Revision of the millipede genus Xystodesmus,with reference to the status of the tribe Xystodesmini (Diplopoda: Xystodesmidae)

On the basis of morphometrics and geographic distribution, we revise Xystodesmus martensii Peters and its related forms in Japan, which had been recognized as ten species belonging to five genera. In delimitation of species, first we sought the biggest pheno-geographic units based on the dendrogram from a cluster analysis and geographic distribution; a pheno-geographic unit is defined as an aggregation of populations being phenetically closely similar and geographically closely distributed to each other. Then, we decided whether each unit was warranted as a species. As a result, we propose that these forms constitute a single genus Xystodesmus comprising six species including one new species. The newly defined Xystodesmus is characterized by high variation in gonopod morphology and conservative coloration, body form and size. The status of some populations is still uncertain because of lack of material. The tribe Xystodesmini, to which Xystodesmus belongs, and the tribe Harpaphini are so similar that we could not warrant their separation. We propose the following new synonymies: the tribe Harpaphini with the tribe Xystodesmini; Phrurodesmus Takakuwa and Nikkonus Chamberlin and Wang with Xystodesmus; Xystodesmus scabra Verhoeff, Rhysodesmus tuberculatus Takakuwa, Rh. ikaoensis Takakuwa, and Rh. kitazawai Miyosi, with X. martensii; Phrurodesmus kinshaensis Murakami with X. gracilipes (Takakuwa). Riukiaria shirozui Takakuwa, Rh. serrulatus Miyosi, and P. gracilipes Takakuwa, are transferred to Xystodesmus. We describe X. tokaiensis as a new species.     

Notes on the classification of some little-known Australian paradoxosomatid genera (Diplopoda,Polydesmida)

Summary

The type species of six hitherto poorly described genera of Paradoxosomatidae from Australia have been re-examined. The name Cladethosoma Chamberlin, 1920, should replace Leucotessara Verhoeff, 1928; its type-species Australiosoma (C.) clarum Chamberlin, 1920, being conspecific with Leucotessara verhoeffi (Attems, 1931). The allocation of Somethus Chamberlin, 1920, and Paraustraliosoma Verhoeff, 1924, to the tribe Australiosomatini is confirmed. Australodesmus Chamberlin, 1920, formerly tentatively referred to the Australiosomatini, belongs to the Antichiropodini. The reference to the same tribe of Notodesmus Chamberlin, 1920, and Mjoebergodesmus Verhoeff, 1924, is substantiated.     

Identity of the east Asian millipede Habrodesmus inexpectatus Attems, 1944 (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae)

The enigmatic diplopod Habrodesmus inexpectatus Attems, 1944 Attems, C. 1944. Neue Polydesmoidea.. Zool Anz., 144: 223–251.  [Google Scholar], hitherto known only from a single locality in Japan, is redescribed both from type material and several fresh samples from Taiwan, thus being new to the millipede fauna of this island. Furthermore, based on its gonopod traits, this species is assigned to Geniculodesmus n. gen., a genus of still vague tribal position, but apparently especially similar to Haplogonosoma Brölemann, 1916, with two species ranging from Sumatra in the South to Japan and the Kurile Islands in the North, as well as to Aponedyopus Verhoeff, 1939, with a few species endemic to Japan and Taiwan.     

Three new species of free-living nematodes from the Bohai Sea,China

Three new species of free-living marine nematode, Setosabatieria jingjingae sp. nov., Amphimonhystera circula sp. nov. and Belbolla zhangi sp. nov., from the Bohai Sea, China, are described and illustrated. Setosabatieria jingjingae can be separated from the other two species in the genus by the number of amphid turns, the structure of the spicules and the number of pre-cloacal supplements. A pictorial key and tabular information are provided to facilitate species identification in this genus. Amphimonhystera circula is characterized by circular amphids, a simple gubernaculum and the shape of the tail. Belbolla zhangi is characterized by the number of oesophageal bulbs, the shape of the spicules and gubernacular apophysis, and the size of the two pre-cloacal supplements. The types are deposited in the Natural History Museum (London).     

