On the taxonomy and biogeography of Potamon atkinsonianum (Wood-Mason, 1871) and Potamon (Potamon) emphysetum (Alcock, 1909)

The Himalayas are known to be a geologically young and dynamic mountain range hosting an endemic flora and fauna. To date, for freshwater crabs, one endemic subgenus within the genus Potamon, Potamon (Himalayapotamon) Pretzmann, 1966, has been described from the Himalayas. This subgenus includes two species, Potamon atkinsonianum (Wood-Mason, 1871) and Potamon emphysetum (Alcock, 1909). The taxonomic position of these two species is reconsidered. The subgenus Himalayapotamon is raised to generic level and its systematic and zoogeographic position is discussed. Based mainly on the morphology of the male copulatory system, Himalayapotamon belongs to the family Potamidae. It is more related to the Eurasian genus Potamon Savigny, and is distinct from the South-East Asian genus Potamiscus as well as from the Indian freshwater crabs of the family Gecarcinucidae. Zoogeographically Himalayapotamon appears to be an endemic genus related to Potamon, both genera presumably being isolated during the Miocene when the Gangetic waters were separated from the western Eurasian river systems. Further speciation occurred during glacial periods.     

DNA taxonomy of the potamid freshwater crabs from Northern Africa (Decapoda,Potamidae)

The Mediterranean area, from southern Balkans to western Maghreb, is inhabited by the Potamon subgenus Euthelphusa, with three currently recognised species. The Maghrebian species P. (E.) algeriense is isolated from other Potamon species by the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert, and nearly no molecular data are currently available for this taxon. Present study investigated the mtDNA and nuDNA diversity in Potamon algeriense s.l. with the aims of exploring its molecular diversity pattern throughout its known distribution range, and testing the possible presence of cryptic taxa currently lumped under this binomen. The phylogenetic and DNA taxonomy analyses showed the presence of two well-supported clades of species rank within P. algeriense s.l, with an eastern clade including the populations from Tunisia and Numidia, and a western, highly structured clade including the populations from central Algeria and Morocco. In agreement with a typical Maghrebian biogeographic pattern, the distribution of these two species shows a clear east–west divide, with a disjunction zone located in Kabylia, and a strong link between molecular diversity and segregation within different hydrographical basins is evident. The Maghreb thus proved to host an unexpectedly high genetic diversity of, and to constitute a biodiversity hot-spot for, the Potamon subgenus Euthelphusa. In the light of the existence of two well-characterised species currently lumped under P. algeriense s.l., and of their noteworthy molecular structuring, the status of Maghrebian Potamon populations should be re-assessed for both the species present in the area, which are to be considered as independent management units.     

The Cytoskeletal Proteins Actin and Tubulin in the Spermatozoa of Four Decapod Crabs (Crustacea,Decapoda)

The mature spermatozoa of four species of European decapod crabs (Clibanarius erythropus, Maja squinado, Cancer pagurusand Potamon fluviatile)have been investigated using indirect immuno-fluorescence techniques for the presence of the cytoskeletal proteins actin and tubulin. Indirect immunofluorescence labelling with monoclonal anti-actin antibody and three different monoclonal anti-tubulin antibodies indicate that actin is present in the spermatozoa of all four species, but tubulins are restricted to the two species with microtubular arms, Clibanariusand Maja.The pattern of actin fluorescence varies between the spermatozoa of the four species, with Majaand Cancershowing intense fluorescence in the acrosome vesicle and in elements of the sperm cell involved in the acrosome reaction. The spermatozoon of each species is described ultrastructurally using transmission electron microscopy and correlations made between observed patterns of fluorescence and the cellular components described. No obvious filamentous actin (F-actin) is visible in the electron micrographs of the spermatozoa of any of the species. In most cases the fluorescence is sufficiently specific to indicate in which region of the mature sperm cell the actin and tubulin occurs. Actin is acrosomal in Maja, Cancerand Potamonbut appears to be cytoplasmic in Clibanarius, while the tubulins appear only to be present in the cytoplasm of Clibanarius, Majaand Cancer.     

