Social media posts reveal the geographic range of the Critically Endangered clown wedgefish,Rhynchobatus cooki

The shark-like rays of the family Rhinidae (wedgefishes) are globally threatened with extinction. The poorly known clown wedgefish, Rhynchobatus cooki has historically been recorded only from fish markets in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia. Its natural geographic range has until now gone undocumented. Social media posts revealed the first wild records of this Critically Endangered species; six records were located between 2015 and 2020 from small-scale fisheries in Lingga and Singkep Islands, Indonesia. These results demonstrate the utility of social media searches to identify biogeographic records of cryptic and data-poor species.     

Macrobothridium rhynchobati n. g., n. sp. from the elasmobranch Rhynchobatus granulatus,representing a new family of diphyllidean cestodes,the Macrobothridiidae

Macrobothridium rhynchobati n. g., n. sp. from the guitarfish Rhynchobatus granulatus in Kuwaiti waters in the Arabian Gulf is described and figured. The new genus differs from Echinobothrium in having a short unarmed peduncle and a posterior sucker-like structure in the terminal proglottid. It differs from Ditrachybothridium in having a powerful rostellum with dorsal and ventral groups of hooks and in having unarmed bothridia. A new family, the Macrobothridiidae, assigned to the order Diphyllidea is erected. Larval forms are described and figured.     

Tachinid (Diptera, Tachinidae) parasitoids of sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

A list of 31 genera of tachinid parasitoids of sawflies is given. Despite the ecological and habitual similarity of sawflies and Lepidoptera, utilization of sawflies by tachinids was not as successful from the evolutionary point of view as utilization of Lepidoptera. Parasitism of tachinids in sawflies is evidently secondary; it appeared repeatedly and originates from parasitism in Lepidoptera. Most genera of tachinids are polyphagous. Endoparasitic Hymenoptera are koinobionts similarly to tachinids. The direct contact of the parasitoid with active mobile host larva not only results in complication of behavior and its specialization, but also promotes formation of different morphological innovations faster than that in idiobionts.     

Laccaria (Agaricomycetes,Basidiomycota) from Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region,China)

Species of Laccaria are described from the eastern Himalayas, in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China, more commonly known as Tibet. Specimens were collected during several expeditions over a 12-year time span. Nuclear ribosomal internally transcribed spacer regions 1 and 2 including and 5.8S (ITS) as well as the 5' end of the large subunit (28S) sequence data were generated for 22 specimens from Tibet and analyzed in a dataset of 115 Laccaria samples. The results documented seven species from this region, five of which represent currently undescribed species. The taxonomy of Tibetan Laccaria is discussed, five new species are proposed, and an artificial key that includes extralimital species from Asia is provided.     

The Medusa of Velella velella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hydrozoa, Chondrophorae)

A mature medusa of Velella velella (Linnaeus, 1758) is reportedfor the first time from the North Atlantic; previously adultmedusae were known only from the Mediterranean. This specimen,collected by SCUBA divers, is the largest specimen recordedto date. Distinctive features are: two opposite adaxial-axialpairs of perradial capitate tentacles; two marginal bulbs lackingtentacles; conical manubrium with 4 perradial longitudinal gonads;perradial exumbrellar cnidae tracts; cnidome of stenoteles andmacrobasic euryteles; and zooxanthellae within the subumbrella.Since this specimen was collected near the surface and has zooxanthellae,it is likely that V. velella medusae are epipelagic.     

泥河湾发现的板齿犀肢骨化石(英文)

