Systematics of the spider genus Metabus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 (Araneoidea: Tetragnathidae) with additions to the tetragnathid fauna of Chile and comments on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus : the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov. , A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov. , A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov. – created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov. – and three new species of Chrysometa : C. acinosa sp. nov. , C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov. , M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. , M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 285–335.     

Taxonomic revision, phylogenetic analysis, and biogeography of the bee genus Tropidopedia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Tapinotaspidini)

The species of the bee genus Tropidopedia stat. nov. are revised. Thirteen new species are proposed: T. carinata sp. nov. , T. caracicola sp. nov. , T. danunciae sp. nov. , T. duckeana sp. nov. , T. eliasi sp. nov. , T. flavolineata sp. nov. , T. friesei sp. nov. , T. japuraensis sp. nov. , T. nigrita sp. nov. , T. nigrocarinata sp. nov. , T. ornata sp. nov. , T. peruana sp. nov. and T. venezuelana sp. nov. Taxonomic notes are provided for another four species: Tropidopedia punctifrons (Smith, 1879) comb. nov. , T. pallidipennis (Friese, 1899) comb. nov. , T. seabrai (Michener & Moure, 1957) and T. arcuatilis (Vachal, 1909) comb. nov. , including designation of a lectotype for Tetrapedia arcuatilis Vachal. An identification key, illustrations for main diagnostic characters, and distributions maps for all species are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to evaluate the monophyly of Tropidopedia and its main species groups, as well as to position it among the related genera. Biogeographical patterns are discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 511–554.     

Development, phylogeny, and taxonomy of Bostrycapulus (Caenogastropoda: Calyptraeidae), an ancient cryptic radiation

Calyptraeid gastropods are well know for the taxonomic difficulties caused by their simple, phenotypically variable shells. In this paper I demonstrate that what was previously considered to be a single species, Crepidula aculeata , is an ancient (3–15 Myr) cryptic species complex made up of at least eight species, and that this group should be placed in the genus Bostrycapulus . Despite the difficulty in finding diagnostic adult shell and anatomical features upon which species can be unambiguously identified, DNA sequences, protoconch morphology, embryonic morphology and developmental characters clearly differentiate these eight species. A single species with direct development and nurse eggs is present in the South Atlantic, and a species with planktotrophic development occurs in the equatorial Pacific. The species from Japan, Australia, Florida, the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, and the Cape Verde Islands all have direct development. Most of these species are separated by > 15% divergence in COI sequence data. The fossil record of Bostrycapulus goes back to the Miocene, which agrees with genetic estimates of divergences within the genus ranging from 3 to 15 Mya. Surprisingly, these ancient species differ only slightly in morphology from each other and genetic differentiation does not correlate with geographical distance. I revise the genus Bostrycapulus on the basis of differences in adult morphology, embryonic morphology, mode of development, protoconch morphology, and DNA sequence data. I also describe four new species ( B. pritzkeri sp. nov., B. odites sp. nov., B. latebrus sp. nov. and B. urraca sp. nov. ) and remove three others ( B. gravispinosus , B. calyptraeformis , and B.  cf. tegulicius ) from synonymy with B. aculeatus .  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 144 , 75−101.     

New and little-known Komokiacea (Foraminifera) from the bathyal and abyssal Weddell Sea and adjacent areas

Based on samples from the south-east Atlantic and Southern Ocean collected during the ANDEEP III campaign we describe three new species, Ipoa pennata sp. nov., Septuma stellata sp. nov. and Skeletonia variabilis gen. et sp. nov. , of the enigmatic deep-sea foraminiferan superfamily Komokiacea. A further six species, Ipoa fragila Tendal & Hessler, 1977, Komokia multiramosa Tendal & Hessler, 1977, Normanina conferta (Norman, 1878), Septuma ocotillo Tendal & Hessler, 1977, S. brachyramosa Kamenskaya, 1993, and S. komokiformis Kamenskaya 1993, are redescribed. Together, these nine species occurred at 14 stations across the depth range 1549–4935 m. Normanina conferta was found at 11 stations (1579–4935 m); S. ocotillo (4526–4935 m), S. brachyramosa (1819–4730 m) and S. stellata (2603–4934 m) at six stations each; I. fragila (4649–4934 m) at five stations; K. multiramosa (4700–4935) and S. variabilis (4696–4932 m) at four stations each; I. pennata (4803–4934 m) at three stations and S. komokiformis (3103–4526 m) at two stations. Five species occur in both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Ocean, suggesting that close faunal links exist between these areas. Three were first described from the North Pacific Ocean while others, including the three new species, are so far known only from the Southern Ocean.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 219–251.     

