Physalopteroides tarentolae n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) from the gecko Tarentola annularis in the Sudan

Physalopteroides tarentolae n. sp. is described from the gecko Tarentola annularis in the area around Khartoum, Sudan. Light and scanning electron micrographs showed that P. tarentolae belongs to the group of Physalopteroides species with pronounced dentition on the right pseudolabium. P. tarentolae is also distinguished by the absence of spicules, the presence of 11 pairs of symmetrically arranged pedunculate caudal papillae, and the presence of the vulva, with a characteristic rectangular field of cuticular ridges, at the level of the oesophageo-intestinal junction.     

An ultrastructural study of the response of Blatella germanica (Orthoptera: Blattidae) to the nematode Abbreviata caucasica (Spirurida: Physalopteridae)

An ultrastructural study of the response of Blatella germanica (Orthoptera: Blattidae) to the nematode Abbreviata caucasica (Spirurida: Physalopteridea). International Journal for Parasitology4: 133–138. This study investigates the response of the roach, Blatella germanica L. to the invading spirurid nematode, Abbreviata caucasica v. Linstow. Soon after the first stage nematodes entered the epithelial cells of the colon wall, the surrounding host cells broke down into syncytial giant cells. Large polychromatic epithelial cell nuclei occurred throughout the giant cells and the nematodes moved freely within the cytoplasmic matrix. These giant cells were in turn surrounded by blood cells responding to the disruption. The nematodes developed to the infective third stage juveniles within the giant cells and ingested the syncytial cytoplasm. After reaching the third stage, the parasites remained in a quiescent state within the vacuolated cell which was surrounded by a double tissue layer.Evidence indicated that successful development of the parasite was dependent on the disrupted epithelial cells forming a giant syncytial cell which protected and supplied nourishment to the parasite.     

Bryosedgwickia,a new synonym of Platygyriella (Hypnaceae)

Bryosedgwickia is considered a synonym ofPlatygyriella and the following transfers are proposed:P. aurea, P. aureoides, P. densa, P. fragilifolia, P. kirtikarii andP. pringlei. A key is provided to the accepted species ofPlatygyriella. Excluded species are treated asHondaella entodontea (C. Müll.) Buck andIsopterygium jamaicense (Bartr.) Buck.     

Peratanthe is a synonym of Nertera (Rubiaceae, Anthospermeae)

The two species ofPeratanthe, a genus allegedly endemic to the greater Antilles, are shown to be entirely within the variation range ofNertera granadensis (L.f.) Druce var.granadensis, a widespread, often weedy species.     

Enobarbus is a synonym of Lepidocephalichthys (Osteichthyes, Cobitidae)

External and internal morphological characters of the holotype of Enobarbus maculatus were examined and compared with those of other cobitid species to verify whether Enobarbus is a distinct genus. Analyses of radiographs demonstrated that the neural spines and the pterygiophores of the dorsal fin are of irregular shape, often doubled, reduced or bent. The holotype of E. maculatus bears an ossified structure on the last pectoral-fin ray, a structure otherwise known only from males of the genus Lepidocephalichthys. In Lepidocephalichthys, the shape of the ossified structure is species-specific, and the structure of Enobarbus is very similar to that of Lepidocephalichthys thermalis, the only other known species of the family Cobitidae occurring at the type locality of Enobarbus. Furthermore, the cranial and the axial skeleton of E. maculatus is similar to that of L. thermalis, except for the pterygiophores and the neural spines, that are strongly malformed in Enobarbus. In general, the results presented here show that the genus Enobarbus shares the most important characters (thickening of last two pectoral-fin rays in males, structure of swimbladder capsule, shape of neurocranium and suborbital spine) with Lepidocephalichthys and that its long dorsal fin is correlated with strong malformations of the vertebral column and the fin ray insertions. Consequently, the only known specimen of Enobarbus is most likely a teratological male of L. thermalis, and Enobarbus is a junior synonym of Lepidocephalichthys.     

Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) gracilis,a synonym of Eudontomyzon danfordi

Synopsis Evidence is presented which suggests that the nonparasitic lamprey, Lampetra (Eudontomyzon) gracilis Kux, 1965, is conspecific with the parasitic lamprey Eudontomyzon danfordi Regan, 1911. The diagnostic characters of the holotype and of the non-type material of E. gracilis are features found in E. danfordi specimens in their second and final year of adult life, thereby making the former a junior synonym of the latter.     

Lipostoma is a synonym of Coccocypselum (Rubiaceae)

The morphology and anatomy of fruits ofCoccocypselum condalia, C. geophiloides andLipostoma capitatum are discussed and illustrated. Except for the presence of a thin layer of sclerenchymatic endocarp inLipostoma, there are no significant differences in the anatomical structure of these fruits. Therefore,Lipostoma is placed under the synonymy ofCoccocypselum and the new combinationCoccocypselum capitatum is provided. The remaining species,Lipostoma sericeum, is of uncertain status.     

