A review of the genus Isaurus Gray, 1828 (Zoanthidea), including new records from Fiji

Summary

The first case is reported of a non-lethal interaction between a butterfly and tachinid which had little effect on host or parasite, and is discussed in its implications in relation to tropical tachinids and their hosts.     

Six new feather mite species (Acari: Astigmata) from the carolina parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), an extinct parrot of North America

We describe six new feather mite species collected from museum skins of the carolina parakeet Conuropsis carolinensis Linnaeus, 1758, which lived in North America and became extinct at the beginning of the 20th century: Genoprotolichus simplex sp. n., Lopharalichus beckeri sp. n., Neorhytidelasma conuropsis sp. n. (Pterolichidae: Pterolichinae), Chiasmalges carolinensis sp. n. (Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae), Fainalges gracilitarsus sp. n., and Protonyssus proctorae sp. n. (Xolalgidae: Ingrassiinae). Brief comments on the current systematic state and host associations of these feather mite genera are provided.     

A new feather mite genus of the family Psoroptoididae (Acari: Analgoidea) from cassowaries

A new feather mite genus Hexacaudalges gen. n. (Psoroptoididae: Psoroptoidinae) is established based on the type species Megninia casuaricola Proctor, 2001 Proctor, H. C. 2001. Megninia casuaricola sp. n. (Acari: Analgidae), the first feather mite from a cassowary (Aves: Struthioniformes: Casuariidae).. Australian Journal of Entomology, 40: 335–341. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], which was originally described from the southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius (Struthioniformes: Casuariidae). Morphological peculiarities of this genus, its taxonomic position within the family Psoroptoididae and possible origin are discussed. We also present a clarification of setal nomenclature for this family of mites.     

Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., a new cladoceran (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae) from an acid saline lake in southwest Western Australia

A new species of Cladocera, Extremalona timmsi gen. nov., sp. nov., was found in acid saline lakes in the southwest of Western Australia. Extremalona gen. nov. belongs to the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, but differs from all members of the group by the oval body with small high-set head (tip of rostrum located at half-height of the body), the exopodite III with uniform, well-developed setae 4–6 and male antennule with six lateral and nine terminal aesthetascs, and by numerous other characters. In our opinion, Extremalona gen. nov. is one of the ancestral genera of the Coronatella-branch of Aloninae, sharing numerous common features with the elegans-group of Alona s.l. Our data confirm a high level of endemism in Australian Chydoridae and Cladocera in general.     

Water mites of the family Hygrobatidae Koch from southern Africa (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

New records are given of the water mite family Hygrobatidae (without the genus Atractides) from southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia). In addition to one new subgenus of the genus Hygrobates, namely Inflatibates, four new species are described, namely Hygrobates draconicus, H. laceratoides, H. okavangoensis, and H. inflatipes as well as one new subspecies, namely Hygrobates spathuliferus cederberg. The following synonyms are established: the subgenus Capobates Thor with Hygrobates Koch, Hygrobates sanguineus transvaalensis K. O. Viets with Hygrobates spathuliferus (Lundblad), and Ambiguobates permixtus agnewi K. O. Viets with Ambiguobates permixtus K. Viets. The male of Australiobates pilosus (K. Viets) is described for the first time. The synonymization of Diversibates with Australiobates can now be confirmed. Finally, keys are given for the known genera of southern Africa, as well as for all known species of the genus Hygrobates from southern Africa.     

New species of Hygiella Mesnil (Diptera: Tachinidae), parasitoids of leaf insects (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae)

The Oriental genus Hygiella Mesnil is revised: three species are described as new, Hygiella angustifrons sp. nov., Hygiella luteipes sp. nov. and Hygiella proclinata sp. nov., and two known species are re-described, Hygiella nigripes Mesnil and Hygiella pygidialis Mesnil. A key to these five species is provided. The host of H. proclinata, Phyllium siccifolium (Linnaeus) (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae), is recorded for the first time as a host of the Tachinidae. The systematic position of Hygiella is discussed and the genus is placed in the tribe Acemyini (Exoristinae) based on the structure of the male terminalia.     

The haemoproteids of the Old World avian families Alaudidae (larks), Irenidae (leaf birds), and Motacillidae (wagtails and pipits)

The haemoproteids of the Old World passeriform families Alaudidae, Irenidae and Motacillidae are reviewed. Haemoproteus alaudae Celli and Sanfelice, 1891 of the Alaudidae and H. aegithinae de Mello, 1937 of the Irenidae are re-described and neohapantotypes designated. Haemoproteus anthi de Mello, 1937 from the Motacillidae is re-described and H. motacillae n. sp. is also described from this family.     

