Zapalasaurus bonapartei, un nuevo dinosaurio saurópodo de La Formación La Amarga (Cretácico Inferior), noroeste de Patagonia, Provincia de Neuquén, Argentina

An incomplete skeleton from Puesto Morales (Neuquén Province, Argentina) is described as a new species of sauropod, Zapalasaurus bonapartei. The unit that yielded the holotype of this dinosaur is the Piedra Parada Member of the La Amarga Formation, whose age is regarded as Barremian-lower Aptian. Several characters are interpreted as autapomorphies of Zapalasaurus bonapartei: cervical vertebrae with a lamina uniting the prezygapophysis and the zygapophyseal portion of the postzygodiapophyseal lamina, cervical vertebrae with the diapophyseal portion of the postzygodiapophyseal lamina reduced, cervical vertebrae with poorly developed spinoprezygapophyseal laminae, mid and posterior caudal vertebrae with anteroposteriorly elongated neural spines, whose anterodorsal corners are higher than their posterodorsal ones, and caudal centrum length doubles over first 20 vertebrae. Zapalasaurus bonapartei is considered as the sister group of the other diplodocoids (excluding Haplocanthosaurus). Diplodocoids were abundant in the Early Cretaceous, becoming extinct by the early Late Cretaceous. The record of Zapalasaurus bonapartei shows that, at least in the Neuquina Basin, basal diplodocoids were more diverse than previously thought.     

Morphology,morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny of a novel soil ciliate,Afrokahliella paramacrostoma n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotrichia)

A soil hypotrich ciliate, Afrokahliella paramacrostoma n. sp., was discovered in China. Its morphology, morphogenesis and molecular phylogeny were investigated using standard methods. The new species is characterized as follows: body about 140–180 × 60–70 μm in vivo, cortical granules absent, contractile vacuole positioned about 40% down length of body, 5–9 macronuclear nodules, 34–49 adoral membranelles, 3–5 buccal and 3–6 parabuccal cirri, usually two frontoventral rows, three or four left and two or three right marginal rows, three dorsal kineties and one dorsomarginal kinety; 1–3 and one or two caudal cirri located at the ends of dorsal kineties 1 and 2, respectively. The ontogenetic process is characterized by: (1) the marginal anlagen on each side develop in the outer right and the inner left marginal rows, respectively; (2) five frontoventral-transverse cirral anlagen, anlagen II–IV develop in secondary mode; (3) dorsal morphogenesis follows a typical Urosomoida-pattern, no parental dorsal kineties are retained; (4) caudal cirri are generated at the ends of dorsal kineties 1 and 2. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data reveals that Afrokahliella paramacrostoma n. sp. is closely related to Parakahliella macrostoma and Hemiurosomoida longa.     

Ulaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae) from the Valley of Lakes in Central Mongolia

The smallest and most primitive Oligocene cricetid,Ulaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. is described from the Hsanda Gol Formation in Mongolia. The fossils were recovered from stratified fossil horizons immediately below and above a basalt layer dated at 31.5 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar-data), that is an Early Oligocene age. Although the dental formula is muroid (1-0-0-3/1-0-0-3), the tooth morphology and tooth size ofUlaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. point to a close relationship with the zapodidHeosminthus Wang 1985, which is known from the Asian Late Eocene to Early Oligocene.     

Description of Eucyclops tziscao sp. n., E. angeli sp. n., and a new record of E. festivus Lindberg, 1955 (Cyclopoida,Cyclopidae, Eucyclopinae) in Chiapas,Mexico

