Glossomastix chrysoplasta n. gen., n. sp. (Pinguiophyceae), a new coccoidal, colony-forming golden alga from southern Australia

Glossomastix chrysoplasta gen. et sp. nov. is described from cultures isolated from sandstone rubble, Sorrento Back Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. The alga forms wall‐less, coccoidal vegetative cells that congregate in mucilaginous colonies and reproduce by successive bipartition. Plastids have girdle lamellae and partially embedded pyrenoids that are traversed by cytoplasmic channels. Zoospores are uniflagellate and swim poorly; a narrow lingulate pseudopod provides their primary form of motion. The single flagellum, which lacks hairs, a flagellar swelling, and autofluorescence, is the equivalent of the posterior flagellum in other golden algae. The anterior flagellum is absent; the basal body with which it would normally be associated is blind. The flagellar apparatus has two basal bodies, three microtubular roots, and a rhizoplast. The posterior (elder) basal body has a transitional helix that is proximal to the basal plate. Glossomastix chrysoplasta, placed in the Pinguiophyceae on the basis of molecular sequence and biochemical data, shares some ultrastructural features with other members of the class, especially Polypodochrysis teissieri, which has similar zoospores, but it also differs from other pinguiophytes in many respects. Glossomastix chrysoplasta is the pinguiophyte with, on average, the largest cells (exclusive of external materials), and it is the only one with a colonial habit.     

A new species of the Fluviopupa group (Caenogastropoda: Tateidae) from north-east Queensland,Australia

Fluviopupa kessneri n. sp. is described from the Mulgrave River and one of its major tributaries, the Little Mulgrave River, in north-east Queensland. It is the first record of the Fluviopupa group from a continental area, other members of the genus being known only from Fiji, New Guinea and a few other Pacific Islands, including New Caledonia.     

Intergeneric phylogenetic relationships in catfishes of the Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the description of Fonchiiloricaria nanodon: a new genus and species from Peru

Recent investigations in the upper Río Huallaga in Peru revealed the presence of an intriguing species of the Loricariinae. To characterize and place this species within the evolutionary tree of the subfamily, a molecular phylogeny of this group was inferred based on the 12S and 16S mitochondrial genes and the nuclear gene F-reticulon4. The phylogeny indicated that this distinctive species was a member of the subtribe Loricariina. Given its phylogenetic placement, and its unusual morphology, this species is described as a new genus and new species of Loricariinae: Fonchiiloricaria nanodon. This new taxon is diagnosed by usually possessing one to three premaxillary teeth that are greatly reduced; lips with globular papillae on the surface; the distal margin of lower lip bearing short, triangular filaments; the premaxilla greatly reduced; the abdomen completely covered by plates, with the plates between lateral abdominal plates small and rhombic; a caudal fin with 14 rays; the orbital notch absent; five lateral series of plates; dorsal-fin spinelet absent; preanal plate present, large and solid, and of irregular, polygonal shape, the caudal peduncle becoming more compressed posteriorly for the last seven to 10 plates.     

Morphological and molecular description of new species of squat lobster (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Solomon and Fiji Islands (South‐West Pacific)

The family Galatheidae is among the most diverse families of anomuran decapod crustaceans, and the South‐West Pacific is a biodiversity hot spot for these squat lobsters. Attempts to clarify the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of the Galatheidae on the basis of morphological and molecular data have revealed the existence of several cryptic species, differentiated only by subtle morphological characters. Despite these efforts, however, relationships among genera are poorly understood, and the family is in need of a detailed systematic review. In this study, we assess material collected in different surveys conducted in the Solomon Islands, as well as comparative material from the Fiji Islands, by examining both the morphology of the specimens and two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI, and 16S rRNA). These two sources of data revealed the existence of eight new species of squat lobster, four of which were ascribed to the genus Munida, two to the genus Paramunida, one to the genus Plesionida, and the last species was ascribed to the genus Agononida. These eight species are described along with phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. Our findings support the taxonomic status of the new species, yet the phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Further molecular analysis of a larger data set of species, and more conserved genes, will help clarify the systematics of this group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 465–493.     

