Description of Ganymedes yurii sp. n. (Ganymedidae), a New Gregarine Species from the Antarctic Amphipod Gondogeneia sp. (Crustacea)

A novel species of aseptate eugregarine, Ganymedes yurii sp. n., is described using microscopic and molecular approaches. It inhabits the intestine of Gondogeneia sp., a benthic amphipod found along the shore of James Ross Island, Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The prevalence of the infection was very low and only a few caudo‐frontal syzygies were found. Morphologically, the new species is close to a previously described amphipod gregarine, Ganymedes themistos, albeit with several dissimilarities in the structure of the contact zone between syzygy partners, as well as other characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA from G. yurii supported a close relationship between these species. These two species were grouped with other gregarines isolated from crustaceans hosts (Cephaloidophoroidea); however, statistical support throughout the clade of Cephaloidophoroidea gregarines was minimal using the available dataset.     

Molecular Phylogenetic Positions and Ultrastructure of Marine Gregarines (Apicomplexa) Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp. and Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe from Western Pacific scaleworms (Polynoidae)

Marine gregarines are unicellular parasites of invertebrates commonly found infecting the intestine and coelomic spaces of their hosts. Situated at the base of the apicomplexan tree, marine gregarines offer an opportunity to explore the earliest stages of apicomplexan evolution. Classification of marine gregarines is often based on the morphological traits of the conspicuous feeding stages (trophozoites) in combination with host affiliation and molecular phylogenetic data. Morphological characters of other life stages such as the spore are also used to inform taxonomy when such stages can be found. The reconstruction of gregarine evolutionary history is challenging, due to high levels of intraspecific variation of morphological characters combined with relatively few traits that are taxonomically unambiguous. The current study combined morphological data with a phylogenetic analysis of small subunit rDNA sequences to describe and establish a new genus and species (Cuspisella ishikariensis n. gen., n. sp.) of marine gregarine isolated from the intestine of a polynoid host (Lepidonotus helotypus) collected from Hokkaido, Japan. This new species possesses a set of unusual morphological traits including a spiked attachment apparatus and sits on a long branch on the molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, this study establishes a molecular phylogenetic position for Loxomorpha cf. harmothoe, a previously described marine gregarine, and reveals a new group of gregarines that infect polynoid hosts.     

Bispiculum inaequale n. gen. & sp. (Nematoda: Tetradonematidae) from New Zealand wood-boring beetles (Curculionidae: Platypodinae )

Abstract

A monotypic new genus, Bispiculum, is erected for B. inaequale n.sp. from the haemocoel of Platypus apicalis, P. caviceps, and P. gracilis, ambrosia beetles indigenous to New Zealand. B. inaequale is characterised by its possession of a pair of spicules and three rows of anal papillae in the male, and ‘escape-form’ juveniles. This is the first record of a tetradonematid in New Zealand, and the first of a tetradonematid from the Curculionidae. All stages are described, and the life history is discussed. The diagnosis of the Tetradonematidae is emended, the family is reviewed, and a key to species is provided.     

New species of the subfamily Conoderinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Dominican amber

Eulechriops argyrosoman. sp. (Curculionidae: Conoderinae: Lechropini) and Geratozygops platysoman. sp., Geratozygops stenosoman. sp. and Geratozygops arsinotusn. sp. (Curculionidae: Conoderinae: Zygopini) are described from Dominican amber. The small size, nearly parallel sides of the pronotum and silvery sheen distinguish Eulechriops argyrosoma from extant members of the genus, which have not been recorded from Hispaniola. Size and rostral and pronotal characters separate the three Geratozygops species from the single species (Geratozygops atropos) previously described from Dominican amber.http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:89BC7F43-6C1A-4A6A-839B-CE94C7F6F140     

Molecular Phylogeny and Surface Morphology of Thiriotia hyperdolphinae n. sp. and Cephaloidophora oradareae n. sp. (Gregarinasina,Apicomplexa) Isolated from a Deep Sea Oradarea sp. (Amphipoda) in the West Pacific

In an effort to broaden our understanding of the biodiversity and distribution of gregarines infecting crustaceans, this study describes two new species of gregarines, Thiriotia hyperdolphinae n. sp. and Cephaloidophora oradareae n. sp., parasitizing a deep sea amphipod (Oradarea sp.). Amphipods were collected using the ROV Hyper‐Dolphin at a depth of 855 m while on a cruise in Sagami Bay, Japan. Gregarine trophozoites and gamonts were isolated from the gut of the amphipod and studied with light and scanning electron microscopy, and phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA. Thiriotia hyperdolphinae n. sp. was distinguished from existing species based on morphology, phylogenetic position, as well as host niche and geographic locality. Cephaloidophora oradareae n. sp. distinguished itself from existing Cephaloidophora, based on a difference in host (Oradarea sp.), geographic location, and to a certain extent morphology. We established this latter new species with the understanding that a more comprehensive examination of diversity at the molecular level is necessary within Cephaloidophora. Results from the 18S rDNA molecular phylogeny showed that T. hyperdolphinae n. sp. was positioned within a clade consisting of Thiriotia spp., while C. oradareae n. sp. grouped within the Cephaloidophoridae. Still, supplemental genetic information from gregarines infecting crustaceans will be needed to better understand relationships within this group of apicomplexans.     

