Eocene siliceous sponges from the Ebro Basin (Catalonia, Spain)

The Eocene (Bartonian) marls of the La Guixa Member and Gurb Member, Vic Marls Formation (Ebro Basin, Catalonia, Spain), contain a very rich and diversified siliceous sponge fauna. The fauna is dominated by hexactinellids; lithistids and other demosponges are rare. It consists of 16 species representing 16 genera. Eleven new species and two new genera are proposed for these sponges: Reguantella cavernosa nov. gen. nov. sp., Regadrella concinna nov. sp. (both Hexactinellida, Lyssacinosa), Eurete clava nov. sp., Pleuroguettardia iberica nov. sp., Aphrocallistes almeriae nov. sp., Hexactinella informis nov. sp. (all Hexactinellida, Hexactinosa), Brachiolites munterensis nov. sp., Centrosia viquensis nov. sp., Callicylix eocenicus nov. sp., Rhizocheton robustus nov. sp. (all Hexactinellida, Lychniscosa), Propetrosia pristina nov. gen. nov. sp. (Demospongia, Haplosclerida). Some genera of sponges in this fauna are still extant, but, in general, the predominant ones are very close in morphology, and, without doubt, closely related to the Late Cretaceous sponges. This fauna also differs considerably, in terms of composition, from most other described faunas of Tertiary sponges from the Mediterranean region, which are dominated by lithistid sponges. Lithistid sponges are rare in this investigated assemblage, which seems most similar to an as yet undescribed Eocene fauna from Italy. There is ecological differentiation in the proportions of particular sponges in various outcrops and/or stratigraphical levels that is clearly associated with water-depth-related controlling factor(s): Munter, Tona and Sta. Cecilia represent the deepest facies, Gurb is intermediate, and St. Roc and Vespella are the most shallow. The exact bathymetric position of the sponge fauna is difficult to estimate, but it seems that 100 m (but probably 200 m and more in the case of the deepest parts) of water depth may be inferred for this facies.     

Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov., non-phototrophic Rhodobacteraceae from the biofilter of a marine aquaculture

Three Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture. They were non-pigmented rods, mesophiles, moderately halophilic, and showed chemo-organoheterotrophic growth on various sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids, with oxygen as electron acceptor; strains D9-3^T and D11-58 were in addition able to denitrify. Phototrophic or fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed D9-3^T and D11-58, and D1-19^T on two distinct branches within the alpha-3 proteobacterial Rhodobacteraceae, affiliated with, but clearly separate from, the genera Rhodobacter, Rhodovulum, and Rhodobaca. Based on morphological, physiological, and 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic characteristics, the isolated strains are proposed as new species of two novel genera, Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain D9-3^T = DSM 18921^T = ATCC BAA-1447^T; additional strain D11-58 = DSM19039 = ATCC BAA-1448) and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov (type strain D1-19^T = DSM 18938^T = ATCC BAA-1446^T).     

Palaeoskapha sichuanensis gen. et sp. nov. (Menispermaceae) from the Eocene Relu Formation in western Sichuan, West China

Palaeoskapha sichuanensis gen. et sp. nov. of Menispermaceae is described here for the first time based on a well preserved fossil fruit. The specimen was found in the Relu Formation of western Sichuan, West China. The specimen, straight, boat-shaped endocarp with large ventral condyle, clearly belongs to the tribe Tinosporeae. The wide aperture of the double condyle, combined with a whole shape not deeply invaginated, indicates a genus different from what was already known to science for this tribe. This fossil widens the distribution of the tribe during Eocene from North America and Europe to Asia, where it was formerly unknown.     

Seminibacterium arietis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the semen of rams

Two gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, bacillus-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from the semen of two rams. 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that both isolates represented a distinct subline within the family Pasteurellaceae with <95% sequence similarity to any recognized member of this family. Sequencing of rpoB and infB genes confirmed this finding with the semen isolates representing a new sub-line within the family Pasteurellaceae. The main cell fatty acids of strain DICM-00342^T were C_14:0, C_16:0, C_18:1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2OH). Ubiquinone Q-8 was the major quinone and 1,3-diaminopropane was the predominat polyamine. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The new genus can be phenotypically distinguished from currently described genera of this family based on physiological traits and a combination of signature amino acids in the RpoB protein sequence. On the basis of these results we describe a new genus and species for which we propose the name of Seminibacterium arietis gen. nov., sp. nov. (DICM11-00342^T = CCUG 61707^T = CECT 8033^T).     

