Cryptic and non-cryptic diversity in New Guinea ground snakes of the genus Stegonotus Duméril,Bibron and Duméril, 1854: a description of four new species (Squamata: Colubridae)

ABSTRACT

The island of New Guinea has been identified as biologically megadiverse but many taxa are still poorly known. This is especially the case for many of the island’s snakes, which by their very nature can be difficult to collect and study. Here we examine the phylogenetic and phylogeographic structure of a poorly studied snake genus, Stegonotus, focusing on the species of New Guinea; until now, Stegonotus has never been examined using modern phylogenetic methods. Using molecular data from 49 individuals representing eight of the ten described species, and including all New Guinea taxa, we estimate a multilocus phylogeny and examine population structure to help identify undescribed taxa. We use morphological data from the corresponding museum vouchered specimens (where available) and also examine additional specimens for taxa not included in the molecular data set to determine morphological differences among putative taxa. We find molecular evidence for four new species of Stegonotus, both morphologically obvious and cryptic, and describe them herein. The recognition of these four species indicates that Stegonotus diversity has been previously underestimated and also suggests that there are likely additional undescribed taxa within the genus. These four taxa increase the number of described species by 40% and further confirm New Guinea as the centre of diversity for the genus.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9E21390E-3FD4-40EB-9442-31BC92A76B4F     

Two new taxa from the Lesser Sundas in the genus Onthophagus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae)

Two new Indonesian taxa are proposed in Onthophagus Latreille, 1802, illustrating the composite faunal spectrum of the Lesser Sundas (Indonesia): O. montishannoniae, a new species from Flores, and O. accedens nusatenggaricus, a new subspecies from Lombok and Flores. O. accedens Lansberge, 1883 is, with O. dux Sharp, 1875, placed in what is here defined as the dux subgroup within the subgenus Parascatonomus Paulian, 1932. The three included species‐group taxa are keyed, their status is discussed, and new records are given. The position of O. montishannoniae seems taxonomically and geographically isolated: this species has no known close relatives in the region, neither in the Lesser Sundas, nor anywhere else in Wallacea.     

The fishes of Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic Ocean. II. The pelagic fishes

The pelagic fishes of St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean (15°58′S 5°43′W) are reviewed. A checklist of 53 taxa of pelagic fishes, with notes on fisheries significance, ecology and geographical distribution, is presented. Twelve of the taxa have not before been recorded at St Helena. Of particular interest are records of three primarily Indo-Pacific species: Decapterus muroadsi (Temminck and Schlegel), Uraspis helvola (Forster) and Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepède). Apart from U. helvola, which is known also from Ascension Island, these species are not otherwise recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

Of the 49 pelagic fishes whose identities are clear, 81·6% are wide-ranging species known from both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, 12·2% are pan-Atlantic warm-water species and 4·1% are eastern Atlantic species which reach their western limit in the central Atlantic. In addition, the subspecies Platybelone argalus trachura is found only at St Helena and Ascension.

The principal pelagic species caught by St Helena fisheries are Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, T. alalunga, Scomber japonicus, Acanthocybium solandri and Pseudocaranx dentex, which together accounted for almost 95% of fish landings in 1982–1983 fiscal year.     

Diptera from Nepal. Sepsidae

Summary

The material examined included six species in three genera. No new taxa are described but Parapalaeosepsis Duda and related taxa are discussed. Dicranosepsis Duda is placed in synonymy under Parapalaeosepsis, and Parapalaeosepsis bicolor (Wied.) is proposed as a new combination with Sepsis pubipes Brun. as a new synonym.     

Diversity and distribution of marine Gastrotricha along the northern beaches of the state of São Paulo (Brazil), with description of a new species of Macrodasys (Macrodasyida,Macrodasyidae)

