Pycnogonida of the Galápagos Islands

Summary

Eleven species from the shallow water of the Gálapagos are recognized. Of these, two are also found on the Pacific coast of Central America and one occurs in the Caribbean region. Eight species appear to be endemic, of which five are described as new: Anoplodactylus torus, Ammothella dawsoni, Eurycyde encantada, Rhynchothorax barnardi, Tanystylum distinctum. A deepwater species, Ascorhynchus laterospinum Hilton, is redescribed. The pycnogonid fauna shows close relationship to that of mainland Central America, but does not suggest insular speciation on the basis of the collections studied. Indo-Pacific representation is lacking in the material studied.     

Champsodontidae (Pisces: Trachinoidei) in the Eastern Mediterranean: how many species are there?

ABSTRACT

Three marine fish species of the Indo-Pacific genus Champsodon were reported as invasive species in the Eastern Mediterranean between 2009 and 2012; Champsodon nudivittis, C. vorax, and C. capensis. These are presumed to invade through the Suez Canal, but only C. nudivittis is known from the Red Sea, so the presence of C. vorax and C. capensis is surprising. To test the validity of the taxonomic identification of these two species, this study combined traditional morphology, genetic barcoding, and photography investigation. Our results demonstrate that only one species, C. nudivittis, has migrated into the Eastern Mediterranean.     

Systematic study on the barracudas (Pisces: Sphyraenidae) from a northern sector of the South China Sea

Summary

The paper here provides an effective key for separation of species of the genus Sphyraena Röse from the northern part of the South China Sea for both taxonomic and field identifications. Six species, namely S. barracuda (Walbaum, 1792), S. jello Cuvier, 1829, S. novaehollandiae Günther, 1860, S. pinguis Günther, 1874, S. toxeuma Fowler, 1904, and S. africana Gilchrist and Thompson, 1909, are listed in the key. All except S. barracuda were found during this study. Generic and species problems are discussed and comparisons of each species are made with closely related forms. The species names adopted in this paper are also explained. The first record of S. novaehollandiae from this area is reported.     

Generic status and redescription of the Mediterranean fish Gobius liechtensteini Kolombatovic, 1891 (Teleostei: Gobioidea), and its affinities with certain American and Indo-Pacific gobies

Summary

A new monotypic genus, Corcyrogobius, is proposed for the gobiid fish, Gobius liechtensteini Kolombatovic 1891, known only from its Adriatic typelocality of Kor?ula, Yugoslavia. The species is redescribed and a lectotype designated from probable syntype material, which also includes examples of Odondebuenia balearica (Pellegrin & Fage, 1907), supposed by Kolombatovic to be adults of G. liechtensteini. The affinities of C. liechtensteini and the related genus Odondebuenia are discussed with reference to American seven-spined gobies, the Indo-Pacific Gladiogobius, and the subfamily Lioterinae, currently placed in the Eleotridae. Overall similarities between these gobies are described, their possible phylogeny outlined, and the Lioterinae transferred to the family Gobiidae.     

The fishes of Saint Helena Island,South Atlantic Ocean. II. The pelagic fishes

The pelagic fishes of St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean (15°58′S 5°43′W) are reviewed. A checklist of 53 taxa of pelagic fishes, with notes on fisheries significance, ecology and geographical distribution, is presented. Twelve of the taxa have not before been recorded at St Helena. Of particular interest are records of three primarily Indo-Pacific species: Decapterus muroadsi (Temminck and Schlegel), Uraspis helvola (Forster) and Scomberomorus commerson (Lacepède). Apart from U. helvola, which is known also from Ascension Island, these species are not otherwise recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.

Of the 49 pelagic fishes whose identities are clear, 81·6% are wide-ranging species known from both the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, 12·2% are pan-Atlantic warm-water species and 4·1% are eastern Atlantic species which reach their western limit in the central Atlantic. In addition, the subspecies Platybelone argalus trachura is found only at St Helena and Ascension.

The principal pelagic species caught by St Helena fisheries are Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, T. alalunga, Scomber japonicus, Acanthocybium solandri and Pseudocaranx dentex, which together accounted for almost 95% of fish landings in 1982–1983 fiscal year.     

