Revision of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepalomyia pallipilosa</Emphasis> species group (diptera,dolichopodidae, Peloropeodinae)

The genus Nepalomyia is the largest genus in the subfamily Peloropeodinae, with 47 described species. In the present paper the Nepalomyia pallipilosa species group is established for the following three described species and seven new species: Nepalomyia biseta sp. n., N. emeiensis sp. n., N. guangxiensis Zhang et Yang, N. liui sp. n., N. pallipilosa (Yang et Saigusa), N. ruiliensis Wang et Yang, N. sichuanensis sp. n., N. ventralis sp. n., N. yangi sp. n. and N. zengchengensis sp. n. Information on their distribution is also given or updated.     

New representatives of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nahublattella</Emphasis> Bruijning, 1959 (Dictyoptera,Blattellidae) from Central and South America

The following nine new species of the genus Nahublattella Bruijning, 1959 are described from Ecuador and Mexico: N. cuyabeno sp. n., N. alexandri sp. n., N. incurvata sp. n., N. maya sp. n., N. plena sp. n., N. bispina sp. n., N. ultima sp. n., N. beikoi sp. n., and N. reticulata sp. n. The structure of the male genitalia of the new species is described in detail. The genus diagnosis is discussed.     

Notes on some poorly known species of the genus Neocheyletiella Baker, 1949 (Acari,Cheyletidae) with a key to the genus

Summary The genus Neocheyletiella Baker, 1949 is redefined and the following species are redescribed and figures given for the first time: N. media Fain, 1972; N. avicola Fain, 1972; N. amandavae Fain, 1972; N. pittae Fain, 1972; N. siva Fain, 1972. N. oudemansi Volgin, 1969 is placed in the synonymy of N. microrhynchus (Berlese & Trouessart, 1889). N. heteropalpus (Megnin, 1878) is presumed to belong to the genus Apodicheles Fain, 1979 although the type material of that species is probably lost. A new nomenclature for the idiosomal chaetotaxy is proposed for the males of Neocheyletiella spp. and of Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans. A key is given to the females and males of the species of genus Neocheyletiella. ac]19800106     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Noriphyllia</Emphasis>, a new Tethyan Late Triassic coral genus (Scleractinia)

Noriphyllia gen. n. is a distinctive coral representing the Coryphylliidae, a group of Late Triassic scleractinian corals. Coral faunas of this age are poorly known. The new coral is distinguished from related corals belonging to the reimaniphylliids by key features of septal microstructure as discerned in thin sections. This microstructure consists of a straight/wavy midseptal zone and lateral septal stereome organized into thin fascicles of fibres, producing a fine and sharp micromorphology of the septal sides. The solitary genus Noriphyllia gen. n. contains two Early Norian species: N. anatoliensis sp. n. chosen as the type species and N. dachsteinae sp. n., and a Carnian species referred to as N. monotutoensis sp. n. The new genus is widely distributed in the Late Triassic, Early Norian reef facies of the Tethys region (Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria; Taurus Mountains, Turkey) and it also occurs in the Carnian of Timor. Noriphyllia gen. n. is unique and details of its microstructural features add new understanding to the composition of both Late Carnian and Early Norian corals.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oliganthes anjanaribensis,</Emphasis> a new species of Compositae: Vernonieae from Madagascar

Oliganthes anjanaribensis Beentje & D. J. N. Hind (Compositae: Vernonieae), a forest shrub from a protected area in NE Madagascar, is described and illustrated. Both species and genus are endemic to Madagascar. The conservation status of the species is briefly discussed.     

A taxonomic review of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phrixolepia</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera,Limacodidae)

The genus Phrixolepia Butler, 1877 is revised and its diagnosis is given. At present, the genus comprises 10 species, three of which are described as new (all the holotypes and paratypes are deposited in MWM): Ph. pudovkini Solovyev, sp. n., LT: “China, Shaanxi prov., Taibai Shan, Tsinling Mts., Houzhenzi, 33°53′ N; 107°49′ E, 1500 m,” genital slide 11389; Ph. sinyaevi Solovyev, sp. n., LT: “N. Vietnam, Cuc. Phuong, 60 km SW Hanoi, 20°15′ N; 105°20′ E, 400 m,” genital slide 11386; Ph. nigra Solovyev, sp. n., LT: “China, prov. Yunnan, Yunlong, Fengshuining Mts., 13 km N of Caojian, 2460 m,” genital slide 11391. All the species are very similar externally, except for differences in size, tints of the coloration, and the presence of a semi-ovoid bright apical spot in the fore wing. The features of the male genitalia are diagnostic. A key to the species is given. The phylogenetic relationships between the species are examined. The genus is closely related to Olona Snellen, 1900 and Phobetron Hübner, 1825, based on the characters of larval morphology. A similar larval morphology also found in the family Dalceridae could be a synapomorphy of the families Limacodidae and Dalceridae.     

