New species of sap beetles (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulini) from the Baltic and Bitterfeld ambers

A new genus, Microsoronia, gen. nov., and new species of this genus, M. hoffeinsorum, sp. nov. from the Bitterfeld amber and M. kerneggeri sp. nov., M. nigerrima sp. nov., and M. interfax, sp. nov. from the Baltic amber, are described. The earliest known member of the genus Phenolia, P. (Lasiodites) angustitibialis, sp. nov., is described from the Baltic amber. The systematic position of these two genera, their possible evolution, as well as the possible ecology and bionomics of their members are discussed. It is shown that “Phenolia” incapax Scudder, 1890 should be included in the family Peltidae, rather than Nitidulidae.     

Mixoscyphus antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Sertulariidae), the first truly endemic genus of Antarctic benthic hydroids

A genus and species of Antarctic benthic hydroids new to science, Mixoscyphus antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov., is described and figured. Its systematic position amongst allied genera of the family Sertulariidae is discussed. The studied material originates from the South Shetland Islands area (West Antarctica), which was collected by several Spanish and US Antarctic expeditions. Mixoscyphus gen. nov. currently represents the only complete endemic genus of Antarctic benthic hydrozoans. A discussion of other genera of benthic hydroids that are largely endemic to the Antarctic is also provided.     

TURRILITIDAE (CRETACEOUS AMMONOIDEA) FROM SOUTH AFRICA, WITH A DISCUSSION OF THE EVOLUTION AND LIMITS OF THE FAMILY

The helically coiled mid-Cretaceous family Turrilitidae Meek,1876 are abundant in late Albian and Cenomanian sediments ofEastern South Africa, including representatives of the generaPseudhelicoceras, Turrilites, Hypoturrilites, Ostlingocerasand Mariella, together with a new genus, Neostlingoceras (typespecies Turrilites carcitanensis Matheron, 1842).a Hypoturriliteshomoeomorph derived from Ostlingoceras. Twenty-two species andsubspecies are described, four of them new: Hypoturrilites crickisp. nov., Mariella (Mariella) acanthotuberculata sp. nov., Mariella(Mariella) oehlerti (Pervinquière) sulcata subsp. nov.and Mariella (Mariella) gallienii evoluta subsp. nov. The systematicpart.of the paper providesa basis for the discussion of thephylogeny, and some of the evolutionary trends shown by thefamily. An annotated synopsis of all genera and species referred tothe family is also included (Received 10 March 1977;     

Abstracts of Papers read at the Winter Meeting at Queen Elizabeth College,London

A new heterotrophic armoured dinoflagellate is described from sand habitats in eastern Australia. Cabra matta gen. nov., sp. nov., lacks plastids and an eyespot. The thecal plate formula is Po 4′ 4” ‘x’ 3c ?s 5′′’ 1′′”. Its plate pattern differs from all currently described dinoflagellate genera, but is most similar to the genus Roscoffia. Cabra matta shows some similarity to species currently placed in the family Podolampaceae, however its evolutionary affinities and hence its position within the dinoflagellate systematic hierarchy remain unresolved.     

A new miocene lacustrine mollusc fauna of the Dinaride Lake System and its palaeobiogeographic,palaeoecologic and taxonomic implications

Abstract: The Dinaride Lake System, as one of the largest freshwater systems in the Neogene of Europe, is widely known for its exceptional mollusc fauna. During the Early and Middle Miocene, it displayed a major evolutionary hotspot resulting in a high level of endemicity. Despite advanced investigations in that region, comprehensive knowledge on the mollusc fauna of the Kupres basin is largely lacking. The herein presented results give insight into this outstandingly preserved fauna and are the base for a systematic revision of several supraspecific taxa among the Hydrobiidae. Because their phylogeny is poorly known, this study may serve as starting point for an overall systematic revision of this highly diverse family. Moreover, the faunal composition allows inferences on palaeobiogeography and hydrological connections within the Dinaride Lake System during the early Middle Miocene. About one‐third of the described taxa are restricted to the Kupres basin. The other taxa document faunistic relations to the coeval faunas of the Sinj, Drni? and D?epi basins. Phases of hydrological isolation, indicated by carbonate dominated lithology, coincide with a high frequency of sculptured morphologies within the gastropods. Phases of increased aridity led to high evaporation, a lowered lake level and enhanced carbonate production which seem to have promoted strongly calcified shells. The stratigraphic ranges of the species imply a depositional age of 15.5 ± 0.2 Ma (earliest Middle Miocene; Langhian). Among the Hydrobiidae Cyclothyrella gen. nov. and Pseudodianella gen. nov. are introduced as new genera. Bania obliquaecostata sp. nov., Melanopsis corici sp. nov., Nematurella vrabaci sp. nov., Prososthenia diaphoros sp. nov. and Prososthenia undocostata sp. nov. are described as new species. For the secondary homonym Melanopsis bittneri (Neumayr, 1880), the new name Melanopsis medinae nom. nov. is proposed.     

