A new genus and species of leptostracan (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Phyllocarida) from Guana Island,British Virgin Islands,and a review of leptostracan genera

Saronebalia guanensis, a new genus and species of leptostracan, is described from material discovered in shallow subtidal waters of Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. The specimens were collected from light traps placed on sediment and by hand from the green alga Halimeda. Saronebalia differs from other leptostracans most notably in the morphology of the antennule and the eighth thoracic limb: the articles of the antennular flagellum are fused and bear dense clusters of setae, and the eighth thoracic limb is elongate. While its eyes, like those of Nebalia, are non-tuberculate, it shares the rostral spine, dentate process of antennular article 4, and serrate pleopodal protopods of Levinebalia and Paranebalia. Specimens of the new genus lack the setal row of the exopod of pleopod 1, a complex feature characteristic of Dahlella, Levinebalia, Nebalia and Paranebalia. A cladistic analysis of the 10 leptostracan genera, using 30 morphological characters from these features and others, also supports the status of Saronebalia as a new genus. Saronebalia represents the third leptostracan genus to be recorded from the Caribbean Sea.     

A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the Sigalphinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), including Pselaphanus Szépligeti,based on 28S rDNA,with descriptions of new Afrotropical and Madagascan Minanga and Malasigalphus species

Minanga phoebea sp. n. Quicke, from Uganda, and Malasigalphus roa sp. n. Sharkey, from Madagascar, are described and illustrated. The new species of Minanga displays a distinct posterior metasomal carina and thus provides another example of the co‐occurrence of this feature with a metasomal carapace within the Braconidae. Malasigalphus roa is the second species of the genus recently described by Achterberg and Austin. A preliminary molecular phylogeny of the Sigalphinae is presented including the rare Neotropical genus Pselaphanus the placement of which has been debated. Sensitivity analysis to multiple alignment parameters was conducted and a single elided data set, based on the combined 21 separate alignments, was analysed. Strong support was obtained for the following relationships: Pselaphanus+(Malasigalphus+(other Sigalphinae)), (Minanga+(Sigalphus bicolor+(S. irrorator+S. gyrodontus))), and Earinini being basal (as a grade in these analyses) to other Agathidinae. The Mesocoelus group of genera (Mesocoelini in part) are shown to be derived agathidines rather than being associated with the Orgilini. The Microtypinae is shown be non‐monophyletic and Plesiotypus Achterberg is proposed as the sister group to the Agathidinae+Sigalphinae clade. The Acampsohelconinae does not appear as monophyletic; however, the placements of both of the two included genera, Afrocampsis and Canalicephalis, had less than 100% support in the elised analysis tree, and therefore monophyly of this recently redefined subfamily must be more rigorously tested.     

Improved geographic sampling provides further evidence for the separation of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae)

Historically, there has been much confusion surrounding the identity and separation of European and North American species of Glossiphonia (Annelida: Clitellata: Glossiphoniidae). Using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences from newly collected specimens of Glossiphonia complanata and Glossiphonia elegans from a broad geographic range covering southern Canada, parts of the US, Slovenia and Croatia, we confirm that G. complanata is likely confined to Europe. The species is phylogenetically distinct from G. elegans, which seems to exclusively inhabit North America. Parsimony and maximum likelihood of the COI locus show the European samples placing as the sister group to an unidentified species of Glossiphonia from Russia, while the North American samples are the sister group to all other Glossiphonia species. We also investigate the consistency of number of crop cecae for separating these species and contrary to previous reports, this character shows no differences between our specimens of the two species. Additionally, the trees show evidence of subdivisions within both G. complanata and G. elegans, with some sequences separated by high ‘intraspecific’ distances. Forces might be shaping population structure and/or potential incipient speciation within these species, emphasizing the need for future research into the biogeography and population genetics of Glossiphonia.     

