Hastatobythites arafurensis, a new bythitid genus and species from Australia (Bythitidae, Ophidiiformes)

A new genus and species of the subfamily Bythitinae (Bythitidae),Hastatobythites arafurensis, is described on the basis of two specimens from the Arafura Sea. The genus is unique in the subfamily in having two anteriorlydirected spines, one on the frontal and one on the mesethmoid. It is also distinguishable from all other genera in the subfamily by the following combination of characters: head scales absent; squamation on body incomplete; maxillary expanded posteriorly; no thin pore-bearing skin flap over opercle; opercle thin, weak, without distinct spine; jaw teeth conical; vomerine and palatine teeth present; developed gill rakers on 1 st arch 3; pelvic fins with 1 ray in each; pectoral peduncle elongated, with 16 rays; caudal fin rays 12; branchiostegal, rays 8; precaudal vertebrae 15, with tips of 6th to 12th neural spines truncated.     

A new species of the sclerorhynchid sawfish Borodinopristis from the Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) of North Carolina,USA

Elasmobranch fossils recovered from Campanian marine exposures at Elizabethtown, Bladen County, NC, include species from at least seven genera of sharks and four genera of batoids. Of particular interest is the recovery of multiple isolated rostral spines from a new sclerorhynchid sawfish, Borodinopristis shannoni, sp. nov. Species of Borodinopristis are known from oral teeth and/or rostral spines (‘rostral teeth’ for some authors). In species known from the latter, the spines differ from those of other sclerorhynchids by the presence of one or more ‘collared’ barbs on the posterior margin of the crown. Unlike the previously described B. schwimmeri, the rostral spines of the new species have well-developed hooked barbs with collars (curved, connected crests) extending asymmetrically onto the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the spine, as well as small, rudimentary barbs. Also unlike B. schwimmeri, the anterior margin of the spine is strongly convex and there is no enamelled collar at the base of the crown. The new species also occurs in the Upper Cretaceous of the Gulf Coastal Plain.     

元阳梯田地方水稻品种根部内生菌及根际微生物的分离与鉴定

采用组织分离法和土壤稀释涂板法,对元阳哈尼梯田2个地方品种‘月亮谷’和‘红脚老粳’的根部内生细菌及根际土壤细菌进行了分离,研究元阳梯田传统水稻品种特殊的内生菌组成.结果表明: 试验共得到399个菌株.经形态特征及生理生化鉴定,月亮谷根部和其根际土壤分别分离到8和5个属,其中5个属是共有的;红脚老粳的根部和其根际土壤中分别分离到10和7个属,其中6个属是共有的.经分子生物学鉴定,月亮谷根部分离到11个种和5个属,根际土壤分离到8个种和4个属,其中5个种和4个属是共有的;红脚老粳根部分离到9个种和5个属,根际土壤分离到10个种和3个属,其中4个种和2个属是共有的.通过分子生物学鉴定,大部分菌株都可以鉴定到种,而通过形态及生理生化特性只能初步鉴定到属,但两种方法在属层次上的鉴定结果基本一致.元阳地方水稻根部内生细菌及根际土壤细菌具有一定的种属同源性与特异性.     

Echinogobius hayashii, A new genus and species of gobiidae

Echinogobius hayashii, a new genus and species of Gobiidae is described, based on 11 specimens from Japan and Australia. This genus is distinguishable from all other gobiid genera in having the following combination of characters: first spine of first dorsal fin hard and straight, about 1.5 times second spine in thickness; first spine of second dorsal fin hard, with similar thickness as first soft ray of second dorsal fin, supported by two normally-sized pterygiophores; snout convex; preopercular spine absent; predorsal scales absent; all scales cycloid. The species occurs between 1–20 m in clear water on clear sandy bottoms influenced by fast tidal currents. Based on our observations, it is not associated with an alpheid shrimp.     

