A review of the New Zealand Chirostylidae (Anomura: Galatheoidea) with description of six new species from the Kermadec Islands

Prior to the present study, seven species of deep‐sea Chirostylidae (‘squat lobsters’), were known from New Zealand: Gastroptychus novaezelandiae, Uroptychodes spinimarginatus, Uroptychus australis, Uroptychus maori, Uroptychus novaezelandiae, Uroptychus politus, and Uroptychus tomentosus. All species are examined from type material and discussed, original illustrations supplemented, and new records provided where available. Uroptychus maori and Uroptychus novaezelandiae are re‐described. The chirostylid fauna of the Kermadec Islands, a remote group of islands north‐east of New Zealand, is studied. Uroptychus alcocki and Uroptychus scambus are reported for the first time from New Zealand, and six new species of the genus Uroptychus are described. Distributional patterns of New Zealand species are discussed and a key to New Zealand Uroptychus species is presented. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 155 , 542–582.     

Eight new species of Marasmodes (Asteraceae,Anthemideae) from South Africa

During a stay at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town (South Africa), several groups of Asteraceae were studied. One of these was the genus Marasmodes (tribe Anthemideae). After a careful taxonomic study of additional material, including the first species described by A. P. de Candolle, the author has concluded that eight collections should be considered as new species. These new species are described and their relationships with the most similar species of the genus are discussed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 330–342.     

Morphological and molecular description of new species of squat lobster (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae) from the Solomon and Fiji Islands (South‐West Pacific)

The family Galatheidae is among the most diverse families of anomuran decapod crustaceans, and the South‐West Pacific is a biodiversity hot spot for these squat lobsters. Attempts to clarify the taxonomic and evolutionary relationships of the Galatheidae on the basis of morphological and molecular data have revealed the existence of several cryptic species, differentiated only by subtle morphological characters. Despite these efforts, however, relationships among genera are poorly understood, and the family is in need of a detailed systematic review. In this study, we assess material collected in different surveys conducted in the Solomon Islands, as well as comparative material from the Fiji Islands, by examining both the morphology of the specimens and two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI, and 16S rRNA). These two sources of data revealed the existence of eight new species of squat lobster, four of which were ascribed to the genus Munida, two to the genus Paramunida, one to the genus Plesionida, and the last species was ascribed to the genus Agononida. These eight species are described along with phylogenetic relationships at the genus level. Our findings support the taxonomic status of the new species, yet the phylogenetic relationships are not yet fully resolved. Further molecular analysis of a larger data set of species, and more conserved genes, will help clarify the systematics of this group. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 465–493.     

Checklist of Commelinaceae of Equatorial Guinea (Annobón,Bioko and Río Muni)

A checklist of Commelinaceae of Equatorial Guinea, comprising 46 taxa in 12 genera, is presented. The best represented genus is Palisota, with 11 species. Bibliographical references for Commelinaceae from Equatorial Guinea have been gathered and checked. Eleven species of Commelinaceae are recorded for the first time in the country. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 106–122.     

A cladistic analysis of the Stygnicranainae Roewer, 1913 (Arachnida,Opiliones, Cranaidae) – where do longipalp cranaids belong?

A character survey compiling the morphological information of the subfamily Stygnicranainae was carried out. Two new species of Stygnicranaus Roewer, 1913 are described from Colombia and the new genus Agathocranaus is described from Ecuador. All known species of the subfamily are included in a matrix of 46 morphological characters. Parsimony analysis under implied weights recovered a monophyletic Stygnicranainae including Tryferos Roewer, 1931 plus Stygnicranaus and Agathocranaus. However, the usage of the four subfamilies of Cranaidae as currently defined is abandoned because the two largest subfamilies of Cranaidae – Cranainae and Prostygninae – represent paraphyletic groups (grades), whereas Heterocranainae is a superfluous subfamily, including only the genus Heterocranaus Roewer, 1913. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 470–494.     

