Lateral Spines Research Articles

A description of the first zoeal stage of Pilumnus vinaceus A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 (Decapoda, Pilumnidae), with a revision of the first zoea morphology of Pilumnus Leach, 1815

The morphology of the first zoeal stage of Pilumnus vinaceus is described and compared with the zoea I of Pilumnus all species in the literature. Two ovigerous females of P. vinaceus were maintained in the aquarium facilities until the larvae hatch. The larvae of each ovigerous female were dissected using a stereoscopic microscope. The zoea I of P. vinaceus has common characteristics among the Pilumnidae as: [1] antenna of type 2; [2] maxilliped 1 with 2+2+3+3 setae on the basis and with 3,2,1,2,5 setae in the endopod; [3] maxilliped 2 with 1+1+1+1 setae on the basis and 1,1,6 setae on the endopod; [4] telson with furcal rami armed with dorsal and lateral spines. Considering the species of Pilumnus that occur in the western Atlantic, it becomes possible to identify P. vinaceus zoea I by means of the verification of the following characteristics: [1] pleonites with mediolateral processes; [2] number of setae on the antennule. It is however, important to consider that there is still a great deficit in the knowledge about the morphology of the larval forms of the species assigned to Pilumnus and we argue in favor of new descriptions to build a more robust dataset on zoeal morphology characters and use it in a phylogenetic context on the genus.

Setaphyes algarvensis sp. nov., the first description of an allomalorhagid mud dragon (Kinorhyncha: Allomalorhagida) from Portugal (Eastern Atlantic Ocean)

The kinorhynch fauna from Portugal has been explored, yielding a new species of the genus Setaphyes (Kinorhyncha: Allomalorhagida). This is the first description of an allomalorhagid species from Portugal. Specimens of the new species were collected at a subtidal muddy beach in Alvor, a village located in the southernmost region of Portugal. Setaphyes algarvensis sp. nov. may be distinguished from its congeners by a unique arrangement of the setae: paired paradorsal setae on segments 2–7 and 9, paradorsal seta on segment 8 unpaired, laterodorsal setae on segments 2–3 and 6–9 in males and 2–9 in females, paralateral setae on segment 1, lateroventral setae on segments 2–10 (two pairs on segment 5), ventrolateral setae on segment 1 in males and 1–3 in females, and ventromedial setae on segments 3–9 in males and 4–9 in females. The diagnostic features of Setaphyes algarvensis sp. nov. are discussed from a comparative perspective with the congener species. Additionally, morphometric analyses of selected features, namely the total trunk length and the relation between the total trunk length and the length of lateral terminal spines, turned out to be useful to distinguish between the new species and Setaphyes kielensis (its most similar congener).

Burmagomphus chaukulensis, a new species of dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) from the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India.

We describe a new species of dragonfly, Burmagomphus chaukulensis sp. nov., based on four males and two females from Chaukul, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra located in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of India. The newly described species is diagnosed from its congeners by a combination of following characters: the shape of male caudal appendages (prominent lateral spines on cerci) and the lateral thoracic markings (stripe on mesepisternum reduced and pointed anteriorly). Additionally, B. chaukulensis is unique in terms of the shape of hamuli, strongly angulated with spines at both sides. An updated identification key to Indian Burmagomphus spp. is also provided.

Early developmental stages of the sea urchin Sphaerechinus granularis (Lamarck, 1816) (Echinoidea: Toxopneustidae)

ABSTRACT Early developmental stages of echinoids have been thoroughly studied but continue to offer remarkable insights for the current understanding of biological sciences. The sea urchin Sphaerechinus granularis has been commonly tested by exposing its developmental stages to a variety of stressors, but current descriptions about developmental time and morphological features are lacking. This study aimed to describe for the first time the embryonic and larval development of Sphaerechinus granularis with detailed light micrographs and morphological measurements. Adult sea urchins were obtained and spawned to rear embryos and larvae in laboratory conditions at 19°C until competence. Development was monitored by observing individuals in a light microscope and taking microphotographs for description. Embryonic development from fertilization to two-arm pluteus lasted 72 h post fertilization and larvae reached a competent stage 33 days post fertilization. Skeletal post oral rods in larvae from this research lacked lateral spines, which were illustrated by other authors in previous studies. This intraspecific variation should be further studied to understand changes in functional morphology of populations from the same species. Development from fertilization to metamorphosis of S. granularis can be achieved under laboratory conditions in less than 40 days. This original article offers the first detailed description for both embryonic and larval stages of this species, including light microphotographs, and can be used as a comprehensive description of S. granularis larval development, as well as a baseline to establish a rearing protocol.

