European Type Species Research Articles

Two unusual new species of Caleremaeus (Acari: Oribatida) from eastern North America, with redescription of C. retractus and reevaluation of the genus

The oribatid mite genus Caleremaeus (Caleremaeidae) is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere but has been represented by only three extant and one fossil species. We redescribe the North American C. retractus (Banks, 1947) based on adults and nymphs; it is distinguishable from the European type species, C. monilipes (Michael, 1882) by its smaller adult size and minor differences in cuticular structure, and by the elongated, tapered form of seta h1 in nymphs. Two new species are proposed: C. nasutus n. sp. from forest soil in Alabama is unique in having adults with a large anterior rostral lobe (juveniles unknown) bearing lamellar setae; the arboreal C. arboricolus n. sp. from eastern USA and Canada is unique among described extant species in having adults with femoral saccules, a transverse ridge bearing lamellar setae and relatively large notogastral setae, and juveniles with a bothridial seta similar to that of the adult. Based on all available data, Caleremaeus is redescribed and considered the sole genus in Caleremaeidae. The higher classification of the family is reviewed, and past placement in Ameroidea is rejected in favor of the monofamilial Caleremaeoidea.

Unexpected diversity of Microscydmus Saulcy & Croissandeau in Japan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)

The genus Microscydmus Saulcy Croissandeau is recorded for the first time from the Japanese Archipelago. Eight species are described: Microscydmus okinawanus sp. n., M. oharaensis sp. n., M. nishimeanus sp. n., M. kochiensis sp. n., M. elytratus sp. n., M. tibialis sp. n., M. yusuharanus sp. n., and M. omogonus sp. n. All new species are placed in the nominotypical subgenus, and Japan becomes a country that houses the greatest recorded species richness of Microscydmus (s. str.). The new species are distributed on Shikoku and in the Ryukyus. A novel character was found, previously unknown in Microscydmus: a pair of long lateral setae on the posterior margin of vertex, clearly visible in some of the newly described species. These setae are not thicker than surrounding ones, but stand out because of their remarkable length. A re-examination of SEM images obtained during previous studies confirmed the presence of these setae also in M. nanus, the European type species of the genus, in which, however, these setae are obscured by surrounding vestiture. Among Glandulariini, such a pair of setae has been known only in the extinct Upper Cretaceous Scydmobisetia Jałoszyński Yamamoto.

New fossils, systematics, and biogeography of the oldest known crown primate Teilhardina from the earliest Eocene of Asia, Europe, and North America

Omomyiform primates are among the most basal fossil haplorhines, with the oldest classified in the genus Teilhardina and known contemporaneously from Asia, Europe, and North America during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) ∼56 mya. Characterization of morphology in this genus has been limited by small sample sizes and fragmentary fossils. A new dental sample (n = 163) of the North American species Teilhardina brandti from PETM strata of the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, documents previously unknown morphology and variation, prompting the need for a systematic revision of the genus. The P4 of T. brandti expresses a range of variation that encompasses that of the recently named, slightly younger North American species ‘Teilhardina gingerichi,’ which is here synonymized with T. brandti. A new partial dentary preserving the alveoli for P1-2 demonstrates that T. brandti variably expresses an unreduced, centrally-located P1, and in this regard is similar to that of T. asiatica from China. This observation, coupled with further documentation of variability in P1 alveolar size, position, and presence in the European type species T. belgica, indicates that the original diagnosis of T. asiatica is insufficient at distinguishing this species from either T. belgica or T. brandti. Likewise, the basal omomyiform ‘Archicebus achilles’ requires revision to be distinguished from Teilhardina. Results from a phylogenetic analysis of 1890 characters scored for omomyiforms, adapiforms, and other euarchontan mammals produces a novel clade including T. magnoliana, T. brandti, T. asiatica, and T. belgica to the exclusion of two species previously referred to Teilhardina, which are here classified in a new genus (Bownomomys americanus and Bownomomys crassidens). While hypotheses of relationships and inferred biogeographic patterns among species of Teilhardina could change with the discovery of more complete fossils, the results of these analyses indicate a similar probability that the genus originated in either Asia or North America.

A new genus for North American Cicadetta species (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

The generic classification of cicadas within the globally distributed tribe Cicadettini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) has been challenging due to their often conservative morphology. A recent molecular analysis has indicated that the six North American taxa currently classified in Cicadetta are unrelated to the European type species of Cicadetta, C. montana Scopoli. Here we identify a set of diagnostic morphological characters for a new genus, which we distinguish from its closest relatives in Eurasia and Australasia.

New records of the rare calcareous sponge Paragrantia waguensis Hôzawa, 1940.

