Reproductive features of three maternal-caring species of Leptodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) with a report on alloparental care in frogs

We describe aspects of the reproduction of three shoaling/maternal-caring Leptodactylus species (Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus podicipinus and Leptodactylus aff. leptodactyloides), pointing to the relevance of the female to tadpoles and describe a case of alloparental care in frogs. Females of the three species connected water bodies by digging channels to their tadpoles. Leptodactylus aff. latrans females often expelled predatory snakes and conspecific males that approached shoals to prey upon tadpoles. In water bodies containing predatory teleosts, tadpoles of L. aff. latrans only reached metamorphosis in the presence of guardian females. Channel digging can provide tadpoles with access to new feeding grounds and prevent predation and desiccation. We found brood mixing and alloparental care between L. aff. latrans and L. podicipinus which, as in some Teleostei, may be regarded as the result of identification mistakes.     

Larval anisakid nematodes from four species of squid (Cephalopoda: Teuthoidea) from the central and western North Pacific Ocean

Third-stage larvae of two species of the genus Anisakis, A. simplex (Rudolphi, 1809) and A. physeteris Baylis, 1923, and those of two types of Lappetascaris sp. are described from four species of squids from the central and western North Pacific Ocean. Larvae of Lappetascaris sp. Type A were 15-33 mm long and occurred individually free in the mantle musculature of squids, whereas those of Lappetascaris sp. Type B were considerably smaller, only 3–7 mm long, and were found in capsules on the stomach wall, each capsule containing up to 50–60 larvae. It is not known whether both larval types are conspecific or belong to two different Lappetascaris species. Anisakis simplex and A. physeteris larvae were found in Onychoteuthis borealijaponica Okada and Gonatopsis borealis Sasaki, and O. borealijaponica, respectively, whereas Lappetascaris sp. Type A and Type B larvae from Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, Ommastrephes bartramii (LeSueur), Onychoteuthis borealijaponica and G. borealis, and O. bartramii, respectively. The findings represent several new host records and all these parasites are reported for the first time from squids in the central North Pacific Ocean.     

Reproductive ecology and behaviour of a species of Adenomera (Anura,Leptodactylinae) with endotrophic tadpoles: Systematic implications

The species of the Leptodactylus fuscus group and those of the genus Adenomera lay their eggs in underground chambers. According to current systematic arrangement of these genera, this behaviour is convergent. Here we describe reproduction, courtship, tadpole morphology, calls, chamber structure, and populational phenology of an Adenomera species, and compare some of these features with those of other species of the genus and with species of Leptodactylus of the fuscus and pentadactylus groups. We tested the tadpoles of the Adenomera sp. and those of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (pentadactylus group) for their foam‐making abilities. There was sexual dimorphism in size; males averaged 22.0?mm and females 24.3?mm in snout–vent length. Males called from late September to late February; calling often began about 2–3?h before sunset. Males called exclusively in open (non‐forest) areas. Egg clutches were found around male calling sites. Males excavated spherical chambers which had a direct entrance. During mating, the male led the female towards a previously excavated chamber. Territorial interactions (aggressive calls and fights) occurred when an intruder male approached a calling male. Late‐stage tadpoles and newly metamorphosed juveniles were found within underground chambers. Clutch size averaged 10.6; eggs averaged 3.7?mm in diameter and were cream coloured. Tadpoles had horny beaks, but no labial tooth; spiracle was present. All tested groups of tadpoles generated foam within 10?h. As we report for Adenomera sp., the males of Leptodactylus species of the fuscus group lead the female to a previously excavated chamber. Tadpole foam‐making behaviour was reported in Leptodactylus of the fuscus group and was previously unknown for any species of Adenomera or for Leptodactylus of the pentadactylus group. The way in which the tadpoles of Adenomera sp., Leptodactylus spp. (of the fuscus group) and L. labyrinthicus made foam was quite similar. The foam‐making behaviour of the studied tadpoles may act to avoid compaction of the tadpoles at the bottom of the basin or underground chamber, avoiding overcrowding and increasing respiratory and excretory efficiency. As presently recognized, the phylogenetic position of Adenomera suggests that reproductive major behavioural features are convergent with some Leptodactylus species. Alternatively, our data point to close phylogenetic relationships between Adenomera and Leptodactylus of the fuscus and pentadactylus groups, reinforcing the paraphyletic nature of the genus Leptodactylus.     

