New Upper Devonian Rhynchonellids (Brachiopoda) from Transcaucasia

Anew genus, Zezinia gen. nov., and two new species, Zezinia multicostata sp. nov. and Zaigunrostrum nakhichevanense sp. nov., are described from the Upper Devonian of Transcaucasia. The first genus is one of the last Frasnian representatives of the family Uncinulidae. The Famennian Z. nakhichevanense sp. nov. belongs to punctate rhynchonellids of the family Trigonirhynchiidae.     

New Devonian punctate rhynchonellids (Brachiopoda) from Transcaucasia

New genus and species of punctate rhynchonellids Sharovaella mirabilis are described from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Transcaucasia.     

New Upper Cambrian Lingulata (Brachiopoda) from the Agyrek mountains (northeastern central Kazakhstan)

Two new genera, Repkinella and Aristotreta, and five new species from the class Lingulata (Brachiopoda) are described from the Upper Cambrian olistolith limestone enclosed in the Upper Ordovician olistostrome from the Agyrek mountains (northeastern Kazakhstan). The family Curticiidae Walcott et Schuchert is referred to the order Lingulida, not order Acrotretida, where it was previously placed.     

The position of the genus Heterotropus in the system of Brachycera-Orthorrhapha (Diptera)

The position of the genus Heterotropus Loew is considered based on the data on biology of Heterotropus ammophilus Paramonov. Judging by the larval morphology and biology, the subfamily Heterotropinae should be elevated to the family rank and considered within the superfamily Bombylioidea, together with Bombyliidae, Nemestrinidae, and Apioceridae.     

Genus Leptostichaeus and its position in the taxonomy of fishes (Perciformes: Zoarcoidei, Stichaeidae)

Up to the present, the genus Leptostichaeus has been considered as belonging to subfamily Lumpeninae. A series of characters was analyzed for family and subfamily diagnostics within the group Stichaeidae. It was found that, in combination of all examined characters, the genus Leptostichaeus is either similar to Azygopterus or occupies an intermediate position between the latter and other members of the family Stichaeidae. The genus Leptostichaeus is transferred into the group Azygopterinae, which is revalidated as a subfamily within the family Stichaeidae.     

A new lasiosynid beetle from the Middle Jurassic of China with remarks on the systematic position of Lasiosynidae

A new beetle species, Lasiosyne laxa n. sp., is described from the Jurassic Daohugou deposits in Inner Mongolia, China. Its morphological significance and systematic position within the genus Lasiosyne Kirejtshuk et al., 2010a, Kirejtshuk et al., 2010b and the family Lasiosynidae are discussed. The research history of Lasiosynidae is summarized for the first time. The affiliation of Lasiosynidae to the superfamily Byrrhoidea is discussed in detail.     

Molecular evidence that the genus Cadenatella Dollfus, 1946 (Digenea: Plagiorchiida) belongs in the superfamily Haploporoidea Nicoll, 1914

A re-examination of published lsrDNA sequence data of haploporid digeneans has shown that the genus Cadenatella Dollfus, 1946, hitherto considered a lepocreadioid, is correctly placed within the superfamily Haploporoidea Nicoll, 1914, although its relationships within the superfamily are not resolved. The morphological similarities and differences between Cadenatella and other haploporoids are discussed, and the subfamily Cadenatellinae Gibson & Bray, 1982 is considered the best repository for Cadenatella spp. at present.     

The first record of the family Cleridae (Coleoptera): Shartegopsis miranda gen. et sp. nov. in the mesozoic (Shar-Teg, Upper Jurassic, Southwestern Mongolia)

A new genus and species of the family Cleridae, Shartegopsis miranda gen. et sp. nov., is described from Shar-Teg (southwestern Mongolia, Upper Jurassic). Judging by the characters that can be examined, it can probably belong to the subfamily Tillinae, and it is the earliest known member of the family. Mathesius liaoningensis Kolíbac et Huang, 2011 is considered closely related to species of the paleoendemic family Parandrexidae.     