Deep sea swimming crabs of the Charybdis miles species group in the western Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae)

The deep-sea species of the Charybdis miles group occurring in the western Indian Ocean are revised on the basis of recent collections obtained by German and Russian expeditions. Two new species are described, Charybdis meteor sp. n. from the Straits of Bab el Mandeb and Charybdis crosnieri sp. n. from the insular margins and seamounts of the western Indian Ocean, which has been previously identified as Charybdis sagamiensis Parisi, 1916. The C. miles group represents a lineage with a probably relatively recent tendency for submergence which culminated in the formation of C. acutidens Türkay, 1986, a characteristic species of the deep Red Sea water mass.     

Diagnoses,synonymies and occurrences of the pantropical millipeds,Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler) and Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais) (Spirobolida: Pachybolidae: Trigoniulinae)

The trigoniuline millipeds, Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler) and Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais), the latter apparently native to southeast Asia, have been introduced into Africa, Central and South America, and tropical islands throughout the world. Literature records are summarized, new localities are presented, and diagnostic statements and anatomical illustrations are provided. Full synonymies are presented, and the following new ones are proposed: under L. sorornus— Spirobolus suturalis Porat, S. sanctae-luciae Bollman, S. coquereli Saussure and Zehntner, Trigoniulus ambonensis Attems, T. acolastus Silvestri, Glosselus musarum Cook, and nine names authored by R. V. Chamberlin— Cairibolus antonianus, T. frater, T. garmani, T. remotus and T. philippinus, Spirostrophus socius and S. javanus, Litobolus hanevavus, and Trucobolus townesi; under T. corallinus— Iulus sumatrensis Gervais, Spirobolus sanguineus Koch, S. goësi Porat, S. cinctipes Butler, S. rugosus Voges, six names by Karsch— S. detornatus, S. punctiplenus, S. signifer, S. decoratus, S. phranus and S. punctidives—S. dominicae Pocock, S. surinamensis Bollman, S. dorsopunctatus Saussure and Zehntner, Trigoniulus sanguineus Tomosvary, T. tahitianus and T. amnestus, both by Chamberlin, and T. (Marshallbolus) takakuwai Verhoeff.     

Taxonomy of the Goliath beetle Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

The 16 names proposed for the central and eastern African Goliath beetle Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar], are reviewed and a complete synonymy is presented for the species. The earliest published name is Goliathus giganteus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar], type locality Lindi, Deutsch-Ostafrika, and so the correct name for the species is Goliathus orientalis Moser, 1909 Moser, J. 1909. Eine neue Lokalform von Goliathus giganteus Lam. Deut Entomol Z, 1909: 238 [Google Scholar]. Goliathus meleagris Sjöstedt, 1927a Sjöstedt, Y. 1927a. Goliathus meleagris n. sp. (Vorläufige Mitteilung). Entomol Tidskr, 48: 123 [Google Scholar], type locality Katanga, Congo Belge, is a synonym of G. orientalis. Populations of G. orientalis in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania, may represent a distinct subspecies. The correct subspecific name for this form would be G. orientalis usambarensis Preiss, 1933 Preiss, P. 1933. Neue und bekannte afrikanische Cetoniinen mit besonderer Berucksichtigung der Fauna von Mongoumba. Verh Naturhist Ver Preuss Rheinl Westfalens, 90: 1–3. 70–92 + pls [Google Scholar]; the widely used name G. orientalis preissi Endrödi, 1951 Endrödi, S. 1951. Die arten und aberrationen der gattung Goliathus Lam. i. Folia Entomol Hung (n. s), 4: 29–56.  [Google Scholar], is a junior subjective synonym of G. o. usambarensis Preiss. Goliathus orientalis is re-described and characters are presented for separation of adults of G. orientalis from adults of the partially sympatric species Goliathus goliatus (L.), 1771 and Goliathus albosignatus Boheman, 1857.     

The millipede tribe Nedyopodini,with special reference to the fauna of Taiwan (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae)

The east and southeast Asian millipede tribe Nedyopodini is here restricted to a single genus, Nedyopus Attems, 1914 Attems, C. G. 1914. Die indo‐australischen Myriopoden.. Archiv für Naturgeschichte, 80: 1–398.  [Google Scholar]; the following genera are here considered to be junior subjective synonyms: Vaulogerodesmus Brölemann, 1916 Brölemann, H. W. 1916. Essai de classification des polydesmiens (Myriapodes).. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France, 84: 523–607.  [Google Scholar], Nesodyopus Verhoeff, 1940 Verhoeff, K. W. 1940. Zur Kenntnis ostasiatischer Diplopoden V (Polydesmoidea).. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 131: 129–145.  [Google Scholar], n. syn., and Varyomorpha Wang, 1957, n. syn. This taxonomically confused tribe/genus is reviewed and redefined. Based on new collections, the fauna of Taiwan currently contains five Nedyopus species including the redescribed N. hsientienensis (Wang, 1957) and N. pectinatus (Wang, 1957), both n. comb. ex Varyomorpha, as well as the newly described N. caudatus n. sp., N. latus n. sp., and N. wui n. sp. A key to these five species is provided.     

