Two new species of Tubificoides (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) and new records of T. brownae and T. imajimai from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, with a redescription of T. bakeri

Two new species of Tubificoides are described from the west coast of Florida. Both species have large lateral openings of the penis sheaths with proximal flap-like projections. Tubificoides pollex sp.n. is characterized by (1) papillate body wall in postclitellar segments; (2) possession of hair and bifid setae anteriorly, and only bifid setae in pcstclitellar segments; and (3) conical penis sheaths with a lateral opening and a flap-like projection on the proximal margin. The setal distribution of the new species is similar to that of T. bakeri Brinkhurst, 1986, which is redescribed on the basis of new material. Tubificoides lunatus sp.n. is similar to T. pollex except that the flap-like projections of the penis sheaths are crescent shaped, all the somatic setae are bifid, and body wall papillae are absent. Records of Tubificoides brownae Brinkhurst & Baker, 1979, and T. imajimai Brinkhurst, 1986, from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, respectively, are also presented. The latter species was previously known only from subtropical regions of Japan and the People's Republic of China.     

Eriorhynchidae, a new family of Prostigmata (Acarina), with a cladistic analysis of eupodoid species of Australia and New Zealand

A new family of eupodine Prostigmata, Eriorhynchidae fam.n. , is established to accommodate Eriorhynchus gen.n. , and five species from Australia: E.australicus (Womersley), E.hades sp.n. , E.ramosus sp.n. , E.walteri sp.n. and E.womersleyi sp.n. The new family is unique in the possession of 15–34 setae on the gnathosomatic base, a naso-prodorsal process with 9–28 setae and a palp tibia with 6 or 7 setae. A key to the families of Eupodoidea is provided. A cladistic analysis of twenty-seven eupodoid species from Australia and New Zealand is presented. Results indicate that the genus Eriorhynchus gen.n. (thus Eriorhynchidae) is monophyletic, and the Australian and New Zealand species of Halotydeus Berlese, Penthaleus C. L. Koch, Rhagidia Thorell and Stereotydeus Berlese form separate monophyletic goups, while the Penthaleidae are not monophyletic. The new family Eriorhynchidae is a sister group to a clade consisting of Penthaleus and Chromotydaeus quartus Qin & Halliday.     

The earliest fossil record of Panorpidae (Mecoptera) from the Middle Jurassic of China

The early history of Panorpidae (Mecoptera) is poorly known due to sparse fossil records. Up to date, only nine fossil species have been described, all from the Paleogene, except the Early Cretaceous Solusipanorpa gibbidorsa Lin, 1980. However, we suggest S. gibbidorsa is too incompletely preserved to permit even family classification. A new genus with two new species, Jurassipanorpa impunctata gen. et sp. n. and Jurassipanorpa sticta sp. n., are described based on four well-preserved specimens from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. These two new species are the earliest fossil records of Panorpidae. The new genus is erected based on a combination of forewing characters: both R₁ and Rs₁ with two branches, 1A reaching posterior margin of wing distad of the forking of Rs from R_1, and no crossveins or only one crossvein between veins of 1A and 2A. In all four specimens, long and robust setae ranging from 0.09 to 0.38 mm in length and pointing anteriorly, are present on anal veins of forewings. The function of these setae is enigmatic.     

Two new species of the family Suctobelbidae (Acari,Oribatida) from Chile

Two new species of the oribatid mite family Suctobelbidae (Acari, Oribatida) are described from southern Chile. Niosuctobelba sphagnicola Ermilov, sp. n. differs from N. ruga Chinone, 2003 in the rostrum with a median incision and one pair of lateral teeth, the heads of bothridial setae rounded distally, the tectopedial fields not fused anteriorly, the notogastral setae barbed, and the body without striate ornamentation. Zeasuctobelba tierradelfuegoensis Ermilov, sp. n. differs from Z. trinodosa Hammer 1966 in a shorter body, the heads of the bothridial setae with thin apices, the tectopedial fields not fused anteriorly, and the notogastral humeral tubercles with longer cristae. An identification key to the known species of Zeasuctobelba is given. The genus Niosuctobelba is recorded for the Neotropical Region for the first time, while Zeasuctobelba is new to the fauna of Chile.     

