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.     

A redescription of the type specimen of Crotonia (= Acronothrus) obtecta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875), (Acari,Cryptostigmata) and a discussion of its taxonomic relationships

Summary

The holotype of Crotonia (= Westwoodia) obtecta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875) has been cleaned and is redescribed. Study indicates that Crotonia Thorell, 1876 is a senior synonym of Acronothrus Berlese, 1916, and that the family Crotoniidae Thorell, 1876 is a senior synonym of the Holonothridae Wallwork, 1963     

Studies on gorgoderid digeneans from Australian and Assian Freshwater fishes

Pseudophyllodistomum gen. nov. is proposed for a section of Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899. The new genus is distinguished by the simple form of the uterus, the eggs which reach over 60 μm long in length, the saccular excretory bladder, the 2[3 + 3 + 3) + (3 + 3 + 3)] = 36 flame-cell formula, the metacercaria which may have fully developed genitalia and is parasitic in decapod crustaceans, the use of corbiculid bivalves as first intermediate hosts, and the cercaria which has a long tail not enclosing the cercarial body. Two species, P. johnstoni sp. nov. and P. murrayense sp. nov., are described from Australian freshwater fish and five new combinations of previously described Phyllodistomum species from Asian freshwater fish are proposed — P. macrobrachicola (Yamaguti, 1934) comb. nov., P. lesteri (Wu, 1938) comb. nov., P. srivastavai (Rai, 1964) comb. nov., P. lucknowense (Pandey, 1970) comb. nov. and P. mingense (Tang, 1985) comb. nov. The first intermediate host of P. johnstoni is a Corbiculina species. The long-tailed cercariae infect the gonads of palaemonid prawns, Macrobrachium spp., in which they grow to unencysted metacercariae which may have fully developed genitalia. The metacercaria of P. murrayense also infects a Macrobrachium species. The evolution of the Gorgoderinae is discussed and it is suggested that, prior to the erection of Pseudophyllodistomum, Phyllodistomum may have encompassed as many as five different phylogenetic lines, each with similar adult morphology but distinguishable by life-cycle characters. It is postulated that more study will lead to further division of Phyllodistomum.     

Freshwater sponges of the West Indies: Discovery of Spongillidae (Haplosclerida,Spongillina) from Cuba with biogeographic notes and a checklist for the Caribbean area

The paper reports the first finding of freshwater sponges from the Greater Antilles. Spongillidae belonging to four species of the genera Ephydatia, Anheteromeyenia, and Radiospongilla were found in a variety of freshwater habitats in western Cuba. Anheteromeyenia cheguevarai nov. sp. is described. Morphological traits of sponges from West Cuba were characterized by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and compared to the spongillofauna of the Nearctic and Neotropical regions and the pan‐Caribbean area. The specific richness and the discovery of a new species suggest a high diversity of the Antillean freshwater sponges although the investigated area of Cuba is relatively small.     

Freshwater invertebrates of subantarctic South Georgia

Twenty‐one lakes, ten pools, seven coastal pools, three streams, two seal wallows, a penguin wallow, and three flooded moss carpets on South Georgia were sampled for aquatic invertebrates. More than 100 invertebrate species were found comprising 59 species of Rotifera, 29 Arthropoda (including five Anomopoda, three Calanoida, two Harpacticoida, three Ostracoda, 12 Acarina and four Insecta) and at least 22 other invertebrate species (including four Platyhelminthes, three Gastrotricha, six Tardigrada, six Nematoda, and two species of Annelida). The fauna of South Georgia, although similar to that of the other Scotia Arc Islands, particularly Signy Island, is much richer by virtue of its lower latitude and milder climate.     

Bostryx tortoranus (Doering, 1879) species complex (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Bulimulidae), a review of taxonomy and distribution of endemic species from Argentina

Morphology of the shell, radula, jaw, anatomy and sculpture of the inner wall of the reproductive system are described and compared for three species belonging to the Bostryx tortoranus species complex. On the basis of these characters, the following changes are proposed: Bostryx martinezi (Hylton Scott, 1965) is removed from synonymy with Bostryx tortoranus (Doering, 1879) and Bulimulus (Scansicochlea) cicheroi Hylton Scott, 1967 is transferred from synonymy with B. tortoranus to synonymy with B. martinezi. As a result of these changes, the number of species of Bostryx known from Argentina has increased to 19 species. Bostryx tortoranus and B. martinezi are redescribed, also the radula and anatomy of Bostryx rudisculptus (Parodiz, 1956) are described for the first time. The main distinctive morphological characters of the three species are: the structure of the shell’s protoconch and teleoconch, radular morphology, location of the secondary ureter opening, the length of the free oviduct with respect to the vagina and the epiphallus with respect to the penis and the bursa copulatrix duct’s inner wall sculpture. Bostryx martinezi and B. rudisculptus have restricted distributions and are ecologically endemic, whereas B. tortoranus has a wide distribution and is located in different dry ecoregions.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2F21A37-E0ED-454F-A63D-EEC1804D7DFA     

