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).     

Redescription of Leydigia parva Daday, 1905 and assignment to Parvalona gen. nov. (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae)

A morphological investigation of Leydigia parva Daday, (Chydoridae: Anomopoda: Cladocera), based on specimens from Paraguay (type specimens) and Brazil, clarifies its position in the subfamily and prompts its assignment to a new genus, Parvalona. The affinity of this rare benthic chydorid with Leydigia Kurz, 1875 and Alona Baird, 1843, in which this taxon was placed earlier, is discussed.     

The mouthparts of two lophogastrids,Chalaraspidum alatum and Pseudochalaraspidum hanseni (Lophogastrida,Peracarida, Malacostraca), including some remarks on the monophyly of the Lophogastrida

Chalaraspidum alatum and Pseudochalaraspidum hanseni represent monotypic genera belonging to the Lophogastridae (Lophogastrida, Peracarida). Both species have previously been confused, although several characters permit their separation: e.g., C. alatum has only one small projection in the centre of the epimera of pleon segment 6 but P. hanseni has two distinct, pointed projections on the epimera of pleon segment 6. The palp of the maxilla is two-segmented in C. alatum and one-segmented in P. hanseni. The mouthparts, including labrum, mandibles, paragnaths, maxillula, maxilla and maxilliped are described in detail. Certain characters found in the two species, such as asymmetrical paragnaths, left mandible with semicircular incisor process, right mandible without lacinia mobilis, maxilliped with blade-shaped exopod are also found in the representatives of the remaining lophogastrid genera. These characters are interpreted as apomorphies supporting the monophyly of the Lophogastrida.     

A revision of the genus Siamthelphusa Bott, 1968 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Parathelphusidae), with descriptions of five new species from Thailand

The taxonomy of the northern Peninsular Malaysian and Thai freshwater crab genus Siamthelphusa Bott, 1968 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Parathelphusidae) is revised. Nine species are recognized: S. improvisa (Lanchester, 1901), S. holthuisi Naiyanetr and Ng, 1990, S. retimanus n. sp., S. paviei (De Man, 1898), S. acutidens n. sp., S. faxoni (Rathbun, 1905), S. transversa n. sp., S. nan n. sp., and S. variegata n. sp. A neotype is designated for S. improvisa (Lanchester, 1901), the type species of the genus.     

Notes on Bombyliidae (Diptera) from the southern borderlands of the Sahara with descriptions of new species

The paper is a review of the genus Pellenes (s. lat.) in the fauna of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The genus Pellenes(s. lat.) is redefined and subdivided into four subgenera according to the structure of genitalia: Pellenes(s. str.), Pelpaucus subgen. nov., Pelmultus subgen. nov. and Pelmirus subgen. nov. Altogether 23 species have been treated, of which nine are described as new to science: Pellenes amazonka sp. nov. (female), P. badkhyzicus sp. nov. (male), P. borisi sp. nov. (female), P. karakumensis sp. nov. (male), P. bonus sp. nov. (male), P. pamiricus sp. nov. (male and female), P. pseudobrevis sp. nov. (male and female), P. sytchevskayae sp. nov. (male and female) and P. turkmenicus sp. nov. (male and female). Five species are newly synonymized: P. maderianus Kulczyński, 1905 with P. epularis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872); P. kulabicus Andreeva, 1976 and P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) with P. geniculatus (Simon, 1868); and P. albomaculatus Peng and Xie, 1993 with P. denisi Schenkel, 1963; P. tauricus (Thorell, 1875) is removed from synonymy with P. simoni (O. P.-Cambridge, 1872) and is shown to be a junior synonym of P. nigrociliatus (Simon in L. Koch, 1875). A lectotype is designated for Pellenes brevis Simon, 1868. P. campylophorous (Thorell, 1875) is recognized to be nomen dubium. Pellenes calvus (Simon, 1868) is excluded from the Central Asian fauna of Pellenes. Evarcha lapponica (Sundevall, 1832), comb. nov. (ex Pellenes), is proposed. Some morphological terms, e.g. the median septum, the epigynal flaps, the central blindending pocket and the newly proposed ‘compound terminal apophysis’, are discussed in relation to their homology.     

