Dorsal Ornamentation Research Articles

A new species of Neoergasilus Yin 1956 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida: Ergasilidae) parasitic on the catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) (Siluriformes: Clariidae) from South Africa

Twenty-one specimens of an ergasilid were collected from the gills of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell), from the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The first leg and antennae morphology conformed to the genus Neoergasilus Yin, 1956. While the invasive Neoergasilus japonicus (Harada, 1930) is the only Neoergasilus species that has been reported from Africa, the combination of several characteristics, separates the Eastern Cape specimens from N. japonicus and the other eight Neoergasilus congeners. These include an inflated cephalothorax; the presence of an oval dorsal ornamentation anterior to the cephalosome; a spine on the posterodistal margin of the first antennal segment; a cone-like process at the proximal margin of the second antennal segment; a knob-like process on the inner distal margin of the first exopodal segment of leg 1 and two forked spines on the third exopodal segment; leg 4 bearing a 2-segmented exopod and 3-segmented endopod; a single-segmented fifth leg with a seta extending from the base of the pedigerous somite and three unequal setae on its free segment; and a median caudal rami seta with an array of spines. Supporting genetic data were generated using two partial ribosomal RNA genes, 18S and 28S, and one partial mitochondrial DNA gene, COI. The Eastern Cape species is here proposed as new to science and described as Neoergasilus africanusn. sp. (Ergasilidae: Cyclopoida). This is the first Neoergasilus species described from the sharptooth catfish and from the southern hemisphere. Additionally, a key to all the species of this genus is provided.

Phytoseius Ribaga (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in the Brazilian Espinhaço Range: seven new species, renaming of the plumifer species group, and a critical review of its taxonomic characters

The mountainous regions in eastern Brazil are home to an astonishing variety of Phytoseius (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) species, 11 of which were collected in surveys conducted between 2010–2012. Our study revealed a great diversity in the plumifer species-group, in which we describe seven new taxa, P. maspretiosus sp. nov., P. multilunatus sp. nov., P. trisetatus sp. nov., P. itobira sp. nov., P. dasalmas sp. nov., P. bahiensis sp. nov., and P. paucipapillatus sp. nov.. This enabled us to compare close species in this group determining valid diagnostic characters, providing a critical review of the prevailing taxonomic traits and revealing unexpected patterns in important diagnostic features based on our observations and the literature. Moreover, we claim the taxonomic importance of two morphological traits usually mentioned in previous studies, but never exploited to their full potential: the female pattern of dorsal ornamentation and the shape of the male spermatodactyl. Aware of the incongruity that the exemplar species of the plumifer group, P. plumifer (Canestrini & Fanzago), belongs to the horridus species group, we propose that the group be renamed as mexicanus-species group. A key to the Brazilian species of Phytoseius is included.

A survey of osteoderm histology and ornamentation among Crocodylomorpha: A new proxy to infer lifestyle?

Osteoderms of eight extant and extinct species of crocodylomorphs are studied histologically and morphologically. Most osteoderms display the typical "crocodilian"structure with a woven-fibered matrix surrounded by an upper and a lower parallel fibered matrix. The dorsal ornamentation of those specimens consists of a pit-and-ridge structure, with corresponding remodeling mechanisms. However, an osteoderm of Iberosuchus, studied here for the first time, differs in being nearly devoid of ornamentation; moreover, it shows strong bundles of straight Sharpey's fibers perpendicular to the surface in its lateral and dorsal walls, along with a rough plywood-like structure in its basal plate. This suggests that this osteoderm was more deeply anchored within the dermis than the other osteoderms studied hitherto. This peculiar structure might have been linked to a terrestrial ecology and a specific thermoregulation strategy. Some other notosuchians in our sample do not exhibit ornamentation on their osteoderms, as opposed to neosuchians. Considering current interpretations of osteoderm function(s) in crocodilians, our observations are discussed in reference to possible ecophysiological peculiarities of Notosuchia in general, and Iberosuchus in particular.

