Ontogenetic change of distributional patterns of pore systems in Cythere species and its phylogenetic significance

Species of Cythere (Ostracoda, Crustacea) have about one hundred normal pore systems on each valve of the carapace. These can be classified into five types on the basis of morphological features. They were examined in the light of intraspecific variation and interspecific difference. Each of the five pore systems has its own mode of ontogenetic increase in number. Comparison among fourteen Cythere species shows that the distributional patterns are completely identical in the A-3 stage, but that they are classified into four and eight groups in the A-2 and A-1 stages, respectively. In the adult stage the pattern becomes diversified among the fourteen species, though homologous relationships are still recognized between different species. The similarity and difference of the pore patterns, which are traceable until the last ontogenetic stage, can be used to determine phylogenetic relationships. These findings were applied to the reconstruction of phylogeny of the eleven living and three extinct species of Cythere. □ Crustacea. Ostracoda , Cythere, Ontogeny. Phylogeny, pore system, pore canal. speciation, laroal morphology.     

Taxonomy, morphology and speciation of the Semicytherura henryhowei group (Crustacea, Ostracoda)

The genus Semicytherura belongs to the family Cytheruridae, and was distinguished from Cytherura on the basis of carapace features. Species of Semicytherura from Japan and adjacent seas can be divided into two groups. One is represented by Semicytherura miurensis Hanai, 1957, characterized by a thin, oval carapace covered with fine reticulation. The other is represented by Semicytherura henryhowei Hanai & Ikeya, 1977, characterized by a thick sub-rectangular carapace in lateral view. Semicytherura henryhowei, which is distributed from Hokkaido to Okinawa in Japan, has been regarded as having several morphotypes distinguishable on outline and reticulation of carapace. However, as a result of detailed observations on the copulatory organ, carapace outline and distributional pattern of pore systems, remarkable differences are shown to exist between the two most frequently occurring morphotypes. In order to recognize S. henryhowei sensu stricto, the carapace of the holotype was re-examined. Consequently, neither of the two morphotypes are considered to belong to S. henryhowei due to differences of carapace outline and distribution of pore systems. The two morphotypes are here regarded as independent taxa, described as new: S. kazahanan. sp. and S. sasameyukin. sp. The geographical distributions of the two new species overlap, but their micro-habitats differ from each other; the former lives on calcareous algae on rocky shores, the latter lives on silty sand bottom within the inner bay. A third new species, S. slipperi sp. nov., is also described. In view of their present geographical distributions and fossil records, the origin of this group of species would appear to be the Japanese islands or adjacent areas in and after the Miocene. This group then migrated to the Arctic Ocean and East Pacific Ocean during or before the middle Pliocene.     

Appendage Homologies and the First Record of Eyes in Platycopid Ostracods, with the Description of a New Species of Keijcyoidea (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Japan

A median nauplius eye is reported for the first time in a platycopid ostracod, a group hitherto considered to be blind. A new species of the platycopid ostracod genus Keijcyoidea is described from coastal rocky marine habitats on the Pacific coast of Japan. Observations of living specimens in the laboratory show that it is capable of burrowing to a depth of several millimeters in sandy sediment, using the first two head appendages (antennulae and antennae) and the furca. Females brooded a maximum of five eggs in the posterior brood space of the carapace. The homologies and phylogenetic implications of the trunk segmentation and limbs are discussed, paying particular attention to the sexually dimorphic fifth and sixth limbs; the copulatory appendages of both sexes are interpreted as being attached to trunk segments T6–T7 (counting from the posterior; T1 = posteriormost segment).     

Thylacocephala (Arthropoda: Crustacea?) from the Cretaceous of Lebanon and implications for thylacocephalan systematics

An intensive study of a collection of arthropods from the Cretaceous of Lebanon, formerly referred to as stomatopod larvae, reveals that these forms belong to the problematical arthropod class Thylacocephala. The species Protozoea hilgendorfi , P. damesi , and Pseuderichthus cretaceus display defining thylacocephalan characters such as a carapace enclosing the entire body bearing a large anterior optic notch; three pairs of large, raptorial appendages; and a posterior battery of small swimming limbs associated with muscle segments. Unique characters of at least the genus Protozoea are the numerous 'pits' covering the entire carapace, elongated anterior rostral and posterior spines, and a dorsal hinge indicative of a truly bivalved carapace. We note several anatomical curiosities that provide some insight into the anatomy, ecology and phylogenetic relationships of these and other thylacocephalan species. Structures on the carapace surface of thylacocephalans may represent sensory organs comparable to the receptors seen on thecostracan crustaceans. The affinities of the three species described are still not entirely clear, but a phylogenetic analysis of the entire group may resolve this.     

