New and interesting desmids (Zygnematales, Chlorophyceae) collected from Asia

Many desmid taxa were found in collections from Asia (Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand). The following 21 new taxa and two new combinations belonging to five genera (Closterium, Euastrum, Cosmarium, Xanthidium and Staurastrum) and a rare species of Xanthidium, are reported. These include Closterium nasutum Nordstedt var. kazukoae Kanetsuna var. nov., Closterium nematodes Joshua var. nematodes f. kriegeri Kanetsuna f. nov., Euastrum binale (Turpin) Ehrenberg ex Ralfs var. protuberans Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum borgeanum Scott et Prescott var. cambodiense Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum dubium Nägeli var. protuberans Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum fissum W. et G. S. West var. yasukoae Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum gemmatum Brébisson var. tenuius Krieger f. porosum (Förster) Kanetsuna comb. nov., Euastrum pseudojenneri Scott et Prescott var. glabrum Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium denticulatum Borge var. multispinum (Hirano) Kanetsuna comb. nov., Cosmarium furcatospermum W. et G. S. West var. fallax Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium pileatum Borge var. cambodiense Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium retusiforme (Wille) Gutwinski var. incrassatum Gutwinski f. retusum Kanetsuna f. nov., Cosmarium trapezoideum Kanetsuna sp. nov., Cosmarium zonatum Lundell var. zonatum f. majus Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium cristatum Brébisson var. delpontei Roy et Bisset f. mizoroensis Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium fasciculatum Ehrenberg ex Ralfs var. siamense Kanetsuna var. nov., Xanthidium pseudofreemanii Kanetsuna sp. nov., Xanthidium subtrilobum W. et G. S. West var. inornatum Skuja f. depressum Kanetsuna f. nov., Xanthidium subtrilobum W. et G. S. West var. inornatum Skuja f. singulare Kanetsuna f. nov., Staurastrum boergesenii Raciborski var. verrucosum Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum dickiei Ralfs var. polypyrenoideum Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum neglectum G. S. West var. fuseense Kanetsuna var. nov., Staurastrum trissacanthum Scott et Prescott var. dissacanthum Scott et Prescott f. longispinum Kanetsuna f. nov., and a rare interesting form, Xanthidium superbum Elfving var. centricornis Prowse.     

New and interesting desmids (Zygnematales, Chlorophyceae) collected from Brazil and Argentina

The morphology and taxonomy of nine desmid taxa belonging to the three genera Closterium, Euastrum and Cosmarium are studied based on freshwater algal collections from Brazil and Argentina. They represent five new varieties (Closterium cynthia De Notaris var. minutum Kanetsuna var. nov., Euastrum attenuatum Wolle var. saitoi Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium laticollum Delponte var. minutum Kanetsuna var. nov., Cosmarium pseudovariolatum Grönblad var. major Kanetsuna var. nov. and Cosmarium taxichondrum Lundell var. yamagishii Kanetsuna var. nov.), two new forms (Euastrum hypochondrum Nordstedt var. hypochondrum f. divergens Kanetsuna f. nov. and Euastrum insulare (Wittrock) Roy var. silesiacum (Gronblad) Krieger f. brasiliense Kanetsuna f. nov.) and one new status (Cosmarium pseudovariolatum Gronblad var. incrassatum (Scott et Gronblad) Kanetsuna f. elonga‐tum (Scott et Gronblad) Kanetsuna stat. nov.). In addition, a new combination (Cosmarium pseudovariolatum Gronblad var. incrassatum (Scott et Gronblad) Kanetsuna comb, nov.) is proposed.     

Taxonomic notes on some freshwater Gastrotricha from West Bengal,India

The present paper is a taxanomic account of seven species of gastrotrichs (Gastrotricha: Chaetonotidae) collected from Calcutta and its adjacent areas (Lower Bengal). All the reported species represent new records from the north-eastern region of this subcontinent and three of them are new records from India.     