A revision of the freshwater crab genus Hainanpotamon (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae: Potamiscinae), with a redescription of Potamon (Potamon) orientale (Parisi, 1916) and descriptions of three new species

The taxonomy of the potamid genus Hainanpotamon , from Vietnam, Laos, Hainan Island (China) and, purportedly, Okinawa Island (Japan) is reviewed. The type species, Potamon (Potamon) orientale (), is redescribed and a lectotype designated. In addition, three new species are described. The poorly known species Potamon (Geothelphusa) globosum , is assigned to Hainanpotamon and its taxonomy clarified, with a lectotype designated. A key to the nine species of Hainanpotamon is provided.     

Revision of the Genus Paratylenchus Micoletzky, 1922 and Descriptions of New Species. Part III of Three parts-Gracilacus

Part III covers species with female stylet length >41 μm which are considered by this author to comprise the genus Gracilacus Raski, 1962. Seven new species of Gracilacus are described and further observations given on 14 other species. Paratylenchus strenzkei (Volz, 1951) Oostenbrink, 1960 is transferred to species inquirendae. A key to the species of Gracilacus is included.     

Paragonimus paishuihoensis Metacercariae in Freshwater Crabs,Potamon lipkei,in Vientiane Province,Lao PDR

Among Paragonimus species, P. paishuihoensis is one of the most mysterious and poorly understood species. Metacercariae are characterized by having a unique dendritically branched excretory bladder. However, the morphology of the adult worm remains unknown. To date, metacercariae of this species have been reported only in China and Thailand. In this study, we first found P. paishuihoensis metacercariae in freshwater crabs, Potamon lipkei, in Hinheub District, Vientiane, Lao PDR, with a prevalence of 77.7% and the average intensity of 10.3 (range 1-28) metacercariae per crab. The molecular data based on ITS2 and CO1 markers indicated that P. paishuihoensis from Laos and Thailand were almost completely identical and were close to members of the Paragonimus bangkokensis/Paragonimus harinasutai complex. Attempts to infect experimental animals (cats, dogs, and rats) with P. paishuihoensis were unsuccessful, suggesting that these animals might be unsuitable definitive hosts for the species. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the taxonomic status and life cycle of P. paishuihoensis.     

The presence of α-doradexanthin in crustacea and its possible metabolic fate

α-Doradexanthin has been isolated from the brachyurans Pachygrapsus marmoratus, Eriphia spinifrons and the anomouran Clibanarius erythropus. Small traces of this carotenoid have been also reported in the brachyuran species Potamon edulis and Eriocheir sinensis, but was absent from the anomouran species Dardanus arrosor and Pagurus prideauxi. A transformation pathway of lutein into astaxanthin via α-doradexanthin is suggested.     

中国海南岛淡水蟹类一新属二新种描述（甲壳亚门：十足目：短尾派：溪蟹科）

在海南岛历年来所累稷的淡水蟹类标本中,多次获见Ｐｏｔａｍｏｎ（Ｐｏｔａｍｏｎ）ｏｒｉｅｎｔａｌｉｓ Ｐａｒｉｓｉ,１９１６该种曾由Ｂｏｔｔ（１９６６）移入川蟹属Ｒａｎｇｕｎａ。作者认为其分类地位置于Ｐｏｔａｍｏｎ或Ｒａｎｇｕｎａ均欠妥,故建立海南溪蟹属Ｈａｉｎａｎｐｏｔａｍｏｎ ｇｅｎ．ｎｏｖ．,以容纳Ｐａｒｉｓｉ,１９１６的Ｐ．（Ｐ．）ｏｒｉｅｎｔａｌｉｓ,并将本新属中所发现的两个新种和乐海南溪     

A new Pennsylvanian (Late Carboniferous) – Permian foraminiferal genus (Lateenoglobivalvulina nov. gen., Biseriamminoidea) and its paleobiogeographic distribution

Lateenoglobivalvulina nov. gen. (Biseriamminoidea, Foraminifera) is introduced for biserial tests with a coiled initial part and a rectilinear evolute terminal part. The test has globular chambers progressively increasing in dimension. The shape of the test in axial section is isosceles triangle with a vertex angle of 90–100° or higher. The genus includes three species: Lateenoglobivalvulina spiralis (Morozova, 1949), L. pergrata (Konovalova, 1962) and L. arguta (Konovalova, 1962). The new genus belongs to the subfamily Globivalvulininae Reitlinger, 1950 emend. herein and to the family Globivalvulinidae Reitlinger, 1950, superfamily Biseriamminoidea Chernysheva, 1941. Lateenoglobivalvulina evolved from Globivalvulina Schubert, 1921 during the Pennsylvanian, it inhabited the Boreal Realm during the Pennsylvanian-Kungurian and it migrated to the southwest Paleotethys Ocean during the Sakmarian-Kubergandian.     

