Origin and diversification of the clawed lobster genus Metanephrops (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidae)

A phylogenetic analysis of all 17 extant species of the clawed lobster genus Metanephrops based on mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase I, and nuclear histone H3 gene sequences supports the morphological groupings of two of the traditional groups of the genus (the binghami and japonicus groups) but refutes monophyly of the other two groups (the arafurensis and thomsoni groups). The results in general support a recent morphology-based cladistic analysis of this genus except that this study suggests M. neptunus to be a basal rather than a derived species as indicated in the morphological analysis. This species is genetically diverse over its geographical range. Moreover, the two color forms of M. thomsoni are genetically distinct, most likely representing different species. The molecular phylogeny and current distribution pattern of the extant species, together with the fossil record, suggest that the genus originated in the Antarctica in the Cretaceous, followed by diversification and dispersal along the continental shelf of different continents as a result of the vicariant events associated with the breakup of the Southern Temperate Gondwana since Late Cretaceous.     

A new genus of pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Lower Jurassic of Holzmaden,Germany

Abstract: The exquisitely preserved holotype of the pliosaur ‘Rhomaleosaurus’victor (SMNS 12478) is described from the Toarcian Posidonien‐Schiefer (Upper Lias, Lower Jurassic) of Holzmaden (Baden‐Württemberg), Germany. The specimen presents a novel combination of synapomorphies and unique morphometric proportions separating it from Rhomaleosaurus sensu stricto and warranting the erection of a new genus, Meyerasaurus gen. nov. Historically, the name ‘Thaumatosaurus’ has been interchangeable with Rhomaleosaurus and is frequently associated with SMNS 12478 in the literature. However, this is an invalid taxon and cannot be reinstated. The anatomy of Meyerasaurus victor is compared in detail with other pliosaurs, and its taxonomic affinity is reviewed. M. victor belongs to the family Rhomaleosauridae and shares several anatomical characters with Rhomaleosaurus including a short and robust premaxillary rostrum (length‐to‐width ratio c. 1.0), parallel premaxilla–maxilla sutures anterior to the nares, vomers contacting the maxillae posterior to the internal nares, and c. 28 cervical vertebrae minus the atlas–axis. The known geographical distribution of Rhomaleosaurus, which previously extended across the German and English palaeobiogeographical zones, is reduced to the English zone as a consequence of the referral of SMNS 12478 to a new genus. This is significant because it contributes to an ongoing trend of increasing generic separation between the German and English zones, while increasing the generic diversity within the German zone itself.     

A new favreine coprolite (Crustacea,Decapoda) from the Jurassic of Iran and the Cretaceous of the Dinarids,Jugoslavia

Favreina tabasensis n. sp., a Crustacean (Decapoda) coprolite with numerous longitudinal canals is described from the Upper Jurassic of the Tabas area, east-central Iran. The same favreine form-species is also recorded and figured from the Neocomian of the Dinarids, Bata, Montenegro, Jugoslavia. Further, a lectotype is proposed forFavreina prusensis (Paréjas) from the Upper Portlandian of the region of Lake Apolyont, Turkey.Favreina montana Elliott from the Albian Qamchuqa formation, Gund-i-Shikavt, Erbil Liwa, northern Iraq, is considered as a nomen dubium non conservandum.     

New record of Lithodidae (Crustacea Decapoda, Anomura) from the Antarctic (Bellingshausen Sea)

During the Bentart-2003 Cruise, carried out during austral summer 2003 in the Bellingshausen Sea, three species of Lithodidae, Paralomis birsteini, Lithodes murrayi and Neolithodes capensis, were caught from 218 m to 1947 m. With these captures the presence of L. murrayi in Peter I Island is confirmed, the distribution area of N. capensis is greatly increased and the captures of N. capensis and P. birsteini represent the first lithodid record known from the Antarctic continental slope. Also, these records show large and discontinuous distributions, which illustrate that many distribution patterns of Antarctic species are more an artefact of limited studies than representing actual distribution.     

An enigmatic hawker dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of China (Odonata,Aeshnoptera)

The aeshnopteran Propecymatophlebia magnifica gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Middle Jurassic Hiafanggou Formation of Inner Mongolia in China, on the basis of a complete forewing. It confirms the remarkable palaeodiversity of the stem group of the hawker dragonflies in Central Asia in the period between the Middle Jurassic and the Early Cretaceous.     