Gliridae (Rodentia,Mammalia) with a simple dental pattern: a new genus and new species from the European Early and Middle Miocene

A new genus of Gliridae, Simplomys gen. nov. is proposed. It contains glirids with a simplified dental pattern from the European Early and Middle Miocene. Simplomys gen. nov. includes several species originally described as Pseudodryomys such as Simplomys simplicidens, Simplomys robustus, Simplomys julii, and Simplomys aljaphi. In addition, a new species, Simplomys meulenorum sp. nov. , is proposed from the Spanish Miocene. The species of this genus share not only a very reduced and simplified dental morphology, but also unique dental proportions that clearly separate them from any other genera of Gliridae. Simplomys gen. nov. is recorded in most of the fossil faunas from the Early and Middle Miocene of the Iberian Peninsula, and shows the maximum diversity in this area during Mammal Neogene Zones MN 3 and MN 4. The genus has been also recorded in other European countries such as France, Germany, and Switzerland, conferring to this very characteristic taxon an important role for biochronological correlations within the European continent. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 622–652.     

Systematics and cladistics of a new Naupactini genus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador

A new genus of broad‐nosed weevils belonging to the tribe Naupactini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is described, based on six species from the Páramo–Puna subregion (Andean region) of South America. Three species are new and three have been transferred from the genus Asymmathetes (Asymmathetes nigrans, Asymmathetes rugicollis, and Asymmathetes vulcanorum). The new genus is recognized by the black, denuded, and shiny tegument, the well‐developed pre‐epistome, the elytral base curved backwards on middle, the reduction of the hindwings, and the widely separated procoxae, closer to the anterior than to the posterior margin of the prosternum. A cladistic analysis of the six species of the new genus plus five out‐groups (Amitrus, Amphideritus, Asymmathetes, Melanocyphus, and Trichocyphus), using 49 morphological characters, resulted in a single cladogram. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 54–71.     

A new genus of Entiminae from North Africa,supported by a phylogenetic analysis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae)

The genus Holcophloeus gen. nov. is here proposed to include Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, and two new species native to North Africa, based on a phylogenetic analysis and an evaluation of the diagnostic characters. The taxonomic position of Holcophloeus in relation to the tribes Trachyphloeini Lacordaire, 1863, and Holcorhinini Desbrochers, 1898, is discussed, and the new genus is attributed to the Holcorhinini. Holcophloeus laurae sp. nov. from south‐eastern Morocco and Holcophloeus weilli sp. nov. from northern Libya are described and illustrated and a key to the species of the new genus is given. The lectotype of Trachyphloeus cruciatus Seidlitz, 1868, is designated. The genus Massimiellus Borovec, 2009, is transferred from Trachyphloeini to Holcorhinini. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Revision of the New World genus Quichuana Knab, 1913 (Diptera: Syrphidae), including descriptions of 24 new species

The species of the New World syrphid genus, Quichuana Knab, 1913 (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalini), are revised and the genus is re‐diagnosed. Twenty‐four new species are described, bringing the total number considered valid to 48. New species were mostly reared from Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad, and Venezuela. The male of Quichuana picadoi is described for the first time. Quichuana championi is proposed as a synonym of Quichuana cincta, Quichuana aurata as a synonym of Quichuana angustiventris, and Quichuana sepiapennis as a synonym of Quichuana calathea. Quichuana inca var. brevicera is raised to specific status. Lectotypes are designated for Helophilus auratus, Quichuana bezzii, Quichuana fasciata, and Quichuana parisii. A species‐level identification key for both males and females is provided. Male genitalia of 18 species are illustrated. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 166 , 72–131.     

A spectacular new species of Nepenthes L. (Nepenthaceae) pitcher plant from central Palawan,Philippines

A new species of Nepenthes L., N. attenboroughii (Nepenthaceae), from Palawan Island in the Philippines, is described and illustrated. It is restricted to rocky, ultramafic soils that comprise the summit region of Mount Victoria, Municipality of Narra, where it occurs in isolation from other members of the genus. On the basis of the morphological features, this new taxon appears to be related to both N. mira Jebb & Cheek of Palawan and N. rajah Hook.f. of Borneo. Its substantial size places it among the largest of known pitcher plants. The diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and an updated key is provided for a revised complex of Nepenthes species from the Palawan and North Borneo phytogeographical region. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 195–202.     