Casinaria,a paraphyletic ichneumonid genus (Hymenoptera), and a revision of the Australian species

The Australian species of the campoplegine ichneumonid genus Casinaria are revised and an illustrated key is provided for their identification. Eleven species are recognized, but one is not formally named. The Australian species are referable to two morphologically and biologically distinct groups, the meridionalis species-group (containing amarilla sp. nov., hesperiophaga sp. nov. and meridionalis (Turner)) which are parasitoids of hesperiid larvae, and the siccata species-group (containing eremica sp. nov., micra sp. nov., mythologica sp. nov., pavlova sp. nov., siccata sp. nov., virgata sp. nov., woowonga sp. nov. and species A) which parasitize the larvae of a variety of smaller moths. The holophyly of each of the two species-groups is demonstrated, but characters supporting the holophyly of the genus could not be found, suggesting that Casinaria, as currently recognized, may either be paraphyletic or polyphyletic.     

Metazoan endoparasites of 18 anuran species from the mesophytic semideciduous Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil

Brazil has the richest anuran biodiversity in the world and many species have not yet been studied for parasites. One hundred and forty frogs belonging to 18 species (Rhinella schneideri, Dendropsophus aff. minutus, Dendropsophus nanus, Hypsiboas albopunctatus, Hypsiboas punctatus, Hypsiboas raniceps, Phyllomedusa tetraploidea, Pseudis platensis, Scinax fuscovarius, Trachycephalus typhonius, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus aff. latrans, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Physalaemus nattereri and Elachistocleis bicolor) collected in aquatic habitats in forest remnants and surrounding agricultural landscapes in southern Brazil were examined for endoparasites. Twenty-four species of endoparasites were identified among 21 adult and three larval individuals: one species of Monogenea, Polystoma lopezromani; eight species of Digenea, Catadiscus marinholutzi, Catadiscus propinquus, Choledocystus simulans, Gordoderina sp., Neohaematoloechus neivai, Rauschiella lenti, Rauschiella linguatula, Rauschiella repandum; one species of Cestoda, Ophiotaenia sp.; one species of Acanthocephala, Centrorhyncus sp.; 12 species of Nematoda, Aplectana sp., Aplectana travassosi, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Raillietnema sp., Schrankiana formolusa, Falcaustra mascula, Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Ochoterenella digiticauda, Physaloptera sp., Brevimulticecum sp., Rhabdias sp., Parapharyngodon hylidae; and one species of Annelida, Dero (Allodero) lutzi. The endoparasite fauna found is constituted by generalist species. Two new records of occurrence in Brazil and 33 new host records are reported.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Stempellinella (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The species of the chironomid genus Stempellinella are revised, described, and figured, and keys to known larvae, pupae, and male and female adults are presented. Five species new to science are diagnosed and described. An emended generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is given and morphological differences from its putative sister genus Zavrelia are discussed. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) of 10 Stempellinella species are presented and the variation in genetic distances within and between species is compared. The results indicate that DNA barcodes are suitable molecular markers for identification of Stempellinella species. The following life stages and species are diagnosed and described: the larva, pupa, male, and female of S. brevis, S. chambiensis, S. ciliaris, S. edwardsi, S. fimbriata sp. n., S. flavidula, S. leptocelloides, S. saltuum, and S. truncata; the pupa, male, and female of S. reissi and S. tamaseptima; the larva, pupa, and male of Stempellinella boltoni sp. n.; the pupa and male of S. lamellata sp. n.; the male and female of S. coronata; and the male of S. apicula, S. brevilamellae, S. distincta sp. n., and S. sublettorum sp. n. Two pupal types are described but not formally named. The following changes of combination are made: Stempellina chambiensis and Stempellina truncata are transferred to the genus Stempellinella. Zavrelia inopinata is listed as a new junior synonym of Stempellinella ciliaris.     

Jumping plant‐lice of the family Phacopteronidae (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) from Cameroon

Nine species of the family Phacopteronidae are recorded from Cameroon. All are assigned to the large pan‐tropical genus Pseudophacopteron. Eight species are described as new, and P. electum Capener is redescribed. The species are diagnosed and illustrated, and keys for the identification of adults and fifth instar larvae are provided. Information is given on distribution, host plants, and biology. Eight species are associated with plants of the order Rutales/Sapindales (three Sapindaceae, one Burseraceae, one Burseraceae or Anacardiaceae, one Meliaceae, one Rutaceae, and one Anacardiaceae/Simaroubaceae); host plants of one species remain unknown. Four species, namely P. electum, P. fuscivenosum sp. n., P. lecaniodisci sp. n., and P. morion sp. n., induce nut or pit galls on the leaves.     