The reef and soft-substrate coral fauna of Chagos,Indian Ocean

Summary

A series of collections of the coral fauna from a wide diversity of habitats in the Chagos Archipelago has resulted in nearly a doubling of the species known from the Central Indian Ocean. These are listed and Chagos is shown to be a very diverse part of the Indo-Pacific coral belt, but one lacking in several of the genera that have less widespread distributions such as those which could define a West Indian Ocean subprovince. The free and soft substrate species are poor in diversity, although several of these have an importance greater than their number suggests due to their ability to initiate and extend reefs over previously uncolonized substrate.     

Affinities,origin and adaptive features of the Australian Desert Goby Chlamydogobius eremius (Zietz, 1896) (Teleostei: Gobiidae)

The Desert Goby Chlamydogobius eremius (Zietz, 1896) is a gobiid teleost fish endemic to the Central Australian Basin, occurring mostly in artesian springs. Generic features for Chlamydogobius Whitley are supplied with emphasis on the modified head lateral-line system and on osteology. Comparisons with other Indo-Pacific genera suggest closest affinity with Mugilogobius Smitt, within a monophyletic grouping which also includes Weberogobius Koumans, Redigobius Herre, Pseudogobius Aurich, Brachygobius Bleeker, Hemigobius Bleeker, and Pandaka Herre. The origin of Ch. eremius is considered in the light of the Tertiary and Quaternary climatic history of the Central Australian Basin. The adaptiveness of certain morphological and life-history features found in Ch. eremius, such as elongate gut, black peritoneum, short pelvic disc, and large egg-size, is also discussed in relation to present habitat.     

Two new Encarsia species (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) reared from eggs of Cicadellidae (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Argentina: an unusual new host association

Males of two undescribed Encarsia species were reared from eggs of two cicadellid species during a study of egg parasitoids of corn leafhopper, Dalbulus maidis (DeLong and Wolcott) in northwestern Argentina. Samples were collected during the summer of 2004–2007 using sentinel eggs, and several males of a new species of Encarsia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) were obtained. A single male of a closely related Encarsia species, also previously undescribed, was reared from an egg of another cicadellid on maize, Plesiommata mollicella (Fowler). These are the first records of any Encarsia species reared from eggs of Cicadellidae. The two new species are described as Encarsia dalbulae Polaszek and Luft Albarracin sp. nov., and Encarsia mollicellae Polaszek and Luft Albarracin sp. nov.     

Two new species of Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) found on cnidarians in Tokara Islands,Southern Japan

ABSTRACT

Two new species of siphonostomatoid copepods are described based on specimens collected off Tokara Islands located in the northern part of the Ryukyu Islands, Southern Japan. Cholomyzon multisetum sp. nov. (Coralliomyzontidae) found from the orange cup coral Tubastraea coccinea Lesson, 1829 (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) has the following characters: armature formula of the antennule of the female; the outer lobe of the maxillule; and numbers of elements on the legs 1 to 3. Another species, Entomopsyllus takara sp. nov. (Entomolepididae), was found from both the Indo-Pacific blue coral Heliopora coerulea (Pallas, 1766) (Octocorallia: Helioporacea: Helioporidae) and the race coral Distichopora violacea (Pallas, 1766) (Hydrozoa: Anthoathecata: Stylasteridae). This new species of the male specimen is characterized by the antennule with shortest sixth segment, the endopod of leg 2 bearing two inner setae on the second segment and five setae on the third segment, the third exopodal and endopodal segments of leg 3 bearing three spines and three setae, respectively, and the third exopodal segment of leg 4 bearing four setae. These two species represented the first records of the families Coralliomyzontidae and Entomolepididae from Japanese waters.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7C8DED0A-9CEB-405D-9BBF-FAF2043B0858     

The Hypselodoris infucata,H. obscura and H. saintvincentius species complex (Mollusca,Nudibranchia, Chromodorididae), with remarks on the genus Brachychlanis Ehrenberg, 1831