Two new species of the freshwater cyclopoid genera Eucyclops are described, Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. and E. angeli sp. n. Both species belong to the serrulatus-group defined by morphological features such as: the presence of distal spinules or hair-like setae (groups N1 and N2) on frontal surface of antennal basis; the fourth leg coxa with a strong inner spine that bears dense setules on inner side, yet proximally naked (large gap) on outer side; and a 12-segmented antennule with smooth hyaline membrane on the three distalmost segments. Eucyclops tziscao sp. n. is morphologically similar to E. bondi and E. conrowae but differs from these species in having a unique combination of characters, including a caudal ramus 4.05±0.25 times as long as wide, lateral seta of Enp3P4 modified as a strong, sclerotized blunt seta, coxal spine of fourth leg with inner spinule-like setules distally, and sixth leg of males bearing a strong and long inner spine 2.3 times longer than median seta. Eucyclops angeli sp. n. can be distinguished by an unique combination of morphological features: the short caudal ramus; the long spine on the sixth antennular segment of A1; the presence of one additional group of spinules (N12’) on the caudal surface of A2; the presence of long setae in females, or short spinules in males on the lateral margin of fourth prosomite; the strong ornamentation of the intercoxal sclerite of P4, specially group I modified as long denticles; the distal modified setae of Exp3P3 and Exp3P4 in females and males; and the short lateral seta of P5. Finally, we report on a new record of E. festivus in México, and add data on morphology of the species.     

Description of a new blood-fluke,Cruoricola lates n. g., n. sp. (Digenea: Sanguinicolidae), from sea-bass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) (Centropomidae)

A new blood-fluke, Cruoricola lates n. g., n. sp., is described from sea-bass Lates calcarifer cultured in Malaysia. It is also found in Thailand and Australia. All fish examined over 15 cm in length were infected in the type-locality. This sanguinicolid is differentiated from other genera by: the spherical seminal vesicle; the large, single testis extending beyond the intestinal caeca; the medial, bi-lobed ovary; and the single column of sub-marginal, laterally directed, evenly spaced spines. It has separate genital pores which are close together. Adults are found predominantly in the mesenteric venules of the venous circulation. Juveniles are commonest in the caudal kidney.     

Henneguya polarislonga n. sp. (Cnidaria: Myxosporea) parasitizing Astyanax lacustris (Lütken, 1875) with an insight on its life cycle

Henneguya polarislonga n. sp. is described from the gills of Astyanax lacustris (Lütken, 1875) (Characiformes, Characidae) from streams of the Middle Paranapanema River, Upper Paraná River basin, in the São Paulo State, Brazil. The proposed new species is supported by a combination of morphological and molecular characterization (partial fragment of the SSU rDNA). Thirty specimens of A. lacustris were analyzed and myxospores were found in the gill lamellae of one specimen (Prevalence = 3.3%). Henneguya polarislonga n. sp. was morphometrically and genetically distinct from other Henneguya spp. previously described in Astyanax spp., mainly differing in the total length and caudal appendages length of the mature myxospores. Comparative analysis of the SSU rDNA sequences revealed that Seisactinomyxon-type actinospores previously reported parasitizing oligochaetes are developmental stages of the life cycle of Henneguya polarislonga n. sp. (similarity of 99.9%). This is the first time that an actinospore and a myxospore are correlated through molecular analysis in Brazil, contributing to the knowledge of the myxozoan ecology and biodiversity.     

Morphology and morphogenesis of Apoholosticha sinica n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotrichia), with consideration of its systematic position among urostylids

This paper investigates the morphology, morphogenesis and SSU rRNA gene-based phylogeny of Apoholosticha sinica n. g., n. sp., isolated from mangrove wetland in Shenzhen, southern China. The new genus Apoholosticha is characterized by its bipartite adoral zone, clearly differentiated frontal cirri arranged in a bicorona, midventral complex composed of midventral pairs only, one marginal cirral row on each side, presence of frontoterminal and transverse cirri, and the lack of a buccal cirrus and caudal cirri. The type species, Apoholosticha sinica n. sp. is diagnosed by the elongated body shape and two kinds of cortical granules. Its main morphogenetic features are similar to that of Pseudokeronopsis except for (1) no buccal cirrus is formed and (2) its macronuclear nodules fuse into a single mass during cell division. Phylogenetic analyses for the new taxon indicate that Apoholosticha n. g. is most closely related to Nothoholosticha and Heterokeronopsis, and falls into the family Pseudokeronopsidae within the core Urostylida clade. In addition, a species that had been misidentified in previous literature is here recognized and assigned to the new genus as Apoholosticha sepetibensis (Wanick and Silva-Neto, 2004) n. comb. (basionym: Pseudokeronopsis sepetibensis Wanick and Silva-Neto, 2004).     