Freeliving marine nematodes from East African coasts.Bathyepsilonema anulosum sp.n. andLeptepsilonema richardi sp.n.

Two new epsilonematid nematode species from Kenyan intertidal areas are described:Bathyepsilonema anulosum sp.n. — characterized by the large number of body-annules (118–124); small unispiral amphid, straight ambulatory setae and the very small copulatory thorns of the males — andLeptepsilonema richardi sp.n., — characterized by the sexual dimorphism in the amphid, the ornamentation of the body cuticle and the umbrella shaped capitulum in the males.     

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gen., n. sp., from Australia (Nematoda:Tylenchorhynchinae)

Sauertylenchus labiodiscus n. gem, n. sp. is described and illustrated from soil around Rhagodia sp. in Australia. It can be distinguished from the most closely related genus Tylenchorhynchus Cobb, 1913 by the distinctly set-off, rounded, lip region with a conspicuous labial disc, and long thin stylet. The face view and spicules of Sauertylenchus labiodiscus are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs. The subfamilies Tylenchorhynchinae and Merlininae ale discussed.     

Riserius pugetensis gen. n., sp. n. (Nemertina: Anopla), a new mesopsammic species,and comments on phylogenetics of some anoplan characters

Riserius pugetensis gen. n., sp. n. is described from the northwest coast of Washington, U.S.A. It is probably a heteronemertine and, as such, would be the first known mesopsammic member of that order; it lives in the interstices of medium to coarse, moderately clean sands. Its morphology presents some attributes considered characteristic of mesopsammic fauna. The effect of some of these attributes is a generalized appearance of anatomical ‘simplicity’ and, as with other mesopsammic metazoans, this presents difficulties in distinguishing between primitiveness and reduction. In the new species such problematic features include the lack of subepidermal glandular cells and connective tissue, reduced proboscideal musculature, simple blood-vascular system, and the presence of a ‘secondary’, outer circular musculature in the body wall. The general appearance of this new species is very similar to the so-called palaeonemertine Hubrechtella and characteristics of both suggest relationship with the baseodiscid heteronemertines. These relationships are explored in light of a modified interpretation of proboscideal musculature, a traditional cornerstone of heteronemertmean taxonomy.     

Relationships of the haematophagous marine snail Colubraria (Rachiglossa: Colubrariidae), within the neogastropod phylogenetic framework

The gastropod genus Colubraria includes marine shallow‐water species from tropical, subtropical, and temperate rocky coral environments. At least six species are known to feed on fish blood. Although there is general consensus in placing Colubraria in the Neogastropoda, the actual relationships and the systematic position of Colubraria and related genera are unknown. This is partly the consequence of the lack of a clear phylogenetic framework for the Neogastropoda. This study attempts to propose a phylogenetic framework for the Neogastropoda, by testing: (1) a preliminary phylogenetic arrangement for a large number of recognized neogastropod families; (2) the position of Colubraria within the neogastropods; and (3) the relationships of Colubraria within one of the major neogastropod lineages. We used two different molecular data sets. The first set included representatives of at least 14 neogastropod families, for points (1) and (2), and was based on mitochondrial (16S, 12S, and cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI) and nuclear (28S) DNA sequences, giving a total of 3443 aligned positions. The second data set, for point (3), included 30 buccinoid sequences from mitochondrial 16S, giving a total of 1029 aligned positions. We also studied the anatomy of the type species of Colubraria and compared it with other neogastropods within the new phylogenetic framework. The results included the first phylogeny of the neogastropod based on 50% of the recognized families. This clearly indicated that the nematoglossan Cancellariidae represent a basal offshoot of the monophyletic Neogastropoda, and that the toxoglossan Conoidea are the sister group to the Rachiglossa. Within the Rachiglossa, a colubrariid clade, worthy of family ranking, showed clear buccinoid affinities. Most of the anatomy of Colubraria is congruent with a buccinoid model. The peculiar anatomical features that do not conform to the buccinoid model seem to be related to the evolution of haematophagous feeding. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 779–800.     

