Taxonomic Studies of Phallodrilinae (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef and the Comoro Islands with Descriptions of Ten New Species and One New Genus

A taxonomic and morphological account of a collection of Phallodrilinae from coralline sands at Heron Island in Australia's Great Barrier Reef is given. Ten new forms are described: Jamiesoniella athecata gen. et sp.n. Phallodrilus rectisetosus heronensis subsp.n. P. geniculatus sp.n. P. filithecatus sp.n. P. clavatus sp.n. (latter three all devoid of an alimentary canal), Bathydrilus superiovasatus sp.n. Coralliodrilus atriobifidus sp.n. C. oviatriatus sp.n. C. parvigenitalis sp.n. and the gutless C. avisceralis sp.n. Morphological notes are given for Phallodrilus albidus Jamieson, 1977 and Bathydrilus rohdei (Jamieson, 1977). The new meiobenthic genus Jamiesoniella is characterized by having simple atria with only one pair of prostate glands, which are attached to ectal parts of atria, and by lacking spermathecae and penial setae, The genus is probably related to Aktedrilus Knöllner and Bacescuella Hrabě. A gutless species, Phallodrilus comorensis sp.n. is described from the Comoro Islands in the Mozambique Channel (W Indian Ocean).     

Taxonomic Studies of the Marine Genus Marcusaedrilus Righi & Kanner (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species from the Caribbean Area and Australia*

The definition of Marcusaedrilus Righi & Kanner, 1979, is modified to include M. hummelincki Righi & Kanner, 1979, M. luteolus sp.n. (both from the Caribbean), and six new species from the Great Barrier Reef, M. grandiculus sp.n., M. minusculus sp.n., M. tuber sp.n., M. capricornae sp.n., M. sacculatus sp.n., and M. irregularis sp.n. The genus is largely distinguished from the closely related Limnodriloides Pierantoni, 1903, by its partially ciliated atria and its tripartite spermathecae.     

Taxonomic Revision of the Marine Genus Heterodrilus Pierantoni (Oligochaeta,Tubificidae)1

Marine tubificids possessing trifid anterior setae are morphologically and taxonomically reviewed, on the basis of material from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Heterodrilus Pierantoni, 1902 is revised to include thirteen species, H. arenicolus Pierantoni, 1902, H. minisetosus sp.n.H. ascensionensis sp.n. H. queenslandicus (Jamieson, 1977), H. lacertosus sp.n. H. scitus sp.n. H. keenani sp.n. H. claviatriatus sp.n. H. subtilis (Pierantoni, 1917), H. jamiesoni sp.n. H. occidentalis sp.n. H. pentcheffi sp.n. and H. bulbiporus sp.n. The genus is briefly defined: marine tubificids with trifid setae in preclitellar segments (with H. subtilis as the only exception); paired spermathecae located in segment X; vasa deferentia entering apical, ental ends of slender, ciliated atria, which bear broadly attached masses of prostate glands; paired male pores, and generally with penial setae arranged in bisetal bundles. Heterodriloides gen.n. is established for H. quadrithecatus sp.n. distinguished from Heterodrilus by two main features: its spermathecae are located in XII, with a supplementary pair generally located in XI; and its vasa enter the ectal part of the atria. Giereidrilus gen.n. a third genus with trifid setae, is established to include Phallodrilus ersei Giere, 1979 and G. inermis sp.n. Both species have unpaired spermathecal and male pores, and their atria are not ciliated. Heterodrilus, Heterodriloides and Giereidrilus are placed in the subfamily Rhyacodrilinae Hrabě, 1963.     

