Genital Field Research Articles

Description of a new subgenus with a new species of Momonia Halbert, 1906 (Acari: Hydrachnidiae: Momoniidae) from China

The new subgenus Paramomonia subgen. nov. with a new species Momonia (Paramomonia) fuscina sp. nov. is described. The subgenus Paramomonia is proposed as a subgenus of the genus Momonia Halbert based on the characters of the dorsal shield, anterior coxal groups and genital field that distinguish it from existing subgenera.

Two new candonid species from South Korea (Ostracoda, Podocopida)

Candonidae from South Korea are poorly studied, and only nine species have been recorded so far. Here we describe Cypria asiatica sp. nov. and Cryptocandona smithi sp. nov. The first species is the third representative of the genus reported from Korea and it belongs to a group of species of Cypria Zenker, 1854 with reduced swimming setae on the second antenna and without the marginal tubercles on the shell. The group comprises nine species distributed in the Holarctic. Cypria asiatica stands apart from eight other congeneric species by the presence of septa-like structures on the postero-dorsal end of the left valve. Based on the present observations and some previous studies of the subfamily Cyclocypridinae, we here draw attention to the chaetotaxy of the mandibular palp and the chaetotaxy of the fifth limb. The latter shows close similarity between Cyclocypridinae and Paracypridinae and urges further study of homology of setae on this leg between three candonid subfamilies. Cryptocandona smithi is the 14th known Recent species of its genus and the third reported from Korea. It is similar to C. tsukagoshii Smith, 2011 from Japan and C. pygmaea (Ekman, 1908) from Sweden. They all share a peculiar chaetotaxy of the seventh limb and an unusually long posterior seta on the uropodal ramus. The new species can be distinguished from the Swedish species by the morphology of the genital field, and from the Japanese by the shape of the carapace, the length of the f-seta on the seventh limb, and other details of the soft parts. We here report some abnormalities in the morphology of the antennule found in one specimen, and compare this with similar abnormalities reported for C. tsukagoshii and C. brehmi (Klie, 1934), and postulate that this may be a result of the regenerative process of the antennule after damage during development.

Proposal of Fiersiphontina gen. nov., redescription of Fiersiphontina sensillata comb. nov., and new data on the distribution of Spiniferaphonte (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Laophontidae)

The taxonomic position and original description of Laophontina sensillata Wells & Rao, 1987 are reviewed based on specimens collected from the interstitial fauna of littoral coral sands of several islands of the Philippines and New Caledonia, and the species is designated as the type species of Fiersiphontina gen. nov. The new genus is proposed based on the total loss of sexual dimorphism in the P3 and P4 exopods, and the sexual dimorphism in P2 exopod. Fiersiphontina is highly adapted to the littoral interstitial habitat of coral sandy beaches, and is related to Laophontina Norman & T. Scott, 1905, Wellsiphontina Fiers, 1991 and Spiniferaphonte Gheerardyn & Fiers, 2007. The shared characteristics that indicate a strong affinity of Fiersiphontina to Spiniferaphonte are the robust, dorsally bent, and strongly sclerotised caudal seta V and the morphology of the genital field. The phylogenetic relationship of Spiniferaphonte and Fiersiphontina is also suggested by the analysis of the last ontogenetic phases of the species of the two genera. We re-describe here the adults of both sexes, describe the last three copepodid stages of Fiersiphontina sensillata (Wells & Rao, 1987) comb. nov., and provide notes on the biogeography of the four related genera, and on the ecology of Fiersiphontina and Spiniferaphonte.