Molecular and morphological diversity of Zygnema and Zygnemopsis (Zygnematophyceae,Streptophyta) from Svalbard (High Arctic)

ABSTRACT

Filamentous conjugating green microalgae (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) belong to the most common primary producers in polar hydro-terrestrial environments such as meltwater streamlets and shallow pools. The mats formed by these organisms are mostly composed of sterile filaments with Zygnema morphology, but the extent of their diversity remains unknown. Traditional taxonomy of this group is based on reproductive morphology, but sexual reproduction (conjugation and formation of resistant zygospores) is very rare in extreme conditions. In the present study we gave the first record of zygospore formation in Svalbard field samples, and identified conjugating filaments as Zygnemopsis lamellata and Zygnema cf. calosporum. We applied molecular phylogeny to study genetic diversity of sterile Zygnema filaments from Svalbard in the High Arctic. Based on analysis of 143 rbcL sequences, we revealed a surprisingly high molecular diversity: 12 Arctic Zygnema genotypes and one Zygnemopsis genotype were found. In addition, we characterized individual Arctic genotypes based on cell width and chloroplast morphology using light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Our findings highlight the importance of a molecular approach when working with sterile filamentous Zygnematophyceae, as hidden diversity might be very beneficial for adaptation to harsh environmental conditions, and experimental results could be misinterpreted when hidden diversity is neglected.     

Two new species of Myrmecolacidae (Strepsiptera) with first record of the genus Stichotrema Hofeneder from India

Two new species of the family Myrmecolacidae, Myrmecolax comparilis n. sp. and Stichotrema sagax n. sp., are described from West Bengal, India. Myrmecolax comparilis is the third species of that genus described from India while Stichotrema sagax is the first record of that genus for this country.     

Morphology, cytology and taxonomic remarks of four species of Stigeoclonium (Chaetophorales, Chlorophyceae) from Argentina

Four species of Stigeoclonium from Argentina were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. For species identification, we collected data related to the prostrate system and zoospore germination. We also determined the chromosome number for each species. Stigeoclonium aestivale showed a more developed erect system than the prostrate one, zoospore germination was predominantly of erect type and the chromosome number was 8. Stigeoclonium tenue presented well developed, erect and prostrate systems, zoospore germination was initially of the prostrate type and the chromosome number was 5. In Stigeoclonium variabile the prostrate system predominated over the erect one, zoospore germination was strictly of the prostrate type and the chromosome number was 3. Stigeoclonium farctum presented a more developed prostrate system than the erect one, zoospore germination was strictly of the prostrate type and the chromosome number was 8. The ontogeny of the zoospore germination was related to the final relative development of the prostrate and erect portions of adult thalli.     

First record of the genus aprivesa melichar (hemiptera: fulgoromorpha) from South India, with description of one new species

Aprivesa unimaculatasp. n. (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Ricaniidae) is described and illustrated from Coorg, south India. This represents the first record of the genus Aprivesa Melichar from India and the fourth known species of Aprivesa. The new taxon greatly extends the range of the genus Aprivesa, which was previously known as an endemic Australian genus. A checklist of all known species of the Ricaniidae from India and keys to all the known genera of the Ricaniidae from India and all species in the genus are provided.     

Description of a new species of the genus Awaous Valenciennes, 1837 (Gobiiformes: Oxudercidae) from the middle stretch of the Mahanadi River,Odisha, India,with comments on the Awaous species from India

A new species of the genus Awaous (Oxudercidae), Awaous motla sp. nov., is described based on 18 specimens collected from the Mahanadi River near Sonepur, Subarnapur District, and 3 specimens from the same river near Boudh bridge, Boudh District of Odisha, India. This species is distinct from its congeners by having a combination of characteristics: relatively small eyes, diameter of 6.6–8.4 in head length (LH); robust and long snout, 2.0–2.6 in LH; eye diameter 2.7–4.1 in snout length; cephalic sensory pore system interrupted with eight pores; predorsal scales 13–15; longitudinal scale series 55–58; gill rakers 2 + 1 + (6–7) on the first gill arch; teeth small, conical, and in a single row on the upper jaw and multiserial (2–3) on the lower jaw. This species is also differentiated from some of its congeners in the nucleotide composition of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene by 8.3%–13.8% Kimura two-parameter (K2P) distance and belongs to a separate cluster in the maximum likelihood tree analysis. This finding is also supported by the species delimitation analysis based on Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning. The new species holds high commercial value in its locality and needs special conservation attention for sustainable utilization.     

