Four new Laniatorean harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Four new laniatorean harvestmen specimens (Arachnida: Opiliones: Laniatores) are described from the mid-Cretaceous (upper Albian–lower Cenomanian) Burmese amber of Northern Myanmar. One is placed as Insidiatores indet., but is not formally named as it is probably immature. Burmalomanius circularis n. gen. n. sp. and Petroburma tarsomeria n. gen. n. sp. represent the first fossil records of the extant families Podoctidae and Petrobunidae respectively. Finally, Mesodibunus tourinhoae n. gen. n. sp. belongs to Epedanidae, a family previously recorded from Burmese amber. These new records bring the total number of Burmese amber laniatorean species to ten, and the total number of fossil laniatoreans to fifteen. The new finds offer additional calibration points for the Laniatores tree of life and are consistent with the hypothesis that the modern Laniatores fauna of Southeast Asia may have had Gondwanan, as opposed to a Laurasian, origins.     

The enigmatic Alpine opilionid Saccarella schilleri gen. n., sp. n. (Arachnida: Nemastomatidae)—isolated systematic placement inferred from comparative genital morphology

In Opiliones, male genital morphology plays a key role in systematics and understanding the evolution of the group because functional modifications often outline higher taxonomic levels. In Nemastomatidae, different lateral stabilizing structures on the penial truncus cane developed independently. These wing-like protuberances serve as anchor points for two muscular tendons and are interpreted traditionally as generic characters. A newly discovered species from Monte Saccarello in the Ligurian Alps of North-western Italy is unique in providing anchor points as stabilizing parts of the distal truncus cane below the glans by short and narrow lateral folds. To place this unusual species within the Nemastomatidae one must re-evaluate the usefulness of male genital morphological and other characters used in the systematics of the family. The resulting phylogenetic framework is supplemented with available molecular genetic data. Based on both datasets, the creation of a new genus seems justified. Saccarella schilleri gen. n. sp. n. is subsequently described and further defined. The endemism and biogeography of the harvestmen fauna in the South-western Alps are discussed with respect to this enigmatic genus.     

Walk it off: predictive power of appendicular characters toward inference of higher‐level relationships in Laniatores (Arachnida: Opiliones)

Morphological characters are essential for establishing phylogenetic relationships, delimiting higher‐level taxa, and testing phylogenetic relationships inferred from molecular sequence data. In cases where relationships between large clades remain unresolved, it becomes imperative to establish which character systems are sound predictors of phylogenetic signal. In the case of Laniatores, the largest suborder of Opiliones, some superfamilial relationships remain unresolved or unsupported, and traditionally employed phenotypic characters are typically of utility only at the family level. Here we investigated a promising set of morphological characters that can be discretized and scored in all Opiliones: cuticular structures of the distal podomeres (metatarsi and tarsi). We intensively sampled members of all known families of Laniatores, and define here three new, discrete appendicular characters toward refinement of Laniatores superfamilial systematics: metatarsal paired slits (MPS; occurring in all Laniatores except Sandokanidae), proximal tarsomeric gland (PTG; in Icaleptidae, Fissiphalliidae, and Zalmoxidae), and tarsal aggregate pores (TAP; found in Gonyleptoidea, Epedanoidea, and Pyramidopidae). We conducted statistical tests on each character to characterize the strength of phylogenetic signal and assess character independence, based on alternative tree topologies of Laniatores. All three characters had high retention indices and bore significantly strong phylogenetic signal. Excepting one pairwise comparison, morphological characters did not evolve in a correlated manner, indicating that appendicular morphology does not constitute a single character system. Our results demonstrate the predictive power and utility of appendicular characters in Opiliones phylogeny, and proffer a promising source of diagnostic synapomorphies for delimiting superfamilies.     

Phylogenetic revision of Bonjeania Irwin & Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae)

The endemic Australian genus Bonjeania Irwin & Lyneborg is revised. Seven species are described as new: B. angelikae sp.n., B. clamosis sp.n., B. dynastis sp.n., B. flavofemoralis sp.n., B. irwinae sp.n., B. orphne sp.n. and B. trilineata sp.n. Three species, B. actuosa (White), B. nitidifrons (Macquart) and B. segnis (White), are redescribed. All species of Bonjeania were compared in a cladistic analysis with Agapophytus albobasalis Mann and five exemplars of the speciose sister genus Parapsilocephala Kröber, and the phylogenetic relationships of Bonjeania discussed. The male genitalic musculature of B. clamosis sp.n. is described and figured, and discussed with respect to previous studies on other Therevidae.     

