Locus Typicus Research Articles

Two Palaearctic species of Orthonevra (Diptera: Syrphidae) under the name O. brevicornis

During studying European material of Orthonevra Macquart, 1829 the presence of two widespread species so far interpreted as Orthonevra brevicornis (Loew, 1843) has been discovered. One species occurs from Central Europe into Transcaucasia and agrees with the taxon O. brevicornis of Loew (1843). The second species, O. atlantica Żóralski & Van de Meutter sp. nov., has its main distribution range in the Atlantic parts of Europe and is described here. We provide a redescription of O. brevicornis and designate a neotype from the type locality (Poland, Posen [= Poznań] vicinity). The most important characters for distinguishing males of these two closely related species are in the structures of the terminalia. A diagnosis and identification key to European black-legged Orthonevra species is given as well as new sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), also known as DNA barcodes, for most of the species of this group. Some new information and changes to the known ranges of Orthonevra species are provided as a result of this revisionary work: O. frontalis (Loew, 1843) is removed from the list of species occurring in Poland; O. gemmula Violovitsh, 1979 is confirmed from Hungary; O. incisa (Loew, 1843) is confirmed from its locus typicus (Poland, Posen vicinity); and O. montana Vujić, 1999 is reported from Poland and Austria for the first time and confirmed for Germany. An explanation for some previous records published as O. plumbago (Loew, 1840) is also given.

About this title - The Miocene Extensional Pannonian Superbasin, Volume 1: Regional Geology

The first Pannonian Superbasin volume is dedicated to the regional geology of various Neogene extensional basins surrounded by the Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides. All these subbasins developed on highly extended continental crust, providing the locus typicus for the general evolution of extensional basins developed in a back-arc basin setting.

Barbronia borealis sp. nov., the first salifid leech discovered in Russia, with a global checklist of this genus

Freshwater leeches belonging to the family Salifidae (Hirudinea: Erpobdelliformes) are mostly distributed through tropical and subtropical areas of the Old World but a few species occur in warm temperate regions of East Asia. Here, we report on the first record of a salifid leech in Russia. A previously unknown species was discovered from the Razdolnaya (Suifun) River basin in the southern part of the Russian Far East and is described here as Barbronia borealis Bolotov, Eliseeva & Kondakov sp. nov. based on morphological and molecular evidence. An updated checklist of the genus Barbronia Johansson, 1918 with verified information on the type localities, general range, and the presence/absence of the COI barcode data on type specimens or topotypes for each valid species-group taxon is compiled. This genus currently contains eight species. We present a taxonomic reappraisal of the COI sequences of two widespread species – Barbronia weberi (Blanchard, 1897) and B. gwalagwalensis Westergren & Siddall, 2004 – in the Barcoding of Life Database (BOLD IDS) to avoid confusion in identification of these species in the future. Finally, a growing body of B. gwalagwalensis occurrences in East and Southeast Asia (Myanmar, South Korea, and China) indicates that this species is native to Asia and that its locus typicus in South Africa is situated within the non-native part of the range.

Integrative taxonomy supports one rather than several species of Palingenia in South-Eastern Europe (Insecta, Ephemeroptera, Palingeniidae)

Palingenia Burmeister, 1839, is a small but intensively debated genus of mayflies due to the controversial taxonomy of the species belonging to it. Once widespread throughout Europe, Palingenia longicauda (Olivier, 1791), an iconic species of large pristine rivers, has lost most of its original range, but conservation efforts are greatly hampered by its morphology, which is similar to the sympatric P. fuliginosa (Georgi, 1802) and the peripatric P. sublongicauda Tshernova, 1949. Based on the revision of Soldán’s original collection, supplemented with fresh material from southeastern Europe, we analyzed 213 adult male specimens from 15 different locations from the presently known distribution area of Palingenia in Europe. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based on the morphometry results of penis morphology and eye distances showed no significant differences among the analyzed populations. Further, the mtCOI barcode sequence data of 73 individuals from the known range of Palingenia species in southeastern Europe represented highly similar populations genetically, with no differentiation. These results show the presence of only one species in southeastern Europe, P. longicauda, thus disproving the distribution of P. fuliginosa in this region. The taxonomic status of P. sublongicauda remains doubtful, as no type material or fresh material from the locus typicus of the species was available for this study. A comprehensive revision of Palingenia, including additional species from Asia and the Indomalayan regions, is highly recommended to reevaluate the species composition of Palingenia and detect the most closely related taxa of the single P. longicauda in Europe.

