A revision of the Cossulinae of Costa Rica and cladistic analysis of the world species (Lepidoptera: Cossidae)

The Cossidae are an economically important family of moths consisting of six subfamilies and more than 700 species globally. Their larvae are often of serious concern to forestry and horticulture in that they are known to bore in the branches and trunks of a wide range of trees and shrubs. Cossulinae is one of the six subfamilies of Cossidae and is restricted to the New World. As a result of this revision, the Costa Rican Cossulinae has been found to consist of five genera and 18 species. The phylogenetic relationships of all Cossulinae genera were analysed using the computer programs WinClada and NONA. Glandular organs new to Cossidae and the Lepidoptera have also been discovered. Four genera, Biocellata gen. nov. , Magulacra gen. nov. , Simplicivalva gen. nov. and Spinulata gen. nov. , and the following nine species are described as new: Biocellata bifida sp. nov. , Biocellata davisorum sp. nov. , Cossula buspina sp. nov. , Cossula duplexata sp. nov. , Cossula longirostrum sp. nov. , Cossula minutiloba sp. nov. , Simplicivalva ampliophilobia sp. nov. , Spinulata oblongata sp. nov. and Spinulata quasivinnea sp. nov. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154 , 222–277.     

Systematics of the spider genus Metabus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 (Araneoidea: Tetragnathidae) with additions to the tetragnathid fauna of Chile and comments on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus : the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov. , A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov. , A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov. – created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov. – and three new species of Chrysometa : C. acinosa sp. nov. , C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov. , M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. , M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 285–335.     

Systematic revision of Aluntiini Emeljanov, 1979 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Dictyopharidae: Dictyopharinae): reclassification,phylogenetic analysis,and biogeography

The dictyopharid planthopper tribe Aluntiini s.l. is revised and reclassified into two tribes: Aluntiini s.s. and Arjunini Song & Szwedo trib. nov. The tribe Aluntiini s.s. includes five genera: Aluntia Stål, 1866; D endrophora Melichar, 1903 stat. rev. ; Dictyomorpha Melichar, 1912; Indodictyophara Liang & Song, 2012; and Madagascaritia Song & Liang gen. nov. The new tribe Arjunini comprises two genera – Arjuna Muir, 1934 and Pippax Emeljanov, 2008 – both moved from Aluntiini s.l. Four new species – A luntia longicephalica Song & Szwedo sp. nov. , Madagascaritia angusta Song & Liang sp. nov. , Arjuna maai Song & Wang sp. nov. , and Arjuna muiri Song & Wang sp. nov. – are described. A morphologically based phylogenetic analysis is undertaken for Aluntiini, Arjunini, and the representatives of Dictyopharini, Hastini, Orthopagini, and the fossil Worskaitini within Dictyopharinae, all distributed in the Old World. A matrix of 129 characters of the habitus, coloration, head, thorax, and male and female genitalia of the adults was used for the cladistic analysis. The phylogenetic results show that Aluntiini s.l. as placed in Dictyopharidae is well supported, but it is distinctly paraphyletic and should be separated into two unambiguous tribes. A palaeotropical distribution pattern displayed by Aluntiini is suggested. The origin and diversification of Aluntiini are discussed preliminarily. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

Evolution of the Canthonini Longitarsi (Scarabaeidae) in Madagascar

Dung beetle species belonging to the worldwide tribe Canthonini (Scarabaeidae) and occurring in Madagascar are all endemic to that island. The Malagasy Canthonini form three lineages, one of which is the group Longitarsi that includes five genera. The phylogenetic relationships of Malagasy Canthonini are not fully resolved and only few species of Longitarsi have been included in previous studies. Here we infer the phylogenetic relationships within the Longitarsi group using molecular data and together with morphological examination revise the systematics of the group. The five genera of the Longitarsi group form one monophyletic clade and thus we suggest the synonymization of the younger genera Sikorantus, Phacosomoides, Madaphacosoma and Aleiantus; with the oldest genus belonging to this clade Epactoides. We describe two new species: Epactoides jounii sp. n and Epactoides mangabeensis sp. n. Most of the species of Longitarsi inhabit the eastern rainforests, with very low local species diversity and highly restricted geographical ranges. In the group Longitarsi four species are wingless. The loss of wings has evolved at least twice, at high altitude along the mountain range.     

