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.     

Two new genera of Laophontidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the high Antarctic Weddell Sea

Two new genera of the harpacticoid family Laophontidae from the high Antarctic Weddell Sea are described. At present, both taxa cannot be assigned to any of the known genera or lineages of the family. The Antarctic shows the greatest degree of endemism worldwide in several already investigated taxa and, considering the available records, the Laophontidae appear to be no exception to this rule. The available data on the Laophontidae of the Weddell Sea seem to support a hypothesis of an ‘old’ antarctic fauna rather than a recolonization by ‘phylogenetic younger’ taxa after the major climatic changes, which took place in the Antarctic continent and the surrounding waters from the Miocene onwards.     

On four new species of Cletocamptus Shmankevich, 1875 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from inland waters of Argentina

Argentinean specimens of Cletocamptus of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution as well as recently collected material were analyzed and four new species are described. Cletocamptus assimilis sp. nov. and C. tertius sp. nov. seem to be related to C. levis. Cletocamptus pilosus sp. nov. seems to be related to C. stimpsoni. Cletocamptus spinulosus sp. nov. shares the armature formula of the mandibular palp, the armature formula of P1–P4 and the lower insertion level of the innermost seta of the male P5BENP with C. levis, C. assimilis sp. nov. and C. tertius sp. nov. Cletocamptus spinulosus sp. nov. shares the slender seta of the maxillulary arthrite with C. pilosus sp. nov. and C. stimpsoni, and is unique in the strong spinules along the posterior margin of the P2- to P4-bearing somites. Additional comments on some other species and an identification key to the species of Cletocamptus are presented.     

Two new species of the genus Alloclubionoides (Araneae: Amaurobiidae) in Korea

Two new species of the genus Alloclubionoides from two National Parks of Korea are described with detailed illustrations, leg spination, trichobothrium patterns and scanning electron micrographs. Alloclubionoides wolchulsanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Alloclubionoides spiders by a heart-shaped conductor with rounded base in the male palp and a large genital opening situated in the middle of the atrium, and a broadly cylinder-like copulatory duct in female. Alloclubionoides jirisanensis sp. nov. resembles Alloclubionoides napolovi (Ovtchinnikov, 1999 Zhang, ZS, Zhu, MS and Song, DX. 2007. Three new species of the genus Ambanus Ovtchinnikov, 1999 from China (Araneae: Amaurobiidae: Coelotinae). Zootaxa., 1425: 21–28.  [Google Scholar]) but can be distinguished from it by the ‘Y’-shaped conductor dorsal apophysis and wound distal part of conductor.     

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.     

Survival and reproduction of the mussel Xenostrobus securis (Lamarck) (Mollusca; Bivalvia; Mytilidae) in a Western Australian estuary. Pt. II: Reproduction,growth and longevity

Summary

Growth, longevity and breeding characteristics of populations of the mussel Xenostrobus securis in the Swan Estuary are remarkably variable, both between one year and another and between upstream and downstream localities. These characteristics and their variability may be accounted for by the species' physiological responses and limitations to variable salinity conditions. The Swan Estuary is subject to extreme temporal and spatial variations in salinity. Temperature has only a secondary significance on the biology of the mussel in this estuary.

Activity including growth is inhibited at chlorinities below 2‰. This occurs each winter during the discharge period. At Crawley (downstream) the discharge period rarely lasts more than a few weeks in mid winter, but at upstream limits of the estuary (e.g. Barker Bridge) it is highly variable and may last as long as seven months. Consequently the period of no-growth which corresponds to the discharge period varies between downstream and upstream populations and the total annual growth increment varies accordingly. Similarly the duration of the no-growth period and the total annual growth increment varies from year to year at upstream localities.

At Crawley mussels live only one year. At that locality there is almost total mortality of adults soon after spawning. The relationship of the post-reproductive mortality to intensity of reproductive effort is discussed. At Barker Bridge heavy post-reproductive mortality was not observed and animals may live two years or more. This greater longevity at Barker Bridge is considered to have survival advantage for the population which is living in an unstable and inconsistent environment. Downstream conditions are more seasonally regular and the populations there can rely on having optimal conditions each year.

