The genera Parotoplana Meixner, 1938 and Parotoplanella Ax, 1956 (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) in southern Spain

Collecting in southern Spain yielded five species of Parotoplana and one species of Parotoplanella (Proseriata: Otoplanidae). Four species of Paratoplana proved to be new to science. Parotoplana cucullata sp. n. is distinguished by the shape of the lateral spines in the copulatory organ and in the presence of a “glandular organ” around the distal portion of the female duct. Parotoplana fretigaditani sp. n. is similar to P. procerostyla Ax, 1956 Ax, P. 1956. Monographie der Otoplanidae (Turbellaria): morphologie und systematik.. Akademie der Wissenschaften und der literatur Abhandlungen der Mathematisch‐Naturwissenschaftlichen klasse, 13: 159–278.  [Google Scholar] in the general arrangement of spines, but their fine morphology is distinctive. Parotoplana varispinosa sp. n. differs from P. capitata Ax, 1956 Ax, P. 1956. Monographie der Otoplanidae (Turbellaria): morphologie und systematik.. Akademie der Wissenschaften und der literatur Abhandlungen der Mathematisch‐Naturwissenschaftlichen klasse, 13: 159–278.  [Google Scholar] in the shape and number of spines. Parotoplana mastigophora sp. n. has a unique morphology of the stylet, and the spines of the girdle markedly differ in size and shape. The karyotype of P. cucullata sp. n. (n = 6) is described. In addition, Parotoplana primitiva and Parotoplanella heterorhabditica, previously known from the Atlantic coast of France and north‐west Mediterranean, respectively, were found. The high proportion of new species demonstrates the present poor state of knowledge of interstial meiofauna.     

Microscopic morphology of the antennule and antenna of the marine isopod Cirolana harfordi

ABSTRACT

The use of scanning electron microscopy on the cuticle outgrowths called setae (that contain sensilla) in crustaceans is useful for, understanding how crustacean species sense their environment and for taxonomic studies. So far, most of the setal morphology studies have been performed on decapod crustaceans such as lobsters and shrimps and there has been a comparative lack of such research on marine isopods, from which terrestrial isopods such as woodlice or slaters have evolved. In the current study, electron microscopy was used to study the antennal setae of the marine isopod Cirolana harfordi using magnification powers of up to 40, 000. C. harfordi displayed a number of setal types including setae that had a sub-terminal pore that contained a cupule-shaped structure and plumose setae which are pennate in structure and have two rows of setules along the setal shaft in a fashion analogous to a palm leaf. These plumose setae may be useful to the animal in detecting water currents. Differences in the structure and placement of setae on the antennae of C. harfordi as compared to two other marine isopods, Bathynomus pelor and Natatolana borealis (that have had a comprehensive study of antennae setal morphology performed on them in previous studies) indicate that scanning electron microscopy of isopod setae may be useful in taxonomic studies of isopods.     

Introduced and cryptogenic marine and estuarine species of South Africa

The introduction history, systematics, transport vectors and distribution patterns of 85 introduced and 39 cryptogenic marine or estuarine animals and plants of South Africa are presented. This represents an addition of 93 species compared with previous lists. Taxa covered include protists, dinoflagellates, sponges, cnidarians, annelids, crustaceans, pycnogonids, insects, molluscs, brachiopods, bryozoans, echinoderms, ascidians, fish, algae and higher plants. For each species a justification motivating its inclusion as an introduction into South African shores or its cryptogenic status, is provided. Challenges associated with this type of inventory work are explored and major patterns of bioinvasion within the region are summarized briefly.     

Effects of different ant species on the attendance of neighbouring hemipteran colonies and the outcomes for the host plant