Comparative osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Miocaperea pulchra,the first fossil pygmy right whale genus and species (Cetacea,Mysticeti, Neobalaenidae)

A fossil pygmy right whale (Cetacea, Mysticeti, Neobalaenidae) with exquisitely preserved baleen is described for the first time in the history of cetacean palaeontology, providing a wealth of information about the evolutionary history and palaeobiogeography of Neobalaenidae. This exquisitely preserved specimen is assigned to a new genus and species, Miocaperea pulchra gen. et sp. nov. , and differs from Caperea marginata Gray, 1846, the only living taxon currently assigned to Neobalaenidae, in details of the temporal fossa and basicranium. A thorough comparative analysis of the skeleton of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. and C. marginata is also provided, and forms the basis of an extensive osteology‐based phylogenetic analysis, confirming the placement of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. within Neobalaenidae as well as the monophyly of Neobalaenidae and Balaenidae; the phylogenetic results support the validity of the superfamily Balaenoidea. No relationship with Balaenopteroidea was found by the present study, and thus the balaenopterid‐like morphological features observed in C. marginata must have resulted from parallel evolution. The presence of M. pulchra gen. et sp. nov. around 2000 km north from the northernmost sightings of C. marginata suggests that different ecological conditions were able to support pygmy right whale populations in what is now Peru, and that subsequent environmental change caused a southern shift in the distribution of the living neobalaenid whales. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 876–911.     

Snipe flies (Diptera: Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation (Jurassic), Inner Mongolia,and the systematic position of related records in China

Abstract: Four new species referred to three new genera and one known genus of fossil snipe flies (Family Rhagionidae) from the Daohugou Formation of Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia, north‐eastern China, are described as Daohugorhagio elongatus gen. et sp. nov., Parachrysopilus jurassicus gen. et sp. nov., Sinorhagio sinuatus sp. nov. and Trichorhagio gregarius gen. et sp. nov. These taxa represent only a fraction of the rhagionid assemblage in the Daohugou biota. They contribute towards the high diversity and abundance of snipe flies during the latest Middle Jurassic – earliest Late Jurassic. The diagnosis of Sinorhagio K. Zhang, Yang and Ren, 2006 is revised based on the new results. Many genera and species from the Lower Cretaceous of China have been assigned to Rhagionidae. Most of these do not actually belong to this family: specifically Mesorhagiophryne incerta Hong and Wang, 1990, M. robusta Hong and Wang, 1990, Mesostratiomyia laiyangensis Hong and Wang, 1990, Stratiomyopsis robusta Hong and Wang, 1990, Longhuaia orientalis Hong, Wang and Sun, 1992, Basilorhagio venusius Ren, 1995. Pauromyia oresbia Ren, 1998 is transferred to an archisargid genus as Sharasargus oresbius (Ren, 1998) comb. nov.     

Branching out: a remarkable new branching syllid (Annelida) living in a Petrosia sponge (Porifera: Demospongiae)

