New data on the systematics and interrelationships of sawfishes (Elasmobranchii, Batoidea, Pristiformes)

New characters based on the arrangement and morphology of dermal denticles show that sawfishes can be divided into two distinctive groups. The first group, comprising the knifetooth sawfish Anoxypristis cuspidata , is characterized by tricuspid denticles variably located on both dorsal and ventral parts of the body. The second group is represented by species of the genus Pristis , showing an uniform and homogenous dermal covering of monocuspidate denticles on both dorsal and ventral sides of the body and within the buccopharyngeal cavity. Pristis is further divided into two subgroups: the first comprises species with denticles lacking any keels and furrows (the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata , the green sawfish Pristis zijsron and the dwarf sawfish Pristis clavata ); the second comprises species with denticles presenting keels and furrows well differentiated on their anterior part (the common sawfish Pristis pristis , the largetooth sawfish Pristis perotteti and the greattooth sawfish Pristis microdon ). This investigation of the dermal covering provides results which agree with studies that separate the same two species groups of Pristis on the basis of other morphological data.     

A new species of Neoheterocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Pristis clavata Garman (Pristidae) from Darwin,Australia

Neoheterocotyle darwinensis n. sp. is described from between the secondary gill lamellae of the dwarf sawfish Pristis clavata Garman (Pristidae) collected at the mouth of Buffalo Creek near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. This is only the second monocotylid species to be described from northern Australia. N. darwinensis is distinguished from the other seven valid species in the genus by the morphology of the hamuli, the dorsal haptoral accessory sclerites and the male copulatory organ. The similarities between N. darwinensis and Nonacotyle pristis Ogawa, 1991 from the gills of the freshwater sawfish Pristis microdon Latham collected in Papua New Guinea are discussed.     

Orders out of chaos – molecular phylogenetics reveals the complexity of shark and stingray tapeworm relationships

Novel molecular data are presented to resolve the long-standing issue of the non-monophyly of the elasmobranch-hosted tapeworm order Tetraphyllidea relative to the other acetabulate eucestode orders. Bayesian inference analyses of various combinations of full ssrDNA, and full or partial lsrDNA (D1–D3), sequence data, which included 134 species representing 97 genera across the 15 eucestode orders, were conducted. New ssrDNA data were generated for 82 species, partial lsrDNA data for 53 species, and full lsrDNA data for 29 species. The monophyly of each of the elasmobranch-hosted orders Cathetocephalidea, Litobothriidea, Lecanicephalidea and Rhinebothriidea was confirmed, as was the non-monophyly of the Tetraphyllidea. Two relatively stable groups of tetraphyllidean taxa emerged and are hereby designated as new orders. The Onchoproteocephalidea n. ord. is established to recognise the integrated nature of one undescribed and 10 described genera of hook-bearing tetraphyllideans, previously placed in the family Onchobothriidae, with the members of the order Proteocephalidea. The Phyllobothriidea n. ord. is established for a subset of 12 non-hooked genera characterised by scoleces bearing four bothridia each with an anterior accessory sucker; most parasitise sharks and have been assigned to the Phyllobothriidae at one time or another. Tentative ordinal placements are suggested for eight additional genera; placements for the remaining tetraphyllidean genera have not yet emerged. We propose that these 17 genera remain in the “Tetraphyllidea”. Among these, particularly labile across analyses were Anthobothrium, Megalonchos, Carpobothrium, Calliobothrium and Caulobothrium. The unique association of Chimaerocestus with holocephalans, rather than with elasmobranchs, appears to represent a host-switching event. Both of the non-elasmobranch hosted clades of acetabulate cestodes (i.e. Proteocephalidea and Cyclophyllidea and their kin) appear to have had their origins with elasmobranch cestodes. Across analyses, the sister group to the clade of “terrestrial” cestode orders was found to be an elasmobranch-hosted genus, as was the sister to the freshwater fish- and tetrapod-hosted Proteocephalidea. Whilst further data are required to resolve outstanding nomenclatural and phylogenetic issues, the present analyses contribute significantly to an understanding of the evolutionary radiation of the entire Cestoda. Clearly, elasmobranch tapeworms comprise the backbone of cestode phylogeny.     

