A new genus of Diplommatinidae from the Andaman Islands (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoroidea)

ABSTRACT

Examination of the syntypes of Pupa (Pupisoma) constrictus Godwin-Austen, 1895 revealed that this species does not belong to the eupulmonate Pupilloidea, but to the caenogastropod Diplommatinidae. Based on conchological characters it could not be placed to any of the existing diplommatinid genera, therefore a new genus, Moderata n. gen. is erected, which is characterised by a conical shell, a discontinuous aperture and most importantly, a conspicuous constriction half a whorl behind the aperture. Pupisoma bilamellatum Benthem Jutting, 1958 and P. unilamellatum Benthem Jutting, 1958 are moved to the assimineid genus Acmella W. T. Blanford, 1869.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Agave (Agavaceae) in the Lesser Antilles, with an ethnobotanical hypothesis

The genusAgave (Agavaceae) is revised taxonomically for the Lesser Antilles. All 12 previously recognized species are placed into synonymy underAgave karatto Miller. A neotype is selected for the nameAgave karatto, and lectotypes are designated forA. barbadensis Trel.,A. medioxima Trel.,A. obducta Trel.,A. vangrolae Trel., andA. ventum-versa Trel. Specimens are cited for most of the Lesser Antillean islands. That the Caribbean agaves are similar to the MexicanAgave nayaritensis Gentry is supported. The hypothesis that the pattern of partial sterility, clonality, and minimal morphological differentiation of the Lesser Antillean agaves is related to prehistoric human activity is developed based on similar patterns among mainland agaves and historical information. Uses for the archaeological “Barbados shell tool” may have included decorticating agave leaves for fiber extraction.     

The centipede genus Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907 (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) in North Africa, a cybertaxonomic revision, with a key to all species in the genus and the first use of DNA barcoding for the group

The centipede genus Eupolybothrus Verhoeff, 1907 in North Africa is revised. A new cavernicolous species, Eupolybothruskahfi Stoev & Akkari, sp. n., is described from a cave in Jebel Zaghouan, northeast Tunisia. Morphologically, it is most closely related to Eupolybothrusnudicornis (Gervais, 1837) from North Africa and Southwest Europe but can be readily distinguished by the long antennae and leg-pair 15, a conical dorso-median protuberance emerging from the posterior part of prefemur 15, and the shape of the male first genital sternite. Molecular sequence data from the cytochrome c oxidase I gene (mtDNA-5' COI-barcoding fragment) exhibit 19.19% divergence between Eupolybothruskahfi and Eupolybothrusnudicornis, an interspecific value comparable to those observed among four other species of Eupolybothrus which, combined with a low intraspecific divergence (0.3-1.14%), supports the morphological diagnosis of Eupolybothruskahfi as a separate species. This is the first troglomorphic myriapod to be found in Tunisia, and the second troglomorph lithobiomorph centipede known from North Africa. Eupolybothrusnudicornis is redescribed based on abundant material from Tunisia and its post-embryonic development, distribution and habitat preferences recorded. Eupolybothruscloudsley-thompsoni Turk, 1955, a nominal species based on Tunisian type material, is placed in synonymy with Eupolybothrusnudicornis. To comply with the latest technological developments in publishing of biological information, the paper implements new approaches in cybertaxonomy, such as fine granularity XML tagging validated against the NLM DTD TaxPub for PubMedCentral and dissemination in XML to various aggregators (GBIF, EOL, Wikipedia), vizualisation of all taxa mentioned in the text via the dynamically created Pensoft Taxon Profile (PTP) page, data publishing, georeferencing of all localities via Google Earth, and ZooBank, GenBank and MorphBank registration of datasets. An interactive key to all valid species of Eupolybothrus is made with DELTA software.     