Forty-three putative species were found in this first-ever survey of the marine gastrotrich fauna of Brazil. Samples from 23 locations and 37 sites along the northern coasts of the state of São Paulo yielded 21 species of Macrodasyida (12 genera and five families) and 22 species of Chaetonotida (seven genera and two families). Based on morphology, 26 species appear to be taxa not previously described and thus far endemic to Brazil, 13 are known species, while one in each of the genera Diplodasys, Paradasys and Tetranchyroderma remains undetermined. The overall high diversity contrasts with the generally low number of species from single locations, averaging 4.3 (SD 3.5) spp. per location; very few species were found in sites characterized by very fine sand sediment loaded with detritus and by high water turbidity (e.g. 1 sp. in praia da Fazenda), whereas a well-diversified gastrotrich community was found in localities characterized by medium or fine sand with little detritus and clear water (e.g. 14 spp. in praia de Castelhanos). The macrodasyidans, Paraturbanella sp. 1, Pseudostomella sp. 1 and Tetranchyroderma sp. 1, and the chaetonotidan Heteroxenotrichula sp. 1 were the most common species, often sympatric and particularly frequent and abundant along the continental shoreline (recorded in 50–65% of these localities); on the other hand, Macrodasys fornerise n. sp., Ptychostomella sp. 1, Tetranchyroderma sp. 3 and Thaumastoderma sp. 2, while occurring sometimes in very high numbers, exhibited a much narrower range, being encountered only once or twice during the survey. The main morphometric traits are described of the 13 species considered to be cosmopolitan or with at least an amphi-Atlantic distribution, including Chaetonotus apechochaetus and Halichaetonotus marivagus, reported here for the first time from the Americas; of the 26 species thus far endemic to Brazil, Macrodasys fornerise n. sp., which is characterized by a noticeable 145?µm-long frontal organ, is also described and figured.     

New data on Hydrobiidae systematics: two new genera from the Iberian Peninsula

The taxon Caprella acanthifera auct., usually considered to be one ‘highly variable’ species, is shown here to consist of a number of closely related species. In this paper three species of the group lacking an axillary spine near the insertion of gnathopod 2 are described and illustrated; the taxa with an axillary spine will be dealt with in a separate paper. This paper redefines Caprella acanthifera Leach 1814, sensu stricto; the nominal taxa C. hystrix, C. calva, C. aspera, and C. leptonyx are considered to be junior synonyms. Also described are C. stella sp.n., from starfish at the Azores and C. cavediniae sp.n., living among algae in the Mediterranean. The sources of apparent morphological variability in caprellids are discussed.     

Dorcadionini of Turkey (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

The Dorcadionini fauna of Turkey is reviewed, and a complete list with type information and provincial distributions is presented. Two hundred and seventy-eight species-group taxa are catalogued in total. This represents approximately 35% of the known Palaearctic Dorcadionini fauna. The Turkish Dorcadionini fauna is characterised by 227 endemic species-group taxa. So its endemism ratio is very high (approximately 82%). Distributions of the taxa in Turkey are given based on available literature records. Taxa in the list are arranged systematically under tribe, genus, subgenus (when recognised), species and subspecies (when recognised). The species group taxa whose occurrences in Turkey need conformation are not included in the list but are given separately. Additionally, two taxa are removed from the list: Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) investitum Breuning in Braun, 1978a as nomen nudum and Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) rosinae K. Daniel in Bodemeyer, 1900 as nomen nudum; and two taxa are given as status nov. and comb. nov.: Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) atritarse Pic, 1931a and Dorcadion (Cribridorcadion) equestre bernhauerorum Peks, 2010. Moreover, a checklist of Dorcadionini of Turkey is presented in an appendix.     

Shallow-water Mysida (Crustacea: Mysidacea) of Bahrain (Arabian Gulf): species composition,abundance and life history characteristics of selected species

Mysida were collected from Tubli Bay and the eastern coastline of Bahrain during 1991–1992 incidental to a survey of penaeid prawns. These samples provided an opportunity to assess the species composition of mysids from a nearshore region of the Arabian Gulf—an area in which mysid fauna is poorly known. The 114 beam trawl samples yielded >29?000 mysids. Rhopalophthalmus sp. (>90%), Siriella brevicaudata (5%), Kainomatomysis foxi (1.2%), Siriella sp. A (0.9%) and Indomysis annandalei (0.6%) were the most abundant of 11 species identified. Basic life history variables (carapace length, life stage, brood size) were measured for these five taxa.     

Two new species of Metharpinia Schellenberg (Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from the south-west Atlantic

Two new species, Metharpinia dentiurosoma and Metharpinia grandirama, belonging to the family Phoxocephalidae are described and illustrated from the Argentine Sea. Both taxa were collected dredging at different depths and the grain size of the sediment was determined for each sampling station. The new species share character states with Metharpinia Schellenberg, 1931 and Microphoxus Barnard, 1960, and their assignation to the first genus is discussed. Metharpinia dentiurosoma and Metharpinia grandirama are distinguished from the other known species of the genus by the dorsal hook on urosomite 3; in addition, the first species is characterized by its epimeron 3 and the second species by its uropod 2.     

Ophicardelus (Mollusca,Pulmonata) in eastern Australia: how many taxa?

