Emended Generic Diagnosis Research Articles

A new species of Petalocladius Sublette & Wirth, 1972 (Diptera, Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae) from the Dominican Republic, with an emended generic diagnosis

Petalocladius dominiensis Andersen & Baranov sp. n. is described and figured based on an adult male collected in the Ebano Verde Scientific Reserve in the Dominican Republic. The new species can be separated from its only congener, P. setosus Sublette & Wirth, 1972 from Jamaica, as it is slightly smaller with about 115 dorsocentrals compared to 56 in P. setosus. The inferior volsella is broadly subtriangular, while more lingulate in P. setosus, and the gonostylus has a small, but distinct megaseta and a subapical brush of spine-like seta, which apparently lack in P. setosus. The generic diagnosis is emended including the new species, and the systematic position is briefly discussed.

Looks are deceiving: a cladistic analysis, three new species, and a new diagnosis of Paravima Caporiacco, 1951 (Opiliones: Agoristenidae)

A morphological cladistic analysis, consisting of 45 terminals and 58 characters was performed to evaluate the monophyly of the genusParavimaCaporiacco, 1951, and its relationship to other Leiosteninae. The analysis resulted in two most parsimonious trees, all recoveringParavimaas monophyletic with the inclusion of two species formerly described inAvimaRoewer, 1949, therefore, the following nomenclatural acts are herein proposed:Paravima plana(Goodnight & Goodnight, 1949)comb. nov., andParavima quirozi(González-Sponga, 1981)comb. nov.,Avima vigirima(Villarreal-M & Rodríguez-Manzanilla, 2003) is here considered as a junior subjective synonym ofP. quirozi(González-Sponga, 1981)comb. nov.,Paravima acanthoconusVillarreal-Manzanilla & DoNascimiento, 2005 is here considered as a junior subjective synonym ofParavima propespeluncaGonzález-Sponga, 1987, andParavima flumencaurimarensisGonzález-Sponga, 1987 is here considered as a junior subjective synonym ofParavima goodnightorumCaporiacco, 1951. Additionally, three new species are described:P. lokurasp. nov.(Tamá National Natural Park, Norte de Santander department) andP. magistrisp. nov.(Los Tunos Natural Reserve, Cundinamarca department), both from Colombia; andP. totorosp. nov.(Henri Pittier National Park, Aragua state) from Venezuela. Finally, an emended generic diagnosis, a key for all the species, and a distributional map are presented.

Acanthopharynx Marine Nematodes (Nematoda, Chromadoria, Desmodoridae) Dwelling in Tropical Demosponges: Integrative Taxonomy with Description of a New Species

In the exploration of the meiofauna associated with sponges and corals in the shallows of Cuba, we investigated nine species of sponges (Demospongia), wherein 26 nematode species were revealed. Most nematode specimens (50–95% of all individuals) in all sponge samples belonged to the family Desmodoridae (order Desmodorida), followed by the family Chromadoridae (order Chromadorida). A major part of Desmodoridae is constituted by the genus Acanthopharynx. A statistical morphometric analysis (principal component analysis and multidimensional scaling with testing via analysis of similarities) revealed two close cohorts that differed in size and pharynx shape. Molecular genetic analyses (COI, 18S, and 28S) also distinguished two groups of specimens that corresponded to morphometric cohorts. Based on the morphometry and molecular genetics, the larger-sized group was defined as Acanthopharynx micans (Eberth, 1873), while the smaller-sized group was considered A. parva sp. n. In light of the taxonomic review of the Acanthopharynx, emended generic diagnosis, and the annotated list of ten valid species, A. parva sp. n. differed from other Acanthopharynx species by its peculiar shape of the pharynx (gradually widened to cardia), smaller body size, and pattern of precloacal organs.

Synorthocladiusfedericoi sp. nov., a new species occurring in the middle basin of the Adige River, northern Italy (Diptera, Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae).

An adult male Synorthocladius was collected in the middle basin of the Adige River in the city of Verona, northern Italy. A combination of atypical characters for the genus signalled a new species. Synorthocladiusfedericoisp. nov. is here diagnosed and described. The new species is known only from its type locality and is presumed to be a local biogeographical representative of the Italian Pre-Alps. An emended generic diagnosis, a key to known Synorthocladius from Europe and comments on the taxonomic position of the new species are given.

