Macrocoma (Hornsch. ex C. Muell.) Grout (Orthotrichaceae)-a taxon new to India

Abstract

Desmatodon bogosicus C.Muell. hal. (1872) is shown to provide an earlier name for the recently described Tortula khartoumensis Pettet (1967). A new record of the species is supplied, from northern Kenya, and its generic position discussed.     

Distribution of a little-known sea krait <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudolaticauda schistorhynchus</Emphasis> (Günther, 1874) (Serpentes: Laticaudidae)

A little-known sea krait Pseudolaticauda schistorhynchus from the northern waters of New Guinea Island (Bertrand Island) is described. We note the considerable remoteness of this record from the main species range and its closeness to the distribution area of the closely related species P. semifasciata, which some authors consider to be a northern subspecies widely distributed in the eastern Pacific. The examined specimen is undoubtedly P. schistorhynchus. The boundaries of the two species ranges and keys for the identification of species of the genus Pseudolaticauda Kharin, 1984 are given.     

A comparison of Dichodontium flavescens (Dicks.) Lindb. and D. pellucidum (Hedw.) Lindb. (Bryopsida)

Abstract

Fifty-three herbarium samples of the genus Dichodontium, originating from 15 countries in Europe and North America, were examined to critically assess new distinguishing characters between D. flavescens and D. pellucidum. The examination, including SEM, revealed some new characteristics in the gametophyte, notably leaf shape, leaf length: width ratio, and width of the nerve, permitting accurate determinations even on sterile material. D. flavescens is recognized here as a distinct species.     

Surface wax,structure and function in leaves of Polytrichaceae

Abstract

The form and distribution of epicuticular wax has been examined by SEM in 35 species of Polytrichaceae. Australian and New Zealand species of Dawsonia have a dense covering of prominent angular platelets (or more irregular wax) on the lamella-margins; Polytrichadelphus magellanicus is very similar. In Polytrichum the epicuticular wax forms an angular to rounded granularity which varies in quantity from species to species; abundant and prominent on the lamella-margins of, e.g., P. formosum and P. commune, hardly detectable in, e.g., P. sexangulare. Pogonatum spp. show sparse to dense angular to rounded granularity on both surfaces, generally more abundant on the upper surface but (with the exceptions of P. grandifolium and (especially) P. urnigerum) less differentiated on the lamella-margins than in Dawsonia or Polytrichum. The parallel between Polytrichum alpinum, Pogonatum grandifolium, P. urnigerum, Psilopilum australe and P. crispulum is noteworthy. Oligotrichum, Batramiopsis, Atrichum and the other species of Psilopilum show either no apparent surface wax or only a fine surface granularity, although their leaves are generally water-repellent, sometimes strongly so. Dendroligotrichum dendroides has almost smooth lamella-margins; D. squamosum has abundant and prominent surface wax.

A major function of epicuticular wax in Polytrichaceae is probably to exclude water from the ‘pseudo-mesophyll’ formed by the lamellae, a function supplemented by the inflexed leaf margins of Polytrichum section Juniperifolia. It is best developed on the lamella-margins of the species of Dawsonia, Polytrichadelphus, Polytrichum and Pogonaturn which probably most nearly approach mesophytic vascular plants in their pattern of adaptation.     

The genus Saitobryum (Pottiaceae) revisited

The genus Saitobryum R.H.Zander comprises two species: S. lorentzii (Müll.Hal.) Ochyra distributed in Mexico and the Central Andes and Saitobryum pascoense M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez from the Central Andes of Peru, described here as new. The new species is distinguished from S. lorentzii by its upper and middle laminal cells papillose throughout, border of 2–3 rows of thick-walled and smooth cells, lamina usually with bistratose patches, and occasionally bistratose margins. The diagnostic characters of Saitobryum are re-evaluated and a key to the species of this genus is provided. Both species are described and illustrated. New localities for S. lorentzii and a map showing the complete distribution of this genus are given.     