We describe the morphology and biology of a previously unknown form of branching annelid, Ramisyllis multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. , an endosymbiont of shallow‐water marine sponges (Petrosia sp., Demospongiae) in northern Australia. It belongs to the polychaete family Syllidae, as does Syllis ramosa McIntosh, 1879, the only other named branching annelid, which was collected from deep‐water hexactinellid sponges during the 1875 Challenger expedition. It differs from S. ramosa in parapodial and chaetal morphology. Ramisyllis multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. has segments of several types, including specialized posterior segments on the emergent portions of the worm, and simplified elongate segments that bridge larger cavities in the sponge interior. Aside from the obvious branching form, the new annelid is similar to Parahaplosyllis, differing from it in lacking pharyngeal armature and in the details of the parapodial chaetae and dorsal cirri. Molecular evidence from 16S and 18S rDNA supports a sister‐group relationship with Parahaplosyllis, with both being sister to Trypanosyllis and Eurysyllis. The phylogenetic position of R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. indicates that branching has evolved independently in Ramisyllis gen. nov. and Syllis. This is supported by differences in the branching process between the two taxa: in S. ramosa branching is initiated by segment addition at the parapodium, whereas in R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. segments are added from a region between parapodia. A model for branching in R. multicaudata gen. et sp. nov. is proposed and possible developmental processes underlying branching in Annelida, and body symmetry comparisons with other invertebrates, are also discussed. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 481–497.     

Taxonomy of five species of cyrtophorids (Protozoa: Ciliophora) including consideration of the phylogeny of two new genera

Cyrtophorids are a specialized group of ciliated protozoa with multitudinous morphotypes. In the present work, the morphology and infraciliature of two new and three rarely known species, including two new genera of cyrtophorid ciliates, Heterohartmannula fangi gen. et sp. nov. , Aporthotrochilia pulex (Deroux, 1976) gen. et comb. nov. , Trochilia alveolata sp. nov. , Trochochilodon flavus Deroux, 1976, and Hypocoma acinetarum Collin, 1907, are described. Heterohartmannula gen. nov. is mainly characterized by a combination of features: two circumoral kineties obliquely arranged, podite not surrounded by somatic kineties, and no distinct gap between left and right ciliary field. Aporthotrochilia gen. nov. is diagnosed mainly by: podite present, oral ciliature reduced to two fragments, several kinety fragments positioned on the right posterior of frontoventral kineties and several terminal fragments. Phylogenetic analyses based on the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequences support the establishment of two new genera and indicate that Heterohartmannula is most closely related to Hartmannula, and Aporthotrochilia is basal to the Cyrtophoria‐Chonotrichia clade. Trochilia alveolata sp. nov. differs from its congeners mainly by having a conspicuous alveolar layer. In addition, detailed live and infraciliature data of Hypocoma acinetarum and Trochochilodon flavus are supplied. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164 , 1–17.     

Review of Erigonine spider genera in the Neotropics (Araneae: Linyphiidae,Erigoninae)