The larval development of the spider crab Rochinia gracilipes (Crustacea: Majoidea: Epialtidae: Pisinae) reared in the laboratory

The larval development of the spider crab Rochinia gracilipes Milne-Edwards, 1875 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Majoidea: Epialtidae: Pisinae) is described and illustrated from laboratory-reared larvae. Development consisted of two zoeal stages and one megalopa, following the typical pattern in Majoidea. Zoea I of R. gracilipes, R. debilis and R. carpenteri differed in lengths of the rostral spine of the carapace, in the number of setae and aesthetascs of several head appendages (exopods of antennules, endopods of maxillules, and endopods and scaphognathites of maxillae) and in the length of posterolateral processes of abdominal somites; lateral carapace spines were present only in R. carpenteri and pleopod buds only in R. debilis. Megalopae of Rochinia gracilipes and R. carpenteri differed in several notable characters: a dorsal spine and long rostrum of the carapace, as well as spines in coxa and ischium of pereiopods, appeared only in R. carpenteri, and podobranchiae of the 3rd maxilliped appeared only in R. gracilipes; they also differed in setation of abdomen and pleopods. The comparison of the available information on Pisinae larval development suggested that larval morphology would not help to accurately understand the phylogenetic relationships of this subfamily of spider crabs.     

Leptandria gen.n., a monophyletic group of Neotropical aleocharine Staphylinidae (Coleoptera)

Based on external structural features, especially those of the mouthparts, and male and female genitalia, the aleocharine staphylinid genus Leptandria, new genus, is proposed and diagnosed. Three new species are also described, L. ashei, L. tishechkini and L. ecitophila, with a key to differentiate them and numerous illustrations of diagnostic features presented.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Ocyale Audouin, 1826 in Africa (Araneae: Lycosidae)

The taxonomy of the African representatives of the wolf spider genus Ocyale is revised. Fundamental taxonomic problems were encountered which resulted in confusion in the literature between Ocyale and Pisaura and thus potential instability of the type genus of the family Pisauridae. For reasons of taxonomic stability, a new type species for Ocyale is proposed here: O. neatalanta. Besides the type species, O. dewinterae n.sp., O. discrepans Roewer, 1960, O. grandis n.sp. and Ocyale guttata Karsch, 1878, are described and an identification key is provided. Ocyale spissa (Lenz, 1895) proved to be a junior synonym of O. guttata. Ocyale maculata (L. Koch, 1875), O. spissides Strand, 1907, O. fera Strand, 1908, O. ingenua (Karsch, 1879) and O. conspersa Karsch, 1879, were found to be either nomina dubia or incertae sedis.     

Description of the first larval stage of Polycheles typhlops (Decapoda: Eryonidea: Polychelidae)

The first larval stage of the deep-sea lobster Polycheles typhlops is described for the first time from laboratory-reared material. This is the earliest stage known of the Decapoda infraorder Eryonidea, and the first stage ever obtained in the laboratory. The first larva of P. typhlops presents well-developed and chelated pereiopods I and II; the abdomen is very small and not well segmented; the pleopods and uropods are represented as small buds. Larval features of the first stage of P. typhlops are compared with other known eryoneicid forms described in the literature, especially with specimens in early developmental stages taken from plankton samples.     

A revision and phylogenetic re-evaluation of the family Schizopodidae (Coleoptera,Buprestoidea)

The Schizopodidae (formerly subfamily Schizopodinae, family Buprestidae) is elevated to family status, based on a review of its morphology including wing venation, male and female genitalia, larvae, and also a cladistic analysis of in-group and out-group comparisions. Two tribes are recognized: Schizopodini LeConte with one genus, Schizopus LeConte and Dystaxiini Théry with two genera: Dystaxia LeConte and Glyptoscelimorpha Horn. The genus Schizopus contains two species: S. laetus LeConte and S. sallei Horn with one new subspecies, S. sallei nigricans Nelson. The genus Dystaxia includes two species: D. murrayi LeConte, and D. elegans Fall. The genus Glyptoscelimorpha is separated into two subgenera: G. (s. str.) with two species, G. marmorata Horn, and G. viridis Chamberlin; and G. (Dystaxiella) Knull, new status, with one species, G. (D.) juniperae (Knull), new combination, with a new subspecies, G. (D.) juniperae viridiceps Nelson. All taxa are described and information on variation, type localities, distribution, biology, and comparisons are given for each species. Keys to taxa for tribes to subspecies are provided. Illustrations for all species, including habitus, male and female genitalia and other parts, as well as cladograms of relationships are presented. Lectotypes are designated for the following: Yermoella helferi Obenberger, Dystaxia elegans Fall and Glyptoscelimorpha marmorata Horn. Tables of taxa, characters and character states used in the cladistic analysis are included.     

