A new genus and species of rattail fish (Macrouridae) from the eastern North Atlantic and eastern Indian Ocean, with notes on its ecology

A new genus, Macrosmia , and species ( M. phalacra ) of benthopelagic macrourid fish is described from single male specimens caught in 1650–1699 m soundings in the northeastern Atlantic and south-eastern Indian Oceans. This elongate macrourine rattail, with 7 branchiostegal and 11–12 pelvic rays, is unique in its massive olfactory organ, the cavity of which almost equals the diameter of the orbit. This cavity is a reverse D-shape, with the posterior margin deforming the orbital rim into a D-shape. Macrosmia has a short deep snout, lacks prominent ridges on the head, has anteriorly placed plevic fins and a weakly serrated second spinuous ray in the first dorsal fin. The anus is contiguous with the anal fin. These characters, among others, show affinity with the Cetonurus group of genera. The distribution and diet of the species is briefly discussed and M. phalacra is shown to be at least partly dependent on benthic food which, from one example, is of crustacean origin.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genus Paraliparis Collett (Liparididae) from the eastern North Atlantic, with notes on its ecology

A new species of liparidid, Paraliparis hystrix , is described from the slope waters (255–1140 m) to the west of Britain, in the area 49–59°N and 07–18°W. This pallid species is not uncommon, and is represented by a strong imbalance of females. Specimens close to ovulation have been collected in all seasons and have an estimated mean fecundity of 83 eggs.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genus Coryphaenoides Gunnerus (Macrouridae) from the tropical eastern North Atlantic and its relationship with C. (Coryphaenoides) marshalli Iwamoto, 1970

A new species of macrourid, Coryphaenoides paramarshalli is described from mid to lower slope waters (l 13–160 m) off West Africa, in the area 04°S-21°N and 10°E-18°W. The species is very closely related to C. marshalli . Indeed, two of the paratypes of that species are incorporated among the paratypes of C. paramarshalli , as they are referrable to the new species. The features distinguishing the two species are discussed in conjuction with those separating C. paramarshalli from other related species.     

A new genus and species of the family Ipnopidae (Pisces, Teleostei) from the eastern North Atlantic, with notes on its ecology

An additional and hitherto undescribed ipnopid genus and species, Discoverichthys praecox Merrett and Nielsen, is reported and described, and its relationships with the family and aspects of its biology are discussed.     

A new species of the deep-sea eel genus Ilyophis Gilbert (Synaphobranchidae) from the eastern North Atlantic, with comments on its ecology and intrafamilial relationships

A new species of synaphobranchid eel, Ilyophis blachei , is described from the eastern North Atlantic. It is distinguished by 179–188 vertebrae, dorsal fin inserted half (or more) of the snout length posterior to extended tip of pectoral fin, gill slits obliquely inclined anteroventrally from pectoral base, rounded posterior nostril bordered anteriorly by conspicuous triangular flap, long lateral line (87–95% S.L.), supraorbital canal pores 5–6, infraorbital 7–8 and preoperculomandibular 10–11, supraorbital and supratemporal commissures with 1 and 3 pores, respectively. The diagnosis of the genus Ilyophis is extended to embrace these characters. The transitional position of the genus between the subfamilies Synaphobranchinae and Dysomminae is discussed in the light of this new evidence. Ilyophis blachei occurs on the lower continental slope (1247–2070 m soundings) within the temperature range c. 7.0−3.3°C. The first record of I. arx in the Atlantic Ocean is also reported.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genusParabrotula (Parabrotulidae) from Sagami Bay with notes on its ecology

Parabrotula tanseimaru sp. nov. (Zoarcoidei: Parabrotulidae) is described from Sagami Bay, central Japan, as the second species of the genus. The new species is readily distinguished from the known species,P. plagiophthalma, by dorsal fin ray counts (44–50 vs. 37–43) and higher total vertebral counts (64–73 vs. 54–64).P. tanseimaru is viviparous, occurring in pseudoceanic meso-/bathypelagic depths and feeding primarily on copepods.     

