia and the addition of six novel species from warm waters

Based upon COI‐5P, LSU rDNA, and rbcL sequence data and morphological characteristics, six new members of the noncalcified crustose genus of red algae Ethelia are described in a new family, Etheliaceae (Gigartinales), sister to the recently described Ptilocladiopsidaceae. The novel species are described from subtropical to tropical Atlantic and Indo‐Pacific Ocean basins; E. mucronata sp. nov. and E. denizotii sp. nov. from southern and northern Western Australia respectively, E. wilcei sp. nov. from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands of Australia, E. suluensis sp. nov. from the Philippines, E. umbricola sp. nov. from Bermuda and E. kraftii sp. nov. from Lord Howe Island, Australia. The generitype, Ethelia biradiata, originally reported from the Seychelles, Indian Ocean, is added to the Western Australian flora.     

Molecular taxonomy and morphological characterization reveal new species and new host records of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Torula</Emphasis> species (Torulaceae,Pleosporales)

Four new species and two new host records of Torula (Torulaceae, Pleosporales) are described and illustrated from herbaceous litter collected in Italy and Thailand. The new species possess colony, conidiophore and conidial characteristics that fit within the generic concept of Torula. Detailed morphological observations clearly demarcate four of these from extant species and are hence described as new (Torula chiangmaiensis sp. nov., Torula pluriseptata sp. nov., Torula chromolaenae sp. nov., Torula mackenziei sp. nov.). Details of asexual morphs are described, and justifications for establishing these new species are provided. The nuclear are sequenced ribosomal RNA genes as well as protein coding genes to infer phylogenetic relationships and discuss phylogenetic affinities with morphologically similar species. Our morphological distinction is further supported by phylogenetic discrimination. In particular, phylogenies depict a close relationship of Torula chiangmaiensis and T. pluriseptata to T. hollandica, while T. chromolaenae and T. mackenziei constitute an independent phylogenetic lineage basal to T. herbarum and T. ficus. Torula ficus and T. masonii are also described and their phylogeny investigated as new host records from Bidens pilosa and Iris germanica, respectively.     

Endogone corticioides sp. nov. from subalpine conifer forests in Japan and China,and its multi-locus phylogeny

Endogone corticioides sp. nov. was described from subalpine conifer forests in Japan and China. This species is similar to E. pisiformis in its yellowish sporocarps and zygosporangia on the equal empty gametangia. Endogone corticioides was clearly distinguished from E. pisiformis based on its resupinate sporocarp, the presence of hyphal peg-like structures on the peridium, and abundant thick-walled hyphae in the gleba. Phylogenetic analysis of the small and large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA and the elongation factor-1α genes suggested that E. corticioides is closely related to E. pisiformis. Limited vegetative growth from the surface-sterilized sporocarps on agar media was shown.     

New Devonian brachiopods from northeastern Russia

Brachiopods from the Devonian of northeastern Russia are described: Eoprokopia gen. nov., with the type species E. aequalis sp. nov. (subfamily Prokopiinae, order Orthida); Davoustia settedabanica sp. nov. and D. verkhojanica sp. nov. (family Anopliidae, order Chonetida); and Alkhovikovia gen. nov. with the type species A. libera sp. nov. and A. importuna sp. nov. and Tikhyspirifer gen. nov. with the type species T. globosus sp. nov. (subfamily Rhynchospiriferinae, order Spiriferida).     

Genus Thubana Walker of the Malaysian Borneo (Lepidoptera,Lecithoceridae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species

The genus Thubana Walker, 1864 of the Malaysian Borneo is revised. Nine species are recognized including seven new species. The new species are: T. kumatai sp. nov., T. kubahensis sp. nov., T. kinabaluensis sp. nov., T. ochracea sp. nov., T. quadrata sp. nov., T. prolata sp. nov., and T. spinata sp. nov. With regard to the previously known species, photos of adults and the male or female genitalia are given, with some taxonomie notes. A key to the Thubana species of the Malaysian Borneo is provided.     

