Anzygina, a new genus for some Australasian microleafhopper species formerly placed in the genus Zygina Fieber (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae: Erythroneurini)

Species of Erythroneurini (Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) currently placed in the genus Zygina and found in Australia, New Zealand and some neighbouring islands are transferred to the new genus Anzygina , type species Erythroneura sidnica Kirkaldy, following comparison with the type species of the genus: Typhlocyba nivea Mulsant and Rey. New combinations are Anzygina sidnica (Kirkaldy), Anzygina honiloa (Kirkaldy), Anzygina melanogaster (Kirkaldy) and Anzygina sativae (Evans) from Australia, Anzygina toetoe (Cumber), Anzygina agni (Knight), Anzygina dumbletoni (Ghauri) and Anzygina ramsayi (Knight) from New Zealand, Anzygina zealandica (Myers) from Australia and New Zealand, Anzygina jowettae (Knight) from Norfolk Island and Anzygina medioborealis (Ghauri) from Papua New Guinea. Lectotypes are designated for Erythroneura honiloa Kirkaldy and E. sidnica Kirkaldy. Anzygina billi sp.n. is described from SE Qld, and Anzygina barrattae sp.n. is described from the South Island of New Zealand. A. agni is a new record for Australia and is presumed to be Australian in origin. A. dumbletoni has a distribution which suggests that it also is introduced to New Zealand although its origins are not known. A. ramsayi, A. barrattae and A. toetoe , all of which appear to be New Zealand endemics, show affinity with each other based on aedeagal structure. A key to these species, based on males, is provided. The lack of male syntypes for Erythroneura honiala Kirkaldy and Erythroneura lubra Kirkaldy precludes establishment of their identities relative to other species of the genus, and both names are regarded as having nomen dubium status. Australian species not transferred to Anzygina are Zygina evansi (Ross) and Zygina ipoloa (Kirkaldy), both of which belong elsewhere.     

Pseudorhabdosynochus argus n. sp. (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) from Cephalopholis argus, P. minutus n. sp. and Diplectanum nanus n. sp. from C. sonnerati and other monogeneans from Cephalopholis spp. (Perciformes: Serranidae) off Australia and New Caledonia

Monogeneans from three species of Cephalopholis, namely C. argus, C. sonnerati and C. boenak, are described from fish caught off New Caledonia, South Pacific, with comparisons with material from off Queensland, Australia. Pseudorhabdosynochus argus n. sp. from C. argus is present off New Caledonia and Australia; it is characterised by its male quadriloculate organ with very elongate cone, and its sclerotised vagina with anterior trumpet, coiled primary canal and distal part with two chambers and an accessory part. C. boenak has no monogeneans off New Caledonia, but off Australia it harbours Pseudorhabdosynochus sp., a new species which is morphologically related to P. argus. P. minutus n. sp. from C. sonnerati is characterised by its minute body and a sclerotised vagina with two spherical chambers. Diplectanum nanus n. sp. from C. sonnerati is characterised by its very small funnel-shaped male copulatory organ and minute body. A new species, Haliotrema sp. from C. sonnerati is characterised by a very elongate tubular penis; it is distinct from H. cromileptis Young, 1968 (redescribed herein from specimens collected from Cromileptes altivelis off New Caledonia). The species described here include the first members of Pseudorhabdosynochus and the first diplectanids described from species of Cephalopholis. There is no evidence for a clade of Pseudorhabdosynochus species specific to members of Cephalopholis, since the species described here share similarities with other species from Epinephelus. However, it is suggested that the gill structure of Cephalopholis spp. imposes selection toward small body sizes for monogeneans.     

Aplatophis zorro, a new species of eastern Pacific snake-eel, with comments on New World ophichthid distributions (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae)

Aplatophis zorro n. sp., the first known eastern Pacific species of this New World genus, is described from a shallow water trawl-caught specimen from the Golfo de San Miguel, Pacific Panama. It is similar to its only known congener, A. chauliodus from the tropical western Atlantic, but differs in its vertebral number, dentition, coloration, and other characters. Comments concerning the distribution of New World ophichthids are provided.     

Polytrichum commune Hedw. and Polytrichadelphus magellanicus (Hedw.) Mitt. used as decorative material on New Zealand Maori cloaks

Abstract

Confirmation of the occurrence of the moss Ptychomnion densifolium on the main islands of New Zealand is provided and the features which separate it from the more common P. aciculare are outlined. A brief account of the history of P. densifolium in New Zealand is given and its morphology there is discussed. A key to the two species in New Zealand is provided and habitat differences between them outlined. New Zealand material differs from type locality (Tristan d' Acunha) material in having longer and more twisted acumens, and in this respect is similar to New Zealand material of P. aciculare. New Zealand populations of P. densifolium are recognisable in having stem leaves reflexed from an oblong sheathing base, and well developed basal leaf plications. It is a relatively widespread species in New Zealand, occurring in mostly upper elevation, open sites.     