A new species of Ascocotyle (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) from the South American sea lion, Otaria flavescens, off Patagonia, Argentina

We describe a new heterophyid species, Ascocotyle (Ascocotyle) patagoniensis n. sp., based on specimens collected from the intestines of the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens from Patagonia (Argentina). Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is distinguished from the other species of the subgenus by the number of circumoral spines, which are arranged in 2 rows of 18 to 23. The new species also differs from the other species in having a gonotyl without papillae. The specimens exhibited the widest seminal receptacle described for a species of this subgenus. Species of the subgenus Ascocotyle usually infect fish-eating birds or mammals in freshwater or brackish habitats. Ascocotyle (A.) patagoniensis n. sp. is the first species of the subgenus described from a marine mammal. However, no metacercariae of Ascocotyle spp. were found in 542 marine teleosts from 20 species collected in the same locality. The life cycle of the marine species from the Ascocotyle -complex infecting pinnipeds remains elusive.     

Four new interstitial species of marine Oligochaeta representing a new family

A new oligochaete family, Randiellidae, is established for R. multitheca sp.n. (from the continental shelf off the east coast of the U.S.A.), R. litoralis sp.n. (from Oregon, U.S.A.), R. caribaea sp.n. and R. minuta sp.n. (both from Guadeloupe and Martinique), all members of a new marine genus Randiella. The species are characterized by small single-pointed and somewhat sigmoid somatic setae, slender (generally hair-like) modified genital setae in segment X, sperm funnels in X (if one pair), or in X and XI (if two pairs), very simple male ducts lacking atria, clitellum over XII-XIII, and multiple spermathecae in VII and/or VIII.     

Aspects of the phylogeny of the marine Tubificidae

A tentative phylogeny of the oligochaete family Tubificidae, with emphasis on the marine representatives, is presented. The scheme is based on the morphology and arrangements of prostate glands and the setal patterns. The rhyacodriline, more or less diffuse prostates are regarded as a primitive stage in prostate evolution, preceded only by the aprostate condition assumed for the ancestor of the family. An early split of the subfamily Rhyacodrilinae supposedly led to (1) a marine branch, from which evolved the highly diverse, exclusively marine subfamilies Phallodrilinae and Limnodriloidinae, and (2) a freshwater branch, which later divided into the Telmatodrilinae, Tubificinae and Aulodrilinae. The marine subfamilies invariably lack hair setae, whereas about half of the species within the other, freshwater subfamilies possess such setae in their dorsal bundles. Some marine genera, such as Monopylephorus (Rhyacodrilinae), Tubificoides and Clitellio (both Tubificinae) are regarded as recent off-shoots from the main freshwater stock.The families Naididae and Opistocystidae are considered likely to have evolved from rhyacodriline Tubificidae, whereas Phreodrilidae, the fourth family within the suborder Tubificina, is regarded as a sister group to the Tubificidae.     

Scientific Report on the Belgian Expedition to The Great Barrier Reef in 1967. Nematodes II

Over hundred specimens of Desmoscolex were found in samples from Yonge Reef, Lizard Island and Nymphe Island (Great Barrier Reef, Australia). In the present paper four new species are described: D. brevisetosus sp.n., characterised by the absence of subventral setae on the 2nd main ring and the presence of short subdorsal setae on the 16th main ring: D. dimorphus sp.n. characterized by the presence of sexual dimorphism (absence of sub-ventral setae on the 14th main ring, short subdorsal setae on the 16th main ring and smaller amphids in females); D. geraerti sp.n. and D. nymphianus sp.n. with the typical setal pattern and elongated laterally shifted subdorsal setae on the 13th, 16th and 17th main ring but the former species characterized by large bipartite amphids, cephalated spicules and trough-shaped gubernaculum; the latter species by the smaller rounded amphids with their posterior margin coinciding with that of the amphidial pore and by the short straight spicules.     

Spinitectus mexicanus n. sp. (Nematoda : Cystidicolidae) from the intestine of the freshwater fish Heterandria bimaculata in Mexico

A new nematode, Spinitectus mexicanus n. sp., is described on the basis of the specimens recovered from the intestine of Heterandria bimaculata (Heckel) (Poeciliidae, Cyprinodontiformes) from 3 rivers of the Papaloapan River basin (type locality La Basura River), Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz State, Mexico. It differs from its congeners mainly in having the spination of the cuticle separated into 4 longitudinal sectors, each with posteriorly diminishing numbers of larger spines at the anterior part of body. It is the first species of Spinitectus described from a poeciliid fish and the second reported from freshwater fishes in Mexico.     

