A new species of Fabricinuda Fitzhugh, 1990 (Fabriciinae: Sabellidae: Polychaeta) from the Caribbean,with an emendation of the genus

During a survey of the infauna of seagrass meadows in Venezuela, several specimens of an unknown species of Fabriciinae were collected. The species could not be assigned to any genus of the subfamily, although it was most closely allied to Fabricinuda Fitzhugh, 1990. However, the absence of pseudospatulate inferior notochaetae on chaetiger 8 prevented assignment of the specimens to this genus since their presence on chaetigers 3 to 8 is one of its diagnostic apomorphies. In order to decide whether to establish a new genus for the species or to redefine Fabricinuda, a phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily was made on the basis of a pre‐existing character matrix. Twenty‐two anatomical characters were analysed for 59 species including the new one, and from the resulting consensus tree it was clear that the new species must be included within Fabricinuda and consequently an emendation of the genus is provided herein.     

The Eucerotinae: a Gondwanan origin for a cosmopolitan group of Ichneumonidae?

A new genus and species of the formerly monobasic and predominantly amphitropical, ichneumonid subfamily, Eucerotinae, is described from Chile. A phylogenetic analysis of the redefined Eucerotinae is undertaken. Barronia araucaria gen. et sp. n. has a sister-group relationship with Euceros. The southern hemisphere species of the latter genus were found to comprise a monophyletic clade, the sister group to all other Euceros species. Similarly all north temperate Euceros species form a monophyletic clade, the sister group of which occurs in Madagascar. Within the former clade, the North American species form a monophyletic group, the sister species of which is Palaearctic. Several other groups of Palaearctic taxa have a sister-group relationship to this lineage. These results suggest the Eucerotinae had an ancient origin on Gondwanaland in the lower Cretaceous, prior to the separation of the Indo-Madagascar terrane from the Australian-Antarctic-South American tectonic plate. We hypothesize the Palaearctic fauna colonized Eurasia following the impaction of India on to its southern margin, and that the North American fauna is derived from a single circum-polar dispersal from Eurasia. Our results do not support an earlier hypothesis that the Eucerotinae arose as hyperparasitoids of Symphyta. Evidence suggests the group arose as parasitoids of ophioniform ichneumonids attacking lepidopterous larvae feeding on gymnosperms or anemophilous angiosperm trees.     

A phylogenetic and biogeographic study of Euniphysa (Eunicidae,Polychaeta)

Fourteen species have either been described in, or referred to, the genus Euniphysa. Seven of these are here re-described based on type material and two new species, E. quadridentata and E. filibranchia, are described. Euniphysa oculata is found to be a subjective synonym of E. spinea, and E. unicusa is a subjective synonym of E. aculeata. Euniphysa taiwanensis and E. megalodus are correctly assigned to the genus, but cannot be described due to lack of material. Euniphysa misakiensis, E. tubicola and E. tubifex are transferred to Eunice. A key is given to the nine identifiable species retained in Euniphysa. Coding strategies for polymorphic and inapplicable characters, as well as problems associated with shared absences, are discussed. A phylogenetic analysis of Euniphysa based on 24 morphological characters yielded two most parsimonious trees (CI = 0.902, RI = 0.905). The tree topology separates Euniphysa into two distinct groups. Group I includes E. filibranchia n. sp., E. italica, E. jeffreysii, E. quadridentata n. sp. and E. spinea, it is supported by five equivocal similarities. Group II is supported by five unequivocal synapomorphies and two equivocal similarities, it includes E. aculeata, E. auriculata, E. falciseta and E. tridontesa. Based on the phylogenetic topology, Paraeuniphysa and Heterophysa are considered as junior synonyms of Euniphysa. The recognition of a separate family for Euniphysa is not warranted. All species of Euniphysa are fragile, shallow, warm water species. They have been collected mainly from sandy sediments of the Northern Hemisphere. The greatest diversity is from the South China Sea area; other species are found throughout the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the East Atlantic Ocean coasts suggesting the genus may have originated in the Tethys Sea. A few species have also been found in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Atlantic Ocean coast again suggesting a Tethyan origin associated with the westward drift of the North American continent.     

Two new Sarsiellinae (Ostracoda: Myodocopa) from Ningaloo Reef (Western Australia), with a cladistic analysis of the subfamily and keys to genera

Two new Sarsiellinae from Ningaloo Reef, Spinacopia ningalooi sp. nov., and Metasarsiella caleyi sp. nov. are described. Spinacopia ningalooi is the first representative of the genus collected from a coral reef. It differs from the other species by its odd looking posterior infold. Metasarsiella caleyi sp. nov. is the first species of the genus reported from Australia. Keys to species of Spinacopia Kornicker, 1969 Kornicker, LS. 1969. Morphology, Ontogeny, and Intraspecific Variation of Spinacopia, a new genus of myodocopid ostracod (Sarsiellidae). Smith Contr Zool., 8: 50 [Google Scholar] and Metasarsiella Kornicker, 1991 Kornicker, LS. 1991. Myodocopid Ostracoda from Enewetak and Bikini Atolls. Smith Contr Zool., 505: 140 [Google Scholar], and to all the genera of Sarsiellinae are given here, together with an inventory of all the species and information on their distributions and biology. The results of two cladistic analyses (with unweighted and with weighted characters) of the subfamily based on 138 species and 34 morphological characters are presented. The first analysis resulted in seven equally parsimonious trees and the second in just one. The majority rule of the first group of trees and the tree from the second analysis are presented here.     

