Validity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scorpaena jacksoniensis</Emphasis> and a redescription of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. cardinalis</Emphasis>, a senior synonym of <Emphasis Type="Italic">S. cookii</Emphasis> (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae)

The Scorpaena cardinalis complex, including S. cardinalis, S. jacksoniensis and S. orgila, is defined. The genus Ruboralga (type species: S. jacksoniensis) is regarded as a junior synonym of Scorpaena. Scorpaena jacksoniensis Steindachner 1866, previously treated as a junior synonym of Scorpaena cardinalis Solander and Richardson 1842, is regarded here as a valid species. Scorpaena cookii Günther 1874, previously treated as a valid species, is regarded here as a junior synonym of S. cardinalis. Thus, recent recognition of the two Australasian scorpionfishes, i.e., S. cardinalis and S. cookii, are re-identified in this study as S. jacksoniensis and S. cardinalis, respectively. Scorpaena plebeia Solander 1842 is regarded as a junior synonym of S. cardinalis. Scorpaena jacksoniensis is distributed along the east coast of Australia from southern Queensland to eastern Victoria, whereas S. cardinalis occurs around northern New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and offshore islands of the Tasman Sea. A neotype is designated for S. cardinalis. Morphological changes with growth in the two species are described in detail.     

Revision of the southern African genus Macroderes Westwood (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

The southern African genus Macroderes Westwood is revised. Six new species, M. amplior n. sp., M. minutus n. sp., M. endroedyi n. sp., M. namakwanus n. sp., M. foveatus n. sp., and M. cornutus n. sp., are described.The neotype of M. bias (Olivier) is designated.Two new synonymies are established: M. pilula Sharp is a junior synonym of M. bias (Olivier), and M. westwoodi Preudhomme de Borre is a junior synonym of M. undulatus Preudhomme de Borre. A key to species and notes on biology and distribution are given.     

An update on the status of native and exotic freshwater fishes of Italy

An updated, corrected checklist of both native and established alien freshwater fish species in Italy is given based on molecular, morphological and biogeographical data. Some 12 native species, reported as conspecific with transalpine species in official Italian ichthylogical literature, are in fact endemics. Previous taxonomic confusion has resulted in the introduction of several alien species, either with official stockings or mixed in as impurities. Rehabilitated species include the cyprinids Scardinius hesperidicus, Scardinius scardafa and Telestes savigny from northern Italy, as well as Squalius ruffoi and the Telestes comes from southern Italy. Squalius albus is a junior synonym of S. squalus. The endemic gudgeon, previously assigned to the genus Romanogobio, is returned to the genus Gobio (G. benacensis). Phoxinus lumaireul is a junior synonym of P. phoxinus. Among the Salmonidae, Salmo cenerinus is a junior synonym of S. marmoratus, while Salmo farioides represents the trout species of the Adriatic lineage for which a neotype is designated. Thymallus aeliani represents the endemic lineage of grayling of the Adriatic populations. The esocid Esox cisalpinus is an endemic pike species and Esox flaviae is a junior synonym; the extensive exportation as well as the presence of this species throughout Europe is possibly due to humans. Among sculpins, Cottus scaturigo and C. ferrugineus are junior synonyms of C. gobio. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categories for native species of Italy are updated. At present, 52 native freshwater fish species are listed: 2 are extinct (Acipenser sturio and Huso huso), 12 are critically endangered, 7 endangered, 10 vulnerable, 3 near‐threatened, 15 low concern and 3 data‐deficient; 35 species are the result of human transfers. Among the 51 introduced species, 6 are recently established (Leuciscus leuciscus, Oreochromis niloticus, Poecilia reticulata, Xiphophorus helleri, Amatitlania nigrofasciatus, Hemichromis sp.), 37 are already established, 5 are probably established and 3 are non‐established Chinese carp, maintained in the wild by intensive stockings. The family most involved is the Cyprinidae, with 22 alien and 20 native species.     

