Three new species of the genus Belbolla (Nematoda: Enoplida: Enchelidiidae) from the Yellow Sea,China

Three new species of free‐living marine nematodes of the genus Belbolla: Belbolla huanghaiensis sp. nov., Belbolla stenocephalum sp. nov. and Belbolla warwicki sp. nov. from the Yellow Sea, China, are described and illustrated. Belbolla huanghaiensis can be separated from other species in the Belbolla genus by the number of oesophageal bulbs (nine), the length of the spicules and gubernacular apophysis, and the size of the two winged precloacal supplements. Belbolla stenocephalum can be separated from other species by the number of oesophageal bulbs (eight), the length of the spicules and the structure of gubernacular apophysis. Belbolla warwicki sp. nov. is characterized by the number of oesophageal bulbs (seven), reduced precloacal supplements and the structure of gubernacular apophysis. A key to the genus Belbolla is provided to facilitate species identification. Types are deposited in the College of Life Science and Technology, Ocean University of China.     

Structure and functioning of the gut in the Bullomorpha (Opisthobranchia)

Summary

A study of the form and functioning of Aglaja cylindrica and Aglaja aureopunctata. In this family the radula and gizzard plates are absent. In Aglaja cylindrica the buccal bulb has enlarged to form a pump used to suck in polychaete and nemertine worms. In Aglaja aureopunctata the buccal bulb can partially evert, enabling the species to ingest shelled opisthobranchs. In both species an oesophageal crop fulfils the role of the reduced stomach. A short review of the histology of the digestive gland is also included.     

More eudriline earthworms from eastern Nigeria

Summary

During the rains of August and September 1978, nine species of earthworms belonging to six genera were collected from several localities in Imo and Anambra States of Nigeria. Seven of these species were recorded and the other two described as new species. Two new genera—Parapolytoreutus and Digitodrilus—were erected for the new species. To accommodate the former genus within the subfamily Eudrilinae, the previous diagnostic characteristic of ‘ventral, unpaired oesophageal sacs’ has to be amended as ‘ventral, paired or unpaired oesophageal sacs’. Both Agrotoreutus Segun 1976 and Parapolytoreutus have paired ventral sacs.     

A basilar membrane in the testis of Aulacophora foveicollis Luc. (Coleoptera,Phytophaga, Chrysomelidae)

Summary

In the testis of Aulacophora foveicollis a basilar membrane has been found at the opening of the testis follicle into the sperm duct. The membrane consists of a dome-like arrangement of a whorl of specially elongated cells. Sperms have to move across it to enter the sperm duct.     

Three new species of free-living nematodes from the Bohai Sea,China

Three new species of free-living marine nematode, Setosabatieria jingjingae sp. nov., Amphimonhystera circula sp. nov. and Belbolla zhangi sp. nov., from the Bohai Sea, China, are described and illustrated. Setosabatieria jingjingae can be separated from the other two species in the genus by the number of amphid turns, the structure of the spicules and the number of pre-cloacal supplements. A pictorial key and tabular information are provided to facilitate species identification in this genus. Amphimonhystera circula is characterized by circular amphids, a simple gubernaculum and the shape of the tail. Belbolla zhangi is characterized by the number of oesophageal bulbs, the shape of the spicules and gubernacular apophysis, and the size of the two pre-cloacal supplements. The types are deposited in the Natural History Museum (London).     

LXVII.—The classification of the thecidean brachiopods

Abstract

The evolution and classification of thecidean brachiopods is discussed. The shell-structure of the geologically earlier genera is shown to be of pseudopunctate pattern, that of the later genera punctate. The pseudopunctate Rhaetic Bactrynium is not considered a thecidean, and the Tiassic Thecospira is shown to be a pseudopunctate spire-bearer. The new genera Moorellina, Vermiculothecidea and Eolacazella are proposed, and the species Moorellina prima (Rhaetic) and Bifolium lacazelliforme (Cenomanian) are described. The possibility of a neotenous origin of the thecideans from the strophomenoids is examined, and the nonthecidean genus Gwynia discussed in connection with this. The heterochronous thecidiform genera are grouped as the subfamily Thecideinae, and the series of thecidelliniforms from which the thecidiforms evolved as Thecidellininae, the two together forming the family Thecideidae, which is placed in the superfamily Thecideacea to express the divergence of thecidean evolution from strophomenoids.     