The Indo-Pacific species Hypselodoris infucata (Rüppell and Leuckart, 1830) and Hypselodoris obscura (Stimpson, 1855) have been regarded as distinct by most authors. In this paper, numerous specimens with the colour pattern described for both H. infucata and H. obscura, and collected from localities comprising the geographic range of both nominal species, have been examined and anatomically studied. All specimens from south-east Australia, the type locality of H. obscura, consistently have a very long ejaculatory portion of the vas deferens, whereas in specimens collected from other Indo-Pacific localities this portion is very short. There are no other major morphological or anatomical differences between H. infucata and H. obscura. It is not clear whether H. obscura and H. infucata are different species, but since there is at least a consistent anatomical difference between them, they are provisionally regarded as distinct. The reproductive system, radula and external morphology are extremely variable among specimens of H. infucata. Specimens from Indo-Pacific localities other than south-east Australia, even those externally similar to H. obscura, belong to H. infucata. Hypselodoris saintvincentius Burn, 1962, which has been regarded as a synonym of H. infucata, is clearly distinguishable by the external coloration, reproductive system and radular morphology. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that H. saintvincentius is the sister species of H. infucata and H. obscura. A re-examination of the holotype of the uncertain species Brachychlanis pantherina Ehrenberg, 1831 revealed that it is conspecific with Hypselodoris infucata. Therefore, the name Brachychlanis Ehrenberg, 1831, which has not been used for more than 50 years, has preference over the widely used name, Hypselodoris Stimpson, 1855. In order to preserve nomenclatural stability invalidation of the name Brachychlanis is proposed.     

On the new goby,Ctenogobius veliensis (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the South-West coast of India

Summary

Ctenogobius veliensis, a new species of gobiid fish is described from the South-West coast of India. The characters of the fish conform to those of the genus Ctenogobius Gill but differ markedly from those of other recorded species of the genus. Apart from the usual, external morphological, morphometric and metistic characters, several other features such as the cephalic-lateralis system, skeletal features and morphology of the alimentary canal are also studied and have been found to be of significance for identifying the species. The fish shows distinct sexual dimorphism in many features.     

VIII.—Notes on the Silurian Brachiopod genera Delthyris,Uncinulina, and Meristina

Summary

In this paper the different interpretations of the genus Delthyris are discussed, and that given by Schuchert in 1913 is adopted with slight amendment. The species Delthyris elevata, D. crispa, D. elegans (nom. nov. for D. crispa, Hisinger, non Linnæus), and D. tenuilamellata, sp. n., from the British Silurian, are all described and figured.

The distinguishing characters of the genera Uncinulus and Uncinulina are pointed out, and Uncinulina is retained with U. fallaciosa as genotype. Rhynchonella stricklandi and Terebratula lewisi are transferred to the genus Uncinulina. Meristina tumida (Dalman) is shown to be a synonym of Meristina obtusa (Sowerby).

The British Silurian Spirifers can be separated into two groups:—(1) those with longitudinal folds and a transverse ornament of imbricating lamellæ (=Delthyris of Dalman) and (2) those with longitudinal folds bearing fine continuous longitudinal striæ (=Eospirifer of Schuchert).

The species referable to both these genera have as a rule been assigned to the genus Spirifer, from which, however, they differ in internal characters.     

Notes on Simulium ovazzae Grenier and Mouchet (Diptera: Simuliidae) and river crabs (Malacostraca: Potamidae) and their association

Summary

Collections of crabs in the forest zone of West Cameroon produced three species—Potamonautes africanus, P. orthostylis and P. pobeguini. The P. africanus carried populations of immature Simulium ovazzae.

Analysis of crabs collected by hand and those collected in traps indicates very little overlap in the sizes of the crabs obtained by the two techniques. This problem is discussed.

The infestation rates of S. ovazzae on P. africanus were found to be highest on medium-sized crabs. The attachment sites of the S. ovazzae on the crabs were found to vary with both the size of the crab and the size of the Simulium larva.

The size distributions of S. ovazzae larvae on small crabs were found to be different from those on medium and large crabs. The characteristic deficiency of smaller larvae on medium and large crabs reported for other crab-phoretic species was also found with S. ovazzae but the smaller crabs showed a deficiency of larger larvae. A hypothesis is put forward to explain the dearth of larger larvae on the smaller crabs and the higher infestation rate on medium crabs.