Molecules and morphology reveal a new aberrant harvestman genus of Ortholasmatinae (Opiliones,Dypsnoi, Nemastomatidae) from Mexico

Ortholasmatinae is one of the most striking groups of Opiliones, because its members exhibit a peculiar dorsal ornamentation pattern of cells, formed by fusion of anvil-shaped tubercles. During the systematic revision of several specimens of ortholasmatines, we found specimens with shared morphological characters with two genera Trilasma Goodnight & Goodnight, 1942 and Dendrolasma Banks, 1894. In order to investigate their phylogenetic relationships, we performed model-based phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial protein-encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and the complete nuclear ribosomal small subunit 18S, including members of the five genera of this subfamily. The results support the creation of Cryptolasma Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, gen. nov., and two new species: Cryptolasma aberrante Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, sp. nov. (type species) and Cryptolasma citlaltepetl Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, sp. nov., which are from Xalapa and Orizaba Volcano, Veracruz, respectively. Additionally, our results suggest Ruaxphilos petrukenvitchou Goodnight & Goodnight, 1945 is a nomina dubia. This study represents the first molecular hypothesis of Ortholasmatinae relationships, with Cryptolasma as the sister of the remaining ortholasmatine.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3730EE48-9802-4B06-9DDF-EC1AFE9A3B61     

A New Member of the Corystospermaceae Thomas

The leaf Pachypteris crassa (Halle) nov. comb. and its pollenorgan, Pteruchus petasatus 8p. nov., are described. They areplaced in the Corystospermaceae (Pteridospermae), and the limitsof the family are discussed with regard to the other ‘Mesozoicpteridospermae’. Information is brought forward on thepollen morphology of the corystosperms.     

An evolutional special case in the lower Orthorrhapha: some attractive fossil flies from the Middle Jurassic of China (Insecta: Diptera: Brachycera)

More than ten extinct Lower Brachycera families have been discovered throughout the world. These fossil records are of great significance in piecing together jigsaw puzzles of evolution for the Order Diptera. However, the distinct systematic relationships of the Diptera, one of the four largest orders, remain obscure. Herein, we erect a new family to enhance our systematic understanding of the Diptera. The Uranorhagionidae fam. nov. is a bewildering new extinct family comprising two new genera, Uranorhagio gen. nov. and Strenorhagio gen. nov. , and five new species, Uranorhagio daohugouensis sp. nov. , Strenorhagio deviatus sp. nov. , Strenorhagio grimaldi sp. nov. , Strenorhagio asymmetricus sp. nov. , and Strenorhagio conjugovenius sp. nov. , from the Middle Jurassic of China. Members of the new family are moderate to large in size and robust in shape. This family possesses a peculiar shape of vein R₂₊₃, the basal part of which is strongly fornical and nearly geniculate, and has the crossvein r–m at variable position. Furthermore, the Uranorhagionidae fam. nov. exhibits a mixture of distinct characters of two families in two disparate superfamilies, i.e. Rhagionemestriidae (Nemestrinoidea) and Rhagionidae (Tabanoidea), thus suggesting that this family might be in an inclusive position in dipteran phylogeny. We tentatively place this new family as a member of Tabanoidea, pending the discovery of more fossil specimens and further study. The comparison between the new family and other relative families will be discussed. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 158 , 563–572.     

New species of the family Heliodiscidae Haeckel (radiolaria)

The family Heliodiscidae Haeckel, 1881, which includes five genera, is reviewed. New methods of investigation are applied to the inner structure of Cretaceous spherical radiolarian skeletons, which reveal numerous taxa with an eccentric microsphere. Three new species, Astrophacus marinae sp. nov., Excentrosphaerella kovalenkovi sp. nov., and Excentrosphaerella kurilovi sp. nov., are described. The eccentric position of the microsphere suggests that these forms are nontypical Mesozoic radiolarians or new representatives of the family Heliodiscidae Haeckel, 1881, which was previously recorded in the Cenozoic.     

