Female Holotype Research Articles

Description of Harperalpheus pequegnatae, new genus, new species, from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coast of the southeastern USA (Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae)

A new genus, Harperalpheus, gen. nov., is established for H. pequegnatae, sp. nov., on the basis of specimens collected from sandy subtidal sediments off Galveston, Texas, and Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA. The holotype female, the largest and most intact specimen of the type series, is ovigerous and bears an appendix masculina on the second pleopod. The new genus is characterised by conspicuous, robust, equal sized chelipeds, which distinguish it from other known sympatric alpheid genera that lack an articulated posteroventral plate on the sixth abdominal pleuron. Additional distinguishing features of Harperalpheus, gen. nov., are the sharply produced pterygostomial angle of the carapace, orbital hoods concealing the eyes in dorsal view and lacking extracorneal teeth, the distinct rostrum having a posteriorly extended ventrorostral keel, and the third maxilliped bearing a uniquely bilobed lateral plate on the coxa and lacking an arthrobranch. While this new species is not readily allied to any presently known alpheid genus, it appears to have some affinities with Coutieralpheus Anker and Felder, 2005, Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955, and Parabetaeus Coutiere, 1896.

Revision of the Australian wolf spider genus Dingosa Roewer, 1955 (Araneae, Lycosidae)

The Australian wolf spider genus Dingosa Roewer, 1955 is revised to include four species: Dingosa simsoni (Simon, 1898) (type species); D. humphreysi (McKay, 1985), n. comb.; D. murata n. sp.; and D. serrata (L. Koch, 1877), n. comb. Dingosa belongs to the subfamily Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833 and differs from all other lycosine spiders by the structure of the male pedipalp, which has an enlarged embolic division and an unusually elongated tegular apophysis. The median septum of the female epigyne is inverted T‐shaped with the corners of the transverse part bent anteriorly in some species. Additional somatic characters, such as a raised cephalic region and distinct colour patterns of prosoma (narrow light longitudinal band between eyes) and opisthosoma (serrated cardiac mark) are unique within the Australian Lycosinae. Species within the genus Dingosa prefer sandy habitats with a sparse cover of vegetation where they construct a characteristic turret around their burrow entrance. All species mature in late summer to winter; females with eggsac can usually be found in July and August. The holotype of the Australian Dingosa topaziopsis (Hogg, 1896) is an immature spider and accurate species identification is not possible. This species is here considered nomen dubium. Dingosa is an Australian genus with much derived lycosine morphology. Other species from outside Australia currently included in this genus do not conform to the diagnosis of Dingosa. We propose the following new generic placements based on a critical evaluation of the original descriptions: Pardosa angolensis (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Angola), Pardosa completa (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Mozambique), Pardosa hartmanni (Roewer, 1959), n. comb. (Tanzania), and Trochosa ursina (Schenkel, 1936), n. comb. (China). We also support Mozaffarian and Marusik's (2001) previous suggested combination Trochosa persica (Roewer, 1955). Dingosa traghardi (Lawrence, 1947) (South Africa) was described from an immature female holotype which is lost; this species is here considered nomen dubium.

Tropical African Platycnemis damselflies (Odonata: Platycnemididae) and the biogeographical significance of a new species from Pemba Island, Tanzania

The damselfly, Platycnemis pembipes sp. nov., is described from Pemba Island (Ngezi Forest, Tanzania) and its affinities with Guineo‐Congolian and Malagasy congeners are examined. For this purpose the identity and distribution of Afrotropical Platycnemis is reviewed, especially the taxonomically confused continental species. The Pemba species is nearly identical to some species of the Malagasy radiation of Platycnemis, but distant from the Guineo‐Congolian species that have tropical Asian affinities. It is argued that the species is a long‐distance wind‐borne arrival from Madagascar, which survived due to favourable climatic conditions on Pemba. Habitats on the mainland, only 50 km further, are or have been drier and therefore seem unsuitable. The new species, living proof of a remarkable colonisation event, is under immediate threat, confined to a single stream in an imperilled forest, over 1000 km from its nearest relatives. The holotype of the enigmatic P. mauriciana, not recorded on Mauritius after its description, cannot originate from the island as it pertains to the European P. latipes. Five species recalling the Asian genus Copera are known in the male sex from central and western Africa; all were confused to some degree with P. congolensis and a key is given. The lectotype of P. congolensis is designated and its identity is clarified. Platycnemis flavipes and P. xanthopus are junior synonyms of P. nyansana. Discovery of the P. rufipes female showed that P. escherichi, known only from the female holotype, is a junior synonym of it. The generic classification of Platycnemis and Copera is not resolved, but data and hypotheses that should aid future analysis are provided.

