Dominibrentus leptus,n. gen., n. sp. (Curculionoidea,Brentidae, Cyphagoginae,Dominibrentini, n. tribe), a straight-snouted weevil in Dominican amber

A new tribe, genus and species of straight-snouted weevils (Dominibrentus leptus, n. gen., n. sp., Dominibrentini, n. tribe; Coleoptera: Brentidae; Cyphagoginae) has been described from Dominican amber. The new taxon is characterised by compressed, ventrolateral concavities on the prothorax and abdomen and lateral concavities on the metathorax for reception of the legs. This is the first representative of a straight-snouted weevil in amber.     

Morphology and Phylogeny of Two Novel Ciliates,Arcanisutura chongmingensis n. gen., n. sp. and Naxella paralucida n. sp. from Shanghai,China

The morphologies of two novel ciliates, Arcanisutura chongmingensis n. gen., n. sp. and Naxella paralucida n. sp., collected from Shanghai, China, have been investigated using live observation and silver staining methods. Arcanisutura n. gen. can be easily distinguished from related genera by its inconspicuous, oblique anterior suture. Arcanisutura chongmingensis n. sp. is mainly recognized by its elongated body with a tail‐like posterior end, 25–33 somatic kineties, and 4–11 excretory pores. Naxella paralucida n. sp. can be distinguished from its congeners based on its two short nassulid organelles, fusiform trichocysts, 37–49 somatic kineties, and 16 nematodesmal rods. The small‐subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences of these two species are presented, revealing the phylogenetic positions of Arcanisutura and Naxella. Phylogenetic analyses show that Arcanisutura forms a sister clade to other synhymeniid genera, namely, Chilodontopsis, Orthodonella, and Zosterodasys; Naxella is most closely related to Nassula spp. and is located within the monophyletic clade of the family Nassulidae.     

Basipodella harpacticola n.gen., n. sp. (Crustacea,Copepoda)

Several stages of the copepodBasipodella harpacticola n. gen., n. sp., which lives as a parasite on harpacticoid copepods, are described on the basis of four individuals obtained from the Peruvian deep-sea. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed.     

Two amphistomes,Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp., from the Australian turtle Elseya dentata (Gray)

Summary Lobatodiscus australiensis n.g., n.sp. (family and subfamily uncertain) and Elseyatrema microacetabularis n.g., n.sp. (family Paramphistomidae, subfamily Dadaytrematinae?), from the intestine of the freshwater turtle Elseya dentata (Gray) in Queensland, Australia, are described. Lobatodiscus has a large lobed acetabulum, small oral diverticula which do not protrude out of the oral sucker, two pairs of lymph vessels and no oesophageal bulb. Elseyatrema has a small acetabulum, large protruding oral diverticula, an oesophageal bulb, juxtaposed testes, one pair of rudimentary lymph vessels and no cirrus-sac. ac]19830626     

Ulaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae) from the Valley of Lakes in Central Mongolia

The smallest and most primitive Oligocene cricetid,Ulaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. is described from the Hsanda Gol Formation in Mongolia. The fossils were recovered from stratified fossil horizons immediately below and above a basalt layer dated at 31.5 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar-data), that is an Early Oligocene age. Although the dental formula is muroid (1-0-0-3/1-0-0-3), the tooth morphology and tooth size ofUlaancricetodon badamae n. gen., n. sp. point to a close relationship with the zapodidHeosminthus Wang 1985, which is known from the Asian Late Eocene to Early Oligocene.     

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. (Nemata: Tylenchidae) from Molokai,Hawaii

Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. and Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. are described from Pepe''opae bog on Molokai, Hawaii. Filenchus flagellicaudatus n. sp. is distinguished from all other Filenchus spp. by stylet length (10 µm), robust metacorpus, elongated basal bulb, and extraordinarily long, whip-like tail (c = 2.6, c'' = 31.8). Lelenchus schmitti n. sp. differs from other Lelenchus spp. by its shorter body length, weak dorso-ventral compression of the head region, and a more posterior vulva (V = 49-52). The spacious amphid pocket is introduced as a useful character for the differentiation of Lelenchus spp. from other Tylenchidae.     

