Deep-sea Tanaidacea (Crustacea) of the North-east Atlantic: the tribe Agathotanaini

The tanaidacean tribe Agathotanaini, which was formerly the family Agathotanaidae, is well-represented in the Rockall Trough and Bay of Biscay areas of the North-east Atlantic. Five species have been recorded from depths of 1160–4829 m. Agathotanais ingolfi is the most numerous and one of the most widely distributed tanaidacean species in the region, and is often predominant in epibenthic sled samples from 1500–2500 m. Less numerous and frequent are three new species of Paragathotanais: P. nanus, P. robustus and P. gracilis. The first two are bathyal in distribution, and the last is abyssal. A new monospecific genus is established for Metagathotanais insulcatus, which has been recorded from the deepest part of the study region (4600–4800 m). Males of this tribe are characterized by their rigid pleopods bearing short terminal setae, and are otherwise very similar to the females. A key is provided for the identification of agathotanaids from the North-east Atlantic, including Agathotanais hanseni, and the genera Allodaposia and Paranarthrura, which should also be classified in the Agathotanaini.     

XLI.—Note on a Megalosaurian tibia from the lower Lias of Wilmcote,Warwickshire

Summary

A new species of Dolichomiris Reuter from India and another from South Africa are described, while costicollis Berg is excluded, bringing the total number of species in the genus to seven. All species are figured and keyed. D. linearis Reuter is recorded from Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and the New Hebrides. Lectotypes are designated where necessary. A revised key to the genera of Stenodemini is presented.     

Phylogenetic relationships among genera of the tribe Cnephasiini (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) based on morphological characters of adults

A phylogenetic analysis was conducted on the moth tribe Cnephasiini based on 83 morphological characters of adults (63 binary and 20 multistate). The analysis included 26 species representing 20 genera, plus two outgroup representatives of the tribe Tortricini. The cladistic analysis resulted in the 10 most parsimonious trees. The tribe Cnephasiini was recovered as monophyletic; the genus Cnephasia was not recovered as monophyletic; the New World Decodes clustered with the primarily Old World Cnephasia; Oxypteron is best treated as monotypic (with the single species palmoni), and Amphicoecia adamana, Oporopsamma dunaria and O. wertheimsteini should be assigned to a different genus; Propriomorpha and Xerocnephasia were the most basal groups; Exapate duratella and Epicnephasia mongolica were recognised as sister-groups; and Kawabeia was closest to Tortricodes.     

Orchid bees (Apidae: Euglossini) in Cerrado remnants in northeast Brazil

There is a general lack of information concerning the diversity of bees belonging to the Euglossini tribe in Cerrado areas closest to the Brazilian Amazon. The state of Maranhão is situated in the northeast Brazilian Cerrado and has become the agricultural frontier of the country due to the advancement of monoculture and cattle farming. These activities have suppressed animal and plant populations in large areas of the Cerrado remnants, for which we have not yet obtained adequate scientific knowledge of local species. The objective of this study was to conduct a survey of Euglossini fauna in the northeast Cerrado. We evaluated the variation in species richness, composition and abundance between two distinct vegetation types: Cerrado sensu stricto (s.s.) and gallery forest. Male bees were captured from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. over two consecutive days. Captures were carried out once per month from July 2012 to December 2013, using a combination of passive and active collection techniques, including baited traps, as well as a collector with an entomological net to collect bees near traps. We collected a total of 766 Euglossini males belonging to 24 species and five genera. The most abundant species were Eulaema bombiformis, Eulaema nigrita and Eulaema cingulata for the gallery forest site, whereas Eulaema nigrita, Euglossa melanotricha and Euglossa cordata were more abundant in the Cerrado s.s. The gallery forest yielded a higher number of male Euglossini (n = 503, 21 species) compared with the Cerrado s.s. (n = 263, 16 species). The presence of seven exclusive species in the gallery forest and three in the Cerrado s.s. indicated that both environments are important for the maintenance of Euglossini species in this region and highlight the increasing need for conservation programmes for the protection of Cerrado environments.     