Ficoxylon fusiforme (Moraceae), a New Species from the Upper Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone, Southern Egypt

A new species of Ficoxylon Kaiser (Moraceae) is described from the Upper Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone, Aswan area, southern Egypt. The new species, Ficoxylon fusiforme, is the third report of a Cretaceous wood attributed to Ficoxylon worldwide. The two other Cretaceous records, F. cretaceum Schenk and ?F. sp. of Krausel, are also from Egypt. Ficoxylon species are common in the Tertiary, from the Palaeocene to the Pliocene. An emended generic diagnosis is proposed for Ficoxylon, which was erected in 1880 with few details. The new species is compared with the 18 currently recognized species of Ficoxylon/Ficus; it is distinguished by a combination of characters: predominantly solitary, few, relatively wide vessels; axial parenchyma bands 3–8 cells wide; 2–7 seriate, spindle-shaped, closely spaced, and slightly heterocellular rays; thin-walled, nonseptate fibers. Comments are made on the Egyptian fossil remains of Moraceae and on all Egyptian Cretaceous wood taxa reported to date. Preliminary biogeographic and climatic implications are given.

Revised taxonomic placement of Pseudhapalopus Strand, 1907, with notes on some related taxa (Araneae: Theraphosidae)

The taxonomic placement of species within the genus Pseudhapalopus Strand, 1907 is addressed and revised in a modern context alongside other similar taxa. The genotype Pseudhapalopus aculeatus Strand, 1907 is proposed as a species inquirenda. Cymbiapophysagen. nov. is established to house Cymbiapophysa velox (Pocock, 1903) comb. nov. and Cymbiapophysa yimanasp. nov., based on palpal bulb, tibial apophyses, palpal tibial, and spermathecal morphology. Spinosatibiapalpusgen. nov. is established to house Spinosatibiapalpus spinulopalpusSchmidt & Weinmann, 1997comb. nov., Spinosatibiapalpus tansleyisp. nov. and Spinosatibiapalpus trinitatiscomb. nov. based on palpal bulb, tibial apophyses, palpal tibial, and spermathecal morphology. Pseudhapalopus trinitatis pauciaculeis (Strand, 1916) is proposed as a junior synonym of Spinosatibiapalpus trinitatissyn. nov. based on indistinguishable palpal bulb, tibial apophysis, and palpal tibial morphology. Bumba pulcherrimaklaasi (Schmidt, 1991) is proposed as a nomen dubium due to the condition of the holotype and an inadequate original description. The monotypic species Miaschistopus tetricus (Simon, 1889) is redescribed with an emended generic diagnosis. New aspects of palpal bulb morphology are considered with introduction of novel terminology.

Review of the genus Pagastia Oliver (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae)from North America, with description of P. (P.) subletteorum sp. nov.

Illustrated description of the adult male ofPagastia(P.)subletteorumsp. nov.,redescription of the pupa and adult male of P.(P.)orthogoniaOliver andP.(P.)partica(Roback), with redescription of the adult male ofP.(Hesperodiamesa)sequax (Garrett) from North Americaare provided. An emended generic diagnosis and a key to determination of adult males of all known species ofPagastiaOliver are also provided.

Description and phylogenetic position of Plagiolemma distortum sp. nov., a new raphid diatom (Bacillariophyceae) from French coastal waters

A new marine raphid diatom, Plagiolemma distortum Nézan, sp. nov. is described from plankton samples from the Atlantic Ocean, south Brittany (north-western France), where it was regularly observed, but never in high abundances. Cells have an unusual and complex shape under light microscopy (LM) depending on their position and orientation. The two valves are highly vaulted and narrow in width (transapical axis). Cells contain four complexly lobed plastids and a variable number of refractive granules without particular localization. In addition, capsules containing motile cells were observed. Ultrastructural details of the frustules were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The girdle bands are simple. Each valve possesses a sigmoid raphe raised on a ridge and ending in external large openings with elaborate internal helictoglossae. Moreover, each valve displays outer slit-like foramina and inner rounded hymenes, external terminal minute holes (micropyles) arranged in a row at the poles. In addition, on each valve face, one to several short transverse median costae are observed, terminating far away from the valve edges. Morphological comparisons with closely related taxa show that P. distortum is a new species. A video clip of a moving cell is provided for better understanding of the cell shape. The formation and function of capsules are discussed as well as the species habitat. A phylogenetic study, based on nuclear small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence data, which includes new sequences relative to Plagiolemma and Plagiotropis, was performed. Furthermore, some morphological details observed with SEM are included in an emended generic diagnosis of Plagiolemma.

Orientatractis brycini sp. nov. (Nematoda: Atractidae) from characiform freshwater fishes in Gabon, Africa

The nematode Orientatractis brycini sp. nov. (Atractidae) is described from the intestine of Brycinus macrolepidotus Valenciennes (Alestidae) and Xenocharax spilurus Gunther (Distichodontidae) collected in two localities from Gabon, Africa. The new species is characterized by the presence of four submedian lips with well-sclerotized pieces armed with two recurved pointed spines and one median large spine on their distal part, along with two smaller spines posterior to amphidial pores. It differs from its congeners mainly in the length of both spicules, gubernaculum, presence of two lateral spines posterior to amphids, distribution and number of caudal papillae. An emended generic diagnosis is provided. This is the eighth species in the genus Orientatractis, the fourth from fish hosts and the first from Africa, which expands its geographical distribution.

