Ultrastructure of the prezoeal cuticle and integument of the first zoea of Pagurus brachiomastus (Thallwitz) (Anomura,Paguridae) just after hatching

Transverse sections of the prezoea stage of Pagurus brachiomastus (Thallwitz) were made to determine the fine structure of the prezoeal cuticle and the exoskeleton of the first zoea, by using transmission electron microscopy. The thin cuticle covering the newly hatched prezoea is 15–17 nm thick, which is approximately 24 times thinner than the zoeal cuticle. High resolution revealed a trilaminar structure of the prezoeal cuticle, which is composed of an outer layer, approximately 4·4 nm thick, a mid lighter layer, approximately 3·5 nm thick, and an inner layer, approximately 7·7 nm thick. During the prezoeal stage, the inner zoeal exoskeleton consists of an epicuticle and an exocuticle, measuring approximately 0·36 μm thick. At this stage, there were no indications of the formation of endocuticle.     

A comparative study of the larval development of Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Summary

Comparative accounts are given of the larval and first crab stages of three crab species belonging to the family Xanthidae: Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus). Features are discussed that distinguish the larvae of these species from those of other N.E. Atlantic brachyrhynch crabs.     

Some European Processidae (Crustacea,Decapoda, Caridea)

Summary

The name Processa canaliculata Leach has been applied to a species other than that to which the holotype belongs. The species P. canaliculata Nouvel & Holthuis non Leach has no valid name; it is re-named P. nouveli, with type material from Monaco.

P. nouveli and P. canaliculata have been considered to be conspecific by one recent author. New characters for their separation are described from Irish Sea material.

The northern form of P. nouveli differs from the Mediterranean form sufficiently to be placed in a separate subspecies. The name P. nouveli holthuisi is proposed for it, with type material from the Irish Sea.

The distribution of the four species and subspecies of Processa known to occur in northern Europe is reviewed.     

Pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Pagurus exilis (Anomura,Paguridae) on the northern coast of São Paulo State,Brazil

The purpose of this study was to determine the shell occupation pattern of Pagurus exilis using the percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationship between hermits and occupied shells. Specimens were collected monthly from July 2001 to June 2003. A total of 1737 individuals were collected, occupying 19 gastropod shell species. Buccinanops gradatum (82%) was the most occupied shell, followed by Natica isabelleana (6.4%), Stramonita haemastoma (3.2%), and Cymatium parthenopeum (2.2%). There was a differential shell utilization pattern between sexes; males occupied larger and heavier shells while the non‐ovigerous females occupied the lightest ones. Pagurus exilis occupied more bare shells instead of incrusted ones. Buccinanops gradatum was the most occupied shell species as a function of its availability in the survey, and this occupation is strongly associated with the higher internal volume presented by these shells.     

Hairworms found in Scottish agricultural land,with descriptions of two new species of Gordionus Muller (Nematomorpha: Gordiidae)

Three species of Nematomorpha were found in a survey of the ground beetles of Scottish agricultural land, Gordionus violaceus (Baird) and two undescribed new species, G. linourgos sp. nov. and G. diligens sp. nov. The morphology of all three species is studied with the aid of SEM, and the characteristics of the cuticle and the male terminal lobes described in detail. All species were found to be parasitic in ground beetles of the family Carabidae, in nine different species (Nebria brevicollis (Fabricius), Harpalus latus (Linnaeus), four species of Pterostichus, and three species of Calathus). Gordionus violaceus is also reported to be a parasite of the spider Arctosa alpigena (Lycosidae). Up to four specimens were found in the same host, typically one adult and several juvenile forms. Parasitized hosts had severe alterations of their reproductive, digestive and secretory systems. The three species of Gordionus were mostly found in grasslands and coniferous forest, most abundantly in June and July.     

Northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean hermit crabs (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguroidea: Paguridae). I. The genus Pagurus Fabricius, 1775

A reappraisal of adult taxonomy of N.E. Atlantic and Mediterranean hermit crabs upholds the divisions A & B suggested for the species by MacDonal et al. (1957) from their studies of larval features. The nomenclature of three species is discussed. Pagurus variabilis (A. Milne Edwards and Bouvier, 1892) is relegated to the synonomy of P. alatus Fabricius, 1775 and P. excavatus (Herbst, 1791) is reinstated for Mediterranean and southern N. E. Atlantic material. A provisional check list is given of Paguroidean species occurring within the sea area 30°N–80°N:30°W–30°E and the Mediterranean Sea. An illustrated identification key is provided to the Pagurus species within these regions.     