Species delineation and global population structure of Critically Endangered sawfishes (Pristidae)

Sawfishes are among the most endangered of all elasmobranch species, a factor fostering considerable worldwide interest in the conservation of these animals. However, conservation efforts have been hampered by the confusing taxonomy of the group and the poor state of knowledge about the family's geographical population structure. Based on historical taxonomy, external morphology, and mitochondrial DNA sequences (NADH‐2), we show here that, globally, the sawfish comprise five species in two genera: Pristis pristis (circumtropical), Pristis clavata (east Indo‐West Pacific), Pristis pectinata (Atlantic), Pristis zijsron (Indo‐West Pacific), and Anoxypristis cuspidata (Indo‐West Pacific, except for East Africa and the Red Sea). This improved understanding will have implications for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, and endangered species laws and regulations in several countries. Furthermore, based on both or either of NADH‐2 and the number of rostral teeth per side, we show that populations of P. pristis, P. pectinata, P. zijsron, and A. cuspidata exhibit significant geographic structuring across their respective ranges, meaning that regional‐level conservation will be required. Finally, the NADH‐2 gene may serve as a marker for the identification of rostra and fins involved in illegal trade. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London     

Macrobothridium rhynchobati n. g., n. sp. from the elasmobranch Rhynchobatus granulatus,representing a new family of diphyllidean cestodes,the Macrobothridiidae

Macrobothridium rhynchobati n. g., n. sp. from the guitarfish Rhynchobatus granulatus in Kuwaiti waters in the Arabian Gulf is described and figured. The new genus differs from Echinobothrium in having a short unarmed peduncle and a posterior sucker-like structure in the terminal proglottid. It differs from Ditrachybothridium in having a powerful rostellum with dorsal and ventral groups of hooks and in having unarmed bothridia. A new family, the Macrobothridiidae, assigned to the order Diphyllidea is erected. Larval forms are described and figured.     

Age and Growth of Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish (Pristis pectinata) Verified with LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Vertebrae

Endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) were opportunistically sampled in south Florida and aged by counting opaque bands in sectioned vertebrae (n = 15). Small sample size precluded traditional age verification, but fish collected in spring and summer had translucent vertebrae margins, while fish collected in winter had opaque margins. Trends in Sr:Ca measured across vertebrae with laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry corresponded well to annual salinity trends observed in sawfish estuarine nursery habitats in south Florida, thus serve as a chemical marker verifying annual formation of opaque bands. Based on that finding and assumptions about mean birth date and timing of opaque band formation, estimated age ranged from 0.4 y for a 0.60 m total length (TL) male to 14.0 y for a 4.35 m TL female. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters computed from size at age data were 4.48 m for L_∞, 0.219 y⁻¹for k, and −0.81 y for t₀. Results of this study have important implications for sawfish conservation as well as for inferring habitat residency of euryhaline elasmobranchs via chemical analysis of vertebrae.     

Onchobothrium malakhovi n. sp. (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) ex Bathyraja (Arctoraja) sexoculata (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae) from Kuril Islands (Russia), with comments on the status of the genus Onchobothrium

Onchobothrium malakhovi n. sp. was found in the spiral valve of the softnose skate Bathyraja (Arctoraja) sexoculata off the Simushir Island (Kuril Islands, Russia). The new species has bothridia with three loculi and no additional suckers on bothridia, single-toothed hooks unconnected by their bases, no spines at the bases of the hooks, dense matrix around the hook bases shaped as an unpaired butterfly wing, and a short and wide ovary. Onchobothrium malakhovi n. sp. differs from O. antarcticum and O. magnum in having a smaller total length, cirrus sac and ovary, smaller testes and eggs. Additionally, the new species differs from O. antarcticum by the absence of a vaginal sphincter and shorter bothridia; differs from O. magnum in having fewer proglottids and smaller vitelline follicles. It differs from O. farmeri, O. convolutum, and O. pseudouncinatum, by the absence of a small spine at the base of the hooks and the absence of accessory suckers on bothridia; from O. pseudouncinatum, additionally, by unconnected hooks; from O. schizacanthium, by the number of testes and by the presence of a postvaginal group of testes. Onchobothrium malakhovi n. sp. was placed among other members of the Onchoproteocephalidea with a high support based on the sequence data for the D1-D3 region of the 28S rDNA and cox1 gene. The phylogenetic position of the genus Onchobothrium sensu lato remains ambiguous. We suggest that Onchobothrium sensu lato is a complex genus containing at least two morphologically different groups of species. Onchobothrium farmer, O. convolutum, O. schizacanthium, and O. pseudouncinatum, for which there are no molecular genetic data, are considerably different morphologically from O. malakhovi n. sp., O. antarcticum, and O. magnum. A new genus might have to be established for the latter three species after the accumulation of genetic data.     