A review of Asian Hediste species complex (Nereididae, Polychaeta) with descriptions of two new species and a redescription of Hediste japonica (Izuka, 1908)

Three Asian species of the genus Hediste (Nereididae, Polychaeta, Annelida), including two new species, are reviewed. Hediste japonica (Izuka, 1908) was redescribed based on recently discovered type material and on additional specimens newly collected from the Ariake Sea in Japan and the west coast of Korea. Two new species, H .  diadroma and H. atoka , were described based on specimens collected from Japan. These three species are morphologically similar, but distinguishable by some differences in parapodial and chaetal morphology, at least at the sexually mature stage. The presence of homogomph falcigers and the absence of heterogomph spinigers are unique characteristics of H. japonica among this genus. Inconspicuous epitokous metamorphosis occurred as a slight enlargement of the eyes and parapodial ligules in mature adults of H. diadroma sp. nov. and H. japonica in combination with their reproductive swarming and pelagic larval development. The epitoke-specific sesquigomph spinigers were added in mature adults of H. diadroma sp. nov., while the number of ordinary homogomph spinigers increased in some adults of H. japonica. Epitokous metamorphosis in the Hediste species was compared with that in other nereidid genera. No epitokous metamorphosis was observed in H. atoka sp. nov., corresponding to its reproduction without swarming and to its development without a planktonic larval stage. Significant differences in paragnath numbers in the maxillary ring of the proboscis were found among the three species, suggesting different feeding habits. In Japan, the present distribution of H. japonica is restricted to muddy tidal flats in the inner part of the Ariake Sea, probably due to recent human impact, while the other two species are widespread.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 137, 403−445     

Embryonic development clarifies polyphyly in ostracod crustaceans

The present study describes the embryonic developmental process of the bioluminescent ostracod crustacean Vargula hilgendorfii . Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, DAPI staining and video recording were used for observations. This study is the first detailed report of the embryonic development of a myodocopid ostracod. Contrary to previous studies, cleavage occurred in the yolk sphere and no evident cleavage furrow was found. No nauplius stage was found, and five pairs of appendages developed simultaneously. A bivalved carapace developed from two independent buds of the carapace valves. The buds of the left and right valves are enlarged, and become combined. The combined 'one-piece' carapace was divided by the formation of a hinge, and the usual bivalved carapace was formed. On the 16th day, embryos hatched as juveniles with six pairs of appendages, a pair of immature appendages, a pair of compound eyes, a median eye and a bivalved carapace. An important suggestion for the classification of Ostracoda is derived from the observed development of appendages and carapace, because the subclass Ostracoda is defined mainly by the similarities of appendages and the bivalved carapace. The present observations clearly show that the developmental process of Myodocopa differs from that of Podocopa, and supports polyphyly of the Ostracoda.     

Oldest shrimp and associated phyllocarid from the Lower Devonian of northern Russia

A mass occurrence of schooling, weakly sclerotized eocaridid shrimps in the Early Devonian pelagic environment of northern Russia suggests that the body-plan of the Eumalacostraca originated as an adaptation to swimming in the open sea. They probably replaced their ecological analogues, the archaeostracan phyllocarids Caryocaris , as a consequence of the rebuilding of the global marine environment during the later Ordovician. This may explain the rarity of the eumalacostracans in the Devonian and the difficulty with documenting their links with the archaeostracans. The new eocaridid shows similarities to the Carboniferous Anthracophausia in the general appearance and weak sclerotization of the carapace and appendages, but lacks its derived characters. The morphology of the pleural lobes, which have minute spines, is the only identified distinguishing character of the proposed new genus and species Archangeliphausia spinosa gen. et sp. nov. Its carapace was probably firmly connected dorsally with the thoracic segments. The only associated fossils of the assemblage represent a bizarre archaeostracan Pechoracaris aculicauda gen. et sp. nov., with a weakly sclerotized carapace lacking any hinge or rostral plates but with reduced furca, an extremely long caudal spine and pleopods transformed into spines.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 142 , 83–90.     