New species of small, bathypelagic calanoid copepods from the Arctic Ocean: Brodskius arcticus sp. nov. (Tharybidae) and three new species of Pertsovius gen. nov. (Discoidae)

A new calanoid copepod species, Brodskius arcticus sp. nov. (family Tharybidae Sars, 1902), and three new species of a new genus Pertsovius gen. nov. (family Discoidae Gordejeva, 1975) are described from deep waters of the Arctic Canada Basin. The female of Brodskius arcticus differs from five of the other six known species of this genus in the absence of rostral filaments, the lack of which it shares with B. abyssalis Markhaseva & Schulz, 2007. This new species differs from B. abyssalis in having two very short outer proximal spines at the distal segment of the fifth swimming legs (P5). The length of these spines is less than half the width of the segment, whereas in B. abyssalis they are longer than the width of the segment. The new genus Pertsovius is created here for a group of seven species within the family Discoidae which have one-segmented endopods of Р 2-Р4. In contrast, the other genera of this family have three-segmented endopods of Р 2-Р4. The three new species of Pertsovius differ from each other in the appearance of the genital field, and in the number of outer border spines on the distal exopodal segment of P2. In Pertsovius tridentatus sp. nov. this segment bears three external spines on both left and right P2. The left Р 2 of P. heterodentatus sp. nov. has three spines, while the right Р 2 bears two spines only. The distal segments of both left and right Р 2 of P. serratus sp. nov. have two external spines, but the proximal part of the external margin on the left Р 2 bears three relatively large denticles. The distal exopodal segments of Р 2 of the other four species here transferred to the genus Pertsovius are smooth with no external spines or denticles, but each bears two outer border spines.

ОПИСАНИЕ НОВОГО ВИДА ВОДЯНОГО КЛЕЩА РОДА SOLDANELLONYX WALTER, 1917 (ACARI: HALACARIDAE) ИЗ ЯПОНИИ

A new water mite species, Soldanellonyx biwaensis (Acari: Halacaridae), collected in Biwa Lake, Japan is described. This species is characterized by the following features: genital flaps with five setae each, genital acetabula located on genital plate and soft integument behind genital field, telofemur of leg I with two long sword-like setae and one short ventroproximal spine, claws of leg I with 12–14 teeth, dorsal margins of P-3 and its ventral peg-like seta subequal in length.

A new species of the genus Goniopsyllus Brady (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Clytemnestridae) from Korean waters

Abstract A new species, Goniopsyllus dokdoensis, is described from the adjacent waters of Dokdo Island in the East Sea of Korea. The new species is closely related to G. clausi in the triangular shape of the rostrum, the length of the thoracopod 5 exopod, and the constricted genital double somite. However G. dokdoensis is distinguished from G. clausi by its smaller body size, genital field with additional pores adjacent to the copulatory pore, urosomites without dorsal ornamentation, and differences in the length of caudal setae. Also, the sixth pair of legs in the male has two setae at the outer distal corner of each lobe. This study is the first to report the presence of the genus Goniopsyllus in Korean waters.

Some new and rare species of Ameiridae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the Isles of Scilly, UK

Three new species of the harpacticoid family Ameiridae are described from clean sand at high water neap tide on St Martin's Flat, Isles of Scilly. Ameiropsis martinis sp. nov. appears most closely related to A. australis Kunz, 1975 but can be distinguished from it by the shape of the rostrum and the armature of the operculum, female genital field and the male P5 baseoendopodal lobe. Sarsameira parexilis sp. nov. was originally identified as S. exilis T. and A. Scott, 1894 but the females can be distinguished from S. exilis by their smaller body size and shape of the caudal ramus whilst the males can be distinguished by the 12-segmented antennule and four setae on the P5 baseoendopodal lobe. Ameira longispina sp. nov. is unique within the “Ameira” complex of genera and species because of the marked elongation of the inner spine on the basis of the male P1. This species is tentatively placed in Ameira Boeck, 1865, but has features which indicate that it probably occupies an intermediate position between this genus and Psammameira Noodt, 1952. The previously unknown males of Sarsameira perezi Bodin, 1970 and Nitocra elegans (T. Scott, 1905) are also described.

