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.     

Some rare desmids (Zygnematophyceae) from Central Europe

The morphology and taxonomy of eight rare desmids (Zygnematophyceae) from Central Europe are studied, i.e. six taxa from Slovakia [Tortitaenia bahusiensis (Nordstedt et Lütkemüller) Coesel, Closterium limneticum Lemmermann var. fallax R??i?ka, Euastrum sublobatum de Brébisson in Ralfs, morpha, Cosmarium simplicius (W. et G.S. West) Grönblad, Pachyphorium canadense (Irénée-Marie) G. H. Tomaszewicz et Hindák, stat. et comb. nova, Staurastrum bloklandiae Coesel et Joosten], one species from Poland (Spirotaenia bacillaris Lütkemüller) and Austria (Cosmarium geminatum Lundell). All desmids taxa are new records for the country of their origin.     

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.     

The pH-related morphological variations of two acidophilic species of Desmidiales (Viridiplantae) isolated from a lowland peat bog,Czech Republic

Morphological variation related to pH was investigated in two acidophilic desmid species (Euastrum binale var. gutwinskii and Staurastrum hirsutum) utilizing geometric morphometric methods. Clones isolated from acidic habitats were cultured using a range of pH values from 3.5 to 6.5. The plasticity of ensuing populations was quantified and illustrated by the general Procrustes superimposition of landmarks placed along the outline of cells and subsequent statistical analyses of shape data. In both species, there was a significant effect of pH on the morphology of cells. In Staurastrum hirsutum, the pH-related morphological change was accompanied by a decrease in the size of cells cultured at a higher pH. However, in Euastrum binale, cell size did not differ in relation to pH, but cell shape was characterized by a deepening of the incisions between cell lobes at higher pH. In both species, cell complexity based on surface-to-volume ratio was positively correlated with increasing pH. We conclude that by manipulating their surface-to-volume ratios, these desmid species can respond to pH variations in their environment.     

New species of the snakefly genus Mongoloraphidia (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae) from Japan and Taiwan,with phylogenetic and biogeographical remarks on the Raphidiidae of Eastern Asia

Two species of the snakefly genus Mongoloraphidia Aspöck & Aspöck, 1968 from Japan and Taiwan are described as new to science: Mongoloraphidia (Japanoraphidia) occidentalis sp. nov. and Mongoloraphidia (Formosoraphidia) curvata sp. nov. A key to the species of Mongoloraphidia from Eastern Asia is provided. Phylogenetic and biogeographical aspects on the Raphidiidae from Eastern Asia are discussed.     

Indonesian desmids

Summary There are described 526 desmid taxa found in 49 freshwater algal collections from Kalimantan (Borneo), Java, Bali and Sumatra, including 152 new taxa in the genera Closterium, Pleurotaenium, Euastrum, Micrasterias, Cosmarium, Arthrodesmus, Xanthidium, Staurastrum, Onychonema, Bambusina, and Desmidium.     

Three new desmid taxa from West Africa,including two asymmetrical forms

Micrasterias echinata sp. nov., from Sierra Leone, is a species believed to be unique among the symmetrical members of the genus in having all the processes paired about the frontal plane of symmetry, none being in the plane itself. Euastrum bombayense Brandham nom. nov. var. gracile var. nov. and Cosmarium dolabriforme sp. nov., from Nigeria, both show marked asymmetry.     

PRESCOTTIELLA,A NEW GENUS OF ASYMMETRICAL DESMIDS (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1

Bipolar asymmetry has been considered a morphological characteristic sufficient for differentiation of genera among the Desmidiaceae. Therefore, Micrasterias sudanensis Grönbl., Prowse & Scott, the only species of Micrasterias showing such asymmetry, is made the type of a new genus, Prescottiella, gen. nov.     

