Monogenean stomach parasites of cichlid fishes from Cameroon: Two new species of the genusEnterogyrus Paperna, 1963 (Ancyrocephalidae)

Two ancyrocephalid monogeneans collected in Cameroon are described:Enterogyrus crassus n. sp. from the stomach ofTilapia nyongana andE. amieti n. sp. from the stomach ofSarotherodon galilaeus sanagaensis. The simultaneous occurrence ofE. cichlidarum Paperna, 1963 in the stomach of these two host species is also reported. The specificity of the two new species is discussed along with the value of haptor morphology (cupped or tongue-shaped) as a specific character in the taxonomy of the genusEnterogyrus.     

Morphology and infraciliature of a new marine ciliate Euplotidium smalli n. sp. with description of a new genus,Paraeuplotidium n. g. (Ciliophora,Euplotida)

The morphology and infraciliature of a new hypotrichous ciliate, Euplotidium smalli n. sp., isolated from eutrophic coastal water in Korea, were observed in living cells and investigated using the protargol impregnation technique. This new ciliate bears 13-14 frontoventral cirri, 7 transverse cirri, and 5-6 dorsal kineties. Neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirrus is present. The new species differs from the related species, Euplotidium agitatum Noland, 1937 in the different number of frontoventral and transverse cirri and different body shape. With the exception of Euplotidium agitatum, the known species of the genus Euplotidium Noland, 1937 with the presence of left marginal cirrus are assigned to a new genus, Paraeuplotidium n. g. Diagnosis of Paraeuplotidium is: Gastrocirrhidae with funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; left marginal cirrus present. Paraeuplotidium itoi (Ito, 1958) n. comb. is designated here the type species. Four additional species are included: Paraeuplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet, 1961) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium arenarium (Magagnini & Nobili, 1964) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium helgae (Hartwig, 1980) n. comb., and Paraeuplotidium prosaltans (Tuffrau, 1985) n. comb. An improved generic diagnosis of Euplotidium is suggested based on morphology and infraciliature characters: marine hypotrichs with a funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirri present.     

A description of seven Antarctic marine gymnamoebae including a new subspecies, two new species and a new genus: Neoparamoeba aestuarina antarctica n. subsp., Platyamoeba oblongata n. sp., Platyamoeba contorta n. sp. and Vermistella antarctica n. gen. n. sp

Seven marine gymnamoebae were isolated from different environments of seawater, slush (pack ice meltwater), and sediment in the Ross Sea area of Antarctica. All amoebae were isolated and maintained at temperatures below 4 degrees C. Growth, rate of locomotion, and general morphology were observed at an environmentally appropriate temperature (1 degrees C) and at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees C). Molecular (srDNA sequences) and microscopical techniques were used to identify the gymnamoebae and establish their phylogenetic affinities. Three isolates (S-131-2, SL-200, and W4-3) were assigned to a psychrophilic subspecies of Neoparamoeba aestuarina, N. aestuarina antarctica n. subsp., one isolate (S-205) was assigned to a new species of Platyamoeba, P. oblongata n. sp., two isolates (W51C#4 & W51C#5) were also assigned to a new species of Platyamoeba, P. contorta n. sp., and one isolate (S-241) was a novel psychrophilic gymnamoeba Vermistella antarctica n. gen. n. sp. Molecular and morphological results revealed that V. antarctica was not related to any described family of gymnamoebae. Strains S-205, W51C#4, and W51C#5 were capable of locomotion at room temperature, while strains SL-200, S-131-2, W4-3, and S-241 exhibited locomotion only below approximately 10 degrees C. Our results imply that the Antarctic environment is host both to cosmopolitan gymnamoebae that have acquired adaptations for existence at low environmental temperature and to apparently novel psychrophilic amoebae described here for the first time.     

The genus Borassus (Arecaceae) in West Africa, with a description of a new species from Burkina Faso

Borassus akeassii Bayton, Ouédraogo & Guinko sp. nov. (Arecaceae) is described as a new species from western Burkina Faso in West Africa. It has been confused with the widely distributed African species B. aethiopum and more recently with the Asian B. flabellifer . However, it is distinguished by its glaucous, green leaves with weakly armed petioles and a characteristic pattern of lamina venation. The fruits have a pointed apex and are greenish when ripe, and the flowers of the pistillate inflorescence are arranged in three spirals. The pollen has a reticulate tectum and distinctive ornamentation. The distribution of B. akeassii is discussed and the status of the varieties of Borassus aethiopum (var. bagamojensis and var. senegalensis ) is examined.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 419–427.     