The oldest Brentidae and Curculionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) from the Aptian of Bon-Tsagaan

A new tribe, Palaeoerirhinini Legalov, n. tribe, two new genera, Cretotanaos Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Cretotanaosbontsaganensis n. sp.) (Curculionidae: Erirhininae) and Palaeoerirhinus Legalov, n. gen. (type species: Palaeoerirhinusponomarenkoi n. sp. (Brentidae Apioninae) and five new species, C. bontsaganensis Legalov, n. sp., P.latus Legalov, n. sp., P. thompsoni Legalov, n. sp., P. longirostris Legalov, n. sp. and P. ponomarenkoi Legalov, n. sp. from the Bon-Tsagaan locality (Mongolia, Cretaceous, Aptian) are described.http://zoobank.org/3D42DB5C-1841-46F1-A2A0-1034DDE10490     

The life cycle and host specificity of Psychodiella sergenti n. sp. and Ps. tobbi n. sp. (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in sand flies Phlebotomus sergenti and Ph. tobbi (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Two new gregarines in the recently erected genus Psychodiella (formerly Ascogregarina), Psychodiella sergenti n. sp. and Psychodiella tobbi n. sp., are described based on morphology and life cycle observations conducted on larvae and adults of their natural hosts, the sand flies Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus tobbi, respectively. The phylogenetic analyses inferred from small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequences indicate the monophyly of newly described species with Psychodiella chagasi. Ps. sergenti n. sp. and Ps. tobbi n. sp. significantly differ from each other in the life cycle and in the size of life stages. The sexual development of Ps. sergenti n. sp. (syzygy, formation of gametocysts and oocysts) takes place exclusively in blood-fed Ph. sergenti females, while the sexual development of Ps. tobbi n. sp. takes place also in males and unfed females of Ph. tobbi. The susceptibility of Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus papatasi, Ph. sergenti, Ph. tobbi, and Phlebotomus arabicus to both gregarines was examined by exposing 1st instar larvae to parasite oocysts. High host specificity was observed, as both gregarines were able to fully develop and complete regularly the life cycle only in their natural hosts. Both gregarines are considered as serious pathogens in laboratory-reared colonies of Old World sand flies.     

Molecular Phylogeny and Ultrastructure of Caliculium glossobalani n. gen. et sp. (Apicomplexa) from a Pacific Glossobalanus minutus (Hemichordata) Confounds the Relationships Between Marine and Terrestrial Gregarines

Gregarines are a diverse group of apicomplexan parasites with a conspicuous extracellular feeding stage, called a “trophozoite”, that infects the intestines and other body cavities of invertebrate hosts. Although the morphology of trophozoites is very diverse in gregarines as a whole, high degrees of intraspecific variation combined with relatively low degrees of interspecific variation make the delimitation of different species based on trophozoite morphology observed with light microscopy difficult. The coupling of molecular phylogenetic data with comparative morphology has shed considerable light onto the boundaries and interrelationships of different gregarine species. In this study, we isolated a novel marine gregarine from the hepatic region of a Pacific representative of the hemichordate Glossobalanus minutus, and report the first ultrastructural and molecular data from any gregarine infecting this distinctive group of hosts. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of an SSU rDNA sequence derived from two single‐cell isolates of this marine gregarine demonstrated a strong and unexpected affiliation with a clade of terrestrial gregarines (e.g. Gregarina). This molecular phylogenetic data combined with a comparison of the morphological features in previous reports of gregarines collected from Atlantic representatives of G. minutus justified the establishment of a new binomial for the new isolate, namely Caliculium glossobalani n. gen. et sp. The molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrated a clade of terrestrial gregarines associated with a sequence acquired from a marine species, which suggest that different groups of terrestrial/freshwater gregarines evolved independently from marine ancestors.     

