Some British species of Schizomavella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida)

Six British species of the Cheilostomatous bryozoan genus Schizomavella Canu & Bassler, 1917 are described and figured. Neotype specimens are selected for S. auriculata (Hassall) and S. linearis (Hassall), and lectotypes are selected for S. cuspidata (Hincks) and 5. hastata (Hincks). S. hastiformis Hayward and Ryland is placed in synonymy with S. linearis. S. sarniensis sp. nov. is described from several south-west British localities.     

Some British Phidoloporidae (Bryozoa: Gheilostomatida)

Five British species of Reteporella Busk, 1884 are described and figured. A neotype specimen is selected for R. beaniana (King), and R. incognita sp. nov. is described, and distinguished from R. couchii (Hincks).     

Shark and ray teeth from the Hauterivian (Lower Cretaceous) of north-east England

Sampling of hiatal horizons within the Hauterivian part of the Speeton Clay Formation of north-east England has produced teeth of several species of sharks and rays, four of which are previously unnamed. One species of shark, Cretorectolobus doylei sp. nov., and two species of rays, Spathobatis rugosus sp. nov. and Dasyatis speetonensis sp. nov., are named, whilst the presence of an indeterminate triakid shark is also noted. Synechodus dubrisiensis (Mackie) is shown to be a senior synonym of S. michaeli Thies. Although the dasyatid ray and triakid shark are by far the oldest representatives of their respective families, the overall composition of the fauna is considered to resemble more closely assemblages known from the Jurassic than those from upper parts of the Cretaceous.     

Infective larvae of five Onchocerca species from experimentally infected Simulium species in an area of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Japan

Microfilariae of five Onchocerca species, O. dewittei japonica (the causative agent of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Oita, Kyushu, Japan) from wild boar (Sus scrofa), O. skrjabini and O. eberhardi from sika deer (Cenus nippon), O. tienalis from cattle, and an as yet unnamed Onchocerca sp. from wild boar, were injected intrathoracically into newly-emerged black flies of several species from Oita to search the potential vector(s) of these parasites and identify their infective larvae. Development of O. dewittei japonica microfilariae to the infective larvae occurred in Simulium aokii, S. arakowae, S. bidentatum, S. japonicum, S. quinquestriatum, and S. rufibasis while development of infective larvae of O. skrjabini, O. eberhardi, and the unnamed Onchocerca sp. was observed in S. aokii, S. arakawae, and S. bidentatum. Development of O. lienalis microfilaria to infective larvae occurred in S. arakawae. Based on the morphology of infective larvae obtained, we proposed a key of identification of Onchocerca infective larvae found in Oita. We also reconsider the identification of three types of infective larvae previously recovered from Simulium species captured at cattle sheds: the large type I larvae that may be an undescribed species; the small type III identified as O. lienalis may include O. skrjabini too; the intermediary type II that may be O. gutturosa, or O. dewittei japonica, or the unnamed Onchocerca sp. of wild boar.     

蒙古南部新金斯特地区下泥盆统洛霍考夫阶察甘安布拉格组牙形刺的新记录

蒙古南部新金斯特地区萨克黑尔剖面察甘安布拉格组上部发现的牙形刺, 包括Caudicriodusneowos chmidtisp. nov., Caudicriodussp. A, Kimognathussp., “Ozarkodina”planilingua, Pandorinellinaoptima, Ozarkodinaexcavata, 清楚地表明察甘安布拉格组上部应当归到中洛霍考夫阶(泥盆系)而不是像以往那样归到中-上志留统。海相温洛克统和罗德洛统地层在蒙古南部是否存在还需要寻找证据。文章描写了一个新种Caudicriodusneowos chmidtisp. nov.和一个未定种Caudicriodussp. A。     