Habitat,egg‐laying behaviour,eggs and tadpoles of four sympatric species of Pseudopaludicola (Anura,Leiuperidae)

In contrast to most leiuperid frogs, Pseudopaludicola falcipes does not lay eggs in foam nests; this could represent a reversion to the primitive state. We found that in four other Pseudopaludicola species, eggs were also not embedded in foam nests and had a well‐defined outermost jelly layer. The females also constantly moved or dived and males lacked vigorous “wiping/kicking” leg motions while eggs were being laid, features that make foam nesting difficult. The tadpoles of three species have two gaps in the marginal papillae along the lower labium and two posterior rows of labial teeth; the tadpoles of one species had three gaps and three rows, a pattern resembling that of some Physalaemus (Leiuperidae) species. Our data on tadpole morphology and reproductive behaviour do not allow us to rule out the paraphyletic nature of Physalaemus in relation to Pseudopaludicola but they provide some support against the “foam‐loss hypothesis” in Pseudopaludicola.     

Analysis of teeth outlines: a morphometric tool for distinguishing three species of Crocidurinae (Soricidae,Insectivora, Mammalia) in France

Crocidurinae (Soricidae, Insectivora) are represented by many present-day species which are morphologically very similar. The efficiency of morphometric analyses in the discrimination between species has already been proved for various organisms, and the discriminant model developed here is based on the analysis of teeth outlines in three living species, Crocidura leucodon, Crocidura suaveolens and Crocidura russula, using the Fourier transform method. The application of this method on the upper and lower premolars and molars permits the three species to be clearly separated, and the model can be used for the identification of fossils.     

Taxonomy of the genus Oriverutus Siddiqi, 1971 (Nematoda: Dorylaimida: Nordiidae)

After introducing its history, the most relevant morphological features of Oriverutus are explained, illustrated (light and scanning electron microscope pictures) and discussed. The taxonomy of the genus is analysed based on the study of all the nominal species, and an emended diagnosis is provided. Its relationships with the closest genera are discussed, and some reflections are made on its phylogeny. Ecanema and Mammillonema are confirmed as junior synonyms of Oriverutus, Inbionema is regarded as its junior synonym also, whereas Paroriverutus is considered to deserve separate generic status. Consequently, several nomenclatorial changes are derived: Paroriverutus ivorensis is retained under Paroriverutus, Drepanodorylaimus macramphidius and Oriverutus longicaudatus are transferred to Paroriverutus, and Inbionema biforme to Oriverutus. An updated list of Oriverutus species is provided as well as a key to the identification of its didelphic species and a compendium of their morphometrics.     

Phthiracarus species (Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaridae) from New Zealand,with description of a new species,redescription of Phthiracarus pellucidus and a key to 19 described species from the Australian Region

The genus Phthiracarus (Acari: Oribatida: Phthiracaridae) was represented in New Zealand only by two species prior to this work. In this paper, Phthiracarus minutus sp. nov. is described and Phthiracarus pellucidus is redescribed. Phthiracarus perlucidus Niedba?a, 1994 is probably a junior synonym of Phthiracarus insularis Jacot, 1935. A key to all known species of Phthiracarus from the Australian Region is also provided to facilitate identification.     

The aberrant and monotypic soft coral genus Malacacanthus Thomson, 1910 (Octocorallia: Alcyoniidae) endemic to southern Africa

The monotypic soft coral genus Malacacanthus has recently been rediscovered by means of scuba and is shown to be locally common and endemic in the shallow sublittoral of South Africa. Malacacanthus capensis (Hickson, 1900) is shown to be the proper taxonomic designation for the species. This species has previously been a problematic one due to the possession of several unusual morphological characteristics, including the total lack of sclerites and possession of a tough horny cuticle covering the stalk. The taxon is here shown to belong in the family Alcyoniidae by the possession of a full complement of mesenterial filaments, and not to the family Xeniidae as assigned by several previous authors. The species is here redescribed and the systematic status is revised. New observations on ecology and natural history from living colonies are also included.     