Eimeria clethrionomyis sp. n., Eimeria gallatii sp. n., Eimeria pileata sp. n. and Eimeria marconii sp. n. from the Red-Backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi Vigors,from Pennsylvania§

SYNOPSIS Four new eimerian species are described from red-backed voles. Clethrionomys gapperi in Pennsylvania. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria clethrionomyis sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 18.8 (16.5–21.5) × 14.9 (14.0–16.5) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 10.6 (9.5–12.0) × 6.1 (5.5–7.0). The oocyst wall is smooth, with 2 layers, and thins, with terminal cap at one or both ends. Polar granules, dark Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The occyst residuum is absent. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria gallatii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 27.7 (21–32) × 19.3 (17–24) with ovoid sporocysts, 13.5 (12–15) × 8.8 (8–10). The oocyst wall is smooth, 2-layered, with a micropyle and thin wall at the end opposite the micropyle. Polar granules. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. The oocyst residuum is atypical, of cobwebby material. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria pileata sp. n. are subspherical to spherical, 25.2 (20.5–29.5) × 22.5(19.5–25.5) with ellipsoidal sporocysts, 13.4(10.5–15.0) × 8.4 (7.5–9.5). The oocyst wall is rough, pitted, striated, 2-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, oocyst and sporocyst residuum. Stieda body and stiedal cap are present. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria marconii sp. n. are ellipsoidal, 13.0 (10.5–15.0) × 10.6 (9.5–12.0) with elongate, ovoid sporocysts, 7.7 (7.0–8.5) × 4.2 (3.0–4.5). The oocyst wall is smooth, single-layered, with no micropyle. Polar granules, dark Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. There is no oocyst residuum.     

Neuromuscular and phospholipase activities of venoms from three subspecies of Bothrops neuwiedi (B. n. goyazensis, B. n. paranaensis and B. n. diporus)

The Bothrops neuwiedi (Neuwied's lancehead) species complex consists of a variety of subspecies with a wide distribution in South America. In this work, we compared the neuromuscular blockade caused by venoms from three subspecies (B. n. goyazensis, B. n. paranaensis and B. n. diporus) of this complex using chick biventer cervicis (BC) and mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and investigated their phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities and electrophoretic profiles. The order of potency of PLA2 activity was B. n. diporus>B. n. paranaensis>B. n. goyazensis. In BC preparations, B. n. goyazensis venom (50 microg/mL) was significantly (p<0.05) more active than B. n. paranaensis and B. n. diporus venoms, which did not produce a significant blockade at this time interval; after 120 min, B. n. goyazensis, B. n. paranaensis and B. n. diporus venoms (100 microg/mL) produced blockades of 57.4+/-5%, 30+/-3% and 17.4+/-7% (n=3-6 each), respectively. The three venoms inhibited contractures in response to ACh, indicating interference with postsynaptic neurotransmission. Only B. n. goyazensis and B. n. paranaensis venoms caused a long-lasting, concentration-dependent muscle contracture prior to blockade. In PND preparations, all of the venoms blocked the twitch-tension responses within 45-100 min, indicating that these preparations were more sensitive than avian preparations. There was a correlation between PLA2 activity and the time for 50% blockade in PND but not in BC preparations. SDS-PAGE showed quantitative rather than qualitative differences among the venoms. These results indicate that the venoms of the three subspecies had similar profiles of neuromuscular activity, although the relationship with PLA2 activity varied with the preparation used.     

Agamococcidiorida ord. n. and Rhytidocystidae fam. n. for the Coccidian Genus Rhytidocystis Henneguy, 1907

Agamococcidiorida ord. n. and Rhytidocystidae fam. n. are established in the apicomplexan subclass Coccidiasina for the genus Rhytidocystis Henneguy, 1907. Dehornia Porchet-Henneré, 1972 is synonymized with Rhytidocystis.     

Predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider,Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) with its wasp prey,Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber

The present work shows predatory behaviour of the social orb-weaver spider, Geratonephila burmanica n. gen., n. sp. (Araneae: Nephilidae) against a parasitic wasp, Cascoscelio incassus n. gen., n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) in Early Cretaceous Burmese amber. An adult male and juvenile of G. burmanica in the same web provide the first fossil evidence of sociality in spiders. The spider is characterised by a pedipalp with a hemispherical tegulum, a subtegulum curved at 180°and an apical spiralled embolas-conductor bent approximately 45°at midpoint. The male wasp is characterised by an ocellar tubercle, 12-segmented antennae with a feeble five-segmented clava, thick sensilla trichodea curvata with rounded ends on the claval antennomeres, a short uncus, a short post-marginal vein and a nebulose radial sector (Rs) vein extending from the uncus to the costal margin of the forewing. This is the first fossil evidence of spider sociality and a fossil spider attacking prey trapped in its web.     