The Neotropical genera of the linyphiid spider subfamily Erigoninae are revised at the genus level. Emphasis was placed on genera endemic to the Neotropics and species with dubious relationships to their nominal genera, especially species from the older literature. This work recognizes 50 genera in the Neotropics, of which 39 genera are strictly endemic to the Neotropics, three are represented outside the Neotropics by one species, and eight genera have significant representation both in and beyond the Neotropics. Three additional genera, Ceraticelus Simon, 1884, Idionella Banks, 1893, and Eulaira Chamberlin & Ivie, 1933, are represented in northern Mexico and/or the West Indies, but are best classified as having a Nearctic or Holarctic distribution. Species previously placed in the typically northern hemisphere genera Gongylidiellum Simon, 1884, Leptorhoptrum Kulczynski, 1894, Macrargus Dahl, 1886, Minyriolus Simon, 1884, Oedothorax Bertkau, 1883, Phanetta Keyserling, 1886, and Tmeticus Menge, 1868 are found to be misplaced or nomina dubia; two genera endemic to the Neotropics, Clitistes Simon, 1902 and Zilephus Simon, 1902 are nomina dubia. The genus Beauchenia Usher, 1983 is an erigonine, not a mynoglenine; there are no known representatives of the Mynogleninae in the Neotropics. One hundred and forty new combinations are established; 19 genera are synonymized including Micromaso Tambs‐Lyche, 1954, revalidation rejected; 34 species are synonymized. The following new genera are established: Gigapassus gen. nov. , Intecymbium gen. nov. , Moyosi gen. nov. , Orfeo gen. nov. and Toltecaria gen. nov. Malkinella Millidge, 1991 and Valdiviella Millidge, 1985 are preoccupied; Malkinola nom. nov. and Valdiviola nom. nov. are established as replacement names. The following new species are described: Asemostera daedalus sp. nov. , Asemostera enkidu sp. nov. , Asemostera janetae sp. nov. , Fissiscapus attercop sp. nov. , Gonatoraphis lysistrata sp. nov. , Gravipalpus standifer sp. nov. , Microplanus odin sp. nov. , Moyosi chumota sp. nov. , Myrmecomelix leucippus sp. nov. , Neomaso damocles sp. nov. , Notiomaso exonychus sp. nov. , Paraletes pogo sp. nov. , Psilocymbium acanthodes sp. nov. , Smermisia holdridgi sp. nov. and Smermisia parvoris sp. nov. The following species remain misplaced in inappropriate genera: Erigone fellita Keyserling, 1886, Erigone zabluta Keyserling, 1886, and Oedothorax fuegianus (Simon, 1902). For 23 species, type specimens could not be located and the species could not be unambiguously identified; the type of Macrargus pacificus Berland, 1924 could not be located, but it is transferred to Laminacauda Millidge, 1985. The female of Onychembolus subalpinus Millidge, 1985 described by Millidge in 1991 is mismatched; this female is Notiomaso exonychus sp. nov. ; the true female of Onychembolus subalpinus was described as both Neomaso bidentatus Millidge, 1991 syn. nov. and Neomaso tridentatus Millidge, 1991 syn. nov. The male and female of Asemonetes[now Asemostera]arcana (Millidge, 1991) are not conspecific; a male thought to be conspecific with the female of A. arcana is newly described; the true female of A. arcana is unknown. The transfer of Emenista dentichelis Berland, 1913 to Laminacauda comb. nov. renders Laminacauda dentichelis Millidge, 1991 a junior homonym; the replacement name Laminacauda baerti nom. nov. is provided for Laminacauda dentichelis Millidge. The following species were erroneously placed in erigonine genera: Oedothorax bisignatus Mello‐Leitão, 1945 is synonymized with Theridion calcynatum Holmberg, 1876 syn. nov. (Theridiidae); Liger incomta O. Pickard‐Cambridge, 1896 is transferred to Theridion Walckenaer, 1805 (Theridiidae) [Theridion incomtum comb. nov. ]; Erigone ectrapela Keyserling, 1886 is transferred to Dictyna Sundevall, 1833 (Dictynidae) [Dictyna ectrapela comb. nov. ]; Erigone peruana Keyserling, 1886 is transferred to Thymoites Keyserling, 1884 (Theridiidae) [Thymoites peruanus comb. nov. ]; Adelonetria dubiosa Millidge, 1991 is not a linyphiid and will be dealt with elsewhere. Lomaita darlingtoni Bryant, 1948 is confirmed as a linyphiid, not a mysmenid. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 149 (Suppl. 1), 1–263.     

Cladistic analysis and taxonomic revision of the genus Karos Goodnight & Goodnight, 1944 (Opiliones,Laniatores, Stygnopsidae)

