A new genus and three new species of decapodiform cephalopods (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

We describe here two new species of oegopsid squids. The first is an Asperoteuthis (Chiroteuthidae), and it is based on 18 specimens. This new species has sucker dentition and a funnel–mantle locking apparatus that are unique within the genus. The second new species is a Promachoteuthis (Promachoteuthidae), and is based on a unique specimen. This new species has tentacle ornamentation which is unique within the genus. We also describe a new genus and a new species of sepioid squid in the subfamily Heteroteuthinae (Sepiolidae) and it is based on four specimens. This new genus and species exhibits unique modifications of the arms in males.     

Development of the reproductive apparatus of the land planarian Rhynchodemus sylvaticus (Turbellaria: Tricladida) and its significance for classification in the genus

Seven specimens of Rhynchodemus sylvaticus (Leidy) collected from a variety of localities in the US and having variously developed copulatory organs are believed to represent stages in the development of the copulatory apparatus. Four specimens were juveniles with under-developed male components, one specimen had a well-developed female atrium and small male component, and two specimens were mature with a male organ twice the size of the female part. In early stages, the male component had sperm ducts, seminal vesicle, and narrow atrium; more mature stages had a considerable elongated atrium with thick folds in its muscularized wall, a massive muscular bulbus; and a sigmoid ejaculatory duct opening into the large bulbar cavity. Morphological features of mature male copulatory organs in all species of the genus Rhynchodemus are basically similar whereas external body features (color and number of dorsal stripes) of these same species differ.     

Dendromonocotyle lasti n. sp. from the skin and Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Himantura sp. (Dasyatidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia

Seven specimens of rays of the genus Himantura which could not be identified to species were collected from waters near Dunwich, Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The five smallest specimens of Himanturasp. (disc width 218-302 mm; four female, one male) had a banded tail and the dorsal surface was uniformly grey/brown. The two largest individuals of Himantura sp. (disc widths 460, 533 mm; female and male, respectively) also had a banded tail but the grey/brown dorsal surface had white spots. Two new monogenean species (Monocotylidae: Monocotylinae) are described from both the plain and white-spotted specimens of Himantura. Dendromonocotyle lastin. sp. is distinguished from other species in the genus by the number of papillae on the haptor, by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and by the morphology of the proximal portion of the vagina. The muscular sheath which surrounds the male copulatory organ is also unique having sclerotised spines at the distal end. Dendromonocotyle species are skin parasites, but a total of five juvenile specimens of D. lasti were found on the gills of four rays. Monocotyle caseyae n. sp. from the gills is characterised by the morphology of the male copulatory organ and its accessory piece. One specimen of M. spiremae Measures, Beverley-Burton & Williams, 1990, originally described from the gills of Himantura fai Jordan & Seale off Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia, was also found on the gills of one Himantura specimen. The site and host-specificity of the parasites and the identity of the hosts are discussed.     

A new species of the clingfish genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apletodon</Emphasis> (Teleostei: Gobiesocidae) from Sao Tome and Principe,Eastern Central Atlantic

The clingfish Apletodon wirtzi sp. nov. is described on the basis of ten specimens and colour photos from Bombom Island, Principe Group, Sao Tome and Principe, eastern central Atlantic Ocean. The species is very small, apparently not exceeding 16 mm total length; it is characterized by having three pores in the mandibular canal, the head length 2.2–2.5 in standard length: SL, the head broad, head width in males 3.6–4.0 (mean 3.8) in SL, the snout in males long, more or less pointed, conical, preorbital length in males 3.1–4.0 in head length, the occipital region with a large pinkish blotch behind each eye (in alcohol specimens), and the lower sides of the body with a row of dark blotches, scattered with white spots in between. The new species is compared with other species of the genus; a key to the males of the four known species of the eastern Atlantic genus Apletodon is presented. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at     

Species composition and nocturnal activity of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) inhabiting a limestone cave in Thailand

We investigated the nocturnal activity of cave‐dwelling sand flies at different time intervals and determined their species composition and seasonal variation. Sand flies were captured on one night each month using CDC light traps from 18:00–06:00 with the collecting bag being changed every two h between February, 2010 and January, 2011. A total of 18,709 individuals, including 10,740 males and 7,969 females, was collected. The overall ratio between male and female specimens was 1:0.74. The collected specimens included 14 species from four genera, Chinius, Idiophlebotomus, Phlebotomus, and Sergentomyia. Sergentomyia phadangensis was the most abundant species (comprising 31.9% of the collected individuals), followed by Se. anodontis (22.8%) and Ph. mascomai (18.2%). The highest number of specimens was collected in July (15.6%), followed by May (15.5%) with the peak of collection recorded at the time interval of 00:01–02:00, followed by 22:01–00:00. However, there were no significant differences observed among time intervals of sand fly collections (p=0.154). Observations of the nocturnal activity of male and female sand flies throughout the night suggest that phlebotomine sand flies show the greatest activity level after midnight.     

