Taxonomy of shrew-tenrecs (Microgale spp.) from eastern and central Madagascar

As remaining habitats come under threat from deforestation, there is an urgent need to survey the insectivore fauna of Madagascar. However, within the endemic family Tenrecidae there is uncertainty over the taxonomy of the largest genus, Microgale. The number of species recognized in this genus ranges from 10 to 21.
In the present study, Microgale specimens were obtained by live-trapping in four forests in eastern and central Madagascar. Data on morphology, ecology and behaviour are used to review Microgale taxonomy. It is proposed that M. melanorrhachis, M. longirostris and M. laiva are distinct species, so that a total of 16 species are recognized in the genus. Further trapping is advocated to clarify the situation. The consequences for conservation are discussed     

中国筇竹属植物志资料

筇竹属是近年来新建立的一个属。本属原发表时仅有3种,标本採自四川、云南、贵州及湖北西部。以后又陆续发表了4种。作者在编写中国植物志筇竹属的过程中,对本属又做了初步整理,其中包括一新种及一新变型也在此一并发表。本文引证的标本均藏于本院标本室(代号SWFC)。     

The peculiar Asian ghost moth genus Bipectilus Chu & Wang: taxonomy and systematic position (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae s.str.)

Abstract Bipectilus Chu & Wang, 1985, from China, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam is redescribed. Eight species are recognized in the genus; two were described previously ( Gorgopis unimacula Daniel and Bipectilus yunnanensis Chu & Wang) and six new species are named. A key to the males is provided and all species and their genitalia are described and illustrated. One new combination is established and one lectotype is designated. Observations on the cuticular anatomy of Bipectilus are presented. The monophyly of Bipectilus is supported by several autapomorphies but the genus also possesses many plesiomorphic traits including spurs on the hind tibia in some species. Bipectilus is placed in the Hepialidae s.str. and the autapomorphies of that taxon are summarized. It is concluded that Bipectilus represents an early lineage within the family, and possibly represents the sister-group of all other Hepialidae s.str. All Asian species originally placed in Gorgopis Hübner are removed from this endemic Afrotropical hepialid genus.     

A new choanoflagellate species from Taiwan: morphological and molecular biological studies of Diplotheca elongata nov. spec. and D. costata

A new species of acanthoecid choanoflagellate isolated from brackish waters of the Danshui estuary in North Taiwan has a mineralized lorica that consists of two chambers with a total length of 19-36microm. It shares with Diplotheca costata the features of a posterior lorica chamber formed from broad and flattened costal strips and an anterior chamber with spatula-shaped costal strips. The new species has therefore been placed in the same genus and named Diplotheca elongata. A phylogenetic analysis of partial SSU rDNA sequences from Diplotheca costata and D. elongata supports this taxonomic affiliation. This is a large and distinctive choanoflagellate which has not been reported in any previous study, suggesting that it may be an endemic species of restricted distribution.     

Allozyme diversity within and divergence among species ofTolpis(Asteraceae-Lactuceae) in the Canary Islands: systematic, evolutionary, and biogeographical implications

Plants endemic to oceanic islands represent some of the most unusual and rare taxa in the world. Enzyme electrophoresis was used to assess genetic diversity within and divergence among all endemic species of a small genus of plants on the Canary Islands. Our results show that the genus Tolpis is similar to many other island groups in having generally low allozyme divergence among species, with the highest divergence found among four groups of endemics. The two rare and highly localized species T. glabrescens and T. crassiuscula are each divergent from all other species in the Canaries. Tolpis coronopifolia is also divergent at allozyme loci; this is the only endemic species that is a self-compatible annual (or weak biennial). A large, morphologically variable species complex consisting of T. laciniata and T. lagopoda together with several named and unnamed morphological variants shows low allozyme divergence among its elements. The evolution of polyploidy from diploid ancestors in situ in oceanic archipelagos is uncommon, but the tetraploid T. glabrescens is an exception. Allozyme data do not implicate any extant diploid Tolpis species as parents of the polyploid. It is possible that T. glabrescens originated early in the evolution of Tolpis in the Canary Islands and that its parents are now extinct. The nonendemic T. barbata shows no greater divergence from the Canary Island endemics than some endemics exhibit among themselves. Both changes in allele frequencies and unique alleles are responsible for genetic divergence among species of Tolpis.     

A new species of the shrew‐mouse,Archboldomys (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae), from the Philippines

A new species of murid rodent belonging to the ‘shrew‐mouse’ genus Archboldomys is described from Kalinga Province in northern Luzon Island, Philippines. This is the third known species of this endemic Philippine genus. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by consistent differences in adult body size, limb and tail proportions, coloration and texture of the pelage, and cranial and dental dimensions. Members of this genus are small, diurnal rodents that feed mainly on earthworms and other soil invertebrates, and occur in high elevation montane and mossy forests habitats. The new species may be restricted to the northern portion of the Cordillera Central, whereas its congeners occur in widely separated highland areas in other portions of Luzon. The fact that similar distribution patterns are seen for members of other endemic genera suggests that habitat vicariance may have shaped much of the diversification of murid rodents on Luzon.     