The saproxylic hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Serbia

The revision of the saproxylic hoverflies collected in Serbia from 1950 to 2010 has revealed a total of 56 species, of which Sphiximorpha subsessilis (Illiger in Rossi) is new to the Balkan Peninsula and Arctophila superbiens (Muller), Blera fallax (Linnaeus), Brachyopa panzeri Goffe, Brachyopa testacea (Fallén), Brachyopa vittata Zetterstedt and Chalcosyrphus piger (Fabricius) are new to Serbia. According to “Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae”, 16 of the 56 species are threatened with extinction in Europe, while 6 species are “strictly protected” and 13 are “protected” under Serbian legislation. Distribution maps for each species, as well as new data on adult habitats, are provided. The conservation status of the saproxylic hoverflies of Serbia is discussed. The present study attempts to provide a basis for the conservation of the saproxylic hoverflies of this Balkan country.     

An investigation into the metazoan parasites of the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias L.), off the west coast of Ireland

The present study was undertaken to examine the parasite fauna of spiny dogfish, and to determine seasonal variations in infection rates and faunal composition. A total of 10 metazoan parasite species was recorded, of which four species occurred in the intestine, three species were parasitic on the gills, two species occurred on the skin, and one species parasitized the spiracle. However, a cumulative parasite species richness curve indicated that a larger sample may have yielded additional parasite species. The parasite assemblage consisted of five species of copepods (Eudactylina acanthii Scott, Caligus curtis Müller, Pandarus bicolor Leach, Echthrogaleus coleoptratus (Guerin-Meneville) and Pseudocharopinus bicaudatus (Krøyer)), two species of nematodes (Anisakis simplex Rudolphi and Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi)), two species of cestodes (Trilocularia gracilis Olssen and Gilguina squali (Fabricius)), and one species of monogenean (Erpocotyle abbreviata (Olssen)). The parasite fauna was found to be similar to that of S. acanthias from the North Sea, and from New Zealand waters. Results obtained during the present study indicate that the infection rates of certain parasite species display seasonal cycles, most species displaying their greatest prevalence in spring and their lowest prevalence in autumn.     

Studies on the provenzanoi and other pagurid groups: VI. Larval and early juvenile stages of Pagurus ochotensis Brandt (Decapoda; Anomura; Paguridae) from a northeastern Pacific population,reared under laboratory conditions

Zoeal, megalopal, and early juvenile stages of Pagurus ochotensis (Brandt, 1851) from a northeastern Pacific population are described from laboratory-reared individuals. Zoeal and megalopal development in this population is compared with that described for a population of this species from Hokkaido, Japan. First and second juvenile crab stages of this species are described for the first time. The nearly identical developmental morphology of the two populations supports the earlier synonymy of the northeastern Pacific species, Pagurus alaskensis (Benedict) with P. ochotensis.     

Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles as a chemotaxonomic tool for three blowfly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) of forensic interest

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHs) contain complex mixtures of components that cover the surface of all insects to restrict water loss, and in many species function in chemical communication. The complex mixtures have been used as a chemotaxonomic tool since the 1970s. The majority of CH components can be identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), allowing hydrocarbon profiles to be used as chemotaxonomic characters, which can differentiate insect species, including cryptic species. The present study used GC-MS for the identification of CHs of males and females of three species of calliphorids: Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) and Lucilia cuprina (Wiedmann), A comparison of the chromatographic profiles from the three species allows them to be readily separated. Hydrocarbons identified from the three species contain 23 to 37 carbons and include n-alkanes, methyl-branched alkanes and alkenes. The most abundant compound for both sexes of C. macellaria was n-heptacosane, while for H. segmentaria it was 2-methyltriacontane; for L. cuprina, however, the most abundant compound was hentriacontene for females and nonacosene for males. The results obtained in this study are important for the establishment of a database to be used in chemotaxonomy of sanitarily and forensically important insects.     