Pictorial key to species of the genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville, 1831 (Hymenoptera,Vespidae) from China,with description of one new species

Twenty two species of the paper wasp genus Ropalidia Guérin-Méneville, 1831, are listed from China. Among them, R. malaisei van der Vecht, 1962, R. cyathiformis (Fabricius, 1804), R. santoshae Das & Gupta, 1989, R. scitula (Bingham, 1897), R. obscura Gusenleitner, 1996 and R. ornaticeps (Cameron, 1900) are new records from China. A new species, R. parartifex Tan & van Achterberg, is described. Their diagnostic characteristics are summarized in an illustrated key and 36 colourplates.     

Re-establishment of the cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix Deroux,nov. gen., with a description of Coeloperix sleighi nov. spec. (Protozoa,Ciliophora, Cyrtophorida)

The cyrtophorid genus Coeloperix, which has remained invalid for over 20 years, is re-established. This taxon is characterized by Lynchellids without podites on the ventral side; somatic kineties making no noticeable naked gap between left and right areas; pre- and post-oral kineties completely separated; two terminal fragments; perioral kineties consisting of one continuous anterior and two detached posterior rows; with cross-striated band around perimeter between ventral and dorsal surfaces. Based on this definition, two nominal species formerly placed in the invalid genus have been included again in Coeloperix: Coeloperix dirempta (Deroux, 1970) nov. comb. [synonym: Lynchella dirempta; Deroux, 1970], C. aspidisciformis (Kahl, 1933) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella aspidisciformis; Kahl, 1933]. Another two morphotypes C. eforiana (Tucolesco, 1962) nov. comb. [syn. Lynchella eforiana; Tucolesco, 1962] and C. lynchelliformis (Borror, 1972) nov. comb. [syn. Chlamydodon lynchelliformis; Borro, 1972] have been transferred into the new genus. The morphology of living cells and infraciliature of a new species, C. sleighi nov. spec., isolated from the coastal area of China, have been investigated. It is diagnosed by: size about 40×30 μm in vivo; consistently 4 preoral and 15–16 postoral kineties; 12–16 nematodesmata; cross-striated band with two separations in the equatorial area; 3–4 (usually 3) finger-like tentacles on the ventral side; macronucleus ellipsoidal; two contractile vacuoles diagonally located; marine habitat.     

A new parasitic copepod (Cyclopoida: Bomolochidae) from a ponyfish (Leiognathidae) caught in Egyptian Mediterranean waters,with a review of hosts and key to species of Nothobomolochus

A new bomolochid copepod belonging to the genus Nothobomolochus Vervoort, 1962 is described from a Red Sea fish species, a ponyfish of the family Leiognathidae that has become established in the Eastern Mediterranean. The new species, N. leiognathicola n. sp., is based on material obtained from the gill chamber of the Red Sea immigrant ponyfish Leiognathus klunzingeri (Steindachner), caught in Egyptian waters off the Alexandria coast at Abuqir. A second new species, N. monodi n. sp., is established to accommodate some material previously described as N. denticulatus (Bassett-Smith, 1898), from the host Hemiramphus far Forsskål. A review of host records reveals that Nothobomolochus species utilise hosts representing five different orders, but are most commonly found on beloniform, clupeiform and perciform fishes. A newly constructed key to the 37 valid species of Nothobomolochus is presented.     