New species of Brachygasterina Macquart (Diptera: Muscidae) from high altitudes of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela

The genus Brachygasterina Macquart (Muscidae), comprising seven species, is endemic in South America. Three new species are herein described from the highlands of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. A key to the species of this genus is provided.     

Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis,sp. nov. (Metzgeriales,Aneuraceae) from Yunnan,China

Abstract

The genus Lobatiriccardia Furuki is reported as new to China, from the Dulong River valley, Gaoligong Shan range, Yunnan Province and this material is described as a new species endemic to China, Lobatiriccardia yunnanensis Furuki & D.G. Long, the fifth known species in the genus. The differences between the new species and the other members of the genus are enumerated, along with a key to all known species of Lobatiriccardia.     

New taxa in Psoroptinae. Hypothesis on the origin of the group (Acarina, Sarcoptiformes, Psoroptidae)]

The author describes three new species and one new genus in the family Psoroptidae, subfamily Psoroptinae. A key is given to all the known genera of this subfamily. The fact that amongst the 16 species known from Africa South of the Sahara, 9 are endemic incites the author to believe that this group has a Centro-african origin.     

Taxonomic revision of shrews of the genus Crociduras from the Sunda Shelf and Sulawesi with description of two new species (Mammalia: Soricidae)

The skulls of 387 shrews of the genus Crocidura sampled in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Sulawesi were submitted to principal component and stepwise discriminant analyses. These analyses helped to delineate morphological taxa in this species-rich genus of mammals. Most morphologic groups could be attributed to described species, except one taxon from Sumatra and one from Sulawesi, which are described and named as new. Most of the 21 species recognized in this paper are endemic to one major island. Although Sulawesi has never been connected to the mainland, it supports at least six species, followed by Sumatra (5–6 species), Java and the Malay Peninsula (4 spp) and Borneo (3 spp). C. monticola is apparently the only widespread species whose distribution range covers the entire Malay Archipelago except the Philippines and Sulawesi. In contrast, the continental C. fuliginosa enters only marginally into the Sunda Shelf: its southernmost record is on the Malay Peninsula. This interpretation is completely different from the classical view that C. fuliginosa is a cosmopolitan species occupying the whole of Southeast Asia. Identification keys, tables of measurements and discriminant functions provided in this work may aid in identification of the various species and subspecies of Crocidura living in the Malaya Archipelago.     

中国-喜玛拉雅特有属——蓝钟花属的分类修订

Cyananthus Wallich ex Bentham, the only genus of Campanulaceae with superior ovary, is revised to clarify infrageneric relationships and phylogeny of the genus. Evidence obtained from the comparative gross morphology, anatomy, palynology, and karyomorpho-logy recommends a new infrageneric classification of the genus, recognizing 23 species, belonging to two subgenera, four sections and four subsections. One subgenus(Subgen. Mi-cranthus), one section(Sect. Suffruticulosi) and two subsections(Subsect. Flavi and Sub-sect. Lichiangenses)are described as new taxa. New combinations at sectional (Sect. Annui) and subsectional(Subsect. Stenolobi) ranks are also proposed. The genus Cyananthus is strictly distributed in the high mountains of China(Xizang, Yunnan and Sichuan), extending to Bhutan, Nepal and India (Kumaon-Garhwal, Assam and Sikkim), with altitudinal ranges from 2500 ~ 5300 m. It is observed that 13 species are endemic to SW China and only three species are endemic to the Himalayas( two species in Ne     

A revision of the genus Lasianthus (Rubiaceae) in Africa, excluding Madagascar

23 species, one subspecies and three varieties have been described or named for the pan-tropical genus Lasianthus Jack (Rubiaceae) in continental Africa. In the present revision thirteen species, five subspecies and one variety are recognized; additionally two hybrids are proposed. Of the previously named taxa, the subspecies is raised to species rank whereas two species are degraded to subspecies and variety status, respectively. Five species are synonymised including two varieties, and four are left with uncertain status, including one variety. The distribution of the genus in Africa consists of two distinct elements: one component is found in the Guineo-Congolian regional centre of endemism and one in the eastern part of Afiomontane Archipelago-like regional centre of endemism. A centre of species diversity is found in Eastern Arc Mts., where six endemic species occur together with L. laxinervis and the more widespread L. kilimandscharicus. Four of the species are strict endemics of the Uluguru Mts. In addition to the presentation of the new section: Lasianthus Sectio Membranacei, sect. nov., this revision contain two hybrids from Uluguru Mts.: L. macrocalyx × pedunculatus and L. cereifizorus × pedunculatus, and following new taxa and new combinations: L. africanus ssp. biokoensis, subsp. nov.; L. africanus ssp. mayumbensis, comb. et stat. nov.; L. kilimandscharicus ssp. glabrescens, ssp. nov.; L. kilimandscharicus ssp. glabrescens var. xanthospermus, comb. et stat. nov.; L. kilimandscharicus ssp. hirsutus, ssp. nov.; L. laxinervis, stat. nov.; L. pedunculatus ssp. angustisepalus, ssp. nov.     

