A new species of Peltidium Philippi, 1839 (Crustacea,Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from the Pacific coast of Mexico

During the analysis of phytal meiobenthic samples collected from a rocky-sandy beach in the state of Nayarit, in the Mexican Pacific, several specimens of harpacticoid copepods were obtained and taxonomically examined. These specimens were found to represent an undescribed species of the peltidiid genus Peltidium Philippi, 1839. The new species, Peltidium nayarit sp. n. is described herein. It resembles Peltidium nichollsi Geddes and Peltidium lerneri Geddes from Bahamas but also the widespread Peltidium speciosum Thompson & Scott and Peltidium purpureum Philippi. The new species from the Mexican Pacific differs from its known congeners by its possession of a unique combination of characters, including a modified pectinate seta on the antennary exopod, three terminal setae on the second endopodal segment of leg 1, third exopodal segment of leg 1 with three elements, inner terminal claw twice as long as outer claw, female fifth leg with 5 exopodal setae, exopodal setae I-III stout, spinulose and seta IV being as long as seta V. This is the second species of the family known to be distributed in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and in Mexico. Pending additional data, the distribution of this species appears to be restricted to this area of the Mexican Pacific.     

A review of flying fishes of the subgenus Hirundichthys (Genus Hirundichthys, Exocoetidae). Part 2. Nerito-oceanic species: H. oxycephalus, H. affinis

The second part of the review of the subgenus Hirundichthys s.str. dealt with two nerito-oceanic species of the subgenus which have weakly pronounced “mirror” on the pectoral fins: H. oxycephalus and H. affinis. The validity of H. coromandelensis (Hornell, 1923) as a subspecies of H. oxycephalus is restored. A comparison of local populations showed that H. oxycephalus is a polytypic species and forms three subspecies: nominative H. oxycephalus oxycephalus from the Western Pacific and Eastern Indian Ocean, H. oxycephalus coromandelensis from the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and adjoining waters of the Indian Ocean, and known by the only specimen from the waters of New Guinea H. oxycephalus frereensis ssp.n. Populations of H. affinis from the Western and Eastern Atlantic differ in the color of pectoral fins. Maps showing the geographical distribution of species and subspecies in the World Ocean are drawn up. A key for identification of species and subspecies belonging to the subgenus is proposed.     

A new marine cyclopoid copepod of the genus Neocyclops (Cyclopidae,Halicyclopinae) from Korea

A new cyclopoid species of the genus Neocyclops Gurney, 1927 is described. Type specimens were collected from a beach on south-western coast of the Korean Peninsula by rinsing intertidal coarse sandy sediments. Neocyclops hoonsooi sp. n. is most characteristic in showing the conspicuous chitinized transverse ridges originating from the medial margins of the coxae of all swimming legs. The new species is most similar to Neocyclops vicinus, described from the Brazilian coast, and Neocyclops petkovskii, from Australia. All three species share a large body size (more than 750 µm long), the presence of an exopodal seta on the antenna, two setae on the mandibular palp, the same seta/spine armature on the third endopodal segment of leg 3 (3 setae + 3 spines), and the fairly long inner distal spine on the third endopodal segment of the female leg 4. However, Neocyclops hoonsooi sp. n. differs from both species by the much shorter caudal rami (less than 1.7 times as long as wide) and the shorter dorsal caudal seta VII. Furthermore, Neocyclops hoonsooi is clearly distinguished from Neocyclops vicinus by the 10-segmented antennule (vs 12 segments in Neocyclops vicinus), and from Neocyclops petkovskii by the elongate inner distal spine on leg 5 exopod and the 3-segmented leg 5 in male (vs 4-segmented in Neocyclops petkovskii). A tabular comparison of characters separating Neocyclops hoonsooi from its closest allies and a key to Neocyclops species from the Indo-Pacific Ocean are provided. This is the first record of the genus Neocyclops from the northern Pacific.     

A new genus of Cletopsyllidae (Copepoda,Harpacticoida) from Gulf of Mexico

A new genus and new species of the family Cletopsyllidae Huys & Willems, 1989 from deep-sea sediment in the Gulf of Mexico, are reported and fully described and illustrated. The new genus Pentacletopsyllus (type species: P. montagni sp. n.) can be distinguished from the four known genera of the family by antennule segmentation, length ratio of first and second endopodal segments of P1, and armature pattern on P5 exopod. It also differs from its sister genera by the rostrum being bifid at the tip, third segment of the female antennule having a smooth posterior margin, the baseoendopod of P5 with biarticulate outer setophore bearing basal seta, and female caudal rami without lobate expansion. A revised key to species of the family Cletopsyllidae Huys & Willems, 1989 is provided.     