A redescription of the Shantar snailfish, Liparis schantarensis (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae), with new records from the southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula

Validity of the species Liparis schantarensis (Lindberg and Dulkeit, 1929) (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) is confirmed and redescribed based on six new specimens collected in Avacha Bay on the southeastern Kamchatka Peninsula. These specimens are the first records of this species reported in more than 70 years and the first outside the Sea of Okhotsk. Distinguished from almost all other members of the genus Liparis by a comblike anteriormost part of the dorsal fin, both males and females have 5–7 elongated anterior dorsal fin rays, with the distal ends free of the membrane for about one-half to two-thirds the length of the ray.     

Schindleria elongata,a new species of paedomorphic gobioid from the Red Sea (Teleostei: Schindleriidae)

A new species of paedomorphic gobioid, Schindleria elongata, from the Red Sea, is described on the basis of five specimens. The new species is characterized by its lack of body pigmentation; the body depth at pectoral‐fin origin 4–5% of standard length (L_S) and at anal‐fin origin 5–7% L_S; the predorsal length 66–70% L_S; pre‐anal length 66–71% L_S; dorsal‐fin rays 13 or 14; anal‐fin rays 10 or 11; first dorsal‐fin ray at myomere 20 or 21; first anal‐fin ray below second to fourth dorsal‐fin rays; myomeres 19 or 20 + 13 or 14 = 33 or 34 total; premaxillae and dentaries with small teeth; gas bladder located posteriorly at 56–60% L_S; males with a rod‐like, flexible urogenital papilla lacking lobes, projections or accessory papillae, with distal half tapering to a broad, angular point and usually posteriorly directed. A key to the species of Schindleriidae is presented.     

A NEW SPECIES OF THE WOMBAT WARENDJA FROM LATE MIOCENE DEPOSITS AT RIVERSLEIGH, NORTH-WEST QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Abstract:  A new species of the plesiomorphic wombat Warendja is described. Warendja encorensis sp. nov., the second species to be attributed to this genus, is known from a single fossil locality (Encore Site) at Riversleigh, north-west Queensland. Specimens of W. encorensis are limited to isolated teeth, two mandibular fragments and a maxillary fragment. Two molars preserve the unworn crown morphology. Encore Site has been estimated to be late Miocene in age, making these the only known specimens of Warendja to be clearly older than Pleistocene. Warendja encorensis is also the first described species of wombat from Miocene deposits to which hypselodont teeth have been attributed. It differs from W. wakefieldi in its larger size, distribution of enamel, and in details of the incisor and premolar morphology.     

A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, for the polynemid fish previously known as Polydactylus indicus (Shaw, 1804) and a redescription of the species

A new genus, Leptomelanosoma, is proposed for the polynemid fish, Polydactylus indicus (Shaw, 1804). The genus differs from all other genera in the family Polynemidae by the following combination of characters: anterior one-third of lower jaw with small teeth extending onto lateral surface, adjacent portion of lip poorly developed; ethmoid not covered dorsally by frontals; sphenotics visible dorsally between anterior margins of parietal and pterotic; upper and lower caudal fin lobes very long, filamentous; swimbladder with many appendages inserted into lateral walls of abdominal cavity; grayish-black body. The type species, Polydactylus indicus, is redescribed as Leptomelanosoma indicum. Received: September 19, 1999 / Revised: June 9, 2000 / Accepted: July 10, 2000     

The genus Glochidinium gen. nov., with two species: G. penardiforme comb. nov. and G. platygaster sp. nov. (Peridiniaceae)

Glochidiniumgen. nov., a ncw genus of Peridiniaceae based on Peridinium penardiforme Lindemann, is herewith erected. Its plate formula is: Po+X+4′+6′′+3C+4S+5′′′+2′′′′ Main diagnostic characters of this new genus are the presence of only 3 cingular plates (it lacks the transitionalone), the third cingular contacting the anterior sulcal plate, and an unusual sulcus holding a small triangular posterior sulcal plate. The thecal morphology and structure of two freshwater planktic species of the genus are described on the basis of LM and SEM observations. G. penardiforme comb. nov. is an infrequent species, albeit widely distributed world-wide. It has been recorded under the names of Peridinium, Glenodinium and Peridiniopsis. Peculiar features in the tabulation of the furrows and of the surface sculpture show that the species does not fit any of the known genera, for which reason the new genus Glochidinium is established. G. platygaster sp. nov., the second species included in the genus, differs from the former by its elongated body, the regular pentagonal shape of its large first apical plate, an equally large sulcal anterior plate, and well developed sculpture, chiefly on the antapical plates. Glochidinium penardiforme and G. platygaster were found in some reservoirs from central and northern Argentina. G. penardiforme was also found in several Argentine rivers and ponds.     

