Revision of the family Pontocyprididae (Ostracoda), with new anchialine species and genera from Galapagos Islands

Iliffeoecia iliffei and Kareloecia woutersi are new argilloeciine and propontocyprididine genera and species from anchialine habitats in Galapagos Islands, whose specializations for interstitial or cryptic life show convergence with Comontocypris. Ekponlocypris, Schedopontocypris and the new genus Thomontocypris are removed from Propontocypris. Eighty-three living species of Pontocyprididae, for which the soft anatomy has been described, provide the basis for emended generic diagnoses and a revised classification.     

On the phylogeny of Euryteinae (Crustacea,Copepoda, Cyclopoida), with description of one new species from Korea

Euryte koreana sp. nov. is described from the shallow littoral on the East Coast of South Korea, and represents the first record of the subfamily Euryteinae Monchenko, 1974 in the Pacific Ocean north of the tropics. It belongs to a group of species that have the caudal rami length/width ratio of around four, but differs from all congeners by a number of morphological features. Detailed drawings and extensive scanning electron micrographs of many characters of ornamentation provided for this species should serve as a benchmark for distinguishing closely related species in this subfamily with conservative macro-morphology. A morphologically distinct population from anchialine caves in Mallorca, identified previously as Euryte longicauda Philippi, 1843, is described as another new species: Euryte jaumei sp. nov. To test the phylogenetic relationships of its members and previous hypotheses about generic placement of two species associated with scleractinian corals, several cladistic analyses are performed on all 16 currently recognized species of Euryteinae and two outgroups, Neocyclops australiensis Karanovic, 2008 and Troglocyclops janstocki Rocha and Iliffe, 1994, using 25 morphological characters. All resulting trees suggest a close relationship between the two commensal species and them as a sister clade to all other Euryteinae. They are transferred into a newly erected genus Coraleuryte gen. nov., as C. bellatula (Humes, 1991) comb. nov. and C. verecunda (Humes, 1992) comb. nov., and a revised diagnoses is provided for the genus Euryte Philippi, 1843. Obtained cladograms also show that Ancheuryte Herbst, 1989 is nested deeply within the Euryte clade, so the genus is synonymized and its only species is transferred, as E. notabilis (Herbst, 1989) comb. nov. A key to species of Euryteinae is also provided.     

Two new species of Pseudocythere Sars (Crustacea,Ostracoda) from Britain and Norway

Two new species of the genus Pseudocythere Sars are described, one each from British and Norwegian waters respectively.     

Further revision of the genus Megalopsalis (Opiliones,Neopilionidae), with the description of seven new species

The Australian harvestmen genus Megalopsalis (Neopilionidae: Enantiobuninae) is recognised as a senior synonym of the genera Spinicrus and Hypomegalopsalis, and seven new species are described in Megalopsalis: Megalopsalis suffugiens, Megalopsalis walpolensis, Megalopsalis caeruleomontium, Megalopsalis atrocidiana, Megalopsalis coronata, Megalopsalis puerilis and Megalopsalis sublucens. A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the Enantiobuninae is also conducted including the new species. Monophyly of Neopilionidae and Enantiobuninae including ‘Monoscutidae’ is corroborated, with the Australasian taxa as a possible sister clade to the South American Thrasychirus.     

A revision of the genera Sipunculus and Xenosiphon (Sipuncula)

A critical analysis of historically used characters, based on a large series of specimens, is presented. Based on a comparative morphological analysis of type specimens, the 19 species of Sipunculus and four of Xenosiphon are reviewed. The genera and subgenera are redefined so that, after appropriate revisions arc made, Sipunculus (Sipunculus) has eight, Sipunculus (Contraporus) new subgenus has two, and Xenosiphon has only one remaining valid species. A zoogeographical note and a key to the species are included.     

