New stygobiont copepods (Calanoida; Misophrioida) from Bundera Sinkhole, an anchialine cenote in north-western Australia

Two new taxa in the copepod orders Calanoida and Misophrioida are described from the flooded coastal karst of north-western Australia. Stygocyclopia australis sp. nov. is the first pseudocyclopiid calanoid to be reported from the continent, with other congeners distributed in anchialine environments of the Philippine, Balearic, and Canary archipelagos. The presence of a supernumerary spine on the outer margin of the first exopod segment of leg 3 in this species is discussed in the context of the Neocopepodan groundpattern. Speleophria bunderae sp. nov. is the first representative of the order Misophrioida known from Australia, with other congeners in the Balearics, Bermuda, and the Yucatan peninsula of México. Both taxa co-exist in the deeper higher salinity layers of a single sinkhole in Cape Range peninsula. The placement of these taxa in strictly stygobiont genera represented by very localized and disjunct species distributed over regions flooded by the late Mesozoic seas, lends support to their interpretation as true Tethyan relicts, and hence to the inclusion in the past of the Northwest portion of Australia in the Tethyan realm. The remains of S. bunderae in the gut contents of a stygobiont epacteriscid calanoid is recorded.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Hawaiian anchialine shrimp Halocaridina rubra Holthuis, 1963 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae)

Shrimp of the family Atyidae are important members of nearly all tropical (and most temperate) fresh and brackish water ecosystems in the world. To date, a complete mitochondrial genome from this important crustacean group has not been reported. Here, we present the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the Hawaiian atyid Halocaridina rubra [Holthuis, L.B., 1963. On red coloured shrimps (Decapoda, Caridea) from tropical land-locked saltwater pools. Zool. Meded.16, 261-279.] (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae). The genome is a circular molecule of 16,065 bp and encodes the 37 mitochondrial genes (13 protein-coding, 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs) typically found in the metazoa. Gene order and orientation in the H. rubra mitochondrial genome is syntenic with most malacostracans that have been examined to date. Of special note is the absence of the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm stem from tRNA(Tyr) and the use of CCG as an initiation codon for cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI); these represent the first reported examples of such phenomena in the Malacostraca. Phylogenetic analyses utilizing complete mitochondrial sequences from other malacostracans place H. rubra as sister to Macrobrachium rosenbergii, which also belongs to the Infraorder Caridea. However, the placement of this infraorder, as well as the Infraorder Dendrobrachiata, in the phylogeny of the Decapoda varied depending on outgroup selection. Data from additional mitochondrial genomes, such as basal decapods like the Stenopodidea, should contribute to a better overall understanding of decapod phylogenetics.     

A new species of Viola L. (Violaceae) from South Anatolia

A new species of Viola L., Viola yildirimlii M. Dinç & Y. Bağcı sp. nov. from South Anatolia is described and illustrated. It is found on the rocky slopes of Aladağ National Park, in the county of Adana, south Turkey, at an elevation of 1800 m. It belongs to Viola , subsect. Viola , and is similar to the Turkish endemics Viola isaurica Contandr. & Quézel and V. kizildaghensis M. Dinç & Ş. Yıldırımlı. Diagnostic morphologic characters for a detailed discrimination from two similar taxa and other Turkish Eflagellatae species are discussed.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 141 , 477–482.     

Three new genera and five new species of misophrioid copepods (Crustacea) from anchialine caves on Indo-West Pacific and North Atlantic Islands

Hydra lirosoma sp. nov. is a small, hermaphroditic species possessing broad holotrichous isorhiza nematocysts. The spherical embryo and cobbled embryotheca set it apart from similar species. Hydras with broad holotrichous isorhizas form a distinct cluster of species, but one which was not explicitly represented in the three genera ( Pelmatohydra, Hydra and Chlorohydra ) recognized by Schulze (1917, Archiv für Biontologie, 4(2 ): 29). Schulze failed to recognize this group because of the small number of species known at that time. The hydras that are known now fit naturally into four clusters of species termed, in this paper, the oligactis, vulgaris, viridissima, and braueri groups.     

A new species of Cyzicidae (Crustacea: Conchostraca) from Iraq

A new species of Conchostraca, Eocyzicus mesopotamiensis sp. nov., from a small pond in Iraq is described and illustrated. The account includes structural details and means of recognition. Information on the habitat is also given.     

