An annotated catalogue of type specimens of the land snail genus Cyclophorus Monfort, 1810 (Caenogastropoda,Cyclophoridae) in the Natural History Museum,London

The collection of land caenogastropod snails in the genus Cyclophorus Monfort, 1810 housed in the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), includes 52 type lots. Lectotypes have been designated for 43 available species-level names to stabilize existing nomenclature, two previously designated lectotype, two holotypes, one paratype, one syntype, one possible syntype and two paralectotypes are also listed. A complete catalogue of the Cyclophorus types in NHM, London is provided for the first time.     

On new Jurassic Rissooidea and Zygopleuroidea convergently similar to them (Gastropoda: Pectinibranchia)

A new genus, Boreomica gen. nov., is established; it comprises small-sized gastropods widespread in the Jurassic of the Russian Plate, the taxonomic position of which was ambiguously treated by previous authors. The new genus is assigned to the family Rissoidae. The species composition and stratigraphical and geographical distribution of the genus and its species are discussed. From the Jurassic of the Russian Plate, Callovian Boreomica exigua (Gerasimov, 1992), the type species of the genus, and Kimmeridgian–Volgian Boreomica undulata (Tullberg, 1881), and members of the genus without species status from the Bathonian and Upper Oxfordian are described. Conchological polymorphism of species connected with their eurybiontic characteristics is discussed. Based on the study of samples of the species B. exigua from different types of facies, two subspecies are recognized, B. exigua exigua and B. exigua arenosa subsp. nov. Finds of gastropods morphologically similar to Boreomica are discussed: Katosira? sp. from Mitta et al., 2004, “Procerithium?” volgense Gerasimov, 1955, “Eulima” pusilla Tullberg, 1881, and “Hudlestonella” caleptra sensu Gerasimov, 1992 are considered. It is concluded that E. pusilla and H. caleptra are unknown zygopleurids, Katosira? sp. is likely a poorly preserved Katosira, and “Procerithium?” volgense is represented by a mixture of several species belonging to different genera: several zygopleurid species, the rissoids Boreomica undulata and Bralitzia. Shells of P. volgense in the P.A. Gerasimov’s collection from the Craspedites nodiger Zone are described as Laevipleura sp.     

Resolution of the long-standing controversy over the type species of the genus Pseudotypotherium (Notoungulata,Typotheria, Mesotheriidae)

Mesotheres (Notoungulata: Typotheria) are among the most common mammals found in upper Miocene to Pliocene deposits of central Argentina, including the classic type Monte Hermoso locality, which defines the Montehermosan South American Land Mammal “Age”. Nevertheless, the correct name for the mesothere species from this site has been shrouded in uncertainty for well over a century due to questions of taxonomic priority, specimen provenance, and ontogenetic changes in dental formula. Since the mesotheres from Monte Hermoso were named, three distinct species have been formally considered as the type species of the genus: (1) Pseudotypotherium bravardi; (2) “Pseudotypotherium” maendrum; and (3) Pseudotypotherium exiguum. However, none of these species is a nominal species of the Pseudotypotherium genus; all three were originally referred to Typotherium. Article 67.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999) indicates that only species considered as nominal species are eligible to set the type; in the case of Pseudotypotherium, these include: P. pulchrum, P. carlesi, P. hystatum, and P. carhuense. We conclude that Pseudotypotherium pulchrum F. Ameghino, 1904 (holotype MACN A 10299, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Ameghino Collection), is the type species of the mesotheriid notoungulate genus from Monte Hermoso. According to Article 68.2, F. Ameghino fixed the type by original designation in 1904 when he described P. pulchrum and included “n. g., n. sp.”. Two of the other species previously considered species P. (= T.) bravardi and P. (= T.) exiguum are invalid as type species according to Article 70.2, since their designations overlooked the previous type fixation. The third species (M. (= T.) maendrum) represents a different mesothere genus (Mesotherium) that only occurs in younger (Pleistocene) deposits. Our analysis puts an end to a historical debate that has been ongoing for more than a century regarding the identity of this well-represented late Miocene–Pliocene mesotheriine genus (Pseudotypotherium). This study provides a solid taxonomic foundation for future studies on intraspecific and ontogenetic variation of Pseudotypotherium pulchrum.     

