The sister-group relationships of the largest family of lichenized fungi,Parmeliaceae (Lecanorales, Ascomycota)

Parmeliaceae is the largest family of lichen-forming fungi. In spite of its importance for fungal diversity, its relationships with other families in Lecanorales remain poorly known. To better understand the evolutionary history of the diversification of lineages and species richness in Parmeliaceae it is important to know the phylogenetic relationships of the closest relatives of the family. A recent study based on two molecular loci suggested that either Protoparmelia s. str. or a group consisting of Gypsoplaca and Protoparmelia s. str. were the possible sister-group candidates of Parmeliaceae, but that study could not distinguish between these two alternatives. Here, we used a four-locus phylogeny (nuLSU, ITS, RPB1, MCM7) to reveal relationships of Parmeliaceae with other potential relatives in Lecanorales. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses showed that Protoparmelia is polyphyletic, with Protoparmelia s. str. (including Protoparmelia badia and Protoparmelia picea) being most closely related to Parmeliaceae s. str., while the Protoparmelia atriseda-group formed the sister-group to Miriquidica. Gypsoplaca formed the sister-group to the Parmeliaceae s. str. + Protoparmelia s. str. clade. Monophyly of Protoparmelia as currently circumscribed, and Gypsoplaca as sister-group to Parmeliaceae s. str. were both significantly rejected by alternative hypothesis testing.     

A new species of Sauvagesia (Ochnaceae) from the Espinhaço range of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The new species Sauvagesia lagevianae is described, illustrated, and discussed. This species is morphologically similar to S. glandulosa, but can be easily distinguished by its unique umbellate inflorescence arising from a distinct peduncle on the branch apex. Other diagnostic characters to identify S. lagevianae are the nodding, campanulate corollas, bi-apiculate anthers, and the small and strongly imbricate leaves with fewer and ascending secondary veins. The new species is only known from two nearby localities of “campo rupestre” vegetation in the Espinhaço range of Minas Gerais, Brazil.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on the Lichen Lethariella cladonioides

The comprehensive phytochemical research of Lethariella cladonioides (Nyl.) Krog, (Parmeliaceae), a lichen in southwest China, resulted in isolation of eighteen compounds (1–18), including a new phenolic acid 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde (1) and seventeen known compounds, nine phenolic acids (2–10), one dibenzofuran (11), two depsides (12 and 13), one alkane (14), one glucoside (15), two polyols (16 and 17), and one fatty acid (18). The structures of these compounds were assigned by detailed interpretations of spectroscopic data (1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS) and comparisons with the published data. Among them, 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde (1) is a new one. (−)-hydroxypropan-2′,3′-diol-orsellinate (10) have not been reported from any species in the lichens. Compounds 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16 and 18 were firstly isolated from the genus Lethariella (Motyka) Krog. Compounds 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 were reported from L. cladonioides firstly. The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was also discussed.     

A new arborescent Chamaecrista (Caesalpiniaceae: Cassiinae)

Chamaecrista (sect.Apoucouita)amabilis is described from the coastal plain of Bahia, Brazil and compared with sympatric kindredCh. duartei andCh. onusta. The new species is illustrated and its diagnostic characters emphasized in a key.     

Diaulota koreana,new species on Korean coasts with a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)

Diaulota koreana Yoo and Ahn new species is described in the intertidal zones of the southern part of the Korean peninsula and illustrations of diagnostic characters are presented. A cladistic analysis of the Liparocephalini based on 50 adult characters suggests that the new species belongs to the genus Diaulota Casey within the Liparocephalini. Similarities and differences among the liparocephaline genera are presented. Phylogenetic relationships of Diaulota koreana Yoo and Ahn new species among the Liparocephalini are briefly discussed.     