板齿犀属(Elasmotherium)由Fischer(1808)根据在西伯利亚发现的材料建立,模式种为西伯利亚板齿犀(E.sibiricum)。板齿犀是一种很特别的犀牛,以其巨大的体型和强壮的额角为特征。目前板齿犀有两个有效种,即E.sibiricum和高加索板齿犀(E.caucasicum)。板齿犀的地理分布范围包括俄罗斯、阿塞拜疆、乌兹别克斯坦、蒙古和中国,时代为更新世。在中国,德日进等曾报道了在泥河湾发现的板齿犀的一块牙齿碎片和几件肢骨,但未进行详细的描述和深入的讨论(TeilharddeChardinandPiveteau,1930)。后来周明镇(1958)又根据山西的零星材料建立了板齿犀的两个新种。不过,中国的这些板齿犀材料最近都被Antoine(2002,2003)归入到E.caucasicum中。在俄罗斯的西伯利亚南部曾发现过相当丰富的E.sibiricum的化石材料,其中包括不少完整的头骨(Fischer,1808,1809)。另一方面,最早发现于亚速海南岸地区的E.caucasicum材料不多,主要是一些孤立的牙齿和齿列,肢骨特别少(Borissiak,1914)。在天津自然博物馆收藏的泥河湾化石标本中有一些桑志华采集的板齿犀的肢骨材料,以远端肢骨为主。此前在中国的板齿犀类方面只有对通古尔的西班牙犀(Hispanotherium)部分肢骨的研究发表(Cerdeo,1996)。本文描述和讨论了泥河湾的板齿犀肢骨材料,包括1件桡尺骨(THP20355)、3件腕舟骨(THP20325,20326,20336)、2件月骨(THP20328,20337)、1件三角骨(THP20338)、2件小多角骨(THP20330,20341)、4件钩骨(THP20333,20327,20329,20339)、3件第三掌骨(THP20342,20343,20332)、2件第四掌骨(THP20318,20319)、3件距骨(THP20303,20308,20310)、1件跟骨(THP20311)、2件跗舟骨(THP20305,20322)、2件骰骨(THP20304,20306)、2件第二骨(THP20316,20317)。早更新世早期的泥河湾动物群中已知包括云簇犀(Dicerorhinusyunchuensis)、泥河湾披毛犀(Coelodontanihowanensis)和E.caucasicum三种犀牛,但前两种犀牛的体型远小于板齿犀,所以仅从肢骨的尺寸上就可以很好地区别它们。泥河湾的这批材料增加了我们对E.caucasicum的了解,它与E.sibiricum在肢骨方面有很多相似性状,如桡骨上容纳腕伸肌的沟宽深,第三掌骨前视可见对头状骨关节面,第四掌骨的近端关节面呈三角形,第五掌骨退化,掌骨上附着腕伸肌的止端显著,距骨对腓骨的关节面倾斜、距骨颈低到中等、滑车与远端关节面的夹角轻度倾斜、对蜗突关节面具长大的舌状延伸、对载距突关节面与对跟骨的外下关节面分离,跟骨对胫骨关节面存在、跟结节粗大、附着腓长肌的止端平滑,肢骨细长,掌骨和骨的中央直嵴低平、骨干上附着骨间肌的止端长但无远端后侧结节。另一方面,这两种板齿犀也存在一些差别,如E.caucasicum的尺骨远端没有对桡骨的第二关节面,而E.sibiricum有;E.caucasicum的钩骨未显示有第五掌骨与其关节,而E.sibiricum钩骨上对第五掌骨的关节面还与对三角骨的关节面联合;E.caucasicum距骨上对腓骨的关节面凹陷,而E.sibiricum平坦。对比已知的少量E.caucasicum肢骨,泥河湾标本在性状和尺寸上与其完全一致,进一步证明将这些标本归入E.caucasicum是可信的。从泥河湾材料我们还了解到板齿犀属的一些未知性状,如骰骨近端呈三角形、跗舟骨顶视呈矩形、距骨的宽/高比达1.21、厚/高比达0.74、对骰骨关节面具后侧突起等。此前的支序分析表明Elasmotherium是板齿犀类中最进步的一个属,泥河湾标本所显示的大多数性状确实是进步的,但仍然有一些原始性状。在板齿犀的两个种中,E.caucasicum可能比E.sibiricum更进步,不过这两个种实际上相当接近。板齿犀类不是一个丰富的犀科类群,然而特别的是在中国有较多的发现,包括几个大型的属,如Elasmotherium、中华板齿犀(Sinotherium)、副板齿犀(Parelasmotherium)、宁夏犀(Ningxiatherium)和伊朗犀(Iranotherium),但都很少有肢骨化石发现。将泥河湾的材料与已知的少量Parelasmotherium和Iranotherium的肢骨相比,显示后两个属不比Elasmotherium进步,这与对它们系统关系的分析结果吻合。E.caucasicum细长的远端肢骨与其高冠和釉质褶皱丰富的颊齿相一致,指示它是干旷草原的硬草取食者。     