First record of the genus Leluthia Cameron, 1887 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae,Doryctinae) in the Oriental region with description of two new species from India

The genus Leluthia Cameron, 1887 is recorded for the first time from the Oriental region. Two new species, Leluthia (Euhecabolodes) areola Ranjith et Belokobylskij, sp. nov. and L.(E.) indica Belokobylskij et Ranjith, sp. nov. are described and illustrated from the Indian states Kerala and Goa, respectively. The new species are most similar to the Western Palaearctic Hecabolus hungaricus (Szépligeti, 1900), which is reinstated from its synonymy with Polystenus and transferred to the genus Leluthia Cameron (stat. resurr. and comb. nov.).     

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of Leptospira johnsonii sp. nov., Leptospira ellinghausenii sp. nov. and Leptospira ryugenii sp. nov. isolated from soil and water in Japan

In a previous study, 50 of 132 soil samples collected throughout Japan were found to be Leptospira‐positive. In the present study, three strains identified in the collected specimens, three, E8, E18 and YH101, were found to be divergent from previously described Leptospira species according to 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis. These three strains have a helical shape similar to that of typical Leptospira and were not re‐isolated from experimental mice inoculated with the cultured strains. Upon 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis, E8 was found to belong to the intermediate Leptospira species clade and E18 and YH101 to belong to the saprophytic Leptospira species clade. Based on analyses of genome‐to‐genome distances and average nucleotide identity in silico using whole genome sequences and DNA–DNA hybridization in vitro, these isolates were found to be distinct from previously described Leptospira species. Therefore, these three isolates represent novel species of the genus Leptospira for which the names Leptospira johnsonii sp. nov., (type strain E8 ^T, = JCM 32515 ^T = CIP111620 ^T), Leptospira ellinghausenii sp. nov., (type strain E18 ^T, = JCM 32516 ^T = CIP111618 ^T) and Leptospira ryugenii sp. nov., (type strain YH101 ^T, = JCM 32518 ^T = CIP111617 ^T) are proposed.     

Cryptic speciation in Brazilian Epiperipatus (Onychophora: Peripatidae) reveals an underestimated diversity among the peripatid velvet worms

Background

Taxonomical studies of the neotropical Peripatidae (Onychophora, velvet worms) have proven difficult, due to intraspecific variation and uniformity of morphological characters across this onychophoran subgroup. We therefore used molecular approaches, in addition to morphological methods, to explore the diversity of Epiperipatus from the Minas Gerais State of Brazil.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Our analyses revealed three new species. While Epiperipatus diadenoproctus sp. nov. can be distinguished from E. adenocryptus sp. nov. and E. paurognostus sp. nov. based on morphology and specific nucleotide positions in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and small ribosomal subunit RNA gene sequences (12S rRNA), anatomical differences between the two latter species are not evident. However, our phylogenetic analyses of molecular data suggest that they are cryptic species, with high Bayesian posterior probabilities and bootstrap and Bremer support values for each species clade. The sister group relationship of E. adenocryptus sp. nov. and E. paurognostus sp. nov. in our analyses correlates with the remarkable morphological similarity of these two species. To assess the species status of the new species, we performed a statistical parsimony network analysis based on 582 base pairs of the COI gene in our specimens, with the connection probability set to 95%. Our findings revealed no connections between groups of haplotypes, which have been recognized as allopatric lineages in our phylogenetic analyses, thus supporting our suggestion that they are separate species.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings suggest high cryptic species diversity and endemism among the neotropical Peripatidae and demonstrate that the combination of morphological and molecular approaches is helpful for clarifying the taxonomy and species diversity of this apparently large and diverse onychophoran group.     

Gastropods of the family Aporrhaidae from the Lower Cretaceous of Ulyanovsk, Volga Region

Three new species of the genus Trilemma (family Aporrhaidae), T. polivnense Blagovetshenskiy, sp. nov., T. kremenkense Blagovetshenskiy, sp. nov., and T. tenuicarinatum Blagovetshenskiy, sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of the Volga Region near Ulyanovsk are described. The data on the stratigraphic range of these species are provided.     

New species of Teratosphaeria associated with leaf diseases on Corymbia calophylla (Marri)

Corymbia calophylla is an important eucalypt species endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is currently in decline across its native habitat for unknown reasons but perhaps due to climate change or to the presence of a recently described canker disease caused by Quambalaria coyrecup. Few fungal leaf pathogens have been described from C. calophylla. The following paper describes two new species of Teratosphaeria from C. calophylla, Teratosphaeria calophylla sp. nov and T. rubidae sp. nov. In addition, a new epitype was designated for T. australiensis.     

