Hysterothylacium,Iheringascaris and Maricostula new genus,nematodes (Ascaridoidea) from Australian pelagic marine fishes

The state of knowledge of Australian fish parasitic ascardioids is briefly reviewed. The following species are described in full: Hysterothylacium cornutum, H. pelagicum, H. scomberoidei n. sp. Additional data are provided for Iheringascaris inquies. Maricostula n. gen. is established for those species that have lips with lateral flanges, deep postlabial grooves, interlabia, and elongate intestinal caecum, pyriform ventriculus, long sac-like ventricular appendix, an expanded filamentar excretory system and excretory pore near the nerve ring. The males of all the species have precloacal crests. Species included are: M. caballeroi (Deloya), M. cenatica n. sp., M. histiophori (Yamaguti), M. incurva (Rudolphi), M. makairi n. sp. and M. tetrapteri n. sp. All are recorded from billfishes, and all but M. caballeroi are recorded from Australian waters. The systematic position of the genus is discussed. New characters of taxonomic utility used in the discrimination of fish parasitic ascaridoids are discussed. These include fine details of alae, male caudal crests and papillae. We demonstrate that these characters can be used to separate species of Maricostula. Remarks are also given on nomenclatural problems within the Indo-Pacific fish parasitic Ascardioidea.     

A survey of the genus Geometra Linnaeus (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The type genus of the family Geometridae, Geometra Linnaeus, is reviewed. In addition to the 16 species known worldwide, two new species are described: Geometra neovalida sp. nov. from China, and Geometra burmensis sp. nov. from Burma (Myanmar). All the known species are redescribed. Genitalia of all species are described and illustrated, most for the first time. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. The monophyly of the genus and its relationship with allied genera are reviewed and discussed in detail. Most species fall into two species groups, named the papilionaria and smaragdus groups, on the basis of the morphology of the male genitalia. Biological information is provided where available. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented.     

Stenothoidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) of hydrothermal vents and surroundings on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge,Azores Triple Junction zone

Four new species of Stenothoidae were collected from the Azores Triple Junction zone during different French cruises on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. One of the species belongs to the genus Torometopa (T. saldanhae) and is the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean. The three other species belong to the genus Stenothoe (S. divae, S. marvela, and S. menezgweni). It is not possible to determine from morphological and ecological characters whether these amphipod species are endemic to hydrothermal systems or are bathyal species that may be found away from vent sites.     

An overview of Hexabathynella (Crustacea,Syncarida, Parabathynellidae) with the description of a new species

A new species of the cosmopolitan genus Hexabathynella is described from Spain. This new species has four setae on the expopod of the uropod, the rest of the species in the genus have between one and three. The endopod of the uropod has two smooth setae of similar length and one plumose seta, these characters only appear in the new species within the genus. The antennal organ in the males is shown to be a new unique character for the genus. It is the third species of this genus that has been found in Spain. To date the genus consists of 18 species in the world. A key for identification of the 18 species of Hexabathynella is provided. It is the only cosmopolitan genus of Bathynellacea and it is distributed in Europe (nine species), Africa (one species), South America (two species), North America (three species) and Australia and New Zealand (three species).     

News from a small island – first record of a freshwater shrimp (Decapoda,Atyidae, Caridina) from Peleng,Banggai Islands,Indonesia

The Indonesian island Sulawesi is well known for its fascinating fauna. Among the atyid and palaemonid freshwater shrimps described from Sulawesi are also a number of endemic species. In contrast, freshwater shrimps have never been reported from the nearby and smaller Peleng Island. Here we describe Caridina thomasi sp. nov. as a first record of an atyid freshwater shrimp from Peleng and compare it with atyids from Sulawesi and other localities. The new species is probably endemic to the island and shows some characters never described in the genus Caridina before. However, a molecular phylogeny of atyid shrimps from the Indo‐West Pacific based on mitochondrial DNA (16S) places C. thomasi within a clade of typical species of Caridina. We tentatively assign the new species to the genus Caridina and discuss the possibility of future changes in the classification of species in this genus.     

Assessment of morphometric characters to delimit species of Apolpium Chamberlin, 1930 (Pseudoscorpiones,Olpiidae)

ABSTRACT

Pseudoscorpiones is a mesodiverse order of Arachnida, with more than 3600 described species in the world. Species delimitation is sometimes difficult due to the high variability of some characters, difficulty in finding informative and useful characters for species differentiation and the subjectivity of individual specialists. The aim of this work is to explore and to evaluate the role of morphometric characters in species delimitation within the genus Apolpium (Olpiidae). Measurements of 17 structures of 57 individuals were taken and their length/width ratios calculated. Cluster analyses, principal components analyses, discriminant function analyses and non-metric multidimensional scaling were carried out. The results showed low resolution for the number of species currently recognised in the genus. These results highlight the importance of looking for other morphological characters, and also for a more rigorous assessment of previously used characters for defining species.     

