Comparative morphology of larvae of coastal crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Varunidae)

The larval development of three crabs of the Varunidae family, (Hemigrapsus sanguineus, H. penicillatus, and H. longitarsis), widely spread in Russian waters of the Sea of Japan, were studied under laboratory conditions. At a temperature of 20–22°C and a salinity of 32‰ about 30% of larvae a complete developmental cycle, including five zoeal stages and megalopa, took from 22 to 30 days. All larval stages are illustrated and described in detail. Zoea I and zoea II of the studied crabs are not distinguishable. Zoea III–V of these species differ in the number of dorsomedial setae on the abdominal somite I and in the number of setae on the posterodorsal arch. The megalopae of three Hemigrapsus species possess a different number of segments, aesthetascs and setae on the antennular exopod. In spite of the great similarity of larvae of genera Hemigrapsus and Eriocheir, the latter possesses a number of distinctive features in all developmental stages, supporting the separation of these genera.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vanderhorstia papilio</Emphasis>, a new shrimp-associated goby from the Ryukyu Islands,Japan (Perciformes: Gobiidae: Gobiinae), with comments on the limits of the genus

A new gobiid fish, Vanderhorstia papilio, is described based on a single specimen (40.9mm SL) captured from a sandy-mud bottom at a depth of 45m in a protected bay of Iriomote-jima Island, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: 11 segmented dorsal-fin rays; 11 segmented anal-fin rays; 27 longitudinal scales; 11 predorsal scales; third spine of first dorsal fin elongate, filamentous, and longer than preceding spine; fifth and ninth branched caudal-fin rays elongate, filamentous, and forming bifurcated caudal fin; fifth and ninth branched caudal-fin rays with a single branch in each; cephalic sensory-papillae row a comprises three widely-spaced papillae; when live or fresh, numerous small yellow spots scattered on head, body, and dorsal fins; dusky yellowish-brown vertical bar below eye; four dark gray-brown saddles on body, in addition to a similarly colored large blotch at midlateral caudal-fin base. The limits and diagnosis of the genus Vanderhorstia are discussed.     

New species and new records of pinnotherid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) from the Yellow Sea

Five species belonging to two genera of pinnotherid crabs are reported from the Yellow Sea. Two are new to science, namely: Sakaina glabra sp. nov. and Sakaina granulata sp. nov.; while three species are recorded for the first time from China: Pinnaxodes majorOrtmann, 1894, Pinnaxodes mutuensisSakai, 1939, and Sakaina japonicaSerène, 1964. Sakaina glabra can be easily distinguished from congeners by lacking a thick rim of pubescence along the anterolateral margin of the carapace. Sakaina granulata closely resembles S. asiatica (Sakai, 1933), but differs mainly in having a row of granule-like denticles along the anterolateral margin of its carapace.     

Discovery of the genus Suhpalacsa Lefèbvre (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae: Ascalaphinae) in Japan, with description of a new species

Suhpalacsa iriomotensis sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae: Ascalaphinae), is described from Iriomotejima Island, Japan. This new species can be easily distinguished from other species of the genus by the unique ventrolateral prominences of the male ectoproct. This is the first record of the genus Suhpalacsa from Japan. The morphology of the male ectoproct and the monophyly of Suhpalacsa are discussed briefly.     

A new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stempellinella</Emphasis> (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Hiroshima,Japan

Stempellinella coronata sp. n. is described and illustrated based on male imagines. The new species can be separated from other Stempellinella species by its small size, low antennal ratio, high front leg ratio, minute frontal tubercles, a comparatively long median volsella, lacking median tergal setae, and lacking well-developed anal crests on the tergite IX. The generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is emended mainly to accommodate S. coronata. The species has so far been collected only from autumn to winter at pools in the unpolluted upper to mid reaches and was recorded first from the Ohta River system, Hiroshima, Japan.     

The description of a new species of the Neotropical land crab genus Gecarcinus Leach, 1814 (Crustacea,Decapoda, Brachyura,Gecarcinidae)

In this contribution a new species of the land crab genus Gecarcinus Leach, 1814, from the Neotropical Pacific coast of South America is described and illustrated. In addition to its unique body color, Gecarcinus nobiliisp. n. is distinguished from congeners by a distinctly wider carapace front and differences in the shape of the infraorbital margin. The new species is not isolated from Gecarcinus populations from the Pacific coast of Central America by an insurmountable geographic barrier. Considering the closure of the Panamanian Isthmus as a calibration point for morphological divergence between the trans-isthmian mainland populations of Gecarcinus, the virtual lack of morphological differentiation (other than color) between them and the distinctness of G. nobiliisp. n. suggests that G. nobiliisp. n. evolved from a common ancestor before the Isthmus closed.     