DNA barcoding as a tool to monitor the diversity of endangered spring snails in an Austrian National Park.

The Kalkalpen National Park is situated in Upper Austria and contains more than 800 springs. The international importance of this Park is, from the perspective of nature conservation directives, highly significant (European Nature Reserve Natura 2000, recognised wetland of the Ramsar convention). In the current study, the hydrobioid fauna ('spring snails') of the Kalkalpen National Park was evaluated. These tiny snails are difficult to determine; however, their investigation is especially desirable, as several species are threatened and as they are important for water quality assessment. Snails collected in 39 selected springs were examined with classical morphological methods (shell and genital anatomy) and, subsequently, by DNA analysis. For this task, the DNA barcode, a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene (length of the sequence 658-682 bp), was PCR amplified and sequenced. From 107 specimens, the DNA barcoding sequence could be obtained and compared with already existing DNA sequences. The (sub)endemic species Bythinellaconica, Hauffeniakerschneri, Hauffeniawienerwaldensis and Belgrandiellaaulaei could be clearly identified. For Bythiospeumnocki, despite the ambitious collecting effort, only empty shells were found in four springs (including the locus typicus spring) in the Park and its surroundings. The genus Bythinella was detected in 36 springs. From 25 of these localities, DNA barcodes could be created, which matches those of Bythinellaconica (comparison data from ABOL). It is, therefore, concluded that the species occurs widely in the Kalkalpen National Park. The genus Hauffenia was sampled from 16 springs. From one, the haplotype of Hauffeniawienerwaldensis could be identified (spring is 5 km outside the Park) and from six, the haplotype of Hauffeniakerschneri. Belgrandiellaaulaei was found in three springs, which all lie outside the boundaries and are, therefore, not included in the protection measures of the National Park. The data and analyses obtained contribute to the assessment of the taxonomic status of the species studied. The present study gives a good baseline for further monitoring of the hydrobioids in the Kalkalpen National Park, which is important to evaluate current as well as to decide on future protection measures for this group.

Hydrogeological Assessment and Modified Conceptual Model of a Dinaric Karst Island Aquifer

Vis Island is situated in southern Croatia. The island is mostly composed of karstified carbonate rocks and belongs to the Dinaric karst region, which is a locus typicus of karst landforms. Located far from the mainland, Vis island has maintained a successful water supply from its own karst aquifer for decades. Hydrogeological research has been undertaken to protect this excellent karst aquifer by establishing sanitary protection zones and to explore the possibility of increasing the pumping yield. New groundwater velocity data obtained via a tracer test were in accordance with the rock mass hydraulic conductivity calculated from previous pumping tests. The hydrochemical interpretation indicated several different phenomena, from carbonate and sulfate rock dissolution to seawater mixing with groundwater. A conceptual model of the island’s aquifer was improved, and two main catchments were delineated according to tracer test results, and connected with the geological setting, hydrochemical data, and new climatological insights. Such an approach is applicable for similar karst aquifers, in which topographic and hydrogeological divides usually do not coincide.

On the type species of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Based on type specimen investigation, the status of Helops tristis Rossi, 1790 as the type species of the genus Dendarus Dejean, 1821 is confirmed. Lectotypes are designated for Helops tristis and Pandarus coarcticollis Mulsant, 1854 both are classified in Dendarus. Pandarus libanicus Desbrochers des Loges, 1881 is recognised as a junior synonym of Dendarus calcaratus Baudi di Selve, 1881. Both taxa share the same locus typicus (Mount Lebanon in Lebanon) and are morphologically distinct from the Italian Dendarus lugens (Mulsant Rey, 1854). Finally, D. lugens is considered as a synonym of D. (Dendarus) coarcticollis.

