A new genus and species of galeommatoid bivalve (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Montacutidae) from Kuwait Bay,Arabian Gulf

Larissamya comta gen. n., sp. n., is described from Kuwait Bay, northern Arabian Gulf. The hinge is identical to that seen in Kurtiella and Montacutona but the spined dorsal margin is unique. Anatomically Larissamya differs from Kurtiella in retaining both gill demibranchs and from both Kurtiella and Montacutona in having greatly unequal adductor muscles. Co-occurrence and density data suggest that L. comta may be associated with the ophuroid Amphiura fasciata.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:ECCB79FC-6EB2-4693-B1D4A014CB17C6D8     

A review of the genus Strophidon (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae), with description of a new species

Strophidon McClelland is a muraenid genus with characteristic appearance of a very elongated body, a large mouth cleft and anteriorly placed eyes. The nomenclature and taxonomic history of species within Strophidon are contentious and its members are easily misidentified. In the present study, species of the genus Strophidon are revised based on morphological and molecular data, and five species are considered valid, including S. dawydoffi Prokofiev, S. dorsalis (Seale), S. sathete (Hamilton), S. ui Tanaka and a new species, S. tetraporus. Strophidon tetraporus sp. nov. is described based on 15 specimens from Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam with the unique characteristic of the constant presence of the fourth infraorbital pore among species of Strophidon. The intraspecific variation of vertebral formula within S. dorsalis is discussed based on molecular data. Muraena macrurus Bleeker and Thyrsoidea longissima Kaup are synonyms of S. sathete that can be distinguished from the most similar congener S. ui by a longer tail, smaller eyes and more inner maxillary and inner dentary teeth. A key to identify species of Strophidon is provided. The distribution and maximum size of each species are also re-evaluated.     

A review of the Holarctic genus Tmeticus Menge, 1868 (Araneae, Linyphiidae), with a description of a new genus

Eight species attributed to Tmeticus are reviewed; five are redescribed and illustrated: Tmeticus affinis (Blackwall, 1885), Tmeticus bipunctis (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906), Tmeticus nigriceps Kulczyński, 1916, Tmeticus ornatus (Emerton, 1914) and Tmeticus tolli Kulczyński, 1908. The new genus, Paratmeticus gen. n. is erected for Tmeticus bipunctis, and a new combination is established: Paratmeticus bipunctis (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906), comb. n. Three species names: Gongylidium vile Kulczyński, 1885, syn. n., Tmeticus difficilis Kulczyński, 1926, syn. n. and Tmeticus dubius Kulczyński, 1926, syn. n., are synonymized with Tmeticus tolli Kulczyński, 1908. Although Gongylidium vile has date priority over Tmeticus tolli it is synonymized because of the lack of usage. Three species from Japan attributed to Tmeticus: Tmeticus neserigonoides Saito & Ono, 2001, Tmeticus nigerrimus Saito & Ono, 2001 and Tmeticus vulcanicus Saito & Ono, 2001 are not related to Tmeticus affinis, the type species of the genus, and their affinities remain unclear. The male of Tmeticus nigriceps is described for the first time.     

A review of the genus Distoechodon (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), and description of a new species

Distoechodon species are widely distributed in rivers of southern China. Previous studies recognized only two species in the genus, viz., D. tumirostris and D. hupeinensis. A morphological analysis of 164 specimens from different localities permits recognition of four species. Distoechodon tumirostris is mainly restricted to small coastal rivers in the Zhejiang Province. Distoechodon multispinnis is widely distributed in the Chang Jiang and Zhu Jiang basins. Distoechodon compressus is known only from the Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, and Taiwan. Distoechodon macrophthalmus, the new species, is known only from the Chenghai Lake, Chang Jiang basin in Yunnan Province.     

A review of the genus Johnstonia Quatrefages, 1866 (Polychaeta, Maldanidae), with a description of a new species from Trinidad, West Indies

In the interests of nomenclatural stability it is proposed that Johnstonia Quatrefages. 1866 (Polychaeta, Maldanidae) be conserved relative to its senior homonym Johnstonia Quatrefages, 1849 (Polychaeta, Nereidae) and its coexistent junior homonym Johnstonia Basir, 1956 (Nematoda, Thelastomatidae). Type material of all species previously assigned to Johnstonia Quatrefages, 1866 is re-examined and a new species from Trinidad described. All three valid species ( J. clymenoides Quatrefages, 1866; J. knysna Day. 1955; J. duplicata sp. n.) are described and figured in detail. An unnamed fourth species is known only from fragments collected off West Africa, and Johnstonia gracilis Kinberg, 1867 is newly synonymised with Euclymene oerstedii (Claparède. 1863).     

A taxonomic review of the genus Astrocharis Koehler (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Asteroschematidae), with a description of a new species

A revision of the genus Astrocharis Koehler (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Asteroschematidae) is based on 41 specimens, including three syntypes of Astrocharis virgo Koehler, one syntype of Astrocharis ijimai Matsumoto and the holotype of Astrocharis gracilis Mortensen. Astrocharis gracilis is a junior subjective synonym of A. ijimai. A. virgo and A. ijimai are redescribed. A new species, Astrocharis monospinosa is described from southwestern Japan. A tabular key to the three species of the genus Astrocharis is provided.     

