Revision of Sigaloeista Shea & Griffiths, 2010 (Helicarionidae: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) from eastern Australia

ABSTRACT

Sigaloeista Shea & Griffiths, 2010 is a genus of small, litter-dwelling helicarionid snails that occurs in the rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest of northeastern New South Wales and southern Queensland. This group currently comprises three species known only from their shell morphology. We revise the taxonomy of this group using a comparison of key morphological features and mitochondrial genes COI and 16S, and describe four new species: Sigaloeista gracilis n. sp.; S. cavanbah n. sp.; S. dorrigo n. sp.; and S. ramula n. sp. Sigaloeista is unified by shared morphological characters including a small, glossy, discoidal shell of about 4.5 whorls, a body with a pronounced caudal horn and large, leaf-shaped shell lappets, and a reproductive system with a short vagina, absent epiphallic caecum, flagellum with internal cryptae and spermatophore with accessory spines.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5D5D7603-06B2-4662-91BB-343E3BB5C4E8     

A new species of Sesara Albers, 1860 from northeastern Thailand (Stylommatophora: Helicarionidae)

Sesara triodon n.sp. is described from the Phu Pha Lom limestone area in Loei, northeastern Thailand. It possesses a small and depressed–conoid, transparent shell with a shiny external surface. The aperture possesses three apertural teeth, in contrast to other Thai species, Sesara parva Solem, 1966 (two teeth) and Sesara megalodon Blanford, 1902 (four teeth). The genital system of the new species has some distinctive characters, including a vagina longer than the free oviduct, and the epiphallic retractor caecum is rounded and bulbous. The radula has 104 rather straight rows of teeth, with each row having74–81 teeth. This is the easternmost record of the genus Sesara in Thailand.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:52EF0AB6-1E17-4B96-BC6F-4257FE5FBF00     

A peculiar new species in the genus Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 from China (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia: Stylommatophora: Camaenidae)

Landouria omphalostoma n. sp. is described from northern Yunnan, China. The new species is placed in the genus Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 based on the presence of tuberculated flagellum and swollen basal part in the bursa copulatrix, and on the absence of dart sacs and mucous glands. L. omphalostoma n. sp. is characterized by a horizontal aperture of the shell which is unique in the genus. This feature resembles those of only two other camaenid/bradybaenid taxa, species of the Chinese genus Pseudaspasita Möllendorff, 1902 and species of the Japanese genus Coelorus Pilsbry, 1900. This is the first verified record of the genus in China and the easternmost record of Landouria. This paper provides the taxonomic ground work for further studies of the repeated evolution of a horizontal aperture.     

An integrative taxonomic approach to infer the systematic position of Chalepotaxis Ancey, 1887 (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Helicarionidae)

In the absence of knowledge about its anatomy, the systematic position of the genus Chalepotaxis, which inhabits a large part of South East Asia, has been historically dubious. The genitalia, sole of the foot and the caudal region of the type species, Chalepotaxis infantilis (Gredler, V. 1881. Zur Conchylien-Fauna von China. III. Stück. Jahrbücher der Deutschen Malakozoologischen Gesellschaft 8, 110–128), are described, which place this genus into the Helicarionidae family. DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI] and 28S rRNA genes) corroborate this assignment and unequivocally remove the species from the Camaenidae (=Bradybaenidae) and Ariophantidae, where it had previously been placed. Radular morphology of the type species is also re-described and illustrated.     

Molecular phylogeny of Australian Helicarionidae, Euconulidae and related groups (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Stylommatophora) based on mitochondrial DNA

The delineation and phylogenetic relationships of the pulmonate family Helicarionidae are currently poorly understood. We have undertaken a phylogenetic analysis of Australian members of Helicarionidae. Three consecutive mitochondrial genes (COI, tRNA-val and 16S rRNA) were sequenced for 36 species from Helicarionidae and related groups. Helicarionidae grouped with Ariophantidae and Urocyclidae with good support in all trees, as did Microcystinae with Trochomorphidae, corresponding to the results of a previous morphological study, but the relationships of Euconulinae and Limacidae could not be resolved. Cystopeltidae never grouped with Helicarionidae and should be regarded as a separate family. The position of tRNA-val in the mitochondrial genome provided a new synapomorphy for Microcystinae. In addition, the COI and 16S rRNA sequences showed a high degree of compositional heterogeneity and incompatibility of phylogenetic signals, highlighting the importance of testing for the decay of the historical signal prior to the phylogenetic analysis.     

