The phylogeny of the genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928, with redescriptions of three species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 is reviewed. 26 species are considered valid. A key for their identification is given, as well as a map showing the geographic distribution. The known range of the genus covers a large area from the central Amazon region to the mountains of Guatemala. The species of Ischioscia have a typical “philosciid” habitus (“runner” type); they can be distinguished from other Neotropical species with similar habitus by the following apomorphies: (1) male pereiopod 1 carpus enlarged to a plate-like extension, (2) scale field on male pereiopod 1 covering entire frontal side of the carpus, (3) male pereiopod 7 ischium with a ventral scale field, (4) dactylus in both sexes with a long inner claw. The groundpattern of Ischioscia is reconstructed, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relations within the genus is made on the basis of morphological data. The species are very similar to each other, most differences are found in the male structures of sexually dimorphic features. Ischioscia sturmi (Vandel, 1972), I. amazonica Lemos de Castro, 1955 and I. bolivari Vandel, 1968 are redescribed in detail.     

Revision of the genus Exalloniscus Stebbing, 1911 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The present taxonomic revision recognizes 16 species of Exalloniscus. Seven species, namely E. maschwitzi, E, caudatvs, E. malaccensis, E. bicoloratus from West Malaysia, E. bomeanus from East Malaysia, E. beroni from northern Thailand and E. vietnamensis from Vietnam, are described as new. Lectotypes off. coecus (Dollfus, 1898) and E. albus (Dollfus, 1898) are designated. Diagnostic characters of all the species are illustrated. A map and comments on the distribution and biology of the 16 species are included.     

Revision of the European species of the genus Trachelipus Budde-Lund, 1908 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The European species of Trachelipus Budde-Lund, 1908 are revised. The generic diagnosis is extended. The species T. aegaeus (Verhoeff, 1907), T. arcuatus (Budde-Lund, 1885), T. ater (Budde-Lund, 1896), T. camerani (Tua, 1900), T. dijfkilis (Radu, 1950), T. nodulosus (C. L. Koch, 1838), T. palustris (Strouhal, 1936), T. rathkii (Brandt, 1833), T. ratzeburgii (Brandt, 1833), T. razzautii (Arcangeli, 1913), T. rhinoceros (Budde-Lund, 1885), T. squamuliger (Verhoeff, 1907), T. trilobatus (Stein, 1859), (77 troglobius Tabacaru & Boghean, 1989) and 7T vespertilio (Budde-Lund, 1896) are recognized as valid. Except for T. troglobius , redesriptions, figures and distribution maps are given. A key to species is provided. Nineteen names are new synonyms of the above mentioned ones; nine names become nomina dubia.     

Molecular phylogeny of the genus Stereocaulon (Stereocaulaceae, lichenized ascomycetes)

In the present study phylogenetic relationships of the genus Stereocaulon (lichenized ascomycetes) were examined using DNA sequences from the ITS1–5.8 S–ITS2 rDNA gene cluster and from the protein-coding β-tubulin gene. In addition to the fruticose species traditionally classified in Stereocaulon, representatives of the crustose species that have recently been transferred to the genus were included. Muhria, a monotypic genus that is morphologically similar to Stereocaulon, differing only in apothecia ontogeny, was also incorporated. The analyses included 101 specimens from the ingroup representing 49 taxa. Sequences from both DNA regions were analysed simultaneously using direct optimization under the parsimony optimality criterion. The results support the inclusion of the crustose species and Muhria in Stereocaulon, while the current infrageneric classification is not supported. As Muhria is securely nested within Stereocaulon the new combination Stereocaulon urceolatum comb. nov. (syn. Muhria urceolata) is made. Further, species concepts need to be re-examined, as some species do not appear as monophyletic entities in the phylogeny.     

Description of the terrestrial isopod mirtana costaricensis gen. et sp. n. from central America (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

An examination of isopod material deposited in the Museum of the University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, revealed a new genus and species of terrestrial isopods, Mirtana costaricensis gen. et sp. n. which is distinguished by its three‐articulate antennal flagellum, incurved coxal plates and prominent neopleurae, while noduli laterales and respiratory areas on any pleopod are apparently lacking. Despite this unique combination of characters, a closer relationship to the widely distributed neotropical genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 can be postulated because of similar structure of male pereopods 1 to 2 and pleopod 1 endopodite.     

