Copepoda associated with the thorny coral Antipathes (Antipatharia) in the Indo-Pacific

Six new copepods are associated with five species of the antipatharian coral Antipathes in the Indo-Pacific. Three asterocherid siphonostomatoids are described. Asteropontius latus sp. nov., from Antipathes sp. at Bohol Island, Philippines, has an unusually broad prosome. Asteropontius bandicola sp. nov., from Antipathes abies (L.) in the Moluccas and Antipathes cf. spinescens Gray in northwestern Madagascar, has rounded lateral margins on the female genital somite and the free segment of leg 5 is elongate with the ratio 2·69:1. Orecturus grandisetiger gen. nov., sp. nov., from Antipathes ericoides Pallas and Antipathes longibrachiata (van Pesch) in northwestern Madagascar, Antipathes reticulata Esper in the Moluccas, and Antipathes sp. at Bohol, Phillipines, has an unusually large seta on the third segment of the first antenna. Three lichomolgid poecilostomatoids are described from Antipathes sp. at Bohol in the Philippines. Visayasia lobura gen. nov., sp. nov., and Visayasia subterna gen. nov., sp. nov., are characterized by having the third segment of the endopod of leg 1 in both sexes armed with I, I, 4. Paramolgus delicatulus sp. nov., has a short caudal ramus and the female genital double somite is indented. The range of Paramolgus insectus (Humes, 1969) is extended from Madagascar and the Moluccas to the Philippines.     

Three new species of the brackish‐water copepod Halicyclops (Crustacea,Cyclopoida) from Ariake Bay,Japan

Three new species of the cyclopoid copepod Halicyclops are described from river estuaries of Ariake Bay, Japan. Halicyclops continentalis sp. nov. is most similar to H. laminifer, but differs by the shape of an angular protuberance on the genital double‐somite and a serrate hyaline frill of the fourth urosomite. Halicyclops sinensis described by Tai and Chen is widely distributed in China and is identifiable to H. continentalis, indicating that the population in Ariake Bay is probably a continental relict. Halicyclops uncus sp. nov., belonging to the thermophilus group, is distinguishable by the shape of the lateral process on the genital double‐somite, a frill of the fourth urosomite and caudal rami; it is probably endemic to Japan. Halicyclops ariakensis sp. nov. differs from the other congeners by a combination of the shape of the prosome, urosomal hyaline frills and caudal ramus length; it is considered endemic to Ariake Bay.     

New species of Brodskius,Rythabis, and Omorius (Crustacea: Calanoida) from deep Antarctic waters

Three new species of rare benthopelagic clausocalanoidean genera with sensory setae on the maxilla are described from female specimens collected during the German Antarctic expeditions ANDEEP I–III in 2002 and 2005, mainly from abyssal depths close to the sea bed. Brodskius abyssalis sp. nov. differs from congeners by the lack of rostral filaments, two setae on the second segment of antenna exopod, thread‐like tips of maxillary worm‐like sensory setae, and the length of spines of P5 exopod. Rythabis assymmetrica sp. nov. is distinguished from other species in the genus by asymmetrical posterior corners of the prosome, the shape of spermathecae, and setal numbers on the maxillulary distal basal endite plus endopod. Omorius curvispinus sp. nov. is characterized by strongly curved setae of the maxillipedal syncoxa, a comparatively long seta on the basis of antenna, a slightly swollen genital double‐somite, and the shape of spermathecae. The genera Brodskius, Omorius, and Rythabis are recorded for the first time from the southern hemisphere.     

Two new deep-sea species of Argestidae and Ameiridae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the Eastern Mexican Pacific and Gulf of California,with proposal of a new genus of the family Argestidae