Notes on the Neurigona Rondani (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Chinese Mainland

The following seven new species of the genus Neurigona are described and illustrated: Neurigona guangdongensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert sp. nov., N. guizhouensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov., N. henana Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov., N. jiangsuensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov., N. wui Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov., N. xiaolongmensis Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. and N. yunnana Wang, Yang and Grootaert, sp. nov. We examined the male holotype of N. grisea Parent and female holotype of N. chetitarsa deposited in Muséum National d’Historie Naturelle, Paris. Also, the new data on distribution are reported for four known species. A key to the species of the genus from Chinese mainland is presented.

Identity, larva and distribution of the Oriental soldier fly, Odontomyia ochropa (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Odontomyia ochropa Thomson, 1869, is redescribed and found to be identical with O. dorsoangulata Brunetti, 1920, which is proposed as a new synonym. The female holotype of O. ochropa from the Philippines was examined and compared with specimens from India, Thailand and Singapore. Terminalia and other diagnostic characters of both sexes are illustrated. The larva of O. ochropa is described in detail. The larval characters are in accordance with the characters of O. dorsoangulata mentioned by Brunetti (1920). The larva of O. ochropa is compared with that of O. cyanea described by Mathur (1933). Cuticular structures and diagnostic characters of both larvae are documented by drawings and SEM micrographs. A new identification key to larvae of Odontomyia known from the Oriental Region is provided.

A new scorpion genus representing a primitive taxon of tribe Stahnkeini, with a description of a new species from Sonora, Mexico (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae)

A new scorpion genus, Gertschius gen. nov., and species, Gertschius crassicorpus sp. nov., (Scorpiones: Vaejovidae) from Sonora, Mexico is described. Gertschius exhibits a reduced modification of the basal pectinal teeth in the female holotype and serration of the chelal finger denticles is limited to the median denticles (MD), thus we consider it a relict member of tribe Stahnkeini. Serradigitus agilis Sissom et Stockwell, 1991, is transferred to this new genus; Gertschius agilis, comb. nov.

A New Replacement Name in the Planthopper Family Achilidae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha)

Fennah (1956) described Zathauma metasequoiae from western Hubei [Hupeh] in southern China on the basis of one female specimen. The genus Zathauma was originally described by Fennah (1949) for Zathauma cristatum Fennah, 1949 (the type species) from Borneo. Fennah (1956) noticed the differences between metasequoiae and cristatum and he stated that ‘‘This species [metasequoiae] is larger than the type [cristatum], has a differently-shaped vertex and lacks the foliately raised mesonotal carina. The cephalic differences, however, are no greater than those in Faventilla, and in other characters, including tegminal venation and coloring, it generally resembles Z. cristatum.’’ Recently I examined the female holotype of Zathauma metasequoiae Fennah, 1956, deposited at the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, USA .W e found that Zathauma metasequoiae Fennah, 1956 is actually a member of the genus Magadha Distant 1906. Magadha was described by Distant (1906) for two species, Cixius flavisigna Walker 1851 (type species) from northern India and M. nebulosa Distant 1906 from Sri Lanka. Magadha is a typical Oriental achilid genus and currently includes about 10 described species (Fennah, 1950; Chen et al., 1989). The transfer of metasequoiae from Zathauma to Magadha requires a new replacement name for this species in order to avoid a consequent secondary homonym since Fennah (1956: 486) named a new species with the name metasequoiae in the genus Magadha. The specimens studied in the course of this work are deposited in the following institutions, abbreviated in the text as follows: CAS, California Academ yo f Sci

Review of the taxonomy and conservation status of the Ecuadorian Glassfrog Centrolenella puyoensis Flores & McDiarmid (Amphibia: Anura: Centrolenidae)

The Glassfrog Centrolenella puyoensis Flores & McDiarmid is a taxon known only from the female holotype, and recently placed in the genus Centrolene due to its supposed close relationship with Centrolene mariae (Duellman & Toft). Herein we report new material of puyoensis, including adult male specimens previously unknown. We propose the new combination Cochranella puyoensis (Flores & McDiarmid) n. comb., in recognition of the state of the humeral crista ventralis in males of this species, which lack a humeral spine. The hypothesis of relationships between three species, including puyoensis, proposed as the mariae species-group is questioned as it was based on phenetic rather than derived characters. We present new data that extend the distributional range of Cochranella puyoensis, and define its range along the Foothill Evergreen forests from 400 m to 1000 m above sea level in the provinces of Napo, Orellana, and Pastaza. New data presented herein also permit a re-evaluation of the conservation status of the species, previously classified under the IUCN category of Critically Endangered. We recommend that Cochranella puyoensis be reclassified as “Endangered”: EN B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii); based on a better understanding of the presence of the species, its occupancy area, number of known localities, and habitat quality status.

