Demosponges of the red coral bottoms from the Alboran Sea

This paper deals with a study of demosponge fauna inhabiting the red coral facies on the circalitoral bottoms surrounding the Alboran Island (Western Mediterranean, Alboran Sea). A total of 58 species were recognized, after examining a total of 107 sponges. Two of these species are new to science (Plakinastrella mixta sp. nov. and Leptolabis megachela sp. nov.) and another one (Rhaphidectyon spinosum Topsent) is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean. Some other specimens collected belonging to poorly known species, such as Erylus papulifer Pulitzer-Finali, Isops anceps (Vosmaer), Spongosorites flavens Pulitzer-Finali and Timea cumana Pulitzer-Finali, are described briefly. Two controversial specimens, assigned to Microciona spinarcus and Plocamilla cf. novizelanica, are also described and discussed. A high degree of epibiosis and abundance of rare species were the major features characterizing the material studied.     

The Cassidininae Hansen, 1905 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Sphaeromatidae) of Australia

The Cassidininae of Australia are revised. The status of the subfamily is assessed and it is concluded that, as presently constituted, the Cassidininae is an artificial taxon. It is maintained here as a taxon of convenience (sensu lato) until the other sphaeromatid subfamilies can be reassessed, but a new diagnosis (sensu stricto) is given. The genus Cassidina is redescribed. Three new genera are established: Agostodina gen. nov. (type species: A. munta sp. nov.), Apemosphaera gen. nov. (type species: A. naranagi sp. nov.) and Discidina gen. nov. (type species: D. banawarra sp. nov.). New diagnoses are provided for the genera Cassidina Milne Edwards, Chitonopsis Whitelegge, Cassidinidea Hansen, Paracassidina Baker, Syncassidina Baker and Platysphaera Holdich and Harrison. The genus Dies is placed in synonymy with Cassidinidea and an annotated list is given of all species of the genus. The following new species (excluding the new type species) are described: Chitonopsis booyoolie, Agostodina munta, Paracassidina anasilla, P. bakeri, P. bamarook, P. bilbie, P. cervina, P. dama, P. fuscina, P. incompta, P. kutyo, P. munna, P. petala, P. prolata, P. wurrook and Cassidinidea korpie. Keys to the Australian genera and species are given.     

First record of the sponge genera Crambe and Discorhabdella for the eastern Pacific,with description of three new species

Three new sponge species are described from the Pacific coast of Panama, namely Crambe panamensis n. sp., Discorhabdella urizae n. sp. and Discorhabdella littoralis n. sp. This is the first record of the genera Crambe and Discorhabdella for the eastern Pacific, which represents not only a considerable expansion in their known biogeographical distribution, but also empirical support for their Tethyan origin. The new species provide a better understanding of the skeletal evolution in these peculiar genera, representing a lineage in which aster-derived spicules occur within a typical poecilosclerid skeleton. The skeleton of C. panamensis consists of ectosomal subtylostyles, choanosomal tylostyles with smooth tyle, basal desmas of astroclone type only, and anchorate isochelae. The skeleton of D. urizae consists of ectosomal subtylostyles, choanosomal tylostyles with tuberose tyle, basal acanthostyles with aster-like tyle, anchorate isochelae, sigmas, and distinctive twisted microxeas. The skeleton of D. littoralis consists of ectosomal tylostyles, choanosomal tylostyles that occasionally show remains of tubercles in the tyle, basal acanthostyles with a tyle intermediate between aster-like and regular morphology, and sigmas. The skeletal affinities of Crambe and Discorhabdella with the genera Lithochela and Monanchora are discussed, and a new family concept based on all four genera is proposed. The name Crambeidae is proposed for such a family, to replace the pre-occupied name Crambidae.     

Sibling species in the marine pollution indicator genus Pontonema Leidy (Nematoda: Oncholaimidae), with a description of P. mediterranea sp. nov.

Species of the marine nematode genus Pontonema have been found to dominate the macrobenthos under abnormally high conditions of particulate organic enrichment. Populations from organically enriched habitats in six localities (Kiel fjord, Germany; the Garroch Head sewage-sludge dump ground in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland; Cornelian Bay, N.E. England; the Tyne estuary, N.E. England; Sete, N.W. Mediterranean, France; Blanes Bay, N.W. Mediterranean, Spain) have been compared. Multivariate analyses of 16 morphometric characters in males, and 13 in females, shows that each population is significantly different morphologically from every other population. However, there is morphological overlap between the populations, and it is considered pragmatic to recognize three species in this group, based on a few stable morphological characters: P. vulgare (Bastian, 1865) from the Baltic, P. alaeospicula Bett and Moore 1988 from the UK sites, and P. mediterranea sp. nov. from the Mediterranean. P. mediterranea sp. nov. is described. The species were not found to have established sympatry in this study, unlike many other opportunistic taxa from organically enriched habitats, and the significance of this is discussed.     