New data on the Merodon Meigen 1803 fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Turkey including description of a new species and changes in the nomenclatural status of several taxa

Abstract

The Old World syrphid genus Merodon Meigen 1803 is highly species-diverse and has a significant number of endemic species in the circum-Mediterranean area. The present study reports on taxonomic changes resulting from the examination of adult Merodon specimens collected in 15 Turkish provinces during the period 1992 to 2002, and provides new faunistic data. Merodon ilgazense n. sp. is described. Four species of Merodon new to Turkey are recorded: M. armipes Rondani 1843, M. auronites Hurkmans 1993, M. bessarabicus Paramonov 1924 and M. chalybeatus Sack 1913. Lectotypes are designated for two taxa: M. chalybeatus Sack 1913 and M. clunipes Sack 1913. Merodon italicus Rondani 1845 rev. stat. is reinstated as a valid species. Following a detailed study of the type material in different entomological collections, the status of 10 taxa is revised and five new synonymies are proposed: M. albonigrum Vuji Radenkovi &; S?imi 1996 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. chalybeatus Sack 1913); M. alexeji Paramonov 1925 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. serrulatus Wiedemann in Meigen 1822); M. aureotibia Hurkmans 1993 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. vandergooti Hurkmans 1993); M. kaloceros Hurkmans 1993 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. erivanicus Paramonov 1925); M. longicornis Sack 1913 n. syn. (=junior synonym of M. italicus Rondani 1845).     

Hemibranchiate sphaeromatids (Crustacea: Isopoda) from Queensland, Australia, with a world-wide review of the genera discussed

All known Queensland species of the isopod family Sphaeromatidae, subfamily Sphaeromatinae (= hemibranchs), are discussed. The following new taxa are erected: Calcipila cornuta, gen. nov., sp. nov. ; Cymodoce tribullis, sp. nov. ; Cymodoce bipapilla, sp. nov. ; Paracilicaea aspera, sp. nov. ; Cilicaeopsis glebosa, sp. nov. ; Cilicaeopsis furculata, sp. nov. ; Cilicaea calcarifera, sp. nov. ; Zuzara curtispina, sp. nov. ; Zuzara digitata, sp. nov. ; and Clianella brucei, sp. nov. Exosphaeroma intermedium Baker is transferred to the genus Sphaeroma Latreille. The genus Dynoides Barnard is reviewed and its current synonymy is contested. With several new records, this brings the total number of sphaeromatid species known from Queensland to 49, 24 of which are in the subfamily Sphaeromatinae. A checklist of all sphaeromatid species occurring in Queensland waters is given. From the rest of Australia: Cymodoce tuberculata Haswell is given the replacement name Cymodoce haswelli, nom. nov. ; Cymodoce granulata Miers is made a junior synonym of Cerceis trispinosa (Haswell) (subfamily Dynameninae); Zuzara diadema Leach, Z. dicantha (Milne Edwards) and Z. Integra Haswell are made junior synonyms of Z. semipunctata Leach; Cilicaeopsis dakini Tattersall is tentatively transferred to the genus Paracilicaea Stebbing. The genera discussed are reviewed world-wide and among the non-Australian species: Exosphaeroma papillae Bayliff is transferred to the genus Sphaeroma; Sphaeroma irakiensis Ahmed is made a junior synonym of Sphaeroma annandalei annandalei Stebbing; Cymodoce richardsoniae Nobili is shown to be distinct from Cymodoce truncata Leach; Cymodoce eupyga Nobili is transferred to the genus Paracilicaea; Dynoides amblysinus Pillai, Dynoides castroi Loyola e Silva and Exosphaeroma globicaudum (Dana) are transferred to the genus Clianella Boone; Dynoides brasiliensis (Loyola e Silva; and Sphaeroma savignn Milne Edwards sensu Dana, 1853 are declared to be conspecific with Clianella castroi. The name Sorrentosphaera Verhoeff is made a junior synonym of Dynamene Leach (subfamily Dynameninae.     

A review of the Nearctic digger‐wasp genus Microstictia Gillaspy, 1963, with description of two new species from Arizona and Florida (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Crabronidae)

The genus Microstictia is characterized, its species are diagnosed and keyed; their distribution and collecting period summarized; and their taxonomic status discussed. Photographs of selected important characters are provided. Two new species are described, Microstictia pimensis from Arizona (in the rufescens species group) and M. eos from Florida (in the femorata species group). This is the first unambiguous record of Microstictia from the eastern USA. Based on this finding, M. femorata may actually have originated from Florida, which is frequently questioned. Microstictia minutula (described in Monedula), currently misinterpreted, is a valid name for M. texensis Gillaspy, new synonym. This new synonymy is largely based on female colour characters, whose significance is discussed. The species hitherto known as M. minutula is actually M. exigua (W. Fox), with M. divergens (J. Parker) as a new junior synonym.     