Lecithostaphylus retroflexus (Molin, 1859) (Zoogonidae) and Tergestia acanthocephala (Stossich, 1887) (Fellodistomidae) (Digenea) from the epipelagic teleost Belone belone (L.) in the western Mediterranean

Numerous individuals of the poorly known species Lecithostaphylus retroflexus (Zoogonidae) and Tergestia acanthocephala (Fellodistomidae) have been recovered from the teleost fish Belone belone gracilis from off the Scandola Nature Reserve, Western Mediterranean. They are redescribed, incorporating previously undescribed features: for L. retroflexus, a post-oral ring, a bipartite seminal vesicle, the shape of the excretory vesicle, the subterminal excretory pore and the flask-shaped gland-cells associated with the distinctly pedunculate ventral sucker; and for T. acanthocephala, the intestinal bifurcation in the forebody, necessitating its return to the genus Tergestia from Theledera. Additionally, T. acanthocephala is compared with T. laticollis from various species of Trachurus from the same geographical area.     

New species of Haplometroides (Digenea: Plagiorchiidae) from Phalotris nasutus (Gomes, 1915) (Serpentes, Colubridae)

A new species of Haplometroides (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) is described from a specimen of Phalotris nasutus (Gomes, 1915) (Serpentes, Colubridae). The host snake was obtained in the municipality of Corumbd, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Trematodes were recovered from esophagus, stomach, and small intestine of the host. The main characteristic of the new species is the vitellaria, which is intercecal, cecal, and extracecal in the preacetabular region. A key for identification of the species in Haplometroides is proposed.     

Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) cylindraceus (Goeze, 1782) Schmidt and Kuntz, 1966, from the Australian bandicoots, Perameles gunnii Gray 1838, and Isoodon obesulus (Shaw, 1797)

Plagiorhynchus (Prosthorhynchus) cylindraceus (Goeze, 1782) Schmidt and Kuntz, 1966, usually parasitic in passerine birds, is here reported to be found encysted in the peritoneum of the bandicoot Isoodon obesulus from Tasmania. Specimens recovered from the bandicoot Perameles gunnii, also collected from Tasmania, are the first reported from the intestine of a mammal. The origin of P. cylindraceus infection in Australian hosts is discussed.     

Discovery of Lopheros lineatus (Gorham, 1883) (Coleoptera,Lycidae) in Mordovia,Central Russia

The net-wing beetle Lopheros lineatus (Gorham, 1883), previously known in the western Palaearctic only from Poland, and in the eastern Palaearctic, from the southern Russian Far East and from Japan, is discovered in Mordovia, Central Russia.

     

Diplostomum commutatum (Diesing, 1850) Dubois, 1937 (Trematoda: Diplostomatidae) cercaria

The cercaria of D. commutatum from the mollusk Radix ovata is described. Data on the biology and development of the cercaria up to the metacercarial stage are given. Cercariae of D. commutatum differ from all known species of the genus Diplostomum by a characteristic cuticular armament.     

贵州省惠水县王佑中泥盆世晚期的四射珊瑚(二)

贵州省惠水县王佑镇至翁赖村一带出露中泥盆统上部浅海底栖相翁赖组(新名),该组以陆源碎屑沉积居多、沉积厚度较大、群体珊瑚很少而单体珊瑚却比较发育为主要特征。其中,翁赖组上部层位与贵州独山剖面独山组鸡窝寨段相当,时代为中泥盆世吉维特期的晚期(late Givetian)。翁赖组上部之底非常特征的中华海绵珊瑚化石(Sinospongophyllum)与中泥盆统上部吉维特阶标准的腕足类化石鸮头贝(Stringocephalus)共栖。该属与华南地区中泥盆世晚期标准的内板珊瑚(Endophyllum)的内部骨骼构造非常相似,仅外部形态不同。在华南地区,内板珊瑚和中华海绵珊瑚的层位非常稳定,大致相当于吉维特阶的下varcus带。文中描述翁赖组上部四射珊瑚8属13种,包括Calceola intermediata inflata Yoh,,Cystiphylloides kwangsiense Yoh,C.secundus (Goldfuss),C.sp.,Paramixogonaria wangyouensis sp.nov.,Grypophyllum? sp.,Mictophyllum shaw...     