Nothotalisia, a new genus of Picramniaceae from tropical America

A new genus of Picramniaceae from tropical America, Nothotalisia, is described. Of the three species in the genus, N. piranii and N. cancellata, are new to science. The third, N. peruviana, was originally described as Talisia peruviana in the Sapindaceae. The genus and all three species are described, illustrated, and distinguished by means of a key.     

Phylogenetic relationships of Mexican minnows of the genus Notropis (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae)

We conducted phylogenetic analyses based on complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences among southern and central Mexican cyprinid species, included in the genera Notropis and Hybopsis. In addition 15 northern species of the genera Notropis and Hybopsis were included in the analyses in order to place the Mexican species into a larger phylogenetic framework. The phylogenetic relationships supported the existence of five major clades: (1) including species of the subgenus Alburnops of the genus Notropis plus N. shumardi; (2) species of the subgenus Notropis; (3) species of the genus Hybopsis; (4) species of the N. texanus + N. volucellus species group of the genus Notropis; (5) Mexican endemic species of the genus Notropis plus the genus Yuriria. Previous phylogenetic inferences based on morphological characters resolved the Mexican minnows analysed as N. sallaei, N. calientis, N. boucardi and Y. alta, non‐monophyletic. According to our cytochrome b evidence all Mexican minnows of the genera Notropis and Yuriria formed a monophyletic group with respect to the northern species of the genera Notropis and Hybopsis. Within the Mexican clade, three well‐supported clades were identified: the first included the closely related species N. moralesi and N. boucardi, which occur in three independent drainages of south Mexico; the second consisted of two different lineages, N. imeldae and an undescribed species of Notropis, inhabiting two independent drainages of south Mexico; the third comprised two central Mexican Notropis species (N. calientis and N. sallaei) and the Y. alta populations. Based on this study and pending a more extensive taxonomic revision of the genus Notropis, we adopt the conservative criterion of considering all Notropis species from southern and central Mexico examined, including Y. alta, as belonging to the genus Notropis. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 80 , 323–337.     

Revision of the genera Nemotha Wood-Mason, 1884 and Tricondylomimus Chopard, 1930 stat. rev., with description of a new species (Dictyoptera: Mantodea)

The oriental species previously included in the rarely collected genus Nemotha Wood-Mason, 1884 (Mantodea: Iridopterygidae) are revised. N. coomani (Chopard, 1930) and N. mirabilis Beier, 1933 strongly differ from the type species N. metallica (Westwood, 1845) by family-level morphological features, but share a unique type of forefemoral armament with the genera Hapalopeza Stål, 1877 and Amantis Giglio-Tos, 1915, suggesting Nemotha is of a polyphyletic nature. The genus Tricondylomimus Chopard, 1930 is resurrected from synonymy to accommodate T. coomani, T. mirabilis n. comb. and the species which is newly described in this article, T. intermedius n. sp. The monotypic genus Pseudogousa Tinkham, 1937 and its species P. sinensis Tinkham, 1937 are synonymized with Tricondylomimus and T. mirabilis, respectively. The genus Tricondylomimus is placed in Iridopterygidae, while Nemotha is transferred to Hymenopodidae: Anaxarchini.     

A Remarkable new Mirine Plant Bug genus (Heteroptera,Miridae: Mirini) from Australia and New Guinea,with description of two new species

The new genus, Neopeplus, is proposed to accommodate two remarkable new mirine plant bug species, N. trianai, from Australia and N. dogoni, from New Guinea. External anatomy and genital structures of both sexes of N. trianai and of N. dogoni male are described. The possible phyletic relationships of the new genus are briefly analysed.     

Revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Placostromella</Emphasis> and inclusion of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Palawaniella castanopsis</Emphasis> as a third species

The current status of Placostromella (Ascomycota, Dothideomycetes inc. sed.) is discussed, and a third species is added to the genus based on Palawaniella castanopsis J.N. Kapoor. Both species occur on living leaves of Castanopsis (Fagaceae) in South and East Asia. Placostromella castanopsis and the type P. macrospora are fully redescribed and illustrated.     

