The genus Uromunna (Crustacea: Isopoda: Munnidae) in New South Wales,Australia, with a key for all known species

The invertebrate collection of the Australian Museum revealed the existence of three new species of the genus Uromunna (family Munnidae) from New South Wales, Australia. Uromunna tenagoika sp. nov. from Batemans Bay has the head anterior margin concave, without simple setae; eyes with few ommatidia, eye lobes with both margins parallel, in male posterior margin directed forward; pereonite 7 as wide as pereonite 6, subequal to pleotelson width; pleotelson distal margin pointed, suburopodal shelf present; mandible palp absent; pereopod I propodus robust setae absent; pereopods relatively short; pleopod IV exopod distal tip with one pappose seta. Uromunna rhamnda sp. nov. from Batemans Bay has a head anterior margin concave, without simple setae; eye lobes with both margins parallel, in male posterior margin parallel to frontal margin; pleotelson distal margin pointed, suburopodal shelf absent; mandible palp present; pereopod I propodus robust setae absent; pleopod IV exopod distal tip with one pappose seta. Uromunna eora sp. nov. was found at Southern Creek, located north of Sydney and is the first species of the genus described from a fully freshwater environment with no marine water input. It has a relatively elongate body (length 3.4× width), anterior margin concave, eye lobes with both margins converging distally, in male posterior margin directed forward; pereonite 7 as wide as pereonite 6, wider than pleotelson width; pleotelson distal margin truncate, suburopodal shelf present; mandible palp present; pereopod I propodus robust setae present; pleopod IV exopod distal tip with two pappose setae. This work raises the number of Uromunna species found in Australia to a total of six.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D877FC47-BC6E-4827-BA89-3A75AFDE1124     

New records of fish parasitic isopods of the gill-attaching genus Mothocya Costa,in Hope, 1851 from the Virgin Islands,Caribbean, with description of a new species

Two species of Mothocya Costa, in Hope, 1851 are reported from the Virgin Islands. Mothocya xenobranchia Bruce, 1986 was collected from St. John Island from the gills of the Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, which is a new locality record and also confirms a previously uncertain host identity. Mothocya bertlucy sp. n. is described from St. Thomas, St John and Guana Islands, from the gills of the redlip blenny, Ophioblennius macclurei, the first record of a blenny as host for any Mothocya. The distinguishing characters of Mothocya bertlucy sp. n. include its small size (< 9 mm) and eyes, the slender pleotelson with a narrowly rounded caudomedial point, extended uropod peduncle and uropods which do not extend past the pleotelson posterior margin, and the narrow pleon which is only slightly overlapped by pereonite 7.     

Review of the fish parasitic genus Ceratothoa Dana, 1852 (Crustacea,Isopoda, Cymothoidae) from South Africa,including the description of two new species

The genus Ceratothoa Dana, 1852 is revised for South African waters and re-diagnosed. Ceratothoa retusa (Schioedte & Meinert, 1883) is recorded from the eastern coast, and Ceratothoa africanae sp. n. and C. famosa sp. n. are described; C. imbricata (Fabricius, 1775) and C. trigonocephala (Leach, 1818), are redescribed, revised and excluded from the South African fauna. Ceratothoa africanae sp. n. can be distinguished by the stout body shape of the female; triangular cephalon with a pointed rostrum; short uropods which do not extend past the pleotelson; large carinae on the pereopod basis; a broad pleon; and large medial lobes on female pleopods. Ceratothoa famosa sp. n. is characterised by the long rectangular body shape; pereonite 1 with a raised medial protrusion; narrow antenna with antennule article 1 expanded; uropods which reach the posterior margin of the pleotelson; narrow rami on uropods; and no appendix masculina on pleopod 2 of the male specimens.     

Cirolana songkhla,a new species of brackish-water cirolanid isopod (Crustacea,Isopoda, Cirolanidae) from the lower Gulf of Thailand

Cirolana songkhla sp. n. was collected from brackish-water habitats including lagoons and estuaries in the coastal zone of the lower Gulf of Thailand. C. songkhla sp. n. is described and fully illustrated; C. songkhla sp. n. can be recognized by the presence of abundant chromatophores dorsally, lack of ornamentation on the posterior pereonites, pleonites and pleotelson, the number of robust setae on the uropodal and pleotelson margins (uropod exopod lateral margin with 12–14 RS, mesial margin with 5–8 RS; endopod lateral margin with 8–10 RS, mesial margin with 11–13 RS; pleotelson with 12–15 RS) and lack of setae on the endopods of pleopods 3–5. A dichotomous key of brackish Cirolana species in Thailand is given.     