Cosmetophilus vonones, N. G., N. Sp., (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae) in the Harvestman Vonones sayi (Arachnida: Cosmetidae)

The gregarine Cosmetophilus vonones , n. g., n. sp. (Sporozoasida: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) from the intestine and intestinal caeca of the harvestman Vonones sayi (Simon) (Opiliones: Cosmetidae) is described. The new internal parasite is the first recorded from a harvestman in the New World and the second from the opilion suborder Laniatores. In addition to the records from the type locality in western Texas, additional collections are reported from the same host in central and eastern Texas and Tennessee.     

Phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Agnotecous in New Caledonia (Orthoptera: Grylloidea, Eneopteridae)

Abstract. Within a framework for historical analysis of Eneopterinae biogeography the New Caledonian endemic cricket genus Agnotecous Saussure, 1878 is revised: the eight already known species are diagnosed and six new species described, A. azurensis Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. , A. chopardi Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. , A. clarus Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. , A. doensis Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. , A. meridionalis Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. and A. occidentalis Desutter‐Grandcolas sp.n. Four species groups are characterized by male genitalic structures. Identification keys are provided for both males and females. A cladistic analysis was performed using fifty‐eight morphological characters. The two resultant topologies, which differ only in topology of three apical species, support the monophyly of Agnotecous and that of the four species groups. Preliminary hypotheses of Eneopterinae historical biogeography are derived from phylogenetic and distributional data.     

Phylogeny and systematic position of Opiliones: a combined analysis of chelicerate relationships using morphological and molecular data

The ordinal level phylogeny of the Arachnida and the suprafamilial level phylogeny of the Opiliones were studied on the basis of a combined analysis of 253 morphological characters, the complete sequence of the 18S rRNA gene, and the D3 region of the 28S rRNA gene. Molecular data were collected for 63 terminal taxa. Morphological data were collected for 35 exemplar taxa of Opiliones, but groundplans were applied to some of the remaining chelicerate groups. Six extinct terminals, including Paleozoic scorpions, are scored for morphological characters. The data were analyzed using strict parsimony for the morphological data matrix and via direct optimization for the molecular and combined data matrices. A sensitivity analysis of 15 parameter sets was undertaken, and character congruence was used as the optimality criterion to choose among competing hypotheses. The results obtained are unstable for the high-level chelicerate relationships (except for Tetrapulmonata, Pedipalpi, and Camarostomata), and the sister group of the Opiliones is not clearly established, although the monophyly of Dromopoda is supported under many parameter sets. However, the internal phylogeny of the Opiliones is robust to parameter choice and allows the discarding of previous hypotheses of opilionid phylogeny such as the "Cyphopalpatores" or "Palpatores." The topology obtained is congruent with the previous hypothesis of "Palpatores" paraphyly as follows: (Cyphophthalmi (Eupnoi (Dyspnoi + Laniatores))). Resolution within the Eupnoi, Dyspnoi, and Laniatores (the latter two united as Dyspnolaniatores nov.) is also stable to the superfamily level, permitting a new classification system for the Opiliones.     

A taxonomic revision of Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus) (Yorke & Maplestone, 1926) and Labiostrongylus (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. (Nematoda: Cloacinidae) from macropodid and potoroid marsupials

The morphological characters used to differentiate species in the genus Labiostrongylus Yorke & Maplestone, 1926, parasitic in macropodid and potoroid marsupials, are discussed. The genus is divided into three subgenera Labiostrongylus (Labiostrongylus), L. (Labiomultiplex) n. subg. and L. (Labiosimplex) n. subg. on the basis of the presence or absence of interlabia and the morphology of the oesophagus. A key to the subgenera is given and a detailed revision of two of the subgenera is presented. Keys to each of the subgenera are given, the species discussed being: L. (L.) labiostrongylus) (type-species) (syn. L. (L.) insularis, L. (L.) grandis, L. (L.) macropodis sp. inq. and L. (L.) nabarlekensis n. sp., in the subgenus Labiostrongylus, and L. (Lm.) eugenii, L. (Lm.) novaeguineae, L. (Lm.) onychogale, L. (Lm.) uncinatus, L. (Lm.) billardierii n. sp., L. (Lm.) constrictis n. sp., L. (Lm.) kimberleyensis n. sp., L. (Lm.) thylogale n. sp., and L. (Lm.) potoroi, n. sp., in the subgenus Labiomultiplex.     