Taxonomic position of and generic distinction between Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis), with description of a new species from the Black Sea

Both sexes of a new species of Taurocletodes Kunz, 1975 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae incertae sedis ) are described from sandy beaches along the Black Sea coast of Turkey. The genus Taurocletodes is removed from its synonymy with Parepactophanes Kunz, 1935 and re-instated as a valid genus, accommodating the type species T. dubius (Noodt, 1958) comb. nov. and T. tumenae sp. nov. Both genera can be differentiated by major differences in the segmentation of P1–P3 endopods, the absence/presence of penicillate setae on P1 endopod, the number of outer spines on P2–P4 exp-3, the armature of P2–P4 endopods and the sexual dimorphism of P2 endopod and P3 exopod. T. tumenae sp. nov. and T. dubius are morphologically very similar, differing in morphometric characters related to the endopodal segmentation of P1 and P4, and armature of the male P5. The controversial taxonomic status of Parepactophanes and Taurocletodes within the family Canthocamptidae is discussed.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 469−486.     

Revision of the genus Menippus Clark in Australia (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae)

Abstract  The genus Menippus is revised for Australia, with six species, three of which are new: M. cynicus Clark, M. darcyi sp. nov. , M. ewani sp. nov. , M. fugitivus (Lea), M. sufi sp. nov. and M. yulensis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise). Menippus yulensis was described from New Guinea. This species and M. darcyi were formerly confused in Australia with M. fugitivus , which is now considered endemic to Lord Howe Island. The species formerly considered M. fugitivus and protected under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, New South Wales, is now named M. darcyi . A key is provided for the Australian species of Menippus and a lectotype designated for M. yulensis . The composition of Menippus is discussed and three non-Australian species are transferred to this genus: M. inconspicua (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Diorhabda Weise); M. laterimaculata (Jacoby) comb. nov. ; and M. marginipennis (Jacoby) comb. nov. (from Galerucella Crotch). A revised checklist of Menippus species is given. The recorded foodplants of Menippus are species of Celtis (Ulmaceae).     

Phylogenetic Relationships within the Excavating Hadromerida (Porifera), with a Systematic Revision

This study was performed to ascertain the relationships among clionid and spirastrellid species from the Mediterranean Sea, based on phylogenetic criteria. A matrix of 34 taxa and 20 characters was analysed. Cladistic analysis using PAUP produced 12 equally parsimonious trees of 54 steps (CI=0.648, RI=0.865). Resolution was high in all parts of the strict consensus tree except in those which involved relationships among the most characteristic clionid species: those having only tylostyles as megascleres and, if microscleres are present, these being spirasters. Six monophyletic groups, three of them represented by monospecific clades, appear in the totally resolved part of the trees, which supports their separation into different genera. On the basis of the results obtained, the species at present within the genus Cliona have been allocated to five different genera: Scantilletta, Pione, Volzia, Bernatia and Cliona , while Dotona and Cliothosa are maintained as separate genera. Scantilletta and Pione are genera erected by de Laubenfels (1936 Pap. Tortugas Lab. 30 , 1–225) and Gray (1867 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. XXXII , 492–558) respectively, and whose diagnoses are amended here. Volzia and Bernatia are proposed as new genera to include Cliona albicans and Cliona rovignensis , and Cliona vermifera , respectively. Thus, the genus Cliona clearly appears in our analysis as a polyphyletic group. It is only maintained provisionally to harbour species whose position cannot be clearly ascertained from the information at hand. Skeletal characters such as spicule types and skeletal arrangement have proven to be useful in discriminating some genera and families but they do not completely resolve the phylogeny of this group of species. Biochemical, genetic, cytological or reproductive information, when available, may help in the resolution of the phylogenetic tree.     

