Biogeography and evolution of bryozoans of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Minussina</Emphasis> Morozova, 1961

The spatial variations of bryozoans of the Devonian genus Minussina throughout its existence are discussed. The areal distribution of Minussina is shown to be restricted mainly to the Altai-Sayan region. The variability of seven morphological characters of Minussina species is analyzed. The variations in the number of acanthozooecia and in the thickness of walls are attributed to evolutionary change; variations in the measurements of apertures and heterozooecia are explained by geographical variation. The narrow stratigraphic range of Minussina species makes it possible to use them for correlation of Devonian deposits.     

A new species of the conodont genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polygnathus</Emphasis> from the Tournaisian of the northern Urals,Chernyshev Ridge and Pai-Khoi

A new conodont species, Polygnathus postvogesi sp. nov., from the Tournaisian deepwater deposits of the northern Urals, southeastern part of the Chernyshev Ridge, and central Pai-Khoi is described. The new species continue the phylogenetic lineage of the Late Devonian polygnathid P. marginvolutus Gedik, P. vogesi Ziegler.     

New Middle Devonian conodont data from the Dong Van area,NE Vietnam (South China Terrane)

Middle Devonian conodonts from the Si Phai section in NE Vietnam are described. The section ranges from the Middle Devonian ensensis to timorensis conodont zones to the Late Devonian rhomboidea conodont Zone. A rich overall assemblage is described, including 27 taxa of species or subspecies rank and 11 taxa described in an open nomenclature. Among the dominant Polygnathus forms, four new taxa are described: Polygnathus linguiformis saharicus subsp. nov., Polygnathus linguiformis vietnamicus subsp. nov., Polygnathus rhenanus siphai subsp. nov., and Polygnathus xylus bacbo subsp. nov. Conodont assemblages are attributed to polygnathid, polygnathid-klapperinid, and klapperinid conodont biofacies representing hemipelagic to pelagic environments. The klapperinid biofacies, unreported in the previous literature, are here attributed to offshore areas of the external shelf. The taxonomic compositions of the studied conodont assemblages, as well as their CAI characteristics (CAI 4–5), suggest a palaeogeographic affinity of the studied strata to the Chinese Devonian Guangxi Basin, and the South China Terrane in general. Furthermore, the conodont biofacies and the palaeogeographic distribution of the fauna are discussed.     

Die systematische Stellung von Angustiphyllum cuneiforme n. gen. n. sp., einer eigenartigen Tetrakoralle aus dem Mitteldevon Nordspaniens

The newly found tetracoralAngustiphyllum cuneiforme n. gen. n. sp. from theGosseletia-Sandstein (Couvinium) of Candás/Prov. Oviedo (Northern Spain) is described and designed an ancestor of the so called “cuneate corals”Homalophyllum Simpson, 1900,Xenocyathellus Bassler, 1937 andHomalophyllites Easton, 1944 from the Devonian and Mississippian of North-America. Because of their undoubtful genetic relations the whole group of cuneate corals is joined to the subfamily Homalophyllidae n. subfam. within the family ZaphrentoididaeSchindewolf, 1938. Evidently the evolution developed in a progressive orthogenetic manner from the new genesAngustiphyllum (Middle Devonian) toXenocyathellus (higher Middle Devonian) andHomalophyllites (Mississippian), whileHomalophyllum (Middle Devonian) separated from this line in a early stage and thenceforth had its own evolution.     

