Target-enriched DNA sequencing from historical type material enables a partial revision of the Madagascar giant stream frogs (genus Mantidactylus)

ABSTRACT

The subgenus Mantidactylus is a group of frogs endemic to Madagascar, including the largest anuran species on the island. Although these frogs are common and widely distributed, their taxonomy remains unclear. Two species are currently recognised, M. grandidieri and M. guttulatus, with another available name, Rana pigra, considered to be a synonym of M. grandidieri. However, molecular studies have suggested the presence of several cryptic species within the group. Additionally, due to the lack of prominent morphological features, allocating the available names to evolutionary lineages has proven challenging. In the present study, we take a first step towards solving these problems by using fragments of the 16S mitochondrial gene and RAG1 nuclear gene from all over the range of the subgenus to describe its genetic diversity. We also use a newly designed target enrichment laboratory protocol to sequence three mitochondrial fragments from five name-holding museum specimens (as old as 120 years) in order to determine to which lineages the existing names should be applied. The study of the 16S mitochondrial gene revealed 7 geographically separated lineages, distinct enough to be considered candidate species. Out of the five museum specimens analysed, four successfully yielded DNA sequences and could be attributed to one of the aforementioned lineages. Therefore, the name Mantidactylus grandidieri should be applied to the populations from North-Eastern Madagascar, while M. guttulatus refers to populations from inland localities along the Eastern coast of the island. On the other hand, the holotype of Rana pigra did not yield enough genetic material to allow definitive identification. While our data were not sufficient to assess the status of the four lineages distributed along the Eastern coast, the populations from North-Western Madagascar were highly distinct on both the mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We thus describe them as a new species, M. radaka sp. nov.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1EDDAF0D-FE37-490A-B09E-E136A0C5CB35     

A new species of Mantidactylus (subgenus Guibemantis) from Madagascar,with a comparative survey of internal femoral gland structure in the genus (Amphibia: Ranidae: Mantellinae)

A new species of Mantidactylus (subgenus Guibemantis) from the rainforests of eastern Madagascar is described. The new species is sympatric with the closely related M. depressiceps (Boulenger, 1882) and M. tornieri (Ahl, 1929) but differs by larger size, a more strongly developed prepollex, and by advertisement calls. Mantidactylus acuticeps Ahl, 1929 and Rhacophorus mocquardii Boulenger, 1896 are confirmed to be junior synonyms of M. depressiceps. The presence of distinct femoral glands in the new species was noted; a feature so far not reliably recognized in other members of the subgenus Guibemantis. Femoral gland structure was investigated in representatives of each of the subgenera included in Mantidactylus by dissecting and reflecting the femoral skin. Four femoral gland types were identified. Type 1: many small, single granules in an ill-delimited patch, grouped in rosettes at the patch edges; type 2: a group of moderately sized granules in a well-delimited patch; type 3: comprising two different structures: distal granules enclosing externally a distinct central depression, and smaller proximal granules or groups of granules; type 4: as type 3, but lacking the proximal granules. Mantidactylus rivicola Vences, Glaw and Andreone, 1997, M. cf. malagasius (Methuen and Hewitt, 1913) and M. ventrimaculatus (Angel, 1935) differed from all other species examined; their femoral glands comprise a reduced number of large granules with an indistinct central depression in external view. The presence of a distal granule group with external central depression (types 3 and 4 above) provides a probable synapomorphy for the subgenera Brygoomantis, Ochthomantis, Hylobatrachus, Chonomantis and Mantidactylus. In females of these subgenera rudimentary femoral glands are present, but they lack completely in females of the other groups.     

Three new species and one new record of the genus Doryphoribius Pilato, 1969 (Tardigrada: Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee,USA)

Box jellyfishes (Cnidaria: Cubozoa) have a profound impact on human activities because of their highly potent venoms that may lead to severe envenomations in humans. Cubozoa is one of the smallest classes within Cnidaria with only some 50 described species in seven families. The literature on Cubozoa is scattered and oftentimes difficult to access. In particular, comprehensive treatments of Cubozoa that present a comparative overview of the group are either non-existent or largely outdated. Here we provide a synopsis of the carybdeid Cubozoa (Carybdeida) including an illustrated key to the families and genera of this order. Of particular interest is the family Carukiidae, which contains the species that was originally attributed with causing a severe envenomation syndrome called Irukandji syndrome. One new species of Carukiidae, Malo filipina sp. nov., is described, Morbakka virulenta is redescribed and a neotype is designated, and an unidentified species of Morbakka is recorded from the Philippines.     