A new Bennettitalean genus from the Middle Jurassic of the Mikhailovskii Rudnik locality (Kursk Region,Russia)

Bennettitalean leaves with unusual morphology were found in the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) deposits of Mikhailovskii Rudnik locality (Kursk Region, European Russia). This morphotype derived on the basis of Pterophyllum-like pinnate leaves by coherent coalescence of segments, through which superficial similarity of leaves of the new genus to Nilssoniopteris Nath., possessing entire leaf blade, is achieved. Each of coalescent segments was completely isolated from neighboring segments by massive cuticular wall. This character distinguishes leaves of the new genus from coherent leaves, known in other gymnosperms. The unique preservation type characteristic of plant remains of the Mikhailovskii Rudnik locality, allowed us to study some details of anatomical structure of leaf segments in the new genus. In particular, it was established, that palisade mesophyll in segments was poorly developed, and metaxylem in vascular bundles comprises tracheids with scalariform to circular bordered pits.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the American lobster, Homarus americanus (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Although relatively a large number of the complete mitochondrial genome sequences have been determined from various decapod species (29 mtDNA sequences reported so far), the information for the infraorder Astacidea (including lobsters, crayfishes, and their relatives) is very limited and represented by only one complete sequence from the Australian freshwater crayfish species Cherax destructor. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of Homarus americanus, the first representative of the family Nephropidae to be fully characterized. Comparison of the gene arrangement reveals that H. americanus mtDNA is identical to those of other pancrustacean species but differs from the other astacidean species (C. destructor). Based on these data, it can be assumed that an idiosyncratic gene order discovered in C. destructor mtDNA may be secondarily acquired from the ancestral lineage of the Astacidea.     

A redescription of Periclimenaeus fimbriatus Borradaile, 1915, with the designation of a new genus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Specimens of Periclimenaeus fimbriatus Borradaile, 1915, a palaemonid shrimp reported from only three localities in the Western Indian Ocean, are described and illustrated. The species is removed from the genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile and a new genus Paraclimenaeus is designated for its accommodation. The characteristic features of the genus and its relationships are discussed. The palaemonid shrimp genera associated with sponge hosts are reviewed and a key provided for their identification     

A new genus of Chifengiinae (Orthoptera: Ensifera: Prophalangopsidae) from the Middle Jurassic (Jiulongshan Formation) of Inner Mongolia,China

The Middle Jurassic Ashangopsis daohugouensis, gen. et sp. n., of the prophalangopsid subfamily Chifengiinae is described based on two well-preserved specimens collected from the fossil locality near Daohugou at Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, Northeast China. The new genus is characterized by the particular shape of its pronotum, its hind leg, and stridulatory veins that only concern the cubital area but not the anal area, unlike in other Chifengiinae.     

A new long-proboscid genus of Pseudopolycentropodidae (Mecoptera) from the Middle Jurassic of China and its plant-host specializations

We describe a new genus and species of Mecoptera with siphonate mouthparts, Sinopolycentropus rasnitsynigen. et sp. n., assigned to the family Pseudopolycentropodidae Handlirsch, 1925. The specimen was collected from late Middle Jurassic nonmarine strata of the Jiulongshan Formation in Inner Mongolia, northeastern China. The new material provides additional evidence for an early diversification of pseudopolycentropodids that was ongoing during the Middle Jurassic. This diversity also adds to the variety of known pseudopolycentropodids with tubular proboscides that apparently fed on ovulate fluids produced by Mesozoic gymnosperms.     

A new species of the genus Nihonotrypaea Manning & Tamaki, 1998 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Axiidea,Callianassidae) from the South China Sea

A new species of the genus Nihonotrypaea Manning & Tamaki, 1998, Nihonotrypaea hainanensis sp. n., collected from the South China Sea, is described and illustrated. It is distinguishable from Nihonotrypaea harmandi (Bouvier, 1901), Nihonotrypaea japonica (Ortmann, 1891), Nihonotrypaea thermophila Lin, Komai & Chan, 2007 and Nihonotrypaea makarovi Martin, 2013 by having the elongated carpus of the male and female major cheliped. The new species is distinguishable from Nihonotrypaea petalura (Stimpson, 1860) by the proximolower margin of the carpus of the male major cheliped bearing several small denticles.     