New Upper Devonian brachiopod genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraimbrexia</Emphasis> (Order Spiriferida) from the Abyshevo Horizon of the Kuznetsk Basin

A new spiriferid genus Paraimbrexia with the type species Imbrexia topkensis Besnossova, 1959 is established within the family Imbrexiidae Carter, 1992 from the Abyshevo Horizon, Famennian, Upper Devonian of the Kuznetsk Basin. Revision of the type material of I. topkensis revealed that this species strongly differs from the other species of Imbrexia Nalivkin, 1937 in details of shell exterior and interior.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Remalcis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epiphyton</Emphasis> as different stages in the life cycle of calcareous algae

Although the calcareous algae Renalcis and Epiphyton, which were main reef-constructors at the end of the Late Proterozoic, beginning of the Cambrian, and, partially, in the Devonian, long attracted the attention of scientists, their nature long remained enigmatic. Numerous revisions inclined to the opinion that Renalcis only existed and considered Chabakovia, Shuguria, Izhella, and even Epiphyton as synonyms of the former genus. However, convincing proofs for this conclusion were lacking. I propose a new morphological interpretation of the Renalcis group, based on Gemma with its unique preservation of monospores within the colony, which overgrew outside the colony first in Korilophyton and then in Epiphyton. It was concluded that the life cycle of Epiphyton included heteromorphous stages of Renalcis (Izhella), Chabakovia (Shuguria), Gemma, and dendroid Korilophyton.     

Foraminifers of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tournayellina</Emphasis> Lipina, 1955

The genus Tournayellina (family Chernyshinellidae), important for stratigraphy of the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary interval, is revised. Species and generic morphological characters are considered and the species composition of the genus is revised. The evolution of the family is discussed and its geographical and stratigraphic distribution is examined. The species Tournayellina quadrilobata Postojalko, 1999 is redescribed in accordance with new data on its morphology. The new species T. intermedia Stepanova, sp. nov. is established.     

A Lower Devonian hexacrinitid crinoid (Camerata,Monobathrida) from south-west England

The most species-rich and widespread crinoid clade in the type area of the Devonian of south-west England is the monobathrid camerate family Hexacrinitidae Wachsmuth and Springer. These crinoids occur either as thecae (Middle Devonian) or pluricolumnals and columnals (Lower to Upper Devonian). The first new, nominal species of hexacrinitid, probably Oehlerticrinus Le Menn, to be described from this region since the nineteenth century is Oehlerticrinus peachi sp. nov. from the Lower Devonian Looe Basin of southern Cornwall. This specimen is mouldic and somewhat flattened, retaining the proxistele and arms. Diagnostic features include the heteromorphic proxistele with circlets of long, unbranched radices directed towards the crown; the high, box-like (=skyphosiform) theca with a flattened base; a thecal plate sculpture of tubercles and ridges arranged in triangles; and the pinnulate arms. Any uncertainty in identifying this species at the generic level rests with the arms being pinnulate, not ramulose as is common in Hexacrinites Austin and Austin, indicating that O. peachi is closer to Oehlerticrinus Le Menn.     

Psammosteiforms (Agnatha,Heterostraci) from the Lower Frasnian of the Mikhailovskii Mine,Kursk Region,Russia

Psammosteiforms, including Tartuosteus (?) zheleznogorskensis, sp. nov. and Psammosteus cf. P. praecursor Obruchev, from the Lower Frasnian (Upper Devonian) of the Mikhailovskii Mine (Kursk Region) are described. Agnathans, placoderms, crossopterygians, and acanthodians from this locality are determined. The similarity of the Mikhailovskii Fish Assemblage to the assemblage of southern Timan suggests it be assigned to the Upper Timan Regional Stage.     

A new species of psammosteiform heterostracan (Agnatha) from the Givetian (Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Region

A new pycnosteid species, Schizosteus shkurlatensis sp. nov. (Agnatha, Psammosteiformes), from the Staryi Oskol beds (Givetian, Middle Devonian) of the Voronezh Region is described. This is the first species of the genus Schizosteus Obruchev from the Central Devonian Field. The similarity between species of this genus and early species of Psammolepis is discussed.     