Taxonomic studies on marine triclads (Turbellaria,Tricladida, Maricola)

The genus Procerodes forms a heterogeneous assemblage of taxa. Although it is premature to attempt phylogenetic weighting of the characters, the genus contains three well delimited subgroups, one with a subantarctic, panaustral distribution, one world-wide in distribution, and one occurring principally in the northern hemisphere. Outside of these subgroups, species in this genus are problematic since a number of their features also occurs in other procerodids. All recognized groups exhibit a wide distributional range. Many of the world-wide taxonomic relations lie on the species level and some at the level of genera. Poor dispersal capacity of extant species of Procerodes suggests that the biogeographic patterns may be very old.     

Pselaphotumulus,a new genus of pselaphine endemic to New Zealand (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Pselaphitae)

ABSTRACT

Pselaphotumulus Owens and Carlton, gen. nov., is described as the sixth genus in the tribe Pselaphini known from New Zealand. Three new species are described: Pselaphotumulus aorerei, sp. nov., Pselaphotumulus dubius, sp. nov. and Pselaphotumulus unus, sp. nov.. Three species, Pselaphus cavelli (Broun 1893), Pselaphus oviceps (Broun 1917) and Pselaphus urquharti (Broun 1917) are transferred to Pselaphotumulus, nov. combs. Lectotypes from type series in the New Zealand Broun Collection (Natural History Museum, London) are designated for these three species. Habitus photographs, distributional maps and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided for each species. A key to species is provided. Searches of museum collections have not yielded representatives outside of New Zealand, suggesting that this is the first endemic genus in the tribe Pselaphini described from the New Zealand’s main islands, specifically, the South Island. Pselaphotumulus species exhibit restricted distribution patterns that approximately coincide with the Pacific/Indo Australian Plate boundary.     

Revision of the bathyal fish genusHomostolus (Ophidiiformes,Ophidiidae)

The ophidiid fish genusHomostolus is revised on the basis of 44 specimens. Meristic and morphometric characters strongly indicate that the genus as presently known contains a single species,Homostolus acer Smith et Radcliffe, 1913, withHomostolus japonicus Matsubara, 1943, reduced to synonymy. Geographical variations found in certain meristic characters indicate thatH. acer expanded its range from Philippine waters into both northern and southern waters. The species is distributed on deep-sea floors from the Pacific Ocean off central Japan, to the Indian Ocean off northern Western Australia, and to the Tasman Sea off New South Wales, at bathyal depths from about 400 to 700 m.     

Preliminary notes on the genus Aeschnosoma Selys 1870 (Odonata: Anisoptera: Corduliidae s. str.)

Three new species of the genus Aeschnosoma are briefly described and illustrated. A. pseudoforcipula n. sp. and A. heliophila n. sp., both from the Brazilian Central Plateau are respectively related to the two Amazonian species A. forcipula Hagen in Selys 1871, and A. auripennis Geijskes 1970. A. louissiriusi n. sp. from Northern Brazil is not closely related to any known species. Based on larval and adult derived characters, the genus Aeschnosoma appears closely related to the Australian genus Pentathemis Karsch 1890, and also to the Madagascan genus Libellulosoma Martin 1907. The clade Aeschnosomata nov. is erected to receive the three genera. Some putative plesiomorphies would place this clade sister group of the remaining Corduliidae s.str.     

New Zealand's giant Collembola: New information on distribution and morphology for Holacanthella Börner, 1906 (Neanuridae: Uchidanurinae)

Abstract

The New Zealand collembolan fauna currently includes five described species of the striking endemic genus Holacanthella (springtails). Holacanthella species are saproxylic decomposers of cool temperate forest ecosystems, and they contribute to nutrient cycling of coarse woody debris. All species of the genus have the dorsal and lateral surfaces furnished with conspicuous red, orange, yellow or white digitations. They are among the largest Collembola known, with some individuals reaching 17 mm in length. We examined new material of the five species from throughout New Zealand, as well as existing museum material, to understand more fully their distributions. We provide an updated key to the five Holacanthella species and discuss the conservation of rare/range restricted species, and propose hypotheses to explain their distributions. One species, H. laterospinosa, is known only from Cuvier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, but the distributions of the remaining four species appears to reflect the turbulent geological history of New Zealand during the Pliocene. Intraspecific variation in several gross morphological characters was observed in all species. We provide a comparison of characters with the other genera within the Uchidanurinae in order to characterise the genus more fully with respect to allied genera. Holacanthella species are particularly vulnerable to human‐mediated disturbance by forest modification because of their strict habitat requirements and low mobility, and we stress that conservation efforts should focus on protecting critical habitats for each species.     

