Revision of the species of the Tychus rufus group (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

The species belonging to Tychus rufus group are revised. Eleven species are recognized, described and illustrated and a key to their identification is provided. Nine taxa are new to science: Tychus carpathius n. sp. from Karpathos island (Greece); T. torticornis n. sp. from Lesbos Island (Greece); T. pisidicus n. sp. and T. inermis n. sp. from southwestern Turkey; T. antiocheus n. sp. and T. effeminatus n. sp. from southeastern Turkey; T. artvinensis n. sp. from northeastern Turkey, and T. sidonicus n. sp. and T. libanus n. sp. from Lebanon.     

Three new species of Tricorythopsis (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) from southeastern Brazil

Three new species of Tricorythopsis Traver (Ephemeroptera: Leptohyphidae) are described and illustrated based on nymphs from southeastern Brazil. These new species can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the following characters: Tricorythopsis araponga sp. n.: (1) femora with long setae; (2) abdominal segments 5–7 with dorsal tubercles; (3) tarsal claws with 4–6 marginal denticles and 7 + 4 submarginal denticles. Tricorythopsis baptistai sp. n.: (1) tarsal claws with 4–5 large marginal denticles and one submarginal denticle on each side; (2) abdominal colour pattern; (3) abdomen without tubercles; (4) coxae without projections. Tricorythopsis pseudogibbus sp. n.: (1) abdominal segments 6–8 with small dorsal tubercles; (2) tarsal claws with four large marginal denticles, and 3 + 1 or 2 submarginal denticles; (3) coxae dorsally projected; (4) femora broad and with short setae; (5) pronotum with anterolateral projection.     

Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum (Pottiaceae) a new species from South America

Abstract

Pseudocrossidium perpapillosum M.J.Cano & J.A.Jiménez is described and illustrated as a new South American species from Argentina and Chile. It differs from other species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams by the costa excurrent in an awn, elliptical in cross-section, with 4–5(6) guide cells, marginal laminal cells differentiated with rounded, thin-walled and papillose cells, paracostal distal cells with 1–2(4) bi- to quadrifurcate, long papillae, and perichaetial leaves differentiated.     

Fissidens viridulus Wahlenb. and F. minutulus Sull.

Abstract

A new species of Pseudocrossidium R.S.Williams, P. exiguum M.J.Cano &; J.A.Jiménez, is described from South America (Argentina, Brazil and Peru). The species is distinguished morphologically by its lingulate to oblong-ovate leaves, leaf marginal cells not or scarcely differentiated from inner, costa ending below apex or percurrent, and semicircular to elliptical in cross-section with two guide cells, scarcely differentiated perichaetial leaves and peristome of short and straight teeth. Drawings and light microscope photographs of the new species are provided. The principal distinctive characters that separate it from the nearest species of Pseudocrossidium and related genera are discussed.     

Bryological collections in Britain

Abstract

A new moss species, Homaliodendron pulchrum, from China, is delimited by its distinct morphology and biogeography. The new species has oblong–spathulate to obovate leaves and an indistinct double costa, which is unique within the genus. Distribution of this new species is restricted to three localities in southwestern and southern China. The new species is described and illustrated and a key to the species of Homaliodendron in Eastern Asia is provided. The systematic position of H. pulchrum is revealed to be sister to H. montagneanum by molecular evidence based on the parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of nad5 and rps4 sequences.     

Taxonomic notes on Calymperes erosum Müll.Hal. (Calymperaceae), C. palisotii Schwägr. and related West African taxa

The lectotype for Calymperes erosum Müll.Hal. is re-established, and lectotypes are designated for three West African taxa: Calymperes asterigerum Müll.Hal. ex Besch., C. leucomitrium Müll.Hal. and C. proligerum Dusén. Calymperes asterigerum and C. leucomitrium are placed in synonymy with C. erosum, and C. proligerum with C. palisotii Schwägr. A revised key to the seven species of Calymperes occurring in West Africa is provided.     

Taxonomic notes on African Orthotrichaceae 3. New synonymy in Madagascan Macromitrium

Examination of type material of Macromitrium taxa described from Madagascar has unveiled three names to be placed in synonymy. Macromitrium nanothecium var. sublaeve Thér. was found to be conspecific with Macromitrium fimbriatum (P.Beauv.) Schwägr.; Macromitrium ancistrophyllum Cardot is placed in synonymy with M. nanothecium Cardot and Macromitrium semipapillosum Thér. & P.de la Varde is placed in synonymy with Macromitrium calocalyx Müll.Hal. Lectotypification is effected for four taxa within the genus. A range extension is reported for M. nanothecium, which is recorded here as new to Tanzania.     

On Zhejiangopterus and the relationships of pterodactyloid pterosaurs

A summary of recent studies on the interrelationships of pterodactyloid pterosaurs is used as a framework for reassessing the taxonomic status of Zhejiangopterus, a new, long‐necked, Late Cretaceous pterosaur from China that has been assigned to the Nyctosauridae. Characters cited in support of this decision include: a notarium, edentulous jaws, and lack of a cranial crest. However, none of these is diagnostic of the Nyctosauridae. Zhejiangopterus exhibits a number of derived characters (orbit relatively small and located in a low position, posteroventrally facing occiput, features of the humerus and ‘T‐shaped’ cross‐section of wing phalanges two and three) only otherwise found in azhdarchids, thus we propose that Zhejiangopterus be reassigned to the Azhdarchidae.