A new species of Adiantum (Pteridaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

A new species,Adiantum discolor Prado (Pteridaceae), known only from the wet forests of eastern coastal Brazil, in Bahia, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished principally by its 2-pinnate fronds with a long stipe, 2 or 3 pairs of lateral pinnae, discolorous laminae, and glabrous indusia. Uma nova espécie,Adiantum discolor Prado (Pteridaceae), conhecida somente das florestas úmidas da costa leste do Brasil, no Estado da Bahia, é descrita e ilustrada. Distingüe-se princi-palmente pelas frondes 2-pinadas com um longo pecíolo, 2 ou 3 pares de pinas laterais, laminas discolores e indúsios glabros.     

Two new species of Mendoncia (Acanthaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Two new species, Mendoncia bahiensis and Mendoncia blanchetiana, of the subgenus Bremekampia are described and illustrated. A key to four species represented in Bahia and commentary on their taxonomic affinities are provided.     

Three new species of Dendropanax (Araliaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

Three new species of BrazilianDendropanax from the rain forests of Bahia state are described and illustrated.Dendropanax amorimii, endemic to the rain forests near Boa Nova, in southern Bahia, is characterized by compound umbellate inflorescences with elongated primary branches each having a proximal whorl of bracts, and by leaves with well-developed tertiary venation.Dendropanax bahiensis, endemic to the Atlantic rain forests of southern Bahia, is distinguished by its large and membranous leaves with reddish schizogenous glands on the abaxial surface and by the reduced and branched inflorescences with short-pedicellate flowers and large fruits.Dendropanax geniculatus, an endemic species from the “matas de grotão” of Serra da Chapadinha, Chapada Diamantina, is characterized by simple and usually geniculate inflorescences bearing long-pedicellate flowers and fruits.     

Triatoma juazeirensis sp. nov. from the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)

Triatoma juazeirensis, a new triatomine species from the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, is described. The new species is found among rocks in sylvatic environment and in the peridomicile. Type specimens were deposited in the Entomological Collection of Oswaldo Cruz Institute-Fiocruz, Museum of Zoology of University of S?o Paulo, and Florida Museum of Natural History. T. juazeirensis can be distinguished from the other members of the T. brasiliensis species complex mainly by the overall color of the pronotum, which is dark, and by the entirely dark femora.     

A molecular phylogeny of Planorboidea (Gastropoda, Pulmonata): insights from enhanced taxon sampling

Planorbid gastropods are the most diverse group of limnic pulmonates, with both discoidal and highspired taxa. Phylogenetic relationships among these genera are confused and controversial. In particular, the monophyly of the limpet‐like taxa (traditionally Ancylidae) is disputed. Even recent molecular studies have concluded that substantially more work is necessary to solve the remaining issues concerning intergeneric phylogenetic relationships and higher taxa systematics. Planorbid snails are of great significance for humans as several members of this group are intermediate hosts of blood flukes (schistosomes) causing a chronic disease, schistosomiasis. We used the two independent molecular markers COI and 18S (concatenated dataset of 2837 nucleotide bp) to infer phylogenetic relationships of 26 genera (27 species) of Planorboidea, represented mostly by type species from mainly topotypical populations. With the majority of the taxa discussed not having been studied previously, this study attempted to test several hypotheses on planorbid phylogenetic relationships using Bayesian inference techniques. The monophyly of Planorboidea (= ‘Ancyloplanorbidae’) is strongly suggested on the basis of our extensive molecular analysis. Besides a distinct Burnupia clade, two major clades were recovered that correspond to family level taxa (traditional Bulinidae and Planorbidae). Considerable rearrangements of suprageneric taxa are evident from the phylogeny inferred. Therefore, the only clades recognized by current classifications and supported by our analysis are Planorbini and Segmentinini. The present study found that Ancylidae as traditionally understood, i.e. covering most freshwater limpet gastropods, is paraphyletic, as the genera of Burnupia and Protancylus have been shown to lie phylogenetically outside the Ancylini. Chromosome numbers and levels of polyploidy are discussed in the light of the new phylogeny. An earlier theory of shell shape evolution, i.e. that of patelliform taxa being most advanced, was not supported by this study; a limpet‐shaped taxon is most basal within Planorboidea. Although many taxa still remain to be studied, our results will hopefully contribute towards a better understanding of this very important group of freshwater organisms. Some taxonomic implications are discussed.     