New species of the genus Scaphocalanus (Calanoida: Scolecithricidae) from the Iskenderun Bay – northeastern Levantine Basin

A new calanoid copepod species Scaphocalanus emine n. sp. is described for the first time from the Iskenderun Bay, northeastern Levantine Basin. S. emine is similar to S. affinis (Sars, 1905) having both identical orientation of the posterolateral corners of the cephalothorax and a median crest on the forehead. The new species is also similar in some features to S. affinis in the structure of Re1P1- lacking the outer marginal spine and by the presence of the rounded apex on the distal internal margin. It differs from S. affinis as the median crest on the forehead is smaller and due to the presence of a rudimentary endopod furnished with an apical spine on the P5. Originality in construction of the P1 and P5 distinguish the new species from other Scaphocalanus species.     

Leydigia louisi louisi Jenkin, 1934 in the Neotropics, L. louisi mexicana n.subsp. in the Central Mexican highlands

Leydigia louisi Jenkin, 1934 was recently redescribed by Kotov (2003). We found in Guatemala and South of Mexico populations of this species, similar with the typical African form. A re-examination of Daday's (1902) specimens from Patagonia demonstrated that his material, determined as L. leydigi, was also L. louisi. At the same time, we describe a new subspecies Leydigia louisi mexicana n.subsp. from four water bodies on the central Mexican plateau (State of Mexico). Parthenogenetic females, ephippial females, juvenile and adult males are described. SEM illustrations are given for L. louisi mexicana n.sp. It differs from the nominotypical subspecies by (1) ocellus of irregular shape; (2) chitinous insertions within distal segments of swimming setae far from bases of segments; (3) on IDL, 3 bunches of very long setules; (4) setules on distal lobe of limb II long; (5) longest seta of exopodite III with long, fine setules; (6) seta 1 of exopodite IV relatively short; (7) a two-lobed body on inner margin of limb V. Features 2–6 were never used in the genus previously, but were applied in the systematics of other genera of Chydoridae. The ranges of these two subspecies are, probably, the Neotropical and Holarctic regions.     

A review of flying fishes of the subgenus Hirundichthys (genus Hirundichthys, exocoetidae). 1. Oceanic species: H. speculiger, H. indicus sp. nova

A systematic revision of flying fishes of the subgenus Hirundichthys s.str was carried out based on a study of meristic and morphometric traits and characteristics of pigmentation of fishes from the local populations of species belonging to the subgenus. It is found out that the subgenus includes four species: oceanic H. speculiger from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, oceanic H. indicus sp.n. from the waters of the Indian Ocean, nerito-oceanic H. oxycephalus from the waters of the Indo-West Pacific and nerito-oceanic H. affinis from the Atlantic Ocean. The first part of the review focuses on two oceanic species with a large “mirror” on the pectoral fins: H. speculiger and H. indicus. A comparison of local populations showed that the species H. indicus is polytypic and consists of two subspecies. One of the subspecies—nominative H. indicus indicus—is distributed in the western and the central parts of the Indian Ocean and the other—H. indicus orientalis ssp.n.—in the Eastern Indian Ocean. Maps showing a geographical distribution of the species and the subspecies in the World Ocean are drawn up.     

A new species of Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda,Cyclopidae, Cyclopinae) from the Chihuahuan desert,northern Mexico

A new species of the freshwater cyclopoid copepod genus Metacyclops Kiefer, 1927 is described from a single pond in northern Mexico, within the binational area known as the Chihuahuan Desert. This species belongs to a group of Metacyclops species with a 3443 spine formula of swimming legs. It is morphologically similar to Metacyclops lusitanus Lindberg, 1961 but differs from this and other congeners by having a unique combination of characters, including a caudal rami length/width proportion of 3.5–3.8, a innermost terminal seta slightly longer than the outermost terminal seta, intercoxal sclerites of legs 1-4 naked, a strong apical spine of the second endopodal segment of leg 1 and one row of 6-8 small spinules at the insertion of this spine. The finding of this species represents also the first record of the genus in Mexico and the third in North America, where only two other species, Metacyclops gracilis (Lilljeborg, 1853)and Metacyclops cushae Reid, 1991 have been hitherto reported. This is also the first continental record of a species of Metacyclops from an arid environment in the Americas. This species appears to be endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert, thus emphasizing the high endemicity of this area.     