A revision of the genus Pandalus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae)

The genus Pandalus Leach, 1814, is revised based upon the abundant material from collections in various museums or institutions in the world. Altogether 20 species are recognized which appear to form five groups. Nineteen species are recognized in Pandalus, three of which are described as new: P. curvatus from southern Japan, and P. chani and P. formosanus from Taiwan. Four informal species groups are also recognized within the genus: P. montagui group (P. montagui Leach, 1814; P. borealis Krøyer, 1838; P. goniuruStimpson, 1860; P. jordani Rathbun, 1902; P. tridens Rathbun, 1902; and P. eous Makarov, 1935); P. stenolepis group (P. stenolepis Rathbun, 1902; P. curvatus sp. nov.); P. hypsinotus group (P. hypsinotus Brandt, 1851; P. danae Stimpson, 1857; P. prensor Stimpson, 1860; P. gracilis Stimpson, 1860; P. gurneyi Stimpson, 1871; P. nipponensis Yokoya, 1933; P. teraoi Kubo, 1937; P. chani sp. nov.; and P. formosanus sp. nov.); and P. platyceros group (P. platyceros Brandt, 1851; and P. latirostris Rathbun, 1902). The P. platyceros group appears to be most closely related to the genus Pandalopsis Bate, 1888, but Pandalus is retained as a possible paraphyletic group. Protandrous hermaphroditism is known in all but two species of the genus (P. curvatus and P. formosanus), for which only specimens of either male or female have been available. Pandalus propinqvus G. O. Sars, 1870, is transferred to a new monotypic genus Atlantopandalus, because of its lack of hermaphroditism and possession of some unique morphological characters, including one indicating a close relationsip to Dichelopandalus Caullery, 1896. All species are fully described and illustrated. The affinities and important morphological variations of the species are discussed. A key for adults is presented for the identification of the species. Biogeography of the genus is briefly discussed.     

Aquatic Coleoptera from Pakistan: faunistic and zoogeographical contribution (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae: Dytiscidae: Hydrophilidae)

Records of 19 species and one subspecies of water beetles of four families: Gyrinidae (two species), Dytiscidae (seven species), Hydrophilidae (10 species), and Spercheidae (one subspecies) from Pakistan are listed, based on collected material. Four genera and 10 species are recorded from Pakistan for the first time. The newly recorded genera are: Patrus, Helochares, Sternolophus and Coelostoma. The newly recorded species are: Dineutus spinosus (Fabricius, 1781), Patrus haemorrhous (Régimbart, 1891), Copelatus freudei Guignot, 1955, Copelatus sp1, Copelatus sp2, Enochrus ater (Kuwert, 1888), Helochares anchoralis Sharp, 1890, Sternolophus rufipes (Fabricius, 1792), Paracymus aeneus (Germar, 1824) and Coelostoma stultum (Walker, 1858). Zoogeographic affinities of the recorded species are discussed. According to their current distribution, the 18 species known from Pakistan can be classified into five zoogeographical categories.     

A preliminary account of the fly fauna in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve,Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,with new records and biogeographical remarks (Diptera: Insecta)

