Thaumamermis cosgrovei n. gen., n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) parasitizing terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscoidea)

Summary A new mermithid nematode, Thaumamermis cosgrovei n. gen., n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) was found parasitizing two terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscoidea) in California. The hosts, Armadillidium vulgare (Latr.) (a pillbug) and Porcellio scaber (Latr.) (a sowbug) represent the first cases of isopods attacked by mermithid nematodes. The genus Thaumamermis can be distinguished from all previously described mermithids by the extremely dimorphic spicules, one being short and broad and the other long and filiform. It has been discovered that the nematodes are infected with an iridiovirus which commonly destroys the isopod hosts. ac]19800917     

Dicrocoeliidae (Trematoda: Digenea) of Australian mammals with description of Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp., Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. and Platynosomum burrman n. sp.

Dicrocoelium antechini n. sp. is described from the bile ducts of Antechinus swainsonii and A. stuartii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from New South Wales. The species differs from all others in the genus in that the caecal bifurcation is well posterior to the ventral sucker and testes. Athesmioides aiolos n. g., n. sp. is described from Rattus fuscipes and R. lutreolus from New South Wales and from R. norvegicus, R. lutreolus and Pseudomys higginsi from Tasmania (all Rodentia: Muridae). The genus Athesmioides is characterised by the presence of unilateral vitelline follicles and an undivided caecum. Platynosomum burrman n. sp. is described from Isoodon macrourus (Marsupialia: Peramelidae) from the Northern Territory. It differs from other species in a combination of characters regarding the shape of the forebody, the arrangement of the gonads, the disposition of the uterus and the size of the eggs. The taxonomic status of Platynosomum australiense (Sandars, 1958), Brachylecithum insulare Angel & Pearson, 1977 and Brachylecithum hydromyos Angel & Pearson, 1977 are summarised. Records are presented of undescribed dicrocoeliids from the marsupials Petaurus breviceps, Planigale maculata and Dasyurus hallucatus and the murids Rattus fuscipes and Melomys sp.     

Two amphistomes,Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp., from the Australian turtle Elseya dentata (Gray)

Summary Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. (family and subfamily uncertain) and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp. (family Paramphistomidae, subfamily Dadaytrematinae?), from the intestine of the freshwater turtle Elseya dentata (Gray) in Queensland, Australia, are described. Lobatodiscus has a large lobed acetabulum, small oral diverticula which do not protrude out of the oral sucker, two pairs of lymph vessels and no oesophageal bulb. Elseyatrema has a small acetabulum, large protruding oral diverticula, an oesophageal bulb, juxtaposed testes, one pair of rudimentary lymph vessels and no cirrus-sac. ac]19830626     

Yunotrechus diannanensis n. gen., n. sp., the first troglobitic trechine (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from a tropical area of China

In the present paper Yunotrechus diannanensis n. gen., n. sp. is described and illustrated from two limestone caves which are close to each other in Wenshan and Maguan counties of southern Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Yunotrechus is an anophthalmoid, not directly related to any hypogean trechine genera hitherto known in Yunnan or in southeastern Asian countries because all of them are aphaenopsoids, with elongated prothorax and tumid propleura. The phylogenetic position of Yunotrechus within Trechinae in China or southeastern Asia remains unclear, although it may be related to Superbotrechus Deuve & Tian 2009, which was recorded from western Hubei Province, central China, and Sichuanotrechus Deuve 2006, which was recorded from northern Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Y. diannanensis n. sp. is the first troglobitic trechine beetle discovered in a tropical area of China.     