Paragrantia waguensis Hôzawa is reported from coastal reefs of the island of Okinawa. This rare species was previously known only from Central Japan, Mie Prefecture. It has peculiar apopylar tetractine spicules, so far unique among Calcarea. We present in situ images of the species and a full description including SEM images of skeletal structure and spicule complement. The status of Paragrantia as a separate genus of the family Grantiidae distinct from Grantia Fleming is confirmed on the basis of a morphological and molecular comparison with the European type species of Grantia, Grantia compressa (Fabricius).

Multigene phylogenetic analysis detects cryptic species of Tryblidiopsis in China

Tryblidiopsis pinastri (Rhytismatales) has been recognized as being distributed throughout northern temperate regions. In the present study, comparative studies showed that species of Tryblidiopsis from China were distinct from the European type species. They are shown to belong to two new Tryblidiopsis species, T sichuanensis and T. sinensis, with a third known to be present in China but not described because the reference material is immature. Combined LSU rDNA, ITS rDNA and mtSSU rDNA sequences analyses revealed that Chinese species and European species formed a monophyletic clade. Collections of Tryblidiopsis from North America need to be re-examined and sequenced; they are probably not conspecific with T. pinastri. Tryblidiopsis species appear to be highly host specific and are probably restricted to the host genus Picea.

The sequestrate genus Rosbeeva T.Lebel & Orihara gen. nov. (Boletaceae) from Australasia and Japan: new species and new combinations

The sequestrate genus Chamonixia has been shown to have affinities to the Boletales, in particular the genus Leccinum. Australasian and Japanese species of Chamonixia were examined using morphological and molecular (ITS and nLSU rDNA) data and found to also have affinities with Leccinum and Leccinellum, however they form a distinct clade separate from the European type species C. caespitosa Rolland and North American species. A new genus, Rosbeeva T.Lebel & Orihara gen. nov., is proposed for the Australasian, Japanese and Chinese taxa. The species R. mucosa (Petri) T.Lebel comb. nov. is restricted in distribution to Singapore and Borneo, and R. pachyderma (Zeller & C.W. Dodge) T.Lebel comb. nov. to New Zealand, with Australian collections considered to belong to a revised R. vittatispora (G.W.Beaton, Pegler & T.W.K.Young) T.Lebel comb. nov. or a new species R. westraliensis T. Lebel sp. nov. The Chinese species R. bispora (B.C.Zhang & Y.N.Yu) T.Lebel & Orihara comb. nov is transferred to the new genus based upon morphological data. Two new species from Japan, Rosbeeva eucyanea Orihara and R. griseovelutina Orihara, are also described and illustrated. A key to all species of Rosbeeva is provided. Due to the highly modified gastroid sporocarp forms of both Chamonixia and Rosbeeva, many macroscopic characters of use in agaricoid taxonomy are difficult to interpret. However, color change and texture of sporocarps are of some use to distinguish genera and species. Microscopic characters such as spore shape, dimensions, and ornamentation, and pileipellis and hymenophoral trama structure, are essential for determining genera and species.

Two Eocene chelonioid turtles from Northland, New Zealand

The partial skeletons of two marine turtles are reported from Late Eocene strata of Northland, northern New Zealand. One, from the autochthonous Ruatangata Sandstone near Whangarei, is identified as a new species of the previously monotypic cheloniid genus Eochelone Dollo, 1903. It is larger than the European type species, E. brabantica Dollo, 1903. The new species, E. monstigris, represents a geographic range extension for Eochelone and for the group of ‘Eocene stem cheloniines’ to which it belongs, a long-distance interchange that the configuration of Late Eocene–Early Oligocene marine currents and land-sea distribution must have permitted. The other specimen, from the allochthonous Pahi Greensand of northeast Kaipara Harbour, was previously reported as a cheloniid but we believe it more likely to belong to the Toxochelyidae. Given previous records of two dermochelyids (Psephophorus and Maoriochelys), the Middle to Late Eocene of New Zealand hosted at least four species of marine turtle which approaches the modern diversity of five species.