Paradasyhelea harrisoni n.sp. from the Auckland Islands,and additional records of subantarctic Ceratopogonidae

Abstract

A new species of Paradasyhelea Macfie is described from females found on the Auckland Islands, New Zealand, and a key is presented to separate it from its five known congeners. New distribution and habitat records are presented for the three ceratopogonid species previously reported from the subantarctic islands of New Zealand—Forcipomyia kuscheli Sublette & Wirth, F. tapleyi Ingram & Macfie, and Dasyhelea aucklandensis Sublette & Wirth.     

Revision of Syncarpiolyma Froggatt (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Description of a New Species

Syncarpiolyma Froggatt and its type species S. maculata Froggatt are revised. A second species, Syncarpiolyma maculatipennis sp.n., is described from four females collected in Queensland and New South Wales.     

Aeolid opisthobranch molluscs (Glaucidae) from the Indian Ocean and the south-west Pacific

Eight aeolid opisthobranch molluscs of the subfamilies Facelininae, Favorininae, and Herviellinae are reported from Tanzanian waters, and two species from Northwestern India. New records from Queensland, Australia greatly extend the range of two species reported from Tanzania. Phidiana militaris (Alder & Hancock) and P. indica (Bergh) are shown to be distinct and a species from New Zealand, originally identified as P. militaris , is shown to be new. P. bourailli (Risbec), previously reported only from New Caledonia, is described from Tanzania, as is a new species of Phidiana. Favorinus japonicus Baba is reported from Tanzania, the first published record outside Japan, a new species of Godiva is described from Tanzania and Queensland, and three new species of Sakuraeolis are described, one from India and two from Tanzania. A new species of Herviella is described from Tanzania.     

The parasites of the Polynesian rat: biogeography and origins of the New Zealand parasite fauna.

Unique aspects of the prehistory and current distribution of the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans Peale) have been applied to the problem of determining the biogeographical origin of its parasites as found on 'exulans only' islands of New Zealand. The database consists of collated records of both endo- and ectoparasites reported from throughout this rat's geographical range. The analytical method is based on the concepts of Sprent (1969. Immunity to Parasitic Animals, pp. 14-17) and includes the formulation and testing of two hypotheses. A total of six 'heirloom' species is identified, and a further seven are classified as 'old souvenirs'. Contrary to prediction, 11 species are considered to be 'new souvenirs', acquired from other rodent species now present in New Zealand.     

A new species of Zygina from Papua New Guinea,and records of some leafhopper and planthopper species (Homoptera: Cicadelloidea and Delphacidae)

Abstract

Zygina medioborealis n.sp. is described from silver beet and carrots from Papua New Guinea. Indications are that this species, along with its close allies from Australia, New Zealand, and Norfolk Island, forms an incipient genus radically different from Palearctic and Nearctic Zygina Fieber. A few species of leafhopper and planthopper are listed, with their hosts; Cofana nigrilinea (Stål) is a new record for this locality.     

Modelling the potential geographic distribution of invasive ant species in New Zealand

Despite their economic and environmental impacts, there have been relatively few attempts to model the distribution of invasive ant species. In this study, the potential distribution of six invasive ant species in New Zealand are modelled using three fundamentally different methods (BIOCLIM, DOMAIN, MAXENT). Species records were obtained from museum collections in New Zealand. There was a significant relationship between the length of time an exotic species had been present in New Zealand and its geographic range. This is the first time such a time lag has been described for exotic ant species, and shows there is a considerable time lag in their spread. For example, it has taken many species several decades (40–60 years) to obtain a distribution of 17–25% of New Zealand regions. For all six species, BIOCLIM performed poorly compared to the other two modelling methods. BIOCLIM had lower AUC scores and higher omission error, suggesting BIOCLIM models under-predicted the potential distribution of each species. Omission error was significantly higher between models fitted with all 19 climate variables compared to those models with fewer climate variables for BIOCLIM, but not DOMAIN or MAXENT. Widespread species had a greater commission error. A number of regions in New Zealand are predicted to be climatically suitable for the six species modelled, particularly coastal and lowland areas of both the North and South Islands.     

