Review of Polydactylus species (Perciformes: Polynemidae) characterized by a large black anterior lateral line spot, with descriptions of two new species

Nominal Polydactylus species characterized by a large black spot anteriorly on the lateral line, P. microstomus (Bleeker), P. sextarius mullani (Hora), P. sextarius sextarius (Bloch and Schneider), and P. zophomus Jordan and McGregor, are reviewed. Polydactylus zophomus, with 5 pectoral filaments, is synonymized under P. microstomus, and P. sextarius mullani, with 7 pectoral filaments, is elevated to species level (as P. mullani). Polydactylus microstomus and P. mullani together with P. sextarius (characterized by 6 pectoral filaments) are considered as valid species and redescribed accordingly. Two new species, P. malagasyensis and P. persicus, each with 6 pectoral filaments, collected from the east coast of Africa, including Madagascar and the Persian Gulf, are also described. Polydactylus sextarius and the 2 new species are characterized by 6 pectoral filaments. However, P. sextarius is distinguished from the latter by having lower gill raker counts (mode 28 vs. 31 in the latter) and an atrophied swimbladder (vs. well-developed). Polydactylus malagasyensis differs from P. persicus in having higher pectoral fin ray counts (14 vs. mode 12 in the latter), the palatines inwardly turned anteriorly (vs. straight), and a longer pectoral fin (mean 24% of standard length vs. 19%). Received: February 5, 2001 / Revised: April 29, 2001 / Accepted: May 1, 2001     

Four new yeast species of the genus Sporobolomyces from plant leaves

Among the ballistoconidium-forming yeast strains isolated from various plant leaves collected in North and Northeast China, 12 strains forming orange to orange-red colored colonies were revealed to represent four novel species of the genus Sporobolomyces by conventional, chemotaxonomic and molecular phylogenetic studies, based on the 26S-rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences. Sporobolomyces beijingensis sp. nov., represented by eight strains (type strain CB 80T = AS 2.2365T = CBS 9730T), and Sporobolomyces jilinensis sp. nov., represented by two strains (type strain CB 118T = AS 2.2301T = CBS 9728T), clustered in the Johnsonii clade of the Sporidiobolus lineage. Sporobolomyces clavatus sp. nov., represented by strain CB 281T (= AS 2.2318T = CBS 9729T), belonged to the Agaricostilbum lineage and showed a close relationship to Sporobolomyces ruber and Sporobolomyces dracophylli. Sporobolomyces symmetricus sp. nov., represented by strain CB 64T(= AS 2.2299T = CBS 9727T), formed nearly symmetrical ballistoconidia and was closely related with Sporobolomyces vermiculatus and Sporobolomyces gracilis in the Gracilis clade of the Erythrobasidium lineage.     

The subterranean genus Niphargus (Crustacea, Amphipoda) in the Middle East: A faunistic overview with descriptions of two new species

The Middle East is at the southeastern borderline of the range of the subterranean amphipod Niphargus. The review of new and published data identified two new species and set the guidelines for the future research in the area. The genus in this part of the world seems to be insufficiently studied. The taxonomic status of Niphargus valachicus, population identified as N. spoeckeri and some populations, identified as N. nadarini, need to be reviewed. According to present data, we expect the highest diversity in Western Turkey. The eventual new records of the genus in the Middle East can be expected from those areas where even the longest periods of drought in the recent geological history did not affect the water supply.     

The genus Dryopteris in the Canary Islands and Azores and the description of two new tetraploid species

From studies in the field, botanic garden and herbarium we concluded that the following four species of Dryopteris grow on the Canary Islands: D. aemula (n = 41) so far found only on Gomera; D. pseudomas (n = 82, apogamous) similarly recorded only for Gomera; D. oligodonta (n = 41) the most common representative of the genus in the Islands is possibly an old Canary endemic related to some African species; D. guanchica a new tetraploid species ( n = 82) hitherto confused with D. austriaca (D. dilatata). On four islands of the Azores the following were found: D. aemula (n = 41); D. azorica (n = 41); D. pseudomas (n = 82, apogamous); and D. crispifolia a new tetraploid species ( n = 82) which is very distinct when living but in the dried pressed state is difficult to differentiate from D. austriaca and D. guanchica.     

The first isolation of ustilaginomycetous anamorphic yeasts,Pseudozyma species,from patients' blood and a description of two new species: P. parantarctica and P. thailandica

The genus Pseudozyma is ustilaginomycetous anamorphic yeasts, and are mainly isolated from plants. We isolated three Pseudozyma strains from the blood of patients in Thailand. While one isolate was identified as P. antarctica by rDNA sequence analysis, the other two were considered to be new species and were named P. parantarctica and P. thailandica. The three isolates proved to be resistant to 5-flucytosine, and P. thailandica was also resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole. As far as we know, this is the first isolation of Pseudozyma strains from humans. The two new species are described.     

