Description Of Genus Research Articles

A Description of the New Hybodont Shark Genus, Columnaodus, from the Burlington and Keokuk Limestones (Carboniferous, Mississippian, Osagean) of Illinois and Iowa, USA

A Description of the New Hybodont Shark Genus, Columnaodus, from the Burlington and Keokuk Limestones (Carboniferous, Mississippian, Osagean) of Illinois and Iowa, USA

Sexual dimorphism in the genus Acothrura Melichar, 1915 (Hemiptera: Lophopidae) and description of male and female specimens of A. impunctata (Jacobi, 1905)

The sexual dimorphism of Acothrura impunctata (Jacobi, 1905) is confirmed by molecular analysis. Its male morphological characteristics are firstly reported. A key to species of Acothrura is provided.

Long-term fieldwork in Brazil helps to unravel the diversity and evolution of the Neotropical Olyreae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae): an unexpected new and threatened genus in Parianinae

Abstract Fieldwork has historically increased knowledge about plant biodiversity in Brazil, including the herbaceous bamboos (grass tribe Olyreae), which is almost exclusive to the Neotropical region. Several new species and three new genera from both Atlantic and Amazonian forests were described from this tribe in the past 15 years. Our recent collections in the central region of Espírito Santo state revealed two distinct populations of a sterile but probably undescribed species similar to members of Eremitis in the subtribe Parianinae (Poaceae: Bambusoideae: Olyreae). Only after recollection did we find plants with synflorescences, which turned out to be very similar to members of Parianella. We investigated the macro- and micromorphology of those specimens and estimated the phylogenetic placement of type collection based on two plastid markers, which recovered it as an independent lineage sister to the Pariana + Eremitis clade. We herein describe this entity as the new genus Aemulanthus and the new species Aemulanthus decumbens, distinguishable mainly by the presence of spiciform synflorescences on decumbent culms composed of monomorphic gynaecandrous whorls, with long laminar pedicels in the male spikelets, also using information given by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the leaf blades. Aemulanthus is endemic to central Espírito Santo state, Brazil, and is considered Critically Endangered (CR) following IUCN guidelines. The description of this new genus increases our understanding of the diversity and evolution within this group. It also reinforces the need to preserve local floras, which can be important resources for knowledge about and conservation of Neotropical forests.

New records of rare water mites from New Zealand, with the description of a new genus (Acari: Hydrachnidia)

New records of rare water mites mostly from interstitial habitat of New Zealand are presented. One new genus, Zelandostygolimnochares n. gen. (Piersigiidae) with the type species Z. curtipalpis n. sp. is described. Zelandobates occidentalis Smit and Pešić, 2020 is synonymized with Z. tongariro Smit and Pešić, 2020. The male is for the first time described for Zelandotonia orion Cook, 1992, and the female is for the first time described for Aciculacarus amalis Cook, 1983. New records of a number of rare species are presented.

The oldest evidence of symbiosis between mites and fungi with description of a new genus and species of Trochometridiidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from Cretaceous amber</p >

The female of a new fossil genus and species, Rhombometridium pankowskiorum gen. and sp. nov. (Acari: Trochometridiidae), is described from Cretaceous Kachin amber. The new genus is characterized by the presence of well-developed sporothecae anteriad legs III, each sporotheca containing several ovoid fungal spores. This is the oldest (ca. 100 Mya), evidence of symbiosis between mites and fungi and the first fossil record of the mite family Trochometridiidae. The new genus shares synapomorphies with the family Trochometridiidae (presence of sporothecae between bases of legs III and IV) and Caraboacaridae (rhombic body shape, absence of setae v2, absence of palpal solenidion, palps fused with distinctly widened gnathosomal capsule), and potentially represents a transitional form or a missing link between these two closely related families. We also compare the sporothecae of R. pankowskiorum with those of other heterostigmatic mites.

Description of a new genus of North and Central American planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) with fourteen new species

Description of a new genus of North and Central American planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) with fourteen new species

Discovery of the pincer wasp Thaumatodryininae (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) in Burmese amber, with description of a new genus and the first phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily

Thaumatodryininae is a small subfamily of Dryinidae, known to attack nymphs of auchenorrhynchous Flatidae (Hemiptera). Only one genus is recognized, Thaumatodryinus Perkins, with 35 species including fossil and extant taxa. Currently, the oldest record for the genus is from Baltic amber. Here, we present the first record of Thaumatodryininae from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber with the description of †Thaumatorrhinos athrixgen. et sp. nov., derived from the first phylogeny for this subfamily based on morphological characters. The placement of †Thaumatorrhinosgen. nov. in Thaumatodryininae and the phylogenetic relationships of this subfamily within Dryinidae are discussed.