Morphological analysis of threeInia (Cetacea: Iniidae) populations from Colombia and Bolivia

We present new morphological data on three Colombian and BolivianInia populations. Analysis of morphometric data strongly suggests thatInia are sexually dimorphic, with males smaller for several variables and more heterogeneous than females. Our morphological data supported that Colombian Amazon males had the greatest total body length as well as greatest fluke values (tip to tip) compared to the males from the Orinoco and Bolivia Rivers. There were also significant differences in females among populations. The two Colombian groups (Amazon and Orinoco basin) presented greater total body length than the Bolivian array, while distance from jaw tip to tip of dorsal fin was greater in the Orinoco basin females than in the other two populations. A Canonic Population Analysis showed that the confidence intervals of the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco males were partially superposed. However, the Bolivian male sample was remarkably differing from these two populations. Two long standing debates exist in the systematic literature onInia: (1) the number of extant species (one,Inia geoffrensis, or twoI. geoffrensis andI. boliviensis) and (2) the number of extant subspecies ofI. geoffrensis (I. geoffrensis geoffrensis, I. geoffrensis humboldtiana andI. geoffrensis boliviensis). Using recent collections of both molecular and morphometric data, we suggest the existence of two distinct species ofInia with no subspecific distinction amongI. geoffrensis populations.     

A new species of Odaginiceps Fiers, 1995 (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae) from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Male and female of Odaginiceps korykosensis sp. n. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae), collected in the intertidal zone of Kızkalesi beach along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Mersin Province), are described. The new species is the fifth member of the genus and can easily be distinguished from the other species by the presence of four setae/spines on the second endopodal segment of P4 and by the structure of the caudal rami. Previously, representatives of the genus Odaginiceps have been reported from Gulf of Mexico, off Bermuda and Kenya. Odaginiceps korykosensis sp. n. is the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea.     

Three New Species of the Super Family Neotylenchoidea (Nematoda: Tylenchida) from Pakistan

Three new species in the super family Neotylenchoidea collected in Pakistan during 1979-80 are described. New species Nothotylenchus gohleni is related to N. affinis Thorne, 1941 but is differentiated by its longer, more robust body with tine cuticular annules, a more posterior vulva, inconspicuous basal knobs of the stylet, and poorly developed metacorpal area. N. geraerti and N. tuberosus are also close to this undescribed species, hut they have a more developed metacorpal area and a larger post uterine sac. Boleodorus zaini n.sp. is distinguished by its excretory pore open at a level with the base of the posterior esophageal bulb and by six distinct lines in the lateral field. Paurodontella sohailai n.sp. is closely related to P. densa (Thorne, 1941) Hussain &Khan, 1967 and P. minuta Hussain &Khan, 1967 but differs from them by its larger body, shape of tail, and seven incisures in the lateral field.     

Phylogenetic analysis of PISTILLATA sequences in Neillia (Rosaceae)

Putative PISTILLATA genes were generated in nine species of Neillia, to examine the phylogenetic relationships among the species, and to test the hypothesis of hybrid origin within the genus. The PI genes determined in Neillia have two introns in the I-box region, which is consistent with PI genes in other Rosaceae. Phylogenetic analyses of the I-box region, including the introns, indicated that the species formerly classified in Stephanandra were nested within Neillia, supporting the taxonomic merger of the two genera. The PI data do not have a sufficiently strong signal to reject the hypothesis that Stephanandra is a hybrid in origin. The PI data, in conjunction with nuclear LEAFY, ribosomal DNA, and chloroplast DNA data, suggest that N. affinis might have been derived from hybridization between N. thibetica and N. gracilis. The phylogenetic position of N. affinis in the N. thibetica clade is supported by the PI and rDNA data, whereas N. affinis is also supported as a sister to N. gracilis in the LEAFY and cpDNA data. The pattern of phylogenetic placements of N. affinis in two different clades in two different sets of data suggests that the genome of the species might be comprised of a combination of the putative parental species.     