Karyotype Analysis of Cycas panzhihuaensis L. Zhou et S. Y. Yang

This paper reports chromosome number and karyotype analysis of Cycas panzhihuaensis endemic to China. The material was collected from Dukou, Sichuan. It is a diploid species, with 2n=22=2m+4sm+4st+l2t. The karyotype of Cycas panzhihuaensis is different from that of the other species of the genus Cycas, which was known to be 2n=4m+8st+10t. The former is a new karyotype in the genus. The authors briefly discuss karyotype evolution of the genus Cycas in this papar.     

The genus Potamolithus Pilsbry, 1896 (Gastropoda: Tateidae) on the Somuncurá Plateau,Patagonia, Argentina

The genus Potamolithus (Gastropoda: Tateidae) is endemic to South America where it is distributed mainly in the Ribeira, Itajaí-açú and Jacuhy Rivers in southern Brazil and the Uruguay River, part of the Paraná and Río de la Plata drainage systems. An exception to the pattern of distribution is Potamolithus valchetensis Miquel, 1998, which is endemic to the Valcheta Stream, Somuncurá Plateau, Patagonia, Argentina. Here we provide a review of Potamolithus from this plateau based on new samples and review of material deposited in collections. A new species, Potamolithus elenae, is named. The shell, head-foot, penis, pallial organs and radula are described. Differences between the new species and P. valchetensis include details in the shell, radula, body pigmentation and penis. A phylogeny using mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I is provided which shows that Potamolithus is related to species in New Caledonia (Australasia), suggesting that the Tateidae has a Gondwanan distribution.     

Silvorchis vietnamica (Orchidaceae,Orchidoideae, Vietorchidinae), a new miniature mycotrophic species from southern Vietnam

A second species of Silvorchis, until now considered to be a presumably extinct monotypic genus endemic to western Java has been discovered in southern Vietnam. The species, here named as S. vietnamica, is described and illustrated, with data on its distribution, ecology, phenology and estimated conservation status. A key for identification of the two known species of the genus is also provided. The taxonomic affinities and phylogenetic placement of the newly discovered plant are briefly discussed.     

The Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of New Caledonia, genus Caledonapion Wanat

The New Caledonian endemic weevil genus Caledonapion is revised, with one new species, C . assimile , described. Diagnoses, a key and distribution maps are provided for both species of the genus. An association of Caledonapion with the plant genus Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) is suggested from field observations.     

中国的树蛙科动物并记树蛙属一新种（图版Ⅶ，Ⅷ）

本文首先对树蛙科动物的特征加以简要介绍。其次对近年在海南岛野外工作期间采集的树蛙科动物一种18雄3雌加以研究,在对其外部形态观察研究的基础上,初步判断它们隶属树蛙属,又将其中雌雄各一号的肩带及前肢制成双色骨骼标本,发现其肩胸骨基部深分叉,指骨末节游离端分叉甚深且呈“Y”形,证明它们确系树蛙属动物无疑。经详细研究和比较,确定它们是树蛙属中的一个新种,现对此新种进行描述和报道。     

中国粘菌蚊属Sciophila研究（双翅目：菌蚊科）

中国粘菌蚊属Ｓｃｉｏｐｈｉｌａ研究（双翅目：菌蚊科）吴鸿（浙江农业大学植保系,浙江省杭州市３１００２９）粘菌蚊属ＳｃｉｏｐｈｉｌａＭｅｉｇｅｎ,全北区已知７９种,其中古北区３９种,新北区５４种;东洋区已知５种。中国东北曾记载过１种。本研究对中国的粘菌...     

Biogeography of Eocene bryozoans from the St Vincent Basin, South Australia

The first extensive and stratigraphically detailed taxonomic study of the Middle to Late Eocene Bryozoa of the St Vincent Basin has identified more than 200 species of Cheilostomata and 50 species of Cyclostomata. There are three biogeographic groups: basin endemic, Australian and global. Two-thirds (116) of the cheilostome species and seven genera are currently considered endemic to this basin. Most species are endemic to Australia and similar to those found in the Oligo-Miocene of Victoria. The Cellariidae are a common component of most Australian Cainozoic deposits, but the species are highly dissimilar, with 13 of the 17 species here being new. The global component indicates that biogeographic links with regions outside Australia still existed in the Eocene. The cyclostome genus Reticrescis is only known from the Australian and Antarctic Eocene. Ten genera have their first occurrence in the Eocene St Vincent Basin. The Phidoloporidae and Smittinidae represent the most diverse and ubiquitous groups at a geological time close to their time of origination. Contemporaneous sediments in Antarctica, eastern Europe and North America also have a diverse fauna of this family, pointing to a strong Tethyan link. Rhamphosmittina lateralis (MacGillivray) is still extant in New Zealand, having an exceptionally long time range of 40 million years. Overall, the fauna has a distinct Late Cretaceous character. A new genus of Onychocellidae appears similar to genera that were common in Cretaceous Tethyan faunas but rare during the Cainozoic. This similarity ends in the Oligocene, after which the Australian bryozoan became endemic