S. ovazzae are shown to arrive on their hosts as single larvae carried by the current.

Six adult S. ovazzae were reared from pupae in the laboratory. Small numbers of presumed S. ovazzae biting man in Cameroon are reported.     

A comparative study of the larval development of Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)

Summary

Comparative accounts are given of the larval and first crab stages of three crab species belonging to the family Xanthidae: Monodaeus couchi (Couch), Xantho incisus Leach and Pilumnus hirtellus (Linnaeus). Features are discussed that distinguish the larvae of these species from those of other N.E. Atlantic brachyrhynch crabs.     

Redescription of Sclerhelia hirtella from Saint Helena,South Atlantic,and remarks on Indo-Pacific species erroneously referred to the same genus (Scleractinia)

Summary

Sclerhelia hirtella (Pallas, 1766), type species of Sclerhelia, is redescribed from samples from Saint Helena, South Atlantic, and referred to the family Caryophylliidae. Up to now there is no confirmation on the occurence of S. hirtella at any locality other than Saint Helena. Here, the species lives in rather shallow water but it is unknown whether symbiotic zooxanthellae are present in the soft parts.

The species from the Maldives and Indonesia known as Sclerhelia formosa (Alcock, 1898) is not congeneric with Sclerhelia hirtella but close to Madrepora oculata Linné, a species conventionally placed in the family Oculinidae.

The species from the Marshall Islands, described by Wells (1954) as Sclerhelia alcocki is a dendrophylliid coral identical with Dendrophyllia palita Squires & Keyes, 1967, from New Zealand. The Maldives are the third area where this species is known (the original record having been confused with another dendrophylliid species).     

Variation in shell geometry in the genus Lacuna (Prosobranchia: Lacunidae)

Summary

A range of species of the genus Lacuna have been numerically described in terms of the geometry of their shells.

Species are uniquely distinguishable on this basis.

Interspecific affinities and relationships defined here agree with those suggested by conventional classification, by general external appearance, and by presumed ecological pressures associated with zonation. Geometrical analysis may prove an accurate systematic aid at the specific or varietal level.     

An unusual song-pattern in the Chorthippus mollis group (Orthoptera: Acrididae): local variant or hybrid population?

Summary

Published accounts of geographical variation in the songs of Orthoptera are briefly reviewed. An unusual song-pattern produced by an isolated alpine population of a grasshopper belonging to the Chorthippus mollis group is described and illustrated with oscillograms. Both the song and morphological characters of this population are compared with those of typical C. mollis and C. biguttulus. The status of the population is discussed and it is concluded that the balance of evidence favours the hypothesis that it is a hybrid population resulting from a cross between these two species.     

Some European Processidae (Crustacea,Decapoda, Caridea)

Summary

The name Processa canaliculata Leach has been applied to a species other than that to which the holotype belongs. The species P. canaliculata Nouvel & Holthuis non Leach has no valid name; it is re-named P. nouveli, with type material from Monaco.

P. nouveli and P. canaliculata have been considered to be conspecific by one recent author. New characters for their separation are described from Irish Sea material.

The northern form of P. nouveli differs from the Mediterranean form sufficiently to be placed in a separate subspecies. The name P. nouveli holthuisi is proposed for it, with type material from the Irish Sea.

The distribution of the four species and subspecies of Processa known to occur in northern Europe is reviewed.     

The taxonomic position of Alma worthingtoni Stephenson

Summary

1. 1. Alma worthingtoni is compared with A. emini from a taxonomic point of view.

2. 2. The size of the type specimen of A. worthingtoni falls well within the range for A. emini.

3. 3. The character of the body chaetæ as well as the chaetal distances is the same in both species.

4. 4. The internal anatomy in both species is the same. The absence of spermathecae in Alma worthingtoni is explained.

5. 5. The character of the copulatory appendages as well as that of the genital chaetæ in both species closely correspond.

6. 6. It is concluded that Alma worthingtoni Stephenson 1930 is the same as Alma emini Michaelsen 1892.