A synopsis of the subterranean mealybug genus Neochavesia Williams and Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Rhizoecinae)

The neotropical mealybug genus Neochavesia, associated with the ant genus Acropyga Roger, is discussed and placed in the tribe Xenococcini on the bases that it lacks dorsal ostioles, the distal end of the circulus is depressed and cup-shaped, and the third-instar female is a pupa. These are characters shared by Xenococcus Silvestri and Eumyrmococcus Silvestri, also in the tribe Xenococcini, and differ from those in the tribe Rhizoecini, the other tribe in the subfamily Rhizoecinae. Two new species, Neochavesia iwokramae sp. nov. and N. lapollai sp. nov., are described from Guyana, and the female pupal instar and adult male of N. lapollai and the adult male of N. caldasiae (Balachowsky) are described and illustrated. A key to adult females is provided.     

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.     

Revision of the millipede genus Xystodesmus,with reference to the status of the tribe Xystodesmini (Diplopoda: Xystodesmidae)

On the basis of morphometrics and geographic distribution, we revise Xystodesmus martensii Peters and its related forms in Japan, which had been recognized as ten species belonging to five genera. In delimitation of species, first we sought the biggest pheno-geographic units based on the dendrogram from a cluster analysis and geographic distribution; a pheno-geographic unit is defined as an aggregation of populations being phenetically closely similar and geographically closely distributed to each other. Then, we decided whether each unit was warranted as a species. As a result, we propose that these forms constitute a single genus Xystodesmus comprising six species including one new species. The newly defined Xystodesmus is characterized by high variation in gonopod morphology and conservative coloration, body form and size. The status of some populations is still uncertain because of lack of material. The tribe Xystodesmini, to which Xystodesmus belongs, and the tribe Harpaphini are so similar that we could not warrant their separation. We propose the following new synonymies: the tribe Harpaphini with the tribe Xystodesmini; Phrurodesmus Takakuwa and Nikkonus Chamberlin and Wang with Xystodesmus; Xystodesmus scabra Verhoeff, Rhysodesmus tuberculatus Takakuwa, Rh. ikaoensis Takakuwa, and Rh. kitazawai Miyosi, with X. martensii; Phrurodesmus kinshaensis Murakami with X. gracilipes (Takakuwa). Riukiaria shirozui Takakuwa, Rh. serrulatus Miyosi, and P. gracilipes Takakuwa, are transferred to Xystodesmus. We describe X. tokaiensis as a new species.     

Redescription of the genus Noteochordodes,reinterpretation of Noteochordodes dugesi (Camerano, 1898), a new combination of Neochordodes talensis (Camerano, 1897) and a description of a new species

Three species of the freshwater genus Noteochordodes (Nematomorpha) have been reported from Argentina. In this reinvestigation Neochordodes talensis is included into Noteochordodes on the basis of its cuticular structure. The ultrastructural study of the holotype of N. dugesi showed features which are correspondent with the genus Pseudochordodes. Consequently, some specimens formerly assigned to this species have been assigned to a new species, Noteochordoeds cymatium. Another new species, Noteochordodes achosmosus is also described. Therefore, we regard five species to be valid for the genus Noteochordodes: N. achosmosus, N. cymatium, N. desantisi, N. talensis and N. saltae.     