Three synonyms of the coastal Phucobius sharp species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) are proposed based on morphological and molecular characters

A taxonomic reappraisal of four marine littoral Phucobius Sharp species along the western Pacific Ocean including the South China Sea is presented based on morphological and molecular characters (COI and 28S). Specimens of the four species, each having its own distinct geographic distribution, are extremely similar to each other including the structures of the median lobe of the aedeagus, and may be regarded as conspecific. Also, the molecular analyses support the validity of P. pectoralis with three synonymies based on morphological characters. Genetic divergence of COI using uncorrected p-distance among all individuals of Phucobius species ranged from 0.11% to 3.21%. Three distinct geographical clusters (Russia, Korea and Japan, and Vietnam) are found in the NJ and PA trees and we treat all of them as a single species. Three new synonyms are proposed for Phucobius pectoralis (Boheman): P. simulator Sharp syn. nov., P. tricolor Bernhauer syn. nov., and P. densipennis Bernhauer syn. nov. Phucobius pectoralis is redescribed with illustrations of diagnostic characters. Also, the intraspecific variation among the populations of P. pectoralis is briefly discussed.     

Two new species of Antispila Hübner (Lepidoptera: Adeloidea: Heliozelidae) associated with Hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae) from China

The genus Antispila Hübner, [1825] is poorly recorded from China. Two new Antispila species, A. longcangensis, sp. nov. and A. emeishanensis, sp. nov. feeding on Hydrangeaceae, are described from Sichuan, China. The adult male and female, genitalia and venation of both species are illustrated. Diagnostic characters of these species are compared with other described Antispila species from China. DNA barcodes sequences of the two new species are also provided.     

Descriptions of two new species of Histeridae (Coleoptera) in Korea

Two new species [Tribalus (Tribalus) koreanus Ôhara and Ahn new species and Gnathoncus koreanus Ôhara and Ahn new species] are described from the Chungnam National University Insect Collection in Korea. Hololepta (Hololepta) higoniae Lewis is new to the Korean fauna. We also provide a revised key of Korean Histeridae and illustrations of diagnostic characters of these two new species.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:00D922EF-AD40-460F-BF59-D4C9B3654077.     

A new Semionotid (Actinopterygii,Neopterygii) from the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous of Thailand

A new semionotid fish, Lepidotes buddhabutrensis n. sp., is described from the continental Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation, Phu Nam Jun, Kalasin Province. L. buddhabutrensis is characterized notably by the pattern of its cheek bones, by its short preorbital region, and by its numerous and well-developed premaxillary teeth. L. buddhabutrensis is provisionally placed in the genus Lepidotes; it shares, however, derived characters with other semionotids, such as Araripelepidotes and Pliodetes. To cite this article: L. Cavin et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Review of the genus Nuntiella Kuznetzov (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), with description of a new species from China

The genus Nuntiella Kuznetzov is reviewed. Nuntiella bidigitata sp. nov. is described as new with illustrations of adult male and female genitalia provided. The three previously described species are summarized with detailed references, distribution information, and diagnostic characters. A key to all the species of Nuntiella is given based on the characters of male genitalia.     

A new species of Mosiera (Myrtaceae) from the Sierra de Nipe,Cuba

A new species, Mosiera nipensis (Myrtaceae), from the crest of the Sierra de Nipe, Cuba, is described and illustrated. This species is readily distinguished from all other species of Mosiera by two diagnostic characters: four-angled, slightly four-winged young twigs, and calyx lobes that are valvate in the bud. We suspect that this species grows on a serpentine substrate. It is known only from the holotype, a collection made in 1941. An assessment of its conservation status is urgently needed.     

A new sexually dimorphic mantidfly species of Allomantispa Liu et al., 2015 from China (Neuroptera: Mantispidae)

Allomantispa Liu et al., 2015 is the only extant genus of the mantidfly subfamily Drepanicinae from Eurasia, being endemic to the Oriental region. It currently consists of only two species from southeastern Tibet and northern Myanmar, respectively. Here we describe a new species of this rarely observed mantidfly genus, namely Allomantispa coniprocessa sp. nov. from Yunnan, China. Interestingly, the new species displays distinctive sexual dimorphic characters on the pronotum. The molecular identification reveals obvious genetic divergence between the allopatric individuals of the new species. Their morphological variations are illustrated and compared. In addition, some characters with taxonomic or phylogenetic significance present on the pronotum, the abdomen and the genitalia in Allomantispa are also discussed. Our finding updates the morphological and distributional information on Allomantispa and implies a more diverse fauna of this genus in the Oriental region than previously assumed.     