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of two new species of Spirostrombidium (Ciliophora,Oligotrichia), with a key to the species of Spirostrombidium

Microscopic methods were used to investigate the morphological characterization of two novel oligotrich ciliates, Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. and Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov., isolated from a mangrove wetland in Zhanjiang and an intertidal sandy beach in Qingdao, respectively. Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. is characterized by three thigmotactic and 8–10 buccal membranelles, the girdle kinety spiralling around cell with one and a half whorls, and located at right anterior third of dorsal side anteriorly. Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov. can be recognized by a prominently deep and broad buccal cavity, two thigmotactic and 15–19 buccal membranelles, and the girdle kinety spiralling around cell with two whorls. The small subunit ribosomal RNA genes of these two species were sequenced and compared with those of their congeners to reveal nucleotide differences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the genus Spirostrombidium is non-monophyletic. Spirostrombidium faurefremieti sp. nov. falls into a clade comprising most congeners, but Spirostrombidium paraurceolare sp. nov. branches off and groups with Varistrombidium kielum with moderate support. A key to the identification of Spirostrombidium species is also provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AB96BEE6-BE3A-4B95-B75A-3469B1C53ABB2     

Eulophine parasitoids of the genus Trichospilus in Indonesia, with the description of two new species (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Two new species of the parasitoid wasp genus Trichospilus (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae: Eulophinae) are described from Java and Sulawesi, Indonesia. A key to all species of Trichospilus worldwide is provided.     

Leucobacter chromiireducens sp. nov, and Leucobacter aridicollis sp. nov., two new species isolated from a chromium contaminated environment

Two strains designated strains L-1^T and L-9^T were isolated from activated sludge of a treatment plant that receives wastewater from the tannery industry contaminated with chromium. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the organisms represented two new species of the genus Leucobacter. Strains L-1^T and L-9^T could be distinguished from the type strain of L. komagatae and from the type strain of “L. albus” by the B-type peptidoglycan composition, fatty acid composition, several phenotypic and physiological characteristics. The major fatty acids of the organisms were iso- and anteiso-branched C15:0 and C17:0, straight-chain C16:0 was also found in relatively high proportions. The organisms were halotolerant, grew in medium containing 9% NaCl, and all strains, including the type strain of L. komagatae grew in medium containing 5 mM Cr(VI). On the basis of the distinct peptidoglycan composition, 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, percentage of DNA-DNA reassociation values, and phenotypic characteristics we are of the opinion that strain L-1^T represents a new species of the genus Leucobacter for which we propose the name Leucobacter chromiireducens and that strain L-9^T represents an additional new species of the same genus for which we propose the name Leucobacter aridicollis.     

Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) from rice stores in Thailand, with description of two new species

Five species of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera) were collected from rice stores in Thailand. Proconura minusa Narendran was dominant and is thought to be an important parasitoid of Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier). Many individuals of Proconura caryobori (Hanna) were collected, and the host in rice stores of this species was Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Antrocephalus mitys (Walker) is known to parasitize C. cephalonica, but few individuals were collected; therefore, it is thought not to be important in Thailand. Notaspidiella clavata Narendran and Konishi sp. nov. and Notaspidium thailandicum Narendran and Konishi sp. nov. are described.     

A new species of Limnocnida (Limnomedusae,Coelenterata) from a freshwater aquarium in India

We report the occurrence of a freshwater medusa from a laboratory aquarium in Ranchi, Bihar, India. The consistent emergence of these medussae coincided with sunny days after heavy and prolonged rainfall in the months of August to October. The material showed similarity with Limnocnide indica Annandale and L. nepalensis Dumont but differed in many respects, and is given the status of a distinct species, Limnocnida biharensis n.sp.Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed.     

Two new species of Petunia (Solanaceae) from southern Brazil

Two new species of Petunia Jussieu from Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul states in Brazil are described and compared with the other seven specieS. A key and synopsis of all the species of Petunia are provided     

Loaches of the genus Lepidocephalichthys, from Manipur, with description of a new species

A new species Lepidocephalichthys manipurensis , is described, confined to the Chandel district of Manipur near the adjoining borderland areas of Manipur, India and Burma (Myanmar). It is distinguished by the following combination of characters: a sharp small black dot just above the upper base of the caudal fin; 8–9 dorsal short dark ashy brown bars from occiput to the base of the caudal fin; absence of scales on the vertex of head; caudal fin fork, pectoral, ventral and anal fins are non-immaculate; least depth of caudal peduncle 50·00–60·24% (mean 54·09) of its length and 7·69–8·11% L , S (mean 8·22); caudal fin with 4–5 W-shaped bands: a single dark black stripe from tip of snout to eye; 8–11 spots on the mid lateral line; and 30–31 vertebrae. A key to the identification of lepidocephalid loaches of Manipur is provided.     