New taxa and revisionary systematics of alcyonacean octocorals from the Pacific coast of North America (Cnidaria,Anthozoa)

A taxonomic assessment of four species of octocorals from the northeastern Pacific Ocean (British Columbia to California) is provided. Included here are a new species of clavulariid stolonifieran Cryptophyton, a new species of the nephtheid soft coral Gersemia, an undetermined species of soft coral in the genus Alcyonium that has been referred in the literature by several other names, and a new genus is named for a plexaurid sea fan originally described in the Indo-Pacific genus Euplexaura. Discussions are included that compare the species to related taxa, or provide revisionary assessments.     

On the taxonomy of the Paleozoic red algae of the family Ungdarellaceae

The history of the genus Ungdarella and the family Ungdarellaceae is discussed. Data on thallus morphology in members of the family are analyzed. Three new genera, Ungdarelloides, Urtasimella, and Suundukella, and a new species of the genus Ungdarella, U. mitchaelensis sp. nov., are described. The type localities of these taxa are briefly outlined. All these taxa come from Middle Carboniferous carbonate rocks of the Subpolar and Southern Ural Mountains.     

Molecular Systematics of Threatened Seed Plant Species Endemic in the Caribbean Islands

A review of available Caribbean Island red-lists species (CR and EN categories based on the IUCN guidelines from 2001, and E category established according to the IUCN guidelines from 1980) is presented. A database of over 1,300 endemic species that are either Critically Endangered or Endangered sensu IUCN was created. There are molecular systematic studies available for 112 of them. Six of these species (in six genera) are the only members of early divergent lineages that are sister to groups composed of a large number of clades. Seven of the species (in seven genera) belong to clades that have a small number of taxa but are sister to species/genus-rich clades. Ten of the species (in six genera) are sister to taxa restricted to South America or nested in clades endemic to this region. Fifty-seven of the species (in 35 genera) are sister to Caribbean Island endemic species. Erigeron belliastroides, an Endangered (EN) Cuban endemic, is sister to the Galapagos genus Darwiniothamnus. The phylogenetic placement of four of the threatened species resulted in changes in their taxonomic placement; they belong to polyphyletic or paraphyletic genera.     

Two new species and a new phyllobothriid cestode genus from sharks of the genus Negaprion Whitley (Carcharhiniformes)

Alexandercestus n. g. (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) is erected for two cestode species found parasitising the two known species of lemon sharks (Carcharhiniformes: Negaprion spp.). This new genus differs from all other phyllobothriid genera except for Hemipristicola Cutmore, Theiss, Bennett & Cribb, 2011, Marsupiobothrium Yamaguti, 1952, Nandocestus Reyda, 2008, Orectolobicestus Ruhnke, Caira & Carpenter 2006, Orygmatobothrium Diesing, 1863, Paraorygmatobothrium Ruhnke, 1994 and Phyllobothrium van Beneden, 1849 in possessing uniloculate bothridia with an apical sucker and neck scutes. Alexandercestus differs from Orectolobicestus and Nandocestus in lacking marginal loculi on the bothridia, from Paraorygmatobothrium in possessing uninterrupted vitelline follicles at the level of the ovary and from Phyllobothrium in being euapolytic as opposed to anapolytic and in lacking posteriorly bifid bothridia. The new genus lacks the central accessory bothridial organ seen in specimens of Orygmatobothrium, and lacks the central bothridial accessory sucker of specimens of Marsupiobothrium. Alexandercestus spp. compare most favourably with specimens of Hemipristicola, especially with respect to aspects of proglottid morphology, but differ in possessing aristate gladiate spinitriches rather than serrate gladiate spinitriches on the proximal bothridial surface. In addition, the bothridia of Alexandercestus spp. are comparatively more fleshy and foliose than those in specimens of Hemipristicola. Two new species of Alexandercestus n. g. are described, Alexandercestus gibsoni n. sp. from Negaprion acutidens, collected from off northern Australia and the Marshall Islands, and Alexandercestus manteri n. sp. from N. brevirostris, collected off the islands of Bimini and the Florida Keys. The two new species differ in total length and vitelline follicle distribution. Bayesian inference and parsimony analysis of the D1–D3 region of the large nuclear ribosomal DNA of 17 published and seven novel sequences placed A. gibsoni as the sister taxon to a clade containing Hemipristicola gunterae Cutmore, Theiss, Bennett & Cribb, 2011 and species of Paraorygmatobothrium. This result supports the erection of Alexandercestus as a genus separate from Hemipristicola and Paraorygmatobothrium. At the present time, species of Alexandercestus are known only from hosts of the carcharhinid genus Negaprion Whitley; examination of extensive survey data suggests this may be the extent of the host distribution of this genus.     

Evolvulus flavus sp. nov. (Convolvulaceae) from the Brazilian Caatinga

Evolvulus flavus is a new species of Convolvulaceae found in the semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil. It is characterized by flowers with a yellow corolla and 4‐locular ovary. Illustrations and taxonomic notes are presented. Only four individuals of this new species have been located, resulting in its classification as ‘Endangered’ (EN) in accordance with the IUCN criteria.     

