Designation of a neotype for Synodontis schall (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) and description of two new species of Synodontis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae)

A morphometric study of 105 specimens of Synodontis schall, including most type specimens of all nominal species considered junior synonyms of S. schall has been undertaken. Two new species S. ouemeensis and S. kogonensis are described from the Ogun (Nigeria), Oueme (Benin) and Mono (Togo) basins, and the Kogon and Fatala (Guinea) basins, respectively. A neotype is designated for S. schall. The two new species differ from S. schall mainly by the width of the premaxillary toothplate (12.9–24.3% HL for S. schall vs. 21.6–32.7% HL), and can be distinguished one from the other by differences in orbit diameter (20.5–26.8% HL for S. ouemeensis vs. 19.4–21.0% HL for S. kogonensis) and prepectoral length (23.4–28.2% SL for S. ouemeensis vs. 21.6–23.3% SL for S. kogonensis).     

Description of four new species of the genus Ampelisca (Amphipoda,Ampeliscidae) from the northeastern and southeastern coasts of Brazil and designation of a neotype for Ampelisca soleata Oliveira, 1954

The present study raises the number of Ampelisca species recorded from the Brazilian coast from 18 to 21. The amphipod fauna of the Brazilian northeast coast is hardly known compared to that of the southeast coast. In this study, we describe three new species from the northeast coast: Ampelisca pseudobicarinata sp. nov., Ampelisca rocasensis sp. nov. and Ampelisca cristianae sp. nov, recorded previously as Ampelisca aff. lobata (Serejo et al. 2000 Serejo, CS, Wakabara, Y and Valério-Berardo, MT. 2000. Taxonomy and geographic distribution of Ampelisca (Amphipoda: Gammaridea) from the Brazilian coast. Polsk Archiw Hydrobiol., 47(3–4): 495–510.  [Google Scholar]). We also report a new record of Ampelisca burkei Barnard and Thomas, 1989 Barnard, JL and Thomas, JD. 1989. A new species, Ampelisca burkei, (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from Florida. Proc Biol Soc Washington., 102(2): 375–384.  [Google Scholar]. From the southeast coast a new species Ampelisca angraensis sp. nov. is described. An obscure species, Ampelisca soleata, which is very similar to Ampelisca brevisimulata, is herein redescribed and a neotype is designated. An updated key with all species of Ampelisca recorded from the Brazilian coast and comments on geographic distribution are given.     

Taxonomy of the bryozoan genera Oncousoecia,Microeciella and Eurystrotos (Cyclostomata: Oncousoeciidae)

The selection of Tubulipora lobulata Hincks, 1880 Hincks, T. 1880. A history of the British marine Polyzoa, London, , (UK): Van Voorst. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] as type species when establishing Oncousoecia is interpreted as a deliberate misapplication of a name, the nominal species T. lobulata having been originally described by Hassall in 1841 Hassall, A. H. 1841. Supplement to a catalogue of Irish zoophytes.. Ann Mag Nat Hist., 7: 363–373. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]. Canu is deemed to have created a new nominal species, Oncousoecia lobulata Canu, 1918 Canu, F. 1918. Les ovicelles des bryozoaires cyclostomes. Études sur quelques familles nouvelles et anciennes.. Bull Soc Géol France, Série 4, 16[for 1916]: 324–335.  [Google Scholar], which is the valid type species of Oncousoecia. Microeciella Taylor and Sequeiros, 1982 Taylor, P. D. and Sequeiros, L. 1982. Toarcian bryozoans from Belchite in north‐east Spain.. Bull Br Mus (Nat Hist), Geol Ser., 37: 117–129.  [Google Scholar] and Eurystrotos Hayward and Ryland, 1985 have each been used to accommodate similar oncousoeciid species with subcircular colonies. The type species of Eurystrotos, Alecto compacta Norman, 1867 Norman, A. M. Report of the committee appointed for the purpose of exploring the coasts of the Hebrides by means of the dredge. – Part II. On the Crustacea, Echinodermata, Polyzoa, and Hydrozoa. Report of the 36^th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. 1866, pp.193–206.  [Google Scholar], has a branching colony‐form and does not differ appreciably from Oncousoecia with which it is here synonymized. Another species, Diastopora suborbicularis Hincks, 1880 Hincks, T. 1880. A history of the British marine Polyzoa, London, , (UK): Van Voorst. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], previously regarded as being a junior synonym of A. compacta Norman, 1867 Norman, A. M. Report of the committee appointed for the purpose of exploring the coasts of the Hebrides by means of the dredge. – Part II. On the Crustacea, Echinodermata, Polyzoa, and Hydrozoa. Report of the 36^th Meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Vol. 1866, pp.193–206.  [Google Scholar] (itself a subjective junior synonym of Alecto dilatans Johnston, 1847 Johnston, G. 1847. A history of British zoophytes, London, , (UK): Van Voorst. 2nd edition [Google Scholar]), has a different ancestrular morphology and an unbranched colony‐form. It is here transferred to Microeciella.     