Karkata,a new genus of gecarcinucid freshwater crab with two new species,and four new species of Pilarta Bahir and Yeo, 2007 and Cylindrotelphusa Alcock, 1909 (Decapoda: Brachyura) from Kerala,India

A new genus of freshwater crab, Karkata gen. nov., with two species, K. ghanarakta sp. nov. (type species) and K. kusumbha sp. nov., and two new species each of Pilarta Bahir and Yeo, 2007 (P. aroma sp. nov. and P. punctatissima sp. nov.) and Cylindrotelphusa Alcock, 1909 (C. breviphallus sp. nov. and C. longiphallus sp. nov.), are described from Kerala, India. Additionally, C. granulata (Pillai, 1951) comb. et stat. nov. is recognised as a distinct species. Karkata gen. nov. is distinguished from other Indian gecarcinucid genera by a suite of carapace and gonopod characters, including a moderately arched, smooth carapace, the presence of a prominent suture between male thoracic sternites 2, 3 and 3, 4, the absence of a flagellum on the third maxilliped exopod, a very short terminal segment of the male first gonopod (G1), and a short distal segment of the male second gonopod (G2). Karkata ghanarakta sp. nov. is differentiated from K. kusumbha sp. nov. by the shape of the G1 subterminal segment and its live colouration. Pilarta punctatissima sp. nov. is distinct among the congeners mainly by its densely punctate carapace, densely setose anterolateral and posterolateral margins of the carapace, stouter G1 terminal segment, and relatively long G2 distal segment whereas P. aroma sp. nov. can be separated from P. anuka Bahir and Yeo, 2007 by its relatively smooth carapace, deep H-shaped groove, relatively long G1 terminal segment, and almost straight outer margins of the G1 terminal and subterminal segments. Cylindrotelphusa breviphallus sp. nov. is differentiated from C. longiphallus sp. nov. and C. steniops (Alcock, 1909) by its stout G1, with a stout, short terminal segment. Cylindrotelphusa longiphallus sp. nov. is distinguished from the congeners by its shallow, narrow cervical grooves and relatively slender ambulatory legs. An identification key to the species of Karkata, Pilarta and Cylindrotelphusa is provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AB9B01DA-B23F-4AC2-9349-75ADDBBBF707     

New and little-known species of Didemnidae (Ascidiacea,Tunicata) from Australia (part I)

Continuing examination of colonial ascidians in museum collections is revealing further diversity in the family Didemnidae, which abounds in the tropical Indo-West Pacific and around the Australian continent (Kott, 2001). From the present work, it is apparent that much remains to be learnt about this fauna. Of the 45 species discussed in this paper, 16 are new. Larvae are described for the first time for Polysyncraton pedunculatum Kott, 2001 and P. rica Kott, 2001. Amongst the synonymy established in this paper Didemnoides tropicum Sluiter, 1909 is found to be a junior synonym of Lissoclinum patella (Gottschaldt, 1898) and Trididemnum vermiforme Kott, 2001 a junior synonym of T. nobile Kott, 2001. Didemnum nekozita Tokioka, 1967 is found to be a valid species distinct from Polysyncraton cuculliferum (Sluiter, 1909). Prolific replication rates, rapid colony growth, flexibility in growth form and a viviparous habit result in convergence tending to small zooid size, and similar large, increasingly complex colonies found in this family contribute to species diversity around the whole of the Australian continent.     

A new genus of freshwater crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Thailand,with a description of a new species

A new genus, Stelomon, is established for the Thai freshwater crabs Potamon kanchanaburiense Naiyanetr, 1992, and P. pruinosum Alcock, 1909. The unique structure of the male first pleopod is the key diagnostic generic character. One new species, which differs in the form of the male first pleopod, is also described. A key to the species of Stelomon is included.     