Monodelphoxyuris dollmeiri n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Oxyurida) from Monodelphis emiliae in Peru

Monodelphoxyuris dollmeiri n. g., n. sp. is described from the caecum of Monodelphis emiliae (Thomas) (Marsupiala: Monodelphidae) collected in the eastern region of the Andes of Peru. M. dollmeiri n. sp. differs from the closest pinworm described from marsupials in the Neotropics (Didelphoxyuris thylamisis Gardner & Hugot, 1995) in having operculate eggs and males that possess a tip prolonged of tail and a different kind of area rugosa. Several other species of pinworms have been described from marsupials in Australia, but all are characterised by possessing of a buccal capsule that is strongly cuticularised with interradial lamellae. These structures are lacking both in M. dollmeiriandD. thylamisis. Monodelphoxyuris n. g. is characterised by a mouth opening into a depression and lateral alae composed of two longitudinal crests. Males possess an area rugosa composed of six ventral sagittal mamelons, a caudal extremity prolonged by a robust tip of the tail which is directed backwards, four pairs of genital papillae (two pairs lateral adanal and sessile, one pair just posterior to the spicule aperture, and the last pair at posterior extremity and pedunculate). Females possess an opisthodelphic uterus, a reflected ovary and operculate, unembryonated, oval eggs.     

Spalacina yanchevi n. g., n. sp. (Nematoda: Heligmonellidae) from the lesser mole rat Spalax leucodon (Rodentia: Spalacidae)

Spalacina n. g. (Heligmonellidae, Nippostrongylinae) is erected for S. yanchevi n. sp. (type-species) [syns Heligmonina nevoi of Genov & Janchev (1982) and Genov (1984)] from Spalax leucodon (Spalacidae) and two other species from spalacid rodents previously considered as members of Heligmonina Baylis, 1928: S. spalacis (Sharpilo, 1973) n. comb. and S. nevoi (Wertheim & Durette-Desset, 1975) n. comb. The new genus belongs to the subfamily Nippostrongylinae and is closely related to the genus Heligmonina from which it can be distinguished by a greater angle of rotation of the synlophe, the absence of a gradient on the ventral ridges and a weakly developed right dorsal ridge. The zoogeographical distribution of Spalacina spp. is associated with that of Palaearctic spalacids. S. yanchevi differs from S. spalacis and S. nevoi in the number and size of the ridges, the distance between the extremities of the rays 6 and 8, the degree of reduction of the dorsal ray and the length of the spicules.     

Sundapolystoma chalconotae n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Rana chalconota (Schlegel) of Peninsular Malaysia

Sundapolystoma chalconotae. n. g., n. sp. (Polystomatidae, Polystomatinae) is proposed for a new polystomatid from the urinary bladder of Rana chalconota (Schlegel) in Peninsular Malaysia. This is the first species of polystomatid to be described from the amphibians of Peninsular Malaysia and the second for the Southeast Asian region. This new genus, as exemplified by S. chalconotae, differs from other polystomatids, and in particular Parapolystoma Ozaki, 1935 (P. bulliense (Johnston, 1912) Ozaki, 1935 and P. johnstoni Pichelin, 1995), in having a tubular uterus and a single diffuse testis. P. crooki Vande Vusse, 1976 is similar to S. chalconotae in having a similar type of uterus and testis, and is re-assigned as Sundapolystoma crooki (Vande Vusse, 1976) n. comb. S. chalconotae differs from S. crooki in having anchors with a longer outer root rather than a longer inner root and 7-8 genital spines compared to 9-13 in S. crooki.     

Saetheriella amplicristata gen. n., sp. n., a new Orthocladiinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from Tennessee

The generic diagnosis of the male imago of a new genus of the subfamily Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae), Saetheriella is given. The genus is characterized by protruding, hairy eyes; antenna with straight, apical seta; antepronotum reduced; squama without setae; Cu₁ distinctly downcurved; and anal point short, triangular, covered with microtrichia and with two strong, lateral setae. The genus is close to Gynnidocladius Sublette & Wirth, Unniella Sæther and Parakiefferiella Thienemann. The distribution of the genera shows evidence of a Gondwanian connection. The male imago of the only included species S. amplicristata sp. n. is described.     