Population structure and reproductive biology of Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) in southern Brazil

Data were obtained on the population structure and reproduction of Atlantoscia floridana, one of the most common species of terrestrial isopods in the restinga (coastal dune) forests of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. During a 19-month period, a total of 7833 individuals were sampled: 2792 males, 3400 females and 1691 mancas. There was a significant difference between the size of both males and females collected in 2000 and 2001: the mean size was smaller in the second year when individuals in the larger size classes were lacking. Population density varied with season. The minimum population was 131 ind per m² individuals, the maximum 1040 ind per m² and the mean 450  per m². While the overall sex ratio was clearly female biased, the operational sex ratio favored males, and showed no changes with season. Because both ovigerous and post-ovigerous females were present throughout the year, reproduction is considered continuous; however, reproduction peaked during autumn and spring. Ovigerous females were measured (CW = cephalothorax width) and the number of eggs was counted. Fecundity (F) varied from 5 to 23 eggs ( = 11.18 ± 4) per female, and was expressed by the regression F = –18.48 + 22.59 CW, with the female cephalothorax width varying from 1.04 to 1.68 mm. Marsupial mortality was only 0.9%. Egg production was 588 eggs per m² in spring and 660 eggs per m² in autumn. Recruitment occurred in all months, and eggs, embryos and marsupial mancas were also present year-round. A. floridana is the dominant species of terrestrial isopod in the study area. Its most remarkable characteristic is its high reproductive investment.     

Biology and population dynamics of Porcellionides sexfasciatus (Crustacea,Isopoda, Oniscidea)

The biology and the population dynamics of Porcellionides sexfasciatus Budde-Lund (1879) were studied on a field and carried out at Garat Naam (Kasserine, Tunisia) from July 1996 to June 1998. The reproduction exhibited a seasonal pattern extending from February/March to October/November. The juveniles appeared in the population from April to November. Size frequency distributions were analysed and 14 cohorts were recognised during the sampling period. Six cohorts were identified at the first sampling and eight new ones on the other samplings. Among these latter cohorts, three were tracked till they disappeared. Minimum average length of new cohorts ranged from 3.07 +/- 0.35 mm to 3.47 +/- 0.2 mm. Maximum average length of cohorts was 10.42 mm. P. sexfasciatus is a semi-annual species (females producing two or three broods per year), with iteroparous and amphogenes females (females reproducing twice or more in their life and producing both males and females), and bivoltine life cycle (two generations per year). The females are able to produce two broods, in the laboratory, without new mating. Fecundity and fertility, corresponding to the number of eggs or embryos per brood, appeared positively correlated with females' size. Although oscillating throughout the year, the sex ratio was often in equilibrium.     

Morphology and evolution of respiratory structures in the pleopod exopodites of terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)

The morphology of the respiratory structures located in the pleopod exopodites of terrestrial Isopoda is described for representative species of different genera. Special emphasis is set on the evolution of these lungs in the context of phylogenetic relationships as revealed by other morphological characters. In the most primitive species of the Oniscidea, and still of subordinate taxa of the Crinocheta, respiration takes place in the thin ventral integument of the exopodites. The evolution of dorsal respiratory fields with a weakly wrinkled surface occurred at least six times within the Crinocheta. In five of these cases, a further development can be observed. The evolution of a partly covered respiratory field with strongly wrinkled surface may have taken place six times. It is assumed that completely internalized lungs with spiracles surrounded by a water‐repellent surface microsculpture, evolved at least six times independently within the Oniscidea: in the Tylidae, Actaecia, Aphiloscia, the Eubelidae, the Armadillidae and in a taxon probably comprising Porcellionidae plus Armadillidiidae.     

A molecular phylogeny of the genus Lygodium (Schizaeaceae) with special reference to the biological control and host range testing of Lygodium microphyllum

Lygodium microphyllum, first naturalized in the 1960s, has aggressively invaded forest-dominated wetlands in southern and central Florida. The indeterminate growth of this invasive climbing fern creates thick rachis mats which climb over shrubs and trees smothering the underlying growth and carrying ground fires into the forest canopy. Foreign surveys for natural enemies identified 20 species of insects and two species of mites. Host range testing of three insect species and one mite included five Lygodium species (L. palmatum, L. volubile, L. cubense, L. venustum, and L. oligostachyum) native to the United States and the West Indies. A molecular phylogeny of the genus was conducted using the trnL intron and the trnL-F intergenic spacer of chloroplast DNA to determine the relationship of L. microphyllum to other Lygodium species. Three major clades appeared, one with L. palmatum and L. articulatum (the most basal), a second with L. reticulatum and L. microphyllum, and a third comprising the other species examined. Lygodium microphyllum appeared at the end of a long branch approximately equidistant from all species of interest preventing the correlation of genetic distance and host range behavior. However, inspection of the results of host range experiments showed a relationship between the presence of a related biotype or species of the insect on a related alternate host and the ability of that insect to develop on that alternate host. Ancestral host usage and ecological fitting are examined as possible explanations for the acceptance of L. palmatum by the tested musotimine insects.     