Eight new Tricoma species (Nematoda,Desmoscolecidae) from a deep-sea transect off Calvi (Corsica,Mediterranean)

Eight new species of the genus Tricoma are described from the Mediterranean: Tricoma (Tricoma) apophysis sp.n., Tricoma (T.) latispicula sp.n., Tricoma (T.) corsicana sp.n., Tricoma (T.) pygmaea sp.n., Tricoma (T.) vincxae sp.n., Tricoma (T.) duopapillata sp.n., Tricoma (T.) setosa sp.n. and Tricoma (Quadricoma) tripapillata sp.n.. All are noteworthy for being small.     

Two significant new snakeflies from Baltic amber,with discussion on autapomorphies of the order and its included taxa (Raphidioptera)

Abstract. Succinoraphidia exhibens gen.n., sp.n. (Raphidiidae: Succinoraphidiinae subfam.n.) and Succinofibla aperta gen.n., sp.n. (Inocelliidae) from Baltic Amber are described and figured. Both male holotypes are significant for giving access to their genital sclerites, allowing comparison with relevant structures of extant species. The erection of the new subfamily Succinoraphidiinae as the sister group of the Raphidiinae (comprising all other known members of the family), triggers reconsiderations concerning reliable autapomorphies of Raphidioptera, which are discussed. As a consequence, the Jurassic Hondelagia and Priscaenigma have to be dismissed from the order.     

New species and new data on Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae (Zygentoma) from Eastern Asia and Pacific islands

Four new genera and eleven new species of Zygentoma thysanurans (families Protrinemuridae and Nicoletiidae) are described and some faunistic novelties reported from Oriental and Australian Regions, viz.: Protrinemura leclerci n. sp., from northern Thailand, Protrinemurella allacrotelsoides n. gen. n. sp., from southern Thailand, and Protrinemuroides celebensis n. gen. n. sp., from the Celebes islands (Protrinemuridae), Lepidospora (L.) digitata n. sp., from northern Thailand, L. (L.) deharvengi n. sp., from the Celebes, and Pseudobrinckina anempodiata n. gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Coletiniinae), Gastrotheus (G.) papuanus n. sp., from Papua-New Guinea (Nicoletiidae: Atelurinae), and Metrinura celebensis n. sp., from the Celebes, Trinemurodes anomalocoxa n. sp., from southern Thailand, T. bedosae n. sp., from northern Thailand, and Allotrinemurodes thai n.gen. n. sp., from northern Thailand (Nicoletiidae: Subnicoletiinae). Bharatatelura malabarica Mendes is reported for the first time off the Indian sub-continent (in Suva). Proatelura jacobsoni Silvestri is recorded in Macao (southern China) and in the Moluccas islands and notes are presented on its male sex. Gastrotheus (Lasiotheus) nanus (Escherich) is found for the very first time in Macao, in Cook islands and in Niue. Identification keys are provided to Protrinemuridae genera and to species of Trinemurodes, and modifications are suggested to previously presented keys to Nicoletiidae genera and to Lepidospora and Metrinura species.     

New record of the subfamily Agdistinae (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) from Korea with description of a new species

A new species, Agdistis endospela Kim sp. nov., is described and the subfamily Agdistinae (Lepidoptera: Pterophoridae) is reported for the first time from Korea. Illustrations of external and genitalic characters are provided.     

Phylogenetic systematics of Schacontia Dyar with descriptions of eight new species (Lepidoptera,?Crambidae)

The Neotropical genus Schacontia Dyar (1914) is reviewed and revised to include eleven species. Schacontia replica Dyar, 1914, syn. n. and Schacontia pfeifferi Amsel, 1956, syn. n. are synonymized with Schacontia chanesalis (Druce, 1899) and eight new species are described: Schacontia umbra,sp. n., Schacontia speciosa,sp. n., Schacontia themis, sp. n., Schacontia rasa, sp. n., Schacontia nyx,sp. n., Schacontia clotho, sp. n., Schacontia lachesis, sp. n., and Schacontia atropos, sp. n. Three species, Schacontia medalba, Schacontia chanesalis, and Schacontia ysticalis, are re-described. An analysis of 64 characters (56 binary, 8 multistate; 5 head, 13 thoracic, 13 abdominal, 25 male genitalic, and 8 female genitalic) scored for all Schacontia and three outgroup species (Eustixia pupula Hübner, 1823, Glaphyria sesquistrialis Hübner, 1823, and Hellula undalis (Fabricius, 1781)) retrieved 8 equally most parsimonious trees (L=102, CI=71, RI=84) of which the strict consensus is: [[[[medalba + umbra] + chanesalis] + speciosa] + [ysticalis + [rasa + themis + [atropos + lachesis + nyx + clotho]]]]. The relevance of male secondary sexual characters to the diagnosis of Schacontia species is discussed.     