Redefinition and taxonomic revision of the “buqueti” species-group,Dichotomius Hope, 1838 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

On the basis of external morphology and genitalia of males, as well as a comparison between different species belonging to other groups of Dichotomius, we propose a redefinition of the “buqueti” species group separated by Luederwaldt (1929). Six species are excluded from this group and transferred to other groups: D. ribeiroi (Pereira, 1954) in the “cotopaxi” group; D. camposeabrai Martínez, 1974 in the “bitiensis” group; D. reclinatus (Felsche, 1901), D. horridus (Felsche, 1911), D. quadrinodosus (Felsche, 1901) and D. nimuendaju (Luederwaldt, 1925) (revalidated species) forming the newly defined “reclinatus” group. The other species kept in the “buqueti” group include D. buqueti (Lucas, 1857) from Brazil (lectotype here designated), D. haroldi (Waterhouse, 1891) from Argentina and D. nutans (Harold, 1867) from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The taxonomic revision of the “buqueti” group are presented, including a history of the included species, a determination key, illustrations of the structures of external morphology, male genitalia and sclerites of the internal sac, and a distribution map.     

A new subgenus and a new species of the tenebrionid genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptodes</Emphasis> Dejean, 1834 (Coleoptera,Tenebrionidae)

The genus Leptodes was erected by Dejean (1834) for a single species, Sepidium boisduvalii Zubkoff, 1833, which is, consequently, the type species by monotypy. Kaszab (1959) established in Leptodes the subgenus Leptodinopsis based on the same type species, Sepidium boisduvalii. Thus the names Leptodes and Leptodinopsis are objective synonyms: Leptodes Dejean, 1834 = Leptodinopsis Kaszab, 1959, syn. n. A new subgenus Mesoleptodes G. Medvedev et Iljina subgen, n. (type species Leptodes semenowi Reitter, 1892) is established for species which Kaszab included in Leptodes s. str. A new species, Leptodes daghestanicus G. Medvedev et Iljina, sp. n., is described from Daghestan.     

Revision of the holotype of Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott, 1956 (Lower Cretaceous, Iraq): new interpretation as sponge–calcimicrobe consortium

The encrusting microorganism Lithocodium (type species: Lithocodium aggregatum Elliott), widespread in Late Triassic–Middle Cretaceous shallow-marine carbonates of the Tethys realm, was interpreted in the past as a codiacean green alga, a lituolid foraminifer, calcimicrobial colonies, ulotrichalean green algae, or chambers of boring sponges. A re-study of the type material of L. aggregatum (in the sense of Elliott), stored in the British Museum (Natural History), revealed that this “species” has to be regarded as a calcimicrobial crust, infested by boring sponges (ichnotaxon Entobia).     

Floral scent emissions from Asarum yaeyamense and related species

The flowers of Asarum are usually regarded as scentless or sometimes to have a foul odor. Recently, we noticed that Asarum yaeyamense, endemic to Iriomote Island, Japan, has a floral fragrance with a distinct “fruity note.” To determine the chemical characteristics of this fragrance and whether “non-scented” Asarum species emit any volatiles, we collected floral scents of A. yaeyamense and related species (A. lutchuense, A. hypogynum, A. fudsinoi, A dissitum, A. tokarense, and A. senkakuinsulare) using headspace methods and analyzed these scents by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The results indicated that A. yaeyamense mainly emitted α-cedrene (tentatively identified), an unidentified sesquiterpene, methyl tiglate, and manoyl oxide (tentatively identified). Methyl tiglate may be a source of the “fruity note” in the A. yaeyamense fragrance. We also detected emissions of volatiles, mainly sesquiterpenes, from some “non-scented” Asarum species. This study constitutes a rare case of the detection of the emission of a diterpene (manoyl oxide) as a floral scent volatile.     