Two new species of the genus Sinella Brook, 1882 (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from East China

Two new species, Sinella hexaseta sp. nov. and Sinella pauciseta sp. nov., collected from East China, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, respectively, were described. Both are easily discriminated from each other and all known Sinella species by their unique dorsocentral chaetotaxic patterns on Abd. IV. In S. pauciseta sp. nov., postlabial setae H_1–4 are ciliate, which are smooth in all other known species of the genus.     

Two new free-living nematode species of Setosabatieria (Comesomatidea) from the East China Sea and the Chukchi Sea

Two new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Setosabatieria from the sandy intertidal zone of Xiamen, in the East China Sea and a shallow water area in the Chukchi Sea, Arctic Ocean are described and illustrated. Setosabatieria longiapophysis sp. nov. is characterized by four longitudinal files with 7–9 cervical setae per file, 15–16 minute papillate precloacal supplements and relatively long straight apophyses of gubernaculum. Setosabatieria major sp. nov. is identified by its relatively large body of 2701–3144 µm, the number (10–11) of cervical setae per file, 26–28 minute papillate precloacal supplements and spicules with a central septum at both the proximal and distal end. A pictorial identification key to all known species of Setosabatieria is provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B8A2BEC9-5CD4-4AA9-9CA8-D1AE1FDE4887     

Report on Crassispirinae Morrison, 1966 (Mollusca: Neogastropoda: Turridae) from the China Seas

The present paper reports 32 turrid species from the China Seas, belonging to eight genera of the subfamily Crassispirinae of the family Turridae. Four new species are described: Funa cretea sp. nov., Inquisitor plurivaricis sp. nov., Inquisitor vividus sp. nov. and Ptychobela resticula sp. nov. Eight species are recorded for the first time from the China Seas.     

The West Palaearctic species of Fidiobia Ashmead, 1894 (Hymenoptera: Platygastroidea)

One new genus Songmachilis and six new species in family Machilidae are described from China: Songmachilis xinxiangensis gen. sp. nov., Coreamachilis songi sp. nov., Pedetontinus jiuzhaiensis sp. nov., Pedetontinus maijiensis sp. nov., Pedetontinus taishanensis sp. nov. and. Pedetontinus wudangensis sp. nov. A key to all Chinese species of Pedetontinus is given. We also examined the relationships among Chinese machilids based on partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). The molecular study further supported the species status of the six new taxa.     

Report on the Raphitomidae Bellardi, 1875 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Conoidea) from the China Seas

Twenty-seven Raphitomidae species belonging to nine genera, are recorded from the China Seas, including two new species, which are described here: Asperdaphne paramoretonica sp. nov., Daphnella inangulata sp. nov. Eight species are recorded for the first time from the China Seas.     

Two new species of Pogonognathellus (Collembola: Tomoceridae) from China,with a discussion of East Asian species

Thirteen species of the genus Pogonognathellus Paclt, 1944 Paclt, J. 1944. Nomina nova in Collembola. Entomol Listy, 7: 92 [Google Scholar] have been reported worldwide, two from East Asia. Two new species of the genus from Jilin Province, northeast China are described here. Pogonognathellus heterochros sp. nov. is characterized by its unique body colour. Pogonognathellus mai sp. nov. is most similar to Pogonognathellus beckeri (Börner, 1909) but differs from it mainly in maxilla and tenaculum. A key to the East Asian species is provided, and the confusion among these species is discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:902CD044-0A58-4CCF-A1B1-449C9DE10938     

A new species of the genus Liopeltis Fitzinger, 1843 from Vietnam (Squamata: Colubridae)

