Family coelotubuliporidae fam. nov. and morphological parallelisms in the evolution of bryozoans

Morphologically complex bryozoans from the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous of Eurasia that some research workers include in the order Rhabdomesida and others place in the order Trepostomata are studied. The axial zooecium is demonstrated to be of zooidal nature. A new family, Coelotubuliporidae fam. nov., is established and its position in the order Trepostomata is substantiated. It includes two genera (one new), 11 species (1 new), and four subspecies. Diagnoses of a new family, Coelotubuliporidae, the genus Coelotubulipora Yang, Hu et Xia, 1988, and a new genus, Dunaevella Gorjunova gen. nov., are presented. The following species are described: Coelotubulipora irinae Gorjunova, sp. nov., Dunaevella shishovae (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955), and D. peristomata (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955). The emergence of axial zooecia in representatives of the order Trepostomata is considered as one of the evolutionary ways of bryozoans due to morphological parallelisms. It is shown that data presented on the stratigraphic range and paleogeography of the family Coelotubuliporidae are of great significance for solving the problems of biostratigraphy and correlation of deposits of the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous of Eurasia.     

On the Paleozoic bryozoans of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascopora</Emphasis> Trautschold

Based on the study of the neotype and the astogeny of the type specimens of the species Ascopora nodosa (Fischer von Waldheim, 1837), the diagnosis and species composition of the genus Ascopora Trautschold, 1876 are emended. The genus Ascopora and three species out of the five included in this genus—A. nodosa (Fischer von Waldheim, 1837); A. sokolovae Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955; and A. latiaxis Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955—are described. A new genus, Tetrasella gen. nov., with the type species T. blanda sp. nov. is described. This genus comprises five species, transferred from the composition of the genus Ascopora. An emended diagnosis of the genus Ascoporella Krutchinina, 1986, is provided. This genus comprises nine species, of which two, A. lecta sp. nov. and A. mera sp. nov., are described as new species.     

An exquisitely preserved harvestman (Arthropoda,Arachnida, Opiliones) from the Middle Jurassic of China

Sclerosomatids constitute the largest family of the arachnid order Opiliones, and one of the two families commonly found in the temperate regions of the northern Hemisphere. Harvestmen have a sparse fossil record in the Mesozoic, with only two species known from the Jurassic, one of them poorly preserved and none with precise phylogenetic placement. Here we report a new fossil, Mesobunus dunlopi sp. nov., from the Middle Jurassic (approx. 165 Mya) of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. The new species is related to another genus of the same formation, but the preservation quality and details of the penis and pedipalps allow us to place them in the extant sclerosomatid subfamilies Gagrellinae or Leiobuninae. The first recognisable fossil in this subfamily highlights morphological stasis over ca. 165 Mya and the finding of this species along with lacustrine insects suggests a life mode similar to that of some modern sclerosomatids, and a possible connection between morphological and ecological stasis.     

Ammonites of Tethyan origin in the Ryazanian stage of the Russian platform: Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Riasanella</Emphasis> gen. nov.

A new ammonite genus Riasanella is described from the Ryazanian Stage of the Russian Platform (type species R. rausingi sp. nov.). The new species R. plana sp. nov., R. olorizi sp. nov., and R. riasanitoides sp. nov. are described. These species come from the lower, strongly condensed beds of the Riasanites rjasanensis Zone of the Moscow Region. The upper subzone of this zone in the Ryazan Region contains specimens of Riasanella, identified in open nomenclature. The new genus is assigned to the family Himalayitidae; one of its species is a possible ancestor of Riasanites Spath.     

New species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macclintockia</Emphasis> (Angiosperms) from the Campanian of the Ugol’naya Bay (Northeastern Russia)

New species of angiosperms are described as members of the genus Macclintockia from the Ugol’naya Bay area, in northeastern Russia: M. barykovensis Moiseeva, sp. nov., M. gigantea Moiseeva, sp. nov., and M. terranea Moiseeva et Herman, sp. nov. Leaves of this genus are considerably variable, which hampers differentiation between particular species. The study of new material has allowed the author to trace the morphological variability of these species and revised on this ground the composition of the species M. ochotica Vachr. et Herman and M. beringiana Herman. The composition of Macclintockia is discussed, as well as its occurrence during the Late Cretaceous.     

Asiaontsira gen. nov., a new tropical genus of the subfamily Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Vietnam and South‐East China

A new genus, Asiaontsira gen. nov., and two new species, A. cucphuongi sp. nov. (type species) and A. cantonica sp. nov., are described from tropical and subtropical areas of South‐East China and North Vietnam. This genus is compared to the closely related Australian Ontsirospathius Belokobylskij, Iqbal and Austin, 2004 as well as the similar and almost cosmopolitan genus Ontsira Cameron, 1900. A key to both species of Asiaontsira gen. nov. is provided.     