Les Pectinidae miocènes des faluns (Ouest de la France). Intérêts biostratigraphiques des associations

The Miocene Pectinidae from the “faluns” (W France). Biostratigraphical interests of the associations. New sampling was realized throughout neogene outcrops occurring in Western France (mainly, “faluns” of Langhian to Tortonian age from Touraine, Anjou and Blésois). It has been known for long that the species or associations of the representatives of the family Pectinidae vary in each outcrop, but it was still necessary to get original data, which were collected precisely in their original level. Such a work is still in progress in Mediterranean areas. It seems that the systematic framework of several species has still to be detailed; the recently re-discovered species may be 12 in number. The species may characterize four main assemblages: rich and poorly diversified faunas, collected in microconglomerates, deposited in shallow environments; rich and diversified association, corresponding to the bryozoa facies deposited in deeper environments (“savignean” facies Auct.); poor assemblage, collected in shallow water, shelly beds (“pontilevian” facies Auct.); nearly absent Pectinidae in the shallow water Arca facies (“lublean” Auct.). Generally, the species belonging to the genus Pecten are only common in the savignean facies, in which the diversity consequently increases. Actually, the biochronological framework of the “faluns” is correct, mainly related to the mammal zonation. The associations of Pectinidae collected in the “faluns” may be of several interests.

• •Several memberships of the observed faunas have a long stratigraphical range (Langhian–Pliocene), wide geographical distribution (from Britain to Mediterranean areas), and may be ecologically tolerant. They belong to the Crassadoma multistriata and Aequipecten radians species. In Western France, A. radians may be related to quite shallow environment. Opposite, the species Gigantopecten ligerianus may be related to the deepest environments.
• •Several species or association may success to each other through time, which may offer a regional stratigraphical interest, in the “faluns” from Western France: P. subarcuatus—P. sp. 1 (Langhian), P. sp. 2 (close to praebenedictus, Serravalian to Tortonian.), P. praebenedictus s. s. (younger Tortonien), P. jacoabeus or maximus (Messinian to Pliocene). G. ligerianus was recently recollected regionally in sediments of Langhian age only, if the local deposition environments are deep enough. Note that numerous shells belonging to this species exist in historical collections, from Doué area (obs. pers. M.B.).

     

Some structures in Azolla megaspores,and an anomalous form

On the assumption that the “float” apparatus of Azolla arose by the “capture” and retention of separate floats developed as massulae round abortive megaspores, a model is proposed, accounting hypothetically for the separate origin of three-floated, nine-floated, fifteen-floated and twenty-four-floated species in different types of cytological behaviour during origin of the functional megaspore. It is considered irrelevant to ask whether nine-floated arose from three-floated or vice versa. Each type arose de novo and possibly more than once, out of the initial cytological situation which is constant for all species.An abnormal form of Azolla imbricata is described, which in terms of the model appears to represent a reversion to a Salvinia-like ancestral form, by loss of linked genes responsible for the Azolla “syndrome”.Anatomical and morphological studies on five modern and two Paleocene species are used to illustrate adaptation of perine as float-retaining mechanisms. A new structure, the manicula, produced from the perispore, is described in A. teschiana and A. velus.     

The phylogeny of the genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928, with redescriptions of three species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 is reviewed. 26 species are considered valid. A key for their identification is given, as well as a map showing the geographic distribution. The known range of the genus covers a large area from the central Amazon region to the mountains of Guatemala. The species of Ischioscia have a typical “philosciid” habitus (“runner” type); they can be distinguished from other Neotropical species with similar habitus by the following apomorphies: (1) male pereiopod 1 carpus enlarged to a plate-like extension, (2) scale field on male pereiopod 1 covering entire frontal side of the carpus, (3) male pereiopod 7 ischium with a ventral scale field, (4) dactylus in both sexes with a long inner claw. The groundpattern of Ischioscia is reconstructed, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relations within the genus is made on the basis of morphological data. The species are very similar to each other, most differences are found in the male structures of sexually dimorphic features. Ischioscia sturmi (Vandel, 1972), I. amazonica Lemos de Castro, 1955 and I. bolivari Vandel, 1968 are redescribed in detail.     