Taxonomic Review of Zavreliella Kieffer from East Asia.

Yanmin Cao and Hongqu Tang (2017) Three species of the genus Zavreliella from East Asia are reviewed in this paper, including a new species, Z. shidai sp. n., based on associated pupae and males collected from Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be separated from other congeners by the uniquely banded wing and marked abdomen. The Japanese species Z. inawaheia Sasa, Kitami and Suzuki, 2001 is re-described based on the holotype. In addition, two additional records are added for Z. marmorata (v. d. Wulp). An emended generic diagnosis and keys to the known males from Asia are also provided.

Reappraisal of the two axiid genera Manaxius Kensley, 2003 and Calaxidium Sakai, 2014, and description of a new species of Calaxius Sakai & de Saint Laurent, 1989 from French Polynesia, Southwest Pacific (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea).

Discovery of an undescribed species of axiid shrimp from French Polynesia, Southwest Pacific, led the author to assess the taxonomic status of the two nominal genera, Manaxius Kensley, 2003 and Calaxidium Sakai, 2014. As a result, these two genera are synonymized under Calaxius Sakai & de Saint Laurent, 1989, because there are no significant differences in generic characters among the three taxa. An emended generic diagnosis of Calaxius is presented. The new species, Calaxius poupini, is morphologically similar to C. euophthalmus (De Man, 1905), C. izuensis Komai, 2011, C. kensleyi Clark, Galil & Poore, 2007, C. mimasensis (Sakai, 1967), C. pailoloensis (Rathbun, 1906) and C. sibogae (De Man, 1925), but the poorly developed armature on the ventral margin of each cheliped merus distinguishes the new species from the other six allied species. Some points of taxonomic confusion relating to Calaxius are clarified.

Redescription ofMicrochironomus trisetifer(Hashimoto, 1981) and description of immature stages ofMicrochironomus tabaruiSasa, 1987 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Chironominae)

Abstract. The male of Microchironomus trisetifer (Hashimoto, 1981) is redescribed. The pupa of M. trisetifer and the larva and pupa of M. tabarui Sasa, 1987 are described for the first time based on material collected from southern China. Immature stages of M. tabarui deviate considerably from the previous generic concept. An emended generic diagnosis and keys to the known males and pupae are also provided.

Two new species of Paramesosciophilodes (Diptera, Nematocera, Mesosciophilidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China.

Two new species, Paramesosciophilodes bellus sp. n. and Paramesosciophilodes rarissima sp. n., from the Jiulongshan Formation at Daohugou Village, Inner Mongolia, China, are described in the extinct family Mesosciophilidae. Altogether seven genera with 21 species of mesosciophilids have been described from the Jurassic of Siberia and Kazakhstan, the Lower Cretaceous of Transbaikalia, and the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia. An emended generic diagnosis of Paramesosciophilodes and a list of known taxa of mesosciophilids are provided.

New species and revisions of Pediciidae (Diptera) from the Middle Jurassic of northeastern China and Russia.

Two new species of Praearchitipula Kalugina, 1985, P. apprima sp. nov. and P. mirabilis sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou in eastern Inner Mongolia, China. In addition, we propose to transfer Architipula abnormis Hao & Ren, 2009 (which is from the same locality of Daohugou) from Architipula of Limoniidae to Praearchitipula of Pediciidae: Praearchitipula abnormis (Hao & Ren, 2009) comb. nov. In addition, we propose to transfer Praearchitipula spasskia Kalugina, 1985 to the genus Mesotipula (Limoniidae, Architipulinae). We also suggest treating Praearchitipula lata Kalugina, 1985 as a junior synonym of Praearchitipula notabilis Kalugina, 1985. An emended generic diagnosis of Praearchitipula is provided.

New species and revisions of Pediciidae (Diptera) from the Middle Jurassic of northeastern China and Russia.

Two new species of Praearchitipula Kalugina, 1985, P. apprima sp. nov. and P. mirabilis sp. nov., are described and illustrated from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou in eastern Inner Mongolia, China. In addition, we propose to transfer Architipula abnormis Hao & Ren, 2009 (which is from the same locality of Daohugou) from Architipula of Limoniidae to Praearchitipula of Pediciidae: Praearchitipula abnormis (Hao & Ren, 2009) comb. nov. In addition, we propose to transfer Praearchitipula spasskia Kalugina, 1985 to the genus Mesotipula (Limoniidae, Architipulinae). We also suggest treating Praearchitipula lata Kalugina, 1985 as a junior synonym of Praearchitipula notabilis Kalugina, 1985. An emended generic diagnosis of Praearchitipula is provided.