Australotrema brisbanensis n.g., n.sp. (Paramphistomidae: Dadaytrematinae) from the Australian freshwater mullet Trachystoma petardi (Castlenau)

Summary A new paramphistomatid, Australotrema brisbanensis n.g., n.sp. from the intestine of Trachystoma petardi from the Brisbane River is described and illustrated. It is assigned to the subfamily Dadaytrematinae and distinguished from other members of the subfamily by the shape of the acetabulum which has a transverse opening guarded by a strong muscular sphincter. ac]19801204     

Strzeleckia major n. g., n. sp. and S. minor n. sp. (Digenea: Hasstilesiidae) from Antechinus swainsonii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) in Australia

Strzeleckia major n. g., n. sp. and S. minor n. sp. are described from the dusky antechinus Antechinus swainsonii (Marsupialia: Dasyuridae) from the Kosciusko National Park in southern New South Wales, Australia. The two species were found together in the same individual host animals but occupy different sites in the intestine. The new genus is placed within the Hasstilesiidae, where it differs from the only other genus, Hasstilesia, by being more elongate and in having larger suckers, tandem testes, the ovary between rather than opposite the testes, and in having the caeca not reaching the posterior end of the body. It is suggested that the life-cycles of these species are similar to those of other hasstilesiids. Pupillid snails may act as sole intermediate hosts.     

Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Two New Marine Euplotids,Pseudodiophrys nigricans n. g., n. sp., and Paradiophrys zhangi n. sp. (Ciliophora: Euplotida)

ABSTRACT. The morphology, infraciliature, and molecular phylogeny of Pseudodiophrys nigricans n. g., n. sp., and Paradiophrys zhangi n. sp., isolated from a sandy beach near Qingdao, China, were investigated. Pseudodiophrys is characterized by the Diophrys‐like ciliature pattern, but having only a single, reduced undulating membrane. Pseudodiophrys nigricans, the type species by monotypy, is described from live and silver‐impregnated specimens. Paradiophrys zhangi is similar to the type species Paradiophrys irmgard but can be recognized by its border body and the number (7 vs. 8–10) and arrangement (in rows vs. sparsely distributed) of the frontoventral cirri. Small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence data support the validity of both species. Phylogenetic analyses based on the SSU rRNA gene sequence data currently available for uronychiids and other related taxa indicate that P. nigricans is most closely related to Diophrys scutum and Diophrys apoligothrix, while P. zhangi clusters most closely with Apodiophrys ovalis within a clade that also includes two other Paradiophrys species.     

Dactylomyza gibsoni n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Opecoelidae) from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite) (Monodactylidae) from off Western Australia

An opecoelid digenean, Dactylomyza gibsoni n. g., n. sp. is described and figured from Schuettea woodwardi (Waite), a monodactylid from off the coast of Western Australia. The new genus conforms to the concept of the opecoelid subfamily Opecoelinae. The resemblance of the new genus to three other opecoelid genera, Pseudopecoeloides Yamaguti, 1940, Opecoeloides Odhner, 1928 and Poracanthium Dollfus, 1948, is discussed. Dactylomyza n. g. is distinguished from these morphologically similar worms on the basis of its median genital pore, ventral sucker appendages, uroproct and the absence of an accessory sucker. Pseudopecoeloides equesi Manter, 1947 is transferred to the new genus as Dactylomyza equesi (Manter, 1947) n. comb.     

A new genus and species of Baetidae from Sri Lanka (Ceylon): Indocloeon primum gen.n., sp.n. (Insecta,Ephemeroptera)

The nymph of a new genus and species, Indocloeon primum gen.n., sp.n. from Sri Lanka is described, distinguishing characteristics are illustrated. This new genus is most closely related to Cloeon Leach and Centroptilum Eaton. Indocloeon gen.n. possesses a unique combination of morphological characters and two derived characters.     

Lusitaneura covensis n. gen., n. sp., first Caloneurodea from the Carboniferous of Portugal (Insecta: Pterygota: Panorthoptera)

Lusitaneura covensis n. gen., n. sp., from the Late Carboniferous (Lower Stephanian C) of the Douro Basin (NW of Portugal), is the first Portuguese representative of the Palaeozoic insect order Caloneurodea.     