Testicular myxosporidiasis in anurans,with a description of Myxobolus fallax n. sp.

During studies of amphibian sperm cryopreservation, a new species of myxosporidean parasite (Myxozoa, Myxosporae) was observed in the testes of the Australian dwarf green tree frog Litoria fallax (Peters). Myxosporidiasis was found to have no affect on L. fallax body condition or sperm numbers. Myxobolus spores from L. fallax are morphologically distinct from Myxobolus hylae spores (infecting the sympatric Litoria aurea Lesson) and the three previously named (exotic to Australia) Myxobolus species found in anurans. Myxobolus fallax n. sp. is characterised by: pseudocyst white, spherical to ovoid, 141 x 74 to 438 x 337 microm in diameter (mature); plasmodium with spores loosely arranged within interior. Spores ovoid 13.4 +/- 0.5 (12.6-14.6) microm length, 9.5 +/- 0.4 (8.3-10.6) microm width, 6.8 +/- 0.4 (6.5-7.6) microm depth, 1.4 +/- 0.1 (1.3-1.6) length/width; polar capsules broadly pyriform and equal in size 4.2 +/- 0.3 (3.3-4.7) microm length, 2.4 +/- 0.2 (2.1-2.8) microm width; filament coils 7-8, wound tightly and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule; polar filament 34 +/- 7.0 (18-50) microm length; intercapsular appendix and sutural ridge folds absent; and iodinophilous vacuole and mucous envelope lacking. In addition to this new species, data from archival samples of M. hylae are provided which show two morphologically distinct spore types. Both appeared rarely in the same pseudocysts and we cautiously retain the single species.     

The genus Camptochaeta in Nearctic caves, with the description of C. prolixa sp. n. (Diptera, Sciaridae)

Camptochaeta prolixasp. n. (Diptera, Sciaridae) is described from caves in Nevada, and three other congeneric species are recorded from caves in Nevada and Arkansas, United States. The new species shows some indication to a subterranean mode of life, including long antenna and legs, and in some specimens, reduction of the eye bridge.     

A review of the genus Eodiaptomus Kiefer, 1932, with the description of E. sanuamuangae n.sp. from Thailand, and a redescription of E. lumholtzi (Sars, 1889) from Australia (Copepoda, Calanoida)

The genus Eodiaptomus Kiefer contains six species, five of which are distributed in Asia, and one in Australia and New Guinea. A seventh species, E. sanuamuangae n.sp., is now added from Thailand. It has hitherto been misidentified as E. sinensis (Burckhardt), but can be recognized by various morphologic criteria. In the female, both spines on either wing of the fifth pediger are laterally placed. The third endopodite-segment of P2–P4 has seven, instead of six, setae. The sensory seta on the basis of P5 is extraordinarily long. On the male right antennule, the spine on segment 8 is much reduced, whereas that on segment 15 is relatively strong; the spinous process on the antepenultimate segment is slender, straight, with a hooked tip and as long as the next segment. Morphologically and geographically, E. sanuamuangae n.sp. links the Asian to the Australian forms. The Australian E. lumholtzi (Sars) is redescribed. A detailed morphological comparison is made of all Eodiaptomus spp. Their taxonomic characters, interspecies relationship, and biogeography are discussed.     

A re-evaluation of the Bruchiaceae with the description of a new genus

It is proposed that the Bruchiaceae be restored as a family distinct from the Dicranaceae on the basis of the longnecked, stomatose capsules. The peristome teeth, when present, are vertically barred (or papillose when reduced) rather than vertically pitted. The family is considered to consist ofBruchia, Pringleella,Eobruchia gen. nov., andTrematodon. The Bruchiaceae seem transitional between the Dicranaceae and the Ditrichaceae.Wilsoniella is transferred to the Ditrichaceae andCampylostelium venezuelanum toDicranella.     

Review of the genus Eutetrarhynchus Pintner, 1913 (Trypanorhyncha: Eutetrarhynchidae), with the description of Eutetrarhynchus beveridgei n. sp.