On the First Finds of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Djanaliparkinsonia</Emphasis> (Stephanoceratidae,Ammonoidea) in the Upper Bajocian of the Northern Caucasus

The genus Djanaliparkinsonia Kutuzova, 1975 was originally described as an endemic subgenus of the genus Parkinsonia (family Parkinsoniidae of the superfamily Perisphinctoidea) from the Upper Bajocian (middle member of the Degibadam Formation) of the Gissar Range (Uzbekistan). A new species D. alanica sp. nov. is established from the Upper Bajocian Garantiana garantiana Zone (upper member of the Djangura Formation) based on occurrences in the Northern Caucasus (Karachay-Cherkessia). Macroconchs and microconchs of the new species are described from the two localities on the Kuban and Kyafar rivers. Djanaliparkinsonia sp. is identified from the lower subzone of the Parkinsonia parkinsoni Zone of the Kyafar River. The species composition and geographic range of Djanaliparkinsonia are expanded: a species previously described from Germany as Garantiana bentzi Wetzel, 1954 also assigned to the genus. The genus Djanaliparkinsonia is assigned to the subfamily Garantianinae of the family Stephanoceratidae (superfamily Stephanoceratoidea).     

The first representative of the suborder Mesotitanina from the Paleozoic and notes on the system and evolution of the order Titanoptera (Insecta: Polyneoptera)

A new subfamily, genus, and species (Deinotitaninae subfam. nov., Deinotitan orenburgensis gen. et sp. nov.) of the family Mesotitanidae (Titanoptera) are described from the Severodvinian (Upper Permian) of the Orenburg Region. This family belongs to the suborder Mesotitanina; both are recorded in the Paleozoic for the first time. The present finding and unpublished data suggest that the Mesozoic stage of the evolution of the superorder Orthopteroidea might start in the Late Permian. Taxonomy and early evolution of the order Titanoptera are discussed. Minititan nom. nov. is proposed for Microtitan Gorochov, 2003 (nec Microtitan Granger et Gregory, 1943).     

New Middle Carboniferous genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neotornquistia</Emphasis> (Brachiopoda,Chonetida) from the Moscow Syneclise

A new Middle Carboniferous brachiopod genus, Neotornquistia, with the type species Paeckelmannia aljutovica E. Ivanova, 1952 (order Chonetida, superfamily Anoplioidea, family Anopliidae, subfamily Tornquistiinae) is described from the Alyutovo Formation of the Vereyan Horizon of the Moscovian Stage of the Moscow Syneclise.     

A review of the Lyonetiid moths (Lepidoptera,Lyonetiidae): II. The subfamilies Lyonetiinae and Bedelliinae

The second communication of the survey deals with two subfamilies of the family Lyonetiidae: Lyonetiinae and Bedelliinae. The genus Phyllobrostis Stgr., not found in Russia hitherto, was earlier referred to the subfamily Cemiostominae (Seksyaeva, 1981, 1994), but now many authors include it in the subfamily Lyonetiinae (Karsholt and Razowski, 1996; Leraut, 1997). It is considered here within the latter subfamily, being mentioned here since findings of its representatives may be expected in Russia. The annotated list of Lyonetiinae and Bedelliinae of the fauna of Russia includes eight species from three genera.     

A new genus of the subfamily Anaidinae (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Hybosoridae) from the Mesozoic of Transbaikalia

A new genus and species, Protanaides sibiricus gen et sp. nov., of the subfamily Anaidinae (family Hybosoridae) from the Lower Cretaceous Baisa locality in Transbaikalia is described. This find adds considerably to knowledge of the diversity of this subfamily in the Mesozoic of Asia and gives evidence of the relict status of the Recent Anaidinae.     

Revision of the tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 (Homoptera, Fulgoroidea: Nogodinidae)

The tribe Colpopterini Gnezdilov, 2003 is revised, upgraded to the subfamily Colpopterinae, stat. n., and transferred from the family Issidae Spinola to Nogodinidae Melichar. The tribe Colpopterini is recorded from the Afrotropical Region for the first time—Bumerangum deckerti gen. et sp. n. is described from Southern Africa. The tribe Colpopterini s. str. comprises 6 genera: Bumerangum gen. n., Caudibeccus Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Colpoptera Burmeister, 1835, Jamaha Gnezdilov et O’Brien, 2008, Neocolpoptera Dozier, 1931, and Ugoa Fennah, 1945. The genera Cheiloceps Uhler, 1895, Tempsa Stål, 1866, Eupilis Walker, 1857, and Gabaloeca Walker, 1870 are transferred to the tribe Issini Spinola of the family Issidae. Issus longulus Lethierry, 1890 is transferred to the genus Colpoptera Burmeister. A key to the genera and a list of the species of the tribe Colpopterini are given. Morphological data confirming independent evolution of similar ovipositor types in the families Issidae and Nogodinidae are provided. The term “styletization” is suggested for describing the transformation of the ovipositor from a rounded to an elongate type.     