Taxonomic redescriptions of two ciliates, Protogastrostyla pulchra n. g., n. comb. and Hemigastrostyla enigmatica (ciliophora: spirotrichea, stichotrichia), with phylogenetic analyses based on 18S and 28S rRNA gene sequences

The morphology and infraciliature of two stichotrichid ciliates, Gastrostyla pulchra(Perejaslawzewa 1886) Kahl, 1932 and Hemigastrostyla enigmatica(Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis 1986) Song & Wilbert, 1997, collected from marine and brackish sediments, were investigated by using living observations and protargol impregnations. Both 18S and 28S rRNA genes of these two species were sequenced. The 18S rDNA show high similarities (98.4%-99.7%) among populations of each species. There is about 94% similarity in 18S rDNA genes between G. pulchra and Gastrostyla steinii, the type species of the genus, which has been confirmed to be an oxytrichid by previous studies. In the phylogenetic trees of 18S, 28S, and combined 18S and 28S rDNA, both G. pulchra and H. enigmatica are consistently placed outside the well-established oxytrichid clade. Based on our analyses and previous ontogenetic data, we conclude that these two species may represent some lower groups in the subclass Stichotrichia, and that G. pulchra should represent a new genus, Protogastrostyla n. g. This new genus, which is morphologically similar to Gastrostyla, differs in its morphogenesis: the apical part of the old AZM is retained combining with the newly built membranelles that develop from the proter's oral primordium; the primary primordia of the dorsal kinety; and marginal primordia commence de novo without a definite contribution from the old structure.     

Aster saxicola sp. nov. (Asteraceae,Astereae), a new species from Guizhou,China: evidence from morphological,molecular and cytological studies

Aster saxicola W. P. Li & Z. Li, a new species of Asteraceae from southeastern Guizhou province, China, is described and illustrated based on morphological, molecular and cytological data. Morphological comparisons showed that A. saxicola is similar to A. oliganthus, but can be distinguished from the latter by its purple abaxial surface of the lower and middle cauline leaves, cordate‐ovate basal leaves with strigose hairs, outer three‐seriate phyllaries with purple or purplish apex, 9–14 ray florets and 10–18 disk florets. Phylogenetic analyses based on nrDNA ITS, ETS and plastid trnL–F DNA sequence data support that A. saxicola is a distinct species and belongs to Aster subgen. Aster sect. Ageratoides. Cytological observation shows that the new species is diploid with a karyotype formula 2n = 2x = 18 = 16m + 2sm. The new species should be considered endangered (EN) based on the IUCN red list criteria because of its restricted geographic range.     

Dasya enomotoi sp. nov. (Dasyaceae,Ceramiales), a new large Dasya from Japan

A new red alga, Dasya enomotoi, is described from Japan. This species is characterized by having a large thallus consisting of an elongated axis and many, radially arranged, polysiphonous branches both of which are heavily corticated and densely covered with numerous, soft monosiphonous filaments. It is distinguished from several similar species by the combination of the following: (i) indistinct pericentral cells in transverse sections except near the apices, (ii) the presence of enlarged, inner cortical cells, (iii) radially arranged adventitious monosiphonous filaments, (iv) three‐celled carpogonial branches, (v) six (sometimes five) tetrasporangia in each fertile segment of the stichidia, and (vi) three tetrasporangial cover cells that are not elongated longitudinally and usually not divided transversely. This species may have been identified as D. villosa Harvey by previous investigators in Japan.     

Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., a new lumbriculid (Annelida: Oligochaeta) from North America

A new species of the genus Stylodrilus is described from phreatic waters in California, North America. Tubular atria with bulbous penes and spermathecae with broad and short ducts characterize the new species. The habitat of Stylodrilus californianus n. sp., confirms that the distribution of the genus Stylodrilus in the Neartic biogeographical zone is mainly associated with subterranean waters.     