Phyllonorycter medicaginella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) and its parasitoids (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in the Middle Volga River basin

Fifteen species of parasitoids, Chrysocharis idyia (Walker, 1983), Ch. laricinellae (Ratzeburg, 1848), Ch. submutica Graham, 1963, Ch. viridis (Nees, 1834), Hemiptarsenus ornatus (Nees, 1834), Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood, 1833), Pediobius cassidae Erd?s, 1958, P. metallicus (Nees, 1834), Pnigalio nemati (Westwood, 1838), P. mediterraneus Ferriére & Delucchi, 1957, P. pectinicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. soemius (Walker, 1839), Rhicnopelte crassicornis (Nees, 1834), Sympiesis gordius (Walker, 1839), and Hyssopus sp. n., were reared from Phyllonorycter medicaginella on Melilotius offlcinalis for the first time. Hyssopus simbirskiensis sp. n. reared from Ph. medicaginella is described. Eight ectoparasitoid species (Hyssopus ornatus, H. simbirskiensis sp. n., Rh. crassicornis, P. mediterraneus, P. nemati, P. pectinicornis, P. soemius, and S. gordius) attack all the larval instars of Ph. medicaginella. Seven endoparasitoids (P. cassidae, P. metallicus, Ch. idyia, Ch. laricinellae, Ch. submutica, Ch. viridis, and N. formosa) attack only the 4-5th-instar larvae.     

Revision of the Indo‐African Pachycerus Schoenherr, 1823, with a description of four new species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae)

The Indo‐African species of the genus Pachycerus (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) are revised. The identification of Cleonus senegalensis Gyllenhal, 1834 is discussed, its holotype rediscovered and the synonymy between C. senegalensis and Ammocleonus hieroglyphicus (Olivier, 1807) is confirmed. A neotype is established for Pachycerus opimus (Gyllenhal, 1834). Lectotypes for Pachycerus vestitus (Fåhraeus, 1834), Pachycerus badeni (Faust, 1888), and Pachycerus sellatus Faust, 1904 are designated. Pachycerus sahelicus sp. nov. (type locality: Senegal, Bambey), Pachycerus hippali sp. nov. (type locality: Saudi Arabia: Jeddah, Taif), Pachycerus barclayi sp. nov. (type locality: southern India: Manapparai), and Pachycerus simonae sp. nov. (type locality: Morocco, Western Sahara, Cap Boujdour) are described. Some remarks on taxonomy and biogeography of the species are added.     

Neue Erkenntnisse zu mikromorphen Gastropoden aus Sötenich (Givetium,Mittel-Devon)

New data of well preserved Givetian micromorph gastropod species from the quarry ?Am Wachtberg“ near Sötenich (Eifel, West Germany) are presented(Lukesispira frydai, Kirchneriella striata, Murchisonia angulata, Murchisonia sp.,?Archaeosphera minima, Kallispira latostriata, Nerrhena aequistriata, Nerrhena reticulata). Three new species(Devonozyga bandeli, Cookiloxa leunisseni, Soetenichia wachtbergensis) are described and figured. A typical protoconch for vetigastropods is proven forDevonozyga.     

The taxonomy,chronostratigraphy and paleobiogeography of glyptosaurine lizards (Glyptosaurinae,Anguidae)

