A NEW SPECIES OF BRITTLESTAR (OPHIUROIDEA, ECHINODERMATA) FROM THE HUNSRÜCK SLATE (LOWER EMSIAN, LOWER DEVONIAN) OF GERMANY

Abstract:  Lapworthura lehmanni , a new species of ophiuroid, is described from four specimens from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate of Germany. It is the only known ophiuroid in the Hunsrück Slate with paired but unfused ambulacrals, and it exhibits unique rows of spine-bearing dorsal arm ossicles. The genus Lapworthura Gregory was previously known only from the Ordovician of Scotland and the Silurian of England and Australia.     

An ophiuroid trackway from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate, Germany

A new trace fossil, Arcichnus saltatus , from the Lower Devonian Hunsrück Slate, Germany, is interpreted as the trackway of a protasterid ophiuroid, Taeniaster. The trackway consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped impressions, produced by a pair of arms, a feature characteristic of some ophiuroid trackways. This new trace fossil demonstrates that protasterids lived both infaunally and epifaunally.     

New chromosome counts in the genus Cousinia (Asteraceae) from Iran

Chromosome counts are reported of 38 populations representing 24 species of the genus Cousinia from Iran, one of the main centres of speciation of the genus. Sixteen of the counts are new to science. Our results confirm that Cousinia exhibits a complex dysploid series ranging from x  = 13 to x  = 9. One of the basic chromosome numbers, x  = 9, is new for the genus and must be confirmed. Some considerations on the correlation between chromosome numbers and section classification are made.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 151 , 411–419.     

广西泥盆纪的窄鳞鱼类化石

本文记述了采自广西南宁、横县、博白等地的窄鳞鱼类(Arctolepida)的一些标本。根据它们的形态特征的比较,暂分别归属于一新属新种,郁江拟威氏鱼(Parawilliamsaspis yuiangen-sis gen.et sp.nov.);菲里克特鱼亚科的未定属种(Phlyctaenaspinae indet.);窄鳞鱼类的胸刺。对于这些化石的古地理学及地层对比上的意义,也作了初步的讨论。     

A new brittle star (Ophiuroidea: Ophiodermatina) from the Early Triassic Paris Biota (Bear Lake County,Idaho, USA)

Knowledge on the morphology of Early Triassic ophiuroids is very limited, in spite of the relatively high number of described species. This hampers attempts to use morphology-based phylogenetic analyses in order to explore the early diversification of the ophiuroid modern clades between the latest Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic. Here, a new ophiuroid from the Early Triassic of southern Idaho (USA) is described and assigned to the new taxon Shoshonura brayardi Thuy nov. gen., nov. sp. It is part of an exceptional Early Triassic faunal assemblage recently described as the Paris Biota. On account of the arm morphology and the shape of the arm spines and arm spine articulations, Shoshonura brayardi nov. gen., nov. sp. is considered a basal member of the suborder Ophiodermatina.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Tordylium L. (Apiaceae)

The four related genera: Ainsworthia Boiss., Tordylium L., Synelcosciadium Boiss. and Mandenovia Alava are revised. Data are presented from detailed gross morphology, mericarp surface features and anatomy, and palynology.
The results show: (1) Ainsmorthia and Synelcosciadium are congeneric with the genus Tordylium, and that Mandenovia is a good monotypic genus; (2) Tordylium persicum is synonymous with 7. cappadocicum and 7. aegaeum with 7. pestalozzae; (3) the genus Tordylium is best divided into subgenus Tordylium (including Synelcosciadium) and subgenus Ainsworthia (Boiss.) Drude. The latter is divided into section Condylocarpus (Hoffm.) DC, section Hasselquistia (L.) Boiss. and section Univittata Drude.
A new species of Tordylium is described, and two new combinations made. A taxonomic treatment of the genus 'Tordylium', together with a key to the species, is given.     

Experimental evidence of minimal effects on octocoral hosts caused by the introduced ophiuroid Ophiothela mirabilis

Coral Reefs - Highly abundant and widespread populations of the introduced eastern Pacific ophiuroid brittle star Ophiothela mirabilis occur in southeast Florida, extending the range of this new...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mongousia</Emphasis>: A new productid genus (Brachiopoda) from the Permian of northeastern Mongolia

A new linoproductid genus is described from the provincial Terrakea arguta Zone (lower part of the Upper Kazanian Substage) of the key section of the Tsagan-Temete Horizon (Kazanian Stage-Lower Tatarian Substage) of northeastern Mongolia. The type species of the new genus was found in the middle layers of the Lower Uldza Subformation, which contains numerous diverse productids from the genus Terrakea.     

Cold‐water coral habitats on seamounts: do they have a specialist fauna?