A descriptive study of some Antarctic notaspidean opisthobranchs (Gastropoda), with description of a new genus and species

During the expedition “ANTARTIDA 9101”, organized by the Spanish Oceanographic Institute to the South Orkney Islands, four specimens of notaspidean gastropods were collected. Three of them have been identified as Bathyberthella antarctica Willan and Bertsch, 1987. However, one specimen, although externally similar to B. antarctica, had an internal anatomy exhibiting features that have enabled us to consider it to be a new genus and species. This new taxon is characterized by the presence of jaws without mandibular elements, and a vaginal gland that partially surrounds the distal region of the vaginal duct. In this paper the new genus and species is described. Additional anatomical data of the specimens of B. antarctica collected during the expedition are also included.     

Sexual system in the tanaidacean Falsapseudes bowmani (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida)

With more than 40,000 species, Malacostraca is the most diverse crustacean class. Most malacostracans are gonochoristic, but simultaneous hermaphrodites are also known. Tanaidacea is one of two malacostracan orders that includes simultaneously hermaphroditic species; so far, simultaneous hermaphroditism has been confirmed externally and internally in only two tanaidacean species, both in the genus Apseudes (Apseudidae). Here we show, through external and internal morphological observations of fixed specimens, that the apseudid Falsapseudes bowmani is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, making Falsapseudes the second tanaidacean genus in which simultaneous hermaphroditism has been confirmed both externally and internally. In this species, the epistome (a projection on the clypeus) was thick and elongate in large specimens but was thin and spiniform in smaller specimens; the brooding of eggs or embryos was observed only in thin‐epistome individuals, although a pair of ovaries was confirmed in both thick‐ and thin‐epistome individuals. This suggests that individuals with a thick epistome may act as males while also retaining the female reproductive organs.     

On the first record of the genus Octopoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) in the Sardinian Channel (central western Mediterranean Sea)

A specimen of the rare squid genus Octopoteuthis (Cephalopoda: Octopoteuthidae) from 1600 m in the Sardinian Channel (central western Mediterranean) is described. Meristic and morphological data are provided. The specimen was a spent female and details of the reproductive system and implanted spermatangia are reported. Genetic analysis of this specimen and comparison with those available for species in this genus were carried out. Due to issues associated with the taxonomy of the genus Octopoteuthis, it was not possible to identify the specimen to the species level. The taxonomy of the genus is discussed.     

Phylogenomic analysis of pseudocryptic diversity reveals the new genus Deltalsia (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta)

Molecular analyses, in combination with morphological studies, provide invaluable tools for delineating red algal taxa. However, molecular datasets are incomplete and taxonomic revisions are often required once additional species or populations are sequenced. The small red alga Conferva parasitica was described from the British Isles in 1762 and then reported from other parts of Europe. Conferva parasitica was traditionally included in the genus Pterosiphonia (type species P. cloiophylla in Schmitz and Falkenberg 1897), based on its morphological characters, and later transferred to Symphyocladia and finally to Symphyocladiella using molecular data from an Iberian specimen. However, although morphological differences have been observed between specimens of Symphyocladiella parasitica from northern and southern Europe they have yet to be investigated in a phylogenetic context. In this study, we collected specimens from both regions, studied their morphology and analyzed rbcL and cox1 DNA sequences. We determined the phylogenetic position of a British specimen using a phylogenomic approach based on mitochondrial and plastid genomes. Northern and southern European populations attributed to S. parasitica represent different species. Symphyocladiella arecina sp. nov. is proposed for specimens from southern Europe, but British specimens were resolved as a distant sister lineage to the morphologically distinctive Amplisiphonia, so we propose the new genus Deltalsia for this species. Our study highlights the relevance of using materials collected close to the type localities for taxonomic reassessments, and showcases the utility of genome-based phylogenies for resolving classification issues in the red algae.     