Dhanya,a South-east Asian genus of ozaenine ground beetles

The species of the South-east Asian genus Dhanya are reviewed, and three new species are described: mulu from Sarawak; andrewesi from India; and cylindera from Philippines. Dhanya bioculata is designated as the type-species and a lectotype is designated for this species. The variety pallida is synonymized with its species seminigra. The species cavicola Moore is transferred from Pseudozaena to Itamus. Keys to the genera of South-east Asian Ozaenini and to the species of Dhanya are provided. Morphological details of Dhanya are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs and drawings, and include information on the structure of the prothoracic pits, elytral flanges, and on microsculpture. A cladistic analysis of the species is included and the relationship of the genus to its sister group, Eustra, and to the other genera of Ozaenini is discussed. Specimens of Dhanya are found under bark of fallen logs and in rotting tree stumps in lowland and upland tropical rain forest; an association with ants or termites is suggested for at least one species.     

The Eucerotinae: a Gondwanan origin for a cosmopolitan group of Ichneumonidae?

A new genus and species of the formerly monobasic and predominantly amphitropical, ichneumonid subfamily, Eucerotinae, is described from Chile. A phylogenetic analysis of the redefined Eucerotinae is undertaken. Barronia araucaria gen. et sp. n. has a sister-group relationship with Euceros. The southern hemisphere species of the latter genus were found to comprise a monophyletic clade, the sister group to all other Euceros species. Similarly all north temperate Euceros species form a monophyletic clade, the sister group of which occurs in Madagascar. Within the former clade, the North American species form a monophyletic group, the sister species of which is Palaearctic. Several other groups of Palaearctic taxa have a sister-group relationship to this lineage. These results suggest the Eucerotinae had an ancient origin on Gondwanaland in the lower Cretaceous, prior to the separation of the Indo-Madagascar terrane from the Australian-Antarctic-South American tectonic plate. We hypothesize the Palaearctic fauna colonized Eurasia following the impaction of India on to its southern margin, and that the North American fauna is derived from a single circum-polar dispersal from Eurasia. Our results do not support an earlier hypothesis that the Eucerotinae arose as hyperparasitoids of Symphyta. Evidence suggests the group arose as parasitoids of ophioniform ichneumonids attacking lepidopterous larvae feeding on gymnosperms or anemophilous angiosperm trees.     

Two new Falcaustra Lane, 1915 species (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from African pipids (Anura)

Two new species of Falcaustra Lane, 1915 are the first to be reported in amphibians from mainland sub-Saharan Africa. Falcaustra puylaerti n. sp. occurs in hosts of the Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis group in Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria. Falcaustra hinkeli n. sp. infects Xenopus (Xenopus) fraseri group hosts at localities in the Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Falcaustra hinkeli and F. puylaerti are probably sister species with respect to described congeners and can be differentiated from each other by the form of the cheilostomal structures, the morphometrics of the anterior body, and by a large difference in male spicule length. Both lack a precloacal pseudosucker and are separated from other Falcaustra spp. which share this characteristic by the pattern of male caudal papillae and by a cheilostomal ring with associated sclerotized elements and posteriorly directed projections. Evolutionary aspects of the host-parasite relationship are discussed. Although alternative hypotheses are possible, the distinctive cheilostomal morphology, the sister species relationship and the host specificity pattern of F. hinkeli and F. puylaerti are consistent with their having undergone an extended evolutionary association with the host genus.     

A new genus and species of Sarcoglanidinae (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from southeastern Brazil,with a re-examination of subfamilial phylogeny

Microcambeva barbata, n. gen. et sp., is described from rio São João, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. It is proposed as the sister group of Malacoglanis and Sarcoglanis, on the basis of three characters: pectoral fin longer than the head, pectoral fin rays projecting well beyond the fin membrane, and a forked caudal fin. Monophyly of the Sarcoglanidinae is confirmed by the unique possession of a long lateral process on the premaxilla and a separate anterior ossification on the palatine. A sister group relationship between the Sarcoglanidinae and the Glanapteryginae is supported by four synapomorphies: a posteriorly directed dorsal process on the quadrate, a large dorsal anteriorly directed process on the hyomandibula, vomer reduced and generalized miniaturization. A more inclusive group composed of Sarcoglanidinae, Glanapteryginae, Tridentinae, Vandeliinae and Stegophilinae is considered monophyletic, since they all exhibit a reduced interopercular patch of odontodes, a reduced or absent metapterygoid, reduction in the number of pleural ribs, and lack an elongate process on the parasphenoid.     