The elytro-femoral stridulatory apparatus in Curculionidae (Coleoptera), with notes on the acoustic behaviour of Arniticus hylobioides (Boheman 1843) and Erodiscus proximus (Viana 1959), and thanatosis display in the latter species

The elytro-femoral stridulatory apparatus of two species of Curculionidae is described and figured: Erodiscus proximus (Curculioninae: Erodiscini) and Arniticus hylobioides (Molytinae: Hylobiini). Notes on sound generation, acoustical behaviour and phylogenetic implications are given. Thanatosis display is reported for the first time in Erodiscus proximus.     

New species of Pachycotes Sharp and Xylechinus Chapuis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae,Tomicini) from New Caledonian Araucaria spp. (Coniferales: Araucariaceae)

Abstract

Three new bark beetle species, Pachycotes grandis sp. n., P. engelsi sp. n., and Xylechinus araucariae sp. n. (Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Tomicini), are described and illustrated. Brief notes on their life histories are given. The beetles were collected from dead branches and logs of Araucaria laubenfelsii and A. muelleri trees in New Caledonia. In addition, a key for all nine known Pachycotes species (P. araucariae Schedl, P. australis Schedl, P. clavatus Schedl, P. grandis sp. n., P. engelsi sp. n., P. kuscheli Schedl, P. minor Wood, P. peregrinus (Chapuis), and P. villosus Schedl) is presented.     

Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), a New Species from Antarctic Soil

A new soil ciliate, Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp., from King George Island, Antarctica, is described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and its 18S rRNA gene. The new genus Pseudonotohymena is morphologically similar to the genus Notohymena Blatterer and Foissner 1988 in the following characteristics: 18 fronto‐ventral‐transverse cirri, a flexible body, undulating membranes, dorsomarginal kineties, and the number of cirri in the marginal rows. However, Pseudonotohymena differs from Notohymena particularly in the dorsal ciliature, that is, in possessing a nonfragmented dorsal kinety (vs. fragmented). In addition, the molecular phylogenetic relationship of the new species differs from that of Notohymena species. On the basis of the morphological features, the genetic data, and morphogenesis, we establish P. antarctica n. g., n. sp. In addition, the cyst morphology of this species is described.     

Descriptions of a broad-nosed weevil (Eudiagogini: Curculionidae) and false ladybird beetle (Nilionini: Nilionidae) in Dominican amber

A broad-nosed weevil, Promecops tumidirostris n. sp. (Eudiagogini: Curculionidae), and a false ladybird beetle, Nilio dominicana n. sp. (Nilionini: Nilionidae), are described from Dominican amber. P. tumidirostris can be distinguished from extant species by the greatly swollen apical portion of its rostrum, large eyes almost meeting on top of its head and a V-shaped suture separating the first and second abdominal sternites. N. dominicana differs from extant species by its small size and 18 elytral striae with small interstrial punctures. Neither tribe is represented in Hispaniola today, supporting earlier studies showing a greater biodiversity in the region during the mid-Tertiary than at present.     

A specimen of Curculioninae (Curculionidae,Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous,Araripe Basin,north‐eastern Brazil

Abstract: A specimen of Curculionidae (Curculioninae) is described as Arariperhinus monnei gen. et sp. nov. The specimen is preserved on a laminated limestone sample of the Crato Formation (Santana Group), Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian), and was collected from a quarry near Nova Olinda, Chapada do Araripe, State of Ceará, Brazil. The genus is placed in the subfamily Curculioninae because of its strongly convex body and relatively slender rostrum, but mainly by its rounded eyes and lack of a prosternal sulcus and tibial spurs. The very prominent eyes in lateral view, a cylindrical rostrum and a straight posterior margin of ventrite II are strong indications that this fossil belongs to the tribe Anthonomini. However, the claws, which would resolve the exact placement of this fossil, are poorly preserved. Arariperhinus monnei gen. et sp. nov. is distinguishable by the combination of several characters and the first record of the family Curculionidae in the Santana Group; it is the oldest record of a member of the subfamily Curculioninae.     

Dominibrentus leptus,n. gen., n. sp. (Curculionoidea,Brentidae, Cyphagoginae,Dominibrentini, n. tribe), a straight-snouted weevil in Dominican amber

A new tribe, genus and species of straight-snouted weevils (Dominibrentus leptus, n. gen., n. sp., Dominibrentini, n. tribe; Coleoptera: Brentidae; Cyphagoginae) has been described from Dominican amber. The new taxon is characterised by compressed, ventrolateral concavities on the prothorax and abdomen and lateral concavities on the metathorax for reception of the legs. This is the first representative of a straight-snouted weevil in amber.     