A STUDY ON CHINESE SPECIES OF AULOGYMNUS FORSTER (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE)*

Abstract This paper treats Chinese species of Aulogymnus Förster which is newly recorded from China. Four new species, A. elevatus sp. nov., A. hyalopterus sp. nov., A. insculptus sp. nov., and A. longicalcar sp. nov. are described. All type specimens are deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology. Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Discovery of the termitophilous subfamily Termitoxeniinae (Diptera: Phoridae) in Japan,with description of a new genus and species

The subfamily Termitoxeniinae is discovered in Nansei‐shotô, Japan and the following species are recorded, described and keyed: Clitelloxenia formosana Shiraki 1925 , Horologiphora sinensis Disney 1997 , Pseudotermitoxenia nitobei Shiraki 1925 , and Selenophora shimadai Maruyama et Disney, gen. et sp. nov. Brevrostrophora Disney 1997 and B. fuscoterga Disney 1997 are synonymized with Pseudotermitoxenia Shiraki 1925 and P. nitobei, respectively. These species were collected from the fungus garden of the fungus growing termite Odontotermes formosanus Shiraki on the islands of Ishigaki‐jima and Iriomote‐jima of Nansei‐shotô, Japan.     

Discovery of the genus Skidmorella Johnson (Coleoptera: Ptiliidae) in Japan, with descriptions of two new species

The genus Skidmorella Johnson, previously known only from the South Pacific islands, is discovered in Japan. The type species, Skidmorella magnifica Johnson, is confirmed from Japan as the first record of the species other than the type locality. In addition, two new species, Skidmorella amamiana sp. nov. and Skidmorella quadrisulucia sp. nov., are described from the Ryukyus, Japan. Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Skidmorella and its allies are discussed on the basis of their morphological characters.     

Three new species and two new records of the genus Psen from China (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Crabronidae)

Three new species of the genus Psen Latreille from China are described: Psen yunnanensis Ma et Li, sp. nov., from Yunnan Province; Psen lacuniventris Ma et Li, sp. nov., from Zhejiang and Sichuan Provinces; and Psen spinitibialis Ma et Li, sp. nov., from Zhejiang Province. Two species of the genus Psen are recorded from China for the first time. Modifications to the key to species of the genus Psen, as developed by van Lith in 1968, are presented.     

New and interesting cases of conjugating desmids from Lapland

A number of desmid samples collected in Lapland appeared to be remarkably rich in zygospores. The spore morphology of Euastrum sinuosum Lenorm. ex Arch., Cosmarium tumidum Lund., C. isthmochondrum Nordst., Staurastrum dilatatum Ehr. ex Ralfs, Actinotaenium wollei (W. & G. S. West) Teil. ex Růž. & Pouz. and A. didymocarpum (Lund.) comb, nov., either when hitherto unknown or requiring a critical discussion is extensively treated. A new species, Cosmarium taxillus (with zygospores) is described.
Repeatedly recorded incidences of a disturbed zygospore development and the grey to black pigmentation of the mesosporium are discussed in connection with the possible effect of habitat factors.     

Desmidiacee della torbiera del Vedes (Trento)

Abstract

Desmids of the peat-bog of Vedes (Trento, North-Italy). A list of 27 Desmids s.l. (Desmidiaceae, Closteriaceae and Mesotaeniaceae) observed in some samples coming from the peat-bog of Vedes (Trento, North-Italy) is reported. This is a high moor bog situated at an altitude of 1496 m and rich in Sphagnum species (Sphagnum medium, S. fuscum, S. robustum, S. laricinum, etc.). The most interesting Desmids found are: Actinotaenium cucurbita, A. crassiusculum, Bambusina brebissonii, Penium polymorphum, Tetmemorus brebissonii, T. laevis, Closterium intermedium, Cosmarium amoenum, Euastrum insigne, Netrium digitus and Staurastrum erostellum, the last one being a very rare species found for the first time in Italy; thirteen entities are new for the algal flora of Trentino-Alto Adige.     