A new species of hagfish of the genus Myxine, with notes on other eastern Atlantic myxinids

Myxine ios sp. nov. is a seven-gilled hagfish occurring on the continental slope in the eastern North Atlantic, off West Africa and southwest Ireland. The two populations overlap in morphometric and meristic character, but the Irish population is distinguished by having a white head and a whitish middorsal or midventral line. More material and collections from intermediate localities are needed before it can be determined if the two populations are distinct at the specific or subspecific level. The northern (Irish) population of M. ios is believed to occur in the same geographical range as M. glutinosa but to live at greater depths. Myxine ios is compared with M. glulinosa L. and M. capensis Regan, the other two eastern Atlantic Myxine species; new data are given for these species, both of which are regarded as valid.     

A new species of Nezumia (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) from Fieberling Guyot, eastern North Pacific Ocean

A new species of the macrourine genus Nezumia is described from specimens collected from the crest of Fieberling Guyot in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. The new species is distinguishable from all other Nezumia species chiefly on the basis of a high number of pelvic fin rays, a relatively high number of first dorsal fin soft rays, a steep blunt snout lacking scales ventrally, a relatively weak suborbital ridge, and a moderately long, thin barbel. Although possibly endemic to the Baja California Seamount Province, the new species appears to lack close relatives among the other Nezumia species of the eastern North Pacific Ocean. It might have arrived there either from a disjunct Tethyan distribution, thus retaining close relatives among the Atlantic Ocean species of Nezumia, or by way of stepping-stone dispersal from the Indo-west Pacific Ocean.     

A new species of the deep-sea fish genus Cyclothone Goode & Bean (Stomiatoidei, Gonostomatidae) from the tropical Atlantic

A new gonostomatid species, Cyclothone parapallida , is described from the tropical Atlantic. Its affinities with C. pallida are shown by the shared characters especially the presence of an enlarged caniniform tooth in the premaxilla and a posterior, irregular series of minute teeth on the pterygoid, but it is distinguished from this species by its lower gill raker count [21-22 (23) v . 23–24 (22–25) first arch], its more restricted meningeal pigment, its lack of internasal pigment and its transparent dorsal and anal fin rays. Furthermore, it attains a larger maximum size, has a different geographic distribution pattern and, when sympatric, lives deeper than C. pallida . A synopsis of characters useful in distinguishing Cyclothone spp. in the Atlantic is presented.     

A new species of socratea (Palmae) from Colombia with notes on the genus

Socratea montana, a new species from Colombia, is described and illustrated, and its relationships discussed. Two groups of species within the genus are characterized.     

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of the deep-sea fish genus Coryphaenoides (Gadiformes: Macrouridae) based on mitochondrial DNA

In order to characterize the phylogenetic relationship and deep-sea adaptation process of the deep-sea fish genus Coryphaenoides, the nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial (mt) 12 S rRNA and COI gene sequences for seven Coryphaenoides species were analyzed. Our molecular phylogenetic tree shows a new arrangement of seven Coryphaenoides species, which form two distinct groups, abyssal and nonabyssal species, and differs from the results of previous taxonomic studies. Using the mutation rate of mitochondrial genes, the divergence time between abyssal and nonabyssal Coryphaenoides was found to be 3.2-7.6 million years ago. Our study suggests that hydraulic pressure plays an important role in the speciation process in the marine environment.     

A new genus and species of cypridid ostracod from India, with notes on its biology

A new Recent cypridid ostracod genus Bharatcypris , belonging to the subfamily Cypridinae, with Bharatcypris mackenziei sp. nov. as type-species is described from the Punjab, India. Some observations on its biology are also recorded. Two Indian species previously placed in Sclerocypris are transferred to the new genus.     

A new species of Thenardia (Apocynaceae,Apocynoideae) from Chiapas,Mexico, with notes on the genus

A new species,Thenardia chiapensis, is described and illustrated. The new species is the first taxon in the genus to have its fruits, two fused follicles, described and illustrated. In addition, observations ofT. floribunda specimens have revealed the existence of a novel character, coiled filaments, previously undescribed for the genus.     

A new Prestoea (Palmae) from Panama,with notes on the genus

Prestoea darienensis Henderson is described and illustrated. A discussion is given of morphological groupings within the genus, and the place of the new species.     