Shell Microstructure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhynchonella loxiae</Emphasis> Fischer (Brachiopoda,Rhynchonellida) from the Upper Volgian of Moscow Region

The shell microstructure of Late Jurassic rhynchonellids of the family Rhynchonellidae from the boreal basin of the Russian Platform is studied for the first time. The studied rhynchonellids differ in the shell microstructure from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rhynchonellids of the families Cyclothyrididae, Praecyclothyrididae, Basiliolidae, and Norellidae from the warm-water Mediterranean basin. The revealed peculiarities of shell structure of Rhynchonella loxiae (type species of Rhynchonella) may be added to the diagnosis of Rhynchonella and should be considered in characterizing the family Rhynchonellidae.     

Shell microstructure and variability of cell imprints of the mantle outer epithelium in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suiaella</Emphasis> Moisseev (Brachiopoda,Rhynchonellida) from the Lower Cretaceous of Crimea

The shell microstructure of the Lower Cretaceous Suiaella weberi Moisseev, 1949 (superfamily Norelloidea) from the Lower Barremian of Crimea is studied for the first time. The fibers of Suiaella are shown to differ strongly in size and outline of cross section from the fibers of the superfamily Rhynchonelloidea. Suiaella is shown to differ from rhynchonellids of the superfamily Basilioloidea in the presence of straight or slightly curved fibers and absence of twisted fibers and overlapping adjacent fibers within one and the same bundle, it also differs in the presence of capillation and fine ribbing. Numerous cell imprints of the mantle outer epithelium have been found in fossil Norelloidea for the first time.     

Catoptinae subfam. n., a new subfamily of carpenter-moths (Lepidoptera,Cossidae)

The new subfamily of Cossidae; Catoptinae Yakovlev, subfam. n., well distinguished from other representatives of the family, is described. The new subfamily includes two genera: Catopta Staudinger, 1899 (type genus) and Chiangmaiana Kemal et Koçak, 2006. A catalogue of the subfamily is presented. One new synonym Catopta hyrcanus (Christoph, 1888) = Catopta brandti Bryk, 1947, syn. n., is established. The new subfamily has the following distinguishing features: short valvae; reduced processes of transtilla; vesica with numerous cornuti; pearshaped bursa copulatrix; and very short ductus bursae.     

A new large chonetid (Brachiopoda) from the Middle Permian of the southern Kitakami Mountains, northeast Japan

A new chonetid genus and species, Kitakamichonetes multicapillatus gen. et sp. nov. (subfamily Chalimochonetinae, family Rugosochonetidae), from the Middle Permian (Wordian-Capitanian, Kanokura Formation) of the southern Kitakami Mountains (northeast Japan) is described.     

Phylogenetic position of the genus Gonocerca Manter, 1925 (Trematoda,Hemiuroidea), based on partial sequences of 28S rRNA gene and a reconsideration of taxonomic status of Gonocercinae Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955

Adult trematodes of the genus Gonocerca Manter, 1925, are parasites of marine fishes. Identification of the phylogenetic positions and a revision of the taxonomic status of the subfamily Gonocercinae Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955 (Derogenidae) are the main purposes of this research article. Four Gonocerca species were used in the study, including the type-species G. phycidis Manter, 1925. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on partial sequences of 28S rRNA gene, revealed that Gonocerca spp. are phylogenetically distant from other hemiuroid trematodes, including Derogenes varicus (Müller, 1784), representative of the type-genus of the family Derogenidae. The taxonomic rank of Gonocercinae should be raised to the family level. The generic composition of the family Gonocercidae Skrjabin et Guschanskaja, 1955 stat. nov., requires further clarification as the molecular data do not support the inclusion of the genus Hemipera Nicoll, 1913, in this family.