A new perennial species of Gilia (Polemoniaceae) from Utah

Gilia tenuis Smith & Neese is a previously undescribed species from Emery and Sevier counties, Utah, apparently closely related to G. caespitosa Gray and G. subnuda Torr. ex Gray. It is distinguished from these species by its possession of a combination of characters including perennial, multicipital habit, lobed basal leaves, and small, pale blue flowers.     

Study of the external morphology of Leptodora kindtii Focke, 1844 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Haplopoda), with notes on its relation to Cladocera and on conspecificity of populations of the species over the Eurasian range

Leptodora kindtii is a peculiar carnivorous crustacean widely distributed and occupying a prominent position in the freshwater planktonic communities. This species was originally found and described in the 1840–1860s and since then it has been a subject of numerous studies, morphological, embryological, behavioural, and ecological, which elucidated various aspects of its body structure and mode of life. Nevertheless, analysis of the literature and personal investigation of material on the species have led to the conclusion that the morphology of the species was not studied properly and the previous data might be incorrect and inconsistent, which obstructed proper understanding of its phylogeny, taxonomic position, and habits. In the present investigation, the external morphology of L. kindtii is described and analysed in detail, from comparative morphological and eco‐morphological aspects. Also, the morphological features of representatives of the species from different populations over the vast area of its Eurasian range have been studied with respect to their intra‐ and interpopulational variability and taxonomic significance. It has been shown that the majority of populations of L. kindtii from Europe to the Far East of Russia do not display any significant morphological differences, which testifies to their conspecificity. Only a small set of adult specimens from Lake Bolon (the Amur River basin, Far East of Russia) differed considerably from others in their small size and body proportions which implies the occurrence of another species of the genus in this region to be studied and validated in the future together with the enigmatic cave species L. pellucida Josef. In spite of high morphological peculiarity, L. kindtii possesses a number of “core” characteristics, which undoubtedly show its close relationship with other mostly small branchiopods (Ctenopoda, Anomopoda, Onychopoda) traditionally united in the taxon Cladocera whose validity has also been supported by modern molecular‐genetic studies.     

Electrophoresis of isoenzymes of 16 western shrubs: technique development

Wildland shrubs have gained considerable attention in recent years due to increasing recognition of their values as animal feed, as wildlife habitat, and for land reclamation. Better management of the shrub resource will be possible through clearer taxonomic identification and better understanding of phylogenetic relationships. This study applied polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and further developed this technique to address genetic relationships among 16 paired shrub species (genera: Artemisia, Chrysothamnus, Atriplex, Ceratoides, Sarcobatus, Purshia, Cowania, and Cercocarpus [Compositae, Chenopodiaceae, Rosaceae]). Cluster analysis of similarity values for total protein and 14 isoenzyme systems gave patterns of species relationships expected from classical morphological grounds with two minor exceptions. Isoenzyme analyses showed promise for solving taxonomic, phylogenetic, and population genetics problems.     

The Glyceridae (Polychaeta) of the North Atlantic and Mediterranean,with descriptions of two new species

Two genera, 12 species and one species complex of the polychaete family Glyceridae are described and figures from the North East Atlantic and Mediterranean. Diagnostic taxonomic features are described and keys to genera and species are included. Material from other parts of the world is also considered where relevant to the taxonomy of the species concerned. Of the 12 recorded species, one is reestablished for European waters after submersion in synonomy, a species complex is described and two new species are erected.     

Evaluation of the taxonomy of Helix cincta (Muller, 1774) and Helix nucula (Mousson, 1854); insights using mitochondrial DNA sequence data

Phylogenetic relationships of the Aegean Helix cincta and Helix nucula with congeneric species found in Greece were inferred using mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Twenty-three specimens from mainland Greece, Aegean Islands, Cyprus and North Africa were analysed, revealing that (1) H. nucula is monophyletic, (2) H. cincta from Greece and Cyprus is paraphyletic, and so questions arise regarding the taxonomy of this species, and (3) H. cf. cincta from Tunisia might be considered as a distinct evolutionary lineage. Moreover Helix valentini, an endemic species of Kalymnos Island group, is clustered within the lineage of H. c. anatolica, so supporting the synonymy of the two ‘species’, and the elevation of H. c. anatolica to species level. Hence, our results stress the need for a taxonomic reconsideration of H. cincta in the Aegean Sea, indicating that sequence data can prove useful in overcoming taxonomic issues at both species and subspecies level.     