Onychiurid species from Wanda Mountains in China,with descriptions of two new species (Collembola,Onychiuridae)

A checklist of onychiurid species from the Wanda Mountains in China is presented. Eighteen species belonging to twelve genera have been found, including two new species. Bionychiurus qinglongensissp. n. can be easily distinguished from other known species of the genus by the absence of pseudocelli on Th. I tergum and fewer number of vesicles in postantennal organ. Onychiurus heilongjiangensissp. n. is diagnosed by pseudocellar formulae as 32/133/33352 dorsally and 3/011/31120 ventrally, parapseudocellar formula as 0/000/111001+1^m, ratio of anal spine/unguis as 0.6, unguiculus without inner basal lamella, and male ventral organ absent.     

Review of Chinese Oligaphorurini (Collembola, Onychiuridae) with descriptions of two new Palaearctic species

A checklist of Chinese Oligaphorurini is given. Two new Chinese species, Micraphorura changbaiensissp. n. and Oligaphorura pseudomontanasp. n., are described from Changbai Mountain Range. Micraphorura changbaiensis sp. n. has the same dorsal pseudocelli formula and number of papillae in Ant. III sensory organ as Micraphorura uralica, but they can be easily distinguished by number of chaetae in Ant. III sensory organ, ventral pseudocelli formula, ventral parapseudocelli formula, number of pseudocelli on subcoxa 1 of legs I-III, dorsal axial chaeta on Abd. V and number of chaetae on tibiotarsi. Oligaphorura pseudomontana sp. n. is very similar to the species Oligaphorura montana having an increased number of pseudocelli on body dorsally, well marked base of antenna with 1 pseudocellus and 3 pseudocelli outside, subcoxa 1 of legs I-III with 1 pseudocellus each, dorsally S-chaetae formula as 11/011/22211 from head to Abd. V, S-microchaeta present on Th. II-III, claw without inner teeth and with 1+1 lateral teeth, and unguiculus with basal lamella; but they can be separated easily by the number of pseudocelli on Abd. V and VI terga, parapseudocelli on the body, number of chaetae on Th. I tergum, and number of chaetae on tibiotarsi. A key to Chinese species of Oligaphorurini is provided in the present paper.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nuchequula</Emphasis> with descriptions of three new species (Perciformes: Leiognathidae)

The leiognathid genus Nuchequula can be defined by the following combination of characters: mouth protruding downward; a narrow band of small, slender, villiform teeth in both jaws; teeth on upper jaw strongly recurved; the lateral line almost complete; a dark blotch on the nape. Although the genus was first established as a subgenus of Eubleekeria, it is here raised to generic level on the basis of the aforementioned morphological characters and recent molecular biological evidence. The genus comprises six valid species: N. blochii (Valenciennes 1835), distributed in India and Thailand; N. flavaxilla sp. nov., occurring only at Panay I., Philippines; N. gerreoides (Bleeker 1851), widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, from the Persian Gulf to Cape York, Australia, and north to Taiwan; N. glenysae sp. nov., from northern Australia and Ambon, Indonesia; N. longicornis sp. nov., from the Gulf of Thailand and Indonesia; and N. nuchalis (Temminck and Schlegel 1845), occurring in southern China including Taiwan, and southern Japan. Diagnostic characters of the species belonging to the genus are as follows: N. blochii—breast scaled, cheek naked, and a conspicuous black blotch distally on spinous dorsal fin; N. flavaxilla sp. nov.—breast naked, dorsolateral body surface fully scaled, preorbital spine bicuspid and not expanded distally, and second dorsal and anal fin spines conspicuously elongated; N. gerreoides—breast naked, anterior part of dorsolateral surface of body almost completely scaled, and second dorsal and anal fin spines not conspicuously elongated; N. glenysae sp. nov.—breast completely scaled, cheek scaled, and unique complicated sensory canals present on the suborbital area, extending to the nape; N. longicornis sp. nov.—breast naked, dorsolateral body surface fully scaled, preorbital spine bicuspid or tricuspid and extended distally, and second dorsal fin spines only conspicuously elongated; N. nuchalis—breast naked, anterior part of dorsolateral surface of body widely naked, and a conspicuous dark blotch distally on spinous dorsal fin.     

A new species of Tropodiaptomus (Gopepoda, Calanoida) from Lake Turkana, Kenya

Tropodiaptomus turkanae sp. nov. is described from Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolph), Kenya. After years of confusion with T. banforanus , the identity of this taxon as an endemic of Lake Turkana is established. The species is described, and its relationship with other Tropodiaptomus species discussed.