Ants commonly participate simultaneously in mutualisms with honeydew-producing hemipterans and extrafloral nectar-bearing host plants. These interactions are based on the exchange of resources (honeydew and extrafloral nectar) for ant protection against natural enemies. The benefits may vary according to the species of ant interacting, and the outcomes for the host plant and hemipteran will depend on the results of the ant-plant-hemipteran relationship as a whole. We studied a plant-mealybug association with Camponotus crassus Mayr (Formicinae) and Ectatomma tuberculatum Olivier (Ectatomminae) in a Brazilian tropical savanna. We aimed to elucidate whether the frequency of visitation by different species of ants can be affected by neighbouring colonies of mealybugs, and whether these ant species influence the number of hemipterans in a different way. Furthermore, we intended to find out whether the interaction between ant and hemipteran has any effect on the proportion of fruit production or on the abundance of trophobiont and non-trophobiont herbivores, also influenced by the ant species. Our results show that neighbouring aggregations of mealybugs influenced the frequency of ant visitation and the ants affected the number of nymphs over time, with both positive results only for C. crassus. We also detected an indirect negative effect on proportion of fruit production and an increase in abundance of trophobiont and non-trophobiont herbivores in the presence of C. crassus-mealybug interaction. Thus, we provide further evidence that colonies of hemipterans interacting with ants can be beneficial for these herbivorous insects, but they are quite harmful to the host plant. Nevertheless, the outcomes can be highly conditional in relation to ant species.     

Two new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Pseudosteineria (Monohysterida: Xyalidae) from the Yellow Sea,China

Two new species of free-living marine nematode, Pseudosteineria sinica sp. nov. and Pseudosteineria zhangi sp. nov., from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Pseudosteineria sinica sp. nov. is characterized by body spindle-shaped, cuticle distinctly annulated; amphidial fovea not visible; spicules unequal in length, the longer one divided into two sections jointed in the middle, the shorter one simple, without indentation; both spicules curved with proximal capitulum, tapered distally; gubernaculum with a dorso-caudal apophysis. Pseudosteineria zhangi sp. nov. is characterized by eight groups of relatively short subcephalic setae; amphidial fovea circular, lying at level of grouped subcephalic setae; spicules paired, equal in length, dissimilar in shape; right spicule slender, left one with a large manubrium proximally; gubernaculum bucket-shaped, with a dorsal apophysis. A key to species is provided for the 13 valid species of the genus.     

Some helminth parasites of marine fishes of south Africa: family Opecoelidae (Digenea)

The following digeneans are described, recorded or figured from South African waters: Pseudopecoelus ablennesi sp. nov. from Ablennes hians; Coitocaecum capensis sp. nov. from Clinus superciliosus, C. cottoides, Gynutoclinus rotundifrons, Xenopoclinus kochi and X. leprosus; Dactylostomun griffithsi sp. nov. from Cheilodactylus fasciatus; Margolisia vidalensis gen. nov., sp. nov. from Trachinocephalus myops; Pachycreadium obovatum from Sparodon durbanensis, Diplodus cervinus and Cheilodactylus fasciatus; Allopodocotyle recifensis sp. nov. from Pterogymnus laniar; Helicometra fasciata in Arius feliceps, Chirodactylus brachydactylus, Clinus capensis, C. cottoides, C. superciliosus, Gynutoclinus rotundifrons, Pachymetopon blochii, Pomadasys olivaceus, Pomatomus saltator, Xenopoclinus kochi and X. leprosus; Helicometrina nimia from Rhonciscus anus. The other taxa discussed are the genera Pseudopecoelus, Coitocaecum (synonyms Ozakia, Pseudocoitocaecum, Paradactylostomum), Dactylostomum, Pachycreadium and Allopodocotyle. In discussion the following new combinations are made: Coitocaecum (formerly Pseudocoitocaecum) bombayensis (Ahmad, 1983); C. (formerly P.) thrissoclesis (Bilqees, 1972); Dactylostomum (formerly Ozakia) iniistii (Yamaguti, 1970); D. (formerly O.) pfluegeri (Yamaguti, 1970); D. (formerly Coitocaecum) xesuri (Yamaguti, 1940); Allopodocotyle (formerly Podocotyle (Pedunculotrema) israelense (Fischthal, 1980); Allopodocotyle (formerly Podocotyle) jaffensis (Fischthal, 1980).     

Two new free-living marine nematode species of Chromadoridae (Nematoda: Chromadorida) from the Yellow Sea,China

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes, Ptycholaimellus ocellatus sp. nov. and Prochromadorella gracilis sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Ptycholaimellus ocellatus sp. nov. is characterized by the presence of ocelli, an abruptly narrowing anterior cervical region, a cuticle with transverse rows of punctations, a lateral differentiation with two longitudinal rows of thick elongate dots, and voluminous ventral gland with a large ampulla. Prochromadorella gracila sp. nov. is characterized by the combination of lateral differentiations in the anterior pharyngeal region, a small conical stoma with outstretched teeth, slit-like amphidial fovea, and five pre-cloacal supplements.     