ABSTRACT

A handful of benthic harpacticoid species are known from the Gulf of California. Here I describe Argestes analongises sp. n. (Argestidae), and Argestigens celibis sp. n. (Ameiridae) from the deep sea of the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Gulf of California. Argestes analongises sp. n. fits in the subfamily Argestinae (Argestidae) and was attributed to the genus Argestes by the presence of small spinules covering the body surface of, at least, the urosome, and by the presence of an extremely elongated distal seta on the sixth segment of the female antennule. This new species seems to be allied to A. angolaensis by the situation of all the caudal setae, and by the ventral position of caudal seta III. They differ in the relative length of the female caudal rami, size, shape and relative position of the sensilla-bearing tubercles associated to the anal somite, armature of the mandibular basis, shape of the exopodal and endopodal segments of swimming legs, and relative length of the setae on the female P5 endopodal lobe and position of the innermost seta of the exopod of the female fifth leg. Argestigens celibis sp. n. was attributed to the family Ameiridae based on the non-argestid maxilla, on the presence of a more or less well-developed endopodal lobe of the male fifth leg and three inner setae on the third endopodal segment of the third leg, and on the presence of the typically modified ameirid-like inner spine on the basis of the male first leg. The new species was attributed to Argestigens based on the non-prehensile endopod of first leg and presence of long inner spinules on the basis of second to fourth legs. Additionally, a new genus, Georgus gen. n., is proposed for Bodinia peterrumi, and some comments are given on the monophyly of that genus.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4BD580B0-E856-4FBC-ABA6-B031A9B6E1F9     

Two new Asian species of the genus Scottolana Huys, 2009 (Copepoda: Canuelloida: Canuellidae)

Two new species of the family Canuellidae Lang, 1944, Scottolana jasani sp. nov. collected from Gusipo Beach, Korea and S. huysi sp. nov. from Kata Beach, Phuket Island, Thailand, are described. So far 14 species are currently known in the genus, of which only two, S. bulbifera from Russia, China, and Korea, and S. geei from China, have been reported from Asia. The new species, Scottolana jasani sp. nov. and S. huysi sp. nov., belong to the longipes-group, defined by the presence of two postgenital segments in the female, and caudal ramus with a proximal hook-like inner projection. Scottolana jasani sp. nov. closely resembles S. geei. However, it is easily distinguished by the following characters: (1) number of segments of antennal exopod (8 in the new species, but 9 in S. geei); (2) setae I, and II of caudal ramus; (3) shape of genital field in both sexes; (4) segmentation of mandibular exopod; and (5) spinular ornamentation of endopod-2 in P1. Scottolana huysi sp. nov. is also closely related to S. geei. However, it is unique and different from S. geei by (1) indistinctly 4-segmented antennule in the female; (2) 5-segmented male antennule; (3) larger genital field in female; (4) inner long seta on P4 coxa; and (5) the morphology of caudal seta II, being long and plumose, with a bulbiform base in the female only.

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:33BFE1A2-8C95-4A9D-9E7A-B495CEEC3182     

On Paranacypris samambaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Crustacea,Ostracoda), the first South American psychrodromid from the alluvial valley of the Upper Paraná River,Brazil

Paranacypris samambaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is here described from closed lakes in the alluvial valley of the Upper Paraná River. The new genus, characterized by a large frontally overlapping left valve, belongs in the Psychrodromini, and is the first representative of this tribe described in South America. Nevertheless, it has some different character states, and the diagnosis of the tribe had to be adapted. The species is rare and restricted to closed lakes (not in contact with the main channels of the river). It mostly occurs in benthic littoral habitats, and far less in the pleuston communities, the most common habitat in this floodplain. The behaviour of P. samambaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is enigmatic because it combines long natatory setae on the antennae (swimming behaviour) with a very stout caudal ramus, including the spine‐like posterior seta (crawling behaviour). We present a key to the genera of the Herpetocypridinae.     

A new genus and species of Sarcoglanidinae (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from southeastern Brazil,with a re-examination of subfamilial phylogeny

Microcambeva barbata, n. gen. et sp., is described from rio São João, Estado do Rio de Janeiro. It is proposed as the sister group of Malacoglanis and Sarcoglanis, on the basis of three characters: pectoral fin longer than the head, pectoral fin rays projecting well beyond the fin membrane, and a forked caudal fin. Monophyly of the Sarcoglanidinae is confirmed by the unique possession of a long lateral process on the premaxilla and a separate anterior ossification on the palatine. A sister group relationship between the Sarcoglanidinae and the Glanapteryginae is supported by four synapomorphies: a posteriorly directed dorsal process on the quadrate, a large dorsal anteriorly directed process on the hyomandibula, vomer reduced and generalized miniaturization. A more inclusive group composed of Sarcoglanidinae, Glanapteryginae, Tridentinae, Vandeliinae and Stegophilinae is considered monophyletic, since they all exhibit a reduced interopercular patch of odontodes, a reduced or absent metapterygoid, reduction in the number of pleural ribs, and lack an elongate process on the parasphenoid.     