A revision of Malesian Austrobuxus (Picrodendraceae/Euphorbiaceae s.l. subfam. Oldfieldioideae)

The Malesian species of the predominantly New Caledonian genus Austrobuxus were revised. Three species are recognized. Austrobuxus nitidus is widespread from south Thailand to Borneo. Characteristic for this species are the very short papillae of the caruncle. The caruncle papillae are much longer in the other two, newly described species. Austrobuxus celebicus sp. nov. is endemic to Sulawesi, where it is found on ultramafic soils, and A. dentatus sp. nov. is an endemic species of western New Guinea. The former is notable for the very small fruits and the latter for the teeth‐like glands along the leaf blade margins, unique within the genus.     

Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P.Frahm,a new name for Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn.

Abstract

Barbula convoluta Hedw. var. commutata (Jur.) Husn. differs from var. convoluta not only by characters such as larger size, darker colour and undulate leaf margins, as mentioned in the literature, but, in addition, by a different transverse section of the stem, different basal laminal cells, different papillae on the leaf surface, a different spore ornamentation and different isozyme systems. It should therefore be regarded as a separate species. In this case, the legitimate name would be Barbula sardoa (Schimp.) J.-P. Frahm, since Barbula convoluta var. sardoa Schimp. is revealed to be an earlier synonym of var. commutata.     

Plinthus persicus n. sp. with biogeographic considerations on the P. illotus species group (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae)

Plinthus persicus n. sp. is described; type locality: Iran, Mazandaran, 10 km SW of Rudbarak. The new species belongs to the group of Plinthus illotus, composed of some species distributed in Armenia and Transcaucasus; it expands the range of the genus to northern Iran. Some biogeographical and ecological notes are discussed. A key to the P. illotus species group is added.     

念珠丝瓜藓(缺齿藓科)形态特征及其在中国的新分布

通过对中国产丝瓜藓属Pohlia(缺齿藓科Mielichhoferiaceae)植物系统地分类学研究,对本属一具有假根生念珠状排列的芽胞的种——念珠丝瓜藓的形态解剖学特征和地理分布进行了修订,并讨论了念珠丝瓜藓的生境,以及与其相近种泛生丝瓜藓、明齿丝瓜藓和黄丝瓜藓等进行了比较分析。根据标本信息,确定念珠丝瓜藓在中国的分布由原来的5省区扩大到10省区,并绘制了该种在中国的分布图。     

Late Quaternary loss of genetic diversity in muskox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ovibos</Emphasis>)

Background  

The modern wildherd of the tundra muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is native only to the New World (northern North America and Greenland), and its genetic diversity is notably low. However, like several other megafaunal mammals, muskoxen enjoyed a holarctic distribution during the late Pleistocene. To investigate whether collapse in range and loss of diversity might be correlated, we collected mitochondrial sequence data (hypervariable region and cytochrome b) from muskox fossil material recovered from localities in northeastern Asia and the Arctic Archipelago of northern North America, dating from late Pleistocene to late Holocene, and compared our results to existing databases for modern muskoxen.     

A review of the Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch. complex (Bryopsida: Pottiaceae) in southern Europe and the Macaronesian Islands,including G. calcareum var. atlanticum var. nov.

Abstract

New taxonomic observations, based on rhizoidal and protonemal gemmae of material from southern Europe and the Macaronesian Islands, are given in this work for sibling taxa of the Gymnostomum calcareum Nees & Hornsch. complex. Gymnostomum calcareum var. atlanticum Sérgio from the Iberian Peninsula, Madeira and Azores is described as a new variety, and its diagnostic characters are described and illustrated. This moss has a bistratose margin in the upper parts of the perichaetial and vegetative leaves, and the perichaetial leaves are markedly acute. It is closely related to Gymnostomum lanceolatum Cano, Ros & J. Guerra, here reduced to a variety of G. calcareum. The occurrence of fusiform or claviform protonemal gemmae provides a diagnostic feature for the different taxa.