A new genus and species of Conchaspididae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from Florida,remarkable in lacking legs

A new genus of Conchaspididae, Asceloconchaspis gen. nov., is described for Asceloconchaspis milleri sp. nov., a new species from Florida, USA. Unlike other conchaspidids, the adult female and second instar of the genus lack legs. The presence of legs is one of the important, distinguishing characters at present separating the Conchaspididae from the Diaspididae. However, the new genus also possesses well-developed antennae and has multilocular disc pores on the abdomen in the adult female; these distinctly conchaspidid characters are never found in the Diaspididae. Asceloconchaspis is closely related to Fagisuga Lindinger, a monotypic genus with primitive characters described from South America on Nothofagus. A key to the four known genera of Conchaspididae is provided, and the morphology and distribution of the Conchaspididae are discussed.     

On a new genus and new species of xanthid crab (Crustacea,Decapoda, Brachyura,Xanthinae) from the South China Sea,with notes on the genus Liagore De Haan, 1833

A new genus and new species of xanthid crab, Ovatis simplex, is described from the South China Sea. The genus is closest to Liagore but can be distinguished by a suite of carapace and male gonopod characters. The systematic position of Liagore is also considered, and both genera, Liagore and Ovatis, are here referred to the subfamily Xanthinae. Comparisons with the allied genera, Paratergatis and Pulcratis, are also provided.     

In search of the true Tydeus (Acari,Tydeidae)

The early history of the genus Tydeus, the type genus of the family Tydeidae, is complex and convoluted and, subsequently, even the identity of the type species of the family remains unclear. First, the literature is thoroughly analysed and morphological characters of some species are reappraised. After studying Oudemans' types, two species inquirendae, Tydeus croceus and T. cruciatus, are redescribed and a third, T. spathulatus, removed from synonymy and reinstated as a valid species. A fourth species, confused with T. spathulatus, is described. A lectotype is designated for T. spathulatus and a neotype for T. croceus. After discussion, the genus Lorryia Oudemans, is re‐established in its pristine state. As the redescribed species were designated as type species by Oudemans, the following new generic synonymies are proposed: Raphitydeus Thor, and Lorryia Oudemans, sensu Ka?mierski (, ) are junior synonyms of Brachytydeus Thor, ; Homeotydeus André, (partim) and Pseudolorryia Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Calotydeus Oudemans, ; Brachytydeus Thor, (partim), Calotydeus Oudemans, (partim), Tydeus Koch, sensu Oudemans, (partim), Orthotydeus André, , and Tydeus Koch, sensu Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Tydeus Koch, . To stabilize the usage of the names, especially that of the genus type of the family Tydeidae, the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature will be asked to set aside all previous type species designations for Tydeus and to designate Tydeus spathulatus as the type species, with Oudemans' specimens from Italy as primary type material.     

A review of the genus Parapenaeon Richardson, 1904 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae: Orbioninae), with description of three new species from China

Five species of the bopyrid genus Parapenaeon are reported from China, of which three are new to science, and one, Parapenaeon expansa Bourdon, 1979, is a new record. New species are Parapenaeon calculosa, sp. nov., Parapenaeon diatropa, sp. nov. and Parapenaeon sicyoniae, sp. nov., from the East and South China Seas. The female of each new species has six pleomeres, no lateral plates on the sixth pleomere, and biramous uropods, characters that place them in the genus Parapenaeon Richardson, 1904. Each can be distinguished from previously described species of the genus Parapenaeon in body shape, by the characters of oostegite 1, the barbula, brood pouch, pleopods and uropods of the females. A table including all of the currently recognized species of Parapenaeon with type localities, known geographical distribution and reported hosts, is given. A key to the recorded species of Parapenaeon Richardson, 1904 is provided, as is a new diagnosis of the genus.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:35CD12BB-D1F3-48DF-BABB-2EAA3030395B     

Shamshevia,a new genus of long-legged flies from Namibia (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Diaphorinae)

The genus Shamshevia Grichanov, gen. nov. is described from Namibia to accommodate a new species, Shamshevia hoanibensis Grichanov sp. nov. Despite flattened posterior mesonotum, the new genus is placed in the subfamily Diaphorinae and is considered close to the genus Dactylonotus Parent, differing from the latter in peculiar characters of male antenna, wing and genitalia.     

Re‐description of the lycosiformis species group of Anyphops Benoit and description of two new species (Araneae,Selenopidae)

Anyphops Benoit is a heterogeneous genus with 62 known species restricted to the Afrotropical region. It is split into four species groups using the number of ventral spine pairs on tibiae I–II. The lycosiformis species group (?=?B‐B1 species group of Lawrence) is characterized by four ventral pairs of spines and includes Anyphops lycosiformis (Lawrence), A. natalensis (Lawrence) and A. parvulus (Pocock). In this paper, I revise this species group and include here A. mumai Corronca, A. lawrencei (Roewer) and two new species: Anyphops ngome n. sp. and A. lucia n. sp. from South Africa. Drawings of the female and male genitalia and some somatic characters are given, in some cases for the first time. A key for the lycosiformis species group and a map showing the distribution of each species are provided.     