寡毛金花天牛的新异名

奥地利天牛分类学家Holzschuh(1993)根据四川标本描述了C.anrotes(Carilia)glabricollis Holzschuh,1993.因该学名已被光胸金花天牛Gaurotes (Neogaurotes )glabricollis Pu,1992占用,Holzschuh(1998)为其拟定了替换学名Gaurotes (Carilia )glabratula Holzschuh,1998.后来,蒋书楠、陈力(2001)也为这个异物同名拟定了一个不必要的替换学名寡毛金花天牛Gaurotes(Carilia)oligothrix Chiang,2001.根据<国际动物命名法规>(第4版),Gaurotes (Carilia)glabratula Holzschuh,1998享有优先权,因此Gaurotes(Carilia)oligothrix Chiang,2001成为客观次异名.     

Molecular-Mechanical studies of the mismatched base analogs of d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2:d(CGTGAATTCGCG)2, d(CGAGAATTCGCG)2, d(CGCGAATTCACG)2, d(CGCGAATTCTCG)2, and d(CGCAGAATTCGCG)·d(CGCGAATTCGCG)

Molecular-mechanical simulations have been carried out on “mismatched base” analogs of the DNA double-helical structure d(CGCGAATTCGCG)₂, in which the base pairs CG at the 3 and 10 positions have been replaced by CA, AG, TC, and TG base pairs, as well as an insertion analog in which an extra adenine has been incorporated into one strand of the above structure between bases 3 and 4. The results of these simulations (calculated relative stabilities, structures, and nmr ring-current shifts) have been compared with calorimetric and nmr data. The calculated relative stabilities of the double-helical parent dodecamer and the various “wobble” base pairs qualitatively correlate with the experimental melting temperatures. The base-pairing structure for the GT wobble pair is in agreement with that previously determined from nmr experiments. For the GA base pair, the structure with both bases anti has a slightly more favorable energy from base pairing and stacking than a structure with non-Watson-Crick H-bonding with adenine syn, in agreement with nmr experiments. The CA wobble base is calculated to favor an adenine 6NH₂ …? cytosine N3 H-bond over cytosine 4NH₂ …? adenine N1, again, in agreement with nmr experiments. There is no definitive experimental data on the TC base pair, but the existence of (somewhat long and weak) H-bonds involving cytosine 4NH₂ …? thymine 4CO and cytosine N3 …? thymine HN3 seems reasonable. We find a structure in which the extra adenine base of the insertion analogs sits “inside” the double helix.     

Notes on Plecoptera (20) Protonemura towadensis (Kawai, 1954)

The genitalia of the male holotype of P. towadensis (from Honshu) are illustrated. The distinction from P. ermolenkoi Zhiltzova, 1982 (from Sachalin and the South Kurile Islands) is discussed.     

Tonnacypris glacialis (Ostracoda, Cyprididae): taxonomic position, (palaeo-) ecology, and zoogeography

Abstract. The freshwater ostracod Tonnacypris glacialis (Sars, 1890) is reported from the European Pleistocene for the first time. The historical allocation of the species is discussed, and the species composition and characteristics of Tonnacypris Diebel & Pietrzeniuk (1975) and its phylozoogeography are considered. The significance of T. glacialis is reviewed, particularly from the viewpoint of the possible implications of parthenogenesis (and occasional-male production) for the Quaternary history of the genus, and for the use of the species in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. It is suggested that the Pleistocene fossil occurrence of T. glacialis in modern temperature latitudes is a robust indicator of mean summer temperatures of 6°C.     

Die Entwirrung desBotrytella(Sorocarpus)-Komplexes (Ectocarpaceae,Phaeophyta)

Sorocarpus Pringsh. is a later synonym forBotrytella Bory. Four species of the genus are known from northern European coasts. Three of them are found at Helgoland (North Sea), type locality of bothBotrytella uvaeformis (Pringsh.) andB. reinboldii (Reinke). A third species, most frequently seen, still remains unnamed. Plants of similar habit, however, have been described from Japan. The type species for the genus,Botrytella micromora Bory, was originally published asEctocarpus siliculosus β.uvaeformis by Lyngbye. A sample from Danish waters proved to be identical with it. In a previous paper (Kornmann & Sahling, 1984), the life history of two species was studied and the investigation is now extended to include the other two, demonstrating the conformity of the four species with the genus characters as to morphological and developmental features.