Two new species of bucephalids (Digenea: Bucephalidae) parasitic in freshwater fishes of Argentina

Two new species of bucephalids (Digenea: Bucephalidae) were found parasitizing freshwater fishes of Argentina. Prosorhynchoides cambapuntaensis sp. n. from Salminus maxillosus (Characidae) is characterised by the tegument covered with two kinds of spines, scale-like spines anteriorly and fine spines posteriorly; uterine loops reaching the vitelline arch in the pre-oral region; and the Laurer's canal short, opening dorsally immediately posterior to the ovary. Rhipidocotyle santanaensis sp. n. from Acestrorhynchus pantaneiro (Acestrorhynchidae) is characterised by the rhynchus with two lateral projections; the testes arranged in tandem or slightly diagonal; and the vitelline follicles forming an arch in the pre-oral region.     

A new species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) from the freshwater fish (red piranha) Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (Characidae) in Amazonia, Brazil

A new nematode species, Philometra nattereri n. sp. (Philometridae), is described from female specimens found in the oculo-orbits and nasal cavity of the red piranha Pygocentrus nattereri Kner (Characiformes: Characidae) from five lakes in Central Amazonia, Brazil, collected in 2008 and 2009 (overall prevalence 12%, intensity 1?C3 nematodes per fish). Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species differs from most other congeners parasitising freshwater fishes in that its oesophageal gland extends anteriorly far anterior to the level of the nerve-ring, in the presence of 14 small cephalic papillae arranged in two circles and in having two minute caudal projections. This is the first species of Philometra Costa, 1845 reported from fishes of the family Characidae and the second valid species of this genus parasitic in freshwater fishes of Brazil and South America.     

维螨属2新种记述(蜱螨亚纲:中气门目:维螨科)

记述维螨属2新种:河南维螨Veigaia henanensis sp.nov.和福建维螨Veigaia fujianensis sp.nov.     

New species of Myxosporea from frogs and resurrection of the genus Cystodiscus Lutz, 1889 for species with myxospores in gallbladders of amphibians

Two new myxosporean species in the gallbladders of frogs have recently spread across eastern Australia and cause disease. Cystodiscus axonis sp. n. and Cystodiscus australis sp. n. are species of Myxosporea (Myxozoa) identified from a range of Australian frogs and tadpoles including the introduced Cane toad (Rhinella marina). The new species are defined by their distinct genetic lineage, myxospore morphology and ultrastructure of the pre-sporogonic development. Spores of both species are produced in the gallbladder. Spores of C. axonis sp. n. possess distinct filiform polar appendages (FPA). The pre-sporogonic development of C. axonis sp. n. is within myelinated axons in the central nervous system of hosts, as well as bile ducts of tadpoles. Pre-sporogonic and sporogonic development of C. australis sp. n. is confined to tadpole bile ducts and myxospores of C. australis sp. n. are devoid of FPA. The genus Cystodiscus Lutz, 1889 introduced for Cystodiscus immersus Lutz, 1889 is emended to accompany myxosporean parasites affecting amphibians previously classified in the genus Myxidium sensu lato. A synopsis of described species within Cystodiscus is provided.     

Three new species of Antricola (Acari: Argasidae) from Brazil, with a key to the known species in the genus

Three new species of Antricola (Acari: Argasidae) are described from adult specimens collected on bat guano in different caves in Brazil. The female of Antricola guglielmonei n. sp. is easily determined by the presence of 2 smooth, depressed areas lacking setae in the posterolateral portions of the dorsum of the idiosoma, together with the partial fusion of the tubercles in the anteromedian portion of the idiosoma. The male of this species has a small spiracular plate surrounded by a pattern of tubercles disposed concentrically in its dorsal portion. Both sexes have cervical grooves very slightly marked. Antricola delacruzi n. sp. represents the only Antricola species with the dorsum of the idiosoma devoid of tubercles in both sexes and with scarce and minute setae placed over the smooth cuticle. The female of A. inexpectata n. sp. is known only from a few specimens. In this species, lines of smooth cuticle lacking setae separate the tubercles of the dorsum. In addition, there are 3 clumps of plumose setae close to the spiracular plate, in the ventrolateral portions of the idiosoma, in 3 well-delimited regions over cuticular thickenings. These 3 species share the peculiarity of a Haller's organ with the anterior pit bearing only 7 + 2 setae. The collection of these new species in Brazilian caves greatly expands the known range of the genus. A key to the adults of all known species of the genus is provided.     