Aim The large biogenic structures formed by colonial cold‐water scleractinian corals provide valuable habitat for marine invertebrates on seamounts and the continental slope of all world oceans. These patchily distributed long‐lived structures are easily damaged by several human activities, particularly bottom trawling for fish, and are potentially vulnerable to ocean acidification caused by climate change. Consequently, an important conservation question is whether these structures support a specialized invertebrate fauna restricted to these habitats. Here we investigate the relationship between structures formed by the coral Solenosmilia variabilis and its associated ophiuroid (brittlestar) fauna, one of the dominant components of deep‐sea ecosystems. Location Seafloor habitat around Southern Australia, New Zealand, and the Macquarie Ridge from 35 to 53° S and 117° E–176° W, 500–1500 m depth. Methods Data were derived from samples collected by numerous scientific expeditions to the study region. Because these samples were collected using a variety of gear and effort, a two‐step approach was used. First, the largest consistently collected data set (73 ophiuroid species from 59 samples) was assembled for multivariate analysis. ANOSIM was used to test for differences in ophiuroid community composition between Solenosmilia and non‐Solenosmilia habitat on seamounts and the continental slope, and SIMPER was used to identify species that characterized Solenosmilia habitat. Second, these results were validated against all known data to ensure that these characteristic species had not been found in non‐Solenosmilia habitat elsewhere. Results The ophiuroid assemblages from Solenosmilia habitat were distinct from those found on other habitats on the continental slope and offshore seamounts across the study region. Although a suite of ophiuroid species characterized Solenosmilia habitat, most have also been collected from dead coral or other rubble, suggesting a physical rather than biological association between the coral matrix and its associated invertebrate fauna. Main conclusions Despite the lack of an exclusive ophiuroid–coral relationship, cold‐water scleractinian coral remains the principal habitat for a number of ophiuroid species across southern Australia and New Zealand. The slow growth rate of the coral and the low dispersal potential of some associated species suggest that recovery of damaged cold‐water coral assemblages will be a long‐term process.     

Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from La Réunion and the systematic position of Ophiocanops Koehler, 1922

The ophiuroid fauna of La Réunion, Indian Ocean, is still incompletely known. We report 13 different species from coral reefs, including five new records and a probably undescribed species of Amphioplus , which increases the number of ophiuroids known from La Réunion to 25. The most important find consists of three individuals of a previously unknown representative of the genus Ophiocanops . Originally placed in Ophiomyxidae, its systematic position has long been debated, with some authors advocating a placement with the otherwise extinct Palaeozoic Oegophiurida, based on the absence of several skeletal characters. The new species, O. multispina sp. nov. , shows intermediate characters between its previously only known congener, O. fugiens , and the ophiomyxid Renetheo felli . The three species appear to represent a line of taxa with progressively reduced skeleton instead of an ancient condition. We propose to transfer Ophiocanops back to the Ophiomyxidae, to synonymize Renetheo with Ophiocanops , and to invalidate the Ophiocanopidae, for which there is no autapomorphy-based support. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 545–560.     

TWO NEW SPECIES OF TOLYPELLA(CHARACEAE) FROM NORTH AMERICA1,2

Two new species of the genus Tolypella (Characeae)–T. boldii Sawa sp. nov. and T. canadensis Sawa sp. nov.–were discovered in Texas, U.S.A., and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The species are recognized as additional members to the section Acutifolia because of the small and conical branchlet end cell and the oospore with a single basal impression. However, they differ from all the members previously described in the genus by the frequent and unique development of a terminal antheridium at the fertile branchlet node. A new and unexpected chromosome number of n = 8 for the genus was determined in both species, which, renders additional support to the conclusion that they represent a new taxonomic group in the section. The plants are described in detail in order to clarify some important morphological features which have been loosely interpreted by previous workers. Relationships between the new species and other members of the section are analyzed.     

Ruellia section Chiropterophila (Acanthaceae): a novelty from Mexico

RAMAMOORTHY, T. P., 1991. Ruellia section Chiropterophila (Acanthaceae): a novelty from Mexico. A brief review of the structure of the genus Ruellia is provided. A new section, ft. section Chiropterophila is described. Ideas regarding evolution in the section are offered. It is suggested that some of the taxa in the section may be neoendemics.     