Dolichopteryx rostrata, a new species of spookfish (Argentinoidea: Opisthoproctidae) from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean

A new species, Dolichopteryx rostrata, is described on the basis of a single specimen (66.2 mm in standard length) collected west of the Hebrides Islands, eastern North Atlantic Ocean. The new species is characterized by an elongate snout and head, small pouchlike eyes, an adipose fin, short dorsal fin base, anal fin base originating under dorsal fin base, a clear longitudinal suborbital brownish band extending forward from behind posterior margin of orbit to snout tip, and 41 (=26 + 15) vertebrae. Total fecundity is low; the ovarian eggs number only 473, despite the ovary having developed ova. Ovarian eggs could be clearly subdivided into an “undeveloped group” (0.1–0.7 mm diameter classes, n = 405) and a “developed group” (0.9–1.3 mm classes, n = 68), based on their frequency distribution. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic format at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10228-005-0306-2     

Heart structure of some deep-sea fish (Teleostei: Macrouridae)

The hearts of 29 species of macrourid teleosts were examined in this study. For the one species for which a length range was available ( Coryphaenoides (C.) rupestris ), the heart weight as a percentage of body weight was 0·059. This is similar to values for relatively inactive fish. The atrial myocardium was reduced and had only a sparse trabecular network. In some species it was surrounded by a highly developed epicardium, but in others there was interstitial connective tissue in the myocardium that may serve to strengthen this chamber. The ventricle was entirely spongy, and all species lacked an outer compact layer of myocardium and associated coronary vasculature. All the ventricles were sac-like in form. The bulbus arteriosus was highly complex, and in its proximal portion there was an endothelially-lined, inner tube surrounded by a spongy network of blood-filled spaces, outside which was an outer compact layer of smooth muscle and elastica. These features of the bulbus may prevent backflow of blood after ventricular systole. The endothelial cells lining the bulbus were usually PAS-positive and in some species contained acid mucopolysaccharides.     

Molecular circumscription of new species of Gyrocotyle Diesing, 1850 (Cestoda) from deep-sea chimaeriform holocephalans in the North Atlantic

Systematic Parasitology - Chimaeras, or ratfishes, are the only extant group of holocephalan fishes and are the sole host group of gyrocotylidean cestodes, which represent a sister group of the...     

A new genus of Boletaceae from eastern North America

Bothia is described as a new genus in the Boletaceae based on Boletinus castanellus described by C.H. Peck from eastern North America. A widespread, occasionally encountered taxon, Bothia castanella possesses a combination of macro- and microscopic features that has prompted past placement in seven different genera. Yet, as a species it is readily recognizable with its chestnut brown, dry pileus, decurrent, pale brown hymenophore with radially elongated tubes, a short, sometimes eccentric, exannulate stipe, yellow brown spore deposit and constant association with Quercus. Phylogenetic analyses of large subunit rDNA and BLAST searches using the ITS region confirm the placement of B. castanella as a unique generic lineage in the Boletaceae.     

Two new species of the genus Pliciloricus (Loricifera, Pliciloricidae) from the Faroe Bank, North Atlantic

Five cruises to the Faroe Bank in the northeast Atlantic revealed a rich loriciferan fauna inhabiting shell gravel to fine carbonate sand. This paper describes two new species of Pliciloricus found at depths of 120-260 m. Currently, only six species of this genus have been described from various localities around the world, but several new species are currently being described. The diagnosis of the genus Pliciloricus is emended to include the two new taxa. The first of the two new species Pliciloricus leocaudatus sp. n. is characterized by having four new kinds of scalids in the second row and an additional row of alternating plates in the eighth row. The second species Pliciloricus shukeri sp. n. is characterized in having a secondary double organ in the third row. The morphology of the two species, including the new structures, has been investigated using LM and scanning electron microscopy. Conclusively, the scalid pattern of the introvert of Pliciloricus has been re-evaluated, due to the finding of the new structures. Additionally, a discussion of the life cycle of the genus Pliciloricus is given, since the postlarval stage is reduced in both new species.