New grylloblattid insects (Insecta: Grylloblattida) from the Grès à Voltzia of the Vosges (Middle Triassic of France)

New grylloblattid insects (Grylloblattida) are described from the Grès à Voltzia of the Vosges (Anisian of Alsace and Lorraine, France): Chauliodites anisicus, sp. nov. (Chaulioditidae), Palaeomesorthopteron pullus gen. et sp. nov. (Mesorthopteridae), Megakhosarodes vosgesicus sp. nov. (Megakhosaridae), Dorniella elcanoides sp. nov., D. apectinata sp. nov., D. diluta sp. nov., D. ovalis sp. nov., Baharellinus umbrosus sp. nov. Embigryllus shcherbakovi gen. et sp. nov., and Vosgesopterum arzvillerensis gen. et sp. nov. (Blattogryllidae).     

Study on four genera of Diplazontinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in South Korea with description of two new species

Of 16 genera of the subfamily Diplazontinae occurring in the Eastern Palearctic region, 11 were previously recognized from South Korea. In previous studies we reviewed eight Diplazontinae genera were reviewed. In this current paper, one genus, Enizemum Förster, is recorded from this country for the first time with one newly described species, E. nigrocoxatum Balueva and Lee sp. nov. Also other three genera, Homotropus Förster, Syrphoctonus Förster and Syrphophilus Dasch, are reviewed here. Here we provide key and diagnosis to eight species of Homotropus including one new species, Homotropus sepiatus Balueva and Lee sp. nov. , and key and diagnosis to two species of genus Syrphoctonus and two species of genus Syrphophilus.     

Epipelic diatoms blooming in Isahaya Tidal Flat in the Ariake Sea, Japan, before the drainage following the Isahaya-Bay Reclamation Project

A blooming diatom sample from Isahaya Tidal Flat in the Ariake Sea, south‐west Japan, before the bay was closed and drained following the Isahaya‐Bay Reclamation Project, is taxonomically examined. When the sample was collected on 25 May 1996, the area was a muddy tidal flat. Altogether, 103 diatom species were observed within 1000 counts of frustules. Both the dominant and subdominant diatom species were large raphid species. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the dominant species was Haslea nipkowii (F.Meister) Poulin et G. Masse, which was originally described as a species of Gymsigma. So far, a report of correctly identified H. nipkowii has been presented only from China, because H. nipkowii sensu Poulin et al. from USA and France probably belongs to the other taxon, Gymsigma pallidum Riznyk. The subdominant species is described as a new species, Nitzschia gyrosigmasp. nov. This new species is similar to Nitzschia sigmoidea under light microscopy, but scanning electron microscopy observation reveals that their fine structures are quite different. Nitzschia granulata var. hyalina is transferred to the genus of Tryblionella and raised to an independent species, Tryblionella hyalina (Amosse) comb. nov.     

Taxonomic notes on the genus Syndiamesa Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Japan, with description of a new species

The Japanese species of the genus Syndiamesa are revised. A new species, Syndiamesa longipilosa sp. nov., from Honshu, Japan is described from male and female material. The male of Syndiamesa mira (Makarchenko) from Japan is redescribed and figured. Syndiamesa chuzemagna Sasa is synonymized with Syndiamesa yosiii Tokunaga. Syndiamesa bicolor Tokunaga is transferred to the genus Sympotthastia. A key to males of Japanese Syndiamesa is provided.     

New subgenus of the genus Schizoprymnus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Japan, having a unique abdominal carapace structure

A new subgenus of the genus Schizoprymnus Foerster is described and figured from Honshu, Japan. The subgenus, Ibarakius subgen. nov., comprises three species, S. (I.) gotoi sp. nov. (type species), S. (I.) kaizawus sp. nov., and S. (I.) honshuensis sp. nov. A pair of long, curved posteroventral processes on the carapace is unique to Ibarakius subgen. nov. The variability of frontal protuberances and sutures of the carapace in the brachistine genera Triaspis Haliday and Schizoprymnus Foerster is discussed.