Lessons from Timor: Shells are poor taxonomic indicators in Asperitas land snails (Stylommatophora,Dyakiidae)

The limacoid land snail Asperitas Gude, 1911 encompasses several vividly coloured, yet poorly known species that are distributed throughout the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and the Moluccas. We examined the variation in shell morphology, including the use of geometric morphometrics, and reproductive anatomy of snails from Timor and several adjacent islands. These studies revealed that none of the taxa described from Timor and considered to be endemic to this island could be reliably distinguished from any of the others. In addition to the systematic ambiguity of morphological characteristics, we uncovered rather low amounts of genetic differentiation in the mitochondrial marker cytochrome c oxidase subunit I that was not consistent with the current taxonomy. Based on these observations, we conclude that there is just a single Asperitas species on Timor that exhibits notable variability in shell characters and body colour. This variability is ascribed to the combined effects of polymorphic colour patterns with locally varying selection in different habitats and along altitudinal gradients. Individuals from the adjacent islands of Flores, Sumbawa, Solor and Romang, which are deemed to represent distinct species-level taxa, exhibit similar amounts of variation in shell and body colour. They exhibit a consistent reproductive anatomy and overall negligible amounts of mitochondrial differentiation from the populations on Timor. Patterns in shell variation do not lend support to previously held ideas that different Sunda Islands harbour distinct radiations of polytypic Asperitas species. By contrast, we suggest that the taxonomic diversity of Asperitas has been overestimated for the over-reliance on shell features and that many presently accepted taxa are likely mere synonyms of fewer and more widespread species.     

Two new species of the genus Boysidia from China,with a preliminary discussion of its geography (Pulmonata: Stylommatophora: Pupillidae)

Two species of the genus Boysidia Ancey, 1881 were reported as new to science, Boysidia(Boysidia) xianfengensis sp. nov. and B.(B.) xiaoguanensis sp. nov., while the distribution of the 23 species of Boysidia from China was discussed. The materials of the new species were collected from Hubei Province, China by authors. The shell of B.(B.) xianfengensis sp. nov. looks small(height 4.90 mm, diameter 3.10 mm), and has five apertural teeth: one large parietal tooth, one long columellar tooth, one small nipple-shaped upper palatal tooth, one large flake-shaped lower palatal tooth, one small infrapalatal tooth. The shell of B.(B.) xiaoguanensis sp. nov. looks small(height 3.55 mm, diameter 2.20 mm), and has four apertural teeth: one large parietal tooth, one long columellar tooth, one large flake-shaped upper palatal tooth, one slightly small flake-shaped lower palatal tooth. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.     

Arnhemtrachia ramingining: a new genus and species of land snail from Arnhem Land,Australia (Stylommatophora: Camaenidae)

The new, monotypic camaenid genus Arnhemtrachia is described for the new species Arnhemtrachia ramingining from Ramingining, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia with additional records from the Gove Peninsula in eastern Arnhem Land. This camaenid is characterised by a combination of distinct morphological features, such as a small, discoidal, keeled shell with regular axial ribs, open umbilicus and simple, rounded aperture as well as a reproductive system with a long epiphallus possessing a long flagellum and absence of a penial sheath, with a flap on the penial wall which transverses longitudinal pilasters, and a long, simple bursa copulatrix. Based on comparative morphology, Arnhemtrachia reveals affinities with Trozena morata Iredale, 1838 from NE Queensland.     

A New Species of Leptolalax （Anura： Megophryidae） from Southern China

A new species, Leptolalax laui sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Hong Kong and Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from other known congeners by morphological and molecular data. The new species is characterized by the following characters： 1） small size （adult males SVL 24.8.1 mm-26.7 mm）; 2） near immaculate creamy white chest and belly; 3） broad lateral fringes on toes; 4） head longer or as long as wide; 5） distinct dark brown spots in flank; 6） moderate dermal fringes on fingers; 7） brown or reddish-brown dorsum with fine round scattered tubercles; 8） thin traverse brownish-grey bars on the dorsal surface of tibia and lower arms; 9） longitudinal ridges under toes not interrupted at the articulations.     