A new species of Thais (Mollusca: Neogastropoda: Muricidae) with direct development from northwestern Australia

Thais wutingi, a new species of Muricidae, is described from rocky and mangrove shores in the vicinity of Darwin, northern Australia. It is relatively common where it occurs but the species may have previously been mistaken for T. gradata (Jonas) or T. javanica (Philippi). The new species differs from the latter two species in having a penis with a narrow groove along the greater curvature of the penial base. The larvae of T. wutingi undergo direct development, hatching from egg capsules as crawling juveniles, in contrast to the majority of Thais (s.l.) species found in the tropics which have planktotrophic development. Its mode of development may explain the relatively restricted geographical distribution of this species, which is confined to the north and northwestern coasts of Australia.     

Helminth biodiversity of Costa Rican Anurans (Amphibia: Anura)

One hundred and sixty-three frogs representing 21 species collected in Costa Rica were examined for helminths. Those found were: one species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas), one species of Cestoda (Cylindrotaenia americana), 15 species of Nematoda, 11 species represented by gravid individuals (Aplectana hylambatis, Aplectana incerta, Aplectana itzocanensis, Capillaria recondita, Cosmocerca parva, Cosmocerca podicipinus, Falcaustra costaricae, Hedruris heyeri, Oswaldocruzia costaricensis, Oswaldocruzia nicaraguensis, Rhabdias savagei) and four species represented by larvae (Physaloptera sp., Porrocaecum sp., Spirocamallanus sp., Ascarididae gen. sp.) and three species of Acanthocephala, one species represented by gravid individuals (Anuracanthorhynchus lutzi) and two species by cystacanths (Centrorhynchidae gen. sp. and Oligacanthorhynchidae gen. sp.). Mean helminth diversity (number of helminth species) per frog species was 2.4 ± 0.3 SE, range: 1–6. Forty-nine new host records are reported. Costa Rican frogs are infected by generalist helminths, which infect other species of frogs from Central and South America.     

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.     

Aquatic Diptera (Insecta) assemblages in four sympatric Eryngium (Apiaceae) phytotelmata in flowering and senescent times

This study addresses how Diptera assemblages differ in four sympatric phytotelmata. The Eryngium species retain water in their axils forming a phytotelm and this situation leads to the speculation that dipteran assemblages may differ, mainly when the plants begin to grow and retain more water in their axils, and when becoming senescent. Diptera from Eryngium horridum, Eryngium stenophyllum, Eryngium aff. serra and Eryngium elegans were sampled. This study revealed that the Eryngium spp. are used by Diptera differentially and their populations show seasonal changes, with peaks in the autumn. Diptera were represented by immature stages belonging to six aquatic and seven semi-aquatic families. The most important were Chironomidae, Culicidae, Periscelididae and Ceratopogonidae. Two species of Chironomids were the most abundant. Culicidae, Periscelididae and Ceratopogonidae were more selective than Chironomidae. Saprophages were the most abundant where the fine detritus feeders were the dominant group. Periscelididae was the main free-swimming predator.     

Gobiid fishes from the Cape Verde Islands,including two new species of Gobius (Teleostei: Gobioidei)

Ten species of gobiid fishes (Teleostei: Gobioidei) now listed from the Cape Verde islands fall into several zoogeographical categories, including tropical West African Bathygobius casamancus, Mauligobius nigri, Porogobius schlegelii (unconfirmed) and Vanneaugobius canariensis, tropical amphiatlantic B. soporator and Gnatholepis thompsoni, and Canarian Didogobius kochi. Two new species of the eastern Atlantic, predominantly temperate genus Gobius are described: G. ateriformis sp. nov. and G. tetrophthalmus sp. nov., known so far only from the Cape Verdes, but reported occurrence of the congeneric Atlantic-Mediterranean G. paganellus has not been confirmed. The pattern of free neuromast organs (sensory papillae) of the head lateral-line system in Mauligobius nigri and the habitat of this species are described for the first time and its distribution further discussed. Diversity of gobies and other inshore fishes at the Cape Verdes is briefly indicated.     

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.     