Two new tapeworms from the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni off Australia

Internal parasites are reported from the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni for the first time. The shark examined was a 190 kg male collected off of Ulladulla, New South Wales, Australia and deposited at the Australian Museum in Sydney. What appear to be 4 different species of tapeworms were recovered from the spiral intestine. These included two new species, Litobothrium amsichensis n. sp. (order Litobothridea) and Marsupiobothrium gobelinus n. sp. (order Tetraphyllidea), as well as one specimen of a trypanorhynch and one scolex of a second tetraphyllidean. The latter two species are unidentifiable without further material. The generic placement of the new tetraphyllidean is somewhat problematical; this genus was thought to be the most appropriate placement at present. The most conspicuous difference between the new litobothridean and the five other species in the order is that it possesses dorso-ventral projections on five rather than four or three anterior segments. The discovery of a litobothridean parasitising the goblin shark is consistent with the systematic placement of the Mitsukurinidae within the Lamniformes, and may preliminarily indicate close affinities between the Alopidae, Odontaspidae and Mitsukurinidae. The phyllobothriid differs from the five other species of Marsupiobothrium in its possession of extremely long bothridial peduncles, its lack of an arcuate cylindrical pad on the posterior bothridial margins and its possession of a marginal, distinct apical sucker rather than a submarginal, diffuse apical sucker on each bothridium. Four detached specimens of the new phyllobothriid retained tips of mucosal villi within their bothridia. From these specimens it appears that the peduncles allow this species to stretch its scolex for attachment to up to four villi simultaneously.     

Identification key to the species of Amblyolpium Simon (Pseudoscorpiones: Garypinidae), with first record of Amblyolpium bellum Chamberlin from Iran

A key based on bibliographic sources is given for identifying the 15 extant known pseudoscorpion species of the genus Amblyolpium recorded from different localities throughout the world. Species of Amblyolpium mostly occur in the Mediterranean basin, the Near to Far East, and the genus is only recorded with one species from South America. Amblyolpium bellum is redescribed and illustrated based on four males and two females collected for the first time from southern Iran.     

Integrating vibrational signals,mitochondrial DNA and morphology for species determination in the genus Aphrodes (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Reliable delimitation and identification of species is central not only to systematics, but also to studies of biodiversity, ecology and pest management. In the era of Internet‐based biodiversity databases misidentifications are rapidly disseminated and may have far‐reaching consequences. Leafhoppers from the genus Aphrodes (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) are common and abundant, but, nevertheless, they are still a taxonomically challenging group whose members are often assessed in ecological studies and are also potential vectors of plant diseases. Previous study has shown that the syntype series for A. aestuarina (Edwards) includes also specimens of A. makarovi Zachvatkin and has suggested that misidentifications may be widespread in museum collections. We studied Aphrodes individuals collected from the U.K. and Slovenia in order to provide a more comprehensive analysis of this genus using multiple criteria. Combined work using male and female vibrational signals emitted during courtship, and a 600‐bp fragment within the barcoding region of the COI mtDNA gene, provided validated specimens that we also used for morphometric study. Analyses confirmed A. aestuarina, A. bicincta, A. diminuta and A. makarovi as behaviourally, genetically and morphologically distinct species. Although any of these approaches could be used alone to distinguish between species, combining morphological and molecular approaches will help to improve reliability, especially when identifying females. Morphological investigation of validated individuals from the U.K. and Slovenia also revealed geographic differences within species. By combining several body and aedeagus morphological characters males can be reliably identified, however, morphological differences between species are, nevertheless, relatively small. By contrast, observed genetic distances between Aphrodes species are relatively large (4.2–7.0%). At about half of our collecting sites more than one Aphrodes species was found and A. makarovi was collected together with every other species, including A. aestuarina on tidal saltmarshes. Due to low morphological variation between syntopic congeners it is likely that many museum specimens of Aphrodes have been assigned to the wrong species and species identification in ecological and vector studies may also be questionable.     

New species of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scolecostigmina</Emphasis> and revision of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercospora cryptomeriicola</Emphasis> on conifers

Scolecostigmina chibaensis on Pinus parviflora is described as a new species. Cercospora cryptomeriicola Sawada on Cryptomeria japonica is transferred to the genus Pseudocercospora, based on the morphological characteristics of the type specimen and newly collected specimens.     