Descriptions of five new species of Haplostylus (Mysidacea-Crustacea) from South West Australia

Five new species, Haplostylus flagelliforma sp. nov., H.similissp. nov., H.multispinosus sp. nov., H.uthupus sp. nov. and H.disparsp. nov., are described from the south-west coast of Australia.These new species are distinguishable from each other and fromthe other allied species by the structure of the pleopods ofthe male, and by the armature of the telson and the uropods.     

Recent and Tertiary Seeds of the Nymphaeaceae sensu lato with a Revision of Brasenia ovula (Brong.) Reid and Chandler

The nine extant genera within the Nymphaeaceae s l (Water Lilies)are shown to be separable from one another on the basis of seedmorphology In particular, epidermal detail, vertical sectionof the testa and relative position of the micropyle and hilumare diagnostic for each genus These features are consideredin connection with current systematic treatments of this familyFossil seeds are reviewed at the generic level and many of theseeds previously assigned to Brasenia ovula (Brong ) Reid andChandler are shown to belong to an extinct genus of Nymphaeaceaeintermediate between the currently accepted families Cabombacaceaeand Nymphaeaceae s s They are redescribed as Sabrenia chandleraegen et sp nov. The British Tertiary fossils Brasenia spinosaChandler, Palaeonymphaea eocenica Chandler emend and ?Nymphaealiminis sp nov are described Fossil material of Carpolithesovulum Brongniart 1822a, Brasenia victoria (Casp ) Weberbauer1893, B teumeri Kirchheimer 1935, B tenuicostata Nikitin 1965and Nymphaea arethusae Grambast 1962 has been studied for comparativepurposes The use of ‘?’ before the extant genericname is advocated when all features of a fossil indicate thatit may be placed in a living genus but when certain additional,critical features of the living genus are lacking on the fossil. Nymphaeaceae, water lilies, seeds, palaeobotany, Tertiary, Sabrenia chandlerae gen et sp nov Nymphaea liminis sp nov, Brasenia ovula     

A new species of Bradyidius (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

A new species of copepod belonging to the family Aetideidae,Bradyidius slyliformis sp. nov. is described and figured. Therelationship of this species to the other 12 members of thegenus is discussed. ¹Present address: 121 Jalan Athinahapan Dua, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,60000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia     

MORE MOLLUSCAN NAME-CHANGES, GENERIC AND SPECIFIC

Volema, Bolten, type V. paradisiaca, Bolten, has priority overMelongena, Schumacher, but may be used independently. Mayena, gen. nov., proposed for Biplex australasia, Perry. Turricula, Schumacher, is the correct name for Surcula, H. &A. Adams. Gelagna, Schaufuss, is equal to and antedates Paralagena, Dall. Partulida, Schaufuss, should replace Spiralinella, Chaster. Campanile, Fischer, has for type the recent species Cerithiumleve, Quoy & Gaimard, which is here renamed Campanile symbolicum,sp. nov. Campanilopa, gen. nov., introduced for the fossil Cerithiumgiganteum. Lam. Pleurotomoides, Bronn, has priority over Lora, Gistel, and Clathurella,Carpenter, all proposed as alternatives for Defrancia, Millet,preoccupied. Gabrielona, gen. nov., proposed for Phasianella nepeanensis,Gatliff & Gabriel. Orbitestella, gen. nov., for Cyclostrema bastowi, Gatliff. Megathura, Pilsbry, should be used instead of Macrochasma, Dall. Mitromorpha, auctt., is not Mitromorpha, Carpenter, which wasbased on Daphnella (?) filosa, Carpenter. Antimitra, gen. nov., is proposed for Pleurotoma agrota, Reeve,with which A. Adams' Mitromorpha lirata is congeneric. Lovellona, gen. nov., type Conus atramentosus. Reeve. Apaturris, gen. nov., type Mitramorpha expeditionis, Oliver. Callanaitis, gen. nov., type Venus yatei, Gray, for Salacia,Jukes-Browne, preoccupied. Anopsia, Gistel, is available for Psyche, Rang, preoccupied,and has priority over Verrillopsyche, Cossmann, proposed forHalopsyche, Kieferstein, preoccupied, introduced as substitutefor Rang's name. Hydromyles, Gistel, should be used for Euribia, Rang, preoccupied,as it is older than Kieferstein's name Theceurybia, for thesame genus. (Received 13 April 1917;     

Nimisia fuegiae (Parmeliaceae), a new lichen genus and species from Argentina

Abstract:Nimisia fuegiae Kärnef. & Thell gen. et sp. nov. is described from Argentinian Tierra del Fuego. The new lichen differs from possibly related groups within the Parmeliaceae in unique anatomical characters, i.e. a medullary layer composed of extremely thick and strongly gelatinized periclinally arranged hyphae and a lower cortex composed of only a few layers of strongly pigmented, rather large cells. Ascus characters support its position in the Parmeliaceae. The new genus, which is named in the honour of its first discoverer, is discussed in relation to several other well-investigated members of the family.     