Life history notes of the critically endangered dwarf sawfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pristis clavata</Emphasis>, Garman 1906 from the Kimberley region of Western Australia

The dwarf sawfish, Pristis clavata, was captured in marine waters of King Sound and estuarine waters of the Fitzroy, May and Robinson Rivers, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Observations of sexual maturity and annuli present on vertebrae suggest that the estuarine waters of at least the Fitzroy River act as a nursery for the species, where immature individuals may remain for at least 3 years. The capture of immature individuals in excess of 2,330 mm TL during the current study in addition to Peverell’s (Peverell in Environ Biol Fishes 73:391–402, 2005) record of a mature male measuring 3,060 mm TL implies that the species may attain far greater lengths than previously reported and that the common name may not be entirely appropriate. In contrast to the sympatric freshwater sawfish Pristis microdon, the number of rostral teeth of individual P. clavata can not be used to differentiate males from females, with both sexes possessing an average of 42 rostral teeth.     

The orchids of Timor: checklist and conservation status

A checklist of the Orchidaceae of Timor is presented, with emphasis on the eastern half of the island (East Timor), based on historical herbarium collections and recent botanical explorations. This list comprises 38 genera with 66 species, including 15 new genera and 32 new species records for this island. Moreover, four new species are described: Bulbophyllum sundaicum , Habenaria ankylocentron , Habenaria cauda‐porcelli , and Pterostylis timorensis . Of these, we consider the finding of a new species of Pterostylis to be especially noteworthy, because this species seems to be more closely related to certain Australian members of the genus than to the Malesian ones, suggesting earlier contacts of Timor with Australia. Four new synonyms are proposed: Calanthe veratrifolia var. timorensis J.J.Sm. (C. triplicata), Habenaria cornuta Span. (H. giriensis), H. grandis Benth. ex Ridl. (Peristylus goodyeroides), and H. mutica Span. (H. elongata). The best represented genus is Habenaria, with 13 species, followed by Dendrobium with four, and Bulbophyllum with three. Because of insufficient or sterile material, it was not possible to identify, or describe as new, 20 different taxa. The conservation status of the ten endemic species, plus six possible new undescribed species and two non‐endemic, but threatened, species, was assessed using the World Conservation Union (IUCN) criteria, and categories of threat were proposed. Seven endemic species are considered to be Critically Endangered and two Endangered. One of the nonendemic species is considered to be Critically Endangered, and the other Endangered. The survival of some of these species might be less insecure if an effective application of Regulation project N.2000/19 on protected areas (UNTAET/REG/2000/19) was implemented and maintained, because most of these species were collected in areas considered for protection under this Regulation. Further studies are required, however, in order to complete our knowledge of the diversity and population dynamics of this interesting part of Timor's biodiversity. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 197–215.     

Intestinal helminths of freshwater stingrays in southeastern Peru, and a new genus and two new species of cestode

Helminths of the spiral intestine of neotropical freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) were examined in Peru for the first time. The stingrays examined for helminths included Paratrygon aiereba, Potamotrygon motoro, and Potamotrygon cf. castexi. Present in P. aiereba were the cestodes Nandocestus guariticus (Marques, Brooks, and Lasso, 2001) n. gen. n. comb., Rhinebothrium copianullum n. sp., Rhinebothrium sp. 1, Rhinebothroides sp., Potamotrygonocestus cf. fitzgeraldae, and 1 species each of Cucullanus and Rhabdochona. Nandocestus n. gen. is erected to house N. guariticus, which is formally transferred from Anindobothrium Marques, Brooks, and Lasso, 2001. The new genus is unique among phyllobothriids in its possession of circummedullary vitelline follicles and a submarginal genital pore, in combination with bothridia with a single apical sucker and marginal bothridial loculi. The helminths of P. motoro included the cestodes Paraoncomegas araya, Acanthobothrium peruviense n. sp., Acanthobothrium cf. ramiroi, Rhinebothrium sp. 1, Rhinebothroides sp. 1, Potamotrygonocestus sp., the nematode Brevimulticaecum regoi, a species of Cucullanus, and a species of the digenean superfamily Diplostomoidea. The helminths of P. cf. castexi included the cestodes P. araya, N. guariticus n. gen. n. comb., Acanthobothrium cf. peruviense, Potamotrygonocestus sp., Rhinebothrium sp. 1, Rhinebothroides sp. 2, the nematode species Echinocephalus daileyi and B. regoi, 1 species each of Cucullanus, Rhabdochona, and Procamallanus, and a species of the digenean superfamily Hemiuroidea. All taxa were examined via light microscopy; the cestode taxa were also examined using scanning electron microscopy. Each helminth species recorded in this study is a first report from Peru. The study suggests that the diversity and host specificity of the cestodes in potamotrygonid stingrays may be greater than previously thought. The known numbers of genera and species of tetraphyllidean cestodes parasitizing neotropical freshwater stingrays are now 6 and 22, respectively.     

