Geographical Record Research Articles

First Record of the Bathypelagic Chaetognath Heterokrohnia involucrum Dawson, 1968 in the Gulf of California and its Association with a Parasitic Nematode

During a plankton survey of shallow and deep waters in the Gulf of California carried out with the aid of an unmanned submersible by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), a specimen of the deep-living epibenthic chaetognath Heterokrohnia involucrum Dawson, 1968 was collected at a depth of 2670 m in the Alarcon Mount region. This species was originally described from the Arctic Ocean and it is now recorded for the first time in Mexican waters, thus representing a new geographical record and expanding its geographical range. The chaetognath was parasitized in the coelom with a larval stage of the nematode Hysterothylacium sp. that is probably assignable to H. aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) and frequently found in zooplankton organisms, which act as intermediate hosts. There are no previous records of nematodes parasitizing deep-living chaetognaths, so this finding also represents a new host record.

Litomosoides silvai (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) parasitizing Akodon montensis (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in the southern region of Brazil.

In the present study, Litomosoides silvai parasitizing Akodon montensis in the southern region of Brazil is reported for the first time. New morphological information is provided for some structures of this nematode species, such as a flattened cephalic extremity, presence of two dorsal cephalic papillae, female tail with a constriction at its tip, "s" shaped vagina, spicules characteristic of the carinii species group and microfilaria tail constricted at the tip. This nematode was found parasitizing the thoracic cavity with a prevalence of 10% (2/20), mean intensity of 4 (6/2), mean abundance of 0.4 (8/20) and range of infection of 2-6 specimens per host, in southern Brazil. This occurrence of L. silvai in A. montensis is a new geographical record for southern Brazil, in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ecoregion of the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul, which is part of the Atlantic Forest biome.

New geographical record and morphological features of the Indo‑Pacific tropical sand goby, Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854) from Iranian coast of the Makran Sea (Teleostei, Gobiidae)

The Indo-Pacific tropical sand goby, Favonigobius reichei (Bleeker, 1854), is a gobiid fish native to estuarine and marine waters of the coasts of the Indian and the western Pacific Oceans. Four specimens of F. reichei were collected from Iranian coast of the Makran Sea during a fish survey in November 2015. The morphological features of these specimens are described and discussed. This is the first record of the species from Iranian waters and is an extension of its known range within the Indian Ocean.&nbsp

Fungi on Commelina benghalensis from Brazil, with notes on potential for weed biological control

Commelina benghalensis (tropical spiderwort - TS) is an invasive herbaceous plant, native to South and Southeast Asia and one of the worst agricultural weeds in the tropics. Its management is notoriously difficult because of its ability to regenerate from small fragments and its tolerance to glyphosate applications. There are no published records of biocontrol attempts against TS involving either microbial or arthropod natural enemies. Prior to investigating classical biocontrol agents, surveys have been conducted in Brazil and, more recently, concentrated in Vicosa (state of Minas Gerais) to determine whether fungal pathogens of TS are already present. Five different fungal pathogens were collected. These fungi were identified as causing the following diseases: Athelia rolfsii – crown rot, Cercospora cf. sigesbeckiae – leaf spots, Corynespora cassiicola – leaf spots, Neopyricularia obtusa sp. nov. – leaf spots and Rhizoctonia solani – blight. One of the fungi found on TS represents a new taxon, and the others represent either a new host association, a new geographic record or both, except for Corynespora cassiicola, which has already been recorded as able to attack TS (ex-tomato isolates, under controlled conditions) in Brazil. The mycobiota identified in Brazil is limited and lacks many of the TS-specific fungal pathogens recorded in Africa and Asia, namely: Kordyana celebensis, Kordyana indica, Phakopsora tecta, Puccinia commelinae, Uredo ochracea, Bauerago combensis and Bauerago commelinae. It is conjectured here, that such exotic fungi, may offer a valuable resource for management of one of the worst agricultural weeds in Brazil and in the tropical world, and require investigation as biological control agents for introduction in Brazil.

Redescription of Malacomorpha cancellata (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae): a geographically misplaced Neotropical species

ABSTRACT Olcyphides cancellatus Redtenbacher, 1906 was described from Canton, China, in error. The species was transferred to Pseudolcyphides Karny, 1923, a genus that later on was synonymized with Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906. However, the name P. cancellatus was forgotten and was not mentioned in the publication where Pseudolcyphides was synonymized with Malacomorpha and thus was not transferred. Here the original geographical record is corrected and the species is transferred to Malacomorpha. The resulting new combination, M. cancellata comb. nov., resulted from examination of specimens from state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In addition, species diagnosis, redescription of the female and the first description of male specimens, with comparative comments on other Malacomorpha species, are provided.