Sursumura affinis sp. n.—a New Deep-Sea Species of the Family Munnopsidae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the Region of Australia and New Zealand

We describe here Sursumura affinis sp.n., a new deepwater species of the family Munnopsididae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the South Australian and South Fiji hollows. It is characterized as follows: the dorsum of the body is not granulated, bearing short setae; the pleonite lacks a dorsal spine; the pleotelson bears 5 dorsal spines; the preanal projection of the pleotelson is well-developed; the exopod of pleopod 4 is relatively slender and short. In morphology, the new species is most similar to S. abyssalis (Wolff, 1962) from the Tasmanian Sea. This is the second species of the genus described from the Australian–New Zealand region.     

Atarbolana makranensis,a new species of Cirolanidae (Crustacea,Isopoda) from Makran,Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman

Atarbolana makranensis sp. n. is described from the intertidal zone of Makran along the Iranian coast of the Gulf of Oman. Atarbolana makranensis sp. n. can be recognized by the presence of a tuft of long setae on the antennal flagellum of males, elongate pleotelson with 12 robust marginal setae, pleotelson with narrowly rounded apex extending well beyond the uropodal endopod, uropodal endopod half as long as exopod with 14 robust marginal setae, and appendix masculina with an acute apex and extending beyond endopod distal margin. A key is provided for the four known species of Atarbolana Bruce & Javed, 1987.     

A species complex within the isopod genus Haploniscus (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida) from the Southern Ocean deep sea: a morphological and molecular approach

Seven new species of the genus Haploniscus from the deep Scotia and Weddell Seas are presented, combining morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA). Haploniscus cassilatus sp. nov. , H. cucullus sp. nov. , H. weddellensis sp. nov. , H. procerus sp. nov. and H. kyrbasia sp. nov. are characterized by a prominent rostral process, the size and shape of which vary among species. The rostrum of H. microkorys sp. nov. is distinctly smaller than that of the former species, while H. nudifrons sp. nov. does not possess a rostrum. The status of the latter as separate species is obvious, owing to the stronger morphological differences. DNA was sequenced from three of the other five species. Genetic distances together with the more subtle morphological variation justify the erection of separate species. Overall morphological variations between these species are small yet noticeable and include, among others, the rostrum, the shape of the pleotelson and setation of pereopods. Our molecular data sets reveal detailed phylogenetic insights within the Haploniscus cucullus complex, supporting the monophyly of all species. We found p -distances of at least 0.0732 (16S rDNA) and 0.0140 (complete 18S rDNA) between pairs of species and show that both genes can be used as a marker for DNA taxonomy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 655–706.     

Antarcturus bovinus n. sp., a new Weddell-Sea Isopod of the family arcturidae (Isopoda: Valvifera)

Summary Antarcturus bovinus n. sp. (Isopoda, Valvifera) is described from the Antarctic Peninsula and the western and southern Weddell-Sea. This species can easily be recognized by the absence of large spines, the spine armature of the dorsal surface characteristic of other species is lacking. Only A. antarcticus Bouvier, 1910, A. coppingeri Miers, 1881, A. granulosus Nordenstam, 1933 and A. lillei Tattersall, 1921 are similar, but A. bovinus n. sp. can be discerned from these by the presence of blunt supraocular spines.Abbreviations used in text and figures A 1,2 antenna 1,2 - Hy hypopharynx - Md mandible - Md left mandible - Mx 1,2 maxilla 1,2 - Mxp maxilliped - P 1-7 pereopods 1-7 - Plp 1-5 pleopods 1-5 - rMd right mandible - Urp uropod     

A new species of Ampelisca (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from NW Iberian Peninsula: Ampelisca troncosoi sp. nov.

A new species of Ampelisca (Crustacea, Amphipoda) is described from samples collected in shallow subtidal fine and very fine sand in the inlet of Baiona (Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula). Ampelisca troncosoi sp. nov. is closely related to A. brachyceras and A. heterodactyla by having a rostrum between antenna 1 pair and one lateral angle at each side of the head. The new species may be distinguished by the following combination of characters: a distally rounded rostrum between the antenna 1 pair, one laterodorsal pair of corneal lenses, antenna 1 longer than antenna 2 peduncle, antenna 2 never reaching half of the body length, epimeral plates with rounded posterodistal angle, a prominent rounded urosomal carina and two rows of minute spines on the outer rami of the uropod 3.     