Similar Response of a Range Expanding Dragonfly to Low- and High-Elevation Predators

Recent range expansion of many species northward and upward in elevation suggests that the expanding species are able to cope with new biotic interactions in the leading edge. To test this hypothesis, we used a common garden experiment expanding the elevation range of an obligatorily univoltine dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) to investigate whether the growth, behavioral (food intake), and morphological (8th and 9th abdominal lateral spine) responses differed when confronted with dragonfly predators that dominate low-elevation (Aeshna cyanea) and high-elevation (A. juncea) lentic freshwater systems under two temperature treatments (20 °C and 24 °C). Growth rate and growth efficiency increased at higher temperature. Overall, low- and high-elevation predators induced a similar increase in growth rate and growth efficiency but a decrease in food intake at 24 °C. Lateral abdominal spines were longer only in low-elevation dragonflies at 18 °C. Our study suggests that range-expanding species may have been successful in colonizing new areas at higher elevations because they respond to dominant high-elevation predators in a similar way to the more familiar low-elevation predators.

Taxonomy and Distribution of the Gomphid Dragonfly Orientogomphus minor (Laidlaw, 1931) (Odonata: Gomphidae) in Thailand

The taxonomy and distribution of Orientogomphus minor (Laidlaw, 1931) were investigated in Thailand. Gomphid nymphs were collected from 28 sampling sites in streams in eastern, western, and southern Thailand. The nymph of O. minor is described for the first time and the male is re-described and illustrated based on a reared specimen. The taxonomic characteristics of the nymphs of the genus Orientogomphus are discussed. The nymph of O. minor differs from that of O. armatus Chao & Xu, 1987, the only other Orientogomphus species with a described nymphal stage, by the presence of lateral spines on abdominal segments six to nine and by a slender, stick-shaped third antennal segment. Multivariate analyses revealed a strong correlation between the distribution of O. minor and other three gomphid species with restricted distribution in Thailand (Nychogomphus duaricus (Fraser, 1924), Onychogomphus louissiriusi Fleck, 2020 and Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis Chainthong, Sartori & Boonsoong, 2020). Those species were recorded solely in streams in the western part of the country. Nymphs of O. minor were predominantly associated with stony substrates.

A new species of Phalotris (Serpentes, Colubridae, Elapomorphini) from Paraguay

A new species of Phalotris from the nasutus group, Phalotris shawnellasp. nov., is described. It can be distinguished from the other members of the group by having the following combination of characters: 1) fifth supralabial in contact with parietal, 2) vertebral stripe present, 3) yellowish nuchal collar (2 or 3 dorsal scales long), 4) dull reddish color of head, 5) broad, solidly or near solidly dark, lateral bands, 6) red-orange ventral scales lightly and irregularly spotted with black mainly on the posterior half of the body and 7) a bilobed, extremely asymmetrical hemipenis, with enlarged, curved, lateral spines. The species is only known from a recent specimen collected in the Cerrado zone of northeastern Paraguay at Rancho Laguna Blanca, San Pedro department, and two photographic records of live specimens from this and an additional locality. Limited ecological data based on observations of a captive individual, and a wild record, are provided, and a conservation assessment is performed for this extremely limited range Paraguayan endemic snake.

Value of personalized extramedullary positioning technique on tibia side for coronal alignment of tibial prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty

To explore the coronal alignment of tibial prosthesis after osteotomy using personalized extramedullary positioning technique on tibia side in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A clinical data of 170 patients (210 knees) who underwent primary TKA between January 2020 and June 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Personalized and traditional extramedullary positioning techniques were used in 93 cases (114 knees, personalized positioning group) and 77 cases (96 knees, traditional positioning group), respectively. The personalized extramedullary positioning was based on the anatomical characteristics of the tibia, a personalized positioning point was selected as the proximal extramedullary positioning point on the articular surface of the tibial plateau. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index, surgical side, course of osteoarthritis, and Kellgren-Lawrence classification ( P>0.05). The preoperative tibial bowing angle (TBA) formed by the proximal and distal tibial coronal anatomical axes in the personalized positioning group was measured and the tibia axis was classified, and the distribution of personalized positioning point was analyzed. The pre- and post-operative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), and the postoperative tibia component angle (TCA), the excellent rate of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position were compared between the two groups. In the personalized positioning group, 58 knees (50.88%) were straight tibia, 35 knees (30.70%) were medial bowing tibia, and 21 knees (18.42%) were lateral bowing tibia. The most positioning points located on the highest point of the lateral intercondylar spine (62.07%) in the straight tibia group, while in the medial bowing tibia and lateral bowing tibia groups, most positioning points located in the area between the medial and lateral intercondylar spines (51.43%) and the lateral slope of the lateral intercondylar spine (57.14%), respectively. The difference in HKA between pre- and post-operation in the two groups was significant ( P<0.05); while the difference in LDTA was not significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative LDTA and HKA and the difference between pre- and post-operation between groups ( P>0.05). But there was significant difference in postoperative TCA between groups ( P<0.05). The postoperative tibial plateau prosthesis in the traditional positioning group was more prone to varus than the personalized positioning group. The excellent rates of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position were 96.5% (110/114) and 87.5% (84/96) in personalized positioning group and traditional positioning group, respectively, showing a significant difference between groups ( χ 2=7.652, P=0.006). It is feasible to use personalized extramedullary positioning technique for coronal osteotomy on the tibia side in TKA. Compared with the traditional extramedullary positioning technique, the personalized extramedullary positioning technique has a higher excellent rate of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position.

Leiocanthus quinquenudus sp. nov. and L. satanicus sp. nov., two new species of pycnophyid Kinorhyncha (Allomalorhagida: Pycnophyidae) from the Gulf of Mexico.

Two new species of pycnophyid Kinorhyncha, Leiocanthus quinquenudus sp. nov. and L. satanicus sp. nov., are described from soft seafloor sediment samples in the Gulf of Mexico. Leiocanthus quinquenudus sp. nov. is easily distinguished from the other congeners by the absence of ventromedial setae on segment 5, a structure otherwise present in all the other known Leiocanthus. Leiocanthus satanicus sp. nov. lacks lateral terminal spines, a feature only shared by L. langi and L. mainensis among the congeners; otherwise the new species is easily discernible by the arrangement of the paradorsal, laterodorsal and ventromedial setae, and the number of ventral sensory spots per segment. These findings are a significant contribution to the knowledge of the Kinorhyncha biodiversity from the Gulf of Mexico, which has recently been explored in several taxonomical and ecological studies mainly focused on cyclorhagid Kinorhyncha, not pycnophyid kinorhynchs.

First Zoeal Stage of 15 Species of Fiddler Crabs (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) from Taiwan.

Fiddler crabs (Brachyura: Ocypodidae: Gelasiminae) in Taiwan consist of 5 genera and 15 species, but knowledge of their larval development is limited to just 3 species, namely Austruca lactea, Tubuca arcuata, and Xeruca formosensis. In our study, the morphology of the first zoeal stage (zoea I) of the 15 species is described and compared to previous studies. The results show that the characters of zoea I can be used to distinguish the five studied genera and most species (except three groups, "Gelasimus borealis, G. jocelynae and G. vocans", "Paraleptuca crassipes and P. splendida" and "Tubuca arcuata, T. coarctata and T. paradussumieri"). The lateral spines on the carapace in zoea I are suggested to be a unique character in the Ocypodinae because they are absent in the Gelasiminae and Ucidinae, which supports the current systematics of the Ocypodidae.

Larval Development of the Mangrove Fiddler Crab Austruca albimana (Kossmann, 1877) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) Under Laboratory Conditions.