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) edwardsi n. sp. (Acari: Unionicolidae) from freshwater mussels in Angola, Africa

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) edwardsi n. sp. (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Unionicolidae) is described from freshwater mussels, Chambardia moutai (Dartevelle, 1939) (Unionoida: Iridinidae), from the Cunene River Basin, Provincia da Huila, Cape Longo, upper Onquenha River, Angola, Africa. The new species has unique and distinctive male genital field morphology. The species illustrates sexual dimorphism in the chaetotaxy of the first and fourth walking legs. It further extends our knowledge of host-specificity among the Unionicola. Also, new host and geographic records are reported for Unionicola (Mutelicola) blayi Gledhill and Vidrine, 2002, and U. (Coelaturicola) gledhilli Vidrine et al., 2007b.

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) gledhilli n. subgen., n. sp. (Acari: Unionicolidae) from freshwater mussels in Botswana and East Africa

Unionicola (Coelaturicola) gledhilli n. subgen., n. sp. (Hydrachnida: Unionicolidae) is described from freshwater mussels, Coelatura kunenensis Mousson, 1887 (Unionoida: Unionidae) from the Okavango River, Botswana, and Chambardia nyassaensis (Lea, 1864) (Unionoida: Iridinidae) from Lake Malawi, Malawi, East Africa. The new species has distinctive coxal plate and genital field morphologies. This new mite extends our understanding of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. It further extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among the Unionicola.

A new species of Parabradya Lang, 1944 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Ectinosomatidae) from the abyssal plain of the Angola Basin

Parabradya samsoni sp. nov. is described from deep-sea samples collected from the Angola Basin during the DIVA-1 campaign in July 2000. Parabradya samsoni can be distinguished from its congeners by: its bigger size, the ornamentation of the body, the cuticula (except for that of the cephalic shield and the genital field) is covered with spinules, the multipinnate setae of A1, A2, mouthparts, P1–P5 and caudal rami, and the position of the innermost seta of P5, which is not directly situated at the inner distal corner, but displaced towards the outer edge. Full generic rank is assigned to both Bradya Boeck, 1873 and Parabradya Lang, 1944. With P. samsoni sp. nov. Parabradya includes five species.

Re-evaluation of Australian and South American Unionicola Haldeman (Acari: Unionicolidae)

The genus Unionicola Haldeman in the family Unionicolidae is distributed worldwide, with more than half of the known species recorded as parasites of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida). Re-evaluation of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa, Australia and South America extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among Unionicola. New host and geographic records for Unionicola (Kovietsatax) walkeri Viets are Velesunio angasi in Western Australia. The subgenus Australatax Vidrine is re-evaluated. A new subgenus, Hyricola n. subgen., is erected for Australian members of the subgenus Australatax sensu lato. Discrete differences in leg chaetotaxy, pedipalp morphology, and female genital field chaetotaxy clearly separate the newly redefined Australatax from Hyricola. These changes provide an opportunity to re-evaluate all the gill mites in the Southern Hemisphere.

Les hystérectomies d'hémostase en pays sous-équipé : un geste vital. Étude prospective dans une maternité de référence au Niger

The purpose of our prospective study was to determine the frequency, the main indications and difficulties of coverage of the peripartum haemostatic hysterectomy in a developing country. The secondary purpose was to assess the maternal forecast and suggest suited management and to estimate the necessary material and human means to reduce the incidence of this surgery. We realized a forward-looking monocentric study in the Issaka Gazobi maternity of Niamey, between January 1st, 2003 and December 31st, 2003. 3255 deliveries took place, and 41 peripartum haemostatic hysterectomies for post-partum haemorrhage were realized (ie 1.26%). The mean age of our patients was 32.76. The multiparous (more than 5 children) were most often concerned. The majority of patients had benefited from an in utero transfer. 31 patients presented an active bleeding, 11 were in a state of shock during the admittance. The main indications of hysterectomies were represented by an abruptio haematoma, uterine inertia, a rupture of the uterus, a wound of the genital field, 1 placenta accreta with uterine inversion. In a third part of the cases a disseminated intravascular coagulation was associated to the clinical picture. The hysterectomy was subtotal in most of the cases. Finally, the rate of maternal death is high in our series. Prevention of post-partum haemostatic haemorrhage and new therapeutic strategies are essential to reduce the rate of haemostatic hysterectomy in our regions, and improve the coverage of this pathology. However, it is a vital surgery which must be technically mastered.