New records for hermatypic corals (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the Gulf of California,Mexico, with an historical and biogeographical discussion

This paper reports range extensions for seven hermatypic coral species in the Gulf of California. An analysis of the distribution and fossil record of the 12 hermatypic species of the Gulf shows that the coral communities of the Gulf are the oldest ones in the eastern Pacific. Two species have been recorded in the Gulf (or nearby) since the Pliocene and several other species since the Pleistocene. The uninterrupted fossil record falsifies the hypothesis of a total extinction of reef corals in the eastern Pacific during the Pleistocene. The fossil evidence and temperature calculations support the conjecture that the Gulf of California was a refuge zone for corals and other warm-water biotas during the same epoch. Also it is suggested that some species of the genera Porites may have an Atlantic origin, contrary to the accepted idea of an exclusive Indo-Pacific origin of the eastern Pacific coral fauna.     

Biodiversity and biogeography of the coral boring barnacles of the genus Berndtia (Cirripedia: Acrothoracica) in the West Pacific,with description of three new species

Acrothoracican barnacles of the genus Berndtia are exclusive coral borers and the type species is Berndtia purpurea Utinomi, 1950a, reported in the corals Lepastrea purpurea and Psammocora profundacella in Wakayama, Japan. We confirmed the type is only from the coral Lepastrea purpurea and is distributed from Japan, Taiwan to Hong Kong. In contrast, B. purpurea from Psammocora belongs to a new species Berndtia haradai sp. nov., which is distributed from Japan to Okinawa. The other new species identified in the present study, Berndtia denticulata sp. nov. is common in Okinawa but also collected on the Pacific side of the Philippines. Berndtia utinomii sp. nov. is found on NE coast of Taiwan, Kochi and Wakayama in Japan and Vietnam but is absent from Okinawa. All described species are diagnostic in the coloration and morphology of the opercular bars in live specimens, morphology of posterior lobes of operculum and the number of notches in maxillules.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B6FE5B4-C5DD-48DE-B91A-39BBBAF87636     

New finding of Mesozoic ephippia of the Anomopoda (Crustacea: Cladocera)

Fossil Mesozoic anomopods (Crustacea: Cladocera) have only been found twice previously, although this group apparently differentiated in the Palaeozoic. This paper describes the finding of anomopod ephippia of three different types in the locality Khutel‐Khara, Mongolia (Lower Cretaceous, 129±9 Mya). This discovery demonstrates once more that the idea of rarity of cladocerans in Mesozoic fossils was motivated by insufficient attention of carcinologists to such fossils.     

Some helminth parasites of marine fishes of South Africa: Santeria rubalo gen. et sp. nov. (Digenea: Cryptogonimidae)

A new genus and species, Santeria rubalo, is described from the sparid fish Cheimerius nufar from the south-western Indian Ocean. It is placed in the cryptogonimid subfamily Neochasminae and is distinguished from Paracryptogonimus and Apophallus mainly by its oral spination, which consists of six to eight annular rows of spines.     

Overview of bat species reported in Albania with the first country records for eight species

The bat fauna of Albania, a country located in a Balkan glacial refugium and a Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot, has remained poorly studied although as many as 21 species and representatives of three species complexes had been reported before 2003. It was expected that several new species would be added to the country’s list of fauna, not only due to their occurrence in adjacent regions but to the splitting of already known taxa into sibling species and the discovery of new, cryptic species. Altogether, we recorded 32 bat species in Albania, including all of those previously reported (21) and 11 new species for the country, as a result of field work conducted in 2003–2012. Here, we report on eight bat species including Rhinolophus mehelyi, Nyctalus lasiopterus, Plecotus kolombatovici, Barbastella barbastellus, Myotis brandtii that had not been reported previously in Albania while three species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Plecotus austriacus, Myotis mystacinus) had been reported before changes to their taxonomy and so could be treated only as representatives of a particular species complex (i.e. sensu lato). We greatly extended the known geographic ranges of five species in the south of Europe.