中国拟台蚱属的研究及一新种记述(直翅目: 蚱科)

记述分布于中国、尼泊尔及北朝鲜地区拟台蚱属的种类7种,包括1新种, 即墨脱拟台蚱Formosatettixoides motuoensis sp. nov,并提供了拟台蚱属的分种检索表和种类分布。模式标本保存于陕西师范大学动物研究所昆虫标本室。     

Freshwater ostracods (Crustacea: Ostracoda) of the subfamily Dolerocypridinae Triebel, 1961 from Southeast Asia

The systematics of the freshwater ostracods of the subfamily Dolerocypridinae in Southeast Asia is reviewed: A total of five species are known and they are assigned to three genera. Astenocypris papyracea (Sars) 1903 and Dolerocypris sinensis Sars, 1903 are redescribed. Dolerocypris fasciata (Müller) 1776, from Indonesia is figured and the hitherto observed variations are discussed. Dolerocypris pellucida Klie, 1932 is transferred to the genus Tanycypris Triebel, 1959.     

Phylogeny and evolution of Loxoconcha (Ostracoda, Crustacea) species around Japan

The pore-systems of 17 extant species of Loxoconcha around Japan were studied in order to understand their phylogeny and evolution. The phylogeny was estimated by two steps. First, the 17 species were divided into two groups, Group A (12 species) and Group B (five species) by Pore pattern Below Eye tubercle (PBE) analysis. Then, intragroup relationships were estimated by Differentiation of Distributional pattern of Pore-system (DDP) analysis. PBE analysis reveals that species of Groups A and B have on average different ecological preferences. Species of Group A, which appeared in the late Pliocene, are more diverse, have both phytal and bottom-dwelling modes of life, possess fewer pore-systems in the ventral area, and inhabit normal marine environments. Species of Group B, whose oldest fossil record is the lower Miocene, are less diverse, have only bottom-dwelling species, possess more pore-systems in the ventral area, and tend to inhabit brackish water environments. The results of this study suggest that the differences in ecology may have had an impact on the late Cenozoic diversification around Japan. The primary invasion of Group B occurred before the lower Miocene,with no subsequent diversification. Group A invaded after the late Pliocene and immediately diversified, which created the present abundance of Loxoconcha species around Japan in both species diversity and variety of modes of life.     

A new subfamily, two new genera and three new species of Aclerdidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from southern Africa, with a phylogenetic analysis of relationships

Abstract A new aclerdid genus, Lecanaclerda Hodgson & Millar, closely related to Aclerda but with fully developed legs and antennae, is introduced for a new new species, L. macropoda Hodgson & Millar, for which the male and female are described. In addition, genus Rhodesaclerda McConnell is revised and all known stages of existing species, R. combreticola McConnell and R. halli McConnell, are redescribed. The crawler, second-instar female, pupa and the adult male and female of a new species, R. insleyae Hodgson & Millar, from South Africa are also described. Another new genus, Kwazulaclerda Hodgson & Millar, close to Rhodesaclerda , is introduced and the crawler, second-instar female, second-instar male, pupa and adult male and female of the new species K. loranthi Hodgson & Millar from Kwazulu-Natal are described. A phylogenetic analysis based on adult macropterous male characters was undertaken to look at the relationships of these species with other Coccoidea. It is concluded that Lecanaclerda is closely related to Aclerda , Kwazulaclerda is closely related to Rhodesaclerda , Kwazulaclerda and Rhodesaclerda belong to Aclerdidae, and Aclerdidae should be split into two subfamilies, Rhodesaclerdinae Hodgson & Millar (to include Rhodesaclerda and Kwazulaclerda ) and Aclerdinae Cockerell (to include Aclerda , Lecanaclerda and Nipponaclerda ). These two subfamilies are diagnosed and a key is given for the separation of the genera now included in Aclerdidae. The relationships of Aclerdidae and Coccidae are discussed.     