Candravastra talina (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Halyini), a new genus and species from Myanmar

The article provides a detailed illustrated description of a new genus and species of the tribe Halyini (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae) from Myanmar. The description is based on external morphological characters and the structure of the male and female terminalia, including the completely inflated aedeagus. A detailed comparison of the new genus with the closely related genera Halys Fabricius, 1803 and Neohalys Ahmad et Perveen, 1982 is given, as well as a key for these three genera.

Nothochrysinae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from the early Eocene Fur Formation, Denmark, with description of a new genus

Furochrysa alisae gen et sp. nov. is described, and Stephenbrooksia multifurcata Willmann, 1993 and Danochrysa madseni Willmann, 1993 are re-described based on their holotypes and additional specimens from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. The very long crossvein 1icu between CuA and CuP in the hind wing distinguishes Furochrysa gen. nov. from all other Nothochrysinae. The hind wing venation of the holotype of S. multifurcata is strongly aberrant; in particular, its MA is deeply forked proximad the origin of RP, while it is not forked proximad the pseudocubitus in other Chrysopidae. The forewing venation of the three examined specimens of D. madseni show variability in the branching of the anterior branch of CuP and A2. The chrysopid assemblage of the early Eocene Fur Formation strongly differs from that of the late Paleogene (late Eocene/Oligocene) of Europe, while the nothochrysines of the early and late Paleogene of North America do not especially differ.

Acidithiobacillia class members originating at sites within the Pacific Ring of Fire and other tectonically active locations and description of the novel genus 'Igneacidithiobacillus'.

Recent studies have expanded the genomic contours of the Acidithiobacillia, highlighting important lacunae in our comprehension of the phylogenetic space occupied by certain lineages of the class. One such lineage is 'Igneacidithiobacillus', a novel genus-level taxon, represented by 'Igneacidithiobacillus copahuensis' VAN18-1T as its type species, along with two other uncultivated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) originating from geothermally active sites across the Pacific Ring of Fire. In this study, we investigate the genetic and genomic diversity, and the distribution patterns of several uncharacterized Acidithiobacillia class strains and sequence clones, which are ascribed to the same 16S rRNA gene sequence clade. By digging deeper into this data and contributing to novel MAGs emerging from environmental studies in tectonically active locations, the description of this novel genus has been consolidated. Using state-of-the-art genomic taxonomy methods, we added to already recognized taxa, an additional four novel Candidate (Ca.) species, including 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus chanchocoensis' (mCHCt20-1TS), 'Igneacidithiobacillus siniensis' (S30A2T), 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus taupoensis' (TVZ-G3 TS), and 'Ca. Igneacidithiobacillus waiarikiensis' (TVZ-G4 TS). Analysis of published data on the isolation, enrichment, cultivation, and preliminary microbiological characterization of several of these unassigned or misassigned strains, along with the type species of the genus, plus the recoverable environmental data from metagenomic studies, allowed us to identify habitat preferences of these taxa. Commonalities and lineage-specific adaptations of the seven species of the genus were derived from pangenome analysis and comparative genomic metabolic reconstruction. The findings emerging from this study lay the groundwork for further research on the ecology, evolution, and biotechnological potential of the novel genus 'Igneacidithiobacillus'.

Review of the flat bug subfamily Calisiinae from Japan, with description of a new genus and four new species (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae)

The Calisiinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae) of Japan are revised. Four species, all undescribed, are recognized. A new genus, Nipponocalisius gen. nov., is proposed, containing three new species: N. ishikawanus sp. nov., N. tomokunii sp. nov. and N. dimorphus sp. nov. A new species of Aradosyrtis A. Costa, 1864, A. shonoi sp. nov., is also described.