New data on the taxonomy,distribution, and ecology of the weevil genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otiorhynchus</Emphasis> germar (Coleoptera,Curculionidae)

The subgenus Pocusogetus Rtt. of the genus Otiorhynchus Germ. is revised. The subgenus includes O. rosti Strl., O. shapovalovi Davidian et Yunakov, O. obsulcatus Strl., O. fischtensis Rtt., and O. gusakovi sp. n. closely related to O. fischtensis (both from Mt. Fisht, the Western Caucasus). O. fischtensis is transferred from the subgenus Vicoranius Rtt., its lectotype is designated. A key to species of Pocusogetus is given. The systematic position of the subgenera Pocusogetus and Vicoranius in the genus Otiorhynchus is discussed. New data on the geographical distribution and ecology of the little-known species of the subgenera Obvoderus Rtt., Pseudoprovadilus Magnano, and Clypeorhynchus Yunakov et Arzanov are given. Some features of ecological differentiation between Otiorhynchus species in the alpine and subalpine zones of the Caucasus are discussed.     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Endelus</Emphasis> Deyrolle (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from China,India, and Laos

Endelus (Kubaniellus) indicus sp. n. from India, E. (K.) lao sp. n. and E. (K.) khnzoriani sp. n. from Laos, E. (s. str.) sausai sp. n. from China, and E. (s. str.) dembickyi sp. n. from India are described, the two latter species are included in the Endelus bicarinatus Théry, 1932 species-group recently established by the author. E. collinus Obenberger, 1922 is included in this group; lectotype of this species is designated. Keys to species of the subgenus Kubaniellus and of the E. collinus group are provided. E. (K.) kareni Kalashian is for the first time recorded for Shaanxi Prov., E. pacholatkoi Kalashian, E. smaragdinus Desc. et Vill., and E collinus Obenb., for Laos (the latter species, also for Myanmar).     

New and little known species of the dance-fly subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthempis</Emphasis> Bezzi,genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Empis</Emphasis> L. (Diptera,Empididae), from the Caucasus

Five new species of the subgenus Xanthempis Bezzi are described from the Caucasus: Empis (Xanthempis) annae sp. n. (Russia: Krasnodar Territory), E. (X.) grichanovi sp. n. (Russia: Krasnodar Territory; Georgia), E. (X.) pseudoconcolor sp. n. (Russia: Krasnodar and Stavropol territories; Georgia: Abkhazia), E. (X.) teberdaensis sp. n. (Russia: Karachay-Cherkessia), and E. (X.) zamotajlovi sp. n. (Russia: Krasnodar Territory and Adygea). The females of E. (X.) alanica Shamshev and E. (X.) kovalevi Shamshev are described for the first time. New data on the distribution of some previously described species are reported. The geographical distribution of Xanthempis is discussed. A key to Xanthempis species from the Caucasus is compiled.     

New species of the buprestid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphenoptera</Emphasis> Dejean, 1833 (Coleoptera,Buprestidae) from the Ethiopian Region

Sphenoptera (Tropeopeltis) barclayi sp. n. from RSA, S. (T.) kubani sp. n. from Kenya, S. (T.) makarovi sp. n. from Somalia and S. (Archideudora) karagyanae sp. n. from Tanzania are described. The name S. sansibarica Harold, 1878, nom. resurr. is resurrected, and the replacement name S. haroldi Jakovlev, 1902, syn. n. is placed to synonyms. Lectotypes of S. atomarioides Obenberger, 1926, S. capigena Obenberger, 1926, S. helena Obenberger, 1926, S. kimberleyensis Obenberger, 1926, S. nectariphila Obenberger, 1926, S. perpusilla Obenberger, 1926, S. semiusta Obenberger, 1926, S. steineili Obenberger, 1926, S. stichai Obenberger, 1926, S. maderi Obenberger, 1926, S. monstrosa Abeille de Perrin, 1907, S. sansibarica Harold, 1878, S. arrowi Obenberger, 1926, S. deudoroides Obenberger, 1926, S. sebakwensis Obenberger, 1926, S. promontorii Obenberger, 1926, S. zambesiensis Obenberger, 1926, and S. gillmani Obenberger, 1926 are designated.     