The common south-eastern Australian estuarine ellobiid snails belonging to Ophicardelus have been considered to be one variable taxon by some authors, and three largely sympatric species by others. This study was undertaken to determine the number of taxa present. Different types of data collected included shell shape, allozyme electrophoresis, shell and radular morphology, anatomy and geographic range. These data sets were then examined for consistent discontinuities, and the results showed that the nominal species could be distinguished by a combination of shell shape and sculpture. Individuals from each nominal species also grouped together using allozyme data, although one taxon (Ophicardelus quoyi) is sometimes paraphyletic based on these data. There are several differences in the anatomy and radular morphology that separate the three taxa. These included marked differences in the penial complex, vagina, and presence or absence of a pallial gland. The three taxa also have different geographic ranges, albeit with most of their ranges in sympatry. Based on these differences, Ophicardelus ornatus, O. quoyi and O. sulcatus should be regarded as valid species.     

Morphometric and allozyme variation in the black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron (Perciformes,Cichlidae), with a revision of the subspecies complex

Based on morphometric and allozyme data of a large sample of black-chinned tilapia, Sarotherodon melanotheron, originating from over its entire geographical distribution range, the subspecific classification of this species has been revised. One subspecies, S. m. paludinosus, is synonymized with S. m. heudelotii. The validity of another subspecies, S. m. leonensis, is questioned. The remaining three subspecies, S. m. melanotheron, S. m. heudelotii and S. m. nigripinnis are clearly distinguished as separate taxa.     

Winter-active wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) in thermal habitats from western Romania

Shores of channels with thermal water provide an adequate microclimate for maintaining wolf spiders in activity during winter. Of the spiders collected after the winter survey of 22 thermal habitats from western Romania, 93.02% were juveniles and subadults, while the remaining individuals belonged to the following seven species: Arctosa leopardus, Pardosa amentata, Pardosa proxima, Pirata piraticus, Piratula latitans, Trochosa robusta and Trochosa ruricola. The reproductive period of some species is altered under the influence of neighbouring hot waters, as revealed by the capture of females with egg sacs and spiderlings, during winter.     

Two new phoxocephalids (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Phoxocephalidae) from the south-west Atlantic

A new genus and species, Parafoxiphalus longicarpus, and a new species, Metharpinia protuberantis belonging to the family Phoxocephalidae, are described from the Argentine Sea. Both taxa were collected from sandy substrata in the intertidal and subtidal regions. Parafoxiphalus longicarpus is related to Foxiphalus Barnard, 1979 and they share many characters, most of them in plesiomorphic condition. Metharpinia protuberantis is an intermediate species between Metharpinia Schellenberg, 1931 and Microphoxus Barnard, 1960, and its assignation to the first genus is discussed.     

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.     

Chelodesmid studies. XVIII. On some new or poorly-known taxa in the tribe Batodesmini (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae)

Summary

Some new and poorly-known taxa of batodesmine diplopods are described from northern South America, with notes on their affinities. New genera include Igaraparana, based on I. batesi, sp. nov. from Amazonian Colombia; Curimagua, based on C. granulata, sp. nov. from Edo. Falcon, Venezuela; and Cheirogonus, based on C. pittieri, sp. nov. from Panama. The inadequately proposed species Leptodesmus interrupticolor Silvestri (southeastern Ecuador) is redescribed and figured from type material, and referred to Cordilleronomus as its third species. The enigmatic genus Tunochilus Chamberlin, 1950, is clarified and referred to the Batodesmini from its incorrect location in the Cryptodesmidae, with notes and drawings made from a paratype of the type species T. marginis; the presumptive congener T. marcuzzii is described as new from material taken at Caracas, Venezuela.     

Alien polychaete species (Annelida: Polychaeta) on the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea,eastern Mediterranean), with 13 new records for the Mediterranean Sea

The examination of benthic material collected from different depths and habitats along the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) in September and October 2005 revealed 30 alien polychaete species belonging to 15 families. Thirteen species (Pisione guanche, Linopherus canariensis, Onuphis eremita oculata, Lumbrineris perkinsi, Dorvillea similis, Timarete caribous, Pherusa parmata, Pherusa saldanha, Streblosoma comatus, Polycirrus twisti, Laonome triangularis, Branchiomma bairdi and Janua steueri) are new to the Mediterranean fauna, 24 species are new to the Turkish fauna and 27 species are new to the Levantine coast of Turkey. The specimens collected from the Levantine coast of Turkey and northern Cyprus that were previously identified as Linopherus acarunculata and Branchiomma boholense are reidentified as L. canariensis and B. bairdi, respectively. In the light of present knowledge, the previous reports of Lumbrineris inflata and Streblosoma hesslei from the Mediterranean (Italian coast) could refer to the species L. perkinsi and S. comatus, respectively. The species new to the Mediterranean Sea are redescribed and discussed.     

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.