Some comments on the taxonomy of the species of the genus Neogrubea Dillon & Hargis, 1968 (Monogenea: Mazocraeidae) and their synonyms

The genus Asymmetria Suriano, 1975 is considered a junior synonym of Neogrubea. Similarly, the species A. symmetria Suriano, 1975 is considered to be a junior synonym of N. soni Evdokimova, 1969, and A. platensis Rey & Meneses, 1985 and possibly N. stromateae Gibson, 1976 junior synonyms of N. seriolellae Dillon & Hargis, 1968.     

Molecular phylogeny of Macrolycus (Coleoptera: Lycidae) with description of new species from China

Macrolycus is a genus of net‐winged beetles with 69 species distributed in the eastern Palearctic and northernmost part of the Oriental region. The first molecular phylogeny of Macrolycus was produced using an rrnL + tRNA‐Leu + nad1 mtDNA fragment. The major lineages and species limits were identified with morphology and molecular data. We propose that Cerceros is a subgenus of Macrolycus to enable identification of all adult specimens in the genus without DNA sequencing. Two species groups are proposed in Macrolycus s. str. and six in Cerceros. Additionally, twelve Macrolycus species are newly described from China: M. aquilinus, M. baihualingensis, M. bicolor, M. guangxiensis, M. jianfenglingensis, M. kuatunensis, M. lizipingensis, M. parvus, M. phoeniceus, M. rhodoneurus, M. rosaceus and M. sichuanensis. Macrolycus holzschuhi is proposed to be a junior subjective synonym of M. jeanvoinei. The highest diversity of Macrolycus is found in southern China. The species from the main islands of Japan are placed in two species groups: M. excellens is a sister to remaining species of the M. murzini group and the M. flabellatus group is a monophylum of closely related species in a sister position to the M. bicolor group.     

A New Species of Mesonemoura from Yunnan: Mesonemoura sbordonii sp.n. (Plecoptera: Nemouridae)

Mesonemoura sbordonii, a new species of Nemouridae (Plecoptera) from Yunnan (China) is described. Remarks on its relationships with the closest species, M. vaillanti, are given.     

New species and new stage descriptions of Campsurus major species group (Polymitarcyidae: Campsurinae), with first report of silk-case construction in mayfly nymphs

Campsurus major, C. argentinus and C. amapaensis sp. nov. form a monophyletic group supported by the following apomorphies in the male genitalia: robust pedestals with a widely rounded inner-posterior margin and a more acute and thinner outer margin, penes strongly sclerotised and curved ventrally, each lobe twisted outwards, and with a small membranous lobe on ventral margin. The nymphs of Campsurus major and C. argentinus and the female adult of C. major are described for the first time and illustrated here; the male adults of both species are redescribed. A new species, C. amapaensis, is described from male imagos. The following new synonymies are proposed: Campsurus argentinus Esben-Petersen (= C. pallidus Needham & Murphy, junior synonym) and C. major Needham & Murphy (= C. brasiliensis Traver, junior synonym). The nymphs of both species are reported to use silk to build soft cases and to glue substrate particles. A list of characters useful to distinguish the treated species from others in the genus is given.     

Synonymic Notes on a Japanese Hydatophylax (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

Stenophylax festivus Navás, 1920 is transferred to genus Hydatophylax and Hydatophylax intermedius Schmid, 1964 is its junior synonym. Matsumura (1931) incorrectly recorded this species as Astenophylax grammicus McLachlan from Hokkaido, Japan.     

The Ultrastructure of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (Microsporida,Nosematidae) and its Taxonomic Significance*

SYNOPSIS. This study augments our knowledge of several ultrastructural features of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and provides evidence that this species is disporous. We support Cali's view that Encephalitozoon is distinct from Nosema and should be treated as a valid genus. We compare these with 2 other disporous genera, Glugea and Perezia, and conclude that Glugea is also distinct but Perezia is a junior synonym of Nosema.     