Statistical discrimination of sex in Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae)

Systematists may rely on morphometric differences among samples of specimens for the recognition of living and fossil species, even though morphometric differentiation may be caused by non-genetic factors, such as ecophenotypy, differential growth rates and taphonomic mixing. When genetic differences between sexes or among closely related species are expressed as differences in the morphology of the individual or population, potentially valuable information becomes available to the systematist for a variety of genetic and ecological investigations. We have studied the morphology of the freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata (Muller, 1774) in Israel, where males occur in what would otherwise be normally parthenogenetic (all female) populations. In modern M. tuberculata, sex may be determined by observation of gonadal tissue; in fossil specimens, any classification according to sex must be accomplished using only preservable features of the mineralized shell. Previous research confirmed that in large samples, mean shell shape of male and female snails differed significantly, but the degree of difference was too small to identify the sex of any individual specimen. We apply a three stage process that results with a high degree of accuracy in the discrimination of individual M. tuberculata specimens by sex on the basis of continuous morphological characters: (1) measurement of many aspects of shell morphology of individuals of known sex, and stepwise discrimination to discover which of the variables, if any, contribute to the morphometric differentiation of males from females (one time only, for the species); (2) use of these selected variables in a clustering procedure to make a preliminary assignment of each specimen to sex; (3) use of cluster assignments in a discrimination procedure to optimally predict sex. For species that exhibit morphometric differences between two groups, and for which continuous morphometric variation precludes the a priori recognition of discrete clusters, this sequential procedure may be of broad applicability. These objective methods may be applied to the discrimination within any set of specimens for which the hypothesis of two, and only two, constituent groups may be entertained.     

Occurrence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizas and Dark Septate Endophytes in Hydrophytes from Lakes and Streams in Southwest China

In this study, the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) in 140 specimens of 32 hydrophytes collected from four lakes and four streams in southwest China were investigated. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and DSE colonization in these hydrophytes were rare. Typical AM structures were observed in one of the 25 hydrophytic species collected in lakes and six of the 17 species collected in streams. Spores of 10 identified AMF species and an unidentified Acaulospora sp. were isolated from the sediments. The identified AMF came from the four genera, Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Glomus and Scutellospora . Glomus and G. mosseae were the dominant genus and species respectively in these aquatic environments. The presence of DSE in hydrophytes was recorded for the first time. DSE occurred in one of the 25 hydrophyte species collected in lakes and three of the 17 species collected in streams. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Three new species of fleas belonging to the genus Macrostylophora from the three‐striped ground squirrel,Lariscus insignis,in Java

Three new species of fleas belonging to the genus Macrostylophora (Siphonaptera, Ceratophyllidae) are described from the three‐striped ground squirrel, Lariscus insignis, from Tjibodas, West Java (Jawa Barat), Indonesia at an elevation of 1500 m. Macrostylophora larisci sp. n. is described from three male specimens, Macrostylophora debilitata sp. n. is described from one male and Macrostylophora wilsoni sp. n. is described from one female. Non‐genital morphological characters of the female specimen, including ctenidial spine shapes and lengths, show that it is not the corresponding female for either M. larisci sp. n. or M. debilitata sp. n. It is unusual for three different species of congeneric fleas to parasitize the same host species in the same geographical location. These three new species represent the first known records of Macrostylophora from Java and they could be enzootic vectors between rodents of flea‐borne zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia typhi and Yersinia pestis, both of which are established on Java. A list is provided of the 43 known species and 12 subspecies of Macrostylophora together with their known geographical distributions and hosts. A map depicting the distributions of known Indonesian (and Bornean) species of Macrostylophora is also included.     

Quelques nouvelles espèces du genre Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae: Nematoda) du Sud de l'Océan Indien

Summary Some new species of Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae, Nematoda) from the South Indian Ocean. Six new species of Benthimermis collected from the shallows of the Crozet-Prince Edward ridge (South Indian Ocean) are described. Benthimermis australis n.sp. is the first species in the genus of which both male and female are known; the male differs from previously described males in lacking cervical alae as well as a cuticular ring-like thickening around the amphids; the female is characterized by a rounded tail with a thick mucron and with a cuticular thickening at its end. Benthimermis crozetensis n.sp., of which only the male is known, resembles B. breviptera in the form of the cervical alae and reproductive system, but is distinguished by the length of the cervical alae and tail, and the diameter of the anterior vas deferens. The following four species are known only by their females: B. hureaui n.sp. is distinguished by a short conical tail; B. edouardensis n.sp. is distinguished by a tail with a long terminal spike bearing refringment granules; B. marionensis n.sp. and B. arnaudi n.sp. are characterized by a short round tail without a cuticular thickening at its end and are distinguished from one another by the length of the ovaries. These species are the first in the Benthimermithidae which have been found in relatively shallow sediments (between 90 and 980 m). Keys to males and females of the genus Benthimermis are given. ac]19820408

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Quelques nouvelles espèces du genre Benthimermis Petter, 1980 (Benthimermithidae: Nematoda) du Sud de l'Océan Indien