Pachyteichopora n. g. (Bryoz. Cyclostomata) aus der oberen Kreide

The cyclostome Bryozoan speciesPustulopora verrucosa, described by Roemer 1840, is combined with two other congeneric species within the new genusPachyteichopora (type-speciesP. verrucosa [Roemer]). This new genus characterized by its extremely highly calcified external walls of the erect massive cylindrical and dichotomously branched zoaria possessing maculae. The similarity of its gonozooid to that ofLeiosoecia counts for its provisional attribution to the Fam. Leiosoeciidae Canu & Bassler (1920).P. bugei n. g. n. sp. from the French Coniacian andP. punctata n. g. n. sp. from the Swedish Campanian are described.     

Pratylenchus australis n. sp. and Eutylenchus fueguensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchina) from southern Chile

Two new species of nematodes from southern Chile are described and illustrated. Pratylenchus australis n. sp. is distinguished by its heavy cephalic sclerotization, smooth tail terminus, lack of spermatheca, and absence of males. Eutylenchus fueguensis n. sp. differs from other Eutylenchus spp. by the long female stylet (31 [28-32] μm), strongly sclerotized excretory duct opening posterior to nerve ring, and broadly rounded caudal alae of males.     

Praedictyorbitolina carthusiana n. gen. n. sp., Orbitolinidé (Foraminiferida) de la limite Hauterivien-Barrémien des Alpes occidentales

Praedictyorbitolina carthusiana n. gen. n. sp. is described from the Early Barremian(@#@ hugiizone) of the Pas du Frou section (Chartreuse, western Alps). This new form very probably occurred already in the Late Hauterivian and is regarded as the direct ancestor ofDictyorbitolina ichnusae Cherchi & Schroeder.     

Taxonomy and Morphology of Axonchium (Nematoda: Belondiroidea), and a description of A. thornei n. sp.

Useful diagnostic characters in the nematode genus A xonchium include: lip shape, styler length, shape of the esophageal constriction, presence or absence of spiral musculature in the esophageal sheath, proportion of the esophageal length occupied by the esophageal expansion, length and shape of cardia, shape of the vulva and vaginal cuticularization, development of the anterior gonad, shape of the posterior uterus, subcuticle thickness at mid-body, tail shape, number and arrangement of supplements and caudal pores, and body measurements. A. thornei n. sp. is separated from A. choristum by its thinner subcuticle at mid-body, number of supplements, and shorter spicules, from A. solitare by presence of males, and from both species by the female tail shape and shorter stylet. A. saccatum is synonymized with A. gossypii and A. nitidum is synonymized with A. bulbosum. A. leptocephalum, A. Iongicollis, A. magnicollis, and A. tenuicollis are made species inquirendae. A key to 25 species of Axonchium is given.     

Morphology and morphogenesis of a new oxytrichid ciliate,Notohymena limus n. sp. (Ciliophora,Oxytrichidae) from Delhi,India

The morphology and morphogenesis of a new oxytrichid ciliate, Notohymena limus n. sp. were studied in vivo and after protargol impregnation. The new ciliate was isolated from the sewage sludge at Delhi Jal Board Sewage Treatment Plant located at Rithala, Delhi, India, using the non-flooded Petri dish method. N. limus n. sp. is characterized as follows: flexible dorsoventrally flattened ellipsoidal body; Notohymena-pattern undulating membranes; adoral zone of membranelles (AZM) occupied about 39% of the body length, and consists of around 26 membranelles; large and deep buccal cavity; colorless subpellicular granules present in groups and arranged around the bases of dorsal bristles; 4 macronuclear nodules; 2 micronuclei; 18 fronto-ventral-transverse (FVT) cirri in typical Oxytricha-pattern; 6 dorsal rows of bristles; 3 caudal cirri; about 16 right and 15 left marginal cirri; N. limus n. sp. is a new species on the basis of the combination of morphological, morphometric and morphogenetic characteristic features.     