A new subfamily and species of Ostracoda (Cylindroleberididae,Myodocopa) from the Chatham Rise (New Zealand)

Abstract

The second species of the genus, Macroasteropteron chathamensis sp. nov. is described in the present paper. It was collected from 1000 m depth during the New Zealand national biodiversity programme Ocean Survey 20/20 to the Chatham Rise and the Challenger Plateau. To accommodate this genus, a new subfamily Macroasteropteroninae is described herein. It is defined by the following autapomorphies: locking system on the shell; very small second segment on the second antenna (bearing no dorsal bristles); square shaped third and fourth segments on the same appendage; absence of dorsal bristles on the third segment of the male clasping organ; reverse position of the alpha and beta bristles on the maxillula; almost square shaped skirt on the sixth limb; and a bulbous terminal part of the seventh limb, which, in addition, does not have any bell-bearing bristles. A key to the four subfamilies of Cylindroleberididae is provided.     

Four new species of Gomphocythere (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

Four new species of the ostracod genus Gomphocythere are described from Lake Tanganyika (East Africa): Gomphocythere downingi n. sp. G. coheni n. sp., G. wilsoni n. sp., and G. woutersi n. sp. All species are endemic to the lake and are found within a variety of substrates and depths. The addition of these four new species brings the total number of endemic Gomphocythere species in Lake Tanganyika to nine. Other Gomphocythere species are known from water bodies throughout East and South Africa and in the Levant. Brooding is an important, but not a unique, preadaptation for the persistence and taxic prolific speciation of this lineage in Lake Tanganyika.     

A phylogenetic revision of the true bug genus Heraeus (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae: Myodochini), with the description of two new genera and 30 new species

Prior to this study, the genus Heraeus Stål, 1862 included 14 species, all of which are restricted to the Western Hemisphere. Three species are known from the Nearctic Region, nine from the Neotropical Region, and two mainly tropical elements are distributed in both regions. In this contribution, we consider Heraeus cincticornis Stål, 1874 a junior synonym of Heraeus elegans (Walker, 1873), select a lectotype for Heraeus coquilletti Barber, 1914, and neotype for Lygaeus triguttatus Guérin‐Méneville, 1857, and describe 28 new species. In addition, the two new genera, Baranowskiobius gen. nov., to include H. elegans (Baranowskiobius elegans comb. nov.) and two new species, and Paraheraeus gen. nov., to include Heraeus eximius Distant, 1882 (Paraheraeus eximius comb. nov.), are described. Previously described species and new taxa are (re)described and illustrated, including male genitalia. Scanning electron micrographs, general habitus photographs, and distribution maps are included for all species studied. A phylogenetic analysis comprising 46 terminal taxa and 50 morphological characters was performed, and five species groups were hypothesized, including the coquilletti, caliginosus, guttatus, illitus, and plebejus groups. All known species of Heraeus and the new genera are included in the phylogenetic analysis. The type species of the genera Myodocha Latreille, 1807, Orthaea Dallas, 1852, and Paisana Dellapé, 2008 are used as out‐groups.     

Anchialine Gyprididae (Ostracoda) from the Galapagos Islands, with a review of the subfamily Paracypridinae

The five species of Cyprididae collected from anchialine habitats of the Galapagos Islands include Paracypris crispa, previously described from marine caves and reefs on Bermuda, and the freshwater species Strandesia stocki, which is widely distributed in wells of the West Indies. Three new species, Dolerocypria ensigera, Mungava recta and Hansacypris galapagosensis, contribute to more precise understanding of these circumtropical genera. A review of known soft-anatomical characters for 68 species of Paracypridinae, five of which are transferred to different genera, reveals too many inconsistencies for a simple hypothesis. The current classification of Paracypridinae into three tribes and 18 genera may be overly subdivided, and elevation of Paracypridinae to family rank is not warranted.     

New Chinese record of the genus Spinonychiurus (Collembola,Onychiuridae), with the description of a new species

A new collembolan species is described, Spinonychiurus sinensis sp. n., which has seven chaetae in the distal row of the tibiotarsi. It is placed in the genus Spinonychiurus due to two important characters: the two subsegments on Abd. III sternum and the absence of d0 on the head. This is the first report of the genus Spinonychiurus in China. The diagnosis of Spinonychiurus is broadened and the key to the world species is provided.     