Redefinition of the parastenocaridid genus Proserpinicaris (Copepoda: Harpacticoida), with description of three new species from Korea

Proserpinicaris young sp. nov., Proserpinicaris wangpi sp. nov. and Proserpinicaris imjin sp. nov. are described from subterranean waters of South Korea. They are short-range endemics, allopatric in distribution and closely related to each other, and to two other Far Eastern congeners. Distinguishing features are limited to the general habitus shape, proportions of the caudal rami and degree of sexual dimorphism. The genus Proserpinicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar], as redefined here, is Palaearctic in distribution, with the centre of diversity in southern Europe, and 20 valid members, all of which share a large hyaline spiniform structure on the male fourth leg basis as a synapomorphy. A key to species is provided. Genera Niponnicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] and Pannonicaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] are established as its junior subjective synonyms, Lacustricaris Jakobi, 1972 Jakobi, H. 1972. Trends (Enp.P4 Mänchen) innerhalb der Parastenocarididen (Copepoda Harpacticoidea). Crustaceana, 22: 127–146. [Crossref] , [Google Scholar] is formally synonymized with Parastenocaris Kessler, 1913, and Parastenocaris lacustris Chappuis, 1958 Chappuis, PA. 1958. Le genre Parastenocaris Kessler. Vie Milieu, 8: 423–432.  [Google Scholar] is designated as incertae sedis in Fontinalicaridinae Schminke, 2010 Schminke, HK. 2010. High-level phylogenetic relationships within Parastenocarididae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida). Crustaceana, 83: 343–367. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar].     

A new species of Friesea (Collembola: Neanuridae) from the Antarctic Continent

A new species of Friesea was found in East Antarctica and is described here as Friesea eureka sp. nov. This is the first new collembolan species to be described from the Antarctic continent in 30 years, even though ice-free areas have been intensively surveyed over that time. It brings to five the number of described species of the genus Friesea known from the Antarctic continent and Peninsula, so is the most speciose genus of Collembola in the region. However, one of these, F. grisea Schäffer, comprises a number of cryptic species of different molecular lineages. The new species is distinguished by having 4 + 4 ocelli plus 1 + 1 hardly visible, a very reduced furca, up to four or five faintly clavate tenent hairs, four anal spines and four spinose chaetae in adult. The restricted distribution of the species emphasises the importance of protecting ice-free areas on the continent as they often contain at least one locally endemic faunal species

www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:865B9AE6-0428-4364-99A4-AF38A764D6D9     

Ten new species of the genus Brevisomabathynella Cho,Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 (Malacostraca,Bathynellacea, Parabathynellidae) from Western Australia

Ten new species of Brevisomabathynella Cho, Park and Ranga Reddy, 2006 Cho, JL, Park, JG and Ranga Reddy, Y. 2006. Brevisomabathynella gen. nov. with two new species from Western Australia (Bathynellacea, Syncarida): the first definitive evidence of predation in Parabathynellidae. Zootaxa., 1247: 25–42.  [Google Scholar] are described and illustrated from the arid region of Western Australia. Comparison of the external morphology revealed the presence of three common characters distributed among the 10 species: the five-segmented antenna, the absence of the basipodal seta on the male thoracopod VIII and the absence of a basiventral seta on the uropodal exopod. This character combination is not found in Notobathynella and Billibathynella, but only in Brevisomabathynella, a genus known from two described species both with unusual characters. Despite the three common attributes, the 10 new species differ remarkably from these two described species, but could not be defined by their own synapomorphy. Consequently, and cognizant of a previously performed molecular analysis, we assign the 10 new species to Brevisomabathynella and amend the generic diagnosis. The species inhabit shallow aquifers in groundwater calcretes and each appears to be endemic to a given calcrete formation. The two species previously known and the 10 species now described include four sympatric species pairs, with similar-sized sympatric species differing markedly in body form. Brevisomabathynella inhabit groundwater up to at least marine salinity.     