LXVI.—The non-marine mollusca of Sierra Leone

Summary

The families Opecoelidae, Lepocreadiidae and Enenteridae are differentiated. The Enenteridae is considered to consist of three subfamilies, the Enenterinae, the Cadenatellinae subfam. nov. and the Pseudolepidapedinae, whose constituent genera are listed. The diagnostic features of the opecoelid subfamilies Opecoelinae, Plagioporinae and Stenakrinae are presented. Plagioporus is restricted to freshwater forms, and Lebouria is considered a synonym of Peracreadium, following the transfer of L. idonea Nicoll, 1909, to the latter genus as P. idoneum comb. nov. Caudotestis is considered to belong to the Stenakrinae, Trematichtys to the Allocreadiidae, Spinoplagioporus to the Enenterinae and Pycnadenoides to the Plagioporinae. Macvicaria gen. nov., with the type-species M. [Plagioporus] alacris (Looss, 1901) and also containing M. [Distoma] soleae (Dujardin, 1845) (syn. Plagioporus varius) is erected for some of the marine forms previously allocated to Plagioporus. Neolebouria is briefly discussed and N. merretti sp. nov. from Bathytyphlops sewelli is described. Gaevskajatrema gen. nov. is erected for type-species G. [Peracreadium] perezi (Mathias, 1926) and G. [Plagioporus] lethrini (Nagaty, 1942). Podocotyle is discussed, especially in relation to P. angulata (Dujardin, 1845), which is reinstated as the type-species, P. atomon (Rud., 1802) and P. staffordi Miller, 1941, and P. abitionis McFarlane, 1936, is transferred to Pellamyzon. Tellervotrema gen. nov. is erected for the type-species T. armstrongi sp. nov. from Nezumia aequalis, which is described, and T. [Plagioporus] beringi (Mamaev, 1965). The genera Peracreadium, Cainocreadium, Hamacreadium, Bathycreadium and Helicometra are also briefly discussed. In addition, a key to the plagioporine genera occurring in European Atlantic waters is presented.     

Intraspecific clinal variation in Plagiodontes patagonicus (Gastropoda: Orthalicidae,Odontostominae), an endemic species from Argentina

Plagiodontes patagonicus (d'Orbigny, 1835) is a quite variable species endemic to southern Buenos Aires province (Argentina). Its taxonomic characterization did not include any quantitative analysis of variability for an accurate discrimination, and the extremes of its variation were described as different subspecies or species. In this paper, shell measurements and angles, and quantitative data on the terminal male genitalia were studied by Principal Component Analysis and Varimax multivariate analysis. Typical Plagiodontes patagonicus and the largest form known as P. patagonicus magnus Hylton‐Scott, 1951 Hylton‐Scott, MI. 1951. Nuevos moluscos terrestres del norte argentino.. Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 10: 5–29.  [Google Scholar] showed an almost continuous pattern of shell variation, which is positively correlated with the altitude gradient over their geographical range, which in turn is correlated with a rainfall gradient, i.e. they constitute a size‐form cline that does not allow objective delimitation of different morphospecies. Data from the genital system were also arranged as a geographical gradient within the P. patagonicus patagonicus–P. patagonicus magnus continuum. The variability of protoconch sculpture and apertural teeth also indicate recognition of them as a single taxon.     