Glyptosaurine lizards (Glyptosaurinae, Anguidae) are an extinct group of heavily armored lizards known from North America, Europe and Asia. Glyptosaurine lizards, taxa that possess fully developed tuberculated dermal armor, appear to have been established in North America by late early Puercan time (To3). “Proxestops,” a taxon distinguished by a combination of vermiculate and tuberculated osteoderm sculpturing, is considered to be a non-glyptosaurine, a sister taxon of the Glyptosaurinae. Known from only fragmentary remains, its wide chronostratigraphic distribution suggests that “Proxestops” is a form genus that, in all probability, represents more than one taxon, that ranges from the middle Paleocene to the early Eocene of North America. Moreover, the taxa Odaxosaurus piger, Parodaxosaurus sanjuanensis and “Proxestops” are best considered “proto-glyptosaurines”. “Melanosaurins” and glyptosaurins were well-established by the early Eocene, especially in North America, and are here documented by their type species and chronostratigraphic levels. Both tribes are present in Europe (MP7), too, but the record is not as estensive as that of North America. The North American taxon Gaultia silvaticus (Wa0) is transitional between a “melanosaurin” and glyptosaurin. Because it lacks the well-defined hexagonal osteoderms that characterize the Glyptosaurini, it is removed from that group and considered to be a “melanosaurin”. The “melanosaurin” taxon “Xestops” savagei (Wa4–Wa6) cannot be referred to Xestops (Br2) based on non-corresponding elements and because superficial similarity does not justify assignment to this taxon. Arpadosaurus sepulchralis (Wa6?), whose holotype is a fragmentary right frontal, is considered a subjective junior synonym of A. gazinorum, based on minor differences in the epidermal scale pattern that probably represent individual variation. “Glyptosaurus” agmodon (Wa6?), based on a partial right maxilla, cannot be referred to Glyptosaurus (sensu stricto), and the material upon which this taxon is based bears strong resemblance to material identified as cf. “?Paraglyptosaurus” yatkolai (Wa5–Wa6). “Glyptosaurus” rhodinos (Wa5) is based on an incomplete parietal, and its reference to Glyptosaurus is considered problematic. Eoglyptosaurus donohoei (Wa7) is probably valid and is re-established here. Glyptosaurus (sensu stricto) is known solely from the middle Eocene (Br2) by G. sylvestris. Dimetoposaurus wyomingensis (Br3) is removed from Xestops vagans because its synonymy was based on superficial similarities. Helodermoides tuberculatus, the largest and last glyptosaurin (Ch3), is restricted to the Chadronian of North America. Only the “melanosaurin” Peltosaurus granulosus (Or2–Or3), which includes the species P. abbotti, seems to have crossed the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, and appears to be largely restricted to the Orellan, but extended into the Arikareean. European glyptosaurines are also represented by both glyptosaurins and “melanosaurins” early in the Eocene (MP7). Placosauriops-like “melanosaurins” are known from Dormaal (MP7), and the glyptosaurin taxon?Placosaurus ragei occurs at the same level. “Placosauriops abderhaldeni” has been identified from the Grube Messel (MP11), but this assignment remains dubious because the species has not been adequately diagnosed, and the holotype species is from the Geiseltal (MP13), which is some 4.5 million years younger. Placosauriops weigelti (MP13) is the only valid species of this genus. Paraxestops stehlini (MP14) is not referable to the North American taxon Xestops, and its relationship to Placosauriops has not been studied. The late Eocene glyptosaurins Placosaurus estesi (MP17) and P. rugosus (MP18) are the last glyptosaurines known from Europe and appear to have gone extinct at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, casulties perhaps of the “Grande Coupure”. Asian glyptosaurines are known solely from one species, Stenoplacosaurus mongoliensis, from the middle Eocene (Sharamurunian) of China. Glyptosaurines most likely originated in North America, diversified by late Paleocene time, and rapidly spread across the North Atlantic into Europe by the early Eocene. Both “melanosaurins” and glyptosaurins took a foothold in Europe by the early Neustrian, but the glyptosaurins, aside from one occurrence (Dormaal, MP7), were conspicuously absent for most of Neustrian through early Robiacian time. In North America, glyptosaurins diversified during the early and middle Eocene, while in Europe small “melanosaurins” were a prominent part of the paleoherpetofauna, and glyptosaurins are unknown for most of the Neustrian through the Geiseltalian, in both the fossilferous Lagerstätten of Messel and Geiseltal. Stenoplacosaurus is the only known glyptosaurin glyptosaurine from Asia, and its abrupt appearance during the late Eocene suggests the possiblity of a Beringian dispersal from North America into Asia.     

Synaptonemal complex and a new type of nuclear polycomplex in three higher plants: Paeonia tenuifolia,Paeonia delavayi,and Tradescantia paludosa

Synaptonemal complex (SC) formation was followed in three species of higher plants: Paeonia tenuifolia, P. delavayi, and Tradescantia paludosa. A desynaptic mutant of the latter species was compared to the wild type. Thickenings of lateral elements and “recombination nodules” were a regular feature of all pachytene SCs. Two types of polycomplexes can be formed in the same species. In diplotene cells of wild-type Tradescantia, polycomplexes of a paracrystalline nature were found in the cytoplasm whereas dense cores were formed in the nuclei. In the desynaptic mutant and in the two Paeonia species, a new type of nuclear polycomplex was observed consisting of the same dense core as seen in the wild type but with a piece of unmodified SC wrapped around it. The number, size, and structure of these “helicoidal polycomplexes” were similar in all nuclei. Their number was equal to the haploid chromosome number of the species: 5 in Paeonia and 6 in Tradescantia.