ABSTRACT

A new species of Liopeltis from central Vietnam is described based on morphological and molecular differences. Liopeltis pallidonuchalis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: one single (or missing) loreal; one single nasal shield; dorsal scales in 15–15-15 rows, all smooth; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars and 1 + 2 temporals; 7 supralabials, of which 3^rd and 4^th in contact with the eye; 8 infralabials; nasal contacting internasal; prefrontal touching or separated from supralabials; ventral scales 126–138; subcaudal scales 67–73, paired; relative tail length about 0.274–0.301; an uniform bronze body colouration; a thin postocular stripe extending from eye to end of the neck becoming indistinct posteriorly. The new species differs from the morphologically closest species Liopeltis frenata by the lower number of ventrals and subcaudals, by characteristic colouration and significant divergence in cytochrome b mtDNA gene sequences (p = 15.3–15.6%). The new species is currently known from northen and central parts of the Annamite (Truong Son) Mountains, central Vietnam, and was recorded from montane evergreen tropical forests of Kon Tum–Gia Lai Plateau (Gia Lai and Thua Thien–Hue provinces, Da Nang City) at elevations of 950–1010 m asl to karst tropical forests in Quang Binh Province in the north at elevation 150 asl. We suggest the new species should be considered as Vulnerable (VU) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. An updated taxonomic key to the Liopeltis species is provided.     

Mungotictis decemlineata lineata (Carnivora: Herpestidae), a mysterious Malagasy mongoose

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose Mungotictis decemlineata has two currently recognized subspecies: M. d. decemlineata and M. d. lineata. Recent literature indicates that the latter is very rare, occurring in the Toliara region of southwestern Madagascar, however there are no original locality data available for the sole specimen of this taxon, and there is no evidence to suggest that it occurs anywhere near Toliara. Fieldwork to find it should be targeted initially in the Kirindy-Sud/Marofihitse region south of Morondava, central western Madagascar.     

Two new species of the genus Paracyatholaimus Micoletzky (Nematoda: Cyatholaimidae) from the Yellow Sea

Two new free-living marine nematode species of Paracyatholaimus Micoletzky, 1923 Paracyatholaimus qingdaoensis sp. nov. and Paracyatholaimus huanghaiensis sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Paracyatholaimus qingdaoensis sp. nov. is characterized by cylindrical body with conical tail; spicules reverse S-shaped, distally pointed; gubernaculum plate, with two cusps at distal end, parallel to the spicules; 10 thick setose precloacal supplements in a 5 + 5 arrangement, anterior group of five supplements located at a protuberance. Paracyatholaimus huanghaiensis sp. nov. is characterized by a cylindrical body with conic-cylindrical tail; slender spicules curved, distally pointed; gubernaculum handle-shaped, expanding distally to a plate, with some sawteeth at distal end; three papillose precloacal supplements, each papilla protruding conically with cuticularized narrow ducts. A key for identification of species of Paracyatholaimus is proposed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0A8E40E5-AE7A-47DA-B755-61E1D088C1E9     

Integrative taxonomy at the nexus of population divergence and speciation in insular speckled rattlesnakes

ABSTRACT

We describe two diminutive species of rattlesnakes (genus Crotalus) from small nearshore islands off the coast of Baja California in the western Gulf of California, Mexico. In order to test the hypothesis that some island populations represent cohesive species entities, we applied linear discriminant analysis and uniform validation procedures to multiple classes of intrinsic trait data. By using previously recognised species to establish a threshold for species recognition, we found that assignment of specimens to either new species was as probable as with other established rattlesnake species within the speckled rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii) complex. We also found that assignment of specimens from other island populations was not as probable as for the established species, and these populations are referable to C. pyrrhus. The species endemic to Piojo Island is most closely related to other island and mainland populations of C. pyrrhus whereas the species endemic to Cabeza de Caballo Island is apparently most closely related to C. angelensis, a nearby island endemic of large body size. However, patterns from both mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies, and phenotypic variation, indicate that evolutionary trajectories of both of these species have been influenced by introgression from C. angelensis. We speculate that collective evidence based on contrasting patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial evolution supports a hybrid origin of the species from Cabeza de Caballo Island followed by exceptionally rapid mitochondrial evolution. Consistent with small body size, both species show a reduction in various scale counts relative to other species of the C. mitchellii species complex, suggesting that dwarfism is not simply a plastic response to insular conditions.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn.lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FBC8A11B-04A3-4231-85CA-3972DF5A42FF     

New species and rediagnosis of Coecobrya (Collembola: Entomobryidae), with a key to the species of the genus