The advertisement call of Dendropsophus novaisi (Bokermann, 1968) (Anura: Hylidae: Dendropsophinae)

Dendropsophus novaisi (Bokermann,1968) was described from Maracás Municipality, State of Bahia, Brazil. Since its description, the species has been reported for one additional location in the State of Minas Gerais (Pedra Azul - Gomes & Peixoto 1996; Peixoto & Pimenta 2004) and five additional locations in Bahia (Boa Nova, Jequié, Jeremoabo, Camacan and Pau Brasil - Gomes & Peixoto 1996; Santos-Silva et al. 2012; Silva et al. 2013; Dias et al. 2014). However, information is still scarce about reproductive, ecological and acoustic characteristics of this treefrog. Here, we describe the advertisement call of D. novaisi and provide the geographic record of a new population.

Redescriptions of four Palaeotropical species of the cestode genus Notopentorchis Burt, 1938 (Cyclophyllidea: Paruterinidae)

The genus Notopentorchis includes cestode parasites from swifts (Aves: Apodiformes: Apodidae and Hemiprocnidae). The following species are redescribed: N. micropus, previously known only from its original record from Apus affinis (Apodidae) in India, redescribed on the basis of specimens from the same host species in Gabon (new geographical record); N. vesiculigera, a widespread parasite of Palaearctic swifts, redescribed from A. affinis in Gabon (new host and geographical record); N. javanica and N. bovieni, both redescribed on the basis of their type series from Hemiprocne longipennis (Apodiformes: Hemiprocnidae) from Indonesia. Sphaeruterina caffrapi from Apus caffer from the Republic of South Africa, previously considered a synonym of N. javanica, is validated and transferred to Notopentorchis as N. caffrapi n. comb. Currently, Notopentorchis includes 8 species, all occurring in the Old World. An identification key to the species of Notopentorchis is presented.

Unraveling the white-clothed Diestostemma Amyot & Serville: a taxonomic revision of the American sharpshooters of the D. bituberculatum complex (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

The taxonomy of the Proconiini genus Diestostemma Amyot & Serville is revisited and the D. bituberculatum species complex is proposed to include D. bituberculatum (Signoret), D. rubriventris (Schmidt), and four new species. A revision of this species complex includes a new geographical record for D. rubriventris and description and illustration of three Ecuadorian and one Brazilian new species based on males and females: D. albinoi sp. nov. (Ecuador: Orellana Province), D. cavichiolii sp. nov. (Brazil: Mato Grosso State), D. gervasioi sp. nov. (Ecuador: Orellana Province), and D. olivia sp. nov. (Ecuador: Orellana Province). These species, all named as homages to the treehopper specialist Dr. Albino Morimasa Sakakibara and his former students, are very similar to D. bituberculatum in general appearance, differing mainly by the shape of the male and female terminalia, but also by slight aspects of the external morphology. The status of the name-bearing specimen of D. rubriventris is modified from lectotype to holotype. The study shows that the species diversity of Diestostemma is far from being entirely known. However, several old available names should be evaluated in a full revision context before description of other new species.

A new ankylosaurine dinosaur from the Judith River Formation of Montana, USA, based on an exceptional skeleton with soft tissue preservation.

The terrestrial Judith River Formation of northern Montana was deposited over an approximately 4 Myr interval during the Campanian (Late Cretaceous). Despite having been prospected and collected continuously by palaeontologists for over a century, few relatively complete dinosaur skeletons have been recovered from this unit to date. Here we describe a new genus and species of ankylosaurine dinosaur, Zuul crurivastator, from the Coal Ridge Member of the Judith River Formation, based on an exceptionally complete and well-preserved skeleton (ROM 75860). This is the first ankylosaurin skeleton known with a complete skull and tail club, and it is the most complete ankylosaurid ever found in North America. The presence of abundant soft tissue preservation across the skeleton, including in situ osteoderms, skin impressions and dark films that probably represent preserved keratin, make this exceptional skeleton an important reference for understanding the evolution of dermal and epidermal structures in this clade. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Zuul as an ankylosaurin ankylosaurid within a clade of Dyoplosaurus and Scolosaurus, with Euoplocephalus being more distantly related within Ankylosaurini. The occurrence of Z. crurivastator from the upper Judith River Formation fills a gap in the ankylosaurine stratigraphic and geographical record in North America, and further highlights that Campanian ankylosaurines were undergoing rapid evolution and stratigraphic succession of taxa as observed for Laramidian ceratopsids, hadrosaurids, pachycephalosaurids and tyrannosaurids.