Morphological and phylogenetic studies of Cytospora (Valsaceae,Diaporthales) isolates from Chinese scholar tree,with description of a new species

Cytospora species are the most serious and widespread pathogens associated with canker disease on multiple plants. In this study, three species, i.e., Cytospora sophoricola, C. chrysosperma, and C. sophorae, which were isolated from Sophora in China, are described and illustrated based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. Cytospora sophoricola was distinguished clearly by its larger disc, multiple ostioles, cystic and multiple locules, and specific cultural characteristics, i.e., protruding fruiting bodies. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis showed that it did not cluster with any known species of Cytospora, so it is described as a new species. Cytospora sophorae is a previously reported species from Sophora, which is redescribed based on new isolates and additional observations. Another species was identified as C. chrysosperma, which is reported for the first time on Sophora, so Papilionaceae is shown to be a new host family for C. chrysosperma. The morphological affinities of these species with related taxa are discussed, while the phylogenetic relationships of these species with other fungus in the genus Cytospora were elucidated based on their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region sequences.     

Chimaerarhynchus n. g. andPatellobothrium n. g., two new genera of trypanorhynch cestodes with unique poeciloacanthous armatures,and a reorganisation of the poeciloacanthous trypanorhynch families

Chimaerarhynchus rougetae n. g., n. sp. is described fromSqualus acanthias andCentrophorus sp. from the coast of Senegal, and differs from all other trypanorhynch genera in having a chainette composed of dissimilar elements, that is, double-winged hooks alternating with pairs of hooks each with a single lateral wing. The new genus is allocated to the Gymnorhynchidae Dollfus, 1935.Patellobothrium quinquecatenatum n.g., n. sp. is described from the spiral intestine ofSphyrna mokarran from Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia and plerocerci fromRachycentron canadus from Queensland, Australia. The genus is distinguished from all others in possessing five chainettes. It is allocated to the family Mustelicolidae Dollfus, 1969. The relationships of all genera of trypanorhynchs possessing chainettes are discussed, and they are divided into three groups: (1) Dasyrhynchidae Dollfus, 1935, Lacistorhynchidae Guiart, 1927, Mustelicolidae and Hornelliellidae Yamaguti, 1954 are considered closely related since all genera possess two bothridia, a hermaphroditic duct and have hollow hooks; (2) Gymnorhynchidae, amended to contain onlyGymnorhynchus Rudolphi, 1819 andChimaerarhynchus n.g., is distinct in possessing four bothridia, an accessory seminal vesicle and hollow hooks; (3) Mixodigmatidae Dailey & Vogelbein, 1982, amended to includeMixodigma Dailey & Vogelbein, 1982 andHalysiorhynchus Pintner, 1913 has four bothridia, lacks seminal vesicles and a hermaphroditic duct and has solid hooks.A new family Molicolidae n. fam. is erected forMolicola Dollfus, 1935 andStragulorhynchus Beveridge & Campbell, 1988. The new family has a poeciloacanthous armature, and is distinguished by possessing a band of hooks on the external surface of the tentacle, four sessile bothridia and an acessory seminal vesicle.Myrmillorhynchus Bilqees, 1980 is suppressed as a synonym ofPterobothrium Diesing, 1850.Neogymnorhynchus Bilquees & Shah, 1982, is suppressed as a synonym ofPterobothrium, with the type species,N. platycephali becoming a synonym ofP. heteracanthum Diesing, 1850.Eulacistorhynchus Subhapradha, 1957 is considered agenus inquirendum;Gymnorhynchus cymbiumi Chincholikar & Shinde, 1977 is also a synonym ofPterobothrium heteracanthum Diesing, 1850.     

Annual breeding in a captive smalltooth sawfish,Pristis pectinata

The critically endangered smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata reproduces biennially in central west Florida, U.S.A. Here we demonstrate that smalltooth sawfish are physiologically capable of reproducing annually in a captive environment. The smalltooth sawfish are held in an open system, with abiotic conditions that vary naturally with the surrounding environment in The Bahamas. This suggests wild smalltooth sawfish may also be capable of annual reproduction provided there are adequate prey resources, limited competition and mate availability.