Revision of the hirsuticornis‐like species of Macrothrix Baird, 1843 (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Macrothricidae) from Subantarctic and temperate regions of the southern hemisphere

The aim of this paper is to revise populations of Macrothrix cf. hirsuticornis (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Macrothricidae) from different regions of the southern hemisphere. It is demonstrated that M. hirsuticornis Norman and Brady, 1867 Norman, A. M. and Brady, G. S. 1867. A monograph of the British Entomostraca belonging to the families Bosminidae, Macrothricidae and Lynceidae.. Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham, 1: 354–408.  [Google Scholar] s. str. is absent there, and five related species occupy different Subantarctic islands and the southernmost portions of South America, and Africa. Macrothrix boergeni Studer, 1878 Studer, T. 1878. Beiträge zur Naturgeschichte wirbelloser Tiere von Kerguelensland.. Archiv für Naturgeschichte, 44: 102–121.  [Google Scholar] from the Kerguelen Archipelago is redescribed and a neotype is selected. All populations in the southernmost portion of continental South America, Tierra del Fuego, Falklands, South Georgia, South Orkney Islands, and on the Antarctic Peninsula belong to M. oviformis Ekman, 1900 Ekman, S. 1900. Cladoceren aus Patagonien, gesammelt von der schwedischen Expedition nach Patagonien 1899.. Zoologische Jahrbücher, Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere, 14: 62–84.  [Google Scholar]. All the taxa described from this region—M. ciliata Vávra, 1900 Vávra, W. 1900. “Süsswasser‐Cladoceren. Ergebnisse der Hamburger magalhaensische Sammelreise 1892/93. II Band. Arthropoden.”. In Hamburg 1–25.  [Google Scholar], M. odontocephala Daday, 1902 Daday, E. 1902. Mikroskopische Süsswasserthiere aus Patagonien, gesammelt von Dr. Filippo Sylvestri.. Természetrajzi Füzetek, Budapest, 25: 201–310.  [Google Scholar], M. propinqua Sars, 1909 Sars, G. O. 1909. Fresh‐water Entomostraca from South Georgia.. Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab, 30: 1–35.  [Google Scholar], and, probably, M. inflata Daday, 1902 Daday, E. 1902. Mikroskopische Süsswasserthiere aus Patagonien, gesammelt von Dr. Filippo Sylvestri.. Természetrajzi Füzetek, Budapest, 25: 201–310.  [Google Scholar]—are junior synonyms of M. oviformis. Two new species are established: M. sarsi sp. nov. from the Cape region of South Africa and M. ruehei sp. nov. from Crozet, Marion islands, and Île Amsterdam. Macrothrix cf. flagellata Smirnov and Timms, 1983 Smirnov, N. N. and Timms, B. V. 1983. A revision of the Australian Cladocera (Crustacea).. Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement, 1: 1–132. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], previously known only from Tasmania, is found on Macquarie Island too. Differences between species from the southern hemisphere and Palaearctic M. hirsuticornis are summarized. It is demonstrated that characters of the general body shape (i.e. presence of a hood or a tooth on posterior head border) have a limited value for the systematics of Macrothrix. In contrast, some fine details, mostly missed by previous authors, are valuable for species discrimination. The present study increases the number of species recorded from the Antarctic‐Subantarctic region. Probably, the current pattern of Macrothrix distribution results from a disruption of a pan‐continental (early Mesozoic?) species complex.     

Morphology of the larvae of three species of Arrenurus (Acari: Parasitengona: Arrenuridae)

A new species belonging to the subgenus Bezzisca of the Neotropical genus Dexosarcophaga is described. Dexosarcophaga (Bezzisca) bermudezi sp. nov. is described from Panama and represents the sixteenth species of this subgenus. An illustrated key to identifying the Bezzisca species is also provided.     

Two zoogeographically remarkable mite species from Finland (Acari,Oribatida, Oribotritiidae)

Species of the genus Mesothuria (fam. Synallactidae) occurring in the Atlantic Ocean are revised. The genus includes 25 valid species, nine of them known from the Atlantic. The new species Mesothuria milleri sp. nov. is described from the north-east Atlantic. It is argued that the genus Zygothuria, established by Perrier in 1898 and recognized later only by Deichmann, should be maintained as a separate genus. Mesothuria and Zygothuria differ in body form, arrangement of ambulacral appendages, and structure of segments of calcareous ring and ossicles from the body wall. The six known species of Zygothuria are reviewed. Zygothuria oxysclera, a former variation of Zygothuria lactea, is proposed as a valid species. Identification keys to species of the genus Zygothuria and Atlantic species of the genus Mesothuria are provided. Data on the life history and reproductive biology of Mesothuria milleri and Zygothuria lactea are given. Both species are common in the north-east Atlantic.