Weiria australis gen. n., sp. n., the first fully myrmecoid aleocharine staphylinid from Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae: Aenictoteratini)

Abstract Weiria australis gen. n and sp. n. (type locality Western Australia, Kimberley Region, CALM Site 25/1, Synnot Ck.), a myrmecoid (ant-like body form) aleocharine staphylinid, is described, and habitus and line illustrations are provided for its recognition. The species is tentatively placed in the tribe Aenictoteratini; similarities and differences to tribal characters shared by other members of the Aenictoteratini, and similarities and differences to other aenictoteratine genera are discussed. This is the first fully myrmecoid aleocharine, and the first member of the tribe Aenictoteratini, known from Australia. Association of Weiria gen. n. with the ant genus Aenictus Shuckard is postulated.     

Korotnevella hemistylolepis n. sp. and Korotnevella monacantholepis n. sp. (Paramoebidae), two new scale-covered mesohaline amoebae

Two new species of Korotnevella Goodkov, 1988, Korotnevella hemistylolepis n. sp. and Korotnevella monacantholepis n. sp., are described from mesohaline ecosystems. The amoebae are characterized on the basis of light and electron microscopy with special emphasis on the structure of the basket scales, which have species-specific architecture. The two new species are the second and third ones recovered from environments other than freshwater. In terms of scale morphology they most closely resemble a freshwater species, Korotnevella bulla (Schaeffer, 1926) Goodkov, 1988. Two genus names, Dactylamoeba Korotnev, 1880 and Korotnevella Goodkov, 1988, are in current use. The latter name is preferred, pending rediscovery and characterization of Dactylamoeba elongata Korotnev, 1880, the type species of the genus. Korotnevella species can be divided into three groups on the basis of scale morphology, suggesting that the genus may not be monophyletic. A key to species is provided.     

Oscheius basothovii n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode isolated from an uncultivated grassland in South Africa

During a recent soil sample survey in Heidelberg at the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve near Johannesburg in South Africa, a new entomopathogenic nematode species, collected from the grassland was discovered. Oscheius basothovii was isolated from soil samples using the Galleria mellonella bait method. Amplification and Sanger sequencing of the 18S ribosomal DNA placed the nematode in genus Oscheius. Morphological studies with light and scanning electron microscopy confirmed its anatomical affinities with the genus. The new species is characterised by various traits including its original 18S rDNA sequence, six lips, and amphidelphic reproduction. Males were characterised by the presence of spicules towards their posterior end and short blunt tails. Females had a body with irregular ridges, a vulva opening, and long pointed tails. The infective juveniles of this new species are able to invade Galleria mellonela and Tenebrio molitor larvae and cause mortality within 24–72?h after inoculation under laboratory conditions.     

Two new ciliates from Hong Kong coastal water: Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. (Protozoa: Ciliophora)

ABSTRACT. The morphology and infraciliature of Orthodonella sinica n. sp. and Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp., isolated from the coastal water off Hong Kong, were investigated in living and stained specimens. Orthodonella sinica n. sp. is diagnosed as: a marine Orthodonella 150–310 × 40–80 μm in vivo; with a dominant beak-like projection at the anterior end; about 70 somatic kineties; 84–126 dikinetids in the synhymenium; one contractile vacuole in the posterior one-fourth of cell, near the left margin; one conspicuous dorsal suture. Apokeronopsis wrighti n. sp. is diagnosed as: an Apokeronopsis about 150–230 × 35–55 μm in vivo; dark-reddish blood-cell-shaped cortical granules grouped in three rows on the ventral side and two rows on the dorsal side; 23–35 cirri in the right mid-ventral rows (MVR) and 23–32 cirri in the left MVR; six to eight buccal, two frontoterminal, 30–42 left marginal, and 32–43 right marginal cirri; 21–30 transverse cirri extending anteriorly beyond the level of mid-body; consistently three dorsal kineties. The separation of A. wrighti n. sp. and its highly similar congeners Apokeronopsis crassa and Apokeronopsis bergeri was supported by comparison of their SSrRNA gene sequences.     