Range‐wide phylogeography and taxonomy of the marine rock pools dwellerTigriopus fulvus(Fischer, 1860) (Copepoda, Harpacticoida)

In the light of the wide distribution and ecological importance of the genus Tigriopus in coastal rock pool habitats, and of its frequent use in aquaculture and as a model organism, we investigated the identity of the Atlantic–Mediterranean Tigriopus populations and elucidated their taxonomy and patterns of morphological and genetic diversity. In order to reach these goals, an “integrative taxonomy” multisource approach was implemented. First, we investigated the constancy and taxonomical value of the morphological characters currently used to distinguish among the Tigriopus species occurring in the Mediterranean and in Eastern Atlantic area north of the Tropic of Cancer, and checked the actual morphological differences possibly present among topotypical samples of Tigriopus fulvus fulvus (Fischer, 1860) and its two subspecies Tigriopus fulvus adriaticus Van Douwe, 1913 and Tigriopus fulvus algiricus Monard, 1935. Then, we sequenced fragments of mitochondrial (12S) and nuclear (28S) genes. In the frame of this study, different “DNA taxonomy” approaches were implemented in order to check whether the subspecies of Tigriopus fulvus were actually lineages evolving independently, that is, valid species according to the “evolutionary genetic species concept.” The results coherently indicate the presence of a single species, characterized by constant morphology and a noteworthy geographically based genetic structure in the whole study area. No morphological or genetic support was found for the taxa of allegedly subspecific rank within T. fulvus, which are thus to be considered junior synonyms of T. fulvus s.s. Finally, a restricted locus typicus is established for T. fulvus, and a neotype is designated.

Iberirhynchiidae nueva familia de rinconélidos ancistrorhynchoideos (braquiópodos) del Ordovícico Medio al Devónico Inferior de Euroamérica y Gondwana

Se propone la nueva Familia Iberirhynchiidae (Ancistrorhynchoidea), para rinconélidos anteriormente incluidos en Trigonirhynchiidae (Rhynchotrematoidea), pero con seudoseptalio, cubierto o no por un conectivo, formado por la unión de las placas crurales con un tabique medio dorsal constituido por láminas superpuestas de concha secundaria, en lugar del típico septo medio trigonirínquido, con finas láminas de calcita granular (mediotest) en la región axial, sobre las que van apareciendo hacia delante láminas de concha secundaria. Se redescribe la especie-tipo de Iberirhynchia, I. santaluciensis, a partir de una numerosa muestra de ejemplares posiblemente topotípicos, varios especimenes de diferentes localidades asturianas y leonesas, y de otra pequeña muestra de material original prestado por el Rijksmuseum van Geologie en Mineralogie de Leiden, Holanda. En esta redescripción se abordan y se resuelven, hasta donde resulta posible, diferentes problemas relacionados con la naturaleza, procedencia y actual lugar de depósito del holotipo y demás tipos de la especie. Se aportan también diferentes observaciones paleoecológicas que muestran el desarrollo alométrico de la concha que, con la edad, crece más en grosor que en longitud. La relativa escasez de epizoos y de señales de reparación de las conchas, indica un medio marino relativamente tranquilo y estable. Hasta ahora, la única especie del género es la tipo, I. santaluciensis. Las formas denominadas Iberirhynchia nargis e Iberirhynchia sp. son verdaderos trigonirínquidos, con septalio convencional, no cubierto.

Population decline in the Critically Endangered Musschia isambertoi (Campanulaceae) endemic to Desertas Islands (Madeira Archipelago) calls for urgent conservation management