The genus Cryptophagus Herbst, 1792 (Coleoptera: Cryptophagidae) in Japan with description of a new species

The 17 species of the genus Cryptophagus Herbst known from Japan are analysed and revised. The opinions of different authors about the value of the characteristics of the external anatomy are contrasted, and an identification key and figures of the studied species are presented. Cryptophagus jaloszynskii sp. nov is described. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of taxa is revised and 3 new synonyms are proposed: Cryptophagus deceptor Grouvelle, 1919 and Cryptophagus longipennis Grouvelle, 1919 are syn. nov. for Cryptophagus dilutus Reitter, 1874 and Cryptophagus longiventris Grouvelle, 1919 syn. nov. for Cryptophagus latangulus Reitter, 1889. Cryptophagus elegans Grouvelle, 1919 resurrected from synonymy with Cryptophagus decoratus Reitter, 1874. A neotype is designated for Cryptophagus elegans Grouvelle, 1918; a lectotype and paralectotype is designated for 7 taxa: Cryptophagus decoratus Reitter, 1874; Cryptophagus deceptor Grouvelle, 1919; Cryptophagus grouvellei Bruce, 1938; Cryptophagus latangulus Reitter, 1889; Cryptophagus lewisi Reitter, 1874; Cryptophagus longior Grouvelle, 1919 and Cryptophagus longiventris Grouvelle, 1919. Cryptophagus zonatus Lyubarsky, 1995 previously known only from China is reported here for the first time from Japan. A key to all the species occurring in Japan is presented.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7FF52749-590D-46F6-9794-1E2301906ECB     

A new species of Polymastia (Porifera, Hadromerida, Polymastiidae) from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA

Polymastia fluegeli n. sp. is described from deep water off the Aleutian Islands (Alaska, USA). P. fluegeli is disc-shaped and lives partly buried in the sediment, with only the papillae protruding above the surface. This new species has a basal layer of agglutinated sediment particles occurring between the choanosome and the ectosomal lower layer. This conspicuous sediment layer is not described for other species of Polymastia. Occurring spicule types and sizes are different from known species of the area.     

帕萨瓢蜡蝉属综述及中国一新种记述（半翅目：蜡蝉总科：瓢蜡蝉科）

对帕萨瓢蜡蝉属的研究进行了综述并修订了属征,报道采自中国湖北和广西的帕萨瓢蜡蝉属1新种:三叶帕萨瓢蜡蝉Parasarima triphylla sp. nov.。该新种与帕萨瓢蜡蝉Parasarima pallizona(Matsumura)相似,主要区别为:1)前翅M脉3分支,后者2分支;2)后足刺式,前者6-7-2,后者7-9-2;3)抱器的突起基部尖细、端部钝圆,后者突起的基部和端部钝圆。研究标本保存在西北农林科技大学昆虫博物馆。     

A new lotic species of the genus Leptocerus Leach (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) from Japan

A new lotic species of leptocerid caddisfly, Leptocerus fluminalis sp. nov., is described based on adult and immature stages from Japan. The habitat and gut contents of this species are noted.     

Molecular phylogeny of the crab genus Brachynotus (Brachyura: Varunidae) based on the 16S rRNA gene

The crab genus Brachynotus de Haan, 1833 is restricted to the intertidal and shallow subtidal of the Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic. It is presently recognized to consist of four species, of which three (B. foresti, B. gemmellari and B. sexdentatus) are endemic to the Mediterranean. The fourth species, B. atlanticus, is found along the Atlantic coasts of northern Africa and southern Europe, but also extends into the western Mediterranean. This high level of endemism suggests that speciation within Brachynotus is strongly correlated with the geography and geology of the Mediterranean Sea. A molecular phylogeny based on the mitochondrial large subunit (16S) rRNA gene indicates that the four species of Brachynotus form a monophyletic group within Atlantic Varunidae. The DNA sequence data also show that the genus Brachynotus can be subdivided into two species groups, one comprising B. atlanticus and B. foresti, and the other one B. gemmellari and B. sexdentatus. While B. atlanticus and B. foresti are clearly genetically distinct, B. gemmellari and B. sexdentatus are identical in the studied region of the 16S rRNA gene, suggesting a recent separation or continuing gene flow.     

A new species of the genus Molanna Curtis (Trichoptera, Molannidae) from the Yaeyama Islands, the southernmost part of Japan

A new species of molannid caddisfly, Molanna yaeyamensis sp. nov., is described based on adult and immature stages from the Yaeyama Islands, the Ryukyu Archipelago, the southernmost part of Japan.     

Eight new species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycena</Emphasis> from central Honshu,Japan

Eight new species of the genus Mycena (Agaricales) found on dead leaves or twigs in warm temperate lowland forests are described and illustrated from central Honshu, Japan: (1) Mycena fonticola sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes); (2) Mycena intersecta sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes); (3) Mycena lanuginosa sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes); (4) Mycena mustea sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes); (5) Mycena multiplicata sp. nov. (section Mycena); (6) Mycena nidificata sp. nov. (section Hiemales); (7) Mycena fuscoaurantiaca sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes); and (8) Mycena clariviolacea sp. nov. (section Fragilipedes).     