New species of the subfamily Cossoninae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Dominican amber

The following new genus and seven new species of Cossonine weevils (Curculionidae: Cossoninae) are described from Dominican amber: Acamptus exilipes Poinar and Legalov, n. sp. (similar to A. rigidus), Caulophilus camptus Poinar and Legalov, n. sp. (similar to C. bennetti), Caulophilus elongatus Poinar and Legalov, n. sp. (similar to C. swensoni), Caulophilus ruidipunctus Poinar and Legalov, n. sp., Dryotribus pedanus Poinar and Legalov, n. sp. (similar to D. amplioculus), Ogygius obrieni Poinar and Legalov, n. gen., n. sp. (similar to the genus Apotrepus), and Stenotrupis pumilis Poinar and Legalov, n. sp. (similar to S. breviscapus). A key to the Dominican amber species of the genus Caulophilus is provided. Based on the extant weevil fauna, it appears that the Hispaniolan Cossonine were more diverse in the Tertiary than at present. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:14D1CFC0-4967-4D22-888B-0DE3E157D6BD     

Molecular Phylogenetic Positions of Two New Marine Gregarines (Apicomplexa)—Paralecudina anankea n. sp. and Lecudina caspera n. sp.—from the Intestine of Lumbrineris inflata (Polychaeta) Show Patterns of Co‐evolution

Gregarine apicomplexans are unicellular parasites commonly found in the intestines and coeloms of invertebrate hosts. Traits associated with the conspicuous feeding stage of gregarines, known as the trophozoite, have been used in combination with molecular phylogenetic data for species delimitation and the reconstruction of evolutionary history. Trophozoite morphology alone is often inadequate for inferring phylogenetic relationships and delimiting species due to frequent cases of high intraspecific variation combined with relatively low interspecific variation. The current study combined morphological data with small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences to describe and establish two novel marine gregarine species isolated from the intestine of a polychaete host Lumbrineris inflata collected in British Columbia (Canada): Paralecudina anankea n. sp. and Lecudina caspera n. sp. The sister species to the host is Lumbrineris japonica, which can be found on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean (Japan) and contains two different species of gregarine parasites: Paralecudina polymorpha and Lecudina longissima. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed P. anankea n. sp. as the sister species to P. polymorpha and L. caspera n. sp. as the sister species to L. longissima. This phylogenetic pattern demonstrates a co‐evolutionary history whereby speciation of the host (Lumbrineris) corresponds with simultaneous speciation of the two different lineages of intestinal gregarines (Paralecudina and Lecudina).     

Molecular Characterization of Gregarines from Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and Description of Psychodiella n. g. (Apicomplexa: Gregarinida)

ABSTRACT. Sand fly and mosquito gregarines have been lumped for a long time in the single genus Ascogregarina and on the basis of their morphological characters and the lack of merogony been placed into the eugregarine family Lecudinidae. Phylogenetic analyses performed in this study clearly demonstrated paraphyly of the current genus Ascogregarina and revealed disparate phylogenetic positions of gregarines parasitizing mosquitoes and gregarines retrieved from sand flies. Therefore, we reclassified the genus Ascogregarina and created a new genus Psychodiella to accommodate gregarines from sand flies. The genus Psychodiella is distinguished from all other related gregarine genera by the characteristic localization of oocysts in accessory glands of female hosts, distinctive nucleotide sequences of the small subunit rDNA, and host specificity to flies belonging to the subfamily Phlebotominae. The genus comprises three described species: the type species for the new genus— Psychodiella chagasi ( Adler and Mayrink 1961 ) n. comb., Psychodiella mackiei ( Shortt and Swaminath 1927 ) n. comb., and Psychodiella saraviae ( Ostrovska, Warburg, and Montoya-Lerma 1990 ) n. comb. Its creation is additionally supported by sequencing data from other gregarine species originating from the sand fly Phlebotomus sergenti . In the evolutionary context, both genera of gregarines from mosquitoes ( Ascogregarina ) and sand flies ( Psychodiella ) have a close relationship to neogregarines; the genera represent clades distinct from the other previously sequenced gregarines.     

Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi n. sp. (Nematoda: Allantonematidae), a parasite of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Metaparasitylenchus hypothenemi n. sp. (Nematoda: Allantonematidae) is described from the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in Chiapas, Mexico. This species differs from other members of the genus by its small size, annulated cuticle, lateral fields with 3 ridges, free-living stages with an excretory pore located between the pharyngeal gland orifices, a distinct stylet with basal swellings in free-living females, a postvulval uterine extension, a thin stylet lacking basal swellings in males, 2 separate spicules, a gubernaculum, and a peloderan bursa. Parasitic females are white, with a straight or slightly curved body and are ovoviviparous. Third-stage juveniles emerge from parasitized beetles and molt twice before reaching the adult stage. Because the coffee berry borer is the most important pest of coffee throughout the world and this parasite partially or completely sterilizes female beetles, it is worthy of further investigation as a potential biological control agent.