Revision of the type species of Metroperiella (Bryozoa,Cheilostomatida), with the description of two new species

We here fix the types of Schizoporella lepralioides Calvet in Jullien and Calvet, type species of the genus Metroperiella Canu & Bassler, and redescribe the species based on scanning electron microscope examination. Metroperiella populations from the Mediterranean Sea, which have hitherto been regarded as conspecific with Metroperiella lepralioides, are introduced as a new species, Metroperiella mesogeia sp. nov. Accordingly, the geographic distribution of M. lepralioides is restricted to its type locality, the Azores Archipelago (central North Atlantic). Another species, Metroperiella porellidesia sp. nov., which occurs sympatrically with M. lepralioides, is also newly described.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:523EA5DE-B023-48ED-8D85-37CAF5475164     

Raspailiidae (Porifera: Demospongiae: Axinellida) from the Mexican Pacific Ocean with the description of seven new species

The taxonomy of the family Raspailiidae has always been controversial. The family was first included in the order Poecilosclerida. It was then allocated to the order Axinellida and later moved back to Poecilosclerida. Currently with the development of molecular tools it has been assigned to the order Axinellida. In this contribution we describe 10 species from the Mexican Pacific Ocean. Seven of them are new to science: Raspailia (Parasyringella) rubra sp. nov., Raspailia (Raspaxilla) hymani (Dickinson 1945 Dickinson, MG. 1945. Sponges on the Gulf of California. Allan Hancock Pac Exp, 11(1): 1–251.  [Google Scholar]), Raspailia (Raspaxilla) hyle (de Laubenfels 1930 de Laubenfels, MW. 1930. The sponges of California. (Abstracts of dissertations for the degree of doctor of philosophy). Stanford Univ Bull, 5(98): 24–29.  [Google Scholar]), Aulospongus cerebella (Dickinson 1945 Dickinson, MG. 1945. Sponges on the Gulf of California. Allan Hancock Pac Exp, 11(1): 1–251.  [Google Scholar]), Aulospongus californianus sp. nov., Aulospongus aurantiacus sp. nov., Eurypon patriciae sp. nov., Eurypon tylospinosum sp. nov., Eurypon diversicolor sp. nov. and Eurypon brunus sp. nov. We discuss the genus Eurypon and include a table for all the species described worldwide with some comments about this genus. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D462084B-EE9C-4C61-884A-C9DB70003B4A     

The first record of a benthic polar chaetognath: a new Spadella from the Antarctic

A new benthic chaetognath, Spadella antarctica n. sp., is described from depths between 193 and 500 m in the Weddell Sea (Antarctic Ocean) and comparisons are made with related species of Spadella. Ecological remarks on this genus are provided.     

The genus Coralaxius redefined,with the description of two new species (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidae)

The genus Coralaxius is rediagnosed, and the type species C. nodulosus (Meinert, 1877), the holotype of which was found to be identical with C. abelei Kensley and Gore, 1982, is redescribed. The two new species of Coralaxius are described, viz. C. galapagensis from the Galapagos Islands, and C. indopacificus from Fiji and the Comoro Islands. On the basis of carapace, gill and appendage characters, it is concluded that C. indopacificus is more primitive than the other two species. The genus is thought to have had a tethyan distribution, with the eastern Pacific representative being cut off from the western Atlantic form with the raising of the Isthmus of Panama.     

Revision of the genus Niwaella in China (Pisces,Cobitidae), with description of two new species

Loaches of the genus Niwaella, family Cobitidae, are distributed only in East Asia. At present only in Japan and South Korea have fishes of the genus Niwaella been found. Herein we revise the genus Niwaella in China. Son and He () transferred the species Cobitis laterimaculata to the genus Niwaella, but their specimens were not N. laterimaculata, but a new species, N. longibarba sp. n., collected from Cao'ejiang River, Huangzezhen, Chengxian County, Zhejiang Province. The new species is distinguished from N. laterimaculata by its colour pattern of a row of slightly large, and long, scattered dark brown vertical bars on the dorsolateral surface, two or three striations on the caudal fin, and long barbels and undeveloped mental lobes. In this paper we also describe another new species, N. xinjiangensis sp. n., collected from Xinjiang River, Guangfeng County, Jiangxi Province, May 1990, with diagnostic colour pattern of 17–20 large and long, dark brown vertical bars on the dorsolateral surface, a dark stripe or rounded black spots along the lateral midline and some blotches below the lateral midline; it is a large‐sized species, with shorter barbels, and longer caudal peduncle. Thus five species of the genus Niwaella are known, three are endemic to eastern China and two are endemic to either Japan or South Korea.     