Systematic reappraisal of species in Phoma section Paraphoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma

Sequence data from the 18S nrDNA (SSU) and 28S nrDNA (LSU) regions of isolates of Phoma section Paraphoma were compared with those of representative isolates of the morphologically similar anamorph genera Pleurophoma and Pyrenochaeta and of the type species of Phoma sections Phoma, Pilosa and Plenodomus. Phoma section Paraphoma was found to be highly polyphyletic within the Pleosporales and only distantly related to Phoma section Phoma. The genus Paraphoma, which is based on Paraphoma radicina, is reintroduced in the Phaeosphaeriaceae with two additional taxa. The new genera Setophoma and Neosetophoma, type species Setophoma terrestris comb. nov. and Neosetophoma samarorum comb. nov., are introduced and represent species that are closely related to Paraphoma but differ based on morphological characters and molecular phylogeny. Phoma coonsii is transferred to genus Chaetosphaeronema that also belongs to the Phaeosphaeriaceae. Pyrenochaetopsis gen. nov. is introduced to accommodate the type species Pyrenochaetopsis leptospora comb. nov., as well as several other species formerly accommodated in Phoma and Pyrenochaeta. Pyrenochaetopsis is closely related to Pyrenochaeta and classified in the Cucurbitariaceae. Pleurophoma cava is transferred to genus Pyrenochaeta. The new genera elucidate the confusing taxonomy of species in genera Phoma, Pyrenochaeta and Pleurophoma and recognize monophyletic genera with distinct teleomorph affinities.     

云南产耳蕨属半开羽耳蕨组的分类研究

本文对云南产的耳蕨属半开羽耳蕨组的12种植物进行了分类学研究,并在组下建立了两个新系,报道了4个新种和一个新组合,修订了该组植物的特征范围。     

环柄菇属中国一新记录种——橙褶环柄菇

报道了中国环柄菇属的一个新记录种——橙褶环柄菇[Lepiota citrophylla(Berk.Broome) Sacc.],标本采自中国云南省勐腊县勐仑镇绿石林公园。该种的鉴别特征是菌褶浅橙色,担孢子侧面观近圆柱形,褶缘囊状体棒状或窄棒状,盖表鳞片呈栅状排列,末端细胞无明显分化,近圆柱状或稍窄棒状,具锁状联合。该种被置于卵孢环柄菇组。     

Microstructural roughness of skeletal calcite in ophiuroid vertebral ossicles: evidence of wear?

Local areas of roughened skeletal calcite are reported from the otherwise smooth, imperforate skeletal articulations of the ophiuroid vertebral ossicle (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). Complementary patterns of roughness on both proximal and distal articulating surfaces suggest local points of wear between adjacent ossicles, presumably caused by repeated rotation of the intervertebral joint. This surface feature is discussed with respect to its possible origin (mechanical action, resorption of skeletal material, experimental artifact) and the functional morphology of the ophiuroid arm skeleton.     

A note on the section Cymboglossum Schltr. of Eria (Orchidaceae)

An attempt is made to clarify some recent confusion concerning the understanding of the section Cymboglossum Schltr. of the genus Eria. Study of literature and material of the taxa involved leads to the suggestion that the section should be recognized within Eria with so far only one species known to belong here, while at the same time the establishment of a new genus Ascidieria typified by Eria longifolia Hook. fil. and the maintenance of the Eria sect. Secundae Leavitt typified by Eria stricta Lindl. is proposed.     

绒泡黏菌属下分类等级的新安排

为了澄清黏菌纲绒泡菌属Physarum种级分类上存在的一些混乱,以便进一步澄清该属内分类单元的系统演化关系,对绒泡菌属81个种进行了比较形态学研究。结果表明,该属可划分成5组（section）。给出了绒泡菌属分组的检索表,并明确了每组所含的物种,通过分组对绒泡黏菌属下分类等级进行了新安排。     

Patellaria: A new genus in the Chenopodiaceae

Comparative taxonomic studies within the genus Beta have shown that the section Patellares is distinct and should be regarded as a new genus, Patellaria, with the type Patellaria webbiana. The transference of Beta patellaris to this genus requires a new specific name, P. cordata.     

Chromosome numbers and DNA?C values in the genus Lippia (Verbenaceae)

The genus Lippia comprises herbs, shrubs, and small trees, including many species with medicinal properties. The species are distributed throughout South and Central America and Tropical Africa, but the majority of them occur in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The DNA?C value of 28 Brazilian species has been estimated by flow cytometry. Estimated DNA?C values ranged from 0.825?pg (L. corymbosa) to 2.150?pg (L.?brasiliensis). In addition, new chromosome numbers of 12 species have also been described, and meiotic cells with 12, 13, and 14 chromosome pairs were observed. A straightforward correlation between chromosome number and DNA?C value was not observed, probably due to two outlier species of Lippia that have been transferred from the genus Lantana. In general, the data confirm previous reports regarding the variation within the taxonomic sections and also suggest a new revision in section Zapania. Aspects of karyotypic evolution of the genus are also discussed.