Location and deposition of the type specimens of Culex scheuberi Carpintero & Leguizamón, Ochlerotatus jorgi (Carpintero & Leguizamón), and Orthopodomyia peytoni Leguizamón & Carpintero (Diptera: Culicidae)

The holotype male of Culex scheuberi, the holotype female of Ochlerotatus jorgi, and the holotype and paratype males of Orthopodomyia peytoni have been deposited into the U.S. National Museum of Natural History.

Synopsis of the Genus Neosaropogon with a Description of a New Species of Neosaropogon (Lycotherates) Hull from South Australia and a Description of the Male of Neosaropogon (Lycotherates) Harlequinus Hull (Diptera: Asilidae: Dasypogoninae)

SummaryA new species, Neosaropogon (Lycotherates) janforresti, is described from the Gawler Ranges in South Australia and a key to species has been constructed. Additionally, the male of Neosaropogon (Lycotherates) harlequinus is described for the first time as the holotype female is missing.

Morphological Extremes—Two New Snakes of the Genus Atractus from Northwestern South America (Colubridae: Dipsadinae)

Two new Andean snakes exhibit extreme morphology in a genus of South American dipsadine colubrids. One, Atractus attenuatus, new species, is a slender, exceptionally attenuated snake 420 mm in total length (adult male holotype), with 17 scale rows, a high ventral subcaudal count (226), and an extremely vague pattern of numerous, closely spaced, indistinct dark crossbars on a brown ground color. Atractus attenuatus comes from 1000 m elevation in the northern end of the Cordillera Central (Sabanalarga, Antioquia, Colombia). A geographic neighbor, Atractus sanguineus Prado, is of similar morphology but differs in having distinct, widely spaced crossbars on a red ground color.At another extreme, Atractus gigas, new species, is a very robust snake that exceeds a meter in length (adult female holotype 1040 mm in total length), with a hint of pale transverse dorsal bars on a brown ground color. It is the largest known Atractus, differing in color pattern and details of scutellation from the several other congeners that attain lengths > 700 mm. The only known specimen has an azygous frontonasal scale that is atypical of colubrids (but is not an obvious aberrancy). Atractus gigas comes from 1900 m elevation on the Pacific versant of the Andes (Bosque Protector Río Guajalito, Pichincha, Ecuador).

DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPIDER GENERA OF TRECHALEIDAE (ARANEAE, LYCOSOIDEA) FROM SOUTH AMERICA

Two new genera in the spider family Trechaleidae, Trechaleoides and Paratrechalea, are described. The females of the two known species of Trechaleoides, T. keyserlingi (F.O.P.-Cambridge) (type species) and T. biocellata (Mello-Leitao) are redescribed and their respective males are described for the first time; both are transferred from Trechalea. Two additional previously described species, also both transferred from Trechalea, are herein placed in the genus Paratrechalea are redescribed from their types, i.e., the female of P. ornata (Mello-Leitao) (type species) and male ofP. wygodzinskyi (Soares & Ca- margo). The male of P. ornata is described for the first time. Four new species of Paratrechalea, P. longigaster, P. galianoae, and P. azul from females, and P. saopaulo from males and females are de- scribed. The immature specimen historically regarded as the holotype of Trechalea longitarsis(C.L. Koch) and regarded as a mistaken identity, is an unidentified species of Trechaleoides. The female holotype of Trechalea limai Mello-Leitao is confirmed to be lost but is considered to be a member of the genus Paratrechalea based on a study of the original description.

On the Chilean Spiders of the Family Prodidomidae (Araneae, Gnaphosoidea), with a Revision of the Genus Moreno Mello-Leitão

Although no members of the spider family Prodidomidae have previously been described from Chile, that country has a substantial, and largely endemic, prodidomid fauna. The Ar- gentine genus Moreno Mello-Leitao is transferred from the Gnaphosidae to the Prodidomidae. Moreno was previously known only from the female holotype of its type species, but two additional species from Argentina and three from Chile are newly described, including the first known males of the genus. Three new genera are described:Chileomma, containing seven new six-eyed species from northern and central Chile; Chilongius, containing five new species from northern Chile; and Chileuma, containing three new species from northern and central Chile. A newly discovered feature on the tarsal claws is hypothesized to be a synapomorphy uniting Moreno and Chilongius with the other South American tricongiine Theuminae.