Plasticity in the morphology of the fused frontals of Albanerpetontidae (Lissamphibia; Allocaudata)

ABSTRACT Albanerpetontidae form an enigmatic extinct group of lissamphibians, ranging from the early Bathonian to the early Pleistocene. The Upper Jurassic outcrops of Portugal yield a large collection of material, suitable for addressing the intraspecific variation in and diagnostic potential of the characteristic fused frontals. We revise 58 specimens from the Guimarota beds of the Kimmeridgian Alcobaça Formation and describe 62 new frontal bones from the Kimmeridgian – Tithonian Lourinhã Formation. Smaller specimens exhibit a vermicular dorsal ornamentation, while it is polygonal in larger specimens and other albanerpetontids. Compared to small specimens, larger specimens display: (1) larger ventrolateral crests extending posteriorly after the parietal margin; (2) a relatively shorter internasal process; (3) a frontal width across posterior edges relatively smaller; and (4) a ventromedian crest less pronounced. Morphometric analyses suggest a single species with different ontogenetic stages. Specimens are attributed to aff. Celtedens sp., based on a bell-shaped outline with a curved orbital margin (although variable in Portuguese specimens), and a flabellate, bulbous-shaped internasal process. The species is more similar to C. megacephalus than C. ibericus, but its phylogenetic position comprises an unresolved trichotomy. Our results show that intraspecific variation and homoplasy render the fused frontal non-diagnostic below the generic level.

New records of Pseudotachidiidae from South Korea, including a key to species of the Pseudomesochrinae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida).

Two species of the marine harpacticoid family Pseudotachidiidae (Copepoda) are reported from subtidal sediments in the Southern Sea of Korea. Psammis wellsi sp. nov. (Danielsseniinae) is most closely related to P. longisetosa Sars, 1910 but differs from its European congener in the ventral ornamentation of the female genital double-somite, the dorsal ornamentation of the second abdominal somite in the male, the armature of the proximal endite of the maxillary syncoxa, the relative setal lengths and general shape of the female P5, and the relative length of the inner seta of the male P5 endopodal lobe and P6. The female of Pseudomesochra tatianae Drzycimski, 1968 is redescribed in detail, constituting the only other record of the species since its discovery at the type locality in western Norway. East Asian records of members of the four subfamilies currently recognized in the Pseudotachidiidae are summarized. Published and other records of the 23 described species in the Pseudomesochrinae are collated and their armature patterns of P1P5 are tabulated and corrected where necessary. Pseudomesochra affinis (Sars, 1920) is removed from its synonymy with P. longifurcata T. Scott, 1902 and formally reinstated as a valid species. An updated female-based key to the 19 valid species of Pseudomesochra T. Scott, 1902 and four species of Keraia Willen Dittmar, 2009 is presented.

Cuchiadromites jadeae, a new genus and species of primitive crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Podotremata) from the Aptian of Cantabria (Spain), with comments on its peculiar surface ornament

A new genus and new species of decapod brachyuran, Cuchiadromites jadeae, is recorded and described herein from the Lower Aptian (Early Cretaceous) Patrocinio Formation (Deshayesites forbesi Ammonite Zone) of the coastal cliffs near Cuchía (Cantabria, Spain). Cuchiadromites jadeae gen. et sp. nov., is the fourth species of brachyuran recovered in this locality. The dorsal carapace of the sole specimen preserves sufficient diagnostic characters that allow placement in the family Longodromitidae. The present species exhibits a profuse dorsal ornamentation of fungiform granules that form cauliflower-shaped clusters reminiscent of the ornamentation seen in fossil and extant species of different eubrachyuran families, for instance Parthenopidae or Dairidae, and also in the anomuran families Paguridae or Xylopaguridae, but not described before in podotreme taxa. This could be due to convergence in groups far distant in geological time and systematic placement.

Morphology of genitalia and non-genitalic contact structures inTrouessartiafeather mites (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae): is there evidence of correlated evolution between the sexes?