New findings of Hexalona-branch representatives in Brazil,with a description of Prenda gen. nov. (Crustacea: Anomopoda: Aloninae)

Altogether, Coronatella and Hexalona-branches are considered the main lineages of Aloninae – a subfamily of common bottom-dwelling microcrustaceans in freshwater environments. Although the taxonomic features of Brazilian members of the Hexalona-branch have been summarised for species from the costata-group and affinis-group, a revision of other widely distributed species in the world is still lacking in this country. The aim of this paper was to study the morphology of Brazilian populations from the guttata-group and intermedia-group, and to describe a new genus from the Hexalona-branch. The parthenogenetic females of Alona cf. guttata from Brazil have similar morphology when compared to data from the literature, but the armature of the terminal claw of its males seems to be different from those of Alona guttata sensu stricto, Alona barbulata and Alona werestschagini. The intermedia-group is formed by Alona elisae sp. nov., which seems to be endemic to the Cerrado of Brazil Central, and Alona isabellae sp. nov., which is widely distributed in Brazil; this species has a labral keel armed with 2–4 setulae, and postabdomen with setulae of lateral fascicles longer than the level of marginal denticles, morphological traits that differentiate it from Alona elisae sp. nov. Another endemic species from the Hexalona-branch is Prenda arvensis gen. nov. and sp. nov., which has two main head pores, a reduced seta on endite 1 of the first limb, sixth limb is a wide lobe. The potential of biodiversity from the Hexalona-branch from Brazil is still underestimated, and a global revision of the guttata-group and intermedia-group is very important for the progress of Aloninae taxonomy and systematics.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:0A2E4A30-0C9C-43E8-8E72-1DEDA6AFF3C3     

A case of biodiversity overestimation in the Balkan Belgrandiella A. J. Wagner, 1927 (Caenogastropoda: Hydrobiidae): molecular divergence not paralleled by high morphological variation

Belgrandiella A. J. Wagner, 1927 is a genus comprising minute snails with conic or turriform shells that are facultative stygobionts, inhabiting subterranean waters and springs. Few specimens or even empty shells of this taxon can be found, so the taxonomy is based mostly on the shell morphology and geographic distribution. Anatomy is known for a few taxa, and its usefulness is restricted. This, coupled with a popular idea that isolation is the first factor shaping divergence and speciation of the spring/cave fauna, resulted in dozens of nominal species of Belgrandiella, known from shells at a given locality. Herein we present shells, anatomy and four molecular markers (nuclear H3, 18S and 28S and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I) in Belgrandiella from 16 localities in Slovenia, northern Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Five sites are type localities of Boleana umbilicata, Belgrandiella kusceri, Belgrandiella krupensis, Belgrandiella zermanica and Belgrandiella robusta, respectively. Considering the shell and geographic distribution, we have determined B. cf. robusta Belgrandiella cf. croatica, Belgrandiella cf. fontinalis, Belgrandiella cf. kuesteri, Belgrandiella cf. pageti and Belgrandiella cf. koprivnensis The shells of all, as well as penes and female reproductive organs of two putative, species have been illustrated. Molecular analysis indicates four distinct clades, most probably of species rank for B. kusceri, B. cf. kuesteri, B. cf. fontinalis and B. cf. koprivnensis. Four nominal species (B. krupensis, B. robusta, B. umbilicata and B. zermanica) and one genus (Boleana) must be synonymised with Belgrandiella kusceri, and there are no more than four valid, biological species in the studied Belgrandiella. The molecular divergence is completely unmirrored by high morphological variability. Hence the level of endemism is markedly overestimated in these snails.     

Biodiversity and biogeography of the coral boring barnacles of the genus Berndtia (Cirripedia: Acrothoracica) in the West Pacific,with description of three new species

Acrothoracican barnacles of the genus Berndtia are exclusive coral borers and the type species is Berndtia purpurea Utinomi, 1950a, reported in the corals Lepastrea purpurea and Psammocora profundacella in Wakayama, Japan. We confirmed the type is only from the coral Lepastrea purpurea and is distributed from Japan, Taiwan to Hong Kong. In contrast, B. purpurea from Psammocora belongs to a new species Berndtia haradai sp. nov., which is distributed from Japan to Okinawa. The other new species identified in the present study, Berndtia denticulata sp. nov. is common in Okinawa but also collected on the Pacific side of the Philippines. Berndtia utinomii sp. nov. is found on NE coast of Taiwan, Kochi and Wakayama in Japan and Vietnam but is absent from Okinawa. All described species are diagnostic in the coloration and morphology of the opercular bars in live specimens, morphology of posterior lobes of operculum and the number of notches in maxillules.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8B6FE5B4-C5DD-48DE-B91A-39BBBAF87636     