Larvae of the mangrove fiddler crab Austruca albimana (Kossmann, 1877), hatched from an ovigerous female collected from the mangroves of Sumariat, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia in the southern Red Sea, were reared in the laboratory. Four zoeal and a megalopal stages were recorded, and their morphological features are described herein for the first time. The setations of the cephalothoracic appendages of the zoeas of A. albimana and their congeners exhibit several variations that help differentiate larvae of this genus easily from other meroplankton. However, a character of phylogenetic significance -minute spines on the forks of the telson of pleon -is common to larvae of this genus. These minute spines were studied with the aid of scanning electron microscope images. There were five common morphological features between A. albimana and other fiddler crab megalope, including Minuca burgersi, Leptuca uruguayensis and Leptuca thayeri. These features were a deflexed front, rounded to obtuse frontal margin, seven-segmented antennal flagellum, unsegmented endopod of maxilla and three cincinnuli on the endopods of pleopods. Two zoeal morphological features described in this study and other studies (i.e., the absence of lateral spines on carapace [vs. their presence in species of Uca, Afruca and Ocypode in the Ocypodinae] and the presence of a maximum of four pairs of inner setae on the telson of pleon [vs. presence of more than four pairs of setae in species of Uca, Afruca and Ocypode]) support the taxonomic amendment of transferring Uca spp. and Afruca spp. crabs from Gelasiminae to Ocypodinae.

Hidden diversity within the Nemastoma bidentatum Roewer, 1914 complex (Opiliones: Nemastomatidae) Part I: Morphological evidence

Nemastoma bidentatum Roewer, 1914 is a complex of closely related litter-dwelling harvestmen, characterized by a penis glans with two pairs of lateral lancet-like spines, and a femur IV with a saw-like series of pointed tubercles. Here we a) revise the hitherto known taxa within the N. bidentatum complex, and b) analyze in detail the relations among the taxa in Slovenia. The study revealed that the N. bidentatum complex consists of four species: N. bidentatum Roewer, 1914 s. str., N. relictum Gruber &amp; Martens, 1968 stat. nov., N. pluridentatum (Hadži, 1973) stat. nov. and N. kozari Novak, Kozel, Podlesnik &amp; Raspotnig sp. nov. Moreover, N. bidentatum s. str. consists of six subspecies: N. bidentatum bidentatum Roewer, 1914, N. bidentatum sparsum Gruber &amp; Martens, 1968, N. bidentatum gruberi Novak, Slana Novak, Kozel &amp; Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum martensi Novak, Slana Novak &amp; Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum schmidti Novak, Raspotnig &amp; Slana Novak ssp. nov. and N. bidentatum sneznikensis Novak, Komposch, Slana Novak &amp; Raspotnig ssp. nov. In Slovenia, the six subspecies of N. bidentatum form a parapatric complex around N. bidentatum schmidti. Hybrids occur in the contact zones between adjacent subspecies, but they are missing between distant subspecies. The taxonomic distinction of lineages / subspecies is congruent with their distribution patterns. With six of the nine taxa present, Slovenia is considered the center of the N. bidentatum complex speciation. At the time being, this complex is the most diversified harvestman group on a subspecific and young-species level and provides important details on speciation processes in Opiliones.

Tibial condylar valgus osteotomy (TCVO): Surgical technique and clinical results for knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity

Tibial condylar valgus osteotomy (TCVO) is an intra-articular proximal tibial osteotomy developed in 1989 and has since been used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) associated with genu varum. This article describes the surgical technique and clinical results of TCVO. TCVO can be used for all grades of varus knee OA in patients of any age. he preoperative range of movement should be at least 90°. Preoperative screening showed varus-valgus instability due to an intra-articular deformity of the proximal tibia. Using intraoperative image intensification, a sagittally oriented “L”-shaped osteotomy is made from the medial to the tibial tuberosity to the center of the tibial plateau between the medial and lateral tibial spines. The separation of the osteotomy using the lamina spreader is gradually increased using an image intensifier guidance until the articular surface of the lateral tibial plateau comes in contact with the articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle. Adequate correction is indicated by parallelism of the lateral tibial plateau and a line tangential to the distal convexity of the lateral femoral condyle on an anteroposterior (AP) image and the elimination of the valgus instability with the knee in extended position. A “T”-plate (locking or non-locking plate or circular external fixator) is used to fix the osteotomy in the corrected position. Synthetic or autologous bone grafts can be used. We used the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score to evaluate the patient's function and also measured the %MAD, medial plateau opening angle, medial plateau angle, and lateral plateau opening angle on an AP view of the long length roentgenogram of the lower limb (standing position). The JOA score, radiologically measured values, and instability of the knee joint remarkably improved.