Improving knowledge of the cyclorrhaphan larva (Diptera)

A significant factor in the evolution of the Cyclorrhapha (Diptera), the most biodiverse of higher dipteran taxa, is the larva. The larva also has wide-ranging trophic and environmental relationships, including positive and negative impacts on human health and wealth. Despite its importance, the larva is neglected and a low proportion of species are known in this stage. In this paper, factors contributing to larval neglect are reviewed, including: poor attitudes leading to cycles of neglect and shallow treatment; taxonomy that uses adult not larval stages; lack of material in collections; rearing barriers, and presumptions of morphological similarity suggesting that characters will be problematic to acquire and analyse. Neglect is pervasive and affects many subjects; those considered here are: species inventories and rarity assessments for biodiversity and conservation, in which larvae are usually ignored although they can be more cost-effective to sample and a richer source of environmental data; determining larval feeding modes where controversies due to conflicting evidence persist unresolved; and reliance on a limited pool of increasingly old publications whose data are repeated rather than tested and updated with new research. In an attempt to reinvigorate interest, which is the main aim of this paper, poorly assessed larval features possibly significant to cyclorrhaphan diversification are also considered. These include: change facilitated by independently evolvable modules; rapid change enabled by labile trophic morphology; shifts between saprophagy and phytophagy due to opportunities provided by angiosperm evolution; and enhanced adaptive potential resulting in derived more than basal taxa developing adaptations that enable access to new and little used resources. Apart from the need to rear more larvae, a major conclusion from this review is that knowledge will improve when the movement capabilities of larvae are used to inform morphological and taxonomic analyses.     

First record of a non-pollinating fig wasp (Hymenoptera: Sycophaginae) from Dominican amber,with estimation of the size of its host figs

Fig trees and their pollinating fig wasps arose about 75 million years ago in the Cretaceous period. Several other groups of chalcid wasps also utilize figs for larval development, including sycophagines, the putative sister group to pollinating fig wasps. Whereas stone and amber fossil pollinators are known, no fossils representing non-pollinating fig wasp groups have been confirmed previously. Here, we describe the first Sycophaginae from the c.15–20 Ma Dominican amber, Idarnes thanatos sp. nov. Farache, Rasplus, Pereira and Compton, and discuss its relationships within the Idarnes carme species group. Additionally, we use linear regression to compare body size, ovipositor sheaths length, and host fig size data from extant Idarnes species to estimate the size of its host figs. Idarnes thanatos was most likely associated with small to medium sized figs (diameter ≤1.0 cm), that were likely to have been dispersed by birds and primates. The discovery of this close relative of extant non-pollinating fig wasps suggests that early Miocene and modern fig wasp communities may share similar ecological and functional features.     

A checklist of the corals of the island state of Rodrigues,Mauritius

The aim of this study was to create an inventory of the coral species which occur in the shallow waters around Rodrigues island. The stony corals of Rodrigues island have received limited study. Corals were recorded, photographed and collected from reef slopes and lagoons by scuba diving and snorkelling during October 2001. A collection of previously collected corals in Rodrigues was also studied. A total of 130 named species in 40 genera of hard corals (125 species in 37 genera of zooxanthellate Scleractinia) were found during the present survey, together with eight unidentified species; 47 species of coral were new records for Rodrigues, 37 of which were new reports for the southern Mascarene archipelago; 23 species represented extensions of their known ranges, including two species that were previously considered endemic to other areas. The number of species found is similar to that previously reported from Mauritius (134), and significantly more than reported in earlier studies of Rodriguan corals (up to 89 species). This also complements recent reports for Rodrigues (132 species) and Mauritius (163 species).     