Cladistics and distribution of Euxanthe butterflies (Nymphalidae: Charaxinae)

A cladistic analysis of the 6 species of Euxanthe is given utilizing 15 characters, and the species' geographical distributions discussed in relation to the proposed cladogram. The division of the genus into two subgenera by past revisers is seen to be justified. The relatively rapid anagenesis of E. madagascariensis is considered, and mimicry in the group discussed. A key to the 15 species and subspecies taxa is given, and each is revised. Notes on the biology of the species and subspecies are included, 7 lectotypes are designated and 2 new synonyms established.     

A new species of Caraiboscia Vandel, 1968 from South America,and a type species for Colombophiloscia gen. n. (Crustacea: Oniscidea: Crinocheta)

The South American genera Caraiboscia Vandel, 1968 and Colombophiloscia gen. n. are examined to establish their phylogenetic relationships in the light of their life histories. A new species is described in the genus Caraiboscia, whereas the latter genus replaces the name Colombophiloscia Vandel, 1968 which is an unavailable name since no type species was chosen by Vandel (1968). The taxa are described in detail and apomorphic characters supporting a sister group relationship are given. The adaptive value of these characters is discussed with respect to their life history and the probability of a convergent evolution.     

Description of a new species of Asymmetrione (Isopoda: Bopyridae: Pseudioninae) infesting the hermit crab Paguristes tomentosus (Anomura: Diogenidae) from Peru,with a key to species and a review of southeastern Pacific bopyrids

A new species of bopyrid isopod is described from a host hermit crab Paguristes tomentosus collected from Pisco, Peru and assigned to the pseudionine isopod genus Asymmetrione Codreanu, Codreanu and Pike, 1965. This is the second species in the genus with less than 20° asymmetry in females, but agrees with all other species in the genus in having the characteristic “socket” on the propodus of the female's pereopods, and in all characters of the males. A key is provided to the 10 species now in Asymmetrione. New records of an Anathelges sp. from Pagurus villosus collected in central Chile are given but additional material is required to determine whether these specimens represent the eastern Pacific A. thompsoni or the western Atlantic A. hyptius. A review of all the bopyrid species known from the western South American coast, with remarks on their taxonomy and biology, is provided.     

A review of Coelotinae epigynal teeth morphology,with descriptions of two species from China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae)

Five Exorista species from Malaysia and Indonesia are treated and diagnostic characters of the male postabdomen are illustrated. Three of them are described as new: Exorista globosa sp. nov., E. flaviventris sp. nov. and E. sabahensis sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis is performed with previously published morphological data along with the five species treated here. Based on the generated tree, the five species treated here are assigned to Spixomyia Crosskey. Exorista ladelli (Baranov) is transferred to Spixomyia from the subgenus Podotachina Brauer and Bergenstamm. Evolutionary patterns of host use in the genus Exorista Meigen are discussed. Host information is optimized on the resultant tree under the most parsimonious reconstruction. The original host of the tribe Exoristini (except Ctenophorinia Mesnil and Phorinia Robineau-Desvoidy) was order Lepidoptera, and transitions to other orders (Hymenoptera, Mantodea and Orthoptera) occurred in subgenera Adenia Robineau-Desvoidy and Spixomyia, respectively.     

Relationships of the South African lizards assigned to Aporosaura,Meroles and Pedioplanis (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

Phylogenetic analyses, using parsimony and compatibility methods, were carried out on the South African lacertid lizards assigned in recent times to Aporosaura, Meroles and Pedioplanis. These were based on 80 primary and 102 binary morphological characters which were drawn from osteology, external features, muscles, kidneys and reproductive systems. Contrary to some previous interpretations, there are two well-defined clades: Meroles plus Aporosaura, and Pedioplanis; these form successive branches on the main stem of the phylogeny of advanced lacertids. The clades show considerable parallel development of derived features, presumably because they had very similar initial genetic potential. Relationships within the two groups are shown on p. 800 and p. 802. As Aporosaura anchietae is sister taxon to a clade consisting of three of the seven species of Meroles, it has been transferred to that genus. Relationships in Meroles-Aporosaura are very well substantiated, in contrast to the situation in Pedioplanis. This difference appears to be related to the different kinds of evolutionary history that the two groups have had. The Meroles-Aporosaura clade has spread progressively into increasingly stringent and singular aeolian sand environments which have elicited the production of many, often unique, derived character states related to the functional problems of survival in such situations. As these states are rarely duplicated in outgroups, the characters concerned are easily polarized. This, together with their abundance, means that a robust basis for phylogenetic inference is available. In contrast, Pedioplanis exhibits relatively limited ecological radiation of a kind that also occurs in related groups, and the functionally related derived states elicited are fewer and less distinctive. In fact, production of a phylogeny for Pedioplanis is very dependent on genital characters which seem to be substantially independent of the main ecological changes that have occurred in the genus. The premaxilla is embraced dorsally by the anterior processes of the maxillae in most lacertids, but the processes are less extensive in two sister species of Pedioplanis, P. burchelli and P. laticeps. This modified condition also occurs in the genera Eremias, Acanthodactylus, Mesalina and Ophisops, which together constitute a clade that forms the sister group of Pedioplanis. The modification provides extra evidence for the holophyly of the clade, even though presence in some Pedioplanis shows it to be homoplasious.     