Theristus (Penzancia) anoxybioticus n. sp. (Nematoda: Xyalidae) from Sublittoral Methane Seepages in the Northern Kattegat,Denmark

The free-living marine nematode Theristus (Penzancia) anoxybioticus n. sp. is described from specimens collected in muddy sediment at 10-12 m water depth in the northern Kattegat, Denmark, where the benthic environment is influenced by methane seepages. Mean body length of the male is 1,121 μm and of the female 1,159 μm. Theristus (Penzancia) anoxybioticus n. sp. has one crown of 10 cephalic setae and a clavate tail tip without setae. The three caudal gland cells are prominent. The intestinal lumen is hexaradiate in cross section and the lining is devoid of microvilli. Reproductive adults have so far only been found in the uppermost centimeter of sediment, and their presence is restricted to April and May. Juveniles are found in deep anoxic sediment layers during other months of the year.     

A new species of sublittoral marine gastrotrich, Lepidodasys ligni sp. n. (Macrodasyida,Lepidodasyidae), from the Atlantic coast of Florida

A new species of Lepidodasys is described from sublittoral sandy sediments off the Atlantic coast of Florida. Lepidodasys ligni sp. n. is a small species (≤ 450 µm) with a crossed-helical pattern of small, non-keeled, non-imbricated scales on the dorsal and lateral body surfaces, two columns of ventral, interciliary scales that form a herringbone pattern, and a series of anterior, lateral, dorsal and posterior adhesive tubes. Similar to Lepidodasys castoroides from the Faroe Islands, the new species possesses a caudal constriction that demarcates the posterior end containing the caudal organ. The frontal organ lies within the posterior constriction, which is heavily invested with somatic circular muscles. These muscles are also present throughout the trunk and represent a novel condition for species of Lepidodasys,which were previously considered to lack somatic circular muscles. Posterior of the caudal constriction is a large, barrel-shaped caudal organ that is wrapped in a series of interdigitating, spindle-shaped, incomplete circular muscle fibers. The caudal organ contains a sclerotized central canal, but the absence of distal cuticular endpieces distinguishes the new species from its morphologically similar congener, Lepidodasys castoroides.     

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai,Hawaii

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe''opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c'' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.     

Hysterothylacium simile n. sp. and H. aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae) from marine fishes in the Bohai and Yellow Sea, China, with comments on the record of H. paralichthydis (Yamaguti, 1941) from Chinese waters

Hysterothylacium simile n. sp., collected from the Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus (Cuvier) (Perciformes: Lateolabracidae) in the Bohai Sea off China, is described using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from its congeners in the presence of narrow lateral alae originating a short distance posterior to the base of the ventrolateral lips, a long intestinal caecum (60.4–79.1% of oesophageal length) and a relatively short ventricular appendix (intestinal caecum to ventricular appendix ratio 1:0.58–0.85), long spicules (2.11–2.99 mm, 4.25–7.83% of body length), the number and arrangement of the caudal papillae (32–36 pairs arranged as follows: 27–31 pairs precloacal, 1 pair paracloacal, and 4–5 pairs postcloacal with the second or third pair double) and the presence of a particular midventral precloacal papilla. Specimens originally identified as Contracaecum paralichthydis Yamaguti, 1941 [now H. paralichthydis (Yamaguti, 1941)] by Xü (1957), collected from the yellow striped flounder Pseudopleuronectes herzensteini (Jordan & Snyder) (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae) in the Yellow Sea off China, were also re-examined. Their morphology clearly revealed they belong to H. aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), which is also redescribed based on Xü’s material. In addition, the morphological variation of caudal papillae in H. aduncum from P. herzensteini was compared, using scanning electron microscopy, with specimens collected from another three fish hosts, Lophius litulon (Jordan) (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae), Scomberomorus niphonius (Cuvier) (Perciformes: Scombridae) and Cleisthenes herzensteini (Schmidt) (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae), from the Yellow Sea off China.