First record of the taxon Echinopsyllus (Copepoda,Harpacticoida, Ancorabolidae) from the deep sea of Campos Basin,Brazil, with the description of three new species and their contribution to phylogenetic analysis

New species assignable to the formerly monotypic genus Echinopsyllus (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Ancorabolidae) are described from the continental slope of Campos Basin off Brazil in the south‐western Atlantic. Echinopsyllus brasiliensis sp. nov. , Echinopsyllus nogueirae sp. nov. , and Echinopsyllus grohmannae sp. nov. differ from Echinopsyllus normani Sars, 1909 in the cephalothorax having two instead of three pairs of lateral processes, first pair of dorsal cephalothoracic processes being smaller than second pair, second pair of dorsal cephalothoracic processes branched, and segmentation and setation of the swimming legs. The discovery of new species of Echinopsyllus extends the distributional range of the genus to the southern hemisphere and is further evidence for the formerly unexpected wide genus‐level distribution of Ancorabolidae in the world's oceans. The phylogenetic position of Echinopsyllus within Ancorabolinae is discussed. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 52–78.     

Five new species of Hoplitomeryx from the Neogene of Abruzzo and Apulia (central and southern Italy) with revision of the genus and of Hoplitomeryx matthei Leinders, 1983

Six species of Hoplitomeryx from Abruzzo and Apulia are defined, of which five are described as new to science, Hoplitomeryx apruthiensis, Hoplitomeryx apulicus, Hoplitomeryx falcidens, Hoplitomeryx magnus, and Hoplitomeryx minutus, and one is re‐described, Hoplitomeryx matthei Leinders, 1983. A new diagnosis of the genus is also provided. The new species are established only on teeth, maxillary fragments, and jaws. The standing classification of these ungulates is questioned. As Hoplitomeryx shares a mixture of characters with many other ruminants, it is here believed to have derived from a primitive ruminant stock prior to the emergence of advanced ruminant lineages. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 163 , 1304–1333.     

What is Geosaurus? Redescription of Geosaurus giganteus (Thalattosuchia: Metriorhynchidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Bayern,Germany

The holotype and referred specimens of Geosaurus giganteus, a metriorhynchid crocodile from the Tithonian (Upper Jurassic) of Germany, is redescribed, along with a historical overview of the genus and species. This taxon is unique among metriorhynchids as its serrated, strongly lateromedially compressed dentition is arranged as opposing blades, suggesting it was adapted to efficiently slice through fleshy prey. A new phylogenetic analysis of Crocodylomorpha is presented, which finds G. giganteus to be nested within what is currently considered Dakosaurus, whereas the other species currently assigned to Geosaurus form a clade with Enaliosuchus and the holotype of Cricosaurus. The phyletic relationship of G. giganteus with other metriorhynchids indicates that the current definition of the genus Geosaurus is polyphyletic, and that the inclusion of subsequent longirostrine species to this genus is in error. The re‐analysis presented herein demonstrates Geosaurus to be composed of three species sensu stricto. The appropriate taxonomic amendments to the Metriorhynchidae are also provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 551–585.     

First Potwarmus from the Miocene of Saudi Arabia and the early phylogeny of murines (Rodentia: Muroidea)

Potwarmus is recorded for the first time in Saudi Arabia. The material comes from the Middle Miocene of the Hofuf Formation at Al‐Jadidah. This species, Potwarmus flynni sp. nov. , is described and compared with all species currently placed in the genera Potwarmus, Dakkamys, Paradakkamys, Vallaris, and some species of ‘Myocricetodon’ (i.e. the so‐called ‘primitive dendromurids’) as well as with two of the most primitive definitive murines (namely Antemus chinjiensis and Progonomys debruijni). Potwarmus flynni sp. nov. differs from the above‐mentioned species in having the anterior part of the m1 strongly reduced. A cladistic analysis provides evidence that this new Arabian taxon is close to Potwarmus primitivus and Potwarmus sp. nov. from Jebel Zelten (Libya), and also that this genus is unlikely to be the sister taxon to Antemus. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 156 , 664–679.     

The genus Callicarpa (Lamiaceae) on Borneo

The Bornean species of Callicarpa (Lamiaceae) are revised. Twenty three species are recognized: of these, four are described as new ( C. argentii , C. coriacea , C. subaequalis and C. teneriflora ) and two are raised to species level from variety ( C. endertii and C. hispida ). All 23 species described are assessed for World Conservation Union (IUCN) conservation status. Distribution maps and an identification key are provided. The historic confusion between the genera Geunsia and Callicarpa is discussed. Geunsia is included as a synonym of Callicarpa based on the examination of morphological characters and molecular data. Geunsia is suggested to be nested within Callicarpa based on phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS), partial matK and trnD‐T sequences of 30 taxa using maximum parsimony. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 159 , 416–455.