The Enidae of Timor (Stylommatophora: Orthurethra)

The systematic classification of the Enidae of Timor is reviewed by means of comparative morphology and molecular phylogenetics using recently collected land snail samples from Timor-Leste (‘East Timor’). Features of the renal and genital anatomy as well as analyses of nuclear 28S rRNA sequences confirm the placement of the species in the Enidae. Generic combinations employed by earlier authors are discussed. The name Coccoderma Möllendorff, 1901 used for enids from the Indo-Australian Archipelago is pre-occupied by Coccoderma Zittel, 1887 and therefore not available. The assignment of species from Timor to Pseudonapaeus Westerlund, 1887, which is otherwise known from central Asia, is also rejected. Instead, the Enidae from Timor are here affiliated with Apoecus Kobelt, 1902, a name originally introduced for the Papuan species Buliminus colonus Möllendorff, 1895. While Apoecus samples from Timor-Leste form three distinct mitochondrial clades, only two groups can be reliably distinguished by their morphology. One of these groups represents the previously named species Apoecus apertus (Martens, 1863). This species is found throughout lowland Timor occurring at altitudes of up to 600?m. The second species has been found in the Ramelau Mountains at altitudes above 1300?m, and is described as Apoecus ramelauensis n. sp.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3A8781B6-6EAC-4C58-8DB3-63741B03B43C     

A new Chinese species of Eostrobilops Pilsbry, 1927 with a checklist of Eostrobilops and Enteroplax Gude, 1897 species (Gastropoda,Pulmonata, Strobilopsidae)

Eostrobilopshumicolus Páll-Gergely & Hunyadi, sp. n. is described from Guangxi Province, China. It is characterized by the combination of a small shell (diameter: 2.3–2.4 mm), strongly ribbed dorsal surface, an infraparietal lamella not reaching the callus, and long basal folds. The new species is found approximately 500 and 800 km from the two nearest species Eostrobilopsinfrequens (northern Vietnam), and Eostrobilopsdiodontina (Hunan, China), respectively. A checklist of extant Eostrobilops Pilsbry, 1927 and Enteroplax Gude, 1899 species is provided. Enteroplaxyaeyamensis Habe & Chinen, 1974, Enteroplaxkanjiokuboi Minato & Tada, 1992 and Enteroplaxtaiwanica Minato & Tada, 1992 are moved to the genus Eostrobilops because of the lack of an elevated parietal callus and a peripheral thread. A map showing all Eostrobilops records is provided.     

Australian Assassins, Part I: A review of the Assassin Spiders (Araneae, Archaeidae) of mid-eastern Australia

The Assassin Spiders of the family Archaeidae are an ancient and iconic lineage of basal araneomorph spiders, characterised by a specialised araneophagic ecology and unique, 'pelican-like' cephalic morphology. Found throughout the rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests and mesic heathlands of south-western, south-eastern and north-eastern Australia, the genus Austrarchaea Forster & Platnick, 1984 includes a diverse assemblage of relictual, largely short-range endemic species. With recent dedicated field surveys and significant advances in our understanding of archaeid biology and ecology, numerous new species of assassin spiders have been discovered in the montane sub-tropical and warm-temperate closed forests of mid-eastern Australia, including several rare or enigmatic taxa and species of conservation concern. This fauna is revised and 17 new species are described from south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales: Austrarchaea alanisp. n., Austrarchaea aleenaesp. n., Austrarchaea binfordaesp. n., Austrarchaea christopherisp. n., Austrarchaea clyneaesp. n., Austrarchaea cunninghamisp. n., Austrarchaea dianneaesp. n., Austrarchaea harmsisp. n., Austrarchaea helenaesp. n., Austrarchaea judyaesp. n., Austrarchaea mascordisp. n., Austrarchaea mcguiganaesp. n., Austrarchaea milledgeisp. n., Austrarchaea monteithisp. n., Austrarchaea platnickorumsp. n., Austrarchaea ravenisp. n. and Austrarchaea smithaesp. n. Adult specimens of the type species, Austrarchaea nodosa (Forster, 1956) are redescribed from the Lamington Plateau, south-eastern Queensland, and distinguished from the sympatric species Austrarchaea dianneaesp. n. A key to species and a molecular phylogenetic analysis of COI and COII mtDNA sequences complement the species-level taxonomy, with maps, habitat photos, natural history information and conservation assessments provided for all species.     

Lumping lumpsuckers: molecular and morphological insights into the taxonomic status of Eumicrotremus spinosus (Fabricius, 1776) and Eumicrotremus eggvinii Koefoed, 1956 (Teleostei: Cyclopteridae)

The genus Eumicrotremus comprises 16 lumpsucker species distributed in the Arctic and northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The most common species in the North Atlantic is Eumicrotremus spinosus , described in 1776, and characterized partly by numerous bony tubercles on the head and body. Another Atlantic species, Eumicrotremus eggvinii , described in 1956, remained known only from a single specimen until additional specimens were recently recovered. To reassess the status of E. eggvinii , 21 meristic and 32 morphometric characters were analysed for a total of 83 specimens of E. spinosus and E. eggvinii . Mitochondrial (COI, COII and cyt- b ) and nuclear ( Tmo-4C4 ) genes were also sequenced for both species, along with Eumicrotremus derjugini . The results indicate that although E. spinosus and E. eggvinii are clearly separated by a considerable number of morphological characters, they in fact constitute a single, sexually dimorphic species. Thirteen specimens of E. eggvinii (including the holotype) and 59 E. spinosus could be sexed; all individuals of E. eggvinii turned out to be males and all E. spinosus were females. Identical DNA sequences were found in all E. eggvinii and E. spinosus for COI, COII and Tmo-4C4 , and a single shared synonymous substitution found in cyt- b . In contrast, E. spinosus , E. eggvinii and E. derjugini differed by 5·9% for COI and COII, 1·2% for Tmo-4C4 and 8·3% for cyt- b .     