A taxonomic Review of the Subfamily Torodorinae (Lepidoptera,Lecithoceridae) of Vietnam,with Descriptions of Five New Species

As the first part of the taxonomic review for the Lecithoceridae in the northern part of Vietnam, 14 species belonging to the subfamily Torodorinae are recognized, including five new species. We describe three species of the genus Torodora Meyrick (T. phamae sp. nov., T. bachmaensis sp. nov., T. nabiella sp. nov.), two species of Antiochtha Meyrick and Thubana Walker (A. angustivalva sp. nov. and T. circularis sp. nov.) respectively. A taxonomic review for all known species of the subfamily in Vietnam is provided, with illustrations of the imago and genitalia for the species.     

Palynology of the Dockum group (Upper Triassic), Texas,U.S.A.

A palynofloral assemblage is described from the Upper Triassic Dockum Group of Texas. Forty palynomorph species are recorded and these are correlated with European Upper Triassic assemblages. The Dockum Group assemblage is considered to be of late Karnian age.Two new genera, Tulesporites gen. nov., type species T. briscoensis sp. nov., and Daughertyspora gen. nov., type species D. chinleanus (Daugherty) comb. nov. have been erected; new species are Converrucosisporites matsenii sp. nov., Pyramidosporites traversei sp. nov., Callialasporites triassicus sp. nov., Plicatipollenites minutotriletus sp. nov., Triadispora dockumensis sp. nov., Bhardwajispora jansonii sp. nov., Protodiploxypinus americus sp. nov., P. ujhelyi sp. nov., Klausipollenites gouldii sp. nov., Pityosporites old-hamensis sp. nov., Abietineaepollenites bujakii sp. nov., Falcisporites oviformis sp. nov. and F. tecovasensis sp. nov.     

Opisthobranch gastropods from the Lower Cretaceous of the Ulyanovsk Volga Region: 1. Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tornatellaea</Emphasis> Conrad

Five new species of the genus Tornatellaea from the Lower Cretaceous of the Volga Region near Ulyanovsk, T. kabanovi sp. nov. (Hauterivian), T. densistriata sp. nov., T. gracilis sp. nov., T. volgensis sp. nov. (Barremian), and T. sinzovi sp. nov. (Aptian), are described. The data on geographical and stratigraphical distribution of new taxa are provided.     

Taxonomy, biostratigraphy and paleoecology of Cenomanian and Turonian ostracodes from the Western Interior Basin, Southwest Utah, USA

Cenomanian-Turonian ostracodes are reported from the western Colorado Plateau (Western Interior Basin) in the United States. Fifteen genera and twenty species are illustrated, six of which are new: Cytheromorphaperornata nov. sp., Looneyellaleckiei nov. sp., Asciocythereposterangulata nov. sp., Asciocytherearizonensis nov. sp., Cytheropteronclavifragilis nov. sp. and Hourcqiadakotaensis nov. sp. Three ostracode interval zones are proposed that broadly correspond to the existing late Cenomanian through to Middle Turonian Ammonite-zones of Kauffman et al. (1993). Paleoenvironments range from estuarine to coastal plain.     

Loricate choanoflagellates (Acanthoecida) from warm water seas. IX. Coronoeca gen. nov., Polyfibula Manton and spiny forms of Parvicorbicula Deflandre

The ambition to generate an overview of warm water loricate choanoflagellate biodiversity, based on a classic morphometric approach, is here completed by analyses of a range of tiny forms with anterior spines or projections and in most cases also a posterior pedicel. The warm water study complements previously obtained results from the more extensively studied temperate and polar regions of the world’s oceans. It thus contributes to a significantly more balanced approach to global diversity patterns for these organisms. The current survey includes taxa such as Polyfibula elatensis, Parvicorbicula pedicellata, as well as a range of primarily undescribed and taxonomically challenging species, that are in an interim approach allocated to Coronoeca gen. nov. (C. kosmaniae sp. nov., C. conicella sp. nov., C. superpositus (Booth) comb. nov., C. marchantii sp. nov., C. tongiae sp. nov., and C. patongiensis sp. nov.). The analysis of warm water acanthoecid biodiversity has revealed in total 80 species from the six geographic regions sampled, corresponding to approximately 50% of all loricate species described. Nineteen species are previously undescribed forms. The Andaman Sea, Thailand, and West Australia are in a global context the most species-rich regions with 62 and 64 species respectively.     