Uncovering what lies within: The first scientific account of cave-dwelling ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in the Philippines with the description of a new genus, new subgenus, and four new species from Mindanao

For the first time in the Philippines, cave surveys were carried out in search of cave beetles. In this paper we describe a new troglobite genus, Kweba gen. nov., with two new species K. magbabaya sp. nov. and K. diwata sp. nov. We describe a new subgenus: Trogloabacetus subgen. nov. of the genus Metabacetus Bates, 1892, with the addition of two new species, M. (T.) baltazarae sp. nov. and M. (T.) desideratus sp. nov. from various limestone caves of Mindanao Island. Anaulacus (s.str.) fasciatus (Schmidt-Goebel, 1846) is also reported from the cave habitats. A key to the new and related genera, images of habitus and genitalia, and distribution maps are provided.

Descriptions of new Hypotrabala Holland, 1893 (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae: Lasiocampinae: Selenepherini) in the collections of the African Natural History Research Trust, with notes on allied genera and the description of a new genus

The Afrotropical lappet moth genus Hypotrabala Holland, 1893 is reviewed utilising specimens housed in the African Natural History Research Trust collections. The synthesis of morphological and DNA analyses has reconciled discrepancies in previous treatments of the genus and Hypotrabala is clearly delimited with implications on the nomenclature and taxonomy. The genus Epitrabala Hering, 1932 syn. n. is synonymised with Hypotrabala resulting in the following changes: Hypotrabala argenteoguttata (Aurivillius, 1909) comb. rev. is revived, H. horridula Tams, 1925 stat. rev. is removed from synonymy with Epitrabala nyassana (Aurivillius, 1909) and two taxa, H. horridula seydeli Tams, 1925 syn. n. and Epitrabala argyrostigma Hering, 1932 syn. n. are synonymised with it. Epitrabala nyassana is transferred to the genus Leptometa (comb. n.) as is Leptometa sanguicincta comb. n. (previously assigned to Hypotrabala), while Hypotrabala odonestioides Berio, 1937 is excluded from Hypotrabala although its generic placement remains uncertain. Based on the structures of the male eighth sternite, Hypotrabala fontainei stat. n. is raised to species status and a new genus Megatrabala gen. n. is described for the striking taxon M. regalis (Tams, 1953) comb. n. Furthermore, 19 new species are described: H. aurantiaca, H. cinereamargo, H. exquisita, H. extenuata, H. giustii, H. indefinita, H. igneata, H. lunda, H. lydiae, H. magnimacula, H. obscura, H. ophioglossa, H. pallens, H. pruinosa, H. retorta, H. smithi, H. tabithae, H. tamsi and H. volynkini spp. n. Certain incongruencies between the results of the barcode analyses and species concepts in this genus and Lasiocampidae more generally are discussed.

Description of a new genus and two new species of Darwinulidae (Crustacea, Ostracoda), from Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) with some considerations on the morphological evolution of ancient asexuals

Darwinulidae is believed to be one of the few metazoan taxa in which fully asexual reproduction might have persisted for millions of years. Although rare males in a single darwinulid species have recently been found, they may be non-functional atavisms. The representatives of this family are characterized by a slow evolutionary rate, resulting in a conservative morphology in the different lineages over long time frames and across wide geographic ranges. Differences between species and genera, although often based on small details of valve morphology and chaetotaxy, are nevertheless well-recognizable. Five Recent genera (Darwinula, Alicenula, Vestalenula, Penthesilenula and Microdarwinula) and about 35 living species, including also those left in open nomenclature, are included in this family. Previous phylogenetic analyses using both morphological characters and molecular data confirmed that the five genera are good phyletic units. Here, we report on the results of a study on darwinulid ostracods from Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). The taxonomic investigation led to the description of a new genus and two new species, namely Isabenula humphreysi gen. nov. sp. nov. and Vestalenula sp. E, this latter being left in open nomenclature, because only one individual was available. A new phylogeny of the family, using 30 morphological characters of 23 described species, is here presented. A key to the genera of Recent Darwinulidae, based on the morphology of valves and soft parts in adult females, is also provided. The discovery of Isabenula gen. nov., which shares intermediate morphological features with the genera Vestalenula and Penthesilenula, opens new opportunities to critically reconsider previous hypotheses on tempo and mode of evolution in the family Darwinulidae and on the phylogenetic relationships between its representatives.

First record of the parasitoid family Ismaridae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) from Eocene Baltic and Rovno ambers with the description of a new genus and two new species.