A cladistic analysis of the genus Karos Goodnight & Goodnight, 1944, was performed using morphological data of the somatic and male genitalia characters. The analysis included 23 terminal taxa, including nine of the 11 described species of the genus plus nine new species according to the previous generic diagnosis and five species as outgroups. According to the topologies obtained by parsimony analyses, the genus is a paraphyletic assemblage, referred here as the Karos genus‐group. Therefore, the genus Karos is rediagnosed here and now includes seven species: Karos barbarikos Goodnight & Goodnight, 1944 (type), Karos parvus Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971, Karos projectus Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971, K aros hexasetosus sp. nov. , K aros monjarazi sp. nov. , K aros singularis sp. nov. , and K aros tersum sp. nov. The genera Monterella Goodnight & Goodnight, 1944, Montabunus Goodnight & Goodnight, 1945, Chapulobunus Goodnight & Goodnight, 1946, and Potosa Goodnight & Goodnight, 1947 are revalidated, rediagnosed, their respective type species are redescribed and the following species are described: Chapulobunus poblano sp. nov. and Potosa reddelli sp. nov. The genera Crettaros gen. nov. , Huasteca gen. nov. , and Mictlana gen. nov. , and the following species are described: Crettaros santibanezi sp. nov. (type), Crettaros valdezi sp. nov. , and Huasteca silhavyi sp. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: Huasteca gratiosa (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (type), Huasteca rugosa (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. and Mictlana inops (Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971) comb. nov. (type). Karos brignolii ?ilhavý, 1974, is considered a junior synonym of Huasteca rugosa. Finally, ‘Karos’ depressus Goodnight & Goodnight, 1971 is considered incertae sedis until adult males can be studied. Diagnoses of the Karos and Paramitraceras genus‐groups, and an identification key to the eight genera and 19 species of the former are provided. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London     

On the phylogeny of Ischyroceridae (Amphipoda,Senticaudata, Corophiida), with the description of a new genus and eight new species from deep‐sea Brazilian waters

The family Ischyroceridae is analysed herein by cladistic methods based on morphological characters, using both PAUP 4.0b and TNT. The data matrix of 41 characters × 32 terminal taxa was constructed using DELTA. Based on the results, we comment on the phylogenetic relationships of certain genera and their synapomorphic characters, also discussing the phylogenetic position of M yersius gen. nov. , which appeared as the sister group of Bathyphotis. In addition, Pseudischyrocerus crenatipes is removed to Bathyphotis, for which a new diagnosis is provided. A taxonomic study with the Ischyroceridae collected on the continental slope (depth, 700–2000 m) in the Campos Basin (20.5–24°S, 40–41°W) was also performed. Samples were collected in November–December 2002 and July–August 2003 using a box core device. As a result, a new genus and eight new species are described: B onnierella campensis sp. nov. , B onnierella laurensi sp. nov. , M yersius denticaudatus gen. et sp. nov. , N otopoma lowryi sp. nov. , N otopoma teresae sp. nov. , P seudericthonius bousfieldi sp. nov. , P seudericthonius concavus sp. nov. , and P seudischyrocerus caecus sp. nov. The genus Bonnierella is recorded for the first time from Brazilian waters, and the subspecies Bonnierella linearis linearis and Bonnierella linearis californica are elevated to species rank. Keys to the genera of Ischyroceridae used in the cladistic analysis and the world species of Notopoma are given. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A new family of lithophoran Proseriata (Platyhelminthes), with the description of seven new species from the Indo‐Pacific and South America,and the proposal of three new genera

In this contribution a new representative of the taxon Meidiama Marcus, 1946, Meidiama uruguayensis sp. nov. , from Uruguay, is described, as are six more new species, for which three new genera are proposed: Dreuxiola philippi gen. nov. sp. nov. , from the French subantarctic archipelago Kerguelen; Yorknia aprostatica gen. nov. sp. nov. ; Serrula byronensis gen. nov. sp. nov. ; Serrula maxillaria sp. nov. ; Serrula concharum sp. nov. ; and Serrula acuta sp. nov. , from eastern Australia and Tasmania. Arguments are presented to propose a new taxon to contain these new species, rather than include them in the Archimonocelididae Meixner, 1938 (of which Meidiama has been considered a member so far), as well as to remove the Calviriinae Martens & Curini‐Galletti from the Archimonocelididae to become a separate taxon Calviriidae. Possible autapomorphies for the three families are discussed. It is also concluded that, with the present state of our knowledge, no sound indications can be given about close relationships. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 759–773.     