长江中游长吻鮠、蛇鮈寄生粘孢子虫感染率的季节动态

1.寄生长吻鮠上的粘孢子虫有3种:巨囊两极虫和四极虫一种,寄生在胆囊中,碘泡虫一种寄生在肾脏中;寄生蛇鮈上的粘孢子虫有2种:湖北碘泡虫,寄生在脑、鳃、肾、体腔、肠,主要寄生在脑,楚克拉虫一种,寄生在胆囊中。2.粘孢子虫对长吻鮠、蛇鮈的感染率存在明显的季节变化;对长吻鮠的感染率最高值出现在6月(95%),最低值出现在2月(43%),年平均值为65%;湖北碘泡虫对蛇鮈的总感染率最高值出现在12—2月(63—67%),其次在8月(58%),春秋两季感染率较低(36—44%),年平均值为51%。3.总感染率(IR)与鱼体全长(TL)的关系:长吻鮠IR=0.956-0.009TL;蛇鮈IR=-2.0678+0.3838(TL)-0.0136(TL)2,8厘米以下的蛇鮈未发现感染。4.粘孢子虫的感染率与长吻鮠、蛇鮈的性别无关。5.感染粘孢子虫的长吻鮠,肥满度下降不大(0.04),感染粘孢子虫的蛇鮈,肥满度下降0.12,体重平均下降12.4%。6.长吻鮠中寄生粘孢子虫的总感染率(IR)与长江中游水温(T℃)呈显著正相关,二者关系可用下式描述:IR=0.3129+0.0192(T℃)。蛇鮈寄生粘孢子虫的总感染率(IR)与水温(T℃)之间的关系呈一反抛物线型、两者关系可用下式描述 IR=1.1228-0.073777T+0.001795T2       

The body wall of cheilostome bryozoa IV. The frontal wall of schizoporella unicornis (Johnston)

The frontal wall of Schizoporella unicornis (Johnston) develops as a partition of the coelom just before ascus formation. The ascus develops proximally from the proximal border of the aperture. S. unicornis, therefore, belongs to the monothetic Order Cryptocystidea. The outer part of the opercular cuticle is lost during development.     

Energy regulation by traplining hummingbirds

1. A published model of constant diurnal energy accumulation by territorial hummingbirds does not accurately reflect the temporal distribution of feeding behaviour of traplining hummingbirds, Phaethornis longirostris (Long-Tailed Hermit Hummingbirds).
2. In an enclosure study, gross nectar intake by P . longirostris decreased through the day, mirroring nectar production rates in its natural food-flowers and mimicking its natural foraging patterns.
3. Using a simulation model, the energetic consequences of constant and decreasing net energy intake rates for traplining hummingbirds are compared.
4. Given natural patterns of nectar production, model birds with decreasing diurnal net intake rates met their energetic needs with fewer flowers than those with constant net intake, and spent less time foraging.
5. It is concluded that P . longirostris do not satisfy the physiological assumptions of the published model, and that in this way they are different from the territorial species on which the model has previously been tested.     

A review of the genus Tagalina Dohrn (Dermaptera: Pygidicranidae)

Tagalina semperi Dohrn and T. papua (Bormans) are shown to be distinct species. T.burri Hincks is synonymised with T. erythronota Gunther, and a lectotype is designated for the latter species. The specimens misidentified by Hincks as T. erythronota are described as hincksi sp.n., and curta sp.n. is described from central New Guinea. A key to the nine species of the genus is given, together with a short systematic list and notes on the distributions and type localities.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the genera Pseudonocardia and Actinobispora based on 16S ribosomal DNA sequences

The 16S rDNA sequences of 11 strains, nine type strains of validated Pseudonocardia species and Actinobispora yunnanensis, and two strains of unnamed Pseudonocardia species, were determined and compared with those of representatives of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that all of the validated species of the genera Pseudonocardia and Actinobispora consistently formed a monophyletic unit and separated well from the other genera of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. One unnamed Pseudonocardia strain was related to members of the genus Pseudonocardia, whereas the other unnamed Pseudonocardia strain formed a distinct clade within the radiation of the genus Amycolatopsis.     