Gyroptychius (Rhipidistia,Osteolepidae) from the Middle Devonian of Scotland

Summary

The ethmoid endocranial structures of Gyroptychius sp. are described using unique material from the Middle Devonian nodule bed at Dipple, Morrayshire. This rare opportunity for comparison of different osteolepid rhipidistians confirms the general pattern of structure suggested in previous studies.     

The functional morphology of the feeding and grooming appendages of Ebalia tuberosa (Pennant) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Leucosiidae)

Summary

Ebalia tuberosa feeds mainly on small invertebrates but will also scavenge. The morphology of the feeding and grooming appendages is described paying particular attention to the structure and distribution of the setae. The movements of the various appendages during feeding are analysed. The mouthparts function in manipulating, grasping and cutting the food; in forming setal screens which prevent food from falling out of the mouth region; in creating water currents to waft away rejected material; and in cleaning each other. Setal structure is correlated with function. Those appendages which manipulate the food are armed with cuspidate and serrate setae while those which hold the food string steady during cutting carry plumodenticulate setae. Plumodenticulate and serrulate setae of various types make up two buccal setal screens, one transverse and the other longitudinal. The rejection current is generated by the flagella of the exopodites of the 1st and 2nd maxillipeds which bear long plumose setae. The main cleaning appendages are the 3rd maxillipeds whose distal segments bear serrate setae. In addition, various appendages bear fields of plumodenticulate setae which brush and clean adjacent surfaces during the normal feeding movements of the mouthparts.     

A comparison of the environmental adaptations of the intertidal carabids Aepus robini (Laboulbe[ngrave]e) and Aepus marinus Ström

Summary

The adaptations of Aepus robini and Aepus marinus to the littoral environment are compared. A. robini lives in crevices containing two distinct zones of deposit, and A. marinus under stones. Morphological differences include arrangement of setae, shape of elytra, length of antennae. A. marinus recovers more quickly following submergence and its elytra are better suited to carry an air store. The structure of the legs of A. robini is better suited to attachment to smooth moist surfaces than that of A. marinus.     

Observations on the nesting behaviour of seven species of Crabro (Hymenoptera,Sphecidae)

Summary

Data are presented on the nests and prey of seven species of Crabro from diverse localities in North America. In two instances (virgatus and largior) this is the first published report. Further information is provided for the following previously studied species: argusinus, advena, cribrellifer, latipes, and monticola. Behavioural differences among these species are not conspicuous. Most are rather general fly predators, but cribrellifer appears to show a strong preference for Asilidae. There are also differences in type of soil used for nesting and in antipredator behaviour such as approach flights and daily cycles of activity. Two species, largior and monticola, provision their nests early in the morning, before miltogrammine flies are active in numbers. All species probably make cells of two sizes, larger cells containing more prey and producing females, smaller cells males.     

Stridulatory organs of the elm bark beetles Scolytus multistriatus Marsham and Scolytus scolytus Fabricius

Summary

In Scolytidae, stridulatory organs are not usually found in the sex which selects the breeding site and begins the gallery. Exceptions in the literature refer to the genera Dendroctonus and Scolytus. The presence of stridulatory organs in both sexes of the elm bark beetles S. multistriatus and S. scolytus is reported here. The structure of the stridulatory apparatus is described, and the possible role of stridulation in the behaviour of these species is discussed.     

L.—Two new Bittacidæ (Mecoptera)

Summary

The host-parasite relationships of Leptomonas ctenocephali from Ctenocephalides canis and Leptomonas sp. from Orchopeas h. howardi and Palaeopsylla m. minor are described. The latter two species of fleas are new host records for kinetoplastid flagellates. Attachment to pylorus and hindgut is by modification of the flagellum; hemidesmosomes are formed on the inner leaflet of the flagellar membrane and flagella-flagella desmosomes anchor adjacent flagella; a palisade of several layers of promastigote forms line the hindgut. Many individual flagellar membranes were found to extend around 3·0 μm and up to a maximum of 3·9 μm along the cuticular surface to which they were attached. In the rectum a specific association between the flagellates and the rectal ampullae is described; flagellates are attached to this surface covering completely each of the ampullae in heavy infections; again several layers of parasites coat the rectal ampullae. Attachment to the rectal ampullae is by the same mechanism as in the hindgut. Few parasites are attached to the rectal wall itself but rosettes of parasites attached by their flagella are observed in the lumen. The structure of the rectal ampullae are briefly described and the host-parasite relationships are discussed in the context of other described systems.     