A new genus of rodent from Wallacea (Rodentia: Muridae: Murinae: Rattini), and its implication for biogeography and Indo‐Pacific Rattini systematics

We describe Halmaheramys bokimekot Fabre, Pagès, Musser, Fitriana, Semiadi & Helgen gen. et sp. nov. , a new genus and species of murine rodent from the North Moluccas, and study its phylogenetic placement using both molecular and morphological data. We generated a densely sampled mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data set that included most genera of Indo‐Pacific Murinae, and used probabilistic methodologies to infer their phylogenetic relationships. To reconstruct their biogeographical history, we first dated the topology and then used a Lagrange analysis to infer ancestral geographic areas. Finally, we combined the ancestral area reconstructions with temporal information to compare patterns of murine colonization among Indo‐Pacific archipelagos. We provide a new and comprehensive molecular phylogenetic reconstruction for Indo‐Pacific Murinae, with a focus on the Rattus division. Using previous results and those presented in this study, we define a new Indo‐Pacific group within the Rattus division, composed of Bullimus, Bunomys, Paruromys, Halmaheramys, Sundamys, and Taeromys. Our phylogenetic reconstructions revealed a relatively recent diversification from the Middle Miocene to Plio‐Pleistocene associated with several major dispersal events. We identified two independent Indo‐Pacific dispersal events from both western and eastern Indo‐Pacific archipelagos to the isolated island of Halmahera, which led to the speciations of H. bokimekot gen. et sp. nov. and Rattus morotaiensis Kellogg, 1945. We propose that a Middle Miocene collision between the Halmahera and Sangihe arcs may have been responsible for the arrival of the ancestor of Halmaheramys to eastern Wallacea. Halmaheramys bokimekot gen. et sp. nov. is described in detail, and its systematics and biogeography are documented and illustrated. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Taxonomic contributions to Hapalidiales (Corallinophycidae,Rhodophyta): Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., Lithothamnion redefined and with three new species and Roseolithon with new combinations

Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL gene sequences and of concatenated rbcL, psbA, and nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequences resolved the generitype of Lithothamnion, L. muelleri, in a clade with three other southern Australian species, L. kraftii sp. nov., L. saundersii sp. nov., and L. woelkerlingii sp. nov. Cold water boreal species currently classified in Lithothamnion and whose type specimens have been sequenced are transferred to Boreolithothamnion gen. nov., with B. glaciale comb. nov. as the generitype. The other species are B. giganteum comb. nov., B. phymatodeum comb. nov., and B. sonderi comb. nov., whose type specimens are newly sequenced, and B. lemoineae comb. nov., B. soriferum comb. nov., and B. tophiforme comb. nov., whose type specimens were already sequenced. Based on rbcL sequences from the type specimens of Lithothamnion crispatum, L. indicum, and L. superpositum, each is recognized as a distinct species and transferred to the recently described Roseolithon as R. crispatum comb. nov., R. indicum comb. nov., and R. superpositum com. nov., respectively. To correctly assign species to these three genera based only on morpho-anatomy, specimens must have multiporate conceptacles and some epithallial cells with flared walls. The discussion provides examples demonstrating that only with phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences can the evolution of morpho-anatomical characters of non-geniculate corallines be understood and applied at the correct taxonomic rank. Finally, phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences support recognition of the Hapalidiales as a distinct order characterized by having multiporate tetra/bisporangial conceptacles, and not as a suborder of Corallinales whose tetra/bisporangial conceptacles are uniporate.     

Taxonomic revision, phylogenetic analysis, and biogeography of the bee genus Tropidopedia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Tapinotaspidini)

The species of the bee genus Tropidopedia stat. nov. are revised. Thirteen new species are proposed: T. carinata sp. nov. , T. caracicola sp. nov. , T. danunciae sp. nov. , T. duckeana sp. nov. , T. eliasi sp. nov. , T. flavolineata sp. nov. , T. friesei sp. nov. , T. japuraensis sp. nov. , T. nigrita sp. nov. , T. nigrocarinata sp. nov. , T. ornata sp. nov. , T. peruana sp. nov. and T. venezuelana sp. nov. Taxonomic notes are provided for another four species: Tropidopedia punctifrons (Smith, 1879) comb. nov. , T. pallidipennis (Friese, 1899) comb. nov. , T. seabrai (Michener & Moure, 1957) and T. arcuatilis (Vachal, 1909) comb. nov. , including designation of a lectotype for Tetrapedia arcuatilis Vachal. An identification key, illustrations for main diagnostic characters, and distributions maps for all species are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to evaluate the monophyly of Tropidopedia and its main species groups, as well as to position it among the related genera. Biogeographical patterns are discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 511–554.     