Macaronesian islands display a high degree of plant endemicity and correspond to some of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots due to several human driven impacts such as habitat loss, invasive species, overexploitation or climate change. The conservation status of the largest of the two known population of Musschia isambertoi M. Seq., R. Jardim, Magda Silva and L. Carvalho (Campanulaceae) was assessed recently. Field work was done in June 2018 in “Porto das Moças” Deserta Grande (Madeira Archipelago, Portugal), the locus typicus, where in 2006 close to 30 plants were detected with a high variation of age/size between individuals comprising both fully flowering and non-flowering adult plants as well as seedlings, and thus corresponding to a healthy population. This study assesses population size, age and plant size, and genetic, as well as floristic diversity. The total area of the site corresponds to approximately 1500 square meters. Ten individuals were detected, all corresponding to young seedlings not exceeding 15 cm high, and exhibiting approximately the same size and numbers of leaves (4–8). No adult plants or remains of adult plants were seen. Ecological data and direct herbivory evidence suggest that perennial plants are subjected to elimination during the short summer by the feral goat population. Molecular data based on ISSR markers show that the nine sampled individuals (out of ten individuals found) are genetically identical, possibly resulting from one parental plant. Results clearly suggest that Musschia isambertoi is very close to extinction. Urgent conservation measures are imperative and should include the immediate fencing of the population followed by the elimination of feral goats from Deserta Grande. The elimination of feral goats was initiated in 1996 (LIFE95 NAT/P/000125, 383,467.00 €) but stopped due to inappropriate conservation policies of the former Services of the Natural Park of Madeira.

The nomenclatural status of Phoenicurusia Verity, 1943 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Lycaeninae).

Roger (Ruggero) Verity published Phoenicurusia as a subgenus of Lycaena Fabricius, on p. 21 of vol. 2 of Farfalle Diurne d'Italia (1943), since in the male genitalia the falces were bent like an acute elbow after one-quarter of their length, rather than smoothly curved as they are in species of the subgenus Lycaena. Verity contextually designated Polyommatus phoenicurus Lederer, 1870 (Locus Typicus: [LT] 'Hadschyabad' [N. Iran]) as the Type Species [TS] of Phoenicurusia and described the male genitalia of phoenicurus Lederer, 1870, "razza" scintillans Christoph, 1887, labelled as from Germab (Askhabad [Turkmenistan]), and those of Polyommatus dimorphus Staudinger, 1881, labelled as from Passo Taldyk [Kyrgyzstan: Alai Mts]. Although Verity included both species in his new subgenus, he also highlighted an important difference existing between them, since, contrary to those of dimorphus, the genitalia of phoenicurus were 'enormous' with respect to the size of the butterfly. Both the aedeagus and the valvae were extremely elongate, much more than those of dimorphus and the latter were terminally toothed.

Macrobiotus coronifer Richters, 1903 (type species for Richtersius Pilato amp; Binda, 1989): designating a new neotype from the original type locality described within the integrative taxonomy framework.

The designation of a neotype for Macrobiotus coronifer Richters, 1903 (now the type species of the genus Richtersius Pilato Binda, 1989) by Maucci Ramazzotti (1981) with type locality Bodø in Norway is shown to be invalid as it does not comply with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Article 75.3.4). Furthermore, the specimen selected by Maucci Ramazzotti (1981) is not from the original type locality, and the superficial and outdated documentation prevent a reliable identification of the species. A Code-compliant neotype is therefore designated. The new neotype was collected from the original locus typicus in Svalbard and described with standard light microscopy, detailed scanning electron microscopy imaging, DNA barcodes and a transcriptome, which makes it ideally suited for stabilising the taxonomy and nomenclature of Richtersius coronifer (Richters, 1903).

The relationship among the Auletobius species of the subgenus Canarauletes and the description of a new species (Attelabidae: Rhynchitinae)

A new Auletobius species of the subgenus Canarauletes, Auletobius gaditanus spec. nov., is described from southern Spain. The report that the sister taxon Auletobius maroccanus Hoffmann, 1953 (Locus typicus: Morocco, Reggou, Moyen Moulouya) also occurs in Spain (Almeria: Punta del Sabinar) is corrected, because this specimen also belongs to the new species without doubt. In a morphological and molecular differential diagnosis, the new species is distinguished from the closest related species, and for the first time, a molecular relationship analysis (CO1) is presented for almost all species of the subgenus Canarauletes, whose main distribution area is in the Canary Islands and Madeira.
 