A new distinctive species of pagurid hermit crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from Japan

A new species of pagurid hermit crab, Pagurus decimbranchiae, is described and illustrated based on 20 specimens collected from shallow waters of the Pacific coast of Japan ranging from Boso Peninsula to Tanegashima Island. It is quite distinctive in having the rudimentary arthrobranch on the third maxilliped represented by a single bud, however close morphological similarity is found between the new species and P. moluccensis Haig and Ball. Comparisons are also made among other species, including P. boriaustraliensis Morgan, P. sp. cf. boriaustraliensis sensu Rahayu and Komai (2000) and the members of the P. anachoretus group. The present generic assignment of the new species should be considered provisional, as more extensive study is needed to investigate phylogenetic relationships of the new species and the other species of Pagurus.     

Force, function and mechanical advantage in the chelae of the American lobster Homarus americanus (Decapoda: Crustacea)

The dimorphic chelae from both sexes and a wide size range of American lobsters, Homarus americanus , were studied with respect to allometry, mechanical advantage, closer muscle apodeme area and occlusive surface morphology. The maximum forces produced by the crusher and cutter chelae were estimated by an in vitro and a static in vivo technique. Another in vivo technique, involving strain gauges, was used to measure the forces delivered by crusher chelae. The latter technique gave data on force pulse duration and frequency, and in combination with a video-recording system could be useful for future studies of predation behaviour. The maximum forces generated increased with chela height for both crusher and cutter chelae. A maximum force of 256 Newtons (N) was recorded near the middle of the crusher dactyl from a 172-mm carapace length lobster, by the strain gauge technique. Crusher chelae developed larger maximum forces than cutter chelae of the same height. This was attributable more to the crusher chela's higher mechanical advantage than to its developing higher input forces. The mean mechanical advantage for male crusher (0.33) was significantly higher than that for female crusher chelae (0.29). Male and female cutter chelae had the same mean mechanical advantage values (0.16). Values for maximum stress developed during contraction in both the crusher and cutter chela closer muscles decreased with chela size. The morphology of the chelae correlated to the forces produced and predation behaviour.     

A new hawker dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of China (Odonata: Aeshnoptera)

A new genus and species Linqibinia panae of paracymatophlebiid hawker dragonfly is described from the Middle Jurassic Haifanggou Formation (Inner Mongolia, China). Previously only known from Karatau in Kazakhstan, the discovery of another member of this family extends its range across Central Asia. It confirms that the Aeshnoptera was among the most diverse odonatan clades during the Middle-Late Jurassic.     

A new lizard-like reptile (Diapsida: Lepidosauromorpha) from the Middle Jurassic of England

The Middle Jurassic (Late Bathonian) Mammal Bed at Kirtlington, Oxfordshire, has yielded a rich assemblage of small vertebrates including mammals, frogs, salamanders and small reptiles. This paper describes the skull of a new diapsid reptile, Marmorelta oxoniensis, which was common within the fauna. The skull is gracile with large orbits and relatively long external nares. The frontals and parietals are single in the adult and almost separated on the roof of the skull by the postfrontals. The temporal region shows a mosaic of primitive and derived character states. The quadrate was firmly held to the skull by a large squamosal and a small, free, quadratojugal was retained. However, reduction of the anterior process of the quadratojugal and of the posterior process of the jugal left the lower temporal fenestra broadly open. Comparison with other diapsids leads to the conclusion that Marmoretta was a lepidosauromorph, most probably the sister taxon of Lepidosauria.     

A new species of the genus Diaphanosoma Fischer, 1850 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Sididae) from Japan

Diaphanosoma kizakiensis sp. nov. is described from material from Lake Kizaki (Honshu, Japan). It can be regarded as a member of the D. brachyurum species group, and is characterized by some specific but not readily visible features, such as the presence of a relatively small head, a small and sharp (not large and lanceolate) spine on the outer side of the distal end of the antennal basipodite, and particular features of the armament of the posteroventral valve margins. This species along with some other recently investigated Japanese cladocerans form a group of taxa which highlight that this country is one of the regional centers of cladoceran endemicity in Eastern Asia.