The genus Eutetrarhynchus Pintner, 1913 is revised. Eutetrarhynchus beveridgei n. sp. is described from the spiral intestine of the dwarf whipray, Himantura walga (Müller & Henle) (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae), from the South China Sea off the Malaysian part of Borneo. The new species is characterised by a slender, elongate scolex, two oval bothria, muscular bulbs, retractor muscles inserting at the base of the bulbs, and the presence of gland-cells and prebulbar organs. The tentacular armature is typical heteroacanthous with heteromorphous hooks. Eutetrarhynchus beveridgei n. sp. is allocated to the genus due to its distinct segment morphology featuring two internal seminal vesicles and scattered testes occupying the complete intervascular space. It differs from congeners in its relatively small size, much smaller scolex regions and in the presence of a basal armature with a distinct basal swelling. Eutetrarhynchus cortezensis Friggens & Duszynski, 2005 is transferred to Dollfusiella Campbell & Beveridge, 1994, as D. cortezensis n. comb., on the basis of its segment morphology, with testes in a linear arrangement and the absence of internal seminal vesicles. A new generic diagnosis and a key for the identification of species of Eutetrarhynchus is provided.     

Reflections on the genus Vanakripa, and a description of V. ellipsoidea sp. nov

The genus Vanakripa (hyphomycetes) is reviewed based on the examination of type specimens, and V. ellipsoidea sp. nov. is described on submerged wood from Hong Kong. Vanakripa is characterized by punctiform sporodochial colonies, micronematous conidiogenous cells and pigmented conidia with vermiform separating cells. Vanakripa is compared with similar genera, and a synopsis of its morphological characters is provided.     

Hematozoa from Southern African vultures, with a description of Haemoproteus janovyi sp. n.

This study represents the first major survey of avian hematozoa from southern Africa and the only one dealing with blood parasites of vultures. Blood smears from 506 Rhodesian, Botswanan and South African vultures (Hooded, White-headed, Lappetfaced, Cape Griffon and Whitebacked Vultures) were examined for hematozoa. Haemoproteus janovyi sp. n. was observed in 35.2% of the vultures, Leucocytozoon toddi in 0.8%, Plasmodium fallax in 0.6%, Atoxoplasma sp. in 1.4% and microfilariae in 0.2%. Hematozoan prevalence increased with age of the vultures. Only 2 of 133 nestlings sampled during the dry season had patent parasitemias (L. toddi). Haemoproteid prevalence in immature vultures was depressed during the dry season, whereas it was stable throughout the year in adults. The only species which nests on cliffs (the Cape Griffon Vulture) did not harbor hematozoa whereas the other species which nest and roost in trees were infected with at least one hematozoan species.     

First record of the myrmicine ant genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Saudi Arabia with description of a new species, C. abuhurayri sp. n

The myrmicine ant genus Carebara is recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia from the Arabian Peninsula as a whole. A new species Carebara abuhurayrisp. n. is described based on workers collected from Al Bahah region. One of the smallest ant species known to occur in Arabia, Carebara abuhurayri is found in an area inhabited by many ant species including Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery, 1877, Pheidole minuscula Bernard, 1952, Pheidole sp., Monomorium destructor (Jerdon, 1851), Monomorium exiguum (Forel, 1894) and Monomorium sp. and Crematogaster sp.     

Ontogeny and molecular phylogeny of a new marine ciliate genus,Heterokeronopsis g. n. (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Hypotricha), with description of a new species

The morphology and morphogenesis of a new ciliate, Heterokeronopsis pulchra g. n., sp. n., isolated from a mangrove wetland near Shenzhen, southern China, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation methods. Heterokeronopsis g. n. is characterized by having a bipartite adoral zone, an extremely shortened paroral membrane, frontal cirri arranged in an indistinct bicorona, a midventral complex composed of midventral pairs and midventral row(s), one left and one right marginal row, bipolar dorsal kineties, and buccal cirri; frontoterminal, transverse, and caudal cirri are absent. The single species H. pulchra sp. n. has a long, slender body that is brownish in colour, two kinds of cortical granules, one posteriorly located contractile vacuole, one buccal cirrus, usually six frontal cirri, three dorsal kineties, and one midventral row. The main morphogenetic features are: (i) the old oral apparatus is completely replaced by new structures derived from the oral primordium of the proter which originates de novo on the dorsal wall of the buccal cavity, (ii) the posteriormost frontal-midventral-transverse cirral anlage generates a midventral row, (iii) no frontoterminal and transverse cirri are formed, (iv) the anlagen for the marginal rows and the dorsal kineties are formed intrakinetally, and (v) the macronuclear nodules fuse into a mass at the middle stage. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data reveal that Heterokeronopsis pulchra is a member of the family Pseudokeronopsidae and is most closely related to Nothoholosticha fasciola.