The identity of Yoldia micrometrica Seguenza, 1877 and three new deep-sea protobranchs from the Mediterranean (Bivalvia)

Three new species are described from the relatively well-known deep Mediterranean protobranch fauna. Yoldiella wareni n. sp. is a miniaturized species so far misidentified as Yoldiella micrometrica (Seguenza, 1877), which is a Pleistocene species (neotype here designated). Yoldiella ovulum n. sp. is similar to Y. micrometrica, of which it may represent a descendant species. Ledella marisnostri n. sp. is the second species known for the genus in the Mediterranean. These three species are thought to be endemic to the Mediterranean, where they may represent either persisting Plio-Pleistocene species which survived the changes from psychrospheric to homeothermic conditions, or newly adapted species, evolved from Plio-Pleistocene ancestors. In the second case, they seem to be the result of an ongoing differentiation of the deep Mediterranean protobranch fauna from the North-East Atlantic one, due to the physical isolation of the Mediterranean basin.     

Contribution to the knowledge of the genus Pseudomonocelis Meixner, 1943 (Rhabditophora: Proseriata)

A new species of the genus Pseudomonocelis (P. caribbea sp. n.) is described. It is distinguished from congenerics by shape and size of the copulatory organ and relative positions of mouth and genital openings. It is the first species of the genus found in America. Sampling in east Africa (Zanzibar island) revealed two species, attributed to P. pardii and, tentatively, to P. cavernicola, both originally described from Somaliland. Morphological differences between Tanzanian and Somali specimens are reported. The Mediterranean P. ophiocephala, based on extensive morphological and karyological survey of 13 populations, is interpreted as constituting at least two sibling species, distinguishable solely on the basis of karyotype. Results support the notion that the present perception of the contribution of interstitial Rhabditophora to marine biodiversity may be unrepresentative.     

A new species of stoloniferous octocoral (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea) from the south-western Indian Ocean

A new species of stolonate octocoral referable to the genus Scleranthelia Studer, 1878 (family Clavulariidae), is described from the East London and Durban regions of South Africa. The species is frequently encountered by dredge at depths ranging from 85 to 340 m. Scleranthelia thomsoni sp. nov. has been confused with the northern Atlantic species S. rugosa (Pourtalés, 1867) (= S. musiva Studer, 1878) by previous authors, but a comparison of material representing both species has shown them to be distinctly differentiated.     

A redescription of Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum Cobbold, 1858 with comments on other marine species of Diphyllobothrium Cobbold, 1858

Diphyllobothrium stemmacephalum, the type-species of the genus Diphyllobothrium, is redescribed based on specimens found in Phocaena phocaena (L.) caught off Denmark and the Netherlands as well as specimens from the County Museum (Liverpool) from the type-locality. In addition, some other Diphyllobothrium species from marine mammals, D. cordatum, D. lanceolatum, D. hians, D. cameroni, D. elegans, D. lashleyi, D. wilsoni, D. rauschi sp. nov. (= syn. D. hians sensu Rausch, 1969) and D. minutus sp. nov. (= syn. D. elegans sensu Rausch, 1969), are briefly redescribed. In conclusion, a systematic grouping of the species is tried.     

The genus Platypalpus Macquart (Diptera: Hybotidae) from Northeast Thailand with comments on the species groups in the Oriental region

The first records on the genus Platypalpus Macquart from Thailand are presented including 10 species new to science: P. fai sp. nov., P. gaemluang sp. nov., P. hualuang sp. nov., P. isaanensis sp. nov., P. nuadkhao sp. nov., P. phomyaaw sp. nov., P. seedam sp. nov., P. seeluang sp. nov., P. siamensis sp. nov., and P. thaicus sp. nov.. A key to these species is provided. All species of Platypalpus known from the Oriental Region (totally 54) are arranged into the species groups currently established for the genus. Eight species groups are recognized from the Oriental Realm and the distribution of each group is briefly discussed. The P. albiseta‐group is most diverse in the Orient with 16 species recorded. Two species of this group possess a modified structure and vestiture of certain abdominal segments that is the first record of this phenomenon in Platypalpus. Also, within the P. albiseta‐group a complex of closely related species sharing an apomorphous condition of the hypoproct has been recognized. In these species the structure of the hypoproct is likely to deal with clasping during copulation instead of the cerci and epandrial lamellae.     

XL.—Deux cercopides nouveaux de l'Equateur

Summary

A history of the genus Pseudanisakis Layman &; Borovkova, 1926, is given. After studies on two species of the genus with both light and scanning electron microscopes, the genus is re-defined. A nomen novum, P. tricupola, is proposed for the type-species, P. rotundata (Rud., 1819) Mosgovoi, 1950, and another, P. baylisi, is proposed for Eustoma rotundatum (Rud., 1819) of Punt (1941). These two species are re-described, and a larval stage of P. tricupola is described for the first time. P. rajae Yamaguti, 1941, sensu nov. is included in the genus. Anacanthocheilus australis of Johnston &; Mawson (1945) is placed in the genus Acanthocheilus Molin, 1858. Acanthocheilus and Pseudanisakis are distinguished, and aspects of their life-histories commented upon.     

Four new species of Platycephala with a key to the Chinese species (Diptera,Chloropidae)

The following four new species of the genus Platycephala from China are described: Platycephala apicinigra sp. nov., P. brevifemura sp. nov., P. lateralis sp. nov. and P. nanlingensis sp. nov. An updated key to the species of the genus Platycephala from China is presented.     

Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae)

The Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus Andaniexis Stebbing, 1906 (Amphipoda: Stegocephalidae) are reviewed, and three new species are described. The species Andaniexis abyssi (Boeck, 1871) which previously was considered a widely distributed species (from Baffin Bay to both Spitzbergen and the Skagerrak), is here divided into three species: Andaniexis abyssi s.str., Andaniexis gracilis n.sp. and Andaniexis lupus n.sp. These species, together with Andaniexis mimonectes Ruffo, 1975, all have allopatric distributions. This is especially evident in northern Norway, where A. abyssi has its northernmost limit: A. abyssi is found in Solbergfjorden (69°10′N), while Andaniexis lupus is found in the adjacent fjord Malangen (69°30′N, the southern limit of this species along the Norwegian coast). Andaniexis eilae n.sp. is described from Iceland. This species is not closely related to the other North Atlantic species of the same genus.     

Red Sea Phyllidiidae (Mollusca,Nudibranchia), with descriptions of new species

All the known Red Sea nudibranchs of the family Phyllidiidae are described and their taxonomic positions discussed. The genus Fryeria Gray, 1853, is regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Phyllidia Cuvier, 1797, and Reyfria gen. nov. is introduced to describe those species differing from Phyllidia primarily in the position of the anus. Of 12 species described here from the Red Sea, four are new to science. Phyllidia arabica Ehrenberg, 1831, is distinguished from Phyllidia varicosa Lamarck, 1801, and Phyllidia sp. is described as the third species confused with this group. A subspecies of P. ocellata Cuvier, 1804, is described and illustrated, as are three new species: P. melanocera, P. monacha and P. multifaria.     

African Derbidae (Homoptera,Fulgoroidea): taxonomic notes with descriptions of new species collected mainly from coconut

An annotated list of the African Derbidae described since Synave's 1973 monograph is given, with some corrections and additions to that work together with a revision of the genus Robigus from Africa. The following new species are described: Diostrombus schuilingi sp. nov., D. mkurangai sp. nov., Zorabana vipaku sp. nov., Patara minazi sp. nov., P. chambeziensis sp. nov., Paraphenice mawai, sp. nov., Phenice pongwei sp. nov., Robigus magawai sp. nov., Robigus synavei sp. nov. (= R. tortrinotatus sensu Synave, 1973), Kamendaka ukutu sp. nov. All of these new species with the exception of R. synavei were collected from coconut. The following new synonomies are made: Proutista fritillaris (Boheman) = P. tesselata (Westwood) syn. nov., Diostrombus abdominalis (Distant) = D. moerensis Synave syn. nov., Paraphenice dissimilis Synave = Pamendanga fuscinervis Van Stalle syn. nov., Zoraida fuligipennis Muir = Z. nigeriensis Synave syn. nov., Platocera africana Muir, omitted in error from Synave (1973), is described and figured. Proutista moesta (Westwood) is recorded from Africa for the first time.     

A new genus and three new species of free‐living marine nematodes from the Yellow Sea,China

One new genus, Paramphimonhystrella gen. nov., and three new species of free‐living marine nematodes in this genus, P. elegans sp. nov., P. minor sp. nov., and P. sinica sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the Yellow Sea, China. Paramphimonhystrella gen. nov. differs from the similar genus Amphimonhystrella by the elongated buccal cavity, cervical setae and large caudal glands. Paramphimonhystrella elegans sp. nov. is characterized by ovoid amphids and spicules with a small hook at distal end and cylindrical part of tail shorter than conical part. Paramphimonhystrella sinica sp. nov. is characterized by circular amphids, wide buccal cavity, spicules with blunt tip, and cylindrical part of tail longer than conical part. Paramphimonhystrella minor sp. nov. differs from the other two species by its smaller body (shorter than 800 µm), circular amphids, and spicules with sharp tip. The type species of this new genus is P. elegans gen. nov. and sp. nov. Types are deposited in the College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China.     

First host records for the rogadine genera Rogasodes Chen and He and Canalirogas van Achterberg and Chen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with description of a new species and survey of mummy types within Rogadinae s. str.

The parasitic wasp genus Rogasodes is recorded for the first time outside mainland China, based on a new species, R. scytaloptericola Quicke and Shaw sp. nov., from Java. Rearing data and host remains associated with the type specimen show that it is a parasitoid of the palm‐feeding drepanid moth, Scytalopteryx elongata (Snellen). Canalirogas sp. aff. balgooyi van Achterberg and Chen is recorded from an unidentified lymantriid on clove trees in Indonesia (Sumatra) and illustrated. Both of these are the first host records for the genera. Rogas spilonotus Cameron is transferred to Canalirogas. A survey of mummy sclerotization and adult emergence holes in the subfamily Rogadinae sensu stricto is presented. The data suggest an early shift to a posterior emergence position, with a strictly dorsal position being largely characteristic of the common genus Aleiodes. Only Aleiodes and a few apparently closely related taxa, including Hemigyroneuron, typically form heavily sclerotized mummies.