中国实蕨属的分类修订

对实蕨属Bolbitis的17种植物的孢子进行了扫描电镜观察。根据孢子周壁特征,中国产实蕨属的孢子明显可分为3种类型：A型孢子具网状周壁,B型孢子具鸡冠状-波状周壁,C型孢子具平滑的波状周壁。孢子周壁特征、叶脉式样和叶片顶部的形态是实蕨属中最有价值的分类学性状。根据标本检查,结合野外调查和孢子形态观察,对中国产实蕨属的分类进行了修订,确定中国有实蕨属植物20种和3杂交种,其中包括2个新组合B. fengiana (Ching) S. Y. Dong和B. medogensis (Ching &; S. K. Wu) S. Y. Dong,以及2个中国新分布B. costata Ching ex C. Chr.和B. hookeriana K. Iwats.。将B. latipinna Ching、B. media Ching &; Chu H. Wang、B. yunnanensis Ching、Egenolfia crassifolia Ching、E. crenata Ching &; P. S. Chiu、E. fengiana Ching、E. medogensis Ching &; S. K. Wu和E. ×yunnanensis Ching &; P. S. Chiu等8个名称处理为新异名。文中给出了分种检索表、每个种的生境和分布资料、大多数种的特征集要和孢子扫描电镜照片。     

云南产凤尾蕨属植物(凤尾蕨科)的新修订

在《中国植物志》和《云南植物志》的基础上,对云南产凤尾蕨属植物进行新的分类修订。文中澄清了8个混淆类群,其中新等级1种,即高原凤尾蕨Pteriscuspigera(Chingex Ching et S.H.Wu)X.Q.Song;云南分布新记录1种,即假指状凤尾蕨Pteris psudodactylina Ching et S.K.Wu;新异名3个,即Pteris asperi-caulis var.cuspigera Chingex Ching et S.H.Wu,Pteris inaequalis Bak.及Pteris wallichiana var.yunnanensis(Christ)Ching et S.H.Wu。还列出了新修订种类的文献引证、标本引证、生境和地理分布。经该文研究确认,现知云南有该属植物48种。     

A peculiar new species of the genus Tetrasticta Kraatz (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Tetrasticta gnatha sp. n., collected under the bark of a rotten fallen tree in Peninsular Malaysia, is described. A habitus photograph, line drawings of diagnostic characters, and a diagnosis are provided. The new species is readily distinguished from all known congeners by having long mandibles, and long, curved maxillary palpi.     

A revision of Japanese species of the genus Psammoecus Latreille (Coleoptera,Silvanidae)

Japanese species of the genus Psammoecus Latreille, 1829 are taxonomically revised. Four new species, P. scitus sp. n. (misidentified with P. quadrimaculatus), P. labyrinthicus sp. n., P. boreas sp. n. and P. omotoensis sp. n. are described. Psammoecus bipunctatus (Fabricius, 1792), P. trimaculatus Motschulsky, 1858 (misidentified with P. triguttatus), P. simoni Grouvelle, 1892, P. fasciatus Reitter, 1874 and P. triguttatus are redescribed. Another described species whose distribution in Japan is questionable. P. quadrimaculatus is also redescribed. Lectotype and paralectotype of P. fasciatus and P. triguttatus are designated.     

A taxonomic position of Armenian endemic freshwater snails of the genus Shadinia Akramowski, 1976 (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae): combining morphological and molecular evidence

According to analyses of anatomical data and nucleotide sequences of three genes (16S, 18S rDNA and CO 1 mtDNA), the Armenian endemic genus Shadinia Akramowski, 1976 Akramowski, N.N. (1976) Fauna of Armenia SSR. Mollusca. Zoological Institute Academy of Science, Yerevan, Armenian SSR. [Google Scholar] should be considered as a separate subfamily, Shadiniinae of Hydrobiidae Stimpson, 1865. A combination of genetic resemblance and similarity in conchology, morphology of radula, male and female anatomy (except some details) assures us of the close relationship of Shadinia and the genera Persipyrgula and Intermaria recently described from riverine waters of Iran. We provisionally assign these two genera to the new subfamily, which also includes the genus Nicolaia, established in 2015 for small hydrobiids from the Kasach River (Armenia). The latter genus has not yet been studied genetically, but morphological evidence leads us to consider it as compatible with Persipyrgula and Intermaria. All three genera differ significantly from the genus Shadinia in only one respect: females of these snails have one seminal receptacle, while those of Shadinia have two. The subfamily Shadiniinae is a sister group to Pyrgulinae; the former differs morphologically from the latter in possessing a pigmented nervous system and odontophore, presence of basal cusps on the central tooth of the radula and a black pigmented coiled oviduct without the widening that characterises most of the Pyrgulinae.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3009CB4E-EE5B-44BE-B8E4-497B5CB3BE5D     

A synopsis of Cyathocalyx species (Annonaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, with descriptions of two new species

A revised classification of the species of Cyathocalyx (Annonaceae) occurring in western Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo) is presented, with distribution maps. Fifteen species are recognized, including two that are newly described from Borneo ( C. angustipetalus and C. magnifructus ), which are illustrated. Several important nomenclatural changes are validated, including the elevation of Drepananthus carinatus var. deltoideus to specific rank as C. deltoideus , and the transfer of the name Parartabotrys hexagynus to Cyathocalyx as C. hexagynus . Other notable nomenclatural changes include the reduction of the name C. scortechinii to synonymy with C. pubescens .  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 152 , 513–532.     