Research note: Amorphochlora amoebiformis gen. et comb. nov. (Chlorarachniophyceae)

A chlorarachniophycean alga, Lotharella amoebiformis, which has been classified in the genus Lotharella is placed into a new genus Amorphochlora gen. nov., based on its phylogenetic position, which has been clarified by the recently accumulated molecular phylogenetic information, and the morphological difference between the vegetative cells of the Lotharella species. Following this taxonomic treatment, a new combination Amorphochlora amoebiformis comb. nov., is proposed.     

Falsocalcifolium nov. gen. and revision of the tribe Calcifolieae (Mississippian, incertae sedis algae)

A new genus, Falsocalcifolium is described. The type species is F. punctatum (Maslov) emend. The genus is placed in the tribe Calcifolieae Shuysky emend. of the family Calcifoliaceae Termier, Termier and Vachard nomen translat. Consequently, the generic make-up of the tribe is emended, and is now considered to be composed of Frustulata Saltovskaya emend., Falsocalcifolium nov. gen., and Calcifolium Shvetsov and Birina emend. Evolution within the tribe is shown by the progressive development of more petaloid morphologies and changes in the number and relationships of the internal structures called filaments (interpreted here as the emplacements containing endosymbiotic cyanobacteria). This evolution is also related to palaeoecological factors. The representatives of the tribe are considered excellent biostratigraphic markers in several western Tethyan regions (e.g. Great Britain, Ireland, southern France, southern Spain), where they are widely represented, but their geographical distribution in other basins seems to be incomplete, and thus their use in biostratigraphic correlation is at the moment limited.     

New species of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) from the Rovno amber,Eocene of Ukraine

A new genus and seven new species of the caddisfly families Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae, Ecnomidae, Hydroptilidae, and Leptoceridae (Wormaldia nasticentia sp. nov., Holocentropus flexiflagrum sp. nov., Electrocyrnus perpusillus gen. et sp. nov., Archaeotinodes reveraverus sp. nov., Agraylea electroscientia sp. nov., Triplectides palaeoslavicus sp. nov., and Leptocerus solifemella sp. nov.) from the Rovno amber (Upper Eocene, Ukraine) are described     

New cretaceous radiolarian species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Afens</Emphasis> Riedel et Sanfilippo

Diverse radiolarians from the Upper Cretaceous Perapedhi and Moni formations (southern Cyprus) are studied. Many representatives of the genus Afens Riedel et Sanfilippo, 1974 are recognized. The diagnosis of the genus Afens is emended and three new species of this genus, Afens perapediensis sp. nov., Afens moniensis sp. nov., and Afens concinnus sp. nov., are described. In addition, the species Afens liriodes Riedel et Sanfilippo, 1974 is redescribed.     

Evolution and systematics of the Late Paleozoic brachiopod family Linoproductidae with descriptions of species from the Lower Permian of the Northern Timan

The analysis of the morphological features of the genera of the family Linoproductidae in the Late Paleozoic substantiates its three subfamilies as three evolutionary trends beginning with the initial subfamily Coopericinae Lazarev, 2004, which is known from the beginning of the Early Carboniferous and two its derivatives: subfamily Linipalinae subfam. nov., which appeared in the Podolskian Time (Upper Moscovian Age), and subfamily Linoproductinae Stehli, 1954, which appeared in the Kasimovian Age. The problems and prospects of the further detailing of the system of these subfamilies are discussed. Three new species of the genus Sublinoproductus are described from the Lower Permian of Northern Timan.     

About Bullockia gen. nov., Trichomycterus mendozensis n. sp. and revision of the family Trichomycteridae (Pisces,Siluriformes)

A new genus of the family Trichomycteridae, Bullockia, and a new species of Trichomycterus are described. Bullockia gen. nov. is a monospecific and relict genus in the freshwaters of Chile. Trichomycterus mendozensis n. sp. is a freshwater relict from Argentina. Preliminary diagnoses of the subfamilies Pygidiinae and Nematogenyinae and the genera Trichomycterus, Hatcheria and Nematogenys are given.     