A Revision of the Tracheline Sac Spider GenusCetonanaStrand, 1929 in the Afrotropical Region, with Descriptions of Two New Genera (Araneae: Corinnidae)

The dark sac spiders of the genus Cetonana Strand, 1929 (Corinnidae: Trachelinae) of the Afrotropical Region are revised. Following a detailed comparison of the somatic and genitalic morphology of the Afrotropical C. martini (Simon, 1897) with the European type species, C. laticeps (Canestrini, 1868), Afroceto gen. n. is established to include the transfer of two Afrotropical species previously described in Cetonana, namely A. martini (Simon, 1897) comb. n. (type species) and A. coenosa (Simon, 1897) comb. n. Three species are proposed as junior synonyms of A. martini, namely C. curvipes (Tucker, 1920) syn. n., C. tridentata (Lessert, 1923) syn. n. and C. simoni (Lawrence, 1942) syn. n. The type of C. aculifera (Strand, 1916) from Madagascar is presumed destroyed and this species is considered nomen dubium. Additionally, 12 new Afroceto gen. n. species are described from southern Africa, namely A. arca sp. n., A. bulla sp. n., A. bisulca sp. n., A. capensis sp. n., A. corcula sp. n., A. croeseri sp. n., A. flabella sp. n., A. gracilis sp. n., A. plana sp. n., A. porrecta sp. n., A. rotunda sp. n. and A. spicula sp. n. Afroceto gen. n. species display variable ecological preferences, occurring in tree canopies, lower foliage strata, bark, and on the ground in contrasting habitats (forests, savannah, grassland, karoo and fynbos) in southern Africa, with single records from Malawi and Tanzania. Patelloceto gen. n., closely resembling Afroceto gen. n. but distinguished by the reduced leg spination and distinctive genitalic morphology, is also described, with three new species, P. secutor sp. n. (type species), P. denticulata sp. n. and P. media sp. n. from southern, central and east Africa. Patelloceto gen. n. species are primarily arboreal, occurring in tree canopies, lower foliage strata or on bark in forests and savannahs.

First records of Microptila Ris (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae) from Japan, with description of a new species

Abstract Microptila orienthula, sp. n. from Japan is described and illustrated based on adults of both sexes. The new species represents the first finding of Microptila in the Eastern Palaearctic Region, and it appears to be more closely related to Oriental species of Microptila than to the two Western Palaearctic species. The finding of a new species with affinities to the Oriental species as far northeast as Japan is noteworthy but fits well with general zoogeographical affinities of the Japanese fauna to the Oriental Region. The type locality indicates a hygropetric habitat for the larva, in agreement with the known larval habitat of the European type species Microptila minutissima Ris, 1897.

Review of the New World genera of the Leafhopper Tribe Erythroneurini (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocycbinae)

The genus-level classification of New World Erythroneurini is revised based on results of a phylogenetic analysis of 100 morphological characters. The 704 known species are placed into 18 genera. Erasmoneura Young and Eratoneura Young, previously treated as subgenera of Erythroneura Fitch, and Erythridula Young, most recently treated as a subgenus of Arboridia Zachvatkin, are elevated to generic status. Three species previously included in Erasmoneura are placed in a new genus, Rossmoneura (type species, Erythroneura tecta McAtee). The concept of Erythroneura is thereby narrowed to include only those species previously included in the nominotypical subgenus. New World species previously included in Zygina Fieber are not closely related to the European type species of that genus and are therefore placed in new genera. Neozygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ceonothana Beamer, includes all species previously included in the “ceonothana group”, and Zyginama, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura ritana Beamer, includes most species previously included in the “ritana group” of New World Zygina. Five additional new genera are described to include other previously described North American Erythroneurini: Hepzygina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura milleri Beamer and also including E. aprica McAtee; Mexigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura oculata McAtee; Nelionidia, n. gen., based on type species N. pueblensis, n. sp., three additional new species, and Erythroneura amicis Ross; Neoimbecilla, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura kiperi Beamer and one new species; and Illinigina, n. gen., based on type species Erythroneura illinoiensis Gillette. Five new genera, based on previously undescribed species, are also recognized: Aztegina, n. gen, based on A. punctinota, n. sp., from Mexico; Amazygina, n. gen., based on type species A. decaspina, n. sp., and three additional new species from Ecuador; Hamagina, n. gen., based on type species H. spinigera, n. sp., and two additional new species from Peru and Ecuador; Napogina, n. gen., based on type species N. recta, n. sp., and one additional new species from Ecuador; Perugina, n. gen., based on type species P. denticula, n. sp., from Peru; and Spinigina, n. gen., based on type species S. hirsuta, n. sp., and an additional new species from Peru. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the New World Erythroneurini consist of three lineages resulting from separate invasions from the Old World.