Some flagellates (Protista) from tropical marine sediments

An account is given of 114 new or otherwise interesting species of benthic marine flagellates from Fiji, Northern Australia (Queensland), Hawaii, Panama and Brazil. Most species are heterotrophs drawn from the euglendis, dinoflagellates, kinetoplastids, bicosoecids, heteroloboseids, and a variety of taxa of uncertain affinities. The work emphasizes the rich variety of protist taxa in marine benthic sites. New names are Amphidinium corrugatum, Anisonema glaciale, Bodo cephalophorus, B. platyrhynchus, B. saliens, Bordnamonas tropicana, Cafeteria ligulifera, C. marsupialis, C. minuta (Ruinen, 1938) nov. comb., Cryptaulax elegans, Dinematomonas inaequalis = Dinema inaequale, Dinematomonas maculata (= Dinema maculatum), Dinematononas valida (= Dinema validum), Diplonema ambulator, Diplonema metabolicum, Discocelis punctata, Dolium sedentarium, Goniomonas amphinema, Goniomonas pacifica, Gyrodinium oblongum, Heteronema exaratum, H. splendens, H. vittatum, Mastigamoeba psammobis, M. skujae nom. nov., Massisteria marina, Metopion fluens, Metromonas grandis, M. simplex (Griessmann, 1913) nov. comb., Notosolenus alatellus, N. navicula, N. ostium, N. scutulum, N. urceolatus, N. tamanduensis, N. triangularis, Percolomonas cuspidata, P. descissa (Perty, 1852) nov. comb., P. elephas (Klug, 1936) nov. comb., P. membranifera, P. pyriformis (Klebs, 1892) nov. comb., P. salina (Entz, 1904) nov. comb., P. spinosa (Klug, 1936) nov. comb., P. sulcata (Stein, 1878) nov. comb., Petalomonas boadicea, P. marginalis, P. minor, P. poosilla, P. raiula, Phyllomitus granulatus, P. vesiculosus, Platychilomonas psammobia, Ploeotia adhaerens, P. corrugata, P. decipiens, P. heracleum, P. discoides, P. longifilum, P. oblonga, P. pseudanisonema, P. punctata, P. robusta, P. scrobiculata, P. tenuis, Protaspis obliqua, P. verrucosa, P. gemmifera, P. tegere, Pseudoperanema (= Peranema) dolochonema, Thecamonas filosa, T. mutabilis (Griessmann, 1913) nov. comb., T.trahens, Urceolus cornutus, U. cristatus.     

A study of Platyplectrus Ferrière (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in mainland China

This paper reviews the Chinese species of Platyplectrus Ferrière. Twelve valid species are recognized from mainland China and a key to species is provided. Trichoplectrus Erdös (1951 Erdös, J, 1951. "Eulophidae novae. Acta Biologica". 1951, Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 2(1–3), 169–237. [Google Scholar]) is newly synonymized with Metaplectrus Ferrière (1941 Ferrière, C, 1941. New species of Euplectrini (Hym. Chalcidoidea) from Europe, Africa and Asia, Bulletin of Entomological Research 32 (1941), pp. 17–48.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]) and three new combinations are proposed: Metaplectrus szepligetii (Erdös) from Platyplectrus, Platyplectrus bussy (Crawford) from Euplectrus and P. politus (Lin) from Metaplectrus. Four species of Platyplectrus were known previously from China: P. politus (Lin), P. odontogaster (Lin), P. papillata Lin and P. medius Zhu and Huang. Six species, P. bussyi (Crawford), P. laeviscuta (Thomson), P. natadae Ferrière, P. orthocraspedae Ferrière, P. pannonica (Erdös) and P. viridiceps (Ferrière) are newly recorded from China and re-described. Five new species, P. pulcher, P. setulosus, P. peculiaris, P. obtusiclavatus and P. variflagellum are described and compared with related species. Several species are also newly recorded from other regions: P. orthocraspedae Ferrière from the Afrotropical region, P. bussyi (Crawford) and P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Australian/Pacific region, P. laeviscuta (Thomson) from the Oriental region and P. viridiceps from the Palearctic region.     

A new subfamily of Rhynchohydracaridae (Acari,Hydrachnellae) from the island of Coiba (Panama) with descriptions of new taxa

During an intensive study of the water mite fauna of the island of Coiba (Panama) the following new taxa were found: a new subfamily of Rhynchohydracaridae Lundblad, 1936 with two new genera and species, and a new subgenus of Rhynchohydracarus Lundblad, 1936 with a new species. The female of this genus is described for the first time.     

The henicopid centipede Haasiella (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha): new species from Australia,with a morphology-based phylogeny of Henicopidae

Paralamyctes (Haasiella) Pocock, 1901 (= Wailamyctes Archey, 1917) includes three described species from New Zealand and its Subantarctic Islands. Australian species of P. (Haasiella) include P. (H.) subicolus n. sp. from Tasmania and a clade composed of P. (H.) cammooensis n. sp. from Queensland and New South Wales, P. (H.) ginini n. sp. from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and an allied species from Tasmania. Monophyly of P. (Haasiella) and the membership of a P. (H.) cammooensis Group are supported by parsimony analysis of morphological characters. A grouping of P. (Haasiella) and P. (Thingathinga) as retrieved by molecular data analysis is also found in minimal length cladograms based on morphology. The dataset incorporates new information on several previously poorly known henicopids, including the types of Lamyctopristus Attems, 1928, and Analamyctes Chamberlin, 1955.