Revision of the New Caledonian endemic genus Gracilipsodes (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Grumichellini)

The taxonomy and systematics of the New Caledonian endemic caddisfly genus Gracilipsodes Sykora, 1967 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae: Grumichellini) are reviewed. Seven new species represented by males are described and illustrated: Gracilipsodes aoupiniensis sp. nov. , Gracilipsodes aureus sp. nov. , Gracilipsodes aurorus sp. nov. , Gracilipsodes grandis sp. nov. , Gracilipsodes koghiensis sp. nov. , Gracilipsodes lanceolatus sp. nov. , and Gracilipsodes robustus sp. nov. Molecular phylogenetic analyses are applied to discern the relationships among the species of the genus and their closest relatives, based on sequence characters from the nuclear gene translation elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) and the three mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase I (COI), COII, and ribosomal large subunit (16S). The data are analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian inference, revealing a monophyletic Gracilipsodes with the eastern Australian monotypic genus Triplexa as its closest relative. Gracilipsodes is in turn divided into two major lineages.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 153 , 425–452.     

Before it is too late: description of a new genus and species of butterfly from a highly threatened Brazilian biome

A new genus, Nhambikuara Freitas, Barbosa & Zacca gen. nov., and species, Nhambikuara cerradensis Freitas, Barbosa & Zacca sp. nov., of the highly diverse Neotropical butterfly subtribe Euptychiina are described. Nhambikuara cerradensissp. nov. is the type species for the genus, and Euptychia mima Butler, 1867 is also transferred to the new genus, as Nhambikuara mima (Butler, 1867) comb. nov., from the genus Zischkaia Forster, 1964. The taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, geographic distribution and natural history of species of the genus are also discussed.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:41AD7568-3490-4F63-A019-32D5592A8C44     

Towards a revision of the genus Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913: establishment of Simplicaris gen. nov. from groundwaters in central Italy and review of the P. brevipes-group (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae)

A new genus Simplicaris (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Parastenocarididae) is established to accommodate two species collected from deep groundwater in Italy, S. lethaea sp. nov. and S. veneris (Cottarelli & Maiolini, 1980) comb. nov. Parastenocaris hippuris Hertzog, 1938 and P. aedes Hertzog, 1938 are ranked as incertae sedis within the genus. Members display complete absence of leg 5 in both sexes and an unusual elongation of the first exopodal segments of legs 1–4, in which exp-1 is distinctly longer than exp-2 or -3, or as long as exp-2 and -3 combined. As the systematic status of the family Parastenocarididae and of the type genus Parastenocaris is still in flux, a list of phylogenetically informative characters is proposed, along with a discussion of their various states in representative members of the family. The genus Parastenocaris sensu stricto is redefined to comprise only the brevipes -group. The remaining members of the genus are considered Parastenocaris sensu lato pending a thorough revision of the family.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 417−436.     

Systematics of the bryozoan genus Macropora (Cheilostomata)

Macropora is a distinctive genus of anascan cheilostomes. All species have large zooids with an extensive cryptocystal frontal shield perforated by numerous pores through which parietal muscle strands pass. Also characteristic of Macropora are the calcified opercula closing the d -shaped orifice, avicularia resembling autozooids but having slightly enlarged, typically crenulated opercula/mandibles, and large ovicells that are often costate. This mostly Australasian genus has a documented fossil record stretching back to the Eocene. Here we revise the generic diagnosis of Macropora and describe eight new species from New Zealand (three Recent: M. nodulosa sp. nov. , M. filifera sp. nov. and M. carlosi sp. nov. ; five fossil: M. septispinosa sp. nov. , M. similis sp. nov. , M. pittensis sp. nov. , M. leeae sp. nov. and M. bullata sp. nov. ) and one new species from Japan ( M. mawatariorum sp. nov. ), the only species known with certainty to occur in the northern hemisphere. New observations are given for some previously described species, several of which are illustrated using SEM for the first time. The northern hemisphere Upper Cretaceous species Monoporella exsculpta (Marsson), showing features allowing it to be placed tentatively in the stem-group of Macropora , is redescribed. Attempts to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of species within Macropora were hampered by the relatively few morphological characters compared with the number of species, and it proved impossible to obtain a phylogeny robust to slight changes in taxon and/or character inclusion. The favoured cladogram has poor bootstrap and Bremer support, and its stratigraphical and biogeographical congruences are low.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 115–146.     