Phylogenetic evaluation of anamorphic species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirrenalia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cumulospora</Emphasis> with the description of eight new genera and four new species

Four new helicoid anamorphic fungi collected from marine habitats in Egypt and Japan are described. Three marine and one terrestrial Cirrenalia species along with two Cumulospora species and the four new fungi were sequenced for LSU and SSU rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses of the generated sequences, along with those from GenBank, confirmed the polyphyly of the genera Cirrenalia and Cumulospora, and new genera are erected to accommodate the displaced species. Eight new genera, four new species and six new combinations are made: 1. Halazoon anam.-gen. nov. (Halazoon melhae sp. nov., H. fuscus for Cirrenalia fusca), 2. Moheitospora anam.-gen. nov. (Moheitospora fruticosae sp. nov., M. adarca for Cirrenalia adarca), 3. Moleospora anam.-gen nov. (Moleospora maritima sp. nov.), and 4. Glomerulispora anam.-gen. nov. (Glomerulispora mangrovis sp. nov); Cirrenalia pygmea, Cirrenalia tropicale and Cumulospora varius are transferred to the new genera, 5. Hydea anam.-gen. nov, 6. Matsusporium anam.-gen. nov., and 7. Moromyces anam.-gen. nov., respectively. These genera can be assigned to the order Lulworthiales, TBM (Torpedospora/Bertia/Melanospora) clade, while Cirrenalia macrocephala is nested within the order Halosphaeriales. Few morphological characters delineate the genera and species assigned to the Lulworthiales and this aspect is discussed in relation to the molecular data. The phylogenetic position of the terrestrial species, Cirrenalia japonica, shows that it is a member of the order Pleosporales, and a new genus, 8. Hiogispora anam.-gen. nov. is proposed for the fungus.     

New sepulcids (Hymenoptera: Sepulcidae) from the Lower Cretaceous of Asia: II. Ghilarellinae and Trematothoracinae

Five new species of sepulcids (Hymenoptera: Sepulcidae) are described from the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia and Mongolia (localities Khasurty, Baissa, and Bon-Tsagan). The new species belong to the subfamilies Ghilarellinae and Trematothoracinae: Ghilarella alexialis sp. nov., G. masculina sp. nov., Trematothorax zhangi sp. nov., T. brachyurus sp. nov., and T. extravenosus sp. nov. The genus Trematothoracoides Zhang et al., 2001 (syn. nov.) is synonymized with Trematothorax Rasnitsyn, 1988. A complete list of species of Sepulcidae is provided.     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Inoceramus</Emphasis>-like bivalves of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanaia</Emphasis> Koninck from the Lower Permian of northeast Asia

Historical development of Permian Inoceramus-like bivalves of the genus Aphanaia Koninck in northeastern Asia is briefly considered. Five new species from the Lower Permian of the western Verkhoyansk Region and Omolon Massif are described: Aphanaia waterhousei sp. nov., A. budnikovi sp. nov., A. kutygini sp. nov., A. dulgalakhensis sp. nov., and A. korkodonica sp. nov.     

MICROFISSURATA GEN. NOV. (BACILLARIOPHYTA), A NEW DIATOM GENUS FROM DYSTROPHIC AND INTERMITTENTLY WET TERRESTRIAL HABITATS1

A new freshwater benthic diatom genus, Microfissurata gen. nov., was identified from light and scanning electron micrographs. The most characteristic morphological feature (referred to also by the name of the new genus) is the structure of the striae/alveoli, which are simple, mostly uninterrupted, transapical slits. The combination of characteristics of the new genus is unique. It includes two new species: Microfissurata paludosa Cantonati et Lange‐Bert. sp. nov. and M. australis Van de Vijver et Lange‐Bert. sp. nov., distributed in Europe and on an austral island, respectively. The new genus occurs in freshwater dystrophic lakes, pools, seepage springs, mires, and in intermittently wet terrestrial habitats. It is not abundant but widespread wherever these habitat types are well developed, in Nordic‐alpine and sub‐Antarctic areas. Overall, the new genus appears to be mostly epiphytic (bryophilous) and capable of tolerating a wide range of moisture conditions (xerotolerant). The finding of the type species (M. paludosa) in a well‐investigated area like central Europe highlights the diatom species richness of dystrophic habitats and their importance for diatom biodiversity conservation.     

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Russian Far East

A new subfamily of ichneumon wasps, Labenopimplinae subfam. nov. (Ichneumonidae), is described from the Cenomanian Ola Formation of the locality Obeshchayushchiy, Magadan Region, Russian Far East. The subfamily is highly diverse morphologically and combines characters of the Labeninae and Pimplinae. It includes 11 new species described in five new genera: Labenopimpla rasnitsyni gen. et sp. nov., L. kasparyani sp. nov., Armanopimpla zherikhini gen. et sp. nov, Ramulimonstrum intermedium gen. et sp. nov., Rugopimpla vulgaris gen. et sp. nov., R. fallax sp. nov., R. angusticella sp. nov., R. macra sp. nov., R. matrona sp. nov., Micropimpla lucida gen. et sp. nov., and M. obscura sp. nov. Also described is a new monotypic genus, Tryphopimpla xoridoptera gen. et sp. nov., which combines characters of the Tryphoninae, Pimplinae, and Xoridinae and cannot be currently placed into any of the known subfamilies. The population of fossil ichneumon wasps at this locality is distinctly dominated by females.