Longidorus paravineacola n. sp. (Nematoda: Longidoridae), a New Species from Arkansas

Longidorus paravineacola n. sp., described herein, was found in a survey of longidorids of Arkansas. It is a parthenogeneticspecies characterized by its long body (6.68-9.85 mm); slightly expanded and rounded head, head width 21-27 µm; odontostyle length 95-114 µm; guide ring 28-37 µm posterior to the head end; short rounded tail, and c'' = 0.6-1.0. Longidorus paravineacola n. sp. is similar to the amphimictic species L. vineacola Sturhan &Weischer, 1964; L. balticus Brzeski, Peneva &Brown, 2000; L. kuiperi Brinkman, Loof &Barbez, 1987; and parthenogenetic species L. crassus Thorne, 1974, which also occurred in the type locality.     

Trichinella zimbabwensis n.sp. (Nematoda), a new non-encapsulated species from crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe also infecting mammals

Since 1995, Trichinella larvae have been detected in 39.5% of farmed crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zimbabwe. Morphological, biological, biochemical and molecular studies carried out on one isolate from a farmed crocodile in 2001 support the conclusion that this parasite belongs to a new species, which has been named Trichinella zimbabwensis n.sp. This species, whose larvae are non-encapsulated in host muscles, infects both reptiles and mammals. The morphology of adults and larvae is similar to that of Trichinella papuae. Adults of T. zimbabwensis cross in both directions with adults of T. papuae (i.e. male of T. zimbabwensis per female of T. papuae and male of T. papuae per female of T. zimbabwensis), producing F1 offspring which produce very few and less viable F2 larvae. Muscle larvae of T. zimbabwensis, like those of T. papuae, do not infect birds. Three allozymes (of a total of 10) are diagnostic between T. zimbabwensis and T. papuae, and five are diagnostic between T. zimbabwensis and Trichinella pseudospiralis, the third non-encapsulated species. The percentage of the pairwise alignment identity between T. zimbabwensis and the other Trichinella species for the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, the large subunit ribosomal-DNA (mt-lsrDNA) gene and the expansion segment five, shows that T. zimbabwensis is more similar to the two non-encapsulated species T. papuae (91% for cytochrome oxidase I; 96% for mt-lsrDNA; and 88% for expansion segment five) and T. pseudospiralis (88% for cytochrome oxidase I; 90% for mt-lsrDNA; and 66–73% for expansion segment five) than to any of the encapsulated species (85–86% for cytochrome oxidase I; 88–89% for mt-lsrDNA; and 71–79% for expansion segment five). This is the first non-encapsulated species discovered in Africa. The finding of a new Trichinella species that infects both reptiles and mammals suggests that the origin of Trichinella parasites dates back further than previously believed and can contribute to understanding the phylogeny and the epidemiology of the genus Trichinella.     

Echinorhynchus brayi n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) from Pachycara crassiceps (Roule) (Zoarcidae), a deep-sea fish

Echinorhynchus brayi n. sp. (Palaeacanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) is described from Pachycara crassiceps (Roule) (Zoarcidae) from the Porcupine Seabight, Northeast Atlantic. The new species closely resembles E. canyonensis Huffman & Kliever, 1977, a parasite of a Pacific zoarcid, but has longer lemnisci, larger eggs and larger testes. E. brayi n. sp. can be readily differentiated from the ten other Echinorhynchus spp. recorded from deep-sea fishes (E. abyssicola, E. gadi, E. longiproboscis, E. malacocephali, E. melanoglaeae, E. muraenolepisi, E. petrotschenkoi, E. sebastolobi, E. trachyrinci and E. truttae), because it has fewer hooks per longitudinal row.     

Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), a New Species from Antarctic Soil

A new soil ciliate, Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp., from King George Island, Antarctica, is described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and its 18S rRNA gene. The new genus Pseudonotohymena is morphologically similar to the genus Notohymena Blatterer and Foissner 1988 in the following characteristics: 18 fronto‐ventral‐transverse cirri, a flexible body, undulating membranes, dorsomarginal kineties, and the number of cirri in the marginal rows. However, Pseudonotohymena differs from Notohymena particularly in the dorsal ciliature, that is, in possessing a nonfragmented dorsal kinety (vs. fragmented). In addition, the molecular phylogenetic relationship of the new species differs from that of Notohymena species. On the basis of the morphological features, the genetic data, and morphogenesis, we establish P. antarctica n. g., n. sp. In addition, the cyst morphology of this species is described.