Unionicola (Iridinicola) botswaniana n. subgen., n. sp. (Acari: Unionicolidae) from freshwater mussels in Botswana

Unionicola (Iridinicola) botswaniana n. subgen., n. sp. (Hydrachnida: Unionicolidae) is described from freshwater mussels, Mutela zambesiensis and Aspatharia pfeifferiana, from Okavango River, Botswana, Africa. The new species is a unique mite with distinctive female genital field anatomy and leg chaetotaxy. This new mite extends our understanding of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa. It further extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among African Unionicola.

The first record of Acherontacarus (Acari, Hydrachnidia) in continental France, with a key to the described species of the genus

A new species of Acherontacarus (Acari, Hydrachnidia) is described from a well in the south of France. The description is made with the help of images taken with the Environmental Scanning Electronic Microscope. A key to all described species is included. The chaetotaxy of terminal segments of IV‐Leg in male, general morphology of genital field and related platelets of male and female are diagnostic in this species. This is the first time that the genus is found in continental France, and the distributional data of known species is discussed.

A new subgenus (Chambardicola) and species of Unionicola (Acari: Hydrachnida: Unionicolidae) from freshwater mussels from the central African Republic

The genus Unionicola Haldeman in the family Unionicolidae is distributed worldwide, with more than half of the known species recorded as parasites of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia). A new subgenus, Chambardicola n. subgen., is described from freshwater mussels, Chambardia wissmanni (Martens 1883), collected in the Ubangi (Oubangui) River, Central African Republic (Congo basin), Africa. The new species is Unionicola (Chambardicola) banguiensis n. sp., a unique mite with distinctive coxal plate anatomy and male genital field. This new mite extends our understanding of the morphology and biogeography of the genus in Africa. It further extends our knowledge of host selection and host-specificity among African Unionicola.

Taxonomy and Phylogeny in African water mites of the genus Diplodontus Dugés, 1834 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hydryphantidae)

The diagnostic features of the African species of the monotypic subfamily Diplodontinae K. Viets, 1936 are discussed. D. chutteri K.O.Viets, 1980 obviously represents the outgroup of all remaining species. D. scapularis Duges, 1834 and D. semiperforatus Walter, 1925, both in Africa restricted to the palaearctic part, are sister species characterized by synapomorphic character states in the genital field and shape of palps and legs. Diplodontus schaubi gracilirostris Lundblad, 1942 is elevated to species rank. Two species from Madagascar are described as new to science, with morphological characteristics and a habitat preference so far unknown in this genus. Obviously, they have evolved particular adaptations under long term stable conditions in isolated rain forests of N and E Madagascar. A new diagnosis is proposed for the subfamily Diplodontinae K.Viets, 1936.

A New Genus and Species of the Family Diosaccidae (Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from the Groundwaters of India

The recent renewed interest in the Indian stygofauna has led to the discovery of another interesting copepod representative, from the almost exclusively marine family Diosaccidae Sars, 1906. Neomiscegenus n. gen. and Neomiscegenus indicus n. sp., from the subterranean freshwaters of the Krishna River at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, are described. The new genus belongs to that evolutionary line of Diosaccidae that encompasses the genera Amphiascoides Nicholls, 1941; Paramphiascella Lang, 1948; Paramphiascoides Wells, 1967; and Miscegenus Wells, Hicks, and Coull, 1982. The genus Miscegenus has the highest number of synapomorphies with Neomiscegenus, including the shape of the caudal rami and the armature formula of the swimming legs. A peculiar shape of the genital field in the female and the armature of the antennal exopod in both sexes are the most important autapomorphies of the new genus, while the fine structure of the sexually dimorphic second leg in the male is probably plesiomorphic. The phylogenetic position of the new genus is briefly discussed.