Galvechelone lopezmartinezae gen. et sp. nov., a new cryptodiran turtle in the Lower Cretaceous of Europe

Abstract: The Spanish town of Galve (Teruel) is notable because of the abundance of Upper Jurassic and, especially, Lower Cretaceous vertebrates recorded there. Although most groups have been studied in detail, information on turtles is very limited even though the material is relatively abundant. So far, no turtle taxa have been identified at the generic level. The only Lower Cretaceous articulated specimen from Galve is analysed here. It is identified as a representative of Cryptodira, Galvechelone lopezmartinezae gen. et sp. nov. Galvechelone lopezmartinezae is determined as a taxon belonging to the node that groups the turtles traditionally assigned to ‘Macrobaenidae’ and ‘Sinemydidae’, and other taxa such as the members of Panchelonioidea. This node, very abundant in the Lower Cretaceous of Asia, and with a broad subsequent distribution, has recently been recognized in the Lower Cretaceous of Europe. The diversity of basal members of Eucryptodira in the European Late Jurassic (represented by Thalassemydidae, Plesiochelyidae and Eurysternidae) was high. Owing to a relative scarcity of well‐preserved early Cretaceous turtles from Europe, the knowledge of this group of reptiles is limited. The study of the new turtle from Galve, together with the recently described Hoyasemys jimenezi, and the recently completed review of the enigmatic Chitracephalus dumonii demonstrate that members of the cryptodiran node grouping ‘Macrobaenidae’, ‘Sinemydidae’ and Panchelonioidea were also very diverse in this period.     

Scinderella scopuliformis nov. gen., nov. sp. (Dasycladales, green algae) from the middle Triassic of Croatia

Scinderella scopuliformis nov. gen., nov. sp. is identified in the Anisian (Middle Triassic) reef limestones from the Belski dol quarry (Ivanš?ica Mt., NW Croatia). The new alga is characterised by claviform thallus, curved in the basal part, and very narrow central cavity. Thallus is often disintegrated into fragments. Laterals swell from a thin basal part, and have uniform (rarely slightly increasing) diameter along most of their length. Distally, they are flattened and probably touch each other, forming an irregular cortex. Laterals are arranged densely in close whorls and oblique to the longitudinal axis. Euspondyl arrangement is readily visible in the proximal part of the laterals, but distally, the arrangement seems more or less irregular, i.e. ruffled (Lat. scindere = ruffle, dishevel) and resembling a broom (Lat. scopulae = small broom; forma = form, shape).     

Pancreatonema torriensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) from the pancreatic duct of Raja naevus

A new genus and species of nematode, Pancreatonema torriensis, from the pancreatic duct of Raja naevus caught off Aberdeen and north-west Scotland is described and aspects of its biology are discussed. According to the classification of Skrjabin, Sobolev & Ivashkin (1967) [Spirurata of animals and man and the diseases caused by them (4). Essentials of Nematodology, Vol. 16 (I.P.S.T. Translation No. 5904, Jerusalem, 1971)]it belongs to the family Rhabdochonidae, sub-family Prosungulonematinae, and is closely related to the genus Johnstonmawsonia. The taxonomy of the Prosungulonematinae is confused but it is suggested that Johnstonmawsonia should at present be restricted to those species of the genus described from marine teleosts, and that the species from freshwater teleosts should be included in the genus Prosungulonema.     

Suttonium praedicator nov. gen., nov. sp. (radiolaria,nassellaria) et la famille des Suttonidae nov. fam.

The peculiar morphology of the abdomen from a new radiolaria of the south-equatorial Pacific Ocean allows us to create a new family.     

Tepidamorphus gemmatus gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly thermophilic member of the Alphaproteobacteria

Two isolates, with an optimum growth temperature of about 45–50 °C and an optimum pH for growth between 7.5 and 8.5, were recovered from a hot spring in the Furnas area on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores. Strains form irregular rod-shaped cells are motile and stain Gram negative. The cells multiply by budding. These strains are non-pigmented, strictly aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive. These organisms assimilated carbohydrates, organic acids and amino acids. The major fatty acids are 19:0_{cyclo ω8c} and 18:0. Ubiquinone 10 is the major respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine in addition to one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified glycolipid. Bacteriochlorophyll a, puf genes and RuBisCo genes were not detected. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene shows the strains to cluster with species of the genera Afifella, Rhodobium, Anderseniella and Amorphus to which they have sequence similarity in the range 93–94%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics we describe a new species of a novel genus represented by strain CB-27A^T (=DSM 19345^T=LMG 24113^T) for which we propose the name Tepidamorphus gemmatus.     