Swedish nemerteans (phylum Nemertea), with description of a new hoplonemertean genus and species

A survey of the nemertean fauna along the Swedish west coast found specimens of 20 genera and 32 species, of which one genus and species is new to science (Tetraneuronemertes lovgreni gen. et sp. n.). The proportions of the three taxa Hoplonemertea, Heteronemertea, and Palaeonemertea are 34, 55, and 11%, respectively, with respect to specimen numbers, and the proportions for species within these taxa are 53, 31 and 16%, respectively. The most common species encountered during the survey were the heteronemerteans Lineus bilineatus, Micrura fasciolata, and Micrura purpurea, the hoplonemertean Nipponnemertes pulcher, and the palaeonemertean Cephalothrix rufifrons.     

Tedania (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) from the Mexican Pacific with the description of two new species

Two new species of Tedania (Porifera: Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida) are described from the Mexican Pacific. Tedania (Tedania) tropicalis sp. nov. is an encrusting to massive sponge having ectosomal tylotes with microspined heads, choanosomal styles and onychaetes. Tedania (Tedania) fulvum sp. nov. is a thinly encrusting sponge having ectosomal tylotes with smooth heads, choanosomal styles and onychaetes. Tables for all the Tedania (subgenera Tedania and Tedaniopsis) and Trachytedania species described worldwide are included. We suggest that species of Tedania and Trachytedania bearing ectosomal diactinal spicules (excluding Tedania (Stylotedania)) can be separated in two main groups: those having choanosomal monactinal spicules and those with choanosomal diactinal spicules.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5B212DC3-3827-44D5-8E63-3E652BCB29E6     

Redefinition of the parastenocaridid genus Proserpinicaris (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), with description of three new species from Korea

Proserpinicaris young sp. nov., Proserpinicaris wangpi sp. nov. and Proserpinicaris imjin sp. nov. are described from subterranean waters of South Korea. They are short-range endemics, allopatric in distribution and closely related to each other, and to two other Far Eastern congeners. Distinguishing features are limited to the general habitus shape, proportions of the caudal rami and degree of sexual dimorphism. The genus Proserpinicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], as redefined here, is Palaearctic in distribution, with the centre of diversity in southern Europe, and 20 valid members, all of which share a large hyaline spiniform structure on the male fourth leg basis as a synapomorphy. A key to species is provided. Genera Niponnicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] and Pannonicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] are established as its junior subjective synonyms, Lacustricaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] is formally synonymized with Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913, and Parastenocaris lacustris Chappuis, 1958 Chappuis, PA. 1958. Le genre Parastenocaris Kessler. Vie Milieu, 8: 423–432.  [Google Scholar] is designated as incertae sedis in Fontinalicaridinae Schminke, 2010 Schminke, HK. 2010. High-level phylogenetic relationships within Parastenocarididae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). Crustaceana, 83: 343–367. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar].     

Notes on the genus Gargela (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), with descriptions of two new species from China

ABSTRACT

The present paper adds two new species to the genus Gargela Walker, 1864 from China: Gargela polyacantha Li, sp. nov. and G. grandispinata Li, sp. nov. The adults and genital structures of the new species are described, with images of the habitus and illustrations of the genitalia. Type specimens are deposited in the Insect Museum, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, P. R. China.

http://www.zoobnk.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:05960EEA-6FA7-4D37-BC16-F69B5DF891F5     

A new subgenus Parastegana (Allstegana) (Diptera,Drosophilidae), with descriptions of two new species from South China

A new subgenus Allstegana is established within the genus Parastegana, including two known and two new species from southern China: P. (A.) maculipennis (Okada, 1971), P. (A.) drosophiloides (Toda and Peng, 1992 Toda, M. J. and Peng, T. X. 1992. Some species of the subfamily Steganinae (Diptera: Drosophilidae) from Guangdong Province, southern China.. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (N.S.), 28: 201–213. [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), P. (A.) brevivena Chen and Zhang, sp. nov., and P. (A.) punctalata Chen and Watabe, sp. nov. A key to all known species of Parastegana is provided.     

Monstrilloids (Crustacea: Copepoda) from the Mediterranean Sea (Northern Adriatic Sea), with a description of six new species

Monstrilloid copepods collected during zooplankton surveys carried out over several years (2009–2016) in the Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea, were examined. A total of seven species were found, of which six are undescribed, five of Cymbasoma and one of Monstrilla. These new species are described, illustrated and compared herein with its known congeners. Two of them are related to the C. rigidum species complex. One of these species is described based on both the male and the female; sexes were linked by identical details of the cephalic structure and the antennulary armature. Two previous reports of females attributed to C. tumorifrons from the Mediterranean relate to specimens that in fact belong to a new species, C. mediterranea. The most abundant species was M. grandis, which had a remarkable aggregation around the Trieste harbour in 2015. Male and female specimens of this assumedly widespread species were examined and the observed intra-specific morphological variability is reported and compared with previous illustrated reports; this nominal species probably this nominal species, probably represents a species complex. The addition of the new species here described brings the number of nominal species in the Mediterranean-Black Sea region to 26.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3D4B38E4-CCCD-4BD6-AC57-B59343A865F7     

Reproduction and morphology of Polydorella (Polychaeta: Spionidae), including the description of a new species from the Philippines