 Taxonomic acts
 Auletobius gaditanus spec. nov. – urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:17F6BFE9-974E-46B2-BA6E-05624044EAD7

Further steps of Cryptorchestia garbinii invasion in Polish inland waters with insights into its molecular diversity in Central and Western Europe

Cryptorchestia garbinii Ruffo, Tarocco and Latella, 2014 (Amphipoda: Talitridae), a semiterrestrial amphipod, reported (as Orchestia cavimana Heller, 1865) from the Polish inland waters, e.g., the lowermost Vistula River, for the first time in 2009. Now, we have reported this species from the upper Oder River, which is c.a. 350 km SE from the closest known localities near Berlin, Germany. We confirmed its identity by the DNA barcodes and showed that all individuals found so far in other countries in Central and Western Europe represent the same haplotype, excluding a singleton from the locus typicus of this species in Lake Garda, Italy.

Continental copepods (Crustacea: Hexanauplia) of Colombia: revision and additions to the inventory

We present the compilation of published and unpublished records of continental copepods of Colombia, as well as personal observations by the authors, yielding an additional list of 52 species and subspecies (7 calanoids, 20 cyclopoids, 25 harpacticoids). In addition to our former inventory (2007) of 69 species, the total number now reaches 121 taxa, increasing by 75 % the known number of continental copepods. Freshwater taxa increased in 15 species and subspecies. The number of brackish species (and marine species collected in brackish environments), recorded from coastal lagoons and temporal offshore ponds reached 39 species and subspecies. Thirteen taxa with locus typicus in Colombia have been described since 2007. Between 2007 and 2018, thirty-nine departmental records were made, and 43 new habitat records were reported (not including the species recorded as new for the country). Parasitic copepods of fish reached six species. However, the number of species is expected to increase with the survey of poorly studied regions like the Amazon and the Eastern Plains, and habitats like groundwater, benthos of lakes and ponds, semiterrestrial environments and additional coastal lagoons.

Description of the female of Gnophopsodos ravistriolaria (Wehrli, 1922 (Lepidoptera: Geometridae).

The genus Gnophopsodos Wehrli, 1945 has recently been under revision (Erlacher Erlacher 2016). For three out of nine species belonging to the taxon, the females have hitherto been unknown, one of them being G. ravistriolaria. Material collected in the Sayan Mountains in 2015, about 25 km away from the locus typicus of G. ravistriolaria, and recently received, contained two males of that species and a single unknown female. The latter could clearly be assigned to the genus Gnophopsodos by their genitalia. We conclude that the female belongs to G. ravistriolaria based on the following: (1) it belongs to a small series further comprising two males that proved to be G. ravistriolaria based on genitalia characters; (2) all of the three specimens have been collected close to the locus typicus of G. ravistriolaria, where no sympatric Gnophopsodos species are known from; (3) the new female clearly differs from females of other Gnophopsodos species concerning its genitalia characters and (4) its habitus matches that of the known males, including the holotype. The female of G. ravistriolaria is now illustrated for the first time.

Redescription of Milnesium alpigenum Ehrenberg, 1853 (Tardigrada: Apochela) and a description of Milnesium inceptum sp. nov., a tardigrade laboratory model.

Intra- and interspecific variability, being at the very core of alpha taxonomy, has been a long-standing topic of debate among tardigrade taxonomists. Early studies tended to assume that tardigrades exhibit wide intraspecific variation. However, with more careful morphological studies, especially those incorporating molecular tools that allow for an independent verification of species identifications based on phenotypic traits, we now recognise that ranges of tardigrade intraspecific variability are narrower, and that differences between species may be more subtle than previously assumed. The taxonomic history of the genus Milnesium, and more specifically that of the nominal species, M. tardigradum described by Doyère in 1840, is a good illustration of the evolution of views on intraspecific variability in tardigrades. The assumption of wide intraspecific variability in claw morphology led Marcus (1928) to synonymise two species with different claw configurations, M. alpigenum and M. quadrifidum, with M. tardigradum. Currently claw configuration is recognised as one of the key diagnostic traits in the genus Milnesium, and the two species suppressed by Marcus have recently been suggested to be valid. In this study, we clarify the taxonomic status of M. alpigenum, a species that for nearly a century was considered invalid. We redescribe M. alpigenum, using a population collected from the locus typicus, by the means of integrative taxonomy, i.e. including light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, ontogenetic observations, and genetic barcoding. Moreover, the redescription of M. alpigenum allowed us to verify the uncertain taxonomic status of two popular laboratory models that were originally considered to be M. tardigradum; though one was recently reidentified as M. cf. alpigenum. Our analysis showed that both laboratory strains, despite being morphologically and morphometrically nearly identical to M. alpigenum, in fact represent a new species, M. inceptum sp. nov. The two species, being disnguishable only by statistical morphometry and/or DNA sequences, are the first example of pseudocryptic species in tardigrades.