The complete mitogenome of the hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus (Decapoda, Brachyura) and comparison with brachyuran crabs

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of a hydrothermal vent crab Xenograpsus testudinatus (Decapoda: Brachyura) obtained from the hydrothermal vents off Kueishantao Island, Taiwan, which extend from the deep sea Okinawa Trench. The mitogenome of X. testudinatus was 15,796 bp in length and contained the same 37 genes (e.g. 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 13 PCGs) found in other metazoan mitogenomes. Analysis of the structural mt gene order in X. testudinatus revealed that the 13 PCGs, excluding a translocation of ND6-Cyt b cluster, were similarly ordered when compared to the pancrustacean ground pattern; however the tRNAs were severely rearranged. Phylogenetic analysis of decapod mitogenomes showed that the molecular taxonomy of the vent crab was in accordance with its morphological systematics. Together, these findings suggest that the vent crab studied here has little mitochondrial genetic variation when compared with morphologically defined conspecifics from other marine habitats.     

A new species of the genusamblyeleotris (pisces: Gobiidae) from Japan

A new shrimp-associated goby,Amblyeleotris melanocephala, is described on the basis of specimens from Okinoshima Island. Kochi Prefecture, and Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The species is distinguished from other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: head dark brown, a few yellow spots on pectoral fin base and opercular margin, 13 second dorsal and 13 anal fin soft rays, 20 pectoral fin rays, longitudinal scales 92–101, proportional length of interpelvic connecting membrane relative to longest pelvic fin ray (CM-value) 0.46–0.55, presence of a ventral frenum, midline of nape naked, sides scaled above midpoint between preopercle and opercle.     

Two new species of the genusAmblyeleotris (Pisces: Gobiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands,Japan

Two new shrimp-associated gobies,Amblyeleotris yanoi sp. nov. andA. masuii sp. nov. are described on the basis of specimens from Iriomote-jima Island and Okinawa-jima Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.A. yanoi is distinguished from other members of the genus by the combination of the following characters: 14 anal fin soft rays, 19 pectoral fin rays, 97–103 longitudinal scales, a candle flame-shaped marking on the caudal fin, a very low membrane connecting the pelvic fins and absence of a ventral frenum.A. masuii differs from all other congeners by having 92–97 longitudinal scales, the length of the interpelvic connecting membrane relative to the longest pelvic fin ray (0.43–0.66), black blotches on the sides of the chin, and blue spots on the opercle and preopercle.     

Internal anatomy and ultrastructure of the male reproductive system of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda: Brachyura)

The morphology and function of the male reproductive system in the spider crab Maja brachydactyla, an important commercial species, is described using light and electron microscopy. The reproductive system follows the pattern found among brachyuran with several peculiarities. The testis, known as tubular testis, consists of a single, highly coiled seminiferous tubule divided all along by an inner epithelium into germinal, transformation, and evacuation zones, each playing a different role during spermatogenesis. The vas deferens (VD) presents diverticula increasing in number and size towards the median VD, where spermatophores are stored. The inner monostratified epithelium exocytoses the materials involved in the spermatophore wall formation (named substance I and II) and spermatophore storage in the anterior and median VD, respectively. A large accessory gland is attached to the posterior VD, and its secretions are released as granules in apocrine secretion, and stored in the lumen of the diverticula as seminal fluids. A striated musculature may contribute to the formation and movement of spermatophores and seminal fluids along the VD. The ejaculatory duct (ED) shows a multilayered musculature and a nonsecretory pseudostratified epithelium, and extrudes the reproductive products towards the gonopores. A tissue attached to the ED is identified as the androgenic gland.     

Troglocyclops janstocki,new genus,new species,a very primitive cyclopid (Copepods: Cyclopoida) from an anchialine cave in the Bahamas

Troglocyclops janstocki is proposed to accommodate cyclopids from Hatchet Bay Cave, Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. The species is the most primitive member of the Halicyclopinae because of the presence of 15-segmented antennules, mandibular palp reduced to 3 setae, one of them quite long and plumose, a bisegmented maxillary endopodite, and 3 segments in the maxilliped endopodite. These copepods possess the first pediger still distinct, being partially enclosed dorsally and laterally by a carapace-like extension of the posterior margin of the dorsal cephalic shield. This latter character represents a plesiomorphic state shared with the primitive cyclopinids and, within the Cyclopidae, only with the Euryteinae. The new taxon is the only known species of Halicyclopinae having two apical spines on the terminal segment of the exopodite of legs 2 to 4, and the intercoxal sclerites of the legs 1 and 2 sexually dimorphic. The phylogenetic importance of each of these characters is discussed.