Anuran parasites from three biotopes in Rivers State, Nigeria

The parasitic infections of anurans from three biotopes (lowland forest, freshwater swamp and brackish water swamp) in Rivers State, Nigeria were investigated. A total of 94 anuran specimens were examined; 32 from the lowland forest, 28 from the freshwater swamp and 34 from the brackish water environment. Of the three biotopes, amphibians from the lowland forest harboured more parasite species. In total, 24 parasite species were recovered, including a pentastomid; larval acanthocephala; one cestode; one monogenean; sevendigeneans and thirteen nematode species. Only five of the 24 parasite species recovered were common to anurans from the three biotopes. Others were either restricted to one ecological habitat or were also found in hosts from a second habitat. A form of association seems to exist between ciliates and the Cephalochlamys compactus recovered from Hoplobatrachus occipitalis collected from the lowland forest. Hymenochirus sp. is a new host record for Progonimodiscus colubrifer, having been previously described from Silurana tropicalis. Aplectana mackintoschi is both a new geographical record for Nigeria and a multi-host parasite. We suspect Hyperolius concolor to be a paratenic rather than a definitive host for the immature Camallanus sp. recovered from the frog. Other parasites using anurans as paratenic hosts were also encountered.Keywords: Anurans, parasites, ecological biotopes, Rivers State, Nigeria

Translocation and new geographical distribution of the invasive Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii (Gervais, 1848) (Teleostei: Cichlidae) in southern Iran

A new geographical distribution record of the invasive species of Redbelly Tilapia, Coptodon zillii, is reported here from a drainage in southern Iran, based on the discovery of a population at Howba spring. The locality of the new record is now completely dominated by this exotic fish; this location was previously inhabited by native fishes. As tilapia species have a high resilience to harsh environmental conditions, they can easily be translocated to, and establish in, new habitats. Thus, ecological monitoring of this exotic fish species is highly recommended.

First record and description of juvenile stages of Longidorus artemisiae Rubtsova, Chizhov & Subbotin, 1999 (Nematoda: Longidoridae) in Poland and new data on L. juglandicola Li\u0161kov\xe1, Robbins & Brown, 1997 based on topotype specimens from Slovakia

This paper presents the first geographical record of the needle nematode Longidorus artemisiae Rubtsova, Chizhov & Subbotin, 1999 outside Russia. This species was found in Poland near the city of Skierniewice in association with nettle (Urtica dioica L.). Morphometric and morphological data are provided, including the first description of juveniles of this species. Nematodes of the Polish population differ from the type-population in Russia in possessing a thicker body (lower ‘a’ index) in both sexes; males having a longer body and longer spicules; different sex ratio (1:2 in Polish population vs 1:1 in the type-population) and somewhat less expanded lips. Molecularly, the Polish population was characterised by sequencing D2-D3 28S rDNA and ITS1 markers. Additionally, new data on these two markers are provided for another species, Longidorus juglandicola Lišková, Robbins & Brown, 1997, obtained from topotype specimens from Slovakia. Surprisingly, despite the high morphological similarity of these two species, analysis of their phylogenetic position did not show close phylogenetic relation and several other species (less similar in general morphology) appeared more closely related to both L. artemisiae and L. juglandicola.

Anurans in Polo Reserved Forests of Gujarat state, India: Two New Geographical Records.

Anurans in Polo Reserved Forests of Gujarat state, India: Two New Geographical Records.

TWO NEW SPECIES AND ONE NEW GEOGRAPHICAL RECORD FOR SARAWAK, MALAYSIA (CYPERACEAE: MAPANIOIDEAE)

MIRAADILA, M. I., SHABDIN, Z. & MEEKIONG, K. 2016. Two new species and one new geographical record for Sarawak, Malaysia (Cyperaceae: Mapanioideae). Reinwardtia 15(2): 129 – 135. — Mapania hidiriana and M. sembilingensis, two new species from Sarawak, Malaysia are described and illustrated. Mapania hidiriana can be differentiate from M. meditensis by elongated lanceolate inflorescences. Whilst, M. sembilingensisis differ from M. multiflora and M. hispida by the floral and fruit morphologies. In additional, M. spadicea Uittien, a new geographical record for Sarawak is also presented.