Schindleria parva,a new species of Schindler's fish (Teleostei: Schindleriidae: Schindleria) from Jeddah,Saudi Arabia,Red Sea

Schindleria parva, a new species of the family Schindleriidae, is described from two specimens collected from the central Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. The new species is characterized by lack of pigmentation on the body, possession of an inconspicuous gas bladder and the presence of small teeth on the premaxillae. The holotype is a female of 11 mm standard length (SL) (11.9 mm total length) and the paratype is a male of 9 mm SL. Dorsal fin rays 10 (9) anal fin rays 9 (7). The body depth at pectoral-fin origin 5% (4%) of SL, depth at anal-fin origin 8% (7%) SL, predorsal length 63% (65%) SL, preanal length 72% (72%) SL, the first anal-fin ray situated below the fourth dorsal-fin ray), a total of 23 + 16 myomeres. The female contained a series of 30 rectangular eggs in a single row, whereas the male is characterized by a short rod-like urogenital papilla. Species of the genus Schindleria are likely the smallest marine vertebrates on the planet and S. parva is likely the smallest Schindleria species in the Red Sea. The global diversity of Schindleria is likely underestimated due to the paedomorphic features of this genus. Its fast generation times make it a species-rich genus of high turnover rates, thus potentially highly important for the trophic food webs of coral reefs. Thus, this finding advances knowledge on the biodiversity of the Red Sea, highlights its conservation significance, and contributes towards the understanding of the complexity of the coral-reef fish community.     

23种伞形科植物果实形态及其分类学意义

该实验采用徒手切片法对伞形科17属23种植物的果实进行了外部形态和解剖特征的观察,结果表明:伞形科果实有背腹压扁、两侧压扁和不压扁3种类型;侧棱有宽、有窄;油管的分布有棱槽单油管型和棱槽多油管型;花柱基多数为圆锥状,少数种的花柱基为扁平垫状;萼齿明显或不明显。通过进一步对属间和属内果实解剖特征的比较得出:(1)果实表面被钩刺或刚毛及果棱特征在属间差异明显,在属内表现出一致性,可作为伞形科属间分类的依据。(2)果实横切面的形状、胚乳腹面的凹凸以及萼齿的形态特征在属内种间的分类研究中有重要的意义。基于果实形态特征,编制了17属23种植物的分种检索表。     

Cervicaprastrongylus,a new genus proposed for the nematode species Ostertagia skrjabini Singh & Pande, 1963 (Trichostrongyloidea,Trichostrongylidae)

Summary A new genus, Cervicaprastrongylus, is proposed for Ostertagia (Grosspiculagia) skrjabini Singh & Pande, 1963, previously renamed Ostertagia (Grosspiculagia) malviyai by Chaturvedi & Kansal in 1977. The new genus is distinguished from Hyostrongylus by the structure of the spicules, the branching of the dorsal ray, the structure of the genital cone and the arrangement of the rays of the lateral lobe of the bursa. Other species transferred to the new genus in new combinations are Hyostrongylus gabonensis Durette-Desset & Chabaud, 1974 and H. moreli Durette-Desset & Denke, 1978. The genera Bergheia, Hyostrongylus and Parostertagia are discussed and the present position of the four separate species named Ostertagia skrjabini is reviewed.     