Taxonomic considerations of piptocarpha (Compositae: Vernonieae) and new taxa in Brazil

The distribution, affinities and delimiting characters and prospects for a new classification ofPiptocarpha are discussed. Two new species and one subspecies from Brazil are described and figured:Piptocarpha densifolia, P. ramboi andP. rotundifolia (Less.) Baker subsp.hatschbachii.     

New Teleostei from the Agua Nueva Formation (Turonian), Vallecillo (NE Mexico)

A new genus and new species of an ichthyodectiform fish, a new species of the pachyrizodontid Goulmimichthys, as well as specimens of Araripichthys sp. are described from the Agua Nueva Formation (Turonian) of Vallecillo, State of Nuevo León, NE Mexico. The ichthyodectiform fish shows a combination of characters from different families, warranting the creation of a new genus and questioning the monophyly of these families. We report herein the first record of Goulmimichthys and Araripichthys in North America. To cite this article: A. Blanco, L. Cavin, C.R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Stanmarkia,a new genus of Melastomataceae from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Mexico

A new genus,Stanmarkia, is described from the volcanic highlands of western Guatemala and adjacent Chiapas, Mexico to includeS. medialis, comb. nov. andS. spectabilis, sp. nov. Among the Melastomataceae,Stanmarkia is distinguished by its 5-merous flowers, subequal stamens that lack prominently developed appendages or prolonged connectives, terete hypanthia, and clavate-cuneate seeds that have an enlarged excurrent arilloid raphe and a tuberculate seed coat. A gametic chromosome count ofn=40 is reported here forS. spectabilis. This count, which is clearly of polyploid origin, represents a new definitive number for the family. An emphasis on seed characters suggests placement ofStanmarkia in the Sonerileae which is here interpreted in a broad sense to include all genera previously assigned to the New World Bertolonieae and the Old World Oxysporeae. A consideration of other characters such as configuration of the ovary apex, capsule morphology, and androecial details also provides evidence for placement ofStanmarkia in the Merianieae.     

Description of four new mayfly species of Indialis Peters & Edmunds, 1970 (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) from Peninsular India

Four new species of the genus Indialis Peters & Edmunds (1970) viz., Indialis thirparapensis sp. nov. Indialis payaswini sp. nov. Indialis kannani sp. nov. and Indialis kodagi sp. nov. are described from southern Western Ghats of India, based on larval and adult characters. The affinities towards related species are discussed.LSID urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3C0F5252-4E80-4B7B-89FB-D43E3F2474A1.     

Ancylotherium cheboitense nov. sp., nouveau Chalicotheriidae (Mammalia,Perissodactyla) du Miocène supérieur des Tugen Hills (Kénya)

Ancylotherium cheboitense nov. sp., new Chalicotheriidae (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) from the Late Miocene of the Tugen Hills (Kenya). Seven articulated bones of a left foot, comprising the talus, incomplete calcaneum, cuboid, co-ossified navicular + ectocuneiform, the mesocuneiform, metatarsals II, III and IV, as well as an isolated lower molar, were discovered at Cheboit, Baringo District, Kenya. All these remains came from the Kapgoywa Member (5.9 to 6.1 Ma) at the base of the Lukeino Formation. They belong to a new species of Ancylotherium, A. cheboitense nov. sp. This Schizotheriinae is characterised by its remarkably stocky skeleton, its high and wide talus, its massive metatarsals, in particular the fourth, of which the anterior surface of the diaphysis is strongly depressed. A. cheboitense is smaller but much more massive than Ancylotherium hennigi and even more so than Chemositia tugenensis, both species that have (at least partly) about the same age. It could represent an attempt to adapt to a humid habitat. To cite this article: C. Guérin, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).