Pallial systems in the Athoracophoridae (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Abstract

Pallial systems are described for 10 athoracophorid species: Athoracophorus bitentaculatus, Pseudaneitea dendyi, P. gigantea, P. papillata, P. pallida, P. aspera, P. schauinslandi, P. multistriata, and Palliopodex verrucosus from the New Zealand and sub antarctic area; and Triboniophorus graeffei from Australia. In the New Zealand and subantarctic species the kidney is invariably bilobed, the ureter is extensively folded and connected to the intestine by an elongate tubule running initially through the lung, and the pneumostome, anus, and excretory pores are widely sepamted. Triboniophorus graeffei has the pneumostome, anus, and excretory pore closely associated, a compact kidney, and a more simply folded ureter. The New Zealand and subantarctic representatives are considered to be more advanced. Reasons for the development of the features they display are discussed, as is the function and evolution of the entire pallial system. An account of the variation in the pallial complex of Athoracophorus bitentaculatus is included.     

Darwininitium - a new fully pseudosigmurethrous orthurethran genus from Nepal (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Cerastidae)

A new genus and species of pseudosigmurethrous orthurethran pulmonate of the family Cerastidae, Darwininitium shiwalikianumgen. n. and sp. n. is described from the Lesser Himalaya of Nepal. It represents the first record of an orthurethran with a fully developed pseudosigmurethrous pallial system, having a completely closed secondary ureteric system. Biogeographically this new taxon provides a significant range extension for the family north of the previously known distribution range.     

A new species of Chamaecrista Moench (Caesalpiniaceae) from interior Bahia,Brazil

Chamaecrista arboae, a species of sect.Absus ser.Absoideae newly discovered on Chapada Diamantina in interior Bahia, Brazil, is described, figured, and discussed.     

A new species of Aspidosperma Mart. (Apocynaceae) from Bahia, Brazil

A new species,Aspidosperma thomasii, collected in the vicinity of Uruçuca is described. It belongs to subgenusAspidosperma sectionAspidosperma and is closely related to theA. parvifolium A. DC. group.     

A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia,Brazil

Irwin, Howard S. (Clark Garden, 193 I. U. Willets Road, Albertson, NY 11507) and Rupert C. Barneby (New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-9980). A new species of Senna (Caesalpiniaceae) from coastal northern Bahia, Brazil. Brittonia 37: 192–194. 1985. - Senna (sect. Chamaefistula ser. Laxiflorae) phlebadenia, closely akin to S. australis, but the only known species of the genus with secondary veins of leaflets excurrent into a marginal nectary, is described and illustrated from two collections from the coastal plain of Bahia northeast of Salvador.     

A phylogeny of the land snails (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

We have undertaken the first large-scale molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Stylommatophora. Sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene-cluster were examined in 104 species of snails and slugs from 50 families, encompassing all the currently recognized major groups. It allows an independent test of the present classification based on morphology. At the level of families our molecular phylogeny closely supports the current taxonomy, but the deep branches within the tree do not. Surprisingly, a single assemblage including the families Achatinidae, Subulinidae and Streptaxidae lies near the base of the tree, forming a sister group to all remaining stylommatophorans. This primary division into 'achatinoid' and 'non-achatinoid' taxa is unexpected, and demands a radical reinterpretation of early stylommatophoran evolution. In particular, the Orthurethra appear to be relatively advanced within the 'non-achatinoid clade', and broadly equivalent to other super-familial clusters. This indicates that supposedly primitive features such as the orthurethran kidney are derived. The molecular tree also suggests that the origin of the Stylommatophora is much earlier than the main period of their diversification.     

New taxa of Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae from Bahia,Brazil

Brodriguesia santosii, gen. & sp. nov., from the coastal rain forest of Bahia, is described, illustrated and compared with nearly related genera of the tribe Detarieae. In addition, three new species, Arapatiella emarginata (the second species of the genus), Swartzia oblata, S. pinheiroana and one new variety, Goniorrhachis marginata var. bahiana, are presented.     