The first Fulgoridae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) from the Eocene of the central Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Abstract. The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) played a crucial role in shaping the biodiversity in Asia during the Cenozoic. However, fossil records attributed to insects are still scarce from the QTP, which limits our understanding on the evolution of biodiversity in this large region. Fulgoridae (lanternfly) is a group of large planthopper in body size, which is found primarily in tropical regions. The majority of the Fulgoridae bear brilliant colors and elongated heads. The fossil records of Fulgoridae span from the Eocene to Miocene in the Northern Hemisphere, and only a few fossil species from Neogene deposits have been reported in Asia so far. Here, we report a new fossil record of Fulgoridae from the middle Eocene Lunpola Basin, central QTP. The specimen is in lateral compression, with complete abdomen, thorax, and part of the wings preserved, while most of the head is missing. It belongs to the “lower Fulgoroidea” judging by several strong lateral spines on the hind tibia and a row of teeth at the apex of the second metatarsomere. This fossil specimen is assigned to Fulgoridae by comparison with nine families of the “lower Fulgoroidea”. The specimen represents the earliest Fulgoridae fossil record in Asia and was considered a new morphotaxon based on the peculiar legs and wings. Based on the modern distribution of fulgorid and other paleontological evidence, we suggest a warm climate with relatively low elevation during the middle Eocene in the central QTP. Therefore, this new fossil record not only provides important information on insect diversity in the middle Eocene, but also gives new evidence on the paleoenvironment in the core area of the QTP from the perspective of an insect.

Pollution-driven morphological plasticity in a running water ecosystem.

Various types of pollutants derived from rapid industrialization and urbanization have largely threaten biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems globally. Morphological plasticity, especially body size-associated traits, is considered a functional response to water pollution in species, as such changes are often directly related to functioning of freshwater ecosystems through dynamics of food webs. However, detailed dynamics of pollution impacts on morphological plasticity remain largely unknown, particularly in the wild. Here, we used the model planktonic rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus to assess morphological response to chemical pollution in a river reach disturbed by sewage discharges. Multiple analyses showed dynamic morphological response to water pollution in wild B. calyciflorus populations. The distance between anterior lateral spines, lorica length, and egg short diameter were the most sensitive morphological indicators to water pollution, while spine length was stable in varied pollution conditions. Interestingly, body size and egg size were increased with accentuated water pollution, suggesting that wild populations maintain fitness by increasing feeding efficiency and reducing vulnerability to predation and ensure survival by producing large newborns in polluted environments. Total ammonia nitrogen was the leading nitrogen pollutant affecting body size, while total phosphorus and elements of Mn and As were the key factors relating to egg size. The results obtained here provide new sights into biological consequences of environmental pollution in the wild, thus advancing our understanding of pollution impacts on structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

Revision of the squat lobsters of the genus Phylladiorhynchus Baba, 1969 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Galatheidae) with the description of 41 new species.

The genus Phylladiorhynchus Baba, 1969 currently contains 11 species, all occurring in the shallow waters and on the continental shelf of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Recent expeditions in these oceans have resulted in the collection of numerous new specimens in need of analysis. We have studied this material using an integrative approach analysing both morphological and molecular (COI and 16S) characters. We describe 41 new species and resurrect three old names: P. integrus (Benedict, 1902) and P. lenzi (Rathbun, 1907), previously synonymized with P. pusillus (Henderson, 1885), and P. serrirostris (Melin, 1939), previously synonymized with P. integrirostris (Dana, 1852). Most species of the genus are described and illustrated. Some species are barely discernible on the basis of morphological characters but are highly divergent genetically. Species of Phylladiorhynchus are mainly distinguishable by the number of epigastric spines and lateral spines of the carapace, the shape and the armature of the rostrum, the number and pattern of the ridges on the carapace and pleon, the shape of thoracic sternite 3 and the armature of the P24 dactyli. A dichotomous identification key to all species is provided.

Description of three new species of Bradyidius (Copepoda: Calanoida), the new aetideids from the deep Pacific Ocean, with notes on the genera Bradyidius and Aetideopsis.