New palaearctic species of the subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telenomus</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera,Scelionidae, Telenominae), having the mesoscutum with parapsidal furrows

Five new species of the genus Telenomus, subgenus Telenomus [Telenomus (T.) decoratus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) erectus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) notus Kononova, sp. n., T. (T.) clarus Kononova, sp. n., and T. (T.) gratus Kononova, sp. n.], collected from the Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Russia (Kunashir Island), are described for the first time. T. (T.) decoratus differs from the species with the mesoscutum bearing parapsidal furrows in the oblong tergite II with alveolate sculpture. T. (T.) erectus is closely related to T. (T.) lachesis Kozlov et Kononova and can be distinguished by the longer thorax and abdominal tergite I with longitudinal rugae. T. (T.) notus differs from the similar T. (T.) erectus in the sculpture and shape of the abdomen and coloration of the legs. T. (T.) clarus differs from T. (T.) lineolatus Kozlov in the sculpture of the frontal depression: granulate in T. (T.) clarus and smooth and lustrous in T. (T.) lineolatus. T. (T.) gratus is similar to T. (T.) atropos; its specific features are the head much wider than long and the smooth and lustrous tergite I.     

Brachiopods of the suborder Delthyridina Ivanova (order Spiriferida) from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia

New brachiopods of the suborder Delthyridina Ivanova (order Spiriferida) from the Lower and Middle Devonian of northeastern Russia, Ivanothyris costatus sp. nov. (subfamily Delthyridinae), Eoreticularia lata sp. nov., Yania gen. nov. with the type species Y. tumida sp. nov. (subfamily Eoreticulariinae), Reticulariopsis equitans Modzalevskaya, and R. (?) borealis sp. nov. (subfamily Reticulariopsinae) are described.     

Revision of the carabid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meroctenus</Emphasis> Gemminger et Harold,with a new status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xenodochus</Emphasis> Andrewes (Coleoptera,Carabidae: Harpalini)

Originally described as a monotypical genus with unclear taxonomic position from Sudan, Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 is treated as a polytypical genus of the Selenophori genus group with two subgenera: Meroctenus s. str. and Xenodochus Andrewes, 1941, stat. n. (the latter was previously considered a distinct genus). Within Meroctenus, two species are recognized: M. (Meroctenus) crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 (type species) and M. (M.) mediocris (Andrewes, 1936), comb, n., transferred to Meroctenus s. str. from Xenodochus. A new subspecies M. (M.) crenulatus orientalis subsp. n. is described from Pakistan. Diagnoses of the genus Meroctenus in new interpretation as well as of its two subgenera are discussed, and a taxonomic review of the subgenus Meroctenus s. str. with a key to the species and subspecies is provided. The following synonymy is proposed: Meroctenus Gemminger et Harold, 1868 = Paregaploa Müller, 1947, syn. n.; Meroctenus crenulatus (Chaudoir, 1843) = Egaploa (Paregaploa) conviva Müller, 1947, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomerus crenulatus Chaudoir, 1843 and Xenodus mediocris Andrewes, 1936.     

Palaearctic species of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microchelonus retusus</Emphasis> group (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae)

