The first checklist of black fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) of Morocco

The first checklist of black fungus gnats is established; new faunistic records of Sciaridae are presented, providing a list of 10 genera and 55 species. Forty-eight species are newly listed for Morocco, increasing the total of Sciaridae known from Morocco to 69 species, belonging to 12 genera, of which six (Austrosciara Schmitz & Mjöberg, 1924, Bradysiopsis Tuomikoski, 1960, Epidapus Haliday, 1851, Lycoriella Frey, 1942, Pseudolycoriella Menzel & Mohrig, 1998 and Sciara Meigen, 1803) are newly reported for Moroccan fauna.     

Dark winged fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae) collected from shiitake mushroom in Korea

Seven species of sciarid flies were collected in shiitake mushroom farm in Korea. Among them, Lycoriella ingenua (Dufour 1839) and Bradysia difformis Frey 1948 were dominant as possible pests of the shiitake mushroom because the larvae were found on both oak bed logs and in the artificial sawdust beds for shiitake cultivation. Five other species, which were collected in lower numbers, are reported for the first time in Korea: Bradysia longimentula (Sasakawa 1994), Bradysia trispinifera Mohrig & Krivosheina 1979, Leptosciarella (Leptospina) subdentata (Mohrig and Menzel 1992), Scatopsciara camptospina Mohrig and Mamaev 1990, and Xylosciara inornata Mohrig and Krivosheina 1979.     

Taxonomic revision, phylogenetic analysis, and biogeography of the bee genus Tropidopedia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Tapinotaspidini)

The species of the bee genus Tropidopedia stat. nov. are revised. Thirteen new species are proposed: T. carinata sp. nov. , T. caracicola sp. nov. , T. danunciae sp. nov. , T. duckeana sp. nov. , T. eliasi sp. nov. , T. flavolineata sp. nov. , T. friesei sp. nov. , T. japuraensis sp. nov. , T. nigrita sp. nov. , T. nigrocarinata sp. nov. , T. ornata sp. nov. , T. peruana sp. nov. and T. venezuelana sp. nov. Taxonomic notes are provided for another four species: Tropidopedia punctifrons (Smith, 1879) comb. nov. , T. pallidipennis (Friese, 1899) comb. nov. , T. seabrai (Michener & Moure, 1957) and T. arcuatilis (Vachal, 1909) comb. nov. , including designation of a lectotype for Tetrapedia arcuatilis Vachal. An identification key, illustrations for main diagnostic characters, and distributions maps for all species are provided. A phylogenetic analysis was carried out to evaluate the monophyly of Tropidopedia and its main species groups, as well as to position it among the related genera. Biogeographical patterns are discussed.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 511–554.     

A new species of Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia, Turkey

A new species Scorzonera gokcheoglui O. Ünal & R. S. Göktürk sp. nov. from south Anatolia is described and illustrated. Its relationships with S. argyria and S. pisidica are discussed. A map showing the distribution of the species and other related species is given.  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 142 , 465–468.     

Notes on some new records and new species of cetrarioid lichens from India

Additional occurrences of cetrarioid lichens in India are documented. Tuckneraria sikkimensis Divakar & Upreti sp. nov. is described as a new species. Tuckneraria ahtii Randlane & Saag, T. togashii (Asahina) Randlane & A. Thell and Cetrelia sinensis W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. are reported as new records.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 150 , 249–251.     

North-east Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Buffonellaria (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata): implications for biodiversity and biogeography

In this study we revise the cheilostome bryozoan genus Buffonellaria Canu & Bassler, 1927 and its Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic species, thereby addressing several existing problems. First, a lectotype for the type species, Buffonellaria divergens (Smitt, 1873) from Florida, is chosen, which proves to be distinct from the European species. Second, the two hitherto established north-east Atlantic species [ Buffonellaria nebulosa ( Jullien & Calvet, 1903 ) and Buffonellaria porcellanum Arístegui Ruiz, 1987], are redescribed, which were poorly documented until now. Third, close inspection of material, collected from Spitsbergen to tropical West Africa, using scanning electron microscopy reveals that the actual number of species, all previously referred to either B. divergens or Stephanosella biaperta (Michelin, 1848), is distinctly greater in the north-east Atlantic than has been previously acknowledged. As a result, seven new species are introduced ( Buffonellaria acorensis sp. nov. , Buffonellaria antoniettae sp. nov. , Buffonellaria arctica sp. nov. , Buffonellaria harmelini sp. nov. , Buffonellaria jensi sp. nov. , Buffonellaria muriella sp. nov. , and Buffonellaria ritae sp. nov. ), whereas two are left in open nomenclature. With the increase in number of species, the extremely broad geographical range of distribution assumed for B. divergens breaks down to numerous restricted areas. However, although most species have only been reported from a single location, B. arctica sp. nov. seems to have a fairly wide distribution in the Arctic region.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 537–566.     