A new spionid polychaete, Polydorella kamakamai, associated with sponges is described from the Philippines. Polydorella kamakamai is characterized by acicular neurosetae in segments 2–7, a fifth segment containing a ventral row of spines with digitiform bosses, and lack of branchiae. As in all members of the genus, P. kamakamai undergoes asexual reproduction via paratomy; the process of paratomy is examined through scanning electron and light microscopy. This species exhibits a growth zone following segment 10, leading to the production of stolon individuals budding from the stock individual; five or more individuals can thus be formed in a single chain. Paratomic division typically occurs in chains containing four to five individuals and as a result colonies are dominated by chains of two individuals. Sexual reproduction is documented for only the second time in the genus; P. kamakamai produces eggs in segments 13–15. Asexual reproduction and fine morphological structure of the ventral spines of the fifth segment are examined by SEM in P. dawydoffi and P. stolonifera. Polydorella dawydoffi is recorded for the first time from the Philippines and the Red Sea and these are compared to type specimens from Vietnam. The ventral spines of P. dawydoffi contain eight or nine rounded or pointed teeth along the apical end and a capillary extension not previously observed with light microscopy. Notes on feeding biology, parasitism by copepods, and a discussion of the evolutionary relationships of Polydorella and other polydorids are provided.     

Species diversity of Tetrigidae (Orthoptera) in Guizhou,China with description of two new species

Guizhou Province, located in southwest China, is famous for its wholly karst landforms, in which many pygmy locusts with poor dispersal ability have been isolated and preserved. Species diversity of Tetrigidae from Guizhou is introduced, which deals with six sub-families, 28 genera and 69 species, among them, 33 species are endemic to Guizhou. Two new species, Paragavialidum prominemarginatus Zha & Ding sp. nov. and Teredorus jinshaensis Zha & Ding sp. nov. are described and illustrated with photographs. Flatocerus chishuiensis, Flatocerus nigritibialis and Flatocerus nigrifemura are considered as synonyms of Flatocerus wuyishanensis. Flatocerus wuyishanensis is redescribed and photographed based on our collections.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:334D6268-E3C1-450E-A3A2-31F9839B4EE6     

A review of the genus Geraldus Fitton (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Banchinae), with description of a new species

An undescribed species of Banchinae from Chile in the Natural History Museum collections is described as Geraldus fittoni Broad, sp. nov. Four more specimens of Geraldus cambrensis have been found, from Chile and Argentina. The monophyly of Geraldus and of Philogalleria are supported.     

Taxonomy and ecology of the porcellanid crab Polyonyx cometes Walker, 1887 (Crustacea: Decapoda), with description of a new genus

The taxonomy of the rare porcellanid crab, Polyonyx cometes Walker, 1887 (Crustacea Decapoda), is reconsidered in the light of fresh material from Singapore, as well as the newly obtained first zoeal stage. Polyonyx cometes possesses numerous adult and larval characters which warrant the establishment of a new genus for the species. The species is confirmed as a commensal of the worm Chaetopterus (Annelida, Polychaeta).     

The genus Thoradonta in Thailand (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae: Scelimeninae) with description of two new species

The genus Thoradonta Hancock (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae: Scelimeninae) is newly reported from Thailand. Two new species of the genus, Thoradonta lativertexoides sp. nov. and Thoradonta spiculobaoides sp. nov., are described and illustrated with photographs and compared with similar species. A taxonomic review of the genus Thoradonta is provided and a key to all known species of the genus is given.     

Synopsis of the genus Pseudoperma Dillon and Dillon, 1946 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), with description of a new species

A synopsis of Pseudoperma is provided. This genus mainly differs from Onocephala and Stethoperma by the antennal tubercles well separated; antennae relatively short, in the female subequal to the body length; and scape and third antennomere subequal in length. Pseudoperma includes two species, P. chalcogramma (Bates, 1887) and P. patruelis (Breuning, 1940), both from Brazil; herein we describe one new species, Pseudoperma lingafelteri sp. nov. from Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). This species differs from its congeners mainly in having the frons and occiput covered with greyish pubescence, and the sides of the elytra with several interrupted or coalescent vittae. We provide new distribution data for Pseudoperma patruelis (Breuning, 1940) from Brazil, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Santa Catarina, as well as illustrations and a key to the species of Pseudoperma.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FFD274A3-3AA8-457E-A54C-4CA5AB0340AB     

Host ranges of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Ichneumonidae) reared from Epermenia chaerophyllella (Goeze) (Lepidoptera: Epermeniidae) in Britain,with description of a new species of Triclistus (Ichneumonidae)

The complex of parasitoids attacking larval stages of Epermenia chaerophyllella in Britain is outlined, and the host range of each of the species recorded (three braconids and four ichneumonids) is discussed. ‘Ecological’ factors, such as the behavioural similarity of unrelated hosts during the vulnerable parts of their life histories, seem to have been important in the evolution of the host associations of several of these parasitoids, even though they are koinobionts. A new species, Triclistus epermeniae Shaw and Aeschlimann, is described.