A synopsis of Martarega White, 1879 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Notonectidae) occurring in the Brazilian Amazonia,with descriptions of three new species

The genus Martarega comprises 15 species and nine of these have been recorded in northern Brazil. Martarega pydanieli sp. nov. from Rondônia, while Martarega nieseri sp. nov. and M. barcelos sp. nov. from Amazonas are described here. Six known species are recorded in the Brazilian Amazonian Region (Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia and Roraima): M. brasiliensis, M. chinai, M. gonostyla, M. membranacea, M. oriximinaensis, and M. uruguayensis. At the outset of this survey the genus Martarega of the Brazilian Amazonian Region held 12 species, but no specimens of M. mcateei, M. hungerfordi, and M. williamsi were collected in the regions sampled. Martarega brasiliensis is newly recorded from Roraima, which comprises the first record of members of this genus in this State. Martarega uruguayensis is newly recorded from Pará and Rondônia, while M. gonostyla from Rondônia. Distinct keys to males and females of Martarega occurring in this region, including these new species, are provided.     

Novel characters in a conservative coral genus: three new species of Astreopora (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) from West Papua

Three new species of Astreopora (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Acroporidae), from Cenderawasih Bay in West Papua, exhibit morphological innovations for this conservative genus, extant since the Cretaceous. Two species are fully branching, a condition never previously described for Astreopora: Astreopora cenderawasih sp. nov. has dendritic branching, also seen in the confamilial genus Montipora, whereas branches of A. acroporina sp. nov. possess an axial corallite, regarded as the key morphological innovation facilitating rapid diversification and dominance of reefs in the younger, confamilial and most diverse genus Acropora (staghorn corals). We propose that these novel characters may be parallelisms indicating deep familial homologies. The third species, Astreopora montiporina sp. nov., has expansive coenosteum, reminiscent of plating Montipora. The new species form part of the most species-rich Astreopora assemblage reported to date, comprising 14 species. The unique tectonic and eustatic history of Cenderawasih Bay may have played a role in the evolution of these new species.     

Gastrointestinal helminth communities of two gekkonid lizard species,Nactus multicarinatus and Nactus pelagicus (Squamata: Gekkonidae), from the Republic of Vanuatu,Oceania

Gastrointestinal helminth communities of two gekkonid species, Nactus multicarinatus and Nactus pelagicus, from the Vanuatu Archipelago were examined. Both helminth communities were depauperate: N. multicarinatus harboured one species of Digenea, Mesocoelium monas, one species of Cestoda, Oochoristica javaensis, four species of Nematoda, Hedruris hanleyae, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physocephalus sp. (larvae in cysts), Filarioidea gen. sp. (juvenile); N. pelagicus harboured one species of Cestoda, O. javaensis, four species of Nematoda, H. hanleyae, Falcaustra tannaensis, P. maplestoni, Physocephalus sp. (larvae in cysts). In each helminth community P. maplestoni represented a core species and H. hanleyae was a secondary species. It is postulated that the helminth fauna infecting lizards of the Vanuatu Archipelago originated in Australia and Papua New Guinea and reached the archipelago by rafting; their establishment in Vanuatu was fortuitous.     

Gastrointestinal helminths of eleven species of Emoia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Papua New Guinea

Four hundred and forty‐six individuals representing 11 species of Emoia (Scincidae), E. atrocostata, E. battersbyi, E. caeruleocauda, E. impar, E. jakati, E. kordoana, E. longicauda, E. obscura, E. pallidiceps, E. physicae and E. popei, collected in Papua New Guinea were examined for helminths. Two species of Cestoda (Adenobrechmos greeri, Cylindrotaenia hickmani); five species of Digenea (Mesocoelium monas, Paradistomoides gregarium, Saurokoilophilia kinsellai, Spelotrema brevicaeca, Zeylanurotrema sphenomorphi); 14 species of Nematoda, (gravid individuals of Abbreviata oligopapillata, Hedruris hanleyae, Kreisiella chrysocampa, Maxvachonia adamsoni, Meteterakis crombiei, Parapharyngodon maplestoni, Physaloperoides milnensis, Pseudoreticularia dipsarilis, Raillietnema nanus, Skrjabinodon sp. 1, Skrjabinodon sp. 2 and larvae (in cysts) of Abbreviata sp., Acuariidae gen. sp., and Riticulariidae gen. sp.) were found. The mean helminth species richness for infected skinks was 6.4±4.7 SD (range 1–14 species). Fifty‐three new host records are reported.