A review of the genus Litinium Cobb, 1920 (Nematoda: Enoplida: Oxystominidae) with descriptions of four new species from two contrasting habitats.

Four new species of the genus Litinium are described from mangroves and from deep sea. The genus Litinium now includes ten valid species. An emended generic diagnosis and a pictorial guide for species identification are given. Litinium quangi sp. n. and L. curticauda sp. n., both found in mangroves of South Vietnam, are morphologically similar and differ from other congeneric species in body size, having short anterior setae, ovoid amphideal fovea and a short rounded tail. Litinium quangi differs from L. curticauda in the number of midventral preanal supplementary setae (one in L. quangi and two in L. curticauda) and relative tail length (c' 1.12-1.63 in L. quangi and 0.83-0.94 in L. curticauda). Litinium abyssorum sp. n. and L. profundorum sp. n., both collected from the Angola Basin, South-East Atlantic Ocean, at depth 5400 m, are also morphologically similar and differ from other species of the genus by having a smaller body and relatively large amphideal fovea with deep invagination of the anterior edge. Litinium abyssorum differs from L. profundorum in the number of midventral preanal setae (two in L. abyssorum, one in L. profundorum), relative tail length (c' 3.61 in L. abyssorum and 1.17 in L. profundorum) and L. abyssorum has unequal spicules.

Redescription of Cercopithifilaria rugosicauda (Böhm & Supperer, 1953) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) of roe deer, with an emended diagnosis of the genus Cercopithifilaria and a genetic characterisation

Newly collected material of Cercopithifilaria rugosicauda from roe deer Capreolus capreolus was analysed and compared to descriptions of C. rugosicauda from Austria and Hungary. The present specimens were assigned to the genus Cercopithifilaria using both morphological and molecular analyses. Complementary morphological data on the males and microfilariae of C. rugosicauda were described. The main morphological characters of different species of Cercopithifilaria were outlined and an emended generic diagnosis proposed. A genetic characterisation based on the analyses of cox1 and 12S rDNA sequences was reported supporting that C. rugosicauda was included in the clade of the genus Cercopithifilaria distinctly from other congeneric species available. However, these molecular analyses did not solve the relationships between the species of Cercopithifilaria. These could be approached using morphological characters that might be representative of their evolutionary history. In addition, Wolbachia was not seen in C. rugosicauda, either by immunohistological or by molecular approaches.

Two new species of Mesoplecia (Insecta: Diptera: Protopleciidae) from the late Middle Jurassic of China.

Two new species of Mesoplecia Rohdendorf, 1938, M. plena sp. nov. and M. fastigata sp. nov., are described from the late Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Based on the emended generic diagnosis of Mesoplecia by Zhang in 2007, these two new species are assigned to Mesoplecia by a combination of the following five characters: (1) Head small; (2) Vein bRs not more than twice as long as dRs; (3) M₁, M₂ at least 5 times as long as dM₁₊₂; (4) bM₁₊₂ longer than dM₁₊₂; and (5) Legs with coxae and femora thick. In addition, a key to Mesoplecia is provided.

Neotropical Ablabesmyia Johannsen (Diptera: Chironomidae, Tanypodinae)-part I.

This is a series of three manuscripts about the genus Ablabesmyia. In the first new species are described, three species are re-examined and keys to males, pupae and larvae of known neotropical species are provided and an emended generic diagnosis of Ablabesmyia is given. The second manuscript will analyze the molecular data of Neotropical species and the third one will check, through a phylogenetic analysis, the truth of subgenera. In this study, twenty-four new species of Ablabesmyia Johannsen are described and figured: A. arquata, A. cauame, A. commata, A. communiba, A. cordeiroi, A, depaulai, A. diversa, A. ducke, A. fazzari, A. fusariae, A. gessnerae, A. gigas, A. jaquirana, A. laurindoi, A. manauara, A. martha, A. novema, A. parannulata, A. parareissi, A. pinhoi, A. rafaeli, A. separata, A. strixinoae and A. suiamissu. We re-examined A. cinctipes (Johannsen), A. infumata (Edwards) and A. metica Roback. The species were collected in Brazil, in lentic systems. Keys to males, pupae and larvae of known neotropical species of the genus Ablabesmyia are provided and an emended generic diagnosis of Ablabesmyia is given.

New species of Lopescladius (Cordiella) Coffman et Roback (Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) from Brazil

Three new species of Lopescladius (Cordiella) Coffman et Roback, 1984, L. (C.) morosus, L. (C.) vibrissatus and L. (C.) uncatus, from Brazil are described and figured as male imago. An emended generic diagnosis as well as a key to the males are given.