On three new species of Mesochra Boeck, 1865 (Harpacticoida: Canthocamptidae) from Iceland

Three new species of Mesochra Boeck, 1865, were found during two surveys in south‐western Iceland of the feeding ecology of juvenile lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus Linnaeus, 1758, in floating seaweed and the seasonality of harpacticoids in a low intertidal pool. Only two species of the genus, M. lilljeborgi Boeck, 1864 and M. rapiens (Schmeil, 1894), have been found in previous studies in Iceland. The three new species, Mesochra ingolfssoni sp. nov., Mesochra snoppa sp. nov., and Mesochra freyri sp. nov. resemble M. stellfeldi Jakobi, 1954 in the normal (not dwarfed) outer seta of both male and female P5 EXP, but differ in that M. stellfeldi possesses unequal inner baseoendopodal setae on the female P5. The three new species resemble M. pygmaea (Claus, 1863) in the equal inner baseoendopodal setae of the female P5, but differ in the dwarfed outer seta of the male and female P5 EXP present in M. pygmaea, and can be easily separated by shape of the rostrum, female P6, number of pinnate elements on the second antennular segment, general shape of the antenna and shape of the lateral and distal inner spines, among other character states.     

Paranannopidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from sublittoral soft sediments in Spitsbergen

Based on specimens of Paranannopidae collected from 30 to 123 m depth in Sassenfjord, Spitsbergen, two species of Paradanielssenia Soyer, 1970 (P. christineae sp. nov. and P. kathleenae sp. nov.) are described. These can be distinguished from known species by differences in the number of claviform aesthetascs on the mouthparts and in the arrangement or form of setae on the legs. A key to species of Paradanielssenia is provided. Mucrosenia gen. nov. (type species M. kendalli sp. nov.) is established on the basis of a single female and can be distinguished from all known paranannopid genera by the structure of the caudal ramus and the P2 endopod-2 which has no inner seta and a large mucroniform process at the outer distal corner. Psammis kliei Smirnov, 1946 is assigned to this genus as species incertae sedis. Danielssenia quadriseta Gee, 1988 is recorded for the first time outside its type locality in Oslofjord. Danielssenia spitsbergensis sp. nov. is described from a single male specimen and can easily be distinguished from other known species by the presence of only two outer spines on exopod-3 of P3-4. However, because of differences in the structure of the P2 endopod and P5, the species is placed incertae sedis within Danielssenia pending the discovery of the female.     

Three new species of the genus Normanella Brady (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the Gulf of Mexico

Three new species of Normanellidae are described from the Texas coast, Gulf of Mexico. Normanella texana sp. nov. has limited areolated patterns on the cephalothorax, short P5 exopod and endopod, short caudal ramus and short caudal seta VI-V. Normanella brevispina sp. nov. is characterized by its relatively long caudal rami, and areolated rostrum. Normanella chanhoi sp. nov. has well-developed areolated patterns on the cephalothorax, six-segmented antennule and a smooth apical margin of the rostrum. N. texana belongs to the bolini -lineage, and N. brevispina to the minuta -lineage. Normanella chanhoi establishes a new lineage of its own.     

Three new species of the genus Mononchus (Nematoda: Mononchida), and the “real” Mononchus truncatus Bastian, 1865

Mononchus altiplanicus sp. nov. from Chile is characterized by an average body length of 2.68 mm, dorsal tooth apex at about 30% of buccal capsule, transversal ribs anterior to tooth apex, tail on average eight anal body widths long. Mononchus oblongus sp. nov. from France is characterized by an average body length of 1.72 mm, shape and length of the buccal cavity (more elongate than in other congeners), relatively anterior position of the dorsal tooth apex, tail on average 8.2 anal body widths long, and seta-like subterminal caudal papillae. Mononchus medius sp. nov. from the USA is characterized by an average body length of 1.55 mm, posterior location of dorsal tooth apex, subventral ribs anterior to tooth apex, and tail on average 7.7 anal body widths long. Mononchus truncatus is rediagnosed on the basis of type/neotype specimens and those from Hungary. A key to species is provided.     