A revision of the genus Metallolophia Warren (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The Geometrine genus Metallolophia is revised. In addition to the 11 species known, five new species are described as new. All the known species are redescribed and lectotypes are designated for M. opalina (Warren), M. arenaria (Leech) and M. danielaria (Oberthür) (=M. arenaria (Leech)). The male of M. ocellata (Warren) and the females of M. medullosa Inoue and M. devecisi Herbulot are described for the first time. The generic characters based on all species are summarized and a key to all taxa is given. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented. The new and revised taxa are: Metallolophia purpurivenata sp. nov., Metallolophia cuneataria sp. nov., Metallolophia inanularia sp. nov., Metallolophia flavomaculata sp. nov., Metallolophia stueningi sp. nov. and Metallolophia ostrumaria Xue, syn. nov. (of Metallolophia albescens Inoue).     

The Pacific Iassine cicadellid genus Thalattoscopus (Homoptera)

The Pacific Iassine genus Thalattoscopus is revised and distinguished from Batracomorphus on external and male genitalic characters. Of 21 species included, 12 are newly described and two are treated as nomina dubia. A key to species is given, four new synonymies and eight new combinations are established.     

Discovery of the freshwater genus Sicyopus (Teleostei: Gobioidei: Sicydiinae) in Madagascar,with a description of a new species and comments on regional dispersal

In the Indo-Pacific area, insular rivers are mainly colonized by gobiids of the Sicydiinae subfamily. These species spawn in freshwater, where the free embryos drift downstream to the sea before returning to rivers to reproduce; they are amphidromous. These gobies are the greatest contributors to the fish diversity and have the highest levels of endemism. Among the nine known genera of Sicydiinae, only two have been found in the West Indian Ocean, and only one (Sicyopterus) is known from Madagascar. Recently, two surveys discovered a new species in the genus Sicyopus. Sicyopus lord sp. nov. differs from other species by a combination of characters that includes a particular colour pattern, similar in both sexes; more scales than its congeners in lateral series (35–43), transverse back series (12–18) and a shorter caudal fin length in male fish. This paper describes the new species and discusses the presence of this genus in Madagascar.     

Revision of the Madagascan genus Madecorphnus Paulian (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Orphninae)

A scarab beetle genus, Madecorphnus Paulian, endemic to Madagascar, is revised. Nine new species are described: M. brunneus sp. nov., M. dentatus sp. nov., M. montreuili sp. nov., M. niger sp. nov., M. pauliani sp. nov., M. perinetensis sp. nov., M. peyrierasi sp. nov., M. punctatus sp. nov., M. simplex sp. nov. Diagnosis of the genus is clarified. Distribution map and a diagnostic key to all species are presented.     

Zoogeography and evolutionary ecology of the genus Platorchestia (Crustacea,Amphipoda, Talitridae)

ABSTRACT

Species of the genus Platorchestia occur both in the northern hemisphere (18 species) and southern hemisphere (three species plus a synanthropically introduced species in South America and South Africa). The greater number of endemic Platorchestia species in the North Pacific Ocean suggests that it could be the epicentre of evolution for this genus. North-western Pacific Platorchestia includes 15 species which occupy five ecotopes: wrack (seven species), terrestrial leaf litter (five species), freshwater (one species), marsh (one species) and tentatively present in caves (one species). North-eastern Pacific Platorchestia includes only one putative driftwood specialist, with no other species found in North American coastal habitats. This compares with three good endemic Platorchestia species (plus two putative additional species) and only two ecotopes: wrack (three species) and freshwater (two species) from the North Atlantic Ocean, inclusive of the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean Sea. Insufficient data is available to consider Platorchestia zoogeography for the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Synanthropic dispersal involving Platorchestia in Polynesian outrigger canoes, or in solid ballast carried in the holds of wooden sailing ships has been identified as a potential complicating factor in the zoogeography of this genus. Platorchestia is proposed to have arisen on Laurasia and is therefore basically a northern hemisphere genus. Questions concerning Platorchestia zoogeography and evolutionary ecology are posed and two methods (more intensive field sampling and molecular genetics) are suggested to be the way to solve them.     

On Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay (Coleoptera: Carabidae,Platynini): redescription and relationships

The use of the generic name Colpodes MacLeay, 1825, is reviewed, along with characteristics previously attributed to the genus by various authors of Carabidae. The single known specimen of the type species, Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay, is designated as lectotype, redescribed and figured. Based on comprehensive character analysis, including external anatomical, male genitalic, and female genitalic and reproductive tract characters, application of the generic-level name Colpodes is restricted to a clade of Javanese species also including Colpodes brittoni Louwerens and C. latus Louwerens. In order to further nomenclatural stability within Platynini, Colpodes should best be considered a subgeneric component of an expanded genus Platynus Bonelli, 1810.     

Review of the genus Chauliopleona Dojiri and Sieg, 1997 (Crustacea,Peracarida, Tanaidacea) and description of three new species

The tanaidacean genus Chauliopleona Dojiri and Sieg, is reviewed. A generic diagnosis is given and the type species Chauliopleona dentata Dojiri and Sieg, is redescribed. Three species, Leptognathia armataHansen, , L. amdrupii Hansen, and L. hastata Hansen, are placed into this genus. Three new species, one from the Angola Basin, one from the deep sea of the tropical East Pacific and one from Antarctica are described. A key for the genus is provided.