Positive correlations between the shapes of male and female sexual structures can be interpreted as cooperative or as combative. In the feather mite genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899, the spermaducts of females range from entirely internal to extending externally for varying lengths, whereas male primary genitalia range from gracile to massive. Males also possess a pair of adanal suckers used to hold onto the dorsal surface of the female during copulation. In the area of this attachment, females exhibit ornamentation and have strongly developed dorsal setae (setae h1), which we hypothesized serve to weaken the male’s hold during copulation. In male and female Trouessartia from 51 bird species, we compared female external spermaduct length and male genitalic “massiveness” and explored whether patterns of female dorsal ornamentation and (or) h1 seta size correlate with male adanal sucker size. Our results indicate that females with longer external spermaducts are associated with males with relatively massive genitalia. However, we found no significant relationship between male adanal sucker size and female ornamentation or h1 seta size. Further information regarding how the genitalia interact during sperm transfer is necessary to interpret correlations in genitalia size and strong intersexual differences in dorsal ornamentation and seta size in Trouessartia.

Eco-geographical determinants of the evolution of ornamentation in vipers

AbstractMultiple hypotheses have been proposed to explain the variation of dorsal patterns observed in snakes, but no studies yet have tested them over broad taxonomic and geographical scales. The Viperidae offer a powerful model group to test eco-evolutionary processes that lead to disruptive and cryptic ornaments. We developed a database reporting dorsal ornamentation, ecological habitus, habitat features and climatic parameters for 257 out of 341 recognized species. Three patterns of dorsal ornamentation were considered: “zig-zag”, “blotchy” and “uniform” patterns. Phylogenetic comparative analyses were based on 11 mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Forty-eight species presented a zig-zag pattern type, 224 a blotchy pattern type and 32 a uniform pattern type. All the patterns showed a strong phylogenetic signal. Character phylogenetic reconstruction analyses suggested an ancestral state for blotchy ornamentation, with multiple independent evolutions of the other patterns. The blotchy pattern was more frequent in terrestrial species living in warm climates and sandy habitats, supporting the hypothesis of a disruptive function. The zig-zag pattern evolved independently in several isolated taxa, particularly in species living in cold climates and in dense vegetation or water-related habitats, supporting the hypothesis of disruptive and aposematic functions. Uniform coloration was particularly frequent in arboreal species, supporting the hypothesis of a cryptic function.

Redescription of Tenuipalpus coyacus De Leon (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), with a discussion on the ontogeny of leg setae

ABSTRACTTenuipalpus coyacus was described from female, male and deutonymph specimens collected on oil palm (Arecaceae) from San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico. In this article, we redescribe the female, male and immatures of T. coyacus from type specimens and newly collected material in Brazil. Also included are additional novel data (e.g. dorsal and ventral ornamentation, leg setae and setal measurements) in a standardized format. In addition, we provide details of the patterns of ontogenetic setal additions for each life stage of this species.

Two new feather mite species of the genus Montesauria Oudemans (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from thrushes (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in the Indian Subcontinent

Two new feather mite species of the genus Montesauria Oudemans, 1905, collected from thrushes (Turdidae) in India, are described: Montesauria hernandesi sp. n. from Turdus dissimilis Blyth, 1847 and M. caerulea sp. n. from Myophonus caeruleus (Scopoli, 1786). Both species belong to the merulae species group, being morphologically closest to other two species of the genus, previously described from birds of the family Turdidae in Asia (Japan): M. sibirica Kuroki, Nagahori and Mironov, 2006 and M. aurea Kuroki, Nagahori and Mironov, 2006, respectively. The new species most clearly differ from those described in Japan by the dorsal shield ornamentation. In both sexes of M. hernandesi sp. n., the ornamentation of the prodorsal and hysteronotal shields is represented by round and ovate lacunae, and the ornamentation of the lobar shield of females has few ovate lacunae. In both sexes of M. caerulea sp. n., the ornamentation of the hysteronotal shield is very particular, with large and almost round lacunae in the anterior half and small ovate lacunae in the posterior half.