Evoxymetopon moricheni,a new cutlassfish from the northern Red Sea (Teleostei: Trichiuridae)

Evoxymetopon moricheni n. sp. is described from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, on the basis of a single specimen. It is characterised within the genus by a convex upper head profile; the posterior confluence of the frontal ridges slightly elevated at the nape, resulting in the presence of a slight sagittal crest; eye 5.2 times in head length; the lower hind margin of opercle slightly pointed in its lower half; the pelvic fins reduced to a scale-like structure with two soft rays on the posterior process of the basipterygium, its origin below the eighth dorsal-fin element; the first anal spine single, oval, scale like, and originating a short distance behind the vent (opposite the 34th dorsal-fin soft ray), anterior anal-fin soft rays minute and embedded, barely penetrating the skin and not visible externally, while the posterior fin supporting the rays enlarged and visible externally; approximately 17 anal-fin rays externally visible; approximately 83 dorsal-fin elements, with first spine not elongate, shorter than second; 12 pectoral-fin rays (ii + 6 + iv), with shorter anterior (fourth ray shortest) and longer posterior rays extending above the lateral line; 10 upper and 13 lower gill rakers of the first gill arch; head and body silver white, with a blackish margin anteriorly on snout and head, continuing along the anterior half of the dorsal-fin base. The new finding represents a new record of the genus from the Red Sea.     

Parabrosmolus novaeguineae,a new genus and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae from Papua New Guinea (Bythitidae,Ophidiiformes)

Parabrosmolus novaeguineae, a new genus and species of the subfamily Brosmophycinae (family Bythitidae) is described, based on a single specimen from Papua New Guinea. The genus is unique in the tribe Brosmophycini in having six branchiostegal rays and ten precaudal vertebrae, and is also similarly distinguished from two brosmophycine genera,Melodichthys andBeaglichthys, tribal allocations of the two latter being uncertain.Parabrosmolus also differs from all other genera in the subfamily by the following combination of characters: head scaly, anal fin origin slightly before midpoint of body, eye diameter shorter than snout length, three developed rakers on first gill arch and 16 (14+2) caudal fin rays.     

The gastric mill of euphausiid crustaceans: a comparison of eleven species

The morphology of the gastric mill of 11 species in the family Euphausiidae is described. Two distinct arrangements can be recognized with respect to presence or absence of lateral teeth. One is the well-developed gastric mill of Thsanoessa gregaria, T. inermis, T. macrura and Pseudeuphausia sinica; the other is the gastric mill without lateral teeth of Nematoscelis atlantica, N. difficilis, N. megalops, Nematobrachion flexipes, N. sexspinosum, Stylocheiron abbreviatum, and S. carinatum. This supports the close relationships of the four species of both genera, Thysanoessa and Pseudeuphausia on the one hand and seven species belonging to Nematobrachion, Nematoscelis, and Stylocheiron on the other hand. The hypothesis that species in the same genus have similar gastric mill morphology, which was once rejected in the genus Thysanopoda, is accepted in all five genera examined here. Functional morphology of euphausiid foreguts is discussed.     

A highly derived anomalurid rodent (Mammalia) from the earliest Late Eocene of Egypt

Abstract: A new genus and species of diminutive anomalurid rodent, Shazurus minutus, is described on the basis of 15 isolated teeth from the earliest late Eocene (approximately 37 Ma) Birket Qarun Locality 2 in the Fayum Depression of northern Egypt. Shazurus is surprisingly specialized for its age, being most similar in dental morphology to early Miocene Paranomalurus and extant Anomalurus, and is quite different from the roughly contemporaneous anomaluroid genera Nementchamys and Pondaungimys from Algeria and Myanmar, respectively. Parsimony analysis of dental features places Shazurus within crown Anomaluridae as a sister group of two species of Paranomalurus to the exclusion of extant Anomalurus and Idiurus. The marked morphological differences between the two oldest Afro‐Arabian anomaluroids (Shazurus and Nementchamys) suggest that the taxa share a much more ancient common Afro‐Arabian ancestor, possibly derived from Zegdoumyidae. Isolated teeth of Shazurus and other Eocene anomaluroids reveal little about their palaeobiology, but the complete absence of Anomaluroidea from the younger (late Eocene to early Oligocene) Jebel Qatrani Formation is presumably a reflection of environmental change through the late Eocene in northern Africa.     