THE FIRST DNA BARCODE RECORD FOR Rhyacophila bosnica Schmid, 1970 AND PAIRING OF ADULT AND LARVAL LIFE STAGES

Rhyacophila Pictet, 1834 is globally distributed and highly diverse genus of caddisflies (Trichoptera), characterized by numerous regionally endemic species. In the Balkan Peninsula, the highest number of Rhyacophila species (23) was recorded for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rhyacophila bosnica Schmid, 1970 is found only in the Balkan Dinaric region, with a locus typicus in Vučja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Like with many species of Trichoptera, the morphology of its larva is still unknown. Therefore, DNA barcoding approach was used to link two developmental stages. In this paper, we report on the first DNA barcode record for this species.

Anatomy of a mountain: The Thebes Limestone Formation (Lower Eocene) at Gebel Gurnah, Luxor, Nile Valley, Upper Egypt

We present a detailed geologic study of the Thebes Formation at Gebel Gurnah in its locus typicus on the West Bank (opposite Luxor) of the Nile River in the Upper Nile Valley, Egypt. This is the first detailed measurement and lithologic description of the ∼340 m thick (predominantly) carbonate section. The Thebes Formation is divided into thirteen major lithic units (A to M). We interpret data on the lithologic succession and variations, whole rock/clay mineralogy, and macro/micropaleontology in terms of deposition on a shallow carbonate platform episodically influenced by continental runoff, and describe six depositional sequences that we place in the global framework of Lower Eocene (Ypresian) sequence stratigraphy. We note however significant incompatibilities between the Thebes depositional sequences and the global sequences. We emend the definition of the Thebes Formation by defining its top as corresponding to level 326 m at the top of Nodular Limestone ‘L’ (NLL), and assigning the overlying beds to the Minia Limestone Formation. New biostratigraphic data and revision of previous studies establish the direct assignment of the Thebes Formation to planktonic foraminiferal Zones E4/P6b (upper part), E5/P7 and (indirectly) Zone E6/P8, and (probably, indirectly) Zone E7a/”P9”, and to calcareous nannofossil Zone NP12 and lower Zone NP13 of the Lower Eocene (Ypresian) and provide a temporal framework spanning ∼ 2.8 Myr from <52.45 to ∼49.6 Ma for the deposition of the Thebes Formation prior to the prominent sea level fall (∼49.6 Ma) towards the end of the Early Eocene. Dominantly carbonate deposition, with a strongly reduced detrital influx, occurred on a very wide shelf (probably) at least ∼ 100 km from the coastline. The thick sedimentary succession and the marked vertical lithologic variations are interpreted as resulting from sea level fluctuations imprinted on a long-term decrease in sea-level associated with rapid subsidence reflecting tectonic relaxation after the major Late Paleocene tectonic reorganization of the Syrian Arc.

Gilbert Rahm and the Status of Mesotardigrada Rahm, 1937

The tardigrade class Mesotardigrada was erected on the basis of the description of Thermozodium esakii by Gilbert Rahm in 1937. In some characteristics, T. esakii is intermediate between members of the classes Eutardigrada and Heterotardigrada. The class Mesotardigrada is known only from Rahm's published drawings of T. esakii; no voucher specimens are known, and subsequent attempts to collect it at the locus typicus have been unsuccessful. Among the possible explanations for this situation are that Rahm may have collected specimens of a more typical tardigrade, but misinterpreted what he saw. Alternatively, changes in habitat in the area may have led to the tardigrade's extirpation. Perhaps T. esakii is a rare species, such that recent sampling efforts have been insufficient to rediscover it. Finally, Rahm's 1937 description may be an attempt at deception. Until physical evidence of T. esakii is found, the species, and by extension the class Mesotardigrada, should be considered nomen dubium.