Systematics of the bryozoan genus Macropora (Cheilostomata)

Macropora is a distinctive genus of anascan cheilostomes. All species have large zooids with an extensive cryptocystal frontal shield perforated by numerous pores through which parietal muscle strands pass. Also characteristic of Macropora are the calcified opercula closing the d -shaped orifice, avicularia resembling autozooids but having slightly enlarged, typically crenulated opercula/mandibles, and large ovicells that are often costate. This mostly Australasian genus has a documented fossil record stretching back to the Eocene. Here we revise the generic diagnosis of Macropora and describe eight new species from New Zealand (three Recent: M. nodulosa sp. nov. , M. filifera sp. nov. and M. carlosi sp. nov. ; five fossil: M. septispinosa sp. nov. , M. similis sp. nov. , M. pittensis sp. nov. , M. leeae sp. nov. and M. bullata sp. nov. ) and one new species from Japan ( M. mawatariorum sp. nov. ), the only species known with certainty to occur in the northern hemisphere. New observations are given for some previously described species, several of which are illustrated using SEM for the first time. The northern hemisphere Upper Cretaceous species Monoporella exsculpta (Marsson), showing features allowing it to be placed tentatively in the stem-group of Macropora , is redescribed. Attempts to resolve the phylogenetic relationships of species within Macropora were hampered by the relatively few morphological characters compared with the number of species, and it proved impossible to obtain a phylogeny robust to slight changes in taxon and/or character inclusion. The favoured cladogram has poor bootstrap and Bremer support, and its stratigraphical and biogeographical congruences are low.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 153 , 115–146.     

Ecology and systematics of mangrove crabs of the genus Perisesarma (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from East Africa

East Africa has a reduced mangrove crab species richness when compared to Asian mangroves. To date, only one species of Perisesarma de Man, 1895 has been reported in East Africa, despite more than 30 years of mangrove research in this region. Based on morphology, colour, mtDNA and behaviour, we describe a new species of Perisesarma from Kenya, P. samawati sp. nov. Surprisingly, when comparing molecular data from other species within this genus, P. samawati sp. nov. and the sympatric P. guttatum (A. Milne Edwards, 1869) are not sister species. Some aspects of the ecology of P. guttatum and P. samawati sp. nov. are compared and the differences discussed. Additionally, we compare P. samawati sp. nov. with the ecological literature of a possible sister species P. eumolpe de Man, 1895 from Malaysian mangroves. Our findings suggest that the new species is an ecologically important species in East African mangroves.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 141 , 435–445.     

Three new species with two flowered spikelets in Acantholimon (Plumbaginaceae) from East Anatolia, Turkey

Three new species, Acantholimon bashkaleicum sp. nov. , Acantholimon artosense sp. nov. and Acantholimon hoshapicum sp. nov. (Plumbaginaceae) are described and illustrated. The species are all confined to B9/B10 Van Province in East Anatolia where they grow either on calcareous mountain slopes or on mountain steppes. Diagnostic morphological characteristics from the closely related species are given, along with a discussion dealing with their taxonomic relationships, and their conservation statuses are pointed out. A revised key to the Acantholimon species with heterophyllous leaves, two or more flowered and four or more bracteated spikelets is also provided.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144 , 497–505.     

Systematics of the spider genus Metabus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 (Araneoidea: Tetragnathidae) with additions to the tetragnathid fauna of Chile and comments on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae

The spider genus Metabus (Tetragnathidae) previously included nine species: the type M. gravidus O. P.-Cambridge, 1899 – junior synonym of Leucauge ocellata (Keyserling) – from Central America and eight species from Chile. In this paper, the classification of the Metabus species-complex is revised, and two new genera, with three new species and five new combinations, are described. Allende gen. nov. is created for four Chilean species not congeneric with the type of Metabus : the type A. puyehuensis sp. nov. , A. patagiatus (Simon) comb. nov. , A. nigrohumeralis (F. O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. and A. longipes (Nicolet) comb. nov. Further additions to the Chilean fauna are under the new genus Mollemeta gen. nov. – created for M. edwardsi (Simon) comb. nov. – and three new species of Chrysometa : C. acinosa sp. nov. , C. levii sp. nov. and C. maitae sp. nov. Metabus now includes four species: M. ocellatus (Keyserling) comb. nov. , M. debilis (O. P.-Cambridge) comb. nov. , M. ebanoverde sp. nov. and M. conacyt sp. nov. All of these species were included in a phylogenetic analysis of 38 tetragnathid and 12 orbicularian outgroup terminals scored for 105 morphological and behavioural characters. The results suggest that Metabus as previously circumscribed is polyphyletic. The phylogenetic relationships within tetragnathids are briefly discussed. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 , 285–335.     

