A new genus and species of Conchaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Florida,remarkable in lacking legs

A new genus of Conchaspididae, Asceloconchaspis gen. nov., is described for Asceloconchaspis milleri sp. nov., a new species from Florida, USA. Unlike other conchaspidids, the adult female and second instar of the genus lack legs. The presence of legs is one of the important, distinguishing characters at present separating the Conchaspididae from the Diaspididae. However, the new genus also possesses well-developed antennae and has multilocular disc pores on the abdomen in the adult female; these distinctly conchaspidid characters are never found in the Diaspididae. Asceloconchaspis is closely related to Fagisuga Lindinger, a monotypic genus with primitive characters described from South America on Nothofagus. A key to the four known genera of Conchaspididae is provided, and the morphology and distribution of the Conchaspididae are discussed.     

Gorgonolaureus muzikae sp. nov. (Crustacea: Ascothoracida) parasitic on a Hawaiian gorgonian,with special reference to its protandric hermaphroditism

Summary

Twenty-five specimens of a new ascothoracid parasite, Gorgonolaureus muzikae were found within cortical galls on specimens of a bathyal Hawaiian gorgonian, Placogorgia sp. These represent the first ascothoracid known from Hawaii. G. muzikae differs from its congener G. bikiniensis primarily in its larger size and details of setation. Five developmental stages are described and illustrated: the mature female, young female, late protander, protander, and nauplius. The protander is compared to species of Synagoga, and the characters distinguishing the two genera are specified. Sexuality in Ascothoracida is reviewed, and the life cycle of G. muzikae is reconstructed as follows: eggs and larvae are brooded within the carapace of a mature female; a bivalved, free-swimming male stage is postulated; after inseminating one or more established females it settles permanently on a host gorgonian; as the protandric male changes into a female, the carapace valves fuse and expand dorsally, the first and second antennae, thoracopods, penis, and abdomen become reduced, the dorsum of the second thoracomere becomes produced into a ‘horn’, and seminal receptacles appear in the thoracopods. The functional morphology of the second antennae, dorsal horn, and thoracopods is discussed, and it is suggested that G. muzikae may filter feed rather than be totally parasitic. The possibility that the large coxal setae represent vestigial epipods is discussed. Aspects of ecology, demography, and host specificity are briefly summarized. Wagin's (1976) biogeographical model of the provenance of Gorgonolaureus, based on outdated information, is rejected.     

A revision of the Chinese species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae): parasitoids of whiteflies,scale insects and aphids (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae,Diaspididae, Aphidoidea)

The species of Encarsia Förster (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) known from China are revised. This study is based largely on newly-collected material from Fujian and Guangdong provinces in mainland China, and from the island of Taiwan. A total of 76 species are treated, including 29 new species, one new combination and 16 new records for China. All species are fully described or diagnosed, and illustrated. Three new specific synonymies are proposed and two lectotypes are designated. Four species are described from males only, three belonging to the perflava-group (ancistrocera, echinocera, viggianii), having modified antennae, and one (magnivena) in the strenua-group having very unusual fore wings. A key to the Chinese species of Encarsia, based largely on females, is provided.     

Two new species of Metharpinia Schellenberg (Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from the south-west Atlantic

Two new species, Metharpinia dentiurosoma and Metharpinia grandirama, belonging to the family Phoxocephalidae are described and illustrated from the Argentine Sea. Both taxa were collected dredging at different depths and the grain size of the sediment was determined for each sampling station. The new species share character states with Metharpinia Schellenberg, 1931 and Microphoxus Barnard, 1960, and their assignation to the first genus is discussed. Metharpinia dentiurosoma and Metharpinia grandirama are distinguished from the other known species of the genus by the dorsal hook on urosomite 3; in addition, the first species is characterized by its epimeron 3 and the second species by its uropod 2.     

A new subgenus of the genus Colastes Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) for species reared from bracket fungi,with description of two new species from Europe

A new Holarctic subgenus (Fungivenator subgen. nov.) of the genus Colastes Haliday, 1833 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Exothecinae) is proposed for a group of species that, as far as is known, has its larvae living on hosts in bracket fungi. The type species (Colastes sandei sp. nov. from Netherlands, Germany and England) and a second species (C. fritzeni sp. nov.) from Finland are described and illustrated. A key to the five known species is included.     

A new species of Macrobrachium from the south-west coast of India (Decapoda: Palaemonidae)

Macrobranchium veliense sp. nov. is described from Veli lake and Kuttiyadi river, on the south-west coast of India. This species is closely related to M. nipponense and M. equidens but is separated from them by the lanceolate shape of the rostrum, number of teeth of both dorsal and ventral margins, the almost smooth nature of the carapace, the slender telson and the ratios of the fingers to the merus, carpus, propodus and palm of pereipods 1 and 2. The carpus of the second pereiopod is equal to or longer than the chela and is a diagnostic character of the new species.     

Two new genera of Bryozoa (Calloporidae) from New Zealand

Two new genera of the bryozoan family Calloporidae are described from New Zealand. The first, Leptinatella, is introduced for L. gordoni n. sp., specimens of which have been referred in the past to Watersia militaris (Waters) but are distinct from this species, which is a phase of the cribrimorph Corbulipora tubulifera (Hincks). The second genus, Bryocalyx, is introduced for B. cinnameus n. sp., which has small, conical colonies anchored by rhizoids. Another species of Bryocalyx is known from a few fragments only: and has also been referred in the past to Watersia sp. It is briefly discussed, but left unnamed here.     