Afrotropical mistletoe butterflies: Larval food plant relationships of Mylothris Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

A detailed list of larval food plants of Mylothris based on review of published records in the literature is presented. Food plants have been reported for some 23 species (40%), although in only eight species (14%) of butterflies have plants been identified to species level. The food plants represent two unrelated orders, Santalales and Polygonales, although nearly all records (93%) are from four closely related families in the former group. Within the Santalales, the family Loranthaceae, a diverse group of aerial stem‐parasitic shrubs (mistletoes), is most frequently exploited. Only two species of Mylothris, M. bernice (Hewitson) and M. rubricosta (Mabille), which are closely related and possibly comprise a single species, are associated with Polygonaceae (Polygonales). Comparison of the morphology of the early stages of M. bernice, and other evidence, clearly indicates that M. bernice/rubricosta belong to Mylothris and do not represent a separate genus or sister group. Comments are made on these diverse food plant relationships within the context of a modern phylogeny of the Santalales and the evolution of parasitic plant feeding in butterflies in general. It is suggested that Mylothris had its major period of evolution and adaptive radiation on the Loranthaceae, probably sometime after the differentiation of most of the families or lineages in the Santalales (rather than on an earlier ancestral branch at or near the root of the Santalales evolutionary tree), and that this association has facilitated host switching multiple times. While more field data are clearly needed to ascertain the full extent of host specificity and range of mistletoe species exploited by Mylothris, this is unlikely to significantly change the patterns of food plant utilization seen at the higher taxonomic (ordinal and familial) levels. Mylothris represents one of only a few diverse groups of Lepidoptera, and insects in general, known to feed predominantly on African mistletoes.     

Relationships of the South African lizards assigned to Aporosaura,Meroles and Pedioplanis (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

Phylogenetic analyses, using parsimony and compatibility methods, were carried out on the South African lacertid lizards assigned in recent times to Aporosaura, Meroles and Pedioplanis. These were based on 80 primary and 102 binary morphological characters which were drawn from osteology, external features, muscles, kidneys and reproductive systems. Contrary to some previous interpretations, there are two well-defined clades: Meroles plus Aporosaura, and Pedioplanis; these form successive branches on the main stem of the phylogeny of advanced lacertids. The clades show considerable parallel development of derived features, presumably because they had very similar initial genetic potential. Relationships within the two groups are shown on p. 800 and p. 802. As Aporosaura anchietae is sister taxon to a clade consisting of three of the seven species of Meroles, it has been transferred to that genus. Relationships in Meroles-Aporosaura are very well substantiated, in contrast to the situation in Pedioplanis. This difference appears to be related to the different kinds of evolutionary history that the two groups have had. The Meroles-Aporosaura clade has spread progressively into increasingly stringent and singular aeolian sand environments which have elicited the production of many, often unique, derived character states related to the functional problems of survival in such situations. As these states are rarely duplicated in outgroups, the characters concerned are easily polarized. This, together with their abundance, means that a robust basis for phylogenetic inference is available. In contrast, Pedioplanis exhibits relatively limited ecological radiation of a kind that also occurs in related groups, and the functionally related derived states elicited are fewer and less distinctive. In fact, production of a phylogeny for Pedioplanis is very dependent on genital characters which seem to be substantially independent of the main ecological changes that have occurred in the genus. The premaxilla is embraced dorsally by the anterior processes of the maxillae in most lacertids, but the processes are less extensive in two sister species of Pedioplanis, P. burchelli and P. laticeps. This modified condition also occurs in the genera Eremias, Acanthodactylus, Mesalina and Ophisops, which together constitute a clade that forms the sister group of Pedioplanis. The modification provides extra evidence for the holophyly of the clade, even though presence in some Pedioplanis shows it to be homoplasious.     