A new genus and six new species of the Parabathynellidae (Bathynellacea,Syncarida) from the Kimberley region,Western Australia

Six new species of a new genus of the Parabathynellidae are described from the Kimberley Region, Western Australia. The erection of the new genus, Kimberleybathynella gen. nov., is based on the two‐segmented antenna, the partial fusion of the second and third segments of the maxilla, and the setal condition of the uropodal exopodite, where the outer seta is longer than the inner one. The one‐segmented exopodite of thoracopods I–VII and hemispherical form of male thoracopod VIII suggest the close relationship of Kimberleybathynella to the genus Atopobathynella.     

Two new species of nematode (Spirurida: Physalopteridae) from Australian lizards (Reptilia: Scincidae: Gekkonidae)

Two new species of physalopterid nematodes are described from a skink (Scincidae) and a gecko (Gekkonidae) from the West Australian desert. Kreisiella chrysocampa gen. et sp. nov. (Spirurida: Physaloperidae) from Egernia inornata is characterized by the possession of a row of straight parallel denticles along the medial pseudolabial margins, male caudal alae unsupported by papillae, a truncated female tail and an anteriorly-placed vulva. The original female specimen of Physaloptera heterocephala Kreis, 1940 is transferred to this genus. In Physalopteroides filicauda sp. nov. (Physalopteridae) from Nephrurus laevissimus the external apical tooth present in immature worms is represented in adults by a knob-like structure, larger on the left pseudolabium. Both sexes possess a long slender tail terminating in a small knob. The spicules are markedly dissimilar and the vulva is surrounded anteriorly and posteriorly by horizontal rows of tubercules.     

A new species of Australian bioluminescent ostracod (Myodocopina: Cypridinidae) with an unreported iridescent structure

A new species of cypridinid (Myodocopina) ostracod is described. This species, from off the west coat of Tasmania, is a scavenger. It occurs in an area of relatively high diversity of scavenging crustaceans, and exhibits feeding limbs well equipped for scavenging. Vargula karamu produces bioluminescence but displays subordinate iridescence as compared to the non-bioluminescent Skogsbergia sp. (Skogsbergia sp. uses iridescence during courtship, Parker 1995). It bears a long terminal seta on the endopodite of the second antenna which iridesces blue and is positioned very close to the other iridescent structures in the whole animal. This is the first report of iridescence from the second antenna of Myodocopina.     

Complete larval development of the rare porcellanid crab,Novorostrum decorocrus Osawa, 1998 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae), reared under laboratory conditions

The complete larval development of Novorostrum decorocrus Osawa, , is described and illustrated on the basis of laboratory‐reared material. Two zoeal stages and one megalop stage were recorded. Zoeas of N. decorocrus closely resemble those of N. indicum in the appendage characters, including the endopod of the maxillule with only a single stout seta on the distal margin. This character is unique to Novorostrum zoeas. However, N. decorocrus is distinguished from N. indicum by the setation on the endopod of the maxilla and the basis of the second maxilliped in both zoeal stages. The megalops of N. decorocrus are characterized by having a strongly elongate carapace, and differs considerably from the adults in the structure of the carapace, rostrum and third thoracic sternite, and in the armature of the pereiopods. The larval duration of N. decorocrus suggests that this rare porcellanid is more widely distributed than currently known.     