A taxonomic revision of the genus Stempellinella (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The species of the chironomid genus Stempellinella are revised, described, and figured, and keys to known larvae, pupae, and male and female adults are presented. Five species new to science are diagnosed and described. An emended generic diagnosis of Stempellinella is given and morphological differences from its putative sister genus Zavrelia are discussed. The partial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences (DNA barcodes) of 10 Stempellinella species are presented and the variation in genetic distances within and between species is compared. The results indicate that DNA barcodes are suitable molecular markers for identification of Stempellinella species. The following life stages and species are diagnosed and described: the larva, pupa, male, and female of S. brevis, S. chambiensis, S. ciliaris, S. edwardsi, S. fimbriata sp. n., S. flavidula, S. leptocelloides, S. saltuum, and S. truncata; the pupa, male, and female of S. reissi and S. tamaseptima; the larva, pupa, and male of Stempellinella boltoni sp. n.; the pupa and male of S. lamellata sp. n.; the male and female of S. coronata; and the male of S. apicula, S. brevilamellae, S. distincta sp. n., and S. sublettorum sp. n. Two pupal types are described but not formally named. The following changes of combination are made: Stempellina chambiensis and Stempellina truncata are transferred to the genus Stempellinella. Zavrelia inopinata is listed as a new junior synonym of Stempellinella ciliaris.     

Taxonomic notes on the Asian frogs of the tribe Paini (Ranidae,Dicroglossinae): 1. Morphology and synonymy of Chaparana aenea (Smith, 1922), with proposal of a new statistical method for testing homogeneity of small samples

The species from northern Vietnam described as Rana fansipani Bourret, is shown to be a synonym of the species from northern Thailand described as Rana aenea Smith, . The male secondary sex characters of this species are described in detail for the first time. Combined with a few other characters, they allow this species to be distinguished from the closely related Rana unculuanus Liu, Hu and Yang, 1960 from southern China. Both species should be placed in a subgenus Chaparana (Chaparana), a member of the tribe Paini of the subfamily Dicroglossinae of the Ranidae. In this study, we propose a new statistical method for testing homogeneity of small samples: this consists of considering the values obtained for each specimen and for each regression factor score as morphometric characteristics of this specimen within the frame of this analysis; these values, or some of them, can be used to compare subgroups of specimens by non‐parametric tests such as the Mann–Whitney U test.     

Minute but constant morphological differences within members of Stenothoidae: the Stenothoe gallensis group with four new members,keys to Stenothoe worldwide,a new species of Parametopa and Sudanea n. gen. (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

The hitherto-known species of Stenothoe are grouped by their distribution. A key for Mediterranean–Atlantic species is given. To the so-called Stenothoe gallensis group (until now, four species), four others are added: S. andamanensis, S. clavetta, S. himyara and S. senegalensis, all new to science. Knowledge of Stenothoe aucklandica, frecanda, macrophthalma, valida and verrucosa is amended. The studied material also yields both a new species of Parametopa (P. gorea n. sp.) and a new genus (Sudanea n. gen.) with S. inopinata n. sp.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:23C8BB82-5CC1-40B2-BED9-431AA55901B9     

A review of the encyrtid wasp tribe Aenasiini,with descriptions of new Afrotropical taxa (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

The tetracnemine tribe Aenasiini is discussed and a key is provided for the separation of the nine genera that can be attributed to this tribe. Neodiscodes is synonymized with Aenasius and the following seven species, which were originally assigned to the former genus, are transferred to Aenasius as new combinations: abengouroui (Risbec), comperei (Kerrich), lepelleyi (Kerrich), martinii (Compere), indicus (Narayanan & Subba Rao), parvus (Kerrich) and subbaraoi (Kerrich). A key is given for the separation of the four Afrotropical species of Aenasius and the male of A. comperei is described for the first time. Incisencyrtus gen. n. is described for the following three new Afrotropical species: secus (the type-species), sirus and afer. Cladiscodes incisius sp. n. is described from South Africa and it represents the first species of this genus from Africa. New distribution records are given for three Alfrotropical species of Metaphaenodiscus.     

Three new genera of Banchinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from Central and South America

Three new genera and four new species of Banchinae are described from Central and South America: Terrylee gen. n., is described from Peru and Honduras to accommodate Terrylee olearius sp. n. and Terrylee peruensis sp. n. (type species: Terrylee peruensis sp. n.); Valdiviglypta gen. n. and Pristiboea gen. n. are described from Chile (type species: Valdiviglypta nimbus sp. n. and Pristiboea leiomano sp. n.). Terrylee and Pristiboea are placed in the tribe Atrophini, Valdiviglypta tentatively in the tribe Glyptini. All the three new genera are morphologically very distinctive and two have such character suites that they may not immediately be recognizable as banchines. By describing these three Neotropical genera from Chile, Honduras and Peru we aim to draw further attention to the considerable morphological variation within the ichneumonid subfamily Banchinae.     

