East Weddell Sea echinoids from the JR275 expedition

Information regarding the echinoids in this dataset is based on the Agassiz Trawl (AGT) and epibenthic sledge (EBS) samples collected during the British Antarctic Survey cruise JR275 on the RRS James Clark Ross in the austral summer 2012. A total of 56 (1 at the South Orkneys and 55 in the Eastern Weddell Sea) Agassiz Trawl and 18 (2 at the South Orkneys and 16 in the Eastern Weddell Sea) epibenthic sledge deployments were performed at depths ranging from ~280 to ~2060 m. This presents a unique collection for the Antarctic benthic biodiversity assessment of an important group of benthic invertebrates. In total 487 specimens belonging to six families, 15 genera, and 22 morphospecies were collected. The species richness per station varied between one and six. Total species richness represents 27% of the 82 echinoid species ever recorded in the Southern Ocean (David et al. 2005b, Pierrat et al. 2012, Saucède et al. 2014). The Cidaridae (sub-family Ctenocidarinae) and Schizasteridae are the two most speciose families in the dataset. They comprise seven and nine species respectively. This is illustrative of the overall pattern of echinoid diversity in the Southern Ocean where 65% of Antarctic species belong to the families Schizasteridae and Cidaridae (Pierrat et al. 2012).     

Larval descriptions of the family Porcellanidae: A worldwide annotated compilation of the literature (Crustacea,Decapoda)

For most of the family Porcellanidae, which comprises 283 species, larval development remains to be described. Full development has been only described for 52 species, while part of the larval cycle has been described for 45 species. The importance of knowing the complete larval development of a species goes beyond allowing the identification of larval specimens collected in the plankton. Morphological larval data also constitute a support to cladistic techniques used in the establishment of the phylogenetic status (see Hiller et al. 2006, Marco-Herrero et al. 2013). Nevertheless, the literature on the larval development of this family is old and widely dispersed and in many cases it is difficult to collect the available information on a particular taxon. Towards the aim of facilitating future research, all information available on the larval development of porcellanids has been compiled. Following the taxonomic checklist of Porcellanidae proposed by Osawa and McLaughlin (2010), a checklist has been prepared that reflects the current knowledge about larval development of the group including larval stages and the method used to obtain the larvae, together with references. Those species for which the recognised names have been changed according to Osawa and McLaughlin (2010) are indicated.     

First Immature of the New World Treehopper tribe Thuridini (Hemiptera,Membracidae, Smiliinae) with a new synonym,a new combination,and a new country record

The species Thuris depressus Sakakibara (1975) is proposed as a syn. n. of Thuris binodosus (Goding 1926), comb. n. The distribution of the genus is expanded from Brazil and Peru to include Ecuador and Venezuela, and the immature is described based on 75 characters.     

Review of the genus Laelaspisella Marais & Loots,with the description of a new species from Iran (Acari,Laelapidae)

A new species of mite is described from Iran, Laelaspisella elsae sp. n. (Acari: Laelapidae). The new species was collected from bark of elm trees in Isfahan province. A revised diagnosis for Laelaspisella, as well as a key to the world species of the genus, are presented. Two species groups of Laelaspisella are proposed: those with seta pd3 on genu I and those without pd3 on genu I. Pseudoparasitus (Gymnolaelaps) tonsilis Karg, 1989a is transferred to Laelaspisella, based on its hypertrichous holodorsal shield, metasternal setae st4 absent and genu IV with ten setae. The problems with Laelaspisella canestrinii are explained and Laelaspisella canestrinii sensu Berlese (1903), (1904) and Costa (1962) is provided with a new name, Laelaspisella berlesei Joharchi, nom. n.     

A review of Norwegian Gymnometriocnemus (Diptera,Chironomidae) including the description of two new species and a new name for Gymnometriocnemus volitans (Goetghebuer) sensu Brundin

Examination of the syntypes of Metriocnemus volitans Goetghebuer, 1940 revealed that these specimens belong to the genus Chaetocladius and are not con-specific with Gymnometriocnemus volitans (Goetghebuer, 1940) sensu Brundin (1956) and Sæther (1983). A literature search showed that Gymnometriocnemus kamimegavirgus Sasa & Hirabayashi, 1993 fits well with the species figured and diagnosed by Brundin (1956) as well as with specimens of this species from Norway. We present arguments for Chaetocladius volitans (Goetghebuer) comb. n. and for the use of Gymnometriocnemus kamimegavirgus for Gymnometriocnemus volitans sensu Brundin. In addition, we provide DNA barcode data that indicate the presence of at least seven Gymnometriocnemus species in Norway of which six are collected as male adults. Two of these, Gymnometriocnemus (Gymnometriocnemus) pallidus sp. n. and Gymnometriocnemus (Raphidocladius) autumnalis sp. n. are regarded as new to science and diagnosed based on adult male morphology and DNA barcodes. The species Gymnometriocnemus (Gymnometriocnemus) marionensis Sæther, 1969 is re-established and a key to all Holarctic species is provided.     