中国广西大瑶山瘿螨新属和新种（蜱螨亚纲：瘿螨总科）

记述采自广西的瘿螨总科10属10新种。新属二环顶背瘿螨属Tegosecanus gen. nov. 的主要属鉴别特征为：螨体为纺锤形,胛毛位于盾后缘之前,螨体背环光滑,腹环具微瘤,背环具中纵脊,终止于2侧脊之前,第2背环宽,覆盖于其后的二背环之上,第3–4背环具侧突。10新种分别是：油杉三毛瘿螨Trisetacus fortunei sp. nov.;桂林雕瘿螨Glyptacus kweilinensus sp. nov.;腺叶桂樱新拟尖叶瘿螨Neoacaphyllisa phaeosticta sp. nov.;山黄麻尖空瘿螨Oxycenus tomentosae sp. nov.;拟赤杨小叶剌瘿螨Phyllocoptacus fortuneir sp. nov.;金秀二环顶背瘿螨Tegosecans jinxiuensis sp. nov.;古柯上瘿螨Epitrimerus sinensis sp. nov.;润楠叶剌瘿螨Phyllocoptes glaucifoliae sp. nov.;山麻风羽爪瘿螨Diptilomiopus pomiferae sp. nov.;卫矛维氏瘿螨Vimola laxifloris sp. nov. 上述所有瘿螨新种均生活在寄主叶片背面,无明显为害状。     

A new species of the Brazilian genus Chresta (Asteraceae, Vernonieae) from Bahia

A new species of the genus Chresta Vell. ex DC. (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) from the Brazilian state of Bahia is described and illustrated. The new species resembles Chresta pinnatifida (Philipson) H.Rob. but differs in having solitary glomerules, leaf bases clasping the stem and 35–40 capitula per glomerule. It can be distinguished from Chresta harleyii and Chresta martii , the other two species of the genus with pinnately lobed leaves, by the type of pubescence, leaf blade bases and florets number. In addition, a key to distinguish all the species of the genus is presented. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 587–590.     

Two new species and new records of biting midges of the genus Dasyhelea Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India

Pupa, male and female adults of Dasyhelea (Prokempia) flava Carter, Ingram & Macfie, pupa and male adult of D. (Pseudoculicoides) acuta n. sp., and male adult of D. (Pseudoculicoides) comosa n. sp. are described and illustrated.     

四川平须舞虻属Platypalpus三新种（双翅目：舞虻科）

平须舞虻属Platypalpus Macquart是舞虻科中最大的属之一,已知550余种分布世界各地.四川以前已知8种.本文记述四川平须舞虻属3新种:短芒平须舞虻Platypalpus breviarista sp.nov.,微距平须舞虻Platypalpus minor sp.nov.和亚丁平须舞虻Platypalpus yadinganus sp.nov,均属于长角平须舞虻种团Platypalpus longicornis species group,并编制了四川平须舞虻属分种检索表.     

Three new species of imitator-group of the genus Macrophya (Hymenoptera,Tenthredinidae) from China

Three species, Macrophya circulotibialis Li, Liu & Heng, sp. nov., M. curvatitheca Li, Liu & Heng, sp. nov. and M. changbaina Li, Liu & Heng, sp. nov., of the imitator-group of the genus Macrophya Dahlbom(Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) from China are described as new to science. A key to all known species of the imitator-group from China is provided. The specimens examined in this study, including all holotypes and paratypes of the new species, are deposited in the Insect Collection of Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, Hunan, China, and the Department of Zoology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.     

New species of alderfly genus Sialis (Megaloptera: Sialidae) from China and Vietnam,with a key to species of Sialis from Asia

The alderfly genus Sialis is the most species‐rich group of the family Sialidae. However, discovery of new Sialis species is becoming difficult because of previous good faunal exploration. In this paper, we describe two new Sialis species from the southern part of East Asia, S. australis and S. jiyuni, based on materials from historical and recent collections. These two species are closely related to the insular species S. kumejimae and are among the early diverged species within Sialis. Presently, 32 species of Sialis are recorded from Asia. A key to all the Sialis species from Asia is provided.     

A new species of the genus Helcogramma (Blenniiformes, Tripterygiidae) from Taiwan

A new species of triplefin fish (Blenniiformes: Tripterygiidae), Helcogramma williamsi, is described from six specimens collected from southern Taiwan. This species is well distinguished from its congeners by possessing 13 second dorsal-fin spines; third dorsal-fin rays modally 11; anal-fin rays modally 19; pored scales in lateral line 22-24; dentary pore pattern modally 5+1+5; lobate supraorbital cirrus; broad, serrated or palmate nasal cirrus; first dorsal fin lower in height than second; males with yellow mark extending from anterior tip of upper lip to anterior margin of eye and a whitish blue line extending from corner of mouth onto preopercle. Comparisons and a diagnostic key are provided for the species of Helcogramma now known from Taiwan: Helcogramma fuscipectoris, Helcogramma inclinata, Helcogramma striata, Helcogramma trigloides, and the newly recorded, Helcogramma rhinoceros.