A new genus, Lubomirus gen. nov., of the family Ismaridae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) from the late Eocene Baltic and Rovno ambers is described and illustrated. The new genus is the second known genus of the family Ismaridae. The two new species, Lubomirus masneri sp. nov. from Rovno amber and Lubomirus victori sp. nov. from Baltic amber, are described. The diagnosis of the Ismaridae family and the single extant genus of the familyIsmarus Halidayare clarified. The systematic position of Cretapria Fujiyama, 1994 is discussed.

Erimerinae, a prior name to Microdontomerinae (Hymenoptera, Torymidae) with the description of a new genus and three new species from Iran

Erimerinae has been proposed as a subfamily group name prior to Microdontomerinae and the latter was considered as a junior synonym of Erimerinae. A new genus, Perserimerus Lotfalizadeh & Rasplus, gen. nov., and three new species, Perserimerus marginalis Lotfalizadeh & Rasplus, sp. nov., Microdontomerus iriphagus Lotfalizadeh & Janšta, sp. nov., and M. quadrimaculatus Lotfalizadeh & Rasplus, sp. nov., are described from Iran. Diagnostic characters of the new genus and newly described species are provided and compared with morphologically similar genera and species. Microdontomerus iriphagus and M. quadrimaculatus were reared from oothecae of Iris oratoria (Linnaeus, 1785) (Mantodea) and galls of Stefaniola similata Mamaev, 1972 (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) on Haloxylon ammodendron C.A. Mey, respectively. A key to the known species of Microdontomerus of Iran is provided.

Description of a new genus of the Pectobacteriaceae family isolated from water in coastal brackish wetlands of the French Camargue region, Prodigiosinella gen. nov., including the new species Prodigiosinella aquatilis sp. nov

The Pectobacteriaceae family comprises plant pathogens able to provoke diverse diseases, including plant maceration due to the production of pectinases disrupting the plant cell wall. To better understand their diversity, a survey of pectinolytic bacteria was performed in brackish lakes of the French region La Camargue near the Mediterranean Sea. The genome of six atypical isolates was sequenced; their size is around 4.8 to 5.0 Mb, including a plasmid of 59 to 61 kb; their G+C values range from 49.1 to 49.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the novel strains form a new clade of Pectobacteriaceae that branches at the basis of the group encompassing the genera Lonsdalea, Musicola, and Dickeya. Based on phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose the creation of a new genus with the name Prodigiosinella gen. nov. Both the phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses separated the strains into two distinct subgroups, G1 and G2. The type strain LS101T (CFBP 8826T = LMG 32072T) and strain CE70 (CFBP 9054 = LMG 32867) are representative G1 and G2 members, respectively. Three genomic methods were used to analyze DNA–DNA relatedness: digital DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and genome alignment fraction (AF). They revealed a close relationship between genomes of the two groups, supporting their appurtenance to a same species for which we propose the name Prodigiosinella aquatilis sp. nov. Four strains previously designated as Serratia sp. (ATCC 39006), Brenneria “ulupoensis” (K61) or Erwinia sp. (MK01 and MK09) belong to the new genus Prodigiosinella.

A century of Achilixiidae Muir, 1923 (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Fulgoromorpha): taxonomic study of the genus Bebaiotes Muir, 1924 and description of eight new species from Brazil.

We describe the first species of Achilixiidae from Brazil with representatives of Bebaiotes. Eight new species of Bebaiotes Muir, 1924 were described viz. Bebaiotes amazonica sp. nov. (Amazonas, Par, Rondnia and Roraima); Bebaiotes bia sp. nov. (Acre); Bebaiotes dichromata sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes macroptera sp. nov. (Amazonas and Amap Bebaiotes parallela sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes pennyi sp. nov. (Amazonas and Maranho); Bebaiotes tigrina sp. nov. (Amazonas); Bebaiotes wilsoni sp. nov. (Amazonas). In addition, four species were revised, and their distribution expanded: Bebaiotes banksi (Metcalf, 1938) (BrazilAmazonas and Par Panam Bebaiotes dorsivittata Fennah, 1947 (BrazilAmap, Amazonas, Par, Rondnia and Roraima; Ecuador; Peru; Bebaiotes guianesus (Fennah, 1947) (BrazilAmazonas; Guiana); Bebaiotes pulla Muir, 1934 (BrazilAcre and Amazonas; Ecuador). Additionally, an identification key to males and females of the species is provided.