Neoprincipia nov. gen., a new Mississippian red alga, and remarks on the Archaeolithophyllaceae (Rhodophyta)

A new alga is described from the late Visean of SW Spain: Neoprincipia nov. gen. Specimens of this new genus were either usually assigned to Archaeolithophyllum or Principia of Brigantian-Serpukhovian age. Two new species N. guadiatica nov. gen., nov. sp. and N. tethysiana nov. gen., nov. sp. are described. Their massive appearance, in continuous series, characterizes the base of the Brigantian elsewhere in the Paleotethys, although some rare cases of first appearance in the late Asbian exist. Its acme is Brigantian, but it extends into the Pendleian. The genus Neoprincipia, and its family Archaeolithophyllaceae, are interpreted to be the earliest true red algae, that exhibit clearly differentiated hypothallus and perithallus, and therefore are situated at the origin of these “coralline algae”, which are very prolific from the Cretaceous to the Recent.     

Natronobiforma cellulositropha gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel haloalkaliphilic member of the family Natrialbaceae (class Halobacteria) from hypersaline alkaline lakes

Six strains of extremely halophilic and alkaliphilic euryarchaea were enriched and isolated in pure culture from surface brines and sediments of hypersaline alkaline lakes in various geographical locations with various forms of insoluble cellulose as growth substrate. The cells are mostly flat motile rods with a thin monolayer cell wall while growing on cellobiose. In contrast, the cells growing with cellulose are mostly nonmotile cocci covered with a thick external EPS layer. The isolates, designated AArcel, are obligate aerobic heterotrophs with a narrow substrate spectrum. All strains can use insoluble celluloses, cellobiose, a few soluble glucans and xylan as their carbon and energy source. They are extreme halophiles, growing within the range from 2.5 to 4.8 M total Na⁺ (optimum at 4 M) and obligate alkaliphiles, with the pH range for growth from 7.5 to 9.9 (optimum at 8.5–9). The core archaeal lipids of strain AArcel5^T were dominated by C₂₀–C₂₀ dialkyl glycerol ether (DGE) (i.e. archaeol) and C₂₀–C₂₅ DGE in nearly equal proportion. The 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that all six isolates belong to a single genomic species mostly related to the genera Saliphagus-Natribaculum-Halovarius. Taking together a substantial phenotypic difference of the new isolates from the closest relatives and the phylogenetic distance, it is concluded that the AArcel group represents a novel genus-level branch within the family Natrialbaceae for which the name Natronobiforma cellulositropha gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with AArcel5^T as the type strain (JCM 31939^T = UNIQEM U972^T).     

Miltoncostaea marina gen. nov. sp. nov., and Miltoncostaea oceani sp. nov., a novel deep branching phylogenetic lineage within the class Thermoleophilia isolated from marine environments,and proposal of Miltoncostaeaceae fam. nov. and Miltoncostaeales ord. nov

Two novel marine actinobacteria, designated as SCSIO 60955^T and SCSIO 61214^T, were isolated from deep-sea sediment samples collected from the South China Sea. The cells of these organisms stained Gram-negative and were rod shaped. These strains were aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C and pH 7 over 14 days of cultivation. Both strains possessed phospholipids and phosphoglycolipids. The main menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acid was C_16:0. The peptidoglycan structure was type A1γ′ (meso-Dpm). Analysis of genome sequences revealed that the genome size of SCSIO 60955^T was 3.37 Mbp with G + C content of 76.1%, while the genome size of SCSIO 61214^T was 3.67 Mbp with a G + C content of 74.8%. The ANI and 16S rRNA gene analysis results showed that the pairwise similarities between the two strains were 73.4% and 97.7% and that with other recognized Thermoleophilia species were less than 69.1% and 87.8%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains SCSIO 60955^T and SCSIO 61214^T were separately clustered together and formed a well-separated phylogenetic branch distinct from their most related neighbor Gaiella occulta. Based on the data presented here, these two strains are proposed to represent two novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Miltoncostaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 60955^T (=DSM 110281^T =CGMCC 1.18757^T), and Miltoncostaea oceani sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 61214^T (=KCTC 49527^T =CGMCC 1.18758^T) are proposed. We also propose that these organisms represent a novel family named Miltoncostaeaceae fam. nov. of a novel order Miltoncostaeales ord. nov.     