Monograph of the solenofilomorphidae (Turbellaria: Acoela)

Morphological studies of eleven new species in the family permitted reconstruction of progressive evolutionary lines, and this strongly implies progressive evolutionary lines for other acoela. Solenofilomorpha funilis n. sp., Myopea crassula n. g. n. sp., M. latafaucium n. sp., Fusantrum rhammiphorum n. g. n. sp. and Endocincta punctata n. g. n. sp. are described from the coast of South Carolina, U.S.A., and S. guaymensis n. sp. is described from the Gulf of California. Five additional unnamed species from the U. S. Pacific Coast, Sweden and Tunisia are briefly described. Two species groupings were based on correlation between two different arrangements of pharynx muscles and trio arrangements of antrum muscles and further correlations with lesser characters. The membership of the two groupings in a single family make it clear that evolution proceeded by addition of structures to a less complex common ancestor. Functional and behavioral considerations support the evolutionary path drawn from morphology. Distinctive statocyst structure, ciliary interconnections and sperm morphology shared by acoels show them to have a common ancestry, but clearly different pharynges and male structures cannot be consistent with evolution by reductions. A common ancestor of low complexity has probably given rise to several partly parallel evolutionary lines which together form the structurally diverse Acoela. The history of acoel systematics is also briefly summarized.     

A multilocus approach to harvestman (Arachnida: Opiliones) phylogeny with emphasis on biogeography and the systematics of Laniatores

The internal phylogeny of the arachnid order Opiliones is investigated by including molecular data from five molecular markers for ca. 140 species totalling 43 families of Opiliones. The phylogenetic analyses consisted of a direct optimization (DO) approach using POY v. 4 and sophisticated tree search algorithms as well as a static alignment analysed under maximum likelihood. The four Opiliones suborders were well‐supported clades, but subordinal relationships did not receive support in the DO analysis, with the exception of the monophyly of Palpatores (=Eupnoi + Dyspnoi). Maximum‐likelihood analysis strongly supported the traditional relationship of Phalangida and Palpatores: (Cyphophthalmi ((Eupnoi + Dyspnoi) Laniatores)). Relationships within each suborder are well resolved and largely congruent between direct optimization and maximum‐likelihood approaches. Age estimates for the main Opiliones lineages suggest a Carboniferous diversification of Cyphophthalmi, while its sister group, Phalangida, diversified in the Early Devonian. Diversification of all suborders predates the Triassic, and most major lineages predate the Cretaceous. The following taxonomic changes are proposed. Dyspnoi: Hesperonemastoma is transferred to Sabaconidae. Insidiatores: Sclerobunidae stat. nov. is erected as a family for Zuma acuta. © The Willi Hennig Society 2009.     

Bewsiella Domrow (Acarina: Mesostigmata): a revision and the description of new species

The genus Bewsiella is considered to comprise a considerable number of species, despite having been regarded as monotypic. The structure of the male spermadactyl is proposed as a key character for separating congeneric species. This character seems likely to bear phylogenetic information on both the mites themselves and their hosts. Since the male of Bewsiella fledermaus Domrow, the type-species, has not been found, it is impossible to define the morphology of this species based on both sexes. Consequently, all mites that share many characters with the female of B. fledermaus are placed in a B. fledermaus species group. B. aelleni (Till) is considered as a valid species and both sexes and the protonymph are redescribed and illustrated. B. nycteris n. sp., B. emballonuris n. sp., B. cloeotis n. sp., B. haradai n. sp. and B. coelopos n. sp. are described and illustrated. The genus Bewsiella was originally allocated to the family Laelapidae and later transferred to the family Macronyssidae. Recently, the genus was returned to the Laelapidae, and some evidence supporting this action was obtained during the present study, but further studies are required for confirmation.     

A new lyonetiid moth, a pest of winged-bean

. Leucoptera psophocarpella sp.n., a minute lyonetiid moth (wing-span ±4 mm) whose larvae damage the leaves of winged-bean ( Psophocarpus tetragonolobus DC.) (Leguminosae) in Papua New Guinea, is described from the adult, larva and pupa. This species is known locally as the 'winged-bean blotch miner' because of the characteristic damage caused by the larvae. Figures are given of the diagnostic external, venational and genitalic characters of the adult and chaetotactic and morphological characters of the larva and pupa.