Physaloptera retusa (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) in naturally infected sagebrush lizards, Sceloporus graciosus (Iguanidae)

Of 292 adult sagebrush lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) examined for the stomach nematode, Physaloptera retusa, 81 (28%) were infected. Attached nematodes caused erosive inflammatory foci in the stomach mucosa. Early lesions were U-shaped. Degenerating gastric glands occurred in the adjacent mucosa. Healed lesions were fibrous connective tissue scars; regenerating gastric glands occurred at the periphery. There were no externally visible signs of infection.     

Ditrichum austrogeorgicum: a synonym of D. hyalinum (Musci,Ditrichaceae)

Ditrichum austrogeorgicum (Card.) Seppelt, a species originally described in 1906 from South Georgia as Pseudodistichium austrogeorgicum Card., is considered to be conspecific with Ditrichum hyalinum (Mitt.) O. Kuntze. The latter had been first described in 1859 as Leptotrichum hyalinum Mitt. from material collected on the Falkland Islands and Hermite Island near Cape Horn, but it had been first recognized as a separate taxon, Didymodon longifolius (Brid.) Hook. f. & Wils. var. tenuifolius Hook. f. & Wils., in 1847. Pseudodistichium austrogeorgicum f. brevifolium Card. and P. austrogeorgicum var. longifolium Broth. in Card. & Broth. are reduced to synonymy with Ditrichum hyalinum. Some details of the type material of the last are illustrated.     

Acetone-butanol-isopropanol production byClostridium beijerinckii (synonym,Clostridium butylicum)

Isopropanol is a product of the organism formerly known as Clostridium butylicum, which is now included in the speciesClostridium beijerinckii. We tested 52 strains ofC.beijerinckii for their ability to produce acetone,n-butanol, and isopropanol. The 32 butanol-producing strains may be divided into two groups based on whether isopropanol was produced. Isopropanol-producing cultures accumulated acetone only transiently.     

Pterospoda nigrescens (Hulst), a synonym of Ixala klotsi Sperry (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae)

Comparison of the types of Ixala klotsi (Sperry) and Pterospoda nigrescens (Hulst) shows that they are the same species, with Ixala klotsi a synonym of Pterospoda nigrescens. A lectotype of Selidosema nigrescens is designated, and the types of Selidosema nigrescens and Ixala klotsi are illustrated. Male and female habitus and genitalia of Pterospoda nigrescens are illustrated.     

Caelorinchus abditilux Merrett, 1980, a junior synonym of Caelorinchus caudani (Koehler, 1896) (Teleostei: Macrouridae)

Comparisons between the holotype of Macrurus caudani Koehler, 1896 and the type series of Caelorinchus abditilux Merrett, 1980, show that the latter is a junior synonym of the former. Caelorinchus caudani (Koehler, 1896) is the correct scientific name for this valid species.     

Casabitoa perfae (Euphorbiaceae)—a new synonym of Picramnia dictyoneura (Simaroubaceae)

Casabitoa perfae Alain (Euphorbiaceae) was rediscovered in Alto de Casabito, Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic and was found to be identical withPicramnia dictyoneura (Urban) Urban (Simaroubaceae).     

广东木莲的一个新异名

根据对广东木莲Manglientia kwangtungensis（Merr．）Dandy和毛桃木莲M.moto Dandy大量标本的研究,将毛桃木莲处理为广东木莲的一个异名。     

Neoaplectana Steiner, 1929 a junior synonym of Steinernema Travassos, 1927 (Nematoda; Rhabditida)

Summary A type specimen of Steinernema kraussei and a population of this nematode from the type host were compared with three species of Neoaplectana. No characters were found to separate the two genera and so Neoplectana Steiner, 1929 is considered to be a junior synonym of Steinernema Travassos, 1927. Valid species now included within the genus Steinernema are: S. kraussei (Steiner, 1923) Travassos, 1927 (type species); S. glaseri (Steiner, 1929) n.comb.; S. feltiae (Filipjev, 1934) n.comb. and S. bibionis (Bovien, 1937) n.comb. A key is given to these four species and their junior synonyms are listed.     

Scymnodon plunketi (Waite, 1910): a junior synonym of Scymnodon macracanthus (Regan, 1906) (Somniosidae: Elasmobranchii)

The taxonomic status and validity of Scymnodon macracanthus (Regan, 1906) and Scymnodon plunketi (Waite, 1910) are revised in light of new material from the Southern Pacific and Indian Oceans. Despite being historically accepted as distinct taxa, recent studies suggested the possibility that these species could represent a single taxon. Morphometrics, meristics and morphology of dermal denticles show that S. plunketi is indeed a junior synonym of S. macracanthus. Previous distinctive characters proved to be the result of intraspecific variation. S. macracanthus is therefore redescribed including an updated comparative diagnosis for the genus Scymnodon in the family Somniosidae.