First records of Gastrotricha from South Africa, with description of a new species of Halichaetonotus (Chaetonotida, Chaetonotidae)

During a survey of the biota of the St. Lucia Estuary in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa, a number of Gastrotricha were found among samples of meiofauna. Fresh, marine sediment yielded several specimens belonging to a total of seven species. Of these, two are already known from other regions (i.e., Dactylopodola australiensis and Heteroxenotrichula squamosa), one is described as new to science (Halichaetonotus sanctaeluciae sp. n.), while the remaining four (Pseudostomella sp., Halichaetonotus sp.1, Halichaetonotus sp. 2, Xenotrichula sp.) require further collections and analysis, in order to establish the extent of their affiliation to species already described. General appearance, shape of hydrofoil scale and the occurrence of three long spines on the dorsal side make the new species most closely related to Halichaetonotus australis and Halichaetonotus marivagus. The key differences from these taxa and between Halichaetonotus sanctaeluciae sp. n. and Halichaetonotus aculifer are discussed.     

A new genus and four new species of quill mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophiudae) from phasianid birds (Galuformes: Phasianidae)

A new genus and four new species of the quill mites are described. Galliphilopsis gen. n. (G. francolinus sp. n., type species) differs from the closely related Dissonus Skoracki, 1999 by loss of leg setae dGII, the slightly divergent tips of epimeres I and the stylophore constricted posteriorly. Three new species of the genus Galliphilopsis gen. n. and one new species of the genus Mironovia Chirov and Kravtsova, 1995 are described from galliform birds (Phasianidae) collected at the Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University (Poland): G. lophurus sp. n. from Lophura leucomelanos, G. bochkovi sp. n. from Tragopan sp. and Alectoris barbara, G. francolinus sp. n. from Francolinus levalliantoides, and Mironovia rouloul sp. n. from Rollulus rouloul.     

Descriptions of two new species of feather mites (Acarina: Psoroptidia: Pteronyssidae) from Ivory Coast

Two new feather mite species of the family Pteronyssidae Oudemans, 1941 collected from birds captured in Ivory Coast are described: Pteronyssoides cyanomitrae n. sp. from Cyanomitra obscura (Jardine) (Passeriformes: Nectariniidae) and Conomerus pygmaeus n. sp. from Hylia prasina (Cassin) (Passeriformes: Macrosphenidae). Pteronyssoides cyanomitrae n. sp. belongs to the nectariniae species group and differs from the closest species, P. garioui Gaud & Mouchet, 1959, in having, in males, the adanal shield present and setae f longer than setae d on the tarsus III; females of this species have the hysteronotal shield with two small median incisions on the anterior margin barely extending beyond the level of setae e2. Conomerus pygmaeus n. sp. is the first species of this genus found on a passerine host, and seems to be more similar to C. sclerosternus Gaud, 1990. This new species has the following distinctive characters: in females, the opisthosoma has small lobe-like extensions and the central sclerite is fused posteriorly with the lateral opisthosomal sclerites; in males, coxal fields I–IV lack large sclerotised areas.     

Marine Oligochaeta from the Koster Area, West Coast of Sweden, with Descriptions of Two New Enchytraeid Species

A total of 28 species of marine Oligochaeta (belonging to the families Naididae, Tubificidae and Enchytraeidae) are reported from eulittoral and sublittoral sediment samples taken in the Koster area on the Swedish West Coast. Lumbricillus algensis sp.n. and Grania ovitheca sp.n. are described and their morphological and taxonomical relations to other enchytraeids are discussed. L. algensis is characterized mainly by its spermathecae, which project into segment VI, and by its very large penial bulbs. G. ovitheca possesses no dorsal setae, the ventral setae being present posterior to the clitellum only, and its spermathecae consist of a narrow duct and a large egg-shaped to oval ampulla, filling most of the coelom of segment V. Four sublittoral species, Limnodriloides barnardi (Tubificidae), Lumbricillus semifuscus, Marionina sublitoralis and Grania roscoffensis (all Enchytraeidae) are reported as new to the Swedish fauna.