A preliminary list of Diptera (Insecta) in Garf Raydah Nature Reserve (GRNR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with remarks on their zoogeographic affinities is presented. This is the first in a series of planned faunal studies on different insect orders as an output of a project proposed to study the entire entomofauna of GRNR. A total number of 177 Diptera species belonging to 130 genera, representing 38 families has been listed. Some species have been identified only to genus and listed herein as genera that were not previously recorded from KSA or of a taxonomic or faunal importance. The list records five families, 11 genera and 31 species for the first time in KSA, namely: the families Acroceridae, Asteiidae, Chamaemyiidae, Heleomyzidae and Pipunculidae; the genera Acrocera (Acroceridae), Eremisca (Asilidae), Asteia (Asteiidae), Chamaemyia sp. (Chamaemyiidae), Ochthera (Ephydridae), Physoconops (Conopidae), Pseudoleria (Heleo-myzidae), Salentia (Therevidae), Sapromyza (Lauxaniidae), Sternobrithes (Stratiomyidae), Tomosvaryella (Pipunculidae); and the species Apoclea algira (Linnaeus), Apoclea femoralis (Wiedemann), Promachus rectangularis Loew, Eremisca sp. and Oligopogon nitidus Efflatoun [Asilidae]; Phycus sp., Salentia sp. and Thereva nobilitata (Fabricius) [Therevidae]; Drapetis flavipes Macquartand Platypalpus flavicornis (Meigen) [Hybotidae]; Acrocera sp.1 and Acrocera sp.2 [Acroceridae]; Aspida-cantha atra Kertesz and Sternobrithes sp. [Stratiomyidae]; Tomos-varyella sp.1 and Tomosvaryella sp.2 [Pipunculidae]; Eristalinus taeniops (Wiedemann) and Eumerus amoenus Loew [Syrphidae]; Asteia sp. [Asteiidae]; Chamaemyia sp. [Chamaemyiidae]; Physoconops sp., and Thecophora fulvipes Rubineau-Desvoidy [Conopidae]; Ochthera sp. [Ephydridae]; Pseudoleria pectinata (Loew) [Heleomyzidae]; Cestrotus megacephalus Loew and Sapromyza sp. [Lauxaniidae]; Campylocera oculata Hendel [Pyrgotidae]; Australosepsis niveipennis (Becker) [Sepsidae]; Metasphenisca transilis Munro [Tephritidae]; Anthomyia xanthopus (Hennig) [Anthomyiidae]; and Sarcophaga inaequalis Austen [Sarcophagidae]. More than 50% of the recorded fly species are of an Afrotropical affinity, whereas the Palaearctic elements did not exceed 20%. Only 7% of the species were of both Afrotropical and Palaearctic affinities, and Oriental elements were close to nil. This emphasizes the fact that the southwestern part of KSA, including the study area, belonging to Asir Province, ought to be part of the Afrotropical Region rather than the the Palaearctic Region.     

Pœcilostomatoid copepods parasitic on fishes off the west coast of Africa

Three species of fish-parasitizing poecilostomatoid copepods are redescribed based on material collected off the coasts of Mauritania and Senegambia. They are: Bomolochus unicirrus Richiardi from Lichia glauca Linnaeus, Taeniacanthus balistae (Claus) from Balistes capriscus Gmelin, and Chondracanthus brotulae Capart from Molva molva (Linnaeus).     

A new species of Crepidula (Mollusca: Mesogastropoda: Calyptraeidae) from Chile: additional characters for the identification of eastern Pacific planar Crepidula group

A new species of Crepidula is described. It was collected together with Pagurus edwardsii Dana and Pagurus perlatus H. Milne Edwards, inhabiting the inside of empty shells of Tegula euryomphala Jones and other gastropods. The shell is low convex-oval in juveniles, low convex-oblong in males and concave-oblong elongated in females. In the adult phases the apex projects slightly at the posterior border. The sinusoidal septum is ‘V’ shaped at its centre, with a smooth sulcus in the left quarter. The osphradium has 2–13 digitiform leaflets according to phases of the life cycle. The characteristically thin, external-lateral teeth of the taenioglossate radula possess a row of denticles. In addition, evidence is given that: (1) males have a lanceolate penis with a spermatic tube; (2) the intracapsular-embryonic development starting with many embryos, occurs with a decrease at the larvae-protoconch stage, each one with an adhered-vitelline mass, and culminates with a few prehatching juveniles of 1 mm size. In the expression of the consecutive-protandric hermaphroditic sexuality, the male phase is truly separated from the female phase by a transition period at the population level. The shell and radular morphology, intracapsular development and ecological antecedents allow the proposal of Crepidula coquimbensis as a new species, and suggest a future taxonomic revision of the group based, moreover, on osphradium structure and new characters of the reproductive system, such as penis morphology.     

A new species of Pandaridae (Copepoda), from the whale shark Rhincodon typus (Smith)

The copepod Pandarus rhincodonicus sp. nov. (Copepoda: Pandaridae), collected from whale sharks, Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828) (Orectolobiformes: Rhincodontidae), swimming off the North West Cape of Western Australia, is described. Pandarus rhincodonicus is closely related to Pandarus cranchii Leach, 1819. However, P. rhincodonicus differs from P. cranchii in: the armature of the posterior margin of the cephalon; the plates of segment 2 extend almost to the limit of segment 4; the shape of the caudal rami and shape of the dorsal abdominal plate; and the distribution and numbers of spines and setae on thoracic appendages. It is suggested that P. rhincodonicus is a commensal.