Checklist of the family Ephydridae of Finland (Insecta,?Diptera)

A checklist of 112 species of shore flies (Ephydridae, Diptera) recorded from Finland is presented. Comparing this to the list of Hackman (1980), 52 changes are made: 25 species are added (all but one recorded after 1980), 18 misidentifications are deleted, 5 junior synonyms are replaced and 5 updated generic combinations are given.     

New records of Protura (Entognatha,Arthropoda) from Romania,with an identification key to the Romanian species

The Romanian Protura were studied based on 175 specimens collected from Romania, along with bibliographic data. The main publication on the Romanian proturans was written by M.A. Ionescu (1951), who described 13 species mainly from soil and forest litter from 15 collecting points. The current paper represents the first study at a national level. Faunal data on Protura were obtained from 22 sites, mostly from forests of the Romanian Carpathians and also from a peri-urban area of Bucharest, which had not been studied before. As a result, the Romanian Protura fauna now consists of 27 known taxa in 6 genera and 4 families. Of the 27 taxa, 15 species are new records for Romanian fauna. An identification key to the Romanian Protura species is provided.     

On Afromantispa and Mantispa (Insecta,Neuroptera, Mantispidae): elucidating generic boundaries

The genus Afromantispa Snyman & Ohl, 2012 was recently synonymised with Mantispa Illiger, 1798 by Monserrat (2014). Here morphological evidence is presented in support of restoring the genus Afromantispa stat. rev. to its previous status as a valid and morphologically distinct genus. Twelve new combinations (comb. n.) are proposed as species of Afromantispa including three new synonyms.     

Revision of the family Carabodidae (Acari,Oribatida) V. Fourth part. Two new species of the genus Congocepheus from the Republic of Rwanda: Congocepheus rwandensis sp. n., and Congocepheus kayoveae sp. n.

Two new species from Rwanda are described utilizing optical and scanning electron microscope observations: Congocepheus rwandensis sp. n. and Congocepheus kayoveae sp. n. are compared to Congocepheus taurus Balogh 1961.     

A new genus of soft coral (Cnidaria,Octocorallia) from the Republic of Congo (Pointe-Noire Region)

A new genus of soft coral from the Republic of Congo is described, Complexum gen. n. Nine West African octocoral species previously described in the genus Alcyonium by Tixier-Durivault (1955) are referred to this new genus, and a new species is described and figured, Complexum pusillum sp. n. The new species is characterized by having encrusting growth form and abundant spiny clubs in the surface of the polyparium. It colonizes shallow calcareous rocky banks (5 to 20 m depth) existing in coastal water of the region of Pointe-Noire. Based on molecular phylogeny this new genus is well separated from Alcyonium species.     

Two new species and one new record of Parakiefferiella Thienemann, 1936 from China (Diptera,Chironomidae)

Two new species of the genus Parakiefferiella Thienemann, 1936 (Parakiefferiella fasciata Liu & Wang, sp. n. and Parakiefferiella liupanensis Liu & Wang, sp. n.) are described as adult males from China. Parakiefferiella tamatriangulata Sasa is recorded from China for the first time. A key to the known adult males of Parakiefferiella from China is presented. The generic diagnosis of male Parakiefferiella given by Cranston et al. (1989) is emended.     

A new species of the genus Sulawesifulvius Gorczyca,Chérot, & ?tys, 2004 (Insecta,Heteroptera, Miridae,Cylapinae) from India

A new species, Sulawesifulvius indicus sp. n., is described from Bangalore, India. It is easily separated from the type species Sulawesifulvius schuhi Gorczyca et al., 2004, the only other species of the genus, by the small size, dorsal coloration, and the male genital structures. The discovery of a new species of Sulawesifulvius in southern India considerably extends the distribution of the genus, previously recorded only from Sulawesi, Indonesia.     

Nylanderia deceptrix sp. n., a new species of obligately socially parasitic formicine ant (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Obligately socially parasitic ants are social parasites that typically lack the sterile worker caste, and depend on the host species for survival and brood care. The genus Nylanderia has over 130 described species and subspecies, none of which, until this study, were known social parasites. Here we describe the first social parasite known in the genus, Nylanderia deceptrix. Aspects of the biology of the host species, Nylanderia parvula (Mayr 1870), and Nylanderia deceptrix are examined. The data from both the host and the parasite species are combined to better understand the host-parasite relationship.     

A review of the current knowledge on Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera,Tephritidae) in Africa,with a list of species included in Zeugodacus

This paper reviews all available information regarding the occurrence and biology of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in the Afrotropical Region, including data on invasion history, distribution patterns, population genetics, host range, and interspecific competition. Although limited intraspecific variability has been observed within the region regarding the above mentioned aspects, there seems to be no indication that Zeugodacus cucurbitae represents a species complex. A checklist of all of the species included in Zeugodacus as recently proposed by Virgilio et al. (2015) is provided.     