Three new aetideid species, Bradyidius abyssalis sp. nov., Bradyidius parabyssalis sp. nov., and B. kurilokamchaticus sp. nov. are described from female specimens collected near the seafloor in the abyss of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Specimens of Bradyidius parabyssalis sp. nov. were obtained in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Argentine Basin, area of the Meteor Seamount and the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench). Bradyidius abyssalis sp. nov. was found only in the Atlantic Ocean, (Brazil and Guinea Basins and area of the Meteor Seamount) and Bradyidius kurilokamchaticus sp. nov. was recorded from the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench of the Pacific Ocean. Three new herein described Bradyidius species constitute the first documented records of the genus from the abyss of the World Ocean. In addition, three Bradyidius species from the Weddell Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Kurile-Kamchatka Trench, are briefly described without biological names due to their bad condition. Bradyidius parabyssalis sp. nov. and B. abyssalis sp. nov. are distinguished from all known congeners by the presence of 3 setae at the basis of the mandible and morphological details of the prosome posterior corners and P1. They show close resemblance to each other but differ in body size, rostrum structure, P4 coxa armament and length of the setae of the antennule ancestral segment I and the mandible basis. Bradyidius kurilokamchaticus sp. nov. shares with B. curtus Markhaseva, 1993, B. pacificus (Brodsky, 1950) and B. arnoldi Fleminger, 1957 a rostrum with non-divergent or parallel points, but differs from these species in the size, the well developed lateral spine on exopod segment 1, in the number of setae at the antenna exopod segment 1 and some morphological details of the prosome posterior corners. Characters that define the genus Bradyidius Giesbrecht, 1897 from Aetideopsis Sars, 1903, i.e. the shape of lateral spines of P1exopod segments 1 and 2; the endopod of P2 segmentation and the setation of the antennule ancestral segments XII, XV and XVII are discussed.

A new species of Pilarella (Copepoda, Calanoida, Arietellidae) from the hyperbenthic layer of Japan, with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of some representative genera of the Arietellidae.

A new species of the continental shelf hyperbenthic genus Pilarella is described, the first from the Indo-Pacific. This is the second species of Pilarella known, and the first description of a male in the genus. The new species is easily distinguished from other species of Pilarella (P. longicornis) based on: (1) short caudal rami, approximately 1.5 times longer than wide; (2) 2 setae on the mandibular endopod; (3) 6 setae on the maxillular coxal epipodite; and (4) in the female, a short left antennule reaching the posterior border of the genital double-somite. The new diagnosis of Pilarella differs from Metacalanus in the separation of ancestral segments IX–XII and XIV–XV of the antennule, and the presence of 5–6 setae on the maxillular praecoxal arthrite. Pilarella is also separated from Metacalanalis based on the absence of a seta on the third ancestral segment of the antennary exopod, the symmetry of legs 1–3, the presence of a medial basal seta on the female leg 5, and 2 lateral exopodal spines on the female leg 5. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of some representative genera of the family Arietellidae, including the present new species, recovers two arietellid clades (Metacalanus- and Arietellus-clades) as in previous studies. Dichotomous keys for the genera of Arietellidae and the species of Pilarella are included.

A new sinoalid froghopper in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar (Hemiptera, Cicadomorpha, Sinoalidae)

Here we describe and illustrate a new genus and species of the extinct froghopper family Sinoalidae, Cretomultinervis burmensis gen. et sp. nov. from Burmese (Myanmar) amber. The new genus can be recognized from all sinoalids by the combination of an enlarged pronotum, hind tibia armed with five interlaced lateral spines, leaf-shaped tegmen with very broad postcostal cell, basal cell extremely long, hindwing with costal margin armed with 5 micro-spines basally, and cross vein mp-cua apparently basad of stem CuA fork. This peculiar combination of primitive and derived characters suggests that Cretomultinervis likely represents an early-diverging lineage of Sinoalidae, increasing our knowledge on the morphological disparity of this extinct family during the late Mesozoic.

Review of Odontoscelio Kieffer, 1905 (Platygastroidea, Scelionidae) with the description of two new species from India

All species of Odontoscelio Kieffer, 1905 are imaged, with keys provided to all known males and females in this genus. Two new species, O. agnieleae sp. nov. and O. spinosus sp. nov., are described from India. The generic concept of the genus Odontoscelio is discussed. The presence of axillular spines differentiates this genus from other teleasines such as Dvivarnus Rajmohana &amp; Veenakumari, 2011, Gryonoides Dodd, 1920 and the Trimorus carus (Nixon, 1936) species group, which possess lateral mesoscutellar spines.