Molecules and morphology reveal a new aberrant harvestman genus of Ortholasmatinae (Opiliones, Dypsnoi, Nemastomatidae) from Mexico

Ortholasmatinae is one of the most striking groups of Opiliones, because its members exhibit a peculiar dorsal ornamentation pattern of cells, formed by fusion of anvil-shaped tubercles. During the systematic revision of several specimens of ortholasmatines, we found specimens with shared morphological characters with two genera Trilasma Goodnight & Goodnight, 1942 and Dendrolasma Banks, 1894. In order to investigate their phylogenetic relationships, we performed model-based phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial protein-encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and the complete nuclear ribosomal small subunit 18S, including members of the five genera of this subfamily. The results support the creation of Cryptolasma Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, gen. nov., and two new species: Cryptolasma aberrante Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, sp. nov. (type species) and Cryptolasma citlaltepetl Cruz-López, Cruz-Bonilla & Francke, sp. nov., which are from Xalapa and Orizaba Volcano, Veracruz, respectively. Additionally, our results suggest Ruaxphilos petrukenvitchou Goodnight & Goodnight, 1945 is a nomina dubia. This study represents the first molecular hypothesis of Ortholasmatinae relationships, with Cryptolasma as the sister of the remaining ortholasmatine.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3730EE48-9802-4B06-9DDF-EC1AFE9A3B61

A new species of Chorisquilla Manning, 1969 (Stomatopoda: Protosquillidae) from Korea and Japan with redescription of C. mehtae Erdmann Manning, 1998.

A new species of protosquillid mantis shrimp is described from the coastal waters of Korea and Japan. Chorisquilla orientalis n. sp. is distinguished from congeners by the combination of deep grooves and pits on the dorsal surface of abdominal somite 5, 8-14 spines on lateral margin of the telson, numerous minute dorsal spines on the telson and abdominal somite 6, and large, pyriform submedian bosses on the telson preceded by a small rounded boss. Chorisquilla orientalis is morphologically closest to C. mehtae Erdmann Manning, 1998, from Indonesia, but differs chiefly in the dorsal ornamentation of abdominal somite 6 and the telson and reaches a considerably larger size. Chorisquilla orientalis n. sp. shows developmental changes from juvenile to adult in the shape of the ocular scales and anterior margin of lateral plates of carapace, and in the number of lateral spines on telson. Also, C. mehtae Erdmann Manning, 1998, which, to date has not been adequately illustrated, is redescribed and figured. A key to the Korean gonodactyloids is presented.

A new serrated archaic beetle (Coleoptera: Archostemata) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

A rare species of archaic beetle, Paraodontomma szwedoi sp. nov., is described in burmite from northern Myanmar. It belongs to an unusual extinct genus with numerous pointed teeth along the edge of the body. It is the smallest species in the genus and reveals a dorsal ornamentation not previously reported. The beetle is undoubtedly an ommatine, a now relict family group in the southern hemisphere, but belongs to the extinct Brochocoleini when archaic beetles were more diverse in the Cretaceous tropics.

One new Aculops species (Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Rhamnaceae) in Iran

Samplings were carried out on jujube, Ziziphus jujuba Mill. plants (Rhamnaceae) during mid-May 2016 in Jiroft region of Kerman province, Iran, and one new Aculops vagrant species was recovered and then hereby is described, illustrated and named as Aculops konari Lotfollahi & Salari sp. n. coming from the Persian common name Konar given to Z. jujuba. The new species shows few similarities with Aculops privae Mohanasundaram, 1980, but these two species distinctly differ in some details of prodorsal shield pattern, number of the empodial rays, dorsal and ventral semiannuli number, dorsal semiannuli ornamentation and length of setae sc, d and e. This is the first record of Aculops mites collected on a Rhamnaceae plants. In addition, a key to the thirteen eriophyoid mite species collected on Ziziphus plants worldwide provided on the base of their descriptions and a table of information about their type host, type locality and habitus are provided.

A new genus and species of raninoid crab from the Upper Cretaceous of Mississippi

A new genus and species of raninoid crab, Carinatus galebishopi, is described from the upper Maastrichtian Prairie Bluff and Owl Creek formations of Mississippi. Carinatus galebishopi gen. et sp. nov. fits best within the Raninidae, Subfamily Symethinae, based upon similar dorsal carapace characteristics of member genera. The new crab possesses distinctive dorsal carapace ornamentation setting it apart from described symethines and warrants establishment of a new genus. Carinatus galebishopi represents the first Cretaceous symethine crab and suggests the subfamily may have migrated eastward across the North Atlantic—Maastrichtian of Mississippi, Danian of New Jersey, and Ypresian of Spain—before dispersing to the Indo-Pacific.