Meridiecyclops, gen. nov., a new cyclopid genus (Crustacea : Copepoda : Cyclopidae) from southern Australia

Some 60 years after the initial description by Sars (1908) of Metacyclops arnaudi found in a swamp in Victoria, Kiefer (1967) reported this species again from the same region, and described a subspecies M. arnaudi platypus from a locality in South Australia. Re-examination of the specimens studied by Kiefer revealed several important differences between them and Sars’ original description. Moreover certain unique features of both taxa, as displayed in the morphology of the fourth leg, the female genital field and, not least, in the remarkable dimorphism of the maxilla in the male, justify the erection of a separate genus, Meridiecyclops, gen. nov. Two species, M. baylyi, sp. nov. (for Kiefer’s Metacyclops arnaudi s. str.) and M. platypus, new rank (for Kiefer’s M. arnaudi platypus), are assigned to the genus, the former being designated as type species.

A new genus of Cletodidae (Copepoda; Harpacticoida) from the Bohai Sea, China

Neoacrenhydrosoma zhangi gen. et sp. nov. is described from specimens recovered from muddy sediments in the shallow waters of the Bohai Sea. On the basis of the structure of the mouthparts, P5 of both sexes and the female genital field, it is suggested that the taxon is related to the Acrenhydrosoma-complex within the Cletodidae. It differs from other known genera in the structure of the exopod in P2–P4 which is two-segmented as a result of the failure to separate the proximal two segments of a three-segmented ramus; and the P5 in as much as the mucroniform process incorporates the exopod, as well as the endopodal lobe of the baseoendopod.

Redescription and taxonomic validity of Leptodiaptomus cuauhtemoci (Osorio- Tafall, 1941) (Copepoda, Calanoida), with notes on its known distribution

Within the American freshwater calanoid copepods, Leptodiaptomus includes species whose taxonomical status is still unclear. One of them is L. cuauhtemoci (Osorio-Tafall), for decades considered to be a synonym of L. siciloides (Lilljeborg); another species involved in this problem is L. assiniboiensis (Anderson & Fabris) described from Canada, which had been found to be closely related to L. cuauhtemoci. This species remained of uncertain taxonomy because the type material was lost decades ago. In order to disentangle this controversy, type specimens of L. assiniboiensis, topotypic specimens of L. cuauhtemoci from a National Park in central Mexico, and confirmed specimens of L. siciloides from different locations in Mexico and the United States were used to define the status of these species. Leptodiaptomus cuauhtemoci was fully redescribed using SEM. Based on the main characters used to differentiate species of Diaptomidae, L. assiniboiensis (= Diaptomus intermedius Anderson & Fabris) turned out to be conspecific and a junior synonym of L. cuauhtemoci, which then becomes the valid name. The latter species shows taxonomically relevant differences with respect to L. siciloides. In the females the main differences is that the lateral spiniform processes on the genital somite are broader-based in L. cuauhtemoci, the genital field is different in both species. In L. cuauhtemoci the fifth leg endopods bear two large, broad, subterminal setae of about the same size, differently built than in L. siciloides. The male L. cuauhtemoci is slenderer, with wings of pediger 5 clearly more developed than those of L. siciloides. The armature of the modified right antennules and the structure of the fifth leg differ in both species. A large coxal spine is present on the right fifth leg of L. siciloides, whereas it is absent in L. cuauhtemoci. These differences were considered to be enough evidence for recognizing L. cuauhtemoci as a separate, valid species. Topotypic specimens of L. cuauhtemoci are designated as neotypes.