Molecular genetic relationships and some issues of systematics of rock lizards of the genus Darevskia (Squamata: Lacertidae) based on locus analysis of SINE-type repeats (Squam1)

To study the molecular genetic relationships and correlate them with the taxonomy within the complex of lacertid lizards of the genus Darevskia, the locus analysis of the copies of the SINE-type repeat (Squam1) specific for the order Squamata was used. It was demonstrated that one of the loci (No. 34) contained the Squam1 copy insert in all species and subspecies of the examined genus. SINE allelic copies in some of the loci contained large indels and specific sets of mutations. The allelic variant M (medium, about 340 bp) was found most frequently; it was detected in all subspecies of D. saxicola (saxicola, darevskii, szczerbaki, lindholmi) and in most of the other species of the genus. Two species, D. derjugini and D. praticola, differed from the other species in the presence of long (L) and short (S) alleles. The longest allele was characteristic of the D. derjugini population from the Northern Caucasus (L, 379 bp, ssp. silvatica), while the shortest allele (97 bp) united the derjugini and barani subspecies. The second allele S (279 bp) characterizes the subspecies D. praticola praticola, some individuals of which also carry allele M. The second subspecies, D. p. pontica, contains allele L2, which differs from all other medium alleles in the presence of strictly specific short indel. In addition to apomorphic indels, the specificity and mutation distribution patterns among the Squam1 alleles were also examined. An analysis of the NJ tree indicated the concordance between morphological and molecular genetic characters of the species derjugini, praticola, and saxicola. Furthermore, four subspecies of D. saxicola were much closer to each other than the subspecies within the first two species; D. d. silvatica and the group of D. d. derjugini + barani were clearly separated. It cannot be excluded that populations from Azerbaijan and Serbia can be treated as the independent subspecies of D. praticola.     

Descriptions of Chitwoodius brasiliensis n.sp., Chitwoodius rusticulus n.sp., and Vancterlindia venata n.sp. (Dorylaimida: Tylencholaimidae: Vanderlindiinae)

Chitwoodius brasiliensis n.sp. is described from soil around plant roots in Vicosa, MG State, Brazil. It has a body 1.9 mm (1.6-2.5) long, odontostyle and odontophore 33 μm (31-37) and 34 μm (31-36) long, respectively, and males with spicules 59-61 μm long. Chitwoodius rusticulus n.sp. from Colombian rain forest differs from other species of the genus in having a weakly muscular anterior part of the oesophagus, a pore-like vulva, and an unsclerotized vagina. Vanderlindia venata n.sp. from lucerne soil in South Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, differs from the type and only other known species of its genus in having a smaller and less slender body (L = 3.34 mm [3.15-3.71], a = 50 [46-53]), odontostyle 2.3-2.5 times lip region width long, and stylet guiding ring located at 1.2-1.4 times lip region width from anterior end.     

角蟾科一新亚种——炳灵角蟾梵净山亚种

报道了角蟾科一新亚种,该亚种具角蟾属特征,与峨眉角蟾种组中的炳灵角蟾(Megophrysbinlingensis)形态特征最为相近,但与该组成员又有明显区别,被命名为炳灵角蟾梵净山亚种(M.b.fanjingmontis subsp.nov.)。本亚种主要鉴别特征为犁骨棱较弱,后端无犁骨齿,上颌有细齿;第一、二指上婚刺细密,趾侧缘膜窄;体腹面斑少,两侧黑褐色长形斑明显;体型较大,雄性头体长大于60.00 mm;趾间具1/3蹼。     

Trophodynamics of two interacting species of estuarine mysids, Praunus flexuosus and Neomysis integer, and their predation on the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis

Community structure is shaped by external factors (i.e., habitat, temperature, and food) frequently modified by interactions among its members. This study focusses on trophic interactions between two sympatric mysids Praunus flexuosus and Neomysis integer of the Elbe Estuary, northern Germany. Based on an experimental approach, intraguild predation was evaluated. Predation rate of P. flexuosus on N. integer was positively related to predator size and temperature. Predation rate was significantly correlated with prey size, juvenile N. integer released just from the mysid marsupium being most vulnerable. However, adult P. flexuosus were able to gain more energy in terms of body carbon by catching larger N. integer, whereas immature P. flexuosus assimilated more energy by capturing large numbers of the small-sized N. integer. In contrast to N. integer, P. flexuosus showed an efficient escape behaviour that prevented all stages of N. integer from preying on any size class of P. flexuosus. When Eurytemora affinis was offered as prey, both N. integer and P. flexuosus increased predation rates with predator size and temperature. In mixed prey (N. integer and E. affinis) experiments at 10 °C, predation rates of adult P. flexuosus on N. integer released just from the marsupium declined from 17±8 to 6±4 N. integer mysid⁻¹ day⁻¹. We conclude that intraguild predation exists between the two species but is one sided with small N. integer being strongly suppressed. This heavy predation pressure is modified by the addition of alternative food resources, in this case, E. affinis.     