Redescription of Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and description of a new species from rubber trees in Brazil

Tenuipalpus heveae Baker, 1945 was originally described from only female specimens collected on rubber trees from Belterra, State of Para, Brazil. The original description does not provide enough key information essential for accurate and consistent species identification, and thus, it is difficult to correctly identify this species. In this paper, we redescribe the female, male and immatures of T. heveae, from type and newly collected material, and include additional novel data (e.g. dorsal and ventral ornamentation, leg chaetotaxy and setal measurements) in a standardized form. In addition, we describe Tenuipalpus vieirae n. sp. based on adult females and immatures, collected on Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. and H. guianensis Aubl. (Euphorbiaceae) from Manaus, State of Amazonas, Brazil. We include details of the patterns of ontogenetic setal additions for all stages (except the male of T. vieirae n. sp.) of these two species.

Two New Species ofAsytestaPascoe, 1865 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae) from West Papua

Abstract Two new species of Asytesta Pascoe, 1865 from the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua Province, Indonesia are described and illustrated: Asytesta cornuta Setliff, new species from Salawati Island and Asytesta cordis Setliff, new species from Waigeo Island. The two species are very similar but can be distinguished from one another by differences in their dorsal ornamentation and male genitalia. Males of both species have a pair of lateral tooth-like processes on the rostrum and a small denticle situated near the base of the rostrum. The former character occurs in just one other species of Asytesta, and the latter character has not been previously observed in the genus.

An unusual basal beetle from Myanmar (Coleoptera: Archostemata)

Jarzembowski, E.A. & Wang, B., February 2016. An unusual basal beetle from Myanmar (Coleoptera: Archostemata). Alcheringa 40, XX–XX. ISSN 0311-5518A new archostematan beetle, Stegocoleus caii gen. et sp. nov. (Insecta: Coleoptera) is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber from northern Myanmar. This is the first basal beetle to be formally described from this deposit. It shows a unique combination of family characters and is provisionally referred to Cupedidae in the broad sense and possibly subfamily Ommatinae. The dorsal ornamentation and expanded elytra with window punctures make it a very distinctive albeit rare insect in this rich amber biota. Some of the challenges in studying the inclusions in this amber deposit include their diminutive size, difficulty in preparation and deformation.Edmund Jarzembowski* [jarzembowski2@live.co.uk] and Bo Wang† [bowang@nigpas.ac.cn], State Key Laboratory of Palaeobiology and Stratigraphy, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 39 East Beijing Rd, Nanjing 210008, PR China. *Also affiliated with: Department of Earth Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK. †Also affiliated with: Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, PR China.

A new genus of Trachelipodidae Strouhal, 1953 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) from the eastern Mediterranean.

Levantoniscus n. gen. is erected for two new species from Cyprus: Levantoniscus bicostulatus n. sp. and Levantoniscus makrisi n. sp. Levantoniscus wahrmani (Strouhal, 1968) n. comb. from Israel and southern Turkey is transferred from the genus Bathytropa Budde-Lund, 1885 and family Bathytropidae. The new genus is included in the family Trachelipodidae and is characterized by distinct dorsal ornamentation, interlocking pleopods and uncovered pleopodal lungs which are located in invaginations on pleopod 3-5 exopodites.

First Record of the GenusBloszykiellain Kenya with the Description ofBloszykiella tertiasp. n. (Acari: Uropodidae) from aPinus radiataD. Don Plantation

The third species of the genus Bloszykiella Kontschan, 2010 was found in Kenya in a Pinus radiata D. Don plantation. This is the first record of this genus in this country. The new species is described as Bloszykiella tertia sp. n. from Nyandarua district of Kenya, and differs from the other previously described species in the absence of strongly sclerotised dorsal lines, the shape of the dorsal setae and the type of dorsal ornamentation.