A Presumptive Developmental Role for a Sea Urchin Cyclin B Splice Variant

We show that a splice variant–derived cyclin B is produced in sea urchin oocytes and embryos. This splice variant protein lacks highly conserved sequences in the COOH terminus of the protein. It is found strikingly abundant in growing oocytes and cells committed to differentiation during embryogenesis. Cyclin B splice variant (CBsv) protein associates weakly in the cell with Xenopus cdc2 and with budding yeast CDC28p. In contrast to classical cyclin B, CBsv very poorly complements a triple CLN deletion in budding yeast, and its microinjection prevents an initial step in MPF activation, leading to an important delay in oocyte meiosis reinitiation. CBsv microinjection in fertilized eggs induces cell cycle delay and abnormal development. We assume that CBsv is produced in growing oocytes to keep them in prophase, and during embryogenesis to slow down cell cycle in cells that will be committed to differentiation.Cyclins are a conserved family of proteins that play a central role in eukaryotic cell division cycle progression, as regulatory subunits of cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs, whose catalytic subunits are homologues of the fission yeast cdc2 protein).¹ CDKs are downstream targets of convergent cascades of regulations at critical points of the cell cycle. M-phase–promoting factor (MPF, formerly maturation promoting factor, reference 21), the factor responsible for M-phase entry and progression in mitosis, has been purified three times by biochemical means (7, 19, 36). MPF from starfish, Xenopus, and carp oocytes has been found to be a heterodimer composed of one molecule of cdc2 and one molecule of cyclin B (CB). B type cyclins are archetypal mitotic cyclins, evolutively and functionally related to fission yeast cdc13p. Among CDKs, the regulation of MPF is by far the best understood today. Cyclin B is required for activity, as well for activation and for inhibition of MPF. The cdc2 monomer has never been found active. Its activation is conferred by the CAK-dependent T161-phosphorylation that requires cyclin B association (4, 28, 33). Inhibition of MPF during S- and G2-phases and also by the DNA replication checkpoint mechanism is achieved by wee1-catalyzed phosphorylation of the tyrosine 15 in cyclin B–bound molecules of cdc2 (9, 22). Cyclin B is also likely required for activation of the protein phosphatase cdc25p that specifically dephosphorylates tyrosine 15 and allows MPF amplification and entry into mitosis (5, 37). Finally, targeted proteolysis of cyclin B by an ubiquitin-dependent pathway is the mechanism by which MPF is inactivated and the cell returns to interphase (8). Therefore, the major part of MPF regulation is accounted for by cyclin B synthesis and proteolysis. This was emphasized in simplified early embryogenesis cycles that are composed of a succession of M- and S-phases without intervening G-phases. Cycles in acellular Xenopus egg extracts are driven by MPF as a basic oscillator, whose periodic activity is scheduled strictly by oscillating abundance of cyclin B (24). Accordingly, during the cleavage period of Xenopus embryogenesis, cdc2 tyrosine 15 is never found phosphorylated (3) and checkpoint mechanisms are downregulated.Site-directed mutagenesis as well as protein crystallization have allowed the mapping of some sequences in cyclins involved in these regulations. Crystal structure of the homologous dimer cdk2–cyclin A showed that the cyclin interacts with the cdk via sequences distributed along the so-called cyclin box, a sequence well conserved among all cyclins (14). In the NH₂ terminus of mitotic cyclins A and B, a destruction box is required to allow ubiquitination of the protein and its targeted proteolysis in anaphase (8). Mutants that are deleted for this box are stable in mitosis, and their overexpression triggers mitotic arrest. Also in the NH₂-terminal region of B type cyclins, a cytoplasmic retention signal (CRS) is presumed to account for differential early prophase localization of nuclear cyclin A and cytoplasmic cyclin B (27). A chimeric cyclin A with the first amino acids of cyclin B remains cytoplasmic until early prophase. Further on, at the beginning of the cyclin box, conserved amino acids in the P-box are thought to be involved in the specific activation of cdc2 by cdc25 (37). Finally, two reports showed that a short COOH-terminal deletion of recombinant cyclins A or B abolished the binding to cdc2 (17, 34), although this region was not found to be directly involved in the physical interaction between cyclin A and cdk2 (14).Here we show that such a COOH-terminal truncation, which removes universally conserved amino acids, is naturally realized in a splice variant of sea urchin cyclin B. Moreover, immunofluorescence experiments suggest this splice variant plays a role in embryogenesis and behaves like a marker of cell lineages in postcleavage embryos.     

Can whole-drawer images measure up? A reply to Johnson et al. (2013)?

Johnson et al. (2013) found that morphometric measurements of dragonfly wings taken from actual specimens and measurements taken from whole-drawer images of those specimens were equally accurate. We do not believe that their conclusions are justified by their data and analysis. Our reasons are, first, that their study was constrained in ways that restrict the generalisability of their results, but second, and of far greater significance, their statistical approach was entirely unsuited to their data and their results misled them to erroneous conclusions. We offer an alternative analysis of their data as published. Our reanalysis demonstrates, contra Johnson et al., that measurements from scanned images are not a reliable substitute for direct measurement.