CXIII.-Lystrosaurus primitivus,sp. nov., and the origin of the genus Lystrosaurus

Abstract

An Anomodont specimen recovered from the Lystrosaurus-zone of the South African Karoo system is very similar to some of the Russian Dicynodonts, and is in structure intermediate between Lystrosaurus and Dicynodon. It is named Lystrosaurus primitivus, although it is too late stratigraphically to be the actual ancestor of the genus Lystrosaurus.     

Noyesaphytis (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) – an unusual new genus from Madagascar,and a reassessment of Aphelininae classification based on morphology

ABSTRACT

Noyesaphytis Polaszek & Woolley gen. nov. (type species Noyesaphytis lasallei Polaszek & Woolley sp. n. ) is described from Berenty, Tuléar, Madagascar. The genus differs from its closest relatives primarily in the structure of the female antenna, which has a single, elongate flagellum preceded by four anelli, the largest of which could be interpreted as a single anelliform funicle. This type of antenna is unknown in other Aphytini, but approaches the condition found in many Signiphoridae. Noyesaphytis possesses a character state that was until now thought to be an autapomorphy of Azotidae (sole genus Ablerus), being the groove in front of the propodeal spiracle. A second putative autapomorphy shared by Azotidae and Signiphoridae, and also Noyesaphytis, is the presence of anterior projections on the metasomal sterna. However, in Azotidae and Signiphoridae these are narrow, whereas as they are broader in Noyesaphytis. The form of the wing is consistent with Aphytini, although lacking a linea calva. The presumed male of Noyesaphytis lasallei has an antennal structure completely unknown in Aphelinidae, with a 1-segmented clava preceded by an extremely elongate single funicle, and four anelli. Differences between the female and male are discussed, some of which could indicate that the male might eventually be shown to belong to a different species, although the species are undoubtedly congeneric, despite the striking difference in antennal structure which is common in Aphelinidae. The male genitalia also suggest Aphytini. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of 50 morphological characters, we provisionally place Noyesaphytis in Aphytini pending the results of a forthcoming phylogenomic analysis. The new genus is named for its collector, John Noyes (NHM, London), and the new species is named after the late John La Salle.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6EE6F35C-32A4-4E91-AE39-5E2C173E58BF     

Ovipositor mechanics of the braconine wasp genus Zaglyptogastra and the ichneumonid genus Pristomerus

The multiply-arched, apical quarter to half of the ovipositors of Zaglyptogastra species are capable of flexing ventrally through up to 180°. Flexion is achieved by ventral protrusion of the lower ovipositor valves relative to the upper one, an action which juxtaposes swollen lower valve sections with weak concave narrowings of the upper valve. The structural modifications associated with this flexion mechanism are described and similar ovipositor features are illustrated for the cremastine ichneumonid genus Pristomerus.     

Two new species of Beddardiella (Eudrilidae: Oligochaeta: Annelida) from Nigeria

Two new earthworms species, Beddardiella soforei n.sp. and Beddardiella numanensis n.sp., are described from Michika and Numan in north eastern Nigeria. They, like their earlier described congeners, are characterized by non-continuity of the lumen of the thecovarian duct with that of the spermatheca, the locations of two oesophageal gizzards in either V–VI or VI–VII (as against a single gizzard in V in other Eudrilinae), the location of ventral oesophageal sacs in X–XII as against IX–XI, and the location of calciferous glands in XV as against XIII. These probably represent sufficient reasons to erect a new subfamily to accommodate the genus Beddardiella. But, as a continuing analysis reveals more variations among the Eudrilinae it is recommended that this awaits a more comprehensive reclassification of the family.     

A new genus of Neotropical whitefly,secreting blue-iridescent wax (Sternorrhyncha,Aleyrodidae, Aleurodicinae), and its parasitoids (Hymenoptera,Aphelinidae)

Azuraleurodicus pentarthrus Martin gen. and sp. n. is described from three different host plant families in Central and northern South America. Adults of both sexes were reared in culture and adult characters are discussed in addition to those of puparia. The systematic position of Azuraleurodicus within the Aleurodicinae is discussed. One new combination, Aleuronudus ferrisi (Sampson and Drews) comb. n., is here proposed in the course of discussion. The secretion of blue wax by whiteflies is discussed and illustrated by colour photographs. Two species of hymenopterous parasitoids, Dirphys aphania Polaszek sp. n. and Encarsiella pithecura, Polaszek sp. n. emerged from puparia of Azuraleurodicus pentarthrus and are here described.