Phylogenetic relationships among genera of the tribe Cnephasiini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) based on morphological characters of adults

A phylogenetic analysis was conducted on the moth tribe Cnephasiini based on 83 morphological characters of adults (63 binary and 20 multistate). The analysis included 26 species representing 20 genera, plus two outgroup representatives of the tribe Tortricini. The cladistic analysis resulted in the 10 most parsimonious trees. The tribe Cnephasiini was recovered as monophyletic; the genus Cnephasia was not recovered as monophyletic; the New World Decodes clustered with the primarily Old World Cnephasia; Oxypteron is best treated as monotypic (with the single species palmoni), and Amphicoecia adamana, Oporopsamma dunaria and O. wertheimsteini should be assigned to a different genus; Propriomorpha and Xerocnephasia were the most basal groups; Exapate duratella and Epicnephasia mongolica were recognised as sister-groups; and Kawabeia was closest to Tortricodes.     

Reflections on the genus Amaga Ogren and Kawakatsu 1990, and description of a new genus of land planarian (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae)

Amaga amagensis, the type species of the genus Amaga, and Amaga bogotensis are re-described. Detailed analysis of the morphology of A. amagensis revealed important taxonomic features, such as testes located dorsally to the supraintestinal parenchymal muscular layer, and secretory accumulations opening through the lateral margins of the body. These characters, as well as other morphological features, are discussed, culminating in an emendation of the generic diagnosis of Amaga. Amaga bogotensis exhibits a characteristic set of morphological features, namely an eversible penis, a male atrium lined with large musculosecretory papillae, and independent muscular coats around both male and female atrium. Therefore, a new genus is proposed for this species.     

A new earthworm genus Nouraguesia gen. nov. from French Guiana with description of two new species (Oligochaeta,Glossoscolecidae)

Nouraguesia gen. nov., consisting of three species, is described from Eastern Amazonia. Species belonging to this genus are middle-sized earthworms inhabiting, based on our experience, decomposing tree logs and space filled with detritus between leaf-axils and trunk (e.g. in some palm species). The new genus is morphologically similar to the genus Andiorrhinus, but differs from it by the presence of numerous caeca encircling the intestine in segment 27. The three species belonging to the newly established genus are known from state Amapa in Brazil (N. amaparis (Righi, 1971)); and French Guiana (N. parare sp. nov., N. souadae sp. nov.).     

Dhanya,a South-east Asian genus of ozaenine ground beetles

The species of the South-east Asian genus Dhanya are reviewed, and three new species are described: mulu from Sarawak; andrewesi from India; and cylindera from Philippines. Dhanya bioculata is designated as the type-species and a lectotype is designated for this species. The variety pallida is synonymized with its species seminigra. The species cavicola Moore is transferred from Pseudozaena to Itamus. Keys to the genera of South-east Asian Ozaenini and to the species of Dhanya are provided. Morphological details of Dhanya are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs and drawings, and include information on the structure of the prothoracic pits, elytral flanges, and on microsculpture. A cladistic analysis of the species is included and the relationship of the genus to its sister group, Eustra, and to the other genera of Ozaenini is discussed. Specimens of Dhanya are found under bark of fallen logs and in rotting tree stumps in lowland and upland tropical rain forest; an association with ants or termites is suggested for at least one species.     

Taxonomy,phylogeny and distribution of the longicorn beetle genus Allotisis Pascoe (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Phoracanthini)

The genus Allotisis Pascoe is revised. Diagnosis of Allotisis is given, three known species are redescribed and six species are described as new : A. repleta, A. notabilis, A. rara, A. labyrinthina, A. monteithi and A. furva. All species are from Australia. Thoris moerens Blackburn is synonymous with A. unifasciata. A key to the nine species is provided. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this genus be divided into two species groups, monteithi-group and unifasciata-group. Several subgroups are also identified. Biogeographic distribution of these species groups and subgroups is discussed.     

Cladistic analysis of Charterginus Fox, 1898 (Hymenoptera,Vespidae, Epiponini). A neotropical genus of social wasps

A cladistic analysis of the swarm‐founding neotropical social wasp genus Charterginus is presented. A single cladogram resulted from the analysis of 31 morphological characters and six nest characters, with relationships among the species as follows: ((C. fulvus + C. xanthura) + (C. weyrauchi + (C. nevermanni + (C. carinatus + C. zavattarii)))). The monophyly of the genus is confirmed and a new identification key is presented. Notes on the nest are given and the misidentification of C. carinatus is explained.