A systematic review of the genus Uroplatus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), with comments on its biology

The gekkonid lizard genus Uroplatus is comprehensively reviewed for the first time. Six species are recognized—U. fimbriatus, U. sikorae, U. lineatus, U. ebenaui, U. alluaudi and U. guentheri—and their potential interrelationships are examined. Numerous bizzare morphological features, characteristic of the highly derived species U. fimbriatus, are found to be shared with other members of the genus, but are not universal for this taxon. Thus, while U. fimbriatus exhibits an overall morphology that has been employed in the past as justification for elevating the genus to monotypic familial status, this represents only an extreme of a continuum. U. guentheri and U. alluaudi are much less unusual in their morphological features. The potential biological roles of the more extreme features found within the genus are considered.     

On the new goby,Ctenogobius veliensis (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the South-West coast of India

Summary

Ctenogobius veliensis, a new species of gobiid fish is described from the South-West coast of India. The characters of the fish conform to those of the genus Ctenogobius Gill but differ markedly from those of other recorded species of the genus. Apart from the usual, external morphological, morphometric and metistic characters, several other features such as the cephalic-lateralis system, skeletal features and morphology of the alimentary canal are also studied and have been found to be of significance for identifying the species. The fish shows distinct sexual dimorphism in many features.     

Classification,reconstructed phylogeny and geographic history of the Neotropical phorid flies of the genus Gymnophora (Diptera: Phoridae)

The Neotropical species of Gymnophora are revised to include 28 species, 17 of which are new. Two subgenera, Cerocratia (in a revised sense) and Gymnophora s.s. are recognized. Cerocratia includes Gymnophora triangularis sp. nov., G. acutangula Schmitz, G. latibrachia sp. nov., G. lacertosa sp. nov., G. chilensis Borgmeier, G. parachilensis sp. nov., G. aemula Borgmeier, G. forticornis Schmitz, and doubtfully G. colona Brues. G. adumbrata Borgmeier is considered as a junior synonym of G. aemula (syn. nov.). Within Gymnophora s.s. there are four major lineages, the G. commotria-group, the G. carina-group, the G. cymatoneura-group and the G. quartomollis-group. Of these, the G. carina-group and the G. quartomollis-group are known only from the Holarctic Region. The G. commotria-group consists of the G. forcipis-series, containing G. forcipis sp. nov., subuncata sp. nov. and uncata sp. nov., and G. damula-series, whose species are further organized into the G. strigula-subseries, containing G. strigula sp. nov. and G. unidentata sp. nov., plus the G. falciformis-subseries, containing G. alces sp. nov., damula sp. nov. and falciformis sp. nov. Also included in the G. commotria-group are eight residual species whose relationships cannot be deduced at this time. Three of these species, G. commotria Schmitz, penai sp. nov. and quadrata sp. nov. are more closely related to each other than to G. auricula sp. nov., brasiliensis Borgmeier, heteroneura Schmitz, inusitata sp. nov. and trispina sp. nov. The G. cymatoneura-group contains G. cymatoneura Enderlein and G. spiracularis Borgmeier, and the male of G. spiracularis is described for the first time. A key is given that permits identification of males of most species, but females cannot be identified with certainty. A partially sequenced classification of the genus indicates the relationships of most of the included species. The genus may have originated in the Neotropical Region, although the evidence is tenuous, and shows some similarity of distribution to Andean-centered plant groups.     

Description of two new species of Guernea (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Dexaminidae) from Japan,with tentative revision of subfamily Prophliantinae

Guernea minor sp. nov. and G. ezoensis sp. nov. are described from Japan. Based on these new species and the literature, a tentative revision of the subfamily Prophliantinae is proposed. The subgenus Prinassus of the genus Guernea is invalidated. The subgenus Haustoriopsis of the genus Guernea is re-elevated to a separate genus from Guernea. Dexaminoculus is transferred from Prophliantinae to Dexamininae.     

Foregut structures of freshly moulted exuviae from Maja crispata,Cancer pagurus and Pseudosesarma moeschi (Decapoda: Brachyura)

Periodic moulting is vital for the growth of crustaceans. The process is characterized by a complete replacement of the mineralized exoskeleton, including eyestalks, legs, the pleon as well as the foregut and hindgut. In the present study a series of freshly moulted brachyuran exuviae [Maja crispata Risso, 1827; Cancer pagurus Linnaeus, 1758 and Pseudosesarma moeschi (De Man, 1888)] were investigated concerning the remaining calcified foregut structures. All investigated exuviae show part or complete degradation of the lateral expanded ossicles of the gastric mill (e.g. ossicles II, V and IX). Most of the ossicles of the pyloric filter are unaffected by the degradation processes. Reduction of the calcium content and the increasing flexibility of the foregut ossicles enable the passage of the bigger “old” foregut through the smaller oesophagus of the newly formed foregut. The gastric teeth of the examined exuviae are not influenced by the moulting process.