Microchelonus species of the M. retusus group differ from the other members of the subgenus Microchelonus s. str. (characterized primarily by the 16-segmented female antennae and deepened apical abdominal opening of the male) in their elongate carapace of female abdomen more strongly narrowed apically than toward base. The first key to 45 species of this group, including 7 new species, is given: M. alexeevi Tobias, 1986 (apicalis Alexeev, 1971); M. angustiventris Tobias, 1986; M. apicalis Papp, 1971; M. arnoldii (Tobias, 1964); M. artus Tobias, 1986; M. cisapicalis Tobias, 1989; M. crassitarsus Tobias, 1989; M. dolosus Tobias, 1989; M. elenae Tobias, 1995; M. erosus Herrich-Schaeffer, 1838 (analipennis Fahringer, 1934; hungaricus Szépligeti, 1896; frivalaldszkyi Shenefelt, 1973); M. heraticus Tobias, 1985; M. hofferi Tobias et Lozan, 2006; M. jonaitisi Tobias, 2000; M. justus Tobias, 1989; M. kievorum sp. n. (Ukraine); M. kiritshenkoi (Tobias, 1976); M. klugei Tobias, 2001; M. kopetdagicus (Tobias, 1966) (caucasicus Abdinbekova, 1967, syn. n.); M. korinthiacus sp. n. (Greece); M. kozlovi (Tobias, 1961); M. longirimosus Tobias, 1995; M. madridi sp. n. (Spain); M. marshakovi Tobias, 1986; M. mediterraneus sp. n. (Greece); M. microphthalmus (Wesmael, 1838) (dilatus Papp, 1971); M. mikhaili Tobias, 1989; M. mirabilis (Tobias, 1972); M. morrocanus sp. n. (Morocco); M. nachitshevanicus (Abdinbekova, 1971); M. ononicus Tobias, 2000; M. pamiricus (Voinovskaya-Kriger, 1928); M. retrusus Tobias, 1989; M. retusus (Nees, 1813) (caudatus Thomson, 1874); M. stenogaster Tobias, 1995; M. sternaus (Tobias, 1964); M. subcaudatus (Tobias, 1971); M. subjustus sp. n. (Spain); M. sulcatus Jurine, 1908 (rimulosus Thomson, 1874; rimatus Szépligeti, 1896); M. tersakkanicus Tobias, 2001; M. tjanshanicus Tobias, 1995; M. turcius sp. n. (Turkey); M. volgensis Tobias, 1986; M. xenia Tobias, 2000; M. zorkuli Tobias, 1991.     

New Atrypids (Brachiopoda) from the Lower Devonian of Northeast Russia

New atrypids are described from the Lower Devonian of Northeast Russia: Musalitinispira, gen. nov. with type species M. dogdensis, sp. nov. (subfamily Atrypinae), Spinatrypina (Spinatrypina) krivensis, sp. nov., and Datnella, gen. nov. with type species D. datnensis (Baranov, 1995) (subfamily Spinatrypinae).     

Revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Podocotyloides</Emphasis> Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Opecoelidae), resurrection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedunculacetabulum</Emphasis> Yamaguti, 1934 and the naming of a cryptic opecoelid species

Despite morphological and ecological inconsistencies among species, all plagioporine opecoelids with a pedunculate ventral sucker are currently considered to belong in the genus Podocotyloides Yamaguti, 1934. We revise the genus based on combined morphological and phylogenetic analyses of novel material collected from haemulid fishes in Queensland waters that we interpret to represent species congeneric with the type-species, Pod. petalophallus Yamaguti, 1934, also known from a haemulid, off Japan. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrates polyphyly of Podocotyloides; prompts us to resurrect Pedunculacetabulum Yamaguti, 1934; and suggests that Pod. brevis Andres & Overstreet, 2013, from a deep-sea congrid in the Caribbean, and Pod. parupenei (Manter, 1963) Pritchard, 1966 and Pod. stenometra Pritchard, 1966, from mullids and chaetodontids, respectively, on the Great Barrier Reef, may each represent a distinct genus awaiting recognition. Our revised concept of Podocotyloides requires a pedunculate ventral sucker, but also a uterine sphincter prior to the genital atrium, a petalloid cirrus appendage, restriction of the vitelline follicles to the hindbody, and for the excretory vesicle to reach to the level of the ventral sucker. Of about 20 nominal species, we recognise just three in Podocotyloides (sensu stricto): Pod. petalophallus, Pod. gracilis (Yamaguti, 1952) Pritchard, 1966 and Pod. magnatestes Aleshkina & Gaevskaya, 1985. We provide new records for Pod. gracilis, and propose two new species of Podocotyloides, Pod. australis n. sp. and Pod. brevivesiculatus n. sp., and one new Pedunculacetabulum species, Ped. inopinipugnus n. sp., all from haemulids. Podocotyloides australis is morphologically indistinguishable from Pod. gracilis, and exploits the same definitive host, but is genetically and biogeographically distinct. It is thus a cryptic species, the first such opecoelid to be formally named.