The jumping plant-lice (Hemiptera,Psylloidea) associated with Schinus (Anacardiaceae): systematics,biogeography and host plant relationships

The gall-forming psylloid fauna associated with the temperate Neotropical plant genus Schinus (Anacardiaceae) is revised, and keys are provided for adults, larvae and galls. Fourteen species are recognized in the genus Calophya (Calophyidae), 10 of which are described as new; C. gallifex and C. schini are reinstated from former synonymy with C. rubra. An additional closely related new species, C. clavuligera sp. n., is described from Lithrea spp. In the genus Tainarys (Psyllidae, Rhinocolinae), six species are recognized and, for five of these, Schinus species are confirmed hosts. Two of them are described as new and one is recombined from Leurolophus. A new Leurolophus species is described from Lithrea molleoides. Based on a cladistic analysis Pelmatobrachia, Microceropsylla and Neocalophya are synonymized with Calophya, producing five new and one revised species combinations as well as one nomen nov. A list of the 59 currently recognized species is provided with information on synonymy, distribution and host plants. The cladistic analyses suggest that the Schinus inhabiting calophyids form two monophyletic groups, the C. rubra and C. hermicitae groups, respectively. A discriminant analysis of 15 variables for both males and females provides morphometric characters for separating the morphologically very homogenous adults of the C. rubra group. The phylogenetic relationships of the Rhinocolinae are re-evaluated, and the genera Tainarys and Leurolophus are redefined. Notophyllura is transferred from the Euphyllurinae to the Rhinocolinae. Tainarys forms the sister group of Leurolophus + Notophyllura. Based on mapped distributions four areas of endemism (distribution) are defined: A (Eastern temperate South America), B (Central and Southern Chile, including adjacent parts of Argentina), C (Central Argentina) and D (Peru, Far Northern Chile, and Eastern Bolivia). Cladistic biogeographical analyses with TAS, COMPONENT and an algorithm by Enghoff yielded the general area cladogram (A +(C +(B +D))); the one calculated with BPA differed in the position of D: (D +(A +(B +C))). The reconstruction of vicariant events using a protocol by Hovenkamp, corroborates the former general area cladogram, which is compared to competing hypotheses. The history of dispersal and vicariance events is reconstructed with the programme DIVA. Evidence for cospeciation of Schinus with its associated psylloids is evaluated with COMPONENT and TREE MAP. The likelihood for cospeciation is high in the Calophya hermicitae group, but low in the Calophya rubra group and in Tainarys. The gall shape depends partly from the psylloid, partly from the Schinus phylogeny.     

Phylogeny of Chone Krøyer, 1856 (Polychaeta: Sabellidae) and related genera

An analysis was undertaken to test the monophyly of the sabellid genus Chone Krøyer using maximum parsimony methodology. Cladistic analysis revealed three monophyletic genera whose respective members were assigned previously to Chone. Chone sensu stricto (containing the type species) is defined by the presence of broadly rounded dorsal lips and thoracic uncini with a large tooth above the main fang, followed by a series of smaller teeth. Dialychone Claparède is re‐established for the second genus and a new name – Paradialychone – is proposed for terminals nested in the third clade. Dialychone and Paradialychone gen. nov. are the sister groups of Chone, defined by the presence of a simple pre‐pygidial depression and modified posterior abdominal uncini. Amphicorina Claparède is basal within Sabellinae and Euchone Malmgren is the sister group of Chone, Paradialychone gen. nov. and Dialychone. The analysis supports the transfer of C. princei and C. reayi to Jasmineira Langerhans.     