Neotropical Monogenoidea. 50. Oviparous gyrodactylids from loricariid and pimelodid catfishes in Brazil, with the proposal of Phanerothecioides n. g., Onychogyrodactylus n. g. and Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g. (Polyonchoinea: Gyrodactylidea)

The diagnosis of Phanerothecium Kritsky & Thatcher, 1977 is amended, and Phanerothecioides n. g., Onychogyrodactylus n. g. and Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g., all comprised of oviparous gyrodactylids (Monogenoidea: Polyonchoinea), are proposed to accommodate 11 of the 15 species (14 new to science) herein described and/or reported from loricariid and pimelodid catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes) in Brazil: Phanerothecium harrisi Kritsky & Boeger, 1991, P. spinatoides n. sp. and P. deiropedeum n. sp. all from Hypostomus spp.; P. spinulatum n. sp. from Hypostomus cf. regani; Phanerothecioides agostinhoi n. g., n. sp. (type-species) from Hypostomus spp. and Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum; Onychogyrodactylus sudis n. g., n. sp. (type-species) and O. hydaticus n. sp. both from Ancistrus multispinus; Aglaiogyrodactylus forficulatus n. g., n. sp. (type-species) from Kronichthys lacerta; A. pedunculatus n. sp. from Hisonotus sp.; A. guttus n. sp. from Pseudotothyris obtusa; A. salebrosus n. sp., A. conei n. sp. and A. ctenistus n. sp. all from Pareiorhaphis parmula; and A. calamus n. sp. and A. forficuloides n. sp. both from Schizolecis guntheri. Phanerothecioides n. g. is characterised by oviparous forms lacking superficial and deep haptoral bars and pregermarial vitelline follicles, and by having a conspicuous testis in adult specimens, a syncytial prostatic gland, a reduced copulatory sac and vitelline ducts in the form of an inverted ‘U’. Onychogyrodactylus n. g. is differentiated from all other oviparous gyrodactylid genera by its members having a spine-like accessory sclerite enclosed in a separate pouch associated with the terminal male genitalia. Species of Aglaiogyrodactylus n. g. possess H-shaped vitelline ducts and a complex accessory piece and sclerotised or non-sclerotised male copulatory organ enclosed within the copulatory sac.     

Morphology and phylogeny of a new urostylid ciliate, Monocoronella carnea n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora, Hypotricha) from Daya Bay, Southern China

The morphology, infraciliature and small subunit ribosomal RNA gene-based phylogeny of an urostylid ciliate, Monocoronella carnea n. g., n. sp., found in coastal areas off Daya Bay, Southern China, were investigated. The new genus Monocoronella n. g. is recognized by the following features: having conspicuous frontal cirri forming a long and single corona; buccal and frontoterminal cirri present; single marginal row on each side; adoral zone, midventral complex and transverse cirri in Pseudokeronopsis mode. The type species M. carnea n. sp. is diagnosed by the combination of marine habitat and brown-reddish color of the cortical granules. Phylogenetic analyses for the new taxon indicate that Monocoronella n. g. is most closely related to Bergeriella, and is located within the core Urostylida clade. A misidentification in previous literature was recognized and a new species, Monocoronella dragescoi n. sp. [Basionym: Holosticha (Keronopsis) monilata (Kahl 1928) sensu Dragesco (1970) et sensu Dragesco and Dragesco-Kernéis (1986), non sensu Kahl (1928)], was suggested.     

Tylenchocriconema alleni n. g., n. sp. from Guatemala (Tylenchocriconematidae n. fam.; Tylenchocriconematidae n. superfam.; Nematoda)

Tylenchocriconema alleni n.g.n.sp, is described from soil about roots of a bromeliad from Guatemala City, Guatemala. It has characteristics of both the Tylenchoidea and Criconematoidea. Tylenchocriconematidae, n. fam., and Tylenchocriconematoidea, n. superfam., are proposed to express the relationship of this species to other taxa. Tylenchulidae and Paratylenchidae are considered closely related, and Tylenchulidoidea, n. rank, is proposed to indicate their relationship.     