A new higher classification of planarian flatworms (Platyhelminthes,Tricladida)

This paper presents a revised classification for the higher taxa within the Tricladida. A historical sketch is provided of the higher classificatory systems of triclad flatworms. As far as possible, the new classification is based on published phylogenetic studies. A phylogenetic tree generalizing currently available hypotheses on the higher-taxon relationships of the Tricladida forms the backbone of the new classification. There is no longer any room in formal classifications for the taxon names Terricola and Paludicola, previously used to indicate the suborders of freshwater and land planarians, respectively. It is a consequence of the new classification that the taxonomic rank of the terrestrial planarians is now at the level of family. A new diagnosis of this family is provided. The taxon name Continenticola denotes a monophyletic group consisting of the freshwater planarians and the terrestrial planarians. At this stage it is difficult to find unequivocal morphological apomorphies enabling a diagnosis for the Continenticola.     

Species of Arachnopusia (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) collected by discovery investigations

Eighteen species of the cheilostome bryozoan genus Arachnopusia Jullien are described from Antarctic, Subantarctic and southern cold temperate localities. Eleven species are considered to be new to science. The morphology of Arachnopusia species is discussed, with particular reference to features of taxonomic value, and the zoogeography of the genus is considered briefly.     

New distribution records for the Querétero dusky rattlesnake Crotalus aquilus (Viperidae), with comments on morphology and habitat use

We provide the 1st documented accounts of the Mexican endemic rattlesnake Crotalus aquilus from the state of México. The new records extend the known distribution of the species into a region where it may be sympatric with the superficially similar C. triseriatus . Because these taxa have previously been subject to some taxonomic confusion, we performed a preliminary morphological comparison using individuals of both species obtained from proximal localities. Our analyses support the supposition that these taxa are morphologically distinct. The new localities for C. aquilus are situated in high valleys that have been extensively modified by human settlement and agriculture.     

The nesting habits and flower relationships of the bee Melitoma ameghinoi (Holmberg) (Hymenoptera,Apidae), with notes on its taxonomy and distribution

ABSTRACT

The nesting behaviour of Melitoma ameghinoi was studied in the province of Chaco, Argentina. Contrary to other Melitoma species, which are known to nest on banks or other vertical or sloping surfaces, the nests were found on horizontal ground, in extremely hard clay soil. The nests were shallow, with three to four vertical cells. The short turrets pointed upwards for a short stretch and then were strongly curved, with the entrance directed towards the soil surface. The floral relationships of this species were studied by pollen analysis of faeces from cells, a pollen mass, scopal loads of specimens, and direct observation of floral visits. Pollen counts and field observations indicate that M. ameghinoi collects pollen exclusively from Ipomoea species. A compilation of pollen sources for species of Melitoma is presented. All known species, including M. ameghinoi, fall in the category of narrowly oligolectic. A discussion of the taxonomic relationships of the species is presented, and a lectotype is designated.     

A first phylogenomic hypothesis for Eulophidae (Hymenoptera,Chalcidoidea)

ABSTRACT

Eulophidae is a hyper-diverse family of chalcidoid wasps with 324 genera, about 5300 described species and probably thousands of others to be described. Until now, the absence of unequivocal morphological apomorphies and the low resolution provided by the handful of Sanger sequenced genes have hampered the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships within the family. Here, we used ultra-conserved elements and their flanking regions to resolve relationships among 84 species of eulophids included in 63 genera representing all subfamilies and most tribes, plus 15 outgroups. Our analyses recover all traditional Eulophidae subfamilies and tribes with high support and globally agree with the traditional classification of the family. Our results confirm that Eulophinae + Tetrastichinae is the sister group of (Opheliminae + Entiinae) + Entedoninae. At the generic level, our analyses provide high support for intergeneric relationships for which morphology and Sanger markers previously failed to provide resolution. Our results also confirm that Trisecodes does not group with Eulophidae and may not belong to this family; however, its correct classification still awaits a large-scale phylogenomic hypothesis for Chalcidoidea. This work opens new avenues towards a better understanding of the evolutionary history, biogeography and evolution of host–parasitoid associations in this hyper-diverse family of chalcidoid wasps.     