Gymnocranius obesus,a new large-eye seabream from the Coral Triangle

Two previously recorded new species of the large-eye seabream genus Gymnocranius (Gymnocranius sp. D and Gymnocranius sp. E) remain undescribed. Here we describe Gymnocranius sp. E as Gymnocranius obesus sp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinct from all other known species under Gymnocranius by the following combination of characters: relatively deep body, with ratio of standard length to body depth 2.2–2.4; protruding large eye, with eye diameter about equal to or slightly larger than inter-orbital width; caudal fin moderately forked; no blue spots or wavy blue lines on cheek and snout in adults; fourth transversal dark bar on flank running from the sixth spine of the dorsal fin to the origin of the anal fin; anal, caudal and dorsal fins drab with yellowish to yellow margins. Gymnocranius obesus sp. nov. is distinct from G. griseus, with which it has been previously confused by a relatively larger head, scales above lateral line without dark basal patch, and a smaller number of front scales on the dorsal side of the head. Gymnocranius obesus sp. nov. is genetically distinct from its closest known relative, Gymnocranius sp. D by 104 diagnostic nucleotide characters, which translates into a 9.6% sequence divergence at the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Gymnocranius obesus sp. nov. reaches a length of at least 295 mm. Its distribution, from the Ryukyu Islands to Bali, including Taiwan and the Flores Sea, mostly coincides with the western half of the Coral Triangle.     

Taxonomy of the genus Laena from Yunnan in China,with description of eight new species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Lagriinae)

Eight new species of the genus Laena Dejean, 1821 (subfamily Lagriinae, tribe Laenini) from Yunnan Province of China were described and illustrated: L. acutidentata Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. brevicarina Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. dongchuana Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. glabridentipa Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. nuda Zhao & Ren, sp. nov., L. raropuncta Wei & Ren, sp. nov., L. rugulosa Wei & Ren, sp. nov. and L. spinicla Wei & Ren, sp. nov.. Illustrations and a key to the known Laena species from Yunnan Province are provided.www.zoobank.org/urn:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FDEDA1E8-2F2E-4732-8DB4-FE2D7BDC75D8.     

A new species of Jesogammarus from the Iki Island,Japan (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Anisogammaridae)

A new species of anisogammarid amphipod, Jesogammarus (Jesogammarus) ikiensis sp. n., is described from freshwaters in the Iki Island, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, based on results of morphological and molecular analyses. The new species is distinguished from all members of the genus by the combination of small number of setae on dorsal margins of pleonites 1–3, short and small number of setae on posterior margins of peduncular articles of antennae, mandibular article 1 without setae, well developed posterior lobes of accessory lobes of coxal gills on gnathopod 2 and pereopods 3–5, and pectinate setae on palmar margin of female gnathopod 2. A key to all the species of Jesogammarus is provided.     

Studies on four new species of the malacocarpic Sargassum (Sargassaceae, Heterokontophyta) in China

In this paper, four new species of malacocarpic Sargassum are described: S. fuliginosoidesTseng et Lu sp. nov. is characterized by its discoid holdfast, the presence of the bulbs on the basal parts of the primary branches and very thick, lanceolate leaves. S. gemmiphorum Tseng et Lu sp. nov. is characterized by its conical holdfast, usually branched axis and very long, narrow, thin, denticulate leaves. S. shandongense Tseng, Zhang et Lu sp. nov. is characterized by its discoid holdfast, flattened primary branches, its leaves mostly entire or wavy at the margins and its racemose to paniculate receptacles. S. qingdaoense Tseng et Lu sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of the glandular dots on the ultimate branches and elongated lanceolate, acute, mostly wavy leaves.     

Description of a new species of deep-water crab of the genus Homolodromia A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 from the northern Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Homolodromiidae)

ABSTRACT

Homolodromia rajeevani, a new species of deep-water homolodromiid sponge crab, is described from the northern Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, depth 957 m, and Bay of Bengal, 645 m), and is the first record of the genus from the area. This species resembles the western Indian Ocean species, namely, Homolodromia bouvieri Doflein, 1904, in having 2 terminal spines on the propodi of the last two pereopods, but can be easily distinguished from the latter species by the inflated carapace, simple long setae on carapace and appendages, slender pseudo-rostral spines separated by a U-shaped base, and a slender arched dactylus of cheliped with maximum elevation at proximal part which bears broadly circular depressions with sparse setae. The most diagnostic character is the higher number of spines on the occlusal surfaces of propodal thumbs and dactyli of the pseudochela of the last two pereopods as compared to H. bouvieri. A key for the identification of the species under the genus Homolodromia is also provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:48894F49-5124-4723-9FF2-3D30FB536DA5     

A new fertile species of Menegazzia and notes on two sorediate species from the Neotropics

Abstract:Menegazzia neotropica sp. nov. is described from upper montane forest remnants and paramos in Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. It is characterized by short-pedicellate apothecia with ridged margins that partly obscure the discs, and by narrow, glossy lobes with brown-black margins. Menegazzia dissecta is recorded from South America for the first time and M. terebrata is recorded from Colombia and Ecuador for the first time.     