The affinities of European sand gobies (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

The European ‘sand-goby’ genera, comprising the Atlantic-Mediterranean Pomatoschistus and Gobiusculus, Ponto-Caspian Knipowitschia and West Balkanian Economidichthys, are diagnosed, with special reference to patterns of infraorbital neuromast organs (sensory papillae). A survey of selected meristic features indicates synapomorphies in increased number of abdominal and caudal vertebrae, and additional interneural spaces between first and second dorsal fin pterygiophores. Absence of a crest-like postmaxillary process on the premaxilla was found to be another derived feature after a survey of this bone throughout the Gobioidei. Affinity with other Atlantic-Mediterranean genera (Deltentosteus, Buenia, Lebetus and, probably, Speleogobius) is established from both morphological and isozyme criteria. Using head lateral-line and meristic characters, as well as occurrence of the premaxilla crest, a search for a sister group has led to the Indo-Pacific Nesogobius, a genus endemic to southern Australian seas, and probable wider relationship to North-western Pacific endemic gobiids.     

Molecular and morphological identification of two new African species of Dugesia (Platyhelminthes,Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from Cameroon

The paper describes two new Dugesia species collected from the rivers Messassi and Ntsetsensooh in Cameroon, representing the first planarian flatworms documented from this country. Based on morphological data, the new species Dugesia bijuga Harrath & Sluys, sp. nov. is characterized mainly by the presence of two diaphragms, a barrel-shaped penis that is traversed by numerous ducts of penis glands and is provided with a short nozzle, and the presence of two atrial folds. The other new species, Dugesia pustulata Harrath & Sluys, sp. nov., is characterized mainly by absence of a penis bulb, presence of a large, elongated and weakly muscular seminal vesicle, and by the ventroposterior section of the bursal canal being thrown into distinct folds. The phylogenetic position of the two new species was determined through a molecular phylogenetic tree, based on a mitochondrial and a nuclear gene, including species from the major geographical range of distribution of the genus Dugesia. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the Cameroon lineage does not constitute a monophyletic group with the other Afrotropical species; it also showed that the African continent may house a great diversity of Dugesia species that still remains to be discovered.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:007441A5-F037-4950-9F5B-AD6ED12A40ED     

Phylogenetic relationships within Amphiglena Claparède, 1864 (Polychaeta: Sabellidae), description of five new species from Australia,a new species from Japan,and comments on previously described species

In reviewing material in Australian museum collections from the Australian and Japanese coasts it became clear that many specimens of Amphiglena did not match the diagnosis of any current species. To allow for variability observed among the specimens, and hence within nominal species, three specimens from each locality were included in a cladistic analysis, along with all currently accepted Amphiglena species, new characters, and a variety of apomorphic sabellins. This allowed a reassessment of the monophyly of Amphiglena, its sister group, and relationships with close taxa. Phylogenetic relationships among the species of Amphiglena are presented and six new species are described.     

A review of Paranannopidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) with claviform aesthetascs on oral appendages

Leptotachidia iberica Becker is completely redescribed from the type material and is shown to carry claviform aesthetascs on the mouthparts. This is regarded as a character of high phylogenetic significance and, together with the loss of the mandibular exopod and the form of sexual dimorphism of the distal segment of the male P2 endopod, provides overwhelming evidence for a common ancestry for the genera Leptotachidia, Micropsammis Mielke and Paradanielssenia Soyer. Additional observations are made of the morphology of M. noodti Mielke, M. secunda Mielke and P. biclavata Gee. From a discussion of the probable relationships within this group of genera it is concluded that M. secunda is the most likely sister group of Leptotachidia and therefore must be removed to a new genus Telopsammis gen. nov. New diagnoses are given for all the genera.     