Ecology and systematics of mangrove crabs of the genus Perisesarma (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from East Africa

East Africa has a reduced mangrove crab species richness when compared to Asian mangroves. To date, only one species of Perisesarma de Man, 1895 has been reported in East Africa, despite more than 30 years of mangrove research in this region. Based on morphology, colour, mtDNA and behaviour, we describe a new species of Perisesarma from Kenya, P. samawati sp. nov. Surprisingly, when comparing molecular data from other species within this genus, P. samawati sp. nov. and the sympatric P. guttatum (A. Milne Edwards, 1869) are not sister species. Some aspects of the ecology of P. guttatum and P. samawati sp. nov. are compared and the differences discussed. Additionally, we compare P. samawati sp. nov. with the ecological literature of a possible sister species P. eumolpe de Man, 1895 from Malaysian mangroves. Our findings suggest that the new species is an ecologically important species in East African mangroves.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 435–445.     

Vallodiscus gen. nov., a new fossil resting spore morpho-genus related to the marine diatom genus Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyceae)

A new fossil marine diatom resting spore morphogenus, Vallodiscus Suto gen. nov., is described using samples from Deep Sea Drilling Project Site 338 in the Norwegian Sea, Sites 436 and 438 in the north‐west Pacific Ocean and the onland Newport Beach Section, California. Vallodiscus is characterized by a single ring of veins along the epivalve margin and a hypovalve covered with circular depressions of several sizes with gentle elevation. The morpho‐genus bears three new species and one new combination: Vallodiscus simplexus Suto sp. nov., Vallodiscus complexus Suto sp. nov., Vallodiscus lanceolatus Suto sp. nov. and Vallodiscus chinchae (Mereschkowsky) Suto comb. nov.     

Towards a revision of the genus Halectinosoma (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ectinosomatidae): new species from the North Atlantic and Arctic regions

This paper contributes to a revision of the genus Halectinosoma . Four new species are described, based on examination of ectinosomatid material from localities in western Europe, eastern Canada and the Arctic. Halectinosoma mandibularis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the reduced setation of the mouthparts and enlarged mandibular gnathobase. Halectinosoma latisetifera sp. nov. bears an affinity with H. cooperatum but is easily distinguished by the shape of the setae on the female fifth leg. A species previously erroneously ascribed to H. finmarchicum (Scott) by several authors is described here as Halectinosoma kliei sp. nov. Halectinosoma gothiceps (Giesbrecht) is redescribed and the closely related Halectinosoma paragothiceps sp. nov. is described and distinguished from H. gothiceps . It is considered likely that some previous records of H. gothiceps are in error.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 149 , 453–475.     

North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Buffonellaria (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata): implications for biodiversity and biogeography

In this study we revise the cheilostome bryozoan genus Buffonellaria Canu & Bassler, 1927 and its Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic species, thereby addressing several existing problems. First, a lectotype for the type species, Buffonellaria divergens (Smitt, 1873) from Florida, is chosen, which proves to be distinct from the European species. Second, the two hitherto established north-east Atlantic species [ Buffonellaria nebulosa ( Jullien & Calvet, 1903 ) and Buffonellaria porcellanum Arístegui Ruiz, 1987], are redescribed, which were poorly documented until now. Third, close inspection of material, collected from Spitsbergen to tropical West Africa, using scanning electron microscopy reveals that the actual number of species, all previously referred to either B. divergens or Stephanosella biaperta (Michelin, 1848), is distinctly greater in the north-east Atlantic than has been previously acknowledged. As a result, seven new species are introduced ( Buffonellaria acorensis sp. nov. , Buffonellaria antoniettae sp. nov. , Buffonellaria arctica sp. nov. , Buffonellaria harmelini sp. nov. , Buffonellaria jensi sp. nov. , Buffonellaria muriella sp. nov. , and Buffonellaria ritae sp. nov. ), whereas two are left in open nomenclature. With the increase in number of species, the extremely broad geographical range of distribution assumed for B. divergens breaks down to numerous restricted areas. However, although most species have only been reported from a single location, B. arctica sp. nov. seems to have a fairly wide distribution in the Arctic region.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 537–566.     

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.