Nomenclatural status of Brachirus Swainson, Synaptura Cantor and Euryglossa Kaup (Soleidae, Pleuronectiformes)

We find that Brachirus Swainson, 1839 is a valid soleid (Pleuronectiformes) genus name, Euryglossa Kaup, 1858 is an invalid soleid genus name, and Synaptura Cantor, 1849 is a junior objective synonym of Brachirus. However, for the sake of taxonomic stability and because Synaptura Cantor, 1849 has had a long-term consistent usage within the Soleidae for four species (S. commersoni, S. lusitanica, S. marginata, and S. albomaculata) forming a monophyletic group, we will petition the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to recognize Synaptura Cantor, 1849 as a valid genus name with its type-species being Pleuronectes commersoni Lacepède, 1802. Received: September 19, 1999 / Revised: November 2, 2000 / Accepted: February 20, 2001     

Cranial shape variation in jacarean caimanines (Crocodylia,Alligatoroidea) and its implications in the taxonomic status of extinct species: The case of Melanosuchus fisheri

Melanosuchus niger (Crocodylia, Alligatoroidea) is one of the six living caimanine species widely distributed throughout the Amazon River basin today. Although there is only one extant species of Melanosuchus, fossil material assigned to this genus, represented by M. fisheri, has been reported from the late Miocene in South America. However, the validity of this taxon has been questioned and a recent investigation indicates that the referred specimen of M. fisheri (MCZ 4336) actually belongs to Globidentosuchus brachyrostris, while those diagnostic characters present in the holotype (MCNC 243) fall into the spectrum of intraspecific variation of M. niger. Here, we compare the skull shape of the holotype of M. fisheri with the ontogenetic series of the four jacarean species (M. niger, Caiman yacare, Caiman crocodilus, and Caiman latirostris) using 2D‐geometric morphometric analyses in two different views. The analyses indicate that MCNC 243 falls into the morphospace of M. niger and C. latirostris. Despite strong shape similarities between juveniles of C. latirostris and MCNC 243, further anatomical comparisons reveal notable differences between them. In contrast, no concrete anatomical differences can be found between MCNC 243 and M. niger, although shape analyses indicate that MCNC 243 is relatively robust for its size. Thus, this study is able to confirm that the genus Melanosuchus was present in the late Miocene, but it still remains unclear if MCNC 243 should be treated as a junior synonym or probably a sister species of M. niger. Its Miocene age favors the second option, but as the shape analyses were also not able to extract any diagnostic characters, it should be retained as Melanosuchus cf. niger.     

A new genus and species of oribatid mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cretaceobodes martinezae</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., from the lower cretaceous amber of San Just (Teruel Province,Spain) (Acariformes,Oribatida, Otocepheidae)

A new fossil genus and species of oribatid mite, Cretaceobodes martinezae gen. et sp. nov., belonging to the family Otocepheidae is described. The new species is preserved in a piece of amber from the San Just outcrop (Teruel Province, Spain), which is believed to be Albian in age. The new genus is compared with the extant genus Carabocepheus Berlese, 1910 and its relationships with the superfamilies Otocepheoidea and Carabodoidea are discussed. Carabocepheidae is regarded as a junior synonym of Otocepheidae. Ranking Carabocepheus lounsbury latior Balogh et Mahunka, 1966 as a separate species is proposed.     

A review of Semigenetta (Viverridae,Carnivora) from the Miocene of Eurasia based on material from the hominid locality of Hammerschmiede (Germany)

The present article offers a detailed review of the taxonomy, distribution and palaeoecology of the genus Semigenetta. The study is based on new craniodental and postcranial remains of the genus from the early late Miocene (Tortonian) locality of Hammerschmiede (Bavaria, Germany). Most of the new specimens are attributed to the medium-sized species Semigenetta sansaniensis, whereas one lower carnassial is assigned to the large-sized Semigenetta grandis, making Hammerschmiede 4 the first known locality with two species of the genus. The variability of the material of S. sansaniensis from Europe allows us to revise the taxonomic weight of some previously used characters, and to identify the smaller-sized late Miocene form Semigenetta ripolli as a junior synonym of the former. Such an evolutionary transition of S. sansaniensis towards smaller forms is explained by niche partitioning with larger carnivorans of similar ecology, such as the herein reported S. grandis. Additionally, the species Semigenetta huaiheensis is here considered as a junior synonym of Semigenetta elegans.     