A new genus of trans-Tasman midge: Anzacladius gen. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)

Based on larvae, pupae and adults of Australian and New Zealand Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae) midges, a genus new to science, Anzacladius , is described. Two species, A. numbat Cranston sp. n. and A. kangaroo Cranston sp. n., are described from temperate Australia (both western and south-eastern). A. kiwi Cranston sp. n. is described from both North and South Islands, New Zealand: association of the pharate pupa with its putative larva used sequence similarity of the CO1 ( cytochrome oxidase 1 ) gene. Pupal exuviae, the major stage for species recognition, show the genus occurs in running waters, especially in Australian acidic and sandy-bedded creeks, and Anzacladius species are found also in perched lakes of Queensland's Cooloolla region and Fraser Island. Previous morphological phylogenetic studies (under the code 'SO3') indicate a relationship to austral genera Botryocladius Cranston & Edward, Naonella Boothroyd and Echinocladius Cranston.     

Pseudofoenus caledonicus, a new species of hyptiogastrine wasp (Hymenoptera: Gasteruptiidae) from New Caledonia

Abstract  Pseudofoenus caledonicus sp. nov. is described from New Caledonia, and is the second member of the Hyptiogastrinae recorded from these islands. This discovery points to a more diverse fauna of Hyptiogastrinae in the south-west Pacific, which also includes P. ritae (Cheesman), from New Caledonia and Vanuatu, P. extraneus (Turner) from Fiji, and a number of species from New Guinea and New Zealand. Although a revised phylogenetic analysis does not resolve the relationships of P. caledonicus , neither the two New Caledonian species nor the south-west Pacific fauna in general are likely to be monophyletic. This fauna is discussed in terms of its relationships with Pseudofoenus spp. from mainland Australia, and possible mechanisms that have given rise to the current distribution of species.     

Biodiversity of Asterina species on Neotropical host plants: new species and records from Panama

Two new species of the genus Asterina are described from living leaves collected in provinces Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro in western Panama. Asterina alloplecti on Alloplectus ichtyoderma (Gesneriaceae) differs from other Asterina on Gesneriaceae by its stalked appressoria and host relationship. Asterina compsoneurae on Compsoneura sprucei (Myristicaceae) can be distinguished from other members of Asterina on Myristicaceae by its larger ascomata, larger, prominently spinose ascospores and host relationship. New records for Panama are Asterina corallopoda from a new host plant species (Solanum trizygum, Solanaceae), A. diplopoda, A. ekmanii from a new host plant species (Gonzalagunia rudis, Rubiaceae), A. siphocampyli from a new host plant genus and species (Burmeistera vulgaris, Campanulaceae) and A. styracina from a new host-plant species (Styrax argenteus, Styracaceae). This study increases the number of species of Asterina known for Panama from 12 to 19 and the number of Asterinaceae from 14 to 21. Asterina corallopoda, A. diplopoda, A. ekmanii, A. siphocampyli and A. styracina are illustrated for the first time. A phylogeny inferred from the analysis of LSU rDNA sequences of species of Asterina is presented. The diversity and host-plant patterns of known Neotropical species of Asterina are discussed.     

Benthic foraminifera associated with the invasive ascidian, Didemnum sp. A

The invasive ascidian, Didemnum sp. A, first appeared in New England bays and harbors in the early 1990s, and in the waters around Cape Cod in 1993. While ship traffic was the likely vector introducing the species, its origin and precise date and location of its introduction are presently unknown. Colony surfaces of Didemnum sp. A appear very clean and not favorable substrates for epibiota settlement, but closer inspection revealed the presence of benthic foraminifera. During 2003 and 2004, 52 samples of Didemnum sp. A and other ascidians were collected to determine whether or not the foraminiferal assemblages might also be non-native and thus provide a potential clue to the place of origin of Didemnum sp. A. Sample locations included the New England coast from Connecticut to Maine (with a concentration in the Cape Cod area), northern California, Zeeland, The Netherlands, and Shakespeare Bay, New Zealand. From New England samples, 18 species of benthic foraminifera were identified. The most common species represented were Cornuspira involvens, C. planorbis, Elphidium galvestonense, E. margaritaceum, Glabratellina lauriei, Miliolinella subrotunda, Quinqueloculina bicornis, and Rosalina floridana. Foraminiferal assemblages on Didemnum sp. A from other regions sampled were composed of the same cosmopolitan species found in New England, plus other species which were indigenous to each region. Because no exotic foraminifera species were found it is concluded that Didemnum sp. A likely did not introduce non-native foraminifera originating from their native habitats into the New England region.     