Taxonomy of the genus Ectopioglossa Perkins from China,with two new species and an updated key to the Oriental species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae)

A total of five species of the genus Ectopioglossa is reviewed from China, of which two new species are described and illustrated. These two new species are Ectopioglossa trimacula sp. nov. and E. convexa sp. nov., collected from Guangxi and Yunnan, China, respectively. Among other three nomial species, E. sublaevis (Smith, 1857) is new to China. An updated key to the Oriental species is also provided.     

Two new species of Electra (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata) from the Miocene of the Aquitaine Basin, France

Post-Cretaceous examples of Electridae, a primitive family of cheilostome bryozoans, are poorly represented in the fossil record, probably because of their thinly calcified zooids and preference for nearshore environments. Two new electrid species are here described from the Lower Miocene (Burdigalian) of Pontpourquey, Aquitaine, France: Electra triaurata nov. sp. and Electra aquitanica nov. sp. Both species belong to extant species groups, the E. indica and E. biscuta groups, respectively, that presently occur in the Indo-Pacific; both are the only fossil examples of these species groups. Whereas E. triaurata nov. sp. has uniserial colonies, zooids with porous gymnocysts, three flattened spines and basal windows allowing etching of the substrate to produce the trace fossil Leptichnus, E. aquitanica nov. sp. has multiserial colonies and zooids with a proximal gymnocyst bearing 2 to 5 spines.     

New genera and species of coelacanths from the Bear Gulch Limestone (Lower Carboniferous) of Montana (U.S.A.)

Four new species of coelacanths (Actinistia) from the Namurian E2b marine Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana are described, and a fifth species, originally described as an actinopterygian, is redescribed. Two new suborders are diagnosed. The taxonomy is: Suborder Coelacanthocdei, family Rhabdodermatidae, Caridosuctor populosum nov. sp., suborder Hadronectoroidei nov., family Hadronectoridae nov., Hadronector donbairdi nov. sp., Polyosteorhynchus simplex nov. sp. and Allenypterus montanusMelton. Lochmocercus aciculiodontus nov. sp. is incertae sedis.     

Novel and known myxobolids (Cnidaria,Myxozoa) infecting Chondrostoma angorense (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) in Turkey

Turkey has more than 200 endemic freshwater fish species, one of which is the Ankara nase, Chondrostoma angorense Elvira, 1987 (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae), a food fish in northern Turkey. Like most endemic fish species in Turkey, its myxosporean parasite fauna (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) are not yet described. We surveyed twenty C. angorense from Lâdik Lake in northern Turkey, and identified two myxosporean parasites from gills of these fish: Myxobolus arrabonensis Cech, Borzák, Molnár, Székely, 2015, and a co-infection of a novel species, Myxobolus polati sp. nov. We characterized both infections based on myxospore morphology, morphometry, tissue tropism, small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Plasmodia of both species were observed in gills, but had distinct tropism: M. arrabonensis is an intrafilamental vascular type, and M. polati sp. nov. is an intralamellar vascular type. We identified M. arrabonensis on the basis of myxospore characters and 100% similarity to the type DNA sequence from the closely-related host C. nasus. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence of M. polati sp. nov. (1946 base pairs; GenBank Accession number MH392318) had a maximum similarity of 98% with any Myxobolus sp. from other Eurasian cypriniforms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. polati sp. nov. is most closely related to gill-infecting Myxobolus diversicapsularis from Rutilus rutilus (L.). The present study is the first record of myxosporean species infecting C. angorense comprising a novel species, M. polati sp. nov. and a known species M. arrabonensis.     

New spiriferids (Brachiopoda) from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia

New spiriferids (Brachiopoda) are described from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia: Tatjanaspirifer iskrensis sp. nov. and T. magnificus sp. nov. (family Reticulariidae); Cyrtina inveterata Baranov, sp. nov. and Blodgettospirifer gen. nov. with type species B. lezhoevi sp. nov. (family Cyrtinidae).