The history of Coecobrya is traced and the genus is redefined. Two new species are described and one known species is redescribed in this paper: Coecobrya lanna sp. nov., Coecobrya tukmeas sp. nov. and Coecobrya aokii (Yoshii, 1995 Yoshii, R. 1995. Notes on Collembola of Vanuatu. Acta Zool Asiae-Orient., 3: 43–50.  [Google Scholar]). Additional details are provided for three other species Coecobrya guanophila Deharveng, 1990 Deharveng, L. 1990. Fauna of Thai caves. II. New Entomobryioidea Collembola from Chiang Dao cave, Thailand. Occas Papers Bernice P Bishop Mus., 30: 279–287.  [Google Scholar], Coecobrya similis Deharveng, 1990 Deharveng, L. 1990. Fauna of Thai caves. II. New Entomobryioidea Collembola from Chiang Dao cave, Thailand. Occas Papers Bernice P Bishop Mus., 30: 279–287.  [Google Scholar] and Coecobrya tenebricosa (Folsom, 1902). Complete S-chaetotaxy of the dorsal tergites is illustrated for the first time in the genus. Sinella ciliata Denis, 1932 is synonymized with C. tenebricosa. A key to the world species of Coecobrya is given.     

XXII.—On the structure of the palate and mandible of Archegosaurus decheni,Goldfuss

Summary

The genus Helixotionella is introduced for three species of spirally budded, free-living, lunulitiform bryozoans from Australia, H. spiralis (Chapman), H. rubra (Bretnall) and H. scutata sp. nov. H. spiralis, the type species, has a fossil history extending from the Upper Oligocene of Victoria, but like H. scutata, has been found to occur in Recent samples from Western Australia. H. rubra is known only from the Recent of New South Wales. All species have minute colonies and the majority of specimens has been revealed only after detailed examination of very fine fractions of bottom sediments, which themselves include a high proportion of bryozoan skeletal material.     

Pontoniine shrimps from the Zoological Museum,Copenhagen

Three species of Indo-West Pacific pontoniine shrimp from the collection of the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, have been examined. Two of the species were found to be new, Periclimenaeus mortenseni sp. nov. and P. wolffi sp. nov., from the Kei Islands, Indonesia, and off south west Taiwan, respectively, and are described and illustrated. Remarks, with illustrations, on little known, closely related species, Periclimenaeus pachydentatus Bruce 1969 and P. tridentatus (Miers, 1884), are also included. Platycaris latirostris Holthuis 1952, is recorded from Mauritius for the first time.     

New taxa of the family Trochometridiidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) associated with insects from Iran

A new genus and two new species of mites of the family Trochometridiidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) are described from Iran: Neotrochometridium sensillum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov gen. nov., sp. nov. associated with two carabid beetles and Trochometridium iranicum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov sp. nov. associated with a halictid bee. We also present the first report of two previously described species. These findings provide the first record of the family Trochometridiidae from Iran. The chaetotaxy of tarsus I of the family is discussed and a key to world genera and species is provided.     

Two new palaemonid shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda) from the Australian North West Shelf

Two palaemonid shrimps, from about 80 and 50 m on the Australian North West Shelf, are described and illustrated. A new genus, Carinopontonia, is designated for the single incomplete specimen of C. paucipes sp. nov. The new genus is most closely related to the genus Dasycaris Kemp, 1922. A single specimen of a second shrimp can be referred to Apopontonia Bruce, 1977, but to neither of the known species, and it is now described as A. tridentata sp. nov.     

Two new free-living marine nematode species of Xyalidae (Monhysterida) from the Yellow Sea,China

Two new species of free-living marine nematodes Paramonohystera eurycephalus sp. nov. and Steineria sinica sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China are described. Paramonohystera eurycephalus sp. nov. is characterized by relatively wide head diameter (33 μm in width), large cup-shaped buccal cavity; presence of numerous long cervical setae; amphidial fovea 18–20 μm in diameter; spicules slender, arcuate, 3.1–3.2 anal body diameter; gubernaculum tubular with a distal hook; five to six minute precloacal supplements. Steineria sinica sp. nov. is characterized by eight groups of three subcephalic setae at almost same level as cephalic setae; eight groups of two long cervical setae situated between subcephalic setae and amphidial fovea; amphidial fovea round, 35% of corresponding body diameter, about one head diameter from anterior end; spicules slender, cephalate proximally and taper distally; gubernaculum pipe-shaped with dorsocaudal apophysis; tail conico-cylindrical with three long terminal setae.