Geographic variation and systematic review of the lizard genus Vanzosaura (Squamata,Gymnophthalmidae), with the description of a new species

Vanzosaura rubricauda (Boulenger, 1902) is a small‐bodied gymnophthalmid lizard widespread in dry biomes of South America. Throughout its distribution, V. rubricauda populations experience contrasting environmental conditions, and a marked disjunction occurs in the central portion of the Cerrado biome. Previous studies indicate that V. rubricauda may be a species complex, and here we used mitochondrial DNA data and external morphology to test for population differentiation and its systematic implications for the genus. We found three geographically cohesive groups recovered as well resolved, and strongly supported mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haploclades that are differentiated with respect to morphometry, meristics, and colour pattern. In light of the observed differences, we propose a new taxonomic rearrangement of the genus, where we: (1) restrict V. rubricauda to Chaco and western Cerrado regions; (2) resurrect V anzosaura multiscutata (Amaral, 1933) comb. nov. for Caatinga populations; and (3) describe V anzosaura savanicola sp. nov. for the eastern Cerrado region of Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by having longer limbs and tail, fewer smooth subcaudals, and genetic distances ranging from 5 to 13%. The new species, along with other recent discoveries, highlights the Jalapão‐Serra Geral region as one of the most important areas of endemism for Cerrado squamates. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

A review of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Townsendiella (Apidae,Nomadinae, Townsendiellini), with the description of a new species from Pinnacles National Park

The cleptoparasitic bee genus Townsendiella Crawford (Nomadinae, Townsendiellini) is a rare group restricted to the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, whose taxonomy and biology remain poorly known. This paper describes Townsendiella ensifera sp. n., the first known record of this genus from Pinnacles National Park. A key to the species of the genus is provided. Several potential areas of future research are also discussed.     

A review of the Palaearctic species of the genus Eurytoma, belonging to the E. robusta species-group (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae), with description of two new species

A review of Palaearctic species of the Eurytoma robusta group is given. This group includes 46 species. A key to these species is provided. Two new species, Eurytoma ibaraca Zerova, sp. n. from Japan and E. clarissae Zerova, sp. n. from Israel, are described. E. ibaraca is close to E. armenica Zer., but differs from it in the longer metasoma of the female, longer funicular segments, longer postmarginal vein, and sharp prominence on the fore coxa. E. clarissae is similar to E. asiatica Zer., but differs from it in the bulging fore coxa and longer postmarginal vein. The type material is deposited in the collection of the Shmalhausen Zoological Institute, National Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Kiev).     

Revision of the genus Parasapyga Turner (Hymenoptera,Sapygidae), with the description of two new species

Two new species, Parasapyga boschi sp. n. from Vietnam and P. yvonnae sp. n. from Indonesia are described. Parasapyga walshae van der Vecht, 1940, is treated as a valid species instead of a subspecies of P. moelleri Turner, 1910. A key to the species of the genus is added and all species are illustrated.     

Further revision of the genus Megalopsalis (Opiliones,Neopilionidae), with the description of seven new species

The Australian harvestmen genus Megalopsalis (Neopilionidae: Enantiobuninae) is recognised as a senior synonym of the genera Spinicrus and Hypomegalopsalis, and seven new species are described in Megalopsalis: Megalopsalis suffugiens, Megalopsalis walpolensis, Megalopsalis caeruleomontium, Megalopsalis atrocidiana, Megalopsalis coronata, Megalopsalis puerilis and Megalopsalis sublucens. A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the Enantiobuninae is also conducted including the new species. Monophyly of Neopilionidae and Enantiobuninae including ‘Monoscutidae’ is corroborated, with the Australasian taxa as a possible sister clade to the South American Thrasychirus.     

Revision of the Antarctic genus Notaeolidia (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia), with a description of a new species

New material from the Atlantic sector of the Antarctic Ocean allows a revision of the Antarctic genus Notaeolidia Eliot, 1905. One new species (Notaeolidia schmekelae sp.n.) is described. N. depressa Eliot, 1905 and N. gigas Eliot, 1905, which arc poorly known, arc redescribed. N. rufopicta Thiele, 1912, N. robsoni Odhner, 1934, N. subgigas Odhner, 1944, N. alutacea Minichev, 1972 and N. flava Minichev, 1972 are synonymized with N. depressa. N. purpurea Eliot, 1905 is synonymized with N. gigas. The monogeneric family Notaeolidiidae Odhner, 1926. is characterized by the following autapomorphy: "nephroproct in front of the genital apertures". Too little is known to elaborate the phylogenetic position of the family Notaeolidiidae within the cladobranch Nudibranchia.     

A review of the genus Strigivenifera Hering, 1937 (Lepidoptera, Chrysopolomidae) with a description of ten new species

Twelve species are considered within the Afrotropical genus Strigivenifera Hering, 1937, and ten of them are described as new ones: S. eborea sp. n.,S. livingstonei sp. n., S. marina sp. n., S. tanja sp. n., S. ocellaris sp. n., S. cruisa sp. n., S. bartschi sp. n., S. oris sp. n., S. tatooifera sp. n., and S. neo sp. n. The species S. albidiscalis (Hampson, 1910) is raised from synonymy with S. venata (Aurivillius, 1895) and considered as a separate species.     

A review of the catfish genus Pterocryptis (Siluridae) in Vietnam, with the description of two new species

Of the silurid catfish genus Pterocryptis in Vietnam, a total of four species are recognized as valid, of which Pterocryptis crenula and P. verecunda are described here as new. The type locality of P. cochinchinensis is restricted to central Vietnam, and the species is redescribed from topotypic material. Pterocryptis crenula (from northeastern Vietnam) can be differentiated from its congeners in having visibly confluent anal and caudal fins while P. verecunda (from Cat Ba Island in northeastern Vietnam) can be differentiated from its congeners in having the genital papilla concealed behind the anus. Notes on the identity of other nominal Pterocryptis species are also provided.     

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.