Spawning begins at the downstream end of the estuary in November or December when the chlorinity rises to the critical lower limit for larval development (8 to 9‰. Cl). A wave of spawning moves up the estuary as the summer progresses, following the zone of optimal salinity conditions. It does not reach Barker Bridge until February or March. In 1964 the chlorinity did not reach the lower limit for larval development at Barker Bridge and no spawning or spatfall occurred there.

It is considered that X. securis is physiologically well adapted for persistence in an estuarine environment characterized by variable and unstable salinity conditions.     

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.     

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.     

Two new marine species from South Korea with remarks on the family Stylochidae (Acotylea,Polycladida, Plathelminthes)

Two new species of acotylean Polycladida are described from Korea, Munseoma maculata gen. et sp. nov., Callioplanidae, and Crytostylochus koreensis sp. nov., Stylochidae. Munseoma maculata is characterized by a small free prostatic vesicle but only indistinctly cut off from the ejaculatory duct; a Lang's vesicle is present. Crytostylochus koreensis possesses a prostatic vesicle with tubular lining of radial arrangement. Each papillate tube is connected via a glandular duct to a single extra‐vesicular gland attached to the muscular wall of the prostatic vesicle. That morphological feature forces discussion of the relationships within the family Stylochidae. Consequently, type material of other stylochids deposited in the museums of Hamburg, Vienna, and Stockholm was borrowed to investigate the genital organs and, in particular, the interior lining of the prostatic vesicle. Based on these analyses, two new types of prostatic lining are defined, the polyglandular type and the monoglandular type. The monoglandular type is defined as having an oval to elongate prostatic vesicle with tubular lining and extra‐vesicular glands. Each extra‐vesicular gland is connected via a glandular duct with a single tube. The polyglandular type is defined as having a mostly roundish oval prostatic vesicle with long‐fingered extensions, more or less horizontally directed distad, and numerous extra‐vesicular glands. Each long‐fingered extension is connected via several glandular ducts of extra‐vesicular glands. Based on these new characters, the family Stylochidae is newly defined.     

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 earthworms of the genus Amynthas Kinberg, 1867 (Clitellata: Megascolecidae) from Mt Jiri,Korea

Two new species of the genus Amynthas are described from Mt Jiri (Korea): Amynthas baikmudongensis sp. nov., and Amynthas cheonghakdongensis sp. nov. The species A. baikmudongensis sp. nov. has two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegments 5/6/7; large circular-shaped raised pads extending from 17/18, 18/19 with transverse grooves extending from approximately the centres of the pads towards the presetal half of the pad. The others species, A. cheonghakdongensis sp. nov., has two pairs of spermathecal pores in intersegments 6/7/8; and circular male porophores extending from 17/18 to 18/19.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A3E018E9-A520-4841-A1C9-E27870F24E88     

A taxonomic review of the genus Exochus Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Metopiinae) from South Korea with descriptions of ten new species

The South Korean species of the genus Exochus are revised. Ten new species, Exochus acostulatus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus adentatus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus areolaris Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus carinalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus dentisternum Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus depressus Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus nigritulus Lee & Choi sp. nov., Exochus occipitalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., Exochus orbitalis Lee & Choi, sp. nov. and Exochus propodealis Lee & Choi, sp. nov., are described. Also, 21 species of this genus are reviewed and newly recorded from South Korea, with diagnoses provided. A key to the South Korean species of Exochus and illustrations of external characters are provided.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B28700A7-9CA7-4AE7-9816-9C8F4CD46160     

A new and an unrecorded species of the family Psychidae (Lepidoptera) from Korea,with an annotated catalogue

In this study, a total of nine species of the family Psychidae were recognised from Korea. Among them, Psyche yeongwolensis sp. nov. is described as new to science. Also, a species, Proutia maculatella Saigusa et Sugimoto, is reported for the first time from Korea. All available material were dissected and illustrated. Also, an annotated catalogue of the family Psychidae from Korea is provided.     