Palaearctic species of the genus Confluaria Ablasov (Cestoda,Hymenolepididae): a redescription and synonymy of C. capillaris (Rudolphi, 1810)

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

Actinosporeans (Myxozoa) from marine oligochaetes of the Great Barrier Reef

Four species of actinosporeans are described from marine oligochaetes (all Tubificidae) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. They developed in the coelom of the oligochaete and produced spores in groups of eight in the pansporocysts. The new genus Endocapsa is proposed within the family Sphaeractinomyxidae Janiszewska, 1957 on the basis that mature spores have small valve cell processes and non-protruding polar capsules. The type-species, Endocapsa rosulata n. sp., has three valve cell processes, which resemble a rosette, and submerged polar capsules. It infected Heterodrilus cf. keenani from Heron Island and morphologically similar parasites occurred in Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. E. stepheni n. sp. has asymmetrical valve cell processes and submerged polar capsules. It was found in H. cf. keenani and H. queenslandicus from Heron Island. Sphaeractinomyxon leptocapsula n. sp. has thin widely spaced polar capsules and is described from Heronidrilus sp. from Lizard Island. S. ersei Hallett, O'Donoghue & Lester, 1998 infected Tubificidae gen. sp. from Heron Island and S. cf. ersei occurred in Bathydrilus sp., Thalassodrilides cf. gurwitschi and Limnodriloides lateroporus from Lizard Island.     

Six new species of marine Tubificidae (Oligochaeta) from the continental shelf off Peru

Six species of marine tubifieids are described from the continental shelf off Peru. Two of them are members of the gutless genus Olavius Erséus, 1984 (subfamily Phallodrilinae). Olavius bullatus sp.n. possesses 2 pairs of large penial setae in voluminous copulatory sacs, tiny atria, and spermathecal pores in line with dorsal setae. Olavius crassitunicatus sp.n. is characterized by small atria with thin muscular layer, spermathecae with short ducts, opening dorso-laterally, and lack of penial setae. Four species arc members of the subfamily Limnodriloidinae. Limnodriloides busilicus sp.n. belongs to the appendiculatus-group (sensu Erséus). It is discriminated by somatic setae with subdental ligaments, and its voluminous elongate prostatic pads. Limnodriloides clavellatus sp.n. is distinguished from its congeners by a peculiar bulge in the cavity of each atrial ampulla, and spermatozeugmata imbedded in the walls of the spermathecae. Tectidrilus intermixtus sp.n. is similar to T. bori (Righi & Kanner, 1979); it is distinguished from the latter by having trisetal bundles in segment V or V-VI and by lacking copulatory glands. Marcusaedrilus peruanus sp.n. is characterized by nongranulated atrial ducts and bipartite spermathecae.     

Two new species and a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Tectidrilus (0Iigochaeta, Tubifcidae)

Tectidrilus probus sp.n. and Tectidrilus profusus sp.n. are described from offshore localities in southern California. Both species appear closely related to T. diversus Ersëus, 1982, which occurs in the same area, but they differ from the latter by possessing small oesophageal diverticula; T. probus differs also by its very small spermathecal vestibules. Tectidrilus profusus is a highly apomorphic form with elaborate, partly muscular, male ducts and spermathecae. Monophyly of Tectidrilus is supported by the short clitellum and the unisetal 'bundles' in postclitellar segments. Patterns of apomorphic character states within the genus are analyzed under the principle of Camin-Sokal parsimony (irreversibility of character states), giving three equally parsimonious cladograms. In the strict consensus tree of these cladograms, eight of the twelve members of Tectidrilus form an apomorphic group defined by the papillated body wall, but the individual species within this group cannot be unequivocally resolved from each other.     

Forticulcita glabra gen. et sp. n. (Digenea, Haploporidae) in a Red Sea Mullet

The genus Forticulcita was established solely for F. glabra sp. n. from Valamugil seheli (Forsskål) in the Gulf of Aqaba. Most closely related to Haploporus , it is diagnosed primarily by having a species with an acetabulum being conspicuously robust, prepharynx measuring shorter than the pharynx, ceca terminating at the testicular level, muscular hermaphroditic ejaculatory organ lacking accessory structures, and vitellarium consisting of a single mass.     