Genetic population structure and mobility of two nectar-feeding bats from Venezuelan deserts: inferences from mitochondrial DNA

Glossophaga longirostris and Leptonycteris curasoae are nectar-feeding bats associated with arid zones in northern South America. Despite their close phylogenetic relationship, sympatric condition and niche similarities, morphological and ecological evidence suggest that these species differ in dispersal capabilities. Using mitochondrial DNA, we tested the hypothesis that these species exhibit different levels of population structure that are congruent with their particular movement capabilities. We sequenced a section of the control region of mtDNA for 41 G. longirostris and 42 L. curasoae from 11 zones in Venezuela. Population subdivision in G. longirostris (FST = 0.725) was considerably higher than in L. curasoae (FST = 0.167). L. curasoae individuals shared haplotypes at greater distances (812 km) than G. longirostris (592 km). Our results offer preliminary evidence for one of two possible scenarios, either greater mobility in L. curasoae or a higher degree of female philopatry in G. longirostris.     

Birds of the British Upper Eocene

The fossil birds of the British Upper Eocene are re-examined, further species are described, and additional material referred to existing species. Seeley's Macrornis tanaupus appears to be non-avian. Of the nine species listed by Lydekker (1891), the supposed cormorant, Actiornis anglicus, and the supposed flamingo, Elornis anglicus, appear referable to a single species of ibis under the former name; and Ibidopsis is transferred to the rails. The total number of forms now recognized consists of a diver, a cormorant, two ibises, a flamingo (based on limb shafts and unnamed), a telmabatid, a duck, a probable cathartid vulture, a hawk, an osprey, a rail and four waders. Seven new genera and seven new species are named.     

Prey capture in long-jawed butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae): the functional basis of novel feeding habits

Several species of butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) possess extremely elongate jaws, and feed mostly by probing the benthos and biting off pieces of attached invertebrates. In contrast, Forcipiger longirostris, the longest-jawed chaetodontid, exhibits a novel pattern of prey use, feeding almost exclusively on small caridean shrimp, a mobile and highly elusive prey type that lives within the structure of coral reefs. We explored the functional basis of this novel pattern of prey use by comparing prey capture kinematics in this and four other butterflyfish species, including two other species that possess elongate jaws. High speed video recordings of feeding events on live adult brine shrimp were analyzed from individuals of five species: Forcipiger longirostris, F. flavissimus, Chelmon rostratus, Heniochus acuminatus, and Chaetodon xanthurus. We focused on a comparison among species of the relative contribution of "suction", measured as the amount of movement of the prey toward the predator's mouth, and "ram", measured as the distance moved by the predator toward the prey during the strike. All five species utilized a combination of suction and ram while feeding on brine shrimp. The contribution of suction did not differ significantly among species. However, F. longirostris exhibited a ram contribution to the strike that was more than twice that seen in any of the other species, permitting this species to initiate strikes from the greatest initial predator-prey distance. F. longirostris is known to possess a major structural novelty in the feeding mechanism that permits anterior movement of the entire jaw apparatus. The ability of this species to feed successfully on elusive prey appears to be related to exceptional jaw protrusion, resulting in greater use of ram during prey capture. This ability to protrude long, slender jaws toward the prey may allow it to move the jaws without detection within close enough proximity of the prey to then permit the effective use of suction. The use of extensive ram in this manner by small-mouthed fishes may be more widespread than previously thought.     

The taxonomy, morphology and distribution of species of Scinaia Biv.–Bern. (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) in north–western Europe

Re–examination of herbarium material and new collections of species of Scinaia in north–western Europe shows that the distributions of Scinaia forcellata Biv.–Bern. and S. turgida Chemin have been wrongly assessed in recent literature. S. forcellata ssp. forcellata is found on southern and western coasts of the British Isles north to Co. Clare, Ireland and on Channel coasts east to Boulogne. S. turgida , on the other hand, is found on southern and western coasts of the British Isles north to Shetland and on Channel coasts east to Roscoff. A new subspecies, S. forcellata ssp. scandinavica ssp. nov., is proposed for material previously referred to S. forcellata ssp. forcellata from Denmark, Helgoland, Sweden and possibly Norway. Specimens of a small Scinaia species collected off the Aran Islands, western Ireland are provisionally referred to S. complanata (F. S. Collins) Cotton pending the collection of further material.     