Two New Species of Simulium (Gomphostilbia) (Diptera: Simuliidae) From Flores, Indonesia.

Two new species, Simulium (Gomphostilbia) sunapii and S. (G.) rangatense, are described based on adults, pupae, and mature larvae from Flores, in the eastern part of the Sunda Archipelago, Indonesia. Simulium (G.) sunapii sp. nov. is placed in the S. asakoae species-group, representing the easternmost geographical record for the group in this archipelago. It is characterized by a small number of male upper-eye large facets in eight or nine vertical columns and 12 horizontal rows. Simulium (G.) rangatense sp. nov. is placed in the S. ceylonicum species-group and is characterized by the pupal gill with six filaments. This new species, together with two related species of the S. ceylonicum species-group in Flores, suggests the species radiation of this species-group might have been accompanied by a reduction of the number of pupal gill filaments from eight to four through six. Taxonomic notes are provided to distinguish these two new species from related species.

Morphological and genetic characterization of Kudoa whippsi (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) from Cheilodactylus zonatus in the western Pacific Ocean off Japan, and two new Kudoa spp. (K. akihitoi n. sp. and K. empressmichikoae n. sp.) from Acanthogobius hasta in the Sea of Ariake, Japan.

Molecular genetic characterization using the ribosomal RNA (rDNA) gene accrues a wealth of knowledge regarding the true nature of species diversity of Kudoa Meglitsch, 1947 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) and the biogeographical relationships of isolates from different host fish and sea areas. In the present study, we characterized morphologically and genetically three Kudoa spp. with four shell valves and polar capsules (SV/PC), forming pseudocysts in the myofiber of trunk muscles of Cheilodactylus zonatus or Acanthogobius hasta in the natural seawater around Japan. Myxospores from C. zonatus fished in the western Pacific Ocean off Kochi, Japan, were unequal quadrangular pyramids with one large and three smaller SV/PC, morphologically closest to Kudoa whippsi recorded in various pomacentrid and apogonid fish from the Australian Coral Sea. The 18S and 28S rDNA nucleotide sequences of the Japanese isolate were highly similar to some Australian K. whippsi isolates, but also displayed less similarity to other K. whippsi isolates from the same sea mainly due to instability of nucleotides at certain base positions and/or segments of different isolates. All the K. whippsi isolates including the present Japanese isolate, however, were distinct from Kudoa gunterae, K. whippsi's closest kudoid species in morphology, molecular phylogeny, and biogeography. Our detection of K. whippsi from C. zonatus in the natural seawater around Japan is a new host and geographical record. Kudoid myxospores from A. hasta from the Sea of Ariake, a deep bay of the western part of Japan, exhibited two morphotypes, one resembling K. whippsi and the other Kudoa quadricornis with distinct posteriolateral SV projections. However, rDNA nucleotide sequencing revealed that these two Kudoa spp. were distinct from any known congeners; thus, Kudoa akihitoi n. sp. and Kudoa empressmichikoae n. sp. were erected. The morphological differentiation of K. akihitoi n. sp. from multiple Kudoa spp. with scalene stellate myxospores containing one large and three smaller SV/PC was difficult, whereas K. empressmichikoae n. sp. with spherical spore bodies extending small posteriolateral SV projections was distinct from known congeners with similar but elongated spore bodies and PC, i.e., K. quadricornis and Kudoa paraquadricornis, found in the trunk muscle of carangid fish from the Australian Coral Sea.