Redescription of Retilaskeya horrida (di Monterosato, 1874) comb. nov. and a re-evaluation of the taxonomic affinity of the genus Retilaskeya (Caenogastropoda: Triphoroidea)

The family Cerithiopsidae H. Adams and A. Adams, 1853 is distributed worldwide, and comprises around 800 extant species divided into ~40 genera. The most speciose genus within the family is Cerithiopsis Forbes and Hanley, 1850, a taxon currently used as a general receptacle rather than as a proper phylogenetic lineage. We hereby redescribe the rare species Cerithiopsis horrida di Monterosato, 1874, review its nomenclature, known material, and distribution as well as figure the entire protoconch, operculum, and radula for the first time. Our results highlight extreme differences between ‘Cerithiopsis’ horrida and the Cerithiopsis type species Cerithiopsis tubercularis (Montagu, 1803) and strong morphological and radular similarities with species belonging to the genus Retilaskeya Marshall, 1978. A wide discussion lists several taxa that might be ascribed to the same group of species, which presumably constitute a different worldwide lineage. Pending relevant molecular phylogenetic studies of the Triphoroidea Gray, 1847, for morphological conformity we suggest transferring ‘Cerithiopsis’ horrida to the genus Retilaskeya, and the same action is presumably appropriate for its possible sister species ‘Cerithiopsis’ leopardus Rolán and Gori, 2013. Finally, Retilaskeya better conforms to Newtoniellidae Korobkov, 1955 than Cerithiopsidae.     

A new species of Caraiboscia Vandel, 1968 from South America,and a type species for Colombophiloscia gen. n. (Crustacea: Oniscidea: Crinocheta)

The South American genera Caraiboscia Vandel, 1968 and Colombophiloscia gen. n. are examined to establish their phylogenetic relationships in the light of their life histories. A new species is described in the genus Caraiboscia, whereas the latter genus replaces the name Colombophiloscia Vandel, 1968 which is an unavailable name since no type species was chosen by Vandel (1968). The taxa are described in detail and apomorphic characters supporting a sister group relationship are given. The adaptive value of these characters is discussed with respect to their life history and the probability of a convergent evolution.     

A new,sibling, tree frog from Jerusalem (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae)∗

A new, sibling, species of tree frog of the Hyla arborea group is described from Jerusalem and the adjacent Judean hills. Hyla heinzsteinitzi sp. n. differs from the sympatric common H. savignyi of the Middle East in head shape, as the head is relatively wider and the snout more truncate; in call structure, as in each segment of its advertisement call the energy peaks abruptly near the segment's onset; and in colouration, as its dark lateral band is highly disrupted. In at least one of the H. heinzsteinitzi populations the frogs' green‐phase colour is turquoise rather than green. The distinction of the two species is demonstrable by Principal Coordinate Analysis. Hyla heinzsteinitzi seems to be endemic to a small area within the range of distribution of H. savignyi; here the two are sympatric and at least sometimes apparently syntopic. The ecological relations of the two are unknown. The new species is probably endangered.     

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Chinese Sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838), and phylogenetic analysis among Cervidae,Moschidae and Bovidae

The complete mitochondrial genomes of the Sichuan Sika deer (Cervus nippon sichuanicus) and the South China Sika deer (Cervus nippon kopschi) were determined. Their sizes were 16,429 and 16,428 base pairs, respectively. The similarity of the mitochondrial DNA genome among subspecies of the Chinese Sika deer was calculated, and the values estimated from complete nucleotide sequences and entire amino-acid sequences were 98.4–99.9% and 99.7–99.9%, respectively. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods based on the sequences of 12 concatenated heavy-strand encoded protein-coding genes. The consensus of phylogenetic trees supported the monophyly of Moschidae, Cervidae and Bovidae, and placed Moschidae as a sister group to Cervidae/Bovidae. The relationships among Chinese Sika deer inferred from the phylogenetic analysis were inconsistent with subspecies designations and the present geographic distribution. Our complete mitochondrial genomes will be available as important and basic data for phylogenetics, breeding, genetics and conservation in Cervidae.