In search of the true Tydeus (Acari,Tydeidae)

The early history of the genus Tydeus, the type genus of the family Tydeidae, is complex and convoluted and, subsequently, even the identity of the type species of the family remains unclear. First, the literature is thoroughly analysed and morphological characters of some species are reappraised. After studying Oudemans' types, two species inquirendae, Tydeus croceus and T. cruciatus, are redescribed and a third, T. spathulatus, removed from synonymy and reinstated as a valid species. A fourth species, confused with T. spathulatus, is described. A lectotype is designated for T. spathulatus and a neotype for T. croceus. After discussion, the genus Lorryia Oudemans, is re‐established in its pristine state. As the redescribed species were designated as type species by Oudemans, the following new generic synonymies are proposed: Raphitydeus Thor, and Lorryia Oudemans, sensu Ka?mierski (, ) are junior synonyms of Brachytydeus Thor, ; Homeotydeus André, (partim) and Pseudolorryia Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Calotydeus Oudemans, ; Brachytydeus Thor, (partim), Calotydeus Oudemans, (partim), Tydeus Koch, sensu Oudemans, (partim), Orthotydeus André, , and Tydeus Koch, sensu Ka?mierski, are junior synonyms of Tydeus Koch, . To stabilize the usage of the names, especially that of the genus type of the family Tydeidae, the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature will be asked to set aside all previous type species designations for Tydeus and to designate Tydeus spathulatus as the type species, with Oudemans' specimens from Italy as primary type material.     

On Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay (Coleoptera: Carabidae,Platynini): redescription and relationships

The use of the generic name Colpodes MacLeay, 1825, is reviewed, along with characteristics previously attributed to the genus by various authors of Carabidae. The single known specimen of the type species, Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay, is designated as lectotype, redescribed and figured. Based on comprehensive character analysis, including external anatomical, male genitalic, and female genitalic and reproductive tract characters, application of the generic-level name Colpodes is restricted to a clade of Javanese species also including Colpodes brittoni Louwerens and C. latus Louwerens. In order to further nomenclatural stability within Platynini, Colpodes should best be considered a subgeneric component of an expanded genus Platynus Bonelli, 1810.     

A new species of Ahaetulla Link, 1807 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Ahaetullinae) from India

A new species of vine snake of the genus Ahaetulla is described from peninsular India. The new taxon is a medium-sized arboreal snake, readily distinguished from all other congeners by morphological and genetic differences. The new species appears to be widely distributed in Eastern Ghats and Central India with the western-most distribution extending into eastern Rajasthan. However, it is relatively rare, with only three specimens being acquired over the past nine years.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B610BF55-3CEF-4160-9A2C-25A069A82223

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AD84ABAE-F4F5-452C-8EFD-969D191E738B     

The status of the type material of Pycnostigmus rostratus Cameron (Hymenoptera,Figitidae, Pycnostigminae)

The status of the type material of Pycnostigmus rostratus Cameron is reviewed. There are two types: a lectotype in the Natural History Museum, London, and a paralectotype in the South African Museum, Cape Town.     

The type material,taxonomy and conservation of Horniman's Swallowtail,Papilio hornimani (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

The taxonomy of the East African swallowtail Papilio hornimani is reviewed, with special reference to the three currently recognized subspecies described from the Usambara Mts (P. h. hornimani), Udzungwa Mts (P. h. mwanihanae) and the Oldeani‐Mbulu massif (P. h. mbulu), all located in Tanzania. The primary type material is illustrated, and type localities are established, notably with respect to the original source for P. h. hornimani, collected at Magila, Mlinga Forest area, East Usambara mountains. Populations from the Chyulu Hills (Kenya) and Mts Meru and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), placed here with P. h. mbulu, appear to represent further potential segregates, or clinal variation. Prospects for conservation of the Mlinga Forest population are briefly discussed.     

A survey of the genus Geometra Linnaeus (Lepidoptera,Geometridae, Geometrinae)

The type genus of the family Geometridae, Geometra Linnaeus, is reviewed. In addition to the 16 species known worldwide, two new species are described: Geometra neovalida sp. nov. from China, and Geometra burmensis sp. nov. from Burma (Myanmar). All the known species are redescribed. Genitalia of all species are described and illustrated, most for the first time. Generic characters based on all species are summarized. The monophyly of the genus and its relationship with allied genera are reviewed and discussed in detail. Most species fall into two species groups, named the papilionaria and smaragdus groups, on the basis of the morphology of the male genitalia. Biological information is provided where available. Illustrations of moths and genitalia are presented.     