On the marine sister groups of the freshwater crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura)

Freshwater crab sister group relationships with marine eubrachyuran families were investigated. A morphology-based cladistic analysis was conducted on representatives of the freshwater crab families Deckeniidae, Gecarcinucidae, Parathelphusidae, Potamidae, Potamonautidae, Pseudothelphusidae, and Trichodactylidae using a disparate assemblage of marine heterotreme and thoracotreme brachyurans as possible sister groups. The monophyly of the freshwater crabs sensu lato is falsified. The family Trichodactylidae and the marine portunid subfamily Carcininae form basal groups within the superfamily Portunoidea. The monophyly of the Pseudothelphusidae and the Paleotropical freshwater crab families is supported, and this clade is the sister group of the Thoracotremata (Gecarcinidae, Grapsidae s.l., and Ocypodoidea). The origin, groundplan, and diversification of freshwater crabs are discussed in the context of previously published scenarios of their evolution.     

A new species of Caprella (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from the Mediterranean Sea

A new caprellid amphipod, Caprella tavolarensis n. sp., is described based on specimens collected from a Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadow at the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (Sardinia, Mediterranean Sea). The species is close to Caprella liparotensis, but can be clearly distinguished by smaller size, presence of a short rostrum, body elongate and dorsally smooth, absence of serrate carina on the basis of gnathopod 2 and pereopods, mouthparts scarcely setose, absence of fine setae on peduncle of antenna 1 and absence of swimming setae on antenna 2. The number of caprellid species reported from the Mediterranean Sea has increased from 23 (1993) to 41 (2010), consequently, further taxonomical studies should be addressed to properly estimate the total amphipod diversity in the Mediterranean Sea.     

A new distinctive species of pagurid hermit crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from Japan

A new species of pagurid hermit crab, Pagurus decimbranchiae, is described and illustrated based on 20 specimens collected from shallow waters of the Pacific coast of Japan ranging from Boso Peninsula to Tanegashima Island. It is quite distinctive in having the rudimentary arthrobranch on the third maxilliped represented by a single bud, however close morphological similarity is found between the new species and P. moluccensis Haig and Ball. Comparisons are also made among other species, including P. boriaustraliensis Morgan, P. sp. cf. boriaustraliensis sensu Rahayu and Komai (2000) and the members of the P. anachoretus group. The present generic assignment of the new species should be considered provisional, as more extensive study is needed to investigate phylogenetic relationships of the new species and the other species of Pagurus.     

A synopsis of Goniothalamus species (Annonaceae) in Thailand, with descriptions of three new species

A comprehensive taxonomic revision of Goniothalamus species (Annonaceae) occurring in Thailand is presented for the first time. Twenty-five species are recognized, including three that are described as new to science ( Goniothalamus aurantiacus from South-Western Thailand, Goniothalamus maewongensis from Northern Thailand, and Goniothalamus rongklanus from Northern and North-Eastern Thailand). Several taxonomic and nomenclatural misunderstandings are corrected. The name G. griffithii is shown to be widely misapplied for populations in Northern Thailand, for which the name G. calvicarpus should be applied; 'true' G. griffithii is restricted to South-Western Thailand and Myanmar. In addition, the widely used name G. marcanii is shown to be a synonym of G. tamirensis , and the name G. latestigma , previously regarded as a synonym of G. undulatus , is reinstated. Goniothalamus cheliensis is furthermore newly recorded from Thailand. Most species are restricted to Peninsular Thailand and represent a Malesian floristic component.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 355–384.     

Morphological and molecular description of new species of squat lobster (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Solomon and Fiji Islands (South‐West Pacific)

The family Galatheidae is among the most diverse families of anomuran decapod crustaceans, and the South‐West Pacific is a biodiversity hot spot for these squat lobsters. Attempts to clarify the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of the Galatheidae on the basis of morphological and molecular data have revealed the existence of several cryptic species, differentiated only by subtle morphological characters. Despite these efforts, however, relationships among genera are poorly understood, and the family is in need of a detailed systematic review. In this study, we assess material collected in different surveys conducted in the Solomon Islands, as well as comparative material from the Fiji Islands, by examining both the morphology of the specimens and two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI, and 16S rRNA). These two sources of data revealed the existence of eight new species of squat lobster, four of which were ascribed to the genus Munida, two to the genus Paramunida, one to the genus Plesionida, and the last species was ascribed to the genus Agononida. These eight species are described along with phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. Our findings support the taxonomic status of the new species, yet the phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Further molecular analysis of a larger data set of species, and more conserved genes, will help clarify the systematics of this group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 465–493.     