中国璐蜡蝉科一新记录属Podoschtroumpfa及其一新记录种（半翅目：璐蜡蝉科）

记述璐蜡蝉科1中国新记录属:狭璐蜡蝉属Podoschtroumpfa Soulier-Perkins及采自云南的该属1新记录种:红带狭璐蜡蝉Podoschtroumpfa rubrolineata Liang,首次描述了该新记录种的雄性外生殖器特征,并提供了该新记录种的生境照片。     

托光柄菇属一中国新记录种

[背景] 托光柄菇属（Volvopluteus）隶属于光柄菇科（Pluteaceae）,目前世界上仅有4个种。[目的] 调查我国东北地区大型真菌资源。[方法] 采集大型真菌标本,对其形态进行详细的观察和描述,提取DNA,测定rDNA ITS序列,基于最大似然法和贝叶斯法构建系统发育树。[结果] 2019–2020年在吉林省延边朝鲜族自治州敦化市采集的标本中,有6份标本为密执安托光柄菇V.michiganensis,该种真菌此前未在我国发现。在系统发育分析中,采自我国的密执安托光柄菇V.michiganensis与该种的模式标本聚为一个分支。[结论] 密执安托光柄菇V.michiganensis为中国新记录种。     

Revision of the Neotropical Scleropactidae (Crustacea: Oniscidea)

The species of Scleropactidae from America are revised and redescribed. A phylogeny hypothesis based on an analysis of morphological characters is presented. The genera are redefined and the generic placement of several species is corrected. The Neotropical Scleropactidae include Colomboscia , Scleropactes , Circoniscus , Neosanfilippia , Sphaeroniscus , Richardsoniscus , Spherarmadillo , Colomboniscus , Amazoniscus and Protosphaeroniscus . The genus Chileoniscus is excluded from the Scleropactidae. Sphaerobathytropa is excluded from the Scleropactidae and its previous record from Argentina is revealed to be erroneous. Synuropus is revalidated and excluded from the Scleropactidae. The following new genera are introduced: Scleropactoides gen. nov. , Globopactes gen. nov. , Caecopactes gen. nov. , and Troglopactes gen. nov. Thirteen species are described as new: Caecopactes minimus sp. nov. , Colomboscia parva sp. nov. , Globopactes falconensis sp. nov. , Globopactes hispidus sp. nov. , Globopactes meridae sp. nov. , Scleropactes cotopaxii sp. nov. , Scleropactes ecuadoriensis sp. nov. , Scleropactes pululahua sp. nov. , Scleropactoides curvatus sp. nov. , Circoniscus hirsutus sp. nov. , Sphaeroniscus quintus sp. nov. , Spherarmadillo nebulosus sp. nov. , and Chileoniscus armadillidioides sp. nov. Identification keys to all species are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 (Suppl. 1), 1–339.     

Exotic oniscideans (Crustacea: Isopoda) in coastal salt marshes: first record of the families Halophilosciidae and Platyarthridae in Continental Chile

We report two new exotic introduced isopods in Chile: Halophiloscia couchii of the family Halophilosciidae and Niambia capensis of the family Platyarthridae. This report provides first evidence of the presence of these species in the Southeastern Pacific. These species were found in several salt marshes and beaches spanning nearly 2000?km of the Chilean coast. With the data reported here, the percentage of exotic oniscidean isopods in Chile is 28%.     

The terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea,Oniscidea) of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), with descriptions of two new species

Nine species of terrestrial isopods are reported for the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) based upon museum materials and recent collections from field sampling. Most of these animals are non-native species, but two are new to science: Styloniscus manuvaka sp. n. and Hawaiioscia rapui sp. n. Of these, the former is believed to be a Polynesian endemic as it has been recorded from Rapa Iti, Austral Islands, while the latter is identified as a Rapa Nui island endemic. Both of these new species are considered ‘disturbance relicts’ and appear restricted to the cave environment on Rapa Nui. A short key to all the oniscidean species presently recorded from Rapa Nui is provided. We also offered conservation and management recommendations for the two new isopod species.     

A new fungal genus, Teracosphaeria, with a phialophora-like anamorph (Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota)

The new genus and species Teracosphaeria petroica is described for a perithecial ascomycete and its anamorph occurring on decayed wood collected in New Zealand. The fungus produces immersed, non-stromatic ceratosphaeria-like perithecia in nature, with hyaline, septate ascospores produced in unitunicate, non-amyloid asci. The anamorph produced in vitro is phialophora-like with lightly pigmented phialides terminating in flaring, deep collarettes that are often noticeably brown with conspicuous periclinal thickening. Phylogenetic analysis of LSU rDNA sequence data indicates that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar fungi classified in the Chaetosphaeriales, the Trichosphaeriales or the Magnaporthaceae. It forms a monophyletic group with recently described, chaetosphaeria-like ascomycetes, such as the pyrenomycete genus Mirannulata, and shows affinity with the anamorphic species Dictyochaeta cylindrospora. The usefulness of describing anamorph genera for morphologically reduced anamorphs, when anamorph characteristics are actually part of the holomorph diagnosis, is discussed. An apparently contradictory example of the so-called Cordana and Pseudobotrytis anamorphs of Porosphaerella spp. is also discussed.