The Ontogeny of Neonesidea oligodentata (Bairdioidea, Ostracoda, Crustacea)

This is the first detailed ontogenetic study of the appendages and carapace of a bairdioidean ostracod. This paper uses the development of the appendages and changes in the pore systems of the carapace through ontogeny to help determine the relationship between the Bairdioidea and other podocope groups. Neonesidea oligodentata has eight post-embryonic stages: one fewer than the Cypridoidea, Cytheroidea and Darwinuloidea. The first instar of N. oligodentata resembles that of the second instar of the Cypridoidea and Cytheroidea in terms of appendages, and it is postulated that there is an additional instar stage of N. oligodentata that molts within the egg. The general sequence of appearance of the limbs from instar A-7 onwards is similar to that of the Cypridoidea and Cytheroidea, but different from that of the Darwinuloidea. Like the Cypridoidea and Cytheroidea, N. oligodentata has a gap in its ontogenetic development during instar A-6, where no new Anlage is added. Pore system analysis of A-7 instars suggests that the Bairdioidea may be more closely related to the Cypridoidea than to the Cytheroidea.     

New species of Thylacocephala (Arthropoda) from the Spathian (Lower Triassic) of Chaohu,Anhui Province of China

We describe a new species of Thylacocephala, Ankitokazocaris chaohuensis sp. nov., from the Upper Spathian (Early Triassic) of Chaohu, Anhui Province, China. It is diagnosed by its unique outline of the carapace, small size, and the narrow and asymmetrical anterior notch. Fine preservation reveals at least 14 posterior appendages, traces of gills and raptorial appendages, and remains of trunk segments and muscles in Ankitokazocaris for the first time. This is the first report of Thylacocephala from the Early Triassic of China, confirming the wide distribution of this group in the Tethys. The new species is closer to the type species of Ankitokazocaris, which is stratigraphically somewhat older, than to a recently described almost coeval species from Japan.     

Experiences of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) dedicated to the conservation of Arctic char <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus alpinus</Emphasis> in Ireland

Podocopid ostracods have a calcified carapace encasing their uncalcified body parts like an envelope. A marginal infold (calcified inner lamella) develops along the free margin of both valves, notably in the adult stage. Radial pore canals, which often exhibit a distinct branched shape, can be seen in the free margin and they connect to the space between the outer and inner calcified cuticles called “vestibule.” These characters associated with the marginal infold have been recognized as important criteria both taxonomically and anatomically, but the calcification process of the marginal infold has never been investigated. In this study, we observed the calcification process of the anterior free margin in Leptocythere species. The free margin of the adult specimen starts its calcification just after ecdysis, but the degree of calcification remains the same as in the juvenile until approximately 35 h after ecdysis. The marginal infold of the adult specimen then begins to calcify from its distal part around 40 h postecdysis, and short simple pore canals can still be observed in the free margin. Marginal pore canals become more branched and narrower as calcification proceeds beyond 100 h postecdysis. These results indicate that the calcification of the free margin in a podocopid carapace occurs in two steps, and needs much time to complete the process even in small species of Leptocythere. In addition, these observations provide a basis for discussion on the correlation of the carapace size, environmental factors of the habitat, and the development of the vestibule in some Krithe species, “Krithe problem.”     

Testing the success of palaeontological methods in the delimitation of clam shrimp (Crustacea,Branchiopoda) on extant species

Fossil spinicaudatan taxonomy heavily relies on carapace features (size, shape, ornamentation) and palaeontologists have greatly refined methods to study and describe carapace variability. Whether carapace features alone are sufficient for distinguishing between species of a single genus has remained untested. In our study, we tested common palaeontological methods on 481 individuals of the extant Australian genus Ozestheria that have been previously assigned to ten species based on genetic analysis. All species are morphologically distinct based on geometric morphometrics (p ≤ 0.001), but they occupy overlapping regions in Ozestheria morphospace. Linear discriminant analysis of Fourier shape coefficients reaches a mean model performance of 93.8% correctly classified individuals over all possible 45 pairwise species comparisons. This can be further increased by combining the size and shape datasets. Nine of the ten examined species are clearly sexually dimorphic but male and female morphologies strongly overlap within species with little influence on model performance. Ornamentation is commonly species-diagnostic; seven ornamentation types are distinguished of which six are species-specific while one is shared by four species. A transformation of main ornamental features (e.g. from punctate to smooth) can occur among closely related species suggesting short evolutionary timescales. Our overall results support the taxonomic value of carapace features, which should also receive greater attention in the taxonomy of extant species. The extensive variation in carapace shape and ornamentation is noteworthy and several species would probably have been assigned to different genera or families if these had been fossils, bearing implications for the systematics of fossil Spinicaudata.     