New radiolarian species of the order Nassellaria from the Coniacian-Santonian of the Perapedhi formation of southern Cyprus

Rich radiolarian associations are investigated. They include nine new species from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-Santonian) metal-bearing beds of the Perapedhia Formation of southern Cyprus: Dorypyle concinna sp. nov., Gongylothorax mangaleniensis sp. nov., Heliocryptocapsa macroporus sp. nov., H. perapediensis sp. nov., Mita guttiformis sp. nov., Pseudoeucyrtis belogorskensis sp. nov., P. cypricus sp. nov., Rhopalosyringium mangaleniense sp. nov., and Sandovalella trihedra sp. nov.     

Allocreadium khankaiensis sp.nov. and Allocreadium hemibarbi Roitman, 1963 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from the Russian Far East: Morphological,molecular, and phylogenetic studies

Three species of the genus Allocreadium were collected from cyprinid fish in the territory of the Russian Far East: Allocreadium khankaiensis sp.nov; Allocreadium hemibarbi Roitman, 1963, and Allocreadium sp. 1. It is established that, according to morphometric values, the species A. khankaiensis sp.nov. has high morphological similarity with Allocreadium elongatum Achmerov, 1960; Allocreadium erythroculteris Achmerov, 1960; and Allocreadium aburahaya Shimazu, 2003. However, A. khankaiensis sp.nov. differs from A. elongatum and A. erythroculteris by vitellaria extension and size of cirrus pouch. In addition, A. khankaiensis sp.nov. differs from A. erythroculteris by the smaller size of the body and ventral sucker. A. khankaiensis sp.nov. and A. aburahaya have similar metrical values but A. khankaiensis sp.nov. differs by the shape of the testes: rounded vs. lobed. Species affiliation of another Allocreadium species is based on the morphometric identity with the species A. hemibarbi. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction using partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene revealed a clear resolution of all Allocreadium species, excluding Allocreadium lobatum and Allocreadium neotenicum. The genetic analysis detected Allocreadium sp. 1 as a presumably independent species from the Razdolnaya River basin.     

Ten new species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Baltic amber

Ten new species of caddisflies of the families Polycentropodidae (nine) and Molannidae (one) are described from the Eocene Baltic amber: Holocentropus peregrinator sp. nov., H. proximorepertus sp. nov., H. dugoi sp. nov., H. fundamentalis sp. nov., H. telergon sp. nov., Plectrocnemia varigoria sp. nov., P. synthesia sp. nov., P. novokshonovi sp. nov., Nyctiophylax valideturbidus sp. nov., and Molanna okraina sp. nov.     

Gymnocranius superciliosus and Gymnocranius satoi, two new large-eye breams (Sparoidea: Lethrinidae) from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions

Two related perciform fish species of the subfamily Monotaxinae (Sparoidea: Lethrinidae) Gymnocranius superciliosus sp. nov. and Gymnocranius satoi sp. nov. are described from specimens and tissue samples from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions. G. superciliosus sp. nov. is distinct from all other known Gymnocranius spp. by the following combination of characters: body elongated (depth 2.7–3.1 in standard length), caudal fin moderately forked with a subtle middle notch, its lobes slightly convex inside, distinctive blackish eyebrow, snout and cheek with blue speckles, and dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins reddish. G. satoi sp. nov. is the red-finned ‘Gymnocranius sp.’ depicted in previous taxonomic revisions. While colour patterns are similar between the two species, G. satoi sp. nov. is distinct from G. superciliosus sp. nov. by the ratio of standard length to body depth (2.4–2.5 vs. 2.7–3.1) and by the shape of the caudal fin, which is more shallowly forked, its lobes convex inside and their extremities rounded. The two species are genetically distinct from each other and they are genetically distinct from G. elongatus, G. euanus, G. grandoculis, and G. oblongus sampled from the Coral Sea and adjacent regions.