广西南垌早石炭世巴平组下段牙形刺新材料

本文系统研究了广西南垌早石炭世巴平组下段丰富的牙形刺,识别出Siphonodella duplicata,S.cooperi,S.obosoleta,S.quadruplicata,S.lobata,S.crenulata,S.sandbergi,S.eurylobata,S.isosticha,Gnathodus delicatus等重要的带化石。首次报道和描述了产自Siphonodella crenulata带下部牙形刺新材料,其中确立一新种:Siphonodella nandongensis sp.nov.Li;一新未定种:Siphonodellasp.nov.A;且修订了Siphonodella trirostrata Druce(1969)的含义。依据上述牙形刺:Siphonodella nandongensis sp.nov.Li;Siphonodellasp.nov.A和Siphonodella trirostrata Druce(1969)发育特征,认为Siphonodella nandongensis sp.nov.Li与Siphonodella sexplicata;Siphonodella sp.nov.A与Siphonodella quadruplicata(Branson et Mehl);Siphonodella trirostrata Druce(1969)与Siphonodella sandbergi Klapper演化关系密切,并确定所描述的化石新材料的层位是Siphonodella crenulata带下部,地质时代为早石炭世早期,为进一步精细地层划分提供了翔实资料。     

A revised key to Stenhelia {Stenhelia) (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) including two new species from the Pacific*

Two new Stenhelia (Stenhelia) species are described: 5. (S.) diegensis from 1200 m depth in San Diego Trough, California and 5. (S.) asetosa from the intertidal of Nanaimo Estuary, British Columbia. S. (S.) diegensis differs from previously known species in having but one seta on the terminal segment of the P, endopod. 5. (S.) asetosa lacks inner setae on the first segments of the P₂–P, exopods. A table listing the salient morphological features of the species of Stenhelia (Stenhelia) is given as is a new key to the subgenus.     

Late Silurian brachiopods from Darhan Mumingan Joint Banner, Inner Mongolia

Seven brachiopod species (including three new species) and three undetermined forms are described and figured here from an unnamed stratigraphic unit which mainly consists of argillaceous and bioclastic limestone near the stratotype of the Late Silurian Xibiehe Formation of the Xibiehe section in the Darhan Mumingan Joint Banner, north of the Bateaobao area, Inner Mongolia. Three new species, Eoschizophoria minuta, Navispira navicula and Howellella asiatica are established with transverse serial sections for their interiors. All brachiopod taxa described here show that this unnamed stratigraphic unit is higher than the Late Silurian Xibiehe Formation in the Xibiehe section and is possibly transitional between the Late Silurian and the Early Devonian. Authors temporarily regard this unit as the upper part of the Xibiehe Formation in this paper.     

Predation of Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) (Diptera: Therevidae) on Agriotes obscurus L. (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Little is known about the natural enemies of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae), but there are frequent anecdotal reports of (usually unnamed) stiletto fly larvae (Diptera: Therevidae) preying on various species. We observed larvae of Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) feeding on larvae of the dusky wireworm, Agriotes obscurus L., during the summer of 2011, in Agassiz, British Columbia. This finding is of interest as: both the predator and the wireworm are introduced species to this area from Europe; T. nobilitata is uncommon in North America; and this predator has not been associated with any wireworm species previously. We observed that larvae of male and female T. nobilitata will feed on various sizes of A. obscurus larvae, most feeding being carried out by the smallest T. nobilitata larvae. These findings suggest future work should assess the potential for therevid larvae as top‐down regulators of Agriotes larvae under field conditions.