Status of the family-group names of Arachnida first published in Band I,Abtheilung 1 of Berendt's Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt (1845)

The status of the arachnid names published in Berendt's 1845 Berendt GC. 1845. Die organischen Bernstein-Einschlusse im Allgemein. In: Berendt GC, editor. Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt gesammelt in Verbindung mit Mehreren bearbeitet un herausgegeben, Vol. 1, part I. Berlin: Nicholaischen Buchhandlung. p. 41–60. http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC (http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar] work Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt (Band I, Abtheilung 1) is reassessed. All of the new generic and specific names introduced there are nomina nuda. However, the family names Eresidae (Araneae), Eriodontidae (Araneae), Mithraeidae (Araneae) and Sarcoptidae (Acari: Actinotrichida) were all validly proposed and should be attributed to C.L. Koch in Berendt (1845 Berendt GC. 1845. Die organischen Bernstein-Einschlusse im Allgemein. In: Berendt GC, editor. Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt gesammelt in Verbindung mit Mehreren bearbeitet un herausgegeben, Vol. 1, part I. Berlin: Nicholaischen Buchhandlung. p. 41–60. http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC (http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar]). Two of these family names are currently in use: Eresidae C.L. Koch in Berendt (1845 Berendt GC. 1845. Die organischen Bernstein-Einschlusse im Allgemein. In: Berendt GC, editor. Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt gesammelt in Verbindung mit Mehreren bearbeitet un herausgegeben, Vol. 1, part I. Berlin: Nicholaischen Buchhandlung. p. 41–60. http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC (http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar]) (previously attributed to C.L. Koch, 1851 Koch CL. 1851 [1850]. Übersicht des Arachnidensystems. 5:1–104. Nürnburg: Verlag J.L. Lotzbeck. http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/87778 (http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/87778) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar]) and Sarcoptidae C.L. Koch in Berendt (1845 Berendt GC. 1845. Die organischen Bernstein-Einschlusse im Allgemein. In: Berendt GC, editor. Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt gesammelt in Verbindung mit Mehreren bearbeitet un herausgegeben, Vol. 1, part I. Berlin: Nicholaischen Buchhandlung. p. 41–60. http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC (http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar]) (previously attributed to Murray, 1877 Murray, A. 1877. “Economic entomology”. In Aptera. South Kensington Museum Science Handbooks, Vol. I, xxiii + 433London: Chapman & Hall.  [Google Scholar]), along with the coordinate superfamily names Eresoidea C.L. Koch in Berendt (1845 Berendt GC. 1845. Die organischen Bernstein-Einschlusse im Allgemein. In: Berendt GC, editor. Die im Bernstein befindlichen organischen Reste der Vorwelt gesammelt in Verbindung mit Mehreren bearbeitet un herausgegeben, Vol. 1, part I. Berlin: Nicholaischen Buchhandlung. p. 41–60. http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC (http://books.google.com/books?id=mBkGKe4WegAC) (Accessed: 30 January 2012).  [Google Scholar]) and Sarcoptoidea C.L. Koch in Berendt (1845 Bonnet, P. 1956. Bibliographica araneorum. Tome II (2^me partie: C–F), 919–1925. Toulouse: Douladoure. p.  [Google Scholar]).     

A new species of Ameroseius Berlese from Brazil,redescriptions of Ameroseius plumosus (Oudemans) and Ameroseius plumigera (Oudemans) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae) based on the examination of type material

Ameroseius Berlese is the most numerous genus of family Ameroseiidae Evans (in Hughes 1961). Species of this genus have been reported from many regions around the world. A few species of this genus are known from Brazil. Ameroseius mineiro Narita, Bernardi and Moraes, sp. nov. is described based on the morphology of adult females and males collected from guano in caves of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This is the second Ameroseius species described from Brazil. The holotypes of Ameroseius plumosus (Oudemans) and Ameroseius plumigera (Oudemans) were examined, given their close similarity with the species described in this paper, and they are here redescribed. A key is provided to separate these and other most similar species. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:17A7D831-EC49-4D65-B06B-5E13EF52C696     

A herpetological survey of the Kathmandu Valley,Nepal, and phylogenetic identification of Megophrys (Xenophrys) zhangi

ABSTRACT

The herpetofauna of Nepal have been historically understudied, and although previous studies have reported on bioinventory surveys of the Kathmandu Valley, few have surveyed widely during the peak monsoon season. In addition, past studies largely neglected to survey intact forest habitats. Here we conduct a comprehensive field survey of the herpetofauna of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, with an emphasis on the surrounding foothills containing intact forest habitat. We record natural history and distribution data for seven species of amphibians and four species of reptiles. We also use mitochondrial sequence data to confirm the phylogenetic placement of two frog species, Megophrys (Xenophrys) parva and Duttaphrynus melanostictus. Using phylogenetic and morphological data we assign Megophrys parva from the Kathmandu Valley to Megophrys zhangi. We find that while this species shares a haplotype with its sister species, Megophrys monticola, morphological data align the individuals from the Kathmandu Valley with M. zhangi from Tibet. We find that M. zhangi exhibits no phylogenetic structure within the Kathmandu Valley, and wider sampling is needed throughout the Himalayas to determine its full range. These findings support the hypothesis that molecular sequence data will lead to the discovery of cryptic species in Nepal and facilitate the revision of species taxonomy.