First procolophonid (Reptilia,Parareptilia) from the Lower Triassic of Madagascar

Lasasaurus beltanae nov. gen. nov. sp., a new procolophonid (Reptilia, Parareptilia) from the Lower Triassic of Madagascar, is represented by a single partial skeleton preserved in a ferro-calcareous nodule from the Middle Sakamena Formation, in the North of the island. This new taxon is unique in possessing peculiar, fine and dendritic crests running along the posterolateral side of the squamosal, widely spaced maxillary teeth, subparallel mesiodistal ridges connecting maxillary teeth to the tooth row, and a strongly acute anterior margin of the copula (hyoid bone). This well-preserved specimen belongs to a juvenile individual. The inclusion of L. beltanae nov. gen. nov. sp. in a phylogenetic analysis suggests that it is close to Theledectinae, Procolophoninae, and Leptopleurinae, though their respective relationships are uncertain. This specimen is the first procolophonid described from Madagascar and represents a minor terrestrial component of a coastal vertebrate assemblage dominated by amphibious to fully-aquatic taxa.     

Revision and cladistic analysis of Isoctenus and description of a new neotropical genus (Araneae,Ctenidae, Cteninae)

A cladistic analysis was applied to test the monophyly of the genus Isoctenus. The data matrix comprised 28 taxa scored for 53 morphological and two behavioural characters. The analysis resulted in two equally parsimonious trees of 89 steps. The strict consensus was used to discuss the relationships of Isoctenus and related Cteninae genera. Ctenopsis Schmidt is synonymized with Isoctenus. Isoctenus foliifer Bertkau, I. strandi Mello‐Leitão, I. eupalaestrus Mello‐Leitão, I. janeirus (Walckenaer), I. coxalis (Pickard‐Cambridge), I. corymbus Polotow, Brescovit & Pellegatti‐Franco and I. malabaris Polotow, Brescovit & Ott are maintained in Isoctenus. Four species currently included in Ctenus are transferred to Isoctenus: I. griseolus (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov., I. taperae (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov., I. herteli (Mello‐Leitão) comb. nov. and I. minusculus (Keyserling) comb. nov. The following specific names are synonymized: Ctenus sanguineus Walckenaer, C. semiornatus Mello‐Leitão and Ctenopsis stellata Schmidt with Isoctenus janeirus (Walckenaer), Ctenus mourei Mello‐Leitão with Isoctenus herteli (Mello‐Leitão) and Ctenus pauper Mello‐Leitão with Isoctenus strandi Mello‐Leitão. Isoctenus sigma Schenkel, described from French Guiana, is transferred to Ctenus. Four species are newly described: Isoctenus areia sp. nov. from Paraíba, Brazil, I. charada sp. nov. and I. segredo sp. nov. from Paraná, Brazil, and I. ordinario sp. nov. from south and south‐eastern Brazil and north‐eastern Argentina. Isoctenus latevittatus Caporiacco is considered species inquirenda. Parabatinga gen. nov. is proposed to include Ctenus brevipes Keyserling. The following synonymies are established: Ctenus taeniatus Keyserling, C. tatarandensis Tullgren, C. anisitsi Strand, C. atrivulvus Strand, C. mentor Strand, C. brevipes brevilabris Strand, Isoctenus masculus Mello‐Leitão and Ctenus birabeni Mello‐Leitão with Parabatinga brevipes (Keyserling) comb. nov. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 583–614.