NEW TAXODIACEOUS SEED CONES FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF NEW JERSEY

Nephrostrobus cliffwoodensis gen. et sp. nov., Nephrostrobus bifurcatus sp. nov., and Rhombostrobus cliffwoodensis gen. et sp. nov. are described based on anatomical studies of seed cone fragments from the Upper Cretaceous Magothy Formation of New Jersey. These species belong to the Taxodiaceae. As in Sequoia, Sequoiadendron. and Metasequoia, the vascular strands supplying the scale and bract in Nephrostrobus are about equal. These vascular strands are arranged in a reniform pattern resembling that found in Metasequoia, but the orientation differs by 180 degress. Nephrostrobus cliffwoodensis and Nephrostrobus bifurcatus differ from each other in the branching of the complex trace and associated resin canals. Rhombostrobus cliffwoodensis resembles Cunninghamia in the arrangement of vascular strands and associated resin canals in its bract-scale complexes. However, the relative amount of bract and ovuliferous scale making up the complex is more like that in Sequoia. This combination of cone features does not occur in any of the extant genera. Nephrostrobus and Rhombostrobus are not considered to be ancestral to any of the extant taxodiaceous genera, but are extinct members of an ancestral complex from which the extant genera were derived.     

PHYLOGENY OF THE GENUS ROSTANGA (NUDIBRANCHIA), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THREE NEW SPECIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Rostanga elandsia sp. nov., Rostanga aureamala sp. nov. andRostanga phepha sp. nov. are characterized by having the radulawith slender innermost lateral teeth, which lack denticles onthe inner side of the cusp and have a single denticle on theouter side. The outermost lateral teeth of these three speciesare elongate, but shorter than in other species of the genus.In addition, R. aureamala is the only species of the genus withrachidian teeth and R. phepha is unique within the genus Rostanga byvirtue of its white coloration with dark spots. A phylogenetic analysis shows that the three new species fromSouth Africa and Rostanga setidens (Odhner, 1939) are the sistergroup of the rest of the genus. The species from Japan and MarshallIslands (North Pacific Ocean) are basal in the sister cladecontaining the other species of Rostanga Bergh, 1879. The tropicalIndo-Pacific species of Rostanga are not monophyletic. The Atlanticand Eastern Pacific species form a monophyletic, derived clade,being the sister group of Rostanga australis Rudman & Avern,1989, which has a narrow range restricted to south eastern Australia.The widespread Indo-Pacific species Rostanga bifurcata Rudman& Avern, 1989, is the sister group of Rostanga dentacus Rudman& Avern, 1989, also widesprad in the tropical western Pacific. This phylogeny suggest s a viariant origin of the Sourth African, Atlantic-EasternPacific, and probably North Pacific species, whereas in thetropical Indo-Pacific most sister speceis are sympatric. (Received 16 May 1999; accepted 31 July 2000)     

Family coelotubuliporidae fam. nov. and morphological parallelisms in the evolution of bryozoans

Morphologically complex bryozoans from the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous of Eurasia that some research workers include in the order Rhabdomesida and others place in the order Trepostomata are studied. The axial zooecium is demonstrated to be of zooidal nature. A new family, Coelotubuliporidae fam. nov., is established and its position in the order Trepostomata is substantiated. It includes two genera (one new), 11 species (1 new), and four subspecies. Diagnoses of a new family, Coelotubuliporidae, the genus Coelotubulipora Yang, Hu et Xia, 1988, and a new genus, Dunaevella Gorjunova gen. nov., are presented. The following species are described: Coelotubulipora irinae Gorjunova, sp. nov., Dunaevella shishovae (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955), and D. peristomata (Schulga-Nesterenko, 1955). The emergence of axial zooecia in representatives of the order Trepostomata is considered as one of the evolutionary ways of bryozoans due to morphological parallelisms. It is shown that data presented on the stratigraphic range and paleogeography of the family Coelotubuliporidae are of great significance for solving the problems of biostratigraphy and correlation of deposits of the Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous of Eurasia.