Harpacticoid copepods (Thalestridae) infesting the cultivated Wakame (brown alga,Undaria pinnatifida) in Korea

Two species of thalestrid harpacticoid: Amenophia orientalis n. sp. and Parathalestris infestus n. sp., are described based on specimens collected from Soando Island in Korea. These copepods infest the cultivated brown alga, Wakame, Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey), producing galls with pinholes (0·5–1·1.5 mm in diameter) on the fronds, midribs, and sporophylls. A. orientalis outnumbered P. infestus in all of the observed incidences; however, the fecundity of the latter species is twice that of the former.     

Some new and known species of Tylencholaimoidea (Nematoda: Dorylaimida) from Korea

A lineal “island” theory is proposed to account for the dispersal of marine/estuarine, supralittoral talitrid populations, both to and from isolated shore “islands” on continental and true oceanic islands. Evolution may occur following dispersal to shores that are contiguous with ecologically open habitats, inclusive of sub-tropical forest litter and caves. Specific hypotheses of the lineal “island” theory are therefore: the conventional wrack hypothesis 1 – direct from marine supralittoral wrack to subtropical forest litter; the driftwood hypothesis 2(a) – direct from marine supralittoral driftwood to subtropical forest litter; the driftwood hypothesis 2(b) – direct from the marine supralittoral driftwood to caves opening on a marine supralittoral; and the driftwood hypothesis 2(c) – direct from the marine supralittoral driftwood via caves to subtropical forest litter. Circumstantial evidence supporting each hypothesis is presented using the ecology and distribution data of the talitrid fauna of the northeast Atlantic islands, north of 25°N and south of 40°N, including the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores archipelagos. The currently known talitrid fauna of all these islands includes 15 species: seven endemic, subtropical landhoppers, two synanthropically introduced landhoppers, three wrack generalists, one sand-burrowing specialist, one specialist cavehopper, and one specialist driftwood hopper. Based on distributional data from the northeastern Atantic islands, specialist driftwood hoppers have a long distance dispersal capability, which makes them potential colonizers of distant oceanic islands. Talitrids provide an excellent model of dispersal and speciation, whose evolutionary pathways can be solved by modern genetic methods.     

Intersexuality in benthic harpacticoid copepods in the Firth of Forth,Scotland

Following the discovery of a high frequency of intersexuality in Paramphiascella hyperborea in the vicinity of Edinburgh's long-sea sewage outfall, the seabed off the Edinburgh coast was surveyed in spring and autumn to examine the distribution of intersexuality in relation to the sewage outfall. From these and previously collected samples it was found that intersexuality was common in both P. hyperborea and Stenhelia gibba and also present in two species of Halectinosoma. Intersexuality was widespread along the Edinburgh coastline, being recorded up to 10 km from the discharge but there was no evidence for a correlation between intersex frequency and proximity to the discharge. Possible reasons for the high level on intersexuality in the Firth of Forth are discussed. Most intersexes displayed similar secondary sexual characters, with the sexually dimorphic prosome appendages taking the female form, the 5th leg intermediate between male and female and the 6th leg and urosome segmentation male in character.     

A new species of the dentipes-subgroup of Triconia and a redescription of T. giesbrechti and T. elongata (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Oncaeidae) from the tropical Pacific and the Korea Strait

A new species of Triconia in the family Oncaeidae, Triconia pacifica sp. nov., and a new form variant each of Triconia giesbrechti Böttger-Schnack and Triconia elongata Böttger-Schnack are described from two sites in the Pacific. Triconia pacifica can be distinguished from its sibling Triconia dentipes (Giesbrecht) by (1) morphometric characters, including the proportional lengths of distal endopod spines of swimming leg 4, and the relative length of the outer basal seta on P5, and by (2) a number of micro-structures on the appendages. The Pacific specimens of T. elongata and T. giesbrechti resemble the typical forms in morphometric characters, with some minor differences in proportional spine lengths on the swimming legs, and differ in a few micro-structures. The hitherto unknown male of T. giesbrechti is newly described. For all species/forms described, the intraspecific variability of proportional spine lengths on the endopods of P2–P4 is examined and discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6B41B0E2-0A5C-458B-8F9C-25000F208E24