The muscular system of Nemertoderma westbladi and Meara stichopi (Nemertodermatida, Acoelomorpha)

Nemertodermatida is a small taxon of marine worm-like animals; its position in the tree of life is highly contested. The musculature of Nemertoderma westbladi and Meara stichopi is studied here in detail using fluorescent phalloidin and confocal microscopy. In both species, the musculature is composed of an outer layer of circular and an inner layer of longitudinal musculature, diagonal muscles form a distinct layer in N. westbladi, but in M. stichopi these fibres connect to both other layers. The supraterminally opening male pore and antrum are formed by invagination of the whole body-wall in both species, and the seminal vesicle is lined by a thin net of musculature only in full male maturity. Modifications of the ventral body-wall adjacent to the mouth are small and transient in N. westbladi including no extra musculature, whereas it consists of additional strong U-shaped musculature in M. stichopi. Myogenesis in N. westbladi is not finished in hatchlings and will be completed dorsally in juvenile specimens and ventrally in male mature ones, after the loss of the mouth. Musculature between the two species differs considerably and might give insights into the internal relationships of Nemertodermatida and might prove to be useful in studies investigating their phylogenetic position. More data of other species and developmental changes are needed.     

A new genus (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Laophontidae) from Jeju Island of Korea

A survey on the harpacticoid copepods from an intertidal zone in Hyeopjae sandy beach, Jeju Island, Korea, resulted in the discovery of an unusual laophontid, Jejulaophonte hyeopjaeensis sp. n., which cannot be placed in any extant genus within the family. To accommodate the species, a new genus of the family Laophontidae T. Scott, 1905 is proposed and fully described here. The new species is closely related to the lineage of the five primitive genera, Carraroenia McCormack, 2006, Coullia Hamond, 1973, Hemilaophonte Jakubisiak 1933, Psammoplatypus Lee & Huys, 1999, and Robustunguis Fiers, 1992 (the CCHPR-lineage) by the reduced P2 endopod, ovate shape of the female P5 exopod and sexual dimorphism in the P3 endopod. However, it displays discrepancies from the species of the CCHPR-lineage in the presence of an inner seta on P3 and P4 exp-2, four setae on P4 enp-2, and an inner seta on P3 and P4 enp-2 in the female. Furthermore, no other species within the family Laophontidae has three setae on P2 exp-3 and a seta on P2 enp-2 at the same time. The new species has sexual dimorphism in the antennule, genital segmentation and the legs from P2 to P5. The terminal seta on the second endopodal segment of P2 in the male is longer than that in the female. The endopod of P3 is 3-segmented and displays a short inner apophysis on the second segment in the male. The outer setae on the exopod of P3 and P4 are distinctly thicker and stronger in the male than in the female. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) sequencing of the new species has been realized in order to be used in future phylogenetic analysis.     

Euclastes acutirostris,a new species of littoral turtle (Cryptodira,Cheloniidae) from the Palaeocene phosphates of Morocco (Oulad Abdoun Basin,Danian-Thanetian)

A new species of the littoral cheloniid turtle Euclastes, E. acutirostris, is proposed, on the basis of a skull from the Palaeocene Phosphates of Morocco, the first turtle record from the Sidi Chennane area. It is estimated to be Danian-Thanetian in age, possibly younger than the previous Danian Moroccan specimens of Euclastes. It differs from the other species of Euclastes mainly by a more elongated and narrower snout, forming a small hook, the presence of a long and narrow spur-shaped postero-inferior process of the jugal, better delimiting the lateral skull emargination and the medially shorter palate, in relation to American Palaeogene specimens. This study indicates the necessity for a world-wide revision of the “Euclastes group” in order to redefine the taxa. It shows the potential interest of the group in the radiation and dispersion of the faunas of the Tethysian and Atlantic margins during the Cretaceous -Tertiary turnover.