Euzetia occultum n. g., n. sp. (Euzetiinae n. subf.), a monocotylid monogenean from the gills of Rhinoptera neglecta (Rhinopteridae) from Moreton Bay,Queensland, Australia

Euzetia occultum n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is described from the gills of the Australian cownose ray Rhinoptera neglecta Ogilby collected in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. Euzetia has one central and ten peripheral loculi, which is similar to species in Decacotyle Young, 1967. However Euzetia is distinguished from other genera in the family by the presence of an additional loculus on either side of the central loculus. Because Euzetia does not fit into any of the six existing subfamilies in the Monocotylidae Taschenberg, 1879, as currently recognised, we propose the Euzetiinae n. subf. to accommodate the new genus. Euzetia occultum is described and illustrated fully. This is the first published record of a monocotylid from a species of Rhinoptera Cuvier.     

Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp. (Ciliophora,Hypotricha), a New Species from Antarctic Soil

A new soil ciliate, Pseudonotohymena antarctica n. g., n. sp., from King George Island, Antarctica, is described based on live observation, protargol impregnation, and its 18S rRNA gene. The new genus Pseudonotohymena is morphologically similar to the genus Notohymena Blatterer and Foissner 1988 in the following characteristics: 18 fronto‐ventral‐transverse cirri, a flexible body, undulating membranes, dorsomarginal kineties, and the number of cirri in the marginal rows. However, Pseudonotohymena differs from Notohymena particularly in the dorsal ciliature, that is, in possessing a nonfragmented dorsal kinety (vs. fragmented). In addition, the molecular phylogenetic relationship of the new species differs from that of Notohymena species. On the basis of the morphological features, the genetic data, and morphogenesis, we establish P. antarctica n. g., n. sp. In addition, the cyst morphology of this species is described.     

Description of two species of early branching dinoflagellates, Psammosa pacifica n. g., n. sp. and P. atlantica n. sp

In alveolate evolution, dinoflagellates have developed many unique features, including the cell that has epicone and hypocone, the undulating transverse flagellum. However, it remains unclear how these features evolved. The early branching dinoflagellates so far investigated such as Hematodinium, Amoebophrya and Oxyrrhis marina differ in many ways from of core dinoflagellates, or dinokaryotes. Except those handful of well studied taxa, the vast majority of early branching dinoflagellates are known only by environmental sequences, and remain enigmatic. In this study we describe two new species of the early branching dinoflagellates, Psammosa pacifica n. g., n. sp. and P. atlantica n. sp. from marine intertidal sandy beach. Molecular phylogeny of the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA and Hsp90 gene places Psammosa spp. as an early branch among the dinoflagellates. Morphologically (1) they lack the typical dinoflagellate epicone-hypocone structure, and (2) undulation in either flagella. Instead they display a mosa?c of dinokaryotes traits, i.e. (3) presence of bi-partite trychocysts; Oxyrrhis marina-like traits, i.e. (4) presence of flagellar hairs, (5) presence of two-dimensional cobweb scales ornamenting both flagella (6) transversal cell division; a trait shared with some syndineansand Parvilucifera spp. i.e. (7) a nucleus with a conspicuous nucleolus and condensed chromatin distributed beneath the nuclear envelope; as well as Perkinsus marinus -like features i.e. (8) separate ventral grooves where flagella emerge and (9) lacking dinoflagellate-type undulating flagellum. Notably Psammosa retains an apical complex structure, which is shared between perkinsids, colpodellids, chromerids and apicomplexans, but is not found in dinokaryotic dinoflagellates.     

Morphological conservatism in the foreleg structure of cicada hatchlings,Burmacicada protera n. gen., n. sp. in Burmese amber,Dominicicada youngi n. gen., n. sp. in Dominican amber and the extant Magicicada septendecim (L.) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Two cicada hatchlings (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in Burmese and Dominican amber are described as Burmacicada protera n. gen., n. sp. and Dominicicada youngi n. gen., n. sp., respectively. Although very similar in appearance, the two species can be separated by body contour, the nature of the process on the terminal antennomere and the shape and size of protrusions, teeth and spines on the forelegs. A comparison of the forelegs of the fossil hatchlings with those of an extant hatchling of the periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim (L.), reveals a remarkable degree of morphological conservatism over 100 million years. A brief review of fossil cicadas is presented.     

Moniligerum blairi n. g., n. sp. and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Trematoda: Digenea) from the West Indian Manatee,Trichechus manatus L.