Two new species of nematode (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) from Australian lizards (Reptilia: Scincidae: Gekkonidae)

Two new species of physalopterid nematodes are described from a skink (Scincidae) and a gecko (Gekkonidae) from the West Australian desert. Kreisiella chrysocampa gen. et sp. nov. (Spirurida: Physaloperidae) from Egernia inornata is characterized by the possession of a row of straight parallel denticles along the medial pseudolabial margins, male caudal alae unsupported by papillae, a truncated female tail and an anteriorly-placed vulva. The original female specimen of Physaloptera heterocephala Kreis, 1940 is transferred to this genus. In Physalopteroides filicauda sp. nov. (Physalopteridae) from Nephrurus laevissimus the external apical tooth present in immature worms is represented in adults by a knob-like structure, larger on the left pseudolabium. Both sexes possess a long slender tail terminating in a small knob. The spicules are markedly dissimilar and the vulva is surrounded anteriorly and posteriorly by horizontal rows of tubercules.     

Bifurgaster,a new genus of Ascothoracida (Crustacea: Maxillopoda) parasitic in deep water asteroids

A new genus of ascothoracid, Bifurgaster gen. nov., has been found parasitizing brisingid asteroids Freyella spp. The genus comprises two species, B. freyellae sp. nov. and B. kermadeca sp. nov., from the north-east Atlantic Ocean and south Pacific Ocean respectively, at depths of over 4000 m. The genus is characterized by the adult female having a bilobed mantle within which is a reduced main body with little or no segmentation. The only appendages are the first antennae and second maxillae. Each lobe of the mantle contains two branches of the gut and ovary and a distinctive gland. Males and larvae of B. freyellae are described. The genus is placed in the family Dendrogastridae, and is thought to be intermediate between Ulophysema and Dendrogaster.     

The ontogeny description of two Neotropical species of Crotonia (Acari: Oribatida: Crotonioidea)

A remarkable new species of black fungus gnat Pnyxiopalpus roslii sp. nov., was discovered from nests of the termite Nasutitermes proatripennis in Ulu Gombak, Malaysia, and is described based on the female morphology and DNA barcodes. This is the first record of a termitophilous black fungus gnat from South-east Asia. The new species is easily distinguished from its known congeners by the degeneration of all thoracic setae into tiny setulae. This species is described as a symbiont of the host termite based on field observations and the examination of specimens. The “wing stump” structure of the new species indicates that this species has wings after eclosion and later loses them, an adaptation to a cryptic life. A second still undescribed termitophilous species of Pnyxiopalpus was observed walking in a marching column of the termite Longipeditermes longipes in Ulu Gombak.     

The mouthparts and feeding behaviour of two species of hermit crabs

Summary

The mouthparts of P. novae-zealandiae and S. setosus are similar in construction, but differ in details of setation. These differences are related to particular feeding habits. S. Setosus is a suspension filter feeder, the antennae being modified to form sieves which actively sweep plankton from the water. Setation of the maxillipeds is modified for cleaning the antennae. Both species are detritus feeders and this is the major source of food for P. novae-zealandiae, the maxillipeds here bearing numerous stout setae with dentate margins. Neither species readily feeds on large food and it is suggested that S. setosus is less well adapted to do so.     

Cave Sinella (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from China

All nine Chinese cave Sinella species are reviewed; four of them from South China are new to science: Sinella lipsae sp. nov., Sinella longiantenna sp. nov., Sinella yunnanica sp. nov. and Sinella longiungula sp. nov. Some important characters, such as length of antennae, mucro, claw structure, chaetae on ventral side of the head and body chaetotaxy are discussed.     

Apodidymochelia,a new genus of gammaridean amphipod from the tropical Atlantic Ocean (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Didymochellidae)

Apodidymochelia castellata, new genus, new species is the second genus and fourth species in the rare and poorly known family Didymocheliidae. Apodidymochelia is separated from Didymochelia primarily on mandible structure. This record extends the known range of the family into the Atlantic Ocean.     

Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov., a new mite species of the genus Eustigmaeus Berlese, 1910 (Acari: Stigmaeidae) from citrus in Florida

Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from citrus trees in Florida, USA. The new species is closely related to Eustigmaeus arcuata, Eustigmaeus segnis and Eustigmaeus microsegnis, all known to occur in Florida. Eustigmaeus floridensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by larger dimples associated with setae sce, d₂ and e₁ containing at least four or more vacuoles centrally; dorsal body setae broadly lanceolate and feather-like, except c₂, which is slender; anogenital area with striae and one pair of serrated aggenital (ag1) and three pairs of serrated pseudanal (ps_1?3) setae. A key to the Eustigmaeus species known to occur across USA is also provided.     

Two new species of the commensal shrimp genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, 1915, (Decapoda,Palaemonidae) from the Maldive Islands

Two new species of the commensal shrimp genus Periclimenaeus Borradaile, found in the waters of the Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean, are described and illustrated. P. tchesunovi sp. nov. is related to P. rastrifer Bruce. The former may be distinguished by its deeper rostrum, with dentition 6/1, the presence of supraorbital tubercles, and broad, spatulate fingers on the first pereiopods. P. zarenkovi sp. nov. closely resembles P. diplosomatis Bruce in the presence of minute denticulations on the dactylar cutting edge of the major second pereiopod, but differs from it by a deeper rostrum with 5 dorsal teeth, more robust chelae of the second pereiopods, and small dorsal telson spines.