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.     

Molecular phylogeny of major lineages of the avian family Phasianidae inferred from complete mitochondrial genome sequences

Phasianidae is a large family of birds which contains most of the gallinaceous birds of the world. So far, the taxonomic status of many genera within Phasianidae has been controversial. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the white-eared pheasant (Crossoption crossoptilon) was determined in this study. Combining this with other previously published mitochondrial genome sequences, we reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of Phasianidae and related species using maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. All analyses yielded a similar and well-supported topology, in which Crossoptilon grouped with Lophura. Perdix dauurica was sister taxon to the gallopheasants with high support, and Pucrasia was sister to this clade and separate from the other tragopans. Tetraophasis and Lophophorus grouped together, with Tragopan as the sister taxon. In addition, our results indicated that Meleagris clustered with Bonasa forming a monophyletic clade embedded in the pheasant‐partridge clade and the turkey–grouse lineage should be considered a part of the pheasant–partridge radiation.     

The aberrant and monotypic soft coral genus Malacacanthus Thomson, 1910 (Octocorallia: Alcyoniidae) endemic to southern Africa

The monotypic soft coral genus Malacacanthus has recently been rediscovered by means of scuba and is shown to be locally common and endemic in the shallow sublittoral of South Africa. Malacacanthus capensis (Hickson, 1900) is shown to be the proper taxonomic designation for the species. This species has previously been a problematic one due to the possession of several unusual morphological characteristics, including the total lack of sclerites and possession of a tough horny cuticle covering the stalk. The taxon is here shown to belong in the family Alcyoniidae by the possession of a full complement of mesenterial filaments, and not to the family Xeniidae as assigned by several previous authors. The species is here redescribed and the systematic status is revised. New observations on ecology and natural history from living colonies are also included.     

A new species of Hyalella from the Patagonia,Chile, with redescription of H. simplex Schellenberg, 1943 (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The species of Hyalella living in the southern extreme of South America have several common morphological features. The uniqueness of this morphology presents a good argument for inferring phylogenetic relationships among them. The species are concentrated, although not exclusively, in the Patagonia of Chile and Argentina. The group is called here ' patagonica complex'. These species are not the only Hyalella present in the area, however. Hyalella simplex Schellenberg, 1943, with no morphological affinities to the patagonica complex is also present, and is one of the few other species outside the complex living in the continental extreme south of South America. Hyalella simplex is redescribed in this paper. Two species of the patagonica complex have been recorded for the area: H. neonoma Stock and Platvoet, 1991 and H. araucana Grosso and Peralta, 1999. H. fossamancinii Cavalieri, 1959, another species in the complex, is found high in the Andes. The new species H. franciscae described in this work is added to the complex.     

On neotropical Temnocephala (Platyhelminthes)

Fourteen of the 19 recorded species of neotropical Temnocephala are re-examined for new taxonomic characters and all records are tabulated. Autapomorphies found are eyespots with red, fugacious pigment, a characteristic pattern of syncytial epidermal plates and excretory pores enclosed within the boundaries of the paired post tentacular (‘excretory’) plates. The worms are rather homogeneous with regard to the genital structures (although T. brenesi has only one pair of testes) and appear to hold their tentacles in a consistent pattern. This suite of species is homogeneous, differing from worms from Australia currently assigned to the genus. Since the type of the taxon Temnocephalida, Temnocephala chilensis (Moquin-Tandon, 1846), has the suite of characters shown here, a new genus (Temnosewellia gen. nov.) is proposed to accommodate Australian representatives formerly in Temnocephala.