Eurocharax Tourainei nov. gen., nov. sp. (poisson teleosteen, Ostariophysi): Nouveau Characidae fossile des «Calcaires a Bythinies du Var

The study of fossil Fishes preserved in the «calcaires à Bythinies of Montmeyan, la Mourotte and Saint-Julien-le-Montagné basins (Var. France), makes possible the demonstration of their referal to the family Characidae: These Fishes, here mentioned as Eurocharax tourainei nov. gen., nov. sp., clearly differ from the Lower Eocene Characid fishes of Languedoc and Paris Basin by their set of teeth. The brackish condition of the “calcaires à Bythinies is taken into account for explaining the probable biogeographical history of these Fishes.     

Flowers, fruits, seeds, and pollen of Landeenia gen. nov., an extinct sapindalean genus from the Eocene of Wyoming

The new genus Landeenia is recognized on the basis of flowers, pollen, infructescences, fruits, and seeds from the middle Eocene of southwestern and northwestern Wyoming. Landeenia aralioides (MacGinitie) comb.nov. has cymose inflorescences with actinomorphic, bisexual flowers, a pentamerous calyx, about ten stamens, and a superior gynoecium of ～18 carpels sharing a single style. The fruits are globose to oblate, loculicidally dehiscent capsules, with a persistent calyx, and contain flat, elliptical seeds that are surrounded by a small wing. Pollen removed from the anthers is tricolpate with finely striate sculpture. Although clearly dicotyledonous, the combination of characters found in Landeenia is not known in any modern genus. The familial affinities of the plant, though certainly not with the Araliaceae as previously thought, remain uncertain. However, the combination of characters is consistent with treatment as a member of the Sapindales. The fossil material is thus assigned to the rank of Sapindales-Incertae sedis.     

Endozoicomonas elysicola gen. nov., sp. nov., a gamma-proteobacterium isolated from the sea slug Elysia ornata

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-formed bacterium, strain MKT110(T), was isolated from a mollusk, the sea slug Elysia ornata collected in seawater off the coast of Izu-Miyake Island, Japan at a depth of 15m. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis indicated that the isolate MKT110(T) constituted a novel lineage in gamma-proteobacteria related to the genera Zooshikella, Oceanospirillum, Microbulbifer, Marinobacter, Saccharospirillum and Pseudomonas. The strain MKT110(T) was closely related to the clones from marine sponge Halichondria okadai (AB054136, AB054161) and the coral Pocillopora damicornis (AY700600, AY700601). The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that MKT110(T) and four clones formed a sub-lineage related to the genus Zooshikella, with a bootstrap value of 100%. MKT110(T) required salt for its growth and was mesophilic. The bacterium contained 16:1omega7c, 16:0 and 14:0 as major cellular fatty acids, and 3-OH 14:0, 3-OH 10:0 and 3-OH 12:0 as major hydroxy fatty acids. The DNA base composition of the isolate was 50.4 mol% G+C. The major quinone was Q-9. The bacterium is distinguished from currently recognized bacterial genera based on phylogenetic and phenotypic features and should be classified in a novel genus for which the name Endozoicomonas elysicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. (type strain MKT110(T)=IAM 15107(T)=KCTC 12372(T); GenBank accession no. AB196667).     

Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) hispanica sp. nov., a new daphnid (Cladocera) from Spain

Daphnia (C.) hispanica n. sp. has thoracic limbs of A D. (C.) atkinsoni type and is very similar toD. chevreuxi Richard, 1896. With this speciesD. (C.) hispanica shares the presence of a soft accessory seta on the outer side of the trunk of the first thoracic limb, apparently unique among the genusDaphnia. Although other morphological characteristics are very similar in this two species, a detailed comparison reveals that they can easily be separated as different species. The most useful features in differentiating both species are:D. (C.) hispanica has a dorsal crest in the head, its rostrum is longer, its accesory seta of the first thoracic limb is more developed, the juveniles are not helmeted and its male postabdomen lacks individual denticles on the anal and preanal margin.The new species is, up to now, restricted to Spain and inhabits the temporary and low mineralized waters of the steppe regions.     

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis,gen. nov., sp. nov. (Nematoda,Microlaimidae) from the Mediterranean (Calvi)

Spirobolbolaimus bathyalis gen. nov., sp. nov. is described from the continental slope off Calvi (Mediterranean). The new genus Spirobolbolaimus belongs to the Microlaimidae Micoletzky, 1922 and is closely related to the genus Bolbolaimus Cobb, 1920. It can be differentiated from Bolbolaimus by its multispiral amphideal fovea and by its six rows of postamphideal setae.