A new large and colourful species of the genus Doto (Nudibranchia: Dotidae) from South Africa

A new species of the genus Doto is described from the Cape Peninsula of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. To date, the genus Doto is probably one of the more complex and poorly defined genera within nudibranchs. The very small body size and very similar external and internal features make this genus problematic and, therefore, poorly studied. Despite the large number of described species around the world, only three species are known to be present in South Africa: Doto coronata (Gmelin, 1791), Doto pinnatifida (Montagu, 1804) and Doto rosea Trinchese, 1881. Morphologically, Doto splendida sp. nov. is easily distinguished from all its South African congeneric species by its conspicuous colouration. In addition, mitochondrial and nuclear genes clearly separate the new species from other species from southern Africa. A molecular phylogeny based on two mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and one nuclear (H3) gene is herein presented. This phylogeny includes all available species of Doto (valid and unidentified) as well as several other traditionally closed related species retrieved from GenBank.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3764C38DF6BB-415F-958C-E3132A1A9524     

Muhaka icipe,an enigmatic new genus and species of Kleidotomini (Hymenoptera: Figitidae: Eucoilinae) from an East African coastal forest

A remarkable new eucoiline genus and species, Muhaka icipe, is described herein. The genus is clearly a Kleidotomini, but is distinguished from other genera in the tribe by a unique head and scutellar morphology. The genus belongs to the ‘wedge-head’-syndrome group of species that, to date, is unique to Afrotropical eucoilines. The new genus and species is reminiscent of Stentorceps Quinlan and Nanocthulhu Buffington, but is readily distinguished from these genera. Muhaka was collected from a threatened kaya (sacred forest) of coastal Kenya. The biological importance of this and other kaya forests, as well as their protection, is discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6918ED2C-69A4-48FC-A1E4-2B5DFF58E876     

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.     

New Neotropical Haplothripini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) with a key to Central and South American genera

The tribe Haplothripini includes a large diversity of Thysanoptera–Phlaeothripinae, comprising more than 550 species in about 35 genera. They are characterised by having a maxillary bridge in the head, prosternal basantra well developed and fore wings with a median constriction. Members of this group are present in all geographical regions, but are particularly poorly studied in Central and South America. In this study, we describe a new genus and species, Myrciathrips variabilis gen. et. sp. nov., and a new Haplothrips species; and propose two new combinations: Karnyothrips grassoi (De Santis), and Mirothrips vespicola (De Santis). A key to the nine Haplothripini genera now recognised from Central and South America is provided, together with an updated key to Haplothrips and Mirothrips species. A total of 45 species of Haplothripini are now recognised from Central and South America, and a list of these and their distributions is given. The genera Karnyothrips, Haplothrips and Leptothrips are the most commonly encountered, and some exotic species such as Androthrips ramachandrai and Dolichothrips indicus are now widespread in the Americas.     

Adriatic species of Schizomavella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

In this paper, material belonging to the genus Schizomavella, collected along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, is revised. Nine species were identified, including five species new to science: S. cornuta, S. halimedae, S. linearis, S. mamillata, S. adriatica sp. nov.,S. mystacea sp. nov., S. rosae sp. nov., S. stanislavi sp. nov. and S. tubulata sp. nov. Previous records of Schizomavella from the Adriatic are also discussed. The checklist of Adriatic Schizomavella species is updated to 11 species; a further two species are doubtful owing to wrong previous identifications. The presence of a calcified ‘hood’ covering the opesia of the suboral avicularium is described and its function is discussed. The morphological diversity of ovicells within the genus Schizomavella is compiled and discussed.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:987D8AE0-1E02-430D-9AB5-50B77BEAF52E