Systematic revision of the genus Everettia Godwin‐Austen, 1891 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Dyakiidae) in Sabah,northern Borneo

The species of the snail genus Everettia in the Malaysian state of Sabah are superficially similar and difficult to distinguish by their shells. This paper presents new data on the taxonomy and distribution of Everettia in Sabah that have accumulated since the revision by Godwin‐Austen in 1891. By using morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches, we reveal at least seventeen species of Everettia in Sabah, of which eleven are new to science, namely: Everettia layanglayang sp. nov. , Everettia lapidini sp. nov. , Everettia paulbasintali sp. nov. , Everettia occidentalis sp. nov. , Everettia jasilini sp. nov. , Everettia safriei sp. nov. , Everettia interior sp. nov. , Everettia jucundior sp. nov. , Everettia planispira sp. nov. , Everettia monticola sp. nov. , and Everettia dominiki sp. nov. , and one new subspecies, namely, Everettia corrugata williamsi ssp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial COI and 16S, and nuclear ITS‐1 sequences demonstrates the monophyly of most of the morphologically well‐defined species. Our results show that certain aspects of classical morphology‐based taxonomy for Everettia species, especially with regard to the unique combination of shell surface sculptures, animal head colour, and mantle pigmentation, are solid. A dichotomous key to the Sabah species and subspecies of Everettia is provided. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 157 , 515–550.     

线蚓科分类学研究进展

线蚓科隶属于环节动物门环带纲,迄今共记录32属650余种,是该纲的第二大科。它们广泛分布于土壤、海洋、淡水、河口和冰川等。其中,约2/3的线蚓科物种(近500种)为陆生种类,100余种仅分布在海洋中。尽管经历了200多年的探索,线蚓科仍然是认知最少的类群之一。尝试回顾人类对线蚓科环带动物分类学和系统发育学方面的认知历程和积累的知识体系,描述线蚓科关键的形态学分类特征以及线蚓科分类研究遇到的主要问题和障碍,展望了线蚓科分类学未来的研究方向。线蚓科的分类研究尚处于α分类阶段,体现在以物种探索为主和大量的已描述的物种需要验证等。而基于生物学物种概念(生殖隔离)的线蚓科物种探索,虽然有一些合理的逻辑解释,但缺乏严格的科学验证。线蚓科内多数属为复系,表明已建立的线蚓科分类系统仍然不能很好的反映线蚓科的自然进化历史。线蚓科分类面临的主要问题和障碍是未描述种类亟待发掘、已描述的物种需要验证、属/种的厘定以及现代属级概念的建立、DNA分类在线蚓科的应用和线蚓科内的系统发育关系研究亟待开展,以及物种探索的不平衡、经费和研究人才匮乏以及网络分类的缺失等。将分子学数据和系统发育物种概念纳入线蚓科的分类学研究,应该是线蚓科分类的一个方向。通过解读保守基因的信息,可以揭示线蚓科的祖先与它们生活的古环境长期斗争的历史,以及将优良的性状遗传给后代的过程和驱动力。而系统发育物种概念认为物种是拥有共同祖先的,物种仅能通过生殖隔离与系统发育重建一起加以验证。基于系统发育物种概念而构建的线蚓科分类系统,必将能真实的反映线蚓科内各分类单元的亲缘关系和进化轨迹。而将最新的线蚓科分类学知识传播于分类学知识的终端使用者,是线蚓分类学家的职责。这些知识将有助于提高人们对线蚓类在生态系统中功能的了解,如土壤有机质分解、养分矿化和健康评价以及评估气候变化等。     

One the genus Tocama Reitter (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Melolonthinae), with descriptions of two new species from Indochina

Two new species of the Oriental scarab genus Tocama Reitter, 1902, Tocama laosensissp. n. and Tocama procerasp. n., are described from Indochina with diagnoses, distributions, remarks and illustrations. A key to the species of the genus is provided with a checklist with several nomenclatural changes: Hoplosternus tonkinensis Moser, 1913 is transferred to Tocama; Hoplosternus pygidialis Moser, 1915 syn. n., Tocama atra atra Keith, 2006 syn. n. and Tocama atra reichenbachi Keith, 2007 syn. n. = Tocama tonkinensis (Moser).     