Moniligerum n. g. is erected for Moniligerum blairi n. sp. (Opisthotrematidae) and Nudacotyle undicola n. sp. (Nudacotylidae) is described, both from the small intestine of Trichechus manatus L. from Martin County, Florida. The new genus is placed in the family Opisthotrematidae Poche, 1926, subfamily Lankatrematinae Yamaguti, 1958. Moniligerum differs from other genera in the subfamily (Lankatrema Crusz & Fernand, 1954, and Lankatrematoides Blair, 1981) by the possession of an anterior collar and in the form of the ovary (compact and not transversely elongated) and vitellarium (single median lobed mass). Nudacotyle undicola differs from N. valdevaginatus, the most similar species, in body size, the length of the caeca, the shape of the vitellarium and the position of the genital pore, cirrus pouch and ovary.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.Supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-0008-1204 from the US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Serivice. Florida Agricultural Experimental Stations Journal Series No. 3820.     

Morphology and infraciliature of a new marine ciliate Euplotidium smalli n. sp. with description of a new genus,Paraeuplotidium n. g. (Ciliophora,Euplotida)

The morphology and infraciliature of a new hypotrichous ciliate, Euplotidium smalli n. sp., isolated from eutrophic coastal water in Korea, were observed in living cells and investigated using the protargol impregnation technique. This new ciliate bears 13-14 frontoventral cirri, 7 transverse cirri, and 5-6 dorsal kineties. Neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirrus is present. The new species differs from the related species, Euplotidium agitatum Noland, 1937 in the different number of frontoventral and transverse cirri and different body shape. With the exception of Euplotidium agitatum, the known species of the genus Euplotidium Noland, 1937 with the presence of left marginal cirrus are assigned to a new genus, Paraeuplotidium n. g. Diagnosis of Paraeuplotidium is: Gastrocirrhidae with funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; left marginal cirrus present. Paraeuplotidium itoi (Ito, 1958) n. comb. is designated here the type species. Four additional species are included: Paraeuplotidium psammophilus (Vacelet, 1961) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium arenarium (Magagnini & Nobili, 1964) n. comb., Paraeuplotidium helgae (Hartwig, 1980) n. comb., and Paraeuplotidium prosaltans (Tuffrau, 1985) n. comb. An improved generic diagnosis of Euplotidium is suggested based on morphology and infraciliature characters: marine hypotrichs with a funnel-shaped buccal cavity; with frontoventral and transverse cirri; neither left marginal cirrus nor caudal cirri present.     

Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. and Gibsonilepis swifti (Singh, 1952) n. g., n. comb. (Cestoda, Dilepididae) from the House Swift, Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) (Aves, Apodiformes) from Franceville, Republic of Gabon

Nine specimens of Apus affinis (J.E. Gray) were studied at Franceville, Haut-Ogooué Province, Republic of Gabon, for the presence of helminth parasites. Two cestode species of the family Dilepididae were recorded. Pseudangularia gonzalezi n. sp. is distinguished from the most similar species P. europaea Georgiev & Murai, 1993 by having elliptical cirrus-sac, longer vagina, longer rostellar sheath and greater diameter of suckers. An identification key to the species of the genus Pseudangularia Burt, 1938 is proposed. The present study is the first record of the genus Pseudangularia in the Afrotropical Region. Our study confirms that, in dilepidids with vaginal sclerites from swifts, breaking off the cirrus after copulation is a frequent phenomenon. The genus Gibsonilepis n. g. is erected as monotypic for Vitta swifti Singh, 1952 (originally described from the same host species in India) and Gibsonilepis swifti n. comb. is proposed. Gibsonilepis n. g. is distinguished from Vitta Burt, 1938 by its highly elongate rostellum, rostellar sheath much bigger than rostellum, relatively small rostellar hooks possessing strongly developed guard, disc-shaped suckers with weak peripheral musculature and flat or convex central part, long and well-expressed neck, highly lobed two-winged ovary (lobes rounded) and presence of a band consisting of rows of spine-like microtriches along posterior margin of each proglottis. This is the first record of G. swifti in the Afrotropical Region. The separation of G. swifti from the genus Vitta (parasites of swallows) suggests that, contrary to previous opinions, no dilepidid genera are shared by Apodidae (swifts) and Hirundinidae (swallows).