A redescription of the presumed associated Caligopsyllus primus Kunz, 1975 (Harpacticoida,Paramesochridae) with emphasis on its phylogenetic affinity with Apodopsyllus Kunz, 1962

Caligopsyllus primus Kunz, 1975, reported from tidal pools near East London (South Africa), is redescribed and figured on the basis of type material. An amended diagnosis of the genus Caligopsyllus Kunz, 1975 is presented. Cladistic analysis falsified the hypothesis of a close relationship between Caligopsyllus and Kliopsyllus Kunz, 1962, favouring instead a link with Apodopsyllus Kunz, 1962. The morphological modifications are discussed within the context of a possible ecto-associated life-style. Finally, a standard format of abbreviations and terminology is proposed for the paramesochrid caudal ramus.     

Species, genomes, and section relationships in the genus Arachis (Fabaceae): a molecular phylogeny

The economically important genus Arachis (Fabaceae) comprises 80 species restricted to South America. One monograph on the genus divided it into nine sections and included an intuitive assessment of evolutionary relationships. There is no comprehensive phylogenetic study of the genus. To test the current systematic treatment of the genus, we reconstructed a phylogeny for Arachis using nuclear ITS and plastid trnT–trnF sequences from 46 species representing all nine sections. ITS cloning of the allotetraploid species of section Arachis indicated the presence of A and B genome alleles and chimeric sequences. Our study revealed that species from section Extranervosae were the first emerging lineage in the genus, followed by sections Triseminatae and Caulorrhizae, and two terminal major lineages, which we refer to as erectoides and arachis. The lineage erectoides comprises members of sections Erectoides, Heteranthae, Procumbentes, Rhizomatosae, and Trierectoides. Species in the arachis lineage form two major clades, arachis I (B and D genomes species and the aneuploids) and arachis II (A genome species). Our results substantiated the sectional treatment of Caulorrhizae, Extranervosae, and Triseminatae, but demonstrated that sections Erectoides, Procumbentes, and Trierectoides are not monophyletic. A detailed study of the genus Arachis with denser taxon sampling, additional genomic regions, plus information from morphology and cytogenetics is needed for comprehensive assessment of its systematics.     

A review of the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon

Thirteen species of petrified wood have been assigned previously to the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon which was established by Bailey (1924) as representative of the section Phyllanthoideae of the family Euphorbiaceae. Mädel (1962) considered the genus Paraphyllanthoxylon representative of only the Glochidion wood group of the section Phyllanthoideae. This necessitates the establishment of a new genus, Phyllanthoideoxylon, for fossil woods which have characteristics in common with several of the other wood groups in the section Phyllanthoideae. The thirteen previously identified species of Paraphyllanthoxylon are reviewed and compared with the characteristics of the genus. Eleven of these species are retained in Paraphyllanthoxylon Bailey (emend. Mädel), one (P. bangalamodense) is assigned to Phyllanthoideoxylon nov. gen. and one (P. keriense) is transferred to Bridelioxylon Ramanujam.     

New species and records of Charisius Champion from Mexico and Central America (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae)

The species of the genus Charisius Champion, from Mexico and Central America are reviewed. The flightless genus Narses Champion, with one included species, N. subalatus Champion, is placed in synonymy with the genus Charisius. Four new species are described and illustrated, C. granulatus and C. punctatus (from Guatemala) and C. apterus and C. howdenorum (from Mexico). Charisius subalatus (Champion) is redescribed and illustrated. The species C. interstitialis Champion is placed in synonymy with C. zunilensis Champion. The genus is redescribed to include the four new species and N. subalatus. New distributional records are presented for all other species of the genus and a revised key is presented for identification of all the species of the genus.     

Syngonanthus androgynus,a Striking New Species from South America,its Phylogenetic Placement and Implications for Evolution of Bisexuality in Eriocaulaceae

In the present study, we describe and illustrate a remarkable new species of Syngonanthus from South America (Bolivia, Brazil and Peru). This new species is quickly distinguished from all species in the genus by trimerous and bisexual flowers, a unique set of characteristics in Syngonanthus. Complementary to this study, sequences of 33 species were downloaded from GenBank and four species had sequences newly generated for this study. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and the plastid regions psbA-trnH and trnL-F were performed to determine its systematic position. The results have shown S. androgynus closely related to a well-supported clade that has been treated as Syngonanthus sect. Carphocephalus. Floral traits associated with this new plant also were surveyed. Character reconstruction suggests that the bisexual flowers originated independently more than once in the genus. However, trimerous flowers appear to be an ancestral condition of the whole genus.