The fine structure of the spermatozoa of Siphonaria algesirae (Gastropoda,Pulmonata)

The sperm of Siphonaria algesirae (Gastropoda, Pulmonata), a species with internal fertilization, was studied by light and electron microscopy. The spermatozoon is a very long, uniflagellate cell composed of a conical head with an apical acrosome, a midpiece with a helically coiled external sheath containing a complex mitochondrial derivative with a wavelength of ～ 5.5 μm, and an endpiece. There are no axonemal microtubules. Instead, nine homogeneous coarse fibers with transverse striations in the apical zone project toward the anterior section of the midpiece. In the posterior zone of the midpiece the coarse fibers are differentiated in a common microtubular axoneme. The complex mitochondrial derivative of the midpiece shows an organized group of 100 Å diameter spherical particles. Externally the midpiece is surrounded along its length by a cylinder formed by two membranes. A complex structure separates the transitional zone between the midpiece and the endpiece.     

The introduced slugs of New Zealand (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Abstract

Eleven species of slug introduced into the New Zealand fauna are discussed: Testacellidae - Testacella haliotidea Draparnaud, 1801 (T. vagans Hutton, 1882 n.syn.); Arionidae - Arion intermedius (Normand, 1852), A. hortensis Férussac, 1819 (A. incommodus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.); Milacidae - Milax gagates (Draparnaud, 1801), M. budapestensis (Hazay, 1881), M. sowerbyi (Férussac, 1823); Limacidae - Deroceras reticulatum (Müller, 1774) (Limax molestus Hutton, 1879 n.syn.), D. panormitanum (Lessona & Pollonera, 1882), Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758, Lehmannia flava (Linnaeus, 1758), L. nyctelia (Bourguignet, 1861). Of these, T. haliotidea, M. budapestensis, M. sowerbyi, D. panormitanum, and L. nyctelia are recorded from New Zealand for the first time. A key for the identification of these species is provided. Species thought to be doubtfully established are discussed, and a list is given of recent interceptions at New Zealand ports.     

Sphincterochilidae from Tunisia, with a note on the subgenus Rima Pallary, 1910 (Gastropoda, Pulmonata)

In order to establish an updated checklist of terrestrial gastropod from Tunisia, a revision of the species of Sphincterochilidae is presented, using bibliographic and museum records and the results of our own field work. As a result, only two species, Sphincterochila candidissima and Sphincterochila tunetana, are accepted to occur in Tunisia, and their type specimens are illustrated. The study of the morphological characters of the genital organs of both species clarified their subgeneric affiliation. Comparison of Sphincterochila tunetana with Sphincterochila cariosa from Lebanonshowed that the first has to be classified within the subgenus Albea, and the latter within Sphincterochila s. str.; the subgenus Rima Pallary, 1910 remains in the synonymy of Sphincterochila s. str. Bibliographic records of Sphincterochila baetica and Sphincterochila otthiana from Tunisia could not be confirmed, the latter probably lives close to the border with Algeria.     

A new acicular-leaved species of Sauvagesia (Ochnaceae) from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

A new species of Sauvagesia is described and illustrated under the name Sauvagesia paniculata. This new species is morphologically similar to the acicular-leaved species of the subsect. Vellozianae. However, S. paniculata can be clearly differentiated from the other acicular-leaved species by the paniculate inflorescence. Other diagnostic characters of S. paniculata include the shorter pedicel and longer leaves. This new species seems to be narrowly endemic to the “campo rupestre” vegetation in the Esbarrancado mountain range of Mucugê, in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.     

Redescription of Argentinean Species of the Genera Discoleus,Plectostylus, Scutalus and Simpulopsis (Gastropoda,Stylommatophora, Bulimulidae)

The following Bulimulinae are re-described: Discoleus aguirrei (Doering), D. ameghinoi (Ihering), Plectostylus mariae Brooks, Scutalus (Kuschelenia) tupacii (Orb.) and Simpulopsis (Eudioptus) willineri (Hylton Scott). The nepionic micro-sculpture of D. aguirrei, a typical species of this genus, is re-described and shows similarity with that present in the genus Bostryx Troschel. The species' distribution areas are indicated in a map, and informations on the kind of environment inhabited and some additional bionomic features are given. Se re-describen los siguientes Bulimulinae: Discoleus aguirrei (Doering), D. ameghinoi (Ihering), Plectostylus mariae Brooks, Scutalus Kuschelenia) tupacii (Orb.) y Simpulopsis (Eudioptus) willineri (Hylton Scott). Se re-describen la microesculturación nepiónica de D. aguirrei (especie t¡pica del género), señalándose su similitud con aquella presente en el género Bostryx Troschel. Se mapean las áreas de distribución de las entidades, anotándose el tipo de ambiente en el que se desarrollan y sus rasgos bionómicos particulares.