Description of a New Species of the Genus Brachytarsophrys Tian and Hu, 1983 （Amphibia： Anura： Megophryidae） from Southern China Based on Molecular and Morphological Data

A new species, Brachytarsophrys popei sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from Mount Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, Taoyuandong Nature Reserve, Hunan Province and Nanling Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be easily distinguished from other known congeners by morphology, morphometrics and molecular data of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It is characterized by its relatively small size with 86.2 mm in snout-vent length in adult female and 70.7 mm-83.5 mm in males; vomerine teeth bearing on two markedly elevated ridges, which projecting behind far beyond the posterior level of the choanae, widely separated by a distance nearly 1.5 times length of one; margin of tongue de~ply notched behind; toes about one-third to two-thirds webbed in males, at most one-third webbed in female; the webs extending as a wide fringes along either side of toes; upper eyelid with tubercles, one of which is enlarged and becoming a remarkably prominent, bluntly conical light- yellow horn; black tiny nuptial spines on the dorsal surface of the first finger and second finger base, single vocal sac in males; gravid females bear pure yellowish oocytes; tadpoles with a transverse white stripe on ventral surface and two longitudinal white stripes along the sides of body. The new species represents the fifth known Brachytarsophrys species.     

A new skink species (Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.; Reptilia: Scincidae) from the Open Bay Islands,New Zealand

Abstract

We describe a new skink species (Oligosoma taumakae sp. nov.) from the Open Bay Islands, New Zealand. This species is diagnosed on the basis of several morphological characteristics, and its specific status is supported by mitochondrial sequence data (ND2, ND4). The new species appears to be most closely related to O. acrinasum, O. infra‐punctatum, O. otagense and O. waimatense. The new taxon appears to be rare and endemic to the island of Taumaka in the Open Bay Islands (off the west coast of the South Island). Predation by a flightless rail (weka, Gallirallus australis), native to New Zealand but introduced to the Open Bay Islands, is a major conservation concern.     

Evolutionary relationships within European Monochamus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) highlight the role of altitude in species delineation

Phylogenetic relationships within the European Monochamus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) remain understudied despite their increasing importance in the Pine Wood Nematode spread in Europe. To clarify the delimitation and the evolutionary history of the two main European Monochamus species, Monochamus galloprovincialis and Monochamus sutor, as well as their sub‐species, a comparative study using morphological, molecular, and biogeographical criterions was conducted. Four morphological characters, including a newly‐described morphological character on the male genitalia, separated the two species. Additionally, molecular data revealed twelve and two single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytochrome oxidase c subunit I and 28S, respectively, supporting species segregation. By contrast, incongruence between morphological and genetic results did not allow discriminating the sub‐species of M. galloprovincialis and M. sutor, even though mitochondrial DNA revealed intraspecific differentiation, mostly consenting to a multiple refugia origin. Within‐species variability was explained to a large extent by biogeography (i.e. altitude, climate). These different ecological adaptations within beetle species, together with potential climate change impact, increase the risk of spreading the nematode across Europe to novel conifer hosts and challenge the European biosecurity. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109 , 354–376.     

Phylogeny of ground beetles subgenus Nialoe (s. lat.) Tanaka (Coleoptera: Carabidae; genus Pterostichus): A molecular phylogenetic approach

We constructed a phylogeny of the ground beetle subgenus Nialoe ( s. lat. ), genus Pterostichus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) based on two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I and 16S ribosomal DNA) and one nuclear (28S ribosomal DNA) gene sequences. Thirty-three representative species of the group and three outgroup species were analyzed. The resultant trees (maximum parsimonious, maximum likelihood and Bayesian trees of the combined data of the three gene sequences) indicated that there are two large and three small lineages in the group, some of which were supported by a previous morphology-based phylogeny. In all the analyses, the small lineage composed of two Korean species is sister to the rest of the subgenus, but relationships of other four lineages differed among the analyses and remained unresolved. The implications of the present results are discussed in terms of taxonomy and biogeography of the group.