<I>Systena nitentula</I> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Flea Beetle Injurious to <I>Alternanthera philoxeroides</I> (Amaranthaceae): Redescription, Biology, and Distribution

Flea beetles of alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Ama- ranthaceae), were collected in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. Species in the genera Disonycha Chevrolat, Agasicles Jacoby, and Systena Chevrolat were frequently found on this weed. Systena nitentula Bechyne´ 1954 was the most abundant within Systena. This species is reported for the Þrst time from Argentina at north of 30 S. The male is described and holotype female is redescribed adding new diagnostic characters: mouthparts, hind wings, metendosternite, and male and female genitalia. S.nitentula is recognized by the combined characters of piceous elytra with J-shaped vittae, a small spermatheca pump, and internal median lobe sac with Þve sclerotized plates. Differences in color patterns between S. nitentula, S. tenuis Bechyne´ , and S. s-littera L. also are considered. S. nintentula presents three instars that can be separated through head width. New biological data based on laboratory rearing and Þeld observations shows that S. nintentula could be a monophagous species strongly associated to the alligator weed growing in terrestrial conditions. This information promotes S. nintentula as a potential biocontrol agent of this invasive weed.

The Oreopithecus thumb: a strange case in hominoid evolution

Pliopithecoids are a diverse group of Miocene catarrhine primates from Eurasia. Their positional behavior is still unknown, and many species are known exclusively from dentognathic remains. Here, we describe a proximal radius (IPS66267) from the late Miocene of Castell de Barberà (Vallès-Penedès Basin, NE Iberian Peninsula) that represents the first postcranial specimen of the pliopithecoid Barberapithecus huerzeleri. A body mass estimate based on the radius is compared with dental estimates, and its morphology is compared with that of extant and fossil anthropoids by qualitative means as well as by landmark-based three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The estimated body mass of ∼5 kg for IPS66267 closely matches the dental estimates for the (female) holotype, thereby discounting an alternative attribution to the large-bodied hominoid recorded at Castell de Barberà. In multiple features (oval and moderately tilted head with a pronounced lateral lip and a restricted articular area for the capitulum; proximodistally expanded proximal radioulnar joint; and short, robust, and anteroposteriorly compressed neck), the specimen differs from hominoids and resembles instead extant nonateline monkeys and stem catarrhines. The results of the morphometric analysis further indicate that the Barberapithecus proximal radius shows closer similarities with nonsuspensory arboreal cercopithecoids and the dendropithecid Simiolus. From a locomotor viewpoint, the radius of Barberapithecus lacks most of the features functionally related to climbing and/or suspensory behaviors and displays instead a proximal radioulnar joint that would have been particularly stable under pronation. On the other hand, the Barberapithecus radius differs from other stem catarrhines in the less anteroposteriorly compressed and less tilted radial head with a deeper capitular fovea, suggesting a somewhat enhanced mobility at the elbow joint. We conclude that pronograde arboreal quadrupedalism was the main component of the locomotor repertoire of Barberapithecus but that, similar to other crouzeliids, it might have displayed better climbing abilities than pliopithecids.

A revision of Tachyphron Brown and description of two new genera within the Ariphron group (Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae)

The Australasian genus Tachyphron Brown is revised, and two new New Guinean genera, Deuterothynnus gen. n. and Heligmothynnus gen. n., described. Fifteen species are included in Tachyphron of which seven are described as new (T. aculeatus sp. n., T. athertonensis sp. n., T. mantonensis sp. n., T. neosubfragilis sp. n., T. nigrisetatus sp. n., T. planus sp. n. and T. townsvillensis sp. n.), and a further two, Aelurus comatus Smith and Aelurus fragilis Smith, transferred from Tachynomyia. Thynnus insularis Smith is transferred from Tachynomyia Guérin to Deuterothynnus and a further three new species, D. fulvicentratus sp. n., D. fulvisetatus sp. n. and D. parallelus sp. n. described. Aelurus atratus Cameron and Takyomyia sabronensis Kimsey are transferred from Tachynomyia and Tachyphron, respectively, to Heligmothynnus and a further two new species, H. microspinus sp. n. and H. neoaratus sp. n. described. T. megacephala (Turner) is synonymized with Tachynoides flavopicta (Ritsema) and, therefore, removed from Tachyphron. A key to the Ariphron group of genera is provided, as well as keys to the males of Tachyphron, Deuterothynnus and Heligmothynnus, although the male of D. insularis is associated tentatively with the female holotype only on the basis of collection records. Only the females of D. insularis, T. armidalensis Brown and T. subtriangularus Brown are known, the latter two being described for the first time. Evidence is presented to suggest that T. subtriangularus may be bivoltine in northern Australia.