Two new nematodes,Pseudelzalia longiseta gen. nov., sp. nov. and Paramonohystera sinica sp. nov. (Monhysterida: Xyalidae), from sediment in the East China Sea

Pseudelzalia longiseta gen. nov, sp. nov. and Paramonohystera sinica sp. nov. from subtidal sediment in the East China Sea are described. Pseudelzalia is characterized by 6 labial papillae and 10 cephalic setae, cylindrical buccal cavity, elongate (>2 anal body diameter) spicules, and conico-cylindrical tail devoid of terminal setae. It differs from Elzalia by the absence of terminal setae. Pseudelzalia longiseta sp. nov. is 647–853 μm long, has 7–8 μm long cervical setae, 11–14 μm long caudal setae, 25–41 μm long spicules about 2.1–2.7 anal diameter, and pointed tail-tip. Paramonohystera sinica possesses 12 cephalic setae, a character found in four congeners: Paramonohystera buetschlii (Bresslau and Schuurmans Stekhoven in Schuurmans Stekhoven, 1935, Paramonohystera pilosa Boucher, 1971, Paramonohystera concinna Lorenzen, 1977 and Paramonohystera halerba Fadeeva and Belogurov, 1987. It differs from P. buetschlii by shorter body (933–1023 μm versus 2000–2200 μm); from P. pilosa by the much shorter spicules (79–88 μm versus 167 μm) and narrower head (13–16 µm versus 32 µm); from P.concinna by smooth cephalic setae (versus segmented); and from P. halerba by the absence of two rows of setae on the ventral side of the tail (versus present). Based on the evaluation of nominal species, we recognize 14 valid species and provide an emended diagnosis and a tabular key for Paramonohystera.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:474B8F17-AED7-4078-8176-DFC499B78526     

Aberrations in the larval chaetotaxy of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Iran and a taxonomic note on the seta 1-C (preclypeal seta) of Culex in southwestern Asia

Morphological aberrations of setae 1-C (preclypeal seta), 2-C (inner clypeal seta) and 3-C (outer clypeal seta) observed in third- and fourth-instar larvae of Anopheles dthali, Anopheles maculipennis, Anopheles marteri, Culex hortensis, Culex theileri and Culex tritaeniorhynchus collected in Iran are discussed and illustrated. Variations in the shape, relative thickness, length and pigmentation of seta 1-C of Culex species that occur in southwestern Asia are reviewed.     

Disentangling an Asian puzzle: Two new bathynellid (Crustacea,Syncarida, Parabathynellidae) genera from Vietnam

In this paper the 17 asiatic species of the family Parabathynellidae are reviewed from a taxonomic point of view using bibliographic data. Two new genera and two new species are described from caves in Vietnam. Paraeobathynella n. g. presents a unique combination of characters (antennule: seven segments; antenna: six segments; mandible: pars incisiva with five teeth and pars molaris with 10 teeth; maxillule: distal endite with seven claws; exopod of the thoracopods with three or more segments and epipods present in thoracopods 3–7; pleopods absent; endopod of the Th 8 male with two setae; seven spines on the sympod and two spines on the endopod of the uropod and the small minimum size of the adult body) and exclusive characters like the Th 8 female having two small spines and one long seta and the general size and aspect of the Th 8 male and its lobes. Sketinella n. g. presents a unique combination of characters (antennule: eight segments; antenna; six segments; mandible: pars incisiva with six teeth and pars molaris with eight teeth: maxillule: distal endite with seven claws; exopod of the thoracopods with three or more segments and epipods present in Th 3–7; endopod of the thoracopod 8 male with two setae; 12 spines on the sympod and two spines on the endopod and seven setae on the exopod of the uropod) and characters exclusive to the asiatic species are: a pair of pleopods reduced to a single seta; a very distinctive basipod and outer lobe of the Th 8 male and an exopod of the Th 8 male with a small tooth or protuberance. This is the first time that the Parabathynellidae has been found in Vietnam, this find extends the range of distribution of this family in Asia.     

A new genus of Cletodidae (Copepoda; Harpacticoida) from the Bohai Sea,China

Neoacrenhydrosoma zhangi gen. et sp. nov. is described from specimens recovered from muddy sediments in the shallow waters of the Bohai Sea. On the basis of the structure of the mouthparts, P5 of both sexes and the female genital field, it is suggested that the taxon is related to the Acrenhydrosoma-complex within the Cletodidae. It differs from other known genera in the structure of the exopod in P2–P4 which is two-segmented as a result of the failure to separate the proximal two segments of a three-segmented ramus; and the P5 in as much as the mucroniform process incorporates the exopod, as well as the endopodal lobe of the baseoendopod.