A new lumbriculid genus and species from North America (Clitellata,Lumbriculidae)

Secubelmis limpida n. sp., n. gen., is described from Montana, U.S.A. The monotypic genus resembles the lumbriculid genera Rhynchelmis and Tatriella in having atria in X, spermathecae in VIII, and semi-prosoporous male ducts. It differs from Tatriella in having paired atria and spermathecae, and from Rhynchelmis in having petiolate atria. The single prostate gland is unique within the Lumbriculidae. The new species appears to have a restricted range in the northern Rocky Mountains.     

Taxonomy, host specificity and dietary implications of Hurleytrematoides (Digenea: Monorchiidae) from chaetodontid fishes on the Great Barrier Reef

Five new and five previously described species of Hurleytrematoides are reported from 19 of 34 chaetodontid species examined from the Great Barrier Reef; new species are H. faliexae n. sp., H. galzini n. sp., H. loi n. sp., H. morandi n. sp., and H. sasali n. sp. Previously described species are H. coronatum, H. fijiensis, H. prevoti, H. bartolii, and H. zebrasomae. The genus is rediagnosed in the light of morphological variation of the new species; the degree of spination and shape of the terminal genitalia distinguish individual species. Species of Hurleytrematoides infect almost every clade of the family Chaetodontidae found on the Great Barrier Reef, but obligate corallivores are not infected. All ten species were found at Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, but only six at Lizard Island on the northern Great Barrier Reef. For three of the four species not present at Lizard Island, the absence appears to be statistically significant. Although all species are apparently restricted to chaetodontids on the GBR, specificity within the family varies from oioxenous to euryxenous; a core/satellite host paradigm explains the distribution of several species.     

Taxonomic Studies on the Marine Genera Aktedrilus Knöllner and Bacescuella Hrabe' (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae), with Descriptions of Seven New Species

The taxonomy and morphology of Aktedrilus Knöllner, 1935 and Bacescuella Hrabe' 1973 (subfamily Phallodrilinae), both common genera of the marine, littoral meiofauna, were studied on the basis of material from various geographical areas. A. monospermathecus Knöllner, 1935 is redescribed from France and Scotland. A. magnus sp.n., A. hrevis sp.n., A. curvipenis sp.n. and A. floridensis sp.n. are described from Italy, Brazil, France and Florida, respectively. Two very closely related forms are described from the Pacific: A. locyi sp.n. (California) and A. parviprostatus sp.n. (Great Barrier Reef). B. mediterranea sp.n. is described from Italy, and new European records are given forB. arclica Erséus, 1978 andfi. parvithecata Erséus, 1978. Both genera are characterized by having two pairs of prostate glands, well developed penes, and unpaired, mid-dorsal spermatheca (if present). The species of Bacescuella transfer their sperm by means of external spermatophores, structures that are not developed in Aktedrilus. The eight species of Aktedrilus are largely distinguished by means of the morphology of the spermatheca, penes and prostates. The four species of Bacescuella differ principally from each other in the length of the vasa deferentia, and in the morphology of the prostates and copulatory organs. Most Bacescuella species lack spermatheca.     

Lecithophyllum kitrii n. sp. (Digenea: Lecithasteridae) from Australian coral reef fishes of the genus Siganus

Lecithophyllum kitrii n. sp. is described from Siganus punctatus and S. lineatus off Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. It differs from most other species in the genus in its elongate pars prostatica and globular sinus-sac, and from all other species in having the seminal vesicle almost always entirely in the hindbody.     

Preptetos cannoni n. sp. (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae) from Siganus lineatus (Teleostei: Siganidae) from the southern Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Preptetos cannoni n. sp. is described from Siganus lineatus from Heron Island on the southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Morphological features that are diagnostic of this species include: a genital pore that is sinistral to the ventral sucker and vitelline follicles that reach anteriorly to at least the bifurcation of the intestine. This is the first report of a species of the genus Preptetos from Australian waters and from fishes of the genus Siganus.     