Some Albian (Cretaceous) asteroids (Echinodermata) from Texas and their paleobiological implications

An asteroid fauna is described from the Albian (Cretaceous) interval of the Washita Group of central Texas. New genera and species areAlkaidia sumralli, (Benthopectinidae),Capellia mauricei(Goniasteridae), andBetelgeusia reidi(Radiasteridae). Additional new genera areFomalhautia(Goniasteridae), andDenebiaandAltairia(Ophidiasteridae).Crateraster texensis(Goniasteridae), new combination, is similar to the European type species,C. quinqueloba.An unnamed species ofCraterasterand an unassigned goniasterid are also present. All Washita genera are extinct, but all belong to extant families. The fauna is largely distinct from that of the somewhat younger European Cretaceous chalk.The Radiasteridae (e.g.,Betelgeusia) is inferred to hold a basal position in the Paxillosida;Betelgeusiaextends the range of the family back to the Cretaceous, closer to the diversification of the living asteroid orders. Asteroids capable of burying themselves in sediment (and only self-buriers) share some form of channelization for the passage of water currents between the primary ossicles of the body surface. Channels inBetelgeusiaindicate semi-infaunal habits similar to those of livingAstropectenandLuidia. Betelgeusiarepresents the third semi-infaunal paxillosidan family now known from the Cretaceous, although none are known from older rocks, suggesting a broadening of the asteroid adaptive zone during the Cretaceous. The Goniasteridae, Radiasteridae, and Benthopectinidae are less important in shelf settings today than they appear to have been during Washita deposition, whereas the Astropectinidae, Luidiidae, and the Echinasteridae are absent from the Washita although they are common today in similar settings.

The morphology, reproduction and small-subunit rRNA gene sequence of Cephalocystis (Rhodymeniaceae, Rhodophyta), a new genus based on Cordylecladia furcellata J. Agardh from Australia

The southeastern Australian endemic species Cordylecladia furcellata J. Agardh differs in habit, minor anatomical, and significant small-subunit rRNA-sequence details from the European type species of the genus, Cordylecladia erecta (Greville) J. Agardh. Particularly conspicuous in C. furcellata are the colourless, apical, pod-like structures to which all reproductive stages are confined, in contrast to C. erecta in which spermatangia and tetrasporangia occur in linear, subterminal swellings and cystocarps form in dense aggregates along otherwise unmodified axes. The new genus Cephalocystis is proposed to include, as type species, C. furcellata (J. Agardh) comb. nov., plus an undescribed New South Wales species, C. leucobotrys sp. nov. The latter differs mainly in the position of the cystocarps, which occur in subterminal clusters on major axes rather than in terminal hyaline pods. Given the similarity of habit, vegetative anatomy and cystocarp position in the European type species of Cordylecladia and Cephalocystis leucobotrys from eastern Australia, the molecular data indicating substantial phylogenetic distance between the European and Australian species are accorded major taxonomic weight.

New data on the Upper Triassic bivalve Monotis in North America, and the new subgenus Pacimonotis

Re-examination of some North American collections of the late middle to early late Norian pterioid bivalve Monotis confirms the separation of M. (M.) alaskana Smith from the European type species M. salinaria (Schlotheim). The related M. (M.) haueri Kittl, as differentiated statistically, is more widely represented in southern Alaska, the Canadian Yukon, and Nevada than was formerly recognized. Species described originally from northeastern USSR and now confirmed as present in rocks from Alaska and western Canada include: M. (Entomonotis) pachypleura (Teller), M. (Eomonotis) daonellaeformis Kiparisova, and M. (E.) anjuensis Bytschkov and Efimova. Monotis subcircularis Gabb and related forms are transferred from the subgenus Entomonotis to the new subgenus Pacimonotis in order to give the former subgenus a more homogeneous morphologic range.Re-evaluation of the stratigraphic occurrences of these species shows that M. alaskana occurs above M. subcircularis and below M. haueri in the Wrangell Mountains, Alaska. Elsewhere in North America, however, Monotis haueri occurs at the same level as M. subcircularis and is thus a long-ranging form. These three taxa, as well as M. pachypleura, are representative of the upper Norian Cordilleranus Zone. Monotis daonellaeformis is among the oldest Monotis species of the middle Norian Columbianus Zone; M. anjuensis in North America is probably also from the Columbianus Zone but could overlap in occurrence with the upper Norian M. subcircularis.

Morphology of the type and Australian species of Dudresnaya (Dumontiaceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract The genus Dudresnaya is reviewed and a key to its 12 species is given. The European type species, D. verticillata (Withering) Le Jolis, and the three species known from Australia (D. australis Setchell, D. hawaiiensis R.K.S. Lee, D. capricornica sp. nov.) are described in detail. Dudresnaya australis and D. verticillata are similar in habit but distinguishable by their internal structure. Dudresnaya hawaiiensis, previously recorded only from the Hawaiian Islands, is now known from several eastern Australian localities and is the most morphologically variable and geographically widespread of all the Dudresnaya species. The newly described species, D. capricornica, is also extremely variable in habit and occurs in both eastern and western Australia.