Two new species of Aporhynchus (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) from deep water lanternsharks (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) in the Azores, Portugal

New collections of cestodes from the spiral intestines of the lanternsharks Etmopterus spinax and Etmopterus pusillus off the island of Faial, in the Azores, Atlantic Ocean, have yielded 2 new species of trypanorhynchs belonging to Aporhynchus. Both species share the distinctive lack of all elements of the rhyncheal system that are characteristic of this genus. The identity of Aporhynchus norvegicus is clarified to allow it to be distinguished from A. menezesi n. sp., which also parasitizes E. spinax. This new species differs conspicuously from its congeners in that its mature and gravid proglottids are wider than long, rather than longer than wide, and also in its lack of spinitriches on the scolex. Aporhynchus pickeringae n. sp., the new species from E. pusillus , differs from all of its congeners except A. norvegicus in that it is a relatively delicate worm with relatively fewer testes. It also possesses fewer proglottids and a wider pedunculus scolecis than does A. norvegicus. Sections through the scolex of A. menezesi n. sp. support use of the term bothriate, rather than difossate, in reference to the scolex configuration of some trypanorhynchs. A key to the 4 species of Aporhynchus is provided.     

Systematics of the parasitic wasp genus Yelicones Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Rogadinae) and revision of the genus from the New World

Species of the braconid wasp genus Yelicones Cameron from North, Central and South America are revised and the first phylogenetic analysis of the world Yelicones fauna is presented. The results are considered from a biogeographical perspective and the effect of including and excluding colour characters is investigated. One hundred and twenty‐four species from throughout the world are recognised. Eighty‐five species are from the New World, 63 of which are new. A fully illustrated key to New World species is provided. A total of 116 characters were scored, of which 86 were morphological and 30 were based on the wasps’ colour pattern. All analyses show a near perfect diversion between New and Old World species. However, analyses excluding and including colour produced completely opposite results in terms of whether New or Old World species were basal. We found that in our data matrix colour characters performed at least as well as morphological characters in terms of their ensemble retention index, making it difficult to decide which phylogenetic hypotheses is correct. However, consideration of venom apparatus features leads us to prefer the hypotheses placing the New World taxa basally.     

Melanesomyia, a Tribally Unplaced New Genus of Dexiinae (Diptera: Tachinidae) from Indonesia (Maluku) and Papua New Guinea, With Description of Two New Species

A brief review of Australasian dexiine systematics is given. A tribally unplaced new genus, Melanesomyia , is described to accommodate two new species and an undescribed species from the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, as well as the generically unplaced species " Dexia" nivifera Walker, 1861, from the Moluccas Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia. New species are: M. kraussi and M. wauensis. A key to the species is provided. Melanesomyia appears to have affinity (likely an example of homoplasy) with the Australian genus Trichostylum Macquart, 1851, and Rasiliverpa Barraclough, 1992, which is known only from New Caledonia and Fiji.     

Three new Indo-Australian species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca,with a reevaluation of generic limit

Three new species of the sciaenid genusAtrobucca are described:A. kyushini from off Borneo, differs from all known congeners in having no swimbladder appendages enveloplng the bladder, no forward directed branches from the ventral limbs of the appendages, a long tube-like last appendage parallel to the bladder wall and a pale mouth lining;A. brevis from off northern Australia and Papua New Guinea, is distinguished by its short pectoral fin (less than 23% SL) and pleural rib on the 11th vertebra;A. adusta from Papua New Guinea, is distinctive in having a low dorsal soft ray number (23–24) and long caudal peduncle (27–30% SL).Atrobucca Chu, Lo et Wu is redefined to accommodate the new species: the genus is principally characterized by the swimbladder appendages divided into developed dorsal and ventral limbs, and the only slightly curved sulcus tail of the sagitta. A key and diagnoses are provided for all known species ofAtrobucca.     

A monograph ofAgathis

This first study of the whole genusAgathis makes use of recent local revisions of the New Caledonian and Australian species which are all maintained. The male cone is shown to have most of the taxonomically useful variation, and this confirms the findings of two partial revisions centred on Indonesian species. Thirteen species are recognized, two of which have two subspecies. New Caledonia has five, and Australia three, sympatric species. Otherwise the species are allopatric except for a few populations of central MalesianA. dammara within the range of west MalesianA. borneensis. One of these montane populations is the distinctiveA. dammara subsp.flavescens of Malaya, formerly a full species.Two groups and three individually distinctive species can be recognized on microsporophyll characters. The larger, group B, comprizes eight species,A. australis (New Zealand),A. corbassonii, A. lanceolata andA. montana (New Caledonia),A. macrophylla (Melanesian islands and includingA. obtusa andA. vitiensis),A. atropurpurea (Australia),A. dammara (mainly central Malesia) andA. borneensis (west Malesia); both the last have long synonymies. The smaller species, group (A), comprizesA. microstachya (Australia) andA. labillardieri (west New Guinea and the Sepik basin). The individually distinctive species areA. moorei andA. ovata of New Caledonia andA. robusta of Australia with its new subspeciesnesophila, described here, of eastern New Guinea and New Britain.