A cladistic analysis of Erythracarinae (Acarina: Prostigmata: Anystidae), with the description of a new genus

A cladistic analysis of sixty erythracarine species is presented and used to justify recent nomenclatorial changes to the classification of erythracarine genera. Erythracarinae is redescribed, and a new diagnosis for the subfamily and a key to the included genera are presented. Neotarsolarcus is recognized as a junior synonym of Tarsolarkus, which is recorded for the first time from North America. A new genus, Pedidromus, with six new species (P. agitatus sp.n. P. curiosus sp.n., P. durongensis sp.n., P. peliculus sp.n., P. pilotrix sp.n., P. velox sp.n.) is described.     

Origin and spatio‐temporal diversification of a fishfly lineage endemic to the islands of East Asia (Megaloptera: Corydalidae)

Chauliodinae (fishflies), with their low capacity of long‐distance dispersal represent a suitable model insect group to investigate the biogeographical history. The genus Parachauliodes van der Weele, including the herein synonymized genus Sinochauliodes Liu & Yang, is endemic to East Asia. Here, we reconstruct the interspecific phylogeny of Parachauliodes based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Sinochauliodes syn.n. was recovered with a group of Parachauliodes species and not the sister group; we therefore treat it as the junior synonym of Parachauliodes. Species delimitation was performed combining the molecular identification with morphological evidence, with Parachauliodes inopinatus syn.n. treated as the junior synonym of Parachauliodes asahinai. The spatio‐temporal divergence pattern of Parachauliodes indicates that the genus might have originated from Eurasian continent no later than the early Miocene and the initial divergence within genus was likely to be correlated to the split of southwestern Japanese Islands from the continent. There likely was a southward dispersal in the Parachauliodes japonicus clade from southwestern Japan via the Ryukyus to Taiwan by the end of the Miocene. The present species diversity of the insular lineage of Parachauliodes was possibly shaped by island isolations and sympatric distribution.     

A Revision of Australian River Prawns, Macrobrachium (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

A taxonomic revision of Australian Macrobrachium identified three species new to the Australian fauna – two undescribed species and one new record, viz. M. auratumsp. nov., M. koombooloombasp. nov., and M. mammillodactylus(Thallwitz, 1892). Eight taxa previously described by Riek (1951) are recognised as new junior subjective synonyms, viz. M. adscitum adscitum, M. atactum atactum, M. atactum ischnomorphum, M. atactum sobrinum, M. australiense crassum, M. australiense cristatum, M. australiense eupharum of M. australienseHolthuis, 1950, and M. glypticumof M. handschiniRoux, 1933. Apart from an erroneous type locality for a junior subjective synonym, there were no records to confirm the presence of M. australe(Guérin-Méneville, 1838) on the Australian continent. In total, 13 species of Macrobrachiumare recorded from the Australian continent. Keys to male developmental stages and Australian species are provided. A revised diagnosis is given for the genus. A list of 31 atypical species which do not appear to be based on fully developed males or which require re-evaluation of their generic status is provided. Terminology applied to spines and setae is revised.     

The generic and species relationships of the reputed endemic Malagasy genus Pseudocossyphus (family Turdidae)

The generic and specific relationships of the Malagasy rock-thrushes, variously placed in the genus Monticola or as an endemic genus Pseudocossyphus, are examined using morphological and molecular characters. On the basis of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequence data it was concluded that all Malagasy rock-thrushes fall between Asian Monticola and a species group of Monticola occurring in numerous Old World areas. It is recommended that all Malagasy species be placed in the genus Monticola. Relationships between various named forms of Malagasy rock-thrushes indicate: M. imerinus is a distinct species, M. bensoni is a synonym of M. sharpei, the subspecies M. sharpei erythronotus should be elevated to a full species, and that no geographic forms of M. sharpei (including interioris and salomonseni) should be recognized on the basis of current evidence. These taxonomic conclusions have important implications for conservation projects currently underway on Madagascar.