Sparassidae of China 3. First record of the genus Bhutaniella in China (Araneae: Sparassidae) with descriptions of two new species

Two new species of the genus Bhutaniella are described from China (Tibet and Yunnan Province): Bhutaniella scharffi sp. nov. (male holotype) and Bhutaniella kronestedti sp. nov. (female holotype). The new species belong to a genus previously known from a restricted area in the Himalayan region and exclusively from higher altitudes (950-2400). It is the first time that representatives of this genus are recorded from China. They extend the distribution range of Bhutaniella considerably to the east.

Redescription of <I>Megamelus scutellaris</I> Berg (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a Candidate for Biological Control of Water Hyacinth

To detect biocontrol agents of the invasive aquatic weed Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laubach (Pontederiaceae), surveys were conducted in the basins of the Parana and Uruguay rivers in Argentina and the basin of the Amazon river in Peru and Brazil. Among the captured delphacids, Megamelus scutellaris Berg was the most abundant. Berg originally described this species on the basis of a macropterous female. In this contribution, the macropterous and brachypterous male and the brachypterous female are described, and the holotype female is redescribed. Some biological aspects are recorded.

Rhodnius amazonicus Almeida, Santos & Sposina, 1973, bona species, close to R. pictipes Stål, 1872 (Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae).

The discovery of two atypical specimens of Rhodnius pictipes Stål, 1872 in French Guiana and the examination of the female holotype of R. amazonicus Almeida, Santos & Sposina, 1973, the only specimen of this species so far known, lead us to propose the rehabilitation of R. amazonicus synonymized with R. pictipes. The male is described for the first time and the female redescribed. Both external characters and genitalia distinguish R. amazonicus from R. pictipes. R. amazonicus shows affinities not only with pictipes but also with R. stali Lent, Jurberg & Galvão, 1993 and R. paraensis Sherlock, Guitton & Miles, 1977. A key is provided for these four species forming, in all likelihood, a natural group, i.e. the "pictipes group".

New results concerning the morphology of the most ancient dragonflies (Insecta: Odonatoptera) from the Namurian of Hagen-Vorhalle (Germany)

The holotype specimen of the ‘protodonate’Erasipteroides valentini (Brauckmann in Brauckmann et al., 1985) and the paratype specimen K-13 of the giant ‘protodonate’Namurotypus sippeliBrauckmann and Zessin, 1989 from the Upper Carboniferous (Namurian B) of Hagen-Vorhalle (Germany) are redescribed, and a new specimen of Erasipteroides cf. valentini is described. The new evidence is used to refine the groundplan reconstruction of Odonatoptera and the reconstruction of odonatoid phylogeny. Prothoracic winglets for Erasipteroides and the absence of an archaedictyon are documented. Furthermore, a very long and sclerotized ovipositor with gonangulum is described from the female holotype specimen of Erasipteroides valentini, and it is proposed that it was not used for endophytic but for endosubstratic oviposition. The record of prothoracic winglets in early odonatoids, and their presence in fossil Palaeodictyoptera and ‘protorthopteres’, indicates that the groundplan of Pterygota indeed included three pairs of wings. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Palaeozoic giant Meganisoptera and “higher” odonatoids (incl. crowngroup Odonata) together form a monophyletic group which is here named Euodonatoptera. Erasipteroides and the other ‘Erasipteridae’ are shown to be more closely related to Euodonatoptera than to Eugeropteridae. The description of the male primary genital structures of Namurotypus sippeli is emended and a new interpretation is proposed, including new hypotheses concerning their function. The males of Namurotypus had a paired penis with a pair of lateral parameres, and a pair of leaf-like, but still segmented, gonopods. Segmented leg-like male gonopods are considered as a groundplan character of insects, while a paired penis is regarded as a putative synapomorphy of the palaeopterous insect orders Palaeodictyopteroida, Ephemeroptera, and Odonatoptera. It is proposed that Namurotypus did not mate by direct copulation but retained the archaic deposition of external spermatophores, just like the primarily wingless insects. The sigmoidal male cerci may have been placed behind the female head and used to drag the female over the spermatophore, which is remotely similar to the mating behaviour of some extant arachnids (e.g. Amblypygi). Three hypothetical scenarios regarding the evolution of secondary copulation in modern Odonata are proposed.