<i>Natarajania thailandica</i> sp. nov. (Stilbosporaceae,Diaporthales) from Thailand

A fungus similar to the monotypic genus Natarajania, isolated from dead wood and collected in Thailand, is reported. Analysis of partial ribosomal LSU and a protein coding gene (RPB2) demonstrated that the new isolate belonged to Stilbosporaceae, Diaporthales and genetically different from N. indica. It is unique in producing synnematous conidiophores, smooth-walled conidiogenous cells and a flared collarette but lacks an elongated collar-canal which is distinct in the type species. Therefore, sequence data and morphological traits are used to introduce the new species, Natarajania thailandica.     

A new species of Branchellion Savigny, 1822 (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae), a marine leech parasitic on the giant electric ray Narcine entemedor Jordan & Starks (Batoidea: Narcinidae) off Oaxaca,Mexico

Branchellion spindolaorum n. sp. (Hirudinida: Piscicolidae) is described based on specimens found parasitising the giant electric ray Narcine entemedor Jordan & Starks off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. The new species can be clearly distinguished from the other species of Branchellion Savigny, 1822 by the presence of 30 pairs of lateral branchiae and 10 pairs of pulsatile vesicles. The definition of the genus Branchellion is expanded to include species with either 30, 31 or 33 pairs of foliaceous (plate-like) lateral branchiae in the urosome. In addition, we provide for the first time for the genus, scanning electron micrographs of the secondary suckers located on the ventral surface of the posterior sucker. Additionally, partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) were generated and compared with homologous sequences of other species of the genus. Branchellion spindolaorum n. sp. represents the fourth species of the genus known in the Eastern Pacific and the first record of a leech parasitising N. entemedor.

     

Description of two new species of Nostoc (Nostocales,Cyanobacteria) from central Mexico,using morphological,ecological, and molecular attributes

The present study describes two new Nostoc species, N. montejanii and N. tlalocii, based on a polyphasic approach that combines morphological, ecological, and genetic characteristics. The five investigated populations, including those from newly collected material from central Mexico, were observed to possess morphological features characteristic of the Nostoc genus. Results showed that both new species are strictly associated with running water, and they show clear differences in their habitat preferences. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the five strains displayed between 98% and 99% similarity to the genus Nostoc sensu stricto. The 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analyses inferred using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and parsimony methods, placed these five strains in two separate clades distinct from other Nostoc species. The secondary structures of the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer rRNA region in the two new species showed >10.5% dissimilarities in the operons when compared with other Nostoc species. In addition, clear morphological differences were observed between the two Mexican species, including the color of the colonies (black in N. montejanii and green in N. tlalocii), the size of the cells (greater in N. montejanii), and the number of polyphosphate granules present in the cells (one in N. montejanii and up to four in N. tlalocii).     

Species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neohaliotrema</Emphasis> Yamaguti, 1965 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the pomacentrid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Abudefduf vaigensis</Emphasis> (Quoy &; Gaimard) off Pulau Langkawi,Malaysia, with a revised diagnosis of the genus and a key to its species

Four new and one unidentified species of Neohaliotrema Yamaguti, 1965 were obtained from the gills of the Indo-Pacific sergeant Abudefduf vaigensis (Quoy & Gaimard) off Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia. The five species, N. malayense n. sp., N. bombini n. sp., N. andamanense n. sp., N. parvum n. sp. and an unidentified Neohaliotrema sp. (similar to N. macracanthum Zhukov, 1976), are described and distinguished based mainly on features of the haptor. Species of this genus are divisible into two groups, the ‘maomao group’, with two pairs of morphometrically modified ‘marginal’ hooks and a fenestrated haptor, and the ‘gracile group’, with morphologically similar marginal hooks and an entire haptor. With the exception of N. bombini n. sp., the species described fit within the ‘maomao group’. It is suggested that the more complex Neohaliotrema species of the ‘maomao group’ have modified hooks 1 and 2 on a haptoral ‘isthmus’ between two large apertures, i.e. ‘windows’, whereas the less complex species lacking these features are those of the ‘gracile group’. Neohaliotrema spp. have only a single pair of pigmented eye-spots. A fenestrated haptor is unique to the Neohaliotrema spp. of the ‘maomao group’. The generic diagnosis of Neohaliotrema is amended to include new data and a key to its known species is presented.     

The first record of the sea snake <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chitulia inornata</Emphasis> Gray, 1849 from the Arabian Sea with notes on the composition of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chitulia</Emphasis> Gray, 1849 (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae)

The first record of the sea snake Chitulia inornata from the Arabian Sea and its distribution data are reported. The species composition of the genus Chitulia is analyzed. A revised key to the species of the genus Chitulia is provided.