A new species of Arabis (Brassicaceae) from inner Anatolia

A new species of Arabis L., A. erikii Mutlu sp. nov. , is described and illustrated. The species is restricted to inner Anatolia, south-west of Sivas. It grows on steppes. Diagnostic morphological characters are given for discrimination from the most similar taxa.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 145 , 251–256.     

Revision of the Neotropical Scleropactidae (Crustacea: Oniscidea)

The species of Scleropactidae from America are revised and redescribed. A phylogeny hypothesis based on an analysis of morphological characters is presented. The genera are redefined and the generic placement of several species is corrected. The Neotropical Scleropactidae include Colomboscia , Scleropactes , Circoniscus , Neosanfilippia , Sphaeroniscus , Richardsoniscus , Spherarmadillo , Colomboniscus , Amazoniscus and Protosphaeroniscus . The genus Chileoniscus is excluded from the Scleropactidae. Sphaerobathytropa is excluded from the Scleropactidae and its previous record from Argentina is revealed to be erroneous. Synuropus is revalidated and excluded from the Scleropactidae. The following new genera are introduced: Scleropactoides gen. nov. , Globopactes gen. nov. , Caecopactes gen. nov. , and Troglopactes gen. nov. Thirteen species are described as new: Caecopactes minimus sp. nov. , Colomboscia parva sp. nov. , Globopactes falconensis sp. nov. , Globopactes hispidus sp. nov. , Globopactes meridae sp. nov. , Scleropactes cotopaxii sp. nov. , Scleropactes ecuadoriensis sp. nov. , Scleropactes pululahua sp. nov. , Scleropactoides curvatus sp. nov. , Circoniscus hirsutus sp. nov. , Sphaeroniscus quintus sp. nov. , Spherarmadillo nebulosus sp. nov. , and Chileoniscus armadillidioides sp. nov. Identification keys to all species are provided.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 151 (Suppl. 1), 1–339.     

A species complex within the isopod genus Haploniscus (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida) from the Southern Ocean deep sea: a morphological and molecular approach

Seven new species of the genus Haploniscus from the deep Scotia and Weddell Seas are presented, combining morphological and molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rDNA and nuclear 18S rDNA). Haploniscus cassilatus sp. nov. , H. cucullus sp. nov. , H. weddellensis sp. nov. , H. procerus sp. nov. and H. kyrbasia sp. nov. are characterized by a prominent rostral process, the size and shape of which vary among species. The rostrum of H. microkorys sp. nov. is distinctly smaller than that of the former species, while H. nudifrons sp. nov. does not possess a rostrum. The status of the latter as separate species is obvious, owing to the stronger morphological differences. DNA was sequenced from three of the other five species. Genetic distances together with the more subtle morphological variation justify the erection of separate species. Overall morphological variations between these species are small yet noticeable and include, among others, the rostrum, the shape of the pleotelson and setation of pereopods. Our molecular data sets reveal detailed phylogenetic insights within the Haploniscus cucullus complex, supporting the monophyly of all species. We found p -distances of at least 0.0732 (16S rDNA) and 0.0140 (complete 18S rDNA) between pairs of species and show that both genes can be used as a marker for DNA taxonomy.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 152 , 655–706.     

A new species of Ornithogalum (Liliaceae) from South Anatolia, Turkey

Ornithogalum chetikianum Uysal, Ertugrul & Dural sp. nov. (Liliaceae) is described and illustrated from Anatolia, Turkey. The species grows on alpine steppe and stony places in Bozkır (C4 Konya province) in South Anatolia. It is closely related to O. nutans L. and O. demirizianum Malyer & M.Koyuncu, an endemic confined to South Anatolia. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed. Notes are also presented on the ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 501–504.     

The lichenicolous Opegrapha species (Roccellaceae, Ascomycota) with 3-septate ascospores on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia

The Opegrapha species with 3-septate ascospores growing on Pertusaria and Ochrolechia are revised. Two species are recognized: Opegrapha anomea (of which O. pertusariae , O. quaternella , O. wetmorei and possibly Leciographa weissii are considered to be synonyms), and O. blakii Ertz & Diederich sp. nov. described from a sterile lichen with an Ochrolechia -like thallus, known from Ecuador and Venezuela. Opegrapha anomea and several related lichenicolous species with roundish or irregular, often multilocular ascomata are morphologically intermediate between Opegrapha and Plectocarpon , and might represent a distinct genus.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 144, 235−241.     

A peculiar new Orthotrichum species (Orthotrichaceae, Bryopsida) from central Argentina

A new epiphytic Orthotrichum species ( Orthotrichum spiculatum F. Lara, Garilleti & Mazimpaka sp. nov. ) is described from the sierra of Córdoba (Argentina). The new species has most of the characteristics of subgenus Pulchella (Schimp.) Vitt, but it is unique because of having eight exostome teeth pairs and 16 broad, strongly papillose endostome segments. Additionally, its upper leaves have green, acuminate, dentate–spiculate apices.  © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2007, 155 , 477–482.