A new genus and subfamily of Typhloplanidae (Platyhelminthes,Rhabdocoela) from Australia with a cladistic analysis of subfamily relationships

During a survey of marine interstitial Platyhelminthes of North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia, a new taxon of Typhloplanidae (Rhabdocoela) was found, namely Cephalopharynx cannoni gen. nov. sp. nov. This new monotypic genus combines a suite of characters that set it apart from the remaining 63 genera present in the known eight subfamilies. It is unique in the lack of adenal and dermal rhabdites, the anterior position of the pharynx rosulatus, presence of a single anterior testis, and novel stylet structure. These character states substantiate the erection of a new subfamily, Cephalopharynginae, based on cladistic criteria. A key to the subfamilies of Typhloplanidae is provided.     

Biogeography of amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Gammaridae) from the central Zagros Mountains,Iran, with descriptions of two new species

Seven species of gammarid amphipods were studied in the relatively small province of Charmahal-Va-Bakhteyari in the central Zagros Mountains, Iran. Of these, four are previously known (Gammarus proiectus, G. komareki, G. syriacus and G. balutchi), one is a new record for the region (G. pseudosyriacus) and two are new species (G. lordeganensis and G. bakhteyaricus). From the taxonomic point of view, head microsculpturing characters were found to be reliable as discriminating sets of characters useful in species identification. Habitat diversification and climatic fluctuations appear to be the main factors for species diversity of the area, and the Zagros Mountains act as a geographical barrier to species distribution.     

Five new species of Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 (Platyhelminthes: Proseriata) from eastern Australia

Six species of the genus Monocelis Ehrenberg, 1831 have been found in eastern Australia. All are new to science. Five of them are formally described here. Three species (M. rupisrubrae sp. nov., M. nexilis sp. nov., and M. corallicola sp. nov.) have two clearly set pigmented eyespots lateral to the statocyst. They differ in details of the copulatory organ and karyotype. No clear synapomorphies among them or with other species of the genus could be detected. Monocelis beata sp. nov. and M. macrobulbus sp. nov. present extremely elongate, longitudinally oriented copulatory organs. They are sister species, and phylogenetic relationships with M. galapagoensis Ax and Ax, 1977 and M. hopkinsi Karling, 1966 are proposed. Australian Monocelis have distributions limited to recognized biogeographical provinces in eastern Australia: M. corallicola, M. beata and M. macrobulbus in the northern Australian Zone, M. rupisrubrae and M. nexilis in the ‘Overlap Zone’ of the central east coast and Monocelis sp. A in the southern Australian Region.     

Larval development of the western school prawn Metapenaeus dalli Racek, 1957 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Penaeidae) reared in the laboratory

The six Naupliar, three Protozoea, three Mysis and first post-larval forms of the western school prawn Metapenaeus dalli Racek, 1957 were cultured in the laboratory. These stages were described in detail and compared to those of other metapenaeids. The ontogenetic development occurred in 12 days at 26°C, with both the growth rate and morphological patterns of development in M. dalli broadly following those recorded for other metapenaeids. Differences were found between M. dalli and other metapenaeids at corresponding stages of larval development, with these being the number, location and composition of individual setae and other minor spinal development.     

A new species and illustrated records of Paracyclops Claus, 1893 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Cyclopinae) from Mexico

A new species of the freshwater cyclopid genus Paracyclops Claus, 1893 collected from the state of Aguascalientes, Mexico is described based on female and male specimens. It has affinities with other forms with profusely ornamented caudal rami, such as Paracyclops carectum Reid and Paracyclops pilosus Dussart, but it can be distinguished by a combination of characters including details of the ornamentation of the coxa of leg 1, third antennular segment with incomplete suture line, inner margin of the caudal rami with scattered hair-like elements, and relatively long caudal rami, among other characters. The male is distinguished mainly by having the caudal rami completely covered by pilosity, which differs from all other known Paracyclops, including Paracyclops carectum. The new species has affinities with neotropical Paracyclops. Illustrated records and a morphological analysis of two more species of Paracyclops from Mexico, Paracyclops poppei and Paracyclops chiltoni, are also included in this contribution.