Inanidrilus bulbosus gen. et sp.n., a Marine Tubificid (Oligochaeta) from Florida, USA

Inanidrilus bulbosus gen. et sp.n. is described from subtidal sands near Miami, Florida. The species lacks alimentary canal, but it possesses highly modified penial setae and an unpaired dorsal spermatheca. It appears closely related to Phallodrilus Pierantoni, but since it is devoid of anterior prostate glands, which are attached to the ental ends of the atria in Phallodrilus , a new monotypic genus, Inanidrilus gen.n., is established.     

Four new interstitial species of marine Oligochaeta representing a new family

A new oligochaete family, Randiellidae, is established for R. multitheca sp.n. (from the continental shelf off the east coast of the U.S.A.), R. litoralis sp.n. (from Oregon, U.S.A.), R. caribaea sp.n. and R. minuta sp.n. (both from Guadeloupe and Martinique), all members of a new marine genus Randiella. The species are characterized by small single-pointed and somewhat sigmoid somatic setae, slender (generally hair-like) modified genital setae in segment X, sperm funnels in X (if one pair), or in X and XI (if two pairs), very simple male ducts lacking atria, clitellum over XII-XIII, and multiple spermathecae in VII and/or VIII.     

A new genus and four new species of quill mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophiudae) from phasianid birds (Galuformes: Phasianidae)

A new genus and four new species of the quill mites are described. Galliphilopsis gen. n. (G. francolinus sp. n., type species) differs from the closely related Dissonus Skoracki, 1999 by loss of leg setae dGII, the slightly divergent tips of epimeres I and the stylophore constricted posteriorly. Three new species of the genus Galliphilopsis gen. n. and one new species of the genus Mironovia Chirov and Kravtsova, 1995 are described from galliform birds (Phasianidae) collected at the Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University (Poland): G. lophurus sp. n. from Lophura leucomelanos, G. bochkovi sp. n. from Tragopan sp. and Alectoris barbara, G. francolinus sp. n. from Francolinus levalliantoides, and Mironovia rouloul sp. n. from Rollulus rouloul.     

Three new species of Polyclithrum Rogers, 1967 (Gyrodactylidae: Monogenea) from mugilid fishes from Australia and Brazil, with a redescription of P. mugilini Rogers, 1967

Polyclithrum mugilini Rogers, 1967, a parasite of Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, is redescribed from type-material from Lake Seminole, Georgia, USA. Three new species of Polyclithrum Rogers, 1967 are also described: P. alberti n. sp. from M. cephalus from the Albert River, Queensland, Australia; P. boegeri n. sp. from M. platanus Günther from Rio da Guarda, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and P. corallense n. sp. from M. cephalus from Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The four species can be distinguished by the size and shape of haptoral sclerites, but in particular by accessory bar number 3, the dorsal bar, the marginal hooks and the hamulus point to shaft angle. The validity of Micropolyclithrum parvum Skinner, 1975, a parasite of M. cephalus in Biscayne Bay, Florida, is discussed, and a key to the species of Polyclithrum is presented.     

Phlebotomine sandflies from Madagascar (Diptera: Psychodidae). VI--A new subgenus (Vattieromyia) including three new species: Sergentomyia (V.) sclerosiphon, S. (V.) namo and S. (V.) anka

Three new species of Phlebotomine sandflies belonging to the genus Sergentomyia Fran?a & Parrot are described from Madagascar: Sergentomyia sclerosiphon n. sp. S. namo n. sp. and S. anka n. sp. The taxa are created on the basis of the morphology of females. The males of S. sclerosiphon n. sp. and of S. anka n. sp. have been associated to the females according to the homologies of a fragment of the mtDNA cytochrome b sequences. The original morphology of the spermathecae and the sclerification of a part of the individual spermathecal ducts allow the creation of a new subgenus, Vattieromyia subg. nov., which includes these three new species.