Systematic and phylogenetic implications of the wood anatomy of six Neotropical genera of Primulaceae

Our main goals were to identify diagnostic characters at the species, genus, and subfamily levels, find anatomical features with potential for future morphological and molecular (combined) phylogenetic analyses, and to reconstruct the evolution of wood anatomical characters in two subfamilies of Primulaceae in a molecular phylogenetic framework. We investigated twenty-seven species from the woody Myrsinoideae (4 genera) and Theophrastoideae (2 genera) using scanning electron, light, and epifluorescence microscopy. Samples were prepared using standard protocols. Based on the wood anatomical characters, we were able to identify synapomorphies and to detect evolutionary trends of interest for the genera and subfamilies. Both subfamilies share the presence of diffuse porosity, simple perforation plates, septate fibres, and scanty paratracheal axial parenchyma. Theophrastoideae species have rays?>?10 cells wide and short (<?350 µm) vessel elements, and Myrsinoideae have breakdown areas in rays and longer vessel elements. Ardisia and Stylogyne have scalariform intervessel pits, Myrsine exhibit breakdown areas in rays, and two Cybianthus species from subgenus Weilgetia have distinguishing features (e.g., scalariform perforation plate in C. nemoralis and the absence of rays in C. densiflorus). Overall, when combining characters, we were able to segregate the Neotropical Primulaceae subfamilies and genera from each other and from the subfamily Maesoideae based on wood anatomy.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrolycus manusanus</Emphasis>, a new genus and species of deep-sea eelpout from a hydrothermal vent field in the Manus Basin,Papua New Guinea (Zoarcidae,Lycodinae)

A new genus and species of deep-sea zoarcid fish, Pyrolycus manusanus, is described on the basis of eight specimens collected from a hydrothermal vent field in the Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea, at depths of 1623–1971 m. This genus is distinguished from other scaleless eelpout genera in the subfamily Lycodinae by the following combination of characters: six suborbital bones; six to seven suborbital pores; flesh gelatinous; gill slit large, extending ventrally beyond pectoral fin base; three postorbital pores; single occipital pore; two to three pelvic fin rays; palatopterygoid series weak; vomer and palatine teeth present; pseudobranch, scales, lateral line absent; pyloric caeca present; 16–17 pectoral fin rays; 22–23 + 56–59 = 78–81 vertebrae. Received: August 5, 1999 / Revised: July 5, 2001 / Accepted: August 26, 2001     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Samaretta perexilis</Emphasis>, a new genus and new species of samarid flatfish (Pleuronectiformes: Samaridae) from the South Pacific

A new genus of righteye flounder, Samaretta gen. nov., is described from two specimens (one female and one juvenile) collected in deep waters (470–512 m) from submarine mountains of the southern eastern Pacific. The type species of the new genus, Samaretta perexilis, is characterized by unremarkable (i.e., not elongated) anterior dorsal fin rays, four pectoral fin rays, six parapophyses, reduced lateral line canals, a very slender body, large head and eyes, and minute scales. An updated key to the samarid genera is presented.     

Eocene sand tiger sharks (Lamniformes,Odontaspididae) from the Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte,Italy: palaeobiology,palaeobiogeography and evolutionary significance

Here we report the first record of one of the most common and widespread Palaeogene selachians, the sand tiger shark Brachycarcharias, from the Ypresian Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte. The combination of dental character of the 15 isolated teeth collected from the Pesciara and Monte Postale sites (e.g. anterior teeth up to 25 mm with fairly low triangular cusp decreasing regularly in width; one to two pairs of well-developed lateral cusplets; root with broadly separated lobes; upper teeth with a cusp bent distally) supports their assignment to the odontaspidid Brachycarcharias lerichei (Casier, 1946), a species widely spread across the North Hemisphere during the early Palaeogene. The unambiguous first report of this lamniform shark in the Eocene Bolca Konservat-Lagerstätte improves our knowledge concerning the diversity and palaeobiology of the cartilaginous fishes of this palaeontological site, and provides new insights about the biotic turnovers that involved the high trophic levels of the marine settings after the end-Cretaceous extinction.