Renivermis crocodyli (Digenea: Exotidendriidae) n. g., n. sp. from the kidneys of the saltwater crocodileCrocodylus porosus in Australia

Renivermis crocodyli, n. g., n. sp., is described from the kidneys of the saltwater crocodileCrocodylus porosus Schneider from northern Australia. The genusRenivermis is grouped withExotidendrium Mehra, 1935 andSimhatrema Chattopadhyaya, 1970 in the family Exotidendriidae Mehra, 1935. An amended diagnosis of the family and a key to its genera are given.     

Pseudocapillaria (Discocapillaria) margolisi n. subg., n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) from freshwater fishes of West Bengal,India

A new nematode,Pseudocapillaria (Discocapillaria) margolisi n. subg., n. sp., from the freshwater fishesPuntius conchonius, P. sophore andAmblypharyngodon mola of West Bengal, India is described. The presence of a ventral lobe-like elevation with two papillae and the absence of a dorsal cuticular membrane on the male tail are referred to as distinguishing features of the new subgenus. The parasite is also characterised by small body size, short and non-annulated stichocytes, a distinctly expanded and folded lobular rim of the proximal end of the spicule, and eggs with protruding polar plugs, all features in which it differs distinctly from other species of the genusPseudocapillaria.     

Predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider,Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) with its wasp prey,Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

The present work shows predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider, Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) against a parasitic wasp, Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. An adult male and juvenile of G. burmanica in the same web provide the first fossil evidence of sociality in spiders. The spider is characterised by a pedipalp with a hemispherical tegulum, a subtegulum curved at 180°and an apical spiralled embolas-conductor bent approximately 45°at midpoint. The male wasp is characterised by an ocellar tubercle, 12-segmented antennae with a feeble five-segmented clava, thick sensilla trichodea curvata with rounded ends on the claval antennomeres, a short uncus, a short post-marginal vein and a nebulose radial sector (Rs) vein extending from the uncus to the costal margin of the forewing. This is the first fossil evidence of spider sociality and a fossil spider attacking prey trapped in its web.     

Family Lasiosynidae n. fam., new palaeoendemic Mesozoic family from the infraorder Elateriformia (Coleoptera: Polyphaga)

Lasiosynidae n. fam. is proposed for the genera Lasiosyne Tan, Ren & Chih 2007 (transferred from Archostemata to Polyphaga), Anacapitis Yan 2009 Tarsomegamerus Zhang 2005 (proposed in the superfamily Chrysomeloidea) and Bupredactyla n. gen. The new family is regarded in composition of the infraorder Elateriformia without a more detailed attribution, because it demonstrates a mixture of characters of different families and superfamilies, i.e. somehow an intermediate position between the superfamilies Dascilloidea, Elateroidea, Buprestoidea and Byrrhoidea with most resemblance to Dascillidae, Schizopodidae, Eulichadidae, Ptilodactylidae and Callirrhipidae and probable more close relationship to the last three families. Four new fossil species of the genus Lasiosyne: L. daohugouensis n. sp., L. fedorenkoi n. sp., L. gratiosa n. sp., L. quadricollis n. sp., and also Bupredactyla magna n. sp. are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of eastern Inner Mongolia, China. A probable generic composition of the new family is considered. The synonymy of generic names Anacapitis Yan 2009 and Brachysyne Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. as well as synonymy of species names Lasiosyne euglyphea Tan, Ren & Chih 2007, Pappisyne eucallus Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. and Pappisyne spathulata Tan & Ren 2009, n. syn. are proposed.     

Melogonimus rhodanometra n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Ptychogonimidae) from the elasmobranch Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider (Rhinobatidae) from the southeastern coastal waters of Queensland,Australia

The new genus Melogonimus is defined and adults of its type-species, M. rhodanometra n. sp., are described from Rhina ancylostoma from Moreton Bay, Queensland. This is the first record of a digenean from this host species. It is argued that metacercariae from the portunid crab Portunus pelagicus from Hervey Bay, off Queensland, belong to M. rhodanometra. The definition of the family Ptychogonimidae is amended, and a key to its two genera is given. Melogonimus is characterised by a smooth genital atrium wall, a large sinus-organ, a large muscular seminal vesicle, a weakly developed pars prostatica, a pre-testicular uterus and confluent post-testicular vitelline fields.