On the Cyprideis species flock (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in Lake Tanganyika, with the description of four new species

Four new species, belonging to three genera, of ostracods from Lake Tanganyika are described: Mesocyprideis nitida sp.nov., Romecytheridea belone sp.nov., R. plegma sp. nov. and Cyprideis loricata sp. nov. The Cyprideis species flock of Lake Tanganyika now consists of 17 formally described species (16 endemic) in 6 genera (4 endemic). The geographical and ecological distribution of the four species is briefly discussed and some supplementary remarks on the radiation of the Cyprideis species flock in Lake Tanganyika are offered.     

Pythium intermedium,a species complex consisting of three phylogenetic species found in cool-temperate forest ecosystems

Pythium intermedium plays a vital role in the carbon cycle of cool-temperate forests and is widely distributed in Japan's forest soils. In this study, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of the P. intermedium species complex using DNA sequences from multiple loci. The study included 35 isolates from cool-temperate forest soils, seven known P. intermedium isolates, and six known Pythium attrantheridium isolates. We also performed morphological observations and mating tests. Our results showed that all the isolates formed one large clade but were divided into three subclades. Furthermore, we observed many mating reactions between isolates from different subclades, including between P. attrantheridium and P. intermedium. Therefore, we suggest that P. intermedium, P. attrantheridium, and another phylogenetic species belong to one species complex. This is the first report of a species complex within P. intermedium and will be helpful in understanding the evolution of Pythium species in natural ecosystems.     

Morphological description of three marine ciliates (Ciliophora, Scuticociliatia), with establishment of a new genus and two new species

Three marine scuticociliates, Falcicyclidium fangi nov. gen., nov. spec., Falcicyclidium atractodes nov. spec., and Cristigera media Kahl, 1928 were investigated using live observation and silver impregnation methods. The genus Falcicyclidium is distinguished by the combination of: (i) dorsoventrally flattened body, (ii) hook-like (falciform) paroral membrane, (iii) anterior end of paroral membrane posterior to anterior end of membranelle 1, and (iv) multiple caudal cilia. Falcicyclidium fangi nov. spec., the type of the new genus, can be recognized by the combination of its large size, extremely dorsoventrally flattened (3:1) body, consistently 10 somatic kineties, and the broad, elongate buccal area occupying 60% of the body length. Falcicyclidium atractodes nov. spec. is mainly characterized by a unique spine projecting from both the anterior and posterior end. The uncommon form, Cristigera media is redescribed based on the population from Qingdao, the statistic data and additional features, especially the morphology of the living cells, are documented.     

Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species,the Olinguito

We present the first comprehensive taxonomic revision and review the biology of the olingos, the endemic Neotropical procyonid genus Bassaricyon, based on most specimens available in museums, and with data derived from anatomy, morphometrics, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, field observations, and geographic range modeling. Species of Bassaricyon are primarily forest-living, arboreal, nocturnal, frugivorous, and solitary, and have one young at a time. We demonstrate that four olingo species can be recognized, including a Central American species (Bassaricyon gabbii), lowland species with eastern, cis-Andean (Bassaricyon alleni) and western, trans-Andean (Bassaricyon medius) distributions, and a species endemic to cloud forests in the Andes. The oldest evolutionary divergence in the genus is between this last species, endemic to the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador, and all other species, which occur in lower elevation habitats. Surprisingly, this Andean endemic species, which we call the Olinguito, has never been previously described; it represents a new species in the order Carnivora and is the smallest living member of the family Procyonidae. We report on the biology of this new species based on information from museum specimens, niche modeling, and fieldwork in western Ecuador, and describe four Olinguito subspecies based on morphological distinctions across different regions of the Northern Andes.