A new species Megabruchidius sophorae (Coleoptera, Bruchidae), feeding on seeds of Styphnolobium (Fabaceae) new to Bruchidae

A new species Megabruchidiussophorae (Insecta, Coleoptera) is described from Japan (Honshu). The larval host of this bruchid is the seeds of the tree legume 'enju', or chinese scholar tree, Styphnolobium japonicum (a senior synonym of Sophora japonica), which is a new host genus to Bruchidae. Styphnolobium is positioned basally in molecular phylogeny of the leguminous subfamily Papilionoideae. Other members of Megabruchidius are known to feed on Gleditsia, the tree legumes that belong to the most ancestral subfamily Caesalpinioideae. Therefore, Megabruchidius utilizes ancestral groups of legumes as its host plants. Megabruchidius has been inferred to be ancestral, based on its behavior. The character state of the host for this third Megabruchidius species supports that the genus is ancestral, at least in the subfamily Bruchinae. We also reviewed the genera closely related to Megabruchidius, i.e., Bruchidius and Sulcobruchus in Bruchidini, and wrote a key to the species in the genus Megabruchidius.     

Two new species of Torymus Dalman, 1820 (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) parasitizing Celticecis japonica Yukawa and Tsuda, 1987 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induce leaf galls on Celtis species (Ulmaceae) in Japan

Torymus celticolus Matsuo sp. nov. and Torymus celtidigalla Matsuo sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) are described as parasitoids of larvae of Celticecis japonica Yukawa & Tsuda, 1987 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) that induce leaf galls on Celtis species (Ulmaceae) in Japan. A key to species of the genus Torymus known in Japan is provided.     

Revisions of the Genera Lathraea and Christisonia (Orobanchaceae) in China

The present paper deals with taxonomic studies on the genera Lathraea Linn. and Christisonia Gard. (Orobanchaceae) in China. In the genus Lathraea, only a single species in China, L. japonica Miq., is recongnized in the paper. It occurs in southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu, southeastern Sichuan, northern Guizhou and northern Guangdong, also in Japan. L. miqueliana Franch. et Sav., L. chinfushanica Hu et Tang and L. japonica Miq. var. miqueliana (Franch. et Sav.) Ohwi are treated as new synonyms of L. japonica Miq. in this paper. In the genus Christisonia, the most of collections from China, which were identified as C. sinensis G. Beck before, are treated as a new synonym of C. hookeri C. B. Clarke. A few collections of this genus from China, which were mistakenly described as Gleadovia lepoense Hu snd G. kwangtungense Hu, should be transferred to Christisonia hookeri C. B. Clarke. It is distributed in southeastern and south China, westwards to the Himalayas.     

The Floristic Relationship Between Eastern China and Japan

(1) Many plants in eastern China are conspecific with those in Japan,for example, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Magnolia sieboldii, Lindera praecox, Kirengeshoma palmata, Platycrater arguta, Oxalis obtriangulata, Orixa japonica, Ilex porpurea, Acer nikoense, Meliosma myriantha, Eurya japonica, Styrax obassia, Comanthosphace japonica, Rabdosia longituba, Mitchella undulata, Croomia japonica, Cypripedium japonicum, Galeola septentrionalis etc. Especially, Peltoboykinia tellimoides and Petrosavia sakuraii were formerly considered as being confined to Japan and Yoania japonica as distributed only in N. India and Japan, but the specimens of these species have recently been collected from Jiulong-shan in Zhejiang Province. (2) Though the genera Cunninghamia, Glyptostrobus, Metasequoia, Liriodendron, Sassafras, Liquidambar etc. existing now in eastern or central parts of China are extinct from Japan, the fossils of leaves, fruits or seeds of Cunninghamia protokonishii, Glyptostrobus europaeus, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Liriodendron honshuense etc. have been discovered from Japanese Tertiary Strata, which seems to indicate that the floristic relationship between Japan and eastern China was closer in ancient time than it is now. (3) The fact that some species in Japan have close relatives in Nepal, Sikkim or Bhutan may suggest that the western edge of the Sino-Japanese Floristic Region extends probablyto the Himalayan corridor.     

Discovery of the genus Skidmorella Johnson (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae) in Japan, with descriptions of two new species

The genus Skidmorella Johnson, previously known only from the South Pacific islands, is discovered in Japan. The type species, Skidmorella magnifica Johnson, is confirmed from Japan as the first record of the species other than the type locality. In addition, two new species, Skidmorella amamiana sp. nov. and Skidmorella quadrisulucia sp. nov., are described from the Ryukyus, Japan. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Skidmorella and its allies are discussed on the basis of their morphological characters.     

黑龙江省上白垩统青山口组松花江粗强壳叶肢介的扫描电镜特征

通过对松花江粗强壳叶肢介 (Cratostracussonghuajiangensis)的正模标本进行扫描电镜研究 ,发现原来没有描述的生长线下缘锯齿状构造 。