A revision of the genus Dolichos (Fabaceae,Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae), including Lesotho and Swaziland

A revision of the genus Dolichos in South Africa (Lesotho and Swaziland included) is presented. This legume genus, belonging to the bean tribe Phaseoleae, mainly has an African distribution, extending into Asia. In South Africa it is represented by nine species, two (D. sericeus and D. trilobus) of which extend into Tropical Africa. Dolichos is closely related to the genus Macrotyloma from which it can be distinguished by the short standard appendages, reticulate pollen and the generally purple flowers (standard appendages long, pollen tuberculate or spinulose and flowers yellow or orange in Macrotyloma). It also has affinities with the genera Dipogon and Lablab. The correct nomenclature, as well as complete synonymy, typification and distribution maps of all the species are provided.     

Isocitrate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase polymorphism in the oriental fruit fly,Dacus dorsalis (Insecta,Tephritidae), from Peninsular Malaysia

1. Six natural populations ofDacus dorsalis were analysed for isocitrate dehydrogenase and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase by means of horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis.2. Isocitrate dehydrogenase phenotypes were governed by three codominant alleles, while phosphogluconate dehydrogenase phenotypes were governed by four alleles.3. The commonestIdh andPgd alleles encoded an electrophoretic band with intermediate mobility.4. Isocitrate dehydrogenase had lower heterozygosity than phosphogluconate dehydrogenase.5. There was geographic variation in the distribution ofPgd alleles.     

Four new species of southern African octocorals (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea), with a further diagnostic revision of the genus Alcyonium Linnaeus, 1758

Four new species of soft corals are described from the shallow sublittoral of southern Africa. Three of the species are referable to the genus Alcyonium Linnaeus, 1758 (family Alcyoniidae), although two of these possess growth forms that are atypical for most members of the genus. A revised diagnosis of the genus is therefore included. A new species in the family Nephtheidae is also described, this being referable to the genus Capnella Gray, 1869. All four species are from the region between the Cape of Good Hope Peninsula and the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This is the region of the Agulhas Bank, an austroafrican biogeographic region that shows a high incidence of endemism with respect to the marine invertebrate fauna.     

Rediscovery of Ellobium scheepmakeri (Petit De La Saussaye, 1850) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Ellobiidae), a rare ellobiid in Bukit Belimbing mangrove forest,Peninsular Malaysia

The ellobiid Ellobium scheepmakeri (Petit de la Saussaye, 1850) is reported from the banks of the Selangor River estuary, 57 years after it was first collected in Peninsular Malaysia. It was found in abundance under logs in the dryland mangrove forest of a dominantly Nypa swamp at the upper reaches of the Kuala Selangor estuary where sediment pore water salinity was recorded at 6–7 ppt.     

Hoya peninsularis (Apocynaceae,Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Peninsular Malaysia,and notes on Hoya maingayi and Gongronema wrayi

A new species of Hoya from the western part of Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated as H. peninsularis. It has long been confused with Hoya finlaysonii because both have leaves with prominent darker venation, but can be distinguished on the corona lobe size and corolla pubescence. In addition, Hoya maingayi, a species earlier considered ‘doubtful and excluded' is typified and illustrated for the first time, and its distribution is shown to extend to Thailand. Gongronema wrayi is recognised as an earlier name and a new synonym for Hoya omlorii, a species previously considered to occur only in Borneo and Sumatra. The name is typified. An updated checklist of Hoya of Peninsular Malaysia is provided.     

A review of the primary types of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus Waterhouse (Coleoptera,Lucanidae, Lucaninae), with the description of a new species

The species of the Hawaiian stag beetle genus Apterocyclus Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) are reviewed following an examination of all primary types. Although the continued existence of the species is unknown and some possibly are extinct there are five recently extant species, including one species that is described here as new. The holotypes for all available names are pictured, and synonymies discussed and updated. Lectotypes are designated for Apterocyclus honoluluensis Waterhouse and A. munroi Sharp. A key to species and a revised catalog for the genus are provided.