European cave shrimp species (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae), redefined after a phylogenetic study; redefinition of some taxa,a new genus and four new Troglocaris species

Endemic atyids of southern Europe have been ascribed to Dugastella, and to subterranean Typhlatya and Troglocaris: Dugastella is epigean, and Typhlatya and Troglocaris are subterranean. An extensive collection from all centres of distribution in southern Europe (excepting the Caucasus) was morphologically examined. A taxonomic redefinition of the group, at different levels, is based on recently published and newly generated molecular phylogeny, whereas newly established taxa have also been morphologically defined. The accordance between the phylogenetic tree and the geographical distributions suggested that a re‐evaluation of some traditionally used morphological characters should generate the most parsimonious solution: this enabled a novel taxonomic division. Gallocaris gen. nov. is erected for the French Troglocaris inermis Fage, 1937, which is more closely related to the epigean Dugastella valentina (Ferrer Galdiano, 1924) than to its supposed congeners. Both western Mediterranean Typhlatya species are closely related to their Caribbean congeners. All other European cave shrimps constitute a monophylum, Troglocaris, which is divisible into subgenera (already with available names): the holo‐Dinaric Troglocaris (Troglocaris) Dormitzer, 1853, south‐eastern mero‐Dinaric Troglocaris (Troglocaridella) Babi?, 1922, and Troglocaris (Spelaeocaris) Matja?i?, 1956, and the Caucasian Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) Sadovsky, 1930. Four new species are described: Troglocaris (Troglocaris) bosnica sp. nov. , Troglocaris (Spelaeocaris) prasence sp. nov. , Troglocaris (Spelaeocaris) kapelana sp. nov. , and Troglocaris (Spelaeocaris) neglecta sp. nov. The distribution of all established species is shown, and the value of the morphological characters is discussed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 786–818.     

A new species of the genus Lightiella: the first record of Cephalocarida (Crustacea) in Europe

A new species of Cephalocarida belonging to the genus Lightiella is described. Like all known species of Lightiella , the new species is characterized by reduction of trunk segment 8, which also lacks both pleura and thoracopods. The diagnostic characters of the species are: (1) one seta on the inner distal corner of the penultimate endopodal segment of second maxilla and thoracopods 1–5; (2) only one claw on the distal segment of the endopod of thoracopod 6. A cladistic analysis of 27 morphological characters was used to estimate the phylogeny of all species of Lightiella , with all other cephalocarid species used as outgroups. The discovery of this species in the Mediterranean fills a gap in the distribution of the genus and of the entire class.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 148 , 209–220.     

Cryptic diversity and multiple origins of the widespread mayfly species group Baetis rhodani (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) on northwestern Mediterranean islands

How the often highly endemic biodiversity of islands originated has been debated for decades, and it remains a fervid research ground. Here, using mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequence analyses, we investigate the diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary history of the mayfly Baetis gr. rhodani on the three largest northwestern Mediterranean islands (Sardinia, Corsica, Elba). We identify three distinct, largely co‐distributed, and deeply differentiated lineages, with divergences tentatively dated back to the Eocene–Oligocene transition. Bayesian population structure analyses reveal a lack of gene exchange between them, even at sites where they are syntopic, indicating that these lineages belong to three putative species. Their phylogenetic relationships with continental relatives, together with the dating estimates, support a role for three processes contributing to this diversity: (1) vicariance, primed by microplate disjunction and oceanic transgression; (2) dispersal from the continent; and (3) speciation within the island group. Thus, our results do not point toward a prevailing role for any of the previously invoked processes. Rather, they suggest that a variety of processes equally contributed to shape the diverse and endemic biota of this group of islands.     

The identification of postlarvae of four species of Penaeus (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Pacific coast of Mexico

Livingand recently preserved postlarvae of Penaeus vannameiBoone, P. stylirostris Stimpson, P. californiensis (Holmes) and P. brevirostris Kingsley may be separated into species on chromatophore patterns and rostral lengths. These and other characters are illustrated and tabulated, and their usefulness and reliability are discussed.     

Revision of the class Sorberacea (benthic tunicates) with descriptions of seven new species

The benthic deep-sea class Sorberacea (Tunicata) is revised. All known species are redescribed and figured and seven new species are added. Diagnoses of the genera Sorbera, Gasterascidia, Oligotrema and Hexadactylus are given. The new generic name Hexadactylus replaces Hexacrobylm and a tabular key to the 12 species is provided. Hypotheses about the evolutionary processes in the Sorberacea are proposed and a comparison with Ascidiacea is given. The geographical distribution of sorberacean species and biogeographical affinities are discussed. The bathymetric distribution is particularly large since this class is characteristic of deep-sea bottoms.