Hexabothriid monogeneans from the gills of deep-sea sharks off Algeria, with the description of Squalonchocotyle euzeti n. sp. (Hexabothriidae) from the kitefin shark Dalatias licha (Euselachii, Dalatiidae)

Summary Sharks (765 specimens from ten species) from the Mediterranean Sea off Algiers, Algeria, were examined for the presence of gill monogeneans. The following deep-sea sharks were investigated from 2009 to 2015: Centrophorus granulosus (27 specimens); Centrophorus uyato (39); Etmopterus spinax (67); Somniosus rostratus (19); Galeus melanostomus (189); Scyliorhinus canicula (261), Hexanchus griseus 3), and Dalatias licha (100). In addition, two pelagic shark species were examined: Alopias vulpinus (7), and Prionace glauca (53). Only two species of gill monogeneans were found. Protocotyle grisea (Cerfontaine, 1899) Euzet et Maillard, 1974 was found on its type-host Hexanchus griseus; comparative measurements are provided, and Algeria is a new geographic record. Squalonchocotyle euzeti n. sp. from Dalatias licha is described here. We found that the species of Squalonchocotyle Cerfontaine, 1899 can be separated into two groups, according to body size. Small-bodied species include 7 species. Large-bodied species (body > 20mm) include S. borealis (Van Beneden, 1853), S. laymani Yamaguti, 1958 and S. euzeti n. sp; the latter is distinguished from the two other species by a characteristically slender body. A sequence of Cytochrome Oxidase Type I (COI) gene, potentially useful for barcoding, was obtained for S. euzeti n. sp. and is the first for the family Hexabothriidae.

A revised description of Synodontella zambezensis Douëllou et Chishawa, 1995 (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalidae) from the gills of Synodontis zambezensis (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) from South Africa

Summary This study supplements the original description of Synodontella zambezensis Douëllou et Chishawa, 1995 and represents a new geographical record for this parasite from Synodontis zambezensis from South Africa. The revision is based on morphometric characteristics and molecular data. Characterisation of LSU, partial SSU and ITS1 rDNA represents a first record of DNA sequencing for Synodontella species.

Spiroxys contortus (Rudolphi, 1819) and Hedruris orestiae (Moniez, 1889) in Argentine turtles

Knowledge of parasites in turtles is scarce, particularly with regard to freshwater turtles of South America. Here, we describe the association of Spiroxys contortus (Rudolphi, 1819)in Phrynops hilarii (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) and S. contortus and Hedruris orestiae (Moniez, 1889) in Hydromedusa tectifera (Cope, 1870). The presence of S. contortus in P. hilarii represents a new host record and also the southernmost geographic record for this species. More interestingly, the presence of H. orestiae in H. tectifera represents the first record of this helminth species from a reptilian host.

Proteocephalid tapeworms (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) of loaches (Cobitoidea): Evidence for monophyly and high endemism of parasites in the Far East

The parasite fauna of loaches (Cypriniformes: Cobitoidea), a group of small bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes with a mostly Eurasian distribution, remains a largely unknown quantity. Here we revise the taxonomy of tapeworms of the genus Proteocephalus Weinland, 1858 (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) that had been found in loaches from the Palaearctic Region (Central Europe, Japan and Russia [Primorsky Region]). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on two nuclear (ssr- and lsrDNA) and two mitochondrial genes (cox1 and rrnL) revealed a monophyletic group consisting of four valid species nesting within the Proteocephalus-aggregate: (i) Proteocephalus sagittus (Grimm, 1872) from Barbatula barbatula (Europe, Russia and Tajikistan), (ii) Proteocephalus demshini n. sp. from Barbatula toni (Russian Far East — Primorsky Region), (iii) Proteocephalus midoriensis Shimazu, 1990 from Lefua echigonia (Japan) and L. costata (Russia) (new host and geographical record), and (iv) Proteocephalus misgurni n. sp. from Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Russia; Primorsky Region). Proteocephalus sagittus and P. demshini, and P. midoriensis and P. misgurni were recovered as sister taxa, respectively. Proteocephalus sagittus and P. demshini are characterized by having proglottids that are wider than long, an elongate to pyriform cirrus-sac and the vitelline follicles that form wide lateral bands. Proteocephalus midoriensis and P. misgurni are characterized by having proglottids that are more elongate and an ovoid to almost spherical cirrus-sac and the vitelline follicles forming narrow lateral bands. Proteocephalus demshini differs from P. sagittus in the posterolateral extent of the vitelline follicles, whereas P. misgurni can be distinguished from P. midoriensis mainly by the relative size of the ovary, posterior extent of the vitelline follicles and width of the scolex. Unlike most species of the Proteocephalus-aggregate that possess an apical sucker, all species from loaches are devoid of any apical organ. The existence of two new species in loaches from the Primorsky Region of Russia indicates high endemism of fish parasites in this region. A key to the identification of recognized species from loaches is provided.