Delimiting the polymorphic congeners of the genus Oerstedia Quatrefages, 1864 (Nemertea, Hoplonemertea), and descriptions of three new species from the Northwest Pacific

Three new species of the monostiliferous hoplonemertean genus Oerstedia Quatrefages, 1864, are herein described using morphological and molecular data—Oerstedia pseudoculata sp. nov., from Akkeshi Bay and Oshoro Bay, Hokkaido, Japan, and from Aniwa Bay, Sakhalin, Russia; Oerstedia rugosa sp. nov. from Sagami Bay, Misaki, Kanagawa, Japan, and Van Phong Bay, Vietnam; and Oerstedia viridifusca sp. nov. from Manazuru, Kanagawa, Japan. As to the external morphology, O. pseudoculata sp. nov. can be differentiated from O. oculata only by its bright-orange ocelli visible on both sides of the head, and a proboscis pore opening at the ventral tip of the head. These two sister species repeat each other’s color patterns, a phenomenon that can be explained by Vavilov’s law of homologous series. Oerstedia rugosa sp. nov. can be identified by its carmine or deep-red to brownish-red body with several longitudinal, intertwined white lines or wrinkles running from the head to the posterior body, and by 17–23 vaguely bordered white bands composed of variedly sized dots encircling the body, arranged at irregular intervals. Oerstedia viridifusca sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Oerstedia by (i) the entire body flecked with minute greenish-brown dots, especially densely on the anterior portion of the dorsal surface, but sparsely on the posterior half of the ventral surface; (ii) a collar-like portion encircling the body along the posterior cephalic furrow where the greenish-brown dots are absent; (iii) the anterolateral edges of the head lacking the greenish-brown dots; and (iv) the ocelli being brownish-orange in color. Oerstedia phoresiae (Kulikova, 1987) is reported for the first time from Japan, in addition to its previous distribution record in Russia and in South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S, 18S, 28S ribosomal RNA, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, and histone H3 genes show that the new species are true congeners of the genus Oerstedia with O. pseudoculata sp. nov. and O. viridifusca sp. nov. nested within the clade Paroerstediella whereas O. rugosa sp. nov. in the clade Oerstedia. This taxonomic work emphasizes the importance of DNA barcode sequence in the taxonomy and systematics of the polymorphic congeners of the genus Oerstedia.

Deep-sea ctenostome bryozoans: revision of the family Pachyzoidae, with description of a new genus and three new species from Zealandia

Pachyzoidae is a little-known family of deep-sea ctenostome Bryozoa that until now was monospecific for Pachyzoon atlanticum. Originally described from the Atlantic Ocean, the genus was also found off southeastern New Caledonia in deep waters of the geological continent of Zealandia. Pachyzoon atlanticum forms globular to flat round colonies, living on soft, muddy to sandy bottoms with a few rhizoidal cystid appendages extending from the basal, substrate-oriented side. In this study, we investigate additional pachyzoids, collected between 1965 and 2015 from over 40 sites around New Zealand, by means of detailed morphological and histological investigations. In total, several hundred colonies were encountered in the NIWA Invertebrate Collection, comprising two new species of the genus Pachyzoon, P. grischenkoi sp. nov. and P. pulvinaris sp. nov., and the new genus and species Jeanloupia zealandica gen. et sp. nov.. The genus Jeanloupia is characterized by small disc-shaped colonies with highly elongated peristomes and a quadrangular aperture, distinct from the round apertures of the genus Pachyzoon. Pachyzoid species differ in colony structure and shape, apertural papillae and polypide features such as tentacle number or digestive-tract details. Cystid appendages are non-kenozooidal, but may originate from laterally flanking kenozooids. Based on published images, alleged P. atlanticum from New Caledonia is re-interpreted as P. pulvinaris n. sp.. Morphological characters support alcyonidioidean relationships, as previously suggested. First observations on pachyzoid reproduction show macrolecithal oocytes and brooding of embryos, which seems to be the general pattern for this family. The occurrence of three new Zealandian species in a comparatively small geographical area far from the Atlantic indicates a high possibility of more species to discovered.